Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of our borrowings under our credit facility are reasonably estimated at their carrying value at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, due to the predominance of floating interest rates, which generally reflect market conditions, and the inclusion of the interest-rate swap agreement on our balance sheet as a liability at its estimated fair value of $1,343,000 at September 30, 2012. The fair value of our notes receivable is estimated using inputs that are considered unobservable and fall into Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. We discount future cash flows using current interest rates at which loans with similar maturities and terms would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings.

The fair value and carrying values of our mortgage notes receivable were as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Mortgages and other notes receivable	$	79,325	$	90,471	$	78,672	$	88,824

The Company has segregated all assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date in the table below.

Entities have the option to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  Entities that choose the fair value option will recognize unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option was elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  We have currently chosen not to elect the fair value option for any items that are not already required to be measured at fair value.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using the fair value hierarchy described in Note 1 are summarized below (in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2012
Description	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
Common and preferred stocks of other REITs	$	11,806		$	11,806	$	—		$	—
Interest rate swap agreement as cash flow hedge	(1,343		)	—		(1,343		)	—
	$	10,463		$	11,806	$	(1,343	)	$	—

Common and preferred stocks – The fair value of our common and preferred stock investments classified as marketable securities are derived using quoted market prices of identical securities or other observable inputs such as trading prices of identical securities in active markets.

Interest rate swap agreement – The fair value of our interest rate swap as discussed in Note 9 is determined using a valuation model based on a discounted cash flow analysis as our swap is not traded on a market exchange. The analysis reflects the contractual terms of the interest rate swap agreement and uses observable market-based inputs, including estimated future LIBOR interest rates. The fair value of our interest rate swap is the net difference in the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on the expectation of future interest rates and are observable inputs available to a market participant. The interest rate swap valuation is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, in accordance with the FASB’s guidance on Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.