10-Q 1 q11210-q.htm FORM 10-Q Q1' 12 10-Q


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended MARCH 31, 2012

OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                 to                

Commission File Number: 1-12252 (Equity Residential)
Commission File Number: 0-24920 (ERP Operating Limited Partnership)


EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland (Equity Residential)
13-3675988 (Equity Residential)
Illinois (ERP Operating Limited Partnership)
36-3894853 (ERP Operating Limited Partnership)
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
Two North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 474-1300
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Equity Residential Yes x    No ¨
ERP Operating Limited Partnership Yes x      No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Equity Residential Yes x    No ¨
ERP Operating Limited Partnership Yes x      No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Equity Residential:
 
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨
ERP Operating Limited Partnership:
 
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 
Equity Residential Yes ¨    No x
ERP Operating Limited Partnership Yes ¨      No x 
The number of EQR Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value, outstanding on April 26, 2012 was 300,624,108.






EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012 of Equity Residential and ERP Operating Limited Partnership. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to “EQR” mean Equity Residential, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”), and references to “ERPOP” mean ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean collectively EQR, ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by EQR and/or ERPOP. References to the “Operating Partnership” mean collectively ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ERPOP. The following chart illustrates the Company's and the Operating Partnership's corporate structure:
EQR is the general partner of, and as of March 31, 2012 owned an approximate 95.7% ownership interest in, ERPOP. The remaining 4.3% interest is owned by limited partners. As the sole general partner of ERPOP, EQR has exclusive control of ERPOP's day-to-day management.

The Company is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT (“UPREIT”) and contributes all net proceeds from its various equity offerings to the Operating Partnership. In return for those contributions, the Company receives a number of OP Units (see definition below) in the Operating Partnership equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering. Contributions of properties to the Company can be structured as tax-deferred transactions through the issuance of OP Units in the Operating Partnership, which is one of the reasons why the Company is structured in the manner shown above. Based on the terms of ERPOP's partnership agreement, OP Units can be exchanged with Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The Company maintains a one-for-one relationship between the OP Units of the Operating Partnership issued to EQR and the Common Shares issued to the public.
    
The Company believes that combining the reports on Form 10-Q of EQR and ERPOP into this single report provides the following benefits:

enhances investors' understanding of the Company and the Operating Partnership by enabling investors to view the business as a whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business;

eliminates duplicative disclosure and provides a more streamlined and readable presentation since a substantial portion of the disclosure applies to both the Company and the Operating Partnership; and

creates time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports.

Management operates the Company and the Operating Partnership as one business. The management of EQR consists of the same members as the management of ERPOP.

The Company believes it is important to understand the few differences between EQR and ERPOP in the context of how EQR and ERPOP operate as a consolidated company. All of the Company's property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and EQR has no material assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. EQR's primary function is acting as the general partner of ERPOP. EQR also issues public equity from time to time and guarantees certain debt of ERPOP, as disclosed in this report. EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company's ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a





partnership with no publicly traded equity. Except for the net proceeds from equity offerings by the Company, which are contributed to the capital of the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis), the Operating Partnership generates all remaining capital required by the Company's business. These sources include the Operating Partnership's working capital, net cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under its revolving credit facility, the issuance of secured and unsecured debt and equity securities, including additional OP Units, and proceeds received from disposition of certain properties and joint ventures.

Shareholders' equity, partners' capital and noncontrolling interests are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of the Company and those of the Operating Partnership. The limited partners of the Operating Partnership are accounted for as partners' capital in the Operating Partnership's financial statements and as noncontrolling interests in the Company's financial statements. The noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership's financial statements include the interests of unaffiliated partners in various consolidated partnerships and development joint venture partners. The noncontrolling interests in the Company's financial statements include the same noncontrolling interests at the Operating Partnership level and limited partner OP Unit holders of the Operating Partnership. The differences between shareholders' equity and partners' capital result from differences in the equity issued at the Company and Operating Partnership levels.

To help investors understand the significant differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report provides separate consolidated financial statements for the Company and the Operating Partnership; a single set of consolidated notes to such financial statements that includes separate discussions of each entity's debt, noncontrolling interests and shareholders' equity or partners' capital, as applicable; and a combined Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section that includes discrete information related to each entity.

This report also includes separate Part I, Item 4. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibits 31 and 32 certifications for each of the Company and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the requisite certifications have been made and that the Company and the Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. §1350.

 
In order to highlight the differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, the separate sections in this report for the Company and the Operating Partnership specifically refer to the Company and the Operating Partnership. In the sections that combine disclosure of the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report refers to actions or holdings as being actions or holdings of the Company. Although the Operating Partnership is generally the entity that directly or indirectly enters into contracts and joint ventures and holds assets and debt, reference to the Company is appropriate because the Company is one business and the Company operates that business through the Operating Partnership.

 
As general partner with control of the Operating Partnership, the Company consolidates the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes, and EQR essentially has no assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of the Company and the Operating Partnership are the same on their respective financial statements. The separate discussions of the Company and the Operating Partnership in this report should be read in conjunction with each other to understand the results of the Company on a consolidated basis and how management operates the Company.







TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
PAGE
PART I.
 
 
 
Item 1. Financial Statements of Equity Residential:
 
 
 
      Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
2
 
 
      Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters ended
            March 31, 2012 and 2011
3 to 4
 
 
      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarters ended
            March 31, 2012 and 2011
5 to 7
 
 
      Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the quarter ended
            March 31, 2012
8 to 9
 
 
         Financial Statements of ERP Operating Limited Partnership:
 
 
 
      Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
10
 
 
      Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters ended
            March 31, 2012 and 2011
11 to 12
 
 
      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarters ended
            March 31, 2012 and 2011
13 to 15
 
 
      Consolidated Statement of Changes in Capital for the quarter ended
            March 31, 2012
16 to 17
 
 
         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Equity Residential and ERP
                Operating Limited Partnership
18 to 37
 
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
                       and Results of Operations
38 to 56
 
 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
56
 
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
56
 
 
PART II.
 
 
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
57
 
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
57
 
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
57
 
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
57
 
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
57
 
 
Item 5. Other Information
57
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits
57





EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands except for share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
4,384,200

 
$
4,367,816

Depreciable property
 
15,606,315

 
15,554,740

Projects under development
 
185,621

 
160,190

Land held for development
 
360,955

 
325,200

Investment in real estate
 
20,537,091

 
20,407,946

Accumulated depreciation
 
(4,658,994
)
 
(4,539,583
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
15,878,097

 
15,868,363

Cash and cash equivalents
 
219,628

 
383,921

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
14,803

 
12,327

Deposits – restricted
 
182,182

 
152,237

Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
11,428

 
10,692

Deferred financing costs, net
 
45,861

 
44,608

Other assets
 
129,248

 
187,155

Total assets
 
$
16,481,247

 
$
16,659,303

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
4,056,976

 
$
4,111,487

Notes, net
 
5,355,590

 
5,609,574

Lines of credit
 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
77,055

 
35,206

Accrued interest payable
 
79,489

 
88,121

Other liabilities
 
261,448

 
291,289

Security deposits
 
65,468

 
65,286

Distributions payable
 
109,043

 
179,079

Total liabilities
 
10,005,069

 
10,380,042

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
457,224

 
416,404

Equity:
 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
     100,000,000 shares authorized; 1,600,000 shares issued and outstanding as of
     March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
 
200,000

 
200,000

Common Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
     1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 300,522,169 shares issued and outstanding as of
     March 31, 2012 and 297,508,185 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011
 
3,005

 
2,975

Paid in capital
 
5,152,975

 
5,047,186

Retained earnings
 
656,001

 
615,572

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 
(189,973
)
 
(196,718
)
Total shareholders’ equity
 
5,822,008

 
5,669,015

Noncontrolling Interests:
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership
 
123,031

 
119,536

Partially Owned Properties
 
73,915

 
74,306

Total Noncontrolling Interests
 
196,946

 
193,842

Total equity
 
6,018,954

 
5,862,857

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
16,481,247

 
$
16,659,303


See accompanying notes
2



EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
525,595

 
$
464,550

Fee and asset management
 
2,064

 
1,806

Total revenues
 
527,659

 
466,356

 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
112,379

 
105,047

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
55,987

 
52,139

Property management
 
23,409

 
22,381

Fee and asset management
 
1,307

 
948

Depreciation
 
174,737

 
158,455

General and administrative
 
13,688

 
11,433

Total expenses
 
381,507

 
350,403

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
146,152

 
115,953

 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
172

 
1,011

Other expenses
 
(7,067
)
 
(2,160
)
Interest:
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(118,703
)
 
(120,528
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(2,974
)
 
(3,005
)
Income (loss) before income and other taxes and discontinued
   operations
 
17,580

 
(8,729
)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(191
)
 
(184
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
17,389

 
(8,913
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
134,778

 
141,979

Net income
 
152,167

 
133,066

Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests:
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership
 
(6,418
)
 
(5,775
)
Partially Owned Properties
 
(450
)
 
40

Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
145,299

 
127,331

Preferred distributions
 
(3,466
)
 
(3,466
)
Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
141,833

 
$
123,865

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
0.04

 
$
(0.04
)
Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.42

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding
 
298,805

 
292,895

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
0.04

 
$
(0.04
)
Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.42

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding
 
315,230

 
292,895

 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Common Share outstanding
 
$
0.3375

 
$
0.3375







See accompanying notes
3



EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
152,167

 
$
133,066

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income – derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period
 
3,218

 
6,082

Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
3,563

 
956

Other comprehensive (loss) income – other instruments:
 

 

Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period
 
(36
)
 
146

Other comprehensive income
 
6,745

 
7,184

Comprehensive income
 
158,912

 
140,250

Comprehensive (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(6,868
)
 
(5,735
)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
152,044

 
$
134,515



See accompanying notes
4



EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
152,167

 
$
133,066

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
175,108

 
169,363

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
2,974

 
3,074

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt
 
(1,567
)
 
373

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments
 
3,429

 
822

Write-off of pursuit costs
 
1,034

 
1,683

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital
 
89

 
41

Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 
(132,956
)
 
(123,754
)
Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments
 
(1
)
 

Compensation paid with Company Common Shares
 
8,968

 
6,524

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in deposits – restricted
 
(2,768
)
 
1,557

Decrease in other assets
 
12,262

 
5,771

Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
41,616

 
44,531

(Decrease) in accrued interest payable
 
(8,632
)
 
(26,659
)
(Decrease) in other liabilities
 
(16,878
)
 
(28,836
)
Increase (decrease) in security deposits
 
182

 
(28
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
235,027

 
187,528

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate – acquisitions
 
(183,112
)
 
(123,868
)
Investment in real estate – development/other
 
(35,876
)
 
(29,840
)
Improvements to real estate
 
(30,225
)
 
(29,891
)
Additions to non-real estate property
 
(2,229
)
 
(2,677
)
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development
 
(4,996
)
 
(1,700
)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net
 
204,272

 
258,212

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(2,396
)
 
(366
)
(Increase) in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net
 
(27,386
)
 
(107,878
)
(Increase) decrease in mortgage deposits
 
(736
)
 
506

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 

 
(504
)
Net cash (used for) investing activities
 
(82,684
)
 
(38,006
)














See accompanying notes
5



EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Loan and bond acquisition costs
 
$
(4,227
)
 
$
(223
)
Mortgage notes payable:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds
 

 
707

Restricted cash
 
209

 
(22,297
)
Lump sum payoffs
 
(47,800
)
 
(200,733
)
Scheduled principal repayments
 
(3,970
)
 
(4,223
)
Notes, net:
 
 
 
 
Lump sum payoffs
 
(253,858
)
 
(93,096
)
Proceeds from sale of Common Shares
 
152,058

 
154,508

Proceeds from Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
4,210

 
2,742

Proceeds from exercise of options
 
18,938

 
32,719

Payment of offering costs
 
(1,887
)
 
(2,352
)
Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
921

 

Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
5

 

Distributions:
 
 
 
 
Common Shares
 
(168,350
)
 
(132,655
)
Preferred Shares
 
(3,466
)
 
(3,466
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
(7,657
)
 
(6,225
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(1,762
)
 
(264
)
Net cash (used for) financing activities
 
(316,636
)
 
(274,858
)
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(164,293
)
 
(125,336
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
383,921

 
431,408

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
219,628

 
$
306,072

 























See accompanying notes
6



EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
125,435

 
$
146,514

Net cash paid for income and other taxes
 
$
560

 
$
341

Real estate acquisitions/dispositions/other:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans assumed
 
$

 
$
26,900

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
(2,153
)
 
$
(1,858
)
Notes, net
 
$
586

 
$
2,231

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(134
)
 
$
(134
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
3,563

 
$
956

Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
1,300

 
$
810

Mortgage notes payable
 
$
(588
)
 
$
(144
)
Notes, net
 
$
(712
)
 
$
(1,348
)
Other liabilities
 
$
(3,219
)
 
$
(5,400
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
3,218

 
$
6,082

Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
(4,827
)
 
$
(1,659
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(169
)
 
$
(41
)
Other:
 
 
 
 
Receivable on sale of Common Shares
 
$
28,457

 
$


See accompanying notes
7



EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2012
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
PREFERRED SHARES
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
200,000

Balance, end of period
$
200,000

 
 
COMMON SHARES, $0.01 PAR VALUE
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
2,975

Issuance of Common Shares
21

Exercise of share options
7

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
1

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
Restricted shares
1

Balance, end of period
$
3,005

 
 
PAID IN CAPITAL
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
5,047,186

Common Share Issuance:
 
Conversion of OP Units into Common Shares
1,085

Issuance of Common Shares
123,580

Exercise of share options
18,931

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
4,209

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
Restricted shares
2,709

Share options
4,092

ESPP discount
743

Offering costs
(1,887
)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
(6,292
)
Change in market value of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
(37,603
)
Adjustment for Noncontrolling Interests ownership in Operating Partnership
(3,778
)
Balance, end of period
$
5,152,975

 
 
RETAINED EARNINGS
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
615,572

Net income attributable to controlling interests
145,299

Common Share distributions
(101,404
)
Preferred Share distributions
(3,466
)
Balance, end of period
$
656,001

 









See accompanying notes
8



EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2012
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (continued)
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
(196,718
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income – derivative instruments:
 
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period
3,218

Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
3,563

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) – other instruments:
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
(36
)
Balance, end of period
$
(189,973
)
 
 
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
 
 
 
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
119,536

Issuance of LTIP Units to Noncontrolling Interests
5

Conversion of OP Units held by Noncontrolling Interests into OP Units held by General Partner
(1,085
)
Equity compensation associated with Noncontrolling Interests
2,163

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
6,418

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
(4,567
)
Change in carrying value of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
(3,217
)
Adjustment for Noncontrolling Interests ownership in Operating Partnership
3,778

Balance, end of period
$
123,031

 
 
PARTIALLY OWNED PROPERTIES
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
74,306

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
450

Contributions by Noncontrolling Interests
921

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
(1,762
)
Balance, end of period
$
73,915


See accompanying notes
9



ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
4,384,200

 
$
4,367,816

Depreciable property
 
15,606,315

 
15,554,740

Projects under development
 
185,621

 
160,190

Land held for development
 
360,955

 
325,200

Investment in real estate
 
20,537,091

 
20,407,946

Accumulated depreciation
 
(4,658,994
)
 
(4,539,583
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
15,878,097

 
15,868,363

Cash and cash equivalents
 
219,628

 
383,921

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
14,803

 
12,327

Deposits – restricted
 
182,182

 
152,237

Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
11,428

 
10,692

Deferred financing costs, net
 
45,861

 
44,608

Other assets
 
129,248

 
187,155

Total assets
 
$
16,481,247

 
$
16,659,303

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
4,056,976

 
$
4,111,487

Notes, net
 
5,355,590

 
5,609,574

Lines of credit
 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
77,055

 
35,206

Accrued interest payable
 
79,489

 
88,121

Other liabilities
 
261,448

 
291,289

Security deposits
 
65,468

 
65,286

Distributions payable
 
109,043

 
179,079

Total liabilities
 
10,005,069

 
10,380,042

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Limited Partners
 
457,224

 
416,404

Capital:
 
 
 
 
Partners’ Capital:
 
 
 
 
Preference Units
 
200,000

 
200,000

General Partner
 
5,811,981

 
5,665,733

Limited Partners
 
123,031

 
119,536

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 
(189,973
)
 
(196,718
)
Total partners’ capital
 
5,945,039

 
5,788,551

Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
73,915

 
74,306

Total capital
 
6,018,954

 
5,862,857

Total liabilities and capital
 
$
16,481,247

 
$
16,659,303



See accompanying notes
10



ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands except per Unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
525,595

 
$
464,550

Fee and asset management
 
2,064

 
1,806

Total revenues
 
527,659

 
466,356

 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
112,379

 
105,047

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
55,987

 
52,139

Property management
 
23,409

 
22,381

Fee and asset management
 
1,307

 
948

Depreciation
 
174,737

 
158,455

General and administrative
 
13,688

 
11,433

Total expenses
 
381,507

 
350,403

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
146,152

 
115,953

 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
172

 
1,011

Other expenses
 
(7,067
)
 
(2,160
)
Interest:
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(118,703
)
 
(120,528
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(2,974
)
 
(3,005
)
Income (loss) before income and other taxes and discontinued
   operations
 
17,580

 
(8,729
)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(191
)
 
(184
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
17,389

 
(8,913
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
134,778

 
141,979

Net income
 
152,167

 
133,066

Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(450
)
 
40

Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
151,717

 
$
133,106

 
 
 
 
 
ALLOCATION OF NET INCOME:
 
 
 
 
Preference Units
 
$
3,466

 
$
3,466

 
 
 
 
 
General Partner
 
$
141,833

 
$
123,865

Limited Partners
 
6,418

 
5,775

Net income available to Units
 
$
148,251

 
$
129,640

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Unit – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
0.04

 
$
(0.04
)
Net income available to Units
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.42

Weighted average Units outstanding
 
312,011

 
306,248

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Unit – diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
0.04

 
$
(0.04
)
Net income available to Units
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.42

Weighted average Units outstanding
 
315,230

 
306,248

 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Unit outstanding
 
$
0.3375

 
$
0.3375

 




See accompanying notes
11



ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands except per Unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
152,167

 
$
133,066

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income – derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period
 
3,218

 
6,082

Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
3,563

 
956

Other comprehensive (loss) income – other instruments:
 

 

Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period
 
(36
)
 
146

Other comprehensive income
 
6,745

 
7,184

Comprehensive income
 
158,912

 
140,250

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests –
   Partially Owned Properties
 
(450
)
 
40

Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
158,462

 
$
140,290


See accompanying notes
12



ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
152,167

 
$
133,066

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
175,108

 
169,363

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
2,974

 
3,074

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt
 
(1,567
)
 
373

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments
 
3,429

 
822

Write-off of pursuit costs
 
1,034

 
1,683

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital
 
89

 
41

Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 
(132,956
)
 
(123,754
)
Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments
 
(1
)
 

Compensation paid with Company Common Shares
 
8,968

 
6,524

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in deposits – restricted
 
(2,768
)
 
1,557

Decrease in other assets
 
12,262

 
5,771

Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
41,616

 
44,531

(Decrease) in accrued interest payable
 
(8,632
)
 
(26,659
)
(Decrease) in other liabilities
 
(16,878
)
 
(28,836
)
Increase (decrease) in security deposits
 
182

 
(28
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
235,027

 
187,528

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate – acquisitions
 
(183,112
)
 
(123,868
)
Investment in real estate – development/other
 
(35,876
)
 
(29,840
)
Improvements to real estate
 
(30,225
)
 
(29,891
)
Additions to non-real estate property
 
(2,229
)
 
(2,677
)
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development
 
(4,996
)
 
(1,700
)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net
 
204,272

 
258,212

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(2,396
)
 
(366
)
(Increase) in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net
 
(27,386
)
 
(107,878
)
(Increase) decrease in mortgage deposits
 
(736
)
 
506

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 

 
(504
)
Net cash (used for) investing activities
 
(82,684
)
 
(38,006
)
 













See accompanying notes
13



ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Loan and bond acquisition costs
 
$
(4,227
)
 
$
(223
)
Mortgage notes payable:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds
 

 
707

Restricted cash
 
209

 
(22,297
)
Lump sum payoffs
 
(47,800
)
 
(200,733
)
Scheduled principal repayments
 
(3,970
)
 
(4,223
)
Notes, net:
 
 
 
 
Lump sum payoffs
 
(253,858
)
 
(93,096
)
Proceeds from sale of OP Units
 
152,058

 
154,508

Proceeds from EQR’s Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
4,210

 
2,742

Proceeds from exercise of EQR options
 
18,938

 
32,719

Payment of offering costs
 
(1,887
)
 
(2,352
)
Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
921

 

Contributions – Limited Partners
 
5

 

Distributions:
 
 
 
 
OP Units – General Partner
 
(168,350
)
 
(132,655
)
Preference Units
 
(3,466
)
 
(3,466
)
OP Units – Limited Partners
 
(7,657
)
 
(6,225
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(1,762
)
 
(264
)
Net cash (used for) financing activities
 
(316,636
)
 
(274,858
)
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(164,293
)
 
(125,336
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
383,921

 
431,408

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
219,628

 
$
306,072

 























See accompanying notes
14



ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
125,435

 
$
146,514

Net cash paid for income and other taxes
 
$
560

 
$
341

Real estate acquisitions/dispositions/other:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans assumed
 
$

 
$
26,900

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
(2,153
)
 
$
(1,858
)
Notes, net
 
$
586

 
$
2,231

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(134
)
 
$
(134
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
3,563

 
$
956

Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
1,300

 
$
810

Mortgage notes payable
 
$
(588
)
 
$
(144
)
Notes, net
 
$
(712
)
 
$
(1,348
)
Other liabilities
 
$
(3,219
)
 
$
(5,400
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
3,218

 
$
6,082

Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
(4,827
)
 
$
(1,659
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(169
)
 
$
(41
)
Other:
 
 
 
 
Receivable on sale of OP Units
 
$
28,457

 
$


See accompanying notes
15



ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2012
PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
 
 
 
PREFERENCE UNITS
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
200,000

Balance, end of period
$
200,000

 
 
GENERAL PARTNER
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
5,665,733

OP Unit Issuance:
 
Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into OP Units held by General Partner
1,085

Issuance of OP Units
123,601

Exercise of EQR share options
18,938

EQR’s Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
4,210

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
EQR restricted shares
2,710

EQR share options
4,092

EQR ESPP discount
743

Offering costs
(1,887
)
Net income available to Units – General Partner
141,833

OP Units – General Partner distributions
(101,404
)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
(6,292
)
Change in market value of Redeemable Limited Partners
(37,603
)
Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership
(3,778
)
Balance, end of period
$
5,811,981

 
 
LIMITED PARTNERS
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
119,536

Issuance of LTIP Units to Limited Partners
5

Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into OP Units held by General Partner
(1,085
)
Equity compensation associated with Units – Limited Partners
2,163

Net income available to Units – Limited Partners
6,418

Units – Limited Partners distributions
(4,567
)
Change in carrying value of Redeemable Limited Partners
(3,217
)
Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership
3,778

Balance, end of period
$
123,031

 
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
(196,718
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income – derivative instruments:
 
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period
3,218

Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
3,563

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) – other instruments:
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
(36
)
Balance, end of period
$
(189,973
)
 





See accompanying notes
16



ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2012
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
 
 
 
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS – PARTIALLY OWNED PROPERTIES
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
74,306

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
450

Contributions by Noncontrolling Interests
921

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
(1,762
)
Balance, end of period
$
73,915


See accompanying notes
17



EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
1.
Business

Equity Residential (“EQR”), a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in March 1993, is an S&P 500 company focused on the acquisition, development and management of high quality apartment properties in top United States growth markets. ERP Operating Limited Partnership (“ERPOP”), an Illinois limited partnership, was formed in May 1993 to conduct the multifamily residential property business of Equity Residential. EQR has elected to be taxed as a REIT. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean collectively EQR, ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by EQR and/or ERPOP. References to the “Operating Partnership” mean collectively ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ERPOP. Unless otherwise indicated, the notes to consolidated financial statements apply to both the Company and the Operating Partnership.
EQR is the general partner of, and as of March 31, 2012 owned an approximate 95.7% ownership interest in, ERPOP. All of the Company’s property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and EQR has no material assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. EQR issues public equity from time to time but does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company’s ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity.
As of March 31, 2012, the Company, directly or indirectly through investments in title holding entities, owned all or a portion of 427 properties located in 14 states and the District of Columbia consisting of 121,011 apartment units. The ownership breakdown includes (table does not include various uncompleted development properties):
 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
Wholly Owned Properties
 
404

 
112,181

Partially Owned Properties – Consolidated
 
21

 
3,916

Military Housing
 
2

 
4,914

 
 
427

 
121,011


2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) and certain reclassifications considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements in order to conform to the current year presentation. Operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012.

In preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management makes 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 as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The balance sheets at December 31, 2011 have been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

For further information, including definitions of capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.


18



Income and Other Taxes

Due to the structure of EQR as a REIT and the nature of the operations of its operating properties, no provision for federal income taxes has been made at the EQR level. In addition, ERPOP generally is not liable for federal income taxes as the partners recognize their proportionate share of income or loss in their tax returns; therefore no provision for federal income taxes has been made at the ERPOP level. Historically, the Company has generally only incurred certain state and local income, excise and franchise taxes. The Company has elected Taxable REIT Subsidiary (“TRS”) status for certain of its corporate subsidiaries and as a result, these entities will incur both federal and state income taxes on any taxable income of such entities after consideration of any net operating losses.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities applicable to the TRS are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates for which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effects of changes in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in earnings in the period enacted. The Company’s deferred tax assets are generally the result of differing depreciable lives on capitalized assets and the timing of expense recognition for certain accrued liabilities. As of March 31, 2012, the Company has recorded a deferred tax asset of approximately $31.7 million, which is fully offset by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty in forecasting future TRS taxable income.

Other

The Company is the controlling partner in various consolidated partnerships owning 21 properties and 3,916 apartment units and various completed and uncompleted development properties having a noncontrolling interest book value of $73.9 million at March 31, 2012. The Company is required to make certain disclosures regarding noncontrolling interests in consolidated limited-life subsidiaries. Of the consolidated entities described above, the Company is the controlling partner in limited-life partnerships owning six properties having a noncontrolling interest deficit balance of $4.7 million. These six partnership agreements contain provisions that require the partnerships to be liquidated through the sale of their assets upon reaching a date specified in each respective partnership agreement. The Company, as controlling partner, has an obligation to cause the property owning partnerships to distribute the proceeds of liquidation to the Noncontrolling Interests in these Partially Owned Properties only to the extent that the net proceeds received by the partnerships from the sale of their assets warrant a distribution based on the partnership agreements. As of March 31, 2012, the Company estimates the value of Noncontrolling Interest distributions for these six properties would have been approximately $36.1 million (“Settlement Value”) had the partnerships been liquidated. This Settlement Value is based on estimated third party consideration realized by the partnerships upon disposition of the six Partially Owned Properties and is net of all other assets and liabilities, including yield maintenance on the mortgages encumbering the properties, that would have been due on March 31, 2012 had those mortgages been prepaid. Due to, among other things, the inherent uncertainty in the sale of real estate assets, the amount of any potential distribution to the Noncontrolling Interests in the Company’s Partially Owned Properties is subject to change. To the extent that the partnerships’ underlying assets are worth less than the underlying liabilities, the Company has no obligation to remit any consideration to the Noncontrolling Interests in these Partially Owned Properties.

Effective January 1, 2011, companies are required to separately disclose purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of recurring Level 3 fair value measurements. This does not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position. See Note 9 for further discussion.

Effective January 1, 2012, companies are required to separately disclose the amounts and reasons for any transfers of assets and liabilities into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. For fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), companies are required to disclose quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for all Level 3 measurements and a description of the Company’s valuation processes in determining fair value. In addition, companies are required to provide a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of recurring Level 3 measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs disclosed, including the interrelationship between inputs. Companies are also required to disclose information about when the current use of a non-financial asset measured at fair value differs from its highest and best use and the hierarchy classification for items whose fair value is not recorded on the balance sheet but is disclosed in the notes. This does not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position. See Note 9 for further discussion.
 





19



3.
Equity, Capital and Other Interests

Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests of Equity Residential

The following tables present the changes in the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares and “Units” (which includes OP Units and Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) Units) for the quarter ended March 31, 2012:
 
 
 
2012
Common Shares
 
Common Shares outstanding at January 1,
297,508,185

Common Shares Issued:
 
Conversion of OP Units
31,361

Issuance of Common Shares
2,078,310

Exercise of share options
690,340

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
85,837

Restricted share grants, net
128,136

Common Shares outstanding at March 31,
300,522,169

Units
 
Units outstanding at January 1,
13,492,543

LTIP Units, net
70,235

Conversion of OP Units to Common Shares
(31,361
)
Units outstanding at March 31,
13,531,417

Total Common Shares and Units outstanding at March 31,
314,053,586

Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership
4.3
%
The equity positions of various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units, as well as the equity positions of the holders of LTIP Units, are collectively referred to as the “Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership”. Subject to certain exceptions (including the “book-up” requirements of LTIP Units), the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership may exchange their Units with EQR for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The carrying value of the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership (including redeemable interests) is allocated based on the number of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in total in proportion to the number of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in total plus the number of Common Shares. Net income is allocated to the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership based on the weighted average ownership percentage during the period.
The Operating Partnership has the right but not the obligation to make a cash payment instead of issuing Common Shares to any and all holders of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units requesting an exchange of their OP Units with EQR. Once the Operating Partnership elects not to redeem the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units for cash, EQR is obligated to deliver Common Shares to the exchanging holder of the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units.
The Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units are classified as either mezzanine equity or permanent equity. If EQR is required, either by contract or securities law, to deliver registered Common Shares, such Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership are differentiated and referred to as “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership”. Instruments that require settlement in registered shares can not be classified in permanent equity as it is not always completely within an issuer’s control to deliver registered shares. Therefore, settlement in cash is assumed and that responsibility for settlement in cash is deemed to fall to the Operating Partnership as the primary source of cash for EQR, resulting in presentation in the mezzanine section of the balance sheet. The Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership are adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value based on the Common Share price of EQR at the end of each respective reporting period. EQR has the ability to deliver unregistered Common Shares for the remaining portion of the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units that are classified in permanent equity at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
The carrying value of the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership is allocated based on the number of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in proportion to the number of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in total. Such percentage of the total carrying value of Units which is ascribed to the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership is then adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value as described above. As of March 31, 2012, the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership have a redemption value of

20



approximately $457.2 million, which represents the value of Common Shares that would be issued in exchange with the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units.

The following table presents the change in the redemption value of the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (amounts in thousands):
 
2012
Balance at January 1,
$
416,404

Change in market value
37,603

Change in carrying value
3,217

Balance at March 31,
$
457,224

Net proceeds from EQR Common Share and Preferred Share (see definition below) offerings are contributed by EQR to ERPOP. In return for those contributions, EQR receives a number of OP Units in ERPOP equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering (or in the case of a preferred equity offering, a number of preference units in ERPOP equal in number and having the same terms as the Preferred Shares issued in the equity offering). As a result, the net offering proceeds from Common Shares and Preferred Shares are allocated between shareholders’ equity and Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership to account for the change in their respective percentage ownership of the underlying equity of ERPOP.
The Company’s declaration of trust authorizes it to issue up to 100,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Shares”), with specific rights, preferences and other attributes as the Board of Trustees may determine, which may include preferences, powers and rights that are senior to the rights of holders of the Company’s Common Shares.
The following table presents the Company’s issued and outstanding Preferred Shares as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts in thousands
 
 
Redemption
Date (1)
 
Annual
Dividend per
Share (2)
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31, 2011
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
  100,000,000 shares authorized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred; liquidation
  value $50 per share; 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding
  at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
 
12/10/26
 

$4.145

 
$
50,000

 
$
50,000

6.48% Series N Cumulative Redeemable Preferred; liquidation
  value $250 per share; 600,000 shares issued and outstanding
  at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (3)
 
06/19/08
 

$16.20

 
150,000

 
150,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
200,000

 
$
200,000

 
(1)
On or after the redemption date, redeemable preferred shares (Series K and N) may be redeemed for cash at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation price per share, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any.
(2)
Dividends on all series of Preferred Shares are payable quarterly at various pay dates. The dividend listed for Series N is a Preferred Share rate and the equivalent Depositary Share annual dividend is $1.62 per share.
(3)
The Series N Preferred Shares have a corresponding depositary share that consists of ten times the number of shares and one-tenth the liquidation value and dividend per share.

Capital and Redeemable Limited Partners of ERP Operating Limited Partnership

The following tables present the changes in the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding Units and in the limited partners’ Units for the quarter ended March 31, 2012:

21



 
 
 
2012
General and Limited Partner Units
 
General and Limited Partner Units outstanding at January 1,
311,000,728

Issued to General Partner:
 
Issuance of OP Units
2,078,310

Exercise of EQR share options
690,340

EQR’s Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
85,837

EQR's restricted share grants, net
128,136

Issued to Limited Partners:
 
LTIP Units, net
70,235

General and Limited Partner Units outstanding at March 31,
314,053,586

Limited Partner Units
 
Limited Partner Units outstanding at January 1,
13,492,543

Limited Partner LTIP Units, net
70,235

Conversion of Limited Partner OP Units to EQR Common Shares
(31,361
)
Limited Partner Units outstanding at March 31,
13,531,417

Limited Partner Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership
4.3
%
The Limited Partners of the Operating Partnership as of March 31, 2012 include various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units, as well as the equity positions of the holders of LTIP Units. Subject to certain exceptions (including the “book-up” requirements of LTIP Units), Limited Partners may exchange their Units with EQR for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The carrying value of the Limited Partner Units (including redeemable interests) is allocated based on the number of Limited Partner Units in total in proportion to the number of Limited Partner Units in total plus the number of General Partner Units. Net income is allocated to the Limited Partner Units based on the weighted average ownership percentage during the period.
The Operating Partnership has the right but not the obligation to make a cash payment instead of issuing Common Shares to any and all holders of Limited Partner Units requesting an exchange of their OP Units with EQR. Once the Operating Partnership elects not to redeem the Limited Partner Units for cash, EQR is obligated to deliver Common Shares to the exchanging limited partner.
The Limited Partner Units are classified as either mezzanine equity or permanent equity. If EQR is required, either by contract or securities law, to deliver registered Common Shares, such Limited Partner Units are differentiated and referred to as “Redeemable Limited Partner Units”. Instruments that require settlement in registered shares can not be classified in permanent equity as it is not always completely within an issuer’s control to deliver registered shares. Therefore, settlement in cash is assumed and that responsibility for settlement in cash is deemed to fall to the Operating Partnership as the primary source of cash for EQR, resulting in presentation in the mezzanine section of the balance sheet. The Redeemable Limited Partner Units are adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value based on the Common Share price of EQR at the end of each respective reporting period. EQR has the ability to deliver unregistered Common Shares for the remaining portion of the Limited Partner Units that are classified in permanent equity at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
The carrying value of the Redeemable Limited Partner Units is allocated based on the number of Redeemable Limited Partner Units in proportion to the number of Limited Partner Units in total. Such percentage of the total carrying value of Limited Partner Units which is ascribed to the Redeemable Limited Partner Units is then adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value as described above. As of March 31, 2012, the Redeemable Limited Partner Units have a redemption value of approximately $457.2 million, which represents the value of Common Shares that would be issued in exchange with the Redeemable Limited Partner Units.
The following table presents the change in the redemption value of the Redeemable Limited Partners for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (amounts in thousands):
 
2012
Balance at January 1,
$
416,404

Change in market value
37,603

Change in carrying value
3,217

Balance at March 31,
$
457,224


22



EQR contributes all net proceeds from its various equity offerings (including proceeds from exercise of options for Common Shares) to ERPOP. In return for those contributions, EQR receives a number of OP Units in ERPOP equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering (or in the case of a preferred equity offering, a number of preference units in ERPOP equal in number and having the same terms as the preferred shares issued in the equity offering).
The following table presents the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding “Preference Units” as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts in thousands
 
 
Redemption
Date (1)
Annual
Dividend per
Unit (2)
March 31,
2012
 
December 31, 2011
Preference Units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units;
  liquidation value $50 per unit; 1,000,000 units issued and
  outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
 
12/10/26
 

$4.145

 
$
50,000

 
$
50,000

6.48% Series N Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units;
  liquidation value $250 per unit; 600,000 units issued and
  outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (3)
 
06/19/08
 

$16.20

 
150,000

 
150,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
200,000

 
$
200,000

 
(1)
On or after the redemption date, redeemable preference units (Series K and N) may be redeemed for cash at the option of the Operating Partnership, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation price per unit, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any, in conjunction with concurrent redemption of the corresponding Company Preferred Shares.
(2)
Dividends on all series of Preference Units are payable quarterly at various pay dates. The dividend listed for Series N is a Preference Unit rate and the equivalent depositary unit annual dividend is $1.62 per unit.
(3)
The Series N Preference Units have a corresponding depositary unit that consists of ten times the number of units and one-tenth the liquidation value and dividend per unit.

Other

In September 2009, the Company announced the establishment of an At-The-Market (“ATM”) share offering program which would allow EQR to sell up to 17.0 million Common Shares from time to time over the next three years (later increased by 5.7 million Common Shares and extended to February 2014) into the existing trading market at current market prices as well as through negotiated transactions. Per the terms of ERPOP’s partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds from all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis). During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, EQR issued approximately 2.1 million Common Shares at an average price of $59.47 per share for total consideration of approximately $123.6 million through the ATM program. Concurrent with these transactions, ERPOP issued approximately 2.1 million OP Units to EQR. EQR has 7.1 million Common Shares remaining available for issuance under the ATM program as of March 31, 2012.

EQR has a share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Trustees under which it has authorization to repurchase up to $464.6 million of its shares as of March 31, 2012. No shares were repurchased during the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

4.
Real Estate

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts for the Company’s investment in real estate (at cost) as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (amounts in thousands):

23



 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Land
 
$
4,384,200

 
$
4,367,816

Depreciable property:
 
 
 
 
Buildings and improvements
 
14,294,619

 
14,262,616

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
1,311,696

 
1,292,124

Projects under development:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
76,112

 
75,646

Construction-in-progress
 
109,509

 
84,544

Land held for development:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
323,017

 
299,096

Construction-in-progress
 
37,938

 
26,104

Investment in real estate
 
20,537,091

 
20,407,946

Accumulated depreciation
 
(4,658,994
)
 
(4,539,583
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
15,878,097

 
$
15,868,363


During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company acquired the entire equity interest in the following from unaffiliated parties (purchase price in thousands):

 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Purchase Price
Rental Properties – Consolidated
 
3

 
544

 
$
159,100

Land Parcels (two)
 

 

 
23,740

Total
 
3

 
544

 
$
182,840


During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company disposed of the following to unaffiliated parties (sales price in thousands):

 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Sales Price
Rental Properties – Consolidated
 
3

 
1,522

 
$
206,350

Total
 
3

 
1,522

 
$
206,350


The Company recognized a net gain on sales of discontinued operations of approximately $133.0 million on the above sales.

5.
Commitments to Acquire/Dispose of Real Estate

In addition to the property that was subsequently acquired as discussed in Note 14, the Company has entered into separate agreements to acquire the following (purchase price in thousands):

 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Purchase Price
Land Parcels (four)
 

 

 
$
73,500

Total
 

 

 
$
73,500


In addition to the properties that were subsequently disposed of as discussed in Note 14, the Company has entered into separate agreements to dispose of the following (sales price in thousands):

 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Sales Price
Rental Properties
 
3

 
699

 
$
54,100

Total
 
3

 
699

 
$
54,100


The closings of these pending transactions are subject to certain conditions and restrictions, therefore, there can be no assurance that these transactions will be consummated or that the final terms will not differ in material respects from those

24



summarized in the preceding paragraphs.

6.
Investments in Partially Owned Entities

The Company has co-invested in various properties with unrelated third parties which are either consolidated or accounted for under the equity method of accounting (unconsolidated). The following tables and information summarize the Company’s investments in partially owned entities as of March 31, 2012 (amounts in thousands except for project and apartment unit amounts):

 
 
Consolidated
 
 
Development Projects (VIEs) (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held for
and/or Under
Development
 
Completed
and
Stabilized
 
Other
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total projects (1)
 

 
2

 
19

 
21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total apartment units (1)
 

 
441

 
3,475

 
3,916

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet information at 3/31/12 (at 100%):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
$
162,547

 
$
114,595

 
$
450,120

 
$
727,262

Accumulated depreciation
 

 
(13,269
)
 
(148,177
)
 
(161,446
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
162,547

 
101,326

 
301,943

 
565,816

Cash and cash equivalents
 
2,448

 
1,243

 
11,515

 
15,206

Deposits – restricted
 
43,586

 
2,295

 
5

 
45,886

Escrow deposits – mortgage
 

 
70

 

 
70

Deferred financing costs, net
 

 
37

 
1,125

 
1,162

Other assets
 
5,766

 
115

 
147

 
6,028

       Total assets
 
$
214,347

 
$
105,086

 
$
314,735

 
$
634,168

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$

 
$
33,175

 
$
200,337

 
$
233,512

Accounts payable & accrued expenses
 
7

 
431

 
1,925

 
2,363

Accrued interest payable
 

 
104

 
782

 
886

Other liabilities
 
1,272

 
51

 
889

 
2,212

Security deposits
 

 
111

 
1,483

 
1,594

       Total liabilities
 
1,279

 
33,872

 
205,416

 
240,567

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
79,011

 
1,079

 
(6,175
)
 
73,915

Company equity/General and Limited Partners' Capital
 
134,057

 
70,135

 
115,494

 
319,686

       Total equity/capital
 
213,068

 
71,214

 
109,319

 
393,601

       Total liabilities and equity/capital
 
$
214,347

 
$
105,086

 
$
314,735

 
$
634,168

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt – Secured (2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       Company/Operating Partnership Ownership (3)
 
$

 
$
33,175

 
$
159,068

 
$
192,243

       Noncontrolling Ownership
 

 

 
41,269

 
41,269

Total (at 100%)
 
$

 
$
33,175

 
$
200,337

 
$
233,512


25



 
 
Consolidated
 
 
Development Projects (VIEs) (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held for
and/or Under
Development
 
Completed
and
Stabilized
 
Other
 
Total
Operating information for the quarter
ended 3/31/12 (at 100%):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$

 
$
2,349

 
$
15,045

 
$
17,394

Operating expenses
 
(18
)
 
375

 
4,871

 
5,228

Net operating income
 
18

 
1,974

 
10,174

 
12,166

Depreciation
 

 
1,042

 
3,872

 
4,914

General and administrative/other
 
4

 
2

 
13

 
19

Operating income
 
14

 
930

 
6,289

 
7,233

Interest and other income
 
1

 
1

 

 
2

Other expenses
 
(61
)
 

 

 
(61
)
Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 

 
(337
)
 
(2,346
)
 
(2,683
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 

 
(107
)
 
(54
)
 
(161
)
(Loss) income before income and other taxes
 
(46
)
 
487

 
3,889

 
4,330

Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(26
)
 

 
(21
)
 
(47
)
Net (loss) income
 
$
(72
)
 
$
487

 
$
3,868

 
$
4,283


(1)
Project and apartment unit counts exclude all uncompleted development projects until those projects are substantially completed.
(2)
All debt is non-recourse to the Company.
(3)
Represents the Company’s/Operating Partnership’s current economic ownership interest.
(4)
A development project with a noncontrolling interest balance of $76.7 million is not a VIE.

The Company is the controlling partner in various consolidated partnership properties and development properties having a noncontrolling interest book value of $73.9 million at March 31, 2012. The Company has identified certain development partnerships as VIEs as the Company provides substantially all of the capital for these ventures (other than third party mortgage debt, if any) despite the fact that each partner legally owns 50% of each venture. The Company is the primary beneficiary as it exerts the most significant power over the ventures, absorbs the majority of the expected losses and has the right to receive a majority of the expected residual returns. The assets net of liabilities of the Company’s VIEs are restricted in their use to the specific VIE to which they relate and are not available for general corporate use. The Company does not have any unconsolidated VIEs.

In December 2011, the Company and Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) jointly acquired a vacant land parcel at 400 Park Avenue South in New York City. The Company's and Toll Brothers' allocated portions of the purchase price were approximately $76.1 million and $57.9 million, respectively. The Company is the managing member and Toll Brothers does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. Until the core and shell of the building is complete, the building and land will be owned jointly and are required to be consolidated on the Company's balance sheet (not a VIE). Thereafter, the Company will solely own and control the rental portion of the building (floors 2-22) and Toll Brothers will solely own and control the for sale portion of the building (floors 23-40). Once the core and shell are complete, the Toll Brothers' portion of the property will be deconsolidated from the Company's balance sheet. The acquisition was financed through contributions by the Company and Toll Brothers of approximately $102.5 million and $75.7 million, respectively, which included the land purchase noted above, restricted deposits and taxes and fees. As of March 31, 2012, the Company's and Toll Brothers' consolidated contributions to the joint venture were approximately $186.3 million, of which Toll Brothers' noncontrolling interest balance totaled $76.7 million.

The Company admitted an 80% institutional partner to two separate entities/transactions (one in December 2010 and the other in August 2011), each owning a developable land parcel, in exchange for $40.1 million in cash and retained a 20% equity interest in both of these entities. These land parcels are now unconsolidated. Total project costs are approximately $232.8 million and construction will be predominantly funded with two separate long-term, non-recourse secured loans from the partner. While the Company is the managing member of both of the joint ventures, is responsible for constructing both of the projects and has given certain construction cost overrun guarantees, all major decisions are made jointly, the large majority of funding is provided by the partner and the partner has significant involvement in and oversight of the ongoing projects, neither of which is a VIE. The Company's remaining funding obligations are currently estimated at $3.0 million.


26




7.
Deposits – Restricted

The following table presents the Company’s restricted deposits as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (amounts in thousands):

 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Tax–deferred (1031) exchange proceeds
 
$
79,145

 
$
53,668

Earnest money on pending acquisitions
 
10,175

 
7,882

Restricted deposits on debt
 
2,161

 
2,370

Restricted deposits on real estate investments
 
43,586

 
43,970

Resident security and utility deposits
 
43,029

 
40,403

Other
 
4,086

 
3,944

Totals
 
$
182,182

 
$
152,237


8.
Debt

EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. EQR guarantees the Operating Partnership’s $500.0 million unsecured senior term loan and $500.0 million unsecured senior delayed draw term loan and also guarantees the Operating Partnership’s revolving credit facility up to the maximum amount and for the full term of the facility.

Mortgage Notes Payable

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding mortgage debt of approximately $4.1 billion.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company:

Repaid $51.8 million of mortgage loans.

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had $459.2 million of secured debt subject to third party credit enhancement.

As of March 31, 2012, scheduled maturities for the Company’s outstanding mortgage indebtedness were at various dates through September 1, 2048. At March 31, 2012, the interest rate range on the Company’s mortgage debt was 0.09% to 11.25%. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s mortgage debt was 4.88%.

Notes

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding unsecured notes of approximately $5.4 billion.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company:

Repaid $253.9 million of 6.625% unsecured notes at maturity; and
Entered into a new senior unsecured $500.0 million delayed draw term loan facility which is currently undrawn and may be drawn anytime on or before July 4, 2012. If the Company elects to draw on this facility, up to the full amount of the principal will be funded in a single borrowing and the maturity date will be January 4, 2013, subject to two one-year extension options exercisable by the Company. The interest rate on advances under the new term loan facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.25%), which is dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long term debt.

In December 2011, the Company obtained a commitment for a senior unsecured bridge loan facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1.0 billion to finance the potential acquisition of an ownership interest in Archstone, a privately-held owner, operator and developer of multifamily apartment properties. On January 6, 2012, the Company terminated this $1.0 billion bridge loan facility in connection with an amendment to the Company's revolving credit facility (see below for further discussion) and the execution of the term loan facility discussed above.

As of March 31, 2012, scheduled maturities for the Company’s outstanding notes were at various dates through 2026.

27



At March 31, 2012, the interest rate range on the Company’s notes was 0.74% to 7.57%. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s notes was 5.14%.

Lines of Credit

In July 2011, the Company replaced its then existing unsecured revolving credit facility with a new $1.25 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing on July 13, 2014, subject to a one-year extension option exercisable by the Company. The Company has the ability to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million by adding additional banks to the facility or obtaining the agreement of existing banks to increase their commitments. On January 6, 2012, the Company amended this credit facility to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million to $1.75 billion with all other terms, including the July 13, 2014 maturity date, remaining the same. The interest rate on advances under the new credit facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.15%) and the Company pays an annual facility fee of 0.2%. Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of the Company’s long-term debt. This facility replaced the Company’s then existing $1.425 billion facility which was scheduled to mature in February 2012.

As of March 31, 2012, the amount available on the credit facility was $1.72 billion (net of $30.8 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit). The Company did not draw and had no balance outstanding on its revolving credit facility at any time during the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
 
9.
Derivative and Other Fair Value Instruments

The valuation of financial instruments requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments. The Company, where possible, bases the fair values of its financial instruments, including its derivative instruments, on listed market prices and third party quotes. Where these are not available, the Company bases its estimates on current instruments with similar terms and maturities or on other factors relevant to the financial instruments.

The carrying values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured notes were approximately $4.1 billion and $5.4 billion, respectively, at March 31, 2012. The fair values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured notes were approximately $4.3 billion (Level 2) and $5.8 billion (Level 2), respectively, at March 31, 2012. The carrying values of the Company's mortgage notes payable and unsecured notes were approximately $4.1 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2011. The fair values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured notes were approximately $4.3 billion (Level 2) and $6.0 billion (Level 2), respectively, at December 31, 2011. The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments (other than mortgage notes payable, unsecured notes, derivative instruments and investment securities), including cash and cash equivalents and other financial instruments, approximate their carrying or contract values.

In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to the effect of interest rate changes. The Company seeks to manage these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on debt instruments.

The following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated derivative instruments at March 31, 2012 (dollar amounts are in thousands):

 
 
Fair Value
Hedges (1)
 
Forward
Starting
Swaps (2)
Current Notional Balance
 
$
315,693

 
$
200,000

Lowest Possible Notional
 
$
315,693

 
$
200,000

Highest Possible Notional
 
$
317,694

 
$
200,000

Lowest Interest Rate
 
2.009
%
 
3.478
%
Highest Interest Rate
 
4.800
%
 
4.695
%
Earliest Maturity Date
 
2012

 
2023

Latest Maturity Date
 
2013

 
2023

 
(1)
Fair Value Hedges – Converts outstanding fixed rate debt to a floating interest rate.
(2)
Forward Starting Swaps – Designed to partially fix the interest rate in advance of a planned future debt issuance. These swaps have mandatory counterparty terminations in 2014, and are targeted to 2013 issuances.


28



A three-level valuation hierarchy exists for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company’s derivative positions are valued using models developed by the respective counterparty as well as models developed internally by the Company that use as their basis readily observable market parameters (such as forward yield curves and credit default swap data). Employee holdings other than Common Shares within the supplemental executive retirement plan (the “SERP”) are valued using quoted market prices for identical assets and are included in other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s investment securities are valued using quoted market prices or readily available market interest rate data. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership/Redeemable Limited Partners are valued using the quoted market price of Common Shares. The fair values disclosed for mortgage notes payable and unsecured notes were calculated using indicative rates provided by lenders of similar loans in the case of mortgage notes payable and the private unsecured notes and quoted market prices for each underlying issuance in the case of the public unsecured notes.

The following tables provide a summary of the fair value measurements for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the location within the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
3/31/2012
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant  Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level  3)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Hedges
 
Other Assets
 
$
7,672

 
$

 
$
7,672

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Assets
 
55,572

 
55,572

 

 

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities
 
Other Assets
 
1,514

 
1,514

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
64,758

 
$
57,086

 
$
7,672

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps
 
Other Liabilities
 
$
29,061

 
$

 
$
29,061

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Liabilities
 
55,572

 
55,572

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
84,633

 
$
55,572

 
$
29,061

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests –
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership/Redeemable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited Partners
 
Mezzanine
 
$
457,224

 
$

 
$
457,224

 
$



29



 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
12/31/2011
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant  Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level  3)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Hedges
 
Other Assets
 
$
8,972

 
$

 
$
8,972

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Assets
 
71,426

 
71,426

 

 

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities
 
Other Assets
 
1,550

 
1,550

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
81,948

 
$
72,976

 
$
8,972

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps
 
Other Liabilities
 
$
32,278

 
$

 
$
32,278

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Liabilities
 
71,426

 
71,426

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
103,704

 
$
71,426

 
$
32,278

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests –
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership/Redeemable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited Partners
 
Mezzanine
 
$
416,404

 
$

 
$
416,404

 
$

The following tables provide a summary of the effect of fair value hedges on the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively (amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2012
Type of Fair Value Hedge
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Derivative
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Derivative
 
Hedged Item
 
Income Statement
Location of
Hedged
Item Gain/(Loss)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Hedged Item
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
Interest expense
 
$
(1,300
)
 
Fixed rate debt
 
Interest expense
 
$
1,300

Total
 
 
 
$
(1,300
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,300

 
March 31, 2011
Type of Fair Value Hedge
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Derivative
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Derivative
 
Hedged Item
 
Income Statement
Location of
Hedged
Item Gain/(Loss)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Hedged Item
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
Interest expense
 
$
(1,492
)
 
Fixed rate debt
 
Interest expense
 
$
1,492

Total
 
 
 
$
(1,492
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,492


The following tables provide a summary of the effect of cash flow hedges on the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively (amounts in thousands):

30



 
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
March 31, 2012
Type of Cash Flow Hedge
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in OCI
on Derivative
 
Location of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI
into Income
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI
into Income
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
 on Derivative
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI
into Income
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps/Treasury Locks
$
3,218

 
Interest expense
 
$
(3,563
)
 
N/A
 
$

Total
 
$
3,218

 
 
 
$
(3,563
)
 
 
 
$

 
 
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
March 31, 2011
Type of Cash Flow Hedge
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in OCI
on Derivative
 
Location of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI
into Income
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI
into Income
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
 on Derivative
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI
into Income
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps/Treasury Locks
 
$
5,255

 
Interest expense
 
$
(956
)
 
N/A
 
$

Development Interest Rate Swaps/Caps
 
827

 
Interest expense
 

 
N/A
 

Total
 
$
6,082

 
 
 
$
(956
)
 
 
 
$

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were approximately $190.8 million and $197.6 million in deferred losses, net, included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss), respectively, related to derivative instruments. Based on the estimated fair values of the net derivative instruments at March 31, 2012, the Company may recognize an estimated $19.6 million of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) as additional interest expense during the twelve months ending March 31, 2013.
The following tables sets forth the maturity, amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, book/fair value and interest and other income of the various investment securities held as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively (amounts in thousands):

 
 
 
 
Other Assets
 
 
March 31, 2012
Security
 
Maturity
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Book/
Fair Value
 
Interest and
Other Income
Available-for-Sale Investment Securities
 
N/A
 
$
675

 
$
839

 
$

 
$
1,514

 
$

Total
 
 
 
$
675

 
$
839

 
$

 
$
1,514

 
$


 
 
 
 
Other Assets
 
 
December 31, 2011
Security
 
Maturity
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Book/
Fair Value
 
Interest and
Other Income
Available-for-Sale Investment Securities
 
N/A
 
$
675

 
$
875

 
$

 
$
1,550

 
$

Total
 
 
 
$
675

 
$
875

 
$

 
$
1,550

 
$


10.
Earning Per Share and Earnings Per Unit

Equity Residential

The following tables set forth the computation of net income per share – basic and net income per share – diluted for the Company (amounts in thousands except per share amounts):

31



 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Numerator for net income per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
17,389

 
$
(8,913
)
Allocation to Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership, net
 
(582
)
 
543

Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(450
)
 
40

Preferred distributions
 
(3,466
)
 
(3,466
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares, net of
  Noncontrolling Interests
 
12,891

 
(11,796
)
Discontinued operations, net of Noncontrolling Interests
 
128,942

 
135,661

Numerator for net income per share – basic
 
$
141,833

 
$
123,865

Numerator for net income per share – diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
 
$
17,389

 
 
Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(450
)
 
 
Preferred distributions
 
(3,466
)
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
13,473

 
 
Discontinued operations, net
 
134,778

 
 
Numerator for net income per share – diluted (1)
 
$
148,251

 
$
123,865

Denominator for net income per share – basic and diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
Denominator for net income per share – basic
 
298,805

 
292,895

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
OP Units
 
13,206

 

Long-term compensation shares/units
 
3,219

 

Denominator for net income per share – diluted (1)
 
315,230

 
292,895

Net income per share – basic
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.42

Net income per share – diluted
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.42

Net income per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares, net of
  Noncontrolling Interests
 
$
0.043

 
$
(0.040
)
Discontinued operations, net of Noncontrolling Interests
 
0.432

 
0.463

Net income per share – basic
 
$
0.475

 
$
0.423

Net income per share – diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
0.043

 
$
(0.040
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
0.427

 
0.463

Net income per share – diluted
 
$
0.470

 
$
0.423


(1)
Potential common shares issuable from the assumed conversion of OP Units and the exercise/vesting of long-term compensation shares/units are automatically anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as the Company had a loss from continuing operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
The effect of the Common Shares that could ultimately be issued upon the conversion/exchange of the Company’s $650.0 million exchangeable senior notes ($482.5 million outstanding were redeemed on August 18, 2011) was not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effects would be anti-dilutive.

ERP Operating Limited Partnership

The following tables set forth the computation of net income per Unit – basic and net income per Unit – diluted for the Operating Partnership (amounts in thousands except per Unit amounts):

32



 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Numerator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
17,389

 
$
(8,913
)
Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(450
)
 
40

Allocation to Preference Units
 
(3,466
)
 
(3,466
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
13,473

 
(12,339
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
134,778

 
141,979

Numerator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted (1)
 
$
148,251

 
$
129,640

Denominator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
Denominator for net income per Unit – basic
 
312,011

 
306,248

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Dilution for Units issuable upon assumed exercise/vesting of the Company’s long-term
   compensation shares/units
 
3,219

 

Denominator for net income per Unit – diluted (1)
 
315,230

 
306,248

Net income per Unit – basic
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.42

Net income per Unit – diluted
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.42

Net income per Unit – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
0.043

 
$
(0.040
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
0.432

 
0.463

Net income per Unit – basic
 
$
0.475

 
$
0.423

Net income per Unit – diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
0.043

 
$
(0.040
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
0.427

 
0.463

Net income per Unit – diluted
 
$
0.470

 
$
0.423


(1)
Potential Units issuable from the assumed exercise/vesting of the Company’s long-term compensation shares/units are automatically anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the diluted earnings per Unit calculation as the Operating Partnership had a loss from continuing operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
The effect of the Common Shares/OP Units that could ultimately be issued upon the conversion/exchange of the Company’s $650.0 million exchangeable senior notes ($482.5 million outstanding were redeemed on August 18, 2011) was not included in the computation of diluted earnings per Unit because the effects would be anti-dilutive.

11.
Discontinued Operations

The Company has presented separately as discontinued operations in all periods the results of operations for all consolidated assets disposed of and all properties held for sale, if any.

The components of discontinued operations are outlined below and include the results of operations for the respective periods that the Company owned such assets during the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (amounts in thousands).

33



 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
2,931

 
$
60,157

Total revenues
 
2,931

 
60,157

 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES (1)
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
422

 
26,019

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
250

 
4,362

Depreciation
 
371

 
10,908

General and administrative
 
4

 
11

Total expenses
 
1,047

 
41,300

 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operating income
 
1,884

 
18,857

 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
25

 
5

Other expenses
 

 
(4
)
Interest (2):
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(7
)
 
(522
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 

 
(69
)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(80
)
 
(42
)
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations
 
1,822

 
18,225

Net gain on sales of discontinued operations
 
132,956

 
123,754

 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations, net
 
$
134,778

 
$
141,979

 
(1)
Includes expenses paid in the current period for properties sold or held for sale in prior periods related to the Company’s period of ownership.
(2)
Includes only interest expense specific to secured mortgage notes payable for properties sold and/or held for sale.
For the properties sold during the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the investment in real estate, net of accumulated depreciation at December 31, 2011 was $71.6 million and there were no mortgages outstanding on these properties.

12.
Commitments and Contingencies

The Company, as an owner of real estate, is subject to various Federal, state and local environmental laws. Compliance by the Company with existing laws has not had a material adverse effect on the Company. However, the Company cannot predict the impact of new or changed laws or regulations on its current properties or on properties that it may acquire in the future.

The Company is party to a housing discrimination lawsuit brought by a non-profit civil rights organization in April 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The suit alleges that the Company designed and built approximately 300 of its properties in violation of the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act and Americans With Disabilities Act. The suit seeks actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief (including modification of non-compliant properties), costs and attorneys’ fees. The Company believes it has a number of viable defenses, including that a majority of the named properties were completed before the operative dates of the statutes in question and/or were not designed or built by the Company. Accordingly, the Company is defending the suit vigorously. Due to the pendency of the Company’s defenses and the uncertainty of many other critical factual and legal issues, it is not possible to determine or predict the outcome of the suit or a possible loss or a range of loss, and no amounts have been accrued at March 31, 2012. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that the suit, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company does not believe there is any other litigation pending or threatened against it that, individually or in the aggregate, may reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

As of March 31, 2012, the Company has six consolidated projects totaling 1,535 apartment units in various stages of development with commitments to fund of approximately $325.8 million and estimated completion dates ranging through March 31, 2014, as well as other completed development projects that are in various stages of lease up or are stabilized. The consolidated projects under development are being developed solely by the Company, while certain completed development

34



projects were either developed solely by the Company or co-developed with various third party development partners. The development venture agreements with partners are primarily deal-specific, with differing terms regarding profit-sharing, equity contributions, returns on investment, buy-sell agreements and other customary provisions. The partner is most often the “general” or “managing” partner of the development venture. The typical buy-sell arrangements contain appraisal rights and provisions that provide the right, but not the obligation, for the Company to acquire the partner’s interest in the project at fair market value upon the expiration of a negotiated time period (typically two to five years after substantial completion of the project).

As of March 31, 2012, the Company has two unconsolidated projects totaling 945 apartment units under development with commitments to fund of approximately $3.0 million and estimated completion dates ranging through December 31, 2013. While the Company is the managing member of both of the joint ventures, is responsible for constructing both projects and has given certain construction cost overrun guarantees, all major decisions are made jointly, the large majority of funding is provided by the partner and the partner has significant involvement in and oversight of the ongoing projects. The buy-sell arrangements contain provisions that provide the right, but not the obligation, for the Company to acquire the partner’s interests or sell its interests at any time following the occurrence of certain pre-defined events (including at stabilization) described in the development venture agreements.
    
In December 2011, the Company and Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) jointly acquired a vacant land parcel at 400 Park Avenue South in New York City. The Company's and Toll Brothers' allocated portions of the purchase price were approximately $76.1 million and $57.9 million, respectively. The Company is the managing member and Toll Brothers does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. Until the core and shell of the building is complete, the building and land will be owned jointly and are required to be consolidated on the Company's balance sheet. Thereafter, the Company will solely own and control the rental portion of the building (floors 2-22) and Toll Brothers will solely own and control the for sale portion of the building (floors 23-40). Once the core and shell are complete, the Toll Brothers' portion of the property will be deconsolidated from the Company's balance sheet. The acquisition was financed through contributions by the Company and Toll Brothers of approximately $102.5 million and $75.7 million, respectively, which included the land purchase noted above, restricted deposits and taxes and fees. As of March 31, 2012, the Company's and Toll Brothers' consolidated contributions to the joint venture were approximately $186.3 million, of which Toll Brothers' noncontrolling interest balance totaled $76.7 million.

13.
Reportable Segments

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by senior management. Senior management decides how resources are allocated and assesses performance on a monthly basis.

The Company’s primary business is the acquisition, development and management of multifamily residential properties, which includes the generation of rental and other related income through the leasing of apartment units to residents. Senior management evaluates the performance of each of our apartment communities individually and geographically, and both on a same store and non-same store basis; however, each of our apartment communities generally has similar economic characteristics, residents, products and services. The Company’s operating segments have been aggregated by geography in a manner identical to that which is provided to its chief operating decision maker.

The Company’s fee and asset management, development (including its partially owned properties) and condominium conversion activities are immaterial and do not individually meet the threshold requirements of a reportable segment and as such, have been aggregated in the “Other” segment in the tables presented below.

All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues during the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The primary financial measure for the Company’s rental real estate segment is net operating income (“NOI”), which represents rental income less: 1) property and maintenance expense; 2) real estate taxes and insurance expense; and 3) property management expense (all as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations). The Company believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of its operating performance because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Company’s apartment communities. Current year NOI is compared to prior year NOI and current year budgeted NOI as a measure of financial performance. The following tables present NOI for each segment from our rental real estate specific to continuing operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, as well as total assets and capital expenditures at March 31, 2012 (amounts in thousands):

35



 
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2012
 
 
Northeast
 
Northwest
 
Southeast
 
Southwest
 
Other (3)
 
Total
Rental income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same store (1)
 
$
174,263

 
$
95,751

 
$
91,757

 
$
112,186

 
$

 
$
473,957

Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
20,378

 
10,166

 
4,770

 
13,930

 
2,394

 
51,638

Total rental income
 
194,641

 
105,917

 
96,527

 
126,116

 
2,394

 
525,595

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same store (1)
 
66,000

 
33,303

 
36,170

 
37,581

 

 
173,054

Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
4,583

 
5,469

 
1,664

 
4,662

 
2,343

 
18,721

Total operating expenses
 
70,583

 
38,772

 
37,834

 
42,243

 
2,343

 
191,775

NOI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same store (1)
 
108,263

 
62,448

 
55,587

 
74,605

 

 
300,903

Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
15,795

 
4,697

 
3,106

 
9,268

 
51

 
32,917

Total NOI
 
$
124,058

 
$
67,145

 
$
58,693

 
$
83,873

 
$
51

 
$
333,820

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
$
6,458,496

 
$
2,931,942

 
$
2,483,091

 
$
3,392,065

 
$
1,215,653

 
$
16,481,247

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
$
9,843

 
$
6,506

 
$
7,440

 
$
5,419

 
$
1,017

 
$
30,225

 
(1)
Same store primarily includes all properties acquired or completed and stabilized prior to January 1, 2011, less properties subsequently sold, which represented 105,612 apartment units.
(2)
Non-same store primarily includes properties acquired after January 1, 2011, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of January 1, 2011.
(3)
Other includes development and other corporate operations.
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2011
 
 
Northeast
 
Northwest
 
Southeast
 
Southwest
 
Other (3)
 
Total
Rental income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same store (1)
 
$
164,859

 
$
88,197

 
$
88,061

 
$
108,115

 
$

 
$
449,232

Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
7,658

 
899

 
2,924

 
3,715

 
122

 
15,318

Total rental income
 
172,517

 
89,096

 
90,985

 
111,830

 
122

 
464,550

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same store (1)
 
65,195

 
32,279

 
35,496

 
37,047

 

 
170,017

Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
2,486

 
268

 
1,134

 
1,927

 
3,735

 
9,550

Total operating expenses
 
67,681

 
32,547

 
36,630

 
38,974

 
3,735

 
179,567

NOI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same store (1)
 
99,664

 
55,918

 
52,565

 
71,068

 

 
279,215

Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
5,172

 
631

 
1,790

 
1,788

 
(3,613
)
 
5,768

Total NOI
 
$
104,836

 
$
56,549

 
$
54,355

 
$
72,856

 
$
(3,613
)
 
$
284,983

 
(1)
Same store primarily includes all properties acquired or completed and stabilized prior to January 1, 2011, less properties subsequently sold, which represented 105,612 apartment units.
(2)
Non-same store primarily includes properties acquired after January 1, 2011, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of January 1, 2011.
(3)
Other includes development, condominium conversion overhead of $0.1 million and other corporate operations.
Note: Markets included in the above geographic segments are as follows:
(a)
Northeast – New England (excluding Boston), Boston, New York Metro, DC Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland.
(b)
Northwest – Denver, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle/Tacoma.
(c)
Southeast – Atlanta, Jacksonville, Orlando and South Florida.
(d)
Southwest – Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix and San Diego.
The following table presents a reconciliation of NOI from our rental real estate specific to continuing operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively (amounts in thousands):

36



 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Rental income
 
$
525,595

 
$
464,550

Property and maintenance expense
 
(112,379
)
 
(105,047
)
Real estate taxes and insurance expense
 
(55,987
)
 
(52,139
)
Property management expense
 
(23,409
)
 
(22,381
)
Total operating expenses
 
(191,775
)
 
(179,567
)
Net operating income
 
$
333,820

 
$
284,983

 
14.
Subsequent Events/Other

Subsequent Events

Subsequent to March 31, 2012, the Company:

Acquired one property consisting of 511 apartment units for $230.9 million;
Sold four properties consisting of 351 apartment units for $15.6 million;
Assumed $90.0 million of mortgage debt and issued 1,081,797 OP Units in conjunction with the acquisition of one property; and
Repaid $30.8 million in mortgage loans.

Other

During the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company incurred charges of $1.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to property acquisition costs, such as survey, title and legal fees, on the acquisition of operating properties and $1.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively, related to the write-off of various pursuit and out-of-pocket costs for terminated acquisition, disposition and development transactions. These costs, totaling $2.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, are included in other expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

On December 2, 2011, the Company entered into a contract with affiliates of Bank of America and Barclays PLC to acquire, for $1.325 billion, half of their interests - an approximately 26.5% interest overall - in Archstone, a privately-held owner, operator and developer of multifamily apartment properties. On January 20, 2012, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. ("Lehman"), the other owner of Archstone, acquired this 26.5% interest pursuant to a right of first offer and as a result, the Company's contract with the sellers was terminated. The Company now has the exclusive right, exercisable on or before May 21, 2012, to contract to purchase the remaining 26.5% interest in Archstone owned by the same sellers for a price, determined by the Company, equal to $1.5 billion or higher. Any purchase of the remaining interest by the Company would also be subject to Lehman's right of first offer, and if Lehman were to exercise such right, the Company would be entitled to a break-up fee of $80.0 million, subject to repayment in certain limited circumstances. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company incurred Archstone-related expenses of approximately $1.1 million. Cumulative to date, the Company incurred Archstone-related expenses of approximately $5.5 million, of which approximately $2.6 million of this total was financing-related and $2.9 million was pursuit costs.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company accrued $4.2 million related to a dispute with the owners of a land parcel that was subsequently settled in the second quarter of 2012. This accrual is included in other expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
    
In 2010, a portion of the parking garage collapsed at one of the Company’s rental properties (Prospect Towers in Hackensack, New Jersey). The costs related to the collapse (both expensed and capitalized), including providing for residents’ interim needs, lost revenue and garage reconstruction, were approximately $22.8 million, before insurance reimbursements of $13.6 million. The garage has been rebuilt with costs capitalized as incurred. Other costs, like those to accommodate displaced residents, lost revenue due to a portion of the property being temporarily unavailable for occupancy and legal costs, reduced earnings as they were incurred. Generally, insurance proceeds were recorded as increases to earnings as they were received. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company received approximately $3.5 million in insurance proceeds (included in real estate taxes and insurance on the consolidated statements of operations), which represented its final reimbursement of the $13.6 million in cumulative insurance proceeds.




37




Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

For further information including definitions for capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this report are intended to be made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made by management. While the Company’s management believes the assumptions underlying its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such information is inherently subject to uncertainties and may involve certain risks, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Many of these uncertainties and risks are difficult to predict and beyond management’s control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or events. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or supplement these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the following:

We intend to actively acquire and/or develop multifamily properties for rental operations as market conditions dictate. We may also acquire multifamily properties that are unoccupied or in the early stages of lease up. We may be unable to lease up these apartment properties on schedule, resulting in decreases in expected rental revenues and/or lower yields due to lower occupancy and rates as well as higher than expected concessions. We may underestimate the costs necessary to bring an acquired property up to standards established for its intended market position or to complete a development property. Additionally, we expect that other real estate investors with capital will compete with us for attractive investment opportunities or may also develop properties in markets where we focus our development and acquisition efforts. This competition (or lack thereof) may increase (or depress) prices for multifamily properties. We may not be in a position or have the opportunity in the future to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms. We have acquired in the past and intend to continue to pursue the acquisition of properties and portfolios of properties, including large portfolios, that could increase our size and result in alterations to our capital structure. The total number of apartment units under development, costs of development and estimated completion dates are subject to uncertainties arising from changing economic conditions (such as the cost of labor and construction materials), competition and local government regulation;
Debt financing and other capital required by the Company may not be available or may only be available on adverse terms;
Labor and materials required for maintenance, repair, capital expenditure or development may be more expensive than anticipated;
Occupancy levels and market rents may be adversely affected by national and local economic and market conditions including, without limitation, new construction and excess inventory of multifamily and single family housing, rental housing subsidized by the government, other government programs that favor single family rental housing or owner occupied housing over multifamily rental housing, slow or negative employment growth and household formation, the availability of low-interest mortgages for single family home buyers, changes in social preferences and the potential for geopolitical instability, all of which are beyond the Company's control; and
Additional factors as discussed in Part I of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly those under “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.

Forward-looking statements and related uncertainties are also included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

Overview

Equity Residential (“EQR”), a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in March 1993, is an S&P 500 company focused on the acquisition, development and management of high quality apartment properties in top United States growth markets. ERP Operating Limited Partnership (“ERPOP”), an Illinois limited partnership, was formed in May 1993 to conduct the multifamily residential property business of Equity Residential. EQR has elected to be taxed as a REIT. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean collectively EQR, ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by EQR and/or ERPOP. References to the “Operating Partnership” mean collectively ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ERPOP.

38



EQR is the general partner of, and as of March 31, 2012 owned an approximate 95.7% ownership interest in, ERPOP. All of the Company’s property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and EQR has no material assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. EQR issues public equity from time to time but does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company’s ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity.
The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois and the Company also operates property management offices in each of its markets. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had approximately 3,700 employees who provided real estate operations, leasing, legal, financial, accounting, acquisition, disposition, development and other support functions.

Business Objectives and Operating Strategies
The Company invests in apartment communities located in strategically targeted markets with the goal of maximizing our risk adjusted total return (operating income plus capital appreciation) on invested capital.
Our operating focus is on balancing occupancy and rental rates to maximize our revenue while exercising tight cost control to generate the highest possible return to our shareholders. Revenue is maximized by attracting qualified prospects to our properties, cost-effectively converting these prospects into new residents and keeping our residents satisfied so they will renew their leases upon expiration. While we believe that it is our high-quality, well-located assets that bring our customers to us, it is the customer service and superior value provided by our on-site personnel that keeps them renting with us and recommending us to their friends.
We use technology to engage our customers in the way that they want to be engaged. Many of our residents utilize our web-based resident portal which allows them to sign their lease, review their account and make payments, provide feedback and make service requests on-line.
We seek to maximize capital appreciation of our properties by investing in markets (our core markets) that are characterized by conditions favorable to multifamily property appreciation. These markets generally feature one or more of the following:

High barriers to entry where, because of land scarcity or government regulation, it is difficult or costly to build new apartment properties, creating limits on new supply;
High single family home prices making our apartments a more economical housing choice;
Strong economic growth leading to household formation and job growth, which in turn leads to high demand for our apartments; and
An attractive quality of life leading to high demand and retention that allows us to increase rents.
Acquisitions and developments may be financed from various sources of capital, which may include retained cash flow, issuance of additional equity and debt, sales of properties and joint venture agreements. In addition, the Company may acquire properties in transactions that include the issuance of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) as consideration for the acquired properties. Such transactions may, in certain circumstances, enable the sellers to defer, in whole or in part, the recognition of taxable income or gain that might otherwise result from the sales. The Company may acquire land parcels to hold and/or sell based on market opportunities. The Company may also seek to acquire properties by purchasing defaulted or distressed debt that encumbers desirable properties in the hope of obtaining title to property through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure proceedings. The Company has also, in the past, converted some of its properties and sold them as condominiums but is not currently active in this line of business.
Over the past several years, the Company has done an extensive repositioning of its portfolio from low barrier to entry/non-core markets to high barrier to entry/core markets. Since 2005, the Company has sold over 125,000 apartment units primarily in its non-core markets for an aggregate sales price of approximately $10.3 billion, acquired over 42,000 apartment units in its core markets for approximately $9.5 billion and began approximately $2.7 billion of development projects in its core markets. We are currently seeking to acquire and develop assets primarily in the following targeted metropolitan areas (our core markets): Boston, New York, Washington DC, South Florida, Southern California, San Francisco and Seattle. We also have investments (in the aggregate about 18.8% of our NOI at March 31, 2012) in other markets including Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix, New England (excluding Boston), Orlando and Jacksonville but do not currently intend to acquire or develop new assets in these markets.
As part of its strategy, the Company purchases completed and fully occupied apartment properties, partially completed or partially occupied properties or land on which apartment properties can be constructed. We intend to hold a diversified portfolio of assets across our target markets. As of March 31, 2012, no single metropolitan area accounted for more than 15.3% of our NOI, though no guarantee can be made that NOI concentration may not increase in the future.

39



We endeavor to attract and retain the best employees by providing them with the education, resources and opportunities to succeed. We provide many classroom and on-line training courses to assist our employees in interacting with prospects and residents as well as extensively train our customer service specialists in maintaining the equipment and appliances on our property sites. We actively promote from within and many senior corporate and property leaders have risen from entry level or junior positions. We monitor our employees’ engagement by surveying them annually and have consistently received high engagement scores.
We have a commitment to sustainability and consider the environmental impacts of our business activities. We have a dedicated in-house team that initiates and applies sustainable practices in all aspects of our business, including transactions, property operations and property management activities. With its high density, multifamily housing is, by its nature, an environmentally friendly property type. Our recent acquisition and development activities have been primarily concentrated in pedestrian-friendly urban locations near public transportation. When developing and renovating our properties, we strive to reduce energy and water usage by investing in energy saving technology while positively impacting the experience of our residents and the value of our assets. We continue to implement a combination of irrigation, lighting and HVAC improvements at our properties that will reduce energy and water consumption.
Current Environment

We expect strong growth in 2012 same store revenue (anticipated increase ranging from 5.0% to 6.0%) and 2012 NOI (anticipated increase ranging from 6.5% to 8.5%) and are optimistic that the strength in fundamentals realized in 2011 will be sustained for the foreseeable future. We believe the key drivers behind the anticipated increases in revenue are base rent pricing, renewal pricing, resident turnover and physical occupancy. Despite slow growth in the overall economy, our business continues to perform well as evidenced by rising base and renewal rents. In the first quarter of 2012, we continued our focus on rental rate over occupancy which led to increased turnover and slightly lower occupancy than originally budgeted. As we enter our primary leasing season (June through September), we continue to expect that we will achieve same store revenue growth for the year around the mid-point of our previously provided range of 5.0% to 6.0%. Generally, the combined forces of demographics, household formations and the continued aversion to home ownership should ensure a continued strong demand for rental housing.

The Company anticipates that 2012 same store expenses will increase 1.5% to 2.5% primarily due to increases in real estate taxes, utilities and payroll. Real estate taxes are expected to increase 4.0% to 5.0% in 2012 most significantly due to the burn off of 421a tax abatements in New York City but also due to expected value and rate increases in some of our jurisdictions. Utilities are expected to grow 1.5% to 2.5% in 2012 as increases in water, sewer and trash are partially offset by decreases in natural gas rates. On-site payroll is expected to increase by approximately 1.0% in 2012 as normal annual merit increases in payroll should be mitigated by improvements in technology and automation. This follows several years of excellent expense control, with a compounded annual growth in same store expenses of approximately 1.0% over the last five years.

The Company continues to sell non-core assets and reduce its exposure to non-core markets as we believe these assets do not fit into our long term plans and we can sell them for prices that we believe are favorable. The Company sold three consolidated properties consisting of 1,522 apartment units for $206.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2012. These dispositions combined with reinvestment of the cash proceeds in assets with lower cap rates (see definition below) were dilutive to our per share results. The Company defines dilution from transactions as the lost NOI from sales proceeds that were not reinvested in other apartment properties or were reinvested in properties with a lower cap rate. The Company anticipates consolidated dispositions of approximately $1.25 billion during the year ended December 31, 2012.

Competition for the properties we are interested in acquiring is significant due to the overall improvement in market fundamentals. We believe our access to capital, our ability to execute large, complex transactions and our ability to efficiently stabilize large scale lease up properties provide us with a competitive advantage. The Company acquired three consolidated properties consisting of 544 apartment units for $159.1 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The Company anticipates consolidated acquisitions of approximately $1.25 billion during the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
The Company also acquired two land parcels for $23.7 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2012. We acquired these land parcels with the intent to develop them into approximately $168.9 million of new apartment properties. Although the Company did not start construction on any projects during the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company expects to start construction on seven projects representing 1,430 apartment units totaling approximately $630.0 million of development costs during the year ended December 31, 2012.

On December 2, 2011, the Company entered into a contract with affiliates of Bank of America and Barclays PLC to acquire, for $1.325 billion, half of their interests - an approximately 26.5% interest overall - in Archstone, a privately-held owner, operator and developer of multifamily apartment properties. On January 20, 2012, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. ("Lehman"),

40



the other owner of Archstone, acquired this 26.5% interest pursuant to a right of first offer and as a result, the Company's contract with the sellers was terminated. The Company now has the exclusive right, exercisable on or before May 21, 2012, to contract to purchase the remaining 26.5% interest in Archstone owned by the same sellers for a price, determined by the Company, equal to $1.5 billion or higher. Any purchase of the remaining interest by the Company would also be subject to Lehman's right of first offer, and if Lehman were to exercise such right, the Company would be entitled to a break-up fee of $80.0 million, subject to repayment in certain limited circumstances. Cumulative to date, the Company has incurred Archstone-related expenses of approximately $5.5 million, of which approximately $2.6 million of this total was financing-related and $2.9 million was pursuit costs.     

We currently have access to multiple sources of capital including the equity markets as well as both the secured and unsecured debt markets. In December 2011, the Company completed a $1.0 billion unsecured ten year note offering with a coupon of 4.625% and an all-in effective interest rate of approximately 6.2%. We also raised $201.9 million in equity under our ATM Common Share offering program in 2011 and have raised an additional $123.6 million under this program thus far in 2012. In July 2011, the Company replaced its then existing unsecured revolving credit facility which was due to mature in February 2012 with a new $1.25 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing on July 13, 2014, subject to a one-year extension option exercisable by the Company. The Company believes that the new facility contains a diversified and strong bank group which increases its balance sheet flexibility going forward. In January 2012, the Company amended this facility to increase available borrowings by $500.0 million to $1.75 billion and entered into a commitment for a new senior unsecured $500.0 million delayed draw term loan facility. The Company arranged these facilities to replace a commitment for a $1.0 billion senior unsecured bridge loan facility and represents access to certain but contingent capital should the Company be successful in its pursuit of Archstone. These facilities are also available for other funding obligations should the Company be unsuccessful in its pursuit of Archstone.

We believe that cash and cash equivalents, securities readily convertible to cash, current availability on our revolving credit facility and delayed draw term loan facility and disposition proceeds for 2012 will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our funding obligations relating to asset acquisitions, including an interest in Archstone, debt maturities and existing development projects through 2012. We expect that our remaining longer-term funding requirements will be met through some combination of new borrowings, equity issuances (including EQR's ATM Common Share offering program), property dispositions, joint ventures and cash generated from operations.

There is significant uncertainty surrounding the futures of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “Government Sponsored Enterprises” or “GSEs”). Through their lender originator networks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are significant lenders both to the Company and to buyers of the Company's properties. The GSEs have a mandate to support multifamily housing through their financing activities. Any changes to their mandates, reductions in their size or the scale of their activities or loss of key personnel could have a significant impact on the Company and may, among other things, lead to lower values for our disposition assets and higher interest rates on our borrowings. Such changes may also provide an advantage to us by making the cost of financing single family home ownership more expensive and provide us a competitive advantage given the size of our balance sheet and the multiple sources of capital to which we have access.
    
We believe that the Company is well-positioned as of March 31, 2012 because our properties are geographically diverse, were approximately 94.8% occupied (95.2% on a same store basis) and the long-term demographic picture is positive. With the exception of the Washington, D.C. and Seattle market areas, little new multifamily rental supply will be added to our markets over the next several years. We believe our strong balance sheet and ample liquidity will allow us to fund our debt maturities and development costs in the near term, and should also allow us to take advantage of investment opportunities in the future. As economic conditions continue to improve, the short-term nature of our leases and the limited supply of new rental housing being constructed, along with the customer service and superior value provided by our on-site personnel, should allow us to realize even more revenue growth and improvement in our operating results.

The current environment information presented above is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Results of Operations
In conjunction with our business objectives and operating strategy, the Company continued to invest in apartment properties located in strategically targeted markets during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as follows:

Acquired $159.1 million of apartment properties consisting of three consolidated properties and 544 apartment units at a weighted average cap rate (see definition below) of 4.4% and two land parcels for $23.7 million, all of which we deem to be in our strategic targeted markets; and
Sold $206.4 million of consolidated apartment properties consisting of three properties and 1,522 apartment units at a weighted average cap rate of 6.2% generating an unlevered internal rate of return (IRR), inclusive of management

41



costs, of 12.6%, the majority of which were in exit or less desirable markets.
The Company’s primary financial measure for evaluating each of its apartment communities is net operating income (“NOI”). NOI represents rental income less property and maintenance expense, real estate tax and insurance expense and property management expense. The Company believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of its operating performance because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Company’s apartment communities. The cap rate is generally the first year NOI yield (net of replacements) on the Company’s investment.
Properties that the Company owned and were stabilized (see definition below) for all of both of the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (the “First Quarter 2012 Same Store Properties”), which represented 105,612 apartment units, impacted the Company's results of operations. The First Quarter 2012 Same Store Properties are discussed in the following paragraphs.
The following tables provide a rollforward of the apartment units included in Same Store Properties and a reconciliation of apartment units included in Same Store Properties to those included in Total Properties for the period outlined:
 
 Apartment Units
2012
 
Same Store Properties at December 31, 2011
101,312

 
 
2010 acquisitions
4,445

2010 acquisitions not stabilized
(1,238
)
2012 dispositions
(1,522
)
Consolidation of previously unconsolidated
   properties in 2010 (1)
1,043

Lease-up properties stabilized
1,570

Other
2

 
 
Same Store Properties at March 31, 2012
105,612

 
 
 
 Apartment Units
2012
 
Same Store
105,612

 
 
Non-Same Store:
 
2012 acquisitions
544

   2011 acquisitions
6,198

   Lease-up properties not yet stabilized (2)
3,741

   Other
2

Total Non-Same Store
10,485

Military Housing (not consolidated)
4,914

 
 
Total Apartment Units
121,011

 
 
Note: Properties are considered "stabilized" when they have achieved 90% occupancy for three consecutive months. Properties are included in Same Store when they are stabilized for all of the current and comparable periods presented.

(1)
In 2010, the Company consolidated 1,811 apartment units that had previously been categorized as unconsolidated. Of these 1,811 apartment units, 208 apartment units were sold in 2010 and 560 apartment units were sold in 2011.
(2)
Includes properties in various stages of lease-up and properties where lease-up has been completed but the properties were not stabilized for the comparable periods presented.

The Company’s acquisition, disposition and completed development activities also impacted overall results of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. The impacts of these activities are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs.


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Comparison of the quarter ended March 31, 2012 to the quarter ended March 31, 2011

For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company reported diluted earnings per share of $0.47 compared to $0.423 per share in the same period of 2011. The difference is primarily due to higher gains from property sales in 2012 vs. 2011 and higher total property net operating income driven by the positive impact of the Company's same store and lease-up activity, partially offset by dilution as a result of the net impact of the Company's 2011 and 2012 acquisition and disposition activities.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, income from continuing operations increased approximately $26.3 million when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The increase in continuing operations is discussed below.

Revenues from the First Quarter 2012 Same Store Properties increased $24.7 million primarily as a result of an increase in average rental rates charged to residents. Expenses from the First Quarter 2012 Same Store Properties increased $3.0 million primarily due to increases in real estate taxes, on-site payroll costs and other on-site operating expenses, partially offset by decreases in utilities. The following tables provide comparative same store results and statistics for the First Quarter 2012 Same Store Properties:
 
First Quarter 2012 vs. First Quarter 2011
Same Store Results/Statistics
$ in thousands (except for Average Rental Rate) – 105,612 Same Store Apartment Units
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Results
 
Statistics
Description
 
Revenues
 
Expenses
 
NOI
 
Average Rental
Rate (1)
 
Occupancy
 
Turnover
Q1 2012
 
$
473,957

 
$
173,054

 
$
300,903

 
$
1,578

 
94.9
%
 
12.5
%
Q1 2011
 
$
449,232

 
$
170,017

 
$
279,215

 
$
1,496

 
94.9
%
 
11.5
%
Change
 
$
24,725

 
$
3,037

 
$
21,688

 
$
82

 
0.0
%
 
1.0
%
Change
 
5.5
%
 
1.8
%
 
7.8
%
 
5.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Average rental rate is defined as total rental revenues divided by the weighted average occupied apartment units for the period.
The following table provides comparative same store operating expenses for the First Quarter 2012 Same Store Properties:
 
First Quarter 2012 vs. First Quarter 2011
Same Store Operating Expenses
$ in thousands – 105,612 Same Store Apartment Units
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
Q1 2012
 
Actual
Q1 2011
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
% of Actual
Q1 2012
Operating
Expenses
Real estate taxes
 
$
50,167

 
$
47,730

 
$
2,437

 
5.1
 %
 
29.0
%
On-site payroll (1)
 
39,913

 
39,168

 
745

 
1.9
 %
 
23.1
%
Utilities (2)
 
27,160

 
28,531

 
(1,371
)
 
(4.8
)%
 
15.7
%
Repairs and maintenance (3)
 
23,129

 
22,638

 
491

 
2.2
 %
 
13.4
%
Property management costs (4)
 
18,247

 
17,969

 
278

 
1.5
 %
 
10.5
%
Insurance
 
5,436

 
5,095

 
341

 
6.7
 %
 
3.1
%
Leasing and advertising
 
2,700

 
3,354

 
(654
)
 
(19.5
)%
 
1.6
%
Other on-site operating expenses (5)
 
6,302

 
5,532

 
770

 
13.9
 %
 
3.6
%
Same store operating expenses
 
$
173,054

 
$
170,017

 
$
3,037

 
1.8
 %
 
100.0
%

(1)
On-site payroll – Includes payroll and related expenses for on-site personnel including property managers, leasing consultants and maintenance staff.
(2)
Utilities – Represents gross expenses prior to any recoveries under the Resident Utility Billing System (“RUBS”). Recoveries are reflected in rental income.

43



(3)
Repairs and maintenance – Includes general maintenance costs, apartment unit turnover costs including interior painting, routine landscaping, security, exterminating, fire protection, snow removal, elevator, roof and parking lot repairs and other miscellaneous building repair costs.
(4)
Property management costs – Includes payroll and related expenses for departments, or portions of departments, that directly support on-site management. These include such departments as regional and corporate property management, property accounting, human resources, training, marketing and revenue management, procurement, real estate tax, property legal services and information technology.
(5)
Other on-site operating expenses – Includes administrative costs such as office supplies, telephone and data charges and association and business licensing fees.
The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income per the consolidated statements of operations to NOI for the First Quarter 2012 Same Store Properties:
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Operating income
 
$
146,152

 
$
115,953

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Non-same store operating results
 
(32,917
)
 
(5,768
)
Fee and asset management revenue
 
(2,064
)
 
(1,806
)
Fee and asset management expense
 
1,307

 
948

Depreciation
 
174,737

 
158,455

General and administrative
 
13,688

 
11,433

Same store NOI
 
$
300,903

 
$
279,215

For properties that the Company acquired prior to January 1, 2011 and expects to continue to own through December 31, 2012, the Company anticipates the following same store results for the full year ending December 31, 2012:
 
2012 Same Store Assumptions
Physical occupancy
95.2%
Revenue change
5.0% to 6.0%
Expense change
1.5 % to 2.5%
NOI change
6.5% to 8.5%
The Company anticipates consolidated rental acquisitions of $1.25 billion and consolidated rental dispositions of $1.25 billion and expects that acquisitions will have a 1.25% lower cap rate than dispositions for the full year ending December 31, 2012.
These 2012 assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.
Non-same store operating results increased approximately $27.1 million and consist primarily of properties acquired in calendar years 2011 and 2012, as well as operations from the Company’s completed development properties. Although the operations of both the non-same store assets and the same store assets have been positively impacted during the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the non-same store assets have contributed a greater percentage of total NOI to the Company’s overall operating results primarily due to 2011 and 2012 acquisitions, increasing occupancy for properties in lease-up and a longer ownership period in 2012 than 2011. This increase primarily resulted from:

Development and other miscellaneous properties in lease-up of $3.5 million;
Properties acquired in 2011 and 2012 of $16.4 million; and
Newly stabilized development and other miscellaneous properties of $3.0 million.
See also Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Company’s segment disclosures.
Fee and asset management revenues, net of fee and asset management expenses, decreased approximately $0.1 million or 11.8% primarily due to higher expenses, partially offset by fees earned on management of the Company’s unconsolidated development joint ventures.

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Property management expenses from continuing operations include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Company’s properties as well as management fees paid to any third party management companies. These expenses increased approximately $1.0 million or 4.6%. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in payroll-related costs, the timing of education/conference expenses and legal and professional fees.
Depreciation expense from continuing operations, which includes depreciation on non-real estate assets, increased approximately $16.3 million or 10.3% primarily as a result of additional depreciation expense on properties acquired in 2011, development properties placed in service and capital expenditures for all properties owned, partially offset by a decrease in the amortization of both in-place leases and furniture, fixtures and equipment that were fully depreciated.
General and administrative expenses from continuing operations, which include corporate operating expenses, increased approximately $2.3 million or 19.7% primarily due to an increase in payroll-related costs, which is largely a result of the acceleration of long-term compensation expense for retirement eligible employees. The Company anticipates that general and administrative expenses will approximate $47.0 million to $48.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2012. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.
Interest and other income from continuing operations decreased approximately $0.8 million or 83.0% primarily as a result of lower interest earned on cash and cash equivalents due to lower overall cash invested during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 and forfeited deposits for terminated disposition transactions and proceeds received from the Company's royalty participation in LRO/Rainmaker (a revenue management system) that both occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and did not reoccur during the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The Company anticipates that interest and other income will approximate $0.5 million to $1.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2012. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.
Other expenses from continuing operations increased approximately $4.9 million primarily due to the settlement of a dispute with the owners of a land parcel, an increase in property acquisition costs incurred in conjunction with the Company’s 2012 acquisitions as well as transaction costs related to the pursuit of Archstone.
Interest expense from continuing operations, including amortization of deferred financing costs, decreased approximately $1.9 million or 1.5% primarily as a result of lower interest expense on mortgage notes payable due to lower balances during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 and higher capitalized interest in 2012, partially offset by interest expense on the $1.0 billion of unsecured notes that closed in December 2011. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company capitalized interest costs of approximately $5.0 million as compared to $1.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. This capitalization of interest primarily relates to consolidated projects under development. The effective interest cost on all indebtedness for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 was 5.26% as compared to 5.13% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The Company anticipates that interest expense from continuing operations will approximate $458.0 million to $468.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2012. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.
Income and other tax expense from continuing operations was consistent between the periods under comparison. The Company anticipates that income and other tax expense will approximate $0.5 million to $1.5 million for the year ending December 31, 2012. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.
Discontinued operations, net decreased approximately $7.2 million or 5.1% between the periods under comparison. This decrease is primarily due to better operating results in 2011 vs. 2012 for properties sold, partially offset by higher gains on sales from dispositions during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Properties sold in 2012 reflect operations for a partial period in 2012 in contrast to a full or partial period in 2011. See Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

EQR issues public equity from time to time and guarantees certain debt of ERPOP. EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership.
As of January 1, 2012, the Company had approximately $383.9 million of cash and cash equivalents, its restricted 1031 exchange proceeds totaled $53.7 million and it had $1.22 billion available under its revolving credit facility (net of $31.8 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit). After taking into effect the various transactions discussed in the following paragraphs and the net cash provided by operating activities, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance at March 31, 2012 was approximately $219.6 million, its restricted 1031 exchange proceeds totaled $79.1 million and the amount available on its revolving credit facility was $1.72 billion (net of $30.8 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit).
During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company generated proceeds from various transactions, which included

45



the following:

Disposed of three consolidated properties, receiving net proceeds of approximately $204.3 million; and
Issued approximately 2.9 million Common Shares (including Common Shares issued under the ATM program – see further discussion below) and received net proceeds of $146.7 million, which were contributed to the capital of the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis).
During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the above proceeds were primarily utilized to:

Acquire three rental properties and two land parcels for approximately $183.1 million;
Invest $35.9 million primarily in development projects; and
Repay $51.8 million of mortgage loans and $253.9 million of unsecured notes.
In September 2009, EQR announced the establishment of an At-The-Market (“ATM”) share offering program which would allow EQR to sell up to 17.0 million Common Shares from time to time over the next three years (later increased by 5.7 million Common Shares and extended to February 2014) into the existing trading market at current market prices as well as through negotiated transactions. Per the terms of ERPOP’s partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds from all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis). EQR may, but shall have no obligation to, sell Common Shares through the ATM share offering program in amounts and at times to be determined by EQR. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by EQR from time to time, including (among others) market conditions, the trading price of EQR’s Common Shares and determinations of the appropriate sources of funding for EQR. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, EQR issued approximately 2.1 million Common Shares at an average price of $59.47 per share for total consideration of approximately $123.6 million through the ATM program. EQR has not issued any shares under this program since February 13, 2012. Through April 26, 2012, EQR has cumulatively issued approximately 15.6 million Common Shares at an average price of $47.53 per share for total consideration of approximately $741.2 million. EQR has 7.1 million Common Shares remaining available for issuance under the ATM program as of April 26, 2012.
Depending on its analysis of market prices, economic conditions and other opportunities for the investment of available capital, EQR may repurchase its Common Shares pursuant to its existing share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Trustees. As of April 26, 2012, EQR had authorization to repurchase an additional $464.6 million of its shares. No shares were repurchased during the quarter ended March 31, 2012. See Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Depending on its analysis of prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors, the Company may from time to time seek to repurchase and retire its outstanding debt in open market or privately negotiated transactions.
The Company’s total debt summary and debt maturity schedules as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:


46



Debt Summary as of March 31, 2012
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts (1)
 
% of Total
 
Weighted
Average
Rates (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Maturities
(years)
Secured
 
$
4,056,976

 
43.1
%
 
4.88
%
 
8.1

Unsecured
 
5,355,590

 
56.9
%
 
5.14
%
 
5.1

Total
 
$
9,412,566

 
100.0
%
 
5.03
%
 
6.4

Fixed Rate Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured – Conventional
 
$
3,527,819

 
37.5
%
 
5.53
%
 
6.7

Unsecured – Public/Private
 
4,549,919

 
48.3
%
 
5.73
%
 
5.9

Fixed Rate Debt
 
8,077,738

 
85.8
%
 
5.64
%
 
6.3

Floating Rate Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured – Conventional
 
64,061

 
0.7
%
 
3.33
%
 
1.2

Secured – Tax Exempt
 
465,096

 
4.9
%
 
0.15
%
 
20.6

Unsecured – Public/Private
 
805,671

 
8.6
%
 
1.68
%
 
0.7

Unsecured – Revolving Credit Facility
 

 

 

 
2.3

Floating Rate Debt
 
1,334,828

 
14.2
%
 
1.23
%
 
7.3

Total
 
$
9,412,566

 
100.0
%
 
5.03
%
 
6.4


(1)
Net of the effect of any derivative instruments. Weighted average rates are for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Note: The Company capitalized interest of approximately $5.0 million and $1.7 million during the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Debt Maturity Schedule as of March 31, 2012
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
Fixed
Rate (1)
 
Floating
Rate (1)
 
 
 
Total
 
% of Total
 
Weighted Average
Rates on Fixed
Rate Debt (1)
 
Weighted Average
Rates on
Total Debt (1)
2012
 
$
315,756

 
$
535,546

 
(2)
 
$
851,302

 
9.0
%
 
5.62
%
 
2.69
%
2013
 
267,869

 
306,182

 
 
 
574,051

 
6.1
%
 
6.70
%
 
4.86
%
2014
 
564,477

 
22,019

 
 
 
586,496

 
6.2
%
 
5.31
%
 
5.24
%
2015
 
418,012

 

 
 
 
418,012

 
4.4
%
 
6.31
%
 
6.31
%
2016
 
1,190,610

 

 
 
 
1,190,610

 
12.7
%
 
5.34
%
 
5.34
%
2017
 
1,355,806

 
456

 
  
 
1,356,262

 
14.4
%
 
5.87
%
 
5.87
%
2018
 
80,901

 
18,419

 
  
 
99,320

 
1.1
%
 
5.71
%
 
4.82
%
2019
 
802,043

 
20,766

 
  
 
822,809

 
8.7
%
 
5.49
%
 
5.36
%
2020
 
1,671,868

 
809

 
  
 
1,672,677

 
17.8
%
 
5.50
%
 
5.50
%
2021
 
1,165,475

 
856

 
  
 
1,166,331

 
12.4
%
 
4.64
%
 
4.64
%
2022+
 
233,860

 
435,539

 
  
 
669,399

 
7.1
%
 
6.75
%
 
2.88
%
Premium/(Discount)
 
11,061

 
(5,764
)
 
 
 
5,297

 
0.1
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

Total
 
$
8,077,738

 
$
1,334,828

 
  
 
$
9,412,566

 
100.0
%
 
5.52
%
 
4.95
%

(1)
Net of the effect of any derivative instruments. Weighted average rates are as of March 31, 2012.
(2)
Effective April 5, 2011, the Company exercised the second of its two one-year extension options for its $500.0 million term loan facility and as a result, the maturity date is now October 5, 2012.
The following table provides a summary of the Company’s unsecured debt as of March 31, 2012:
 

47



Unsecured Debt Summary as of March 31, 2012
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coupon
Rate
 
Due
Date
 
 
 
Face
Amount
 
Unamortized
Premium/
(Discount)
 
Net
Balance
Fixed Rate Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.500%
 
10/01/12
 
  
 
$
222,133

 
$
(109
)
 
$
222,024

 
 
5.200%
 
04/01/13
 
(1)
 
400,000

 
(118
)
 
399,882

Fair Value Derivative Adjustments
 
 
 
    
 
(1)
 
(300,000
)
 

 
(300,000
)
 
 
5.250%
 
09/15/14
 
  
 
500,000

 
(151
)
 
499,849

 
 
6.584%
 
04/13/15
 
  
 
300,000

 
(331
)
 
299,669

 
 
5.125%
 
03/15/16
 
  
 
500,000

 
(211
)
 
499,789

 
 
5.375%
 
08/01/16
 
  
 
400,000

 
(804
)
 
399,196

 
 
5.750%
 
06/15/17
 
  
 
650,000

 
(2,670
)
 
647,330

 
 
7.125%
 
10/15/17
 
  
 
150,000

 
(360
)
 
149,640

 
 
4.750%
 
07/15/20
 
  
 
600,000

 
(3,777
)
 
596,223

 
 
4.625%
 
12/15/21
 

 
1,000,000

 
(3,683
)
 
996,317

 
 
7.570%
 
08/15/26
 
  
 
140,000

 

 
140,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,562,133

 
(12,214
)
 
4,549,919

Floating Rate Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
04/01/13
 
(1)
 
300,000

 

 
300,000

Fair Value Derivative Adjustments
 
 
 
    
 
(1)
 
5,671

 

 
5,671

Term Loan Facility
 
LIBOR+0.50%
 
10/05/12
 
(2)(3) 
 
500,000

 

 
500,000

Delayed Draw Term Loan Facility
 
LIBOR+1.25%
 
01/04/13
 
(2)(4)
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
805,671

 

 
805,671

Revolving Credit Facility:
 
LIBOR+1.15%
 
07/13/14
 
(2)(5) 
 

 

 

Total Unsecured Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,367,804

 
$
(12,214
)
 
$
5,355,590


(1)
Fair value interest rate swaps convert $300.0 million of the 5.200% notes due April 1, 2013 to a floating interest rate.
(2)
Facilities are private. All other unsecured debt is public.
(3)
Effective April 5, 2011, the Company exercised the second of its two one-year extension options for its $500.0 million term loan facility and as a result, the maturity date is now October 5, 2012.
(4)
On January 6, 2012, the Company entered into a new senior unsecured $500.0 million delayed draw term loan facility that may be drawn anytime on or before July 4, 2012 and is currently undrawn. If the Company elects to draw on this facility, up to the full amount of the principal will be funded in a single borrowing and the maturity date will be January 4, 2013, subject to two one-year extension options exercisable by the Company. The interest rate on advances under the new term loan facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.25%), which is dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long term debt.
(5)
As of March 31, 2012, there was approximately $1.72 billion available on the Company’s unsecured revolving credit facility.

An unlimited amount of equity and debt securities remains available for issuance by EQR and ERPOP under effective shelf registration statements filed with the SEC. Most recently, EQR and ERPOP filed a universal shelf registration statement for an unlimited amount of equity and debt securities that automatically became effective upon filing with the SEC in October 2010 and expires on October 15, 2013. However, as of April 26, 2012, issuances under the ATM share offering program are limited to 7.1 million additional shares. Per the terms of ERPOP’s partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds of all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis) or preference units (on a one-for-one preferred share per preference unit basis).
The Company’s “Consolidated Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio” as of March 31, 2012 is presented in the following table. The Company calculates the equity component of its market capitalization as the sum of (i) the total outstanding Common Shares and assumed conversion of all Units at the equivalent market value of the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange and (ii) the liquidation value of all perpetual preferred shares outstanding.
 

48



Equity Residential 
Capital Structure as of March 31, 2012
(Amounts in thousands except for share/unit and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured Debt
 
 
 
 
 
$
4,056,976

 
43.1
%
 
 
Unsecured Debt
 
 
 
 
 
5,355,590

 
56.9
%
 
 
Total Debt
 
 
 
 
 
9,412,566

 
100.0
%
 
32.1
%
Common Shares (includes Restricted Shares)
 
300,522,169

 
95.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Units (includes OP Units and LTIP Units)
 
13,531,417

 
4.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Shares and Units
 
314,053,586

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Share Price at March 31, 2012
 
$
62.62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19,666,036

 
99.0
%
 
 
Perpetual Preferred Equity (see below)
 
 
 
 
 
200,000

 
1.0
%
 
 
Total Equity
 
 
 
 
 
19,866,036

 
100.0
%
 
67.9
%
Total Market Capitalization
 
 
 
 
 
$
29,278,602

 
 
 
100.0
%

 
Equity Residential
Perpetual Preferred Equity as of March 31, 2012
(Amounts in thousands except for share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series
 
Redemption
Date
 
Outstanding
Shares
 
Liquidation
Value
 
Annual
Dividend
Per Share
 
Annual
Dividend
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Rate
Preferred Shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K
 
12/10/26
 
1,000,000

 
$
50,000

 
$
4.145

 
$
4,145

 
 
6.48% Series N
 
06/19/08
 
600,000

 
150,000

 
16.20

 
9,720

 
 
Total Perpetual Preferred Equity
 
 
 
1,600,000

 
$
200,000

 
 
 
$
13,865

 
6.93
%
The Operating Partnership’s “Consolidated Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio” as of March 31, 2012 is presented in the following table. The Operating Partnership calculates the equity component of its market capitalization as the sum of (i) the total outstanding Units at the equivalent market value of the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange and (ii) the liquidation value of all perpetual preference units outstanding.
 
ERP Operating Limited Partnership 
Capital Structure as of March 31, 2012
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured Debt
 
 
 
$
4,056,976

 
43.1
%
 
 
Unsecured Debt
 
 
 
5,355,590

 
56.9
%
 
 
Total Debt
 
 
 
9,412,566

 
100.0
%
 
32.1
%
Total outstanding Units
 
314,053,586

 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Share Price at March 31, 2012
 
$
62.62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19,666,036

 
99.0
%
 
 
Perpetual Preference Units (see below)
 
 
 
200,000

 
1.0
%
 
 
Total Equity
 
 
 
19,866,036

 
100.0
%
 
67.9
%
Total Market Capitalization
 
 
 
$
29,278,602

 
 
 
100.0
%

 

49



ERP Operating Limited Partnership
Perpetual Preference Units as of March 31, 2012
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series
 
Redemption
Date
 
Outstanding
Units
 
Liquidation
Value
 
Annual
Dividend
Per Unit
 
Annual
Dividend
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Rate
Preference Units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K
 
12/10/26
 
1,000,000

 
$
50,000

 
$
4.145

 
$
4,145

 
 
6.48% Series N
 
06/19/08
 
600,000

 
150,000

 
16.20

 
9,720

 
 
Total Perpetual Preference Units
 
 
 
1,600,000

 
$
200,000

 
 
 
$
13,865

 
6.93
%
The Company generally expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements, including capital expenditures related to maintaining its existing properties and scheduled unsecured note and mortgage note repayments, through its working capital, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Under normal operating conditions, the Company considers its cash provided by operating activities to be adequate to meet operating requirements and payments of distributions.
During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company announced a new dividend policy which it believes will generate payouts more closely aligned with the actual annual operating results of the Company’s core business and provide transparency to investors. The Company intends to pay an annual cash dividend equal to approximately 65% of Normalized FFO for the year. Subject to Board of Trustees approval, the Company anticipates the expected dividend payout will range from $1.74 to $1.81 per share/Unit ($0.3375 per share/Unit for each of the first three quarters with the balance for the fourth quarter) for the year ending December 31, 2012 to bring the total payment for the year to approximately 65% of Normalized FFO for the year. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking. While our dividend policy makes it less likely we will over distribute, it will also lead to a dividend reduction more quickly than a fixed dividend policy should operating results deteriorate. However, whether due to changes in the dividend policy or otherwise, there may be times when the Company experiences shortfalls in its coverage of distributions, which may cause the Company to consider reducing its distributions and/or using the proceeds from property dispositions or additional financing transactions to make up the difference. Should these shortfalls occur for lengthy periods of time or be material in nature, the Company’s financial condition may be adversely affected and it may not be able to maintain its current distribution levels. The Company believes that its expected 2012 operating cash flow will be sufficient to cover capital expenditures and distributions.
The Company also expects to meet its long-term liquidity requirements, such as scheduled unsecured note and mortgage debt maturities, property acquisitions, financing of construction and development activities and capital improvements through the issuance of secured and unsecured debt and equity securities, including additional OP Units, and proceeds received from the disposition of certain properties and joint ventures. In addition, the Company has significant unencumbered properties available to secure additional mortgage borrowings in the event that the public capital markets are unavailable or the cost of alternative sources of capital is too high. The fair value of and cash flow from these unencumbered properties are in excess of the requirements the Company must maintain in order to comply with covenants under its unsecured notes and line of credit. Of the $20.5 billion in investment in real estate on the Company’s balance sheet at March 31, 2012, $14.2 billion or 68.9% was unencumbered. However, there can be no assurances that these sources of capital will be available to the Company in the future on acceptable terms or otherwise.
ERPOP’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Moody’s and Fitch for its outstanding senior debt are BBB+, Baal and BBB+, respectively. EQR’s equity ratings from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch for its outstanding preferred equity are BBB+, Baa2 and BBB-, respectively. During the first quarter of 2011, Moody’s raised its outlook for both EQR and ERPOP from negative outlook to stable outlook and in the fourth quarter of 2011 revised its outlook from stable outlook to developing outlook.
In July 2011, the Company replaced its then existing unsecured revolving credit facility with a new $1.25 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing on July 13, 2014, subject to a one-year extension option exercisable by the Company. The interest rate on advances under the new credit facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.15%) and the Company pays an annual facility fee of 0.2%. Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of the Company’s long-term debt. Effective January 6, 2012, the Company amended this facility to increase available borrowings by $500.0 million to $1.75 billion. The terms did not change, including the July 13, 2014 maturity date. As of April 26, 2012, there was available borrowings of $1.68 billion (net of $30.8 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and net of $40.0 million outstanding) on the revolving credit facility. This facility may, among other potential uses, be used to fund property acquisitions, costs for certain properties under development and short-term liquidity requirements.

50



In 2010, a portion of the parking garage collapsed at one of the Company’s rental properties (Prospect Towers in Hackensack, New Jersey). The costs related to the collapse (both expensed and capitalized), including providing for residents' interim needs, lost revenue and garage reconstruction, were approximately $22.8 million, before insurance reimbursements of $13.6 million. The garage has been rebuilt with cumulative costs approximating $13.3 million capitalized as incurred. Other costs approximating $9.5 million, like those to accommodate displaced residents, lost revenue due to a portion of the property being temporarily unavailable for occupancy and legal costs, reduced earnings as they were incurred. Generally, insurance proceeds were recorded as increases to earnings as they were received. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company received approximately $3.5 million in insurance proceeds (included in real estate taxes and insurance on the consolidated statements of operations), which represented its final reimbursement of the $13.6 million in cumulative insurance proceeds. The Company does not anticipate any remaining costs or additional lost revenues as the project has been stabilized and the garage reconstruction has been completed. None of the amounts referenced above impact same store results.

See Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the events which occurred subsequent to March 31, 2012.

Capitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate

Our policy with respect to capital expenditures is generally to capitalize expenditures that improve the value of the property or extend the useful life of the component asset of the property. We track improvements to real estate in two major categories and several subcategories:

Replacements (inside the apartment unit). These include:
flooring such as carpets, hardwood, vinyl, linoleum or tile;
appliances;
mechanical equipment such as individual furnace/air units, hot water heaters, etc;
furniture and fixtures such as kitchen/bath cabinets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, sinks, tubs, toilets, mirrors, countertops, etc; and
blinds/shades.
All replacements are depreciated over a five to ten-year estimated useful life. We expense as incurred all make-ready maintenance and turnover costs such as cleaning, interior painting of individual apartment units and the repair of any replacement item noted above.

Building improvements (outside the apartment unit). These include:
roof replacement and major repairs;
paving or major resurfacing of parking lots, curbs and sidewalks;
amenities and common areas such as pools, exterior sports and playground equipment, lobbies, clubhouses, laundry rooms, alarm and security systems and offices;
major building mechanical equipment systems;
interior and exterior structural repair and exterior painting and siding;
major landscaping and grounds improvement; and
vehicles and office and maintenance equipment.
All building improvements are depreciated over a five to fifteen-year estimated useful life. We capitalize building improvements and upgrades only if the item: (i) exceeds $2,500 (selected projects must exceed $10,000); (ii) extends the useful life of the asset; and (iii) improves the value of the asset.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, our actual improvements to real estate totaled approximately $30.2 million. This includes the following (amounts in thousands except for apartment unit and per apartment unit amounts):


51



Capital Expenditures to Real Estate
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Apartment
Units (1)
 
Replacements (2)
 
Avg. Per
Apartment
Unit
 
Building
Improvements
 
Avg. Per
Apartment
Unit
 
Total
 
Avg. Per
Apartment
Unit
Same Store Properties (3)
 
105,612

 
$
15,185

 
$
144

 
$
9,949

 
$
94

 
$
25,134

 
$
238

Non-Same Store Properties (4)
 
10,485

 
1,299

 
130

 
3,682

 
369

 
4,981

 
499

Other (5)
 

 
83

 
 
 
27

 
 
 
110

 
 
Total
 
116,097

 
$
16,567

 
 
 
$
13,658

 
 
 
$
30,225

 
 
 
(1)
Total Apartment Units – Excludes 4,914 military housing apartment units for which repairs and maintenance expenses and capital expenditures to real estate are self-funded and do not consolidate into the Company’s results.
(2)
Replacements – Includes new expenditures inside the apartment units such as appliances, mechanical equipment, fixtures and flooring, including carpeting. Replacements for same store properties also include $7.3 million spent in Q1 2012 on apartment unit renovations/rehabs (primarily kitchens and baths) on 1,027 apartment units (equating to about $7,100 per apartment unit rehabbed) designed to reposition these assets for higher rental levels in their respective markets.
(3)
Same Store Properties – Primarily includes all properties acquired or completed and stabilized prior to January 1, 2011, less properties subsequently sold.
(4)
Non-Same Store Properties – Primarily includes all properties acquired during 2011 and 2012, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of January 1, 2011. Per apartment unit amounts are based on a weighted average of 9,988 apartment units.
(5)
Other – Primarily includes expenditures for properties sold during the period.
For 2012, the Company estimates that it will spend approximately $1,225 per apartment unit of capital expenditures for its same store properties inclusive of apartment unit renovation/rehab costs, or $850 per apartment unit excluding apartment unit renovation/rehab costs. For 2012, the Company estimates that it will spend approximately $39.2 million rehabbing 4,700 apartment units (equating to about $8,300 per apartment unit rehabbed). The above assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company’s total non-real estate capital additions, such as computer software, computer equipment, and furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements to the Company’s property management offices and its corporate offices, were approximately $2.2 million. The Company expects to fund approximately $4.5 million in total additions to non-real estate property for the remainder of 2012. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Improvements to real estate and additions to non-real estate property are generally funded from net cash provided by operating activities and from investment cash flow.

Derivative Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to the effect of interest rate changes. The Company seeks to manage these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on debt instruments.
The Company has a policy of only entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. When viewed in conjunction with the underlying and offsetting exposure that the derivatives are designed to hedge, the Company has not sustained a material loss from these instruments nor does it anticipate any material adverse effect on its net income or financial position in the future from the use of derivatives it currently has in place.

See Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative instruments at March 31, 2012.

Other

Total distributions paid in April 2012 amounted to $109.4 million (excluding distributions on Partially Owned Properties), which included certain distributions declared during the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.




52



Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

The Company admitted an 80% institutional partner to two separate entities/transactions (one in December 2010 and the other in August 2011), each owning a developable land parcel, in exchange for $40.1 million in cash and retained a 20% equity interest in both of these entities. These land parcels are now unconsolidated. Total project costs are approximately $232.8 million and construction will be predominantly funded with two separate long-term, non-recourse secured loans from the partner. While the Company is the managing member of both of the joint ventures, is responsible for constructing both of the projects and has given certain construction cost overrun guarantees, all major decisions are made jointly, the large majority of funding is provided by the partner and the partner has significant involvement in and oversight of the ongoing projects. The Company’s remaining funding obligations are currently estimated at $3.0 million. The Company’s strategy with respect to these ventures was to reduce its financial risk related to the development of the properties. However, management does not believe that these investments have a materially different impact upon the Company’s liquidity, cash flows, capital resources, credit or market risk than its other consolidated development activities.

In December 2011, the Company acquired a vacant land parcel at 400 Park Avenue South in New York City in a joint venture with Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL). The Company is the managing member and Toll Brothers does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. Until the core and shell of the building is complete, the building and land will be owned jointly and are required to be consolidated on the Company's balance sheet. Thereafter, the Company will solely own and control the rental portion of the building (floors 2-22) and Toll Brothers will solely own and control the for sale portion of the building (floors 23-40). Once the core and shell are complete, the Toll Brothers' portion of the property will be deconsolidated from the Company's balance sheet. The acquisition was financed through contributions by the Company and Toll Brothers of approximately $102.5 million and $75.7 million, respectively, which included a land purchase price, restricted deposits and taxes and fees. Management does not believe that this investment has a materially different impact upon the Company's liquidity, cash flows, capital resources, credit or market risk than its other consolidated development activities.

As of March 31, 2012, the Company has six consolidated projects totaling 1,535 apartment units and two unconsolidated projects totaling 945 apartment units in various stages of development with estimated completion dates ranging through March 31, 2014, as well as other completed development projects that are in various stages of lease up or are stabilized. The development agreements currently in place are discussed in detail in Note 12 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

See also Notes 2 and 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Company’s investments in partially owned entities.

The Company’s contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter have not changed materially from the amounts and disclosures included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, other than as it relates to scheduled debt maturities. See the updated debt maturity schedule included in Liquidity and Capital Resources for further discussion.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different or different assumptions were made, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in different financial results or different presentation of our financial statements.

The Company has identified five significant accounting policies as critical accounting policies. These critical accounting policies are those that have the most impact on the reporting of our financial condition and those requiring significant judgments and estimates. With respect to these critical accounting policies, management believes that the application of judgments and estimates is consistently applied and produces financial information that fairly presents the results of operations for all periods presented. The five critical accounting policies are:

Acquisition of Investment Properties

The Company allocates the purchase price of properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired based on their fair values. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, the Company utilizes a number of sources, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, our own analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties in our portfolio and other market data. The Company also considers information obtained about each property as a result of its pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired.

53




Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets, including its investments in real estate, for indicators of impairment. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions and legal and environmental concerns, as well as the Company’s ability to hold and its intent with regard to each asset. Future events could occur which would cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and an impairment loss is warranted.

Depreciation of Investment in Real Estate

The Company depreciates the building component of its investment in real estate over a 30-year estimated useful life, building improvements over a 5-year to 15-year estimated useful life and both the furniture, fixtures and equipment and replacements components over a 5-year to 10-year estimated useful life, all of which are judgmental determinations.

Cost Capitalization

See the Capitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate section for a discussion of the Company’s policy with respect to capitalization vs. expensing of fixed asset/repair and maintenance costs. In addition, the Company capitalizes an allocation of the payroll and associated costs of employees directly responsible for and who spend their time on the supervision of major capital and/or renovation projects. These costs are reflected on the balance sheet as an increase to depreciable property.

For all development projects, the Company uses its professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for capitalization or must be expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes and insurance and payroll and associated costs for those individuals directly responsible for and who spend their time on development activities, with capitalization ceasing no later than 90 days following issuance of the certificate of occupancy. These costs are reflected on the balance sheet as construction-in-progress for each specific property. The Company expenses as incurred all payroll costs of on-site employees working directly at our properties, except as noted above on our development properties prior to certificate of occupancy issuance and on specific major renovations at selected properties when additional incremental employees are hired.

During the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company capitalized $4.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of payroll and associated costs of employees directly responsible for and who spend their time on the supervision of development activities as well as major capital and/or renovation projects.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Including Derivative Instruments

The valuation of financial instruments requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments. The Company, where possible, bases the fair values of its financial instruments, including its derivative instruments, on listed market prices and third party quotes. Where these are not available, the Company bases its estimates on current instruments with similar terms and maturities or on other factors relevant to the financial instruments.

Funds From Operations and Normalized Funds From Operations

For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, Funds From Operations (“FFO”) available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units increased $14.8 million, or 8.6%, and $16.6 million, or 9.5%, respectively, as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

The following is the Company’s and Operating Partnership’s reconciliation of net income to FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:


54



Funds From Operations and Normalized Funds From Operations
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Net income
 
$
152,167

 
$
133,066

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests –
 
 
 
 
Partially Owned Properties
 
(450
)
 
40

Depreciation
 
174,737

 
158,455

Depreciation – Non-real estate additions
 
(1,354
)
 
(1,385
)
Depreciation – Partially Owned and Unconsolidated Properties
 
(800
)
 
(750
)
Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
371

 
10,855

Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 
(132,956
)
 
(123,754
)
Net incremental gain on sales of condominium units
 
49

 
395

FFO (1) (3)
 
191,764

 
176,922

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Asset impairment and valuation allowances
 

 

Property acquisition costs and write-off of pursuit costs (other expenses)
 
2,626

 
2,164

Debt extinguishment (gains) losses, including prepayment penalties, preferred
    share/preference unit redemptions and non-cash convertible debt discounts
 
(41
)
 
2,063

(Gains) losses on sales of non-operating assets, net of income and other tax
    expense (benefit)
 
(4
)
 
(376
)
Other miscellaneous non-comparable items
 
974

 
(2,100
)
Normalized FFO (2) (3)
 
$
195,319

 
$
178,673

 
 
 
 
 
FFO (1) (3)
 
$
191,764

 
$
176,922

Preferred/preference distributions
 
(3,466
)
 
(3,466
)
FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (1) (3) (4)
 
$
188,298

 
$
173,456

 
 
 
 
 
Normalized FFO (2) (3)
 
$
195,319

 
$
178,673

Preferred/preference distributions
 
(3,466
)
 
(3,466
)
Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (2) (3) (4)
 
$
191,853

 
$
175,207


(1)
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines funds from operations (“FFO”) (April 2002 White Paper) as net income (computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”)), excluding gains (or losses) from sales and impairment write-downs of depreciable operating properties, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis. The April 2002 White Paper states that gain or loss on sales of property is excluded from FFO for previously depreciated operating properties only. Once the Company commences the conversion of apartment units to condominiums, it simultaneously discontinues depreciation of such property.

(2)
Normalized funds from operations (“Normalized FFO”) begins with FFO and excludes:
the impact of any expenses relating to non-operating asset impairment and valuation allowances;
property acquisition and other transaction costs related to mergers and acquisitions and pursuit cost write-offs (other expenses);
gains and losses from early debt extinguishment, including prepayment penalties, preferred share/preference unit redemptions and the cost related to the implied option value of non-cash convertible debt discounts;
gains and losses on the sales of non-operating assets, including gains and losses from land parcel and condominium sales, net of the effect of income tax benefits or expenses; and
other miscellaneous non-comparable items.

(3)
The Company believes that FFO and FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the operating performance of a real estate company, because they are recognized measures of performance by the real estate industry and by excluding gains or losses related to dispositions of depreciable property and excluding real estate depreciation (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates). FFO and FFO available

55



to Common Shares and Units / Units can help compare the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods or as compared to different companies. The company also believes that Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the operating performance of a real estate company because they allow investors to compare the company’s operating performance to its performance in prior reporting periods and to the operating performance of other real estate companies without the effect of items that by their nature are not comparable from period to period and tend to obscure the Company’s actual operating results. FFO, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units, Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units do not represent net income, net income available to Common Shares / Units or net cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, FFO, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units, Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units should not be exclusively considered as alternatives to net income, net income available to Common Shares / Units or net cash flows from operating activities as determined by GAAP or as a measure of liquidity. The Company’s calculation of FFO, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units, Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units may differ from other real estate companies due to, among other items, variations in cost capitalization policies for capital expenditures and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other real estate companies.

(4)
FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units are calculated on a basis consistent with net income available to Common Shares / Units and reflects adjustments to net income for preferred distributions and premiums on redemption of preferred shares/preference units in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The equity positions of various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units are collectively referred to as the “Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership”. Subject to certain restrictions, the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership may exchange their OP Units for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company’s and the Operating Partnership's market risk has not changed materially from the amounts and information reported in Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, to the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. See the Current Environment section of Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relating to market risk and the current economic environment. See also Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative and other fair value instruments.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

Equity Residential

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:
Effective as of March 31, 2012, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its Exchange Act filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
There were no changes to the internal control over financial reporting of the Company identified in connection with the Company’s evaluation referred to in Item 4(a) above that occurred during the first quarter of 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ERP Operating Limited Partnership

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:
Effective as of March 31, 2012, the Operating Partnership carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Operating Partnership’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of EQR, of the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Operating Partnership in its Exchange Act filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
There were no changes to the internal control over financial reporting of the Operating Partnership identified in connection with the Operating Partnership’s evaluation referred to in Item 4(a) above that occurred during the first quarter of 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

56




PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

The Company and the Operating Partnership do not believe that there have been any material developments in the legal proceedings that were discussed in Part I, Item 3 of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors that were discussed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) Unregistered Common Shares Issued in the Quarter Ended March 31, 2012 – Equity Residential

During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, EQR issued 31,361 Common Shares in exchange for 31,361 OP Units held by various limited partners of the Operating Partnership. OP Units are generally exchangeable into Common Shares on a one-for-one basis or, at the option of the Operating Partnership, the cash equivalent thereof, at any time one year after the date of issuance. These shares were either registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as these were transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. In light of the manner of the sale and information obtained by EQR from the limited partners in connection with these transactions, EQR believes it may rely on these exemptions.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.
Other Information

None.

Item 6.
Exhibits – See the Exhibit Index





















57



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 3, 2012
 
By:
 
/s/ Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 3, 2012
 
By:
 
/s/ Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
BY: EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ITS GENERAL PARTNER
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 3, 2012
 
By:
 
/s/ Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 3, 2012
 
By:
 
/s/ Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)






EXHIBIT INDEX
The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this report. References to exhibits or other filings under the caption “Location” indicate that the exhibit or other filing has been filed, that the indexed exhibit and the exhibit referred to are the same and that the exhibit referred to is incorporated by reference. The Commission file numbers for our Exchange Act filings referenced below are 1-12252 (Equity Residential) and 0-24920 (ERP Operating Limited Partnership).
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit
  
Description
  
Location
 
 
 
10.1
 
Second Amendment to Other Interest Agreement, dated April 18, 2012, by and among ERP Operating Limited Partnership, BIH ASN LLC, Archstone Equity Holdings Inc., Bank of America, N.A. and Banc of America Strategic Ventures, Inc.
 
Included as Exhibit 10.1 to Equity Residential's and ERP Operating Limited Partnership's Form 8-K dated April 18, 2012, filed on April 19, 2012.
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
  
Equity Residential – Certification of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
31.2
  
Equity Residential – Certification of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
31.3
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
31.4
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
32.1
  
Equity Residential – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
32.2
  
Equity Residential – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
32.3
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
32.4
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
101  
  
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials from Equity Residential’s and ERP Operating Limited Partnership’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012, formatted in XBRL: (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of operations, (iii) consolidated statements of cash flows, (iv) consolidated statement of changes in equity (Equity Residential), (v) consolidated statement of changes in capital (ERP Operating Limited Partnership) and (vi) notes to consolidated financial statements.
  
Attached herein.