We are providing FREE consultations via PHONE or VIDEO conferencing for your safety and convenience. Read More!

A National Securities Arbitration & Investment Fraud Law Firm

Articles Posted in Real Estate Investment Trusts

|

In January 2021, Steadfast Apartment REIT Inc. announced that it is lowering its distribution rate and limiting share repurchases, effective February 1, 2021. Steadfast Apartment REIT is a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Steadfast invests in apartment communities across the United States. According to a letter to shareholders, Steadfast is cutting its distribution rate nearly in half, from $0.90 per share to $0.5250 per share. Steadfast Apartment REIT’s NAV Continues To Decline As of March 6, 2020, Steadfast’s net asset value (NAV) was reported at $15.23 per share.  However, the reduced distributions indicate that things may be worse for the REIT than can be discerned from the NAV. In fact, Steadfast Apartment REIT is trading on the secondary market for approximately $10-$11.In January 2021, Steadfast Apartment REIT Inc. announced that it is lowering its distribution rate and limiting share repurchases, effective February 1, 2021. Steadfast Apartment REIT is a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Steadfast invests in apartment communities across the United States. Continue reading ›

|

Former NEXT Financial Group broker Charles Kulch (Charles Chester Kulch CRD# 2371584) is the subject of four pending customer disputes, as well as five settled disputes, according to his FINRA record. Kulch was previously registered with NEXT Financial Group, Inc. in Nashua, New Hampshire from 2006 until he left the brokerage industry in 2020. According to Kulch’s CRD Report, he was also operating Kulch Associates Inc., a tax preparation service, and Kulch Insurance Group LLC.Former NEXT Financial Group broker Charles Kulch (Charles Chester Kulch CRD# 2371584) is the subject of four pending customer disputes, as well as five settled disputes, according to his FINRA record. Kulch was previously registered with NEXT Financial Group, Inc. in Nashua, New Hampshire from 2006 until he left the brokerage industry in 2020. According to Kulch’s CRD Report, he was also operating Kulch Associates Inc., a tax preparation service, and Kulch Insurance Group LLC. Continue reading ›

|

The Parking REIT, a non-traded real estate investment trust that has declined in value by over 50%, announced that it is selling the majority of the company to an affiliate of the alternative asset management firm Bombe Asset Management. The agreement includes an investment by Bombe of $90 million in property and parking assets and $35 million in cash. Bombe will receive operating partnership units and warrants to purchase common stock. Bombe will purchase 1.55 million shares from the REIT’s advisor, its affiliates, and CEO Michael Shustek, for $11.75 each. About The Parking REIT The Parking REIT, which began operating in 2015, was formed when 2 non-traded REITS, MVP REIT and MVP REIT II, merged. The company invests in parking lots and garages in the U.S. and abroad.The Parking REIT, a non-traded real estate investment trust that has declined in value by over 50%, announced that it is selling the majority of the company to an affiliate of the alternative asset management firm Bombe Asset Management.

The agreement includes an investment by Bombe of $90 million in property and parking assets and $35 million in cash. Bombe will receive operating partnership units and warrants to purchase common stock. Bombe will purchase 1.55 million shares from the REIT’s advisor, its affiliates, and CEO Michael Shustek, for $11.75 each. Continue reading ›

|

New York City REIT Inc. (NYC) has lost significant value since its public listing in August, 2020. Managed by AR Global, a partnership led by investor Nicholas Schorsch, many investors in the REIT have seen their investment decline by as much as 80%. Started in 2013, New York City REIT, which invests in commercial real estate in New York, was one of many nontraded real estate investment trusts (REITS) managed by AR Global and Schorsch. New York City REIT (NYC) Public Listing Nontraded REITS are illiquid, which means they can’t be easily sold. However, they often pay a high dividend, and the selling brokers sometimes tell investors that a liquidity event (public listing) could happen in the future that will allow them to get their principal out. Sometimes with nontraded REITS the liquidity event doesn’t happen, as in the case of The Parking REIT, which stopped paying distributions and told investors that a liquidity event may never occur.New York City REIT Inc. (NYC) has lost significant value since its public listing in August, 2020. Managed by AR Global, a partnership led by investor Nicholas Schorsch, many investors in the REIT have seen their investment decline by as much as 80%.

Started in 2013, New York City REIT, which invests in commercial real estate in New York, was one of many nontraded real estate investment trusts (REITS) managed by AR Global and Schorsch. Continue reading ›

|

Bryon Martinsen (Bryon Edwin Martinsen) (CRD# 1621649) is a currently-registered broker and investment advisor employed with Centaurus Financial, Inc. (CRD #30833) of Kings Park, NY. Martinsen previously worked for AXA Advisors, LLC (CRD# 6627) and The Equitable Life Assurance Society Of The United States (CRD# 4039), in New York, NY.  He has worked in the industry since 1987. Did you lose money with Bryon Martinsen or Centaurus? Call our attorneys toll free at (800)-975-4345 or e-mail ssilver@silverlaw.com for a no-cost confidential consultation about options to recover your losses. Martinsen Alleged To Have Sold The Parking REIT One of the investments Martinsen and other Centaurus Financial brokers are alleged to have sold clients is The Parking REIT. The Parking REIT was created in 2017 with the merger of MVP REIT and MVP REIT II. The investment is illiquid, but attractive because of the dividend it paid. In 2018, the REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) stopped paying dividends, and its value has gone down significantly.Bryon Martinsen (Bryon Edwin Martinsen) (CRD# 1621649) is a currently-registered broker and investment advisor employed with Centaurus Financial, Inc. (CRD #30833) of Kings Park, NY. Martinsen previously worked for AXA Advisors, LLC (CRD# 6627) and The Equitable Life Assurance Society Of The United States (CRD# 4039), in New York, NY.  He has worked in the industry since 1987.

Did you lose money with Bryon Martinsen or Centaurus? Call our attorneys toll free at (800)-975-4345 or e-mail ssilver@silverlaw.com for a no-cost confidential consultation about options to recover your losses. Continue reading ›

|

Kevin Rainwater (CRD:#3098443) is a currently registered broker and investment advisor currently employed with Arkadios Capital (CRD#: 282710) of Atlanta, GA, since 2017. He was previously employed with Stancorp Equities, Inc. (CRD#:19517), also of Atlanta, and with Manequity, Inc. (CRD#:5249), of Boston, MA.  He has been in the industry since 1998. Rainwater is the subject of four customer disputes: one filed on 4/26/2019, 2/7/2020 for $100,000, and two filed on 3/8/2020 for $125,000 and $650,000. Allegations include unauthorized trading and unsuitable product recommendations. Rainwater denies the allegations. These disputes are currently marked as “pending.”Kevin Rainwater (Kevin Lamar Rainwater CRD#3098443) is a currently registered broker and investment advisor currently employed with Arkadios Capital (CRD#: 282710) of Atlanta, GA, since 2017. He was previously employed with Stancorp Equities, Inc. (CRD#:19517), also of Atlanta, and with Manequity, Inc. (CRD#:5249), of Boston, MA. He has been in the industry since 1998.

Rainwater is the subject of four customer disputes: one filed on 4/26/2019, 2/7/2020 for $100,000, and two filed on 3/8/2020 for $125,000 and $650,000. Allegations include unauthorized trading and unsuitable product recommendations. Rainwater denies the allegations. These disputes are currently marked as “pending.” Continue reading ›

|

The Parking REIT said in an April, 2020 letter to investors that the option to provide liquidity to shareholders by listing common shares on a stock exchange is “not currently viable” and “there can be no assurance that the company will cause a liquidity event to occur in the near future or at all.” This is disappointing news for investors in the non-traded REIT, which has already given them quite a bit of disappointment. In March, 2018, The Parking REIT announced that its board had unanimously approved the suspension of all cash distributions and stock dividends. The dividend paid by a non-traded REIT like The Parking REIT was its most appealing quality.The Parking REIT said in an April, 2020 letter to investors that the option to provide liquidity to shareholders by listing common shares on a stock exchange is “not currently viable” and “there can be no assurance that the company will cause a liquidity event to occur in the near future or at all.”

This is disappointing news for investors in the non-traded REIT, which has already given them quite a bit of disappointment. In March, 2018, The Parking REIT announced that its board had unanimously approved the suspension of all cash distributions and stock dividends. The dividend paid by a non-traded REIT like The Parking REIT was its most appealing quality. Continue reading ›

|

Cetera Financial Group, comprised of Cetera Advisors, Cetera Advisor Networks, First Allied Securities, and Summit Brokerage Services, recently announced that it is halting sales of non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and interval funds, citing the likely inaccuracy of real estate valuations leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cetera Financial Group has approximately 8,000 registered representatives operating across the country who are subject to this policy.Cetera Financial Group, comprised of Cetera Advisors, Cetera Advisor Networks, First Allied Securities, and Summit Brokerage Services, recently announced that it is halting sales of non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and interval funds, citing the likely inaccuracy of real estate valuations leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cetera Financial Group has approximately 8,000 registered representatives operating across the country who are subject to this policy. Continue reading ›

|

Approximately one year ago a customer lodged a dispute with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against broker Jeanpierre Ayala (a/k/a J.P. Ayala) (CRD# 2765730) due to conduct that occurred while Ayala was employed by Laidlaw & Company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ayala is currently registered with Westpark Capital in Boca Raton, Florida.Approximately one year ago a customer lodged a dispute with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against broker Jeanpierre Ayala (a/k/a J.P. Ayala) (CRD# 2765730) due to conduct that occurred while Ayala was employed by Laidlaw & Company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ayala is currently registered with Westpark Capital in Boca Raton, Florida.

According to Ayala’s CRD Report, published by FINRA, the customer alleged misrepresentation and recommendation of unsuitable investments over the course of 2013-2017 and now seeks $200,000. Ayala denies these allegations. The dispute arises out of private placement investments, including a real estate investment trust (REIT). The dispute is currently pending resolution. Continue reading ›

|

Mercer Hicks III (CRD#: 245170, a/k/a “Mercer Hicks,” “Toby Mercer Hicks III,” or “Toby Hicks III”) is a currently registered broker and formerly registered investment advisor currently employed with Southeast Investments, N.C., INC. (CRD#: 43035) of Charlotte, NC. His previous employers include Capital Investment Group, Inc. (CRD#:14752) and Cantella & Co., Inc. (CRD#:13905), both of Pinehurst, NC, and American Investment Services, Inc. (CRD#:21111, expelled by FINRA in 2003) of Oklahoma City, OK. He has been in the industry since 1972.Mercer Hicks III (CRD#: 245170, a/k/a “Mercer Hicks,” “Toby Mercer Hicks III,” or “Toby Hicks III”) is a currently registered broker and formerly registered investment advisor currently employed with Southeast Investments, N.C., INC. (CRD#: 43035) of Charlotte, NC. His previous employers include Capital Investment Group, Inc. (CRD#:14752) and Cantella & Co., Inc. (CRD#:13905), both of Pinehurst, NC, and American Investment Services, Inc. (CRD#:21111, expelled by FINRA in 2003) of Oklahoma City, OK. He has been in the industry since 1972. Continue reading ›

Contact Information
Main Office
11780 W Sample Rd
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Phone: (954) 755-4799Fax: (954) 755-4684
New York Office
229 W 36th St 8th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 377-5227
Florida Office
4755 Technology Way #205
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (561) 665-8613
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING

Visit our Florida Securities Whistleblower Website

We serve clients nationwide including, but not limited to, those in the following localities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas–Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Bernardino-Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa–St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C. View More

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2021, Silver Law Group
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design