ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Organization

Organization

Post Properties, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries develop, own and manage upscale multi-family apartment communities in selected markets in the United States. The Company through its wholly-owned subsidiaries is the sole general partner, a limited partner and owns a majority interest in Post Apartment Homes, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), a Georgia limited partnership. The Operating Partnership, through its operating divisions and subsidiaries conducts substantially all of the on-going operations of the Company, a publicly traded corporation which operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). As used herein, the term “Company” includes Post Properties, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Post Apartment Homes, L.P., unless the context indicates otherwise.

The Company has elected to qualify and operate as a self-administrated and self-managed REIT for federal income tax purposes. A REIT is a legal entity which holds real estate interests and is generally not subject to federal income tax on the income it distributes to its shareholders. The Operating Partnership is governed under the provisions of a limited partnership agreement, as amended. Under the provisions of the limited partnership agreement, as amended, Operating Partnership net profits, net losses and cash flow (after allocations to preferred ownership interests) are allocated to the partners in proportion to their common ownership interests. Cash distributions from the Operating Partnership shall be, at a minimum, sufficient to enable the Company to satisfy its annual dividend requirements to maintain its REIT status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

At September 30, 2014, the Company had interests in 22,650 apartment units in 58 communities, including 1,471 apartment units in four communities held in unconsolidated entities and 1,592 apartment units in five communities currently under development or in lease-up. At September 30, 2014, approximately 29.8%, 22.4%, 13.8% and 10.0% (on a unit basis) of the Company’s operating communities were located in the Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, the greater Washington, D.C. and Tampa, Florida metropolitan areas, respectively.

At September 30, 2014, the Company had outstanding 54,461 shares of common stock and owned the same number of units of common limited partnership interests (“Common Units”) in the Operating Partnership, representing a 99.8% ownership interest in the Operating Partnership. Common Units held by persons other than the Company totaled 121 at September 30, 2014 and represented a 0.2% common minority interest in the Operating Partnership. Each Common Unit may be redeemed by the holder thereof for either one share of Company common stock or cash equal to the fair market value thereof at the time of redemption, at the option, but outside the control, of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership presently anticipates that it will cause shares of common stock to be issued in connection with each such redemption rather than paying cash (as has been done in all redemptions to date). With each redemption of outstanding Common Units for Company common stock, the Company’s percentage ownership interest in the Operating Partnership will increase. In addition, whenever the Company issues shares of common stock, the Company will contribute any net proceeds therefrom to the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership will issue an equivalent number of Common Units to the Company. The Company’s weighted average common ownership interest in the Operating Partnership was 99.8% and 99.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Basis of presentation

Basis of presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared by the Company’s management in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normally recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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 were recognized in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360-20, “Property, Plant and Equipment – Real Estate Sales.” In periods prior to the sale of the Company’s final condominium unit in the first quarter of 2014, the Company recognized condominium sales under the deposit method based on an evaluation of the factors specified in ASC Topic 360-20. The Company has no remaining investments in condominium communities. Under ASC Topic 360-20, the Company used 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 were 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 were adjusted to reflect changes in the actual and estimated costs and revenues of each project.

Cost capitalization

Cost capitalization

For communities under development or construction, 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 4.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Aggregate interest costs capitalized to projects under development or construction were $745 and $1,026 for the three months and $2,345 and $3,122 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 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 $784 and $737 for the three months and $1,785 and $2,163 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, 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 development communities become available for occupancy. 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.

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.

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 September 30, 2014, the Company had no apartment communities classified as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet.

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 measures derivative financial instruments subject to master netting agreements on a net basis. The Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swap arrangements to manage or hedge its exposure to interest rate 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 is recognized immediately in earnings.

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 8 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.

Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements

Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements (discontinued operations)

In May 2014, Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” was issued. This new guidance establishes a single comprehensive revenue recognition model under U.S. GAAP and provides for enhanced disclosures. Under this new guidance, the amount of revenue recognized for certain transactions could differ from amounts recognized under existing accounting guidance and could also result in recognition in different reporting periods. Also, the provisions of ASU 2014-09 exclude revenue recognition regarding lease contracts. The new guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company expects to adopt ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact that this new guidance may have on its results of operations.

In April 2014, Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08 (“ASU 2014-08”), “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of Entity” was issued. This guidance amends ASC Topics 360 and 205 and changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity shall 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. The new guidance also modifies the disclosure requirements for disposals reported as discontinued operations and for other significant disposals not reported as discontinued operations. Generally, the new guidance will result in fewer asset disposals being reported as discontinued operations in the Company’s financial statements. ASU 2014-08 is to be applied prospectively for periods on or after December 31, 2014 with early adoption permitted, but only for assets held for sale or sold that have not been reported in previously issued financial statements. The Company early adopted ASU 2014-08, effective as of January 1, 2014 (see note 2).