BREIT 2018 Proxy Statement

such expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and listing of our capital stock, (ii) property-level expenses incurred at each property, (iii) interest payments, (iv) taxes, (v) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves, (vi) incentive fees paid in compliance with our Charter, (vii) acquisition fees and acquisition expenses related to the selection and acquisition of assets, whether or not a property is actually acquired, (viii) real estate commissions on the sale of property and (ix) other fees and expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition, management and ownership of real estate interests, mortgage loans or other property (including the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair and improvement of property); (2) “average invested assets” is the average of the aggregate book value of our assets, invested, directly or indirectly, in equity interests in and loans secured by real estate, including all properties, mortgages and real estate-related securities and consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures or other partnerships, before deducting depreciation, amortization, impairments, bad debt reserves or other non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period; and (3) “net income” is our total revenues less the total expenses excluding additions to, or allowances for, non-cash charges such as depreciation, amortization, impairments and reserves for bad debt or other similar non-cash reserves. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, our total operating expenses were 1.5% and 90%, respectively, of each of our average invested assets and our net income. Independent Directors’ Review of Compensation Our independent directors evaluate at least annually whether the compensation that we contract to pay to the Adviser is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and that such compensation is within the limits prescribed by our Charter. Our independent directors supervise the performance of the Adviser and the compensation we pay to it to determine that the provisions of the Advisory Agreement are being carried out. This evaluation is based on the factors set forth below, as well as any other factors deemed relevant by the independent directors: • the amount of fees paid to the Adviser in relation to the size, composition and performance of our investments; • the success of the Adviser in generating investments that meet our investment objectives; • rates charged to other externally advised REITs and other similar investment entities by advisors performing similar services; • additional revenues realized by the Adviser and its affiliates through their advisory relationship with us (including the performance participation allocation paid to the Special Limited Partner); • the quality and extent of the services and advice furnished by the Adviser; • the performance of the assets, including income, conservation or appreciation of capital, frequency of problem investments and competence in dealing with distress situations; and • the quality of our portfolio in relationship to the investments generated by the Adviser for its own account. Dealer Manager Agreement We entered into a Dealer Manager Agreement with Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P., an affiliate of our Adviser (the “Dealer Manager”), in connection with the Offering, pursuant to which the Dealer Manager agreed to, among other things, manage our relationships with third-party broker-dealers engaged by the Dealer Manager to participate in the distribution of shares of our common stock, which we refer to as “participating broker- dealers,” and financial advisors. The Dealer Manager serves as the dealer manager for the Offering. The Dealer Manager also coordinates our marketing and distribution efforts with participating broker-dealers and their registered representatives with respect to communications related to the terms of the Offering, our investment strategies, material aspects of our operations and subscription procedures. The Dealer Manager is a registered broker-dealer affiliated with the Adviser. 23