Post Properties, Inc. (NYSE: PPS) (the "Company”), an Atlanta-based real
estate investment trust, today announced that certain wholly-owned
subsidiaries (the "Borrowers”) of its operating partnership, Post
Apartment Homes, L.P., prepaid the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of approximately $184.7 million on six multi-family fixed rate
notes with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. The notes were
secured by mortgages on six properties located in Atlanta, GA,
Charlotte, NC, and Dallas, TX. The notes required fixed interest-only
payments at 6.09% and would have matured on November 1, 2014. The
Borrowers also paid an aggregate $6.2 million prepayment premium in
connection with the prepayment of the notes.
The Operating Partnership used $135 million of borrowings under its
existing $300 million unsecured revolving line of credit and available
cash to finance the prepayment of the notes and the payment of the
related prepayment premium. Such line of credit borrowings will bear
interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.30%. The Operating Partnership
intends to refinance the amounts drawn under its revolving credit
facility with an unsecured long-term bank financing during the first
quarter of 2012.
The Company expects to record a loss on debt extinguishment of
approximately $7.0 million, or approximately $0.13 per diluted share, in
the fourth quarter of 2011 in connection with the prepayment premiums
incurred and the write off of related unamortized deferred financing
costs. This charge was not included in the Company’s previously reported
Funds from Operations earnings guidance.
Said Chris Papa, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company, "The prepayment of these notes and our anticipated
unsecured long-term bank financing in the first quarter of 2012 is
consistent with our strategy of reducing secured debt levels and
borrowing costs over time and refinancing our near term debt maturities.
In that regard, we were pleased that Moody’s Investor Service last week
affirmed the Company’s senior unsecured credit rating of Baa3, and
revised the Company’s outlook to positive from stable, reflecting the
improvements that the Company has made to its credit profile.”
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release may constitute
"forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal
securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and
the Company’s future performance, as well as management’s expectations,
beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. Examples of
such statements in this press release include, expectations regarding
the future refinancing of amounts drawn under the revolving credit
facility with unsecured long-term bank financing and expectations
regarding a loss on debt extinguishment in the fourth quarter of 2011.
All forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ materially from
those projected. Management believes that these forward-looking
statements are reasonable; however, you should not place undue reliance
on such statements. These statements are based on current expectations
and speak only as of the date of such statements. There are a number of
important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results and its
expectations to differ materially from those described in the Company’s
forward-looking statements, including those included under the caption
"Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2010, and as may be discussed in subsequent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The risk factors discussed
in the Form 10-K under the caption "Risk Factors” are specifically
incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new
information or otherwise.
About Post Properties
Post Properties, founded 40 years ago, is a leading developer and
operator of upscale multifamily communities. The Company’s mission is
delivering superior satisfaction and value to its residents, associates,
and investors, with a vision of being the first choice in quality
multifamily living. Operating as a real estate investment trust
("REIT”), the Company focuses on developing and managing Post® branded
resort-style garden and high density urban apartments. Post Properties
is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and has operations in ten markets
across the country.
Post Properties has interests in 21,658 apartment units in 58
communities, including 1,747 apartment units in five communities held in
unconsolidated entities and 1,568 apartment units in five communities
currently under development. The Company is also selling luxury for-sale
condominium homes in two communities through a taxable REIT subsidiary.
