Desert Capital REIT

Recovery of Desert Capital REIT Losses

INVESTORLAWYER_6Q17_2012-11-12_Mon_Recovery of Desert Capital REIT Losses

Many investors who purchased Desert Capital REIT, a non-traded REIT, are consulting securities fraud attorneys in order to recover their REIT losses. Claims by investors include unsuitable recommendations and misrepresentations of Desert Capital REIT. In addition, many investors suffered losses as a result of overconcentration of funds in Desert Capital REIT.

Typically, REITs carry a high commission which motivates some brokers to make the recommendation to investors despite the investment’s unsuitability. The commission on a non-traded REIT is often as high as 15 percent. Non-traded REITs carry a relatively high dividend or high interest, making them attractive to retired investors. However, non-traded REITs are inherently risky and illiquid, which limits access of funds to investors. The most common complaints regarding the recommendation of Desert Capital REIT mention valuations, prospects, performance, liquidity, redemption and distribution of the investment. Many investors assert that they were not aware of the truth regarding these aspects and their decision to invest would have been affected if they’d had all of this information.

According to stock fraud lawyers, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has and will continue to relentlessly target non-traded real estate investment trusts, or REITs. Specifically, the regulatory authority is focusing on how broker-dealers sell these investments and potential shortcomings in their strategies. According to the Executive Vice President of Member Regulation Sales Practices at FINRA, Susan Axelrod, examiners at FINRA have been scrutinizing “numerous retail sellers of non-traded REITs.” Axelrod also stated that, “In several instances, FINRA examiners have found that firms selling these products failed to conduct reasonable diligence before selling a product and failed to make a determination that the product was suitable for investors.”

FINRA Targets Non-traded REITs

Investment fraud lawyers note that independent broker-dealers have a responsibility to perform adequate due diligence when selling any investment, especially complex, illiquid products. Since the 2008 market collapse, FINRA has been aggressive with broker-dealers who failed to do so. Axelrod stated to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association’s Complex Products Forum that, “FINRA examiners have noted that in the instances of REITs that have experienced financial difficulties, red flags existed and should have been considered by firms prior to the product being offered to firm clients.”

Another problem with non-traded REITs, according to Axelrod, is that “non-traded REITs may also borrow funds to make distributions if operating cash flow is insufficient, and excessive borrowing may increase the risk of default or devaluation. In addition, non-traded-REIT distributions may actually be a return on principal.”