NOTE 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

a. Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations, equity and cash flows are included.

Concurrent with IRT’s management internalization that was completed on December 20, 2016, IRT now has property management employees that perform regional supervision, accounting, treasury, human resources and other corporate functions. The expenses associated with these employees are presented in a separate income statement line item entitled “Property management expenses.” We have also, retroactively, adjusted historical periods to move property management fees paid to our previous property manager from property operating expenses to property management expenses.

b. Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements reflect our accounts and the accounts of IROP and other wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, “Consolidation”, IROP is considered a variable interest entity. As our significant asset is our investment in IROP, substantially all of our assets and liabilities represent the assets and liabilities of IROP.

c. Use of 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, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

d. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in banks and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Cash, including amounts restricted, may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance limit of $250 per institution. We mitigate credit risk by placing cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions. To date, we have not experienced any losses on cash and cash equivalents.

e. Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes tenant escrows and our funds held by lenders to fund certain expenditures or to be released at our discretion upon the occurrence of certain pre-specified events. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $5,518 and $5,413, respectively, of restricted cash.

f. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Bad Debts

We make estimates of the collectability of our accounts receivable related to base rents, expense reimbursements and other revenue. We analyze accounts receivable and historical bad debt levels, tenant credit worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, tenants experiencing financial difficulties are analyzed and estimates are made in connection with expected uncollectible receivables. Our reported operating results are affected by management’s estimate of the collectability of accounts receivable.

g. Investments in Real Estate

Investments in real estate are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs that both add value and appreciably extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Investments in real estate are classified as held for sale in the period in which certain criteria are met including when the sale of the asset is probable and actions required to complete the plan of sale indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan of sale will be made or the plan of sale will be withdrawn.

Allocation of Purchase Price of Acquired Assets

We account for acquisitions of properties that meet the definition of a business pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 805, “Business Combinations”. The fair value of the real estate acquired is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, generally consisting of land, building and tenant improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases for acquired in-place leases and the value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their fair values. Purchase accounting is applied to assets and liabilities associated with the real estate acquired. Transaction costs and fees incurred related to acquisition are expensed as incurred. Transaction costs and fees incurred related to the financing of an acquisition are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related financing.

Upon the acquisition of properties, we estimate the fair value of acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, building and improvements) and identified intangible assets (consisting of in-place leases), and assumed debt at the date of acquisition, based on the evaluation of information and estimates available at that date. Based on these estimates, we allocate the initial purchase price to the applicable assets and liabilities. As final information regarding fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is received and estimates are refined, appropriate adjustments will be made to the purchase price allocation, in no case later than twelve months of the acquisition date. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we made an adjustment related to the TSRE acquisition as described in NOTE 4: Investments in Real Estate.

The aggregate value of in-place leases is determined by evaluating various factors, including the terms of the leases that are in place and assumed lease-up periods. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we did not acquire any properties and, therefore, did not acquire any in-place leases. During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2015, we acquired in-place leases with a value of $7,690 related to our acquisitions that are discussed further in NOTE 4: Investments in Real Estate. The value assigned to this intangible asset is amortized over the assumed lease up period, typically six months. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 we recorded $3,735, $7,206 and $3,778 of amortization expense for intangible assets, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2016, $7,471 of intangible assets became fully amortized and were written off.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Management evaluates the recoverability of its investment in real estate assets, including related identifiable intangible assets, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”. This statement requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that recoverability of the assets is not assured.

Management reviews its long-lived assets on an ongoing basis and evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value when there is an indicator of impairment. An impairment charge is recorded when it is determined that the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value. The estimated cash flows used for the impairment analysis and the determination of estimated fair value are based on our plans for the respective assets and our views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider matters such as current and historical rental rates, occupancies for the respective and/or comparable properties, and recent sales data for comparable properties. Changes in estimated future cash flows due to changes in our plans or views of market and economic conditions could result in recognition of impairment losses, which, under the applicable accounting guidance, could be substantial.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for real estate assets are computed using a straight-line method based on a life of 40 years for buildings and improvements and five to ten years for equipment and fixtures. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 we recorded $31,089, $20,888 and $8,742 of depreciation expense, respectively.

h. Revenue and Expenses

Minimum rents are recognized on an accrual basis, over the terms of the related leases on a straight-line basis. Any above-market lease values and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an adjustment to rental income over the lease term. Recoveries from residential tenants for utility costs are recognized as revenue in the period that the applicable costs are incurred.

Our portfolio of properties consists primarily of apartment communities geographically concentrated in the Southeastern United States. Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas comprised 9.22%, 11.21%, 13.38%, 7.91%, 8.57%, 13.33%, and 11.88%, respectively, of our rental revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we recognized revenues of $189 and $322, respectively, related to recoveries of lost rental revenue due to natural disasters and other insurable events from our insurance providers.

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we incurred $1,749, $1,399, and $675 of advertising expenses, respectively.

i. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, 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 at the measurement date. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity for disclosure purposes. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. Hierarchical levels, as defined in FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” and directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuations of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

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Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. The types of assets carried at Level 1 fair value generally are equity securities listed in active markets. As such, valuations of these investments do not entail a significant degree of judgment.

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Level 2: Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

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Level 3: Inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset.

The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial asset or liability and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of investment, whether the investment is new, whether the investment is traded on an active exchange or in the secondary market, and the current market condition. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by us in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liability rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, our own assumptions are set to reflect those that management believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. We use prices and inputs that management believes are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 or Level 2 to Level 3.

Fair value for certain of our Level 3 financial instruments is derived using internal valuation models. These internal valuation models include discounted cash flow analyses developed by management using current interest rates, estimates of the term of the particular instrument, specific issuer information and other market data for securities without an active market. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, the impact of our own credit spreads is also considered when measuring the fair value of financial assets or liabilities, including derivative contracts. Where appropriate, valuation adjustments are made to account for various factors, including bid-ask spreads, credit quality and market liquidity. These adjustments are applied on a consistent basis and are based on observable inputs where available. Management’s estimate of fair value requires significant management judgment and is subject to a high degree of variability based upon market conditions, the availability of specific issuer information and management’s assumptions.

FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The fair value of mortgage indebtedness is based on a discounted cash flows valuation technique. As this technique utilizes current credit spreads for various maturities and types of loans, which are generally unobservable, this is classified as a Level 3 fair vale measurement within the fair value hierarchy. We determine appropriate credit spreads based on the type of debt and its maturity. The fair value of our secured credit facility, term loan facility, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 approximated their respective unpaid principal balances due to the nature of these instruments. Given that cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are short term in nature with limited fair value volatility, the carrying amount is deemed to be a reasonable approximation of fair value and the fair value input is classified as a Level 1 fair value measurement. The fair value inputs for the secured credit facility and the term loan facility are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of derivatives is based on a discounted cash flows technique and is classified as a Level 2 fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The following table summarizes the carrying amount and the fair value of our financial instruments as of the periods indicated:

	December 31, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
Financial Instrument	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,892	$	20,892	$	38,301	$	38,301
Restricted cash		5,518		5,518		5,413		5,413
Derivative assets		3,867		3,867	24		24

Liabilities
Debt:
Secured credit facility		147,280		150,000		267,155		271,500
Term loan		—		—		118,418		120,000
Mortgages		596,537		588,523		581,038		589,320
Derivative liabilities		—		—		—		—

j. Deferred Financing Costs

Costs incurred in connection with debt financing are deferred and classified within indebtedness and charged to interest expense over the terms of the related debt agreements, under the effective interest method. As of January 1, 2016, we adopted the accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 835, “Interest” which required deferred financing costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from indebtedness. This resulted in the reclassification of the amounts presented as deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2015 from deferred financing costs to indebtedness on our consolidated balance sheet.

k. Income Taxes

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2011. Accordingly, we recorded no income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary taxable income to stockholders. As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income taxes on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders; however, we believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify and maintain treatment as a REIT and intend to operate in such a manner so that we will remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2016, 93% of dividends were characterized as total capital gain distribution, 7% were characterized as ordinary income and 0% were characterized as return of capital. For the year ended December 31, 2015, 17% of dividends were characterized as total capital gain distribution and 83% were characterized as return of capital. For the year ended December 31, 2014, 35% of dividends were characterized as ordinary taxable income and 65% were characterized as return of capital.

l. Share-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Subtopic 505-50, “Equity – Equity Payments to Non-Employees” and FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. We did not have any employees prior to the management internalization on December 20, 2016 and therefore accounted for stock-based compensation as nonemployee awards. Stock-based compensation cost for nonemployee awards is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is revalued at the end of each accounting period. The expense is recognized over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. Any share-based compensation awards granted to employees are measured based on the grant-date fair value of the award and we record compensation expense for the entire award on a straight line basis, over the related vesting period, for the entire award. For awards granted to nonemployees who subsequently became employees, the fair value of the awards were revalued on the date the employment status change occurred and the resulting compensation expense is recognized on a straight line basis over the remaining vesting period, for the entire award.

m. Noncontrolling Interest

Our noncontrolling interest represents limited partnership units of our operating partnership that were issued in connection with certain property acquisitions. We record limited partnership units issued in an acquisition at their fair value on the closing date of the acquisition. The holders of the limited partnership units have the right to redeem their limited partnership units for either shares of our common stock or for cash at our discretion. As the settlement of a redemption is in our sole discretion, we present noncontrolling interest in our consolidated balance sheet within equity but separate from shareholders’ equity. Any noncontrolling interests that fail to qualify as permanent equity will be presented as temporary equity and be carried at the greater of historical cost or their redemption value.

n. Derivative Instruments

We may use derivative financial instruments to hedge all or a portion of the interest rate risk associated with our borrowings. The principal objective of such arrangements is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with our operating and financial structure as well as to hedge specific anticipated transactions. While these instruments may impact our periodic cash flows, they benefit us by minimizing the risks and/or costs previously described. The counterparties to these contractual arrangements are major financial institutions with which we and our affiliates may also have other financial relationships. In the event of nonperformance by the counterparties, we are potentially exposed to credit loss. However, because of the high credit ratings of the counterparties, we do not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”, we measure each derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) at fair value and record such amounts in our consolidated balance sheet as either an asset or liability. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the changes in the fair value of the effective portions of the derivative are reported in other comprehensive income and changes in the ineffective portions of cash flow hedges, if any, are recognized in earnings. For derivatives not designated as hedges (or designated as fair value hedges), or for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges associated with debt for which we elected the fair value option under FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments”, the changes in fair value of the derivative instrument are recognized in earnings. Any derivatives that we designate in hedge relationships are done so at inception. At inception, we determine whether or not the derivative is highly effective in offsetting changes in the designated interest rate risk associated with the identified indebtedness using regression analysis. At each reporting period, we update our regression analysis and use the hypothetical derivative method to measure any ineffectiveness.

o. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers’. This accounting standard generally replaces existing guidance by requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This accounting standard applies to all contracts with customers, except those that are within the scope of other Topics in the FASB ASC. During 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued four amendments to this to this accounting standard which provide further clarification to this accounting standard. These standards amending FASB ASC Topic 606 are currently effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Management is currently evaluating the impact that these standards may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments”. This accounting standard addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Among other things, the amendment (i) eliminates certain disclosure requirements for financial instruments measured at amortized cost; (ii) requires the use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (iii) requires separate presentation, in other comprehensive income, of the change in fair value of a liability, when the fair value option has been elected, resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk; and (iv) requires separate presentation of financial instruments by measurement category and form. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for the separate presentation of changes in fair value due to changes in instrument-specific credit risk. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 842, “Leases”. This accounting standard amends lease accounting by requiring the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the amendments in this standard is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. This accounting standard clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Management does not expect this standard to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. This accounting standard clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. This accounting standard clarifies what steps are required when assessing whether the economic characteristics and risks of call (put) options are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of their debt hosts, which is one of the criteria for bifurcating an embedded derivative. Consequently, when a call (put) option is contingently exercisable, an entity does not have to assess whether the event that triggers the ability to exercise a call (put) option is related to interest rates or credit risks. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Management does not expect this standard to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. This accounting standard simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (i) income tax consequences; (ii) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (iii) classification on the statement of cash flows. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 230, “Statement of Cash Flows”. This accounting standard provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues: (i) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; (ii) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; (iii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (iv) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; (v) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; (vi) distributions received from equity method investees; (vii) beneficial interests in securitization transactions and (viii) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this standard may have on our consolidated statement of cash flows.

In October 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation”. The amendments in this accounting standard provide guidance on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a VIE should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The amendments in this accounting standard do not change the characteristics of a primary beneficiary in current GAAP. A primary beneficiary of a VIE has both of the following characteristics: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If a reporting entity satisfies the first characteristic of a primary beneficiary (such that it is the single decision maker of a VIE), the amendments in this accounting standard require that the reporting entity, in determining whether it satisfies the second characteristic of a primary beneficiary, to include all of its direct variable interest in a VIE and, on a proportionate basis, its indirect variable interest in a VIE held through related parties, including related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity. If after performing that assessment, a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a VIE concludes that it does not have the characteristics of a primary beneficiary, the amendments continue to require that the reporting entity evaluate whether it and one or more of its related parties under common control, as a group, have the characteristics of a primary beneficiary. The amendments in this accounting standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations’. The amendments in this accounting standard clarify the definition of a business by more clearly outlining the requirements for an integrated set of assets and activities to be considered a business and by establishing a practical framework to determine when the integrated set of assets and activities is a business. The amendments in this accounting standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods with those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for transactions not yet reflected in the financial statements. Management is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.