DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Business and Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of HMG/Courtland Properties, Inc. (“we” or the “Company”) and entities in which the Company owns a majority voting interest or controlling financial interest. The Company was organized in 1972 and (excluding its 95% owned subsidiary Courtland Investments, Inc., which files a separate tax return) qualifies for taxation as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company’s business is the ownership and management of income-producing commercial properties and its management considers other investments if such investments offer growth or profit potential. The Company’s recurring operating revenue is from property rental operations of its corporate offices.

All material transactions and balances with consolidated and unconsolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation or as required under the equity method.

The Company’s consolidated subsidiaries are described below:

Courtland Investments, Inc. (“CII”). In March 2016, this 95% owned corporation of the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation so that, as amended, the holders of Class A and Class B common stock of CII shall have and possess the exclusive right to notice of and to vote at any meeting of the stockholders and any adjournment thereof, and the exclusive right to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting. Class A and Class B shareholders of CII shall have equal voting rights. CII is the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary which files a separate tax return. CII’s operations are not part of the REIT tax return.

HMG Orlando, LLC (“HMGO”). This wholly owned limited liability company was formed in August 2014. In September 2014 HMGO acquired a one-third equity membership interest in JY-TV Associates, LLC a Florida limited liability company (“JY-TV”) and entered into the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of JY-TV (the “Agreement”). JY-TV was formed in 2014 for the sole purpose of purchasing and constructing two hundred forty (240) unit rental apartments on approximately 9.5 acres in Orlando, Florida. The other two initial members of JY-TV are not related to the Company. The construction on the rental apartments was completed in September 2016, with partial occupancy commencing in June 2016. On February 20, 2018 JY-TV sold the apartments to an unrelated third party.

260 River Corp (“260”). This wholly owned corporation of the Company owns an approximate 70% interest in a vacant commercially zoned building located on 5.4 acres in Montpelier, Vermont. Development of this property is being considered after completing the environmental remediation of the land.

HMG Bayshore, LLC (“HMGBS”). This is a wholly owned Florida limited liability company which owns an investment in an entity which invests in mortgages secured by real estate.

HMG Atlanta, LLC (“HMGATL”). This is a wholly owned Florida limited liability company which owns a 1.5% interest in an entity which owns and operates two residential real estate properties located in north east Atlanta, Georgia.

Baleen Associates, Inc. (“Baleen”). This corporation is wholly owned by CII and its sole asset is a 50% interest in a partnership which operates an executive suite rental business in Coconut Grove, Florida.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Preparation of Financial Statements. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes. The Company qualifies as a real estate investment trust and distributes its taxable ordinary income to stockholders in conformity with requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and is not required to report deferred items due to its ability to distribute all taxable income. In addition, net operating losses can be carried forward to reduce future taxable income but cannot be carried back. Distributed capital gains on sales of real estate as they relate to REIT activities are not subject to taxes; however, undistributed capital gains are taxed as capital gains. State income taxes are not significant. The Company’s 95%-owned taxable REIT subsidiary, CII, files a separate income tax return and its operations are not included in the REIT’s income tax return. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”). This requires a Company to use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of “temporary differences” by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred income taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred taxes only pertain to CII.

The Company follows the provisions of ASC Topic 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 740, and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This topic also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

Based on our evaluation, we have concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in our consolidated financial statements. Our evaluation was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Company’s federal income tax returns since 2014 are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, generally for a period of three years after the returns were filed.

We may from time to time be assessed interest or penalties by major tax jurisdictions, although any such assessments historically have been minimal and immaterial to our financial results. In the event we have received an assessment for interest and/or penalties, it has been classified in the consolidated financial statements as selling, general and administrative expense.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Depreciation. Depreciation of the corporate offices properties held for investment is computed using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life of 39.5 years. Depreciation expense for the corporate offices for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $15,000.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined under the applicable accounting standards as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measure date. The Company uses valuation techniques to measure fair value, maximizing the use of observable outputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs. The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:

• Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

• Level 3 – Inputs include management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the instrument’s valuation.

An investment’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The carrying value of financial instruments including other receivables, notes and advances due from related parties (if any), accounts payable and accrued expenses and mortgages and notes payable approximate their fair values at December 31, 2018 and 2017, due to their relatively short terms or variable interest rates.

Cash equivalents are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of transparency. Other investments which are measured by investees at net asset value per share or its equivalent are also classified within Level 2.

The valuation of other investments not included above requires significant judgment by the Company’s management due to the absence of quoted market values, inherent lack of liquidity and long-term nature of such assets and have been classified within Level 3. Such investments are valued initially based upon transaction price. Valuations are reviewed periodically utilizing available market data and additional factors to determine if the carrying value of these investments should be adjusted. In determining valuation adjustments, emphasis is placed on market participants’ assumptions and market-based information over entity-specific information.

Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Marketable Securities. The entire marketable securities portfolio is classified as trading consistent with the Company’s overall investment objectives and activities. Accordingly, all unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s marketable securities investment portfolio are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Gross gains and losses on the sale of marketable securities are based on the first-in first-out method of determining cost.

Marketable securities from time to time are pledged as collateral pursuant to broker margin requirements. As of December 31, 2018, there was no such margin balance outstanding. As of December 31, 2017, there was approximately $267,000 of marketable securities pledged as collateral pursuant to margin agreements.

Treasury bills, from time to time, are pledged as collateral pursuant to broker margin requirements. As of December 31, 2018, there was approximately $9.9 million in margin such margin balances outstanding. As of December 31, 2017, there was no such margin balance outstanding.

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Notes and other receivables. Management periodically performs a review of amounts due on its notes and other receivable balances to determine if they are impaired based on factors affecting the collectability of those balances. Management’s estimates of collectability of these receivables requires management to exercise significant judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of collection losses, if any, and the underlying value of collateral, which may affect recoverability of such receivables. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, the Company had no allowances for bad debt.

Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]

Equity investments. Investments in which the Company does not have a majority voting or financial controlling interest but has the ability to exercise influence are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, even though the Company may have a majority interest in profits and losses. The Company follows ASC Topic 323-30 in accounting for its investments in limited partnerships. This guidance requires the use of the equity method for limited partnership investments of more than 3 to 5 percent.

The Company has no voting or financial controlling interests in its other investments which include entities that invest venture capital funds in growth-oriented enterprises. These other investments are carried at cost less adjustments for other than temporary declines in value.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income (loss) per common share. Net income (loss) per common share (basic and diluted) is based on the net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted net loss per share includes the dilutive effect of options to acquire common stock. Common shares outstanding include issued shares less shares held in treasury. There were 1,600 and 12,500 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The 2018 and 2017 options were not included in the diluted earnings per share computation as their effect would have been de minimums or anti-dilutive.

Real Estate Held for Development and Sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Gain on sales of properties. Gain on sales of properties is recognized when the minimum investment requirements have been met by the purchaser and title passes to the purchaser.

In February 2018, JY-TV sold its residential apartments located in Orlando, Florida for cash. The Company’s portion of the gain on sale of real estate for this property was approximately $5.5 million (or $5.40 per share), net of incentive fee.

In July 2017 CII sold a 20,000 square foot undeveloped residential parcel of land located in Paxton, Massachusetts for approximately $44,000 and recognized a gain of approximately $10,000.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and cash Equivalents. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents.

Concentration Risk Credit Risk Reinsurance [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk are cash and cash equivalent deposits in excess of federally insured limits, marketable securities, other receivables and notes and mortgages receivable. From time to time the Company may have bank deposits in excess of federally insured limits (presently $250,000). The Company evaluates these excess deposits and transfers amounts to brokerage accounts and other banks to mitigate this exposure. As of December 31, 2018, we had no bank deposits in excess of federally insured limits. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $52,000 of deposits in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes that it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.

Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other intangible assets:

Deferred loan costs, when applicable, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the loan. This method approximates the effective interest rate method.

Noncontrolling Interest [Policy Text Block]

Noncontrolling Interest. Noncontrolling interest represents the noncontrolling or minority partners’ proportionate share of the equity of the Company’s majority owned subsidiaries. A summary for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

	2018		2017
Noncontrolling interest balance at beginning of year	$	233,000	$	223,000
Noncontrolling partners’ interest in operating gains of CII		7,000		10,000
Noncontrolling interest balance at end of year	$	240,000	$	233,000

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue recognition. CII is the lessor of the Company’s principal executive offices and the Adviser corporate offices. This lease agreement is classified as an operating lease and accordingly all rental revenue is recognized as earned based upon total fixed cash flow over the initial term of the lease, using the straight-line method. In December 2018, the lease was renewed for one year with two one-year extension options expiring on December 1, 2021, with an increase of 5% in rent for each year extended. Beginning in December 2018 the base rent is $58,344 per year payable in equal monthly installments plus sales tax during the term of the lease. The Adviser, as tenant, pays utilities, certain maintenance and security expenses relating to the leased premises.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of long-lived assets. The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its properties and long-lived assets in relation to historical results, current business conditions and trends to identify potential situations in which the carrying value of assets may not be recoverable. If such reviews indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable, the Company would estimate the undiscounted sum of the expected future cash flows of such assets or analyze the fair value of the asset, to determine if such sum or fair value is less than the carrying value of such assets to ascertain if a permanent impairment exists. If a permanent impairment exists, the Company would determine the fair value by using quoted market prices, if available, for such assets, or if quoted market prices are not available, the Company would discount the expected future cash flows of such assets and would adjust the carrying value of the asset to fair value. There was no impairment of long-lived assets in 2018 and 2017.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Share-based compensation.

The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718 “Share-Based Payments”. The Company has used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options on the dates of grant.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent accounting pronouncements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers when it satisfies performance obligations. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, Other Income: Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets, which amends ASC Topic 610-20. ASU No. 2017-05 provides guidance on how entities recognize sales, including partial sales, of nonfinancial assets (and in-substance nonfinancial assets) to non-customers. ASU No. 2017-05 requires the seller to recognize a full gain or loss in a partial sale of nonfinancial assets, to the extent control is not retained. Any noncontrolling interest retained by the seller would, accordingly, be measured at fair value. This guidance became effective January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718).” ASU 2018-07 simplifies the accounting for nonemployee stock-based payment transactions. This ASU is effective for public entities for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early application is permitted. The Company has evaluated the potential impact of this guidance and does not believe it will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.