Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Centerspace reported fourth quarter Core FFO of $1.25 per diluted share, reflecting a 4.8% year-over-year increase in same-store NOI [12] - Revenues from same-store communities increased by 1% compared to the same quarter in 2024, driven by a 1.5% increase in average monthly revenue per occupied home [12] - Same-store expenses decreased by 5.1% year-over-year, with improvements in both controllable and non-controllable expenses [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same-store NOI growth was 3.5%, outpacing peers due to steady occupancy and expense discipline [5] - Blended leasing spreads increased by 10 basis points, with renewal spreads showing their highest growth of the year at 3.9% [6] - Retention for the full year was 58.2%, indicating relative affordability for residents [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Minneapolis, the largest market, experienced positive blended increases of 1.1%, while North Dakota led with blended increases of 4.5% in the quarter [6] - In Denver, blended rent trade outs decreased by 4.3% due to supply pressures, although absorption rates remained above historical norms [7] - The company expects Denver fundamentals to normalize as new construction starts have significantly decreased [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Centerspace is undergoing a strategic review to evaluate alternatives for maximizing shareholder value, initiated from a position of strength [4] - The company executed $493 million in transaction activity in 2025, including entering new markets and pruning holdings [9] - Looking ahead to 2026, the company anticipates momentum in many markets driven by measured supply profiles and strong local economies [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the health and resilience of their markets, expecting stability and growth in Minneapolis [10] - In Denver, management noted ongoing concessionary pressures but expects improvements as the year progresses [21] - The company highlighted strong resident financial health and affordability, with income growth outpacing rent increases [57] Other Important Information - The company expanded its unsecured credit facility by $150 million and repurchased 3.5 million common shares [9] - For 2026, the company expects Core FFO per diluted share to remain stable year-over-year, with guidance for same-store NOI increases of 75 basis points [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk us through some of your assumptions within the 2026 revenue guide? - Management expects blended rent growth to be in the mid-1% range, with renewals leading the way [18] Question: How do you see the Denver market playing out in 2026? - Management anticipates continued concessionary pressure in the first half of 2026 but expects improvements later in the year [21] Question: Is the underlying plan for the company continuing while the strategic review is ongoing? - Management confirmed that they feel good about their strategic execution in 2025, but the strategic review is focused on capital allocation [26] Question: Do you have any January or quarter-to-date leasing stats? - Management reported that blends were flat to slightly negative, with renewals remaining strong [28] Question: Are you able to buy back stock while the strategic review is ongoing? - Management stated that they need to complete the strategic review before resuming stock buybacks [35] Question: How has the experience in Denver and Minneapolis affected your assessment of other markets? - Management noted that business friendliness is a key consideration for new markets, and they are happy with their current market status [38] Question: Is there any concern about affordability given the trends in tax refunds? - Management indicated that rent-to-income ratios have held steady, with incomes increasing faster than rent [57] Question: What is driving the lower retention rate forecast for 2026? - Management is being conservative in their retention expectations due to slight downticks observed in Q4 [51] Question: Why is the expected value-add range wider and lower than in 2025? - Management is being selective with projects due to higher capital costs and the ongoing strategic review [52]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved same-property revenue growth of 3.3% for 2025, at the high end of guidance and 30 basis points ahead of original projections [10] - FFO per share growth is expected to be flat year-over-year for 2026, reflecting a conservative modeling approach [13][14] - Same-property NOI growth is forecasted to increase by 2.1% at the midpoint for 2026 [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Blended lease rate growth was 1.9% in the fourth quarter, with occupancy increasing by 20 basis points to 96.3% [4] - Los Angeles showed the best occupancy improvement, increasing by 70 basis points sequentially [5] - The company anticipates blended lease rate growth of 2.5% at the midpoint for 2026, with new leases expected to range from flat to 2% and renewals around 3%-4% [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Northern California outperformed expectations due to technology sector expansion and favorable migration trends [4] - Rent growth across most Essex markets outperformed the U.S. average, demonstrating the advantage of limited housing supply [4] - Seattle experienced soft performance in the fourth quarter, with several corporate layoffs impacting expectations [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue evaluating opportunities and allocate capital with a focus on creating shareholder value [9] - The investment strategy emphasizes FFO per share and NAV per share accretion, targeting investments with higher growth profiles [35] - The company is cautious about new developments, indicating that significant reductions in land prices or substantial rent growth are needed for new projects to be economically viable [49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted a slow but stable economic growth outlook for the U.S. in 2026, with job growth expected to remain consistent [6] - There is a cautious approach to hiring among major employers, which could temper near-term demand acceleration [7] - The company sees potential for improvement in Northern California due to increased venture capital funding and positive office absorption trends [20] Other Important Information - The company reported $12.6 billion in non-portfolio institutional multifamily transactions in 2025, a 43% increase from 2024 [8] - The company has over $1.7 billion in liquidity and is well-positioned from a funding perspective [15] - Advocacy costs were $2 million in 2025, with expectations for minimal advocacy costs in 2026 [87] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on demand for assets in Northern California and Seattle - Management noted that Northern California is showing signs of recovery, with job openings at tech companies stabilizing, while Seattle's performance was soft due to layoffs [18][21] Question: Expectations for new and renewal lease blends - Management expects new leases to be flat to 2% and renewals around 3%-4% for the year [24] Question: Performance expectations for Los Angeles - Management indicated steady improvement in occupancy, with economic occupancy at 94.7%, close to stabilization [28] Question: Impact of immigration on demand - Management has not seen a direct impact from immigration but noted an increase in immigration trends in the northern region [101] Question: Legislative impacts on rental housing - Management is monitoring policy changes but has not seen significant adverse impacts from recent legislative trends [60][96]

Industry Overview - The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Residential industry includes companies that own, develop, and manage various residential properties, generating revenues by renting spaces to tenants [3] - The demand for student housing is closely tied to enrollment growth at educational institutions, making it a key driver for this market segment [3] Current Market Dynamics - Strong rental demand is supported by a resilient labor market, demographic trends driving household formation, and rising homeownership costs making renting more attractive [1][4] - Residential REITs are leveraging technology to enhance tenant experience and improve operational efficiency [5] - Economic uncertainty and regional oversupply of apartments are creating challenges, potentially dampening consumer confidence and affecting renter affordability [2][6][7] Performance Metrics - The REIT and Equity Trust - Residential industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Finance sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, returning 0.5% compared to the S&P 500's increase of 9.6% [11] - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-FFO ratio of 16.46, above the Finance sector's forward P/E of 16.11 but below the S&P 500's forward P/E of 21.89 [14] Future Outlook - The industry is positioned in the top 38% of around 250 Zacks industries, indicating robust near-term prospects [8][9] - Analysts are gaining confidence in the growth potential of the industry, as reflected in upward revisions of funds from operations (FFO) per share estimates [10] Investment Opportunities - Veris Residential focuses on Class A multifamily properties in high-demand Northeast markets, with upward revisions in FFO per share estimates suggesting growth potential [19][21] - Elme Communities targets value-oriented multifamily assets in supply-constrained markets, with a projected net operating income upside in 2025 [23][24][25] - NexPoint Residential Trust offers exposure to middle-income multifamily assets in high-growth Sunbelt markets, with upward revisions in FFO per share estimates indicating strong performance [26][27][28]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a healthy first quarter with core FFO per share exceeding the midpoint of guidance by $0.05, driven by a consolidated portfolio performance ahead of plan with same property revenues growing 3.4% year-over-year [11][12] - Blended net effective rent growth was 2.8% for the first quarter, with new lease rates improving sequentially from the fourth quarter [4][11] - Delinquency improved to 1.3% of scheduled rent in Los Angeles, down from 3.9% in the same period last year [4][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New lease rates turned positive in all three major regions, led by Northern California at 1.5%, Seattle at 1.3%, and Southern California at 0.2% [5] - The turnover rate was notably low at 35%, contributing to stable occupancy levels [4] - In April, renewal rates landed in the low fours, consistent with plans, while new lease rates remained steady [36][37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total new housing supply delivery as a percentage of stock in 2025 is exceptionally low at only 50 basis points in Essex markets, expected to moderate throughout the year [7] - Deal volume in the markets was higher in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, totaling $2.5 billion with cap rates in the mid to high 4% range [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reallocating capital into higher rent growth markets and optimizing its operating platform to generate above-market returns [3][4] - The company remains cautious about revising guidance due to macroeconomic uncertainties, particularly regarding U.S. and global trade policies [6][12] - The company is actively pursuing opportunities to enhance shareholder accretion while maintaining a disciplined investment strategy [10][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the West Coast multifamily fundamentals, stating they are well-positioned for a wide range of economic outcomes due to low supply [7][93] - The company noted that while the tech sector's job growth has been steady, it is closely monitoring potential impacts from macroeconomic changes [21][92] - Management highlighted that the labor market remains soft in Los Angeles, affecting pricing power, and emphasized the need for delinquency recovery to improve occupancy and pricing [60][61] Other Important Information - The company has refinanced the majority of its 2025 debt maturities and maintains over $1 billion in available liquidity [15] - The preferred equity portfolio saw around $27 million in redemptions, with expectations for further redemptions in the upcoming quarters [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance and Rate Growth - The company confirmed that the original guidance included a slight increase in blended rate growth in the second half of the year, and they remain confident in achieving this [17][19] Question: Impact of Tech Sector - Management indicated that job openings in the top 20 tech companies have remained steady, suggesting continued hiring in the sector [20][22] Question: Occupancy Strategy - The company is maintaining its occupancy strategy while pushing rents in Northern California, with a focus on occupancy in Southern California due to supply dynamics [25][27] Question: Renewal Rates - Renewal rates in April were steady, landing in the high threes, consistent with the company's plans [37] Question: Market Conditions in LA - Management noted that pricing power in LA depends on delinquency recovery and that the labor market remains soft, impacting overall performance [60][61] Question: Development and Investment Strategy - The company is actively looking for new investment opportunities but remains disciplined in its approach, focusing on long-term performance [64][111] Question: Concessions and Loss to Lease - Concessions have improved significantly from the fourth quarter to the first quarter, and loss to lease metrics have also shown improvement [113]