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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] 
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation. The Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The financial statements reflect the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company consolidates its wholly-owned subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures which it controls (i) through voting rights or similar rights or (ii) by means other than voting rights if the Company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). Entities which the Company does not control and entities which are VIEs in which the Company is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for under appropriate GAAP.

If an investment is determined to be a VIE, the Company performs an analysis to determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. GAAP requires a VIE to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party that has a controlling financial interest in an entity. In order for a party to have a controlling financial interest in an entity, it must have (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of an entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities. The Company's consolidated VIEs were determined to be VIEs primarily because each entity's equity holders' obligation to absorb losses is protected or its equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entities to finance activities without additional financial support. The Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of these VIEs because it has a controlling financial interest in the entities.

The Company determined that a wholly-owned entity which owns an office building in Greenville, South Carolina is a VIE and is consolidated by the Company as the entity's obligation to absorb losses is protected. The tenant has an option to purchase the property on December 31, 2014 at fair market value, but not for less than $10,710 and not for greater than $11,550. If the tenant does not exercise the purchase option, the Company has the right to require the tenant to purchase the property for $10,710.

Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company held variable interests in certain non-consolidated VIEs; however, the Company was not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs as the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in the entities. The Company determined that Concord Debt Holdings LLC and related entities are VIEs. The Company's carrying value of certain of these investments is zero and the Company has no obligation to fund future operations (see note 9). The Company has certain acquisition commitments and/ or acquisition, development and construction arrangements with VIEs. The Company is obligated to fund certain amounts as discussed in note 4.

Use of Estimates. Management has made a number of significant estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses to prepare these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions. Management adjusts such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. The most significant estimates made include the recoverability of accounts receivable, allocation of property purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the determination of VIEs and which entities should be consolidated, the determination of impairment of long-lived assets, loans receivable and equity method investments, valuation of derivative financial instruments and the useful lives of long-lived assets. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Fair Value Measurements. The Company follows the guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("Topic 820") to determine the fair value of financial and non-financial instruments. Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three levels: Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities; Level 2 - observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted in active markets, but corroborated by market data; and Level 3 - unobservable inputs, which are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible, as well as considering counterparty credit risk.

Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease unless another systematic and rational basis is more representative of the time pattern in which the use benefit is derived from the leased property. Renewal options in leases with rental terms that are lower than those in the primary term are excluded from the calculation of straight-line rent if the renewals are not reasonably assured. If the Company funds tenant improvements and the improvements are deemed to be owned by the Company, revenue recognition will commence when the improvements are substantially completed and possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant. If the Company determines that the tenant allowances are lease incentives, the Company commences revenue recognition when possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant for tenant work to begin. The lease incentive is recorded as a deferred expense and amortized as a reduction of revenue on a straight-line basis over the respective lease term. The Company recognizes lease termination fees as rental revenue in the period received and writes off unamortized lease-related intangible and other lease-related account balances, provided there are no further Company obligations under the lease. Otherwise, such fees and balances are recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining obligation period.

Impairment of Real Estate. The Company evaluates the carrying value of all tangible and intangible real estate assets held for investment for possible impairment when an event or change in circumstance has occurred that indicates its carrying value may not be recoverable. The evaluation includes estimating and reviewing anticipated future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from the asset. If such cash flows are less than the asset's carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent by which the asset's carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, which may be below the balance of any non-recourse financing. Estimating future cash flows and fair values is highly subjective and such estimates could differ materially from actual results.

Impairment of Equity Method Investments. On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses whether there are indicators that the value of its equity method investments may be impaired. An impairment charge is recognized only if the Company determines that a decline in the value of the investment below its carrying value is other-than-temporary. The assessment of impairment is highly subjective and involves the application of significant assumptions and judgments about the Company's intent and ability to recover its investment given the nature and operations of the underlying investment, including the level of the Company's involvement therein, among other factors. To the extent an impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the loss is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the estimated fair value of the investment.

Loans Receivable. Loans held for investment are intended to be held to maturity and, accordingly, are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan origination costs and fees, loan purchase discounts, and net of an allowance for loan losses when such loan is deemed to be impaired. Loan origination costs and fees and loan purchase discounts are amortized over the term of the loan. The Company considers a loan impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for both principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Significant judgments are required in determining whether impairment has occurred. The Company performs an impairment analysis by comparing either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable current market price or the fair value of the underlying collateral to the net carrying value of the loan, which may result in an allowance and corresponding loan loss charge.

Acquisition, Development and Construction Arrangements. The Company evaluates loans receivable where the Company participates in residual profits through loan provisions or other contracts to ascertain whether the Company has the same risks and rewards as an owner or a joint venture partner. Where the Company concludes that such arrangements are more appropriately treated as an investment in real estate, the Company reflects such loan receivable as an equity investment in real estate under construction in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. In these cases, no interest income is recorded on the loan receivable and the Company records capitalized interest during the construction period. In arrangements where the Company engages a developer to construct a property, the Company will capitalize interest and real estate taxes during the construction period.

Derivative Financial Instruments. The Company accounts for its interest rate swap agreements in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("Topic 815"). In accordance with Topic 815, these agreements are carried on the balance sheet at their respective fair values, as an asset if fair value is positive, or as a liability if fair value is negative. The interest rate swap is designated as a cash flow hedge whereby the effective portion of the swap's change in fair value is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss); the ineffective portion, if any, is recognized in earnings as an increase or decrease to interest expense.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash. Restricted cash is comprised primarily of cash balances held in escrow with lenders.

Environmental Matters. Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations, an owner of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at, on, in or under such property as well as certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances. These liabilities may include government fines, penalties and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence or disposal of such substances. Although most of the tenants of properties in which the Company has an interest are primarily responsible for any environmental damage and claims related to the leased premises, in the event of the bankruptcy or inability of the tenant of such premises to satisfy any obligations with respect to such environmental liability, or if the tenant is not responsible, the Company's property owner subsidiary may be required to satisfy any such obligations, should they exist. In addition, the property owner subsidiary, as the owner of such a property, may be held directly liable for any such damages or claims irrespective of the provisions of any lease. As of September 30, 2011, the Company was not aware of any environmental matter relating to any of its investments that would have a material impact on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications. Certain amounts included in the 2010 unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.