American Homes 4 Rent, a leading provider of high-quality single-family homes for rent, announced its financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.
Highlights
“American Homes 4 Rent produced impressive third quarter results, driving a nearly 7% year-over-year growth in Core FFO per FFO share and unit,” stated David Singelyn, American Homes 4 Rent’s Chief Executive Officer. “The pandemic has fundamentally changed the residential landscape, driving a new wave of demand for single-family rentals. Additionally, as a result of our differentiated strategy, we are positioned in the right markets, with a best-in-class operating platform and dynamic external growth engine that will enable us to translate this new wave of demand into industry leading cash flow growth. And, when combined with our investment grade balance sheet, we believe we are positioned to produce outsized total shareholder returns for years to come.”
COVID-19 Business Update
The Company has maintained continuity in business operations since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and produced strong operating results in the third quarter of 2020 demonstrating the flexibility of its technology enabled operating platform and the resiliency of its high-quality, diversified portfolio. Comprehensive remote working policies remain in place for all corporate and field offices, and operational protocols have been tailored based on state and local mandates to ensure continuity of services, while protecting employees, residents and their families.
Driven by shifting housing preferences as households migrate away from city centers and apartments, the Company is experiencing record demand levels and reported its highest ever Same-Home portfolio Average Occupied Days Percentages in September and October 2020. A summary of the Company’s Same-Home portfolio Average Occupied Days Percentages for the third quarter of 2020 and October 2019 and 2020 is as follows:
Jul 2020 |
Aug 2020 |
Sep 2020 |
Oct 2019 |
Oct 2020 |
||||||||||
Same-Home Average Occupied Days Percentage |
96.4 |
% |
97.0 |
% |
97.2 |
% |
95.2 |
% |
97.2 |
% |
||||
Additionally, as the Company entered the third quarter of 2020, it began a socially responsible return to normal operating practices, including the assessment of late fees in jurisdictions where allowable and modest renewal increases on expiring leases. A summary of the Company’s leasing spread activity for the third quarter of 2020 and October 2019 and 2020 is as follows:
Jul 2020 |
Aug 2020 |
Sep 2020 |
Oct 2019 |
Oct 2020 |
||||||||||
Average Change in Rent for Renewals |
— |
% |
1.4 |
% |
2.8 |
% |
4.6 |
% |
3.5 |
% |
||||
Average Change in Rent for Re-Leases |
5.4 |
% |
6.0 |
% |
7.7 |
% |
2.1 |
% |
7.0 |
% |
||||
Average Blended Change in Rent |
2.0 |
% |
3.0 |
% |
4.4 |
% |
3.6 |
% |
4.9 |
% |
Collections continue to remain resilient. The Company reported third quarter 2020 rental revenue equivalent to 98.0% of quarterly rental billings, comprised of: (i) one percentage point of second quarter 2020 rental billings received and recognized in the third quarter and (ii) 97.0% of revenue recognition on third quarter rental billings. On a cumulative basis through October 2020, we have now received 97.5% of second quarter rental billings and 96.3% of third quarter rental billings, which is consistent with second quarter payment history for the same time frame. Collections are reported without application of any existing resident security deposits or adjustment for deferred payment plans.
During October 2020, the Company has collected 93.7% of October rents, which represents 101% of second quarter 2020 payment history for the same time frame.
Although the Company has produced strong operating results to date during the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent to which the pandemic will ultimately impact us and our residents will depend on future developments which are highly uncertain. These include the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, including resurgences, status of eviction moratoriums, the speed and effectiveness of vaccine and treatment developments and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, among others.
Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Net income attributable to common shareholders totaled $22.6 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $23.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019. This decrease was primarily attributable to increased uncollectible rents and tenant utility reimbursements related to the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by growth in the Company’s portfolio and higher occupancy.
Total revenues increased 4.2% to $310.8 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $298.3 million for the third quarter of 2019. Revenue growth was driven by an increase in our average occupied portfolio which grew to 50,630 homes for the third quarter of 2020, compared to 48,990 homes for the third quarter of 2019, as well as higher rental rates, offset by an increase in uncollectible rents and tenant utility reimbursements related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Core NOI from our total portfolio increased 6.2% to $160.2 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $150.9 million for the third quarter of 2019. This growth was driven by a 5.4% increase in core revenues resulting from a larger number of occupied properties and higher rental rates, partially offset by an increase in uncollectible rents related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a 4.2% increase in core property operating expenses.
For the Company’s Same-Home portfolio, rents from single-family properties increased 4.4% to $219.9 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $210.6 million for the third quarter of 2019, which was driven by a 2.7% increase in Average Monthly Realized Rent per property and a 160 basis point increase in Average Occupied Days Percentage. This growth was (i) further benefited by 10 basis points of contribution from higher fees and (ii) partially offset by 90 basis points of drag from increased uncollectible rents related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in 3.6% growth in core revenues from Same-Home properties. Core property operating expenses from Same-Home properties increased 3.0% to $82.3 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $79.9 million for the third quarter of 2019. As a result, Core NOI from Same-Home properties increased 4.0% to $136.9 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $131.6 million for the third quarter of 2019.
Core FFO attributable to common share and unit holders was $106.2 million, or $0.29 per FFO share and unit, for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $97.4 million, or $0.28 per FFO share and unit, for the third quarter of 2019. Adjusted FFO attributable to common share and unit holders was $89.6 million, or $0.25 per FFO share and unit, for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $83.9 million, or $0.24 per FFO share and unit, for the third quarter of 2019. These improvements were primarily attributable to growth in the Company’s portfolio and a larger number of occupied properties as well as higher rental rates, partially offset by $2.9 million of negative financial impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic including $2.2 million of increased uncollectible rents and $0.7 million of increased uncollectible tenant utility reimbursements. Additionally, due primarily to abnormally high home system usage during stay-at-home orders, we incurred approximately $2.1 million of incremental capital expenditures within Adjusted FFO attributable to common share and unit holders that primarily related to HVAC and home system replacements during the third quarter of 2020.
Year-to-Date 2020 Financial Results
Net income attributable to common shareholders totaled $58.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to $62.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. This decrease was primarily attributable to increased uncollectible rents and tenant utility reimbursements related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a noncash write-down included in other expenses associated with the liquidation of legacy joint ventures, which were acquired as part of the American Residential Properties, Inc. merger in February 2016. This decrease was offset in part by growth in the Company’s portfolio and higher occupancy.
Total revenues increased 2.8% to $883.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to $859.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. Revenue growth was driven by an increase in our average occupied portfolio which grew to 49,764 homes for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to 48,667 homes for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, as well as higher rental rates, offset by an increase in uncollectible rents and tenant utility reimbursements related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Core NOI from our total portfolio increased 2.2% to $465.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to $455.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. This growth was driven by a 3.2% increase in core revenues resulting from a larger number of occupied properties and higher rental rates, partially offset by an increase in uncollectible rents related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a 4.9% increase in core property operating expenses.
For the Company’s Same-Home portfolio, rents from single-family properties increased 3.7% to $649.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to $626.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, which was driven by a 3.1% increase in Average Monthly Realized Rent per property and a 50 basis point increase in Average Occupied Days Percentage. This growth was (i) further benefited by 10 basis points of contribution from higher fees and (ii) partially offset by 130 basis points of drag from increased uncollectible rents related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in 2.5% growth in core revenues from Same-Home properties. Core property operating expenses from Same-Home properties increased 4.3% to $239.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to $229.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. As a result, Core NOI from Same-Home properties increased 1.5% to $406.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to $399.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019.
Core FFO attributable to common share and unit holders was $304.1 million, or $0.85 per FFO share and unit, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to $291.4 million, or $0.83 per FFO share and unit, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. Adjusted FFO attributable to common share and unit holders for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 was $264.7 million, or $0.74 per FFO share and unit, compared to $257.5 million, or $0.73 per FFO share and unit, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. These improvements were primarily attributable to growth in the Company’s portfolio and a larger number of occupied properties as well as higher rental rates, partially offset by the negative financial impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic that relate to (i) the Company’s socially responsible decisions between April and July 2020 to waive month-to-month lease premiums and offer zero percent increases on newly signed renewal leases, (ii) waived late fees between April and July 2020, and (iii) $12.3 million of other negative financial impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic including $9.2 million of increased uncollectible rents, $2.6 million of increased uncollectible tenant utility reimbursements and $0.5 million of increased costs associated with enhanced cleaning and safety protocols. Additionally, due primarily to abnormally high home system usage during stay-at-home orders, we incurred approximately $3.4 million of incremental capital expenditures within Adjusted FFO attributable to common share and unit holders that primarily related to HVAC and home system replacements during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.
Portfolio
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had an occupancy percentage of 97.5%, compared to 96.4% as of June 30, 2020. The occupancy percentage on Same-Home properties was 97.8% as of September 30, 2020, compared to 96.9% as of June 30, 2020.
Investments
As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned portfolio consisted of 53,229 homes, compared to 53,000 homes as of June 30, 2020, an increase of 229 homes during the third quarter of 2020, which included 400 newly constructed properties delivered through our AMH Development Program and 108 homes acquired through our National Builder Program and traditional acquisition channel, partially offset by 233 homes sold and 46 homes contributed to unconsolidated joint ventures. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had 813 properties held for sale, compared to 948 properties as of June 30, 2020. Also, as of September 30, 2020, the Company had an additional 1,131 properties held in unconsolidated joint ventures, representing a net increase of 195 properties, compared to 936 properties held in unconsolidated joint ventures as of June 30, 2020.
Capital Activities, Balance Sheet and Liquidity
During the third quarter of 2020, the Company issued 14,950,000 Class A common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share, in an underwritten public offering, raising net proceeds of $411.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts and before offering costs of approximately $0.2 million.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $315.8 million and had total outstanding debt of $2.9 billion, excluding unamortized discounts and unamortized deferred financing costs, with a weighted-average interest rate of 4.4% and a weighted-average term to maturity of 12.3 years. The Company had no outstanding borrowings on its $800.0 million revolving credit facility at the end of the quarter. Additionally, the Company has no debt maturities, other than recurring principal amortization, until 2024. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company generated $71.2 million of Retained Cash Flow and sold 233 properties generating $56.2 million of net proceeds.
Additional Information
A copy of the Company’s Third Quarter 2020 Earnings Release and Supplemental Information Package and this press release are available on our website at www.americanhomes4rent.com. This information has also been furnished to the SEC in a current report on Form 8-K.
Conference Call
A conference call is scheduled on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 and to provide an update on its business. The domestic dial-in number is (877) 451-6152 (U.S. and Canada) and the international dial-in number is (201) 389-0879 (passcode not required). A simultaneous audio webcast may be accessed by using the link at www.americanhomes4rent.com, under “For Investors.” A replay of the conference call may be accessed through Friday, November 20, 2020 by calling (844) 512-2921 (U.S. and Canada) or (412) 317-6671 (international), replay passcode number 13711366#, or by using the link at www.americanhomes4rent.com, under “For Investors.”
About American Homes 4 Rent
American Homes 4 Rent is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and “American Homes 4 Rent” is fast becoming a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high-quality, good value and tenant satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of September 30, 2020, we owned 53,229 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states.
Contact:
American Homes 4 Rent
Investor Relations
Phone: (855) 794-2447
Email: investors@ah4r.com