EXHIBIT 10.3
FORM OF ADVISORY SERVICES AGREEMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES AGREEMENT, dated as of __________, 2002, by and
between BERKSHIRE INCOME REALTY INC., a Maryland corporation (the "COMPANY"),
and BERKSHIRE REAL ESTATE ADVISORS, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
(the "ADVISOR").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission a registration statement on Form S-11 (the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT")
to register its shares of Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share
(the "PREFERRED SHARES"), to be offered in connection with the proposed exchange
of its Preferred Shares for certain interests in mortgage funds, as more fully
described in the Registration Statement (the "EXCHANGE");
WHEREAS, the Company intends to qualify as a "real estate investment
trust," as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"CODE");
WHEREAS, the Company desires to avail itself of the experience,
resources, advice, assistance and certain facilities of the Advisor and to have
the Advisor undertake the duties and responsibilities hereinafter set forth, on
behalf of and subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "BOARD OF DIRECTORS"), all as provided herein;
WHEREAS, the Advisor is willing to undertake to render such services on
the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, this Agreement shall become effective upon the closing of the
Exchange; and
WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the
meaning ascribed to them in the Registration Statement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT. The Company hereby appoints the Advisor to serve as its
investment and management advisor on the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, and the Advisor hereby accepts such appointment.
2. DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR. The Advisor undertakes to manage the
Company's portfolio and identify investment opportunities consistent with the
Company's investment policies and objectives, as the Board of Directors may
adopt from time to time. In performance of this undertaking, subject to the
supervision and direction of the Board of Directors, the Advisor shall, pursuant
to delegated authority:
(a) obtain or provide such services as may be required to administer
the Company's daily operations;
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(b) identify investment opportunities for the Company which are
consistent with the Company's investment objectives and policies;
(c) serve as the Company's investment and financial advisor and provide
reports with respect to the Company's portfolio of investments, including, but
not limited to, the making of investments in real properties and other real
estate investments consistent with the Company's investment policies;
(d) on the Company's behalf, investigate, select, retain and conduct
relationships with such persons as the Advisor deems necessary to the proper
performance of its obligations hereunder, including, but not limited to,
consultants, investors, builders, developers, borrowers, lenders, mortgagors,
brokers, accountants, attorneys, appraisers and others, including the Company's
or the Advisor's affiliates;
(e) provide advice and recommendations concerning the making of
investments consistent with the Company's investment policies;
(f) structure and negotiate the terms of investments in properties and
obtain the Board of Directors' approval of investments, consistent with the
Company's investment policies and objectives as they may be adopted from time to
time by the Board of Directors; provided, that the Advisor is expressly
authorized to make investments in multi-family residential properties on the
Company's behalf that are consistent with the investment and other policies
adopted by the Board of Directors from time to time without obtaining the
approval of the Board of Directors;
(g) obtain from the Advisor's affiliates or from third parties property
management services for the Company's investments in real property;
(h) obtain for or provide to the Company such services as may be
required in acquiring, managing and disposing of investments, including, but not
limited to, the negotiation of purchase contracts and services related to the
acquisition of real properties by the Company, disbursing and collecting the
Company's funds, paying the Company's debts and fulfilling the Company's
obligations, and handling, prosecuting and settling any of the Company's claims,
and such other services as the Company may require;
(i) do all things necessary to assure the Advisor's ability to fulfill
its obligations to the Company, including providing the office space,
furnishings and personnel necessary for the performance of the foregoing
services;
(j) from time to time, or at any time reasonably requested by the Board
of Directors, make reports to the Board of Directors of the Advisor's
performance of the foregoing services; and
(k) within 30 days after the end of each of the Company's fiscal
quarters, submit to the Board of Directors a statement of the Company's sources
of income during such fiscal quarter and make recommendations concerning
changes, if any, in the Company's investments to permit the Company to satisfy
the requirements of
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Sections 856(c)(2), 856(c)(3) and 856(c)(4) of the Code (such statement of
income may be based upon information supplied by independent contractors of the
Company, to the extent applicable).
3. CERTAIN GUIDELINES. The Advisor shall endeavor to ensure, with
respect to the Company's investments, that: (a) an appropriate policy of title
insurance is obtained with respect to any property, whether acquired directly by
the Company or encumbered by a lien in favor of the Company, which secures a
loan made by the Company or any property otherwise acquired by the Company, or
that an opinion of counsel as to such title is obtained; (b) any mortgage
securing any investment of the Company shall be a valid lien upon the mortgaged
property and upon foreclosure thereof would be subordinate only to such liens as
are expressly set forth therein; (c) any property acquired by the Company or
securing a mortgage loan investment of the Company is duly insured against loss
or damage by fire, with extended coverage, and against such other insurable
hazards and risks as are customary and appropriate in the circumstances; (d) a
majority of the Board of Directors (including a majority of the independent
directors, as such term is used in the Registration Statement) approves, in
advance, any investment (other than with respect to the initial properties (as
such term is used in the Registration Statement) or the Interests) by the
Company or the operating partnership (as such term is used in the Registration
Statement), on the one hand, with the Advisor or any of its affiliates, on the
other hand; (e) the Company does not make any loans to the Advisor or any of its
affiliates; (f) the Company's ratio of debt to total assets, at the time of the
incurrence of any indebtedness, does not exceed 75%; and (g) investments in any
one property acquired after the formation transactions described in the
Registration Statement do not exceed 25% of the value of the Company's total
assets at the time of its acquisition.
4. REIT QUALIFICATION, ETC. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, the Advisor shall use its best efforts to refrain from taking
any action (including, without limitation, the furnishing or rendering of
services to tenants of a property or managing or operating a property) which, in
its judgment, made in good faith and with the exercise of reasonable care,
would: (a) adversely affect the status of the Company as a "real estate
investment trust" under the Code and all rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder or subject the Company to material income taxes or excise taxes or
any tax on a prohibited transaction, as defined for purposes of the Code; (b)
violate any law, rule, regulation or statement of policy of any governmental
body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or over its securities, of
which the Advisor should reasonably be aware; or (c) otherwise not be permitted
by the charter or bylaws of the Company, except that if any such action
specified in clauses (a), (b) or (c) shall be ordered by the Board of Directors,
the Advisor shall promptly notify the Board of Directors of the Advisor's
judgment that such action would adversely affect the status of the Company as a
"real estate investment trust" under the Code, and the Advisor shall refrain
from taking such action, unless, but only to the extent that, the Advisor
receives specific written instructions from the Board of Directors expressly
ordering that the action be taken, notwithstanding such notification by it to
the Board of Directors. In such event the Advisor shall have no liability for
acting in accordance with the specific written instructions of the Board of
Directors so given.
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5. INVESTMENT COMPANY STATUS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, the Advisor shall use its best efforts to refrain from any
action which, in its judgment, made in good faith and in the exercise of
reasonable care, would cause the Company to be required to register as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, except
where such action has been ordered by the Board of Directors, in which event the
Advisor shall promptly notify the Board of Directors of the Advisor's judgment
that such action might require such registration and shall refrain from taking
such action, unless, but only to the extent that, the Advisor receives specific
written instructions from the Board of Directors expressly ordering that the
actions be taken, notwithstanding such notification by it to the Board of
Directors. In such event, the Advisor shall have no liability for acting in
accordance with the specific written instructions of the Board of Directors so
given.
6. BANK ACCOUNTS. The Advisor may establish and maintain one or more
bank accounts in its own name or in the name of the Company and may collect and
deposit into any such account or accounts, and disburse from any such account or
accounts, any money on behalf of the Company, under such terms and conditions as
the Board of Directors may approve. The Advisor shall, from time to time, render
to the Board of Directors and to the auditors of the Company a complete
accounting of such collections and disbursements.
7. CONSULTATION AND ADVICE. In addition to the services described
above, the Advisor shall consult with the Board of Directors and shall, at the
request of the Board of Directors, furnish advice and recommendations with
respect to other aspects of the business and affairs of the Company.
8. INFORMATION FURNISHED TO THE ADVISOR. The Board of Directors shall
at all times keep the Advisor fully informed concerning the investment,
disposition and financing policies of the Company and the intentions of the
Board of Directors concerning the future activities and investments of the
Company. The Company shall furnish the Advisor with a certified copy of all
financial statements, a signed copy of each report prepared by independent
certified public accountants and such other information with regard to the
Company's affairs as the Advisor may from time to time reasonably request.
9. COMPENSATION. For rendering the services described herein, the
Company shall pay to the Advisor the following:
(a) ASSET MANAGEMENT FEE. Subject to Section 9(c), for asset
management services rendered to the Company, an annual amount, payable quarterly
in arrears, equal to, in the case of properties (including the initial
properties, as such term is used in the Registration Statement) or mortgage loan
investments, 0.40% of the Purchase Price (as defined below) of such properties,
as adjusted from time to time to reflect the then current fair market value of
the property. Any such adjustment shall be proposed by the Advisor but will be
subject to the approval of the audit committee of the Board of Directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall be no asset management fee payable
with respect to the Interests acquired by the Company pursuant to the Exchange.
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The term "PURCHASE PRICE," as used in this Agreement, shall mean the capitalized
basis of an asset under generally accepted accounting principles including, but
not limited to, rehabilitation or new construction costs, costs of acquisition,
or other items paid or received which would be considered an adjustment to
basis; except that acquisition fees and capital expenditures of a recurring
nature will be excluded from such definition.
(b) ACQUISITION FEE. Subject to Section 9(c), the Advisor shall
receive an acquisition fee equal to 1.0% of the Purchase Price of any new
property, whether owned directly or indirectly by the Company. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no acquisition fee shall be payable with respect to KRF Company,
L.L.C.'s interest in the initial properties (as such term is used in the
Registration Statement) or the Interests acquired by the Company pursuant to the
Exchange. In addition, the Company shall reimburse the Advisor and its
affiliates for the reasonable expenses of acquisition actually incurred by them.
(c) SUBORDINATION. No asset management fee or acquisition fee under
Section 9(a) or 9(b) shall be payable to the Advisor during any time when any
amounts payable on the Preferred Shares then due have not been paid in full.
(d) REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company shall reimburse the
Advisor for (a) the out-of-pocket expenses of the Advisor of goods, materials
and services used for or by the Company and (b) the cost of administrative
services rendered to the Company by the Advisor which are necessary to the
prudent operation of the Company, such as legal, accounting, computer, transfer
agent and other services that could be performed directly for the Company by
independent parties.
10. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR. Nothing contained herein shall
prevent the Advisor from engaging in other activities, including, without
limitation, the rendering of advice to other investors (including other REITs)
and the management of other programs advised, sponsored or organized by the
Advisor or its affiliates; nor shall this Agreement limit or restrict the right
of any director, officer, employee, member or shareholder of the Advisor or its
affiliates to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to
any other partnership, limited liability company, corporation, firm, individual,
trust or association. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the Advisor shall
devote sufficient resources as may be required to discharge its obligations
hereunder. The Advisor may, with respect to any investment in which the Company
is a participant, subject to its contractual duties to the Company under this
Agreement, also render advice and service to each and every other participant
therein.
11. ALLOCATION OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. Neither the Advisor or any
of its affiliates shall be obligated to present to the Company investment
opportunities that come to their attention, even if any of those opportunities
may be suitable to the Company. In addition, the Advisor shall have sole
discretion in determining how to allocate investment opportunities as between
the Company, on the one hand, and the Advisor or its affiliates, on the other
hand, as the Advisor deems advisable.
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12. TERM/TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. Initially, this Agreement shall have
a term of two years commencing on the closing date of the Exchange. Following
the initial term, subsequent renewals will be subject to an evaluation of the
performance of the Advisor by the audit committee of the Board of Directors.
This Agreement may be terminated by the audit committee of the Board of
Directors or the Advisor, in all cases, by giving not less than 60 days advance
notice in writing to the other party.
13. ACTION UPON TERMINATION. If the Advisor terminates this Agreement,
the Advisor shall not be entitled to compensation for services performed after
the effective date of such termination. The Advisor shall, forthwith upon such
termination:
(a) promptly pay over to the Company all monies collected and held
for the account of the Company pursuant to this Agreement, after deducting any
accrued compensation and reimbursement for its expenses to which it is then
entitled under this Agreement;
(b) promptly deliver to the Company a full accounting, including a
statement showing all amounts collected, disbursed and held by the Advisor, for
the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the Company;
and
(c) promptly deliver to the Company all property and documents of
the Company then in the custody of the Advisor.
14. AMENDMENTS. The Agreement shall not be modified except by an
instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto, or their respective
successors or assigns, or otherwise as provided herein.
15. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may be assigned upon the consent of both
parties hereto by: (i) the Advisor to a person which is an affiliate of the
Advisor; or (ii) either the Advisor or the Company to its successor-in-interest.
The Advisor may delegate some or all of its duties under this Agreement to an
affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Company intends to
qualify as a real estate investment trust under the Code, this Agreement may not
be assigned to any entity that serves as a property manager with respect to the
properties of the Company.
16. GOVERNING LAW. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed
and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts without giving effect to conflicts of laws, principles or rules.
17. DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS NOT LIABLE. This Agreement is made on
behalf of the Company by an officer of the Company, not individually, but solely
as such officer, and the obligations under this Agreement are not binding upon,
nor shall resort be had to, the private property of any of the directors,
officers, shareholders, employees or agents of the Company personally, but shall
bind only the Company.
18. INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY. The Company shall indemnify and
hold harmless the Advisor, to the full extent permitted by the Maryland General
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Corporation Law (in effect at the time indemnity is sought), from all liability,
claims, damages or loss arising in the performance of its duties hereunder, and
related expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, to the extent such
liability, claims, damages or losses and related expenses are not fully
reimbursed by insurance; provided, however, that the Advisor shall not be
entitled to indemnification, under this Section 18, if it acts in a manner which
constitutes gross negligence or willful misfeasance.
19. NO PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE. The Company and the Advisor are
not partners or joint venturers with each other and nothing herein shall be
construed so as to make them partners or joint venturers or impose any liability
as such on either of them or their affiliates.
20. HEADINGS. The section headings hereof have been inserted for
reference only and shall not be construed to affect the meaning, construction or
effect of this Agreement.
21. NOTICES. All notices, demands and other communication to be given
or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement must be in
writing and will be deemed to have been given, if hand delivered, on the date of
receipt; if delivered by courier, on the day delivered by such courier as such
day is established by evidence obtained by the sender from the courier; if
delivered by facsimile transmission, on the day and at the time of receipt with
confirmed answerback; or if delivered by U.S. mail, on the third business day
after mailing. Such notices, demands and other communications to be valid, must
be addressed:
(a) If to the Company, to:
Berkshire Income Realty, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
with a copy to:
Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
(b) if to the Advisor, to:
Berkshire Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C.
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
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with a copy to:
Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as recipient
party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party (or in the case
of counsel, to such other readily ascertainable business address as such counsel
may hereafter maintain).
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Agreement
as of the date first above written.
BERKSHIRE INCOME REALTY, INC.
By:
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Name:
Title
BERKSHIRE REAL ESTATE ADVISORS, L.L.C.
By:
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Name:
Title:
