NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization and Description of Business

NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “our”) is a commercial mortgage REIT incorporated in Maryland on June 7, 2019. The Company has elected to be treated as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2020. The Company is focused on originating, structuring and investing in first-lien mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity and common stock, as well as multifamily commercial mortgage-backed securities securitizations (“CMBS securitizations”). Substantially all of the Company’s business is conducted through NexPoint Real Estate Finance Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “OP”), the Company’s operating partnership. As of September 30, 2021, the Company holds approximately 77.32% of the common limited partnership units in the OP (“OP Units”) which represents 100% of the Class A OP Units, and the OP owns approximately 27.78% of the common limited partnership units ("SubOP Units") of two of its subsidiary partnerships and 100% of the SubOP Units of one of its subsidiary partnerships (collectively, the "Subsidiary OPs") (see Note 12). The OP also directly owns all of the membership interests of a limited liability company (the "Mezz LLC") through which it owns a portfolio of mezzanine loans, as further discussed below. NexPoint Real Estate Finance Operating Partnership GP, LLC (the “OP GP”) is the sole general partner of the OP.

The Company commenced operations on February 11, 2020 upon the closing of its initial public offering of shares of its common stock (the “IPO”). Prior to the closing of the IPO, the Company engaged in a series of transactions through which it acquired an initial portfolio consisting of senior pooled mortgage loans backed by single family rental (“SFR”) properties (the “SFR Loans”), the junior most bonds of multifamily CMBS securitizations (the “CMBS B-Pieces”), mezzanine loan and preferred equity investments in real estate companies and properties in other structured real estate investments within the multifamily, SFR and self-storage asset classes (the “Initial Portfolio”). The Initial Portfolio was acquired from affiliates (the “Contribution Group”) of our Sponsor, pursuant to a contribution agreement with the Contribution Group through which the Contribution Group contributed their interest in the Initial Portfolio to special purpose entities (“SPEs”) owned by the Subsidiary OPs, in exchange for SubOP Units (the “Formation Transaction”).

The Company is externally managed by the Manager through a management agreement dated February 6, 2020 and amended as of July 17, 2020 and November 3, 2021, for a three-year initial term set to expire on February 6, 2023 (as amended, the “Management Agreement”), by and between the Company and the Manager. The Manager conducts substantially all of the Company’s operations and provides asset management services for its real estate investments. The Company expects it will only have accounting employees while the Management Agreement is in effect. All of the Company’s investment decisions are made by the Manager, subject to general oversight by the Manager’s investment committee and the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”). The Manager is wholly owned by our Sponsor.

The Company’s primary investment objective is to generate attractive, risk-adjusted returns for stockholders over the long term. The Company intends to achieve this objective primarily by originating, structuring and investing in first-lien mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity and common stock, as well as multifamily CMBS securitizations. The Company concentrates on investments in real estate sectors where our senior management team has operating expertise, including in the multifamily, SFR, self-storage, life science, hospitality and office sectors predominantly in the top 50 metropolitan statistical areas ("MSAs"). In addition, the Company targets lending or investing in properties that are stabilized or have a “light transitional” business plan, meaning a property that requires limited deferred funding to support leasing or ramp-up of operations and for which most capital expenditures are for value-add improvements. Through active portfolio management the Company seeks to take advantage of market opportunities to achieve a superior portfolio risk-mix that delivers attractive total returns.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual amounts realized or paid could differ from those estimates. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. There have been no significant changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared according to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted according to such rules and regulations, although management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments and eliminations necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2021 and  December 31, 2020 and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 have been included. Such adjustments are normal and recurring in nature. The unaudited information included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, and notes thereto in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. It is at least reasonably possible that these estimates could change in the near term. Estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from our estimates and the differences could be material.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has received and may continue to receive forbearance requests and may experience difficulty making new investments or redeploying proceeds from repayments of our existing investments, meeting financial covenants in the Company's debt obligations or accessing debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all. In addition, reduced economic activity may cause certain borrowers underlying the Company's real estate related assets and senior loans to become delinquent or default on their loans, or seek to defer payment on, or refinance, their loans. The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business. From inception through  September 30, 2021, there have been four forbearance requests approved in the Company's CMBS B-Piece portfolio, representing 0.8% of the Company's consolidated unpaid principal balance outstanding. Additionally, there were nine forbearance requests approved in the Company's SFR Loan book. However, as of September 30, 2021, these loans were no longer in forbearance. Despite these forbearance requests, the master servicers continued to make payments to the Company for the portion of our CMBS B-Piece and SFR Loans that requested forbearance, and were approved by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"), during the entire forbearance period. These agreed upon forbearance requests include both principal and interest payments for three months, with an option to the borrower to extend an additional three months, and require the borrower to repay Freddie Mac within twelve months of the end of the forbearance period. For additional information regarding the risks to the Company related to the COVID-19 pandemic, or any other future pandemic, see "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021.

Principles of Consolidation

The Company accounts for subsidiary partnerships in which it holds an ownership interest in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation. The Company first evaluates whether each entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Under the VIE model, the Company consolidates an entity when it has power to direct the activities of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Under the voting model, the Company consolidates an entity when it controls the entity through ownership of a majority voting interest. As of September 30, 2021, the Company has determined it must consolidate the OP and the Subsidiary OPs under the VIE model as it was determined the Company both controls the direct activities of the OP and Subsidiary OPs, and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the OP and Subsidiary OPs. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the OP and its subsidiaries. The Company’s sole significant asset is its investment in the OP, and consequently, substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities represent those assets and liabilities of the OP. In addition, all of the Company’s debt is an obligation of the Subsidiary OPs.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company evaluates all of its interests in VIEs for consolidation. When the Company’s interests are determined to be variable interests, the Company assesses whether it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE. FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidation, defines the primary beneficiary as the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant. The Company considers its variable interests, as well as any variable interests of its related parties in making this determination. Where both of these factors are present, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, and it consolidates the VIE. Where either one of these factors is not present, the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and it does not consolidate the VIE.

CMBS Trusts

The Company consolidates the trusts that issue beneficial ownership interests in mortgage loans secured by commercial real estate (commonly known as CMBS) when the Company holds a variable interest in, and management considers the Company to be the primary beneficiary of those trusts. Management believes the performance of the assets that underlie CMBS issuances most significantly impact the economic performance of the trust, and the primary beneficiary is generally the entity that conducts activities that most significantly impact the performance of the underlying assets. In particular, the most subordinate tranches of CMBS expose the holder to greater variability of economic performance when compared to more senior tranches since the subordinate tranches absorb a disproportionately higher amount of the credit risk related to the underlying assets. Generally, a trust designates the most junior subordinate tranche outstanding as the controlling class, which entitles the holder of the controlling class to unilaterally appoint, remove and replace the special servicer for the trust. For the seven CMBS that the Company consolidates, the Company owns 100% of the most subordinate tranche of six of the securities and 90% of the most subordinate tranche of one of the securities issued by the trusts. The subordinate tranche includes the controlling class, and has the ability to remove and replace the special servicer. The portion of the controlling class not owned by the Company is classified as noncontrolling interest in CMBS variable interest entities.

On the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2021, the Company consolidated seven Freddie Mac K-Series securitization entities (the “CMBS Entities”) that were determined to be VIEs and for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The CMBS Entities are independent of the Company, and the assets and liabilities of the CMBS Entities are not owned by and are not legal obligations of ours. Our exposure to the CMBS Entities is through the subordinated tranches. For financial reporting purposes, the underlying mortgage loans held by the trusts are recorded as a separate line item on the balance sheet under “Mortgage loans held in variable interest entities, at fair value.” The liabilities of the trusts consist solely of obligations to the CMBS holders of the consolidated trusts, excluding the CMBS B-Piece investments held by the Company. The liabilities are presented as “Bonds payable held in variable interest entities, at fair value” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The CMBS B-Pieces held by the Company and the interest earned thereon are eliminated in consolidation. Management has elected the measurement alternative in ASC 810 to report the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated CMBS Entities in order to provide users of the financial statements with better information regarding the effects of credit risk and other market factors on the CMBS B-Pieces owned by the Company. Management has elected to show interest income and interest expense related to the CMBS Entities in aggregate with the change in fair value as “Change in net assets related to consolidated CMBS variable interest entities.” The residual difference between the fair value of the CMBS Entities’ assets and liabilities represents the Company’s investments in the CMBS B-Pieces at fair value. 

Investment in subsidiaries

The Company conducts its operations through the OP, which directly or through a subsidiary acts as the general partner of the Subsidiary OPs which own investments through limited liability companies that are SPEs and which is the sole member of the Mezz LLC, which owns investments directly. The OP has three classes of OP Units: Class A, Class B and Class C. Class A OP Units and Class B OP Units each have 50.0% of the voting power of the OP Units and Class C OP Units have no voting power. Each Class A OP Unit, Class B OP Unit and Class C OP Unit otherwise represents substantially the same economic interest in the OP. The Company is the majority limited partner of the OP in terms of economic interests, holding approximately 77.32% of the OP Units in the OP as of  September 30, 2021 which represent 100% of the Class A OP Units, and the general partner of the OP must generally receive approval of the Board to take any actions. As such, the Company consolidates the OP. The Company consolidates the SPEs in which it has a controlling financial interest as well as any VIEs where it is the primary beneficiary. All of the investments the SPEs own are consolidated in the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Generally, the assets of each entity can only be used to settle obligations of that particular entity, and the creditors of each entity have no recourse to the assets of other entities or the Company notwithstanding equity pledges various lenders may have in certain entities or guarantees provided by certain entities.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests represent the ownership interests in consolidated subsidiaries held by entities other than the Company. Those noncontrolling interests that the holder is allowed to redeem before liquidation or termination of the entity that issued those interests are considered redeemable noncontrolling interests.

The OP and the Subsidiary OPs have issued redeemable noncontrolling interests classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as temporary equity in accordance with ASC 480. This is presented as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the OP” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and their share of “Net Income (Loss)” as “Net Income (Loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The redeemable noncontrolling interests were initially measured at the fair value of the contributed assets in accordance with ASC 805-50. The redeemable noncontrolling interests will be adjusted to their redemption value if such value exceeds the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests. Capital contributions, distributions and profits and losses are allocated to the redeemable noncontrolling interests in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreements of the Subsidiary OPs and the OP.

Acquisition Accounting

The Company accounts for the assets acquired in the Formation Transaction as asset acquisitions pursuant to ASC 805-50 rather than as business combinations. Substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired are concentrated in a group of similar identifiable assets, i.e. the SFR Loans represent one acquisition of similar identifiable assets, and the acquisition of the CMBS B-Pieces represents an additional acquisition of similar identifiable assets. Additionally, there were no corresponding in-place workforce, servicing platforms or any other item that could be considered an input or process associated with these assets. As such, the SFR Loans and the CMBS B-Pieces do not constitute businesses as defined by ASC 805-10-55. As the investments in the Initial Portfolio were contributed to the Subsidiary OPs in a non-cash transaction, cost is based on the fair value of the assets at the time of contribution.

Formation Transaction

The Company commenced operations on February 11, 2020 upon the closing of its IPO. Prior to the closing of the IPO, the Company engaged in the Formation Transaction through which it acquired the Initial Portfolio consisting of SFR Loans, CMBS B-Pieces, mezzanine loan and preferred equity investments in real estate companies and properties in other structured real estate investments within the multifamily, SFR and self-storage asset classes. The Initial Portfolio was acquired from the Contribution Group pursuant to a contribution agreement through which the Contribution Group contributed their interest in the Initial Portfolio to SPEs owned by the Subsidiary OPs , in exchange for SubOP Units. The assets and liabilities constituting the Initial Portfolio were contributed at fair value using a cutoff date of January 31, 2020. The mezzanine loan, preferred stock and preferred equity investments were valued using a discounted cash flow model using discount rates negotiated with the Contribution Group. A third-party valuation firm was utilized to value the SFR Loans using the income approach in accordance with ASC Topic 820. The income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow method to present value the expected future cash flows. The future cash flows were projected based on the terms of the loans including interest rates, current balances and servicing fees. The future cash flows depend substantially on various other assumptions such as prepayment rates, prepayment charges, default rates, expected loss given default (severity), and other inputs. The Credit Facility (defined below) contributed along with the SFR Loans was also valued using the income approach as previously described. The equity and financial liabilities of the consolidated CMBS B-Pieces were valued using broker quotes (see “—Valuation Methodologies" below for more information on our valuation methodologies). The Bridge Facility (defined below) was originated shortly before the closing of the IPO and was contributed at its carrying value, which approximated fair value. The fair values of the contributed cash and accrued interest and dividends approximated their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair values of the contributed assets described above were agreed upon by the Contribution Group and used to determine the number of SubOP Units issued. Any purchase premiums or discounts are amortized over the expected life of the investment.

The following table shows the par values, fair values and purchase premiums (discounts) of the Initial Portfolio as of February 11, 2020, the closing date of the IPO:

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Substantially all amounts on deposit with major financial institutions exceed insured limits.

From time to time, the Company may have to post cash collateral to satisfy margin calls due to changes in fair value of the underlying collateral subject to master repurchase agreements. This cash is listed as restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restricted cash is also stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Mortgage and Other Loans Held-For-Investment

Loans that are held-for-investment are carried at their aggregate outstanding face amount, net of applicable (i) unamortized origination or acquisition premium and discounts, (ii) unamortized deferred fees and other direct loan origination costs, (iii) valuation allowance for loan losses and (iv) write-downs of impaired loans. The effective interest method is used to amortize origination or acquisition premiums and discounts and deferred fees or other direct loan origination costs. In general, an increase in prepayment rates accelerates the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the assets. Conversely, discounts on such assets are accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates accelerates the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby increasing the interest income earned on the assets.

Secured Financing and Master Repurchase Agreements

The Company's borrowings under secured financing agreements and master repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing arrangements carried at their contractual amounts, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, if any.

Due to Brokers for Securities Purchased, Not Yet Settled

The Company may purchase securities before the end of the reporting period that may not settle until after the reporting period ends. The purchase price of these securities are recorded as a payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2021.

Income Recognition

Interest Income - Loans held-for-investment, CMBS structured pass through certificates and mortgage loans from the consolidated CMBS Entities where the Company expects to collect the contractual interest and principal payments are considered to be performing loans. The Company recognizes income on performing loans in accordance with the terms of the loan on an accrual basis. Interest income also includes amortization of loan premiums or discounts and loan origination costs and prepayment penalties.

Dividend Income - Dividend income is recorded when declared.

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments - The Company recognizes the excess, or deficiency, of net proceeds received, less the carrying value of such investments, as realized gains or losses, respectively. The Company reverses cumulative, unrealized gains or losses previously reported in its Consolidated Statements of Operations with respect to the investment sold at the time of the sale.

Expense Recognition

Interest expense, in accordance with the Company’s financing agreements, is recorded on the accrual basis. General and administrative expenses are expensed as incurred.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company, with the assistance of an independent valuations firm, performs a quarterly evaluation of loans classified as held for investment for impairment on a loan by loan basis in accordance with ASC 310-10-35, Receivables, Subsequent Measurement (“ASC 310-10-35”). If the Company determines that it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts owed according to the contractual terms of a loan, impairment of that loan is indicated. If a loan is considered to be impaired, the Company will establish an allowance for loan losses, through a valuation provision in earnings that reduces carrying value of the loan to the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual effective rate or the fair value of the collateral, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. For non-impaired loans with no specific allowance the Company determines an allowance for loan losses in accordance with ASC 450-20, Loss Contingencies (“ASC 450-20”), which represents management’s best estimate of incurred losses inherent in the portfolio at the balance sheet date, excluding impaired loans and loans carried at fair value. Management considers quantitative factors likely to cause estimated credit losses including default rate and loss severity rates. The Company also evaluates qualitative factors such as macroeconomic conditions, evaluations of underlying collateral, trends in delinquencies and non-performing assets. Increases to (or reversals of) the allowance for loan loss are included in “Loan loss benefit (provision)” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Significant judgment is required in determining impairment and in estimating the resulting loss allowance, and actual losses, if any, could materially differ from those estimates.

The Company performs a quarterly review of the portfolio. In conjunction with this review, the Company assesses the risk factors of each loan, including, without limitation, loan-to-value ratio, debt yield, property type, geographic and local market dynamics, physical condition, collateral, cash-flow volatility, leasing and tenant profile, loan structure, exit plan and project sponsorship. Based on a 5-point scale, our loans are rated “1” through “5,” from least risk to greatest risk, respectively, which ratings are defined as follows:

1 – Outperform – Materially exceeds performance metrics (for example, technical milestones, occupancy, rents, net operating income) included in original or current credit underwriting and business plan;

2 – Exceeds Expectations – Collateral performance exceeds substantially all performance metrics included in original or current credit underwriting and business plan;

3 – Satisfactory – Collateral performance meets, or is on track to meet, underwriting; business plan is met or can reasonably be achieved;

4 – Underperformance – Collateral performance falls short of underwriting, material differences exist from business plan, or both; technical milestones have been missed; defaults may exist, or may soon occur absent material improvement; and

5 – Risk of Impairment/Default – Collateral performance is significantly worse than underwriting; major variance from business plan; loan covenants or technical milestones have been breached; timely exit from loan via sale or refinancing is questionable.

The Company regularly evaluates the extent and impact of any credit deterioration associated with the performance and/or value of the underlying collateral, as well as the financial and operating capability of the borrower. Specifically, the collateral’s operating results and any cash reserves are analyzed and used to assess (i) whether cash from operations is sufficient to cover the debt service requirements currently and into the future, (ii) the ability of the borrower to refinance the loan and/or (iii) the collateral’s liquidation value. The Company also evaluates the financial condition of any loan guarantors, as well as any changes in the borrower’s competency in managing and operating the collateral. In addition, the Company considers the overall economic environment, real estate or industry sector and geographic sub-market in which the borrower operates. Such impairment analyses are completed and reviewed by asset management and finance personnel who utilize various data sources, including (i) periodic financial data such as property operating statements, occupancy, tenant profile, rental rates, operating expenses, the borrower’s exit plan, and capitalization and discount rates, (ii) site inspections and (iii) current credit spreads and discussions with market participants.

The Company considers loans to be past-due when a monthly payment is due and unpaid for 60 days or more. Loans will be placed on nonaccrual status and considered non-performing when full payment of principal and interest is in doubt, which generally occurs when they become 120 days or more past-due unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. Accrual of interest on individual loans is discontinued when management believes that, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, the borrower’s financial condition is such that collection of interest is doubtful. Our policy is to stop accruing interest when a loan’s delinquency exceeds 120 days. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status or subsequently charged-off are reversed against interest income. Income is subsequently recognized on the cash basis until, in management’s judgment, the borrower’s ability to make periodic principal and interest payments returns and future payments are reasonably assured, in which case the loan is returned to accrual status.

For individual loans, a troubled debt restructuring is a formal restructuring of a loan where, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, a concession that would not otherwise be considered is granted to the borrower. The concession may be granted in various forms, including providing a below-market interest rate, a reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, an extension of the maturity date, or a combination of these. An individual loan that has had a troubled debt restructuring is considered to be impaired and is subject to the relevant accounting for impaired loans. As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company had no loan modifications and thus no troubled debt restructurings.

A loan is written off when it is no longer realizable and/or it is legally discharged.

The Company will evaluate acquired loans and debt securities for which it is probable at acquisition that all contractually required payments will not be collected in accordance with ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, there were no loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality.

Fair Value

GAAP requires the categorization of the fair value of financial instruments into three broad levels that form a hierarchy based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation.

Level 1 – Inputs are adjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Inputs are other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3 – Inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, related market activity for the asset or liability.

The Company follows this hierarchy for our financial instruments. Classifications will be based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company reviews the valuation of Level 3 financial instruments as part of our quarterly process.

Valuation of Consolidated VIEs

The Company reports the financial assets and liabilities of each consolidated CMBS trust at fair value using the measurement alternative included in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-13, Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity (“ASU 2014-13”). Pursuant to ASU 2014-13, both the financial assets and financial liabilities of the consolidated CMBS trusts are measured using the fair value of the financial liabilities (which are considered more observable than the fair value of the financial assets) and the equity of the CMBS trusts beneficially owned by the Company. As a result, the CMBS issued by the consolidated trusts, but not beneficially owned by us, are presented as financial liabilities in our consolidated financial statements, measured at their estimated fair value; the Company measured the financial assets as the total estimated fair value of the CMBS issued by the consolidated trust, regardless of whether such CMBS represent interests beneficially owned by the Company. Under the measurement alternative prescribed by ASU 2014-13, “Net income (loss)” reflects the economic interests in the consolidated CMBS beneficially owned by the Company, presented as “Change in net assets related to consolidated CMBS variable interest entities” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, which includes applicable (1) changes in the fair value of CMBS beneficially owned by the Company, (2) interest income, interest expense and servicing fees earned from the CMBS trusts and (3) other residual returns or losses of the CMBS trusts, if any.

Valuation Methodologies

CMBS Trusts - The financial liabilities and equity of the consolidated CMBS trusts were valued using broker quotes. Broker quotes represent the price that an investment could be sold for in a market transaction and represent fair market value. Loans and bonds with quotes that are based on actual trades with a sufficient level of activity on or near the valuation date are classified as Level 2 assets. Loans and bonds that are priced using quotes derived from implied values, bid/ask prices for trades that were never consummated, or a limited amount of actual trades are classified as Level 3 assets because the inputs used by the brokers and pricing services to derive the values are not readily observable.

CMBS Structured Pass Through Certificates - CMBS structured pass through certificates (“CMBS I/O Strips”) are categorized as Level 2 assets in the fair value hierarchy. CMBS I/O Strips are valued using broker quotes. Broker quotes represent the price that an investment could be sold for in a market transaction and represent fair market value. Loans and bonds with quotes that are based on actual trades with a sufficient level of activity on or near the valuation date are classified as Level 2 assets.

SFR Loans, Preferred Equity Investments and Mezzanine Loans - SFR Loans, preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments are categorized as Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy. SFR Loans, preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments are valued using a discounted cash flow model using discount rates derived from observable market data applied to the internal rate of return implied by the expected contractual cash flows. The valuation is done for disclosure purposes only as these investments are not carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet.

Common Stock Investment - The common stock investment is categorized as a Level 3 asset in the fair value hierarchy. Despite our ability to exercise significant influence, the Company chose to value the investment in NexPoint Storage Partners, Inc. ("NSP") using the fair value option in accordance with ASC 825-10. See Note 5 for additional disclosures regarding the fair value of this investment.

Repurchase Agreements - The repurchase agreements are categorized as Level 3 liabilities in the fair value hierarchy as such liabilities represent borrowings on collateral with terms specific to each borrower. Given the short to moderate term of the floating-rate facilities, the Company expects the fair value of repurchase agreements to approximate their outstanding principal balances.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis - Certain assets not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but that are subject to fair-value adjustments only in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment, will be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. For first mortgage loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments, the Company applies the amortized cost method of accounting.

Overall, our determination of fair value is based upon the best information available for a given circumstance and may incorporate assumptions that are our best estimates after consideration of a variety of internal and external factors. When an independent valuation firm expresses an opinion on the fair value of a financial instrument in the form of a range, the Company selects a value within the range provided by the independent valuation firm, generally the midpoint, to assess the reasonableness of our estimated fair value for that financial instrument.

Income Taxes

The Company believes that it will operate in a manner that will allow it to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code, commencing with its taxable year ended  December 31, 2020. As a result of the Company’s expected REIT qualification, the Company does not expect to pay U.S. federal corporate level taxes. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute annually at least 90% of its “REIT taxable income,” as defined by the Code, to its stockholders. If the Company fails to meet these requirements, it could be subject to federal income tax on all of the Company’s taxable income at regular corporate rates for that year. The Company would not be able to deduct distributions paid to stockholders in any year in which it fails to qualify as a REIT. Additionally, the Company will also be disqualified from electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost unless the Company is entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions. Taxable income from certain non-REIT activities is managed through a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), which is subject to U.S. federal and applicable state and local corporate income taxes. As of September 30, 2021, the Company believes it is in compliance with all applicable REIT requirements and had no significant taxes associated with its TRS.

The Company evaluates the accounting and disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing our tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” (greater than 50 percent probability) of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Our management is required to analyze all open tax years, as defined by the statute of limitations, for all major jurisdictions, which include federal and certain states. There are no examinations in progress and none are expected at this time.

The Company recognizes its tax positions and evaluates them using a two-step process. First, the Company determines whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Second, the Company will determine the amount of benefit to recognize and record the amount that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company had no material unrecognized tax benefit or expense, accrued interest or penalties as of September 30, 2021.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Section 107 of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”) provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. The Company has elected to take advantage of this extended transition period. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates for such new or revised standards. The Company  may elect to comply with public company effective dates at any time, and such election would be irrevocable pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which establishes credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. The new approach changes the impairment model for most financial assets and will require the use of an “expected credit loss” model for financial instruments measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments. This model applies to trade and other receivables, loans, debt securities, net investments in leases, and off-balance sheet credit exposures (such as loan commitments, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees not accounted for as insurance) and requires entities to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance that represents the portion of the amortized cost basis that the entity does not expect to collect.

This allowance is deducted from the financial asset’s amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected. The new expected credit loss model will also apply to purchased financial assets with credit deterioration, superseding current accounting guidance for such assets. The amended guidance also amends the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities, requiring entities to determine whether all or a portion of the unrealized loss on such securities is a credit loss, and also eliminating the option for management to consider the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position as a factor in concluding whether or not a credit loss exists. The amended model states that an entity will recognize an allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities as a contra account to the amortized cost basis, instead of a direct reduction of the amortized cost basis of the investment, as under current guidance. As a result, entities will recognize improvements to estimated credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities immediately in earnings as opposed to in interest income over time. There are also additional disclosure requirements included in this guidance. The amended guidance is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis with the cumulative effect of initially applying the amendments recognized in retained earnings at the date of initial application. However, certain provisions of the guidance are only required to be applied on a prospective basis. That methodology replaces the probable, incurred loss model for those assets. The new standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2016-13 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the ultimate impact will depend on the portfolio and facts and circumstances near the date of adoption.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which updated the effective dates of implementation to align the implementation date for annual and interim financial statements as well as clarify the scope of the guidance in ASU 2016-13. This standard’s effective date is the same as ASU 2016-13.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326. Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which is intended to clarify the guidance introduced by ASU 2016-13. This standard’s effective date is the same as ASU 2016-13.

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Targeted Transition Relief for Topic 326. Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which provides for an option to irrevocably elect the fair-value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis. Other than the Company’s investment in CMBS, the Company does not currently expect to elect the fair-value option for assets expected to be held at amortized cost. This standard’s effective date is the same as ASU 2016-13.

In March 2020, the FASB issued AU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the US GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from the U.S. Dollar London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance is effective upon issuance and generally may be elected over time through December 31, 2022. The Company has not adopted any of the optional expedients or exceptions through  September 30, 2021 but will continue to evaluate the possible adoption of any such expedients or exceptions during the effective period as circumstances evolve.

3. Loans Held for Investment

The Company’s investments in SFR Loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity are accounted for as loans held for investment. The SFR Loans are presented as Mortgage loans, held-for-investment, net and the mezzanine loans and preferred equity is presented as Loans, held-for-investment, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following tables summarize our loans held for investment as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively (dollars in thousands):

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the loan and preferred equity portfolio activity was as follows (in thousands):

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were $58.8 million and $67.6 million of unamortized premiums on loans, held-for-investment, net, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As discussed in Note 2, the Company evaluates loans classified as held-for-investment on a loan-by-loan basis every quarter. In conjunction with the review of the portfolio, the Company assesses the risk factors of each loan and assign a risk rating based on a variety of factors. Loans are rated “1” through “5,” from least risk to greatest risk, respectively. See Note 2 for a more detailed discussion of the risk factors and ratings. The following tables allocate the principal balance and net book value of the loan portfolio based on our internal risk ratings (dollars in thousands):

As of September 30, 2021, all 47 loans held-for-investment in our portfolio were rated “3,” or “Satisfactory” based on the factors assessed by the Company and discussed in Note 2.

The following tables present the geographies and property types of collateral underlying the Company’s loans held-for-investment as a percentage of the loans’ face amounts. 

*Included in "Other."

4. CMBS Trusts

As of September 30, 2021, the Company consolidated all seven of the CMBS Entities that it determined are VIEs and for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company elected the fair-value measurement alternative in accordance with ASU 2014-13 for each of the trusts and carries the fair values of the trust’s assets and liabilities at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheets; recognizes changes in the trust’s net assets, including changes in fair-value adjustments and net interest earned, in its Consolidated Statements of Operations; and records cash interest received from the trusts and cash interest paid to bondholders of the CMBS not beneficially owned by the Company, as operating cash-flows.

The following table presents the Company’s recognized Trust’s Assets and Liabilities (in thousands):

The following table presents “Change in net assets related to consolidated CMBS variable interest entities” (in thousands):

The following tables present the geographies and property types of collateral underlying the CMBS trusts consolidated by the Company as a percentage of the collateral unpaid principal balance:

*Included in "Other."

5. Common Stock Investment

On November 6, 2020, in connection with the closing of the acquisition of Jernigan Capital, Inc. ("JCAP"), by affiliates of the Manager, each share of JCAP’s series A preferred stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the acquisition was converted into the right to receive one share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the surviving company. As a result, the entirety of the Company’s preferred stock investment in JCAP was converted into common stock of the surviving company, NSP. NSP primarily owns self-storage properties in the Sun Belt region. Historically, NSP provided debt and equity capital to self-storage entrepreneurs with a view toward eventual outright ownership of the facilities it financed. Following the conversion, the Company owns approximately 25.8% of the total outstanding shares of NSP and thus can exercise significant influence over NSP, implying this investment should be accounted for under the equity method. The Company elected the fair-value option in accordance with ASC 825-10-10 for NSP.

The investment in NSP is a Level 3 asset in the fair value hierarchy and was initially measured using the entry price of the asset. This includes a one for one conversion, accrued interest and dividends and a make whole premium of 5% of the outstanding principal balance of JCAP series A preferred stock, as well as loan deposits paid on behalf of JCAP. The Company's valuation policy for common stock is to use readily available market prices on the relevant valuation date to the extent they are available. The most recent sales price for shares of JCAP common stock occurred on November 6, 2020 at $17.30 per share. This price was used to convert the JCAP common stock and JCAP series A preferred stock into shares of common stock of NSP with a price of $1,063.47 per share. As such, the Company initially measured the common stock investment in NSP using the purchase price. In addition, as this was the last observable market price and there were no significant events nor additional publicly available market prices for NSP common stock, the Company also measured the common stock investment in NSP as of December 31, 2020 using the purchase price. On a quarterly basis beginning March 31, 2021, the Company determines the value using widely accepted valuation techniques including the discounted cash flow methodology whereby observable market terminal capitalization rates and discount rates are applied to projected cash flows generated by the self-storage assets owned by NSP. Additionally, the income approach is used to determine the fair value of the development loans owned by NSP whereby contractual cash flows are discounted at observable market discount rates.  

The following table presents the NSP common stock investment as of September 30, 2021 (in thousands, except share amounts):

6. CMBS Structured Pass Through Certificates

As of September 30, 2021, the Company held thirteen CMBS I/O Strips at fair value. These CMBS I/O Strips consist of interest only tranches of Freddie Mac structured pass through certificates with underlying portfolios of fixed-rate mortgage loans secured primarily by stabilized multifamily properties. See Note 2 and Note 9 for additional disclosures regarding valuation methodologies for the CMBS I/O Strips.

The following table presents the CMBS I/O Strips as of September 30, 2021 (in thousands):