Unassociated Document
you
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2010
 
Registration No. 333-______


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 


FORM S-11

FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE COMPANIES



AMERICAN REALTY CAPITAL TRUST, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Governing Instruments)

106 York Road
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania 19046
(215) 887-2189

(Address, Including Zip Code and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)



Nicholas S. Schorsch
AMERICAN REALTY CAPITAL TRUST, INC.
106 York Road
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania 19046

(215) 887-2189

(Name and Address, Including Zip Code and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)



With a Copy to:

Peter M. Fass, Esq.
Proskauer Rose LLP
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036-8299
(212) 969-3000
 


Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to Public:  As soon as practicable after the registration statement becomes effective.
 
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box  x
 
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
 
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o
 
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check, the following box:  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one)
 
Large accelerated filer  o
Accelerated filer  o
   
Non-accelerated filer  x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company  o
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                 
 
 
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
 
 
 
Amounts to be
Registered
 
 
Proposed
Offering
Price Per Unit
 
Proposed
Aggregate
Offering
Price
 
 
Amount of
Registration
Fee
Primary Offering
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
32,500,000
 
$10.00
 
$325,000,000.00
 
$23,172.50
Distribution Reinvestment Plan
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
2,631,578
 
$9.50
 
$25,000,000.00
 
$1,782.50
Total
 
35,131,578
     
$350,000,000.00
 
$24,955.00

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
 


 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.  The prospectus is not an offer to sell the securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, AUGUST 5, 2010
 
AMERICAN REALTY CAPITAL
AMERICAN REALTY CAPITAL TRUST, INC.
 
Maximum Offering of 32,500,000 Shares of Common Stock
 
American Realty Capital Trust, Inc. is a Maryland corporation that qualifies as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or REIT.  We will invest primarily in freestanding, single-tenant retail properties net leased to investment grade and other creditworthy tenants.
 
We commenced our initial public offering of shares of our common stock on January 25, 2008, which we refer to as our initial offering.  As of July 27, 2010, we had raised gross offering proceeds of $328.7 million from 8,604 stockholders pursuant to our initial offering, which will terminate no later than January 25, 2011, unless extended through no later than July 25, 2011.  As of July 27, 2010, we owned 169 geographically diverse properties comprising approximately 2.9 million square feet of gross leasable area, located in 30 states.
 
In this follow-on offering, we are offering up to 32,500,000 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, in our primary offering for $10.00 per share, with discounts available for certain categories of purchasers. We are also offering up to 2,631,578 shares pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan at a purchase price of $9.50 per share. We reserve the right to reallocate the shares of our common stock we are offering between the primary offering and the distribution reinvestment plan.
 
See “Risk Factors” for a description of some of the risks you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.  These risks include the following:
 
 
·
As of July 27, 2010 we have made 169 geographically diverse acquisitions but have not identified specific properties to acquire with the net proceeds we will receive from this follow-on offering.  You will be unable to evaluate the economic merit of our future investments before we make them and there may be a substantial delay in receiving a return, if any, on your investment.
 
 
·
There are substantial conflicts among us and our sponsor, advisor, dealer manager and property manager, such as the fact that our principal executive officers own a majority interest in our advisor, our dealer-manager and our property manager, and our advisor and other affiliated entities may compete with us and acquire properties suitable to our investment objectives.
 
 
·
No public market currently exists, and one may never exist, for shares of our common stock.  If you are able to sell your shares, you would likely have to sell them at a substantial discount.
 
 
·
Distributions payable to our stockholders may, without limitation, include distributions from the proceeds of this offering or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of capital, reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in properties and negatively impact the value of your investment.
 
 
·
If we do not remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT, it would reduce the amount of income available for distribution and limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
 
 
·
You may not own more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of our outstanding shares of stock and not more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of shares of our stock.
 
 
·
We may incur substantial debt, which could hinder our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders or could decrease the value of your investment in the event that income on, or the value of, the property securing the debt falls, but we will not incur debt to the extent it will restrict our ability to qualify as a REIT.
 
 
·
We are dependent on our advisor to select investments and conduct our operations.  Adverse changes in the financial condition of our advisor or our relationship with our advisor could adversely affect us.
 
 
·
We will pay substantial fees and expenses to our advisor, its affiliates and participating broker-dealers, which payments increase the risk that you will not earn a profit on your investment.
 
 
·
This is a “best efforts” offering and we might not sell all of the shares being offered.
 
These are speculative securities and this investment involves a high degree of risk.  You should purchase these securities only if you can afford a complete loss of your investment.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Attorney General of the State of New York nor any other state securities regulator has approved or disapproved of our common stock, determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete or passed on or endorsed the merits of this offering.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
 

 

The use of projections in this offering is prohibited.  Any representation to the contrary, and any predictions, written or oral, as to the amount or certainty of any future benefit or tax consequence that may flow from an investment in this program is not permitted.  All proceeds from this offering are funds held in trust until subscriptions are accepted and funds are released.
 
   
Price to Public
   
Selling
Commissions
   
Dealer Manager
Fee
   
Net Proceeds
(Before Expenses)
 
Follow-On Primary Offering
                       
Per Share
  $ 10.00     $ 0.70     $ 0.30     $ 9.00  
Total Maximum
  $ 350,000,000     $ 24,500,000     $ 10,500,000     $ 35,000,000  
 
The dealer manager of this offering, Realty Capital Securities, LLC, is a member firm of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is our affiliate and will offer the shares on a best efforts basis.  The minimum investment amount generally is $1,000.  See the “Plan of Distribution” section of this prospectus for a description of compensation that may be received by our dealer manger and other broker-dealers in this offering.
 
We commenced our initial public offering of 150,000,000 shares of common stock on January 25, 2008, which we refer to as our initial offering.  We will offer shares under the initial offering until January 25, 2011, unless such initial offering is extended to a date no later than July 25, 2011.  We will sell shares under the follow-on offering until the earlier of the date on which all shares under the follow-on offering have been sold or August 5, 2012, two years from the date of this prospectus.
 
August 5, 2010
 
 

 

Suitability Standards
 
An investment in our common stock involves significant risk and is only suitable for persons who have adequate financial means, desire a relatively long-term investment and who will not need immediate liquidity from their investment.  Initially, we will not have a public market for our common stock, and we cannot assure you that one will develop, which means that it may be difficult for you to sell your shares.  This investment is not suitable for persons who require immediate liquidity or guaranteed income, or who seek a short-term investment.
 
In consideration of these factors, we have established suitability standards for initial stockholders and subsequent purchasers of shares from our stockholders.  These suitability standards require that a purchaser of shares have, excluding the value of a purchaser’s home, furnishings and automobiles, either:
 
 
·
a net worth of at least $250,000; or
 
 
·
a gross annual income of at least $70,000 and a net worth of at least $70,000.
 
The minimum purchase is 100 shares ($1,000), except in certain states as described below.  Purchases in amounts above the $1,000 minimum and all subsequent purchases may be made in whole or fractional shares, again subject to the limitations described below for certain states.  You may not transfer fewer shares than the minimum purchase requirement.  In addition, you may not transfer, fractionalize or subdivide your shares so as to retain less than the number of shares required for the minimum purchase.  In order to satisfy the minimum purchase requirements for retirement plans, unless otherwise prohibited by state law, a husband and wife may jointly contribute funds from their separate IRAs, and jointly meet suitability standards, provided that each such contribution is made in increments of $100.00 or ten (10) whole shares.  You should note that an investment in shares of our company will not, in itself, create a retirement plan and that, in order to create a retirement plan, you must comply with all applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)..
 
The minimum purchase for Maine, New York, Tennessee and North Carolina residents is 250 shares ($2,500), except for IRAs which must purchase a minimum of 100 shares ($1,000).  The minimum purchase for Minnesota residents is 250 shares ($2,500), except for IRAs and other qualified retirement plans which must purchase a minimum of 200 shares ($2,000).  Following an initial subscription for at least the required minimum investment, any investor may make additional purchases in increments of at least 100 shares ($1,000), except for purchases made by residents of Maine and Minnesota, whose additional investments must meet their state’s minimum investment amount, and purchases of shares pursuant to the initial offering’s distribution reinvestment plan and automatic purchase plan, which may be in lesser amounts.
 
Several states have established suitability requirements that are more stringent than the standards that we have established and described above.  Shares will be sold only to investors in these states who meet the special suitability standards set forth below:
 
 
·
Kentucky — Investors must have either (a) a net worth of $250,000 or (b) a gross annual income of at least $70,000 and a net worth of at least $70,000, with the amount invested in this offering not to exceed 10% of the Kentucky investor’s liquid net worth.
 
 
·
Massachusetts, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Oregon — Investors must have either (a) a minimum net worth of at least $250,000 or (b) an annual gross income of at least $70,000 and a net worth of at least $70,000.  The investor’s maximum investment in the issuer and its affiliates cannot exceed 10% of the Massachusetts, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania or Oregon resident’s net worth.
 
 
·
Michigan — Investors must have either (a) a minimum net worth of at least $250,000 or (b) an annual gross income of at least $70,000 and a net worth of at least $70,000.  The maximum investment in the issuer and its affiliates cannot exceed 10% of the Michigan resident’s net worth.
 
 
·
Tennessee — In addition to the suitability requirements described above, investors’ maximum investment in our shares and our affiliates shall not exceed 10% of the resident’s net worth.
 
 
·
Kansas — In addition to the suitability requirements described above, it is recommended that investors should invest no more than 10% of their liquid net worth in our shares and securities of other real estate investment trusts.  “Liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth (total assets minus total liabilities) that is comprised of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.
 
 
·
Missouri — In addition to the suitability requirements described above, no more than ten percent (10%) of any one (1) Missouri investor’s liquid net worth shall be invested in the securities registered by us for this offering with the Securities Division.
 
 
·
California — In addition to the suitability requirements described above, investors’ maximum investment in our shares will be limited to 10% of the investor’s net worth (exclusive of home, home furnishings and automobile).
 
 
i

 

 
·
Alabama and Mississippi — In addition to the suitability standards above, shares will only be sold to Alabama and Mississippi residents that represent that they have a liquid net worth of at least 10 times the amount of their investment in this real estate investment program and other similar programs.
 
In all states listed above, net worth is to be determined excluding the value of a purchaser’s home, furnishings and automobiles.
 
Each sponsor, participating broker-dealer, authorized representative or any other person selling shares on our behalf is required to:
 
 
·
make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of shares is a suitable and appropriate investment for each investor based on information provided by such investor to the broker-dealer, including such investor’s age, investment objectives, income, net worth, financial situation and other investments held by such investor; and
 
 
·
maintain records for at least six years of the information used to determine that an investment in the shares is suitable and appropriate for each investor.
 
In making this determination, your participating broker-dealer, authorized representative or other person selling shares on our behalf will, based on a review of the information provided by you in the subscription agreement (Appendix A), consider whether you:
 
 
·
meet the minimum income and net worth standards established in your state;
 
 
·
can reasonably benefit from an investment in our common stock based on your overall investment objectives and portfolio structure;
 
 
·
are able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on your overall financial situation; and
 
 
·
have an apparent understanding of:
 
 
·
the fundamental risks of an investment in our common stock;
 
 
·
the risk that you may lose your entire investment;
 
 
·
the lack of liquidity of our common stock;
 
 
·
the restrictions on transferability of our common stock;
 
 
·
the background and qualifications of our advisor; and
 
 
·
the tax consequences of an investment in our common stock.
 
In the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, the suitability standards must be met by the fiduciary account, by the person who directly or indirectly supplied the funds for the purchase of the shares or by the beneficiary of the account.  Given the long-term nature of an investment in our shares, our investment objectives and the relative illiquidity of our shares, our suitability standards are intended to help ensure that shares of our common stock are an appropriate investment for those of you who become investors.
 
In order to ensure adherence to the suitability standards above, requisite criteria must be met, as set forth in the Subscription Agreement in the form attached hereto as Appendix A.  In addition, our advisor and dealer manager must make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of our shares (including the purchase of our shares through the automatic purchase plan) is a suitable and appropriate investment for an investor.  In making this determination, our advisor and dealer manager will rely on relevant information provided by the investor, including information as to the investor’s age, investment objectives, investment experience, income, net worth, financial situation, other investments, and any other pertinent information.  Executed Subscription Agreements will be maintained in our records for six years.
 
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE USA PATRIOT ACT AND RELATED ACTS
 
In accordance with the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended (the USA PATRIOT Act), the units offered hereby may not be offered, sold, transferred or delivered, directly or indirectly, to any “Prohibited Partner,” which means anyone who is:
 
 
·
a “designated national,” “specially designated national,” “specially designated terrorist,” “specially designated global terrorist,” “foreign terrorist organization,” or “blocked person” within the definitions set forth in the Foreign Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department;
 
 
·
acting on behalf of, or an entity owned or controlled by, any government against whom the U.S. maintains economic sanctions or embargoes under the Regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department;
 
 
·
within the scope of Executive Order 13224 — Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism, effective September 24, 2001;
 
 
ii

 

 
·
subject to additional restrictions imposed by the following statutes or regulations and executive orders issued thereunder:  the Trading with the Enemy Act, the Iraq Sanctions Act, the National Emergencies Act, the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the United Nations Participation Act, the International Security and Development Cooperation Act, the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1994, the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996, the Cuban Democracy Act, the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act and the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriation Act or any other law of similar import as to any non-U.S. country, as each such act or law has been or may be amended, adjusted, modified or reviewed from time to time; or
 
 
·
designated or blocked, associated or involved in terrorism, or subject to restrictions under laws, regulations, or executive orders as may apply in the future similar to those set forth above.

 
iii

 

AMERICAN REALITY CAPITAL TRUST, INC.
 
Table of Contents
 
 
Page
Suitability Standards
i
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE USA PATRIOT ACT AND RELATED ACTS
ii
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS OFFERING
vii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
1
Status of the Initial Offering
1
American Realty Capital Trust, Inc.
1
REIT Status
1
Advisor
1
Management
1
Operating Partnership
2
Summary Risk Factors
2
Description of Investments
3
Estimated Use of Proceeds of This Follow-On Offering
6
Investment Objectives
6
Conflicts of Interest
7
Prior Offering
8
Terms of The Offering
8
Compensation to Advisor and its Affiliates
8
Status of Fees Paid and Deferred
11
Distributions
12
Listing or Liquidation
12
Distribution Reinvestment Plan
12
Share Repurchase Program
12
About this Prospectus
14
RISK FACTORS
15
Risks Related to an Investment in American Realty Capital Trust, Inc.
15
Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest
17
Risks Related to This Offering and Our Corporate Structure
20
General Risks Related to Investments in Real Estate
24
Risks Associated with Debt Financing
31
U.S. Federal Income Tax Risks
33
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
37
ESTIMATED USE OF PROCEEDS
38
MANAGEMENT
40
General
40
Committees of the Board of Directors
41
Audit Committee
41
Executive Officers and Directors
41
Compensation of Directors
44
Stock Option Plan
45
Restricted Share Plan
45
Compliance with the American Jobs Creation Act
46
Limited Liability and Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents
46
The Advisor
48
The Advisory Agreement
48
Affiliated Companies
50
Investment Decisions
52
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
53
MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION
55
STOCK OWNERSHIP
61
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
62

 
iv

 

Interests in Other Real Estate Programs
62
Other Activities of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and Its Affiliates
62
Competition in Acquiring, Leasing and Operating of Properties
63
Affiliated Dealer Manager
63
Affiliated Property Manager
63
Lack of Separate Representation
63
Joint Ventures with Affiliates of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC
63
Receipt of Fees and Other Compensation by American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and Its Affiliates
63
Certain Conflict Resolution Procedures
64
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
66
General
66
American Realty Capital’s Business Plan
66
Acquisition and Investment Policies
67
Making Loans and Investments in Mortgages
79
Acquisition of Properties from Affiliates
80
Section 1031 Exchange Program
81
Disposition Policies
83
Investment Limitations
83
Change in Investment Objectives and Limitations
84
Investment Company Act Considerations
84
Real Property Investments
86
Potential Property Investments
112
Other Policies
112
PLAN OF OPERATION
113
General
113
Liquidity and Capital Resources
113
Results of Operations
114
Inflation
114
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
115
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND OPERATIONS
117
Overview
117
Recent Market Conditions
118
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
118
Liquidity and Capital Resources
124
Election as a REIT
125
Inflation
125
Related-Party Transactions and Agreements
125
Conflicts of Interest
125
Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
125
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
125
PRIOR PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
126
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
129
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
143
General
143
Minimum and Other Distribution Requirements — Plan Liquidity
144
Annual or More Frequent Valuation Requirement
144
Fiduciary Obligations — Prohibited Transactions
144
Plan Assets—Definition
145
Plan Assets — Registered Investment Company Exception
145
Publicly Offered Securities Exemption
145
Plan Assets — Operating Company Exception
145
Plan Assets — Not Significant Investment Exception
146
Consequences of Holding Plan Assets
146
Prohibited Transactions
146
Prohibited Transactions — Consequences
147
Reporting
147
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
148

 
v

 

Common Stock
148
Preferred Stock
148
Dilution of Our Shares
149
Meetings and Special Voting Requirements
149
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
150
Automatic Purchase Plan
151
Distribution Policy and Distributions
151
Stockholder Liability
155
Business Combinations
155
Control Share Acquisitions
156
Subtitle 8
156
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
157
Share Repurchase Program
157
Restrictions on Roll-up Transactions
158
SUMMARY OF OFFERING DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLAN
159
OUR OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
160
General
160
Capital Contributions
160
Operations
160
Exchange Rights
161
Amendments to the Partnership Agreement
162
Termination of the Partnership
162
Transferability of Interests
162
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
163
The Offering
163
Realty Capital Securities, LLC
163
Compensation We Will Pay for the Sale of Our Shares
163
Shares Purchased by Affiliates
164
Volume Discounts
165
Subscription Process
166
Status of the Initial Offering
166
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
167
SUPPLEMENTAL SALES MATERIAL
167
LEGAL MATTERS
168
EXPERTS
168
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
169
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
170
APPENDIX A:  SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
1
APPENDIX B:  PRIOR PERFORMANCE TABLES
1
ARC Growth Partnership, LP
B-12

 
vi

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS OFFERING
 
Below we have provided some of the more frequently asked questions and answers relating to an offering of this type.  Please see “Prospectus Summary” and the remainder of this prospectus for more detailed information about this offering.
 
Q:
What is a REIT?
 
A:
In general, a real estate investment trust, or REIT, is a company that:
 
 
·
makes an election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
 
 
·
pays distributions to investors each year of at least 90% of its taxable income (excluding net capital gain), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid;
 
 
·
avoids the “double taxation” treatment of income that generally results from investments in a corporation because a REIT generally is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxes and excise taxes on its net income, provided certain tax requirements are satisfied; and combines the capital of many investors to acquire, with the proceeds from our initial offering and this follow-on offering, a large-scale diversified real estate portfolio under professional management.
 
Q:
How do you differentiate yourself from your competitors who offer non-traded public REIT shares or real estate limited partnership units?
 
A:
We focus on acquiring a diversified portfolio of freestanding, single-tenant retail and commercial properties that are net leased to investment grade and other creditworthy tenants.  The net leases with our tenants allow us to pass through all operating and capital expenses items directly to our tenant.  The tenant is billed directly for all expense items and capital costs and the tenant pays such costs directly to the provider without having to go through us.  Multi-tenant retail and commercial properties, unlike our net lease properties, are subject to much greater volatility in operating results due to unexpected increases in operating costs or unforeseen capital and repair expenses.  Our leases allow us to pass through these costs to the tenant.
 
We intend to build a portfolio where 50% or more of our distributions are from rents guaranteed by investment grade tenants.  We believe that in addition to simply having investment grade tenants in your portfolio, the majority of the properties must be tenanted by investment grade (S&P rated BBB- or better) companies in order to maximize the investors’ risk-adjusted return.  While we intend to pay distributions equivalent to those of our competitors, we believe that the risk-adjusted returns on our portfolio are superior to those of our competitors due to the high concentration of investment grade tenants, the duration of our leases, i.e., 15 years and greater, and the net lease structure of these leases.
 
Additionally, since we acquire long term leases with minimum, non-cancelable lease terms of ten or more years, the majority of which will be fifteen years or greater, we are less subject to vacancy risk and tenant turnover than our competitors who invest in multi-tenant properties.  This allows us to better withstand periods of economic uncertainty versus properties with a number of short term leases.  Our individual investments also tend to be smaller because we buy freestanding single-tenant properties versus multi-tenant properties such as malls, shopping centers and office buildings.  This allows us to achieve much greater diversification by geography, tenant mix and property type.  By achieving such diversification, we are less likely to be negatively affected by economic downturns in local markets.
 
Q:
Generally, what are the terms of your leases?
 
A:
We seek to acquire properties that have leases with investment grade and other creditworthy tenants.  We expect that our leases generally will be triple-net leases, which means that the tenant is responsible for all costs and expenses related to the use and operation of the property, including, but not limited to, the cost of maintenance, repairs, property taxes and insurance, utilities and all other operating and capital costs.  In certain of these leases, we will be responsible for the repair and/or replacement of specific structural and load bearing components of a property, such as the roof or structure of the building.  We expect that our leases generally will have terms of ten or more years, oftentimes with multiple renewal options.  We may, however, enter into leases that have a shorter term.
 
Q:
How will you determine creditworthiness of prospective tenants and select potential investments?
 
A:
We determine creditworthiness pursuant to various methods, including reviewing financial data and other information about the tenant.  In addition, we may use an industry credit rating service to determine the creditworthiness of potential tenants and any personal guarantor or corporate guarantor of each potential tenant.  We will compare the reports produced by these services to the relevant financial and other data collected from these parties before consummating a lease transaction.  Such relevant data from potential tenants and guarantors include income and cash flow statements and balance sheets for current and prior periods, net worth or cash flow of guarantors, and business plans and other data we deem relevant.
 
Our Advisor considers relevant real property and financial factors in selecting properties, including condition and location of the property, its income-producing capacity and the prospects for its long-term appreciation.  Acquisitions or originations of loans are evaluated for the quality of income, and the quality of the borrower and the security for the loan or the nature and possibility of the acquisition of the underlying real estate asset.  Investments in other real estate-related securities will adhere to similar principles.  In addition, we consider the impact of each investment as it relates to our portfolio as a whole.
 
 
vii

 

Q:
What is the experience of your officers and directors both in real estate in general and with net leased assets in particular?
 
A:
Nicholas S. Schorsch, our chairman and chief executive officer, founded and formerly served as President, CEO and Vice-Chairman of American Financial Realty Trust since its inception as a REIT in September 2002 until August 2006.  American Financial Realty Trust is a publicly traded REIT listed on the NYSE that invests exclusively in office, bank branches and other operationally critical real estate assets that are net leased to tenants in the financial service industry such as banks and insurance companies.  Through American Financial Resource Group and its successor corporation, now American Financial Realty Trust, Mr. Schorsch has executed in excess of 1,000 acquisitions, both in acquiring businesses and real estate properties with transactional value of approximately $5 billion.  In 2003, Mr. Schorsch received an Entrepreneur of the Year award from Ernst & Young.
 
William M. Kahane, our President, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer, began his career as a real estate lawyer practicing in the public and private sectors from 1974-1979.  From 1981-1992 Mr. Kahane worked at Morgan Stanley & Co., specializing in real estate, becoming a Managing Director in 1989.  In 1992, Mr. Kahane left Morgan Stanley to establish a real estate advisory and asset sales business known as Milestone Partners which continues to operate today.  Mr. Kahane is currently a Managing Director of GF Capital Management & Advisors LLC, a New York based merchant banking firm, where he directs the company’s real estate investments.  GF Capital offers comprehensive wealth management services through its subsidiary TAG Associates LLC, a leading multi-client family office and portfolio management services company with approximately $5 billion of assets under management.
 
Peter M. Budko, our Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, founded and formerly served as Managing Director and Group Head of the Structured Asset Finance Group, a division of Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC from 1997-2006.  The Structured Asset Finance Group structures and invests in real estate that is net leased to corporate tenants.  While at Wachovia, Mr. Budko acquired over $5 billion of net leased real estate assets.  From 1987-1997, Mr. Budko worked in the Corporate Real Estate Finance Group at NationsBank Capital Market (predecessor to Bank of America Securities) becoming head of the group in 1990.
 
Brian S. Block has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2007.  He is also Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of American Realty Capital, LLC and American Realty Capital Properties, LLC.  Mr. Block is responsible for the accounting, finance and reporting functions at ARC.  He has extensive experience in SEC reporting requirements as well as REIT tax compliance matters.  Mr. Block has been instrumental in developing ARC’s infrastructure and positioning the organization for growth.  Mr. Block began his career in public accounting at Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen from 1994 to 2000.  Subsequently, Mr. Block was the Chief Financial Officer of a venture capital-backed technology company for several years prior to joining AFRT in 2002.  While at AFRT, Mr. Block served as Chief Accounting Officer from 2003 to 2007 and oversaw the financial, administrative and reporting functions of the organization.  He is a certified public accountant and is a member of the AICPA and PICPA.  Mr. Block serves on the REIT Committee of the Investment Program Association.
 
Edward M. Weil, Jr., our Executive Vice President and Secretary, was formerly the Senior Vice President of Sales and Leasing for American Financial Realty Trust, where he was responsible for the disposition and leasing activity for a 33 million square foot portfolio.  Under the direction of Mr. Weil, his department was the sole contributor in the increase of occupancy and portfolio revenue through the sales of over 200 properties and the leasing of over 2.2 million square feet, averaging 325,000 square feet of newly executed leases per quarter.
 
Please also see herein the section “Adverse Business Developments and Conditions.”
 
Q:
What is your environmental review policy?
 
A:
We generally will not purchase any property unless and until we also obtain what is generally referred to as a “Phase I” environmental site assessment and are generally satisfied with the environmental status of the property.  However, we may purchase a property without obtaining such assessment if our advisor determines it is not warranted.  A Phase I environmental site assessment basically consists of a visual survey of the building and the property in an attempt to identify areas of potential environmental concerns.  In addition, a visual survey of neighboring properties is conducted to assess surface conditions or activities that may have an adverse environmental impact on the property.  Furthermore, local governmental agency personnel are contacted who perform a regulatory agency file search in an attempt to determine any known environmental concerns in the immediate vicinity of the property.  A Phase I environmental site assessment does not generally include any sampling or testing of soil, ground water or building materials from the property, and may not reveal all environmental hazards on a property.  We expect that in most cases we will request, but will not always obtain, a representation from the seller that, to its knowledge, the property is not contaminated with hazardous materials.  Additionally, many of our leases contain clauses that require a tenant to reimburse and indemnify us for any environmental contamination occurring at the property.
 
 
viii

 

Q:
Do you expect to enter into joint ventures?
 
A:
Possibly.  We may enter into joint ventures on property types that meet our overall investment strategy and return criteria that would otherwise not be available to us because the current owners may be reluctant to sell a 100% interest in their property.  We may also enter into a joint venture with a third party who has control over a particular investment opportunity but does not have sufficient equity capital to complete the transaction.  We may enter into joint ventures with our affiliates or with third parties.  Generally, we will only enter into a joint venture in which we will control the decisions of the joint venture.  If we do enter into joint ventures, we may assume liabilities related to the joint venture that exceed the percentage of our investment in the joint venture.
 
Q:
Will distributions be taxable as ordinary income?
 
A:
Yes and no.  Generally, distributions that you receive (not designated as capital gains dividends), including distributions that are reinvested pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent the distribution is from current or accumulated earnings and profits.  However, distributions that we designate as capital gains dividends will generally be taxable as long-term capital gain to the extent they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year. We expect that some portion of your distributions may not be subject to tax in the year received because depreciation expense reduces taxable income but does not reduce cash available for distribution.  The portion of your distribution (not designated as a capital gain dividend or, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, qualified dividend income) that is in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits is considered a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will reduce the tax basis of your investment.  This defers a portion of your tax until your investment is sold or we are liquidated, at which time you will be taxed at capital gains rates.  However, because each investor’s tax considerations are different, we recommend that you consult with your tax advisor.  You also should review the section of this prospectus entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
 
Q:
How does a best efforts offering work?
 
A:
When shares are offered to the public on a “best efforts” basis, the brokers participating in the offering are only required to use their best efforts to sell the shares and have no firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of the shares.  Therefore, we may not sell all of the shares that we are offering.
 
Q.
What kind of offering is this?
 
A:
This is a follow-on offering to our initial offering.  Through our dealer manager, we are offering a maximum of $350,000,000 in shares in our primary offering on a “best efforts” basis for $10.00 per share.
 
Q.
What is a follow-on offering?
 
A:
Our initial offering commenced on January 25, 2008 and will terminate on or before January 25, 2011, unless such initial offering is extended to a date no later than July 25, 2011.  We will continue to sell shares of our common stock pursuant to this second public offering, or “follow-on” offering, according to the terms, fees and conditions described in this prospectus.
 
Q.
How long will this offering last?
 
A:
This is a continuous offering that will end no later than August 5, 2012 two years from the date of the prospectus, unless extended.  If we extend beyond August 5, 2012, we will supplement the prospectus accordingly.  We may also terminate this offering at any time.
 
Q:
What will you do with the money raised in this offering before you invest the proceeds in real estate?
 
A:
Until we invest the net proceeds of this offering in real estate, we may use a portion of the proceeds to fund distributions and we may invest in short-term, highly liquid or other authorized investments, such as money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, interest-bearing government securities and other short-term investments.  We may not be able to invest the proceeds in real estate promptly and such short-term investments will not earn as high of a return as we expect to earn on our real estate investments.
 
Q:
What is an “UPREIT”?
 
A:
UPREIT stands for “Umbrella Partnership Real Estate Investment Trust.” An UPREIT is a REIT that holds substantially all of its properties through a partnership in which the REIT holds an interest as a general partner and/or a limited partner, approximately equal to the value of capital raised by the REIT through sales of its capital stock.  We use an UPREIT structure because a sale of property directly to a REIT generally is a taxable transaction to the selling property owner.  In an UPREIT structure, a seller of a property that desires to defer taxable gain on the sale of its property may transfer the property to the UPREIT in exchange for limited partnership units in the UPREIT and defer taxation of gain until the seller later exchanges its UPREIT units on a one-for-one basis for REIT shares.  If the REIT shares are publicly traded, at the time of the exchange of units for shares, the former property owner will achieve liquidity for its investment.  Using an UPREIT structure may give us an advantage in acquiring desired properties from persons who may not otherwise sell their properties because of certain unfavorable U.S. federal income tax consequences
 
 
ix

 

Q:
Who can buy shares?
 
A:
Generally, you may buy shares pursuant to this prospectus provided that you have either (a) a net worth of at least $70,000 and a gross annual income of at least $70,000, or (b) a net worth of at least $250,000.  For this purpose, net worth does not include your home, home furnishings and automobiles.  Residents of certain states may have a different standard.  You should carefully read the more detailed description under “Suitability Standards” immediately following the cover page of this prospectus.
 
Q:
Who should buy shares?
 
A:
An investment in our shares may be appropriate for you if you meet the minimum suitability standards mentioned above, seek to diversify your personal portfolio with a finite-life real estate-based investment, which among its benefits hedges against inflation and the volatility of the stock market, seek to receive current income, seek to preserve capital, wish to obtain the benefits of potential long-term capital appreciation, and are able to hold your investment for a time period consistent with our liquidity plans.  Persons who require immediate liquidity or guaranteed income, or who seek a short-term investment, are not appropriate investors for us, as our shares will not meet those needs.
 
Q:
May I make an investment through my IRA, SEP or other tax-deferred account?
 
A:
Yes.  You may make an investment through your individual retirement account (“IRA”), a simplified employee pension (“SEP”) plan or other tax-deferred account.  In making these investment decisions, you should consider, at a minimum, (a) whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing your IRA, plan or other account, (b) whether the investment satisfies the fiduciary requirements associated with your IRA, plan or other account, (c) whether the investment will generate unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to your IRA, plan or other account, (d) whether there is sufficient liquidity for such investment under your IRA, plan or other account, (e) the need to value the assets of your IRA, plan or other account annually or more frequently, and (f) whether the investment would constitute a prohibited transaction under applicable law.
 
Q:
Is there any minimum investment required?
 
A:
Yes.  Generally, you must invest at least $1,000.  Investors who already own our shares can make additional purchases for less than the minimum investment.  You should carefully read the more detailed description of the minimum investment requirements appearing under “Suitability Standards” immediately following the cover page of this prospectus.
 
Q:
What type of reports on my investment will I receive?
 
A:
We will provide you with periodic updates on the performance of your investment with us, including:
 
 
·
following our commencement of distributions to stockholders, four quarterly or 12 monthly distribution reports;
 
 
·
three quarterly financial reports only by written request;
 
 
·
an annual report;
 
 
·
an annual Form 1099; if applicable and
 
 
·
supplements to the prospectus during the offering period, via mailings or website access.
 
We will provide this information to you via one or more of the following methods, in our discretion and with your consent, if necessary:
 
 
·
U.S. mail or other courier;
 
 
·
facsimile;
 
 
·
electronic delivery; or
 
 
·
posting, or providing a link, on our affiliated website, which is www.americanrealtycap.com.
 
Q:
When will I get my detailed tax information?
 
A:
If applicable your Form 1099 tax information will be placed in the mail by January 31 of each year.
 
Q:
How do I subscribe for shares?
 
A:
If you choose to purchase shares in this offering and you are not already a stockholder, you will need to complete and sign a subscription agreement, like the one contained in this prospectus as Appendix A, for a specific number of shares and pay for the shares at the time you subscribe.
 
 
x

 

Q:
Who is the transfer agent?
 
A:
The name and address of our transfer agent is:
 
DST Systems, Inc.
430 W 7th St
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
Phone (866) 771-2088
Fax (877) 694-1113
 
To ensure that any account changes are made promptly and accurately, all changes including your address, ownership type and distribution mailing address should be directed to the transfer agent.
 
Q:
Who can help answer my questions?
 
A:
If you have more questions about the offering or if you would like additional copies of this prospectus, you should contact your registered representative or contact:
 
Realty Capital Securities, LLC
Three Copley Place
Suite 3300
Boston, MA 02116
1-877-373-3522
www.americanrealtycap.com

 
xi

 


 
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
This prospectus summary highlights material information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.  Because it is a summary, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you.  To understand this offering fully you should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section and the financial statements, before making a decision to invest in our common stock.
 
Status of the Initial Offering
 
We commenced our initial public offering of 150,000,000 shares of common stock on January 25, 2008, which we refer to as our initial offering.  As of  July 27, 2010, we had issued 33,045,410 shares of common stock.  Total gross proceeds from these issuances were $328.7 million.  As of July 27, 2010, the aggregate value of all share issuances and subscriptions outstanding was $330.2 million based on a per share value of $10.00 (or $9.50 per share for shares issued under the DRIP).  We will offer these shares until January 25, 2011, unless the initial offering is extended to no later than July 25, 2011, provided that the offering will be terminated if all of the shares are sold before then.  As of July 27, 2010, there were approximately 116,955,000 shares of our common stock outstanding, excluding shares available under the initial offering’s distribution reinvestment plan.
 
In this follow-on offering, we are offering up to 35,000,000 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, in our primary offering for $10.00 per share, with discounts available for certain categories of purchasers.
 
American Realty Capital Trust, Inc.
 
American Realty Capital Trust, Inc. is a Maryland corporation, incorporated on August 17, 2007 that qualifies as a REIT.  We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering to acquire and operate a portfolio of commercial real estate primarily consisting of freestanding, single-tenant properties net leased to investment grade and other creditworthy tenants located throughout the United States and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.  Because we have invested in a limited number of properties and have not yet identified any specific additional properties to purchase, other than as described in the “Investment Objectives and Policies” section herein, we may be considered to be a blind pool.
 
Our corporate offices are located at 106 York Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046.  Our telephone number is 215-887-2189.  Our fax number is 215-887-2585, and the e-mail address of our investor relations department is investorservices@americanrealtycap.com.
 
Our executive offices are located at 405 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022.  Our telephone number is 212-415-6500 and our fax number is 212-421-5799.
 
Our regional sales offices are located at Three Copley Place, Suite 3300, Boston, MA 02116.  Our telephone number is 877-373-2522 and our fax number is 857-350-9597.
 
Additional information about us and our affiliates may be obtained at www.americanrealtycap.com, but the contents of that site are not incorporated by reference in or otherwise a part of this prospectus.
 
REIT Status
 
If we remain qualified as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders.  To maintain our REIT qualification under the Code, we must meet a number of  organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) to our stockholders, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain.  If we fail to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT in any subsequent year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, our income for that year will be taxed at regular corporate rates, and we may be precluded from qualifying for treatment as a REIT for the four-year period following our failure to qualify as a REIT.  Even if we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may still be subject to some federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and to U.S. federal income taxes and excise taxes on our undistributed income. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
 
Advisor
 
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is our advisor and is responsible for managing our affairs on a day-to-day basis and for identifying and making acquisitions on our behalf.
 
Management
 
We operate under the direction of our board of directors, the members of which are accountable to us and our stockholders as fiduciaries.  Currently, we have five directors, Nicholas S. Schorsch, William M. Kahane, Leslie D. Michelson, William G. Stanley and Robert H. Burns.  Each of the latter three is independent of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC.  Each of our executive officers and two of our directors are affiliated with American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC.  Our charter, which requires that a majority of our directors be independent of us, our sponsor, American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, or any of our or their affiliates, provides that our independent directors will be responsible for reviewing the performance of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and must approve other matters set forth in our charter.  See the “Conflicts of Interest — Certain Conflict Resolution Procedures” section of this prospectus.  Our directors will be elected annually by the stockholders.
 
 
1

 


 
Operating Partnership
 
We expect to own substantially all of our real estate properties through American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P., our operating partnership.  We may, however, own properties directly, through subsidiaries of American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. or through other entities.  We are the sole general partner of American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. and American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC is the initial limited partner of American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P.  Our ownership of properties in American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. is referred to as an “UPREIT.” This UPREIT structure may enable sellers of properties to transfer their properties to American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. in exchange for limited partnership units of American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. and defer potential gain recognition for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to such transfers of properties.  The holders of units in American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. may have their units redeemed for cash or, at our option, shares of our common stock.  At present, we have no plans to acquire any specific properties in exchange for units of American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P.
 
Summary Risk Factors
 
Following are some of the risks relating to your investment:
 
 
·
Our advisor and its affiliates will face conflicts of interest, including significant conflicts among us and our advisor, since (a) our principal executive officers own a majority interest in our advisor, our dealer manager and our property manager, (b) our advisor and other affiliated entities may compete with us and acquire properties suitable to our investment objectives, and (c) our advisor’s compensation arrangements with us and other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs may provide incentives that are not aligned with the interests of our stockholders.
 
 
·
This may be considered a blind pool offering since we own a limited number of properties and, other than as described in the “Investment Objectives and Policies” section herein, we have not identified any specific additional properties to acquire with the proceeds of this offering.  As a result, you will be unable to evaluate the economic merit of all of our future investments prior to our making them and there may be a substantial delay in receiving a return, if any, on your investment.
 
 
·
Our charter generally prohibits you from acquiring or owning, directly or indirectly, more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of our outstanding shares of stock and not more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of shares of our stock and contains additional restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our shares.  Therefore, your ability to control the direction of our company will be limited.
 
 
·
No public market currently exists for shares of our common stock and one may never exist.  If you are able to sell your shares, you would likely have to sell them at a substantial discount from their public offering price.
 
 
·
This is a best efforts offering and we might not sell all of the shares being offered.  If we raise substantially less than the maximum follow-on offering, we may not be able to invest in a diverse portfolio of properties, and the value of your investment may vary more widely with the performance of specific properties.  There is a greater risk that you will lose money in your investment if we cannot diversify our portfolio of investments by geographic location, tenant mix and property type.
 
 
·
We may incur substantial debt, which could hinder our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders or could decrease the value of your investment in the event that income on, or the value of, the property securing the debt falls, but we will not incur debt to the extent it will restrict our ability to qualify as a REIT.
 
 
·
Until the proceeds from this offering are invested and generating operating cash flow sufficient to make distributions to our stockholders, we may pay all or a substantial portion of our distributions from the proceeds of this offering or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital, reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in properties, and negatively impact the value of your investment.
 
 
·
If we fail to continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our operations and ability to make distributions to our stockholders would be adversely affected.
 
 
·
We are dependent on our advisor to select investments and conduct our operations.  Adverse changes in the financial condition of our advisor or our relationship with our advisor could adversely affect us.
 
 
·
We will pay substantial fees and expenses to our advisor, its affiliates and participating broker-dealers, which payments increase the risk that you will not earn a profit on your investment.
 
 
·
Our board of directors has the authority to designate and issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval, with rights and preferences senior to the rights of holders of common stock, including rights to payment of distributions.  If we issue any shares of preferred stock, the amount of funds available for the payment of distributions on the common stock could be reduced or eliminated.
 
 
2

 
 

 
 
·
We may be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and thus subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act.
 
Before you invest in us, you should carefully read and consider the more detailed “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus.
 
Description of Investments
 
We employ a focused investment strategy:  acquire single-tenant, freestanding properties, net-leased on a long-term basis to investment-grade and other creditworthy tenants.  From a geographical standpoint, our target properties:  (i) enjoy a strong location on “Main Street, USA,” e.g., pharmacies, banks, restaurants, gas/convenience stores; or (ii) are situated along high traffic transit corridors at locations carefully selected by the corporate tenant to support operationally essential corporate distribution/warehouse and logistical facilities.
 
We believe that American corporations, seeking to reduce the costs of distributing their goods and services, are re-evaluating supply chain management and distribution/warehouse capabilities.  We believe that this has led to an increased need for well-located real estate from which corporations may cost-efficiently aggregate from suppliers and deploy to their regional retail stores.  We consider these two operationally essential categories as complementary to our overall portfolio.
 
American Realty Capital Trust seeks to build a diversified portfolio comprised primarily of freestanding single-tenant bank branch, convenience store, retail, office and industrial properties that are double-net and triple-net leased to investment grade (S&P BBB- or better) and other creditworthy tenants.  Triple-net (NNN) leases typically require the tenant to pay substantially all of the costs associated with operating and maintaining the property such as maintenance, insurance, taxes, structural repairs and all other operating and capital expenses.  Double-net (NN) leases typically provide that the landlord is responsible for maintaining the roof and structure, or other structural aspects of the property, while the tenant is responsible for all remaining expenses associated with the property.  We seek to build a portfolio where at least 50% of the portfolio will be comprised of properties leased to investment grade tenants.  While most of our investment will be directly in such properties, we may also invest in entities that own or invest in such properties.  We shall strive to assemble a portfolio of real estate that is diversified by industry, geography, tenants, credits, and use.  We do not anticipate any single tenant or geographic concentration to comprise more than 10% of our portfolio.  We anticipate that our portfolio will consist primarily of freestanding, single-tenant properties net leased for use as bank branches, convenience stores, retail, office and industrial establishments.  Although we expect our portfolio will consist primarily of freestanding, single-tenant properties, we will not forgo opportunities to invest in other types of real estate investments that meet our overall investment objectives.  Additionally, we expect to further diversify our portfolio by making first mortgage, bridge or mezzanine loans on single-tenant net-leased properties.  We will acquire or invest in properties and loans located only in the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
 
Our advisor, American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, will make recommendations to our board of directors for our investments.  All acquisitions of commercial properties will be evaluated for tenant creditworthiness and the reliability and stability of their future income and capital appreciation potential.  We will consider the risk profile, credit quality and reputation of potential tenants and the impact of each particular acquisition as it relates to the portfolio as a whole.  Our board of directors will exercise its fiduciary duties to our stockholders in determining to approve or reject each of these investment recommendations.  See the section of this prospectus captioned “Investment Objectives and Policies — Real Property Investments” for a more detailed descriptions.  As we acquire properties, we will supplement this prospectus to describe material changes to our portfolio.
 
We operate under the direction of our board of directors, the members of which are accountable to us and our stockholders as fiduciaries.  The board is responsible for the overall management and control of our affairs.  The board has retained American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC to manage our day-to-day affairs and the acquisition and disposition of our investments, subject to the board’s supervision.  As described in greater detail under “Our Advisor,” below, our advisor will be responsible for making investment decisions where the purchase price of a particular property is less than $15,000,000 and the investment does not exceed stated leverage limitations.  Where such leverage limitations are exceeded, or where the purchase price is equal to or greater than $15,000,000, investment decisions will be made by our board of directors.
 
Because, other than as described in the “Investment Objectives and Policies” section herein, we have not yet identified any specific properties to purchase, we are considered to be a blind pool.  As we acquire properties, we will supplement this prospectus to describe material changes to our portfolio.
 
Real Estate Investments Summary
 
The REIT has acquired the following real estate investments through July 27, 2010:
 
 
·
Distribution and Warehouse Facilities
 
 
·
a FedEx Cross-Dock facility in Snowshoe, PA; a FedEx Freight Facility in Houston, TX; and a FedEx Freight West, Inc. distribution facility in West Sacramento, CA;
 
 
3

 
 

 
 
·
a leasehold interest in a build-to-suit Home Depot Distribution Facility in Topeka, KS;
 
 
·
2 Fresenius Medical Care Distribution Facilities located in Apple Valley, CA and Shasta Lake, CA, respectively;
 
 
·
1 build-to-suit warehouse facility for Reckitt Benckiser located in Tooele, UT, near Salt Lake City;
 
 
·
Banks
 
 
·
15 First Niagara (formerly Harleysville National Bank and Trust Company) bank branch properties in various Pennsylvania locations;
 
 
·
18 Rockland Trust Company bank branch properties in various Massachusetts locations;
 
 
·
52 PNC Bank (including 2 formerly National City Bank) branches in Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ohio;
 
 
·
Drug Stores
 
 
·
6 Rite Aid properties in various locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio;
 
 
·
3 Walgreens locations located in Sealy, TX, Byram MS and LeRoy, NY;
 
 
·
25 newly constructed retail stores from CVS Caremark located in 16 states — Illinois, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, New York, Arizona, North Carolina, California, Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nevada;
 
 
·
Automobile Service
 
 
·
6 recently constructed Bridgestone retail stores in various locations in Oklahoma and Florida;
 
 
·
4 Advanced Auto locations located in Michigan, Alabama and Mississippi;
 
 
·
12 recently constructed Bridgestone Firestone auto-centers located in Albuquerque, NM, Rockwell, TX, Weatherford, TX, League City, TX, Crowley, TX, Allen, TX, Pearland, TX, Austin, TX, Grand Junction, CO, Benton, AR, Wichita, KS and Baton Rouge, LA;
 
 
·
Restaurants
 
 
·
11 restaurants from Jack In the Box, Inc. located in Desloge, MO; The Dalles, OR; Vancouver, WA, Corpus Christi, TX Houston, TX, South Houston, TX;  two properties in Victoria, TX; Beaumont, TX Ferris, TX and Forney, TX.
 
 
·
3 built-to suit, free-standing restaurant for International House of Pancakes located in Hilton Head, SC, Buford, GA and Cincinnati, OH;
 
 
·
Retail
 
 
·
4 build-to-suit properties from Jared the Galleria of Jewelry located in Amherst, NY, Lake Grove, NY and Watchung, NJ and Plymouth, Massachusetts; and
 
 
·
1 Super Stop & Shop supermarket located in Nanuet, NY.
 
 
·
1 build to suit free standing retail property for Tractor Supply located in DuBois, PA
 
 
·
1 build to suit free standing retail property for Dollar General located in Jacksonville, FL
 
 
4

 
 


The amount of the Year 1 yield based upon the contract purchase price of the acquired properties as compared to the Year 1 total rent is approximately 8.38% which excludes contractual rent increases occurring in future years.  The amounts in the following table are as of March 31, 2010 (dollars in thousands)
 
Selected Financial Data
 
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from our consolidated financial statements as of the periods indicated:
 
Balance sheet data (amounts in thousands)
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010 
 
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Total real estate investments, at cost
  $ 419,994     $ 338,556     $ 164,770     $  
Total assets
    417,239       339,277       164,942       938  
Mortgage notes payable
    225,118       183,811       112,742        
Total short-term equity
    0       15,878       30,926        
Other notes payable
    13,000       13,000       1,090        
Intangible lease obligation, net
    9,006       9,085       9,400        
Total liabilities
    254,736       228,721       163,183       738  
Total stockholders’ equity
    162,503       110,556       1,759       200  
 
Operating data (amounts in thousands except per share data)
 
   
Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2010
   
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
   
Year Ended
December 31,
2008
   
For the
Period
from August
17,
2007 (date of
inception) to
December 31,
2007
 
Total revenue
  $ 7,428     $ 14,964     $ 5,546     $  
Expenses
                               
Property management fees to affiliate
                4        
Asset management fees to affiliate
          145              
Acquisition and transaction related costs
    341       506              
General and administrative
    224       507       380       1  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,785       8,315       3,056        
Total operating expenses
    4,350       9,473       3,440       1  
Operating income (loss)
    3,078       5,491       2,106       (1 )   
Other income (expenses)
                               
Interest expense
    (3,673     (10,353 )        (4,774 )         
Interest income
    11       52       3        
Gains on sales to noncontrolling interest holders, net
    335                    
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments
    (152     495       (1,618 )         
Total other expenses
    3,479       (9,805 )        (6,389 )         
Net loss
  $ (401 )   $ (4,315 )   $ (4,283 )   $ (1 )
Other data
                               
Modified funds from operations (1) (2)
  $ 3,314     $ 3,460     $ 477     $  
Cash flows provided by (used in) operations
    2,060       (2,526 )        4,013       (200 )   
Cash flows used in investing activities
    (81,438     (173,786 )        (97,456 )         
Cash flows provided by financing activities
    77,146       180,435       94,330       200  
Per share data
                               
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted
  $ (0.02 )   $ (0.74 )   $ (6.02 )   $  
Distributions declared
  $ .70     $ .67     $ .65     $  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
    17,845,489       5,768,761       711,524        
 
5

 

 
(1)
We consider funds from operations (“FFO”) and modified funds from operations (“MFFO”) a useful indicator of the performance of a REIT. Because FFO calculations exclude such factors as depreciation and amortization of real estate assets and gains or losses from sales of operating real estate assets (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar conditions based on historical cost accounting and useful-life estimates), they facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and between other REITs in our peer group. Accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictability over time. Since real estate values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors and analysts have considered the presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves. As a result, we believe that the use of FFO and MFFO, together with the required GAAP presentations, provide a more complete understanding of our performance relative to our peers and a more informed and appropriate basis on which to make decisions involving operating, financing, and investing activities. Other REITs may not define FFO and MFFO in accordance with the current National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust’s (“NAREIT”) definition (as we do) or may interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than we do. Consequently, our presentation of FFO and MFFO may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures presented by other REITs.
(2)
The FFO and MFFO measurement is applicable for the nine months ended December 31, 2008.
 
Estimated Use of Proceeds of This Follow-On Offering
 
The following table sets forth our best estimates of how we intend to use the proceeds raised in this follow-on offering, assuming we sell the maximum number of shares pursuant to the initial offering as well as this follow-on offering.  Depending primarily on the number of shares we sell in this follow-on offering, we estimate for each share sold in this follow-on offering approximately $8.71, as in the initial offering, will be available for the purchase of real estate.  We will use the remainder of the offering proceeds to pay the costs of the offering, including selling commissions and the dealer manager fee, and to pay a fee to our advisor for its services in connection with the selection and acquisition of properties.  The table below sets forth our estimated use of proceeds from this offering:
 
   
Maximum Initial
Offering
(Not Including
Distribution
Reinvestment Plan)
   
Maximum Follow-
On Offering1
     
   
Amount
   
Amount
   
Percent
Gross Offering Proceeds
  $ 1,500,000,000     $ 325,000,000       100 %
Less Public Offering Expenses:
                       
Selling Commissions and Dealer Manager Fee
    150,000,000       32,500,000       10.0 %
Organization and Offering Expenses
    22,500,000       4,875,000       1.5 %
Amount Available for Investment
    1,327,500,000       287,625,000       88.5 %
Acquisition and Development:
                       
Acquisition and Advisory Fees
    13,275,000       2,545,481       0.885 %
Acquisition Expenses
    6,000,000       1,150,500       0.4 %
Initial Working Capital Reserve
    1,500,000       325,000       0.1 %
Amount Invested in Properties
  $ 1,306,725,000     $ 283,604,019       87.115 %
 
(1) The total amount raised between the initial and follow-on offering will not exceed $1.5 billion, excluding any funds raised by the distribution reinvestment plan.
 
Investment Objectives
 
Our primary investment objectives are:
 
 
·
to provide current income for you through the payment of cash distributions; and
 
 
6

 
 

 
 
·
to preserve, protect and return your invested capital.
 
We also seek capital gain from our investments.  Our core investment strategy for achieving these objectives is to acquire, own and manage a portfolio of freestanding commercial properties that are leased to a diversified group of creditworthy companies on a single-tenant, net lease basis.  Net leases generally require the tenant to pay substantially all of the costs associated with operating and maintaining the property such as maintenance, insurance, taxes, structural repairs and all other operating and capital expenses (referred to as “triple-net leases”).  See the “Investment Objectives and Policies” section of this prospectus for a more complete description of our investment policies and investment restrictions.
 
Conflicts of Interest
 
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, as our advisor, will experience conflicts of interest in connection with the management of our business affairs, including the following:
 
 
·
The management personnel of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, each of whom may in the future make investment decisions for other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs and direct investments, must determine which investment opportunities to recommend to us or another American Realty Capital-sponsored program or joint venture, and must determine how to allocate resources among us and any other future American Realty Capital-sponsored programs;
 
 
·
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC may structure the terms of joint ventures between us and other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs;
 
 
·
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and its affiliates will have to allocate their time between us and other real estate programs and activities in which they may be involved in the future; and
 
 
·
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and its affiliates will receive fees in connection with transactions involving the purchase, financing, management and sale of our properties, and, because our advisor does not maintain a significant equity interest in us and is entitled to receive substantial minimum compensation regardless of performance, our advisor’s interests are not wholly aligned with those of our stockholders.
 
Our officers and two of our directors also will face these conflicts because of their affiliation with American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC.  These conflicts of interest could result in decisions that are not in our best interests.  See the “Conflicts of Interest” section of this prospectus for a detailed discussion of the various conflicts of interest relating to your investment, as well as the procedures that we have established to mitigate a number of these potential conflicts.
 
The following chart shows the ownership structure of the various American Realty Capital entities that are affiliated with American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC.
 

 
7

 
 

_______________
 
(1)
The investors in this offering will own registered shares of common stock in American Realty Capital Trust, Inc.
 
(2)
The Individuals are our Sponsors, Nicholas S. Schorsch, William M. Kahane, Peter M. Budko, Brian S. Block, and Edward M. Weil, Jr., whose ownership in the affiliates is represented by direct and indirect interests.
 
(3)
American Realty Capital II, LLC currently owns 20,000 shares of our common stock.
 
(4)
American Realty Capital Trust, Inc. and American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. have entered into a Dealer Manager Agreement with Realty Capital Securities, LLC, which will serve as our dealer manager.
 
(5)
American Realty Capital Trust, Inc. and American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. have entered into an Advisory Agreement with American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, which will serve as our advisor.
 
(6)
American Realty Capital Trust, Inc. and American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. have entered into a Property Management Agreement with American Realty Capital Properties, LLC, which serves as our property manager.
 
(7)
American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. owns the properties indirectly through respective special purpose entities.
 
Prior Offering
 
For a summary of the prior offerings of our Sponsors see the section of this prospectus captioned “Prior Offering Summary.”
 
Terms of The Offering
 
We commenced our initial public offering of shares of our common stock on January 25, 2008, which we refer to as our initial offering.  As of July 27, 2010, we had raised gross offering proceeds of $328.7 million from 8,604 stockholders pursuant to our initial offering, which will terminate no later than January 25, 2011, unless the initial offering is extended to no later than July 25, 2011.  As of July 27, 2010, we owned 169 geographically diverse properties comprising approximately 2.9 million square feet of gross leasable area, located in 30 states.
 
In this follow-on offering ,we are offering up to 32,500,000 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share. for $10.00 per share, with discounts available for certain categories of purchasers.  We are also offering up to 2,631,578 shares pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan at a purchase price of $9.50 per share. We will sell shares under the follow-on offering until the earlier of the date on which all shares under the follow-on offering have been sold or August 5, 2012, two years from the date of this prospectus. We reserve the right to reallocate the shares of our common stock we are offering between the primary offering and the distribution reinvestment plan.
 
Under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and in some states, we may not be able to continue the offering for these periods without filing a new registration statement.  We may terminate this offering at any time prior to the stated termination date.
 
Compensation to Advisor and its Affiliates
 
In our initial offering, our Advisor, American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, and its affiliates receive compensation and reimbursement for services relating to the initial offering and the investment and management of our assets.  In this follow-on offering, we will have the same compensation and fee structure as in our initial offering.  The most significant items of compensation are included in the table below.  The selling commissions and dealer manager fee may vary for different categories of purchasers.  See the “Plan of Distribution” section of this prospectus.  The table below assumes the shares are sold through distribution channels associated with the highest possible selling commissions and dealer manager fees.
 
Type of Compensation
    
Determination of Amount for Initial Offering
and Follow-On Offering
     
Amounts Paid in
Initial Offering
(as of June 30, 2010
     
Estimated Amount
for Maximum
Initial Offering
(150,000,000
shares)
      
Estimated
Maximum Amount
for Follow-On
Offering
(32,500,000 shares)
 
Selling Commission
 
We will pay to Realty Capital Securities, LLC 7% of gross proceeds of our primary offering; Realty Capital Securities, LLC will reallow all selling commissions to participating broker-dealers.
  $ 18,373,000     $ 105,000,000     $ 24,500,000  
Dealer Manager Fee
 
We will pay to Realty Capital Securities, LLC 3% of gross proceeds of our primary offering; Realty Capital Securities, LLC may reallow all or a portion of its dealer manager fees to participating broker-dealers.
  $ 8,441,000     $ 45,000,000     $ 10,500,000  
Other Organization and Offering Expenses
 
We will reimburse American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC up to 1.5% of gross offering proceeds for organization and offering expenses.
  $ 14,027,000    
22,500,000
   
5,250,000
 

 
8

 
 

 
Type of Compensation
     
Determination of Amount for Initial Offering
and Follow-On Offering
     
Amounts Paid in
Initial Offering
(as of June 30, 2010
     
Estimated Amount
for Maximum
Initial Offering
(150,000,000
shares)
     
Estimated
Maximum Amount
for Follow-On
Offering
(32,500,000 shares)
 
Operational Stage
 
Acquisition Fees
 
We will pay to American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC 1% of the contract purchase price of each property acquired.
 
$4,982,000
   
$13,275,000
   
$3,500,000
 
Acquisition Expenses
 
We will reimburse American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC for acquisition expenses (including personnel costs) incurred in acquiring property We expect these fees to be approximately 0.5% of the purchase price of each property.  In no event will the total of all acquisition and advisory fees and acquisition expenses payable with respect to a particular investment exceed 4% of the contract purchase price.
 
$2,626,000
   
$6,000,000
   
$1,750,000
 
Asset Management Fees
 
We will pay American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC a yearly fee equal to 1% of the contract purchase price of each property plus costs and expenses incurred by the advisor in providing asset management services, payable semiannually, based on assets held by us on the measurement date, adjusted for appropriate closing dates for individual property acquisitions.
 
$495,000
     
Not determinable at this time.  Because the fee is based on a fixed percentage of aggregate asset value there is no maximum dollar amount of this fee.
     
Not determinable at this time.  Because the fee is based on a fixed percentage of aggregate asset value there is no maximum dollar amount of this fee.
 
Property Management and Leasing Fees
 
For the management and leasing of our properties, we will pay to American Realty Capital Properties, LLC, an affiliate of our advisor, a property management fee (a) 2% of gross revenues from our single tenant properties and (b) 4% of gross revenues from our multi-tenant properties, plus, in each case, market-based leasing commissions applicable to the geographic location of the property.  We also will reimburse American Realty Capital Properties, LLC’s costs of managing the properties.  American Realty Capital Properties, LLC or its affiliates may also receive a fee for the initial leasing of newly constructed properties, which would generally equal one month’s rent.  In the unlikely event that American Realty Capital Properties, LLC assists a tenant with tenant improvements, a separate fee may be charged to, and payable by, us.  This fee will not exceed 5% of the cost of the tenant improvements.  The aggregate of all property management and leasing fees paid to our affiliates plus all payments to third parties for such fees will not exceed the amount that other nonaffiliated management and leasing companies generally charge for similar services in the same geographic location as determined by a survey of brokers and agents in such area.
 
 –
     
Not determinable at this time.  Because the fee is based on a fixed percentage of gross revenue and/or market rates, there is no maximum dollar amount of this fee.
     
Not determinable at this time.  Because the fee is based on a fixed percentage of gross revenue and/or market rates, there is no maximum dollar amount of this fee.
 

 
9

 
 

 
Type of Compensation
    
Determination of Amount for Initial Offering
and Follow-On Offering
     
Amounts Paid in
Initial Offering
(as of June 30, 2010
     
Estimated Amount
for Maximum
Initial Offering
(150,000,000
shares)
     
Estimated
Maximum Amount
for Follow-On
Offering
(32,500,000 shares)
Operating Expenses
 
We will reimburse our advisor’s costs of providing administrative services, subject to the limitation that we will not reimburse our advisor for any amount by which our operating expenses (including the asset management fee) at the end of the four preceding fiscal quarters exceeds the greater of (a) 2% of average invested assets, or (b) 25% of net income other than any additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debt or other similar noncash reserves and excluding any gain from the sale of assets for that period.  Additionally, we will not reimburse our advisor for personnel costs in connection with services for which the advisor receives acquisition fees or real estate commissions.
 
 
Not determinable at this time.
 
Not determinable at this time.
Financing Coordination Fee
 
If our advisor provides services in connection with the origination or refinancing of any debt that we obtain, and use to acquire properties or to make other permitted investments, or that is assumed, directly or indirectly, in connection with the acquisition of properties, we will pay the advisor a financing coordination fee equal to 1% of the amount available and/or outstanding under such financing, subject to certain limitations.
 
$2,778,000
 
Not determinable at this time.  Because the fee is based on a fixed percentage of any debt financing there is no maximum dollar amount of this fee.
 
Not determinable at this time.  Because the fee is based on a fixed percentage of any debt financing there is no maximum dollar amount of this fee.
Liquidation/Listing Stage
Real Estate Commissions
 
A brokerage commission paid on the sale of property, not to exceed the lesser of one-half of reasonable, customary and competitive real estate commission or 3% of the contract price for property sold (inclusive of any commission paid to outside brokers), in each case, payable to our advisor if our advisor or its affiliates, as determined by a majority of the independent directors, provided a substantial amount of services in connection with the sale.
 
 
Not determinable at this time.  Because the commission is based on a fixed percentage of the contract price for a sold property, there is no maximum dollar amount of these commissions.
 
Not determinable at this time.  Because the commission is based on a fixed percentage of the contract price for a sold property, there is no maximum dollar amount of these commissions.
Subordinated Participation in Net Sale Proceeds (payable only if we are not listed on an exchange)
 
15% of remaining net sale proceeds after return of capital contributions plus payment to investors of a 6% cumulative, non-compounded return on the capital contributed by investors.  We cannot assure you that we will provide this 6% return, which we have disclosed solely as a measure for our advisor’s and its affiliates’ incentive compensation.  We will not be entitled to the Subordinated Participation in Net Sale Proceeds unless our investors have received a 6% cumulative non-compounded return on their capital contributions.
 
 
Not determinable at this time.  There is no maximum amount of these payments.
 
Not determinable at this time.  There is no maximum amount of these payments.

 
10

 
 

 
Type of Compensation
     
Determination of Amount for Initial Offering
and Follow-On Offering
      
Amounts Paid in
Initial Offering
(as of June 30, 2010
      
Estimated Amount
for Maximum
Initial Offering
(150,000,000
shares)
     
Estimated
Maximum Amount
for Follow-On
Offering
(32,500,000 shares)
Subordinated Incentive Listing Fee (payable only if we are listed on an exchange, which we have no intention to do at this time)
 
15% of the amount by which our adjusted market value plus distributions exceeds the aggregate capital contributed by investors plus an amount equal to an 6% cumulative, non-compounded annual return to investors.  We cannot assure you that we will provide this 6% return, which we have disclosed solely as a measure for our advisor’s and its affiliates’ incentive compensation.  We will not be entitled to the Subordinated Incentive Listing Fee unless our investors have received a 6% cumulative non-compounded return on their capital contributions.
 
     
Not determinable at this time.  There is no maximum amount of this fee.
 
Not determinable at this time.  There is no maximum amount of this fee.
 
Status of Fees Paid and Deferred
 
The following table sets forth the fees and expenses paid through June 30, 2010 (amounts in thousands):

   
Total Fees Paid
           
Total Fees Deferred
         
Total Fees Forgiven
 
January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
                 
Organizational and Offering Expenses
  $ 2,289           $ 200  
Acquisition Fees
  $ 1,507              
Finance Coordination Fees
  $ 1,131              
Property Management Fees
              $ 100  
Asset Management Fees
              $ 733  
January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009
                       
Organizational and Offering Expenses
  $ 7,202           $ 3,800  
Acquisition Fees
  $ 1,690              
Finance Coordination Fees
  $ 880              
Property Management Fees
              $ 300  
Asset Management Fees
  $ 145           $ 1,779  
January 1, 2010 to July 1, 2010
                       
Organizational and Offering Expenses
  $ 4,536              
Acquisition Fees
  $ 1,785              
Finance Coordination Fees
  $ 767              
Property Management Fees
              $ 314  
Asset Management Fees
  $ 350           $ 1,663  

 
11

 
 

 
Distributions
 
To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required, among other things, to generally make aggregate annual distributions to our stockholders of at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income (which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain.  Our board of directors may authorize distributions in excess of those required for us to maintain REIT status depending on our financial condition and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.  We calculate our monthly distributions based upon daily record and distribution declaration dates so investors may be entitled to distributions immediately upon purchasing our shares.  The payment date is the 2nd day following each month-end to stockholders of record at the close of business each day during the applicable period.  As of July 1, 2010, distributions paid to shareholders totaled $12.3 million.  On January 27, 2010, the Board of Directors approved an increase in its annual cash distribution to $.70, paid monthly.  Based on a $10.00 share price, this increase, effective April 1, 2010, results in an annualized distribution rate of 7.0%.  As of July 27, 2010, cash used to pay our distributions was entirely generated from funds received from operating activities and fee waivers from our advisor.  Our distributions have not been paid from any other sources.  We have continued to pay distributions to our shareholders each month since our initial dividend payment.  To date, the Company’s distributions have been paid with a combination of cash flows from operations and the proceeds from the sales of common stock.  There can be no assurance that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to pay distributions in future periods.  In the event we do not have enough cash to make distributions in the future, we may borrow, use proceeds from this offering, issue additional securities or sell assets in order to fund distributions.
 
See the section of this prospectus captioned “Description of Shares — Distribution Policy and Distributions” for a description of our distributions.
 
Listing or Liquidation
 
We will seek to list our shares of common stock for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Stock Market or any successor exchange or market when and if our independent directors believe listing would be in the best interest of our stockholders.  However, at this time, we have no intention to list our shares.  We do not anticipate that there will be any market for our common stock unless and until our shares are listed.  If we do not list our shares of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market by December 1, 2018, we intend to either:
 
 
·
seek stockholder approval of an extension or amendment of this listing deadline; or
 
 
·
seek stockholder approval of the liquidation of our corporation.
 
If we seek and do not obtain stockholder approval of an extension or amendment to the listing deadline, we intend then to adopt a plan of liquidation and commence an orderly liquidation of our properties.
 
Distribution Reinvestment Plan
 
Pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, you may have the distributions you receive from us reinvested in additional shares of our common stock. The purchase price per share under our distribution reinvestment plan will be the higher of 95% of the fair market value per share as determined by our board of directors and $9.50 per share. No sales commissions or dealer manager fees will be paid on shares sold under our distribution reinvestment plan. If you participate in the distribution reinvestment plan, you will not receive the cash from your distributions, other than special distributions that are designated by our board of directors. As a result, you may have a tax liability with respect to your share of our taxable income, but you will not receive cash distributions to pay such liability. We may terminate the distribution reinvestment plan at our discretion at any time upon ten days prior written notice to you. Additionally, we will be required to discontinue sales of shares under the distribution reinvestment plan on the earlier of August 5, 2012, which is two years from the effective date of this offering, or the date we sell all of the shares registered for sale under the distribution reinvestment plan, unless we file a new registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable states. We reserve the right to reallocate the shares of our common stock we are offering between the primary offering and the distribution reinvestment plan.
 
Pursuant to the initial offering distribution reinvestment, investors from the initial offering had the option to reinvest the distributions they receive from us in additional shares of our common stock.  The purchase price per share under our distribution reinvestment plan is currently $9.50 per share.
 
Share Repurchase Program
 
Our board of directors has adopted a share repurchase program that enables our stockholders to sell their shares to us in limited circumstances.  Our share repurchase program permits you to sell your shares back to us after you have held them for at least one year, subject to the significant conditions and limitations described below.
 
Our common stock is currently not listed on a national securities exchange and we will not seek to list our stock until such time as our independent directors believe that the listing of our stock would be in the best interest of our stockholders.  In order to provide stockholders with the benefit of interim liquidity, stockholders who have held their shares for at least one year and who purchased their shares from us or received the shares through a non-cash transaction, not in the secondary market, may present all or a portion consisting of the holder’s shares to us for repurchase at any time in accordance with the procedures outlined below.  At that time, we may, subject to the conditions and limitations described below, redeem the shares presented for repurchase for cash to the extent that we have sufficient funds available to us to fund such repurchase.  We will not pay to our board of directors, advisor or its affiliates any fees to complete any transactions under our share repurchase program.
 
 
12

 
 

 
During the term of the initial and follow-on offering and any subsequent public offering of our shares, the purchase price per share will depend on the length of time you have held such shares as follows:  after one year from the purchase date - 96.25% of the amount you actually paid for each share; and after two years from the purchase date - 97.75% of the amount you actually paid for each share; and after three years from the purchase date - 100% of the amount you actually paid for each share; (in each case, as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to our common stock).  At any time we are engaged in an offering of shares, the per share price for shares purchased under our repurchase plan will always be equal to or lower than the applicable per share offering price.  Thereafter, the per share purchase price will be based on the greater of $10.00 or the then-current net asset value of the shares as determined by our board of directors (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to our common stock).  Our board of directors will announce any purchase price adjustment and the time period of its effectiveness as a part of its regular communications with our stockholders.  Our board of directors shall use the following criteria for determining the net asset value of the shares:  value of our assets (estimated market value) less the estimated market value of our liabilities, divided by the number of shares.  The Board, with advice from the Advisor, (i) will make internal valuations of the market value of its assets based upon the current capitalization rates of similar properties in the market, recent transactions for similar properties acquired by the Company and any extensions, cancellations, modifications or other material events affecting the leases, changes in rents or other circumstances related to such properties, (ii) review internal appraisals prepared by the Advisor following standard commercial real estate appraisal practice and (iii) every three years or earlier, in rotation will have all of the properties appraised by an external appraiser.  Upon the death or disability of a stockholder, upon request, we will waive the one-year holding requirement.  Shares repurchased in connection with the death or disability of a stockholder will be repurchased at a purchase price equal to the price actually paid for the shares during the offering, or if not engaged in the offering, the per share purchase price will be based on the greater of $10.00 or the then-current net asset value of the shares as determined by our board of directors (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to our common stock).  In addition, we may waive the holding period in the event of a stockholder’s bankruptcy or other exigent circumstances.
 
We will redeem our shares on the last business day of the month following the end of each quarter.  Requests for repurchases must be received on or prior to the end of the quarter in order for us to repurchase the shares as of the end of the next month.  You may withdraw your request to have your shares repurchased at any time prior to the last day of the applicable quarter.  Shares presented for repurchase will continue to earn daily distributions up to and including the repurchase date.
 
Our board of directors may choose to amend, suspend or terminate our share repurchase program upon 30 days’ notice at any time.
 
On November 12, 2008, the Company’s board of directors modified the Share Repurchase Program (“share repurchase plan”) to fund purchases under the share repurchase plan, not only from the initial offering’s Distribution Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”), but also from operating funds of the Company.  Accordingly, purchases under the share repurchase plan, subject to the terms of the share repurchase plan, may be funded from the proceeds from the sale of shares under the DRIP, from proceeds of the sale of shares in a public offering, and with other available allocated operating funds.  However, purchases under the share repurchase plan by the Company will be limited in any calendar year to 5% of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the prior year.  The other terms and conditions of the share repurchase plan remain unchanged.
 
As of June 30, 2010, we received requests to redeem 77,759 common shares pursuant to our share repurchase program.  We redeemed 100% of the redemption requests at an average price per share of $9.91 per share.  We funded share redemptions for the periods noted above from the cumulative proceeds of the sale of our common shares pursuant to our initial offering’s distribution reinvestment plan and from operating funds of the Company
 
Description of Shares
 
Uncertificated Shares
 
Our board of directors has authorized the issuance of shares of our stock without certificates.  We expect that, unless and until our shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market, we will not issue shares in certificated form.  Our transfer agent maintains a stock ledger that contains the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares that the stockholder holds.  With respect to uncertificated stock, we will continue to treat the stockholder registered on our stock ledger as the owner of the shares until the record owner and the new owner delivers a properly executed stock transfer form to us, along with a fee to cover reasonable transfer costs, in an amount determined by our board of directors.  We will provide the required form to you upon request.  The transfer will be effective and the transferee of the shares will be recognized as the holder of such shares within five business days of our receipt of the required documentation, subject to restrictions in our charter.  If the transferor (original owner) is participating in the Share Repurchase Program at the time of transfer, then distributions owed and paid after the transfer date will be paid in the form of cash and not reinvested in additional shares.  The transferor will continue to earn dividends up to and including the transfer date.
 
Stockholder Voting Rights and Limitations
 
We hold annual meetings of our stockholders for the purpose of electing our directors and conducting other business matters that may be presented at such meetings.  We may also call special meetings of stockholders from time to time.  You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock you own at any of these meetings.
 
Restriction on Ownership and Transfer
 
Our charter contains restrictions on ownership and transfer of the shares that, among other restrictions, prevent any one person from owning more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of our outstanding shares of stock and not more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of shares of our stock, unless exempted by our board of directors.  For a more complete description of the shares, including this and other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our shares, please see the “Description of Shares” section of this prospectus.  Our charter also limits your ability to transfer your shares to prospective stockholders unless (a) they meet the minimum suitability standards regarding income or net worth, which are described in the “Suitability Standards” section immediately following the cover page of this prospectus, and (b) the transfer complies with minimum purchase requirements, which are described above in the sections entitled “Suitability Standards” and “How to Subscribe.”
 
 
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About this Prospectus
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a continuous offering process.  Periodically, as we make material investments or have other material developments, we will provide a prospectus supplement that may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.  Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a subsequent prospectus supplement.  The registration statement we filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more detailed descriptions of the matters discussed in this prospectus.  You should read this prospectus and the related exhibits filed with the SEC and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described below under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” and “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
 
 
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RISK FACTORS
 
An investment in our common stock involves various risks and uncertainties.  You should carefully consider the following risk factors in conjunction with the other information contained in this prospectus before purchasing our common stock.  The risks discussed in this prospectus can adversely affect our business, operating results, prospects and financial condition.  These risks could cause the value of our common stock to decline and could cause you to lose all or part of your investment.  The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face but do represent those risks and uncertainties that we believe are material to our business, operating results, prospects and financial condition.  Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also harm our business.
 
Risks Related to an Investment in American Realty Capital Trust, Inc.
 
Except as described herein, we have no prior operating history or established financing sources, and the prior performance of real estate investment programs sponsored by affiliates of our advisor may not be an indication of our future results.
 
Except as described in this prospectus, we have no operating history and you should not rely upon the past performance of other real estate investment programs sponsored by affiliates of our advisor to predict our future results.  We were incorporated on August 17, 2007.  We have limited investments in real estate or otherwise.  Although Mr. Schorsch, Mr. Kahane and other members of our advisor’s management have significant experience in the acquisition, finance, management and development of commercial real estate, the prior performance of real estate investment programs sponsored by affiliates of Mr. Schorsch, Mr. Kahane and our advisor may not be indicative of our future results.
 
You should consider our prospects in light of the risks, uncertainties and difficulties frequently encountered by companies that are, like us, in their early stage of development.  To be successful in this market, we must, among other things:
 
 
·
identify and acquire investments that further our investment strategies;
 
 
·
increase awareness of the American Realty Capital Trust, Inc. name within the investment products market;
 
 
·
expand and maintain our network of licensed securities brokers and other agents;
 
 
·
attract, integrate, motivate and retain qualified personnel to manage our day-to-day operations;
 
 
·
respond to competition for our targeted real estate properties and other investments as well as for potential investors; and
 
 
·
continue to build and expand our operations structure to support our business.
 
We cannot guarantee that we will succeed in achieving these goals, and our failure to do so could cause you to lose all or a portion of your investment.
 
Please also see herein the section entitled “Adverse Business Developments and Conditions.”
 
As of July 27, 2010, we have made 169 geographically diverse acquisitions but have not identified any additional properties to acquire with the net proceeds we will receive from this follow-on offering, and therefore, you will not have the opportunity to evaluate all of our investments before we make them, which makes an investment in us more speculative.
 
Other than the acquisitions as described in the “Investment Objectives and Policies” section herein, you will be unable to evaluate the manner in which the net proceeds are invested.  Additionally, we will not provide you with information to evaluate our investments prior to our acquisition of properties.  We will seek to invest substantially all of the offering proceeds available for investment, after the payment of fees and expenses, in the acquisition of freestanding, single-tenant commercial properties net leased to investment grade or other creditworthy tenants.  We may also, in the discretion of our advisor, invest in other types of real estate or in entities that invest in real estate.  We will acquire or invest in properties located only in the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.  In addition, our advisor may make or invest in mortgage, bridge or mezzanine loans or participations therein on our behalf if our board of directors determines, due to the state of the real estate market or in order to diversify our investment portfolio or otherwise, that such investments are advantageous to us.  We have established policies relating to the creditworthiness of tenants of our properties, but our board of directors will have wide discretion in implementing these policies, and you will not have the opportunity to evaluate potential tenants.  For a more detailed discussion of our investment policies, see the “Investment Objectives and Policies —Acquisition and Investment Policies” section of this prospectus.
 
 
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There is no public trading market for our shares and there may never be one; therefore, it will be difficult for you to sell your shares.
 
There currently is no public market for our shares and there may never be one.  If you are able to find a buyer for your shares, you may not sell your shares unless the buyer meets applicable suitability and minimum purchase standards.  Our charter also prohibits the ownership of more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of our outstanding shares of stock and not more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of shares of our stock by a single investor, unless exempted by our board of directors, which may inhibit large investors from desiring to purchase your shares.  Moreover, our share repurchase program includes numerous restrictions that would limit your ability to sell your shares to us.  Our board of directors may reject any request for repurchase of shares, or amend, suspend or terminate our share repurchase program upon 30 days’ notice.  Therefore, it will be difficult for you to sell your shares promptly or at all.  If you are able to sell your shares, you will likely have to sell them at a substantial discount to the price you paid for the shares.  It also is likely that your shares would not be accepted as the primary collateral for a loan.  You should purchase the shares only as a long-term investment because of the illiquid nature of the shares.  See “Suitability Standards,” “Description of Shares — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” and “Share Repurchase Program” elsewhere for a more complete discussion on the restrictions on your ability to transfer your shares.
 
If we, through American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, are unable to find suitable investments, then we may not be able to achieve our investment objectives or pay distributions.
 
Our ability to achieve our investment objectives and to pay distributions is dependent upon the performance of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, our advisor, in acquiring of our investments, selecting tenants for our properties and securing independent financing arrangements.  We currently do not own any properties or have any operations, financing or investments.  Except for investors who purchase shares in this offering after such time as this prospectus is supplemented to describe one or more identified investments, you will have no opportunity to evaluate the terms of transactions or other economic or financial data concerning our investments.  You must rely entirely on the management ability of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and the oversight of our board of directors.  We cannot be sure that American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC will be successful in obtaining suitable investments on financially attractive terms or that, if it makes investments on our behalf, our objectives will be achieved.  If we, through American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, are unable to find suitable investments, we will hold the proceeds of this offering in an interest-bearing account, invest the proceeds in short-term, investment-grade investments or, if we cannot find at least one suitable investment within one year after we reach our minimum offering, and if our board of directors determines it is in our best interests, liquidate.  In such an event, our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders would be adversely affected.
 
We may suffer from delays in locating suitable investments, which could adversely affect our ability to make distributions and the value of your investment.
 
We could suffer from delays in locating suitable investments, particularly as a result of our reliance on our advisor at times when management of our advisor is simultaneously seeking to locate suitable investments for other affiliated programs.  Delays we encounter in the selection, acquisition and, in the event we develop properties, development of income-producing properties, likely would adversely affect our ability to make distributions and the value of your overall returns.  In such event, we may pay all or a substantial portion of our distributions from the proceeds of this offering or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital.  Distributions from the proceeds of this offering or from borrowings also could reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in properties.  This, in turn, would reduce the value of your investment.  In particular, where we acquire properties prior to the start of construction or during the early stages of construction, it will typically take several months to complete construction and rent available space.  Therefore, you could suffer delays in the receipt of cash distributions attributable to those particular properties.  If American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC is unable to obtain suitable investments, we will hold the proceeds of this offering in an interest-bearing account or invest the proceeds in short-term, investment-grade investments.  If we cannot invest proceeds from this offering within a reasonable amount of time, or if our board of directors determines it is in the best interests of our stockholders, we will return the uninvested proceeds to investors.
 
If we are unable to raise substantial funds, we will be limited in the number and type of investments we may make, the value of your investment in us will fluctuate with the performance of the specific properties we acquire.
 
This offering is being made on a best efforts basis, whereby the brokers participating in the offering are only required to use their best efforts to sell our shares and have no firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of the shares.  As a result, the amount of proceeds we raise in this offering may be substantially less than the amount we would need to achieve a broadly diversified property portfolio.  If we are unable to raise substantial proceeds in this offering, we will make fewer investments resulting in less diversification in terms of the number of investments owned, the geographic regions in which our investments are located and the types of investments that we make.  In such event, the likelihood of our profitability being affected by the performance of any one of our investments will increase.  If we only are able to make a few investments, we would not achieve any asset diversification.  Additionally, we are not limited in the number or size of our investments or the percentage of net proceeds we may dedicate to a single investment.  Your investment in our shares will be subject to greater risk to the extent that we lack a diversified portfolio of investments.  In addition, our inability to raise substantial funds would increase our fixed operating expenses as a percentage of gross income, and our financial condition and ability to pay distributions could be adversely affected.
 
 
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If our advisor loses or is unable to obtain key personnel, our ability to implement our investment strategies could be delayed or hindered, which could adversely affect our ability to make distributions and the value of your investment.
 
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the contributions of certain of our executive officers and other key personnel of our advisor, including Nicholas S. Schorsch and William M. Kahane, each of whom would be difficult to replace.  Our advisor does not have an employment agreement with any of these key personnel and we cannot guarantee that all, or any particular one, will remain affiliated with us and/or our advisor.  If any of our key personnel were to cease their affiliation with our advisor, our operating results could suffer.  We maintain separate key man life insurance policies on each of Nicholas S. Schorsch, William M. Kahane, Brian S. Block, Peter M. Budko and Edward M. Weil, Jr.  We believe that our future success depends, in large part, upon our advisor's ability to hire and retain highly skilled managerial, operational and marketing personnel.  Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot assure you that our advisor will be successful in attracting and retaining such skilled personnel.  If our advisor loses or is unable to obtain the services of key personnel, our ability to implement our investment strategies could be delayed or hindered, and the value of your investment may decline.
 
Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to recover claims against our officers, directors and our advisor are limited, which could reduce your and our recovery against them if they cause us to incur losses.
 
Maryland law provides that a director has no liability in that capacity if he or she performs his or her duties in good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the corporation’s best interests and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.  Our charter, in the case of our directors, officers, employees and agents, and the advisory agreement, in the case of our advisor, generally require us to indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents and our advisor and its affiliates for actions taken by them in good faith and without negligence or misconduct.  Additionally, our charter limits the liability of our directors and officers subject to the conditions imposed by Maryland law, subject to the limitations required by the Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts published by the North American Securities Administrators Associations, also known as the NASAA REIT Guidelines.  Although our charter does not allow us to exonerate and indemnify our directors and officers to a greater extent than permitted under Maryland law and the NASAA REIT Guidelines, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against our directors, officers, employees and agents, and our advisor and its affiliates, than might otherwise exist under common law, which could reduce your and our recovery against them.  In addition, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by our directors, officers, employees and agents or our advisor in some cases which would decrease the cash otherwise available for distribution to you.  See the section captioned “Management — Limited Liability and Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents” elsewhere herein.
 
Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest
 
We will be subject to conflicts of interest arising out of our relationships with our advisor and its affiliates, including the material conflicts discussed below.  The “Conflicts of Interest” section of this prospectus provides a more detailed discussion of the conflicts of interest between us and our advisor and its affiliates, and our policies to reduce or eliminate certain potential conflicts.
 
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC will face conflicts of interest relating to the purchase and leasing of properties, and such conflicts may not be resolved in our favor, which could adversely affect our investment opportunities.
 
Affiliates of our advisor have sponsored other real estate investment programs, American Realty Capital New York Recovery REIT, Inc. (“Recovery REIT”) and Phillips Edison-ARC Shopping Center REIT Inc. (“PECO”).  Recovery REIT intends to acquire quality income-producing commercial real estate, as well as make real estate investments that relate to office, retail, multi-family residential, industrial and hotel property types, located in the New York metropolitan area, primarily New York City.  PECO intends to invest primarily in necessity-based neighborhood and community shopping centers throughout the United States, with a focus on grocery anchored shopping centers.  Affiliates of our advisor may sponsor additional other real estate investment programs in the future.  We may buy properties at the same time and/or in the same geographic areas as one or more of the other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs managed by officers and key personnel of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC.  There is a risk that American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC will choose a property that provides lower returns to us than a property purchased by another American Realty Capital-sponsored program.  We cannot be sure that officers and key personnel acting on behalf of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and on behalf of managers of other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs will act in our best interests when deciding whether to allocate any particular property to us.  Also, although our board of directors adopted a policy whereby we may not acquire properties from affiliated entities, we may in the future, with the approval of our board, change our policy and acquire properties from, or sell properties to, other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs, and although we will do so consistent with our investment procedures, objectives and policies, transactions entered between us and our affiliates will not be subject to arm’s-length negotiations, which could mean that the acquisitions may be on terms less favorable to us than those negotiated with unaffiliated parties.  However, our charter provides that the purchase price of any property acquired from an affiliate may not exceed its fair market value as determined by a qualified independent appraiser selected by our independent directors.  In addition, a majority of our directors, including a majority of independent directors, who have no financial interest in the transaction, must determine that the transaction is fair and reasonable to us and that the transaction is at a price to us not greater than the cost to our affiliate or, if the price to us exceeds the cost paid by our affiliate, that there is substantial justification for the excess cost.  Furthermore, if one of the other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs attracts a tenant that we are competing for, we could suffer a loss of revenue due to delays in locating another suitable tenant.  You will not have the opportunity to evaluate the manner in which these conflicts of interest are resolved before or after making your investment.  Similar conflicts of interest may apply if our advisor determines to make or purchase mortgage, bridge or mezzanine loans or participations therein on our behalf, since other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs may be competing with us for these investments.
 
 
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American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC faces conflicts of interest relating to joint ventures, which could result in a disproportionate benefit to the other venture partners at our expense.
 
We may enter into joint ventures with other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs for the acquisition, development or improvement of properties.  American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC may have conflicts of interest in determining which American Realty Capital-sponsored program should enter into any particular joint venture agreement.  The co-venturer may have economic or business interests or goals that are or may become inconsistent with our business interests or goals.  In addition, American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC may face a conflict in structuring the terms of the relationship between our interests and the interest of the affiliated co-venturer and in managing the joint venture.  Since American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and its affiliates will control both the affiliated co-venturer and, to a certain extent, us, agreements and transactions between the co-venturers with respect to any such joint venture will not have the benefit of arm’s-length negotiation of the type normally conducted between unrelated co-venturers, which may result in the co-venturer receiving benefits greater than the benefits that we receive.  In addition, we may assume liabilities related to the joint venture that exceeds the percentage of our investment in the joint venture.
 
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and its officers and employees and certain of our key personnel face competing demands relating to their time, and this may cause our operating results to suffer.
 
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and its officers and employees and certain of our key personnel and their respective affiliates are key personnel, general partners and sponsors of other real estate programs having investment objectives and legal and financial obligations similar to ours and may have other business interests as well.  Because these persons have competing demands on their time and resources, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time between our business and these other activities.  All of our executive officers will spend at least a majority of their time involved in our operations and Messrs. Budko, Block and Weil will spend substantially all of their time involved in our operations.  However, during times of intense activity in other programs and ventures, they may devote less time and fewer resources to our business than is necessary or appropriate.  If this occurs, the returns on our investments may suffer.
 
Our officers face conflicts of interest related to the positions they hold with affiliated entities, which could hinder our ability to successfully implement our business strategy and to generate returns to you.
 
Each of our executive officers, including Nicholas S. Schorsch, who also serves as the chairman of our board of directors, and William M. Kahane, president and chief operating officer, also are officers of our advisor, our property manager, our dealer manager and other affiliated entities.  As a result, these individuals owe fiduciary duties to these other entities and their stockholders and limited partners, which fiduciary duties may conflict with the duties that they owe to us or our stockholders.  Their loyalties to these other entities could result in actions or inactions that are detrimental to our business, which could harm the implementation of our business strategy and our investment and leasing opportunities.  Conflicts with our business and interests are most likely to arise from involvement in activities related to (a) allocation of new investments and management time and services between us and the other entities, (b) our purchase of properties from, or sale of properties, to affiliated entities, (c) the timing and terms of the investment in or sale of an asset, (d) development of our properties by affiliates, (e) investments with affiliates of our advisor, (f) compensation to our advisor, and (g) our relationship with our dealer manager and property manager.  If we do not successfully implement our business strategy, we may be unable to generate cash needed to make distributions to you and to maintain or increase the value of our assets.
 
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC faces conflicts of interest relating to the incentive fee structure under our advisory agreement, which could result in actions that are not necessarily in the long-term best interests of our stockholders.
 
Under our advisory agreement, American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC or its affiliates will be entitled to fees that are structured in a manner intended to provide incentives to our advisor to perform in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders.  However, because our advisor does not maintain a significant equity interest in us and is entitled to receive substantial minimum compensation regardless of performance, our advisor’s interests are not wholly aligned with those of our stockholders.  In that regard, our advisor could be motivated to recommend riskier or more speculative investments in order for us to generate the specified levels of performance or sales proceeds that would entitle our advisor to fees.  In addition, our advisor’s or its affiliates’ entitlement to fees upon the sale of our assets and to participate in sale proceeds could result in our advisor recommending sales of our investments at the earliest possible time at which sales of investments would produce the level of return that would entitle the advisor to compensation relating to such sales, even if continued ownership of those investments might be in our best long-term interest.  Our advisory agreement will require us to pay a performance-based termination fee to our advisor or its affiliates in the event that we terminate the advisor prior to the listing of our shares for trading on an exchange or, absent such listing, in respect of its participation in net sales proceeds.  To avoid paying this fee, our independent directors may decide against terminating the advisory agreement prior to our listing of our shares or disposition of our investments even if, but for the termination fee, termination of the advisory agreement would be in our best interest.  In addition, the requirement to pay the fee to the advisor or its affiliates at termination could cause us to make different investment or disposition decisions than we would otherwise make, in order to satisfy our obligation to pay the fee to the terminated advisor.  Moreover, our advisor will have the right to terminate the advisory agreement upon a change of control of our company and thereby trigger the payment of the performance fee, which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing the change of control.
 
 
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There is no separate counsel for us and our affiliates, which could result in conflicts of interest.
 
Proskauer Rose LLP acts as legal counsel to us and also represents our advisor and some of its affiliates.  There is a possibility in the future that the interests of the various parties may become adverse and, under the Code of Professional Responsibility of the legal profession, Proskauer Rose LLP may be precluded from representing any one or all of such parties.  If any situation arises in which our interests appear to be in conflict with those of our advisor or its affiliates, additional counsel may be retained by one or more of the parties to assure that their interests are adequately protected.  Moreover, should a conflict of interest not be readily apparent, Proskauer Rose LLP may inadvertently act in derogation of the interest of the parties which could affect our ability to meet our investment objectives.
 
We may have increased exposure to liabilities from litigation as a result of our participation in the Section 1031 Exchange Program, which increases the risks you face as a stockholder.
 
An affiliate of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, our advisor, has developed a program to facilitate real estate acquisitions for persons (“1031 Participants”) who seek to reinvest proceeds from a real estate sale and qualify that reinvestment for like-kind exchange treatment under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 1031 Exchange Program”).  The program is described in greater detail under “Investment Objectives and Criteria —Acquisition and Investment Policies — Section 1031 Exchange Program.”  The Section 1031 Exchange Program involves a private placement of co-tenancy interests in real estate.  There are significant tax and securities disclosure risks associated with these private placement offerings of co-tenancy interests to 1031 Participants.  For example, in the event that the Internal Revenue Service conducts an audit of the purchasers of co tenancy interests and successfully challenges the qualification of the transaction as a like-kind exchange, purchasers of co-tenancy interests may file a lawsuit against the entity offering the co- tenancy interests and its sponsors.  We anticipate providing certain financial guarantees, described in “Investment Objectives and Policies — Section 1031 Exchange Program,” in the event co-tenancy interests in such offerings are not sold and could therefore be named in or otherwise required to defend against lawsuits brought by 1031 Participants.  Any amounts we are required to expend for any such litigation claims may reduce the amount of funds available for distribution to you.  In addition, disclosure of any such litigation may limit our future ability to raise additional capital through the sale of stock or borrowings.  To date, we have engaged in four Section 1031 Exchange Programs raising aggregate proceeds of $10,080,802.
 
We are subject to risks associated with co-tenancy arrangements that are not otherwise present in a real estate investment; these risks could reduce the value of our co-tenancy investments and your overall return.
 
Our participation in the Section 1031 Exchange Program involves an obligation to purchase any co-tenancy interests in a property that remain unsold at the completion of a Section 1031 Exchange Program private placement offering.  Accordingly, we could be required to purchase the unsold co-tenancy interests and thus become subject to the risks of ownership of properties in a co-tenancy arrangement with unrelated third parties.
 
Ownership of co-tenancy interests involves risks not otherwise present with an investment in real estate such as the following:
 
 
·
the risk that a co-tenant may at any time have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals;
 
 
·
the risk that a co-tenant may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives; or
 
 
·
the possibility that a co-tenant might become insolvent or bankrupt, which may be an event of default under mortgage loan financing documents, or allow the bankruptcy court to reject the tenants-in-common agreement or management agreement entered into by the co-tenants owning interests in the property.
 
Any of the above might subject a property to liabilities in excess of those contemplated and thus reduce your returns.  In the event that our interests become adverse to those of the other co-tenants, we may not have the contractual right to purchase the co-tenancy interests from the other co-tenants.  Even if we are given the opportunity to purchase such co-tenancy interests in the future, we cannot guarantee that we will have sufficient funds available at the time to purchase co-tenancy interests from the 1031 Participants.  We might want to sell our co-tenancy interests in a given property at a time when the other cotenants in such property do not desire to sell their interests.  Therefore, we may not be able to sell our interest in a property at the time we would like to sell.  In addition, we anticipate that it will be much more difficult to find a willing buyer for our co-tenancy interests in a property than it would be to find a buyer for a property we owned entirely.
 
Our participation in the Section 1031 Exchange Program may limit our ability to borrow funds in the future; this could reduce the number of investments we can make and limit our ability to make distributions to you.
 
Institutional lenders may view our obligations under agreements to acquire unsold co-tenancy interests in properties as a contingent liability against our cash or other assets, which may limit our ability to borrow funds in the future.  Lenders providing lines of credit may restrict our ability to draw on our lines of credit by the amount of our potential obligation.  Further, our lenders may view such obligations in such a manner as to limit our ability to borrow funds based on regulatory restrictions on lenders that limit the amount of loans they can make to any one borrower.  These events could limit our operating flexibility and our ability to make distributions to you.
 
 
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Risks Related to This Offering and Our Corporate Structure
 
The limit on the number of shares a person may own may discourage a takeover that could otherwise result in a premium price to our stockholders.
 
Our charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes our directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT.  Unless exempted by our board of directors, no person may own more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of our outstanding shares of stock and not more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of shares of our stock.  This and other restrictions in our charter on the ownership and transfer of our stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for holders of our common stock.  See the “Description of Shares — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” section of this prospectus.
 
Our charter permits our board of directors to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of common stockholders or discourage a third party from acquiring us in a manner that might result in a premium price to our stockholders.
 
Our charter permits our board of directors to issue up to 250,000,000 shares of stock.  In addition, our board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we have authority to issue.  Our board of directors may classify or reclassify any unissued preferred stock and establish the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of repurchase of any such stock.  Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have a priority as to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation over the rights of the holders of our common stock.  Preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for holders of our common stock.  See the “Description of Shares — Preferred Stock” section of this prospectus.
 
Maryland law prohibits certain business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us to be acquired and may limit your ability to exit the investment.
 
Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.  These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities.  An interested stockholder is defined as:
 
 
·
any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or
 
 
·
an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
 
A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he or she otherwise would have become an interested stockholder.  However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
 
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
 
 
·
80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and
 
 
·
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.
 
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.  The business combination statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.  Pursuant to the statute, our board of directors has exempted any business combination involving American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC or any affiliate of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC.  Consequently, the five-year prohibition and the super-majority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations between us and American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC or any affiliate of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC.  As a result, American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and any affiliate of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interest of our stockholders, without compliance with the super-majority vote requirements and the other provisions of the statute.  The business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.  For a more detailed discussion of the Maryland laws governing us and the ownership of our shares of common stock, see the section of this prospectus captioned “Description of Shares — Business Combinations.”
 
 
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Maryland law also limits the ability of a third party to buy a large stake in us and exercise voting power in electing directors.
 
The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act provides that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights except to the extent approved by the corporation’s disinterested stockholders by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.  Shares of stock owned by interested stockholders, that is, by the acquirer, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation, are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter.  “Control shares” are voting shares of stock that would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within specified ranges of voting power.  Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval.  A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares.  The control share acquisition statute does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation.  Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition act any and all acquisitions of our common stock by American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC or any affiliate of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC.  This statute could have the effect of discouraging offers from third parties to acquire us and increasing the difficulty of successfully completing this type of offer by anyone other than our affiliates or any of their affiliates.  For a more detailed discussion on the Maryland laws governing control share acquisitions, see the section of this prospectus captioned “Description of Shares — Control Share Acquisitions.”
 
If we are required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we could not continue our business, which may significantly reduce the value of your investment.
 
We are not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (Investment Company Act).  Under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, a company is deemed to be an “investment company” if it is, or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities.  Under Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the Investment Company Act, a company is deemed to be an “investment company” if it is engaged, or proposes to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and owns or propose to acquire “investment securities” having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets on an unconsolidated basis, which we refer to as the “40 test.”  If we would ever inadvertently fall within one of the definitions of “investment company,” we intend to rely on the exception provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act and certain No-Action Letters from the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Under Section 3(c)(5)(C), the SEC staff generally requires a company to maintain at least 55% of its assets directly in qualifying assets and at least 80% of the entity’s assets in qualifying assets and in a broader category of real estate related assets to qualify for this exception.  Mortgage-related securities may or may not constitute such qualifying assets, depending on the characteristics of the mortgage-related securities, including the rights that we have with respect to the underlying loans.  Our ownership of mortgage-related securities, therefore, is limited by provisions of the Investment Company Act and SEC staff interpretations.  See the section entitled “Investment Objectives and Policies — Investment Company Act of 1940” in this prospectus.  We intend to monitor compliance with these requirements on an ongoing basis.  If we were obligated to register as an investment company, we would have to comply with a variety of substantive requirements under the Investment Company Act imposing, among other things:
 
 
·
limitations on capital structure;
 
 
·
restrictions on specified investments;
 
 
·
prohibitions on transactions with affiliates; and
 
 
·
compliance with reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy disclosure and other rules and regulations that would significantly change our operations.
 
In order to maintain our exemption from regulation under the Investment Company Act, we must engage primarily in the business of buying real estate, and these investments must be made within a year after the offering ends.  If we are unable to invest a significant portion of the proceeds of this offering in properties within one year of the termination of the offering, we may avoid being required to register as an investment company by temporarily investing any unused proceeds in government securities with low returns.  This would reduce the cash available for distribution to investors and possibly lower your returns.
 
The method we use to classify our assets for purposes of the Investment Company Act will be based in large measure upon no-action positions taken by the SEC staff in the past.  These no-action positions were issued in accordance with factual situations that may be substantially different from the factual situations we may face, and a number of these no-action positions were issued more than ten years ago.  No assurance can be given that the SEC staff will concur with our classification of our assets.  In addition, the SEC staff, may, in the future, issue further guidance that may require us to re-classify our assets for purposes of qualifying for an exclusion from regulation under the Investment Company Act.  If we are required to re-classify our assets, we may no longer be in compliance with the exclusion from the definition of an “investment company” provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act.
 
 
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To maintain compliance with the Investment Company Act exemption, we may be unable to sell assets we would otherwise want to sell and may need to sell assets we would otherwise wish to retain.  In addition, we may have to acquire additional income or loss generating assets that we might not otherwise have acquired or may have to forgo opportunities to acquire interests in companies that we would otherwise want to acquire and would be important to our investment strategy.  If we were required to register as an investment company but failed to do so, we would be prohibited from engaging in our business, and criminal and civil actions could be brought against us.  In addition, our contracts would be unenforceable unless a court were to require enforcement, and a court could appoint a receiver to take control of us and liquidate our business.
 
You are bound by the majority vote on matters on which you are entitled to vote, and therefore, your vote on a particular matter may be superseded by the vote of others.
 
You may vote on certain matters at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, including the election of directors.  However, you will be bound by the majority vote on matters requiring approval of a majority of the stockholders even if you do not vote with the majority on any such matter.
 
If you do not agree with the decisions of our board of directors, you only have limited control over changes in our policies and operations and may not be able to change such policies and operations.
 
Our board of directors determines our major policies, including our policies regarding investments, financing, growth, debt capitalization, REIT qualification and distributions.  Our board of directors may amend or revise these and other policies without a vote of the stockholders.  Under the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter, our stockholders have a right to vote only on the following:
 
 
·
the election or removal of directors;
 
 
·
amendments of our charter (including a change in our investment objectives), except certain amendments that do not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of our stockholders;
 
 
·
our liquidation or dissolution;
 
 
·
a reorganization of our company, as provided in our charter; and
 
 
·
mergers, consolidations or sales or other dispositions of substantially all of our assets, as provided in our charter.
 
All other matters are subject to the discretion of our board of directors.
 
Our board of directors may change our investment policies without stockholder approval, which could alter the nature of your investments.
 
Our charter requires that our independent directors review our investment policies at least annually to determine that the policies we are following are in the best interest of the stockholders.  These policies may change over time.  The methods of implementing our investment policies may also vary, as new real estate development trends emerge and new investment techniques are developed.  Our investment policies, the methods for their implementation, and our other objectives, policies and procedures may be altered by our board of directors without the approval of our stockholders.  As a result, the nature of your investment could change without your consent.
 
You are limited in your ability to sell your shares pursuant to our share repurchase program and may have to hold your shares for an indefinite period of time.
 
Our board of directors may amend the terms of our share repurchase program without stockholder approval.  Our board of directors also is free to suspend or terminate the program upon 30 days notice or to reject any request for repurchase.  In addition, the share repurchase program includes numerous restrictions that would limit your ability to sell your shares.  Generally, you must have held your shares for at least one year in order to participate in our share repurchase program.  If our board of directors authorizes a repurchase from legally available funds, we will limit the number of shares repurchased pursuant to our share repurchase program as follows:  (a) during any calendar year, the number of shares we will redeem will be limited to the proceeds in the initial offering’s distribution reinvestment plan (shares requested for repurchase upon the death of a stockholder will not be subject to this limitation); and (b) funding for the repurchase of shares will be limited to the net proceeds we receive from the sale of shares under our initial offering’s distribution reinvestment plan.  These limits might prevent us from accommodating all repurchase requests made in any year.  See the “Description of Shares — Share Repurchase Program” section of this prospectus for more information about the share repurchase program.  These restrictions severely limit your ability to sell your shares should you require liquidity, and limit your ability to recover the value you invested or the fair market value of your shares.
 
 
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We established the offering price on an arbitrary basis; as a result, the actual value of your investment may be substantially less than what you pay.
 
Our board of directors has arbitrarily determined the selling price of the shares consistent with our initial offering and comparable real estate investment programs in the market, and such price bears no relationship to our book or asset values, or to any other established criteria for valuing issued or outstanding shares.  Because the offering price is not based upon any independent valuation, the offering price is not indicative of the proceeds that you would receive upon liquidation.
 
Because the dealer manager is one of our affiliates, you will not have the benefit of an independent review of the prospectus or us customarily performed in underwritten offerings.
 
The dealer manager, Realty Capital Securities, LLC, is one of our affiliates and will not make an independent review of us or the offering.  Accordingly, you will have to rely on your own broker-dealer to make an independent review of the terms of this offering.  If your broker-dealer does not conduct such a review, you will not have the benefit of an independent review of the terms of this offering.  Further, the due diligence investigation of us by the dealer manager cannot be considered to be an independent review and, therefore, may not be as meaningful as a review conducted by an unaffiliated broker-dealer or investment banker.
 
Your interest in us will be diluted if we issue or offer additional shares.
 
Existing stockholders and potential investors in the initial offering and this follow-on offering do not have preemptive rights to any shares issued by us in the future.  Our charter currently authorizes us to issue up to 250,000,000 shares of stock, of which 240,000,000 shares are designated as common stock and 10,000,000 are designated as preferred stock.
 
Subject to any limitations set forth under Maryland law, our board of directors may increase the number of authorized shares of stock, increase or decrease the number of shares of any class or series of stock designated, or reclassify any unissued shares without the necessity of obtaining stockholder approval.  All of such shares may be issued in the discretion of our board of directors.  Existing stockholders and investors purchasing shares in this offering likely will suffer dilution of their equity investment in us, in the event that we (a) sell shares in this offering or sell additional shares in the future, including those issued pursuant to follow-on offerings or our initial offering’s distribution reinvestment plan, (b) sell securities that are convertible into shares of our common stock, (c) issue shares of our common stock in a private offering of securities to institutional investors, (d) issue shares of our common stock upon the exercise of the options granted to our independent directors, (e) issue shares to our advisor, its successors or assigns, in payment of an outstanding fee obligation as set forth under our advisory agreement, or (f) issue shares of our common stock to sellers of properties acquired by us in connection with an exchange of limited partnership interests of American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P., existing stockholders and investors purchasing shares in this offering will likely experience dilution of their equity investment in us.  In addition, the partnership agreement for American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. contains provisions that would allow, under certain circumstances, other entities, including other American Realty Capital-sponsored programs, to merge into or cause the exchange or conversion of their interest for interests of American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P.  Because the limited partnership units of American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. may, in the discretion of our board of directors, be exchanged for shares of our common stock, any merger, exchange or conversion between American Realty Capital Operating Partnership, L.P. and another entity ultimately could result in the issuance of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, thereby diluting the percentage ownership interest of other stockholders.  To the extent we issue additional equity interests after you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, your percentage ownership interest in us will be diluted.  In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any additional offerings and the value of our real properties and other real estate-related assets, you may also experience dilution in the book value and fair market value of your shares.  Because of these and other reasons described in this “Risk Factors” section, you should not expect to be able to own a significant percentage of our shares.
 
Payment of fees to American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and its affiliates reduces cash available for investment and distribution.
 
American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC and its affiliates will perform services for us in connection with the offer and sale of the shares, the selection and acquisition of our investments, and the management and leasing of our properties, the servicing of our mortgage, bridge or mezzanine loans, if any, and the administration of our other investments.  They are paid substantial fees for these services, which reduces the amount of cash available for investment in properties or distribution to stockholders.  For a more detailed discussion of the fees payable to such entities in respect of this offering, see the “Management Compensation” section of this prospectus.
 
We may be unable to pay or maintain cash distributions or increase distributions over time.
 
There are many factors that can affect the availability and timing of cash distributions to stockholders.  Distributions will be based principally on cash available from our operations.  The amount of cash available for distributions is affected by many factors, such as our ability to buy properties as offering proceeds become available, rental income from such properties, and our operating expense levels, as well as many other variables.  Actual cash available for distributions may vary substantially from estimates.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to pay or maintain our current anticipated level of distributions or that distributions will increase over time.  We cannot give any assurance that rents from the properties will increase, that the securities we buy will increase in value or provide constant or increased distributions over time, or that future acquisitions of real properties, mortgage, bridge or mezzanine loans or any investments in securities will increase our cash available for distributions to stockholders.  Our actual results may differ significantly from the assumptions used by our board of directors in establishing the distribution rate to stockholders.  We may not have sufficient legally available cash from operations to make a distribution required to qualify for or maintain our REIT status.  We may increase borrowing or use proceeds from this offering to make distributions, each of which could be deemed to be a return of your capital.  We may make distributions from the proceeds of this offering or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow.  Any such distributions will constitute a return of capital and may reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in properties and negatively impact the value of your investment.  For a description of the factors that can affect the availability and timing of cash distributions to stockholders, see the section of this prospectus captioned “Description of Shares — Distributions Policy.”
 
 
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We will not calculate the net asset value per share for our shares until 18 months after completion of our last offering, therefore, you will not be able to determine the net asset value of your shares on an on-going basis during this offering and for a substantial period of time thereafter.
 
Until 18 months after the termination of this follow-on offering or the termination of any subsequent offering of our shares, we intend to use the offering price of shares in our most recent offering as the per share value (unless we have made a special distribution to stockholders of net sales proceeds from the sale of one or more properties prior to the date of determination of the per share value, in which case we will use the offering price less the per share amount of the special distribution).  Beginning 18 months after the completion of the last offering of our shares, our board of directors will determine the value of our properties and our other assets based on such information as our board determines appropriate, which may or may not include independent valuations of our properties or of our enterprise as a whole.  We will disclose this net asset value to stockholders in our filings with the SEC.  Therefore, you will not be able to determine the net asset value of your shares on an on-going basis during this offering.  See “Investment by Tax-Exempt Entities and ERISA Considerations —Annual or More Frequent Valuation Requirement.”
 
General Risks Related to Investments in Real Estate
 
Our operating results will be affected by economic and regulatory changes that have an adverse impact on the real estate market in general, and we cannot assure you that we will be profitable or that we will realize growth in the value of our real estate properties.
 
Our operating results are subject to risks generally incident to the ownership of real estate, including:
 
 
·
changes in general economic or local conditions;
 
 
·
changes in supply of or demand for similar or competing properties in an area;
 
 
·
changes in interest rates and availability of permanent mortgage funds that may render the sale of a property difficult or unattractive;
 
 
·
changes in tax, real estate, environmental and zoning laws;
 
 
·
changes in insurance costs; and
 
 
·
periods of high interest rates and tight money supply.
 
These and other reasons may prevent us from being profitable or from realizing growth or maintaining the value of our real estate properties.
 
Many of our properties will depend upon a single tenant for all or a majority of their rental income, and our financial condition and ability to make distributions may be adversely affected by the bankruptcy or insolvency, a downturn in the business, or a lease termination of a single tenant.
 
We expect that many of our properties will be occupied by only one tenant or will derive a majority of their rental income from one tenant and, therefore, the success of those properties will be materially dependent on the financial stability of such tenants.  Lease payment defaults by tenants could cause us to reduce the amount of distributions we pay.  A default of a tenant on its lease payments to us would cause us to lose the revenue from the property and force us to find an alternative source of revenue to meet any mortgage payment and prevent a foreclosure if the property is subject to a mortgage.  In the event of a default, we may experience delays in enforcing our rights as landlord and may incur substantial costs in protecting our investment and re-letting the property.  If a lease is terminated, there is no assurance that we will be able to lease the property for the rent previously received or sell the property without incurring a loss.  A default by a tenant, the failure of a guarantor to fulfill its obligations or other premature termination of a lease, or a tenant’s election not to extend a lease upon its expiration, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and our ability to pay distributions.
 
If a tenant declares bankruptcy, we may be unable to collect balances due under relevant leases.
 
Any of our tenants, or any guarantor of a tenant’s lease obligations, could be subject to a bankruptcy proceeding pursuant to Title 11 of the bankruptcy laws of the United States.  Such a bankruptcy filing would bar all efforts by us to collect pre-bankruptcy debts from these entities or their properties, unless we receive an enabling order from the bankruptcy court.  Post-bankruptcy debts would be paid currently.  If a lease is assumed, all pre-bankruptcy balances owing under it must be paid in full.  If a lease is rejected by a tenant in bankruptcy, we would have a general unsecured claim for damages.  If a lease is rejected, it is unlikely we would receive any payments from the tenant because our claim is capped at the rent reserved under the lease, without acceleration, for the greater of one year or 15% of the remaining term of the lease, but not greater than three years, plus rent already due but unpaid.  This claim could be paid only in the event funds were available, and then only in the same percentage as that realized on other unsecured claims.
 
 
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A tenant or lease guarantor bankruptcy could delay efforts to collect past due balances under the relevant leases, and could ultimately preclude full collection of these sums.  Such an event could cause a decrease or cessation of rental payments that would mean a reduction in our cash flow and the amount available for distributions to you.  In the event of a bankruptcy, we cannot assure you that the tenant or its trustee will assume our lease.  If a given lease, or guaranty of a lease, is not assumed, our cash flow and the amounts available for distributions to you may be adversely affected.
 
A high concentration of our properties in a particular geographic area, or that have tenants in a similar industry, would magnify the effects of downturns in that geographic area or industry.
 
We expect that our properties will be diverse according to geographic area and industry of our tenants.  However, in the event that we have a concentration of properties in any particular geographic area, any adverse situation that disproportionately affects that geographic area would have a magnified adverse effect on our portfolio.  Similarly, if our tenants are concentrated in a certain industry or industries, any adverse effect to that industry generally would have a disproportionately adverse effect on our portfolio.
 
If a sale-leaseback transaction is recharacterized in a tenant’s bankruptcy proceeding, our financial condition could be adversely affected.
 
We may enter into sale-leaseback transactions, whereby we would purchase a property and then lease the same property back to the person from whom we purchased it.  In the event of the bankruptcy of a tenant, a transaction structured as a sale-leaseback may be recharacterized as either a financing or a joint venture, either of which outcomes could adversely affect our business.  If the sale-leaseback were recharacterized as a financing, we might not be considered the owner of the property, and as a result would have the status of a creditor in relation to the tenant.  In that event, we would no longer have the right to sell or encumber our ownership interest in the property.  Instead, we would have a claim against the tenant for the amounts owed under the lease, with the claim arguably secured by the property.  The tenant/debtor might have the ability to propose a plan restructuring the term, interest rate and amortization schedule of its outstanding balance.  If confirmed by the bankruptcy court, we could be bound by the new terms, and prevented from foreclosing our lien on the property.  If the sale-leaseback were recharacterized as a joint venture, our lessee and we could be treated as co-venturers with regard to the property.  As a result, we could be held liable, under some circumstances, for debts incurred by the lessee relating to the property.  Either of these outcomes could adversely affect our cash flow and the amount available for distributions to you.
 
Properties that have vacancies for a significant period of time could be difficult to sell, which could diminish the return on your investment.
 
A property may incur vacancies either by the continued default of tenants under their leases or the expiration of tenant leases.  If vacancies continue for a long period of time, we will suffer reduced revenues which may result in less cash to be distributed to stockholders.  In addition, because properties’ market values depend principally upon the value of the properties’ leases, the resale value of properties with prolonged vacancies could suffer, which could further reduce your return.
 
We may obtain only limited warranties when we purchase a property and would have only limited recourse in the event our due diligence did not identify any issues that lower the value of our property.
 
The seller of a property often sells such property in its “as is” condition on a “where is” basis and “with all faults,” without any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose.  In addition, purchase agreements may contain only limited warranties, representations and indemnifications that will only survive for a limited period after the closing.  The purchase of properties with limited warranties increases the risk that we may lose some or all of our invested capital in the property as well as the loss of rental income from that property.
 
We may be unable to secure funds for future tenant improvements or capital needs, which could adversely impact our ability to pay cash distributions to our stockholders.
 
When tenants do not renew their leases or otherwise vacate their space, it is usual that, in order to attract replacement tenants, we will be required to expend substantial funds for tenant improvements and tenant refurbishments to the vacated space.  In addition, although we expect that our leases with tenants will require tenants to pay routine property maintenance costs, we will likely be responsible for any major structural repairs, such as repairs to the foundation, exterior walls and rooftops.  We will use substantially all of this offering’s gross proceeds to buy real estate and pay various fees and expenses.  We intend to reserve only 0.1% of the gross proceeds from this offering for future capital needs.  Accordingly, if we need additional capital in the future to improve or maintain our properties or for any other reason, we will have to obtain financing from other sources, such as cash flow from operations, borrowings, property sales or future equity offerings.  These sources of funding may not be available on attractive terms or at all.  If we cannot procure additional funding for capital improvements, our investments may generate lower cash flows or decline in value, or both.
 
 
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Our inability to sell a property when we desire to do so could adversely impact our ability to pay cash distributions to you.
 
The real estate market is affected by many factors, such as general economic conditions, availability of financing, interest rates and other factors, including supply and demand, that are beyond our control.  We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any property for the price or on the terms set by us, or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to us.  We cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of a property.
 
We may be required to expend funds to correct defects or to make improvements before a property can be sold.  We cannot assure you that we will have funds available to correct such defects or to make such improvements.  Moreover, in acquiring a property, we may agree to restrictions that prohibit the sale of that property for a period of time or impose other restrictions, such as a limitation on the amount of debt that can be placed or repaid on that property.  These provisions would restrict our ability to sell a property.
 
We may not be able to sell our properties at a price equal to, or greater than, the price for which we purchased such property, which may lead to a decrease in the value of our assets.
 
Many of our leases will not contain rental increases over time.  Therefore, the value of the property to a potential purchaser may not increase over time, which may restrict our ability to sell a property, or in the event we are able to sell such property, may lead to a sale price less than the price that we paid to purchase the property.
 
We may acquire or finance properties with lock-out provisions, which may prohibit us from selling a property, or may require us to maintain specified debt levels for a period of years on some properties.
 
Lock-out provisions, which preclude pre-payments of a loan, could materially restrict us from selling or otherwise disposing of or refinancing properties.  These provisions would affect our ability to turn our investments into cash and thus affect cash available for distributions to you.  Lock out provisions may prohibit us from reducing the outstanding indebtedness with respect to any properties, refinancing such indebtedness on a non-recourse basis at maturity, or increasing the amount of indebtedness with respect to such properties.  Lock-out provisions could impair our ability to take other actions during the lock-out period that could be in the best interests of our stockholders and, therefore, may have an adverse impact on the value of the shares, relative to the value that would result if the lock-out provisions did not exist.  In particular, lock-out provisions could preclude us from participating in major transactions that could result in a disposition of our assets or a change in control even though that disposition or change in control might be in the best interests of our stockholders.
 
Rising expenses could reduce cash flow and funds available for future acquisitions.
 
Any properties that we buy in the future will be, subject to operating risks common to real estate in general, any or all of which may negatively affect us.  If any property is not fully occupied or if rents are being paid in an amount that is insufficient to cover operating expenses, we could be required to expend funds with respect to that property for operating expenses.  The properties will be subject to increases in tax rates, utility costs, operating expenses, insurance costs, repairs and maintenance and administrative expenses.  While we expect that many of our properties will be leased on a triple-net-lease basis or will require the tenants to pay all or a portion of such expenses, renewals of leases or future leases may not be negotiated on that basis, in which event we may have to pay those costs.  If we are unable to lease properties on a triple-net-lease basis or on a basis requiring the tenants to pay all or some of such expenses, or if tenants fail to pay required tax, utility and other impositions, we could be required to pay those costs which could adversely affect funds available for future acquisitions or cash available for distributions.
 
Adverse economic conditions will negatively affect our returns and profitability.
 
Recent events have exacerbated the general economic slowdown that has affected the nation as a whole and the local economies where our properties may be located. Economic weakness and higher unemployment, combined with higher costs, especially for energy, food and commodities, has put considerable pressure on consumer spending, which, along with the lack of available debt financing, has resulted in many U.S. companies experiencing poorer financial and operating performance over the past twelve months than in prior periods. As a result, this slowdown has reduced demand for space and removed support for rents and property values. Our operating results may be affected by the following market and economic challenges, which may result from a continued or exacerbated general economic slow down experienced by the nation as a whole or by the local economics where our properties may be located:
 
 
·
poor economic conditions may result in tenant defaults under leases;
 
 
·
re-leasing may require concessions or reduced rental rates under the new leases;
 
 
·
constricted access to credit may result in tenant defaults or non-renewals under leases; and
 
 
·
increased insurance premiums may reduce funds available for distribution or, to the extent such increases are passed through to tenants, may lead to tenant defaults.  Increased insurance premiums may make it difficult to increase rents to tenants on turnover, which may adversely affect our ability to increase our returns.
 
 
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A continuing environment of declining prices could further weaken real estate markets. We do not know how long the slowdown will last, or when, or even if, real estate markets will return to more normal conditions. Since we cannot predict when real estate markets may recover, the value of our properties may decline if market conditions persist or worsen. Further, the results of operations for a property in any one period may not be indicative of results in future periods, and the long-term performance of such property generally may not be comparable to, and cash flows may not be as predictable as, other properties owned by third parties in the same or similar industry. The already weak conditions in the real estate markets could be further exacerbated by a deterioration of national or regional economic conditions. Our property values and operations could be negatively affected to the extent that the current economic downturn is prolonged or becomes more severe.
 
If we suffer losses that are not covered by insurance or that are in excess of insurance coverage, we could lose invested capital and anticipated profits.
 
Generally, each of our tenants will be responsible for insuring its goods and premises and, in some circumstances, may be required to reimburse us for a share of the cost of acquiring comprehensive insurance for the property, including casualty, liability, fire and extended coverage customarily obtained for similar properties in amounts that our advisor determines are sufficient to cover reasonably foreseeable losses.  Tenants of single-user properties leased on a triple-net-lease basis typically are required to pay all insurance costs associated with those properties.  Material losses may occur in excess of insurance proceeds with respect to any property, as insurance may not be sufficient to fund the losses.  However, there are types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as losses due to wars, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, pollution or environmental matters, which are either uninsurable or not economically insurable, or may be insured subject to limitations, such as large deductibles or co-payments.  Insurance risks associated with potential terrorism acts could sharply increase the premiums we pay for coverage against property and casualty claims.  Additionally, mortgage lenders in some cases have begun to insist that commercial property owners purchase specific coverage against terrorism as a condition for providing mortgage loans.  It is uncertain whether such insurance policies will be available, or available at reasonable cost, which could inhibit our ability to finance or refinance our potential properties.  In these instances, we may be required to provide other financial support, either through financial assurances or self-insurance, to cover potential losses.  We may not have adequate, or any, coverage for such losses.  The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 is designed for a sharing of terrorism losses between insurance companies and the federal government, and has been renewed until December 31, 2014.  We cannot be certain how this act will impact us or what additional cost to us, if any, could result.  If such an event damaged or destroyed one or more of our properties, we could lose both our invested capital and anticipated profits from such property.
 
Real estate-related taxes may increase and if these increases are not passed on to tenants, our income will be reduced.
 
Some local real property tax assessors may seek to reassess some of our properties as a result of our acquisition of the property.  Generally, from time to time our property taxes increase as property values or assessment rates change or for other reasons deemed relevant by the assessors.  An increase in the assessed valuation of a property for real estate tax purposes will result in an increase in the related real estate taxes on that property.  Although some tenant leases may permit us to pass through such tax increases to the tenants for payment, there is no assurance that renewal leases or future leases will be negotiated on the same basis.  Increases not passed through to tenants will adversely affect our income, cash available for distributions, and the amount of distributions to you.
 
CC&Rs may restrict our ability to operate a property.
 
Some of our properties are contiguous to other parcels of real property, comprising part of the same commercial center.  In connection with such properties, there are significant covenants, conditions and restrictions, known as “CC&Rs,” restricting the operation of such properties and any improvements on such properties, and related to granting easements on such properties.  Moreover, the operation and management of the contiguous properties may impact such properties.  Compliance with CC&Rs may adversely affect our operating costs and reduce the amount of funds that we have available to pay distributions.
 
Our operating results may be negatively affected by potential development and construction delays and resultant increased costs and risks.
 
While we do not currently intend to do so, we may use proceeds from this offering to acquire and develop properties upon which we will construct improvements.  We will be subject to uncertainties associated with re-zoning for development, environmental concerns of governmental entities and/or community groups, and our builder’s ability to build in conformity with plans, specifications, budgeted costs, and timetables.  If a builder fails to perform, we may resort to legal action to rescind the purchase or the construction contract or to compel performance.  A builder’s performance may also be affected or delayed by conditions beyond the builder’s control.  Delays in completion of construction could also give tenants the right to terminate preconstruction leases.  We may incur additional risks when we make periodic progress payments or other advances to builders before they complete construction.  These and other such factors can result in increased costs of a project or loss of our investment.  In addition, we will be subject to normal lease-up risks relating to newly constructed projects.  We also must rely on rental income and expense projections and estimates of the fair market value of property upon completion of construction when agreeing upon a price at the time we acquire the property.  If our projections are inaccurate, we may pay too much for a property, and our return on our investment could suffer.
 
 
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While we do not currently intend to do so, we may invest in unimproved real property.  Returns from development of unimproved properties are also subject to risks associated with re-zoning the land for development and environmental concerns of governmental entities and/or community groups.  Although we intend to limit any investment in unimproved property to property we intend to develop, your investment nevertheless is subject to the risks associated with investments in unimproved real property.
 
If we contract with an affiliated development company for newly developed property, we cannot guarantee that our earnest money deposit made to the development company will be fully refunded.
 
While we currently do not have an affiliated development company, our sponsor and/or its affiliates may form a development company.  In such an event, we may enter into one or more contracts, either directly or indirectly through joint ventures with affiliates or others, to acquire real property from an affiliate of American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC that is engaged in construction and development of commercial real properties.  Properties acquired from an affiliated development company may be either existing income-producing properties, properties to be developed or properties under development.  We anticipate that we will be obligated to pay a substantial earnest money deposit at the time of contracting to acquire such properties.  In the case of properties to be developed by an affiliated development company, we anticipate that we will be required to close the purchase of the property upon completion of the development of the property by our affiliate.  At the time of contracting and the payment of the earnest money deposit by us, our development company affiliate typically will not have acquired title to any real property.  Typically, our development company affiliate will only have a contract to acquire land, a development agreement to develop a building on the land and an agreement with one or more tenants to lease all or part of the property upon its completion.  We may enter into such a contract with our development company affiliate even if at the time of contracting we have not yet raised sufficient proceeds in our offering to enable us to close the purchase of such property.  However, we will not be required to close a purchase from our development company affiliate, and will be entitled to a refund of our earnest money, in the following circumstances:
 
 
·
our development company affiliate fails to develop the property;
 
 
·
all or a specified portion of the pre-leased tenants fail to take possession under their leases for any reason; or
 
 
·
we are unable to raise sufficient proceeds from our offering to pay the purchase price at closing.
 
The obligation of our development company affiliate to refund our earnest money will be unsecured, and no assurance can be made that we would be able to obtain a refund of such earnest money deposit from it under these circumstances since our development company affiliate may be an entity without substantial assets or operations.  However, our development company affiliate’s obligation to refund our earnest money deposit may be guaranteed by American Realty Capital Properties, LLC, our property manager, which will enter into contracts to provide property management and leasing services to various American Realty Capital-sponsored programs, including us, for substantial monthly fees.  As of the time American Realty Capital Properties, LLC may be required to perform under any guaranty, we cannot assure that American Realty Capital Properties, LLC will have sufficient assets to refund all of our earnest money deposit in a lump sum payment.  If we were forced to collect our earnest money deposit by enforcing the guaranty of American Realty Capital Properties, LLC, we will likely be required to accept installment payments over time payable out of the revenues of American Realty Capital Properties, LLC operations.  We cannot assure you that we would be able to collect the entire amount of our earnest money deposit under such circumstances.  See “Investment Objectives and Policies —Acquisition and Investment Policies.”
 
Competition with third parties in acquiring properties and other investments may reduce our profitability and the return on your investment.
 
We compete with many other entities engaged in real estate investment activities, including individuals, corporations, bank and insurance company investment accounts, other REITs, real estate limited partnerships, and other entities engaged in real estate investment activities, many of which have greater resources than we do.  Larger REITs may enjoy significant competitive advantages that result from, among other things, a lower cost of capital and enhanced operating efficiencies.  In addition, the number of entities and the amount of funds competing for suitable investments may increase.  Any such increase would result in increased demand for these assets and therefore increased prices paid for them.  If we pay higher prices for properties and other investments, our profitability will be reduced and you may experience a lower return on your investment.
 
Our properties face competition that may affect tenants’ ability to pay rent and the amount of rent paid to us may affect the cash available for distributions and the amount of distributions.
 
Our properties typically are, and we expect will be, located in developed areas.  Therefore, there are and will be numerous other properties within the market area of each of our properties that will compete with us for tenants.  The number of competitive properties could have a material effect on our ability to rent space at our properties and the amount of rents charged.  We could be adversely affected if additional competitive properties are built in locations competitive with our properties, causing increased competition for customer traffic and creditworthy tenants.  This could result in decreased cash flow from tenants and may require us to make capital improvements to properties that we would not have otherwise made, thus affecting cash available for distributions, and the amount available for distributions to you.
 
 
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Delays in acquisitions of properties may an have adverse effect on your investment.
 
There may be a substantial period of time before the proceeds of this offering are invested.  Delays we encounter in the selection, acquisition and/or development of properties could adversely affect your returns.  Where properties are acquired prior to the start of construction or during the early stages of construction, it will typically take several months to complete construction and rent available space.  Therefore, you could suffer delays in the payment of cash distributions attributable to those particular properties.
 
Costs of complying with governmental laws and regulations, including those relating to environmental matters, may adversely affect our income and the cash available for any distributions.
 
All real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and human health and safety.  These laws and regulations generally govern wastewater discharges, air emissions, the operation and removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks, the use, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination associated with disposals.  Environmental laws and regulations may impose joint and several liability on tenants, owners or operators for the costs to investigate or remediate contaminated properties, regardless of fault or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal.  This liability could be substantial.  In addition, the presence of hazardous substances, or the failure to properly remediate these substances, may adversely affect our ability to sell, rent or pledge such property as collateral for future borrowings.
 
Some of these laws and regulations have been amended so as to require compliance with new or more stringent standards as of future dates.  Compliance with new or more stringent laws or regulations or stricter interpretation of existing laws may require material expenditures by us.  Future laws, ordinances or regulations may impose material environmental liability.  Additionally, our tenants’ operations, the existing condition of land when we buy it, operations in the vicinity of our properties, such as the presence of underground storage tanks, or activities of unrelated third parties may affect our properties.  In addition, there are various local, state and federal fire, health, life-safety and similar regulations with which we may be required to comply, and that may subject us to liability in the form of fines or damages for noncompliance.  Any material expenditures, fines, or damages we must pay will reduce our ability to make distributions and may reduce the value of your investment.
 
State and federal laws in this area are constantly evolving, and we intend to monitor these laws and take commercially reasonable steps to protect ourselves from the impact of these laws, including obtaining environmental assessments of most properties that we acquire; however, we will not obtain an independent third-party environmental assessment for every property we acquire.  In addition, any such assessment that we do obtain may not reveal all environmental liabilities or that a prior owner of a property did not create a material environmental condition not known to us.  The cost of defending against claims of liability, of compliance with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury claims would materially adversely affect our business, assets or results of operations and, consequently, amounts available for distribution to you.  See “Investment Objectives and Policies — Environmental Matters.”
 
If we sell properties by providing financing to purchasers, defaults by the purchasers would adversely affect our cash flows.
 
If we decide to sell any of our properties, we intend to use our best efforts to sell them for cash.  However, in some instances we may sell our properties by providing financing to purchasers.  When we provide financing to purchasers, we will bear the risk that the purchaser may default, which could negatively impact our cash distributions to stockholders.  Even in the absence of a purchaser default, the distribution of the proceeds of sales to our stockholders, or their reinvestment in other assets, will be delayed until the promissory notes or other property we may accept upon the sale are actually paid, sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed of.  In some cases, we may receive initial down payments in cash and other property in the year of sale in an amount less than the selling price and subsequent payments will be spread over a number of years.  If any purchaser defaults under a financing arrangement with us, it could negatively impact our ability to pay cash distributions to our stockholders.
 
Our recovery of an investment in a mortgage, bridge or mezzanine loan that has defaulted may be limited
 
There is no guarantee that the mortgage, loan or deed of trust securing an investment will, following a default, permit us to recover the original investment and interest that would have been received absent a default.  The security provided by a mortgage, deed of trust or loan is directly related to the difference between the amount owed and the appraised market value of the property.  Although we intend to rely on a current real estate appraisal when we make the investment, the value of the property is affected by factors outside our control, including general fluctuations in the real estate market, rezoning, neighborhood changes, highway relocations and failure by the borrower to maintain the property.  In addition, we may incur the costs of litigation in our efforts to enforce our rights under defaulted loans.
 
Our costs associated with complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act may affect cash available for distributions.
 
Our properties will be subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “Disabilities Act”).  Under the Disabilities Act, all places of public accommodation are required to comply with federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons.  The Disabilities Act has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” and “commercial facilities” that generally require that buildings and services, including restaurants and retail stores, be made accessible and available to people with disabilities.  The Disabilities Act’s requirements could require removal of access barriers and could result in the imposition of injunctive relief, monetary penalties, or, in some cases, an award of damages.  We will attempt to acquire properties that comply with the Disabilities Act or place the burden on the seller or other third party, such as a tenant, to ensure compliance with the Disabilities Act.  However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to acquire properties or allocate responsibilities in this manner.  If we cannot, our funds used for Disabilities Act compliance may affect cash available for distributions and the amount of distributions to you.
 
 
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Economic conditions may adversely affect our income.
 
The global financial markets have undergone a fundamental down-turn since mid-2007, which has had an adverse impact on the availability of credit to businesses generally. To the extent that the global economic recession continues and/or, intensifies, it has the potential to materially affect our operating results and financial condition, the value of our properties and other investments we make, the availability or the terms of financing that we may anticipate utilizing, and our ability to make principal and interest payments on, or refinance, any outstanding debt when due, and/or, for our leased properties, the ability of our tenants to enter into new leasing transactions or satisfy rental payments under existing leases as follows:
 
  •   Debt Markets — The debt markets are currently experiencing volatility as a result of certain factors, including the tightening of underwriting standards by lenders and credit rating agencies. Should overall borrowing costs increase, our operations may generate lower returns. The amount of capital that is available to finance real estate has decreased, which: (1) limits the ability of real estate investors to make new acquisitions and to benefit from reduced real estate values or to realize enhanced returns on real estate investments; (2) has slowed real estate transaction activity; and (3) may result in an inability to refinance debt. All  of these developments may result in price or value decreases of real estate assets and impact our ability to raise equity capital.
 
  •   Real Estate Markets — The recent global economic recession has caused commercial real estate values to decline substantially. As a result, there may be uncertainty in the valuation, or in the stability of the value, of the properties we acquire that could result in a substantial decrease in the value of our properties after we purchase them. Consequently, we may not be able to recover the carrying amount of our properties, which may require us to recognize an impairment charge or record a loss on sale in earnings.
 
  •   Government Intervention — The disruptions in the global financial markets have led to extensive and unprecedented government intervention, which is intended to stimulate the flow of capital and to strengthen the U.S. economy in the short term. We cannot predict the actual effect of the government intervention and what effect, if any, additional governmental intervention may have on the financial markets and/or on us.
 
Our success may be hampered by the current slow down in the real estate industry.
 
Our business is sensitive to trends in the general economy, as well as the commercial real estate and credit markets.  The current macroeconomic environment and accompanying credit crisis has negatively impacted the value of commercial real estate assets, contributing to a general slow down in our industry, which may continue through 2010 and beyond.  A prolonged and pronounced recession could continue or accelerate the reduction in overall transaction volume and size of sales and leasing activities that we have already experienced, and would continue to put downward pressure on our revenues and operating results.  To the extent that any decline in our revenues and operating results impacts our performance, our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions to our stockholders could also suffer.
 
Adverse geopolitical conditions may negatively affect our returns and profitability.
 
The United States’ armed conflict in various parts of the world could have a further impact on our tenants. The consequences of any armed conflict are unpredictable, and we may not be able to foresee events that could have an adverse effect on our business or your investment. More generally, any of these events could result in increased volatility in or damage to the United States and worldwide financial markets and economy. They also could result in higher energy costs and increased economic uncertainty in the United States or abroad. Our revenues will be dependent upon payment of rent by retailers, which may be particularly vulnerable to uncertainty in the local economy. Adverse economic conditions could affect the ability of our tenants to pay rent, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition, as well as our ability to pay distributions to you.
 
Net leases may not result in fair market lease rates over time.
 
We expect a large portion of our rental income to come from net leases, which generally provide the tenant greater discretion in using the leased property than ordinary property leases, such as the right to freely sublease the property, to make alterations in the leased premises and to terminate the lease prior to its expiration under specified circumstances.  Furthermore, net leases typically have longer lease terms and, thus, there is an increased risk that contractual rental increases in future years will fail to result in fair market rental rates during those years.  As a result, our income and distributions to our stockholders could be lower than they would otherwise be if we did not engage in net leases.
 
Our real estate investments may include special use single tenant properties that may be difficult to sell or re-lease upon tenant defaults or early lease terminations.
 
We focus our investments on commercial and industrial properties, including special use single tenant properties.  These types of properties are relatively illiquid compared to other types of real estate and financial assets.  This illiquidity will limit our ability to quickly change our portfolio in response to changes in economic or other conditions.  With these properties, if the current lease is terminated or not renewed or, in the case of a mortgage loan, if we take such property in foreclosure, we may be required to renovate the property or to make rent concessions in order to lease the property to another tenant or sell the property.  In addition, in the event we are forced to sell the property, we may have difficulty selling it to a party other than the tenant or borrower due to the special purpose for which the property may have been designed.  These and other limitations may affect our ability to sell or re-lease properties and adversely affect returns to you.
 
 
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Risks Associated with Debt Financing
 
We may incur mortgage indebtedness and other borrowings, which may increase our business risks.
 
In most instances, we have acquired, and expect to acquire, real properties by using either existing financing or borrowing new funds.  In addition, we have incurred mortgage debt and pledged all or some of our real properties as security for that debt to obtain funds to acquire additional real properties and may continue to do so.  We may borrow if we need funds to satisfy the REIT tax qualification requirement that we generally distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income (which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain, to our stockholders.  We may also borrow if we otherwise deem it necessary or advisable to assure that we maintain our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
Our advisor believes that utilizing borrowing is consistent with our investment objective of maximizing the return to investors.  There is no limitation on the amount we may borrow against any single improved property.  However, under our charter, we are required to limit our borrowings to 75% of the greater of the aggregate cost (before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves) or the aggregate fair market value of our gross assets as of the date of any borrowing, unless excess borrowing is approved by a majority of the independent directors.  Our borrowings will not exceed 300% of our net assets (generally equal to 75% of cost), unless the excess is approved by a majority of our independent directors, which is the maximum level of indebtedness permitted under the NASAA REIT Guidelines.  We expect that during the period of this offering we will request that our independent directors approve borrowings in excess of this limitation since we will then be in the process of raising our equity capital to acquire our portfolio.  As a result, we expect that our debt levels will be higher until we have invested most of our capital.
 
If there is a shortfall between the cash flow from a property and the cash flow needed to service mortgage debt on a property, then the amount available for distributions to stockholders may be reduced.  In addition, incurring mortgage debt increases the risk of loss since defaults on indebtedness secured by a property may result in lenders initiating foreclosure actions.  In that case, we could lose the property securing the loan that is in default, thus reducing the value of your investment.  For tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our properties would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage.  If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but would not receive any cash proceeds.  In such event, we may be unable to pay the amount of distributions required in order to maintain our REIT status.  We may give full or partial guarantees to lenders of mortgage debt to the entities that own our properties.  When we provide a guaranty on behalf of an entity that owns one of our properties, we will be responsible to the lender for satisfaction of the debt if it is not paid by such entity.  If any mortgages contain cross-collateralization or cross-default provisions, a default on a single property could affect multiple properties.  If any of our properties are foreclosed upon due to a default, our ability to pay cash distributions to our stockholders will be adversely affected which could result in our losing our REIT status and would result in a decrease in the value of your investment.
 
Current state of debt markets could have a material adverse impact on our earnings and financial condition
 
Continued volatility in the credit markets and real estate markets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.  Domestic and international financial markets currently are experiencing continued volatility which has been brought about in large part by failures in the U.S. banking system. This volatility has severely impacted the availability of credit and has contributed to rising costs associated with obtaining credit. If debt financing is not available on terms and conditions we find acceptable, we may not be able to obtain financing for investments. If this volatility in the credit markets persists, our ability to borrow monies to finance the purchase of, or other activities related to, properties and other real estate related assets will be negatively impacted. If we are unable to borrow monies on terms and conditions that we find acceptable, we likely will have to reduce the number of properties we can purchase, and the return on the properties we do purchase may be lower. In addition, we may find it difficult, costly or impossible to refinance indebtedness which is maturing.
 
The dislocations in the debt markets has reduced the amount of capital that is available to finance real estate, which, in turn, (a) will no longer allow real estate investors to rely on capitalization rate compression to generate returns and (b) has slowed real estate transaction activity, all of which may reasonably be expected to have a material impact, favorable or unfavorable, on revenues or income from the acquisition and operations of real properties and mortgage loans.  Investors will need to focus on market-specific growth dynamics, operating performance, asset management and the long-term quality of the underlying real estate.  In addition, we may find it difficult, costly or impossible to refinance indebtedness which is maturing. If interest rates are higher when the properties are refinanced, we may not be able to finance the properties and our income could be reduced. In addition, if we pay fees to lock-in a favorable interest rate, falling interest rates or other factors could require us to forfeit these fees. All of these events would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions.
 
 
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In addition, the state of the debt markets could have an impact on the overall amount of capital investing in real estate which may result in price or value decreases of real estate assets.  Although this may benefit us for future acquisitions, it could negatively impact the current value of our existing assets.
 
In addition to volatility in the credit markets, the real estate market is subject to fluctuation and can be impacted by factors such as general economic conditions, supply and demand, availability of financing and interest rates. To the extent we purchase real estate in an unstable market, we are subject to the risk that if the real estate market ceases to attract the same level of capital investment in the future that it attracts at the time of our purchases, or the number of companies seeking to acquire properties decreases, the value of our investments may not appreciate or may decrease significantly below the amount we pay for these investments.
 
Finally, the pervasive and fundamental disruptions that the global financial markets are currently undergoing have led to extensive and unprecedented governmental intervention. Although the government intervention is intended to stimulate the flow of capital and to undergird the U.S. economy in the short term, it is impossible to predict the actual effect of the government intervention and what effect, if any, additional interim or permanent governmental intervention may have on the financial markets and/or the effect of such intervention on us and our results of operations. In addition, there is a high likelihood that regulation of the financial markets will be significantly increased in the future, which could have a material impact on our operating results and financial condition.
 
High mortgage rates may make it difficult for us to finance or refinance properties, which could reduce the number of properties we can acquire and the amount of cash distributions we can make.
 
If we place mortgage debt on properties, we run the risk of being unable to refinance the properties when the loans come due, or of being unable to refinance on favorable terms.  If interest rates are higher when the properties are refinanced, we may not be able to finance the properties and our income could be reduced.  If any of these events occur, our cash flow would be reduced.  This, in turn, would reduce cash available for distribution to you and may hinder our ability to raise more capital by issuing more stock or by borrowing more money.
 
Lenders may require us to enter into restrictive covenants relating to our operations, which could limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
 
In connection with providing us financing, a lender could impose restrictions on us that affect our distribution and operating policies and our ability to incur additional debt.  Loan documents we enter into may contain covenants that limit our ability to further mortgage the property, discontinue insurance coverage or replace American Realty Capital Advisors, LLC as our advisor.  These or other limitations may adversely affect our flexibility and our ability to achieve our investment and operating objectives.
 
Increases in interest rates could increase the amount of our debt payments and adversely affect our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
 
We expect that we will incur indebtedness in the future.  To the extent that we incur variable rate debt, increases in interest rates would increase our interest costs, which could reduce our cash flows and our ability to pay distributions to you.  In addition, if we need to repay existing debt during periods of rising interest rates, we could be required to liquidate one or more of our investments in properties at times that may not permit realization of the maximum return on such investments.
 
We have broad authority to incur debt, and high debt levels could hinder our ability to make distributions and could decrease the value of your investment.
 
Our charter generally limits us to incurring debt no greater than 75% of the greater of the aggregate cost (before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves) or the aggregate fair market value of all of our assets as of the date of any borrowing, unless any excess borrowing is approved by a majority of our independent directors and disclosed to our stockholders in our next quarterly report, along with a justification for such excess borrowing.  We expect that during the period of this offering we will request that our independent directors approve borrowings in excess of this limitation since we will then be in the process of raising our equity capital to acquire our portfolio.  As a result, we expect that our debt levels will be higher until we have invested most of our capital.  High debt levels would cause us to incur higher interest charges, would result in higher debt service payments, and could be accompanied by restrictive covenants.  These factors could limit the amount of cash we have available to distribute and could result in a decline in the value of your investment.
 
 
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Risks
 
Our failure to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT would subject us to U.S. federal income tax and potentially state and local tax, and would adversely affect our operations and the market price of our common stock.
 
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT beginning with the tax year ending December 31, 2008 and intend to operate in a manner that will allow us to continue to qualify as a REIT.  In order for us to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy certain requirements set forth in the Code and Treasury Regulations and various factual matters and circumstances that are not entirely within our control.  We intend to structure our activities in a manner designed to satisfy all of these requirements.  However, if certain of our operations were to be recharacterized by the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, such re-characterization could jeopardize our ability to satisfy all of the requirements for qualification as a REIT.  Proskauer Rose LLP, our legal counsel, has rendered its opinion that we qualify as a REIT, based upon our representations as to the manner in which we are and will be owned, invest in assets and operate, among other things.  However, our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet, through investments, actual operating results, distributions and satisfaction of specific rules, the various tests imposed by the Code.  Proskauer Rose LLP will not review these operating results or compliance with the qualification standards on an ongoing basis.  This means that we may fail to satisfy the REIT requirements in the future.  Also, this opinion represents Proskauer Rose LLP’s legal judgment based on the law in effect as of the date of this prospectus.  Proskauer Rose LLP’s opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts and we will not apply for a ruling from the IRS regarding our status as a REIT.  Future legislative, judicial or administrative changes to U.S. federal income tax laws could be applied retroactively, which could result in our disqualification as a REIT.
 
If we fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year, and we do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at corporate rates.  In addition, we would generally be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year of losing our REIT status.  Losing our REIT status would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to stockholders because of the additional tax liability.  In addition, distributions to stockholders would no longer qualify for the dividends paid deduction, and we would no longer be required to make distributions.  If this occurs, we might be required to borrow funds or liquidate some investments in order to pay the applicable tax.
 
Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.

The maximum tax rate applicable to income from “qualified dividends” payable to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates has been reduced by legislation to 15% for tax years beginning before January 1, 2011. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. Although this legislation does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including the market price of our common stock.
 
Re-characterization of sale-leaseback transactions may cause us to lose our REIT status.
 
We may purchase properties and lease them back to the sellers of such properties.  While we will use our best efforts to structure any such sale-leaseback transaction so that the lease will be characterized as a “true lease,” thereby allowing us to be treated as the owner of the property for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the IRS could challenge such characterization.  In the event that any sale-leaseback transaction is challenged and recharacterized as a financing transaction or loan for U.S. federal income tax purposes, deductions for depreciation and cost recovery relating to such property would be disallowed.  If a sale-leaseback transaction were so recharacterized, we might fail to satisfy the REIT qualification “asset tests” or the “income tests” and, consequently, lose our REIT status effective with the year of re-characterization.  Alternatively, the amount of our REIT taxable income could be recalculated which might also cause us to fail to meet the distribution requirement for a taxable year.
 
REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.
 
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain, in order for U.S. federal corporate income tax not to apply to earnings that we distribute. If we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. In addition, we will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we pay out to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under federal tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code. From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our income for financial reporting purposes prepared in accordance with GAAP, or differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash may occur.
 
As a result, we may find it difficult or impossible to meet distribution requirements in certain circumstances. In particular, where we experience differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash, the requirement to distribute a substantial portion of our taxable income could cause us to: (i) sell assets in adverse market conditions, (ii) borrow on unfavorable terms, (iii) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt or (iv) make a taxable distribution of our shares as part of a distribution in which shareholders may elect to receive shares or (subject to a limit measured as a percentage of the total distribution) cash, in order to comply with REIT requirements. These alternatives could increase our costs or reduce our equity. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to grow, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.
 
 
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The share ownership restrictions of the Code for REITs and the 9.8% share ownership limit in our charter may inhibit market activity in our shares of stock and restrict our business combination opportunities.
 
In order to qualify as a REIT for each taxable year, five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code, may not own, actually or constructively, more than 50% in value of our issued and outstanding shares of stock at any time during the last half of a taxable year. Attribution rules in the Code determine if any individual or entity actually or constructively owns our shares of stock under this requirement. Additionally, at least 100 persons must beneficially own our shares of stock during at least 335 days of a taxable year for each taxable year. To help insure that we meet these tests, our charter restricts the acquisition and ownership of our shares of stock.
 
Our charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes our directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT while we so qualify. Unless exempted by our board of directors, as long as we qualify as a REIT, our charter prohibits, among other limitations on ownership and transfer of shares of our stock, any person from beneficially or constructively owning  (applying certain attribution rules under the Code) more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of our outstanding shares of stock and not more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of shares of our stock. Our board of directors may not grant an exemption from these restrictions to any proposed transferee whose ownership in excess of 9.8% of the value of our outstanding shares would result in the termination of our qualification as a REIT. These restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply, however, if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interest to continue to qualify as a REIT.
 
These ownership limits could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of the stockholders.
 
In certain circumstances, we may be subject to federal and state income taxes as a REIT, which would reduce our cash available for distribution to you.
 
Even if we qualify and maintain our status as a REIT, we may be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes.  For example, net income from the sale of properties that are “dealer” properties sold by a REIT (a “prohibited transaction” under the Code) will be subject to a 100% tax.  We may not be able to make sufficient distributions to avoid excise taxes applicable to REITs.  We may also decide to retain net capital gain we earn from the sale or other disposition of our property and pay income tax directly on such income.  In that event, our stockholders would be treated as if they earned that income and paid the tax on it directly.  However, stockholders that are tax-exempt, such as charities or qualified pension plans, would have no benefit from their deemed payment of such tax liability unless they file U.S. federal income tax returns and thereon seek a refund of such tax.  We may also be subject to state and local taxes on our income or property, including franchise, payroll and transfer taxes, either directly or at the level of our operating partnership or at the level of the other companies through which we indirectly own our assets, such as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”), which are subject to full U.S. federal, state, local and foreign corporate-level income taxes.  Any taxes we pay directly or indirectly will reduce our cash available for distribution to you.
 
Legislative or regulatory action could adversely affect investors.
 
In recent years, numerous legislative, judicial and administrative changes have been made in the provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to investments similar to an investment in shares of our common stock.  Additional changes to the tax laws are likely to continue to occur, and we cannot assure you that any such changes will not adversely affect the taxation of a stockholder.  Any such changes could have an adverse effect on an investment in our shares or on the market value or the resale potential of our assets.  You are urged to consult with your tax advisor with respect to the impact of recent legislation on your investment in our shares and the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our shares.  You also should note that our counsel’s tax opinion is based upon existing law, applicable as of the date of its opinion, all of which will be subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively.
 
Although REITs continue to receive substantially better tax treatment than entities taxed as corporations, it is possible that future legislation would result in a REIT having fewer tax advantages, and it could become more advantageous for a company that invests in real estate to elect to be taxed for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a corporation.  As a result, our charter provides our board of directors with the power, under certain circumstances, to revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election and cause us to be taxed as a corporation, without the vote of our stockholders.  Our board of directors has fiduciary duties to us and our stockholders and could only cause such changes in our tax treatment if it determines in good faith that such changes are in the best interest of our stockholders.
 
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
 
To qualify as a REIT, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. In order to meet these tests, we may be required to forego investments we might otherwise make or liquidate attractive investments from our portfolio. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our operating performance.
 
 
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In particular, we must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally may not include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) may consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more TRS. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must remedy the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and experiencing adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.
 
We may in the future choose to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case you may be required to pay income taxes in excess of the cash dividends you receive.
 
In connection with our qualification as a REIT, we are required to generally distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with GAAP) each year, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain. In order to satisfy this requirement, we may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in cash and shares of our common stock at the election of each stockholder. Generally, under IRS Revenue Procedure 2010-12, up to 90% of any such taxable dividend with respect to the taxable years 2010 and 2011 could be payable in our common stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, U.S. stockholders may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash dividends received. Accordingly, U.S. stockholders receiving a distribution of our shares may be required to sell shares received in such distribution or may be required to sell other stock or assets owned by them, at a time that may be disadvantageous, in order to satisfy any tax imposed on such distribution. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock that it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to certain non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock, by withholding or disposing of part of the shares in such distribution and using the proceeds of such disposition to satisfy the withholding tax imposed. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our common stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, such sale may put downward pressure on the price of our common stock.
 
Further, while Revenue Procedure 2010-12 generally applies only to taxable dividends payable in a combination of cash and stock with respect to the taxable years 2010 and 2011, it is unclear whether and to what extent we will be able to pay taxable dividends in cash and stock in later years. Moreover, various tax aspects of such a taxable cash/stock dividend are uncertain and have not yet been addressed by the IRS. No assurance can be given that the IRS will not impose additional requirements in the future with respect to taxable cash/stock dividends, including on a retroactive basis, or assert that the requirements for such taxable cash/stock dividends have not been met.
 
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
 
The REIT provisions of the Code substantially limit our ability to hedge our liabilities. Any income from a hedging transaction we enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes, price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire real estate assets, if properly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations, does not constitute “gross income” for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions will likely be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the gross income tests. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” As a result of these rules, we intend to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through a TRS. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because a TRS would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in a TRS will generally not provide any tax benefit, except for being carried forward against future taxable income of such TRS.
 
Certain of our business activities are potentially subject to the prohibited transaction tax, which could reduce the return on your investment.
 
As long as we qualify as a REIT, our ability to dispose of property during the first few years following acquisition may be restricted to a substantial extent as a result of our REIT qualification. Under applicable provisions of the Code regarding prohibited transactions by REITs, while we qualify as a REIT, we will be subject to a 100% penalty tax on any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of any property (other than foreclosure property) that we own, directly or through any subsidiary entity, including our operating partnership, but generally excluding our TRSs, that is deemed to be inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of trade or business. Whether property is inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends on the particular facts and circumstances surrounding each property. While we qualify as a REIT, we intend to avoid the 100% prohibited transaction tax by (1) conducting activities that may otherwise be considered prohibited transactions through a TRS (but such TRS will incur income taxes), (2) conducting our operations in such a manner so that no sale or other disposition of an asset we own, directly or through any subsidiary, will be treated as a prohibited transaction or (3) structuring certain dispositions of our properties to comply with a prohibited transaction safe harbor available under the Code for properties held for at least two years. However, despite our present intention, no assurance can be given that any particular property we own, directly or through any subsidiary entity, including our operating partnership, but generally excluding any TRSs, will not be treated as inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.
 
 
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If we were considered to actually or constructively pay a “preferential dividend” to certain of our stockholders, our status as a REIT could be adversely affected.
 
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income (excluding net capital gain), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid. In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents. Currently, there is uncertainty as to the IRS’s position regarding whether certain arrangements that REITs have with their stockholders could give rise to the inadvertent payment of a preferential dividend (e.g., the pricing methodology for stock purchased under a distribution reinvestment program inadvertently causing a greater than 5% discount on the price of such stock purchased). There is no de minimis exception with respect to preferential dividends; therefore, if the IRS were to take the position that we inadvertently paid a preferential dividend, we may be deemed to have failed the 90% distribution test, and our status as a REIT could be terminated for the year in which such determination is made if we were unable to cure such failure. While we believe that our operations have been structured in such a manner that we will not be treated as inadvertenly paying preferential dividends, we can provide no assurance to this effect.
 
Our ownership of a taxable REIT subsidiary will be limited and our transactions with a taxable REIT subsidiary will cause us to be subject to a 100% penalty tax on certain income or deductions if those transactions are not conducted on arm’s length terms.
 
A REIT may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs.  A TRS may hold assets and earn income that would not be qualifying assets or income if held or earned directly by a REIT.  Both the subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS.  A corporation of which a TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a TRS.  Overall, no more than 25% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs.  In addition, the TRS rules in certain instances limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its affiliated REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. The rules also impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis.
 
We intend to use a TRS for short- and medium-term net lease assets that we intend to acquire and promptly resell for immediate gain.  Our TRS will pay U.S. federal, state and local income tax on its taxable income, and its after-tax net income will be available for distribution to us but is not required to be distributed.  We anticipate that securities of our TRS will not make up more than 25% of the value of our total assets.  We will monitor the value of our investments in our TRS for the purpose of ensuring compliance with TRS ownership limitations.  Furthermore, we will scrutinize all of our transactions with our TRSs to ensure that they are entered into on arm’s length terms to avoid incurring the 100% penalty tax described above. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to comply with the 25% limitation discussed above or to avoid application of the 100% penalty tax discussed above.
 
If our operating partnership failed to qualify as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would cease to qualify as a REIT and suffer other adverse consequences.
 
We believe that our operating partnership will qualify to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, our operating partnership will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income. Instead, each of its partners, including us, will be required to include its allocable share of the operating partnership’s income in computing its taxable income. We cannot assure you, however, that the IRS, will not challenge our operating partnership’s status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS were successful in treating our operating partnership as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would fail to meet the gross income tests and certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs and, accordingly, cease to qualify as a REIT. Also, the failure of our operating partnership to qualify as a partnership would cause it to become subject to U.S. federal and state corporate income tax, which would reduce significantly the amount of cash available for debt service and for distribution to its partners, including us.
 
Foreign purchasers of our common stock may be subject to FIRPTA tax upon the sale of their shares.
 
A foreign person disposing of a U.S. real property interest, including shares of a U.S. corporation whose assets consist principally of U.S. real property interests, is generally subject to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax of 1980, as amended, known as FIRPTA, on the gain recognized on the disposition.  Such FIRPTA tax does not apply, however, to the disposition of stock in a REIT if the REIT is “domestically controlled.” A REIT is “domestically controlled” if less than 50% of the REIT’s stock, by value, has been owned directly or indirectly by persons who are not qualifying U.S. persons during a continuous five-year period ending on the date of disposition or, if shorter, during the entire period of the REIT’s existence.  We cannot assure you that we will qualify as a “domestically controlled” REIT.  If we were to fail to so qualify, gain realized by foreign investors on a sale of our shares would be subject to FIRPTA tax, unless our shares were traded on an established securities market and the foreign investor did not at any time during a specified testing period directly or indirectly own more than 5% of the value of our outstanding common stock.  See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Special Tax Considerations for Non-US. Stockholders — Sale of our Shares by a Non-US. Stockholder.”
 
 
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In order to avoid triggering additional taxes and/or penalties, if you intend to invest in our shares through pension or profit-sharing trusts or IRAs, you should consider additional factors.
 
If you are investing the assets of a pension, profit-sharing, 401(k), Keogh or other qualified retirement plan or the assets of an IRA in our common stock, you should satisfy yourself that, among other things:
 
 
·
your investment is consistent with your fiduciary obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code;
 
 
·
your investment is made in accordance with the documents and instruments governing your plan or IRA, including your plan’s investment policy;
 
 
·
your investment satisfies the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA;
 
 
·
your investment will not impair the liquidity of the plan or IRA;
 
 
·
your investment will not produce UBTI for the plan or IRA;
 
 
·
you will be able to value the assets of the plan annually in accordance with ERISA or Code requirements; and
 
 
·
your investment will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
For a more complete discussion of the foregoing risks and other issues associated with an investment in shares by retirement plans, please see the “Investment by Tax-Exempt Entities and ERISA Considerations” section of this prospectus.
 
Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Code.
 
Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist. Even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. In addition, our ability to satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT depends in part on the actions of third parties over which we have no control or only limited influence, including in cases where we own an equity interest in an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements contained in this registration statement, other than historical facts, may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  We intend for all such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, as applicable by law.  Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, and prospects and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, as well as known and unknown risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated.  Therefore, such statements are not intended to be a guarantee of our performance in future periods.  Such forward-looking statements can generally be identified by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” or other similar words.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date this report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We make no representation or warranty (express or implied) about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements contained in this registration statement, and we do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  Any forward-looking statements are subject to unknown risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of this registration statement.
 
 
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ESTIMATED USE OF PROCEEDS
 
The following table sets forth information about how we have used proceeds raised in the initial offering and intend to use the proceeds raised in this follow-on offering, assuming that we sell the maximum offering of 150,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the initial offering and 32,500,000 shares of common stock pursuant to this follow-on offering; the combined total offering amount will not exceed $1.5 billion.  Many of the figures set forth below represent management’s best estimate since they cannot be precisely calculated at this time.  Assuming a maximum offering, we expect that approximately 87.115% of the money that stockholders invest will be used to buy real estate or make other investments and approximately 0.1% will be used for working capital, while the remaining approximately 12.885% will be used to pay expenses and fees including the payment of fees to Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, our advisor, and Realty Capital Securities, LLC, our dealer manager.
 
   
Actual Initial
Offering Amount 
(as of June 30, 2010)
      
Maximum Initial
Offering(1)
(Not Including
Distribution
Reinvestment Plan)
      
Maximum Follow-
On Offering(9)
        
         
Amount
   
Amount
   
Percent
Gross Offering Proceeds
  $ 328,652,000     $ 1,500,000,000     $ 325,000,000       100 %
Less Public Offering Expenses:
                               
Selling Commissions and Dealer Manager Fee(2)
  $ 26,814,000       150,000,000       32,500,000       10.0 %
Organization and Offering Expenses(3)
  $ 14,027,000       22,500,000       4,875,000       1.5 %
Amount Available for Investment(4)
  $ 287,811,000       287,625,000       287,625,000       88.5 %
Acquisition and Development: