NATIONAL PROPERTY INVESTORS III
10QSB, 2000-11-13
LAND SUBDIVIDERS & DEVELOPERS (NO CEMETERIES)
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     FORM 10-QSB--QUARTERLY OR TRANSITIONAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                        THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                        Quarterly or Transitional Report



                      U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   Form 10-QSB

(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934

                 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2000


[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934


                For the transition period from _________to _________

                          Commission file number 0-9567


                          NATIONAL PROPERTY INVESTORS III
         (Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)



         California                                         13-2974428
(State or other jurisdiction of                          (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)

                          55 Beattie Place, PO Box 1089
                        Greenville, South Carolina 29602
                      (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (864) 239-1000
                           (Issuer's telephone number)


Check  whether the issuer (1) filed all reports  required to be filed by Section
13 or 15(d) of the  Exchange  Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No___



<PAGE>



                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

a)

                         NATIONAL PROPERTY INVESTORS III
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                   (Unaudited)
                          (in thousands, except unit data)

                               September 30, 2000


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Assets
<S>                                                                          <C>
   Cash and cash equivalents                                                 $  951
   Receivables and deposits                                                     727
   Restricted escrows                                                           580
   Other assets                                                                 683
   Investment properties:
       Land                                                  $  3,023
       Buildings and related personal property                 35,978
                                                               39,001
       Less accumulated depreciation                          (26,851)       12,150
                                                                           $ 15,091
Liabilities and Partners' Deficit
Liabilities
   Accounts payable                                                          $  155
   Tenant security deposit liabilities                                          223
   Accrued property taxes                                                       624
   Other liabilities                                                            382
   Mortgage notes payable                                                    26,968

Partners' Deficit
   General partner                                            $  (276)
   Limited partners (48,049 units
      issued and outstanding)                                 (12,985)      (13,261)
                                                                           $ 15,091
</TABLE>


            See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>

b)

                         NATIONAL PROPERTY INVESTORS III
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)
                          (in thousands, except unit data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                        September 30,             September 30,
                                     2000          1999          2000        1999
Revenues:
<S>                                 <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
  Rental income                     $ 2,232       $ 2,114      $ 6,480      $ 6,321
  Other income                          162           112          470          303
  Casualty gain                          25         1,330           25        1,330
     Total revenues                   2,419         3,556        6,975        7,954

Expenses:
  Operating                             883           737        2,414        2,218
  General and administrative            129           108          351          230
  Depreciation                          421           271        1,216          980
  Interest                              512           498        1,554        1,460
  Property taxes                        153           189          527          566
     Total expenses                   2,098         1,803        6,062        5,454

Income before extraordinary
  item                                  321         1,753          913        2,500
Extraordinary loss on early
  extinguishment of debt                 --          (160)          --         (160)

Net income                           $  321       $ 1,593        $ 913      $ 2,340

Net income allocated
  to general partner (1%)             $   3          $ 16          $ 9         $ 23
Net income allocated
  to limited partners (99%)             318         1,577          904        2,317

                                     $  321       $ 1,593        $ 913      $ 2,340
Per limited partnership unit:
  Income before extraordinary
    item                             $ 6.62       $ 36.11      $ 18.81      $ 51.51
  Extraordinary loss                     --         (3.29)          --        (3.29)

Net income                          $  6.62       $ 32.82      $ 18.81      $ 48.22

Distributions per limited
  partnership unit                  $  1.98       $ 13.82      $106.75      $ 13.82
</TABLE>

            See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

<PAGE>

c)

                          NATIONAL PROPERTY INVESTORS III
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' DEFICIT
                                   (Unaudited)
                          (in thousands, except unit data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Limited
                                   Partnership    General     Limited
                                      Units       Partner     Partners      Total

<S>                                   <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>
Original capital contributions        48,049        $  1      $ 24,025    $ 24,026

Partners' deficit at
   December 31, 1999                  48,049      $ (258)     $ (8,760)   $ (9,018)

Net income for the nine months
   ended September 30, 2000               --            9          904         913

Distributions to partners                 --          (27)      (5,129)     (5,156)

Partners' deficit at
   September 30, 2000                 48,049      $ (276)     $(12,985)   $(13,261)
</TABLE>

            See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>

d)

                         NATIONAL PROPERTY INVESTORS III
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                   (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                                       September 30,
                                                                     2000         1999
Cash flows from operating activities:
<S>                                                                  <C>         <C>
  Net income                                                         $  913      $ 2,340
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation                                                    1,216          980
      Amortization of loan costs                                         63           72
      Casualty gain                                                     (25)      (1,330)
      Loss on early extinguishment of debt                               --          160
      Change in accounts:
        Receivables and deposits                                       (304)        (354)
        Other assets                                                    (33)          72
        Accounts payable                                                 (8)          38
        Tenant security deposit liabilities                              46           37
        Accrued property taxes                                          (20)         (31)
        Other liabilities                                               (28)         145
          Net cash provided by operating activities                   1,820        2,129

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Property improvements and replacements                             (1,236)        (545)
  Net withdrawals from restricted escrows                               140           19
  Net insurance proceeds received                                        --        1,763
          Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities        (1,096)       1,237

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Payments on mortgage notes payable                                   (125)         (68)
  Prepayment penalty                                                     --         (144)
  Loan costs paid                                                       (69)          --
  Distributions to partners                                          (5,156)        (670)
          Net cash used in financing activities                      (5,350)        (882)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                 (4,626)       2,484

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                      5,577        1,243
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                           $ 951       $ 3,727

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
  Cash paid for interest                                            $ 1,491      $ 1,388

At December  31,  1999,  approximately  $135,000 of  property  improvements  and
replacements were included in accounts payable and other liabilities.
</TABLE>

            See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>

e)
                         NATIONAL PROPERTY INVESTORS III
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)


Note A - Basis of Presentation

The  accompanying   unaudited  consolidated  financial  statements  of  National
Property Investors III (the "Partnership" or "Registrant") have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles for interim financial
information  and  with the  instructions  to Form  10-QSB  and  Item  310(b)  of
Regulation  S-B.  Accordingly,  they do not include all of the  information  and
footnotes  required by generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for complete
financial  statements.  In the  opinion of NPI Equity  Investments,  Inc.  ("NPI
Equity" or the "Managing  General  Partner"),  all  adjustments  (consisting  of
normal recurring  accruals)  considered  necessary for a fair  presentation have
been  included.  Operating  results for the three and nine month  periods  ended
September 30, 2000,  are not  necessarily  indicative of the results that may be
expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000. For further  information,
refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in
the  Partnership's  Annual  Report on Form  10-KSB  for the  fiscal  year  ended
December 31, 1999.

Principles of Consolidation

The  Partnership's   financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  National
Pinetree,  LP, of which the Partnership owns a 99% limited partnership interest,
and of Summerwalk NPI III, LP, of which the  Partnership  owns a 99.9% interest.
The  Partnership  has the ability to control the major  operating  and financial
policies of these  partnerships.  All  interpartnership  transactions  have been
eliminated.

Note B - Transfer of Control

Pursuant  to a series  of  transactions  which  closed  on  October  1, 1998 and
February 26, 1999,  Insignia Financial Group, Inc. and Insignia Properties Trust
merged into Apartment  Investment and Management Company  ("AIMCO"),  a publicly
traded real estate investment trust, with AIMCO being the surviving  corporation
(the "Insignia Merger").  As a result, AIMCO acquired 100% ownership interest in
the Managing General Partner. The Managing General Partner does not believe that
this  transaction  has had or will have a  material  effect on the  affairs  and
operations of the Partnership.

Note C - Transactions with Affiliated Parties

The  Partnership  has no employees  and is  dependent  on the  Managing  General
Partner  and  its  affiliates  for  the  management  and  administration  of all
partnership  activities.  The  Partnership  Agreement  provides  for payments to
affiliates for services and as  reimbursement  of certain  expenses  incurred by
affiliates on behalf of the Partnership.

The following  transactions with the Managing General Partner and its affiliates
were incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999:

                                                                  2000      1999
                                                                  (in thousands)
 Property management fees (included in operating expenses)        $351      $331
 Reimbursement for services of affiliates (included in
   investment properties and general and administrative
   expenses)                                                       200       117
 Non-accountable reimbursement (included in general and
   administrative expenses)                                        100        60

During the nine months  ended  September  30, 2000 and 1999,  affiliates  of the
Managing  General Partner were entitled to receive 5% of gross receipts from the
Partnership's   properties  for  providing  property  management  services.  The
Partnership paid to such affiliates  approximately $351,000 and $331,000 for the
nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

Affiliates  of  the  Managing   General  Partner  received   reimbursements   of
accountable  administrative  expenses  amounting to  approximately  $200,000 and
$117,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

For services relating to the  administration of the Partnership and operation of
the  Partnership's  properties,  the  Managing  General  Partner is  entitled to
receive  payment for  non-accountable  expenses up to a maximum of $100,000  per
year  based  upon the  number of  Partnership  units  sold,  subject  to certain
limitations.  The  payment  of this  amount is  dependent  upon the  Partnership
distributing  cash  from  operations.  The  Managing  General  Partner  received
approximately  $100,000 and $60,000  during the nine months ended  September 30,
2000 and 1999,  respectively,  in connection with the distributions  paid to the
partners.

The Managing  General Partner has extended to the Partnership a $300,000 line of
credit.  At the present time, the  Partnership  has no  outstanding  amounts due
under this line of credit.  Based on present plans, the Managing General Partner
does not anticipate  the need to borrow in the near future.  Other than cash and
cash equivalents,  the line of credit is the Partnership's only unused source of
liquidity.

In addition to its  indirect  ownership of the general  partner  interest in the
Partnership,  AIMCO and its affiliates  currently own 33,913 limited partnership
units in the Partnership  representing 70.58% of the outstanding units. A number
of these  units were  acquired  pursuant  to tender  offers made by AIMCO or its
affiliates.  It is possible that AIMCO or its  affiliates  will make one or more
additional offers to acquire  additional  limited  partnership  interests in the
Partnership  for cash or in exchange for units in the operating  partnership  of
AIMCO. Under the Partnership  Agreement,  unitholders  holding a majority of the
Units are  entitled to take action with  respect to a variety of matters,  which
would  include  without   limitation,   voting  on  certain  amendments  to  the
Partnership  Agreement and voting to remove the Managing General  Partner.  As a
result  of its  ownership  of  70.58% of the  outstanding  units,  AIMCO is in a
position to influence all voting decisions with respect to the Registrant.  When
voting on matters, AIMCO would in all likelihood vote the Units it acquired in a
manner  favorable  to the interest of the Managing  General  Partner  because of
their affiliation with the Managing General Partner.  However, DeForest Ventures
II LP, from whom Insignia  Properties LP ("IPLP"),  an affiliate of the Managing
General Partner, acquired its Units, had agreed for the benefit of non-tendering
unit  holders,  that it would vote its Units  acquired on January 19, 1996,  (i)
against any increase in compensation  payable to the Managing General Partner or
to affiliates;  and (ii) on all other matters submitted by it or its affiliates,
in  proportion to the vote cast by non  tendering  unit holders.  Except for the
foregoing,  no other  limitations  are imposed on IPLP's right to vote each Unit
acquired.

Note D - Distributions

During the nine months ended  September 30, 2000,  the  Partnership  distributed
approximately  $5,156,000  (approximately  $5,129,000  to  limited  partners  or
$106.75 per limited partnership unit). The distributions represent approximately
$2,482,000  to the limited  partners  ($51.66 per limited  partnership  unit) of
proceeds from the 1999  refinancing  of Pinetree  Apartments  and  approximately
$2,674,000  (approximately  $2,647,000 to limited partners or $55.09 per limited
partnership  unit) of cash flow from  operations.  During the nine months  ended
September  30,  1999  the   Partnership   distributed   approximately   $670,000
(approximately  $664,000 to limited  partners or $13.82 per limited  partnership
unit) from operations.

Note E - Casualty Events

In July 1998, a fire occurred at Lakeside Apartments that destroyed one building
at the  complex,  consisting  of 22 units.  The  repair  costs  were  covered by
insurance.  In 1998,  estimated  insurance  proceeds were recognized only to the
extent of the write-off of destroyed  assets of approximately  $225,000.  During
the  nine  months  ended   September  30,  1999,   net  insurance   proceeds  of
approximately  $1,554,000 were received to cover  replacement costs that are now
complete.  During the nine months  ended  September  30, 1999,  the  Partnership
recognized a casualty gain of approximately $1,330,000.

In July 1999,  a fire  occurred at  Summerwalk  Apartments  that  destroyed  one
building consisting of eight units. Demolition and reconstruction were completed
by the end of the third  quarter 2000.  During the three months ended  September
30, 1999, net insurance  proceeds of  approximately  $209,000 had been received.
During the three months ended September 30, 2000, the Partnership  recognized an
additional casualty gain of approximately $25,000.

Note F - Extraordinary Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

In  1999,  the  Partnership   refinanced  the  mortgage   encumbering   Pinetree
Apartments.  The  refinancing  replaced  indebtedness  of $2,152,000  with a new
mortgage in the amount of $5,000,000. The new mortgage carries a stated interest
rate of 7.33%. Interest on the old mortgage was 9.87%. Payments of approximately
$41,000  are due on the  first  day of each  month  until  the loan  matures  on
November 1, 2019.  The prior note was  scheduled to mature in July 1, 2001.  The
lender also required a repair escrow of approximately $67,000 to be established.
As of  September  30,  1999,  the  Partnership  recognized  a loss on the  early
extinguishment of debt of approximately  $160,000 consisting of the write-off of
unamortized loan costs and a prepayment penalty.

Note G - Segment Information

Description  of the types of products  and  services  from which the  reportable
segment derives its revenues:

The  Partnership  has  one  reportable  segment:   residential  properties.  The
Partnership's   residential   property   segment  consists  of  three  apartment
complexes,  one located in each of Illinois,  North Carolina,  and Florida.  The
Partnership rents apartment units to tenants for terms that are typically twelve
months or less.

Measurement of segment profit or loss:

The  Partnership  evaluates  performance  based on segment  profit (loss) before
depreciation.  The accounting policies of the reportable segment are the same as
those of the Partnership as described in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1999.

Factors management used to identify the enterprise's reportable segment:

The  Partnership's  reportable  segment  consists of investment  properties that
offer similar products and services.  Although each of the investment properties
is  managed  separately,  they have been  aggregated  into one  segment  as they
provide services with similar types of products and customers.

Segment  information  for the three and nine month periods  ended  September 30,
2000 and 1999, is shown in the tables below (in  thousands).  The "Other" column
includes  Partnership  administration  related  items and income and expense not
allocated to the reportable segment.

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2000   Residential     Other      Totals

Rental income                               $ 2,232       $   --     $ 2,232
Other income                                    161            1         162
Casualty gain                                    25           --          25
Interest expense                                512           --         512
Depreciation                                    421           --         421
General and administrative expense               --          129         129
Segment profit (loss)                           449         (128)        321

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000   Residential     Other       Totals

Rental income                              $ 6,480        $  --      $ 6,480
Other income                                   440           30          470
Casualty gain                                   25           --           25
Interest expense                             1,554           --        1,554
Depreciation                                 1,216           --        1,216
General and administrative expense              --          351          351
Segment profit (loss)                        1,234         (321)         913
Total assets                                15,030           61       15,091
Capital expenditures for investment
  properties                                 1,101           --        1,101


 Three Months Ended September 30, 1999    Residential     Other      Totals

Rental income                               $ 2,114       $   --     $ 2,114
Other income                                    111            1         112
Casualty gain                                 1,330           --       1,330
Interest expense                                498           --         498
Depreciation                                    271           --         271
General and administrative expense               --          108         108
Extraordinary loss on early
  extinguishment of debt                       (160)          --        (160)
Segment profit (loss)                         1,700         (107)      1,593


 Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999   Residential     Other       Totals

Rental income                              $ 6,321        $  --     $ 6,321
Other income                                   300            3         303
Casualty gain                                1,330           --       1,330
Interest expense                             1,460           --       1,460
Depreciation                                   980           --         980
General and administrative expense              --          230         230
Extraordinary loss on early
  extinguishment of debt                      (160)          --        (160)
Segment profit (loss)                        2,567         (227)      2,340
Total assets                                16,073          159      16,232
Capital expenditures for investment
  properties                                   545           --         545

Note H - Legal Proceedings

In March 1998, several putative unit holders of limited partnership units of the
Partnership  commenced an action  entitled  Rosalie  Nuanes,  et al. v. Insignia
Financial  Group,  Inc., et al. in the Superior Court of the State of California
for the County of San Mateo. The plaintiffs  named as defendants,  among others,
the  Partnership,  its Managing  General Partner and several of their affiliated
partnerships  and corporate  entities.  The action  purports to assert claims on
behalf of a class of limited  partners and derivatively on behalf of a number of
limited  partnerships  (including  the  Partnership)  which are named as nominal
defendants,  challenging the acquisition of interests in certain general partner
entities by Insignia Financial Group, Inc. ("Insignia") and entities which were,
at one  time,  affiliates  of  Insignia;  past  tender  offers  by the  Insignia
affiliates to acquire limited  partnership units; the management of partnerships
by the  Insignia  affiliates;  and the  Insignia  Merger.  The  plaintiffs  seek
monetary damages and equitable  relief,  including  judicial  dissolution of the
Partnership.  On June 25, 1998,  the  Managing  General  Partner  filed a motion
seeking  dismissal  of the action.  In lieu of  responding  to the  motion,  the
plaintiffs have filed an amended  complaint.  The Managing General Partner filed
demurrers to the amended complaint which were heard February 1999.

Pending the ruling on such  demurrers,  settlement  negotiations  commenced.  On
November 2, 1999,  the parties  executed and filed a Stipulation  of Settlement,
settling claims,  subject to final court approval,  on behalf of the Partnership
and all limited  partners  who owned  units as of November 3, 1999.  Preliminary
approval of the settlement  was obtained on November 3, 1999 from the Court,  at
which time the Court set a final approval  hearing for December 10, 1999.  Prior
to the December 10, 1999 hearing,  the Court received various  objections to the
settlement, including a challenge to the Court's preliminary approval based upon
the alleged lack of authority of prior lead counsel to enter the settlement.  On
December 14, 1999, the Managing  General  Partner and its affiliates  terminated
the  proposed  settlement.  In  February  2000,  counsel  for some of the  named
plaintiffs filed a motion to disqualify plaintiff's lead and liaison counsel who
negotiated  the  settlement.  On June  27,  2000,  the  Court  entered  an order
disqualifying them from the case. The Court is considering applications for lead
counsel and has  currently  scheduled a hearing on the matter for  November  20,
2000. The Managing  General  Partner does not anticipate  that costs  associated
with this case will be material to the Partnership's overall operations.

The  Partnership is unaware of any other pending or outstanding  litigation that
is not of a routine nature arising in the ordinary course of business.

<PAGE>

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION

The  matters  discussed  in this Form  10-QSB  contain  certain  forward-looking
statements  and  involve  risks and  uncertainties  (including  changing  market
conditions,   competitive  and  regulatory   matters,   etc.)  detailed  in  the
disclosures  contained  in this  Form  10-QSB  and the  other  filings  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission made by the  Partnership  from time to time.
The  discussion  of  the  Partnership's  business  and  results  of  operations,
including  forward-looking  statements pertaining to such matters, does not take
into  account  the  effects of any  changes to the  Partnership's  business  and
results of operation.  Accordingly,  actual results could differ materially from
those  projected in the  forward-looking  statements  as a result of a number of
factors, including those identified herein.

The Partnership's  investment  properties consist of three apartment  complexes.
The following table sets forth the average  occupancy for each of the properties
for both of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2000 and 1999:

                                                  Average Occupancy
      Property                                     2000       1999

      Lakeside Apartments                           95%        92%
         Lisle, Illinois (1)
      Pinetree Apartments                           94%        95%
         Charlotte, North Carolina
      Summerwalk Apartments                         91%        96%
         Winter Park, Florida (2)

(1)   The  Managing  General  Partner  attributes  the  increase in occupancy at
      Lakeside  Apartments to the low  occupancy  during 1999 caused by the fire
      that occurred in July of 1998 that  destroyed  one building  consisting of
      twenty-two units, as well as tenant move outs in surrounding buildings due
      to the construction which was then in progress.

(2)   The  Managing  General  Partner  attributes  the  decrease in occupancy at
      Summerwalk  Apartments  to the July 1999 fire that  destroyed one building
      consisting  of eight  units as well as  tenant  move-outs  in  surrounding
      buildings due to the  construction  which was  completed  during the third
      quarter of 2000.

Results of Operations

The  Partnership's  net income for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2000  was  approximately  $321,000  and  $913,000  compared  to  net  income  of
approximately  $1,593,000  and  $2,340,000  for the three and nine months  ended
September  30,  1999.  The  decrease  in net income for the three and nine month
periods ended  September 30, 2000 is due to a decrease in total  revenues and an
increase in total expenses  partially  offset by the  extraordinary  loss on the
early  extinguishment  of the debt encumbering  Pinetree  Apartments (see below)
recognized  during the three months ended  September  30, 1999.  The decrease in
total  revenues for both the three and nine months ended  September  30, 2000 is
primarily  due to a decrease in casualty  gain (see below)  which was  partially
offset by increases in rental and other income. The decrease in casualty gain is
due to insurance  proceeds  received during the three months ended September 30,
1999  related to the July 1998 fire at  Lakeside  Apartments.  The  increase  in
rental income is primarily  attributable  to increased  average  rental rates at
Lakeside  Apartments and Pinetree Apartments as well as an increase in occupancy
at Lakeside  Apartments  which more than offset the  decrease  in  occupancy  at
Summerwalk  Apartments.  The  increase in other  income is  primarily  due to an
increase in interest income, as a result of larger average interest bearing cash
account  balances  and an  increase  in  lease  cancellation  fees  at  all  the
properties and miscellaneous income at Lakeside Apartments.

The  increase  in total  expenses  for the three and nine  month  periods  ended
September   30,  2000  is  due  to  an  increase  in   operating,   general  and
administrative,  depreciation,  and interest expenses. The increase in operating
expense is primarily  due to  increases in salary and utility  expense at all of
the Partnership's investment properties except Pinetree Apartments.  General and
administrative  expense  increased  due to an  increase  in the cost of services
included in the management  reimbursements  to the Managing  General  Partner as
allowed under the Partnership  Agreement.  The increased depreciation expense is
the result of the addition of capital assets during the past twelve months.  The
increase  in  interest  expense  is due  to the  1999  refinancing  of  Pinetree
Apartments  with a larger  portion of the monthly  debt  service  payment  being
allocated to interest.

In  addition  to the above,  general and  administrative  expenses  for the nine
months ended  September 30, 2000 and 1999, also include  Partnership  management
fees associated with non-accountable  reimbursements  allowed with distributions
from  operations.  In addition,  costs  associated with the quarterly and annual
communications  with  investors  and  regulatory  agencies  and the annual audit
required by the Partnership Agreement are also included.

As part of the ongoing  business plan of the  Partnership,  the Managing General
Partner monitors the rental market  environment of its investment  properties to
assess the feasibility of increasing rents,  maintaining or increasing occupancy
levels and protecting  the  Partnership  from increases in expenses.  As part of
this plan, the Managing General Partner attempts to protect the Partnership from
the burden of  inflation-related  increases in expenses by increasing  rents and
maintaining a high overall  occupancy  level.  However,  due to changing  market
conditions,  which  can  result  in the use of  rental  concessions  and  rental
reductions to offset softening market conditions, there is no guarantee that the
Managing General Partner will be able to sustain such a plan.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

At  September  30,  2000,  the  Partnership  had cash and  cash  equivalents  of
approximately $951,000 as compared to approximately  $3,727,000 at September 30,
1999. For the nine months ended  September 30, 2000,  cash and cash  equivalents
decreased  approximately  $4,626,000 from the Partnership's  year ended December
31, 1999.  The  decrease in cash and cash  equivalents  is due to  approximately
$5,350,000 of cash used in financing activities and approximately  $1,096,000 of
cash used in investing activities,  partially offset by approximately $1,820,000
of cash  provided by operating  activities.  Cash used in  financing  activities
consists of distributions to the partners,  and, to a lesser extent,  loan costs
paid and payments of principal  made on the mortgages  encumbering  Pinetree and
Summerwalk  Apartments.  Cash used in investing  activities consists of property
improvements  and   replacements   partially  offset  by  net  withdrawals  from
restricted escrows maintained by the mortgage lenders.  The Partnership  invests
its working capital reserves in a money market account.

The Managing  General Partner has extended to the Partnership a $300,000 line of
credit.  At the present time, the  Partnership  has no  outstanding  amounts due
under this line of credit.  Based on present plans, the Managing General Partner
does not anticipate  the need to borrow in the near future.  Other than cash and
cash equivalents,  the line of credit is the Partnership's only unused source of
liquidity.

The sufficiency of existing  liquid assets to meet future  liquidity and capital
expenditure   requirements   is  directly   related  to  the  level  of  capital
expenditures  required at the  properties  to  adequately  maintain the physical
assets and other  operating needs of the Partnership and to comply with Federal,
state and local legal and regulatory requirements.  Capital improvements planned
for each of the Partnership's properties are detailed below.

Lakeside Apartments

During the nine months ended  September  30,  2000,  the  Partnership  completed
approximately  $348,000 of budgeted and  non-budgeted  capital  improvements  at
Lakeside  Apartments   consisting  primarily  of  floor  covering   replacement,
structural   improvements,   furniture  and  fixture   upgrades,   water  heater
replacements,  and appliance  replacements.  These improvements were funded from
operating cash flows and replacement reserves.  Approximately  $354,000 has been
budgeted  for  capital  improvements  at Lakeside  Apartments  for the year 2000
consisting  primarily of floor  covering  replacements,  appliance  replacement,
furniture  and  fixtures  upgrades,  and  structural  improvements.   Additional
improvements may be considered and will depend on the physical  condition of the
property as well as replacement  reserves and anticipated cash flow generated by
the property.

Pinetree Apartments

During the nine months ended  September  30,  2000,  the  Partnership  completed
approximately $118,000 of capital improvements at Pinetree Apartments consisting
primarily  of  structural  improvements,   floor  covering  replacements,   roof
replacements,  and appliance  replacements.  These improvements were funded from
operating cash flows and replacement reserves.  Approximately  $125,000 has been
budgeted  for  capital  improvements  at Pinetree  Apartments  for the year 2000
consisting primarily of structural  improvements,  floor covering  replacements,
roof replacements, and wallcoverings.  Additional improvements may be considered
and will depend on the physical condition of the property as well as replacement
reserves and anticipated cash flow generated by the property.

Summerwalk Apartments

During the nine months ended  September  30,  2000,  the  Partnership  completed
approximately  $635,000 of  budgeted  and  unbudgeted  capital  improvements  at
Summerwalk  Apartments consisting primarily of plumbing  improvements,  exterior
painting, building and structural improvements, parking lot upgrades, electrical
upgrades, lighting fixtures, and floor covering replacements. These improvements
were funded from insurance proceeds,  replacement  reserves,  and operating cash
flows.  Approximately  $419,000 has been  budgeted for capital  improvements  at
Summerwalk   Apartments  for  the  year  2000  consisting   primarily  of  major
landscaping,   electrical  upgrades,  structural  improvements,  floor  covering
replacement,   appliance   replacements,   and  HVAC  replacements.   Additional
improvements may be considered and will depend on the physical  condition of the
property as well as replacement  reserves and anticipated cash flow generated by
the property.

The additional  capital  expenditures will be incurred only if cash is available
from operations or from Partnership  reserves.  To the extent that such budgeted
capital improvements are completed,  the Partnership's  distributable cash flow,
if any, may be adversely affected at least in the short term.

Casualty Events

In July 1998, a fire occurred at Lakeside Apartments that destroyed one building
at the  complex,  consisting  of 22 units.  The  repair  costs  were  covered by
insurance.  In 1998,  estimated  insurance  proceeds were recognized only to the
extent of the write-off of destroyed  assets of approximately  $225,000.  During
the  nine  months  ended   September  30,  1999,   net  insurance   proceeds  of
approximately  $1,554,000 were received to cover  replacement costs that are now
complete.  During the nine months  ended  September  30, 1999,  the  Partnership
recognized a casualty gain of approximately $1,330,000.

In July 1999,  a fire  occurred at  Summerwalk  Apartments  that  destroyed  one
building consisting of eight units. Demolition and reconstruction were completed
by the end of the third  quarter 2000.  During the three months ended  September
30, 1999, net insurance  proceeds of  approximately  $209,000 had been received.
During the three months ended September 30, 2000, the Partnership  recognized an
additional casualty gain of approximately $25,000.

The Partnership's  current assets are thought to be sufficient for any near-term
needs  (exclusive  of capital  improvements)  of the  Partnership.  The mortgage
indebtedness  of  approximately   $26,968,000   encumbering  the   Partnership's
properties are being  amortized over varying  periods with balloon  payments due
over periods  ranging from November 2003 to November 2019. The Managing  General
Partner will attempt to refinance  such remaining  indebtedness  and/or sell the
properties prior to such maturity dates. If the properties  cannot be refinanced
or  sold  for a  sufficient  amount,  the  Partnership  will  risk  losing  such
properties through foreclosure.

In  1999,  the  Partnership   refinanced  the  mortgage   encumbering   Pinetree
Apartments.  The  refinancing  replaced  indebtedness  of $2,152,000  with a new
mortgage in the amount of $5,000,000. The new mortgage carries a stated interest
rate of 7.33%. Interest on the old mortgage was 9.87%. Payments of approximately
$41,000  are due on the  first  day of each  month  until  the loan  matures  on
November 1, 2019.  The prior note was  scheduled to mature in July 1, 2001.  The
lender also required a repair escrow of approximately $67,000 to be established.
As of  September  30,  1999,  the  Partnership  recognized  a loss on the  early
extinguishment of debt of approximately  $160,000 consisting of the write-off of
unamortized loan costs and a prepayment penalty.

During the nine months ended  September 30, 2000,  the  Partnership  distributed
approximately  $5,156,000  (approximately  $5,129,000  to  limited  partners  or
$106.75 per limited partnership unit). The distributions represent approximately
$2,482,000  to the limited  partners  ($51.66 per limited  partnership  unit) of
proceeds from the 1999  refinancing  of Pinetree  Apartments  and  approximately
$2,674,000  (approximately  $2,647,000 to limited partners or $55.09 per limited
partnership  unit) of cash flow from  operations.  During the nine months  ended
September  30,  1999  the   Partnership   distributed   approximately   $670,000
(approximately  $664,000 to limited  partners or $13.82 per limited  partnership
unit) from operations.  The Partnership's  distribution  policy is reviewed on a
semi-annual  basis.  Future cash  distributions will depend on the levels of net
cash generated  from  operations,  the  availability  of cash reserves,  and the
timing of debt maturities,  refinancings  and/or property sales. There can be no
assurance,  however,  that the Partnership  will generate  sufficient funds from
operations after required capital  improvements to permit further  distributions
to its partners during the remainder of 2000 or subsequent periods.


<PAGE>


                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In March 1998, several putative unit holders of limited partnership units of the
Partnership  commenced an action  entitled  Rosalie  Nuanes,  et al. v. Insignia
Financial  Group,  Inc., et al. in the Superior Court of the State of California
for the County of San Mateo. The plaintiffs  named as defendants,  among others,
the  Partnership,  its Managing  General Partner and several of their affiliated
partnerships  and corporate  entities.  The action  purports to assert claims on
behalf of a class of limited  partners and derivatively on behalf of a number of
limited  partnerships  (including  the  Partnership)  which are named as nominal
defendants,  challenging the acquisition of interests in certain general partner
entities by Insignia Financial Group, Inc. ("Insignia") and entities which were,
at one  time,  affiliates  of  Insignia;  past  tender  offers  by the  Insignia
affiliates to acquire limited  partnership units; the management of partnerships
by the  Insignia  affiliates;  and the  Insignia  Merger.  The  plaintiffs  seek
monetary damages and equitable  relief,  including  judicial  dissolution of the
Partnership.  On June 25, 1998,  the  Managing  General  Partner  filed a motion
seeking  dismissal  of the action.  In lieu of  responding  to the  motion,  the
plaintiffs have filed an amended  complaint.  The Managing General Partner filed
demurrers to the amended complaint which were heard February 1999.

Pending the ruling on such  demurrers,  settlement  negotiations  commenced.  On
November 2, 1999,  the parties  executed and filed a Stipulation  of Settlement,
settling claims,  subject to final court approval,  on behalf of the Partnership
and all limited  partners  who owned  units as of November 3, 1999.  Preliminary
approval of the settlement  was obtained on November 3, 1999 from the Court,  at
which time the Court set a final approval  hearing for December 10, 1999.  Prior
to the December 10, 1999 hearing,  the Court received various  objections to the
settlement, including a challenge to the Court's preliminary approval based upon
the alleged lack of authority of prior lead counsel to enter the settlement.  On
December 14, 1999, the Managing  General  Partner and its affiliates  terminated
the  proposed  settlement.  In  February  2000,  counsel  for some of the  named
plaintiffs filed a motion to disqualify plaintiff's lead and liaison counsel who
negotiated  the  settlement.  On June  27,  2000,  the  Court  entered  an order
disqualifying them from the case. The Court is considering applications for lead
counsel and has  currently  scheduled a hearing on the matter for  November  20,
2000. The Managing  General  Partner does not anticipate  that costs  associated
with this case will be material to the Partnership's overall operations.

ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

            a)    Exhibits:

                  Exhibit 27, Financial Data Schedule, is filed as an exhibit to
                  this report.

            b)    Reports on Form 8-K:

                  None filed during the quarter ended September 30, 2000.


<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES



In accordance with the  requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant  caused
this  report to be  signed on its  behalf  by the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized.



                                    NATIONAL PROPERTY INVESTORS III


                                    By:   NPI EQUITY INVESTMENTS, INC.
                                          Its Managing General Partner


                                    By:   /s/Patrick J. Foye
                                          Patrick J. Foye
                                          Executive Vice President


                                    By:   /s/Martha L. Long
                                          Martha L. Long
                                          Senior Vice President
                                          and Controller


                                    Date:



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