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Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies  
Commitments and Contingencies

8.      Commitments and Contingencies

Insurance

The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage, business interruption and rental loss insurance covering all of the properties in its portfolio, in addition to other coverages that may be appropriate for certain of its properties. Additionally, the Company carries a directors and officers liability insurance policy that covers such claims made against the Company and its directors and officers. The Company believes the policy specifications and insured limits are appropriate and adequate for its properties given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage and industry practice; however, its insurance coverage may not be sufficient to fully cover its losses.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company is subject to risks incidental to the ownership and operation of commercial real estate. These risks include, among others, the risks normally associated with changes in the general economic climate, trends in the retail industry, creditworthiness of tenants, competition for tenants and customers, changes in tax laws, interest rates, the availability of financing and potential liability under environmental and other laws. The Company’s portfolio of properties is dependent upon regional and local economic conditions and is geographically concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic, specifically in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, which represented approximately 99% of the total annualized base revenues of the properties in its portfolio as of September 30, 2024. The Company’s geographic concentration may cause it to be more susceptible to adverse developments in those markets than if it owned a more geographically diverse portfolio. Additionally, the Company’s retail shopping center properties depend on anchor stores or major tenants to attract shoppers and could be adversely affected by the loss of, or a store closure by, one or more of these tenants.

Interest Rate Risk

As of September 30, 2024, the interest rate environment remains elevated, significantly impacting the Company’s operations. The Federal Reserve has maintained a higher federal funds rate as part of its ongoing strategy to combat inflation. This situation has several implications for the Company, which is sensitive to a higher interest rate environment due to the Company’s reliance on debt financing. Higher interest rates increase the cost of borrowing for the Company, raising the expense associated with financing property acquisitions and developments. This could limit the ability to pursue new investments or expansions, potentially slowing growth. Additionally, refinancing existing debt in a high-rate environment could lead to increased costs. Elevated interest rates typically lead to higher capitalization rates, which can reduce property valuations. A decline in asset values may impact the net asset value (NAV) calculations, affecting investors’ perceptions and overall market confidence in the Company.  The ongoing interest rate volatility may affect investor sentiment towards the Company, potentially leading to capital outflows as investors seek alternative investment opportunities with better risk-adjusted returns.

The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through its borrowing activities. To limit this exposure, the Company attempts to obtain mortgage financing on a long-term, fixed-rate basis. However, from time to time, the Company may obtain variable-rate mortgage loans and, as a result, may enter into interest rate cap agreements that limit the effective borrowing rate of variable-rate debt obligations while allowing participants to share in downward shifts in interest rates. These interest rate caps are derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the forecasted interest payments on the debt obligation. Our objective in using interest rate caps is to limit our exposure to interest rate movements.

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, all of the Company’s long-term debt either bore interest at fixed rates or was capped to a fixed rate. The Company’s debt obligations are more fully described in Note 5, Loans Payable, above.

Regulatory and Environmental

As the owner of the buildings on its properties, the Company could face liability for the presence of hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos or lead) or other adverse conditions (e.g., poor indoor air quality) in its buildings. Environmental laws govern the presence, maintenance, and removal of hazardous materials in buildings, and if the Company does not comply with such laws, it could face fines for such noncompliance. Also, the Company could be liable to third parties (e.g., occupants of the buildings) for damages related to exposure to hazardous materials or adverse conditions in its buildings, and the Company could incur material expenses with respect to abatement or remediation of hazardous materials or other adverse conditions in its buildings. In addition, some of the Company’s tenants routinely handle and use hazardous or regulated substances and wastes as part of their operations at the Company’s properties, which are subject to regulation. Such environmental and health and safety laws and regulations could subject the Company or its tenants to liability resulting from these activities. Environmental liabilities could affect a tenant’s ability to make rental payments to the Company, and changes in laws could increase the potential liability for noncompliance. This may result in significant unanticipated expenditures or may otherwise materially and adversely affect the Company’s operations. The Company is not aware of any material contingent liabilities, regulatory matters or environmental matters that may exist.

Litigation

The Company is not currently involved in any litigation or legal proceedings.