HJ Sims Partners with StoneCreek Real Estate Partners to Facilitate $2.8 Million in Non-recourse, Low-interest Rate PACE Financing

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

HJ Sims Partners with StoneCreek Real Estate Partners to Facilitate $2.8 Million in Non-recourse, Low-interest Rate PACE Financing

FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful November 2020 closing of a $2.8 million PACE financing on behalf of StoneCreek Real Estate Partners (StoneCreek).

Based in Dallas, TX, StoneCreek is a collaboration of recognized and seasoned professionals with 50+ years of combined experience in the operations, development and ownership of successful senior living communities in TX, CO, and AZ.

The StoneCreek of Copperfield development is a new construction, 108-bed senior housing community that will include 74 assisted living units, 22 memory care units and 12 independent living cottages, providing local access to quality senior housing and care in the Copperfield area of Houston, TX. The community will be operated and managed by Civitas.

Founded in 2012, Civitas is a Fort Worth, TX based for-profit owner/operator of senior living communities in TX, FL, OK, NM, KY and AZ. Civitas has 100+ employees and manages 45+ senior living communities. In 2018, Sims provided $5.85 million in preferred equity to Civitas for the development of a new community in Red Oak, TX. In 2019 Sims completed a $72.32 million all-bond acquisition financing of three communities operated by Civitas in east TX.

While assisting StoneCreek in their search for financing alternatives, Sims proposed the use of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, a voluntary low-cost, non-recourse assessment placed on a property and based on the qualified energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, residency improvements and related costs, contributed by the project. The program finances 100% of the energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, resilience improvements and the related costs for ground-up new construction and renovations/retrofits up to 20% of the property’s appraised value. The financing is collected with regular local real estate taxes and assessment payments are amortized at a fixed rate throughout the useful life of the project.

Sims coordinated with StoneCreek, Civitas, the PACE provider and the Texas PACE Authority to obtain approval for PACE from the senior construction lender. Despite the atypical nature of the program, the financing team was able to assuage the concerns of the senior construction lender while navigating a variety of bureaucratic components. In place of typical mezzanine debt with interest rates between 12-15%, StoneCreek implemented the strategy PACE to fund $2.8 million in construction financing at an interest rate of 5.85%, a significantly lower interest rate.

StoneCreek, with the guidance of Sims, accessed $2.8 million in TX-PACE financing to lower their total cost of capital. The project is also supported by a $19.6 million construction loan from a traditional lending partner.

Financed Right® Solutions—James Rester: 901.652.7378 |  [email protected], Curtis King: 603.219.3158 |  [email protected] or Ryan Snow: 843.870.4081 | [email protected]

 

ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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HJ Sims Releases 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Report

The HJ Sims Corporate Responsibility program is designed to provide inspiration to our team, clients and to those we serve. Our mission is to:

  • Affect change and make a difference in our local communities by bringing awareness to and increasing support for economic, social and environmental well-being through coordinated corporate and regional efforts, including the donation of funds and/or volunteering staff time
  • Engage and inspire our staff by providing access, time and opportunities for giving back in meaningful ways

Read the HJ Sims 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

Download Your HJ Sims Documents into TurboTax

 

Innovative Financing Strategies Create Operational Cashflow during COVID-19

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

 FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the closing of a number of financings utilizing innovative financing strategies to create operational cashflow and advantageous results for senior living organizations.  

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the 2017 TCJA) had an enormous impact on the municipal bond market with the elimination of advance refundings. In 2018, Sims identified alternative strategies in the absence of advance refundings. Strategies included (1) Cinderella bank-held bonds, (2) taxable fixed rate advanced refundings, (3) forward refundings and (4) tender offers.

 

The use of Cinderella Bonds aims to secure an advance refunding that is at first taxable and converts to tax-exempt when permitted. It was applied to the financing of Marshes of Skidaway Island (The Marshes) in GA. In 2020, Sims approached The Marshes noting that a bank-placed Cinderella refinancing of outstanding fixed rate bonds would provide significant savings. Sims successfully closed the $47.1 million financing in December 2020, saving approximately $1.14 million annually and $15.36 million, in the aggregate, through a bank financing.

 

Westminster Communities of Florida, the largest provider of life plan communities in the State of FL, employed Sims to utilize a taxable fixed rate advance refunding of bonds issues to acquire Glenmoor after its successful turnaround. Sims analyzed bank-held and fixed rate bond advanced refundings, with a rapidly growing taxable fixed rate bond market. Westminster proceeded with a taxable advanced refunding and tax-exempt new money issuance to fund upcoming capital projects. Sims procured strong investor interest in the successful $107,360,000 transaction, achieving superior execution.

 

A Forward Refunding approach was utilized with Peconic Landing at Southold (Peconic) in NY. This strategy utilizes tax-exempt fixed rate bonds priced on a present-day basis, but not delivered and “closed” until ninety days prior to the call date of the refunded bonds. In 2019, Sims discussed potential refunding of Peconic’s bonds. The elimination of tax-exempt advance refundings meant immediate access to the tax-exempt market wasn’t possible, and the current BBB- rating made access to the taxable bond market impractical. Sims helped facilitate a forward refunding, securing pricing on a 20-year term on the refunding in late 2019 and saving Peconic $300,000+ in annual debt service with the ultimate settlement occurring in November 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

A Tender Offer financing was implemented for the MD Obligated Group of Asbury Communities (Asbury). In 2018, Asbury MD Obligated Group’s capital stack was comprised of outstanding bonds placed directly with an institutional investor without an optional call feature and with a balloon payment. Sims negotiated an exchange of the bonds at a purchase price for a new series of bonds, extending the amortization, providing additional years of repayment and reducing the overall debt burden.

 

The 2017 TCJA changed the borrowing landscape for 501(c)(3) organizations. As the new administration and Congress identify and implement their fiscal policies, the Sims’ Financed Right® approach will ensure Sims will continue to assist clients in navigating the ever-changing market landscape, as we monitor market response to new laws and update the industry of developments and trends.

 

To learn details about each strategy, read the Sims Perspective, click here.

 

ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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HJ Sims Successfully Underwrites Pavilion Project and Refinancing for John Knox Village in Pompano Beach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             

November 23, 2020

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

HJ Sims Successfully Underwrites Pavilion Project and Refinancing for John Knox Village in Pompano Beach

FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful closing of an October 2020 refinancing and capital projects financing in the amount of $77,605,000 for John Knox Village (JKV), a life plan community for age- and income-qualified residents in Pompano Beach, FL.

JKV sought assistance in restructuring its capital stack while issuing additional debt to develop amenity spaces to serve existing and attract new residents to the potential Westlake Tower expansion. JKV was seeking financing options for a new community pavilion, including dining facilities and related amenities, a new lake, various parking spaces and a new central energy plant (Pavilion Project). Sims was ultimately engaged by JKV as the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.

Sims provided multiple financing scenarios to analyze considering the volatility of the bond market and bank lending environment, which ultimately led to the selection of long-term fixed rate bonds for the 2020 financing. Working alongside JKV’s board, management and financial advisor, Sims prepared JKV for the Fitch-review process as they sought a material increase in their debt, ultimately retaining their Fitch A- credit rating with a negative outlook.

Sims priced the JKV Series 2020 Bonds during a week of near record volume, surpassing expectations and executing on a majority 4.000% or lower coupon structure to minimize the debt service burden. Sims also worked alongside JKV and its legal counsel to modernize certain aspects of JKV’s existing master trust indenture, providing additional flexibility for JKV in anticipation of the potential Westlake Tower expansion. The final pricing increased maximum annual debt service by just over $2.5 million for over $58 million in new long-term debt. The Series 2020 Bond issuance, as underwritten by Sims, is expected to provide a stable platform upon which JKV may continue to grow as it nears its fifth decade of service.

“Modernizing a Life Plan Community is a stressful endeavor on its own. Adding the stress of financial markets, budgets, forecasting and legal documents can be overwhelming for governance, management and residents. A good financing team is the key to wading through these waters. HJ Sims built a strong financing team, and broke down a complicated process into easily understood digestible parts. The results left this Community the ability to afford the facility, which will position John Knox Village as continued market leaders of senior lifestyle for generations. Working with Aaron and Melissa has been a pleasure; they are part of my team and I expect to continue to use their counsel in the future. I would recommend this firm highly,” said Bruce Chittenden, CFO, JKV.

Financed Right® Solutions—Aaron Rulnick: 301-424-9135, [email protected] |

Melissa Messina: 203.418.9014, [email protected].   

ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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