Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The Company prepares its financial statements under the accrual basis of accounting, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company’s subsidiaries are all 100% wholly-owned. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include all of these subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company does not have a majority or minority interest in any other company, either consolidated or unconsolidated.

Investment Property and Equipment and Depreciation

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation for Sites and Buildings is computed principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (ranging from 15 to 27.5 years). Depreciation of Improvements to Sites and Buildings, Rental Homes and Equipment and Vehicles is computed principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (ranging from 3 to 27.5 years). Land Development Costs are not depreciated until they are put in use, at which time they are capitalized as Site and Land Improvements. Interest Expense pertaining to Land Development Costs are capitalized. Maintenance and Repairs are charged to expense as incurred and improvements are capitalized. The costs and related accumulated depreciation of property sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the financial statements and any gain or loss is reflected in the current year’s results of operations.

The Company applies Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360-10, Property, Plant & Equipment (“ASC 360-10”) to measure impairment in real estate investments. Rental properties are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist which may indicate that it is probable that the sum of expected future cash flows (on an undiscounted basis without interest) from a rental property is less than the carrying value under its historical net cost basis. These expected future cash flows consider factors such as future operating income, trends and prospects as well as the effects of leasing demand, competition and other factors. Upon determination that a permanent impairment has occurred, rental properties are reduced to their fair value. For properties to be disposed of, an impairment loss is recognized when the fair value of the property, less the estimated cost to sell, is less than the carrying amount of the property measured at the time there is a commitment to sell the property and/or it is actively being marketed for sale. A property to be disposed of is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or its estimated fair value, less its cost to sell. Subsequent to the date that a property is held for disposition, depreciation expense is not recorded.

The Company conducted a comprehensive review of all real estate asset classes in accordance with ASC 360-10-35-21. The process entailed the analysis of property for instances where the net book value exceeded the estimated fair value. The Company utilizes the experience and knowledge of its internal valuation team to derive certain assumptions used to determine an operating property’s cash flow. Such assumptions include lease-up rates, rental rates, rental growth rates, and capital expenditures. The Company reviewed its operating properties in light of the requirements of ASC 360-10 and determined that, as of December 31, 2017, the undiscounted cash flows over the expected holding period for these properties were in excess of their carrying values and, therefore, no impairment charges were required.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The Company maintains its cash in bank accounts in amounts that may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in these accounts in the past. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their current carrying amounts since all such items are short-term in nature.

Inventory of Manufactured Homes

Inventory of manufactured homes is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value and is determined by the specific identification method. All inventory is considered finished goods.

Unamortized Financing Costs

Costs incurred in connection with obtaining mortgages and other financings and refinancings are deferred and presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related obligations, and included as a component of interest expense. Unamortized costs are charged to expense upon prepayment of the obligation. Upon amendment of the line of credit or refinancing of mortgage debt, unamortized deferred financing fees are accounted for in accordance with ASC 470-50-40, Modifications and Extinguishments. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, accumulated amortization amounted to $3,746,862 and $3,085,952, respectively. The Company estimates that aggregate amortization expense will be approximately $571,000 for 2018, $544,000 for 2019, $508,000 for 2020, $501,000 for 2021 and $445,000 for 2022.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its income primarily from the rental of manufactured homesites. The Company also owns approximately 5,600 rental units which are rented to residents. Rental and related income is recognized on the accrual basis over the term of the lease, which is typically one year or less.

Sale of manufactured homes is recognized on the full accrual basis when certain criteria are met. These criteria include the following: (a) initial and continuing payment by the buyer must be adequate: (b) the receivable, if any, is not subject to future subordination; (c) the benefits and risks of ownership are substantially transferred to the buyer; and (d) the Company does not have a substantial continued involvement with the home after the sale. Alternatively, when the foregoing criteria are not met, the Company recognizes gains by the installment method. Interest income on loans receivable is not accrued when, in the opinion of management, the collection of such interest appears doubtful.

Stock Compensation Plan

The Company accounts for awards of stock options and restricted stock in accordance with ASC 718-10, Compensation-Stock Compensation. ASC 718-10 requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and amortized over the service period (generally equal to the vesting period). The compensation cost for stock option grants is determined using option pricing models, intended to estimate the fair value of the awards at the grant date less estimated forfeitures. The compensation expense for restricted stock is recognized based on the fair value of the restricted stock awards less estimated forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock awards is equal to the fair value of the Company’s stock on the grant date. Compensation costs, which is included in General and Administrative Expenses, of $1,314,491, $1,064,678 and $855,768 have been recognized in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During 2017, 2016 and 2015, compensation costs included a one-time charge of $200,907, $312,400, and $102,000, respectively, for restricted stock and stock option grants awarded to one participant who is of retirement age and therefore the entire amount of measured compensation cost has been recognized at grant date. Included in Note 6 to these consolidated financial statements are the assumptions and methodology used to calculate the fair value of stock options and restricted stock awards.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the change in unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale and the change in the fair value of derivatives.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted 2017

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” ASU 2017-01 seeks to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, intangible assets and consolidation. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The amendments should be applied prospectively on or after the effective dates. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017, on a prospective basis. The Company evaluated its acquisitions and has determined that its acquisitions of manufactured home communities during 2017 should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets. As such, transaction costs of approximately $798,000 have been capitalized as part of the cost of the acquisitions, which is then subject to a purchase price allocation based on relative fair value.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017, and it did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” ASU 2015-11 applies to inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost. An entity should measure inventory within the scope of ASU 2015-11 at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonable predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The amendments in ASU 2015-11 more closely align the measurement of inventory in GAAP with the measurement of inventory in International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017, and it did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Adopted 2018

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” ASU 2017-09 clarifies which changes to the terms or conditions of a share based payment award are subject to the guidance on modification accounting under FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. Entities would apply the modification accounting guidance unless the value, vesting requirements and classification of a share based payment award are the same immediately before and after a change to the terms or conditions of the award. ASU No. 2017-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018, and it did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, “Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets.” ASU 2017-05 provides guidance for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets and in-substance non-financial assets in contracts with non-customers, unless other specific guidance applies. The standard requires a company to derecognize nonfinancial assets once it transfers control of a distinct nonfinancial asset or distinct in substance nonfinancial asset. Additionally, when a company transfers its controlling interest in a nonfinancial asset, but retains a noncontrolling ownership interest, the company is required to measure any non-controlling interest it receives or retains at fair value. The guidance requires companies to recognize a full gain or loss on the transaction. As a result of the new guidance, the guidance specific to real estate sales in ASC 360-20 will be eliminated. As such, sales and partial sales of real estate assets will now be subject to the same derecognition model as all other nonfinancial assets. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018, and it did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” ASU 2016-15 will make eight targeted changes to how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company believes that the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018, and it did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018. The Company previously classified its marketable securities as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of Shareholders’ Equity until realized. The change in the unrealized net holding gains (losses) was reflected in the Company’s Comprehensive Income (loss). Upon adoption, these securities will continue to be measured at fair value; however, the change in the unrealized net holding gains and losses will be recognized through net income. Unrealized net holding gains of $11,519,582, as of January 1, 2018, were reclassed to beginning retained earnings.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. The objective of this amendment is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying this amendment, companies will perform a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. This amendment applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB ASC. An entity should apply the amendments using either the full retrospective approach or retrospectively with a cumulative effect of initially applying the amendments recognized at the date of initial application. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach.

Our primary source of revenue is generated from lease agreements for our sites and homes. The lease component of these agreements will be accounted for under ASC 840 “Leases,” and the non-lease components under ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition.” Sales of manufactured homes is recognized under ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” since these homes are not permanent fixtures or improvements to the underlying real estate. Interest income and dividend income is presented separately but is not in the scope of ASU 2014-09. Other income is recognized under ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” and primarily consists of brokerage commissions for arranging for the sale of a home by a third party, service and marketing agreements with cable providers, and in 2017 include an upfront oil and gas bonus payment.The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.