BRT Apartments (BRT) Risk Analysis

In order for us to qualify as a real estate investment trust under the Code, no more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly or through application of certain attribution rules, by five or fewer "individuals" (as defined in the Code) at any time during the last half of a taxable year. To facilitate our qualification as a REIT under the Code, among other purposes, the Charter generally prohibits any person from actually or constructively owning more than 6.0%, in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common stock, or more than 6.0% in value of the aggregate outstanding shares of all classes and series of our stock, which we refer to as the "ownership limits," unless our board of directors exempts the person from such ownership limit. In addition, the Charter prohibits any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would result in more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock to be beneficially owned by five or fewer individuals, regardless of whether such ownership is during the last half of any taxable year, which we refer to as the "Five or Fewer Limit." Shares owned or acquired in violation of either of these restrictions will be transferred automatically to a trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary selected by us. The person that owned or acquired our stock in violation of the restrictions in the Charter will not be entitled to any dividends or distributions paid after the date of the transfer to the trust and, upon a sale of such shares by the trust, will generally be entitled to receive only the lesser of the market value on the date of the event that resulted in the transfer to the trust or the net proceeds of the sale by the trust to a person who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits. Our board of directors has exempted Gould Investors, Fredric H. Gould, Matthew J. Gould and Jeffrey A. Gould from the ownership limits and has not established a limitation on ownership for such persons. Based on information supplied to us, as of December 31, 2024, Gould Investors owns approximately 20.5% of the outstanding shares of common stock and, by virtue of the applicable attribution rules under the Code, these individuals beneficially own approximately 24.9% of outstanding shares of common stock. As a result, the acquisition by each of four other individuals of 6.0% of our outstanding common stock, when combined with the ownership of our common stock of Gould Investors, Fredric H. Gould, Matthew J. Gould and Jeffrey A. Gould, generally would not result in a violation of the Five or Fewer Limit. However, there is no limitation on Gould Investors, Fredric H. Gould, Matthew J. Gould or Jeffrey A. Gould acquiring additional shares of our common stock or otherwise increasing their percentage of ownership of our common stock, meaning that the amount of our stock that other persons or entities may acquire without violating the Five or Fewer Limit could be reduced in the future and without notice. To the extent that Gould Investors, Fredric H. Gould, Matthew J. Gould and Jeffrey A. Gould, or their affiliates, acquire additional shares or our stock, or any other event occurs (including a repurchase of shares of our stock), that results in an individual beneficially or constructively owning 26.0% or more of the outstanding shares of our stock within the meaning of the Charter, the acquisition by four other individuals of 6.0% or less of our outstanding stock would violate the Five or Fewer Limit and, therefore, could cause the stock acquired by one or more of these other individuals to be transferred to the charitable trust, despite their compliance with the 6.0% ownership limits. If any of the foregoing occurs, compliance with the 6.0% ownership limit will not ensure that your ownership of our stock does not cause a violation of the Five or Fewer Limit or that your shares of our stock are not transferred to the charitable trust. Gould Investors, Fredric H. Gould, Matthew J. Gould and Jeffrey A. Gould will be required by the Exchange Act and regulations promulgated thereunder to report, with certain exceptions, their acquisition of additional shares of our stock within two days of such acquisitions, and all holders of our stock will be required to file reports of their acquisition of beneficial ownership (as defined in the Exchange Act) of more than 5% of our outstanding stock. However, beneficial ownership for purposes of the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act is calculated differently than beneficial ownership for purposes of determining compliance with the Five or Fewer Limit. Further, to the extent that any one or more of Gould Investors, Fredric H. Gould, Matthew J. Gould or Jeffrey A. Gould acquires 30% or more of our outstanding stock, ownership of five percent or less of our outstanding stock could still result in a violation of the Five or Fewer Limit and, therefore, cause newly-acquired stock in our company to be transferred to the charitable trust. As a result, you may not have enough information currently available to you at any time to determine the percentage of ownership of our stock that you can acquire without violating the Five or Fewer Limit and losing the economic benefit of the ownership of such newly-acquired shares.

Certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation (the "Charter"), our Bylaws and Maryland law may impede, or prevent, a third party from acquiring control of us without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions: - provide for a staggered board of directors consisting of three classes, with one class of directors being elected each year and each class being elected for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify;- impose restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock (such provisions being intended to, among other purposes, facilitate our compliance with certain requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), relating to our qualification as a REIT under the Code);- prevent our stockholders from amending the Bylaws;- limit who may call special meetings of stockholders;- establish advance notice and informational requirements and time limitations on any director nomination or proposal that a stockholder wishes to make at a meeting of stockholders;- provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only by the vote of at least two-thirds of all votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors;- do not permit cumulative voting in the election of our board of directors, which would otherwise permit holders of less than a majority of outstanding shares to elect one or more directors; and - authorize our board of directors, without stockholder approval, to amend the Charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of our stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue and classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock and set the preferences, rights and other terms of the classified or reclassified shares. Certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "MGCL") may impede a third party from making a proposal to acquire us or inhibit a change of control under circumstances that otherwise could be in the best interest of holders of shares of our common stock, including: - "business combination" provisions that, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, prohibit certain business combinations between us and an "interested stockholder" (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of BRT who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our then outstanding voting stock) or an affiliate thereof for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, and thereafter impose two super-majority stockholder voting requirements on these combinations;- "control share" provisions that provide that, subject to certain exceptions, holders of "control shares" of BRT (defined as voting shares which, when aggregated with other shares controlled by the stockholder, entitle the holder to exercise voting power in the election of directors within one of three increasing ranges) acquired in a "control share acquisition" (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of issued and outstanding "control shares," subject to certain exceptions) have no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares; and - additionally, Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL permits our board of directors, without stockholder approval and regardless of what is currently provided in the Charter or the Bylaws, to implement certain corporate governance provisions. We have (1) exempted all business combinations between us and any other person, provided that each such business combination is first approved by our board of directors (including a majority of directors who are not affiliates or associates of such other person), from the Maryland Business Combination Act and (2) opted out of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act.

REITs are generally required to distribute annually at least 90% of their ordinary taxable income to maintain our REIT status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which we refer to as the Code. Because we continue to generate operating losses primarily due to the impact of depreciation, we are not currently required, and may not be required in the future, to pay dividends to maintain our REIT status. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will pay dividends in the future. If we do not continue to pay cash dividends, the price of our common stock will decline.

We evaluate on a quarterly basis our real estate portfolio for indicators of impairment. Impairment charges reflect management's judgment of the probability and severity of the decline in the value of real estate assets we own. These charges and provisions may be required in the future as a result of factors beyond our control, including, among other things, changes in the economic environment and market conditions affecting the value of real property assets or natural or man-made disasters.

Real estate investments generally cannot be sold quickly. We may not be able to reconfigure our portfolio promptly in response to economic or other conditions. Further, even if we are able to sell properties, we may be unable to reinvest the proceeds of such sales in opportunities that are as favorable as the properties sold. Our inability to reconfigure our portfolio to profitably reinvest the proceeds of property sales promptly could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our provision for credit losses is evaluated on a quarterly basis in accordance with current accounting guidance which uses the Current Expected Credit Loss model, or CECL. Under CECL, we are required to present certain financial assets such as loans held for investment, at the net amount expected to be collected. The determination of our provision for credit losses requires us to make highly subjective estimates and judgments. Our estimates and judgments are based on a number of factors, including projected cash flow from the collateral securing our loans, debt structure, including the availability of reserves and recourse guarantees, likelihood of repayment in full at the maturity of a loan, potential for refinancing and expected market discount rates for varying property types, and other macro economic data, all of which are uncertain and highly subjective. If our estimates and judgments are incorrect, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted. The adoption of CECL affects how we determine our allowance for loan losses and requires us to recognize provisions for credit losses earlier in the lending cycle, including at the time we enter into the transaction. Moreover, CECL may create more volatility in the level of our allowance for credit losses. If we are required to materially increase our level of allowance for credit losses for any reason, such increase could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Entities affiliated with us and with certain of our executive officers provide services to us and on our behalf. Among other things, we retain certain executive officers and others to provide the Services. The aggregate fees to be paid for the Services in 2025, and paid in 2024 and 2023, are $1.7 million, $1.62 million and $1.54 million, respectively. We obtain certain executive, administrative, legal, accounting and clerical personnel and the use of certain facilities pursuant to the shared services agreement. During 2024 and 2023, we reimbursed Gould Investors $698,000 and $642,000, respectively, for the personnel and facilities provided pursuant to the shared services agreement. We also obtain certain insurance in conjunction with Gould Investors and reimbursed Gould Investors $28,000 and $22,000, in 2024 and 2023, respectively, for our share of the insurance cost. These transactions may not be on terms as favorable as those that we would receive if the transactions were entered into with unaffiliated entities and persons. Gould Investors from time-to time buys multi-family properties, including properties located in the Southeast United States. Although the properties purchased by Gould Investors are much smaller than the properties in which we are interested, a conflict of interest could arise should Gould Investors or we decide to pursue the acquisition of similar sized properties in such regions. See "Item 1 - Business - Our Acquisition Approach"

In obtaining certain non-recourse loans, we have provided our lenders with standard carve out guarantees. These guarantees are only applicable if and when the borrower directly, or indirectly through an agreement with an affiliate, joint venture partner or other third party, voluntarily files a bankruptcy or similar liquidation or reorganization action or takes other actions that are fraudulent or improper (commonly referred to as "bad boy" guarantees). Although we believe that "bad boy" carve out guarantees are not guarantees of payment in the event of foreclosure or other actions of the foreclosing lender that are beyond the borrower's control, some lenders in the real estate industry have recently sought to make claims for payment under such guarantees. In the event such a claim were made against us under a "bad boy" carve out guarantee, following foreclosure on mortgages or related loans, and such claim were successful, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected.

Our multi-family properties face competition from newer and updated properties. At December 31, 2024 the weighted average age (based on the number of units) of our multi-family properties is approximately 20 years. To remain competitive and increase occupancy at these properties and/or make them attractive to potential tenants or purchasers, we may have to make significant capital improvements and/or incur deferred maintenance costs with respect to these properties. The cost of future improvements and deferred maintenance is uncertain and the amounts earmarked for specific properties may be insufficient to effectuate needed improvements. Our results of operations and financial conditions may be adversely affected if we are required to expend significant funds (other than funds earmarked for such purposes) to repair or improve our properties.

Several of our debt instruments include covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including various coverage ratios, and comply with other requirements. Failure to meet interest and other payment obligations under our debt instruments or a breach by us of the covenants to comply with certain financial ratios would place us in non-compliance under such instruments. If the lender called a default and required us to repay the full amount outstanding under such instrument, we might be required to rapidly dispose of our properties, including properties securing such debt instruments, which could have an adverse impact on the amounts we receive on such disposition. From time to time we have failed to comply with certain debt covenants. If we are unable to satisfy the covenants of our debt obligations, the lender could exercise remedies available to it under the applicable debt instrument and as otherwise provided by law, including the possible appointment of a receiver to manage the property, application of deposits or reserves maintained under the debt instrument for payment of the debt, or foreclose and/or cause the forced sale of the property or asset securing such debt. A foreclosure or other forced disposition of our assets could result in the disposition of same at below the carrying value of such asset. The disposition of our properties or assets at below our carrying value may adversely affect our net income, reduce our stockholders' equity and adversely affect our ability to pay dividends.

Our ability to acquire additional multi-family properties, develop new properties and improve the properties in our portfolio is limited by the funds available to us (including funds available pursuant to our credit facility) and our ability to obtain, on acceptable terms, mortgage debt. At February 28, 2025, we had approximately $62.7 million of cash and cash equivalents (of which a significant portion is at the property level for day-to-day operating expenses) and up to $40 million available to us under our credit facility. Our multi-family acquisition and value-add activities are constrained by funds available to us which will limit growth in our revenues and operating results.

The following table sets forth, as of December 31,2024, the principal balance of the mortgage payments due at maturity on our wholly owned and unconsolidated joint venture properties and the weighted average interest rate thereon (dollars in thousands): Consolidated PropertiesUnconsolidated PropertiesYearPrincipal Balances Due at MaturityWeighed Average Interest Rate Principal Balances Due at Maturity (1)Weighed Average Interest Rate 2025$15,375 4.42 %$- - %202669,531 4.12 60,835 5.64 202742,795 3.96 23,108 4.15 202837,951 4.47 67,631 4.26 202953,817 3.94 - - 2030 and thereafter193,266 4.10 86,132 3.46   Total$412,735 $237,706 _____________(1) Includes our joint venture partner's "share" of such debt. We have a significant amount of mortgage debt maturing over the next several years. Our operating cash flow and funds available under our credit facility will be insufficient to discharge all of this debt when due. Accordingly, we will seek to refinance this debt prior to its maturity. Because current interest rates are significantly higher than the interest rates on the maturing mortgage debt (or if our access to credit markets is reduced due, among other things, to more stringent lending requirements due to our level of leverage), we may be unable to refinance this mortgage debt on acceptable terms or at all. If we are unsuccessful in refinancing such debt, or if the terms of the refinanced debt are less favorable than the current debt, we may be forced to (i) refinance such mortgage debt on unfavorable terms or (ii) dispose of properties on unfavorable terms or convey properties secured by such mortgages to the mortgagees, which would, in each case, reduce our income and impair the value of our portfolio.

Eight of our multi-family properties are owned through joint ventures with other persons or entities. Joint venture investments involve risks not otherwise present when acquiring real estate directly, including the following: - our joint venture partners may have economic or business interests or objectives which are or become inconsistent with our business interests or objectives, including differing objectives relating to the sale or refinancing of properties held by the joint venture or the timing of the termination or liquidation of the joint venture;- the more successful a joint venture project, the more likely that profits or distributions generated above a negotiated threshold will be allocated disproportionately in favor of our joint venture partner at a rate greater than that implied by our partner's equity interest in the venture;- several of our joint venture partners have other competing real estate interests in the markets in which our properties are located that could influence such partners to take actions favoring their properties to the detriment of the jointly owned properties;- our joint venture partners obtain blanket property casualty and business interruption insurance insuring properties we own jointly and other properties in which we have no ownership interest and as a result, claims or losses with respect to properties owned by our joint venture partners but in which we have no interest could significantly reduce or eliminate the insurance available to properties in which we have an interest;- our joint venture partner might become bankrupt, insolvent or otherwise refuse or be unable to meet their obligations to us or the venture (including their obligation to make capital contributions or property distributions when due);- we may incur liabilities as a result of action taken by our joint venture partner;- our joint venture partner may not perform its property oversight responsibilities;- our joint venture partner may be in a position to take action or withhold consent contrary to our instructions or requests, including actions that may make it more difficult to maintain our qualification as a REIT;- our joint venture partner might engage in unlawful or fraudulent conduct with respect to our jointly owned properties or other properties in which they have an ownership interest;- changes in personnel managing our joint venture partners have resulted in greater difficulty in working with the new personnel;- our joint venture partner may trigger a buy-sell arrangement, which could cause us to sell our interest, or acquire our partner's interest, at a time when we otherwise would not have initiated such a transaction;- disputes between us and our joint venture partners may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and divert management's attention from operating our business; and - disagreements with our joint venture partners with respect to property management (including with respect to whether a property should be sold, refinanced, or improved) could result in an impasse resulting in the inability to operate the property effectively. Joint venture partners have acted without our authorization (e.g., a partner modified a mortgage term without our consent). We also have had, and expect to continue to have, disagreements with joint venture partners over various issues including, among others, as to whether, and the extent to which, value add programs should be implemented at a property, whether a mortgage debt on a property should be refinanced and the terms and conditions of such refinancing, and, because our joint venture structure may incentivize our joint venture partner to sell the property sooner than we would otherwise desire, the timing and terms and conditions of property sales.

Although historically we have acquired properties with joint venture partners with knowledge of the local markets in which we were acquiring properties, we are working to buy properties directly without joint venture partners. In buying properties directly, we do not have the benefit of a partner's understanding of the target markets nor the equity they would have contributed to the acquisition. We cannot provide any assurance that we will properly evaluate the acquisition opportunities we pursue in buying properties directly.

We rely on property management companies to manage our properties. These management companies are responsible for, among other things, leasing and marketing rental units, selecting tenants (including an evaluation of the creditworthiness of tenants), collecting rent, paying operating expenses and maintaining our properties . If these property management companies do not perform their duties properly, or, in the case of unconsolidated properties, we and/or our joint venture partners do not effectively supervise the activities of these managers, the occupancy rates and rental rates at the properties managed by such property managers may decline and the expenses at such properties may increase. At December 31, 2024, one property manager manages 11 properties, a second property manager manages eight properties, and four other property managers manage three or fewer properties. Three properties are managed by a management company owned by or affiliated with a joint venture partner. The loss of our property managers, and in particular, the managers that manage multiple properties, could result in a decrease in occupancy rates, rental rates or both or an increase in expenses. Further, except for our multi-family properties covered by our master insurance program, property managers are also generally responsible for obtaining insurance coverage with respect to the properties they manage, which coverage is often obtained pursuant to blanket policies covering many properties in which we have no interest. Losses at properties managed by our property managers but in which we have no interest could reduce significantly the insurance coverage available at our properties managed by these property managers. It may be difficult to terminate a non-performing management company, particularly a management company owned or affiliated with a joint venture, because such termination may require the approval of the mortgagee, our joint venture partner or both. If we are unable to terminate an underperforming property manager on a timely basis, our occupancy and rental rates may decrease and our expenses may increase.