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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)​
 Registration No. 333-259226​
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated September 1, 2021)
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NETSTREIT CORP.
9,600,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
​
This is a public offering of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“common stock”). We have entered into a forward sale agreement with each of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Bank of America, N.A., which we refer to in this capacity as the forward purchasers. In connection with the forward sale agreements, the forward purchasers or their affiliates are borrowing from third parties and selling to the underwriters an aggregate of 9,600,000 shares of our common stock (or an aggregate of 11,040,000 shares of our common stock if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) that will be delivered in this offering.
We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the forward purchasers. We expect to physically settle the forward sale agreements (by the delivery of shares of our common stock) and receive proceeds from the sale of those shares of our common stock upon one or more forward settlement dates no later than January 9, 2025. We may also elect to cash settle or net share settle all or a portion of our obligations under a forward sale agreement if we conclude it is in our best interest to do so. If we elect to cash settle a forward sale agreement, we may not receive any proceeds and we may owe cash to the relevant forward purchaser in certain circumstances. If we elect to net share settle a forward sale agreement, we will not receive any proceeds, and we may owe shares of our common stock to the relevant forward purchaser in certain circumstances. See “Underwriting—Forward Sale Agreements.”
If any forward purchaser or its affiliate does not sell on the anticipated closing date of this offering all of the shares of our common stock to be sold by it to the underwriters, we will issue and sell to the underwriters a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock that such forward purchaser or its affiliate did not sell and the number of shares underlying the relevant forward sale agreement will be decreased in respect of the number of shares that we issue and sell.
Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading symbol “NTST.” On January 9, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $18.46 per share.
We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the U.S. federal income tax laws. To assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT, among other reasons, our charter generally limits beneficial ownership of our capital stock by any person to no more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all our outstanding stock. Our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock.
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Investing in our common stock involves risks. You should read the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement before investing in our securities.
​ ​ ​
Per Share
​ ​
Total(1)
​
Public offering price
​ ​ ​ $ 18.00 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 172,800,000 ​ ​
Underwriting discount(2)
​ ​ ​ $ 0.72 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 6,912,000 ​ ​
Offering proceeds before expenses(3)
​ ​ ​ $ 17.28 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 165,888,000 ​ ​
​
(1)
Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares described below.
​
(2)
See “Underwriting” for additional disclosure regarding underwriting compensation.
​
(3)
We expect to receive net proceeds from the sale of the shares of our common stock, before fees and estimated expenses, of $165.9 million upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements, which we expect to occur no later than January 9, 2025. For the purposes of calculating the aggregate net proceeds to us, we have assumed that the forward sale agreements will be fully physically settled based on the initial forward sale price of $17.28 per share, which is the public offering price less the underwriting discount shown above. The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of each of the forward sale agreements, and the actual proceeds, if any, to us will be calculated as described in this prospectus supplement. Although we expect to settle the forward sale agreements entirely by the full physical delivery of shares of our common stock in exchange for cash proceeds, we may elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of our obligations under any forward sale agreement. See “Underwriting—Forward Sale Agreements” for a description of the forward sale agreements.
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We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 1,440,000 shares of our common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement. Upon any exercise of such option, we will use commercially reasonable best efforts to enter into additional forward sale agreements with the forward purchasers in respect of the number of shares that are subject to the exercise of such option. Unless the context requires otherwise, the term “forward sale agreements” as used in this prospectus supplement includes any additional forward sale agreements that we enter into in connection with the exercise, by the underwriters, of their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. In the event that we enter into any additional forward sale agreements, if any forward purchaser or its affiliates does not deliver and sell all of the shares of our common stock to be sold by it in connection with the exercise of such option, we will issue and sell to the underwriters a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares that the forward purchaser or its affiliates does not deliver and sell, and the number of shares underlying the relevant forward sale agreement will not be increased in respect of the number of shares that we issue and sell.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock against payment on or about January 12, 2024 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.
Joint Book-Running Managers
​
Wells Fargo Securities
​ ​
BofA Securities
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​
Jefferies
​ ​
Truist Securities
​ ​
Capital One Securities
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Regions Securities LLC
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Scotiabank
​ ​
TD Securities
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​
Mizuho
​ ​
Stifel
​ ​
Citigroup
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Co-Managers
​
Baird
​ ​
BTIG
​ ​
Raymond James
​ ​
Wolfe Capital Markets and Advisory
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​
Ramirez & Co., Inc.
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Comerica Securities
​ ​
Roberts & Ryan
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The date of this prospectus supplement is January 9, 2024
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and updates the information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. If there is a difference between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. In addition, to the extent any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus from a filing we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) after the date of this prospectus supplement adds to, updates or changes information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or an earlier filing we made with the SEC that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, the information in such later filing shall be deemed to modify, update and supersede such information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the earlier filing with the SEC. Generally, when we refer to the prospectus, we are referring to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus combined.
Neither we nor the underwriters nor the forward purchasers have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representation other than as contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by, or on behalf of, us. We, the underwriters and the forward purchasers take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We, the underwriters and the forward purchasers are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “NETSTREIT,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NETSTREIT Corp., a Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries, including NETSTREIT, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to in this prospectus as “our operating partnership.”
 
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompany prospectus, includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding, among other things, our strategy, future operations, financial position, projected costs, our acquisition pipeline, credit facility commitments, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events.
Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
•
global market and economic conditions;
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•
risks inherent in the real estate business, including tenant defaults, illiquidity of real estate investments, construction delays, cost overruns, receipt of zoning and other regulatory approvals, potential liability relating to environmental matters and potential damages from natural disasters;
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•
our ability to successfully execute our property acquisition or development strategies;
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•
the accuracy of our assessment that certain businesses are e-commerce resistant and recession-resilient;
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•
the accuracy of the tools we use to determine the creditworthiness of our tenants;
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•
our assessment of the creditworthiness of the borrowers under the mortgage loans in which we invest, the value of the properties that secure such mortgage loans, and our ability to exercise remedies in the event of borrower defaults;
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•
concentration of our business within certain geographic markets, tenant categories and with certain tenants;
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•
demand for retail space;
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•
ability to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-lease space as existing leases expire or are terminated;
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•
the degree and nature of our competition;
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•
our ability to retain our key management personnel;
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•
failure, weakness, interruption or breach in security of our information systems;
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•
access to capital markets;
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•
our failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;
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•
inflation and interest rate fluctuations;
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•
failure to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT;
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•
changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, applicable law or regulation; and
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•
the other risks identified in this prospectus supplement, including those under the heading “Risk Factors,” and the sections titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended, December 31, 2022, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents that we file with the SEC.
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These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results or financial condition. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
 
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include information about the shares of common stock that we are offering as well as information regarding our business. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety. You should carefully consider the information set forth under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q before making your investment decision.
Unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, all portfolio data contained in this prospectus supplement reflects properties owned by us on September 30, 2023 and is provided as of such date.
Company Overview
We are an internally managed real estate company that acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of single-tenant, retail commercial real estate subject to long-term net leases with high credit quality tenants across the United States. We also invest in property developments and mortgages secured by real estate. As of September 30, 2023, we owned or had investments in 547 single-tenant retail net leased properties that were diversified by tenant, industry and geography, including 85 different tenants, across 26 retail sectors in 45 states consisting of approximately 10.0 million square feet. This excludes 32 property developments where rent has yet to commence. We focus on tenants in industries where a physical location is critical to the generation of sales and profits, with a focus on necessity goods and essential services in the retail sector, including home improvement, auto parts, drug stores and pharmacies, general retail, grocers, convenience stores, discount stores, and quick-service restaurants, all of which we refer to as defensive retail industries. As of September 30, 2023, our investments generated annualized base rent (“ABR”)1 of $124.3 million. Approximately 69% of our ABR was from investment grade2 credit rated tenants and an additional 15% of our ABR was derived from tenants with an investment grade profile.3 Exclusive of mortgage loans receivable, our portfolio was 100% occupied with a weighted average remaining lease term (“WALT”) of 9.3 years, which we believe provides us with a strong stable source of recurring cash flow from our portfolio.
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1  ABR is annualized base rent as of September 30, 2023, or December 31, 2023 if so indicated, for all leases that commenced and annualized cash interest on mortgage loans receivable in place as of that date.
2  We define “investment grade” tenants as tenants, or tenants that are subsidiaries of a parent entity, with a credit rating of BBB- (S&P/Fitch), Baa3 (Moody’s) or NAIC2 (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) or higher.
3  We define “investment grade profile” tenants as tenants with metrics of more than $1.0 billion in annual sales and a debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of less than 2.0x but do not carry a published rating from S&P, Moody’s or NAIC.
 
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No single tenant represents more than 8.2% of our portfolio by ABR, and our top 10 largest tenants represent in aggregate 51.5% of our ABR. Eight of our top 10 tenants are publicly traded companies and eight have investment grade credit ratings, in addition to Hobby Lobby and Festival Foods, which each have an investment grade profile.
CVS (Baa2 (Moody’s); BBB (S&P); NYSE: CVS). CVS is the nation’s premier health innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, CVS has more than 9,000 retail locations and more than 1,000 walk-in medical clinics.
Dollar General (Baa2 (Moody’s); BBB (S&P); NYSE: DG). Dollar General offers products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at low prices in convenient neighborhood locations since 1939. Dollar General operates 19,294 stores across 47 U.S. states and Mexico and is headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Walgreens (Baa3 (Moody’s); BBB- (S&P); NASDAQ: WBA). Walgreens is a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy that was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. Walgreens has a presence in eight countries and has approximately 12,500 locations.
Ahold Delhaize (Baa1 (Moody’s); BBB+ (S&P); AMS: AD). Ahold Delhaize is one of the world’s largest food retail groups, with brands like Food Lion and Stop & Shop. Ahold Delhaize and its local brands employ approximately 414,000 associates in around 7,659 local grocery, small format and specialty stores. The first Ahold Delhaize grocery store was opened in 1867.
Hobby Lobby (investment grade profile; not public). With more than 900 stores, Hobby Lobby is the largest privately owned arts-and-crafts retailer in the world, with over 43,000 employees and operating in 48 states. Hobby Lobby was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Dollar Tree / Family Dollar (Baa2 (Moody’s); BBB (S&P); NASDAQ: DLTR). Dollar Tree is a leading operator of discount variety stores with more than 16,000 stores in the United States and Canada and more than 200,000 associates.
Home Depot (A2 (Moody’s); A (S&P); NYSE: HD). Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer with more than 2,300 stores in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
7-Eleven (Baa2 (Moody’s); A (S&P); TSE: 3382). 7-Eleven is the world’s largest convenience retailer and operates, franchises and/or licenses approximately 85,000 stores in 20 countries and regions.
Speedway (Baa2 (Moody’s); A (S&P); TSE: 3382). Speedway is an American convenience store and gas station chain headquartered in Enon, Ohio that is wholly owned and operated by 7-Eleven, with locations primarily in the Midwest and the East Coast regions of the United States.
 
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Festival Foods (investment grade profile; not public). Festival Foods is a grocery store chain that operates 41 locations throughout Wisconsin. Festival Foods was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in De Pere, Wisconsin.
Diversification by Industry, Tenant and Geography with
Concentration in Necessity, Discount and/or Service Industries
The majority of our portfolio is comprised of properties leased to tenants operating in defensive retail industries, with 87.0% of our ABR stemming from necessity, discount and/or service-oriented industries. Necessity-based industries are those that are considered essential by consumers and include sectors such as drug stores, grocers and home improvement. Discount retailers offer a low price point and consist of off-price and dollar stores. Service-oriented industries consist of retailers that provide services rather than goods, including, for example, tire and auto services and quick service restaurants.
The following chart illustrates the percentage of our ABR attributable to defensive retail industries.
[MISSING IMAGE: pc_retail-4c.jpg]
The breakdown of our necessity-based retail, discount-focused, service-oriented and other retail industries by percentage of ABR is set forth below.
Retail Industries
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Percentage of ABR(1)
​
Necessity-Based Retail ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Drug Stores & Pharmacies
​ ​ ​ ​ 15.7% ​ ​
Grocery
​ ​ ​ ​ 15.5% ​ ​
Home Improvement
​ ​ ​ ​ 11.3% ​ ​
Auto Parts
​ ​ ​ ​ 4.4% ​ ​
General Retail
​ ​ ​ ​ 3.0% ​ ​
Healthcare
​ ​ ​ ​ 1.9% ​ ​
Farm Supplies
​ ​ ​ ​ 1.3% ​ ​
Banking
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.4% ​ ​
Wholesale Warehouse Club
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.3% ​ ​
Total Necessity-Based
​ ​ ​ ​ 53.8% ​ ​
 
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Retail Industries
​ ​
Percentage of ABR(1)
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Discount-Focused Industry ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Dollar Stores
​ ​ ​ ​ 12.4% ​ ​
Discount Retail
​ ​ ​ ​ 6.8% ​ ​
Total Discount Focused
​ ​ ​ ​ 19.1% ​ ​
Service-Oriented Industry ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Convenience Stores
​ ​ ​ ​ 7.8% ​ ​
Quick-Service Restaurants
​ ​ ​ ​ 2.7% ​ ​
Automotive Service
​ ​ ​ ​ 1.4% ​ ​
Casual Dining
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.9% ​ ​
Health and Fitness
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.8% ​ ​
Equipment Rental and Leasing
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.5% ​ ​
Total Service-Oriented
​ ​ ​ ​ 14.0% ​ ​
Defensive Retail Industries
​ ​ ​ ​ 87.0% ​ ​
Other, Non-Defensive Industries ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Arts & Crafts
​ ​ ​ ​ 4.4% ​ ​
Sporting Goods
​ ​ ​ ​ 3.1% ​ ​
Consumer Electronics
​ ​ ​ ​ 2.6% ​ ​
Specialty
​ ​ ​ ​ 1.4% ​ ​
Furniture Stores
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.7% ​ ​
Apparel
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.4% ​ ​
Gift, Novelty & Souvenir Shops
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.2% ​ ​
Telecommunications
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.1% ​ ​
Home Furnishings
​ ​ ​ ​ 0.1% ​ ​
Total Other, Non-Defensive
​ ​ ​ ​ 13.0% ​ ​
Total, All Industries
​ ​ ​ ​ 100.0% ​ ​
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​
(1)
Certain figures in this table may not foot due to rounding.
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•
Diversification by Industry.   Our tenants’ business brands and concepts are diversified across 26 industries, with no single industry representing more than 15.7% of our portfolio by ABR.
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•
Diversification by Tenant.   Our investments are operated by 85 tenants, each representing a distinct brand or concept, with no single tenant representing more than 8.2% of our portfolio by ABR.
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•
Diversification by Geography.   Our investments are spread across 45 states, with no single state representing more than 8.1% of our portfolio by ABR.
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Our leases typically have initial lease terms of at least 10 years and contain two or more options for the tenant to extend the lease term, most often for additional five-year periods. Exclusive of mortgage loans receivable, our lease turnover through 2026 is 4.6% of ABR (assuming no exercise of contractual extension options). Exclusive of mortgage loans receivable, the leases in our portfolio have a WALT of 9.3 years, with no single lease term that expires prior to September 30, 2024.
Recent Developments
Completed and Pending Investment Activity
During the period from October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, we had investment activity of $119.1 million in 57 investments at a weighted average cash yield of 7.2%, including transaction costs,
 
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which includes $25.8 million of developments where rent had commenced and $7.3 million of mortgage loans receivable. Exclusive of mortgage loans receivable, these investments had a WALT of 10.9 years. 94.3% of the ABR of these investments have an investment grade credit rating and 4.4% have investment grade profiles.
As of December 31, 2023, we were party to purchase and sale agreements, letters of intent, or similar agreements aggregating to $184.2 million, excluding transaction costs. These 86 pending investments include $51.6 million of acquisitions, $114.3 million of projected development completions, of which approximately 33% had been funded through December 31, 2023, and $18.2 million of mortgage loans receivable. Exclusive of mortgage loans receivable, the pending investments have a WALT of 12.9 years and are expected to generate a weighted average cash yield of 7.4%. 83.1% of the estimated ABR of these pending investments have an investment grade credit rating and 10.8% have investment grade profiles. Each of these investments are subject to conditions to closing, including in some instances entry into purchase and sale agreements, and there can be no assurance that we will close such investments on the terms set forth herein or at all.
In aggregate, for the period from October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, our completed and pending investment activity totaled $303.3 million. This amount relates to 143 completed and pending investments. Exclusive of mortgage loans receivable not funded as of December 31, 2023, these investments are expected to generate a weighted average cash yield of 7.3%. The WALT, excluding mortgage loans receivable, is 12.1 years. 87.3% of the estimated ABR of these completed and pending investments have an investment grade credit rating and 8.4% have investment grade profiles.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we had investment activity of $480.5 million at a weighted average cash yield of 7.2%, including transaction costs. 81.4% of the ABR of these completed investments have an investment grade credit rating and 11.8% have investment grade profiles.
Completed and Pending Dispositions and Loan Payoffs
During the period from October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, we completed six disposition transactions, including one mortgage loan repayment, resulting in gross proceeds of $16.0 million at a weighted average cash yield of 7.2%. As of December 31, 2023, we were party to purchase and sale agreements, letters of intent, or similar agreements relating to 13 property dispositions with aggregate estimated gross proceeds of $21.3 million at a weighted average cash yield of 7.1%. Each of these pending dispositions are subject to conditions to closing, including in some instances entry into purchase and sale agreements, and there can be no assurance that we will close such dispositions on the terms set forth herein or at all.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed 22 disposition transactions, including three mortgage loan repayments, resulting in gross proceeds of $49.5 million.
ATM Program
On October 25, 2023, we entered into a $300.0 million at-the-market equity program (the “New ATM Program”) through which, from time to time, we may sell shares of our common stock in registered transactions. From October 25, 2023 through December 31, 2023, we sold 4,478,539 shares of our common stock at a weighted average price of $17.27 per share, from which we received net proceeds of $76.7 million. As of December 31, 2023, we had $222.7 million in remaining gross proceeds available for future issuances of shares of our common stock under the New ATM Program.
Effective October 24, 2023, in connection with the establishment of the New ATM Program, we terminated our prior $250.0 million at-the-market equity program (the “Prior ATM Program”). As a result of such termination, we will not offer or sell any additional shares of common stock under the Prior ATM Program. We have entered into a forward confirmation with respect to 5,983,711 shares of common stock under the Prior ATM Program that remains unsettled. We may physically settle this forward confirmation (by the delivery of shares of common stock) and receive proceeds from the sale of those shares on one or more forward settlement dates, which shall occur no later than September 13, 2024.
 
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Company Information
Our headquarters are located at 2021 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1150, Dallas, Texas 75201 and our telephone number is (972) 200-7100. Our website address is www.NETSTREIT.com. The information located on, or otherwise accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.
THE OFFERING
Issuer
NETSTREIT CORP.
Shares of common stock offered by the forward purchasers or affiliates thereof
9,600,000 shares (11,040,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full)(1)(2)
Common stock to be outstanding after the settlement of the forward sale agreements assuming full physical settlement
78,301,223 shares (or 79,741,223 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full)(2)(3)
Accounting treatment of the transaction
Before any issuance of shares of our common stock upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreement, such forward sale agreement will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of our common stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares of our common stock that would be issued upon full physical settlement of such forward sale agreement over the number of shares of our common stock that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). Consequently, prior to physical settlement or net share settlement of the forward sale agreement and subject to the occurrence of certain events, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share except during periods when the average market price of our common stock is above the per share forward sale price, which is initially $17.28 (which is the price at which the underwriters agree to buy the shares of our common stock offered hereby), subject to adjustment based on a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread, and subject to decrease by an amount per share specified in the forward sale agreement related to expected dividends on our common stock on each of certain dates specified in the forward sale agreement. However, if we decide to physically settle or net share settle the forward sale agreement, delivery of our shares on any physical settlement or net share settlement of the forward sale agreement will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.
Use of proceeds
We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the forward purchasers or their affiliates.
We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $165.3 million (or $190.2 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full) (in each case after deducting fees and estimated expenses related to the forward sale agreements and this
 
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offering), subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the forward sale agreements, only upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements, which we expect will be no later than January 9, 2025.(1)(2)(3)(4)
We intend to contribute the net proceeds, if any, received upon the settlement of the forward sale agreements (and from the sale of any shares of common stock sold by us to the underwriters in connection with this offering) to our operating partnership in exchange for Class A units of limited partnership (“OP units”) of our operating partnership, and our operating partnership intends to use the net proceeds received from us for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of amounts outstanding from time to time under our $400.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”), and funding of acquisitions of properties and development activities in our pipeline. See “Use of Proceeds.”
NYSE symbol
“NTST”
Ownership and transfer
restrictions
To assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT, among other purposes, our charter generally limits beneficial ownership of our capital stock by any person to no more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all our outstanding stock. Our charter contains certain other limits on beneficial and constructive ownership and transfer of shares of our stock.
Risk factors
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. For a discussion of factors you should consider before making an investment, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
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(1)
The forward purchasers have advised us that they or their affiliates intend to acquire shares of common stock to be sold under this prospectus supplement through borrowings from third-party stock lenders. Subject to the occurrence of certain events, we will not be obligated to deliver shares of common stock under the forward sale agreements until final physical or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements, which we expect will be no later than January 9, 2025. Except in certain circumstances, and subject to certain conditions, we have the right to elect cash settlement or net share settlement under the forward sale agreements. See “Underwriting—Forward Sale Agreements” for a description of the forward sale agreements.
​
(2)
We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 1,440,000 shares of our common stock. The amounts in the summary assume that we have entered into additional forward sale agreements with respect to the exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares, which we are obligated to use our commercially reasonable best efforts to do.
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(3)
The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after the physical settlement of the forward sale agreements is based on 68,701,223 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and excludes: (i) an aggregate of 487,841 shares of our common stock that we may issue in exchange for outstanding OP units on a one-for-one basis (subject to certain adjustments) as of September 30, 2023, (ii) 618,226 shares of our common stock underlying outstanding restricted stock units that we have granted pursuant to the NETSTREIT Corp. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”) as of September 30, 2023,
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(iii) 1,014,320 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our Omnibus Incentive Plan as of September 30, 2023, (iv) 5,983,711 shares of our common stock subject to a forward confirmation under the Prior ATM Program, which may be physically settled (by the delivery of shares of common stock) no later than September 13, 2024 and (v) 4,478,539 shares of our common stock issued pursuant to our New ATM Program after September 30, 2023.
(4)
The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the forward sale agreements, and any net proceeds to us are subject to settlement of the forward sale agreements.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the information set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones facing our Company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks. As a result, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.
Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements
Provisions contained in the forward sale agreements could result in substantial dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity or result in substantial cash payment obligations.
If the forward purchasers or their affiliates do not sell all the shares of our common stock to be sold by them pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement (including because insufficient shares of our common stock were made available by securities lenders for borrowing at a stock loan cost below a specified threshold), we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters the number of shares of our common stock not sold by the forward purchasers or their affiliates and, under such circumstances, the number of shares of our common stock underlying the forward sale agreements will be decreased by the number of shares of our common stock that we issue and sell. The stock loan market is volatile, and it is uncertain whether sufficient shares of our common stock will be made available prior to closing.
Each forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate its forward sale agreement (with respect to all or any portion of the transaction under such forward sale agreement that the forward purchaser determines is affected by any event described below, except with respect to events specified in the first and third bullet points below, where accelerated settlement will not exceed the portion of shares of our common stock whose settlement would address the relevant event or that is affected by the relevant event) and require us to settle on a date specified by the forward purchaser if:
•
in the forward purchaser’s commercially reasonable judgment, it or its affiliate (x) is unable to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under such forward sale agreement because insufficient shares of our common stock have been made available for borrowing by securities lenders and we were not able to refer the forward purchaser to a satisfactory stock lender or (y) would incur a stock borrow cost in excess of a specified threshold to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under such forward sale agreement and we do not elect to amend the forward sale agreement or pay such excess cost;
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•
we declare any dividend, issue or distribution on shares of our common stock (a) payable in cash in excess of specified amounts, (b) that constitutes an extraordinary dividend under the forward sale agreement, (c) payable in securities of another company as a result of a spin-off or similar transaction, or (d) of any other type of securities (other than our common stock), rights, warrants or other assets for payment at less than the prevailing market price;
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•
certain ownership thresholds applicable to the forward purchaser and its affiliates are exceeded;
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•
an event is announced that if consummated would result in a specified extraordinary event (including certain mergers or tender offers, as well as certain events involving our nationalization, or insolvency, or a delisting of our common stock) or the occurrence of a change in law or disruption in the forward purchaser’s ability to hedge its exposure under the forward sale agreement; or
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•
certain other events of default or termination events occur, including, among others, any material misrepresentation made in connection with such forward sale agreement or our insolvency (each as more fully described in the forward sale agreement).
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A forward purchaser’s decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of the forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver shares of our common stock under the physical settlement provisions of such forward sale agreement irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.
We expect that the forward sale agreements will settle no later than January 9, 2025. However, a forward sale agreement may be settled earlier in whole or in part at our option. Subject to certain conditions, we have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under the forward sale agreements. Each forward sale agreement will be physically settled by delivery of shares of our common stock, unless we elect to cash settle or net share settle such forward sale agreement. Delivery of shares of our common stock upon physical settlement (or, if we elect net share settlement, upon such settlement to the extent we are obligated to deliver shares of our common stock) will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. If we elect cash settlement or net share settlement with respect to all or a portion of the shares of our common stock underlying the forward sale agreements, we expect the forward purchasers (or their affiliates) to purchase a number of shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions over an unwind period to:
•
return shares of our common stock to securities lenders in order to unwind such forward purchaser’s hedge (after taking into consideration any shares of our common stock to be delivered by us to such forward purchaser, in the case of net share settlement); and
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•
if applicable, in the case of net share settlement, deliver shares of our common stock to us to the extent required in settlement of such forward sale agreement.
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In addition, the purchase of shares of our common stock in connection with a forward purchaser or its affiliate unwinding such forward purchaser’s hedge positions could cause the price of shares of our common stock to increase over such time (or prevent a decrease over such time), thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe to such forward purchaser (or decreasing the amount of cash that such forward purchaser would owe us) upon a cash settlement of such forward sale agreement or increasing the number of shares of our common stock we would deliver to such forward purchaser (or decreasing the number of shares of our common stock that such forward purchaser would deliver to us) upon net share settlement of such forward sale agreement.
The forward sale price that we expect to receive upon physical settlement of a forward sale agreement will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread and will be decreased based on certain specified amounts related to expected dividends on our common stock during the term of the forward sale agreements. If the specified daily rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price. As of the filing of this prospectus supplement, the specified daily rate was greater than the spread, increasing the proceeds that we would receive upon settlement of the forward sale agreements. If the weighted average price at which the applicable forward purchaser (or its affiliates) is able to purchase shares during the applicable unwind period under a forward sale agreement is above the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay the applicable forward purchaser under such forward sale agreement an amount in cash equal to the difference multiplied by the number of shares subject to the forward transaction or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to the applicable forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference multiplied by the number of shares subject to the forward transaction. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment in the case of cash settlement. If the weighted average price at which the applicable forward purchaser (or its affiliate) is able to purchase shares during the applicable unwind period under such forward sale agreement is below the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would be paid the difference multiplied by the number of shares subject to the forward transaction in cash by such forward purchaser under the forward sale agreement or, in the case of net share settlement, we would receive from the forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference multiplied by the number of shares subject to the forward transaction. See “Underwriting—Forward Sale Agreements” for information on the forward sale agreements.
 
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In case of our bankruptcy or insolvency, the forward sale agreements would automatically terminate, and we would not receive the expected proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock.
If we or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us institutes, or we consent to, a proceeding seeking a judgment in bankruptcy or insolvency or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or we or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us presents a petition for our winding-up or liquidation, or we consent to such a petition or any other bankruptcy proceeding commences with respect to us, the forward sale agreements will automatically terminate. If the forward sale agreements so terminate, we would not be obligated to deliver to the forward purchasers any shares of our common stock not previously delivered, and the applicable forward purchaser would be discharged from its obligation to pay the relevant forward sale price per share in respect of any shares of our common stock not previously settled. Therefore, to the extent that there are any shares of our common stock with respect to which such forward sale agreement has not been settled at the time of the commencement of or consent to any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or the presentation of any such petition, we would not receive the relevant forward sale price per share in respect of those shares of our common stock.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the cash that we might receive from cash settlement of the forward sale agreement is unclear and could jeopardize our ability to meet the REIT qualification requirements.
In the event that we elect to settle a forward sale agreement for cash and the settlement price is below the applicable forward sale price, we would be entitled to receive a cash payment from the applicable forward purchaser. Under Section 1032 of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), generally, no gain or loss is recognized by a corporation when it deals in its own shares, including pursuant to a “securities futures contract,” as defined in the Code by reference to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Although we believe that any amount received by us in exchange for our stock would qualify for the exemption under Section 1032 of the Code, because it is not entirely clear whether each forward sale agreement qualifies as a “securities futures contract,” the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any cash settlement payment we receive is uncertain. In the event that we recognize a significant gain from the cash settlement of a forward sale agreement, we might not be able to satisfy the gross income requirements applicable to REITs under the Code. In that case, we may be able to rely upon the relief provisions under the Code in order to avoid the loss of our REIT status. Even if the relief provisions apply, we will be subject to a 100% tax on the greater of (i) the excess of 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) over the amount of such income attributable to sources that qualify under the 75% test or (ii) the excess of 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) over the amount of such gross income attributable to sources that qualify under the 95% test, as discussed in the section titled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus, multiplied in either case by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. In the event that these relief provisions were not available, we could lose our REIT status under the Code.
Risks Related to this Offering
The market price of shares of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.
The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations. Securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, such as the global economic and financial market downturn and the conflict in Ukraine and Israel, may cause or continue to cause, among other things, tightening in the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, higher interest rates, increased inflation, increases in the rate of default and bankruptcy and lower consumer and business spending, could reduce the market price of shares of our common stock in spite of our operating performance. In addition, our results of operations could be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors due to a number of potential factors, including variations in our quarterly results of operations, additions or departures of key management personnel, failure to meet analysts’ earnings estimates, publication of research reports about our industry, litigation and government investigations, changes or proposed changes in laws or regulations or differing interpretations or enforcement thereof affecting our business, adverse market reaction to any indebtedness we may incur or securities we may issue
 
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in the future, changes in market valuations of similar companies or speculation in the press or investment community, announcements by our competitors of significant acquisitions, dispositions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments and adverse publicity about our industry in or individual scandals, and in response the market price of shares of our common stock could decrease significantly.
In the past year, stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.
Future sales or issuances of our common stock or other securities convertible into our common stock could cause the market value of our common stock to decline and could result in dilution of your shares.
Our board of directors is authorized to increase the total number of shares of stock that we are authorized to issue and, without your approval, to cause us to issue additional shares of our stock or to raise capital through the issuance of preferred stock, options, warrants and other rights on terms and for consideration as our board of directors in its sole discretion may determine. The sale or issuance of substantial amounts of our common stock will dilute your ownership and could cause the market price of our common stock to decrease significantly. We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future sales or issuances of our common stock, or the availability of our common stock for future sales, on the value of our common stock. The sale or issuance of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the perception that such sales or issuances could occur, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
In addition, our operating partnership may issue additional OP units to third parties without the consent of our stockholders, which would reduce our ownership percentage in our operating partnership and would have a dilutive effect on the amount of distributions made to us by our operating partnership and, therefore, the amount of distributions we can make to our stockholders. Any such issuances, or the perception of such issuances, could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Future offerings of debt securities or preferred stock, which would rank senior to our common stock upon our bankruptcy or liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities that may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of dividend and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
In the future, we may attempt to raise additional capital by making offerings of debt securities or additional offerings of equity securities, including preferred stock. Upon bankruptcy or liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Our preferred stock, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments or both that could limit our ability to pay a dividend or other distribution to the holders of our common stock. Our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control. As a result, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings, and purchasers of our common stock in this offering bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their ownership interest in our Company.
We will have broad discretion in the use of a significant part of the net proceeds, if any, from this offering and may not use them effectively.
Our management currently intends to use the net proceeds, if any, from this offering in the manner described in “Use of Proceeds,” and will have broad discretion in the application of any net proceeds. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could affect our ability to operate and grow our business.
The form, timing and/or amount of dividend distributions in future periods may vary and be affected by economic and other considerations.
The form, timing and/or amount of dividend distributions will be authorized at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on actual cash from operations, our financial condition, capital requirements, the annual distribution requirements applicable to REITs under the Code and other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.
 
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the forward purchasers or their affiliates.
Assuming full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements at an initial forward sale price of $17.28 per share, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $165.3 million (or $190.2 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full) (after deducting fees and estimated expenses related to the forward sale agreements and this offering), subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the forward sale agreements, upon settlement of the forward sale agreements, which settlement we expect will occur no later than January 9, 2025. The forward sale price that we expect to receive upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread and will be decreased based on amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock during the term of the forward sale agreements. If the specified daily rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price. As of the filing of this prospectus supplement, the specified daily rate was greater than the spread, increasing the proceeds that we would receive upon settlement of the forward sale agreements.
We intend to contribute the net proceeds, if any, received upon the settlement of the forward sale agreement (and from the sale of any shares of common stock sold by us to the underwriters in connection with this offering) to our operating partnership in exchange for OP Units, and our operating partnership intends to use the net proceeds received from us for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of amounts outstanding from time to time under the Revolver, and funding of acquisitions of properties and development activities in our pipeline. The interest rate on the Revolver is based on our consolidated total leverage ratio, and is determined by either (i) SOFR, plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10%, plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.45%, based on our consolidated total leverage ratio, or (ii) a Base Rate (as defined in the credit agreement governing the Revolver), plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.45%, based on our consolidated total leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2023, there were $80.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the Revolver and the interest rate was 6.49%. The Revolver matures on August 11, 2026, subject to a one year extension option at our election (subject to certain conditions) to August 11, 2027.
Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates are lead arrangers, bookrunners, lenders, administrative agents, syndication agents or documentation agents, as applicable, under the Revolver. To the extent our operating partnership uses any of the net proceeds contributed by us to repay amounts outstanding from time to time under the Revolver, such underwriters or their affiliates will receive a portion of the net proceeds. See “Underwriting—Conflicts of Interest and Other Relationships.”
Pending application of the net proceeds, we will invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing securities that are consistent with our intention to maintain our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such investments may include, for example, government and government agency certificates, government bonds, certificates of deposit, interest-bearing bank deposits, money market accounts and mortgage loan participations.
If, however, we elect to cash settle a forward sale agreement, we would expect to receive an amount of net proceeds that is significantly lower than the estimate included under this caption, and we may not receive any net proceeds (or may owe cash to the applicable forward purchaser). If we elect to net share settle a forward sale agreement in full, we would not receive any proceeds from the applicable forward purchaser.
Before any issuance of shares of our common stock upon physical settlement of a forward sale agreement, such forward sale agreement will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of our common stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares of our common stock that would be issued upon full physical settlement of such forward sale agreement over the number of shares of our common stock that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period).
 
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UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters named below, for whom Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. are acting as representatives, have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase, and we and the forward purchasers, or their affiliates, have agreed, severally and not jointly, to sell the number of shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.
Name
​ ​
Number of
Shares
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
​ ​ ​ ​ 1,920,000 ​ ​
BofA Securities, Inc.
​ ​ ​ ​ 1,584,000 ​ ​
Jefferies LLC
​ ​ ​ ​ 720,000 ​ ​
Truist Securities, Inc.
​ ​ ​ ​ 672,000 ​ ​
Capital One Securities, Inc.
​ ​ ​ ​ 624,000 ​ ​
Regions Securities LLC
​ ​ ​ ​ 576,000 ​ ​
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
​ ​ ​ ​ 576,000 ​ ​
TD Securities (USA) LLC
​ ​ ​ ​ 576,000 ​ ​
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
​ ​ ​ ​ 480,000 ​ ​
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
​ ​ ​ ​ 480,000 ​ ​
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
​ ​ ​ ​ 384,000 ​ ​
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
​ ​ ​ ​ 288,000 ​ ​
BTIG, LLC
​ ​ ​ ​ 288,000 ​ ​
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
​ ​ ​ ​ 192,000 ​ ​
WR Securities, LLC
​ ​ ​ ​ 144,000 ​ ​
Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc.
​ ​ ​ ​ 48,000 ​ ​
Comerica Securities, Inc.
​ ​ ​ ​ 24,000 ​ ​
Roberts & Ryan Investments Inc.
​ ​ ​ ​ 24,000 ​ ​
Total
​ ​ ​ ​ 9,600,000 ​ ​
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to their acceptance of the shares of common stock from the forward purchasers, or their affiliates, and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares included in this offering are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement if any such shares are taken, other than those covered by the option described below.
The shares of common stock sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. After the initial offering of the shares of common stock, the underwriters may change the public offering price and the other selling terms. The offering of the shares of common stock by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.
Offering Price, Commissions and Expenses
The following table shows the per share and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds before expenses to us. These amounts are shown assuming (a) both no exercise
 
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and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to an additional 1,440,000 shares of our common stock and (b) that the forward sale agreements are fully physically settled based upon the initial forward sale price of $17.28 per share. If we physically settle the forward sale agreements based upon the initial forward sale price, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $165.3 million (or $190.2 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full and assuming we enter into additional forward sale agreements) (after deducting fees and estimated expenses related to the forward sale agreements and this offering) subject to certain adjustments as described below, upon settlement of the forward sale agreements, which settlement we expect to occur no later than January 9, 2025.
​ ​ ​
Total
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​ ​ ​
Per Share
​ ​
No Exercise
​ ​
Full Exercise
​
Public offering price
​ ​ ​ $ 18.00 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 172,800,000 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 198,720,000 ​ ​
Underwriting discounts and commissions
​ ​ ​ $ 0.72 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 6,912,000 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 7,948,800 ​ ​
Proceeds before expenses
​ ​ ​ $ 17.28 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 165,888,000 ​ ​ ​ ​ $ 190,771,200 ​ ​
The estimated offering expenses payable by us related to the forward sale agreements and this offering, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately $600,000. We will pay the filing fees and up to $10,000 of the expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the underwriters) related to obtaining the required approval of certain terms of this offering from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).
Restrictions on Sales of Similar Securities
Subject to certain exceptions, we, and all of our officers and directors have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, we and they will not, during the period ending 45 days after the date of this prospectus supplement:
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offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock;
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•
file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock; or
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•
enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock;
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•
whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.
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The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph do not apply to the sale of shares to the underwriters, the sale of shares to the forward purchasers to settle the forward sale agreements or transactions by any person other than us, our directors and officers relating to shares of our common stock or other securities acquired in this offering or in open market transactions after completion of this offering.
The representatives, in their sole discretion, may release, or authorize us to release, as the case may be, the common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time with or without notice.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NTST.”
Stabilization, Short Positions, and Penalty Bids
In order to facilitate this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A
 
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short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the underwriters under their option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares compared to the price available under their option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters may also sell shares in excess of their option to purchase additional shares, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of our common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of our common stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of our common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of our common stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
Forward Sale Agreements
We have entered into forward sale agreements with each of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Bank of America, N.A., which we refer to in this capacity as the forward purchasers, relating to an aggregate of 9,600,000 shares of our common stock (subject to increase if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares). In connection with the execution of the forward sale agreements, the forward purchasers or their affiliates are borrowing from third parties and selling to the underwriters in this offering an aggregate of up to 9,600,000 shares of our common stock (subject to increase if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares). If the forward purchasers or their affiliates do not sell all the shares of our common stock to be sold by them pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement, we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters the number of shares of our common stock not sold by the forward purchasers or their affiliates and, under such circumstances, the number of shares of our common stock underlying the forward sale agreements will be decreased by the number of shares of our common stock that we issue and sell. Under any such circumstance, the commitment of the underwriters to purchase shares of our common stock from the forward purchasers or their affiliates, as described above, will be replaced with the commitment to purchase from us, at the price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement at which the underwriters have agreed to purchase the shares of our common stock from the forward purchasers, the relevant number of shares of our common stock not sold by the forward purchasers or their affiliates.
We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of our common stock by the forward purchasers but we expect to receive an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of the borrowed shares of our common stock sold in this offering, subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the forward sale agreements, at the applicable forward sale price (as described below), from the forward purchasers upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements. We will only receive such proceeds if we elect to fully physically settle the forward sale agreements.
We expect the forward sale agreements to settle no later than January 9, 2025, subject to acceleration by the forward purchasers upon the occurrence of certain events. On a settlement date, if we decide to physically settle the forward sale agreements, we will issue shares of our common stock to the forward purchasers under the forward sale agreements at the then-applicable forward sale price. The forward sale price initially will be equal to the public offering price less the underwriting discount per share, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The forward sale agreements provide that the forward sale price will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread and will be decreased based on amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock during the term of the forward sale agreements. If the specified daily rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price. As of the filing of this prospectus supplement, the specified daily rate was greater than the spread, increasing the proceeds that we would receive upon settlement of the forward sale agreements.
Before any issuance of our common stock upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements, we expect that the shares issuable upon settlement of such forward sale agreements will be reflected in our
 
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diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of our common stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares of our common stock that would be issued upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements over the number of shares of our common stock that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). Consequently, prior to physical or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements and subject to the occurrence of certain events, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share except during periods when the average market price of our common stock is above the per share adjusted forward sale price, which is initially $17.28 (which is the price at which the underwriter agrees to buy the shares of our common stock offered hereby), subject to adjustment based on a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread, and subject to decrease by an amount per share specified in the forward sale agreements related to expected dividends on our common stock on each of certain dates specified in the forward sale agreements. However, if we decide to physically or net share settle the forward sale agreements, delivery of our shares on any physical settlement or net share settlement of such forward sale agreements will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.
Except under limited circumstances described below and subject to certain conditions, we have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under the forward sale agreements. The forward sale agreements will be physically settled by delivery of shares of our common stock, unless we elect to cash settle or net share settle such forward sale agreements. Delivery of shares of our common stock upon physical settlement (or, if we elect net share settlement, upon such settlement to the extent we are obligated to deliver shares of our common stock) will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. If we elect cash settlement or net share settlement with respect to all or a portion of the shares of our common stock underlying the forward sale agreements, we expect the forward purchasers (or their affiliates) to purchase a number of shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions over an unwind period to:
•
return shares of our common stock to securities lenders in order to unwind such forward purchaser’s hedge (after taking into consideration any shares of our common stock to be delivered by us to such forward purchaser, in the case of net share settlement); and
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•
if applicable, in the case of net share settlement, deliver shares of our common stock to us to the extent required in settlement of such forward sale agreement.
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If the weighted average price at which the forward purchasers (or their affiliates) are able to purchase shares during the applicable unwind period under the forward sale agreements are above the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay the forward purchasers an amount in cash equal to the difference multiplied by the number of shares subject to the forward transaction or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to the forward purchasers a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference multiplied by the number of shares subject to the forward transaction. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment in the case of cash settlement. If the weighted average price at which the forward purchasers (or their affiliates) are able to purchase shares during the applicable unwind period under the forward sale agreements are below the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would be paid the difference multiplied by the number of shares subject to the forward transaction in cash by the forward purchasers or, in the case of net share settlement, we would receive from such forward purchasers a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference multiplied by the number of shares subject to the forward transaction.
In addition, the purchase of shares of our common stock in connection with the forward purchasers (or their affiliates) unwinding the forward purchasers’ hedge positions could cause the price of our common stock to increase over time (or prevent a decrease over such time), thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe to the forward purchasers (or decreasing the amount of cash that the forward purchasers would owe us) upon a cash settlement of the forward sale agreements or increasing the number of shares of our common stock we would deliver to the forward purchasers (or decreasing the number of shares of our common stock that the forward purchasers would deliver to us) upon net share settlement of the forward sale agreements. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements.”
 
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The forward purchasers will have the right to accelerate the forward sale agreements (with respect to all or any portion of the transaction under such forward sale agreement that the forward purchaser determines is affected by any event described below except with respect to events specified in the clause (1) and clause (3) below, where accelerated settlement will not exceed the portion of shares of our common stock whose settlement would address the relevant event or that is affected by the relevant event) and require us to settle on a date specified by such forward purchaser if (1) in such forward purchaser’s commercially reasonable judgment, it or its affiliate (x) is unable to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under such forward sale agreement because insufficient shares of our common stock have been made available for borrowing by securities lenders and we were not able to refer the forward purchaser to a satisfactory stock lender or (y) would incur a stock borrow cost in excess of a specified threshold to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under such forward sale agreement and we do not elect to amend the forward sale agreement or pay such excess cost; (2) we declare any dividend, issue or distribution on shares of our common stock (a) payable in cash in excess of specified amounts, (b) that constitutes an extraordinary dividend under such forward sale agreement, (c) payable in securities of another company as a result of a spin-off or similar transaction, or (d) of any other type of securities (other than our common stock), rights, warrants or other assets for payment at less than the prevailing market price; (3) certain ownership thresholds applicable to such forward purchaser and its affiliates are exceeded; (4) an event is announced that if consummated would result in a specified extraordinary event (including certain mergers or tender offers, as well as certain events involving our nationalization or insolvency or a delisting of our common stock) or the occurrence of a change in law or disruption in the forward purchaser’s ability to hedge its exposure under the forward sale agreement; or (5) certain other events of default or termination events occur, including, among others, any material misrepresentation made in connection with such forward sale agreement or our insolvency (each as more fully described in the forward sale agreements). The forward purchasers’ decision to exercise their right to accelerate the forward sale agreements and to require us to settle the forward sale agreements will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver shares of our common stock under the terms of the physical settlement provisions of the forward sale agreements irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. In addition, upon certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us, the forward sale agreements will terminate without further liability of either party. Following any such termination, we would not issue any shares of our common stock and we would not receive any proceeds pursuant to the forward sale agreements. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements.”
Option to Purchase Additional Shares
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of 1,440,000 additional shares of our common stock at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. To the extent the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase a number of additional shares of common stock proportionate to that underwriter’s initial commitment as indicated in the preceding table. Upon any exercise of such option, we will use commercially reasonable best efforts to enter into additional forward sale agreements with the forward purchasers in respect of the number of shares that are subject to the exercise of such option. Unless the context requires otherwise, the term “forward sale agreements” as used in this prospectus supplement includes any additional forward sale agreements that we enter into in connection with the exercise, by the underwriters, of their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. In the event that we enter into any additional forward sale agreements, if the forward purchasers or their affiliates do not deliver and sell all of the shares of our common stock to be sold by them in connection with the exercise of such option, we will issue and sell to the underwriters a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares that the forward purchasers or their affiliates do not deliver and sell and the number of shares underlying the forward sale agreements will not be increased in respect of the number of shares that we issue and sell.
The additional forward sale agreements that we will enter into in the event the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock will be on substantially the same terms as the initial forward sale agreements described above, except that they will cover only the number of shares of our common stock that are subject to such option exercise and the initial forward sale price under the
 
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additional forward sale agreements will be the initial forward sale price under the initial forward sale agreements, subject to certain adjustments.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters and the forward purchasers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters or the forward purchasers, as applicable, may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares of our common stock to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.
Discretionary Sales
The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend to confirm sales to discretionary accounts that exceed 5% of the total number of shares offered by them.
Stamp Taxes
Purchasers of the shares of our common stock offered in this prospectus supplement may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the front cover of this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, we urge you to consult a tax advisor with respect to whether you may be required to pay those taxes or charges, as well as any other tax consequences that may arise under the laws of the country of purchase.
Conflicts of Interest and Other Relationships
All of the proceeds of this offering (excluding proceeds paid to us with respect to any shares of our common stock that we may sell to the underwriters in lieu of the forward purchasers or their affiliates selling our common stock to the underwriters) will be paid to the forward purchasers. As a result, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. (or their affiliates) will receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering, not including the underwriting discount. In addition, certain of the underwriters or their affiliates are lead arrangers, bookrunners, lenders, administrative agents, syndication agents or documentation agents, as applicable, under our term loans and the Revolver. As described in this prospectus supplement under “Use of Proceeds,” to the extent our operating partnership uses any of the net proceeds contributed by us to repay amounts outstanding from time to time under the Revolver, such underwriters or their affiliates will receive a portion of the net proceeds. Nonetheless, in accordance with Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., the appointment of a qualified independent underwriter is not necessary in connection with this offering because REITs are excluded from such requirement.
The underwriters, the forward purchasers and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters, the forward purchasers and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they may receive customary fees and expenses.
Associated Investment Services, Inc. (AIS), a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority member, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Associated Banc-Corp, is being paid a referral fee by Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc.
In addition, certain of the underwriters or their affiliates are sales agents under our New ATM Program and the forward purchasers and certain of the underwriters or their affiliates are forward purchasers under our New ATM Program.
 
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In addition, in the ordinary course of business, the underwriters, the forward purchasers and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments including serving as counterparties to certain derivative and hedging arrangements and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the issuer. The underwriters, the forward purchasers and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Sales Outside the United States
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
We have not and will not register with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”) as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 119 of the Federal Act on Collective Investment Scheme of 23 June 2006, as amended (“CISA”), and accordingly the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement have not and will not be approved, and may not be licensable, with FINMA. Therefore, the securities have not been authorized for distribution by FINMA as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 119 CISA and the securities offered hereby may not be offered to the public (as this term is defined in Article 3 CISA) in or from Switzerland. The securities may solely be offered to “qualified investors,” as this term is defined in Article 10 CISA, and in the circumstances set out in Article 3 of the Ordinance on Collective Investment Scheme of 22 November 2006, as amended (“CISO”), such that there is no public offer. Investors, however, do not benefit from protection under CISA or CISO or supervision by FINMA. This prospectus supplement and any other materials relating to
 
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the securities are strictly personal and confidential to each offeree and do not constitute an offer to any other person. This prospectus supplement may only be used by those qualified investors to whom it has been handed out in connection with the offer described herein and may neither directly or indirectly be distributed or made available to any person or entity other than its recipients. It may not be used in connection with any other offer and shall in particular not be copied and/or distributed to the public in Switzerland or from Switzerland. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an issue prospectus as that term is understood pursuant to Article 652a and/or 1156 of the Swiss Federal Code of Obligations. We have not applied for a listing of the securities on the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated securities market in Switzerland, and consequently, the information presented in this prospectus supplement does not necessarily comply with the information standards set out in the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange and corresponding prospectus schemes annexed to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”)
This offering document relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This offering document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the offering document. The shares to which this offering document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this offering document you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Arab Emirates
The shares have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus supplement has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This offering document does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.
Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” ​(within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” ​(within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.
 
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This offering document contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this offering document is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance.
No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, the shares were not offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not be offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and this prospectus supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares, has not been circulated or distributed, nor will it be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
(a)
a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
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(b)
a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described)
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in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
(c)
to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;
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(d)
where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;
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(e)
where the transfer is by operation of law; or
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(f)
as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in the Netherlands
Neither this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus we may provide in connection with this offering is addressed to or intended for, and the shares of common stock described in the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not and will not be, directly or indirectly, offered, sold, transferred or delivered to, any individual or legal entity in the Netherlands except to individuals or entities that are qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers) within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (2017/1129), as amended. As a consequence, no approved prospectus has to be made generally available in the Netherlands pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation (2017/1129), as amended.
 
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP and, with respect to matters of Maryland law, by Venable LLP. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of NETSTREIT Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, the financial statement schedules and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with those requirements, file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants, including us, that file such information electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is www.sec.gov. We maintain a website at www.NETSTREIT.com. Information contained on, or accessible through our website is not incorporated by reference into and does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the registration statement was effective upon filing. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which form a part of the registration statement, do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the SEC’s rules and regulations. For further information about us and our shares of common stock, we refer you to the registration statement and to such exhibits and schedules. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concerning the provisions of any document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document so filed. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and any accompanying prospectus. Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and any accompanying prospectus is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus supplement or any accompanying prospectus, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies or replaces this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the SEC:
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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2023;
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the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 3, 2023;
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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 26, 2023, July 26, 2023 and October 25, 2023, respectively;
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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 27, 2023, April 3, 2023, May 23, 2023, June 20, 2023, July 7, 2023 and October 25, 2023 (filed under Items 8.01 and 9.01 of Form 8-K); and
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the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on August 12, 2020, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
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We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of the offer and sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, including exhibits, if they are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents, call us at (972) 200-7100 or submit a written request to NETSTREIT Corp., 2021 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1150, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Investor Relations.
 
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Prospectus
[MISSING IMAGE: lg_netstreit-4c.jpg]
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
NETSTREIT Corp. may offer and sell from time to time the following securities described in this prospectus, in each case on terms to be determined at the time of the offering:
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Common stock
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Preferred stock
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Warrants
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Debt securities
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Depositary shares
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This prospectus describes some of the general terms that apply to the securities. Each time we sell securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in supplements to this prospectus. We also may authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus also may add, update or change information contained or incorporated in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus carefully before you invest.
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on potential methods of sale, see “Plan of Distribution.” The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of any securities, the specific manner in which they may be offered and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in the prospectus supplement covering the sales of those securities.
We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the U.S. federal income tax laws. To assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT, among other reasons, our charter generally limits beneficial ownership of our common stock by any person to no more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all our outstanding stock. Our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock. See “Description of Capital Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “NTST.” On August 31, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $25.86 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on the NYSE or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before making a decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus and those included under the same title in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including any risks described in any accompanying prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is September 1, 2021
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The distribution of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and the offering of our securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. If you possess this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, you should find out about and observe these restrictions. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell our securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy our securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.
 
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. There is no limit on the aggregate amount of the securities that we may offer pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The exhibits to our registration statement and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents that we have summarized in this prospectus or that we may summarize in a prospectus supplement. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer, issue and sell from time to time, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement, the exhibits and other documents can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the sections in this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer, issue and sell from time to time, which is not meant to be a complete description of each security. Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of that offering. We also may authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read carefully this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the additional information described under the sections in this prospectus and in such prospectus supplement entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
The information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “NETSTREIT,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NETSTREIT Corp., a Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries, including NETSTREIT, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to in this prospectus as “our operating partnership.”
 
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information in this prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this prospectus regarding, among other things, our strategy, future operations, financial position, projected costs, our acquisition pipeline, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
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risks inherent in the real estate business, including tenant defaults, illiquidity of real estate investments, potential liability relating to environmental matters and potential damages from natural disasters;
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general business and economic conditions;
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the impact of COVID-19 and any other epidemic or pandemic on our business and the global economy;
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the accuracy of our assessment that certain businesses are e-commerce resistant and recession-resilient;
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the accuracy of the tools we use to determine the creditworthiness of our tenants;
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concentration of our business within certain geographic markets, tenant categories and with certain tenants;
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demand for restaurant and retail space;
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ability to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-lease space as existing leases expire or are terminated;
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our ability to successfully execute our acquisition or development strategies;
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the degree and nature of our competition;
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inflation and interest rate fluctuations;
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our ability to retain our key management personnel;
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failure, weakness, interruption or breach in security of our information systems;
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access to capital markets;
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our failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;
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continued volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets;
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failure to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT;
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changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, applicable law or regulation;
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future sales or issuances of our common stock or other securities convertible into our common stock, or the perception thereof, could cause the market value of our common stock to decline and could result in dilution; and
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the other risks identified in this prospectus, including those under the heading “Risk Factors,” including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results. Our future results will depend upon
 
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various other risks and uncertainties, including those described elsewhere in this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors.” Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
 
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OUR COMPANY
Our Business
We are an internally-managed real estate company that acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of single-tenant, retail commercial real estate subject to long-term net leases with high credit quality tenants across the United States. As of June 30, 2021, our diversified portfolio consisted of 264 single-tenant retail net leased properties spanning 39 states, with tenants representing 59 different brands or concepts across 23 retail sectors. As of June 30, 2021, our portfolio generated annualized base rent (“ABR”)1 of $55.3 million and was 100% occupied, with a weighted average remaining lease term (“WALT”) of 9.9 years and consisted of approximately 70% and 14% of investment grade tenants and investment grade profile tenants, respectively, by ABR, which we believe provides us with a strong, stable source of recurring cash. Our tenants operate in industries where a physical location is critical to the generation of sales and profits, with a focus on necessity goods and essential services in the retail sector, including home improvement, auto parts, drug stores and pharmacies, general retail, grocers, convenience stores, discount stores, and quick-service restaurants, which we refer to as defensive retail industries. We believe these characteristics make our tenants’ businesses e-commerce resistant and resilient through all economic cycles. We completed our initial public offering on August 17, 2020 and our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “NTST.”
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). We are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” These exemptions include not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we have chosen to “opt out” of this extended transition period, and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on or before which adoption of such standards is required for all public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.
We will cease to qualify as an emerging growth company on December 31, 2021.
Our Tax Status
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We believe that, commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and that our organization and current and proposed method of operations will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute at least 90% of our taxable income to our stockholders, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding our net capital gain, plus 90% of our net income after tax from foreclosure property (if any), minus the sum of various items of excess non-cash income. To assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT,
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ABR is calculated by multiplying (i) cash rental payments (a) for the month ended June 30, 2021 (or, if applicable, the next full month’s cash rent contractually due in the case of rent abatements, rent deferrals, recently acquired properties and properties with contractual rent increases, other than properties under development) for leases in place as of June 30, 2021, plus (b) for properties under development, the first full month’s permanent cash rent contractually due after the development period by (ii) 12.
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among other reasons, our charter generally limits beneficial ownership of our common stock by any person to no more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all our outstanding stock. Our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock. See “Description of Capital Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Company Information
Our headquarters are located at 5910 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600, Dallas, Texas 75206 and our telephone number is (972) 200-7100. Our website address is www.NETSTREIT.com. The information located on, or otherwise accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
 
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and described under the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and our current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we specify otherwise in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including funding our investment activity. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities.
 
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DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of our shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and depositary shares that we may offer from time to time. As further described in this prospectus, these summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and other offering material. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the securities as described in this prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a description of the material terms of our capital stock and is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to the applicable provisions of the Charter (the “charter”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended (the “bylaws”), and the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”).
General
Our authorized stock consists of 400,000,000 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. A majority of our entire board of directors has the power, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we are authorized to issue. As of August 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding 39,582,208 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. In addition, as of August 31, 2021 there were 659,820 and 665,302 outstanding Class A and Class B OP Units, respectively, which are convertible into shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis.
Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations solely as a result of stockholders’ status as stockholders.
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock into other classes or series of stock, including additional classes or series of common stock or classes or series of preferred stock, and to establish the designation and number of shares of each such class or series and to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each such class or series. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or preferred stock with terms that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or that our common stockholders otherwise believe to be in their best interests.
A majority of our entire board of directors has the power to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our stock into other classes or series of stock, and to authorize us to issue the newly classified shares. As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or another class or series of stock, including a class or series of preferred stock, that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us. These actions may be taken without stockholder approval unless such approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which any of our stock is listed or traded. We believe that the power of our board of directors, without stockholder action, to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise.
Common Stock
Common stockholders are entitled to receive distributions when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. Common stockholders
 
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are also entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock, including any shares of preferred stock we may issue, and to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock.
Our common stockholders have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our capital stock. Our charter provides that our stockholders generally have no appraisal rights unless our board of directors determines that appraisal rights will apply to one or more transactions in which our common stockholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights. Subject to our charter restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, holders of shares of our common stock will initially have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Subject to our charter restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and the terms of any other class or series of our stock that we may issue, each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Cumulative voting in the election of directors is not permitted. In uncontested elections, directors are elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast “for” and “against” each director nominee. In contested elections (i.e., where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected), directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. This means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can effectively elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Under Maryland law and our charter, we generally cannot dissolve, amend our charter, merge, transfer all or substantially all of our assets, convert into another form of entity, engage in a statutory share exchange or engage in a similar transaction unless such transaction is declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, except that the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter is required to amend the provisions of our charter relating to the removal of directors or the vote required to amend the removal provisions. Maryland law also permits us to transfer all or substantially all of our assets without the approval of our stockholders to an entity all of the equity interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by us. Because our operating assets may be held by our operating partnership or its wholly owned subsidiaries, these subsidiaries may be able to merge or transfer all or substantially all of their assets without the approval of our stockholders.
Preferred Stock
Our charter provides that our board of directors has the authority, without action by our stockholders, to classify, designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designation, number of shares, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of any class or series of preferred stock.
Any future issuance of shares of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power and distribution and liquidation rights of holders of our stock, and the likelihood that the holders will receive dividend payments, and payments upon liquidation could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control that might otherwise be favorable to our stockholders.
A prospectus supplement relating to any class or series of preferred stock being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. They will include, where applicable:
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the title and par value of the class or series of preferred stock;
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the number of shares of the class or series of preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price per share of the class or series of preferred stock;
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the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to the class or series of preferred stock;
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whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the class or series of preferred stock shall accumulate;
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the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the class or series of preferred stock;
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any voting rights of the class or series of preferred stock;
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the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the class or series of preferred stock;
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any listing of the class or series of preferred stock on any securities exchange;
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information with respect to book-entry registration procedures, if any;
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the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the class or series of preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, another class or series of preferred stock or other securities including the conversion price or the manner of calculating the conversion price and conversion period;
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if appropriate, a discussion of federal income tax consequences applicable to the preferred stock;
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any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer of the class or series of preferred stock, in each case as may be appropriate to assist us in qualifying as a REIT or otherwise;
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the priority of the class or series of preferred stock, with all classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with each other unless otherwise specified in the charter and that the class or series of preferred stock will rank senior to common stock with respect to payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions on the class or series of preferred stock.
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Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be taxed as a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of stock (after taking into account options to acquire shares of stock) may be owned, directly or through certain constructive ownership rules, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as private foundations) at any time during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be taxed as a REIT has been made).
Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to assist us in complying with these requirements and qualifying as a REIT, among other reasons. The relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may actually or beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock, or more than 9.8% of the aggregate value of all of our outstanding stock, in each case excluding any shares of our stock that are not treated as outstanding for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We refer to each of these restrictions as an “ownership limit” and collectively as the “ownership limits.” A person or entity that would have acquired actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock but for the application of the ownership limits or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed below is referred to as a “prohibited owner.”
The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our common stock or of any class or series of our preferred stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, our common stock or our preferred stock) by an individual or entity could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of our common stock or of any class or series of preferred stock or 9.8% of the aggregate value of all of our outstanding stock, and thereby violate the applicable ownership limit.
 
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Our charter provides that our board of directors, subject to certain limits, upon receipt of a request that complies with the requirements of our charter may retroactively or prospectively exempt a person from any or all of the ownership limits and establish a different limit on ownership for such person. As a condition of the exception, our board of directors may require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to our board of directors, in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT and such representations and/or agreements as it may deem necessary or prudent. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, our board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with such an exception.
Our board of directors may increase or decrease any or all of the ownership limits for one or more persons, except that a decreased ownership limit will not be effective for any person whose actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock exceeds the decreased ownership limit at the time of the decrease until the person’s actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, although any further acquisition of our stock (other than by a previously exempted person) will violate the decreased ownership limit. Our board of directors may not increase or decrease any ownership limit if the new ownership limit would allow five or fewer persons to actually or beneficially own more than 49.9% in value of our outstanding stock or could cause us to be “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.
Our charter further prohibits:
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any person from actually, beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that could result in us being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that could result in us owning (actually or constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income we derive from such tenant, taking into account our other income that would not qualify under the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, would cause us to fail to satisfy any the gross income requirements imposed on REITs); and
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any person from transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code).
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Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire actual, beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limits or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above must give written notice immediately to us or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, provide us at least 15 days prior written notice, and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our status as a REIT.
The ownership limits and other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to qualify as a REIT or that compliance with any such restriction is no longer required in order for us to qualify as a REIT.
Pursuant to our charter, if any purported transfer of our stock or other event that would cause a change in the beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock would (i) result in any person violating any of the ownership limits described above or such other ownership limit established by our board of directors, (ii) result in us being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or (iii) otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT, then the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries selected by us. The prohibited owner will have no rights in shares of our stock held by the trustee. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the prohibited owner prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid to the trustee upon demand. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable restriction on ownership and
 
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transfer of our stock, then the transfer of the number of shares that otherwise would cause any person to violate the above restrictions will be void and of no force or effect, regardless of any action or inaction by the board of directors, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any transfer of our stock would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), then any such purported transfer will be void and of no force or effect and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the shares.
Shares of our stock transferred to the trustee are deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer of the shares to the trust (or, if the event causing the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price (as defined in our charter), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the transfer of the trust) and (ii) the Market Price on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer. We may reduce the amount payable to the trustee by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee and pay the amount of such reduction to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of our stock held in the trust. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.
If we do not exercise our right to purchase the shares held in the trust, the trustee must sell the shares to a person or persons designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits or other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust. Upon such sale, the trustee must distribute to the prohibited owner an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares (or, if the event causing the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price, the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the transfer of the trust) and (ii) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trustee for the shares. The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner will be immediately paid to the charitable beneficiary, together with any dividends or other distributions thereon. In addition, if, prior to discovery by us that shares of our stock have been transferred to the trustee, such shares of stock are sold by a prohibited owner, then such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and, to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for or in respect of such shares that exceeds the amount that such prohibited owner was entitled to receive, such excess amount must be paid to the trustee upon demand.
The trustee will be designated by us and will be unaffiliated with us and with any prohibited owner. Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid by us with respect to such shares, and may exercise all voting rights with respect to such shares for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary.
Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee may, at the trustee’s sole and absolute discretion:
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rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and
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recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary.
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However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.
If our board of directors determines that a proposed transfer or other event has taken place that violates the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter, our board of directors may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including, but not limited to, causing us to redeem shares of stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on our books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.
 
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Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the owner actually or beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner also must provide us with any additional information that we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the person’s actual or beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits and the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter. In addition, any person that is an actual, beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for an actual, beneficial owner or constructive owner must promptly disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine our status as a REIT and comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described above or a statement that we will furnish a full statement about the restrictions on ownership and transfer to a stockholder or request and without charge.
These restrictions on ownership and transfer could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our common stock that our stockholders believe to be in their best interest.
Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws
Our Board of Directors
Under our charter and bylaws, the number of directors of our company may be established, increased or decreased only by a majority of our entire board of directors, but may not be fewer than the minimum number required under the MGCL (which is one) nor, unless our bylaws are amended, more than 15. We have elected by a provision of our charter to be subject to a provision of Maryland law requiring that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of stock, any vacancy may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Removal of Directors
Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed, with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Subtitle 8
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to be subject to any or all of five provisions which provide for:
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a classified board;
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a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;
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a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors;
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a requirement that a vacancy on the board of directors be filled only by a vote of the remaining directors (whether or not they constitute a quorum) and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies; or
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a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.
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Our charter provides that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by the remaining directors (whether or not they constitute a quorum) and that a director elected by the board of directors to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. We have not elected to be subject to any of the other provisions of Subtitle 8, including the provisions that would permit us to classify our board of directors without stockholder approval. Moreover, our charter provides that, without the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, we may not elect to be subject to the classified board provisions of Subtitle 8. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we (i) vest in our board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directors, (ii) require, unless called by our Chairman, our chief executive officer, our president or our board of directors, the request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting to call a special meeting of stockholders and (iii) provide that a director may be removed, with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Meetings of Stockholders
Under our bylaws and pursuant to Maryland law, annual meetings of stockholders will be held each year at a date and at the time and place determined by our board of directors. Special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors, the Chair of our board of directors, our president or our chief executive officer. Additionally, subject to the provisions of our bylaws, special meetings of the stockholders to act on any matter must be called by our secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting who have requested the special meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in, and provided the information and certifications required by, our bylaws. Only matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered and acted upon at such a meeting. Our secretary will inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of meeting (including our proxy materials), and the requesting stockholder must pay such estimated cost before our secretary may prepare and deliver the notice of the special meeting.
Amendments to Our Charter and Bylaws
Under the MGCL and our charter, we generally cannot amend our charter unless declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter except for certain amendments related to the removal of directors and the vote required to amend the provisions relating to removal, which must be declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire board, and without any action by our stockholders, may also amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series we are authorized to issue. Our board of directors may also amend our charter to change our name or make certain other ministerial changes without stockholder approval.
Our board of directors has the power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws. However, our board of directors may not amend the provisions of our bylaws relating to our exemption from the “business combination” provisions of the MGCL, the “control share” provisions of the MGCL or the adoption of a stockholder rights plan without the approval of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by our stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Our bylaws also provide stockholders with the concurrent right to amend our bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter.
 
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Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders at the meeting may be made only:
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pursuant to our notice of the meeting;
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by or at the direction of our board of directors; or
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by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the meeting, at the time of giving of the notice of the meeting and at the time of the meeting (and any postponement or adjustment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in, and provided the information and certifications required by, our bylaws.
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With respect to special meetings of stockholders, our bylaws provide that only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the special meeting of stockholders, and nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors may be made only:
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by or at the direction of our board of directors;
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by a stockholder who has requested a special meeting for the purpose of electing directors in compliance with our bylaws and has supplied the information required by our bylaws for each individual the stockholder proposes to nominate for election; or
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provided that the meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the meeting, at the time of giving of the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting (and any postponement or adjustment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in, and provided the information and certifications required by, our bylaws.
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The purpose of requiring stockholders to give advance notice of nominations and other proposals is to afford our board of directors and our stockholders the opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the advisability of the other proposals and, to the extent considered necessary by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations regarding the nominations or other proposals. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors the power to disapprove timely stockholder nominations and proposals, our bylaws may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or proposals for other action if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors to our board of directors or to approve its own proposal.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws
The restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the supermajority vote required to remove directors, our election to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 vesting in our board of directors the exclusive power to fill vacancies on our board of directors and the advance notice provisions of our bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company.
Further, a majority of our entire board of directors has the power to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our stock into other classes or series of stock, and to authorize us to issue the newly classified shares, as discussed above under the caption “Common Stock.” As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or another class or series of stock, including a class or series of preferred stock, that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us. These actions may be taken without stockholder approval unless such approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which any of our stock is listed or traded. We believe that the power of our board of directors to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to
 
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cause us to issue such shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise.
Our charter and bylaws also provide that the number of our directors may be established only by our board of directors, which prevents our stockholders from increasing the number of our directors and filling any vacancies created by such increase with their own nominees. The provisions of our bylaws discussed above under the captions “— Meetings of Stockholders” and “— Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business” require stockholders seeking to call a special meeting, nominate an individual for election as a director or propose other business at an annual or special meeting to comply with certain notice and information requirements. We believe that these provisions will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors and promote good corporate governance by providing us with clear procedures for calling special meetings, information about a stockholder proponent’s interest in us and adequate time to consider stockholder nominees and other business proposals. However, these provisions, alone or in combination, could make it more difficult for our stockholders to remove incumbent directors or fill vacancies on our board of directors with their own nominees and could delay, defer or prevent a change in control, including a proxy contest or tender offer that might involve a premium price for our common stockholders or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
No Stockholder Rights Plan
We do not currently have a stockholder rights plan, and our bylaws provide that we may not adopt a stockholder rights plan in the future without (i) the approval of our stockholders by a majority of the votes cast on the matter or (ii) ratification from our stockholders by a majority of the votes cast on the matter within 12 months of adoption of the plan if the board of directors determines, in the exercise of its duties under applicable law, that it is in our best interest to adopt a rights plan without the delay of seeking prior stockholder approval.
Exclusive Forum
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division, will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any Internal Corporate Claim, as such term is defined in the MGCL, (b) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf (other than actions arising under federal securities laws), (c) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or to our stockholders, (d) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws or (e) any other action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. These choice of forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any claim arising under the Securities Act. Although our bylaws contain the choice of forum provisions described above, it is possible that a court could rule that such provisions are inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provisions are unenforceable. For example, under the Securities Act, federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, the exclusive forum provisions described above do not apply to any actions brought under the Exchange Act.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision that eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
 
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The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to or in which they may be made or are threatened to be made a party or witness by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:
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the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;
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the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or
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in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
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However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or if the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. In addition, the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of:
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a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and
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a written undertaking, which may be unsecured, by the director or officer or on the director’s or officer’s behalf to repay the amount paid if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met.
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Our charter obligates us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding without requiring a preliminary determination of the director’s or officer’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification to:
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any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or
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any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.
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Our charter also permits us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers.
REIT Qualification
Our charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interest to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT.
 
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Listing
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “NTST.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Out transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
 
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and free writing prospectus, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.
We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants that may be offered as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the warrants are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectus, and the complete form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements, that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including:
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the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;
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the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;
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if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;
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in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
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in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
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the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;
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the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;
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any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
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the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;
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the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;
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a discussion of material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any, of holding or exercising the warrants;
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the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and
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•
any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.
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Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:
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in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or
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in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
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Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Upon receipt of payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office, including ours, indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants (or the warrants represented by such warrant certificate) are exercised, a new warrant or a new warrant certificate, as applicable, will be issued for the remaining warrants.
Governing Law
Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and any warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
 
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.
General
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.
We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:
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the title of the series of debt securities;
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any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;
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the maturity date or dates;
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the form of the debt securities of the series;
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the applicability of any guarantees;
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whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;
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if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;
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the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;
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•
our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
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if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;
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the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;
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•
the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
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•
any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series;
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•
whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;
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•
if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;
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•
if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
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•
additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;
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•
additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;
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additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;
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additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;
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additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;
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the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;
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whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
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the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;
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any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.
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Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Events of Default under the Indenture
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
•
if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;
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•
if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;
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•
if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and
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if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.
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If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders
 
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have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:
•
the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and
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•
subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.
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A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:
•
the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;
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the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and
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the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.
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These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.
We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:
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to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;
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to comply with the provisions described above under the section titled “Description of Debt Securities — Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”
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to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;
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to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;
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to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;
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to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;
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to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under the section titled “Description of Debt Securities — General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;
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to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or
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•
to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
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In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
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extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;
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•
reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any series of any debt securities; or
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•
reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.
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Discharge
Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:
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provide for payment;
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register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;
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replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;
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pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;
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maintain paying agencies;
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hold monies for payment in trust;
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recover excess money held by the trustee;
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compensate and indemnify the trustee; and
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appoint any successor trustee.
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In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer
 
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agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
•
issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or
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•
register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.
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Information Concerning the Trustee
The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
 
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may issue depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of a particular class or series of our preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Shares of a class or series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company named therein, as depositary, which depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest in a share of a particular class or series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by that depositary receipt, to the rights and preferences of, and will be subject to the limitations and restrictions on, the class or series of preferred stock represented by those depositary shares (including, if applicable, dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).
Some of the particular terms of the depositary shares offered by the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as some of the terms of the related deposit agreement, will be described in the prospectus supplement, which may also include, if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations.
Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and may be obtained as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.” The statements in this prospectus relating to any deposit agreement, the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder and the related depositary shares are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts. Accordingly, you should read the form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt in their entirety before making an investment decision.
 
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
•
through underwriters or dealers;
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•
directly to purchasers;
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•
in a rights offering;
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•
in “at the market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise;
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through agents;
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in block trades;
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through forward or other derivative transactions relating to the shares of common stock or other securities being registered hereunder;
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through a combination of any of these methods; or
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•
through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in a prospectus supplement.
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In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution to our existing stockholders or other securityholders.
The prospectus supplement with respect to any offering of securities will include the following information to the extent applicable:
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the terms of the offering;
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the names of any underwriters or agents;
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the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;
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the purchase price or initial public offering price of the securities;
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the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;
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any delayed delivery arrangements;
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any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
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any commissions paid to agents; and
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any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.
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Sale through Underwriters or Dealers
If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
We will describe the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the purchase price of the securities in a prospectus supplement relating to the securities.
In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or
 
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commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and these dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents, which is not expected to exceed that customary in the types of transactions involved. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us, and any profit on the resale of the securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. The prospectus supplement will identify any underwriter or agent and will describe any compensation they receive from us.
Underwriters could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering, sales made directly on the NYSE, the existing trading market for our shares of common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. The name of any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of our securities, the amounts underwritten, and the nature of its obligations to take our securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.
From time to time, we may engage in transactions with these underwriters, dealers, and agents in the ordinary course of business.
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents designated by us from time to time. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any sales of these securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Remarketing Arrangements
Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the applicable
 
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prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
General Information
We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
 
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes the taxation of the Company and the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of shares of our securities. Supplemental U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the securities described in this prospectus may be provided in the prospectus supplement that relates to those securities. The tax treatment of a holder will vary depending upon the holder’s particular situation, and this summary addresses only holders that hold these shares as capital assets and does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular holders in light of their personal investment or tax circumstances. This summary also does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to certain types of holders to which special provisions of the U.S. federal income tax laws apply, including:
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dealers in securities or currencies;
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traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for such traders’ securities holdings;
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banks;
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insurance companies;
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entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
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persons liable for the alternative minimum tax;
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tax-exempt organizations (except to the limited extent discussed in “— Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders” below);
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non-U.S. individuals and foreign corporations (except to the limited extent discussed in “— Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders” below);
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U.S. expatriates;
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subchapter S corporations;
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•
regulated investment companies and REITs;
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trust and estates;
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•
holders who receive our stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;
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persons holding our stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;
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•
persons holding our stock through a partnership or similar pass-through entity;
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•
persons that purchase or sell shares of stock as part of a wash sale for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
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•
persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of their use of applicable financial statements within the meaning of Section 451(b)(3) of the Code; and
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•
U.S. stockholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
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This summary is based on the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Code, published rulings and court decisions. This summary describes the provisions of these sources of law only as they are currently in effect. All of these sources of law may change at any time, and any change in the law may apply retroactively.
If a partnership holds shares of our stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding our stock should consult such partner’s tax advisor with regard to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in our stock.
We urge you to consult with your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning and selling our securities, including the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning and selling our securities in your particular circumstances and potential changes in applicable laws.
 
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Taxation of the Company
We elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019. We believe that, commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our organization and current and proposed method of operations will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years.
In connection with this offering, Winston & Strawn LLP will render an opinion that we qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2019, and our organization and current and proposed method of operations will enable us to continue to satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years. Investors should be aware that Winston & Strawn LLP’s opinion will be based upon customary assumptions, will be conditioned upon certain representations made by us as to factual matters, including representations regarding the nature of our assets and the conduct of our business, is not binding upon the IRS, or any court and speaks only as of the date issued. In addition, Winston & Strawn LLP’s opinion will be based on existing U.S. federal income tax law governing qualification as a REIT, which is subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual results, certain qualification tests set forth in the U.S. federal income tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income that we earn from specified sources, the percentage of our assets that falls within specified categories, the diversity of our capital stock ownership, and the percentage of our earnings that we distribute. In addition, certain of the asset tests depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly, and such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Winston & Strawn LLP will not review our compliance with those tests on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. Winston & Strawn LLP’s opinion does not foreclose the possibility that we may have to use one or more of the REIT savings provisions described below, which could require us to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be material) in order for us to maintain our REIT qualification. For a discussion of the tax consequences of our failure to qualify as a REIT, see “— Failure to Qualify.”
Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The principal qualification requirements are summarized below under “— Requirements for Qualification — General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “— Failure to Qualify.”
Provided that we qualify as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for distributions that we pay that are treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from owning stock in a regular corporation. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon distribution to our stockholders.
Currently, most domestic stockholders of regular corporations that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate distributions at a maximum tax rate of 20% (the same tax rate that applies to long-term capital gains). Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for such reduced rates. However, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026, a 20% deduction (subject to certain limitations) is available to individual taxpayers with respect to ordinary dividends, resulting in a 29.6% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate (plus the 3.8% Medicare tax, if applicable) for individual U.S. stockholders. See “— Taxation of Stockholders.” For certain individuals, trusts and estates, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax also applies to net investment income (such as dividends and capital gains).
 
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Our tax attributes, such as net operating losses (if any), generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See “— Taxation of Stockholders.”
If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
•
We will be taxed at the regular corporate rate on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.
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•
If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “— Prohibited Transactions” below.
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•
If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the corporate tax rate.
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•
If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below under “— Income Tests,” but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.
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•
If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to an excise tax. In that case, the amount of the excise tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the corporate tax rate if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.
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•
If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of  (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of  (i) the amounts that we actually distributed and (ii) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.
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•
We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “— Requirements for Qualification-General.”
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•
A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS that do not reflect arm’s-length terms.
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•
If we acquire any asset from a C corporation, or a corporation that generally is subject to full corporate-level tax, in a merger or other transaction in which we acquire a basis in the asset that is determined by reference either to the C corporation’s basis in the asset or to another asset, we will pay tax at the corporate tax rate if we recognize gain on the sale or disposition of the asset during the five-year period after we acquire the asset provided no election is made for the transaction to be taxable on a current basis. The amount of gain on which we will pay tax is the lesser of:
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•
the amount of gain that we recognize at the time of the sale or disposition, and
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•
the amount of gain that we would have recognized if we had sold the asset at the time we acquired it.
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•
The earnings of any of our subsidiaries that are subchapter C corporations, including NETSTREIT TRS and any other subsidiary we may elect to treat as a TRS, are subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.
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In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state and local and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification-General
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
1)
that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
​
2)
the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
​
3)
that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;
​
4)
that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;
​
5)
the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
​
6)
in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” ​(as defined in the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities);
​
7)
that elects to be taxed as a REIT, or has made such election for a previous taxable year, and satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative requirements that must be met to elect and maintain REIT qualification; and
​
8)
that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.
​
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4), (7) and (8) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) applied to us beginning with our 2020 tax year.
In addition, our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy these requirements; however, they may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy these requirements. The provisions of our charter restricting the ownership and transfer of our capital stock are described in “Description of Our Capital Stock-Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our distributions in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your U.S. federal income tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information.
In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.
The Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under “— Income Tests,” in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see “— Asset Tests” below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met, including the payment of a penalty tax. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance
 
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that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, even if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests
An unincorporated domestic entity, such as a partnership, limited liability company, or trust, that has a single owner, generally is not treated as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An unincorporated domestic entity with two or more owners for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that, for purposes of the 10% asset test (see “— Asset Tests” below), our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any partnerships in which we own interests will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.
Disregarded Subsidiaries
If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary’s assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), with respect to which 100% of the stock of such corporation is held by the REIT. Other domestic entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned-for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours-the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “— Asset Tests” and “— Income Tests.”
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
We may jointly elect with any of our subsidiary corporations, whether or not wholly owned, to treat such subsidiary corporations as TRSs. A REIT is permitted to own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. A domestic TRS is a fully taxable corporation that may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the parent REIT. The subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation with respect to 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. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation jointly elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. We currently have one TRS, NETSTREIT TRS.
 
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The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable corporation generally will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We are not treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the distributions paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees or activities that would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
Certain restrictions imposed on TRSs (as well as on taxable corporations generally) are intended to ensure that such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of U.S. federal income taxation. First, overall limitations on the deductibility of net interest expense by businesses could apply to our TRS. In addition, if amounts are paid to a REIT or deducted by a TRS due to transactions between the REIT and a TRS that exceed the amount that would be paid to or deducted by a party in an arm’s-length transaction, the REIT generally will be subject to an excise tax equal to 100% of such excess. We intend to scrutinize all of our transactions with any of our subsidiaries that are treated as TRSs in an effort to ensure that we do not become subject to this excise tax; however, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in avoiding this excise tax.
Income Tests
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions” and from certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property or interests in real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), “rents from real property,” distributions received from other REITs, income derived from REMICs in proportion to the real estate mortgages held by the REMIC, and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as specified income from temporary investments.
Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of such income from investments in real property (i.e., income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above), as well as other distributions, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
Rents received by us will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if several conditions are met. If rent is partly attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property, the portion of the rent that is attributable to the personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property” unless it constitutes 15% or less of the total rent received under the lease. In addition, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Amounts received as rent, however, generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of gross receipts or sales. Moreover, for rents received to qualify as “rents from real property,” we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to the tenants of such property, other than through an “independent contractor” from which we derive no revenue. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and which are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide noncustomary services to tenants of our properties without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the payments for such services do not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the properties. For purposes of this test, we are deemed to have received income from such noncustomary services in an amount equal to at least 150% of the direct cost of providing the services. Moreover, we are generally permitted to provide services to tenants or
 
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others through a TRS without disqualifying the rental income received from tenants for purposes of the income tests. Also, rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively hold a 10% or greater interest, as measured by vote or value, in the tenant’s equity.
We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any distributions that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% income tests.
We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we entered into (i) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate, inflation and/or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, or (ii) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as such before the closing of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered to, will 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 is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if  (i) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (ii) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “— Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of  “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, temporary investments in stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property, equity interests in other entities that qualify as REITs, debt instruments of  “publicly offered REITs” ​(i.e., REITs that are required to file periodic and annual reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act), mortgage loans secured by real property or interests in real property, and residual and regular interests in REMICs if at least 95% of the REMIC’s assets constitute qualifying mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% test and debt instruments of publicly offered REITs are subject to certain additional asset tests described below.
Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets. Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities that meet specified statutory requirements. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own
 
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an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code. Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets. Finally, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments of publicly offered REITs that are not secured by real property or interests in real property.
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership. If we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Moreover, if the IRS successfully challenges the partnership status of any of the partnerships in which we maintain a more than 10% vote or value interest, and the partnership is reclassified as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, we could lose our status as a REIT. In addition, in the case of such a successful challenge, we could lose our REIT status if such recharacterization results in us otherwise failing one of the asset tests described above.
Certain relief provisions are available to REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset tests and other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if  (i) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate, and (iv) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if  (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets and $10,000,000, and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
We believe that our holdings of securities and other assets will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements, and we intend to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis.
No independent appraisals will be obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (i) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (ii) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in (ii) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief provisions described above.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain distributions, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
1)
the sum of
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a)
90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to our net capital gains and the dividends paid deduction; and
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b)
90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property, minus
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2)
the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income (including original issue discount on any loans) over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain.
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We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if either (i) the distributions are declared before we timely file our U.S. federal income tax return for the year and paid with or before the first regular distribution payment after such declaration; or (ii) the distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified day in any such month, and actually paid before the end of January of the following year. The distributions under clause (i) are taxable to the holders of our capital stock in the year in which paid, and the distributions in clause (ii) are treated as paid on December 31 of the prior taxable year. In both instances, these distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the retained portion of such income. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted tax basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain distributions that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses carried forward from prior taxable years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See “—​Taxation of Stockholders” below.
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of  (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of  (x) the amounts actually distributed, plus (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid U.S. federal corporate income tax.
It is possible that, from time to time, we may experience timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of that income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our REIT taxable income. For example, under the TCJA, we generally will be required to take certain amounts in income no later than the time such amounts are reflected in our financial statements. This rule may require the accrual of income with respect to certain assets earlier than would be the case under the general U.S. federal income tax rules. Also, we may not deduct recognized capital losses from our “REIT taxable income.” As a result of the foregoing, we may have less cash than is necessary to distribute taxable income sufficient to avoid U.S. federal corporate income tax and the excise tax imposed on certain undistributed income or even to meet the 90% distribution requirement. In such a situation, we may need to borrow funds or, if possible, pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later taxable year, which may be included in our deduction for distributions paid for the earlier taxable year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Recordkeeping Requirements
To avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding stock. We intend to comply with these requirements.
 
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Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the gross income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of  $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are available for failures of the gross income tests and asset tests, as described above in “— Income Tests” and “— Asset Tests.”
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax on our taxable income at the regular U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. Any such corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of, and trading prices for, our stock.
Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will potentially be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at the regular U.S. federal corporate income rate, nor does the tax apply to sales that qualify for a safe harbor as described in Section 857(b)(6) of the Code.
Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships
General
We currently hold and anticipate holding direct or indirect interests in one or more partnerships, including the operating partnership. Such non-corporate entities would generally be organized as limited liability companies, partnerships or trusts that would either be disregarded as entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We expect that our operating partnership will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of our investment in the operating partnership provided the operating partnership is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion should also generally apply to any investment by us in other entities taxable as partnerships for such purposes.
A partnership (that is not a publicly traded partnership taxed as a corporation) is not subject to tax as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, partners are allocated their allocable share of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership, and are potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether the partners receive any distributions from the partnership. We will be required to take into account our allocable share of the foregoing items for purposes of the various REIT gross income and asset tests, and in the computation of our REIT taxable income and U.S. federal income tax liability. Further, there can be no assurance that distributions from the operating partnership will be sufficient to pay the tax liabilities resulting from an investment in the operating partnership.
We intend that interests in the operating partnership (and any partnership invested in by the operating partnership) will fall within one of the “safe harbors” for the partnership to avoid being classified as a publicly
 
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traded partnership. However, we reserve the right to not satisfy any safe harbor. Even if a partnership is a publicly traded partnership, it generally will not be treated as a corporation if at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year is from certain sources, which generally include rents from real property and other types of passive income. We believe that our operating partnership will have sufficient qualifying income so that it would be taxed as a partnership, even if it were treated as a publicly traded partnership.
If for any reason the operating partnership (or any partnership invested in by the operating partnership) is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, and as a result, we would most likely be unable to satisfy the applicable REIT requirements under U.S. federal income tax laws discussed above. In addition, any change in the status of any partnership may be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could incur a tax liability without a related cash distribution. Further, if any partnership were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of such partnership would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, and the partners of any such partnership would be treated as stockholders, with distributions to such partners being treated as dividends.
Anti-abuse Treasury regulations have been issued under the partnership provisions of the Code that authorize the IRS, in some abusive transactions involving partnerships, to disregard the form of a transaction and recast it as it deems appropriate. The anti-abuse regulations apply where a partnership is utilized in connection with a transaction (or series of related transactions) with a principal purpose of substantially reducing the present value of the partners’ aggregate U.S. federal tax liability in a manner inconsistent with the intent of the partnership provisions. The anti-abuse regulations contain an example in which a REIT contributes the proceeds of a public offering to a partnership in exchange for a general partnership interest. The limited partners contribute real property assets to the partnership, subject to liabilities that exceed their respective aggregate bases in such property. The example concludes that the use of the partnership is not inconsistent with the intent of the partnership provisions, and thus, cannot be recast by the IRS. However, the anti-abuse regulations are extraordinarily broad in scope and are applied based on an analysis of all the facts and circumstances. As a result, we cannot assure you that the IRS will not attempt to apply the anti-abuse regulations to the operating partnership (or any partnership invested in by the operating partnership). Any such action could potentially jeopardize our qualification as a REIT and materially affect the tax consequences and economic return resulting from an investment in us.
Income Taxation of Partnerships and Their Partners
Although a partnership agreement generally will determine the allocation of a partnership’s income and losses among the partners, such allocations may be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Code Section 704(b) and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. If any allocation is not recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ economic interests in the partnership. We believe that the allocations of taxable income and loss in the operating partnership’s partnership agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 704(b) and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.
In some cases, special allocations of net profits or net losses will be required to comply with the U.S. federal income tax principles governing partnership tax allocations. Additionally, pursuant to Code Section 704(c), income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to property contributed to the operating partnership in exchange for units must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or loss attributable to the property at the time of contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value and the adjusted tax basis of the property at the time of contribution. These allocations are designed to eliminate book-tax differences by allocating to contributing partners lower amounts of depreciation deductions and increased taxable income and gain attributable to the contributed property than would ordinarily be the case for economic or book purposes. The application of the principles of Code Section 704(c) in tiered partnership arrangements is not entirely clear. Accordingly, the IRS may assert a different allocation method than the one selected by the operating partnership to cure any book-tax differences. In certain circumstances, we create book-tax differences by adjusting the values of properties for economic or book purposes and generally the rules of Code Section 704(c) would apply to such differences as well.
 
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For properties contributed to the operating partnership, depreciation deductions are calculated based on the transferor’s tax basis and depreciation method. Because depreciation deductions are based on the transferor’s tax basis in the contributed property, the operating partnership generally would be entitled to less depreciation than if the properties were purchased in a taxable transaction. The burden of lower depreciation generally will fall first on the contributing partner, but also may reduce the depreciation allocated to other partners, including us.
Some expenses incurred in the conduct of the operating partnership’s activities may not be deducted in the year they were paid. To the extent this occurs, the taxable income of the operating partnership may exceed its cash receipts for the year in which the expense is paid. As discussed above, the costs of acquiring properties must generally be recovered through depreciation deductions over a number of years. Prepaid interest and loan fees, and prepaid management fees are other examples of expenses that may not be deducted in the year they were paid.
Partnership Audit Rules
Any audit adjustment to items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership (and any partner’s distributive share thereof) is determined, and taxes, interest, or penalties attributable thereto are generally assessed and collected at the partnership level regardless of changes in composition of the partners (or their relative ownership) between the year under audit and the year of the adjustment. The partnership audit rules also include an elective alternative method under which the additional taxes resulting from the adjustment are assessed from the affected partners, subject to a higher rate of interest than otherwise would apply. The partnership audit rules could result in the operating partnership (or any other partnership invested in by the operating partnership) being required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment, and we, as a direct or indirect partner of these partnerships, could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest, and penalties even though we, as a REIT, may not otherwise have been required to pay additional corporate-level taxes as a result of the related audit adjustment. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these changes and their potential impact on their investment in our capital stock.
Taxation of Stockholders
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders
The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for taxable U.S. Holders (as hereinafter defined) relating to ownership of shares of our capital stock. Certain U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to tax-exempt stockholders are described under the subheading “— Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders,” below and certain U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to Non-U.S. Holders are described under the subheading “— Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders,” below.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our capital stock who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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is an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
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is a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
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is an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
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any trust if  (i) a court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
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If a partnership, including for this purpose any arrangement or entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds shares of our capital stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding shares of our capital stock, you are urged to consult with your tax advisors about the consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our capital stock by the partnership.
 
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Distributions Generally
As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, other than capital gain dividends discussed below, generally will constitute dividends taxable to our taxable U.S. Holders as ordinary income. These distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. Holders that are corporations.
Because, as discussed above, we generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our REIT taxable income distributed to our stockholders, our ordinary dividends generally are not eligible for the preferential rate on “qualified dividend income” currently available to most non-corporate taxpayers. However, individuals, trusts and estates generally may deduct up to 20% of certain pass-through income, including ordinary REIT dividends that are not “capital gain dividends” or “qualified dividend income,” subject to certain limitations (the “pass-through deduction”). For taxable years before January 1, 2026, the maximum tax rate for U.S. stockholders taxed at individual rates is 37%. For taxpayers qualifying for the full pass-through deduction, the effective maximum tax rate on ordinary REIT dividends for taxable years before January 1, 2026 would be 29.6%. To qualify for this deduction, the U.S. Holder receiving such dividends must hold the dividend-paying REIT stock for at least 46 days (taking into account certain special holding period rules) of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend and cannot be under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property.
We may designate a portion of our dividends as eligible for the preferential rate on qualified dividend income, provided that the amount so designated may not exceed that portion of our distributions attributable to:
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dividends received by us from non-REIT corporations, such as a TRS; and
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income upon which we have paid U.S. federal corporate income tax (for example, if we distribute taxable income that we retained and paid tax on in the prior year).
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To the extent that we make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to each U.S. Holder. This treatment will reduce the adjusted tax basis that each U.S. Holder has in its shares of our capital stock for U.S. federal tax purposes by the amount of the distribution (but not below zero). Distributions in excess of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our capital stock will be taxable as capital gains (provided that the shares of our capital stock have been held as a capital asset) and will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares of our capital stock have been held for more than one year. Dividends we declare in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholders on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
Capital Gain Distributions
Distributions that we properly designate as capital gain dividends (and undistributed amounts for which we properly make a capital gains designation) will be taxable to U.S. Holders as gains (to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year) from the sale or disposition of a capital asset. Depending on the period of time we have held the assets which produced these gains, and on certain designations, if any, which we may make, these gains may be taxable to non-corporate U.S. Holders at preferential rates, depending on the nature of the asset giving rise to the gain. Corporate U.S. Holders may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations
Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. Holder of shares of our capital stock will be treated as portfolio income. As a result, U.S. Holders generally will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against this income or gain. A U.S. Holder may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of shares of our capital stock and qualified dividend income as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the stockholders will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. Other distributions we make (to the extent they do not
 
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constitute a return of capital) generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. Gain arising from the sale or other disposition of shares of our capital stock, however, will not be treated as investment income under certain circumstances.
Retention of Net Long-Term Capital Gains
We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, our net long-term capital gains. If we make this election (a “Capital Gains Designation”), we would pay tax on our retained net long-term capital gains. In addition, to the extent we make a Capital Gains Designation, a U.S. Holder generally would:
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include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gains in computing its long-term capital gains in its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls (subject to certain limitations as to the amount that is includable);
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be deemed to have paid the capital gains tax imposed on us on the designated amounts included in the U.S. Holder’s long-term capital gains;
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receive a credit or refund for the amount of tax deemed paid by it;
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increase the adjusted tax basis of its shares of our capital stock by the difference between the amount of includable gains and the tax deemed to have been paid by it; and
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in the case of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation, appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury regulations to be promulgated.
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Dispositions of Shares of Our Capital Stock
Generally, if you are a U.S. Holder and you sell or dispose of your shares of our capital stock, you will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property you receive on the sale or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in the shares of our capital stock for tax purposes. This gain or loss will be capital if you have held the shares of our capital stock as a capital asset and, except as provided below, will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the shares of our capital stock for more than one year. However, if you are a U.S. Holder and you recognize loss upon the sale or other disposition of shares of our capital stock that you have held for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules), the loss you recognize will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent you received distributions from us that were required to be treated as long-term capital gains. Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation in respect of long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Conversion of Preferred Stock
Except as provided below, (i) a U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of our preferred stock into our common stock, and (ii) a U.S. Holder’s basis and holding period in our common stock received upon conversion generally will be the same as those of the converted shares of preferred stock (but the basis will be reduced by the portion of adjusted tax basis allocated to any fractional share exchanged for cash). Any of our shares of common stock received in conversion that are attributable to accumulated and unpaid dividends on the converted shares of preferred stock will be treated as a distribution that is potentially taxable as a dividend. Cash received upon conversion in lieu of a fractional share generally will be treated as payment in exchange for such fractional share, and gain or loss will be recognized on the receipt of cash in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the adjusted tax basis allocable to the fractional share deemed exchanged. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the preferred stock for more than one year at the time of conversion. U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any transaction by which such U.S. Holder exchanges our common stock received on a conversion of preferred stock for cash or other property.
Redemption of Preferred Stock
In general, a redemption of any preferred stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution that is taxable at ordinary income tax rates as a dividend (to the extent of our current or
 
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accumulated earnings and profits), unless the redemption satisfies certain tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code enabling the redemption to be treated as a sale of the preferred stock (in which case the redemption will be treated in the same manner as a sale described in “— Dispositions of Shares of Our Capital Stock” above). The redemption will satisfy such tests and be treated as a sale of the preferred stock if the redemption:
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is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. Holder’s interest in our stock;
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results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in all classes of our stock; or
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is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. Holder, all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code.
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In determining whether any of these tests have been met, stock considered to be owned by the U.S. Holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as stock actually owned, generally must be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the three alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code described above will be satisfied with respect to any particular U.S. Holder of preferred stock depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the determination must be made, prospective investors are advised to consult their tax advisors to determine such tax treatment.
If a redemption of preferred stock does not meet any of the three tests described above, the redemption proceeds will be treated as a distribution, as described in “— Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders” above. In that case, a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the redeemed preferred stock will be transferred to such U.S. Holder’s remaining stock holdings in our company. If the U.S. Holder does not retain any of our stock, such basis could be transferred to a related person that holds our stock or it may be lost.
Under previously proposed Treasury regulations, if any portion of the amount received by a U.S. Holder on a redemption of any class of our preferred stock is treated as a distribution with respect to our stock but not as a taxable dividend, then such portion would be allocated to all stock of the redeemed class held by the redeemed holder just before the redemption on a pro-rata, share-by-share, basis. The amount applied to each share would first reduce the redeemed holder’s basis in that share and any excess after the basis was reduced to zero would result in taxable gain. If the redeemed holder had different bases in its shares, then the amount allocated could reduce some of the basis in certain shares while reducing all the basis and giving rise to taxable gain in others. Thus the redeemed holder could have gain even if such holder’s basis in all its shares of the redeemed class exceeded such portion.
The proposed Treasury regulations would permit the transfer of basis in the redeemed preferred stock to the redeemed holder’s remaining, unredeemed shares of preferred stock of the same class (if any), but not to any other class of stock held (directly or indirectly) by the redeemed holder. Instead, any unrecovered basis in the redeemed shares of preferred stock would be treated as a deferred loss to be recognized when certain conditions are satisfied. As of March 28, 2019, these proposed regulations have been withdrawn. As a result, the treatment governing adjustments to the basis of a U.S. Holder’s preferred stock with respect to amounts treated as a distribution with respect to preferred stock, but not as a dividend, as well as the treatment of the basis of any unredeemed shares, may be less certain.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
We report to our U.S. Holders of shares of our capital stock and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. Holder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Medicare Tax
Certain U.S. Holders of shares of our capital stock that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on, among other things, dividends on
 
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and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, unless such dividends or gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in our capital stock.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders
Our distributions to a U.S. Holder that is a domestic tax-exempt entity generally should not constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”), unless the U.S. Holder borrows funds (or otherwise incurs acquisition indebtedness within the meaning of the Code) to acquire or to carry its common shares, or the common shares are otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity.
Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, are subject to different UBTI rules, that generally will require them to characterize distributions from us as UBTI.
Notwithstanding the above, a pension trust (i) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Code and is tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code and (ii) that owns more than 10% of the value of shares of our capital stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if we are a pension-held REIT. We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (i) either (a) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of shares of our capital stock or (b) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of shares of our capital stock, collectively owns more than 50% of our outstanding shares of our capital stock and (ii) we would not have qualified as a REIT without relying upon the “look through” exemption for certain trusts under Section 856(h)(3) of the Code to satisfy the requirement that not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of our capital stock is owned by five or fewer individuals. We do not expect to be classified as a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in shares of our capital stock.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for Non-U.S. Holders (as hereinafter defined) relating to ownership of shares of our capital stock. As used herein, a “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of our capital stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is an individual, corporation or estate that is not a U.S. Holder. The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of shares of our capital stock are complex. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of an acquisition of shares of our capital stock, including tax return filing requirements and the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax treatment of dispositions of interests in, and the receipt of distributions from, us.
Distributions Generally
Distributions that are neither attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of  “U.S. real property interests” ​(as hereinafter defined) nor designated by us as capital gain dividends will be treated as dividends to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the distributions are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by you of a U.S. trade or business. Under some treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs.
Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to tax on a net basis (that is, after allowance for deductions) at graduated rates, in the same manner as dividends paid to U.S. Holders are subject to tax, and are generally not subject to withholding. Any such dividends received by a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
 
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We expect to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on any distributions made to Non-U.S. Holders unless:
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a lower treaty rate applies and you provide us with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate form, as applicable, evidencing eligibility for an exemption from withholding or a reduced treaty rate;
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you provide to us an IRS Form W-8ECI claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business; or
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the distribution is treated as attributable to a sale or exchange of a “U.S. real property interest” ​(as discussed below).
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Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to you to the extent that such distributions do not exceed your adjusted tax basis in shares of our capital stock. Instead, the distribution will reduce the adjusted tax basis of such shares of capital stock. To the extent that such distributions exceed your adjusted tax basis in shares of our capital stock, they will give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such shares of capital stock. The tax treatment of this gain is described below. If it cannot be determined at the time we make a distribution whether the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we expect to treat such distribution as made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits and we therefore expect to withhold tax on the entire amount of such distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend. However, amounts withheld should generally be refundable if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of U.S. Real Property Interests
Except as described below, distributions to a Non-U.S. Holder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest, generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, unless (i) the investment in shares of our capital stock is treated as effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business, in which case you will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. Holders with respect to such gain, except that a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above, or (ii) you are a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case you will be subject to a 30% tax on your capital gains.
Distributions that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of  “U.S. real property interests” by us are taxable to a Non-U.S. Holder under special provisions of the Code known as the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”). The term “U.S. real property interests” includes interests in U.S. real property. Under FIRPTA, a distribution attributable to gain from sales of U.S. real property interests is considered effectively connected with a U.S. business of the Non-U.S. Holder and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. Holders (subject to a special alternative minimum tax adjustment in the case of nonresident alien individuals), without regard to whether the distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 21% of the amount of distribution attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of the U.S. real property interest.
However, any distribution with respect to any class of equity securities which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States is not subject to FIRPTA, and therefore, not subject to the 21% U.S. withholding tax described above, if you did not own more than 10% of such class of equity securities at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution (the “10% Exception”). We believe that our common stock is considered regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States.
Capital gains distributions by a REIT to “qualified shareholders” meeting certain statutory requirements, including that the stockholders be eligible for treaty benefits and publicly traded, or constitute a foreign partnership or other type of foreign collective investment vehicle, are not subject to FIRPTA. Instead, all such distributions will be treated as ordinary dividend distributions and, as a result, Non-U.S. Holders generally would be subject to withholding tax on such distributions in the same manner as they are subject to ordinary dividends.
 
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“Qualified foreign pension funds” are not subject to the taxes imposed by FIRPTA. Accordingly, capital gains distributions by a REIT to a qualified foreign pension fund are not subject to the rules set forth above. To qualify, a pension fund must be created or organized under the law of a country other than the U.S., and have been established to provide retirement or pension benefits to participants or beneficiaries that are current or former employees (or persons designated by those employees) of one or more employers in consideration for services rendered, and meet other requirements. Stockholders that are non-U.S. pension funds are urged to contact their tax advisors to determine whether they qualify for the exemption to FIRPTA.
Retention of Net Capital Gains
Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts designated by us as retained capital gains in respect of the shares of capital stock held by Non-U.S. Holders generally should be treated in the same manner as actual distributions by us of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, you would be able to offset as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability resulting from your proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such retained capital gains, and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent your proportionate share of such tax paid by us exceeds your actual U.S. federal income tax liability.
Sale of Shares of Capital Stock
Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Holder upon the sale or exchange of shares of our capital stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless such shares of capital stock constitute a U.S. real property interest under FIRPTA. Shares of our capital stock will constitute a U.S. real property interest if at least 50% of our assets are U.S. real property interests. However, even if shares of our capital stock constitute U.S. real property interests, if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, FIRPTA will not apply to a sale or exchange of shares of our capital stock. A REIT is a qualified investment entity and will be considered domestically controlled if, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of its shares of capital stock are held directly or indirectly by Non-U.S. Holders. We cannot assure you that we will be a domestically controlled REIT.
Even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT at the time you sell or exchange shares of our capital stock, gain arising from such a sale or exchange would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a U.S. real property interest provided that (i) the applicable class of our stock is regularly traded, as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market such as the NYSE; and (ii) you owned, actually and constructively, 10% or less in value of such class of shares of the applicable class of our stock throughout the shorter of the period during which you held such shares of our stock or the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange. We believe that our common stock is considered regularly traded on an established securities market.
If gain on the sale or exchange of shares of our capital stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, you would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. Holder (subject to a special alternative minimum tax adjustment in the case of nonresident alien individuals) and the purchaser of the shares of our stock would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 15% of the purchase price.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale or exchange of shares of our stock not otherwise subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to you if either (i) the investment in shares of our stock is effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business or (ii) you are a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.
Conversion of Preferred Stock
So long our preferred stock does not constitute a U.S. real property interest (“USRPI”) under FIRPTA, the tax consequences to a non-U.S. Holder of the conversion of our preferred stock into common stock will generally be the same as those described above for a U.S. Holder. If our preferred stock does constitute a USRPI, the conversion of our preferred stock into our common stock may be a taxable exchange for a non-U.S. Holder if our preferred stock constitutes a USRPI. Even if our preferred stock does constitute a USRPI, provided our common stock also constitutes a USRPI, a non-U.S. Holder generally will not recognize
 
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gain or loss upon a conversion of our preferred stock into our common stock so long as certain FIRPTA-related reporting requirements are satisfied. If our preferred stock does constitute a USRPI and such requirements are not satisfied, however, a conversion will be treated as a taxable exchange of our preferred stock for our common stock. Such a deemed taxable exchange will be subject to tax under FIRPTA at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. Holder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be) on the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such non-U.S. Holder’s common stock received over such non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in its preferred stock. Collection of such tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding tax at a rate of 15% of the value of the common stock. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any transaction by which such holder exchanges shares received on a conversion of our preferred stock for cash or other property.
Redemption of Preferred Stock
For a discussion of the treatment of a redemption of our preferred stock for a non-U.S. Holder, see “— Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders — Redemption of Preferred Stock.”
Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting
We will, where required, report to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders, the amount of dividends paid, the name and address of the recipients, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld. Pursuant to tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence. Payments of dividends made to a Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) unless the Non-U.S. Holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying its non-United States status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a United States person.
The gross proceeds from the disposition of our stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding. If a Non-U.S. Holder sells shares of our stock outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid to such Non-U.S. Holder outside the United States, then the backup withholding and information reporting requirements generally will not apply to that payment. However, information reporting, but not backup withholding, generally will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if the Non-U.S. Holder sells shares of our stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that has specified types of connections with the United States, unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and specified conditions are met, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. If a Non-U.S. Holder receives payments of the proceeds of a sale of our stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment will be subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless such holder properly provides an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8) certifying that such holder is not a U.S. person or otherwise establishes an exemption, and the broker does not know or have reason to know that such Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules to your particular situation, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.
Other Tax Considerations
Additional FATCA Withholding
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act and Treasury regulations thereunder, commonly referred to as “FATCA,” imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain types of payments, including payments of U.S.-source dividends made to (i) “foreign financial institutions” unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding
 
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their direct and indirect U.S. account holders, and (ii) certain non-financial foreign entities unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Under certain circumstances, a holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Thirty percent withholding under FATCA was scheduled to apply to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of property that produces U.S.-source dividends beginning on January 1, 2019, but on December 13, 2018, the IRS released proposed regulations that, if finalized in their proposed form, would eliminate the obligation to withhold on gross proceeds. Taxpayers may rely on the provisions in the proposed regulations addressing gross proceeds withholding until final regulations are issued. The rules under FATCA are complex. Holders that hold our stock through a non-U.S. intermediary or that are Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the implications of FATCA on an investment in our stock.
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial, or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. We cannot predict the long-term effect of any future law changes on REITs and their stockholders. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of potential changes to the U.S. federal tax laws on an investment in our securities.
State and Local Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. We may own real property assets located in numerous jurisdictions, and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state and local income and other tax laws on an investment in our securities.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies or replaces this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the SEC:
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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 4, 2021;
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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2021 and July 29, 2021, respectively;
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the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2021;
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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 21, 2021; and
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the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on August 12, 2020.
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We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act: (i) on or after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and (ii) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the underlying securities. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including exhibits, if they are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents, call us at (972) 200-7100 or submit a written request to NETSTREIT Corp., 5910 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600, Dallas, Texas 75206, Attention: Investor Relations.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, we maintain a website that contains information about us at http://www.NETSTREIT.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities registered hereby. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to our company and the securities registered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not necessarily complete and, where such contract or other document is an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates. The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement are available to you on the SEC’s website.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheets of NETSTREIT Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020 (successor), for the period from December 23, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (successor) and the period from January 1, 2019 to December 22, 2019 (predecessor) and the related notes and the financial statement schedule III — Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP. Certain matters regarding Maryland law will be passed upon for us by Venable LLP. In addition, certain U.S. income tax matters will be passed upon for us by Winston & Strawn LLP.
 
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NETSTREIT CORP.
9,600,000 Shares of
Common Stock
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P R O S P E C T U S  S U P P L E M E N T
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