2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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. As of December 31, 2018, two of our consolidated operating partnerships are VIEs. We are considered the primary beneficiary of both consolidated operating partnerships and therefore consolidate these operating partnerships. We hold the sole 1% general partnership interest in each of these consolidated operating partnership VIEs. During the year ended December 31, 2018, certain unit holders of one of these consolidated operating partnerships redeemed their operating partnership units in exchange for cash consideration of approximately $14.4 million, and as of December 31, 2018, we held approximately 95% of the outstanding common limited partnership units. We held approximately 92% of the outstanding common limited partnership units of the other consolidated operating partnership as of December 31, 2018.

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. 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 in-place leases are included in other assets, net and the net carrying value of above or below market leases are included in other liabilities, net in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

During the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we recognized amortization expense of approximately $9.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, related to in-place leases. We recognized revenue of approximately $0.2 million related to net below market leases for the year ended December 31, 2018, and did not recognize any revenue related to net below market leases for the year ended December 31, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the weighted average amortization periods for in-place and net below market leases were approximately seven months and five months, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the weighted average amortization period for in-place leases was approximately six months. We did not recognize any revenue or amortization expense related to below market or in-place leases for the year ended December 31, 2016.

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, 2018, 2017, or 2016.

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 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.

Short-term Investments. Our short-term investments consisted of certificates of deposit which have original maturities of more than three months but less than one year.

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 certain 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 $13.6 million, $15.2 million, and $18.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Capitalized real estate taxes were approximately $2.2 million, $2.4 million, and $4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, 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

Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value and we do not apply master netting for financial reporting purposes. Accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting, and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows or other types of forecasted transactions are cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes attributable to the earnings effect of the hedged transactions. We may enter into derivative contracts which are intended to economically hedge certain of our risks, for which hedge accounting does not apply or we elect not to apply hedge accounting.

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 8, "Acquisitions, Dispositions, and Discontinued Operations," for discussion of discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. There were no discontinued operations for the years ended 2018 or 2017.

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 following describes the valuation methodologies we use to measure different financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis:

Deferred Compensation Plan Investments. The estimated fair values of investment securities classified as deferred compensation plan investments are based on quoted market prices utilizing public information for the same transactions. Our deferred compensation plan investments are recorded in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. The inputs associated with the valuation of our recurring deferred compensation plan investments are included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative Financial Instruments. The estimated fair values of derivative financial instruments are valued using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and volatility. The fair values of interest rate swaps and caps are estimated using the market-standard methodology of netting the discounted fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on an expectation of interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. In addition, credit valuation adjustments, which consider the impact of any credit enhancements to the contracts, are incorporated in the fair values to account for potential nonperformance risk, including our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk. The fair value of interest rate caps is determined using the market-standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts which would occur if variable interest rates rise above the strike rate of the caps. The variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the cap are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observed market interest rate curves and volatilities.

Although we have determined the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default. However, we have assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative positions and have determined the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of our derivatives. As a result, we have determined our derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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. Long-lived assets such as the land, real estate asset, and in-place leases acquired with an operating property are measured in the form of cash received unless otherwise noted. These assets 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, 2018 and 2017, 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. Our rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis and other property revenue is recorded when due from residents and is recognized 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 twelve to fifteen months, with monthly payments due in advance. All other sources of income, including interest and fee and asset management income, are recognized as earned. See Note 3, "Revenues," for further discussion. 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. Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts in prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation. As of December 31, 2018, we reclassified certain insignificant amounts within investing activities which had no impact on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

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 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, 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 12, “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.

Notes Receivable. We have one note receivable included in Other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets, relating to a real estate secured loan to an unaffiliated third party. During 2018, we received payments of approximately $9.5 million in principal and approximately $0.5 million in interest on this note which matures on October 1, 2025. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the outstanding note receivable balance was approximately $9.3 million and $18.8 million, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate was approximately 4.0% for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Interest is recognized over the life of the note 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, and 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, 2018 or 2017.

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, 2018, 2017, and 2016.

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. 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 and is adjusted as actual forfeitures occur.

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. In October 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-16 ("ASU 2018-16"), "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes." ASU 2018-16 permits the use of the overnight index swap rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. ASU 2018-16 is effective for public entities which have already adopted ASU 2017-12 beginning after December 31, 2018. Since we already adopted ASU 2017-12, we adopted ASU 2018-16 as of January 1, 2019 with no impact on our existing hedges. We will consider these changes for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into in the future.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other— Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract." ASU 2018-15 clarifies certain implementation costs relating to a cloud computing arrangement which is considered to be a service contract should be capitalized as if the arrangement was an internal-use software project. The standard also requires costs associated with an implementation to be classified where the fees are recorded in financial statements for such arrangements. ASU 2018-15 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. This standard may be applied using the prospective transition method which is applicable to service contracts entered, renewed, or materially modified after the effective date or the retrospective transition method which allows us to recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, if any, as of the adoption date. We anticipate adopting ASU 2018-15 as of January 1, 2020, using the retrospective transition method and we do not expect our adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement." ASU 2018-13 removes, modifies, and adds certain fair value disclosure requirements including (i) the removal of disclosures regarding amounts, reasons, and timing for transfers between Levels 1 and 2 as well as descriptions of valuation processes used for Level 3 measurements of the fair value hierarchy; (ii) the modification of disclosures for the timing of liquidation of investee assets; (iii) the clarification of the narrative description of the measurement uncertainty of Level 3 fair value measurements at the reporting date does not need to include sensitivity of future changes; (iv) the addition of disclosures related to changes in unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements to also be included in the statement of comprehensive income; and (v) the addition of disclosures for the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs. ASU 2018-13 is effective January 1, 2020 for the additional disclosures and early adoption of the removal and amended disclosures is allowed. We expect to adopt ASU 2018-13 as of January 1, 2020 and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued 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 intended to promote a more consistent interpretation and application of the principles outlined in the standard have been issued since the issuance of ASU 2014-09 which modify certain sections of the new revenue recognition standard. We adopted ASU 2014-09 and all related amendments effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. This method requires us to recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment, if any, to the opening balance of retained earnings, which had no impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption. See Note 3, "Revenues," for additional disclosures required by the ASU.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases." ASU 2016-02 supersedes the current accounting for leases. The new lease standard retains three distinct types of leases which are similar to existing guidance for lessors: operating, sales-type, and financing, and aligns many of the underlying lessor model principles with those in the new revenue standard. For lessees, the new lease standard retains two distinct types of leases, finance and operating; and (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 and (ii) eliminates most real estate specific lease provisions. We adopted ASU 2016-02 and its related amendments as of January 1, 2019 using the transition practical expedient which allows us to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the adoption date as well as other elected practical expedients. We have identified our lease commitments and finalized our evaluation on our consolidated financial statements and on our internal accounting processes. Substantially all of our real estate lessor commitments will continue to be accounted for as operating leases and the new leasing standard will not have a material impact on rental revenues. Our lessee operating lease commitments are subject to the standard and recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon adoption. Our adoption of the new leasing standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Upon our adoption of ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2019, we will increase lease liabilities by approximately $16.6 million along with a corresponding right-of-use assets on our consolidated balance sheet, and this ASU will not have any impact on our consolidated statement of income upon adoption.