Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation – NNN’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of each of the respective majority owned and controlled affiliates, including transactions whereby NNN has been determined to be the primary beneficiary in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") guidance included in Consolidation. All significant intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated.

NNN consolidates certain joint venture development entities based upon either NNN being the primary beneficiary of the respective variable interest entity or NNN having a controlling interest over the respective entity. NNN eliminates significant intercompany balances and transactions and records a noncontrolling interest for its other partners’ ownership percentage.

Real Estate Portfolio

NNN's real estate is generally leased to tenants on a net lease basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for all operating expenses relating to the Property, including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs and capital expenditures. The leases are accounted for using either the operating or the direct financing method. Such methods are described below:

Operating method – Properties with leases accounted for using the operating method are recorded at the cost of the real estate. Revenue is recognized as rentals are earned and expenses (including depreciation) are charged to operations as incurred. Buildings and improvements are depreciated on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold interests are amortized on the straight-line method over the terms of their respective leases. When scheduled rentals vary during the lease term, income is recognized on a straight-line basis so as to produce a constant periodic rent over the term of the lease. Accrued rental income is the aggregate difference between the scheduled rents which vary during the lease term and the income recognized on a straight-line basis.

Direct financing method – Properties with leases accounted for using the direct financing method are recorded at their net investment (which at the inception of the lease generally represents the cost of the Property). Unearned income is deferred and amortized into income over the lease terms so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return on NNN’s net investment in the leases.

Real Estate – Held For Sale – Real estate held for sale is not depreciated and is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, less cost to sell.

Impairment – Real Estate – Based upon certain events or changes in circumstances, management periodically assesses its Properties for possible impairment whenever the carrying value of the asset, including accrued rental income, may not be recoverable through operations. Events or circumstances that may occur include significant changes in real estate market conditions and the ability of NNN to re-lease or sell properties that are currently vacant or become vacant in a reasonable period of time. Management evaluates whether an impairment in carrying value has occurred by comparing the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges), and the residual value of the real estate, with the carrying value of the individual asset. If an impairment is indicated, a loss will be recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value.

Real Estate Dispositions – When real estate is disposed of, the related cost, accumulated depreciation or amortization and any accrued rental income for operating leases and the net investment for direct financing leases are removed from the accounts, and gains and losses from the dispositions are reflected in income. Gains from the disposition of real estate are generally recognized using the full accrual method in accordance with the FASB guidance included in Real Estate Sales, provided that various criteria relating to the terms of the sale and any subsequent involvement by NNN with the real estate sold are met.

Real Estate Portfolio – NNN records the acquisition of real estate at cost, including acquisition and closing costs. The cost of properties developed by NNN includes direct and indirect costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, NNN recorded $2,675,000, $2,435,000 and $1,738,000, respectively, in capitalized interest during development.

Purchase Accounting for Acquisition of Real Estate Subject to a Lease – In accordance with the FASB guidance on business combinations, the fair value of the real estate acquired with in-place leases is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and tenant improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases and the value of in-place leases, as applicable, based on their respective fair values. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the definition of a Business," on January 1, 2017, acquisition and closing costs incurred on the acquisition of real estate with an in-place lease were expensed as incurred and recorded as real estate acquisition costs on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

The fair value estimate is sensitive to significant assumptions, such as establishing a range of relevant market assumptions for land, building and rent and where the acquired property falls within that range. These market assumptions for land, building and rent use the most relevant comparable properties for an acquisition. The final range relies upon ranking comparable properties' attributes from most similar to least similar.

The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired leased property is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and the "as-if-vacant" value is then allocated to land, building and tenant improvements based on the determination of their fair values.

In allocating the fair value of the identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, above-market and below-market in-place lease values are recorded as other assets or liabilities based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases, and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease and the applicable option terms if it is probable that the tenant will exercise options. The capitalized above-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental income over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to rental income over the initial term unless the Company believes that it is likely that the tenant will renew the lease for an option term whereby the Company amortizes the value attributable to the renewal over the renewal period.

The aggregate value of other acquired intangible assets, consisting of in-place leases, is measured by the excess of (i) the purchase price paid for a property after adjusting existing in-place leases to market rental rates over (ii) the estimated fair value of the property as-if-vacant, determined as set forth above. The value of in-place leases exclusive of the value of above-market and below-market in-place leases is amortized to expense over the remaining non-cancelable periods of the respective leases. If a lease were to be terminated prior to its stated expiration, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease would be written off in that period. The value of tenant relationships is reviewed on individual transactions to determine if future value was derived from the acquisition.

Valuation of Mortgages, Notes and Accrued Interest Receivable

Valuation of Mortgages, Notes and Accrued Interest Receivable – The reserve allowance related to the mortgages, notes and accrued interest receivable is NNN’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses. The reserve allowance is determined on an individual note basis in reviewing any payment past due for over 90 days. Any outstanding amounts are written off against the reserve allowance when all possible means of collection have been exhausted.

Commercial Mortgage Residual Interests, at Fair Value

Commercial Mortgage Residual Interests, at Fair Value – Commercial mortgage residual interests, classified as available for sale, are reported at their estimated market values with unrealized gains and losses reported as other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. NNN recognizes the excess of all cash flows attributable to the commercial mortgage residual interests estimated at the acquisition/transaction date over the initial investment (the accretable yield) as interest income over the life of the beneficial interest using the effective yield method. Losses are considered other than temporary valuation impairments if and when there has been a change in the timing or amount of estimated cash flows, exclusive of changes in interest rates, that leads to a loss in value.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents – NNN considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and money market accounts. Cash equivalents are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.

Cash accounts maintained on behalf of NNN in demand deposits at commercial banks and money market funds may exceed federally insured levels or may be held in accounts without any federal insurance or any other insurance or guarantee. However, NNN has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Restricted Cash and Cash Held in Escrow

Restricted Cash and Cash Held in Escrow – Restricted cash and cash held in escrow include (i) cash proceeds from the sale of assets held by qualified intermediaries in anticipation of the acquisition of replacement properties in tax-free exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), (ii) cash that has been placed in escrow for the future funding of construction commitments, or (iii) cash that is not immediately available to NNN.

Valuation of Receivables

Valuation of Receivables – NNN estimates the collectibility of its accounts receivable related to rents, expense reimbursements and other revenues. NNN analyzes 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 in bankruptcy are analyzed and estimates are made in connection with the expected recovery of pre-petition and post-petition claims.

Debt Costs

Debt Costs – Line of Credit Payable – Debt costs incurred in connection with NNN’s $900,000,000 line of credit have been deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan commitment using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. NNN has recorded debt costs associated with the line of credit as an asset, in debt costs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Debt Costs – Mortgages Payable– Debt costs incurred in connection with NNN’s mortgages payable have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the respective loan commitment using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method.

Debt Costs – Notes Payable– Debt costs incurred in connection with the issuance of NNN’s notes payable have been deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the respective debt obligation using the effective interest method.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition – Rental revenues for properties under construction commence upon completion of construction of the leased asset and delivery of the leased asset to the tenant. Rental revenues for non-development real estate assets are recognized when earned in accordance with the FASB guidance included in Leases, based on the terms of the lease of the leased asset. Lease termination fees are recognized when the related leases are cancelled and NNN no longer has a continuing involvement with the former tenant with respect to that property.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share – Earnings per share have been computed pursuant to the FASB guidance included in Earnings Per Share. The guidance requires classification of the Company’s unvested restricted share units which contain rights to receive nonforfeitable dividends, as participating securities requiring the two-class method of computing earnings per share. Under the two-class method, earnings per common share are computed by dividing the sum of distributed earnings to common stockholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities based on the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes – NNN has made an election to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, and related regulations. NNN generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on amounts distributed to stockholders, providing it distributes 100 percent of its REIT taxable income and meets certain other requirements for qualifying as a REIT. For each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, NNN believes it has qualified as a REIT. Notwithstanding NNN’s qualification for taxation as a REIT, NNN is subject to certain state income, franchise and excise taxes.

NNN may elect to treat certain subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries pursuant to the provisions of the REIT Modernization Act. A taxable REIT subsidiary is able to engage in activities resulting in income that previously would have been disqualified from being eligible REIT income under the federal income tax regulations. As a result, certain activities of NNN which occur within its TRS entities are subject to federal and state income taxes (See Note 11). All provisions for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are attributable to NNN’s taxable REIT subsidiaries and to the Orange Avenue Mortgage Investments, Inc. ("OAMI"), a wholly owned qualified REIT subsidiary, built-in gain tax liability.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method as required by the FASB guidance included in Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the temporary differences based on estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement – NNN’s estimates of fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance. The framework specifies a hierarchy of valuation inputs which was established to increase consistency, clarity and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures. The guidance describes a fair value hierarchy based upon three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, two of which are considered observable and one that is considered unobservable. The following describes the three levels:

• Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 – Valuation is based upon inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

• Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements – In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The FASB issued final guidance that requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses in the income statement in a manner similar to today’s accounting. The guidance also eliminates today’s real estate-specific provisions and changes the guidance on sale-leaseback transactions, initial direct costs and lease executory costs for all entities. For lessors, the standard modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. Effective January 1, 2019, NNN will adopt the lease guidance using the modified retrospective approach in which the cumulative effect of applying the new standard will be recognized at the date of initial application with an adjustment to NNN’s opening balance of accumulated earnings.  NNN plans to elect the package of practical expedients, the land easement practical expedient and the lease and non-lease component practical expedient. NNN is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its financial position or results of operations.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement," effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The FASB issued final guidance that eliminates certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements for all entities, requires public entities to disclose certain new information and modifies some disclosure requirements. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 will not have a significant impact on NNN's financial position or results of operations.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates – Additional critical accounting policies of NNN include management’s estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities are required to prepare the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Significant accounting policies include management’s estimates of the useful lives used in calculating depreciation expense relating to real estate assets purchase accounting for acquisition of real estate subject to a lease, and the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassification

Reclassification – Certain items in the prior year's consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation.

Certain amounts previously reported in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to conform to the current period’s presentation, primarily to change the presentation of gain on disposition of real estate on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. NNN has included gain on disposition of real estate as a component of earnings from operations to present gain and losses on dispositions of properties in accordance with ASC 360-10-45-5. The change was made for the prior periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") has eliminated Rule 3-15(a) of Regulation S-X as part of Release No. 33-10532; 34-83875; IC-33203, which had required REITs to present gain and losses on disposition of properties outside of continuing operations in the income statement.