Centerspace - 10-K annual report

 

Certain statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated into this document by reference are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such forward-looking statements include statements about our belief that we have the liquidity and capital resources necessary to meet our known obligations and to make additional real estate acquisitions and capital improvements when appropriate to enhance long term growth; and other statements preceded by, followed by or otherwise including words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “may,” “will,” “designed,” “estimate,” “should,” “continue” and other similar expressions. These statements indicate that we have used assumptions that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from those projected.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements include:

Readers should carefully review our financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

In light of these uncertainties, the events anticipated by our forward-looking statements might not occur. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should not be construed as exhaustive.

Investors Real Estate Trust (“IRET” or the “Company”) is a self-advised equity Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) organized under the laws of North Dakota. Since our formation in 1970, our business has consisted of owning and operating income-producing real estate properties. We are structured as an Umbrella Partnership Real Estate Investment Trust or UPREIT and we conduct our day-to-day business operations through our operating partnership, IRET Properties, a North Dakota Limited Partnership (“IRET Properties” or the “Operating Partnership”). Our investments consist of multi-family residential properties and commercial office, medical, industrial and retail properties. These properties are located primarily in the upper Midwest states of Minnesota and North Dakota. For the twelve months ended April 30, 2009, our real estate investments in these two states accounted for 68.5% of our total gross revenue. Our principal executive offices are located in Minot, North Dakota. We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and property management offices in Omaha, Nebraska; Kansas City, Kansas; St. Louis, Missouri and Jamestown, North Dakota.

We seek to diversify our investments among multi-family residential and office, medical, industrial and retail properties. As of April 30, 2009, our real estate portfolio consisted of:

Our residential leases are generally for a one-year term. Our commercial properties are typically leased to tenants under long-term lease arrangements. As of April 30, 2009, no single tenant accounted for more than 10% of our total rental revenues.

We were organized as a REIT under the laws of North Dakota on July 31, 1970.

Since our formation, we have operated as a REIT under Sections 856-858 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and since February 1, 1997, we have been structured as an UPREIT. Since restructuring as an UPREIT, we have conducted all of our daily business operations through IRET Properties. IRET Properties is organized under the laws of North Dakota pursuant to an Agreement of Limited Partnership dated January 31, 1997. IRET Properties is principally engaged in acquiring, owning, operating and leasing multi-family residential and commercial real estate. The sole general partner of IRET Properties is IRET, Inc., a North Dakota corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiary. All of our assets (except for qualified REIT subsidiaries) and liabilities were contributed to IRET Properties, through IRET, Inc., in exchange for the sole general partnership interest in IRET Properties. As of April 30, 2009, IRET, Inc. owned a 74.3% interest in IRET Properties. The remaining ownership of IRET Properties is held by individual limited partners.

Our business objective is to increase shareholder value by employing a disciplined investment strategy. This strategy is focused on growing assets in desired geographical markets, achieving diversification by property type and location, and adhering to targeted returns in acquiring properties.

We generally use available cash or short-term floating rate debt to acquire real estate. We then replace such cash or short-term floating rate debt with fixed-rate secured debt. In appropriate circumstances, we also may acquire one or more properties in exchange for our common shares of beneficial interest (“common shares”) or for limited partnership units of IRET Properties (“limited partnership units” or “UPREIT Units”), which are convertible, after the expiration of a minimum holding period of one year, into cash or, at our sole discretion, into our common shares on a one-to-one basis.

Our investment strategy is to invest in multi-family residential properties, and in office, medical, industrial and retail commercial properties that are leased to single or multiple tenants, usually for five years or longer, and are located throughout the upper Midwest. We operate mainly within the states of North Dakota and Minnesota, although we also have real estate investments in South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin.

In order to implement our investment strategy we have certain investment policies. Our significant investment policies are as follows:

Our current policies as they pertain to certain of our activities are described as follows:

Cash distributions to shareholders and holders of limited partnership units. One of the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for a REIT is that it distribute 90% of its net taxable income, excluding net capital gains, to its shareholders. There is a separate requirement to distribute net capital gains or pay a corporate level tax in lieu thereof. We intend to continue our policy of making cash distributions to our common shareholders and the holders of limited partnership units of approximately 65.0% to 90.0% of our funds from operations and to use the remaining funds for capital improvements or the purchase of additional properties. This policy may be changed at any time by our Board of Trustees without notice to, or approval of, our shareholders. We have increased our cash distributions every year since our inception 39 years ago and every quarter since 1988.

Issuing senior securities. On April 26, 2004, we issued 1,150,000 shares of 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (the “Series A preferred shares”). Depending on future interest rate and market conditions, we may issue additional preferred shares or other senior securities which would have dividend and liquidation preference over our common shares.

Borrowing money. We rely on borrowed funds in pursuing our investment objectives and goals. It is generally our policy to seek to borrow up to 65.0% to 75.0% of the appraised value of all new real estate acquired or developed. This policy concerning borrowed funds is vested solely with our Board of Trustees and can be changed by our Board of Trustees at any time, or from time to time, without notice to, or a vote of, our shareholders. Such policy is subject, however, to the limitation in our Bylaws, which provides that unless approved by a majority of the independent members of our Board of Trustees and disclosed to our shareholders in our next quarterly report along with justification for such excess, we may not borrow in excess of 300.0% of our total Net Assets (as such term is used in our Bylaws, which usage is not in accordance with GAAP, “Net Assets” means our total assets at cost before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves, less total liabilities). Our Bylaws do not impose any limitation on the amount that we may borrow against any one particular property.  As of April 30, 2009, our ratio of total real estate mortgages to total real estate assets was 72.7% while our ratio of total indebtedness as compared to our Net Assets (computed in accordance with our Bylaws) was 141.8%.

Offering securities in exchange for property. Our organizational structure allows us to issue shares and to offer limited partnership units of IRET Properties in exchange for real estate. The limited partnership units are convertible into cash, or, at our option, common shares on a one-for-one basis after a minimum one-year holding period. All limited partnership units receive the same cash distributions as those paid on common shares. Limited partners are not entitled to vote on any matters affecting us until they convert their limited partnership units to common shares.

Our Articles of Amendment and Third Restated Declaration of Trust does not contain any restrictions on our ability to offer limited partnership units of IRET Properties in exchange for property. As a result, any decision to do so is vested solely in our Board of Trustees. This policy may be changed at any time, or from time to time, without notice to, or a vote of, our shareholders. For the three most recent fiscal years ended April 30, we have issued the following limited partnership units of IRET Properties in exchange for properties:

Acquiring or repurchasing shares.As a REIT, it is our intention to invest only in real estate assets. Our Articles of Amendment and Third Restated Declaration of Trust does not prohibit the acquisition or repurchase of our common or preferred shares or other securities so long as such activity does not prohibit us from operating as a REIT under the Code. Any policy regarding the acquisition or repurchase of shares or other securities is vested solely in our

Board of Trustees and may be changed at any time, or from time to time, without notice to, or a vote of, our shareholders.

During fiscal year 2009, we did not repurchase any of our outstanding common shares, preferred shares or limited partnership units, except for the redemption of a nominal amount of fractional common shares held by shareholders, upon request, and except for the redemption for cash of 15,758 limited partnership units from a limited partner of the Operating Partnership.

To make loans to other persons.Our organizational structure allows us to make loans to other persons, subject to certain conditions and subject to our election to be taxed as a REIT. All loans must be secured by real property or limited partnership units of IRET Properties. Our mortgage loans receivables (including contracts for deed), net of reserves, totaled approximately $160,000 as of April 30, 2009, and $541,000 as of April 30, 2008.

To invest in the securities of other issuers for the purpose of exercising control. We have not, for the past three years, engaged in, and we are not currently engaging in, investment in the securities of other issuers for the purpose of exercising control. Our Articles of Amendment and Third Restated Declaration of Trust does not impose any limitation on our ability to invest in the securities of other issuers for the purpose of exercising control. Any decision to do so is vested solely in our Board of Trustees and may be changed at any time, or from time to time, without notice to, or a vote of, our shareholders.

We currently operate in five reportable real estate segments: multi-family residential, office, medical (including senior housing), industrial and retail. For further information on these segments and other related information, see Note 11 of our consolidated financial statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Set forth below are the names, ages, titles and biographies of each of our executive officers as of July 1, 2009.

Thomas A. Wentz, Sr. is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, and has been associated with us since our formation on July 31, 1970. Mr. Wentz was a member of our Board of Trustees from 1970 to 1998, Secretary from 1970 to 1987, Vice President from 1987 to July 2000, and has been President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2000. Previously, from 1985 to 1991, Mr. Wentz was a Vice President of our former advisor, Odell-Wentz & Associates, L.L.C., and, until August 1, 1998, was a partner in the law firm of Pringle & Herigstad, P.C.

Timothy P. Mihalick joined us as a financial officer in May 1981, after graduating from Minot State University. He has served in various capacities with us over the years and was named Vice President in 1992. Mr. Mihalick has served as the Chief Operating Officer since 1997, as a Senior Vice President since 2002, and as a member of our Board of Trustees since 1999.

Thomas A. Wentz, Jr. is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of North Dakota School of Law, and joined us as General Counsel and Vice President in January 2000. He has served as a Senior Vice President of Asset Management and Finance since 2002 and as a member of our Board of Trustees since 1996. Prior to 2000, Mr. Wentz was a shareholder in the law firm of Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. from 1992 to 1999. Mr. Wentz is a member of the American Bar Association and the North Dakota Bar Association, and he is a Director of SRT Communications, Inc. Mr. Wentz is the son of Thomas A. Wentz, Sr.

Diane K. Bryantt is a graduate of Minot State University, joined us in June 1996, and served as our Controller and Corporate Secretary before being appointed to the positions of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2002. Prior to joining us, Ms. Bryantt was employed by First American Bank, Minot, North Dakota.

Michael A. Bosh joined us as Associate General Counsel and Secretary in September 2002, and was named General Counsel in September 2003. Prior to 2002, Mr. Bosh was a shareholder in the law firm of Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. Mr. Bosh graduated from Jamestown College in 1992 and from Washington & Lee University School of Law in 1995. Mr. Bosh is a member of the American Bar Association and the North Dakota Bar Association.

As of April 30, 2009, we had 81 employees.

Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances released at a property, and may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage or personal injuries and for investigation and clean-up costs incurred in connection with any contamination. In addition, some environmental laws create a lien on a contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs in connection with the contamination. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the current owner was responsible for, or even knew of, the presence of such substances. It is generally our policy to obtain from independent environmental consultants a “Phase I” environmental audit (which involves visual inspection but not soil or groundwater analysis) on all properties that we seek to acquire. We do not believe that any of our properties are subject to any material environmental contamination. However, no assurances can be given that:

In addition to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, many other laws and governmental regulations are applicable to our properties, and changes in the laws and regulations, or in their interpretation by agencies and the courts, occur frequently. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”), all places of public accommodation are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. In addition, the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (the “FHAA”) requires apartment communities first occupied after March 13, 1990, to be accessible to the handicapped. Non-compliance with the ADA or the FHAA could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. We believe that those of our properties to which the ADA and/or FHAA apply are substantially in compliance with present ADA and FHAA requirements.

Investing in and operating real estate is a very competitive business. We compete with other owners and developers of multi-family and commercial properties to attract tenants to our properties. Ownership of competing properties is diversified among other REITs, financial institutions, individuals and public and private companies who are actively engaged in this business. Our multi-family properties compete directly with other rental apartments, as well as with condominiums and single-family homes that are available for rent or purchase in the areas in which our properties are located. Our commercial properties compete with other commercial properties for tenants. Additionally, we compete with other real estate investors, including other REITs, pension and investment funds, partnerships and investment companies, to acquire properties. This competition affects our ability to acquire properties we want to add to our portfolio and the price we pay in acquisitions. We do not believe we have a dominant position in any of the geographic markets in which we operate, but some of our competitors are dominant in selected markets. Many of our competitors have greater financial and management resources than we have. We believe, however, that the geographic diversity of our investments, the experience and abilities of our management, the quality of our assets and the financial strength of many of our commercial tenants affords us some competitive advantages that have in

the past and will in the future allow us to operate our business successfully despite the competitive nature of our business.

The Company’s Board of Trustees has adopted various policies and initiatives to strengthen the Company’s corporate governance and increase the transparency of financial reporting.  Each of the committees of the Company’s Board of Trustees operates under written charters, and the Company’s independent trustees meet regularly in executive sessions at which only the independent trustees are present.  The Board of Trustees has also adopted a Code of Conduct applicable to trustees, officers and employees, and a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, and has established processes for shareholder communications with the Board of Trustees.

Additionally, the Company’s Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, including procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by Company employees of concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters. The Audit Committee also maintains a policy requiring Audit Committee approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Company by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

The Company will disclose any amendment to its Code of Ethics for Senior Financial officers on its website. In the event the Company waives compliance by any of its trustees or officers subject to the Code of Ethics or Code of Conduct, the Company will disclose such waiver in a Form 8-K filed within four business days.

Our internet address is www.iret.com. We make available, free of charge, through the “SEC filings” tab under the Investors/Financial Reporting section of our website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such forms are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Current copies of our Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, and Charters for the Audit, Compensation, Executive and Nominating Committees of our Board of Trustees are also available on our website under the heading “Corporate Governance” in the Investors/Corporate Profile section of our website. Copies of these documents are also available to shareholders upon request addressed to the Secretary at Investors Real Estate Trust, P.O. Box 1988, Minot, North Dakota 58702-1988. Information on our internet website does not constitute part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our performance and share value are subject to risks associated with the real estate industry.  Our results of operations and financial condition, the value of our real estate assets, and the value of an investment in us are subject to the risks normally associated with the ownership and operation of real estate properties.  These risks include, but are not limited to, the following factors which, among others, may adversely affect the income generated by our properties:

Adverse global market and economic conditions may continue to adversely affect us and could cause us to recognize additional impairment charges or otherwise harm our performance.  Recent market and economic conditions have been challenging with tighter credit conditions through the end of 2008 and continuing in 2009.  Continued concerns about the availability and cost of credit, the U.S. mortgage market, inflation, unemployment levels, geopolitical issues and declining equity and real estate markets have contributed to increased market volatility and diminished expectations for the U.S. economy.  The commercial real estate sector in particular has been negatively affected by these recent market and economic conditions.  These conditions may result in our tenants delaying lease commencements, requesting rent reductions, declining to extend or renew leases upon expiration and/or renewing at lower rates. These conditions also have forced some weaker tenants, in some cases, to declare bankruptcy and/or vacate leased premises. We may be unable to re-lease vacated space at attractive rents or at all.  We are unable to predict whether, or to what extent or for how long, these adverse market and economic conditions will persist.  The continuation and/or intensification of these conditions may impede our ability to generate sufficient operating cash flow to pay expenses, maintain properties, pay distributions and repay debt.

The federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related efforts, along with any changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the U.S. Government, may adversely affect our business.  We depend on the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) for financing for the majority of our multi-family residential properties.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are U.S. Government-sponsored entities, or GSEs, but their guarantees are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.  Since 2007, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have reported substantial losses and a need for substantial amounts of additional capital. In response to the deteriorating financial condition of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the recent credit market disruptions, Congress and the U.S. Treasury have undertaken a series of actions to stabilize these GSEs and the financial markets generally.  In September 2008 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed in federal conservatorship.  The problems faced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac resulting in their being placed into federal conservatorship have stirred debate among some federal policy makers regarding the continued role of the U.S. Government in providing liquidity for the residential mortgage market.   It is possible that each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be dissolved and the U.S. Government could decide to stop providing liquidity support of any kind to the multi-family residential mortgage market.  The effect of the actions taken by the U.S. Government remains uncertain, and the scope and nature of the actions that the U.S. Government will ultimately undertake are unknown and will continue to evolve. Future legislation could further change the relationship between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the U.S. Government, and could also nationalize or eliminate such GSEs entirely. Any law affecting these GSEs may create market uncertainty and have the effect of reducing the credit available for financing multi-family residential properties.  The loss or reduction of this important source of credit would be likely to result in higher loan costs for us, and could result in inability to borrow or refinance maturing debt, all of which could materially adversely affect our business, operations and financial condition.

Our property acquisition activities subject us to various risks which could adversely affect our operating results.We have acquired in the past and intend to continue to pursue the acquisition of properties and portfolios of properties, including large portfolios that could increase our size and result in alterations to our capital structure. Our acquisition activities and their success are subject to numerous risks, including, but not limited to:

These risks could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and the amount of cash available for payment of distributions.

Acquired properties may subject us to unknown liabilities which could adversely affect our operating results.We may acquire properties subject to liabilities and without any recourse, or with only limited recourse against prior owners or other third parties, with respect to unknown liabilities.  As a result, if liability were asserted against us based upon ownership of these properties, we might have to pay substantial sums to settle or contest it, which could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.  Unknown liabilities with respect to acquired properties might include liabilities for clean-up of undisclosed environmental contamination; claims by tenants, vendors or other persons against the former owners of the properties; liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business; and claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties.

Our geographic concentration in Minnesota and North Dakota may result in losses due to our significant exposure to the effects of economic and real estate conditions in those markets.  For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009, we received approximately 68.5% of our gross revenue from properties in Minnesota and North Dakota.  As a result of this concentration, we are subject to substantially greater risk than if our investments were more geographically dispersed. Specifically, we are more significantly exposed to the effects of economic and real estate conditions in those particular markets, such as building by competitors, local vacancy and rental rates and general levels of employment and economic activity.  To the extent that weak economic or real estate conditions affect Minnesota and/or North Dakota more severely than other areas of the country, our financial performance could be negatively impacted.

If we are not able to renew leases or enter into new leases on favorable terms or at all as our existing leases expire, our revenue, operating results and cash flows will be reduced.  We may be unable to renew leases with our existing tenants or enter into new leases with new tenants due to economic and other factors as our existing leases expire or are terminated prior to the expiration of their current terms.  As a result, we could lose a significant source of revenue while remaining responsible for the payment of our obligations.  In addition, even if we were able to renew existing leases or enter into new leases in a timely manner, the terms of those leases may be less favorable to us than the terms of expiring leases, because the rental rates of the renewal or new leases may be significantly lower than those of the expiring leases, or tenant installation costs, including the cost of required renovations or concessions to tenants, may be significant.  If we are unable to enter into lease renewals or new leases on favorable terms or in a timely manner for all or a substantial portion of space that is subject to expiring leases, our revenue, operating results and cash flows will be adversely affected. As a result, our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest may be adversely affected. As of April 30, 2009, approximately 1.1 million square feet, or 9.0% of our total commercial property square footage, was vacant. Approximately 688 of our 9,645 apartment units, or 7.1%, were vacant. As of April 30, 2009, leases covering approximately 7.8% of our total commercial segments net rentable square footage will expire in fiscal year 2010, 18.1% in fiscal year 2011, 11.7% in fiscal year 2012, 7.3% in fiscal year 2013, and 6.9% in fiscal year 2014.

We face potential adverse effects from commercial tenant bankruptcies or insolvencies.  The bankruptcy or insolvency of our commercial tenants may adversely affect the income produced by our properties.  If a tenant defaults, we may experience delays and incur substantial costs in enforcing our rights as landlord.  If a tenant files for bankruptcy, we cannot evict the tenant solely because of such bankruptcy.  A court, however, may authorize the tenant to reject and terminate its lease with us.  In such a case, our claim against the tenant for unpaid future rent would be subject to a statutory cap that might be substantially less than the remaining rent actually owed under the lease, and it is unlikely that a bankrupt tenant would pay in full amounts it owes us under a lease.  This shortfall could adversely affect our cash flow and results of operations.  If a tenant experiences a downturn in its business or other types of financial distress, it may be unable to make timely rental payments.  Under some circumstances, we may agree to partially or wholly terminate the lease in advance of the termination date in consideration for a lease

termination fee that is less than the agreed rental amount.  Additionally, without regard to the manner in which a lease termination occurs, we are likely to incur additional costs in the form of tenant improvements and leasing commissions in our efforts to lease the space to a new tenant, as well as possibly lower rental rates reflective of declines in market rents.

Because real estate investments are generally illiquid, and various factors limit our ability to dispose of assets, we may not be able to sell properties when appropriate.  Real estate investments are relatively illiquid and, therefore, we have limited ability to vary our portfolio quickly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.  In addition, the prohibitions under the federal income tax laws on REITs holding property for sale and related regulations may affect our ability to sell properties.  Our ability to dispose of assets may also be limited by constraints on our ability to utilize disposition proceeds to make acquisitions on financially attractive terms, and the requirement that we take additional impairment charges on certain assets.  More specifically, we are required to distribute or pay tax on all capital gains generated from the sale of assets, and, in addition, a significant number of our properties were acquired using limited partnership units of IRET Properties, our operating partnership, and are subject to certain agreements which restrict our ability to sell such properties in transactions that would create current taxable income to the former owners.  As a result, we are motivated to structure the sale of these assets as tax-free exchanges.  To accomplish this we must identify attractive re-investment opportunities.  These considerations impact our decisions on whether or not to dispose of certain of our assets.

Inability to manage rapid growth effectively may adversely affect our operating results. We have experienced significant growth at various times in the past; for example, we increased our total assets from approximately $1.4 billion at April 30, 2007, to $1.6 billion at April 30, 2009, principally through the acquisition of additional real estate properties. Subject to our continued ability to raise equity capital and issue limited partnership units of IRET Properties and identify suitable investment properties, we intend to continue our acquisition of real estate properties. Effective management of rapid growth presents challenges, including:

We may not be able to maintain similar rates of growth in the future, or manage our growth effectively.  Our failure to do so may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest.

Competition may negatively impact our earnings. We compete with many kinds of institutions, including other REITs, private partnerships, individuals, pension funds and banks, for tenants and investment opportunities. Many of these institutions are active in the markets in which we invest and have greater financial and other resources that may be used to compete against us. With respect to tenants, this competition may affect our ability to lease our properties, the price at which we are able to lease our properties and the cost of required renovations or tenant improvements. With respect to acquisition and development investment opportunities, this competition may cause us to pay higher prices for new properties than we otherwise would have paid, or may prevent us from purchasing a desired property at all.

An inability to make accretive property acquisitions may adversely affect our ability to increase our net income. From our fiscal year ended April 30, 2006, to our fiscal year ended April 30, 2009, our net income decreased from $11.6 million to $8.5 million.  The acquisition of additional real estate properties is critical to our ability to increase our net income.  If we are unable to make real estate acquisitions on terms that meet our financial and strategic objectives, whether due to market conditions, a changed competitive environment or unavailability of capital, our ability to increase our net income may be materially and adversely affected.

High leverage on our overall portfolio may result in losses. As of April 30, 2009, our ratio of total indebtedness to total Net Assets (as that term is used in our Bylaws, which usage is not in accordance with GAAP, “Net Assets” means our total assets at cost before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves, less total liabilities) was approximately 141.8%. As of April 30, 2008 and 2007, our percentage of total indebtedness to total Net Assets was approximately 143.8% and 149.6%, respectively. Under our Bylaws we may increase our total indebtedness up to

300.0% of our Net Assets, or by an additional approximately $1.2 billion. There is no limitation on the increase that may be permitted if approved by a majority of the independent members of our board of trustees and disclosed to the holders of our securities in the next quarterly report, along with justification for any excess.

This amount of leverage may expose us to cash flow problems if rental income decreases. Under those circumstances, in order to pay our debt obligations we might be required to sell properties at a loss or be unable to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest. A failure to pay amounts due may result in a default on our obligations and the loss of the property through foreclosure.  Additionally, our degree of leverage could adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing and may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common shares.

Our inability to renew, repay or refinance our debt may result in losses. We incur a significant amount of debt in the ordinary course of our business and in connection with acquisitions of real properties. In addition, because we have a limited ability to retain earnings as a result of the REIT distribution requirements, we will generally be required to refinance debt that matures with additional debt or equity.  We are subject to the normal risks associated with debt financing, including the risk that:

These risks increase when credit markets are tight, as they are now; in general, when the credit markets are constrained, we may encounter resistance from lenders when we seek financing or refinancing for properties or proposed acquisitions, and the terms of such financing or refinancing are likely to be less favorable to us than the terms of our current indebtedness.

We anticipate that only a small portion of the principal of our debt will be repaid prior to maturity.  Therefore, we are likely to need to refinance a significant portion of our outstanding debt as it matures.  We cannot guarantee that any refinancing of debt with other debt will be possible on terms that are favorable or acceptable to us.  If we cannot refinance, extend or pay principal payments due at maturity with the proceeds of other capital transactions, such as new equity capital, our cash flows may not be sufficient in all years to repay debt as it matures.  Additionally, if we are unable to refinance our indebtedness on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be forced to dispose of one or more of our properties on disadvantageous terms, which may result in losses to us. These losses could have a material adverse effect on us, our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest and our ability to pay amounts due on our debt. Furthermore, if a property is mortgaged to secure payment of indebtedness and we are unable to meet mortgage payments, the mortgagee could foreclose upon the property, appoint a receiver and receive an assignment of rents and leases or pursue other remedies, all with a consequent loss of our revenues and asset value. Foreclosures could also create taxable income without accompanying cash proceeds, thereby hindering our ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.

As of April 30, 2009, approximately 13.1% of our mortgage debt is due for repayment in fiscal year 2010.  As of April 30, 2009, we had approximately $140.5 million of principal payments and approximately $63.9 million of interest payments due in fiscal year 2010 on fixed and variable-rate mortgages secured by our real estate.

The cost of our indebtedness may increase. Portions of our fixed-rate indebtedness incurred for past property acquisitions come due on a periodic basis.  Rising interest rates could limit our ability to refinance this existing debt when it matures, and would increase our interest costs, which could have a material adverse effect on us, our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest and our ability to pay amounts due on our debt.  In addition, we have incurred, and we expect to continue to incur, indebtedness that bears interest at a variable rate. As of April 30, 2009, $9.6 million, or approximately 0.9%, of the principal amount of our total mortgage indebtedness was subject to variable interest rate agreements.  If short-term interest rates rise, our debt service payments on adjustable rate debt would increase, which would lower our net income and could decrease our distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest.  We depend on distributions and other payments from our subsidiaries that they may be prohibited from making to us, which could impair our ability to make distributions to holders of our shares of beneficial interest.  Substantially all of our assets are held through IRET Properties, our operating partnership, and other of our subsidiaries. As a

result, we depend on distributions and other payments from our subsidiaries in order to satisfy our financial obligations and make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest.  The ability of our subsidiaries to make such distributions and other payments depends on their earnings, and may be subject to statutory or contractual limitations.  As an equity investor in our subsidiaries, our right to receive assets upon their liquidation or reorganization effectively will be subordinated to the claims of their creditors.  To the extent that we are recognized as a creditor of such subsidiaries, our claims may still be subordinate to any security interest in or other lien on their assets and to any of their debt or other obligations that are senior to our claims.

Our current or future insurance may not protect us against possible losses. We carry comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance with respect to our properties at levels that we believe to be adequate and comparable to coverage customarily obtained by owners of similar properties. However, the coverage limits of our current or future policies may be insufficient to cover the full cost of repair or replacement of all potential losses. Moreover, this level of coverage may not continue to be available in the future or, if available, may be available only at unacceptable cost or with unacceptable terms.  Additionally, there may be certain extraordinary losses, such as those resulting from civil unrest, terrorism or environmental contamination, that are not generally, or fully, insured against because they are either uninsurable or not economically insurable. For example, we do not currently carry insurance against losses as a result of environmental contamination. Should an uninsured or underinsured loss occur to a property, we could be required to use our own funds for restoration or lose all or part of our investment in, and anticipated revenues from, the property. In any event, we would continue to be obligated on any mortgage indebtedness on the property. Any loss could have a material adverse effect on us, our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest and our ability to pay amounts due on our debt.  In addition, in most cases we have to renew our insurance policies on an annual basis and negotiate acceptable terms for coverage, exposing us to the volatility of the insurance markets, including the possibility of rate increases.  Any material increase in insurance rates or decrease in available coverage in the future could adversely affect our business and financial condition and results of operations, which could cause a decline in the market value of our securities.

We have significant investments in medical properties and adverse trends in healthcare provider operations may negatively affect our lease revenues from these properties. We have acquired a significant number of specialty medical properties (including senior housing) and may acquire more in the future. As of April 30, 2009, our real estate portfolio consisted of 49 medical properties, with a total real estate investment amount, net of accumulated depreciation, of $345.9 million, or approximately 23.6% of the total real estate investment amount, net of accumulated depreciation, of our entire real estate portfolio.  The healthcare industry is currently experiencing changes in the demand for, and methods of delivery of, healthcare services; changes in third-party reimbursement policies; significant unused capacity in certain areas, which has created substantial competition for patients among healthcare providers in those areas; continuing pressure by private and governmental payors to reduce payments to providers of services; and increased scrutiny of billing, referral and other practices by federal and state authorities. Sources of revenue for our medical property tenants may include the federal Medicare program, state Medicaid programs, private insurance carriers and health maintenance organizations, among others. Efforts by such payors to reduce healthcare costs will likely continue, which may result in reductions or slower growth in reimbursement for certain services provided by some of our tenants.  These factors may adversely affect the economic performance of some or all of our medical services tenants and, in turn, our lease revenues.  The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, which was signed into law on February 17, 2009, provides $87 billion in additional federal Medicaid funding for states’ Medicaid expenditures between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010. Under this Act, states meeting certain eligibility requirements will temporarily receive additional money in the form of an increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP). Thus, for a limited period of time, the share of Medicaid costs that are paid for by the federal government will go up, and each state’s share will go down. We cannot predict whether states are, or will remain, eligible to receive the additional federal Medicaid funding, or whether the states will have sufficient funds for their Medicaid programs. We also cannot predict the impact that this broad-based, far-reaching legislation will have on the U.S. economy or our business. In addition, if we or our tenants terminate the leases for these properties, or our tenants lose their regulatory authority to operate such properties, we may not be able to locate suitable replacement tenants to lease the properties for their specialized uses. Alternatively, we may be required to spend substantial amounts to adapt the properties to other uses. Any loss of revenues and/or additional capital expenditures occurring as a result could hinder our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest. 

Adverse changes in applicable laws may affect our potential liabilities relating to our properties and operations. Increases in real estate taxes and income, service and transfer taxes cannot always be passed through to all tenants in the form of higher rents. As a result, any increase may adversely affect our cash available for distribution, our ability

to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest and our ability to pay amounts due on our debt. Similarly, changes in laws that increase the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on properties, that increase the restrictions on discharges or other conditions or that affect development, construction and safety requirements may result in significant unanticipated expenditures that could have a material adverse effect on us, our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest and our ability to pay amounts due on our debt. In addition, future enactment of rent control or rent stabilization laws or other laws regulating multi-family residential properties may reduce rental revenues or increase operating costs.

Complying with laws benefiting disabled persons or other safety regulations and requirements may affect our costs and investment strategies. Federal, state and local laws and regulations designed to improve disabled persons’ access to and use of buildings, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, may require modifications to, or restrict renovations of, existing buildings. Additionally, these laws and regulations may require that structural features be added to buildings under construction.  Legislation or regulations that may be adopted in the future may impose further burdens or restrictions on us with respect to improved access to, and use of these buildings by, disabled persons. Noncompliance could result in the imposition of fines by government authorities or the award of damages to private litigants.  The costs of complying with these laws and regulations may be substantial, and limits or restrictions on construction, or the completion of required renovations, may limit the implementation of our investment strategy or reduce overall returns on our investments. This could have an adverse effect on us, our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest and our ability to pay amounts due on our debt.  Our properties are also subject to various other federal, state and local regulatory requirements, such as state and local fire and life safety requirements.  If we fail to comply with these requirements, we could incur fines or private damage awards.  Additionally, in the event that existing requirements change, compliance with future requirements may require significant unanticipated expenditures that may adversely affect our cash flow and results of operations.

We may be responsible for potential liabilities under environmental laws. Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, we, as a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal of, or remediation of, hazardous or toxic substances in, on, around or under that property. These laws may impose liability without regard to whether we knew of, or were responsible for, the presence of the hazardous or toxic substances. The presence of these substances, or the failure to properly remediate any property containing these substances, may adversely affect our ability to sell or rent the affected property or to borrow funds using the property as collateral. In arranging for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances, we may also be liable for the costs of removal of, or remediation of, these substances at that disposal or treatment facility, whether or not we own or operate the facility. In connection with our current or former ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management, development and/or control of real properties, we may be potentially liable for removal or remediation costs with respect to hazardous or toxic substances at those properties, as well as certain other costs, including governmental fines and claims for injuries to persons and property. A finding of liability for an environmental condition as to any one or more properties could have a material adverse effect on us, our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest and our ability to pay amounts due on our debt.

Environmental laws also govern the presence, maintenance and removal of asbestos, and require that owners or operators of buildings containing asbestos properly manage and maintain the asbestos; notify and train those who may come into contact with asbestos; and undertake special precautions if asbestos would be disturbed during renovation or demolition of a building.  Indoor air quality issues may also necessitate special investigation and remediation.  These air quality issues can result from inadequate ventilation, chemical contaminants from indoor or outdoor sources, or biological contaminants such as molds, pollen, viruses and bacteria.  Such asbestos or air quality remediation programs could be costly, necessitate the temporary relocation of some or all of the property’s tenants or require rehabilitation of an affected property.

It is generally our policy to obtain a Phase I environmental study on each property that we seek to acquire.  A Phase I environmental study generally includes a visual inspection of the property and the surrounding areas, an examination of current and historical uses of the property and the surrounding areas and a review of relevant state and federal documents, but does not involve invasive techniques such as soil and ground water sampling. If the Phase I indicates any possible environmental problems, our policy is to order a Phase II study, which involves testing the soil and ground water for actual hazardous substances. However, Phase I and Phase II environmental studies, or any other environmental studies undertaken with respect to any of our current or future properties, may

not reveal the full extent of potential environmental liabilities. We currently do not carry insurance for environmental liabilities.

We may be unable to retain or attract qualified management. We are dependent upon our senior officers for essentially all aspects of our business operations. Our senior officers have experience in the specialized business segments in which we operate, and the loss of them would likely have a material adverse effect on our operations, and could adversely impact our relationships with lenders, industry personnel and potential tenants.  We do not have employment contracts with any of our senior officers. As a result, any senior officer may terminate his or her relationship with us at any time, without providing advance notice.  If we fail to manage effectively a transition to new personnel, or if we fail to attract and retain qualified and experienced personnel on acceptable terms, our business and prospects could be harmed.  The location of our company headquarters in Minot, North Dakota, may make it more difficult and expensive to attract, relocate and retain current and future officers and employees.

Failure to comply with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and stock price, and continuing compliance will result in additional expenses.  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as new rules and standards subsequently implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ, have required changes in some of our corporate governance and accounting practices, and are creating uncertainty for us and many other public companies, due to varying interpretations of the rules and their evolving application in practice.  We expect these laws, rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs, and to subject us to additional risks.  In particular, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as such standards may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, a material misstatement could go undetected, and we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting.  Failure to maintain an effective internal control environment could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and stock price.  Additionally, our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related regulations have required, and we believe will continue to require, the commitment of significant financial and managerial resources.

We may incur tax liabilities as a consequence of failing to qualify as a REIT. Although our management believes that we are organized and have operated and are operating in such a manner to qualify as a “real estate investment trust,” as that term is defined under the Internal Revenue Code, we may not in fact have operated, or may not be able to continue to operate, in a manner to qualify or remain so qualified. Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations.  Even a technical or inadvertent mistake could endanger our REIT status.  The determination that we qualify as a REIT requires an ongoing analysis of various factual matters and circumstances, some of which may not be within our control. For example, in order to qualify as a REIT, at least 95% of our gross income in any year must come from certain passive sources that are itemized in the REIT tax laws, and we are prohibited from owning specified amounts of debt or equity securities of some issuers.  Thus, to the extent revenues from non-qualifying sources, such as income from third-party management services, represent more than five percent of our gross income in any taxable year, we will not satisfy the 95% income test and may fail to qualify as a REIT, unless certain relief provisions contained in the Internal Revenue Code apply. Even if relief provisions apply, however, a tax would be imposed with respect to excess net income. We are also required to make distributions to the holders of our securities of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains.  The fact that we hold substantially all of our assets (except for qualified REIT subsidiaries) through IRET Properties, our operating partnership, and its subsidiaries, and our ongoing reliance on factual determinations, such as determinations related to the valuation of our assets, further complicates the application of the REIT requirements for us.  Additionally, if IRET Properties, our operating partnership, or one or more of our subsidiaries is determined to be taxable as a corporation, we may fail to qualify as a REIT. Either our failure to qualify as a REIT, for any reason, or the imposition of taxes on excess net income from non-qualifying sources, could have a material adverse effect on us, our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest and our ability to pay amounts due on our debt. Furthermore, new legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could change the tax laws with respect to our qualification as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of our qualification.

us, our ability to make distributions to the holders of our shares of beneficial interest and our ability to pay amounts due on our debt. In addition, we could be subject to increased state and local taxes, and, unless entitled to relief under applicable statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost our qualification. This treatment would reduce funds available for investment or distributions to the holders of our securities because of the additional tax liability to us for the year or years involved. In addition, we would no longer be able to deduct, and would not be required to make, distributions to holders of our securities. To the extent that distributions to the holders of our securities had been made in anticipation of qualifying as a REIT, we might be required to borrow funds or to liquidate certain investments to pay the applicable tax.

Failure of our operating partnership to qualify as a partnership would have a material adverse effect on us.  We believe that IRET Properties, our operating partnership, qualifies as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.  No assurance can be given, however, that the Internal Revenue Service will not challenge its status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge.  If the Internal Revenue Service were to be successful in treating IRET Properties as an entity that is taxable as a corporation (such as a publicly-traded partnership taxable as a corporation), we would cease to qualify as a REIT because the value of our ownership interest in IRET Properties would exceed 5% of our assets, and because we would be considered to hold more than 10% of the voting securities and value of the outstanding securities of another corporation.  Also, the imposition of a corporate tax on IRET Properties would reduce significantly the amount of cash available for distribution by it.

Certain provisions of our Articles of Amendment and Third Restated Declaration of Trust may limit a change in control and deter a takeover. In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, our Third Restated Declaration of Trust provides that any transaction, other than a transaction entered into through the NASDAQ National Market, (renamed the NASDAQ Global Market), or other similar exchange, that would result in our disqualification as a REIT under Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code, including any transaction that would result in (i) a person owning in excess of the ownership limit of 9.8%, in number or value, of our outstanding securities, (ii) less than 100 people owning our securities, (iii) our being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (iv) 50% or more of the fair market value of our securities being held by persons other than “United States persons,” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code, will be void ab initio. If the transaction is not void ab initio, then the securities in excess of the ownership limit, that would cause us to be closely held, that would result in 50% or more of the fair market value of our securities to be held by persons other than United States persons or that otherwise would result in our disqualification as a REIT, will automatically be exchanged for an equal number of excess shares, and these excess shares will be transferred to an excess share trustee for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiaries named by our board of trustees. These limitations may have the effect of preventing a change in control or takeover of us by a third party, even if the change in control or takeover would be in the best interests of the holders of our securities.

In order to maintain our REIT status, we may be forced to borrow funds during unfavorable market conditions.  In order to maintain our REIT status, we may need to borrow funds on a short-term basis to meet the REIT distribution requirements, even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favorable for these borrowings.  To qualify as a REIT, we generally must distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our net taxable income each year, excluding net capital gains.  In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which certain distributions made by us with respect to the calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income for that year, and any undistributed taxable income from prior periods.  We intend to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid the nondeductible excise tax and will rely for this purpose on distributions from our operating partnership.  However, we may need short-term debt or long-term debt or proceeds from asset sales or sales of common shares to fund required distributions as a result of differences in timing between the actual receipt of income and the recognition of income for federal income tax purposes, or the effect of non-deductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves or required debt or amortization payments.  The inability of our cash flows to cover our distribution requirements could have an adverse impact on our ability to raise short and long-term debt or sell equity securities in order to fund distributions required to maintain our REIT status.

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.  To qualify and maintain our status as a REIT, we must satisfy certain requirements with respect to the character of our assets.  If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any quarter, we must correct such failure within 30 days after the end of the quarter (by, possibly, selling asses not withstanding

their prospects as an investment) to avoid losing our REIT status.  If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any quarter, and the failure exceeds a minimum threshold, we may be able to preserve our REIT status if (a) the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, (b) we dispose of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identified the failure, (c) we file a schedule with the IRS describing each asset that caused the failure, and (d) we pay an additional tax of the greater of $50,000 or the product of the highest applicable tax rate multiplied by the net income generated on those assets.  As a result, compliance with the REIT requirements may require us to liquidate or forego otherwise attractive investments.  These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our shareholders.

Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.  Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted a a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, property and transfer taxes, such as mortgage recording taxes.  Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our shareholders.  In addition, in order to meet the REIT qualification requirements, or to avert the imposition of a 100% tax that applies to certain gains derived by a REIT from dealer property or inventory, we may in the future hold some of our assets through a taxable REIT subsidiary.

We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could reduce the market price of our common shares.  At any time, the federal income tax laws governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws may be amended.  Any of those new laws or interpretations may take effect retroactively and could adversely affect us or the market price of our common shares of beneficial interest.

The U.S. federal income tax laws governing REITs are complex.  We intend to operate in a manner that will qualify us as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws.  The REIT qualification requirements are extremely complex, however, and interpretations of the U.S. federal income tax laws governing qualification as a REIT are limited. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that we will be successful in operating so we can continue to qualify as a REIT.  At any time, new laws, interpretations, or court decisions may change the federal tax laws or the U.S. federal income tax consequences of our qualification as a REIT.

Our board of trustees may make changes to our major policies without approval of the holders of our shares of beneficial interest. Our operating and financial policies, including policies relating to development and acquisition of real estate, financing, growth, operations, indebtedness, capitalization and distributions, are exclusively determined by our board of trustees. Our board of trustees may amend or revoke those policies, and other policies, without advance notice to, or the approval of, the holders of our shares of beneficial interest.  Accordingly, our shareholders do not control these policies, and policy changes could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our future growth depends, in part, on our ability to raise additional equity capital, which will have the effect of diluting the interests of the holders of our common shares.Our future growth depends upon, among other things, our ability to raise equity capital and issue limited partnership units of IRET Properties. The issuance of additional common shares, and of limited partnership units for which we subsequently issue common shares upon the redemption of the limited partnership units, will dilute the interests of the current holders of our common shares.  Additionally, sales of substantial amounts of our common shares or preferred shares in the public market, or issuances of our common shares upon redemption of limited partnership units in our operating partnership, or the perception that such sales or issuances might occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

We may issue additional classes or series of our shares of beneficial interest with rights and preferences that are superior to the rights and preferences of our common shares.Without the approval of the holders of our common shares, our board of trustees may establish additional classes or series of our shares of beneficial interest, and such classes or series may have dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences or other rights and preferences that are superior to the rights of the holders of our common shares.

reduce the distributions payable on our shares of beneficial interest or to not pay distributions on our shares of beneficial interest. Our board of trustees may reduce distributions for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, the following:

Our distributions are not eligible for the lower tax rate on dividends except in limited situations.  The tax rate applicable to qualifying corporate dividends received by shareholders taxed at individual rates prior to 2010 has been reduced to a maximum rate of 15%.  This special tax rate is generally not applicable to distributions paid by a REIT, unless such distributions represent earnings on which the REIT itself had been taxed. As a result, distributions (other than capital gain distributions) paid by us to shareholders taxed at individual rates will generally be subject to the tax rates that are otherwise applicable to ordinary income which, currently, are as high as 35%.  Although the earnings of a REIT that are distributed to its shareholders are still generally subject to less federal income taxation than earnings of a non-REIT C corporation that are distributed to its shareholders net of corporate-level income tax, this law change may make an investment in our securities comparatively less attractive relative to an investment in the shares of other entities which pay dividends but are not formed as REITs.

Changes in market conditions could adversely affect the price of our securities. As is the case with any publicly-traded securities, certain factors outside of our control could influence the value of our common shares, Series A preferred shares and any other securities to be issued in the future. These conditions include, but are not limited to:

Higher market interest rates may adversely affect the market price of our securities, and low trading volume on the NASDAQ Global Select Market may prevent the timely resale of our securities. One of the factors that investors may consider important in deciding whether to buy or sell shares of a REIT is the distribution with respect to such REIT’s shares as a percentage of the price of those shares, relative to market interest rates.  If market interest rates rise, prospective purchasers of REIT shares may expect a higher distribution rate in order to maintain their investment.  Higher market interest rates would likely increase our borrowing costs and might decrease funds available for distribution.  Thus, higher market interest rates could cause the market price of our common shares to decline.  In addition, although our common shares of beneficial interest are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the daily trading volume of our shares may be lower than the trading volume for other companies.  The average daily trading volume for the period of May 1, 2008, through April 30, 2009, was 243,304 shares and the average monthly trading volume for the period of May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009 was 5,105,451 shares.  As a result of this trading volume, an owner of our common shares may encounter difficulty in selling our shares in a timely manner and may incur a substantial loss.

None.

IRET is organized as a REIT under Section 856-858 of the Code, and is in the business of owning, leasing, developing and acquiring real estate properties. These real estate investments are managed by our own employees and by third-party professional real estate management companies on our behalf.

Certain financial information from fiscal 2008 and 2007 was adjusted to reflect the effects of discontinued operations. See the Property Dispositions section in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and the discussion in Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

As of April 30, 2009, our real estate portfolio consisted of 77 multi-family residential properties and 167 commercial properties, consisting of office, medical, industrial and retail properties, comprising 29.1%, 34.0%, 23.6%, 6.5%, and 6.8%, respectively, of our total real estate portfolio, based on the dollar amount of our original investment plus capital improvements, net of accumulated depreciation, through April 30, 2009. Gross annual rental revenue and percentages of total annual real estate rental revenue by property type for each of the three most recent fiscal years ended April 30, are as follows:

Economic occupancy levels on a stabilized property and all-property basis are shown below for each property type in each of the three most recent fiscal years ended April 30. Economic occupancy represents actual rental revenues recognized for the period indicated as a percentage of scheduled rental revenues for the period.  Percentage rents, tenant concessions, straightline adjustments and expense reimbursements are not considered in computing either actual revenues or scheduled rent revenues.  Scheduled rent revenue is determined by valuing occupied units or square footage at contract rates and vacant units or square footage at market rates. Stabilized properties are those properties owned for the entirety of both periods being compared.  While results presented on a stabilized property basis are not determined in accordance with GAAP, management believes that measuring performance on a stabilized property basis is useful to investors and to management because it enables evaluation of how the Company’s properties are performing year over year. In the case of multi-family residential properties, lease arrangements with individual tenants vary from month-to-month to one-year leases. Leases on commercial properties generally vary from month-to-month to 20 years.

In certain instances, in connection with the acquisition of investment properties, the lender financing such properties may require, as a condition of the loan, that the properties be owned by a “single asset entity.” Accordingly, we have organized a number of wholly-owned subsidiary corporations, and IRET Properties has organized several limited partnerships, for the purpose of holding title in an entity that complies with such lending conditions. All financial statements of these subsidiaries are consolidated into our financial statements.

We conduct our operations from offices in Minot, North Dakota and Minneapolis, Minnesota.  We also have property management offices in Omaha, Nebraska; Kansas City, Kansas; St. Louis, Missouri and  Jamestown, North Dakota. The day-to-day management of our commercial properties is carried out by our own employees and by third-party property management companies. The management and leasing of our multi-family residential properties are generally handled by locally-based, third-party management companies.

In markets where the amount of rentable square footage we own does not justify self-management, when properties acquired have effective pre-existing property management in place, or when for other reasons particular properties are in our judgment not attractive candidates for self-management, we utilize third-party professional management companies for day-to-day management.  However, all decisions relating to purchase, sale, insurance coverage, capital improvements, approval of commercial leases, annual operating budgets and major renovations are made exclusively by our employees and implemented by the third-party management companies.  As of April 30, 2009, we have under internal management 103 commercial properties.  Our remaining 64 commercial properties are managed by third parties.  We also internally manage two of our multi-family residential properties.  We plan to continue evaluating our portfolio to identify other commercial properties and multi-family properties that may be candidates for management by our own employees.

As of April 30, 2009, we had property management contracts and/or leasing agreements with the following companies:

Generally, our management contracts provide for compensation ranging from 1.5% to 5.0% of gross rent collections and, typically, we may terminate these contracts in 60 days or less or upon the property manager’s failure to meet certain specified financial performance goals.

With respect to multi-tenant commercial properties, we rely almost exclusively on third-party brokers to locate potential tenants. As compensation, brokers may receive a commission that is generally calculated as a percentage of the net rent to be paid over the term of the lease. We believe that the broker commissions paid by us conform to market and industry standards, and accordingly are commercially reasonable.

The following table presents information regarding our 244 properties owned as of April 30, 2009. We own the following interests in real estate either through our wholly-owned subsidiaries or by ownership of a controlling interest in an entity owning the real estate. We account for these interests on a consolidated basis. Occupancy rates given are the average economic occupancy rates for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009:

* = Real estate not owned in fee; all or a portion is leased under a ground or air rights lease.

As of April 30, 2009, individual first mortgage loans on the above properties totaled $1.1 billion. Of the $1.1 billion of mortgage indebtedness on April 30, 2009, $9.6 million or 0.9% is represented by variable rate mortgages on which the future interest rate will vary based on changes in the interest rate index for each respective loan. Principal payments due on our mortgage indebtedness are as follows:

The future minimum lease receipts to be received under leases for commercial properties in place as of April 30, 2009, assuming that no options to renew or buy out the leases are exercised, are as follows:

Each year we review the physical condition of each property we own. In order for our properties to remain competitive, attract new tenants, and retain existing tenants, we plan for a reasonable amount of capital improvements. For the year ended April 30, 2009, we spent approximately $28.0 million on capital improvements.

We have granted options to purchase certain of our properties to tenants in these properties, under lease agreements with the tenant. In general, these options grant the tenant the right to purchase the property at the greater of such property’s appraised value or an annual compounded increase of a specified percentage of the initial cost to us. As of April 30, 2009, our properties subject to purchase options, the cost, plus improvements, of each such property and its gross rental revenue are as follows:

The following table presents, as of April 30, 2009, the total real estate investment amount, net of accumulated depreciation, by state of each of the five major segments of properties owned by us - multi-family residential, office, medical, industrial and retail: