BSR Real Estate Investment Trust Announces Bought Deal Public Offering of US$40 Million of Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures – Canada NewsWire
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. and TORONTO, Aug. 27, 2020 /CNW/ – BSR Real Estate Investment Trust (“BSR“, or the “REIT”) (TSX: HOM.U) (TSX: HOM.UN) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell to a syndicate of underwriters led by BMO Capital Markets, on a bought deal basis, US$40 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures due September 30, 2025 (the “Debentures”) (the “Public Offering”).
In addition, the REIT has also granted the underwriters an option (the “Over-Allotment Option”), exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, for a period of 30 days following the closing of the Public Offering to purchase up to an additional US$6 million aggregate principal amount of Debentures, which, if exercised in full, would increase the gross proceeds of the Public Offering to approximately US$46 million.
The Debentures are convertible at the option of the holder into units of the REIT at US$14.40 per unit (the “Conversion Price”). The Conversion Price represents a conversion rate of approximately 69.4444 units for each US$1,000 principal amount of Debentures, subject to adjustment in accordance with a trust indenture to be entered into on or before closing of the Public Offering that will govern the Debentures. The Debentures will bear interest at a rate of 5.00% per annum and will be payable semi-annually on March 31 and September 30 until maturity on September 30, 2025, with interest payments commencing on March 31, 2021. The Debentures will not be redeemable by BSR prior to September 30, 2023. On or after September 30, 2023, but prior to September 30, 2024, the Debentures will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at a price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, at BSR’s option, provided that the volume weighted average trading price of the US dollar denominated Units on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the 20 consecutive trading days ending five trading days preceding the date on which notice of redemption is given is not less than 125% of the Conversion Price. On and after September 30, 2024, the Debentures will be redeemable by BSR, in whole or in part, at a price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
BSR intends to use the net proceeds from the Public Offering to repay a portion of amounts outstanding on its credit facility (current outstanding balance of US$193 million) and for general trust purposes. Upon completion of the Public Offering (and assuming the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full), BSR expects to have access to approximately US$98 million of available liquidity through unrestricted cash and borrowing capacity available under its credit facility. Following closing of the Public Offering, BSR expects to have acquisition capacity of approximately US$200 million to US$220 million to pursue its acquisition pipeline.
The Debentures forming part of the Public Offering will be offered in Canada pursuant to a base shelf prospectus dated November 8, 2019. The terms of the Debentures will be described in a prospectus supplement to be filed with securities regulators in all provinces and territories of Canada. Closing of the Public Offering is expected to take place on or about September 3, 2020 and is subject to the REIT receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The Units have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”) and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, “U.S. persons” (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act), except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any Units in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons.
About BSR Real Estate Investment Trust BSR Real Estate Investment Trust is an internally managed, unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The REIT owns a portfolio of multifamily garden-style residential properties located in attractive primary and secondary markets in the Sunbelt region of the United States.
This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the REIT’s current expectations regarding future events, including statements about the Public Offering and the proposed use of proceeds thereof available liquidity and acquisition capacity. In some cases forward-looking information can be identified by such terms as “will” and “expected”. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the REIT’s control that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. The REIT’s estimates, beliefs and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, including those relating to the REIT’s ability to complete the Public Offering and finance and complete future acquisitions, as well as that COVID-19 will not have a material impact on the REIT’s business. The risks and uncertainties that may impact such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the impact of COVID-19 on the REIT’s operations, business and financial results and the factors discussed under “Risks and Uncertainties” in the REIT’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and in the REIT’s annual information form dated March 10, 2020, both of which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). The REIT does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. This forward-looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release.
SOURCE BSR Real Estate Investment Trust
For further information: Susan Koehn, Chief Financial Officer, BSR Real Estate Investment Trust, Tel: 501.371.6335, Fax: 501.374.3383
TORONTO – The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says home sales in October surged as buyers continued moving off the sidelines amid lower interest rates.
The board said 6,658 homes changed hands last month in the Greater Toronto Area, up 44.4 per cent compared with 4,611 in the same month last year. Sales were up 14 per cent from September on a seasonally adjusted basis.
The average selling price was up 1.1 per cent compared with a year earlier at $1,135,215. The composite benchmark price, meant to represent the typical home, was down 3.3 per cent year-over-year.
“While we are still early in the Bank of Canada’s rate cutting cycle, it definitely does appear that an increasing number of buyers moved off the sidelines and back into the marketplace in October,” said TRREB president Jennifer Pearce in a news release.
“The positive affordability picture brought about by lower borrowing costs and relatively flat home prices prompted this improvement in market activity.”
The Bank of Canada has slashed its key interest rate four times since June, including a half-percentage point cut on Oct. 23. The rate now stands at 3.75 per cent, down from the high of five per cent that deterred many would-be buyers from the housing market.
New listings last month totalled 15,328, up 4.3 per cent from a year earlier.
In the City of Toronto, there were 2,509 sales last month, a 37.6 per cent jump from October 2023. Throughout the rest of the GTA, home sales rose 48.9 per cent to 4,149.
The sales uptick is encouraging, said Cameron Forbes, general manager and broker for Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc., who added the figures for October were stronger than he anticipated.
“I thought they’d be up for sure, but not necessarily that much,” said Forbes.
“Obviously, the 50 basis points was certainly a great move in the right direction. I just thought it would take more to get things going.”
He said it shows confidence in the market is returning faster than expected, especially among existing homeowners looking for a new property.
“The average consumer who’s employed and may have been able to get some increases in their wages over the last little bit to make up some ground with inflation, I think they’re confident, so they’re looking in the market.
“The conditions are nice because you’ve got a little more time, you’ve got more choice, you’ve got fewer other buyers to compete against.”
All property types saw more sales in October compared with a year ago throughout the GTA.
Townhouses led the surge with 56.8 per cent more sales, followed by detached homes at 46.6 per cent and semi-detached homes at 44 per cent. There were 33.4 per cent more condos that changed hands year-over-year.
“Market conditions did tighten in October, but there is still a lot of inventory and therefore choice for homebuyers,” said TRREB chief market analyst Jason Mercer.
“This choice will keep home price growth moderate over the next few months. However, as inventory is absorbed and home construction continues to lag population growth, selling price growth will accelerate, likely as we move through the spring of 2025.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
HALIFAX – A village of tiny homes is set to open next month in a Halifax suburb, the latest project by the provincial government to address homelessness.
Located in Lower Sackville, N.S., the tiny home community will house up to 34 people when the first 26 units open Nov. 4.
Another 35 people are scheduled to move in when construction on another 29 units should be complete in December, under a partnership between the province, the Halifax Regional Municipality, United Way Halifax, The Shaw Group and Dexter Construction.
The province invested $9.4 million to build the village and will contribute $935,000 annually for operating costs.
Residents have been chosen from a list of people experiencing homelessness maintained by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia.
They will pay rent that is tied to their income for a unit that is fully furnished with a private bathroom, shower and a kitchen equipped with a cooktop, small fridge and microwave.
The Atlantic Community Shelters Society will also provide support to residents, ranging from counselling and mental health supports to employment and educational services.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.
Housing affordability is a key issue in the provincial election campaign in British Columbia, particularly in major centres.
Here are some statistics about housing in B.C. from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2024 Rental Market Report, issued in January, and the B.C. Real Estate Association’s August 2024 report.
Average residential home price in B.C.: $938,500
Average price in greater Vancouver (2024 year to date): $1,304,438
Average price in greater Victoria (2024 year to date): $979,103
Average price in the Okanagan (2024 year to date): $748,015
Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Vancouver: $2,181
Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Victoria: $1,839
Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Canada: $1,359
Rental vacancy rate in Vancouver: 0.9 per cent
How much more do new renters in Vancouver pay compared with renters who have occupied their home for at least a year: 27 per cent
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2024.
