Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles Of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation. Our condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of other subsidiaries and joint ventures (including partnerships and limited liability companies) over which we have control. All intercompany transactions, balances, and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments acquired or created are continuously evaluated based on the accounting guidance relating to variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which requires the consolidation of VIEs in which we are considered to be the primary beneficiary. If the investment is determined not to be a VIE, then the investment is evaluated for consolidation (primarily using a voting interest model) under the remaining consolidation guidance relating to real estate entities. If we are the general partner of a limited partnership, or manager of a limited liability company, we also consider the consolidation guidance relating to the rights of limited partners (non-managing members) to assess whether any rights held by the limited partners overcome the presumption of control by us.

Interim Financial Reporting

Interim Financial Reporting. We have prepared these unaudited financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, these statements do not include all information and footnote disclosures required for annual statements. While we believe the disclosures presented are adequate for interim reporting, these interim unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes included in our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and eliminations, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair representation of our financial statements for the interim period reported have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the full year.

Allocations of Purchase Price

Allocations of Purchase Price. Upon acquisition of real estate, we allocate the fair value between tangible and intangible assets, which includes land, buildings (as-if-vacant), furniture and fixtures, the value of in-place leases, including above and below market leases, and acquired liabilities. In allocating these values we apply methods similar to those used by independent appraisers of income-producing property. Upon the acquisition of a controlling interest of an investment in an unconsolidated joint venture, such joint venture is consolidated and our initial equity investment is remeasured to fair value at the date the controlling interest is acquired; any differences between the carrying value of the previously held equity investment is recognized in earnings at the time of obtaining control. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition of operating real estate assets are expensed. Estimates of fair value of acquired debt are based upon interest rates available for the issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the remaining useful lives of the related tangible assets. The value of in-place leases and above or below market leases is amortized over the estimated average remaining life of leases in place at the time of acquisition. The unamortized value of below market leases is included in other liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the unamortized value of in-place leases is included in other assets, net, in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The unamortized values of below market leases and in-place leases at September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

	September 30,
(in millions)	2013		2012
Unamortized value of below market leases	$	0.4	$	0.2
Unamortized value of in-place leases	$	2.3	$	3.3

Revenues recognized related to below market leases and amortization expense related to in-place leases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(in millions)	2013		2012		2013		2012
Revenues related to below market leases	$	0.2	$	0.2	$	0.9	$	1.2
Amortization of in-place leases	$	1.4	$	2.4	$	4.5	$	10.8

Asset Impairment

Asset Impairment. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairment may exist if estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with long-lived assets are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of such assets. We consider projected future discounted and undiscounted cash flows, trends, strategic decisions regarding future development plans, and other factors in our assessment of whether impairment conditions exist. While we believe our estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding a number of factors, including market rents, economic conditions, and occupancies, could significantly affect these estimates. In estimating fair value, management uses appraisals, management estimates, and discounted cash flow calculations which utilize inputs from a marketplace participant’s perspective. When impairment exists, the long-lived asset is adjusted to its fair value. In addition, we evaluate our equity investments in joint ventures and if we believe there is an other than temporary decline in market value of our investment below our carrying value, we will record an impairment charge. There were no impairment charges recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The value of our properties under development depends on market conditions, including estimates of the project start date as well as estimates of demand for multifamily communities. We have reviewed market trends and other marketplace information and have incorporated this information as well as our current outlook into the assumptions we use in our impairment analyses. Due to the judgment and assumptions applied in the impairment analyses, it is possible actual results could differ substantially from those estimated.

We believe the carrying value of our operating real estate assets, properties under development, and land is currently recoverable. However, if market conditions deteriorate or if changes in our development strategy significantly affect any key assumptions used in our fair value estimates, we may need to take material charges in future periods for impairments related to existing assets. Any such material non-cash charges could have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Cost Capitalization

Cost Capitalization. Real estate assets are carried at cost plus capitalized carrying charges. Carrying charges are primarily interest and real estate taxes which are capitalized as part of properties under development. Capitalized interest is generally based on the weighted average interest rate of our unsecured debt. Expenditures directly related to the development and improvement of real estate assets are capitalized at cost as land and buildings and improvements. Indirect development costs, including salaries and benefits and other related costs directly attributable to the development of properties, are also capitalized. We begin capitalizing development, construction, and carrying costs when the development of the future real estate asset is probable and activities necessary to get the underlying real estate ready for its intended use have been initiated. All construction and carrying costs are capitalized and reported in the balance sheet as properties under development until the apartment homes are substantially completed. Upon substantial completion of the apartment homes, the total capitalized development cost for the apartment homes and the associated land is transferred to buildings and improvements and land, respectively.

As discussed above, carrying charges are principally interest and real estate taxes capitalized as part of properties under development. Capitalized interest was approximately $4.2 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $10.8 million and $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Capitalized real estate taxes were approximately $0.7 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $2.3 million and $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Where possible, we stage our construction to allow leasing and occupancy during the construction period, which we believe minimizes the duration of the lease-up period following completion of construction. Our accounting policy related to properties in the development and leasing phase is to expense all operating expenses associated with completed apartment homes. We capitalize renovation and improvement costs we believe extend the economic lives of depreciable property. Capital expenditures subsequent to initial construction are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

We also incur expenditures related to renovation and construction of office space we lease and capitalize these leasehold improvements as furniture, fixtures, equipment and other. We depreciate these costs using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the useful life of the improvement. During the third quarter of 2013, we relocated our corporate headquarters. In conjunction with this relocation, we capitalized approximately $11.3 million related to leasehold improvements which will be depreciated over the life of our new lease.

Depreciation and amortization is computed over the expected useful lives of depreciable property on a straight-line basis with lives generally as follows:

	Estimated Useful Life
Buildings and improvements	5-35 years
Furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other	3-20 years
Intangible assets/liabilities (in-place leases and below market leases)	underlying lease term

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations. A property is classified as a discontinued operation when (i) the operations and cash flows of the property can be clearly distinguished and have been or will be eliminated from our ongoing operations; (ii) the property has either been disposed of or is classified as held for sale; and (iii) we will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the property after the disposal transaction. Significant judgments are involved in determining whether a property meets the criteria for discontinued operations reporting and the period in which these criteria are met. A property is classified as held for sale when (i) management commits to a plan to sell and it is actively marketed; (ii) it is available for immediate sale in its present condition and the sale is expected to be completed within one year; and (iii) it is unlikely significant changes to the plan will be made or the plan will be withdrawn.

The results of operations for properties sold during the period or classified as held for sale at the end of the current period are classified as discontinued operations in the current and prior periods. The property-specific components of earnings classified as discontinued operations include separately identifiable property-specific revenues, expenses, depreciation, and interest expense, if any. The gain or loss resulting from the eventual disposal of the held for sale properties is also classified within discontinued operations. Real estate assets held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell and are presented separately in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Subsequent to classification of a property as held for sale, no further depreciation is recorded. Properties sold by our unconsolidated entities are not included in discontinued operations and related gains or losses are reported as a component of equity in income of joint ventures.

Gains on sale of real estate are recognized using the full accrual or partial sale methods, as applicable, in accordance with GAAP, provided various criteria relating to the terms of sale and any subsequent involvement with the real estate sold are satisfied.

Fair Value

Fair Value. For financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis, fair value is the price we would receive to sell an asset, or pay to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction with a market participant at the measurement date. In the absence of such data, fair value is estimated using internal information consistent with what market participants would use in a hypothetical transaction.

In determining fair value, observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions; preference is given to observable inputs. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

• Level 1:    Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

• Level 2:    Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

• Level 3: Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.

Recurring Fair Value Disclosures. The valuation methodology we use to measure our deferred compensation plan investments at fair value on a recurring basis is based on quoted market prices utilizing public information for the same transactions. Our deferred compensation plan investments are recorded in other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Non-recurring Fair Value Disclosures. Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. These assets primarily include long-lived assets which are recorded at fair value when they are impaired. The fair value methodologies used to measure long-lived assets are described above at “Asset Impairment.” The inputs associated with the valuation of long-lived assets are generally included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.