Putting The Power Of Opportunity Zone Funds To Work

One of the narratives currenting surrounding markets, inflation, monetary policy, federal deficits and geopolitics is that offsetting currents are leaving investors in flux; with indecision widespread, even among some of the smartest minds in economics. While some are calling for a “no landing” scenario, others are saying the economy is “whistling by the graveyard,” and that the culmination of the eight rate hikes, and quite possibly a couple more, may end up tanking the economy.

United States Consumer Price Index (CPI) Seasonally Adjusted as of January 2023

Source: Trading Economics (Accessed February 28, 2023)

Inflation remains a sticky problem and rising bond yields reflect this stubborn trend. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury is pushing 3.9% and up against a technical resistance point that should have the bond market take a pause until more economic data crosses the tape. Consumer prices for shelter increased 7.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis over the 12-month period ended January 2023. Price increases for shelter accounted for nearly 60% of the total increase in CPI, excluding food and energy, marking the largest 12-month advance since June 1982, when prices for shelter rose 9.0%.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Consumer prices for shelter up 7.9 percent from January 2022 to January 2023 (Accessed February 28, 2023)

Uncertainties about the future of home values, interest rates, consumer debt load and employment trends are weighing on single-family residential pricing. However, in my opinion, these same uncertainties are adding to demand for rents in Class-A, full-featured apartment communities, which may represent a safer alternative to trying to figure out where the economic landscape is headed. It makes sense to me to keep one’s options open against inflation, quantitative tightening, and rising interest rates. Optionality is very important these days when the road ahead is not so smooth. Hence, the allure of the high-end rentals.

Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (Accessed February 28, 2023)

When goods and services generally cost more than at any time in the past 40 years, I believe the majority of consumers want to be able to spend money and not get into a long-term commitment. In my opinion, home ownership in this market and economic landscape remains a pricey proposition. With current 30-year mortgage rates quoted at 6.95% as of this week, and likely going higher per the Fed’s recent comments, I suspect there are millions of hard-working people who are in no hurry to buy homes.

Inflation rates for consumer goods in the United States of America

Source: WorldData (Accessed February 28, 2023)

This is where the investment proposition regarding Belpointe OZ (NYSE American: “OZ”) comes into focus. Belpointe OZ is continuously seeking to acquire stabilized assets in those cities where we believe population growth and diversified job growth are experiencing uptrends. Out of the many Opportunity Zones that we’ve reviewed (and there are more than 8,700 of them designated by the government), we believe that there are less than 100 that are worth investing in. Our development team is comprised of executives with combined decades of experience in bringing projects online in the Class-A multi-family apartment sector. We believe in our acquisition strategy for the following reasons:

Stabilized Asset Acquisition Strategy: Belpointe OZ is the only publicly traded Opportunity Zone structure, which allows it to acquire other Qualified Opportunity Funds and their opportunity zone assets without causing an inclusion event. This, in turn, allows Belpointe OZ to  preserve the Opportunity Zone tax benefits for the acquisition target’s investors and ultimately provide OZ’s unitholders with newly built qualified opportunity zone assets that are stabilized and focused on generating positive cash flow with minimal construction risk. Win #1: Sponsors of the acquired Opportunity Zone Funds. Typically, a development project takes approximately 2 years to complete. Afterwards Qualified Opportunity Funds and their sponsors are required to hold completed assets for an additional 8 years to meet the minimum 10-year holding period required to receive the full Opportunity Zone tax benefits. Conversely, Belpointe OZ’s unique ability to acquire other Qualified Opportunity Funds without triggering an inclusion event for the acquisition target’s investors provides sponsors with the flexibility to exit their investment vehicles up to 8 years earlier than previously planned.  This provides sponsors the option to receive their carried interest profits up to 8 years faster than expected. Win #2: Investors of the acquired Opportunity Zone Funds. Investors benefit from the ability of Belpointe OZ to acquire their Qualified Opportunity Funds because they may be able to recognize gains from their investments without losing any of their Opportunity Zones tax benefits. Additionally, there is a number of other benefits that Belpointe OZ provides for its unitholders, such as: greater diversification, liquidity, lower fees, unitholders’ investment exit control, and up to 20% tax deduction benefit on income that exceeds depreciation (via Internal Revenue Code Section 199A). Win #3: Existing OZ Unitholders. Belpointe OZ’s existing unitholders also benefit when Belpointe OZ acquires other Qualified Opportunity Funds, as such acquisitions may increase Belpointe OZ’s cash flow from operations and possibly decrease risk by improving investment diversification and eliminating construction and development risks.

In sum, I see this year as one of teeing up properties for lease up in 2024 and seeking to acquire stabilized assets and growing the portfolio to deliver potential future capital appreciation and a rising stream of dividend income.

Many of the investors that I come into contact with are already trying to get a leg up on tax season, and if you are too, I think it’s important to bear in mind that the 180-day lookback period to defer short- and long-term capital gains realized in 2022 continues to tick away. Meaning that under the Opportunity Zone regulations, the lookback period to offset capital gains with the purchase of OZ shares is around September 5, depending on when you receive this update.

Want more information? There’s a wealth of detail on our website at investors.belpointeoz.com where investors and advisors alike can learn about Belpointe OZ and some of its key features.

Have questions about how Belpointe OZ (NYSE American: “OZ”) can provide opportunities for investment appreciation and income and help you or your clients to defer or eliminate capital gains tax obligations?

Call me, Cody Laidlaw, at (203) 883-1944. I can answer your questions and direct you to resources that will provide you with information about the nuts and bolts of QOFs and opportunity zone investing, so you can start planning today.

Cody H. Laidlaw

Editor-in-Chief

Belpointe OZ

255 Glenville Road

Greenwich, CT 06831

T: (203) 883-1944

E: IR@belpointeoz.com Disclosure: Cody H. Laidlaw is the Chief Investor Relations Officer. Cody is also an investment advisor representative with Seaside Advisory Services, Inc. (d/b/a Seaside Financial & Insurance Services), a SEC registered investment adviser offering advisory accounts and services, and holds a long position in Belpointe PREP, LLC’s Class A units. Important Information and Qualifications

Belpointe PREP, LLC (“Belpointe PREP”) has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the offer and sale of up to $750,000,000 of Class A units representing limited liability interests in Belpointe PREP. You should read Belpointe PREP’s most recent prospectus and the other documents that it has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Belpointe PREP and the offering

Investing in Belpointe PREP’s Class A units involves a high degree of risk, including a complete loss of investment. Prior to making an investment decision, you should carefully consider Belpointe PREP’s investment objectives and strategy, risk factors, fees and expenses and any tax consequences that may results from an investment in Belpointe PREP’s Class A units. To view Belpointe PREP’s most recent prospectus containing this and other important information visit sec.gov or belpointeoz.com. Alternatively, you may request Belpointe PREP send you the prospectus by calling (203) 883-1944 or emailing claidlaw@belpointe.com. Read the prospectus in its entirety before making an investment decision.

This communication, including any links embedded herein, may not be distributed in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to do so. Nothing in this communication is or should be construed as an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy Belpointe PREP’s Class A units in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to do so.

Neither Belpointe PREP nor any of its affiliates provide investment or tax advice and do not represent in any manner that the outcomes described herein will result in any particular tax consequence. Prospective investors should consult their own investment and tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state and local income tax consequences, as well as any tax consequences under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, in relation to their personal tax circumstances, which may vary for prospective investors in different tax situations.

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