The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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 dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Accounting and disclosure decisions with respect to material transactions that are subject to significant management judgments or estimates include impairment of long lived-assets, realizability of deferred rent, allocation of purchase price relating to property acquisitions, accrued liabilities, and Mission West Properties, Inc.’s qualification as a REIT. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Purchase accounting is applied to the assets and liabilities related to all real estate investments acquired from third parties. In accordance with current accounting guidance, the fair value of the real estate acquired is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting primarily of land, building and tenant improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, other value of in-place leases, value of tenant relationships and acquired ground leases, based in each case on their fair values.

The fair value of acquired in-place leases is derived based on management’s assessment of lost revenue and costs incurred for the period required to lease the “assumed vacant” property to the occupancy level when purchased. The amount recorded for acquired in-place leases is included in real estate related intangible assets in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized as an increase to depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining non-cancelable term of the applicable leases. The net fair value of acquired in-place leases at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $2,013 and $553, respectively.

The fair value of the above-market or below-market component of an acquired in-place lease is based upon the present value (calculated using a market discount rate) of the difference between (i) the contractual rents to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term and (ii) management’s estimate of the rents that would be paid using fair market rental rates over the remaining term of the lease. The amounts recorded for above-market or below-market leases are included in real estate assets or real estate related liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized on a straight-line basis as an increase or reduction of rental income over the remaining non-cancelable term of the applicable leases. There were no above or below market component of acquired in-place leases as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Building shell and base building improvements of newly acquired properties	-	Weighted average composite life of 40 years
Base building improvements made subsequent to initial property acquisition	-	25 years
Tenant improvements and furniture and fixtures	-	Lesser of life of asset, generally 5-10 years, or term of lease
Above-market and in-place lease value	-	Term of lease

The Company reviews real estate assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset, including any intangible assets associated with that asset, exceeds its estimated undiscounted net cash flow, before interest, the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference between its carrying amount and its estimated fair value. If impairment is recognized, the reduced carrying amount of the asset will be accounted for as its new cost. For a depreciable asset, the new cost will be depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life. Generally, fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow, replacement cost or market comparison analyses. The analysis that the Company prepares in connection with determining if there may be any asset impairment loss considers several assumptions: holding period of ten years, 36 months lease up period and cap rate ranging from 8% to 9%. The process of evaluating for impairment requires estimates as to future events and conditions, which are subject to varying market and economic factors, such as the vacancy rates, rental rates and operating costs for R&D facilities in the Silicon Valley area and related submarkets. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that a change in estimate resulting from judgments as to future events could occur which would affect the recorded amounts of the property. No impairment losses were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

The results of operations and net gain or loss on the sale of property and the results of operations on properties classified as held for sale are presented in the consolidated statements of operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented through the date of the applicable disposition if both the following criteria are met: (a) the operation and cash flows of the property have been (or will be) eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company as a result of the disposal transaction; and (b) the Company will not have any significant involvement in the operations of the property after the disposal transaction. Prior period results of operations for these properties are retrospectively adjusted and presented in discontinued operations in prior consolidated statements of operations.

A property is generally classified as held for sale once management has committed to an action to sell the property, the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition (subject to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such properties), an active program to locate a buyer is initiated, the sale is probable, the property is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value and actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. Properties for sale with significant contingencies that may prevent their sale, such as obtaining rezoning approval from the city, are not classified as properties held for sale. Upon the classification of a real estate asset as held for sale, the carrying value of the property is reduced to the lower of its net book value or its fair value, less costs to sell the property. Subsequent to the classification of property as held for sale, no further depreciation expense is recorded. Real estate assets held for sale are stated separately on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The operating results of real estate assets held for sale and sold are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The income (loss) from discontinued operations includes the revenues and expenses, including depreciation, associated with the properties. This classification of operating results as discontinued operations applies retroactively for all periods presented for properties designated as held for sale. Additionally, net gains and losses on properties designated as held for sale are classified as part of discontinued operations. The Company had 13 properties classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2011, and one as of December 31, 2010.

The Company considers highly liquid short-term investments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in one or more financial institutions, and at times, such balances may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, cash was approximately $0 and $3,988, respectively. The Company had no cash equivalents at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Restricted cash totaled approximately $6,892 as of December 31, 2010. Of this amount, approximately $6,803 represents proceeds received from the 1325-1375 McCandless Drive property sale and earned interest income held in a separate cash account at a trust company for future use in tax-deferred exchanges and approximately $89 represents a balance the Company had consolidated due to the accounting provisions applicable to a variable interest entity. The Company does not possess or control these funds or have any rights to receive them except as provided in the applicable agreements. Therefore, restricted cash is not available for distribution to stockholders. In 2011, the Company transferred the entire balance from restricted cash to its general cash account because it did not pursue a tax-deferred exchange and its agreement with the variable interest entity terminated.

Periodically, the Company enters into exchange agreements with qualified intermediaries to facilitate the exchange of real property pursuant to Section 1031 of the Code (“Section 1031 Exchange”). A Section 1031 Exchange generally allows for the deferral of income taxes related to the gain attributable to the sale of property if qualified replacement properties are identified within 45 days and such qualified replacement properties are acquired within 180 days from the initial sale. During the replacement period, the Company may direct the proceeds from a disposition to be held at a qualified intermediary for the sole purpose of completing a Section 1031 Exchange. The proceeds are generally classified as restricted cash.

Marketable securities reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are accounted for as trading securities. These securities were considered restricted because they were held by our consolidated variable interest entity (see Note 7 below). The marketable securities are adjusted to fair value at the end of each accounting period, with the corresponding gain and loss recorded in unrealized gain or loss from investment. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded net realized and unrealized gain of approximately $0 and $4,067, respectively, related to the sale of the securities and the increase in fair value of the marketable securities. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had no investments in marketable securities.

Included in other assets are costs associated with obtaining debt financing and commissions associated with new leases. Such debt financing costs are being amortized over the term of the associated debt, by a method that approximates the effective interest method and such lease commissions are amortized straight-line over the term of the related lease. If the lease is terminated prior to the end of the lease term, the Company charges any unamortized capitalized lease commission cost to expense in the period that the lease is terminated. Also included in other assets are commitments from the Berg Group of approximately $7,494 to construct a building at 245 Caspian Drive in Sunnyvale, California (see Note 13 for details and Note 22 for the application of this obligation by the Berg Group).

Noncontrolling interests in the operating partnerships represent the proportionate share of the equity in the operating partnerships of the limited partners. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is allocated based on their relative ownership percentage of the operating partnerships during the reported period. The issuance of additional shares of common stock or O.P. Units results in changes to the noncontrolling interests’ percentage. As a result, all equity transactions result in an allocation between equity and the noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of equity to account for the changes in the noncontrolling interests’ ownership percentage.

Rental income is derived from operating leases and recognized on the straight-line method of accounting required by GAAP under which contractual rent payment increases are recognized evenly over the lease term. The difference between recognized rental income and rental cash receipts is recorded as “Deferred rent” on the consolidated balance sheets. Certain lease agreements contain terms that provide for additional rents based on reimbursement of certain costs including property operating expenses, maintenance and real estate taxes. These additional rents from tenant reimbursements are reflected on the accrual basis.

Rental income is affected if existing tenants terminate or amend their leases. The Company tries to identify tenants who may be likely to declare bankruptcy, cease operations or otherwise terminate leases prior to the end of the lease term, such as tenants who do not occupy all or a large portion of the property being leased. By anticipating these events in advance, the Company expects to take steps to minimize their impact on its reported results of operations through lease renegotiations and other appropriate measures. Provisions against “Deferred rent” are estimated by management based on known financial conditions of tenants and management’s estimate of net realizability of such receivables based on existing or expected negotiations with tenants. The Company’s judgments and estimations about tenants’ capacity to continue to meet their lease obligations will affect the rental income recognized. To date, actual reductions in revenue as a result of early terminations and the tenants’ inability to pay have been within management’s estimates. However, material differences may result in the amount and timing of the Company’s rental income for any period if it made different judgments or estimations.

Lease termination fees are recognized in operating revenues when there is a signed termination letter agreement, all of the conditions of the agreement have been met, the tenant is no longer occupying the property and the termination consideration is probable of collection. These fees are paid by tenants who want to terminate their lease obligations before the end of the contractual term of the lease by agreement with the Company. There is no way of predicting or forecasting the timing or amounts of future lease termination fees.

The Company has been taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 1999. In order for the Company to qualify as a REIT, it must distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, as defined in the Code, to its stockholders and comply with certain other requirements. Accordingly, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, no provision for federal income taxes has been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s total dividends paid or payable to the stockholders represented approximately 95.4% ordinary income and 4.6% long-term capital gain for income tax purposes (unaudited). For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company’s total dividends paid or payable to the stockholders represented approximately 83.7% ordinary income and 16.3% long-term capital gain for income tax purposes (unaudited). For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company’s total dividends paid or payable to the stockholders represented approximately 93.4% ordinary income and 6.6% return of capital for income tax purposes (unaudited).

Basic net income available to common stockholders per share is computed by dividing net income available for common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income available to common stockholders per share is computed by dividing net income available for common stockholders by the sum of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the assumed exercise of all dilutive securities. The impact of the outstanding O.P. Units is considered in the calculation of diluted net income available to common stockholders per share. The O.P. Units are not reflected in the diluted net income available to common stockholders per share calculation because the exchange of O.P. Units into common stock is on a one-for-one basis, and the O.P. Units are allocated net income on a per share basis equal to the common stock. Accordingly, any exchange would not have any effect on diluted net income available to common stockholders per share.

The Company measures compensation cost for its stock options at fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense relating to the remaining unvested portion of outstanding stock options at the time of adoption ratably over the vesting period, generally four years. The fair value of the Company’s stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Compensation expense related to the Company’s share-based awards is included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded approximately $57 of expense for share-based compensation relating to stock options.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. There is a three-level hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) or reflect its own assumptions of market participant valuation (unobservable inputs) and requires the use of observable inputs if such data is available without undue cost and effort. In the second quarter of 2010, the Company sold all of its restricted investment in marketable securities. As of December 31, 2011, the Company did not have any financial assets where it had to measure the fair value.

The Company has an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value and establish presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The Company did not elect to apply the fair value option to any specific financial assets or liabilities.

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable are carried at amounts that approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities. For fixed rate debt, the Company estimates fair value by using discounted cash flow analyses based on borrowing rates for similar kinds of borrowing arrangements. The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt at December 31, 2011, was approximately $357,260 compared with its carrying value of approximately $338,305. As of December 31, 2011, the Company did not have any financial instruments that were required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

The Company’s properties are not geographically diverse, and its tenants operate primarily in the information technology industry. Additionally, because the properties were leased to 63 tenants at December 31, 2011, default by any major tenant could significantly impact the results of the consolidated total. One tenant, Microsoft Corporation, accounted for approximately 15.8%, 16.0% and 15.8% of the Company’s total cash rental income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Cash rental income from Microsoft Corporation was approximately $13,494, $13,179 and $12,873 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Future minimum rents from this tenant are approximately $36,920. One other tenant, Apple, Inc., accounted for approximately 13.8%, 11.3% and 9.4% of the Company’s total cash rental income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During 2011, 12 of the Company’s total tenants relocated or ceased operations.