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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2017
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 2 • BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of all our subsidiaries in which we maintain a controlling interest, including the Operating Partnership. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Our fiscal year ends April 30th.

 

Our interest in the Operating Partnership was 88.6% and 88.1%, respectively, of the limited partnership units of the Operating Partnership (“Units”) as of April 30, 2017 and 2016, which includes 100% of the general partnership interest.

Under the terms of the Operating Partnership’s Agreement of Limited Partnership, limited partners have the right to require the Operating Partnership to redeem their Units for cash any time following the first anniversary of the date they acquired such Units (“Exchange Right”). When a limited partner exercises the Exchange Right, we have the right, in our sole discretion, to acquire such Units by either making a cash payment or exchanging the Units for our common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”), on a one-for-one basis. The Exchange Right is subject to certain conditions and limitations, including the limited partner may not exercise the Exchange Right more than two times during a calendar year and the limited partner may not exercise for less than 1,000 Units, or, if such limited partner holds less than 1,000 Units, for less than all of the Units held by such limited partner. The Operating Partnership and some limited partners have contractually agreed to a holding period of greater than one year, a greater number of redemptions during a calendar year or other limitations to their Exchange Right.

 

The consolidated financial statements also reflect the ownership by the Operating Partnership of certain joint venture entities in which the Operating Partnership has a general partners or controlling interest. These entities are consolidated into our other operations with noncontrolling interests reflecting the noncontrolling partners’ share of ownership, income and expenses.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and in August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers-Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard until fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Subsequently, the FASB has issued multiple ASUs clarifying ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2015-14. The standard will eliminate the transaction- and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current GAAP and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. The standard outlines a five-step model whereby revenue is recognized as performance obligations within a contract are satisfied. The majority of our revenue is derived from rental income, which is scoped out from this standard and will be accounted for under ASC 840, Leases. Our other revenue streams, which are being evaluated under this ASU, include but are not limited to other income from residents determined not to be within the scope of ASC 840 and gains and losses from real estate dispositions. We will continue to assess the impact of the new standard and anticipate adoption as of May 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the amendments: (i) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities, (ii) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, (iii) affect the consolidated analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities, and (iv) provide a scope exception for certain entities. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. We adopted the guidance in ASU 2015-02 as of May 1, 2016, as more fully described in the Variable Interest Entity section below.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability to which they relate, consistent with debt discounts, as opposed to being presented as assets. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. We adopted the guidance in ASU 2015-03 as of May 1, 2016.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. Under ASU 2015-05, if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Our adoption of the guidance in ASU 2015-05 did not have a material impact on our operating results or financial position.

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments, including the requirement to measure certain equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We do not expect adoption of this update to have a material impact on our operating results or financial position.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 amends existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including by requiring lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet and making certain changes to lessor accounting. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 amends several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, accrual of compensation cost, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. The cash flow issues include debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs and proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact the new standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business and provides further guidance for evaluating whether a transaction will be accounted for as an acquisition of an asset or a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. Under the ASU, we believe most of our future acquisitions of operating properties will qualify as asset acquisitions and most future transaction costs associated with these acquisitions will be capitalized.

 

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 and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

RECLASSIFICATIONS

 

Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation. On the Consolidated Balance Sheets, we reclassified assets and liabilities related to properties classified as held for sale  and we reclassified debt issuance costs from deferred charges and leasing costs to mortgages payable, as part of our adoption of ASU 2015-03, as described above in Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

 

REVISION

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 we identified an error pertaining to the reporting for interest income related to two properties that were classified as discontinued operations at April 30, 2016. Accounting guidance in ASC 205-20, Discontinued Operations, indicates that interest income should be allocated to discontinued operations. This error resulted in an overstatement of interest income and income from continuing operations and an understatement of income from discontinued operations of $2.2 million for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016. This non-cash error did not impact net income, our consolidated balance sheets or statements of cash flows for any period.

 

In accordance with accounting guidance found in ASC 250-10, Materiality, we assessed the materiality of the error and concluded the error was not material to any of the Company’s previously issued financial statements. In accordance with accounting guidance found in ASC 250-10, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatement when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, we revised our previously issued consolidated statement of operations to correct the effect of this error. We will revise amounts pertaining to each of the fiscal year 2017 quarters from May 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017 in future quarterly filings on Form 10-Q.

 

The following table presents the effect of this correction on our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period affected:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Year Ended April 30, 2016

  

As Previously
Reported

  

Adjustment

  

As Revised

 

Interest income

 

$

2,256

 

$

(2,175)

 

$

81

 

Income before gain on sale of real estate and other investments, gain on bargain purchase and income from discontinued operations

 

 

6,216

 

 

(2,175)

 

 

4,041

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

19,280

 

 

(2,175)

 

 

17,105

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

57,322

 

 

2,175

 

 

59,497

 

Earnings per common share from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted

 

$

0.08

 

$

(0.02)

 

$

0.06

 

Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted

 

 

0.41

 

 

0.02

 

 

0.43

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS

 

Real estate investments are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and an adjustment for impairment, if any. Acquisitions of real estate are recorded based upon preliminary allocations of the purchase price which are subject to adjustment as additional information is obtained, but in no case more than one year after the date of acquisition. We allocate the purchase price based on the relative fair values of the tangible and intangible assets of an acquired property (which includes the land, building and personal property) which are determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant and fair value of the intangible assets (which include in-place leases.) The as-if-vacant value is allocated to land, buildings and personal property based on management’s determination of the relative fair values of these assets. The estimated fair value of the property is the amount that would be recoverable upon the disposition of the property. Techniques used to estimate fair value include discounted cash flow analysis and reference to recent sales of comparables. A land value is assigned based on the purchase price if land is acquired separately or based on estimated fair value if acquired in a merger or in a single or portfolio acquisition.

 

Acquired above- and below-market lease values are recorded as the difference between the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and management’s estimate of fair market value lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases. The capitalized above- and below-market lease values are amortized as adjustments to rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases, which includes fixed rate renewal options for below-market leases if it is determined probable the tenant will execute a bargain renewal option.

 

Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values that are based upon our evaluation of the specific characteristics of the leases. Factors considered in the fair value analysis include an estimate of carrying costs and foregone rental income during hypothetical expected lease-up periods, considering current market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. We also consider information about each property obtained during pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the relative fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired.

 

Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We use a 20-40 year estimated life for buildings and improvements and a 5-12 year estimated life for furniture, fixtures and equipment.

 

We follow the real estate project costs guidance in ASC 970, Real Estate – General, in accounting for the costs of development and re-development projects. As real estate is undergoing development or redevelopment, all project costs directly associated with and attributable to the development and construction of a project, including interest expense and real estate tax expense, are capitalized to the cost of the real property. The capitalization period begins when development activities and expenditures begin and are identifiable to a specific property and ends upon completion, which is when the asset is ready for its intended use. Generally, rental property is considered substantially complete and ready for its intended use upon completion of tenant improvements (in the case of commercial properties) or upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy (in the case of multifamily properties). General and administrative costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are expensed to operations as incurred. Renovations and improvements that improve and/or extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful life, generally five to ten years. Property sales or dispositions are recorded when title transfers, we have received sufficient consideration and we have no significant involvement with the property sold.

 

We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets, including real estate investments, for impairment indicators. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions, expected holding period of each asset group and legal and environmental concerns. If indicators exist, we compare the expected future undiscounted cash flows for the long-lived asset group against the carrying amount of that asset. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying amount of the asset group. If our anticipated holding period for properties, the estimated fair value of properties or other factors change based on market conditions or otherwise, our evaluation of impairment charges may be different and such differences could be material to our consolidated financial statements. The evaluation of anticipated cash flows is subjective and is based, in part, on assumptions regarding future occupancy, rental rates and capital requirements that could differ materially from actual results. Plans to hold properties over longer periods decrease the likelihood of recording impairment losses.

 

During fiscal year 2017, we incurred a non-cash loss of $57.0 million due to impairment of 16 multifamily properties and two parcels of unimproved land. We recognized impairments of $40.9 million, $5.8 million, $4.7 million, and $2.8 million, respectively, on three multifamily properties and one parcel of unimproved land in Williston, North Dakota, due to deterioration of this energy-impacted market, which resulted in poor leasing activity and declining rental rates during the three months ended July 31, 2016, which should generally be a strong leasing period. These properties were written-down to estimated fair value based on an independent appraisal in the case of one property and management cash flow estimates and market data in the case of the remaining assets. The properties impaired for $40.9 million, $4.7 million, and $2.8 million are owned by joint venture entities in which, at the time of impairment, we had an approximately 70%,  60% and 70% interest, respectively, but which are consolidated in our consolidated financial statements. We recognized impairments of $2.9 million on 13 properties and one parcel of land in Minot, North Dakota. These properties were written-down to estimated fair value based on management cash flow estimates and market data and, in the case of the 13 properties, our intent to dispose of the properties.

 

During fiscal year 2016, we incurred a non-cash loss of $6.0 million due to impairment of one office property, one healthcare property, two parcels of land and eight multifamily properties of which approximately $440,000 is reflected in discontinued operations. See Note 12 for additional information on discontinued operations. We recognized impairments of approximately $440,000 on an office property in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; $1.9 million on a healthcare property in Sartell, Minnesota; $1.6 million on a parcel of land in Grand Chute, Wisconsin; $1.9 million on eight multifamily properties in St. Cloud, Minnesota; and $162,000 on a parcel of land in River Falls, Wisconsin. These properties were written-down to estimated fair value during fiscal year 2016 based on receipt of individual market offers to purchase and our intent to dispose of the properties or, in the case of the Grand Chute, Wisconsin, the sale listing price and our intent to dispose of the property. The Sartell, Minnesota property is classified as held for sale at April 30, 2016.

 

During fiscal year 2015, we incurred a non-cash loss of $6.1 million due to impairment of four commercial properties and two parcels of unimproved land of which $1.4 million is reflected in discontinued operations. See Note 12 for additional information on discontinued operations. We recognized impairments of $2.1 million on a retail property in Kalispell, Montana; approximately $183,000 on an office property in Golden Valley, Minnesota; $1.8 million on an office property in Minneapolis, Minnesota; $1.4 million on an office property in Boise, Idaho; approximately $98,000 on unimproved land in Eagan, Minnesota; and approximately $442,000 on unimproved land in Weston, Wisconsin. These properties were written-down to estimated fair value during fiscal year 2015 based on receipt of individual market offers to purchase and our intent to dispose of the properties or, in the case of the Boise and Weston properties, an independent appraisal. The Kalispell and Golden Valley properties were sold in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. The Minneapolis property was classified as held for sale at April 30, 2015.

 

REAL ESTATE HELD FOR SALE

 

Real estate held for sale is stated at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less disposal costs. Our determination of fair value is based on inputs management believes are consistent with those that market participants would use. Estimates are significantly impacted by estimates of sales price, selling velocity and other factors. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, actual results could differ from such estimates. Depreciation is not recorded on assets classified as held for sale.

 

We classify properties as held for sale when they meet the GAAP criteria, which include: (a) management commits to and initiates a plan to sell the asset (disposal group), (b) the sale is probable and expected to be completed within one year under terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets (disposal groups), and (c) 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. We generally consider these criteria met when the transaction has been approved by our Board of Trustees, there are no known significant contingencies related to the sale and management believes it is probable that the sale will be completed within one year. Thirteen multifamily properties, two healthcare properties, and two retail properties were classified as held for sale at April 30, 2017. Thirty-five healthcare properties, one multifamily property, one industrial property, and three parcels of unimproved land were classified as held for sale at April 30, 2016.

 

We report in discontinued operations the results of operations and the related gains or losses on the sales of properties that have either been disposed of or classified as held for sale and meet the classification of a discontinued operation as described in ASC 205 - Presentation of Financial Statements and ASC 360 - Property, Plant, and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Under this standard, a disposal (or classification as held for sale) of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. 

 

IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AND GOODWILL

 

Upon acquisition of real estate, we record the intangible assets and liabilities acquired (for example, if the leases in place for the real estate property acquired carry rents above the market rent, the difference is classified as an intangible asset) at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill. We amortize identified intangible assets and liabilities that are determined to have finite lives based on the period over which the assets and liabilities are expected to affect, directly or indirectly, the future cash flows of the real estate property acquired (generally the life of the lease). We added no new intangible assets or liabilities in the twelve months ended April 30, 2017. In the twelve months ended April 30, 2016, we added $2.2 million of new intangible assets and approximately $101,000 of new intangible liabilities. The weighted average lives of the intangible assets acquired in the twelve months ended April 30, 2016 was 0.7 years. Amortization of intangibles related to above or below-market leases is recorded in real estate rentals in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amortization of other intangibles is recorded in depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value.

 

The excess of the cost of an acquired business over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Our goodwill has an indeterminate life and is not amortized, but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Goodwill book value as of April 30, 2017 and 2016 was $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The annual reviews of goodwill compared the fair value of the reporting units that have been assigned goodwill to their carrying value (investment cost less accumulated depreciation), with the results for these periods indicating no impairment. In fiscal year 2017, we disposed of four commercial properties that had goodwill assigned, and as a result, approximately $103,000 of goodwill was derecognized. In fiscal year 2016, we disposed of eight commercial properties that had goodwill assigned, and as a result, approximately $196,000 of goodwill was derecognized.

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consists primarily of office equipment contained at our headquarters in Minot, North Dakota, corporate offices in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota, and additional property management offices located in the states where we own properties. The Consolidated Balance Sheets reflects these assets at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. As of April 30, 2017 and 2016, property and equipment cost was $2.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Accumulated depreciation was $1.2 million and $1.1 million as of April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and highly liquid investments purchased with maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents consist of our bank deposits and short-term investment certificates acquired subject to repurchase agreements, and our deposits in a money market mutual fund. At times, these deposits may exceed the FDIC limit.

 

LENDER HOLDBACKS

 

We have a number of mortgage loans under which the lender retains a portion of the loan proceeds or requires a deposit for the payment of construction costs or tenant improvements. The decrease of $2.7 million in lender holdbacks for improvements reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017 is due primarily to the release of loan proceeds to us upon completion of these construction and tenant improvement projects, while the increase of $903,000 represents additional amounts retained by lenders for new projects.

 

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

 

Management evaluates the appropriate amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts by assessing the recoverability of individual real estate mortgage loans and rent receivables, through a comparison of their carrying amount with their estimated realizable value. Management considers tenant financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions in establishing these allowances. Receivable balances are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of receivables previously written off, if any, are recorded when received. A summary of the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts including properties held for sale for fiscal years ended April 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

    

2015

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

946

 

$

1,156

 

$

1,044

 

Provision

 

 

499

 

 

651

 

 

967

 

Write-off

 

 

(895)

 

 

(861)

 

 

(855)

 

Balance at close of year

 

$

550

 

$

946

 

$

1,156

 

 

TAX, INSURANCE, AND OTHER ESCROW

 

Tax, insurance and other escrow includes funds deposited with a lender for payment of real estate tax and insurance, and reserves for funds to be used for replacement of structural elements and mechanical equipment of certain projects. The funds are under the control of the lender. Disbursements are made after supplying written documentation to the lender.

 

REAL ESTATE DEPOSITS

 

Real estate deposits consist of funds held in escrow to be applied toward the purchase of real estate, including from Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 exchanges, and the payment of debt costs associated with debt placement or refinancing. Real estate deposits at April 30, 2017 consisted of $23.7 million held in escrow from Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 exchanges. We had no real estate deposits at April 30, 2016.

 

DEFERRED CHARGES AND LEASING COSTS

 

Costs incurred in obtaining a line of credit are amortized to interest expense over the term of the line of credit using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. Costs and commissions incurred in obtaining tenant leases are amortized on the straight-line method over the terms of the related leases.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

We operate in a manner intended to enable us to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Under those sections, a REIT which distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, excluding capital gains, as a dividend to its shareholders each year and which meets certain other conditions will not be taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to shareholders. For the fiscal years ended April 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we distributed in excess of 90% of our taxable income and realized capital gains from property dispositions within the prescribed time limits. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates (including any alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for the four subsequent taxable years. Even as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local income and property taxes, and to federal income and excise taxes on undistributed taxable income. In general, however, if we qualify as a REIT, no provisions for federal income taxes are necessary except for taxes on undistributed REIT taxable income and taxes on the income generated by a taxable REIT subsidiary (TRS).

 

We have one TRS, acquired during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, which is subject to corporate federal and state income taxes on its taxable income at regular statutory rates. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017, we estimate that the TRS will have no taxable income. There were no income tax provisions or material deferred income tax items for our TRS for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

 

We conduct our business activity as an Umbrella Partnership Real Estate Investment Trust (“UPREIT”) through our Operating Partnership. UPREIT status allows us to accept the contribution of real estate in exchange for Units. Generally, such a contribution to a limited partnership allows for the deferral of gain by an owner of appreciated real estate.

 

Distributions for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016 were characterized, for federal income tax purposes, as 12.43% ordinary income and 87.57% capital gain. Distributions for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015 were characterized, for federal income tax purposes, as 36.28% ordinary income, 11.99% capital gain and 51.73% return of capital.

 

REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Multifamily rental properties are leased under operating leases with terms generally of one year or less. Commercial properties are leased under operating leases to tenants for various terms generally exceeding one year. Lease terms often include renewal options. Rental revenue is recognized on the straight-line basis, which averages minimum required rents over the terms of the leases. Rents recognized in advance of collection are reflected as receivable arising from straight-lining of rents, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Rent concessions, including free rent, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases.

 

Reimbursements from tenants for real estate taxes and other recoverable operating expenses are recognized as revenue in the period the applicable expenditures are incurred. We receive payments for these reimbursements from substantially all of our tenants at multi-tenant commercial properties throughout the year. A number of the commercial leases provide for a base rent plus a percentage rent based on gross sales in excess of a stipulated amount. These percentage rents are recorded once the required sales level is achieved.

 

NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

Basic net income per share is computed as net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. We have no potentially dilutive financial interests. The potential issuance of Units in exchange for common shares pursuant to the Exchange Right will have no effect on net income per share because Unitholders and common shareholders effectively share ratably in the net income of the Operating Partnership.

 

PROCEEDS FROM FINANCING LIABILITY

 

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, we sold a senior housing property in exchange for $7.9 million in cash and a $29.0 million contract for deed which matures August 1, 2018. The buyer leased the property back to us, and also granted us an option to repurchase the property at a specified price at or prior to July 31, 2018. We accounted for the transaction as a financing due to our continuing involvement with the property and recorded the $7.9 million in sales proceeds within liabilities held for sale and liabilities from discontinued operations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balance of the liability as of April 30, 2017 is $7.9 million.

 

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY

 

As discussed in the Recent Accounting Pronouncements section, effective May 1, 2016, we adopted the guidance in ASU 2015-02. As a result, the Operating Partnership and each of our less than wholly-owned real estate partnerships have been deemed to have the characteristics of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). However, we were not required to consolidate any previously unconsolidated entities or deconsolidate any previously consolidated entities as a result of the change in classification. Accordingly, there has been no change to the recognized amounts in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations or amounts reported in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. We determined that an additional six consolidated partnerships, including the Operating Partnership, are VIEs under the new standard because the limited partners are not able to exercise substantive kick-out or participating rights. We are the VIEs primary beneficiary and the partnerships are required to be consolidated on our balance sheet because we have a controlling financial interest in the VIEs, and have both the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance as well as the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. Because the Operating Partnership is a VIE, all of our assets and liabilities are held through a VIE.

 

GAIN ON BARGAIN PURCHASE

 

During fiscal year 2016, we acquired a multifamily property in Rochester, MN, which had a fair value at acquisition of approximately $36.3 million, as appraised by a third party. The consideration exchanged for the property consisted of $15.0 million cash and approximately 2.5 million Units, valued at approximately $17.8 million. The fair value of the Units transferred was based on the closing market price of our common shares on the acquisition date of $7.09 per share. The acquisition resulted in a gain on bargain purchase because the fair value of assets acquired exceeded the total of the fair value of the consideration paid by approximately $3.4 million. The seller accepted consideration below the fair value of the property in order to do a partial tax-deferred exchange for Units.