Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

9. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with the accounting guidance regarding the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities, entities are permitted to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with the change in unrealized gains and losses reported in earnings.  We did not adopt the elective fair market value option for our financial assets and financial liabilities.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.  We do not invest our cash in auction rate securities.  The carrying value and fair value of our financial instruments as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 assuming election of fair value for our financial assets and financial liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

	At March 31, 2014		At December 31, 2013
	Carrying Value	Fair Value	Carrying Value	Fair Value
Mortgage loans receivable	$167,472	$202,129(1)	$165,444	$200,248(1)
Bonds payable	1,400	1,400(2)	2,035	2,035(2)
Bank borrowings	41,000	41,000 (2)	21,000	21,000 (2)
Senior unsecured notes	251,633	259,000(3)	255,800	262,351(3)

(1) Our investment in mortgage loans receivable is classified as Level 3.  The fair value is determined using a widely accepted valuation technique, discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows.  The discount rate is determined using our assumption on market conditions adjusted for market and credit risk and current returns on our investments.  The discount rate used to value our future cash inflows of the mortgage loans receivable at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was 8.4%.

(2) Our bonds payable and bank borrowings are at a variable interest rate.  The estimated fair value of our bonds payable and bank borrowings approximated their carrying values at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 based upon prevailing market interest rates for similar debt arrangements.

(3) Our obligation under our senior unsecured notes is classified as Level 3 and thus the fair value is determined using a widely accepted valuation technique, discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows.  The discount rate is measured based upon management’s estimates of rates currently prevailing for comparable loans available to us, and instruments of comparable maturities.  At March 31, 2014, the discount rate used to value our future cash outflow of our senior unsecured notes was 3.95% for those maturing before year 2020 and 4.15% for those maturing beyond year 2020. At December 31, 2013, the discount rate used to value our future cash outflow of our senior unsecured notes was 3.95% for those maturing before year 2020 and 4.25% for those maturing beyond year 2020.