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): July 12, 2016

 

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   (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
or organization)       Identification No.)

 

712 Fifth Avenue, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10019

(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)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K 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))

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

On July 12, 2016, Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, or the Company, its operating partnership, Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or the Operating Partnership, and its manager, BRG Manager, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or the Manager, entered into an Underwriting Agreement, or the Underwriting Agreement, with Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC, or Janney, and D.A. Davidson & Co., or D.A. Davidson, as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule A attached to the Underwriting Agreement, or the Underwriters, in connection with the public offering, or the Offering, by the Company of 2,000,000 shares of 7.625% Series C cumulative redeemable preferred stock, or the Series C Preferred Stock, of the Company, or the Firm Shares. The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares (as defined below) are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No.  333-208956) , as the same may be amended and/or supplemented, or the Registration Statement, under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, and were offered and sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated July 12, 2016, and a base prospectus dated January 29, 2016 relating to the Registration Statement.

 

Under the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company also granted to the Underwriters an overallotment option, or the Overallotment Option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of the Company’s prospectus supplement dated July 12, 2016, to purchase up to 300,000 additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, or the Additional Shares, at the Offering Price (as defined below), less underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover overallotments, if any. The Underwriters have elected to exercise the Overallotment Option in full at the same time as the closing of the Firm Shares, and each Underwriter has purchased their pro rata share of the Additional Shares based on the number of Firm Shares initially purchased by each Underwriter.

 

The Underwriters offered the Firm Shares and Additional Shares, or the Shares, to the public at a liquidation preference of $25.00 per Share, or the Offering Price, and to certain dealers, which may include the Underwriters, at the Offering Price less a selling concession not in excess of $0.50 per Share.

 

The Offering is expected to close on July 19, 2016. Under the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company and the Operating Partnership have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other federal or state statutory laws or regulations. The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, obligations of the parties and termination provisions.

 

The foregoing description of the Underwriting Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit No. 1.1 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 Firm Shares and the Additional Shares is attached as Exhibit 5.1 hereto, and a copy of the opinion of Vinson & Elkins LLP with respect to tax matters concerning the Firm Shares and the Additional Shares is attached as Exhibit 8.1 hereto.

 

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

 

On July 15, 2016, in connection with the Offering, the Company entered into a Fifth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, or the Fifth Amendment, of its Operating Partnership. The Fifth Amendment provides, among other things, for the designation of 2,300,000 7.625% Series C cumulative redeemable preferred units of the Operating Partnership, or the Series C Preferred Units, and the issuance of the Series C Preferred Units to the Company in exchange for the contribution by the Company of the net proceeds of the Offering. The Series C Preferred Units will have substantially similar rights and preferences as the Series C Preferred Stock, as described below in Item 3.03.

 

The foregoing description of the Fifth Amendment is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Fifth Amendment, 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.

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.03. MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

On July 15, 2016, the Company filed Articles Supplementary, or the Articles Supplementary, with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation to designate 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, as shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, with the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as set forth therein. The Articles Supplementary became effective upon filing on July 15, 2016.

 

The Articles Supplementary provide that the Company will pay cumulative cash dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock, from July 19, 2016, the date of original issuance, to, but not including, July 19, 2023, at a rate of 7.625% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to the fixed annual amount of $1.90625 per share), or the Initial Rate, when and if authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock will be payable quarterly in arrears on each January 5th, April 5th, July 5th and October 5th of each year, commencing on October 5, 2016 (or, if any such day is not a business day, on the next succeeding business day, with the same force and effect as if paid on such date). The Series C Preferred Stock will rank (i) senior to the Company’s Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, or the Class A Common Stock, and (ii) on parity with our 8.250% Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock and our Series B redeemable preferred stock, in each case with respect to priority of dividend payments and rights upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

The Series C Preferred Stock is not redeemable by the Company prior to July 19, 2021, except in limited circumstances relating to the Company’s ability to preserve its qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), the Company’s compliance with its Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Articles Supplementary), or in connection with a Change of Control/Delisting (as defined in the Articles Supplementary).

 

On and after July 19, 2021, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends to and including the redemption date.

 

Commencing on July 19, 2023, the Company will pay cumulative cash dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock at an annual dividend rate of the Initial Rate increased by 2.0% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share, which will increase by an additional 2.0% of the liquidation preference per share on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, subject to a maximum annual dividend rate of 14.0%.

 

Commencing on July 19, 2023, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock may, at their option, elect to cause the Company to redeem their shares at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date, payable in cash or in equal value of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, or any combination thereof, at the Company’s option. If the Company elects to redeem some or all of the Series C Preferred Stock held by any such redeeming holders in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, the number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock to be issued per share of Series C Preferred Stock that the Company chooses to redeem with shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock will be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of Series C Preferred Stock plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon to and including the redemption date (unless the redemption date is after a record date for a Series C Preferred Stock dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series C Preferred Stock dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued but unpaid dividend payment will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price (as defined in the Articles Supplementary). Upon the redemption of Series C Preferred Stock for shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, the Company will not issue fractional shares of Class A Common Stock but will instead pay the cash value of such fractional shares.

 

In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control/Delisting, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control/Delisting occurred, by paying $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon to and including the redemption date, in cash. In addition, in the event a Change of Control/Delisting should occur, each holder of Series C Preferred Stock may, at its sole option, elect to cause the Company to redeem any or all of such holder’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock in cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, to and including the redemption date, no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days following the date the Company notifies holders of the Change of Control/Delisting.

 

If the Company fails to maintain an Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Articles Supplementary) of at least 200% and such failure is not timely cured, the Company is required to redeem a portion of its outstanding Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock (as defined in the Articles Supplementary), which may include, in the Company’s sole option, Series C Preferred Stock, in an amount at least equal to the lesser of (1) the minimum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock necessary to cause the Company to meet its required Asset Coverage Ratio and (2) the maximum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that the Company can redeem out of cash legally available for such redemption.

 

 

 

 

The Series C Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not generally subject to mandatory redemption or any sinking fund. Holders of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock will generally have no voting rights, except for limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for each of six or more consecutive quarterly periods and in certain other circumstances. There are restrictions on ownership of the Series C 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 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.

 

Press Release Announcing the Pricing of the Offering

 

On July 12, 2016, the Company issued a press release announcing the pricing of the Offering. The press release, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit No. 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated by reference into this Item 8.01. 

 

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
1.1   Underwriting Agreement by and among Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC and D.A. Davidson & Co., as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule A attached thereto, Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P. and BRG Manager, LLC, dated July 12, 2016
     
3.1   Articles Supplementary of the Company, dated July 15, 2016
5.1   Opinion of Venable LLP
     
8.1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins LLP
     
10.1   Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P., dated July 15, 2016
99.1   Press Release, dated July 12, 2016

 

 

 

 

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.
     
Dated: July 18, 2016 By: /s/ Christopher J. Vohs  
    Christopher J. Vohs  
    Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
1.1   Underwriting Agreement by and among Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC and D.A. Davidson & Co., as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule A attached thereto, Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P. and BRG Manager, LLC, dated July 12, 2016
     
3.1   Articles Supplementary of the Company, dated July 15, 2016
     
5.1   Opinion of Venable LLP
     
8.1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins LLP
     
10.1   Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P., dated July 15, 2016
     
99.1   Press Release, dated July 12, 2016

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 1.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

2,000,000 Shares

 

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT , INC .

 

7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

July 12, 2016

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

1717 Arch Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

D.A. Davidson & Co.

111 S. Calvert Street, Suite 2830

Baltimore, MD 21202

 

As Representatives of the Several Underwriters Named in Schedule A Hereto

 

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), together with Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership for which the Company is the sole general partner (the “ Operating Partnership ” and together with the Company, the “ Transaction Entities ”) and BRG Manager, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Manager ”), agrees with Janney Montgomery Scott LLC and D.A. Davidson & Co., as the representatives (the “ Representatives ”) of the several Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “ Underwriters ”) to issue and sell to the several Underwriters 2,000,000 shares (the “ Firm Shares ”) of its 7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Series C Preferred Stock ”), and also proposes to issue and sell to the Underwriters, at the option of the Underwriters, an aggregate of not more than 300,000 additional shares of its Series C Preferred Stock (the “ Optional Shares ”) as set forth below. The Firm Shares and the Optional Shares are herein collectively called the “ Offered Shares .” Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership (the “ OP Agreement ”), as amended by that First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as further amended by that Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as further amended by that Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as further amended by the Fourth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership and as further amended by the Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership upon receipt of the net proceeds of (a) the sale of the Firm Shares on the First Closing Date (as defined below) and (b) any and all Optional Shares on each Optional Closing Date (as defined below), the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bluerock REIT Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings LLC ”), will contribute such net proceeds to the Operating Partnership in exchange for a number of 7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units of partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (the “ Series C Preferred OP Units ”) that is equivalent to the number of Firm Shares and Optional Shares sold to the Underwriters (the “ Company Preferred OP Units ”).

 

 

 

 

1. Representations and Warranties of the Transaction Entities .

 

(a) Representations and Warranties . The Transaction Entities, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to, and agree with, the several Underwriters that:

 

(i) Filing and Effectiveness of Registration Statement; Certain Defined Terms . The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-208956) covering the registration of the Offered Shares under the Act, including a base prospectus (the “ Base Prospectus ”). Such registration statement, as amended, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, in the form in which it became effective under the Act, including all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein and any information deemed to be a part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430B under the Act, shall be referred to as the “ Registration Statement .” Any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act in connection with the offer and sale of the Offered Shares is called the “ Rule 462(b) Registration Statement ,” and from and after the date and time of filing of any such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement the term “ Registration Statement ” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The preliminary prospectus supplement dated July 11, 2016 describing the Offered Shares and the offering thereof (the “ Preliminary Prospectus Supplement ”), together with the Base Prospectus, is called the “ Preliminary Prospectus ,” and the Preliminary Prospectus and any other prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus in preliminary form that describes the Offered Shares and the offering thereof and is used prior to the filing of the Prospectus (as defined below), together with the Base Prospectus, is called a “ preliminary prospectus .” As used herein, the term “ Prospectus ” shall mean the final prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus dated the date hereof that describes the Offered Shares and the offering thereof (the “ Final Prospectus Supplement ”), together with the Base Prospectus, in the form first used by the Underwriters to confirm sales of the Offered Shares or in the form first made available to the Underwriters by the Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Act. References herein to the Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus shall refer to both the prospectus supplement and the Base Prospectus components of such prospectus, including all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.

 

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The Registration Statement has been declared effective under the Act. The Offered Shares all have been duly registered under the Act pursuant to the Registration Statement. The Company has complied, to the Commission’s satisfaction, with all requests of the Commission for additional or supplemental information, if any. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of or use of the Registration Statement has been issued under the Act, and no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for any such purposes have been instituted and are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information from the Company in connection with the Registration Statement has been complied with. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Act. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package (as defined below) and the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, or became effective under the Exchange Act, as the case may be, complied and will comply (as applicable) in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

 

For purposes of this Agreement:

 

430B Information ” with respect to any registration statement, means information included in a prospectus and retroactively deemed to be a part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B(b).

 

Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Applicable Time ” means 8:30 A.M. (Eastern Time) on the date of this Agreement.

 

Closing Date ” has the meaning defined in Section 3 hereof.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Effective Time ” with respect to the Registration Statement, means the date and time as of which such Registration Statement was declared effective by the Commission.

 

Environmental Law ” means any federal, state or local law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, decree, judgment, injunction, permit, license, authorization or other binding requirement, or common law, relating to health, safety or the protection, cleanup or restoration of the environment or natural resources, including those relating to the distribution, processing, generation, treatment, storage, disposal, transportation, other handling or release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials.

 

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Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

General Disclosure Package ” means the Preliminary Prospectus, as amended or supplemented immediately prior to the Applicable Time, together with the information and free writing prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule B hereto.

 

General Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a “bona fide electronic road show”, defined in Rule 433 (the “ Bona Fide Electronic Road Show ”)), as evidenced by its being so specified in Schedule B to this Agreement.

 

Hazardous Materials ” means any material (including, without limitation, pollutants, contaminants, hazardous or toxic substances or wastes), the presence of which in the environment is prohibited, regulated or serves as the basis of liability as defined, listed or regulated by any Environmental Law.

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, relating to the Offered Shares, including, without limitation, any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) relating to the Offered Shares that is (i) required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) a road show that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) exempt from filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Offered Shares or of the offering of the Offered Shares that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

 

Limited Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not a General Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

 

Registration Statement ” without reference to a time means such Registration Statement as of its Effective Time. For purposes of the foregoing definitions, 430B Information with respect to a Registration Statement shall be considered to be included in such Registration Statement as of the time specified in Rule 430B.

 

LTIP Units ” means the special units of partnership interest of the Operating Partnership having the rights, preferences and other privileges designated in Section 4.04 and elsewhere in the OP Agreement.

 

Rules and Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

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Securities Laws ” means, collectively, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“ Sarbanes-Oxley ”), the Act, the Exchange Act, the Rules and Regulations, the auditing principles, rules, standards and practices applicable to auditors of “issuers” (as defined in Sarbanes-Oxley) promulgated or approved by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as applicable, the rules of the NYSE MKT, LLC (the “ NYSE MKT ”) (“ Exchange Rules ”).

 

Statutory Prospectus ” means the Base Prospectus, as amended and supplemented immediately prior to the Applicable Time, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof. For purposes of this definition, Rule 430B Information contained in a form of prospectus that is deemed retroactively to be a part of the Registration Statement shall be considered to be included in the Statutory Prospectus as of the actual time that such form of prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act.

 

Subsidiary ” or “ Subsidiaries ” means each of the entities listed on Schedule D, which i) comprise all of the subsidiaries of the Transaction Entities, including the entities in which the Operating Partnership owns, directly or indirectly, all of the membership interests; ii) hold assets and iii) such omitted entities are considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not constitute a “ significant subsidiary ” within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.

 

Unless otherwise specified, a reference to a “ rule ” or “ Rule ” is to the indicated rule under the Act.

 

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(ii) Compliance with Securities Act Requirements . (A) (1) At the Effective Time, (2) on the date of this Agreement and (3) on each Closing Date, the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto complied and will comply in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, and did not, does not and will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (B) the Preliminary Prospectus, on any date of use, complied in all material respects with the Act (including without limitation Section 10 of the Act) and at no time during the period that begins on the date of the Preliminary Prospectus and the date on which the Preliminary Prospectus was filed with the Commission and ends immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement did the Preliminary Prospectus contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (C) the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, as of their respective issue dates, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, and neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto (including any prospectus wrapper), as of its issue date, at the time of any filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and at each Closing Date, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties contained herein do not apply to statements in or omissions from any document discussed herein based upon written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that such information is only that described as such in Section 8(b) hereof (collectively, the “ Underwriter Information ”). The Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Series C Preferred Stock were or will be substantially identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

(iii) General Disclosure Package . As of the Applicable Time and on each Closing Date, none of (A) the General Disclosure Package, (B) any individual Limited Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package and/or (C) each road show, if any, when considered together with, and as may be corrected by, the General Disclosure Package, included, includes or will include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Statutory Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or road show made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

 

(iv) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses . Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and, to the extent not superseded or modified, at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Offered Shares did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information then contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conformed, conforms or will conform in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder. The Company has not made any offer relating to the Offered Shares that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representatives; provided that such consent is deemed to have been given with respect to each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus identified on Schedule B to this Agreement. The Company (A) has filed or will file each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder in accordance therewith and/or (B) has retained or will retain in accordance with the Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that were not required to be filed pursuant to the Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder. The Company has made any Bona Fide Electronic Road Show in compliance with Rule 433(d)(8)(i) such that no filing of any road show (as defined in Rule 433(h)) is required in connection with the offering of the Series C Preferred Stock.

 

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(v) Ineligible Issuer Status . As of the determination date referenced in Rule 164(h) under the Act, the Company was not, is not or will not be (as applicable) an “ ineligible issuer ” in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433, including (x) the Company or its subsidiaries in the preceding three years not having been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or having been made the subject of a judicial or administrative decree or order as described in Rule 405 and (y) the Company or its subsidiaries in the preceding three years not having been the subject of a bankruptcy petition or insolvency or similar proceeding, not having had a registration statement be the subject of a proceeding or examination under Section 8 of the Act and not being the subject of a pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Act in connection with an offering, all as described in Rule 405.

 

(vi) Good Standing of the Transaction Entities . The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, with the full corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement to which it is a party; and the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, earnings, business, properties or prospects of the Transaction Entities and each of their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”). The Operating Partnership has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited partnership in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement to which it is a party; and the Operating Partnership is duly qualified to do business as a foreign organization in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(vii) Subsidiaries . Each Subsidiary (including, without limitation, Holdings LLC) has been duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with power and authority (corporate or other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and each Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or organization in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; all of the issued and outstanding capital stock, partnership interests or membership interests of each Subsidiary, including the outstanding LTIP Units of the Operating Partnership, has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable (except with respect to future contributions as provided in the operating agreement or limited partnership agreement (or similar organizational document) of the applicable Subsidiary made subsequent to the date hereof); and the capital stock, membership interest, limited partnership interest or other equity interest of each Subsidiary held by the Transaction Entities or a Subsidiary, as applicable, is held as set forth on Schedule E hereto. The Transaction Entities, directly or indirectly through their respective Subsidiaries, hold good and marketable title to their equity interests in their respective Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or security interest, except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, subject only to restrictions on transfer imposed under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and the limited liability company agreement, limited partnership agreement or other organizational document of each Subsidiary; and have not conveyed, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated any of their respective equity interests in their Subsidiaries, in whole or in part, or granted any rights, options or rights of first refusal or first offer to purchase any of such interests or any portion thereof.

 

(viii) Subsidiaries of Transaction Entities . The Transaction Entities do not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than (i) the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement, (ii) the subsidiaries not listed on Exhibit 21 but listed on Schedule D hereto, and (ii) such other entities omitted from Exhibit 21 which, when such omitted entities are considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not constitute a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.

 

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(ix) Authorization of Underwriting Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Transaction Entities and is enforceable against each Transaction Entity in accordance with the applicable terms contained herein.

 

(x) Shares . The Offered Shares and all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized; the authorized equity capitalization of the Company is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “ Capitalization ”, all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are, and when the Offered Shares have been delivered and paid for in accordance with this Agreement on each Closing Date as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, such Offered Shares will be, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, will conform to the information in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to the description of such Offered Shares contained therein; the stockholders of the Company have no preemptive rights with respect to the Offered Shares; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock have been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any security holder; any forms of certificates used to represent the Offered Shares comply in all material respects with all applicable statutory requirements and with any applicable requirements of the Organizational Documents of the Company, and with any requirements of the NYSE MKT. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding (a) securities of the Company reserved for any purpose (other than certain outstanding common units of partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (the “ OP Units ”) and LTIP Units disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus), (b) securities or obligations of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”), shares of Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Series B Preferred Stock ”) or shares of Series C Preferred Stock, (c) warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase from the Company any such shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock or any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations or (d) obligations of the Company to issue or sell any shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations, or any such warrants, rights or options. At the First Closing Date, there will be 19,565,807 shares of Common Stock outstanding, 5,721,460 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding, 1,169,881 LTIP Units outstanding, 5,721,460 Series A Preferred OP Units outstanding, warrants to purchase approximately 53,780 shares of Common Stock outstanding, approximately 2,689 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, approximately 2,689 Series B Preferred Units of partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (the “ Series B Preferred OP Units ”), 2,000,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding (assuming the Underwriters do not purchase the Optional Shares prior to the First Closing Date), 2,000,000 Series C Preferred OP Units outstanding (assuming the Underwriters do not purchase the Optional Shares prior to the First Closing Date) and 19,871,375 OP Units outstanding, and each such class of securities conforms to the description set out in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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(xi) No Equity Awards . Except for grants (including those subject to issuance under the Management Agreement) disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not granted, to any person or entity a stock option or other equity-based award of or to purchase Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to an equity-based compensation plan or otherwise.

 

(xii) OP Units and Preferred OP Units .

 

(1) OP Units . All outstanding OP Units have been duly authorized; all outstanding OP Units are validly issued and will conform to the information in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to the description of such OP Units contained therein; the holders of the outstanding OP Units have no preemptive rights with respect to the outstanding OP Units; none of the outstanding OP Units have been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any security holder; all outstanding OP Units have been issued and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding (a) securities of the Operating Partnership reserved for any purpose, (b) securities or obligations of the Operating Partnership convertible into or exchangeable or redeemable for any partnership interests of the Operating Partnership, (c) warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase from the Operating Partnership any such partnership interests or any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations or (d) obligations of the Operating Partnership to issue or sell any partnership interests, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations, or any such warrants, rights or options. There are 19,871,375 OP Units outstanding, of which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 19,565,807 OP Units.

 

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(2) Series A Preferred OP Units . All outstanding Series A Preferred OP Units have been duly authorized; all outstanding Series A Preferred OP Units are validly issued and will conform to the information in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to the description of such Series A Preferred OP Units contained therein; the holders of the outstanding OP Units have no preemptive rights with respect to the outstanding Series A Preferred OP Units; none of the outstanding Series A Preferred OP Units have been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any security holder; all outstanding Series A Preferred OP Units have been issued and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company Preferred OP Units have been duly authorized; when the Company Preferred OP Units have been delivered and paid for in accordance with the OP Agreement, the Company Preferred OP Units will be validly issued and will conform to the information in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to the description of such Company Preferred OP Units contained therein; there are no outstanding preemptive rights with respect to the Company Preferred OP Units; none of the outstanding Company Preferred OP Units have been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any security holder; all Company Preferred OP Units have been and will be, issued and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. As of the First Closing Date, there are 5,721,460 Series A Preferred OP Units outstanding, of which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of such Series A Preferred OP Units.

 

(3) Series B Preferred OP Units . All outstanding Series B Preferred OP Units have been duly authorized; all outstanding Series B Preferred OP Units are validly issued and will conform to the information in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to the description of such Series B Preferred OP Units contained therein; the holders of the outstanding OP Units have no preemptive rights with respect to the outstanding Series B Preferred OP Units; none of the outstanding Series B Preferred OP Units have been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any security holder; all outstanding Series B Preferred OP Units have been issued and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding (a) securities of the Operating Partnership reserved for any purpose, (b) securities or obligations of the Operating Partnership convertible into or exchangeable or redeemable for any partnership interests of the Operating Partnership, (c) warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase from the Operating Partnership any such partnership interests or any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations or (d) obligations of the Operating Partnership to issue or sell any partnership interests, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations, or any such warrants, rights or options. As of the First Closing Date there are approximately 2,689 Series B Preferred OP Units outstanding, of which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of Series B Preferred OP Units.

 

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(4) Series C Preferred OP Units. The Series C Preferred OP Units have been duly authorized; when the Series C Preferred OP Units have been delivered and paid for in accordance with the OP Agreement, the Series C Preferred OP Units will be validly issued and will conform to the information in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to the description of such Series C Preferred OP Units contained therein; there are no outstanding preemptive rights with respect to Series C Preferred OP Units; none of the outstanding Series C Preferred OP Units will be issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any security holder; all Series C Preferred OP Units have been and will be, issued and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. There are no Series C Preferred OP Units outstanding, and at the First Closing Date there will be 2,000,000 Series C Preferred OP Units outstanding (assuming the Underwriters do not purchase the Optional Shares prior to the First Closing Date), of which the Company will own, directly or indirectly, 100% of such Series C Preferred OP Units.

 

(xiii) No Finder’s Fee . Except for the Underwriters’ discounts and commissions payable by the Company to the Underwriters in connection with the Offered Shares contemplated herein or as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment in connection with this offering.

 

(xiv) Registration Rights . Except as described in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings by either of the Transaction Entities or their respective Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any person, on the other hand, granting such person the right to require either of the Transaction Entities or such Subsidiaries to file a registration statement under the Act with respect to any securities of either of the Transaction Entities or their respective Subsidiaries owned or to be owned by such person or to require either of the Transaction Entities or such Subsidiaries to include such securities in the securities registered pursuant to a Registration Statement or in any securities being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by either of the Transaction Entities or such Subsidiaries under the Act (collectively, “ Registration Rights ”).

 

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(xv) Articles Supplementary . The articles supplementary of the Company designating the rights and preferences of the Offered Shares (the “ Articles Supplementary ”), comply with all applicable requirements under the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “ MGCL ”).

 

(xvi) Listing . The Offered Shares are registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, which registration will be maintained pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act as of the Closing Date; and the Company has applied for approval for the listing of the Offered Shares on the NYSE MKT and will receive such approval prior to the Closing Date.

 

(xvii) Absence of Further Requirements . No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or filing or registration with, any governmental agency or body or any court is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the OP Agreement or any other agreements in connection with the offering, issuance and sale of the Offered Shares by the Company or the issuance and sale of the Company Preferred OP Units by the Operating Partnership or the performance of obligations hereunder or pursuant to the terms of the Offered Shares, except the filing of the Prospectus under the Act and a Form 8-K under the Exchange Act and except such as have been already obtained or as may be required under state securities laws, FINRA or the NYSE MKT.

 

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(xviii) Title to Property . (1) The Transaction Entities hold, directly or indirectly through their respective Subsidiaries, good and marketable fee simple title to all of the real property described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and the improvements (exclusive of improvements owned by tenants, if applicable) located thereon (individually, a “ Property ” and collectively, the “ Properties ”), in each case, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims, security interests, restrictions and defects, except such as are disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or do not materially affect the value of such Properties as a whole and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such Properties as a whole by the Company; (2) except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, none of the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries owns any real property other than the Properties; (3) except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the mortgages or deeds of trust that encumber certain of the Properties are not convertible into debt or equity securities of the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries and such mortgages and deeds of trust are not cross-defaulted with any loan not made to, or cross-collateralized to any property not owned directly or indirectly by, the Transaction Entities or their respective Subsidiaries; (4) each of the Properties complies with all applicable codes, laws and regulations (including without limitation, building and zoning codes, laws and regulations and laws relating to access to the Properties), except as would not individually or in the aggregate materially affect the value of the Properties or interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of the Properties by the Transaction Entities; (5) except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither of the Transaction Entities nor their respective Subsidiaries has received from any governmental authority any written notice of any condemnation of or zoning change affecting the Properties or any part thereof which if consummated would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and none of the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries know of any such condemnation or zoning change which is threatened and, in each case, which if consummated would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business; (6) no third party has an option or a right of first refusal to purchase any Property or any portion thereof or direct interest therein, except as such is set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and (7) each of the Transaction Entities or one of its respective Subsidiaries has obtained an owner’s title insurance policy, from a title insurance company licensed to issue such policy, on each Property that insures the Transaction Entities’, the respective Subsidiary’s fee interest in such Property.

 

(xix) Leases . (1) Each of the Transaction Entities or one of its Subsidiaries holds the lessor’s interest under the applicable leases with any tenants occupying each Property (collectively, the “ Leases ”); (2) other than the Leases, none of the Transaction Entities or their respective Subsidiaries has entered into any agreements that would materially affect the value of the Properties as a whole or would materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such Properties as a whole by the Transaction Entities; (3) none of the Transaction Entities, their respective Subsidiaries, or, to the Transaction Entities’ knowledge, any other party to any Lease, is or, upon consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, will be in breach or default of any such Lease, except as to any such breach or default as would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (4) no event has occurred or, to the Transaction Entities’ knowledge, has been threatened in writing, which with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would, individually or together with all such other events, constitute a default under any Lease, or would, permit termination, modification or acceleration under such Lease, except as to any such default as would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (5) each of the Leases is valid and binding and in full force and effect, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights and general principles of equity, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Transaction Entities or their respective Subsidiaries; and (6) none of the Transaction Entities, their respective Subsidiaries, or, to the Transaction Entities’ knowledge, any other party to any Lease, is a party to any ground lease, sublease or operating sublease relating to any of their Properties.

 

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(xx) Utilities . To the knowledge of the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, water, stormwater, sanitary sewer, electricity and telephone service are all available at the property lines of each Property over duly dedicated streets or perpetual easements of record benefiting the applicable Property.

 

(xxi) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts Resulting from Transaction . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares by the Company (including the issuance of the Conversion Shares (as defined below)) and the issuance and sale of the Company Preferred OP Units by the Operating Partnership, and the use of net proceeds therefrom as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default or, to the extent applicable, a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under or result in the imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries pursuant to (A) the Organizational Documents (as defined below) of the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries, (B) any statute, rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of their Properties, or (C) any agreement, lease, contract, indenture or other agreement or instrument to which the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the Properties of the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries is subject, and except in case of clause (B) only, for such defaults, violations, liens, charges or encumbrances that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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A “ Debt Repayment Triggering Event ” means any event or condition that gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of any guarantee, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the satisfaction, repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

The term “ Organizational Documents ” as used herein means (a) in the case of a trust, its declaration of trust and bylaws; (b) in the case of a corporation, its charter and bylaws; (c) in the case of a limited or general partnership, its partnership certificate, certificate of formation or similar organizational documents and its partnership agreement; (d) in the case of a limited liability company, its articles of organization, certificate of formation or similar organizational documents and its operating agreement, limited liability company agreement, membership agreement or other similar agreement; and (e) in the case of any other entity, the organizational and governing documents of such entity.

 

(xxii) Absence of Existing Defaults and Conflicts . Neither of the Transaction Entities nor any of their respective Subsidiaries is (A) in violation of its respective Organizational Documents; (B) in default (or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would be in default) under any existing obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, loan, contract, note, agreement, mortgage, lease or other agreement or instrument to which any of them is a party or by which any of them is bound or to which any of the properties of any of them is subject; or (C) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except in the case of clauses (B) and (C) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(xxiii) Absence of Dividend Restriction . Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) neither of the Transaction Entities nor any of their respective Subsidiaries is currently prohibited, restricted or limited in its respective ability to pay, directly or indirectly, distributions or dividends to its equity holders, limited partners, general partners or members, as applicable, (ii) no Subsidiary is prohibited, directly or indirectly, from repaying to the Transaction Entities any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Transaction Entities or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Transaction Entities or any other Subsidiary and (iii) the Operating Partnership is not prohibited, directly or indirectly, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to the Operating Partnership from the Company or from transferring any of the Operating Partnership’s property or assets to the Company.

 

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(xxiv) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Transaction Entities and each of their respective Subsidiaries possess, and are in compliance with the terms of, all adequate certificates, authorizations, franchises, licenses and permits (“ Licenses ”) necessary or material to the conduct of the business now conducted or proposed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus to be conducted by them and have not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Licenses that, if determined adversely to the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(xxv) Absence of Labor Dispute . No labor dispute with the employees of the Transaction Entities or their respective Subsidiaries exists, except as described in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package or Prospectus, or, to the knowledge of the Transaction Entities, is imminent, which, in any such case, would, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(xxvi) Possession of Intellectual Property . The Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries have access to, 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 necessary to conduct the business now operated by them; and neither the Transaction Entities nor their respective Subsidiaries have received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

(xxvii) Environmental Laws . Except as described in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as would not reasonably be expected to result, singly or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect, neither of the Transaction Entities nor any of their respective Subsidiaries (and, to the knowledge of the Transaction Entities, no tenant or subtenant of any Property or portion thereof owned or leased by the Transaction Entities or their respective Subsidiaries) is in violation of any Environmental Law, including relating to the release of Hazardous Materials, and there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Transaction Entities, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance, investigations or proceedings relating to any such violation or alleged violation. There are no past or present events, conditions, circumstances, activities, practices, actions, omissions or plans that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any costs or liabilities to the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries under, or to interfere with or prevent compliance by the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries with, Environmental Laws, except as such would not have a Material Adverse Effect and would not have a material adverse effect on a Property or a prospective acquisition property described in the Prospectus, or any of their respective operations, financial results or value. There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) that would, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(xxviii) Accurate Disclosure . The statements in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the captions “Prospectus Supplement Summary, “Additional Material Federal Income Tax Considerations,” “Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.,” “Description of the Securities We May Offer,” “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Depositary Shares,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” “Description of Units,” “Book Entry Procedures and Settlement,” “Important Provisions of Maryland Corporate Law and Our Charter and Bylaws,” “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations,” “Plan of Distribution” and “Underwriting,” insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate and fair summaries of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings and present the information required to be shown.

 

(xxix) Absence of Manipulation . None of the Transaction Entities, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any affiliates of the Transaction Entities, has taken, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed to or that has constituted or that would cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Shares.

 

(xxx) Statistical and Market-Related Data . Any third-party statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Transaction Entities believe to be reliable and accurate and, to the extent required, they have obtained written consent to use such data from such sources.

 

(xxxi) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act . There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

 

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(xxxii) Internal Controls . The Transaction Entities and each of their respective subsidiaries maintain (A) effective internal controls over financial reporting (as defined under Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) and (B) a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”) and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Other than as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the date of the most recent balance sheet of the Company reviewed or audited by the Company’s accountants, (i) the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has not been advised of (A) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the ability of the Company to record, process, summarize and report financial data, or any material weaknesses in internal controls and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal controls of the Company, and (ii) there have been no significant changes in internal controls over financial reporting that has materially affected the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

(xxxiii) Disclosure Controls . The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and that has been designed to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established.

 

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(xxxiv) XBRL . The interactive data in extensible Business Reporting Language included in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

 

(xxxv) Litigation . Other than as described in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and Prospectus, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings (including any inquiries or investigations by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign) against or affecting the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Properties that, if determined adversely to the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Properties, would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Transaction Entities to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement, or which are otherwise material in the context of the sale of the Offered Shares; and no such actions, suits or proceedings (including any inquiries or investigations by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign) are threatened or, to the Transaction Entities’ knowledge, contemplated against their respective Subsidiaries or the Properties.

 

(xxxvi) Financial Statements; Non-GAAP Financial Measures . The financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated, and the balance sheet, statements of operations, changes in members’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and comply with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect thereto. The supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The combined statements of revenue and certain expenses included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related notes, comply with Rule 8-06 of Regulation S-X and present fairly in all material respects the revenue and certain expenses of the applicable Property for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and comply with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect thereto. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited, or unaudited as applicable, financial statements of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries included therein and comply with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect thereto. The pro forma financial statements, if any, and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein, comply with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus under the Act or Rules and Regulations thereunder. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the Rules and Regulations ) comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Act to the extent applicable.

 

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(xxxvii) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the period covered by the latest audited financial statements included therein (A) there has been no change, nor any development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, earnings, properties or prospects of the Transaction Entities and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that is material and adverse, (B) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Transaction Entities and the Subsidiaries, on any class of the capital stock, membership interest or other equity interest, as applicable, except as would not have been required to be disclosed pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Exchange Act Regulations, (C) there has been no material change in the capital shares of stock, short-term indebtedness, long-term indebtedness, net current assets or net assets of the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries, (D) there has not been any material transaction entered into or any material transaction that is probable of being entered into by the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, other than transactions in the ordinary course of business and changes and transactions disclosed or described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (E) there has not been any obligation, direct or contingent, which is material to the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, incurred by the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, except obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and changes and transactions disclosed or described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and (F) none of the Transaction Entities or any of their subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority that would, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(xxxviii) Investment Company Act . Neither of the Transaction Entities are, nor after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Offered Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will be required to register as an “ investment company ” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Investment Company Act ”).

 

(xxxix) Indebtedness . Neither the Transaction Entities nor any of their respective Subsidiaries has any indebtedness as of the date of this Agreement, and neither the Transaction Entities nor any of their respective Subsidiaries will have any indebtedness immediately prior to the sale of the Firm Shares on the First Closing Date, in each case except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(xl) Insurance . The Transaction Entities and each of their respective Subsidiaries are insured by insurers with appropriately rated claims paying abilities against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary for the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Transaction Entities, their respective Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; neither of the Transaction Entities nor any of their respective Subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; neither of the Transaction Entities nor any of their respective Subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a similar cost as currently paid, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the Company has obtained or will obtain directors’ and officers’ insurance in such amounts as is customary for companies engaged in the type of business conducted by the Company.

 

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(xli) Tax Law Compliance . Each of the Transaction Entities and the Subsidiaries has timely filed all federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or has timely requested extensions thereof (“ Returns ”), except for any failures to file that, individually or collectively, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessments, fines or penalties that are currently being contested in good faith or that, individually or collectively, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. No audits or other administrative proceedings or court proceedings are presently pending against any of the Transaction Entities or the Subsidiaries with regard to any Returns, and no taxing authority has notified any of the Transaction Entities or the Subsidiaries that it intends to investigate its tax affairs, except for any such audits or investigations that, individually or collectively, would not result in the assessment of material taxes.

 

(xlii) Real Estate Investment Trust . The Company has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), for its taxable years ended December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2015, and the Company’s organization and method of operation (as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) will enable the Company to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2016 and thereafter. All statements regarding the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are correct in all material respects.

 

(xliii) Accuracy of Exhibits . There are no contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K or otherwise under the Rules and Regulations.

 

(xliv) No Restriction on Subsidiaries . No Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock or membership interest, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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(xlv) No Unlawful Payments . None of the Transaction Entities, any of their respective Subsidiaries, any director or officer or, to the knowledge of the Transaction Entities, any agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries, has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder; or (iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

 

(xlvi) Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions in which the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries conduct business or whose Anti-Money Laundering Laws (as defined below) apply to the Transaction Entities, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Anti-Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Transaction Entities, threatened.

 

(xlvii) Compliance with OFAC . None of the Transaction Entities, any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of either of the Transaction Entities, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate thereof is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“ OFAC ”); and the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering of the Series C Preferred Stock hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC.

 

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(xlviii) Prior Sales of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series A Preferred OP Units, Series B Preferred OP Units, Series C Preferred OP Units, Series A OP Units or LTIP Units . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not sold, issued or distributed any Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, and the Operating Partnership has not issued, sold or distributed any Series A Preferred OP Units, Series B Preferred OP Units, Series C Preferred OP Units, Series A OP Units or LTIP Units during the six-month period preceding the date hereof.

 

(xlix) Fifth Amendment to the OP Agreement . The terms of the Fifth Amendment to the OP Agreement provide for a sufficient number of Series C Preferred OP Units, the terms of which are substantially similar to the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock.

 

(l) Compliance with Laws . Each of the OP Agreement, the First Amendment to the OP Agreement, the Second Amendment to the OP Agreement, the Third Amendment and the Fourth Amendment to the OP Agreement comply with all applicable laws and each of the aforementioned amendments to the OP Agreement have been adopted in accordance with the OP Agreement.

 

(li) Independent Accountants . BDO USA, LLP and Plante & Moran, PLLC, who have certified the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the Act, the Rules and Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

(lii) ERISA Matters . The Transaction Entities and each of their Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ ERISA ”); no “ reportable event ” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “ pension plan ” (as defined in ERISA) for which the Transaction Entities and each Subsidiary would have any liability; the Transaction Entities and each Subsidiary has not incurred and does not expect to incur liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “ pension plan ” or (ii) Sections 412, 403, 431, 432 or 4971 of the Code; and each “ pension plan ” for which the Transaction Entities or any Subsidiary would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

 

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(liii) Enforceability of Management Agreement . The Management Agreement by and among the Transaction Entities and the Manager (the “ Management Agreement ”), has been duly authorized by the Transaction Entities and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Transaction Entities enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity and, with respect to equitable relief, the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

(liv) Subsidiary Partnership Tax Classification . Each of the Operating Partnership and each Subsidiary that is a partnership or a limited liability company under state law has been at all relevant times properly classified as a partnership or a disregarded entity, and not as a corporation or an association taxable as a corporation, for federal income tax purposes.

 

(lv) Related-Party Transactions . There are no relationships, whether direct or indirect, or related-party transactions involving the Transaction Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that have not been described as required by the Act.

 

(b) Certificates of Officers . Any certificate signed by any officer of either Transaction Entity, as applicable, and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares shall be deemed a representation and warranty by each Transaction Entity, as applicable, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

 

2. Representations and Warranties Regarding the Manager .

 

(a) Representations and Warranties . The Manager represents and warrants to each Underwriter and agrees with the Underwriters that:

 

(i) Good Standing of the Manager . The Manager has been duly organized and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Manager and each of its subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign entity to transact business and is in good standing in each other 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 so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(ii) Authorization of Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Manager.

 

(iii) Absence of Further Requirements . No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or filing or registration with, any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Manager of its obligations under this Agreement and the Management Agreement, except such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the Act, Exchange Act Regulations, state securities laws, FINRA or the NYSE MKT.

 

(iv) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts . The Manager is not in violation of its organizational documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Manager is a party or will be a party in connection with this Agreement (including the Management Agreement) or by which it may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Manager is subject (collectively, “ Manager’s Agreements and Instruments ”), except for such violations or defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not and will not, and in the case of the performance of the Management Agreement, will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or repayment event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Manager pursuant to, the Manager’s Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or repayment events or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of (A) the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Manager or (B) any statute, law, rule, regulation, or order of any government agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Manager or any of its assets, properties or operations, except in the case of clause (B) only, for any such violation that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(v) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Manager possesses, and is in compliance with the terms of, all Licenses necessary or material to the conduct of the business of the Manager now conducted or proposed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus to be conducted by the Manager, except where the failure to possess such Licenses would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, and has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Licenses that, if determined adversely to the Manager would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(vi) Employment; Noncompetition; Nondisclosure . The Manager has not been notified that any of its executive officers or key employees named in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (each, a “ Company-Focused Professional ”) plans to terminate his or her employment with the Manager. Neither the Manager nor, to the knowledge of the Manager, any Company-Focused Professional is subject to any noncompete, nondisclosure, confidentiality, employment, consulting or similar agreement that would be violated by the present or proposed business activities of the Company or the Manager as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(vii) Accurate Disclosure . The statements regarding the Manager in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the captions “Prospectus Supplement Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Description of Capital Stock—Distributions” and “Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.,” are true and correct in all material respects.

 

(viii) Absence of Manipulation . The Manager has not taken, and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed to or that has constituted or that would be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Shares.

 

(ix) Absence of Proceedings . There are no actions, suits or proceedings (including any inquiries or investigations by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign) now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Manager, threatened against or affecting the Manager that, if determined adversely to the Manager, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(x) Investment Advisers Act . The Manager is not prohibited by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Investment Advisers Act ”), or the rules and regulations thereunder, from performing its obligations under the Management Agreement as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(xi) Enforceability of Management Agreement . The Management Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Manager enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity and, with respect to equitable relief, the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

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(xii) Internal Controls . The Manager operates under the Company’s system of internal accounting controls in order to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions effectuated by it on behalf of the Company pursuant to its duties set forth in the Management Agreement are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (B) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization.

 

(xiii) Resources . The Manager has the financial and other resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated hereby and in the Management Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(b) Certificates of Officers . Any certificate signed by any officer of the Manager and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Manager as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

 

3. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Offered Shares .

 

On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of $24.2125 per share, the respective number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of the Underwriters in Schedule A hereto.

 

The Company will deliver the Firm Shares to or as instructed by the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters in a form reasonably acceptable to the Representatives against payment of the purchase price by the Underwriters in Federal (same day) funds by wire transfer to an account at a bank acceptable to the Representatives drawn to the order of the Company at the office of Winston & Strawn LLP (“ W&S ”), at 10:00 A.M., New York time, on July 19, 2016, or at such other time not later than seven (7) full business days thereafter as the Representatives and the Company determine, such time being herein referred to as the “ First Closing Date .” For purposes of Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, the First Closing Date (if later than the otherwise applicable settlement date) shall be the settlement date for payment of funds and delivery of securities for all the Offered Shares sold pursuant to the offering. The Firm Shares so to be delivered or evidence of their issuance will be made available for review at the above office of W&S at least 24 hours prior to the First Closing Date.

 

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In addition, upon written notice from the Representatives given to the Company from time to time not more than 30 days subsequent to the date of the Prospectus, the Underwriters may purchase all or less than all of the Optional Shares at the purchase price per share to be paid for the Firm Shares, less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distribution declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on the Optional Shares. The Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the number of Optional Shares specified in such notice and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase such number of Optional Shares. Such Optional Shares shall be purchased for the account of each Underwriter in the same proportion as the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name bears to the total number of Firm Shares (subject to adjustment by the Representatives to eliminate fractions) and may be purchased by the Underwriters only for the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the Firm Shares. No Optional Shares shall be sold or delivered unless the Firm Shares previously have been, or simultaneously are, sold and delivered. The right to purchase the Optional Shares or any portion thereof may be exercised from time to time and to the extent not previously exercised may be surrendered and terminated at any time upon notice by the Representatives to the Company.

 

Each time for the delivery of and payment for the Optional Shares, being herein referred to as an “ Optional Closing Date ,” which may be the First Closing Date (the First Closing Date and each Optional Closing Date, if any, being sometimes referred to as a “ Closing Date ”), shall be determined by the Representatives but shall be not later than three full business days after written notice of election to purchase Optional Shares is given. The Company will deliver the Optional Shares being purchased on each Optional Closing Date to or as instructed by the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters in a form reasonably acceptable to the Representatives against payment of the purchase price therefor in Federal (same day) funds by wire transfer to an account at a bank acceptable to the Representatives drawn to the order of the Company at the above office of W&S. The Optional Shares being purchased on each Optional Closing Date or evidence of their issuance will be made available for review at the above office of W&S at a reasonable time in advance of such Optional Closing Date.

 

4. Offering by Underwriters . It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Offered Shares for sale to the public as set forth in the Prospectus. The Company is advised that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Offered Shares as soon after the Registration Statement and this Agreement have become effective as in your judgment is advisable. The Company is further advised by you that the Offered Shares are to be offered to the public initially at $25 per share (the “ Public Offering Price ”) and to certain dealers selected by you at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $0.50 per share under the Public Offering Price.

 

5. Certain Agreements of the Transaction Entities and the Manager .

 

(a) The Transaction Entities agree with the several Underwriters that:

 

(i) Additional Filings . Unless filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) as part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement in accordance with the last sentence, the Company will file the Prospectus, in a form approved by the Representatives, with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 424(b) and Rule 430B and during the time period specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430B. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly of any such filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and provide satisfactory evidence to the Representatives of such timely filing.

 

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(ii) Filing of Amendments; Response to Commission Requests . The Company, subject to Section 5(a)(iii) hereof, will comply with the requirements of Rule 430B and will promptly advise the Representatives of any proposal to amend or supplement at any time the Registration Statement or any Statutory Prospectus and will not affect such amendment or supplementation without the Representatives’ consent; and the Company will also advise the Representatives promptly of (A) any amendment or supplementation of a Registration Statement or any Statutory Prospectus, (B) any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment to any Registration Statement, for any supplement to any Statutory Prospectus or for any additional information, (C) the institution by the Commission of any stop order proceedings in respect of a Registration Statement or, to the Company’s knowledge, the threatening of any proceeding for that purpose, and (D) the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Offered Shares in any jurisdiction or the institution or, to the Company’s knowledge, the threatening of any proceedings for such purpose. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the suspension of any such qualification and, if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

 

(iii) General Disclosure Package . If the General Disclosure Package is being used to solicit offers to buy the Offered Shares at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading, or if any event occurs or condition exists as a result of which the General Disclosure Package conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to any dealer upon request, either amendments or supplements to the General Disclosure Package so that the statements in the General Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the General Disclosure Package is delivered to a prospective purchaser, be misleading or so that the General Disclosure Package, as amended or supplemented, will no longer conflict with the Registration Statement, or so that the General Disclosure Package, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

 

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(iv) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . The Company will comply with the Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Offered Shares as contemplated in this Agreement and in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Offered Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a)) is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to (i) amend the Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order that the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser or (iii) amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, in order to comply with the requirements of the Act or the Rules and Regulations thereunder, the Company will promptly (A) notify the Representatives of such event, (B) prepare any amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus comply with such requirements and, a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing or use, furnish the Representatives with copies of any such amendment or supplement and (C) file with the Commission any such amendment or supplement; provided, that the Company shall not file or use any such amendment or supplement to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object. The Company will give the Representatives notice of its intention to make any filings pursuant to the Exchange Act or Rules and Regulations thereunder from the date of this Agreement to any Closing Date and will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object, other than such filings as are required to be made pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Rules and Regulations thereunder.

 

(v) Rule 158 . The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the Exchange Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its stockholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the Act.

 

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(vi) Furnishing of Registration Statements and Prospectuses . The Company will furnish to the Representatives signed copies of each Registration Statement (including all exhibits thereto), each related Statutory Prospectus, and, so long as a prospectus relating to the Offered Shares is (or but for the exemption in Rule 172 would be) required to be delivered under the Act, the Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such documents, in each case in such quantities as the Representatives request. The Prospectus shall be so furnished on or prior to 3:00 P.M., New York time, on the business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or at such time as otherwise agreed to by the Representatives. All other documents shall be so furnished as soon as available. The Company will pay the expenses of printing and distributing to the Underwriters all such documents.

 

(vii) Blue Sky Qualifications . The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Offered Shares for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives designate and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution but in no event longer than one year.

 

(viii) Reporting Requirements . The Company, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Offered Shares is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required to be delivered under the Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and Rules and Regulations related thereto.

 

(ix) Payment of Expenses . The Transaction Entities will pay all expenses incident to the performance of their obligations under this Agreement and all the costs and expenses in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares including but not limited to (A) any filing fees and other expenses incurred in connection with qualification of the Offered Shares for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives designate and the preparation and printing of blue sky surveys or legal investment surveys relating thereto, (B) costs and expenses related to the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”) of the Offered Shares (including filing fees and the fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such review), (C) costs and expenses of legal counsel for the Underwriters incurred in connection with this Agreement and the offering of the Offered Shares not to exceed $45,000, (D) costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations and any road show in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares including, without limitation, (1) any travel expenses of the Company’s officers and employees and (2) any other expenses of the Company, including all actually and reasonably incurred costs and expenses of the Underwriters advanced on behalf of the Company relating to the investor presentations and any roadshow in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares, (E) the fees and expenses incident to listing the Offered Shares and Conversion Shares on the NYSE MKT, (F) expenses incurred in distributing preliminary prospectuses and the Prospectus (including any amendments and supplements thereto) to the Underwriters, (G) expenses incurred for preparing, printing and distributing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses to investors or prospective investors, (H) stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other similar fees or charges, if any, incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares; provided, however that the Transaction Entities shall have no obligation to pay any costs and expenses of the Underwriters relating to the investor presentations and any roadshow in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares, other than costs and expenses advanced on behalf of the Company in accordance with (D) above.

 

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(x) Use of Proceeds . The Company will use the net proceeds received in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares and will cause the Operating Partnership to use the net proceeds received in connection with the issuance and sale of the Company Preferred OP Units in the manner described in the “ Use of Proceeds ” section of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of any Underwriter.

 

(xi) Absence of Manipulation . The Transaction Entities will not, and will cause each of its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates not to, take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might cause or result in, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Shares.

 

(xii) Listing . The Company will maintain the registration of the Offered Shares pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act as of the Closing Date; and the Company will cause the Offered Shares to be listed on the NYSE MKT on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(xiii) Maryland Law . The Company will use its best efforts to comply with all applicable requirements under the MGCL with respect to the Offered Shares.

 

(xiv) Sarbanes-Oxley Act . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

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(xv) Transaction Entities Restrictions on Sale of Common and Preferred Stock . For the period specified below (the “ Lock-Up Period ”), the Transaction Entities will not, directly or indirectly, take any of the following actions with respect to their Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series A Preferred OP Units, Series B Preferred OP Units or Series C Preferred OP Units, as applicable, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable, exercisable or redeemable for any of their Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series A Preferred OP Units, Series B Preferred OP Units or Series C Preferred OP Units (collectively, the “ Lock-Up Securities ”): (A) offer, sell, issue, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of Lock-Up Securities, (B) offer, sell, issue, contract to sell, contract to purchase or grant any option, right or warrant to purchase Lock-Up Securities, (C) enter into any swap, hedge or any other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequences of ownership of Lock-Up Securities, (D) establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position in Lock-Up Securities within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (E) file with the Commission a registration statement under the Act relating to Lock-Up Securities, or publicly disclose the intention to take any such action, without the prior written consent of the Representatives; provided , however , that the Lock-Up Period shall not apply to (A) the sale of Lock-Up Securities to the Underwriters or (B) the offer and sale of shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to the continuous public offering under the Base Prospectus included in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-200359) dated December 19, 2014 and the Prospectus Supplement dated February 24, 2016, as may be further supplemented or amended, and the issuance to the Company or Holdings LLC of Series B Preferred Units in connection with such sale of its Series B Preferred Stock. The “ Lock-Up Period ” will commence on the date hereof and continue for 45 days after the date hereof or such earlier date that the Representatives consent to in writing; provided , however , that if (1) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Company releases earnings results or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then in each case the Lock-Up Period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of release of the earnings results or the occurrence of the materials news or material event, as applicable, unless the Representatives waive, in writing, such extension. The Company will provide the Representatives with notice of any announcement described in clause (2) of the preceding sentence that gives rise to an extension of the Lock-Up Period.

 

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(xvi) Qualification and Taxation as a REIT . The Company will use its best efforts to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2016 and thereafter, unless the Board determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to continue to qualify as REIT.

 

(xvii) Market Value . The aggregate market value of the Company’s outstanding voting and nonvoting common equity computed pursuant to General Instruction I.B.1 of Form S-3 equaled or exceeded $75 million as of a date within 60 days prior to the date of filing of the Registration Statement.

 

(xviii) Conversion Shares . (i) Following issuance and delivery of the Series C Preferred Stock in accordance with this Agreement, the Series C Preferred Stock will be redeemable at the option of holders of the Series C Preferred Stock beginning on July 19, 2021 as provided in Articles Supplementary, and any such redemption by a holder may be settled at the option of the Company in cash, shares of Common Stock (the “ Conversion Shares ”), or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Articles Supplementary; upon approval of the issuance of the Conversion Shares by the Board, the Conversion Shares will be duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such conversion by all necessary corporate action and such Conversion Shares, when issued upon such redemption in accordance with the Articles Supplementary, will be validly issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable, and will conform to the description of the Common Stock contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (ii) no holder of the Conversion Shares will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder; (iii) the issuance of such Conversion Shares upon such redemption will not be subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any security holder of the Company; (iv) the Board will make any and all determinations concerning the future issuance of the Conversion Shares; (v) the Company will not issue Conversion Shares unless the issuance thereof will comply with all applicable laws and rules and regulations of the NYSE MKT or any exchange on which the Common Stock or Series C Preferred Stock of the Company is listed; (vi) the Company will not issue Conversion Shares, unless upon such issuance the Conversion Shares will be free of transfer restrictions under applicable law and freely tradable by non-affiliates; and (vii) the Conversion Shares will be listed, pursuant to a supplemental listing application or otherwise, on the market or exchange where the Common Stock is then registered.

 

(xix) Amendment of Company Organizational Documents . To the extent necessary for the holders of Series C Preferred Stock to exercise their voting rights as described in the Articles Supplementary, the Company will make all necessary amendments to its Bylaws in order to effectuate such voting rights.

 

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(xx) Investment Company . The Company will not, and the Operating Partnership will not, be or become, at any time prior to the expiration of three years after the date of this Agreement, an “ investment company ,” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act; provided, however, that this provision shall not be applicable and shall have no legal force or effect in the event that the Company becomes deemed an “ investment company ” solely as a result of the Commission amending, revising, rescinding or otherwise modifying the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or the Commission’s interpretations and guidance relating thereto after the Closing Date.

 

(b) The Manager agrees with the several Underwriters that:

 

(i) Restriction on Sale of Securities . For the Lock-Up Period, the Manager will not, directly or indirectly, take any of the following actions with respect to the Lock-Up Securities: (A) offer, sell, issue, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of Lock-Up Securities, (B) offer, sell, issue, contract to sell, contract to purchase or grant any option, right or warrant to purchase Lock-Up Securities, (C) enter into any swap, hedge or any other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequences of ownership of Lock-Up Securities, (D) establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position in Lock-Up Securities within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (E) except as permitted under Section 5(a)(xv) with respect to Manager’s capacity as external manager of the Company, file with the Commission a registration statement under the Act relating to Lock-Up Securities, or publicly disclose the intention to take any such action, without the prior written consent of the Representatives.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Company releases earnings results or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then in each case the Lock-Up Period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of release of the earnings results or the occurrence of the materials news or material event, as applicable, unless the Representatives waive, in writing, such extension.

 

(ii) Reporting of Material Events . The Manager agrees that, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act, it shall notify the Representatives and the Transaction Entities of the occurrence of any material events respecting its activities or condition, financial or otherwise, and the Manager will forthwith supply such information to the Transaction Entities as shall be necessary in the opinion of counsel to the Transaction Entities and the Underwriters for the Transaction Entities to prepare any necessary amendment or supplement to the Prospectus so that, as so amended or supplemented, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading.

 

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(iii) No Stabilization or Manipulation . The Manager agrees not to take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Shares.

 

(iv) Investment Adviser . The Manager will not be or become, at any time prior to the expiration of three years after the date of this Agreement, an “investment adviser,” as such term is defined in the Investment Advisers Act.

 

6. Free Writing Prospectuses . The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Offered Shares that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission; provided , that such consent is deemed to have been given with respect to each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus identified on Schedule B hereto and any “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) that has been reviewed and approved by the Representatives. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Company and the Representatives is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely Commission filing where required, legending and record keeping. The Company represents that it has satisfied and agrees that it will satisfy the conditions in Rule 433 to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any Bona Fide Electronic Road Show. If at any time following the issuance of a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission

 

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7. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters . The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm Shares on the First Closing Date and the Optional Shares to be purchased on each Optional Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Transaction Entities and the Manager herein (as though made on such Closing Date), to the accuracy of the statements of the Transaction Entities and the Manager made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Transaction Entities and the Manager of their obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions precedent:

 

(a) Accountants’ Comfort Letters and CAO Certificates .

 

(i) The Representatives shall have received letters, dated, respectively, the date hereof and each Closing Date, of BDO USA, LLP in a form approved by the Underwriters and/or Winston & Strawn LLP, confirming that they are a registered public accounting firm and independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Laws and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to financial statements and certain financial information of the Company contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (except that, in any letter dated a Closing Date, the specified date referred to in the letter shall be a date no more than three (3) days prior to such Closing Date) .

 

(ii) The Representatives shall have received a certificate, dated, respectively, the date hereof and each Closing Date, of Christopher J . Vohs, in his capacity as the Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Company, substantially in the form of Annex I-A hereto.

 

(b) Effectiveness of Registration Statement . If the Effective Time of an additional Registration Statement (if any) is not prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, such Effective Time shall have occurred not later than 4:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or, if earlier, the time the Prospectus is finalized and distributed to any Underwriter, or shall have occurred at such later time as shall have been consented to by the Representatives. The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Act and Section 5(a) hereof. Prior to such Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Representatives, shall be contemplated by the Commission.

 

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(c) No Material Adverse Change . Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, earnings, properties or prospects of the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impractical or inadvisable to market the Offered Shares; (ii) any change in either U.S. or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impractical to market or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Offered Shares, whether in the primary market or in respect of dealings in the secondary market; (iii) any suspension or material limitation of trading in securities generally on the NYSE MKT, or any setting of minimum or maximum prices for trading on such exchange; (iv) or any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (v) any banking moratorium declared by any U.S. federal or New York authorities; (vi) any major disruption of settlements of securities, payment, or clearance services in the United States or any other country where such securities are listed; or (vii) any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities or act of terrorism involving the United States, any declaration of war by Congress or any other national or international calamity or emergency if, in the judgment of the Representatives, the effect of any such attack, outbreak, escalation, act, declaration, calamity or emergency is such as to make it impractical or inadvisable to market the Offered Shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Offered Shares.

 

(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Transaction Entities . The Representatives shall have received an opinion, dated each Closing Date, of Kaplan, Voekler, Cunningham & Frank, PLC, counsel for the Transaction Entities, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex III-A and a letter substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex III-B.

 

(e) Opinion of Maryland Counsel for Company . The Representatives shall have received an opinion, dated each Closing Date, of Venable LLP, Maryland counsel for the Company, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex IV.

 

(f) Tax Opinion . The Representatives shall have received a tax opinion, dated each Closing Date, of Vinson & Elkins, LLP, counsel for the Company, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex V.

 

(g) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . The Representatives shall have received from Winston & Strawn LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated each Closing Date, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may require. In rendering such opinion, Winston & Strawn LLP may (i) rely as to matters of fact (but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Transaction Entities, their respective Subsidiaries, the Manager and of public officials and (ii) rely as to matters involving the application of the laws of the state of Maryland upon the opinion of Venable LLP.

 

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(h) Company Officers’ Certificate . The Representatives shall have received a certificate, dated each Closing Date, of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, in his capacity as the Principal Financial Officer of the Company, in which such officers shall state that: the representations and warranties of the Transaction Entities in this Agreement are true and correct as of such date; each of the Transaction Entities has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Closing Date; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the best of their knowledge and after reasonable investigation, are contemplated by the Commission; the 462(b) Registration Statement (if any) satisfying the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (3) of Rule 462(b) was timely filed pursuant to Rule 462(b), including payment of the applicable filing fee in accordance with the applicable Rules and Regulations; and, subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been no change, nor any development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, earnings, business, properties or prospects of the Transaction Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that is material and adverse, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or as described in such certificate.

 

(i) Manager Officer’s Certificate . The Representatives shall have received a certificate, dated each Closing Date, of the Chief Executive Officer of the Manager in which such officer shall state that: the representations and warranties of the Manager in this Agreement are true and correct as of such date and that the Manager has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Closing Date.

 

(j) Lock-up Agreements . On or prior to the date hereof, the Representatives shall have received a lock-up letter in the form of Annex II hereto executed by each of the persons listed on Schedule C hereto.

 

(k) Rule 462(b) Registration Statement . In the event that a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is filed in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement, such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Commission and shall have become effective automatically upon such filing.

 

(l) Company Good Standing . The Representatives shall have received a certificate of good standing of the Company certified by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation as of a date within five (5) business days of the First Closing Date.

 

(m) Operating Partnership Good Standing . The Representatives shall have received a certificate of good standing of the Operating Partnership certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of a date within five (5) business days of the First Closing Date.

 

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(n) Manager Good Standing . The Representatives shall have received a certificate of good standing of the Manager certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of a date within five (5) business days of the First Closing Date.

 

(o) Subsidiary Good Standings . The Representatives shall have received a certificate of good standing certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent governmental authority) of the state of incorporation or formation as of a recent date, for each entity listed on Schedule D hereto.

 

(p) Secretary’s Certificate of the Company . The Representatives shall have received a certificate of the secretary of the Company certifying resolutions of the board of directors of the Company approving the Underwriting Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

(q) Secretary’s Certificate of the Manager . The Representatives shall have received a certificate of the secretary of the Manager certifying resolutions of the Manager’s managing member approving the Underwriting Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

(r) General Partner Certificate of the Operating Partnership . The Representatives shall have received a certificate of the general partner of the Operating Partnership certifying resolutions of the Operating Partnership approving the Underwriting Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

(s) FINRA Approval . The Representatives shall have received any required clearance letter from the Corporate Finance Department of FINRA with respect to the offering.

 

(t) Listing . An application for the listing of the Offered Shares shall have been approved for listing to the NYSE MKT prior to the Closing Date.

 

(u) Amendment to OP Agreement . The Fifth Amendment to the OP Agreement shall be in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.

 

The Transaction Entities will furnish the Representatives with such conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as the Representatives reasonably request. The Representatives may in their sole discretion waive on behalf of the Underwriters compliance with any conditions to the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, whether in respect of an Optional Closing Date or otherwise.

 

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8. Indemnification and Contribution .

 

(a) Indemnification of Underwriters by the Transaction Entities . Each of the Transaction Entities will, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, members, directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”), against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Act, the Exchange Act, other Federal or state statutory law or regulation or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any part of any Registration Statement at any time, any Statutory Prospectus as of any time, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending against any loss, claim, damage, liability, action, litigation, investigation or proceeding whatsoever (whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto), whether threatened or commenced, and in connection with the enforcement of this provision with respect to any of the above as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that neither of the Transaction Entities will 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 in or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that such information furnished by any Underwriter consists only of the information described as such in Section 8(b) below.

 

(b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers . Each Underwriter will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold harmless each of the Transaction Entities, their directors and each of their officers who signs a Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls either of the Transaction Entities within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, an “ Underwriter Indemnified Party ”), against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such Underwriter Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Act, the Exchange Act, other Federal or state statutory law or regulation or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any part of any Registration Statement at any time, any Statutory Prospectus as of any time, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to either of the Transaction Entities by such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, and will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action, litigation, investigation or proceeding whatsoever (whether or not such Underwriter Indemnified Party is a party thereto), whether threatened or commenced, based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission as such expenses are incurred, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the third, seventh, eleventh and thirteenth full paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting” and under the caption “Other Relationships,” in each case, only to the extent that such statements relate only to the Underwriters.

 

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(c) Actions against Parties; Notification . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of any action against such indemnified party, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under subsections (a), (b) or (c) above, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under subsections (a), (b) or (c) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under subsections (a), (b) or (c) above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8(c) for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the indemnifying party has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; (iii) the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interest between them. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of an indemnified party.

 

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(d) Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsections (a), (b) or (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsections (a), (b) or (c) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Transaction Entities on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Offered Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Transaction Entities on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other hand shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this Section 8(d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this Section 8(d) . Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8(d) , no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Series C Preferred Stock underwritten by it and distributed to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations in this Section 8(d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint. The Transaction Entities and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 8(d) .

 

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9. Default of Underwriters . If any Underwriter or Underwriters default in their obligations to purchase Offered Shares hereunder on either the First Closing Date or any Optional Closing Date and the aggregate number of Offered Shares that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total number of Offered Shares that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, the Representatives may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such Offered Shares by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made by such Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Offered Shares that such defaulting Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date. If any Underwriter or Underwriters so default and the aggregate number of Offered Shares with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of the total number of Offered Shares that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such Offered Shares by other persons are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except as provided in Section 10 hereof (provided that if such default occurs with respect to Optional Shares after the First Closing Date, this Agreement will not terminate as to the Firm Shares or any Optional Shares purchased prior to such termination). As used in this Agreement, the term “ Underwriter ” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 9 . Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

 

10. Survival of Certain Representations and Obligations . The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Transaction Entities, the Manager or their respective officers and of the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Transaction Entities, the Manager or any of their respective representatives, officers or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Offered Shares. If the purchase of the Offered Shares by the Underwriters is not consummated for any reason other than solely because of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9 hereof, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares, and the respective obligations of the Transaction Entities and the Manager, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, pursuant to Section 8 hereof shall remain in effect. In addition, if any Offered Shares have been purchased hereunder, the representations and warranties in Sections 2 through 3 and all obligations under Section 5 shall also remain in effect.

 

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11. Notices . All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if sent to the Underwriters, will be mailed or delivered and confirmed to the Representatives, c/o Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, 1717 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Attention: General Counsel, with a copy to Winston & Strawn LLP, 35 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601, Attention: Wayne D. Boberg, or, if sent to the Transaction Entities or the Manager, will be mailed or delivered and confirmed to it at c/o Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., 712 Fifth Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10019, Attention: Michael L. Konig, with a copy to Kaplan, Voekler, Cunningham & Frank, PLC, 1401 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23239, Attention: Richard P. Cunningham, Jr.; provided , however , that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 9 will be mailed or delivered and confirmed to such Underwriter.

 

12. Successors . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers, directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 9, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

 

13. Representation of Underwriters . The Representatives will act for the several Underwriters in connection with this financing, and any action under this Agreement taken by the Representatives will be binding upon all the Underwriters. By participating in this offering, each Underwriter agrees that it, each of its affiliates participating in this offering as underwriter or financial intermediary and each controlling person of it and each such participating affiliate are bound by the Agreement Regarding Oral Due Diligence and currently in effect between the Representatives and the accounting firm or firms that participate in oral due diligence in this offering.

 

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

15. Headings . The headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

16. Entire Agreement . This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the Transaction Entities and the Manager, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, with respect to the preparation of any Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, the conduct of the offering, and the purchase and sale of the Offered Shares.

 

17. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship . The Transaction Entities and the Manager each acknowledge and agree that:

 

(a) No Other Relationship . The Underwriters have been retained solely to act as underwriters in connection with the sale of Offered Shares and that no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Transaction Entities and the Manager on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Prospectus, irrespective of whether the Underwriters have advised or is advising either of the Transaction Entities or the Manager on other matters;

 

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(b) Arms’ Length Negotiations . The price of the Offered Shares set forth in this Agreement was established by the Company following discussions and arms’ length negotiations with the Underwriters, and the Transaction Entities and Manager are capable of evaluating and understanding and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(c) Absence of Obligation to Disclose . The Transaction Entities and the Manager have been advised that the Underwriters and their affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Transaction Entities and the Manager, and that the Underwriters have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to Transaction Entities and the Manager by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and

 

(d) Waiver . Each of the Transaction Entities and the Manager waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims they may have against the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agree that the Underwriters shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to either of the Transaction Entities or the Manager in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Transaction Entities or the Manager, including stockholders, holders of membership interests, employees or creditors of the Transaction Entities or the Manager.

 

18. Trial by Jury . Each of the Transaction Entities and the Manager (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

19. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

20. Jurisdiction . Each of the Transaction Entities and the Manager hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the Transaction Entities and the Manager irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York and irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit or proceeding in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

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21. Termination . Until the First Closing Date, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by giving notice (in the manner prescribed by Section 11 hereof) to the Company, if (i) the Company shall have failed, refused or been unable, at or prior to the First Closing Date, to perform any agreement on its part to be performed hereunder unless the failure to perform any agreement is due to the default or omission by any Underwriter; (ii) any other condition of the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder is not fulfilled; (iii) trading in securities generally on the NYSE, NYSE MKT, or Nasdaq shall have been suspended or minimum or maximum prices shall have been established on either of such exchanges or such market by the Commission or by such exchange or other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction; (iv) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or by the NYSE MKT, NYSE or Nasdaq or other regulatory body of governmental authority having jurisdiction; (v) a general banking moratorium has been declared by Federal or New York authorities; (vi) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred; (vii) there shall have been any material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions in the United States or in international conditions on the financial markets in the United States, in each case, the effect of which is such as to make it, in the Representatives’ reasonable judgment, inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Securities; or (viii) any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration of war or act of terrorism involving the United States or any other national or international calamity or emergency has occurred if, in the Representatives’ reasonable judgment, the effect of any such attack, outbreak, escalation, declaration, act, calamity or emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the completion of the public offering or the delivery of the Securities. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 21 shall be without liability on the part of the Company or any Underwriter, except as otherwise provided in Sections 5(a) , 7 , 8 and 9 hereof.

 

If the foregoing is in accordance with the Representatives’ understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company one of the counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement among the Transaction Entities, the Manager and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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  Very truly yours,
   
  BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.

 

  By: /s/  R. Ramin Kamfar
  Name: R. Ramin Kamfar
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

  BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL HOLDINGS, L.P.
   
  By: Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.
  Its:  General Partner

 

  By: /s/  R. Ramin Kamfar
  Name: R. Ramin Kamfar
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

  BRG MANAGER, LLC
   
  By: Bluerock Real Estate, L.L.C.
  Its: Sole Member

 

  By: /s/  R. Ramin Kamfar
  Name: R. Ramin Kamfar
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]

 

 

 

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

 

Acting on behalf of themselves and as the

Representatives of the several Underwriters.

 

  JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT LLC

 

  By: /s/ Noam Saxonhouse  
  Name: Noam Saxonhouse
  Title:   Managing Director

 

  JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT LLC

 

  By: /s/ Keith E. Getter  
  Name: Keith E. Getter
  Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Underwriter   Number of Firm Shares  
Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC     725,000  
D.A. Davidson & Co.     625,000  
FBR Capital Markets & Co.     450,000  
Boenning & Scattergood, Inc.     100,000  
William Blair & Company, L.L.C.     100,000  
Total:     2,000,000  

 

 

 

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”) and a duly authorized committee thereof, by duly adopted resolutions, classified 4,000,000 shares of authorized but unissued preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Corporation as shares of 7.625% Series C Cumulative 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 7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), is hereby established. The number of authorized shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be 4,000,000.

 

2.           Rank . The Series C 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 C 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 a parity with the 8.250% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), of the Company, the Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), of the Company and any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with the Series C 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 C 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.

 

 

 

 

3.           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 C Preferred Stock with respect to priority of dividend payments, holders of shares of the Series C 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, preferential cumulative cash dividends. From the date of original issue of the Series C Preferred Stock to, but not including, July 19, 2023, the Corporation shall pay cumulative cash dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock at the rate of 7.625% % per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $1.90625 per share) (the “Initial Rate”). Commencing July 19, 2023, the Corporation shall pay cumulative cash dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock at an annual dividend rate of the Initial Rate increased by two percent of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share, which shall increase by an additional two percent of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, subject to a maximum annual dividend rate of 14.0%. Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the date of original issue or the end of the most recent Dividend Period (as defined below) for which dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock have been paid and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on January 5, April 5, July 5 and October 5 of each year 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 “Dividend Payment Date”). A “Dividend Period” is the respective period commencing on and including January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Dividend Period (other than the initial Dividend Period and the Dividend Period during which any shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Corporation). 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 C Preferred Stock for any Dividend Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of the Series C Preferred Stock as they appear in the stock records of the Corporation at the close of business on the 25 th day of the month preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date, i.e. , December 25, March 25, June 25 and September 25 (each, a “Dividend Record Date”).

 

(b)          No dividends on shares of Series C 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.

 

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(c)          Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 3(b), dividends on the Series C 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 C 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 C Preferred Stock and the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Series C 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 C 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 C 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 C Preferred Stock 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 Dividend Periods that have ended, no dividends (other than a dividend 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 for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by the Corporation (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for Junior Stock, (ii) the purchase of shares of Series C Preferred Stock, Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock pursuant to the Charter to the extent necessary to preserve the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT or (iii) the purchase of shares of Parity Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock). Holders of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock as provided above. Any dividend payment made on shares of the Series C Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to such shares which remains payable. Accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock will accrue as of the Dividend Payment Date on which they first become payable.

 

(e)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, the applicable dividend rate for each day during a Default Period (as defined below) shall be equal to the then-current dividend rate plus two percent of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share, or $0.50 per annum (the “Default Rate”). Subject to the cure provision set forth in the next sentence, a “Default Period” with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock shall commence on a date the Corporation fails to deposit sufficient funds for the payment of dividends as required in connection with a Dividend Payment Date or date of redemption and shall end on the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and any unpaid redemption price has or have been deposited irrevocably in trust in same-day funds with the Corporation’s transfer agent, in its capacity as redemption and paying agent (the “Redemption and Paying Agent”). No Default Period shall be deemed to commence if the amount of any dividend or any redemption price due (if such default is not solely due to the Corporation’s willful failure) is deposited irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day that is not later than three Business Days after the applicable Dividend Payment Date or redemption date.

 

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4.           Liquidation Preference . Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Series C 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 of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid 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 C 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 C 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 C 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 C 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 C 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 C 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 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. 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 C Preferred Stock.

 

5.           Redemption at Option of Holders .

 

(a)          After July 19, 2023, if any shares of Series C Preferred Stock are outstanding, then each holder of shares of Series C 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 C Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the Holder Redemption Date (as defined below) (such price, the “Holder Redemption Price”), which Holder Redemption Price may be paid in cash or in equal value of shares of Class A Common Stock, or in any combination thereof, at the Corporation’s option; provided , however , that a holder shall not have any right of redemption with respect to any shares of Series C Preferred Stock being called for redemption pursuant to Section 6, 7 or 9 below to the extent the Corporation has delivered notice of its intent to redeem thereunder on or prior to the date of delivery of the holder’s Holder Redemption Notice hereunder.

 

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

 

(i)          delivery to the Redemption and Paying Agent by such holder of a duly completed notice (the “Holder Redemption Notice”) in compliance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) for tendering interests in global certificates and specifying the number of shares of Class A Common Stock, if any, 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

 

(ii)         book-entry transfer of the Series C Preferred Stock in compliance with the procedures of DTC, such transfer being a condition to receipt by the holder of the Holder Redemption Price therefor.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any holder delivering to the Redemption and Paying Agent a Holder Redemption Notice shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Holder Redemption Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Holder Redemption Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Redemption and Paying Agent in accordance with Section 5(e) below. The Redemption and Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Corporation of the receipt by it of any Holder Redemption Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof. Upon receipt by the Redemption and Paying Agent of the Holder Redemption Notice, the holder of the Series C Preferred Stock in respect of which such Holder Redemption Notice was given shall (unless such Holder Redemption Notice is withdrawn) thereafter be entitled to receive solely the Holder Redemption Price with respect to such shares of Series C Preferred Stock.

 

(c)          On or before June 19, 2023, the Corporation shall provide to all holders of record of the Series C Preferred Stock and the Redemption and Paying Agent a notice (the “Company Redemption Notice”) of the holders’ option to require the Corporation to redeem any and all of each such holder’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock. Such notice shall be sent in accordance with the procedures of DTC for providing notices. Simultaneously with providing such Company Redemption Notice, the Corporation must publish a notice containing the information included therein in a newspaper of general circulation in New York, New York or shall publish such information on the Corporation’s website or through such other public medium as the Corporation may use at such time. The Company Redemption Notice shall specify: (i) the date on which a holder of Series C Preferred Stock may begin exercising the redemption right; (ii) the formula for the calculation of the Holder Redemption Price; (iii) the name and address of the Redemption and Paying Agent; and (iv) the procedures that holders must follow to require the Corporation to redeem their Series C Preferred Stock. The failure of the Corporation to give the foregoing notices or any defect contained therein shall not limit the redemption rights of the holders of Series C Preferred Stock or affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock.

 

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(d)          If the Corporation elects to redeem some or all of the Series C Preferred Stock held by any holders that have delivered a Holder Redemption Notice in shares of Class A Common Stock, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued per share of Series C Preferred Stock that the Corporation chooses to redeem with shares of Class A Common Stock shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of Series C Preferred Stock plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon to and including the Holder Redemption Date (unless the Holder Redemption Date is after a Dividend Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued but unpaid dividend payment shall be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price (as defined below). Upon the redemption of Series C Preferred Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock, the Corporation shall not issue fractional shares of Class A Common Stock but shall instead pay the cash value of such fractional shares.

 

The “Common Stock Price” shall be (x) the volume weighted average of the closing sales price per share of Class A Common Stock (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the volume weighted average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the volume weighted average of the volume weighted average closing bid and the volume weighted average closing ask prices) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the Holder Redemption Date as reported on the NYSE MKT LLC (the “NYSE MKT”) or the principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for the Class A Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group, Inc. or a similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the Holder Redemption Date, if the Class A Common Stock is not then listed for trading on a United States securities exchange.

 

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(e)          Redemptions of Series C Preferred Stock shall be made on a monthly basis. The Holder Redemption Price for any Holder Redemption Notice received on or before the 25 th day of any month (and after the 25 th day of the previous month), whether payable in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock, shall be paid to such holder on the 5 th day of the following month or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (such date, the “Holder Redemption Date”). Payment of the Holder Redemption Price for the redemption of any such shares of Series C Preferred Stock in cash shall be subject to receipt of funds by the Redemption and Paying Agent. A Holder Redemption Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Redemption and Paying Agent in accordance with the Company Redemption Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Holder Redemption Date, specifying the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted; provided , however , the notice must comply with appropriate procedures of DTC. 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 C 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 C Preferred Stock for which a Holder Redemption Notice has been tendered and not withdrawn on the Holder Redemption Date, then as of such Holder Redemption Date, (i) such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding and dividends shall cease to accrue thereon (whether or not book-entry transfer of such shares of Series C 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 book-entry transfer of such shares of Series C 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 C 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.

 

(f)          In connection with the Corporation’s determination to issue shares of Class A Common Stock upon redemption of a holder’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock after receipt of such holder’s Holder Redemption Notice, the Corporation shall comply with all federal and state securities laws and stock exchange rules in connection with any redemption of shares of Series C Preferred Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock. The Corporation shall not issue shares of Class A Common Stock upon such redemption unless the shares of Class A Common Stock would be freely transferable under federal and state securities laws by holders that are not considered affiliates of the Corporation. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Series C Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall not redeem shares of Series C Preferred Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock to the extent that receipt of such Class A Common Stock would cause such holder (or any other person) to exceed any limitation on stock ownership contained in the Charter, unless the Corporation provides an exemption from such limitation for such holder. The obligation of the Corporation to redeem any shares of Series C Preferred Stock is subject to applicable law.

 

6.           Optional Redemption by the Corporation .

 

(a)          Shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable prior to July 19, 2021, except as set forth in Section 7, 8 or 9 below or to maintain the qualification of the Corporation as a REIT.

 

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(b)          On and after July 19, 2021, the Corporation, at its option upon not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, may redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) thereon to, and including, the date fixed for redemption, without interest, to the extent the Corporation has funds legally available therefor (the “Company Redemption Right”). If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares of Series C 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 C Ownership Limit (as defined in Section 11 below). If redemption is to be by lot and, as a result, any holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock, other than a holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that has received an exemption from the Series C Ownership Limit, would have actual ownership or Constructive Ownership of more than 9.8% of the issued and outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, because such holder’s shares of Series C 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 C Preferred Stock of such holder such that no holder will own Series C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit, subsequent to such redemption. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender such Series C Preferred Stock at the place, or in accordance with the book entry procedures, designated in such notice and shall be entitled to the redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, payable upon such redemption following such surrender. If (i) notice of redemption of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock has been given (in the case of a redemption of the Series C 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 C Preferred Stock so called for redemption and (iii) irrevocable instructions have been given to pay the redemption price of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, then from and after the redemption date, dividends shall cease to accrue on such shares of Series C Preferred Stock, such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon payable upon such redemption, without interest. So long as full cumulative dividends on the Series C 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, nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the Corporation’s right or ability to purchase, from time to time, either at a public or a private sale, all or any part of the Series C Preferred Stock at such price or prices as the Corporation may determine, subject to the provisions of applicable law, including the repurchase of shares of Series C Preferred Stock in open-market transactions and individual purchases at such prices as the Corporation negotiates, in each case as duly authorized by the Board.

 

(c)          Unless full cumulative dividends on the Series C 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 C Preferred Stock shall be redeemed pursuant to the Company Redemption Right or the Special Optional Redemption Right (as defined in Section 7 below) unless all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed, and the Corporation shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series C 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 C 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 C Preferred Stock).

 

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(d)          Notice of redemption pursuant to the Company Redemption Right shall be mailed by the Corporation, postage prepaid, not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, addressed to the respective holders of record of the Series C 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 C 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 C Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading, each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the redemption price; (iii) the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iv) the procedures of DTC for book entry transfer of shares of Series C Preferred Stock for payment of the redemption price; (v) that dividends on the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (vi) that payment of the redemption price of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon will be made upon book entry transfer of such Series C Preferred Stock in compliance with DTC’s procedures. If fewer than all of the shares of Series C 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 C 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 C Preferred Stock in the event such holder’s Series C Preferred Stock is redeemed in order for the Corporation to qualify or to maintain the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

 

(e)       If a redemption date falls after a Dividend Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, each holder of Series C 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 C Preferred Stock that surrenders its shares on such 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 redemption date. Except as provided herein, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series C Preferred Stock for which a notice of redemption pursuant to the Company Redemption Right has been given.

 

7.           Special Optional Redemption by the Corporation .

 

(a)          Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control/Delisting (as defined below), the Corporation may, at its option, upon written notice mailed by the Corporation, postage pre-paid, not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date and addressed to the holders of record of the Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the stock transfer records of the Corporation, redeem shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control/Delisting occurred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon to, and including, the redemption date (the “Special Optional Redemption Right”). No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.

 

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A “Change of Control/Delisting” is when, after the original issuance of the Series C 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/Delisting 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 Common Shares will be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are 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;

 

(iii)        any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person other than one of the Corporation’s subsidiaries;

 

(iv)        the Corporation’s stockholders approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation;

 

(v)         the Class A Common Stock ceases to be listed or quoted on a national securities exchange in the United States; or

 

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

 

The term “Voting Stock” means common equity that is entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. The term “Continuing Director” means a director who either was a member of the Board on October 21, 2015 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.

 

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(b)          In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series C Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading, each notice of redemption of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 7 shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the redemption price; (iii) the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iv) the procedures of DTC for book entry transfer of shares of Series C Preferred Stock for payment of the redemption price; (v) that dividends on the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; (vi) that payment of the redemption price of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon will be made upon book entry transfer of such Series C Preferred Stock in compliance with DTC’s procedures; and (vii) that the Series C Preferred Stock is being redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right in connection with the occurrence of a Change of Control/Delisting and a brief description of the transaction or transaction constituting such Change of Control/Delisting. If fewer than all of the shares of Series C 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 C Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed or the method for determining such number. In this case, the Corporation shall determine the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed as described in Section 6(b) above.

 

(c)          If the Corporation has given a notice of redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right and has set apart sufficient funds for the redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be treated as no longer being outstanding, no further dividends shall accrue and all other rights of the holders of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall terminate. The holders of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall retain their right to receive the redemption price of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon payable upon such redemption, without interest.

 

(d)          The holders of Series C Preferred Stock at the close of business on a Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to receive the dividend payable with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right between such Dividend Record Date and the corresponding Dividend Payment Date or the Corporation’s default in the payment of the dividend due. Except as provided herein, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series C Preferred Stock for which a notice of redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right has been given.

 

8.           Redemption at Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control/Delisting .

 

(a)          If a Change of Control/Delisting occurs at any time the Series C Preferred Stock is outstanding, then each holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to require the Corporation to redeem for cash any or all of such holder’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock, on a date specified by the Corporation that can be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days following the date of delivery of the Change of Control/Delisting Company Notice (as defined below) (the “Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date”), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared), to and including the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date (such price, the “Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Price”); provided , however , that a holder shall not have any right of redemption with respect to any shares of Series C Preferred Stock being called for redemption pursuant to Section 6 or 7 above to the extent the Corporation has delivered notice of its intent to redeem thereunder on or prior to the date of delivery of the holder’s Change of Control/Delisting Company Notice.

 

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

 

(i)          delivery by such holder to the Redemption and Paying Agent of a duly completed notice (the “Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Notice”) in compliance with the procedures of DTC for tendering interests in global certificates, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date; and

 

(ii)         book-entry transfer of the Series C Preferred Stock in compliance with the procedures of DTC, such transfer being a condition to receipt by the holder of the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Price therefor.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any holder delivering to the Redemption and Paying Agent a Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Notice shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Redemption and Paying Agent in accordance with Section 8(d) below. The Redemption and Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Corporation of the Redemption and Paying Agent’s receipt of any Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

 

(c)          On or before the 20 th calendar day after the occurrence of a Change of Control/Delisting, the Corporation shall provide to all holders of record of the Series C Preferred Stock and the Redemption and Paying Agent a notice (the “Change of Control/Delisting Company Notice”) of the occurrence of such Change of Control/Delisting and of the redemption right at the option of the holders of Series C Preferred Stock arising as a result thereof. Such notice shall be sent in accordance with the procedures of DTC for providing notices. Simultaneously with providing such Change of Control/Delisting Company Notice, the Corporation must publish a notice containing the information included therein in a newspaper of general circulation in New York, New York or shall publish such information on the Corporation’s website or through such other public medium as the Corporation may use at such time. Each Change of Control/Delisting Company Notice shall specify: (i) the events causing a Change of Control/Delisting; (ii) the date of the Change of Control/Delisting; (iii) the last date on which a holder of Series C Preferred Stock may exercise the redemption right pursuant to the Change of Control/Delisting; (iv) the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Price; (v) the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date; (vi) the name and address of the Redemption and Paying Agent; and (vii) the procedures that holders must follow to require the Corporation to redeem their Series C Preferred Stock. The failure of the Corporation to give the foregoing notices or any defect contained therein shall not limit the redemption rights of the holders of Series C Preferred Stock or affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock.

 

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(d)          Upon receipt by the Redemption and Paying Agent of the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Notice, the holder of the Series C Preferred Stock in respect of which such Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Notice was given shall (unless such Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Notice is withdrawn) thereafter be entitled to receive solely the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Price in cash with respect to such shares of Series C Preferred Stock. Such Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Price shall be paid to such holder, subject to receipt of funds by the Redemption and Paying Agent, on the later of (i) the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date with respect to such shares of Series C Preferred Stock and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer of such Series C Preferred Stock to the Redemption and Paying Agent by the holder thereof. A Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Redemption and Paying Agent in accordance with the Change of Control/Delisting Company Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date, specifying the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted; provided , however , the notice must comply with appropriate procedures of DTC. Prior to 11:00 a.m. (local time in the City of New York) on the Change of Control/Delisting 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 Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Price of all the shares of Series C Preferred Stock that are to be redeemed as of the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date. If the Redemption and Paying Agent holds funds sufficient to pay the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Price of the Series C Preferred Stock for which a Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Notice has been tendered and not withdrawn on the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date, then as of such Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date, (x) such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding and dividends shall cease to accrue thereon (whether or not book-entry transfer of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock is made) and (y) 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 book-entry transfer of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock). To the extent that the aggregate amount of cash deposited by the Corporation to satisfy the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Price exceeds the aggregate Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Price of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock that the Corporation is obligated to redeem as of the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date, then, following the Change of Control/Delisting Redemption Date, the Redemption and Paying Agent must promptly return any such excess to the Corporation.

 

(e)          The Corporation shall not be required to make a redemption in connection with a Change of Control/Delisting if a third party makes such an offer in a manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Corporation and the third party purchases all shares of Series C Preferred Stock properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In connection with any offer to redeem Series C Preferred Stock in connection with a Change of Control/Delisting, the Corporation shall, in each case if required, (i) comply with Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable, (ii) file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act and (iii) otherwise comply with all federal and state securities laws.

 

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9.           Mandatory Redemption for Asset Coverage .

 

(a)          If the Corporation fails to maintain asset coverage of at least 200% calculated by determining the percentage value of (i) the Corporation’s total assets plus accumulated depreciation minus the Corporation’s total liabilities and indebtedness as reported in the Corporation’s financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) (exclusive of the book value of any Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock (as defined herein)), over (ii) the aggregate liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock and any outstanding shares of term Preferred Shares or Preferred Shares providing for a fixed mandatory redemption date or maturity date, including the Series A Preferred Stock (but not including the Series B Preferred Stock) (“Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock”), on the last Business Day of any calendar quarter (“Asset Coverage Ratio”), and such failure is not cured by the close of business on the date that is 30 calendar days following the filing date of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as applicable, for that quarter (such date, the “Asset Coverage Cure Date”), then the Corporation shall redeem, within 90 calendar days of the Asset Coverage Cure Date, shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock, which may include Series C Preferred Stock, at least equal to the lesser of (x) the minimum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that will result in the Corporation having an Asset Coverage Ratio of at least 200% and (y) the maximum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that can be redeemed solely out of funds legally available for such redemption. In connection with any redemption for failure to maintain such Asset Coverage Ratio, the Corporation may, in its sole option, redeem any shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock it selects, including on a non-pro rata basis. The Corporation may elect not to redeem any Series C Preferred Stock to cure such failure as long as the Corporation cures its failure to meet the Asset Coverage Ratio by or on the Asset Coverage Cure Date. The Corporation may also, in its sole option within such time period, redeem such additional number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that will result in an Asset Coverage Ratio up to and including 285%.

 

(b)          If shares of Series C Preferred Stock are to be redeemed for failure to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio, such shares shall be redeemed solely in cash at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not declared) to and including the redemption date and otherwise in accordance with the procedures for redemption described under Section 6 above, with the notice specifying that such redemption is being made in accordance with the Corporation’s covenant to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio.

 

10.        Voting Rights .

 

(a)          Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights, except as set forth in this Section 10.

 

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(b)          Whenever dividends on any shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for six or more consecutive quarterly periods (a “Preferred Dividend Default”), the number of Directors then constituting the Board shall be automatically increased by two and the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (collectively, the “Parity Voting Preferred Stock”) (voting together as a single class) shall be entitled to vote for the election of two additional Directors to serve on the Board (the “Preferred Directors”), until all unpaid dividends on such Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Preferred Stock for the past Dividend Periods that have ended shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment. The nomination procedures with respect to the Preferred Directors shall be established by the Corporation, as necessary.

 

(c)          The Preferred Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election and each Preferred Director shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until such Preferred Director’s right to hold the office terminates, whichever occurs earlier, subject to such Preferred Director’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. The election shall take place at (i) a special meeting called upon the written request of holders of record of at least 20% of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock; provided that, if the request is received no earlier than 120 days and no later than 45 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, the Corporation must instead provide for the election at such annual or special meeting of stockholders to the extent it may do so in compliance with applicable law, and (ii) each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, or special meeting held in place thereof, until all accrued dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock and the Parity Preferred Stock have been paid in full for all past Dividend Periods that have ended. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall not be permitted to fill the vacancies on the Board as a result of the failure of the holders of 20% of the Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock to deliver such written request for the election of the Preferred Directors.

 

(d)          At any time when the voting rights described above shall have vested, a proper officer of the Corporation shall call or cause to be called, upon the written request described in Section 10(c)(i), a special meeting of the holders of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock by mailing or causing to be mailed to such holders a notice of such special meeting to be held not fewer than ten nor more than 45 days after the date such notice is given. The record date for determining holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting will be the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the day on which such notice is mailed. The holders of one-third of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock (voting as a single class), present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the election of the Preferred Directors except as otherwise provided by law. Notice of all meetings at which holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and the Parity Voting Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote will be given to such holders at their addresses as they appear in the Corporation’s transfer records. At any such meeting or adjournment thereof in the absence of a quorum, subject to the provisions of any applicable law, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock (voting as a single class), present in person or by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting for the election of the Preferred Directors, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. If a Preferred Dividend Default shall terminate after the notice of a special meeting has been given but before such special meeting has been held, the Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such termination, mail or cause to be mailed notice of such termination to holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and the Parity Voting Preferred Stock that would have been entitled to vote at such special meeting.

 

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(e)          If and when all accrued dividends on such Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Preferred Stock for the past Dividend Periods that have ended shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment, the right of the holders of Series C Preferred Stock and the Parity Voting Preferred Stock to elect such additional two Directors shall immediately cease (subject to revesting in the event of each and every Preferred Dividend Default), and the term of office of each Preferred Director so elected shall terminate and the number of Directors shall be automatically reduced accordingly. Any Preferred Director may be removed at any time with or without cause by the vote of, and shall not be removed otherwise than by the vote of, the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class). So long as a Preferred Dividend Default shall continue, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Director may be filled by written consent of the Preferred Director remaining in office, or if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock. Each of the Preferred Directors shall be entitled to one vote on any matter.

 

(f)          So long as any shares of Series C 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 two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series C 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. In addition, so long as any shares of Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting, shall be required to amend, alter or repeal the Charter, including the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of its assets or otherwise (an “Event”), so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series C Preferred Stock; provided , however , that with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth above, so long as the Series C Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an Event, the Corporation may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of Series C Preferred Stock, and in such case such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth above; provided , further , that with respect to any such amendment, alteration or repeal that equally affects the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock and any Parity Voting Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class) shall be required. In addition, if the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock receive the greater of the full trading price of the Series C Preferred Stock on the date of an Event set forth above or the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth above or pursuant to Section 7 or 8 above upon a Change of Control/Delisting, then such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the Events set forth above.

 

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(g)          So long as any shares of Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock also shall have the exclusive right to vote on any amendment, alteration or repeal of the Charter, including the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock, that would alter only the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of the Series C 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 C 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 C Preferred Stock, that equally affects the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock and any Parity Voting Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class) also shall have the exclusive right to vote on any amendment, alteration or repeal of the Charter, including the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock, that would alter only the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of the Series C 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 two-thirds of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the time.

 

(h)          Holders of shares of Series C 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 C 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) above 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 C Preferred Stock as a single class. Except as set forth herein, holders of Series C Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights with respect to, and the consent of the holders of Series C Preferred Stock shall not be required for, the taking of any corporate action, including an Event, regardless of the effect that such corporate action or Event may have upon the powers, preferences, voting power or other rights or privileges of the Series C Preferred Stock.

 

(i)          The foregoing voting provisions of this Section 10 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 C 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.

 

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

 

11.        Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer .

 

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

 

(i)          “Prohibited Series C Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 11(c), would beneficially own (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock and, if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

 

(ii)         “Series C Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Series C Trust as determined pursuant to Section 11(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 C Excepted Holder” shall mean a holder of Series C Preferred Stock for whom a Series C Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board pursuant to Section 11(n).

 

(iv)        “Series C Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board pursuant to Section 11(n) and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 11(n), the percentage limit established by the Board pursuant to Section 11(n).

 

(v)         “Series C 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 C Preferred Stock or such other percentage determined by the Board in accordance with Section 11(n).

 

(vi)        “Series C Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 11(d).

 

(vii)       “Series C Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Series C 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 C Trust. Until another Series C Trustee is otherwise appointed by the Corporation, the initial Series C Trustee shall be Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank, PLC.

 

(b)          Prior to the Restriction Termination Date but subject to Section 11(q), (i) no Person, other than a Series C Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit and (ii) no Series C Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C Excepted Holder Limit for such Series C Excepted Holder.

 

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(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 C Preferred Stock in violation of Section 11(b), (i) then that number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock the Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 11(b) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Series C Trust for the benefit of a Series C Beneficiary, as described in Section 11(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 C Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 11(b), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 11(b) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares.

 

(d)          Upon any purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event described in Section 11(c) that would result in a Transfer of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to a Series C Trust, such shares shall be deemed to have been Transferred to the Series C Trustee as trustee of a Series C Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Series C Beneficiaries. Such Transfer to the Series C 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 C Trust pursuant to Section 11(c). The Series C Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Series C Owner. Each Series C Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 11(i) below.

 

(e)          Shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by the Series C Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding shares. The Prohibited Series C Owner shall have no rights in the shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by the Series C Trustee. The Prohibited Series C Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock held in trust by the Series C 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 C Preferred Stock held in the Series C Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Series C Beneficiary. Any dividend or other Distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been Transferred to the Series C Trustee shall be paid with respect to such shares to the Series C Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other Distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Series C Trustee. Any dividends or other Distributions so paid over to the Series C Trustee shall be held in trust for the Series C Beneficiary. The Prohibited Series C Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Series C Preferred Stock held in the Series C Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that Shares have been Transferred to the Series C Trust, the Series C Trustee shall have the authority (at the Series C Trustee's sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Series C Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been Transferred to the Series C Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Series C Trustee acting for the benefit of the Series C Beneficiary; provided , however , that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Series C Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 11, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been Transferred into a Series C 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 C Preferred Stock entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of holders of Series C Preferred Stock.

 

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(g)          As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been Transferred to the Series C Trust (and no later than 20 days after receiving notice in the case of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that are listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange), the Series C Trustee shall sell the shares held in the Series C Trust to a Person, designated by the Series C Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate Section 11(b). Upon such sale, the interest of the Series C Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Series C Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Series C Owner and to the Series C Beneficiary as provided in this Section 11(g). The Prohibited Series C Owner shall receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the Prohibited Series C Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Series C Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Series C 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 C Trust and (ii) the sales proceeds received by the Series C Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Series C Trust. The Series C Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Series C Owner by the amount of dividends and other Distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Series C Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Series C Owner to the Series C Trustee pursuant to Section 11(f). Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Series C Owner shall be immediately paid to the Series C Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been Transferred to the Series C Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Series C Owner, then (x) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Series C Trust and (y) to the extent that the Prohibited Series C Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Series C Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 11(g), such excess shall be paid to the Series C Trustee upon demand.

 

(h)          Shares of Series C Preferred Stock Transferred to the Series C 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 C 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 C Owner by the amount of dividends and other Distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Series C Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Series C Owner to the Series C Trustee pursuant to Section 11(f). The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Series C Trustee for the benefit of the Series C Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Series C Trustee has sold the shares held in the Series C Trust pursuant to Section 11(g). Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Series C Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Series C Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Series C Owner.

 

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(i)          By written notice to the Series C Trustee, the Corporation may change the Series C Beneficiary by designating one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Series C Beneficiary of the interest in the Series C Trust such that (i) shares of Series C Preferred Stock held in the Series C Trust would not violate Section 11(b) in the hands of such Series C 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 C Trustee before the automatic transfer provided for in Section 11(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 C 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 C Beneficiary at any time and for any or no reason. Any determination by the Corporation with respect to the application of this Section 11 shall be binding on each Series C 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 11(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 C Preferred Stock in violation of Section 11(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 C 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 11(b) (or Non-Transfer Event that results in a violation of Section 11(b)) shall automatically result in the Transfer to the Series C 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 C Preferred Stock that will or may violate Section 11(b), or any Person who held or would have owned shares of Series C Preferred Stock that resulted in a Transfer to the Series C Trust pursuant to Section 11(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.

 

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(l)          Subject to Section 11(q), nothing contained in this Section 11 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.

 

(m)        The Board shall have the power to determine the application of any provisions of this Section 11 and any definition in Section 11(a), including in the case of an ambiguity in the application of any provisions of this Section 11 or any such definition, with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event this Section 11 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 11.

 

(n)          Subject to clause (ii) below, the Board, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Series C Ownership Limit and establish or increase a Series C 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 C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C 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 11) will result in such shares being automatically Transferred to a Series C Trust in accordance with Section 11(d) through (i) above. Prior to granting any exception or waiver or creating any Series C Excepted Holder Limit pursuant to this Section 11(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 C Excepted Holder Limit. The Board may only reduce the Series C Excepted Holder Limit for a Series C Excepted Holder (x) with the written consent of such Series C Excepted Holder at any time or (y) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Series C Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Series C Excepted Holder Limit for that Series C Excepted Holder. The Board may from time to time increase the Series C Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and decrease the Series C Ownership Limit for all other Persons; provided , however , that any such decreased Series C Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership in shares of Series C Preferred Stock is in excess of the decreased Series C Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of shares of Series C Preferred Stock equals or falls below the decreased Series C Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of shares of Series C Preferred Stock in excess of such percentage ownership of shares will be in violation of the Series C Ownership Limit; and provided , further , that the new Series C 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.

 

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(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 C Preferred Stock may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C 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.

 

(p)          Each certificate representing shares of Series C 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 11 shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE MKT 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 11 and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Section 11.

 

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

 

13.          Term . The Series C Preferred Stock has no stated maturity date and shall not be subject to any sinking fund and, except as set forth in Section 8 or 9 above, is not subject to mandatory redemption. The Corporation shall not be required to set aside funds to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock.

 

14.          Status of Redeemed or Repurchased Series C Preferred Stock . All shares of Series C 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 C 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 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President and attested to by its Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and General Counsel on this 15 th day of July, 2016.

 

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 Operating Officer, Secretary     Title: Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
  and General Counsel       and President
             

 

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Exhibit 5.1 

 

  

July 18, 2016

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

9 th Floor

712 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10019

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-208956)

 

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 2,300,000 shares (the “Shares”) of 7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Series C 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”).

 

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 January 29, 2016, as supplemented by a Prospectus Supplement, dated July 12, 2016 (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 C Preferred Stock (the “Articles Supplementary”), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

 

4.          The Second 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;

 

     

 

 

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

July 18, 2016

Page 2

 

6.          Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof 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.

 

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 Article VI of the Charter or Section 11 of the Articles Supplementary.

 

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

 

     

 

 

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

July 18, 2016

Page 3

 

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 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 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.

 

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

 

     

 

 

Exhibit 8.1

 

 

 

 

 

July 18, 2016

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

712 Fifth Avenue

9th Floor

New York, New York 10019

  

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 2,300,000 shares of 7.625 % Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, pursuant to a preliminary prospectus supplement filed on July 11, 2016, and a final prospectus supplement dated July 12, 2016 (together, the “ Prospectus Supplement ”), forming part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-208956) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 12, 2016 (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 Company’s First Articles of Amendment to the Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement filed on March 26, 2014, the Company’s Second Articles of Amendment to the Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement filed on March 26, 2014, the Company’s Third Articles of Amendment to the Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement filed on March 31, 2014 and the Company’s Fourth Articles of Amendment to the Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement filed on March 31, 2014 with the Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland and the Articles Supplementary designating the 7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock;

 

3. the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, the First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, the Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, the Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, the Fourth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, and the Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership; and

  

 

Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law

Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston London Moscow New York

Palo Alto Richmond Riyadh San Francisco Taipei Tokyo Washington

2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 500 West

Washington, DC 20037-1701

Tel +1.202.639.6500 Fax +1.202.639.6604 www.velaw.com

 

 

 

 July 18, 2016    Page  2

 

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, 2016, 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 opinions 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.

 

 

 

 July 18, 2016    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, 2015, 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, 2016 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.

 

 

 

 July 18, 2016    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 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

 

FIFTH AMENDMENT TO THE

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL HOLDINGS, L.P.

 

DESIGNATION OF 7.625% SERIES C

CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS

 

July 15, 2016

 

Pursuant to Section 4.02 and Article XI of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P. (the “Partnership Agreement”), the General Partner hereby amends the Partnership Agreement as follows in connection with the issuance of 2,300,000 shares of 7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) of Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. and the issuance to the General Partner of Series C 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 C Preferred Stock:

 

1.             Designation and Number . A series of Preferred Units (as defined below), designated the “7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units” (the “Series C Preferred Units”), is hereby established. The number of authorized Series C Preferred Units shall be 4,000,000.

 

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 July 15, 2016, designating the terms, rights and preferences of the Series C Preferred Stock.

 

“Base Liquidation Preference” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.

 

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

 

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

 

“Common Unit Economic Balance” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10(g).

 

“Default Period” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(e).

 

“Default Rate” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(e).

 

“Distribution Period” hall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).

 

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

 

 

 

  

“Economic Capital Account Balance” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10(g).

 

“Initial Series C Preferred Return” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).

 

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

 

“Liquidating Gains” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10(g).

 

“Loss” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10(h).

 

“Net Operating Income” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10(f).

 

“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.

 

“Profit” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10(h).

 

“Series C Preferred Return” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4.             Rank . The Series C 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 C 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 C Preferred Units, including the Series A Preferred Units and Series B 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 C 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 C Preferred Units prior to conversion or exchange. The Series C Preferred Units will also rank junior in right or payment to the Partnership’s existing and future indebtedness.

 

  2  

 

 

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 C Preferred Units as to distributions, the holders of Series C 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, cumulative cash distributions at the rate of 7.625% per annum of the Base Liquidation Preference (as defined below) per unit (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $1.90625 per unit) (the “Initial Series C Preferred Return”) from and including the date of original issue of the Series C Preferred Units (or the first day following the end of the most recent Distribution Period for which distributions on the Series C Preferred Units have been paid) to, but not including July 19, 2023. Commencing July 19, 2023, the Partnership shall pay cumulative cash distributions on the Series C Preferred Units at an annual rate equal to the Initial Series C Preferred Return increased by two percent of the Base Liquidation Preference per Series C Preferred Unit, which shall increase by an additional two percent of the Base Liquidation Preference per Series C Preferred Unit on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, subject to a maximum annual distribution rate of 14% (together with the Initial Series C Preferred Return, the “Series C Preferred Return”). Distributions on the Series C Preferred Units shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the date of original issue of any Series C Preferred Units or the first day following the end of the most recent Distribution Period for which distributions have been paid, and shall be payable quarterly, in equal amounts, in arrears, on or about the 5 th day of each January, April, July and October of each year (or, if not a business day, the immediately preceding Business Day (each a “Series C Preferred Distribution Payment Date”) for the period ending on such Series C Preferred Distribution Payment Date, commencing on October 5, 2016. A “Distribution Period” is the respective period commencing on and including January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Distribution Period (other than the initial Distribution Period and the Distribution Period during which any Series C Preferred Units shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership). 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 C Preferred Units for any Distribution Period will be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. Distributions will be payable to holders of record of the Series C Preferred Units as they appear on the records of the Partnership at the close of business on the 25 th day of the month preceding the applicable Series C Preferred Distribution Payment Date, i.e. , December 25, March 25, June 25 and September 25 (each, a “Distribution Record Date”).

 

(b)           No distributions on the Series C 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.

 

  3  

 

  

(c)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, distributions on the Series C 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 C Preferred Units which may be in arrears. When distributions are not paid in full upon the Series C 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 C Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per Series C Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated distributions per Series C 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 C 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 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 (i) by conversion into or exchange for Junior Units, (ii) the purchase of Series C Preferred Units, Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units in connection with a redemption of stock pursuant to the Charter to the extent necessary to preserve the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT or (iii) the purchase of Parity Preferred Units pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series C Preferred Units). Holders of the Series C Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or units, in excess of full cumulative distributions on the Series C Preferred Units as provided above. Any distribution made on the Series C Preferred Units shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to such units which remains payable. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the Series C Preferred Units will accrue as of the Series C Preferred Distribution Payment Date on which they first become payable.

 

(e)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, the applicable distribution rate for each day during a Default Period (as defined below) shall be equal to the then-current Series C Preferred Return plus two percent of the Base Liquidation Preference, or $0.50 per annum (the “Default Rate”). Subject to the cure provision set forth in the next sentence, a “Default Period” with respect to the Series C Preferred Units shall commence on a date the Partnership fails to make payment of distributions as required in connection with a Series C Preferred Distribution Payment Date or date of redemption and shall end on the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, an amount equal to all unpaid distributions and any unpaid redemption price has been paid. No Default Period shall be deemed to commence if the amount of any distribution or any redemption price due (if such default is not solely due to the Partnership’s willful failure) is paid not later than three Business Days after the applicable Series C Preferred Distribution Payment Date or redemption date.

 

  4  

 

 

(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 C 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 of $25.00 per unit (the “Base Liquidation Preference”), 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 C Preferred Units and the liquidation preference on any Parity Preferred Units, all assets distributed to the holders of the Series C Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per Series C Preferred Units and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation preference per Series C 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 C 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 C 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 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 C Preferred Stock pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 of the Articles Supplementary, the Partnership shall redeem, on the date of such redemption, an equal number of Series C Preferred Units held by the General Partner. As consideration for the redemption of such Series C 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 C 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 C Preferred Stock in connection with the redemption thereof.

 

  5  

 

 

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

 

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

 

10.           Allocation of Profit and Loss .

 

Article V, Section 5.01 of the Partnership Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following new Section 5.01 is inserted in its place:

 

(a)           Profit . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 5.01(c), (d), and (e) hereof, and subject to Section 5.01(f), Profit of the Partnership for each fiscal year of the Partnership shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

(b)           Loss . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 5.01(c), (d), and (e) hereof, and subject to Section 5.01(f), Loss of the Partnership for each fiscal year of the Partnership shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

(c)           Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, (i) any expense of the Partnership that is a “nonrecourse deduction” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1) shall be allocated in accordance with the Partners’ respective Percentage Interests, (ii) any expense of the Partnership that is a “partner nonrecourse deduction” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2) shall be allocated to the Partner that bears the “economic risk of loss” of such deduction in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1), (iii) if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(1) for any Partnership taxable year, then, subject to the exceptions set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(2),(3), (4) and (5), items of gain and income shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and the ordering rules contained in Regulations Section 1.704-2(j), and (iv) if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) for any Partnership taxable year, then, subject to the exceptions set forth in Regulations Section 1.704(2)(g), items of gain and income shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and the ordering rules contained in Regulations Section 1.704-2(j). The manner in which it is reasonably expected that the deductions attributable to nonrecourse liabilities will be allocated for purposes of determining a Partner’s share of the nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3) shall be in accordance with a Partner’s Percentage Interest.

 

(d)           Qualified Income Offset . If a Partner receives in any taxable year an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in subparagraphs (4), (5) or (6) of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) that causes or increases a deficit balance in such Partner’s Capital Account that exceeds the sum of such Partner’s shares of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, as determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i), such Partner shall be allocated specially for such taxable year (and, if necessary, later taxable years) items of income and gain in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such deficit Capital Account balance as quickly as possible as provided in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d). After the occurrence of an allocation of income or gain to a Partner in accordance with this Section 5.01(d), to the extent permitted by Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), items of expense or loss shall be allocated to such Partner in an amount necessary to offset the income or gain previously allocated to such Partner under this Section 5.01(d).

 

  6  

 

 

(e)           Capital Account Deficits . Loss shall not be allocated to a Limited Partner to the extent that such allocation would cause a deficit in such Partner’s Capital Account (after reduction to reflect the items described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6)) to exceed the sum of such Partner’s shares of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Any Loss in excess of that limitation shall be allocated to the General Partner. After the occurrence of an allocation of Loss to the General Partner in accordance with this Section 5.01(e), to the extent permitted by Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), Profit shall be allocated to such Partner in an amount necessary to offset the Loss previously allocated to each Partner under this Section 5.01(e).

 

(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, and Series C Preferred Return 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, and Series C Preferred Return with respect to the January Series A Preferred Distribution Payment Date, Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date, or Series C Preferred 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, or Series C Preferred 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) hereof.

 

(g)           Special Allocations Regarding LTIP Units . Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5.01(a) and (b) hereof, Liquidating Gains shall first be allocated to the LTIP Unitholders until their Economic Capital Account Balances, to the extent attributable to their ownership of LTIP Units, are equal to (i) the Common Unit Economic Balance, multiplied by (ii) the number of their LTIP Units. For this purpose, “Liquidating Gains” means net capital gains realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, including but not limited to net capital gain realized in connection with an adjustment to the value of Partnership assets under Section 704(b) of the Code. The “Economic Capital Account Balance” of the LTIP Unit holders will be equal to their respective Capital Account balance to the extent attributable to their ownership of LTIP Units. Similarly, the “Common Unit Economic Balance” shall mean (i) the Capital Account balance of the General Partner, plus the amount of the General Partner’s share of any Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain or Partnership Minimum Gain, in either case to the extent attributable to the General Partner’s direct or indirect ownership of Common Units and computed on a hypothetical basis after taking into account all allocations through the date on which any allocation is made under this Section 5.01(g), divided by (ii) the number of Common Units directly or indirectly owned by the General Partner. Any such allocations shall be made among the LTIP Unitholders in proportion to the amounts required to be allocated to each under this Section 5.01(g). The parties agree that the intent of this Section 5.01(g) is to make the Capital Account balance associated with each LTIP Unit be economically equivalent to the Capital Account balance associated with Common Units directly or indirectly owned by the General Partner (on a per-Unit basis).

 

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(h)           Definition of Profit and Loss . “ Profit ” and “ Loss ” and any items of income, gain, expense or loss referred to in this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles, as modified by Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), except that Profit and Loss shall not include items of income, gain and expense that are specially allocated pursuant to Sections 5.01(c), 5.01(d), 5.01(e), or 5.01(f) hereof. All allocations of income, Profit, gain, Loss and expense (and all items contained therein) for federal income tax purposes shall be identical to all allocations of such items set forth in this Section 5.01, except as otherwise required by Section 704(c) of the Code and Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4). With respect to properties acquired by the Partnership, the General Partner shall have the authority to elect the method to be used by the Partnership for allocating items of income, gain and expense as required by Section 704(c) of the Code with respect to such properties, and such election shall be binding on all Partners.

 

(i)           Allocations Between Transferor and Transferee . If a Partner transfers any part or all of its Partnership Interest, the distributive shares of the various items of Profit and Loss allocable among the Partners during such fiscal year of the Partnership shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee Partner either (i) as if the Partnership’s fiscal year had ended on the date of the transfer, or (ii) based on the number of days of such fiscal year that each was a Partner without regard to the results of Partnership activities in the respective portions of such fiscal year in which the transferor and the transferee were Partners. The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine which method shall be used to allocate the distributive shares of the various items of Profit and Loss between the transferor and the transferee Partner.

 

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/ R. Ramin Kamfar
  Name: R. Ramin Kamfar
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and President

 

[ Signature page for Amendment re: Series C Preferred Units – July 2016 ]

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Corporate Headquarters

712 Fifth Ave., 9 th Floor

New York, NY 10019

212.843.1601

 

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT (BRG) Prices

Series C Preferred Stock Offering

 

New York, NY (July 12, 2016) -- Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BRG) (the “Company”) announced today the pricing of its public offering of 2,000,000 shares of its 7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), for total net proceeds of approximately $48.0 million after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 300,000 additional shares to cover overallotments, if any. The offering is expected to close on July 19, 2016, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

 

The Company has applied to list the Series C Preferred Stock on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “BRG-PrC.” If the application is approved, trading of the Series C Preferred Stock is expected to commence within 30 days after the initial issuance thereof. Shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock trade on the NYSE MKT under the ticker symbol “BRG,” and shares of the Company’s 8.250% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock trade on the NYSE MKT under the ticker symbol “BRG-PrA.”

 

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for future multifamily acquisitions and investments, and other general corporate and working capital purposes, which may include the funding of capital improvements at its properties.

 

Janney Montgomery Scott, D.A. Davidson & Co. and FBR are serving as book-running managers for the offering. Boenning & Scattergood and William Blair are serving as co-managers for the offering.

 

The offering is being made pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement, which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on January 29, 2016. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained from the SEC’s website at  www.sec.gov  or by contacting: Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC, 1717 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 or by email at prospectus@janney.com, or D.A. Davidson & Co., 8 Third Street North, Great Falls, Montana 59401 or by email at prospectusrequest@dadco.com.

 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these shares or any other securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any state.

 

 

 

 

About Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BRG) is a real estate investment trust that focuses on acquiring a diversified portfolio of Class A institutional-quality apartment properties in demographically attractive growth markets to appeal to the renter by choice. The Company’s objective is to generate value through off-market/relationship-based transactions and, at the asset level, through improvements to operations and properties. The Company generally invests with strategic regional partners, including some of the best-regarded private owner-operators in the United States, enabling the Company to operate as a local sharpshooter in each of its markets while enhancing its off-market sourcing capabilities. The Company’s Class A Common Stock is included on the Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 Indexes.   The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical, including statements regarding management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations, representations, plans or predictions of the future, and are typically identified by such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “should” and “could.” Because such statements include risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s present expectations, but these statements are not guaranteed to occur, including, without limitation, with respect to the completion of the proposed public offering on the terms described or at all, and the Company's proposed use of net proceeds. Furthermore, the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. Investors should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. For further discussion of the factors that could affect outcomes, please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus filed by the Company with the SEC on July 11, 2016, and the documents incorporated therein by reference, and in the Company’s annual and periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov .

 

Contact

(Media)

Josh Hoffman

(208) 475.2380

jhoffman@bluerockre.com

 

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