Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Principles of Consolidation. Our 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. In determining if we have a controlling financial interest, we consider factors such as ownership interests, authority to make decisions, kick-out rights and participating rights. At December 31, 2016, two of our consolidated operating partnerships are VIEs, of which we held between 92% and 94% of the outstanding common limited partnership units and the sole 1% general partnership interest of each consolidated operating partnership. As we are considered the primary beneficiary, we continue to consolidate these operating partnerships.

Acquisitions of Real Estate

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. Upon our adoption of Accounting Standard Update 2017-01 ("ASU 2017-01") on January 1, 2017, as discussed below in Recent Accounting Pronouncements, we believe most future transaction costs relating to acquisition of operating assets will be capitalized. Prior to our adoption of ASU 2017-01 transaction costs associated with the acquisition of operating assets were expensed as incurred. 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 consolidated balance sheets and the net carrying value of in-place leases is included in other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets.

Revenues recognized related to below market leases and amortization expense related to in-place leases for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:



	December 31,
(in millions)	2016		2015		2014
Revenues related to below market leases	$	—	$	0.1	$	0.2
Amortization of in-place leases	$	—	$	0.5	$	1.4

The weighted average amortization period of below market leases and in-place leases was approximately eight months and seven months for the years ended and December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There were no below market leases or in-place leases during the year ended December 31, 2016.

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 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. We did not record any impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2016 or 2015. See Note 7, "Acquisitions, Dispositions, Impairment, and Discontinued Operations," for discussion of impairment during the year ended December 31, 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.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments

Short-term Investments. At December 31, 2016, our short-term investments consists of certificates of deposit which have original maturities of more than three months but less than one year. The carrying value of our short-term investments approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these investments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. All cash and investments in money market accounts and other highly liquid securities with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash and cash equivalents. We maintain the majority of our cash and cash equivalents at major financial institutions in the United States and deposits with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, we regularly monitor the financial stability of these financial institutions and believe we are not currently exposed to any significant default risk with respect to these deposits.

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 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. As apartment homes within development properties are completed, the total capitalized development cost of each apartment home is transferred from properties under development including land to buildings and improvements.

As discussed above, carrying charges are principally interest and real estate taxes capitalized as part of properties under development. Capitalized interest was approximately $18.2 million, $19.3 million, and $22.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Capitalized real estate taxes were approximately $4.5 million, $3.6 million, and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, 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 we 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.

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 the disposal represents a strategic shift, such as disposal of a major line of business, a major geographical area or a major equity investment. The results of operations for properties sold during the period or classified as held for sale at the end of the period, and meeting the above criteria of discontinued operations, are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. 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 meeting the criteria of discontinued operations 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 consolidated balance sheets. Subsequent to classification of a property as held for sale, no further depreciation is recorded. Consolidated operating properties sold or classified as held for sale, which do not meet the above criteria of discontinued operations are not included in discontinued operations and the related gains and losses are included in continuing operations. Properties sold by our unconsolidated entities which do not meet the above criteria of discontinued operations 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), provided various criteria relating to the terms of sale and any subsequent involvement with the real estate sold are satisfied.

See Note 7, "Acquisitions, Dispositions, Impairment, and Discontinued Operations," for discussion of discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Fair Value

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 Measurements. 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 consolidated balance sheets.

Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements. 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.

Financial Instrument Fair Value Disclosures. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and distributions payable represent fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of restricted cash approximates its fair value based on the nature of our assessment of the ability to recover these amounts. The carrying value of our notes receivable, which are included in other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets, approximates their fair value. The estimated fair values are based on certain factors, such as market interest rates, terms of the note and credit worthiness of the borrower. These financial instruments utilize Level 3 inputs. In calculating the fair value of our notes payable, interest rate and spread assumptions reflect current credit worthiness and market conditions available for the issuance of notes payable with similar terms and remaining maturities. These financial instruments utilize Level 2 inputs.

Income Recognition

Income Recognition. Our rental and other property revenue is recorded when due from residents and is recognized monthly as it is earned. Other property revenue consists primarily of utility rebillings and administrative, application, and other transactional fees charged to our residents. Our apartment homes are rented to residents on lease terms generally ranging from six to eighteen months, with monthly payments due in advance. All other sources of income, including interest and fee and asset management income, are recognized as earned. Operations of multifamily properties acquired are recorded from the date of acquisition in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting. In management’s opinion, due to the number of residents, the types and diversity of submarkets in which our properties operate, and the collection terms, there is no significant concentration of credit risk.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts in prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation. We reclassified certain insignificant amounts in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. These reclassifications had no impact on our consolidated cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities. Additionally, we adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 ("ASU 2016-18"), "Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)." as of December 31, 2016. ASU 2016-18 requires the change in restricted cash to be reported with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling between beginning and ending amounts shown on our consolidated statement of cash flows, and is to be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. See Recent Accounting Pronouncements below for the impact of the reclassifications made in prior periods as a result of our adoption of ASU 2016-18.

Insurance

Insurance. Our primary lines of insurance coverage are property, general liability, health, and workers’ compensation. We believe our insurance coverage adequately insures our properties against the risk of loss attributable to fire, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, and other perils and adequately insures us against other risks. Losses are accrued based upon our estimates of the aggregate liability for claims incurred using certain actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and based on our experience.

Other Assets, Net

Other Assets, Net. Other assets in our consolidated financial statements include investments under deferred compensation plans, deferred financing costs, non-real estate leasehold improvements and equipment, notes receivable, prepaid expenses, the value of in-place leases net of related accumulated amortization, and other miscellaneous receivables. Investments under deferred compensation plans are classified as trading securities and are adjusted to fair market value at period end. For a further discussion of our investments under deferred compensation plans, see Note 10, “Share-based Compensation and Benefit Plans.” Deferred financing costs are related to our unsecured credit facility and unsecured short-term borrowing facility, and are amortized no longer than the terms of the related facilities on the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. Corporate leasehold improvements and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the expected useful lives or the lease terms which generally range from three to ten years.

Our notes receivable relate to real estate secured loans to unaffiliated third parties. At December 31, 2016, we had one outstanding notes receivable balance of approximately $17.2 million and at December 31, 2015, we had two outstanding notes receivable balances of an aggregate of approximately $13.2 million. The weighted average interest rates were approximately 4.1% for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to such notes. At December 31, 2016, we were also committed to funding an additional $0.8 million under the note. Interest is recognized over the lives of the notes and is included in interest and other income in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We consider a note receivable to be impaired if it is probable we will not collect all contractually due principal and interest. We do not accrue interest when a note is considered impaired and an allowance is recorded for any principal and previously accrued interest which is not believed to be collectible. All cash receipts on impaired notes are applied to reduce the principal amount of such notes until the principal has been recovered and, thereafter, are recognized as interest income. There were no impairments as of December 31, 2016 or 2015.

Reportable Segments

Reportable Segments. We operate in a single reportable segment which includes the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Each of our operating properties is considered a separate operating segment as each property earns revenues and incurs expenses, individual operating results are reviewed and discrete financial information is available. We do not distinguish or group our consolidated operations based on geography, size or type. Our multifamily apartment communities have similar long-term economic characteristics and provide similar products and services to our residents. Further, all material operations are within the United States and no multifamily apartment community comprises more than 10% of consolidated revenues. As a result, our operating properties are aggregated into a single reportable segment. Our multifamily communities generate rental revenue and other income through the leasing of apartment homes, which comprised approximately 99% of our total property revenues and total non-property income, excluding income on deferred compensation plans, for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash. Restricted cash consists of escrow deposits held by lenders for property taxes, insurance and replacement reserves, cash required to be segregated for the repayment of residents’ security deposits, and escrowed amounts related to our development and acquisition activities. Substantially all restricted cash is invested in demand and short-term instruments.

Share-based Compensation

Share-based Compensation. Compensation expense associated with share-based awards is recognized in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income using the grant-date fair values. Compensation cost for all share-based awards, including options, requires measurement at estimated fair value on the grant date and recognition of compensation expense over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of stock option grants is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Valuation models require the input of assumptions, including judgments to estimate the expected stock price volatility, expected life, and forfeiture rate. The compensation cost for share-based awards is based on the market value of the shares on the date of grant.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. In the application of GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, results of operations during the reporting periods, and related disclosures. Our more significant estimates include estimates supporting our impairment analysis related to the carrying values of our real estate assets. These estimates are based on historical experience and other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Future events rarely develop exactly as forecasted, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In the second quarter of 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASU 2014-09 prescribes a single, common revenue standard to replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP, including most industry-specific requirements. The standard outlines a five-step model whereby revenue is recognized as performance obligations within a contract are satisfied. Several ASUs have been issued since the issuance of ASU 2014-09 which modify certain sections of the new revenue recognition standard, and are intended to promote a more consistent interpretation and application of the principles outlined in the standard. We will adopt ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective with cumulative-effect transition method. We have identified our revenue streams and are in the process of evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements and internal accounting processes; however, as the majority of our revenue is derived from real estate lease contracts we do not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 or related amendments and modifications by the FASB will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases" ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 supersedes the current accounting for leases and while retaining two distinct types of leases, finance and operating, (i) requires lessees to record a right of use asset and a related liability for the rights and obligations associated with a lease, regardless of lease classification, and recognize lease expense in a manner similar to current accounting, (ii) eliminates most real estate specific lease provisions, and, (iii) aligns many of the underlying lessor model principles with those in the new revenue standard. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach when transitioning to ASU 2016-02 for leases that exist as of or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted and we plan to early adopt ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2018 in conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2014-09 discussed above. Based on a preliminary assessment, we expect most of our operating lease commitments will be subject to the new guidance and recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon adoption, resulting in an immaterial increase in the assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. We are continuing our evaluation, which may identify additional impacts this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." ASU 2016-09 amends several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, accrual of compensation cost, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this standard must be applied prospectively, retrospectively, or as of the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the year of adoption, depending on the type of amendment. We adopted ASU 2016-09 as of January 1, 2017, and it will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)." ASU 2016-15 clarifies how several specific cash receipts and cash payments are to be presented and classified on the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, contingent consideration made after a business combination, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of predominance principle. ASU 2016-15 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. Each amendment in this standard must be applied prospectively, retrospectively, or as of the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the year of adoption, depending on the type of amendment. We expect to adopt ASU 2016-15 as of January 1, 2018, and we are currently evaluating the impact this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, which requires restricted cash to be presented with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending amounts in the statements of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The update should be applied retrospectively to each period presented. We adopted ASU 2016-18 as of December 31, 2016. Prior to our adoption of ASU 2016-18, we reported the change in restricted cash within the investing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows. As a result of our adoption of ASU 2016-18, cash and cash equivalents in our consolidated statements of cash flows increased by approximately $6.0 million and $5.9 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, to reflect the restricted cash balances. Additionally, net cash used in investing activities decreased by approximately $0.1 million in 2015 and increased by approximately $0.7 million in 2014.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, "Clarifying the Definition of a Business (Topic 805)." ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business and provides further guidance for evaluating whether a transaction will be accounted for as an acquisition of an asset or a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The update should be applied prospectively. We adopted ASU 2017-01 as of January 1, 2017 and the adoption did not require any additional disclosures. We believe most of our future acquisitions of operating properties will qualify as asset acquisitions and most future transaction costs associated with these acquisitions will be capitalized.