Hubilu Venture Corp
Hubilu Venture Corporation (OTC Pink: HBUV) is a real estate consulting and acquisitions company based in Beverly Hills. Founded in 2015 by CEO David Behrend (who owns ~95% of the company), Hubilu operates two segments: • Real Estate Acquisitions: Owns 30 single-/small multi-family rental propert...
Hubilu Venture Corporation: 2024 10-K Deep Dive
In this comprehensive review of Hubilu Venture Corporation’s (OTC Pink: HBUV) 2024 10-K, we dissect the company’s business model, recent performance, financial health, and key risk factors to help investors decide whether HBUV is a viable opportunity.
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Table of Contents
- Business Description
- Industry and Strategy
- Portfolio and Acquisitions
- Consulting Operations
- 2024 Financial Highlights
- Balance Sheet and Liquidity
- Cash Flow Analysis
- Debt Profile
- Risk Factors
- Governance and Control
- Conclusion and Investment Score
1. Business Description
Hubilu Venture Corporation is a publicly traded real estate consulting and acquisitions firm headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. Founded in 2015, the company operates in two complementary segments:
- Real Estate Acquisitions: Owns and manages single-family and small multi-family rental properties, primarily in the Los Angeles market.
- Real Estate Consulting: Provides research, analysis, and acquisition advisory services to investors and developers on a fee basis.
Hubilu is not a brokerage; it focuses on analytical services and direct acquisitions. The company is controlled by CEO and Chairman David Behrend, who owns approximately 95.3% of the common stock.
2. Industry and Strategy
Industry Context
- Residential Rental Demand: Los Angeles faces chronic housing shortages, with average rents rising from ~$750 (2005) to ~$2,100 (2024). Off-campus student housing and corporate rentals remain high-growth niches.
- Higher Financing Costs: Elevated interest rates have tempered new builds, creating buying opportunities at attractive yields.
Hubilu’s Dual Strategy
- Property Acquisitions
- Target undervalued or cosmetically distressed homes for rental or redevelopment.
- Focus on areas near USC, Metro stations, and corporate hubs.
- Acquire 5 new properties in the next 12 months to boost cash flow.
- Consulting Services
- Offer flat-fee or hourly advisory on market due diligence, financial modeling, lease structure, branding, and more.
- Leverage web-based tools to reduce client costs and accelerate decision making.
- Diversification
- Expand into high-cash-flow businesses (PropTech, CleanTech, Healthcare, e-commerce) through selective acquisitions, starting with a minority stake in Gula Entities.
3. Portfolio and Acquisitions
2024 Property Additions
During FY 2024, Hubilu closed 6 new acquisitions through its Mopane Investments subsidiary:
Address | Acquisition Date | Purchase Price | Financing Structure |
---|---|---|---|
1100 W. 48th St, LA | 10/23/2024 | $650,000 | 60/40 first/second lien notes |
1659 Roosevelt Ave, LA | 08/30/2024 | $760,000 | 60/40 first/second lien notes |
802 E. 25th St, LA | 08/20/2024 | $650,000 | 80/20 first/second lien notes |
1460 N. Eastern Ave, LA | 06/27/2024 | $670,000 | 55/45 first/second lien notes |
1457 W. 35th St, LA | 06/20/2024 | $710,000 | 85/15 first/second lien notes |
4700 S. Budlong Ave, LA | 05/07/2024 | $649,000 | 75/25 first/second lien notes |
On November 20, 2024, the 4700 Budlong Avenue loan was refinanced at a lower interest rate (7.125%) and extended to 2054. Similar refinancings occurred at 3910 Walton and other properties to lock in long-term financing.
Portfolio Snapshot
- Total Properties: 30
- Geographic Focus: Los Angeles, CA
- Holding Structure: 9 single-purpose LLCs
4. Consulting Operations
Hubilu’s consulting services kicked off in June 2015. Key offerings include:
- Market trend analysis
- Corporate entity structuring
- Financial & lease modeling
- Branding & PR strategy for leases
- Tenant mix & operating strategy
- JV partner introductions
- Investment and relocation analysis
Fee Model: Flat fees and hourly rates. Consulting revenues are still ramping, with property rental revenues forming the core.
5. 2024 Financial Highlights
Metric | 2024 | 2023 | % Change |
---|---|---|---|
Rental Revenue | $2,232,412 | $1,885,985 | +18% |
Operating Expenses | $1,109,297 | $1,142,038 | –3% |
Net Operating Income | $1,123,115 | $743,947 | +51% |
Other Expenses | $1,309,352 | $1,019,279 | +28% |
Net Loss | $(186,237) | $(275,332) | –32% |
Details
- Revenue Growth (+18%): Driven by six acquisitions in 2024.
- General & Admin (+142%): One-time setup costs and increased headcount.
- Repairs & Maintenance (–67%): High catch-up costs in 2023.
- Depreciation (+9%): New assets added.
- Finance Costs (+22%): Higher interest and refinancing costs.
- Net Loss Improved: Reduced from $275k to $186k, reflecting better operating leverage.
Net Loss for FY 2024: $186,237
6. Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Metric | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 |
---|---|---|
Cash | $9,799 | $24,564 |
Total Assets | $20.94M | $16.56M |
Current Liabilities | $2.60M | $1.78M |
Working Capital (Deficit) | $(2.58M) | $(1.74M) |
Total Debt (Net) | $20.21M | $15.60M |
Preferred Dividends Payable | $205,483 | $179,463 |
Accumulated Deficit | $(2.31M) | $(2.12M) |
Key Points:
- High Leverage: $20.2M net debt vs. $20.9M in assets.
- Working Capital Deficit: Minimal cash cushion of $9,799 signals near-term liquidity risk.
- Preferred Series 1: 520,400 shares with cumulative 5% paid-in-kind dividends.
7. Cash Flow Analysis
Flow Category | 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
Net Cash from Ops | $188,394 | $110,233 |
Net Cash to Invest | $(606,796) | $0 |
Net Cash from Finance | $403,637 | $(177,737) |
Net Change in Cash | $(14,765) | $(67,504) |
- Operations (+71%): Better occupancy and new acquisitions.
- Investing: $606k for new properties and strategic stakes.
- Financing: $403k from new mortgages; refinancings reshape payment profiles.
8. Debt Profile
Total Mortgage Debt: $20.54M in 33 separate notes (first & second liens), with rates ranging from 4.625%–10.99%, maturities from 2029–2054.
Impairment on Non-core Investment: $80,940 loss taken on minority stake in Gula Entities.
Peak Debt Service:
- 2025: $1.74M of scheduled principal payments, plus interest
9. Risk Factors
Most Material Risks
- Going Concern: Negative working capital, accumulated deficit, cash < $10K.
- Concentrated Revenue: A single tenant once generated ~64% of revenues; that client departed Nov 2024.
- High Leverage: 20× debt to equity, with principal balloon payments ahead.
- Control: 95.3% ownership by CEO limits minority voice and corporate governance.
- Penny Stock Status: Illiquid trading, subject to OTC‐Pink and penny-stock regulations.
- Limited Internal Controls: Material weaknesses in segregation of duties and tax accounting.
Additional Considerations
- Market Dependence: Heavy LA concentration; downturns or rent controls could impair cash flow.
- Capital Needs: Future growth and remediation of control issues require additional capital, likely with dilution.
10. Governance and Control
- Board: One director (Behrend); no independent audit or compensation committees.
- Controls: Material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting.
- Code of Ethics: Adopted, but implementation constrained by resources.
- Related Party: $474k due to CEO’s entity; multiple related-party notes.
11. Conclusion and Investment Score
Hubilu Venture Corporation presents a classic microcap real estate play:
- Pros:
- Improving operating results in 2024.
- Well‐located LA portfolio with 30 assets.
- Aggressive growth strategy with refinancings locking long-term rates.
- Cons:
- Severe liquidity constraints and going-concern risk.
- Heavy debt load and balloon maturities.
- Near‐term reliance on new capital or asset sales.
- Significant governance and concentration risks.
Net Loss: $186,237 (2024)
Investment Score: 3.2 / 10
**Hubilu has momentum in operations but is heavily leveraged and undercapitalized. Until the balance sheet is fortified or governance strengthened, HBUV remains a high‐risk speculation.**
Legal Disclaimer: This analysis is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own due diligence.