ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis is based primarily on the consolidated financial statements of National Health Investors, Inc. for the periods presented and should be read together with the notes thereto contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other important factors are identified in “Item 1. Business” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” above. This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Executive Overview
National Health Investors, Inc., established in 1991 as a Maryland corporation, is a self-managed REIT specializing in sale-leaseback, joint venture, and mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical facility investments. We operate through two reportable segments: Real Estate Investments and SHOP. Our Real Estate Investments segment consists of real estate investments and leases, mortgages and other notes receivables in ILFs, ALFs, EFCs, SLCs, SNFs and a HOSP. We fund our real estate investments primarily through: (1) operating cash flow, (2) debt offerings, including bank lines of credit and term debt, both unsecured and secured, and (3) the sale of equity securities. Our SHOP segment is comprised of two ventures that own the operations of 15 ILFs that provide residential living and other services for residents located throughout the United States that are operated on behalf of the Company by independent managers pursuant to the terms of separate management agreements that commenced April 1, 2022. The third-party managers, or related parties of the managers, own equity interests in the respective ventures.
Real Estate Investments
As of December 31, 2023, we had investments in real estate and mortgage and other notes receivable involving 179 facilities located in 31 states. These investments involve 106 senior housing properties, 72 SNFs and one HOSP, excluding one property classified as assets held for sale. These investments consisted of properties with an aggregate original cost of approximately $2.4 billion, rented under primarily triple-net leases to 25 tenants, and with $260.7 million in aggregate carrying value of mortgage and other notes receivable, excluding an allowance for expected credit losses of $15.5 million, due from 14 borrowers.
We classify all of the properties in our Real Estate Investments portfolio as either senior housing or medical facilities. Because our leases represent different underlying revenue sources and result in differing risk profiles, we further classify our senior housing properties as either need-driven (ALFs and SLCs) or discretionary (ILFs and EFCs).
Senior Housing – Need-Driven includes ALFs and SLCs which primarily attract private payment for services from residents who require assistance with activities of daily living. Need-driven properties are subject to regulatory oversight.
Senior Housing – Discretionary includes ILFs and EFCs which primarily attract private payment for services from residents who are making the lifestyle choice of living in an age-restricted multi-family community that offers social programs, meals, housekeeping and in some cases access to healthcare services. Discretionary properties are subject to limited regulatory oversight. There is a correlation between demand for this type of community and the strength of the housing market.
Medical Facilities within our portfolio receive payment primarily from Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance. These properties include SNFs and a HOSP that attract patients who have a need for acute or complex medical attention, preventative medicine, or rehabilitation services. Medical properties are subject to state and federal regulatory oversight and, in the case of hospitals, Joint Commission accreditation.
Senior Housing Operating Portfolio
Effective April 1, 2022, we transitioned the operations of 15 ILFs previously leased pursuant to a triple-net lease into two new ventures comprising our SHOP activities. These new ventures, consolidated by the Company, are structured to comply with REIT requirements and utilize the TRS for activities that would otherwise be non-qualifying for REIT purposes. The properties in each venture are operated by a property manager in exchange for a management fee, and as such, we are not directly exposed to the credit risk of the managers in the same manner or to the same extent as we are to our triple-net tenants. However, we rely on the managers’ personnel, expertise, technical resources and information systems, proprietary information, good faith and judgment to manage our communities efficiently and effectively. We also rely on the managers to set appropriate
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resident fees and otherwise operate our communities in compliance with the terms of our management agreements and all applicable laws and regulations. As of December 31, 2023, our SHOP segment consisted of 15 ILFs located in eight states with a combined 1,733 units.
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The following tables summarize our portfolio, excluding $2.6 million for our corporate office, $5.0 million in assets held for sale and a credit loss reserve of $15.5 million, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 ($ in thousands):
Real Estate Investments and SHOP
Properties Beds/Units NOI1 % Total Investment
Real Estate Properties
Senior Housing - Need-Driven
Senior Housing - Discretionary
Medical Facilities
Disposals and Held for Sale 5,924 2.2 %
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable
Current Year Note Payoffs 225 0.1 %
SHOP
1Excludes Non-segment/Corporate NOI
Portfolio Summary Properties NOI % Portfolio Investment
Portfolio by Operator Type
Disposals and Held for Sale 5,924 2.2 % —
Current Year Note Payoffs 225 0.1 % —
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For the year ended December 31, 2023, operators of facilities in our Real Estate Investments portfolio who provided 3% or more and collectively 61% of our total revenues were (parent company, in alphabetical order): Bickford, Discovery; Encore Senior Living; Health Services Management; LCS; NHC; Senior Living; and The Ensign Group.
As of December 31, 2023, our average effective annualized NOI for the lease properties in our Real Estate Investments segment was $9,473 per bed for SNFs, $14,840 per unit for SLCs, $15,747 per unit for ALFs, $8,566 per unit for ILFs, $20,553 per unit for EFCs, and $63,899 per bed for the HOSP. As of December 31, 2023, our average effective annualized NOI for the SHOP segment was $6,665 per unit.
COVID-19 Pandemic
During 2022 and 2021, we granted various rent concessions to tenants whose operations were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. When applicable, we elected not to apply the modification guidance under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases and accounted for the related concessions as variable lease payments until those leases were subsequently modified under ASC Topic 842. Rent deferrals accounted for as variable lease payments, reducing rental income, granted for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 totaled approximately $9.3 million and $26.4 million, respectively. Of these totals, Bickford accounted for $4.0 million and $18.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. There were no pandemic-related rent concessions granted during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These accounting principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we reconsider and evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Management has discussed the development and selection of its critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
We base our estimates on historical experience, current trends and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
We consider an accounting estimate or assumption critical if:
1.the nature of the estimates or assumptions is material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change; and
2.the impact of the estimates and assumptions on financial condition or operating performance is material.
If actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, liquidity and/or financial condition.
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We believe the accounting estimates listed below are the most critical to fully understanding and evaluating our financial results, and require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. We also consolidate certain entities, known as variable interest entities (“VIEs”), when control of such entities can be achieved through means other than voting rights if the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of such entities. We make judgments about which entities are VIEs based on an assessment of whether (i) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support, (ii) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have a controlling financial interest, or (iii) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. Additionally, we make judgments with respect to our level of influence or control of an entity and whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE. These considerations include, but are not limited to, our power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the
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entity, and our ability and the rights of other investors to participate in policy making decisions, replace the manager and/or liquidate the entity. Our ability to correctly determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE at inception of our involvement impacts the presentation of these entities in our consolidated financial statements.
Real Estate Properties
Real property we develop is recorded at cost, including the capitalization of interest during construction. The cost of real property investments we acquire is allocated to net tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities based on their relative fair values. We make estimates as part of our allocation of the purchase price of acquisitions to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component. For properties acquired in transactions accounted for as asset purchases, the purchase price, which includes transaction costs, is allocated based on the relative fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired. Cost includes the amount of contingent consideration, if any, deemed to be probable at the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is deemed to be probable to the extent that a significant reversal in amounts recognized is not likely to occur when the uncertainty associated with the contingent consideration is subsequently resolved. The most significant components of our allocations are typically the allocation of fair value to land, equipment, buildings and other improvements, and intangible assets and liabilities, if any. Our estimates of the values of these components will affect the amount of depreciation and amortization we record over the estimated useful life of the property acquired or the remaining lease term. While we believe our assumptions are reasonable, changes in these assumptions may have a material impact on our financial results. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use for real estate allocation.
Impairments of Real Estate Properties
We evaluate the recoverability of the carrying values of our properties on a property-by-property basis. We review each property for recoverability when events or circumstances, including significant physical changes in the property, significant adverse changes in general economic conditions, reclassification of real estate property as held for sale, or significant deterioration of the underlying cash flows of the property, indicate that the carrying amount of the property may not be recoverable. The need to recognize an impairment charge is based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows from a property compared to the carrying value of that property. Accordingly, management’s evaluation requires judgment to determine the existence of indicators of impairment and estimates of undiscounted cash flows. If recognition of an impairment charge is necessary, it is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the property exceeds the fair value of the property. Refer to Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more details.
There were no material changes in the accounting methodology we use to assess impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded impairment charges of approximately $1.6 million related to four properties all within the Real Estate Investments segment.
Lease Classification
Lease accounting standards require that, for purposes of lease classification, we assess whether the lease, by its terms, transfers substantially all of the fair value of the asset under lease. This consideration will drive accounting for the alternative classifications among operating, sales-type, or direct financing types of leases. For classification purposes, we distinguish cash flows that follow under terms of the lease from those that will derive, subsequent to the lease, from the ultimate disposition or re-deployment of the asset. From this segregation of the sources of cash flow, we are able to establish whether the lease is, in essence, a sale or financing based on it having transferred substantially all of the fair value of the leased asset. Accordingly, management’s projected residual values represent significant assumptions in our accounting for leases.
While we do not incorporate residual value guarantees in our lease provisions, the contractual structure of other provisions provides a basis for expectations of realizable value from our properties, upon expiration of their lease terms. Additionally, we consider historical, demographic and market trends in developing our estimates. For each new lease, we discount our estimate of unguaranteed residual value and include this amount along with the stream of lease payments (also discounted) called for in the lease. We assess the stream of lease payments and the value deriving from eventual return of our property to establish whether the lease payments themselves comprise a return of substantially all of the fair value of the property under lease. We do not use a “bright line” in considering what constitutes “substantially all of the fair value,” but we undertake a more focused assessment when the lease payments approach 90% of the composition of all future cash flows expected from the asset.
We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to assess lease classifications.
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Allowance for Credit Losses
For our mortgage and other notes receivable, we evaluate the estimated collectability of contractual loan payments amid general economic conditions on the basis of a like-kind pooling of our loans. We estimate credit losses over the entire contractual term of the instrument from the date of initial recognition of that instrument. In developing our expectation of losses, we will consider financial assets that share similar risk characteristics such as rate, age, type, location and adequacy of collateral on a collective basis. Other note investments which do not share common features will continue to be evaluated on an instrument-by-instrument basis.
The determination of fair value and whether a shortfall in operating revenues or the existence of operating losses is indicative of a loss in value involves significant judgment. Our estimates consider all available evidence including, as appropriate, the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at market rates, general economic conditions and trends, the duration of the fair value deficiency, and any other relevant factors. When an economic downturn whose duration is expected to span a year or more is encountered, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, we consider projections about an expected economic recovery before we conclude that evidence of impairment exists. While we believe that the net carrying amounts of our notes receivable and other investments are realizable, it is possible that future events could require us to make significant adjustments or revisions to these estimates. During the third quarter of 2023, we designated as non-performing a mortgage note receivable of $2.1 million due from Bickford. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized credit loss charges of $(0.3) million of which $0.7 million related to this mortgage upon its designation as non-performing.
While we believe our assumptions are reasonable, changes in these assumptions may have a material impact on our financial results. Our model utilizes estimates of probability of default and loss given default. We review our assumptions and adjust these estimates accordingly on a quarterly basis. A 10% increase or decrease in either the probability of default or loss given default would result in an additional provision or recovery of $1.6 million.
2023 Activity
The following summarizes significant activity that occurred for the year ended December 31, 2023:
•Completed new real estate investments of $54.8 million, for which the consideration included the conversion of a $14.2 million construction loan.
•Repaid $175.0 million of private placement notes.
•Amended a mezzanine loan receivable with Capital Funding Group, Inc. to increase the loan balance from $8.1 million to $25.0 million, increase the interest rate to 10% and extend the maturity to December 31, 2028.
•Disposed of 12 facilities from our Real Estate Investments segment for aggregate net proceeds of $59.1 million, including seller financing of $2.2 million in total, net of discounts, on four of the transactions, with an aggregate net real estate investment of $45.1 million.
•The SHOP segment NOI was $9.2 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed the following real estate acquisitions within our Real Estate Investments segment ($ in thousands):
Date Properties Asset Class Amount
In February 2023, we acquired two memory care communities operated by Silverado Senior Living for approximately $37.5 million. The newly developed properties opened in 2022 and include a 60-unit community in Summerlin, Nevada and a 60-unit community in Frederick, Maryland. They are leased pursuant to 20-year leases with a first-year lease rate of 7.5% and annual escalators of 2.0%.
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In February 2023, we also acquired a 64-unit assisted living and memory care community in Chesapeake, Virginia from Bickford. The acquisition price was $17.3 million, including the satisfaction of an outstanding construction note receivable of $14.2 million including interest, cash consideration of $0.5 million and approximately $0.1 million in closing costs. The acquisition price also included a reduction of $2.5 million in Bickford’s outstanding pandemic-related rent deferrals that has been recognized in “Rental income.” We added the community to an existing master lease with Bickford at an initial lease rate of 8.0%.
Capital Funding Group, Inc. Loan Extension
In September 2023, we amended a mezzanine loan with Capital Funding Group, Inc. Pursuant to the terms of the amended agreement, the loan increased from its balance at June 30, 2023 of $8.1 million to $25.0 million. The interest rate on the loan was increased to 10% and the maturity was extended to December 31, 2028.
Asset Dispositions
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed the following real estate property dispositions within our Real Estate Investments segment ($ in thousands):
1 Assets were previously classified as “Assets held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2022.
2 Impairments are included in “Loan and realty losses, net” in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2023.
3 Total aggregate impairment charges previously recognized on these properties were $0.3 million and $17.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
4 The Company provided aggregate financing of approximately $2.2 million, net of discounts, on these transactions in the form of notes receivable, which is included in net proceeds.
Total rental income related to the disposed properties was $3.3 million, $0.7 million and $6.1 million for years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Assets Held for Sale and Long-Lived Assets
At December 31, 2023, one property in our Real Estate Investments segment, with a net real estate balance of $5.0 million, was classified as assets held for sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Rental income associated with the asset held for sale was $1.7 million, $0.9 million, and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded aggregate impairments of approximately $1.6 million on four properties in our Real Estate Investments segment, of which $0.5 million related to three properties either sold or classified as assets held for sale. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded impairments of approximately $51.6 million on 19 properties which were sold or classified as held for sale related to our Real Estate Investments segment. Impairment charges are included in “Loan and realty losses, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
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Tenant Purchase Options
Certain of our leases contain purchase options allowing tenants to acquire the leased properties. A summary of these tenant options is presented below ($ in thousands):
Asset Number of Lease 1st Option Option Contractual Rent For Year Ended
Type Properties Expiration Open Year Basis1 December 31, 2023
1 Tenant purchase options generally give the lessee an option to purchase the underlying property for consideration determined by (i) a fixed base price plus a specified share in any appreciation; or (ii) fixed base price.
We cannot reasonably estimate at this time the probability that any purchase options will be exercised in the future. Consideration to be received from the exercise of any tenant purchase option is expected to exceed our net investment in the leased property or properties.
Other
Our leases for real estate are typically structured as “triple-net leases” on single-tenant properties having an initial leasehold term of 10 to 15 years with one or more five-year renewal options. As such, there may be reporting periods in which we experience few, if any, lease renewals or expirations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not have any significant renewing or expiring leases. Most of our existing leases contain annual escalators in rent payments. For financial statement purposes, rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Discovery Senior Living - Effective November 1, 2023, we amended our master lease for the consolidated real estate partnership with Discovery Senior Housing Investor XXIV, LLC, a related party of Discovery that leases six senior housing properties to a related party of Discovery. Significant terms of this amendment are as follows:
•Deferred the contractual rate increase from November 1, 2023 to May 1, 2025;
•Lowered the contractual rent increase to a minimum of a 5% yield on gross investment from a 6.5% yield on gross investment;
•Required outstanding deferred rents be repaid at a minimum amount plus an additional repayment based on monthly revenues in excess of a minimum threshold; and
•Extended the maturity date by six months to November 30, 2029.
Rental income associated with this master lease was $8.6 million, $7.4 million and $7.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
In addition, the Company modified its two other single-property triple-net leases with Discovery to abate rent temporarily throughout 2024 by approximately $1.1 million and extended the maturity dates by six months. Rental income associated with these leases was $3.7 million for both years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Tenant Concentration
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have three tenants (including their affiliated entities, which are the legal tenants) from whom we individually derive at least 10% of our total revenues.
Cash Basis Operators
We had three operators on the cash basis of accounting for their leases as of December 31, 2023. In addition to Bickford as discussed previously, we placed two operators on cash basis of accounting for their leases during 2022. During 2021, the Welltower-controlled tenant of our Holiday portfolio was the only tenant on the cash basis prior to the completion of the portfolio transition. Rental income associated with these tenants totaled $48.3 million, $21.4 million and $68.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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Included in rental income are amounts received from prior rent deferrals granted to cash basis tenants totaling $2.8 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, aggregate rent deferrals subject to future collection from these cash basis tenants totaled approximately $22.8 million, of which approximately $18.0 million related to Bickford. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Occupancy
The following table summarizes the average portfolio occupancy for Senior Living, Bickford and SHOP for the periods indicated, excluding development properties in operation less than 24 months, notes receivable, and properties transitioned to new tenants or disposed of.
1All prior periods restated for the sale of an ALF in Iowa.
2Includes Chesapeake, Virginia building which opened in the second quarter of 2022. NHI exercised its purchase option in February 2023.
Tenant Monitoring
Our operators report to us the results of their operations on a periodic basis, which we in turn subject to further analysis as a means of monitoring potential concerns within our portfolio. We have identified EBITDARM (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and management fees) as a primary performance measure for our tenants, based on results they have reported to us. We believe EBITDARM is useful in our most fundamental analyses, as it is a property-level measure of our operators’ success, by eliminating the effects of the operator’s method of acquiring the use of its assets (interest and rent), its non-cash expenses (depreciation and amortization), expenses that are dependent on its level of success (income taxes), and also excluding the effect of the operator’s payment of its management fees, as typically those fees are contractually subordinate to our lease payment. For operators of our entrance-fee communities, our calculation of EBITDARM includes other cash flow adjustments typical of the industry which may include, but are not limited to, net cash flows from entrance fees; amortization of deferred entrance fees; adjustments for tenant rent obligations, and management fee true-ups. The eliminations and adjustments reflect covenants in our leases and provide a comparable basis for assessing our various relationships.
We believe that EBITDARM is a useful way to analyze the cash potential of a group of assets. From EBITDARM we calculate a coverage ratio (EBITDARM/cash rent), measuring the ability of the operator to meet its monthly obligation. In addition to EBITDARM and the coverage ratio, we rely on a careful balance sheet analysis, and other analytical procedures to help us identify potential areas of concern relative to our operators’ ability to generate sufficient liquidity to meet their obligations, including their obligation to continue to pay the amount due to us. Typical among our operators is a varying lag in reporting to us the results of their operations. Across our portfolio, however, our operators report their results, typically within either 30 or 45 days and at the latest, within 90 days of month’s end. For computational purposes, we exclude mortgages and other notes receivable, development and lease-up properties that have been in operation less than 24 months. For stabilized acquisitions in the portfolio less than 24 months and renewing leases with changes in scheduled rent, we include pro forma cash rent. Same-store portfolio coverage excludes properties that have transitioned operators in the past 24 months or assets subsequently sold except as noted.
The results of our coverage ratio analysis are presented below on a trailing twelve-month basis, as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 (the most recent periods available).
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NHI Real Estate Investments Portfolio1
Property Type SHO SNF MEDICAL NON-SNF TOTAL
Major Tenants NHC2 SLC3 Bickford3
1All tables based on trailing 12 months; excludes transitioned properties under cash-flow based leases, loans, mortgages; excludes development and lease up properties in operation less than 24 months; includes proforma cash rent for stabilized acquisitions in the portfolio less than 24 months.
2 NHC Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and displayed occupancies are on corporate-level. The occupancies are for the SNF portfolio only as can be seen in NHC’s public filings.
3 There are no longer any significant paycheck protection program funds included in the coverages above. SLC operates nine discretionary CCRC properties and one need driven assisted living community.
Coverage ratios may include amounts provided by state and federal government programs to support businesses, including healthcare providers, that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds were largely distributed in 2020 and 2021 and as such do not substantially impact the reported coverage ratios.
Fluctuations in portfolio coverage are a result of market and economic trends, local market competition, and regulatory factors as well as the operational success of our tenants. We use the results of individual leases to inform our decision making with respect to specific tenants, but trends described above by property type and operator bear analysis. For many of the affected operators, as is typical of our portfolio in general, NHI has security deposits in place and/or corporate guarantees should actual cash rental shortfalls eventually materialize. In certain instances, our operators may increase their security deposits with us in an amount equal to the coverage shortfall, and, upon subsequent compliance with the required lease coverage ratio, the operator would then be entitled to a full refund. The sufficiency of credit enhancements (e.g. tenant deposits and guarantees) as a protection against economic downturn will be a focus as we monitor economic and financial conditions. The metrics presented in the tables above give no effect to the presence of these security deposits.
Other Portfolio Activity
Real Estate and Mortgage Write-downs
In addition to inflation risk and increased interest rates, our borrowers and tenants experience periods of significant financial pressures and difficulties similar to those encountered by other healthcare providers.
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We have established a reserve for estimated credit losses of $15.5 million and a liability of $0.3 million for estimated credit losses on unfunded loan commitments as of December 31, 2023. The provision for expected credit losses, reflected in “Loan and realty losses, net” on the Consolidated Statements of Income, totaled $(0.3) million, $10.4 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We evaluate the reserves for estimated credit losses on a quarterly basis and make adjustments based on current circumstances as considered necessary.
Our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 reflect impairment charges of our long-lived assets of approximately $1.6 million. We reduced the carrying value of any impaired properties to estimated fair values, or with respect to the properties classified as held for sale, to estimated fair value less estimated transactions costs. We have no significant intangible assets currently recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023, that would require assessment for impairment.
We believe that the carrying amounts of our real estate properties are recoverable and that mortgage and other notes receivable, net of reserves, are realizable and supported by the value of the underlying collateral. However, it is possible that future events could require us to make additional significant adjustments to these carrying amounts. Refer to Notes 3 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
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Results of Operations
The significant items affecting revenues and expenses are described below ($ in thousands):
Years Ended
December 31, Period Change
Revenues:
Rental income
ALFs leased to Silverado Senior Living $ 2,445 $ — $ 2,445 NM
Straight-line rent adjustments, new and existing leases 6,961 (16,681) 23,642 NM
Interest income from mortgage and other notes
Expenses:
Depreciation
Gain (loss) on operations transfer, net 20 (710) 730 NM
Loss on early retirement of debt (73) (151) 78 (51.7) %
Gains from equity method investment 555 569 (14) (2.5) %
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Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,273 902 371 41.1 %
Less: net income attributable to unvested restricted stock awards (57) — (57) NM
NM - not meaningful
Financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, were as follows:
•Rental income recognized from our tenants increased $31.5 million, or 14.5%, primarily as a result of a decrease in pandemic-related rent concessions granted of approximately $10.7 million and new investments funded since December 2022. Included in rental income for the year ended December 31, 2022 are write offs in the second quarter of 2022 of $18.1 million of straight-line rents receivable and $7.1 million of lease incentives related to placing Bickford on the cash basis of revenue recognition, partially offset by the recognition of the Holiday lease deposit and escrow of $15.6 million.
•Resident fees and services and senior housing operating expenses include revenues and expenses from our SHOP activities which commenced on April 1, 2022. Revenues less expenses from our SHOP segment increased $1.6 million, or 21%. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.
•Funds received for reimbursement of property operating expenses totaled $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and are reflected as a component of rental income. These property operating expenses are recognized in operating expenses in the line item “Taxes and insurance on leased properties.” The increase in the reimbursement income and corresponding property expenses is the result of additional amounts received from tenants and expenses paid on their behalf in the current year.
•Interest income from mortgage and other notes decreased $2.9 million, or 12.0%, primarily related to net paydowns of loans offset by new and existing loan fundings.
•Depreciation expense decreased $0.9 million, or 1.3%, primarily as a result of dispositions of approximately $143.0 million since December 2022.
•Interest expense increased $13.2 million, or 29.5%, primarily as the result of increased interest rates and borrowings on the unsecured revolving credit facility, offset by partial repayments on term loans.
•Legal expenses decreased $2.0 million primarily related to the Welltower, Inc. litigation and transition activities for the legacy Holiday portfolio occurring in 2022.
•Non-cash share-based compensation expense decreased $4.0 million, or 46.5%, due primarily to the reduced number of stock options granted in 2023 compared to the prior year’s grants.
•Loan and realty losses, net decreased $60.5 million, or 97.8%. Impairment charges of $1.6 million were recognized in the year ended December 31, 2023 on four properties in the real estate investment segment compared to impairment charges on 19 real estate properties of $51.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2022. Credit loss expense decreased $10.7 million compared to 2022. Credit loss expense totaling $10.4 million was recognized in 2022 for a mortgage note receivable of $10.0 million and a mezzanine loan of $14.5 million with affiliates of one operator/borrower designated as non-performing.
•Gain on note receivable payoff of $1.1 million reflects the prepayment fee from the early repayment of an $111.3 million mortgage note receivable in the second quarter of 2022.
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•Gains on sales of real estate, net decreased $13.6 million, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior year. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded $14.7 million in gains primarily from dispositions of real estate assets as described under “Asset Dispositions” in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we sold 22 properties generating gains on sales of real estate totaling $28.3 million.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2023, we had $455.0 million available to draw on our unsecured revolving credit facility, $22.3 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, and the potential to access $500.0 million through the issuance of common stock under the Company’s ATM equity program. In addition, the Company maintains an effective automatic shelf registration statement through which capital could be raised via the issuance of debt and or equity securities.
Sources and Uses of Funds
Our primary sources of cash include rent payments, receipts from residents, principal and interest payments on mortgage and other notes receivable, proceeds from the sales of real property, net proceeds from offerings of equity securities and borrowings from our loans and unsecured revolving credit facility. Our primary uses of cash include debt service payments (both principal and interest), new investments in real estate and notes receivable, dividend distributions to our stockholders, operating expenses for SHOP and general corporate overhead.
These sources and uses of cash are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as summarized below ($ in thousands):
Year Ended One Year Change Year Ended One Year Change
Operating Activities – Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023, which includes new investments completed, the SHOP ventures, lease payment collections arising from escalators on existing leases and interest payments on new real estate and note investments completed, decreased $0.9 million from the year ended December 31, 2022. Cash provided by operating activities was negatively impacted by the disposition of 34 properties since January 1, 2022, and the funding of a $10.0 million lease incentive to Timber Ridge OpCo and benefited by the reduction in pandemic-related rent concessions granted of approximately $10.7 million.
Investing Activities – Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was comprised primarily of the proceeds from the sales of real estate of approximately $57.0 million and the collection of principal on mortgage and other notes receivable of $13.5 million, offset by $85.2 million of investments in mortgage and other notes receivable and renovations and acquisitions of real estate and equipment.
Financing Activities – Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 differs from the same period in 2022 primarily as a result of an approximately $81.0 million increase in net borrowings, a decrease of $8.8 million in proceeds from noncontrolling interests, a decrease in the repurchase of common stock of approximately $152.0 million, a decrease in debt issuance cost of $1.9 million and a decrease in dividend payments of approximately $5.5 million compared to 2022.
Debt Obligations
As of December 31, 2023, we had outstanding debt of $1.1 billion. Reference Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information about our outstanding indebtedness. Also, reference “Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for more details on our indebtedness and the impact of interest rate risk.
Unsecured Bank Credit Facility - On March 31, 2022, we entered into the 2022 Credit Agreement providing us with a $700.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, replacing our previous $550.0 million unsecured revolver. The 2022 Credit Agreement matures in March 2026, but may be extended at our option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, for two additional six-month periods. Borrowings under the 2022 Credit Agreement bear interest, at our election, at one of the following (i) Term SOFR (plus a credit spread adjustment) plus a margin ranging from 0.725% to 1.40%, (ii) Daily SOFR (plus a credit spread adjustment) plus a margin ranging from 0.725% to 1.40% or (iii) the “base rate” plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.40%. In each election, the actual margin is determined according to our credit ratings. The base rate means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (i) the agent’s prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate on such day plus
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0.50% or (iii) the adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect on such day plus 1.0%. We incurred $4.5 million of deferred financing costs in connection with the 2022 Credit Agreement.
Concurrently with the execution of the 2022 Credit Agreement, we amended our $300.0 million 2023 Term Loan to modify the existing covenants to align with provisions in the 2022 Credit Agreement and to accrue interest on borrowings based on SOFR (plus a credit spread adjustment) that were previously based on LIBOR, with no change to the existing applicable interest rate margins. As of December 31, 2022, we had repaid $60.0 million of the 2023 Term Loan.
In the first quarter of 2023, we repaid $20.0 million of the 2023 Term Loan. In June 2023, we entered into the two-year $200.0 million 2025 Term Loan bearing interest at a variable rate which is SOFR-based with a margin determined according to our credit ratings plus a 0.10% credit spread adjustment. The Company incurred approximately $2.7 million of deferred financing cost associated with this loan. The 2025 Term Loan proceeds were used to repay a portion of the remaining $220.0 million 2023 Term Loan balance, which was repaid in full in June 2023. Upon repayment, we expensed approximately $0.1 million of unamortized loan costs associated with this loan which are included in “Loss on early retirement of debt” in our Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, the unsecured revolving credit facility and 2025 Term Loan bore interest at a rate of one-month Term SOFR (plus a 10 bps spread adjustment) plus 105 bps and 125 bps, based on our debt ratings, or 6.49% and 6.69%, respectively. The facility fee for the unsecured revolving credit facility was 25 bps per annum.
During 2023, we repaid $175.0 million of private placement notes primarily with proceeds from the unsecured revolving credit facility. At January 31, 2024, $273.0 million was outstanding under the revolving credit facility.
The current SOFR spreads and facility fee for our revolving credit facility and 2025 Term Loan reflect our ratings compliance based on the applicable margin for SOFR loans at a debt rating of BBB-/Baa3 in the Interest Rate Schedule provided below in summary format:
Interest Rate Schedule
SOFR Spread
Beyond the applicable ratios detailed above, if our credit rating from at least two credit rating agencies is downgraded below “BBB-/Baa3” the debt under our debt agreements will be subject to defined increases in interest rates and fees.
The 2022 Credit Agreement requires that we calculate specified financial statement metrics and meet or exceed a variety of financial ratios, which are usual and customary in nature. These ratios are calculated quarterly and as of December 31, 2023, we were within required limits for each reporting period in 2023 and 2022. The calculation of our leverage ratio involves intermediate determinations of our “Consolidated Total Indebtedness” and of our “Total Asset Value,” as defined in the 2022 Credit Agreement.
Senior Notes Offering - In January 2021, we issued $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.00% senior notes that mature on February 1, 2031 and pay interest semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year (the “2031 Senior Notes”). The 2031 Senior Notes were sold at an issue price of 99.196% of face value before the underwriters’ discount. Our net proceeds from the 2031 Senior Notes offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and expenses, were approximately $392.3 million and were used to repay a $100.0 million term loan and reduce borrowings outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facility.
We remain in compliance with all debt covenants under the unsecured revolving credit facility, 2031 Senior Notes and other debt agreements.
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When we take on new debt or when we modify or replace existing debt, we incur debt issuance costs. These costs are subject to amortization over the term of the new debt instrument and may result in the write-off of fees associated with debt which has been replaced or modified.
Debt Maturities - Reference Note 8, Debt to the consolidated financial statements for more information on our debt maturities.
Credit Ratings - Moody's reaffirmed its credit rating and a senior unsecured debt rating of Baa3 and “Stable” outlook on the Company on October 16, 2023. Fitch reaffirmed its public issuer credit rating of BBB- and “Stable” outlook on the Company on May 15, 2023 and S&P Global reaffirmed its BBB- rating and “Stable” outlook on the Company on November 14, 2023. Our unsecured private placement note agreements include a rate increase provision that is effective if any rating agency lowers our credit rating below investment grade and our compliance leverage increases to 50% or more. Any reduction in outlook or downgrade in our credit ratings from the rating agencies could negatively impact our costs of borrowings.
Debt Metrics - We believe that our fixed charge coverage ratio, which is the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, including amounts in discontinued operations, excluding real estate asset impairments and gains on dispositions) to fixed charges (interest expense at contractual rates net of capitalized interest and principal payments on debt), and the ratio of consolidated net debt to Adjusted EBITDA are meaningful measures of our ability to service our debt. We use these two measures as a useful basis to compare the strength of our balance sheet with those in our peer group. We also believe our balance sheet gives us a competitive advantage when accessing debt markets.
We calculate our fixed charge coverage ratio as approximately 4.5x for the year ended December 31, 2023 (see our discussion under the heading Adjusted EBITDA including a reconciliation to our net income). Giving effect to significant acquisitions, financings, disposals and payoffs on an annualized basis, our consolidated net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio is approximately 4.5x for the year ended December 31, 2023 ($ in thousands):
Less: cash and cash equivalents (22,347)
Annualized impact of recent investments, disposals and payoffs (1,669)
Consolidated Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA 4.5x
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
The Company’s $900.0 million bank credit facility, unsecured private placement notes due September 2024 through January 2027 with an aggregate principal amount of $225.0 million and 2031 Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’s subsidiaries, except for certain excluded subsidiaries (“Guarantors”). The Guarantors are either owned by, controlled by or are affiliates of the Company.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Company and the Guarantors, on a combined basis after eliminating (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the guarantor entities and (ii) equity in earnings from, and any investments in, any subsidiary that is a non-guarantor ($ in thousands):
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As of
Real estate properties, net $ 1,827,086
Note receivable due from non-guarantor subsidiary 81,396
Redeemable noncontrolling interest $ 9,656
Noncontrolling interest $ 918
Year Ended
Interest revenue on note due from non-guarantor subsidiary 4,657
Gain from equity method investee 555
Gains on sales of real estate 14,721
Gain on operations transfer 20
Loss on early retirement of debt (73)
Other income 202
Net income attributable to NHI and the subsidiary guarantors $ 129,256
Equity
At December 31, 2023, we had 43,409,841 shares of common stock outstanding with a market value of $2.4 billion. Equity on our Consolidated Balance Sheet totaled $1.3 billion.
Dividends - Our Board of Directors approves a regular quarterly dividend which is reflective of expected taxable income on a recurring basis. Taxable income is determined in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and differs from net income for financial statements purposes determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Our Board of Directors has historically directed the Company towards maintaining a strong balance sheet. Therefore, we consider the competing interests of short and long-term debt (interest rates, maturities and other terms) versus the higher cost of new equity, and we accept some level of risk associated with leveraging our investments. We intend to continue to make new investments that meet our underwriting criteria and where the spreads over our cost of equity and debt capital on a leverage neutral basis will generate sufficient returns to our stockholders. We do not expect to utilize borrowings to satisfy the payment of dividends and project that cash flows from operations will be adequate to fund dividends at the current rate.
We intend to comply with REIT dividend requirements that we distribute at least 90% of our annual taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2023 and thereafter. Historically, the Company has distributed at least 100% of annual taxable income. Dividends declared for the fourth quarter of each fiscal year are paid by the end of the following January and are, with some exceptions, treated for tax purposes as having been paid in the fiscal year just ended as provided in Internal Revenue Service Code Section 857(b)(8).
Our dividends per share for the last three years are as follows:
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Share Repurchase Plan - Beginning in April 2022, our Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan. No common stock was repurchased under this plan during 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we repurchased through open market transactions 2,468,354 shares of common stock for an average price of $61.56 per share, excluding commissions. All shares received were constructively retired upon receipt, and the excess of the purchase price over the par value per share was recorded to “Retained earnings” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
On February 16, 2024, our Board of Directors renewed the stock repurchase plan pursuant to which we may purchase up to $160.0 million in shares of our issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The stock repurchase plan is effective for a period of one year and does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares. It may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Shares may be repurchased from time-to-time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions or by other means in accordance with the terms of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and shall be made in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations in effect. The timing and number of shares repurchased, if any, will depend on a variety of factors, including price, general market and economic conditions, alternative investment opportunities and other corporate considerations.
Shelf Registration Statement - We have an automatic shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that allows the Company to offer and sell to the public an unspecified amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and/or units at prices and on terms to be announced when and if such securities are offered. The details of any future offerings, along with the use of proceeds from any securities offered, will be described in a prospectus supplement or other offering materials, at the time of offering. Our shelf registration statement expires in March 2026.
At-the-Market (ATM) Equity Program - We maintain an ATM equity program which allows us to sell our common stock directly into the market and have entered into an ATM equity offering sales agreement pursuant to which the Company may sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate sales price of $500.0 million of the Company’s common shares. No shares were issued under the ATM equity program during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Our use of ATM proceeds is to allow us to rebalance our leverage in response to our acquisitions and keeps our options flexible for further expansion. We have historically used proceeds from the ATM equity program for general corporate purposes, which may include future acquisitions and repayment of indebtedness, including borrowings under our credit facility. We view our ATM program as an effective way to match-fund our smaller acquisitions by exercising control over the timing and size of transactions and achieving a more favorable cost of capital as compared to larger follow-on offerings.
Material Cash Requirements
We had approximately $18.8 million in cash and cash equivalents on hand and $427.0 million in availability under our unsecured revolving credit facility as of January 31, 2024.Our expected material cash requirements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and thereafter consist of long-term debt maturities; interest on long-term debt; and contractually obligated expenditures. We expect to meet our short-term liquidity needs largely through cash generated from operations and borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility (refer to the Unsecured Bank Credit Facility discussion above) and sales from real estate investments, although we may choose to seek alternative sources of liquidity. Should we have additional liquidity needs, we believe that we could access long-term financing in the debt and equity capital markets.
The following table summarizes information as of December 31, 2023 related to our material cash requirements ($ in thousands):
Total Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 Thereafter
Our debt maturities in 2024 are comprised primarily of private placement notes of $75.0 million due in September 2024.
We believe our current liquidity position, supplemented by our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations in the future, and our low net leverage will be sufficient to meet all of our short-term and long-term financial commitments.
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Loan and Development Commitments and Contingencies
The following tables summarize information as of December 31, 2023 related to our outstanding commitments and contingencies which are more fully described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements ($ in thousands):
Asset Class Type Total Funded Remaining1
Loan Commitments:
Timber Ridge OpCo SHO Working Capital 5,000 — 5,000
1As of December 31, 2023, $11,653 of the funding obligations are expected to be payable within 12 months with the remaining commitment due between three to five years.
See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for details of our loan commitments. As provided above, loans funded do not include the effects of discounts or commitment fees. The credit loss liability for unfunded loan commitments was $0.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and is estimated using the same methodology as our funded mortgage and other notes receivable based on the estimated amount that we expect to fund.
Asset Class Type Total Funded Remaining1
Development Commitments:
Woodland Village SHO Renovation $ 7,515 $ (7,425) $ 90
1 Expected to be payable within 12 months..
Discovery PropCo has committed to fund up to $2.0 million toward the purchase of condominium units located at one of the facilities of which $1.0 million has been funded as of December 31, 2023.
Asset Class Total Funded Remaining
Contingencies (Lease Inducements):
We adjust rental income for the amortization of lease inducements paid to our tenants. Amortization of lease inducement payments against revenues was $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Amortization of lease inducement payments against revenues was $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which includes the write-off of $7.1 million of lease incentives related to Bickford in the second quarter of 2022 as discussed in more detail in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Amortization of lease inducement payments against revenues was $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Capital Funding Commitments
Capital expenditures related to our Real Estate Investments segment are primarily for the acquisition of new investments. The leases for our properties in the Real Estate Investments segment generally require the tenant to pay for all repairs and maintenance expenses and a minimum amount of capital expenditures each year. The tenants are also required to maintain
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insurance coverage at least equal to the replacement cost of a property. Therefore, we do not expect material expenditures in 2024 related to existing properties in the Real Estate Investments segment.
The capital funding commitments in our SHOP segment are principally for improvements to our facilities. We expect our SHOP ventures to incur approximately $12.0 million in capital expenditures during 2024 that we anticipate will be funded partially from the net operating income generated from the ventures and additional capital contributions from the partners. We expect to fund our commitments to the ventures for capital expenditures with our operating cash flow and other existing liquidity sources.
Natural Disasters
During the year ended December 31, 2023, our properties incurred minimal to no damage relating to natural disaster events. We or our tenants may incur unplanned costs for minor repairs and restoring operations, as well as costs to evacuate employees and residents. Our lease agreements require our tenants to maintain sufficient property and business interruption insurance, subject to certain deductibles.
Litigation
For a description of our currently outstanding litigation, see “Legal Proceedings” in Part I, Item 3 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
FFO & FAD
These supplemental performance measures described below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other REITs. Consequently, our Funds From Operations (“FFO”), Normalized FFO and Normalized Funds Available for Distribution (“FAD”) may not provide a meaningful measure of our performance as compared to that of other REITs. Since other REITs may not use our definition of these measures, caution should be exercised when comparing our FFO, Normalized FFO and Normalized FAD to that of other REITs. These measures do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP (these measures do not include changes in operating assets and liabilities) and therefore, should not be considered an alternative to net earnings as an indication of performance, or to net cash flow from operating activities as determined by GAAP as a measure of liquidity, and are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs.
Funds From Operations - FFO
Our FFO per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $0.84 or 23.7% over the same period in 2022 due primarily to the write-offs of straight-line rents receivable and unamortized lease incentives totaling approximately $36.4 million incurred during 2022, a reduction of legal fees and pandemic-related rent concessions since December 2022, partially offset by the recognition of the Holiday lease deposit and escrow of $15.7 million in prior year rental income, increased interest expense in 2023 and the repurchase of common stock in the prior year. FFO per share, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) and applied by us, is calculated using the two-class method with net income allocated to common stockholders and holders of unvested restricted stock by applying the respective weighted-average shares outstanding during each period. The calculation of FFO begins with net income attributable to common stockholders (computed in accordance with GAAP), and excludes gains (or losses) from sales of real estate property, impairments of real estate, and real estate depreciation and amortization after adjusting for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, if any. Diluted FFO per share assumes the exercise of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities.
Our Normalized FFO per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $0.03 or 0.7% over the same period in 2022. Normalized FFO excludes from FFO certain items which, due to their infrequent or unpredictable nature, may create some difficulty in comparing FFO for the current period to similar prior periods, and may include, but are not limited to, impairment of non-real estate assets, gains and losses attributable to the acquisition and disposition of non-real estate assets and liabilities, and recoveries of previous write-downs.
FFO and Normalized FFO are important supplemental measures of operating performance for a REIT. Because the historical cost accounting convention used for real estate assets requires depreciation (except on land), such accounting presentation implies that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen and fallen with market conditions, presentations of operating results for a REIT that uses historical cost accounting for depreciation could be less informative, and should be supplemented with a measure such as FFO. The term FFO was designed by the REIT industry to address this issue.
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Funds Available for Distribution - FAD
Our Normalized FAD for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $13.2 million or 6.6% over the same period in 2022 due primarily to an increase in interest expense and property dispositions completed since December 2022. In addition to the adjustments included in the calculation of Normalized FFO, Normalized FAD excludes the impact of any straight-line lease revenue, amortization of the original issue discount on our senior unsecured notes, amortization of debt issuance costs, and non-cash share based compensation. We also adjust Normalized FAD for the net change in our allowance for expected credit losses, non-cash share based compensation as well as certain non-cash items related to our equity method investments such as straight-line lease expense and amortization of purchase accounting adjustments.
Normalized FAD is an important supplemental performance measure for a REIT and a useful measure of liquidity as an indicator of the ability to distribute dividends to stockholders. GAAP requires a lessor to recognize contractual lease payments into income on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease. This straight-line adjustment has the effect of reporting lease income that is significantly more or less than the contractual cash flows received pursuant to the terms of the lease agreement. GAAP also requires any discount or premium related to indebtedness and debt issuance costs to be amortized as non-cash adjustments to earnings.
The following table reconciles “Net income attributable to common stockholders”, the most directly comparable GAAP metric, to FFO, Normalized FFO and Normalized FAD and is presented for both basic and diluted weighted average common shares for FFO and Normalized FFO ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
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Years ended December 31,
Elimination of certain non-cash items in net income:
Gain (loss) on operations transfer, net (20) 710 —
Portfolio transition costs, net of noncontrolling interests — 426 —
Gain on note receivable payoff — (1,113) —
Recognition of unamortized note receivable commitment fees — — (375)
Lease termination fee — — (2,464)
Litigation settlement — — (616)
Straight-line lease revenue, net, related to noncontrolling interests 58 124 91
Straight-line lease expense related to equity method investment (14) (16) 46
Non-real estate depreciation 537 146 —
Non-real estate depreciation related to noncontrolling interest (49) (16) —
Amortization of lease incentive related to noncontrolling interests (434) — —
Amortization of original issue discount 322 322 295
Amortization related to equity method investment (1,633) (847) 1,109
Note receivable credit loss (income) expense (266) 10,356 949
Equity method investment capital expenditures (210) (420) (420)
Equity method investment non-refundable fees received 1,327 1,206 622
Equity method investment distributions (555) (569) —
SHOP recurring capital expenditures (1,845) (390) —
SHOP recurring capital expenditures related to noncontrolling interests 191 — —
BASIC
NAREIT FFO attributable to common stockholders per share $ 4.39 $ 3.55 $ 4.62
DILUTED
NAREIT FFO attributable to common stockholders per share $ 4.39 $ 3.55 $ 4.62
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Adjusted EBITDA
We consider Adjusted EBITDA to be an important supplemental measure because it provides information which we use to evaluate our performance and serves as an indication of our ability to service debt. We define Adjusted EBITDA as consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding real estate asset impairments and gains on dispositions and certain items which, due to their infrequent or unpredictable nature, may create some difficulty in comparing Adjusted EBITDA for the current period to similar prior periods. These items include, but are not limited to, impairment of non-real estate assets, gains and losses attributable to the acquisition and disposition of assets and liabilities, and recoveries of previous write-downs. Adjusted EBITDA also includes our proportionate share of unconsolidated equity method investments presented on a similar basis. Since others may not use our definition of Adjusted EBITDA, caution should be exercised when comparing our Adjusted EBITDA to that of other companies. EBITDA reflects GAAP interest expense, which excludes amounts capitalized during the period.
The following table reconciles “Net income”, the most directly comparable GAAP metric, to Adjusted EBITDA ($ in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
NHI’s share of EBITDA adjustments for unconsolidated entities 2,432 2,976 2,848
(Gain) loss on operations transfer, net (20) 710 —
Litigation settlement — — (616)
Gain on note receivable payoff — (1,113) —
Lease termination fee — — (2,464)
Recognition of unamortized note receivable commitment fees — — (375)
Interest rate swap payments, net — — 7,306
Fixed Charge Coverage 4.5x 5.9x 5.5x
For all periods presented, EBITDA reflects GAAP interest expense, which excludes amounts capitalized during the period.
Net Operating Income
NOI is a non-GAAP supplemental financial measure used to evaluate the operating performance of real estate. We define NOI as total revenues, less tenant reimbursements and property operating expenses. We believe NOI provides investors relevant and useful information as it measures the operating performance of our properties at the property level on an unleveraged basis. We use NOI to make decisions about resource allocations and to assess the property level performance of our properties.
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The following table reconciles NOI to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP metric ($ in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
(Gains) losses from equity method investment (555) (569) 1,545
Gain on note receivable payoff — (1,113) —
(Gain) loss on operations transfer, net (20) 710 —
NOI by segment:
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Interest Rate Risk
At December 31, 2023, we were exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on approximately $445.0 million of variable-rate indebtedness and on our mortgage and other notes receivable. The unused portion ($455.0 million at December 31, 2023) of our unsecured revolving credit facility, should it be drawn upon, is subject to variable rates.
Interest rate fluctuations will generally not affect our future earnings or cash flows on our fixed rate debt and loans receivable unless such instruments mature or are otherwise terminated. However, interest rate changes will affect the fair value of our fixed rate instruments. Conversely, changes in interest rates on variable rate debt and investments would change our future earnings and cash flows, but not significantly affect the fair value of those instruments. Assuming a 50 basis-point increase or decrease in the interest rate related to variable-rate debt, and assuming no change in the outstanding balance as of December 31, 2023, net interest expense would increase or decrease annually by approximately $2.2 million or $0.05 per common share on a diluted basis.
We have historically used derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to mitigate interest rate risk. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivatives, if any, are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. We may engage in hedging strategies to manage our exposure to market risks in the future, depending on an analysis of the interest rate environment and the costs and risks of such strategies. We had no derivative financial instruments outstanding during 2023.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our debt ($ in thousands):
Balance1 % of total Rate2 Balance1 % of total Rate2
Fixed rate:
Variable rate:
1 Differs from carrying amount due to unamortized discounts and loan costs.
2 Total is weighted average rate
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To highlight the sensitivity of our term loans, senior notes and secured mortgage debt to changes in interest rates, the following summary shows the effects on fair value (“FV”) assuming a parallel shift of 50 basis points (“bps”) in market interest rates for a contract with similar maturities as of December 31, 2023 ($ in thousands):
Balance Fair Value1 FV reflecting change in interest rates
Fixed rate: -50 bps +50 bps
At December 31, 2023, the fair value of our mortgage and other notes receivable, discounted for estimated changes in the risk-free rate, was approximately $237.6 million. A 50 basis-point increase in market rates would decrease the estimated fair value of our mortgage and other loans by approximately $2.7 million, while a 50 basis-point decrease in such rates would increase their estimated fair value by approximately $2.7 million.
Equity Price Risk
The Company is not subject to equity risk since it owns no marketable securities.
Inflation Risk
Our real estate leases generally provide for annual increases in contractual rent due based on a fixed amount or percentage or based on increases in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). Leases with increases based on CPI may contain a minimum or a cap on the maximum annual increase. Substantially all of our leases require the tenant to pay all operating expenses for the property, whether paid directly by the tenant or reimbursed to us. We believe that inflationary increases will be at least partially offset by the contractual rent increases and expense reimbursements described above.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Stockholders and Board of Directors
National Health Investors, Inc.
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of National Health Investors, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated February 20, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Asset Impairment - Real Estate Properties
The Company had total real estate properties, net of approximately $2.1 billion as of December 31, 2023. As described in Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, management evaluates the recoverability of the carrying amount of its real estate properties when events or circumstances, including significant physical changes, significant adverse changes in general economic conditions, or significant deterioration of the underlying cash flows of the real estate properties, indicate that the carrying amount of the real estate properties may not be recoverable. The need to recognize an impairment charge is based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows compared to the carrying amount. If recognition of an impairment charge is necessary, it is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the property exceeds the estimated fair value of the
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real estate properties. The Company recognized approximately $1.6 million in impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We identified management’s identification and assessment of the indicators of potential impairment of real estate properties as a critical audit matter. Identification of a potential impairment of real estate properties including due to significant physical changes in the property, significant adverse changes in general economic conditions, or significant deterioration of the underlying cash flows of the property requires a high degree of judgment. Auditing these judgments was especially challenging and complex due to the nature and extent of auditor effort required to address these matters.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
•Assessing the reasonableness of management’s assessment, including property specific factors for certain properties that included changes to the physical condition of the property, changes in general economic conditions, and deterioration of the underlying cash flows of the property, including due to changes in occupancy, which are used by management to identify and assess whether an impairment indicator existed.
•Examine internal documentation relevant to the analysis for certain properties including Board of Director minutes, letters of intent, and operations department communications, as applicable on a property-by-property basis, including for certain properties with lower lease coverage ratios, to assess whether additional indicators of impairment were present.
/s/ BDO USA, P.C.
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2004.
Nashville, Tennessee
February 20, 2024
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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
December 31,
Real estate properties:
Liabilities and Equity:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 34,304 25,905
Commitments and Contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 9,656 9,825
National Health Investors, Inc. Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
Total National Health Investors, Inc. Stockholders' Equity 1,253,952 1,270,225
(a) The consolidated balance sheets include the following amounts related to our consolidated Variable Interest Entities (VIEs): $513.2 million and $519.8 million of Real estate properties, net; $10.9 million and $10.3 million of Cash and cash equivalents; $9.7 million and $7.1 million of Straight-line rents receivable; $9.4 million and $1.3 million of Other assets, net; and $4.7 million and $3.3 million of Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Years Ended December 31,
Revenues:
Expenses:
Gain (loss) on operations transfer, net 20 (710) —
Gain on note receivable payoff — 1,113 —
Loss on early retirement of debt (73) (151) (1,912)
Gains (losses) from equity method investment 555 569 (1,545)
Add: net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,273 902 (163)
Less: net income attributable to unvested restricted stock awards (57) — —
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Earnings per common share - basic $ 3.13 $ 1.48 $ 2.45
Earnings per common share - diluted $ 3.13 $ 1.48 $ 2.44
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
($ in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
Other comprehensive income:
Decrease in fair value of cash flow hedges — — (137)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income — — 7,286
Total other comprehensive income — — 7,149
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Amortization of commitment fees and note receivable discounts (412) (872) (729)
Non-cash lease deposit liability recognized as rental income — (8,838) —
Gain on note receivable payoff — (1,113) —
Loss on operations transfer, net — 710 —
(Gains) losses from equity method investment (555) (569) 1,545
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in mortgage and other notes receivable (35,625) (79,801) (72,236)
Investments in renovations of existing real estate (7,732) (4,629) (3,465)
Investments in equipment (3,743) — (64)
Distributions from equity method investment 3,055 569 1,205
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on term loans 200,000 — —
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes — — 396,784
Prepayment fee for early retirement of debt — — (1,462)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests (1,280) (916) (910)
Proceeds from noncontrolling interests 2,973 11,738 —
Taxes remitted on employee stock awards — (288) —
Proceeds from equity offering, net — — 47,904
Equity issuance costs — (66) —
Convertible bond redemption — — (66,076)
Payments to repurchase shares of common stock — (151,951) —
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
($ in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase in mortgage note receivable from sale of real estate $ 2,249 $ — $ —
Change in other assets related to sales of real estate $ — $ 102 $ (33)
Right of use asset in exchange for lease liability $ 101 $ — $ —
Operating equipment received in lease termination $ — $ 1,287 $ —
Increase in accounts payable related to transfer of operations $ — $ 300 $ —
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
Shares Amount
Distributions declared to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — (974) (974)
Shares issued on stock options exercised 2,656 — — — — — — — —
Reclassification of redeemable noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — 1,030 1,030
Equity issuance cost — (80) — — — (80) — (80)
Taxes paid on employee stock options exercised — — (288) — — — (288) — (288)
Shares issued on stock options exercised 6,497 — — — — — — — —
Distributions declared to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — (1,286) (1,286)
Equity issuance cost — — (275) — — — (275) — (275)
Grants of restricted stock 21,000 — — — — — — — —
Shares issued on stock options exercised 99 — — — — — — — —
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2023
Note 1. Organization and Nature of Business
National Health Investors, Inc. (“NHI,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), established in 1991 as a Maryland corporation, is a self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”) specializing in sale-leaseback, joint venture and mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical facility investments. We operate through two reportable segments: Real Estate Investments and Senior Housing Operating Portfolio (“SHOP”). Our Real Estate Investments segment consists of real estate investments and leases, mortgages and other notes receivables in independent living facilities (“ILF”), assisted living facilities (“ALF”), entrance-fee communities (“EFC”), senior living campuses (“SLC”), skilled nursing facilities (“SNF”) and a hospital (“HOSP”). As of December 31, 2023, we had gross investments of approximately $2.4 billion in 163 healthcare real estate properties located in 31 states and leased pursuant primarily to triple-net leases to 25 tenants consisting of 97 senior housing communities (“SHO”), 65 SNFs and one HOSP, excluding one property classified as assets held for sale. Our portfolio of eight mortgages along with other notes receivable totaled $260.7 million, excluding an allowance for expected credit losses of $15.5 million, as of December 31, 2023. Units, beds and property count disclosures in these footnotes to the consolidated financial statements are unaudited.
Our SHOP segment is comprised of two ventures that own the operations of ILFs. As of December 31, 2023, we had gross investments of approximately $347.4 million in 15 properties with a combined 1,733 units located in eight states that are operated on behalf of the Company by independent managers pursuant to the terms of separate management agreements that commenced April 1, 2022. The third-party managers, or related parties of the managers, own equity interests in the respective ventures.
Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. We also consolidate certain entities when control of such entities can be achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) if the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of such entities. All material intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
A VIE is broadly defined as an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.
We evaluate our arrangements with VIEs to identify entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights and to determine which business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. In accordance with FASB guidance, management must evaluate each of the Company’s contractual relationships which creates a variable interest in other entities. If the Company has a variable interest and the entity is a VIE, then management must determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary, NHI would consolidate the VIE. We identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the entity. We perform this analysis on an ongoing basis.
If the Company has determined that an entity is not a VIE, the Company assesses the need for consolidation under all other provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, Consolidation. These provisions provide for consolidation of majority-owned entities where a majority voting interest held by the Company demonstrates control of such entities in the absence of any legal constraints.
Effective April 1, 2022 and at December 31, 2023, our consolidated total assets and liabilities include two consolidated ventures comprising our SHOP activities, each formed with a separate partner - Merrill Gardens, L.L.C. (“Merrill”) and DSHI NHI Holiday LLC (the “Discovery member”), a related party of Discovery Senior Living (“Discovery”). We consider both ventures to be VIEs as the members of each, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. We are
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deemed to be the primary beneficiary of each VIE because we have the ability to control the activities that most significantly impact each VIE’s economic performance. Reference Notes 5 and 17 for further discussion of our SHOP ventures.
We also consolidate two real estate partnerships formed with our partners, Discovery Senior Housing Investor XXIV, LLC, a related party of Discovery, beginning in June 2019, and LCS Timber Ridge LLC (“LCS”), beginning in January 2020, to invest in senior housing facilities. We consider both partnerships to be VIEs as either the members, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or the total equity at risk is insufficient to finance activities without additional subordinated financial support. NHI directs the activities that most significantly impact economic performance of these partnerships, subject to limited protective rights extended to our partners for specified business decisions. Because of our control of these partnerships, we include their assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and operations in our consolidated financial statements. Reference Note 17 for further discussion of these real estate partnerships.
We use the equity method of accounting when we own an interest in an entity whereby we can exert significant influence over but cannot control the entity’s operations. We discontinue equity method accounting if our investment in an entity (and net advances) is reduced to zero unless we have guaranteed obligations of the entity or are otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the entity. Reference Note 6 for further discussion of our equity method investment.
We have concluded that the Company is not the primary beneficiary for certain investments where we lack either directly or through related parties the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the investments’ economic performance. Accordingly, we account for our transactions with these entities and their subsidiaries at either amortized cost or net realizable value for straight-line rents receivable, excluding our investments accounted for under the equity method. See Note 17 for information on unconsolidated VIEs.
Noncontrolling Interests - Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interests are recorded at their initial carrying amounts upon issuance and are subsequently adjusted to reflect their share of gains or losses and distributions attributable to the noncontrolling interests. In periods where they are or will become probable of redemption, an adjustment to the redemption value of the noncontrolling interests is also recognized through “Capital in excess of par value” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and included in our computation of earnings per share. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Merrill SHOP venture noncontrolling interest was classified in mezzanine equity, as discussed further in Note 10.
The noncontrolling interests associated with our consolidated real estate partnerships, and our Discovery member SHOP venture were classified in equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant assumptions and estimates include purchase price allocations to record investments in real estate, impairment of real estate, and allowance for credit losses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Earnings Per Share - Our unvested restricted stock awards contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends, and accordingly, these awards are deemed to be participating securities. Therefore, the Company applies the two-class method to calculate basic and diluted earnings. Under the two-class method, we allocate net income attributable to stockholders to common stockholders and holders of unvested restricted stock by using the weighted-average shares of each class outstanding for quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods, based on their respective participation rights to dividends declared and undistributed earnings. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the effect of dilutive securities.
We apply the treasury stock method to any convertible debt instruments, the effect of which is that conversion will not be assumed for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share unless the average share price of our common stock for the period exceeds the conversion price per share. Diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2021 includes the potential dilutive impact of our convertible debt that was repaid in 2021.
Reclassifications - In prior years, the Company presented "Cumulative dividends in excess of net income" as a single line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Equity. Beginning January 1, 2023, the Company separated this line item into two components, "Retained earnings" and "Cumulative dividends," and reclassified prior year information to conform to the current period presentation.
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Fair Value Measurements - Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy is required to prioritize the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
If the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the entire fair value measurement falls is the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. When an event or circumstance alters our assessment of the observability and thus the appropriate classification of an input to a fair value measurement which we deem to be significant to the fair value measurement as a whole, we will transfer that fair value measurement to the appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy.
Real Property Owned - Real estate properties are recorded at cost or, if acquired through business combination, at fair value, including the fair value of contingent consideration, if any. Cost or fair value at the time of acquisition is allocated among land, buildings, improvements, personal property and lease and other intangibles. For properties acquired in transactions accounted for as asset purchases, the purchase price, which includes transaction costs, is allocated based on the relative fair values of the assets acquired. Cost includes the amount of contingent consideration, if any, deemed to be probable at the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is deemed to be probable to the extent that a significant reversal in amounts recognized is not likely to occur when the uncertainty associated with the contingent consideration is subsequently resolved. Cost also includes capitalized interest during construction periods. We use the straight-line method of depreciation for buildings over their estimated useful lives of 40 years, and improvements, including any equipment related to the SHOP segment, over their estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 25 years. For contingent consideration arising from business combinations, the liability is adjusted to estimated fair value at each reporting date through earnings.
Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - We evaluate the recoverability of the carrying amount of our long-lived assets when events or circumstances, including significant physical changes, significant adverse changes in general economic conditions or significant deterioration of the underlying cash flows of the long-lived assets, indicate that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The need to recognize an impairment charge is based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows compared to the carrying amount. If recognition of an impairment charge is necessary, it is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the property exceeds the estimated fair value of the long-lived asset.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recognized impairment charges of approximately $1.6 million, $51.6 million and $51.8 million, respectively, included in “Loan and realty losses, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Reference Note 3 for more discussion.
Leases - All of our leases within the Real Estate Investment segment are classified as operating leases and generally have an initial leasehold term of 10 to 15 years followed by one or more five-year tenant renewal options. The leases are “triple-net leases” under which the tenant is responsible for the payment of all taxes, utilities, insurance premiums, repairs and other charges relating to the operation of the properties, including required levels of capital expenditures each year. The tenant is obligated at its expense to keep all improvements, fixtures and other components of the properties covered by “all risk” insurance in an amount equal to at least the full replacement cost thereof, and to maintain specified minimal personal injury and property damage insurance. The leases also require the tenant to indemnify and hold us harmless from all claims resulting from the use, occupancy and related activities of each property by the tenant, and to indemnify us against all costs related to any release, discovery, clean-up and removal of hazardous substances or materials, or other environmental responsibility with
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respect to each facility. While we do not incorporate residual value guarantees, the lease provisions and considerations discussed above impact our expectation of realizable value from our properties upon the expiration of their lease terms. The residual value of our real estate under lease is still subject to various market, asset, and tenant-specific risks and characteristics. As the classification of our leases is dependent on the fair value of estimated cash flows at lease commencement, management’s projected residual values represent significant assumptions in our accounting for operating leases. Similarly, the exercise of renewal options is also subject to these same risks, making a tenant’s lease term another significant variable in a lease’s cash flows. Initial direct costs that are incremental to entering into a lease are capitalized in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 842.
FASB Lease Modifications Related to Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic - In accordance with the FASB’s question-and-answer document issued in April 2020, we elected to account for qualified rent concessions provided as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) as variable lease payments, recorded as rental income when received and not as lease modifications under ASC Topic 842. This guidance was applicable to certain rent concessions granted in 2021 and 2022. Reference Note 3 for more detail.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - We estimate and record an allowance for credit losses upon origination of the loan, based on expected credit losses over the term of the loan and update this estimate each reporting period. We calculate the estimated credit losses on mortgages by pooling these loans into two groups – investments in existing or new mortgages and construction mortgages. Mezzanine, revolving lines of credit and loans designated as non-performing are evaluated at the individual loan level. We estimate the allowance for credit losses by utilizing a loss model that relies on future expected credit losses, rather than incurred losses. This loss model incorporates our historical experience, adjusted for current conditions and our forecasts, using the probability of default and loss given default method. Incorporated into the construction mortgage loss model is an estimate of the probability that NHI will acquire the property. Using the resulting estimate, a portion of the outstanding construction mortgage balance which we currently expect will be reduced by our acquisition of the underlying property when construction is complete, is deducted from the construction mortgage balance included in the expected loss calculation. Mezzanine loans, revolving lines of credit and loans designated as non-performing are also based on the loss model to recognize expected future credit losses and are applied to each individual loan using borrower specific information. We also perform a qualitative assessment beyond model estimates and apply adjustments as necessary. The credit loss estimate is based on the net amortized cost balance of our mortgage and other notes receivables as of the balance sheet date.
Calculation of the allowance for credit losses involves significant judgment. It is possible that actual credit losses will differ materially from our current estimates. Write-offs are deducted from the allowance for credit losses when we judge the principal to be uncollectible.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - Cash equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. Restricted cash includes amounts required to be held on deposit or subject to an agreement (e.g. with a qualified intermediary subject to an exchange agreement pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) or in accordance with agency agreements governing our mortgages).
The following table sets forth our “Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash” reported within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ($ in thousands):
As of December 31,
Beginning of period:
Restricted cash (included in Other assets, net) 2,225 2,073
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 21,516 $ 39,485
End of period:
Restricted cash (included in Other assets, net) 2,270 2,225
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 24,617 $ 21,516
Assets Held for Sale - We consider properties to be assets held for sale when (1) management commits to a plan to sell the property, (2) it is unlikely that the disposal plan will be significantly modified or discontinued; (3) the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition; (4) actions required to complete the sale of the property have been initiated; (5) sale of the property is probable and we anticipate the completed sale will occur within one year; and (6) the property is actively being
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marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable given our estimate of current market value. Upon designation of a property as an asset held for sale, we record the property’s value at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated fair value, less estimated transaction costs. Depreciation and amortization of the property are discontinued. If a property subsequently no longer meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, it is reclassified as held and used and measured at the lower of i) its original carrying amount before the asset was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation expense not recognized while it was classified as held for sale, and ii) its fair value.
Concentration of Credit Risks - Our credit risks primarily relate to cash and cash equivalents and investments in mortgage and other notes receivable. Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in bank accounts and overnight investments. We maintain our bank deposit accounts with large financial institutions in amounts that may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts. Our mortgages and other notes receivable consist primarily of secured loans on facilities.
Our financial instruments, principally our investments in notes receivable, are subject to the possibility of loss of the carrying values as a result of the failure of other parties to perform according to their contractual obligations which may make the instruments less valuable. We obtain collateral in the form of mortgage liens and other protective rights for notes receivable and continually monitor these rights in order to reduce such possibilities of loss. We evaluate the need to provide for reserves for potential losses on our financial instruments based on management’s periodic review of our portfolio on an instrument-by-instrument basis.
Deferred Loan Costs - Costs incurred to acquire debt are capitalized and amortized by the straight-line method, which approximates the effective-interest method, over the term of the related debt.
Deferred Income - Deferred income primarily includes rents received in advance from tenants and residents and non-refundable commitment fees received by us, which are amortized into income over the expected period of the related loan or lease. In the event that our financing commitment to a potential borrower or tenant expires, the related commitment fees are recognized into income immediately. Commitment fees may be charged based on the terms of the lease agreements and the creditworthiness of the parties.
Revenue Recognition
Rental Income - Our leases generally provide for rent escalators throughout the term of the lease. Base rental income is recognized using the straight-line method over the term of the lease to the extent that lease payments are considered collectible and the lease provides for specific contractual escalators. Under certain leases, we receive additional contingent rent, which is calculated on the increase in revenues of the tenant over a target threshold. We recognize contingent rent periodically based on the actual revenues of the tenant once the target threshold has been achieved. Lease payments that depend on a factor directly related to future use of the property, such as an increase in annual revenues over a base year, are considered to be contingent rent payments and are excluded from the determination of minimum lease payments.
If rental income calculated on a straight-line basis exceeds the cash rent due under a lease, the difference is recorded as an increase to straight-line rents receivable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and an increase in rental income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. If rental income on a straight-line basis is calculated to be less than cash received, there is a decrease in the same accounts.
Property operating expenses that are reimbursed by our operators are recorded as “Rental income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Accordingly, we record a corresponding expense, reflected in “Taxes and insurance on leased properties” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Rental income includes reimbursement of property operating expenses for the years ended December 2023, 2022 and 2021, totaling $11.5 million, $9.8 million and $11.6 million, respectively.
Rental income is reduced for the non-cash amortization of payments made upon the eventual settlement of commitments and contingencies originally identified and recorded as lease inducements. We record lease inducements to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of amounts recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the contingent consideration is subsequently resolved.
The Company reviews its operating lease receivables for collectability on a regular basis, taking into consideration changes in factors such as the tenant’s payment history, the financial condition of the tenant, business conditions in which the tenant operates and economic conditions in the area where the property is located. In the event that collectability with respect to any tenant is not probable, a direct write-off of the receivable is made as an adjustment to rental income and any future rental revenue is recognized only when the tenant makes a rental payment. As of December 31, 2023, we had three tenants, including
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Bickford Senior Living (“Bickford”), on the cash basis of revenue recognition for their lease arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we placed three operators on the cash basis of rental income recognition. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we placed Holiday Retirement (“Holiday”) on cash basis for its master lease which was terminated in 2022 upon the formation of the SHOP ventures. Reference Note 3 for further discussion of cash basis tenants.
Resident Fees and Services - Resident fee and services revenue associated with our SHOP activities is recognized as the related performance obligations are satisfied and includes resident room charges, community fees and other resident charges.
Residency agreements are generally short term (30 days to one year), and entitle the resident to certain room and care services for a monthly fee billed in advance. Revenue for certain related services is billed monthly in arrears. The Company has elected the lessor practical expedient within ASC Topic 842, Leases, not to separate the lease and nonlease components within our resident agreements as the timing and pattern of transfer to the resident are the same. The Company has determined that the nonlease component is the predominant component within the contract and will recognize revenue under ASC Topic 606, Revenue Recognition from Contracts with Customers.
Interest Incomefrom Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable - Interest income is recognized based on the interest rates and principal amounts outstanding on the notes receivable. We identify a mortgage note as non-performing based on various criteria including timeliness of required payments, compliance with other provisions under the related note agreement, and an evaluation of the borrower’s current financial condition for indicators that it is probable it cannot pay its contractual amounts. A non-performing loan is returned to accrual status at such time as the note becomes contractually current and management believes all future principal and interest will be received according to the contractual terms of the note. As of December 31, 2023, we had two mortgage notes receivable and a mezzanine loan totaling an aggregate of $26.6 million with affiliates of two operators/borrowers, including Bickford, designated as non-performing.
Derivatives - In the normal course of business, we are subject to risk from adverse fluctuations in interest rates. Occasionally, we may choose to manage this risk through the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps. Counterparties to these contracts are major financial institutions. We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Our objective in managing exposure to market risk is to limit the impact on cash flows relating to the change in market interest rates on our variable rate debt.
To qualify for hedge accounting, our interest rate swaps must effectively reduce the risk exposure that they are designed to hedge. In addition, at inception of a qualifying cash flow hedging relationship, the underlying transaction or transactions must be, and be expected to remain, probable of occurring in accordance with our related assertions. All of our hedges are cash flow hedges.
We recognize all derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives required to be bifurcated, as assets or liabilities at their fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges or that do not meet the criteria of hedge accounting are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships, the change in fair value of the effective portion of the derivatives is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), whereas the change in fair value of any ineffective portion is recognized in earnings. Gains and losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings once the underlying hedged transaction is recognized in earnings.
Income Taxes - We intend at all times to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, provided that we continue to qualify as a REIT and make distributions to stockholders equal to or in excess of 90% of our taxable income. A failure to qualify under the applicable REIT qualification rules and regulations would have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Certain activities that we undertake may be conducted by subsidiary entities that have elected to be treated as TRSs. TRSs are subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. Accordingly, a provision for income taxes has been made in the consolidated financial statements.
Earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of dividends to stockholders, differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due primarily to differences in the basis of assets, estimated useful lives used to compute depreciation expense, gains on sales of real estate, non-cash compensation expense and recognition of commitment fees.
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Our tax returns filed for years beginning in 2020 are subject to examination by taxing authorities. We classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in our Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of income tax expense.
Segments - We operate our business through two reportable segments: Real Estate Investments and SHOP. In our Real Estate Investments segment, we invest in (i) senior housing and healthcare real estate and lease those properties to healthcare operating companies under primarily triple-net leases that obligate tenants to pay all property-related expenses and (ii) mortgage and other notes receivable throughout the United States. Our SHOP segment is comprised of the operations of 15 ILFs located throughout the United States that are operated on behalf of the Company by independent managers pursuant to the terms of separate management agreements. Reference Notes 5 and 16 for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The ASU enhances segment disclosures by requiring public entities to provide investors with additional, more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. The ASU also requires disclosure of the chief operating decision maker’s (“CODM”) title and position on an annual basis, as well as an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures and other disclosures. The amendment is effective for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2024.
Note 3. Investment Activity
Asset Acquisition
2023 Acquisitions and New Leases of Real Estate
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed the following real estate acquisitions within our Real Estate Investments segment ($ in thousands):
Operator Date Properties Asset Class Land Building and Improvements Total
In February 2023, we acquired two memory care communities operated by Silverado Senior Living for approximately $37.5 million. The newly developed properties opened in 2022 and include a 60-unit community in Summerlin, Nevada and a 60-unit community in Frederick, Maryland. They are leased pursuant to 20-year leases with a first-year lease rate of 7.5% and annual escalators of 2.0%.
In February 2023, we also acquired a 64-unit assisted living and memory care community in Chesapeake, Virginia from Bickford. The acquisition price was $17.3 million, including the satisfaction of an outstanding construction note receivable of $14.2 million including interest, cash consideration of $0.5 million and approximately $0.1 million in closing costs. The acquisition price also included a reduction of $2.5 million in Bickford’s outstanding pandemic-related rent deferrals that has been recognized in “Rental income.” We added the community to an existing master lease with Bickford at an initial rate of 8.0%.
2022 Acquisitions and New Leases of Real Estate
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we completed the following real estate acquisitions within our Real Estate Investments segment ($ in thousands):
Operator Date Properties Asset Class Land Building and Improvements Total
In April 2022, we acquired a 53-unit ALF located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from Encore Senior Living. The acquisition price was $13.3 million and included the cancellation of an outstanding construction note receivable to us of $9.1 million, including
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