WSR 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2016 | Alphaminr
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WSR 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2016

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10-Q 1 wsr10-q2016x09.htm 10-Q Document
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, 2016

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 001-34855
WHITESTONE REIT
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Maryland
76-0594970
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

2600 South Gessner, Suite 500
Houston, Texas
77063
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

(713) 827-9595
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
N/A
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

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. ý 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ý 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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ý
Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

As of October 31, 2016 , there were 29,252,918 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding.


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION




PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)

September 30, 2016
December 31, 2015
(unaudited)
ASSETS
Real estate assets, at cost
Property
$
918,562

$
835,538

Accumulated depreciation
(103,721
)
(89,580
)
Total real estate assets
814,841

745,958

Cash and cash equivalents
8,786

2,587

Restricted cash
103

121

Marketable securities
456

435

Escrows and acquisition deposits
6,183

6,668

Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
16,970

15,466

Unamortized lease commissions and loan costs
8,340

8,178

Prepaid expenses and other assets
2,808

2,672

Total assets
$
858,487

$
782,085

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities:
Notes payable
$
549,671

$
497,955

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
31,920

24,051

Tenants' security deposits
6,066

5,254

Dividends and distributions payable
8,647

7,834

Total liabilities
596,304

535,094

Commitments and contingencies:
—

—

Equity:
Preferred shares, $0.001 par value per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
—

—

Common shares, $0.001 par value per share; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 29,218,531 and 26,991,493 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
29

27

Additional paid-in capital
390,966

359,971

Accumulated deficit
(133,779
)
(116,895
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(6,951
)
(129
)
Total Whitestone REIT shareholders' equity
250,265

242,974

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
11,918

4,017

Total equity
262,183

246,991

Total liabilities and equity
$
858,487

$
782,085



See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Property revenues
Rental revenues
$
19,844

$
18,785

$
58,915

$
52,426

Other revenues
5,664

5,814

17,157

15,395

Total property revenues
25,508

24,599

76,072

67,821

Property expenses
Property operation and maintenance
4,904

4,823

14,381

13,245

Real estate taxes
3,414

3,474

10,072

9,303

Total property expenses
8,318

8,297

24,453

22,548

Other expenses (income)
General and administrative
6,218

5,687

16,467

15,170

Depreciation and amortization
5,449

5,149

16,362

14,388

Interest expense
4,669

3,740

14,221

10,664

Interest, dividend and other investment income
(164
)
(73
)
(339
)
(244
)
Total other expense
16,172

14,503

46,711

39,978

Income from continuing operations before gain on sale or disposal of properties or assets and income taxes
1,018

1,799

4,908

5,295

Provision for income taxes
(80
)
(100
)
(247
)
(274
)
Gain on sale of properties
—

—

2,890

—

Gain (loss) on sale or disposal of assets
26

(148
)
10

(248
)
Income from continuing operations
964

1,551

7,561

4,773

Income from discontinued operations
—

44

—

3

Income from discontinued operations
—

44

—

3

Net income
964

1,595

7,561

4,776

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
15

25

131

78

Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
$
949

$
1,570

$
7,430

$
4,698








See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Whitestone REIT excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.03

$
0.05

$
0.25

$
0.18

Income from discontinued operations attributable to Whitestone REIT
0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.03

$
0.05

$
0.25

$
0.18

Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Whitestone REIT excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.03

$
0.05

$
0.25

$
0.17

Income from discontinued operations attributable to Whitestone REIT
0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.03

$
0.05

$
0.25

$
0.17

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic
28,195

26,476

27,210

23,988

Diluted
29,024

27,082

28,013

24,583

Distributions declared per common share / OP unit
$
0.2850

$
0.2850

$
0.8550

$
0.8550

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income
$
964

$
1,595

$
7,561

$
4,776

Other comprehensive gain (loss)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging activities
1,529

(184
)
(6,962
)
(460
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale marketable securities
(11
)
(8
)
20

(106
)
Comprehensive income
2,482

1,403

619

4,210

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
41

22

11

69

Comprehensive income attributable to Whitestone REIT
$
2,441

$
1,381

$
608

$
4,141




See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Noncontrolling
Common Shares
Paid-In
Accumulated
Comprehensive
Shareholders'
interests
Total
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Loss
Equity
Units
Dollars
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2015
26,991

$
27

$
359,971

$
(116,895
)
$
(129
)
$
242,974

497

$
4,017

$
246,991

Exchange of noncontrolling interest OP units for common shares
15

—

125

—

—

125

(15
)
(125
)
—

Issuance of shares under dividend reinvestment plan
7

—

83

—

—

83

—

—

83

Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs
1,820

2

26,684

—

—

26,686

—

—

26,686

Issuance of OP units
—

—

—

—

—

—

621

8,738

8,738

Repurchase of common shares (1)
(209
)
—

(2,904
)
—

—

(2,904
)
—

—

(2,904
)
Share-based compensation
595

—

6,874

—

—

6,874

—

—

6,874

Distributions
—

—

—

(24,314
)
—

(24,314
)
—

(590
)
(24,904
)
Unrealized loss on change in value of cash flow hedge
—

—

—

—

(6,842
)
(6,842
)
—

(120
)
(6,962
)
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of available-for-sale marketable securities
—

—

—

—

20

20

—

—

20

Reallocation of ownership percentage between parent and subsidiary
—

—

133

—

—

133

—

(133
)
—

Net income
—

—

—

7,430

—

7,430

—

131

7,561

Balance, September 30, 2016
29,219

$
29

$
390,966

$
(133,779
)
$
(6,951
)
$
250,265

1,103

$
11,918

$
262,183


(1)
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company acquired common shares held by employees who tendered owned common shares to satisfy the tax withholding on the lapse of certain restrictions on restricted common shares.



See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


4

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income from continuing operations
$
7,561

$
4,773

Net income from discontinued operations
—

3

Net income
7,561

4,776

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
16,362

14,388

Amortization of deferred loan costs
1,202

902

Amortization of notes payable discount
241

222

Gain on sale of marketable securities
—

(44
)
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets and properties
(2,900
)
248

Bad debt expense
1,298

1,318

Share-based compensation
6,874

5,209

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Escrows and acquisition deposits
485

(1,445
)
Accrued rent and accounts receivable
(2,802
)
(3,583
)
Unamortized lease commissions
(2,126
)
(1,207
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
725

341

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
261

4,201

Tenants' security deposits
812

671

Net cash provided by operating activities
27,993

25,994

Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations
—

3

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of real estate
(60,616
)
(147,950
)
Additions to real estate
(15,362
)
(7,954
)
Proceeds from sales of properties
3,957

—

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
—

496

Net cash used in investing activities
(72,021
)
(155,408
)
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations
—

—

Cash flows from financing activities:
Distributions paid to common shareholders
(23,606
)
(20,791
)
Distributions paid to OP unit holders
(415
)
(346
)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of offering costs
26,686

49,717

Proceeds from revolving credit facility, net
64,000

105,500

Repayments of notes payable
(13,552
)
(2,141
)
Change in restricted cash
18

(86
)
Repurchase of common shares
(2,904
)
(1,018
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
50,227

130,835

Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations
—

—

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
6,199

1,424

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
2,587

4,236

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
8,786

$
5,660


See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest
$
13,700

$
9,826

Cash paid for taxes
$
284

$
315

Non cash investing and financing activities:
Disposal of fully depreciated real estate
$
544

$
57

Financed insurance premiums
$
1,060

$
1,057

Value of shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan
$
83

$
71

Value of common shares exchanged for OP units
$
125

$
84

Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities
$
20

$
(106
)
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge
$
(6,962
)
$
(460
)
Acquisition of real estate in exchange for OP units
$
8,738

$
1,333



























See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


6
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

The use of the words “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” or “Whitestone” refers to Whitestone REIT and our consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires.

1.  INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements included in this report are unaudited; however, amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.  The unaudited financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2016 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information on a basis consistent with the annual audited consolidated financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q.
The consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of Whitestone and our subsidiaries as of September 30, 2016 , and the results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , the consolidated statements of changes in equity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 and cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 .  All of these adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for a full year.  The statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 .
Business . Whitestone was formed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) pursuant to the Texas Real Estate Investment Trust Act on August 20, 1998.  In July 2004, we changed our state of organization from Texas to Maryland pursuant to a merger where we merged directly with and into a Maryland REIT formed for the sole purpose of the reorganization and the conversion of each of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Texas entity into 1.42857 common shares of beneficial interest of the Maryland entity.  We serve as the general partner of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), which was formed on December 31, 1998 as a Delaware limited partnership.  We currently conduct substantially all of our operations and activities through the Operating Partnership.  As the general partner of the Operating Partnership, we have the exclusive power to manage and conduct the business of the Operating Partnership, subject to certain customary exceptions.  As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , Whitestone owned and operated 71 and 70 commercial properties, respectively, in and around Austin, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix and San Antonio.


2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Consolidation. We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and possess full legal control and authority over the operations of the Operating Partnership.  As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we owned a majority of the partnership interests in the Operating Partnership.  Consequently, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Operating Partnership.  All significant inter-company balances have been eliminated. Noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated financial statements represents the share of equity and earnings of the Operating Partnership allocable to holders of partnership interests other than us.  Net income or loss is allocated to noncontrolling interests based on the weighted average percentage ownership of the Operating Partnership during the period.  Issuance of additional common shares of beneficial interest in Whitestone (the “common shares”) and units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership that are convertible into cash or, at our option, common shares on a one -for-one basis (the “OP units”) changes the ownership interests of both the noncontrolling interests and Whitestone .
Basis of Accounting. Our financial records are maintained on the accrual basis of accounting whereby revenues are recognized when earned and expenses are recorded when incurred.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates that we use include the estimated fair values of properties acquired, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets and costs, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, the estimated fair value of interest rate swaps and the estimates supporting our impairment analysis for the carrying values of our real estate assets.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

7
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

Reclassifications. We have reclassified certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in order to be consistent with the current period presentation.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we reclassified certain deferred financing costs, previously classified as an asset as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of certain debt liabilities for all periods presented. Deferred financing costs related to our unsecured line of credit have not been reclassified. See Note 6 for additional information. These reclassifications had no effect on net income or equity.
Restricted Cash. We classify all cash pledged as collateral to secure certain obligations and all cash whose use is limited as restricted cash. During 2015, pursuant to the terms of our $15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024 (See Note 6), which is collateralized by our Anthem Marketplace property, we were required by the lenders thereunder to establish a cash management account controlled by the lenders to collect all amounts generated by our Anthem Marketplace property in order to collateralize such promissory note. As a result, these amounts are reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows under cash flows from financing activities as change in restricted cash.

Marketable Securities. We classify our existing marketable equity securities as available-for-sale in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB”) Investments-Debt and Equity Securities guidance. These securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The fair value of the marketable securities is determined using Level 1 inputs under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “ Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” Level 1 inputs represent quoted prices available in an active market for identical investments as of the reporting date. Gains and losses on securities sold are based on the specific identification method, and are reported as a component of interest, dividend and other investment income.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. We utilize derivative financial instruments, principally interest rate swaps, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We have established policies and procedures for risk assessment, and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instruments. We recognize our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges with the effective portion of the changes in fair value recorded in comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of a cash flow hedges' change in fair value is recorded immediately into earnings. Our cash flow hedges are determined using Level 2 inputs under ASC 820. Level 2 inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable. As of September 30, 2016 , we consider our cash flow hedges to be highly effective.
Development Properties. Land, buildings and improvements are recorded at cost. Expenditures related to the development of real estate are carried at cost which includes capitalized carrying charges and development costs. Carrying charges (interest, real estate taxes, loan fees, and direct and indirect development costs related to buildings under construction), are capitalized as part of construction in progress. The capitalization of such costs ceases when the property, or any completed portion, becomes available for occupancy. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 , approximately $103,000 and $16,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , approximately $235,000 and $48,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 , approximately $25,000 and $16,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , approximately $83,000 and $53,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized.

Real Estate Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. We consider a commercial property to be held for sale when it meets all of the criteria established under ASC 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements.” For commercial properties classified as held for sale, assets and liabilities are presented separately for all periods presented.

In accordance with ASC 205, a discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity. A disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is classified as held for sale, disposed of by sale or disposed of other than by sale, respectively. In addition, ASC 205 requires us to provide additional disclosures about both discontinued operations and the disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not meet the criteria for a discontinued operation.


8
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

Share-Based Compensation. From time to time, we award nonvested restricted common share awards or restricted common share unit awards, which may be converted into common shares, to executive officers and employees under our 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan (the “2008 Plan”).  The vast majority of the awarded shares and units vest when certain performance conditions are met.  We recognize compensation expense when achievement of the performance conditions is probable based on management's most recent estimates using the fair value of the shares as of the grant date. We recognized $3,042,000 and $1,859,000 in share-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and we recognized $6,886,000 and $5,202,000 in share-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Noncontrolling Interests. Noncontrolling interests is the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable to a parent.  The ownership interests not held by the parent are considered noncontrolling interests.  Accordingly, we have reported noncontrolling interests in equity on the consolidated balance sheets but separate from Whitestone's equity.  On the consolidated statements of operations, subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amount, including both the amount attributable to Whitestone and noncontrolling interests.  The consolidated statement of changes in equity is included for quarterly financial statements, including beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for shareholders' equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity.
See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for further discussion on significant accounting policies.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements .  In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued guidance to clarify that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit agreements may still be presented as an asset and subsequently amortized ratably over the term of such arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit. This guidance was effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015 and is to be applied retrospectively. We have adopted this guidance for all periods presented.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged. The guidance will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the timing, amount and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance simplifying the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, balance sheet classification of awards and the classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and its impact on our consolidated financial statements.

3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES

All of our marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Available-for-sale securities consisted of the following (in thousands):

September 30, 2016
Amortized Cost
Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Estimated Fair Value
Real estate sector common stock
$
654

$
—

$
(198
)
$
456

Total available-for-sale securities
$
654

$
—

$
(198
)
$
456



9
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

December 31, 2015
Amortized Cost
Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Estimated Fair Value
Real estate sector common stock
$
654

$
—

$
(219
)
$
435

Total available-for-sale securities
$
654

$
—

$
(219
)
$
435


During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , no available-for-sale securities were sold. During the three months ended September 30, 2015 , no available-for-sale securities were sold and during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , available-for-sale securities were sold for total proceeds of $496,000 . The gross realized gain on these sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $44,000 . For purposes of determining gross realized gains and losses, the cost of securities sold is based on specific identification. A net unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities in the amount of $198,000 and $240,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, has been included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).


4. ACCRUED RENTS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net consists of amounts accrued, billed and due from tenants, allowance for doubtful accounts and other receivables as follows (in thousands):

September 30, 2016
December 31, 2015
Tenant receivables
$
12,648

$
10,494

Accrued rents and other recoveries
12,189

11,619

Allowance for doubtful accounts
(7,867
)
(6,647
)
Total
$
16,970

$
15,466


5. UNAMORTIZED LEASE COMMISSIONS AND LOAN COSTS

Costs which have been deferred consist of the following (in thousands):
September 30, 2016
December 31, 2015
Lease commissions
$
8,669

$
7,226

Deferred financing cost
4,071

4,070

Total cost
12,740

11,296

Less: lease commissions accumulated amortization
(3,528
)
(2,960
)
Less: deferred financing cost accumulated amortization
(872
)
(158
)
Total cost, net of accumulated amortization
$
8,340

$
8,178


6. DEBT

Certain subsidiaries of Whitestone are the borrowers under various financing arrangements. These subsidiaries are separate legal entities and their respective assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debt of Whitestone or any of its other subsidiaries.

10
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

Debt consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):
Description
September 30, 2016
December 31, 2015
Fixed rate notes
$10.5 million, LIBOR plus 2.00% Note, due September 24, 2018 (1)
$
10,040

$
10,220

$50.0 million, 0.84% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due October 30, 2020 (2)
50,000

50,000

$50.0 million, 1.50% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due January 29, 2021 (3)
50,000

50,000

$100.0 million, 1.73% plus 1.65% to 2.25% Note, due October 30, 2022 (4)
100,000

100,000

$37.0 million 3.76% Note, due December 1, 2020
34,414

35,146

$6.5 million 3.80% Note, due January 1, 2019
6,063

6,190

$19.0 million 4.15% Note, due December 1, 2024
19,000

19,000

$20.2 million 4.28% Note, due June 6, 2023
19,794

20,040

$14.0 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024
14,000

14,000

$14.3 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024
14,300

14,300

$16.5 million 4.97% Note, due September 26, 2023
16,357

16,450

$15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024
15,060

15,060

$9.2 million, Prime Rate less 2.00% Note, due December 29, 2017 (5)
7,873

7,886

$2.6 million 5.46% Note, due October 1, 2023
2,522

2,550

$11.1 million 5.87% Note, due August 6, 2016
—

11,305

$1.1 million 2.97% Note, due November 28, 2016
212

—

Floating rate notes
Unsecured line of credit, LIBOR plus 1.40% to 1.95%, due October 30, 2019
191,600

127,600

Total notes payable principal
551,235

499,747

Less deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization
(1,564
)
(1,792
)
Total notes payable
$
549,671

$
497,955


(1)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate at 3.55% for the duration of the term.

(2)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 1 (as defined below) at 0.84% through February 3, 2017 and 1.75% beginning February 3, 2017 through October 30, 2020.

(3)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 2 (as defined below) at 1.50% .

(4)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 3 (as defined below) at 1.73% ,

(5)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate at 5.72% for the duration of the term. As part of our acquisition of Paradise Plaza in August 2012, we recorded a discount on the note of $1.3 million , which amortizes into interest expense over the life of the loan and results in an imputed interest rate of 4.13% .

On November 7, 2014, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2014 Facility”) with the lenders party thereto, with BMO Capital Markets, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and U.S. Bank, National Association, as co-lead arrangers and joint book runners, and Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent (the “Agent”). The 2014 Facility amended and restated our previous unsecured revolving credit facility. On October 30, 2015, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into the First Amendment to the 2014 Facility (the “First Amendment”) with the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and the Agent. We refer to the 2014 Facility, as amended by the First Amendment, as the “Facility.”


11
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

Pursuant to the First Amendment, the Company made the following amendments to the 2014 Facility:

•
extended the maturity date of the $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility under the 2014 Facility (the “Revolver”) to October 30, 2019 from November 7, 2018;

•
converted $100 million of outstanding borrowings under the Revolver to a new $100 million unsecured term loan under the 2014 Facility (“Term Loan 3”) with a maturity date of October 30, 2022;

•
extended the maturity date of the first $50 million unsecured term loan under the 2014 Facility (“Term Loan 1”) to October 30, 2020 from February 17, 2017; and

•
extended the maturity date of the second $50 million unsecured term loan under the 2014 Facility (“Term Loan 2” and together with Term Loan 1 and Term Loan 3, the “Term Loans”) to January 29, 2021 from November 7, 2019.
Borrowings under the Facility accrue interest (at the Operating Partnership's option) at a Base Rate or an Adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin based upon our then existing leverage. The applicable margin for Adjusted LIBOR borrowings ranges from 1.40% to 1.95% for the Revolver and 1.35% to 2.25% for the Term Loans. Base Rate means the higher of: (a) the Agent's prime commercial rate, (b) the sum of (i) the average rate quoted by the Agent by two or more federal funds brokers selected by the Agent for sale to the Agent at face value of federal funds in the secondary market in an amount equal or comparable to the principal amount for which such rate is being determined, plus (ii) 1/2 of 1.00% , and (c) the LIBOR rate for such day plus 1.00% . Adjusted LIBOR means LIBOR divided by one minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage means the maximum reserve percentage at which reserves are imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on eurocurrency liabilities.

We serve as the guarantor for funds borrowed by the Operating Partnership under the Facility. The Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting requirements, maximum secured indebtedness to total asset value, minimum EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary items) to fixed charges, and maintenance of a minimum net worth. The Facility also contains customary events of default with customary notice and cure, including, without limitation, nonpayment, breach of covenant, misrepresentation of representations and warranties in a material respect, cross-default to other major indebtedness, change of control, bankruptcy and loss of REIT tax status.

The Facility includes an accordion feature that will allow the Operating Partnership to increase the borrowing capacity to $700 million , upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. As of September 30, 2016 , $391.6 million was drawn on the Facility, and our remaining borrowing capacity was $108.4 million . Proceeds from the Facility were used for general corporate purposes, including property acquisitions, debt repayment, capital expenditures, the expansion, redevelopment and retenanting of properties in our portfolio and working capital. We intend to use the additional proceeds from the Facility for general corporate purposes, including property acquisitions, debt repayment, capital expenditure, the expansion, redevelopment and re-tenanting of properties in our portfolio and working capital.

As of September 30, 2016 , our $159.4 million in secured debt was collateralized by 19 properties with a carrying value of $191.2 million .  Our loans contain restrictions that would require the payment of prepayment penalties for the acceleration of outstanding debt and are secured by deeds of trust on certain of our properties and by assignment of the rents and leases associated with those properties.  As of September 30, 2016 , we were in compliance with all loan covenants.


12
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

Scheduled maturities of our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2016 were as follows (in thousands):
Year
Amount Due
2016
$
765

2017
10,213

2018
12,136

2019
199,649

2020
82,827

Thereafter
245,645

Total
$
551,235

7.  DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The fair value of our interest rate swaps is as follows (in thousands):
Balance Sheet Location
Estimated Fair Value
Interest rate swaps:
September 30, 2016
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
7,317

December 31, 2015
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
617


On November 19, 2015, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap with Bank of Montreal that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 3 under the Facility at 1.725% . In the fourth quarter of 2015, pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the interest rate swap, Bank of Montreal assigned $35.0 million of the swap to U.S. Bank, National Association, and $15.0 million of the swap to SunTrust Bank. See Note 6 for additional information regarding the Facility. The swap began on November 30, 2015 and will mature on October 28, 2022. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value to be recorded in comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, will be recognized directly in earnings.

On November 19, 2015, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap with Bank of Montreal that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 1 under the Facility at 1.75% . In the fourth quarter of 2015, pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the interest rate swap, Bank of Montreal assigned $3.8 million of the swap to Regions Bank, $6.5 million of the swap to U.S. Bank, National Association, $14.0 million of the swap to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, $14.0 million of the swap to Bank of America, N.A., and $5.0 million of the swap to SunTrust Bank. See Note 6 for additional information regarding the Facility. The swap will begin on February 3, 2017 and will mature on October 30, 2020. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value to be recorded in comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, will be recognized directly in earnings.

On November 19, 2015, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap with Bank of Montreal that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 2 under the Facility at 1.50% . In the fourth quarter of 2015, pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the interest rate swap, Bank of Montreal assigned $3.8 million of the swap to Regions Bank, $6.5 million of the swap to U.S. Bank, National Association, $14.0 million of the swap to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, $14.0 million of the swap to Bank of America, N.A., and $5.0 million of the swap to SunTrust Bank. See Note 6 for additional information regarding the Facility. The swap began on December 7, 2015 and will mature on January 29, 2021. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value to be recorded in comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, will be recognized directly in earnings.


13
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

A summary of our interest rate swap activity is as follows (in thousands):
Amount Recognized as Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Location of Loss Recognized in Earnings
Amount of Loss Recognized in Earnings (1)
Three months ended September 30, 2016
$
1,529

Interest expense
$
(602
)
Three months ended September 30, 2015
$
(184
)
Interest expense
$
(207
)
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
$
(6,962
)
Interest expense
$
(1,810
)
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
$
(460
)
Interest expense
$
(617
)

(1)
We did not recognize any ineffective portion of our interest rate swaps in earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 .

8.  EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share for our common shareholders is calculated by dividing income from continuing operations excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted common shares and the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests by our weighted average common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted common shares and the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests by the weighted average number of common shares including any dilutive unvested restricted common shares.
Certain of our performance-based restricted common shares are considered participating securities that require the use of the two-class method for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.  During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , 487,090 and 435,440 OP units, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , 487,510 and 406,277 OP units, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.
For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , distributions of $158,000 and $139,000 , respectively, were made to holders of certain restricted common shares, $12,000 and $9,000 , respectively, of which were charged against earnings. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , distributions of $510,000 and $427,000 , respectively, were made to holders of certain restricted common shares, $12,000 and $27,000 , respectively, of which were charged against earnings. See Note 11 for information related to restricted common shares under the 2008 Plan.


14
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)
2016
2015
2016
2015
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations
$
964

$
1,551

$
7,561

$
4,773

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(15
)
(25
)
(131
)
(78
)
Distributions paid on unvested restricted shares
(146
)
(130
)
(498
)
(400
)
Income from continuing operations attributable to Whitestone REIT excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
803

1,396

6,932

4,295

Income from discontinued operations
—

44

—

3

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—

—

—

—

Income from discontinued operations attributable to Whitestone REIT
—

44

—

3

Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
803

$
1,440

$
6,932

$
4,298

Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares - basic
28,195

26,476

27,210

23,988

Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested restricted shares
829

606

803

595

Weighted average number of common shares - dilutive
29,024

27,082

28,013

24,583

Earnings Per Share:
Basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Whitestone REIT excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.03

$
0.05

$
0.25

$
0.18

Income from discontinued operations attributable to Whitestone REIT
0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.03

$
0.05

$
0.25

$
0.18

Diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Whitestone REIT excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.03

$
0.05

$
0.25

$
0.17

Income from discontinued operations attributable to Whitestone REIT
0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
$
0.03

$
0.05

$
0.25

$
0.17


9. INCOME TAXES
With the exception of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, federal income taxes are generally not provided because we intend to and believe we qualify as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and because we have distributed and intend to continue to distribute all of our taxable income to our shareholders.  As a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our shareholders and meet certain income sources and investment restriction requirements.  In addition, REITs are subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements.  If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates.

15
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

Income earned by our taxable REIT subsidiary, Whitestone Davenport TRS LLC (“Davenport TRS”), is subject to federal income tax. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we recognized $45,000 in income tax expense related to Davenport TRS for the 2016 taxable year.

Taxable income differs from net income for financial reporting purposes principally due to differences in the timing of recognition of interest, real estate taxes, depreciation and rental revenue. We recorded $49,000 in credits to tax expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 for the 2015 taxable year.

We are subject to the Texas Margin Tax, which is computed by applying the applicable tax rate ( 0.75% for us) to the profit margin, which generally will be determined for us as total revenue less a 30% standard deduction.  Although the Texas Margin Tax is not an income tax, FASB ASC 740, “ Income Taxes ” applies to the Texas Margin Tax.  For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , we recognized approximately $75,000 and $104,000 in margin tax provision, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , we recognized approximately $237,000 and $292,000 in margin tax provision, respectively.

10.  EQUITY

Common Shares

Under our declaration of trust, as amended, we have authority to issue up to 400,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share, and up to 50,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share.
Equity Offerings

On June 26, 2015, we completed the sale of 3,750,000 common shares, $0.001 par value per share, at a purchase price of $13.3386 per share. Total net proceeds from the offering, after deducting offering expenses, were approximately $49.7 million , which we contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP units. The Operating Partnership used the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of the Facility and for general corporate purposes.

On June 4, 2015, we entered into six amended and restated equity distribution agreements for an at-the-market equity distribution program (the “2015 equity distribution agreements”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2015 equity distribution agreements, we can issue and sell up to an aggregate of $50 million of our common shares. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by us from time to time, including (among others) market conditions, the trading price of our common shares, capital needs and our determinations of the appropriate sources of funding for us, and will be made in transactions that will be deemed to be “at-the-market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. We have no obligation to sell any of our common shares, and can at any time suspend offers under the 2015 equity distribution agreements or terminate the 2015 equity distribution agreements. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 , we sold 1,083,926 common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds to us of approximately $16.1 million . In connection with such sales, we paid compensation of approximately $0.2 million to the sales agents. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we sold 1,819,681 common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds to us of approximately $26.7 million . In connection with such sales, we paid compensation of approximately $0.4 million to the sales agents. We had not sold any common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements as of September 30, 2015 .

Operating Partnership Units

Substantially all of our business is conducted through our Operating Partnership.  We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership.  As of September 30, 2016 , we owned a 96.3% interest in the Operating Partnership.

16
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

Limited partners in the Operating Partnership holding OP units have the right to redeem their OP units for cash or, at our option, common shares at a ratio of one OP unit for one common share.  Distributions to OP unit holders are paid at the same rate per unit as distributions per share to holders of Whitestone common shares.  As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , there were 30,200,345 and 27,367,704 OP units outstanding, respectively.  We owned 29,097,709 and 26,870,671 OP units as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. The balance of the OP units is owned by third parties, including certain members of our board of trustees.  Our weighted average share ownership in the Operating Partnership was approximately 98.3% and 98.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and 98.3% and 98.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , 2,434 and 1,693 OP units, respectively, were redeemed for an equal number of c ommon shares, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , 15,450 and 10,277 OP units, respectively, were redeemed for an equal number of common shares.

Distributions
The following table summarizes the cash distributions paid or payable to holders of common shares and to holders of noncontrolling OP units during each quarter during 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (in thousands, except per share/unit data):

Common Shares
Noncontrolling OP Unit Holders
Total
Quarter Paid
Distributions Per Common Share
Amount Paid
Distributions Per OP Unit
Amount Paid
Amount Paid
2016
Third Quarter
$
0.2850

$
8,109

$
0.2850

$
138

$
8,247

Second Quarter
0.2850

7,786

0.2850

138

7,924

First Quarter
0.2850

7,711

0.2850

139

7,850

Total
$
0.8550

$
23,606

$
0.8550

$
415


$
24,021

2015
Fourth Quarter
$
0.2850

$
7,666

$
0.2850

$
143

$
7,809

Third Quarter
0.2850

7,664

0.2850

122

7,786

Second Quarter
0.2850

6,601

0.2850

111

6,712

First Quarter
0.2850

6,526

0.2850

113

6,639

Total
$
1.1400

$
28,457

$
1.1400

$
489

$
28,946


11.  INCENTIVE SHARE PLAN
On July 29, 2008, our shareholders approved the 2008 Plan. On December 22, 2010, our board of trustees amended the 2008 Plan to allow for awards in or related to Class B common shares pursuant to the 2008 Plan. On June 27, 2012, our Class B common shares were redesignated as “common shares.” The 2008 Plan, as amended, provides that awards may be made with respect to common shares of Whitestone or OP units, which may be redeemed for cash or, at our option, common shares of Whitestone. The maximum aggregate number of common shares that may be issued under the 2008 Plan is increased upon each issuance of common shares by Whitestone so that at any time the maximum number of common shares that may be issued under the 2008 Plan shall equal 12.5% of the aggregate number of common shares of Whitestone and OP units issued and outstanding (other than common shares and/or OP units issued to or held by Whitestone).

The Compensation Committee of our board of trustees administers the 2008 Plan, except with respect to awards to non-employee trustees, for which the 2008 Plan is administered by our board of trustees.  The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant share options, including both incentive share options and non-qualified share options, as well as share appreciation rights, either with or without a related option. The Compensation Committee is also authorized to grant restricted common shares, restricted common share units, performance awards and other share-based awards.

17
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)


On April 2, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the modification of the vesting provisions with respect to awards of an aggregate of 633,704 restricted common shares and restricted common share units for 51 of our employees. The modified time-based shares will vest annually in three equal installments. The modified performance-based restricted common shares and restricted common share units were modified to include performance-based vesting based on achievement of certain absolute financial goals, as well as one to two years of time-based vesting post achievement of financial goals. Continued employment is required through the applicable vesting date. Additionally, 2,049,116 restricted performance-based common share units were granted with the same vesting conditions as the modified performance-based grants described above. If the performance targets are not met prior to December 31, 2018, any unvested performance-based restricted common shares and restricted common share units will be forfeited.

The Compensation Committee approved the grant of an aggregate of 320,000 and 143,000 time-based restricted common share units on June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, to James C. Mastandrea and David K. Holeman.

A summary of the share-based incentive plan activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is as follows:
Shares
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2016
2,288,260

$
14.34

Granted
535,150

14.86

Vested
(547,403
)
14.41

Forfeited
(50,552
)
13.68

Non-vested at September 30, 2016
2,225,455

$
14.46

Available for grant at September 30, 2016
822,077


A summary of our non-vested and vested shares activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
Shares Granted
Shares Vested
Non-Vested Shares Issued
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Vested Shares
Total Vest-Date Fair Value
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
535,150

$
14.86

(547,403
)
$
7,890

Year Ended December 31, 2015
327,122

13.49

(348,786
)
4,969

Year Ended December 31, 2014
2,058,930

14.40

(133,774
)
1,721

Year Ended December 31, 2013
328,005

15.43

(15,270
)
224

Total compensation recognized in earnings for share-based payments was $3,042,000 and $1,859,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $6,886,000 and $5,202,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Based on our current financial projections, we expect approximately 83% of the unvested awards to vest over the next 30 months. As of September 30, 2016 , there was approximately $6.8 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested performance-based shares, which are expected to vest over a period of 30 months and approximately $6.4 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested time-based shares, which are expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 15 months beginning on October 1, 2016.


18
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

We expect to record approximately $9.8 million in non-cash share-based compensation expense in 2016 and $10.3 million subsequent to 2016. The unrecognized share-based compensation cost is expected to vest over a weighted average period of 20 months. The dilutive impact of the performance-based shares will be included in the denominator of the earnings per share calculation beginning in the period that the performance conditions are expected to be met.

12. GRANTS TO TRUSTEES

On December 21, 2015, each of our four independent trustees and one trustee emeritus was granted 1,500 common shares, which vested immediately. The 7,500 common shares granted to our trustees had a grant fair value of $12.10 per share. On December 21, 2015, one of our independent trustees elected to receive a total of 992 common shares with a grant date fair value of $12.10 in lieu of cash for board fees. The fair value of the shares granted were determined using quoted prices available on the date of grant.

13. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Historically, our management has not differentiated results of operations by property type or location and, therefore, does not present segment information.

14. REAL ESTATE

Property Acquisitions. On September 30, 2016, we acquired La Mirada and Seville, properties that meet our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for 621,053 OP units and $60.7 million in cash and net prorations. The OP units are redeemable for cash or, at our option, Whitestone REIT common shares on a one -for- one basis, subject to certain restrictions. La Mirada, a 147,209 square foot property, was 90% leased at the time of purchase. Seville, a 90,042 square foot property, was 88% leased at the time of purchase. Both properties are located in Scottsdale, Arizona.
On August 28, 2015, we acquired the hard corner at our Gilbert Tuscany Village property for approximately $1.7 million in cash and net prorations. The 14,603 square foot single-tenant property was vacant at the time of purchase and is located in Gilbert, Arizona.

On August 26, 2015, we acquired two parcels of undeveloped land totaling 3.12 acres for 120,000 OP units. The OP units are redeemable for cash or, at our option, for Whitestone REIT common shares on a one -for- one basis, subject to certain restrictions. The undeveloped land parcels are adjacent to our Keller Place property.

On August 26, 2015, we acquired Keller Place, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $12.0 million in cash and net prorations. The 93,541 square foot property was 92% leased at the time of purchase and is located in the Keller suburb of Fort Worth, Texas.

On August 26, 2015, we acquired Quinlan Crossing, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $37.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 109,892 square foot property was 95% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Austin, Texas.

On July 2, 2015, we acquired Parkside Village North, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $12.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 27,045 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Austin, Texas.

On July 2, 2015, we acquired Parkside Village South, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $32.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 90,101 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Austin, Texas.

On May 27, 2015, we acquired Davenport Village, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $45.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 128,934 square foot property was 85% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Austin, Texas.


19
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)

On March 31, 2015, we acquired City View Village, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $6.3 million in cash and net prorations. The 17,870 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in San Antonio, Texas.

Property Dispositions. On March 3, 2016, we completed the sale of Brookhill, located in Houston, Texas, for $3.1 million . This disposition was pursuant to our strategy of recycling capital by disposing of non-core properties, primarily properties that we owned at the time our current management team assumed the management of the Company, that do not fit our Community Centered Property™ strategy. We recorded a gain on sale of $1.9 million . The sale was structured as a like-kind exchange within the meaning of Section 1031 of the Code and sales proceeds were deposited into a Section 1031 exchange escrow account with a qualified intermediary and subsequently distributed for general corporate purposes. We have not included Brookhill in discontinued operations as it did not meet the definition of discontinued operations.

On February 17, 2016, we completed the sale of approximately 0.5 acres of our 4.5 acre Pinnacle Phase II development parcel, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $1.1 million . We recorded a gain on sale of $1.0 million .

Discontinued Operations. On December 31, 2014, we completed the sale of three office buildings (Zeta, Royal Crest and Featherwood), located in the Clear Lake suburb of Houston, Texas, for $10.3 million . This disposition was pursuant to our strategy of recycling capital by disposing of non-core properties that do not fit our Community Centered Property™ strategy. As part of the transaction, we provided short-term seller financing of $2.5 million . We recorded a gain on sale of $4.4 million , including recognizing a $1.9 million gain on sale for the year ended December 31, 2014 and deferring the remaining $2.5 million gain on sale to be recognized upon receipt of principal payments on the financing provided by us.

The operating results for properties classified as discontinued operations consists of the following (in thousands):

Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Property revenues
$
—

$
43

$
—

$
43

Property expenses
—

—

—

41

Depreciation and amortization
—

—

—

—

Interest expense
—

—

—

—

Provision for income taxes
—

—

—

—

Gain on sale or disposal of assets
—

(1
)
—

(1
)
Income from discontinued operations
$
—

$
44

$
—

$
3



20

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Report”), and the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 .  For more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the following information, you should read the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Report.

This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including discussion and analysis of our financial condition, anticipated capital expenditures required to complete projects, amounts of anticipated cash distributions to our shareholders in the future and other matters.  These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are the intent, belief or current expectations of our management based on its knowledge and understanding of our business and industry.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” or the negative of such terms and variations of these words and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements include these words.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements that were true at the time made may ultimately prove to be incorrect or false.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our management's view only as of the date of this Report.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made in this Report include:

•
the imposition of federal taxes if we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year or forego an opportunity to ensure REIT status;
•
uncertainties related to the national economy, the real estate industry in general and in our specific markets;
•
legislative or regulatory changes, including changes to laws governing REITs;
•
adverse economic or real estate developments in Texas, Arizona or Illinois;
•
increases in interest rates and operating costs;
•
availability and terms of capital and financing, both to fund our operations and to refinance our indebtedness as it matures;
•
decreases in rental rates or increases in vacancy rates;
•
litigation risks;
•
lease-up risks, including leasing risks arising from exclusivity and consent provisions in leases with significant tenants;
•
our ability to dispose of our non-core assets on attractive terms, on the time frame we expect, or at all;
•
our inability to renew tenants or obtain new tenants upon the expiration of existing leases;
•
our inability to generate sufficient cash flows due to market conditions, competition, uninsured losses, changes in tax or other applicable laws; and
•
the need to fund tenant improvements or other capital expenditures out of operating cash flow.
The forward-looking statements should be read in light of these factors and the factors identified in the “Risk Factors” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 , as previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and of this Report below.
Overview

We are a self-managed, fully-integrated real estate company that primarily owns, manages, and redevelops high quality retail properties, which we refer to as Community Centered Properties™. Our properties are located in attractive and affluent neighborhoods within high growth markets located primarily in the Sunbelt, such as Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix and San Antonio. We believe that gaining critical mass within these target markets, combined with our local market intelligence, existing platform, access to capital and broad network of industry relationships, gives us a competitive advantage and allows us to generate long-term return opportunities and added value for our shareholders.


21

In October 2006, our current management team joined the Company and adopted a strategic plan to acquire, redevelop, own and operate Community Centered Properties TM .  We market, lease and manage our centers to match tenants with the shared needs of the surrounding neighborhood.  Those needs may include specialty retail, grocery, restaurants, medical, educational and financial services, and entertainment.  Our goal is for each property to become a Whitestone-branded business center or retail community that serves a neighboring five-mile radius around our property.  We employ and develop a diverse group of associates who understand the needs of our multicultural communities and tenants.

We serve as the general partner of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), which was formed on December 31, 1998 as a Delaware limited partnership. We currently conduct substantially all of our operations and activities through the Operating Partnership. As the general partner of the Operating Partnership, we have the exclusive power to manage and conduct the business of the Operating Partnership, subject to certain customary exceptions.

As of September 30, 2016 , we owned and operated 71 commercial properties consisting of:

Operating Portfolio
•
48 retail properties containing approximately 4.2 million square feet of gross leasable area and having a total carrying value (net of accumulated depreciation) of $645.8 million ;
•
four office properties containing approximately 0.5 million square feet of gross leasable area and having a total carrying value (net of accumulated depreciation) of $35.9 million ; and
•
10 office/flex properties containing approximately 1.1 million square feet of gross leasable area and having a total carrying value (net of accumulated depreciation) of $35.1 million .
Redevelopment, New Acquisitions Portfolio
•
three retail properties containing approximately 0.2 million square feet of gross leasable area and having a total carrying value (net of accumulated depreciation) of $78.6 million ; and
•
six parcels of land held for future development having a total carrying value of $19.4 million .

As of September 30, 2016 , we had an aggregate of 1,561 tenants.  We have a diversified tenant base with our largest tenant comprising only 3.0% of our annualized rental revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .  Lease terms for our properties range from less than one year for smaller tenants to over 15 years for larger tenants.  Our leases generally include minimum monthly lease payments and tenant reimbursements for payment of taxes, insurance and maintenance.  We completed 336 new and renewal leases during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , totaling 863,936 square feet and approximately $57.1 million in total lease value.  This compares to 304 new and renewal leases totaling 707,993 square feet and approximately $42.8 million in total lease value during the same period in 2015 .

We employed 101 full-time employees as of September 30, 2016 .  As an internally managed REIT, we bear our own expenses of operations, including the salaries, benefits and other compensation of our employees, office expenses, legal, accounting and investor relations expenses and other overhead costs.

How We Derive Our Revenue
Substantially all of our revenue is derived from rents received from leases at our properties. We had rental income and tenant reimbursements of approximately $25.5 million and $24.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $76.1 million and $67.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.


22

Known Trends in Our Operations; Outlook for Future Results
Rental Income
We expect our rental income to increase year-over-year due to the addition of properties and rent increases on renewal leases. The amount of net rental income generated by our properties depends principally on our ability to maintain the occupancy rates of currently leased space and to lease currently available space, newly acquired properties with vacant space, and space available from unscheduled lease terminations. The amount of rental income we generate also depends on our ability to maintain or increase rental rates in our submarkets. Over the past two years, we have seen modest improvement in the overall economy in our markets, which has allowed us to maintain overall occupancy rates, with slight increases in occupancy at certain of our properties, and to recognize modest increases in rental rates. We expect this trend to continue in 2016.
Scheduled Lease Expirations
We tend to lease space to smaller businesses that desire shorter term leases. As of September 30, 2016 , approximately 21% of our gross leasable area was subject to leases that expire prior to December 31, 2017.  Over the last two years, we have renewed leases covering approximately 76% of the square footage subject to expiring leases. We routinely seek to renew leases with our existing tenants prior to their expiration and typically begin discussions with tenants as early as 18 months prior to the expiration date of the existing lease. While our early renewal program and other leasing and marketing efforts target these expiring leases, we hope to re-lease most of that space prior to expiration of the leases. In the markets in which we operate, we obtain and analyze market rental rates through review of third-party publications, which provide market and submarket rental rate data and through inquiry of property owners and property management companies as to rental rates being quoted at properties that are located in close proximity to our properties and we believe display similar physical attributes as our nearby properties. We use this data to negotiate leases with new tenants and renew leases with our existing tenants at rates we believe to be competitive in the markets for our individual properties. Due to the short term nature of our leases, and based upon our analysis of market rental rates, we believe that, in the aggregate, our current leases are at market rates. Market conditions, including new supply of properties, and macroeconomic conditions in our markets and nationally affecting tenant income, such as employment levels, business conditions, interest rates, tax rates, fuel and energy costs and other matters, could adversely impact our renewal rate and/or the rental rates we are able to negotiate. We continue to monitor our tenants' operating performances as well as overall economic trends to evaluate any future negative impact on our renewal rates and rental rates, which could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
Capital Recycling and Becoming a Pure-Play Retail REIT

We seek to continually upgrade our portfolio by opportunistically selling properties that do not have the potential to meet our Community Centered Property™ strategy. We previously announced our intention to recycle our non-core office and office/flex properties as we transition to becoming a pure-play owner of neighborhood retail centers. As of September 30, 2016 , our non-core assets had an aggregate carrying value (net of accumulated depreciation) of approximately $71.0 million .

Acquisitions
We have continued to successfully grow our gross leasable area through the acquisition of additional properties, and we expect to actively pursue and consummate additional acquisitions in the foreseeable future. We believe that over the next few years we will continue to have excellent opportunities to acquire quality properties at historically attractive prices. We have extensive relationships with community banks, attorneys, title companies and others in the real estate industry, which we believe enables us to take advantage of these market opportunities and maintain an active acquisition pipeline.
Property Acquisitions
We seek to acquire commercial properties in high-growth markets. Our acquisition targets are properties that fit our Community Centered Properties TM strategy.  We define Community Centered Properties TM as visibly located properties in established or developing, culturally diverse neighborhoods in our target markets, primarily in and around Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix and San Antonio.  We may acquire properties in other high-growth cities in the future. We market, lease and manage our centers to match tenants with the shared needs of the surrounding neighborhood.  Those needs may include specialty retail, grocery, restaurants, medical, educational and financial services and entertainment.  Our goal is for each property to become a Whitestone-branded business center or retail community that serves a neighboring five-mile radius around our property.


23

On September 30, 2016, we acquired La Mirada and Seville, properties that meet our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for 621,053 OP units and $60.7 million in cash and net prorations. The OP units are redeemable for cash or, at our option, Whitestone REIT common shares on a one -for- one basis, subject to certain restrictions. La Mirada, a 147,209 square foot property, was 90% leased at the time of purchase. Seville, a 90,042 square foot property, was 88% leased at the time of purchase. Both properties are located in Scottsdale, Arizona.

On August 28, 2015, we acquired the hard corner at our Gilbert Tuscany Village property for approximately $1.7 million in cash and net prorations. The 14,603 square foot single-tenant property was vacant at the time of purchase and is located in Gilbert, Arizona.

On August 26, 2015, we acquired two parcels of undeveloped land totaling 3.12 acres for 120,000 OP units. The OP units are redeemable for cash or, at our option, for Whitestone REIT common shares on a one -for- one basis, subject to certain restrictions. The undeveloped land parcels are adjacent to our Keller Place property.

On August 26, 2015, we acquired Keller Place, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $12.0 million in cash and net prorations. The 93,541 square foot property was 92% leased at the time of purchase and is located in the Keller suburb of Fort Worth, Texas.

On August 26, 2015, we acquired Quinlan Crossing, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $37.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 109,892 square foot property was 95% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Austin, Texas.

On July 2, 2015, we acquired Parkside Village North, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $12.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 27,045 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Austin, Texas.

On July 2, 2015, we acquired Parkside Village South, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $32.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 90,101 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Austin, Texas.

On May 27, 2015, we acquired Davenport Village, a property that meets our Community Centered Property™ strategy, for approximately $45.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 128,934 square foot property was 85% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Austin, Texas.

On March 31, 2015, we acquired City View Village, a property that meets our Community Centered Property TM strategy, for approximately $6.3 million in cash and net prorations. The 17,870 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in San Antonio, Texas.


24

Leasing Activity
As of September 30, 2016 , we owned 71 properties with 6,119,005 square feet of gross leasable area and our occupancy rate for all properties was approximately 87% and 86% occupied as of September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 , respectively. The following is a summary of the Company's leasing activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 :

Number of Leases Signed
GLA Signed
Weighted Average Lease Term (2)
TI and Incentives per Sq. Ft. (3)
Contractual Rent Per Sq. Ft (4)
Prior Contractual Rent Per Sq. Ft. (5)
Straight-lined Basis Increase Over Prior Rent
Comparable (1)
Renewal Leases
192

496,080

2.9

$
1.78

$
14.53

$
14.25

8.7
%
New Leases
38

76,196

4.5

5.81

15.29

15.24

9.1
%
Total
230

572,276

3.1

$
2.32

$
14.63

$
14.38

8.8
%
Number of Leases Signed
GLA Signed
Weighted Average Lease Term (2)
TI and Incentives per Sq. Ft. (3)
Contractual Rent Per Sq. Ft (4)
Non-Comparable
Renewal Leases
8

21,645

4.9

$
9.70

$
19.06

New Leases
98

310,286

5.3

12.65

14.44

Total
106

331,931

5.3

$
12.45

$
14.74


(1)
Comparable leases represent leases signed on spaces for which there was a former tenant within the last twelve months and the new or renewal square footage was within 25% of the expired square footage.

(2)
Weighted average lease term is determined on the basis of square footage.

(3)
Estimated amount per signed leases. Actual cost of construction may vary. Does not include first generation costs for tenant improvements (“TI”) and leasing commission costs needed for new acquisitions or redevelopment of a property to bring to operating standards for its intended use.

(4)
Contractual minimum rent under the new lease for the first month, excluding concessions.

(5)
Contractual minimum rent under the prior lease for the final month.

Contractual Expenditures

The following is a summary of the Company's capital expenditures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
2016
2015
Capital expenditures:
Tenant improvements and allowances
$
1,478

$
1,658

$
3,996

$
3,762

Developments / redevelopments
2,211

1,145

9,421

2,771

Leasing commissions and costs
1,004

607

2,015

1,177

Maintenance capital expenditures
756

142

1,945

1,421

Total capital expenditures
$
5,449

$
3,552

$
17,377

$
9,131



25

Critical Accounting Policies

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, we have made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates.  A summary of our critical accounting policies is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 , under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” There have been no significant changes to these policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .  For disclosure regarding recent accounting pronouncements and the anticipated impact they will have on our operations, please refer to Note 2 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 .


26

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
The following table provides a summary comparison of our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands, except per share and OP unit amounts):

Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Number of properties owned and operated
71

70

Aggregate gross leasable area (sq. ft.)
6,119,005

5,967,779

Ending occupancy rate - operating portfolio (1)
88
%
86
%
Ending occupancy rate - all properties
87
%
86
%
Total property revenues
$
25,508

$
24,599

Total property expenses
8,318

8,297

Total other expenses
16,172

14,503

Provision for income taxes
80

100

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
(26
)
148

Income from continuing operations
964

1,551

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
—

44

Net income
964

1,595

Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
15

25

Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
$
949

$
1,570

Funds from operations core (2)
$
9,812

$
9,452

Property net operating income (3)
17,190

16,302

Distributions paid on common shares and OP units
8,247

7,786

Distributions per common share and OP unit
$
0.2850

$
0.2850

Distributions paid as a percentage of funds from operations core
84
%
82
%

(1)
Excludes (i) new acquisitions, through the earlier of attainment of 90% occupancy or 18 months of ownership, and (ii) properties that are undergoing significant redevelopment or re-tenanting.

(2)
For a reconciliation of funds from operations core to net income, see “—Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Funds From Operations (“FFO”) Core” below.

(3)
For a reconciliation of property net operating income to net income, see “—Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Property Net Operating Income (“NOI”)” below.


27

Property revenues. We had rental income and tenant reimbursements of approximately $25,508,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to $24,599,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , an increase of $909,000 , or 4% . The three months ended September 30, 2016 included $489,000 in increased revenues from Non-Same Store operations. We define “Non-Same Stores” as properties that were not owned for the entire period being compared. For purposes of comparing the three months ended September 30, 2016 to the three months ended September 30, 2015 , Non-Same Stores include properties that were not owned for the entire period between July 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016. Same Store revenues increased $420,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in the prior year. We define “Same Stores” as properties that have been owned for the entire period being compared. For purposes of comparing the three months ended September 30, 2016 to the three months ended September 30, 2015 , Same Stores include properties owned during the entire period from July 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Same Store revenue increased $179,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 as the result of an increase in the average occupancy to 87.0% from 86.1% . The Same Store average revenue per leased square foot increased $0.20 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to $19.32 per leased square foot as compared to the average revenue per leased square foot of $19.12 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , resulting in an increase of Same Store revenues of $241,000 .

Property expenses. Our property expenses were approximately $8,318,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to $8,297,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , an increase of $21,000 , or 0% .  The primary components of total property expenses are detailed in the table below (in thousands, except percentages):

Three Months Ended September 30,
Overall Property Expenses
2016
2015
Change
% Change
Real estate taxes
$
3,414

$
3,474

$
(60
)
(2
)%
Utilities
1,354

1,338

16

1
%
Contract services
1,513

1,339

174

13
%
Repairs and maintenance
713

757

(44
)
(6
)%
Bad debt
535

541

(6
)
(1
)%
Labor and other
789

848

(59
)
(7
)%
Total property expenses
$
8,318

$
8,297

$
21

—
%

Three Months Ended September 30,
Same Store Property Expenses
2016
2015
Change
% Change
Real estate taxes
$
2,972

$
3,078

$
(106
)
(3
)%
Utilities
1,281

1,320

(39
)
(3
)%
Contract services
1,439

1,302

137

11
%
Repairs and maintenance
701

738

(37
)
(5
)%
Bad debt
471

507

(36
)
(7
)%
Labor and other
759

783

(24
)
(3
)%
Total property expenses
$
7,623

$
7,728

$
(105
)
(1
)%

Three Months Ended September 30,
Non-Same Store Property Expenses
2016
2015
Change
% Change
Real estate taxes
$
442

$
396

$
46

Not meaningful
Utilities
73

18

55

Not meaningful
Contract services
74

37

37

Not meaningful
Repairs and maintenance
12

19

(7
)
Not meaningful
Bad debt
64

34

30

Not meaningful
Labor and other
30

65

(35
)
Not meaningful
Total property expenses
$
695

$
569

$
126

Not meaningful


28

Real estate taxes. Real estate taxes decreased approximately $60,000 , or 2% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Real estate taxes for Non-Same Store properties increased approximately $46,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 . Same Store real estate taxes decreased approximately $106,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The decrease in Same Store real estate tax expense was primarily attributable to favorable settlements with tax authorities resulting in a larger expense reduction for refunds during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015. We actively work to keep our valuations and resulting taxes low because a majority of these taxes are charged to our tenants through triple net leases, and we strive to keep these charges to our tenants as low as possible.

Utilities. Utilities expenses increased approximately $16,000 , or 1% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Utilities expense increases attributable to Non-Same Store properties were approximately $55,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 . Same Store utilities expenses decreased approximately $39,000 , or 3% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 .

Contract services. Contract services expenses increased approximately $174,000 , or 13% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The increase in contract service expenses included $37,000 in increases for Non-Same Store properties for the three months ended September 30, 2016 . Same Store contract service expenses increased approximately $137,000 , or 11% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The Same Store contract service expense increase of $137,000 was primarily attributable to increased security and security monitoring on several of our properties.
Repairs and maintenance. Repairs and maintenance expenses decreased approximately $44,000 , or 6% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Repairs and maintenance expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 included approximately $7,000 in decreases for Non-Same Store properties. Same Store repairs and maintenance expenses decreased approximately $37,000 , or 5% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 .
Bad debt. Bad debt expenses decreased approximately $6,000 , or 1% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Bad debt expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 included approximately $30,000 in increases for Non-Same Store properties. Same Store bad debt decreased approximately $36,000 , or 7% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 .

Labor and other. Labor and other expenses decreased approximately $59,000 , or 7% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Labor and other expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 included approximately $35,000 in decreased cost for Non-Same Store properties. Same Store labor and other expenses decreased approximately $24,000 , or 3% , during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 .

29


Same Store and Non-Same Store net operating income. The components of Same Store, Non-Same Store and total property net operating income and net income are detailed in the table below (in thousands):

Three Months Ended September 30,
Percent
2016
2015
Change
Change
Same Store (58 properties, exclusive of land held for development)
Property revenues
Rental revenues
$
18,225

$
17,602

$
623

4
%
Other revenues
5,066

5,269

(203
)
(4
)%
Total property revenues
23,291

22,871

420

2
%
Property expenses
Property operation and maintenance
4,651

4,650

1

Not meaningful

Real estate taxes
2,972

3,078

(106
)
(3
)%
Total property expenses
7,623

7,728

(105
)
(1
)%
Total Same Store net operating income
15,668

15,143

525

3
%
Non-Same Store (7 properties, exclusive of land held for development)
Property revenues
Rental revenues
1,619

1,183

436

Not meaningful

Other revenues
598

545

53

Not meaningful

Total property revenues
2,217

1,728

489

Not meaningful

Property expenses
Property operation and maintenance
253

173

80

Not meaningful

Real estate taxes
442

396

46

Not meaningful

Total property expenses
695

569

126

Not meaningful

Total Non-Same Store net operating income
1,522

1,159

363

Not meaningful

Total property net operating income
17,190

16,302

888

5
%
Less total other expenses, provision for income taxes, gain on sale of properties and loss on disposal of assets
16,226

14,751

1,475

10
%
Income from continuing operations
964

1,551

(587
)
(38
)%
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
—

44

(44
)
(100
)%
Net income
$
964

$
1,595

$
(631
)
(40
)%


30


Other expenses. Our other expenses were approximately $16,172,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , as compared to $14,503,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , an increase of $1,669,000 , or 12% .  The primary components of other expenses are detailed in the table below (in thousands, except percentages):

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2016
2015
Change
% Change
General and administrative
$
6,218

$
5,687

$
531

9
%
Depreciation and amortization
5,449

5,149

300

6
%
Interest expense
4,669

3,740

929

25
%
Interest, dividend and other investment income
(164
)
(73
)
(91
)
125
%
Total other expenses
$
16,172

$
14,503

$
1,669

12
%

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased approximately $531,000 , or 9% , for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The increase was comprised of $1,183,000 in increased share-based compensation expense, $270,000 in increased salaries and benefits , and offset by $391,000 in decreased acquisition transaction expenses , $521,000 in decreased legal fees and $10,000 in decreased other expenses .

Total compensation recognized in earnings for share-based payments was $3,042,000 and $1,859,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Based on our current financial projections, we expect approximately 83% of the unvested awards to vest over the next 30 months. As of September 30, 2016 , there was approximately $6.8 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested performance-based shares, which are expected to vest over a period of 30 months and approximately $6.4 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested time-based shares, which are expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 15 months beginning on October 1, 2016.

We expect to record approximately $9.8 million in non-cash share-based compensation expense in 2016 and $10.3 million subsequent to 2016. The unrecognized share-based compensation cost is expected to vest over a weighted average period of 20 months. The dilutive impact of the performance-based shares will be included in the denominator of the earnings per share calculation beginning in the period that the performance conditions are expected to be met.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $300,000 , or 6% , for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Depreciation for improvements to Same Store properties increased $91,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Lease commission amortization and depreciation of corporate assets increased $55,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Depreciation for Non-Same Store properties increased $154,000 .

Interest expense. Interest expense increased approximately $929,000 , or 25% , for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The increase in interest expense is comprised of approximately $579,000 in increased interest expense resulting from a $75,835,000 increase in our average notes payable balance, $337,000 in increased interest expense resulting from an increase in the average effective interest rate on our average notes payable from 3.05% to 3.31% and an increase in amortized loan fees included in interest expense of $13,000.

Interest, dividend and other investment income. Interest, dividend and other investment income increased approximately $91,000 , or 125% , for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The increase in interest, dividend and other investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 is comprised of approximately $92,000 in increased interest income and was offset by a $1,000 decrease in dividend income.






31

The primary components of discontinued operations are detailed in the table below (in thousands):

Three Months Ended
September 30,
2016
2015
Property revenues
Rental revenues
$
—

$
43

Other revenues
—

—

Total property revenues
—

43

Property expenses
Property operation and maintenance
—

—

Real estate taxes
—

—

Total property expenses
—

—

Other expenses
Interest expense
—

—

Depreciation and amortization
—

—

Total other expense
—

—

Income before loss on disposal of assets and income taxes
—

43

Provision for income taxes
—

—

Gain on sale or disposal of property or assets in discontinued operations
—

1

Income from discontinued operations
$
—

$
44





32

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
The following table provides a summary comparison of our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands, except per share and OP unit amounts):

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Number of properties owned and operated
71

70

Aggregate gross leasable area (sq. ft.)
6,119,005

5,967,779

Ending occupancy rate - operating portfolio (1)
88
%
86
%
Ending occupancy rate - all properties
87
%
86
%
Total property revenues
$
76,072

$
67,821

Total property expenses
24,453

22,548

Total other expenses
46,711

39,978

Provision for income taxes
247

274

Gain on sale of properties
(2,890
)
—

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
(10
)
248

Income from continuing operations
7,561

4,773

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
—

3

Net income
7,561

4,776

Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
131

78

Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
$
7,430

$
4,698

Funds from operations core (2)
$
28,732

$
26,099

Property net operating income (3)
51,619

45,273

Distributions paid on common shares and OP units
24,021

21,137

Distributions per common share and OP unit
$
0.8550

$
0.8550

Distributions paid as a percentage of funds from operations core
84
%
81
%

(1)
Excludes (i) new acquisitions, through the earlier of attainment of 90% occupancy or 18 months of ownership, and (ii) properties that are undergoing significant redevelopment or re-tenanting.

(2)
For a reconciliation of funds from operations core to net income, see “—Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Funds From Operations (“FFO”) Core” below.

(3)
For a reconciliation of property net operating income to net income, see “—Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Property Net Operating Income (“NOI”)” below.


33

Property revenues. We had rental income and tenant reimbursements of approximately $76,072,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to $67,821,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , an increase of $8,251,000 , or 12% . The nine months ended September 30, 2016 included $6,697,000 in increased revenues from Non-Same Store operations. We define “Non-Same Stores” as properties that were not owned for the entire period being compared. For purposes of comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , Non-Same Stores include properties that were not owned during the entire period from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Same Store revenues increased $1,554,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in the prior year. We define “Same Stores” as properties that have been owned for the entire period being compared. For purposes of comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , Same Stores include properties that were owned for the entire period from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Same Store revenue increased $425,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as the result of an increase in the average occupancy to 87.1% from 86.3% . The Same Store average revenue per leased square foot increased $0.32 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $18.61 per leased square foot as compared to the average revenue per leased square foot of $18.29 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , resulting in an increase of Same Store revenues of $1,129,000 .

Property expenses. Our property expenses were approximately $24,453,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to $22,548,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , an increase of $1,905,000 , or 8% .  The primary components of total property expenses are detailed in the table below (in thousands, except percentages):

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Overall Property Expenses
2016
2015
Change
% Change
Real estate taxes
$
10,072

$
9,303

$
769

8
%
Utilities
3,590

3,518

72

2
%
Contract services
4,507

3,847

660

17
%
Repairs and maintenance
2,445

2,098

347

17
%
Bad debt
1,298

1,342

(44
)
(3
)%
Labor and other
2,541

2,440

101

4
%
Total property expenses
$
24,453

$
22,548

$
1,905

8
%

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Same Store Property Expenses
2016
2015
Change
% Change
Real estate taxes
$
8,124

$
8,512

$
(388
)
(5
)%
Utilities
3,269

3,379

(110
)
(3
)%
Contract services
4,095

3,719

376

10
%
Repairs and maintenance
2,326

2,030

296

15
%
Bad debt
921

1,214

(293
)
(24
)%
Labor and other
2,308

2,361

(53
)
(2
)%
Total property expenses
$
21,043

$
21,215

$
(172
)
(1
)%

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Non-Same Store Property Expenses
2016
2015
Change
% Change
Real estate taxes
$
1,948

$
791

$
1,157

Not meaningful
Utilities
321

139

182

Not meaningful
Contract services
412

128

284

Not meaningful
Repairs and maintenance
119

68

51

Not meaningful
Bad debt
377

128

249

Not meaningful
Labor and other
233

79

154

Not meaningful
Total property expenses
$
3,410

$
1,333

$
2,077

Not meaningful

34


Real estate taxes. Real estate taxes increased approximately $769,000 , or 8% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Real estate taxes for Non-Same Store properties increased approximately $1,157,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Same Store real estate taxes decreased approximately $388,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The decrease in Same Store real estate tax expense was primarily attributable to favorable settlements with tax authorities resulting in a larger expense reduction for refunds and lower valuations during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015. We actively work to keep our valuations and resulting taxes low because a majority of these taxes are charged to our tenants through triple net leases, and we strive to keep these charges to our tenants as low as possible.

Utilities. Utilities expenses increased approximately $72,000 , or 2% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Utilities expense increases attributable to Non-Same Store properties were approximately $182,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Same Store utilities expenses decreased approximately $110,000 , or 3% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 .

Contract services. Contract services expenses increased approximately $660,000 , or 17% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The increase in contract service expenses included $284,000 in increases for Non-Same Store properties for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Same Store contract service expenses increased approximately $376,000 , or 10% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The Same Store contract service expense increase of $376,000 was primarily attributable to increased security and security monitoring on several of our properties.
Repairs and maintenance. Repairs and maintenance expenses increased approximately $347,000 , or 17% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Repairs and maintenance expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 included approximately $51,000 in increases for Non-Same Store properties. Same Store repairs and maintenance expenses increased approximately $296,000 , or 15% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The Same Store increase in repairs and maintenance was primarily attributable to routine parking lot surface and life safety system repairs.
Bad debt. Bad debt expenses decreased approximately $44,000 , or 3% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Bad debt expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 included approximately $249,000 in increases for Non-Same Store properties. Same Store bad debt decreased approximately $293,000 , or 24% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 .

Labor and other. Labor and other expenses increased approximately $101,000 , or 4% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Labor and other expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 included approximately $154,000 in increased cost for Non-Same Store properties. Same Store labor and other expenses decreased approximately $53,000 , or 2% , during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 .

35


Same Store and Non-Same Store net operating income. The components of Same Store, Non-Same Store and total property net operating income and net income are detailed in the table below (in thousands):

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Percent
2016
2015
Change
Change
Same Store (56 properties, exclusive of land held for development)
Property revenues
Rental revenues
$
51,344

$
49,895

$
1,449

3
%
Other revenues
14,275

14,170

105

1
%
Total property revenues
65,619

64,065

1,554

2
%
Property expenses
Property operation and maintenance
12,916

12,703

213

2
%
Real estate taxes
8,127

8,512

(385
)
(5
)%
Total property expenses
21,043

21,215

(172
)
(1
)%
Total Same Store net operating income
44,576

42,850

1,726

4
%
Non-Same Store (9 properties, exclusive of land held for development)
Property revenues
Rental revenues
7,571

2,531

5,040

Not meaningful

Other revenues
2,882

1,225

1,657

Not meaningful

Total property revenues
10,453

3,756

6,697

Not meaningful

Property expenses
Property operation and maintenance
1,465

542

923

Not meaningful

Real estate taxes
1,945

791

1,154

Not meaningful

Total property expenses
3,410

1,333

2,077

Not meaningful

Total Non-Same Store net operating income
7,043

2,423

4,620

Not meaningful

Total property net operating income
51,619

45,273

6,346

14
%
Less total other expenses, provision for income taxes, gain on sale of properties and loss on disposal of assets
44,058

40,500

3,558

9
%
Income from continuing operations
7,561

4,773

2,788

58
%
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
—

3

(3
)
(100
)%
Net income
$
7,561

$
4,776

$
2,785

58
%


36


Other expenses. Our other expenses were approximately $46,711,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , as compared to $39,978,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , an increase of $6,733,000 , or 17% .  The primary components of other expenses are detailed in the table below (in thousands, except percentages):

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2016
2015
Change
% Change
General and administrative
$
16,467

$
15,170

$
1,297

9
%
Depreciation and amortization
16,362

14,388

1,974

14
%
Interest expense
14,221

10,664

3,557

33
%
Interest, dividend and other investment income
(339
)
(244
)
(95
)
39
%
Total other expenses
$
46,711

$
39,978

$
6,733

17
%

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased approximately $1,297,000 , or 9% , for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The increase was comprised of $1,684,000 in increased share-based compensation expense, $707,000 in increased salaries and benefits and was offset by $202,000 in decreased legal fees , $801,000 in decreased acquisition transaction expenses and $91,000 in decreased other expenses.

Total compensation recognized in earnings for share-based payments was $6,886,000 and $5,202,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Based on our current financial projections, we expect approximately 83% of the unvested awards to vest over the next 30 months. As of September 30, 2016 , there was approximately $6.8 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested performance-based shares, which are expected to vest over a period of 30 months and approximately $6.4 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested time-based shares, which are expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 15 months beginning on October 1, 2016.

We expect to record approximately $9.8 million in non-cash share-based compensation expense in 2016 and $10.3 million subsequent to 2016. The unrecognized share-based compensation cost is expected to vest over a weighted average period of 20 months. The dilutive impact of the performance-based shares will be included in the denominator of the earnings per share calculation beginning in the period that the performance conditions are expected to be met.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $1,974,000 , or 14% , for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Depreciation for improvements to Same Store properties increased $247,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Lease commission amortization and depreciation of corporate assets increased $225,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . Depreciation for Non-Same Store properties increased $1,502,000 .

Interest expense. Interest expense increased approximately $3,557,000 , or 33% , for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The increase in interest expense is comprised of approximately $2,073,000 in increased interest expense resulting from a $90,213,000 increase in our average notes payable balance, $1,442,000 in increased interest expense resulting from an increase in the average effective interest rate on our average notes payable from 3.06% to 3.44% and an increase in amortized loan fees included in interest expense of $42,000.

Interest, dividend and other investment income. Interest, dividend and other investment income increased approximately $95,000 , or 39% , for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 . The increase in interest, dividend and other investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 was comprised of approximately $141,000 in increased interest income and was offset by a decrease of $44,000 in gains realized from the sale of available-for-sale securities and a $2,000 decrease in dividend income.

37

Property Dispositions. On March 3, 2016, we completed the sale of Brookhill, located in Houston, Texas, for $3.1 million . This disposition was pursuant to our strategy of recycling capital by disposing of non-core properties, primarily properties that we owned at the time our current management team assumed the management of the Company, that do not fit our Community Centered Property™ strategy. We recorded a gain on sale of $1.9 million . The sale was structured as a like-kind exchange within the meaning of Section 1031 of the Code and sales proceeds were deposited into a Section 1031 exchange escrow account with a qualified intermediary and may be used as consideration for future acquisitions. We have not included Brookhill in discontinued operations as it did not meet the definition of discontinued operations.

On February 17, 2016, we completed the sale of approximately 0.5 acres of our 4.5 acre Pinnacle Phase II development parcel, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $1.1 million . We recorded a gain on sale of $1.0 million .

The primary components of discontinued operations are detailed in the table below (in thousands):

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
2015
Property revenues
Rental revenues
$
—

$
43

Other revenues
—

—

Total property revenues
—

43

Property expenses
Property operation and maintenance
—

41

Real estate taxes
—

—

Total property expenses
—

41

Other expenses
Interest expense
—

—

Depreciation and amortization
—

—

Total other expense
—

—

Income before loss on disposal of assets and income taxes
—

2

Provision for income taxes
—

—

Gain on sale or disposal of property or assets in discontinued operations
—

1

Income from discontinued operations
$
—

$
3





38

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Funds From Operations (“FFO”)
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines FFO as net income (loss) available to common shareholders computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding gains or losses from sales of operating real estate assets, impairment charges on properties held for investment and extraordinary items, plus depreciation and amortization of operating properties, including our share of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships.  We calculate FFO in a manner consistent with the NAREIT definition.
Management uses FFO as a supplemental measure to conduct and evaluate our business because there are certain limitations associated with using U.S. GAAP net income (loss) alone as the primary measure of our operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time.  Because real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, management believes that the presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting is insufficient by itself.  In addition, securities analysts, investors and other interested parties use FFO as the primary metric for comparing the relative performance of equity REITs.

FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measurements under U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of our operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as a measure of liquidity.  FFO does not reflect working capital changes, cash expenditures for capital improvements or principal payments on indebtedness. Although our calculation of FFO is consistent with that of NAREIT, there can be no assurance that FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs.

Funds From Operations Core (“FFO Core”)

Management believes that the computation of FFO in accordance with NAREIT's definition includes certain items
that are not indicative of the results provided by our operating portfolio and affect the comparability of our period-over-period performance. These items include, but are not limited to, legal settlements, non-cash share-based compensation expense, rent support agreement payments received from sellers on acquired assets and acquisition costs. Therefore, in addition to FFO, management uses FFO Core, which we define to exclude such items. Management believes that these adjustments are appropriate in determining FFO Core as they are not indicative of the operating performance of our assets. In addition, we believe that FFO Core is a useful supplemental measure for the investing community to use in comparing us to other REITs as many REITs provide some form of adjusted or modified FFO. However, there can be no assurance that FFO Core presented by us is comparable to the adjusted or modified FFO of other REITs.

Below are the calculations of FFO and FFO Core and the reconciliations to net income, which we believe is the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
FFO AND FFO CORE
2016
2015
2016
2015
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
$
949

$
1,570

$
7,430

$
4,698

Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets
5,405

5,121

16,195

14,304

(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets and properties
(26
)
148

(2,900
)
248

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
15

25

131

78

FFO
6,343

6,864

20,856

19,328

Non cash share-based compensation expense
3,042

1,859

6,886

5,202

Acquisition costs
427

729

990

1,569

FFO Core
$
9,812

$
9,452

$
28,732

$
26,099





39

Property Net Operating Income (“NOI”)

Management believes that NOI is a useful measure of our property operating performance and is useful to securities analysts in estimating the relative net asset values of REITs. We define NOI as operating revenues (rental and other revenues) less property and related expenses (property operation and maintenance and real estate taxes). Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating NOI and, accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to other REITs. Because NOI excludes general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, involuntary conversion, interest expense, interest income, provision for income taxes and gain or loss on sale or disposition of assets, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, reflects the revenues and expenses directly associated with owning and operating commercial real estate properties and the impact to operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income. We use NOI to evaluate our operating performance since NOI allows us to evaluate the impact that factors such as occupancy levels, lease structure, lease rates and tenant base have on our results, margins and returns. In addition, management believes that NOI provides useful information to the investment community about our property and operating performance when compared to other REITs since NOI is generally recognized as a standard measure of property performance in the real estate industry. However, NOI should not be viewed as a measure of our overall financial performance since it does not reflect general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, involuntary conversion, interest expense, interest income, provision for income taxes and gain or loss on sale or disposition of assets, the level of capital expenditures and leasing costs necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties.

Below is the calculation of NOI and the reconciliations to net income, which we believe is the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure (in thousands):

Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
PROPERTY NET OPERATING INCOME
2016
2015
2016
2015
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
$
949

$
1,570

$
7,430

$
4,698

General and administrative expenses
6,218

5,687

16,467

15,170

Depreciation and amortization
5,449

5,149

16,362

14,388

Interest expense
4,669

3,740

14,221

10,664

Interest, dividend and other investment income
(164
)
(73
)
(339
)
(244
)
Provision for income taxes
80

100

247

274

Gain on sale of properties
—

—

(2,890
)
—

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
(26
)
148

(10
)
248

Income from discontinued operations
—

(44
)
—

(3
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
15

25

131

78

NOI
$
17,190

$
16,302

$
51,619

$
45,273


Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of distributions to holders of our common shares and OP units, including those required to maintain our REIT status and satisfy our current quarterly distribution target of $0.2850 per share and OP unit, recurring expenditures, such as repairs and maintenance of our properties, non-recurring expenditures, such as capital improvements and tenant improvements, debt service requirements, and, potentially, acquisitions of additional properties.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , our cash provided from operating activities was $27,993,000 and our total distributions were $24,021,000 .  Therefore, we had cash flow from operations in excess of distributions of approximately $3,972,000 . We anticipate that cash flows from operating activities and our borrowing capacity under our unsecured revolving credit facility will provide adequate capital for our working capital requirements, anticipated capital expenditures and scheduled debt payments in the short term. We also believe that cash flows from operating activities and our borrowing capacity will allow us to make all distributions required for us to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.


40

Our long-term capital requirements consist primarily of maturities under our longer-term debt agreements, development and redevelopment costs, and potential acquisitions. We expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements with net cash from operations, long-term indebtedness, sales of common shares, issuance of OP units, sales of underperforming properties and non-core properties and other financing opportunities, including debt financing. We believe we have access to multiple sources of capital to fund our long-term liquidity requirements, including the incurrence of additional debt and the issuance of additional equity. However, our ability to incur additional debt will be dependent on a number of factors, including our degree of leverage, the value of our unencumbered assets and borrowing restrictions that may be imposed by lenders. Our ability to access the equity markets will be dependent on a number of factors as well, including general market conditions for REITs and market perceptions about our Company.

We expect that our rental income will increase as we continue to acquire additional properties, subsequently increasing our cash flows generated from operating activities. We intend to continue acquiring such additional properties that meet our Community Centered Property™ strategy through equity issuances and debt financing.

As discussed in Note 10 (Equity) to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, on June 26, 2015, we completed the sale of 3,750,000 common shares at a purchase price of $13.3386 per share. Total net proceeds from the offering, after deducting offering expenses, were approximately $49.7 million, which we contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP units. The Operating Partnership used the net proceeds from this offering to repay a portion of the Facility and for general corporate purposes. In addition, on June 4, 2015, we entered into the 2015 equity distribution agreements, as discussed in Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2015 equity distribution agreements, we can issue and sell up to an aggregate of $50 million of our common shares into the existing trading market at current market prices or at negotiated prices through the placement agents over a period of time and from time to time. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 , we sold 1,083,926 common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds to us of approximately $16.1 million . In connection with such sales, we paid compensation of approximately $0.2 million to the sales agents. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we sold 1,819,681 common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds to us of approximately $26.7 million . In connection with such sales, we paid compensation of approximately $0.4 million to the sales agents. We had not sold any common shares under the 2015 equity distribution agreements as of September 30, 2015 . We have used and anticipate using net proceeds from common shares issued pursuant to the 2015 equity distribution agreements for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions of additional properties, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, capital expenditures, the expansion, redevelopment and/or re-tenanting of properties in our portfolio, working capital and other general purposes.

Our capital structure includes non-recourse mortgage debt that we have assumed or originated on certain properties. We may hedge the future cash flows of certain variable rate debt transactions principally through interest rate swaps with major financial institutions. See Note 7 (Derivatives and Hedging Activities) to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a description of our current cash flow hedges.

As discussed in Note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, pursuant to the terms of our $15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024 (see Note 6 (Debt) to the accompanying consolidated financial statements), which is collateralized by our Anthem Marketplace property, we were required by the lenders thereunder to establish a cash management account controlled by the lenders to collect all amounts generated by our Anthem Marketplace property in order to collateralize such promissory note. Amounts in the cash management account are classified as restricted cash.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $8,786,000 as of September 30, 2016 , as compared to $2,587,000 on December 31, 2015 .  The increase of $6,199,000 was primarily the result of the following:
Sources of Cash
•
Cash flow from operations of $27,993,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 ;

•
Net proceeds of $64,000,000 from the Facility;

•
Net proceeds of $26,686,000 from issuance of common shares;

•
Change in restricted cash of $18,000 ;

41


•
Proceeds of $3,957,000 from sales of properties;

Uses of Cash

•
Payment of distributions to common shareholders and OP unit holders of $24,021,000 ;

•
Additions to real estate of $15,362,000 ;

•
Acquisitions of real estate of $60,616,000 ;

•
Repurchase of common shares of $2,904,000 ; and

•
Payments of notes payable of $13,552,000 .

We place all cash in short-term, highly liquid investments that we believe provide appropriate safety of principal.

Debt

Debt consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):
Description
September 30, 2016
December 31, 2015
Fixed rate notes
$10.5 million, LIBOR plus 2.00% Note, due September 24, 2018 (1)
$
10,040

$
10,220

$50.0 million, 0.84% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due October 30, 2020 (2)
50,000

50,000

$50.0 million, 1.50% plus 1.35% to 1.90% Note, due January 29, 2021 (3)
50,000

50,000

$100.0 million, 1.73% plus 1.65% to 2.25% Note, due October 30, 2022 (4)
100,000

100,000

$37.0 million 3.76% Note, due December 1, 2020
34,414

35,146

$6.5 million 3.80% Note, due January 1, 2019
6,063

6,190

$19.0 million 4.15% Note, due December 1, 2024
19,000

19,000

$20.2 million 4.28% Note, due June 6, 2023
19,794

20,040

$14.0 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024
14,000

14,000

$14.3 million 4.34% Note, due September 11, 2024
14,300

14,300

$16.5 million 4.97% Note, due September 26, 2023
16,357

16,450

$15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024
15,060

15,060

$9.2 million, Prime Rate less 2.00% Note, due December 29, 2017 (5)
7,873

7,886

$2.6 million 5.46% Note, due October 1, 2023
2,522

2,550

$11.1 million 5.87% Note, due August 6, 2016
—

11,305

$1.1 million 2.97% Note, due November 28, 2016
212

—

Floating rate notes
Unsecured line of credit, LIBOR plus 1.40% to 1.95%, due October 30, 2019
191,600

127,600

Total notes payable principal
551,235

499,747

Less deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization
(1,564
)
(1,792
)
$
549,671

$
497,955


(1)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate at 3.55% for the duration of the term.

(2)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 1 (as defined below) at 0.84% through February 3, 2017 and 1.75% beginning February 3, 2017 through October 30, 2020.

(3)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 2 (as defined below) at 1.50% .


42

(4)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the LIBOR portion of Term Loan 3 (as defined below) at 1.73% ,

(5)
Promissory note includes an interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate at 5.72% for the duration of the term. As part of our acquisition of Paradise Plaza in August 2012, we recorded a discount on the note of $1.3 million , which amortizes into interest expense over the life of the loan and results in an imputed interest rate of 4.13% .

On November 7, 2014, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2014 Facility”) with the lenders party thereto, with BMO Capital Markets, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and U.S. Bank, National Association, as co-lead arrangers and joint book runners, and Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent (the “Agent”). The 2014 Facility amended and restated our previous unsecured revolving credit facility. On October 30, 2015, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into the First Amendment to the 2014 Facility (the “First Amendment”) with the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and the Agent. We refer to the 2014 Facility, as amended by the First Amendment, as the “Facility.”

Pursuant to the First Amendment, the Company made the following amendments to the 2014 Facility:

•
extended the maturity date of the $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility under the 2014 Facility (the “Revolver”) to October 30, 2019 from November 7, 2018;

•
converted $100 million of outstanding borrowings under the Revolver to a new $100 million unsecured term loan under the 2014 Facility (“Term Loan 3”) with a maturity date of October 30, 2022;

•
extended the maturity date of the first $50 million unsecured term loan under the 2014 Facility (“Term Loan 1”) to October 30, 2020 from February 17, 2017; and

•
extended the maturity date of the second $50 million unsecured term loan under the 2014 Facility (“Term Loan 2” and together with Term Loan 1 and Term Loan 3, the “Term Loans”) to January 29, 2021 from November 7, 2019.
Borrowings under the Facility accrue interest (at the Operating Partnership's option) at a Base Rate or an Adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin based upon our then existing leverage. The applicable margin for Adjusted LIBOR borrowings ranges from 1.40% to 1.95% for the Revolver and 1.35% to 2.25% for the Term Loans. Base Rate means the higher of: (a) the Agent's prime commercial rate, (b) the sum of (i) the average rate quoted by the Agent by two or more federal funds brokers selected by the Agent for sale to the Agent at face value of federal funds in the secondary market in an amount equal or comparable to the principal amount for which such rate is being determined, plus (ii) 1/2 of 1.00% , and (c) the LIBOR rate for such day plus 1.00% . Adjusted LIBOR means LIBOR divided by one minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage means the maximum reserve percentage at which reserves are imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on eurocurrency liabilities.

We serve as the guarantor for funds borrowed by the Operating Partnership under the Facility. The Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting requirements, maximum secured indebtedness to total asset value, minimum EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary items) to fixed charges, and maintenance of a minimum net worth. The Facility also contains customary events of default with customary notice and cure, including, without limitation, nonpayment, breach of covenant, misrepresentation of representations and warranties in a material respect, cross-default to other major indebtedness, change of control, bankruptcy and loss of REIT tax status.

The Facility includes an accordion feature that will allow the Operating Partnership to increase the borrowing capacity to $700 million , upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. As of September 30, 2016 , $391.6 million was drawn on the Facility, and our remaining borrowing capacity was $108.4 million . Proceeds from the Facility were used for general corporate purposes, including property acquisitions, debt repayment, capital expenditures, the expansion, redevelopment and retenanting of properties in our portfolio and working capital. We intend to use the additional proceeds from the Facility for general corporate purposes, including property acquisitions, debt repayment, capital expenditure, the expansion, redevelopment and re-tenanting of properties in our portfolio and working capital.

As of September 30, 2016 , our $159.4 million in secured debt was collateralized by 19 properties with a carrying value of $191.2 million .  Our loans contain restrictions that would require the payment of prepayment penalties for the acceleration of outstanding debt and are secured by deeds of trust on certain of our properties and by assignment of the rents and leases associated with those properties.  As of September 30, 2016 , we were in compliance with all loan covenants.


43

Scheduled maturities of our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2016 were as follows (in thousands):
Year
Amount Due
2016
$
765

2017
10,213

2018
12,136

2019
199,649

2020
82,827

Thereafter
245,645

Total
$
551,235


Capital Expenditures
We continually evaluate our properties’ performance and value. We may determine it is in our shareholders’ best interest to invest capital in properties that we believe have potential for increasing value. We also may have unexpected capital expenditures or improvements for our existing assets. Additionally, we intend to continue investing in similar properties outside of the markets on which we focus in cities with exceptional demographics to diversify market risk, and we may incur significant capital expenditures or make improvements in connection with any properties we may acquire.

Contractual Obligations

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , there were no material changes outside of the ordinary course of business to the information regarding specified contractual obligations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 .

Distributions
The following table summarizes the cash distributions paid or payable to holders of our common shares and noncontrolling OP units during each quarter during 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (in thousands, except per share data):

Common Shares
Noncontrolling OP Unit Holders
Total
Quarter Paid
Distributions Per Common Share
Amount Paid
Distributions Per OP Unit
Amount Paid
Amount Paid
2016
Third Quarter
$
0.2850

$
8,109

$
0.2850

$
138

$
8,247

Second Quarter
0.2850

7,786

0.2850

138

7,924

First Quarter
0.2850

7,711

0.2850

139

7,850

Total
$
0.8550

$
23,606

$
0.8550

$
415

$
24,021

2015
Fourth Quarter
$
0.2850

$
7,666

$
0.2850

$
143

$
7,809

Third Quarter
0.2850

7,664

0.2850

122

7,786

Second Quarter
0.2850

6,601

0.2850

111

6,712

First Quarter
0.2850

6,526

0.2850

113

6,639

Total
$
1.1400

$
28,457

$
1.1400

$
489

$
28,946



44

Taxes
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 1999.  As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute to our shareholders.  If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates.  We believe that we are organized and operate in a manner to qualify and be taxed as a REIT, and we intend to operate so as to remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

Income earned by our taxable REIT subsidiary, Whitestone Davenport TRS LLC (“Davenport TRS”), is subject to federal income tax. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we recognized $45,000 in income tax expense related to Davenport TRS for the 2016 taxable year.

Taxable income differs from net income for financial reporting purposes principally due to differences in the timing of recognition of interest, real estate taxes, depreciation and rental revenue. We recorded $49,000 in credits to tax expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 for the 2015 taxable year.

Environmental Matters

Our properties are subject to environmental laws and regulations adopted by various governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which our operations are conducted. From our inception, we have incurred no significant environmental costs, accrued liabilities or expenditures to mitigate or eliminate future environmental contamination.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no significant off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 .

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Our future income, cash flows and fair value relevant to our financial instruments depend upon prevailing market interest rates. Market risk refers to the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange rate or commodity price risk. The principal market risk to which we are exposed is the risk related to interest rate fluctuations. Many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations, and other factors that are beyond our control contribute to interest rate risk. Our interest rate risk objective is to limit the impact of interest rate fluctuations on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve this objective, we manage our exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates for our borrowings through the use of fixed rate debt instruments to the extent that reasonably favorable rates are obtainable.

All of our financial instruments were entered into for other than trading purposes.

Fixed Interest Rate Debt

As of September 30, 2016 , $359.6 million , or approximately 65% of our outstanding debt, was subject to fixed interest rates, which limit the risk of fluctuating interest rates. Though a change in the market interest rates affects the fair market value of our fixed interest rate debt, it does not impact net income to shareholders or cash flows. Our total outstanding fixed interest rate debt had an average effective interest rate as of September 30, 2016 of approximately 3.84% per annum with scheduled maturities ranging from 2016 to 2024 (see Note 6 (Debt) to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further detail). Holding other variables constant, a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would cause a $14.9 million decline or increase, respectively, in the fair value for our fixed rate debt.

Variable Interest Rate Debt

As of September 30, 2016 , $191.6 million , or approximately 35% of our outstanding debt, was subject to floating interest rates of LIBOR plus 1.40% to 1.95% and not currently subject to a hedge. The impact of a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates on our non-hedged variable rate debt would result in a decrease or increase of annual net income of approximately $1.9 million , respectively.


45

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The management of Whitestone REIT, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, including ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to Whitestone REIT's management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and financial officers have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2016 (the end of the period covered by this Report).

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the three months ended September 30, 2016 , there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


46

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business.  These matters are generally covered by insurance.  While the resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of Whitestone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 , as updated by Whitestone’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

(a)
During the period covered by this Form 10-Q, we did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(b)
Not applicable.

(c)
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the three months ended September 30, 2016, certain of our employees tendered owned common shares to satisfy the tax withholding on the lapse of certain restrictions on restricted common shares issued under the 2008 Plan. The following table summarizes all of these repurchases during the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
Average Price Paid for Shares
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 1, 2016 through July 31, 2016
—

$
—

N/A
N/A
August 1, 2016 through August 30, 2016
—

—

N/A
N/A
September 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016
70,433

13.88

N/A
N/A
Total
70,433

$
13.88


(1) The number of shares purchased represents common shares held by employees who tendered owned common shares to satisfy the tax withholding on the lapse of certain restrictions on restricted common shares issued under the 2008 Plan. With respect to these shares, the price paid per share is based on the fair market value at the time of tender.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.


47

Item 6. Exhibits.

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit index are filed, furnished and incorporated by reference (as stated therein) as part of this Report.


48

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.


WHITESTONE REIT
Date:
November 2, 2016
/s/ James C. Mastandrea
James C. Mastandrea
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:
November 2, 2016
/s/ David K. Holeman
David K. Holeman
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)


49

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1.1
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 31, 2008)
3.1.2
Articles Supplementary (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i).1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 6, 2006)
3.1.3
Articles of Amendment (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2010)
3.1.4
Articles of Amendment (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2010)
3.1.5
Articles Supplementary (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2010)
3.1.6
Articles of Amendment (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 27, 2012)
3.1.7
Articles of Amendment (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 27, 2012)
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 9, 2008)
12.1*
Statement of Calculation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31.1*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1**
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2**
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS***
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
________________________
*       Filed herewith.
**     Furnished herewith.
***    The following financial information of the Registrant for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 , formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and December 31, 2015 , (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited), (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited), (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited) and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

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