Clipper Realty Inc. (CLPR): A Bull Case Theory

We came across a bullish thesis on Clipper Realty Inc. (CLPR) on Substack by JP Investments. In this article, we will summarize the bulls’ thesis on CLPR. Clipper Realty Inc. (CLPR)’s share was trading at $3.67 as of April 17^th.

A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) property manager inspecting a newly acquired apartment complex.

Clipper Realty presents a tactical short-term investment opportunity despite notable governance and operational challenges. Its internal management structure is more cost-efficient compared to externally managed peers, but insider control—holding 61% through OP Units—creates conflicts of interest and limits shareholder influence. Near-term priorities include funding a $27 million capital improvement at Flatbush Gardens, largely covered through operational cash flow, asset sales, and potential refinancing. While the troubled Livingston Street office assets weigh on performance, their conservative book valuations suggest that even returning them to lenders could be value-accretive, providing management flexibility that could catalyze a stock re-rating.

The stock’s significant discount to NAV underpins the investment case, with fair value estimates suggesting substantial upside. Stabilizing the Dean Street property, potential Section 610 reimbursements, and broader strength in NYC residential real estate could boost cash flows and investor confidence. Although Clipper’s governance flaws and liquidity constraints will likely cap its valuation over the long term, the current price already reflects these risks. Successful execution on asset sales and operational improvements could drive a meaningful narrowing of the NAV discount over the next 12–24 months.

The main problem with CLPR seems to be its huge debt load and interest payments. According to Yahoo Finance, CLPR paid $47 million in interest in 2024. Usually highly levered companies deserve a discounted valuation because of bankruptcy risk. We don’t think it is a good idea to risk losing 100% of your investment for a relatively limited upside.

Clipper Realty Inc. (CLPR) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 5 hedge fund portfolios held CLPR at the end of the fourth quarter which was 4 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of CLPR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CLPR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.