AMERICAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORP
10QSB/A, 1997-08-26
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>
 
                    U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                 FORM 10-QSB/A
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1


 
[X]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended       March 31, 1997
                                  -------------------
 
[_]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                    to
                               ------------------    ------------------    

Commission file number    1-12514
                       -------------

                  American Real Estate Investment Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

           Maryland                                          84-1246585
- -------------------------------                  -------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                            (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)


              1670 Broadway, Suite 3350, Denver, Colorado  80202
              --------------------------------------------------
                   (Address of principal executive offices)


                                (303) 869-4700
                          ---------------------------
                          (Issuer's telephone number)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last 
                                    report)

  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
                                                              ---     ---

               APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
                        DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS

  Check whether the registrant filed all documents and reports required to be
filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the distribution of
securities under a plan confirmed by court. Yes       No 
                                                ---      ---


                     APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
  State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common equity, as of the latest practicable date:    1,126,008
                                                  ---------------

  Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): Yes      No  X
                                                                 ---     ---
<PAGE>
 
                  AMERICAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

                                 FORM 10-QSB/A

                                     INDEX

                                                                            Page
                                                                          Number
                                                                          ------
PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    Financial Statements
 
           Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet (unaudited) as of
           March 31, 1997                                                     3
 
           Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (unaudited)
           for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996       4
 
           Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
           for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996       5
 
           Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)   6
 
Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation          8
 
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings                                                 15
 
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders               15
 
Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                  16
 
SIGNATURES                                                                   16
 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                  AMERICAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                            March 31,
                                                                              1997
                                                                          ------------
<S>                                                                       <C> 
ASSETS
Investment in real estate:
    Land                                                                  $  6,945,759
    Buildings and improvements                                              30,197,394

                                                                            37,143,153
    Less: Accumulated depreciation                                          (3,484,788)

                                                                            33,658,365
    Investment in partnership                                                1,136,818
                                                                          ------------ 
        Total investment in real estate, net                                34,795,183

Cash & cash equivalents                                                      4,114,148
Restricted cash                                                              1,531,546
Accounts receivable                                                            116,747
Other assets, net                                                              361,323
                                                                          ------------
        Total assets                                                      $ 40,918,947
                                                                          ============


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
    Mortgage notes payable                                                $ 32,281,968
    Accrued interest                                                           206,180
    Accrued property taxes                                                     118,069
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                     316,440
    Security deposits                                                          207,150

        Total liabilities                                                   33,129,807
                                                                          ------------

Minority interest                                                            2,953,778

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized;
      no preferred shares issued and outstanding                                     0
    Common stock, $.001 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized;
      1,126,008 common shares issued and outstanding                             1,126
    Additional paid-in capital                                               5,414,415
    Cumulative net income                                                    2,282,709
    Cumulative dividends                                                    (2,862,888)
                                                                          ------------ 
        Total shareholders' equity                                           4,835,362
                                                                          ------------  
        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                        $ 40,918,947
                                                                          ============
</TABLE> 


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral 
part of this balance sheet.


                                       3
<PAGE>
 

                  AMERICAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
                CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                           Three months            Three months 
                                              ended                   ended            
                                          March 31, 1997          March 31, 1996       
                                          --------------          --------------       
<S>                                       <C>                     <C>                      
Revenues:                                                                              
    Rents and fees                        $  2,162,679            $   2,503,281       
    Other income                                64,211                   70,415       
                                          --------------          --------------
        Total revenues                       2,226,890                2,573,696       
                                          --------------          --------------       
                                                                                       
Operating expenses:                                                                    
    Repairs and maintenance                    130,386                  132,078        
    Property taxes                              92,838                  103,217        
    Property management fees                    76,640                   88,953        
    Utilities                                  251,437                  288,576        
    Payroll                                    163,473                  232,761        
    Other property operations                  224,385                  238,080        
    General and administrative                 228,445                  176,591        
    Depreciation and amortization              286,492                  324,889        
                                          --------------          --------------       
        Total operating expenses             1,454,096                1,585,145        
                                          --------------          --------------       
                                                                                       
Financing expenses:                                                                    
    Non-related party interest expense         896,920                  982,131        
                                          --------------          --------------       
        Total financing expenses               896,920                  982,131        
                                          --------------          --------------       
                                                                                       
Minority interest                                    0                        0        
                                                                                       
Equity in earnings from investment                                                     
    in partnership                             129,358                  160,604        
                                          --------------          --------------       
                                                                                       
Income before gain on sale of property           5,232                  167,024        
                                                                                       
Gain on sale of property                       402,926                        0        
                                          --------------          --------------       
                                                                                       
Net income                                $    408,158            $     167,024        
                                          ==============          ==============                 
                                                                                       
                                                                                       
Primary earnings per share                $       0.36            $        0.15        
                                          ==============          ==============                 
                                                                                       
Fully diluted earnings per share          $       0.22            $        0.10        
                                          ==============          ==============        
</TABLE> 


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral 
part of these statements.


                                       4
<PAGE>

                  AMERICAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
                CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                Three months                  Three months
                                                                   ended                         ended
                                                               March 31, 1997                March 31, 1996
                                                               --------------                --------------
<S>                                                            <C>                           <C> 
Operating Activities:
  Net income                                                   $      408,158                $      167,024
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash                                                      
    provided by operating activities:                                                              
      Depreciation & amortization                                     293,190                       339,728
      Gain on sale of property                                       (402,926)                            0
      Common stock compensation                                        40,500                        40,500
      Cash used in operating assets                                  (808,743)                      (77,770)
      Cash provided by (used in) operating liabilities               (382,503)                      125,554 
                                                               --------------                --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                  (852,324)                      595,036 
                                                               --------------                --------------

Investing Activities:
  Cash used in investment in real estate                             (187,828)                      (67,521)
  Net proceeds from sale of property                                2,820,525                             0
                                                               --------------                --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                 2,632,697                       (67,521)
                                                               --------------                -------------- 

Financing activities:
  Dividends paid                                                     (242,553)                     (231,531)
  Minority interest distributions                                    (171,271)                     (167,311)
  Proceeds from mortgage notes payable                              5,700,000                        15,000 
  Repayment of mortgage notes payable                                 (81,498)                      (85,609)
  Repayment of other notes payable                                 (4,212,493)                      (18,083) 
                                                               --------------                --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                   992,185                      (487,534)
                                                               --------------                --------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                           2,772,558                        39,981
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                      1,341,590                       635,958
                                                               --------------                --------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                       $    4,114,148                $      675,939
                                                               ==============                ==============          


Supplemental Disclosure of Cash
Flow Information:

  Cash paid for interest                                       $      854,228                $      818,827
                                                               ==============                ==============          
</TABLE> 


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral 
part of these statements.


                                       5

<PAGE>
 
                  AMERICAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)



1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


 Basis of Presentation

          The accompanying financial statements include the account balances as
of March 31, 1997 and the activity for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and
March 31, 1996 for the Company on a consolidated basis.  Certain prior year
balances may have been reclassified to conform with the current year
presentation.

          The unaudited interim financial statements prepared by management
include all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of
management, necessary for a fair presentation.


 Allocations of Income and Distributions of Cash

          All income of the Operating Partnership for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996 was allocated to the Company, therefore there
were no allocations to the minority interest for such periods.  All such
allocations of net income and net loss will be made subject to compliance with
the provisions of Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and the
Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

          The Company has the right to cause the Operating Partnership to
distribute all or any portion of its "net operating cash flow" (as defined) to
the partners as determined from time to time.  The Company, in its capacity as
general partner, will make this determination.  The Company is required to use
its best efforts to cause the Operating Partnership to distribute sufficient
amounts to enable the Company to pay shareholders dividends that will satisfy
the REIT requirements and avoid any Federal income tax or excise tax liabilities
for the Company.


 Revenue Recognition

          Revenues, consisting primarily of rentals for apartments, are
recognized on the accrual basis of accounting.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
 Earnings per Share

          Primary earnings per share were calculated based on weighted average
shares outstanding of 1,121,679 and 1,096,057 for the periods ended March 31,
1997 and March 31, 1996, respectively.  Fully diluted earnings per share were
calculated based on weighted average shares outstanding upon conversion of the
limited partner interests, or a total of 1,846,743 and 1,732,242 shares for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996, respectively.  The
Financial Accounting Standards Board recently issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per Share."  Management
believes the adoption of SFAS No. 128 will have no significant impact on the
Company's consolidated financial statements.


2. COMPANY STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS

          The Company has from time to time engaged in negotiations with respect
to various corporate strategies and opportunities for the Company, including a
possible merger, recapitalization, restructuring or other business combination
and such negotiations are expected to continue on an ongoing basis.  At present
the Company has not entered into any specific agreements with respect to any
such transaction.  In addition, Company is expected to continue negotiations
regarding the potential sale of one or more of its remaining properties in
conjunction with its overall corporate strategy.  The Company has entered into a
contract to sell its 276-unit Sedona apartments located in Denver, Colorado and
the sale is subject to completion of due diligence procedures.


3. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

          The Company and an affiliated entity entered into a Mutual Release and
Settlement Agreement ("Settlement Agreement") on April 30, 1997 with respect to
the lawsuit commenced in December 1995 in the Superior Court of the State of
California, County of San Diego, by Emerald Vista, Inc., Emerald Vista
Associates, L.P., and Schickler Meringoff Properties (collectively
"Plaintiffs").  The Settlement Agreement had no material adverse financial
impact on the Company.  In conjunction with the Settlement Agreement, Plaintiffs
have an option to purchase the Company's interest in Emerald Vista Associates,
L.P. for $2,000,000 within 90 days of execution of the Settlement Agreement.
Plaintiffs have the right to a 90 day extension of the purchase option
conditioned upon a non-refundable payment of $25,000.  Furthermore, Plaintiffs
have the right to a second 90 day extension of the purchase option conditioned
upon the payment of an additional non-refundable $25,000.

          The Company announced on May 13, 1997 that it had declared a cash
dividend of $.2175 per share for operations relating to the quarter ended March
31, 1997 payable on June 4, 1997 to shareholders of record on May 23, 1997.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION


OVERVIEW

          The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated condensed financial statements of American Real Estate Investment
Corporation (the "Company"), including Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial
Statements.  The Company presently owns either a full or partial interest in
multifamily residential properties which comprise an aggregate of 1,542 units.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

          The following discussion of results of operations relates to the
consolidated operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 1997
and March 31, 1996.  Certain items for the three months ended March 31, 1996
were reclassified for comparability to the current reporting classifications for
the same period in 1997.


THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996


          Rents and fees revenues decreased to $2,162,679 for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 from $2,503,281 for the three months ended March 31, 1996,
primarily as a result of the sale of International apartments ("International")
on December 20, 1996 and the sale of Timberleaf apartments ("Timberleaf") on
February 28, 1997.  Timberleaf also had experienced higher vacancy rates during
the first two months of 1997 prior to the sale.  Each of the Company's remaining
wholly owned properties (i.e. Americana Lakewood apartments ("Americana"),
Sedona apartments ("Sedona") and Quadrangles Village apartments ("Quadrangles"))
reflected an increase in rents and fees revenues from $1,772,510 in the
aggregate for the three months ended March 31, 1996 to $1,829,062 in the
aggregate for the three months ended March 31, 1997, the most significant
increase of which related to Quadrangles due to higher rental rates.

          Other income decreased for the three months ended March 31 from
$70,415 in 1996 to $64,211 in 1997 primarily due to the sale of International
and Timberleaf.

          Repairs and maintenance decreased from $132,078 to $130,386 for the
three months ended March 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997, respectively.  A decrease
in repairs and maintenance expenses due to the sale of International was almost
completely offset by the increased repairs and maintenance expenses for
Timberleaf preparing the property for sale in addition to higher general repair
expenses at Americana during the first quarter of 1997 as compared to the same
period in 1996.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          Property taxes were $92,838 and $103,217 for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996, respectively. The decrease resulted primarily
from the sale of International and Timberleaf.  An increase in 1997 in the
Denver, Colorado property taxes for Americana and Sedona was substantially
offset by a decrease in the 1997 Phoenix, Arizona property taxes for
Quadrangles.

          Property management fees decreased from $88,953 for the three months
ended March 31, 1996 to $76,640 for the three months ended March 31, 1997 due to
the sale of International and Timberleaf.

          Utilities decreased from $288,576 to $251,437, respectively, for the
three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 also primarily due to the sale of
International and Timberleaf.  In addition, Sedona and Quadrangles experienced
higher utility costs in 1997 as did Timberleaf for the two months it was owned
by the Company, partially offsetting the decrease resulting from the sale of the
Company's two properties.

          Payroll decreased from $232,761 for the three months ended March 31,
1996 to $163,473 for the three months ended March 31, 1997 primarily as a result
of the sale of International and Timberleaf.

          Other property operations for the three months ended March 31,
decreased slightly from $238,080 in 1996 to $224,385 in 1997, primarily due to
the sale of International.  While Timberleaf was owned and operated for only two
months in 1997 as compared to three months in 1996, other property operations
for this property aggregated approximately the same amount for these two periods
primarily as a result of higher bad debt expense and insurance costs in 1997.
Other property operations for Americana and Quadrangles remained relatively
stable for these two periods, while Sedona experienced higher bad debt expense
in 1997 as compared to 1996.

          General and administrative expenses increased from $176,591 to
$228,445 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997,
respectively, as a result of several factors.  The Company was required to pay
its self insurance retention for a fire at Americana, the damage from which has
been substantially completely repaired, adding to the Company's insurance
related expenses in 1997.  Additional legal fees were incurred by the Company in
conjunction with the settlement of the lawsuit related to the Company's 50%
general partner interest in Emerald Vista Associates, L.P.  Finally, a bonus was
earned by the Chairman of the Board in 1997 which contributed to the higher
general and administrative expenses.

          Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended
March 31 decreased from $324,889 in 1996 to $286,492 in 1997 primarily as a
result of the sale of International and Timberleaf.  The decrease was slightly
offset by additional depreciation relating to the capital improvements completed
on Americana, Sedona and Quadrangles during the past twelve calendar months.

          Total financing expenses decreased from $982,131 to $896,920 for the
three months

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
ended March 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997, respectively.  The decrease in
financing expenses resulted primarily from the assumption of the mortgage loan
collateralized by Timberleaf in conjunction with the sale of this property in
February 1997.  The Company repaid the bank installment loan collateralized by
Sedona, which was originally obtained to provide a line of credit for the
Company's acquisitions in 1994, with proceeds from a new mortgage loan
collateralized by Sedona.  The new mortgage loan was funded by GMAC Commercial
Mortgage Corporation ("GMAC") in January 1997 to not only pay off the bank loan,
but to provide renovation funds for designated capital improvements at Sedona.
The Company also restructured the mortgage note payable collateralized by
Americana originally funded on April 27, 1995 by General Electric Capital
Corporation ("GECC") whereby the interest rate was reduced by 130 basis points
effective March 1, 1997.

          Equity in earnings from investment in partnership decreased from
$160,604 to $129,358 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and March 31,
1997, respectively, due to lower net income reported in 1997 for Emerald Vista
Associates, L.P. (the owner of Emerald Pointe apartments), the partnership in
which the Company owns a 50% general partner interest.

          Income before gain on sale of property decreased for the three months
ended March 31 from $167,024 in 1996 to $5,232 in 1997 due to the sale of
International and Timberleaf, in addition to higher vacancies and higher
operating expenses for Timberleaf during January and February in 1997 prior to
its sale.  The higher operating expenses were primarily attributable to turnover
in management companies in late December 1996 and additional costs and expenses
in preparation for the sale of the property.

          Gain on sale of property of $402,926 for the three months ended March
31, 1997 related to the sale of Timberleaf for a gross sales price of $9,115,000
on February 28, 1997.  As part of the transaction the buyer assumed the
outstanding balance of the first mortgage loan of approximately $6,363,000
collateralized by Timberleaf.

          For the three months ended March 31 net income increased to $408,158
in 1997 from $167,024 in 1996 primarily due to the sale of Timberleaf in
February 1997, in addition to lower financing expenses and lower operating
expenses in 1997.  The increase in net income resulting for the aforementioned
items was partially offset by lower revenues and lower equity in earnings from
investment in partnership in 1997.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

          The primary sources of cash during the three months ended March 31,
1997 were the sale of Timberleaf, the new mortgage loan with GMAC collateralized
by Sedona and the Company's cash from operations.  Principal cash outflows for
the same three month period were repayment (through assumption by the buyer) of
the mortgage loan collateralized by Timberleaf, repayment of the bank
installment loan collateralized by Sedona, dividends paid to holders of common
stock, distributions to limited partners (i.e. minority interest distributions)
and interest payments.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
          The Company expects to meet its short term liquidity requirements
generally through its cash flow provided by operations supplemented by cash
generated from the sale of properties.  The Company believes that such cash will
be sufficient to meet operating requirements and to make dividend payments to
stockholders in accordance with REIT qualification requirements.

          The Company had outstanding indebtedness of approximately $32,282,000
as of March 31, 1997, representing three non-recourse mortgage notes payable.

          One mortgage note payable, collateralized by Americana, which was
recently restructured effective March 1, 1997, bears interest at GECC's
composite commercial paper rate plus 2.45%, adjusted on a monthly basis, and
matures on April 30, 2000.  The mortgage note payable requires monthly interest
payments, in addition to quarterly principal payments based on a stipulated
percentage of the excess cash flow, as defined, from Americana.  The note cannot
be prepaid prior to March 1, 1998 unless such prepayment results from a sale of
Americana and after March 1, 1998 the note may be prepaid in full without
penalty.  The note requires a balloon payment in the amount of the outstanding
principal balance on April 30, 2000, the maturity date.  Proceeds from the GECC
loan were used to repay the previously existing first mortgage loan
collateralized by Americana and the bridge loan which was originally obtained
from a related party to provide a portion of the financing to acquire
Quadrangles.  The GECC loan proceeds were also used to pay the prepayment
penalty of $242,605 relating to this first mortgage refinancing in 1995.

          A non-recourse mortgage note payable, collateralized by Quadrangles,
which is a financing by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, bears
interest at 6.35% per annum payable monthly and matures in 2026.  The note
cannot be prepaid prior to June, 2003 and thereafter contains a prepayment
penalty as follows: 2% from June, 2003 to May, 2004; 1% from June, 2004 to May,
2005; 0% thereafter.  At maturity on May 1, 2026, the note will be fully
amortized.

          The Company refinanced the bank installment note payable
collateralized by Sedona apartments in the form of a $5,700,000 mortgage loan
from GMAC on January 31, 1997.  The GMAC mortgage note payable bears interest at
250 basis points over the one month LIBOR rate rounded up to the nearest eighth
of one percent and adjusts on a monthly basis.  The mortgage note payable
requires monthly principal and interest payments commencing March 1, 1997 based
on a 25 year amortization.  The note requires a balloon payment in the amount of
the outstanding principal balance on August 1, 1998 and contains a 1% prepayment
penalty/exit fee which is waived if GMAC places the permanent loan on this
property.  The Company can extend the maturity date to February 1, 1999, upon
giving notice no later than July 1, 1998 and payment of a 0.25% extension fee.
In addition, the note payable requires the Company to escrow cash for the
payment of property taxes, insurance and capital improvements.  Proceeds from
the GMAC loan were used to repay the previously existing bank installment loan
collateralized by Sedona apartments and to establish a completion repair escrow
for designated capital improvements on the property, which are currently in the
process of being completed.

          The Company and an affiliated entity entered into a Mutual Release and
Settlement

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Agreement ("Settlement Agreement") on April 30, 1997 with respect to the lawsuit
commenced in December 1995 in the Superior Court of the State of California,
County of San Diego, by Emerald Vista, Inc., Emerald Vista Associates, L.P., and
Schickler Meringoff Properties (collectively "Plaintiffs").  The Settlement
Agreement had no material adverse financial impact on the Company.  In
conjunction with the Settlement Agreement, Plaintiffs have an option to purchase
the Company's interest in Emerald Vista Associates, L.P. for $2,000,000 within
90 days of execution of the Settlement Agreement.  Plaintiffs have the right to
a 90 day extension of the purchase option conditioned upon a non-refundable
payment of $25,000.  Furthermore, Plaintiffs have the right to a second 90 day
extension of the purchase option conditioned upon the payment of an additional
non-refundable $25,000.

          The Company is currently engaged in a review of both its properties
and future real estate investment opportunities.  Management of the Company
believes that favorable opportunities exist to liquidate certain of its
properties, thereby recognizing the enhanced values of these properties, and re-
deploy the proceeds in other real estate investment assets where management
believes higher returns can be achieved.  Such proceeds may be re-deployed in
the acquisition of fee interests in real estate, including commercial,
industrial, residential or other real estate investments, including
sale/leasebacks or mortgages or deeds of trust secured by such real estate.
Sale proceeds may be used in conjunction with a number of other potential
corporate strategies and opportunities the Company is exploring.  Management has
no present plans for the Company to be operated other than as a REIT.

          On December 20, 1996, the Company sold its 150-unit International
apartments located in Aurora, Colorado for a purchase price of $3,050,000.  On
February 28, 1997, the Company sold its 450-unit Timberleaf apartments located
in Aurora, Colorado for a purchase price of $9,115,000.  As part of the
transaction the buyer assumed the outstanding balance of the first mortgage loan
of approximately $6,363,000 collateralized by Timberleaf apartments.  The
Company may use all or part of the cash proceeds from the sale of Timberleaf or
International or from any future property sales in conjunction with any future
acquisitions or other corporate opportunities.  The Company has entered into a
contract to sell its 276-unit Sedona apartments located in Denver, Colorado and
the sale is subject to completion of due diligence procedures.

          Management of the Company is exploring a number of other corporate
strategies and opportunities, including negotiations with respect to a possible
merger, recapitalization, restructuring or other business combination and such
negotiations are expected to continue on an ongoing basis.  At present the
Company has not entered into any specific agreements with respect to any such
transaction.  In addition, Company is expected to continue negotiations
regarding the potential sale of one or more of its remaining properties in
conjunction with its overall corporate strategy.

          The Company may also seek to enter into secured borrowings or to sell
additional equity interests in the Company to finance potential acquisitions
relating to future real estate investment opportunities.  There can be no
assurance such arrangements can be entered into or that additional capital will
be available.  In addition, the Company may offer in exchange for such real
estate investments its shares of Common Stock or additional limited partnership
interests in

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
the Operating Partnership which may be exchangeable for Common Stock of the
Company under the terms of the Operating Partnership agreement.  The Company may
also use other sources of capital to finance such acquisitions, including non-
distributed funds from operations or the issuance of debt securities.  There can
be no assurance such financing can be obtained.  The Company has no material
commitments for additional capital improvements to the Properties except for the
renovation work currently in progress at Sedona.

          See the accompanying Statements of Cash Flows included in the
financial statements for a reconciliation of cash for the periods described
therein.


FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

          Funds From Operations ("FFO"), which is a commonly used measurement of
the performance of an equity real estate investment trust ("REIT"), as defined
by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. ("NAREIT"),
is net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles), excluding gains (or losses) from debt restructuring and sales of
property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for
unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.  Adjustments for unconsolidated
partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect funds from
operations on the same basis.  Management believes the presentation of FFO is a
useful disclosure as a general measurement of its performance in the real estate
industry, although the Company's FFO may not necessarily be comparable to
similarly titled measures of other REITs.  NAREIT recently clarified the
application of its FFO definition and recommended the implementation of the new
application of its FFO definition no later than for fiscal periods beginning in
1996.  The Company implemented the new application of the NAREIT FFO definition
in the first quarter of 1996 and all amounts shown conform to the new NAREIT
definition wherein amortization of loan costs aggregating $21,319 and $16,984,
respectively, have not been included in FFO for the three months ended March 31,
1997 and 1996.  FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and is not
necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be
considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of the Company's
operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow as a measure of
liquidity.  The Company's FFO was $349,052 for the three months ended March 31,
1997 as compared to $535,751 for the three months ended March 31, 1996.  The
decline in FFO in 1997 was primarily attributable to the sale of International
and Timberleaf, in addition to the higher vacancies and higher operating
expenses for Timberleaf during January and February of 1997 prior to its sale.
FFO for the three months ended March 31, 1997 was calculated by deducting the
gain on sale of property of $402,926 and deducting the Company's equity in
earnings from investment in partnership of $129,358 from net income before
minority interest of $408,158, and then adding depreciation and amortization of
$286,492, adding the Company's FFO allocation from Emerald Vista Associates,
L.P. of $174,920 and adding the costs associated with debt refinancing of
$11,766 related to the loan refinancing completed for Sedona in January 1997.
FFO for the three months ended March 31, 1996 was calculated by deducting the
Company's equity in earnings from investment in partnership (i.e. the Company's
unconsolidated investment in Emerald Vista Associates, L.P.) of $160,604 from
net income

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
before minority interest of $167,024, and then adding depreciation and
amortization of $324,889, and adding the Company's FFO allocation from Emerald
Vista Associates, L.P. of $204,442.


INFLATION

          Substantially all of the leases at the Company's properties are for a
term of one year or less which may enable the Company to seek increased rents
upon renewal or reletting of apartment units.  Such short-term leases generally
minimize the risk to the Company of the adverse effects of inflation.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

          Item 1:  Legal Proceedings

                   The Company and an affiliated entity entered into a Mutual
            Release and Settlement Agreement ("Settlement Agreement") on April
            30, 1997 with respect to the lawsuit commenced in December 1995 in
            the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Diego,
            by Emerald Vista, Inc., Emerald Vista Associates, L.P., and
            Schickler Meringoff Properties (collectively "Plaintiffs"). In
            conjunction with the Settlement Agreement, Plaintiffs have an option
            to purchase the Company's interest in Emerald Vista Associates, L.P.
            for $2,000,000 within 90 days of execution of the Settlement
            Agreement. Plaintiffs have the right to a 90 day extension of the
            purchase option conditioned upon a non-refundable payment of
            $25,000. Furthermore, Plaintiffs have the right to a second 90 day
            extension of the purchase option conditioned upon the payment of an
            additional non-refundable $25,000.

          Item 4:  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

                   (a)  The Company held an annual meeting of stockholders on
            May 7, 1997.

                   (b)  At the meeting, the following person was elected as a
            Director to serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2000
            and until his successor has been elected and qualified:


                                                Votes In Favor    Votes Withheld
                                                --------------    --------------

                   J. Christopher O'Keeffe        1,008,374            22,255


                   (c)  Also at the meeting, the following proposals were
            adopted by the votes indicated:

                        (1) Proposal to amend the Company's 1993 Omnibus
                            Incentive Plan


                            In favor  -  500,159
                            Against or withheld  -  82,629
                            Abstentions  -  23,767
                            Not voted  -  515,075
 
 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                        (2) Proposal to amend the Company's 1994 Non-Employee
                            Stock Option Plan

 
                            In favor  -  488,154
                            Against or withheld  -  89,271
                            Abstentions  -  29,130
                            Not voted  -  515,075
 

          Item 6:  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

                   (a)  Exhibits filed with this Form 10-QSB - None

                   (b)  A Current Report on Form 8-K for February 28, 1997 was
                        filed in response to Items 2 and 7 during the fiscal
                        quarter ended March 31, 1997



                                  SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
                                 AMERICAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION


                                 By: /s/ Evan Zucker
                                     ---------------------------------------
                                     Evan Zucker
                                     President


                                 By: /s/ Rick A. Burger
                                     ---------------------------------------
                                     Rick A. Burger
                                     Treasurer

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