Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Investments in entities where the Company does not have a controlling interest are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. These investments were initially recorded at cost and were subsequently adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of the investment’s income (loss) and additional contributions or distributions. All inter-company accounts and transactions among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

Codification and Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Effective July 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance related to the Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). This guidance identifies the sources of accepted accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP in the United States (the GAAP hierarchy). The Codification superseded all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards upon the effective date. The adoption of this standard changed how the Company references various elements of GAAP when preparing its financial statement disclosures, but has had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations

The Company determined, as a result of the April 2011 sale of property in East Lyme, Connecticut, that the Residential Development Activities segment, including certain general and administrative costs that supported that segment’s operations, should be presented as a discontinued operation. As a result of this determination and the fact that the historic operations and cash flows can be clearly distinguished, the operating results of the Residential Development Activities segment and related general and administrative costs are aggregated for separate presentation apart from continuing operating results of the Company in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

Variable Interests

Variable Interests

The Company evaluates its investments and subsidiaries to determine if an entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The Company performs this analysis on an ongoing basis, or as circumstances change. The Company does not have any VIEs in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all demand and money market accounts and short term investments in government funds with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivables are recorded at invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s assessment of collectability of outstanding receivables after consideration of the age of a receivable, customer payment history and other current events or economic factors that could affect a customer’s ability to make payments.

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment

The Company capitalizes costs for the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment that have an expected useful life beyond one year. Depreciation expense is calculated on a straight-line basis over the determined useful life of the asset, generally three to ten years. Depreciation expense was approximately $333,000, $355,000 and $352,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Intangible Assets, Amortization and Impairment

Intangible Assets, Amortization and Impairment

Web Site Development Costs

The Company expenses all internet web site costs incurred during the preliminary project stage. Thereafter, all direct external and internal development and implementation costs are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over their remaining estimated useful lives, not exceeding three years. The value ascribed to the web site intangible asset acquired at the time of the Merger was amortized on a straight-line basis over three years, and during 2010, this ascribed value was fully amortized. Amortization of all capitalized web site development costs is charged to product development expense.

Database Costs

The Company capitalizes costs for the development of its database in connection with the identification and addition of new real estate properties and sale transactions which provide a future economic benefit. Amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over a three or five year period. Costs of updating and maintaining information on existing properties in the database are expensed as incurred. The value ascribed to the database intangible asset acquired at the time of the Merger was amortized on a straight-line basis over three or five years. The ascribed value having a three and five year amortizable life was fully amortized in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Amortization of all capitalized database costs is charged to cost of sales.

Customer Relationships

The value ascribed to customer relationships acquired at the time of the Merger is amortized over 15 years on an accelerated basis and is charged to sales and marketing expense.

Lease Value

The value ascribed to the below market terms of the office lease existing at the time of the Merger is amortized over the remaining term of the acquired office lease which was approximately nine years. Amortization is charged to general and administrative expenses.

Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment

Goodwill and a major portion of the other intangible assets were recorded at the time of the Merger. As a result of the tax treatment of the Merger, goodwill and the acquired intangible assets are not deductible for income tax purposes.

Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually, or after a triggering event has occurred, requiring such a calculation. A qualitative assessment can be utilized to determine if a more detailed two step calculation is required. If the qualitative assessment results in a determination that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, then no further evaluation would be necessary. If, after performing the qualitative assessment, the Company determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, then the first step of the two step test would be necessary. The first step is a comparison of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill has been assigned with the reporting unit’s carrying value. The fair values used in this evaluation would be estimates based upon market projections for the reporting unit. These market projections would utilize a number of estimates and assumptions, such as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) multiples, market comparisons, and quoted market prices. If the fair value of the reporting unit were to exceed its carrying value, goodwill would not be deemed to be impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a second step would be required to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company early adopted the qualitative assessment guidance for goodwill in 2011, which did not impact the consolidated financial statements, other than disclosure, and utilized the qualitative assessment for its 2012 and 2013 evaluations. There was no goodwill impairment identified in 2013, 2012 or 2011.

Intangible assets, with determinable useful lives, are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives using a method of amortization that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or otherwise used up. In addition, the carrying amount of amortizable intangible assets are reviewed when indicators of impairment are present. If estimated future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the asset would be considered impaired. An impairment charge would be determined by comparing the estimated fair value of the intangible asset to its carrying value, with any shortfall from fair value recognized as an expense in the current period. There was no intangible asset impairment identified in 2013, 2012 or 2011.

Real Estate and Impairment

Real Estate and Impairment

Costs directly related to the acquisition, development and improvement of real estate were capitalized, including interest and other costs incurred during the construction period. Ordinary repairs, maintenance and project operating costs were expensed as incurred. The Company historically reviewed its real estate assets for impairment: (1) whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable for assets held for use; and (2) when a determination was made to sell an asset or investment. If estimated cash flows on an undiscounted basis were insufficient to recover the carrying amount of an asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying amount over estimated fair value would be recognized. No impairment charges were recorded during 2011 related to the Company’s real estate assets. The Company did not have any real estate assets during 2012 and 2013.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs consist of costs incurred to obtain financing or financing commitments. Such costs are amortized by the Company over the expected term of the respective agreements.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The current accounting literature provides for a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

• Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

• Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and

• Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company had no assets or liabilities valued using the valuation hierarchy.

Revenue Recognition and Related Items

Revenue Recognition and Related Items

The Company’s subscription revenue is derived principally from subscriptions to its web-based services for its Reis SE product and is recognized as revenue ratably over the related contractual period, which is typically one year but can be as long as 48 months. Revenues from ad-hoc and custom reports or projects are recognized as completed and delivered to the customers, provided that no significant Company obligations remain. Revenues from ReisReports are recognized monthly as billed for monthly subscribers, or recognized as revenue ratably over the related contractual period for subscriptions in excess of one month. Revenue from Mobiuss represents the Company’s 50% share of the value of the subscription and is recognized as revenue ratably over the related contractual period. Deferred revenue represents the portion of a subscription billed or collected in advance under the terms of the respective contract, which will be recognized in future periods. If a customer does not meet the payment obligations of a contract, any related accounts receivable and deferred revenue are written off at that time and the net amount, after considering any recovery of accounts receivable, is charged to cost of sales.

Cost of sales of subscription revenue principally consists of salaries and related expenses for the Company’s researchers who collect and analyze the commercial real estate data that is the basis for the Company’s information services. Additionally, cost of sales includes the amortization of the database technology intangible asset.

Revenue from the sale of real estate in 2011, which solely consisted of a bulk sale of lots in a single family home development, was recognized at closing in accordance with applicable accounting guidelines.

Interest revenue is recorded on an accrual basis.

Share Based Compensation

Share Based Compensation

Equity Awards

The fair market value as of the grant date of awards of stock, restricted stock units or certain stock options is recognized as compensation expense by the Company over the respective vesting periods.

Liability Awards

The Company accrues a liability for cash payments that could be made to option holders for the amount of the market value of the Company’s common stock in excess of the exercise prices of outstanding options accounted for as a liability award. This liability is adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect: (1) the net cash payments to option holders made during each period; (2) the impact of the exercise and expiration of options; and (3) the changes in the market price of the Company’s common stock.

Changes in the settlement value of option awards treated under the liability method are reflected as income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2013, of the 627,724 outstanding options, 17,724 options are accounted for as a liability as these awards provide for settlement in cash or in stock at the election of the option holder. At December 31, 2012, of the 645,448 outstanding options, 35,448 options were accounted for as a liability award. The liability for option cancellations was approximately $268,000 and $297,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The liability for option cancellations could materially change from period to period based upon: (1) an option holder either (a) exercising the options in a traditional manner or (b) electing the net cash settlement alternative; and (2) changes in the market price of the Company’s common stock. At each period end, an increase in the Company’s common stock price would result in an increase in compensation expense, whereas a decline in the stock price would reduce compensation expense.

See Note 9 for activity with respect to stock options and restricted stock units.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are estimated to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances with respect to deferred income tax assets are recorded when deemed appropriate and adjusted based upon periodic evaluations.

The Company evaluates its tax positions in accordance with applicable current accounting literature. Recognition of uncertain tax positions (step one) occurs when an enterprise concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) determines the amount of benefit that more likely than not will be realized upon settlement. Derecognition of a tax position that was previously recognized would occur when a company subsequently determines that a tax position no longer meets the more likely than not threshold of being sustained or there is a satisfactory resolution of the tax position.

See Note 7 for more information regarding income taxes.

Per Share Data

Per Share Data

Basic earnings per common share is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is based upon the increased number of common shares that would be outstanding assuming the exercise of dilutive common share options and the consideration of restricted stock awards. The following table details the computation of earnings per common share, basic and diluted:

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Numerator for basic per share calculation:
Income from continuing operations for basic calculation	$	17,933,431		$	8,013,330		$	4,861,385
(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense		(336,489	)		(12,296,912	)		(2,974,958	)
Net income (loss) for basic calculation	$	17,596,942		$	(4,283,582	)	$	1,886,427
Numerator for diluted per share calculation:
Income from continuing operations	$	17,933,431		$	8,013,330		$	4,861,385
Adjustments to income from continuing operations for the income statement impact of dilutive securities		—			—			—
Income from continuing operations for dilution calculation		17,933,431			8,013,330			4,861,385
(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense		(336,489	)		(12,296,912	)		(2,974,958	)
Net income (loss) for dilution calculation	$	17,596,942		$	(4,283,582	)	$	1,886,427
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares – basic		10,884,533			10,685,333			10,569,805
Effect of dilutive securities:
RSUs		242,396			305,033			301,956
Stock options		269,630			43,716			5,115
Weighted average common shares – diluted		11,396,559			11,034,082			10,876,876
Per common share amounts – basic:
Income from continuing operations	$	1.65		$	0.75		$	0.46
(Loss) from discontinued operations		(0.03	)		(1.15	)		(0.28	)
Net income (loss)	$	1.62		$	(0.40	)	$	0.18
Per common share amounts – diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	1.57		$	0.73		$	0.45
(Loss) from discontinued operations		(0.03	)		(1.12	)		(0.28	)
Net income (loss)	$	1.54		$	(0.39	)	$	0.17

Potentially dilutive securities include all stock based awards. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the option awards accounted for under the liability method were antidilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, certain equity awards, in addition to the option awards accounted for under the liability method, were antidilutive.

Estimates

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

From time to time, the Company has been, is or may in the future be a defendant in various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. The Company records a provision for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The outcome of any litigation is uncertain; it is possible that a judgment in any legal actions to which the Company is a party, or which are proposed or threatened, will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 10.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 changes the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. These changes require an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a liability in the financial statements if (i) a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or (ii) the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position. Otherwise, an unrecognized tax benefit is required to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. Previously, there was diversity in practice as no explicit guidance existed. The guidance in ASU 2013-11 is effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Management has determined that the adoption of these changes will not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.