PROSPECTUS
March 25, 2014
Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
Class A Shares (TIPRX) and Class C Shares (TIPPX) of Beneficial Interest
The Total Income+ Real Estate Fund (the "Fund") is a continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus is intended to concisely provide you, a prospective investor, with information about the Fund that you should know before investing in the shares of the Fund that are being offered through this prospectus. You are advised to thoroughly and carefully read this prospectus and retain it for future reference. Additional information about the Fund is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commissions ("SEC") website at
http://www.sec.gov
, including the Funds Class A shares and Class C shares Statement of Additional Information dated March 25, 2014 (the "SAI"). The address of the SEC's website is provided solely for the information of prospective shareholders and is not intended to be an active link. The table of contents of the SAI appears on page 45 of this prospectus. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this prospectus (legally made a part of this prospectus). The SAI, Fund annual and semi-annual reports when available, and other information and shareholder inquiries regarding the Fund are available free of charge and may be requested by writing the Fund at c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788 (the Fund Administrator), by calling the Fund Administrator toll-free 1-888-459-1059, or by visiting the Funds website at
http://www.bluerockfunds.com
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Investment Objectives.
The Funds primary investment objective is to generate current income while secondarily seeking long-term capital appreciation with low to moderate volatility and low correlation to the broader markets.
Summary of Investment Strategy.
The Fund pursues its investment objectives using a multi-strategy, multi-manager, multi-sector approach, primarily investing in a strategic combination of what the Funds advisor believes are best in class global institutional private equity real estate and institutional public real estate investment funds.
The Advisor.
The Funds investment advisor is Bluerock Fund Advisor LLC (the Advisor), a registered advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act). The Advisor has engaged Mercer Investment Management, Inc. (Mercer), a registered advisor under the Advisers Act, to provide ongoing research, opinions and recommendations of institutional asset managers and their investment funds for consideration by the Advisor on behalf of the Fund. Mercer's related investment businesses have over 400 clients globally with $86 billion in assets under management and
over 3,700 clients globally with $7.0 trillion in assets under advisement as of December 2013. See The Fund and Investment Objectives, Strategies and Investment Features.
Securities Offered.
The Fund engages in a continuous offering of classes of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund. Class A shares and Class C shares are offered by this prospectus. The Fund has registered 20,000,000 shares, and is authorized as a Delaware statutory trust to issue an unlimited number of shares. The Fund is offering to sell, through its principal underwriter, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor") on a continual basis under the terms of this prospectus, 20,000,000 shares of beneficial interest at net asset value (NAV) per share of the relevant share class, plus any applicable sales load. As of February 28, 2014 the Funds net asset value per share was $28.00 for Class A shares and no Class C shares were outstanding. Any sales load will be deducted from the proceeds to the Fund. The maximum sales load is 5.75% of the amount invested for Class A shares, while Class C shares are not subject to sales charges. The minimum initial investment by a shareholder for Class A and Class C shares is $2,500 for regular accounts and $1,000 for retirement plan accounts. Subsequent investments may be made with at least $100 for regular accounts and $50 for retirement plan accounts. The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund's shares, but will use reasonable efforts to sell the shares. Monies received will be invested promptly and no arrangements have been made to place such monies in an escrow, trust or similar account. See "Plan of Distribution." The Fund's continuous offering is expected to continue in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended until the Fund has sold shares in an amount equal to approximately $500 million.
The Funds shares have no history of public trading, nor is it intended that they will be listed on a public exchange at this time.
No secondary market is expected to develop for the Fund's shares, liquidity for the Fund's shares will be provided only through quarterly repurchase offers for no less than 5% of the Fund's shares at per-class net asset value, and there is no guarantee that an investor will be able to sell all the shares that the investor desires to sell in the repurchase offer. Investing in the Fund's shares involves substantial risks, including the risks set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of this prospectus, below.
Investment Advisor
Bluerock Fund Advisor, LLC (the "Advisor")
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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I.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
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1
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II.
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
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12
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III.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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13
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IV.
THE FUND
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14
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V.
USE OF PROCEEDS
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14
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VI.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
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14
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VII.
RISK FACTORS
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20
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VIII.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
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26
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IX.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
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29
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X.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
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30
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XI.
QUARTERLY REPURCHASE OF SHARES
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30
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XII.
DISTRIBUTION POLICY
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33
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XIII.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT POLICY
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34
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XIV.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
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34
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XV.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND SHARES
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35
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XVI.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN DECLARATION OF TRUST
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36
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XVII.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
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37
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XVIII.
LEGAL MATTERS
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42
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XIX.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
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42
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XX.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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42
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XXI.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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42
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XXII.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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43
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XXIII.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICY & PRACTICES
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the shares. You should review the more detailed information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information, particularly the information set forth below under the heading "Risk Factors."
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The Fund
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Total Income+ Real Estate Fund (the Fund) is a continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. See "The Fund." The Fund is an interval fund that provides investor liquidity by offering to make quarterly repurchases of each class of shares at that class of shares net asset value, which will be calculated on a daily basis. See "Quarterly Repurchases of Shares," and Determination of Net Asset Value.
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Investment Objectives and Policies
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The Funds primary investment objective is to generate current income while secondarily seeking long-term capital appreciation with low to moderate volatility and low correlation to the broader markets.
The Fund pursues its investment objectives by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in real estate industry securities, primarily in income producing equity and debt securities. The Fund invests in debt securities of any duration or maturity.
The Fund concentrates investments in the real estate industry, meaning that under normal circumstances, it invests over 25% of its assets in real estate industry securities. The Funds investments may be targeted in any one or more of the many sectors of the real estate market, including but not limited to the retail, office, multifamily, hospitality, industrial, residential, medical and self-storage sectors. The Fund defines real estate industry securities to include the common stock partnership or similar interests, convertible or non-convertible preferred stock, and convertible or non-convertible secured or unsecured debt issued by: private real estate investment funds managed by institutional investment managers (Institutional Investment Funds); non-traded unregistered real estate investment trusts (Private REITs); publicly traded real estate securities such as publicly registered real estate investment trusts (Public REITs); exchange traded funds, index mutual funds, and other investment vehicles such as closed-end funds and mutual funds that invest principally, directly or indirectly, in real estate (collectively, Other Public Investment Vehicles) and unregistered funds that invest principally in real estate. In certain circumstances or market environments the Fund may reduce its investment in real estate industry securities and hold a larger position in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund will not invest in any issuers that are affiliated with the Fund, the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor.
The Funds real estate industry investment policy is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval. The Funds Class A and Class C shares Statement of Additional Information (SAI) contains a list of all of the fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies of the Fund, under the heading "Investment Objectives and Policies."
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Investment Strategy
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The Fund pursues its investment objectives using a multi-strategy, multi-manager, multi-sector approach, primarily investing in a strategic combination of global best in class institutional private equity real estate and institutional public real estate investment funds.
The Fund executes its investment strategy by seeking to invest in a proprietary portfolio of global best in class Institutional Investment Funds in primarily two main categories private equity real estate, and publicly traded real estate securities. The term best in class refers to Institutional Investment Funds that Bluerock Fund Advisor, LLC (the Advisor) has identified as offering above average prospects using information provided by Mercer Investment Management, Inc. (Mercer or the Sub-Advisor), using the Sub-Advisors proprietary screening process. Mercers screening process applies multiple factors including quantitative and qualitative assessment (as described more fully below) of the management team and track record, and is not generally available to the individual investor through financial filings or published reports. Mercer is one of the leading advisors to endowments, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and family offices globally.
Many of the Institutional Investment Funds have a large minimum investment size and stringent investor qualification criteria that are intended to limit their direct investors to mainly institutions such as endowments and pension funds. As such, the Fund enables investors to invest with institutional investment managers that may not be otherwise permitted or available to them.
The Advisor will sell a security when other securities are available that offer higher expected current income, long-term capital appreciation, lower volatility or correlation to broader securities markets or a combination of the preceding.
In addition, the Fund enables investors to execute a multi-strategy, multi-manager, multi-sector strategy by making a single investment in the Fund, whereas due to the large minimums of many of the Institutional Investment Funds, such a strategy may not otherwise be permitted or available to the investor.
The Advisor also believes that the Fund may be able to provide an additional benefit in terms of lower fees from the Institutional Investment Funds as a result of volume discounts that may not otherwise be permitted or available to them.
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Investment Advisor
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Bluerock Fund Advisor, LLC was formed on May 11, 2012. The Advisor is a subsidiary of Bluerock Real Estate Holdings, LLC. Bluerock and its affiliates and principals have collectively sponsored or structured real estate transactions totaling approximately 30 million square feet and with approximately $10 billion in value.
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Sub-Advisor (s)
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The Advisor may, from time to time, engage one or more investment sub-advisors. Any sub-advisor chosen by the Advisor will be paid by the Advisor on only the portion of Fund assets allocated to any such sub-advisor. Shareholders do not pay any sub-advisor.
The
Advisor has engaged Mercer Investment Management, Inc., a registered advisor
under the Advisers Act, to provide both ongoing
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research and opinions of institutional asset managers and their investment funds for consideration by the Advisor on behalf of the Fund as well as recommendations for the selection of investment funds for approval by the Advisor.
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Advisor Fees and Expenses
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The Advisor is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of 1.50% of the Fund's daily net assets. The Advisor and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the "Expense Limitation Agreement") under which the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and to pay or absorb the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (including offering and organizational expenses, but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses), to the extent that such expenses exceed 1.84% and 2.59% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets (the "Expense Limitation") attributable to Class A and Class C shares, respectively. In consideration of the Advisors agreement to limit the Fund\'s expenses, the Fund has agreed to repay the Advisor in the amount of any fees waived and Fund expenses paid or absorbed, subject to the limitations that: (1) the reimbursement for fees and expenses will be made only if payable not more than three years from the end of the fiscal year in which they were incurred; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the Expense Limitation to be exceeded. The Expense Limitation Agreement will remain in effect at least until March 31, 2015, unless and until the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the Board) approves its modification or termination. After March 31, 2015, the Expense Limitation Agreement may be renewed at the Advisors and Board's discretion. See "Management of the Fund."
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Administrator, Accounting Agent
and Transfer Agent
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Gemini Fund Services, LLC will serve as the administrator, accounting agent and transfer agent of the Fund. See "Management of the Fund."
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Distribution Fees
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The Class C shares will pay to the Distributor a distribution fee (the Distribution Fee) that will accrue at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares and is payable on a quarterly basis. Class A shares are not subject to a Distribution Fee. See Plan of Distribution.
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Closed-End Fund Structure
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Closed-end funds differ from mutual funds in that closed-end funds do not typically redeem their shares at the option of the shareholder. Closed-end fund shares typically trade in the secondary market via a stock exchange. Unlike many closed-end funds, however, the Fund's shares will not be listed on a stock exchange. Instead, the Fund will provide limited liquidity to shareholders by offering to repurchase a limited amount of the Fund's shares (at least 5%) quarterly, which is discussed in more detail below. The Fund, similar to a mutual fund, is subject to continuous asset in-flows, although not subject to the continuous out-flows.
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Share Classes
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The Fund offers two classes of shares by this prospectus: Class A and Class C shares. The Fund began continuously offering its common shares on October 22, 2012. As of February 18, 2014, the Fund simultaneously redesignated
its issued and outstanding common shares as Class A shares and created
its Class C shares. An investment in any share class of the Fund
represents an investment in the same assets of the Fund. However, the
sales loads and
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ongoing fees and expenses for each share class are different. The loads, fees and expenses for the Fund are set forth in Summary of Fund Expenses. If an investor has hired an intermediary and is eligible to invest in more than one class of shares, the intermediary may help determine which share class is appropriate for that investor. When selecting a share class, you should consider which share classes are available to you, how much you intend to invest, how long you expect to own shares, and the total costs and expenses associated with a particular share class. The Fund offers Class I shares, which are subject to higher investment minimums, through a separate prospectus.
Each investors financial considerations are different. You should speak with your financial advisor to help you decide which share class is best for you. Not all financial intermediaries offer all classes of shares. If your financial intermediary offers more than one class of shares, you should carefully consider which class of shares to purchase.
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Investor Suitability
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An investment in the Fund involves a considerable amount of risk. It is possible that you will lose some or all of your money. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of the shares and should be viewed as a long-term investment. Before making your investment decision, you should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to your investment objectives and personal financial situation and (ii) consider factors such as your personal net worth, income, age, risk tolerance and liquidity needs.
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Repurchases of Shares
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The Fund is an interval fund and, as such, has adopted a fundamental policy to make quarterly repurchase offers, at net asset value, of no less than 5% the Fund's shares outstanding. There is no guarantee that shareholders will be able to sell all of the shares they desire to sell in a quarterly repurchase offer, although each shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to purchase at least 5% of such shareholder's shares in each quarterly repurchase. Liquidity will be provided to shareholders only through the Fund's quarterly repurchases. See "Quarterly Repurchases of Shares."
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Summary of Risks
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Investing in the Fund involves risks, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or that you may lose part or all of your investment. Before investing you should consider carefully the risks that you assume when you invest in the Fund's shares. See "Risk Factors."
Allocation Risk.
The ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective depends, in part, on the ability of the Advisor to allocate effectively the Fund's assets among the various Institutional Investment Funds, Private REITs, Public REITs and Other Public Investment Vehicles in which the Fund invests and, with respect to each such asset class, among equity and fixed income securities. There can be no assurance that the actual allocations will be effective in achieving the Fund's investment objective or delivering positive returns.
Convertible Securities Risk.
Convertible securities are typically issued as bonds or preferred shares with the option to convert to equities. As a result, convertible securities are a hybrid that have
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characteristics of both bonds and common stocks and are subject to risks associated with both debt securities and equity securities. The market value of bonds and preferred shares tend to decline as interest rates increase. Fixed-income and preferred securities also are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that an issuer of a security may not be able to make principal and interest or dividend payments as due. Convertible securities may have characteristics similar to common stocks especially when their conversion value is higher than their value as a bond. The price of equity securities into which a convertible security may convert may fall because of economic or political changes. Stock prices in general may decline over short or even extended periods of time. Additionally, the value of the embedded conversion option may be difficult to value and evaluate because the option does not trade separately from the convertible security.
Correlation Risk.
The Fund seeks to produce returns that are not correlated to the broader financial markets. Although the prices of equity securities and fixed-income securities, as well as other asset classes, often rise and fall at different times so that a fall in the price of one may be offset by a rise in the price of the other, in down markets the prices of these securities and asset classes can also fall in tandem. Because the Fund allocates its investments among different real estate asset classes, the Fund is subject to correlation risk.
Credit Risk.
It is possible that issuers of debt securities may not make scheduled interest and principal payments, resulting in losses to the Fund. In addition, the credit quality of securities held may be lowered if an issuer's financial condition changes and this also may negatively impact the Funds returns on investment in such securities.
Distribution Policy Risk.
The Fund's distribution policy is designed to generate quarterly distributions. All or a portion of a distribution may consist of a return of capital (i.e. from your original investment). Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Fund is net profit. Shareholders should note that return of capital will reduce the tax basis of their shares and potentially increase the taxable gain, if any, upon disposition of their shares.
Fixed Income Risk.
Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities. Fixed income securities are also subject to default risk.
Institutional Investment Fund Risk.
The Funds investment in Institutional Investment Funds will require it to bear a pro rata share of the vehicles expenses, including management and performance fees. The fees the Fund pays to invest in an Institutional Investment Fund may be higher than if the manager of the Institutional Investment Fund managed the Funds assets directly. The performance fees charged by certain Institutional Investment Funds may create an incentive for its manager to make investments that are riskier and/or more speculative than those it might have made in the absence of a performance fee. Furthermore, Institutional Investment Funds, like the other Underlying Funds in which the Fund may invest, are subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the vehicle, and also may employ leverage such that their returns are more than one times that of their benchmark which could
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amplify losses suffered by the Fund when compared to unleveraged investments. Shareholders of the Institutional Investment Funds are not entitled to the protections of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). For example, these funds need not have independent boards, shareholder approval of advisory contracts may not be required, these funds may leverage to an unlimited extent, and may engage in joint transactions with affiliates. These characteristics present additional risks for shareholders.
Issuer and Non-Diversification Risk.
The value of a specific security can perform differently from the market as a whole for reasons related to the investment manager or issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the respective properties and services. The Fund's performance may be more sensitive to any single economic, business, political or regulatory occurrence than the value of shares of a diversified investment company because as a non-diversified fund, the Fund may invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers.
Lack of Control Over Institutional Investment Funds and Other Portfolio Investments.
Once the Advisor has selected an Institutional Investment Fund, Private REIT, Public REIT, or Other Public Investment Vehicle (each, an Underlying Fund and together, the Underlying Funds), the Advisor will have no control over the investment decisions made by any such Underlying Fund. Although the Fund and the Advisor will evaluate regularly each Underlying Fund and its manager to determine whether their respective investment programs are consistent with the Funds investment objective, the Advisor will not have any control over the investments made by any Underlying Fund. Even though the Underlying Funds are subject to certain constraints, the managers may change aspects of their investment strategies. The managers may do so at any time (for example, such change may occur immediately after providing the Advisor with the quarterly unaudited financial information for an Institutional Investment Fund). The Advisor may reallocate the Funds investments among the Underlying Funds, but the Advisors ability to do so may be constrained by the withdrawal limitations imposed by the Underlying Funds, which may prevent the Fund from reacting rapidly to market changes should an Underlying Fund fail to effect portfolio changes consistent with such market changes and the demands of the Advisor. Such withdrawal limitations may also restrict the Advisors ability to terminate investments in Underlying Funds that are poorly performing or have otherwise had adverse changes. The Advisor will be dependent on information provided by the Underlying Fund, including quarterly unaudited financial statements, which if inaccurate could adversely affect the Advisors ability to manage the Funds investment portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives.
Leveraging Risk.
The use of leverage, such as borrowing money to purchase securities or otherwise invest the Funds assets, will cause the Fund to incur additional expenses and may significantly magnify the Fund's losses in the event of adverse performance of the Funds underlying investments.
Liquidity Risk
. There currently is no secondary market for the Fund's shares and the Advisor does not expect that a secondary market will
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develop. Limited liquidity is provided to shareholders only through the Fund's quarterly repurchase offers for no less than 5% of the Fund's shares outstanding at net asset value. There is no guarantee that shareholders will be able to sell all of the shares they desire in a quarterly repurchase offer. The Fund's investments also are subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations.
Management Risk.
The judgments of the Advisor or Sub-Advisor about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular real estate segment and securities in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.
Market Risk.
An investment in the Fund's shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Minimal Capitalization Risk.
The Fund is not obligated to raise any specific amount of capital. There is a risk that the amount of capital actually raised by the Fund through the offering of its shares may be insufficient to achieve profitability or allow the Fund to realize its investment objectives. An inability to raise additional capital may adversely affect the Funds financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, as well as its compliance with regulatory requirements.
Possible Competition Between Underlying Funds and Between the Fund and the Underlying Funds
. The Underlying Funds trade independently of each other and may pursue investment strategies that compete with each other for execution or that cause the Fund to participate in positions that offset each other (in which case the Fund would bear its pro rata share of commissions and fees without the potential for a profit). Also, the Funds investments in any particular Underlying Fund could increase the level of competition for the same trades that other Underlying Funds might otherwise make, including the priorities of order entry. This could make it difficult or impossible to take or liquidate a position in a particular security at a price consistent with the Advisors strategy.
Preferred Securities Risk.
Preferred securities are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is, in general, that the price of a debt security falls when interest rates rise. Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a security may not be able to make principal and interest or dividend payments on the security as they become. Holders of preferred securities may not receive dividends, or the payment can be deferred for some period of time. In bankruptcy, creditors are generally paid before the holders of preferred securities.
Real Estate Industry Concentration Risk.
The Fund will concentrate its
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investments in securities real estate industry issuers, and it may invest in real estate directly. As such, its portfolio will be significantly impacted by the performance of the real estate market and may experience more volatility and be exposed to greater risk than a more diversified portfolio. The value of companies engaged in the real estate industry is affected by: (i) changes in general economic and market conditions; (ii) changes in the value of real estate properties; (iii) risks related to local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition; (iv) increases in property taxes and operating expenses; (v) changes in zoning laws; (vi) casualty and condemnation losses; (vii) variations in rental income, neighborhood values or the appeal of property to tenants; (viii) the availability of financing and (ix) changes in interest rates and leverage. There are also special risks associated with particular sectors, or real estate operations, including, but not limited to, those risks described below:
Retail Properties.
Retail properties are affected by shifts in consumer demand due to demographic changes, changes in spending patterns and lease terminations.
Office Properties.
Office properties are affected by a downturn in the businesses operated by their tenants.
Hospitality Properties.
Hotel properties and other properties in the hospitality real estate sector, such as motels and extended-stay properties, are affected by declines in business and leisure travel.
Healthcare Properties.
Healthcare properties are affected by potential federal, state and local laws governing licenses, certification, adequacy of care, pharmaceutical distribution, rates, equipment, personnel and other factors regarding operations, and the continued availability of revenue from government reimbursement programs.
Industrial Properties
. Industrial properties are affected by downturns in the manufacture, processing and shipping of goods.
Multifamily Properties.
Multifamily properties are affected by adverse economic conditions in the locale, oversupply and rent control laws.
Residential Properties
. Residential properties can be significantly affected by the national, regional and local real estate markets. This segment of the real estate industry also is sensitive to interest rate fluctuations which can cause changes in the availability of mortgage capital and directly affect the purchasing power of potential homebuyers. Thus, residential properties can be significantly affected by changes in government spending, consumer confidence, demographic patterns and the level of new and existing home sales.
Shopping Centers.
Shopping center properties are affected by changes in the local markets where their properties are located and dependent upon the successful operations and financial condition of their major tenants.
Self-Storage Properties.
Self-storage properties are affected by
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changes to competing local properties, consumer and small business demand for storage space, and the ability of the management team.
Other factors may contribute to the risk of real estate investments:
Development Issues.
Real estate development companies in which the Underlying Funds or the Fund may invest are affected by construction delays and insufficient tenant demand to occupy newly developed properties.
Lack of Insurance.
Certain of the companies in the Fund's portfolio may fail to carry comprehensive liability, fire, flood, wind or earthquake extended coverage and rental loss insurance, or insurance and may be subject to various policy specifications, limits and deductibles.
Dependence on Tenants.
The ability of companies in the real estate industry in which the Fund may invest to make distributions to shareholders depends upon the ability of the tenants at their properties to generate enough income in excess of tenant operating expenses to make their lease payments.
Financial Leverage.
Companies in the real estate industry in which the Fund may invest may be highly leveraged and financial covenants may affect their ability to operate effectively.
Financing Issues.
Financial institutions in which the Fund may invest are subject to extensive government regulation. This regulation may limit both the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments a financial institution can make, and the interest rates and fees it can charge.
Environmental Issues.
Owners of properties that may contain hazardous or toxic substances may be responsible for removal or remediation costs.
Current Conditions
. Recent instability in the United States, European and other credit markets has made it more difficult for borrowers to obtain financing or refinancing on attractive terms or at all. In particular, because of the current conditions in the credit markets, borrowers may be subject to increased interest expenses for borrowed money and tightening underwriting standards. There is also a risk that a general lack of liquidity or other events in the credit markets may adversely affect the ability of issuers in whose securities the Fund invests to finance real estate developments and projects or refinance completed projects.
REIT Risk.
The value of investments in REIT shares may decline because of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. In general, real estate values can be affected by a variety of factors, including supply and demand for properties, the economic health of the country or of different regions, and the strength of specific industries that rent properties. Also, qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") in any particular year is a complex analysis that depends on a number of factors. There can be no assurance that an entity in which the Fund invests with the expectation that it will be
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taxed as a REIT will, in fact, qualify as a REIT. An entity that fails to qualify as a REIT would be subject to a corporate level tax, would not be entitled to a deduction for dividends paid to its shareholders and would not pass through to its shareholders the character of income earned by the entity.
Repurchase Policy Risks.
Quarterly repurchases by the Fund of its shares typically will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. The sale of securities to fund repurchases could reduce the market price of those securities, which in turn would reduce the Fund's net asset value.
Underlying Funds Risk
. Investments in real estate index funds (Index Funds), real estate exchange traded funds (ETFs), and Other Public Investment Vehicles are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund. As a result, the cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in such Other Public Investment Vehicles, and also may be higher than other funds that invest directly in securities. Further, Other Public Investment Vehicles are subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the fund.
Use of Leverage by Underlying Funds.
In addition to any borrowing utilized by the Fund, the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may utilize financial leverage, subject to the limitations of their charters and operative documents. The Fund intends to limit its borrowing to an amount that does not exceed 33 1/3% of the Funds gross asset value. Leverage by Underlying Funds and/or the Fund has the effect of potentially increasing losses.
Valuation of Institutional Investment Funds.
The Institutional Investment Funds are not publicly traded, and the Fund may consider information provided by the institutional asset manager to determine the value of the Funds investment therein. The valuation provided by an institutional asset manager as of a specific date may vary from the actual sale price that may be obtained if such investment were sold to a third party. To determine the value of the Funds investment in Institutional Investment Funds, the Advisor considers, among other things, information provided by the Institutional Investment Funds, including quarterly unaudited financial statements, which if inaccurate could adversely affect the Advisors ability to value accurately the Funds shares. Institutional Investment Funds that invest primarily in publicly traded securities are more easily valued.
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
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The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year for taxation as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order for the Fund to so qualify, it must meet an income and asset diversification test each year. If the Fund so qualifies and satisfies the applicable distribution requirements, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss) in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on regulated investment companies, such as the Fund, to the extent they do not meet certain distribution requirements by the end of each calendar year. The Fund anticipates meeting these distribution requirements. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters."
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Dividend Policy
|
The Fund's distribution policy is to make quarterly distributions to shareholders. The level of distributions (including any return of capital) is not fixed. Unless a shareholder elects otherwise, the shareholder's distributions will be reinvested in additional shares of the same class under the Fund's dividend reinvestment policy. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Fund's dividend reinvestment policy will receive all distributions in cash paid to the shareholder of record (or, if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee). See "Dividend Reinvestment Policy."
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Custodian
|
Union Bank, N.A. ("Union Bank") will serve as the Fund's custodian. See "Management of the Fund."
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11
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
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|
|
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Shareholder Transaction Expenses
|
|
Class A
|
Class C
|
Maximum Sales Load
(as a percent of offering price)
|
|
5.75%
|
None
|
Early Withdrawal Charges on Shares Repurchased Less Than 365 Days After Purchase (as a percent of original purchase price)
|
|
None
|
1.00%
|
Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of net assets attributable to shares)
|
|
|
|
Management Fees
|
|
1.50%
|
1.50%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
|
Shareholder Servicing Expenses
|
|
0.25%
|
0.25%
|
Distribution Fee
|
|
None
|
0.75%
3
|
Remaining Other Expenses
|
|
3.21%
|
3.21%
4
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
1
|
|
0.11%
|
0.11%
4
|
Total Annual Expenses
|
|
5.07%
|
5.82%
|
Fee Waiver and Reimbursement
2
|
|
(3.12)%
|
(3.12)%
|
Total Annual Expenses (after fee waiver and reimbursement)
|
|
1.95%
|
2.70%
|
1.
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies. These indirect costs may include performance fees paid to the acquired funds advisor or its affiliates. It does not include brokerage or transaction costs incurred by the acquired funds. The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the Fund's financial highlights, when issued, because the financial statements, when issued, include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Fund.
2.
The Advisor and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the Expense Limitation Agreement) under which the Advisor has agreed contractually to waive its fees and to pay or absorb the ordinary annual operating expenses of the Fund (including offering and organizational expenses, but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions,
acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) to the extent that they exceed 1.84% and 2.59% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A and Class C shares, respectively (the Expense Limitation). In consideration of the Advisors agreement to limit the Fund's expenses, the Fund has agreed to repay the Advisor in the amount of any fees waived and Fund expenses paid or absorbed, subject to the limitations that: (1) the reimbursement for fees and expenses will be made only if payable not more than three years from the end of the fiscal year in which they were incurred; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the expense limitation in effect at the time the expenses were waived or absorbed to be exceeded. The Expense Limitation Agreement will remain in effect at least until March 31, 2015, unless and until the Board approves its modification or termination. This agreement may be terminated only by the Fund's Board of Trustees. See "Management of the Fund."
3.
The Class C shares will pay to the Distributor a Distribution Fee that will
accrue at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of the average daily net assets
attributable to Class C shares and is payable on a quarterly basis. Class A
shares are not subject to a Distribution Fee. See Plan of Distribution.
4.
Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year for Class C shares.
The above Summary of Fund Expenses table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Fund. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in Purchase Terms starting on page 37 of this prospectus. More information about management fees, fee waivers and other expenses is available in Management of the Fund starting on page 26 of this prospectus.
The following example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment assuming annual expenses attributable to shares remain unchanged and shares earn a 5% annual return:
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|
|
|
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Share Class
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
Class A Shares
|
$76
|
$175
|
$273
|
$518
|
Class C Shares
|
$27
|
$145
|
$262
|
$544
|
Shareholders who choose to participate in repurchase offers by the Fund will not incur a repurchase fee. However, if shareholders request repurchase proceeds be paid by wire transfer, such shareholders will be assessed an outgoing wire transfer fee at prevailing rates charged by the Fund Administrator, currently $15. The purpose of the above table is to help a holder of shares understand the fees and expenses that such holder would bear directly or indirectly.
The example should not be considered a representation of actual future expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown.
12
III.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The table below sets forth financial data for one Class A share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period presented.
Because the Class C shares have only recently commenced investment operations, no financial highlights are available for the these share classes at this time. In the future, financial highlights for Class C shares, along with Class A shares will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.
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|
|
For the Period*
|
|
Ended
|
|
September 30, 2013
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
$ 25.00
|
Increase From Operations:
|
|
Net investment income (a)
|
0.67
|
Net gain from investments
|
|
(both realized and unrealized)
|
2.40
|
Total from operations
|
3.07
|
|
|
Less Distributions:
|
|
From net investment income
|
(0.40)
|
From paid in capital
|
(0.20)
|
Total Distributions
|
(0.60)
|
Paid in capital from redemption fees (a)
|
0.00
(i)
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
$ 27.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return (b)(e)(h)
|
12.36%
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|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000's)
|
$ 38,122
|
Ratio to average net assets:
|
|
Expenses, Gross (c)(d)(f)
|
4.96%
|
Expenses, Net of Reimbursement (d)(f)
|
0.01%
|
Net investment income, Net of Reimbursement (d)(f)(g)
|
2.66%
|
Portfolio turnover rate (e)
|
35%
|
__________
* The Fund commenced operations on October 22, 2012.
(a) Per share amounts are calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.
(b) Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. Had the Advisor not absorbed a portion of Fund expenses, total returns would have been lower.
(c) Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Advisor.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized.
(f) The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.
(g) Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing and declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.
(h) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions.
(i) Less than $0.01 per share.
13
IV.
THE FUND
The Fund is a continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on May 25, 2012. The Fund's principal office is located at c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788, and its telephone number is 1-888-459-1059.
V.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of the Funds continuous offering of shares, after payment of the sales load (if applicable) and other associated expenses, will be invested in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies (as stated below) as soon as practicable after receipt. The Fund pays organizational costs and its offering expenses incurred with respect to its initial and continuous offering. Pending investment of the net proceeds in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies, the Fund will invest in money market or short-term fixed-income mutual funds. Investors should expect, therefore, that before the Fund has fully invested the proceeds of the offering in accordance with its investment objective and policies, the Fund's assets would earn interest income at a modest rate.
VI.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
Investment Objective and Policies
The Fund seeks primarily to generate current income while secondarily seeking long-term capital appreciation with low to moderate volatility and low correlation to the broader markets.
The Fund pursues its investment objectives by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in real estate industry securities, primarily in income producing equity and debt securities. The Funds investments may be targeted in any one or more of the many sectors of the real estate market, including but not limited to its retail, office, multifamily, hospitality, industrial, residential, medical and self-storage sectors. The Fund concentrates investments in the real estate industry, meaning that under normal circumstances, it invests over 25% of its assets in real estate industry securities.
The Fund defines real estate industry securities to include the common stock, partnership or similar interests, convertible or non-convertible preferred stock, and convertible or non-convertible secured or unsecured debt issued by: private real estate investment funds managed by institutional investment managers (Institutional Investment Funds); non-traded unregistered real estate investment trusts (Private REITs); publicly traded real estate securities such as publicly registered real estate investment trusts (Public REITs); exchange traded funds, index mutual funds, and other investment vehicles such as closed-end funds and mutual funds that invest principally, directly or indirectly, in real estate (collectively, Other Public Investment Vehicles) and unregistered funds that invest principally in real estate.
The Fund may invest in issuers of real estate industry securities of any credit quality. The Fund may invest in debt securities of any duration or maturity. The Fund may also, to a limited extent, make real estate-related investments other than through real estate industry securities. The Advisor will sell a security when other securities are available that offer higher expected current income, long-term capital appreciation, lower volatility or correlation to broader securities markets or a combination of the preceding.
The Funds SAI contains a list of the fundamental (those that may not be changed without a shareholder vote) and non-fundamental (if any) investment policies of the Fund under the heading "Investment Objective and Policies."
14
Funds Target Investment Portfolio
The Advisor executes the Funds real estate investment strategy through a strategic investment portfolio of global best in class Institutional Investment Funds in primarily two main categories private equity real estate, and publicly traded real estate securities. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of the Funds assets in private funds employing hedging strategies (commonly known as "hedge funds", i.e., investment funds that would be investment companies but for the exemptions under Rule 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) under the 1940 Act).
The Advisor has retained Mercer to provide ongoing research and investment opinions of and/or recommendations of institutional investment managers using the Mercers proprietary screening process, which applies multiple factors based on quantitative and qualitative assessment of the management team and track record.
Institutional Investment Funds
. Institutional Investment Funds are real estate investment funds managed by institutional investment managers with expertise in managing portfolios of real estate and real estate-related securities. Many Institutional Investment Funds have large minimum investment requirements and stringent investor qualification criteria intended to limit their direct investors to mainly institutions such as endowments and pension funds. The Fund enables investors to invest with Institutional Investment Funds that may not be otherwise permitted or available to them. The Fund also enables investors to execute a multi-strategy, multi-manager, multi-sector strategy by making a single investment in its Class A or Class C shares, whereas due to the large minimums of many of the Institutional Investment Funds, such a strategy may not otherwise be permitted or available to the investor.
The Advisor also believes that the Fund may provide an additional benefit in terms of better fee pricing from the Institutional Investment Funds as a result of volume discounts, which pricing benefits may not otherwise be permitted or available to the investor. In addition, the Funds investments in Institutional Investment Funds are intended to deliver returns which have a low correlation to the broader markets.
The Funds typical investments in Institutional Investment Funds will be made through the purchase of common stock, limited liability company units, and limited partnership interests (or similar interests). Investment criteria will include evaluating a combination of strength of the sponsor and management; prior investment performance of the target fund as well as the performance of other funds managed by the sponsor; the attractiveness of the property sectors and geographical allocations of the fund; expected stability of income; expected capital appreciation, and target leverage levels.
REITs.
The Institutional Investment Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). REITs are investment vehicles that invest primarily in income-producing real estate or mortgages and other real estate-related loans or interests. Public REITs are listed on major stock exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, and invest directly in real estate, typically through either properties or mortgages. Public REITs are typically much larger and financially more stable than Private REITs and, as such, are typically less risky than Private REITs.
Other Public Investment Vehicles
.
The Fund anticipates making limited investments in Other Public Investment Vehicles, including ETFs and Index Funds that invest primarily in real estate related assets, principally to temporarily invest the Funds capital pending its deployment into other higher-returning investment opportunities, or for temporary defensive purposes under adverse market conditions.
Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs")
. ETFs are typically managed by professionals and provide investors with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. An ETF typically holds a portfolio of securities or contracts designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs are listed on major stock exchanges and are traded like stocks.
Index Funds
. An Index Fund is a mutual fund with an investment objective of seeking to replicate the performance of a specific securities index, such as the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) Index or the MSCI REIT Index. Most Index Funds are not actively managed and generally provide broad market exposure, low operating expenses and low portfolio turnover.
Other
.
In addition to ETFs and Index Funds, and subject to the Fund's investment restrictions, the Fund may invest in investment companies that invest primarily in what the Advisor considers real estate industry securities,
15
including closed-end funds and mutual funds. Shares of Closed-end Funds are typically listed for trading on major stock exchanges and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets.
Investment Strategy, and Criteria Used in Selecting Investments
The Funds disciplined investment strategy focuses on identifying Institutional Investment Funds that have:
·
attractive risk-adjusted returns;
·
with low to moderate volatility;
·
low correlation to the broader markets;
·
with an emphasis on income generation.
The Fund utilizes a multi-manager, multi-sector, and multi-strategy approach. The Advisor primarily selects funds with the highest expected income from a real estate sector peer group of issuers with similar market capitalization and/or credit quality. Secondarily, the Advisor considers potential for capital appreciation. When constructing and balancing the Fund's portfolio, the Advisor selects funds from real estate sectors that it believes have relatively low volatility and will not be highly correlated to each other or to the equity or fixed income markets, generally.
The Advisor, working closely with the Sub-Advisor and in consideration of its recommendations, uses both a quantitative screening process and a qualitative selection process when selecting investments for the Fund to implement its real estate investment strategy. The Advisor and Mercer conduct research on various real estate investment managers and investment options in order to establish a selection of investments to fulfill the Funds investment objectives. Mercers assistance and recommendations for selection of investment funds are made according to asset allocation, return expectations and other guidelines set by the Advisor with oversight of the Board of Trustees. No assurance can be given that any or all investment strategies, or the Fund's investment program, will be successful.
Investment Strategy Mercer Process
Mercers process begins with a proprietary database created and continuously maintained by its professionals - the Global Investment Manager Database (GIMD) which gives Mercer access to up-to-date information and insights on a worldwide matrix of investment managers and strategies. GIMD
contains information on numerous investment types across all asset classes,
including real estate. This information ranges from access to and analysis of
performance data to qualitative forward-looking research on investment managers
supported by screening functionality. In 2013 over 3,900 formal manager meetings were held and over 1,700 Research Notes were produced globally. As of December 2013, GIMD contained information on over 5,400 investment managers and over 26,000 investment strategies across more than 250 countries.
16
The Advisor, in conjunction with Mercer, employs a regimen of quantitative and qualitative criteria to arrive at a universe of investments which are considered to be best in class. By combining historical quantitative analysis with a sound knowledge of key qualitative attributes, the Advisor will evaluate a prospective investments potential for generating sustainable, positive, risk-adjusted returns under a wide variety of market conditions. Mercers investment selection and due diligence process are outlined in the chart below.
On-going monitoring of the Funds investments will be utilized to assist the Advisor in maintaining portfolio allocations and managing cash in-flows and outflows. The Advisor may strategically rebalance its investment strategies according to the current market conditions, but will remain true to its fundamental analysis with respect to real estate asset class and sector risk over time. The Advisor manages investments over a long-term time horizon while being mindful of the historical context of the markets. Mercer will provide to the Advisor investment performance reporting and analysis, including discussions on investment strategy, portfolio construction, and market update reports. The illustration below further outlines this monitoring process.
17
Investment Strategy - Multi-Manager Diversification
The Fund intends to employ a Multi-Manager approach by identifying and investing with best in class institutional asset managers with expertise in managing portfolios of real estate and real estate-related securities. The term best in class refers to Institutional Investment Funds that the Advisor and Mercer have identified through Mercers proprietary screening process as having above average prospects.
Many of the Institutional Investment Funds have large minimum investment size and stringent investor qualification criteria intended to limit their direct investors to mainly institutions such as endowments and pension funds - as such, the Fund enables investors to invest with institutional investment managers that may not be otherwise permitted or available to them.
The Fund also enables investors to execute a multi-strategy, multi-manager, multi-sector strategy by making a single investment in its shares, whereas due to the large minimums of many of the Institutional Investment Funds, such a strategy may not otherwise be permitted or available to the investor.
The sponsor believes that the Fund may provide an additional benefit in terms of lower fees from the Institutional Investment Funds as a result of volume discounts, which pricing benefits may not otherwise be permitted or available to them.
Investment Strategy - Multi-Strategy Diversification
The Fund intends to employ a Multi-Strategy approach to diversify the risk-reward profiles and the underlying types of real estate in which it invests, with the strategies noted below. Because each real estate strategy performs differently throughout the overall real estate and economic cycle, investment strategies that include multiple strategies generally have lower volatility than single strategy funds. Thus a multi-strategy approach should assist the Fund in achieving its objective of lower portfolio volatility as well as lower correlation with the broader markets.
·
Core
.
The Funds core strategy targets high-quality portfolios with real estate assets that provide relatively lower and more stable returns. Such investments are typically located in primary markets and in the main property types (retail, office, industrial and multi-family). Properties are stable, well-maintained, well-leased and often of the Class A variety. For example, office properties tend to be Class A buildings with investment grade tenants. Multifamily properties are usually in major metropolitan cities with higher rental rates. Retail would typically be more traditional neighborhood and community strip-mall centers, as well as regional and super regional malls. The Advisor believes that warehouse and research and development properties in strong distribution centers typically offer better chances for predictable cash flow within the industrial sector. As an example, a Class A office property may broadly be defined as 100,000 square feet or larger (five or more floors), concrete and steel construction, recently built and/or very well maintained (excellent condition), with business/support amenities and in a strong identifiable location with good access to a primary metropolitan market. Class A properties are the most prestigious buildings competing for premier tenants with rents above average for the area.
18
·
Core Plus
.
The Funds core plus strategy seeks moderate risk portfolios with real estate that provides moderate returns. Such investments are predominantly core but with an emphasis on a modest value add management approach. A core plus portfolio requires slightly more complex financial structuring and management intensive focus than core portfolio of investments. Focus is on the main property types, in both primary and secondary markets, in Class A or lower quality buildings that require some form of enhancement (i.e. repositioning, redevelopment and/or releasing). In comparison to the Class A example above, a Class B property may be renovated and/or in good condition, potentially smaller in size, in a good location in a primary or secondary metropolitan market. Class B properties compete for a wide range of users with rents in the average range for the area.
·
Value Add
.
The Funds value add strategy typically focuses on more aggressive active asset management and often employs more leverage. Such investments typically are lower quality buildings, in both primary and secondary markets in the main property types. Properties are considered value add when they exhibit management or operational problems, require physical improvement, and/or suffer from capital constraints. Buildings often require enhancement to upgrade them to higher quality properties (i.e., redevelopment/repositioning/re-tenanting).
Investment Strategy - Multi-Sector Diversification
The Fund intends to employ a Multi-Sector approach to diversify its investments by property sector - for example, across retail, office, multifamily, hospitality, industrial, residential, medical and/or self-storage sectors. Because each real estate sector has its own investment cycle, correlations across property sectors are generally low. Thus employing a multi-sector approach should assist the fund in achieving its objective of lower portfolio volatility as well as lower correlation with the broader markets.
Additional Information Regarding Investment Strategy
The Fund may, from time to time, in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other similar conditions, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund's principal, long-only investment strategy. During such times, the Advisor may determine that the Fund should invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including money market instruments, prime commercial paper, repurchase agreements, Treasury bills and other short-term obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may utilize Other Public Investment Vehicles as temporary investments as the Fund raises capital or pending deployment of capital to other investment opportunities selected by the Advisor. In these and in other cases, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Advisor may invest the Fund's cash balances in any investments it deems appropriate. The Advisor expects that such investments will be made, without limitation and as permitted under the 1940 Act, in money market mutual funds, repurchase agreements, U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency securities, municipal bonds and bank accounts. Any income earned from such investments is ordinarily reinvested by the Fund in accordance with its investment program. Many of the considerations entering into recommendations and decisions of the Advisor and the Fund's Co-Portfolio Managers are subjective.
The frequency and amount of portfolio purchases and sales (known as the "portfolio turnover rate") will vary from year to year. The portfolio turnover rate is not expected to exceed 100%, but may vary greatly from year to year and will not be a limiting factor if the Advisor determines that portfolio changes are appropriate. Although the Fund generally does not intend to trade for short-term profits, the Fund may engage in short-term trading strategies, and securities may be sold without regard to the length of time held when, in the opinion of the Advisor, investment considerations warrant such action. These policies may have the effect of increasing the annual rate of portfolio turnover of the Fund. Higher rates of portfolio turnover would likely result in higher brokerage commissions and may generate short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income. If securities are not held for the applicable holding periods, dividends paid on them will not qualify for the advantageous federal tax rates. See "Tax Status" in the Funds SAI.
There is no assurance what portion, if any, of the Fund's investments will qualify for the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. As a result, there can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund's distributions will be designated as qualified dividend income. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters."
19
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the Fund's shares is subject to risks. The value of the Fund's investments will increase or decrease based on changes in the prices of the investments it holds. This will cause the value of the Fund's shares to increase or decrease. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. By itself, the Fund does not constitute a balanced investment program. Before investing in the Fund you should consider carefully the following risks. There may be additional risks that the Fund does not currently foresee or consider material. You may wish to consult with your legal or tax advisors before deciding whether to invest in the Fund.
Allocation Risk.
The ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective depends, in part, on the ability of the Advisor to allocate effectively the Fund's assets among the various Institutional Investment Funds, Private REITs, Public REITs and Other Public Investment Vehicles in which the Fund invests and, with respect to each such asset class, among equities and fixed income securities. There can be no assurance that the actual allocations will be effective in achieving the Fund's investment objectives or delivering positive returns.
Convertible Securities Risk.
Convertible securities are hybrid securities that have characteristics of both bonds and common stocks and are subject to risks associated with both debt securities and equity securities. Convertible securities are similar to fixed-income securities because they usually pay a fixed interest rate (or dividend) and are obligated to repay principal on a given date in the future. The market value of fixed-income and preferred securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and tends to increase as interest rates decline. Convertible securities have characteristics of a fixed-income security and are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates when their conversion value is lower than the value of the bond or preferred share. Fixed-income and preferred securities also are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that an issuer of a security may not be able to make principal and interest or dividend payments on the security as they become due. Fixed-income and preferred securities also may be subject to prepayment or redemption risk. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to surrender the security for redemption, convert it into the issuing company's common stock or cash or sell it to a third party at a time that may be unfavorable to the Fund. In addition, the Fund may invest in fixed-income and preferred securities rated less than investment grade that are sometimes referred to as high yield or "junk bonds." These securities are speculative investments that carry greater risks and are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher quality securities. Such securities also may be subject to resale restrictions. The lack of a liquid market for these securities could decrease the Fund's share price. Convertible securities have characteristics similar to common stocks especially when their conversion value is the same as the value of the bond or preferred share. The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of economic or political changes. Stock prices in general may decline over short or even extended periods of time. Market prices of equity securities in broad market segments may be adversely affected by a prominent issuer having experienced losses or by the lack of earnings or such an issuer's failure to meet the market's expectations with respect to new products or services, or even by factors wholly unrelated to the value or condition of the issuer, such as changes in interest rates.
Correlation Risk.
The Fund seeks to produce returns that are not correlated to the broader financial markets. Although the prices of equity securities and fixed-income securities, as well as other asset classes, often rise and fall at different times so that a fall in the price of one may be offset by a rise in the price of the other, in down markets the prices of these securities and asset classes can also fall in tandem. Because the Fund allocates its investments among different asset classes, the fund is subject to correlation risk.
Credit Risk.
There is a risk that debt issuers will not make payments, resulting in losses to the Fund. In addition, the credit quality of securities may be lowered if an issuer's financial condition changes. Lower credit quality may lead to greater volatility in the price of a security and in shares of the Fund. Lower credit quality also may affect liquidity and make it difficult to sell the security. Default, or the market's perception that an issuer is likely to default, could reduce the value and liquidity of securities, thereby reducing the value of your investment in Fund shares. In addition, default may cause the Fund to incur expenses in seeking recovery of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings.
Distribution Policy Risk.
The Fund's distribution policy is designed to generate quarterly distributions. Shareholders receiving periodic payments from the Fund may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits. However, all or a portion of a distribution may consist of a return of capital. Return of capital is the portion of a distribution that is a return of your original investment dollars in the Fund. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution
20
from the Fund is net profit. Shareholders should note that return of capital will reduce the tax basis of their shares and potentially increase the taxable gain, if any, upon disposition of their shares.
Fixed Income Risk.
When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities. In general, the market price of debt securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default) and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment, possibly causing the Fund's share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Institutional Investment Fund Risk.
The Funds investment in Institutional Investment Funds will require it to bear a pro rata share of the vehicles expenses, including management and performance fees. The fees the Fund pays to invest in an Institutional Investment Fund may be higher than if the manager of the Institutional Investment Fund, managed the Funds assets directly. The incentive fees charged by certain Institutional Investment Funds may create an incentive for its manager to make investments that are riskier and/or more speculative than those it might have made in the absence of an incentive fee. The Funds are not publicly traded and therefore may not be as liquid as other types of investments. Furthermore, Institutional Investment Funds, like the other Underlying Funds in which the Fund may invest, are subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the vehicle and also may employ leverage such that their returns are more than one times that of their benchmark which will amplify losses suffered by the Fund when compared to unleveraged investments. For example, these Funds need not have independent boards, shareholder approval of advisory contracts may not be required, the Funds may leverage to an unlimited extent, and may engage in joint transactions with affiliates. These characteristics present additional risks for shareholders.
Issuer and Non-Diversification Risk.
The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. As a non-diversified fund, the Fund may invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers. The Fund's performance may be more sensitive to any single economic, business, political or regulatory occurrence than the value of shares of a diversified investment company. The value of an issuer's securities that are held in the Fund's portfolio may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the respective properties and services.
Lack of Control Over Institutional Investment Funds and Other Portfolio Investments.
Once the Advisor has selected an Underlying Funds, the Advisor will have no control over the investment decisions made by any such Underlying Fund. Although the Advisor will evaluate regularly each Underlying Fund and its manager to determine whether their respective investment programs are consistent with the Funds investment objective, the Advisor will not have any control over the investments made by any Underlying Fund. Even though the Underlying Funds are subject to certain constraints, the managers may change aspects of their investment strategies. The managers may do so at any time (for example, such change may occur immediately after providing the Advisor with the quarterly unaudited financial information for an Institutional Investment Fund). The Advisor may reallocate the Funds investments among the Underlying Funds, but the Advisors ability to do so may be constrained by the withdrawal limitations imposed by the Underlying Funds, which may prevent the Fund from reacting rapidly to market changes should an Underlying Fund fail to effect portfolio changes consistent with such market changes and the demands of the Advisor. Such withdrawal limitations may also restrict the Advisors ability to terminate investments in Underlying Funds that are poorly performing or have otherwise had adverse changes. The Advisor will be dependent on information provided by the Underlying Fund, including quarterly unaudited financial statements, which if inaccurate could adversely affect the Advisors ability to manage the Funds investment portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives.
Liquidity Risk
.
The Fund is a closed-end investment company structured as an "interval fund" and is designed for long-term investors. Unlike many closed-end investment companies, the Fund's shares are not listed on any securities exchange and are not publicly traded. There currently is no secondary market for the shares and the Advisor does not expect that a secondary market will develop. Limited liquidity is provided to shareholders only through the Fund's quarterly repurchase offers for no less than 5% of the Fund's shares outstanding at per-class net asset value. There is no guarantee that shareholders will be able to sell all of the shares they desire in a quarterly repurchase offer. The Fund's investments are also subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, derivatives or
securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk.
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Leveraging Risk
.
The use of leverage, such as borrowing money to purchase securities or otherwise invest the Funds assets, will cause the Fund to incur additional expenses and may significantly magnify the Fund's losses in the event of adverse performance of the Funds underlying investments.
Management Risk.
The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities in which it invests. The Advisor's judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular real estate segment and securities in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.
Market Risk.
An investment in shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of your shares at any point in time may be worth less than the value of your original investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
Minimal Capitalization Risk.
The Fund is not obligated to raise any specific amount of capital. There is a risk that the amount of capital actually raised by the Fund through the offering of its shares may be insufficient to achieve profitability or allow the Fund to realize its investment objectives. An inability to raise additional capital may adversely affect the Funds financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, as well as its compliance with regulatory requirements.
Possible Competition Between Underlying Funds and Between the Fund and the Underlying Funds
.
The Underlying Funds trade independently of each other and may pursue investment strategies that compete with each other for execution or that cause the Fund to participate in positions that offset each other (in which case the Fund would bear its pro rata share of commissions and fees without the potential for a profit). Also, the Funds investments in any particular Underlying Fund could increase the level of competition for the same trades that other Underlying Funds might otherwise make, including the priorities of order entry. This could make it difficult or impossible to take or liquidate a position in a particular security at a price consistent with the Advisors strategy.
Preferred Securities Risk.
There are various risks associated with investing in preferred securities, including credit risk, interest rate risk, deferral and omission of distributions, subordination to bonds and other debt securities in a company's capital structure, limited liquidity, limited voting rights and special redemption rights. Interest rate risk is, in general, that the price of a debt security falls when interest rates rise. Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a security may not be able to make principal and interest or dividend payments on the security as they become. Holders or preferred securities may not receive dividends, or the payment can be deferred for some period of time. In bankruptcy, creditors are generally paid before the holders of preferred securities.
Real Estate Industry Concentration Risk.
Because the Fund will concentrate its investments in real estate industry securities, its portfolio will be significantly impacted by the performance of the real estate market and may experience more volatility and be exposed to greater risk than a more diversified portfolio. In addition, the Fund may invest in real estate equity or debt and therefore may be subject to risks similar to those associated with direct investment in real property. The value of the Fund's shares will be affected by factors affecting the value of real estate and the earnings of companies engaged in the real estate industry. These factors include, among others: (i) changes in general economic and market conditions; (ii) changes in the value of real estate properties; (iii) risks related to local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition; (iv) increases in property taxes and operating expenses; (v) changes in zoning laws; (vi) casualty and condemnation losses; (vii) variations in rental income, neighborhood values or the appeal of property to tenants; (viii) the availability of financing and (ix) changes in interest rates. Many real estate companies utilize leverage, which increases investment risk and could adversely affect a company's operations and market value in periods of rising interest rates. The value of securities of companies in the real estate industry may go through cycles of relative under-performance and over-performance in comparison to equity securities markets in general.
There are also special risks associated with particular sectors, or real estate operations, including, but not limited to, those risks described below:
Retail Properties.
Retail properties are affected by the overall health of the economy and may be adversely affected by, among other things, the growth of alternative forms of retailing, bankruptcy, departure or cessation of operations of a tenant, a shift in consumer demand due to demographic changes, changes in spending patterns and lease terminations.
22
Office Properties.
Office properties are affected by the overall health of the economy, and other factors such as a downturn in the businesses operated by their tenants, obsolescence and non-competitiveness.
Industrial Properties
. Industrial properties are affected by the overall health of the economy and other factors such as downturns in the manufacture, processing and shipping of goods.
Hospitality Properties.
The risks of hotel, motel and similar hospitality properties include, among other things, the necessity of a high level of continuing capital expenditures, competition, increases in operating costs which may not be offset by increases in revenues, dependence on business and commercial travelers and tourism, increases in fuel costs and other expenses of travel, and adverse effects of general and local economic conditions. Hotel properties tend to be more sensitive to adverse economic conditions and competition than many other commercial properties.
Healthcare Properties.
Healthcare properties and healthcare providers are affected by several significant factors, including federal, state and local laws governing licenses, certification, adequacy of care, pharmaceutical distribution, rates, equipment, personnel and other factors regarding operations, continued availability of revenue from government reimbursement programs and competition on a local and regional basis. The failure of any healthcare operator to comply with governmental laws and regulations may affect its ability to operate its facility or receive government reimbursements.
Multifamily Properties.
The value and successful operation of a multifamily property may be affected by a number of factors such as the location of the property, the ability of the management team, the level of mortgage interest rates, the presence of competing properties, adverse economic conditions in the locale, oversupply and rent control laws or other laws affecting such properties.
Residential Properties
. Residential properties can be significantly affected by the national, regional and local real estate markets. This segment of the real estate industry also is sensitive to interest rate fluctuations which can cause changes in the availability of mortgage capital and directly affect the purchasing power of potential homebuyers. Thus, residential properties can be significantly affected by changes in government spending, consumer confidence, demographic patterns and the level of new and existing home sales.
Shopping Centers.
Shopping center properties are dependent upon the successful operations and financial condition of their tenants, particularly certain of their major tenants, and could be adversely affected by bankruptcy of those tenants. In some cases a tenant may lease a significant portion of the space in one center, and the filing of bankruptcy could cause significant revenue loss, including the loss of revenue from smaller tenants with co-tenancy rights. Like others in the commercial real estate industry, community centers are subject to environmental risks and interest rate risk. They also face the need to enter into new leases or renew leases on favorable terms to generate rental revenues. Community center properties could be adversely affected by changes in the local markets where their properties are located, as well as by adverse changes in national economic and market conditions.
Self-Storage Properties.
The value and successful operation of a self-storage property may be affected by a number of factors, such as the ability of the management team, the location of the property, the presence of competing properties, changes in traffic patterns and effects of general and local economic conditions with respect to rental rates and occupancy levels.
Other factors may contribute to the risk of real estate investments:
Development Issues.
Certain real estate companies in which the Fund directly or indirectly invests (portfolio companies) may engage in the development or construction of real estate properties. Portfolio companies are exposed to a variety of risks inherent in real estate development and construction, such as the risk that there will be insufficient tenant demand to occupy newly developed properties, and the risk that prices of construction materials or construction labor may rise materially during the development.
Lack of Insurance.
Certain of the portfolio companies in the Fund's portfolio may fail to carry comprehensive liability, fire, flood, earthquake extended coverage and rental loss insurance, or insurance in place may be subject to various policy
specifications, limits and deductibles. Should any type of uninsured loss occur,
the portfolio company could lose its investment in, and anticipated profits and
cash flows from, a number of properties and, as a result, adversely affect the
Fund's investment performance.
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Dependence on Tenants.
The value of the Fund's portfolio companies' properties and the ability of these companies to make distributions to their shareholders depends upon the ability of the tenants at the properties to generate enough income in excess of their tenant operating expenses to make their lease payments. Changes beyond the control of our portfolio companies may adversely affect their tenants' ability to make their lease payments and, in such event, would substantially reduce both their income from operations and ability to make distributions to our portfolio companies and, consequently, the Fund.
Financial Leverage.
Portfolio companies may be highly leveraged and financial covenants may affect their ability to operate effectively.
Environmental Issues.
In connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of real properties that may contain hazardous or toxic substances, a portfolio company may be considered an owner, operator or responsible party of such properties and, therefore, may be potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other costs, including governmental fines and liabilities for injuries to persons and property. The existence of any such material environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and cash flow of any such portfolio company and, as a result, the amount available to make distributions on shares of the Fund could be reduced.
Financing Issues.
Financial institutions in which the Fund may invest are subject to extensive government regulation. This regulation may limit both the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments a financial institution can make, and the interest rates and fees it can charge. In addition, interest and investment rates are highly sensitive and are determined by many factors beyond a financial institution's control, including general and local economic conditions (such as inflation, recession, money supply and unemployment) and the monetary and fiscal policies of various governmental agencies such as the Federal Reserve Board. These limitations may have a significant impact on the profitability of a financial institution since profitability is attributable, at least in part, to the institution's ability to make financial commitments such as loans. Profitability of a financial institution is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of the institution's funds, and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change.
Current Conditions
. The decline in the broader credit markets in recent months related to the sub-prime mortgage dislocation has caused the global financial markets to become more volatile and the United States homebuilding market has been dramatically impacted as a result. The confluence of the dislocation in the real estate credit markets with the broad based stress in the United States real estate industry could create a difficult operating environment for owners of real estate in the near term and investors should be aware that the general risks of investing in real estate may be magnified.
Recent instability in the United States, European and other credit markets has, at times, made it more difficult for borrowers to obtain financing or refinancing on attractive terms or at all. In particular, because of conditions in the credit markets, borrowers may be subject to increased interest expenses for borrowed money and tightening underwriting standards. There is also a risk that a general lack of liquidity or other events in the credit markets may adversely affect the ability of issuers in whose securities the Fund invests to finance real estate developments and projects or refinance completed projects.
For example, adverse developments relating to sub-prime mortgages have adversely affected the willingness of some lenders to extend credit, in general, which may make it more difficult for portfolio companies to obtain financing on attractive terms or at all so that they may commence or complete real estate development projects, refinance completed projects or purchase real estate. It also may adversely affect the price at which portfolio companies can sell real estate, because purchasers may not be able to obtain financing on attractive terms or at all. These developments also may adversely affect the broader economy, which in turn may adversely affect the real estate markets. Such developments could, in turn, reduce the number of real estate funds publicly-traded during the investment period and reduce the Fund's investment opportunities.
REIT Risk.
Investments (directly or indirectly) in REITs will subject the Fund to various risks. REIT share prices may decline because of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. In general, real estate values can be affected by a variety of factors, including supply and demand for properties, the economic health of the country or of different regions, and the strength of specific industries that rent properties. REITs often invest in highly leveraged properties. Returns from REITs, which typically are small or medium capitalization stocks, may trail returns from the overall stock market. In addition, changes in interest rates may hurt real estate values or make REIT
shares
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less attractive than other income-producing investments. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation.
Qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in any particular year is a complex analysis that depends on a number of factors. There can be no assurance that an entity in which the Fund invests with the expectation that it will be taxed as a REIT will, in fact, qualify as a REIT. An entity that fails to qualify as a REIT would be subject to a corporate level tax, would not be entitled to a deduction for dividends paid to its shareholders and would not pass through to its shareholders the character of income earned by the entity. If the Fund were to invest in an entity that failed to qualify as a REIT, such failure could significantly reduce the Fund's yield on that investment. REITs can be classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest primarily in real property and earn rental income from leasing those properties. They may also realize gains or losses from the sale of properties. Equity REITs will be affected by conditions in the real estate rental market and by changes in the value of the properties they own. Mortgage REITs invest primarily in mortgages and similar real estate interests and receive interest payments from the owners of the mortgaged properties. Mortgage REITs will be affected by changes in creditworthiness of borrowers and changes in interest rates. Hybrid REITs invest both in real property and in mortgages. Equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified and are subject to the risks of financing projects.
Dividends paid by REITs will not generally qualify for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters." The Fund's investments in REITs may include an additional risk to shareholders. Some or all of a REIT's annual distributions to its investors may constitute a non-taxable return of capital. Any such return of capital will generally reduce the Fund's basis in the REIT investment, but not below zero. To the extent the distributions from a particular REIT exceed the Fund's basis in such REIT, the Fund will generally recognize gain. In part because REIT distributions often include a nontaxable return of capital, Fund distributions to shareholders may also include a nontaxable return of capital. Shareholders that receive such a distribution will also reduce their tax basis in their shares of the Fund, but not below zero. To the extent the distribution exceeds a shareholder's basis in the Fund's shares, such shareholder will generally recognize a capital gain. The Fund does not have any investment restrictions with respect to investments in REITs.
Repurchase Policy Risks.
Quarterly repurchases by the Fund of its shares typically will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, payment for repurchased shares may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than the Advisor otherwise would liquidate such holdings, potentially resulting in losses, and may increase the Fund's portfolio turnover. The Advisor may take measures to attempt to avoid or minimize such potential losses and turnover, and instead of liquidating portfolio holdings, may borrow money to finance repurchases of shares. If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on any such borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their shares in a repurchase offer by increasing the Fund's expenses and reducing any net investment income. To the extent the Fund finances repurchase proceeds by selling investments, the Fund may hold a larger proportion of its net assets in less liquid securities. Also, the sale of securities to fund repurchases could reduce the market price of those securities, which in turn would reduce the Fund's net asset value.
Repurchase of shares will tend to reduce the amount of outstanding shares and, depending upon the Fund's investment performance, its net assets. A reduction in the Fund's net assets may increase the Fund's expense ratio, to the extent that additional shares are not sold. In addition, the repurchase of shares by the Fund may be a taxable event to shareholders.
Underlying Funds Risk
.
Other Public Investment Vehicles such as ETFs, Index Funds, closed-end funds, and mutual funds and in which the Fund may invest are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund. As a result, the cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in such Underlying Funds and also may be higher than other funds that invest directly in securities. Underlying Funds are subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the fund. The Fund's performance depends in part upon the performance of the Underlying Fund managers and selected strategies, the adherence by such Underlying Fund managers to such selected strategies, the instruments used by such Underlying Fund managers and the Advisors ability to select Underlying Fund managers and strategies and effectively allocate Fund assets among them. Additionally, the market value of shares of Underlying Funds that are closed-end funds typically trade at a discount relative to their net asset value. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for fund shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying basket of securities. Investments in pooled investment
vehicles also may be illiquid, making it difficult for the Advisor to redeem the
interest of the Fund in such vehicles in a reasonable amount of time.
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Use of Leverage by Underlying Funds.
In addition to any borrowing utilized by the Fund, the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may utilize financial leverage. The Underlying Funds may be able to borrow, subject to the limitations of their charters and operative documents. The Fund intends to limit its direct borrowing to an amount that does not exceed 33 1/3% of the Funds gross asset value. Furthermore, Underlying Funds typically will hold their investments in entities organized as REITs, corporations or other entities and this may allow the Funds risk of loss to be limited to the amount of its investment in the Underlying Fund. While leverage presents opportunities for increasing the Funds total return, it has the effect of potentially increasing losses as well.
Valuation of Institutional Investment Funds.
While the valuation of the Funds publicly-traded securities are more readily ascertainable, the Funds ownership interest in Institutional Investment Funds are not publicly traded and the Fund will depend on the institutional asset manager to a Private Investment Fund to provide a valuation of the Funds investment. Moreover, the valuation of the Funds investment in an Institutional Investment Fund, as provided by an institutional asset manager as of a specific date, may vary from the fair value of the investment that may be obtained if such investment were sold to a third party. For information about the value of the Funds investment in Institutional Investment Funds, the Advisor will be dependent on information provided by the Institutional Investment Funds, including quarterly unaudited financial statements which if inaccurate could adversely affect the Advisors ability to value accurately the Funds shares.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Trustees and Officers
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall management of the Fund, including supervision of the duties performed by the Advisor. The Board is comprised of five trustees. The Trustees are responsible for the Fund's overall management, including adopting the investment and other policies of the Fund, electing and replacing officers and selecting and supervising the Fund's investment advisor. The name and business address of the Trustees and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, as well as a description of committees of the Board, are set forth under "Management" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Investment Advisor
Bluerock Fund Advisors, LLC, located at c/o Bluerock Real Estate Holdings, LLC, 712 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, serves as the Fund's investment advisor. The Advisor is registered with the SEC as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Advisor is a Delaware limited liability company formed on May 11, 2012, for the purpose of advising the Fund.
Under the general supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, and pursuant to the terms if an Investment Management Agreement, the Advisor will carry out the investment and reinvestment of the net assets of the Fund, will furnish continuously an investment program with respect to the Fund, and determine which securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged. In addition, the Advisor will supervise and provide oversight of the Fund's service providers. The Advisor will furnish to the Fund office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the management of the Fund. The Advisor will compensate all Advisor personnel who provide services to the Fund. In return for these services, facilities and payments, the Fund has agreed to pay the Advisor as compensation under the Investment Management Agreement a monthly management fee computed at the annual rate of 1.50% of the daily net assets of the Fund. The Advisor may employ research services and service providers to assist in the Advisors market analysis and investment selection.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' initial approval of the Fund's Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund's September 30, 2013 annual report to shareholders.
The Advisor and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the Expense Limitation Agreement) under which the Advisor has agreed contractually to waive its fees and to pay or absorb the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (including offering expenses, but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses), to the extent that they exceed 1.84% and 2.59% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A and Class C, respectively (the Expense Limitation). In consideration of the Advisors agreement to limit the Fund's expenses, the Fund has agreed to repay the Advisor in the amount of any fees waived and Fund expenses paid or absorbed, subject to the limitations that: (1) the reimbursement will be made only for
fees and expenses incurred not more than three years from the end of the fiscal
year in which they were incurred; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if
it would cause the Expense Limitation to be exceeded. The Expense Limitation
Agreement will remain in effect, at least until March 31, 2015, unless and until
the Board approves its modification or
26
termination. This agreement may be terminated only by the Fund's Board of Trustees on 60 days written notice to the Advisor. After March 31, 2015, the Expense Limitation Agreement may be renewed at the Advisors and Board's discretion.
Advisors Investment Committee
The Advisor has established an Investment Committee comprised of three persons (the Committee) responsible for: setting overall investment policies and strategies of the Advisor; approval of Institutional Investment Funds being considered for investment by the Fund; establishing allocation targets for the investment portfolio of the Fund among the Institutional Investment Funds, Other Public Investment Vehicles and other entities in which the Fund intends to invest; and generally overseeing the activities of the Advisors Co-Portfolio Managers (see below).
The members of the Committee, and their professional background and experience, are as follows:
R. Ramin Kamfar --
Mr. Kamfar serves as the Chairman of the Advisor, a position he has held since the inception of the Advisor. In addition, Mr. Kamfar is the founder of and serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bluerock Real Estate, LLC (Bluerock), since its founding in October 2002. Mr. Kamfar started his career as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers Inc. in 1988, and has over 20 years of experience in various aspects of real estate, mergers and acquisitions, private equity investing, investment banking, and public and private financings. Mr. Kamfar received an M.B.A. degree with distinction in Finance in 1988 from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a B.S. degree with distinction in Finance in 1985 from the University of Maryland located in College Park, Maryland.
James G. Babb, III --
Mr. Babb serves as the Chief Investment Officer of the Advisor, a position that he has held since the inception of the Advisor. In addition, Mr. Babb serves as the Senior Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Bluerock, which he joined in 2007. Previously, Mr. Babb founded Bluepoint Capital, LLC, a principal real estate investment company. Prior to Bluepoint, Mr. Babb was a founding principal of Starwood Capital Group (Starwood), a leading institutional real estate investment manager, where he helped lead the residential and office acquisitions initiatives from 1992 to 2003. During Mr. Babbs tenure Starwood raised and invested funds on behalf of institutional investors through seven private real estate funds, and which in the aggregate ultimately invested approximately $8 billion in approximately 250 separate transactions. During such period, Mr. Babb led over 75 investment transactions totaling approximately $2.5 billion of asset value in more than 20 million square feet of residential, office and industrial properties located in 25 states and seven foreign countries, including a significant number of transactions that were contributed to the initial public offering of Equity Residential Properties Trust (NYSE: EQR), and to create
i
Star Financial Inc. (NYSE: SFI). Mr. Babb also led Starwoods efforts to expand its platform to invest in England and France. Mr. Babb received a B.A. degree in Economics in 1987 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Jordan B. Ruddy
--
Mr. Ruddy has served as a member of the Investment Committee and as Chief Operating Officer of the Advisor since the inception of the Advisor in 2012. Mr. Ruddy brings over 25 years of institutional real estate investment experience working with some of leading public and private firms in the industry. Mr. Ruddy also serves as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Advisors affiliate, Bluerock Real Estate, L.L.C., which he joined in 2002. Previously, Mr. Ruddy served as a real estate investment banker at Banc of America Securities LLC, and at Smith Barney Inc. and at JP Morgan Chase (previously the Chase Manhattan Bank), and as Vice President of Amerimar Enterprises, a real estate company specializing in value-added investments nationwide. Mr. Ruddy received an M.B.A. degree in Finance and Real Estate in 1995 from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.S. degree with high honors in Economics in 1986 from the London School of Economics.
Co-Portfolio Managers
Subject to the Committees oversight, Jordan B. Ruddy, who is a member of the Committee, and Adam Lotterman serve as the Funds Co-Portfolio Managers and oversee the day to day investment operations of the Fund. They have served as Co-Portfolio Managers since October 2013.
Jordan B. Ruddy
--
Mr. Ruddys biographical information is presented above.
Adam Lotterman
--
Mr. Lotterman is a co-founder of the Advisor, and has served as Associate Portfolio Manager for the Fund, and as Associate Economist of the Advisor and a key member of its investment decision making team since inception in 2012. From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Lotterman
was an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University, where
27
he taught Real Estate Market Analysis in the Masters of Real Estate Development program. From 2011 to 2012, Mr. Lotterman was Vice President, New Business Development for Forman Capital LLC, a private commercial real estate firm. From 2010 to 2011, Mr. Lotterman worked with Bayview Asset Management where he led a team responsible for the valuation and acquisition of loan portfolios ranging in size from $100 million to $40 billion, as well as analysis and formulation of workout strategies on complex non-performing loans. Previously, Mr. Lotterman served as the Senior Analyst for Goodkin Consulting, where he developed extensive experience in real estate consulting, research and analysis on a national level, and with MMC Research, where he produced quarterly economic briefs, leading indicator analyses, demand analyses for acquisitions, market and sub-market analyses. Mr. Lotterman received an M.S. in International Real Estate in 2006 from Florida International University, where he graduated first in class, and a B.S. Degree in microbiology with a minor in chemistry in 1997 from the University of Florida.
The Funds Co-Portfolio Managers are supported by an Assistant Portfolio Manager, Steven P. Siptrott, who has served in this capacity since December 4, 2013.
Steven P. Siptrott -
Mr. Siptrott has served as a Vice President of the Advisors affiliate, Bluerock Real Estate, L.L.C. since 2012. Previously, Mr. Siptrott was an Associate for Arsenal Real Estate Partners, a real estate investment management firm serving a variety of institutional clients that include pension plans, foundations, endowments from August 2011 to October 2012, and an Associate with The Townsend Group, one of the worlds largest institutional investment consultants dedicated to the real estate sector, providing investment services to many of the worlds largest and most sophisticated pension funds, endowments and Taft-Hartley plans from May 2010 to August 2011. Mr. Siptrott began his career as an Analyst with LaSalle Investment Management, the private equity investment arm of Jones Lang LaSalle, in 2007, where he was responsible for the asset management and portfolio management of a $5+ billion separate account. Mr. Siptrott received a B.A. in Economics in 2007 from the University of Chicago.
The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about each Co-Portfolio Managers compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of Fund shares.
Investment Sub-Advisor
The Advisor has engaged Mercer Investment Management, Inc., a registered advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, to act as the Funds investment sub-advisor. For more than 40 years, Mercer and its affiliates have provided global leadership in investment consulting and multi-manager fiduciary management, and is a leading advisor to sovereign wealth funds, pension plans, banks, family offices, insurance companies, endowments and foundations. Mercer's related investment businesses have over 400 clients globally with $86 billion in assets under management and
over 3,700 clients globally with $7.0 trillion in assets under advisement as of December 2013.
The Sub-Advisor is an affiliate of Mercer, LLC, a human resource and financial consulting company. Mercer, LLC has over 20,500 employees based in more than 40 countries and serves over 25,000 clients worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC).
Administrator, Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent
Gemini Fund Services, LLC, located at 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY, 11788, serves as Administrator, Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent. Gemini Fund Services, LLC receives the following fees: for administrative services 0.08% on the first $250 million of net assets of the Fund, 0.06% on the next $250 million of net assets, 0.04% on the next $500 million of net assets and 0.03% on net assets greater than $1 billion, paid monthly at the preceding annual rates; for accounting services a $27,000 base fee plus 0.02% of net assets from $25 to $100 million and 0.01% of net assets over $100 million, paid monthly at the preceding annual rates; for transfer agent services $16 per account plus various other account-related charges; plus out of pocket expenses for each of the preceding services.
Custodian
Union Bank N.A., with principal offices at 350 California Street, 6th Floor San Francisco, California 94104 serves as custodian for the securities and cash of the Fund's portfolio. Under a Custody Agreement, Union Bank holds the Fund's assets in safekeeping and keeps all necessary records and documents relating to its duties.
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Fund Expenses
The Advisor is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services stated in the Investment Management Agreement, including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management and administration of the Fund. The Advisor is obligated to pay the fees of any Trustee of the Fund who is affiliated with it.
The Fund Administrator is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services contemplated by a Fund Services Administration Agreement (administration, accounting and transfer agent), including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees and administration of the Fund.
The Fund pays all other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund including, among other things, (i) expenses for legal and independent accountants' services, (ii) costs of printing proxies, share certificates, if any, and reports to shareholders, (iii) charges of the custodian and transfer agent in connection with the Fund's dividend reinvestment policy, (iv) fees and expenses of independent Trustees, (v) printing costs, (vi) membership fees in trade association, (vii) fidelity bond coverage for the Fund's officers and Trustees, (viii) errors and omissions insurance for the Fund's officers and Trustees, (ix) brokerage costs, (x) taxes, (xi) costs associated with the Fund's quarterly repurchase offers, (xii) servicing fees and (xiii) other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. The expenses incident to the offering and issuance of shares to be issued by the Fund will be recorded as a reduction of capital of the Fund attributable to the shares.
Class A and Class C shares are subject to a monthly shareholder servicing fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the respective share class.
The Investment Management Agreement authorizes the Advisor to select brokers or dealers (including affiliates) to arrange for the purchase and sale of Fund securities, including principal transactions. Any commission, fee or other remuneration paid to an affiliated broker or dealer is paid in compliance with the Fund's procedures adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act.
Control Persons
A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. As of February 28, 2014, no shareholder is deemed to control the Fund.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of shares of the Fund is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). Each Class A share will be offered at the Class A net asset value plus the applicable sales load, while each Class C share will be offered at net asset value. During the continuous offering, the price of the shares will increase or decrease on a daily basis according to the net asset value of the shares. In computing net asset value, portfolio securities of the Fund are valued at their current market values determined on the basis of market quotations. If market quotations are not readily available (as in the case of Institutional Investment Funds investing in private real estate), securities are valued at fair value as determined by the Board of Trustees. The Board has delegated execution of certain aspects of these procedures to a fair value team or committee composed of one or more representatives from the Advisor and the Funds Administrator. The team may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results. Fair valuation involves subjective judgments, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may differ materially from the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security. Like all investments that are valued at fair value, the Institutional Investment Funds will be difficult to value. There is no single standard for determining fair value of a security. Rather, in determining the fair value of a security for which there are no readily available market quotations, the Advisor, using information including that provided by the Sub-Advisor, may consider several factors, including fundamental analytical data relating to the investment in the security, the nature and duration of any restriction on the disposition of the security, the cost of the security at the date of purchase, the liquidity of the market for the security and the recommendation of the Fund's Co-Portfolio Managers. The Advisor may also consider periodic financial statements (audited and unaudited) or other information provided by the issuer. The Advisor will
29
attempt to obtain current information to value all fair valued securities, but it is anticipated that portfolio holdings of the Institutional Investment Funds could be available on no more than a quarterly basis. Institutional Investment Funds that invest primarily in publicly traded securities are more easily valued.
The Advisor, with the assistance of other parties, will provide the Board of Trustees with periodic reports, no less frequently than quarterly, that discuss the functioning of the valuation process, if applicable to that period, and that identify issues and valuations problems that have arisen, if any. To the extent deemed necessary by the Advisor, the Valuation Committee of the Board will review any securities valued by the Advisor in accordance with the Fund's valuation policies. To the extent deemed necessary by the Advisor, the Valuation Committee of the Board will review any securities valued by the Advisor in accordance with the Fund's valuation policies.
Non-dollar-denominated securities, if any, are valued as of the close of the NYSE at the closing price of such securities in their principal trading market, but may be valued at fair value if subsequent events occurring before the computation of net asset value materially have affected the value of the securities. Trading may take place in foreign issues held by the Fund, if any, at times when the Fund is not open for business. As a result, the Fund's net asset value may change at times when it is not possible to purchase or sell shares of the Fund. The Fund may use a third party pricing service to assist it in determining the market value of securities in the Fund's portfolio. The Fund's net asset value per share is calculated, on a class-specific basis, by dividing the value of the Fund's total assets (the value of the securities the Fund holds plus cash or other assets, including interest accrued but not yet received), less accrued expenses of the Fund, less the Fund's other liabilities by the total number of shares outstanding.
For purposes of determining the net asset value of the Fund, readily marketable portfolio securities listed on the NYSE are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the NYSE on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day or if market prices may be unreliable because of events occurring after the close of trading, then the security is valued by such method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Readily marketable securities not listed on the NYSE but listed on other domestic or foreign securities exchanges are valued in a like manner. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined as reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Securities trading on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price.
Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed securities whose primary market is believed by the Advisor to be over-the-counter, are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the NASDAQ or, in the case of securities not reported by the NASDAQ or a comparable source, as the Board deems appropriate to reflect their fair market value. Where securities are traded on more than one exchange and also over-the-counter, the securities will generally be valued using the quotations the Board of Trustees believes reflect most closely the value of such securities.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
As a general matter, certain conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager's management of a fund's investments, on the one hand, and the investments of other accounts for which the portfolio manager is responsible, on the other. For example, it is possible that the various accounts managed could have different investment strategies that, at times, might conflict with one another to the possible detriment of the Fund. Alternatively, to the extent that the same investment opportunities might be desirable for more than one account, possible conflicts could arise in determining how to allocate them. Other potential conflicts might include conflicts created by specific portfolio manager compensation arrangements, and conflicts relating to selection of brokers or dealers to execute Fund portfolio trades and/or specific uses of commissions from Fund portfolio trades (for example, research, or "soft dollars", if any). The Advisor has adopted policies and procedures and has structured its Co-Portfolio Managers compensation in a manner reasonably designed to safeguard the Fund from being negatively affected as a result of any such potential conflicts.
QUARTERLY REPURCHASES OF SHARES
Once each quarter, the Fund will offer to repurchase, at per-class net asset value no less than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements (as discussed below). The offer to purchase shares is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). Shareholders will be
30
notified in writing of each quarterly repurchase offer and the date the repurchase offer ends (the "Repurchase Request Deadline"). Shares will be repurchased at the per-class NAV per share determined as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline, or the next business day if the 14th day is not a business day (each a "Repurchase Pricing Date").
Shareholders will be notified in writing about each quarterly repurchase offer, how they may request that the Fund repurchase their shares and the "Repurchase Request Deadline," which is the date the repurchase offer ends. Shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders prior to any Repurchase Request Deadline will be repurchased subject to the aggregate repurchase amounts established for that Repurchase Request Deadline. The time between the notification to shareholders and the Repurchase Request Deadline may vary from no more than 42 days to no less than 21 days. Payment pursuant to the repurchase will be made by checks to the shareholder's address of record, or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the Purchase Payment Date, which will be no more than seven days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of shares that are consistent with the 1940 Act, regulations thereunder and other pertinent laws.
Determination of Repurchase Offer Amount
The Board of Trustees, or a committee thereof, in its sole discretion, will determine the number of shares for each share class that the Fund will offer to repurchase (the "Repurchase Offer Amount") for a given Repurchase Request Deadline. The Repurchase Offer Amount, however, will be no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the total number of shares outstanding on the Repurchase Request Deadline.
If shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund will repurchase the shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may accept all shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders who own less than one hundred shares and who tender all of their shares, before prorating other amounts tendered.
Notice to Shareholders
No less than 21 days and more than 42 days before each Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall send to each shareholder of record and to each beneficial owner of the shares that are the subject of the repurchase offer a notification ("Shareholder Notification"). The Shareholder Notification will contain information shareholders should consider in deciding whether to tender their shares for repurchase. The notice also will include detailed instructions on how to tender shares for repurchase, state the Repurchase Offer Amount and identify the dates of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the scheduled Repurchase Pricing Date, and the date the repurchase proceeds are scheduled for payment (the "Repurchase Payment Deadline"). The notice also will set forth the NAV that has been computed no more than seven days before the date of notification, and how shareholders may ascertain the NAV after the notification date.
Repurchase Price
The repurchase price of the shares will be the NAV of the share class as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the Repurchase Pricing Date. The notice of the repurchase offer also will provide information concerning the NAV, such as the NAV as of a recent date or a sampling of recent NAVs, and a toll-free number for information regarding the repurchase offer. You may call 1-888-459-1059 to learn the NAV.
Early Withdrawal Charge
Selling brokers, or other financial intermediaries that have entered into distribution agreements with the Distributor may receive a commission of up to 1.00% of the purchase price of Class C shares.
Class C shareholders who tender for repurchase of such shareholders Class C Shares such that they will have been held less than 365 days after purchase, as of the time of repurchase, will be subject to an early withdrawal charge of 1.00% of the original purchase price. The Distributor may waive the imposition of the early withdrawal charge in the following situations: (1) shareholder death or (2) shareholder disability. Any such waiver does not imply that the early withdrawal charge will be waived at any time in the future or that such early withdrawal charge will be waived for any other shareholder. Class A are not be subject to an early withdrawal charge.
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Repurchase Amounts and Payment of Proceeds
Shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders prior to any Repurchase Request Deadline will be repurchased subject to the aggregate Repurchase Offer Amount established for that Repurchase Request Deadline. Payment pursuant to the repurchase offer will be made by check to the shareholder's address of record, or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the Purchase Payment Date, which will be no more than seven days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of shares that are consistent with the 1940 Act, regulations thereunder and other pertinent laws.
If shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount of shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if shareholders tender shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2% of the outstanding shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the shares on a pro rata basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may in its sole discretion and for administrative convenience accept all shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders who own less than one hundred shares and who tender all of their shares, before prorating other amounts tendered.
Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offer
The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer only: (a) if making or effecting the repurchase offer would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under the Code; (b) for any period during which the NYSE or any market on which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted; (c) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (d) for such other periods as the Commission may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.
Liquidity Requirements
The Fund must maintain liquid assets equal to the Repurchase Offer Amount from the time that the notice is sent to shareholders until the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Fund will ensure that a percentage of its net assets equal to at least 100% of the Repurchase Offer Amount consists of assets that can be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment within the time period between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Payment Deadline. The Board of Trustees has adopted procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the Fund's assets are sufficiently liquid so that the Fund can comply with the repurchase offer and the liquidity requirements described in the previous paragraphs. If, at any time, the Fund falls out of compliance with these liquidity requirements, the Board of Trustees will take whatever action it deems appropriate to ensure compliance.
Consequences of Repurchase Offers
Repurchase offers will typically be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. Payment for repurchased shares, however, may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than the Advisor otherwise would, thus increasing the Fund's portfolio turnover and potentially causing the Fund to realize losses. The Advisor intends to take measures to attempt to avoid or minimize such potential losses and turnover, and instead of liquidating portfolio holdings, may borrow money to finance repurchases of shares. If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their shares in a repurchase offer by increasing the Fund's expenses and reducing any net investment income. To the extent the Fund finances repurchase amounts by selling Fund investments, the Fund may hold a larger proportion of its assets in less liquid securities. The sale of portfolio securities to fund repurchases also could reduce the market price of those underlying securities, which in turn would reduce the Fund's net asset value.
Repurchase of the Fund's shares will tend to reduce the amount of outstanding shares and, depending upon the Fund's investment performance, its net assets. A reduction in the Fund's net assets would increase the Fund's expense ratio, to the extent that additional shares are not sold and expenses otherwise remain the same (or increase). In addition, the repurchase of shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders.
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The Fund is intended as a long-term investment. The Fund's quarterly repurchase offers are a shareholder's only means of liquidity with respect to his or her shares. Shareholders have no rights to redeem or transfer their shares, other than limited rights of a shareholder's descendants to redeem shares in the event of such shareholder's death pursuant to certain conditions and restrictions. The shares are not traded on a national securities exchange and no secondary market exists for the shares, nor does the Fund expect a secondary market for its shares to exist in the future.
DISTRIBUTION POLICY
Quarterly Distribution Policy
The Fund's distribution policy is to make quarterly distributions to shareholders. The level of distributions (including any return of capital) is not fixed. Shareholders receiving periodic payments from the Fund may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits. However, all or a portion of a distribution may consist of a return of capital. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Fund is net profit. A return of capital is not taxable to a shareholder unless it exceeds a shareholder's tax basis in the shares. Returns of capital reduce a shareholder's tax cost (or "tax basis"). Once a shareholder's tax basis is reduced to zero, any further return of capital would be taxable. Shareholders should note that return of capital will reduce the tax basis of their shares and potentially increase the taxable gain, if any, upon disposition of their shares. As required under the 1940 Act, the Fund will provide a notice to shareholders at the time of distribution when such distribution does not consist solely of net income. Additionally, each distribution payment will be accompanied by a written statement which discloses the source or sources of each distribution. The IRS requires you to report these amounts, excluding returns of capital, on your income tax return for the year declared. The Fund will provide disclosures, with each distribution, that estimate the percentages of the current and year-to-date distributions that represent (1) net investment income, (2) capital gains and (3) return of capital. At the end of the year, the Fund may be required under applicable law to re-characterize distributions made previously during that year among (1) ordinary income, (2) capital gains and (3) return of capital for tax purposes. An additional distribution may be made in December, and other additional distributions may be made with respect to a particular fiscal year in order to comply with applicable law. Distributions declared in December, if paid to shareholders by the end of January, are treated for federal income tax purposes as if received in December. The dividend rate may be modified by the Board from time to time. If, for any quarterly distribution, investment company taxable income (which term includes net short-term capital gain), if any, and net tax-exempt income, if any, is less than the amount of the distribution, then the difference will generally be a tax-free return of capital distributed from the Fund's assets. The Fund's final distribution for each calendar year will include any remaining investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income undistributed during the year, as well as all net capital gain realized during the year. If the total distributions made in any calendar year exceed investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain, such excess distributed amount would be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of the earnings and profits would first be a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the adjusted tax basis in the shares. After such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, the distribution would constitute capital gain (assuming the shares are held as capital assets). This distribution policy may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders because it may result in a return of capital resulting in less of a shareholder's assets being invested in the Fund and, over time, increase the Fund's expense ratio. The distribution policy also may cause the Fund to sell a security at a time it would not otherwise do so in order to manage the distribution of income and gain.
Unless the registered owner of shares elects to receive cash, all dividends declared on shares will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. See "Dividend Reinvestment Policy."
The dividend distribution described above may result in the payment of approximately the same amount or percentage to the Fund's shareholders each quarter. Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1 thereunder require the Fund to provide a written statement accompanying any such payment that adequately discloses its source or sources. Thus, if the source of the dividend or other distribution were the original capital contribution of the shareholder, and the payment amounted to a return of capital, the Fund would be required to provide written disclosure to that effect. Nevertheless, persons who periodically receive the payment of a dividend or other distribution may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Shareholders should read any written disclosure provided pursuant to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution from the Fund is net profit.
The Board reserves the right to change the quarterly distribution policy from time to time.
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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT POLICY
The Fund will operate under a dividend reinvestment policy administered by Gemini Fund Services, LLC (the "Agent"). Pursuant to the policy, the Fund's income dividends or capital gains or other distributions (each, a "Distribution" and collectively, "Distributions"), net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, are reinvested in the same class of shares of the Fund.
Shareholders automatically participate in the
dividend reinvestment policy, unless and until an election is made to withdraw from the policy on behalf of such participating shareholder. Shareholders who do not wish to have Distributions automatically reinvested should so notify the Agent in writing at Total Income+ Real Estate Fund, c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Such written notice must be received by the Agent 30 days prior to the record date of the Distribution or the shareholder will receive such Distribution in shares through the dividend reinvestment policy. Under the dividend reinvestment policy, the Fund's Distributions to shareholders are reinvested in full and fractional shares as described below.
When the Fund declares a Distribution, the Agent, on the shareholder's behalf, will receive additional authorized shares from the Fund either newly issued or repurchased from shareholders by the Fund and held as treasury stock. The number of shares to be received when Distributions are reinvested will be determined by dividing the amount of the Distribution by the Fund's net asset value per share.
The Agent will maintain all shareholder accounts and furnish written confirmations of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for personal and tax records. The Agent will hold shares in the account of the shareholders in non-certificated form in the name of the participant, and each shareholder's proxy, if any, will include those shares purchased pursuant to the dividend reinvestment policy. Each participant, nevertheless, has the right to request certificates for whole and fractional shares owned. The Fund will issue certificates in its sole discretion. The Agent will distribute all proxy solicitation materials, if any, to participating shareholders.
In the case of shareholders, such as banks, brokers or nominees, that hold shares for others who are beneficial owners participating under the dividend reinvestment policy, the Agent will administer the dividend reinvestment policy on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder as representing the total amount of shares registered in the shareholder's name and held for the account of beneficial owners participating under the dividend reinvestment policy.
Neither the Agent nor the Fund shall have any responsibility or liability beyond the exercise of ordinary care for any action taken or omitted pursuant to the dividend reinvestment policy, nor shall they have any duties, responsibilities or liabilities except such as expressly set forth herein. Neither shall they be liable hereunder for any act done in good faith or for any good faith omissions to act, including, without limitation, failure to terminate a participant's account prior to receipt of written notice of his or her death or with respect to prices at which shares are purchased or sold for the participants account and the terms on which such purchases and sales are made, subject to applicable provisions of the federal securities laws.
The automatic reinvestment of dividends will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters."
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the dividend reinvestment policy. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases under the dividend reinvestment policy; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the dividend reinvestment policy to include a service charge payable by the participants.
All correspondence concerning the dividend reinvestment policy should be directed to the Agent at Total Income+ Real Estate Fund, c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Certain transactions can be performed by calling the toll free number 1-888-459-1059.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following briefly summarizes some of the important federal income tax consequences to shareholders of investing in the Fund's shares, reflects the federal tax law as of the date of this prospectus, and does not address special tax rules
applicable to certain types of investors, such as corporate, tax-exempt and
foreign investors. Investors should consult
34
their tax advisors regarding other federal, state or local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances, as well as any proposed tax law changes.
The following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder of the Fund that acquires, holds and/or disposes of shares of the Fund, and reflects provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, existing Treasury regulations, rulings published by the IRS, and other applicable authority, as of the date of this prospectus. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. For more detailed information regarding tax considerations, see the Statement of Additional Information. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular investors such as those holding shares in a tax deferred account such as an IRA or 401(k) plan. In addition, income earned through an investment in the Fund may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year for taxation as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order for the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company, it must meet an income and asset diversification test each year. If the Fund so qualifies and satisfies certain distribution requirements, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss) in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on regulated investment companies, such as the Fund, to the extent they do not meet certain distribution requirements by the end of each calendar year. The Fund anticipates meeting these distribution requirements. Shareholders will not be subject to the alternative minimum tax.
The Fund intends to make distributions of investment company taxable income after payment of the Fund's operating expenses no less frequently than annually. Unless a shareholder is ineligible to participate or elects otherwise, all distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the dividend reinvestment policy. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all dividends are generally taxable whether a shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested pursuant to the policy in additional shares of the Fund. Distributions of the Fund's investment company taxable income (including short-term capital gains) will generally be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions of the Fund's net capital gains ("capital gain dividends"), if any, are taxable to shareholders as capital gains, regardless of the length of time shares have been held by shareholders. Distributions, if any, in excess of the Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the shareholder of the Fund (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). A corporation that owns Fund shares generally will not be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to all of the dividends it receives from the Fund. Fund dividend payments that are attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund from certain domestic corporations may be designated by the Fund as being eligible for the dividends received deduction. There can be no assurance as to what portion of Fund dividend payments may be classified as qualifying dividends. The determination of the character for U.S. federal income tax purposes of any distribution from the Fund (i.e. ordinary income dividends, capital gains dividends, qualified dividends or return of capital distributions) will be made as of the end of the Fund's taxable year. Generally, no later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide shareholders with a written notice designating the amount of any capital gain distributions and any other distributions.
The Fund will inform its shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND SHARES
The Fund is an unincorporated statutory trust established under the laws of the State of Delaware upon the filing of a Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of Delaware on May 25, 2012. The Trustees have authorized an unlimited number of shares, subject to a $500 million limit on the Fund. The Fund does not intend to hold annual meetings of its shareholders.
The Declaration of Trust, which has been filed with the SEC, permits the Fund to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest, no par value. The Fund offers different classes of shares including Class A and Class C shares. The Fund began continuously offering its common shares on October 22, 2012. As of February 18, 2014, the Fund simultaneously redesignated
its issued and outstanding common shares as Class A shares and created other
35
share classes. An investment in any share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same assets of the Fund. However, the minimum investment amounts, sales loads, and ongoing fees and expenses for each share class may be different. The fees and expenses for the Fund are set forth in Summary of Fund Expenses. Certain share class details are set forth in Plan of Distribution.
As of December 31, 2013, of 20,000,000 Fund shares registered, 1,884,307.049 Class A shares were outstanding, of which none were owned by the Fund.
|
|
|
|
Title of Class
|
Amount Authorized
|
Amount Held By Fund
|
Amount Outstanding
|
Shares of Beneficial Interest Class A
|
$500,000,000
20,000,000 shares registered
|
None
|
1,884,307.049 shares
NAV $27.41 per share
|
Holders of shares will be entitled to the payment of dividends when, as and if declared by the Board of Trustees. The Fund currently intends to make dividend distributions to its shareholders no less frequently than quarterly. Unless the registered owner of shares elects to receive cash, all dividends declared on shares will be automatically reinvested for shareholders in additional shares of the same class of the Fund. See "Dividend Reinvestment Policy." The 1940 Act may limit the payment of dividends to the holders of shares. Each whole share shall be entitled to one vote as to matters on which it is entitled to vote pursuant to the terms of the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC. Upon liquidation of the Fund, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities of the Fund, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may distribute the remaining assets of the Fund among its shareholders. The shares are not liable to further calls or to assessment by the Fund. There are no pre-emptive rights associated with the shares. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund's shareholders are not liable for any liabilities of the Fund. Although shareholders of an unincorporated statutory trust established under Delaware law, in certain limited circumstances, may be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund as though they were general partners, the provisions of the Declaration of Trust described in the foregoing sentence make the likelihood of such personal liability remote.
The Fund generally will not issue share certificates. However, upon written request to the Fund's transfer agent, a share certificate may be issued at the Fund's discretion for any or all of the full shares credited to an investor's account. Share certificates that have been issued to an investor may be returned at any time. The Fund's transfer agent will maintain an account for each shareholder upon which the registration of shares are recorded, and transfers, permitted only in rare circumstances, such as death or bona fide gift, will be reflected by bookkeeping entry, without physical delivery. The Fund's transfer agent will require that a shareholder provide requests in writing, accompanied by a valid signature guarantee form, when changing certain information in an account such as wiring instructions or telephone privileges.
Other Class of Shares
. The Fund offers Class I shares by a different prospectus. Class I shares are subject to higher investment minimums, but are not subject to sales charges, distribution or shareholders servicing fees.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of the Board of Trustees, and could have the effect of depriving the Fund's shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices, if any, by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging attempts to acquire control of the Fund, which attempts could have the effect of increasing the expenses of the Fund and interfering with the normal operation of the Fund. The Trustees are elected for indefinite terms and do not stand for reelection. A Trustee may be removed from office without cause only by a written instrument signed or adopted by a majority of the remaining Trustees or by a vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the Fund that are entitled to elect a Trustee and that are entitled to vote on the matter. The Declaration of Trust does not contain any other specific inhibiting provisions that would operate only with respect to an extraordinary transaction such as a merger, reorganization, tender offer, sale or transfer of substantially all of the Fund's asset, or liquidation. Reference should be made to the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor"), located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, is serving as the Fund's principal underwriter and acts as the distributor of the Fund's shares on a reasonable efforts basis, subject to various conditions. The Fund's shares are offered for sale through the Distributor at net asset value plus the applicable sales load. The Distributor also may enter into selected dealer agreements with other broker dealers for the sale and distribution of the Fund's shares, including with affiliates of the Advisor. In reliance on Rule 415, the Fund intends to offer to sell up to $500 million of its shares, on a continual basis, through the Distributor. No arrangement has been made to place funds received in an escrow, trust or similar account. The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund's shares, but will use its reasonable efforts to sell the shares. Shares of the Fund will not be listed on any national securities exchange and the Distributor will not act as a market marker in Fund shares. The Class C shares will pay to the Distributor a Distribution Fee that will accrue at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares and is payable on a quarterly basis. Class A shares are not currently subject to a Distribution Fee.
The Distributor has entered into a wholesaling agreement with Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC (BCM), a registered broker-dealer and an affiliate of the Advisor. Pursuant to the terms of the wholesaling agreement, BCM will seek to market and otherwise promote the Fund through various wholesale distribution channels, including regional and independent retail broker-dealers.
The Advisor or its affiliates, in the Advisors discretion and from their own resources, may pay additional compensation to brokers or dealers in connection with the sale and distribution of Fund shares (the "Additional Compensation"). In return for the Additional Compensation, the Fund may receive certain marketing advantages including access to a broker's or dealer's registered representatives, placement on a list of investment options offered by a broker or dealer, or the ability to assist in training and educating the broker's or dealer's registered representatives. The Additional Compensation may differ among brokers or dealers in amount or in the manner of calculation: payments of Additional Compensation may be fixed dollar amounts, or based on the aggregate value of outstanding shares held by shareholders introduced by the broker or dealer, or determined in some other manner. The receipt of Additional Compensation by a selling broker or dealer may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and its broker or dealer who is recommending the Fund over other potential investments. Additionally, the Advisor or its affiliates pay a servicing fee to the Distributor and to other selected securities dealers and other financial industry professionals for providing ongoing broker-dealer services in respect of clients with whom they have distributed shares of the Fund. Such services may include electronic processing of client orders, electronic fund transfers between clients and the Fund, account reconciliations with the Fund's transfer agent, facilitation of electronic delivery to clients of Fund documentation, monitoring client accounts for back-up withholding and any other special tax reporting obligations, maintenance of books and records with respect to the foregoing, and such other information and liaison services as the Fund or the Advisor may reasonably request.
The Fund and the Advisor have agreed to indemnify the Distributor against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the Distributor may be required to make because of any of those liabilities. Such agreement does not include indemnification of the Distributor against liability resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Distributor in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Distributor of its obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement. The Distributor may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform services for the Advisor and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Prior to the initial public offering of shares, the Advisor purchased shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act.
Purchasing Shares
Investors may purchase shares directly from the Fund in accordance with the instructions below. Investors will be assessed fees for returned checks and stop payment orders at prevailing rates charged by Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund Administrator. The returned check and stop payment fee is currently $25. Investors may buy and sell shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries and their agents that have made arrangements with the Fund and are authorized to buy and sell shares of the Fund (collectively, "Financial Intermediaries"). Orders will be priced at the appropriate price next computed after it is received by a Financial Intermediary and accepted by the Fund. A Financial Intermediary may hold shares in an omnibus account in the Financial Intermediary's name or the Financial Intermediary may maintain individual ownership records. The Fund may pay the Financial Intermediary for maintaining individual ownership records
37
as well as providing other shareholder services. Financial intermediaries may charge fees for the services they provide in connection with processing your transaction order or maintaining an investor's account with them. Investors should check with their Financial Intermediary to determine if it is subject to these arrangements. Financial Intermediaries are responsible for placing orders correctly and promptly with the Fund, forwarding payment promptly. Orders transmitted with a Financial Intermediary before the close of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on a day that the NYSE is open for business, will be priced based on the Fund's NAV next computed after it is received by the Financial Intermediary.
By Mail
To make an initial purchase by mail, complete an account application and mail the application, together with a check made payable to Total Income+ Real Estate Fund to:
Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
80 Arkay Drive
Hauppauge, NY 11788
All checks must be in US Dollars drawn on a domestic bank. The Fund will not accept payment in cash or money orders. The Fund also does not accept cashier's checks in amounts of less than $10,000. To prevent check fraud, the Fund will neither accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler's checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares, nor post-dated checks, post-dated on-line bill pay checks, or any conditional purchase order or payment.
The transfer agent will charge a $25 fee against an investor's account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any payment that is returned. It is the policy of the Fund not to accept applications under certain circumstances or in amounts considered disadvantageous to shareholders. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application.
By Wire Initial Investment
To make an initial investment in the Fund, the transfer agent must receive a completed account application before an investor wires funds. Investors may mail or overnight deliver an account application to the transfer agent. Upon receipt of the completed account application, the transfer agent will establish an account. The account number assigned will be required as part of the instruction that should be provided to an investor's bank to send the wire. An investor's bank must include both the name of the Fund, the account number, and the investor's name so that monies can be correctly applied. If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-888-459-1059 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund's designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds. The bank should transmit funds by wire to:
ABA #: (number provided by calling toll-free number above)
Credit: Gemini Fund Services, LLC
Account #: (number provided by calling toll-free number above)
Further Credit:
Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
(shareholder registration)
(shareholder account number)
By Wire Subsequent Investments
Before sending a wire, investors must contact Gemini Fund Services, LLC to advise them of the intent to wire funds. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit upon receipt of the wire. Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time to be eligible for same day pricing. The Fund, and its agents, including the transfer agent and custodian, are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.
38
Automatic Investment Plan Subsequent Investments
You may participate in the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-888-459-1059 for more information about the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan.
By Telephone
Investors may purchase additional shares of the Fund by calling 1-888-459-1059. If an investor elected this option on the account application, and the account has been open for at least 15 days, telephone orders will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. Banking information must be established on the account prior to making a purchase. Orders for shares received prior to 4 p.m. Eastern time will be purchased at the appropriate price calculated on that day.
Telephone trades must be received by or prior to market close. During periods of high market activity, shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waits. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction.
In compliance with the USA Patriot Act of 2001, the Fund Administrator will verify certain information on each account application as part of the Fund's Anti-Money Laundering Program. As requested on the application, investors must supply full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing only a P.O. Box will not be accepted. Investors may call the Fund Administrator (Gemini Fund Services, LLC) at 1-888-459-1059 for additional assistance when completing an application.
If the Fund Administrator does not have a reasonable belief of the identity of a customer, the account will be rejected or the customer will not be allowed to perform a transaction on the account until such information is received. The Fund also may reserve the right to close the account within 5 business days if clarifying information/documentation is not received.
Share Class Considerations
When selecting a share class, you should consider the following:
·
which share classes are available to you;
·
how much you intend to invest;
·
how long you expect to own the shares; and
·
total costs and expenses associated with a particular share class.
Each investors financial considerations are different. You should speak with your financial advisor to help you decide which share class is best for you. Not all financial intermediaries offer all classes of shares. If your financial intermediary offers more than one class of shares, you should carefully consider which class of shares to purchase.
Class A Shares
Class A shares are sold at the prevailing net asset value per Class A share plus the applicable sales load (which may be reduced as described below); however, the following are additional features that should be taken into account when purchasing Class A shares:
·
a minimum initial investment of $2,500 for regular accounts and $1,000 for retirement plan accounts, and a minimum subsequent investment of at least $100 for regular accounts and $50 for retirement plan accounts;
·
a monthly shareholder servicing fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class A shares; and
Investors in Class A shares will pay a sales load based on the amount of their investment, but may range from 0.00% to 5.75%, as set forth in the table below. A reallowance will be made by the Distributor from the sales load paid by each
39
investor. There are no sales loads on reinvested distributions. The Fund reserves the right to waive sales loads. The following sales loads apply to your purchases of Class A shares of the Fund:
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Amount Invested
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SALES CHARGE
AS % OF OFFERING PRICE
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SALES CHARGE AS %
OF AMOUNT INVESTED
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DEALER REALLOWANCE
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Under $100,000
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5.75%
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6.10%
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5.00%
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$100,000-$249,999
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4.75%
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4.99%
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4.00%
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$250,000-$499,999
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3.75%
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3.90%
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3.25%
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$500,000-$999,999
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2.50%
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2.56%
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2.00%
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Above $1,000,000
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0.00%
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0.00%
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0.00%
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You may be able to buy Class A shares without a sales charge (i.e. "load-waived") when you are:
·
reinvesting dividends or distributions;
·
participating in an investment advisory or agency commission program under which you pay a fee to an investment advisor or other firm for portfolio management or brokerage services;
·
exchanging an investment in Class A (or equivalent type) shares of another fund for an investment in the Fund;
·
a current or former director or Trustee of the Fund;
·
an employee (including the employee's spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, and any dependent of the employee, as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) of the Fund's Advisor or its affiliates or of a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares of the Fund; or
·
purchasing shares through the Fund's Advisor; or
·
purchasing shares through a financial services firm (such as a broker-dealer, investment advisor or financial institution) that has a special arrangement with the Fund.
In addition, concurrent purchases of Class A shares by related accounts may be combined to determine the application of the sales load. The Fund will combine purchases made by an investor, the investor's spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children when it calculates the sales load.
It is the investor's responsibility to determine whether a reduced sales load would apply. The Fund is not responsible for making such determination. To receive a reduced sales load, notification must be provided at the time of the purchase order. If you purchase Class A shares directly from the Fund, you must notify the Fund in writing. Otherwise, notice should be provided to the Financial Intermediary through whom the purchase is made so they can notify the Fund.
Right of Accumulation
For the purposes of determining the applicable reduced sales charge, the right of accumulation allows you to include prior purchases of Class A shares of the Fund as part of your current investment as well as reinvested dividends. To qualify for this option, you must be either:
·
an individual;
·
an individual and spouse purchasing shares for your own account or trust or custodial accounts for your minor children; or
·
a fiduciary purchasing for any one trust, estate or fiduciary account, including employee benefit plans created under Sections 401, 403 or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code, including related plans of the same employer.
If you plan to rely on this right of accumulation, you must notify the Fund's distributor at the time of your purchase. You will need to give the Distributor your account numbers. Existing holdings of family members or other related accounts of a shareholder may be combined for purposes of determining eligibility. If applicable, you will need to provide the account numbers of your spouse and your minor children as well as the ages of your minor children.
Letter of Intent
The letter of intent allows you to count all investments within a 13-month period in Class A shares of the Fund as if you were making them all at once for the purposes of calculating the applicable reduced sales charges. The minimum initial
40
investment under a letter of intent is 5% of the total letter of intent amount. The letter of intent does not preclude the Fund from discontinuing sales of its shares. You may include a purchase not originally made pursuant to a letter of intent under a letter of intent entered into within 90 days of the original purchase. To determine the applicable sales charge reduction, you also may include (1) the cost of Class A shares of the Fund which were previously purchased at a price including a front end sales charge during the 90-day period prior to the Distributor receiving the letter of intent, and (2) the historical cost of shares of other Funds you currently own acquired in exchange for Class A shares the Fund purchased during that period at a price including a front-end sales charge. You may combine purchases and exchanges by family members (limited to spouse and children, under the age of 21, living in the same household). You should retain any records necessary to substantiate historical costs because the Fund, the transfer agent and any financial intermediaries may not maintain this information. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends are not aggregated to achieve the stated investment goal.
Class C Shares
Class C shares are sold at the prevailing NAV per Class C share and are not subject to any upfront sales charge; however, the following are additional features that should be taken into account when purchasing Class C shares:
·
a minimum initial investment of $2,500 for regular accounts and $1,000 for retirement plan accounts, and a minimum subsequent investment of at least $100 for regular accounts and $50 for retirement plan accounts;
·
a monthly shareholder servicing fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class C shares;
·
a Distribution Fee which will accrue at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Class C shares; and
·
an early withdrawal charge equal to 1.00% of the original purchase price of Class C shares repurchased by the Fund for repurchases of Class C shares held less than 365 days following such shareholders initial purchase.
Because the Class C shares of the Fund are sold at the prevailing NAV per Class C share without an upfront sales load, the entire amount of your purchase is invested immediately.
Shareholder Service Expenses
The Fund has adopted a "Shareholder Services Plan" with respect to its Class A and Class C shares under which the Fund may compensate financial industry professionals for providing ongoing services in respect of clients with whom they have distributed shares of the Fund. Such services may include electronic processing of client orders, electronic fund transfers between clients and the Fund, account reconciliations with the Fund's transfer agent, facilitation of electronic delivery to clients of Fund documentation, monitoring client accounts for back-up withholding and any other special tax reporting obligations, maintenance of books and records with respect to the foregoing, and such other information and liaison services as the Fund or the Advisor may reasonably request. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund, with respect to its Class A and Class C shares, may incur expenses on an annual basis equal up to 0.25% of its average net assets attributable to Class A and Class C shares, respectively.
Distribution Plan
The Fund, with respect to its Class C shares, is authorized under a Distribution Plan to pay to the Distributor a Distribution Fee for certain activities relating to the distribution of shares to investors and maintenance of shareholder accounts. These activities include marketing and other activities to support the distribution of the Class C shares. The Plan operates in a manner consistent with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which regulates the manner in which an open-end investment company may directly or indirectly bear the expenses of distributing its shares. Although the Fund is not an open-end investment company, it has undertaken to comply with the terms of Rule 12b-1 as a condition of an exemptive order under the 1940 Act which permits it to have asset based distribution fees. Under the Distribution Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a Distribution Fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. Class A shares are not subject to a Distribution Fee.
41
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the shares will be passed upon for the Fund by Thompson Hine, LLP 41 South High Street, Suite 1700, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6101.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Fund will send to its shareholders unaudited semi-annual and audited annual reports, including a list of investments held.
Householding
In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund intends to reduce the number of duplicate annual and semi-annual reports by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders reasonably believed to be from the same family or household. Once implemented, a shareholder must call 1-888-459-1059 to discontinue householding and request individual copies of these documents. Once the Fund receives notice to stop householding, individual copies will be sent beginning thirty days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
BBD, LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund and audits the Fund's financial statements. BBD, LLP is located at 1835 Market Street, 26th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement that the Fund has filed with the SEC (file No. 333-181848). The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC at www.sec.gov. See the cover page of this prospectus for information about how to obtain a paper copy of the Registration Statement or Statement of Additional Information without charge.
42
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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General Information and History
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1
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Investment Objectives and Policies
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2
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Repurchases and Transfers of Shares
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9
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Management of the Fund
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15
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Codes of Ethics
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20
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Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
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20
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Control Persons and Principal Holders
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21
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Investment Advisory and Other Services
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21
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Co-Portfolio Managers
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22
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Allocation of Brokerage
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23
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Tax Status
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24
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Other Information
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26
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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27
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Financial Statements
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27
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43
NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICY & PRACTICES
Rev. Aug. 2012
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PRIVACY NOTICE
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FACTS
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WHAT DOES THE TOTAL INCOME+ REAL ESTATE FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
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Why?
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Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
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What?
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The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
§
Social Security number
§
Purchase History
§
Assets
§
Account Balances
§
Retirement Assets
§
Account Transactions
§
Transaction History
§
Wire Transfer Instructions
§
Checking Account Information
When you are
no longer
our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.
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How?
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All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons the Total Income+ Real Estate Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
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Reasons we can share your personal information
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Does Total Income+ Real Estate Fund share?
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Can you limit this sharing?
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For our everyday business purposes
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
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Yes
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No
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For our marketing purposes
to offer our products and services to you
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No
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We don't share
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For joint marketing with other financial companies
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No
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We don't share
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For our affiliates' everyday business purposes
information about your transactions and experiences
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No
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We don't share
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For our affiliates' everyday business purposes
information about your creditworthiness
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No
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We don't share
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For nonaffiliates to market to you
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No
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We don't share
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Questions?
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Call 1-855-754-7930
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Who we are
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Who is providing this notice?
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Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
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What we do
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44
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How does Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
protect my personal information?
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To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.
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How does Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
collect my personal information?
|
We collect your personal information, for example, when you
§
Open an account
§
Provide account information
§
Give us your contact information
§
Make deposits or withdrawals from your account
§
Make a wire transfer
§
Tell us where to send the money
§
Tells us who receives the money
§
Show your government-issued ID
§
Show your driver's license
We also collect your personal information from other companies.
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Why can't I limit all sharing?
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Federal law gives you the right to limit only
▪
Sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes
–
information about your creditworthiness
▪
Affiliates from using your information to market to you
▪
Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.
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Definitions
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Affiliates
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Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
§
Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
does not share with our affiliates.
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Nonaffiliates
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Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies
§
Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.
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Joint marketing
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A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
§
Total Income+ Real Estate Fund
does not jointly market.
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45
TOTAL INCOME+ REAL ESTATE FUND
Class A Shares (TITRX) and Class C Shares (TIPPX) of Beneficial Interest
PROSPECTUS
March 25, 2014
Investment Advisor
Bluerock Fund Advisor, LLC
All dealers that buy, sell or trade the Fund's shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus when acting on behalf of the Fund's Distributor.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
46
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Class A Shares (TIPRX) and Class C Shares (TIPPX) of Beneficial Interest
March 25, 2014
TOTAL INCOME+ REAL ESTATE FUND
Principal Executive Offices
80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788
1-888-459-1059
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus. This SAI should be read in conjunction with the Class A and Class C shares prospectus of Total Income+ Real Estate Fund, dated March 25, 2014 (the "Prospectus"), as it may be supplemented from time to time. The Prospectus is hereby incorporated by reference into this SAI (legally made a part of this SAI). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this SAI have the meanings given to them in the Prospectus. This SAI does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing the Fund's securities.
You should obtain and read the Prospectus and any related Prospectus supplement prior to purchasing any of the Fund's securities. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-888-459-1059 or by visiting
http://www.bluerockfunds.com
. Information on the website is not incorporated herein by reference. The registration statement of which the Prospectus is a part can be reviewed and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. The Fund's filings with the SEC also are available to the public on the SEC's Internet web site at
www.sec.gov
. Copies of these filings may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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General Information and History
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1
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Investment Objectives and Policies
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2
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Repurchases and Transfers of Shares
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9
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Management of the Fund
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15
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Codes of Ethics
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20
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Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
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20
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Control Persons and Principal Holders
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21
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Investment Advisory and Other Services
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21
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Co-Portfolio Managers
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22
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Allocation of Brokerage
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23
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Tax Status
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24
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Other Information
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26
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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27
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Financial Statements
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27
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GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
The Fund is a continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund (the "Fund" or the "Trust"). The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on May 25, 2012. The Fund's principal office is located at c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788, and its telephone number is 1-888-459-1059. The investment objective and principal investment strategies of the Fund, as well as the principal risks associated with the Fund's investment strategies, are set forth in the Prospectus. Certain additional investment information is set forth below. The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate, on a class-specific basis, equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.
The Fund offers multiple classes of shares, including Class A and Class C shares. Information on Class I shares is available in a separate Statement of Additional Information. Each share class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund, has the same rights and is identical in all material respects except that (i) each class of shares may be subject to different (or no) sales loads, (ii) each class of shares may bear different (or no) distribution and shareholder servicing fees; (iii) each class of shares may have different shareholder features, such as minimum investment amounts; (iv) certain other class-specific expenses will be borne solely by the class to which such expenses are attributable, including transfer agent fees attributable to a specific class of shares, printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials to current shareholders of a specific class, registration fees paid by a specific class of shares, the expenses of administrative personnel and services required to support the shareholders of a specific class, litigation or other legal expenses relating to a class of shares, Trustees fees or expenses paid as a result of issues relating to a specific class of shares and accounting fees and expenses relating to a specific class of shares and (v) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its own distribution arrangements. The Board of Trustees may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date.
1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Investment Objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to generate current income while secondarily seeking long-term capital appreciation with low to moderate volatility and low correlation to the broader markets.
Fundamental Policies
The Fund's stated fundamental policies, which may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (the shares), are listed below. For the purposes of this SAI, "majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund" means the vote, at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, duly called, (a) of 67% or more of the shares present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy; or (b) of more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less. The Fund may not:
(1) Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets, including the value of the assets purchased with the proceeds of its indebtedness, if any). The Fund may borrow for investment purposes, for temporary liquidity, or to finance repurchases of its shares.
(2) Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act (which currently limits the issuance of a class of senior securities that is indebtedness to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets or, if the class of senior security is stock, to no more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets).
(3) Purchase securities on margin, but may sell securities short and write put and call options.
(4) Underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities. The Fund may invest in restricted securities (those that must be registered under the Securities Act before they may be offered or sold to the public) to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
(5) Invest more than 25% of the market value of its assets in the securities of companies or entities engaged in any one industry, except the real estate industry. This limitation does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests over 25% of its assets in the securities of companies in the real estate industry.
(6) Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts, including commodity futures contracts, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments, except that the Fund may invest in securities or other instruments backed by or linked to commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities, and may invest in commodity pools and other entities that purchase and sell commodities and commodity contracts.
(7) Make loans to others, except (a) where each loan is represented by a note executed by the borrower, (b) through the purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (c) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan, and (d) by loaning portfolio securities.
2
Other Fundamental Policies
(1) In addition, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy that it will make quarterly repurchases offers for no less than for 5% of the Funds shares outstanding at net asset value ("NAV") less any repurchase fee, unless suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements, and each repurchase pricing shall occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline, or the next business day if the 14th is not a business day.
(2) The Fund may invest in real estate or interests in real estate, securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate (e.g. mortgage loans evidenced by notes or other writings defined to be a type of security), mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).
If a restriction on the Fund's investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund's investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund's total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.
Non-Fundamental Policies
The following are additional investment limitations of the Fund and may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the Board or Trustees) without shareholder approval.
1.
80% Investment Policy
. The Fund has adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of its assets (defined as net assets plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in real estate industry securities, as defined in the Prospectus. Shareholders of the Fund will be provided with at least 60 days prior notice of any change in the Fund's 80% policy. The notice will be provided in a separate written document containing the following, or similar, statement, in boldface type: "Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy." The statement will also appear on the envelope in which the notice is delivered, unless the notice is delivered separately from other communications to the shareholder.
If a restriction on a Fund's investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of a Fund's investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of a Fund's total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.
Certain Portfolio Securities and Other Operating Policies
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund invests in securities of Institutional Investment Funds, Other Public Investment Vehicles and other real estate industry securities. No assurance can be given that any or all investment strategies, or the Fund's investment program, will be successful. The Fund's investment advisor is Bluerock Fund Advisor, LLC (the "Advisor"). The Advisor is responsible for allocating the Fund's assets among various securities using its investment strategies, subject to policies adopted by the Fund's Board of Trustees. Additional information regarding the types of securities and financial instruments is set forth below.
3
Institutional Investment Funds
The Fund attempts to achieve its investment objectives by allocating its capital among a select group of institutional asset managers with expertise in managing portfolios of real estate and real estate related securities. Institutional Investment Funds typically accept investments on a continuous basis, have quarterly repurchases, and do not have a defined termination date.
In addition to diversification across property type and geographic markets, Institutional Investment Funds may diversify by differing underlying economic drivers, including anticipated job growth, population growth or inflation. No specific limits have been established within the Funds investment guidelines for property type and geographic investments; however, many of the Institutional Investment Funds have net asset value (NAV) limitations for any one individual property held by such Funds relative to the NAV of the Institutional Investment Funds overall portfolio. While some institutional asset managers will seek diversification across property types, certain Institutional Investment Funds may have a more specific focus and not seek such diversification, but instead utilize an investment strategy utilizing expertise within specific or multiple property categories.
The Institutional Investment Funds may utilize leverage, pursuant to their operative documents, as a way to seek or enhance returns. Dependent upon the investment strategy, geographic focus and/or other economic or property specific factors, each Institutional Investment Fund will have differing limitations on the utilization of leverage. Such limitations are Institutional Investment Fund specific and may apply to an overall portfolio limitation as well as a property specific limitation. The Fund intends to limit its borrowing and the overall leverage of its portfolio to an amount that does not exceed 33 1/3% of the Funds gross asset value.
Money Market Instruments
The Fund may invest, for defensive purposes or otherwise, some or all of its assets in high quality fixed-income securities, money market instruments, and money market mutual funds, or hold cash or cash equivalents in such amounts as the Fund or Sub-Advisor deems appropriate under the circumstances. Pending allocation of this offering proceeds and thereafter, from time to time, the Fund also may invest in these instruments and Other Public Investment Vehicles. Money market instruments are high quality, short-term fixed-income obligations, which generally have remaining maturities of one year or less, and may include U.S. Government securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances issued by domestic branches of U.S. banks that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC), and repurchase agreements.
Other Investment Companies
The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests, in addition to the management fees (and other expenses) paid by the Fund. The Funds investments in other investment companies are subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act, including in certain circumstances a prohibition on the Fund acquiring more that 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of the Funds total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of all investment companies. In addition, Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act provides that the provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such registered investment company is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund; and (ii) the Fund has not, and is not proposing to offer or sell any security issued by it through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or offering price which includes a sales load of more than 1 ½% percent. An investment company that
4
issues shares to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 12(d)(1)(F) shall not be required to redeem its shares in an amount exceeding 1% of such investment companys total outstanding shares in any period of less than thirty days. The Fund (or the Advisor acting on behalf of the Fund) must comply with the following voting restrictions: when the Fund exercises voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to investment companies owned by the Fund, the Fund will either seek instruction from the Fund's shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions, or vote the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security. Further, the Fund may rely on Rule 12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated investment companies to exceed the 5% Limitation and the 10% Limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by the NASD for funds of funds. Many ETFs, however, have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds (such as the Fund) to invest in their shares beyond these statutory limits, subject to certain conditions and pursuant to contractual arrangements between the ETFs and the investing funds. The Fund may rely on these exemptive orders in investing in ETFs.
ETFs are shares of unaffiliated investment companies issuing shares which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange. Much like an index mutual fund, an ETF represents a portfolio of securities, which is often designed to track a particular market segment or index. An investment in an ETF, like one in any investment company, carries the same risks as those of its underlying securities. An ETF may fail to accurately track the returns of the market segment or index that it is designed to track, and the price of an ETFs shares may fluctuate or lose money. In addition, because they, unlike other investment companies, are traded on an exchange, ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of the ETFs shares may trade at a premium or discount to the ETFs net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF may not develop or be maintained; and (iii) there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the ETF will continue to be met or remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting ETFs should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of the Funds shares could also be substantially and adversely affected.
Although not a principal investment strategy, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in private funds employing hedging strategies (commonly known as "hedge funds", i.e., investment funds that would be investment companies but for the exemptions under Rule 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) under the 1940 Act). Among other things, the hedge funds may invest in U.S. and non-U.S. equity and debt securities and may engage in leverage, short selling and derivative transactions. Hedge funds typically offer their securities privately without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), in large minimum denominations (often at least $1 million) to a limited number of high net worth individual and institutional investors hedge funds are not registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.
Typically, investment managers of hedge funds are compensated through asset-based fees and incentive-based allocations. The hedge funds employ a variety of "alternative" investment strategies to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns (
i.e
., returns adjusted to take into account the volatility of those returns) with low correlation to the broad equity and fixed-income markets. "Alternative" investment strategies, unlike "relative return strategies," are generally managed without reference to the performance of equity, debt and other markets. Alternative investment strategies permit the managers of hedge funds to use leveraged or short sale positions to take advantage of perceived inefficiencies in the global capital markets. Alternative investment strategies differ from the investment programs of traditional registered investment companies, such as mutual funds. "Traditional" investment companies are generally characterized by long-only investments and restricted use of leverage.
5
Special Investment Techniques
The Fund may use a variety of special investment instruments and techniques to hedge against various risks or other factors and variables that may affect the values of the Fund's portfolio securities. The Fund may employ different techniques over time, as new instruments and techniques are introduced or as a result of regulatory developments. Some special investment techniques that Fund may use may be considered speculative and involve a high degree of risk, even when used for hedging purposes. A hedging transaction may not perform as anticipated, and the Fund may suffer losses as a result of its hedging activities.
Derivatives
Generally.
The Fund may engage in transactions involving options and futures and other derivative financial instruments. However, the Fund has no present intention to employ derivatives as part of its investment strategy. Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk. By using derivatives, the Fund may be permitted to increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which the portfolio is exposed.
A small investment in derivatives could have a substantial impact on the Fund's performance. The market for many derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant and rapid changes in the prices for derivatives. If a the Fund were to invest in derivatives at an inopportune time, or the Advisor evaluates market conditions incorrectly, the Fund's derivative investment could negatively impact the Fund's return, or result in a loss. In addition, the Fund could experience a loss if its derivatives were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if the Fund were unable to liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary market.
Options and Futures
. The Fund may engage in the use of options and futures contracts, including options on baskets of specific securities, or other derivative instruments written by broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. These transactions may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, or they may be negotiated directly with counterparties. In cases where instruments are purchased over-the-counter or negotiated directly with counterparties, the Fund is subject to the risk that the counterparty will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the contract. These transactions may also be illiquid and, if so, it might be difficult to close out a position.
The Fund may purchase call and put options on specific securities. The Fund may also write and sell covered or uncovered call options for both hedging purposes and to pursue the Fund's investment objectives. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security at a stated price at any time before the option expires. Similarly, a call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security at a stated price at any time before the option expires.
In a covered call option, the Fund owns the underlying security. The sale of such an option exposes the Fund to a potential loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security during the term of the option. Using covered call options might expose the Fund to other risks, as well. For example, the Fund might be required to continue holding a security that the Fund might otherwise have sold to protect against depreciation in the market price of the security. The Fund is also exposed to price declines in the underlying security.
In an uncovered call option, the Fund does not own the underlying security. The sale of such an option exposes the Fund to potentially unlimited loss if the market for the instrument for which the call is written appreciates instead of depreciating. The Fund does not anticipate writing uncovered call options frequently.
6
Transactions using options, either covered or uncovered (other than options that an Fund has purchased), expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (i) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities or other options or (ii) cash or liquid securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered as provided in (i) above (uncovered). The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with the Custodian in the prescribed amount. Under current SEC guidelines, the Fund will segregate assets to cover transactions in which the Fund writes or sells options.
Assets used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding option is open, unless they are replaced with similar assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund's assets to cover or segregated accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
When writing options, the Fund may close its position by purchasing an option on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option that it has previously written on the security. If the amount paid to purchase an option is less or more than the amount received from the sale, the Fund will, accordingly, realize a profit or loss. To close out a position as a purchaser of an option, the Fund would liquidate the position by selling the option previously purchased.
The use of derivatives that are subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") by the Fund could cause the Fund to be a commodity pool, which would require the Fund to comply with certain rules of the CFTC. However, the Fund intends to conduct its operations to avoid regulation as a commodity pool. In connection with its management of the Fund, the Advisor has claimed such an exclusion from the definition of a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act ("CEA"). Therefore, it is not subject to the registration and regulatory requirements of the CEA.
Successful use of futures also is subject to the Advisors ability to correctly predict movements in the relevant market. To the extent that a transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, successful use is also subject to the Advisors ability to evaluate the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract.
The Fund may also purchase and sell stock index futures contracts. A stock index futures contract obligates the Fund to pay or receive an amount of cash equal to a fixed dollar amount specified in the futures contract, multiplied by the difference between the settlement price of the contract on the contract's last trading day, and the value of the index based on the stock prices of the securities that comprise it at the opening of trading in those securities on the next business day. The Fund may purchase and sell interest rate futures contracts, which represent obligations to purchase or sell an amount of a specific debt security at a future date at a specific price.
Options on Securities Indexes
. The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on stock indexes listed on national securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market for hedging or speculative purposes. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the stocks included in the index. Accordingly, successful use of options on stock indexes will be subject to the Advisors ability to correctly evaluate movements in the stock market generally, or of a particular industry or market segment. Uncovered call options expose the Fund to potentially unlimited liability. Uncovered put options expose the Fund to potential losses equal to the strike price of the put option less the premium received.
Swap Agreements
. The Fund may enter into a variety of swap agreements, including equity, interest rate, and index swap agreements. The Fund is not limited to any particular form of swap agreement if the Advisor determines that other forms are consistent with the Fund's investment
7
objectives and policies. Swap agreements are contracts entered into by two parties (primarily institutional investors) for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. In a standard swap transaction, the parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a "notional amount,"
i.e
., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index. Additional forms of swap agreements include (i) interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates exceed a specified rate or "cap;" (ii) interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates fall below a specified level or "floor;" and (iii) interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor (or vice versa) in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding certain minimum or maximum levels.
Generally, the Fund's obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by the parties. The risk of loss is limited to the net amount of interest payments that a party is contractually required to make. As such, if the counterparty to a swap defaults, the Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that it is entitled to receive.
Special Note Regarding Market Events
Events in the financial sector over the past several years have resulted in reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets and in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestically and internationally. While entire markets have been impacted, issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected. These events and the potential for continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the Funds investments. It is uncertain how long these conditions will continue.
The instability in the financial markets led the U.S. government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and certain segments of the financial markets. Federal, state, and foreign governments, regulatory agencies, and self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective.
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such ownership or disposition may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Funds portfolio holdings.
Non-Diversified Status
Because the Fund is non-diversified under the 1940 Act, it is subject only to certain federal tax diversification requirements. Under federal tax laws, the Fund may, with respect to 50% of its total assets, invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of any issuer. With respect to the remaining 50% of the Funds total assets, (i) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer, and (ii) the Fund may not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. These tests apply at the end of each quarter of the taxable year and are subject to certain conditions and limitations under the Code. These tests do not apply to investments in United States Government Securities and regulated investment companies.
8
When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Securities
To reduce the risk of changes in securities prices and interest rates, the Fund may purchase securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis. This means that delivery and payment occur a number of days after the date of the commitment to purchase. The payment obligation and the interest rate receivable with respect to such purchases are determined when the Fund enters into the commitment, but the Fund does not make payment until it receives delivery from the counterparty. The Fund may, if it is deemed advisable, sell the securities after it commits to a purchase but before delivery and settlement takes place.
Securities purchased on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis are subject to changes in value based upon the public's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes (either real or anticipated) in the level of interest rates. Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis can present the risk that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes place may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis when the Fund is fully, or almost fully invested, results in a form of leverage and may cause greater fluctuation in the value of the net assets of the Fund. In addition, there is a risk that securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may not be delivered, and that the purchaser of securities sold by the Fund on a forward basis will not honor its purchase obligation. In such cases, the Fund may incur a loss.
REPURCHASES AND TRANSFERS OF SHARES
Repurchase Offers
The Board has adopted a resolution setting forth the Fund's fundamental policy that it will conduct quarterly repurchase offers (the "Repurchase Offer Policy"). The Repurchase Offer Policy sets the interval between each repurchase offer at one quarter and provides that the Fund shall conduct a repurchase offer each quarter (unless suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements). The Repurchase Offer Policy also provides that the repurchase pricing shall occur not later than the 14
th
day after the Repurchase Request Deadline or the next business day if the 14
th
day is not a business day. The Fund's Repurchase Offer Policy is fundamental and cannot be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund may, for the purpose of paying for repurchased shares, be required to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than the Advisor would otherwise have liquidated these holdings. Such liquidations may result in losses, and may increase the Fund's portfolio turnover.
Repurchase Offer Policy Summary of Terms
1.
The Fund will make repurchase offers at periodic intervals pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as that rule may be amended from time to time.
2.
The repurchase offers will be made in March, June, September and December of each year.
3.
The Fund must receive repurchase requests submitted by shareholders in response to the Fund's repurchase offer on or before the date specified in the repurchase offer, which will be within 21 to 42 days of the date the repurchase offer is made (or the preceding business day if the New York Stock Exchange is closed on that day) (the "Repurchase Request Deadline").
4.
The maximum time between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the next date on which the Fund determines the net asset value applicable to the purchase of shares (the "Repurchase Pricing Date") is 14 calendar days (or the next business day if the fourteenth day is not a business day).
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The Fund may not condition a repurchase offer upon the tender of any minimum amount of shares. The Fund may deduct from the repurchase proceeds a repurchase fee that is paid to the Fund and that is reasonably intended to compensate the Fund for expenses directly related to the repurchase. The repurchase fee may not exceed 2% of the proceeds. Generally, the Fund does not charge a repurchase fee. However, a Class C shareholder who tenders for repurchase of such shareholders Class C shares during the first 365 days following such shareholders initial capital contribution, such they are repurchased after being held less than 365 days, will be subject to a fee of 1.00% of the value of the original purchase price of the shares repurchased by the Fund (an Early Withdrawal Charge). The Distributor may waive the imposition of the early withdrawal charge in the following shareholder situations: (1) shareholder death or (2) shareholder disability. Any such waiver does not imply that the Early Withdrawal Charge will be waived at any time in the future or that such Early Withdrawal Charge will be waived for any other shareholder. Class A shares are not subject to an Early Withdrawal Charge.
Procedures:
All periodic repurchase offers must comply with the following procedures:
Repurchase Offer Amount
: Each quarter, the Fund may offer to repurchase at least 5% and no more than 25% of the Funds outstanding shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline (the "Repurchase Offer Amount"). The Board of Trustees shall determine the quarterly Repurchase Offer Amount.
Shareholder Notification
: At least 21 days before each Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall send to each shareholder of record and to each beneficial owner of the shares that are the subject of the repurchase offer a notification ("Shareholder Notification") providing the following information:
1.
A statement that the Fund is offering to repurchase its shares from shareholders at net asset value;
2.
Any fees applicable to such repurchase, if any;
3.
The Repurchase Offer Amount;
4.
The dates of the Repurchase Request Deadline, Repurchase Pricing Date, and the date by which the Fund must pay shareholders for any shares repurchased (which shall not be more than seven days after the Repurchase Pricing Date) (the "Repurchase Payment Deadline");
5.
The risk of fluctuation in net asset value between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Pricing Date, and the possibility that the Fund may use an earlier Repurchase Pricing Date;
6.
The procedures for shareholders to request repurchase of their shares and the right of shareholders to withdraw or modify their repurchase requests until the Repurchase Request Deadline;
7.
The procedures under which the Fund may repurchase such shares on a pro rata basis if shareholders tender more than the Repurchase Offer Amount;
8.
The circumstances in which the Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer;
9.
The net asset value of the shares computed no more than seven days before the date of the notification and the means by which shareholders may ascertain the net asset value thereafter; and
10.
The market price, if any, of the shares on the date on which such net asset value was computed, and the means by which shareholders may ascertain the market price thereafter.
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The Fund must file Form N-23c-3 (Notification of Repurchase Offer'') and three copies of the Shareholder Notification with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") within three business days after sending the notification to shareholders.
Notification of Beneficial Owners
: Where the Fund knows that shares subject of a repurchase offer are held of record by a broker, dealer, voting trustee, bank, association or other entity that exercises fiduciary powers in nominee name or otherwise, the Fund must follow the procedures for transmitting materials to beneficial owners of securities that are set forth in Rule 14a-13 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Repurchase Requests
: Repurchase requests must be submitted by shareholders by the Repurchase Request Deadline. The Fund shall permit repurchase requests to be withdrawn or modified at any time until the Repurchase Request Deadline, but shall not permit repurchase requests to be withdrawn or modified after the Repurchase Request Deadline.
Repurchase Requests in Excess of the Repurchase Offer Amount
: If shareholders tender more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount of shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if shareholders tender shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2% of the outstanding shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall repurchase the shares tendered on a pro rata basis. This policy, however, does not prohibit the Fund from:
1.
Accepting all repurchase requests by persons who own, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of not more than 100 shares and who tender
all
of their stock for repurchase, before prorating shares tendered by others, or
2.
Accepting by lot shares tendered by shareholders who request repurchase of all shares held by them and who, when tendering their shares, elect to have either (i) all or none or (ii) at least a minimum amount or none accepted, if the Fund first accepts all shares tendered by shareholders who do not make this election.
Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers
:
The Fund shall not suspend or postpone a repurchase offer except pursuant to a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, and only:
1.
If the repurchase would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code;
2.
If the repurchase would cause the shares that are the subject of the offer that are either listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system of a national securities association to be neither listed on any national securities exchange nor quoted on any inter-dealer quotation system of a national securities association;
3.
For any period during which the New York Stock Exchange or any other market in which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary week-end and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted;
4.
For any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or
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5.
For such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.
If a repurchase offer is suspended or postponed, the Fund shall provide notice to shareholders of such suspension or postponement. If the Fund renews the repurchase offer, the Fund shall send a new Shareholder Notification to shareholders.
Computing Net Asset Value
:
The Fund's current net asset value per share ("NAV") shall be computed no less frequently than weekly, and daily on the five business days preceding a Repurchase Request Deadline, on such days and at such specific time or times during the day as set by the Board of Trustees. Currently, the Board has determined that the Fund's NAV shall be determined daily following the close of the New York Stock Exchange. The Fund's NAV need not be calculated on:
1.
Days on which changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities will not materially affect the current NAV of the shares;
2.
Days during which no order to purchase shares is received, other than days when the NAV would otherwise be computed; or
3.
Customary national, local, and regional business holidays described or listed in the Prospectus.
Liquidity Requirements
:
From the time the Fund sends a Shareholder Notification to shareholders until the Repurchase Pricing Date, a percentage of the Fund's assets equal to at least 100% of the Repurchase Offer Amount (the "Liquidity Amount") shall consist of assets that individually can be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business, at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment, within a period equal to the period between a Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Payment Deadline, or of assets that mature by the next Repurchase Payment Deadline.
This requirement means that individual assets must be salable under these circumstances. It does not require that the entire Liquidity Amount must be salable. In the event that the Fund's assets fail to comply with this requirement, the Board of Trustees shall cause the Fund to take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure compliance.
Liquidity Policy
: The Board of Trustees may delegate day-to-day responsibility for evaluating liquidity of specific assets to the Fund's investment advisor, but shall continue to be responsible for monitoring the investment advisor's performance of its duties and the composition of the portfolio. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has approved this policy that is reasonably designed to ensure that the Fund's portfolio assets are sufficiently liquid so that the Fund can comply with its fundamental policy on repurchases and comply with the liquidity requirements in the preceding paragraph.
1.
In evaluating liquidity, the following factors are relevant, but not necessarily determinative:
(a)
The frequency of trades and quotes for the security.
(b)
The number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of potential purchasers.
(c)
Dealer undertakings to make a market in the security.
(d)
The nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offer and the mechanics of transfer).
12
(e)
The size of the fund's holdings of a given security in relation to the total amount of outstanding of such security or to the average trading volume for the security.
2.
If market developments impair the liquidity of a security, the investment advisor should review the advisability of retaining the security in the portfolio. The investment advisor should report to the basis for its determination to retain a security at the next Board of Trustees meeting.
3.
The Board of Trustees shall review the overall composition and liquidity of the Fund's portfolio on a quarterly basis.
4.
These procedures may be modified as the Board deems necessary.
Registration Statement Disclosure
: The Fund's registration statement must disclose its intention to make or consider making such repurchase offers.
Annual Report Disclosure
: The Fund shall include in its annual report to shareholders the following:
1.
Disclosure of its fundamental policy regarding periodic repurchase offers.
2.
Disclosure regarding repurchase offers by the Fund during the period covered by the annual report, which disclosure shall include:
a.
the number of repurchase offers,
b.
the repurchase offer amount and the amount tendered in each repurchase offer,
c.
and the extent to which in any repurchase offer the Fund repurchased stock pursuant to the procedures in paragraph (b)(5) of this section.
Advertising
: The Fund, or any underwriter for the Fund, must comply, as if the Fund were an open end company, with the provisions of Section 24(b) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and file, if necessary, with FINRA or the SEC any advertisement, pamphlet, circular, form letter, or other sales literature addressed to or intended for distribution to prospective investors.
Involuntary Repurchases
The Fund may, at any time, repurchase at net asset value shares held by a shareholder, or any person acquiring shares from or through a shareholder, if: the shares have been transferred or have vested in any person other than by operation of law as the result of the death, dissolution, bankruptcy or incompetency of a shareholder; ownership of the shares by the shareholder or other person will cause the Fund to be in violation of, or require registration of the shares, or subject the Fund to additional registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities or other laws of the United States or any other relevant jurisdiction; continued ownership of the shares may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund or may subject the Fund or any shareholders to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal consequences; the shareholder owns shares having an aggregate net asset value less than an amount determined from time to time by the Trustees; or it would be in the interests of the Fund, as determined by the Board, for the Fund to repurchase the Shares. The Advisor may tender for repurchase in connection with any repurchase offer made by the Fund Shares that it holds in its capacity as a shareholder.
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Transfers of Shares
No person may become a substituted shareholder without the written consent of the Board, which consent may be withheld for any reason in the Board's sole and absolute discretion. Shares may be transferred only (i) by operation of law pursuant to the death, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of a shareholder or (ii) with the written consent of the Board, which may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion. The Board may, in its discretion, delegate to the Advisor its authority to consent to transfers of shares. Each shareholder and transferee is required to pay all expenses, including attorneys and accountants fees, incurred by the Fund in connection with such transfer.
Other Information About Determination of NAV.
The Fund may hold securities, such as private placements or other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the fair value procedures approved by the Board. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value team or committee composed of one of more representatives from the Advisor and the Funds administrator (Gemini Fund Services, LLC). The team may also enlist, the Sub-Advisor, third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.
Fair Value Team and Valuation Process. The applicable investments are valued collectively via inputs from each group supporting the fair value team. For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source), (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the Advisor or Sub-Advisor, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the Advisor or Sub-Advisor to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an asked price is available; the spread between bid and asked prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a significant event) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to the Funds calculation of its net asset value.
Standards For Fair Value Determinations. As a general principle, the fair value of a security is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to realize upon its current sale. The Trust has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"). In accordance with ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including such a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information available under the circumstances.
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Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments relating to ASC 820. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3 significant unobservable inputs (including a Funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The fair value team takes into account relevant factors and surrounding circumstances, which may include: (i) the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; (ii) whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; (iii) possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of the security; (iv) the recommendation of a Co-Portfolio Manager of the Fund with respect to the valuation of the security; (v) whether the same or similar securities are held by other funds managed by the Advisor (or Sub-Advisor) or other funds and the method used to price the security in those funds; (vi) the extent to which the fair value to be determined for the security will result from the use of data or formulae produced by independent third parties and (vii) the liquidity or illiquidity of the market for the security.
Board of Trustees Determination. The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly to consider the valuations provided by fair value team and ratify valuations for the applicable securities. The Board of Trustees considers the reports provided by the fair value team, including follow up studies of subsequent market-provided prices when available, in reviewing and determining in good faith the fair value of the applicable portfolio securities.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Board has overall responsibility to manage and control the business affairs of the Fund, including the complete and exclusive authority to oversee and to establish policies regarding the management, conduct and operation of the Fund's business. The Board exercises the same powers, authority and responsibilities on behalf of the Fund as are customarily exercised by the board of directors of a registered investment company organized as a corporation. The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust's By-laws (the "Governing Documents"), each as amended from time to time, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available upon request. The Board consists of five individuals, three of whom are not "interested persons" (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust, the Advisor, any Sub-Advisor or the Trust's distributor ("Independent Trustees"). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Principal Executive Officer and a Principal Accounting Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust's purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.
Board Leadership Structure
The Trust is led by Mr. Ramin Kamfar, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since the Trust was organized in 2012. Additionally, under certain 1940 Act governance guidelines that apply to the Trust, the Independent Trustees will meet in executive session, at least quarterly. Under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a)
15
presiding at board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, (c) execution and administration of Trust policies including (i) setting the agendas for board meetings and (ii) providing information to board members in advance of each board meeting and between board meetings. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust and each shareholder.
Board Risk Oversight
The Board of Trustees is comprised of five trustees, three of whom are Independent Trustees, with a standing independent Audit Committee with a separate chair. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.
Trustee Qualifications
Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.
Mr. Kamfar has approximately 20 years of experience in various aspects of real estate, mergers and acquisitions, private equity investing, investment banking, public and private financings, and retail operations, and possesses deep institutional knowledge and industry expertise. He also possesses deep corporate finance and operational experience from both the perspective of an investment banker and of an executive. Mr. Kamfar received an M.B.A. degree with distinction in Finance in 1988 from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a B.S. degree with distinction in Finance in 1985 from the University of Maryland located in College Park, Maryland.
Mr. Babb has deep real estate acquisition, management, financing and disposition experience, having been involved exclusively in these disciplines for more than 20 years and primarily on behalf of investment funds since 1992. From 1992 to August 2003, Mr. Babb helped lead the residential and office acquisitions initiatives for Starwood Capital Group, which during his tenure raised and invested funds on behalf of institutional investors through seven private real estate funds, and which in the aggregate ultimately invested approximately $8 billion in approximately 250 separate transactions. During this period, Mr. Babb also led or shared investment responsibility for over 75 real estate investment transactions totaling approximately $2.5 billion of asset value in more than 20 million square feet of residential, office and industrial properties located in 25 states and seven foreign countries, including a significant number of transactions that were contributed to the initial public offering of Equity Residential Properties Trust (NYSE: EQR), and to create iStar Financial Inc. (NYSE: SFI). From August 2003 to July 2007, Mr. Babb also founded his own principal investment company, Bluepoint Capital, LLC, a private real estate investment company focused on the acquisition, development and/or redevelopment of residential and commercial properties. Mr. Babb received a B.A. degree in Economics in 1987 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Mr. Majumders significant experience relating to the acquisition of a number of types of real property assets including raw land, improved real estate and oil and gas interests throughout the course of his legal career has given him broad industry knowledge. Mr. Majumder became a partner at the law firm of K&L Gates LLP in May 2005, where he specializes in corporate and securities transactions with an emphasis on the representation of underwriters, placement agents and issuers in both public and private offerings, private investment in public equity (PIPE) transactions and venture capital and private equity funds. From January 2000 to April 2005, Mr. Majumder was a partner at the firm of Gardere Wynne
16
Sewell LLP. Mr. Majumder received a J.D. degree in 1993 from Washington and Lee University School of Law, located in Lexington, Virginia, and a B.A. degree in 1990 from Trinity University, located in San Antonio, Texas.
Mr. Tios experience serving as a Managing Director of the commercial real estate-related departments of several investment firms has given him strong understanding of the commercial real estate and distressed real estate markets. Prior to serving in these executive positions, Mr. Tio was involved in real estate sales and brokerage for 25 years. Mr. Tio received a B.S. degree in Biochemistry in 1982 from Hofstra University located in Hempstead, New York.
Mr. DeMartino has deep operational and turnaround experience, obtained through the several companies that he has acquired, managed, and turned around through the course of his career. He holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal occupation over the last five years. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788.
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Age
|
Position/Term of Office*
|
Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
|
Number of Portfolios in
Fund Complex**
Overseen by Trustee
|
Other Directorships held by Trustee During Last Five Years
|
Bobby Majumder, 45
|
Trustee Since 2012
|
Partner, K&L Gates LLP (2005 Present); Partner, Perkins Coie LLP (2013 - Present)
|
1
|
Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. (2009 Present)
|
Kevyn DeMartino, 48
|
Trustee Since 2012
|
Partner, TCP Group, LLC (2006 Present)
|
1
|
Coordinated Home Health (2007 Present); Sante Pediatrics (2009 2012) Alta HomeCare Inc. (2010 Present); StoneGate HomeCare (2010 Present); Apollo Brands (2011 Present); SuccessEd Software (2011 Present); LaTex Pump (2012 Present); TalkWith LLC (2010 - Present); MonsterMoto (2013 - Present)
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
Romano Tio, 53
|
Trustee Since 2012
|
Managing Director, Carlton Group Ltd. (2003-2007); Managing Director, HCP Real Estate Investors LLC (2008 2009); Co-Founder and Managing Director, RM Capital Management LLC (2009 Present)
|
1
|
None
|
Interested Trustees and Officers
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Age
|
Position/Term of Office*
|
Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex** Overseen by Trustee
|
Other Directorships held by Trustee During Last 5 Years
|
Ramin Kamfar; 50
|
Trustee Since 2012
|
Chairman, Bluerock Real Estate, LLC (2002 Present)
|
1
|
Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. (2008 Present)
|
James Babb; 48
|
Trustee Since 2012
|
Senior Managing Director, Bluerock Real Estate, LLC (2007 Present)
|
1
|
Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. (2009 Present)
|
Jordan Ruddy; 50
|
President Since Oct. 2013
|
President / COO, Bluerock Real Estate, LLC (2002 - Present)
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Jerry Novack, 56
|
Treasurer Since 2012
|
Chief Financial Officer, Bluerock Real Estate, LLC (2002 Present)
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Michael Konig, 53
|
Secretary Since 2012
|
Attorney / General Counsel, Bluerock Real Estate, LLC (2005 Present)
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Mark Marrone; 45
|
Chief Compliance Officer Since 2012
|
Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (2009 Present); Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer (20032009) and Chief Compliance Officer (20042009) Saratoga Capital Management, LLC
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
* The term of office for each Trustee and officer listed above will continue indefinitely.
** The term "Fund Complex" refers to the Total Income+ Real Estate Fund.
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Board Committees
Audit Committee
The Board has an Audit Committee that consists of all the Trustees that are not an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust's independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust's financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust's independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor's independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management's responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust's accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter. Due to the size of the Board, the Audit Committee is also responsible for seeking and reviewing nominee candidates for consideration as Trustees as is from time to time considered necessary or appropriate. The Audit Committee reviews all nominations of potential trustees made by Fund management and by Fund shareholders, which includes all information relating to the recommended nominees that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxy statements for the election of directors, including without limitation the biographical information and the qualifications of the proposed nominees. Nomination submissions must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders, and such additional information must be provided regarding the recommended nominee as reasonably requested by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets to consider nominees as is necessary or appropriate. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing and setting Independent Trustee compensation from time to time when considered necessary or appropriate. During the fiscal period ended September 30, 2013, the Audit Committee held two meetings.
Trustee Ownership
The following table indicates the dollar range of equity securities that each Trustee beneficially owned in the Fund as of December 31, 2013.
|
|
|
Name of Trustee
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
|
James Babb
|
None
|
None
|
Kevyn DeMartino
|
None
|
None
|
Bobby Majumder
|
None
|
None
|
Ramin Kamfar
|
$50,001 - $100,000
|
$50,001 - $100,000
|
Romano Tio
|
None
|
None
|
Compensation
Each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or Advisor will receive a quarterly fee of $2,500, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.
The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees earned during the Funds first fiscal period ended September 30, 2013. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.
19
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Position
|
Aggregate Compensation From Fund
|
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses
|
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement
|
Total Compensation From Trust Paid to Directors
|
James Babb
|
$0
|
None
|
None
|
$0
|
Kevyn DeMartino
|
$10,000
|
None
|
None
|
$10,000
|
Bobby Majumder
|
$10,000
|
None
|
None
|
$10,000
|
Ramin Kamfar
|
$0
|
None
|
None
|
$0
|
Romano Tio
|
$10,000
|
None
|
None
|
$10,000
|
CODES OF ETHICS
Each of the Fund, the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor, and the Trust's distributor has adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act (collectively the "Ethics Codes"). Rule 17j-1 and the Ethics Codes are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by covered personnel ("Access Persons"). The Ethics Codes permit Access Persons, subject to certain restrictions, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. Under the Ethics Codes, Access Persons may engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain Access Persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements. The Ethics Codes can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. The codes are available on the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and also may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ("Policies") on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Advisor, subject to the Board's continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Advisor vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and shareholders. The Policies also require the Advisor to present to the Board, at least annually, the Advisors Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Advisor on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Advisor involving a conflict of interest.
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the interests of the Advisor, any affiliated person(s) of the Advisor, the Fund's principal underwriter (distributor) or any affiliated person of the principal underwriter (distributor), or any affiliated person of the Trust and the Fund's or its shareholder's interests, the Advisor will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the Trust's directive using the recommendation of an independent third party. If the third party's recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Advisor will abstain from voting. A copy of the Advisors proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-888-459-1059; and (2) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling toll-free at 1-888-459-1059 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.
20
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. A control person may be able to determine the outcome of a matter put to a shareholder vote. As of February 28, 2014 no shareholder was deemed to control the Fund, nor owned at least 5% of Fund shares, and the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned approximately 1.5% of the shares of the Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Advisor
Bluerock Fund Advisor, LLC, located at 712 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, serves as the Fund's investment advisor. The Advisor is registered with the SEC as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Advisor is a Delaware limited liability company formed in May 2012 for the purpose of advising the Fund. The majority of shares in the Advisor are owned by Bluerock Real Estate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is controlled by Ramin Kamfar because he owns, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting interests of Bluerock Real Estate Holdings, LLC as of the date of this SAI. Mr. Kamfar also serves as a Trustee of the Trust.
Under the general supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Advisor will carry out the investment and reinvestment of the net assets of the Fund, will furnish continuously an investment program with respect to the Fund, will determine which securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged. In addition, the Advisor will supervise and provide oversight of the Fund's service providers. The Advisor will furnish to the Fund office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the management of the Fund. The Advisor will compensate all Advisor personnel who provide services to the Fund. In return for these services, facilities and payments, the Fund has agreed to pay the Advisor as compensation under the Investment Management Agreement a monthly management fee computed at the annual rate of 1.50% of the Funds daily net assets. The Advisor may employ research services and service providers to assist in the Advisors market analysis and investment selection. During the fiscal period ended September 30, 2013, the Advisor earned $197,738 in advisory fees, all of which were waived.
The Advisor and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the "Expense Limitation Agreement") under which the Advisor has agreed contractually to waive its fees and to pay or absorb the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (including all organization and offering expenses, but excluding interest, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses), to the extent that they exceed 1.84% and 2.59% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A and Class C shares, respectively (the "Expense Limitation"). In consideration of the Advisors agreement to limit the Fund's expenses, the Fund has agreed to repay the Advisor in the amount of any fees waived and Fund expenses paid or absorbed, subject to the limitations that: (1) the reimbursement will be made only for fees and expenses incurred not more than three years from the end of the fiscal year in which they were incurred; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the Expense Limitation to be exceeded. The Expense Limitation Agreement will remain in effect, at least until March 31, 2015, unless and until the Board approves its modification or termination. This agreement may be terminated only by the Fund's Board of Trustees on 60 days written notice to the Advisor. After March 31, 2015, the Expense Limitation Agreement may be renewed at the Advisors and Board's discretion.
The Sub-Advisor
The Advisor has entered into a Sub-Advisor Agreement with Mercer Investment Management, Inc. (the Sub-Advisor), 99 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, a registered advisor under the Advisers Act,
21
to provide both ongoing research and opinions of institutional asset managers and their investment funds to the Advisor on behalf of the Fund as well as recommendations for the selection of investment funds to the Advisor. Under the terms of the Sub-Advisor Agreement, the Sub-Advisor receives fees as follows: 0.20% for up to $250 million in assets under advisement, 0.17% for $250 million to $500 million in assets under advisement, 0.12% for $500 million to $1 billion in assets under advisement, and 0.07% for $1 billion or more in assets under advisement, provided that the Sub-Advisor shall receive a first year minimum fee of $200,000 and a second year minimum fee of $150,000.
Conflicts of Interest
The Advisor may provide investment advisory and other services, directly and through affiliates, to various entities and accounts other than the Fund ("Advisor Accounts"). The Fund has no interest in these activities. The Advisor and the investment professionals, who on behalf of the Advisor, provide investment advisory services to the Fund, are engaged in substantial activities other than on behalf of the Fund, may have differing economic interests in respect of such activities, and may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and activity between the Fund and the Advisor Accounts. Such persons devote only so much time to the affairs of the Fund as in their judgment is necessary and appropriate. Set out below are practices that the Advisor follows.
Participation in Investment Opportunities
Directors, principals, officers, employees and affiliates of the Advisor may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts and may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with respect to investments made on behalf of the Fund. As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, principals, officers, employees and affiliates of the Advisor, or by the Advisor for the Advisor Accounts, if any, that are the same as, different from or made at a different time than, positions taken for the Fund.
CO-PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Jordan Ruddy and Adam Lotterman are the Fund's Co-Portfolio Managers. They have primary responsibility for management of the Fund's investment portfolio and have served the Fund in this capacity since October 2013, subject to oversight by the Funds Investment Committee. Mr. Ruddy does not receive compensation from the Advisor, but is compensated for his duties with an affiliate of the Advisor. Mr. Lotterman receives from the Advisor a salary and discretionary bonus and a share of the profits, if any, through his ownership share in the Advisor. Because the Co-Portfolio Managers may manage assets for other pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans and certain high net worth individuals) (collectively "Client Accounts"), or may be affiliated with such Client Accounts, there may be an incentive to favor one Client Account over another, resulting in conflicts of interest. For example, the Advisor may, directly or indirectly, receive fees from Client Accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it may, directly or indirectly, receive a performance-based fee on a Client Account. In those instances, a portfolio manager may have an incentive to not favor the Fund over the Client Accounts. The Advisor has adopted trade allocation and other policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address these and other conflicts of interest. As of November 30, 2013 the Co-Portfolio Managers owned no Fund shares.
As of November 30, 2013, the Co-Portfolio Managers were responsible for the management of the following types of accounts in addition to the Fund:
22
Jordan Ruddy
|
|
|
|
|
Other Accounts By Type
|
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
|
Total Assets By Account Type
|
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee
|
Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
0
|
$0
|
0
|
$0
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
|
0
|
$0
|
0
|
$0
|
Other Accounts
|
0
|
$0
|
0
|
$0
|
Adam Lotterman
|
|
|
|
|
Other Accounts By Type
|
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
|
Total Assets By Account Type
|
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee
|
Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
0
|
$0
|
0
|
$0
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
|
0
|
$0
|
0
|
$0
|
Other Accounts
|
0
|
$0
|
0
|
$0
|
Distributor
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor"), located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 68130, is serving as the Fund's principal underwriter and acts as the distributor of the Fund's shares on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions.
ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE
Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the Co-Portfolio Managers who are employees of the Advisor. The Advisor is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Advisor for the Fund's use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Advisor may determine. During the fiscal period ended September 30, 2013, the Fund paid $10,362.90 in brokerage commissions.
In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Advisor will take the following into consideration: execution capability, trading expertise, accuracy of execution, commission rates, reputation and integrity, fairness in resolving disputes, financial responsibility and responsiveness.
Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Advisor determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Advisor may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Advisor exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund.
23
Affiliated Party Brokerage
The Advisor and its affiliates will not purchase securities or other property from, or sell securities or other property to, the Fund, except that the Fund may in accordance with rules under the 1940 Act engage in transactions with accounts that are affiliated with the Fund as a result of common officers, directors, advisors, members, managing general partners or common control. These transactions would be effected in circumstances in which the Advisor determined that it would be appropriate for the Fund to purchase and another client to sell, or the Fund to sell and another client to purchase, the same security or instrument each on the same day.
The Advisor places its trades under a policy adopted by the Trustees pursuant to Section 17(e) and Rule 17(e)(1) under the 1940 Act which places limitations on the securities transactions effected through the Distributor or Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC, a broker-dealer that is affiliated with the Advisor. The Fund may execute portfolio trades through Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC. The policy of the Fund with respect to brokerage is reviewed by the Trustees from time to time, and transactions affected through Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC are reviewed by the Trustees quarterly. Because of the possibility of further regulatory developments affecting the securities exchanges and brokerage practices generally, the foregoing practices may be modified.
TAX STATUS
The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their investment in the Fund.
The Fund intends to qualify as regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its net investment income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Net investment income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code. Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund.
The Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of net investment income will be made quarterly and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.
To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the Fund's
24
assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer, two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.
If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such, the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund's net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund's net investment income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.
The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.
The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code.
Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
Distributions of net capital gain ("capital gain dividends") generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders.
A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder's tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.
Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.
All distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during
25
January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.
Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.
OTHER INFORMATION
Each share represents a proportional interest in the assets of the Fund. Each share has one vote at shareholder meetings, with fractional shares voting proportionally, on matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. There are no cumulative voting rights. Shares do not have pre-emptive or conversion or redemption provisions. In the event of a liquidation of the Fund, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders after all expenses and debts have been paid.
Compliance Service Provider
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC ("NLCS"), located at 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788 provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Fund as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Fund.
Administrator
Gemini Fund Services, LLC ("GFS"), located at 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788 serves as the Fund's administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent pursuant to a fund services agreement between GFS and the Fund.
Legal Counsel
Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, Suite 1700, Columbus, Ohio 43215, acts as legal counsel to the Fund.
Custodian
Union Bank, N.A. (the "Custodian") serves as the primary custodian of the Fund's assets, and may maintain custody of the Fund's assets with domestic and foreign sub-custodians (which may be banks, trust companies, securities depositories and clearing agencies) approved by the Trustees. Assets of the Fund are not held by the Advisor or commingled with the assets of other accounts other than to the extent that securities are held in the name of a custodian in a securities depository, clearing agency or omnibus customer account of such custodian. The Custodian's principal business address is 350 California Street, San Francisco, California 94104.
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
BBD, LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund and audits the Fund's financial statements. BBD, LLP is located at 1835 Market Street, 26th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Financial Statements and independent registered public accounting firm's report thereon contained in the Fund's annual report dated September 30, 2013, are incorporated by reference in this Statement of Additional Information. The Fund's annual report is available upon request, without charge, by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-888-459-1059.
27
APPENDIX A
BLUEROCK FUND ADVISOR, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
PROXY VOTING POLICY
Background
: Pursuant to Rule 206(4)-6 and Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act, it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act, for an investment advisor to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless (i) the advisor has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the advisor votes proxies in the best interests of its clients, (ii) the advisor describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request, and (iii) the advisor discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the advisor voted their proxies.
Policy:
The Advisor will vote proxies vote proxies on behalf of its individual clients. The Advisor, when acting on behalf of the Fund, must comply with the following voting restrictions unless it is determined that the Fund is not relying on Section 12(d)(1)(F) and or Rule 12d1-3:
·
when the Fund exercises voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to any investment company owned by the Fund, the Fund will either:
o
seek instruction from the Funds shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions, or
o
vote the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security.
In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Advisers Act, the Advisor has adopted the following policies and procedures for proxy voting with regard to companies in the investment portfolio of the Fund(s).
Voting Proxies
1.
All proxies sent to clients that are actually received by the Advisor (to vote on behalf of the client) will be provided to the Operations Unit.
2.
The Operations Unit will generally adhere to the following procedures (subject to limited exception):
(a)
A written record of each proxy received by the Advisor (on behalf of its clients) will be kept in the Advisors files;
(b)
The Operations Unit will determine which of the Advisor holds the security to which the proxy relates;
(c)
Prior to voting any proxies, the Operations Unit will determine if there are any conflicts of interest related to the proxy in question in accordance with the general guidelines set forth below. If a conflict is identified, the Operations Unit will then make a determination (which may be in consultation with outside legal counsel) as to whether the conflict is material.
(e)
If no material conflict is identified pursuant to these procedures, the Operations Unit will vote the proxy in accordance with the guidelines set forth below. The Operations Unit
28
will deliver the proxy in accordance with instructions related to such proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.
Conflicts of Interest
1.
As stated above, in evaluating how to vote a proxy, the Operations Unit will first determine whether there is a conflict of interest related to the proxy in question between Advisor and its Advisory Clients. This examination will include (but will not be limited to) an evaluation of whether the Advisor (or any affiliate of the Advisor) has any relationship with the company (or an affiliate of the company) to which the proxy relates outside of an investment in such company by a client of the Advisor.
2
If a conflict is identified and deemed material by the Operations Unit, the Advisor will determine whether voting in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines outlined below is in the best interests of the client (which may include utilizing an independent third party to vote such proxies).
3
With respect to material conflicts, the Advisor will determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to affected clients give such clients the opportunity to vote the proxies in question themselves. However, with respect to ERISA clients whose advisory contract reserves the right to vote proxies when the Advisor has determined that a material conflict exists that affects its best judgment as a fiduciary to the ERISA client, the Advisor will:
(a)
Give the ERISA client the opportunity to vote the proxies in question themselves; or
(b)
Follow designated special proxy voting procedures related to voting proxies pursuant to the terms of the investment management agreement with such ERISA clients (if any).
Proxy Voting Guidelines
See Attached
Disclosure of Procedures
A summary of above these proxy voting procedures will be included in Part II of the Advisors Form ADV and will be updated whenever these policies and procedures are updated. Clients will be provided with contact information as to how they can obtain information about: (a) the Advisors proxy voting procedures (i.e., a copy of these procedures); and (b) how the Advisor voted proxies that are relevant to the affected client.
Record-keeping Requirements
The Operations Unit will be responsible for maintaining files relating to the Advisors proxy voting procedures. Records will be maintained and preserved for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record, with records for the first two years kept in the offices of the Advisor. Records of the following will be included in the files:
1.
Copies of these proxy voting policies and procedures, and any amendments thereto;
2.
A copy of each proxy statement that the Advisor actually received; provided, however, that the Advisor may rely on obtaining a copy of proxy statements from the SECs EDGAR system for those proxy statements that are so available;
29
3.
A record of each vote that the Advisor casts;
4.
A copy of any document that the Advisor created that was material to making a decision how to vote the proxies, or memorializes that decision (if any); and
5.
A copy of each written request for information on how the Advisor voted such clients proxies and a copy of any written response to any request for information on how the Advisor voted proxies on behalf of clients.
30
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Class A Shares (TIPRX) and Class C Shares (TIPPX) of Beneficial Interest
March 25, 2014
31
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