SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods included therein. Substantially all operations are conducted through the Operating Company, and all significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company invests in entities that may qualify as variable interest entities (“VIEs”). A VIE is a legal entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A VIE is defined as an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The determination of whether an entity is a VIE includes both a qualitative and quantitative analysis. Management bases the qualitative analysis on its review of the design of the entity, its organizational structure including allocation of decision-making authority and relevant financial agreements and the quantitative analysis on the forecasted cash flow of the entity. Management reassesses the initial evaluation of an entity as a VIE upon the occurrence of certain reconsideration events.

A VIE must be consolidated only by its primary beneficiary, which is defined as the party that, along with its affiliates and agents, has both the: (i) power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE or the right to receive the benefits from the VIE, which could be significant to the VIE. Management determines whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by considering qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of its investment; the obligation or likelihood for the Company or other interests to provide financial support; and consideration of the VIE’s purpose and design, including the risks the VIE was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders and the similarity with and significance to the Company’s business activities and the other interests. Management reassesses the determination of whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE each reporting period.

Equity Investments

Investments in real estate ventures and entities over which the Company exercises significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 825, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825-10”), issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), the Company has elected the fair value option of accounting for its development property investments, which would otherwise be required to be accounted for under the equity method. The Company also holds an investment in a self-storage real estate venture that is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Investments and Election of Fair Value Option of Accounting for Certain Investments

The Company has elected the fair value option of accounting for all of its development property investments that are required under GAAP to be accounted for under the equity method, in order to provide stockholders and others who rely on the Company’s financial statements with a more complete and accurate understanding of the Company’s economic performance including its revenues and value inherent in the Company’s equity participation in development projects. Changes in the fair value of these investments are recorded in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments within other income. Interest income is reported in interest income from investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and is not included in the net unrealized gain on investments within other income. All direct loan costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Each loan investment, including those recorded at cost and presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as other loans, is evaluated for impairment on a periodic basis. For loans carried at fair value, indicators of impairment are reflected in the measurement of the loan. For loans that are carried at cost, the Company estimates an allowance for loan loss at each reporting date. In evaluating loan impairment, the Company also periodically evaluates the extent and impact of any credit deterioration associated with the performance and/or value of the underlying collateral property as well as the financial and operating capability of the borrower on a loan by loan basis. The Company also evaluates the financial wherewithal of any loan guarantors as well as the borrower’s competency in managing and operating the property, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on property operations. In addition, the Company considers the overall economic environment, real estate sector and geographic sub-market in which the borrower operates. A loan will be considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the loan will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors to be considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.

Realized Gains and Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

The Company measures realized gains by the difference between the net proceeds resulting from the sale of a self-storage property underlying one of the Company’s loan investments, excluding any prepayment penalties paid to the Company in connection with the repayment of the loan secured by the self-storage property, which are recognized in interest income from investments, and the cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized gain or loss previously recognized. “Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments” reflects the unrealized gains and losses recognized on certain investments during the reporting period, including any reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains when gains are realized. All fluctuations in fair value are included in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fair Value Measurement

The Company carries certain financial instruments at fair value because it has elected to apply the fair value option on an instrument by instrument basis under ASC 825-10. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, development property investments (which are generally structured as first mortgages and a 49.9% Profits Interest in the project), the investment in self-storage real estate venture, other loans, receivables, the secured revolving Credit Facility (as defined below), the term loans, payables, and derivative financial instruments.

The following table presents the financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2020:

	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Derivative financial instruments (asset position)	$	47	$	—		47		—
Derivative financial instruments (liability position)		(1,109)		—		(1,109)		—
Development property investments		316,254		—		—		316,254

The following table presents the financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2019:

	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Derivative financial instruments (asset position)	$	14	$	—	$	14	$	—
Derivative financial instruments (liability position)		(393)		—		(393)		—
Development property investments		549,684		—		—		549,684

Estimating fair value requires the use of judgment. The types of judgments involved depend upon the availability of observable market information. Management’s judgments include determining the appropriate valuation model to use, estimating unobservable inputs and applying valuation adjustments. See Note 4, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for additional disclosure on the valuation methodology and significant assumptions, as well as the election of the fair value option for certain financial instruments.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

All derivative financial instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized either in earnings or as other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether the derivative has been designated as a fair value or cash flow hedge and whether it qualifies as part of a hedging relationship, the nature of the exposure being hedged, and how effective the derivative is at offsetting movements in underlying exposure. Hedge accounting is discontinued when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item; the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; or management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. The Company uses interest rate swaps and interest rate caps to effectively convert a portion of its variable rate debt to fixed rate, thus reducing the impact of changes in interest rates on interest payments (see Note 7, Debt, and Note 8, Risk Management and Use of Financial Instruments).

The changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. In accordance with ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) as long as a hedging instrument is designated and the results of the effectiveness testing support that the instrument qualifies for hedge accounting treatment, there is no longer the requirement for periodic measurement or recognition of ineffectiveness. Rather, the full impact of hedge gains and losses will be recognized in the period in which hedged transactions impact earnings, regardless of whether or not economic mismatches exist in the hedging relationship. Amounts reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” related to derivatives designated as qualifying cash flow hedges will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company's variable rate or fixed rate debt. Changes in fair value for financial instruments not designated as cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings within interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Self-Storage Real Estate Owned

To date, all self-storage real estate owned has consisted of self-storage facilities that were developed and constructed with financing provided by the Company. Each facility collateralized a mortgage loan that, together with the related Profits Interest, was reported by the Company as a development property investment carried at fair value. Each such property became self-storage real estate owned during the period when the Company acquired the developer’s interest in the entity that owns the facility. After such time, fair value accounting for such investment ceases.

Land is carried at historical cost. Building and improvements are carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. The cost consists primarily of: (i) the funded principal balance of the loan to the Company, net of unamortized origination fees; (ii) unrealized appreciation recognized as of the acquisition date; and (iii) the cash consideration paid and assumed liabilities, if applicable, to acquire the interests of other equity owners of the project. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred; major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The costs of building and improvements are generally depreciated using the straight-line method based on a useful life of 40 years.

All of the Company’s acquisitions have been asset acquisitions and the Company expects that the majority of future self-storage facility acquisitions will be considered asset acquisitions, however, the Company will continue to evaluate each future acquisition using Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-01 - Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business to determine whether accounting for a business combination or asset acquisition applies.

When facilities are acquired, the cost is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on relative fair values. Allocations to the individual assets and liabilities are based upon their relative fair values as estimated by management.

In allocating the purchase price for an acquisition, the Company determines whether the acquisition includes intangible assets or liabilities. The Company allocates a portion of the cost to an intangible asset attributable to the value of in-place leases. This intangible asset is amortized to expense over the expected remaining term of the respective leases, which is generally one year. Substantially all the leases in place at acquired facilities are at market rates, as the majority of the leases are month-to-month contracts. Accordingly, to date, no portion of the basis for an acquired property has been allocated to above- or below-market lease intangibles. To date, no intangible asset has been recorded for the value of customer relationships, because the Company does not have any concentrations of significant customers and the average customer turnover is frequent.

The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment when events and circumstances, such as declines in occupancy and operating results, indicate that there may be an impairment. The carrying value of these long-lived assets is compared to the undiscounted future net operating cash flows, plus a terminal value, attributable to the assets to determine if the facility’s basis is recoverable. If an asset’s basis is not considered recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent the net carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value. The impairment loss recognized equals the excess of net carrying value over the related fair value of the asset. There were no impairment losses recognized in accordance with these procedures during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2020 or during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash, investments in money market accounts and certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents primarily with three financial institutions, and the balance at two of the financial institutions exceeds the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit.

Other Loans

The Company’s other loans balance primarily includes principal balances for certain revolving loan agreements, short-term mortgage loans, and land loans made by the Company in situations where it was determined that making such loans would benefit the Company’s primary business. These loans are accounted for under the cost method, and fair value approximates cost at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. None of these loans are in non-accrual status as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company determined that no allowance for loan loss was necessary at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are recorded at cost and consist of furniture, office and computer equipment, and software. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to seven years. Prior to the Internalization, fixed assets were generally purchased by the Manager and the cost reimbursed by the Company. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. Upon sale or retirement, the asset cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the respective accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in income.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid over the fair value of underlying identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded $4.7 million of Goodwill related to the Internalization, and the Company has one reporting unit. Goodwill has an indeterminate life and is not amortized, but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Subsequent to the Internalization, the Company determined that dramatically deteriorating macroeconomic conditions driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on capital markets, and specifically the Company’s market capitalization, was a triggering event for an interim goodwill impairment test. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, since the Company’s common stock is traded in an active market, the Company calculated its fair value primarily based on the Company’s market capitalization as of March 31, 2020. The fair value calculated as of March 31, 2020, was determined to be below the Company’s carrying value. As a result, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment loss of $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and there is no Goodwill as of September 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

Revenue Recognition

Interest income is recognized as earned on a simple interest basis and is reported in interest income from investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accrual of interest will be discontinued on a loan when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that collection of interest is doubtful. The Company will recognize income on impaired loans when they are placed into non-accrual status on a cash basis when the loans are both current and the collateral on the loan is sufficient to cover the outstanding obligation to the Company. If these factors do not exist, the Company will not recognize income on such loans.

The Company’s loan origination fees are accreted into interest income over the term of the investment using the effective yield method.

The operations of the self-storage real estate owned are managed by a third-party self-storage management company. All rental leases are operating leases, and rental income is recognized in accordance with the terms of the leases, which generally are month to month.

Debt Issuance Costs

Costs related to the issuance of a debt instrument are deferred and amortized as interest expense over the estimated life of the related debt instrument using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. If a debt instrument is repurchased, modified, or exchanged prior to its original maturity date, the Company evaluates both the unamortized balance of debt issuance costs as well as any new debt issuance costs, including third party fees, to determine if the costs should be written off to interest expense or, if significant, included in “loss on modification or extinguishment of debt” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Debt issuance costs related to the term loans are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a deduction from the carrying amount of the principal balance. Debt issuance costs related to the revolving Credit Facility are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Deferred Financing Costs.

Internalization Expenses

As described in Note 1, Organization and Formation, the Internalization was completed on February 20, 2020. The total amount of consideration for the Internalization was $42.1 million, as described in Note 1 and shown in the table below:

OC Units issuable as Initial Consideration(1):	$	33,538
OC Units contingently issuable as Earn Out Consideration(2):		8,554
	$	42,092

(1) Represents the fair value of 1,794,872 OC Units issuable as the Initial Consideration based upon the Company's closing stock price as of February 20, 2020 of $20.31 adjusted for an 8% marketability discount for the fair value impact of the one year holding period and annual limits on selling of OC Units.

(2) Represents the fair value of 769,231 OC Units issuable as the Earn Out Consideration contingent upon (1) the Company’s common stock trading at or above a daily volume weighted price of $25.00 per share for at least 30 days during any trailing 365-day period prior to December 31, 2024, or (2) a change of control of the Company that is approved by the board of directors and stockholders of the Company occurring prior to December 31, 2024, based on a Black-Scholes Merton valuation of the OC Units. The significant assumptions utilized in the valuation of the Earn Out Consideration were a risk-free rate of 1.41%, a dividend yield of 4.53%, volatility of 27%, and a marketability discount of 8%.

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the portion of the Internalization transaction price attributed to the settlement of a preexisting contractual relationship (the Management Agreement) of $37.4 million was recognized immediately as internalization expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the $4.7 million of excess consideration paid over the fair value of underlying identifiable net assets of businesses acquired was recorded as Goodwill. As part of the Internalization, the Company also incurred nil and $0.4 million of acquisition-related expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. These acquisition-related expenses were recognized in earnings immediately and are included within Internalization expenses.

The table below presents the revenue and net income of the business combination on a pro forma basis as if the Internalization occurred on January 1, 2019. As the Manager’s historical revenues were entirely comprised of amounts received from the Company for management services performed by the Manager and intercompany amounts are eliminated in consolidation, there was no pro forma adjustment to the Company’s revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Pro forma net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 includes the elimination of non-recurring expenses for the settlement of the pre-existing contractual agreement of $37.4 million and acquisition related expenses of $0.4 million. Pro forma adjustments for the periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, also include the impact of additional compensation expense for employees previously employed by the Manager and the elimination of fees paid to the Manager. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results which actually would have occurred if the business combination had occurred on the first day of the periods presented, nor does the pro forma financial information purport to represent the results of operations for future periods.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Pro forma total revenue (unaudited)	$	35,242	$	32,965
Pro forma net income (loss) allocable to common shares (unaudited)		(35,236)		25,882

Offering and Registration Costs

Offering and registration costs represent underwriting discounts and commissions, professional fees, fees paid to various regulatory agencies, and other costs incurred in connection with the registration and sale of the Company’s securities. Offering and registration costs incurred in connection with the Company’s stock offerings are reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT and to comply with the related provisions of the Code. Accordingly, the Company will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to stockholders and as long as certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must annually distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and meet certain other requirements.

Earnings per Share (“EPS”)

Basic EPS includes only the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS includes the weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of restricted stock, accrued stock dividends, and redeemable OC Units when such instruments are dilutive.

All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are treated as participating in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. Awards of this nature are considered participating securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted EPS must be applied. Beginning on the first anniversary of the date of issuance, OC Units may be tendered for redemption by the holder thereof for cash per OC Unit equal to the then-current market price of the Company’s common stock, or at the Company’s option, shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis and the income allocable to such OC Units is allocated on this same basis and reflected as non-controlling interests in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company’s diluted earnings per share represents the more dilutive of the treasury stock or two-class methods and OC Units are included in dilutive earnings per share calculations when the units are dilutive to earnings per share. Net losses are not attributed to participating securities and net loss attributable to common shareholders is adjusted for dividends declared on unvested restricted shares in periods with a net loss. Diluted earnings per share includes contingently issuable OC Units only if the market condition would have been met had the end of the reporting period been the measurement period. Stock awards with a market condition do not participate in nonforfeitable rights to dividends and are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.

Segment Reporting

The Company does not evaluate performance on a relationship specific or transactional basis and does not distinguish its principal business or group its operations on a geographical basis for purposes of measuring performance. Accordingly, the Company believes it has a single operating segment for reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. This guidance is effective for smaller reporting companies for fiscal years and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption being allowed as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the impact this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements; however, the Company does not expect the new accounting guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). This ASU contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in this ASU is optional and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company has elected to apply the hedge accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections as applicable as additional changes in the market occur.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Supplemental Disclosures

The following table provides supplemental disclosures related to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2020		2019
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	6,986	$	3,359
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Stock dividend paid on preferred stock	$	6,375	$	6,375
Dividends declared, but not paid, on preferred stock		5,309		5,157
Dividends declared, but not paid, on common stock		—		7,783
Dividends declared, but not paid, on OC Units		—		—
Reclassification of development property investments to self-storage real estate owned		255,495		125,715
Reclassification of other assets and liabilities to self-storage real estate owned		1,074		—
Other loans paid off with issuance of development property investments		—		404
OC Units issued for self-storage real estate owned acquisitions		7,978		—
OC Units issued for Internalization		33,538		—
Contingent consideration for Internalization		8,554		—