How Credits Become Capital: When and How to Syndication Incentives for Historic Preservation in Seattle Conference Thursday, July 12 Seattle, WA

How Credits Become Capital: When and How to Syndicate

What is Syndication? “Syndication” is the process by which the owner of a building brings an investor into the ownership structure of the building so that the investor can claim the credits (and other economic and tax benefits), typically in exchange for providing equity to the project.

What is Syndication? Federal Historic Tax Credits are not sold directly to an investor. Investors become “owners” of the property as limited partners in a limited partnership or as members in a limited liability company. Some State Historic Tax Credits can be “certificated” and sold to investors.

Single Entity Structure End User Owner (LP or LLC) Owner (LP or LLC) Investor GP/Manager Developer Property 0.1% Management Fees, etc. Development Fee 99.9% Tax Credits Lease Fee Ownership

Master Lease/Credit Pass-Through Lessee Claims Credit Developer Master Lessee (LP or LLC) Master Lessee (LP or LLC) Investor GP/Manager Property End User 0.1% Development Fee 99.9% Tax Credits Lease Owner/Lessor (Affiliate of GP/Manager) Owner/Lessor (Affiliate of GP/Manager) Master Lease Funds

Should the Owner/Developer Syndicate? Factors to Consider: –Does the Developer have limitations on claiming the credit for itself? o Is the Developer a tax exempt entity or have insufficient taxable income to be able to use tax credits? o Business Tax Credit Limitations ($25K +75%) o Passive Activity Rules Apply

Should the Owner/ Developer Syndicate? Cont’d Factors to Consider: –Net Economic Benefits o Equity raise versus lost cash and (sometimes) lost depreciation. o Transaction Costs (both closing and on-going).

Should the Owner/ Developer Syndicate? Cont’d Factors to Consider: –Is additional equity needed during construction (i.e. prior to completion of the rehabilitation)?

Should the Owner/ Developer Syndicate? Cont’d Factors to Consider: –Control: Are you willing to have a partner? o Loss of control issues. o Disclosure and Reporting. o Unwind concerns.

Finding Investors Does your bank or its CDC make HTC investments? Referral sources: –State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) –State and local preservation organizations –Other developers –Experienced accountants and lawyers

Soliciting Investment Proposals — Things Investors Want to Know Proposed Budget and Timing Financing Commitments Property Acquisition Status Real Estate issues including title and environmental issues, zoning, parking and other permitting

Soliciting Investment Proposals — Things Investors Want to Know cont’d Leasing Commitments/Market Study Part 1 and Part 2 Status Development Team—who they are, their experience and financial capacity

Key Syndication Business Issues — Picking The Best Offer Pricing Equity Pay-In Schedule Reserves Cash Flow, Fees, and other items that reduce the net economics to the developer

Key Syndication Business Issues — Picking The Best Offer cont’d Exit Strategy (Put and Call Options) Guarantees Structure Due Diligence Requirements Experience/Reputation and Closing Process

Successful Negotiation and Closing — Strengthening the Developer’s Position Reducing Risk of Recapture: –favorable debt terms –high debt coverage ratio –significant developer equity Leasing Commitments/tenant strength Guarantor Strength/Scope

Successful Negotiation and Closing — Strengthening the Developer’s Position Reducing Construction Risk: delayed pay in Team Coordination and due diligence follow through

More Information? Andrew S. Potts, Esq. (202) ; David F. Schon, Esq. (202) ;