2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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 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 indicate we do not have a controlling financial interest. We did not have any interests in VIEs at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

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 2014 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 months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the full year.

Acquisitions of Real Estate. Upon acquisition of real estate, we determine the fair value of 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 estimating 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 difference between the carrying value of the previously held equity investment and the fair value 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 net carrying value of below market leases is included in other liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the net carrying value of in-place leases is included in other assets, net in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The carrying values of below market leases and in-place leases at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:



	March 31,			December 31,
(in millions)	2015			2014
Below market leases (Gross carrying value)	$	0.5		$	0.5
Accumulated amortization	(0.5		)	(0.4		)
Value of below market leases, net	$	—		$	0.1

In-place leases (Gross carrying value)	$	3.0		$	3.0
Accumulated amortization	(2.8		)	(2.5		)
Value of in-place leases, net	$	0.2		$	0.5

Revenues recognized related to below market leases and amortization expense related to in-place leases for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in millions)	2015		2014
Revenues related to below market leases	$	0.1	$	0.2
Amortization of in-place leases	$	0.3	$	1.0

The weighted average amortization period of below market leases and in-place leases was approximately eight months and seven months for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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 months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.

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. 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 prepare the underlying real estate 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 $5.3 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Capitalized real estate taxes were approximately $0.9 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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

Fair Value. For financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring 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 is based on quoted market prices utilizing public information for the same transactions. Our deferred compensation plan investments are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and included 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 if they are impaired using the fair value methodologies used to measure long-lived assets described above at “Asset Impairment.” Non-recurring fair value disclosures are not provided for impairments on assets disposed during the period because they are no longer owned by us. The inputs associated with the valuation of long-lived assets are generally included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, unless a quoted price for a similar long-lived asset in an active market exists, at which time they are included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 ("ASU 2014-09"), "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASU 2014-09 provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for contracts with customers (excluding certain contracts, such as lease contracts) to improve comparability within industries. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue to reflect the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount the entity expects to be paid in exchange for those goods and services and provide enhanced disclosures, all to provide more comprehensive guidance for transactions such as service revenue and contract modifications. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and may be applied using either a full retrospective or a modified approach upon adoption. We expect to adopt ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2017 and are currently evaluating the impact this standard may have on our financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02 ("ASU 2015-02"), "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." ASU 2015-02 changes the analysis a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. ASU 2015-02 modifies whether limited partnerships and similar entities are VIEs or voting interest entities and eliminates the presumption a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. ASU 2015-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We expect to adopt ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2016 and do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 ("ASU 2015-03"), "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ASU 2015-03 requires all costs incurred to issue debt be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt rather than being recorded as a deferred charge and presented as an asset. ASU 2015-03 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted, and retrospective application required. We expect to adopt ASU 2015-03 as of January 1, 2016 and do not expect it to have a material impact on our financial statements.