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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2012
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
(8) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants.

ASC Topic 820’s valuation techniques are based on observable or unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:
 
Level 1- Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets

Level 2- Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant value drivers are observable

Level 3- Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which significant value drivers are unobservable

Marketable debt and equity securities are valued based on quoted market prices on national exchanges.

The Company calculates the fair value of its redeemable non controlling interests in Ironbound based on unobservable inputs considering the assumptions that market participants would make in pricing the obligations. The inputs used include an estimate of the fair value of the cash flow generated by the limited partnership in which the investor owns the partnership units.

The Company calculates the fair value of its redeemable non controlling interests in Orangeburg based on quoted market prices on national exchanges.  The inputs used include a calculation of the redemption value which is based on the number of Orangeburg units owned by the noncontrolling interest multiplied by the value of the Company’s Class A Common stock.

The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis, on the expected cash flows of each derivative. The analysis reflects the contractual terms of the swaps, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs; including interest rate curves (“significant other observable inputs.”)  The fair value calculation also includes an amount for risk of non-performance using “significant unobservable inputs” such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default. The Company has concluded, as of October 31, 2011 and April 30, 2012, that the fair value associated with the “significant unobservable inputs” relating to the Company’s risk of non-performance was insignificant to the overall fair value of the interest rate swap agreements and, as a result, the Company has determined that the relevant inputs for purposes of calculating the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements, in their entirety, were based upon “significant other observable inputs”.
 
The Company measures its redeemable noncontrolling interests, marketable equity and debt securities classified as available for sale securities and interest rate swap derivative at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of these financial assets and liabilities was determined using the following inputs (amount in thousands):

      
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
   
Total
  
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
April 30, 2012
            
              
Assets:
            
Available for Sale Securities
 $908  $908  $-  $- 
                  
Liabilities:
                
Interest Rate Swap Agreement
 $83  $-  $83  $- 
                  
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 $11,608  $8,719  $-  $2,889 
                  
October  31, 2011
                
                  
Assets:
                
Available for Sale Securities
 $932  $932  $-  $- 
                  
Liabilities:
                
Interest Rate Swap Agreement
 $128  $-  $128  $- 
                  
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 $2,824  $-  $-  $2,824 
                  

Fair market value measurements based upon Level 3 inputs changed from $3,911 at November 1, 2010 to $2,824 at October 31, 2011 as a result of a $281,000 increase in the redemptionvalue of the Company’s noncontrolling interest in Ironbound in accordance with the application of ASC Topic 810, offset by a $1.4 million redemption of a portion of the Company’s noncontrolling interests in Ironbound. Fair market value measurements based upon Level 3 inputs changed from $2,824 at November 1, 2011 to $2,889 at April 30, 2012 as a result of a $65,000 increase in the redemption value of the Company’s noncontrolling interest in Ironbound in accordance with the application of ASC Topic 810. (See note 5)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, tenant receivables, prepaid expenses, other assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, revolving lines of credit and other liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

The estimated fair value of the mortgage note receivable collateralized by real property is based on discounting the future cash flows at a year-end risk adjusted lending rate that the Company would utilize for loans of similar risk and duration. At April 30, 2012 and October 31, 2011, the estimated aggregate fair value of the mortgage note receivable was approximately $1 million.

The estimated fair value of mortgage notes payable and other loans were approximately $155 million at April 30, 2012 and $125 million at October 31, 2011. The estimated fair value of mortgage notes payable and other loans are based on discounting the future cash flows at a year-end risk adjusted borrowing rate currently available to the Company for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.