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, 2014

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 0-10673

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California	95-3547611
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

PO Box 91274

Los Angeles, California 90009

(Address of principal executive offices)

(720) 387-8135

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting 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]

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

1

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

BALANCE SHEETS

 (In thousands)

	September 30,	December 31,
	2014	2013
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 339	$ 522
Receivable from Limited Partners	67	--
Total assets	$ 406	$ 522
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' (DEFICIENCY) CAPITAL
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 43	$ 25
Total liabilities	43	25
Partners' (deficiency) capital:
General partners	(117)	(116)
Limited partners	480	613
Total partners’ (deficiency) capital	363	497
Total liabilities and partners' (deficiency)   capital	$ 406	$ 522

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

2

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per interest data)

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,
	2014	2013	2014	2013
Revenues:	$ --	$ --	$ --	$ --
Operating expenses:
Management fees – General Partner	3	9	9	27
Administrative	10	5	30	13
Legal and accounting	34	13	80	66
Total operating expenses	47	27	119	106
Loss from partnership operations	(47)	(27)	(119)	(106)
Forfeited Earnest Money (Note 2)	60	--	60	--
Gain from sale of local partners interest	--	407	--	407
Advances made to Local Limited Partnership    recognized as expense	(75)	--	(75)	(67)
Net Income (loss)	$ (62)	$ 380	$ (134)	$ 234
Net Income (loss) allocated to general    Partners (1%)	$ (1)	$ 4	$ (1)	$ 2
Net Income (loss) allocated to limited    partners (99%)	$ (61)	$ 376	$ (133)	$ 232
Net Income (loss) per limited partnership    interest	$ (5.49)	$ 33.22	$ (11.86)	$ 20.49

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

3

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' (DEFICIENCY) CAPITAL

 (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	General Partners	Limited Partners	Total
Partners' (deficiency) capital,   December 31, 2013	$ (116)	$ 613	$ 497
Net loss for the nine months   ended September 30, 2014	(1)	(133)	(134)
Partners' (deficiency) capital,   September 30, 2014	$ (117)	$ 480	$ 363

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

4

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2014	2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income (loss)	$ (134)	$ 234
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in    operating activities:
Advances made to Local Partnerships recognized as expense	75	67
Sale of Local Limited Partnership interest	--	(407)
Change in accounts:
Receivable from limited partners	(67)	--
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	18	(30)
Net cash used in operating activities	(108)	(136)
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Sale of Local Limited Partnership interest	--	407
Advances to Local Partnerships	(75)	(67)
Accrued fees due to General Partner	--	17
Net cash used in investing activities	(75)	357
Net Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(183)	221
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	522	138
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 339	$ 359

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

5

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

General

The information contained in the following notes to the unaudited financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual audited financial statements; accordingly, the financial statements included herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes thereto contained in the annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 prepared by Real Estate Associates Limited III (the "Partnership" or "Registrant"). Accounting measurements at interim dates inherently involve greater reliance on estimates than at year end.  The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the entire year.

In the opinion of the Partnership’s management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring items) considered necessary for a fair presentation. The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

The general partners share a one percent interest in profits and losses of the Partnership.  The limited partners share the remaining 99 percent interest in proportion to their respective investments. The general partners are National Partnership Investments, LLC (“NAPICO” or the “General Partner”), a California limited liability company, and National Partnership Investment Associates, a limited partnership.  The General Partner is a subsidiary of Bethesda Holdings II, LLC, a privately held real estate asset management company (“Bethesda”).  The business of the Partnership is conducted primarily by NAPICO.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership had outstanding 11,294 limited partnership interests.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  

Method of Accounting for Investments in Local Partnerships

The investments in local limited partnerships (the “Local Partnerships”) are accounted for on the equity method.

Net Loss Per Limited Partnership Interest

Net loss per limited partnership interest was computed by dividing the limited partners’ share of net loss by the number of limited partnership interests outstanding at the beginning of the year.  The number of limited partnership interests used was 11,294 and 11,320 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.

6

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Variable Interest Entities

The Partnership consolidates any variable interest entities in which the Partnership holds a variable interest and is the primary beneficiary. Generally, a variable interest entity, or VIE, is an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about an entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is generally the entity that has (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Partnership considers qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of the Partnership’s investment; the obligation or likelihood for the Partnership or other investors to provide financial support; and the similarity with and significance to the business activities of the Partnership and the other investors.  Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current and future fair values and performance of real estate held by these VIEs and general market conditions.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership held variable interests in one VIE for which the Partnership was not the primary beneficiary.  The Partnership has concluded, based on its qualitative consideration of the partnership agreement, the partnership structure and the role of the general partner in the Local Partnership, that the general partner of each of the Local Partnership is the primary beneficiary of the respective Local Partnership. In making this determination, the Partnership considered the following factors:

·

the general partner conducts and manage the business of the Local Partnership;

·

the general partner has the responsibility for and sole discretion over selecting a property management agent for the Local Partnership's underlying real estate properties;

·

the general partner is responsible for approving operating and capital budgets for the properties owned by the Local Partnerships;

·

the general partner is obligated to fund any recourse obligations of the Local Partnership;

·

the general partner is authorized to borrow funds on behalf of the Local Partnership; and

·

the Partnership, as a limited partner in the Local Partnership, does not have the ability to direct or otherwise significantly influence the activities of the Local Partnership that most significantly impact such entity's economic performance.

The VIE at September 30, 2014 consisted of one Local Partnership that is directly engaged in the ownership and management of one apartment property with a total of 80 units. The Partnership is involved with the VIE as a non-controlling limited partner equity holder. The Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the unconsolidated VIE is limited to the Partnership’s recorded investments in and receivables from the VIE, which was zero at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Partnership may be subject to additional losses to the extent of any financial support that the Partnership voluntarily provides in the future.

7

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership held limited partnership interests in one Local Partnership that owned a residential low income rental project consisting of 80 apartment units. The rental project is located in Puerto Rico. The mortgage loans of this project are payable to or insured by various governmental agencies.

The Partnership, as a limited partner, does not have a contractual relationship with the Local Partnership or exercise control over the activities and operations, including refinancing or selling decisions, of the Local Partnership that would require or allow for consolidation. Accordingly, the Partnership accounts for its investment in the Local Partnership using the equity method. The Partnership is allocated profits and losses of the Local Partnership based upon its ownership percentage (95%). Distributions of surplus cash from operations from the Local Partnership are restricted by the Local Partnership's Regulatory Agreements with the Rural Development ("RD"). These restrictions limit the distribution to a portion, generally less than 10%, of the initial invested capital. The excess surplus cash is deposited into a residual receipts reserve, of which the ultimate realization by the Partnership is uncertain as RD frequently retains it upon sale or dissolution of the Local Partnership. The Partnership is allocated profits and losses and receives distributions from refinancings and sales in accordance with the Local Partnership's partnership agreement. This agreement limits the Partnership’s distributions to an amount substantially less than its ownership percentage in the Local Partnership.

The investment is carried at cost plus the Partnership’s share of the Local Partnership’s profits less the Partnership’s share of the Local Partnership’s losses, distributions and impairment charges. The Partnership is not legally liable for the obligations of the Local Partnership and is not otherwise committed to provide additional support to it. Therefore, it does not recognize losses once its investment in the Local Partnership reaches zero. Distributions from the Local Partnership are accounted for as a reduction of the investment balance until the investment balance is reduced to zero. When the investment balance has been reduced to zero, subsequent distributions received are recognized as income in the accompanying statements of operations.  

For those investments where the Partnership has determined that the carrying value of its investments approximates the estimated fair value of those investments, the Partnership’s policy is to recognize equity in income of the Local Partnerships only to the extent of distributions received and amortization of acquisition costs from those Local Partnerships. Therefore, the Partnership limits its recognition of equity earnings to the amount it expects to ultimately realize.

On October 26, 2011 Marina Del Rey entered into a purchase and sale contract to sell its investment property to a third party for a gross sales price of $2,500,000. As of December 31, 2013, earnest money of $100,000 had been received by the local limited partnership and placed into escrow. In January 2014, the buyer failed to close and the agreement was terminated. As a result, in July 2014, the Partnership received $60,000 of the $100,000 deposit as a settlement of the terminated agreement.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the investment balance in the Local Partnership had been reduced to zero.

In July 2013, the Partnership sold its limited partnership interest in Lakeside Apartments, Ltd. to an affiliate of the operating General Partner for no consideration. The Partnership's investment balance in this local partnership was zero at the time of sale.

In August 2013, the Partnership sold the real estate of Santa Maria Limited Dividend Partnership Assoc. and received approximately $407,000 in proceeds from the sale. Subsequent to the closing, the Partnership received an additional amount of $404,000 from release of reserves. The Partnership's investment balance in this local partnership was zero at the time of sale.

In October 2013, the Partnership assigned its limited partnership interest in Alabama Properties, Ltd., V (Ramblewood I) to an affiliate of the operating general partner for a total of $17,600. The Partnership had no investment balance remaining at the date of the assignment.

At times, advances are made to the Local Partnerships. Advances made by the Partnership to the individual Local Partnerships are considered part of the Partnership’s investment in the Local Partnerships. Advances to Local Partnerships for which the investment has been reduced to zero are charged to expense. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Partnership advanced approximately $75,000 to Local Partnerships for capital improvements. During the nine months

8

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

ended September 30, 2013 the partnership advanced $67,000 to Local Partnerships for taxes. The advances were recognized as expense. While not obligated to make advances to any of the Local Partnerships, the Partnership may make future advances in order to protect its economic investment in the Local Partnerships.

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS (CONTINUED)

The following are unaudited condensed combined estimated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 for the Local Partnerships in which the Partnership has invested. The 2014 and 2013 amount exclude Santa Maria Ltd., Lakeside and Alabama Properties, Ltd. V (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014	2013	2014	2013
Revenues
Rental and other	$ 148	$ 157	$  439	$ 469
Expenses
Operating expenses	76	71	229	213
Financial expenses	61	63	183	188
Depreciation and amortization	12	12	38	37
Total expenses	149	146	450	438
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$  (1)	$ 11	$   (11)	$  31

In addition to being the General Partner of the Partnership, NAPICO or one of its affiliates is the local operating general partner of the Local Partnership included above.

NOTE 3 – TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED PARTIES

Under the terms of the Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership, the Partnership is obligated to NAPICO for an annual management fee equal to 0.4 percent of the Partnership’s original remaining invested assets of the Local Partnerships and is calculated at the beginning of each year. Invested assets are defined as the costs of acquiring project interests, including the proportionate amount of the mortgage loans related to the Partnership's interest in the capital accounts of the respective Local Partnerships. The management fee incurred for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $3,000 and $9,000, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $9,000 and $27,000, respectively.

At September 30, 2014, advances from affiliates for certain expenses were approximately $27,000.

NOTE 4 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 825, “Financial Instruments”, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. Fair value is defined as the amount at which the instruments could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. At September 30, 2014, the Partnership believes that the carrying amount of liabilities reported on the balance sheet that require such disclosure approximated their fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.

NOTE 5 - CONTINGENCIES

The General Partner is involved in various lawsuits arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business. In the

9

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Unaudited)

opinion of management and the General Partner, the claims will not result in any material liability to the Partnership.

NOTE 6 - SUBSEQUENT EVENT

The Partnership’s management evaluated subsequent events through the time this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was filed.

10

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements in certain circumstances. Certain information included in this Quarterly Report contains or may contain information that is forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements and, in addition, will be affected by a variety of risks and factors, some of which are beyond the Partnership’s control, including, without limitation: financing risks, including the availability and cost of financing and the risk that the Partnership’s cash flows from operations may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest; national and local economic conditions, including the pace of job growth and the level of unemployment; the terms of governmental regulations that affect the Partnership and its investment in limited partnerships and interpretations of those regulations; the competitive environment in which the Partnership operates; real estate risks, including fluctuations in real estate values and the general economic climate in local markets and competition for residents in such markets; litigation, including costs associated with prosecuting or defending claims and any adverse outcomes; and possible environmental liabilities, including costs, fines or penalties that may be incurred due to necessary remediation of contamination of properties presently owned or previously owned by the limited partnerships in which the Partnership has invested. Readers should carefully review the Partnership’s financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as the other documents the Partnership files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Corporate General Partner monitors developments in the area of legal and regulatory compliance.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Partnership's primary source of funds is the receipt of distributions from the Local Partnership in which the Partnership has invested. It is not expected that the Local Partnership in which the Partnership has invested will generate cash flow from operations sufficient to provide for distributions to the Partnership's limited partners in any material amount.  An infrequent source of funds would be funds received by the Partnership as its share of any proceeds from the sale of a property owned by a Local Partnership or the Partnership’s sale of its interest in a Local Partnership. There were no distributions made by the Partnership to its limited partners during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

The property in which the Partnership has invested, through its investments in the Local Partnership, receives one or more forms of assistance from the Federal Government. As a result, the Local Partnership's ability to transfer funds to the Partnership in the form of cash distributions, loans or advances is generally restricted by these government assistance programs. These restrictions, however, are not expected to impact the Partnership's ability to meet its cash obligations.

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $339,000 and $522,000, respectively. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents of approximately $183,000 is due from cash used in operating activities, state income tax withholdings and advances to limited partners.

Results of Operations

At September 30, 2014, the Partnership had an investment in one Local Partnership, which owned a housing project that was substantially rented. The Partnership, as a limited partner, does not have a contractual relationship with the Local Partnership or exercise control over the activities and operations, including refinancing or selling decisions of the Local Partnership that would require or allow for consolidation. Accordingly, the Partnership accounts for its investment in the Local Partnership using the equity method.  Thus the investment is carried at cost plus the Partnership’s share of the Local Partnership’s profits less the Partnership’s share of the Local Partnership’s losses, distributions and impairment charges. However, since the Partnership is not legally liable for the obligations of the Local Partnership, or is not otherwise committed to provide additional support to it, it does not recognize losses once the Partnership’s investment in the Local Partnership reaches zero.  Distributions from the Local Partnership are accounted for as a reduction of the investment balance until the investment balance is reduced to zero. Subsequent distributions received are recognized as income in the statements of operations.  For those investments where the Partnership has determined that the carrying value of the Partnership’s investments approximates the estimated fair value of those investments, the Partnership’s policy is to recognize equity in income of the Local Partnership only to the extent of distributions received, and amortization of acquisition costs from the Local Partnership.  Therefore, the Partnership limits its recognition of equity earnings to the amount it expects to ultimately realize. The Partnership recognized no equity in income or loss from the Local Partnership during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.  The Partnership did not receive any distributions from the Local Partnership during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

11

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the investment balance in the Local Partnership had been reduced to zero.

In July 2013, the Partnership sold its limited partnership interest in Lakeside Apartments, Ltd. with zero proceeds from the sale. The Partnership's investment balance in this local partnership was zero at the time of sale.

In August 2013, the Partnership sold the real estate of Santa Maria Limited Dividend Partnership Assoc. and received approximately $407,000 in proceeds from the sale. Subsequent to the closing, the Partnership received an additional amount of $404,000 from release of reserves. The Partnership's investment balance in this local partnership was zero at the time of sale.

In October 2013, the Partnership assigned its limited partnership interest in Alabama Properties, Ltd., V (Ramblewood I) to an affiliate of the operating general partner for a total of $17,600. The Partnership had no investment balance remaining at the date of the assignment.

An annual management fee is payable to the General Partner of the Partnership and is calculated at 0.4 percent of the Partnership's original remaining invested assets of the Local Partnerships at the beginning of each year.  The management fee is paid to the General Partner for its continuing management of the Partnership's affairs. The fee is payable beginning with the month following the Partnership's initial investment in a Local Partnership. Management fees were approximately $3,000 and $9,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and approximately $9,000 and $27,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in management fees is due to the assignment of interest and sales during 2013.

Operating expenses, other than management fees, consist of legal and accounting fees for services rendered to the Partnership and general and administrative expenses. Legal and accounting fees were approximately $34,000 and $13,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and approximately $80,000 and $66,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in legal and accounting fees is primarily due to an increase in legal costs incurred associated with the expected sales of the investment properties of the Local Partnership, Marina Del Rey (Vicente Geigel Polanco). General and administrative expenses were approximately $10,000 and $5,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and approximately $30,000 and $13,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to an increase in Investor relations fees due to a change in transfer agents in 2014.

At times, advances are made to the Local Partnerships. Advances made by the Partnership to the individual Local Partnerships are considered part of the Partnership’s investment in the Local Partnerships. Advances to Local Partnerships for which the investment has been reduced to zero are charged to expense. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 the Partnership advanced approximately $75,000 to Local Partnerships for capital improvements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 the partnership advanced $67,000 to Local Partnerships for taxes. The advances were recognized as expense. While not obligated to make advances to any of the Local Partnerships, the Partnership may make future advances in order to protect its economic investment in the Local Partnerships.

The Partnership, as a limited partner in the Local Partnership in which it has invested, is subject to the risks incident to the management and ownership of improved real estate.  The Partnership investments are also subject to adverse general economic conditions, and, accordingly, the status of the national legislation which could increase vacancy levels, rental payment defaults, and operating expenses, which in turn, could substantially increase the risk of operating losses for the projects.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Partnership owns limited partnership interests in an unconsolidated Local Partnership, in which the Partnership’s ownership percentage is 95%.  However, based on the provisions of the relevant partnership agreement, the Partnership, as a limited partner, does not have control or a contractual relationship with the Local Partnership that would require or allow for consolidation under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (see “Note 1 – Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the financial statements in “Item 1. Financial Statements”).  There are no lines of credit, side agreements or any other derivative financial instruments between the Local Partnership and the Partnership.  Accordingly the Partnership’s maximum risk of loss related to this unconsolidated Local Partnership is limited to the recorded investments in and receivables from the Local Partnership.  See “Note 2 – Investments in and Advances to Local Partnership” of the financial statements in “Item 1. Financial Statements” for additional information about the Partnership’s investments in unconsolidated Local Partnership.

12

Other

In addition to Bethesda’s indirect ownership of the general partnership interest in the Partnership, Bethesda and its affiliates owned 1080 limited partnership interests in the Partnership representing 9.96% of the outstanding limited partnership interests in the Partnership at September 30, 2014.  It is possible that Bethesda or its affiliates will acquire additional limited partnership interests in the Partnership either through private purchases or tender offers. Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, unitholders holding a majority of the limited partnership interests are entitled to take action with respect to a variety of matters that include, but are not limited to, voting on certain amendments to the Partnership Agreement and voting to remove the General Partner. Although the General Partner owes fiduciary duties to the limited partners of the Partnership, the General Partner also owes fiduciary duties to Bethesda as its sole stockholder. As a result, the duties of the General Partner, as general partner, to the Partnership and its limited partners may come into conflict with the duties of the General Partner to Bethesda as its sole stockholder.

Variable Interest Entities

The Partnership consolidates any variable interest entities in which the Partnership holds a variable interest and is the primary beneficiary. Generally, a variable interest entity, or VIE, is an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about an entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is generally the entity that has (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Partnership considers qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of the Partnership’s investment; the obligation or likelihood for the Partnership or other investors to provide financial support; and the similarity with and significance to the business activities of the Partnership and the other investors.  Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current and future fair values and performance of real estate held by this VIE and general market conditions.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership held variable interests in one VIE for which the Partnership was not the primary beneficiary.  The Partnership has concluded, based on its qualitative consideration of the partnership agreement, the partnership structure and the role of the general partner in the Local Partnership, that the general partner of the Local Partnership is the primary beneficiary of the respective Local Partnership. In making this determination, the Partnership considered the following factors:

·

the general partner conducts and manage the business of the Local Partnership;

·

the general partner has the responsibility for and sole discretion over selecting a property management agent for the Local Partnership's underlying real estate properties;

·

the general partner is responsible for approving operating and capital budgets for the properties owned by the Local Partnership;

·

the general partner is obligated to fund any recourse obligations of the Local Partnership;

·

the general partner is authorized to borrow funds on behalf of the Local Partnership; and

·

the Partnership, as a limited partner in the Local Partnership, does not have the ability to direct or otherwise significantly influence the activities of the Local Partnership that most significantly impact such entity's economic performance.

13

The VIE at September 30, 2014 consisted of one Local Partnership that was directly engaged in the ownership and management of one apartment property with a total of 80 units. The Partnership is involved with the VIE as a non-controlling limited partner equity holder. The Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the unconsolidated VIE is limited to the Partnership’s recorded investment in and receivables from the VIE, which was zero at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Partnership may be subject to additional losses to the extent of any financial support that the Partnership voluntarily provides in the future.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the Partnership to make estimates and assumptions. Judgments and assessments of uncertainties are required in applying the Partnership’s accounting policies in many areas. The following may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.

Method of Accounting for Investments in Local Partnership

The Partnership, as a limited partner, does not have a contractual relationship with the Local Partnership or exercise control over the activities and operations, including refinancing or selling decisions, of the Local Partnership that would require or allow for consolidation. Accordingly, the Partnership accounts for its investment in the Local Partnership using the equity method. The Partnership is allocated profits and losses of the Local Partnership based upon its respective ownership percentage (99%). Distributions of surplus cash from operations from the Local Partnership are restricted by the Local Partnership's Regulatory Agreements with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). These restrictions limit the distribution to a portion, generally less than 10%, of the initial invested capital. The excess surplus cash is deposited into a residual receipts reserve, of which the ultimate realization by the Partnership is uncertain as HUD frequently retains it upon sale or dissolution of the Local Partnership. The Partnership is allocated profits and losses and receives distributions from refinancings and sales in accordance with the Local Partnership's partnership agreement. This agreement limits the Partnership’s distributions to an amount substantially less than its ownership percentage in the Local Partnership.  

The investment is carried at cost plus the Partnership’s share of the Local Partnership’s profits less the Partnership’s share of the Local Partnership’s losses, distributions and impairment charges. The Partnership is not legally liable for the obligations of the Local Partnership and is not otherwise committed to provide additional support to it. Therefore, it does not recognize losses once its investment in each of the Local Partnership reaches zero.  Distributions from the Local Partnership are accounted for as a reduction of the investment balance until the investment balance is reduced to zero. When the investment balance has been reduced to zero, subsequent distributions received are recognized as income in the statements of operations.  

For those investments where the Partnership has determined that the carrying value of its investments approximates the estimated fair value of those investments, the Partnership’s policy is to recognize equity in income of the Local Partnerships only to the extent of distributions received and amortization of acquisition costs from those Local Partnerships.  Therefore, the Partnership limits its recognition of equity earnings to the amount it expects to ultimately realize.

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

14

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)

Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

The Partnership’s management, with the participation of the Senior Managing Director and VP of Finance/CFO of Bethesda who are the equivalent of the Partnership’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Senior Managing Director and VP of Finance/CFO of Bethesda, who are the equivalent of the Partnership’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively, have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.  

(b)

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

There has been no change in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS

See Exhibit Index.

15

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.

	REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III
	(a California Limited Partnership)
	By: National Partnership Investments, LLC
	General Partner
Date: November 14, 2014	By:   /s/Brian Flaherty
	Brian Flaherty
	Senior Managing Director
Date: November 14, 2014	By:   /s/Joseph Dryden
	Joseph Dryden
	V.P. of Finance/CFO

16

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED III

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

Description of Exhibit

3.1

Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership herein dated January 5, 1981 incorporated by reference to the Partnership's Form S-11 No. 268983.

3.2

Amendments to Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership, incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2005.

3.3

Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2005.

31.1

Certification of equivalent of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification of equivalent of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

Certification of equivalent of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101

XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials from Real Estate Associates Limited III’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL: (i) balance sheets, (ii) statements of operations, (iii) statement of changes in partners’ (deficiency) capital, (iv) statements of cash flows, and (v) notes to financial statements. (1)

(1)

As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished

and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

17

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Brian Flaherty, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Real Estate Associates Limited III;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), for the registrant and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 14, 2014

/s/Brian Flaherty

Brian Flaherty

Senior Managing Director of National Partnership Investments, LLC, equivalent of the chief executive officer of the Partnership

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Joseph Dryden, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Real Estate Associates Limited III;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), for the registrant and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 14, 2014

/s/Joseph Dryden

Joseph Dryden

V.P. of Finance/CFO

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of CEO and CFO

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Real Estate Associates Limited III (the "Partnership"), for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), Brian Flaherty, as the equivalent of the chief executive officer of the Partnership, and Joseph Dryden, as the equivalent of the chief financial officer of the Partnership, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

      /s/Brian Flaherty

Name: Brian Flaherty

Date: November 14, 2014

      /s/Joseph Dryden

Name: Joseph Dryden

Date: November 14, 2014

This certification is furnished with this Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed filed by the Partnership for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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Note 4 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Notes

Note 4 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Note 4 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 825, “Financial Instruments”, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. Fair value is defined as the amount at which the instruments could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. At September 30, 2014, the Partnership believes that the carrying amount of liabilities reported on the balance sheet that require such disclosure approximated their fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.

XML

Note 3 - Transactions With Affiliated Parties

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Notes

Note 3 - Transactions With Affiliated Parties

Note 3 – Transactions with Affiliated Parties

Under the terms of the Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership, the Partnership is obligated to NAPICO for an annual management fee equal to 0.4 percent of the Partnership’s original remaining invested assets of the Local Partnerships and is calculated at the beginning of each year. Invested assets are defined as the costs of acquiring project interests, including the proportionate amount of the mortgage loans related to the Partnership's interest in the capital accounts of the respective Local Partnerships. The management fee incurred for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $3,000 and $9,000, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $9,000 and $27,000, respectively.

At September 30, 2014, advances from affiliates for certain expenses were approximately $27,000.

XML

Balance Sheets (September 30, 2014 Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 339	$ 522
Receivable from Limited Partners	67
Total assets	406	522
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	43	25
Total liabilities	43	25
Partners' (deficiency) capital:
General partners	(117)	(116)
Limited partners	480	613
Total partners' (deficiency) capital	363	497
Total liabilities and partners' (deficiency) capital	$ 406	$ 522

XML

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Notes

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

General

The information contained in the following notes to the unaudited financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual audited financial statements; accordingly, the financial statements included herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes thereto contained in the annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 prepared by Real Estate Associates Limited III (the "Partnership" or "Registrant"). Accounting measurements at interim dates inherently involve greater reliance on estimates than at year end.  The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the entire year.

In the opinion of the Partnership’s management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring items) considered necessary for a fair presentation. The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

The general partners share a one percent interest in profits and losses of the Partnership.  The limited partners share the remaining 99 percent interest in proportion to their respective investments. The general partners are National Partnership Investments, LLC (“NAPICO” or the “General Partner”), a California limited liability company, and National Partnership Investment Associates, a limited partnership.  The General Partner is a subsidiary of Bethesda Holdings II, LLC, a privately held real estate asset management company (“Bethesda”).  The business of the Partnership is conducted primarily by NAPICO.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership had outstanding 11,294 limited partnership interests.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. 

Method of Accounting for Investments in Local Partnerships

The investments in local limited partnerships (the “Local Partnerships”) are accounted for on the equity method.

Net Loss Per Limited Partnership Interest

Net loss per limited partnership interest was computed by dividing the limited partners’ share of net loss by the number of limited partnership interests outstanding at the beginning of the year.  The number of limited partnership interests used was 11,294 and 11,320 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.

Variable Interest Entities

The Partnership consolidates any variable interest entities in which the Partnership holds a variable interest and is the primary beneficiary. Generally, a variable interest entity, or VIE, is an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about an entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is generally the entity that has (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Partnership considers qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of the Partnership’s investment; the obligation or likelihood for the Partnership or other investors to provide financial support; and the similarity with and significance to the business activities of the Partnership and the other investors.  Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current and future fair values and performance of real estate held by these VIEs and general market conditions.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership held variable interests in one VIE for which the Partnership was not the primary beneficiary.  The Partnership has concluded, based on its qualitative consideration of the partnership agreement, the partnership structure and the role of the general partner in the Local Partnership, that the general partner of each of the Local Partnership is the primary beneficiary of the respective Local Partnership. In making this determination, the Partnership considered the following factors:

·         the general partner conducts and manage the business of the Local Partnership;

·         the general partner has the responsibility for and sole discretion over selecting a property management agent for the Local Partnership's underlying real estate properties;

·         the general partner is responsible for approving operating and capital budgets for the properties owned by the Local Partnerships;

·         the general partner is obligated to fund any recourse obligations of the Local Partnership;

·         the general partner is authorized to borrow funds on behalf of the Local Partnership; and

·         the Partnership, as a limited partner in the Local Partnership, does not have the ability to direct or otherwise significantly influence the activities of the Local Partnership that most significantly impact such entity's economic performance.

The VIE at September 30, 2014 consisted of one Local Partnership that is directly engaged in the ownership and management of one apartment property with a total of 80 units. The Partnership is involved with the VIE as a non-controlling limited partner equity holder. The Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the unconsolidated VIE is limited to the Partnership’s recorded investments in and receivables from the VIE, which was zero at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Partnership may be subject to additional losses to the extent of any financial support that the Partnership voluntarily provides in the future.

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Note 2 - Investments in and Advances To Local Partnerships

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Notes

Note 2 - Investments in and Advances To Local Partnerships

Note 2 – Investments in and Advances to Local Partnerships

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership held limited partnership interests in one Local Partnership that owned a residential low income rental project consisting of 80 apartment units. The rental project is located in Puerto Rico. The mortgage loans of this project are payable to or insured by various governmental agencies.

The Partnership, as a limited partner, does not have a contractual relationship with the Local Partnership or exercise control over the activities and operations, including refinancing or selling decisions, of the Local Partnership that would require or allow for consolidation. Accordingly, the Partnership accounts for its investment in the Local Partnership using the equity method. The Partnership is allocated profits and losses of the Local Partnership based upon its ownership percentage (95%). Distributions of surplus cash from operations from the Local Partnership are restricted by the Local Partnership's Regulatory Agreements with the Rural Development ("RD"). These restrictions limit the distribution to a portion, generally less than 10%, of the initial invested capital. The excess surplus cash is deposited into a residual receipts reserve, of which the ultimate realization by the Partnership is uncertain as RD frequently retains it upon sale or dissolution of the Local Partnership. The Partnership is allocated profits and losses and receives distributions from refinancings and sales in accordance with the Local Partnership's partnership agreement. This agreement limits the Partnership’s distributions to an amount substantially less than its ownership percentage in the Local Partnership.

The investment is carried at cost plus the Partnership’s share of the Local Partnership’s profits less the Partnership’s share of the Local Partnership’s losses, distributions and impairment charges. The Partnership is not legally liable for the obligations of the Local Partnership and is not otherwise committed to provide additional support to it. Therefore, it does not recognize losses once its investment in the Local Partnership reaches zero. Distributions from the Local Partnership are accounted for as a reduction of the investment balance until the investment balance is reduced to zero. When the investment balance has been reduced to zero, subsequent distributions received are recognized as income in the accompanying statements of operations. 

For those investments where the Partnership has determined that the carrying value of its investments approximates the estimated fair value of those investments, the Partnership’s policy is to recognize equity in income of the Local Partnerships only to the extent of distributions received and amortization of acquisition costs from those Local Partnerships. Therefore, the Partnership limits its recognition of equity earnings to the amount it expects to ultimately realize.

On October 26, 2011 Marina Del Rey entered into a purchase and sale contract to sell its investment property to a third party for a gross sales price of $2,500,000. As of December 31, 2013, earnest money of $100,000 had been received by the local limited partnership and placed into escrow. In January 2014, the buyer failed to close and the agreement was terminated. As a result, in July 2014, the Partnership received $60,000 of the $100,000 deposit as a settlement of the terminated agreement.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the investment balance in the Local Partnership had been reduced to zero.

In July 2013, the Partnership sold its limited partnership interest in Lakeside Apartments, Ltd. to an affiliate of the operating General Partner for no consideration. The Partnership's investment balance in this local partnership was zero at the time of sale.

In August 2013, the Partnership sold the real estate of Santa Maria Limited Dividend Partnership Assoc. and received approximately $407,000 in proceeds from the sale. Subsequent to the closing, the Partnership received an additional amount of $404,000 from release of reserves. The Partnership's investment balance in this local partnership was zero at the time of sale.

In October 2013, the Partnership assigned its limited partnership interest in Alabama Properties, Ltd., V (Ramblewood I) to an affiliate of the operating general partner for a total of $17,600. The Partnership had no investment balance remaining at the date of the assignment.

At times, advances are made to the Local Partnerships. Advances made by the Partnership to the individual Local Partnerships are considered part of the Partnership’s investment in the Local Partnerships. Advances to Local Partnerships for which the investment has been reduced to zero are charged to expense. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Partnership advanced approximately $75,000 to Local Partnerships for capital improvements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 the partnership advanced $67,000 to Local Partnerships for taxes. The advances were recognized as expense. While not obligated to make advances to any of the Local Partnerships, the Partnership may make future advances in order to protect its economic investment in the Local Partnerships.

The following are unaudited condensed combined estimated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 for the Local Partnerships in which the Partnership has invested. The 2014 and 2013 amount exclude Santa Maria Ltd., Lakeside and Alabama Properties, Ltd. V (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Revenues
Rental and other	$ 148	$ 157	$ 439	$ 469
Expenses
Operating expenses	76	71	229	213
Financial expenses	61	63	183	188
Depreciation and amortization	12	12	38	37
Total expenses	149	146	450	438
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (1)	$ 11	$ (11)	$ 31

In addition to being the General Partner of the Partnership, NAPICO or one of its affiliates is the local operating general partner of the Local Partnership included above.

XML

Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Operating expenses:
Management fees - General Partner	$ 3		$ 9		$ 9		$ 27
General and administrative	10		5		30		13
Legal and accounting	34		13		80		66
Total operating expenses	47		27		119		106
Income (Loss) from partnership operations	(47)		(27)		(119)		(106)
Forfeited Earnest Money	60	[1]		[1]	60	[1]		[1]
Gain from sale of local partners interest			407				407
Advances made to Local Partnerships recognized as expense	(75)				(75)		(67)
Net Income (Loss)	(62)		380		(134)		234
Net Income (Loss) allocated to general partners (1%)	(1)		4		(1)		2
Net Income (Loss) allocated to limited partners (99%)	$ (61)		$ 376		$ (133)		$ 232
Net Income (Loss) per limited partnership interest	$ (5.49)		$ 33.22		$ (11.86)		$ 20.49

[1] See Note 2

XML

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Details
OutstandingLimitedPartnershipInterests	11,294	11,294

XML

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 12, 2014
Document and Entity Information:
Entity Registrant Name	REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LTD III
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000318986
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,294
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

XML

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Net Loss Per Limited Partnership Interest (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Details
Number of limited partnership interests in EPS calculation	11,294	11,320

XML

Statement of Changes in Partners' (Deficiency) Capital (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	General Partners	Limited Partners	Total
Partners' (deficiency) capital, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ (116)	$ 613	$ 497
Net Income (Loss)	(1)	(133)	(134)
Partners' (deficiency) capital, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ (117)	$ 480	$ 363

XML

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Policies

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. 

XML

Note 6 - Subsequent Event

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Notes

Note 6 - Subsequent Event

Note 6 - Subsequent Event

The Partnership’s management evaluated subsequent events through the time this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was filed.

XML

Note 2 - Investments in and Advances To Local Partnerships: Estimated condensed combined statements of operations for Local Partnerships (Details) (Partnership Interest, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Partnership Interest
Rental Income, Nonoperating	$ 148	$ 157	$ 439	$ 469
Expenses
Operating Costs and Expenses	76	71	229	213
Financial Expense	61	63	183	188
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	12	12	38	37
Total Expenses	149	146	450	438
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ (1)	$ 11	$ (11)	$ 31

XML

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Variable Interest Entities (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Policies

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities

The Partnership consolidates any variable interest entities in which the Partnership holds a variable interest and is the primary beneficiary. Generally, a variable interest entity, or VIE, is an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about an entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is generally the entity that has (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Partnership considers qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of the Partnership’s investment; the obligation or likelihood for the Partnership or other investors to provide financial support; and the similarity with and significance to the business activities of the Partnership and the other investors.  Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current and future fair values and performance of real estate held by these VIEs and general market conditions.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership held variable interests in one VIE for which the Partnership was not the primary beneficiary.  The Partnership has concluded, based on its qualitative consideration of the partnership agreement, the partnership structure and the role of the general partner in the Local Partnership, that the general partner of each of the Local Partnership is the primary beneficiary of the respective Local Partnership. In making this determination, the Partnership considered the following factors:

·         the general partner conducts and manage the business of the Local Partnership;

·         the general partner has the responsibility for and sole discretion over selecting a property management agent for the Local Partnership's underlying real estate properties;

·         the general partner is responsible for approving operating and capital budgets for the properties owned by the Local Partnerships;

·         the general partner is obligated to fund any recourse obligations of the Local Partnership;

·         the general partner is authorized to borrow funds on behalf of the Local Partnership; and

·         the Partnership, as a limited partner in the Local Partnership, does not have the ability to direct or otherwise significantly influence the activities of the Local Partnership that most significantly impact such entity's economic performance.

The VIE at September 30, 2014 consisted of one Local Partnership that is directly engaged in the ownership and management of one apartment property with a total of 80 units. The Partnership is involved with the VIE as a non-controlling limited partner equity holder. The Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the unconsolidated VIE is limited to the Partnership’s recorded investments in and receivables from the VIE, which was zero at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Partnership may be subject to additional losses to the extent of any financial support that the Partnership voluntarily provides in the future.

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Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Method of Accounting For Investment in Local Partnerships (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Policies

Method of Accounting For Investment in Local Partnerships

Method of Accounting for Investments in Local Partnerships

The investments in local limited partnerships (the “Local Partnerships”) are accounted for on the equity method.

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Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Net Loss Per Limited Partnership Interest (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Policies

Net Loss Per Limited Partnership Interest

Net Loss Per Limited Partnership Interest

Net loss per limited partnership interest was computed by dividing the limited partners’ share of net loss by the number of limited partnership interests outstanding at the beginning of the year.  The number of limited partnership interests used was 11,294 and 11,320 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.

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Note 2 - Investments in and Advances To Local Partnerships: Estimated condensed combined statements of operations for Local Partnerships (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Tables/Schedules

Estimated condensed combined statements of operations for Local Partnerships

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Revenues
Rental and other	$ 148	$ 157	$ 439	$ 469
Expenses
Operating expenses	76	71	229	213
Financial expenses	61	63	183	188
Depreciation and amortization	12	12	38	37
Total expenses	149	146	450	438
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (1)	$ 11	$ (11)	$ 31

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Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (134)	$ 234
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Advances made to Local Partnerships recognized as expense	75	67
Sale of Local Limited Partnership interest		(407)
Change in accounts:
Receivables from Limited Partners	(67)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	18	(30)
Net cash used in operating activities	(108)	(136)
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Sale of Local Limited Partnership interest		407
Advances to Local Partnerships	(75)	(67)
Accrued fees due to General Partner		17
Net cash used in investing activities	(75)	357
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(183)	221
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	522	138
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 339	$ 359

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Note 5 - Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Notes

Note 5 - Contingencies

Note 5 - Contingencies

The General Partner is involved in various lawsuits arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management and the General Partner, the claims will not result in any material liability to the Partnership.