Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership and their wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company also consolidates other entities in which it has a controlling financial interest or entities where it is determined to be the primary beneficiary under ASC Topic 810, "Consolidation." Under ASC Topic 810, variable interest entities ("VIEs") are generally entities that lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional financial support from other parties or whose equity holders lack adequate decision making ability. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate a VIE for financial reporting purposes. The application of ASC Topic 810 requires management to make significant estimates and judgments about the Company's and its other partners' rights, obligations and economic interests in such entities. For entities in which the Company has less than a controlling financial interest or entities where it is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary, the entities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company's share of the net earnings or losses of these entities is included in consolidated net income. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company's noncontrolling interest of common unitholders (also referred to as "Redeemable Common Units") in the operations of the Operating Partnership is calculated based on the weighted average unit ownership during the period.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue recognition

Residential properties are leased under operating leases with terms of generally one year or less. Rental revenues from residential leases are recognized on the straight-line method over the approximate life of the leases, which is generally one year. The recognition of rental revenues from residential leases when earned has historically not been materially different from rental revenues recognized on a straight-line basis.

Under the terms of residential leases, the residents of the Company's residential communities are obligated to reimburse the Company for certain utility usage, water and electricity (at selected properties), where the Company is the primary obligor to the public utility entity. These utility reimbursements from residents are reflected as other property revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.

Sales and the associated gains or losses of real estate assets and for-sale condominiums are recognized in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360-20, "Property, Plant and Equipment – Real Estate Sales." For newly developed condominiums, the Company accounts for each project under either the "Deposit Method" or the "Percentage of Completion Method," based on a specific evaluation of the factors specified in ASC Topic 360-20. The factors used to determine the appropriate accounting method are the legal commitment of the purchaser in the real estate contract, whether the construction of the project is beyond a preliminary phase, whether sufficient units have been contracted to ensure the project will not revert to a rental project, the ability to reasonably estimate the aggregate project sale proceeds and aggregate project costs and the determination that the buyer has made an adequate initial and continuing cash investment under the contract in accordance with ASC Topic 360-20. As of December 31, 2011, all condominium communities are accounted for under the Deposit Method. Under ASC Topic 360-20, the Company uses the relative sales value method to allocate costs and recognize profits from condominium sales. Under the relative sales value method, estimates of aggregate project revenues and aggregate project costs are used to determine the allocation of project cost of sales and the resulting profit in each accounting period. In subsequent periods, cumulative project cost of sale allocations and the resulting profits are adjusted to reflect changes in the actual and estimated costs and revenues of each project.

Cost Capitalization

Cost capitalization

The Company capitalizes those expenditures relating to the acquisition of new assets, the development and construction of new apartment and condominium communities, the enhancement of the value of existing assets and those expenditures that substantially extend the life of existing assets. Annually recurring capital expenditures are expenditures of a type that are expected to be incurred on an annual basis during the life of an apartment community, such as carpet, appliances and flooring. Periodically recurring capital expenditures are expenditures that generally occur less frequently than on an annual basis, such as major exterior projects relating to landscaping and structural improvements. Revenue generating capital expenditures are expenditures for the rehabilitation of communities and other property upgrade costs that enhance the rental value of such communities. All other expenditures necessary to maintain a community in ordinary operating condition are expensed as incurred. Additionally, for new development communities, carpet, vinyl, and blind replacements are expensed as incurred during the first five years (which corresponds to their estimated depreciable life). Thereafter, these replacements are capitalized and depreciated. The Company expenses as incurred interior and exterior painting of its operating communities, unless those communities are under rehabilitation or major remediation.

For communities under development or rehabilitation, the Company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes, and certain internal personnel and associated costs associated with the development and construction activity. Interest is capitalized to projects under development or construction based upon the weighted average cumulative project costs for each month multiplied by the Company's weighted average borrowing costs, expressed as a percentage. Weighted average borrowing costs include the costs of the Company's fixed rate secured and unsecured borrowings and the variable rate unsecured borrowings under its line of credit facilities. The weighted average borrowing costs, expressed as a percentage, were 6.0%, 6.3% and 6.3% for 2011, 2010 and 2009. Internal development and construction personnel and associated costs are capitalized to projects under development or construction based upon the effort associated with such projects. Aggregate internal development and construction personnel and associated costs capitalized to projects under development or construction were $2,854, $719, and $3,889 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company treats each unit in an apartment community separately for cost accumulation, capitalization and expense recognition purposes. Prior to the completion of rental and condominium units, interest and other construction costs are capitalized and reflected on the balance sheet as construction in progress. The Company ceases the capitalization of such costs as the residential units in a community become substantially complete and available for occupancy or sale. This results in a proration of costs between amounts that are capitalized and expensed as the residential units in apartment and condominium development communities become available for occupancy or sale. In addition, prior to the completion of rental units, the Company expenses as incurred substantially all operating expenses (including pre-opening marketing as well as property management and leasing personnel expenses) of such rental communities. Prior to the completion and closing of condominium units, the Company expenses all sales and marketing costs related to such units.

For cash flow statement purposes, the Company classifies capital expenditures for developed condominium communities and for condominium conversion communities in investing activities in the caption titled, "Construction and acquisition of real estate assets." Likewise, the proceeds from the sales of such condominiums are included in investing activities in the caption titled, "Net proceeds from sales of real estate assets."

Real Estate Assets, Depreciation And Impairment

Real estate assets, depreciation and impairment

Real estate assets are stated at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value, if deemed impaired. Major replacements and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the useful lives of the properties (buildings and components, – 40 years; other building and land improvements – 20 years; furniture, fixtures and equipment – 5-10 years).

The Company continually evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its real estate assets using the methodology prescribed in ASC Topic 360, "Property, Plant and Equipment." Factors considered by management in evaluating impairment of its existing real estate assets held for investment include significant declines in property operating profits, annually recurring property operating losses and other significant adverse changes in general market conditions that are considered permanent in nature. Under ASC Topic 360, a real estate asset held for investment is not considered impaired if the undiscounted, estimated future cash flows of an asset (both the annual estimated cash flow from future operations and the estimated cash flow from the theoretical sale of the asset) over its estimated holding period are in excess of the asset's net book value at the balance sheet date. If any real estate asset held for investment is considered impaired, a loss is provided to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. In addition, for-sale condominium units completed and ready for their intended use are evaluated for impairment using the methodology for assets held for sale (using discounted projected future cash flows).

The Company periodically classifies real estate assets as held for sale. An asset is classified as held for sale after the approval of the Company's board of directors and after an active program to sell the asset has commenced. Upon the classification of a real estate asset as held for sale, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to the lower of its net book value or its estimated fair value, less costs to sell the asset. Subsequent to the classification of assets as held for sale, no further depreciation expense is recorded. Real estate assets held for sale are stated separately on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Upon a decision to no longer market an asset for sale, the asset is classified as an operating asset and depreciation expense is reinstated. As of December 31, 2011, there were no consolidated real estate assets held for sale.

For condominium communities, the operating results and associated gains and losses are reflected in continuing operations (see discussion under "revenue recognition" above), and the net book value of the condominium assets is reflected separately on the consolidated balance sheet in the caption titled, "For-sale condominiums."

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements

The Company applies the guidance in ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," to the valuation of real estate assets recorded at fair value, if any, to its impairment valuation analysis of real estate assets, to its disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments, principally indebtedness and to its derivative financial instruments. Fair value disclosures required under ASC Topic 820 are summarized in note 14 utilizing the following hierarchy:

• Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

• Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

• Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the assets or liability.

Long-Term Ground Leases

Long-term ground leases

The Company is party to various long-term ground leases associated with land underlying certain of the Company's apartment communities. The ground leases generally provide for future increases in minimum lease payments tied to an inflation index or contain stated rent increases that generally compensate for the impact of inflation. Ground lease expense is recognized on the straight-line method over the life of the leases that contain stated rent increases.

Apartment Community Acquisitions

Apartment community acquisitions

The Company accounts for its apartment community acquisitions in accordance with ASC Topic 805, "Business Combinations." In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 805, the aggregate purchase price of apartment community acquisitions is allocated to the tangible assets and liabilities (including mortgage indebtedness, if any) as well as the intangible assets acquired in each transaction based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. In determining the acquisition date fair value of the component assets and liabilities, the Company uses independent market data, internal analysis of comparable communities, relevant historical data from the acquired community as well as other market data. The acquired tangible assets, principally land, building and improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment are reflected in real estate assets, and such assets, excluding land, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The acquired intangible assets, principally above/below market leases and in-place leases are reflected in other assets and amortized over the average remaining lease terms of the acquired leases (generally 6 to 12 months for residential leases and 5 to 10 years for retail leases). The legal, professional and other expenses associated with acquisition related activities are expensed as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the fair value method prescribed by ASC Topic 505, "Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees," and ASC Topic 718, "Compensation – Stock Compensation." This guidance requires the Company to expense the fair value of employee stock options and other forms of stock-based compensation.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments at fair value under the provisions of ASC Topic 815, "Derivatives and Hedging." The Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swap arrangements to manage or hedge its exposure to interest rates changes. Under ASC Topic 815, derivative instruments qualifying as hedges of specific cash flows are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with an offsetting increase or decrease to accumulated other comprehensive income, an equity account, until the hedged transactions are recognized in earnings. Quarterly, the Company evaluates the effectiveness of its cash flow hedges. Any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized immediately in earnings.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

All investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash

Restricted cash is generally comprised of resident security deposits for apartment communities located in Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and New York and earnest money and escrow deposits associated with the Company's for-sale condominium business.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs

Deferred financing costs are amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the interest method, over the terms of the related indebtedness.

Per Share And Per Unit Data

Per share and per unit data

The Company and Operating Partnership report both basic and diluted earnings per share and per unit, respectively, as prescribed by ASC Topic 260, "Earnings Per Share." The guidance also requires entities with participating securities that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends, like the Company's unvested share-based payment awards (see note 10), to use the two-class method for computing basic and dilutive earnings per share and unit. Under the two-class method earnings (losses) are allocated to each class of common stock and to participating securities according to the dividends paid or declared and the relative participation of such securities to remaining undistributed earnings (losses).

Basic earnings per common share and earnings per common unit are computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of common shares or units outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common unit are computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of common shares or units and common share or unit equivalents outstanding during the year, which are computed using the treasury stock method for outstanding stock options. Common share and unit equivalents are excluded from the computations in years in which they have an antidilutive effect. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share and basic and diluted earnings per common unit for income from continuing operations is detailed in notes 6 and 7 for the Company and the Operating Partnership, respectively.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests

The Company accounts for noncontrolling interests in accordance with ASC Topic 810, "Consolidation." ASC Topic 810, in conjunction with other existing GAAP, established criterion used to evaluate the characteristics of noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities to determine whether noncontrolling interests are classified and accounted for as permanent equity or "temporary" equity (presented between liabilities and permanent equity on the consolidated balance sheet). ASC Topic 810 also clarified the treatment of noncontrolling interests with redemption provisions. If a noncontrolling interest has a redemption feature that permits the issuer to settle in either cash or common shares at the option of the issuer but the equity settlement feature is deemed to be outside of the control of the issuer, then those noncontrolling interests are classified as "temporary" equity. The Company currently has two types of noncontrolling interests, (1) noncontrolling interests related to the common unitholders of its Operating Partnership and (2) noncontrolling interests related to its consolidated real estate entities (see note 5).

The Company accounts for the redemption of noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership in exchange for shares of company common stock at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 810. These transactions result in a reduction in the noncontrolling interest of common unitholders in the Operating Partnership and a corresponding increase in equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at the date of conversion. In accordance with guidance in ASC Topic 810 the noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership is carried at the greater of its redemption value or net book value.

Use Of Estimates

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental cash flow information

Supplemental cash flow information for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Interest paid, including interest capitalized	$	60,447		$	60,589		$	66,016
Income tax payments (refunds), net		386			(1,100	)		2,024
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Dividends and distributions payable		11,692			9,814			9,724
Conversions of redeemable common units		547			74			772
Common stock 401k matching contribution		655			700			-
Construction cost accruals, increase (decrease)		1,475			(5,324	)		(7,131	)
Adjustments to redeemable common units, net		(1,270	)		(3,041	)		61
Other non-cash losses, net - derivative financial instruments		-			-			945
Distribution from and consolidation of assets and liabilities of unconsolidated entities:
For-sale condominium and other assets		-			27,343			-
Land and other assets		-			-			9,658
Cash		-			28			248
Indebtedness		-			44,553			8,153
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		-			3,029			192
Noncontrolling interests		-			-			1,560