Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2009

Registration No. 333-156633

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

FORM S-11

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   6798   26-3842535

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification number)

620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300

Newport Beach, California 92660

(949) 417-6500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of the registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Keith D. Hall

Chief Executive Officer

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300

Newport Beach, California 92660

(949) 417-6500

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Robert H. Bergdolt, Esq.

Carrie J. Hartley, Esq.

Christopher R. Stambaugh, Esq.

DLA Piper LLP (US)

4141 Parklake Avenue, Suite 300

Raleigh, North Carolina 27612-2350

(919) 786-2000

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after the effectiveness of the registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box:   x

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨   

Accelerated filer   ¨

Non-accelerated filer   ¨      

Smaller Reporting Company   x

(Do not check if smaller reporting company)   

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the SEC and various states is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2009

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

Maximum Offering of 280,000,000 Shares of Common Stock

Minimum Offering of 250,000 Shares of Common Stock

 

 

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. is a newly organized Maryland corporation that intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust beginning with the taxable year that will end December 31, 2009. We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. We intend to originate and acquire mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans and to invest in real estate-related debt securities such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. In addition, we may acquire equity securities of companies that make similar investments. We may make our investments through loan origination and the acquisition of individual assets or by acquiring portfolios of assets, other mortgage REITs or companies with investment objectives similar to ours. Because we have not yet identified any specific assets to acquire, we are considered a blind pool.

We are offering up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock in our primary offering for $10 per share, with volume discounts available to investors who purchase more than $1,000,000 of shares through the same participating broker-dealer. Discounts are also available for other categories of investors. We are also offering up to 80,000,000 shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan at a purchase price initially equal to $9.50 per share. We expect to offer shares of common stock in our primary offering until             .

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 19 to read about risks you should consider before buying shares of our common stock. These risks include the following:

 

   

Our charter does not require our directors to seek stockholder approval to liquidate our assets by a specified date, nor does our charter require our directors to list our shares for trading by a specified date. No public market currently exists for our shares, and we have no plans to list our shares on an exchange. Until our shares are listed, if ever, you may not sell your shares unless the buyer meets applicable suitability and minimum purchase standards. If you are able to sell your shares, you would likely have to sell them at a substantial loss.

 

   

No one may own more than 9.8% of our stock unless exempted by our board.

 

   

We set the offering price of our shares arbitrarily. This price is unrelated to the book or net value of our assets or to our expected operating income.

 

   

We depend on our advisor to conduct our operations. Our advisor has a limited operating history.

 

   

We have no operating history, and our total assets consist of $200,000 cash. We have not identified any investments to acquire.

 

   

Some of our executive officers, directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals are also officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a controlling interest in our advisor, our dealer manager and other affiliated KBS entities. As a result, they will face conflicts of interest, including significant conflicts created by our advisor’s compensation arrangements with us and other KBS-advised programs and investors. Fees paid to our advisor in connection with transactions involving the origination, acquisition and management of our investments will be based on the cost of the investment, not on the quality of the investment or services rendered to us. This arrangement could influence our advisor to recommend riskier transactions to us.

 

   

If we raise substantially less than the maximum offering, we may not be able to invest in a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments and the value of your investment may vary more widely with the performance of specific assets.

 

   

We will pay substantial fees and expenses to our advisor, its affiliates and broker-dealers. These fees increase your risk of loss.

 

   

Although our distribution policy is not to use the proceeds of this offering to make distributions, our organizational documents permit us to pay distributions from any source, including offering proceeds. Until the proceeds from this offering are fully invested and from time to time during our operational stage, we expect to use proceeds from financings to fund distributions in anticipation of cash flow to be received in later periods. We may also fund such distributions from advances from our advisor or sponsors or from our advisor’s deferral of its fees under the advisory agreement.

 

   

We may incur debt exceeding 75% of the cost of our tangible assets with the approval of the conflicts committee. Higher debt levels increase the risk of your investment.

Neither the SEC, the Attorney General of the State of New York nor any other state securities regulator has approved or disapproved of our common stock, determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete or passed on or endorsed the merits of this offering. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This investment involves a high degree of risk. You should purchase these securities only if you can afford a complete loss of your investment. The use of projections or forecasts in this offering is prohibited. No one is permitted to make any oral or written predictions about the cash benefits or tax consequences you will receive from your investment.

 

 
      

Price

to Public

   

Selling

Commissions

   

Dealer

Manager Fee

    Net Proceeds
(Before Expenses)

Primary Offering

                              

Per Share

   $ 10.00 *   $ 0.60 *   $ 0.35 *   $ 9.05

Total Minimum

   $ 2,500,000.00 *   $ 150,000.00 *   $ 87,500.00 *   $ 2,262,500.00

Total Maximum

   $ 2,000,000,000.00 *   $ 120,000,000.00 *   $ 70,000,000.00 *   $ 1,810,000,000.00

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

                              

Per Share

   $ 9.50     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 9.50

Total Maximum

   $ 760,000,000.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 760,000,000.00
 
 

 

* Discounts are available for some categories of investors. Reductions in commissions and fees will result in corresponding reductions in the purchase price.

The dealer manager, KBS Capital Markets Group LLC, our affiliate, is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares but will use its best efforts to sell the shares offered. The minimum permitted purchase is $4,000. We will not sell any shares unless we raise gross offering proceeds of $2,500,000 from persons who are not affiliated with us or our advisor by                     . Pending satisfaction of this condition, all subscription payments will be placed in an account held by the escrow agent,                     , in trust for our subscribers’ benefit, pending release to us. You are entitled to receive the interest earned on your subscription payment while it is held in the escrow account. Once we have raised the minimum offering amount and instructed the escrow agent to disburse the funds in the account, funds representing the gross purchase price for the shares will be distributed to us and the escrow agent will disburse directly to you any interest earned on your subscription payment while it was held in the escrow account, without reduction for fees. If we do not raise gross offering proceeds of $2,500,000 by                     we will promptly return all funds in the escrow account (including interest), and we will stop offering shares. We will not deduct any fees if we return funds from the escrow account because we are unable to raise the minimum offering amount.

We expect to sell the 200,000,000 shares offered in our primary offering over a two-year period. If we decide to continue our primary offering beyond two years from the date of this prospectus, we will provide that information in a prospectus supplement. We may continue to offer shares under our dividend reinvestment plan beyond two years from the date of this prospectus until we have sold 80,000,000 shares through the reinvestment of distributions. In many states, we will need to renew the registration statement or file a new registration statement to continue the offering beyond one year from the date of this prospectus. We may terminate this offering at any time.

We will not sell any shares to Pennsylvania investors unless we raise $66.7 million in gross offering proceeds (including sales made to residents of other jurisdictions) from persons not affiliated with us or our advisor. If we do not raise this amount by                     , we will promptly return all funds held in escrow for the benefit of Pennsylvania investors.

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2009.


Table of Contents

SUITABILITY STANDARDS

The shares we are offering through this prospectus are suitable only as a long-term investment for persons of adequate financial means and who have no need for liquidity in this investment. Because there is no public market for our shares, you will have difficulty selling your shares.

In consideration of these factors, we have established suitability standards for investors in this offering and subsequent purchasers of our shares. These suitability standards require that a purchaser of shares have either:

 

   

a net worth of at least $250,000; or

 

   

gross annual income of at least $70,000 and a net worth of at least $70,000.

In addition, the states listed below have established suitability requirements that are more stringent than ours and investors in these states are directed to the following special suitability standards:

 

   

Kansas – It is recommended by the office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner that Kansas investors not invest, in the aggregate, more than 10% of their liquid net worth in this and similar direct participation investments. Liquid net worth is defined as that portion of net worth that consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.

 

   

Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee – Investors must have a liquid net worth of at least 10 times their investment in us.

 

   

Ohio and Oregon – Investors must have a liquid net worth of at least 10 times their investment in us and our affiliates.

In addition, because the minimum offering amount is less than $133,333,333, Pennsylvania investors are cautioned to carefully evaluate our ability to fully accomplish our stated objectives and to inquire as to the current dollar volume of subscriptions.

For purposes of determining the suitability of an investor, net worth in all cases should be calculated excluding the value of an investor’s home, home furnishings and automobiles. In the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, these suitability standards must be met by the fiduciary account, by the person who directly or indirectly supplied the funds for the purchase of the shares if such person is the fiduciary or by the beneficiary of the account.

Our sponsor, those selling shares on our behalf and participating broker-dealers and registered investment advisers recommending the purchase of shares in this offering must make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of shares in this offering is a suitable and appropriate investment for each stockholder based on information provided by the stockholder regarding the stockholder’s financial situation and investment objectives. See “Plan of Distribution — Suitability Standards” for a detailed discussion of the determinations regarding suitability that we require.

 

i


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUITABILITY STANDARDS

   i

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

   1

RISK FACTORS

   19

Risks Related to an Investment in Us

   19

Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest

   23

Risks Related to This Offering and Our Corporate Structure

   25

Risks Related to Our Investments

   29

Risks Related to Our Financing Strategy

   38

Federal Income Tax Risks

   40

Retirement Plan Risks

   43

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   44

ESTIMATED USE OF PROCEEDS

   45

MANAGEMENT

   48

Board of Directors

   48

Committees of the Board of Directors

   48

Executive Officers and Directors

   49

Compensation of Directors

   51

Limited Liability and Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents

   51

The Advisor

   52

The Advisory Agreement

   53

Initial Investment by Our Advisor

   55

Other Affiliates

   55

Management Decisions

   58

MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION

   58

STOCK OWNERSHIP

   64

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

   64

Our Affiliates’ Interests in Other KBS Real Estate Programs

   64

Receipt of Fees and Other Compensation by KBS Capital Advisors and its Affiliates

   65

Fiduciary Duties Owed by Some of Our Affiliates to Our Advisor and Our Advisor’s Affiliates

   66

Affiliated Dealer Manager

   66

Certain Conflict Resolution Measures

   66

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA

   71

General

   71

Investment Policies

   72

Investment Decisions and Asset Management: The KBS Approach

   77

Joint Venture Investments

   78

Financing Strategy and Policies

   79

Operating Policies

   80

Disposition Policies

   80

Charter-imposed Investment Limitations

   81

Investment Limitations to Avoid Registration as an Investment Company

   82

PLAN OF OPERATION

   83

General

   83

Competition

   83

Liquidity and Capital Resources

   83

Results of Operations

   84

Critical Accounting Policies

   85

PRIOR PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

   89

KBS REIT I

   89

KBS REIT II

   92

Private Programs

   93

FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

   97

Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

   98

Taxation of Stockholders

   109

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

   113

 

ii


Table of Contents

Other Tax Considerations

   113

ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

   114

Prohibited Transactions

   115

Plan Asset Considerations

   115

Other Prohibited Transactions

   117

Annual Valuation

   117

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

   118

Common Stock

   118

Preferred Stock

   118

Meetings and Special Voting Requirements

   118

Advance Notice for Stockholder Nominations for Directors and Proposals of New Business

   119

Restriction on Ownership of Shares

   119

Distributions

   121

Inspection of Books and Records

   121

Business Combinations

   122

Control Share Acquisitions

   122

Subtitle 8

   123

Tender Offers by Stockholders

   123

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

   124

Share Redemption Program

   125

Registrar and Transfer Agent

   127

Restrictions on Roll-Up Transactions

   128

THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

   129

General

   129

Capital Contributions

   129

Operations

   129

Distributions and Allocations of Profits and Losses

   129

Rights, Obligations and Powers of the General Partner

   130

Exchange Rights

   131

Change in General Partner

   131

Transferability of Interests

   131

Amendment of Limited Partnership Agreement

   131

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   132

General

   132

Compensation of Dealer Manager and Participating Broker-Dealers

   132

Subscription Procedures

   136

Suitability Standards

   137

Minimum Purchase Requirements

   138

Investments by Qualified Accounts

   138

Special Notice to Pennsylvania Investors

   138

Investments through IRA Accounts

   138

SUPPLEMENTAL SALES MATERIAL

   139

LEGAL MATTERS

   139

EXPERTS

   139

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   139

Index to Consolidated Balance Sheet and Prior Performance Tables

   F-1

Appendix A – Form of Subscription Agreement with Instructions

   A-1

Appendix B – Dividend Reinvestment Plan

   B-1

 

iii


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This prospectus summary highlights material information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. Because it is a summary, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand this offering fully, you should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section and the financial statements, before making a decision to invest in our common stock.

 

 

What is KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.?

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. is a newly organized Maryland corporation that intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, beginning with the taxable year that will end December 31, 2009. We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. We intend to originate and acquire mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans and to invest in real estate-related debt securities such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. In addition, we may acquire equity securities of companies that make similar investments. We may make our investments through loan origination and the acquisition of individual assets or by acquiring portfolios of assets, other mortgage REITs or companies with investment objectives similar to ours. We plan to diversify our portfolio by investment type, investment size and investment risk with the goal of attaining a portfolio of income-producing assets that provide attractive and stable returns to our investors. We intend to structure, underwrite and originate many of the debt products in which we invest.

We were incorporated in the State of Maryland on October 8, 2008 and we have not yet made any investments. Because we have not yet identified any specific assets to originate or acquire, we are considered to be a blind pool. We plan to own substantially all of our assets and conduct our operations through KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership, which we refer to as our Operating Partnership in this prospectus. We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and, as of the date of this prospectus, our wholly owned subsidiary, KBS Strategic Opportunity Holdings LLC, is the sole limited partner of the Operating Partnership.

Our external advisor, KBS Capital Advisors, will conduct our operations and manage our portfolio of investments. We have no paid employees.

Our office is located at 620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300, Newport Beach, California 92660. Our telephone number is (949) 417-6500. Our fax number is (949) 417-6520, and our web site address is                      .

 

 

What is a mortgage REIT?

In general, a mortgage REIT is an entity that:

 

   

combines the capital of many investors to invest in notes or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations secured or collateralized by real estate owned by the borrowers in connection with financing provided by us;

 

   

allows individual investors to invest in a professionally managed, large-scale, diversified portfolio of real estate-related investments;

 

   

pays distributions to investors of at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gain); and

 

   

avoids the “double taxation” treatment of income that normally results from investments in a corporation because a REIT is not generally subject to federal corporate income taxes on that portion of its income distributed to its stockholders, provided certain income tax requirements are satisfied.

However, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), REITs are subject to numerous organizational and operational requirements. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any year after electing REIT status, our income will be taxed at regular corporate rates, and we may be precluded from qualifying for treatment as a REIT for the four-year period following our failure to qualify. Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may still be subject to state and local taxes on our income and property and to federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

 

1


Table of Contents

 

What are your investment objectives?

Our primary investment objectives are:

 

   

to provide you with attractive and stable returns; and

 

   

to preserve and return your capital contribution.

We will seek to realize growth in the value of our investments by timing asset sales to maximize asset value.

We may return all or a portion of your capital contribution in connection with the sale of the company or the assets we will acquire or upon maturity or payoff of our debt investments. Alternatively, you may be able to obtain a return of all or a portion of your capital contribution in connection with the sale of your shares.

Though we intend to authorize and declare daily distributions that will be paid on a monthly basis, we may be unable or limited in our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. Further, no public trading market for our shares currently exists and, until our shares are listed, if ever, it may be difficult for you to sell your shares. Until our shares are listed, you may not sell your shares unless the buyer meets the applicable suitability and minimum purchase standards.

 

 

Are there any risks involved in an investment in your shares?

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus beginning on page 19, which contains a detailed discussion of the material risks that you should consider before you invest in our common stock. Some of the more significant risks relating to an investment in our shares include:

 

   

Our charter does not require our directors to seek stockholder approval to liquidate our assets by a specified date, nor does our charter require our directors to list our shares for trading by a specified date. No public market currently exists for our shares of common stock, and we currently have no plans to list our shares on a national securities exchange. Until our shares are listed, if ever, you may not sell your shares unless the buyer meets the applicable suitability and minimum purchase standards. In addition, our charter prohibits the ownership of more than 9.8% of our stock, unless exempted by our board of directors, which may inhibit large investors from purchasing your shares. Our shares cannot be readily sold and, if you are able to sell your shares, you would likely have to sell them at a substantial discount from their public offering price.

 

   

We established the offering price of our shares on an arbitrary basis. This price may not be indicative of the price at which our shares would trade if they were listed on an exchange or actively traded, and this price bears no relationship to the book or net value of our assets or to our expected operating income.

 

   

We are dependent on our advisor to select investments and conduct our operations. Our advisor has a limited operating history. This inexperience makes our future performance difficult to predict.

 

   

We have no operating history and, as of the date of this prospectus, our total assets consist of $200,000 cash. Because we have not identified any assets to originate or acquire with proceeds from this offering, you will not have an opportunity to evaluate our investments before we make them, making an investment in us more speculative.

 

   

Some of our executive officers, directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals are also officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in our advisor, our dealer manager and other affiliated KBS entities. As a result, some of our executive officers, directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals and our advisor and its affiliates will face conflicts of interest, including significant conflicts created by our advisor’s compensation arrangements with us and other programs and investors advised by KBS affiliates and conflicts in allocating time among us and these other programs and investors. Furthermore, these individuals may become employees of another KBS-sponsored program in an internalization transaction or, if we internalize our advisor, may not become our employees as a result of their relationship with other KBS-sponsored programs. These conflicts could result in action or inaction that is not in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

   

Our advisor and its affiliates will receive fees in connection with transactions involving the origination, acquisition and management of our investments. These fees will be based on the cost of the investment, and not based on the quality of the investment or the quality of the services rendered to us. This may influence our advisor to recommend riskier transactions to us.

 

2


Table of Contents
   

We may also pay significant fees during our listing/liquidation stage. Although most of the fees payable during our listing/liquidation stage are contingent on our investors first enjoying agreed-upon investment returns, affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors could also receive significant payments even without our reaching the investment-return thresholds should we seek to become self-managed. Due to the apparent preference of the public markets for self-managed companies, a decision to list our shares on a national securities exchange might well be preceded by a decision to become self-managed. And given our advisor’s familiarity with our assets and operations, we might prefer to become self-managed by acquiring entities affiliated with our advisor. Such an internalization transaction could result in significant payments to affiliates of our advisor irrespective of whether you enjoyed the returns on which we have conditioned other incentive compensation.

 

   

If we raise substantially less than the maximum offering, we may not be able to invest in a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments and the value of your investment may vary more widely with the performance of specific assets.

 

   

We will pay substantial fees to and expenses of our advisor, its affiliates and participating broker-dealers, which payments increase the risk that you will not earn a profit on your investment.

 

   

Although our distribution policy is not to use the proceeds of this offering to make distributions, our organizational documents permit us to pay distributions from any source, including offering proceeds. Until the proceeds from this offering are fully invested and from time to time during our operational stage, we expect to use proceeds from financings to fund distributions in anticipation of cash flow to be received in later periods. We may also fund such distributions from advances from our advisor or sponsors or from our advisor’s deferral of its fees under the advisory agreement.

 

   

Our policies do not limit us from incurring debt until our borrowings would exceed 75% of the cost of our tangible assets, and we may exceed this limit with the approval of the conflicts committee of our board of directors. High debt levels could limit the amount of cash we have available to distribute and could result in a decline in the value of your investment.

 

 

What is the role of the board of directors?

We operate under the direction of our board of directors, the members of which are accountable to us and our stockholders as fiduciaries. We will have five members of our board of directors, three of which will be independent of KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates. Our charter requires that a majority of our directors be independent of KBS Capital Advisors and creates a committee of our board consisting solely of all of our independent directors. This committee, which we call the conflicts committee, is responsible for reviewing the performance of KBS Capital Advisors and must approve other matters set forth in our charter. Our directors are elected annually by the stockholders. When we refer to our “charter” in this prospectus, we are referring to our charter as it will be amended and restated prior to the commencement of this offering.

 

 

Who is your advisor and what will the advisor do?

KBS Capital Advisors LLC is our advisor. As our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors will manage our day-to-day operations and our portfolio of real estate-related investments. Our sponsors, Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., and their team of real estate and debt finance professionals acting through KBS Capital Advisors will make most of the decisions regarding the selection, negotiation, financing and disposition of investments. KBS Capital Advisors also has the authority to make all of the decisions regarding our investments, subject to the limitations in our charter and the direction and oversight of our board of directors. KBS Capital Advisors will also provide asset-management, marketing, investor-relations and other administrative services on our behalf with the goal of maximizing our operating cash flow.

Our advisor has a limited operating history. As of the date of this prospectus, its operations have consisted solely of serving as the external advisor to KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., which launched its initial public offering and commenced real estate operations in 2006, and KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc., which launched its initial public offering and commenced real estate operations in 2008.

 

3


Table of Contents

 

What is the experience of your sponsors and the real estate and debt finance professionals of your advisor?

Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. control and indirectly own our advisor and the dealer manager of this offering. We refer to these individuals as our “sponsors.” Messrs. Bren and Schreiber are the managers of our advisor, although all four of our sponsors actively participate in the management and operations of our advisor. Our sponsors each have over 16 years of experience investing in real estate-related debt investments.

Our sponsors work together at KBS Capital Advisors with their team of real estate and debt finance professionals. These senior real estate and debt finance professionals have been through multiple financial cycles in their careers and have the expertise gained through hands-on experience in acquisitions, originations, loan workouts, asset management, dispositions, development, leasing and property and portfolio management. In particular, Geoffrey Hawkins has over 20 years of experience investing in real estate-related investments, with 18 years of experience specifically related to real estate-related debt investments, and Brian Ragsdale has over 18 years of experience investing in real estate-related investments, with nine years of experience specifically related to real estate-related debt investments. Together with our four sponsors, Messrs. Hawkins and Ragsdale comprise the investment committee of KBS Capital Advisors that is responsible for our investment decisions. Subject to the limitations in our charter and the oversight of our board of directors, the investment committee of KBS Capital Advisors evaluates and approves our investments and financings.

On January 27, 2006, our four sponsors launched the initial public offering of KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., which we refer to as KBS REIT I in this prospectus. As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT I had accepted aggregate gross offering proceeds of approximately $1.7 billion, including $53.8 million pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan. Of the amount raised pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, as of September 30, 2008, $6.6 million has been used to fund share redemptions pursuant to its share redemption program. KBS REIT I ceased offering shares in its primary initial public offering on May 30, 2008. On April 22, 2008, our four sponsors launched the initial public offering of KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc., which we refer to as KBS REIT II in this prospectus. As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT II had accepted aggregate gross offering proceeds of approximately $155.9 million, including $0.2 million issued pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan. Of the amount raised pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, as of September 30, 2008, none had been used to fund share redemptions pursuant to its share redemption program as no shares were yet eligible for redemption under the program. KBS REIT II’s offering is expected to last until April 22, 2010, but KBS REIT II may extend its offering beyond that date. Our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors, is the external advisor of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, and our sponsors are directors and/or executive officers of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. Through their affiliations with KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II and KBS Capital Advisors, as of September 30, 2008, our sponsors have overseen the investment in and management of over $3.1 billion of real estate and real estate-related investments on behalf of the investors in KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, including $1.1 billion of real estate-related debt investments.

Since 1992, Messrs. Bren and Schreiber have teamed to invest in, manage and sell real estate and real estate-related investments on behalf of institutional investors. Together, Messrs. Bren and Schreiber founded KBS Realty Advisors, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a nationally recognized real estate investment adviser. When we refer to a “KBS-sponsored” fund or program, we are referring to the private entities sponsored by an investment adviser affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber and KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, the public, non-traded REITs that are currently being sponsored by Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber. When we refer to a “KBS-advised” investor, we are referring to institutional investors that have engaged an investment adviser affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber to provide real estate-related investment advice.

Messrs. Bren and Schreiber each have been involved in real estate development, management, acquisition, disposition and financing for more than 30 years, and with the acquisition, origination, management, disposition and financing of real estate-related debt investments for more than 16 years. Since 1992, the experience of the investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber includes (as of September 30, 2008) sponsoring 14 private real estate funds that have invested over $3.1 billion (including equity, debt and investment of income and sales proceeds) in 286 real estate assets and, through five of these private funds, acquiring and originating mortgage loans, investing in mortgage-backed securities, and managing and disposing of such investments.

In addition to their experience with these 14 funds referenced above, investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber have also been engaged by four institutional investors to recommend real estate acquisitions and manage some of their investments. The amounts paid for the assets acquired and/or managed pursuant to these arrangements and for subsequent capital expenditures totaled over $3.8 billion, including the acquisition of $236 million in mortgage loans.

 

4


Table of Contents

With respect to the experience of Messrs. McMillan and Hall, each has over 25 years of experience in real estate-related debt investments. Prior to founding KBS Capital Advisors with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber in 2004, Messrs. McMillan and Hall founded Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC, an asset-management company. Prior to forming Willowbrook in 2000, Mr. McMillan served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of SunAmerica Investments, Inc., which was later acquired by AIG. As Chief Investment Officer, he was responsible for over $75 billion in assets, including residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, public and private investment grade and non-investment grade corporate bonds and commercial mortgage loans and real estate investments.

Prior to forming Willowbrook, Mr. Hall was a Managing Director at CS First Boston, where he managed CSFB’s distribution strategy and business development for the Principal Transaction Group’s $18 billion real estate securities portfolio. Before joining CSFB in 1996, he served as a Director in the Real Estate Products Group at Nomura Securities, with responsibility for the company’s $6 billion annual pipeline of fixed-income securities. Mr. Hall spent the 1980s as a Senior Vice President in the High Yield Department of Drexel Burnham Lambert’s Beverly Hills office, where he was responsible for distribution of the group’s high-yield real estate securities.

 

 

Will you use leverage?

Yes. We expect that once we have fully invested the proceeds of this offering, our debt financing will be 30% or less of the cost of our investments, although it may exceed this level during our offering stage. Our charter limits our borrowings to 75% of the cost of our tangible assets; however, we may exceed that limit if a majority of the conflicts committee approves each borrowing in excess of our charter limitation and we disclose such borrowing to our stockholders in our next quarterly report with an explanation from the conflicts committee of the justification for the excess borrowing. There is no limitation on the amount we may borrow for the purchase of any single asset.

We do not intend to exceed the leverage limit in our charter. Careful use of debt will help us to achieve our diversification goals because we will have more funds available for investment. However, high levels of debt could cause us to incur higher interest charges and higher debt service payments, which would decrease the amount of cash available for distribution to our investors.

 

 

What conflicts of interest will your advisor face?

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will experience conflicts of interest in connection with the management of our business. Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber, who indirectly own and control KBS Capital Advisors, are our sponsors, and Messrs. Hall and McMillan are two of our executive officers and directors. KBS Capital Advisors is also the external advisor to KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber are executive officers of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, and Messrs. Schreiber and McMillan are also directors of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. Messrs. Bren and Schreiber are also key real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates, the advisors to the private KBS-sponsored programs and the investment advisers to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets. In addition, Geoffrey Hawkins and Brian Ragsdale play a key role at KBS Capital Advisors in identifying, structuring and managing the debt-related investments for KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II and us. Some of the material conflicts that KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will face include the following:

 

   

Our sponsors and their team of real estate and debt finance professionals must determine which investment opportunities to recommend to us, KBS REIT II, the one private KBS-sponsored program that is raising funds for investment as of the date of this prospectus for whom KBS serves as an advisor and is currently seeking investment opportunities as well as any programs KBS affiliates may sponsor in the future;

 

   

Our sponsors and their team of professionals at KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates (including our dealer manager, KBS Capital Markets Group) will have to allocate their time between us and other programs and activities in which they are involved;

 

   

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will receive fees in connection with transactions involving the purchase, origination, management and sale of our assets regardless of the quality of the asset acquired or the services provided to us;

 

   

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including our dealer manager, KBS Capital Markets Group, will receive fees in connection with our public offerings of equity securities;

 

   

The negotiation of the advisory agreement and the dealer manager agreement (including the substantial fees KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will receive thereunder) will not be at arm’s length;

 

5


Table of Contents
   

KBS Capital Advisors may terminate the advisory agreement without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice and, upon termination of the advisory agreement, KBS Capital Advisors may be entitled to a termination fee if (based upon an independent appraised value of the portfolio) it would have been entitled to a subordinated participation in net cash flows had the portfolio been liquidated on the termination date. The termination fee would be payable in the form of a promissory note that becomes due only upon the sale of one or more assets or upon maturity or payoff of our debt investments, and the fee is payable solely from the proceeds from the sale, maturity or payoff of an asset and future asset sales, maturities or payoffs;

 

   

We may seek stockholder approval to internalize our management by acquiring assets and the key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor and its affiliates for consideration that would be negotiated at that time. The payment of such consideration could result in dilution to your interest in us and could reduce the net income per share and funds from operations per share attributable to your investment. Additionally, in an internalization transaction, the real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor that become our employees may receive more compensation than they receive from our advisor or its affiliates. These possibilities may provide incentives to our advisor or these individuals to pursue an internalization transaction rather than an alternative strategy, even if such alternative strategy might otherwise be in our stockholders’ best interests; and

 

   

Key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor may become employees of another KBS-sponsored program in an internalization transaction or, if we internalize our advisor, may not become our employees as a result of their relationship with other KBS-sponsored programs.

 

6


Table of Contents

Who owns and controls the advisor?

The following chart shows the ownership structure of KBS Capital Advisors and entities affiliated with KBS Capital Advisors that will perform services for us:

LOGO

 

(1)

Peter McMillan III is our President and the chairman of our board of directors.

 

(2)

Keith D. Hall is our Chief Executive Officer and a director.

 

(3)

Other than de minimis amounts owned by family members or family trusts, Mr. Bren indirectly owns and controls PBren Investments, L.P.

 

(4)

Other than de minimis amounts owned by family members or trusts, Mr. Schreiber indirectly owns and controls Schreiber Real Estate Investments, L.P.

 

7


Table of Contents

As of the date of this prospectus, Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber have not received any compensation from us for services provided in their capacity as principals of KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates. In connection with this offering, we will pay or reimburse our advisor and its affiliates for the services described below.

 

 

What are the fees that you will pay to the advisor, its affiliates and your directors?

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will receive compensation and reimbursement for services relating to this offering and the investment and management of our assets. We will also compensate our independent directors for their service to us. The most significant items of compensation are included in the table below. Selling commissions and dealer manager fees may vary for different categories of purchasers. This table assumes that we sell all shares at the highest possible selling commissions and dealer manager fees (with no discounts to any categories of purchasers) and assumes a $9.50 price for each share sold through our dividend reinvestment plan. No selling commissions or dealer manager fees are payable on shares sold through our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

Type of Compensation

    

Determination of Amount

    

Estimated Amount for
Minimum Offering
(250,000 shares)/
Maximum Offering
(280,000,000 shares)

      
     Organization and Offering Stage          

Selling Commissions

     Up to 6.0% of gross offering proceeds in the primary offering; no selling commissions are payable on shares sold under the dividend reinvestment plan; all selling commissions will be reallowed to participating broker-dealers.      $150,000/$120,000,000     

Dealer Manager Fee

     Up to 3.5% of gross offering proceeds in the primary offering; the dealer manager may reallow to any participating broker-dealer up to 1.0% of the gross offering proceeds attributable to that participating broker-dealer as a marketing fee and in special cases the dealer manager may increase the reallowance; no dealer manager fee is payable on shares sold under the dividend reinvestment plan.      $87,500/$70,000,000     
Other Organization and
Offering Expenses
     To date, our advisor has paid organization and offering expenses on our behalf. We will reimburse our advisor for these costs and future organization and offering costs it may incur on our behalf but only to the extent that the reimbursement would not cause the selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and the other organization and offering expenses borne by us to exceed 15.0% of gross offering proceeds as of the date of the reimbursement. If we raise the maximum offering amount in the primary offering and under the dividend reinvestment plan, we expect organization and offering expenses (other than selling commissions and the dealer manager fee) to be $20,410,290 or 0.74% of gross offering proceeds. These organization and offering expenses include all expenses (other than selling commissions and the dealer manager fee) to be paid by us in connection with the offering, including our legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees, charges of our escrow holder and      $137,500/$20,410,290     

 

8


Table of Contents

Type of Compensation

    

Determination of Amount

    

Estimated Amount for
Minimum Offering

(250,000 shares)/

Maximum Offering
(280,000,000 shares)

    
     transfer agent, charges of our advisor for administrative services related to the issuance of shares in the offering, reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses of broker-dealers, reimbursement of our advisor for costs in connection with preparing supplemental sales materials, the cost of bona fide training and education meetings held by us (primarily the travel, meal and lodging costs of registered representatives of broker-dealers), attendance and sponsorship fees and travel, meal and lodging costs for registered persons associated with our dealer manager and officers and employees of our affiliates to attend retail seminars conducted by broker-dealers and, in special cases, reimbursement to participating broker-dealers for technology costs associated with the offering, costs and expenses related to such technology costs, and costs and expenses associated with the facilitation of the marketing of our shares and the ownership of our shares by such broker-dealers’ customers.        
     Acquisition and Development Stage        
Acquisition and Origination
Fees
     1.0% of the cost of investments acquired by us, or the amount funded by us to acquire or originate loans, including acquisition and origination expenses and any debt attributable to such investments.      $21,040 (minimum offering and no debt)/ $17,728,859 (maximum offering and no debt)/ $25,326,941 (maximum offering, assuming leverage of 30% of the cost of our investments)   
     Operational Stage        

Asset Management Fees

     Monthly fee equal to one-twelfth of 0.75% of the sum of the cost of all investments made and of our investments in joint ventures, including acquisition and origination fees, acquisition and origination expenses and any debt attributable to such investments, less any principal repaid by borrowers on our debt investments (or our proportionate share thereof in the case of debt investments made through joint ventures).      The actual amounts are dependent upon the total equity and debt capital we raise and the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.   

Other Operating Expenses

     Reimbursement of our advisor’s cost of providing services to us, including our allocable share of the advisor’s overhead, such as rent, employee costs, utilities and IT costs. Though our advisor may seek reimbursement for employee costs under the advisory agreement, the advisor does not intend to do so at this time. If our advisor does decide to seek reimbursement for employee costs, such      Actual amounts are dependent upon the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.   

 

9


Table of Contents

Type of Compensation

    

Determination of Amount

    

Estimated Amount for
Minimum Offering

(250,000 shares)/

Maximum Offering

(280,000,000 shares)

    
     costs may include our proportionate share of the salaries of persons involved in the preparation of documents to meet SEC reporting requirements. We will not reimburse the advisor or its affiliates for employee costs in connection with services for which our advisor earns acquisition and origination fees or disposition fees or for the salaries and benefits our advisor or its affiliates may pay to our executive officers.        
Independent Director
Compensation
     We will pay each of our independent directors an annual retainer of $40,000. We will also pay our independent directors for attending meetings as follows: (i) $2,500 for each board meeting attended, (ii) $2,500 for each committee meeting attended (except that the committee chairman will be paid $3,000 for each meeting attended), (iii) $2,000 for each teleconference board meeting attended, and (iv) $2,000 for each teleconference committee meeting attended (except that the committee chairman will be paid $3,000 for each teleconference committee meeting attended). All directors will receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the board of directors.      Actual amounts are dependent upon the total number of board and committee meetings that each independent director attends; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.   
     Operational and Liquidation/ Listing Stage        

Subordinated Participation
in Net Cash Flows (payable

only if we are not listed on a
national exchange)

     After investors in our offering have received a return of their net capital contributions and a 7.0% per year cumulative, noncompounded return, KBS Capital Advisors is entitled to receive 15.0% of our net cash flows, whether from continuing operations, net sale proceeds or otherwise. Net sales proceeds means the net cash proceeds realized by us after deduction of all expenses incurred in connection with a sale, including disposition fees paid to KBS Capital Advisors. The 7.0% per year cumulative, noncompounded return is calculated based on the amount of capital invested in the offering. In making this calculation, an investor’s net capital contribution is reduced to the extent distributions in excess of a cumulative, noncompounded, annual return of 7.0% are paid (from whatever source), except to the extent such distributions would be required to supplement prior distributions paid in order to achieve a cumulative, noncompounded, annual return of 7.0%. This fee is payable only if we are not listed on an exchange.      Actual amounts are dependent upon the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.   

 

10


Table of Contents

Type of Compensation

    

Determination of Amount

    

Estimated Amount for
Minimum Offering

(250,000 shares)/

Maximum Offering
(280,000,000 shares)

    
     Liquidation/Listing Stage        
Disposition Fees      For substantial assistance in connection with the sale of investments, we will pay our advisor or its affiliates 1.0% of the contract sales price of each loan, debt-related security, real property or other investment sold (including mortgage-backed securities or collateralized debt obligations issued by a subsidiary of ours as part of a securitization transaction); provided, however, in no event may the disposition fees paid to our advisor, its affiliates and unaffiliated third parties exceed 6.0% of the contract sales price. The conflicts committee will determine whether the advisor or its affiliate has provided substantial assistance to us in connection with the sale of an asset. We will not pay a disposition fee upon the maturity, prepayment or workout of a loan or other debt-related investment, provided that if we take ownership of a property as a result of a workout or foreclosure of a loan we will pay a disposition fee upon the sale of such property. We do not intend to sell assets to affiliates. However, if we do sell an asset to an affiliate, our organizational documents would not prohibit us from paying our advisor a disposition fee. Before we sold an asset to an affiliate, our charter would require that our conflicts committee conclude, by a majority vote, that the transaction is fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions no less favorable to us than those available from third parties. Although we are most likely to pay disposition fees to our advisor or an affiliate during our liquidation stage, these fees may also be incurred during our operational stage.      Actual amounts are dependent upon the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.   
Subordinated Incentive Listing Fee (payable only if we are listed on a national exchange)      15.0% of the amount by which (i) our adjusted market value plus distributions exceeds (ii) the aggregate capital contributed by investors plus an amount equal to a 7.0% cumulative, noncompounded return to investors.      Actual amounts are dependent upon the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.   

 

 

How many investments do you currently own?

We currently do not own any investments, and our total assets consist of $200,000 cash. Because we have not yet identified any specific assets to acquire, we are considered to be a blind pool. As material investments become probable, we will supplement this prospectus to provide information regarding the likely investment. We will also describe material changes to our portfolio, including the closing of asset originations and acquisitions, by means of a supplement to this prospectus.

 

11


Table of Contents

 

If I buy shares, will I receive distributions and how often?

In order that investors may generally begin earning distributions immediately upon our acceptance of their subscription, we expect to authorize and declare daily distributions that will be paid on a monthly basis.

Generally, our policy will be to pay distributions from cash flow from operations. However, we expect to have little, if any, cash flow from operations available for distribution until we make substantial investments. Further, because we may receive income at various times during our fiscal year and because we may need cash flow from operations during a particular period to fund expenses, we expect that at least during the early stages of our development and from time to time during our operational stage, we will declare distributions in anticipation of cash flow that we expect to receive during a later period and we will pay these distributions in advance of our actual receipt of these funds. In these instances, we expect to look to third-party borrowings to fund our distributions. We may also fund such distributions from advances from our advisor or sponsors or from our advisor’s deferral of its fees under the advisory agreement.

Our distribution policy is not to use the proceeds of this offering to pay distributions. However, our board has the authority under our organizational documents, to the extent permitted by Maryland law, to pay distributions from any source, including proceeds from this offering or the proceeds from the issuance of securities in the future.

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must make aggregate annual distributions to our stockholders of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). If we meet the REIT qualification requirements, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the income that we distribute to our stockholders each year. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. — Annual Distribution Requirements.” Our board of directors may authorize distributions in excess of those required for us to maintain REIT status depending on our financial condition and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.

We have not established a minimum distribution level, and our charter does not require that we make distributions to our stockholders.

 

 

May I reinvest my distributions in shares of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.?

Yes. You may participate in our dividend reinvestment plan by checking the appropriate box on the subscription agreement or by filling out an enrollment form we will provide to you at your request. The purchase price for shares purchased under the dividend reinvestment plan will initially be $9.50. Three years after the completion of our offering stage, shares issued pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan will be priced at the estimated value per share of our common stock, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for one year. No selling commissions or dealer manager fees will be payable on shares sold under our dividend reinvestment plan. We may amend or terminate the dividend reinvestment plan at our discretion at any time, provided that any amendment that adversely affects the rights or obligations of a participant (as determined in the sole discretion of the board of directors) will only take effect upon ten days’ prior written notice to you.

 

 

Will the distributions I receive be taxable as ordinary income?

Yes and No. Generally, distributions that you receive, including distributions that are reinvested pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan, will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent they are from current or accumulated earnings and profits. Participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will also be treated for tax purposes as having received an additional distribution to the extent that they purchase shares under the dividend reinvestment plan at a discount to fair market value. As a result, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan may have tax liability with respect to their share of our taxable income, but they will not receive cash distributions to pay such liability.

To the extent any portion of your distribution is not from current or accumulated earnings and profits, it will be considered a return of capital for tax purposes and will reduce the tax basis of your investment (and potentially result in taxable gain). The portion of your distribution that is not subject to tax immediately is considered a return of capital for tax purposes and will reduce the tax basis of your investment. Distributions that constitute a return of capital, in effect, defer a portion of your tax until your investment is sold or we are liquidated, at which time you will be taxed at capital gains rates. However, because each investor’s tax considerations are different, we suggest that you consult with your tax advisor.

 

12


Table of Contents

 

How will you use the proceeds raised in this offering?

We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Depending primarily upon the number of shares we sell in this offering and assuming a $10.00 purchase price for shares sold in the primary offering, we estimate that we will use 84.16% to 88.64% of our gross offering proceeds, or between $8.42 and $8.86 per share, for investments. We will use the remainder to pay offering expenses, including selling commissions and the dealer manager fee, and to pay a fee to our advisor for its services in connection with the selection and acquisition or origination of our investments. We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan to repurchase shares under our share redemption program.

Until we invest the proceeds of this offering in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments, we may invest in short-term, highly liquid or other authorized investments. Such short-term investments will not earn as high of a return as we expect to earn on our real estate-related investments, and we may be not be able to invest the proceeds in real estate-related investments promptly.

 

   

250,000 Shares

  280,000,000 Shares
   

Minimum Offering

($10.00/share)

  Primary Offering
(200,000,000 shares)
($10.00/share)
 

Div. Reinv. Plan

(80,000,000 shares)

($9.50/share)

   

            $            

 

            %            

                $                

            %            

 

            $            

 

              %              

Gross Offering Proceeds

  2,500,000   100.00%   2,000,000,000     100.00%   760,000,000   100.00%

Selling Commissions

  150,000   6.00%   120,000,000     6.00%   0   0.00%

Dealer Manager Fee

  87,500   3.50%   70,000,000     3.50%   0   0.00%

Other Organization and Offering

Expenses

  137,500   5.50%   19,385,290     0.97%   1,025,000   0.13%

Acquisition and Origination Fees

  21,040   0.84%   17,728,859 (1)   0.89%   0   0.00%

Initial Working Capital Reserve

  0   0.00%   0     0.00%   0   0.00%

Amount Available for Investment

  2,103,960   84.16%   1,772,885,851     88.64%   758,975,000   99.87%

 

(1)     If we raise the maximum offering amount and our debt financing is equal to 30% of the cost of our investments, then acquisition and origination fees would be $25,326,941.

 

 

What kind of offering is this?

We are offering up to 280,000,000 shares of common stock on a “best efforts” basis. We are offering 200,000,000 of these shares in our primary offering at $10 per share, with volume discounts available to investors who purchase more than $1,000,000 in shares through the same participating broker-dealer. Discounts are also available for investors who purchase shares through certain distribution channels. We are offering up to 80,000,000 shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan at a purchase price initially equal to $9.50 per share.

 

 

How does a “best efforts” offering work? What happens if you don’t raise at least $2,500,000 in gross offering proceeds?

When shares are offered on a “best efforts” basis, the dealer manager will be required to use only its best efforts to sell the shares and it has no firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of the shares. Therefore, we may not sell all or any of the shares that we are offering.

 

13


Table of Contents

We will not sell any shares unless we raise a minimum of $2,500,000 in gross offering proceeds from persons who are not affiliated with us or our advisor. Pending satisfaction of this condition, all subscription payments will be placed in an account held by the escrow agent in trust for our subscribers’ benefit, pending release to us. You are entitled to receive the interest earned on your subscription payment while it is held in the escrow account. Once we have raised the minimum offering amount and instructed the escrow agent to disburse the funds in the account, funds representing the gross purchase price for the shares will be distributed to us and the escrow agent will disburse directly to you, without reduction for fees, any interest earned on your subscription payment while it was held in the escrow account. If we do not raise $2,500,000 in gross offering proceeds by              , we will terminate this offering and promptly return all subscribers’ funds in the escrow account (plus interest). Funds in escrow will be invested in short-term investments that mature on or before the termination of the escrow period or that can be readily sold or otherwise disposed of for cash by such date without any dissipation of the offering proceeds invested. We will not deduct any fees if we return funds from the escrow account because we are unable to raise the minimum offering amount. Because of the higher minimum offering requirement for Pennsylvania investors (described below), subscription payments made by Pennsylvania investors will not count toward the $2,500,000 minimum offering for all other jurisdictions.

Notwithstanding our $2,500,000 minimum offering amount for all other jurisdictions, we will not sell any shares to Pennsylvania investors unless we raise a minimum of $66.7 million in gross offering proceeds (including sales made to residents of other jurisdictions). Pending satisfaction of this condition, all subscription payments by Pennsylvania investors will be placed in a separate account held by the escrow agent in trust for Pennsylvania subscribers’ benefit, pending release to us. If we have not reached this $66.7 million threshold within 120 days of the date that we first accept a subscription payment from a Pennsylvania investor, we will, within ten days of the end of that 120-day period, notify Pennsylvania investors in writing of their right to receive refunds, with interest. If you request a refund within ten days of receiving that notice, we will arrange for the escrow agent to promptly return by check your subscription amount with interest. Amounts held in the Pennsylvania escrow account from Pennsylvania investors not requesting a refund will continue to be held for subsequent 120-day periods until we raise at least $66.7 million or until the end of the subsequent escrow periods. At the end of each subsequent escrow period, we will again notify you of your right to receive a refund of your subscription amount with interest. In the event we do not raise gross offering proceeds of $66.7 million by              , we will promptly return all funds held in escrow for the benefit of Pennsylvania investors (in which case, Pennsylvania investors will not be required to request a refund of their investment). Purchases by persons affiliated with us or our advisor will not count toward the Pennsylvania minimum.

 

 

How long will this offering last?

We expect to sell the 200,000,000 shares offered in our primary offering over a two-year period. If we have not sold all of the shares within two years, we may continue this offering until              . Under rules promulgated by the SEC, in some circumstances we could continue our primary offering until as late as              . If we decide to continue our primary offering beyond two years from the date of this prospectus, we will provide that information in a prospectus supplement. We may continue to offer shares under our dividend reinvestment plan beyond these dates until we have sold 80,000,000 shares through the reinvestment of distributions. In many states, we will need to renew the registration statement or file a new registration statement to continue the offering beyond one year from the date of this prospectus. We may terminate this offering at any time.

If our board of directors determines that it is in our best interest, we may conduct follow-on offerings upon the termination of this offering. Our charter does not restrict our ability to conduct offerings in the future.

 

 

Who can buy shares?

An investment in our shares is only suitable for persons who have adequate financial means and who will not need immediate liquidity from their investment. Residents of most states can buy shares in this offering provided that they have either (1) a net worth of at least $70,000 and an annual gross income of at least $70,000 or (2) a net worth of at least $250,000. For the purpose of determining suitability, net worth does not include an investor’s home, home furnishings or personal automobiles. The minimum suitability standards are more stringent for investors in Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

 

14


Table of Contents

 

Who might benefit from an investment in our shares?

An investment in our shares may be beneficial for you if you meet the minimum suitability standards described in this prospectus, seek to diversify your personal portfolio with a mortgage REIT investment focused on real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments, seek to receive current income, seek to preserve capital, seek to obtain the benefits of potential long-term capital appreciation and are able to hold your investment for a time period consistent with our liquidity strategy. On the other hand, we caution persons who require immediate liquidity or guaranteed income, or who seek a short-term investment, that an investment in our shares will not meet those needs.

 

 

Is there any minimum investment required?

Yes. We require a minimum investment of $4,000. If you own the minimum investment in shares in KBS REIT I or KBS REIT II, you may invest less than the minimum amount set forth above, but in no event less than $100. After you have satisfied the minimum investment requirement, any additional purchases must be in increments of at least $100. The investment minimum for subsequent purchases does not apply to shares purchased pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

 

Are there any special restrictions on the ownership or transfer of shares?

Yes. Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership of our shares that prevent any one person from owning more than 9.8% of our aggregate outstanding shares unless exempted by our board of directors. These restrictions are designed to enable us to comply with ownership restrictions imposed on REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. Our charter also limits your ability to sell your shares unless (i) the prospective purchaser meets the suitability standards regarding income or net worth and (ii) the transfer complies with the minimum purchase requirements.

 

 

Are there any special considerations that apply to employee benefit plans subject to ERISA or other retirement plans that are investing in shares?

Yes. The section of this prospectus entitled “ERISA Considerations” describes the effect the purchase of shares will have on individual retirement accounts and retirement plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), and/or the Internal Revenue Code. ERISA is a federal law that regulates the operation of certain tax-advantaged retirement plans. Any retirement plan trustee or individual considering purchasing shares for a retirement plan or an individual retirement account should carefully read this section of the prospectus.

We may make some investments that generate “excess inclusion income” which, when passed through to our tax-exempt stockholders, can be taxed as unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) or, in certain circumstances, can result in a tax being imposed on us. Although we do not expect the amount of such income to be significant, there can be no assurance in this regard.

 

 

May I make an investment through my IRA, SEP or other tax-deferred account?

Yes. You may make an investment through your individual retirement account (IRA), a simplified employee pension (SEP) plan or other tax-deferred account. In making these investment decisions, you should consider, at a minimum, (1) whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing your IRA, plan or other account, (2) whether the investment satisfies the fiduciary requirements associated with your IRA, plan or other account, (3) whether the investment will generate UBTI to your IRA, plan or other account, (4) whether there is sufficient liquidity for such investment under your IRA, plan or other account, (5) the need to value the assets of your IRA, plan or other account annually or more frequently, and (6) whether the investment would constitute a prohibited transaction under applicable law.

 

 

How do I subscribe for shares?

If you choose to purchase shares in this offering, you will need to complete and sign a subscription agreement (in the form attached to this prospectus as Appendix A) for a specific number of shares and pay for the shares at the time of your subscription.

 

15


Table of Contents

 

If I buy shares in this offering, how may I later sell them?

At the time you purchase the shares, they will not be listed for trading on any securities exchange or over-the-counter market. In fact, we expect that there will not be any public market for the shares when you purchase them, and we cannot be sure if one will ever develop. In addition, our charter imposes restrictions on the ownership of our common stock that will apply to potential purchasers of your shares. As a result, if you wish to sell your shares, you may not be able to do so promptly or at all, or you may only be able to sell them at a substantial discount from the price you paid.

After you have held your shares for at least one year, you may be able to have your shares repurchased by us pursuant to our share redemption program. The prices at which we will initially redeem shares are as follows:

 

   

The lower of $9.25 or 92.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least one year;

 

   

The lower of $9.50 or 95.0% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least two years;

 

   

The lower of $9.75 or 97.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least three years; and

 

   

The lower of $10.00 or 100% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least four years.

Notwithstanding the above, once we establish an estimated value per share of our common stock, the redemption price per share for all stockholders would be equal to the estimated value per share, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. We expect to establish an estimated value per share beginning three years after the completion of our offering stage. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on pubic offerings – and have not done so for one year.

The terms of our share redemption program are more generous with respect to redemptions sought upon a stockholder’s death or qualifying disability:

 

   

There is no one-year holding requirement;

 

   

Until we establish an estimated value per share, which we expect to be three years after the completion of our offering stage, the redemption price is the amount paid to acquire the shares from us; and

 

   

Once we have established an estimated value per share, the redemption price would be the estimated value of the shares, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose.

The share redemption program also contains numerous restrictions on your ability to sell your shares to us. Our share redemption program limits the number of shares we may redeem to those that we could purchase with the net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan during the prior calendar year. During any calendar year, we may redeem no more than 5% of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the prior calendar year. We also have no obligation to redeem shares if the redemption would violate the restrictions on distributions under Maryland law, which prohibits distributions that would cause a corporation to fail to meet statutory tests of solvency. We may amend, suspend or terminate the program upon 30 days’ notice.

 

 

When will the company seek to list its shares of common stock or liquidate its assets?

We may seek to list our shares of common stock if our independent directors believe listing would be in the best interests of our stockholders. If we do not list our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange by May __, 2019, our charter requires that we either:

 

   

seek stockholder approval of the liquidation of the company; or

 

   

if a majority of the conflicts committee determines that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders, postpone the decision of whether to liquidate the company.

 

16


Table of Contents

If a majority of the conflicts committee does determine that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders, our charter requires that the conflicts committee revisit the issue of liquidation at least annually. Further postponement of listing or stockholder action regarding liquidation would only be permitted if a majority of the conflicts committee again determined that liquidation would not be in the best interest of our stockholders. If we sought and failed to obtain stockholder approval of our liquidation, our charter would not require us to list or liquidate and would not require the conflicts committee to revisit the issue of liquidation, and we could continue to operate as before. If we sought and obtained stockholder approval of our liquidation, we would begin an orderly sale of our assets. The precise timing of such sales would take account of the prevailing real estate finance markets and the debt markets generally as well as the federal income tax consequences to our stockholders. In making the decision to apply for listing of our shares, our directors will try to determine whether listing our shares or liquidating our assets will result in greater value for stockholders.

One of the factors our board of directors will consider when making this determination is the liquidity needs of our stockholders. In assessing whether to list or liquidate, our board of directors would likely solicit input from financial advisors as to the likely demand for our shares upon listing. If, after listing, the board believed that it would be difficult for stockholders to dispose of their shares, then that factor would weigh against listing. However, this would not be the only factor considered by the board. If listing still appeared to be in the best long-term interest of our stockholders, despite the prospects of a relatively small market for our shares upon the initial listing, the board may still opt to list our shares of common stock in keeping with its obligations under Maryland law. The board would also likely consider whether there was a large pent-up demand to sell our shares when making decisions regarding listing or liquidation. The degree of participation in our dividend reinvestment plan and the number of requests for redemptions under the share redemption program at this time could be an indicator of stockholder demand to liquidate their investment.

 

 

Will I be notified of how my investment is doing?

Yes, we will provide you with periodic updates on the performance of your investment in us, including:

 

   

detailed quarterly dividend reports;

 

   

an annual report;

 

   

supplements to the prospectus, provided quarterly during the primary offering; and

 

   

three quarterly financial reports.

We will provide this information to you via one or more of the following methods, in our discretion and with your consent, if necessary:

 

   

U.S. mail or other courier;

 

   

facsimile;

 

   

electronic delivery; or

 

   

posting on our web site at              .

We intend to have our advisor prepare an annual report of the estimated value of our shares and to include this information in our annual report on Form 10-K. Until three years after we have completed our offering stage, our advisor has indicated that it intends to use the most recent price paid to acquire a share in our offering (ignoring purchase price discounts for certain categories of purchasers) as its estimated per share value of our shares. Although this approach to valuing our shares has the advantage of avoiding the cost of paying for appraisals or other valuation services, the estimated value may bear little relationship to and will likely exceed what you might receive for your shares if you tried to sell them or if we liquidated our portfolio. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for one year. If our board of directors determines that it is in our best interest, we may conduct follow-on offerings upon the termination of this offering. Our charter does not restrict our ability to conduct offerings in the future.

 

 

When will I get my detailed tax information?

Your Form 1099-DIV tax information, if required, will be mailed by January 31 of each year.

 

17


Table of Contents

 

Who can help answer my questions about the offering?

If you have more questions about the offering, or if you would like additional copies of this prospectus, you should contact your registered representative or contact:

KBS Capital Markets Group LLC

660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1200

Newport Beach, California 92660

Telephone: (866) KBS-4CMG or (866) 527-4264

Fax: (949) 717-6201

www.kbs-cmg.com

 

18


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves various risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider the following risk factors in conjunction with the other information contained in this prospectus before purchasing our common stock. The risks discussed in this prospectus could adversely affect our business, operating results, prospects and financial condition. This could cause the value of our common stock to decline and could cause you to lose all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face but do represent those risks and uncertainties that we believe are material to us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also harm our business.

Risks Related to an Investment in Us

Because no public trading market for your shares currently exists, it will be difficult for you to sell your shares and, if you are able to sell your shares, you will likely sell them at a substantial discount to the public offering price.

Our charter does not require our directors to seek stockholder approval to liquidate our assets by a specified date, nor does our charter require our directors to list our shares for trading on a national securities exchange by a specified date. There is no public market for our shares and we currently have no plans to list our shares on a national securities exchange. Until our shares are listed, if ever, you may not sell your shares unless the buyer meets the applicable suitability and minimum purchase standards. In addition, our charter prohibits the ownership of more than 9.8% of our stock, unless exempted by our board of directors, which may inhibit large investors from purchasing your shares. In its sole discretion, our board of directors could amend, suspend or terminate our share redemption program upon 30 days’ notice. Further, the share redemption program includes numerous restrictions that would limit your ability to sell your shares. We describe these restrictions in more detail under “Description of Shares—Share Redemption Program.” Therefore, it will be difficult for you to sell your shares promptly or at all. If you are able to sell your shares, you would likely have to sell them at a substantial discount to their public offering price. It is also likely that your shares would not be accepted as the primary collateral for a loan. Because of the illiquid nature of our shares, you should purchase our shares only as a long-term investment and be prepared to hold them for an indefinite period of time.

If we are unable to find suitable investments, we may not be able to achieve our investment objectives or pay distributions.

Our ability to achieve our investment objectives and to pay distributions depends upon the performance of KBS Capital Advisors, our advisor, in the acquisition of our investments, including the determination of any financing arrangements, and the ability of our advisor to source loan origination opportunities for us. We will also depend upon the performance of third-party loan servicers to service our loan investments. The more shares we sell in this offering, the greater our challenge will be to invest all of the net offering proceeds on attractive terms. Except for investments that may be described in supplements to this prospectus, you will have no opportunity to evaluate the economic merits or the terms of our investments. You must rely entirely on the management abilities of KBS Capital Advisors, the loan servicers KBS Capital Advisors selects and the oversight of our board of directors. We cannot assure you that KBS Capital Advisors will be successful in obtaining suitable investments on financially attractive terms or that, if KBS Capital Advisors makes investments on our behalf, our objectives will be achieved. If we, through KBS Capital Advisors, are unable to find suitable investments promptly, we will hold the proceeds from this offering in an interest-bearing account or invest the proceeds in short-term assets. If we would continue to be unsuccessful in locating suitable investments, we may ultimately decide to liquidate. In the event we are unable to timely locate suitable investments, we may be unable or limited in our ability to pay distributions and we may not be able to meet our investment objectives.

Continued disruptions in the financial markets and deteriorating economic conditions could adversely impact our ability to implement our business strategy and generate returns to you.

The capital and credit markets have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption for more than 19 months and the U.S. economy has gone into recession. Turmoil in the capital markets has constrained equity and debt capital available for investment in the commercial real estate market, resulting in fewer buyers seeking to acquire commercial properties, increases in cap rates and lower property values. Furthermore, deteriorating economic conditions have negatively impacted residential and commercial real estate fundamentals. Risks of defaults on loans and foreclosures on mortgages have increased over the past 19 months. Financial market and economic conditions may deteriorate further; we cannot foresee when these conditions will stabilize or improve.

 

19


Table of Contents

We intend to acquire a portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Current economic conditions greatly increase the risks of these investments (see “—Risks Related to Our Investments”). The value of collateral securing any loan investment we may make could decrease below the outstanding principal amount of such loan. In addition, revenues on the properties and other assets underlying any loan investments we may make could decrease, making it more difficult for borrowers to meet their payment obligations to us. Each of these factors would increase the likelihood of default and foreclosure, which would likely have a negative impact on the value of our loan investment. More generally, the risks arising from the current financial market and economic conditions are applicable to all of the investments we may make. They apply to both commercial and residential real estate loans, whether mortgage, mezzanine or bridge loans. They apply to mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations, the performance of which depends on the performance of the underlying loans. They also apply to the debt and equity securities of companies that have investment objectives similar to ours.

Continued disruptions in the financial markets and deteriorating economic conditions may also impact the market for our investments and the volatility of our investments. The returns available to investors in our targeted investments are determined, in part, by: (i) the supply and demand for such investments and (ii) the existence of a market for such investments, which includes the ability to sell or finance such investments. During periods of volatility the number of investors participating in the market may change at an accelerated pace. As liquidity or “demand” increases the returns available to investors will decrease. Conversely, a lack of liquidity will cause the returns available to investors to increase.

Over the past 19 months, liquidity in the market for non-prime and sub-prime residential mortgage loans, and the real estate-related investments that depend on the performance of such loans, has decreased dramatically. More recently, concerns pertaining to the increased rates of delinquency, foreclosure and loss in residential mortgages have expanded to almost all areas of the debt capital markets including corporate bonds, asset-backed securities and commercial real estate bonds and loans. This has lead to a general decline in liquidity for such investments, a corresponding reduction in their market value and an increase in market volatility. This instability may interfere with the successful implementation of our business strategy.

A protracted economic downturn will also likely have a negative impact on our ability to originate, sell and securitize loans. Borrowers often use increases in the value of their existing properties to support the purchase of or investment in additional properties. If real property values decline, real estate investors will have a difficult time making new acquisitions and demand for loan originations will decline. In addition, creditworthy investors may be less likely to look to debt financing for acquisitions in a recessionary environment. Furthermore, we may have difficulty selling loans, loan participations and structured debt products in a recessionary environment. These factors may hinder our ability to generate revenue by originating, selling and securitizing loans.

We expect to finance our investments in part with debt. As a result of the ongoing credit market turmoil, we may not be able to obtain debt financing on attractive terms. As such, we may be forced to use a greater proportion of our offering proceeds to finance our acquisitions and originations, reducing the number of investments we would otherwise make. If the current debt market environment persists we may modify our investment strategy in order to optimize our portfolio performance. Our options would include limiting or eliminating the use of debt and focusing on those investments that do not require the use of leverage to meet our portfolio goals.

All of the factors described above could adversely impact our ability to implement our business strategy and make distributions to our investors and could decrease the value of an investment in us.

We may suffer from delays in locating suitable investments, which could limit our ability to make distributions and lower the overall return on your investment.

We rely upon our sponsors and the other real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor, including Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., to identify suitable investments. The private KBS-sponsored programs, especially those that are currently raising offering proceeds, as well as the institutional investors for whom KBS affiliates serve as investment advisers, also rely upon Messrs. Bren and Schreiber for investment opportunities. In addition, KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, which are managed by our advisor, rely upon Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber to identify potential investments and actively manage their assets. To the extent that our sponsors and the other real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor face competing demands upon their time at times when we have capital ready for investment, we may face delays in locating suitable investments. Further, the more money we raise in this offering, the more difficult it will be to invest the net offering proceeds promptly and on attractive terms. Therefore, the large size of this offering increases the risk of delays in investing our net offering proceeds. Delays we encounter in the selection and acquisition or origination of income-producing assets would likely limit our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders and lower their overall returns.

 

20


Table of Contents

Because this is a blind-pool offering, you will not have the opportunity to evaluate our investments before we make them, which makes your investment more speculative.

Because we have not yet acquired or identified any investments that we may make, we are not able to provide you with any information to assist you in evaluating the merits of any specific investments that we may make, except for investments that may be described in supplements to this prospectus. We will seek to invest substantially all of the offering proceeds available for investment, after the payment of fees and expenses, in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. However, because you will be unable to evaluate the economic merit of assets before we invest in them, you will have to rely entirely on the ability of our advisor to select suitable and successful investment opportunities. Furthermore, our board of directors will have broad discretion in implementing policies regarding mortgagor creditworthiness and you will not have the opportunity to evaluate potential borrowers. These factors increase the risk that your investment may not generate returns comparable to our competitors.

If we are unable to raise substantial funds, we will be limited in the number and type of investments we make and the value of your investment in us will fluctuate with the performance of the specific assets we acquire.

This offering is being made on a “best efforts” basis, meaning that our dealer manager is only required to use its best efforts to sell our shares and has no firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of the shares. As a result, the amount of proceeds we raise in this offering may be substantially less than the amount we would need to achieve a diversified portfolio of investments. We may be unable to raise even the minimum offering amount. If we are unable to raise substantially more than the minimum offering amount, we will make fewer investments resulting in less diversification in terms of the type, number and size of investments that we make. In that case, the likelihood that any single asset’s performance would adversely affect our profitability will increase. Additionally, we are not limited in the number or size of our investments or the percentage of net proceeds we may dedicate to a single investment. Your investment in our shares will be subject to greater risk to the extent that we lack a diversified portfolio of investments. Further, we will have certain fixed operating expenses, including certain expenses as a publicly offered REIT, regardless of whether we are able to raise substantial funds in this offering. Our inability to raise substantial funds would increase our fixed operating expenses as a percentage of gross income, reducing our net income and limiting our ability to make distributions.

We are a recently formed company with no operating history and our advisor has a limited operating history, which makes our future performance difficult to predict.

We are a recently formed company and have no operating history. We were incorporated in the State of Maryland on October 8, 2008. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not made any investments, and our total assets consist of $200,000 cash. You should not assume that our performance will be similar to the past performance of other real estate investment programs sponsored by affiliates of our advisor, including KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II.

Our advisor was formed on October 18, 2004 and as of the date of this prospectus its operations have consisted solely of serving as the external advisor to KBS REIT I, which launched its initial public offering and commenced real estate operations in 2006, and KBS REIT II, which launched its initial public offering and commenced real estate operations in 2008. KBS REIT I was the first publicly offered investment program sponsored by Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber. Because the previous KBS-sponsored programs were conducted through privately held entities, they were not subject to the up-front commissions, fees and expenses associated with a public offering nor all of the laws and regulations that will apply to us. For all of these reasons, you should be especially cautious when drawing conclusions about our future performance and you should not assume that it will be similar to the prior performance of other KBS-sponsored programs. Our lack of an operating history and our advisor’s limited operating experience significantly increase the risk and uncertainty you face in making an investment in our shares.

 

21


Table of Contents

Because we are dependent upon our advisor and its affiliates to conduct our operations, any adverse changes in the financial health of our advisor or its affiliates or our relationship with them could hinder our operating performance and the return on your investment.

We are dependent on KBS Capital Advisors, its affiliates and the key real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Capital Advisors to manage our operations and our portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Our advisor has a limited operating history and it will depend upon the fees and other compensation that it will receive from us, KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II in connection with the origination, purchase, management and sale of assets to conduct its operations. Any adverse changes in the financial condition of KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates or our relationship with KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates could hinder their ability to successfully manage our operations and our portfolio of investments. Furthermore, if some or all of the key real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Capital Advisors are internalized by KBS REIT I or KBS REIT II, KBS Capital Advisors may need to replace such professionals, or we may need to find employees or an advisor to replace the management services KBS Capital Advisors provides to us. In such event our operating performance and the return on your investment could suffer.

Our dealer manager, KBS Capital Markets Group, has a limited operating history and our ability to implement our investment strategy is dependent, in part, upon the ability of KBS Capital Markets Group to successfully conduct this offering, which makes an investment in us more speculative.

We have retained KBS Capital Markets Group, an affiliate of our advisor, to conduct this offering. KBS Capital Markets Group has a limited operating history. The initial public offering of KBS REIT I, which commenced its initial public offering in January 2006 and ceased offering shares in its primary initial public offering on May 30, 2008, was the first offering conducted by our dealer manager. The initial public offering of KBS REIT II, which commenced in 2008, is the second public offering conducted by our dealer manager. The success of this offering, and our ability to implement our business strategy, is dependent upon the ability of KBS Capital Markets Group to build and maintain a network of broker-dealers to sell our shares to their clients. If KBS Capital Markets Group is not successful in establishing, operating and managing this network of broker-dealers, our ability to raise proceeds through this offering will be limited and we may not have adequate capital to implement our investment strategy. If we are unsuccessful in implementing our investment strategy, you could lose all or a part of your investment.

If we pay distributions from sources other than our cash flow from operations, we will have less funds available for investments and your overall return may be reduced.

Our organizational documents permit us to pay distributions from any source. If we fund distributions from financings or the net proceeds from this offering, we will have less funds available for investment in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments and your overall return may be reduced. We expect to have little, if any, cash flow from operations available for distribution until we make substantial investments. Further, because we may receive income at various times during our fiscal year and because we may need cash flow from operations during a particular period to fund expenses, we expect that at least during the early stages of our development and from time to time during our operational stage, we will declare distributions in anticipation of cash flow that we expect to receive during a later period and we will pay these distributions in advance of our actual receipt of these funds. In these instances, we expect to look to third-party borrowings to fund our distributions. We may also fund such distributions from advances from our advisor or sponsors or from our advisor’s deferral of its fees under the advisory agreement.

The loss of or the inability to obtain key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor and key employees at our dealer manager could delay or hinder implementation of our investment strategies, which could limit our ability to make distributions and decrease the value of your investment.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the contributions of Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III, Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. and, through our dealer manager, Greg P. Brakovich, each of whom would be difficult to replace. Neither we nor our affiliates have employment agreements with Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan or Schreiber. Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan, Schreiber and Brakovich may not remain associated with us. If any of these persons were to cease their association with us, our operating results could suffer. We do not intend to maintain key person life insurance on any person. We believe that our future success depends, in large part, upon our advisor’s and its affiliates’ ability to retain highly skilled managerial, operational and marketing professionals. Competition for such professionals is intense, and our advisor and its affiliates may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining such skilled individuals. If we lose or are unable to obtain the services of highly skilled professionals our ability to implement our investment strategies could be delayed or hindered, and the value of your investment may decline.

 

22


Table of Contents

Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to recover claims against our independent directors are limited, which could reduce your and our recovery against them if they negligently cause us to incur losses.

Maryland law provides that a director has no liability in that capacity if he performs his duties in good faith, in a manner he reasonably believes to be in our best interests and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Our charter provides that no independent director shall be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages and that we will generally indemnify them for losses unless they are grossly negligent or engage in willful misconduct. As a result, you and we may have more limited rights against our independent directors than might otherwise exist under common law, which could reduce your and our recovery from these persons if they act in a negligent manner. In addition, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by our independent directors (as well as by our other directors, officers, employees (if we ever have employees) and agents) in some cases, which would decrease the cash otherwise available for distribution to you.

We may change our targeted investments without stockholder consent.

We may change our targeted investments and investment guidelines at any time without the consent of our stockholders, which could result in our making investments that are different from, and possibly riskier than, the investments described in this prospectus. A change in our targeted investments or investment guidelines may increase our exposure to interest rate risk, default risk and real estate market fluctuations, all of which could adversely affect the value of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to you.

Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including some of our executive officers and directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals, will face conflicts of interest caused by their compensation arrangements with us, which could result in actions that are not in the long-term best interests of our stockholders.

Some of our executive officers and directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals are also officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in our advisor, our dealer manager and other affiliated KBS entities. KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will receive substantial fees from us. These fees could influence our advisor’s advice to us as well as the judgment of affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors. Among other matters, these compensation arrangements could affect their judgment with respect to:

 

   

the continuation, renewal or enforcement of our agreements with KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including the advisory agreement and the dealer-manager agreement;

 

   

public offerings of equity by us, which entitle KBS Capital Markets Group to dealer-manager fees and will likely entitle KBS Capital Advisors to increased acquisition and origination fees and asset-management fees;

 

   

sales of investments, which entitle KBS Capital Advisors to disposition fees and possible subordinated incentive fees;

 

   

acquisitions of investments and originations of loans, which entitle KBS Capital Advisors to acquisition and origination fees and asset-management fees and, in the case of acquisitions of investments from other KBS-sponsored programs, might entitle affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors to disposition fees and possible subordinated incentive fees in connection with its services for the seller;

 

   

borrowings to acquire investments and to originate loans, which borrowings will increase the acquisition and origination fees and asset-management fees payable to KBS Capital Advisors;

 

   

whether and when we seek to list our common stock on a national securities exchange, which listing could entitle KBS Capital Advisors to a subordinated incentive listing fee;

 

   

whether we seek stockholder approval to internalize our management, which may entail acquiring assets (such as office space, furnishings and technology costs) and the real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor and its affiliates for consideration that would be negotiated at that time and may result in the real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor receiving more compensation from us than they currently receive from our advisor; and

 

   

whether and when we seek to sell the company or its assets, which sale could entitle KBS Capital Advisors to a subordinated incentive fee.

The fees our advisor receives in connection with transactions involving the acquisition or origination of an asset are based on the cost of the investment, and not based on the quality of the investment or the quality of the services rendered to us. This may influence our advisor to recommend riskier transactions to us.

 

23


Table of Contents

KBS Capital Advisors will face conflicts of interest relating to the origination and acquisition of investments and such conflicts may not be resolved in our favor, meaning that we could invest in less attractive assets, which could limit our ability to make distributions and reduce your overall investment return.

We rely on our sponsors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals of our advisor, including Peter M. Bren, Keith Hall, Peter McMillan and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., to identify suitable investment opportunities for us. KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II are also advised by KBS Capital Advisors and rely on our sponsors and many of the same real estate and debt finance professionals. Messrs. Bren and Schreiber are also key real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates, the advisors to the private KBS-sponsored programs and the investment advisers to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets. As such, KBS REIT II, the one private KBS-sponsored program that is raising funds for investment as of the date of this prospectus and any future programs all rely on many of the same real estate and debt finance professionals. Many investment opportunities that are suitable for us may also be suitable for other KBS programs and investors. When these real estate and debt finance professionals direct an investment opportunity to any KBS-sponsored program or KBS-advised investor, they, in their sole discretion, will offer the opportunity to the program or investor for which the investment opportunity is most suitable based on the investment objectives, portfolio and criteria of each program or investor. For so long as we are externally advised, our charter provides that it shall not be a proper purpose of the corporation for us to purchase any significant asset unless the advisor has recommended the investment to us. Thus, the real estate and debt finance professionals of KBS Capital Advisors could direct attractive investment opportunities to other entities or investors. Such events could result in us investing in assets that provide less attractive returns, reducing the level of distributions we may be able to pay to you.

Further, existing and future KBS-sponsored programs and KBS-advised investors and Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber are not prohibited from engaging, directly or indirectly, in any business or from possessing interests in any other business venture or ventures, including businesses and ventures involved in the acquisition, origination or sale of real estate-related investments. For a detailed description of the conflicts of interest that our advisor will face, see “Conflicts of Interest.”

KBS Capital Advisors, the real estate and debt finance professionals assembled by our advisor, their affiliates and our officers will face competing demands relating to their time and this may cause our operations and your investment to suffer.

We rely on KBS Capital Advisors and the real estate and debt finance professionals our advisor has assembled, including Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber, for the day-to-day operation of our business. Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber are also executive officers of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, and Messrs. Bren and Schreiber are executive officers of KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates, the advisors of the other KBS-sponsored programs and the investment advisers to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets. As a result of their interests in other KBS programs, their obligations to other investors and the fact that they engage in and they will continue to engage in other business activities on behalf of themselves and others, Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber will face conflicts of interest in allocating their time among us, KBS Capital Advisors and other KBS-sponsored programs and other business activities in which they are involved. In addition, KBS Capital Advisors and KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates share many of the same key real estate and debt finance professionals. During times of intense activity in other programs and ventures, these individuals may devote less time and fewer resources to our business than are necessary or appropriate to manage our business. Furthermore, some or all of these individuals may become employees of another KBS-sponsored program in an internalization transaction or, if we internalize our advisor, may not become our employees as a result of their relationship with other KBS-sponsored programs. If these events occur, the returns on our investments, and the value of your investment, may decline.

 

24


Table of Contents

Some of our executive officers and directors and the key real estate and debt finance professionals assembled by our advisor face conflicts of interest related to their positions and/or interests in KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including our dealer manager, which could hinder our ability to implement our business strategy and to generate returns to you.

Some of our executive officers, directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals assembled by our advisor are also executive officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in our advisor, our dealer manager and other affiliated KBS entities. Through KBS-affiliated entities, some of these persons also serve as the investment advisers to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets and through KBS Capital Advisors these persons serve as the advisor to KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. As a result, they owe fiduciary duties to each of these entities, their members and limited partners and these investors, which fiduciary duties may from time to time conflict with the fiduciary duties that they owe to us and our stockholders. Their loyalties to these other entities and investors could result in action or inaction that is detrimental to our business, which could harm the implementation of our business strategy and our investment and leasing opportunities. If we do not successfully implement our business strategy, we may be unable to generate the cash needed to make distributions to you and to maintain or increase the value of our assets.

Risks Related to This Offering and Our Corporate Structure

Our charter limits the number of shares a person may own, which may discourage a takeover that could otherwise result in a premium price to our stockholders.

Our charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes our directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. To help us comply with the REIT ownership requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, our charter prohibits a person from directly or constructively owning more than 9.8% of our outstanding shares, unless exempted by our board of directors. This restriction may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for holders of our common stock.

Our charter permits our board of directors to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of our common stockholders or discourage a third party from acquiring us in a manner that could result in a premium price to our stockholders.

Our board of directors may classify or reclassify any unissued common stock or preferred stock and establish the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption of any such stock. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with priority as to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation over the rights of the holders of our common stock. Such preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price to holders of our common stock.

Your investment return may be reduced if we are required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act; if we become an unregistered investment company, we could not continue our business.

We do not intend to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. If we were obligated to register as an investment company, we would have to comply with a variety of substantive requirements under the Investment Company Act that impose, among other things:

 

   

limitations on capital structure;

 

   

restrictions on specified investments;

 

   

prohibitions on transactions with affiliates; and

 

   

compliance with reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy disclosure and other rules and regulations that would significantly increase our operating expenses.

 

25


Table of Contents

We intend to qualify for an exemption from registration under Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act, which means we must engage primarily in the business of buying mortgages and other liens on or interests in real estate. The position of the SEC staff generally requires us to maintain at least 55% of our portfolio in “qualifying real estate assets” (that is, mortgage loans, CMBS and RMBS that represent the entire ownership in a pool of mortgage loans and other qualifying interests in real estate) and at least another 25% of our portfolio in additional qualifying real estate assets or “real estate-related assets.” Participations in mortgage loans, mortgaged-backed securities, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments, joint venture investments and the equity securities of other entities may not constitute qualifying real estate assets, depending on the characteristics of the specific investments, including the rights that we have with respect to the underlying assets. Our ownership of these investments, therefore, may be limited by provisions of the Investment Company Act and SEC staff interpretations.

To maintain compliance with the Investment Company Act exemption, we may be unable to sell assets we would otherwise want to sell and may need to sell assets we would otherwise wish to retain. In addition, we may have to acquire additional assets that we might not otherwise have acquired or may have to forgo opportunities to make investments that we would otherwise want to make and would be important to our investment strategy.

If we were required to register as an investment company but failed to do so, we would be prohibited from engaging in our business and criminal and civil actions could be brought against us. In addition, our contracts would be unenforceable unless a court required enforcement and a court could appoint a receiver to take control of us and liquidate our business.

Rapid changes in the values of our assets may make it more difficult for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT or exemption from the Investment Company Act.

If the market value or income potential of our qualifying assets changes as compared to the market value or income potential of our non-qualifying assets, or if the market value or income potential of our assets that are considered “real estate-related assets” under the Investment Company Act or REIT qualification tests changes as compared to the market value or income potential of our assets that are not considered “real estate-related assets” under the Investment Company Act or REIT qualification tests, whether as a result of increased interest rates, prepayment rates or other factors, we may need to modify our investment portfolio in order to maintain our REIT qualification or exemption from the Investment Company Act. If the decline in real estate asset values and/or income occurs quickly, this may be especially difficult to accomplish. This difficulty may be exacerbated by the illiquid nature of any non-real estate assets that we may own. We may have to make investment decisions that we otherwise would not make absent REIT and Investment Company Act considerations.

You will have limited control over changes in our policies and operations, which increases the uncertainty and risks you face as a stockholder.

Our board of directors determines our major policies, including our policies regarding financing, growth, debt capitalization, REIT qualification and distributions. Our board of directors may amend or revise these and other policies without a vote of the stockholders. Under Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter, our stockholders have a right to vote only on limited matters. Our board’s broad discretion in setting policies and our stockholders’ inability to exert control over those policies increases the uncertainty and risks you face as a stockholder.

Because our charter does not require our listing or liquidation by a specified date, you should only purchase our shares as a long-term investment and be prepared to hold them for an indefinite period of time.

We may seek to list our shares of common stock if our independent directors believe listing would be in the best interests of our stockholders. If we do not list our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange by May __, 2019, our charter requires that we either seek stockholder approval of the liquidation of the company; or if a majority of the conflicts committee determines that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders, postpone the decision of whether to liquidate the company. If a majority of the conflicts committee does determine that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders, our charter requires that the conflicts committee revisit the issue of liquidation at least annually. Further postponement of listing or stockholder action regarding liquidation would only be permitted if a majority of the conflicts committee again determined that liquidation would not be in the best interest of our stockholders. If we sought and failed to obtain stockholder approval of our liquidation, our charter would not require us to list or liquidate and would not require the conflicts committee to revisit the issue of liquidation, and we could continue to operate as before. Because our charter does not require our listing or liquidation by a specified date, you should only purchase our shares as a long-term investment and be prepared to hold them for an indefinite period of time.

 

26


Table of Contents

You may not be able to sell your shares under our share redemption program and, if you are able to sell your shares under the program, you may not be able to recover the amount of your investment in our shares.

Our share redemption program includes numerous restrictions that limit your ability to sell your shares. You must hold your shares for at least one year in order to participate in the share redemption program, except for redemptions sought upon a stockholder’s death or “qualifying disability.” We limit the number of shares redeemed pursuant to the share redemption program as follows: (1) during any calendar year, we may redeem no more than 5% of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the prior calendar year and (2) during each calendar year, redemptions will be limited to the amount of net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan from the prior calendar year. Further, we have no obligation to redeem shares if the redemption would violate the restrictions on distributions under Maryland law, which prohibits distributions that would cause a corporation to fail to meet statutory tests of solvency. These limits may prevent us from accommodating all redemption requests made in any year. Our board would be free to amend, suspend or terminate the share redemption program upon 30 days’ notice.

The prices at which we will initially redeem shares under the program are as follows:

 

   

The lower of $9.25 or 92.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least one year;

 

   

The lower of $9.50 or 95.0% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least two years;

 

   

The lower of $9.75 or 97.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least three years; and

 

   

The lower of $10.00 or 100% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least four years.

Notwithstanding the above, once we establish an estimated value per share of our common stock, the redemption price per share for all stockholders would be equal to the estimated value per share, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. We expect to establish an estimated value per share beginning three years after the completion of our offering stage. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for one year. See “Description of Shares — Share Redemption Program” for more information about the program. These restrictions would severely limit your ability to sell your shares should you require liquidity and would limit your ability to recover the value you invested.

The offering price of our shares was not established on an independent basis; the actual value of your investment may be substantially less than what you pay. Until three years after we have completed our offering stage, we expect to use the most recent price paid to acquire a share in our offering as the estimated value of our shares. Even when determining the estimated value of our shares three years after completion of our offering stage, the value of our shares will be based upon a number of assumptions that may not be accurate or complete.

We established the offering price of our shares on an arbitrary basis. The selling price of our shares bears no relationship to our book or asset values or to any other established criteria for valuing shares. Because the offering price is not based upon any independent valuation, the offering price may not be indicative of the proceeds that you would receive upon liquidation. Further, the offering price may be significantly more than the price at which the shares would trade if they were to be listed on an exchange or actively traded by broker-dealers.

We intend to have our advisor prepare an annual report of the estimated value of our shares and to include this information in our annual report on Form 10-K. Until three years after we have completed our offering stage, our advisor has indicated that it intends to use the most recent price paid to acquire a share in our offering (ignoring purchase price discounts for certain categories of purchasers) as its estimated per share value of our shares. This approach to valuing our shares may bear little relationship and will likely exceed what you might receive for your shares if you tried to sell them or if we liquidated our portfolio. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for one year. If our board of directors determines that it is in our best interest, we may conduct follow-on offerings upon the termination of this offering. Our charter does not restrict our ability to conduct offerings in the future.

 

27


Table of Contents

When determining the estimated value of our shares three years after completion of our offering stage, our advisor, or another firm we choose for that purpose, will estimate the value of our shares based upon a number of assumptions that may not be accurate or complete. We do not currently anticipate obtaining appraisals for our investments and, accordingly, the estimates should not be viewed as an accurate reflection of the fair market value of our investments nor will they represent the amount of net proceeds that would result from an immediate sale of our assets.

Because the dealer manager is one of our affiliates, you will not have the benefit of an independent due diligence review of us, which is customarily performed in underwritten offerings; the absence of an independent due diligence review increases the risks and uncertainty you face as a stockholder.

Our dealer manager, KBS Capital Markets Group, is one of our affiliates. Because KBS Capital Markets Group is an affiliate, its due diligence review and investigation of us and the prospectus cannot be considered to be an independent review. Therefore, you do not have the benefit of an independent review and investigation of this offering of the type normally performed by an unaffiliated, independent underwriter in a public securities offering.

Your interest in us will be diluted if we issue additional shares, which could reduce the overall value of your investment.

Potential investors in this offering do not have preemptive rights to any shares we issue in the future. Our charter authorizes us to issue 1,010,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which 1,000,000,000 shares are designated as common stock and 10,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock. Our board of directors may increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock without stockholder approval. After your purchase in this offering, our board may elect to (1) sell additional shares in this or future public offerings, (2) issue equity interests in private offerings, (3) issue shares to our advisor, or its successors or assigns, in payment of an outstanding fee obligation or (4) issue shares of our common stock to sellers of assets we acquire in connection with an exchange of limited partnership interests of the Operating Partnership. To the extent we issue additional equity interests after your purchase in this offering, your percentage ownership interest in us will be diluted. In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any additional offerings and the value of our investments, you may also experience dilution in the book value and fair value of your shares.

Payment of fees to KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will reduce cash available for investment and distribution and increases the risk that you will not be able to recover the amount of your investment in our shares.

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will perform services for us in connection with the selection, acquisition, origination, management, and administration of our investments. We will pay them substantial fees for these services, which will result in immediate dilution to the value of your investment and will reduce the amount of cash available for investment or distribution to stockholders. Compensation to be paid to our advisor may be increased subject to approval by our conflicts committee and the other limitations in our charter, which would further dilute your investment and reduce the amount of cash available for investment or distribution to stockholders. Depending primarily upon the number of shares we sell in this offering and assuming a $10.00 purchase price for shares sold in the primary offering, we estimate that we will use 84.16% to 88.64% of our gross offering proceeds, or between $8.42 and $8.86 per share, for investments.

We may also pay significant fees during our listing/liquidation stage. Although most of the fees payable during our listing/liquidation stage are contingent on our investors first enjoying agreed-upon investment returns, the investment-return thresholds may be reduced subject to approval by our conflicts committee and the other limitations in our charter. In addition, affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors could receive significant payments even without our reaching the investment-return thresholds should we seek to become self-managed. Due to the apparent preference of the public markets for self-managed companies, a decision to list our shares on a national securities exchange might well be preceded by a decision to become self-managed. And given our advisor’s familiarity with our assets and operations, we might prefer to become self-managed by acquiring entities affiliated with our advisor. Such an internalization transaction could result in significant payments to affiliates of our advisor irrespective of whether you enjoyed the returns on which we have conditioned other incentive compensation.

Therefore, these fees increase the risk that the amount available for distribution to common stockholders upon a liquidation of our portfolio would be less than the purchase price of the shares in this offering. These substantial fees and other payments also increase the risk that you will not be able to resell your shares at a profit, even if our shares are listed on a national securities exchange. For a discussion of our fee arrangement with KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, see “Management Compensation.”

 

28


Table of Contents

Failure to procure adequate capital and funding would negatively impact our results and may, in turn, negatively affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We will depend upon the availability of adequate funding and capital for our operations. The failure to secure acceptable financing could reduce our taxable income, as our investments would no longer generate the same level of net interest income due to the lack of funding or increase in funding costs. A reduction in our net income could reduce our liquidity and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. We cannot assure you that any, or sufficient, funding or capital will be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable to us. Therefore, in the event that we cannot obtain sufficient funding on acceptable terms, there may be a negative impact our ability to make distributions.

You may be more likely to sustain a loss on your investment because our sponsors do not have as strong an economic incentive to avoid losses as do sponsors who have made significant equity investments in their companies.

Our sponsors have only invested $200,000 in us through the purchase of 20,000 shares of our common stock at $10 per share. Therefore, if we are successful in raising enough proceeds to be able to reimburse our sponsors for our significant organization and offering expenses, our sponsors will have little exposure to loss in the value of our shares. Without this exposure, our investors may be at a greater risk of loss because our sponsors do not have as much to lose from a decrease in the value of our shares as do those sponsors who make more significant equity investments in their companies.

Although we will not currently be afforded the protection of the Maryland General Corporation Law relating to deterring or defending hostile takeovers, our board of directors could opt into these provisions of Maryland law in the future, which may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and may prevent our stockholders from receiving a premium price for their stock in connection with a business combination.

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and certain interested stockholders or affiliates of interested stockholders are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. Also under Maryland law, control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, an officer of the corporation or an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation are excluded from the vote on whether to accord voting rights to the control shares. Should our board opt into these provisions of Maryland law, it may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer. Similarly, provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General Corporation Law could provide similar anti-takeover protection. For more information about the business combination, control share acquisition and Subtitle 8 provisions of Maryland law, see “Description of Shares – Business Combinations,” “Description of Shares – Control Share Acquisitions” and “Description of Shares – Subtitle 8.”

Our charter includes an anti-takeover provision that may discourage a stockholder from launching a tender offer for our shares.

Our charter provides that any tender offer made by a stockholder, including any “mini-tender” offer, must comply with most provisions of Regulation 14D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The offering stockholder must provide our company notice of such tender offer at least ten business days before initiating the tender offer. If the offering stockholder does not comply with these requirements, our company will have the right to redeem that stockholder’s shares and any shares acquired in such tender offer. In addition, the noncomplying stockholder shall be responsible for all of our company’s expenses in connection with that stockholder’s noncompliance. This provision of our charter may discourage a stockholder from initiating a tender offer for our shares and prevent you from receiving a premium price for your shares in such a transaction.

Risks Related to Our Investments

Our investments in real estate-related investments will be subject to the risks typically associated with real estate.

Our loans held for investment will generally be directly or indirectly secured by a lien on real property (or the equity interests in an entity that owns real property) that, upon the occurrence of a default on the loan, could result in our acquiring ownership of the property. We will not know whether the values of the properties ultimately securing our loans will remain at the levels existing on the dates of origination of those loans. If the values of the underlying properties drop, our risk will increase because of the lower value of the security associated with such loans. In this manner, real estate values could impact the values of our loan investments. Our investments in mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and other real estate-related investments (including potential investments in real property) may be similarly affected by real estate property values. Therefore, our investments will be subject to the risks typically associated with real estate.

 

29


Table of Contents

The value of real estate may be adversely affected by a number of risks, including:

 

   

natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods;

 

   

acts of war or terrorism, including the consequences of terrorist attacks, such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001;

 

   

adverse changes in national and local economic and real estate conditions;

 

   

an oversupply of (or a reduction in demand for) space in the areas where particular properties are located and the attractiveness of particular properties to prospective tenants;

 

   

changes in governmental laws and regulations, fiscal policies and zoning ordinances and the related costs of compliance therewith and the potential for liability under applicable laws;

 

   

costs of remediation and liabilities associated with environmental conditions affecting properties; and

 

   

the potential for uninsured or underinsured property losses.

The value of each property is affected significantly by its ability to generate cash flow and net income, which in turn depends on the amount of rental or other income that can be generated net of expenses required to be incurred with respect to the property. Many expenditures associated with properties (such as operating expenses and capital expenditures) cannot be reduced when there is a reduction in income from the properties. These factors may have a material adverse effect on the ability of our borrowers to pay their loans, as well as on the value that we can realize from assets we originate, own or acquire.

The mortgage loans we invest in and the mortgage loans underlying the mortgage securities we invest in are subject to delinquency, foreclosure and loss, which could result in losses to us.

Commercial real estate loans are secured by multifamily or commercial property and are subject to risks of delinquency and foreclosure. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by an income-producing property typically is dependent primarily upon the successful operation of such property rather than upon the existence of independent income or assets of the borrower. If the net operating income of the property is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. Net operating income of an income-producing property can be affected by, among other things: tenant mix, success of tenant businesses, property management decisions, property location and condition, competition from comparable types of properties, changes in laws that increase operating expenses or limit rents that may be charged, any need to address environmental contamination at the property, the occurrence of any uninsured casualty at the property, changes in national, regional or local economic conditions and/or specific industry segments, declines in regional or local real estate values, declines in regional or local rental or occupancy rates, increases in interest rates, real estate tax rates and other operating expenses, changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including environmental legislation, natural disasters, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances.

Residential mortgage loans are secured by single-family residential property and are subject to risks of delinquency, foreclosure and loss. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by a residential property is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors, including a general economic downturn, natural disasters, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances, may impair borrowers’ abilities to repay their loans. Though we do not intend to invest directly in residential mortgage loans, we may invest in pools of residential mortgage loans or residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS).

In the event of any default under a mortgage loan held directly by us, we will bear a risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral and the principal and accrued interest of the mortgage loan, which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow from operations. Foreclosure of a mortgage loan can be an expensive and lengthy process that could have a substantial negative effect on our anticipated return on the foreclosed mortgage loan. In the event of the bankruptcy of a mortgage loan borrower, the mortgage loan to such borrower will be deemed to be secured only to the extent of the value of the underlying collateral at the time of bankruptcy (as determined by the bankruptcy court), and the lien securing the mortgage loan will be subject to the avoidance powers of the bankruptcy trustee or debtor-in-possession to the extent the lien is unenforceable under state law.

CMBS evidence interests in or are secured by a single commercial mortgage loan or a pool of commercial real estate loans and RMBS evidence interests in or are secured by pools of residential mortgage loans. Accordingly, the mortgage-backed securities we invest in are subject to all of the risks of the underlying mortgage loans.

 

30


Table of Contents

The B-Notes in which we may invest may be subject to additional risks relating to the privately negotiated structure and terms of the transaction, which may result in losses to us.

We may invest in B-Notes. A B-Note is a mortgage loan typically (i) secured by a first mortgage on a single large commercial property or group of related properties and (ii) subordinated to an A-Note secured by the same first mortgage on the same collateral. As a result, if a borrower defaults, there may not be sufficient funds remaining for B-Note holders after payment to the A-Note holders. Since each transaction is privately negotiated, B-Notes can vary in their structural characteristics and risks. For example, the rights of holders of B-Notes to control the process following a borrower default may be limited in certain investments. We cannot predict the terms of each B-Note investment. Further, B-Notes typically are secured by a single property, and so reflect the increased risks associated with a single property compared to a pool of properties.

The mezzanine loans in which we may invest would involve greater risks of loss than senior loans secured by the same properties.

We may invest in mezzanine loans that take the form of subordinated loans secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of either the entity owning the real property or an entity that owns (directly or indirectly) the interest in the entity owning the real property. These types of investments may involve a higher degree of risk than long-term senior mortgage lending secured by income-producing real property because the investment may become unsecured as a result of foreclosure by the senior lender. In the event of a bankruptcy of the entity providing the pledge of its ownership interests as security, we may not have full recourse to the assets of such entity, or the assets of the entity may not be sufficient to satisfy our mezzanine loan. If a borrower defaults on our mezzanine loan or debt senior to our loan, or in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, our mezzanine loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt. As a result, we may not recover some or all of our investment. In addition, mezzanine loans may have higher loan-to-value ratios than conventional mortgage loans, resulting in less equity in the real property and increasing the risk of loss of principal.

Bridge loans may involve a greater risk of loss than conventional mortgage loans.

We may provide bridge loans secured by first-lien mortgages on properties to borrowers who are typically seeking short-term capital to be used in an acquisition, development or refinancing of real estate. The borrower may have identified an undervalued asset that has been undermanaged or is located in a recovering market. If the market in which the asset is located fails to recover according to the borrower’s projections, or if the borrower fails to improve the quality of the asset’s management or the value of the asset, the borrower may not receive a sufficient return on the asset to satisfy the bridge loan, and we may not recover some or all of our investment.

In addition, owners usually borrow funds under a conventional mortgage loan to repay a bridge loan. We may, therefore, be dependent on a borrower’s ability to obtain permanent financing to repay our bridge loan, which could depend on market conditions and other factors. Bridge loans are also subject to risks of borrower defaults, bankruptcies, fraud, losses and special hazard losses that are not covered by standard hazard insurance. In the event of any default under bridge loans held by us, we bear the risk of loss of principal and nonpayment of interest and fees to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the mortgage collateral and the principal amount of the bridge loan. To the extent we suffer such losses with respect to our investments in bridge loans, the value of our company and of our common stock may be adversely affected.

Investment in non-conforming and non-investment grade loans may involve increased risk of loss.

Loans we may acquire or originate may not conform to conventional loan criteria applied by traditional lenders and may not be rated or may be rated as non-investment grade. Non-investment grade ratings for these loans typically result from the overall leverage of the loans, the lack of a strong operating history for the properties underlying the loans, the borrowers’ credit history, the properties’ underlying cash flow or other factors. As a result, loans we acquire or originate may have a higher risk of default and loss than conventional loans. Any loss we incur may reduce distributions to stockholders and adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Our investments in subordinated loans and subordinated mortgage-backed securities may be subject to losses.

We intend to acquire or originate subordinated loans and invest in subordinated mortgage-backed securities. In the event a borrower defaults on a subordinated loan and lacks sufficient assets to satisfy our loan, we may suffer a loss of principal or interest. In the event a borrower declares bankruptcy, we may not have full recourse to the assets of the borrower, or the assets of the borrower may not be sufficient to satisfy the loan. If a borrower defaults on our loan or on debt senior to our loan, or in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, our loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt is paid in full. Where debt senior to our loan exists, the presence of intercreditor arrangements may limit our ability to amend our loan documents, assign our loans, accept prepayments, exercise our remedies (through “standstill periods”), and control decisions made in bankruptcy proceedings relating to borrowers.

 

31


Table of Contents

In general, losses on a mortgage loan included in a securitization will be borne first by the equity holder of the property, then by a cash reserve fund or letter of credit, if any, and then by the “first loss” subordinated security holder. In the event of default and the exhaustion of any equity support, reserve fund, letter of credit and any classes of securities junior to those in which we invest, we may not be able to recover all of our investment in the securities we purchase. In addition, if the underlying mortgage portfolio has been overvalued by the originator, or if the values subsequently decline and, as a result, less collateral is available to satisfy interest and principal payments due on the related mortgage-backed securities, the securities in which we invest may effectively become the “first loss” position behind the more senior securities, which may result in significant losses to us.

Construction loans involve a high risk of loss if we are unsuccessful in raising the unfunded portion of the loan or if a borrower otherwise fails to complete the construction of a project. Land loans and pre-development loans involve similarly high risks of loss if construction financing cannot be obtained.

We may invest in construction loans. If we are unsuccessful in raising the unfunded portion of a construction loan, there could be adverse consequences associated with the loan, including a loss of the value of the property securing the loan if the construction is not completed and the borrower is unable to raise funds to complete it from other sources; a borrower claim against us for failure to perform under the loan documents; increased costs to the borrower that the borrower is unable to pay; a bankruptcy filing by the borrower; and abandonment by the borrower of the collateral for the loan. Further, other non-cash flowing assets such as land loans and pre-development loans may fail to qualify for construction financing and may need to be liquidated based on the “as-is” value as opposed to a valuation based on the ability to construct certain real property improvements. The occurrence of such events may have a negative impact on our results of operations. Other loan types may also include unfunded future obligations that could present similar risks.

Risks of cost overruns and non-completion of the construction or renovation of the properties underlying loans we make or acquire may materially adversely affect our investment.

The renovation, refurbishment or expansion by a borrower under a mortgaged or leveraged property involves risks of cost overruns and non-completion. Costs of construction or improvements to bring a property up to standards established for the market position intended for that property may exceed original estimates, possibly making a project uneconomical. Other risks may include environmental risks and construction, rehabilitation and subsequent leasing of the property not being completed on schedule. If such construction or renovation is not completed in a timely manner, or if it costs more than expected, the borrower may experience a prolonged impairment of net operating income and may not be able to make payments on our investment.

Investments that are not United States government insured involve risk of loss.

We may originate and acquire uninsured loans and assets as part of our investment strategy. Such loans and assets may include mortgage loans, mezzanine loans and bridge loans. While holding such interests, we are subject to risks of borrower defaults, bankruptcies, fraud, losses and special hazard losses that are not covered by standard hazard insurance. In the event of any default under loans, we bear the risk of loss of principal and nonpayment of interest and fees to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral and the principal amount of the loan. To the extent we suffer such losses with respect to our investments in such loans, the value of our company and the price of our common stock may be adversely affected.

The mortgage-backed securities in which we may invest are subject to the risks of the mortgage securities market as a whole and risks of the securitization process.

The value of mortgage-backed securities may change due to shifts in the market’s perception of issuers and regulatory or tax changes adversely affecting the mortgage securities market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to several risks created through the securitization process. Subordinate mortgage-backed securities are paid interest only to the extent that there are funds available to make payments. To the extent the collateral pool includes delinquent loans, there is a risk that the interest payment on subordinate mortgage-backed securities will not be fully paid. Subordinate mortgage-backed securities are also subject to greater credit risk than those mortgage-backed securities that are more highly rated.

 

32


Table of Contents

In the future we may invest in RMBS backed by non-prime or sub-prime residential mortgage loans that are subject to higher delinquency, foreclosure and loss rates than prime residential mortgage loans, which could result in losses to us.

Non-prime and sub-prime residential mortgage loans are made to borrowers who have poor or limited credit histories and as a result they do not qualify for traditional mortgage products. Because of the poor, or lack of, credit history, non-prime and sub-prime borrowers have materially higher rates of delinquency, foreclosure and loss compared to prime credit quality borrowers. There is limited history with respect to the performance of RMBS over multiple economic cycles. Investments in RMBS backed by sub-prime or non-prime residential mortgage loans have higher risk than investments in RMBS backed by prime residential mortgage loans. We may realize credit losses if we invest in RMBS backed by sub-prime and non-prime residential mortgage loans because such RMBS are subject to all of the risks of the underlying sub-prime and non-prime residential mortgage loans.

We may invest in non-agency RMBS and RMBS backed by non-conforming residential mortgage loans.

We may invest in non-agency RMBS. Agency-backed securities include RMBS that represent the entire ownership interest in pools of residential mortgage loans secured by residential real property and are guaranteed as to principal and interest by federally chartered entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and, in the case of Ginnie Mae, by the U.S. government. Non-agency RMBS are not guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, or the U.S. government; rather, their ratings are assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. Non-agency RMBS have a higher risk of loss than agency RMBS. We may realize credit losses on our investment in non-agency RMBS.

We may also invest in RMBS backed by non-conforming residential mortgage loans. We expect that the residential mortgage loans will be non-conforming due to non-credit factors including, but not limited to, the fact that the (i) mortgage loan amounts exceed the maximum amount for such mortgage loan to qualify as a conforming mortgage loan, and (ii) underwriting documentation for the mortgage loan does not meet the criteria for qualification as a conforming mortgage loan. Non-conforming residential mortgage loans may have higher risk of delinquency and foreclosure and losses than conforming mortgage loans. We may realize credit losses on our investment in RMBS backed by non-conforming residential mortgage loans.

We may invest in the equity securities of CDOs and such investments may involve significant risks, including that CDO equity receives distributions from the CDO only if the CDO generates enough income to first pay the holders of its debt securities and its expenses.

We may invest in the equity securities of CDOs. When we use the term “CDO” in this prospectus, we are referring to a collateralized debt obligation or an entity that issues such securities. A CDO entity is a special purpose vehicle that purchases collateral (such as real estate-related investments, bank loans or asset-backed securities) that is expected to generate a stream of interest or other income. The CDO issues various classes of securities that participate in that income stream, typically one or more classes of debt instruments and a class of equity securities. The equity is usually entitled to all of the income generated by the CDO after the CDO pays all of the interest due on the debt securities and its expenses. However, there will be little or no income available to the CDO equity if there are defaults by the obligors under the underlying collateral and those defaults exceed a certain amount. In that event, the value of our investment in CDO equity could decrease substantially. In addition, the equity securities of CDOs are generally illiquid, and because they represent a leveraged investment in the CDO’s assets, the value of the equity securities will generally have greater fluctuations than the values of the underlying collateral.

Changes in interest rates could negatively affect the value of our investments, which could result in reduced earnings or losses and negatively affect the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We may invest in fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities and other fixed-rate debt investments. Under a normal yield curve, an investment in these instruments will decline in value if long-term interest rates increase. We will also invest in floating-rate debt investments, for which decreases in interest rates will have a negative effect on value and interest income. Declines in market value may ultimately reduce earnings or result in losses to us, which may negatively affect cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

 

33


Table of Contents

Prepayments can adversely affect the yields on our investments.

In the case of residential mortgage loans, there are seldom any restrictions on borrowers’ abilities to prepay their loans. Homeowners tend to prepay mortgage loans faster when interest rates decline. Consequently, owners of the loans have to reinvest the money received from the prepayments at the lower prevailing interest rates. Conversely, homeowners tend not to prepay mortgage loans when interest rates increase. Consequently, owners of the loans are unable to reinvest money that would have otherwise been received from prepayments at the higher prevailing interest rates. This volatility in prepayment rates may affect our ability to maintain targeted amounts of leverage on our RMBS portfolio and may result in reduced earnings or losses for us and negatively affect the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

The yield of our other assets may be affected by the rate of prepayments differing from our projections. Prepayments on debt instruments, where permitted under the debt documents, are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a variety of economic, geographic and other factors beyond our control, and consequently, such prepayment rates cannot be predicted with certainty. If we are unable to invest the proceeds of such prepayments received, the yield on our portfolio will decline. In addition, we may acquire assets at a discount or premium and if the asset does not repay when expected, our anticipated yield may be impacted. Under certain interest rate and prepayment scenarios we may fail to recoup fully our cost of acquisition of certain investments.

If credit spreads widen before we obtain long-term financing for our assets, the value of our assets may suffer.

We will price our assets based on our assumptions about future credit spreads for financing of those assets. We expect to obtain longer-term financing for our assets using structured financing techniques in the future. In such financings, interest rates are typically set at a spread over a certain benchmark, such as the yield on United States Treasury obligations, swaps, or LIBOR. If the spread that borrowers will pay over the benchmark widens and the rates we charge on our assets to be securitized are not increased accordingly, this may reduce our income or cause losses.

Hedging against interest rate exposure may adversely affect our earnings, limit our gains or result in losses, which could adversely affect cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We may enter into interest rate swap agreements or pursue other interest rate hedging strategies. Our hedging activity will vary in scope based on the level of interest rates, the type of portfolio investments held, and other changing market conditions. Interest rate hedging may fail to protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things:

 

   

interest rate hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of rising and volatile interest rates;

 

   

available interest rate hedging may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought;

 

   

the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability or asset;

 

   

the amount of income that a REIT may earn from hedging transactions to offset interest rate losses is limited by federal tax provisions governing REITs;

 

   

the credit quality of the party owing money on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction;

 

   

the party owing money in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay; and

 

   

we may purchase a hedge that turns out not to be necessary, i.e., a hedge that is out of the money.

Any hedging activity we engage in may adversely affect our earnings, which could adversely affect cash available for distribution to our stockholders. Therefore, while we may enter into such transactions to seek to reduce interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged or liabilities being hedged may vary materially. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss.

 

34


Table of Contents

Hedging instruments often are not traded on regulated exchanges, guaranteed by an exchange or its clearing house, or regulated by any U.S. or foreign governmental authorities and involve risks and costs.

The cost of using hedging instruments increases as the period covered by the instrument increases and during periods of rising and volatile interest rates. We may increase our hedging activity and thus increase our hedging costs during periods when interest rates are volatile or rising and hedging costs have increased. In addition, hedging instruments involve risk since they often are not traded on regulated exchanges, guaranteed by an exchange or its clearing house, or regulated by any U.S. or foreign governmental authorities. Consequently, there are no requirements with respect to record keeping, financial responsibility or segregation of customer funds and positions. Furthermore, the enforceability of agreements underlying derivative transactions may depend on compliance with applicable statutory, commodity and other regulatory requirements and, depending on the identity of the counterparty, applicable international requirements. The business failure of a hedging counterparty with whom we enter into a hedging transaction will most likely result in a default. Default by a party with whom we enter into a hedging transaction may result in the loss of unrealized profits and force us to cover our resale commitments, if any, at the then current market price. Although generally we will seek to reserve the right to terminate our hedging positions, it may not always be possible to dispose of or close out a hedging position without the consent of the hedging counterparty, and we may not be able to enter into an offsetting contract in order to cover our risk. We cannot assure you that a liquid secondary market will exist for hedging instruments purchased or sold, and we may be required to maintain a position until exercise or expiration, which could result in losses.

Our investments in debt securities and preferred and common equity securities will be subject to the specific risks relating to the particular issuer of the securities and may involve greater risk of loss than secured debt financings.

Our investments in debt securities and preferred and common equity securities will involve special risks relating to the particular issuer of the securities, including the financial condition and business outlook of the issuer. Issuers that are REITs and other real estate companies are subject to the inherent risks associated with real estate and real estate-related investments discussed in this prospectus. Issuers that are debt finance companies are subject to the inherent risks associated with structured financing investments also discussed in this prospectus. Furthermore, debt securities and preferred and common equity securities may involve greater risk of loss than secured debt financings due to a variety of factors, including that such investments are generally unsecured and may also be subordinated to other obligations of the issuer. As a result, investments in debt securities and preferred and common equity securities are subject to risks of (i) limited liquidity in the secondary trading market, (ii) substantial market price volatility resulting from changes in prevailing interest rates, (iii) subordination to the prior claims of banks and other senior lenders to the issuer, (iv) the operation of mandatory sinking fund or call/redemption provisions during periods of declining interest rates that could cause the issuer to reinvest redemption proceeds in lower yielding assets, (v) the possibility that earnings of the issuer may be insufficient to meet its debt service and distribution obligations and (vi) the declining creditworthiness and potential for insolvency of the issuer during periods of rising interest rates and economic downturn. These risks may adversely affect the value of outstanding debt securities and preferred and common equity securities and the ability of the issuers thereof to make principal, interest and/or distribution payments to us.

Our dependence on the management of other entities in which we invest may adversely affect our business.

We will not control the management, investment decisions or operations of the companies in which we may invest. Management of those enterprises may decide to change the nature of their assets, or management may otherwise change in a manner that is not satisfactory to us. We will have no ability to affect these management decisions and we may have only limited ability to dispose of our investments.

Many of our investments are illiquid and we may not be able to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions.

Certain of the securities that we may purchase in connection with privately negotiated transactions will not be registered under the relevant securities laws, resulting in a prohibition against their transfer, sale, pledge or other disposition except in a transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of, or is otherwise in accordance with, those laws. Some of the mortgage-backed securities that we may purchase may be traded in private, unregistered transactions and are therefore subject to restrictions on resale or otherwise have no established trading market. The mezzanine and bridge loans we may purchase will be particularly illiquid investments due to their short life, their unsuitability for securitization and the greater difficulty of recoupment in the event of a borrower’s default. As a result, our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be relatively limited.

 

35


Table of Contents

Declines in the market values of our investments may adversely affect periodic reported results of operations and credit availability, which may reduce earnings and, in turn, cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

A substantial portion of our assets will be classified for accounting purposes as “available-for-sale.” These investments are carried at estimated fair value and temporary changes in the market values of those assets will be directly charged or credited to stockholders’ equity without impacting net income on the income statement. Moreover, if we determine that a decline in the estimated fair value of an available-for-sale security below its amortized value is other-than-temporary, we will recognize a loss on that security on the income statement, which will reduce our earnings in the period recognized.

A decline in the market value of our assets may adversely affect us particularly in instances where we have borrowed money based on the market value of those assets. If the market value of those assets declines, the lender may require us to post additional collateral to support the loan. If we were unable to post the additional collateral, we may have to sell assets at a time when we might not otherwise choose to do so. A reduction in credit available may reduce our earnings and, in turn, cash available for distribution to stockholders.

Further, credit facility providers may require us to maintain a certain amount of cash reserves or to set aside unlevered assets sufficient to maintain a specified liquidity position, which would allow us to satisfy our collateral obligations. As a result, we may not be able to leverage our assets as fully as we would choose, which could reduce our return on equity. In the event that we are unable to meet these contractual obligations, our financial condition could deteriorate rapidly.

Market values of our investments may decline for a number of reasons, such as changes in prevailing market rates, increases in defaults, increases in voluntary prepayments for those investments that we have that are subject to prepayment risk, widening of credit spreads and downgrades of ratings of the securities by ratings agencies.

Some of our portfolio investments will be carried at estimated fair value as determined by us and, as a result, there may be uncertainty as to the value of these investments.

Some of our portfolio investments will be in the form of securities that are recorded at fair value but that have limited liquidity or are not publicly traded. The fair value of securities and other investments that have limited liquidity or are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable. We estimate the fair value of these investments on a quarterly basis. Because such valuations are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on numerous estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. The value of our common stock could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of these investments are materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon their disposal.

Competition with third parties in acquiring and originating investments may reduce our profitability and the return on your investment.

We have significant competition with respect to our acquisition and origination of assets with many other companies, including other REITs, insurance companies, commercial banks, private investment funds, hedge funds, specialty finance companies and other investors, many of which have greater resources than us. We may not be able to compete successfully for investments. In addition, the number of entities and the amount of funds competing for suitable investments may increase. If we pay higher prices for investments or originate loans on more generous terms than our competitors, our returns will be lower and the value of our assets may not increase or may decrease significantly below the amount we paid for such assets. If such events occur, you may experience a lower return on your investment.

Our joint venture partners could take actions that decrease the value of an investment to us and lower your overall return.

We may enter into joint ventures with third parties to make investments. We may also make investments in partnerships or other co-ownership arrangements or participations. Such investments may involve risks not otherwise present with other methods of investment, including, for example, the following risks:

 

   

that our co-venturer or partner in an investment could become insolvent or bankrupt;

 

   

that such co-venturer or partner may at any time have economic or business interests or goals that are or that become inconsistent with our business interests or goals; or

 

   

that such co-venturer or partner may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives.

Any of the above might subject us to liabilities and thus reduce our returns on our investment with that co-venturer or partner.

 

36


Table of Contents

To close transactions within a time frame that meets the needs of borrowers of loans we may originate, we may perform underwriting analyses in a very short period of time, which may result in credit decisions based on limited information.

We may gain a competitive advantage by, from time to time, being able to analyze and close transactions within a very short period of time. Our underwriting guidelines require a thorough analysis of many factors, including the underlying property’s financial performance and condition, geographic market assessment, experience and financial strength of the borrower and future prospects of the property within the market. If we make the decision to extend credit to a borrower prior to the completion of one or more of these analyses, we may fail to identify certain credit risks that we would otherwise have identified.

Our due diligence may not reveal all of a borrower’s liabilities and may not reveal other weaknesses in its business.

Before making a loan to a borrower or acquiring debt or equity securities of a company, we will assess the strength and skills of such entity’s management and other factors that we believe are material to the performance of the investment. In making the assessment and otherwise conducting customary due diligence, we will rely on the resources available to us and, in some cases, an investigation by third parties. This process is particularly important and subjective with respect to newly organized or private entities because there may be little or no information publicly available about the entities. There can be no assurance that our due diligence processes will uncover all relevant facts or that any investment will be successful.

We will depend on debtors for our revenue, and, accordingly, our revenue and our ability to make distributions to you will be dependent upon the success and economic viability of such debtors.

The success of our investments in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments will materially depend on the financial stability of the debtors underlying such investments. The inability of a single major debtor or a number of smaller debtors to meet their payment obligations could result in reduced revenue or losses.

Delays in liquidating defaulted mortgage loans could reduce our investment returns.

If we make or invest in mortgage loans and there are defaults under those mortgage loans, we may not be able to repossess and sell the underlying properties quickly. Borrowers often resist foreclosure actions by asserting numerous claims, counterclaims and defenses, including, without limitation, lender liability claims and defenses, in an effort to prolong the foreclosure action. In some states, foreclosure actions can take up to several years or more to litigate. At any time during the foreclosure proceedings, the borrower may file for bankruptcy, which would have the effect of staying the foreclosure action and further delaying the foreclosure process. Foreclosure litigation tends to create a negative public image of the collateral property and may result in disrupting ongoing leasing and management of the property. Foreclosure actions by senior lenders may substantially affect the amount that we may receive from an investment. These factors could reduce the value of our investment in the defaulted mortgage loans.

Delays in restructuring or liquidating non-performing debt-related securities could reduce the return on your investment.

Debt-related securities may become non-performing after acquisition for a wide variety of reasons. Such non-performing debt-related investments may require a substantial amount of workout negotiations and/or restructuring, which may entail, among other things, a substantial reduction in the interest rate and a substantial write-down of such loan or asset. However, even if a restructuring is successfully accomplished, upon maturity of such debt-related security, the borrower under the security may not be able to negotiate replacement “takeout” financing to repay the principal amount of the securities owed to us. We may find it necessary or desirable to foreclose on some of the collateral securing one or more of our investments. Intercreditor provisions may substantially interfere with our ability to do so. Even if foreclosure is an option, the foreclosure process can be lengthy and expensive as discussed above.

If the properties related to our investments are concentrated by type or geographic area, then we will be exposed to increased risk with respect to those property types or that geographic area.

Our investments may at times be concentrated in certain property types that are subject to a higher risk of foreclosure. In addition, our investments may be secured by properties concentrated in a limited number of geographic locations. Adverse conditions in the areas where the properties securing or otherwise underlying our investments are located (including business layoffs or downsizing, industry slowdowns, changing demographics and other factors) and local real estate conditions (such as oversupply or reduced demand) may have an adverse effect on the value of the properties underlying our investments. A material decline in demand or the ability of tenants to pay rent or of a buyer to consummate a purchase in these geographic areas may result in a material decline in our cash available for distribution.

 

37


Table of Contents

We are exposed to environmental liabilities with respect to properties to which we take title.

In the course of our business, we may take title to real estate, and, if we do take title, we could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. In such a circumstance, we may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, and investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases, at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. If we ever become subject to significant environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Financing St rategy

We expect to use leverage in connection with our investments, which increases the risk of loss associated with our investments.

We expect to finance the acquisition and origination of our investments with warehouse lines of credit, repurchase agreements, various types of securitizations and other borrowings. Although the use of leverage may enhance returns and increase the number of investments that we can make, it may also substantially increase the risk of loss. Our ability to execute this strategy will depend on various conditions in the markets for financing in this manner that are beyond our control, including liquidity and credit spreads. There can be no assurance that leveraged financing will be available to us on favorable terms or that, among other factors, the terms of such financing will parallel the maturities of the underlying assets acquired. If our strategy is not viable, we will have to find alternative forms of long-term financing for our assets, as secured revolving credit facilities and repurchase facilities may not accommodate long-term financing. This could subject us to more restrictive recourse indebtedness and the risk that debt service on less efficient forms of financing would require a larger portion of our cash flows, thereby reducing cash available for distribution to you, funds available for our operations and for future business opportunities. If alternative financing is not available, we may have to liquidate assets at unfavorable prices to pay off such financing. Our return on our investments and cash available for distribution to our stockholders may be reduced to the extent that changes in market conditions cause the cost of our financing to increase relative to the income that we can derive from the assets we acquire.

Short-term borrowing through repurchase agreements, bank credit facilities and warehouse facilities may put our assets and financial condition at risk. Repurchase agreements economically resemble short-term, variable-rate financing and usually require the maintenance of specific loan-to-collateral value ratios. If the market value of the assets subject to a repurchase agreement decline, we may be required to provide additional collateral or make cash payments to maintain the loan to collateral value ratio. If we are unable to provide such collateral or cash repayments, we may lose our economic interest in the underlying assets. Further, credit facility providers and warehouse facility providers may require us to maintain a certain amount of cash reserves or to set aside unleveraged assets sufficient to maintain a specified liquidity position that would allow us to satisfy our collateral obligations. In addition, such short-term borrowing facilities may limit the length of time that any given asset may be used as eligible collateral. As a result, we may not be able to leverage our assets as fully as we would choose, which could reduce our return on assets. In the event that we are unable to meet these collateral obligations, our financial condition could deteriorate rapidly.

We may not be able to acquire eligible investments for a CDO issuance or may not be able to issue CDO securities on attractive terms, either of which may require us to seek more costly financing for our investments or to liquidate assets.

We may use short-term financing arrangements to finance the acquisition of instruments until a sufficient quantity is accumulated, at which time we may refinance these lines through a securitization, such as a CDO issuance, or other long-term financing. As a result, we are subject to the risk that we will not be able to acquire, during the period that our short-term financing is available, a sufficient amount of eligible assets to maximize the efficiency of a CDO issuance. In addition, conditions in the capital markets may make the issuance of CDOs less attractive to us when we have accumulated a sufficient pool of collateral. If we are unable to issue a CDO to finance these assets, we may be required to seek other forms of potentially less attractive financing or otherwise to liquidate the assets. In addition, while we generally will retain the equity component, or below investment grade component, of such CDOs and, therefore, still have exposure to any investments included in such securitizations, our inability to enter into securitization transactions will increase our overall exposure to risks associated with ownership of such investments, including the risk of default under warehouse facilities, bank credit facilities and repurchase agreements discussed above.

 

38


Table of Contents

The use of CDO financings with over-collateralization requirements may have a negative impact on our cash flow.

We expect that the terms of CDOs we may issue will generally provide that the principal amount of assets must exceed the principal balance of the related bonds by a certain amount, commonly referred to as “over-collateralization.” We anticipate that the CDO terms will provide that, if certain delinquencies and/or losses exceed specified levels, which we will establish based on the analysis by the rating agencies (or any financial guaranty insurer) of the characteristics of the assets collateralizing the bonds, the required level of over-collateralization may be increased or may be prevented from decreasing as would otherwise be permitted had losses or delinquencies not exceeded those levels. Other tests (based on delinquency levels or other criteria) may restrict our ability to receive net income from assets collateralizing the obligations. We cannot assure you that the performance tests will be satisfied. In advance of completing negotiations with the rating agencies or other key transaction parties on our future CDO financings, we cannot assure you of the actual terms of the CDO delinquency tests, over-collateralization terms, cash flow release mechanisms or other significant factors regarding the calculation of net income to us. Failure to obtain favorable terms with regard to these matters may materially and adversely affect the availability of net income to us. If our assets fail to perform as anticipated, our over-collateralization or other credit enhancement expense associated with our CDO financings will increase.

We may be required to repurchase loans that we have sold or to indemnify holders of CDOs we issue.

If any of the loans we originate or acquire and sell or securitize do not comply with representations and warranties that we make about certain characteristics of the loans, the borrowers and the underlying properties, we may be required to repurchase those loans (including from a trust vehicle used to facilitate a structured financing of the assets through CDOs) or replace them with substitute loans. In addition, in the case of loans that we have sold instead of retained, we may be required to indemnify persons for losses or expenses incurred as a result of a breach of a representation or warranty. Repurchased loans typically require a significant allocation of working capital to be carried on our books, and our ability to borrow against such assets may be limited. Any significant repurchases or indemnification payments could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

Lenders may require us to enter into restrictive covenants relating to our operations, which could limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

When providing financing, a lender may impose restrictions on us that affect our distribution and operating policies and our ability to incur additional debt. Loan agreements we enter may contain covenants that limit our ability to further mortgage a property or that prohibit us from discontinuing insurance coverage or replacing KBS Capital Advisors as our advisor. These or other limitations would decrease our operating flexibility and our ability to achieve our operating objectives.

In a period of rising interest rates, our interest expense could increase while the interest we earn on our fixed-rate assets would not change, which would adversely affect our profitability.

Our operating results will depend in large part on differences between the income from our assets, net of credit losses and financing costs. Income from our assets may respond more slowly to interest rate fluctuations than the cost of our borrowings. Consequently, changes in interest rates, particularly short-term interest rates, may significantly influence our net income. Increases in these rates will tend to decrease our net income and market value of our assets. Interest rate fluctuations resulting in our interest expense exceeding our interest income would result in operating losses for us and may limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, if we need to repay existing debt during periods of rising interest rates, we could be required to liquidate one or more of our investments at times that may not permit realization of the maximum return on such investments.

We have broad authority to incur debt and high debt levels could hinder our ability to make distributions and decrease the value of your investment.

Our policies do not limit us from incurring debt until our borrowings would exceed 75% of the cost of our tangible assets, and we may exceed this limit with the approval of the conflicts committee of our board of directors. See “Investment Objectives and Criteria — Borrowing Policies.” High debt levels would cause us to incur higher interest charges and higher debt service payments and could also be accompanied by restrictive covenants. These factors could limit the amount of cash we have available to distribute and could result in a decline in the value of your investment.

 

39


Table of Contents

Federal Income Tax Risks

Failure to qualify as a REIT would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution.

DLA Piper LLP (US) will render an opinion to us that we will be organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code for our taxable year ending December 31, 2009 and that our proposed method of operations will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2009. This opinion will be based upon, among other things, our representations as to the manner in which we are and will be owned and the manner in which we will invest in and operate assets. However, our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet requirements regarding our organization and ownership, distributions of our income, the nature and diversification of our income and assets and other tests imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. DLA Piper LLP (US) will not review our compliance with the REIT qualification standards on an ongoing basis, and we may fail to satisfy the REIT requirements in the future. Also, this opinion will represent the legal judgment of DLA Piper LLP (US) based on the law in effect as of the date of the opinion. The opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) will not be binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. Future legislative, judicial or administrative changes to the federal income tax laws could be applied retroactively, which could result in our disqualification as a REIT.

If we fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year after electing REIT status, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at corporate rates. In addition, we would generally be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year of losing our REIT status. Losing our REIT status would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to stockholders because of the additional tax liability. In addition, distributions to stockholders would no longer qualify for the dividends paid deduction and we would no longer be required to make distributions. If this occurs, we might be required to borrow funds or liquidate some investments in order to pay the applicable tax. For a discussion of the REIT qualification tests and other considerations relating to our election to be taxed as REIT, see “Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

You may have current tax liability on distributions you elect to reinvest in our common stock.

If you participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, you will be deemed to have received, and for income tax purposes will be taxed on, the amount reinvested in shares of our common stock to the extent the amount reinvested was not a tax-free return of capital. In addition, you will be treated for tax purposes as having received an additional distribution to the extent the shares are purchased at a discount to fair market value. As a result, unless you are a tax-exempt entity, you may have to use funds from other sources to pay your tax liability on the value of the shares of common stock received. See “Description of Shares — Dividend Reinvestment Plan — Tax Consequences of Participation.”

Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow and our ability to make distributions to you.

Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to some federal, state and local taxes on our income or property. For example:

 

   

In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders (which is determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain). To the extent that we satisfy the distribution requirement but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on the undistributed income.

 

   

We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which distributions we pay in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years.

 

   

If we have net income from the sale of foreclosure property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, we must pay a tax on that income at the highest corporate income tax rate.

 

   

If we sell an asset, other than foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, our gain would be subject to the 100% “prohibited transaction” tax unless such sale were made by one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries.

 

40


Table of Contents

REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.

We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, subject to certain adjustments and excluding any net capital gain, in order for federal corporate income tax not to apply to earnings that we distribute. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed REIT taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we pay out to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under federal tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.

From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our taxable income for financial reporting purposes, or our taxable income may be greater than our cash flow available for distribution to stockholders (for example, where a borrower defers the payment of interest in cash pursuant to a contractual right or otherwise). If we do not have other funds available in these situations we could be required to borrow funds, sell investments at disadvantageous prices or find another alternative source of funds to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax in a particular year. These alternatives could increase our costs or reduce our equity. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.

To maintain our REIT status, we may be forced to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities, which may delay or hinder our ability to meet our investment objectives and reduce your overall return.

To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy certain tests on an ongoing basis concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, nature of our assets and the amounts we distribute to our stockholders. We may be required to make distributions to stockholders at times when it would be more advantageous to reinvest cash in our business or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits and the value of your investment.

The “taxable mortgage pool” rules may increase the taxes that we or our stockholders incur and may limit the manner in which we conduct securitizations.

We may be deemed to be ourselves, or make investments in entities that own or are themselves deemed to be taxable mortgage pools. Similarly, certain of our securitizations or other borrowings could be considered to result in the creation of a taxable mortgage pool for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, provided that we own 100% of the equity interests in a taxable mortgage pool, we generally would not be adversely affected by the characterization of the securitization as a taxable mortgage pool. Certain categories of stockholders, however, such as foreign stockholders eligible for treaty or other benefits, stockholders with net operating losses, and certain tax-exempt stockholders that are subject to unrelated business income tax, could be subject to increased taxes on a portion of their dividend income from us that is attributable to the taxable mortgage pool. In addition, to the extent that our stock is owned by tax-exempt “disqualified organizations,” such as certain government-related entities that are not subject to tax on unrelated business income, we will incur a corporate-level tax on a portion of our income from the taxable mortgage pool. In that case, we are authorized to reduce and intend to reduce the amount of our distributions to any disqualified organization whose stock ownership gave rise to the tax by the amount of such tax paid by us that is attributable to such stockholder’s ownership. Moreover, we would be precluded from selling equity interests in these securitizations to outside investors, or selling any debt securities issued in connection with these securitizations that might be considered to be equity interests for federal income tax purposes. These limitations may prevent us from using certain techniques to maximize our returns from securitization transactions.

The tax on prohibited transactions will limit our ability to engage in transactions, including certain methods of securitizing mortgage loans, that would be treated as sales for federal income tax purposes.

A REIT’s net income from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of assets, other than foreclosure property, deemed held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. We might be subject to this tax if we were to dispose of or securitize loans in a manner that was treated as a sale of the loans for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, in order to avoid the prohibited transactions tax, we may choose not to engage in certain sales of loans at the REIT level, and may limit the structures we utilize for our securitization transactions, even though the sales or structures might otherwise be beneficial to us.

It may be possible to reduce the impact of the prohibited transaction tax by conducting certain activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries. However, to the extent that we engage in such activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries, the income associated with such activities may be subject to full corporate income tax.

 

41


Table of Contents

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

To qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets, including certain mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.” If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT qualification.

To qualify as a REIT, we must comply with requirements regarding our assets and our sources of income. If we are compelled to liquidate our investments to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively.

The REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code may limit our ability to hedge our assets and operations. Under these provisions, any income that we generate from transactions intended to hedge our interest rate, inflation and/or currency risks will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests if the instrument hedges (i) interest rate risk on liabilities incurred to carry or acquire real estate or (ii) risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the REIT 75% or 95% gross income tests, and such instrument is properly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations. Income from hedging transactions that do not meet these requirements will generally constitute nonqualifying income for purposes of both the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations – Gross Income Tests – Derivative and Hedging Transaction.” As a result of these rules, we may have to limit our use of hedging techniques that might otherwise be advantageous, which could result in greater risks associated with interest rate or other changes than we would otherwise incur.

Our ownership of and relationship with our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be limited and a failure to comply with the limits would jeopardize our REIT status and may result in the application of a 100% excise tax.

A REIT may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. A taxable REIT subsidiary may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the parent REIT. Both the subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a taxable REIT subsidiary. A corporation of which a taxable REIT subsidiary directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. Overall, no more than 25% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. A domestic taxable REIT subsidiary will pay federal, state and local income tax at regular corporate rates on any income that it earns. In addition, the taxable REIT subsidiary rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a taxable REIT subsidiary to its parent REIT to assure that the taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. The rules also impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a taxable REIT subsidiary and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We can not assure you that we will be able to comply with the 25% value limitation on ownership of taxable REIT subsidiary stock and securities on an ongoing basis so as to maintain REIT status or to avoid application of the 100% excise tax imposed on certain non-arm’s length transactions.

 

42


Table of Contents

The IRS may challenge our characterization of certain income from offshore taxable REIT subsidiaries.

We may form offshore corporate entities treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries. If we form such subsidiaries, we may receive certain “income inclusions” with respect to our equity investments in these entities. We intend to treat such income inclusions, to the extent matched by repatriations of cash in the same taxable year, as qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not the 75% gross income test. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations – Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.” – Income Tests.” Because there is no clear precedent with respect to the qualification of such income inclusions for purposes of the REIT gross income tests, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not assert a contrary position. If such income does not qualify for the 95% gross income test, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT, in both events only if such inclusions (along with certain other non-qualifying income) exceeds 5% of our gross income.

If our CDO issuers that are taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to federal income tax at the entity level, it would greatly reduce the amounts those entities would have available to distribute to us and to pay their creditors.

There is a specific exemption from federal income tax for non-U.S. corporations that restrict their activities in the United States to trading stock and securities (or any activity closely related thereto) for their own account whether such trading (or such other activity) is conducted by the corporation or its employees through a resident broker, commission agent, custodian or other agent. We intend that any of our CDO issuers that are taxable REIT subsidiaries will rely on that exemption or otherwise operate in a manner so that they will not be subject to federal income tax on their net income at the entity level. If the IRS were to succeed in challenging that tax treatment, it could greatly reduce the amount that those CDO issuers would have available to distribute to us and to pay to their creditors.

We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes.

At any time, the federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. We cannot predict when or if any new federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective and any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. We and our stockholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation.

Retirement Plan Risks

If you fail to meet the fiduciary and other standards under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code as a result of an investment in our stock, you could be subject to criminal and civil penalties.

There are special considerations that apply to employee benefit plans subject to ERISA (such as profit sharing, Section 401(k) or pension plans) and other retirement plans or accounts subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (such as an IRA) that are investing in our shares. If you are investing the assets of such a plan or account in our common stock, please see “ERISA Considerations” in this prospectus for a discussion of some of these considerations. Failure to satisfy the fiduciary standards of conduct and other applicable requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code may result in the imposition of civil and criminal penalties and could subject the fiduciary to equitable remedies. In addition, if an investment in our shares constitutes a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code, the fiduciary who authorized or directed the investment may be subject to the imposition of excise taxes with respect to the amount invested.

 

43


Table of Contents

CAUTIONAR Y NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements about our business, including, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and objectives. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue” or other similar words. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our actual results, performance and achievements may be materially different from that expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

You should carefully review the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus for a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that we believe are material to our business, operating results, prospects and financial condition. Except as otherwise required by federal securities laws, we do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

44


Table of Contents

ESTI MATED USE OF PROCEEDS

The following tables set forth information about how we intend to use the proceeds raised in this offering assuming that we sell the minimum of 250,000 shares, a mid-point range of 140,000,000 shares and the maximum of 280,000,000 shares of common stock. Many of the amounts set forth below represent management’s best estimate since they cannot be precisely calculated at this time. Depending primarily upon the number of shares we sell in this offering and assuming a $10.00 purchase price for shares sold in the primary offering, we estimate that we will use 84.16% to 88.64% of our gross offering proceeds, or between $8.42 and $8.86 per share, for investments. We will use the remainder of the offering proceeds to pay offering expenses, including selling commissions and the dealer manager fee, and, upon investment in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments, to pay a fee to our advisor for its services in connection with the selection and acquisition or origination of our investments. We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan to repurchase shares under our share redemption program. Though our board has the authority under our organizational documents, our distribution policy is not to use the proceeds of this offering to pay distributions.

 

    250,000 Shares    140,000,000 Shares
    Minimum Offering
($10.00/share)
   Primary Offering
(100,000,000 shares)
($10.00/share)
   Div. Reinv. Plan
(40,000,000 shares)
($9.50/share)
    $    %    $    %    $    %

Gross Offering

Proceeds

        2,500,000            100.00%              1,000,000,000            100.00%              380,000,000            100.00%    

Selling

Commissions

  150,000      6.00%        60,000,000      6.00%        0      0.00%    

Dealer

Manager Fee

  87,500      3.50%        35,000,000      3.50%        0      0.00%    

Other

Organization

and Offering

Expenses (1)

  137,500      5.50%        11,279,761      1.13%        615,000      0.16%    

Acquisition and

Origination

Fees (2)

  21,040      0.84%        8,848,715      0.88%        0      0.00%    

Initial Working

Capital Reserve (3)

  0      0.00%        0      0.00%        0      0.00%    
                            

Amount Available

for Investment (4)

  2,103,960      84.16%        884,871,524      88.49%        379,385,000      99.84%    
                            

 

45


Table of Contents
     280,000,000 Shares
     Primary Offering
(200,000,000 shares)
($10.00/share)
   Div. Reinv. Plan
(80,000,000 shares)
($9.50/share)
     $            %      $            %    

Gross Offering Proceeds

         2,000,000,000            100.00%              760,000,000            100.00%    

Selling Commissions

   120,000,000      6.00%        0      0.00%    

Dealer Manager Fee

   70,000,000      3.50%        0      0.00%    

Other Organization and Offering Expenses  (1)

   19,385,290      0.97%        1,025,000      0.13%    

Acquisition and Origination Fees (2)

   17,728,859      0.89%        0      0.00%    

Initial Working Capital Reserve (3)

   0      0.00%        0      0.00%    
                   

Amount Available for Investment (4)

   1,772,885,851      88.64%        758,975,000      99.87%    
                   

 

(1)

Includes all expenses (other than selling commissions and the dealer manager fee) to be paid by us in connection with the offering, including our legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees, charges of our escrow holder and transfer agent, charges of our advisor for administrative services related to the issuance of shares in the offering, reimbursement of the bona fide due diligence expenses of broker-dealers, amounts to reimburse KBS Capital Advisors for costs in connection with preparing supplemental sales materials, the cost of bona fide training and education meetings held by us (primarily the travel, meal and lodging costs of registered representatives of broker-dealers), attendance and sponsorship fees and travel, meal and lodging costs for registered persons associated with our dealer manager and officers and employees of our affiliates to attend retail seminars conducted by broker-dealers and, in special cases, reimbursement to participating broker-dealers for technology costs associated with the offering, costs and expenses related to such technology costs, and costs and expenses associated with the facilitation of the marketing of our shares and the ownership of our shares by such broker-dealers’ customers. KBS Capital Advisors has agreed to reimburse us to the extent selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and other organization and offering expenses incurred by us exceed 15% of aggregate gross offering proceeds. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

(2)

This table assumes that we will use all net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan to repurchase shares under our share redemption program. To the extent we use such net proceeds to invest in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments, our advisor or its subsidiary would earn the related acquisition and origination fees.

For all investments that we make, we will pay our advisor an acquisition and origination fee equal to 1.0% of the cost of the investments acquired by us, or the amounts funded by us to acquire or originate loans, including acquisition and origination expenses and any debt attributable to such investments. We may also incur customary acquisition expenses in connection with the acquisition or origination (or attempted acquisition or origination) of an asset. See note 4 below.

This table excludes debt proceeds. To the extent we fund our investments with debt, as we expect, the amount available for investment and the amount of acquisition and origination fees will be proportionately greater. If we raise the maximum offering amount and our debt financing is equal to 30% of the cost of our investments, then acquisition and origination fees would be $25,326,941.

The estimate of acquisition and origination fees is based on the current compensation structure under the advisory agreement. Compensation to be paid to KBS Capital Advisors may be increased subject to approval by our conflicts committee and the other limitations in our charter. Our charter limits our ability to make an investment if the total of all acquisition and origination fees and expenses relating to the investment exceeds 6% of the contract purchase price or 6% of the total funds advanced. This limit may only be exceeded if the conflicts committee approves (by majority vote) the fees and expenses and finds the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to us.

 

(3)

We may incur capital expenses relating to our investments, such as purchasing a loan senior to ours to protect our junior position in the event of a default by the borrower on the senior loan, making protective advances to preserve collateral securing a loan, or making capital improvements on a real property obtained through foreclosure or otherwise. At the time we make an investment, we will establish estimates of the capital needs of such investment through the anticipated hold period of the investment. We do not anticipate that we will establish a permanent reserve for expenses relating to our investments. However, to the extent that we have insufficient funds for such purposes, we may establish reserves from gross offering proceeds, out of cash flow generated by our investments or out of the net cash proceeds received by us from any sale or payoff of our investments.

 

(4)

Amount available for investment will include customary acquisition expenses, such as legal fees and expenses, costs of due diligence, accounting fees and expenses and other closing costs and miscellaneous expenses relating to the acquisition or origination of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Until required in connection with investment in

 

46


Table of Contents
 

real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments, substantially all of the net proceeds of the offering and, thereafter, our working capital reserves, may be invested in short-term, highly liquid investments, including government obligations, bank certificates of deposit, short-term debt obligations and interest-bearing accounts or other authorized investments as determined by our board of directors.

We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan to repurchase shares under our share redemption program rather than for investments in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments.

 

47


Table of Contents

MANA GEMENT

Board of Directors

We operate under the direction of our board of directors, the members of which are accountable to us and our stockholders as fiduciaries. The board is responsible for the management and control of our affairs. The board has retained KBS Capital Advisors to manage our day-to-day operations and our portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments, subject to the board’s supervision. Because of the conflicts of interest created by the relationships among us, KBS Capital Advisors and various affiliates, many of the responsibilities of the board have been delegated to a committee that consists solely of independent directors. See “Conflicts of Interest.”

We will have three independent directors. An “independent director” is a person who is not one of our officers or employees or an officer or employee of KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates and has not been so for the previous two years. Serving as a director of, or having an ownership interest in, another KBS-sponsored program will not, by itself, preclude independent-director status. Our independent directors will also meet the director independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Each director will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor has been duly elected and qualified. The presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at any stockholder meeting constitutes a quorum. With respect to the election of directors, each candidate nominated for election to the board of directors must receive a majority of the votes present, in person or by proxy, in order to be elected. Therefore, if a nominee receives fewer “for” votes than “withhold” votes in an election, then the nominee will not be elected.

Although our board of directors may increase or decrease the number of directors, a decrease may not have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. Any director may resign at any time or may be removed with or without cause by the stockholders upon the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting called for the purpose of the proposed removal. The notice of the meeting will indicate that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to determine if the director shall be removed.

Unless filled by a vote of the stockholders as permitted by Maryland General Corporation Law, a vacancy that results from the removal of a director will be filled by a vote of a majority of the remaining directors. Any vacancy on the board of directors for any other cause will be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, even if such majority is less than a quorum. As provided in our charter, nominations of individuals to fill the vacancy of a board seat previously filled by an independent director will be made by a committee consisting solely of all of our independent directors.

Our directors are accountable to us and our stockholders as fiduciaries. This means that our directors must perform their duties in good faith and in a manner each director believes to be in our and our stockholders’ best interests. Further, our directors must act with such care as a prudent person in a similar position would use under similar circumstances, including exercising reasonable inquiry when taking actions. However, our directors and executive officers are not required to devote all of their time to our business and must only devote such time to our affairs as their duties may require. We do not expect that our directors will be required to devote a substantial portion of their time to us in discharging their duties.

In addition to meetings of the various committees of the board, which committees we describe below, we expect our directors to hold at least four regular board meetings each year. Our board has the authority to fix the compensation of all officers that it selects and may pay compensation to directors for services rendered to us in any other capacity.

Our general investment and borrowing policies are set forth in this prospectus. Our directors may establish further written policies on investments and borrowings and will monitor our administrative procedures, investment operations and performance to ensure that our executive officers and advisor follow these policies and that these policies continue to be in the best interests of our stockholders. Unless modified by our directors, we will follow the policies on investments and borrowings set forth in this prospectus.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our board of directors may delegate many of its powers to one or more committees. Our charter requires that each committee consist of at least a majority of independent directors, and our board will have two committees, the audit committee and the conflicts committee, that consist solely of independent directors.

 

48


Table of Contents

Audit Committee

Our board of directors will establish an audit committee that will consist solely of independent directors. The audit committee will assist the board in overseeing:

 

   

our accounting and financial reporting processes;

 

   

the integrity and audits of our financial statements;

 

   

our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

   

the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors; and

 

   

the performance of our internal and independent auditors.

The audit committee will select the independent public accountants to audit our annual financial statements, will review with the independent public accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement and will consider and approve the audit and non-audit services and fees provided by the independent public accountants.

Conflicts Committee

In order to reduce or eliminate certain potential conflicts of interest, our charter creates a conflicts committee of our board of directors consisting solely of all of our independent directors, that is, all of our directors who are not affiliated with our advisor. Our charter authorizes the conflicts committee to act on any matter permitted under Maryland law. Both the board of directors and the conflicts committee must act upon those conflict-of-interest matters that cannot be delegated to a committee under Maryland law. Our charter also empowers the conflicts committee to retain its own legal and financial advisors. See “Conflicts of Interest — Certain Conflict Resolution Measures.”

Our charter requires that the conflicts committee determine the compensation of our independent directors. Our conflicts committee will also discharge the board’s responsibilities relating to the compensation of our executives. Subject to the limitations in our charter and with stockholder approval, the conflicts committee may also create stock-award plans.

Executive Officers and Directors

We have provided below certain information about our executive officers and directors.

 

Name*

   Age   

Positions

Keith D. Hall

   50    Chief Executive Officer and Director

Peter McMillan III

   51    Chairman of the Board, President and Director

David E. Snyder

   37    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

      Independent Director

      Independent Director

      Independent Director

 

* The address of each executive officer and director listed is 620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300, Newport Beach, California 92660.

† To be named by amendment.

 

49


Table of Contents

Keith D. Hall is our Chief Executive Officer and serves as one of our directors. He is also the Executive Vice President of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, positions he has held since the respective formations of these entities in 2005 and 2007. Mr. Hall also owns and controls a 50% interest in GKP Holding LLC. GKP Holding owns a 33 1/3% interest in KBS Holdings LLC, which entity is the sole owner of our advisor and the dealer manager of this offering. Mr. Hall is also a member of the investment committee formed by KBS Capital Advisors to evaluate and authorize new investment opportunities for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT.

Mr. Hall is a co-founder of Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC, an asset management company. Prior to forming Willowbrook in 2000, Mr. Hall was a Managing Director at CS First Boston, where he managed CSFB’s distribution strategy and business development for the Principal Transaction Group’s $18.0 billion real estate securities portfolio. Mr. Hall’s two primary business unit responsibilities were Mezzanine Lending and Commercial Real Estate Development. Before joining CSFB in 1996, he served as a Director in the Real Estate Products Group at Nomura Securities, with responsibility for the company’s $6.0 billion annual pipeline of fixed-income commercial mortgage-backed securities. Mr. Hall spent the 1980s as a Senior Vice President in the High Yield Department of Drexel Burnham Lambert’s Beverly Hills office, where he was responsible for distribution of the group’s high yield real estate securities. Mr. Hall received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in Finance from California State University, Sacramento.

Peter McMillan III is our President and the chairman of our board of directors. He is also Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and a director of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, positions he has held since the respective formation of these entities in 2005 and 2007. Mr. McMillan also owns and controls a 50% interest in GKP Holding LLC. GKP Holding owns a 33 1/3% interest in KBS Holdings LLC, which entity is the sole owner of our advisor and the dealer manager of this offering. Mr. McMillan is also a member of the investment committee formed by KBS Capital Advisors to evaluate and authorize new investment opportunities for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT.

Mr. McMillan is a co-founder and the Managing Partner of Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC. Prior to forming Willowbrook in 2000, Mr. McMillan served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of SunAmerica Investments, Inc., which was later acquired by AIG. As Chief Investment Officer, he was responsible for over $75.0 billion in assets, including residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, public and private investment grade and non-investment grade corporate bonds and commercial mortgage loans and real estate investments. Before joining SunAmerica in 1989, he served as Assistant Vice President for Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company with responsibility for the company’s $6.0 billion fixed income portfolios. Mr. McMillan received his Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Wharton Graduate School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and his Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in Economics from Clark University. Mr. McMillan is a director of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.

David E. Snyder is our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary. He is also the Chief Financial Officer of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, positions he has held since December 2008. In late November 2008, Mr. Snyder was also appointed Chief Financial Officer of KBS Capital Advisors.

From January 1998 to May 2008, Mr. Snyder was at Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (“NHP”), a real estate investment trust specializing in healthcare related property. He served as the Vice President and Controller from July 2005 to February 2008 and Controller from January 1998 to July 2005. At NHP, Mr. Snyder was responsible for internal and external financial reporting, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, budgeting, debt compliance, negotiation and documentation of debt and equity financing and the negotiation of acquisition and leasing documentation. In addition, Mr. Snyder was part of the senior management team that approved investments, determined appropriate financing and developed strategic goals and plans. As part of his investment and financing responsibilities, Mr. Snyder participated in the origination, modification and refinancing of mortgage loans made to customers, mortgages obtained on real estate and unsecured credit facilities.

Mr. Snyder was an adjunct accounting professor at Biola University from 1998 to 2005, teaching courses in auditing and accounting. He was the director of financial reporting at Regency Health Services, Inc., a skilled nursing provider, from November 1996 to December 1997. From October 1993 to October 1996, Mr. Snyder worked for Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Snyder received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Biola University in La Mirada, California. Mr. Snyder is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

50


Table of Contents

Compensat ion of Directors

We intend to compensate each of our independent directors with an annual retainer of $40,000. In addition, we will pay independent directors for attending board and committee meetings as follows:

 

   

$2,500 in cash for each board meeting attended.

 

   

$2,500 in cash for each committee meeting attended, except that the chairman of the committee will be paid $3,000 for each meeting attended.

 

   

$2,000 in cash for each teleconference meeting of the board.

 

   

$2,000 in cash for each teleconference meeting of any committee, except that the chairman of the committee will be paid $3,000 for each teleconference meeting of the committee.

All directors will receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the board of directors. If a director is also one of our officers, we will not pay any compensation for services rendered as a director.

Limited Liability and Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents

Our charter limits the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for monetary damages and requires us to indemnify our directors, officers, KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates for losses they may incur by reason of their service in that capacity if all of the following conditions are met:

 

   

the party seeking exculpation or indemnification has determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in our best interests;

 

   

the party seeking exculpation or indemnification was acting on our behalf or performing services for us;

 

   

in the case of an independent director, the liability or loss was not the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the independent director;

 

   

in the case of a non-independent director, KBS Capital Advisors or one of its affiliates, the liability or loss was not the result of negligence or misconduct by the party seeking exculpation or indemnification; and

 

   

the indemnification is recoverable only out of our net assets and not from the common stockholders.

The SEC takes the position that indemnification against liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 is against public policy and unenforceable. Furthermore, our charter prohibits the indemnification of our directors, KBS Capital Advisors, its affiliates or any person acting as a broker-dealer for liabilities arising from or out of a violation of state or federal securities laws, unless one or more of the following conditions are met:

 

   

there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations;

 

   

such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction; or

 

   

a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against the indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the SEC and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which the securities were offered as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

Our charter further provides that the advancement of funds to our directors and to KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates for reasonable legal expenses and other costs incurred in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding for which indemnification is being sought is permissible only if all of the following conditions are satisfied: the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on our behalf; the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a common stockholder or, if by a common stockholder acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement; and the person seeking the advancement undertakes to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by us, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.

We will also purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of all of our directors and executive officers against liability asserted against or incurred by them in their official capacities with us, whether or not we are required or have the power to indemnify them against the same liability.

 

51


Table of Contents

The Advisor

Our advisor is KBS Capital Advisors. KBS Capital Advisors is a limited liability company that was formed in the State of Delaware on October 18, 2004. Our advisor has a limited operating history. As our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors has contractual and fiduciary responsibilities to us and our stockholders.

Peter M. Bren and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. indirectly own a controlling interest in and are the managers of KBS Capital Advisors. Peter McMillan III and Keith D. Hall also indirectly own an ownership interest in KBS Capital Advisors. Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber all actively participate in the management and operations of the advisor. For more information regarding the background and experience of Messrs. Hall and McMillan, see “Management – Executive Officers and Directors” and “– Other Affiliates – Our Sponsors.”

Below is a brief description of the background and experience of the key real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Capital Advisors, other than Messrs. Hall and McMillan, who are the members of the investment committee formed by KBS Capital Advisors to evaluate and authorize new investment opportunities for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT.

Peter M. Bren , 75, is the President of our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors, and President of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. Mr. Bren has served as President of these entities since their formations in 2004, 2005 and 2007, respectively. Other than de minimis amounts owned by family members or family trusts, Mr. Bren also indirectly owns and controls a 33 1/3% interest in KBS Holdings LLC, which entity is the sole owner of our advisor and the dealer manager of this offering.

Mr. Bren is also a principal of KBS Realty Advisors, LLC and Koll Bren Schreiber Realty Advisors, Inc., each an active and nationally recognized real estate investment adviser. These entities were first registered as investment advisers with the SEC in 2002 and 1999, respectively. The first investment adviser affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber was formed in 1992. KBS Realty Advisors, together with KBS affiliates, including KBS Capital Advisors, has been involved in the investment in or management of over $10.0 billion of real estate investments on behalf of institutional investors, including public and private pension plans, endowments and foundations, and the investors in KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. These investments have included investment in and/ or management of real estate-related debt investments such as mortgage loans and CMBS.

Mr. Bren has been involved in real estate development, management, acquisition, disposition and financing for 40 years and with the acquisition, origination, management, disposition and financing of real estate-related debt investments for more than 16 years as the President of The Bren Company; a former Senior Partner of Lincoln Property Company; President of Lincoln Property Company, Europe; and Chairman of the Board and President of KBS Realty Advisors and KBS Capital Advisors. Mr. Bren is also a founding member of The Richard S. Ziman Center for Real Estate at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. , 57, is the Chief Executive Officer of our advisor and the Chief Executive Officer and chairman of the board of directors of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. Mr. Schreiber has served in these positions since the formation of these entities in 2004, 2005 and 2007, respectively. Other than de minimis amounts owned by family members or family trusts, Mr. Schreiber indirectly owns and controls a 33 1/3% interest in KBS Holdings LLC, which entity is the sole owner of our advisor and the dealer manager of this offering.

Mr. Schreiber is also a principal of KBS Realty Advisors, LLC and Koll Bren Schreiber Realty Advisors, Inc., each an active and nationally recognized real estate investment adviser. These entities were first registered as investment advisers with the SEC in 2002 and 1999, respectively. The first investment adviser affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber was formed in 1992. KBS Realty Advisors, together with KBS affiliates, including KBS Capital Advisors, has been involved in the investment in or management of over $10.0 billion of real estate investments on behalf of institutional investors and the investors in KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. These investments have included investment in and/ or management of real estate-related debt investments such as mortgage loans and CMBS.

Mr. Schreiber has been involved in real estate development, management, acquisition, disposition and financing for more than 35 years and with the acquisition, origination, management, disposition and financing of real estate-related debt investments for more than 16 years. Prior to teaming with Mr. Bren in 1992, he served as the Executive Vice President of Koll Investment Management Services and Executive Vice President of Acquisitions/Dispositions for The Koll Company. During the mid-1970s through the 1980s, he was Founder and President of Pacific Development Company and was previously Senior Vice President/Southern California Regional Manager of Ashwill-Burke Commercial Brokerage.

 

52


Table of Contents

Mr. Schreiber graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance with an emphasis in Real Estate. During his four years at USC, he did graduate work in the then newly-formed Real Estate Department in the USC Graduate School of Business. He is currently an Executive Board Member for the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business/School of Policy, Planning and Development.

Geoffrey Hawkins , 45, has served as Vice President of KBS Capital Advisors since he joined KBS Capital Advisors in 2006. As Vice President, Mr. Hawkins oversees acquisition, asset management and disposition activities with respect to commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) and collateralized debt obligations (CDOs). Mr. Hawkins is also a member of the investment committee formed by KBS Capital Advisors to evaluate and authorize new investment opportunities for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT. From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Hawkins was an Executive Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for Forum Partners, an international commercial real estate private equity group with $1.5 billion in assets as of 2006. At Forum, Mr. Hawkins managed real estate-related investments in the United States, Europe and Asia. He was in charge of the fixed income group, which invested in MBS, ABS, CMBS and whole loans for its family of funds, which included a mutual fund, an ETF, and several different opportunity funds. From 1992 to 2002, Mr. Hawkins was a Portfolio Manager at the Capital Group Companies. At Capital Group, he was in charge of managing fixed income portfolios in excess of $2 billion, with assets in the structured finance (MBS, ABS, CMBS and CDOs), REIT and specialty finance company sectors in the United States, Europe, Latin American and Asia. Mr. Hawkins also managed bond portfolios for subsidiaries of the Capital Group, which included the American Funds, Capital Guardian & Trust Company, and Capital International. From 1991 to 1992, Mr. Hawkins worked for FHLMC (Freddie Mac) as a Senior Financial Analyst in the Structured Finance Group. His responsibilities included the structuring and modeling of collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs). From 1988 to 1991, Mr. Hawkins worked as an accountant and then the controller of Highland Management and Development Company, a regional commercial real estate company. Mr. Hawkins has over 20 years experience investing in the global commercial real estate and structured finance markets, with 18 years of experience specifically related to real estate-related debt investments. Mr. Hawkins holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Iowa and a MBA from DePaul University.

Brian Ragsdale , 48, has served as Executive Vice President, Head of Credit for KBS Capital Advisors since he joined KBS Capital Advisors in 2007. As Executive Vice President, Head of Credit, Brian Ragsdale oversees underwriting, origination, acquisition, asset management and disposition activities with respect to loan investments. Mr. Ragsdale is also a member of the investment committee formed by KBS Capital Advisors to evaluate and authorize new investment opportunities for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT. From 2002 to 2007, Mr. Ragsdale was Vice President, Mortgage Lending and Real Estate at AIG Global Investment Corp. where he was responsible for the supervision of refinance transactions in AIG’s real estate-related loan portfolio consisting of approximately 1500 loans valued at approximately $13 billion. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Ragsdale was Senior Vice President, Client Portfolio Management for Trammell Crow Company, where he was responsible for the development, brokerage and management of portfolios of commercial real estate consisting of approximately 26 locations and totaling more than 7.2 million square feet of office and industrial space. From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Ragsdale was Vice President, Asset and Portfolio Management for PM Realty Advisors where he oversaw a 30-asset, $450 million commercial real estate portfolio owned by a state employee retirement fund. From 1989 to 1999, Mr. Ragsdale worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. At MetLife, Mr. Ragsdale analyzed and negotiated real estate-related debt and equity investment opportunities as an Investment Analyst and then subsequently managed and supervised such investment opportunities as an Investment Manager. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Ragsdale served as a Senior Committee member of the investment committee responsible for the review and approval of all transactions associated with MetLife’s $20 billion debt and equity real estate portfolio. Mr. Ragsdale has over 18 years experience identifying, supervising and managing real estate-related investment opportunities, with nine years of experience specifically related to real estate-related debt investments. Mr. Ragsdale graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS degree and later received his MBA from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is also the recipient of a Costa School of Real Estate Certificate, Southern Methodist University.

The Advisory Agr eement

Under the terms of the advisory agreement, KBS Capital Advisors will use its best efforts to present to us investment opportunities that provide a continuing and suitable investment program for us consistent with our investment policies and objectives as adopted by our board of directors. Pursuant to the advisory agreement, KBS Capital Advisors will manage our day-to-day operations, retain the loan servicers for our loan investments (subject to the authority of our board of directors and officers) and perform other duties, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

finding, presenting and recommending investment opportunities to us consistent with our investment policies and objectives;

 

53


Table of Contents
   

making investment decisions for us, subject to the limitations in our charter and the direction and oversight of our board of directors;

 

   

structuring the terms and conditions of our investments, sales and joint ventures;

 

   

acquiring investments on our behalf in compliance with our investment objectives and policies;

 

   

sourcing and structuring our loan originations;

 

   

arranging for financing and refinancing of investments;

 

   

entering into service contracts for our loans;

 

   

supervising and evaluating each loan servicer’s and property manager’s performance;

 

   

reviewing and analyzing the operating and capital budgets of properties underlying our investments and properties we may acquire;

 

   

entering into leases and service contracts for our real properties;

 

   

assisting us in obtaining insurance;

 

   

generating an annual budget for us;

 

   

reviewing and analyzing financial information for each of our assets and the overall portfolio;

 

   

formulating and overseeing the implementation of strategies for the administration, promotion, management, financing and refinancing, marketing, servicing and disposition of our investments;

 

   

performing investor-relations services;

 

   

maintaining our accounting and other records and assisting us in filing all reports required to be filed with the SEC, the IRS and other regulatory agencies;

 

   

engaging and supervising the performance of our agents, including our registrar and transfer agent; and

 

   

performing any other services reasonably requested by us.

See “Management Compensation” for a detailed discussion of the fees payable to KBS Capital Advisors under the advisory agreement. We also describe in that section our obligation to reimburse KBS Capital Advisors for organization and offering expenses, the costs of providing services to us (other than for services for which it earns acquisition and origination fees or disposition fees for sales of investments) and payments made by KBS Capital Advisors for amounts it pays in connection with the selection, acquisition or origination of an investment, whether or not we ultimately acquire or originate the investment.

The advisory agreement has a one-year term but may be renewed for an unlimited number of successive one-year periods upon the mutual consent of KBS Capital Advisors and us. Additionally, either party may terminate the advisory agreement without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice and, in such event, KBS Capital Advisors must cooperate with us and our directors in making an orderly transition of the advisory function. Upon termination of the advisory agreement, KBS Capital Advisors may be entitled to a termination fee if (based upon an independent appraised value of the portfolio) KBS Capital Advisors would have been entitled to a subordinated participation in net cash flows had the portfolio been liquidated on the termination date. The termination fee would be payable in the form of a promissory note that becomes due only upon the sale of one or more assets or upon maturity or payoff of our debt investments. The fee is payable solely from the proceeds from the sale, maturity or payoff of an asset and future asset sales, maturities or payoffs, and all of such proceeds must be used to repay the promissory note until it is fully repaid. The amount of the termination fee would be 15% of the amount by which (i) the hypothetical liquidation proceeds exceed (ii) the amount necessary to provide investors with a return of their net capital contributions and a 7.0% per year cumulative, noncompounded return through the termination date; however, the agreement does not require that the investors actually have received such return prior to issuance of the promissory note or payments under it. The amount due under the promissory note would not be adjusted upwards or downwards to reflect any difference in the appraised value of our portfolio at termination and the amount ultimately realized by us. For more information regarding the terms of the advisory agreement, see “Management Compensation.”

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates expect to engage in other business ventures, and, as a result, they will not dedicate their resources exclusively to our business. However, pursuant to the advisory agreement, KBS Capital Advisors must devote sufficient resources to our business to discharge its obligations to us. KBS Capital Advisors may assign the advisory agreement to an affiliate upon our approval. We may assign or transfer the advisory agreement to a successor entity.

 

54


Table of Contents

Initial Investment by Our Advisor

Our sponsors have invested $200,000 in us through the purchase of 20,000 shares of our common stock at $10 per share. KBS Capital Advisors is the owner of these 20,000 shares. As of the date of this prospectus, this constitutes 100% of our issued and outstanding stock. KBS Capital Advisors may not sell any of these shares during the period it serves as our advisor. Although nothing prohibits KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates from acquiring additional shares of our common stock, KBS Capital Advisors currently has no options or warrants to acquire any shares. KBS Capital Advisors has agreed to abstain from voting any shares it acquires in any vote for the election of directors or any vote regarding the approval or termination of any contract with KBS Capital Advisors or any of its affiliates. KBS Capital Advisors is indirectly owned and controlled by Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., who are our sponsors.

In the event the advisory agreement is terminated, the shares owned by KBS Capital Advisors would not be automatically redeemed. KBS Capital Advisors would, however, be able to participate in the share redemption program, subject to all of the restrictions of the share redemption program applicable to all other common stockholders.

Other Affiliates

Our Sponsors

Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. control and indirectly own our advisor and the dealer manager of this offering. We refer to these individuals as our “sponsors.” Messrs. Bren and Schreiber are the managers of our advisor, although all four of our sponsors actively participate in the management and operations of our advisor. Our sponsors each have over 16 years of experience investing in real estate-related debt investments.

In 2004, Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber founded KBS Capital Advisors, our advisor. Our sponsors work together at KBS Capital Advisors with their team of real estate and debt finance professionals. These senior real estate and debt finance professionals have been through multiple financial cycles in their careers and have the expertise gained through hands-on experience in acquisitions, originations, loan workouts, asset management, dispositions, development, leasing and property and portfolio management. In particular, Geoffrey Hawkins has over 20 years of experience investing in real estate-related investments, with 18 years of experience specifically related to real estate-related debt investments, and Brian Ragsdale has over 18 years of experience investing in real estate-related investments, with nine years of experience specifically related to real estate-related debt investments. Together with our four sponsors, Messrs. Hawkins and Ragsdale comprise the investment committee of KBS Capital Advisors that is responsible for our investment decisions. Subject to the limitations in our charter and the oversight of our board of directors, the investment committee of KBS Capital Advisors evaluates and approves our investments and financings.

The business strategy of our sponsors is threefold: first, identify attractive investment opportunities that meet the investment objectives of their clients; second, aggressively manage each asset acquired; third, execute a well-defined exit strategy for each investment made.

We believe the experience and disciplined investment approach of our sponsors and the team of real estate and debt finance professionals they have assembled will allow us to successfully execute our business model. On January 27, 2006, our four sponsors launched the initial public offering of KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., which we refer to as KBS REIT I in this prospectus. As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT I had accepted aggregate gross offering proceeds of approximately $1.7 billion, including $53.8 million pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan. Of the amount raised pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, as of September 30, 2008, $6.6 million has been used to fund share redemptions pursuant to its share redemption program. KBS REIT I ceased offering shares in its primary initial public offering on May 30, 2008. On April 22, 2008, our four sponsors launched the initial public offering of KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc., which we refer to as KBS REIT II in this prospectus. As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT II had accepted aggregate gross offering proceeds of approximately $155.9 million, including $0.2 million issued pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan. Of the amount raised pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, as of September 30, 2008, none had been used to fund share redemptions pursuant to its share redemption program as no shares were yet eligible for redemption under the program. KBS REIT II’s offering is expected to last until April 22, 2010, but KBS REIT II may extend its offering beyond that date. Our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors, is the external advisor of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, and our sponsors are directors and/or executive officers of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. Through their affiliations with KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II and KBS Capital Advisors, as of September 30, 2008, our sponsors have overseen the investment in and management of over $3.1 billion of real estate and real estate-related investments on behalf of the investors in KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, including $1.1 billion of real estate-related debt investments.

 

55


Table of Contents

Since 1992, Messrs. Bren and Schreiber have teamed to invest in, manage and sell real estate and real estate-related investments on behalf of institutional investors. Together, Messrs. Bren and Schreiber founded KBS Realty Advisors, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a nationally recognized real estate investment adviser. When we refer to a “KBS-sponsored” fund or program, we are referring to the private entities sponsored by an investment adviser affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber and KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, the public, non-traded REITs that are currently being sponsored by Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber. When we refer to a “KBS-advised” investor, we are referring to institutional investors that have engaged an investment adviser affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber to provide real estate-related investment advice.

Messrs. Bren and Schreiber each have been involved in real estate development, management, acquisition, disposition and financing for more than 30 years, and with the acquisition, origination, management, disposition and financing of real estate-related debt investments for more than 16 years. Since 1992, the experience of the investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber includes (as of September 30, 2008):

 

   

Sponsoring 14 private real estate funds that have invested over $3.1 billion (including equity, debt and investment of income and sales proceeds) in 286 real estate assets;

 

   

Through these 14 private real estate funds, raising over $2.0 billion of equity from 38 institutional investors;

 

   

Selling 245 of the 286 real estate assets acquired by these 14 private real estate funds; and

 

   

Through five of these private funds, acquiring and originating mortgage loans, investing in mortgage-backed securities, and managing and disposing of such investments.

Below is a list of some of the largest investors in the 14 private real estate funds. All are among the 20 largest investors (based on dollar amount invested) in these funds.

 

   BASF Corporation Pension Master Trust

  

   International Bank for Reconstruction & Development - Staff Retirement Plan

  

   State of Wisconsin Investment Board

   Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association National Retirement Trust

  

   International Monetary Fund Staff Retirement Plan

  

   The Rockefeller Foundation

   Deseret Mutual Employee Pension Plan Trust

  

   Kodak Retirement Income Plan

  

   U.S. Steel Retirement Plan Trust

   DRM Associates

  

   Omaha School Employees’ Retirement System

  

   UMWA Health & Retirement Funds 1974 Pension Trust

   Howard Hughes Medical Institute

  

   Pew Memorial Trust

  

   Virginia Retirement System

   IBM Retirement Trust

  

   Public Employees’ Retirement Association of Colorado

  

   Illinois State Board of Investment

  

   School Employees’ Retirement Board of Ohio

  

In addition to their experience with the 14 funds described above, investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber have also been engaged by four institutional investors to recommend real estate acquisitions and manage some of their investments. The two largest of these investors (based on dollar amount invested) are the State Treasurer of the State of Michigan and the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois. The investment proceeds of these investors were not commingled. The investments were made pursuant to management agreements or partnership agreements that permitted the institutional investors to reject acquisitions recommended by the investment adviser. Because the investors were not as passive as those in the 14 funds described above or as those who invest in this offering, we have not described the performance of the real estate assets acquired or

managed for these investors. The amounts paid for the assets acquired and/or managed pursuant to these arrangements and for subsequent capital expenditures totaled over $3.8 billion. The investments of one of these four institutional investors included the acquisition of $236 million in mortgage loans. On behalf of these four institutional investors, investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber have sold 186 real estate assets.

 

56


Table of Contents

You should note that we believe that the institutional investors named above and that invested in private KBS-sponsored funds or that have been advised by KBS affiliates are more likely to invest in offerings that can be conducted with lower offering expenses than those found in a public offering, such as this one, in which the securities are sold by participating broker-dealers on a best-efforts basis. If institutional investors do participate in this offering, they would likely invest in amounts entitling them to volume discounts such that their returns, if any, would likely be greater than those who purchase shares in this offering at $10 per share.

None of the institutional investors named above have endorsed this offering. By including their names, we do not suggest that any of these investors approved of the services provided by any affiliate of our advisor. We included their names only for purposes of your evaluation of the experience and reputation of our sponsors and their team of real estate and debt finance professionals.

With respect to the experience of Messrs. McMillan and Hall, each has over 25 years of experience in real estate-related debt investments. Prior to founding KBS Capital Advisors with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber in 2004, Messrs. McMillan and Hall founded Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC, an asset-management company. Prior to forming Willowbrook in 2000, Mr. McMillan served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of SunAmerica Investments, Inc., which was later acquired by AIG. As Chief Investment Officer, he was responsible for over $75 billion in assets, including residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, public and private investment grade and non-investment grade corporate bonds and commercial mortgage loans and real estate investments.

Prior to forming Willowbrook, Mr. Hall was a Managing Director at CS First Boston, where he managed CSFB’s distribution strategy and business development for the Principal Transaction Group’s $18 billion real estate securities portfolio. Before joining CSFB in 1996, he served as a Director in the Real Estate Products Group at Nomura Securities, with responsibility for the company’s $6 billion annual pipeline of fixed-income securities. Mr. Hall spent the 1980s as a Senior Vice President in the High Yield Department of Drexel Burnham Lambert’s Beverly Hills office, where he was responsible for distribution of the group’s high-yield real estate securities.

Dealer Manager

We have retained KBS Capital Markets Group, an affiliate of our advisor, to conduct this offering. KBS Capital Markets Group has a limited operating history. KBS Capital Markets Group will provide wholesaling, sales, promotional and marketing assistance services to us in connection with the distribution of the shares offered pursuant to this prospectus. It may also sell shares at the retail level. The principal business of KBS Capital Markets Group will be participating in and facilitating the distribution of securities of KBS-sponsored programs. KBS Capital Markets Group served as dealer manager for KBS REIT I’s initial public offering and continues to serve as the dealer manager for KBS REIT I’s offering under its dividend reinvestment plan. KBS Capital Markets Group also currently serves as dealer manager for KBS REIT II’s initial public offering.

Our sponsors, Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., indirectly own a controlling interest in KBS Capital Markets Group.

Below is a brief description of the background and experience of the executive officers of KBS Capital Markets Group.

Greg P. Brakovich was appointed Chief Executive Officer of KBS Capital Markets Group on March 8, 2006. Mr. Brakovich formed the dealer manager in 2004 and served as the sole manager until the dealer manager was acquired by the sponsors in October 2005. He has been an officer of this entity since its formation. He has been a leader in the distribution of financial service products for over 27 years and has helped build a number of the most successful distribution franchises in the marketplace today. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Brakovich served as Co-CEO of MetLife Investors Group where he headed an effort to create a brand presence for the MetLife enterprise that could be promoted in the broker-dealer community. He also served successfully as Co-CEO of Equitable Distributors, a subsidiary of the AXA Group, from 1996 to 2000. While working at Fidelity Investments and Bankers Trust Co. of New York between 1990 and 1996, Mr. Brakovich was responsible for developing load distribution strategies for each of those firm’s mutual fund product areas that were built for the financial intermediary marketplace.

 

57


Table of Contents

Mark Brandenberger was appointed Chief Financial Officer of KBS Capital Markets Group on October 1, 2005. As Chief Financial Officer, he is responsible for the financial operations and strategic planning of the company. From February 2004 to August 2005, Mr. Brandenberger was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Retirement Capital Group, Inc., a consulting company that provides nonqualified executive benefit services to large public and private organizations. From February 2003 to June 2003, Mr. Brandenberger served as President of Duvera, a finance company specializing in providing capital to small and mid-size companies. From June 2000 to June 2002, Mr. Brandenberger served as Executive Vice President of MetLife Investors Group where he was responsible for strategic planning and financial operations of the MetLife Investors franchise. Prior to joining MetLife Investors Group, Mr. Brandenberger was Vice President of Strategic Planning with Equitable Distributors, Inc. from October 1996 to June 2000 where he was responsible for setting strategic direction for new distribution channels and oversight of financial operations. Mr. Brandenberger is a CPA (inactive California) and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Kenneth Jaffe was appointed Chief Operating Officer of KBS Capital Markets Group on March 8, 2006 and was employed by KBS Capital Markets Group commencing February 1, 2006. From February 2003 to August 2005, Mr. Jaffe was President of Jaffe Technologies, Inc., a consulting firm providing custom technology solutions to the financial services industry. Prior to that, from July 2000 to January 2003, Mr. Jaffe was the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of MetLife Investors, Inc., where Mr. Jaffe’s responsibilities included e-commerce initiatives for the distribution of financial services products, process re-engineering for telemarketing and customer service functions, CRM application development and the data warehousing of all proprietary information. Mr. Jaffe was the Chief Information Officer at Equitable Distributors, Inc. from 1996 to July 2000 where he was responsible for developing an IT infrastructure and staff for a newly formed business unit of AXA/Equitable. Prior to joining Equitable Distributors, Inc., Mr. Jaffe was Product Manager and Director of Management Information Systems for PIMCO Advisors. Mr. Jaffe graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Psychology modified with Computer Science.

Patrick J. Miller was appointed President of KBS Capital Markets Group on March 8, 2006 and was employed by KBS Capital Markets Group commencing February 1, 2006. Mr. Miller is responsible for the development and management of various aspects of the business including marketing and new business development. Prior to joining KBS Capital Markets Group, Mr. Miller was a Senior Vice President at Thomson NETg, a leading provider of continuing corporate education and training that serves over 5,000 customers and millions of users worldwide. Thomson NETg is part of The Thomson Corporation (TSX:TOC; NYSE:TOC), a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to higher education, corporate, government and professional customers. From December 2001 until March 2004, Mr. Miller was President and Chief Executive Officer of FinancialCampus, an online education company providing training and development services to over 150 financial services organizations. FinancialCampus was acquired by Thomson NETg in March 2004. From February 2000 to August 2001, Mr. Miller served as Chief Executive Officer of Equitable Distributors, Inc., the wholesale distribution subsidiary of AXA Financial, where he had overall management responsibility for the distribution of a broad range of investment products and services. Prior to that, Mr. Miller worked at Fidelity Investments where he developed a proprietary annuity business for distribution throughout the broker/dealer community. Mr. Miller graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a degree in Psychology.

Management Decisions

The primary responsibility for the management decisions of our advisor and its affiliates reside with Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. and the primary responsibility for the selection of investments, the negotiation for these investments and asset-management decisions will reside in the investment committee of our advisor. KBS Capital Advisors also has the authority to make all of the decisions regarding our investments, subject to the limitations in our charter and the direction and oversight of our board of directors.

MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION

Although we have executive officers who will manage our operations, we have no paid employees. Our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors, and the real estate and debt finance professionals at the advisor will manage our day-to-day affairs and our portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments, subject to the board’s supervision. The following table summarizes all of the compensation and fees that we will pay to KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including amounts to reimburse their costs in providing services, and amounts that we will pay to our independent directors. Selling commissions and dealer manager fees may vary for different categories of purchasers as described under “Plan of Distribution.” This table assumes that we sell all shares at the highest possible selling commissions and dealer manager fees (with no discounts to any categories of purchasers) and assumes a $9.50 price for each share sold through our dividend reinvestment plan. No selling commissions or dealer manager fees are payable on shares sold through our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

58


Table of Contents
Form of
Compensation and
Recipient
   Determination of Amount    Estimated Amount for
Minimum Offering/
Maximum
Offering (1)
     Organization and Offering Stage     
Selling Commissions – KBS Capital Markets Group (2)    Up to 6.0% of gross offering proceeds before reallowance of commissions earned by participating broker-dealers, except no selling commissions are payable on shares sold under the dividend reinvestment plan. KBS Capital Markets Group, our dealer manager, will reallow 100% of commissions earned to participating broker-dealers.    $150,000/$120,000,000
Dealer Manager Fee – KBS Capital Markets Group (2)    Up to 3.5% of gross offering proceeds, except no dealer manager fee is payable on shares sold under the dividend reinvestment plan. KBS Capital Markets Group may reallow to any participating broker-dealer up to 1.0% of the gross offering proceeds attributable to that participating broker-dealer as a marketing fee and in special cases the dealer manager may increase the reallowance. See “Plan of Distribution.”    $87,500/$70,000,000
Other Organization and Offering Expenses – KBS Capital Advisors and KBS Capital Markets Group (3)(4)(5)    To date, KBS Capital Advisors has paid organization and offering expenses on our behalf. We will reimburse KBS Capital Advisors for these costs and future organization and offering costs it may incur on our behalf but only to the extent that the reimbursement would not cause the selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and the other organization and offering expenses borne by us to exceed 15.0% of gross offering proceeds as of the date of the reimbursement. If we raise the maximum offering amount in the primary offering and under the dividend reinvestment plan, we expect organization and offering expenses (other than selling commissions and the dealer manager fee) to be $20,410,290 or 0.74% of gross offering proceeds. These organization and offering expenses include all expenses (other than selling commissions and the dealer manager fee) to be paid by us in connection with the offering, including our legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees, charges of our escrow holder and transfer agent, charges of our advisor for administrative services related to the issuance of shares in the offering, reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses of broker-dealers, reimbursement of our advisor for costs in connection with preparing supplemental sales materials, the cost of bona fide training and education meetings held by us (primarily the travel, meal and lodging costs of registered representatives of broker-dealers), attendance and sponsorship fees and travel, meal and lodging costs for registered persons associated with our dealer manager and officers and employees of our affiliates to attend retail seminars conducted by broker-dealers and, in special cases, reimbursement to participating broker-dealers for technology costs associated with the offering, costs and expenses related to such technology costs, and costs and expenses associated with the facilitation of the marketing of our shares and the ownership of our shares by such broker-dealers’ customers.    $137,500/$20,410,290

 

59


Table of Contents
Form of
Compensation and
Recipient
   Determination of Amount    Estimated Amount for
Minimum Offering/
Maximum
Offering (1)
     Acquisition and Development Stage     
Acquisition Fees – KBS Capital Advisors (4)(6)    1.0% of the cost of investments acquired by us, or the amount funded by us to acquire or originate loans, including acquisition and origination expenses and any debt attributable to such investments.    $21,040 (minimum offering and no debt)/ $17,728,859 (maximum offering and no debt)/ $25,326,941 (maximum offering assuming leverage of 30% of the cost of our investments)
   Operational Stage   
Asset Management Fee – KBS Capital Advisors (4)(7)    Monthly fee equal to one-twelfth of 0.75% of the sum of the cost of all investments made and of our investments in joint ventures, including acquisition fees and origination fees, acquisition and origination expenses and any debt attributable to such investments, less any principal repaid by borrowers on our debt investments (or our proportionate share thereof in the case of debt investments made through joint ventures).    The actual amounts are dependent upon the total equity and debt capital we raise and the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.
Other Operating Expenses – KBS Capital Advisors (7)    We will reimburse the expenses incurred by KBS Capital Advisors in connection with its provision of services to us, including our allocable share of the advisor’s overhead, such as rent, employee costs, utilities and IT costs. Though our advisor may seek reimbursement for employee costs under the advisory agreement, the advisor does not intend to do so at this time. If our advisor does decide to seek reimbursement for employee costs, such costs may include our proportionate share of the salaries of persons involved in the preparation of documents to meet SEC reporting requirements. We will not reimburse the advisor or its affiliates for employee costs in connection with services for which our advisor earns acquisition and origination fees or disposition fees or for the salaries and benefits our advisor or its affiliates may pay to our executive officers.    Actual amounts are dependent upon the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.
Independent Director Compensation    We will pay each of our independent directors an annual retainer of $40,000. We will also pay our independent directors for attending meetings as follows: (i) $2,500 for each board meeting attended, (ii) $2,500 for each committee meeting attended (except that the committee chairman will be paid $3,000 for each meeting attended), (iii) $2,000 for each teleconference board meeting attended, and (iv) $2,000 for each teleconference committee meeting attended (except that the committee chairman will be paid $3,000 for each teleconference committee meeting attended). All directors will receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the board of directors.    Actual amounts are dependent upon the total number of board and committee meetings that each independent director attends; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.
   Operational and Liquidation/Listing Stage   
Subordinated    After investors in our offering have received a return of their    Actual amounts are

 

60


Table of Contents
Form of
Compensation and
Recipient
   Determination of Amount    Estimated Amount for
Minimum Offering/
Maximum
Offering (1)

Participation in Net

Cash Flows – KBS

Capital Advisors (4)(8)

   net capital contributions and a 7.0% per year cumulative, noncompounded return, KBS Capital Advisors is entitled to receive 15.0% of our net cash flows, whether from continuing operations, net sale proceeds or otherwise. Net sales proceeds means the net cash proceeds realized by us after deduction of all expenses incurred in connection with a sale, including disposition fees paid to KBS Capital Advisors. The 7.0% per year cumulative, noncompounded return is calculated based on the amount of capital invested in the offering. In making this calculation, an investor’s net capital contribution is reduced to the extent distributions in excess of a cumulative, noncompounded, annual return of 7.0% are paid (from whatever source), except to the extent such distributions would be required to supplement prior distributions paid in order to achieve a cumulative, noncompounded, annual return of 7.0%. This fee is payable only if we are not listed on an exchange.    dependent upon the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.
   Liquidation/Listing Stage   
Disposition Fees – KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates (4)(9)    For substantial assistance in connection with the sale of investments, we will pay our advisor or its affiliates 1.0% of the contract sales price of each loan, debt-related security, real property or other investment sold (including mortgage-backed securities or collateralized debt obligations issued by a subsidiary of ours as part of a securitization transaction); provided, however, in no event may the disposition fees paid to our advisor, its affiliates and unaffiliated third parties exceed 6.0% of the contract sales price. The conflicts committee will determine whether the advisor or its affiliate has provided substantial assistance to us in connection with the sale of an asset. We will not pay a disposition fee upon the maturity, prepayment or workout of a loan or other debt-related investment, provided that if we take ownership of a property as a result of a workout or foreclosure of a loan, we will pay a disposition fee upon the sale of such property. We do not intend to sell assets to affiliates. However, if we do sell an asset to an affiliate, our organizational documents would not prohibit us from paying our advisor a disposition fee. Before we sold an asset to an affiliate, the charter would require that our conflicts committee conclude, by a majority vote, that the transaction is fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions no less favorable to us than those available from third parties.    Actual amounts are dependent upon the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.

 

61


Table of Contents
Form of
Compensation and
Recipient
   Determination of Amount    Estimated Amount for
Minimum Offering/
Maximum
Offering (1)
Subordinated Incentive Listing Fee – KBS Capital Advisors (4)(8)(10)    Upon listing our common stock on a national securities exchange, a fee equal to 15.0% of the amount by which (i) the market value of our outstanding stock plus distributions paid by us prior to listing exceeds (ii) the sum of the total amount of capital raised from investors and the amount of cash flow necessary to generate a 7.0% per year cumulative, noncompounded return to investors.    Actual amounts are dependent upon the results of our operations; we cannot determine these amounts at the present time.

 

(1)

The estimated minimum dollar amounts are based on the sale of the minimum of 250,000 shares to the public. The estimated maximum dollar amounts are based on the sale of the maximum of 200,000,000 shares to the public in the primary offering, and with respect to other organization and offering expenses are based on the sale of the maximum of 200,000,000 shares to the public in the primary offering and the sale of 80,000,000 shares in the offering under the dividend reinvestment plan. In addition, the estimated minimum and maximum dollar amounts are based on the current compensation structure under the advisory agreement. Compensation to be paid to KBS Capital Advisors may be increased subject to approval by our conflicts committee and the other limitations in our charter.

 

(2)

All or a portion of the selling commissions will not be charged with regard to shares sold to certain categories of purchasers. A reduced dealer manager fee is payable with respect to certain volume discount sales. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

(3)

After raising at least $2,500,000 in gross offering proceeds from persons who are not affiliated with us or KBS Capital Advisors, we expect to begin incurring some organization and offering expenses directly. After the termination of the primary offering, KBS Capital Advisors has agreed to reimburse us to the extent total organization and offering expenses borne by us exceed 15% of the gross proceeds raised in the primary offering. KBS Capital Advisors will do the same after termination of the offering pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

(4)

Our advisor in its sole discretion may defer any fee payable to it under the advisory agreement. These fees may consist of charges for administrative services related to the issuance of shares in the offering, acquisition and origination fees, asset management fees, disposition fees, the subordinated participation in net cash flows and the subordinated incentive listing fee. All or any portion of such fees not taken may be deferred without interest and paid when the advisor determines.

 

(5)

Some of the amounts described under “Other Organization and Offering Expenses” will be considered underwriting compensation under the rules of FINRA in connection with this offering. These amounts include (i) the attendance and sponsorship fees payable to participating broker-dealers hosting a retail seminar, (ii) the travel, meal and lodging costs of registered persons associated with our dealer manager to attend retail seminars, and (iii) the travel, meal and lodging costs of registered persons associated with our dealer manager and registered representatives of the participating broker-dealers to attend bona fide training and education meetings held by us. See “Plan of Distribution” for a discussion of underwriting compensation to be paid in connection with this offering.

 

(6)

Because the acquisition and origination fee we pay our advisor is a percentage of the purchase price of an investment or the amount funded by us to acquire or originate a loan, this fee will be greater to the extent we fund acquisitions and originations through (i) the incurrence of debt (which we expect to represent 30% or less of the purchase price of our investments if we sell the maximum number of shares offered hereby), (ii) retained cash flow from operations, (iii) issuances of equity in exchange for assets and (iv) proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

  In addition to the acquisition and origination fee, we will reimburse KBS Capital Advisors for amounts it pays in connection with the selection, acquisition or origination of an investment, whether or not we ultimately acquire or originate the investment. Under our charter, a majority of the independent directors would have to approve any increase in the acquisition and origination fee payable to our advisor. Our charter also limits our ability to make an investment if the total of all acquisition and origination fees and expenses relating to the investment exceeds 6% of the contract purchase price or 6% of the total funds advanced. This limit may only be exceeded if the conflicts committee approves (by majority vote) the fees and expenses and finds the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to us.

 

(7)

Commencing on the earlier of four fiscal quarters after (i) we make our first investment or (ii) six months after commencement of this offering, KBS Capital Advisors must reimburse us the amount by which our aggregate total operating expenses for the four fiscal quarters then ended exceed the greater of 2% of our average invested assets or 25% of our net income, unless the conflicts committee has determined that such excess expenses were justified based on unusual and non-recurring factors. “Average invested assets” means the average monthly book value of our assets during the 12-month period before deducting depreciation, bad debts or other non-cash reserves. “Total operating expenses” means all expenses paid or incurred by us, as determined under GAAP, that are in any way related to our operation, including advisory fees, but excluding (a) the expenses of raising capital such as organization and offering expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration and other fees, printing and other such expenses and taxes incurred

 

62


Table of Contents
 

in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and stock exchange listing of our stock; (b) interest payments; (c) taxes; (d) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves; (e) reasonable incentive fees based on the gain in the sale of our assets; and (f) acquisition and origination fees, acquisition and origination expenses (including expenses relating to potential investments that we do not close), disposition fees on the sale of real property and other expenses connected with the acquisition, origination, disposition and ownership of real estate interests, loans or other property (other than disposition fees on the sale of assets other than real property), such as the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair and improvement of property.

 

(8)

Our charter requires that any gain from the sale of assets that we may pay KBS Capital Advisors be reasonable. Under our charter, an interest in gain from the sale of assets is “presumptively reasonable” if it does not exceed 15% of the balance of net sale proceeds remaining after investors have received a return of their net capital contributions and a 6% per year cumulative, noncompounded return. Under our advisory agreement, an incentive fee may be paid only if the stockholders first enjoy a 7% per year cumulative, noncompounded return. Any lowering of the threshold set forth in the advisory agreement would require the approval of a majority of the members of the conflicts committee. The subordinated incentive fee payable under the advisory agreement is a subordinated participation in net cash flows, whether from continuing operations, net sale proceeds or otherwise; however, to the extent that this incentive fee is derived from cash flows other than net sales proceeds, the incentive fee will count against the limit on “total operating expenses” described in note 7 above.

Upon termination of the advisory agreement, KBS Capital Advisors may be entitled to a similar fee if KBS Capital Advisors would have been entitled to a subordinated participation in net cash flows had the portfolio been liquidated (based on an independent appraised value of the portfolio) on the date of termination. The termination fee would be payable in the form of a promissory note that becomes due only upon the sale of one or more assets or upon maturity or payoff of our debt investments, and the fee is payable solely from the proceeds from the sale, maturity or payoff of an asset and future asset sales, maturities or payoffs. See “Management – The Advisory Agreement.”

KBS Capital Advisors cannot earn both the subordinated participation in net cash flows and the subordinated incentive listing fee. Any portion of the subordinated participation in net cash flows that KBS Capital Advisors receives prior to our listing will offset the amount otherwise due pursuant to the subordinated incentive listing fee.

 

(9)

Although we are most likely to pay disposition fees to KBS Capital Advisors or an affiliate in the event of our liquidation, these fees may also be incurred during our operational stage. Under our charter, a majority of the independent directors would have to approve any increase in the disposition fees payable to our advisor and its affiliates above 1% of the contract sales price. Our charter also limits the maximum amount of the disposition fees payable to the advisor and its affiliates to 3% of the contract sales price.

To the extent this disposition fee is paid upon the sale of any assets other than real property, it will count against the limit on “total operating expenses” described in note 7 above.

 

(10)

The market value of our outstanding stock will be calculated based on the average market value of the shares issued and outstanding at listing over the 30 trading days beginning 180 days after the shares are first listed on a stock exchange. In the event the subordinated incentive listing fee is earned by KBS Capital Advisors as a result of the listing of the shares, any previous payments of the subordinated participation in net cash flows will offset the amounts due pursuant to the subordinated incentive listing fee, and we will not be required to pay KBS Capital Advisors any further subordinated participation in net cash flows. The subordinated incentive listing fee will count against the limit on “total operating expenses” described in note 7 above.

Due to the public market’s preference for self-managed companies, a decision to list our shares on a national securities exchange might well be preceded by a decision to become self-managed. Given our advisor’s familiarity with our assets and operations, we might prefer to become self-managed by acquiring entities affiliated with our advisor. Such an internalization transaction could result in significant payments to affiliates of our advisor irrespective of whether you enjoyed the returns on which we have conditioned other incentive compensation. We cannot predict whether, and on what terms, an internalization transaction would occur in the future. If we internalize the advisor before listing the subordinated incentive listing fee would not be payable; however, when negotiating the purchase price of the advisor or an affiliate of the advisor pursuant to an internalization transaction, the amount of any forgone incentive fee would likely be a consideration. Our charter would require that the conflicts committee conclude, by a majority vote, that an internalization transaction is fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions no less favorable to us than those available from third parties.

 

63


Table of Contents

STOCK OWNERSHIP

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the date of this prospectus for each person or group that holds more than 5% of our common stock, for each director and executive officer and for our directors and executive officers as a group. To our knowledge, each person that beneficially owns our shares has sole voting and dispositive power with regard to such shares.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner (1)

   Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned  (2)
   Percent of
All Shares

KBS Capital Advisors LLC

   20,000        100.0%

Keith D. Hall, Chief Executive Officer and Director

   20,000        100.0   

Peter McMillan III, Chairman of the Board, President and Director

   20,000        100.0   

David E. Snyder, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

   -            -

Independent Director (3)

   -            -

Independent Director (3)

   -            -

Independent Director (3)

   -            -

All directors and executive officers as a group

   20,000        100.0%

 

 

(1)

The address of each beneficial owner listed is 620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300, Newport Beach, California 92660.

(2)

As of the date of this prospectus, KBS Capital Advisors owns all of our issued and outstanding stock. KBS Capital Advisors is indirectly owned and controlled by Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr.

(3)

To be named by amendment.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

We are subject to various conflicts of interest arising out of our relationship with our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors, and its affiliates, some of whom serve as our executive officers and directors. We discuss these conflicts below and conclude this section with a discussion of the corporate governance measures we have adopted to ameliorate some of the risks posed by these conflicts.

Our Affiliates’ Interests in Other KBS Real Estate Programs

General

Some of our executive officers and directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor are also officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in our advisor, our dealer manager and other KBS investment advisers that are the sponsors of other real estate programs as well as executive officers and directors of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, two other public, non-traded REITs advised by KBS Capital Advisors. Through affiliates of our advisor, key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor also serve as investment advisers to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets. These persons have legal and financial obligations with respect to those programs, entities and investors that are similar to their obligations to us. In the future, these persons and other affiliates of our advisor may organize other real estate- or debt-related programs, serve as the investment adviser to other investors and acquire for their own account real estate-related investments that may be suitable for us.

Since 1992, investment advisers affiliated with Peter M. Bren and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. have sponsored 14 privately offered real estate programs. Ten of these programs are still operating. Our sponsors, Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber, are also the sponsors of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. All of these programs have investment objectives that are similar to ours. Conflicts of interest may arise between us and the programs that have not yet been liquidated, between us and future programs and between us and the investors for which a KBS entity serves as an investment adviser.

 

64


Table of Contents

Allocation of Investment Opportunities

We rely on our sponsors, Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Chares J. Schreiber, Jr., and the real estate and debt finance professionals of our advisor to identify suitable investments. KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II are also advised by KBS Capital Advisors and rely on these same key real estate and debt finance professionals. Messrs. Bren and Schreiber and other real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Capital Advisors are also the key real estate and debt finance professionals of KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates, the advisors to the private KBS-sponsored programs and the investment advisers to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets. As such, KBS REIT II, the one private KBS-sponsored program that is raising funds for investment as of the date of this prospectus and the three KBS-advised institutional investors currently seeking investment opportunities all rely on the same real estate and debt finance professionals as will future programs. Many investment opportunities that are suitable for us may also be suitable for other KBS programs and investors. When these real estate and debt finance professionals direct an investment opportunity to any KBS-sponsored program or KBS-advised investor, they, in their sole discretion, will offer the opportunity to the program or investor for which the investment opportunity is most suitable based on the investment objectives, portfolio and criteria of each program or investor. As a result, these KBS real estate and debt finance professionals could direct attractive investment opportunities to other entities or investors. For so long as we are externally advised, our charter provides that it shall not be a proper purpose of the corporation for us to purchase any significant asset unless the advisor has recommended the investment to us. See “— Certain Conflict Resolution Measures.”

Allocation of Our Affiliates’ Time

We rely on KBS Capital Advisors and the key real estate and debt finance professionals our advisor has assembled, including Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber, for the day-to-day operation of our business. Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber are also executive officers of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, and Messrs. Bren and Schreiber are executive officers of KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates, the advisors of the other KBS-sponsored programs and the investment advisers to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets. As a result of their interests in other KBS programs, their obligations to other investors and the fact that they engage in and they will continue to engage in other business activities on behalf of themselves and others, Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber will face conflicts of interest in allocating their time among us, KBS Capital Advisors and other KBS-sponsored programs and other business activities in which they are involved. In addition, KBS Capital Advisors and KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates share many of the same key real estate and debt finance professionals. However, our sponsors believe that KBS Capital Advisors and KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates have sufficient real estate and debt finance professionals to fully discharge their responsibilities to the KBS programs and ventures in which they are involved.

Receipt of Fees and Other Compensation by KBS Capital Advisors and its Affiliates

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will receive substantial fees from us, which fees will not be negotiated at arm’s length. These fees could influence our advisor’s advice to us as well as the judgment of affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors, some of whom also serve as our executive officers and directors and the key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor. Among other matters, these compensation arrangements could affect their judgment with respect to:

 

   

the continuation, renewal or enforcement of our agreements with KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including the advisory agreement and the dealer-manager agreement;

 

   

public offerings of equity by us, which entitle KBS Capital Markets Group to dealer-manager fees and will likely entitle KBS Capital Advisors to increased acquisition and origination fees and asset-management fees;

 

   

sales of investments, which entitle KBS Capital Advisors to disposition fees and possible subordinated incentive fees;

 

   

acquisitions of investments and originations of loans, which entitle KBS Capital Advisors to acquisition and origination fees and asset-management fees and, in the case of acquisitions of investments from other KBS-sponsored programs, might entitle affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors to disposition fees and possible subordinated incentive fees in connection with its services for the seller;

 

   

borrowings to acquire investments and to originate loans, which borrowings will increase the acquisition and origination fees and asset-management fees payable to KBS Capital Advisors;

 

   

whether and when we seek to list our common stock on a national securities exchange, which listing could entitle KBS Capital Advisors to a subordinated incentive listing fee;

 

65


Table of Contents
   

whether we seek stockholder approval to internalize our management, which may entail acquiring assets (such as office space, furnishings and technology costs) and the key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor and its affiliates for consideration that would be negotiated at that time and may result in these individuals receiving more compensation from us than they receive from our advisor and its affiliates; and

 

   

whether and when we seek to sell the company or its assets, which sale could entitle KBS Capital Advisors to a subordinated incentive fee.

Fiduciary Duties Owed by Some of Our Affiliates to Our Advisor and Our Advisor’s Affiliates

Some of our executive officers and directors and the key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor are also officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in:

 

   

KBS Capital Advisors, our advisor;

 

   

KBS Capital Markets Group, our dealer manager; and

 

   

other KBS-sponsored programs (see the “Prior Performance Summary” section of this prospectus).

Through KBS-affiliated entities, these persons also serve as the investment advisers to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets. As a result, they owe fiduciary duties to each of these programs, their stockholders, members and limited partners and the institutional investors advised by KBS-affiliated entities. These fiduciary duties may from time to time conflict with the fiduciary duties that they owe to us.

Affiliated Dealer Manager

Since KBS Capital Markets Group, our dealer manager, is an affiliate of KBS Capital Advisors, you will not have the benefit of an independent due diligence review and investigation of the type normally performed by an independent underwriter in connection with the offering of securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Certain Conflict Resolution Measures

Conflicts Committee

In order to ameliorate the risks created by conflicts of interest, our charter creates a conflicts committee of our board of directors composed of all of our independent directors. An “independent director” is a person who is not one of our officers or employees or an officer or employee of KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates and has not been so for the previous two years. Serving as a director of, or having an ownership interest in, another KBS-sponsored program will not, by itself, preclude independent-director status. Our charter authorizes the conflicts committee to act on any matter permitted under Maryland law. Both the board of directors and the conflicts committee must act upon those conflict-of-interest matters that cannot be delegated to a committee under Maryland law. Our charter also empowers the conflicts committee to retain its own legal and financial advisors. Among the matters we expect the conflicts committee to act upon are:

 

   

the continuation, renewal or enforcement of our agreements with KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including the advisory agreement and the dealer-manager agreement;

 

   

public offerings of securities;

 

   

the provision of direction and oversight to our advisor in connection with its authority to make our decisions regarding investments;

 

   

transactions with affiliates;

 

   

compensation of our officers and directors who are affiliated with our advisor;

 

   

whether and when we seek to list our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange;

 

   

whether and when we seek to become self-managed, which decision could lead to our acquisition of entities affiliated with KBS Capital Advisors at a substantial price; and

 

   

whether and when we seek to sell the company or substantially all of its assets.

Other Charter Provisions Relating to Conflicts of Interest

In addition to the creation of the conflicts committee, our charter contains many other restrictions relating to conflicts of interest including the following:

 

66


Table of Contents

Advisor Compensation . The conflicts committee will evaluate at least annually whether the compensation that we contract to pay to KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and whether such compensation is within the limits prescribed by the charter. The conflicts committee will supervise the performance of KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates and the compensation we pay to them to determine whether the provisions of our compensation arrangements are being carried out. This evaluation will be based on the following factors as well as any other factors deemed relevant by the conflicts committee:

 

   

the amount of the fees and any other compensation, including stock-based compensation, paid to KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates in relation to the size, composition and performance of our investments;

 

   

whether the expenses incurred by us are reasonable in light of our investment performance, net assets, net income and the fees and expenses of other comparable unaffiliated REITs;

 

   

the success of KBS Capital Advisors in generating appropriate investment opportunities;

 

   

the rates charged to other companies, including other REITs, by advisors performing similar services;

 

   

additional revenues realized by KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates through their relationship with us, including whether we pay them or they are paid by others with whom we do business;

 

   

the quality and extent of service and advice furnished by KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates;

 

   

the performance of our investment portfolio; and

 

   

the quality of our portfolio relative to the investments generated by KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates for their own account and for their other clients.

Under our charter, we can only pay KBS Capital Advisors a disposition fee in connection with the sale of an asset if it provides a substantial amount of the services in the effort to sell the asset and the commission does not exceed 3% of the sales price of the asset. Although our charter limits this commission to 3% of the sales price, our advisory agreement provides for a 1% fee. Any increase in this fee would require the approval of a majority of the members of our conflicts committee. Moreover, our charter also provides that the commission, when added to all other disposition fees paid to unaffiliated parties in connection with the sale, may not exceed the lesser of a competitive real estate commission or 6% of the sales price of the asset. To the extent this disposition fee is paid upon the sale of any assets other than real property, it will count against the limit on “total operating expenses” described below. We do not intend to sell assets to affiliates. However, if we do sell an asset to an affiliate, our organizational documents would not prohibit us from paying our advisor a disposition fee. Before we sold an asset to an affiliate, our charter would require that the conflicts committee conclude, by a majority vote, that the transaction is fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions no less favorable to us than those available from third parties.

Our charter also requires that any gain from the sale of assets that we may pay our advisor or an entity affiliated with our advisor be reasonable. Such an interest in gain from the sale of assets is presumed reasonable if it does not exceed 15% of the balance of the net sale proceeds remaining after payment to common stockholders, in the aggregate, of an amount equal to 100% of the original issue price of the common stock, plus an amount equal to 6% of the original issue price of the common stock per year cumulative. Under our advisory agreement, an incentive fee may be paid only if the stockholders first enjoy a 7% per year cumulative, noncompounded return. Any lowering of the threshold set forth in the advisory agreement would require the approval of a majority of the members of the conflicts committee. The subordinated incentive fee payable under the advisory agreement is a subordinated participation in net cash flows, whether from continuing operations, net sale proceeds or otherwise; however, to the extent that this incentive fee is derived from cash flows other than net sales proceeds, the incentive fee will count against the limit on “total operating expenses” described below.

If we ever decided to become self-managed by acquiring entities affiliated with our advisor, our charter would require that the conflicts committee conclude, by a majority vote, that such internalization transaction is fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions no less favorable to us than those available from third parties.

Our charter also limits the amount of acquisition and origination fees and expenses we can incur to a total of 6% of the contract purchase price for the asset or, in the case of a loan we originate, 6% of the funds advanced. This limit may only be exceeded if the conflicts committee approves (by majority vote) the fees and expenses and finds the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to us. Although our charter permits combined acquisition and origination fees and expenses to equal 6% of the purchase price or funds advanced, our advisory agreement limits the acquisition and origination fee to 1.0% of the purchase price or funds advanced. Any increase in the acquisition and origination fee stipulated in the advisory agreement would require the approval of a majority of the members of the conflicts committee.

 

67


Table of Contents

Term of Advisory Agreement. Each contract for the services of our advisor may not exceed one year, although there is no limit on the number of times that we may retain a particular advisor. The conflicts committee or our advisor may terminate our advisory agreement with KBS Capital Advisors without cause or penalty on 60 days’ written notice. Upon termination of the advisory agreement, KBS Capital Advisors may be entitled to a termination fee if (based upon an independent appraised value of the portfolio) KBS Capital Advisors would have been entitled to a subordinated participation in net cash flows had the portfolio been liquidated on the termination date. The termination fee would be payable in the form of a promissory note that becomes due only upon the sale of one or more assets or upon maturity or payoff of our debt investments. The fee is payable solely from the proceeds from the sale, maturity or payoff of an asset and future asset sales, maturities or payoffs, and all of such proceeds must be used to repay the promissory note until it is fully repaid. The amount of the termination fee would be 15% of the amount by which (i) the hypothetical liquidation proceeds exceed (ii) the amount necessary to provide investors with a return of their net capital contributions and a 7.0% per year cumulative, noncompounded return through the termination date; however, the agreement does not require that the investors actually have received such return prior to issuance of the promissory note or payments under it. The amount due under the promissory note would not be adjusted upwards or downwards to reflect any difference in the appraised value of our portfolio at termination and the amount ultimately realized by us.

Our Acquisitions . We will not purchase or lease assets in which KBS Capital Advisors, any of our directors or officers or any of their affiliates has an interest without a determination by a majority of the conflicts committee that such transaction is fair and reasonable to us and at a price to us no greater than the cost of the asset to the affiliated seller or lessor, unless there is substantial justification for the excess amount. In no event may we acquire any such real property at an amount in excess of its current appraised value.

Our charter provides that the consideration we pay for real property will ordinarily be based on the fair market value of the property as determined by a majority of the members of the board of directors, or the approval of a majority of a committee of the board, provided that the members of the committee approving the transaction would also constitute a majority of the board. In cases in which a majority of our independent directors so determine, and in all cases in which real property is acquired from KBS Capital Advisors, any of our directors or officers or any of their affiliates, the fair market value shall be determined by an independent expert selected by our independent directors not otherwise interested in the transaction.

Mortgage Loans Involving Affiliates . Our charter prohibits us from investing in or making mortgage loans in which the transaction is with KBS Capital Advisors, our directors or officers or any of their affiliates, unless an independent expert appraises the underlying property. We must keep the appraisal for at least five years and make it available for inspection and duplication by any of our stockholders. In addition, a mortgagee’s or owner’s title insurance policy or commitment as to the priority of the mortgage or the condition of the title must be obtained. Our charter prohibits us from making or investing in any mortgage loans that are subordinate to any mortgage or equity interest of KBS Capital Advisors, our directors or officers or any of their affiliates.

Other Transactions Involving Affiliates . A majority of the conflicts committee must conclude that all other transactions between us and KBS Capital Advisors, any of our officers or directors or any of their affiliates, are fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions not less favorable to us than those available from unaffiliated third parties.

Limitation on Operating Expenses . Commencing on the earlier of four fiscal quarters after (i) we make our first investment or (ii) six months after commencement of this offering, KBS Capital Advisors must reimburse us the amount by which our aggregate total operating expenses for the four fiscal quarters then ended exceed the greater of 2% of our average invested assets or 25% of our net income, unless the conflicts committee has determined that such excess expenses were justified based on unusual and non-recurring factors. “Average invested assets” means the average monthly book value of our assets during the 12-month period before deducting depreciation, bad debts or other non-cash reserves. “Total operating expenses” means all expenses paid or incurred by us, as determined under GAAP, that are in any way related to our operation, including advisory fees, but excluding (a) the expenses of raising capital such as organization and offering expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration and other fees, printing and other such expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and stock exchange listing of our stock; (b) interest payments; (c) taxes; (d) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves; (e) reasonable incentive fees based on the gain from the sale of our assets; and (f) acquisition fees and origination fees, acquisition and origination expenses (including expenses relating to potential investments that we do not close), disposition fees on the sale of real property and other expenses connected with the acquisition, origination, disposition and ownership of real estate interests, loans or other property (other than disposition fees on the sale of assets other than real property), including the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair and improvement of property.

 

68


Table of Contents

Issuance of Options and Warrants to Certain Affiliates . Until our shares of common stock are listed on a national securities exchange, we will not issue options or warrants to purchase our common stock to KBS Capital Advisors, our directors, the sponsors or any of their affiliates, except on the same terms as such options or warrants are sold to the general public. We may issue options or warrants to persons other than KBS Capital Advisors, our directors, the sponsors and their affiliates prior to listing our common stock on a national securities exchange, but not at exercise prices less than the fair market value of the underlying securities on the date of grant and not for consideration (which may include services) that in the judgment of the conflicts committee has a market value less than the value of such option or warrant on the date of grant. Any options or warrants we issue to KBS Capital Advisors, our directors, the sponsors or any of their affiliates shall not exceed an amount equal to 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock on the date of grant.

Repurchase of Our Shares . Our charter prohibits us from paying a fee to KBS Capital Advisors or our directors or officers or any of their affiliates in connection with our repurchase of our common stock.

Loans . We will not make any loans to KBS Capital Advisors or to our directors or officers or any of their affiliates. In addition, we will not borrow from these affiliates unless a majority of the conflicts committee approves the transaction as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable and no less favorable to us than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties. These restrictions on loans will only apply to advances of cash that are commonly viewed as loans, as determined by the board of directors. By way of example only, the prohibition on loans would not restrict advances of cash for legal expenses or other costs incurred as a result of any legal action for which indemnification is being sought nor would the prohibition limit our ability to advance reimbursable expenses incurred by directors or officers or KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates.

Reports to Stockholders . Our charter requires that we prepare an annual report and deliver it to our common stockholders within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year. Our directors are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that the annual report complies with our charter provisions. Among the matters that must be included in the annual report or included in a proxy statement delivered with the annual report are:

 

   

financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP that are audited and reported on by independent certified public accountants;

 

   

the ratio of the costs of raising capital during the year to the capital raised;

 

   

the aggregate amount of advisory fees and the aggregate amount of other fees paid to KBS Capital Advisors and any affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors by us or third parties doing business with us during the year;

 

   

our total operating expenses for the year stated as a percentage of our average invested assets and as a percentage of our net income;

 

   

a report from the conflicts committee that our policies are in the best interests of our common stockholders and the basis for such determination; and

 

   

a separately stated, full disclosure of all material terms, factors and circumstances surrounding any and all transactions involving us and our advisor, a director or any affiliate thereof during the year, which disclosure has been examined and commented upon in the report by the conflicts committee with regard to the fairness of such transactions.

Voting of Shares Owned by Affiliates . Before becoming a common stockholder, KBS Capital Advisors, our directors and officers and their affiliates must agree not to vote their shares of common stock regarding (i) the removal of any of these affiliates or (ii) any transaction between them and us.

Ratification of Charter Provisions . Our board of directors and the conflicts committee have reviewed and ratified our charter by the vote of a majority of their respective members, as required by our charter.

 

69


Table of Contents

Allocation of Investment Opportunities

Many investment opportunities that are suitable for us may also be suitable for other KBS-sponsored programs, as well as for the institutional investors for whom KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates serve as investment advisers. KBS Capital Advisors, our advisor and the advisor to KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II, and KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates share the same real estate and debt finance professionals. When these KBS real estate and debt finance professionals direct an investment opportunity to any KBS-sponsored program or one of the institutional investors, they, in their sole discretion, will have to determine the program or investor for which the investment opportunity is most suitable based on the investment objectives, portfolio and criteria of each program or investor. Our advisory agreement with KBS Capital Advisors requires that this determination be made in a manner that is fair without favoring any other KBS-sponsored program or investor. The factors that the KBS real estate and debt finance professionals will consider when determining the KBS-sponsored program or investor for which an investment opportunity would be the most suitable are the following:

 

   

the investment objectives and criteria of each program or investor;

 

   

the cash requirements of each program or investor;

 

   

the effect of the investment on the diversification of each program’s or investor’s portfolio by type of investment, risk of investment, type of commercial property, geographic location of properties, and tenants of properties;

 

   

the policy of each program or investor relating to leverage;

 

   

the anticipated cash flow of the property or asset to be acquired;

 

   

the income tax effects of the purchase on each program or investor;

 

   

the size of the investment; and

 

   

the amount of funds available to each program or investor and the length of time such funds have been available for investment.

If a subsequent event or development, such as a delay in the closing of a property or investment or a delay in the construction of a property, causes any investment, in the opinion of the KBS real estate and debt finance professionals, to be more appropriate for another KBS program or investor, they may offer the investment to another KBS program or investor.

Our advisory agreement with KBS Capital Advisors requires that KBS Capital Advisors inform the conflicts committee each quarter of the investments that have been purchased by other KBS programs and investors for whom KBS Capital Advisors, KBS Realty Advisors or one of their affiliates serves as an investment adviser so that the conflicts committee can evaluate whether we are receiving our fair share of opportunities. KBS Capital Advisors’ success in generating investment opportunities for us and the fair allocation of opportunities among KBS programs and investors are important factors in the conflicts committee’s determination to continue or renew our arrangements with KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates. The conflicts committee has a duty to ensure that favorable investment opportunities are not disproportionately allocated to other KBS-sponsored programs and investors. For so long as we are externally advised, our charter provides that it shall not be a proper purpose of the corporation for us to make any significant investment unless the advisor has recommended the investment to us.

 

70


Table of Contents

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA

General

We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. We intend to originate and acquire mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans and to invest in real estate-related debt securities such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. In addition, we may acquire equity securities of companies that make similar investments. We may make our investments through loan origination and the acquisition of individual assets or by acquiring portfolios of assets, other mortgage REITs or companies with investment objectives similar to ours. We plan to diversify our portfolio by investment type, investment size and investment risk with the goal of attaining a portfolio of income-producing assets that provide attractive and stable returns to our investors. We generally expect our investments to be related to real estate located in the United States and that our loans will be made to U.S.-based borrowers and denominated in U.S. currency. Our primary investment objectives are:

 

   

to provide you with attractive and stable returns; and

 

   

to preserve and return your capital contribution.

We will seek to realize growth in the value of our investments by timing asset sales to maximize their value. We intend to actively pursue lending and investment opportunities that we believe provide an attractive risk-adjusted return.

We may return all or a portion of your capital contribution in connection with the sale of the company or the investments we will make or upon maturity or payoff of our debt investments. Alternatively, you may be able to obtain a return of all or a portion of your capital contribution in connection with the sale of your shares.

We may seek to list our shares of common stock if our independent directors believe listing would be in the best interests of our stockholders. If we do not list our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange by May __, 2019, our charter requires that we either:

 

   

seek stockholder approval of the liquidation of the company; or

 

   

if a majority of the conflicts committee determines that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders, postpone the decision of whether to liquidate the company.

If a majority of the conflicts committee does determine that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders, our charter requires that the conflicts committee revisit the issue of liquidation at least annually. Further postponement of listing or stockholder action regarding liquidation would only be permitted if a majority of the conflicts committee again determined that liquidation would not be in the best interest of our stockholders. If we sought and failed to obtain stockholder approval of our liquidation, our charter would not require us to list or liquidate and would not require the conflicts committee to revisit the issue of liquidation, and we could continue to operate as before. If we sought and obtained stockholder approval of our liquidation, we would begin an orderly sale of our assets. The precise timing of such sales would take account of the prevailing real estate finance markets and the debt markets generally as well as the federal income tax consequences to our stockholders. In making the decision to apply for listing of our shares, our directors will try to determine whether listing our shares or liquidating our assets will result in greater value for stockholders.

One of the factors our board of directors will consider when making this determination is the liquidity needs of our stockholders. In assessing whether to list or liquidate, our board of directors would likely solicit input from financial advisors as to the likely demand for our shares upon listing. If, after listing, the board believed that it would be difficult for stockholders to dispose of their shares, then that factor would weigh against listing. However, this would not be the only factor considered by the board. If listing still appeared to be in the best long-term interest of our stockholders, despite the prospects of a relatively small market for our shares upon the initial listing, the board may still opt to list our shares of common stock in keeping with its obligations under Maryland law. The board would also likely consider whether there was a large pent-up demand to sell our shares when making decisions regarding listing or liquidation. The degree of participation in our dividend reinvestment plan and the number of requests for redemptions under the share redemption program at this time could be an indicator of stockholder demand to liquidate their investment.

Our board may revise our investment policies, which we describe in more detail below, without the approval of our stockholders. Our conflicts committee will review our investment policies at least annually to determine whether our policies are in the best interests of our stockholders. Our charter requires that the conflicts committee include the basis for its determination in its minutes and in an annual report delivered to our stockholders.

 

71


Table of Contents

Investment Policies

Primary Investment Focus

We intend to focus our investment activities on, and use the proceeds of this offering principally for, real estate-related loans and real estate-related debt securities. We may also make other real estate-related investments. In addition, we may acquire equity securities of companies that make investments similar to ours. We may make our investments through loan origination and the acquisition of individual assets or by acquiring portfolios of assets, other mortgage REITs or companies with investment objectives similar to ours. We believe that we are most likely to meet our investment objectives through the careful selection and underwriting of assets. When making an investment, we will emphasize the performance and risk characteristics of that investment, how that investment will fit with our portfolio-level performance objectives, the other assets in our portfolio and how the returns and risks of that investment compare to the returns and risks of available investment alternatives.

Investments in Real Estate-Related Loans

We intend to invest in real estate-related loans, including first and second mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, B-Notes, bridge loans, convertible mortgages, wraparound mortgage loans, construction mortgage loans and participations in such loans. We intend to structure, underwrite and originate many of the debt products in which we invest. Our underwriting process will involve comprehensive financial, structural, operational and legal due diligence to assess the risks of investments so that we can optimize pricing and structuring. By originating loans directly, we will be able to efficiently structure a diverse range of products. For instance, we may sell some components of the debt we originate while retaining attractive, risk-adjusted strips of the debt for ourselves. A wholly owned subsidiary of our advisor will source our debt investments. We will pay our advisor or its subsidiary origination fees for loans that we make or acquire and asset management fees for the loans that we hold for investment.

We may sell some of the loans (or portions of the loans after separating them into tranches) that we originate to third parties for a profit. We expect to hold other loans (or portions of loans) for investment and in some instances securitize these loans through a CDO structure (discussed below).

Described below are some of the types of loans we may originate or acquire:

Mortgage Loans. We may originate or acquire mortgage loans structured to permit us (i) to retain the entire loan, (ii) to sell or securitize the lower yielding senior portions of the loan and retain the higher yielding subordinate investment (or vice-versa) or (iii) to contribute all or a portion of the loan to a CDO. We expect these loans to be secured by commercial properties and range in size from $5 million to $50 million, generally, with exceptions, such as high-quality loans with low loan-to-value ratios. We may also acquire seasoned mortgage loans in the secondary market secured by single assets as well as portfolios of performing and sub-performing loans that were originated by third-party lenders such as banks, life insurance companies and other owners.

Second Mortgages . We may in invest in second mortgages, which are loans secured by second deeds of trust on real property that is already subject to prior mortgage indebtedness, in an amount which, when added to the existing indebtedness, does not generally exceed 75% of the appraised value of the mortgage property.

B-Notes. B-Notes are junior participations in a first mortgage loan on a single property or group of related properties. The senior participation is known as an A-Note. Although a B-Note may be evidenced by its own promissory note, it shares a single borrower and mortgage with the A-Note and is secured by the same collateral. B-Note lenders have the same obligations, collateral and borrower as the A-Note lender, but in most instances B-Note lenders are contractually limited in rights and remedies in the event of a default. The B-Note is subordinate to the A-Note by virtue of a contractual or intercreditor arrangement between the A-Note lender and the B-Note lender. For the B-Note lender to actively pursue its available remedies (if any), it must, in most instances, purchase the A-Note or maintain its performing status in the event of a default on the B-Note. The B-Note lender may in some instances require a security interest in the stock or partnership interests of the borrower as part of the transaction. If the B-Note holder can obtain a security interest, it may be able to accelerate gaining control of the underlying property, subject to the rights of the A-Note holder. These debt instruments are senior to the mezzanine debt tranches described below, though they may be junior to another junior participation in the first mortgage loan. B-Notes may or may not be rated by a recognized rating agency.

 

72


Table of Contents

B-Notes typically are secured by a single property, and the associated credit risk is concentrated in that single property. B-Notes share certain credit characteristics with second mortgages in that both are subject to more credit risk with respect to the underlying mortgage collateral than the corresponding first mortgage or the A-Note. Our management believes that B-Notes are one of the safest subordinated debt instruments because B-Notes share a single mortgage with the A-Note and, as a result, its position survives an event of foreclosure. After the A-Note is satisfied, any remaining recoveries go next to the B-Note holder.

Mezzanine Loans. The mezzanine loans we may originate or acquire will generally take the form of subordinated loans secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property. We may hold senior or junior positions in mezzanine loans, such senior or junior position denoting the particular leverage strip that may apply.

We may require other collateral to provide additional security for mezzanine loans, including letters of credit, personal guarantees or collateral unrelated to the property. We may structure our mezzanine loans so that we receive a stated fixed or variable interest rate on the loan as well as a percentage of gross revenues and a percentage of the increase in the fair market value of the property securing the loan, payable upon maturity, refinancing or sale of the property. Our mezzanine loans may also have prepayment lockouts, penalties, minimum profit hurdles and other mechanisms to protect and enhance returns in the event of premature repayment.

These investments typically range in size from $10 to $50 million, have terms from two to ten years and bear interest at a rate of 275 to 800 basis points over the applicable interest rate index. Mezzanine loans may have maturities that match the maturity of the related mortgage loan but may have shorter terms. Mezzanine loans usually have loan-to-value ratios between 66% and 90%.

These types of investments generally involve a lower degree of risk than an equity investment in an entity that owns real property because the mezzanine investment is generally secured by the ownership interests in the property-owning entity and, as a result, is senior to the equity. Upon a default by the borrower under the mezzanine loan, the mezzanine lender generally can take immediate control and ownership of the property-owning entity, subject to the senior mortgage on the property that stays in place in the event of a mezzanine default and change of control of the borrower.

These types of investments involve a higher degree of risk relative to the long-term senior mortgage secured by the underlying real property because the investment may become unsecured as a result of foreclosure by the senior lender. In the event of a bankruptcy of the entity providing the pledge of its ownership interests as security, we may not have full recourse to the assets of such entity, or the assets of the entity may not be sufficient to satisfy the mezzanine loan. If a borrower defaults on our mezzanine loan or debt senior to our loan, or in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, our mezzanine loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt.

Bridge Loans . We may offer bridge financing products to borrowers who are typically seeking short-term capital to be used in an acquisition, development or refinancing of a given property. From the borrower’s perspective, shorter term bridge financing is advantageous because it allows time to improve the property value through repositioning without encumbering it with restrictive long-term debt. The terms of these loans generally do not exceed three years.

Convertible Mortgages . Convertible mortgages are similar to equity participations. We may invest in and/or originate convertible mortgages if our directors conclude that we may benefit from the cash flow or any appreciation in the value of the subject property.

Wraparound Mortgages . A wraparound mortgage loan is secured by a wraparound deed of trust on a real property that is already subject to prior mortgage indebtedness, in an amount which, when added to the existing indebtedness, does not generally exceed 75% of the appraised value of the mortgage property. A wraparound loan is one or more junior mortgage loans having a principal amount equal to the outstanding balance under the existing mortgage loan, plus the amount actually to be advanced under the wraparound mortgage loan. Under a wraparound loan, we would generally make principal and interest payments on behalf of the borrower to the holders of the prior mortgage loans.

Construction Loans . Construction loans are loans made for either original development or renovation of property. Construction loans in which we would generally consider an investment would be secured by first deeds of trust on real property for terms of six months to two years.

 

73


Table of Contents

Pre-development Loans and Land Loans. We may provide financing to fund the costs of property pre-development as well as land acquisitions. These loans are frequently done in conjunction with construction loans and are often structured as a component of the construction loan. Due to the complexity and underwriting requirements of a construction loan, borrowers often need to secure financing prior to being able to satisfy all of the requirements for the construction loan. Funds are used for acquisition of the land, pre-development and site work and to fund other costs until a guaranteed maximum construction price can be put into place. The terms of these loans generally do not exceed three years.

Distressed Debt. We may also invest in distressed debt, most often sub- and non-performing real estate loans acquired from financial institutions. We will make these investments when we believe our underwriting, credit, financing and asset management experience will enable us to generate above-average risk-adjusted returns by resolving these distressed loans expeditiously through refinancings, negotiated repayments with borrowers or foreclosure and subsequent sale of the underlying property. A sub-performing loan is a loan with a very high loan-to-value ratio and a low debt service coverage ratio and that is likely to default at maturity because the property securing the loan cannot support a refinancing of the loan’s entire unpaid principal balance. A non-performing loan is a loan that is in default of its covenants, is past due in interest payments, or is past its final maturity date and has not been repaid. Sub- and non-performing loans are typically purchased at a discount to the note’s face amount.

Loans on Leasehold Interests . Loans on leasehold interests are secured by an assignment of the borrower’s leasehold interest in the particular real property. These loans are generally for terms of six months to 15 years. Leasehold interest loans are either amortized over a period that is shorter than the lease term or have a maturity date prior to the date the lease terminates. These loans would generally permit us to cure any default under the lease.

Fund Level or Corporate Level Debt . We may invest in various real estate ventures by providing financing to or purchasing the debt obligations of funds or corporate entities with a primary focus on the commercial real estate and real estate finance industries.

Participations . Participation investments are investments in partial interests of loans of the type described above that are made and administered by third-party lenders.

Underwriting Criteria

In evaluating prospective investments in and originations of loans, our management and our advisor will consider factors such as the following:

 

   

the ratio of the amount of the investment to the value of the property by which it is secured;

 

   

the amount of existing debt on the property and the priority thereof relative to our prospective investment;

 

   

the property’s potential for capital appreciation;

 

   

expected levels of rental and occupancy rates;

 

   

current and projected cash flow of the property;

 

   

potential for rental increases;

 

   

the degree of liquidity of the investment;

 

   

the geographic location of the property;

 

   

the condition and use of the property;

 

   

the property’s income-producing capacity;

 

   

the quality, experience and creditworthiness of the borrower; and

 

   

general economic conditions in the area where the property is located.

 

74


Table of Contents

Our advisor will evaluate all potential loan investments to determine if the security for the loan and the loan-to-value ratio meets our investment criteria and objectives. One of the real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor or its subsidiary or their agent may inspect material properties during the loan approval process, if such an inspection is deemed necessary. Inspection of a property may be deemed necessary if that property is considered material to the transaction (such as a property representing a significant portion of the collateral underlying a pool of loans) or if there are unique circumstances related to such property such as recent capital improvements or possible functional obsolescence. We also may engage trusted third-party professionals to inspect properties on our behalf. Most loans that we will consider for investment would provide for monthly payments of interest and some may also provide for principal amortization, although we expect that most of the loans in which we will invest will provide for payments of interest only during the loan term and a payment of principal in full at the end of the loan term. As discussed above, some of the loans we make will be sold shortly after origination.

Our loan investments may be subject to regulation by federal, state and local authorities and subject to laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing various requirements and restrictions, including, among other things, regulating credit granting activities, establishing maximum interest rates and finance charges, requiring disclosure to customers, governing secured transactions and setting collection, repossession and claims handling procedures and other trade practices. In addition, certain states have enacted legislation requiring the licensing of mortgage bankers or other lenders, and these requirements may affect our ability to effectuate our proposed investments in loans. Commencement of operations in these or other jurisdictions may be dependent upon a finding of our financial responsibility, character and fitness. We may determine not to make loans in any jurisdiction in which the regulatory authority believes that we have not complied in all material respects with applicable requirements.

We will not make or invest in mortgage loans unless an appraisal concerning the underlying property is available, except for mortgage loans insured or guaranteed by a government or government agency. We will maintain each appraisal in our records for at least five years and will make it available during normal business hours for inspection and duplication by any stockholder at such stockholder’s expense. In addition to the appraisal, we will seek to obtain a customary lender’s title insurance policy or commitment as to the priority of the mortgage or condition of the title.

We will not make or invest in mortgage loans on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including our borrowings, would exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of the property, unless we find substantial justification due to the presence of other underwriting criteria.

Our charter does not limit the amount of gross offering proceeds that we may apply to loan investments. Our charter also does not place any limit or restriction on:

 

   

the percentage of our assets that may be invested in any type of loan or in any single loan; or

 

   

the types of properties subject to mortgages or other loans in which we may invest.

When determining whether to make investments in mortgage and other loans, we will consider such factors as: positioning the overall portfolio to achieve an optimal mix of real estate-related investments; the diversification benefits of the loans relative to the rest of the portfolio; the potential for the investment to deliver high current income and attractive risk-adjusted total returns; and other factors considered important to meeting our investment objectives.

Investments in Real Estate-Related Debt Securities

In addition to our investments in real estate-related loans, we may also invest in real estate-related debt securities such as commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities (including distressed mortgage-backed securities) and collateralized debt obligations. While we may invest in any real estate-related debt securities, we expect that the majority of these investments would be commercial mortgage-backed securities. A brief description of commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations follows.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities . Commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, are securities that evidence interests in, or are secured by, a single commercial mortgage loan or a pool of commercial mortgage loans. Accordingly, these securities are subject to all of the risks of the underlying mortgage loans.

CMBS are generally pass-through certificates that represent beneficial ownership interests in common law trusts whose assets consist of defined portfolios of one or more commercial mortgage loans. They are typically issued in multiple tranches whereby the more senior classes are entitled to priority distributions from the trust’s income. Losses and other shortfalls from expected amounts to be received on the mortgage pool are borne by the most subordinate classes, which receive payments only after the more senior classes have received all principal and/or interest to which they are entitled.

 

75


Table of Contents

The credit quality of mortgage-backed securities depends on the credit quality of the underlying mortgage loans, the real estate finance market and the parties directly involved in the transaction, which is a function of factors such as:

 

   

the principal amount of the loans relative to the value of the related properties;

 

   

the mortgage loan terms (e.g. amortization);

 

   

market assessment and geographic location;

 

   

construction quality of the property;

 

   

the creditworthiness of the borrowers;

 

   

macroeconomic variables that affect the supply and demand for commercial real estate;

 

   

structural features of the transaction, such as subordination levels, advancing terms and other credit enhancements;

 

   

the originator of the loan and its motivation to sell it;

 

   

the underwriter and issuer of the transaction and their ability to trade and support it in the secondary markets; and

 

   

the servicers and trustees responsible for running and maintaining the transaction on a daily basis.

Collateralized Debt Obligations. CDOs are multiple class debt securities, or bonds, secured by pools of assets, such as mortgage-backed securities, B-Notes, mezzanine loans, REIT debt and credit default swaps. Like typical securitization structures, in a collateralized debt obligation the assets are pledged to a trustee for the benefit of the holders of the bonds. We may invest in investment grade and non-investment grade CDO classes.

Ratings of Real Estate-Related Debt Securities. For mortgage-backed securities and CDOs, the securitization process is governed by one or more of the rating agencies, including Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, who determine the respective bond class sizes, generally based on a sequential payment structure. Bonds that are rated from AAA to BBB by the rating agencies are considered “investment grade.” Bond classes that are subordinate to the BBB class are considered “non-investment” grade. The respective bond class sizes are determined based on the review of the underlying collateral by the rating agencies. The payments received from the underlying loans are used to make the payments on the securities. Based on the sequential payment priority, the risk of nonpayment for the AAA securities is lower than the risk of nonpayment for the non-investment grade bonds. Accordingly, the AAA class is typically sold at a lower yield compared to the non-investment grade classes that are sold at higher yields. We may invest in investment grade and non-investment grade classes.

We evaluate the risk of investment grade and non-investment grade mortgage-backed securities and CDOs based on the credit risk of the underlying collateral and the risk of the transactional structure. The credit risk of the underlying collateral is crucial in evaluating the expected performance of an investment. Key variables in this assessment include rent levels, vacancy rates, supply and demand forecasts and tenant incentives (build-out incentives or other rent concessions) related to the underlying properties. We utilize third party data providers to review loan level performance such as delinquencies and threats to credit performance. We also review monthly servicing reports of the master and special servicers as well as reports from rating agencies. We perform specific asset-level underwriting on all significant loans in the securities structure. We utilize sensitivity analysis and other statistical underwriting when evaluating the cash flows generated by a transaction. With respect to transactional structure, we assess the structure of a particular securities transaction as well as utilize third party data providers for a structural sensitivity analysis. After assessing loan-level data and structural data, we combine this information to forecast expected cash flows, probability of default and loss given a default.

Investments in Equity Securities

We may make equity investments in mortgage REITs and other companies with investment objectives similar to ours. We may purchase the common or preferred stock of these entities or options to acquire their stock. We will target a public company that owns real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments when we believe its stock is trading at a discount to that company’s net asset value. We may eventually seek to acquire or gain a controlling interest in the companies that we target.

We will make investments in other entities when we consider it more efficient to acquire an entity that already owns assets meeting our investment objectives than to acquire such assets directly. We may also participate with other entities in investments through joint ventures, limited liability companies, partnerships and other types of common ownership or participations.

 

76


Table of Contents

Investments in Real Property

We expect that the real estate-related debt investments described above, in particular investments in distressed debt, will, in certain circumstances, result in us owning real property as a result of a loan workout, foreclosure or similar circumstances. Our sponsors and the real estate professionals at our advisor have extensive experience in acquiring, managing and disposing of real property. We will manage and dispose of any real property assets we acquire in the manner that our advisor determines is most advantageous to us.

In addition, although we do not intend to make any direct investments in real property at this time, we may make a limited number of investments in real property to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities. We will limit our investments in real property to not more than 20% of our total assets, excluding real property that we take title to (i) as part of a portfolio of debt investments, (ii) through a loan workout, foreclosure or similar circumstances or (iii) through convertible debt investments.

Other Possible Investments

Although we expect that most of our investments will be of the types described above, we may make other investments, such as international investments. In fact, we may invest in whatever types of interests in real estate- or debt-related assets that we believe are in our best interests. Although we can purchase any type of interest in real estate- or debt-related assets, our charter does limit certain types of investments. See “—Charter-Imposed Investment Limitations.” We do not intend to underwrite securities of other issuers.

Investment Decisions and Asset Management: The KBS Approach

KBS Capital Advisors has the authority to make all of the decisions regarding our investments, subject to the limitations in our charter and the direction and oversight of our board of directors. Our conflicts committee will review our investment policies at least annually to determine whether our investment policies continue to be in the best interests of our common stockholders.

KBS Capital Advisors believes that successful investment requires the implementation of strategies that permit favorable purchases and originations, effective asset management and timely disposition of those assets. As such, KBS Capital Advisors has developed a disciplined investment approach that combines the experience of its team of real estate and debt finance professionals with a structure that emphasizes thorough market research, stringent underwriting standards and an extensive down-side analysis of the risks of each investment. The KBS approach also includes active and aggressive management of each asset acquired. KBS Capital Advisors believes that active management is critical to creating value. Our advisor will also develop a well-defined exit strategy for each investment we make. KBS Capital Advisors will then continually re-evaluate the exit strategy of each asset in response to the performance of the individual asset, market conditions and our overall portfolio objectives to determine the optimal time to hold the asset.

Our sponsors each have over 16 years of experience in real estate-related debt investments. Our sponsors will work together with their team of real estate and debt finance professionals in the identification, origination, acquisition and management of our investments. The senior real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Capital Advisors have been through multiple financial cycles in their careers and have the expertise gained through hands-on experience in acquisitions, originations, loan workouts, asset management, dispositions, development, leasing and property and portfolio management.

 

77


Table of Contents

To execute KBS Capital Advisors’ disciplined investment approach, a team of our advisor’s real estate and debt finance professionals takes responsibility for the business plan of each investment. The following practices summarize KBS Capital Advisors’ investment approach:

 

   

National Market Research - The investment team extensively researches the acquisition and/or origination and underwriting of each transaction, utilizing both “real time” market data and the transactional knowledge and experience of KBS Capital Advisors’ network of professionals.

 

   

Underwriting Discipline - KBS Capital Advisors follows a tightly controlled and managed process to examine all elements of a potential investment. Only those assets meeting our investment criteria will be accepted for inclusion in our portfolio. In an effort to keep an asset in compliance with those standards, the underwriting team remains involved through the investment life cycle of the asset and consults with the other KBS professionals responsible for the asset. This team of experts reviews and develops comprehensive reports for each asset throughout the holding period.

 

   

Risk Management - Risk management is a fundamental principle in our advisor’s construction of portfolios and in the management of each investment. Diversification of portfolios by investment type, investment size and investment risk is critical to controlling portfolio-level risk. KBS Capital Advisors’ senior management continuously reviews the operating performance of investments against projections and provides the oversight necessary to detect and resolve issues as they arise.

 

   

Asset Management - Prior to the purchase of an individual asset or portfolio, the asset managers work closely with the acquisition and underwriting teams to assess the asset business strategy and confirm the borrower submitted market operating information. This is a forecast of the action items to be taken and the capital needed to achieve the anticipated returns. KBS Capital Advisors reviews asset business strategies quarterly to anticipate changes or opportunities in the market during a given phase of a market cycle. KBS Capital Advisors designed this process to allow for realistic yet aggressive enhancement of value throughout the investment period.

Joint Venture Investments

We may enter into joint ventures, partnerships and other co-ownership arrangements (including preferred equity investments) or participations for the purpose of making investments. Joint venture investments permit us to own interests in large investments without unduly restricting the diversity of our portfolio. In determining whether to invest in a particular joint venture, KBS Capital Advisors will evaluate the assets that such joint venture owns or is being formed to own under the same criteria described elsewhere in this prospectus for the selection of our investments.

KBS Capital Advisors will also evaluate the potential joint venture partner as to its financial condition, operating capabilities and integrity. We will only enter into joint ventures with non-affiliated third parties. At such time during the term of this offering that KBS Capital Advisors believes that there is a reasonable probability that we will enter into a joint venture to make a material investment, we will supplement this prospectus to disclose the terms of such investment transaction. You should not rely upon such initial disclosure of any proposed transaction as an assurance that we will ultimately consummate the proposed transaction or that the information we provide in any supplement to this prospectus concerning any proposed transaction will not change after the date of the supplement.

We have not established the specific terms we will require in the joint venture agreements we may enter. Instead, we will establish the terms with respect to any particular joint venture agreement on a case-by-case basis after our board of directors considers all of the facts that are relevant, such as the nature and attributes of our other potential joint venture partners, the proposed structure of the joint venture, the nature of the operations, the liabilities and assets associated with the proposed joint venture and the size of our interest when compared to the interests owned by other partners in the venture. With respect to any joint venture we enter, we expect to consider the following types of concerns and safeguards:

 

   

Our ability to manage and control the joint venture. — We will consider whether we should obtain certain approval rights in joint ventures we do not control. For proposed joint ventures in which we are to share control with another entity, we will consider the procedures to address decisions in the event of an impasse.

 

   

Our ability to exit a joint venture. — We consider requiring buy/sell rights, redemption rights or forced liquidation rights.

 

   

Our ability to control transfers of interests held by other partners to the venture. — We will consider requiring consent provisions, a right of first refusal and/or forced redemption rights in connection with transfers.

 

78


Table of Contents

Financing Strategy and Policies

We will fund our investments with proceeds from this offering and from debt financing. We will use debt financing in various forms in an effort to increase the size of our portfolio and potential returns to our stockholders. Access to low-cost capital is crucial to our business, since we earn income based on the spread between the yield on our investments and the cost of our borrowings.

We expect to use short-term financing in the form of revolving credit facilities, repurchase agreements, bridge financings and bank warehousing facilities. For longer-term funding, we may utilize securitization structures, particularly collateralized debt obligations. A description of financing arrangements through repurchase agreements, warehouse facilities and collateralized debt obligations follows.

Repurchase Agreements . With repurchase agreements, we may borrow against the loans, mortgage-backed securities and other securities we own. Under these agreements, we may sell loans and other securities to a counterparty and agree to repurchase the same assets from the counterparty at a price equal to the original sales price plus an interest factor. Repurchase agreements economically resemble short-term, variable-rate financings and usually require the maintenance of specific loan-to-collateral value ratios. If the market value of the assets subject to a repurchase agreement decline, we may be required to provide additional collateral or make cash payments to maintain the loan-to-collateral value ratio. If we are unable to provide such collateral or cash repayments, we may lose our economic interest in the underlying assets.

Warehouse Facilities . We may rely on warehouse credit facilities for capital needed to fund our investments. These facilities are typically lines of credit from commercial and investment banks that we can draw from to fund our investments. Warehouse facilities are typically collateralized loans made to investors who invest in securities and loans and, in return for financing, pledge their securities and loans to the warehouse lender. Third-party custodians, usually banks, typically hold the securities and loans funded with the warehouse facility borrowings, including the securities, loans, notes, mortgages and other important loan documentation, for the benefit of the investor who is deemed to own the securities and loans and, if there is a default under the warehouse credit facility, for the benefit of the warehouse lender.

Collateralized Debt Obligations . Collateralized debt obligations are multiple class debt securities, or bonds, secured by pools of assets, such as mortgage-backed securities, B-Notes, mezzanine loans, REIT debt and credit default swaps. Like typical securitization structures, in a collateralized debt obligation the assets are pledged to a trustee for the benefit of the holders of the bonds. The bonds may be rated by one or more rating agencies. One or more classes of the bonds are marketed to a wide variety of fixed income investors, which enables the collateralized debt obligation sponsor to achieve a relatively low cost of long-term financing.

Warehouse facilities, bank credit facilities and repurchase agreements generally include a recourse component, meaning that lenders retain a general claim against us as an entity. Further, such borrowings may also provide the lender with the ability to make margin calls and may limit the length of time that any given asset may be used as eligible collateral.

We may incur indebtedness in other forms that may be appropriate. The form of our indebtedness may be long-term or short-term, fixed or floating rate, and secured or unsecured. KBS Capital Advisors will seek to obtain financing on our behalf on the most favorable terms available. We may use borrowing proceeds to finance loan originations or new investments; to pay for capital improvements, repairs or tenant build-outs on foreclosure or other properties; to refinance existing indebtedness; to pay distributions; or to provide working capital.

We intend to focus our investment activities on obtaining a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Careful use of debt will help us to achieve our diversification goals because we will have more funds available for investment. We expect that once we have fully invested the proceeds of this offering, our debt financing will be 30% or less of the cost of our investments, although it may exceed this level during our offering stage. There is no limitation on the amount we may borrow for any single investment. Our charter limits our borrowings to 75% of the cost of our tangible assets; however, we may exceed that limit if a majority of the conflicts committee approves each borrowing in excess of our charter limitation and we disclose such borrowing to our common stockholders in our next quarterly report with an explanation from the conflicts committee of the justification for the excess borrowing.

To the extent that we do not finance our investments, our ability to make additional investments will be restricted. When interest rates are high or financing is otherwise unavailable on a timely basis, we may make certain investments with cash with the intention of obtaining a loan for a portion of the cost of the investment at a later time. For a discussion of the risks associated with the use of debt, see “Risk Factors — Risks Associated with Debt Financing.”

 

79


Table of Contents

Except with respect to the borrowing limits contained in our charter, we may reevaluate and change our debt policy in the future without a stockholder vote. Factors that we would consider when reevaluating or changing our debt policy include: then-current economic conditions, the relative cost of debt and equity capital, any investment opportunities, the ability of our investments to generate sufficient cash flow to cover debt service requirements and other similar factors. Further, we may increase or decrease our ratio of debt to book value in connection with any change of our borrowing policies.

We will not borrow from our advisor or its affiliates to make investments unless a majority of the conflicts committee approves the transaction as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable and no less favorable to us than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties.

Operating Policies

Credit Risk Management . We may be exposed to various levels of credit and special hazard risk depending on the nature of our underlying assets and the nature and level of credit enhancements supporting our assets. Our advisor and our executive officers will review and monitor credit risk and other risks of loss associated with each investment. In addition, we will seek to diversify our portfolio of assets to avoid undue geographic, issuer, industry and certain other types of concentrations. Our board of directors will monitor the overall portfolio risk and levels of provision for loss.

Interest Rate Risk Management . To the extent consistent with maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we will follow an interest rate risk management policy intended to mitigate the negative effects of major interest rate changes. We intend to minimize our interest rate risk from borrowings by attempting to structure the key terms of our borrowings to generally correspond to the interest rate term of our assets and through hedging activities.

Hedging Activities . We may engage in hedging transactions to protect our investment portfolio from interest rate fluctuations and other changes in market conditions. These transactions may include interest rate swaps, the purchase or sale of interest rate collars, caps or floors, options, mortgage derivatives and other hedging instruments. These instruments may be used to hedge as much of the interest rate risk as we determine is in the best interest of our stockholders, given the cost of such hedges and the need to maintain our qualification as a REIT. We may from time to time enter into interest rate swap agreements to offset the potential adverse effects of rising interest rates under certain short-term repurchase agreements. We may elect to bear a level of interest rate risk that could otherwise be hedged when we believe, based on all relevant facts, that bearing such risk is advisable.

Equity Capital Policies . Our board of directors may increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock without stockholder approval. After your purchase in this offering, our board may elect to (1) sell additional shares in this or future public offerings, (2) issue equity interests in private offerings, (3) issue shares to our advisor, or its successors or assigns, in payment of an outstanding fee obligation or (4) issue shares of our common stock to sellers of assets we acquire in connection with an exchange of limited partnership interests of the Operating Partnership. To the extent we issue additional equity interests after your purchase in this offering, your percentage ownership interest in us will be diluted. In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any additional offerings and the value of our investments, you may also experience dilution in the book value and fair value of your shares.

Disposition Policies

The period that we will hold our investments in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments will vary depending on the type of asset, interest rates and other factors. Our advisor will develop a well-defined exit strategy for each investment we make. KBS Capital Advisors will continually perform a hold-sell analysis on each asset in order to determine the optimal time to hold the asset and generate a strong return for you. Economic and market conditions may influence us to hold our investments for different periods of time. We may sell an asset before the end of the expected holding period if we believe that market conditions have maximized its value to us or the sale of the asset would otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

80


Table of Contents

If we do not list our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange by May __, 2019, our charter requires that we seek stockholder approval of the liquidation of the company, unless a majority of the conflicts committee determines that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders. If a majority of the conflicts committee does determine that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders, our charter requires that the conflicts committee revisit the issue of liquidation at least annually. Further postponement of listing or stockholder action regarding liquidation would only be permitted if a majority of the conflicts committee again determined that liquidation would not be in the best interest of our stockholders. If we sought and failed to obtain stockholder approval of our liquidation, our charter would not require us to list or liquidate and would not require the conflicts committee to revisit the issue of liquidation, and we could continue to operate as before. If we sought and obtained stockholder approval of our liquidation, we would begin an orderly sale of our assets. The precise timing of such sales would take account of the prevailing real estate finance markets and the debt markets generally as well as the federal income tax consequences to our stockholders. In making the decision to apply for listing of our shares, our directors will try to determine whether listing our shares or liquidating our assets will result in greater value for our stockholders. One of the factors our board of directors will consider when making this determination is the liquidity needs of our stockholders. See the discussion above under “Investment Objectives and Criteria — General.”

Charter-imposed Investment Limitations

Our charter places numerous limitations on us with respect to the manner in which we may invest our funds or issue securities. These limitations cannot be changed unless our charter is amended, which requires approval of our stockholders. Unless our charter is amended, we will not:

 

   

borrow in excess of 75% of the aggregate cost of tangible assets owned by us, unless approved by a majority of the conflicts committee;

 

   

invest more than 10% of our total assets in unimproved property or mortgage loans on unimproved property, which we define as property not acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income or on which there is no development or construction in progress or planned to commence within one year;

 

   

make or invest in mortgage loans unless an appraisal is available concerning the underlying property, except for those mortgage loans insured or guaranteed by a government or government agency;

 

   

make or invest in mortgage loans, including construction loans, on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans on such property would exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of such property as determined by appraisal, unless substantial justification exists for exceeding such limit because of the presence of other underwriting criteria;

 

   

make an investment if the related acquisition and origination fees and expenses are not reasonable or exceed 6% of the contract purchase price for the asset or, in the case of a loan we originate, 6% of the funds advanced, provided that in either case the investment may be made if a majority of the conflicts committee determines that the transaction is commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to us;

 

   

acquire equity securities unless a majority of our directors (including a majority of our independent directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction approve such investment as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable, provided that investments in equity securities in “publicly traded entities” that are otherwise approved by a majority of our directors (including a majority of our independent directors) shall be deemed fair, competitive and commercially reasonable if we acquire the equity securities through a trade that is effected in a recognized securities market (a “publicly traded entity” shall mean any entity having securities listed on a national securities exchange or included for quotation on an inter-dealer quotation system) and provided further that this limitation does not apply to (i) acquisitions effected through the purchase of all of the equity securities of an existing entity, (ii) the investment in wholly owned subsidiaries of ours or (iii) investments in asset-backed securities;

 

   

invest in real estate contracts of sale, otherwise known as land sale contracts, unless the contract is in recordable form and is appropriately recorded in the chain of title;

 

   

invest in commodities or commodity futures contracts, except for futures contracts when used solely for the purpose of hedging in connection with our ordinary business of investing in real estate assets and mortgages;

 

   

issue equity securities on a deferred payment basis or other similar arrangement;

 

   

issue debt securities in the absence of adequate cash flow to cover debt service unless the historical debt service coverage (in the most recently completed fiscal year), as adjusted for known changes, is sufficient to service that higher level of debt as determined by the board of directors or a duly authorized executive officer;

   

issue equity securities that are assessable after we have received the consideration for which our board of directors authorized their issuance; or

 

   

issue equity securities redeemable solely at the option of the holder, which restriction has no effect on our share redemption program or the ability of our Operating Partnership to issue redeemable partnership interests.

 

81


Table of Contents

In addition, our charter includes many other investment limitations in connection with conflict-of-interest transactions, which limitations are described above under “Conflicts of Interest.” Our charter also includes restrictions on roll-up transactions, which are described under “Description of Shares” below.

Investment Limitations to Avoid Registration as an Investment Company

We do not intend to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. We intend to qualify for an exemption from registration under Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act, which means we must engage primarily in the business of buying mortgages and other liens on or interests in real estate. The position of the SEC staff generally requires us to maintain at least 55% of our portfolio in “qualifying real estate assets” (that is, mortgage loans, CMBS and RMBS that represent the entire ownership in a pool of mortgage loans and other qualifying interests in real estate) and at least another 25% of our portfolio in additional qualifying real estate assets or “real estate-related assets.” Participations in mortgage loans, mortgaged-backed securities, mezzanine loans, corporate debt, preferred equity investments, joint venture investments and the equity securities of other entities may not constitute qualifying real estate assets, depending on the characteristics of the specific investments, including the rights that we have with respect to the underlying assets. Our ownership of these investments, therefore, may be limited by provisions of the Investment Company Act and SEC staff interpretations.

To maintain compliance with the Investment Company Act exemption, we may be unable to sell assets we would otherwise want to sell and may need to sell assets we would otherwise wish to retain. In addition, we may have to acquire additional assets that we might not otherwise have acquired or may have to forgo opportunities to acquire interests in companies that we would otherwise want to acquire and would be important to our investment strategy. Our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors, will continually review our investment activity to attempt to ensure that we will not be regulated as an investment company. Among other things, KBS Capital Advisors will attempt to monitor the proportion of our portfolio that is placed in various investments.

 

82


Table of Contents

PLAN OF OPERATION

General

We are a newly organized Maryland corporation that intends to qualify as a REIT beginning with the taxable year that will end December 31, 2009. We intend to acquire and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. We intend to originate and acquire mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans and to invest in real estate-related debt securities such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. In addition, we may acquire equity securities of companies that make similar investments. We plan to diversify our portfolio by investment type, investment size and investment risk with the goal of attaining a portfolio of income-producing assets that provide attractive and stable returns to our investors. We may make our investments through loan origination and the acquisition of individual assets or by acquiring portfolios of assets, other mortgage REITs or companies with investment objectives similar to ours. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not commenced operations nor have we identified any investments in which there is a reasonable probability that we will invest.

KBS Capital Advisors is our advisor. As our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors will manage our day-to-day operations and our portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. KBS Capital Advisors also has the authority to make all of the decisions regarding our investments, subject to the limitations in our charter and the direction and oversight of our board of directors. KBS Capital Advisors will also provide asset-management, marketing, investor-relations and other administrative services on our behalf.

We intend to make an election to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2009. If we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent we distribute qualifying dividends to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year after electing REIT status, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year in which our qualification is denied. Such an event could materially and adversely affect our net income and cash available for distribution. However, we believe that we will be organized and will operate in a manner that will enable us to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2009, and we intend to continue to operate so as to remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes thereafter.

Competition

Our net income depends, in large part, on our ability to originate investments with spreads over our borrowing cost. In originating these investments, we compete with other mortgage REITs, specialty finance companies, savings and loan associations, banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, mutual funds, institutional investors, investment banking firms, other lenders, governmental bodies and other entities, many of which have greater financial resources and lower costs of capital available to them than we have. In addition, there are numerous mortgage REITs with asset acquisition objectives similar to ours, and others may be organized in the future, which may increase competition for the investments suitable for us. Competitive variables include market presence and visibility, size of loans offered and underwriting standards. To the extent that a competitor is willing to risk larger amounts of capital in a particular transaction or to employ more liberal underwriting standards when evaluating potential loans than we are, our origination volume and profit margins for our investment portfolio could be impacted. Our competitors may also be willing to accept lower returns on their investments and may succeed in buying the assets that we have targeted for acquisition. Although we believe that we are well positioned to compete effectively in each facet of our business, there is enormous competition in our market sector and there can be no assurance that we will compete effectively or that we will not encounter increased competition in the future that could limit our ability to conduct our business effectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We are dependent upon the net proceeds from this offering to conduct our proposed operations. We will obtain the capital required to purchase and originate real estate-related investments and conduct our operations from the proceeds of this offering and any future offerings we may conduct, from secured or unsecured financings from banks and other lenders and from any undistributed funds from our operations. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not made any investments, and our total assets consist of $200,000 cash. For information regarding the anticipated use of proceeds from this offering, see “Estimated Use of Proceeds.”

 

83


Table of Contents

We will not sell any shares in this offering unless we raise a minimum of $2,500,000 in gross offering proceeds from persons who are not affiliated with us or our advisor. If we are unable to raise substantially more funds in the offering than the minimum offering amount, we will make fewer investments resulting in less diversification in terms of the type, number and size of investments we make and the value of an investment in us will fluctuate with the performance of the specific assets we acquire. Further, we will have certain fixed operating expenses, including certain expenses as a publicly offered REIT, regardless of whether we are able to raise substantial funds in this offering. Our inability to raise substantial funds would increase our fixed operating expenses as a percentage of gross income, reducing our net income and limiting our ability to make distributions.

We currently have no outstanding debt. Once we have fully invested the proceeds of this offering, we expect that our debt financing will be 30% or less of the cost of our investments, although it may exceed this level during our offering stage. Our charter does not limit us from incurring debt until our borrowings would exceed 75% of the cost of our tangible assets, though we may exceed this limit under certain circumstances.

In addition to making investments in accordance with our investment objectives, we expect to use our capital resources to make certain payments to our advisor and the dealer manager. During our organization and offering stage, these payments will include payments to the dealer manager for selling commissions and the dealer manager fee and payments to the dealer manager and our advisor for reimbursement of certain organization and offering expenses. However, our advisor has agreed to reimburse us to the extent that selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and other organization and offering expenses incurred by us exceed 15% of our gross offering proceeds. During our acquisition and development stage, we expect to make payments to our advisor in connection with the selection and origination or purchase of investments, the management of our assets and costs incurred by our advisor in providing services to us. For a discussion of the compensation to be paid to our advisor and the dealer manager, see “Management Compensation.” The advisory agreement has a one-year term but may be renewed for an unlimited number of successive one-year periods upon the mutual consent of KBS Capital Advisors and our conflicts committee.

We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT and to operate as a REIT beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2009. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we will be required to make aggregate annual distributions to our stockholders of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gain). Our board of directors may authorize distributions in excess of those required for us to maintain REIT status depending on our financial condition and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. Provided we have sufficient available cash flow, we intend to authorize and declare daily distributions and pay distributions on a monthly basis. We have not established a minimum distribution level.

Results of Operations

We were formed on October 8, 2008 and, as of the date of this prospectus, we have not commenced operations. We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. We intend to originate and acquire mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans and to invest in real estate-related debt securities such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. In addition, we may acquire equity securities of companies that make investments similar to ours. We will not commence any significant operations until we have raised the minimum offering amount of $2,500,000 from persons who are not affiliated with us or our advisor.

Market Outlook - Real Estate Finance Markets

The capital and credit markets have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption for more than 19 months and the U.S. economy has gone into recession. Turmoil in the capital markets has constrained equity and debt capital available for investment in the commercial real estate market, resulting in fewer buyers seeking to acquire commercial properties, increases in cap rates and lower property values. Furthermore, deteriorating economic conditions have negatively impacted residential and commercial real estate fundamentals. Risks of defaults on loans and foreclosures on mortgages have increased over the past 19 months. Financial market and economic conditions may deteriorate further; we cannot foresee when these conditions will stabilize or improve.

Over the past 19 months, liquidity in the market for non-prime and sub-prime residential mortgage loans, and the real estate-related investments that depend on the performance of such loans, has decreased dramatically. More recently, concerns pertaining to the increased rates of delinquency, foreclosure and loss in residential mortgages have expanded to almost all areas of the debt capital markets including corporate bonds, asset-backed securities and commercial real estate bonds and loans. This has lead to a general decline in liquidity for such investments, a corresponding reduction in their market value and an increase in market volatility. This instability may interfere with the successful implementation of our business strategy.

 

84


Table of Contents

We expect to finance our investments in part with debt. As a result of the ongoing credit market turmoil, we may not be able to obtain debt financing on attractive terms. As such, we may be forced to use a greater proportion of our offering proceeds to finance our acquisitions and originations, reducing the number of investments we would otherwise make. If the current debt market environment persists we may modify our investment strategy in order to optimize our portfolio performance. Our options would include limiting or eliminating the use of debt and focusing on those investments that do not require the use of leverage to meet our portfolio goals.

Over the short-term, management expects continued volatility in the capital markets and with that, continued volatility in the commercial real estate, the real estate finance and the structured finance markets. This may present a short-term opportunity to acquire real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments that are undervalued. However, the opportunity is hampered by the increased cost of capital and uncertainty as to when credit markets and the general economy will stabilize.

Critical Accounting Policies

Below is a discussion of the accounting policies that management believes will be critical once we commence operations. We consider these policies critical because we believe that understanding these policies is critical to understanding and evaluating our reported financial results. Additionally, these policies may involve significant management judgments and assumptions, or require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. These judgments will affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. With different estimates or assumptions, materially different amounts could be reported in our financial statements. Additionally, other companies may utilize different estimates that may impact the comparability of our results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses.

Real Estate Loans Receivable and Loan Loss Reserves

Real estate loans will be classified as held for investment based on management’s intent and ability to hold the loans for the foreseeable future. Real estate loans held for investment will be recorded at amortized cost and evaluated for impairment at each balance sheet date. The amortized cost of a loan is the outstanding unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized acquisition premiums or discounts and unamortized costs and fees directly associated with the origination or acquisition of the loan. We will consider a real estate loan held for investment to be impaired when it becomes probable, based on current information, that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan’s contractual terms. We may purchase real estate loans at a discount to face value where at the acquisition date we expect to collect less than the contractual amounts due under the terms of the loan based, at least in part, on our assessment of the credit quality of the borrower. We will consider such real estate loans to be impaired when it becomes probable, based on current information, that we will be unable to collect all amounts we estimated to be collected at the time of acquisition. The amount of impairment, if any, will be measured by comparing the recorded amount of the loan to the present value of the expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral. If a loan is deemed to be impaired, we will record a loan loss reserve and a provision for loan losses to recognize impairment.

We will record real estate loans held for sale at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. We will determine fair value for loans held for sale by using current secondary market information for loans with similar terms and credit quality. If current secondary market information is not available, we will consider other factors in estimating fair value, including modeled valuations using assumptions we believe a reasonable market participant would use in valuing similar assets (assumptions may include loss rates, prepayment rates, interest rates and credit spreads). If fair value is lower than the amortized cost basis of the loan, we will record a valuation allowance to write the loan down to fair value.

Failure to recognize impairment would result in the overstatement of earnings and the carrying value of our real estate loans held for investment. Actual losses, if any, could differ from estimated amounts.

 

85


Table of Contents

Marketable Real Estate Securities

We will classify investments in real estate securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (“SFAS 115”). We anticipate that the majority of the securities we purchase will be classified as available-for-sale. We will record available-for-sale securities at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Estimated fair values will generally be based on quoted market prices, when available, or on estimates provided by independent pricing sources or dealers who make markets in such securities. If we are unable to obtain prices for our securities from third parties, or conclude that prices obtained from third parties are influenced by distressed market activity, we will perform internal valuations to arrive at a fair value measurement that is consistent with SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position (“FSP”) SFAS No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active (“FSP SFAS 157-3”). Generally, changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities will not affect reported earnings or cash flows, but will impact stockholders’ equity and, accordingly, book value per share. Upon the sale of a security, we will reverse the unrealized gain (loss) from accumulated comprehensive income and record the realized gain (loss) to earnings. Securities classified as held-to-maturity will be recorded at amortized cost with acquisition premiums and discounts amortized to interest income over the life of the security using the effective interest method.

We will monitor available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities for impairment on a quarterly basis. We will recognize an impairment loss when we determine that a decline in the estimated fair value of a security below its amortized cost is other-than-temporary. We will consider many factors in determining whether the impairment of a security is deemed to be other-than-temporary, including, but not limited to, the length of time the security has had a decline in estimated fair value below its amortized cost, the amount of the unrealized loss, the intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for a recovery in value, recent events specific to the issuer or industry, external credit ratings, and recent changes in such ratings. Determining whether impairment of a security is other-than-temporary involves a significant amount of judgment by management.

We will account for purchased real estate debt securities that are beneficial interests in securitized financial assets that are rated below “AA” in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets (“EITF 99-20”). Under EITF 99-20, we will review on a quarterly basis, the projected future cash flows of these investments for changes in assumptions due to prepayments, credit loss experience and other factors. When significant changes in estimated cash flows from the cash flows previously estimated occur due to actual prepayment and credit loss experience, we will calculate a revised yield based upon the current reference amount of the investment, including any other than temporary impairments recognized to date, and the revised estimate of cash flows. We will apply the revised yield prospectively to recognize interest income. If based on our quarterly estimate of cash flows, there has been an adverse change in the estimated cash flows from the cash flows previously estimated and the present value of the revised cash flow is less than the present value previously estimated, an other-than-temporary impairment will be deemed to have occurred. When we deem a security to be other-than-temporarily impaired, we will write it down to its fair value (with the reduction in fair value recorded as a charge to earnings) and will establish a new reference amount for the investment. If there are no adverse changes to our assumptions and the change in value is solely due to interest rate changes, we will not recognize an other-than-temporary impairment. Estimating cash flows and determining whether there is other-than-temporary impairment requires management to exercise judgment and make significant assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions regarding estimated prepayments, loss assumptions, and assumptions with respect to changes in interest rates. As a result, actual impairment losses and the timing of income recognized on these securities could materially differ from reported amounts.

 

86


Table of Contents

Revenue Recognition

We will recognize interest income on real estate loans receivable on an accrual basis over the life of the investment using the effective interest method. Direct loan origination or acquisition fees and costs, as well as acquisition premiums or discounts, will be amortized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to interest income. We will place loans on nonaccrual status when any portion of principal or interest is 90 days past due, or earlier when concern exists as to the ultimate collection of principal or interest. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, we will reverse the accrual for unpaid interest and will not recognize interest income until the cash is received, or the loan returns to accrual status. Generally, a loan may be returned to accrual status when all delinquent principal and interest are brought current in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and certain performance criteria have been met.

We will recognize interest income on loans purchased at discounts to face value where we expect to collect less than the contractual amounts due under the loan when that expectation is due, at least in part, to the credit quality of the borrower in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer (“SOP 03-3”). Under SOP 03-3, income is recognized at an interest rate equivalent to the estimated yield on the loan, as calculated using the carrying value of the loan and the expected cash flows. Changes in estimated cash flows are recognized through an adjustment to the yield on the loan on a prospective basis. Projecting cash flows for these types of loans requires a significant amount of assumptions and judgment, which may have a significant impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognized on these investments.

We will recognize interest income on real estate securities on an accrual basis according to the contractual terms of the securities. Discounts or premiums will be amortized to interest income over the life of the investment using the effective interest method.

We will recognize interest income on real estate debt securities that are beneficial interests in securitized financial assets that are rated below “AA” in accordance with EITF 99-20, which will require us to periodically project estimated cash flows related to these securities and accrue interest income at an interest rate equivalent to the estimated yield on the security, as calculated using the revised estimated cash flows and the security’s carrying value, or reference amount. Changes in the estimated cash flows are recognized through an adjustment to the yield on the security on a prospective basis. Projecting cash flows for these types of securities requires a significant amount of assumptions and judgment, which may have a significant impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognized on these investments.

Income Taxes

We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code and intend to operate as such beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2009. We expect to have little or no taxable income prior to electing REIT status. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to our stockholders (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent we distribute qualifying dividends to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. However, we intend to organize and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT.

Distribution Policy

We expect to authorize and declare daily distributions that will be paid on a monthly basis. Generally, our policy will be to pay distributions from cash flow from operations. However, we expect to have little, if any, cash flow from operations available for distribution until we make substantial investments. Further, because we may receive income at various times during our fiscal year and because we may need cash flow from operations during a particular period to fund expenses, we expect that at least during the early stages of our development and from time to time during our operational stage, we will declare distributions in anticipation of cash flow that we expect to receive during a later period and we will pay these distributions in advance of our actual receipt of these funds. In these instances, we expect to look to third-party borrowings to fund our distributions. We may also fund such distributions from advances from our advisor or sponsors or from our advisor’s deferral of its asset management fee.

Our distribution policy is not to use the proceeds of this offering to pay distributions. However, our board has the authority under our organizational documents, to the extent permitted by Maryland law, to pay distributions from any source, including proceeds from this offering or the proceeds from the issuance of securities in the future.

 

87


Table of Contents

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must make aggregate annual distributions to our stockholders of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). If we meet the REIT qualification requirements, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the income that we distribute to our stockholders each year.

We have not established a minimum distribution level, and our charter does not require that we make distributions to our stockholders.

Industry Segments

SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information , establishes standards for the way that public entities report information about operating segments in their financial statements. We will invest in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related assets, which may include commercial properties, and as a result, we may operate in two business segments (investments in real estate-related assets and investments in real property).

 

88


Table of Contents

PRIOR PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

In January 2006, our sponsors teamed to launch the initial public offering of their first public non-traded REIT, KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., which we refer to as KBS REIT I, and they are currently sponsoring the initial public offering of KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc., which we refer to as KBS REIT II. As described below, KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II are targeting to acquire a portfolio of commercial properties and enhanced-return real estate-related debt and equity investments. Our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors, is also the external advisor to KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II.

Since 1992, two of our sponsors, Peter M. Bren and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., have partnered to acquire, manage, develop and sell high-quality U.S. commercial real estate assets as well as real estate-related investments on behalf of institutional investors. Since the formation of the first investment adviser affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber in 1992, investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber have sponsored 14 private real estate funds that have raised over $2.0 billion of equity from institutional investors. Together, Messrs. Bren and Schreiber founded KBS Realty Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a nationally recognized real estate investment adviser. We refer to the investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber as KBS investment advisers.

Unless otherwise indicated, the information presented below represents the historical experience of KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II and the private real estate funds sponsored by KBS investment advisers as of the ten years ending September 30, 2008. By purchasing shares in this offering, you will not acquire any ownership interest in any funds to which the information in this section relates and you should not assume that you will experience returns, if any, comparable to those experienced by the investors in the real estate funds discussed. Further, the private funds discussed in this section were conducted through privately held entities that were subject neither to the up-front commissions, fees and expenses associated with this offering nor all of the laws and regulations that will apply to us as a publicly offered REIT. We have omitted from this discussion information regarding the prior performance of entities for which an institutional investor engaged a KBS investment adviser if the investor had the power to reject the real estate acquisitions proposed by the KBS investment adviser. Such entities are not considered “funds” or “programs” as those terms are used in this prospectus.

KBS REIT I

On January 27, 2006, our sponsors launched the initial public offering of KBS REIT I, a publicly registered, non-traded REIT. Its initial public offering was for a maximum of 200,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $10.00 per share, plus an additional 80,000,000 shares of common stock at $9.50 per share pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan. As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT I had accepted aggregate gross offering proceeds of approximately $1.7 billion, including $53.8 million pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, from approximately 42,603 investors. Of the amount raised pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, $6.6 million has been used to fund share redemptions pursuant to its share redemption program. KBS REIT I ceased offering shares in its primary public offering on May 30, 2008 and KBS REIT I continues to offer shares under its dividend reinvestment plan.

As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT I owned 62 real estate properties, one master lease, 21 real estate loans receivable and two investments in securities directly or indirectly backed by commercial mortgage loans. The 62 real estate properties total 20.4 million square feet, including properties held through a consolidated joint venture. The real estate property portfolio includes 20 office properties, one light industrial property, three corporate research properties, two distribution facilities, one industrial portfolio consisting of nine distribution and office/warehouse properties, one office/flex portfolio consisting of four properties and an 80% membership interest in a joint venture that owns a portfolio of 23 institutional quality industrial properties and holds a master lease with a remaining term of 14.5 years with respect to another industrial property (by “institutional quality” we mean properties with certain features (tenancy, location, construction quality, management, functionality, etc.) and benefits that help distinguish them as desirable investments to relatively risk adverse high net worth entities). At September 30, 2008, the portfolio was approximately 95% leased. The KBS REIT I real estate loans receivable portfolio included three secured loans and one mezzanine loan that KBS REIT I originated, as well as seven mezzanine real estate loans, two B-Notes, a partial ownership interest in three mezzanine real estate loans, two first mortgage loans, a partial ownership interest in a senior mortgage loan and two loans representing senior subordinated debt of a private REIT. KBS REIT I used the net proceeds from its initial public offering and debt financing to purchase or fund $3.0 billion of real estate and real estate-related investments as of September 30, 2008, including $34.0 million in acquisition fees and closing costs. As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT I had used the net proceeds from its initial public offering for real estate investments and real estate-related investments in the amounts of $0.7 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively, and had debt financing on its real estate investments and real estate-related investments in the amounts of $1.2 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively.

 

89


Table of Contents

KBS REIT I has investment objectives that are similar to ours. Like ours, its primary investment objectives are to provide investors with attractive and stable returns and to preserve and return their capital contributions and, like us, it will seek to realize growth in the value of its investments by timing asset sales to maximize asset value. In addition, both real estate or real estate-related investments involve similar assessments of the risks and rewards of operation of the underlying real estate and financing thereof as well as an understanding of the real estate and real estate-finance markets.

KBS REIT I has acquired and manages a diverse portfolio of real estate and real estate-related assets. It has diversified the portfolio by property type, geographic region, investment size and investment risk with the goal of attaining a portfolio of income-producing real estate and real estate-related assets that provide attractive and stable returns to its investors. In constructing its portfolio, KBS REIT I has targeted approximately 70% core investments (which are generally existing properties with at least 80% occupancy and minimal near-term lease rollover) and approximately 30% enhanced-return properties (which are higher-yield and higher-risk investments than core properties, such as properties with moderate vacancies or near-term lease rollovers, poorly managed and positioned properties, properties owned by distressed sellers and built-to-suit properties) and real estate-related investments, including mortgage loans, mezzanine debt, mortgage-backed securities and other similar structured finance investments. Though this is its target portfolio, KBS REIT I’s portfolio may vary from its expected composition to the extent that KBS Capital Advisors presents KBS REIT I with good investment opportunities that allow it to meet the REIT requirements under the Internal Revenue Code.

As of September 30, 2008, as a percentage of capital invested, KBS REIT I had invested in the following types of assets (including its investments through a consolidated joint venture): 33% in 20 office properties, 33% in interests in 11 mezzanine loans, 17% in 42 industrial properties and a master lease with a remaining term of 14.5 years in another industrial property, 10% in interests in six mortgage loans, approximately 4% in other debt and marketable real estate securities investments and 3% in interests in two loans representing subordinated debt of a private REIT. All of KBS REIT I’s real property investments have been made within the United States. Also as of September 30, 2008 and as a percentage of capital invested, the geographic locations of KBS REIT I’s investments in real properties were as follows (including its investments through a consolidated joint venture): 33% in 22 properties in the South; 29% in 25 properties and a master lease with a remaining term of 14.50 years in another property in the East; 22% in eight properties in the West and 16% in seven properties in the Midwest. All of the real properties purchased by the KBS REIT I had prior owners and operators.

For more detailed information regarding acquisitions by KBS REIT I as of December 31, 2007, see Table VI contained in Part II of the registration statement, which is not part of this prospectus. We will provide a copy of Table VI to you upon written request and without charge.

KBS REIT I had not sold any properties or other investments as of September 30, 2008. KBS REIT I intends to hold its properties and other investments for an extended period, typically five to seven years for real properties. In November 2007, the borrowers of a mezzanine loan in which KBS REIT I held a $21 million interest paid off the loan in full, including a spread maintenance premium.

KBS REIT I’s primary public offering was subject to the up-front commissions, fees and expenses associated with this offering and KBS REIT I has fee arrangements with KBS affiliates structured similar to ours. See Table II under “Prior Performance Tables” for more information regarding the fees paid to KBS affiliates by KBS REIT I.

The KBS REIT I prospectus discloses that KBS REIT I may seek to list its shares of common stock if its independent directors believe listing would be in the best interests of its stockholders. To date, the independent directors have not made such a determination. If KBS REIT I does not list its shares of common stock on a national securities exchange by November 2012, its charter requires that KBS REIT I either (i) seek stockholder approval of the liquidation of the company or (ii) if a majority of its conflicts committee determines that liquidation is not then in the best interests of the stockholders, postpone the decision of whether to liquidate the company. As we have not reached November 2012, none of the actions described in (i) or (ii) above have occurred.

 

90


Table of Contents

If a majority of its conflicts committee does determine that liquidation is not then in the best interests of KBS REIT I’s stockholders, its charter requires that the conflicts committee revisit the issue of liquidation at least annually. Further postponement of listing or stockholder action regarding liquidation would only be permitted if a majority of the conflicts committee again determined that liquidation would not be in the best interest of the stockholders. If KBS REIT I sought and failed to obtain stockholder approval of its liquidation, the KBS REIT I charter would not require KBS REIT I to list or liquidate and would not require the conflicts committee to revisit the issue of liquidation, and KBS REIT I could continue to operate as before. If KBS REIT I sought and obtained stockholder approval of its liquidation, KBS REIT I would begin an orderly sale of its properties and other assets. The precise timing of such sales would take account of the prevailing real estate and financial markets, the economic conditions in the submarkets where its properties are located and the federal income tax consequences to the stockholders. In making the decision to apply for listing of its shares, KBS REIT I’s directors will try to determine whether listing its shares or liquidating its assets will result in greater value for stockholders.

The continued disruptions in the financial markets and deteriorating economic conditions have adversely affected the fair values and recoverability of certain of KBS REIT I’s investments. KBS REIT I expects that in addition to disclosing fair values below its book values for certain assets in its 2008 year-end financial statements, it will also recognize impairments related to a limited number of assets.

At each financial statement reporting date KBS REIT I marks its marketable real estate securities to market and determines if any decline in the market value of an individual security below its adjusted cost basis is other-than-temporary based upon (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the adjusted cost basis, (ii) an analysis of the anticipated future cash flow from the underlying collateral, (iii) KBS REIT I’s ability and intent to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for the recovery in the fair value and (iv) other factors. For the fourth quarter of 2008, KBS REIT I expects to recognize an other-than-temporary impairment charge of approximately $11 million related to its floating rate commercial mortgage-backed securities acquired in April 2007. When combined with approximately $7 million of impairment charges previously recognized against these securities through September 30, 2008, the total impairment is equal to the entire approximately $18 million acquisition cost. Based on specific issues within the loan portfolio underlying these securities, KBS REIT I no longer believes that it will recover any of the principal amount of the securities.

In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2008, KBS REIT I expects to recognize an impairment charge of approximately $32 million related to its fixed rate investment grade securities, resulting in an adjusted cost basis of approximately $13 million. KBS REIT I acquired the fixed rate investment grade securities with a face amount of approximately $82 million for approximately $44 million in June 2008. Due to the magnitude of the decrease in market value and the length of time the fair value both has been and is expected to be below its cost, KBS REIT I anticipates recognizing the decrease in value as an other-than-temporary impairment charge for the fourth quarter of 2008.

KBS REIT I continues to conduct impairment testing on its portfolio of assets on at least an annual basis or when there are indicators of impairment. With respect to its loan portfolio, KBS REIT I considers a loan held for investment to be impaired when it becomes probable, based on current information, that it will be unable to collect all amounts estimated to be collected at the time of acquisition. The amount of impairment, if any, will be measured by comparing the recorded amount of the loan to (i) the present value of the expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, (ii) the loan’s observable market price or (iii) the fair value of the collateral. For the fourth quarter of 2008, KBS REIT I expects that it will record an impairment of the full amount of its $50 million subordinated debt investment in Petra Fund REIT Corp. (“Petra”). Petra is a private real estate investment trust that invests in high-yield and structured assets secured by commercial and residential real estate. The volatility in the debt markets has negatively affected the value of Petra’s assets and its access to capital.

Actual events may cause KBS REIT I to recognize a material charge for impairment with respect to investments other than those described above or a different impairment charge for investments described above. Moreover, even if KBS REIT I does not recognize any material charge for impairment with respect to an asset, the fair value of the asset may have declined based on general economic conditions or other factors.

 

91


Table of Contents

Upon request, prospective investors may obtain from us without charge copies of offering materials and any public reports prepared in connection with KBS REIT I, including a copy of the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For a reasonable fee, we also will furnish upon request copies of the exhibits to the Form 10-K. Many of the offering materials and reports prepared in connection with KBS REIT I are also available on its web site at www.kbsreit.com. Neither the contents of that web site nor any of the materials or reports relating to KBS REIT I are incorporated by reference in or otherwise a part of this prospectus. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and other information that KBS REIT I files electronically as KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

KBS REIT II

On April 22, 2008, our sponsors launched the initial public offering of KBS REIT II, a publicly registered, non-traded REIT. Its initial public offering is for a maximum of 200,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $10.00 per share, plus an additional 80,000,000 shares of common stock at $9.50 per share pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan. As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT II had accepted aggregate gross offering proceeds of approximately $156.0 million, including $0.2 million issued pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, from approximately 4,514 investors. Of the amount raised pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, none had been used to fund share redemptions pursuant to its share redemption program as no shares were yet eligible for redemption under the program. KBS REIT II’s offering is expected to last until April 22, 2010, but KBS REIT II may extend its offering beyond that date.

As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT II owned two office properties. Both properties are located in New Jersey and had prior owners and operators. KBS REIT II has not sold any assets and intends to hold its properties for an extended period, typically five to seven years. The period KBS REIT II will hold its real estate-related assets will vary depending upon the type of asset, interest rates and other factors. KBS REIT II used the net proceeds from its initial public offering and debt financing to purchase or fund $215.4 million of real estate and real estate-related investments as of September 30, 2008, including $4.7 million in acquisition fees and closing costs. As of September 30, 2008, KBS REIT II had used the net proceeds from its initial public offering for real estate investments and real estate-related investments in the amounts of $87.3 million and $0, respectively, and had debt financing on its real estate investments and real estate-related investments in the amounts of $128.1 million and $0, respectively.

KBS REIT II has investment objectives that are similar to ours. Like ours, its primary investment objectives are to provide investors with attractive and stable returns and to preserve and return their capital contributions and, like us, it will seek to realize growth in the value of its investments by timing asset sales to maximize asset value. In addition, both real estate or real estate-related investments involve similar assessments of the risks and rewards of operation of the underlying real estate and financing thereof as well as an understanding of the real estate and real estate-finance markets.

KBS REIT II intends to acquire and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate and real estate-related assets. It plans to diversify the portfolio by investment type, investment size and investment risk with the goal of attaining a portfolio of income-producing real estate and real estate-related assets that provide attractive and stable returns to its investors. In constructing its portfolio, KBS REIT II intends to target approximately 70% core investments and approximately 30% real estate-related investments such as mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other loans, debt and derivative securities related to real estate assets, including mortgage-backed securities, and the equity securities of other REITs and real estate companies. KBS REIT II does not expect its non-controlling equity investments in other public companies to exceed 5% of the proceeds of its offering, assuming it sells the maximum offering amount, or to represent a substantial portion of its assets at any one time. Though this is its target portfolio, KBS REIT II’s portfolio may vary from its expected composition to the extent that KBS Capital Advisors presents KBS REIT II with good investment opportunities that allow it to meet the REIT requirements under the Internal Revenue Code.

KBS REIT II is subject to the up-front commissions, fees and expenses associated with this offering and it has fee arrangements with KBS affiliates structured similar to ours.

The KBS REIT II prospectus discloses that KBS REIT II may seek to list its shares of common stock if its independent directors believe listing would be in the best interests of its stockholders. To date, the independent directors have not made such a determination. If KBS REIT II does not list its shares of common stock on a national securities exchange by March 2018, its charter requires that KBS REIT II either (i) seek stockholder approval of the liquidation of the company or (ii) if a majority of its conflicts committee determines that liquidation is not then in the best interests of the stockholders, postpone the decision of whether to liquidate the company. As we have not reached March 2018, none of the actions described in (i) or (ii) above have occurred.

 

92


Table of Contents

If a majority of its conflicts committee does determine that liquidation is not then in the best interests of KBS REIT II’s stockholders, its charter requires that the conflicts committee revisit the issue of liquidation at least annually. Further postponement of listing or stockholder action regarding liquidation would only be permitted if a majority of the conflicts committee again determined that liquidation would not be in the best interest of the stockholders. If KBS REIT II sought and failed to obtain stockholder approval of its liquidation, the KBS REIT II charter would not require KBS REIT II to list or liquidate and would not require the conflicts committee to revisit the issue of liquidation, and KBS REIT II could continue to operate as before. If KBS REIT II sought and obtained stockholder approval of its liquidation, KBS REIT II would begin an orderly sale of its properties and other assets. The precise timing of such sales would take account of the prevailing real estate and financial markets, the economic conditions in the submarkets where its properties are located and the federal income tax consequences to the stockholders. In making the decision to apply for listing of its shares, KBS REIT II’s directors will try to determine whether listing its shares or liquidating its assets will result in greater value for stockholders.

Upon request, prospective investors may obtain from us without charge copies of offering materials and any public reports prepared in connection with KBS REIT II. Many of the offering materials and reports prepared in connection with KBS REIT II are also available on its web site at www.reitii.com. Neither the contents of that web site nor any of the materials or reports relating to KBS REIT II are incorporated by reference in or otherwise a part of this prospectus. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and other information that KBS REIT II files electronically as KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Private Programs

During the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008, KBS investment advisers managed 14 private real estate funds, six of which were multi-investor, commingled funds and eight of which were single-client, separate accounts. All of these private funds were limited partnerships for which affiliates of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber act or acted as a general partner. In all cases, affiliates of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber had responsibility for acquiring, investing, managing, developing and selling the real estate and real estate-related assets of each of the funds. Six of the 14 private funds managed by KBS investment advisers during the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008 used private REITs to structure the ownership of some of their investments.

Ten of the 14 private real estate funds managed by KBS investment advisers raised approximately $660.0 million of equity capital from 26 institutional investors during the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008. The institutional investors investing in the private funds include public and corporate pension funds, endowments and foundations. See Table I and Table II under “Prior Performance Tables” in this prospectus for more information regarding the experience of our sponsors in raising funds from investors. During this ten-year period, four of the 14 private funds managed by KBS investment advisers did not raise any capital and two other private funds did not buy any new assets but raised capital only for on-going capital expenditure requirements.

During the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008, KBS investment advisers acquired 62 real estate investments and invested over $1.3 billion in these assets (including equity, debt and reinvestment of income and sales proceeds) on behalf of the eight private funds raising capital for new investments during this period. Debt financing was used in acquiring the properties of all of these eight private funds.

Each of the private funds managed by KBS investment advisers during the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008 have or had (four of the funds have been fully liquidated) investment objectives that are similar to ours. Like ours, their primary investment objectives are to provide investors with attractive and stable returns and to preserve and return their capital contributions and, like us, they seek to realize growth in the value of their investments by timing asset sales to maximize asset value. In addition, both real estate or real estate-related investments involve similar assessments of the risks and rewards of operation of the underlying real estate and financing thereof as well as an understanding of the real estate and real estate-finance markets.

For each of the private funds, the KBS investment adviser has focused on acquiring a diverse portfolio of real estate investments. The KBS investment adviser typically diversified the portfolios of the private funds by property type and geographic region as well as investment size and investment risk. In constructing the portfolios for 12 of the 14 private funds, the KBS investment adviser specialized in acquiring a mix of value-added, enhanced-return and core real estate assets, focusing primarily on value-added and enhanced-return properties. Value-added and enhanced-return assets are assets that are undervalued or that could be repositioned to enhance their value. For two of the 14 private funds, the KBS investment adviser is focusing on the acquisition of core real estate assets.

 

93


Table of Contents

Substantially all of the assets acquired by the private funds have involved commercial properties. During the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008, capital invested by property type by KBS investment advisers on behalf of the private funds was: 84% of capital invested in 55 office properties, 8% of capital invested in four industrial properties, 7% of capital invested in commercial mortgage-backed securities and 1% of capital invested in one retail property and a mortgage loan.

KBS Investment Advisers – Private Programs

Capital Invested by Property Type

LOGO

The KBS investment advisers for the private funds also sought to diversify the investments of the funds by geographic region as illustrated by the chart below. This chart shows investments in different geographic regions by capital invested during the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008. KBS investment advisers have emphasized their investment activity within those regions that have exhibited the potential for strong or sustainable growth. All investments by the private funds were within the United States. Capital invested in acquired properties during the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008 by geographic region is as follows: 42% of capital invested in the South in 25 properties, 33% of capital invested in the East in 18 properties, 17% of capital invested in the West in 12 properties and 8% of capital invested in the Midwest in seven properties.

 

94


Table of Contents

KBS Investment Advisers – Private Programs

Capital Invested by Region

LOGO

In seeking to diversify the portfolios of the private funds by investment risk, KBS investment advisers have purchased both low risk, high-quality properties and high-quality but under-performing properties in need of repositioning. Substantially all of the properties purchased by the private funds had prior owners and operators.

For more detailed information regarding acquisitions by the private funds in the three years ending December 31, 2007, see Table VI contained in Part II of the registration statement, which is not part of this prospectus. We will provide a copy of Table VI to you upon written request and without charge.

During the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008, KBS investment advisers have invested over $1.3 billion (including equity, debt and reinvestment of income and sales proceeds) for its clients through eight private funds. Of the properties acquired during the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008, KBS investment advisers had sold 32 properties on behalf of these eight private funds, which represents 52% of all properties these eight private funds had acquired during this period. These eight funds also sold 31 properties during the 10–year period ending September 30, 2008 that had been acquired before October 1, 1998. During the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008, KBS investment advisers sold another 125 properties on behalf of the six funds that had acquired properties prior to October 1, 1998. KBS investment advisers continue to actively manage the unsold properties of these private funds to significantly increase their operating cash flows. KBS investment advisers anticipate that they will sell these assets when they believe market conditions and property positioning have maximized their value.

Though the private funds were not subject to the up-front commissions, fees and expenses associated with this offering, the private funds have fee arrangements with KBS affiliates structured similar to ours. The percentage of the fees varied based on the market factors at the time the particular fund was formed. Historically a majority of the private funds paid (i) asset management fees, (ii) acquisition fees and (iii) real estate commissions, disposition fees and/or incentive fees based on participation interests in the net cash flows of the funds’ assets after achieving a stipulated return for the investors or based on gains from the sale of assets.

 

95


Table of Contents

Please see Tables II and III under “Prior Performance Tables” in this prospectus for more information regarding the fees paid to KBS affiliates by these private funds and the operating results of these private funds. Only two of the private funds represented in Table II, which we refer to as Commingled Account 5/95 and Commingled Account 6/99, paid incentive fees during the three years ended December 31, 2007. Two of the ten private funds in Table II, Commingled Account 6/98 and Commingled Account 6/99, pay incentive fees based on gains from the sale of assets. The incentive fees for the remaining eight private funds represented in Table II, which we refer to as Commingled Account 5/95, Commingled Account 12/96, Separate Account 10/97, Separate Account 12/98, Separate Account 6/05, Separate Account 8/05, Separate Account 5/06 and Separate Account 10/06, are back-end fees based on participation interests in the net cash flows of the funds’ assets after achieving a stipulated return for the investors. These back-end incentive fees will be paid during the final liquidation stage of the private funds. Only one of these eight private funds, Commingled Account 5/95, has been liquidated. None of the other funds presented in Table II are in their liquidation stage.

Adverse changes in general economic conditions have occasionally affected the performance of the private funds. For example, in the mid-1990s, in an effort to take advantage of what the KBS investment advisers believed was attractive, discounted portfolio pricing, five of the private funds invested in real estate portfolios in the Southwest, primarily in Arizona and Texas. These portfolios were composed principally of smaller Class B buildings. The recession, beginning around 1999, resulted in more business failures among smaller tenants typical to Class B buildings. This resulted in higher vacancy rates for these buildings and in the funds investing additional capital to cover the costs of re-letting the properties. The private funds also retained the buildings for a longer period of time so that the buildings would be sufficiently leased for disposition. The five private funds that made such investments were Commingled Account 12/96, Commingled Account 6/98, Commingled Account 6/99, Separate Account 10/97 and Separate Account 12/98. Also in the late 1990s, three private funds, Commingled Account 6/98, Commingled Account 6/99 and Separate Account 12/98, made investments in real estate located in the Northeast, primarily in Massachusetts. At that time, this area had a high concentration of tenants that were tech companies. While the private funds did not have a significant number of tech companies as their tenants, the collapse of the dot-com market did result in a significant amount of office-building space being returned to the marketplace, increasing vacancy rates and substantially lowering market rents. As a result, rental rates in the buildings owned by these funds decreased on newly leased space and renewals in buildings. The area’s higher vacancy rates also increased the period of time it took the KBS investment advisers to get the properties to the planned stabilized occupancy level for disposition. All of the private funds discussed in this paragraph are still in their operating stage. These adverse market conditions reduced the distributions made by these private funds and may cause the total returns to investors to be lower than they otherwise would.

In addition, the reduction in availability of financing and the recent deterioration of general economic conditions has led to a more difficult environment for selling properties and other real estate assets. As a result, over the past 12 months, our prior programs that are liquidating their assets have needed more time to sell their assets than they have historically required.

Please see Tables III, IV and V under “Prior Performance Tables” in this prospectus for more information regarding the operating results of the private funds sponsored by KBS investment advisers, information regarding the results of the completed funds and information regarding the sales or disposals of properties by these private funds.

 

96


Table of Contents

FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our common stock. The law firm of DLA Piper LLP (US) has acted as our tax counsel and reviewed this summary. For purposes of this section under the heading “Federal Income Tax Considerations,” references to “KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.,” “we,” “our” and “us” mean only KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. We have not sought and do not currently expect to seek an advance ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this prospectus. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we will operate KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities in accordance with their applicable organizational documents. This summary is for general information only and does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:

 

   

financial institutions;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

broker-dealers;

 

   

regulated investment companies;

 

   

partnerships and trusts;

 

   

persons who hold our stock on behalf of other persons as nominees;

 

   

persons who receive our stock through the exercise of employee stock options (if we ever have employees) or otherwise as compensation;

 

   

persons holding our stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “constructive ownership transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;

 

   

“S” corporations;

and, except to the extent discussed below:

 

   

tax-exempt organizations; and

 

   

foreign investors.

This summary assumes that investors will hold their common stock as a capital asset, which generally means as property held for investment.

The federal income tax treatment of holders of our common stock depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder of holding our common stock will depend on the stockholder’s particular tax circumstances. For example, a stockholder that is a partnership or trust that has issued an equity interest to certain types of tax-exempt organizations may be subject to a special entity-level tax if we make distributions attributable to “excess inclusion income.” See “—Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. —Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.” A similar tax may be payable by persons who hold our stock as nominees on behalf of tax-exempt organizations. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of our common stock.

 

97


Table of Contents

Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT, commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2009. We believe that we have been organized and expect to operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT.

The law firm of DLA Piper LLP (US), acting as our tax counsel in connection with this offering, will render an opinion that we have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, and that our proposed method of operation will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2009. It must be emphasized that the opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) will be based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation and will be conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, and income, and the past, present and future conduct of our business operations. While we intend to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given by DLA Piper LLP (US) or by us that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular year. The opinion will be expressed as of the date issued and will not cover subsequent periods. Counsel will have no obligation to advise us or our stockholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.

Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of stock and asset ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code, the compliance with which will not be reviewed by DLA Piper LLP (US). Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

Taxation of REITs in General

As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under “—Requirements for Qualification—General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for distributions that we pay and therefore will not be subject to federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from investment in a corporation. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon distribution to our stockholders.

For tax years through 2010, most domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate distributions at a maximum rate of 15% (the same as long-term capital gains). With limited exceptions, however, distributions from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for this rate and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income, which will be as high as 35% through 2010. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders—Distributions.”

 

98


Table of Contents

Any net operating losses and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See “—Taxation of Stockholders.”

If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to federal tax in the following circumstances:

 

   

We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.

 

   

We may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference, including any deductions of net operating losses.

 

   

If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “—Prohibited Transactions” and “—Foreclosure Property” below.

 

   

If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%).

 

   

If we derive “excess inclusion income” from an interest in certain mortgage loan securitization structures (i.e., a “taxable mortgage pool” or a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit, or “REMIC”), we could be subject to corporate level federal income tax at a 35% rate to the extent that such income is allocable to specified types of tax-exempt stockholders known as “disqualified organizations” that are not subject to unrelated business income tax. See “—Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income” below.

 

   

If we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.

 

   

If we should violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to an excise tax. In that case, the amount of the excise tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.

 

   

If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts that we actually distributed and (ii) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.

 

   

We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “—Requirements for Qualification—General.”

 

   

A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS (as described below) that do not reflect arms’-length terms.

 

   

If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the ten-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation.

 

   

The earnings of our subsidiaries, including any subsidiary we may elect to treat as a TRS, are subject to federal corporate income tax to the extent that such subsidiaries are subchapter C corporations.

In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state and local and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

 

99


Table of Contents

Requirements for Qualification—General

The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

 

  (1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

 

  (2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

 

  (3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;

 

  (4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

  (5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

 

  (6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and

 

  (7) which meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.

The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation’s initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, will be 2009). Our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of our shares, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above.

To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our distributions in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information.

In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We intend to adopt December 31 as our year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.

The Internal Revenue Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under “—Income Tests,” in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see “—Asset Tests” below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met, including the payment of a penalty tax. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

Ownership of Partnership Interests . If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements. For any period of time that we own 100% of our Operating Partnership, all of the Operating Partnership’s assets and income will be deemed to be ours for federal income tax purposes.

 

100


Table of Contents

Disregarded Subsidiaries . If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded for federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary’s assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly wholly owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned—for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours—the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “—Asset Tests” and “—Income Tests.”

Taxable Corporate Subsidiaries . In the future we may jointly elect with any of our subsidiary corporations, whether or not wholly owned, to treat such subsidiary corporations as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable corporation generally would be subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the distributions paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees or activities that would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.

We may own TRSs that are organized outside of the United States. For example, we may hold certain investments and instruments through TRSs to the extent that direct ownership by us could jeopardize our compliance with the REIT qualification requirements, and we may make TRS elections with respect to certain offshore issuers of CDOs and/or other instruments to the extent that we do not own 100% of the offshore issuer’s equity. Special rules apply in the case of income earned by a taxable subsidiary corporation that is organized outside of the United States. Depending upon the nature of the subsidiary’s income, the parent REIT may be required to include in its taxable income an amount equal to its share of the subsidiary’s income, without regard to whether, or when, such income is distributed by the subsidiary. See “—Income Tests” below. A TRS that is organized outside of the United States may, depending upon the nature of its operations, be subject to little or no federal income tax. There is a specific exemption from federal income tax for non-U.S. corporations that restrict their activities in the United States to trading stock and securities (or any activity closely related thereto) for their own account, whether such trading (or such other activity) is conducted by the corporation or its employees through a resident broker, commission agent, custodian or other agent. We currently expect that any offshore TRSs will rely on that exemption or otherwise operate in a manner so that they will generally not be subject to federal income tax on their net income at the entity level.

 

101


Table of Contents

Income Tests

In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions,” generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), “rents from real property,” distributions received from other REITs, and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of such income from investments in real property (i.e., income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above), as well as other distributions, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% income test.

To the extent that the terms of a loan provide for contingent interest that is based on the cash proceeds realized upon the sale of the property securing the loan (a “shared appreciation provision”), income attributable to the participation feature will be treated as gain from sale of the underlying property, which generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests provided that the real property is not held as inventory or dealer property or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. To the extent that we derive interest income from a mortgage loan or income from the rental of real property (discussed below) where all or a portion of the amount of interest or rental income payable is contingent, such income generally will qualify for purposes of the gross income tests only if it is based upon the gross receipts or sales and not on the net income or profits of the borrower or lessee. This limitation does not apply, however, where the borrower or lessee leases substantially all of its interest in the property to tenants or subtenants to the extent that the rental income derived by the borrower or lessee, as the case may be, would qualify as rents from real property had we earned the income directly.

We and our subsidiaries may invest in mezzanine loans, which are loans secured by equity interests in an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property, rather than by a direct mortgage of the real property. The IRS has issued Revenue Procedure 2003-65, which provides a safe harbor applicable to mezzanine loans. Under the Revenue Procedure, if a mezzanine loan meets each of the requirements contained in the Revenue Procedure, (1) the mezzanine loan will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the asset tests described below, and (2) interest derived from the mezzanine loan will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% income test. Although the Revenue Procedure provides a safe harbor on which taxpayers may rely, it does not prescribe rules of substantive tax law. We intend to structure any investments in mezzanine loans in a manner that generally complies with the various requirements applicable to our qualification as a REIT. However, the extent that any of our mezzanine loans do not meet all of the requirements for reliance on the safe harbor set forth in the Revenue Procedure, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the tax treatment of these loans.

We and our subsidiaries may also invest in real estate mortgage investment conduits, or REMICs, and we may invest in other types of commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS. See below under “—Asset Tests” for a discussion of the effect of such investments on our qualification as a REIT.

 

102


Table of Contents

We may also hold certain participation interests, including B-Notes, in mortgage loans and mezzanine loans originated by other lenders. B-Notes are interests in underlying loans created by virtue of participations or similar agreements to which the originator of the loans is a party, along with one or more participants. The borrower on the underlying loans is typically not a party to the participation agreement. The performance of this investment depends upon the performance of the underlying loans and, if the underlying borrower defaults, the participant typically has no recourse against the originator of the loans. The originator often retains a senior position in the underlying loans and grants junior participations which absorb losses first in the event of a default by the borrower. We generally expect to treat our participation interests as qualifying real estate assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests described below and interest that we derive from such investments as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% income test. The appropriate treatment of participation interests for federal income tax purposes is not entirely certain, however, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our treatment of our participation interests. In the event of a determination that such participation interests do not qualify as real estate assets, or that the income that we derive from such participation interests does not qualify as mortgage interest for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests, we could be subject to a penalty tax, or could fail to qualify as a REIT. See “—Taxation of REITs in General,” “—Requirements for Qualification—General,” “—Asset Tests” and “—Failure to Qualify.”

Rents received by us will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if several conditions are met. If rent is partly attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property, the portion of the rent that is attributable to the personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property” unless it constitutes 15% or less of the total rent received under the lease. In addition, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Amounts received as rent, however, generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of gross receipts or sales. Moreover, for rents received to qualify as “rents from real property,” we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to the tenants of such property, other than through an “independent contractor” from which we derive no revenue. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and which are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide noncustomary services to tenants of our properties without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the payments for such services do not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the properties. For purposes of this test, we are deemed to have received income from such non-customary services in an amount at least 150% of the direct cost of providing the services. Moreover, we are generally permitted to provide services to tenants or others through a TRS without disqualifying the rental income received from tenants for purposes of the income tests. Also, rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively hold a 10% or greater interest, as measured by vote or value, in the lessee’s equity.

We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any distributions that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% income tests.

We may receive various fees in connection with our operations relating to the origination or purchase of whole loans secured by first mortgages and other loans secured by real property. The fees will generally be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests if they are received in consideration for entering into an agreement to make a loan secured by real property and the fees are not determined by income and profits. Other fees generally are not qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test and will not be favorably counted for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by any TRS will not be included for purposes of the gross income tests. We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we entered into (1) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate, inflation and/or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, and (2) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as such before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered to, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT.

 

103


Table of Contents

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations yet to be issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “—Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, the Internal Revenue Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.

Asset Tests

At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property, stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, and some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.

Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Internal Revenue Code. Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries that we hold may not exceed 25% of the value of our total assets.

Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (such debt, however, will not be treated as “securities” for purposes of the 10% asset test, as explained below).

Certain relief provisions are available to REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%), and (4) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.

In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (1) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets and $10,000,000, and (2) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.

 

104


Table of Contents

Certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% asset test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute “straight debt,” which includes, among other things, securities having certain contingency features. A security does not qualify as “straight debt” where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer’s outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Internal Revenue Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% asset test. Such securities include (1) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (2) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (3) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (4) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (5) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT, and (6) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership’s income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under “—Income Tests.” In applying the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT’s proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.

Any interests that we hold in a REMIC will generally qualify as real estate assets and income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT income tests described above. If less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest qualifies for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests. If we hold a “residual interest” in a REMIC from which we derive “excess inclusion income,” we will be required to either distribute the excess inclusion income or pay tax on it (or a combination of the two), even though we may not receive the income in cash. To the extent that distributed excess inclusion income is allocable to a particular stockholder, the income (1) would not be allowed to be offset by any net operating losses otherwise available to the stockholder, (2) would be subject to tax as unrelated business taxable income in the hands of most types of stockholders that are otherwise generally exempt from federal income tax, and (3) would result in the application of U.S. federal income tax withholding at the maximum rate (30%), without reduction of any otherwise applicable income tax treaty, to the extent allocable to most types of foreign stockholders. Moreover, any excess inclusion income that we receive that is allocable to specified categories of tax-exempt investors which are not subject to unrelated business income tax, such as government entities, may be subject to corporate-level income tax in our hands, whether or not it is distributed. See “—Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.”

To the extent that we hold mortgage participations or CMBS that do not represent REMIC interests, such assets may not qualify as real estate assets, and the income generated from them might not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT income tests, depending upon the circumstances and the specific structure of the investment.

We believe that our holdings of securities and other assets will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements, and we intend to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis. Certain mezzanine loans we make or acquire may qualify for the safe harbor in Revenue Procedure 2003-65 pursuant to which certain loans secured by a first priority security interest in ownership interests in a partnership or limited liability company will be treated as qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% real estate asset test and the 10% vote or value test. See “—Income Tests.” We may make some mezzanine loans that do not qualify for that safe harbor and that do not qualify as “straight debt” securities or for one of the other exclusions from the definition of “securities” for purposes of the 10% value test. We intend to make such investments in such a manner as not to fail the asset tests described above.

No independent appraisals will be obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, values of some assets, including instruments issued in securitization transactions, may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

If we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (1) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (2) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in (2) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief provisions described below.

 

105


Table of Contents

Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to make distributions, other than capital gain distributions, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

 

  (a) the sum of

 

  (1) 90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to our net capital gains and the dividends paid deduction, and

 

  (2) 90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property (as described below), minus

 

  (b) the sum of specified items of non-cash income.

We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular distribution payment after such declaration. In order for distributions to be counted for this purpose, and to provide a tax deduction for us, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A distribution is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and (2) in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.

To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain distributions that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders—Distributions.”

If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, plus (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.

It is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between (a) our actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from our subsidiaries, and (b) our inclusion of items in income for federal income tax purposes. Other potential sources of non-cash taxable income include:

 

   

“residual interests” in REMICs or taxable mortgage pools;

 

   

loans or mortgage-backed securities held as assets that are issued at a discount and require the accrual of taxable economic interest in advance of receipt in cash; and

 

   

loans on which the borrower is permitted to defer cash payments of interest, and distressed loans on which we may be required to accrue taxable interest income even though the borrower is unable to make current servicing payments in cash.

In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, it might be necessary for us to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, or to pay distributions in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property.

We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for distributions paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

 

106


Table of Contents

Failure to Qualify

If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the gross income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are available for failures of the gross income tests and asset tests, as described above in “—Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates will generally be taxable at capital gains rates (through 2010). In addition, subject to the limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.

Prohibited Transactions

Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will potentially be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates.

Foreclosure Property

Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid on the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated, and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. To the extent that we receive any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we intend to make an election to treat the related property as foreclosure property.

 

107


Table of Contents

Derivatives and Hedging Transactions

We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we entered into (1) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate, inflation and/or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, and (2) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as such before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities through our TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT gross income tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.

Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income

An entity, or a portion of an entity, may be classified as a taxable mortgage pool, or TMP, under the Internal Revenue Code if:

 

   

substantially all of its assets consist of debt obligations or interests in debt obligations;

 

   

more than 50% of those debt obligations are real estate mortgages or interests in real estate mortgages as of specified testing dates;

 

   

the entity has issued debt obligations (liabilities) that have two or more maturities; and

 

   

the payments required to be made by the entity on its debt obligations (liabilities) “bear a relationship” to the payments to be received by the entity on the debt obligations that it holds as assets.

Under regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, if less than 80% of the assets of an entity (or a portion of an entity) consist of debt obligations, these debt obligations are considered not to comprise “substantially all” of its assets, and therefore the entity would not be treated as a TMP. Our financing and securitization arrangements may give rise to TMPs with the consequences as described below.

Where an entity, or a portion of an entity, is classified as a TMP, it is generally treated as a taxable corporation for federal income tax purposes. In the case of a REIT, or a portion of a REIT, or a disregarded subsidiary of a REIT, that is a TMP, however, special rules apply. The TMP is not treated as a corporation that is subject to corporate income tax, and the TMP classification does not directly affect the tax qualification of the REIT. Rather, the consequences of the TMP classification would, in general, except as described below, be limited to the stockholders of the REIT.

A portion of the REIT’s income from the TMP, which might be noncash accrued income, could be treated as excess inclusion income. Under recently issued IRS guidance, the REIT’s excess inclusion income, including any excess inclusion income from a residual interest in a REMIC, must be allocated among its stockholders in proportion to distributions paid. We are required to notify our stockholders of the amount of “excess inclusion income” allocated to them. A stockholder’s share of our excess inclusion income:

 

   

cannot be offset by any net operating losses otherwise available to the stockholder;

 

   

is subject to tax as unrelated business taxable income in the hands of most types of stockholders that are otherwise generally exempt from federal income tax; and

 

   

results in the application of U.S. federal income tax withholding at the maximum rate (30%), without reduction for any otherwise applicable income tax treaty or other exemption, to the extent allocable to most types of foreign stockholders.

 

108


Table of Contents

See “—Taxation of Stockholders.” To the extent that excess inclusion income is allocated from a TMP to a tax-exempt stockholder of a REIT that is not subject to unrelated business income tax (such as a government entity), the REIT will be subject to tax on this income at the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%). In this case, we are authorized to reduce and intend to reduce distributions to such stockholders by the amount of such tax paid by the REIT that is attributable to such stockholder’s ownership. Treasury regulations provide that such a reduction in distributions does not give rise to a preferential dividend that could adversely affect the REIT’s compliance with its distribution requirements. See “—Annual Distribution Requirements.” The manner in which excess inclusion income is calculated, or would be allocated to stockholders, including allocations among shares of different classes of stock, remains unclear under current law. As required by IRS guidance, we intend to make such determinations using a reasonable method. Tax-exempt investors, foreign investors and taxpayers with net operating losses should carefully consider the tax consequences described above, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.

If a subsidiary partnership of ours that we do not wholly own, directly or through one or more disregarded entities, were a TMP, the foregoing rules would not apply. Rather, the partnership that is a TMP would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes and potentially could be subject to corporate income tax or withholding tax. In addition, this characterization would alter our income and asset test calculations and could adversely affect our compliance with those requirements. We intend to monitor the structure of any TMPs (including whether a TRS election might be made in respect of any such TMP) in which we have an interest to ensure that they will not adversely affect our qualification as a REIT.

Taxation of Stockholders

Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders

Distributions . So long as we qualify as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable domestic stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain distributions will generally be taken into account by stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our distributions are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates (i.e., the 15% maximum federal rate through 2010) for qualified distributions received by domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates from taxable C corporations. Such stockholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on distributions designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the distributions are attributable to:

 

   

income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax);

 

   

distributions received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or

 

   

income in the prior taxable year from the sales of “built-in gain” property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income).

Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case provisions of the Internal Revenue Code will treat our stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders will receive a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. See “—Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. — Annual Distribution Requirements.” Corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain distributions as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum federal rates of 15% (through 2010) in the case of stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and 35% in the case of stockholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions do not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholder’s shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any distribution that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the distribution before the end of January of the following calendar year.

 

109


Table of Contents

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “—Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

If excess inclusion income from a taxable mortgage pool or REMIC residual interest is allocated to any stockholder, that income will be taxable in the hands of the stockholder and would not be offset by any net operating losses of the stockholder that would otherwise be available. See “Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.—Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.” As required by IRS guidance, we intend to notify our stockholders if a portion of a distribution paid by us is attributable to excess inclusion income.

Dispositions of Our Stock . In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of 15% (through 2010) if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 35% through 2010) if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gain.

If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock or other securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving “reportable transactions” could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards “tax shelters,” are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Internal Revenue Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock or securities or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations . Distributions that we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a domestic stockholder of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our stock. To the extent that distributions we make do not constitute a return of capital, they will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.

Taxation of Foreign Stockholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. holders. A “non-U.S. holder” is any person other than:

 

   

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

 

110


Table of Contents

The following discussion is based on current law, and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation.

Ordinary Dividends . The portion of distributions received by non-U.S. holders (1) that is payable out of our earnings and profits, (2) which is not attributable to our capital gains and (3) which is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty. Reduced treaty rates and other exemptions are not available to the extent that income is attributable to excess inclusion income allocable to the foreign stockholder. Accordingly, we will withhold at a rate of 30% on any portion of a distribution that is paid to a non-U.S. holder and attributable to that holder’s share of our excess inclusion income. See “—Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.—Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.” As required by IRS guidance, we intend to notify our stockholders if a portion of a distribution paid by us is attributable to excess inclusion income.

In general, non-U.S. holders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. holder’s investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as domestic stockholders are taxed with respect to such distributions. Such income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. holder. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation.

Non-Dividend Distributions . Unless our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (a “USRPI”), distributions that we make that are not out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to ordinary dividends. The non-U.S. holder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (a) the stockholder’s proportionate share of our earnings and profits, plus (b) the stockholder’s basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA, at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a domestic stockholder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder’s share of our earnings and profits.

Capital Gain Distributions . Under FIRPTA, a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. holder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain distribution. See above under “—Taxation of Foreign Stockholders—Ordinary Dividends,” for a discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the amount of distributions to the extent the distributions constitute USRPI capital gains. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. A distribution is not a USRPI capital gain if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Capital gain distributions received by a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. holder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, or (2) the non- U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. holder will incur a 30% tax on his or her capital gains.

A capital gain distribution that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and generally will not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, and instead will be treated in the same manner as an ordinary dividend (see “—Taxation of Foreign Stockholders—Ordinary Dividends”), if (1) the capital gain distribution is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States, and (2) the recipient non-U.S. holder does not own more than 5% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date on which the capital gain distribution is received. At the time you purchase shares in this offering, our shares will not be publicly traded and we can give you no assurance that our shares will ever be publicly traded on an established securities market. Therefore, these rules will not apply to our capital gain distributions.

 

111


Table of Contents

Dispositions of Our Stock . Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our stock by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Our stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor.

Even if the foregoing 50% test is not met, our stock nonetheless will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically-controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders at all times during a specified testing period. We believe that we will be a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, as mentioned above, we can give you no assurance that our shares will ever be publicly traded on an established securities market.

In the event that we are not a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity, but our stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market, a non-U.S. holder’s sale of our common stock nonetheless would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. holder held 5% or less of our outstanding common stock any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the sale. However, we do not expect that our common stock will be publicly traded following this offering.

If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. holder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. holder’s investment in our stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. holder, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, or (2) if the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gain. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our stock, a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of our common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common stock within 30 days after such ex-dividend date.

Estate Tax . If our stock is owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) of the United States at the time of such individual’s death, the stock will be includable in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise, and may therefore be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders

Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income, or UBTI. While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder), and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.

To the extent, however, that we are (or a part of us, or a disregarded subsidiary of ours, is) deemed to be a TMP, or if we hold residual interests in a REMIC, a portion of the distributions paid to a tax-exempt stockholder that is allocable to excess inclusion income may be treated as UBTI. We anticipate that our investments may generate excess inclusion income.

 

112


Table of Contents

If excess inclusion income is allocable to some categories of tax-exempt stockholders that are not subject to UBTI, such as governmental investors, we will be subject to corporate level tax on such income, and, in that case, we are authorized to reduce and intend to reduce the amount of distributions to those stockholders whose ownership gave rise to the tax. See “—Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.—Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.” As required by IRS guidance, we intend to notify our stockholders if a portion of a distribution paid by us is attributable to excess inclusion income.

Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Internal Revenue Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of its distributions as UBTI, if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless either (1) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (2) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock should generally prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and should generally prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our stock.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

We will report to our domestic stockholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a domestic stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a corporation or comes within other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact or provides a taxpayer identification number or social security number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A domestic stockholder that does not provide his or her correct taxpayer identification number or social security number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of a capital gain distribution to any domestic stockholder who fails to certify its non-foreign status.

We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. stockholder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. stockholder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding unless applicable certification requirements are met.

Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the U.S. is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. stockholder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person) or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock conducted through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries is subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the financial intermediary has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. stockholder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.

Other Tax Considerations

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The rules dealing with federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. Changes to the federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our stock.

 

113


Table of Contents

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. We may own real property assets located in numerous jurisdictions, and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax treatment discussed above. We may own foreign real estate assets and pay foreign property taxes, and dispositions of foreign property or operations involving, or investments in, foreign real estate assets may give rise to foreign income or other tax liability in amounts that could be substantial. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our stock.

ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of some considerations associated with an investment in our shares by a qualified employee pension benefit plan or an individual retirement account (IRA). This summary is based on provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code, each as amended through the date of this prospectus, and the relevant regulations, opinions and other authority issued by the Department of Labor and the IRS. We cannot assure you that there will not be adverse tax or labor decisions or legislative, regulatory or administrative changes that would significantly modify the statements expressed herein. Any such changes may apply to transactions entered into prior to the date of their enactment.

Each fiduciary of an employee pension benefit plan subject to ERISA (such as a profit sharing, Section 401(k) or pension plan) or any other retirement plan or account subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, such as an IRA, seeking to invest plan assets in our shares must, taking into account the facts and circumstances of each such plan or IRA (Benefit Plan), consider, among other matters:

 

   

whether the investment is consistent with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code;

 

   

whether, under the facts and circumstances pertaining to the Benefit Plan in question, the fiduciary’s responsibility to the plan has been satisfied;

 

   

whether the investment will produce an unacceptable amount of “unrelated business taxable income” (“UBTI”) to the Benefit Plan (see “Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of Stockholders — Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders”); and

 

   

the need to value the assets of the Benefit Plan annually.

Under ERISA, a plan fiduciary’s responsibilities include the following duties:

 

   

to act solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to them, as well as defraying reasonable expenses of plan administration;

 

   

to invest plan assets prudently;

 

   

to diversify the investments of the plan, unless it is clearly prudent not to do so;

 

   

to ensure sufficient liquidity for the plan;

 

   

to ensure that plan investments are made in accordance with plan documents; and

 

   

to consider whether an investment would constitute or give rise to a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code.

ERISA also requires that, with certain exceptions, the assets of an employee benefit plan be held in trust and that the trustee, or a duly authorized named fiduciary or investment manager, have exclusive authority and discretion to manage and control the assets of the plan.

 

114


Table of Contents

Prohibited Transactions

Generally, both ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code prohibit Benefit Plans from engaging in certain transactions involving plan assets with specified parties, such as sales or exchanges or leasing of property, loans or other extensions of credit, furnishing goods or services, or transfers to, or use of, plan assets. The specified parties are referred to as “parties-in-interest” under ERISA and as “disqualified persons” under the Internal Revenue Code. These definitions generally include both parties owning threshold percentage interests in an investment entity and “persons providing services” to the Benefit Plan, as well as employer sponsors of the Benefit Plan, fiduciaries and other individuals or entities affiliated with the foregoing. For this purpose, a person generally is a fiduciary with respect to a Benefit Plan if, among other things, the person has discretionary authority or control with respect to plan assets or provides investment advice for a fee with respect to plan assets. Under Department of Labor regulations, a person shall be deemed to be providing investment advice if that person renders advice as to the advisability of investing in our shares, and that person regularly provides investment advice to the Benefit Plan pursuant to a mutual agreement or understanding that such advice will serve as the primary basis for investment decisions, and that the advice will be individualized for the Benefit Plan based on its particular needs. Thus, if we are deemed to hold plan assets, our management could be characterized as fiduciaries with respect to such assets, and each would be deemed to be a party-in-interest under ERISA and a disqualified person under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to investing Benefit Plans. Whether or not we are deemed to hold plan assets, if we or our affiliates are affiliated with a Benefit Plan investor, we might be a disqualified person or party-in-interest with respect to such Benefit Plan investor, resulting in a prohibited transaction merely upon investment by such Benefit Plan in our shares.

Plan Asset Considerations

In order to determine whether an investment in our shares by a Benefit Plan creates or gives rise to the potential for either prohibited transactions or a commingling of assets as referred to above, a fiduciary must consider whether an investment in our shares will cause our assets to be treated as assets of the investing Benefit Plan. Neither ERISA nor the Internal Revenue Code defines the term “plan assets”; however, regulations promulgated by the Department of Labor provide guidelines as to whether, and under what circumstances, the underlying assets of an entity will be deemed to constitute assets of a Benefit Plan when the plan invests in that entity (Plan Assets Regulation). Under the Plan Assets Regulation, the assets of an entity in which a Benefit Plan makes an equity investment will generally be deemed to be assets of the Benefit Plan, unless one of the exceptions to this general rule applies.

In the event that our underlying assets were treated as the assets of investing Benefit Plans, our management would be treated as fiduciaries with respect to each Benefit Plan stockholder and an investment in our shares might constitute an ineffective delegation of fiduciary responsibility to KBS Capital Advisors, our advisor, and expose the fiduciary of the Benefit Plan to co-fiduciary liability under ERISA for any breach by KBS Capital Advisors of the fiduciary duties mandated under ERISA. Further, if our assets are deemed to be “plan assets,” an investment by an IRA in our shares might be deemed to result in an impermissible commingling of IRA assets with other property.

If KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates were treated as fiduciaries with respect to Benefit Plan stockholders, the prohibited transaction restrictions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code would apply to any transaction involving our assets. These restrictions could, for example, require that we avoid transactions with persons that are affiliated with or related to us or our affiliates or require that we restructure our activities in order to obtain an administrative exemption from the prohibited transaction restrictions. Alternatively, we might have to provide Benefit Plan stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us or we might dissolve.

If a prohibited transaction were to occur, the Internal Revenue Code imposes an excise tax equal to 15% of the amount involved and authorizes the IRS to impose an additional 100% excise tax if the prohibited transaction is not “corrected” in a timely manner. These taxes would be imposed on any disqualified person who participates in the prohibited transaction. In addition, KBS Capital Advisors and possibly other fiduciaries of Benefit Plan stockholders subject to ERISA who permitted the prohibited transaction to occur or who otherwise breached their fiduciary responsibilities (or a non-fiduciary participating in a prohibited transaction) could be required to restore to the Benefit Plan any profits they realized as a result of the transaction or breach and make good to the Benefit Plan any losses incurred by the Benefit Plan as a result of the transaction or breach. With respect to an IRA that invests in our shares, the occurrence of a prohibited transaction involving the individual who established the IRA, or his or her beneficiary, would cause the IRA to lose its tax-exempt status under Section 408(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Plan Assets Regulation provides that the underlying assets of an entity such as a REIT will be treated as assets of a Benefit Plan investing therein unless the entity satisfies one of the exceptions to the general rule. We believe that we will satisfy one or more of the exceptions described below.

 

115


Table of Contents

Exception for “Publicly-Offered Securities.” If a Benefit Plan acquires “publicly-offered securities,” the assets of the issuer of the securities will not be deemed to be “plan assets” under the Plan Assets Regulation. A publicly-offered security must be:

 

   

sold as part of a public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and be part of a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, within a specified time period;

 

   

part of a class of securities that is owned by 100 or more persons who are independent of the issuer and one another; and

 

   

“freely transferable.”

Our shares are being sold as part of an offering of securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 and are part of a class that will be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within the specified period. In addition, we anticipate having in excess of 100 independent stockholders; however, having 100 independent stockholders is not a condition to our selling shares in this offering.

Whether a security is “freely transferable” depends upon the particular facts and circumstances. The Plan Assets Regulation provides several examples of restrictions on transferability that, absent unusual circumstances, will not prevent the rights of ownership in question from being considered “freely transferable” if the minimum investment is $10,000 or less. Where the minimum investment in a public offering of securities is $10,000 or less, the presence of the following restrictions on transfer will not ordinarily affect a determination that such securities are “freely transferable”:

 

   

any restriction on, or prohibition against, any transfer or assignment that would either result in a termination or reclassification of the entity for federal or state tax purposes or that would violate any state or federal statute, regulation, court order, judicial decree or rule of law;

 

   

any requirement that not less than a minimum number of shares or units of such security be transferred or assigned by any investor, provided that such requirement does not prevent transfer of all of the then remaining shares or units held by an investor;

 

   

any prohibition against transfer or assignment of such security or rights in respect thereof to an ineligible or unsuitable investor; and

 

   

any requirement that reasonable transfer or administrative fees be paid in connection with a transfer or assignment.

We have been structured with the intent to satisfy the “freely transferable” requirement set forth in the Plan Asset Regulation with respect to our shares, although there is no assurance that our shares will meet such requirement. Our shares are subject to certain restrictions on transfer intended to ensure that we continue to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT and to comply with state securities laws and regulations with respect to investor suitability. The minimum investment in our shares is less than $10,000; thus, these restrictions should not cause the shares to be deemed not “freely transferable.”

If our common stock is held by 100 or more independent stockholders, and assuming that no other facts and circumstances other than those referred to in the preceding paragraphs exist that restrict transferability of shares of our common stock and the offering takes place as described in this prospectus, shares of our common stock should constitute “publicly-offered securities” and, accordingly, we believe that our underlying assets should not be considered “plan assets” under the Plan Assets Regulation.

Exception for Insignificant Participation by Benefit Plan Investors. The Plan Assets Regulation provides that the assets of an entity will not be deemed to be the assets of a Benefit Plan if equity participation in the entity by employee benefit plans, including Benefit Plans, is not significant. The Plan Asset Regulation provides that equity participation in an entity by Benefit Plan investors is “significant” if at any time 25% or more of the value of any class of equity interest is held by Benefit Plan investors. The term “Benefit Plan investors” is defined for this purpose under ERISA Section 3(42) and includes any employee benefit plan subject to Part 4 of ERISA, any plan subject Section 4975 of the Code, and any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reasons of a plan’s investment in such entity. In calculating the value of a class of equity interests, the value of any equity interests held by us or any of our affiliates must be excluded. It is not clear whether we will qualify for this exception since we do expect to have equity participation by “Benefit Plan investors” that may be in excess of 25%, which would be deemed to be significant, as defined above.

 

116


Table of Contents

Other Prohibited Transactions

Regardless of whether the shares qualify for the “publicly-offered security” exception of the Plan Assets Regulation, a prohibited transaction could occur if we, KBS Capital Advisors, any selected broker-dealer or any of their affiliates is a fiduciary (within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA) with respect to any Benefit Plan purchasing our shares. Accordingly, unless an administrative or statutory exemption applies, shares should not be purchased by a Benefit Plan with respect to which any of the above persons is a fiduciary. A person is a fiduciary with respect to a Benefit Plan under Section 3(21) of ERISA if, among other things, the person has discretionary authority or control with respect to the Benefit Plan or “plan assets” or provides investment advice for a fee with respect to “plan assets.” Under a regulation issued by the Department of Labor, a person shall be deemed to be providing investment advice if that person renders advice as to the advisability of investing in our shares and that person regularly provides investment advice to the Benefit Plan pursuant to a mutual agreement or understanding (written or otherwise) (1) that the advice will serve as the primary basis for investment decisions and (2) that the advice will be individualized for the Benefit Plan based on its particular needs.

Annual Valuation

A fiduciary of an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA is required to determine annually the fair market value of each asset of the plan as of the end of the plan’s fiscal year and to file a report reflecting that value with the Department of Labor. When the fair market value of any particular asset is not available, the fiduciary is required to make a good faith determination of that asset’s fair market value, assuming an orderly liquidation at the time the determination is made. In addition, a trustee or custodian of an IRA must provide an IRA participant with a statement of the value of the IRA each year. In discharging its obligation to value assets of a plan, a fiduciary subject to ERISA must act consistently with the relevant provisions of the plan and the general fiduciary standards of ERISA.

Unless and until our shares are listed on a national securities exchange, we do not expect that a public market for our shares will develop. To date, neither the IRS nor the Department of Labor has promulgated regulations specifying how a plan fiduciary should determine the fair market value of shares when the fair market value of such shares is not determined in the marketplace. Therefore, to assist fiduciaries in fulfilling their valuation and annual reporting responsibilities, we intend to have our advisor prepare annual reports of the estimated value of our shares.

We expect that we will engage our advisor to value our shares, though in the future we may hire a third-party valuation firm for that purpose. Until three years after we have completed our offering stage, our advisor has indicated that it intends to use the most recent price paid to acquire a share in our offering (ignoring purchase price discounts for certain categories of purchasers) as its estimated per share value of our shares. Although this approach to valuing our shares has the advantage of avoiding the cost of paying for appraisals or other valuation services, the estimated value may bear little relationship and will likely exceed what you might receive for your shares if you tried to sell them or if we liquidated our portfolio. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for one year. (For purposes of this definition, we do not consider a “public equity offering” to include offerings on behalf of selling stockholders or offerings related to a dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plan or the redemption of interests in the Operating Partnership).

When determining the estimated per share value of our shares three years after completion of our offering stage, our advisor, or another firm we choose for that purpose, will estimate the value of our shares based upon a number of assumptions that may not be accurate or complete. We do not currently anticipate obtaining appraisals for our investments and, accordingly, the estimates should not be viewed as an accurate reflection of the fair market value of our investments nor will they represent the amount of net proceeds that would result from an immediate sale of our assets. For these reasons, the estimated valuations should not be utilized for any purpose other than to assist plan fiduciaries in fulfilling their annual valuation and reporting responsibilities. Even after our advisor no longer uses the most recent offering price as the estimated value of our shares, you should be aware of the following:

 

   

the estimated values may not be realized by us or by you upon liquidation (in part because estimated values do not necessarily indicate the price at which assets could be sold and because the estimates may not take into account the expenses of selling our assets);

 

   

you may not realize these values if you were to attempt to sell your shares; and

 

   

the estimated values, or the method used to establish values, may not comply with the ERISA or IRA requirements described above.

 

117


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

Our charter authorizes the issuance of 1,010,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which 1,000,000,000 shares are designated as common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share and 10,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share. In addition, our board of directors may amend our charter to increase or decrease the amount of our authorized shares. As of the date of this prospectus, 20,000 shares of our common stock are issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock are issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a stockholder vote, including the election of our directors. Our charter does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of our directors. Therefore, the holders of a majority of our outstanding common shares can elect our entire board of directors. Unless applicable law requires otherwise, and except as our charter may provide with respect to any series of preferred stock that we may issue in the future, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power.

Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive such distributions as declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds, subject to any preferential rights of any preferred stock that we issue in the future. In any liquidation, each outstanding share of common stock entitles its holder to share (based on the percentage of shares held) in the assets that remain after we pay our liabilities and any preferential distributions owed to preferred stockholders. Holders of shares of our common stock will not have preemptive rights, which means that you will not have an automatic option to purchase any new shares that we issue, nor will holders of our shares have any preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights. Our common stock shall be non-assessable by us upon our receipt of the consideration for which our board of directors authorized its issuance.

Our board of directors has authorized the issuance of shares of our capital stock without certificates. We expect that, until our shares are listed on a national securities exchange, we will not issue shares in certificated form. Information regarding restrictions on the transferability of our shares that, under Maryland law, would otherwise have been required to appear on our share certificates will instead be furnished to stockholders upon request and without charge. These requests should be delivered or mailed to: KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.,                      .

We maintain a stock ledger that contains the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares that the stockholder holds. With respect to uncertificated stock, we will continue to treat the stockholder registered on our stock ledger as the owner of the shares until the new owner delivers a properly executed form to us, which form we will provide to any registered holder upon request.

Preferred Stock

Our charter authorizes our board of directors to designate and issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. Our board of directors may determine the relative rights, preferences and privileges of each class or series of preferred stock so issued, which may be more beneficial than the rights, preferences and privileges attributable to our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control. Our board of directors has no present plans to issue preferred stock but may do so at any time in the future without stockholder approval.

Meetings and Special Voting Requirements

An annual meeting of our stockholders will be held each year, at least 30 days after delivery of our annual report. Special meetings of stockholders may be called only upon the request of a majority of our directors, a majority of our independent directors, our chief executive officer, our president or upon the written request of stockholders holding at least 10% of the shares of common stock entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the special meeting. Upon receipt of a written request of common stockholders holding at least 10% of the shares entitled to be cast stating the purpose of the special meeting, our secretary will provide all of our stockholders written notice of the meeting and the purpose of such meeting. The meeting must be held not less than 15 days or more than 60 days after the distribution of the notice of the meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at any stockholder meeting constitutes a quorum. Unless otherwise provided by the Maryland General Corporation Law or our charter, the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast is necessary to take stockholder action. With respect to the election of directors, each candidate nominated for election to the board of directors must receive a majority of the votes present, in person or by proxy, in order to be elected. Therefore, if a nominee receives fewer “for” votes than “withhold” votes in an election, then the nominee will not be elected.

 

118


Table of Contents

Our charter provides that the concurrence of the board is not required in order for the common stockholders to amend the charter, dissolve the corporation or remove directors. However, we have been advised that Section 2-604 of the Maryland General Corporation Law does require board approval in order to amend our charter or dissolve. Without the approval of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote on the matter, the board of directors may not:

 

   

amend the charter to adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the common stockholders;

 

   

amend charter provisions relating to director qualifications, fiduciary duties, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions;

 

   

cause our liquidation or dissolution after our initial investment in property;

 

   

sell all or substantially all of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business; or

 

   

cause our merger or reorganization.

The term of our advisory agreement with KBS Capital Advisors will end after one year but may be renewed for an unlimited number of successive one-year periods upon the mutual consent of KBS Capital Advisors and us. Our independent directors will annually review our advisory agreement with KBS Capital Advisors. While the stockholders do not have the ability to vote to replace KBS Capital Advisors or to select a new advisor, stockholders do have the ability, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on such matter, to remove a director from our board.

Advance Notice for Stockholder Nominations for Directors and Proposals of New Business

In order for a stockholder to nominate a director or propose new business at the annual stockholders’ meeting, our bylaws generally require that the stockholder give notice of the nomination or proposal not less than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the mailing of the notice for the preceding year’s annual stockholders’ meeting, unless such nomination or proposal is made pursuant to the company’s notice of the meeting or by or at the direction of our board of directors. Our bylaws contain a similar notice requirement in connection with nominations for directors at a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing one or more directors. Failure to comply with the notice provisions will make stockholders unable to nominate directors or propose new business.

Restriction on Ownership of Shares

Ownership Limit

To maintain our REIT qualification, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (including certain entities treated as individuals under the Internal Revenue Code) during the last half of each taxable year. In addition, at least 100 persons who are independent of us and each other must beneficially own our outstanding shares for at least 335 days per 12-month taxable year or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Each of the requirements specified in the two preceding sentences shall not apply until after 2009, the first taxable year for which we will make an election to be taxed as a REIT. We may prohibit certain acquisitions and transfers of shares so as to ensure our continued qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. However, we cannot assure you that this prohibition will be effective.

To help ensure that we meet these tests, our charter prohibits any person or group of persons from acquiring, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of more than 9.8% of our aggregate outstanding shares unless exempted by our board of directors. Our board of directors may waive this ownership limit with respect to a particular person if the board receives evidence that ownership in excess of the limit will not jeopardize our REIT status. For purposes of this provision, we treat corporations, partnerships and other entities as single persons.

Any attempted transfer of our shares that, if effective, would result in a violation of our ownership limit or would result in our shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons will be null and void and will cause the number of shares causing the violation to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries. The prohibited transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the attempted transfer. We will designate a trustee of the trust that will not be affiliated with us or the prohibited transferee. We will also name one or more charitable organizations as a beneficiary of the share trust.

 

119


Table of Contents

Shares held in trust will remain issued and outstanding shares and will be entitled to the same rights and privileges as all other shares of the same class or series. The prohibited transferee will not benefit economically from any of the shares held in trust, will not have any rights to dividends or distributions and will not have the right to vote or any other rights attributable to the shares held in the trust. The trustee will receive all dividends and distributions on the shares held in trust and will hold such dividends or distributions in trust for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. The trustee may vote any shares held in trust.

Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that any of our shares have been transferred to the trust for the charitable beneficiary, the trustee will sell those shares to a person designated by the trustee whose ownership of the shares will not violate the above restrictions. Upon the sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows. The prohibited transferee will receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited transferee for the shares or, if the prohibited transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust ( e.g. , a gift, devise or other similar transaction), the market price (as defined in our charter) of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (ii) the price received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, prior to our discovery that shares have been transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the prohibited transferee, then (i) the shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (ii) to the extent that the prohibited transferee received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount he was entitled to receive, the excess shall be paid to the trustee upon demand.

In addition, shares held in the trust for the charitable beneficiary will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the devise or gift) and (ii) the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept the offer. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited transferee.

Any person who acquires or attempts to acquire shares in violation of the foregoing restrictions or who would have owned the shares that were transferred to any such trust must give us immediate written notice of such event, and any person who proposes or attempts to acquire or receive shares in violation of the foregoing restrictions must give us at least 15 days’ written notice prior to such transaction. In both cases, such persons shall provide to us such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our status as a REIT.

The foregoing restrictions will continue to apply until our board of directors determines it is no longer in our best interest to continue to qualify as a REIT. The ownership limit does not apply to any underwriter in an offering of our shares or to a person or persons exempted from the ownership limit by our board of directors based upon appropriate assurances that our qualification as a REIT would not be jeopardized.

Within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, every owner of 5% or more of our outstanding capital stock will be asked to deliver to us a statement setting forth the number of shares owned directly or indirectly by such person and a description of how such person holds the shares. Each such owner shall also provide us with such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of his or her beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with our ownership limit.

These restrictions could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for our shares of common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Suitability Standards and Minimum Purchase Requirements

State securities laws and our charter require that purchasers of our common stock meet standards regarding (i) net worth or income and (ii) minimum purchase amounts. These standards are described above at “Suitability Standards” immediately following the cover page of this prospectus and below at “Plan of Distribution — Minimum Purchase Requirements.” Subsequent purchasers, i.e., potential purchasers of your shares, must also meet the net worth or income standards, and unless you are transferring all of your shares, you may not transfer your shares in a manner that causes you or your transferee to own fewer than the number of shares required to meet the minimum purchase requirements, except for the following transfers without consideration: transfers by gift, transfers by inheritance, intrafamily transfers, family dissolutions, transfers to affiliates and transfers by operation of law. These suitability and minimum purchase requirements are applicable until our shares of common stock are listed on a national securities exchange, and these requirements may make it more difficult for you to sell your shares.

 

120


Table of Contents

Distributions

We expect to authorize and declare daily distributions that will be paid on a monthly basis. In order that investors may generally begin earning distributions immediately upon our acceptance of their subscription, we expect to use daily record dates for the determination of who is entitled to a distribution.

Generally, our policy will be to pay distributions from cash flow from operations. However, we expect to have little, if any, cash flow from operations available for distribution until we make substantial investments. Further, because we may receive income at various times during our fiscal year and because we may need cash flow from operations during a particular period to fund expenses, we expect that at least during the early stages of our development and from time to time during our operational stage, we will declare distributions in anticipation of cash flow that we expect to receive during a later period and we will pay these distributions in advance of our actual receipt of these funds. In these instances, we expect to look to third-party borrowings to fund our distributions. We may also fund such distributions from advances from our advisor or sponsors or from our advisor’s deferral of its fees under the advisory agreement.

Our distribution policy is not to use the proceeds of this offering to pay distributions. However, our board has the authority under our organizational documents, to the extent permitted by Maryland law, to pay distributions from any source, including proceeds from this offering or the proceeds from the issuance of securities in the future.

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must make aggregate annual distributions to our stockholders of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). If we meet the REIT qualification requirements, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the income that we distribute to our stockholders each year. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. — Annual Distribution Requirements.” Our board of directors may authorize distributions in excess of those required for us to maintain REIT status depending on our financial condition and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.

We have not established a minimum distribution level, and our charter does not require that we make distributions to our stockholders.

Inspection of Books and Records

As a part of our books and records, we will maintain at our principal office an alphabetical list of the names of our common stockholders, along with their addresses and telephone numbers and the number of shares of common stock held by each of them. We will update this stockholder list at least quarterly and it will be available for inspection at our principal office by a common stockholder or his or her designated agent upon request of the stockholder. We will also mail this list to any common stockholder within ten days of receipt of his or her request. We may impose a reasonable charge for expenses incurred in reproducing such list. Stockholders, however, may not sell or use this list for commercial purposes. The purposes for which stockholders may request this list include matters relating to their voting rights. Each common stockholder who receives a copy of the stockholder list shall keep such list confidential and shall sign a confidentiality agreement to the effect that such stockholder will keep the stockholder list confidential and share such list only with its employees, representatives or agents who agree in writing to maintain the confidentiality of the stockholder list.

If our advisor or our board of directors neglects or refuses to exhibit, produce or mail a copy of the stockholder list as requested, our advisor and/ or board, as the case may be, shall be liable to the common stockholder requesting the list for the costs, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by that stockholder for compelling the production of the stockholder list and any actual damages suffered by any common stockholder for the neglect or refusal to produce the list. It shall be a defense that the actual purpose and reason for the requests for inspection or for a copy of the stockholder list is not for a proper purpose but is instead for the purpose of securing such list of stockholders or other information for the purpose of selling such list or copies thereof, or of using the same for a commercial purpose (such as to solicit the purchase of our shares) other than in the interest of the applicant as a stockholder relative to the affairs of our company. We may require that the stockholder requesting the stockholder list represent that the request is not for a commercial purpose unrelated to the stockholder’s interest in our company. The remedies provided by our charter to stockholders requesting copies of the stockholder list are in addition to, and do not in any way limit, other remedies available to stockholders under federal law, or the law of any state.

 

121


Table of Contents

Business Combinations

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, business combinations between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or the interested stockholder’s affiliate are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. For this purpose, the term “business combination” includes mergers, consolidations, share exchanges, asset transfers and issuances or reclassifications of equity securities. An “interested stockholder” is defined for this purpose as: (1) any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or (2) an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting shares of the corporation. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least: (1) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of the corporation; and (2) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder or its affiliate with whom the business combination is to be effected, or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under the Maryland General Corporation Law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

None of these provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law will apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of directors of the corporation prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. We have opted out of these provisions by resolution of our board of directors. However, our board of directors may, by resolution, opt in to the business combination statute in the future.

Control Share Acquisitions

The Maryland General Corporation Law provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, an officer of the corporation or an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation are excluded from the vote on whether to accord voting rights to the control shares. “Control shares” are voting shares that, if aggregated with all other shares owned by the acquirer or with respect to which the acquirer has the right to vote or to direct the voting of, other than solely by virtue of revocable proxy, would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting powers:

 

   

one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

 

   

one-third or more but less than a majority; or

 

   

a majority or more of all voting power.

Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. Except as otherwise specified in the statute, a “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares.

Once a person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition has undertaken to pay expenses and has satisfied other required conditions, the person may compel the board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of the demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved for the control shares at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an “acquiring person statement” for the control shares as required by the statute, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares for their fair value, except for control shares for which voting rights have previously been approved. Fair value is to be determined for this purpose without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, and is to be determined as of the date of the last control share acquisition or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights for control shares are considered and not approved.

 

122


Table of Contents

If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of these appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid in the control share acquisition. Some of the limitations and restrictions otherwise applicable to the exercise of dissenters’ rights do not apply in the context of a control share acquisition.

The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our stock. There can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Subtitle 8

Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:

 

   

a classified board,

 

   

a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director,

 

   

a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors,

 

   

a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred, and

 

   

a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.

We have added provisions to our charter that prohibit us, until such time that our shares of common stock are listed on a national securities exchange, from electing to be subject to the provisions under Subtitle 8. Through provisions in our bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already vest in our board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships. Our bylaws may be amended by our stockholders or the board of directors.

Tender Offers by Stockholders

Our charter provides that any tender offer made by a stockholder, including any “mini-tender” offer, must comply with certain notice and disclosure requirements. These procedural requirements with respect to tender offers apply to any widespread solicitation for shares of our stock at firm prices for a limited time period.

In order for one of our stockholders to conduct a tender offer to another stockholder, our charter requires that the stockholder comply with Regulation 14D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and provide the Company notice of such tender offer at least ten business days before initiating the tender offer. Pursuant to our charter, Regulation 14D would require any stockholder initiating a tender offer to provide:

 

   

Specific disclosure to stockholders focusing on the terms of the offer and information about the bidder;

 

   

The ability to allow stockholders to withdraw tendered shares while the offer remains open;

 

   

The right to have tendered shares accepted on a pro rata basis throughout the term of the offer if the offer is for less than all of our shares; and

 

   

That all stockholders of the subject class of shares be treated equally.

In addition to the foregoing, there are certain ramifications to stockholders should they attempt to conduct a noncompliant tender offer. If any stockholder initiates a tender offer without complying with the provisions set forth above, in our sole discretion, we shall have the right to redeem such noncompliant stockholder’s shares and any shares acquired in such tender offer. The noncomplying stockholder shall also be responsible for all of our expenses in connection with that stockholder’s noncompliance.

 

123


Table of Contents

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan pursuant to which you may elect to have your dividends and other distributions reinvested in additional shares of our common stock. The following discussion summarizes the principal terms of this plan. Appendix B to this prospectus contains the full text of our dividend reinvestment plan as is currently in effect.

Eligibility

All of our common stockholders are eligible to participate in our dividend reinvestment plan; however, we may elect to deny your participation in the dividend reinvestment plan if you reside in a jurisdiction or foreign country where, in our judgment, the burden or expense of compliance with applicable securities laws makes your participation impracticable or inadvisable.

At any time prior to the listing of our shares on a national stock exchange, you must cease participation in our dividend reinvestment plan if you no longer meet the suitability standards or cannot make the other investor representations set forth in the then-current prospectus or in the subscription agreement. Participants must agree to notify us promptly when they no longer meet these standards. See the “Suitability Standards” section of this prospectus (immediately following the cover page) and the form of subscription agreement attached hereto as Appendix A.

Election to Participate

You may elect to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan by completing the subscription agreement or other approved enrollment form available from the dealer manager or a participating broker-dealer. Your participation in the dividend reinvestment plan will begin with the next distribution made after receipt of your enrollment form. You can choose to have all or a portion of your distributions reinvested through the dividend reinvestment plan. You may also change the percentage of your distributions that will be reinvested at any time by completing a new enrollment form or other form provided for that purpose. You must make any election to increase your level of participation through your participating broker-dealer or the dealer manager.

Stock Purchases

Shares will be purchased under the dividend reinvestment plan on the monthly distribution payment dates. The purchase of fractional shares is a permissible and likely result of the reinvestment of distributions under the dividend reinvestment plan.

The purchase price for shares purchased under the dividend reinvestment plan will initially be $9.50 per share. Three years after the completion of our offering stage, shares issued pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan will be priced at the estimated value per share of our common stock, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for one year. (For purposes of this definition, we do not consider “public equity offerings” to include offerings on behalf of selling stockholders or offerings related to any dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plan or the redemption of interests in our Operating Partnership.)

Account Statements

You or your designee will receive a confirmation of your purchases under the dividend reinvestment plan no less than quarterly. Your confirmation will disclose the following information:

 

   

each distribution reinvested for your account during the period;

 

   

the date of the reinvestment;

 

   

the number and price of the shares purchased by you; and

 

   

the total number of shares in your account.

In addition, within 90 days after the end of each calendar year, we will provide you with an individualized report on your investment, including the purchase dates, purchase price, number of shares owned and the amount of distributions made in the prior year. We will also provide to all participants in the plan, without charge, all supplements to and updated versions of this prospectus, as required under applicable securities laws.

 

124


Table of Contents

Fees and Commissions

No selling commissions or dealer manager fees will be payable on shares sold under the dividend reinvestment plan. We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan to repurchase shares under our share redemption program, rather than for investments. However, to the extent proceeds from our dividend reinvestment plan are used for investments, sales under our dividend reinvestment plan will result in greater fee income for our advisor because of acquisition and origination fees. See “Management Compensation.”

Voting

You may vote all shares, including fractional shares, that you acquire through the dividend reinvestment plan.

Tax Consequences of Participation

If you elect to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan and are subject to federal income taxation, you will incur a tax liability for distributions allocated to you even though you have elected not to receive the distributions in cash but rather to have the distributions withheld and reinvested pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan. Specifically, you will be treated as if you have received the distribution from us in cash and then applied such distribution to the purchase of additional shares. In addition, to the extent you purchase shares through our dividend reinvestment plan at a discount to their fair market value, you will be treated for tax purposes as receiving an additional distribution equal to the amount of the discount. At least until our offering stage is complete, we expect that (i) we will sell shares under the dividend reinvestment plan at $9.50 per share, (ii) no secondary trading market for our shares will develop and (iii) our advisor will estimate the fair market value of a share to be $10.00. Therefore, at least until our offering stage is complete, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will be treated as having received a distribution of $10.00 for each $9.50 reinvested by them under our dividend reinvestment plan. You will be taxed on the amount of such distribution as a dividend to the extent such distribution is from current or accumulated earnings and profits, unless we have designated all or a portion of the distribution as a capital gain distribution. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of Stockholders.” We will withhold 28% of the amount of dividends or distributions paid if you fail to furnish a valid taxpayer identification number, fail to properly report interest or distributions or fail to certify that you are not subject to withholding.

Termination of Participation

Once enrolled, you may continue to purchase shares under our dividend reinvestment plan until we have sold all of the shares registered in this offering, have terminated this offering or have terminated the dividend reinvestment plan. You may terminate your participation in the dividend reinvestment plan at any time by providing us with written notice. For your termination to be effective for a particular distribution, we must have received your notice of termination at least ten business days prior to the last day of the fiscal period to which the distribution relates. Any transfer of your shares will effect a termination of the participation of those shares in the dividend reinvestment plan. We will terminate your participation in the dividend reinvestment plan to the extent that a reinvestment of your distributions would cause you to violate the ownership limit contained in our charter, unless you have obtained an exemption from the ownership limit from our board of directors.

Amendment or Termination of Plan

We may amend or terminate the dividend reinvestment plan for any reason at any time upon ten days’ written notice to the participants.

Share Redemption Program

Our board of directors has adopted a share redemption program that may enable you to sell your shares of common stock to us in limited circumstances. In its sole discretion, our board of directors could choose to terminate the program or to amend its provisions without stockholder approval. Unless the shares are being redeemed in connection with a stockholder’s death or “qualifying disability” (as defined below), the prices at which we will redeem shares are as follows:

 

   

The lower of $9.25 or 92.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least one year;

 

   

The lower of $9.50 or 95.0% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least two years;

 

   

The lower of $9.75 or 97.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least three years; and

 

   

The lower of $10.00 or 100% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least four years.

 

125


Table of Contents

Notwithstanding the above, once we establish an estimated value per share of our common stock, the redemption price per share for all stockholders would be equal to the estimated value per share, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. We expect to establish an estimated value per share beginning three years after the completion of our offering stage. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for one year. We would report this redemption price to you in our annual report and the three quarterly reports that we publicly file with the SEC. (For purposes of this definition, we do not consider “public equity offerings” to include offerings on behalf of selling stockholders or offerings related to a dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plan or the redemption of interests in the Operating Partnership).

There are several limitations on our ability to redeem shares under the program:

 

   

Unless the shares are being redeemed in connection with a stockholder’s death or “qualifying disability,” we may not redeem shares unless you have held the shares for one year.

 

   

Our share redemption program limits the number of shares we may redeem to those that we could purchase with the net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan during the prior calendar year.

 

   

During any calendar year, we may redeem no more than 5% of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the prior calendar year.

 

   

We have no obligation to redeem shares if the redemption would violate the restrictions on distributions under Maryland law, which prohibits distributions that would cause a corporation to fail to meet statutory tests of solvency.

We intend to engage a third party to administer the share redemption program and will notify you of the administrator’s name and contact information. We will redeem shares on the last business day of each month. The program administrator would have to receive your written request for redemption at least five business days before that date in order for us to repurchase your shares that month. If we could not repurchase all shares presented for redemption in any month, we would attempt to honor redemption requests on a pro rata basis. We would deviate from pro rata purchases in two minor ways: (i) if a pro rata redemption would result in you owning less than half of the minimum purchase amount described below under “Plan of Distribution — Minimum Purchase Requirements,” then we would redeem all of your shares; and (ii) if a pro rata redemption would result in you owning more than half but less than all of the minimum purchase amount, then we would not redeem any shares that would reduce your holdings below the minimum purchase amount. In the event that you were redeeming all of your shares, there would be no holding period requirement for shares purchased pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan.

If we did not completely satisfy a stockholder’s redemption request at month-end because the program administrator did not receive the request in time or because of the restrictions on the number of shares we could redeem under the program, we would treat the unsatisfied portion of the redemption request as a request for redemption at the next redemption date funds are available for redemption unless the stockholder withdrew his or her request before the next date for redemptions. Any stockholder could withdraw a redemption request upon written notice to the program administrator if such notice were received by us at least five business days before the date for redemptions.

In several respects we would treat redemptions sought upon a stockholder’s death or “qualifying disability” differently from other redemptions:

 

   

there is no one-year holding requirement;

 

   

until we establish an estimated value per share, which we expect to be three years after the completion of our offering stage, the redemption price is the amount paid to acquire the shares from us; and

 

   

once we have established an estimated value per share, the redemption price would be the estimated value of the shares, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose.

 

126


Table of Contents

In order for a disability to entitle a stockholder to the special redemption terms described above (a “qualifying disability”), (1) the stockholder would have to receive a determination of disability based upon a physical or mental condition or impairment arising after the date the stockholder acquired the shares to be redeemed, and (2) such determination of disability would have to be made by the governmental agency responsible for reviewing the disability retirement benefits that the stockholder could be eligible to receive (the “applicable governmental agency”). The “applicable governmental agencies” would be limited to the following: (i) if the stockholder paid Social Security taxes and, therefore, could be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits, then the applicable governmental agency would be the Social Security Administration or the agency charged with responsibility for administering Social Security disability benefits at that time if other than the Social Security Administration; (ii) if the stockholder did not pay Social Security benefits and, therefore, could not be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits, but the stockholder could be eligible to receive disability benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (“CSRS”), then the applicable governmental agency would be the U.S. Office of Personnel Management or the agency charged with responsibility for administering CSRS benefits at that time if other than the Office of Personnel Management; or (iii) if the stockholder did not pay Social Security taxes and therefore could not be eligible to receive Social Security benefits but suffered a disability that resulted in the stockholder’s discharge from military service under conditions that were other than dishonorable and, therefore, could be eligible to receive military disability benefits, then the applicable governmental agency would be the Veteran’s Administration or the agency charged with the responsibility for administering military disability benefits at that time if other than the Veteran’s Administration.

Disability determinations by governmental agencies for purposes other than those listed above, including but not limited to worker’s compensation insurance, administration or enforcement of the Rehabilitation Act or Americans with Disabilities Act, or waiver of insurance premiums would not entitle a stockholder to the special redemption terms described above. Redemption requests following an award by the applicable governmental agency of disability benefits would have to be accompanied by: (1) the investor’s initial application for disability benefits and (2) a Social Security Administration Notice of Award, a U.S. Office of Personnel Management determination of disability under CSRS, a Veteran’s Administration record of disability-related discharge or such other documentation issued by the applicable governmental agency that we would deem acceptable and would demonstrate an award of the disability benefits.

We understand that the following disabilities do not entitle a worker to Social Security disability benefits:

 

   

disabilities occurring after the legal retirement age; and

 

   

disabilities that do not render a worker incapable of performing substantial gainful activity.

Therefore, such disabilities would not qualify for the special redemption terms, except in the limited circumstances when the investor would be awarded disability benefits by the other “applicable governmental agencies” described above.

Our board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the program upon 30 days’ notice. We would notify you of such developments in our annual or quarterly reports that we publicly file with the SEC or by means of a separate mailing to you, accompanied by disclosure in a current or periodic report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. During this offering, we would also include this information in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the registration statement, as required under federal securities laws.

Our share redemption program would only provide stockholders a limited ability to redeem shares for cash until a secondary market develops for our shares, at which time the program would terminate. No such market presently exists, and we cannot assure you that any market for your shares will ever develop.

Qualifying stockholders who desire to redeem their shares would have to give written notice to us at KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.,                      .

Registrar and Transfer Agent

We will engage a third party to serve as the registrar and transfer agent for our common stock.

 

127


Table of Contents

Restrictions on Roll-Up Transactions

A Roll-up Transaction is a transaction involving the acquisition, merger, conversion or consolidation, directly or indirectly, of us and the issuance of securities of an entity that is created or would survive after the successful completion of a Roll-up Transaction, which we refer to as a Roll-up Entity. This term does not include:

 

   

a transaction involving our securities that have been for at least 12 months listed on a national securities exchange; or

 

   

a transaction involving only our conversion into a trust or association if, as a consequence of the transaction, there will be no significant adverse change in the voting rights of our common stockholders, the term of our existence, the compensation to our advisor or our investment objectives.

In connection with any proposed Roll-up Transaction, an appraisal of all our assets will be obtained from a competent independent appraiser. Our assets will be appraised on a consistent basis, and the appraisal will be based on an evaluation of all relevant information and will indicate the value of our assets as of a date immediately preceding the announcement of the proposed Roll-up Transaction. If the appraisal will be included in a prospectus used to offer the securities of a Roll-Up Entity, the appraisal will be filed with the SEC and, if applicable, the states in which registration of such securities is sought, as an exhibit to the registration statement for the offering. The appraisal will assume an orderly liquidation of assets over a 12-month period. The terms of the engagement of the independent appraiser will clearly state that the engagement is for our benefit and the benefit of our stockholders. A summary of the appraisal, indicating all material assumptions underlying the appraisal, will be included in a report to our stockholders in connection with any proposed Roll-up Transaction.

In connection with a proposed Roll-up Transaction, the person sponsoring the Roll-up Transaction must offer to our common stockholders who vote “no” on the proposal the choice of:

 

  (1) accepting the securities of the Roll-up Entity offered in the proposed Roll-up Transaction; or

 

  (2) one of the following:

 

  (A) remaining as common stockholders of us and preserving their interests in us on the same terms and conditions as existed previously; or

 

  (B) receiving cash in an amount equal to the stockholders’ pro rata share of the appraised value of our net assets.

We are prohibited from participating in any proposed Roll-up Transaction:

 

   

that would result in our common stockholders having democracy rights in a Roll-up Entity that are less than those provided in our charter and bylaws with respect to the election and removal of directors and the other voting rights of our common stockholders, annual and special meetings of common stockholders, the amendment of our charter and our dissolution;

 

   

that includes provisions that would operate to materially impede or frustrate the accumulation of shares by any purchaser of the securities of the Roll-up Entity, except to the minimum extent necessary to preserve the tax status of the Roll-up Entity, or that would limit the ability of an investor to exercise the voting rights of its securities of the Roll-up Entity on the basis of the number of shares of common stock that such investor had held in us;

 

   

in which investors’ rights of access to the records of the Roll-up Entity would be less than those provided in our charter and described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Shares — Meetings and Special Voting Requirements;” or

 

   

in which any of the costs of the Roll-up Transaction would be borne by us if the Roll-up Transaction would not be approved by our common stockholders.

 

128


Table of Contents

THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

General

KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership, which we refer to as the Operating Partnership, is a newly formed Delaware limited partnership. We expect to own substantially all of our assets and conduct our operations through the Operating Partnership. We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and, as of the date of this prospectus, our wholly owned subsidiary, KBS Strategic Opportunity Holdings LLC, is the sole limited partner of the Operating Partnership. As the sole general partner, we have the exclusive power to manage and conduct the business of the Operating Partnership.

As we accept subscriptions for shares in this offering, we will transfer substantially all of the net proceeds of the offering to our Operating Partnership as a capital contribution in exchange for units of limited partnership interest that will be held by our wholly owned subsidiary, KBS Strategic Opportunity Holdings; however, we will be deemed to have made capital contributions in the amount of the gross offering proceeds received from investors. The Operating Partnership will be deemed to have simultaneously paid the selling commissions and other costs associated with the offering.

As a result of this structure, we are considered an UPREIT, or an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust. An UPREIT is a structure that REITs often use to acquire real property from sellers on a tax-deferred basis because the sellers can generally accept partnership units and defer taxable gain otherwise required to be recognized by them upon the disposition of their properties. Such sellers may also desire to achieve diversity in their investment and other benefits afforded to stockholders in a REIT. For purposes of satisfying the asset and income tests for qualification as a REIT, the REIT’s proportionate share of the assets and income of the Operating Partnership will be deemed to be assets and income of the REIT.

If we ever decide to acquire properties in exchange for units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, we expect to amend and restate the partnership agreement to provide substantially as set forth below.

Capital Contributions

We would expect the partnership agreement to require us to contribute the proceeds of any offering of our shares of stock to the Operating Partnership as an additional capital contribution. If we did contribute additional capital to the Operating Partnership, we would receive additional partnership units and our percentage interest in the Operating Partnership would be increased on a proportionate basis based upon the amount of such additional capital contributions and the value of the Operating Partnership at the time of such contributions. We also expect that the partnership agreement would allow us to cause the Operating Partnership to issue partnership interests for less than their fair market value if we conclude in good faith that such issuance is in the best interest of the Operating Partnership and us. The Operating Partnership would also be able to issue preferred partnership interests in connection with acquisitions of property or otherwise. These preferred partnership interests could have priority over common partnership interests with respect to distributions from the Operating Partnership, including priority over the partnership interests that we would own as a limited partner. If the Operating Partnership would require additional funds at any time in excess of capital contributions made by us or from borrowing, we could borrow funds from a financial institution or other lender and lend such funds to the Operating Partnership on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to our borrowing of such funds.

Operations

We would expect the partnership agreement to provide that, so long as we remain qualified as a REIT, the Operating Partnership would be operated in a manner that would enable us to satisfy the requirements for being classified as a REIT for tax purposes. We would also have the power to take actions to ensure that the Operating Partnership would not be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” for purposes of Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Classification as a publicly traded partnership could result in the Operating Partnership being taxed as a corporation, rather than as a partnership.

Distributions and Allocations of Profits and Losses

The partnership agreement would provide that the Operating Partnership would distribute cash flow from operations to its partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests on at least a monthly basis in amounts that we determine. The effect of these distributions would be that a holder of one unit of limited partnership interest in our Operating Partnership would receive the same amount of annual cash flow distributions as the amount of annual distributions paid to the holder of one of our shares of common stock.

 

129


Table of Contents

Similarly, the partnership agreement would provide that the Operating Partnership would allocate taxable income to its partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests. Subject to compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and the corresponding Treasury regulations, the effect of these allocations would be that a holder of one unit of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership would be allocated taxable income for each taxable year in an amount equal to the amount of taxable income to be recognized by a holder of one of our shares of common stock. Losses, if any, would generally be allocated among the partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests in the Operating Partnership. Losses could not be passed through to our stockholders.

Upon liquidation of the Operating Partnership, after payment of, or adequate provision for, debts and obligations of the Operating Partnership, including partner loans, any remaining assets of the Operating Partnership would be distributed to its partners in accordance with their respective positive capital account balances.

Rights, Obligations and Powers of the General Partner

We would expect to be the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. As sole general partner, we generally would have complete and exclusive discretion to manage and control the Operating Partnership’s business and to make all decisions affecting its assets. Under an amended and restated partnership agreement, we would also expect to have the authority to:

 

   

acquire, purchase, own, manage and dispose of loans, securities, real property and any other assets;

 

   

construct buildings and make other improvements on owned or leased properties;

 

   

authorize, issue, sell, redeem or otherwise purchase any debt or other securities;

 

   

borrow or loan money;

 

   

originate loans;

 

   

make or revoke any tax election;

 

   

maintain insurance coverage in amounts and types as we determine is necessary;

 

   

retain employees or other service providers;

 

   

form or acquire interests in joint ventures; and

 

   

merge, consolidate or combine the Operating Partnership with another entity.

As it will upon commencement of this offering, under an amended and restated partnership agreement, we expect that the Operating Partnership would pay all of the administrative and operating costs and expenses it incurs in acquiring or originating and operating and managing investments. The Operating Partnership would also pay all of our administrative costs and expenses and such expenses would be treated as expenses of the Operating Partnership. Such expenses would include:

 

   

all expenses relating to our formation and continuity of existence;

 

   

all expenses relating to the public offering and registration of our securities;

 

   

all expenses associated with the preparation and filing of our periodic reports under federal, state or local laws or regulations;

 

   

all expenses associated with our compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; and

 

   

all of our other operating or administrative costs incurred in the ordinary course of business.

The only costs and expenses we could incur that the Operating Partnership would not reimburse would be costs and expenses relating to assets we may own outside of the Operating Partnership. We would pay the expenses relating to such assets directly.

 

130


Table of Contents

Exchange Rights

We expect that an amended and restated partnership agreement would also provide for exchange rights. We expect the limited partners of the Operating Partnership would have the right to cause the Operating Partnership to redeem their units of limited partnership interest for cash equal to the value of an equivalent number of our shares, or, at our option, we could purchase their units of limited partnership interest for cash or by issuing one share of our common stock for each unit redeemed. Limited partners, however, would not be able to exercise this exchange right if and to the extent that the delivery of our shares upon such exercise would:

 

   

result in any person owning shares in excess of the ownership limit in our charter (unless exempted by our board of directors);

 

   

result in our shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons;

 

   

result in our shares being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code; or

 

   

cause us to own 10% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Furthermore, limited partners could exercise their exchange rights only after their units of limited partnership interest had been outstanding for one year. A limited partner could not deliver more than two exchange notices each calendar year and would not be able to exercise an exchange right for less than 1,000 units of limited partnership interest, unless such limited partner held less than 1,000 units. In that case, he would be required to exercise his exchange right for all of his units.

Change in General Partner

We expect that we generally would not be able to withdraw as the general partner of the Operating Partnership or transfer our general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (unless we transferred our interest to a wholly owned subsidiary). The principal exception to this would be if we merged with another entity and (1) the holders of a majority of partnership units (including those we held) approved the transaction; (2) the limited partners received or had the right to receive an amount of cash, securities or other property equal in value to the amount they would have received if they had exercised their exchange rights immediately before such transaction; (3) we were the surviving entity and our stockholders did not receive cash, securities or other property in the transaction; or (4) the successor entity contributed substantially all of its assets to the Operating Partnership in return for an interest in the Operating Partnership and agreed to assume all obligations of the general partner of the Operating Partnership. If we voluntarily sought protection under bankruptcy or state insolvency laws, or if we were involuntarily placed under such protection for more than 90 days, we would be deemed to be automatically removed as the general partner. Otherwise, the limited partners would not have the right to remove us as general partner.

Transferability of Interests

With certain exceptions, the limited partners would not be able to transfer their interests in the Operating Partnership, in whole or in part, without our written consent as the general partner.

Amendment of Limited Partnership Agreement

We expect amendments to the amended and restated partnership agreement would require the consent of the holders of a majority of the partnership units including the partnership units we and our affiliates held. Additionally, we, as general partner, would be required to approve any amendment. We expect that certain amendments would have to be approved by a majority of the units held by third-party limited partners.

 

131


Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

We are publicly offering a minimum of 250,000 shares and a maximum of 280,000,000 shares of our common stock on a “best efforts” basis through KBS Capital Markets Group, our dealer manager. Because this is a “best efforts” offering, KBS Capital Markets Group must use only its best efforts to sell the shares and has no firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of our shares. We are offering up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock in our primary offering at $10 per share, with discounts available for certain categories of purchasers as described below. We are also offering up to 80,000,000 shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan at a purchase price initially equal to $9.50 per share. Three years after the completion of our offering stage, shares issued pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan will be priced at the estimated value per share of our common stock, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for one year.

We expect to sell the 200,000,000 shares offered in our primary offering over a two-year period. If we have not sold all of the primary offering shares within two years, we may continue this offering until                      , 20      . Under rules promulgated by the SEC, in some circumstances we could continue our primary offering until as late as                      . If we decide to continue our primary offering beyond two years from the date of this prospectus, we will provide that information in a prospectus supplement. We may continue to offer shares under our dividend reinvestment plan beyond these dates until we have sold 80,000,000 shares through the reinvestment of distributions. In many states, we will need to renew the registration statement or file a new registration statement to continue the offering beyond one year from the date of this prospectus. We may terminate this offering at any time.

Our dealer manager, KBS Capital Markets Group, has a limited operating history. KBS Capital Markets Group registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission in October 2004, and this offering will be the third offering conducted by our dealer manager. The principal business of KBS Capital Markets Group is to sell the securities offered by KBS-sponsored programs. KBS Capital Markets Group is indirectly owned and controlled by our sponsors, Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. For additional information about our dealer manager, including information related to its affiliation with us and our advisor, see “Management — Other Affiliates — Dealer Manager,” and “Conflicts of Interest — Affiliated Dealer Manager” and “— Certain Conflict Resolution Measures.”

Compensation of Dealer Manager and Participating Broker-Dealers

Except as provided below, KBS Capital Markets Group will receive selling commissions of 6.0% of the gross offering proceeds for shares sold in our primary offering. The dealer manager will receive 3.5% of the gross offering proceeds as compensation for acting as the dealer manager, except that a reduced dealer manager fee will be paid with respect to certain volume discount sales. We will not pay any selling commissions or dealer manager fees for shares sold under our dividend reinvestment plan. We will also reimburse the dealer manager for specified out-of-pocket offering-related costs as described below.

We expect the dealer manager to authorize other broker-dealers that are members of FINRA, which we refer to as participating broker-dealers, to sell our shares. Except as provided below, our dealer manager will reallow all of its selling commissions attributable to a participating broker-dealer.

We may also sell shares at a discount to the primary offering price of $10.00 per share through the following distribution channels in the event that the investor:

 

   

pays a broker a single fee, e.g., a percentage of assets under management, for investment advisory and broker services, which is frequently referred to as a “wrap fee”;

 

   

has engaged the services of a registered investment adviser with whom the investor has agreed to pay compensation for investment advisory services or other financial or investment advice (other than a registered investment adviser that is also registered as a broker-dealer who does not have a fixed or “wrap fee” feature or other asset fee arrangement with the investor); or

 

   

is investing through a bank acting as trustee or fiduciary.

 

132


Table of Contents

If an investor purchases shares through one of these channels in our primary offering, we will sell the shares at a 6.0% discount, or at $9.40 per share, reflecting that selling commissions will not be paid in connection with such purchases. We will receive substantially the same net proceeds for sales of shares through these channels. Neither the Dealer Manager nor its affiliates will compensate any person engaged as an investment adviser by a potential investor as an inducement for such investment adviser to advise favorably for an investment in us.

If an investor purchases shares in the offering net of commissions through a registered investment advisor with whom the investor has agreed to pay compensation for investment advisory services or other financial or investment advice and if in connection with such purchase the investor must also pay a broker-dealer for custodial or other services relating to holding the shares in the investor’s account, we will reduce the aggregate purchase price of the investor’s shares by the amount of the annual custodial or other fees paid to the broker-dealer in an amount up to $250. Each investor will receive only one reduction in purchase price for such fees and this reduction in the purchase price of our shares is only available for the investor’s initial investment in our common stock. The investor must include the “Request for Broker Dealer Custodial Fee Reimbursement Form” with his or her subscription agreement to have the purchase price of the investor’s initial investment in shares reduced by the amount of his or her annual custodial fee and the investor must include support for the amount of his or her annual custodial fee with the subscription agreement.

The dealer manager may reallow to any participating broker-dealer up to 1% of the gross offering proceeds attributable to that participating broker-dealer as a marketing fee. Our dealer manager may increase the amount of the reallowance in special cases up to a maximum of 2.5% of the gross offering proceeds attributable to that participating broker-dealer. Whether the reallowance to any participating broker-dealer will exceed 1%, and the extent of any excess, will not depend on the actual amount of gross proceeds raised by that broker-dealer. Rather, the dealer manager expects that any decision to reallow more than 1% of gross offering proceeds from the dealer manager fee would be based solely on projected sales volume of at least $200 million on an annualized basis by the participating broker-dealer at the time it enters into a selling agreement and marketing fee agreement with the dealer manager. For volume discount sales of $3,000,000 or more, the dealer manager fee is reduced as set forth below. The amount of the dealer manager fee reallowed to a participating broker-dealer in that instance will be negotiated on a transaction by transaction basis. The marketing fee paid to participating broker-dealers would be paid by the dealer manager out of its dealer manager fee. In addition to selling commissions and marketing fees, and subject to the limits described below, we may reimburse the dealer manager for reimbursements it may make to broker-dealers for bona fide due diligence expenses.

In addition to the compensation described above, we will also reimburse the dealer manager and its affiliates for some of their costs in connection with the offering as described in the table below. This table sets forth the nature and estimated amount of all items viewed as “underwriting compensation” by FINRA, assuming we sell all of the shares offered hereby. To show the maximum amount of dealer manager and participating broker-dealer compensation that we may pay in this offering, this table assumes that all shares are sold through distribution channels associated with the highest possible selling commissions and dealer manager fees.

 

133


Table of Contents

Dealer Manager and

Participating Broker-Dealer Compensation

 

Selling commissions (maximum)

   $             120,000,000  

Dealer manager fee (maximum) (1)

     70,000,000  

Expense reimbursements for retail conferences and
industry conferences
(2) (3)

     2,275,000 (4 )

Expense reimbursement for bona fide training and
education meetings held by us
( 3 ) ( 5 )

     1,899,800 (4 )

Expense reimbursement for technology and other
costs
( 3 ) ( 6 )

     150,000 ( 4 )

Legal fees allocable to the dealer manager ( 3 )

     100,000 ( 4 )

Promotional items ( 3 )

     175,000 ( 4 )
        

Total

   $ 194,599,800  
        

 

(1) KBS Capital Markets Group may use a portion of the dealer manager fee to provide non-cash incentives for registered representatives of participating broker –dealers and registered persons associated with KBS Capital Markets Group that in no event will exceed the limits set forth in Rule 2810(c)(2) of the NASD Manual. Such non-cash incentives may include (i) a de minimis amount of gifts (currently $100 per person annually), and (ii) the payment or reimbursement of costs for an occasional meal or ticket to a sporting event or the theater or comparable entertainment which is neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question of propriety and is not preconditioned on achievement of a sales target. Such meals, sporting events, theater or comparable entertainment events may be held in connection with retail conferences or other meetings between registered representatives of participating broker-dealers and registered persons associated with KBS Capital Markets Group.

(2) These fees consist of reimbursements for attendance and sponsorship fees payable to participating broker-dealers hosting a retail seminar and travel, meal and lodging costs incurred by registered persons associated with KBS Capital Markets Group to attend retail conferences sponsored by participating broker-dealers, other meetings with participating broker-dealers and industry conferences.

( 3 ) Subject to the cap on organization and offering expenses described below, we will reimburse KBS Capital Markets Group or its affiliates for these expenses. In some cases, these payments will serve to reimburse KBS Capital Markets Group for amounts it has paid to participating broker-dealers for the items noted.

( 4 ) Amounts shown are estimates.

( 5 ) These fees consist of expense reimbursements for actual costs incurred in connection with attending bona fide training and education meetings hosted by us. The expenses consist of (a) the travel, meals and lodging of (i) representatives of participating broker-dealers and (ii) registered persons associated with KBS Capital Markets Group and (b) reimbursement of the portion of a dual employee’s salary paid by KBS Capital Markets Group attributable to time spent planning and coordinating bona fide training and education meetings on our behalf.

( 6 ) These fees consist of expense reimbursements to participating broker-dealers in special cases for technology costs associated with the offering, costs and expenses related to such technology costs, and costs and expenses associated with the facilitation of the marketing of our shares and the ownership of our shares by such broker-dealers’ customers.

Subject to the cap on organization and offering expenses described below, we will also reimburse the dealer manager for reimbursements it may make to broker-dealers for bona fide invoiced due diligence expenses. We estimate this expense reimbursement will be approximately $250,000.

Under the rules of FINRA, total underwriting compensation in this offering, including selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and the dealer manager expense reimbursement (excluding reimbursement for bona fide invoiced due diligence expenses), may not exceed 10% of our gross offering proceeds. In addition to the limits on underwriting compensation, FINRA and many states also limit our total organization and offering expenses to 15% of gross offering proceeds. After the termination of the primary offering and again after termination of the offering under our dividend reinvestment plan, KBS Capital Advisors has agreed to reimburse us to the extent that organization and offering expenses incurred by us exceed 15% of our gross proceeds from the applicable offering. However, we expect our total organization and offering expenses to be approximately 7.63% of our gross offering proceeds, assuming we raise the maximum offering amount.

To the extent permitted by law and our charter, we will indemnify the participating broker-dealers and the dealer manager against some civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities arising from breaches of our representations and warranties contained in the dealer manager agreement. See “Management — Limited Liability and Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents.”

 

134


Table of Contents

The dealer manager has agreed to sell up to 5% of the shares offered hereby in our primary offering to persons to be identified by us at a discount from the public offering price. We intend to use this “friends and family” program to sell shares to our directors, officers, business associates and others to the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations. We will require all such purchasers to represent that they are purchasing shares for investment only and to enter into one-year lock-up agreements with respect to the purchased shares. The purchase price for such shares will be $9.40 per share, reflecting that selling commissions in the amount of $0.60 per share will not be payable in connection with such sales. The net proceeds to us from such sales made net of commissions will be substantially the same as the net proceeds we receive from other sales of shares. Purchases under this “friends and family” program will not count toward meeting the minimum offering threshold.

We may sell shares to participating broker-dealers, their retirement plans, their representatives and the family members, IRAs and the qualified plans of their representatives at a purchase price of $9.40 per share, reflecting that selling commissions in the amount of $0.60 per share will not be payable in consideration of the services rendered by such broker-dealers and representatives in the offering. For purposes of this discount, we consider a family member to be a spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in law or brother- or sister-in-law. The net proceeds to us from the sales of these shares will be substantially the same as the net proceeds we receive from other sales of shares. Sales of these shares will count toward meeting the minimum offering threshold.

We are offering volume discounts to investors who purchase $1,000,000 or more of shares through the same participating broker-dealer in our primary offering. The net proceeds to us from a sale eligible for a volume discount will be the same, but the selling commissions and dealer manager fees we will pay will be reduced. Because the dealer manager reallows all selling commissions, the amount of commissions participating broker-dealers receive for such sales will be reduced.

The following table shows the discounted price per share and the reduced selling commissions and dealer manager fees payable for volume sales of our shares.

 

Dollar Volume Shares Purchased

  Sales Commissions
(Based on $10.00
Price Per Share)
  Dealer
Manager Fee
(Based on $10.00
Price Per Share)
  Price Per
Share to
Investor
         $  0              to        $   999,999   6.0%   3.5%   $10.00
   $1,000,000        to        $1,999,999   5.0%   3.5%   $  9.90
   $2,000,000        to        $2,999,999   4.0%   3.5%   $  9.80
   $3,000,000        to        $3,999,999   3.0%   3.0%   $  9.65
   $4,000,000        to        $9,999,999   2.0%   2.5%   $  9.50
$10,000,000    and above                 1.0%   2.5%   $  9.40

We will apply the reduced selling price, selling commission and dealer manager fee to the entire purchase. All commission rates and dealer manager fees are calculated assuming a price per share of $10.00. For example, a purchase of 250,000 shares in a single transaction would result in a purchase price of $2,450,000 ($9.80 per share), selling commissions of $100,000 and dealer manager fees of $87,500.

To qualify for a volume discount as a result of multiple purchases of our shares you must use the same participating broker-dealer and you must mark the “Additional Investment” space on the subscription agreement. We are not responsible for failing to combine purchases if you fail to mark the “Additional Investment” space. Once you qualify for a volume discount, you will be eligible to receive the benefit of such discount for subsequent purchases of shares in our primary offering through the same participating broker-dealer. If a subsequent purchase entitles an investor to an increased reduction in sales commissions and/or the dealer manager fee, the volume discount will apply only to the current and future investments.

To the extent purchased through the same participating broker-dealer, the following persons may combine their purchases as a “single purchaser” for the purpose of qualifying for a volume discount:

 

   

an individual, his or her spouse, their children under the age of 21 and all pension or trust funds established by each such individual;

 

   

a corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust fund or any organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not;

 

   

an employees’ trust, pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

 

   

all commingled trust funds maintained by a given bank.

 

135


Table of Contents

In the event a person wishes to have his or her order combined with others as a “single purchaser,” that person must request such treatment in writing at the time of subscription setting forth the basis for the discount and identifying the orders to be combined. Any request will be subject to our verification that the orders to be combined are made by a single purchaser. If the subscription agreements for the combined orders of a single purchaser are submitted at the same time, then the commissions payable and discounted share price will be allocated pro rata among the combined orders on the basis of the respective amounts being combined. Otherwise, the volume discount provisions will apply only to the order that qualifies the single purchaser for the volume discount and the subsequent orders of that single purchaser.

Only shares purchased in our primary offering are eligible for volume discounts. Shares purchased through our dividend reinvestment plan will not be eligible for a volume discount nor will such shares count toward the threshold limits listed above that qualify you for the different discount levels.

Volume discounts for California residents will be available in accordance with the foregoing table of uniform discount levels. However, with respect to California residents, no discounts will be allowed to any group of purchasers and no subscriptions may be aggregated as part of a combined order for purposes of determining the dollar amount of shares purchased.

Subscription Procedures

We will not sell any shares unless we raise a minimum of $2,500,000 by                      , 200    from persons who are not affiliated with us or our advisor. Until we have raised this amount, all subscription payments will be placed in an account held by the escrow agent,                      , in trust for subscribers’ benefit, pending release to us. You are entitled to receive the interest earned on your subscription payment while it is held in the escrow account. Once we have raised the applicable minimum offering amount and instructed the escrow agent to disburse the funds in the account, funds representing the gross purchase price for the shares will be distributed to us and the escrow agent will disburse directly to you, without reduction for fees, any interest earned on your subscription payment while it was held in the escrow account. If we do not raise at least $2,500,000 by                      , 200    , we will promptly return all funds in the escrow account (including interest), and we will stop offering shares. We will not deduct any fees if we return funds from the escrow account because we are unable to raise the minimum offering amount. Different escrow procedures apply to Pennsylvania investors. Because of the higher minimum offering requirement for Pennsylvania investors, subscription payments made by Pennsylvania investors will not count toward the $2,500,000 minimum offering for all other jurisdictions. See “— Special Notice to Pennsylvania Investors” below.

To purchase shares in this offering, you must complete and sign a subscription agreement (in the form attached to this prospectus as Appendix A) for a specific number of shares and pay for the shares at the time of your subscription. Until such time as we have raised the minimum offering amount, you should make your check payable to “                      , as agent for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.” Once we have raised $2,500,000, you should make your check payable to “KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.,” except that Pennsylvania investors should follow the instructions below under “—Special Notice to Pennsylvania Investors.” Subscriptions will be effective only upon our acceptance, and we reserve the right to reject any subscription in whole or in part. After we have raised the minimum offering amount, subscription payments will be deposited into a special account in our name under the joint authorization of the dealer manager and us until such time as we have accepted or rejected the subscriptions. We will accept or reject subscriptions within 30 days of our receipt of such subscriptions and, if rejected, we will return all funds to the rejected subscribers within ten business days. If accepted, the funds will be transferred into our general account. You will receive a confirmation of your purchase. We generally admit stockholders on a daily basis.

You are required to represent in the subscription agreement that you have received a copy of the final prospectus. In order to ensure that you have had sufficient time to review the final prospectus, we will not accept your subscription until at least five business days after your receipt of the final prospectus.

Investors who desire to purchase shares in this offering at regular intervals may be able to do so by electing to participate in the automatic investment program by completing an enrollment form that we will provide upon request. Alabama and Ohio investors are not eligible to participate in the automatic investment program. Only investors who have already met the minimum purchase requirement may participate in the automatic investment program. The minimum periodic investment is $100 per month. We will pay dealer manager fees and selling commissions in connection with sales under the automatic investment program to the same extent that we pay those fees and commissions on shares sold in this offering outside of the automatic investment program. If you elect to participate in both the automatic investment program and our dividend reinvestment plan, distributions earned from shares purchased pursuant to the automatic investment program will automatically be reinvested pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan. For a discussion of the dividend reinvestment plan, see “Description of Shares — Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

 

136


Table of Contents

You will receive a confirmation of your purchases under the automatic investment program no less than quarterly. The confirmation will disclose the following information:

 

   

the amount invested for your account during the period;

 

   

the date of the investment;

 

   

the number and price of the shares purchased by you; and

 

   

the total number of shares in your account.

To qualify for a volume discount as a result of purchases under the automatic investment program, you must notify us in writing when you initially become eligible to receive a volume discount and at each time your purchase of shares through the program would qualify you for an additional reduction in the price of shares under the volume discount provisions described in this prospectus. For a discussion of volume discounts, see “— Compensation of Dealer Manager and Participating Broker-Dealers.”

You may terminate your participation in the automatic investment program at any time by providing us with written notice. If you elect to participate in the automatic investment program, you must agree that if at any time you fail to meet the applicable investor suitability standards or cannot make the other investor representations or warranties set forth in the then current prospectus or in the subscription agreement, you will promptly notify us in writing of that fact and your participation in the plan will terminate. See the “Suitability Standards” section of this prospectus (immediately following the cover page) and the form of subscription agreement attached hereto as Appendix A.

Suitability Standards

Our sponsor, those selling shares on our behalf and participating broker-dealers and registered investment advisers recommending the purchase of shares in this offering have the responsibility to make every reasonable effort to determine that your purchase of shares in this offering is a suitable and appropriate investment for you based on information provided by you regarding your financial situation and investment objectives. In making this determination, these persons have the responsibility to ascertain that you:

 

   

meet the minimum income and net worth standards set forth under “Suitability Standards” immediately following the cover page of this prospectus;

 

   

can reasonably benefit from an investment in our shares based on your overall investment objectives and portfolio structure;

 

   

are able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on your overall financial situation;

 

   

are in a financial position appropriate to enable you to realize to a significant extent the benefits described in this prospectus of an investment in our shares; and

 

   

have apparent understanding of:

 

   

the fundamental risks of the investment;

 

   

the risk that you may lose your entire investment;

 

   

the lack of liquidity of our shares;

 

   

the restrictions on transferability of our shares;

 

   

the background and qualifications of our sponsors and their affiliates; and

 

   

the tax consequences of your investment.

Relevant information for this purpose will include at least your age, investment objectives, investment experience, income, net worth, financial situation and other investments as well as any other pertinent factors. Our sponsor, those selling shares on our behalf and participating broker-dealers and registered investment advisers recommending the purchase of shares in this offering must maintain, for a six-year period, records of the information used to determine that an investment in shares is suitable and appropriate for you.

Until our shares of common stock are listed on a national securities exchange, subsequent purchasers, i.e., potential purchasers of your shares, must also meet the net worth or income standards.

 

137


Table of Contents

Minimum Purchase Requirements

You must initially invest at least $4,000 in our shares to be eligible to participate in this offering. If you own the minimum investment in shares in KBS REIT I or KBS REIT II, you may invest less than the minimum amount set forth above, but in no event less than $100. In order to satisfy this minimum purchase requirement, unless otherwise prohibited by state law, a husband and wife may jointly contribute funds from their separate IRAs, provided that each such contribution is made in increments of $100. You should note that an investment in our shares will not, in itself, create a retirement plan and that, in order to create a retirement plan, you must comply with all applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

If you have satisfied the applicable minimum purchase requirement, any additional purchase must be in amounts of at least $100. The investment minimum for subsequent purchases does not apply to shares purchased pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan.

Unless you are transferring all of your shares of common stock, you may not transfer your shares in a manner that causes you or your transferee to own fewer than the number of shares required to meet the minimum purchase requirements, except for the following transfers without consideration: transfers by gift, transfers by inheritance, intrafamily transfers, family dissolutions, transfers to affiliates and transfers by operation of law. These minimum purchase requirements are applicable until our shares of common stock are listed on a national securities exchange, and these requirements may make it more difficult for you to sell your shares.

Investments by Qualified Accounts

Funds from qualified accounts will be accepted if received in installments that together meet the minimum or subsequent investment amount, as applicable, so long as the total subscription amount was indicated on the subscription agreement and all funds are received within a 90-day period.

Special Notice to Pennsylvania Investors

Because the minimum offering of our common stock is less than $133,333,333, we caution you to carefully evaluate our ability to fully accomplish our stated objectives and to inquire as to the current dollar volume of our subscription proceeds. Notwithstanding our $2.5 million minimum offering amount for all other jurisdictions, we will not sell any shares to Pennsylvania investors unless we raise a minimum of $66.7 million in gross offering proceeds (including sales made to residents of other jurisdictions) prior to                      , 200    . In the event we do not raise gross offering proceeds of $66.7 million by                      , 200    , we will promptly return all funds held in escrow for the benefit of Pennsylvania investors (in which case, Pennsylvania investors will not be required to request a refund of their investment). Pending satisfaction of this condition, all Pennsylvania subscription payments will be placed in a separate account held by the escrow agent,                      , in trust for Pennsylvania subscribers’ benefit, pending release to us. Purchases by persons affiliated with us or our advisor will not count toward satisfaction of the Pennsylvania minimum.

If we have not reached this $66.7 million threshold within 120 days of the date that we first accept a subscription payment from a Pennsylvania investor, we will, within ten days of the end of that 120-day period, notify Pennsylvania investors in writing of their right to receive refunds, with interest. If you request a refund within ten days of receiving that notice, we will arrange for the escrow agent to promptly return to you by check your subscription amount with interest. Amounts held in the Pennsylvania escrow account from Pennsylvania investors not requesting a refund will continue to be held for subsequent 120-day periods until we raise at least $66.7 million or until the end of the subsequent escrow periods. At the end of each subsequent escrow period, we will again notify you of your right to receive a refund of your subscription amount with interest. Until we have raised $66.7 million, Pennsylvania investors should make their checks payable to “                      , as agent for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.” Once we have reached the Pennsylvania minimum, Pennsylvania investors should make their checks payable to “KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.”

Investments through IRA Accounts

                     has agreed to act as an IRA custodian for purchasers of our common stock who would like to purchase shares through an IRA account and desire to establish a new IRA account for that purpose. We will pay the fees related to the establishment of investor accounts with                      and the first-year annual IRA maintenance fee. Thereafter, investors will be responsible for the annual IRA maintenance fees. Further information about custodial services is available through your broker or through our dealer manager at www.kbs-cmg.com.

 

138


Table of Contents

SUPPLEMENTAL SALES MATERIAL

In addition to this prospectus, we may utilize additional sales materials in connection with the offering of the shares, although only when accompanied by or preceded by the delivery of this prospectus. These supplemental sales materials may include information relating to this offering, the past performance of KBS-sponsored programs, property brochures and articles and publications concerning real estate. Some or all of our supplemental sales materials may not be available in certain jurisdictions.

We are offering shares only by means of this prospectus. Although the information contained in our supplemental sales materials will not conflict with any of the information contained in this prospectus, the supplemental materials do not purport to be complete and should not be considered a part of or as incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of our common stock being offered hereby will be passed upon for us by DLA Piper LLP (US), Raleigh, North Carolina. DLA Piper LLP (US) will also review the statements relating to certain federal income tax matters that are likely to be material to U.S. holders of our common stock under the caption “Federal Income Tax Considerations” and will pass upon our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

EXPERTS

The consolidated balance sheet of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. at December 31, 2008, appearing in this prospectus and registration statement has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and is included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-11 with the SEC with respect to the shares of our common stock to be issued in this offering. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement and, as permitted by SEC rules, does not include all of the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. For additional information relating to us, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or document are necessarily summaries of such contract or document and in each instance, if we have filed the contract or document as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.

After commencement of this offering, we will file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We intend to furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing consolidated financial statements certified by an independent public accounting firm. The registration statement is, and any of these future filings with the SEC will be, available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may read and copy any filed document at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. at 100 F. Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room.

 

139


Table of Contents

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND PRIOR PERFORMANCE TABLES

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheet

   F-3

Notes to Consolidated Balance Sheet

   F-4

Prior Performance Tables

   F-17

 

F-1


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholder of

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2008. The consolidated balance sheet is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated balance sheet based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated balance sheet is free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated balance sheet, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall consolidated balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. at December 31, 2008 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

Irvine, California

January 5, 2009

 

F-2


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Assets

     

Cash

   $      200,000
       

Total assets

   $      200,000
       

Liabilities and stockholder’s equity

     

Liabilities

     

Total liabilities

   $      -

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholder’s equity

     

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued and outstanding

      -

Common stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 20,000
shares issued and outstanding

      200

Additional paid-in capital

      199,800
       

Total stockholder’s equity

      200,000
       

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity

   $      200,000
       

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated balance sheet.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2008

 

1. ORGANIZATION

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) was formed on October 8, 2008 as a Maryland corporation that intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) beginning with the taxable year that will end December 31, 2009. Substantially all of the Company’s business is expected to be conducted through KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership formed on December 10, 2008. The Company is the sole general partner of and owns a 0.1% partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. KBS Strategic Opportunity Holdings LLC (“REIT Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company formed on December 9, 2008, owns the remaining 99.9% interest in the Operating Partnership and is its sole limited partner. The Company is the sole member and manager of REIT Holdings.

Subject to certain restrictions and limitations, the business of the Company will be externally managed by KBS Capital Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”), an affiliate of the Company, pursuant to an Advisory Agreement the Company anticipates executing with the Advisor. On December 24, 2008, the Company issued 20,000 shares of its common stock to the Advisor at a purchase price of $10.00 per share. As of December 31, 2008, the 20,000 shares of common stock owned by the Advisor were the only issued and outstanding shares of the Company.

The Company expects to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Such investments will include the origination and acquisition of mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans and investments in real estate-related debt securities such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. The Company may also invest in entities that make similar investments.

In its initial public offering, the Company intends to offer a minimum of 250,000 shares (the “Minimum Number of Shares”) and a maximum of 280,000,000 shares of common stock for sale to the public (the “Offering”), of which 80,000,000 shares are being offered pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan. The Company intends to retain KBS Capital Markets Group LLC (the “Dealer Manager”), an affiliate of the Company, to serve as the dealer manager of the Offering. The Dealer Manager will be responsible for marketing the Company’s shares being offered pursuant to the Offering. As described above, the Company intends to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the Offering to invest in a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments.

As of December 31, 2008, neither the Company nor the Operating Partnership had originated, acquired or contracted to make any investments. Also as of December 31, 2008, the Advisor had not identified any assets in which there is a reasonable probability that the Company or the Operating Partnership will invest.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Below is a discussion of the accounting policies that the Company’s management believes will be significant once the Company commences operations. The Company’s management considers these policies significant because it believes that understanding these policies is significant to understanding and evaluating the Company’s reported financial results. Additionally, these policies may involve significant management judgments and assumptions, or require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. These judgments will affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the Company’s disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. With different estimates or assumptions, materially different amounts could be reported in the Company’s financial statements. Additionally, other companies may utilize different estimates that may impact the comparability of the Company’s results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated balance sheet includes the accounts of the Company, REIT Holdings and the Operating Partnership. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries are prepared using accounting policies consistent with those of the Company.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated balance sheet in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet and accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents may include cash and short-term investments. Short-term investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company’s account balance may exceed federally insurable limits. The Company mitigates this risk by depositing funds with a major financial institution. There are no restrictions on the use of the Company’s cash as of December 31, 2008.

Real Estate Loans Receivable and Loan Loss Reserves

Real estate loans will be classified as held for investment based on management’s intent and ability to hold the loans for the foreseeable future. Real estate loans held for investment will be recorded at amortized cost and evaluated for impairment at each balance sheet date. The amortized cost of a loan is the outstanding unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized acquisition premiums or discounts and unamortized costs and fees directly associated with the origination or acquisition of the loan. The Company will consider a real estate loan held for investment to be impaired when it becomes probable, based on current information, that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan’s contractual terms. The Company may purchase real estate loans at a discount to face value where at the acquisition date the Company expects to collect less than the contractual amounts due under the terms of the loan based, at least in part, on the Company’s assessment of the credit quality of the borrower. The Company will consider such real estate loans to be impaired when it becomes probable, based on current information, that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts the Company estimated to be collected at the time of acquisition. The amount of impairment, if any, will be measured by comparing the recorded amount of the loan to the present value of the expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral. If a loan is deemed to be impaired, the Company will record a loan loss reserve and a provision for loan losses to recognize impairment.

The Company will record real estate loans held for sale at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. The Company will determine fair value for loans held for sale by using current secondary market information for loans with similar terms and credit quality. If current secondary market information is not available, the Company will consider other factors in estimating fair value, including modeled valuations using assumptions management believes a reasonable market participant would use in valuing similar assets (assumptions may include loss rates, prepayment rates, interest rates and credit spreads). If fair value is lower than the amortized cost basis of the loan, the Company will record a valuation allowance to write the loan down to fair value.

Failure to recognize impairment would result in the overstatement of earnings and the carrying value of the Company’s real estate loans held for investment. Actual losses, if any, could differ from estimated amounts.

Marketable Real Estate Securities

The Company will classify investments in real estate securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (“SFAS 115”). The Company anticipates that the majority of the securities it purchases will be classified as available-for-sale. The Company will record available-for-sale securities at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Estimated fair values will generally be based on quoted market prices, when available, or on estimates provided by independent pricing sources or dealers who make markets in such securities. If the Company is unable to obtain prices for its securities from third parties, or concludes that prices obtained from third parties are influenced by distressed market activity, the Company will perform internal valuations to arrive at a fair value measurement that is consistent with SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position (“FSP”) SFAS No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active (“FSP SFAS 157-3”). Generally, changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities will not affect reported earnings or cash flows, but will impact stockholders’ equity and, accordingly, book value per share. Upon the sale of a security, the Company will reverse the unrealized gain (loss) from accumulated comprehensive income and record the realized gain (loss) to earnings. Securities classified as held-to-maturity will be recorded at amortized cost with acquisition premiums and discounts amortized to interest income over the life of the security using the effective interest method.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

The Company will monitor available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities for impairment on a quarterly basis. The Company will recognize an impairment loss when the Company determines that a decline in the estimated fair value of a security below its amortized cost is other-than-temporary. The Company will consider many factors in determining whether the impairment of a security is deemed to be other-than-temporary, including, but not limited to, the length of time the security has had a decline in estimated fair value below its amortized cost, the amount of the unrealized loss, the intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for a recovery in value, recent events specific to the issuer or industry, external credit ratings, and recent changes in such ratings. Determining whether impairment of a security is other-than-temporary involves a significant amount of judgment by management.

The Company will account for purchased real estate debt securities that are beneficial interests in securitized financial assets that are rated below “AA” in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets (“EITF 99-20”). Under EITF 99-20, the Company will review on a quarterly basis, the projected future cash flows of these investments for changes in assumptions due to prepayments, credit loss experience and other factors. When significant changes in estimated cash flows from the cash flows previously estimated occur due to actual prepayment and credit loss experience, the Company will calculate a revised yield based upon the current reference amount of the investment, including any other-than-temporary impairments recognized to date, and the revised estimate of cash flows. The Company will apply the revised yield prospectively to recognize interest income. If based on the Company’s quarterly estimate of cash flows, there has been an adverse change in the estimated cash flows from the cash flows previously estimated and the present value of the revised cash flow is less than the present value previously estimated, an other-than-temporary impairment will be deemed to have occurred. When the Company deems a security to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will write it down to its fair value (with the reduction in fair value recorded as a charge to earnings) and will establish a new reference amount for the investment. If there are no adverse changes to the Company’s assumptions and the change in value is solely due to interest rate changes, the Company will not recognize an other-than-temporary impairment. Estimating cash flows and determining whether there is other-than-temporary impairment requires management to exercise judgment and make significant assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions regarding estimated prepayments, loss assumptions, and assumptions with respect to changes in interest rates. As a result, actual impairment losses and the timing of income recognized on these securities could materially differ from reported amounts.

Real Estate Owned

The Company may obtain real estate through foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure in partial or total satisfaction of non-performing loans. Real estate obtained in satisfaction of a loan will be recorded at the lower of the carrying value of the related loan prior to foreclosure or the fair value of the real estate received less estimated costs to sell. The Company will review the recoverability of the carrying value of real estate owned when circumstances indicate a possible impairment of the value of the property. If impairment exists due to the inability to recover the carrying value of a property, an impairment loss will be recorded to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the property less cost to sell. Any costs of holding the property will be expensed as incurred. Significant property improvements may be capitalized to the extent that the carrying value of the property does not exceed the estimated fair value less costs to sell. Any gain or loss on final disposition of real estate owned will be recorded as gain/loss from continuing operations because it represents the final stage of the loan collection process. The Company’s estimates of a property’s fair value less costs to sell may substantially differ from actual sales proceeds.

Rents and Other Receivables

The Company will periodically evaluate the collectibility of amounts due from tenants and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of tenants to make required payments under lease agreements. In addition, the Company will maintain an allowance for deferred rent receivable that arises from the straight-lining of rents. The Company will exercise judgment in establishing these allowances and will consider payment history and current credit status of its tenants in developing these estimates.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

Financing Costs

The Company will defer financing costs such as commitment fees, legal fees and other third party costs associated with obtaining commitments for financing that result in a closing of such financing. The Company will amortize these costs over the terms of the respective financing agreements using the effective interest method. The Company will expense unamortized deferred financing costs when the associated debt is refinanced or repaid before maturity unless specific rules are met that would allow for the carryover of such costs to the refinanced debt. Costs incurred in seeking financing transactions that do not close will be expensed in the period in which it is determined that the financing will not close.

Redeemable Common Stock

The Company has adopted a share redemption program that may enable stockholders to sell their shares of common stock to the Company in limited circumstances.

There are several limitations on the Company’s ability to redeem shares under the share redemption program:

 

   

Unless the shares are being redeemed in connection with a stockholder’s death or “qualifying disability” (as defined under the share redemption program), the Company may not redeem shares until the stockholder has held his shares for one year.

 

   

The share redemption program limits the number of shares the Company may redeem to those that the Company could purchase with the net proceeds from the issuance of shares under the dividend reinvestment plan during the prior calendar year.

 

   

During any calendar year, the Company may redeem no more than 5% of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the prior calendar year.

 

   

The Company has no obligation to redeem shares if the redemption would violate the restrictions on distributions under Maryland law, which prohibits distributions that would cause a corporation to fail to meet statutory tests of solvency.

As the use of the proceeds from the dividend reinvestment plan for redemptions will be outside the Company’s control, they will be considered to be temporary equity under Accounting Series Release No. 268, Presentation in Financial Statements of Redeemable Preferred Stock , and will, therefore, be presented as redeemable common stock in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The Company has adopted SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity (“SFAS 150”), which requires, among other things, that financial instruments that represent a mandatory obligation of the Company to repurchase shares be classified as liabilities and reported at settlement value. The Company’s redeemable common shares will be contingently redeemable at the option of the holder. As such, SFAS 150 is not applicable until such shares are tendered for redemption by the holder, at which time the Company will reclassify such obligations from temporary equity to a liability based upon their respective settlement values.

Pursuant to the program, the Company would redeem shares at prices determined as follows:

 

   

The lower of $9.25 or 92.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from the Company for stockholders who have held their shares for at least one year;

 

   

The lower of $9.50 or 95.0% of the price paid to acquire the shares from the Company for stockholders who have held their shares for at least two years;

 

   

The lower of $9.75 or 97.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from the Company for stockholders who have held their shares for at least three years;

 

   

The lower of $10.00 or the price paid to acquire the shares from the Company for stockholders who have held their shares for at least four years.

Notwithstanding the above, upon the death or qualifying disability of a stockholder, the redemption price would be the amount paid to acquire the shares from the Company. Furthermore, once the Company establishes an estimated value per share of its common stock, the redemption price per share for all stockholders would be equal to the estimated value per share, as

 

F-7


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

determined by its advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. The Company expects to establish an estimated value per share beginning three years after the completion of its offering stage. The Company will consider its offering stage complete when it is no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through this offering or follow-on public offerings – and has not done so for one year.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company has not redeemed any shares of common stock.

Organization, Offering and Related Costs

Organization and offering costs (other than selling commissions and the dealer manager fee) of the Company are initially being paid by the Advisor, the Dealer Manager or their affiliates on behalf of the Company. These other organization and offering costs include all expenses to be paid by the Company in connection with the Offering, including but not limited to (i) legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees; (ii) charges of the escrow holder and transfer agent; (iii) charges of the Advisor for administrative services related to the issuance of shares in the Offering; (iv) reimbursement of the bona fide diligence expenses of broker-dealers; (v) reimbursement to the Advisor for costs in connection with preparing supplemental sales materials; (vi) the cost of bona fide training and education meetings held by the Company (primarily the travel, meal and lodging costs of registered representatives of broker-dealers); (vii) reimbursement to the Dealer Manager for attendance and sponsorship fees and travel, meal and lodging costs for registered persons associated with the Dealer Manager and officers and employees of the Company’s affiliates to attend retail seminars conducted by broker-dealers; and (viii) in special cases, reimbursement to participating broker-dealers for technology costs associated with the Offering, costs and expenses related to such technology costs, and costs and expenses associated with the facilitation of the marketing of the shares in the Offering and the ownership of the shares by such broker-dealers’ customers. The Company anticipates that, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and the Dealer Manager Agreement, the Company will be obligated to reimburse the Advisor, the Dealer Manager or their affiliates, as applicable, for organization and offering costs paid by them on behalf of the Company, provided that the Advisor would be obligated to reimburse the Company to the extent selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and other organization and offering costs incurred by the Company in the Offering exceed 15% of gross offering proceeds.

In the event the Minimum Number of Shares of the Company’s common stock is not sold to the public, the Company will terminate the Offering and will have no obligation to reimburse the Advisor, the Dealer Manager or their affiliates for any organization and offering costs. As of December 31, 2008, the Advisor has incurred organization and offering costs of approximately $333,000 on behalf of the Company. These costs are not recorded in the financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2008 because such costs are not a liability of the Company until the Advisory Agreement is executed and the Minimum Number of Shares of the Company’s common stock is issued, and such costs will only become a liability of the Company to the extent selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and other organization and offering costs do not exceed 15% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. When recorded by the Company, organization costs will be expensed as incurred, and offering costs, which include selling commissions and dealer manager fees, will be deferred and charged to stockholders’ equity as such amounts are reimbursed to the Advisor, the Dealer Manager or their affiliates from the gross proceeds of the Offering.

Repurchase Financings

In certain circumstances, the Company may finance the purchase of loans or securities from a counterparty through a repurchase agreement with that same counterparty. The Company will account for any such financings in accordance with SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (“SFAS 140”), and FSP SFAS No. 140-3, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions (“FSP SFAS 140-3”), which address accounting for repurchase agreements related to contemporaneously transferred financial assets when the repurchase arrangement is between the same parties as the original transfer. Generally, an initial transfer of a financial asset and a repurchase agreement are considered part of the same linked transaction in evaluating the initial transfer for sale accounting treatment. If certain criteria related to sale accounting are met, the initial transfer and repurchase financing will result in the purchased asset and the repurchase liability being separately reflected on the balance sheet. If the linked transaction does not meet the requirements for sale accounting, the linked transaction will generally be accounted for as a forward contract.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

Revenue Recognition

The Company will recognize interest income on real estate loans receivable on an accrual basis over the life of the investment using the effective interest method. Direct loan origination or acquisition fees and costs, as well as acquisition premiums or discounts, will be amortized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to interest income. The Company will place loans on nonaccrual status when any portion of principal or interest is 90 days past due, or earlier when concern exists as to the ultimate collection of principal or interest. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, the Company will reverse the accrual for unpaid interest and will not recognize interest income until the cash is received, or the loan returns to accrual status. Generally, a loan may be returned to accrual status when all delinquent principal and interest are brought current in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and certain performance criteria have been met.

The Company will recognize interest income on loans purchased at discounts to face value where the Company expects to collect less than the contractual amounts due under the loan when that expectation is due, at least in part, to the credit quality of the borrower in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer (“SOP 03-3”). Under SOP 03-3, income is recognized at an interest rate equivalent to the estimated yield on the loan, as calculated using the carrying value of the loan and the expected cash flows. Changes in estimated cash flows are recognized through an adjustment to the yield on the loan on a prospective basis. Projecting cash flows for these types of loans requires a significant amount of assumptions and judgment, which may have a significant impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognized on these investments.

The Company will recognize interest income on real estate securities on an accrual basis according to the contractual terms of the securities. Discounts or premiums will be amortized to interest income over the life of the investment using the effective interest method.

The Company will recognize interest income on real estate debt securities that are beneficial interests in securitized financial assets that are rated below “AA” in accordance with EITF 99-20, which will require the Company to periodically project estimated cash flows related to these securities and accrue interest income at an interest rate equivalent to the estimated yield on the security, as calculated using the revised estimated cash flows and the security’s carrying value, or reference amount. Changes in the estimated cash flows are recognized through an adjustment to the yield on the security on a prospective basis. Projecting cash flows for these types of securities requires a significant amount of assumptions and judgment, which may have a significant impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognized on these investments.

Independent Director Compensation

The Company will pay each of its independent directors an annual retainer of $40,000. In addition, the independent directors will be paid for attending meetings as follows: (i) $2,500 for each board meeting attended, (ii) $2,500 for each committee meeting attended (except that the committee chairman is paid $3,000 for each meeting attended), (iii) $2,000 for each teleconference board meeting attended, and (iv) $2,000 for each teleconference committee meeting attended (except that the committee chairman is paid $3,000 for each teleconference committee meeting attended). All directors will also receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the board of directors. Director compensation is an operating expense of the Company that is subject to the operating expense reimbursement obligation of the Advisor discussed in Note 4.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

Income Taxes

The Company intends to elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and intends to operate as such beginning with its taxable year ending December 31, 2009. The Company expects to have little or no taxable income prior to electing REIT status. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of the Company’s annual REIT taxable income to its stockholders (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes qualifying dividends to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants the Company relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect the Company’s net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. However, the Company intends to organize and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT.

Changes to Federal Tax Laws Affecting REITs

The Housing and Economic Recovery Tax Act of 2008 (the “Housing Act”) was signed into law by President Bush on July 30, 2008. The Housing Act’s provisions regarding REITs are generally effective for the Company’s 2009 taxable year and beyond. The Housing Act made the following changes, among others, to certain REIT provisions of the Code:

 

   

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. The maximum allowed value of taxable REIT subsidiaries’ securities (other than securities that are real estate assets) held by a REIT as a percentage of the total value of a REIT’s assets has been increased from 20% to 25%.

 

   

Prohibited Transactions Safe Harbor. There is a safe harbor that, if available, can allow the Company to avoid the 100% prohibited transaction tax. This safe harbor specifies a holding period that has been reduced from four years to two years by the Housing Act. Certain other changes to the safe harbor are also made under the Housing Act. These new rules apply to sales made after the Housing Act was enacted.

 

   

Hedging Income. Income from a hedging transaction that complies with identification procedures set out in Treasury regulations that hedges indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by the Company to acquire or carry real estate assets will not constitute gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

Industry Segments

SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information , establishes standards for the way that public entities report information about operating segments in their financial statements. The Company will invest in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related assets, which may include commercial properties, and as a result, the Company may operate in two business segments (investments in real estate-related assets and investments in real property).

Derivative Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Company may enter into certain types of derivative instruments, such as interest rate cap and floor agreements or interest rate swaps, to hedge its exposure to cash flow variability caused by changing interest rates on its variable rate real estate loans receivable and notes payable. The Company will account for any such derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities , as amended (“SFAS 133”). The change in fair value of the effective portion of a derivative instrument that is designated as a cash flow hedge will be recorded to accumulated comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. The amounts to be paid or received on these instruments will be recognized on an accrual basis and amortized as adjustments to interest income for derivatives designated as hedges of investments and interest expense for derivatives designated as hedges of liabilities during the period the hedged transaction occurs. The change in fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges or that do not meet the hedge accounting criteria of SFAS 133 will be recorded to earnings.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

Fair Value Election

In accordance with SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”), the Company has the option to elect fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities upon initial recognition, or upon certain qualifying events that result in remeasurement of the respective instruments. Under fair value accounting, changes in the fair value of financial instruments are recognized in earnings. Companies primarily elect fair value accounting to achieve consistent measurement approaches between related financial instruments, to eliminate the burden of complying with complex hedge accounting provisions, or because they believe fair value is a more relevant measurement for certain instruments. Certain financial assets and liabilities have valuation inputs that are not observable in the marketplace. Electing the fair value option for instruments with less observable valuation inputs will result in a significant amount of reliance on management judgment and assumptions in determining the fair value for such instruments. The Company anticipates evaluating and making a determination regarding fair value accounting for each asset or liability at its acquisition date.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP. In February 2008, FASB issued FSP SFAS No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP SFAS 157-2”). FSP SFAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 by one year for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis. FSP SFAS 157-2 is effective in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. FSP SFAS 157-2 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements or results of operations.

In October 2008, FASB issued FSP No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active (“FSP SFAS 157-3”). FSP SFAS 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS 157 for financial assets in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP SFAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance. FSP SFAS 157-3 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements or results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”), which replaces SFAS 141. SFAS 141R expands the definition of a business combination and requires the fair value of the purchase price of an acquisition, including the issuance of equity securities, to be determined on the acquisition date. SFAS 141R also requires that all assets, liabilities, contingent considerations, and contingencies of an acquired business be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. In addition, SFAS 141R requires that acquisition costs generally be expensed as incurred, restructuring costs generally be expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date and changes in accounting for deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties after the measurement period be recorded to income tax expense. SFAS 141R is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. SFAS 141R is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements or results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest, changes in a parent’s ownership interest and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. In addition, SFAS 160 provides reporting requirements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. SFAS 160 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements or results of operations.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 140-3, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions (“FSP 140-3”). FSP 140-3 provides guidance on the accounting for repurchase agreements related to transferred financial assets when the repurchase arrangement is between the same parties as the original transfer. Under this guidance, an initial transfer of a financial asset and a repurchase agreement are generally considered part of the same linked transaction in evaluating the initial transfer for sale accounting treatment. If certain criteria related to sale accounting are met, the initial transfer and repurchase financing will result in the purchased asset and the repurchase liability being separately reflected on the balance sheet. If the linked transaction does not meet the requirements for sale accounting, the linked transaction will generally be accounted for as a forward contract. FSP 140-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. FSP 140-3 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements or results of operations.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The guidance in SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Early application is encouraged. SFAS 161 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements or results of operations.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting principles to be used in the preparation and presentation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP. SFAS 162 was effective as of November 15, 2008 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements or results of operations.

 

3. STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

General

Under the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, the total number of shares of capital stock authorized for issuance is 1,010,000,000 shares, consisting of 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, each as defined by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation.

The shares of common stock have a par value of $0.01 per share and entitle the holders to one vote per share on all matters upon which stockholders are entitled to vote, to receive dividends and other distributions as authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law and to all rights of a stockholder pursuant to the Maryland General Corporation Law. The common stock has no preferences or preemptive, conversion or exchange rights. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had issued 20,000 shares of common stock.

The Company is authorized to issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock. Prior to the issuance of such shares, the board of directors shall have the power from time to time to classify or reclassify, in one or more series, any unissued shares and designate the preferences, rights and privileges of such shares. As of December 31, 2008, no shares of the Company’s preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRP”) through which common stockholders may elect to reinvest an amount equal to the distributions declared on their shares in additional shares of the Company’s common stock in lieu of receiving cash distributions. The initial purchase price per share under the DRP will be $9.50. Three years after the completion of the offering stage, shares issued pursuant to the plan will be priced at the estimated value per share of the Company’s common stock, as determined by the Advisor or a firm chosen for that purpose. The offering stage will be considered complete when the Company is no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through the Offering or follow-on public offerings – and has not done so for one year. No selling commissions or dealer manager fees will be paid on shares sold under the DRP. The board of directors of the Company may amend or terminate the DRP for any reason, provided that any amendment that adversely affects the rights or obligations of a participant shall only take effect upon 10 days’ written notice to participants.

 

4. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company anticipates executing the Advisory Agreement with the Advisor and a Dealer Manager Agreement with the Dealer Manager. These agreements will entitle the Advisor and the Dealer Manager to specified fees upon the provision of certain services with regard to the Offering and the investment of funds in real estate assets, among other services, as well as reimbursement of organization and offering costs incurred by the Advisor and the Dealer Manager on behalf of the Company (as discussed in Note 2) and certain costs incurred by the Advisor in providing services to the Company. The fees and reimbursement obligations are as follows:

 

Form of Compensation

  

Amount

Selling Commission

  

The Company will pay the Dealer Manager up to 6% of the gross offering proceeds before reallowance of commissions earned by participating broker-dealers. The Dealer Manager will reallow 100% of commissions earned to participating broker-dealers. No sales commission will be paid on shares sold through the dividend reinvestment plan.

 

Assuming all shares in the primary offering are sold at the highest possible selling commissions (with no discounts to any categories of purchasers), estimated selling commissions are approximately $150,000 if the Company sells the minimum of 250,000 shares and approximately $120,000,000 if the Company sells the maximum of 280,000,000 shares.

Dealer Manager Fee

  

The Company will pay the Dealer Manager up to 3.5% of gross offering proceeds. No dealer manager fee is payable on shares sold under the dividend reinvestment plan. The Dealer Manager may reallow to any participating broker-dealer up to 1% of the gross offering proceeds attributable to that participating broker-dealer as a marketing fee and in special cases the dealer manager may increase the reallowance. A reduced dealer manager fee is payable with respect to certain volume discount sales.

 

The estimated dealer manager fee is approximately $87,500 if the Company sells the minimum of 250,000 shares and approximately $70,000,000 if the Company sells the maximum of 280,000,000 shares.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

Form of Compensation

  

Amount

Reimbursement of Organization and Offering Expenses   

The Company will reimburse the Advisor or its affiliates for organization and offering expenses (as discussed in Note 2) incurred by the Advisor or its affiliates on behalf of the Company to the extent that reimbursement would not cause selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and the other organization and offering expenses borne by the Company to exceed 15% of gross offering proceeds as of the date of reimbursement.

 

The Company estimates organization and offering costs of approximately $137,500 if the Company sells the minimum of 250,000 shares and approximately $20,410,290 if the Company sells the maximum of 280,000,000 shares.

Acquisition and Origination Fee    The Company will pay the Advisor 1% of the cost of investments acquired, or the amount funded to acquire or originate loans, including acquisition and origination expenses and any debt attributable to such investments.
Asset Management Fee*    The Company will pay the Advisor a monthly asset management fee equal to one-twelfth of 0.75% of the sum of the cost of all investments made and of the Company’s investments in joint ventures, including acquisition and origination fees, acquisition and origination expenses and any debt attributable to such investments, less any principal repaid by borrowers on debt investments (or the Company’s proportionate share thereof in the case of debt investments made through joint ventures).
Reimbursement of Operating
Expenses*
   The Company will reimburse the expenses incurred by the Advisor or its affiliates in connection with their provision of services to the Company, including the Company’s allocable share of the Advisor’s overhead, such as rent, employee costs, utilities and IT costs. Though the Advisor may seek reimbursement for employee costs under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor does not intend to do so at this time. If the Advisor does decide to seek reimbursement for employee costs, such costs may include the Company’s proportionate share of the salaries of persons involved in the preparation of documents to meet SEC reporting requirements. The Company will not reimburse the Advisor or its affiliates for employee costs in connection with services for which the Advisor or its affiliates receive acquisition and origination fees or disposition fees or for the salaries and benefits the Advisor or its affiliates may pay to the Company’s executive officers.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

Form of Compensation

  

Amount

Disposition Fee   

For substantial assistance in connection with the sale of investments, the Company will pay the Advisor or its affiliate a disposition fee of 1% of the contract sales price of each loan, debt-related security, real property or other investments sold (including mortgage-backed securities or collateralized debt obligations issued by a subsidiary of the Company as part of a securitization transaction). However, in no event may the disposition fees paid to the Advisor, its affiliates and unaffiliated third parties exceed 6% of the contract sales price. The Company will not pay a disposition fee upon the maturity, prepayment or workout of a loan or other debt-related investment, provided that if the Company takes ownership of a property as a result of a workout or foreclosure of a loan the Company will pay a disposition fee upon the sale of such property. To the extent the disposition fee is paid upon the sale of any assets other than real property, it will count against the limit on “total operating expenses” described below.

 

The Company does not intend to sell assets to affiliates. However, if the Company does sell an asset to an affiliate, its organizational documents would not prohibit it from paying the Advisor a disposition fee. Before the Company sold an asset to an affiliate, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation would require that the Company’s conflicts committee conclude, by a majority vote, that the transaction is fair and reasonable to the Company and on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Company than those available from third parties.

Subordinated Participation in Net
Cash Flows*
   After investors receive a return of their net capital contributions and a 7.0% per year cumulative, noncompounded return, the Advisor is entitled to receive 15.0% of the net cash flows produced by the Company, whether from continuing operations, net sale proceeds or otherwise.
Subordinated Incentive Listing Fee    Upon listing the Company’s common stock on a national securities exchange, the Advisor or its affiliates will receive 15% of the amount by which (1) the market value of the Company’s outstanding stock plus distributions paid by the Company prior to listing exceeds (2) the sum of invested capital and the amount of cash flow necessary to generate a 7.0% per year cumulative, noncompounded return to stockholders.
    

*Commencing on the earlier of four fiscal quarters after (i) the Company makes its first investment or (ii) six months after commencement of the Company’s initial public offering, the Advisor will reimburse the Company at the end of any fiscal quarter for total operating expenses that in the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended exceed the greater of 2% of its average invested assets or 25% of its net income, unless the conflicts committee of the Company’s board of directors has determined that such excess expenses were justified based on unusual and non-recurring factors.

“Average invested assets” means the average monthly book value of the Company’s assets during the 12-month period before deducting depreciation, bad debts or other non-cash reserves.

“Total operating expenses” means all expenses paid or incurred by the Company, as determined under GAAP, that are in any way related to the Company’s operation, including advisory fees, but excluding (a) the expenses of raising capital such as organization and offering expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration and other fees, printing and other such expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and stock exchange listing of the Company’s stock; (b) interest payments; (c) taxes; (d) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves; (e) reasonable incentive fees based on the gain on the sale of the Company’s assets; and (f) acquisition and origination fees, acquisition and origination expenses (including expenses relating to potential investments that the Company does not close), disposition fees on the sale of real property and other expenses connected with the acquisition, origination, disposition and ownership of real estate interests, loans or other property (other than disposition

 

F-15


Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2008

 

fees on the sale of assets other than real property), such as the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair and improvement of property. To the extent the Advisor receives the fee described above at “Subordinated Participation in Net Cash Flows” and such fee is derived from cash flows other than net sales proceeds, that fee will count against the limit on “total operating expenses.”

The Advisory Agreement will have a one-year term. The Company may terminate the Advisory Agreement on 60 days’ written notice. The Advisor in its sole discretion may defer any fee payable to it under the Advisory Agreement. All or any portion of such fee not taken may be deferred without interest and paid when the Advisor determines.

Conflicts of Interest

Some of the Company’s executive officers and directors and the key real estate and debt finance professionals assembled by the Advisor are also executive officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in the Advisor, the Dealer Manager and other KBS-affiliated entities. Through KBS-affiliated entities, some of these persons also serve as the investment advisers to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets and, through KBS Capital Advisors these, persons serve as the advisor to KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (“KBS REIT I”) and KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc.(“KBS REIT II”). As a result, they owe fiduciary duties to each of these entities, their members and limited partners and these investors, which fiduciary duties may from time to time conflict with the fiduciary duties that they owe to the Company and its stockholders.

Some of the material conflicts that the Advisor, the Dealer Manager or its affiliates will face are 1) the determination of whether an investment opportunity should be recommended to the Company or another KBS-sponsored program or KBS-advised investor; 2) the allocation of the time of key executive officers, directors, and other real estate professionals among the Company, other KBS-sponsored programs and KBS-advised investors, and the activities in which they are involved; 3) the fees received by the Advisor and its affiliates in connection with transactions involving the purchase, origination, management and sale of investments regardless of the quality of the asset acquired or the service provided the Company; and 4) the fees received by the Advisor, the Dealer Manager, and its affiliates in connection with the Company’s public offering of equity securities.

 

5. ECONOMIC DEPENDENCY

The Company will be dependent on the Advisor and the Dealer Manager for certain services that are essential to the Company, including the sale of the Company’s shares of common and preferred stock available for issue; the identification, evaluation, negotiation, origination, acquisition and disposition of investments; management of the daily operations of the Company’s investment portfolio; and other general and administrative responsibilities. In the event that these companies are unable to provide the respective services, the Company will be required to obtain such services from other sources.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

PRIOR PERFORMANCE TABLES

 

In January 2006, our sponsors, Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., teamed to launch the initial public offering of their first public non-traded REIT, KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., which we refer to as KBS REIT I, and they are currently sponsoring the initial public offering of KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc., which we refer to as KBS REIT II. Our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors LLC, is also the external advisor to KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II. KBS REIT I launched its initial public offering on January 27, 2006 and KBS REIT II launched its initial public offering on April 22, 2008.

Since 1992, two of our sponsors, Messrs. Bren and Schreiber, have partnered to acquire, manage, develop and sell high-quality U.S. commercial real estate assets as well as real estate-related investments on behalf of institutional investors. Since the formation of the first investment adviser affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber in 1992, investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber have sponsored 14 private real estate funds that have raised over $2.0 billion of equity from institutional investors (as of September 30, 2008). Together, Messrs. Bren and Schreiber founded KBS Realty Advisors LLC, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a nationally recognized real estate investment adviser. We refer to the investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber as KBS investment advisers.

During the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008, KBS investment advisers managed 14 private real estate funds, six of which were multi-investor, commingled funds and eight of which were single-client, separate accounts. All of these private funds were limited partnerships for which affiliates of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber act or acted as a general partner. In all cases, affiliates of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber had responsibility for acquiring, investing, managing, developing and selling the real estate and real estate-related assets of each of the funds. Six of the 14 private funds managed by KBS investment advisers during the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008 used private REITs to structure the ownership of some of their investments.

KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II and each of the private funds managed by KBS investment advisers during the ten-year period ending September 30, 2008 have or had (four of the funds have been fully liquidated) investment objectives that are similar to ours. Like ours, their primary investment objectives are to provide investors with attractive and stable returns and to preserve and return their capital contributions and, like us, they seek to realize growth in the value of their investments by timing asset sales to maximize asset value. In addition, both real estate or real estate-related investments involve similar assessments of the risks and rewards of operation of the underlying real estate and financing thereof as well as an understanding of the real estate and real estate-finance markets.

KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II and each of the private funds have focused upon acquiring a diverse portfolio of real estate-related investments. The KBS investment adviser of the private funds typically diversified the portfolios of the funds by property type and geographic region as well as investment size and investment risk. In constructing the portfolios for 12 of the 14 private funds, the KBS investment adviser specialized in acquiring a mix of value-added, enhanced-return and core real estate assets, focusing primarily on value-added and enhanced-return properties. Value-added and enhanced-return assets are assets that are undervalued or that could be repositioned to enhance their value. For two of the 14 private funds, the KBS investment adviser focused on the acquisition of core real estate assets. KBS REIT I intends to target approximately 70% core investments but to make approximately 30% of its investments in enhanced-return properties and other real estate-related assets. Real estate-related assets include mortgage loans, mezzanine debt, mortgage-backed securities and other similar structured finance investments. Like KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II will seek to diversify its assets by investment risk by making investments in core properties and other real estate-related assets. KBS REIT II intends to allocate approximately 70% of its portfolio to investments in core properties and approximately 30% of its portfolio to mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other loans; debt and derivative securities related to real estate assets, including mortgage-backed securities; and the equity securities of other REITs and real estate companies.

We intend to acquire a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. We intend to originate and acquire mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans and to invest in real estate-related debt securities such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. In addition, we may acquire equity securities of companies that make similar investments. We may make our investments through loan origination and the acquisition of individual assets or by acquiring portfolios of assets, other mortgage REITs or companies with investment objectives similar to ours. We plan to diversify our portfolio by investment type, investment size and investment risk with the goal of attaining a portfolio of income-producing assets that provide attractive and stable returns to our investors.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

The tables presented in this section provide summary unaudited information related to the historical experience of KBS REIT I and the private real estate funds sponsored by KBS investment advisers. By purchasing shares in this offering, you will not acquire any ownership interest in any funds to which the information in this section relates and you should not assume that you will experience returns, if any, comparable to those experienced by the investors in the real estate funds discussed. Further, the private funds discussed in this section were conducted through privately-held entities that were subject neither to the up-front commissions, fees and expenses associated with this offering nor all of the laws and regulations that will apply to us as a publicly offered REIT.

The information in this section should be read together with the summary information in this prospectus under “Prior Performance Summary.” The following tables are included in this section:

 

   

Table I – Experience in Raising and Investing Funds;

 

   

Table II – Compensation to Sponsor;

 

   

Table III – Operating Results of Prior Programs;

 

   

Table IV – Results of Completed Programs; and

 

   

Table V – Sales or Disposals of Properties.

For information regarding the acquisitions of KBS REIT I and the private funds sponsored by KBS investment advisers during the three years ending December 31, 2007, see Table VI contained in Part II of the registration statement, which is not a part of this prospectus. We will provide a copy of Table VI to you upon written request and without charge.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

TABLE I

EXPERIENCE IN RAISING AND INVESTING FUNDS

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

Table I provides a summary of the experience of KBS investment advisers in raising and investing funds for programs that have had offerings close during the three years ended December 31, 2007. Information is provided as to the manner in which the proceeds of the offerings have been applied. Each of the programs presented have investment objectives similar to ours. All percentage amounts except “Percent leveraged” represent percentages of the “Dollar amount offered” for each program.

 

     SEPARATE
ACCOUNT
6/05
     SEPARATE
ACCOUNT
8/05
     SEPARATE
ACCOUNT
5/06
     SEPARATE
ACCOUNT
10/06
 
                                   

Dollar amount offered

   $ 50,043,000      $ 49,180,000      $ 50,012,000      $ 45,274,000  
                                   

Percentage amount raised

     100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%  

Less offering expenses:

           

Selling commissions

     -        -        -        -  

Organizational expenses

     -        -        -        -  

Reserves

     -        -        -        -  
                                   

Percentage available for investment

     100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%  
                                   

Acquisition costs:

           

Prepaid items and fees related to purchase of property

     -        -        -        -  

Purchase price (cash down payment) (5)

     251.1%        245.9%        253.5%        253.4%  

Acquisition fees (6)

     2.5%        2.5%        2.5%        2.5%  

Other capitalized costs (7)

     1.2%        1.5%        2.1%        0.9%  
                                   

Total acquisition costs (includes mortgage financing) (8)

     254.8%        249.9%        258.1%        256.8%  
                                   

Percent leveraged (9)

     60.8%        62.0%        64.4%        64.2%  
                                   

Date offering began

     (1 )      (2 )      (3 )      (4 )

Length of offering (in months)

     (1 )      (2 )      (3 )      (4 )

Months to invest 90% of amount available for investment

     (1 )      (2 )      (3 )      (4 )

 

 

(1) This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 6/05 made its first investment in June 2005. The program has made a total of five separate investments through December 2007.

(2) This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 8/05 made its first investment in October 2005. The program has made a total of five separate investments through December 2007.

(3) This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 5/06 made its first investment in September 2006. The program has made a total of five separate investments through December 2007.

(4) This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 10/06 made its first investment in November 2006. The program has made a total of four separate investments through December 2007.

(5) “Purchase price (cash down payment)” includes both debt- and equity-financed payments. See the “Percent leveraged” line for the approximate percentage of the purchase price financed with mortgage or other debt.

(6) Represents acquisition fees as if they were calculated as a percentage of dollar amount offered and raised. Acquisition fees per the partnership agreements of these programs are calculated as a percentage of purchase price (including leverage used to fund the acquisition) plus other capitalized costs and are paid to the KBS sponsor.

(7) Other capitalized costs include legal fees, outside broker fees, environmental studies, title and other closing costs.

(8) Total acquisition costs include the cash down payment, acquisition fees, other capitalized costs and mortgage financing.

(9)

“Percent leveraged” represents total mortgage financing divided by total acquisition cost for properties acquired.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

TABLE II

COMPENSATION TO SPONSOR

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

Table II summarizes the amount and type of compensation paid to KBS affiliates during the three years ended December 31, 2007 in connection with 1) each program sponsored by a KBS investment adviser that had offerings close during this period and 2) all other programs that have made payments to KBS affiliates during this period. All of the programs represented in the table below have or had investment objectives similar to ours. All figures are as of December 31, 2007.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

TABLE II

COMPENSATION TO SPONSOR (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

 

    Commingled
Account

5/95 (1)
  Commingled
Account

12/96 (2)
  Commingled
Account

6/98 (3)
  Commingled
Account

6/99 (4)
  Separate
Account

10/97 (5)
  Separate
Account

12/98 (6)
  Separate
Account

6/05 (7)
  Separate
Account

8/05 (8)
  Separate
Account

5/06 (9)
  Separate
Account

10/06 (10)
  KBS
REIT I (11)
 

Date offering commenced

    (1)     (2)     (3)     (4)     (5)     (6)     (7)     (8)     (9)     (10)     (11)  

Dollar amount raised

  $ 273,100,000   $ 266,125,050   $ 216,650,000   $ 187,000,000   $ 153,016,700   $ 210,967,612   $ 50,043,000   $ 49,180,000   $ 50,012,000   $ 45,274,000   $ 857,062,000  

Amount paid to sponsor from proceeds of offering:

                     

Underwriting fees

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -   $ 84,587,000  

Acquisition fees:

                     

- real estate commissions

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

- advisory fees (12)

    -     -     -     -     -     -   $ 1,275,000   $ 1,233,000   $ 1,288,000   $ 1,157,000   $ 12,014,000  

- other

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Other

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Dollar amount of cash generated from operations before deducting payments to sponsors

  $ 1,742,000   $ 27,926,000   $ 29,232,000   $ 27,822,000   $ 14,350,000   $ 14,516,000   $ 11,308,000   $ 9,884,000   $ 7,880,000   $ 6,387,000   $ 47,557,000  

Amount paid to sponsor from operations:

                     

Property management fees  (13)

  $ 12,000   $ 4,377,000     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Partnership and asset management fees

  $ 67,000   $ 1,835,000   $ 2,289,000   $ 2,105,000   $ 1,730,000   $ 3,140,000   $ 2,592,000   $ 2,169,000   $ 1,209,000   $ 937,000   $ 3,249,000  (15)

Reimbursements

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Leasing commissions (13)

    -   $ 1,349,000     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Construction management fees (13)

    -   $ 24,000     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Loan servicing fees

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Dollar amount of property sales and refinancing before deducting payments to sponsors

                     

- cash

  $ 30,887,000   $ 56,016,000   $ 144,223,000   $ 130,971,000   $ 94,795,000   $ 90,157,000   $ 5,632,000   $ 4,312,000     -     -     -  

- notes

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Amounts paid to sponsor from property sales and refinancing:

                     

- Real estate commissions (13)

    -   $ 91,000     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

- Disposition fees

    -     -   $ 520,000   $ 472,000     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

- Incentive fees (14)

  $ 1,445,000     -     -   $ 100,000     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

- Other

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

 

F-21


Table of Contents

TABLE II

COMPENSATION TO SPONSOR (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

___________________________

(1)   This program made payments to KBS affiliates during the three years ended December 31, 2007; however, it did not close any offerings during this period. Commingled Account 5/95 represents a multi-investor commingled fund that makes investments through a limited partnership for which an affiliate of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber acts as the general partner. This program made its first investment in May 1995.

(2)   This program made payments to KBS affiliates during the three years ended December 31, 2007; however, it did not close any offerings during this period. Commingled Account 12/96 represents a multi-investor commingled fund that makes investments through a limited partnership for which an affiliate of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber acts as the general partner. This program made its first investment in December 1996.

(3)   This program made payments to KBS affiliates during the three years ended December 31, 2007; however, it did not close any offerings during this period. Commingled Account 6/98 represents a multi-investor commingled fund that makes investments through a limited partnership for which an affiliate of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber acts as the general partner. This program made its first investment in June 1998.

(4)   This program made payments to KBS affiliates during the three years ended December 31, 2007; however, it did not close any offerings during this period. Commingled Account 6/99 represents a multi-investor commingled fund that makes investments through a limited partnership for which an affiliate of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber acts as the general partner. The account made its first investment in June 1999.

(5)   This program made payments to KBS affiliates during the three years ended December 31, 2007; however, it did not close any offerings during this period. Separate Account 10/97 represents a single-client account that made investments through a limited partnership for which an affiliate of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber acts as the general partner. This program made its first investment in October 1997.

(6)   This program made payments to KBS affiliates during the three years ended December 31, 2007; however, it did not close any offerings during this period. Separate Account 12/98 represents a single-client account that made investments through a limited partnership for which an affiliate of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber acts as the general partner. This program made its first investment in December 1998.

(7)   This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 6/05 made its first investment in June 2005. The program has made a total of five separate investments through December 2007. For more information about this program’s experience in raising capital, see Table I.

(8)   This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 8/05 made its first investment in October 2005. The program has made a total of five separate investments through December 2007. For more information about this program’s experience in raising capital, see Table I.

(9)   This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 5/06 made its first investment in September 2006. The program has made a total of five separate investments through December 2007. For more information about this program’s experience in raising capital, see Table I.

(10)   This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 10/06 made its first investment in November 2006. The program has made a total of four separate investments through December 2007. For more information about this program’s experience in raising capital, see Table I.

(11)   KBS REIT I is a publicly registered, non-traded REIT. KBS REIT I launched its initial public offering on January 27, 2006. On July 5, 2006, KBS REIT I broke escrow in its ongoing initial public offering and then commenced real estate operations. As of December 31, 2007, KBS REIT I owned 14 office buildings, one light industrial property, two corporate research buildings, one distribution facility, one industrial portfolio consisting of nine distribution and office/warehouse properties, one office/flex portfolio consisting of six buildings and an 80% membership interest in a joint venture that owns a portfolio of 23 institutional quality industrial properties and holds a master lease with a remaining term of 15.25 years with respect to another industrial property. In addition, KBS REIT I owned four mezzanine real estate loans, two B-Notes, a partial ownership interest in one mezzanine real estate loan, a partial ownership interest in a senior mortgage loan and two loans representing senior subordinated debt of a private REIT. KBS REIT I had also originated three secured loans and made an investment in commercial mortgage-backed securities.

(12)   Advisory fees are acquisition fees that are calculated as a percentage of purchase price plus other capitalized costs and are paid to the KBS sponsor.

(13)   Fees paid to parties affiliated with the general partner of the program.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

TABLE II

COMPENSATION TO SPONSOR (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

(14)   Only two of the private funds represented in this table, Commingled Account 5/95 and Commingled Account 6/99, paid incentive fees during the three years ended December 31, 2007. Two of the ten private funds, Commingled Account 6/98 and Commingled Account 6/99, pay incentive fees based on gains from the sale of assets. The incentive fees for the remaining eight private funds represented in this table (Commingled Account 5/95, Commingled Account 12/96, Separate Account 10/97, Separate Account 12/98, Separate Account 6/05, Separate Account 8/05, Separate Account 5/06 and Separate Account 10/06) are back-end fees based on participation interests in the net cash flows of the funds’ assets after achieving a stipulated return for the investors. These back-end incentive fees will be paid during the final liquidation stage of the funds. Only one of these eight funds, Commingled Account 5/95, has been liquidated. None of the other private funds presented in this table are in their liquidation stage. KBS REIT I may pay subordinated inventive fees based on participation in the net cash flows of the fund (whether from continuing operations, net sale proceeds or otherwise), after achieving a stipulated return for investors. Upon listing, KBS REIT I may pay a subordinated incentive fee to its external advisor if investors have received a stipulated return. However, any portion of a subordinated participation in net cash flows paid by KBS REIT I would offset the amount otherwise due pursuant to the subordinated incentive listing fee.

(15)   Asset management fees of $2.2 million incurred and payable to KBS REIT I’s advisor with respect to the months of July 2006 through September 2007 have been deferred without interest. Although pursuant to the advisory agreement, the advisor may demand payment of deferred asset management fees at any time, the advisor does not intend to request payment of deferred asset management fees until cumulative funds from operations for the period January 1, 2006 through the date of any such reimbursement exceed the lesser of (i) the cumulative amount of any distributions declared and payable to stockholders of KBS REIT I as of the date of such reimbursement or (ii) an amount that is equal to a 7.0% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on invested capital for stockholders of KBS REIT I for the period from July 18, 2006 through the date of such reimbursement.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

TABLE III

OPERATING RESULTS OF PRIOR PROGRAMS

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

This table summarizes the operating results of programs sponsored by KBS investment advisers that have had offerings close during the five years ended December 31, 2007. For these programs, this table shows: the income or loss of such programs (based upon U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)); the cash they generated from operations, sales and refinancings; and information regarding cash distributions. Each of these private programs has investment objectives similar to ours. All figures are as of December 31 of the year indicated, except as otherwise noted.

 

     Separate Account 5/06     Separate Account 10/06  
     2006     2007     2006     2007  

Gross revenues

   $ 2,526,000     $ 16,480,000     $ 354,000     $ 13,628,000  

Profit (loss) on sale of properties

     -       -       -       -  

Less: Operating expenses (1)

     (1,503,000 )     (7,855,000 )     (428,000 )     (7,653,000 )

Interest expense

     (878,000 )     (4,810,000 )     (122,000 )     (4,146,000 )

Depreciation (2)

     -       -       -       -  

Unrealized gain (loss) (2)

     -       4,905,000       -       5,327,000  
                                

Net income (loss) - GAAP basis (2)

   $ 145,000     $ 8,720,000     $ (196,000 )   $ 7,156,000  
                                

Taxable income:

        

From operations

   $ 97,000     $ 1,539,000     $ (183,000 )   $ (207,000 )

From gain (loss) on sale

     -       -       -       -  

Cash generated (deficiency) from operations

   $ 855,000     $ 5,816,000     $ 1,769,000     $ 3,681,000  

Cash generated (deficiency) from sales

     -       -       -       -  

Cash generated from refinancing

     -       -       -       -  
                                

Total cash generated from operations, sales and refinancing

     855,000       5,816,000       1,769,000       3,681,000  

Less: Cash distributions to investors

        

- From operating cash flow

     (640,000 )     (3,525,000 )     (100,000 )     (3,135,000 )

- From sales and refinancing

     -       -       -       -  
                                

Cash generated (deficiency) after cash distributions

     215,000       2,291,000       1,669,000       546,000  

Less: Special items (not including sales and refinancing)

     -       -       -       -  
                                

Cash generated (deficiency) after cash distributions and special items

   $ 215,000     $ 2,291,000     $ 1,669,000     $ 546,000  
                                

Tax and Distribution Data per $1,000 Invested

        

Federal Income Tax Results:

        

Ordinary income (loss)

        

- from operations

   $ 4     $ 31     $ (12 )   $ (5 )

- from recapture

     -       -       -       -  

Capital gain (loss)

     -       -       -       -  

Cash distributions to investors

        

Source (on GAAP basis)

        

- from investment income

   $ 24     $ 71     $ 7     $ 71  

- from return of capital

     -       -       -       -  
                                

Total distribution on GAAP basis

   $ 24     $ 71     $ 7     $ 71  
                                

Source (on cash basis)

        

- from sales

   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

- from refinancing

     -       -       -       -  

- from operations

     24       71       7       71  
                                

Total distributions on cash basis

   $ 24     $ 71     $ 7     $ 71  
                                

Amounts (in percentage terms) remaining invested in program
properties as of December 31, 2007
(3)

       100%         100%  

_________________________

(1) Operating expenses include all general and administrative expenses.

(2) The accompanying financial information has been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for investment companies. Accordingly, the real estate investments are reflected at their estimated current values as determined by the general partner, using current appraisals or market information and the general partner’s good faith estimate of value. All other assets and liabilities are generally valued based on the actual costs or liabilities incurred, which management believes approximates current value.

The major differences between GAAP basis income for investment companies and taxable income are the following:

 

   

GAAP basis income for investment companies does not record depreciation expense while taxable income recognizes depreciation expense.

 

   

GAAP basis income for investment companies carries its assets at market value and records the changes in market value as unrealized gain or loss in the income statement. Taxable income records no such adjustment.

(3) Calculated as original total acquisition cost of properties retained divided by original total acquisition cost of all properties in program.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

TABLE III

OPERATING RESULTS OF PRIOR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

 

     Separate Account 6/05      Separate Account 8/05  
     2005      2006      2007            2005            2006      2007  

Gross revenues

   $ 4,045,000      $ 12,215,000      $ 13,348,000      $ 1,110,000      $ 10,653,000      $ 13,149,000  

Profit (loss) on sale of properties

     -        -        -        -        -        -  

Less: Operating expenses (1)

     (2,098,000 )      (5,128,000 )      (5,407,000 )      (599,000 )      (5,228,000 )      (4,965,000 )

Interest expense

     (1,524,000 )      (4,856,000 )      (5,349,000 )      (454,000 )      (4,342,000 )      (5,489,000 )

Depreciation (2)

     -        -        -        -        -        -  

Unrealized gain (loss) (2)

     -        2,038,000        5,361,000        -        6,381,000        2,111,000  
                                                     

Net income (loss) - GAAP basis (2)

   $ 423,000      $ 4,269,000      $ 7,953,000      $ 57,000      $ 7,464,000      $ 4,806,000  
                                                     

Taxable income:

                 

From operations

   $ 482,000      $ (61,000 )    $ 82,000      $ 23,000      $ (879,000 )    $ 225,000  

From gain (loss) on sale

     -        -        -        -        -        -  

Cash generated (deficiency) from operations

   $ 2,337,000      $ 3,316,000      $ 3,063,000      $ 1,601,000      $ 3,433,000      $ 2,681,000  

Cash generated (deficiency) from sales

     -        -        -        -        -        -  

Cash generated from refinancing

     -        -        -        -        -        -  
                                                     

Total cash generated from operations, sales
and refinancing

     2,337,000        3,316,000        3,063,000        1,601,000        3,433,000        2,681,000  

Less: Cash distributions to investors

                 

- From operating cash flow

     (1,505,000 )      (3,560,000 )      (3,559,000 )      (470,000 )      (3,190,000 )      (3,500,000 )

- From sales and refinancing

     -        -        -        -        -        -  
                                                     

Cash generated (deficiency) after cash
distributions

     832,000        (244,000 )      (496,000 )      1,131,000        243,000        (819,000 )

Less: Special items (not including sales and refinancing)

     -        -        -        -        -        -  
                                                     

Cash generated (deficiency) after cash
distributions and special items

   $ 832,000      $ (244,000 )    $ (496,000 )    $ 1,131,000      $ 243,000      $ (819,000 )
                                                     

Tax and Distribution Data per $1,000 Invested

                 

Federal Income Tax Results:

                 

Ordinary income (loss)

   $ 12      $ (1 )    $ 2      $ 1      $ (20 )    $ 5  

- from operations

     -        -        -        -        -        -  

- from recapture

     -        -        -        -        -        -  

Capital gain (loss)

                 

Cash distributions to investors

                 

Source (on GAAP basis)

                 

- from investment income

   $ 38      $ 71      $ 71      $ 13      $ 71      $ 71  

- from return of capital

     -        -        -        -        -        -  
                                                     

Total distribution on GAAP basis

   $ 38      $ 71      $ 71      $ 13      $ 71      $ 71  
                                                     

Source (on cash basis)

                 

- from sales

   $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -  

- from refinancing

     -        -        -        -        -        -  

- from operations

     38        71        71        13        71        71  
                                                     

Total distributions on cash basis

   $ 38      $ 71      $ 71      $ 13      $ 71      $ 71  
                                                     

Amounts (in percentage terms) remaining invested
in program properties as of December 31, 2007 (3)

           100%              100%  

_________________________

(1) Operating expenses include all general and administrative expenses.

(2) The accompanying financial information has been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for investment companies. Accordingly, the real estate investments are reflected at their estimated current values as determined by the general partner, using current appraisals or market information and the general partner’s good faith estimate of value. All other assets and liabilities are generally valued based on the actual costs or liabilities incurred, which management believes approximates current value.

The major differences between GAAP basis income for investment companies and taxable income are the following:

 

   

GAAP basis income for investment companies does not record depreciation expense while taxable income recognizes depreciation expense.

 

   

GAAP basis income for investment companies carries its assets at market value and records the changes in market value as unrealized gain or loss in the income statement. Taxable income records no such adjustment.

(3) Calculated as original total acquisition cost of properties retained divided by original total acquisition cost of all properties in program.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

TABLE IV

RESULTS OF COMPLETED PROGRAMS

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

Table IV summarizes the results of the program sponsored by a KBS investment adviser that has completed its operations and sold all of its properties during the five years ended December 31, 2007. The program represented in the table below had investment objectives that were similar to ours.

 

    
 
    Commingled      
    Account 5/95    
    
 
 (1)

Dollar amount raised

    $ 273,100,000  (1)
        

Number of properties purchased/developed

     32   

Date of closing of offering

     (1)  

Date of first sale of property

     11/95  

Date of final sale of property

     9/05  

Tax and distribution data per $1,000 invested through

  

Federal income tax results:

  

Ordinary income (loss):

  

- from operations

    $ 295   

- from recapture

     -      

Capital gain

    $ 230   

Deferred gain:

  

Capital

     -      

Ordinary

     -      

Cash distributions to investors

  

Source (on GAAP basis)

  

- from investment income

    $ 519   

- from return of capital

     1,000   
        

Total distribution on GAAP basis

    $ 1,519   
        

Source (on cash basis)

  

- from sales

    $ 1,188   

- from refinancing

     -      

- from operations

     331   
        
    $ 1,519   
        

_________________________

(1) This program was a multi-investor, commingled fund that made investments through a limited partnership for which an affiliate of Messrs. Bren and Schreiber served as the general partner. The investors in this partnership contributed a total of $273,100,000 between April 1995 and May 1998.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

TABLE V

SALES OR DISPOSALS OF PROPERTIES

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

Table V presents summary information with respect to the results of sales or disposals of properties by programs sponsored by KBS investment advisers during the three years ended December 31, 2007. The table includes information about the sales proceeds received, the cash invested in the properties, the taxable gain or loss from the sales and the cash flow from the operation of the properties. Each of the programs represented in the table have or had investment objectives similar to ours.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

TABLE V

SALES OR DISPOSALS OF PROPERTIES (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

 

            Selling Price, Net of Closing Costs and GAAP Adjustments   Cost of Properties Including Closing
and Soft Costs
     

Property

  Date
Acquired
  Date of
Sale
  Cash
Received
Net of
Closing
Costs
  Mortgage
Balance

at Time of
Sale
  Purchase
Money
Mortgage
Taken

Back by
Sale
  Adjustments
Resulting

from
Application
of GAAP
  Total (1)   Original
Mortgage
Financing
  Total
Acquisition
Costs, Capital
Improvements
Closing and

Soft Costs (2)
  Total   Excess (Deficiency)
of Property

Operating Cash
Receipts Over
Cash Expenditures  (3)
 

Separate Account 12/98

                     

5 Omni Way

  7/00   8/05   $ 17,832,579   -     -     -     $ 17,832,579   $ 5,638,980   $ 10,283,573   $ 15,922,553   $ 1,626,122  

4 & 6 Omni Way

  7/00   12/06   $   16,407,366   -     -     -     $ 16,407,366   $ 5,746,021   $ 14,614,236   $ 20,360,257   $ 6,786,081  

1010 Lamar

  12/98   11/07   $ 39,456,358   -     -     -     $   39,456,358     -     $ 33,892,540   $ 33,892,540   $ 3,407,239  

Commingled Account 5/95

                     

Plaza Lot 3 and Sunpark

  7/95   1/05 & 9/05   $ 29,254,441   -     -     -     $ 29,254,441     -     $ 15,367,059   $ 15,367,059   $ 18,935,257  

Commingled Account 12/96

                     

Longmont Land Lots 6, 7, 8, 9, 11

  5/97   1/05   $ 2,142,657   -     -     -     $ 2,142,657     -     $ 421,369   $ 421,369   $ (891,335 )

Kirkwood Atrium

  8/97   12/07   $ 22,254,714   -     -     -     $ 22,254,714     -     $ 21,543,253   $ 21,543,253   $ 9,845,880  

Boulder Tower

  5/97   12/07   $ 31,376,678   -     -     -     $ 31,376,678     -     $ 31,289,749   $ 31,289,749   $ 18,780,130  

Commingled Account 6/98

                     

26th Place

  7/98   2/05   $ 1,933,857   -     -     -     $ 1,933,857     -     $ 3,859,124   $ 3,859,124   $ 109,139  

Tudor Plaza

  7/98   2/05   $ 1,650,418   -     -     -     $ 1,650,418     -     $ 2,166,761   $ 2,166,761   $ 790,671  

Metro Exec Park

  7/98   4/05   $ 5,586,063   -     -     -     $ 5,586,063     -     $ 7,930,933   $ 7,930,933   $ 3,400,504  

S Tucson

  7/98   5/05   $ 160,701   -     -     -     $ 160,701     -     $ 299,224   $ 299,224   $ 1,080,658  

Westmount

  7/98   9/05   $ 7,109,456   -     -     -     $ 7,109,456     -     $ 5,892,426   $ 5,892,426   $ 2,153,581  

Briarwood One

  6/98   7/06   $ 7,142,746   -     -     -     $ 7,142,746     -     $ 8,727,826   $ 8,727,826   $ 5,005,375  

World Houston Plaza

  9/98   12/06   $ 29,066,087   -     -     -     $ 29,066,087     -     $ 37,906,474   $ 37,906,474   $ 21,003,075  

Camelwest Plaza (Partial Sale of Land)

  7/98   12/06   $ 13,258   -     -     -     $ 13,258     -     $ 13,258   $ 13,258   $ -  

2400 N. Central (Partial Sale of Land)

  7/98   12/06   $ 33,989   -     -     -     $ 33,989     -     $ 33,989   $ 33,989   $ -  

725 Concord

  8/98   2/07   $ 17,855,792   -     -     -     $ 17,855,792     -     $ 16,184,402   $ 16,184,402   $ 9,237,455  

702 E. Osborn

  7/98   3/07   $ 3,276,065   -     -     -     $ 3,276,065     -     $ 4,520,933   $ 4,520,933   $ 621,893  

4141 Rockside

  11/98   4/07   $ 6,735,329   -     -     -     $ 6,735,329     -     $ 9,011,927   $ 9,011,927   $ 3,010,563  

6161 Oaktree

  11/98   4/07   $ 5,293,419   -     -     -     $ 5,293,419     -     $ 9,011,716   $ 9,011,716   $ 2,531,272  

Wells Fargo Bank Tower

  8/98   6/07   $ 8,686,198   -     -     -     $ 8,686,198     -     $ 14,537,983   $ 14,537,983   $ 4,641,566  

Fairmount Place

  7/98   8/07   $ 9,378,362   -     -     -     $ 9,378,362     -     $ 9,537,574   $ 9,537,574   $ 3,396,914  

2400 N. Central

  7/98   8/07   $ 5,833,884   -     -     -     $ 5,833,884     -     $ 7,142,484   $ 7,142,484   $ 1,150,763  

2810 Parham

  9/98   11/07   $ 15,309,241   -     -     -     $ 15,309,241     -     $ 15,943,101   $ 15,943,101   $ 6,420,623  

Bridgewood I

  6/98   12/07   $ 8,651,332   -     -     -     $ 8,651,332     -     $ 12,851,145   $ 12,851,145   $ 2,766,070  

Bridgewood II

  6/98   12/07   $ 10,037,948   -     -     -     $ 10,037,948     -     $ 14,724,169   $ 14,724,169   $ 4,081,739  

Commingled Account 6/99

                     

Reston

  8/99   3/05   $ 11,279,937   -     -     -     $ 11,279,937     -     $ 10,967,837   $ 10,967,837   $ 4,679,722  

Harrison Oaks

  10/99   12/05   $ 6,569,320   -     -     -     $ 6,569,320     -     $ 7,254,705   $ 7,254,705   $ 2,690,574  

2 Elizabeth

  5/01   10/06   $ 11,732,202   -     -     -     $ 11,732,202     -     $ 11,986,569   $ 11,986,569   $ 6,954,639  

Northridge Pavilion

  12/99   11/06   $ 10,217,767   -     -     -     $ 10,217,767     -     $ 11,825,301   $ 11,825,301   $ 5,228,537  

The Escalade

  2/00   12/06   $ 18,426,440   -     -     -     $ 18,426,440     -     $ 15,787,480   $ 15,787,480   $ 7,728,302  

Enterprise Center

  10/99   12/06   $ 9,002,202   -     -     -     $ 9,002,202     -     $ 11,150,102   $ 11,150,102   $ 4,181,769  

Baytech Center

  10/99   2/07   $ 11,640,758   -     -     -     $ 11,640,758     -     $ 9,229,500   $ 9,229,500   $ 4,216,068  

Montlimar Place

  10/99   4/07   $ 18,001,260   -     -     -     $ 18,001,260     -     $ 18,118,239   $ 18,118,239   $ 8,031,026  

Financial Plaza

  12/99   4/07   $ 16,501,781   -     -     -     $ 16,501,781     -     $ 18,847,245   $ 18,847,245   $ 5,303,751  

3535 Travis Place

  10/99   9/07   $ 16,711,575   -     -     -     $ 16,711,575     -     $ 14,765,964   $ 14,765,964   $ 3,810,524  

32 Nagog Condo Interest

  9/99   11/07   $ 316,542   -     -     -     $ 316,542     -     $ 113,502   $ 113,502   $ 1,044,963  

Separate Account 10/97

                     

Eaton Center

  12/97   6/07   $ 34,873,850   29,405,000   -     -     $ 64,278,850     -     $ 70,921,107   $ 70,921,107   $ 43,251,227  

340/350 N. Sam Houston

  1/98   10/07   $ 6,171,131   -     -     -     $ 6,171,131     -     $ 13,920,506   $ 13,920,506   $ 3,293,537  

650 N. Sam Houston

  1/98   12/07   $ 13,058,208   -     -     -     $ 13,058,208     -     $ 12,867,155   $ 12,867,155   $ 5,020,261  

 

F-28


Table of Contents

TABLE V

SALES OR DISPOSALS OF PROPERTIES (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

 

 

(1) See also the table immediately below that sets forth the allocation of taxable gain (loss) associated with individual property sales between capital gain (loss) and ordinary gain (loss).

(2) Acquisition costs include acquisition fees paid to sponsor. Soft costs include legal fees, environmental studies, title and closing costs related to the acquisition and closing of the asset. Amounts shown do not include pro rata share of program offering costs nor do they include any program administration costs not related to the operation of the property.

(3) Does not include any program administration costs not related to the operation of the property.

*This table does not include an interest in a mezzanine loan acquired by KBS REIT I on September 24, 2007 that was paid down in full by the borrower of the loan on November 19, 2007, prior to the stated maturity date. For more information see Table VI in Part II of the Registration Statement, which is not part of this prospectus.

 

F-29


Table of Contents

TABLE V

SALES OR DISPOSALS OR PROPERTIES (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

This table sets forth the allocation of taxable gain (loss) associated with individual property sales between capital gain (loss) and ordinary gain (loss) for properties sold by programs sponsored by KBS investment advisers during the three years ended December 31, 2007.

 

Property

  Taxable Gain
(Loss)
    Capital Gain
(Loss)
    Ordinary Gain
(Loss)
Separate Account 12/98      

5 Omni Way

  $ 3,251,004     $ 3,251,004     -  

4 & 6 Omni Way

  $ (1,539,549 )   $ (1,539,549 )   -  

1010 Lamar

  $         11,701,036     $         11,701,036     -  
Commingled Account 5/95      

Lot 3 and Plaza Sunpark

  $ 18,229,839     $ 18,229,839     -  
Commingled Account 12/96      

Longmont Land Lots 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11

  $ (1,683,407 )   $ (1,683,407 )   -  

Kirkwood Atrium

  $ 5,676,673     $ 5,676,673     -  

Boulder Tower

  $ 6,737,388     $ 6,737,388     -  
Commingled Account 6/98      

26th Place

  $ (1,375,480 )   $ (1,375,480 )   -  

Tudor Plaza

  $ (225,060 )   $ (225,060 )   -  

Metro Exec Park

  $ (1,185,370 )   $ (1,185,370 )   -  

S Tucson

  $ (138,524 )   $ (138,524 )   -  

Westmount

  $ 2,052,267     $ 2,052,267     -  

Briarwood One

  $ (117,791 )   $ (117,791 )   -  

World Houston Plaza

  $ (882,008 )   $ (882,008 )   -  

Camelwest Plaza (Partial Sale of Land)

    -         -       -  

2400 N. Central (Partial Sale of Land)

    -         -       -  

725 Concord

  $ 4,062,524     $ 4,062,524     -  

702 E. Osborn

  $ (456,284 )   $ (456,284 )   -  

4141 Rockside

  $ (671,420 )   $ (671,420 )   -  

6161 Oaktree

  $ (2,177,945 )   $ (2,177,945 )   -  

Wells Fargo Bank Tower

  $ (3,163,591 )   $ (3,163,591 )   -  

Fairmont Place

  $ 1,746,670     $ 1,746,670     -  

2400 N. Central (Partial Sale of Land)

  $ (207,461 )   $ (207,461 )   -  

2810 Parham

  $ 2,674,203     $ 2,674,203     -  

Bridgewood I

  $ (1,886,845 )   $ (1,886,845 )   -  

Bridgewood II

  $ (1,942,590 )   $ (1,942,590 )   -  
Commingled Account 6/99      

Reston

  $ 1,565,666     $ 1,565,666     -  

Harrison Oaks

  $ 312,011     $ 312,011     -  

2 Elizabeth

  $ 1,148,892     $ 1,148,892     -  

Northridge Pavilion

  $ 423,652     $ 423,652     -  

The Escalade

  $ 5,410,889     $ 5,410,889     -  

Enterprise Center

  $ (364,081 )   $ (364,081 )   -  

Baytech Center

  $ 3,874,019     $ 3,874,019     -  

Montlimar Place

  $ 2,902,418     $ 2,902,418     -  

Financial Plaza

  $ 829,147     $ 829,147     -  

3535 Travis Place

  $ 4,597,485     $ 4,597,485     -  

32 Nagog Condo Interest

  $ 227,114     $ 227,114     -  
Separate Account 10/97      

Eaton Center

  $ 8,293,580     $ 8,293,580     -  

340/350 N. Sam Houston

  $ (5,113,156 )   $ (5,113,156 )   -  

650 N. Sam Houston

  $ 2,795,943     $ 2,795,943     -  

 

F-30


Table of Contents

APPENDIX A

LOGO

Please follow these instructions carefully. Failure to do so could result in the rejection of your subscription.

 

  1.        INVESTMENT

PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept money orders, traveler’s checks, starter checks, foreign checks, counter checks, third-party checks or cash.

A minimum initial investment of $4,000 is required. All Investments in KBS REIT products apply to the $4,000 minimum. This does not affect the suitability standards applicable to investors in this offering. In no event shall any investment be less than $100.

Until we have raised the minimum offering amount, you should make your check payable to “[Escrow Agent Name], as escrow agent for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.” Once we have raised $2,500,000 in the offering from persons who are not affiliated with us or our advisor, you should make your check payable to “KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.” except that Pennsylvania investors should follow the instructions in the final prospectus of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc., as amended and supplemented as of the date hereof (the “Prospectus”), under “Plan of Distribution—Special Notice to Pennsylvania Investors.”

 

  2.        INVESTMENT TYPE

Please check the appropriate box to indicate the account type of the subscription.

 

  3.        INVESTOR INFORMATION

PLEASE NOTE : You must include a permanent street address even if your mailing address is a P.O. Box. If the investment is to be held by joint owners, you must provide the requested investor information for each joint owner.

Enter the name(s), mailing address and telephone numbers of the registered owner of the investment. Partnerships, corporations and other organizations should include the name of an individual to whom correspondence should be addressed. Non-resident aliens must also supply IRS Form W-8BEN.

 

  4.        INVESTMENT TITLE

PLEASE NOTE : All investors must complete the space provided for taxpayer identification number or social security number. By signing in Section 8, you are certifying that this number is correct.

Please print the exact name(s) in which shares are to be registered. Include the trust name, if applicable. If the investor is an IRA or qualified plan, include the names and taxpayer identification numbers of both the investor and the custodian or trustee.

 

  5.        CUSTODIAN/TRUSTEE INFORMATION

If you want to purchase shares through an IRA but need an IRA account, [Trustee Name] has agreed to serve as IRA custodian for such purpose. KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT will pay the fees related to the establishment of investor accounts with [Trustee Name], and we will also pay the first year annual IRA maintenance fees. Thereafter, investors will be responsible for the annual IRA maintenance fees. Further information about custodial services is available through your broker or our Dealer-Manager at www.kbs-cmg.com.

Complete this section if the registered owner of the investment will be a Custodian Plan or Trust.

 

  6.        DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

PLEASE NOTE : If you elect to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, you must agree that if at any time you fail to meet the applicable investor suitability standards or cannot make the other investor representations or warranties set forth in the Prospectus or the Subscription Agreement relating to such investment, you will promptly notify KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT in writing of that fact.

Complete this section to enroll in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, to elect to receive distributions by direct deposit and/or to elect to receive distributions by check. If you elect direct deposit, you must attach a voided check with this completed subscription agreement. You can choose to have all or a portion of your distributions reinvested through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. You must indicate the percentage of your distribution to be applied to each option selected and the sum of the allocations must equal 100%. If you do not complete this section, distributions will be paid to the registered owner at the address in Section 3. IRA accounts may not direct distributions without the custodian’s approval.

 

 

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

 

 

A-1


Table of Contents

  7.        BROKER-DEALER AND REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION

PLEASE NOTE : The Broker-Dealer or Registered Investment Adviser must complete this section to complete the subscription. All fields are mandatory.

 

  8.        SUBSCRIBER SIGNATURES

Please separately initial each of the representations in paragraphs (a) through (e). Except in the case of fiduciary accounts, you may not grant any person a power of attorney to make such representations on your behalf.

Please refer to the Prospectus under “Suitability Standards” to verify that you meet the minimum suitability standards that are imposed by the state of your primary residence.

By signing this Subscription Agreement, you agree to provide this information and confirm that this information is true and correct. If we are unable to verify your identity or that of another person authorized to act on your behalf or if we believe we have identified potential criminal activity , we reserve the right to take action as we deem appropriate, including refusing to open or closing your account.

 

  9.        FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURES

Please Note : The Broker-Dealer or Registered Investment Advisor must sign this section to complete the subscription.

Required Representations: By signing Section 9, the registered representative of the Broker-Dealer or Registered Investment Advisor confirms on behalf of the Broker-Dealer that he or she:

 

 

has reasonable grounds to believe that the information and representations concerning the investor identified herein are true, correct and complete in all respects;

 

 

has discussed the investor’s prospective purchase of shares with such investor;

 

 

 

has advised such investor of all pertinent facts with regard to the lack of liquidity and marketability of the shares and other fundamental risks related to the investment in the shares, the restrictions on transfer of the shares and the risk that the investor could lose his or her entire investment in the shares;

 

 

has delivered to the investor the Prospectus required to be delivered in connection with this subscription;

 

 

has reasonable grounds to believe that the investor is purchasing these shares for the account referenced in Section 4, and

 

 

has reasonable grounds to believe that the purchase of shares is a suitable investment for such investor, that such investor meets the suitability standards applicable to the investor set forth in the Prospectus and that such investor is in a financial position to enable the investor to realize the benefits of such an investment and to suffer any loss that may occur with respect thereto.

In addition, the registered representative of the Broker-Dealer or Registered Investment Advisor represents that he or she and the Broker-Dealer, (1) are duly licensed and may lawfully offer and sell the shares in the state where the investment was made and in the state designated as the investor’s legal residence in Section 3; and (2) agree to maintain records of the information used to determine that an investment in shares is suitable and appropriate for the investor for a period of six years.

PLEASE NOTE : Only original, completed copies of the Subscription Agreement can be accepted. We cannot accept photocopied or otherwise duplicated Subscription Agreements.

The Subscription Agreement, together with a check for the full purchase price, should be delivered or mailed to:

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1250

Newport Beach, CA 92660

(866) 584-1381

Once the applicable minimum offering amount has been raised (see Section 1), Subscription Agreements may also be mailed to the address above and payment wired to:

BANK NAME and BANK ADDRESS

ABA# XXXXXX

KBS Capital Advisors LLC, as Trustee for

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Account#:  XXXXXX

 

 

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

 

 

12/08

  A-2   3002-A


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

  1.        INVESTMENT

 

State of Sale:              Amount of Subscription: $                

 

•   Minimum investment is $4,000.

   ¨  Shares are being purchased net of commissions

 

•   Money Orders, Traveler’s Checks, Starter Checks, Foreign Checks, Counter Checks,

     Third-Party Checks or Cash cannot be accepted.

 

  2.        INVESTMENT TYPE

  (CHECK ONE BOX ONLY)

 

Non-Qualified   

Qualified

  

¨ Individual (If TOD, attach application)

  

   ¨ Traditional (Individual) IRA

¨ Joint Tenant 1 (If TOD, attach application)

  

   ¨ Simple IRA

¨ Tenants in Common 1

     

   ¨ SEP IRA

¨ Community Property 1

     

   ¨ ROTH

¨ Trust 2

 

                   

   ¨ Beneficial

¨  UGMA: State of  

                       

  as Beneficiary for:  

                           

 

¨  UTMA: State of  

                           

             ¨  Profit Sharing Plan 2

 

¨ Corporation or Partnership 2   

¨ Pension Plan 2

¨ Non-Profit Organization 2   

¨ KEOGH Plan 2

¨  Other (Specify):  

 

                                                                         

     

 

(1)

All parties must sign .

(2)

Please attach pages of trust/plan document (or corporate resolution) which lists the name of trust/plan, trustees, signatures and date.

 

  3.        INVESTOR INFORMATION

   (SSN REQUIRED)

 

Investor 1 Name  

  

    

  

SSN/Tax ID  

        DOB       

 

Investor 2 Name  

  

    

  

SSN/Tax ID  

       

DOB  

    

 

Street Address    

  

    

  

City  

       

State  

       

Zip Code  

    

 

                                                                                                       

  

 

Optional Mailing Address    

  

    

  

City  

       

State  

       

Zip Code  

    

 

                                                                                                               

  

 

Phone (day)  

  

    

     

Phone (evening)  

 

    

  

 

E-mail  

 

                                                                                 

  

   ¨   US Citizen   ¨   US Citizen residing outside the US

 

   ¨   Foreign citizen, country  

  

        

  

   ¨   Check here if you are subject to backup withholding

 

  4.        INVESTMENT TITLE

   (SSN OR TIN REQUIRED)

Please print names in which shares of common stock are to be registered. Include trust name if applicable. If IRA or qualified plan, include both custodian and investor names and Tax ID Numbers. If same as above, write same.

 

Title Line 1  

 

                                                                                 

 

Title Line 2  

 

                                                                                 

Social Security No. or  

Tax Identification No.  

 

                                    

 

Secondary Tax Identification Number  

 

        

 

 

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

 

 

A-3


Table of Contents

  5.        CUSTODIAN/TRUSTEE INFORMATION

 

Trustee Name  

 

                                                                                 

 

 

Trustee Address 1  

 

                                                                                 

 

 

Trustee Address 2  

 

                                                                                 

 

 

Trustee City  

 

                                                                                 

  

State  

       

Zip Code  

      

 

Trustee Telephone No.   

 

                                                                                 

  

 

Trustee Tax Identification Number   

 

                                             

  

 

Investor’s Account Number with Trustee   

 

                                                                                 

 

 

  6.        DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION (CHOOSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS)

 

 

If you select more than one option you must indicate the percentage of your distribution to be applied to each option and the sum of the allocations must equal 100%.

   % of

distribution

 

 

¨   I prefer to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, as described in the Prospectus.

      

 

¨   Send distributions via check to investor’s home address (or for Qualified Plans to the address listed in

      

      Section 5).

    

 

¨   Send distributions via check to alternate payee listed here (not available for qualified plans without custodial

       

      approval).

     

 

    Name        

 

                                                                                 

 

 

    Address    

 

                                                                                 

 

 

    City          

 

                                                                                 

  

State  

       

Zip Code  

      

 

    Account No.   

       

 
¨    Direct Deposit (Attach Voided Check) I authorize KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. or its agent (collectively, KBS) to deposit my distributions in the checking or savings account identified below. This authority will remain in force until I notify KBS in writing to cancel it. In the event that KBS deposits funds erroneously into my account, KBS is authorized to debit my account for an amount not to exceed the amount        % of

distribution

 

of the erroneous deposit ..........................................................................................................................................

     

 

    Financial Institution Name  

 

                                                                                 

 

         ¨   Checking       ¨   Savings

 

    ABA/Routing Number   

 

                                                                                 

 

 

    Account Number   

 

                                                                                          

 

 

  7.        BROKER-DEALER AND REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION

 

Broker-Dealer Name   

 

                                                                                 

 

 

Representative Name   

 

                                                                         

 

Rep No.   

     

 

Representative’s Company Name   

 

                                                                                 

 

 

Representative’s Address   

 

                                                                                 

 

 

Rep’s City  

 

                                                                                 

  

State  

       

Zip Code  

      

 

Rep’s Phone No.  

  

    

     

Fax No.   

 

    

  

 

Rep’s Email Address   

 

                                                                                 

 

¨    REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISER (RIA): All sales of shares of common stock must be made through a Broker-Dealer. If a RIA has introduced a sale, the sale must be conducted through (i) the RIA in its capacity as a Registered Representative, if applicable; (ii) a Registered Representative of a Broker-Dealer that is affiliated with the RIA, if applicable; or (iii) if neither (i) or (ii) is applicable, an unaffiliated Broker-Dealer.

 

 

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

 

 

 

A-4


Table of Contents

 8.         SUBSCRIBER SIGNATURES

TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER CONFIRMATION (REQUIRED): The investor signing below, under penalties of perjury, certifies that (i) the number shown on this Subscription Agreement is his or her correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or he or she is waiting for a number to be issued to him or her), (ii) he or she is not subject to backup withholding either because he or she has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that he or she is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or the IRS has notified him or her that he or she is no longer subject to backup withholding and (iii) he or she is a U.S. Citizen unless otherwise indicated in Section 3. NOTE: CLAUSE (ii) IN THIS CERTIFICATION SHOULD BE CROSSED OUT IF THE WITHHOLDING BOX HAS BEEN CHECKED IN THE INVESTOR INFORMATION SECTION.

Please separately initial each of the representations below. Except in the case of fiduciary accounts, you may not grant any person a power of attorney to make such representations on your behalf. In order to induce KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. to accept this subscription, I hereby represent and warrant to you as follows:

 

          OWNER    JOINT
OWNER
    
(a)    I have received the Prospectus of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. at least five business days before signing the Subscription Agreement.    LOGO

Initials

   LOGO

Initials

  
(b)    I have (i) a minimum net worth (exclusive of home, home furnishings and personal automobiles) of at least $250,000 or (ii) a minimum net worth (as previously described) of at least $70,000 and a minimum annual gross income of at least $70,000, and , if applicable , I meet the higher net worth and gross income requirements imposed by my state of primary residence as set forth in the Prospectus under “Suitability Standards.” I will not purchase additional shares unless I meet the applicable suitability requirements set forth in the Prospectus at the time of purchase.    LOGO

Initials

   LOGO

Initials

  
(c)    I acknowledge that there is no public market for the shares and, thus, my investment in shares is not liquid.    LOGO

Initials

   LOGO

Initials

  
(d)    I am purchasing the shares for the account referenced in Section 4.    LOGO

Initials

   LOGO

Initials

  
(e)    I understand that I will not be admitted as a stockholder until my investment has been accepted. The acceptance process includes, but is not limited to, reviewing the Subscription Agreement for completeness and signatures, conducting an Anti-Money Laundering check as required by the USA Patriot Act and payment of the full purchase price of the shares.    LOGO

Initials

   LOGO

Initials

  

The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any provision of this document other than the certifications required to avoid backup withholding.

 

       
                            
  

Signature of Investor

     

Date

     

Signature of Joint Investor or,

for Qualified Plans, of Trustee/Custodian

     

Date

 

 

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

 

 

A-5


Table of Contents

  9.       FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURES

The investor’s Financial Advisor must sign below to complete the order. The Financial Advisor hereby warrants that he is duly licensed and may lawfully sell shares of common stock in the state designated as the investor’s legal residence. The Financial Advisor agrees to maintain records of the information used to determine that an investment in shares is suitable and appropriate for the investor for a period of six years. The undersigned confirm by their signatures that they (i) have reasonable grounds to believe that the information and representations concerning the investor identified herein are true, correct and complete in all respects; (ii) have discussed such investor’s prospective purchase of shares with such investor; (iii) have advised such investor of all pertinent facts with regard to the liquidity and marketability of the shares and other fundamental risks related to the investment in the shares; (iv) have delivered the Prospectus to such investor; (v) have reasonable grounds to believe that the investor is purchasing these shares for his or her own account; and (vi) have reasonable grounds to believe that the purchase of shares is a suitable investment for such investor, that such investor meets the suitability standards applicable to such investor set forth in the Prospectus, and that such investor is in a financial position to enable such investor to realize the benefits of such an investment and to suffer any loss that may occur with respect thereto.

I understand this subscription agreement is for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

 

       
                       

           Signature of Financial Representative

 

  Date

 

  Branch Manager Signature

  (If required by Broker/Dealer)

   

  Date

PLEASE NOTE : Only original, completed copies of the Subscription Agreement can be accepted. We cannot accept photocopied or otherwise duplicated Subscription Agreements. Until we have raised the minimum offering amount, you should make your check payable to “[Escrow Agent Name], as escrow agent for KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.” Once we have raised $2,500,000 in the offering from persons who are not affiliated with us or our advisor, you should make your check payable to “KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.” except that Pennsylvania investors should follow the instructions in the Prospectus under “Plan of Distribution—Special Notice to Pennsylvania Investors.”

The Subscription Agreement, together with a check for the full purchase price, should be delivered or mailed to:

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1250

Newport Beach, CA 92660

(866) 584-1381

Once the applicable minimum offering amount has been raised (see above), Subscription Agreements may also be mailed to the address above and payment wired to:

BANK NAME and BANK ADDRESS

ABA# XXXXXX

Account name:

KBS Capital Advisors LLC, as Trustee for

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.  Account #: XXXXXX

 

***** FOR OFFICE USE ONLY *****

 

Check #  

              

Complied by  

  

        

  

W/S  

  

        

 

Batch #  

             

Input by  

  

        

  

Region  

  

        

 

Subscription #  

 

        

  

Proofed by  

  

        

  

Territory  

  

        

 

 

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

 

 

12/08

  A-6   3001-A


Table of Contents

APPENDIX B

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), has adopted a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “DRP”), the terms and conditions of which are set forth below. Capitalized terms shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Company’s charter unless otherwise defined herein.

1.         Number of Shares Issuable .  The number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the DRP is 80,000,000.

2.         Participants .  “Participants” are holders of the Company’s shares of Common Stock who elect to participate in the DRP.

3.         Dividend Reinvestment .  The Company will apply that portion (as designated by a Participant) of the dividends and other distributions (“Distributions”) declared and paid in respect of a Participant’s shares of Common Stock to the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock for such Participant. Such shares will be sold through the broker-dealer and/or dealer manager through whom the Company sold the underlying shares to which the Distributions relate unless the Participant makes a new election through a different distribution channel. The Company will not pay selling commissions on shares of Common Stock purchased in the DRP.

4.         Procedures for Participation .  Qualifying stockholders may elect to become a Participant by completing and executing the Subscription Agreement, an enrollment form or any other Company-approved authorization form as may be available from the dealer manager or participating broker-dealers. To increase their participation, Participants must complete a new enrollment form and make the election through the dealer manager or the Participant’s broker-dealer, as applicable. Participation in the DRP will begin with the next Distribution payable after receipt of a Participant’s subscription, enrollment or authorization. Shares will be purchased under the DRP on the date that the Company makes a Distribution. Distributions will be paid monthly as authorized and declared by the Company’s board of directors.

5.         Purchase of Shares .  Until completion of the Company’s offering stage, Participants will acquire Common Stock at a price of $9.50 per share. Three years after completion of the Company’s offering stage, Participants will acquire Common Stock at a price equal to the estimated value of the Company’s Common Stock, as estimated by the Company’s advisor or other firm chosen by the board of directors for that purpose. The Company’s offering stage will be complete when the Company is no longer publicly offering equity securities and has not done so for one year. For the purpose of determining when the Company’s offering stage is complete, public equity offerings do not include offerings on behalf of selling stockholders or offerings related to any dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plan or redemption of interests in KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership, the Company’s operating partnership. Participants in the DRP may purchase fractional shares so that 100% of the Distributions will be used to acquire shares. However, a Participant will not be able to acquire shares

 

B-1


Table of Contents

under the DRP to the extent such purchase would cause it to exceed limits set forth in the Company’s charter, as amended.

6.         Taxation of Distributions .  The reinvestment of Distributions in the DRP does not relieve Participants of any taxes that may be payable as a result of those Distributions and their reinvestment pursuant to the terms of this DRP.

7.         Share Certificates .  The shares issuable under the DRP shall be uncertificated until the board of directors determines otherwise.

8.         Voting of DRP Shares .  In connection with any matter requiring the vote of the Company’s stockholders, each Participant will be entitled to vote all shares acquired by the Participant through the DRP.

9.         Reports .  Within 90 days after the end of the calendar year, the Company shall provide each Participant with (i) an individualized report on the Participant’s investment, including the purchase date(s), purchase price and number of shares owned, as well as the amount of Distributions received during the prior year; and (ii) all material information regarding the DRP and the effect of reinvesting dividends, including the tax consequences thereof. The Company shall provide such information reasonably requested by the dealer manager or a participating broker-dealer, in order for the dealer manager or participating broker-dealer to meet its obligations to deliver written notification to Participants of the information required by Rule 10b-10(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

10.       Termination by Participant .  A Participant may terminate participation in the DRP at any time by delivering to the Company a written notice. To be effective for any Distribution, such notice must be received by the Company at least ten business days prior to the last day of the month to which the Distribution relates. Any transfer of shares by a Participant will terminate participation in the DRP with respect to the transferred shares. Upon termination of DRP participation, Distributions will be distributed to the stockholder in cash.

11.       Amendment or Termination of DRP by the Company .  The Company may amend or terminate the DRP for any reason upon ten days’ written notice to the Participants.

12.       Liability of the Company .  The Company shall not be liable for any act done in good faith, or for any good faith omission to act.

13.       Governing Law .  The DRP shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

B-2


Table of Contents

 

 

 

 


 

Until              all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as soliciting dealers.

We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other individual to give any information or to make any representations that are not contained in this prospectus. If any such information or statements are given or made, you should not rely upon such information or representation. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell any securities other than those to which this prospectus relates, or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to any person in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful. This prospectus speaks as of the date set forth below. You should not assume that the delivery of this prospectus or that any sale made pursuant to this prospectus implies that the information contained in this prospectus will remain fully accurate and correct as of any time subsequent to the date of this prospectus.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page

Suitability Standards

  i

Prospectus Summary

  1

Risk Factors

  19

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

  44

Estimated Use of Proceeds

  45

Management

  48

Management Compensation

  58

Stock Ownership

  64

Conflicts of Interest

  64

Investment Objectives and Criteria

  71

Plan of Operation

  83

Prior Performance Summary

  89

Federal Income Tax Considerations

  97

ERISA Considerations

  114

Description of Shares

  118

The Operating Partnership Agreement

  129

Plan of Distribution

  132

Supplemental Sales Material

  139

Legal Matters

  139

Experts

  139

Where You Can Find More Information

  139

Index to Consolidated Balance Sheet and Prior Performance Tables

  F-1

Appendix A — Form of Subscription Agreement with Instructions

  A-1

Appendix B — Dividend Reinvestment Plan

  B-1

 

 

Our shares are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not bank guaranteed. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 19, to read about risks you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.

 

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

Maximum Offering of

280,000,000 Shares

of Common Stock

Minimum Offering of

250,000 Shares

of Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

KBS CAPITAL MARKETS

GROUP LLC

                    , 2009


 

 

 

 



Table of Contents

PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 31.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the distribution of the securities being registered other than selling commissions and the dealer manager fee.

 

Item

   Amount             

SEC registration fee

   $         108,468

FINRA filing fee

     75,500

Legal fees and expenses

     2,470,000

Expense reimbursements for retail conferences, bona fide training and
education meetings and industry conferences

     4,174,800

Blue sky fees and expenses

     121,565

Accounting fees and expenses

     2,000,000

Sales and advertising expenses

     1,500,000

Issuer costs regarding bona fide training and education meetings and retail
seminars

     78,025

Printing

     4,000,000

Postage and delivery of materials

     1,842,000

Transfer agent, escrow fees and administrative services related to the issuance of
shares in the offering

     2,860,000

Due diligence expenses (retailing)

     250,000

Legal fees — underwriter portion

     100,000

Telephone

     50,000

Promotional items

     175,000

Expense reimbursement for broker-dealer technology and other costs

     150,000

Miscellaneous expenses

     454,932
      

Total

     $20,410,290
      

Item 32.  Sales to Special Parties

The Company’s directors and officers and (to the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations) the employees of KBS Capital Advisors LLC and affiliated entities, business associates and others purchasing pursuant to the Company’s “friends and family” program, participating broker-dealers, their retirement plans, their representatives and the family members, IRAs and the qualified plans of their representatives will be allowed to purchase shares in the Company’s primary offering at a discount from the public offering price. The purchase price for such shares will be $9.40 per share, reflecting the fact that selling commissions in the amount of $0.60 per share will not be payable in connection with such sales. The net proceeds to the Company from such sales made net of commissions will be substantially the same as the net proceeds the Company receives from other sales of share in the primary offering.

Item 33.  Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

In connection with its organization, on December 24, 2008, the Company issued 20,000 shares of its common stock to KBS Capital Advisors at a purchase price of $10.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $200,000. The Company issued these shares in a private transaction exempt from the registration requirements pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 34.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Subject to the significant conditions set forth below, the Company has included in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the Company and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action.

 

II-1


Table of Contents

Subject to the significant conditions set forth below, the charter also provides that the Company shall indemnify a director, officer or the advisor or any of its affiliates against any and all losses or liabilities reasonably incurred by them (other than when sued by or in right of the Company) in connection with or by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted to be performed on behalf of the Company in such capacity.

Under the Company’s charter, the Company shall not indemnify a director, the advisor or any of the advisor’s affiliates (each an “Indemnitee”) for any liability or loss suffered by an Indemnitee, nor shall it exculpate an Indemnitee, unless all of the following conditions are met: (i) an Indemnitee has determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Company; (ii) the Indemnitee was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Company; (iii) such liability or loss was not the result of (A) negligence or misconduct by the Indemnitee, excluding an Independent Director, or (B) gross negligence or willful misconduct by an Independent Director; and (iv) such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of the Company’s net assets and not from its stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnitee shall not be indemnified by the Company for any losses, liability or expenses arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to the particular Indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the particular Indemnitee; and (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular Indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities of the Company were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

The charter provides that the advancement of Company funds to an Indemnitee for legal expenses and other costs incurred as a result of any legal action for which indemnification is being sought is permissible only if (in addition to the procedures required by Maryland law) all of the following conditions are satisfied: (i) the legal action relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Company; (ii) the legal action is initiated by a third party who is not a common stockholder or the legal action is initiated by a common stockholder acting in his or her capacity as such and a court of competent jurisdiction specifically approves such advancement; and (iii) the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the advanced funds to the Company, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if the Indemnitee is found not to be entitled to indemnification.

It is the position of the SEC that indemnification of directors and officers for liabilities arising under the Securities Act is against public policy and is unenforceable pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Act.

The Company will also purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of all of its directors and executive officers against liability asserted against or incurred by them in their official capacities with the Company, whether or not the Company is required or has the power to indemnify them against the same liability.

Item 35.  Treatment of Proceeds from Stock Being Registered

Not applicable.

 

II-2


Table of Contents

Item 36.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

  (a) Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Balance Sheet and Prior Performance Tables.

 

  (b) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement:

 

Ex.      Description
1.1      Form of Dealer Manager Agreement with Selected Dealer Agreement*
3.1      Form of Articles of Amendment and Restatement
3.2      Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed January 8, 2009
4.1      Form of Subscription Agreement, included as Appendix A to prospectus
4.2      Statement regarding restrictions on transferability of shares of common stock (to appear on stock certificate or to be sent upon request and without charge to stockholders issued shares without certificates)
4.3      Dividend Reinvestment Plan, included as Appendix B to prospectus
4.4      Share Redemption Program, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed January 8, 2009
4.5      Escrow Agreement*
5.1      Form of Opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) re legality
8.1      Form of Opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) re tax matters
10.1      Form of Advisory Agreement
21.1      Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1      Consent of DLA Piper LLP (US) (included in Exhibit 5.1)*
23.2      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
24.1      Power of Attorney, incorporated by reference to the Signature Page to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed January 8, 2009

 

 

 

* To be filed by amendment.

Item 37.  Undertakings

(a)            The Registrant undertakes to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”); (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.

(b)            The Registrant undertakes (i) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof, (ii) that all post-effective amendments will comply with the applicable forms, rules and regulations of the SEC in effect at the time such post-effective amendments are filed, and (iii) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

II-3


Table of Contents

(c)            The Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(d)            For the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424, (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the Registrant or used or referred to by the Registrant, (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the Registrant, and (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the Registrant to the purchaser.

(e)            The Registrant undertakes to send to each stockholder, at least on an annual basis, a detailed statement of any transaction with the Advisor or its affiliates, and of fees, commissions, compensation and other benefits paid or accrued to the Advisor or its affiliates for the fiscal year completed, showing the amount paid or accrued to each recipient and the services performed.

(f)            The Registrant undertakes to file a sticker supplement pursuant to Rule 424(c) under the Act during the distribution period describing each significant property not identified in the prospectus at such time as there arises a reasonable probability that such property will be acquired and to consolidate all such stickers into a post-effective amendment filed at least once every three months with the information contained in such amendment provided simultaneously to the existing stockholders. Each sticker supplement will disclose all compensation and fees received by the Advisor and its affiliates in connection with any such acquisition. The post-effective amendment shall include audited financial statements meeting the requirements of Rule 3-14 of Regulation S-X only for the significant properties acquired during the distribution period if such financial statements have been filed or would be due under Items 2.01 and 9.01 of Form 8-K.

(g)            The Registrant undertakes to file, after the end of the distribution period, a current report on Form 8-K containing the financial statements and any additional information required by Rule 3-14 of Regulation S-X, to reflect each commitment (i.e., the signing of a binding purchase agreement) made after the end of the distribution period involving the use of 10% or more (on a cumulative basis) of the net proceeds of the offering and to provide the information contained in such report to the stockholders at least once each quarter after the distribution period of the offering has ended.

(h)            The Registrant undertakes to provide to the stockholders the financial statements required by Form 10-K for the first full fiscal year of operations.

(i)            Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(j)            The Registrant undertakes to provide to the dealer manager at the closings specified in the dealer manager agreement the following: (i) if the securities are certificated, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the dealer manager to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser or (ii) if the securities are not certificated, a written statement of the information required on certificates that is required to be delivered to stockholders to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

II-4


Table of Contents

TABLE VI

ACQUISITIONS OF PROPERTIES BY PROGRAMS

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

Table VI presents information concerning the acquisition of properties during the three years ended December 31, 2007 by KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (“KBS REIT I”) and the private programs sponsored by KBS investment advisers. KBS REIT I is a publicly registered, non-traded REIT sponsored by the Company’s sponsors, Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber. KBS investment advisers are investment advisers affiliated with Messrs. Bren and Schreiber. Each of the programs below have investment objectives similar to those of the Company.

 

II-5


Table of Contents

TABLE VI

ACQUISITIONS OF PROPERTIES BY PROGRAMS (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

 

Property and

Location

  Type of
Property
  Gross Leaseable
Area (sq. ft.)
  Date of
Purchase
  Original Mortgage
Financing
  Cash Down
Payment (equity)
    Contract purchase
price plus
acquisition fee  (5)
  Other cash
expenditures
expensed
  Other cash
expenditures
capitalized  (6)
  Total cost
of property  (7)

 Separate Account 6/05 (1)

                 

Overlook I Atlanta, GA

  Office   138,068    7/6/2005   $ 10,775,000    $ 10,740,622      $ 21,368,098    -         $ 147,524    $ 21,515,622 

South Park Commerce Austin, TX

  Industrial   372,763    10/25/2005   $ 21,829,960    $ 8,209,776      $ 29,896,000    -         $ 143,736    $ 30,039,736 

3200 N First Street San Jose, CA

  Office   85,000    6/28/2005   $ 13,000,000    $ 12,888,884      $ 25,756,580    -         $ 132,304    $ 25,888,884 

Triangle Corp Park III Tigard, OR

  Office   133,099    8/16/2005   $ 17,462,900    $ 17,254,838      $ 34,643,000    -         $ 74,738    $ 34,717,738 

Acques/DeGuigne Business Park Sunnyvale, CA

  Office   93,385    9/8/2006   $ 14,500,000    $ 867,625      $ 15,251,000    -         $ 116,625    $ 15,367,625 

 Separate Account 8/05 (2)

                 

South Tech Business Austin, TX

  Industrial   260,112    10/25/2005   $ 13,944,000    $ 13,878,228      $ 27,674,000    -         $ 148,228    $ 27,822,228 

Diehl Point at Cantera Warrenville, IL

  Office   88,592    11/8/2005   $ 8,407,374    $ 8,408,706      $ 16,740,750    -         $ 75,330    $ 16,816,080 

Tollway North Plano, TX

  Office   297,593    11/22/2005   $ 21,119,593    $ 20,231,533      $ 41,099,000    -         $ 252,126    $ 41,351,126 

Clay Crossing Business Center Houston, TX

  Industrial   222,750    6/7/2006   $ 24,293,000    $ (320,783 )   $ 23,836,000    -         $ 136,217    $ 23,972,217 

Rancho Cordova Rancho Cordova, CA

  Office   75,626    11/22/2006   $ 8,400,000    $ 4,510,665      $ 12,801,750    -         $ 108,915    $ 12,910,665 

 Separate Account 5/06 (3)

                 

Colonnade One Raleigh, NC

  Office   126,926    9/29/2006   $ 17,920,000    $ 9,942,518      $ 27,376,000    -         $ 486,518    $ 27,862,518 

Fountainhead One San Antonio, TX

  Office   174,108    10/11/2006   $ 15,470,000    $ 8,528,509      $ 23,861,250    -         $ 137,259    $ 23,998,509 

Parkside Tower Salt Lake City, UT

  Office   190,320    9/6/2006   $ 19,825,000    $ 10,866,254      $ 30,502,000    -         $ 189,254    $ 30,691,254 

370 San Aleso Avenue Sunnyvale, CA

  Office   53,150    12/22/2006   $ 10,562,500    $ 5,947,415      $ 16,412,500    -         $ 97,415    $ 16,509,915 

625 Mt. Auburn Cambridge, MA

  Office   137,047    1/11/2007   $ 19,400,000    $ 10,652,521      $ 29,896,000    -         $ 156,521    $ 30,052,521 

 Separate Account 10/06 (4)

                 

City View San Antonio, TX

  Office   216,858    11/30/2006   $ 21,255,000    $ 11,820,794      $ 33,027,000    -         $ 48,794    $ 33,075,794 

Ten West Corporate Center Houston, TX

  Office   199,001    12/28/2006   $ 22,165,000    $ 12,307,772      $ 34,340,000    -         $ 132,772    $ 34,472,772 

555 Washington Miami Beach, FL

  Office   64,617    1/10/2007   $ 19,500,000    $ 10,907,339      $ 30,300,000    -         $ 107,339    $ 30,407,339 

Parkwood Place Plano, TX

  Office   98,750    2/13/2007   $ 11,700,000    $ 6,606,722      $ 18,180,000    -         $ 126,722    $ 18,306,722 

 

II-6


Table of Contents

TABLE VI

ACQUISITIONS OF PROPERTIES BY PROGRAMS (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

 

Property and

Location

 

Type of
Property

  Gross Leaseable
Area (sq. ft.)
  Date of
Purchase
  Original Mortgage
Financing
  Cash Down
Payment (equity)
    Contract purchase
price plus
acquisition fee (5)
  Other cash
expenditures
expensed
  Other cash
expenditures
capitalized  (6)
    Total cost
of property  (7)

 KBS REIT I (8)

                 

Sabal Pavilion Building  (9)
Tampa, FL

  Office   120,500    7/7/2006   $ 25,170,137    $ (427,167   $ 24,434,191   -         $ 308,779      $ 24,742,970 

Tribeca Mezzanine Loan  (10)
New York, NY

  Mezzanine Debt     7/18/2006   $ 12,950,000    $ 3,180,809      $ 15,994,179    -         $ 136,630      $ 16,130,809 

Plaza in Clayton  (11)
St. Louis, MO

  Office   325,172    9/27/2006   $ 84,500,000    $ 9,751,321      $ 93,982,568    -         $ 268,753      $ 94,251,321 

Southpark Commerce Center II Buildings  (12)
Austin, TX

  Industrial/ Flex   372,125    11/21/2006   $ 23,200,000    $ 5,562,066      $ 28,614,110    -         $ 147,956      $ 28,762,066 

825 University Avenue Building  (13)
Norwood, MA

  Research   166,574    12/5/2006   $ 24,600,000    $ 4,569,695      $ 29,017,144    -         $ 152,551      $ 29,169,695 

Midland Industrial Building  (14)
McDonough, GA

  Industrial   785,790    12/22/2006   $ 32,750,000    $ 4,778,371      $ 37,379,368    -         $ 149,003      $ 37,528,371 

Sandmar Mezzanine Loan
Southeast Retail Portfolio

  Mezzanine Debt     1/9/2007   $   $ 8,100,778      $ 8,060,182    -         $ 40,596      $ 8,100,778 

Crescent Green Buildings  (15)
Cary, NC

  Office   248,832    1/31/2007   $ 40,800,000    $ 7,868,529      $ 48,502,297    -         $ 166,232      $ 48,668,529 

625 Second Street
San Francisco, CA

  Office   134,847    1/31/2007   $ 33,700,000    $ 17,822,848      $ 51,383,545    -         $ 139,303      $ 51,522,848 

Sabal VI Building  (16)
Tampa, FL

  Office   96,346    3/5/2007   $ 14,040,000    $ 2,699,837      $ 16,624,614    -         $ 115,223      $ 16,739,837 

Park Central Mezzanine Loan
New York, NY

  Mezzanine Debt     3/23/2007   $   $ 15,157,054      $ 15,112,645    -         $ 44,409      $ 15,157,054 

The Offices at Kensington
Sugar Land, TX

  Office   170,436    3/29/2007   $ 18,500,000    $ 9,644,446      $ 28,209,512    -         $ (65,066   $ 28,144,446 

Second Tribeca Mezzanine Loan
New York, NY

  Mezzanine Debt     5/3/2007   $   $ 31,500,918      $ 31,458,564    -         $ 42,354      $ 31,500,918 

Royal Ridge Building
Alpharetta, GA

  Office   160,539    6/21/2007   $   $ 33,382,665      $ 33,248,506    -         $ 134,159      $ 33,382,665 

9815 Goethe Road Building
Sacramento, CA

  Office   80,000    6/26/2007   $   $ 15,970,645      $ 15,868,888    -         $ 101,757      $ 15,970,645 

Bridgeway Technology Center
Newark, CA

  Research   187,268    6/27/2007   $   $ 50,388,745      $ 50,265,102    -         $ 123,643      $ 50,388,745 

Tribeca Senior Mortgage Participation  (17)
New York, NY

  Mortgage Debt     6/28/2007   $   $ 26,045,084      $ 25,988,955    -         $ 56,129      $ 26,045,084 

 

II-7


Table of Contents

TABLE VI

ACQUISITIONS OF PROPERTIES BY PROGRAMS (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

 

Property and

Location

  Type of Property   Gross Leaseable
Area (sq. ft.)
  Date of
Purchase
  Original Mortgage
Financing
  Cash Down
Payment (equity)
  Contract purchase
price plus
acquisition fee (5)
  Other cash
expenditures
expensed
  Other cash
expenditures
capitalized  (6)
    Total cost
of property  (7)

 KBS REIT I (8)

                 

Opus National Portfolio
MN, TX, OH, IN, GA, MI

  Industrial   2,315,848    7/25/2007   $ -       $ 125,708,945    $ 125,435,800    -         $ 273,145      $ 125,708,945 

200 Professional Drive Loan Origination  (18)
Gaithersburg, MD

  Mortgage Debt     7/31/2007   $ -       $ 10,609,638    $ 10,598,316    -         $ 11,322      $ 10,609,638 

Lawrence Village Plaza Loan Origination  (19)
New Castle, PA

  Mortgage Debt     8/6/2007   $ -       $ 8,333,646    $ 8,324,020    -         $ 9,626      $ 8,333,646 

11 South LaSalle Loan Origination  (20)
Chicago, IL

  Mortgage Debt     8/8/2007   $ -       $ 43,461,959    $ 43,461,330    -         $ 629      $ 43,461,959 

National Industrial Portfolio  (21)
CO, CT, MA, NH, NY, PA, TX

  Industrial   10,924,318    8/8/2007   $ 431,000,000    $ 94,734,090    $ 518,994,138    -         $ 6,739,952      $ 525,734,090 

Plano Corporate Center I & II
Plano, TX

  Office   308,038    8/28/2007   $ 30,591,000    $ 15,605,472    $ 46,093,894    -         $ 102,578      $ 46,196,472 

2200 West Loop South Building
Houston, TX

  Office   196,217    9/5/2007   $ 17,426,000    $ 18,090,314    $ 35,364,389    -         $ 151,925      $ 35,516,314 

One Madison Mezzanine Loan  (22)
New York, NY

  Mezzanine Debt     9/24/2007   $ -       $ 21,174,500    $ 21,157,500    -         $ 17,000      $ 21,174,500 

San Diego Office Portfolio B-Note
San Diego, CA

  B-Note     10/26/2007   $ -       $ 13,581,263    $ 13,500,500    -         $ 80,763      $ 13,581,263 

Petra Subordinated Debt

  Subordinated Debt     10/26/2007   $ -       $ 50,375,000    $ 50,375,000    -         $ -         $ 50,375,000 

ADP Plaza
Portland, OR

  Office   180,772    11/7/2007   $ 20,900,000    $ 12,550,846    $ 33,349,014    -         $ 101,832      $ 33,450,846 

Woodfield Preserve Office Center
Schaumburg, IL

  Office   647,196    11/13/2007   $ 68,400,000    $ 68,140,801    $ 136,816,433    -         $ (275,632   $ 136,540,801 

Nashville Flex Portfolio
Nashville, TN

  Industrial   550,289    11/15/2007   $ 32,430,000    $ 22,267,806    $ 53,907,180    -         $ 790,626      $ 54,697,806 

4929 Wilshire B-Note
Los Angeles, CA

  B-Note     11/19/2007   $ -       $ 2,598,953    $ 2,559,347    -         $ 39,606      $ 2,598,953 

Patrick Henry Corporate Center
Newport News, VA

  Office   98,883    11/29/2007   $ 11,100,000    $ 7,854,387    $ 18,691,100    -         $ 263,287      $ 18,954,387 

South Towne Corporate Center I&II
Sandy, UT

  Office   269,233    11/30/2007   $ 25,200,000    $ 25,107,283    $ 50,124,496    -         $ 182,787      $ 50,307,283 

Artisan Multifamily Portfolio Mezzanine Loan
Las Vegas, NV

  Mezzanine Debt     12/11/2007   $ -       $ 20,183,326    $ 20,119,330    -         $ 63,996      $ 20,183,326 

 

II-8


Table of Contents

TABLE VI

ACQUISITIONS OF PROPERTIES BY PROGRAMS (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

 

 

(1) This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 6/05 made its first investment in June 2005. The program has made a total of five separate investments through December 2007.

(2) This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 8/05 made its first investment in October 2005. The program has made a total of five separate investments through December 2007.

(3) This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 5/06 made its first investment in September 2006. The program has made a total of five separate investments through December 2007.

(4) This program represents a single-client account whereby dollars are raised only as assets are identified pursuant to a partnership agreement between a KBS affiliate and an institutional investor. Under the partnership agreement, when the KBS investment adviser for the partnership identifies properties for investment, the KBS investment adviser invests funds on behalf of the investor, manages the assets in the investor’s portfolio and ultimately sells the assets on behalf of the investor. Separate Account 10/06 made its first investment in November 2006. The program has made a total of four separate investments through December 2007.

(5) Acquisition fees are calculated as a percentage of purchase price plus other capitalized costs and are paid to the KBS sponsor.

(6) Other cash expenditures capitalized include legal fees, outside broker fees, environmental studies, title and other closing costs.

(7) Total cost of property includes the cash down payment, acquisition fees, other cash expenditures capitalized and mortgage financing.

(8) KBS REIT I is a publicly registered, non-traded REIT. KBS REIT I launched its initial public offering on January 27, 2006. On July 5, 2006, KBS REIT I broke escrow in its ongoing initial public offering and then commenced real estate operations.

(9) “Original Mortgage Financing” includes the Sabal Pavilion Building Mezzanine Loan in the amount of $4,898,000 that was repaid in full on October 5, 2006 and a note payable to an affiliate of approximately $5,572,137 that was repaid in full on October 27, 2006.

(10) “Original Mortgage Financing” includes amount drawn under the Tribeca Mezzanine Debt Repurchase Agreement at the time of acquisition of the Tribeca Mezzanine Debt in the amount of $7,122,231 that was repaid in full on December 27, 2006 and a note payable to an affiliate of approximately $2,875,000 that was repaid in full on October 27, 2006. “Contract purchase price plus acquisition fees” reflect the loan commitment amount of $15,896,000 plus acquisition fees paid of $98,179 on the initial purchase price. Additional acquisition fees of 75 basis points are earned on loan draws subsequent to acquisition. Based on loan commitment amount, total acquisition fees incurred will be $119,220.

(11) “Original Mortgage Financing” includes the Plaza in Clayton Mezzanine Loan in the amount of $22,300,000 that was repaid in full on January 22, 2007.

(12) “Original Mortgage Financing” includes the Southpark Commerce Center II Buildings Mezzanine Loan in the amount of $5,200,000 that was repaid in full on February 6, 2007.

(13) “Original Mortgage Financing” includes the 825 University Avenue Building Mezzanine Loan in the amount of $5,600,000 that was repaid in full on February 6, 2007.

(14) “Original Mortgage Financing” includes the Midland Industrial Buildings Mezzanine Loan in the amount of $8,700,000 that was repaid in full on March 30, 2007. Principal paydown of $7,000,000 was made on February 5, 2007 while the remaining balance of $1,700,000 was paid off on March 30, 2007.

 

II-9


Table of Contents

TABLE VI

ACQUISITIONS OF PROPERTIES BY PROGRAMS (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

Prior Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results

(15) “Original Mortgage Financing” includes the Crescent Green Buildings Mezzanine Loan in the amount of $8,400,000 that was repaid in full on March 31, 2007.

(16) “Original Mortgage Financing” includes the Sabal VI Building Mezzanine Loan in the amount of $3,000,000 that was repaid in full on February 22, 2008.

(17) “Contract purchase price plus acquisition fees” reflect the loan commitment amount of $25,812,030 plus acquisition fees paid of $176,925. As of December 31, 2007, the remaining unfunded loan commitment totaled $219,173. Additional acquisition fees of 75 basis points are earned on loan draws subsequent to acquisition. Based on loan commitment amount, total acquisition fees expected to be incurred will be approximately $194,000.

(18) “Contract purchase price plus acquisition fees” reflect the loan commitment amount of $10,542,752 plus acquisition fees paid of $55,564. As of December 31, 2007, the remaining unfunded loan commitment totaled $2,862,276. Additional acquisition fees of 75 basis points are earned on loan draws subsequent to acquisition. Based on loan commitment amount, total acquisition fees expected to be incurred will be approximately $79,000.

(19) “Contract purchase price plus acquisition fees” reflect the loan commitment amount of $8,277,752 plus acquisition fees paid of $46,268. As of December 31, 2007, the remaining unfunded loan commitment totaled $2,107,722. Additional acquisition fees of 75 basis points are earned on loan draws subsequent to acquisition. Based on loan commitment amount, total acquisition fees expected to be incurred will be approximately $62,000.

(20) “Contract purchase price plus acquisition fees” reflect the loan commitment amount of $43,300,000 plus acquisition fees paid of $161,330. As of December 31, 2007, the remaining unfunded loan commitment totaled $19,813,750. Additional acquisition fees of 75 basis points are earned on loan draws subsequent to acquisition. Based on loan commitment amount, total acquisition fees expected to be incurred will be approximately $325,000.

(21) KBS REIT I holds National Industrial Portfolio through a consolidated joint venture in which KBS REIT I owns an 80% membership interest.

(22) The borrower under the One Madison Park Mezzanine Loan paid off the loan in full on November 19, 2007, prior to the stated maturity date.

 

II-10


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-11 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newport Beach, State of California, on February 25, 2009.

 

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

By:   /s/ Keith D. Hall
 

Keith D. Hall

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Name

   Title                 Date

/s/ Keith D. Hall

   Chief Executive Officer    February 25, 2009
Keith D. Hall    and Director   

*

   Chairman of the Board,    February 25, 2009
Peter McMillan III    President and Director   

*

   Chief Financial Officer,    February 25, 2009
David E. Snyder    Treasurer and Secretary   

 

* By:   /s/ Keith D. Hall
 

Keith D. Hall

Attorney-in-Fact

Exhibit 3.1

FORM OF ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

OF

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

FIRST :    KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

SECOND :    The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

Except as provided below, the purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, qualifying as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860, or any successor sections, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), for which corporations may be organized under the MGCL and the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as the Corporation is externally advised by the Advisor, it shall not be a proper purpose of the Corporation to make any significant investment unless the Advisor has recommended that the Corporation make such investment.

ARTICLE III

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT

The name and address of the resident agent for service of process of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 300 East Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The address of the Corporation’s principal office in the State of Maryland is 300 East Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Corporation may have such other offices and places of business within or outside the State of Maryland as the board may from time to time determine.


ARTICLE IV

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

Acquisition Expenses .    Expenses including but not limited to legal fees and expenses, travel and communications expenses, cost of appraisals, nonrefundable option payments on property not acquired, accounting fees and expenses, title insurance and miscellaneous expenses related to selecting and acquiring properties, or making or investing in loans, whether or not the acquisition or investment is made.

Acquisition Fees .    The total of all fees and commissions, excluding Acquisition Expenses, paid by any party to any party in connection with making or investing in loans or the purchase, development or construction of property by the Corporation. Included in the computation of such fees or commissions shall be any real estate commission, selection fee, Development Fee, Construction Fee, nonrecurring management fee, origination fees, loan fees or points or any fee of a similar nature, however designated. Excluded shall be Development Fees and Construction Fees paid to any Person not affiliated with the Sponsor in connection with the actual development and construction of a project.

Advisor .    The Person responsible for directing or performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation, including a Person to which an Advisor subcontracts substantially all such functions.

Advisory Agreement .    The agreement between the Corporation and the Advisor pursuant to which the Advisor will direct or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation.

Affiliate .    An Affiliate of another Person includes any of the following:

(a)        any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with power to vote, 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person;

(b)        any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with power to vote, by such other Person;

(c)        any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person;

(d)        any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; and

 

2


(e)        any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee or general partner.

Average Invested Assets .    For a specified period, the average of the aggregate book value of the assets of the Corporation invested, directly or indirectly in equity interests in and loans secured by real estate, before deducting depreciation, bad debts or other non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period.

Business Day .    Any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock .    All classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

Code .    The term shall have the meaning as provided in Article II herein.

Common Stock .    The term shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

Common Stockholders .    The registered holders of Common Stock.

Conflicts Committee .    The term shall have the meaning as provided in Section 10.1.

Corporation .    The term shall have the meaning as provided in Article I herein.

Competitive Real Estate Commission .    A real estate or brokerage commission paid for the purchase or sale of a property that is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the property.

Construction Fee .    A fee or other remuneration for acting as general contractor and/or construction manager to construct improvements, supervise and coordinate projects or to provide major repairs or rehabilitation on a property.

Contract Purchase Price .    The amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase, development, construction or improvement of an asset exclusive of Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses.

Development Fee .    A fee for the packaging of the Corporation’s property, including the negotiation and approval of plans and any assistance in obtaining zoning and necessary variances and financing for a specific property, either initially or at a later date.

Independent Directors .    The directors of the Corporation who are not associated and have not been associated within the last two years, directly or indirectly, with the Sponsor or Advisor of the Corporation.

 

3


(a)        A director shall be deemed to be associated with the Sponsor or Advisor if he or she:

(i)        owns an interest in the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates;

(ii)        is employed by the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates;

(iii)        is an officer or director of the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates;

(iv)        performs services, other than as a director, for the Corporation;

(v)        is a director for more than three REITs organized by the Sponsor or advised by the Advisor; or

(vi)        has any material business or professional relationship with the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates.

(b)        Consistent with (a)(v) above, serving as an independent director of or receiving independent director fees from or owning an interest in a REIT or other real estate program organized by the Sponsor or advised or managed by the Advisor or its Affiliates shall not, by itself, cause a director to be deemed associated with the Sponsor or the Advisor.

(c)        For purposes of determining whether or not a business or professional relationship is material pursuant to (a)(vi) above, the annual gross revenue derived by the director from the Sponsor, Advisor and their Affiliates (excluding fees for serving as an independent director of the Corporation or other REIT or real estate program organized or advised or managed by the Advisor or its Affiliates) shall be deemed material per se if it exceeds 5% of the director’s:

(i)        annual gross revenue, derived from all sources, during either of the last two years; or

(ii)        net worth, on a fair market value basis.

(d)        An indirect relationship shall include circumstances in which a director’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law or brother- or sister-in-law is or has been associated with the Sponsor, Advisor any of their Affiliates or the Corporation.

Independent Expert .    A Person (selected by the Conflicts Committee) with no material current or prior business or personal relationship with the Advisor or a director who is engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of assets of the type held by the Corporation.

Initial Investment .    An investment of $200,000 by the Advisor or an Affiliate thereof to acquire an equity interest in the Corporation.

 

4


Initial Public Offering .    The initial public offering of Common Stock registered on Registration Statement No. 333-156633 on Form S-11.

Leverage .    The aggregate amount of indebtedness of the Corporation for money borrowed (including purchase money mortgage loans) outstanding at any time, both secured and unsecured.

Listed .    Approved for trading on any securities exchange registered as a national securities exchange under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The term “Listing” shall have the correlative meaning.

MGCL .    The Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time.

NASAA REIT Guidelines .    The Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts as revised and adopted by the North American Securities Administrators Association on May 7, 2007.

Net Assets .    The total assets of the Corporation (other than intangibles) at cost, before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves, less total liabilities, calculated quarterly by the Corporation on a basis consistently applied.

Net Income .    For any period, total revenues applicable to such period less the expenses applicable to such period other than additions to reserves for depreciation or bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves. If the Advisor receives an incentive fee, Net Income, for purposes of calculating Total Operating Expenses in Section 8.8, shall exclude the gain from the sale of the Corporation’s assets.

Organization and Offering Expenses .    All expenses incurred by and to be paid from the assets of the Corporation in connection with or preparing the Corporation for registration of and subsequently offering and distributing its shares to the public, including, but not limited to, total underwriting and brokerage discounts and commissions (including fees of the underwriters’ attorneys); any expense allowance granted by the Corporation to the underwriter or any reimbursement of expenses of the underwriter by the Corporation; expenses for printing, engraving and mailing; compensation of employees while engaged in sales activity; charges of transfer agents, registrars, trustees, escrow holders, depositaries and experts; and expenses of qualification of the sale of the securities under Federal and State laws, including taxes and fees, accountants’ and attorneys’ fees.

Person .    An individual, corporation, association, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity.

Preferred Stock .    The term shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

Prospectus .    The term shall have the meaning as defined in Section 2(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including a preliminary prospectus, an offering circular as described in Rule 253 of the General Rules and

 

5


Regulations under the Securities Act or, in the case of an intrastate offering, any document by whatever name known utilized for the purpose of offering and selling securities to the public.

REIT .    Real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

Roll-Up Entity .    A partnership, real estate investment trust, corporation, trust or similar entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of a proposed Roll-Up Transaction.

Roll-Up Transaction .    A transaction involving the acquisition, merger, conversion or consolidation, either directly or indirectly, of the Corporation and the issuance of securities of a Roll-Up Entity to the Common Stockholders.

Such term does not include:

(a)        a transaction involving securities of the Corporation that have been Listed for at least 12 months; or

(b)        a transaction involving the conversion to corporate, trust or association form of only the Corporation, if, as a consequence of the transaction, there will be no significant adverse change in any of the following:

(i)        the voting rights of Common Stockholders;

(ii)        the term of existence of the Corporation;

(iii)        Sponsor or Advisor compensation; or

(iv)        the Corporation’s investment objectives.

SDAT .    The State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.

Sponsor .    Any Person directly or indirectly instrumental in organizing, wholly or in part, the Corporation or any Person who will control, manage or participate in the management of the Corporation, and any Affiliate of such Person. Not included is any Person whose only relationship with the Corporation is as that of an independent property manager of the Corporation’s assets and whose only compensation is as such. Sponsor does not include wholly independent third parties such as attorneys, accountants and underwriters whose only compensation is for professional services. A Person may also be deemed a Sponsor of the Corporation (as to be determined by the Conflicts Committee) by:

(a)        taking the initiative, directly or indirectly, in founding or organizing the business or enterprise of the Corporation, either alone or in conjunction with one or more other Persons;

 

6


(b)        receiving a material participation in the Corporation in connection with the founding or organizing of the business of the Corporation, in consideration of services or property, or both services and property;

(c)        having a substantial number of relationships and contacts with the Corporation;

(d)        possessing significant rights to control the Corporation’s properties;

(e)        receiving fees for providing services to the Corporation which are paid on a basis that is not customary in the industry;

or

(f)        providing goods or services to the Corporation on a basis which was not negotiated at arms length with the Corporation.

Total Operating Expenses .    All expenses paid or incurred by the Corporation, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles, that are in any way related to the operation of the Corporation or to Corporation business, including advisory fees, but excluding (a) the expenses of raising capital such as Organization and Offering Expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration and other fees, printing and other such expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and stock exchange listing of the Capital Stock; (b) interest payments; (c) taxes; (d) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves; (e) incentive fees paid in compliance with Section 8.6, notwithstanding the next succeeding clause (f); and (f) Acquisition Fees, Acquisition Expenses, real estate commissions on the resale of real property and other expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition and ownership of real estate interests, mortgage loans or other property (other than commissions on the sale of assets other than real property), including the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair and improvement of property.

Unimproved Real Property .    The real property of the Corporation that has the following three characteristics:

(a)        such property was not acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income;

(b)        there is no development or construction in progress on such land; and

(c)        no development or construction on such land is planned in good faith to commence on such land within one year.

 

7


ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 5.1.  Authorized Shares .    The Corporation has authority to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of Capital Stock having par value is $10,100,000. The board of directors, with the approval of a majority of the directors and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of Capital Stock or the number of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series that the Corporation has the authority to issue.

Section 5.2.  Common Stock .    Subject to the provisions of Article VI, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The board of directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series of Capital Stock.

Section 5.3.  Preferred Stock .    The board of directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any series from time to time in one or more series of Capital Stock.

Section 5.4.  Classified or Reclassified Shares .    Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series, the board of directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Capital Stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VI and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the SDAT. Any of the terms of any class or series of Capital Stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 5.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the charter (including determinations by the board of directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of Capital Stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary filed with the SDAT.

Section 5.5.  Charter and Bylaws .    All Persons who shall acquire Capital Stock in the Corporation shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of the charter and the bylaws.

Section 5.6.  No Preemptive Rights .    No holder of shares of Capital Stock of any class shall have any preemptive right to subscribe to or purchase any additional shares of any class, or any bonds or convertible securities of any nature; provided, however, that

 

8


the board of directors may, in authorizing the issuance of shares of Capital Stock of any class, confer any preemptive right that the board or directors may deem advisable in connection with such issuance.

Section 5.7.  Issuance of Shares Without Certificates .    The board of directors may authorize the issuance of shares of Capital Stock without certificates. The Corporation shall continue to treat the holder of uncertificated Capital Stock registered on its stock ledger as the owner of the shares noted therein until the new owner delivers a properly executed form provided by the Corporation for that purpose. With respect to any shares of Capital Stock that are issued without certificates, information regarding restrictions on the transferability of such shares that would otherwise be required by the MGCL to appear on the share certificates will instead be furnished to stockholders upon request and without charge.

Section 5.8.  Suitability and Minimum Investment of Stockholders .    Until the Common Stock is Listed, the following provisions shall apply to purchases of shares of Common Stock:

(a)        To purchase Common Stock, the purchaser must represent to the Corporation:

(i)        that such purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, the fiduciary account or the grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) has a minimum annual gross income of $70,000 and a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $70,000; or

(ii)        that such purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, the fiduciary account or the grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) has a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $250,000.

(b)        The Sponsor, each Person selling shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Corporation, and each broker or dealer or registered investment adviser recommending the purchase of shares to a customer shall make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of shares is a suitable and appropriate investment for each Common Stockholder. In making this determination, the Sponsor, each Person selling shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Corporation, or each broker or dealer or registered investment adviser recommending the purchase of shares to a customer shall ascertain that the prospective Common Stockholder: (i) meets the minimum income and net worth standards set forth in Section 5.8; (ii) can reasonably benefit from the Corporation based on the prospective stockholder’s overall investment objectives and portfolio structure; (iii) is able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on the prospective stockholder’s overall financial situation; and (iv) has apparent understanding of (1) the fundamental risks of the investment; (2) the risk that the stockholder may lose the entire investment; (3) the lack of liquidity of the shares; (4) the restrictions on transferability of

 

9


the shares; (5) the background and qualifications of the Sponsor or the Advisor; and (6) the tax consequences of the investment. The Sponsor, each Person selling shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Corporation, or each broker or dealer or registered investment adviser recommending the purchase of shares to a customer shall make this determination on the basis of information it has obtained from a prospective stockholder, including information indirectly obtained from a prospective stockholder through such stockholder’s investment adviser, financial advisor or bank acting as a fiduciary. Relevant information for this purpose will include at least the age, investment objectives, investment experience, income, net worth, financial situation and other investments of the prospective stockholder, as well as any other pertinent factors. The Sponsor, each Person selling shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Corporation, or each broker or dealer or registered investment adviser recommending the purchase of shares to a customer shall cause to be maintained for at least six years records of the information used to determine that an investment in shares is suitable and appropriate for a Common Stockholder.

The Sponsor and each Person selling shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Corporation may each rely upon (i) the Person directly recommending the purchase of shares to a customer if that Person is a FINRA member broker or dealer that has entered into a selling agreement with the Sponsor or the Corporation or their Affiliates or (ii) a registered investment adviser that has entered into an agreement with the Sponsor or the Corporation or their Affiliates to make suitability determinations with respect to the customers of the registered investment adviser who may purchase shares.

(c)        Each purchase of shares of Common Stock shall comply with the requirements regarding minimum initial and subsequent cash investment amounts set forth in any then effective registration statement of the Corporation as such registration statement has been amended or supplemented as of the date of such purchase or any higher or lower applicable state requirements with respect to minimum initial and subsequent cash investment amounts in effect as of the date of the issuance or transfer.

Section 5.9.  Dividend Reinvestment Plans .    The board may establish, from time to time, a dividend reinvestment plan or plans. Under any dividend reinvestment plan, (a) all material information regarding dividends to the Common Stockholders and the effect of reinvesting such dividends, including the tax consequences thereof, shall be provided to the Common Stockholders not less often than annually, and (b) each Common Stockholder participating in such plan shall have a reasonable opportunity to withdraw from the plan not less often than annually after receipt of the information required in clause (a) above.

Section 5.10.  Distributions .    Only the board of directors may authorize payments to stockholders in connection with their stock. The decision to authorize a distribution, like all other board decisions, shall be made in good faith, in a manner reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the corporation and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Until the board of directors determines that it is no longer in the best interest of the Corporation to

 

10


qualify as a REIT, the board of directors are to authorize dividends to the extent necessary to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT.

Distributions in kind shall not be permitted, except for distributions of readily marketable securities, distributions of beneficial interests in a liquidating trust established for the dissolution of the Corporation and the liquidation of its assets in accordance with the terms of the charter or distributions that meet all of the following conditions: (a) the board of directors advises each Common Stockholder of the risks associated with direct ownership of the property, (b) the board of directors offers each Common Stockholder the election of receiving such in-kind distributions and (c) in-kind distributions are made only to those Common Stockholders who accept such offer.

Section 5.11.  Actions Required if Common Stock Not Listed .    If by May [      ], 2019 the shares of Common Stock are not Listed, then the board of directors must adopt a resolution that declares a proposed liquidation is advisable on substantially the terms and conditions set forth in the resolution and direct that the proposed liquidation be submitted for consideration at either an annual or special meeting of the stockholders; provided, however, that such board action may be postponed if the Conflicts Committee determines by a majority vote that a liquidation is not then in the best interest of the Corporation’s stockholders. If such board action is so postponed, the Conflicts Committee shall revisit the issue of liquidation at least annually and further postponement of such board action would only be permitted if the Conflicts Committee again determined by a majority vote that a liquidation would not then be in the best interest of the Corporation’s stockholders.

ARTICLE VI

RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

Section 6.1.  Definitions .    As used in this Article VI, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit .    9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock. The value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock shall be determined by the board of directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

Beneficial Ownership .    Ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns,” “Beneficially Owning” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Charitable Beneficiary .    One or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 6.3.6, provided that each such organization must be described in

 

11


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.

Common Stock Ownership Limit .    9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation. The number and value of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be determined by the board of directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

Constructive Ownership .    Ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns,” “Constructively Owning” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Excepted Holder .    A stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by this charter or by the board of directors pursuant to Section 6.2.7.

Excepted Holder Limit .    The percentage limit established by the board of directors pursuant to Section 6.2.7 provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the board of directors pursuant to Section 6.2.7, and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.2.8.

Initial Date .    The date upon which the charter containing this Article VI is filed with the SDAT.

Market Price .    With respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the board of directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined in good faith by the board of directors.

 

12


Prohibited Owner .    With respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who but for the provisions of Section 6.2.1 would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock and, if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

Restriction Termination Date .    The first day on which the Corporation determines pursuant to Section 7.7 of the charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

Transfer .    Any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive distributions on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

Trust .    Any trust provided for in Section 6.3.1.

Trustee .    The Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.

Section 6.2.  Capital Stock .

Section 6.2.1.  Ownership Limitations .    Prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(a)         Basic Restrictions .

(i)        (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(ii)        No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation (1) being “closely held” within the

 

13


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 (2) otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code); provided , however , that this Section 6.2.1(a)(ii)(1) shall not apply to the Corporation’s first taxable year for which a REIT election is made.

(iii)    Notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein, any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being Beneficially Owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock; provided , however , that (1) this Section 6.2.1(a)(iii) shall not apply to a Transfer of shares of Capital Stock occurring in the Corporation’s first taxable year for which a REIT election is made and (2) the board of directors may waive this Section 6.2.1(a)(iii) if, in the opinion of the board of directors, such Transfer would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT.

(b)         Transfer in Trust .    If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) occurs that, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 6.2.1(a)(i) or Section 6.2.1(a)(ii),

(i)        then that number of shares of Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 6.2.1(a)(i) or Section 6.2.1(a)(ii) (rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 6.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; provided, however,

(ii)        if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 6.2.1(a)(i) or Section 6.2.1(a)(ii), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 6.2.1(a)(i) or Section 6.2.1(a)(ii) shall be void ab initio and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

Section 6.2.2.   Remedies for Breach .    If the board of directors shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 6.2.1(a) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to

 

14


acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 6.2.1(a) (whether or not such violation is intended), the board of directors or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided , however , that any Transfers or attempted Transfers or other events in violation of Section 6.2.1(a) shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the board of directors.

Section 6.2.3.  Notice of Restricted Transfer .    Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 6.2.1(a) or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2.1(b) 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 status as a REIT.

Section 6.2.4.  Owners Required to Provide Information .    Prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(a)        every owner of 5% or more (or such higher percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of Capital Stock and other shares of the Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit.

(b)        each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

Section 6.2.5.   Remedies Not Limited .    Subject to Section 7.7, nothing contained in this Section 6.2 shall limit the authority of the board of directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

 

15


Section 6.2.6.   Ambiguity .    In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 6.2, Section 6.3 or any definition contained in Section 6.1, the board of directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 6.2 or Section 6.3 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 6.2 or Section 6.3 requires an action by the board of directors and the charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the board of directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 6.1, 6.2 or 6.3.

Section 6.2.7.   Exceptions .

(a)        Subject to Section 6.2.1(a)(ii), the board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:

(i) the board of directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that no Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of such shares of Capital Stock will violate Section 6.2.1(a)(ii);

(ii) such Person does not and represents that it will not own, actually or Constructively, an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant and the board of directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain this fact (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the board of directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation); and

(iii) 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 Sections 6.2.1 through 6.2.6) will result in such shares of Capital Stock being automatically transferred to a Trust in accordance with Section 6.2.1(b) and Section 6.3.

(b)        Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 6.2.7(a), the board of directors 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 of directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

 

16


(c)        Subject to Section 6.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

(d)        The board of directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (i) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time or (ii) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Common Stock Ownership Limit.

Section 6.2.8.   Increase in Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and Common Stock Ownership Limit .    The board of directors may from time to time increase the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit.

Section 6.2.9.   Legend .    Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock shall bear substantially the following legend:

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s charter: (a) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or number of shares) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder shall be applicable); (b) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of 9.8% of the value of the total outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder shall be applicable); (c) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (d) other than as provided in the Corporation’s charter, no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of

 

17


Capital Stock that causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice and 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 status as a REIT. If any of the restrictions on Transfer or ownership are violated, the shares of Capital Stock represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries or, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio .

Until the Common Stock is Listed, to purchase Common Stock, the purchaser must represent to the Corporation: (i) that such purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, fiduciary account or grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) has a minimum annual gross income of $70,000 and a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $70,000; (ii) that such purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, fiduciary account or grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) has a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $250,000; and/ or (iii) that the purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, fiduciary account or grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) meets the more stringent suitability standards of such person’s jurisdiction as set forth in any then effective registration statement of the Corporation as such registration statement has been amended or supplemented as of the date of such purchase. Until the Common Stock is Listed, unless a stockholder is transferring all of his shares of Common Stock, each issuance or transfer of shares of Common Stock for value shall comply with the requirements regarding minimum initial and subsequent cash investment amounts set forth in any then effective registration statement of the Corporation as such registration statement has been amended or supplemented as of the date of such issuance or transfer for value or any higher or lower applicable state requirements with respect to minimum initial and subsequent cash investment amounts in effect as of the date of the issuance or transfer.

All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time

 

18


to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on Transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge.

Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge. Such statement shall also be sent on request and without charge to stockholders who are issued shares without a certificate.

Section 6.3.   Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust .

Section 6.3.1.   Ownership in Trust .    Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 6.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 6.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 6.3.6.

Section 6.3.2.   Status of Shares Held by the Trustee .    Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee and shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions attributable to the shares held in the Trust.

Section 6.3.3.   Distributions and Voting Rights .    The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such distribution to the Trustee upon demand, and any distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Trust, and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority with respect to the shares held in the Trust (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (a) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (b) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred

 

19


into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

Section 6.3.4.   Sale of Shares by Trustee .    Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a Person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 6.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 6.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (a) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the 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 Trust or (b) the price per share received by the Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 6.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

Section 6.3.5.   Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee .    Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the 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 (a) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) or (b) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 6.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

Section 6.3.6.   Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries .     By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that (a) the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 6.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (b) 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.

Section 6.4.   Settlement .     Nothing in this Article VI shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange

 

20


or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction is so permitted shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VI and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VI.

Section 6.5.   Enforcement .     The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VI.

Section 6.6.   Non-Waiver .    No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the board of directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the board of directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

ARTICLE VII

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 7.1.   Number of Directors .     The number of directors of the Corporation shall be five, which number may be increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to the bylaws but shall never be less than three. A majority of the seats on the board of directors will be for Independent Directors. The Conflicts Committee shall nominate all individuals for the Independent Director positions. No reduction in the number of directors shall cause the removal of any director from office prior to the expiration of his term, except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of any Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation. The names of the directors who shall serve on the board until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified are:

                                                             Peter McMillan III

                                                             Keith D. Hall

                                                             [__]

                                                             [__]

                                                             [__]

Section 7.2.   Term of Directors .    Each director shall hold office for one year, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Directors may be elected to an unlimited number of successive terms.

Section 7.3.   Experience .    Each director who is not an Independent Director shall have at least three years of relevant experience demonstrating the knowledge and experience required to successfully acquire and manage the type of assets being acquired by the Corporation. At least one of the Independent Directors shall have three years of relevant real estate experience.

 

21


Section 7.4.   Committees .     The board may establish such committees as it deems appropriate, provided that the majority of the members of each committee are Independent Directors.

Section 7.5.   Fiduciary Obligations .     The directors are fiduciaries of the Corporation and its stockholders. The directors have a fiduciary duty to the stockholders to supervise the relationship between the Corporation and the Advisor.

Section 7.6.   Ratification of Charter .     At or before the first meeting of the board of directors following the date of this amendment and restatement of the charter, the board of directors and the Conflicts Committee shall each review and ratify the charter by majority vote.

Section 7.7.   REIT Qualification .     If the Corporation elects to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the board of directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the board of directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The board of directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on ownership and transfers of Capital Stock set forth in Article VI is no longer required for REIT qualification.

Section 7.8.   Determinations by the Board .    The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the board of directors or the Conflicts Committee consistent with the charter and in the absence of actual receipt of an improper benefit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a court, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its Capital Stock: (a) the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its Capital Stock or the payment of other distributions on its Capital Stock; (b) the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; (c) the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); (d) the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation; (e) the application of any provision of this charter in the case of any ambiguity, including, without limitation: (i) any provision of the definitions of any of the following: Affiliate, Independent Director and Sponsor, (ii) which amounts paid to the Advisor or its Affiliates are property-level expenses connected with the ownership of real estate interests, loans or other property, which expenses are excluded from the definition of Total Operating Expenses, and (iii) whether expenses qualify as Organization and Offering Expenses; (f) whether substantial justification exists to invest in or make a mortgage loan contemplated by Section 9.11(b) because of the

 

22


presence of other underwriting criteria; and (g) any matters relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation.

Section 7.9.   Compensation of Directors .    The Conflicts Committee shall determine the compensation of the Independent Directors.

ARTICLE VIII

ADVISOR

Section 8.1.   Appointment and Initial Investment of Advisor .    The board of directors may appoint an Advisor to direct and/or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation. The board of directors may exercise broad discretion in allowing the Advisor to administer and regulate the operations of the Corporation, to act as agent for the Corporation, to execute documents on behalf of the Corporation and to make executive decisions that conform to general policies and principles established by the board of directors. The term of retention of any Advisor shall not exceed one year, although there is no limit to the number of times that a particular Advisor may be retained. Before the Initial Public Offering of the Corporation, the Advisor shall have made the Initial Investment. The Advisor or any such Affiliate may not sell the equity interest acquired with its Initial Investment while the Advisor remains an Advisor but may transfer the interest in the Corporation acquired with its Initial Investment to its Affiliates.

Section 8.2.   Supervision of Advisor .    The board of directors shall evaluate the performance of the Advisor before entering into or renewing an Advisory Agreement, and the criteria used in such evaluation shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors. The Conflicts Committee shall determine at least annually whether the expenses incurred by the Corporation are reasonable in light of the investment performance of the Corporation, its Net Assets, its Net Income and the fees and expenses of other comparable unaffiliated REITs. The Conflicts Committee shall determine from time to time and at least annually that the compensation to be paid to the Advisor and its Affiliates is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and that such compensation is within the limits prescribed by the charter. Each such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the board. The Conflicts Committee shall also supervise the performance of the Advisor and its Affiliates and the compensation paid to them by the Corporation to determine that the provisions of the Advisory Agreement are being met. Each such determination shall be based on factors such as (a) the amount of the fees and any other compensation, including stock-based compensation, paid to the Advisor and its Affiliates in relation to the size, composition and performance of the Corporation’s portfolio; (b) the success of the Advisor in generating opportunities that meet the investment objectives of the Corporation; (c) rates charged to other REITs and to investors other than REITs by advisors performing the same or similar services; (d) additional revenues realized by the Advisor and its Affiliates through their relationship with the Corporation, including loan

 

23


administration, underwriting or broker commissions, servicing, engineering, inspection and other fees, whether paid by the Corporation or by others with whom the Corporation does business; (e) the quality and extent of service and advice furnished by the Advisor and its Affiliates; (f) the performance of the Corporation’s portfolio, including income, conservation or appreciation of capital, frequency of problem investments and competence in dealing with distress situations; and (g) the quality of the Corporation’s portfolio relative to the investments generated by the Advisor and its Affiliates for their own account. The Conflicts Committee may also consider all other factors that it deems relevant, and its findings on each of the factors considered shall be recorded in the minutes of the board of directors. The Corporation may not enter into, renew or amend the Advisory Agreement without the approval (by majority vote) of the Conflicts Committee. The board shall determine whether any successor Advisor possesses sufficient qualifications to perform the advisory function for the Corporation and whether the compensation provided for in its contract with the Corporation is justified.

Section 8.3.   Fiduciary Obligations .    The Advisor is a fiduciary of the Corporation and its stockholders.

Section 8.4.   Termination .    Either the Conflicts Committee (by majority vote) or the Advisor may terminate the Advisory Agreement on 60 days written notice without cause or penalty, and, in such event, the Advisor will cooperate with the Corporation and the board of directors in making an orderly transition of the advisory function.

Section 8.5.   Disposition Fee on Sale of Property .    If the Advisor or a director or Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof provides a substantial amount of the services in the effort to sell the property of the Corporation, that Person may receive an amount up to 3% of the sales price of such property or properties; provided, however, that the amount paid when added to all other commissions paid to unaffiliated parties in connection with such sale shall not exceed the lesser of the Competitive Real Estate Commission or an amount equal to 6% of the sales price of such property or properties.

Section 8.6.   Incentive Fees .    An interest in the gain from the sale of assets of the Corporation (as opposed to disposition fees, which are the subject of Section 8.5) may be paid to the Advisor or an entity affiliated with the Advisor provided that (a) the interest in the gain must be reasonable, and (b) if multiple Advisors are involved, incentive fees must be distributed by a proportional method reasonably designed to reflect the value added to the Corporation’s assets by each respective Advisor and its Affiliates. Such an interest in gain from the sale of assets of the Corporation shall be considered presumptively reasonable if it does not exceed 15% of the balance of such net proceeds remaining after payment to Common Stockholders, in the aggregate, of an amount equal to 100% of the original issue price of the Common Stock, plus an amount equal to 6% of the original issue price of the Common Stock per annum cumulative. Distribution of incentive fees to the Advisor or an entity affiliated with the Advisor in proportion to the length of time served as Advisor while such property was held by the Corporation or in proportion to the fair market value of the asset at the time of the Advisor’s termination and the fair market value of the asset upon its disposition by the Corporation shall be considered reasonable methods by which to apportion incentive fees. For purposes of

 

24


this Section, the original issue price of the Common Stock shall be reduced by prior cash distributions to Common Stockholders of net proceeds from the sale of assets of the Corporation.

Section 8.7.   Acquisition Fees .    The Corporation shall not purchase a property or invest in or make a mortgage loan if the combined Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses incurred in connection therewith are not reasonable or exceed 6% of the Contract Purchase Price or, in the case of a mortgage loan, 6% of the funds advanced unless the Conflicts Committee approves (by majority vote) the Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses and determines the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to the Corporation.

Section 8.8.   Reimbursement for Total Operating Expenses .    Commencing upon the earlier to occur of four fiscal quarters after (i) the Corporation’s acquisition of its first asset or (ii) [__] (which is six months after commencement of the Initial Public Offering), the Conflicts Committee shall have the responsibility of limiting Total Operating Expenses to amounts that do not exceed the greater of 2% of Average Invested Assets or 25% of Net Income (the “2%/25% Guidelines”) for the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended unless it has made a finding that, based on unusual and non-recurring factors that it deems sufficient, a higher level of expenses (an “Excess Amount”) is justified. Any such finding and the reasons in support thereof shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings. After the end of any fiscal quarter of the Corporation for which there is an Excess Amount for the 12 months then ended, such fact shall be disclosed in writing and sent to the Common Stockholders within 60 days of such quarter-end (or shall be disclosed to the Common Stockholders in the next quarterly report of the Corporation or by filing a Current Report on Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 60 days of such quarter end), together with an explanation of the factors the Conflicts Committee considered in determining that such Excess Amount was justified. In the event that the Conflicts Committee does not determine that excess expenses are justified, the Advisor shall reimburse the Corporation at the end of the 12-month period the amount by which the aggregate annual expenses paid or incurred by the Corporation exceeded the 2%/25% Guidelines.

ARTICLE IX

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND LIMITATIONS

Section 9.1.   Investment Objectives .    The board of directors shall establish written policies on investments and borrowing and shall monitor the administrative procedures, investment operations and performance of the Corporation and the Advisor to assure that such policies are carried out. The Conflicts Committee shall review the investment policies of the Corporation with sufficient frequency (not less often than annually) to determine that the policies being followed by the Corporation are in the best interests of the Common Stockholders. Each such determination and the basis therefore shall be set forth in the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors.

 

25


Section 9.2.   Limitations on Acquisitions .    The consideration paid for any real property acquired by the Corporation will ordinarily be based on the fair market value of such property as determined by a majority of the members of the board of directors, or the approval of a majority of a committee of the board, provided that the members of the committee approving the transaction would also constitute a majority of the board. In all cases in which a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee (by majority vote) so determine, and in all cases in which real property is acquired from the Advisor, a Sponsor, a director or an Affiliate thereof, such fair market value shall be as determined by an Independent Expert.

The Corporation may not purchase or lease properties in which the Advisor, a Sponsor, a director or an Affiliate thereof has an interest without a determination by the Conflicts Committee (by majority vote) that such transaction is fair and reasonable to the Corporation and at a price to the Corporation no greater than the cost of the property to the Affiliated seller or lessor unless there is substantial justification for the excess amount. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in no event may the Corporation acquire any such property at an amount in excess of its current appraised value.

Section 9.3.   Limitations on Sales to Affiliates .    The Corporation shall not transfer or lease assets to a Sponsor, the Advisor, a director or an Affiliate thereof unless approved by the Conflicts Committee (by majority vote) as being fair and reasonable to the Corporation.

Section 9.4.   Limitations on Other Transactions Involving Affiliates .    The Conflicts Committee (by majority vote) must conclude that all other transactions, including joint ventures, between the Corporation and a Sponsor, the Advisor, a director or an Affiliate thereof are fair and reasonable to the Corporation and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Corporation than those available from unaffiliated third parties.

Section 9.5.   Limitations on the Issuance of Options and Warrants .    Until the Common Stock of the Corporation is Listed, the Corporation shall not issue options or warrants to purchase Common Stock to the Advisor, a director, the Sponsors or any Affiliate thereof, except on the same terms as such options or warrants are sold to the general public. The Corporation may issue options or warrants to persons other than the Advisor, a director, the Sponsors or any Affiliate thereof prior to Listing the Common Stock, but not at exercise prices less than the fair market value of the underlying securities on the date of grant and not for consideration (which may include services) that in the judgment of the Conflicts Committee has a market value less than the value of such option or warrant on the date of grant. Options or warrants issuable to the Advisor, a director, the Sponsors or any Affiliate thereof shall not exceed an amount equal to 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on the date of grant. The foregoing restriction shall not apply with respect to equity awards issued to Independent Directors at any time after the Corporation has been advised that the NASAA Direct Participation Program Policy Group has determined that such awards are permitted under the NASAA REIT Guidelines including as they may be revised and adopted in the future.

 

26


Section 9.6.   Limitations on the Repurchase of Common Stock .    The Corporation may not pay a fee to the Advisor, a Sponsor, a director or an Affiliate thereof in connection with the Corporation’s repurchase of shares of Common Stock.

Section 9.7.   Limitations on Loans .      The Corporation will not make any loans to a Sponsor, the Advisor, a director or an Affiliate thereof except as provided in Section 9.11 or to wholly owned subsidiaries (directly or indirectly) of the Corporation. The Corporation will not borrow from such parties unless the Conflicts Committee (by majority vote) approves the transaction as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable and no less favorable to the Corporation than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties. These restrictions on loans apply to advances of cash that are commonly viewed as loans, as determined by the board of directors. By way of example only, the prohibition on loans would not restrict advances of cash for legal expenses or other costs incurred as a result of any legal action for which indemnification is being sought nor would the prohibition limit the Corporation’s ability to advance reimbursable expenses incurred by directors or officers or the Advisor or its Affiliates.

Section 9.8.   Limitations on Leverage .    The aggregate borrowings of the Corporation, secured and unsecured, shall be reviewed by the board of directors at least quarterly. The maximum amount of such borrowings in relation to the Net Assets shall not exceed 300% in the absence of a satisfactory showing that a higher level of borrowings is appropriate. Any excess in borrowings over such 300% level shall be approved by the Conflicts Committee (by majority vote) and disclosed to the Common Stockholders in the next quarterly report of the Corporation, along with justification for such excess.

Section 9.9.   Limitations on Investments in Equity Securities .    The Corporation may not invest in equity securities unless the Conflicts Committee (by majority vote) approves such investment as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable; provided, that an investment in equity securities of a “publicly traded entity” that is otherwise approved by the Conflicts Committee shall be deemed fair, competitive and commercially reasonable if such investment is made through a trade effected on a recognized securities market. This provision is not intended to limit (i) acquisitions effected through the purchase of all of the equity securities of an existing entity, (ii) the investment in wholly owned subsidiaries of the Corporation or (iii) investments in asset-backed securities. For the purpose of this section, a “publicly traded entity” shall mean any entity having securities listed on a national securities exchange or included for quotation on an inter-dealer quotation system.

Section 9.10.   Limitations on Investments in Commodities Contracts .    The Corporation may not invest in commodities or commodity futures contracts, except for futures contracts used solely for the purpose of hedging in connection with the ordinary business of investing in real estate assets and mortgages.

Section 9.11.   Limitations Regarding Mortgage Loans .    The Corporation may not make or invest in mortgage loans unless an appraisal is obtained concerning the underlying property, except for those mortgage loans insured or guaranteed by a government or government agency. In cases in which the Conflicts Committee (by

 

27


majority vote) so determines, and in all cases in which the transaction is with the Advisor, a director, a Sponsor or an Affiliate thereof, such an appraisal must be obtained from an Independent Expert concerning the underlying property. The Corporation shall keep the appraisal for at least five years and make it available for inspection and duplication by any Common Stockholder. In addition, a mortgagee’s or owner’s title insurance policy or commitment as to the priority of the mortgage or the condition of the title must be obtained. Further, the Advisor and the board of directors shall observe the following policies in connection with investing in or making mortgage loans:

 

 

(a)

The Corporation shall not invest in real estate contracts of sale, otherwise known as land sale contracts, unless such contracts of sale are in recordable form and appropriately recorded in the chain of title.

 

 

(b)

The Corporation shall not make or invest in mortgage loans, including construction loans, on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Corporation, would exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of the property as determined by appraisal unless the board determines that a substantial justification exists because of the presence of other underwriting criteria. For purposes of this subsection, the “aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Corporation,” shall include all interest (excluding contingent participation in income and/or appreciation in value of the mortgaged property), the current payment of which may be deferred pursuant to the terms of such loans, to the extent that deferred interest on each loan exceeds 5% per annum of the principal balance of the loan.

 

 

(c)

The Corporation may not make or invest in any mortgage loans that are subordinate to any mortgage or equity interest of the Advisor, a Sponsor, a director or an Affiliate of the Corporation.

Section 9.12.   Limitations on Investments in Unimproved Real Property .    The Corporation may not make investments in Unimproved Real Property or mortgage loans on Unimproved Real Property in excess of 10% of the Corporation’s total assets.

Section 9.13.   Limitations on Issuances of Securities .    The Corporation may not (a) issue equity securities on a deferred payment basis or other similar arrangement; (b) issue debt securities in the absence of adequate cash flow to cover debt service unless the historical debt service coverage (in the most recently completed fiscal year) as adjusted for known changes is sufficient to service that higher level of debt as determined by the board of directors or a duly authorized executive officer of the Corporation; (c) issue equity securities that are assessable after receipt by the Corporation of the consideration for which the board of directors authorized their issuance; or (d) issue equity securities redeemable solely at the option of the holder, which restriction has no affect on the Corporation’s ability to implement a share repurchase program. The Corporation may issue shares of Preferred Stock with voting rights; provided that, when a privately issued share of Preferred Stock is entitled to vote on a matter with the holders of shares of

 

28


Common Stock, the relationship between the number of votes per such share of Preferred Stock and the consideration paid to the Corporation for such share shall not exceed the relationship between the number of votes per any publicly offered share of Common Stock and the book value per outstanding share of Common Stock. Nothing in this Section 9.13 is intended to prevent the Corporation from issuing equity securities pursuant to a plan whereby the commissions on the sales of such securities are in whole or in part deferred and paid by the purchaser thereof out of future distributions on such securities or otherwise.

Section 9.14.   Limitations on Roll-Up Transactions .    In connection with any proposed Roll-Up Transaction, an appraisal of all of the Corporation’s assets shall be obtained from a competent Independent Expert. If the appraisal will be included in a Prospectus used to offer the securities of a Roll-Up Entity, the appraisal shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and, if applicable, the states in which registration of such securities is sought, as an exhibit to the registration statement for the offering. The Corporation’s assets shall be appraised on a consistent basis. The appraisal shall be based on the evaluation of all relevant information and shall indicate the value of the assets as of a date immediately prior to the announcement of the proposed Roll-Up Transaction. The appraisal shall assume an orderly liquidation of the assets over a 12-month period. The terms of the engagement of the Independent Expert shall clearly state that the engagement is for the benefit of the Corporation and its stockholders. A summary of the appraisal, indicating all material assumptions underlying the appraisal, shall be included in a report to stockholders in connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction. In connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction, the Person sponsoring the Roll-Up Transaction shall offer to each Common Stockholder who votes against the proposed Roll-Up Transaction the choice of:

(a)     accepting the securities of the Roll-Up Entity offered in the proposed Roll-Up Transaction; or

(b)     one of the following:

(i)     remaining as a Common Stockholder of the Corporation and preserving its interests therein on the same terms and conditions as existed previously; or

(ii)    receiving cash in an amount equal to the stockholder’s pro rata share of the appraised value of the Net Assets of the Corporation.

The Corporation is prohibited from participating in any proposed Roll-Up Transaction:

(a)    that would result in the Common Stockholders having democracy rights in a Roll-Up Entity that are less than the rights set forth in Sections 11.1, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6 and 11.7 hereof;

(b)     that includes provisions that would operate as a material impediment to, or frustration of, the accumulation of shares by any purchaser of the

 

29


securities of the Roll-Up Entity (except to the minimum extent necessary to preserve the tax status of the Roll-Up Entity), or that would limit the ability of an investor to exercise the voting rights of its securities of the Roll-Up Entity on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock held by that investor;

(c)         in which investors’ rights of access to the records of the Roll-Up Entity will be less than those described in Section 11.7 hereof; or

(d)         in which any of the costs of the Roll-Up Transaction would be borne by the Corporation if the Roll-Up Transaction is not approved by the Common Stockholders.

Section 9.15.   Limitations on Underwriting .    The Corporation may not engage in underwriting or the agency distribution of securities issued by others.

ARTICLE X

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Section 10.1.   Conflicts Committee .

(a) During any time that the Corporation is advised by the Advisor, there shall be a committee (the “Conflicts Committee”) of the board of directors composed of all of the Independent Directors. The Conflicts Committee is authorized to select and retain its own legal and financial advisors. In addition to those other powers delegated to the Conflicts Committee by this charter or by the board of directors, the Conflicts Committee may act on any matter that may be delegated to a committee under the MGCL. If a matter cannot be delegated to a committee under the MGCL but the Conflicts Committee has determined that the matter at issue is such that the exercise of independent judgment by the directors who are not Independent Directors could reasonably be compromised, both the board of directors and the Conflicts Committee must approve the matter. Any board action regarding Organization and Offering Expenses or the selection of an Independent Expert or the matters covered in any of Sections 5.9, 7.6, 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 9.1, 9.8, 10.1, 11.1, 12.2 or 12.3 shall require the approval of a majority of the Conflicts Committee.

(b) The Conflicts Committee may create a subcommittee of the Conflicts Committee and delegate to the subcommittee any of the powers of the Conflicts Committee. The members of any such subcommittee shall serve at the pleasure of the Conflicts Committee.

Section 10.2.   Voting by Conflicts Committee .    For an action to be taken by the Conflicts Committee or a subcommittee thereof, the matter must be approved by a majority of the Independent Directors present for the purposes of determining a quorum at a meeting at which a quorum is present or such higher threshold as required by the charter. If any such Independent Director has an interest in the matter at issue other than

 

30


in his or her role as a director, the matter must also be approved by a majority of those Independent Directors present at the meeting who have no other interest in the matter.

ARTICLE XI

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 11.1.   Meetings of Stockholders .    There shall be an annual meeting of the stockholders, to be held at such time and place as shall be determined by or in the manner prescribed in the bylaws, at which the directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be conducted. The annual meeting will be held on a date that is a reasonable period of time following the distribution of the Corporation’s annual report to Common Stockholders but not less than 30 days after delivery of such report; the board of directors and the Conflicts Committee shall take reasonable efforts to ensure that this requirement is met. A majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy at an annual meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present may, without the necessity for concurrence by the board, vote to elect the directors. The presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting constitutes a quorum. Special meetings of stockholders may be called in the manner provided in the bylaws, including by the president or by a majority of the directors or a majority of the Independent Directors, and shall be called by an officer of the Corporation upon written request of Common Stockholders holding in the aggregate not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at any such special meeting. Upon receipt of a written request stating the purpose of such special meeting, the Advisor shall provide all stockholders within 10 days of receipt of said request notice, whether in person or by mail, of a special meeting and the purpose of such special meeting to be held on a date not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days after the delivery of such notice. If the meeting is called by written request of stockholders as described in this Section 11.1, the special meeting shall be held at the time and place specified in the stockholder request; provided, however, that if none is so specified, at such time and place convenient to the stockholders.

Section 11.2.   Extraordinary Actions .    Notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Section 11.3.   Unsolicited Takeover Statute .     Until the Common Stock of the Corporation is Listed, the Corporation may not take advantage of any of the permissive provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL, as amended from time to time or any successor statute thereto.

 

31


Section 11.4.   Voting Rights of Stockholders .    The concurrence of the board shall not be required in order for the Common Stockholders to remove directors or to amend the charter or dissolve the corporation. Without the approval of a majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote on the matter, the board of directors may not (a) amend the charter to adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Common Stockholders; (b) amend charter provisions relating to director qualifications, fiduciary duties, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions; (c) liquidate or dissolve the Corporation other than before the initial investment in property; (d) sell all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets other than in the ordinary course of the Corporation’s business; or (e) cause the merger or other reorganization of the Corporation.

Section 11.5.   Voting Limitations on Shares Held by the Advisor, Directors and Affiliates .    No shares of Common Stock may be transferred or issued to the Advisor, a director, or any Affiliate thereof unless such prospective stockholder agrees that it will not vote or consent on matters submitted to the Common Stockholders regarding (a) the removal of such Advisor, director or any of its Affiliates or (b) any transaction between the Corporation and any such Advisor, director or any of its Affiliates. To the extent permitted by the MGCL, in determining the requisite percentage in interest of shares of Common Stock necessary to approve a matter on which the Advisor, a director and any of their Affiliates may not vote or consent, any shares owned by any of them shall not be included.

Section 11.6.   Right of Inspection .    Any Common Stockholder and any designated representative thereof shall be permitted access to the records of the Corporation to which it is entitled under applicable law at all reasonable times and may inspect and copy any such records for a reasonable charge. Inspection of the Corporation’s books and records by the office or agency administering the securities laws of a jurisdiction shall be permitted upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours.

Section 11.7.   Access to Stockholder List .    An alphabetical list of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Common Stockholders of the Corporation, along with the number of shares of Common Stock held by each of them (the “Stockholder List”), shall be maintained as part of the books and records of the Corporation and shall be available for inspection by any Common Stockholder or the stockholder’s designated agent at the home office of the Corporation in accordance upon the request of the Common Stockholder. The Stockholder List shall be updated at least quarterly to reflect changes in the information contained therein. A copy of such list shall be mailed to any Common Stockholder so requesting within 10 days of receipt by the Corporation of the request. The copy of the Stockholder List shall be printed in alphabetical order, on white paper and in a readily readable type size (in no event smaller than 10-point type). The Corporation may impose a reasonable charge for expenses incurred in reproduction pursuant to the stockholder request. A Common Stockholder may request a copy of the Stockholder List in connection with matters relating to stockholders’ voting rights, the exercise of stockholder rights under federal proxy laws or for any other proper purpose. Each Common Stockholder who receives a copy of the Stockholder List shall keep such list confidential and shall sign a confidentiality agreement to the effect that such

 

32


Common Stockholder will keep the Stockholder List confidential and share such list only with its employees, representatives or agents who agree in writing to maintain the confidentiality of the Stockholder List.

If the Advisor or the board neglects or refuses to exhibit, produce or mail a copy of the Stockholder List as requested, the Advisor and/ or the board, as the case may be, shall be liable to any Common Stockholder requesting the list for the costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by that stockholder for compelling the production of the Stockholder List and for actual damages suffered by any Common Stockholder by reason of such refusal or neglect. It shall be a defense that the actual purpose and reason for the requests for inspection or for a copy of the Stockholder List is not for a proper purpose but is instead for the purpose of securing such list of stockholders or other information for the purpose of selling such list or copies thereof, or using the same to solicit the acquisition of shares of the Corporation or for another commercial purpose other than in the interest of the applicant as a stockholder relative to the affairs of the Corporation. The Corporation may require the stockholder requesting the Stockholder List to represent that the list is not requested for a commercial purpose unrelated to the stockholder’s interest in the Corporation. The remedies provided hereunder to stockholders requesting copies of the Stockholder List are in addition to, and shall not in any way limit, other remedies available to stockholders under federal law or the laws of any state.

Section 11.8.   Reports .    The Corporation shall cause to be prepared and mailed or delivered to each Common Stockholder as of a record date after the end of the fiscal year and each holder of other publicly held securities of the Corporation within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which it relates an annual report for each fiscal year ending after the Initial Public Offering of its securities that shall include: (a) financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that are audited and reported on by independent certified public accountants; (b) the ratio of the costs of raising capital during the period to the capital raised; (c) the aggregate amount of advisory fees and the aggregate amount of other fees paid to the Advisor and any Affiliate of the Advisor by the Corporation, including fees or charges paid to the Advisor and any Affiliate of the Advisor by third parties doing business with the Corporation; (d) the Total Operating Expenses of the Corporation, stated as a percentage of Average Invested Assets and as a percentage of its Net Income; (e) a report from the Conflicts Committee that the policies being followed by the Corporation are in the best interests of its Common Stockholders and the basis for such determination; and (f) separately stated, full disclosure of all material terms, factors and circumstances surrounding any and all transactions involving the Corporation and the Advisor, Sponsor, a director or any Affiliate thereof occurring in the year for which the annual report is made, and the Conflicts Committee shall be specifically charged with a duty to examine and comment in the report on the fairness of such transactions. Alternatively, such information may be provided in a proxy statement delivered with the annual report. The board of directors, including the Independent Directors, shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the requirements of this Section 11.8 are met. The annual report may be delivered by any reasonable means, including through an electronic medium. Electronic delivery of the

 

33


annual report or proxy statement shall comply with any then-applicable rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Section 11.9.   Rights of Objecting Stockholders .    Holders of shares of Capital Stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL unless the board, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board, shall determine that such rights shall apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of Capital Stock, to a particular transaction or all transactions occurring after the date of such approval in connection with which holders of such shares of Capital Stock would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

Section 11.10.   Liability of Stockholders .    The shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be non-assessable by the Corporation upon receipt by the Corporation of the consideration for which the board of directors authorized their issuance.

Section 11.11.   Tender Offers .    If any stockholder of the Corporation makes a tender offer, including, without limitation, a “mini-tender” offer, such stockholder must comply with all of the provisions set forth in Regulation 14D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, disclosure and notice requirements, which would be applicable if the tender offer was for more than 5% of the outstanding securities of the Corporation, provided, however, that such documents are not required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any such stockholder must provide notice to the Corporation at least 10 Business Days prior to initiating any such tender offer. If any stockholder initiates a tender offer without complying with the provisions set forth above (a “Non-Compliant Tender Offer”), the Corporation, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to redeem such non-compliant stockholder’s shares of Capital Stock and any shares of Capital Stock acquired in such tender offer (collectively, the “Tendered Shares”) at the lesser of (i) with respect to Common Stock, the price then being paid per share of Common Stock purchased in the Corporation’s latest offering of Common Stock at full purchase price (not discounted for commission reductions nor for reductions in sale price permitted pursuant to the distribution reinvestment plan), (ii) the fair market value of the shares as determined by an independent valuation obtained by the Corporation or (iii) the lowest tender offer price offered in such Non-Compliant Tender Offer. The Corporation may purchase such Tendered Shares upon delivery of the purchase price to the stockholder initiating such Non-Compliant Tender Offer, and, upon such delivery, the Corporation may instruct any transfer agent to transfer such purchased shares to the Corporation. In addition, any stockholder who makes a Non-Compliant Tender Offer shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by the Corporation in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this Section 11.11, including, without limitation, expenses incurred in connection with the review of all documents related to such tender offer and expenses incurred in connection with any purchase of Tendered Shares by the Corporation. The Corporation maintains the right to offset any such expenses against the dollar amount to be paid by the Corporation for the purchase of Tendered Shares pursuant to this Section 11.11. In addition to the remedies provided herein, the Corporation may seek injunctive relief, including, without limitation, a temporary or permanent restraining order, in connection with any Non-Compliant Tender Offer.

 

34


ARTICLE XII

LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS,

OFFICERS, ADVISORS AND OTHER AGENTS

Section 12.1.   Limitation of Director and Officer Liability .    Except as prohibited by the restrictions provided in Section 12.3, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 12.1, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the charter or bylaws inconsistent with this Section 12.1, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act that occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

Section 12.2.   Indemnification .

(a)         Except as prohibited by the restrictions provided in Section 12.2(b), Section 12.3 and Section 12.4, the Corporation shall indemnify and pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding to (i) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation; (ii) any individual who, while a director of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his service in such capacity; or (iii) the Advisor or any of its Affiliates acting as an agent of the Corporation. Except as provided in Section 12.2(b), Section 12.3 and Section 12.4, the Corporation shall have the power with the approval of the board of directors to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation or any employee of the Advisor or any of the Advisor’s Affiliates acting as an agent of the Corporation.

(b)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not indemnify the directors or the Advisors or its Affiliates or any Person acting as a broker-dealer for any loss, liability or expense arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged material securities law violations as to the particular indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the particular indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities of the Corporation were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

 

35


(c)              No amendment of the charter or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate the right of indemnification or advancement of expenses provided hereunder with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

Section 12.3.   Limitation on Indemnification .     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not provide for indemnification of the directors or the Advisor or its Affiliates for any liability or loss suffered by any of them, nor shall any of them be held harmless for any loss or liability suffered by the Corporation, unless all of the following conditions are met:

 

 

(1)

The directors or the Advisor or its Affiliates have determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Corporation.

 

 

(2)

The directors or the Advisor or its Affiliates were acting on behalf of or performing services for the Corporation.

 

 

(3)

Such liability or loss was not the result of:

 

 

    

(x) negligence or misconduct by the directors (excluding the Independent Directors) or the Advisor or its Affiliates; or

 

 

    

(y) gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Independent Directors.

 

 

(4)

Such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of the Corporation’s Net Assets and not from its Common Stockholders.

Section 12.4.     Limitation on Payment of Expenses .    The Corporation shall pay or reimburse reasonable legal expenses and other costs incurred by the directors or the Advisors or its Affiliates in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding only if (in addition to the procedures required by the MGCL) all of the following are satisfied: (a) the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Corporation, (b) the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a Common Stockholder or, if by a Common Stockholder acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement and (c) the directors or the Advisor or its Affiliates undertake to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Corporation, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined that the particular indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

 

36


ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT

Subject to Section 11.4, the Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the charter, of any shares of outstanding Capital Stock.

ARTICLE XIV

GOVERNING LAW

The rights of all parties and the validity, construction and effect of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws provisions thereof; provided that the foregoing choice of law shall not restrict the application of any state’s securities laws to the sale of securities to its residents or within such state.

THIRD : The amendment and restatement of the charter of the Corporation as hereinabove set forth has been duly advised by the board of directors and approved by the stockholder of the Corporation as required by law.

FOURTH : The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

FIFTH : The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent are as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SIXTH : The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Section 7.1 of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SEVENTH : The undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters and facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer 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 of perjury.

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

37


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc., has caused the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this __ day of              , 2009.

 

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

 

By:

     

(SEAL)

 

Keith D. Hall

 
 

Chief Executive Officer

 

ATTEST

By:

     
 

David E. Snyder

 
 

Secretary

 

 

38

Exhibit 4.2

STATEMENT REGARDING RESTRICTIONS ON

TRANSFERABILITY OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

(To Appear on Stock Certificate or to Be Sent upon Request

and without Charge to Stockholders Issued Shares without Certificates)

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s charter: (a) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or number of shares) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder shall be applicable); (b) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of 9.8% of the value of the total outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder shall be applicable); (c) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (d) other than as provided in the Corporation’s charter, no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock that causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice and 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 status as a REIT. If any of the restrictions on Transfer or ownership are violated, the shares of Capital Stock represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries or, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio .

Until the Common Stock is Listed, to purchase Common Stock, the purchaser must represent to the Corporation: (i) that such purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, fiduciary account or grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) has a minimum annual gross income of $70,000 and a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $70,000; (ii) that such purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, fiduciary account or grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) has a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $250,000; and/ or (iii) that the purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, fiduciary account or grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) meets the more stringent suitability standards of such person’s jurisdiction as set forth in any then effective registration statement of the Corporation as such registration statement


has been amended or supplemented as of the date of such purchase. Until the Common Stock is Listed, unless a stockholder is transferring all of his shares of Common Stock, each issuance or transfer of shares of Common Stock for value shall comply with the requirements regarding minimum initial and subsequent cash investment amounts set forth in any then effective registration statement of the Corporation as such registration statement has been amended or supplemented as of the date of such issuance or transfer for value or any higher or lower applicable state requirements with respect to minimum initial and subsequent cash investment amounts in effect as of the date of the issuance or transfer.

All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on Transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge.

Note: Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish to a stockholder on request and without charge a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability.

Exhibit 5.1

 

DLA Piper LLP (US)
4141 Parklake Avenue, Suite 300
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612-2350
www.dlapiper.com

T     919.786.2000

F     919.786.2200

 

_______, 2009

Board of Directors

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300

Newport Beach, California 92660

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-11

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We serve as counsel to KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), of the sale and issuance by the Company of up to 280,000,000 shares (the “ Shares ”) of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (“ Common Stock ”), pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”). This opinion is being provided at your request in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement.

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 (collectively, the “ Documents ”):

1.         The Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein in the form in which it was transmitted to the Commission under the Act;

2.         The Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company (the “ Charter ”), certified as of a recent date by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “ SDAT ”);

3.         The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by the Secretary of the Company;

4.         Resolutions (the “ Board Resolutions ”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), relating to the registration, sale and issuance of the Shares, certified as of the date hereof by the Secretary of the Company;

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


             , 2009

Page Two

6.         A certificate executed by David E. Snyder, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company, dated as of the date hereof.

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.

4.         All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification or amendment to the Documents, or waiver of any provision of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

5.         The final versions of all Documents reviewed by us in draft form will conform to such drafts in all respects material to the opinion expressed herein.

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

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

2.         The Shares have been duly authorized and, upon delivery of the Shares in the manner contemplated by the Resolutions, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the substantive 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 the securities (or “blue sky”) laws of the State of Maryland. The opinions expressed herein are subject to the effect of judicial decisions that may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

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 Registration Statement.


             , 2009

Page Three

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein under the heading “Legal Matters.” 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 Act.

Very truly yours,

Exhibit 8.1

 

DLA Piper LLP (US)
203 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1900
Chicago, Illinois 60601-1293
T 312.368.4000
F 312.236.7516
W www.dlapiper.com

             , 2009

Board of Directors

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300

Newport Beach, California 92660

 

  Re: Tax Opinion for REIT Status and Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of the above-referenced Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) relating to the proposed offering of 280,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share. This opinion letter is furnished at the request of the Company so that the Registration Statement may fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(8) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. ss. 229.601(b)(8).

In connection with rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined originals (or copies identified to our satisfaction as true copies of the originals) of the following documents (collectively, the “Reviewed Documents”):

 

  (1) the Registration Statement;

 

  (2) the Company’s amended and restated charter, as filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Amended and Restated Charter”);

 

  (3) the Company’s amended and restated bylaws, as filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”);

 

  (4) the Limited Partnership Agreement of KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership; and

 

  (5) such other documents as may have been presented to us by the Company from time to time.


In addition, we have relied upon the factual representations contained in the Company’s certificate, dated as of the date thereof, executed by a duly appointed officer of the Company, setting forth certain representations relating to the organization and proposed operation of the Company, KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership, and their respective subsidiaries.

For purposes of our opinions, we have not made an independent investigation of the facts set forth in the documents we reviewed. We consequently have assumed that the information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us accurately and completely describes all material facts relevant to our opinions. No facts have come to our attention, however, that would cause us to question the accuracy and completeness of such facts or documents in a material way. Any representation or statement in any document upon which we rely that is made “to the best of our knowledge” or otherwise similarly qualified is assumed to be correct. Any alteration of such facts may adversely affect our opinions.

In our review, we have assumed, with your consent, that all of the representations and statements of a factual nature set forth in the documents we reviewed are true and correct, and all of the obligations imposed by any such documents on the parties thereto have been and will be performed or satisfied in accordance with their terms. We have also, with respect to documents we did not prepare ourselves (or did not supervise the execution of), assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the proper execution of all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity of the originals from which any copies were made.

The opinions set forth in this letter are based on relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Department of the Treasury (“Regulations”) (including proposed and temporary Regulations), and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, the legislative history, and existing administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling, all as of the date hereof.

In rendering these opinions, we have assumed that the transactions contemplated by the Reviewed Documents will be consummated in accordance with the terms and provisions of such documents, and that such documents accurately reflect the material facts of such transactions. In addition, the opinions are based on the assumption that the Company, KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership, and their respective subsidiaries (if any) will each be operated in the manner described in the Amended and Restated Charter, Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Limited Partnership Agreement of KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership, and the other organizational documents of each such entity and their subsidiaries, as the case may be, and all


terms and provisions of such agreements and documents will be complied with by all parties thereto.

It should be noted that statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinions could affect our conclusions. Furthermore, if the facts vary from those relied upon (including any representations, warranties, covenants or assumptions upon which we have relied are inaccurate, incomplete, breached or ineffective), our opinions contained herein could be inapplicable. Moreover, the qualification and taxation of the Company as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code (a “REIT”) depends upon its ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution levels and diversity of share ownership and the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which will not be reviewed by the undersigned. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the operations of the Company for any one taxable year will satisfy such requirements.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that

(i) the Company will be organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code beginning with the Company’s taxable year ending December 31, 2009, and the Company’s current organization and method of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT beginning with the Company’s taxable year ending December 31, 2009, and

(ii) the information contained in the Registration Statement, under the heading “Federal Income Tax Considerations” to the extent that it constitutes matters of federal income tax law or legal conclusions relating thereto, is correct and complete in all material respects.

The foregoing opinions are limited to the matters specifically discussed herein, which are the only matters to which you have requested our opinions. Other than as expressly stated above, we express no opinion on any issue relating to the Company or KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership, or to any investment therein.

For a discussion relating the law to the facts and the legal analysis underlying the opinions set forth in this letter, we incorporate by reference the discussions of federal income tax issues, which we assisted in preparing, in the discussion in the Registration Statement under the heading “Federal Income Tax Considerations”. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the date of this opinion letter, and we are not undertaking to update the opinion letter from time to time. You should be aware that an opinion of counsel represents only counsel’s best legal judgment, and has no binding effect or official status of any kind, and


that no assurance can be given that contrary positions may not be taken by the IRS or that a court considering the issues would not hold otherwise.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) pursuant to Item 601(b)(8) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R ss. 229.601(b)(8), and the reference to DLA Piper LLP (US) contained in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

Very truly yours,

Exhibit 10.1

FORM OF ADVISORY AGREEMENT

between

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

and

KBS CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC

May __, 2009


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS

   1

ARTICLE 2 - APPOINTMENT

   9

ARTICLE 3 - DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR

   9

3.01 Organizational and Offering Services

   9

3.02 Acquisition Services

   9

3.03 Asset Management Services

   10

3.04 Stockholder Services

   13

3.05 Other Services

   13

ARTICLE 4 - AUTHORITY OF ADVISOR

   13

4.01 General

   13

4.02 Powers of the Advisor

   14

4.03 Approval by the Board

   14

4.04 Modification or Revocation of Authority of Advisor

   14

ARTICLE 5 - BANK ACCOUNTS

   14

ARTICLE 6 - RECORDS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   14

ARTICLE 7 - LIMITATION ON ACTIVITIES

   15

ARTICLE 8 - FEES

   15

8.01 Acquisition Fees

   15

8.02 Asset Management Fees

   16

8.03 Disposition Fees

   16

8.04 Subscription Processing Fee

   17

8.05 Subordinated Share of Cash Flows

   17

8.06 Subordinated Incentive Fee

   18

8.07 Changes to Fee Structure

   18

ARTICLE 9 - EXPENSES

   18

9.01 General

   18

9.02 Timing of and Limitations on Reimbursements

   20

ARTICLE 10 – VOTING AGREEMENT

   21

ARTICLE 11 - RELATIONSHIP OF ADVISOR AND COMPANY; OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR

   21

11.01 Relationship

   21

11.02 Time Commitment

   22

11.03 Investment Opportunities and Allocation

   22

ARTICLE 12 - THE KBS NAME

   22

ARTICLE 13 - TERM AND TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT

   23

13.01 Term

   23

13.02 Termination by Either Party

   23

13.03 Payments on Termination and Survival of Certain Rights and Obligations

   23

ARTICLE 14 - ASSIGNMENT

   24

ARTICLE 15 - INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

   24

15.01 Indemnification

   24

 

i


15.02 Limitation on Indemnification

   24

15.03 Limitation on Payment of Expenses

   25

ARTICLE 16 - MISCELLANEOUS

   25

16.01 Notices

   25

16.02 Modification

   26

16.03 Severability

   26

16.04 Construction

   26

16.05 Entire Agreement

   26

16.06 Waiver

   26

16.07 Gender

   26

16.08 Titles Not to Affect Interpretation

   26

16.09 Counterparts

   26

 

ii


ADVISORY AGREEMENT

This Advisory Agreement, dated as of May __, 2009 (the “Agreement”), is between KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and KBS Capital Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Advisor”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company desires to avail itself of the knowledge, experience, sources of information, advice, assistance and certain facilities available to the Advisor and to have the Advisor undertake the duties and responsibilities hereinafter set forth, on behalf of, and subject to the supervision of, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), all as provided herein; and

WHEREAS, the Advisor is willing to undertake to render such services, subject to the supervision of the Board, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

The following defined terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified below:

“Acquisition Expenses” means any and all expenses, excluding the fee payable to the Advisor pursuant to Section 8.01, incurred by the Company, the Advisor or any Affiliate of either in connection with the selection, acquisition or development of any property, loan or other potential investment, whether or not acquired or originated, as applicable, including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses, travel and communications expenses, costs of appraisals, nonrefundable option payments on properties or other investments not acquired, accounting fees and expenses, title insurance premiums.

“Acquisition Fees” means the fee payable to the Advisor pursuant to Section 8.01 plus all other fees and commissions, excluding Acquisition Expenses, paid by any Person to any Person in connection with making or investing in any Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment or the purchase, development or construction of any Property by the Company. Included in the computation of such fees or commissions shall be any real estate commission, selection fee, Development Fee, Construction Fee, nonrecurring management fee, loan fees or points or any fee of a similar nature, however designated. Excluded shall be Development Fees and Construction Fees paid to Persons not

 

1


Affiliated with the Advisor in connection with the actual development and construction of a Property.

“Advisor” means (i) KBS Capital Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or (ii) any successor advisor to the Company.

“Affiliate or Affiliated” An Affiliate of another Person includes any of the following: (i) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such other Person; (ii) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling, or holding with the power to vote 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person; (iii) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee, or general partner; (iv) any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or held, with power to vote, by such other Person; and (v) any executive officer, director, trustee, or general partner of such other Person. An entity shall not be deemed to control or be under common control with an Advisor-sponsored program unless (i) the entity owns 10% or more of the voting equity interests of such program or (ii) a majority of the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such program is composed of Affiliates of the entity.

“Appraised Value” means the value according to an appraisal made by an Independent Appraiser.

“Asset Management Fee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.02.

“Average Invested Assets” means, for a specified period, the average of the aggregate book value of the assets of the Company invested, directly or indirectly, in Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments secured by real estate before reserves for depreciation or bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period.

“Board” means the board of directors of the Company, as of any particular time.

“Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time.

“Cash from Financings” means the net cash proceeds realized by the Company from the financing of Properties, Loans or other Permitted Investments or from the refinancing of any Company indebtedness (after deduction of all expenses incurred in connection therewith).

“Cash from Sales and Settlements” means the net cash proceeds realized by the Company (i) from the sale, exchange or other disposition of any of its assets or any portion thereof after deduction of all expenses incurred in connection therewith and (ii) from the prepayment, maturity, workout or other settlement of any Loan or Permitted Investment or portion thereof after deduction of all expenses incurred in connection therewith. In the case of a transaction described in clause (i) (C) of the definition of “Sale” and (i)(B) of the definition of “Settlement,” Cash from Sales and Settlements means the proceeds of any such transaction actually distributed to the Company from the

 

2


Joint Venture or partnership. Cash from Sales and Settlements shall not include Cash from Financings.

“Cash from Sales, Settlements and Financings” means the total sum of Cash from Sales and Settlements and Cash from Financings.

“Charter” means the articles of incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto. Reference to any provision of the Code shall mean such provision as in effect from time to time, as the same may be amended, and any successor provision thereto, as interpreted by any applicable regulations as in effect from time to time.

“Company” means KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland.

“Competitive Real Estate Commission” means a real estate or brokerage commission for the purchase or sale of property that is reasonable, customary, and competitive in light of the size, type, and location of the property.

“Conflicts Committee” shall have the meaning set forth in the Company’s Charter.

“Construction Fee” means a fee or other remuneration for acting as general contractor and/or construction manager to construct improvements, supervise and coordinate projects or to provide major repairs or rehabilitation on a Property.

“Contract Sales Price” means the total consideration received by the Company for the sale of a Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment.

“Cost of Investments” means the sum of (i) with respect to the acquisition or origination of a Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment to be wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the amount actually paid or allocated to fund the acquisition, origination, development, construction or improvement of the Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment, inclusive of expenses associated with such Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment and the amount of any debt associated with, or used to fund the investment in, such Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment and (ii) with respect to the acquisition or origination of a Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment through any Joint Venture or any partnership in which the Company or the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner, the portion of the amount actually paid or allocated to fund the acquisition, origination, development, construction or improvement of the Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment, inclusive of expenses associated with such Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment, plus the amount of any debt associated with, or used to fund the investment in, such Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment that is attributable to the Company’s investment in such Joint Venture or partnership.

 

3


“Dealer Manager” means (i) KBS Capital Markets Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or (ii) any successor dealer manager to the Company.

“Development Fee” means a fee for the packaging of a Property, including negotiating and approving plans, and undertaking to assist in obtaining zoning and necessary variances and necessary financing for the Property, either initially or at a later date.

“Director” means a member of the board of directors of the Company.

“Disposition Fee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.03.

“Distributions” means any distributions of money or other property by the Company to owners of Shares, including distributions that may constitute a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.

“GAAP” means accounting principals generally accepted in the United States.

“Gross Proceeds” means the aggregate purchase price of all Shares sold for the account of the Company through an Offering, without deduction for Organization and Offering Expenses.

“Independent Appraiser” means a person or entity with no material current or prior business or personal relationship with the Advisor or the Directors, who is engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of assets of the type held by the Company, and who is a qualified appraiser of real estate as determined by the Board. Membership in a nationally recognized appraisal society such as the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers (M.A.I.) or the Society of Real Estate Appraisers (S.R.E.A.) shall be conclusive evidence of such qualification.

“Invested Capital” means the amount calculated by multiplying the total number of Shares purchased by Stockholders by the issue price, reduced by any amounts paid by the Company to repurchase Shares pursuant to the Company’s plan for redemption of Shares.

“Initial Public Offering” means the initial public offering of Shares registered on Registration Statement No. 333-156633 on Form S-11.

“Joint Venture” means any joint venture, limited liability company or other Affiliate of the Company that owns, in whole or in part, on behalf of the Company any Properties, Loans or other Permitted Investments.

“Listed” or “Listing” shall have the meaning set forth in the Company’s Charter.

“Loans” means mortgage loans and other types of debt financing investments made by the Company or the Partnership, either directly or indirectly, including through ownership interests in a Joint Venture or partnership, including, without limitation, mezzanine loans, B-notes, bridge loans, convertible mortgages, wraparound mortgage

 

4


loans, construction mortgage loans, loans on leasehold interests, and participations in such loans.

“NASAA Guidelines” means the NASAA Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts as in effect on the date hereof.

“Net Income” means, for any period, the total revenues applicable to such period, less the total expenses applicable to such period excluding additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves; provided, however, Net Income for purposes of calculating total allowable Operating Expenses (as defined herein) shall exclude the gain from the sale of the Company’s assets.

“Offering” means any offering of Shares that is registered with the SEC, excluding Shares offered under any employee benefit plan.

“Operating Cash Flow” means Operating Revenue Cash Flows minus the sum of (i) Operating Expenses, (ii) all principal and interest payments on indebtedness and other sums paid to lenders, (iii) the expenses of raising capital such as Organization and Offering Expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration, and other fees, printing and other such expenses and tax incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and Listing of the Shares, (iv) taxes, (v) incentive fees paid in compliance with Section IV.F. of the NASAA Guidelines and (vi) Acquisition Fees, Acquisition Expenses, real estate commissions on the resale of real property, and other expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition, and ownership of real estate interests, loans or other property (other than commissions on the sale of assets other than real property), such as the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair and improvement of property.

“Operating Expenses” means all costs and expenses incurred by the Company, as determined under GAAP, that in any way are related to the operation of the Company or to Company business, including fees paid to the Advisor, but excluding (i) the expenses of raising capital such as Organization and Offering Expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration, and other fees, printing and other such expenses and tax incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and Listing of the Shares, (ii) interest payments, (iii) taxes, (iv) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad loan reserves, (v) incentive fees paid in compliance with Section IV.F. of the NASAA Guidelines and (vi) Acquisition Fees, Acquisition Expenses, real estate commissions on the resale of real property, and other expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition, and ownership of real estate interests, loans or other property (other than commissions on the sale of assets other than real property), such as the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair and improvement of property.

“Operating Revenue Cash Flows” means the Company’s cash flow from ownership and/or operation of (i) Properties, (ii) Loans, (iii) Permitted Investments, (iv) short-term investments, and (v) interests in Properties, Loans and Permitted Investments

 

5


owned by any Joint Venture or any partnership in which the Company or the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner.

“Organization and Offering Expenses” means all expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company in connection with or preparing the Company for registration of and subsequently offering and distributing its Shares to the public, whether incurred before or after the date of this Agreement, which may include but are not limited to, total underwriting and brokerage discounts and commissions (including fees of the underwriters’ attorneys); any expense allowance granted by the Company to the underwriter or any reimbursement of expenses of the underwriter by the Company; expenses for printing, engraving and mailing; compensation of employees while engaged in sales activity; charges of transfer agents, registrars, trustees, escrow holders, depositaries and experts; and expenses of qualification of the sale of the securities under Federal and State laws, including taxes and fees, accountants’ and attorneys’ fees.

“Partnership” means KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership formed to own and operate Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments on behalf of the Company.

“Permitted Investments” means all investments (other than Properties and Loans) in which the Company may acquire an interest, either directly or indirectly, including through ownership interests in a Joint Venture or partnership, pursuant to its Charter, Bylaws and the investment objectives and policies adopted by the Board from time to time, other than short-term investments acquired for purposes of cash management.

“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c) (17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity, or any government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Property” means any real property or properties transferred or conveyed to the Company or the Partnership, either directly or indirectly, including through ownership interests in a Joint Venture or partnership.

“Property Manager” means an entity that has been retained to perform and carry out at one or more of the Properties property-management services, excluding persons, entities or independent contractors retained or hired to perform facility management or other services or tasks at a particular Property, the costs for which are passed through to and ultimately paid by the tenant at such Property.

“Registration Statement” means the registration statement filed by the Company with the SEC on Form S-11 (Reg. No. 333-156633), as amended from time to time, in connection with the Initial Public Offering.

 

6


“REIT” means a “real estate investment trust” under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

“Sale” means (i) any transaction or series of transactions whereby: (A) the Company or the Partnership sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment or portion thereof, including the transfer of any Property that is the subject of a ground lease, including any event with respect to any Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment that gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards, and including the issuance by one of the Company’s subsidiaries of any asset-backed securities or collateralized debt obligations as part of a securitization transaction; (B) the Company or the Partnership sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of all or substantially all of the interest of the Company or the Partnership in any Joint Venture or any partnership in which it is a partner; or (C) any Joint Venture or any partnership in which the Company or the Partnership is a partner, sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment that gives rise to insurance claims or condemnation awards, and including the issuance by such Joint Venture or any partnership or one of its subsidiaries of any asset-backed securities or collateralized debt obligations as part of a securitization transaction, but (ii) not including any transaction or series of transactions specified in clause (i) (A), (i) (B), or (i) (C) above in which the proceeds of such transaction or series of transactions are reinvested in one or more Properties, Loans or other Permitted Investments within 180 days thereafter.

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Settlement” means (i) the prepayment, maturity, workout or other settlement of any Loan or other Permitted Investment or portion thereof owned, directly or indirectly, by (A) the Company or the Partnership or (B) any Joint Venture or any partnership in which the Company or the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner, but (ii) not including any transaction or series of transactions specified in clause (i) (A) or (i) (B) above in which the proceeds of such prepayment, maturity, workout or other settlement are reinvested in one or more Properties, Loans or other Permitted Investments within 180 days thereafter.

“Shares” means shares of common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share.

“Stockholders” means the registered holders of the Shares.

“Stockholders’ 7% Return” means, as of any date, an aggregate amount equal to a 7% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on Invested Capital (calculated like simple interest on a daily basis based on a three hundred sixty-five day year). For purposes of calculating the Stockholders’ 7% Return, Invested Capital shall be determined for each day during the period for which the Stockholders’ 7% Return is being calculated and shall be calculated net of (1) Distributions of Operating Cash Flow

 

7


to the extent such Distributions of Operating Cash Flow provide a cumulative, non-compounded, annual return in excess of 7%, as such amounts are computed on a daily basis based on a three hundred sixty-five day year and (2) Distributions of Cash from Sales, Settlements and Financings, except to the extent such Distributions would be required to supplement Distributions of Operating Cash Flow in order to achieve a cumulative, non-compounded, annual return of 7%, as such amounts are computed on a daily basis based on a three hundred sixty-five day year.

“Subordinated Incentive Fee” means the fee payable to the Advisor under certain circumstances if the Shares are Listed, as calculated in Section 8.06.

“Subordinated Performance Fee Due Upon Termination” means a fee payable in the form of an interest bearing promissory note (the “Performance Fee Note”) in a principal amount equal to (1) 15% of the amount, if any, by which (a) the Appraised Value of the Company’s Properties at the Termination Date, less amounts of all indebtedness secured by the Company’s Properties, plus the fair market value of all other Loans and Permitted Investments of the Company at the Termination Date, less amounts of indebtedness related to such Loans and Permitted Investments, plus total Distributions (excluding any stock dividend) through the Termination Date exceeds (b) the sum of Invested Capital plus total Distributions required to be made to the stockholders in order to pay the Stockholders’ 7% Return from inception through the Termination Date less (2) any prior payment to the Advisor of a Subordinated Share of Cash Flows. Interest on the Performance Fee Note will accrue beginning on the Termination Date at a rate deemed fair and reasonable by the Conflicts Committee. The Company shall repay the Performance Fee Note at such time as the Company completes the first Sale or Settlement after the Termination Date using Cash from Sales and Settlements. If the Cash from Sales and Settlements from the first Sale or Settlement after the Termination Date is insufficient to pay the Performance Fee Note in full, including accrued interest, then the Performance Fee Note shall be paid in part from the Cash from Sales and Settlements from the first Sale or Settlement, and in part from the Cash from Sales and Settlements from each successive Sale or Settlement until the Performance Fee Note is repaid in full, with interest. If the Performance Fee Note has not been paid in full within five years from the Termination Date, then the Advisor, its successors or assigns, may elect to convert the balance of the fee, including accrued but unpaid interest, into Shares at a price per Share equal to the average closing price of the Shares over the ten trading days immediately preceding the date of such election if the Shares are Listed at such time. If the Shares are not Listed at such time, the Advisor, its successors or assigns, may elect to convert the balance of the fee, including accrued but unpaid interest, into Shares at a price per Share equal to the fair market value for the Shares as determined by the Board based upon the Appraised Value of Company’s Properties on the date of election plus the fair market value of all other Loans and Permitted Investments of the Company on the date of election.

“Subordinated Share of Cash Flows” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.05.

“Subscription Processing Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04.

 

8


“Termination Date” means the date of termination of the Agreement determined in accordance with Article 13 hereof.

“2%/25% Guidelines” means the requirement pursuant to the NASAA Guidelines that, in any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, total Operating Expenses not exceed the greater of 2% of the Company’s Average Invested Assets during such 12-month period or 25% of the Company’s Net Income over the same 12-month period.

ARTICLE 2

APPOINTMENT

The Company hereby appoints the Advisor to serve as its advisor and asset manager on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Advisor hereby accepts such appointment.

ARTICLE 3

DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR

The Advisor is responsible for managing, operating, directing and supervising the operations and administration of the Company and its assets. The Advisor undertakes to use its best efforts to present to the Company potential investment opportunities, to make investment decisions on behalf of the Company subject to the limitations in the Company’s Charter, the direction and oversight of the Board and Section 4.03 hereof, and to provide the Company with a continuing and suitable investment program consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Company as determined and adopted from time to time by the Board. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, including Article 4 hereof, and the continuing and exclusive authority of the Board over the management of the Company, the Advisor shall, either directly or by engaging an Affiliate or third party, perform the following duties:

3.01 Organizational and Offering Services. The Advisor shall perform all services related to the organization of the Company or any Offering or private sale of the Company’s securities, other than services that (i) are to be performed by the Dealer Manager, (ii) the Company elects to perform directly or (iii) would require the Advisor to register as a broker-dealer with the SEC or any state.

3.02 Acquisition Services.

(i) Serve as the Company’s investment and financial advisor and provide relevant market research and economic and statistical data in connection with the Company’s assets and investment objectives and policies;

(ii) Subject to Section 4 hereof and the investment objectives and policies of the Company: (a) locate, analyze and select potential investments; (b) structure

 

9


and negotiate the terms and conditions of transactions pursuant to which investments in Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments will be made; (c) acquire, originate and dispose of Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments on behalf of the Company; (d) arrange for financing and refinancing and make other changes in the asset or capital structure of investments in Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments; and (e) enter into leases, service contracts and other agreements for Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments;

(iii) Perform due diligence on prospective investments and create due diligence reports summarizing the results of such work;

(iv) With respect to prospective investments presented to the Board, prepare reports regarding such prospective investments that include recommendations and supporting documentation necessary for the Directors to evaluate the proposed investments;

(v) Obtain reports (which may be prepared by the Advisor or its Affiliates), where appropriate, concerning the value of contemplated investments of the Company;

(vi) Deliver to or maintain on behalf of the Company copies of all appraisals obtained in connection with the Company’s investments; and

(vii) Negotiate and execute approved investments and other transactions, including prepayments, maturities, workouts and other settlements of Loans and other Permitted Investments.

3.03 Asset Management Services.

(i) Real Estate and Related Services:

(a) Investigate, select and, on behalf of the Company, engage and conduct business with (including enter contracts with) such Persons as the Advisor deems necessary to the proper performance of its obligations as set forth in this Agreement, including but not limited to consultants, accountants, lenders, technical advisors, attorneys, brokers, underwriters, corporate fiduciaries, escrow agents, depositaries, custodians, agents for collection, insurers, insurance agents, developers, construction companies, Property Managers and any and all Persons acting in any other capacity deemed by the Advisor necessary or desirable for the performance of any of the foregoing services;

(b) Negotiate and service the Company’s debt facilities and other financings;

 

10


(c) Monitor applicable markets and obtain reports (which may be prepared by the Advisor or its Affiliates) where appropriate, concerning the value of investments of the Company;

(d) Monitor and evaluate the performance of each asset of the Company and the Company’s overall portfolio of assets, provide daily management services to the Company and perform and supervise the various management and operational functions related to the Company’s investments;

(e) Formulate and oversee the implementation of strategies for the administration, promotion, management, operation, maintenance, improvement, financing and refinancing, marketing, leasing and disposition of Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments on an overall portfolio basis;

(f) Consult with the Company’s officers and the Board and assist the Board in the formulation and implementation of the Company’s financial policies, and, as necessary with respect to investment and borrowing opportunities presented to the Board, furnish the Board with advice and recommendations with respect to the making of investments consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Company and in connection with any borrowings proposed to be undertaken by the Company;

(g) Oversee the performance by the Property Managers of their duties, including collection and proper deposits of rental payments and payment of Property expenses and maintenance;

(h) Conduct periodic on-site property visits to some or all (as the Advisor deems reasonably necessary) of the Properties to inspect the physical condition of the Properties and to evaluate the performance of the Property Managers;

(i) Review, analyze and comment upon the operating budgets, capital budgets and leasing plans prepared and submitted by each Property Manager and aggregate these property budgets into the Company’s overall budget;

(j) Coordinate and manage relationships between the Company and any Joint Venture partners; and

(k) Consult with the Company’s officers and the Board and provide assistance with the evaluation and approval of potential asset disposition, sale and refinancing opportunities that are presented to the Board.

(ii) Accounting and Other Administrative Services:

 

11


(a) Provide the day-to-day management of the Company and perform and supervise the various administrative functions reasonably necessary for the management of the Company;

(b) From time to time, or at any time reasonably requested by the Board, make reports to the Board on the Advisor’s performance of services to the Company under this Agreement;

(c) Make reports to the Conflicts Committee each quarter of the investments that have been made by other programs sponsored by the Advisor or any of its Affiliates, including KBS Realty Advisors LLC, as well as any investments that have been made by the Advisor or any of its Affiliates directly;

(d) Provide or arrange for any administrative services and items, legal and other services, office space, office furnishings, personnel and other overhead items necessary and incidental to the Company’s business and operations;

(e) Provide financial and operational planning services;

(f) Maintain accounting and other record-keeping functions at the Company and investment levels, including information concerning the activities of the Company as shall be required to prepare and to file all periodic financial reports, tax returns and any other information required to be filed with the SEC, the Internal Revenue Service and any other regulatory agency;

(g) Maintain and preserve all appropriate books and records of the Company;

(h) Provide tax and compliance services and coordinate with appropriate third parties, including the Company’s independent auditors and other consultants, on related tax matters;

(i) Provide the Company with all necessary cash management services;

(j) Manage and coordinate with the transfer agent the monthly dividend process and payments to Stockholders;

(k) Consult with the Company’s officers and the Board and assist the Board in evaluating and obtaining adequate insurance coverage based upon risk management determinations;

(l) Provide the Company’s officers and the Board with timely updates related to the overall regulatory environment affecting the

 

12


Company, as well as managing compliance with such matters, including but not limited to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

(m) Consult with the Company’s officers and the Board relating to the corporate governance structure and appropriate policies and procedures related thereto;

(n) Perform all reporting, record keeping, internal controls and similar matters in a manner to allow the Company to comply with applicable law, including federal and state securities laws and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

(o) Notify the Board of all proposed material transactions before they are completed; and

(p) Do all things necessary to assure its ability to render the services described in this Agreement.

3.04 Stockholder Services.

(i) Manage services for and communications with Stockholders, including answering phone calls, preparing and sending written and electronic reports and other communications;

(ii) Oversee the performance of the transfer agent and registrar;

(iii) Establish technology infrastructure to assist in providing Stockholder support and service; and

(iv) Consistent with Section 3.01, the Advisor shall perform the various subscription processing services reasonably necessary for the admission of new Stockholders.

3.05 Other Services. Except as provided in Article 7, the Advisor shall perform any other services reasonably requested by the Company (acting through the Conflicts Committee).

ARTICLE 4

AUTHORITY OF ADVISOR

4.01 General. All rights and powers to manage and control the day-to-day business and affairs of the Company shall be vested in the Advisor. The Advisor shall have the power to delegate all or any part of its rights and powers to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company to such officers, employees, Affiliates, agents and representatives of the Advisor or the Company as it may deem appropriate. Any authority delegated by the Advisor to any other Person shall be subject to the limitations

 

13


on the rights and powers of the Advisor specifically set forth in this Agreement or the Charter.

4.02 Powers of the Advisor. Subject to the express limitations set forth in this Agreement and the continuing and exclusive authority of the Board over the management of the Company, the power to direct the management, operation and policies of the Company, including making, financing and disposing of investments, shall be vested in the Advisor, which shall have the power by itself and shall be authorized and empowered on behalf and in the name of the Company to carry out any and all of the objectives and purposes of the Company and to perform all acts and enter into and perform all contracts and other undertakings that it may in its sole discretion deem necessary, advisable or incidental thereto to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

4.03 Approval by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advisor may not take any action on behalf of the Company without the prior approval of the Board or duly authorized committees thereof if the Charter or Maryland General Corporation Law require the prior approval of the Board. If the Board or a committee of the Board must approve a proposed investment, financing or disposition or chooses to do so, the Advisor will deliver to the Board or committee, as applicable, all documents required by it to evaluate such investment, financing or disposition.

4.04 Modification or Revocation of Authority of Advisor. The Board may, at any time upon the giving of notice to the Advisor, modify or revoke the authority or approvals set forth in Article 3 and this Article 4 hereof; provided, however, that such modification or revocation shall be effective upon receipt by the Advisor and shall not be applicable to investment transactions to which the Advisor has committed the Company prior to the date of receipt by the Advisor of such notification.

ARTICLE 5

BANK ACCOUNTS

The Advisor may establish and maintain one or more bank accounts in its own name for the account of the Company or in the name of the Company and may collect and deposit into any such account or accounts, and disburse from any such account or accounts, any money on behalf of the Company, under such terms and conditions as the Board may approve, provided that no funds shall be commingled with the funds of the Advisor. The Advisor shall from time to time render appropriate accountings of such collections and payments to the Board and the independent auditors of the Company.

ARTICLE 6

RECORDS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Advisor, in the conduct of its responsibilities to the Company, shall maintain adequate and separate books and records for the Company’s operations in accordance

 

14


with GAAP, which shall be supported by sufficient documentation to ascertain that such books and records are properly and accurately recorded. Such books and records shall be the property of the Company and shall be available for inspection by the Board and by counsel, auditors and other authorized agents of the Company, at any time or from time to time during normal business hours. Such books and records shall include all information necessary to calculate and audit the fees or reimbursements paid under this Agreement. The Advisor shall utilize procedures to attempt to ensure such control over accounting and financial transactions as is reasonably required to protect the Company’s assets from theft, error or fraudulent activity. All financial statements that the Advisor delivers to the Company shall be prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with GAAP, except for special financial reports that by their nature require a deviation from GAAP. The Advisor shall liaise with the Company’s officers and independent auditors and shall provide such officers and auditors with the reports and other information that the Company so requests.

ARTICLE 7

LIMITATION ON ACTIVITIES

Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Advisor shall not take any action that, in its sole judgment made in good faith, would (i) adversely affect the ability of the Company to qualify or continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code, (ii) subject the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (iii) violate any law, rule, regulation or statement of policy of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company, its Shares or its other securities, (iv) require the Advisor to register as a broker-dealer with the SEC or any state, or (v) violate the Charter or Bylaws. In the event an action that would violate (i) through (v) of the preceding sentence but such action has been ordered by the Board, the Advisor shall notify the Board of the Advisor’s judgment of the potential impact of such action and shall refrain from taking such action until it receives further clarification or instructions from the Board. In such event, the Advisor shall have no liability for acting in accordance with the specific instructions of the Board so given.

ARTICLE 8

FEES

8.01 Acquisition Fees. As compensation for the investigation, selection, sourcing and acquisition or origination (by purchase, investment or exchange) of Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments, the Company shall pay an Acquisition Fee to the Advisor for each such investment (whether an acquisition or origination). With respect to the acquisition or origination of a Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment to be wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Acquisition Fee payable to the Advisor shall equal 1.0% of the sum of the amount actually paid or allocated to fund the acquisition, origination, development, construction or improvement of the Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment, inclusive of the Acquisition Expenses associated with

 

15


such Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment and the amount of any debt associated with, or used to fund the investment in, such Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment. With respect to the acquisition or origination of a Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment through any Joint Venture or any partnership in which the Company or the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner, the Acquisition Fee payable to the Advisor shall equal 1.0% of the portion of the amount actually paid or allocated to fund the acquisition, origination, development, construction or improvement of the Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment, inclusive of the Acquisition Expenses associated with such Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment, plus the amount of any debt associated with, or used to fund the investment in, such Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment that is attributable to the Company’s investment in such Joint Venture or partnership. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the payment of Acquisition Fees by the Company shall be subject to the limitations on Acquisition Fees contained in (and defined in) the Company’s Charter. The Advisor shall submit an invoice to the Company following the closing or closings of each acquisition or origination, accompanied by a computation of the Acquisition Fee. Generally, the Acquisition Fee payable to the Advisor shall be paid at the closing of the transaction upon receipt of the invoice by the Company. However, the Acquisition Fee may or may not be taken, in whole or in part, as to any year in the sole discretion of the Advisor. All or any portion of the Acquisition Fees not taken as to any fiscal year shall be deferred without interest and may be paid in such other fiscal year as the Advisor shall determine.

8.02 Asset Management Fees. The Company shall pay the Advisor as compensation for the services described in Section 3.03 hereof a monthly fee (the “Asset Management Fee”) in an amount equal to one-twelfth of 0.75% of the sum of the Cost of Investments, less any principal repaid by borrowers on Loans (or the Company’s proportionate share thereof in the case of a Loan made through a Joint Venture or partnership), as of the end of the preceding month. The Advisor shall submit a monthly invoice to the Company, accompanied by a computation of the Asset Management Fee for the applicable period. Generally, the Asset Management Fee payable to the Advisor shall be paid on the last day of such month, or the first business day following the last day of such month. However, the Asset Management Fee may or may not be taken, in whole or in part, as to any year in the sole discretion of the Advisor. All or any portion of the Asset Management Fees not taken as to any fiscal year shall be deferred without interest and may be paid in such other fiscal year as the Advisor shall determine.

8.03 Disposition Fees. If the Advisor or any of its Affiliates provide a substantial amount of services (as determined by the Conflicts Committee) in connection with a Sale, the Advisor or such Affiliate shall receive a fee at the closing (the “Disposition Fee”) equal to 1% of the Contract Sales Price; provided, however, that no Disposition Fee shall be payable to the Advisor for any Sale if such Sale involves the Company selling all or substantially all of its assets in one or more transactions designed to effectuate a business combination transaction (as opposed to a Company liquidation, in which case the Disposition Fee would be payable if the Advisor or an Affiliate provides a substantial amount of services as provided above). The payment of any Disposition Fees by the Company shall be subject to the limitations contained in the Company’s Charter. Any Disposition Fee payable under this Section 8.03 may be paid in addition to commissions

 

16


paid to non-Affiliates, provided that the total commissions (including such Disposition Fee) paid to all Persons by the Company for each Sale shall not exceed an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 6% of the aggregate Contract Sales Price of each Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment or (ii) the Competitive Real Estate Commission for each Property, Loan or other Permitted Investment. The Advisor shall submit an invoice to the Company following the closing or closings of each disposition, accompanied by a computation of the Disposition Fee. Generally, the Disposition Fee payable to the Advisor shall be paid at the closing of the transaction upon receipt of the invoice by the Company. However, the Disposition Fee may or may not be taken, in whole or in part, as to any year in the sole discretion of the Advisor. All or any portion of the Disposition Fees not taken as to any fiscal year shall be deferred without interest and may be paid in such other fiscal year as the Advisor shall determine.

8.04 Subscription Processing Fee. The Company shall pay the Advisor as compensation for the services described in Section 3.04(iv) hereof a monthly fee (the “Subscription Processing Fee”) in an amount equal to $35 per subscription agreement for Shares received and processed by the Advisor. The Advisor shall submit a monthly invoice to the Company, accompanied by a computation of the total amount of the Subscription Processing Fee for the applicable period. Generally, the Subscription Processing Fee payable to the Advisor shall be paid on the last day of such month, or the first business day following the last day of such month. However, the Subscription Processing Fee may or may not be taken, in whole or in part, as to any year in the sole discretion of the Advisor. All or any portion of the Subscription Processing Fees not taken as to any fiscal year shall be deferred without interest and may be paid in such other fiscal year as the Advisor shall determine.

8.05 Subordinated Share of Cash Flows. The Subordinated Share of Cash Flows shall be payable to the Advisor in an amount equal to 15% of Operating Cash Flow and Cash from Sales, Settlements and Financings remaining after the Stockholders have received Distributions of Operating Cash Flow and of Cash from Sales, Settlements and Financings such that the owners of all outstanding Shares have received Distributions in an aggregate amount equal to the sum of:

 

  a. the Stockholders’ 7% Return and
  b. Invested Capital.

When determining whether the above threshold has been met:

 

  (A) Any stock dividend shall not be included as a Distribution; and

 

  (B) Distributions paid on Shares redeemed by the Company (and thus no longer included in the determination of Invested Capital), shall not be included as a Distribution.

Following Listing, no Subordinated Share of Cash Flows will be paid to the Advisor.

 

17


If the Subordinated Share of Cash Flows is payable to the Advisor, the Advisor shall submit a monthly invoice to the Company, accompanied by a computation of the total amount of the Subordinated Share of Cash Flows for the applicable period. Generally, the Subordinated Share of Cash Flows payable to the Advisor shall be paid on the last day of such month, or the first business day following the last day of such month. However, the Subordinated Share of Cash Flows may or may not be taken, in whole or in part, as to any year in the sole discretion of the Advisor. All or any portion of the Subordinated Share of Cash Flows not taken as to any fiscal year shall be deferred without interest and may be paid in such other fiscal year as the Advisor shall determine.

8.06 Subordinated Incentive Fee. Upon Listing, the Advisor shall be entitled to the Subordinated Incentive Fee in an amount equal to 15% of the amount by which (i) the market value of the outstanding Shares of the Company, measured by taking the average closing price or the average of the bid and asked price, as the case may be, over a period of 30 days during which the Shares are traded, with such period beginning 180 days after Listing (the “Market Value”), plus the total of all Distributions paid to Stockholders (excluding any stock dividends) from the Company’s inception until the date that Market Value is determined, exceeds (ii) the sum of (A) 100% of Invested Capital and (B) the total Distributions required to be paid to the Stockholders in order to pay the Stockholders’ 7% Return from inception through the date Market Value is determined. The Company shall have the option to pay such fee in the form of cash, Shares, a promissory note or any combination of the foregoing. The Subordinated Incentive Fee will be reduced by the amount of any prior payment to the Advisor of a Subordinated Share of Cash Flows. In the event the Subordinated Incentive Fee is paid to the Advisor following Listing, no other performance fee will be paid to the Advisor. In addition, the Subordinated Incentive Fee may or may not be taken, in whole or in part, as to any year in the sole discretion of the Advisor. All or any portion of the Subordinated Incentive Fee not taken as to any fiscal year shall be deferred without interest and may be paid in such other fiscal year as the Advisor shall determine.

8.07 Changes to Fee Structure. In the event of Listing, the Company and the Advisor shall negotiate in good faith to establish a fee structure appropriate for a perpetual-life entity.

ARTICLE 9

EXPENSES

9.01 General. In addition to the compensation paid to the Advisor pursuant to Article 8 hereof, the Company shall pay directly or reimburse the Advisor for all of the expenses paid or incurred by the Advisor or its Affiliates on behalf of the Company or in connection with the services provided to the Company pursuant to this Agreement, including, but not limited to:

(i) All Organization and Offering Expenses; provided, however, that the Company shall not reimburse the Advisor to the extent such reimbursement

 

18


would cause the total amount spent by the Company on Organization and Offering Expenses to exceed 15% of the Gross Proceeds raised as of the date of the reimbursement and provided further that within 60 days after the end of the month in which an Offering terminates, the Advisor shall reimburse the Company to the extent the Company incurred Organization and Offering Expenses exceeding 15% of the Gross Proceeds raised in the completed Offering; the Company shall not reimburse the Advisor for any Organization and Offering Expenses that are not fair and commercially reasonable to the Company, and the Advisor shall reimburse the Company for any Organization and Offering Expenses that are not fair and commercially reasonable to the Company;

(ii) Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses incurred in connection with the selection and acquisition of Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments, including such expenses incurred related to assets pursued or considered but not ultimately acquired by the Company, provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the payment of Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses by the Company shall be subject to the limitations contained in the Company’s Charter;

(iii) The actual out-of-pocket cost of goods and services used by the Company and obtained from entities not Affiliated with the Advisor;

(iv) Interest and other costs for borrowed money, including discounts, points and other similar fees;

(v) Taxes and assessments on income or Properties, taxes as an expense of doing business and any other taxes otherwise imposed on the Company and its business, assets or income;

(vi) Out-of-pocket costs associated with insurance required in connection with the business of the Company or by its officers and Directors;

(vii) Expenses of managing, improving, developing, operating and selling Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, as well as expenses of other transactions relating to such Properties, Loans and other Permitted Investments, including but not limited to prepayments, maturities, workouts and other settlements of Loans and other Permitted Investments;

(viii) All out-of-pocket expenses in connection with payments to the Board and meetings of the Board and Stockholders;

(ix) Personnel and related employment costs incurred by the Advisor or its Affiliates in performing the services described in Article 3 hereof, including but not limited to reasonable salaries and wages, benefits and overhead of all employees directly involved in the performance of such services, provided that no reimbursement shall be made for costs of such employees of the Advisor or its

 

19


Affiliates to the extent that such employees perform services for which the Advisor receives Acquisition Fees or Disposition Fees;

(x) Out-of-pocket expenses of providing services for and maintaining communications with Stockholders, including the cost of preparation, printing, and mailing annual reports and other Stockholder reports, proxy statements and other reports required by governmental entities;

(xi) Audit, accounting and legal fees, and other fees for professional services relating to the operations of the Company and all such fees incurred at the request, or on behalf of, the Board, the Conflicts Committee or any other committee of the Board;

(xii) Out-of-pocket costs for the Company to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and ordinances;

(xiii) Expenses connected with payments of Distributions made or caused to be made by the Company to the Stockholders;

(xiv) Expenses of organizing, redomesticating, merging, liquidating or dissolving the Company or of amending the Charter or the Bylaws; and

(xv) All other out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Advisor in performing its duties hereunder.

9.02 Timing of and Additional Limitations on Reimbursements.

(i) Expenses incurred by the Advisor on behalf of the Company and reimbursable pursuant to this Article 9 shall be reimbursed no less than monthly to the Advisor. The Advisor shall prepare a statement documenting the expenses of the Company during each quarter and shall deliver such statement to the Company within 45 days after the end of each quarter.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything else in this Article 9 to the contrary, the expenses enumerated in this Article 9 shall not become reimbursable to the Advisor unless and until the Company has raised $2.5 million in the Initial Public Offering.

(iii) Commencing upon the earlier to occur of four fiscal quarters after (i) the Company’s making of its first investment or (ii) [__](which is six months after commencement of the Initial Public Offering), the following limitation on Operating Expenses shall apply: The Company shall not reimburse the Advisor at the end of any fiscal quarter for Operating Expenses that in the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended (the “Expense Year”) exceed (the “Excess Amount”) the greater of 2% of Average Invested Assets or 25% of Net Income (the “2%/25% Guidelines”) for such year unless the Conflicts Committee determines that such excess was justified, based on unusual and nonrecurring factors that the Conflicts Committee deems sufficient. If the Conflicts Committee does not

 

20


approve such excess as being so justified, any Excess Amount paid to the Advisor during a fiscal quarter shall be repaid to the Company. If the Conflicts Committee determines such excess was justified, then, within 60 days after the end of any fiscal quarter of the Company for which total reimbursed Operating Expenses for the Expense Year exceed the 2%/25% Guidelines, the Advisor, at the direction of the Conflicts Committee, shall cause such fact to be disclosed to the Stockholders in writing (or the Company shall disclose such fact to the Stockholders in the next quarterly report of the Company or by filing a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC within 60 days of such quarter end), together with an explanation of the factors the Conflicts Committee considered in determining that such excess expenses were justified. The Company will ensure that such determination will be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board. All figures used in the foregoing computation shall be determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.

ARTICLE 10

VOTING AGREEMENT

The Advisor agrees that, with respect to any Shares now or hereinafter owned by it, the Advisor will not vote or consent on matters submitted to the stockholders of the Company regarding (i) the removal of the Advisor or any Affiliate of the Advisor or (ii) any transaction between the Company and the Advisor or any of its Affiliates. This voting restriction shall survive until such time that the Advisor is both no longer serving as such and is no longer an Affiliate of the Company.

ARTICLE 11

RELATIONSHIP OF ADVISOR AND COMPANY;

OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR

11.01 Relationship. The Company and the Advisor are not partners or joint venturers with each other, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to make them such partners or joint venturers. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Advisor from engaging in other activities, including, without limitation, the rendering of advice to other Persons (including other REITs) and the management of other programs advised, sponsored or organized by the Advisor or its Affiliates. Nor shall this Agreement limit or restrict the right of any manager, director, officer, employee or equityholder of the Advisor or its Affiliates to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other Person. The Advisor may, with respect to any investment in which the Company is a participant, also render advice and service to each and every other participant therein. The Advisor shall promptly disclose to the Board the existence of any condition or circumstance, existing or anticipated, of which it has knowledge, that creates or could create a conflict of interest between the Advisor’s obligations to the Company and its obligations to or its interest in any other Person.

 

21


11.02 Time Commitment. The Advisor shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and their respective employees, officers and agents to, devote to the Company such time as shall be reasonably necessary to conduct the business and affairs of the Company in an appropriate manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement. The Company acknowledges that the Advisor and its Affiliates and their respective employees, officers and agents may also engage in activities unrelated to the Company and may provide services to Persons other than the Company or any of its Affiliates.

11.03 Investment Opportunities and Allocation. The Advisor shall be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to present a continuing and suitable investment program to the Company that is consistent with the investment policies and objectives of the Company, but neither the Advisor nor any Affiliate of the Advisor shall be obligated generally to present any particular investment opportunity to the Company even if the opportunity is of character that, if presented to the Company, could be taken by the Company. In the event an investment opportunity is located, the allocation procedure set forth under the caption “Conflicts of Interest – Certain Conflict Resolution Measures – Allocation of Investment Opportunities” in the Registration Statement shall govern the allocation of the opportunity among the Company and Affiliates of the Advisor.

ARTICLE 12

THE KBS NAME

The Advisor and its Affiliates have a proprietary interest in the name “KBS.” The Advisor hereby grants to the Company a non-transferable, non-assignable, non-exclusive royalty-free right and license to use the name “KBS” during the term of this Agreement. Accordingly, and in recognition of this right, if at any time the Company ceases to retain the Advisor or one of its Affiliates to perform advisory services for the Company, the Company will, promptly after receipt of written request from the Advisor, cease to conduct business under or use the name “KBS” or any derivative thereof and the Company shall change its name and the names of any of its subsidiaries to a name that does not contain the name “KBS” or any other word or words that might, in the reasonable discretion of the Advisor, be susceptible of indication of some form of relationship between the Company and the Advisor or any its Affiliates. At such time, the Company will also make any changes to any trademarks, servicemarks or other marks necessary to remove any references to the word “KBS.” Consistent with the foregoing, it is specifically recognized that the Advisor or one or more of its Affiliates has in the past and may in the future organize, sponsor or otherwise permit to exist other investment vehicles (including vehicles for investment in real estate) and financial and service organizations having “KBS” as a part of their name, all without the need for any consent (and without the right to object thereto) by the Company.

 

22


ARTICLE 13

TERM AND TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT

13.01 Term. This Agreement shall have an initial term of one year from the date hereof and may be renewed for an unlimited number of successive one-year terms upon mutual consent of the parties. The Company (acting through the Conflicts Committee) will evaluate the performance of the Advisor annually before renewing this Agreement, and each such renewal shall be for a term of no more than one year. Any such renewal must be approved by the Conflicts Committee.

13.02 Termination by Either Party. This Agreement may be terminated upon 60 days written notice without cause or penalty by either the Company (acting through the Conflicts Committee) or the Advisor. The provisions of Articles 1, 10, 12, 13, 15 and 16 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

13.03 Payments on Termination and Survival of Certain Rights and Obligations. Payments to the Advisor pursuant to this Section 13.03 shall be subject to the 2%/25% Guidelines to the extent applicable.

(i) After the Termination Date, the Advisor shall not be entitled to compensation for further services hereunder except it shall be entitled to receive from the Company within 30 days after the effective date of such termination (A) all unpaid reimbursements of expenses and all earned but unpaid fees payable to the Advisor prior to termination of this Agreement and (B) the Subordinated Performance Fee Due Upon Termination, provided that no Subordinated Performance Fee Due Upon Termination will be paid if the Company has paid or is obligated to pay the Subordinated Incentive Fee.

(ii) The Advisor shall promptly upon termination:

(a) pay over to the Company all money collected pursuant to this Agreement, if any, after deducting any accrued compensation and reimbursement for its expenses to which it is then entitled;

(b) deliver to the Board a full accounting, including a statement showing all payments collected by it and a statement of all money held by it, covering the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the Board;

(c) deliver to the Board all assets and documents of the Company then in the custody of the Advisor; and

(d) cooperate with the Company to provide an orderly transition of advisory functions.

 

23


ARTICLE 14

ASSIGNMENT

This Agreement may be assigned by the Advisor to an Affiliate with the consent of the Conflicts Committee. The Advisor may assign any rights to receive fees or other payments under this Agreement without obtaining the approval of the Board. This Agreement shall not be assigned by the Company without the consent of the Advisor, except in the case of an assignment by the Company to a corporation or other organization that is a successor to all of the assets, rights and obligations of the Company, in which case such successor organization shall be bound hereunder and by the terms of said assignment in the same manner as the Company is bound by this Agreement.

ARTICLE 15

INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

15.01 Indemnification. Except as prohibited by the restrictions provided in this Section 15.01, Section 15.02 and Section 15.03, the Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Advisor and its Affiliates, including their respective officers, directors, equity holders, partners and employees, from all liability, claims, damages or losses arising in the performance of their duties hereunder, and related expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, to the extent such liability, claims, damages or losses and related expenses are not fully reimbursed by insurance. Any indemnification of the Advisor may be made only out of the net assets of the Company and not from Stockholders.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not indemnify the Advisors or its Affiliates for any loss, liability or expense arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged material securities law violations as to the particular indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the particular indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities of the Company were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

15.02 Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not provide for indemnification of the Advisor or its Affiliates for any liability or loss suffered by any of them, nor shall any of them be held harmless for any loss or liability suffered by the Company, unless all of the following conditions are met:

 

24


(i) The Advisor or its Affiliates have determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Company.

(ii) The Advisor or its Affiliates were acting on behalf of or performing services for the Company.

(iii) Such liability or loss was not the result of negligence or misconduct by the Advisor or its Affiliates.

15.03 Limitation on Payment of Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse reasonable legal expenses and other costs incurred by the Advisors or its Affiliates in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding only if (in addition to the procedures required by the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time) all of the following are satisfied: (a) the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Company, (b) the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a stockholder or, if by a stockholder acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement and (c) the Advisor or its Affiliates undertake to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Company, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined that the particular indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

ARTICLE 16

MISCELLANEOUS

16.01 Notices. Any notice, report or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing unless some other method of giving such notice, report or other communication is required by the Charter, the Bylaws or is accepted by the party to whom it is given, and shall be given by being delivered by hand or by overnight mail or other overnight delivery service to the addresses set forth herein:

To the Company or the Board:

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300

Newport Beach, California 92660

To the Advisor:

KBS Capital Advisors LLC

620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300

Newport Beach, California 92660

Either party may at any time give notice in writing to the other party of a change in its address for the purposes of this Section 16.01.

 

25


16.02 Modification. This Agreement shall not be changed, modified, terminated or discharged, in whole or in part, except by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto, or their respective successors or permitted assigns.

16.03 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are independent of and severable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that for any reason any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part.

16.04 Construction. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

16.05 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever with respect to the subject matter hereof. The express terms hereof control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof. This Agreement may not be modified or amended other than by an agreement in writing.

16.06 Waiver. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

16.07 Gender. Words used herein regardless of the number and gender specifically used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine or neuter, as the context requires.

16.08 Titles Not to Affect Interpretation. The titles of Articles and Sections contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation hereof.

16.09 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.]

 

26


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.
By:            
  Keith D. Hall, Chief Executive Officer
KBS CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC
By:   PBren Investments, L.P., a Manager
  By:  

PBren Investments, LLC, as general partner

    By:    
      Peter M. Bren, Manager
By:   Schreiber Real Estate Investments, L.P., a Manager
  By:   Schreiber Investments, LLC, as general partner
    By:    
      Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., Manager
   

 

27

Exhibit 21.1

Direct and Indirect Subsidiaries of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership

KBS Strategic Opportunity Holdings LLC

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated January 5, 2009 with respect to the Consolidated Balance Sheet included in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-11 No. 333-156633) and related Prospectus of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. for the registration of 280,000,000 shares of its common stock.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

Irvine, California

February 23, 2009