UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-K
(Mark one)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
Or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________________ to ________________
Commission File Number 333-105017
VESTIN FUND III, LLC
NEVADA
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87-0693972 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer | |
Incorporation or organization)
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Identification No.) |
2901 EL CAMINO AVENUE, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89102
Registrants telephone number, including area code 702.227.0965
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Sec 229.405) of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [ X ]
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Not applicable.
As of March 5, 2004, the Company had 1,163,043 Units outstanding.
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PART I
Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This report and other written reports and oral statements made from time to time by us may contain forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as expects, plans, estimates, forecasts, projects, anticipates, believes and words of similar meaning. Forward looking statements are likely to address such matters as our business strategy, future operating results, future sources of funding for mortgage loans purchased by us, future economic conditions and pending litigation involving us. Some of the factors which could affect future results are set forth in the discussion under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Factors Affecting Our Operating Results.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Vestin Fund III, LLC was organized in April 16, 2003 as RE Investments III, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company. Under our Operating Agreement, our existence ends on December 31, 2023, unless the members vote to extend our duration. In this Report on Form 10-K (the Report) we refer to Vestin Fund III, LLC as the Company, the Fund, we, us, or our.
Through December 31, 2003, we were a development stage company. On November 7, 2003, our prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission became effective for the initial public offering (Offering) of 10,000,000 Units at $10 per Unit (Unit). We had not commenced operations through December 31, 2003. As of February 12, 2004, we raised the required $10,000,000 to break escrow and commence operations. By March 5, 2004, we had sold 1,163,043 Units offered pursuant to our registration statement. Members may participate in our Distribution Reinvestment Plan whereby the members distributions may be used to purchase additional Units at $10 per Unit. As of December 31, 2003, no additional Units have been purchased under this plan.
Our manager is Vestin Mortgage, Inc. (doing business as Vestin), a licensed mortgage company in the State of Nevada (Vestin Mortgage, or Manager). Vestin Mortgage is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vestin Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Vestin Group), whose common stock is publicly held and traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol VSTN. Vestin Group has received notice from Nasdaq that it no longer meets the minimum value of publicly held shares required for its inclusion on the Nasdaq National Market. Vestin Group has been afforded an opportunity to regain compliance or transfer to the Nasdaq Small Cap Market. Vestin Group is currently contemplating transferring its securities to the Nasdaq Small Cap Market. Through its subsidiaries, Vestin Group is engaged in asset management, real estate lending and other financial services.
We will seek to invest substantially all of our net Offering proceeds and distribution reinvestments in mortgage loans and real property, after paying applicable fees and expenses, if any. The allocation of our investments between real property and mortgages will be at the discretion of our Manager depending on the amounts available for investment and investment opportunities. Once the Fund is fully funded, we anticipate investing approximately 70% of our net proceeds in real property and 30% in mortgage loans. However, such percentages are only a guideline, the actual percentages may vary. Although the Mortgage Program Guidelines of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. and the Real Estate Program Guidelines of the North American Securities Administration Association, Inc. (together the NASAA Guidelines) require reserves of not less than 1% of the Offering proceeds, approximately 3% of net proceeds will be held as a working capital cash reserve. Vestin Mortgage will be reimbursed by us for up to 2% of the gross proceeds received in the Offering for all expenses advanced. At Vestin Mortgages election, it may receive units in lieu of cash reimbursement. Such expenses include those incurred by us and owed or paid to attorneys, accountants, brokers or other nonrelated third parties in
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connection with the preparation of the Offering. Vestin Mortgage will not be reimbursed or credited for any further Offering expenses it incurs.
Real Estate Program Objectives
Once the Fund is fully funded, we anticipate investing approximately 70% of our net proceeds in real property and approximately 30% in mortgage loans. However, such percentages are only a guideline, the actual percentages may vary.
We will invest in income producing multifamily residential units, assisted living facilities, office, industrial and retail properties and other income-producing real property, such as hotels and resorts, restaurants, parking lots and amusement parks. We intend to apply our prior experience in investing in mortgage loans to our evaluation and investment in real property. Accordingly, we intend to invest in real property throughout the areas in which Vestin Mortgage and its correspondents have experience, primarily Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Texas. Depending on the market and on our performance, we may expand our investments throughout the United States. We intend to purchase properties in the range of $5 million to $30 million. However, our actual purchases may vary from these guidelines.
Our principal investment objectives are:
| | Provide quarterly cash distributions to you from the rental income earned on our properties; |
| | Preserve your capital contributions; and |
| | Realize growth in the value of our properties upon our ultimate sale of such properties. |
We cannot assure you that we will achieve these objectives or that your capital will not decrease. Vestin Mortgage may change our investment guidelines, subject to the fiduciary obligations that it owes to all members and pursuant to our operating agreement. However, Vestin Mortgage may not change the investment objectives above, except upon approval of a majority of our members. Vestin Mortgage has no authority to do anything that would impair our ability to carry on our ordinary business as a mortgage or real property investor.
Mortgage Program Objectives
Our principal investment objectives are to:
| | Produce revenues from the interest income on our mortgage loans; |
| | Provide quarterly cash distributions to you from the net income earned on our mortgage loans; |
| | Preserve your capital contributions; and |
| | Reinvest to the extent permissible payments of principal and proceeds of prepayments, sales and insurance proceeds, net of expenses. |
We intend to invest in mortgage loans throughout the areas in which Vestin Mortgage and its correspondents have experience, primarily Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Texas. Depending on the market and on our performance, we may expand our investments throughout the United States. However, Vestin Mortgage has limited experience outside of the Southwest. The loans we invest in will be selected for us by Vestin Mortgage from among loans originated by Vestin Mortgage or non-affiliated mortgage brokers. When Vestin Mortgage or someone else originates a loan for us, that person identifies the borrower, processes the loan application, makes or invests in the loan, and brokers or sells the loan to us. We believe that our loans are attractive to borrowers because of the expediency of Vestin Mortgages loan approval process, which takes about 10 to 20 days. Vestin Mortgage will obtain, negotiate and make each loan, after which we acquire the loan, provided that the cost of the mortgage does not exceed the funds reasonably anticipated to be available to us to purchase the loan.
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As a non-conventional lender, we are more willing to invest in mortgage loans to borrowers that conventional lenders would not deem to be creditworthy. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition an Results of Operations Risks of Investing in Mortgage Loans at page 20. Because of our willingness to fund riskier loan types and borrowers, borrowers are willing to pay us an interest rate that is above the rates charged by conventional lenders. We intend to invest in a significant amount of loans in which the real property being developed is not generating any income to the borrower. We anticipate investing 10% to 70% of our assets allocated for mortgages in construction loans and not more than 25% of our mortgage assets in unimproved land loans. Our second mortgage investments are riskier because our rights will be subject to the rights of the first mortgage lender. We may invest up to 10% of our mortgage assets in second mortgage loans. The balloon payment loans and bridge loans in which we invest are riskier because the borrowers repayment depends on its ability to refinance the loan or develop the property so it can refinance the loan. We anticipate investing up to 50% of our mortgage assets in bridge loans. In addition, we expect to invest approximately 20% to 50% of our assets allocated for mortgages in commercial property loans, 10% to 25% in acquisition and development loans and a small percentage in residential property loans. The actual allocations may vary materially from the guidelines above depending on the amount available for investment in mortgages.
In addition to those policies contained in our prospectus and the Operating Agreement, Vestin Mortgage may establish written policies on loans and borrowings.
Real Estate Program Policies and Guidelines
We intend to primarily invest in income producing multifamily residential units, office, industrial, and retail properties, assisted living facilities and other income-producing real property. Such properties may include properties used for hotels and resorts, restaurants, parking lots, amusement parks or other leasehold properties. We intend to primarily lease out the real property owned by us. Initially, we intend to purchase our real property through cash transactions. However, if we are able to obtain favorable financing for the purchase of real property at a later date, we may choose to finance the purchase of our real property. We intend to hold our properties until such time as we believe is the optimal time to enable us to capitalize on the potential for increased income and capital appreciation of our properties.
By investing primarily in different types of properties, we believe we will reduce our overall portfolio risk and enhance our overall portfolio returns. Once we are fully funded, no single property will comprise more than 20% of our assets.
We may acquire income-producing properties which have been developed with funds provided by us pursuant to our mortgage program. For example, we may make a loan to a developer for the purchase of unimproved land. After the developer has improved the land we may then purchase the real property.
We will seek to invest in properties that will satisfy our investment objectives of maximizing quarterly distributions, preserving our capital and realizing capital appreciation upon the ultimate sale of our properties. We intend to invest in properties located in the United States. We will initially seek to invest in properties located in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Texas. We do not intend to invest in unimproved land or construction or development of properties.
Vestin Mortgage has not previously been engaged in the business of direct investment in real property. In making investment decisions for us, Vestin Mortgage will consider relevant real estate property and financial factors, such as the location of the property, its income-producing capacity, the prospects for long-range appreciation, return on capital and its liquidity and income tax considerations. Vestin Mortgage will have substantial discretion with respect to the selection of specific investments.
We will obtain independent appraisals for each property in which we invest. Additionally, we will not rely on or utilize any appraisals which have not been commissioned by us. However, we will rely on our own independent analysis of various criteria, including such appraisals, in determining whether or not to invest in a particular
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property. Appraisals are estimates of value and should not be relied upon as measures of true worth or realizable value.
Our obligation to purchase any property will generally be conditioned upon the delivery and verification of certain documents from the seller or developer, including, environmental reports, evidence of marketable title, audited financial statements covering recent operations of properties with operating histories and title and liability insurance policies. We will attempt to ensure that all of our properties are adequately insured to cover casualty losses. However, there are types of losses which are uninsurable or not economically insurable or may be insurable subject to limitations, such as large deductibles or co-payments.
Our investments generally will take the form of holding fee title in the properties we acquire. We will acquire such interests directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries, which may be formed in the future. We may also invest in real property through joint ventures pursuant to the NASAA Guidelines. In no event will we acquire an interest in real property through any structure which would cause us to be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Leasing
The terms and conditions of any lease that we enter into with our tenants may vary substantially. However, we expect that our leases will be the type customarily used between landlords and tenants in the geographic area where the property is located. We intend to diversify our portfolio. However, we cannot predict at this time what the allocation will be.
Multifamily. Multifamily leases provide for terms of 6 months to 3 years and require the tenant to pay monthly lease payments and a security deposit equal to one months rent. Under such leases, the landlord is generally directly responsible for all real estate taxes, sales and use taxes, special assessments, insurance and building repairs.
Office. Office leases generally have terms of 3 to 10 years and require tenants to pay monthly lease payments and a security deposit equal to one months rent. The landlord may be responsible for all real estate taxes, sales and use taxes, special assessments, insurance and building repairs, utilities and other building operation and management costs.
Industrial. Industrial leases generally have terms of 5 to 20 years and require tenants to pay monthly lease payments and a security deposit equal to one months rent. The tenant typically is responsible for its shares of building operation and management costs, including real estate taxes, sales and use taxes, special assessments, insurance and building repairs and utilities.
Retail. Retail leases generally have terms of 3 to 5 years with multiple options and require tenants to pay monthly lease payments and a security deposit equal to one months rent. The tenant typically is responsible for its shares of building operation and management costs, including real estate taxes, sales and use taxes, special assessments, insurance and building repairs and utilities.
Assisted Living. Assisted living leases have terms of 1 to 2 years and require tenants to pay monthly lease payments and a security deposit equal to one months rent. The landlord is generally directly responsible for all real estate taxes, sales and use taxes, special assessments, insurance and building repairs.
We will execute new tenant leases and tenant lease renewals, expansions and extensions with terms that are dictated by the current market conditions. If it is economically practical, we will verify the creditworthiness of each tenant. If we verify the creditworthiness of each tenant, we will use industry credit rating services to determine the creditworthiness of potential tenants and any guarantors of each potential tenant. We will also obtain relevant financial data from potential tenants and guarantors, such as income statements and balance sheets and cash flow statements. We may require personal guaranties from shareholders of our corporate tenants. However, there can be no guarantee that the tenants selected will not default on their leases.
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We anticipate that tenant improvements will be funded by us from our cash flow or our credit line. When one of our tenants vacates its space in one of our buildings, we may, in order to attract new tenants, be required to expend funds for tenant improvements. In addition, we may provide free rent for a certain time period, provide tenant improvement allowances, and provide other concessions in order to attract new tenants.
Borrowing Policies
We may borrow funds to acquire our properties. We will not incur debt in an amount greater than the sum of 85% of the aggregate purchase price of all our real property owned by us plus 70% of the aggregate fair market value of all our other assets.
Vestin Mortgage will have the authority to select the lender and negotiate the terms of the loan.
Participation
We may also participate in the operation and purchase of real property with other purchasers, including affiliates as permitted by NASAA Guidelines. We will own any jointly purchased real property in direct fee title.
We will participate in the operation and/or purchase with non-affiliates if we acquire a controlling interest, alone or with any of our publicly registered affiliates meeting the requirements below, in such participation. A controlling interest would enable us to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such participation, which would include the authority to:
| | review all material contracts; |
| | cause a sale or refinancing of the property or our interest therein subject in certain cases to limitations imposed by the participation agreement between the parties; |
| | approve budgets and major capital expenditures, subject to a stated minimum amount; |
| | veto any sale or refinancing of a property, or alternately, to receive a specified preference on sale or refinancing proceeds; and |
| | exercise a right of first refusal on any desired sale or refinancing by a participant of its interest in a property except for transfer to its affiliate. |
In the event of participation with a publicly registered affiliate, the investment objectives of the participants shall be substantially identical. There shall be no duplicate fees. The compensation to the sponsors must be substantially identical, and the investment of each participant must be on substantially the same terms and conditions. Each participant shall have right of first refusal to buy the others interest if the co-participant decides to sell its interest. We may participate in joint ventures or partnerships with affiliates that are not publicly registered if the investment is necessary to relieve Vestin Mortgage from any commitment to purchase a mortgage entered into prior to the closing of the offering, there are no duplicate fees, the investment of each entity is on the same terms and condition and the participants have a right of first refusal to buy if Vestin Mortgage wishes to sell a mortgage held in the joint venture.
We will not give Vestin Mortgage, Vestin Group or any of their affiliates any consideration similar to rebates or give-backs or enter into reciprocal arrangements with Vestin Mortgage or its affiliates that might be entered into in lieu of participations.
Disposition
We anticipate that periodically or at our termination and dissolution, we will sell our properties. We intend to hold various real properties in which we invest until such time as a sale or other disposition appears to be advantageous to achieve our investment objectives or until it appears that such objectives will not be met. We will consider multiple
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factors in deciding on whether or not to dispose of our properties, including potential capital appreciation, cash flow and federal income tax considerations. We will decide when to sell our properties based upon economic and market conditions. Vestin Mortgage may exercise its discretion as to whether and when to sell a property, and we will have no obligation to sell properties at any particular time.
After our members have received a 100% return on their capital contributions plus an amount equal to 6% per annum cumulative, Vestin Mortgage will be eligible to receive up to 25% of cash to be distributed from the net proceeds remaining from the sale or refinancing of properties. Additionally, Vestin Mortgage or one of its affiliates may receive a real estate commission of 3% if Vestin Mortgage or one of its affiliates acts as our broker in the sale or purchase of real property.
Return of the original purchase price paid by us from the disposition of properties generally will be reinvested during the first seven years of our operations; thereafter, such proceeds will be distributed to the Members. Retainable net sale proceeds do not include amounts in excess of the original purchase price paid by us on the sale of real property which are accounted for as part of cash funds from our operations. However, we may also reinvest a portion of cash funds from our operations for amounts attributable to amounts in excess of the original purchase price paid by us on the sale of real property.
Mortgage Program Policies and Guidelines
We anticipate that a majority of our collateral on our mortgage loans will be the real property that the borrower is purchasing, refinancing or developing with the funds that we make available. We sometimes refer to these real properties as the security properties. While we may invest in other types of loans, we believe that most of the loans in which we invest will have been made to real estate developers with a lesser proportion of loans involving land loans and bridge financing. Our mortgage investments will not be insured or guaranteed by any government agency. We will not give any rebates or enter into any reciprocal agreement with Vestin Mortgage or any of its affiliates that enables Vestin Mortgage or its affiliates to receive a rebate.
Vestin Mortgage will continuously evaluate prospective investments, select the mortgages in which we invest and make all investment decisions on our behalf in its sole discretion, unless the Operating Agreement provides otherwise. You are not entitled to act on any proposed investment. In evaluating prospective mortgage loan investments, Vestin Mortgage considers such factors as the following:
| | the ratio of the amount of the investment to the value of the property by which it is secured; |
| | the potential for capital appreciation or depreciation of the property securing the investment; |
| | expected levels of rental and occupancy rates (if applicable); |
| | potential for rental increases (if applicable); |
| | current and projected revenues from the property; |
| | the status and condition of the record title of the property securing the investment; |
| | geographic location of the property securing the investment; and |
| | the financial condition of the borrowers and their principals, if any, who guarantee the loan. |
Vestin Mortgage may obtain our loans from non-affiliated mortgage brokers and previous borrowers, and by solicitation of new borrowers in those states where permissible. We may purchase existing loans that were originated by third party lenders and acquired by Vestin Mortgage to facilitate our purchase of the loans. Vestin Mortgage will sell the loans to us for no greater than Vestin Mortgages cost, not including its service fees and compensation. There are no specific requirements or guidelines governing Vestin Mortgages discretion in determining which mortgage loans it will place with us and which it will place with other funding sources.
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When selecting mortgage loans for us, Vestin Mortgage will adhere to the following guidelines, which are intended to control the quality of the collateral given for our loans:
| 1. | Priority of Mortgages. We anticipate investing at least 90% of our assets allocated for mortgages in secured first mortgages. First mortgages are mortgages secured by a full or divided interest in a first deed of trust secured by the property. Other mortgages that we invest in on the security property will not be junior to more than one other mortgage. The only subordinated mortgages we currently intend to invest in at this time are second mortgages, although in the future we may invest in wraparound, or all-inclusive, mortgages. |
| 2. | Loan-to-Value Ratio. We do not anticipate that the amount of our loan combined with the outstanding debt secured by a senior mortgage on a security property will exceed the following percentage of the appraised value of the security property at origination: |
| Type of Secured Property |
Loan-to-Value Ratio |
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Residential
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75 | % | ||
Unimproved Land
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60% (of the anticipated as-if developed value) | |||
Acquisition and Development
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60% (of the anticipated as-if developed value) | |||
Commercial Property
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75% (of the anticipated post-development value) | |||
Construction
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75% (of the anticipated as-if developed value) | |||
Bridge
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75% (of the anticipated as-if developed value) | |||
Leasehold Interest
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75% (of value of leasehold interest) | |||
| We may deviate from these guidelines under certain circumstances. For example, Vestin Mortgage, in its discretion, may increase any of the above loan-to-value ratios if, in its opinion, a given loan is supported by credit adequate to justify a higher loan-to-value ratio, including personal guarantees. Occasionally, our collateral may include personal property as well as real property. We do not have specific requirements with respect to the projected income or occupancy levels of a property securing our investment in a particular loan. These loan-to-value ratios will not apply to financing offered by us to the purchaser of any real estate acquired through foreclosure, or to refinance an existing loan that is in default when it matures. In those cases, Vestin Mortgage, in its sole discretion, shall be free to accept any reasonable financing terms it deems to be in our best interest. Nevertheless, in no event will the loan-to-value ratio on any loan exceed 80% of the independently appraised as-if developed value of the property at the time of loan origination. The target loan-to-value ratio for our loan portfolio as a whole is approximately 70%. | ||||
| Vestin Mortgage will receive an appraisal at the time of loan underwriting, which may precede the placement of the loan with us. Copies of these appraisals will be available for your review at the offices of Vestin Mortgage for a period of six (6) years. Generally, these appraisals will be completed within twelve months prior to funding of the loan. Also, the appraisal may have been previously performed for the borrower. The appraisal may be for the current estimated as-if developed value of the property. We will use appraisers who are licensed or qualified as independent appraisers and certified by or hold designations from one or more of the following organizations: the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal | ||||
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| Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the National Association of Review Appraisers, the Appraisal Institute, the Society of Real Estate Appraisers, M.A.I., Class IV Savings and Loan appraisers or from among appraisers with other qualifications acceptable to Vestin Mortgage. |
| However, appraisals are only estimates of value and cannot be relied on as measures of realizable value. The appraisal may be for the current estimated as-if developed or as-if completed value of the property or, in the case of acquisition and development loans or construction loans, for the estimated value of the property upon completion of the project. As-if completed or as-if developed values on raw land loans or acquisition and development loans often dramatically exceed the immediate sales value and may include anticipated zoning changes, selection by a purchaser against multiple alternatives, and successful development by the purchaser; upon which development is dependent on availability of financing. An employee or agent of Vestin Mortgage will review each appraisal report and will conduct a physical inspection for each property. A physical inspection includes an assessment of the subject property, the adjacent properties and the neighborhood but generally does not include entering any structures on the property. |
| We depend upon our real estate security to protect us on the loans that we make. We depend upon the skill of independent appraisers to value the security underlying our loans. However, notwithstanding the experience of the appraisers, they may make mistakes, or the value of the real estate may decrease due to subsequent events. In addition, most of the appraisals will be prepared on an as if-developed basis. If the loan goes into default prior to completion of the project, the market value of the property may be substantially less than the appraised value. As a result, there may be less security than anticipated at the time the loan was originally made. If there is less security and a default occurs, we may not recover the full amount of our loan, thus reducing the amount of funds available to distribute to you. |
| 3. | Terms of Mortgage Loans. Most of our loans will range from a six-month term to a five-year term. Our original loan agreements, however, will permit extensions to the term of the loan by mutual consent. Such extensions will generally be provided on loans where the original term was 12 months or less and where a borrower requires additional time to complete a construction project or negotiate take out financing. | |||
| We anticipate that substantially all of our loans will provide for payments of interest only with a balloon payment of principal payable in full at the end of the term. In addition, we may invest in mortgage loans which require borrowers to maintain interest reserves funded from the principal amount of the loan for a period of time. | ||||
| 4. | Interest Reserves. We expect that many of our loans will involve interest reserves where the funds to be lent to the borrower to cover initial interest payments on the loan will not disbursed to the borrower but rather will be funded only when needed and authorized, thereby providing us with greater control of interest payments. Funds for the interest payments for the initial interest reserve period may be advanced by us or other lenders, but the amount of the borrowers loan is increased by the amount of such advances. | |||
| 5. | Escrow Conditions. Our loans will often be funded by us through an escrow account held by a title insurance company, subject to the following conditions: | |||
| | Borrowers will obtain title insurance coverage for all loans, with the title insurance policy naming us as the insured and providing title insurance in an amount at least equal to the principal amount of the loan. Title insurance insures only the validity and priority of our deed of trust, and does not insure us against loss by other causes, such as diminution in the value of the security property. |
| | Borrowers will obtain fire and casualty insurance for all loans secured by improved real property, naming us as loss payee in an amount sufficient to cover the replacement cost of improvements. |
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| | All insurance policies, notes, deeds of trust or mortgages, escrow agreements, and any other loan documents for a particular transaction will name us as payee and beneficiary. Mortgage loans will not be written in the name of Vestin Mortgage or any other nominee. |
| 6. | Purchase of Mortgage Investments from Affiliates. We may acquire mortgage loans from our affiliates, including Vestin Mortgage, if the loans were acquired to facilitate their acquisition by us, provided that such loan is purchased by us for a price not in excess of the par value of the note or its fair market value, whichever is lower, plus allowable fees and expenses in accordance with applicable NASAA Guidelines, but without the allowance of any other compensation for the loans. Except for the compensation paid to Vestin Mortgage, all income generated and expense associated with the mortgage so acquired shall be treated as belonging to us. |
| 7. | Note Hypothecation. We may also acquire mortgage loans secured by assignments of secured promissory notes. These mortgage loans must satisfy our stated investment standards, including our loan-to-value ratios, and also may not exceed 80% of the principal amount of the assigned note. For example, if the property securing a note we acquire is commercial property, the total amount of outstanding debts secured by the property must not exceed 75% of the appraised as-if developed value of the property, and the mortgage loan will not exceed 80% of the principal amount of the assigned note. For mortgage loans secured by promissory notes, we will rely on the appraised as-if developed value of the underlying property, as determined by a written appraisal which was conducted within the then-preceding twelve months at the time of loan origination. If an appraisal was not conducted within that period, then we will arrange for a new appraisal to be prepared for the property. |
| 8. | Participation. We may also participate in loans with other lenders, including affiliates as permitted by NASAA Guidelines, by providing funds for or purchasing an undivided interest in a loan meeting our investment guidelines described above. We will directly own any loans purchased jointly with other lenders. We would be more likely to participate in loans if, for example: |
| | we did not have sufficient funds to invest in an entire loan; |
| | we received Offering proceeds that were insufficient to adequately diversify our portfolio; |
| | we are seeking to increase the diversification in our loan portfolio; or |
| | Vestin Mortgage originated a loan that fit within our investment guidelines but it would constitute more than 20% of our anticipated capital contribution or otherwise be disproportionately large given our then existing portfolio. |
| We will participate in loans with non-affiliates if we acquire a controlling interest, alone or with any of our publicly registered affiliates meeting the requirements below, in such participation. A controlling interest would enable us to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such participation, which would include the authority to: |
| | review all material contracts; |
| | cause a sale of the mortgage or our interest therein subject in certain cases to limitations imposed by the participation agreement between the parties; |
| | approve budgets and major capital expenditures, subject to a stated minimum amount; |
| | veto any sale of a mortgage, or alternatively, to receive a specified preference on sale or proceeds; and |
| | exercise a right of first refusal on any desired sale by a participant of its interest in a loan except for transfer to its affiliate. |
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| In the event of participation with a publicly registered affiliate, the investment objectives of the participants shall be substantially identical. There shall be no duplicate fees. The compensation to the sponsors must be substantially identical, and the investment of each participant must be on substantially the same terms and conditions. Each participant shall have a right of first refusal to buy the others interest if the co-participant decides to sell its interest. We will not participate in joint ventures or partnerships with affiliates that are not publicly registered except as permitted by NASAA Guidelines. |
| We will not give Vestin Mortgage, Vestin Group or any of their affiliates any consideration similar to rebates or give-backs or enter into reciprocal arrangements with Vestin Mortgage or its affiliates that might be entered into in lieu of participations. |
| In addition to participation agreements, we may enter into intercreditor agreements. Pursuant to intercreditor agreements, a co-lender may participate in certain loans with us, Vestin Mortgage, Vestin Fund I or Vestin Fund II (collectively, the Lead Lenders). In the event of borrower non-performance, the intercreditor agreement generally provides the Lead Lenders with some or all of the rights to either (i) continue to remit to the co-lender the interest due on the participation amount; (ii) substitute an alternative loan acceptable to the co-lender; or (iii) repurchase the participation from the co-lender for the outstanding balance of the participation plus accrued interest. Consequently, mortgage loan financing under an intercreditor arrangement is accounted for as a secured borrowing in accordance with SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. We believe that it is in our best long term interest to have in place relationships with third parties willing to enter into such arrangements in order to expand our funding sources. We will pursue this strategy, even when we have substantial uninvested funds, in order to maintain relationships with such third party lenders. |
| 9. | Diversification. The NASAA Guidelines provide that we neither invest in or make mortgage loans on any one property which would exceed, in the aggregate, an amount equal to 20% of our capital nor may we invest in or make mortgage loans to or from any one borrower which would exceed, in the aggregate, an amount greater than 20% of our capital. As of March 30, 2004, we had two mortgage loans that each accounted for more than 20% of our members equity. Our initial investments may exceed the NASAA Guidelines until we have sufficient funds to further diversify. NASAA Guidelines permit the minimum standards to be exceeded if the mortgage loans are made pursuant to sound underwriting criteria. |
| 10. | Reserve Fund. Although the NASAA Guidelines require reserves of not less than 1% of the Offering proceeds, we will establish contingency working capital reserves of approximately 3% of the net proceeds of the Offering to cover our unexpected cash needs. |
| 11. | Credit Evaluations. Before making a loan, Vestin Mortgage must first determine that a borrower has sufficient equity in the security property to meet the loan-to-value ratios described above. Vestin Mortgage may also consider the income level and creditworthiness of a borrower to determine its ability to repay the mortgage loan. |
| 12. | Sale of Mortgage Investments. Although Vestin Mortgage has no plan to do so, Vestin Mortgage may sell our mortgage loans or interests in our loans to either affiliates or non-affiliated parties when Vestin Mortgage believes that it is advantageous to us to do so. However, we do not expect that the loans will be marketable or that a secondary market will ever develop for them. We may sell our mortgage loans to Vestin Mortgage under limited circumstances pursuant to the NASAA Guidelines. |
Mortgage Loans to Affiliates
We will not invest in mortgage loans made to Vestin Mortgage, Vestin Group or any of our affiliates. However, we may acquire an investment in a mortgage loan payable by Vestin Mortgage when Vestin Mortgage has assumed the obligations of the borrower under that loan, through a foreclosure on the property.
Purchase of Loans from Vestin Mortgage and its Affiliates
In addition to those loans Vestin Mortgage selects for us, we may purchase loans that were originated by Vestin Mortgage or other parties and first held for Vestin Mortgages own portfolio, as long as the loan satisfies all of our lending criteria. This requirement also applies to any loan originated by an affiliate of Vestin Mortgage, such as
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Vestin Group, Michael Shustek, Chief Executive Officer of Vestin Group, or another principal of Vestin Mortgage. However, we will not acquire a loan from or sell a loan to a mortgage program in which Vestin Mortgage has an interest unless in compliance with NASAA Guidelines.
Types of Loans We Intend to Invest In
We intend to primarily invest in loans which are secured by first or second mortgages on real property. Such loans fall into the following categories: raw and unimproved land, acquisition and development, construction, commercial, residential and bridge loans. Pending completion of our Offering, we intend to make investments based upon the guidelines set forth below. However, the actual allocation may vary from the guidelines below depending on the amount available for investment in mortgages, and may vary materially prior to the completion of the Offering.
Raw and Unimproved Land Loans
Approximately 15% to 25% of our mortgage assets may be invested in loans made for the purchase or development of raw, unimproved land. Generally, we determine whether to invest in these loans based upon the appraised value of the property and the borrowers actual capital investment in the property. Typically, we will invest in loans with a face value of up to 60% of the as-if developed appraised value of the property and we usually require that the borrower has invested in the property actual capital expenditures of at least 25% of the propertys value. As-if developed values on raw and unimproved land loans often dramatically exceed the immediate sales value and may include anticipated zoning changes, selection of a purchaser against multiple alternatives, and successful development by the purchaser; upon which development is dependent on availability of financing. These loans are riskier because the property is not capable of generating any income, as compared to a commercial property.
Acquisition and Development Loans
Approximately 10% to 25% of our mortgage assets may be invested in acquisition and development loans. These loans enable borrowers to acquire and/or complete the basic infrastructure and development of their property prior to the construction of buildings or structures. Such development may include installing utilities, sewers, water pipes, and/or streets. Generally, we will invest in loans with a face value of up to 60% of the as-if developed appraised value of the property. Such appraisals have the same valuation limitations as raw and unimproved land loans, described above.
Construction Loans
Approximately 10% to 70% of our mortgage assets may be invested in construction loans. A construction loan provides funds for the construction of one or more structures on developed land. Funds under this type of loan will generally not be forwarded to the borrower until work in the previous phase of the project has been completed and an independent inspector has verified certain aspects of the construction and its costs. We will typically require material and labor lien releases by the borrower per completed phase of the project. We will review the appraised value of the property and proposed improvements, and will arrange loans for up to 75% of the as-if developed appraised value. Such appraisals have the same valuation limitations as raw and unimproved land loans, described above. These loans are riskier than loans secured by income producing properties because during construction the borrower does not receive income from the property to make payments on the loan.
Commercial Property Loans
Approximately 20% to 50% of our mortgage assets may be invested in commercial property loans. Commercial property loans provide funds to allow commercial borrowers to acquire income-producing property or to make improvements or renovations to the property in order to increase the value or net operating income of the property so that it may qualify for institutional refinancing. We will review the appraised value of the property and will invest in loans for up to 75% of such appraised value. To the extent such loans include renovations, appraisals may include as-if developed valuations with the limitations described above. These loans are riskier because there is no assurance that the commercial borrower will qualify for the refinancing or that the improvements will yield the anticipated increase in value and income.
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Residential Loans
We may invest approximately 5% of our mortgage assets in residential loans. Such loans facilitate the purchase or refinance of one to four family residential property units provided the borrower uses one of the units on the property as such borrowers principal residence. We will review the appraised value of the property and will invest in loans for up to 75% of such appraised value.
Bridge Loans
Up to 50% of our mortgage assets may be invested in bridge loans. These loans provide interim financing to enable commercial borrowers to qualify for permanent refinancing. We will review the appraised value of the property and will generally invest in loans of up to 75% of that value. Such appraisals may be based on either an as-is basis or as-if developed basis, depending on the circumstances, and therefore, may not be an accurate indicator of the fair value of the property. These loans are riskier because there is no assurance that the developer will qualify for the refinancing.
Collateral
The types of collateral that will secure the loans brokered by us include a first deed of trust, a second deed of trust or a leasehold interest.
First Deed of Trust
The majority of the loans invested in by us will be secured by a first deed of trust. Thus, we will have rights as a first mortgage lender of the collateralized property.
Second Deed of Trust
We will not invest in a second deed of trust unless (i) such loan involves the sale of real property owned by us, or (ii) we also act as the first mortgage lender on the loan.
Leasehold Interest
Up to 20% of our mortgage assets may be invested in loans where the collateral is an interest in a lease. These loans are riskier because the only rights we will have is to assume the borrowers obligations under the lease and to use the property for the length of time and in the limited manner permitted under the lease.
Prepayment Penalties and Exit Fees
We anticipate that a majority of the loans we invest in will not contain prepayment penalties or exit fees. If our loans are at a high rate of interest in a market of falling interest rates, the failure to have a prepayment penalty provision or exit fee in the loan allows the borrower to refinance the loan at a lower rate of interest, thus providing a lower yield to us on the reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds. However, these loans will usually be written with relatively high minimum interest rates, which we would expect to minimize the risk of lower yields.
Extensions to Term of Loan
Our original loan agreements will permit extensions to the term of the loan by mutual consent. Such extensions are generally provided on loans where the original term was 12 months or less and where a borrower requires additional time to complete a construction project or negotiate take out financing. When we initially grant loans we, among other things, review the financial condition of the borrower and any guarantors, perform a title search, and receive an appraisal. Based upon our review of the factors above as well as other considerations, we decide whether and for
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how long a loan should be granted. Loan extensions are often contemplated at the time of the initial loan, usually for 90 day increments. Generally, loan extensions will only be made for up to one year from the original date of maturity of the loan. We generally provide extensions on loans which are in full compliance with the terms of the loan. We reevaluate loans on a quarterly basis whether or not the loans are made pursuant to an extension.
Balloon Payment
We anticipate that at least 90% of the loans we invest in or purchase will require the borrower to make a balloon payment on the principal amount upon maturity of the loan. There are no specific criteria used in evaluating the credit quality of borrowers for mortgage loans requiring balloon payments. Furthermore, a substantial period of time may elapse between the review of the financial statements of the borrower and the date when the balloon payment is due. As a result, there is no assurance that a borrower will have sufficient resources to make a balloon payment when due. To the extent that a borrower has an obligation to pay mortgage loan principal in a large lump sum payment, its ability to repay the loan may be dependent upon its ability to sell the property, obtain suitable refinancing or otherwise raise a substantial amount of cash. As a result, these loans can involve a higher risk of default than loans where the principal is paid at the same time as the interest payments.
Repayment of Mortgages on Sales of Properties
We may require a borrower to repay a mortgage loan upon the sale of the mortgaged property rather than allow the buyer to assume the existing loan. We will require repayment if we determine that repayment appears to be advantageous to us based upon then-current interest rates, the length of time that the loan has been held by us, the creditworthiness of the buyer and our objectives. We will either invest our net proceeds from any capital transaction in new mortgage loans, hold the net proceeds as cash or distribute them to our members. These net proceeds will also include the principal of a loan deemed to be repaid for tax purposes as a result of the nature of a loan modification or loan extension. Our Operating Agreement provides that whether we choose to distribute the proceeds or reinvest them, you will be deemed to have received a distribution of capital and recontributed the same amount to us. Capital transactions include payments of principal, foreclosures and prepayments of mortgages, to the extent classified as a return of capital under the Internal Revenue Code, and any other disposition of a mortgage or property.
Variable Rate Loans
Occasionally we may acquire variable rate loans. Variable rate loans originated by Vestin Mortgage may use as indices the one and five year Treasury Constant Maturity Index, the Prime Rate Index and the Monthly Weighted Average Cost of Funds Index for Eleventh District Savings Institutions (Federal Home Loan Bank Board). Vestin Mortgage may negotiate spreads over these indices of 2.5% to 5.5%, depending upon market conditions when the loan is made.
It is possible that the interest rate index used in a variable rate loan will rise (or fall) more slowly than the interest rate of other loan investments available to us. Vestin Mortgage attempts to minimize this interest rate differential by tying variable rate loans to indices that are sensitive to fluctuations in market rates. Additionally, most variable rate loans originated by Vestin Mortgage contain provisions under which the interest rate cannot fall below the initial rate.
Interest Rate Caps
Variable rate loans generally have interest rate caps. We anticipate that the interest rate cap will be a ceiling that is 2-4% above the starting rate with a floor rate equal to the starting rate. For these loans there is the risk that the market rate may exceed the interest cap rate.
Variable rate loans of five to ten year maturities are not assumable without the prior consent of Vestin Mortgage. We do not expect to invest in or purchase a significant amount of other assumable loans. To minimize our risk, any
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borrower assuming an existing mortgage loan will be subject to the same underwriting criteria as the original borrower.
Borrowing
We may incur indebtedness:
| | to finance our investments in mortgage loans, |
| | to prevent a default under mortgage loans that are senior to our mortgage loans, |
| | to discharge senior mortgage loans if this becomes necessary to protect our investment in mortgage loans, or |
| | to operate or develop a property that we acquired under a defaulted loan. |
Our indebtedness will not exceed 70% of the fair market value of our mortgage loans. This indebtedness may be with recourse to our assets.
In addition, we may enter into structured arrangements with lenders in order to provide them with a senior position in mortgage loans which we might jointly fund. For example, we might establish a wholly-owned special purpose corporation which would borrow funds from an institutional lender under an arrangement where the resulting mortgage loans would be assigned to a trust, and the trust would issue a senior certificate to the institutional lender and a junior certificate to the special purpose corporation. This would assure the institutional lender of repayment in full prior to our receipt of any repayment on the jointly funded mortgage loans.
No Trust or Investment Company Activities
We have not qualified as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code, and therefore we are not subject to the restrictions on its activities that are imposed on real estate investment trusts. We intend to conduct our business so that we are not an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Last, we intend to conduct our business so that we are not to be deemed a dealer in mortgage loans for federal income tax purposes.
Various Other Policies and Procedures
Without approval of a majority of the members, we will not:
| | issue securities senior to the units or issue any units or other securities for other than cash; |
| | invest in the securities of other issuers for the purpose of exercising control, except when exercising our rights as a secured lender; |
| | underwrite securities of other issuers; |
| | discontinue providing our members with the reports described in our prospectus; |
| | offer securities in exchange for property; or |
| | change the nature of our business or our investment policies. |
Competition and General Economic Conditions
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There are hundreds of commercial banks, insurance companies, mortgage brokers, pension funds and other institutional lenders competing to make the type of loans in which we invest. No particular competitor dominates the market. For the past few years, the institutional lenders have not been as active in the commercial mortgage market as in prior years. Recently, however, many major institutional lenders have re-entered the commercial mortgage market due to a stronger economy, stabilized or increased property values and leasing rates, and the decrease in demand for residential loans. As a result, we anticipate competition for investments in mortgages secured by commercial properties, which creates pressure on lenders to lower interest rates. Consequently, we may not be able to obtain as high interest rates on mortgage investments as we would otherwise obtain, which would affect our revenues and the distributions you receive.
Regulation
Our operations are conducted by Vestin Mortgage. Vestin Mortgages operations as a mortgage company are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local laws and governmental authorities. Vestin Mortgage conducts its real estate mortgage business under a license issued by the State of Nevada Financial Institutions Division. As of October 1, 2003, Vestin Mortgage is regulated by the Mortgage Lending Division of the State of Nevada Financial Institutions Division. Under applicable Nevada law, the division has broad discretionary authority over Vestin Mortgages activities, including the authority to conduct periodic regulatory audits of all aspects of Vestin Mortgages operations.
On March 26, 1999, Del Mar Mortgage, Inc., a company controlled by Michael Shustek, Chief Executive Officer of Vestin Group, entered into a stipulated court order (the Order) with the State of Nevada, Department of Business and Industry, Financial Institutions Division (the Division) resolving a dispute regarding Del Mar Mortgage, Inc.s alleged noncompliance with various Nevada regulatory statutes. Without admitting any facts, and solely to settle these matters, Del Mar Mortgage, Inc. agreed to assure compliance with applicable Nevada law in all of its advertising and solicitation of mortgage borrowers and in its making and servicing of mortgage loans. In April 1999, Vestin Group (then known as Sunderland Acquisition Corporation) acquired the customer lists, goodwill and certain other intangible assets of Del Mar Mortgage, Inc. and assumed certain liabilities related to such assets. Neither Vestin Group (then Sunderland Acquisition Corporation) nor Vestin Mortgage (then known as Capsource, Inc.) acquired any loans or other financial assets of Del Mar Mortgage, Inc., which continued to operate as an independent business. In contemplation of such acquisition, Vestin Group (then Sunderland Acquisition Corporation) and Vestin Mortgage (then Capsource, Inc.) agreed to be bound by the terms of the Order.
We and Vestin Mortgage are also subject to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, which prohibits creditors from discriminating against loan applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age or marital status, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, which requires lenders to supply applicants with the name and address of the reporting agency if the applicant is denied credit. We are also subject to various other federal and state securities laws regulating the issuance and sale of securities, as well as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Should we or Vestin Mortgage not adhere to these regulations, we could face potential disciplinary or other civil action that could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Policies on Limitation on Investments
We will not invest in other limited partnerships except as permitted under the NASAA Guidelines. We will not invest in limited partnership interests of any other limited partnership of which Vestin Mortgage serves as a managing or general partner unless Vestin Mortgage does not receive duplicate fees or compensation beyond what is permissible by the NASAA Guidelines.
We will not engage in the following:
| | issue senior securities; |
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| | acquire property for membership interests; |
| | issue any units after termination of the Offering or issue units in exchange for property; |
| | underwrite securities of other issuers; |
| | or make loans to Vestin Mortgage or its affiliates. |
We do not intend to become an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
We will only repurchase our securities in response to a request for redemption pursuant to our operating agreement.
Employees
We do not have any employees. Our Manager, Vestin Mortgage, and its parent company, Vestin Group, Inc., provide all of the employees necessary for our operations. As of March 1, 2004, those entities employed 43 personnel of which one was a part-time employee. All employees are at-will employees and none are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Available Information
Our Internet website address is www.vestinfund.com. We make available free of charge through www.vestinmortgage.com our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our Manager, Vestin Mortgage, operates from its executive offices at 2901 El Camino Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89102. We do not have any separate offices.
Our Manager shares office facilities with its parent corporation, Vestin Group, which in turn leases its principal executive offices from The Wildwood Hills Development, Corporation. The lease agreement governing this property expires in April 2006 and the base rent is approximately $36,000 per month.
Vestin Group has entered into a new lease for its executive offices, which are currently under construction at Durango Road and the 215 Beltway in Las Vegas, Nevada, with Luke Properties, LLC. Vestin Group believes that construction will be completed in summer 2004. Vestin Group is attempting to sublease its current office space. Vestin Groups new office space is approximately 41,614 square feet. The new lease agreement governing this property will expire in March 2014 and the base rent is approximately $72,824.50 per month. Vestin Group anticipates that it will need to make $100,000 to $150,000 in tenant improvements in excess of the allowance provided by the landlord. Vestin Group believes that the new leased office space is adequate for its current operations.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Vestin Group, Vestin Mortgage, and Del Mar Mortgage, Inc., a company wholly owned by Michael Shustek, the largest stockholder and CEO of Vestin Group, are defendants in a civil action entitled Desert Land, L.L.C. et al. v. Owens Financial Group, Inc. et al (the Action). The Action was initiated by Desert Land, L.L.C. (Desert Land) on various loans arranged by Del Mar Mortgage, Inc. and/or Vestin Mortgage. On April 10, 2003, the United States
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District Court for the District of Nevada (the Court) entered judgment jointly and severally in favor of Desert Land against Vestin Group, Vestin Mortgage and Del Mar Mortgage, Inc. Judgment was predicated upon the Courts finding that Del Mar Mortgage, Inc. received an unlawful penalty fee from the plaintiffs.
Defendants subsequently filed a motion for reconsideration. The Court denied the motion and, on August 13, 2003, held that Vestin Group, Vestin Mortgage, and Del Mar Mortgage, Inc. are jointly and severally liable for the judgment in the amount of $5,683,312.19 (which amount includes prejudgment interest and attorneys fees). On August 27, 2003, the Court stayed execution of the judgment against Vestin Group and Vestin Mortgage based upon the posting of a bond in the amount of $5,830,000. The bond was arranged by Michael Shustek and was posted without any cost or obligation to Vestin Group and Vestin Mortgage. Additionally, Del Mar Mortgage, Inc. has indemnified Vestin Group and Vestin Mortgage for any losses and expenses in connection with the Action, and Mr. Shustek has guaranteed the indemnification. On September 12, 2003, all of the defendants held liable to Desert Land appealed the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. We are not a party to the Action.
The staff of the Pacific Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been conducting an informal inquiry into certain matters related to us, Vestin Group, Vestin Fund I, and Vestin Fund II. The staff of the SEC has not identified the reasons for its inquiry, which remains ongoing as of March 19, 2004. We believe that we have fully complied with SEC disclosure requirements and are fully cooperating with the inquiry. We cannot at this time predict the outcome of the inquiry.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Market Information
| a. | There is no established public trading market for the trading of Units. | |||
| b. | As of March 5, 2004, approximately 436 Unit holders held 1,078,780 Units of our limited liability interest. | |||
| c. | It is our intention to distribute significantly all net income generated by us to Unit holders on a quarterly basis. | |||
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
For the period from April 16, 2003 through April 24, 2003, Vestin Mortgage advanced expenses in the amount of $5,000 to us for which Vestin Mortgage became entitled to receive 500 units from us. However, such units have not been issued and are currently not outstanding. Such transactions were made by us in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as transactions not involving a public offering.
Use of Proceeds from Sales of Registered Securities
The net proceeds we receive from the Offering will be at least 87.5% of the total funds raised in the Offering. We anticipate that we will invest no less than 82% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and the distributions reinvested under our reinvestment plan in mortgage loans and real property. Once we are fully funded, we anticipate investing approximately 70% of our proceeds in real property and approximately 30% in mortgage loans. However, such percentages are only a guideline, the actual percentages may vary. As of March 30, 2004, we have invested in two mortgage loans totaling $10 million. We will not invest more than 20% of our proceeds in any one property once we are fully funded. Although the NASAA Guidelines require reserves of not less than 1% of the Offering proceeds, we will retain approximately 3% of Offering proceeds as a working capital reserve.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
You should read the following selected financial data in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing elsewhere in this Report.
Vestin Fund III, LLC (formerly RE Investments III, LLC)
| December 31, | ||||
| 2003 |
||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||
Cash |
$ | 4,952 | ||
Investments in mortgage loans (net of allowance) |
$ | 0 | ||
Interest and other receivables |
$ | 0 | ||
Real estate held for sale |
$ | 0 | ||
Assets under secured borrowing |
$ | 0 | ||
Deferred offering costs |
$ | 667,437 | ||
Total assets |
$ | 672,389 | ||
Liabilities |
$ | 673,088 | ||
Members equity |
$ | (699 | ) | |
Total liabilities and members equity |
$ | 672,389 | ||
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| For the period from April | ||||
| 19, 2003 (Inception) | ||||
| through December 31, 2003 |
||||
Income Statement Data: |
||||
Revenues |
$ | 0 | ||
Expenses |
$ | 699 | ||
Net income |
$ | (699 | ) | |
The information in this table should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited financial statements and notes to financial statements included elsewhere in this document.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Twelve Month Plan of Operation
We had not commenced operations through December 31, 2003. As of December 31, 2003, we had incurred approximately $667,000 of Offering costs paid by our Manager on our behalf, which amounts were recorded as deferred offering costs. Offering costs incurred by Vestin Mortgage on our behalf will be converted into membership units up to an aggregate of 2% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. We will convert our deferred Offering costs into membership units at a conversion price of $10 per unit once we receive sufficient gross proceeds to ensure that the deferred Offering costs do not exceed 2% of the gross proceeds. As of February 12, 2004, we raised the required $10,000,000 to break escrow and commence operations. By March 5, 2004, we had sold 1,163,043 Units offered pursuant to our registration statement.
During the next 12 months, we plan to invest in mortgage loans where our collateral is real property and to acquire income producing real property. The number of loans and properties in which we invest will depend upon the gross proceeds raised in the Offering. If we only raise $10,000,000, we will likely only be able to invest in up to four loans or purchase a single property. If we sell the maximum number of units, we anticipate investing in up to approximately six mortgage loans and approximately twelve properties. As of March 30, 2004, we had invested in two mortgage loans totaling $10 million. These estimates are guidelines as to what we may be able to invest in given the level of funding. To sufficiently diversify our portfolio, Vestin Mortgage anticipates that we need to raise at least $30 million.
We intend to maintain a 3% cash reserve to pay any future expenses in excess of revenues, satisfy obligations of underlying security properties, expend money to satisfy our unforeseen obligations and for other permitted uses of working capital. In addition, we will owe fees to Vestin Mortgage for the administration of the Fund as well fees related to the distribution of income. Previously, Vestin Mortgage has deferred those fees in its other funds. Vestin Mortgage may choose to defer such fees.
We do not anticipate hiring any employees, acquiring any fixed assets like office equipment or furniture, or incurring material office expenses during the next 12 months because we will be utilizing Vestin Mortgages personnel and office equipment.
We intend to establish a line of credit for future use and may enter into financing or securitization arrangements with institutional lenders to expand our portfolio of mortgage loans. However, we have not yet made any specific efforts to obtain such arrangements. We believe that under a typical financing arrangement, we would borrow 85% of the purchase price from conventional lenders at prevailing rates and terms.
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Most of our mortgages will be fixed rate, secured loans. We will not engage in hedging transactions or acquire derivative instruments in an effort to mitigate risks of interest rate changes. While we believe such hedging transactions are not necessary in light of the short term nature of our investments, failure to engage in hedging transactions may expose us to losses if there are significant changes in prevailing interest rates.
We will invest in income producing properties such as multi-family residential units, office buildings, industrial properties, retail properties, assisted living facilities and other income producing property such as parking lots, hotels and resorts, restaurants and amusement parks. We will not invest in unimproved land, properties under construction or other properties which do not produce current income.
Our future operating results will depend upon our ability to promptly identify and invest in mortgage loans and income producing properties which generate significant current income. To the extent that we are unable to identify and make such investments or are delayed in making such investments, our operating results will suffer. In addition, defaults by borrowers or tenants, lease terminations, failure to fully rent our properties or unexpected expenses would adversely effect our income and reduce the funds we have available to distribute to you.
Factors Affecting Our Operating Results
Risks of Investing in Real Property
| | Changes in the general economic or local conditions could have an adverse impact on the real estate market in general. |
| | Changes in the supply of or demand for similar or competing properties in an area. If we pay a higher price our profitability will be reduced. Additionally, if we are unable to sell a property when we determine to do so, it could have a significant adverse affect on our cash flow and operations. |
| | Changes in interest rates and availability of permanent mortgage funds that may render the sale of a property difficult or unattractive. |
| | Changes in tax, real estate, environmental and zoning laws may require additional material expenditures by us in order to be in compliance. |
| | Periods of high interest rates and tight money supply may make the sale of property more difficult. |
| | Tenant turnover could cause us to lose revenue associated with that lease and increase costs for tenant improvements. |
| | General overbuilding or excess supply in the market area could lead to vacancies. If vacancies occur for a long period of time, we may suffer reduced revenues and could diminish the market value of the property. |
Risks of Investing in Mortgage Loans
| | Our underwriting standards and procedures are more lenient than conventional lenders in that we will invest in loans to borrowers who will not be required to meet the credit standards of conventional mortgage lenders. |
| | We approve mortgage loans more quickly then other mortgage lenders. Due to the nature of loan approvals, there is a risk that the credit inquiry Vestin Mortgage performs will not reveal all material facts pertaining to the borrower and the security. |
| | Appraisals may be performed on an as-if developed basis which appraised values dramatically exceed immediate sales values. Therefore there is a risk that the borrower will not complete development of the project which may affect t |