2.    Significant Accounting Policies

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements (“the consolidated financial statements”) of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be attained in the entire fiscal year, or for any subsequent period.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases the use of estimates on (a) various assumptions that consider prior reporting results, (b) projections regarding future operations and (c) general financial market and local and general economic conditions. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries in which the Company has control over significant operating, financial and investing decisions of the entity. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all demand deposits, cashier’s checks, money market accounts and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Investment Securities

Debt investments are classified as available-for-sale and realized gains and losses are recorded using the specific identification method. Changes in fair value, excluding credit losses and impairments, are recorded in other comprehensive income. Fair value is calculated based on publicly available market information or other estimates determined by management. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, management evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, credit quality of debt instrument issuers, and the extent to which the fair value is less than cost. To determine credit losses, management may employ a systematic methodology that considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence. In addition, management may consider specific adverse conditions related to the financial health of, and business outlook for, the issuer of the debt security. If the Company plans to

sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, then a decline in fair value below cost is recorded as an impairment charge in net income and a new cost basis in the investment is established. If market, industry, and/or business and/or financial conditions relating to the issuer deteriorate, the Company may incur future losses and/or impairments.

Equity investments with readily determinable fair values are measured at fair value. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values are measured using the equity method or measured at cost with adjustments for observable changes in price or impairments (referred to as the measurement alternative). Management performs a qualitative assessment on a periodic basis and recognizes an impairment if there are sufficient indicators that the fair value of the investment is less than carrying value. Changes in value are recorded in net income.

Allowance for Current Expected Credit Losses

The Company adopted the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) standard effective January 1, 2023 in accordance with ASU No. 2016-13. The initial CECL allowance (”Allowance for credit losses”) adjustment of $2,489,574 was recorded effective January 1, 2023 as a cumulative-effect of change in accounting principle through a direct charge to accumulated deficit on the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity; however, subsequent changes to the CECL allowance will be recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income in “Provision for credit losses related to loans”.

The Company records an allowance for credit losses in accordance with the CECL standard on the Company’s loan portfolio, including unfunded construction commitments, on a collective basis by assets with similar risk characteristics. This methodology, known as the “static pool methodology”, replaces the probable incurred loss impairment methodology. In addition, interest and fees receivable and amounts included in due from borrowers, other than reimbursements, which include origination, modification and other fees receivable are also analyzed for credit losses in accordance with the CECL standard, as they represent a financial asset that is subject to credit risk. As allowed under the CECL standard used by the Company, as a practical expedient, the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date is compared to the net carrying amount of the loan when determining the allowance for credit losses for loans in pending/pre-foreclosure status, as defined. Fair value of collateral is reduced by estimated cost to sell if the collateral is expected to be sold. The amount of loans in pending/pre-foreclosure as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was approximately $72.9 million and $68.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company has taken reserves against loans subject to foreclosure of approximately $7.3 million and $6.2 million, respectively, which is included in “Allowance for credit losses” on the accompanying balance sheets.

The CECL standard requires an entity to consider historical loss experience, current conditions, and a reasonable and supportable forecast of the economic environment. The Company utilizes a loss-rate method for estimating current expected credit losses. The loss rate method involves applying a loss rate to a pool of loans with similar risk characteristics to estimate the expected credit losses on that pool of loans. In determining the CECL allowance, the Company considers various factors including (1) historical loss experience in its portfolio, (2) loan specific losses for loans deemed collateral dependent based on excess amortized cost over the fair value of the underlying collateral, and (3) its current and future view of the macroeconomic environment. The Company utilizes a forecast of three years which approximates its longer-term loans, which are often the construction loans.

Management estimates the allowance for credit losses using relevant information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level sufficient to provide for expected credit losses over the life of the loans based on evaluating historical credit loss experience and to make adjustments to historical loss information for differences in the specific risk characteristics in the current loan portfolio. The Allowance for credit losses related to the principal outstanding is presented within “Mortgages receivable, net” and for unfunded commitments is within accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Allowance for credit losses related to the late payment fees are presented in “Interest and fees receivable, net”, and “Due from borrowers, net” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Lastly, the allowance related to unfunded commitments for construction loans is presented in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

The below table represents the financial statement line items that are impacted by the Allowance for credit losses:

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As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 the Company had an allowance for credit losses on debt securities of approximately $0.8 million for each year, which is presented in “Investment securities (at fair value)” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, fair market value of these securities was $821,052 and $1,130,518, respectively. The cost basis of these securities were $1,647,841.

Fair Value Measurements

The framework for measuring fair value provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820 are described as follows:

Level 1Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company can access.

Level 2Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

If the asset or liability has a specified (i.e., contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Property and Equipment

Land and building acquired in 2021 to serve as the Company’s corporate headquarters is stated at cost. Renovation of the building was completed in the first quarter of 2023 and the Company relocated its operations to the new building in March 2023. The building is being depreciated using the straight – line method over its estimated useful life of 40 years. The new building was placed in service during the three months ended March of 2023.

The following tables represent the Company’s Property and Equipment, Net as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

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Investment in Rental Real Estate

Real estate is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Betterments, major renewals and certain costs directly related to the improvement and leasing of real estate are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. For redevelopment of existing operating properties, the net book value of the existing property under redevelopment plus the cost for the construction and improvements incurred in connection with the redevelopment, including interest and debt expense, are capitalized to the extent the capitalized costs of the property do not exceed the estimated fair value of the redeveloped property when complete. If the cost of the redeveloped property, including the net book value of the existing property, exceeds the estimated fair value of the redeveloped property, the excess is charged to expense. Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of these assets which range from 7 to 40 years. Tenant allowances are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lives of the related leases, or the useful lives of the assets.

Upon the acquisition of real estate, the Company assesses whether the transaction should be accounted for as an asset acquisition or as a business combination. Acquisitions of integrated sets of assets and activities that do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for as asset acquisitions. Acquisitions of real estate generally will not meet the definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e., land, buildings, and related identified intangible assets).

The Company allocates the purchase price of real estate to land and building (inclusive of site and tenant improvements) and, if determined to be material, intangibles, such as the value of above- and below-market leases and origination costs associated with the in-place leases.

The allocation of the purchase price to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed involves subjectivity as the allocations are based on an analysis of the respective fair values. In determining the fair value of the real estate acquired, the Company utilized a third-party valuation which primarily utilizes cash flow projections that apply, among other things, estimated revenue and expense growth rates, discount rates and capitalization rates, as well as sales comparison approach, which utilizes comparable sales, listings and sales contracts. The Company assesses the fair value of the acquired leases based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property. The determined and allocated fair values to the real estate acquired will affect the amount of depreciation and amortization we record over the respective estimated useful lives or term of the lease.

On June 23, 2023, the Company entered into a purchase and sale contract (the “Westport Purchase Agreement”) to acquire a commercial office building in Westport, CT (the “Westport Asset”) for $10,600,000. The transaction was completed on August 31,

2023. In connection with this transaction, which was accounted for as an asset acquisition, the Company allocated the purchase price and acquisition-related costs to the tangible and intangible assets acquired based on fair value. In addition, the Company recorded a lease liability stemming from below-market rental rates. Total consideration, including capitalized acquisition-related costs, was $10,725,237.

See Note 5 – Investment in Rental Real Estate, net for further details surrounding the above acquisition as of March 31, 2024.

Real Estate Owned (“REO”)

REO acquired through foreclosure is initially measured at fair value and is thereafter subject to an ongoing impairment analysis. After an REO acquisition, events or circumstances may occur that result in a material and sustained decrease in the cash flows generated from the property or other market indicators including listing data may signal a decline in the liquidation value. REO is evaluated for recoverability when impairment indicators are identified. Any impairment losses are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company continually monitors events or changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of these assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. Goodwill at March 31, 2024 represents the excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of net assets acquired from Urbane New Haven, LLC in October 2022.

In testing goodwill for impairment, the Company adheres to ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”, which permits a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value including goodwill. If the qualitative assessment determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value including goodwill, then no impairment is determined to exist for the reporting unit. However, if the qualitative assessment determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value including goodwill, or the Company chooses not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it compares the fair value of that reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill.

As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, goodwill was approximately $0.4 million, which is presented in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. There was no impairment to goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Deferred Financing Costs

Costs incurred in connection with the Company’s revolving credit facilities, described in Note 8-Lines of Credit, Mortgage Payable Churchill Facility are amortized over the term of the applicable facility using the straight-line method.

Costs incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance of unsecured, unsubordinated notes, described in Note 9 – Unsecured Notes Payable, are being amortized over the term of the respective unsecured, unsubordinated notes.

Revenue Recognition

Interest income from the Company’s loan portfolio is earned over the loan period and is calculated using the simple interest method on principal amounts outstanding. Generally, the Company’s loans provide for interest to be paid monthly in arrears. The Company, generally, does not accrue interest income on mortgages receivable that are more than 90 days past due or interest charged at default rates. However, interest income not accrued at March 31, 2024 but collected prior to the issuance of this report is included in income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024.

Origination and modification fee revenue, generally 1% – 3% of either the original loan principal or the modified loan balance, is collected at loan funding and is recognized ratably over the contractual life of the loan in accordance with ASC Topic 310.

Income Taxes

The Company believes it qualifies as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes and operates accordingly. It made the election to be taxed as a REIT on its 2017 Federal income tax return. The Company’s qualification as a REIT depends on its ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, various complex requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), relating to, among other things, the sources of its income, the composition and values of its assets, its compliance with the distribution requirements applicable to REITs and the diversity of ownership of its outstanding capital stock. So long as it qualifies as a REIT, the Company, generally, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its taxable income distributed to its shareholders. However, if it fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates and may also be subject to various penalties and may be precluded from re-electing REIT status for the four taxable years following the year during in which it lost its REIT qualification. Other than taxes incurred by TRSs (see below), the Company does not expect to incur any corporate federal income tax liability outside of the TRSs, as it believes it has maintained its qualification as a REIT.

The Company has elected, and may elect in the future, to treat certain of its existing or newly created corporate subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). In general, a TRS may hold assets that the Company cannot hold directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. The TRSs generate income, resulting in federal and state income tax liability for these entities. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company’s TRSs recognized provisions for federal and state income tax of $190,025, which is represented in other expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, there were no recognized provisions for federal income tax nor state tax.

The income tax provision for the Company differs from the amount computed from applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes due to non-taxable REIT income and other permanent differences including the non-deductibility of acquisition costs of business combinations for federal income tax reporting.

ASC Topic 740-10 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and disclosure required. Under this standard, an entity may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense. The Company has determined that there are no uncertain tax positions requiring accrual or disclosure in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 260 — “Earnings Per Share.” Under ASC Topic 260, basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the potential dilution from the exercise of stock options and warrants for common shares using the treasury stock method. The numerator in calculating both basic and diluted earnings per common share for each period is the reported net income.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had basic and diluted weighted average shares of 47,326,384 outstanding, resulting in basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.08, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had basic weighted averages shares of 42,792,509 outstanding resulting in basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.10.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions.” ASU 2022-03 was issued to (1) to clarify the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, when measuring the fair value of an equity security subject to contractual restrictions that prohibit the sale of an equity security, (2) to amend a related illustrative example, and (3) to introduce new disclosure requirements for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions that are measured at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (FASB ASC Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 intends to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, enhance interim disclosure requirements and provides new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment. This standard is effective for the Company beginning with its 2024 annual reporting. ASU 2023-07 is to be adopted retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The Company does not anticipate that this update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts included in the March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the March 31, 2024 presentation.