G. Patrick Smits

Operates as a real estate investment trust which focuses on acquisition, development and management of residential properties

Covenant Capital Group (CCG) specializes in the value-added acquisition and redevelopment of apartment communities through joint ventures with local operating partners. They focus on properties in the Southeastern and Midwestern US. The size of their investments vary depending on the opportunity and the market conditions, but CCG generally seeks real estate investments requiring $1 million to $10 million in equity capital. They will consider smaller investments that provide entrance into a new market, solidify a bond with an existing partner or enhance an existing portfolio. CCG strives to generate premium returns to investors through their presence in target markets with generally less competition than primary markets, by acquiring assets whose fundamentals are under-priced and by implementing a business plan to enhance value. CCG's strategy is to locate pricing anomalies by identifying situations where the real estate fundamentals are under-priced by the capital markets and to locate assets in markets with stable employment bases, supply constraints and sustained exit liquidity. The firm looks for properties and markets where the fundamentals are under-appreciated. They have achieved superior returns through active asset management, repositioning assets through capital expenditures and marketing, and then selling to buyers with lower costs of capital. CCG targets equity placements of $500,000 to $10 million for the purchase, renovation, and recapitalization of apartment assets. By focusing on this transaction size, they position themselves in a less competitive niche where they have the ability to react more quickly than traditional large institutional capital sources. CCG pursues real estate investments through partnerships with proven operating companies that have significant experience managing and owning apartments. Their value-added strategy focuses on 1970's and 1980's well-located apartments in the Southeastern and Midwestern US. They work to reposition assets in the market through capital renovations and implementation of comprehensive marketing and management plans. CCG also seeks acquisitions of multi-family assets with value-added potential or growth opportunity through opportunity plays, value creation, market dispositioning and rehabilitation. They invest in markets in the Southeast or Midwest that have strong demographics or growth potential. Covenant invests in Class 'A' to 'C' properties with required equity of $500,000 to $5 million and values up to $50 million. CCG targets debt placements of $500,000 to $5 million for the restructuring and recapitalization of apartment assets. As with the equity program, they position themselves in a less competitive niche where they have the ability to react more quickly than traditional large institutional capital sources. CCG's participating debt provides 80-90% of the gap between senior financing and the borrower's equity for the acquisition or renovation. The participating debt program provides financing for borrowers who find it difficult to obtain traditional refinancing due to factors such as prepayment penalties. Debt collateral can take multiple forms including second lien, pledge of corporate stock or other interests to borrower.

Provides property management services