STRS Stratus Properties Inc - 10-K
0000885508-26-000017Year-over-year tone shift - average net-tone change across Risk Factors and MD&A vs the prior 10-K. This filing is -0.32pp more bearish than last year's.
Why YoY instead of absolute: the LM lexicon has ~6.6× more negative words than positive (legal/risk-disclosure language is heavy on hedging), so every 10-K reads bearish on raw tone. Year-over-year change strips that bias and surfaces the actual shift in management's framing.
Tone shift by section
The two components the gauge averages: how Risk Factors and MD&A each shifted in net tone versus last year's 10-K. The headline above is their average, so a green needle over a soft section just means the other section carried it.
Sentence-level sentiment highlighting with category and subcategory filters is coming once the snippet-scoring pipeline lands. For now, dig into the actual section text on the Sections tab.
Language change vs prior 10-K
Risk Factors (Item 1A) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase- liquidation+45
- liquidating+29
- claims+13
- dissolution+13
- litigation+9
- greater+4
- advances+4
- profitability+3
- satisfy+3
- beneficial+3
Risk Factors (Item 1A)
12,615 words
Item 1A. Risk Factors
This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, such as plans, projections or expectations. For additional information, refer to “Cautionary Statement” in MD&A.
We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, notwithstanding any changes in our assumptions, business plans, actual experience, or other changes. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, expected, projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that can cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements are discussed below. Investors should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to the other information set forth in this annual report on Form 10-K. The risk factors described herein are not all of the risks we may face. Other risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may materially and adversely affect our business if they occur, and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose part or all of your investment. Moreover, new risks emerge from time to time. Further, our business may also be affected by general risks that apply to all companies operating in the U.S., which we have not included below.
Risk Factor Summary
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the information included in other sections of this annual report on Form 10-K, including, but not limited to, Items 1. and 2. “Business and Properties,” Item 1C. “Cybersecurity,” MD&A and Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” prior to investing in our securities. If any of the following risks occur, they may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial performance, stock price, results of operations, operating flexibility, reputation, costs or liabilities and you could lose part or all of your investment. The summary and risks that follow are organized under headings as determined to be most applicable, but such risks also may be relevant to other headings. Moreover, the risk factors described herein are not all of the risks we may face and there may be other risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial or general risks that apply to all companies operating in the U.S. and globally, which may emerge or become material.
Risks Relating to the Plan of Liquidation
• Uncertain amount and timing of any liquidating distributions;
• Failure to obtain stockholder approval of the Plan of Liquidation, or its delay, modification or abandonment;
• Asset sales not occurring on expected terms or timeline;
• Joint venture, partnership and subsidiary structures constraining dispositions and upstreamed cash flows;
Table of Contents
• Need for additional capital, lender consents, waivers, refinancing or project-level spending;
• Inadequate reserves delaying distributions and triggering repayment claims;
• Adverse impacts on business, relationships and personnel retention;
• Substantial or estimate-exceeding winding-down costs;
• Stock price volatility and lack of correlation between stock price and ultimate liquidation value;
• Liquidating trust risks; and
• Future liquidation-related accounting changes.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
• Successfulness of business strategy;
• Inflation, limited availability of equity capital, tighter credit and rising costs;
• U.S. tariffs and trade policies changes;
• Adverse economic conditions, particularly in Austin, Texas;
• Concentration risks;
• Inability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms;
• Inability to maintain strategic relationships with key tenants;
• Loss of key personnel;
• Risks associated with joint ventures;
• Adverse weather conditions and other potentially catastrophic events;
• Insurance, information technology and cybersecurity, and public health risks; and
• Failure to succeed in new markets.
Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness
• Significant debt and debt service needs; and
• Financial and restrictive covenants in financing arrangements.
Risks Relating to Real Estate Operations
• U.S. real estate industry market conditions;
• Development project risks;
• Holden Hills Phase 1 development and ETJ-related risks;
• Substantial amounts of undeveloped land and land under development;
• Failure to obtain or delays in receiving MUD reimbursements;
• Difficulties in selling real estate at advantageous times or prices;
• Competition risks;
• Regulatory approvals and opposition from environmental and special interest groups;
• Environmental regulations and evolving governmental and societal expectations on sustainability matters; and
• Litigation risks.
Risks Relating to Leasing Operations
• Inability to sustain satisfactory occupancy and rental rates; and
• Increased leasing costs.
Risks Relating to Ownership of Shares of Our Common Stock
• Thin trading and price volatility of common stock;
Table of Contents
• Impact of anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law; and
• Uncertainty and constraints on future dividends and share repurchases.
Risks Relating to the Plan of Liquidation
The amount and timing of any liquidating distributions to stockholders may vary substantially from the estimated range of potential liquidating distributions.
There can be no assurance that the actual aggregate amount or per share amount of any liquidating distributions will be within the estimated range. Although we have provided an estimated range of potential liquidating distributions of $29.73 to $37.69 per share and, if our stockholders approve the Plan of Liquidation, we would expect to make one or more liquidating distributions over time, the timing and amount of those distributions may vary substantially from the estimated range of potential liquidating distributions based on a number of factors, and we cannot determine at this time when, or whether, we will be able to make any liquidating distributions to our stockholders or the amount of any such distributions.
The estimated range of potential liquidating distributions is based on numerous judgments, assumptions and estimates, including assumptions regarding the estimated values and timing of sales of our real estate assets; the amount of indebtedness secured by our properties and other indebtedness, including any fees or costs associated with repayment; the amount of cash on hand; estimated cash flow and net working capital to be generated from continuing operations during the liquidation process; estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with asset sales and the winding down and dissolution of the Company; the effect of distributions from partnerships in project entities; the amount and duration of reserves for known, contingent and future claims, liabilities and expenses; and the number of shares of common stock outstanding on a fully-diluted basis. Those judgments, assumptions and estimates may prove to be inaccurate and may not reflect future changes in interest rates, market volatility, economic conditions, local real estate market conditions or other developments.
If those judgments, assumptions and estimates prove incorrect, if the prices obtained in asset sales are lower than expected, if asset sales are delayed, if costs, taxes, indebtedness, liabilities or reserves are greater than anticipated, if operating cash flow or net working capital is lower than anticipated, or if we are required to retain assets or reserves for longer than expected, the aggregate amount and per share amount of any liquidating distributions could be substantially lower than the estimated range of potential liquidating distributions and the timing of any liquidating distributions could be delayed. In addition, the estimated range of potential liquidating distributions was determined as of a specified date and does not reflect changes that may occur after that date, including changes in market conditions, interest rates or other factors that could affect the actual amount and timing of any liquidating distributions.
The Plan of Liquidation requires stockholder approval and may not be completed on the timetable or on the terms currently contemplated.
Although our Board has approved the Plan of Liquidation, we cannot implement the dissolution and liquidation of our assets unless the Plan of Liquidation is approved by the requisite vote of our stockholders. Even if our stockholders do approve the Plan of Liquidation, we would retain broad discretion, to the extent permitted by Delaware law and the Plan of Liquidation, to determine whether and when to file the certificate of dissolution and how to sequence the winding-down process. Before the certificate of dissolution is filed, the Board could delay implementation, modify the Plan of Liquidation or abandon it if the Board determines that changed circumstances, new information or alternative courses of action make that advisable. If stockholder approval of the Plan of Liquidation is not obtained, or if the Board delays, modifies or abandons the Plan of Liquidation, there can be no assurance that we would be able to pursue an alternative strategy that provides equal or greater value, or that any value would be realized on a comparable timetable. In that event, we would continue to bear the risks, costs and uncertainties of operating as a public real estate company while also having incurred transaction costs in connection with the Plan of Liquidation.
If the Plan of Liquidation is approved, stockholders would not be entitled to vote separately on most implementation decisions, including decisions regarding the timing and terms of most asset sales, the size and duration of reserves, whether to delay dispositions to seek improved values, whether to establish a liquidating trust, whether to retain directors, officers, employees or consultants to assist in the winding-down process, or whether to obtain or maintain insurance coverage. In addition, after the dissolution is effected by filing a certificate of dissolution with the Office of
Table of Contents
the Delaware Secretary of State, we will not hold annual meetings of stockholders to reelect directors, or elect successor directors, upon the expiration of director terms. As a result, stockholders will have limited ability to influence the execution of the liquidation and dissolution after approval of the Plan of Liquidation.
We may be unable to sell or otherwise monetize our assets on the terms or timeline expected in the estimated range of potential liquidating distributions.
The estimated range of potential liquidating distributions necessarily depends in significant part on assumptions regarding the timing, structure and pricing of future asset sales or other monetization transactions. Real estate assets are relatively illiquid, values can change materially over time and actual sale prices can be affected by a number of factors, including local and general economic conditions, interest rates, the availability of financing, buyer demand, the supply of competing properties, property-level operating performance, needed capital expenditures, zoning or regulatory issues and other factors outside our control. In addition, prospective buyers may seek to use the public announcement of the Plan of Liquidation, and the perception that we are a motivated seller, to negotiate lower prices or more favorable terms. If we are unable to complete asset dispositions on the terms or timeline currently assumed, or if we determine that quicker sales are preferable to reduce duration and risk, the liquidating distributions could be delayed or substantially reduced.
Our joint venture, partnership and subsidiary structures may limit our ability to control the timing and terms of dispositions and the timing of cash distributions to us.
We hold and manage certain projects through subsidiaries and project-level entities that include third-party investors. The agreements governing those entities may contain approval rights for specified major decisions, including sales and transfers of interests. They may also contain buy-sell provisions, rights of first refusal, transfer restrictions, deadlock procedures and distribution mechanics that constrain our flexibility or affect our economic participation.
These arrangements may delay asset dispositions, require us to negotiate with counterparties whose objectives differ from ours, change the allocation of disposition proceeds, require additional capital contributions or otherwise prevent us from monetizing assets on the timetable or terms we consider optimal. They may also delay the upstreaming of cash to us as the parent company, which would defer or reduce any liquidating distributions to our stockholders.
We may need additional capital, lender consents or waivers, refinancing or project-level expenditures to complete the winding-down process.
Our debt agreements and other obligations may require us to obtain lender consents, amendments, waivers or releases in connection with asset sales, changes in business plans, transfers of interests or other steps in the winding-down process. Loan documents may also impose restrictions on dividends and upstream distributions, reserve requirements, covenants that become harder to satisfy as assets are sold and obligations to repay indebtedness from sale proceeds before cash can be distributed to stockholders.
In addition, we may determine that capital expenditures, leasing costs, development spending, insurance expenditures, litigation costs, guarantee support or other project-level funding is necessary or appropriate in order to preserve or enhance value, comply with contractual obligations or facilitate a disposition. If we are unable to obtain additional capital or financing flexibility on acceptable terms, we may be forced to delay or restructure dispositions, accept less favorable pricing or incur additional costs that reduce the net amount available for distribution.
If we rely on an out-of-court dissolution and winding up and the amounts reserved for claims, liabilities, expenses and obligations prove inadequate, liquidating distributions could be delayed or reduced and stockholders could be required to return prior distributions.
If the Plan of Liquidation is approved and we proceed with an out-of-court dissolution and winding up under Section 281(b) of the DGCL, we will be required to pay or make reasonable provision for our claims and obligations, including known claims, pending proceedings and claims that, based on facts known to us, are likely to arise or become known within ten years after dissolution. Making those provisions would require substantial judgment concerning the nature, amount, timing and likelihood of claims, liabilities, taxes, expenses and other obligations that may not be fixed or fully known when reserves are established. If our estimates prove incorrect, we may need to increase reserves, delay liquidating distributions, retain assets longer than expected, or make lower distributions
Table of Contents
than currently contemplated. In addition, under Delaware law, if adequate provision is not made for claims and obligations, a stockholder who has received a liquidating distribution may, in certain circumstances, be required to return some or all of the amounts previously distributed to that stockholder, up to the amount distributed.
The announcement and pendency of the Plan of Liquidation may adversely affect our business, relationships and ability to retain personnel.
The announcement and pendency of the Plan of Liquidation may create uncertainty for our employees, tenants, joint venture partners, lenders, vendors, contractors, service providers and prospective buyers. This uncertainty may make it more difficult to retain and motivate key employees and may require us to implement retention, severance, consulting or other compensation arrangements that increase our costs.
The Plan of Liquidation may also divert significant management time and attention away from our ordinary business operations, including leasing, development and financing activities. Any deterioration in operating performance, relationships or employee continuity during this period could reduce the value realized in asset sales and increase the overall cost of the liquidation.
Winding-down costs, including public company costs, litigation, indemnification obligations, insurance and professional fees, may be substantial and may exceed our estimates .
The Plan of Liquidation and any subsequent wind-down process could involve substantial costs, including audit fees, SEC reporting and The Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ) compliance costs while we remain a public company, legal and accounting fees, tax services, financial advisory fees, transfer agent and mailing costs, employee retention expenses, litigation costs, indemnification obligations and insurance premiums, including any tail coverage or other policies we deem advisable.
These types of corporate transactions also can result in stockholder, creditor, partner, contract, tax, employment or other litigation, disputes arising from asset sales or project operations, and related defense or settlement costs. In addition, we may continue to indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents and may determine to obtain or maintain directors’ and officers’ insurance, tail coverage or other insurance policies in amounts the Board considers appropriate. If the Plan of Liquidation is approved and the liquidation and dissolution process takes longer than expected, or if disputes or unexpected obligations arise, these costs could exceed our estimates and substantially reduce the amount ultimately available for distribution to stockholders.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly during the pendency of the Plan of Liquidation and may bear little relationship to the amount ultimately distributed to stockholders.
During the pendency of the Plan of Liquidation, the market price of our common stock may be more volatile and may be influenced by speculation regarding whether our stockholders will approve the Plan of Liquidation, the timing and pricing of future asset sales, the amount and duration of reserves, expected taxes and expenses, the timing and amount of any liquidating distributions, general market conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. As a result, the market price of our common stock during the pendency of the Plan of Liquidation may not reflect the amount that stockholders ultimately receive in liquidation and may trade at a significant discount, or occasionally a premium, to investors’ expectations of ultimate value.
In addition, if NASDAQ uses its discretionary authority to delist our common stock or we later fail to satisfy NASDAQ listing requirements, determine to delist our common stock, or suspend or terminate our reporting obligations under the Exchange Act in connection with the liquidation and dissolution process, trading in our common stock could become more limited, sporadic and volatile. Reduced liquidity and fewer market participants, among other things, could make it more difficult for stockholders to sell their shares and could cause our common stock to trade at a greater discount to the amount ultimately realized in liquidation.
If we transfer remaining assets and liabilities to a liquidating trust, stockholders may receive illiquid interests and may incur tax liabilities without concurrent cash distributions.
If the Board determines that it is desirable or necessary to transfer any remaining assets and liabilities to a liquidating trust, stockholders would receive beneficial interests in that trust in lieu of directly receiving those assets. It is anticipated that the declaration of trust would limit the transferability of those beneficial interests, and holders would have limited or no ability to accelerate the sale of trust assets or demand cash distributions. As a result,
Table of Contents
beneficial interests in a liquidating trust would be significantly less liquid than publicly traded common stock and may not be marketable at all.
In addition, stockholders may be treated for tax purposes as owning a pro rata interest in the underlying assets and liabilities of the liquidating trust. Accordingly, stockholders may be required to report taxable income, gain, loss, deduction or credit associated with the trust whether or not the trust distributes cash in the relevant period. If the liquidating trust were not to qualify for the intended tax treatment, the resulting tax burden could be greater than expected and the amount ultimately distributable to stockholders could be reduced.
During the course of the liquidation and dissolution process, we expect to change our basis of accounting, which could require us to write down our assets.
For as long as appropriate, we intend to continue to use the going-concern basis of accounting. Under the going-concern basis, assets and liabilities are expected to be realized in the normal course of business. However, long-lived assets that are classified as held for sale are required to be reported at the lower of carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell. For long-lived assets classified as held and used, when a change in circumstances occurs, our management must assess whether we can recover the carrying amounts of our long-lived assets. If our management determines that, based on all available information, we cannot recover those carrying amounts, an impairment loss will be recognized to the extent the carrying amounts exceed their estimated fair values.
If the Plan of Liquidation is implemented, we expect to change our basis of accounting from the going-concern basis to the liquidation basis of accounting. Under the liquidation basis of accounting, our assets must be measured at the estimated amount of consideration we expect to collect, and our liabilities must be measured at the contractual amounts due or the estimated amounts at which the liabilities are expected to be settled. Recorded liabilities will include the estimated costs associated with carrying out the Plan of Liquidation. The application of the liquidation basis of accounting could result in write-downs of certain of our assets to values substantially less than their carrying amounts and may require that certain of our liabilities be increased or recorded to reflect the anticipated effects of the liquidation.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
We cannot assure you that our current business strategy will be successful.
We cannot assure you that our current business strategy will be successful. For a description of our current business strategy, refer to “Business Strategy” in MD&A. We expect to re-evaluate our strategy as sales and development progress on the projects in our portfolio and as market conditions continue to evolve, and pending stockholder approval of the Plan of Liquidation. However, if the Plan of Liquidation is approved by our stockholders, our business strategy will shift from the continuation of our historical operating and development strategy toward an orderly monetization of assets and winding-down process.
Austin, our primary market, has experienced significant growth in demand for residential projects in recent years, particularly due to growth in the technology-related sector in the region and, during 2020 and 2021 related in part to COVID-19 pandemic-influenced in-migration. The expanding economy resulted in rising demand for residential housing and retail services. This surge in population growth spurred a rapid increase in multi-family construction which caused rental rates in 2024 and 2025 to drop from the previous years while occupancy rates have remained high. Retail market fundamentals, such as occupancy and rents, have shown stronger performance compared to the multi-family sector. The market for new suburban multi-family development has continued to face headwinds. We also have faced challenging market conditions in recent years, including as a result of inflation and elevated interest rates. Furthermore, our development plans for our undeveloped land and land under development may change over time, including as a result of changes in real estate market conditions, economic conditions, the cost and availability of capital and changes in laws, such as changes resulting from the ETJ Law enacted in 2023, discussed further below.
We may not be able to obtain the capital necessary to implement our business strategy on acceptable terms or at all. Our development plans for future projects require significant additional debt and equity capital. We have increasingly raised equity capital from third parties through joint venture structures, which, as discussed below, have their own risks. Even if we are able to obtain the necessary capital, our business strategy may not produce sufficient
Table of Contents
revenues, profits and cash flows. In addition, our ability to generate revenue in our leasing operations depends on our ability to successfully develop new projects and our ability to obtain attractive rental and occupancy rates on existing and new projects.
We have recently sold significant assets and may continue to do so, resulting in a change in the composition of our asset portfolio. Results of the past sales of our properties are not indicative of results of future sales. The timing of any property sales or refinancings and proceeds from such sales or refinancings are difficult to predict and depend on market conditions and other factors. Further, we historically have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, variability in asset sales and results of operations. As a result of such variability and the changing composition of our asset portfolio, our historical performance may not be a meaningful indicator of future results. Additionally, due to the nature of our development-focused business, we do not expect to generate sufficient recurring cash flow to cover our general and administrative expenses each period.
Inflation, more limited availability of equity capital, construction and labor cost increases, supply chain constraints, labor shortages, higher borrowing costs and tightened bank credit have had an adverse impact on us and may continue to do so.
In recent years, our industry has experienced, and may in the future experience, construction and labor cost increases, supply chain constraints, labor shortages, higher borrowing costs and tightened bank credit. Inflation has generally remained higher than the Federal Reserve’s target rate of inflation of two percent and interest rates continue to remain elevated compared to prior years. There is no guarantee that the Federal Reserve will take action to reduce rates in the future. Inflation and elevated interest rates increase our costs of materials, services, labor and capital and may negatively impact the timing of our projects or sales.
On completed projects, we have experienced increased borrowing costs on our variable-rate debt due to elevated interest rates and increased operating costs due to inflation. As of December 31, 2025, all of our consolidated debt was variable-rate debt. While interest rates generally declined in 2025, costs remained elevated and may rise in the future if prevailing market interest rates rise again. We typically do not hedge against changes in interest rates, except that we entered into an interest rate cap agreements for our Jones Crossing loan refinanced in March 2025 as required by the lender. Refer to Note 6 for additional information. Future increases in interest rates would further increase our interest costs and the costs of refinancing existing debt or incurring new debt, which would adversely affect our profits and cash flow. Our operating expenses impacted by inflation include onsite payroll for our properties, contracted services such as janitorial and maintenance services, utilities and repairs. In addition, inflation may continue to cause the value of our properties to rise, which has resulted in higher property taxes and could lead to future increases. Our general and administrative expenses include compensation costs, professional fees and technology services, all of which may continue to increase due to inflation.
Inflation and elevated interest rates may also adversely impact a potential buyer’s ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, decreasing demand for the purchase of our properties and lowering their market value. Inflation could have a negative impact on our tenants’ ability to pay rent or absorb rent increases. In addition, rising costs and delays in delivery of materials may increase the risk of default by contractors and subcontractors on ongoing construction projects. Also, as discussed elsewhere in this report, higher costs and project delays have required us to make operating loans, capital contributions and advances to some of our joint ventures and we expect to make additional operating loans or advances during the next 12 months.
If we are unable to offset rising costs by value engineering or raising rents and sales prices, our profitability and cash flows would be adversely impacted, and we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges in the future. Further, these factors have caused and may continue to cause a decline in demand for our real estate, which could harm our revenues, profits and cash flow.
Changes in U.S. tariffs and trade policies could adversely affect our business.
We are monitoring changes and potential changes to U.S. tariffs and trade policies under the current Presidential administration, along with reciprocal tariffs or other countermeasures imposed or that may be imposed by other countries in response. The current environment is dynamic and uncertain, as the current Presidential administration has imposed, modified and paused tariffs, and granted exemptions from tariffs, on different countries and products multiple times since 2025. In addition, litigation and administrative processes relating to the modification or invalidation of tariffs may create further uncertainty and could contribute to additional trade measures or
Table of Contents
countermeasures. A number of important construction materials, including steel and lumber, are or may become subject to higher tariffs, which we believe is likely to further disrupt supply chains and increase construction costs. The lack of predictability regarding future U.S. tariffs and trade policies creates uncertainties that make it more challenging for construction contractors to price projects and for developers and investors to make projections. Changing U.S. tariffs and trade policies could also cause higher inflation and interest rates and slower economic growth or a recession in the U.S. These changes and uncertainties regarding future changes could result in, among other things, higher costs to our business generally, higher costs and more limited availability of capital, lower demand from buyers of our real estate and higher tenant default rates, and could cause our real estate development projects in planning to be less profitable, delayed or cancelled. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, profitability and cash flow.
A decline in general economic conditions, particularly in the Austin, Texas area, could harm our business.
Our business may be adversely affected by periods of economic uncertainty, economic weakness or recession, declining employment levels, declining consumer confidence and spending, declining access to capital, geopolitical instability, or the public’s perception that any of these events or conditions may occur, be present or worsen. Our business is especially sensitive to economic conditions in the Austin, Texas area, where the majority of our properties are located. As discussed elsewhere in this report, our business has been adversely impacted since 2022 through early 2026 by inflation and elevated interest rates and other adverse economic conditions.
These types of adverse economic conditions can result in a general decline in real estate acquisition, disposition, development and leasing activity, a general decline in the value of real estate and in rents and increases in tenant defaults. As a result of a decline in economic conditions, the demand for and value of our real estate may be reduced, our development projects may be further delayed, and we could realize losses, diminished profitability or additional asset impairments.
We are vulnerable to concentration risks because our operations are primarily located in the Austin, Texas area and are focused on pure residential and residential-centric mixed-use real estate.
Our real estate operations are primarily located in the Austin, Texas area. While our real estate operations have expanded to include select markets in Texas outside of the Austin area, the geographic concentration of the majority of our operations and of the properties we may have under development at any given time means that our business is more vulnerable to negative changes in local economic, regulatory, weather and other conditions than the businesses of larger, more geographically diversified companies. The performance of the Austin area’s economy and our other select markets in Texas greatly affects our revenue and the values of our properties. We cannot assure you that these markets will grow or that underlying real estate fundamentals will be favorable in these markets.
As a result of our focus on pure residential and residential-centric mixed-use projects, we may be exposed to greater risks than if our investment focus was based on more diversified types of properties. In addition, due to the recent sales of our stabilized retail projects, Kingwood Place, Lantana Place – Retail and West Killeen Market, we have one remaining stabilized retail project, which increases our concentration risks and our dependence on our development pipeline. Weakening in the Austin residential market generally makes it more difficult for us to sell our residential properties at attractive prices or to rent our properties at attractive rents. Weakening in the residential market may also adversely impact the demand for our retail projects, as may any other trends that cause consumers not to shop at retail locations. Refer to “Overview of Financial Results for 2025 – Real Estate Market Conditions” in MD&A for more information.
We may not be able to raise additional capital for future projects on acceptable terms, if at all.
Our industry is capital-intensive and requires significant up-front expenditures to secure land and pursue development and construction. We have relied on proceeds from property sales and debt financing and cash flow from operations as our primary sources of funding. We have also relied on third-party project-level equity financing of our subsidiaries, which we expect to continue to seek in the future. Our ability to raise additional capital in the future will depend on conditions in the equity and debt markets, general economic and real estate conditions and our financial condition, performance and prospects, among other factors, many of which are not within our control. We may not be able to raise additional capital on acceptable terms if at all. Any inability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms when needed for existing or future projects could delay or terminate future projects, hinder our
Table of Contents
ability to complete projects, and prevent us from refinancing debt obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Part of our business strategy depends on maintaining strong relationships with key tenants and our inability to do so could adversely affect our business.
We have formed strategic relationships with key tenants as part of our overall strategy for particular retail and mixed-use development projects and may enter into other similar arrangements in the future. Our inability to form and retain strategic relationships with key tenants could adversely affect our business. If we are unable to renew a lease we have with a key tenant at one of our properties, or to re-lease the space to another key tenant of similar or better quality, we could experience material adverse consequences with respect to such property, such as a higher vacancy rate, less favorable leasing terms, reduced cash flow and reduced property values. Similarly, if one or more of our key tenants becomes insolvent or enters into bankruptcy proceedings, our business could be materially adversely impacted.
Loss of key personnel could negatively affect our business.
We depend on the experience and knowledge of our executive officers and other key personnel who guide our strategic direction and execute our business strategy, have extensive market knowledge and relationships, and exercise substantial influence over our operations. Among the reasons that these individuals are important to our success is that each has a regional industry reputation that attracts business and investment opportunities and assists us in negotiations with lenders, existing and potential tenants, community stakeholders and industry personnel. The loss of any of our executive officers or other key personnel could negatively affect our business.
We could be impacted by our investments through joint ventures, which involve risks not present in investments in which we are the sole owner.
We have continued our use of third-party equity financing of our subsidiaries’ development projects. We expect to continue to fund development projects through the use of such joint ventures. Joint ventures involve risks not present with our wholly-owned properties, including but not limited to, the possibility the other joint venture partners may possess the ability to take or force action contrary to our interests or withhold consent contrary to our requests, have business goals which are or become inconsistent with ours, or default on their financial obligations to the joint venture, which may require us to fulfill the joint venture’s financial obligations as a legal or practical matter. We and our joint venture partners may each have the right to initiate a buy-sell arrangement, which could cause us to sell our interest, or acquire a joint venture partner’s interest, at a time when we otherwise would not have entered into such a transaction. In addition, a sale or transfer by us to a third party of our interests in the joint venture may be subject to consent rights or rights of first refusal in favor of our partners which would restrict our ability to dispose of our interest in the joint venture. Each joint venture agreement is individually negotiated, and our ability to operate, finance, or dispose of a joint venture project in our sole discretion is limited to varying degrees depending on the terms of the applicable joint venture agreement. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion of our investments in joint ventures.
Adverse weather conditions, public safety issues, geopolitical instability, and other potentially catastrophic events in our Texas markets could adversely affect our business.
Adverse weather conditions, including natural disasters and extreme weather events, public safety issues, geopolitical instability, and other potentially catastrophic events in our Texas markets may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Adverse weather conditions may be amplified by or increase in frequency due to the effects of changing climate conditions. These events may delay development and sale activities, interrupt our leasing operations, reduce demand for our properties, damage roads providing access to our assets or damage our property, resulting in substantial repair or replacement costs to the extent not covered by insurance. Any of these factors could cause shortages and price increases in labor or raw materials, reduce property values, or cause a loss of revenue, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Table of Contents
Our insurance coverage on our properties may be inadequate to cover any losses we may incur and our insurance costs may increase.
We maintain insurance on our properties, including business interruption, property, liability, fire and extended coverage. However, there are certain types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as floods or acts of war or terrorism that may be uninsurable or not economical to insure. Further, insurance companies often increase premiums, require higher deductibles, reduce limits, restrict coverage, and refuse to insure certain types of risks, which may result in increased costs or adversely affect our business. We may be unable to renew our current insurance coverage in adequate amounts or at reasonable premiums. We use our discretion when determining amounts, coverage limits and deductibles for insurance based on retaining an acceptable level of risk at a reasonable cost. This may result in insurance coverage that, in the event of a substantial loss, would not be sufficient to pay the full current market value or current replacement cost of our lost investment. In addition, we may become liable for injuries and accidents at our properties that are underinsured. A significant uninsured loss or increase in insurance costs could materially and adversely affect our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business may be adversely affected by information technology disruptions and cybersecurity breaches of our systems or the systems of our contractors.
Many of our business processes and records depend on information systems to conduct day-to-day operations and lower costs, and therefore, we are vulnerable to the increasing threat of information system disruptions and cybersecurity incidents. We also utilize the services of a number of independent contractors, such as general construction contractors, engineers, architects, leasing agents, property managers, technology service providers and attorneys, whose businesses are also vulnerable to the increasing threat of cybersecurity incidents and other information system disruptions. These risks include, but are not limited to, installation of malicious software, phishing, ransomware, credential attacks, unauthorized access to data and other cybersecurity incidents, including those that use artificial intelligence and quantum computing, that could lead to disruptions in information systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information, employee theft or misuse of confidential or otherwise protected information and the corruption of data. Increased use of remote work and virtual platforms may increase our risk of cybersecurity incidents. Our information systems and those of our contractors are also vulnerable to damage or interruption from fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, break-ins and similar events. A significant theft, loss, loss of access to, or fraudulent use of employee, tenant or other company data could adversely impact our reputation and could result in a loss of business, as well as remedial and other expenses, fines and litigation. There can be no assurance that our security efforts and measures and those of our independent contractors will be effective.
We have experienced targeted and non-targeted cybersecurity incidents in the past and may experience them in the future. While these cybersecurity incidents did not result in any material loss to us as of March 20, 2026, there can be no assurance that we will not experience any such losses in the future. Further, as cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerabilities to cybersecurity threats. Refer to Item 1C. “Cybersecurity” for further information on our cybersecurity governance, risk management and strategy.
Any major public health crisis could adversely affect our business.
The U.S. and other countries have experienced, and may experience in the future, outbreaks of contagious diseases or other health crises that affect public health and public perception of health risk. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health response to it, had significant disruptive effects on global economic, market and social conditions and on our business. In the event of another public health crisis, we cannot predict the extent to which individuals and businesses may voluntarily restrict their activities, the extent to which governments may reinstitute restrictions, nor the extent to which such potential events may have an adverse impact on the economy or our business. Any future major public health crisis could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Failure to succeed in new markets may limit our growth.
We have acquired in the past, and we could acquire in the future, properties that are outside of the Austin, Texas area, which is our primary market. Our historical experience in existing markets does not ensure that we will be able
Table of Contents
to operate successfully in new markets. Entering into new markets exposes us to a variety of risks, including difficulty evaluating local market conditions and local economies, developing new business relationships in the area, competing with other companies that already have an established presence in the area, hiring and retaining personnel, evaluating quality tenants in the area, and a lack of familiarity with local governmental and permitting procedures. Furthermore, expansion into new markets may divert management’s time and other resources away from our current primary market. As a result, we may not be successful in expanding into new markets, which could adversely impact our results of operations and limit our growth.
Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness
We have significant amounts of debt, may incur additional debt, and need significant amounts of cash to service our debt. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash to service our debt, or are unable to refinance our debt as it becomes due, our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
As of December 31, 2025, our outstanding debt totaled $143.0 million and our cash and cash equivalents totaled $74.3 million. As of March 20, 2026, remaining principal payments due on outstanding debt during 2026 are expected to total $75.2 million. Estimated interest payments during 2026 will total approximately $6.2 million , based on debt balances and scheduled maturities as of December 31, 2025, and interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2025. Except for our Fifth Third Bank (formerly Comerica Bank) revolving credit facility, all of our loans are project-level loans. Our project loans are generally secured by all or substantially all of the assets of the project, and our Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of our assets other than those encumbered by separate project-level financing. Stratus, as the parent company, is typically required to guarantee the payment of the project loans, in some cases until certain development milestones and/or financial conditions are met, in some cases on a full recourse basis and in other cases on a more limited recourse basis. In addition, as described elsewhere in this report, as of December 31, 2025, all of our consolidated debt was variable-rate debt, and interest due on such debt rises as interest rates rise. Refer to Note 6 for additional discussion.
Our level of indebtedness could have significant adverse consequences. For example, it could:
• Increase our vulnerability to adverse changes in economic and industry conditions;
• Require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations and proceeds from asset sales to pay or provide for our indebtedness, thus reducing the availability of cash flows to fund working capital, development projects, capital expenditures, land acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
• Limit our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business and the markets in which we operate;
• Force us to dispose of one or more of our properties, possibly on unfavorable terms;
• Place us at a disadvantage to our competitors that have less debt;
• Limit our ability to obtain future financing to fund our working capital, our development activities, capital expenditures, debt service requirements and other financing needs;
• Limit our ability to obtain bonds, letters of credit or guarantees to governmental authorities and others to ensure completion of certain projects; and/or
• Limit our ability to refinance our indebtedness or cause the refinancing terms to be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness.
Our ability to make scheduled debt service payments or to refinance our indebtedness depends on our future operating and financial performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our inability to extend, repay or refinance our debt when it becomes due, including upon a default or acceleration event, could allow our lenders to declare all amounts outstanding under the loans due and payable, seek to foreclose on the collateral securing the loans and/or seek to force us into involuntary bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, any difficulty in obtaining sufficient capital for planned development expenditures could also cause project delays, which could increase our costs, or could cause us to abandon projects already underway. There can be no assurance that we will generate cash flow from operations in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our debt, make necessary capital expenditures, or to fund our other liquidity needs.
Table of Contents
Our current financing arrangements contain, and our future financing arrangements likely will contain, financial and restrictive covenants, and the failure to comply with such covenants could result in a default that accelerates the required payment of such debt.
The terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness include restrictive covenants, including covenants that require that certain financial ratios be maintained. The debt arrangements that we and our subsidiaries have contain significant limitations that may restrict our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things:
• borrow additional money or provide guarantees;
• pay dividends, repurchase equity or make other distributions to equity holders;
• make loans, advances or other investments or create liens on assets;
• sell assets, enter into sale-leaseback transactions or enter into transactions with affiliates; or
• permit a change of management or control, sell all or substantially all of our assets, or engage in mergers, consolidations or other business combinations. Refer to “Capital Resources and Liquidity” in MD&A and Note 6 for additional discussion of restrictive covenants in our debt agreements.
Failure to comply with any of the restrictive covenants in our loan documents could result in a default that may, if not cured or waived, accelerate the payment under our debt obligations which would likely have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. We may not be able to obtain waivers or modifications of covenants from our lenders and lenders may require fees or higher interest rates to grant any such requests. Certain of our debt arrangements have cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions, which could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. We cannot assure you that we could adequately address any such defaults, cross-defaults or acceleration of our debt payment obligations in a sufficient or timely manner, or at all. Our ability to comply with our covenants will depend upon our future economic performance. These covenants may adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations, satisfy our capital needs or engage in other business activities that may be desirable or advantageous to us.
In order to maintain compliance with the covenants in our debt agreements and carry out our business plan, we may need to use cash to pay down the principal balance of the loan, contribute additional equity or make an operating loan to a joint venture or raise additional debt or equity capital, including project-level financing of our subsidiaries. Such additional funding may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all, when needed. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the risks described above could intensify.
Risks Relating to Real Estate Operations
Our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition are greatly affected by the performance of the real estate industry.
The U.S. real estate industry is highly cyclical and is affected by global, national and local economic conditions, general employment and income levels, availability of financing, inflation, interest rates, and consumer confidence and spending. As discussed above, our industry has been adversely impacted since 2022 by inflation and elevated interest rates, which may continue in 2026 and beyond. Other factors that may impact real estate businesses include over-building, changes in traffic patterns, changes in demographic trends, changes in tenant and buyer preferences and changes in government requirements, including tax law changes and changes in zoning or land use laws. These factors are outside of our control and may have a material adverse effect on our business, profits and the timing and amounts of our cash flows.
There can be no assurance that the properties in our development portfolio will be completed in accordance with the anticipated timing or cost.
We currently have several projects at various stages of development. The development of the projects in our portfolio is subject to numerous risks, many of which are outside of our control, including:
• inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, entitlements, permits and development approvals;
• inability to obtain financing on acceptable terms, or delays in obtaining such financing;
Table of Contents
• increases in labor costs, labor shortages, increases in the costs of building materials, other cost increases or overruns;
• inability to engage reliable contractors or default by any of the contractors that we engage to construct our projects;
• construction defects, latent conditions or site accidents; and
• failure to secure tenants or buyers of our properties in the anticipated time frame, on acceptable terms, or at all.
We can provide no assurances that we will complete any of the projects in our development portfolio on the anticipated schedule, within the budget or at all, or that, if completed, these properties will achieve the results that we expect. Since 2023, we made operating loans, capital contributions and advances to certain of our joint ventures. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion. We anticipate making future operating loans or advances to two of our joint ventures totaling up to $3.1 million over the next 12 months. The joint ventures’ failure to satisfy their debt obligations could result in the loss of our investment therein. Under our construction loans, advances are typically made in accordance with established budget allocations, and if the lender deems that the undisbursed proceeds of the loan are insufficient to meet the costs of completing the project, the lender may decline to make additional advances until the borrower deposits with the lender sufficient additional funds to cover the deficiency. If the development of our projects is not completed in accordance with our anticipated timing or cost, or the properties fail to achieve the financial results we expect, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and ability to repay our debt, including project-related debt.
Holden Hills Phase 1 involves the development of a large number of residential lots, which exposes us to risks specific to that business.
Holden Hills Phase 1 involves the development of a large number of residential lots. Our ability to successfully monetize our investment in developed lots will depend on the availability and cost of financing for purchasers of the lots, for residential construction and for homebuyers, which may be adversely impacted by elevated interest and mortgage rates. We must dedicate a significant amount of time and capital to construct project infrastructure and amenities over a long period of time before the project may generate revenue. Any delays in the development of the community and sale of properties exposes us to the risk that the market assumptions on which we based our development plans may deteriorate and adversely affect or eliminate potential cash flow and profits.
Challenges to the ETJ Law and the removal of our property thereunder may make valuation of Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2 more difficult and execution of our development plans more complex and costly.
The ETJ Law became effective September 1, 2023. We have completed the statutory process to remove all of our relevant land subject to development, including primarily Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2, from the ETJ of the City of Austin, as permitted by the ETJ Law. We have also made filings with Travis County in an effort to grandfather Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2 under most laws in effect in Travis County at the time of the filings. A number of cities in Texas have brought lawsuits challenging the ETJ Law. One lawsuit, initially dismissed on procedural and jurisdictional grounds, has been appealed to a three-judge appellate panel, which after hearing argument on the merits, has taken the matter under advisement. There is no certainty as to how or where the appellate court will rule. We also recently received a letter from the City of Austin challenging the removal of our property from the ETJ, which the city had previously granted.
If the ETJ Law is upheld and the removal of our property is permitted by the City of Austin, our projects formerly subject to both the jurisdiction of Travis County and the City of Austin, primarily Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2, will no longer be subject to the City of Austin regulations applicable in the ETJ. Accordingly, if the ETJ Law is upheld and the removal of our property is permitted by the City of Austin, we expect that the removal of our properties from the ETJ of the City of Austin will streamline the development permitting process, allow greater flexibility in the design of projects, potentially decrease certain development costs, and potentially permit meaningful increases in development density, assuming market and financing conditions support an increase. An increase in allowable development density should not be viewed as an indicator of profitability or increased project value, as project valuation is inherently subjective and dependent on a number of market, financial and project-specific factors. We believe that the litigation challenging the ETJ Law and the letter from the City of Austin challenging the removal of our property from the ETJ makes valuation of Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2 more difficult.
Table of Contents
In light of the challenges to the ETJ Law, and depending on the outcome of those challenges, our development plans for portions of Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2 may need to be modified. We are proceeding with certain revised development plans for portions of Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2 and are incurring costs in alignment with the revised plans, subject to the risk that the ETJ Law will be invalidated or that the City of Austin will not permit the removal of our property from the ETJ. We may not be able to realize any benefits from the ETJ Law in a time frame and a manner consistent with our plans.
Risks associated with our ownership of substantial amounts of undeveloped land or land under development could adversely affect our business and financial results.
We own a substantial amount of undeveloped land and land under development. If demand for undeveloped real estate, or retail, residential or multi-family properties deteriorates, we may not be able to develop or complete development of our land profitably, may not be able to fully recover the costs of some of the land we own, may choose to forfeit deposits on land controlled through options or purchase contracts, and may choose to sell land for prices lower than our costs, which may cause losses or additional impairment charges. Changes in real estate market conditions, economic conditions, the cost and availability of capital and changes in laws, among other things, may cause us to change our development plans for our undeveloped land and land under development.
We may not receive, or may experience delays in receiving, reimbursements from MUDs for certain infrastructure costs we incur, which could adversely affect our liquidity and the profitability of our development projects.
In connection with certain of our development projects, we may incur significant costs to design and construct public infrastructure and related improvements. For certain projects, we expect to receive reimbursements from MUDs for certain infrastructure costs; however, we generally must fund these costs in advance. The amount and timing of MUD reimbursements depends upon each MUD having a sufficient tax base within its district to issue bonds, obtaining the necessary state approval for the sale of the bonds and the successful sale of the bonds, among other things. Accordingly, the amount and timing of the receipt of MUD reimbursements is uncertain. Any delay or failure to obtain such MUD reimbursements could adversely affect our liquidity and the profitability of our development projects. Refer to “Recent Development Activities” in MD&A and Note 3 for additional discussion of our potential MUD reimbursements.
It may be difficult for us to sell our real estate at times and prices advantageous to us.
Real estate is a relatively illiquid asset and we may not be able to sell our real estate at times and prices we find desirable. The value of our real estate and our ability to sell our real estate at attractive prices may be materially adversely affected by a decline in the value of real estate in our markets. The valuation of our real estate assets or real estate investments is inherently subjective and based on individual characteristics of each asset. Factors such as market supply and demand, availability of attractive financing for potential buyers, changes in laws and regulations, and political and economic conditions, among others, subject our ability to sell our real estate, and our real estate valuations, to uncertainty. Our valuations are made on the basis of assumptions and/or appraisals that may not be accurate, and which may cause us to reevaluate our assets which could result in write-downs. The relatively illiquid nature of real estate assets may limit our ability to make rapid adjustments in the size and content of our portfolio of assets in response to changes in economic or other conditions, may constrain our ability to pay our debts, and may lead to losses or additional impairment charges. Refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates” in MD&A for more information.
Significant competition could have an adverse effect on our business.
Our competitors include local developers who are committed primarily to particular markets and also regional and national developers who acquire and develop properties throughout the U.S. Many of our competitors are larger and financially stronger than we are, have more resources than we do, and have greater economies of scale and lower cost structures. If we fail to compete effectively, our business and profitability will be adversely affected.
Table of Contents
Our operations are subject to an intensive regulatory approval process and opposition from environmental and special interest groups, either or both of which could cause delays and increase the costs of our development efforts or preclude such developments entirely.
Real estate projects must generally comply with local land development regulations and may need to comply with state and federal regulations. Before we can develop a property, we must obtain a variety of approvals from local and state governments with respect to such matters as zoning and other land use entitlements and issues, and subdivision, site planning and environmental issues under applicable regulations. Obtaining all of the necessary permits and entitlements to develop a parcel of land is often difficult and costly, and may take several years or more to complete. Furthermore, these laws and regulations are subject to change. In some situations, we may be unable to obtain the necessary permits and/or entitlements to proceed with a real estate development or may be required to alter our plans for the development. In addition, the zoning that ultimately is approved could include density provisions that would limit the number of homes and other structures that could be built within the boundaries of a particular area. Any of these may limit, delay or increase the costs of acquisition of land and development of our properties.
Because government agencies and special interest groups from time to time express concerns about certain of our development plans, and in the future may express similar concerns, our ability to develop these properties and realize future income from our properties could be delayed, reduced, prevented or made more expensive. In addition, any failure to comply with these laws or regulations could result in capital or operating expenditures or significant financial penalties or restrictions on our operations that could adversely affect present and future operations or our ability to sell our properties, and thereby, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, the contractors and/or subcontractors we rely on to perform the construction of our properties are also subject to a significant number of local, state and federal laws and regulations, including laws involving matters that are not within our control. If they fail to comply with all applicable laws, we can suffer reputational damage, and may be exposed to potential liability.
Our operations are subject to environmental regulations, which can change at any time and could increase our costs. Further, evolving governmental and societal expectations on sustainability matters may increase our costs.
Real estate development is subject to state and federal environmental regulations and to possible interruption or termination because of environmental considerations, including but not limited to, air and water quality, and protection of endangered species and their habitats. In addition, in those cases where an endangered or threatened species is involved and agency rulemaking and litigation are ongoing, the outcome of such rulemaking and litigation can be unpredictable, and at any time can result in unplanned or unforeseeable restrictions on or even the prohibition of development in identified environmentally sensitive areas. Certain of our developments include habitats of endangered species. We have obtained the necessary permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow the development of our properties. However, future endangered species listings or habitat designations could impact development of our properties.
Under various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, as a current or former owner or operator of real property, we may be liable for costs and damages resulting from the presence or discharge of hazardous or toxic substances, waste or petroleum products at, on, in, under or migrating through such properties, whether generated from our property or other property, including costs to investigate and clean up such contamination and liability for harm to natural resources. The costs of removal or remediation, and the impact on the development potential and development timeline could be substantial. These laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of any hazardous or toxic substances. Environmental laws also may impose restrictions on the manner in which a property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures. Environmental laws provide for sanctions in the event of noncompliance and may be enforced by governmental agencies or, in certain circumstances, by private parties. Certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose liability for release of and exposure to hazardous substances, including asbestos and other airborne contaminants. In addition, third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury or property damage associated with exposure to released hazardous substances. The cost of defending against claims of liability, of compliance with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury claims could materially adversely affect our business, assets or results of operations.
Table of Contents
From time to time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and similar federal, state or local agencies review land developers’ compliance with environmental laws and may levy fines and penalties for failure to strictly comply with applicable environmental laws or impose additional requirements for future compliance as a result of past failures. Any such actions taken with respect to us may increase our costs and result in project delays. We are making, and will continue to make, expenditures with respect to our real estate development for the protection of the environment. New environmental regulations or changes in existing regulations or their enforcement may be enacted and such new regulations or changes may require significant expenditures by us. Any stricter standards in environmental legislation and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our operating costs.
Sustainability matters have been a focus of society and governments in recent years and opinions and reactions are not uniform and continue to evolve. In addition, some governmental and societal expectations seek to constrain consideration of sustainability matters. Responding to these evolving expectations may continue to increase our costs of assessing and reporting on such matters. If we are unable or are perceived to be unable to appropriately address such matters, our reputation and our business could be adversely impacted. Further, regulatory and societal responses intended to reduce potential climate impacts may increase our costs to develop, operate and maintain our properties, including but not limited to, costs of building materials, energy and utility costs and insurance costs.
We are subject to litigation or other claims, which could materially and adversely affect us.
Lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been and may in the future be instituted or asserted against us. Some of these claims may result in significant defense costs and potentially significant judgments against us, some of which are not, or cannot be, insured against. We intend to defend ourselves vigorously in any litigation that has been or may be instituted against us; however, litigation is inherently uncertain, and we cannot be certain of the ultimate outcomes of any claims that have arisen or may arise. Resolution of these types of matters against us may materially affect our ability to conduct our business in the manner that we expect or otherwise adversely affect us. Litigation, claims or proceedings could also generate negative publicity that could be detrimental to our reputation.
Risks Relating to Leasing Operations
We may be unable to achieve and sustain satisfactory occupancy and rental rates at our retail and mixed-use projects.
Our leasing operations include the lease of retail space to tenants in a variety of businesses at retail and mixed-use properties that we developed. Our ability to achieve and sustain acceptable occupancy and rental rates may be adversely affected by oversupply, decrease in demand and declines in market rental rates. We face competition in attracting tenants to choose our retail and mixed-use projects over those of other developers and owners of similar properties. If our competitors offer space at rental rates below our current rates or the market rates, we may lose current or potential tenants to other properties in our markets and we may need to reduce rental rates below our current rates in order to retain tenants upon expiration of their leases. Increased competition for tenants may require us to make improvements to properties beyond those that we would otherwise have planned to make.
Once entered into, our retail leases typically range from five to ten years or longer. We may be unable to renew existing leases as they come due at the same or higher rental rates or at all. Adverse market or economic conditions that negatively impact our tenants’ businesses could adversely impact their ability to meet their obligations under the leases or to renew the leases. The loss or failure to renew a key tenant may make it more difficult to lease or renew leases on the remainder of the affected properties. Our retail tenants face continual competition in attracting customers, often including from online competitors. There has generally been a decline over time in the brick-and-mortar retail industry due to increases in on-line shopping, which generally has had an adverse impact on retail development projects. If we are unable to lease our retail properties, collect rent payments from tenants or release space on comparable or more favorable terms, such failure could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and ability to service our debt obligations.
We may be unable to achieve and sustain satisfactory occupancy and rental rates at our multi-family properties.
Our leasing operations also include the lease of residences in multi-family projects that we developed. Multi-family projects that have not yet stabilized may fail to meet our original expectations for a number of reasons, including
Table of Contents
changes in market and economic conditions, competition, and construction or leasing delays. Our ability to achieve and sustain acceptable occupancy and rental rates may be adversely affected by oversupply, decrease in demand and declines in market rental rates. We also face competition in attracting tenants to our multi-family projects, including from other multi-family properties as well as from condominiums and single-family homes available for rent or purchase.
Once entered into, our multi-family leases are typically for a term of 12 months. As these leases typically permit the residents to leave at the end of the lease term without penalty, our rental revenues are impacted by declines in market rents more quickly than if our leases were for longer terms. Further, we may be unable to renew existing leases as they come due. Adverse economic conditions that negatively impact our tenants’ employment could adversely impact our tenants’ ability to pay rent and/or cause tenants and potential tenants to prefer housing alternatives with lower rents. In addition, economic developments that favor home ownership over renting, such as low or declining interest rates, favorable or improving mortgage terms or a strong or strengthening job market, could also have an adverse impact on the profitability of our multi-family properties. If we are unable to lease our multi-family properties, collect rent payments from tenants or release space on comparable or more favorable terms, such failure could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and ability to service our debt obligations.
Costs in our leasing operations, many of which are fixed, may continue to increase.
Whether or not the properties in our leasing operations are occupied, we continue to incur expenses such as maintenance costs, insurance costs and property taxes. We have experienced and may continue to experience increases in our operating expenses in our leasing operations, including due to inflation.
Risks Relating to Ownership of Shares of Our Common Stock
Our common stock is thinly traded; therefore, our stock price may fluctuate more than the stock market as a whole and it may be difficult to sell large numbers of our shares at prevailing trading prices.
As a result of the thin trading market for shares of our common stock, our stock price may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole or the stock prices of similar companies. Without a larger public float, shares of our common stock will be less liquid than the shares of common stock of companies with broader public ownership, and as a result, it may be difficult for investors to sell the number of shares they desire at an acceptable price. Trading of a relatively small volume of shares of our common stock may have a greater effect on the trading price than would be the case if our public float were larger.
Our charter documents and Delaware law contain anti-takeover provisions and our by-laws contain an exclusive forum provision.
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may make an acquisition of us more difficult. These provisions may discourage potential takeover attempts, discourage bids for our common stock at a premium over market price or adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of, our common stock. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for stockholders to elect directors other than the candidates nominated by the Board. Refer to Exhibit 4.1 for further discussion of anti-takeover provisions and an exclusive forum provision in our charter documents and Delaware law.
We may not pay dividends on our common stock or repurchase shares of our common stock in the future.
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends only when and if they are declared by our Board. Further, our Fifth Third Bank debt agreements prohibit us from paying a dividend on our common stock without the bank’s prior written consent. Although we declared special cash dividends on our common stock in March 2017 and September 2022 after receiving written consents from Fifth Third Bank, we may decide not to or be unable to pay cash dividends in the future. Fifth Third Bank’s consents to the payment of dividends in March 2017 and September 2022 are not indicative of the bank’s willingness to consent to the payment of future dividends.
Additionally, our Fifth Third Bank debt agreements contain a restrictive covenant limiting common stock repurchases to $1.0 million in the aggregate during the term of the agreements. Any repurchases of our common stock in excess of $1.0 million would require a waiver from Fifth Third Bank. We received written consents from Fifth Third Bank in order to implement our current $25.0 million share repurchase program and prior $10.0 million share repurchase
Table of Contents
program, which was completed in October 2023. Fifth Third Bank’s consents to share repurchase programs in the past are not indicative of the bank’s willingness to consent to any future share repurchase programs. As of March 20, 2026, $19.8 million remained available for the repurchase of shares under our current share repurchase program. The timing, price and number of shares that may be repurchased under the program will be based on market conditions, applicable securities laws and other factors considered by management and the Capital Committee of the Board. Share repurchases under the program may be made from time to time through solicited or unsolicited transactions in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or by other means in accordance with securities laws. Our share repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific amount of shares, does not have an expiration date, and may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice , which may decrease the trading price of our common stock.
Any future declaration of dividends or decision to repurchase our common stock outside of the approved share repurchase program is at the discretion of our Board, subject to restrictions under our Fifth Third Bank debt agreements, and will depend on our financial results, cash requirements, projected compliance with covenants in our debt agreements, outlook and other factors deemed relevant by our Board. Our future debt agreements, future refinancings of or amendments to existing debt agreements or other future agreements may restrict our ability to declare dividends or repurchase shares.
Language change vs prior 10-K
MD&A (Item 7) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase- liquidation+19
- closed+6
- challenges+5
- terminated+5
- liquidating+5
- gain+10
- advances+4
- profitability+4
- successfully+3
- improvements+2
MD&A (Item 7)
12,198 words
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) The preparation of these financial statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We base these estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we consider reasonable under the circumstances; however, reported results could differ from those based on the current estimates under different assumptions and/or conditions. The areas requiring the use of management’s estimates are discussed in Note 1 under the heading “Use of Estimates.” Critical accounting estimates are those estimates made in accordance with U.S. GAAP that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Our critical accounting estimates are discussed below.
Real Estate Impairment Assessments. Real estate is classified as held for sale, under development, held for investment or land available for development (refer to Note 1). When events or circumstances indicate that an asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable, an impairment test is performed. For real estate held for sale, if estimated fair value less costs to sell is less than the related carrying amount, a reduction of the asset’s carrying value to fair value less costs to sell is required. For real estate under development, land available for development and real estate held for investment, if the projected undiscounted cash flow from the asset is less than the related carrying amount, a reduction of the carrying amount of the asset to fair value is required. Generally, we determine fair value using valuation techniques such as discounted expected future cash flows.
In developing estimated future cash flows for impairment testing for our real estate assets, we have incorporated our own market assumptions including those regarding real estate prices, sales pace, sales and marketing costs, and infrastructure costs. Our assumptions are based, in part, on general economic conditions, the current state of the real estate industry, expectations about the short- and long-term outlook for the real estate market, and competition from other developers or operators in the area in which we develop or operate our properties. These assumptions can significantly affect our estimates of future cash flows. For those properties held for sale and deemed to be impaired, we determine fair value based on appraised values, adjusted for estimated costs to sell, as we believe this is the value for which the property could be sold.
We recorded no impairment charges on real estate during 2025 or 2024.
Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance. The carrying amounts of deferred tax assets are required to be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, we assess the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets periodically based on the more-likely-than-not realization threshold criterion. In the assessment of the need for a
Table of Contents
valuation allowance, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, the potential to recognize gains on sales of properties, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards not expiring unused, and tax planning alternatives. This process involves significant management judgment about assumptions that are subject to change based on variances between projected and actual operating performance and changes in our business environment or operating or financing plans.
We regularly evaluate the recoverability of our deferred tax assets, considering available positive and negative evidence, including earnings history and the forecast of future taxable income. We had deferred tax assets (net of deferred tax liabilities and $9.8 million valuation allowances) totaling $206 thousand at December 31, 2025. Refer to Note 7 for further discussion.
Profit Participation Incentive Plan and Long-Term Incentive Plan. Refer to Notes 1 and 8 for our accounting policies related to the Stratus Profit Participation Incentive Plan (PPIP) and Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). During 2025, we credited $72 thousand to project development costs and credited $167 thousand to general and administrative expenses related to the PPIP and LTIP. During 2024, we credited $296 thousand to project development costs and charged $570 thousand to general and administrative expenses related to the PPIP and LTIP. The accrued liability for the PPIP and LTIP totaled $1.7 million at December 31, 2025, and $1.9 million at December 31, 2024 (included in other liabilities).
The most significant assumptions in the estimation of the $1.7 million PPIP and LTIP liability at December 31, 2025 were estimated capitalization rates ranging from 4.50 percent to 6.50 percent, expected remaining service periods ranging from 0.3 years to 2.4 years, and estimated transaction costs ranging from 1.25 percent to 7.40 percent of sale prices. The assumptions for the PPIP and LTIP liability as of December 31, 2024 were estimated capitalization rates ranging from 4.50 percent to 7.22 percent, expected remaining service periods ranging from 0.3 years to 3.1 years, and estimated transaction costs ranging from 1.25 percent to 7.46 percent of sale prices.
RECENT DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
The discussion below focuses on our recent residential and commercial development activity. For a description of our properties containing additional information, refer to Items 1. and 2. “Business and Properties.”
Residential. As of December 31, 2025, the number of our residential lots/units that are developed, under development and available for potential development by area are shown below. Estimated development potential reflects management’s estimate of developable lots and units based on our current business plans with respect to real estate owned as of December 31, 2025. Our current business plans may contemplate development of less than the maximum potential development density for individual assets, particularly as it relates to our Barton Creek properties (see footnotes below). As market and financing conditions change, our business and development plans, and therefore, the estimated development potential, could change accordingly. Given timing, land use and development regulations, challenges under the ETJ Law and other factors, we make no assurance that estimated
Table of Contents
development potential amounts will become actual density to the extent we complete development of assets for which we have made such estimates.
Residential Lots/Units
Developed
Under
Development
Potential Development a
Total
Barton Creek:
Amarra Drive:
Phase III lot
Amarra Villas
The Saint June
Other homes
Holden Hills Phase 1 b
Holden Hills Phase 2 b
Other Barton Creek sections
Circle C multi-family
The Annie B c
The Saint George
Lakeway
Lantana (The Saint Julia) c
Jones Crossing c
Magnolia Place
New Caney d
Total Residential Lots/Units
a. Our development of the properties identified under the heading “Potential Development” is dependent upon the approval of our development plans and permits by governmental agencies, including the City of Austin, Travis County and other local governments in our Texas markets. Those governmental agencies may not approve one or more development plans and permit applications related to such properties or may require us to modify our development plans. Accordingly, our development strategy with respect to those properties may change in the future. While we may be proceeding with approved infrastructure projects or planning activities for some of these properties, they are not considered to be “under development” for disclosure in this table until construction activities have begun.
b. For further discussion of the ETJ process and ongoing development planning that may result in changes in our development plans and increased densities for Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2, refer to “Barton Creek” below. Our current plans include flexibility to develop up to an additional 1,400 multi-family units in Holden Hills Phase 2; our ability to develop this increased density is uncertain and dependent on many factors, including the success of the ETJ Law and the overall project profitability after considering the additional costs of redesign work, and infrastructure and other costs related to increasing the project density. An increase in allowable development density should not be viewed as an indicator of profitability or increased project value, as project valuation is inherently subjective and dependent on a number of market, financial and project-specific factors.
c. For a discussion of this project, refer to Items 1. and 2. “Business and Properties.”
d. In March 2026, we entered into a contract to sell the New Caney land.
Barton Creek
Amarra Villas. The Villas at Amarra Drive (Amarra Villas) project is a 20-unit development within the Amarra development for which we completed site work in 2015. We have been constructing and selling the units over time. The homes average approximately 4,000 square feet and are being marketed as “lock and leave” properties, with golf course access and cart garages. Between 2017 and 2023, we completed construction of the first 12 homes and sold 10 of the homes. In first-quarter 2024, we completed construction of two of the homes, and we sold two of the homes for a total of $7.6 million. In second-quarter 2024, we sold another Amarra Villas home for $3.6 million. In third-quarter 2024, we completed and sold one Amarra Villas home for $4.0 million. In fourth-quarter 2024, we completed construction of three of the homes and we sold one home for $3.8 million. In second-quarter 2025, we completed construction of the last two homes, and we sold two of the homes for a total of $6.8 million. In fourth-quarter 2025, we sold one of the homes for $3.7 million, leaving two completed homes in inventory as of December 31, 2025. As of March 20, 2026, one home was under contract to sell for $3.6 million, subject to satisfaction of closing conditions, and one home remains available for sale.
Table of Contents
The Saint June. In third-quarter 2021, we began construction on The Saint June, a 182-unit luxury garden-style multi-family property within the Amarra development. The first units were available for occupancy in July 2023, and construction was completed in fourth-quarter 2023. We completed the initial lease-up of The Saint June during 2024. As of December 31, 2025, occupancy at The Saint June was 92.9 percent.
Holden Hills Phase 1. Our final large residential development within the Barton Creek community, Holden Hills Phase 1, consists of approximately 495 acres. The current conceptual design of the community features unique luxury residences to be developed in multiple sections with a focus on health and wellness, sustainability and energy conservation.
We entered into a limited partnership agreement with a third-party equity investor for Holden Hills Phase 1 in January 2023, and in February 2023 obtained construction financing for road and utility infrastructure of Holden Hills Phase 1. We have completed the initial road and utility infrastructure, including the required landscaping, enabling us to obtain Travis County’s acceptance of the roadway. The County’s acceptance of the roadway will permit us to continue efforts to replat Holden Hills Phase 1 in an effort to take advantage of changes in regulations, which we believe may result in improved home sites. As a result of the removal of Holden Hills Phase 1 from Austin’s ETJ pursuant to the ETJ Law, as described below, we may need to modify our development plans for portions of Holden Hills Phase 1 to benefit from the new regulations. We expect to begin executing contracts for sales of the home sites in late March 2026. We may also, in the future, decide to build homes on certain of the home sites, depending on market conditions, available financing and other factors. For additional discussion, refer to Items 1. and 2. “Business and Properties” and Notes 2 and 6.
Further, we entered into a development agreement with the Holden Hills Phase 1 partnership (Development Agreement) pursuant to which, as part of the road and utility infrastructure, the Holden Hills Phase 1 partnership constructed certain street, drainage, water, sidewalk, electric and gas improvements in order to extend the Tecoma Circle roadway on Holden Hills Phase 2 land from its previous terminus to Southwest Parkway (the Tecoma Improvements), which cost approximately $15.6 million. The Tecoma Improvements will enable access and provide utilities necessary for the development of Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2. Pursuant to the Development Agreement, we reimbursed the Holden Hills Phase 1 partnership for 60 percent of the costs of the Tecoma Improvements.
We capitalize infrastructure costs and may be eligible to receive Travis County MUD reimbursements for certain infrastructure costs incurred in the Barton Creek area. Portions of the costs incurred in connection with the Holden Hills Phase 1 project and the Tecoma Improvements totaling approximately $9.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively, are expected to be eligible to be reimbursed in the future by MUDs. All MUD reimbursements that the Holden Hills Phase 1 partnership receives and is entitled to retain at the partnership level must be applied as payments of principal on the Holden Hills Phase 1 construction loan. The Holden Hills Phase 1 partnership has agreed to deliver to Stratus 60 percent of any MUD reimbursements for Tecoma Improvement costs when such reimbursements are received by the partnership. One of the Barton Creek MUDs has received state approval to sell bonds in second-quarter 2026 that, if successfully sold, will result in reimbursements to the Holden Hills Phase 1 partnership of $8.8 million, which will be used to pay down the Holden Hills Phase 1 construction loan, and $6.8 million to us. The amount and timing of MUD reimbursements depends upon each MUD having a sufficient tax base within its district to issue bonds, obtaining the necessary state approval for the sale of the bonds and the successful sale of the bonds, among other things. Accordingly, the amount and timing of the receipt of MUD reimbursements is uncertain. MUD reimbursements received for infrastructure costs are recorded as reductions of the related asset’s carrying amount.
Holden Hills Phase 2. Our approximately 570-acre tract located along Southwest Parkway in the southern portion of the Barton Creek community, Holden Hills Phase 2, is adjacent to Holden Hills Phase 1. We are planning both Holden Hills Phase 1 and Holden Hills Phase 2 as one interconnected development branded as Holden Hills. Holden Hills Phase 2 is being designed as a mixed-use project, including a range of commercial and extensive residential uses, surrounded by extensive outdoor recreational and greenspace amenities. We have worked to remove the majority of Holden Hills Phase 2 from Austin’s ETJ pursuant to the ETJ Law, as described below, and may need to modify our development plans to benefit from the new regulatory scheme, which, under favorable market and financing conditions, could accommodate an increase in design flexibility and development density as compared to our prior plans. If the new regulatory scheme survives challenge, and we are able to benefit from increased design flexibility and density, we cannot be sure whether the added infrastructure and other costs associated with redesign work and increasing density, coupled with market and financing uncertainty, will make increasing density a profitable risk-rewarded venture.
Table of Contents
We entered into a limited partnership agreement with a third-party equity investor in June 2025 (the Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership) for the development of Holden Hills Phase 2 (Holden Hills Phase 2 project). We contributed to the Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership the Holden Hills Phase 2 land and related personal property at an agreed value of approximately $95.7 million, and our 50.0 percent partner contributed $47.8 million in cash. Immediately thereafter, the Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership distributed $47.8 million of cash to us. We consolidate the Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership; therefore, our contribution of the Holden Hills Phase 2 land and related personal property was recorded at historical cost and the contribution from our partner was accounted for as a noncontrolling interest contribution. The initial purposes of the Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership do not include the development or construction of horizontal or vertical improvements (each, a future project) and the commencement of any future project will require the approval of all partners.
The Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership is working to establish a separate revolving credit facility for the Holden Hills Phase 2 project, which is expected to be approximately $10.0 million. The Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership intends to use the facility to reimburse Stratus for approximately $2.0 million of project costs, including certain initial project costs of approximately $0.8 million, fund the approved operating budget and fund future partnership activities approved by the partners.
ETJ Process . The ETJ Law became effective September 1, 2023. We have completed the statutory process to remove all of our relevant land subject to development, including primarily Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2 from the ETJ of the City of Austin, as permitted by the ETJ Law. We have also made filings with Travis County in an effort to grandfather Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2 under most laws in effect in Travis County at the time of the filings. A number of cities in Texas have brought lawsuits challenging the ETJ Law. One lawsuit, initially dismissed on procedural and jurisdictional grounds, has been appealed to a three-judge appellate panel, which after hearing argument on the merits, has taken the matter under advisement. There is no certainty as to how or when the appellate court will rule. In addition, on March 13, 2026, we received a letter from the City of Austin challenging the removal of our properties from the ETJ, which the city had previously granted. We are currently reviewing the letter and its merits. If the ETJ Law is upheld and the removal of our property is permitted by the City of Austin, we will work to confirm whether the removal of our properties from the ETJ of the City of Austin will streamline the development permitting process, allow greater flexibility in the design of projects, potentially decrease certain development costs, and potentially permit meaningful increases in development density. If the ETJ Law is not upheld or the City of Austin does not permit the removal of our property from the ETJ, there may be substantial adverse impacts to our development plans, including reduction in aggregate development density, and additional cost and delay. In light of the challenges to the ETJ Law, and depending on the outcome of those challenges, our development plans for portions of Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2 may need to be modified. For additional discussion, refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
The Saint George
The Saint George is a luxury wrap-style multi-family property in north central Austin, with approximately 316 units comprised of studio, one- and two- bedroom units and an attached parking garage. We purchased the land and entered into third-party equity financing for the project in December 2021. We entered into a construction loan for the property and began construction in third-quarter 2022. The first units were available for occupancy in April 2025 and the property was completed in second-quarter 2025. As of March 20, 2026, we had signed leases for approximately 73 percent of the units. Refer to Notes 2 and 6 for further discussion.
In April 2025, a water leak occurred at The Saint George when construction was nearing completion and initial resident move-ins were occurring, resulting in damage that cost $1.9 million to remediate and repair. The event was filed as a builder’s risk insurance claim. Remediation and repairs were completed in second-quarter 2025. Costs of the remediation and repairs to The Saint George Apartments, L.P., to the extent not covered by the insurance company and the general contractor, are currently estimated to be no more than $1.0 million.
Circle C Community
As of December 31, 2025, our Circle C community had remaining entitlements for 660,985 square feet of commercial space and 56 multi-family units. We are pursuing rezoning that would change the permitted land use of the commercial component to multi-family.
Table of Contents
Lakeway Multi-Family
After extensive negotiation with the City of Lakeway, utility suppliers and neighboring property owners, during 2023 we secured the right to develop a multi-family project on approximately 35 acres of undeveloped property in Lakeway, Texas located in the greater Austin area. The multi-family project is expected to utilize the road, drainage and utility infrastructure we are required to build, subject to certain conditions, which is secured by a $2.3 million letter of credit under our revolving credit facility. Construction of the required road infrastructure began in fourth-quarter 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Under our current strategy, our goal is to prepare the site for construction on the multi-family project or to sell the site, as soon as infrastructure construction is complete and market conditions warrant. Refer to Note 6 and “Capital Resources and Liquidity – Revolving Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements” below for additional discussion.
The Annie B
In third-quarter 2021, we purchased the land and announced plans for The Annie B, a proposed luxury high-rise project in downtown Austin to be developed as a 400-foot tower, consisting of approximately 420,000 square feet with 316 luxury residential units. Stratus Block 150, L.P. raised $11.7 million in third-party equity capital and entered into a $14.0 million loan to finance part of the costs of land acquisition and budgeted pre-development costs for The Annie B. We continue to work to finalize our development plans and to evaluate whether the project is more profitable as a for rent or for sale product. Under our current strategy, our goal is to prepare the site for construction to commence as soon as financing and other market conditions warrant. Refer to Notes 2 and 6 for additional discussion.
Magnolia Place
In first-quarter 2024, we completed the sale of approximately 47 acres planned for a second phase of retail development, all remaining pad sites and up to 600 multi-family units, for $14.5 million. In connection with the sale, the Magnolia Place construction loan with a balance of $8.8 million was repaid. Following this sale, we retained our potential development of approximately 11 acres planned for 275 multi-family units and approximately $10 million of costs potentially reimbursable in the future by the Magnolia MUD. The Magnolia MUD has received state approval to sell bonds in second-quarter 2026 that, if successfully sold, will result in reimbursements to us of $1.8 million.
Other Residential
We have advanced development plans for The Saint Julia, an approximately 210-unit multi-family project that is part of Lantana Place, a partially developed, mixed-use development project located south of Barton Creek in Austin. Under our current strategy, our goal is to prepare the site for construction to commence as soon as financing and/or market conditions warrant.
Jones Crossing is an H-E-B grocery anchored, mixed-use development located in College Station, Texas that also includes a 21-acre multi-family component. During 2023, we separated the ground lease for the multi-family parcel from the primary ground lease.
Commercial. As of December 31, 2025, the number of square feet of our commercial property developed, under development and our remaining entitlements for potential development are shown below. Estimated development potential reflects management’s estimate of developable gross square feet based on our current business plans with respect to real estate owned as of December 31, 2025. Our current business plans may contemplate development of less than the maximum potential development density for individual assets, particularly as it relates to our Barton Creek properties (see footnotes a and b below). As market and financing conditions change, our business and development plans, and therefore, the estimated development potential, could change accordingly. Given timing, land use and development regulations, challenges under the ETJ Law and other factors, we make no
Table of Contents
assurance that estimated development potential amounts will become actual density to the extent we complete development of assets for which we have made such estimates.
Commercial Property
Developed
Under Development
Potential Development a
Total
Barton Creek:
Entry corner
Amarra retail/office
Holden Hills Phase 2 b
Circle C c
Lantana:
Tract G07
Jones Crossing d
Kingwood Place e
New Caney f
The Annie B g
Other Austin
Total Square Feet
a. Our development of the properties identified under the heading “Potential Development” is dependent upon the approval of our development plans and permits by governmental agencies, including the City of Austin, Travis County and other local governments in our Texas markets. Those governmental agencies may not approve one or more development plans and permit applications related to such properties or may require us to modify our development plans. Accordingly, our development strategy with respect to those properties may change in the future. While we may be proceeding with approved infrastructure projects or planning activities for some of these properties, they are not considered to be “under development” for disclosure in this table until construction activities have begun.
b. Refer to Items 1. and 2. “Business and Properties” for further discussion of recent legal developments and ongoing development planning that may result in changes in our development plans and increased densities for Holden Hills Phase 2. Our current plans include flexibility to develop up to an additional 800,000 square feet of commercial space in Holden Hills Phase 2; our ability to develop this increased density is uncertain and dependent on many factors, including the success of the ETJ Law and the overall project profitability after considering the additional costs of redesign work, and infrastructure and other costs related to increasing the project density. An increase in allowable development density should not be viewed as an indicator of profitability or increased project value, as project valuation is inherently subjective and dependent on a number of market, financial and project-specific factors.
c. We are pursuing rezoning of approximately 216 undeveloped acres planned for 660,985 square feet of commercial space from commercial use to multi-family use.
d. In March 2026, we received an offer for this property and are negotiating a sales contract.
e. In January 2026, we sold this property.
f. In March 2026, we entered into a contract to sell the New Caney land.
g. For a discussion of this project, refer to Items 1. and 2. “Business and Properties.”
Stabilized Retail Projects
We own and operate the following stabilized retail projects that we developed:
• Jones Crossing is our H-E-B-anchored mixed-use development in College Station, Texas, the location of Texas A&M University. As of December 31, 2025, we had signed leases for substantially all of the completed retail space, including the H-E-B grocery store, totaling 154,092 square feet, and ground leases on two retail pad sites. As of December 31, 2025, we had approximately 22 undeveloped commercial acres with estimated future development potential of approximately 104,750 square feet of commercial space and up to seven retail pad sites available for lease. As previously discussed, we received an offer for the retail component, including undeveloped commercial acreage, of Jones Crossing of $46.5 million and are negotiating a sales contract. There can be no assurance that a sales contract will be completed or a sale consummated.
In third-quarter 2024, we closed on the sale of Magnolia Place – Retail for $8.9 million. The sale generated pre-tax net cash proceeds of approximately $8.6 million and a pre-tax gain of $1.6 million.
Table of Contents
In second-quarter 2025, we closed on the sale of West Killeen Market for $13.3 million, generating pre-tax net cash proceeds of approximately $7.8 million, after selling costs and payment of the remaining $5.2 million project loan, and a pre-tax gain of approximately $5.0 million.
In fourth-quarter 2025, we closed on the sale of Lantana Place – Retail for $57.5 million. The sale generated pre-tax net cash proceeds of approximately $26.9 million, after selling costs and payment of the remaining $29.8 million project loan, and a pre-tax gain of approximately $27.5 million.
In January 2026, we closed on the sale of Kingwood Place for $60.8 million. The sale generated pre-tax net cash proceeds of approximately $27.1 million, after selling costs and payment of the remaining $33.0 million project loan. After establishing a reserve for remaining costs of the partnership, we received $16.2 million from the partnership in connection with the sale and $10.6 million of the net proceeds were distributed to the noncontrolling interest holders. We will record a pre-tax gain, net of noncontrolling interests, of approximately $13.4 million in first-quarter 2026.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Because of numerous factors affecting our business activities as described herein, our past operating results are not necessarily indicative of our future results.
The following table summarizes our operating results (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
Operating (loss) income:
Real Estate Operations a
Leasing Operations b
General and administrative expenses c
Operating income (loss)
Net income (loss)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
a. Includes sales commissions and other revenues together with related expenses. The year ended December 31, 2025 includes a charge of approximately $2.8 million representing previously capitalized architectural, engineering and consulting fees incurred in connection with planning and evaluating a potential project that was terminated in third-quarter 2025. It also includes a $1.0 million charge to write off receivables, included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, from owners of properties previously sold by us for a share of historical costs incurred to develop the land. The year ended December 31, 2024 includes a charge of $721 thousand to write off previously capitalized costs related to a change in development plans for one property.
b. The year ended December 31, 2025 includes an approximately $27.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Lantana Place – Retail, an approximately $5.0 million pre-tax gain on the sale of West Killeen Market and a portion of a previously deferred gain of $0.2 million related to The Oaks at Lakeway. The year ended December 31, 2024 includes a pre-tax gain on the sale of Magnolia Place – Retail of approximately $1.6 million.
c. Includes employee compensation and other costs.
We have two operating segments: Real Estate Operations and Leasing Operations (refer to Note 10). The following is a discussion of our operating results by segment.
We use operating income (loss) before general and administrative expenses to measure the performance of our business segments. General and administrative expenses, which primarily consist of employee salaries, wages and other costs, are managed on a consolidated basis and are not allocated to Stratus’ operating segments. The following segment information reflects management determinations that may not be indicative of what the actual financial performance of each segment would be if it were an independent entity.
Table of Contents
Real Estate Operations
The following table summarizes our Real Estate Operations results (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
Revenues:
Developed property sales
Undeveloped property sales
Commissions and other
Total revenues
Expenses:
Cost of real estate sold
Property taxes and insurance
Lease expense
Professional fees
Allocated overhead costs
Other segment items
Depreciation and amortization
Operating (loss) income
Developed Property Sales . The following table summarizes our developed property sales (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
Lots/Homes
Revenues
Average Cost per Lot/Home
Lots/Homes
Revenues
Average Cost per Lot/Home
Barton Creek – Amarra Drive:
Amarra Villas homes
Phase III lot
Total Residential
The decrease in revenues from developed property sales for 2025, compared to 2024, reflects the sales of five Amarra Villas homes in 2024 compared to three Amarra Villas homes in 2025. In 2024, we also sold one Amarra Drive Phase III lot for $1.4 million. As of December 31, 2025, one developed Phase III lot and two completed Amarra Villas homes remained unsold.
Undeveloped Property Sales . In first-quarter 2024, we completed the sale of approximately 47 acres of undeveloped land at Magnolia Place that was planned for a second phase of retail development, all remaining pad sites and up to 600 multi-family units, for $14.5 million.
Real Estate Operations Expenses. Real Estate Operations expenses include cost of real estate sold, property taxes and insurance, lease expense, professional fees, allocated overhead costs, other segment items and depreciation and amortization.
Cost of real estate sold is directly related to property sales. Cost of real estate sold decreased $14.3 million in 2025, compared to 2024, primarily due to the sale of undeveloped property at Magnolia Place and the sales of five Amarra Villas homes in 2024 compared to three Amarra Villas homes in 2025.
In third-quarter 2025, we terminated a lease for a potential development project in Austin, Texas, and recorded a charge to professional fees of approximately $2.8 million representing previously capitalized architectural, engineering and consulting fees incurred in connection with planning and evaluating the potential project and fees previously paid to the lessor to extend the review period. In third-quarter 2024, we recorded a charge to professional fees of approximately $721 thousand charge to write off previously capitalized costs related to a change in
Table of Contents
development plans for one property. The formation of the Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership also contributed to the increase in professional fees and allocated overhead costs in our Real Estate Operations segment.
Other segment items primarily include advertising, property owner association fees, maintenance and utilities. In 2025, we recorded a $1.0 million charge to write off receivables, included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, from owners of properties previously sold by us for a share of historical costs incurred to develop the land.
Leasing Operations
The following table summarizes our Leasing Operations results (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
Rental revenue
Expenses:
Property taxes and insurance
Maintenance and repairs
Property management fees and payroll
Utilities
Other segment items
Depreciation
Gain on sales of assets
Operating income
Rental Revenue. In 2025, rental revenue included revenue from our retail and mixed use properties Lantana Place – Retail, Kingwood Place, Jones Crossing – Retail and West Killeen Market and our multi-family properties, The Saint June and The Saint George. In second-quarter 2025, we sold West Killeen Market and began recognizing revenue from the lease-up of The Saint George. In fourth-quarter 2025, we sold Lantana Place – Retail. In 2024, rental revenue included revenue from our retail and mixed use properties Lantana Place – Retail, Kingwood Place, Jones Crossing – Retail, West Killeen Market and Magnolia Place – Retail and our multi-family property, The Saint June. In third-quarter 2024, we sold Magnolia Place – Retail. Rental revenue in 2025 remained relatively flat compared with 2024. While we saw an increase in revenue from The Saint June, which was in lease-up during 2024, and The Saint George, which began leasing in second-quarter 2025, this was substantially offset by a decrease in revenue resulting from the sales of West Killeen Market and Lantana Place – Retail during 2025. In January 2026, we closed on the sale of Kingwood Place, which made up approximately 21 percent of rental revenue for both years.
Leasing Operations Expenses. Leasing Operations expenses include property taxes and insurance, maintenance and repairs, property management fees and payroll, utilities, other segment items and depreciation. Other segment items primarily include amortization of leasing costs, property owner association fees, professional and consulting fees, and office and computer equipment. Increases in Leasing Operations expenses in 2025 were primarily attributable to the commencement of leasing operations at The Saint George in second-quarter 2025 partially offset by decreases resulting from the sales of West Killeen Market and Lantana Place – Retail during 2025. Approximately 12 percent and 14 percent of Leasing Operations expenses (excluding gain on sale of assets) were attributable to Kingwood Place for 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Gain on Sales of Assets. In fourth-quarter 2025, we closed on the sale of Lantana Place – Retail for $57.5 million. The sale generated a pre-tax gain of approximately $27.5 million. In second-quarter 2025, we closed on the sale of West Killeen Market for $13.3 million. The sale generated a pre-tax gain of approximately $5.0 million. The year 2025 also includes a portion of a previously deferred gain of $0.2 million related to The Oaks of Lakeway in first-quarter 2025. In third-quarter 2024, we closed on the sale of Magnolia Place – Retail for $8.9 million. The sale generated a pre-tax gain of $1.6 million.
Non-Operating Results
Interest Expense, Net . Interest costs (before capitalized interest) totaled $14.9 million in 2025 and $15.7 million in 2024. As of December 31, 2025, all of our debt was variable-rate debt, and for all such debt, the interest rates have decreased over the past year primarily from amending or refinancing loans with lower rates as well as overall
Table of Contents
interest rates declining. Refer to Note 6 and “Debt Maturities and Other Contractual Obligations” for additional information.
Capitalized interest totaled $13.4 million for 2025 and $15.7 million for 2024. Capitalized interest in 2025 was primarily related to development activities at Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2. It also included capitalized interest related to the development of The Saint George before it was completed in second-quarter 2025. Capitalized interest in 2024 was primarily related to development activities at our Barton Creek properties (primarily Amarra Villas and Holden Hills Phases 1 and 2) and The Saint George.
Provision for Income Taxes . We recorded provisions for income taxes of $5.3 million in 2025 and $0.4 million in 2024. We had deferred tax assets (net of deferred tax liabilities and valuation allowances) totaling $206 thousand at December 31, 2025, and $153 thousand at December 31, 2024. Refer to Note 7 for further discussion of income taxes.
Total Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries. Our partners’ share of losses totaled $9.2 million and $3.9 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in 2025 was primarily due to the initial operating losses for The Saint George, which was completed in second-quarter 2025.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Volatility in the real estate market, including the markets in which we operate, can impact the timing of and proceeds received from sales of our properties, which may cause uneven cash flows from period to period. However, we believe that the unique nature and location of our assets will provide us positive cash flows over time.
On March 24, 2026, our Board approved the Plan of Liquidation and announced an estimated range of potential liquidating distributions of $29.73 to $37.69 per share. The Plan of Liquidation remains subject to stockholder approval and other contingencies, including obtaining lender, partner and other third-party consents. If the Plan of Liquidation is approved, during the liquidation process, our sources and uses of liquidity may differ materially from those described in prior periods. In addition to ordinary course operating, leasing, development and debt service needs, our liquidity planning now includes additional potential asset sale costs, debt repayment and prepayment costs, taxes, professional fees, employee retention or severance costs, reserves for known, contingent and future claims and other winding-down expenses. Refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
Comparison of Year-to-Year Cash Flows
Operating Activities. Cash used in operating activities totaled $29.9 million in 2025 and $5.8 million in 2024. Expenditures for purchases and development of real estate properties totaled $24.8 million in 2025, primarily related to development of Holden Hills Phase 1, and $29.5 million in 2024, primarily related to development of Holden Hills Phase 1 and Amarra Villas.
Investing Activities . Cash provided by (used in) investing activities totaled $61.0 million in 2025 and $(21.5) million in 2024. In 2025, we received cash proceeds after selling costs from the sales of Lantana Place – Retail and West Killeen Market of $69.7 million . Also, during 2025, our investing cash flows included $0.4 million of MUD reimbursements of infrastructure costs incurred for development of The Saint June. Capital expenditures totaled $8.1 million for 2025, primarily related to The Saint George, and $29.1 million for 2024, primarily related to The Saint George and to a lesser extent for tenant improvements at Lantana Place – Retail.
Financing Activities. Cash provided by financing activities totaled $22.3 million in 2025 and $16.1 million in 2024. During 2025, we borrowed and repaid $4.0 million on the Fifth Third Bank (formerly Comerica Bank) revolving credit facility. In 2024, we had no borrowings or repayments on the Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility. Net repayments on project loans totaled $21.3 million in 2025, primarily reflecting the payoffs of the Lantana Place loan, the West Killeen Market construction loan and the Amarra Villas credit facility and paydowns of The Annie B land loan, partially offset by the borrowings from the Holden Hills Phase 1 and The Saint George construction loans and the refinancing of the Lantana Place and The Saint June construction loans and the Jones Crossing loan. Net borrowings were $15.7 million in 2024 and primarily reflect borrowings on The Saint George and Holden Hills Phase 1 construction loans and the Amarra Villas credit facility and the refinancing of the Kingwood Place construction loan, partially offset by the payoff of the Magnolia Place construction loan and paydowns on the Amarra Villas credit facility and The Annie B land loan. Refer to the table “Debt Maturities and Other Contractual Obligations” below for a presentation of our outstanding debt and principal maturities for the years ending December 31, 2026 through 2030 and thereafter.
Table of Contents
During 2025, we received a contribution of $47.8 million from a noncontrolling interest holder related to the Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership. Also, during 2025, the Class B limited partner contributed additional capital of $2.9 million in cash to The Saint George Apartments, L.P., representing its 90 percent share to support the partnership’s ability to pay debt service and project costs, including costs related to water leak damage remediation and repairs described in “Recent Development Activities.” Also, during 2025, in connection with the refinancing of the Kingwood Place construction loan in November 2024, which generated additional cash proceeds as well as reduced our debt service requirements, we paid distributions of $1.2 million to noncontrolling interest holders. We also paid distributions of $614 thousand to the noncontrolling interest holder of The Saint June, L.P. During 2024, the Class B limited partner contributed additional capital of $3.6 million in cash, to The Saint George Apartments, L.P., representing its 90 percent share to support the partnership’s ability to pay its construction loan interest.
In November 2023, with written consent from Fifth Third Bank, our Board approved a new share repurchase program, which authorized repurchases of up to $5.0 million of our common stock. In June 2025, with written consent from Fifth Third Bank, our Board approved an increase in the share repurchase program from up to $5.0 million to up to $25.0 million of our common stock. The repurchase program authorizes us, in management’s and the Capital Committee of the Board’s discretion, to repurchase shares from time to time, subject to market conditions and other factors. The timing, price and number of shares that may be repurchased under the program will be based on market conditions, applicable securities laws and other factors considered by management and the Capital Committee of the Board. Share repurchases under the program may be made from time to time through solicited or unsolicited transactions in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or by other means in accordance with securities laws. The share repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific amount of shares, does not have an expiration date, and may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice. In 2025, we acquired 153,849 shares of our common stock under the share repurchase program for a total cost of $3.1 million at an average price of $20.36 per share. Through March 20, 2026, we acquired 235,421 shares of our common stock for a total cost of $5.2 million at an average price of $22.14 per share, and $19.8 million remains available for repurchases under the program.
Revolving Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements
As of December 31, 2025, we had $74.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of $0.3 million, and no amount was borrowed under our revolving credit facility. Of the $74.3 million in consolidated cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2025, $2.7 million held at certain consolidated subsidiaries is subject to restrictions on distribution to the parent company pursuant to project loan agreements. In 2025 and 2024, development and asset management fees of $1.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively, were paid by the limited partnerships to Stratus. The payments of these intercompany fees resulted in increases in cash available to the parent company, and the income to Stratus and cost to the partnerships have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
At December 31, 2025, we had total debt of $143.8 million based on the principal amounts outstanding, compared with $163.7 million at December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, the maximum amount that could be borrowed under the Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility was $27.1 million, resulting in availability of $17.1 million, net of letters of credit totaling $10.0 million issued under the revolving credit facility. In first-quarter 2026, based on updated property appraisals received, the maximum amount that could be borrowed under the revolving credit facility was increased to $28.1 million. Also, $6.6 million letters of credit relating to Holden Hills Phase 1 were terminated upon completion of the related obligations and the aggregate amount of letters of credit committed against the facility was reduced to $3.4 million. The availability under the revolving credit facility was $24.7 million, net of letters of credit, as of March 20, 2026 . Refer to Note 6 for additional discussion. Refer to “Debt Maturities and Other Contractual Obligations” below for a table illustrating the timing of principal payments due on our outstanding debt as of December 31, 2025.
We have made operating loans to Stratus Block 150, L.P. to facilitate the partnership’s ability to pay ongoing costs, including debt service, of The Annie B project during the pre-construction period. The loans bear interest at one-month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 5.00 percent, are subordinate to The Annie B land loan and must be repaid before distributions may be made to the partners. In 2024, we made operating loans totaling $3.5 million. In 2025, we made operating loans totaling $2.6 million. As of December 31, 2025, our operating loans to Stratus Block 150, L.P. totaled $8.3 million. In February 2026, Stratus made an operating loan of $550 thousand, and one of the Class B limited partners made an operating loan of $250 thousand.
Stratus and the Class B limited partner have made operating loans to The Saint June, L.P. to support the partnership’s ability to pay its construction loan interest, which exceeded the amount anticipated because of prior
Table of Contents
interest rate increases. The loans bear interest at one-month Term SOFR plus 5.00 percent, are subordinate to The Saint June construction loan and, unless approved by all partners, no distributions may be made to the partners until the operating loans are repaid. The Saint June partnership allows for up to $3.0 million of distributions to the partners prior to the repayment of the operating loans. In 2024, Stratus made operating loans totaling $424 thousand, and the Class B limited partner made an operating loan of $504 thousand. In fourth-quarter 2024, operating loan repayments of $463 thousand and $260 thousand were made to Stratus and the Class B limited partner, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, Stratus’ and the Class B limited partner’s operating loans outstanding to The Saint June, L.P. totaled $962 thousand and $493 thousand, respectively.
In January 2025, the Lantana Place construction loan was refinanced with a new loan of $29.8 million with a maturity of February 1, 2029. The interest rate on the new loan was one-month Term SOFR plus 2.35 percent, with a floor of 0.00 percent, and monthly payments of interest only on the loan were scheduled for the first year of the term, with monthly principal and interest payments based on a 30-year amortization scheduled thereafter. After paying off the prior loan and paying property taxes and closing costs, Stratus received approximately $3.0 million in net cash proceeds. This loan was repaid in connection with the sale of Lantana Place – Retail in November 2025.
In March 2025, the Jones Crossing loan was refinanced. The new loan has a principal amount of $24.0 million and matures April 1, 2028. The loan bears interest at one-month Term SOFR plus 1.95 percent, with a floor of 3.00 percent. As required by the loan, College Station 1892 Properties, L.L.C. purchased an interest rate cap with a Term SOFR strike rate equal to 5.00 percent, a notional amount of $24.0 million and an expiration date of April 1, 2026. Upon expiration, as required by the loan, College Station 1892 Properties, L.L.C. will enter into two subsequent, consecutive interest rate cap agreements, each with a one-year term, a notional amount of the maximum loan amount and a strike price commensurate to the then-current interest rate. Payments of interest only on the loan are due monthly with the outstanding principal due at maturity. College Station 1892 Properties, L.L.C. may prepay all, but not a portion, of the loan; provided that a prepayment prior to April 1, 2026 is subject to a yield maintenance premium payment. After paying off the prior Jones Crossing loan and closing costs, Stratus received approximately $1.2 million in net cash proceeds.
In July 2025, The Annie B land loan was modified to extend the maturity date to September 1, 2027. Monthly principal payments of $49,875 in addition to interest are required during the extended term.
In September 2025, The Saint June construction loan was modified to (i) extend the maturity date of the loan to October 2, 2027; (ii) provide for advances of an additional $1.5 million, bringing the outstanding principal balance of the loan to $32.9 million with no funds remaining available for additional principal advances; (iii) decrease the interest rate applicable margin from 2.35 percent to 2.00 percent; (iv) eliminate the requirement to make monthly principal payments prior to maturity; and (v) add a new property-level minimum debt yield financial covenant, which replaced a property-level debt service coverage ratio. If the debt yield financial covenant is not met, the principal balance of the loan must be paid down in an amount sufficient to achieve the minimum debt yield. The amendments permit the partnership to distribute up to $1.5 million to the partners. Accordingly, the loan bears interest at one-month Term SOFR plus 2.00 percent, subject to a 3.50 percent floor. Payments of interest only on the Loan are due monthly with the outstanding principal due at maturity. After closing costs, the partnership used the remaining portion of the $1.3 million proceeds of the loan to establish reserves for partnership expenses and make cash distributions to the partners. In 2025, The Saint June, L.P. made distributions of approximately $614 thousand and $318 thousand to the Class B limited partner in The Saint June partnership and Stratus, respectively.
In first-quarter 2026, the Holden Hills Phase 1 construction loan was amended to provide a short-term extension of the maturity date to June 8, 2026, while we negotiate a longer-term extension with the lender.
We expect that, if market rates continue to decline, interest on our outstanding debt, all of which is variable rate, will continue to decline.
Most of our debt agreements require compliance with specified financial covenants. The Saint June construction loan includes a requirement that we maintain liquid assets, as defined in the agreements, of not less than $10 million. The Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility, The Annie B land loan, and The Saint June, The Saint George and the Holden Hills Phase 1 construction loans include a requirement that we maintain a net asset value, as defined in each agreement, of $125 million. The Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility, The Annie B land loan, and The Saint George and the Holden Hills Phase 1 construction loans also include a requirement that we maintain a debt-to-gross asset value, as defined in the agreements, of not more than 50 percent. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all of our financial covenants.
Table of Contents
Stratus’ and its subsidiaries’ debt arrangements, including Stratus’ guaranty agreements contain significant limitations that may restrict Stratus’ and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things: borrow additional money or issue guarantees; pay dividends, repurchase equity or make other distributions to equity holders; make loans, advances or other investments; create liens on assets; sell assets; enter into sale-leaseback transactions; enter into transactions with affiliates; permit a change of control or change in management; sell all or substantially all of its assets; and engage in mergers, consolidations or other business combinations. Our Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility, The Annie B land loan, and The Saint George and the Holden Hills Phase 1 construction loans require Fifth Third Bank’s prior written consent for any common stock repurchases in excess of $1.0 million or any dividend payments, which was obtained in connection with our current $25.0 million share repurchase program. Any future declaration of dividends or decision to repurchase our common stock is at the discretion of our Board, subject to restrictions under our Fifth Third Bank debt agreements, and will depend on our financial results, cash requirements, projected compliance with covenants in our debt agreements, outlook and other factors deemed relevant by our Board. Our future debt agreements, future refinancings of or amendments to existing debt agreements or other future agreements may restrict our ability to declare dividends or repurchase shares.
The Plan of Liquidation may require consents, waivers, refinancings or other accommodations under certain of our debt arrangements and project-level agreements. In addition, certain partnership agreements and other contracts may contain consent rights, distribution restrictions, buy-sell provisions, transfer restrictions or other terms that may affect the timing, structure or proceeds of asset sales or cash distributions to us or our stockholders. There can be no assurance that any such consents, waivers or accommodations will be obtained on acceptable terms or at all.
Our project loans are generally secured by all or substantially all of the assets of the project, and our Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of our assets other than those encumbered by separate project level financing. In addition, we, as the parent company, are typically required to guarantee all or a significant portion of the payment of our project loans, in some cases until certain development milestones and/or financial conditions are met, in some cases on a full recourse basis and in other cases on a more limited recourse basis. As of March 20, 2026, we, as the parent company, guaranteed the payment of all of the project loans, except for the Jones Crossing loan. Our guarantee of the Jones Crossing loan is generally limited to non-recourse carve-out obligations. Our payment guarantee on The Saint June construction loan is limited to 50.0 percent and on The Saint George construction loan is limited to 25.0 percent until certain conditions are met. Refer to Note 6 for additional discussion.
Our construction loans typically permit advances only in accordance with budgeted allocations and subject to specified conditions and require lender consent for changes to plans and specifications exceeding specified amounts. If the lender deems undisbursed proceeds insufficient to meet costs of completing the project, the lender may decline to make additional advances until the borrower deposits with the lender sufficient additional funds to cover the deficiency the lender deems to exist. The inability to satisfy a condition to receive advances for a specified time period after lender’s refusal, or the failure to complete a project by a specified completion date, may be an event of default, subject to exceptions for force majeure.
Table of Contents
DEBT MATURITIES AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table summarizes our total debt maturities based on the principal amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2025 (in thousands), excluding debt related to Kingwood Place which is presented in liabilities held for sale (subsequently sold in January 2026):
Thereafter
Total
Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility a
Jones Crossing loan
The Annie B land loan
Construction loans:
The Saint George b
The Saint June c
Holden Hills Phase 1 d
Total
a. In January 2026, the Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility was amended. The new maturity date is March 27, 2028.
b. The maturity date is July 19, 2026. We are currently evaluating options to modify or refinance the loan and expect to extend or refinance the loan on or before the maturity date.
c. Includes operating loans from our third-party partner of $493 thousand.
d. In first-quarter 2026, the Holden Hills Phase 1 construction loan was amended to provide a short-term extension of the maturity date to June 8, 2026, while we negotiate a longer-term extension with the lender.
The following table summarizes the weighted-average interest rate of each loan, all of which have variable rates, for the periods presented, excluding debt related to Kingwood Place which is presented in liabilities held for sale (subsequently sold in January 2026):
December 31,
Fifth Third Bank revolving credit facility a
Jones Crossing loan
The Annie B land loan
Lantana Place loan b
Construction loans:
The Saint George
The Saint June
Holden Hills Phase 1
West Killeen Market c
Amarra Villas credit facility d
a. In second-quarter 2025, we repaid the amount outstanding on the revolving credit facility. We did not have an outstanding balance during 2024. At December 31, 2025, the interest rate for the revolving credit facility was 6.97 percent.
b. In November 2025, we repaid this loan in connection with the sale of the property.
c. In May 2025, we paid this loan in connection with the sale of the property.
d. In June 2025, the credit facility was terminated after the outstanding balance was repaid.
Estimated interest payments during 2026 will total approximately $6.2 million , based on debt balances and scheduled maturities as of December 31, 2025, and interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2025.
LIQUIDITY OUTLOOK
We had firm commitments totaling approximately $5 million at December 31, 2025 primarily related to construction of the road and utility infrastructure we are required to build in Lakeway, Texas, and Holden Hills Phase 1, and as of March 20, 2026, we have not started construction on any new projects. In first-quarter 2026, we made an operating
Table of Contents
loan to the Annie B partnership of $550 thousand, and one of the Class B limited partners made an operating loan of $250 thousand. In first-quarter 2026, we also advanced $124 thousand to the Holden Hills Phase 1 partnership, $891 thousand to the Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership and $1.8 million to The Saint George partnership. The Holden Hills Phase 1 partnership is in discussions to modify the construction loan to increase the loan commitment amount and expects to use these funds to reimburse Stratus, as approved by the partners. The Holden Hills Phase 2 partnership is working to establish a separate revolving credit facility and intends to use the facility to reimburse Stratus, as approved by the partners. We also anticipate making future operating loans or advances to the Annie B and The Saint George partnerships totaling up to $3.1 million over the next 12 months to enable the partnerships to pay debt service. The operating loans for the Annie B partnership would bear interest at one-month Term SOFR plus 5.00 percent, would be subordinate to The Annie B land loan and required to be repaid before distributions may be made to the partners. Refer to Note 9 for further discussion of future cash requirements.
We project that we will be able to meet our debt service and other cash obligations for at least the next 12 months. Our stabilized retail and multi-family properties (Jones Crossing – Retail and The Saint June) are projected to generate sufficient cash flow to cover debt service over the next 12 months. We expect to sell additional Amarra Villas homes and may sell other properties. For other projected pre-development costs, much of which are discretionary and projected general and administrative expenses, we had cash and cash equivalents of $74.3 million at December 31, 2025 and availability under our revolving credit facility (which matures on March 27, 2028) of approximately $17.1 million as of December 31, 2025 which is expected to be sufficient to fund these cash requirements for the next 12 months.
However, if the Plan of Liquidation is approved by our stockholders, our liquidity outlook and capital allocation priorities will shift from the continuation of our historical operating and development strategy toward an orderly monetization of assets and winding-down process. As a result, the timing and amount of capital expenditures, project funding, debt repayment, reserve establishment, taxes, professional fees and other cash uses could differ materially from prior expectations, and the amount and timing of any liquidating distributions will depend on future asset sales, liabilities, expenses and other factors.
We expect to successfully extend the maturities of, or to refinance, our outstanding debt that matures in the next 12 months. For future potential significant development projects, we would not plan to enter into commitments to incur material costs for the projects until we obtain what we project to be adequate financing to cover anticipated cash outlays. As discussed under “Business Strategy” above, our main source of revenue and cash flow is expected to come from sales of our properties to third parties or distributions from joint ventures, the timing of and proceeds from which are difficult to predict and depend on market conditions and other factors. We also generate cash flow from rental revenue in our leasing operations and from development and asset management fees received from our properties. Due to the nature of our development-focused business, we do not expect to generate sufficient recurring cash flow to cover our general and administrative expenses each period. However, we believe that the unique nature and location of our assets, and our team’s ability to execute successfully on development projects, will provide us with positive cash flows and net income over time. No assurances can be given that the results anticipated by our projections will occur. Refer to Note 6 and “Risk Factors” included in Part I, Item 1A. for further discussion.
Our ability to meet our cash obligations over the longer term will depend on our future operating and financial performance and cash flows, including our ability to sell or lease properties profitably and extend or refinance debt as it becomes due, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control.
RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Refer to Note 9 for discussion of our off-balance sheet arrangements.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements in which we discuss factors we believe may affect our future performance and business strategy.
Table of Contents
Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, such as plans, projections or expectations related to the Plan of Liquidation, including the availability, timing and amount of potential future distributions to stockholders, the timing of asset sales and whether and when the sales of the retail component of Jones Crossing, the New Caney land and an Amarra Villas home will be completed, and our estimated pre-tax proceeds from these sales, inflation, interest rates, tariffs and trade policies, supply chain constraints, our ability to pay or refinance our debt obligations as they become due, availability of bank credit, our ability to meet our future debt service and other cash obligations, projected future operating loans, advances or capital contributions to our joint ventures, potential costs for which The Saint George Apartments, L.P. may be responsible for the remediation and repair of damage caused by the water leak at The Saint George, future cash flows and liquidity, the Austin and Texas real estate markets, the planning, financing, development, construction, completion and stabilization of our development projects, including projected costs and estimated times to complete construction, plans to sell, recapitalize or refinance properties and estimated timing for closing properties under contract, future operational and financial performance, MUD reimbursements for infrastructure costs, regulatory matters, including the expected impact of the ETJ Law and related ongoing litigation and the letter from the City of Austin challenging the removal of our property from the ETJ, leasing activities, tax rates, future capital expenditures and financing plans, possible joint ventures, partnerships or other strategic relationships, other plans and objectives of management for future operations and development projects, and potential future cash returns to stockholders, including the timing and amount of repurchases under our share repurchase program. The words “anticipate,” “may,” “can,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “target,” “intend,” “likely,” “will,” “should,” “to be” and any similar expressions or statements are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements.
Under our Fifth Third Bank debt agreements, we are not permitted to repurchase our common stock in excess of $1.0 million or pay dividends on our common stock without Fifth Third Bank’s prior written consent, which we obtained in connection with our current $25.0 million share repurchase program. Any future declaration of dividends or decision to repurchase our common stock outside the approved share repurchase program is at the discretion of our Board, subject to restrictions under our Fifth Third Bank debt agreements, and will depend on our financial results, cash requirements, projected compliance with covenants in our debt agreements, outlook and other factors deemed relevant by our Board. Our future debt agreements, future refinancings of or amendments to existing debt agreements or other future agreements may restrict our ability to declare dividends or repurchase shares.
We caution readers that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, expected, projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that can cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the Plan of Liquidation, including the availability, timing and amount of the distributions to stockholders in connection with the Plan of Liquidation, including changes in the amount and timing of the total liquidating distributions, including as a result of unexpected levels of transaction costs, delayed or terminated closings, liquidation costs or unpaid or additional liabilities and obligations, the amounts that will need to be set aside by us, the adequacy of such reserves to satisfy our obligations, risks associated with third-party contracts containing consent and/or other provisions that may be triggered by the Plan of Liquidation, our ability to favorably resolve potential tax claims, any litigation matters, including any litigation relating to the Plan of Liquidation and related matters, and other unresolved contingent liabilities, our ability to successfully execute the Plan of Liquidation, including the ability to market and sell all or substantially all of our assets, the amount of proceeds that might be realized from the sale or other disposition of our assets, the application of, and any changes in, applicable tax laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles and interpretations, the incurrence of expenses and the diversion of management’s time in connection with the Plan of Liquidation, our ability to retain and hire key personnel, consultants and other resources and maintain relationships with partners, suppliers, employees, stockholders and others as we carry out the Plan of Liquidation and on our operating results and business generally, the possibility of converting to a liquidating trust or other liquidating entity, the possibility that our stockholders will not approve the Plan of Liquidation, the ability of our Board to abandon, modify or delay implementation of the Plan of Liquidation, even after stockholder approval, potential adverse effects on our stock price from the announcement, suspension or consummation of the Plan of Liquidation, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances, including market, regulatory and other factors, that could give rise to the termination of the Plan of Liquidation, whether we and the purchasers will satisfy our respective obligations and conditions to closing under the agreements or offers, as applicable, for the retail component of Jones Crossing, the New Caney land and an Amarra Villas home in the anticipated timeframe or at all, our ability to implement our business strategy successfully, including our ability to develop, construct and sell or lease properties on terms our Board considers acceptable, increases in operating and construction costs, including real estate taxes, maintenance and insurance costs, and the cost of building materials and labor, inflation and elevated interest rates, the effect of changes in tariffs and trade policies, supply chain constraints, our ability to pay
Table of Contents
or refinance our debt, extend maturity dates of our loans or comply with or obtain waivers of financial and other covenants in debt agreements and to meet other cash obligations, availability of bank credit, defaults by contractors and subcontractors, the outcome of our analysis and discussions with the insurance company and general contractor regarding responsibility for payment of costs to remediate and repair the damage caused by the water leak at The Saint George, declines in the market value of our assets, market conditions or corporate developments that could preclude, impair or delay any opportunities with respect to plans to sell, recapitalize or refinance properties, a decrease in the demand for real estate in select markets in Texas where we operate, particularly in Austin, changes in economic, market, tax, business and geopolitical conditions, potential U.S. or local economic downturn or recession, the availability and terms of financing for development projects and other corporate purposes, our ability to collect anticipated rental payments and close projected asset sales, loss of key personnel, our ability to enter into and maintain joint ventures, partnerships or other strategic relationships, including risks associated with such joint ventures, any major public health crisis, eligibility for and potential receipt and timing of receipt of MUD reimbursements, industry risks, changes in buyer preferences, potential additional impairment charges, competition from other real estate developers, our ability to obtain various entitlements and permits, changes in laws, regulations or the regulatory environment affecting the development of real estate, opposition from special interest groups or local governments with respect to development projects, weather- and climate-related risks, environmental and litigation risks, including the timing and resolution of the challenges to the ETJ Law and our ability to implement revised development plans in light of the ETJ Law and the letter from the City of Austin, the failure to attract buyers or tenants for our developments or such buyers’ or tenants’ failure to satisfy their purchase commitments or leasing obligations, cybersecurity incidents and other factors described in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A. of this Form 10-K.
Investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions upon which our forward-looking statements are based are likely to change after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Further, we may make changes to our business plans that could affect our results. We caution investors that we undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, notwithstanding any changes in our assumptions, business plans, actual experience or other changes.
Table of Contents
- Exhibit 211exhibit211q425.htm · 12.7 KB
- Exhibit 311q425exhibit311.htm · 11.5 KB
- Exhibit 312q425exhibit312.htm · 11.4 KB
- Exhibit 321q425exhibit321.htm · 6.4 KB
- Exhibit 322q425exhibit322.htm · 6.4 KB
- 0000885508-26-000017-index-headers.html0000885508-26-000017-index-headers.html
- Exhibit 1034exhibit1034firstmodificati.htm · 56.7 KB
- Exhibit 1035exhibit1035secondmodificat.htm · 57.8 KB
- Exhibit 1037exhibit1037stratusblock150.htm · 66.8 KB
- Ticker
- STRS
- CIK
0000885508- Form Type
- 10-K
- Accession Number
0000885508-26-000017- Filed
- Mar 27, 2026
- Period
- Dec 31, 2025 (Q4 25)
- Industry
- Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries)
External resources
Permalink
https://insiderdelta.com/issuers/STRS/10-k/0000885508-26-000017