(10) Fair Value Measurements

We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. The hierarchy below lists three levels of fair value based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. We categorize each of our fair value measurements in one of these three levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. We consider active markets as those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Our marketable securities are Level 1 instruments.

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. We have no Level 2 instruments.

Level 3: Measured based on prices or valuation models that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and less observable from objective sources (i.e., supported by little or no market activity). Our Level 3 instruments are comprised of interest rate swaps. The fair values of our swaps were estimated using discounted cash flow calculations based upon forward interest-rate yield curves. Although we utilize third party broker quotes to assess the reasonableness of our prices and valuation, we do not have sufficient corroborating market evidence to support classifying these assets and liabilities as Level 2.

The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value at December 31, 2017 and 2016 by respective level of the fair value hierarchy:



	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
	(in thousands)
December 31, 2017
Assets:
Marketable securities	$ 1,907	$ -	$ -	$ 1,907
Marketable securities - restricted	2,148	-	-	2,148
Interest rate swaps	-	-	543	543
	$ 4,055	$ -	$ 543	$ 4,598

December 31, 2016
Assets:
Marketable securities	$ 1,763	$ -	$ -	$ 1,763
Marketable securities - restricted	2,036	-	-	2,036
Interest rate swaps	-	-	296	296
	$ 3,799	$ -	$ 296	$ 4,095
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$ -	$ -	$ 476	$ 476

The table below highlights the change in fair value of the interest rate swaps:



		Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
		Interest Rate Swaps
		(in thousands)
Ending balance, December 31, 2015		$ (817)
Change in estimated fair value		637
Ending balance, December 31, 2016		(180)
Change in estimated fair value		723
Ending balance, December 31, 2017		$ 543