10-Q 1 tv478892_10q.htm 10-Q

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

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: 001-37997

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York 81-3467779
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

23 Laurel Street, Branford, CT 06405

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(203) 433-4736

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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. x Yes     ¨ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes     ¨ No

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company x
Emerging growth company x  

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨Yes     x No

 

As of November 13, 2017, the Issuer had a total of 15,415,737 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page Number
     
Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1
     
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited) 1
     
  Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 1
     
  Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 2
     
  Statement of Changes in Shareholders’/Members’ Equity for the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2017 3
     
  Statements of Cash Flow for the Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 4
     
  Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) 6
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 13
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 19
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 19
     
Part II OTHER INFORMATION 19
     
Item 6. Exhibits 19
     
SIGNATURES 21
   
EXHIBITS

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, strategy and plans, and our expectations for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “likely,” “continue,” “design,” and the negative of such terms and other words and terms of similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

 

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

 

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. In addition, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this report to confirm these statements in relationship to actual results or revised expectations.

 

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements as well as others made in this report. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made by us in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q to “Sachem Capital,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Sachem Capital Corp., a New York corporation.

 

 i 

 

 

PART I.           FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Item 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

BALANCE SHEETS

 

  

September 30, 2017

(unaudited)

  

December 31, 2016

(audited)

 
Assets          
Assets:          
Cash  $1,016,588   $1,561,863 
Escrow deposits   46,440    - 
Mortgages receivable   52,693,657    32,521,588 
Mortgages receivable, affiliate   -    1,229,022 
Interest and fees receivable   633,806    478,928 
Other receivables   168,615    182,842 
Due from borrowers   360,605    81,911 
Prepaid expenses   38,342    - 
Property and equipment, net   508,553    397,448 
Real estate owned   1,224,969    1,222,454 
Pre-offering costs   72,427    625,890 
Deposits on property   -    - 
Deferred financing costs   111,003    67,475 
Total assets  $56,875,005   $38,369,421 
           
Liabilities and Shareholders'/Members’ Equity          
Liabilities:          
Line of credit  $15,921,186   $8,113,943 
Mortgage payable   303,568    310,000 
Accrued expenses   77,908    196,086 
Security deposit held   2,550    800 
Advances from borrowers   446,763    291,875 
Due to shareholders/member   16,958    656,296 
Deferred revenue   871,197    290,456 
Accrued interest   79,421    24,350 
Total liabilities   17,719,551    9,883,806 
           
Shareholders'/members’ equity:          
Preferred shares - $.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued   -    - 
Common stock - $.001 par value; 50,000,000 authorized; 11,103,237 issued and outstanding   11,103    - 
Additional paid-in capital   37,980,133    - 
Members' equity   -    28,485,615 
Retained earnings   1,164,218    - 
Total shareholders'/members’ equity   39,155,454    28,485,615 
Total liabilities and shareholders'/members’ equity  $56,875,005   $38,369,421 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 1 

 

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2017   2016   2017   2016 
Revenue:            
Interest income from loans  $1,570,877   $952,511   $3,831,636   $2,687,711 
Origination fees, net   196,811    43,477    464,211    138,620 
Late and other fees   34,998    -    100,453    99,309 
Processing fees   30,480    17,100    84,855    44,085 
Rental income, net   9,637    2,954    58,865    20,008 
Other income   80,196    -    205,775    - 
Gain on sale of real estate   15,931    -    178    - 
Total revenue   1,938,930    1,016,042    4,745,973    2,989,733 
Operating costs and expenses:                    
Interest and amortization of deferred financing costs   302,548    138,992    589,457    360,684 
Compensation to manager   -    79,441    35,847    231,958 
Professional fees   47,202    20,000    179,344    44,743 
Compensation, fees and taxes   195,673    6,215    466,497    28,603 
Exchange fees   31,548    -    69,213    - 
Depreciation   8,734    -    21,624    - 
General and administrative expenses   35,338    -    212,676    - 
Impairment loss   -    96,697    -    96,697 
Total operating costs and expenses   621,043    341,345    1,574,658    762,685 
Net income  $1,317,887   $674,697   $3,171,315   $2,227,048 
                     
Basic and diluted net income per common share outstanding:                    
Basic  $0.12        $0.26*     
Diluted  $0.12        $0.26*     
                     
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:                    
Basic   11,103,237         11,103,237      
Diluted   11,103,237         11,103,237      

 

*Net income per share for the period beginning February 9, 2017 (i.e., the effective date of the company’s initial public offering) and ending September 30, 2017.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 2 

 

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBERS’ EQUITY

 

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

(unaudited)

   Common
Shares
   Amount   Additional
Paid in
Capital
   Retained
Earnings
   Predecessor’s
Members'
Equity
 
                     
Beginning balance, January 1, 2017   2,220,000   $2,220   $(2,220)       $28,485,615 
                          
Member contributions                       653,646 
                          
Member distributions                       (2,460,125)
                          
Net income for the period January 1, 2017 - February 8, 2017                       286,100 
                          
Conversion of members' equity into common stock   6,283,237    6,283    26,958,953         (26,965,236)
                          
Initial public offering   2,600,000    2,600    11,023,400           
                          
Dividends paid                 $(1,720,997)    
                          
Net income for the period February 9, 2017 – September 30, 2017                  2,885,215      
Balance, September 30, 2017   11,103,237   $11,103   $37,980,133   $1,164,218      

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 3 

 

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(unaudited)

 

   Nine Months 
   Ended September 30, 
   2017   2016 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
Net income  $3,171,315   $2,227,048 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Amortization of deferred financing costs   43,677    36,116 
Depreciation expense   21,624    - 
Gain on sale of real estate   (179)   - 
Impairment loss   -    96,697 
Adjustment to loss for sale of collateral   (42,231)   - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
(Increase) decrease in:          
Interest and fees receivable   (154,877)   (199,277)
Other receivables   14,227    (81,551)
Due from borrowers   (278,694)   - 
Prepaid expenses   (38,342)   - 
(Decrease) increase in:          
Due to member   (656,296)   276,743 
Due to shareholder   16,957    - 
Accrued interest   55,071    (14,741)
Accrued expenses   (118,183)   - 
Deferred revenue   580,741    (1,162)
Advances from borrowers   154,888    76,226 
Total adjustments   (401,617)   189,051 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES   2,769,698    2,416,099 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned   530,181    545,970 
Acquisitions of and improvements to real estate owned   (424,023)   (562,950)
Escrow deposit   (46,440)   (57,000)
Purchase of furniture and equipment   (132,729)   - 
Security deposit   1,750    - 
Principal disbursements for mortgages receivable   (33,792,878)   (14,335,922)
Principal collections on mortgages receivable   14,849,831    10,921,370 
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES   (19,014,308)   (3,488,532)

 

 4 

 

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (Continued)

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES        
Proceeds from line of credit   25,341,633    5,425,000 
Repayment of line of credit   (17,534,390)   (2,900,000)
           
Principal payments on mortgage payable   (6,432)   - 
Dividends paid   (1,720,997)   - 
Proceeds from IPO   13,000,000    - 
Pre-offering costs incurred   (1,486,798)   (197,999)
Financing costs incurred   (87,202)   (65,050)
Member contributions   653,646    3,754,069 
Member distributions   (2,460,125)   (3,500,892)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES   15,699,335    2,515,128 
           
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH   (545,275)   1,442,695 
           
CASH - BEGINNING OF PERIOD   1,561,863    1,834,082 
           
CASH - END OF PERIOD  $1,016,588   $3,276,777 
          
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION          
           
Interest paid  $545,782   $339,309 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

On February 8, 2017, Sachem Capital Partners, LLC transferred all its assets and liabilities to the Company in exchange for 6,283,237 of the Company's common shares.

 

As of September 30, 2016, the Company is obligated for the repayment of certain expenses paid by the managing member on behalf of the Company for certain borrowers in the amount of $85,972.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, $496,950 of mortgages receivable and $35,510 of accrued interest receivable and late fees receivable were converted to real estate owned

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, certain real estate held for sale in the amount of $107,498 was converted to mortgages receivable.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 5 

 

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

1. The Company

 

Sachem Capital Corp. (the “Company”) was formed under the name HML Capital Corp in January 2016 under the New York Business Corporation Law.  On February 8, 2017, the Company completed an exchange transaction (the “Exchange”) with Sachem Capital Partners, LLC (“SCP”), a Connecticut limited liability company located in Branford, Connecticut, which commenced operations on December 8, 2010, pursuant to which SCP transferred all its assets to the Company and, in exchange therefor, the Company issued 6,283,237 of its common shares to SCP and assumed all of SCP’s liabilities. Prior to the consummation of the Exchange, the Company was not engaged in any business or investment activities, and had only nominal assets and no liabilities.  On February 9, 2017, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-11 was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  Pursuant to such registration statement, the Company issued and sold 2,600,000 common shares at a price of $5.00 per share, or $13 million of gross proceeds (the “IPO”).  The net proceeds, after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions and transaction fees, were approximately $11.1 million.  The IPO was consummated on February 15, 2017. Prior to the Exchange, SCP was managed by JJV, LLC (“JJV”), a Connecticut limited liability company and related party.

 

The Company specializes in originating, underwriting, funding, servicing and managing a portfolio of first mortgage loans. The Company offers short term (i.e. three years or less) secured, non-banking loans (sometimes referred to as “hard money” loans) to real estate investors to fund their acquisition, renovation, development, rehabilitation or improvement of properties located primarily in Connecticut. The properties securing the Company’s loans are generally classified as residential or commercial real estate and, typically, are held for resale or investment. Each loan is secured by a first mortgage lien on real estate and may also be secured with additional real estate collateral. Each loan is also personally guaranteed by the principal(s) of the borrower, which guaranty may be collaterally secured by a pledge of the guarantor’s interest in the borrower. The Company does not lend to owner occupants. The Company’s primary underwriting criteria is a conservative loan to value ratio. In addition, the Company may make opportunistic real estate purchases apart from its lending activities.

 

The accompanying statements of operations, changes in shareholders’/members’ equity and cash flows for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2017 until the consummation of the Exchange, are those of SCP.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

Unaudited Financial Statements

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements of the Company, have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (‘‘GAAP’’) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be attained in the entire fiscal year.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management will base the use of estimates on (a) various assumptions that consider its past experience, (b) the Company’s projections regarding future operations, and (c) general financial market and local and general economic conditions. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

 

 6 

 

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and mortgage loans. The Company maintains its cash with one major financial institution. Accounts at the financial institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000.

 

Credit risks associated with the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio and related interest receivable are described in Note 3 entitled “Mortgages Receivable.”

 

Income Taxes

 

Subsequent to the Exchange and the IPO, the Company believes it qualifies as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes and intends to make the election to be taxed as a REIT when it files its 2017 federal income tax return. As a REIT, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders on an annual basis. The Company’s qualification as a REIT depends on its ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, various complex requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, relating to, among other things, the sources of its income, the composition and values of its assets, its compliance with the distributions requirements applicable to REITs and the diversity of ownership of its outstanding common shares. So long as it qualifies as a REIT, the Company, generally, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its taxable income distributed to its shareholders. However, if it fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates and may also be subject to various penalties and may be precluded from re-electing REIT status for the four taxable years following the year during in which it lost its REIT qualification.

 

The Company has adopted the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 740-10 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”. The standard prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and disclosure required. Under this standard, an entity may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense. The Company has determined that there are no uncertain tax positions requiring accrual or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements as of September 30, 2017.

 

Land and Building

 

Land and building acquired in December 2016 to house the Company’s office facilities is stated at cost. The building will be depreciated using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life of 40 years. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with ASC 605, which provides guidance on the recognition, presentation and disclosure of revenue in financial statements. ASC 605 outlines the basic criteria that must be met to recognize revenue and provides guidance for disclosure related to revenue recognition policies. In general, the Company recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery of the product has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the sales price charged is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

 

Interest income from the Company’s loan portfolio is earned, over the loan period and is calculated using the simple interest method on principal amounts outstanding. Generally, the Company’s loans provide for interest to be paid monthly in arrears.

 

Origination fee revenue is recognized ratably over the contractual life of the loan in accordance with ASC 310.

 

 7 

 

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

Deferred Financing Costs

 

Costs incurred in connection with the Company’s line of credit, as discussed in Note 6, are amortized over the term of the line of credit, using the straight-line method.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

For the line of credit, mortgage payable and interest-bearing mortgages receivable held by the Company, the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the relative short-term nature of such instruments.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated in accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share”. Under ASC 260, basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the potential dilution from the exercise of stock options and warrants for common shares using the treasury stock method. The numerator in calculating both basic and diluted earnings per common share for each period is the reported net income.

 

Prior to the Exchange, the Company’s business was conducted by SCP, a limited liability company.  Accordingly, earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, does not include the net income per share for the period prior to the Exchange, and there are no earnings per share for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30. 2016.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash - a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force.” The ASU requires that restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included as components of total cash and cash equivalents as presented on the statement of cash flows. For public companies that file with the SEC, the standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. For all entities, the standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” The ASU expands the activities that qualify for hedge accounting and simplifies the rules for reporting hedging transactions. For public companies that file with the SEC, the standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effected, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

 8 

 

 

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

3. Mortgages Receivable

 

Mortgages Receivable

 

The Company offers secured non-banking loans to real estate investors (also known as hard money loans) to fund their acquisition and construction of properties located mainly in Connecticut. The loans are principally secured by first mortgages on real estate and, generally, are also personally guaranteed by the borrower or its principals. The loans are generally for a term of one to three years. The loans are initially recorded and carried thereafter, in the financial statements, at cost. Most of the loans provide for monthly payments of interest only (in arrears) during the term of the loan and a “balloon” payment of the principal on the maturity date.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the aggregate amounts of loans funded by the Company were $33,792,878 and $14,849,831, respectively, offset by principal repayments of $14,637,831 and $10,921,370, respectively.

 

For the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company closed loans ranging in size from $10,000 to $1,200,000 with stated interest rates ranging from 11% to 12% and a default interest rate for non-payment of 18%.

 

At September 30, 2017, no single borrower had loans outstanding representing more than 10% of the total balance of the loans outstanding.

 

The Company generally grants loans for a term of one to three years. In some cases, the Company has agreed to extend the term of the loans. A loan that is extended is treated as a new loan. However, prior to granting an extension, the loan underwriting process is repeated.

 

In November 2016, the Company purchased a mortgage note at a discount of $74,954 and then subsequently refinanced the note obtaining additional collateral and payment terms consistent with similar notes held by the Company. The discount is being amortized over the three-year life of the refinanced loan.

 

Credit Risk

 

Credit risk profile based on loan activity as of September 30, 2017:

 

Performing Loans  Residential   Commercial   Land   Mixed Use   Total
Outstanding
Mortgages
 
September 30, 2017  $35,512,825   $12,375,768   $4,545,931   $259,133   $52,693,657 
                          

 

The following is the maturities of mortgages receivable as of September 30, 2017:

 

 2017   $8,005,973 
 2018    27,495,413 
 2019    7,147,929 
 2020    10,044,342 
 Total   $52,693,657 

 

4. Real Estate Owned

 

Property purchased for rental or acquired through foreclosure are included on the balance sheet as real estate owned.

 

As of September 30, 2017, real estate owned totaled $1,224,969 with no valuation allowance, all of which is held for rental.

 

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SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

5.Escrow Deposits

 

As of September 30, 2017, escrow deposits consist of funds due to the Company from closed construction mortgages. Closing counsel returns these funds to the Company post-closing, then these funds are held by the Company and available to the borrower when specific progress goals during the construction process are met.

 

6. Line of Credit and Mortgage Payable

 

Line of Credit

 

On December 18, 2014, SCP entered into a two-year revolving Line of Credit Agreement with Bankwell Bank (the “Bank”) pursuant to which the Bank agreed to advance up to $5 million (the “Bankwell Credit Line”) against assignments of mortgages and other collateral requiring monthly payments of interest only. On December 30, 2015, the Bankwell Credit Line was amended to increase available borrowings to $7,000,000. On March 15, 2016, the Credit Line was amended again to increase available borrowings to $15,000,000. In connection with the Exchange, the Company assumed all of SCP’s obligations to Bankwell and entered into a new agreement with Bankwell, the material terms of which are substantially identical to the terms of the agreement between the SCP and Bankwell. On June 30, 2017, the Bankwell Credit Line was amended to increase available borrowings to $20,000,000. The interest rate on the Bankwell Credit Line is variable at 4.5% in excess of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), but in no event less than 5.50%, per annum, on the money in use. As of September 30, 2017, the interest rate on the Bankwell Credit line was 5.83%. The Bankwell Credit Line expires on June 30, 2019, at which time the entire unpaid principal balance and any accrued and unpaid interest shall become due. The Company has the option to extend the term of the loan for the sole purpose of repaying the principal balance over a thirty-six month period in equal monthly installments. The Bankwell Credit Line is secured by substantially all Company assets and is subject to borrowing base limitations and financial covenants including, maintaining a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and maintaining minimum tangible net worth. In addition, among other things, provisions of the agreement prohibit Company merger, consolidation or disposal of assets or declaring and paying dividends in certain circumstances. JJV and each of the Company’s co-chief Executive Officers have, jointly and severally, guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Bankwell Credit Line up to a maximum of $1,000,000 each. The co-chief Executive Officers are also required to maintain certain capital balances, and the Company is prohibited from ownership changes that would reduce their interests.

 

As of September 30, 2017, the outstanding amount under the Bankwell Credit Line was $15,921,186.

 

Mortgage Payable

 

The Company also has a mortgage payable to Bankwell Bank, collateralized by land and a building purchased by the Company to be used as its primary business location. The property is currently being renovated and the Company expects to move its operations to the new location in the second quarter of 2018. The original principal amount of the mortgage loan is $310,000 and bears interest at the rate of 4.52%. Interest and principal are payable in monthly installments of $1,975 commencing in February 2017. The entire outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loan and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon is due and payable in January 2022.

 

Principal payments on the mortgage payable are due as follows:

 

Year ending December 31,   2017   $8,933 
    2018    10,176 
    2019    10,645 
    2020    11,136 
    2021    11,650 
    Thereafter    251,028 
        $303,568 

 

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SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

7. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Loan Brokerage Commissions/Origination Fees Paid to JJV

 

Loan origination fees consist of points, generally 2%-5% of the original loan principal. Pursuant to the Company’s operating agreement and prior to the Exchange, JJV was entitled to 75% of loan origination fees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, loan origination fees paid to JJV were $52,902 and $384,258, respectively, and for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, origination fees paid to JJV were $-0- and $140,106, respectively. These payments are amortized over the life of the loan for financial statement purposes and recognized as a reduction of origination fee income. After the Exchange, JJV is no longer entitled to origination fee payments.

 

Original maturities of deferred revenue are as follows as of:

 

December 31,     
 2018   $608,697 
 2019    172,559 
 2020    89,941 
 Total   $871,197 

 

In instances in which mortgages are repaid before their maturity date, the balance of any unamortized deferred revenue is recognized in full.

 

Loan Servicing Fees

 

JJV administered the servicing of the Company’s loan portfolio. At JJV’s discretion, the loan servicing fee ranged from one-twelfth (1/12th) of one-half percent (0.5%) to one percent (1.0%) of the Company’s loan portfolio, payable monthly and calculated based on total loans as of the first of each month. The percentage charged by JJV was 1.0% for the September 30, 2017 period up to the date of the Exchange and 1.0% for the September 30, 2016 period. After the Exchange, JJV is no longer entitled to loan servicing fees.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, loan servicing fees paid to JJV were $32,778 and $218,790 respectively.

 

Unfunded Commitments

 

At September 30, 2017, the Company is committed to an additional $3,095,917 in construction loans that can be drawn by the borrower when certain conditions are met.

 

Other

 

In the normal course of its business, the Company is named as a party-defendant because it is a mortgagee having interests in real properties that are being foreclosed upon, primarily resulting from unpaid property taxes. The Company actively monitors these actions and in all cases, there remains sufficient value in the subject property to assure that no loan impairment exists. 

 

8. Related Party Transactions

 

The Company currently leases office space in a building owned by Union News of New Haven, Inc., an entity that is controlled and 20%-owned by Jeffrey Villano, the Company’s co-CEO. Rent and other facility related charges paid by the Company to Union News for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and the period beginning February 8, 2017 and ending September 30, 2017 were $3,000 and $10,500, respectively. Prior to the Exchange and the IPO, SCP reimbursed JJV, the Managing Member of SCP, for amounts paid by JJV to Union News. For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016, these amounts were $900 and $3,700, respectively. The Company expects to move its operations to a new location, owned by the Company, in the second quarter of 2018. (See Note 6.)

 

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SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

 

Prior to the Exchange, from time to time, JJV acquired certain troubled assets from third parties who were not existing Company borrowers. JJV borrowed money from the Company to finance these arrangements. The real estate purchased is held by JJV in trust for the Company. The Company accounts for these arrangements as separate loans to JJV. The income earned on these loans is equivalent to the income earned on similar loans in the portfolio. All underwriting guidelines are adhered to. The mortgage documents allow JJV to sell the properties in case of default with proceeds in excess of loan principal and accrued expense being returned to the borrower. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company did not enter into any new loan agreements with JJV. The principal balance of the loans to JJV at September 30, 2017 were $1,104,022.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, JJV was paid $52,902 and $384,258, respectively, related to origination fees. (See Note 7.)

 

During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, JJV paid $31,320 and $41,145, and $103,223 and $127,158, respectively, of interest on borrowings from the Company.

 

Prior to the date of the Exchange, JJV frequently paid for costs on behalf of the Company. These costs include insurance and real estate taxes where the Company has been notified that the borrower is in default, costs of any actions (i.e., foreclosures) commenced by the Company to enforce its rights or collect amounts due from borrowers who have defaulted on their obligations to the Company as well as other related costs that the Company deems appropriate to protects its interests. Salaries and payroll taxes paid for by JJV on behalf of the Company are included in other fees and taxes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, JJV charged the Company $9,035 and -0-, respectively, for certain payroll and related costs. Unreimbursed costs advanced and unpaid by JJV on behalf of the Company as of September 30, 2017 were $16,958 and are included in due to shareholders on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

On February 9, 2017, the Company purchased computer hardware, software and furniture and fixtures totaling $92,806 from JJV at cost.

 

9. Subsequent Events

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2017, the Company commenced foreclosure proceeding with respect to two loans made to two separate borrowers, having an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $238,000 and accrued but unpaid interest of $4,440. The loans are secured by first mortgage liens on properties owned by the borrowers. The Company halted an ongoing foreclosure proceeding when the borrower entered into a settlement agreement with the Company. This agreement provided additional collateral to the Company in exchange for time to repay the obligations. The Company has obtained real property assessments and broker opinions of value for these properties. Based on these values, the Company has not recorded an impairment loss for these properties.

 

On October 19, 2017, the Company declared a dividend of $.105 per share to be paid on November 17, 2017 to shareholders of record on November 7, 2017. The total amount of the dividend payment is estimated to be approximately $1,560,000.

 

From October 27 through November 3, 3017, the Company sold an aggregate of 4,312,500 of its common shares (including 562,500 covered by an over-allotment option) in a follow-on underwritten public offering at a public offering price of $4.00 per share, or $17,250,000 in the aggregate. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and after reimbursing the underwriters for their expenses related to the offering, were approximately $15.8 million. The net proceeds will be used primarily to increase the Company’s loan portfolio and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

Management has evaluated subsequent events through November 9, 2017 the date on which the financial statements were available to be issued. Based on the evaluation, no adjustments were required in the accompanying financial statements.

 

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Item 2.     MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this report. Certain statements in this discussion and elsewhere in this report constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of section 21E of the Exchange Act, that involve risks and uncertainties. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

 

Introduction

 

Sachem Capital Corp. was formed as HML Capital Corp. in January 2016 under the New York Business Corporation Law. On February 8, 2017, we consummated an exchange transaction (the “Exchange”) with Sachem Capital Partners, LLC (“SCP”) pursuant to which SCP transferred all of its assets to us in exchange for 6,283,237 of our common shares and our assumption of all of SCP’s liabilities, including SCP’s obligations to Bankwell Bank (“Bankwell”). On February 9, 2017, we issued and sold 2,600,000 common shares pursuant to an effective S-11 registration statement (the “IPO”). Prior to the consummation of the Exchange, we were not engaged in any business or investment activities, and had only nominal assets and no liabilities.

 

We believe that upon the consummation of the IPO we met all the requirements to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT beginning with our 2017 tax year or as soon as practicable thereafter. As a REIT, we are entitled to claim deductions for distributions of taxable income to our shareholders thereby eliminating any corporate tax on such taxable income. Any taxable income not distributed to shareholders is subject to tax at the regular corporate tax rates and may also be subject to a 4% excise tax to the extent it exceeds 10% of our total taxable income. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute each year at least 90% of our taxable income. As a REIT, we may also be subject to federal excise taxes and state taxes.

 

Business and Strategic Overview

 

We are a Connecticut-based real estate finance company specializing in originating, underwriting, funding, servicing and managing a portfolio of short-term loans (i.e., one to three years) secured by first mortgage liens on real property located primarily in Connecticut. Each loan is also personally guaranteed by the principal(s) of the borrower, which guaranty is usually collaterally secured by a pledge of the guarantor’s interest in the borrower. Our typical borrower is a small real estate investor who will use the proceeds to fund its acquisition, renovation, rehabilitation, development and/or improvement of residential or commercial properties located primarily in Connecticut held for investment or sale. The property may or may not be income producing. We do not lend to owner-occupants. Our loans are referred to in the real estate finance industry as “hard money loans.”

 

Our primary objective is to grow our loan portfolio while protecting and preserving capital in a manner that provides for attractive risk-adjusted returns to our shareholders over the long term principally through dividends. We intend to achieve this objective by continuing to focus on selectively originating, managing and servicing a portfolio of first mortgage real estate loans and to carefully manage our loan portfolio in a manner designed to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns across a variety of market conditions and economic cycles. We believe that the demand for commercial real estate loans that have a principal amount of less than $500,000, in Connecticut and neighboring states is significant and growing and that traditional lenders, including banks and other financial institutions that usually serve this market are unable to satisfy this demand. This demand/supply imbalance has created an opportunity for “hard money” real estate lenders like us to selectively originate high-quality first mortgage loans on attractive terms and these conditions should persist for several years. Accordingly, we intend to continue to focus primarily on the Connecticut markets as well as other markets in the New England region and in New York.

 

Our loans typically have a maximum initial term of one to three years and bear interest at a fixed rate of 9% to 12% per year and a default rate for non-payment of 18%. In addition, we usually receive origination fees, or “points,” ranging from 2% to 5% of the original principal amount of the loan as well as other fees relating to underwriting, funding and managing the loan. Since we treat an extension or renewal of an existing loan as a new loan, we receive additional “points” and other loan-related fees in those transactions. Interest is always payable monthly in arrears. As a matter of policy, we do not make any loans if the loan-to value ratio exceeds 65%. In the case of construction loans, the loan-to-value ratio is based on the post-construction value of the property. Under the terms of the Bankwell Credit Line (described below), loans exceeding $325,000 require an independent appraisal of the collateral. Failure to obtain such an appraisal would render the loan ineligible for financing under the credit facility. In the case of smaller loans, we rely on readily available market data, including tax assessment rolls, recent sales transactions and brokers to evaluate the strength of the collateral. Finally, we have adopted a policy that limits the maximum amount of any loan we fund to a single borrower or a group of affiliated borrowers to 10% of the aggregate amount of our loan portfolio taking into account the loan under consideration.

 

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Our revenue consists primarily of interest earned on our loan portfolio and our net income is basically the spread between the interest we earn and our cost of funds. Our capital structure is more heavily weighted to equity rather than debt (71.1% vs. 28.9% of our total capitalization at September 30, 2017) and the interest rate on the Bankwell Credit Line is currently 5.83% (as of September 30, 2017). As of September 30, 2017, the annual yield on our loan portfolio was 12.13% per annum. The yield has been increasing steadily over the past few years as older loans with lower interest rates come due and are either being repaid or refinanced at higher rates. The yield reflected above does not include other amounts collected from borrowers such as origination fees and late payment fees. We expect our borrowing costs to increase in 2017 and 2018 as the Federal Reserve Bank continues to raise interest rates in accordance with its current monetary policy. To date, we have not raised rates on our loans to match the recent increases in our borrowing rate. After considering the pros and cons of increasing our rates and considering our relatively low level of debt following our IPO, we believe the better strategy for now is to focus on building market share rather than short-term profits and cash flow, although this strategy could adversely impact our profits and cash flow in the short-term. In addition, we cannot assure investors that we will be able to increase our rates at any time in the future. However, to mitigate some of the risks associated with rate increases, many of our new loans have a term of one year rather than three.

 

We have built our business on a foundation of intimate knowledge of the Connecticut real estate market, our ability to respond quickly to customer needs and demands and a disciplined underwriting and due diligence culture that focuses primarily on the value of the underlying collateral and that is designed to protect and preserve capital. We believe that our flexibility in terms of meeting the needs of borrowers without compromising our standards on credit risk, our expertise, our intimate knowledge of the real estate market in Connecticut and the surrounding states and our focus on newly originated first mortgage loans has defined our success until now and should enable us to continue to achieve our objectives.

 

As a real estate finance company, we deal with a variety of default situations, including breaches of covenants, such as the obligation of the borrower to maintain adequate liability insurance on the mortgaged property, to pay the taxes on the property and to make timely payments to us. As such, we may not be aware that a default occurred. As a result, we are unable to quantify the number of loans that may have, at one time or another, been in default. Since our inception in December 2010 (when SCP commenced operations) through September 30, 2017, we foreclosed on two properties and acquired nine other properties by “deed in lieu of foreclosure” — i.e., the borrower, in default of its obligations under the terms of the loan, transferred title to the mortgaged property to us. Three properties were each sold for a gain, five properties were each sold at a loss, two were sold for less than their respective carrying values but the borrowers’ obligations are guaranteed by a third party and we intend to assert our rights under the guaranty, one is currently held for investment and one is held for rental.

 

Our principal executive officers are experienced in hard money lending under various economic and market conditions. Our co-chief executive officers, Jeffrey C. Villano and John L. Villano CPA, spend a significant portion of their time on business development as well as on underwriting, structuring and servicing each loan in our portfolio.

 

A principal source of new transactions has been repeat business from existing and former customers and their referral of new business. We also receive leads for new business from banks, brokers, attorneys and web-based advertising. We rely on our own employees, independent legal counsel, and other independent professionals to verify title and ownership, to file liens and to consummate the transactions.

 

Operational and Financial Overview

 

Since December 2010, when SCP commenced operations, we have made approximately 592 loans, including renewals and extensions of existing loans. At September 30, 2017, (i) our loan portfolio included 311 loans, with individual principal loan amounts ranging from $10,000 to $1.2 million and an aggregate loan amount of approximately $52.7 million, (ii) the average original principal amount of the loans in the portfolio was $169,000 and the median loan amount was $116,500 and (iii) approximately 81% of the loans had a principal amount of $250,000 or less. In comparison, at September 30, 2016, (i) our loan portfolio included 202 loans, with individual principal loan amounts ranging from $25,000 to $1.1 million and an aggregate loan amount of approximately $30.6 million, (ii) the average original principal amount of the loans in the portfolio was $151,277, the median loan amount was $113,700 and (iii) approximately 86% of the loans had a principal amount of $250,000 or less. At September 30, 2017 and 2016, unfunded commitments for future advances under construction loans totaled $3.1 million and $1.07 million, respectively.

 

From our inception in December 2010 through September 30, 2017, we had eight loans, having an aggregate original principal amount of approximately $1.5 million, that we characterized as “non-performing”. In each of those cases, we acquired the property securing the loan, either through foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. The eight properties have been sold and, in connection with those sales, we recognized aggregate net losses of approximately $93,000.

 

For the third quarter of 2017, revenues and net income were approximately $1.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively. In comparison, for the third quarter of 2016, revenues and net income were approximately $1.0 million and $675,000, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, revenues and net income were approximately $4.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively. In comparison, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, revenues and net income were approximately $3.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

 

Financing Strategy Overview

 

To grow our business, we must increase our loan portfolio, which requires that we raise additional capital either by selling shares of our capital stock or by incurring additional indebtedness. We do not have a policy limiting the amount of indebtedness that we may incur. Thus, our operating income in the future will depend on how much debt we incur and the spread between our cost of funds and the yield on our loan portfolio. Rising interest rates could have an adverse impact on our business if we cannot increase the rates on our loans to offset the increase in our cost of funds and to satisfy investor demand for yield. In addition, rapidly rising interest rates could have an unsettling effect on real estate values, which could compromise some of our collateral.

 

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We do not have any formal policy limiting the amount of indebtedness we may incur. However, under the terms of the Bankwell Credit Line, we may not incur any additional indebtedness exceeding $100,000 in the aggregate without Bankwell’s consent. Depending on various factors we may, in the future, decide to take on additional debt to expand our mortgage loan origination activities to increase the potential returns to our shareholders. Although we have no pre-set guidelines in terms of leverage ratio, the amount of leverage we will deploy will depend on our assessment of a variety of factors, which may include the liquidity of the real estate market in which most of our collateral is located, employment rates, general economic conditions, the cost of funds relative to the yield curve, the potential for losses and extension risk in our portfolio, the gap between the duration of our assets and liabilities, our opinion regarding the creditworthiness of our borrowers, the value of the collateral underlying our portfolio, and our outlook for interest rates and property values. At September 30, 2017, debt proceeds represented approximately 29% of our total capital. However, to grow the business and satisfy the requirement to pay out 90% of net profits, we expect to increase our level of debt over time to approximately 50% of capital. We intend to use leverage for the sole purpose of financing our portfolio and not for speculating on changes in interest rates.

 

We raised $13 million of equity capital in our IPO, which was consummated in February 2017, in which we sold 2,600,000 common shares at a price of $5.00 per share. The net proceeds, after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions and transaction fees were approximately $11.1 million. We used a portion of the net proceeds immediately to pay down the entire balance on the Bankwell Credit Line then outstanding.

 

From October 27 through November 3, 3017, we raised an additional $17.25 million (gross) of equity capital from the sale of an additional 4,312,500 common shares (including 562,500 covered by an over-allotment option) in a follow-on underwritten public offering at a public offering price of $4.00 per share. After deducting underwriting discounts and after reimbursing the underwriters for their expenses related to the offering, the net proceeds from the follow-on public offering were approximately $15.8 million. The net proceeds from our IPO were used, and the net proceeds from our follow-on public offering will be used, primarily to increase our loan portfolio and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

The Bankwell Credit Line is a $20.0 million revolving credit facility that we use to fund the loans we originate. Borrowings under the Bankwell Credit Line bear interest at a rate equal to the greater of (i) a variable rate equal to the sum the LIBOR as in effect from time to time plus 4.50% or (ii) 5.5% per annum. As of September 30, 2017, the rate on the Bankwell Credit Line is 5.83% per annum. The Bankwell Credit Line expires and the outstanding indebtedness thereunder will become due and payable in full on June 30, 2019. Assuming we are not then in default under the terms of the Bankwell Credit Line, we have the option to repay the outstanding balance, together with all accrued interest thereon in 36 equal monthly installments beginning July 30, 2019. The Bankwell Credit Line is secured by assignment of mortgages and other collateral and is jointly and severally guaranteed by JJV, Jeffrey C. Villano and John L. Villano, CPA, our co-chief executive officers. The liability of each guarantor is capped at $1 million. As of September 30, 2017, we estimate that loans having an aggregate principal amount of approximately $38.8 million, representing approximately 73.6% of our mortgages receivable, satisfied all of the eligibility requirements set forth in the Bankwell Credit Line. As of September 30, 2017, the total amount outstanding under the Bankwell Credit Line was approximately $15.9 million

 

Dividend Policy

 

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our taxable income each year to our shareholders. On October 19, 2017, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.105 per common share for the third quarter of 2017. This dividend will be payable on November 17, 2017 to common shareholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2017. Taking into account this most recent dividend, since our IPO, we have distributed $0.26 per share to our shareholder, representing 100% of our Net Income through September 30, 2017

 

Corporate Reorganization and REIT Qualification

 

Since the IPO, our operating expenses have increased significantly due to various factors including our conversion from a limited liability company to a regular C corporation, operating as a REIT, our status as a publicly-held reporting company and growth in our operations. As a corporation, we incur various costs and expenses that we did not have as a limited liability company, such as director fees, directors’ and officers’ insurance and state and local franchise taxes and we will incur significant compensation and other employee-related costs for services rendered by our senior executive officers. Moreover, because of various laws, rules and regulations that prohibit or severely limit our ability to enter into agreements with related parties, certain operating expenses, such as rent, will increase as well. Finally, we have experienced increases in professional fees, filing fees, printing and mailing costs, exchange listing fees, transfer agent fees and other miscellaneous costs related to our compliance with various laws, rules and regulations applicable to REITs and a publicly-held reporting company. Also, as a public reporting company, we must establish and maintain effective disclosure and financial controls. As a result, we may need to hire additional accounting and finance personnel with appropriate public company experience and technical accounting knowledge, which will also increase our operating expenses.

 

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Emerging Growth Company Status

 

We are an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the JOBS Act, and, for as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to have our independent registered public accounting firm audit our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As an emerging growth company, we can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We intend to avail ourselves of these options. Once adopted, we must continue to report on that basis until we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company.

 

We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of: (i) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the IPO; (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenue are $1.07 billion or more; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or (iv) the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common shares held by non-affiliates exceeded $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year. We cannot predict if investors will find our common shares less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If, as a result of our decision to reduce future disclosure, investors find our common shares less attractive, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and the price of our common shares may be more volatile.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our use of estimates on (a) a preset number of assumptions that consider past experience, (b) future projections and (c) general financial market conditions. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

 

We recognize revenues in accordance with ASC 605, which provides guidance on the recognition, presentation and disclosure of revenue in financial statements. ASC 605 outlines the basic criteria that must be met to recognize revenue and provides guidance for disclosure related to revenue recognition policies. In general, we recognize revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery of the product has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the sales price charged is fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Accordingly, interest income from commercial loans is recognized, as earned, over the loan period and origination fee revenue on commercial loans is amortized over the term of the respective note.

 

As an “emerging growth company,” we intend to avail ourselves of the of the reduced disclosure requirements and extended transition periods for adopting new or revised accounting standards that would otherwise apply to us as a public reporting company. Once adopted, we must continue to report on that basis until we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to those of other public reporting companies that either are not emerging growth companies or that are emerging growth companies but have opted not to avail themselves of these provisions of the JOBS Act and investors may deem our securities a less attractive investment relative to those other companies, which could adversely affect our stock price.

 

Results of operations

 

We were formed in January 2016 and, prior to the consummation of the Exchange, had not engaged in any business activity. The results of operations discussed below for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and for the portion of the nine months ended September 30, 2017, until the consummation of the Exchange, are those of SCP.

 

Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016

 

Total revenue

 

Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $1.9 million compared to approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, an increase of $900,000, or 90.8%. The increase in revenue represents an increase in lending operations. For the 2017 period, interest income was approximately $1.57 million and net origination fees were approximately $197,000. In comparison, for the three months ended September 30, 2016, interest income was approximately $952,000 and net origination fees were approximately $43,000. Prior to the completion of our IPO, 75% of gross origination fees were paid to JJV, LLC, SCP’s managing member. Accordingly, for the 2016 period, net origination fee income is net of the amounts payable to JJV and other adjustments. From and after February 9, 2017 JJV is no longer entitled to any payments from us (other than dividends paid to it in its capacity as a shareholder of Sachem Capital Corp.)

 

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Operating costs and expenses

 

Total operating costs and expenses for three months ended September 30, 2017 were approximately $621,000 compared to approximately $341,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 period, an increase of approximately 82%. The increase in operating costs and expenses is primarily attributable to the following: (i) an increase in compensation and taxes of approximately $189,000; (ii) an increase in professional fees of approximately $27,000; (iii) an increase in general and administrative expenses of approximately $35,000; and (iv) an increase in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs of approximately $164,000. These increases are primarily due to the increase in our lending activity, and the costs incurred as a result of our conversion from a privately-held limited liability company to a publicly-held corporation, although year-to-year comparisons may not be meaningful in light of the changes to our corporate structure and our operation as a REIT.

 

Net Income

 

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $1.32 million, or $0.12 per share (basic and diluted) compared to $675,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Since we operated as a limited liability company prior to the IPO, we do not report net income per share data for 2016 periods.

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016

 

Total revenue

 

Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $4.75 million compared to approximately $2.99 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, an increase of $1.76 million or 59%. The increase in revenue represents an increase in lending operations. For the 2017 period, interest income was approximately $3.8 million and net origination fees were approximately $464,000. In comparison, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, interest income was approximately $2.7 million and net origination fees were approximately $139,000. Prior to the completion of the IPO, 75% of gross origination fees were paid to JJV, LLC, SCP’s managing member. Accordingly, for the 2016 period and, roughly, the first six weeks of the 2017 period, net origination fee income is net of the amounts payable to JJV and other adjustments. From and after February 9, 2017, JJV is no longer entitled to any payments from us (other than dividends paid to it in its capacity as a shareholder of Sachem Capital Corp.)

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

Total operating costs and expenses for nine months ended September 30, 2017 were approximately $1.57 million compared to approximately $763,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 period, an increase of approximately 106%. The increase in operating costs and expenses is primarily attributable to the following: (i) an increase in compensation and taxes of approximately $438,000; (ii) an increase in professional fees of approximately $135,000; (iii) an increase in general and administrative expenses of approximately $213,000; and (iv) an increase in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs of approximately $229,000. These increases are primarily due to the increase in our lending activity, our initial public offering, and our conversion from a privately-held limited liability company to a publicly-held corporation, although year-to-year comparisons may not be meaningful in light of the changes to our corporate structure, our IPO and our operation as a REIT.

 

Net Income

 

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $3.17 million compared to $2.23 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Net income per share for the period beginning February 9, 2017 (the effective date of the IPO) and ending September 30, 2017 was $0.26. Since we were operating as a limited liability company prior to the IPO, the net income per share data for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 does not include the net income per share for the period prior to the IPO.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $2.8 million compared to approximately $2.42 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Net cash provided by operating activities in the 2017 period is primarily attributable to approximately $3,170,000, $581,000, and $155,000, in net income, deferred revenue and advances from borrowers, respectively, offset by an increase of approximately $279,000 in amounts due from borrowers and a decrease of approximately $656,000 in the amount due to member.

 

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Net cash used for investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $19.0 million compared to approximately $3.49 million for same 2016 period. Proceeds from sale of real estate owned in the 2017 period was approximately $530,000, compared to approximately $546,000 for the 2016 period. The 2017 period also included approximately $424,000 of cash used to acquire and improve properties that we acquired compared to approximately $563,000 in the same 2016 period. Finally, in the 2017 period, principal disbursements for mortgages receivable were approximately $33.8 million and principal collections were approximately $14.8 million. In the 2016 period, the corresponding amounts were approximately $14.3 million and approximately $10.9 million, respectively. We believe that the increase in the 2017 period of approximately $3.9 million in principal collections on mortgages receivable, resulting from an increased rate of prepayments of outstanding loans, is primarily attributable to increasing lending activity by traditional lenders, such as banks, which could be an indicator of improving economic conditions in general. If this trend continues it may signal increased competition for our business.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $15.7 million compared to approximately $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Prior to the IPO, cash flows from financing activities basically reflects the difference between proceeds from borrowings under the Bankwell Credit Line and member contributions, on the one hand, and repayments of the amounts outstanding on the Bankwell Credit Line and distributions to members, on the other hand. From and after the IPO there will no longer be contributions from or distributions from members. On the other hand, we intend to pay quarterly dividends to maintain our status as a REIT and we may, from time to time raise capital by selling securities. For the 2017 period, the most significant element of cash flow from financing activities was the $13 million of gross proceeds from the IPO. Other factors included approximately $25.3 million of proceeds from the Bankwell Credit Line, approximately $17.5 million of payments to Bankwell, approximately $654,000 of member contributions and approximately $2.5 million of distributions to members. In addition, we incurred approximately $87,000 of financing costs and approximately$1.5 million of costs related to the IPO. For the same 2016 period, the principal elements were (i) approximately $5.4 million of proceeds from Bankwell, (ii) $2.9 million of payments to Bankwell, (iii) approximately $3.75 million of member contributions and (iv) approximately $3.5 million in distributions to members.

 

We project anticipated cash requirements for our operating needs as well as cash flows generated from operating activities available to meet these needs. Our short-term cash requirements primarily include funding of loans and payments for usual and customary operating and administrative expenses, such as employee compensation, rent, sales and marketing expenses and dividends. Based on this analysis, we believe that our current cash balances, the amount available to us under the Bankwell Credit Line and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fund the operations for the next 12 months.

 

Our long-term cash needs will include principal payments on outstanding indebtedness and funding of new mortgage loans. Funding for long-term cash needs will come from our cash on hand, operating cash flows, and unused capacity of the Bankwell Credit Line or any replacement thereof. In addition, to maintain our status as a REIT, we intend to pay regular quarterly distributions to holders of our common shares in an amount not less than 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains).

 

Subsequent Events

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2017, we commenced foreclosure proceeding with respect to two loans made to two separate borrowers, having an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $238,000 and accrued but unpaid interest of $4,440. The loans are secured by first mortgage liens on properties owned by the borrowers. We halted an ongoing foreclosure proceeding when the borrower entered into a settlement agreement with us, which provided us with additional collateral in exchange for us extending the borrower additional time to repay the obligations. We have obtained real property assessments and broker opinions of value for these properties. Based on these values, we have not recorded an impairment loss for these properties.

 

On October 19, 2017, we declared a dividend of $.105 per share to be paid on November 17, 2017 to shareholders of record on November 7, 2017. The total amount of the dividend payment is estimated to be approximately $1,560,000.

 

As described above and in Note 9 to the financial statements included in this Report, from October 27 through November 3, 3017, we raised an additional $17.25 million (gross) of equity capital from the sale of an additional 4,312,500 common shares (including 562,500 covered by an over-allotment option) in a follow-on underwritten public offering at a public offering price of $4.00 per share.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons that are likely to affect liquidity or the availability of our requirements for capital resources.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2017, our contractual obligations include unfunded amounts of any outstanding construction loans and unfunded commitments for loans as well as contractual obligations consist of operating leases for equipment and software licenses.

 

   Total   Less than
1 year
   1 – 3 years   3 – 5
years
   More
than
5
years
 
Operating lease obligations  $12,700   $8,021   $4,679   $   $ 
Unfunded portions of outstanding construction loans   3,095,917    3,095,917             
Unfunded loan commitments                    
Total contractual obligations  $3,108,617   $3,103,938   $4,679   $   $ 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See “Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the financial statements for explanation of recent accounting pronouncements impacting us.

 

Item 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.

 

Item 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)Evaluation and Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our co-chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2017 (the “Evaluation Date”).  Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) are recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) are accumulated and communicated to our management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b)Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.      OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6.   EXHIBITS

 


Exhibit
No.
  Description
     
2.1   Form of Amended and Restated Exchange Agreement (1)
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation (1)
3.1(a)   Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation (1)

 

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Exhibit
No.
  Description
3.2   Bylaws, as amended (2)
4.1   Form of Representative’s Warrants (1)
4.2   Form of Representatives’ Warrants issued on October 27, 2017 in connection with the follow-on underwritten public offering (4)
10.1**   Employment Agreement by and between John C. Villano and Sachem Capital Corp. (1)
10.2**   Employment Agreement by and between Jeffrey L. Villano and Sachem Capital Corp. (1)
10.3   Sachem Capital Corp. 2016 Equity Compensation Plan (1)
10.4.1   Amended and Restated Revolving Note, dated March 15, 2016, in the principal amount of $15,000,000.00 (1)
10.4.2   Form of Second Amended and Restated Commercial Revolving Loan and Security Agreement, February 8, 2017, among Bankwell Bank, as Lender, and Sachem Capital Partners, LLC, as Existing Borrower, and Sachem Capital Corp., as Borrower (1)
10.4.3   Guaranty Agreement, dated December 18, 2014 (1)
10.4.4   Form of Second Reaffirmation of Guaranty Agreement, dated February 8, 2017 (1)
10.4.5   Amended and Restated Revolving Note, dated June 30, 2017, in the principal amount of $20,000,000.00 (3)
10.4.6   Modification of Second Amended and Restated Commercial Revolving Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2017, among Bankwell Bank (as lender), Sachem Capital Corp. (as borrower), and John L. Villano, Jeffrey C. Villano and JJV, LLC, (as guarantors) (3)
10.4.7   Third Reaffirmation of Guaranty Agreement, dated June 30, 2017 (3)
31.1   Chief Executive Officer Certification as required under section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act *
31.2   Chief Financial Officer Certification as required under section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act *
32.1   Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act ***
32.2   Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act ***
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document *
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document *
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document *
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document *
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document *
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document *

 

 

 

* Filed herewith.

** Compensation plan or arrangement for current or former executive officers and directors.

*** Furnished, not filed, in accordance with item 601(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

(1)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-11, as amended, (SEC File No.: 333-214323) and incorporated herein by reference.
(2)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K on July 6, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4)Previously filed on October 20, 2017, as Exhibit A to Exhibit 1.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-11, as amended, (SEC File No.: 333-218954) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.
     
Date:  November 13, 2017 By: /s/ Jeffrey C. Villano
    Jeffrey C. Villano
    Co-Chief Executive Office
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date:  November 13, 2017 By: /s/ John L. Villano
    John L. Villano, CPA
    Co-Chief Executive Office and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer)

 

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