Fair Value Measurements

The Company has categorized its financial assets and financial liabilities that are recorded at fair value into a hierarchy in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, ("ASC 820") based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. The fair value hierarchy contains three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities as of the measurement date.

Level 2 – Inputs, other than those included in Level 1, represent observable measurements for similar instruments in active markets, or identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and observable measurements or market data for instruments with substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3 – Inputs represent unobservable measurements, supported by little, if any, market activity, and require considerable assumptions that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability. Market valuations must often be determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, pricing models or similar techniques based on the Company’s assumptions and best judgment.

The asset or liability's fair value within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Under ASC 820, fair value measurements are determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability in an orderly transaction at the measurement date and under current market conditions. Valuation techniques used maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and consider assumptions such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions and risk of nonperformance.

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis

The following tables set forth information regarding the Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

Fair Value at
March 31, 2016

Quoted Prices in

Active Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

Liabilities:

Interest rate swaps ⁽¹⁾

—

(1) The interest rate swaps matured April 1, 2016.



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Fair Value at December 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	434	$	—	$	434	$	—

The Company recognizes transfers in and out of every level at the end of each reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2, or 3 for any periods presented.

The Company uses interest rate swaps to mitigate the effect of interest rate movements on its variable-rate debt. The Company had four interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, that qualified as hedging instruments and were designated as cash flow hedges. These swaps matured on April 1, 2016. The interest rate swaps are reflected in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The swaps have met the effectiveness test criteria since inception and changes in their fair values were, thus, reported in other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI/L") and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged items affected earnings. The fair values of the Company’s interest rate hedges, classified under Level 2, were determined based on prevailing market data for contracts with matching durations, current and anticipated LIBOR information, consideration of the Company’s credit standing, credit risk of the counterparties and reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions. See Note 6 for further information regarding the Company’s interest rate hedging instruments.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. Based on the interest rates for similar financial instruments, the carrying value of mortgage and other notes receivable is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The estimated fair value of mortgage and other indebtedness was $4,980,818 and $4,945,622 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The fair value was calculated using Level 2 inputs by discounting future cash flows for mortgage and other indebtedness using estimated market rates at which similar loans would be made currently. The carrying amount of mortgage and other indebtedness was $4,683,487 and $4,710,628 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company measures the fair value of certain long-lived assets on a nonrecurring basis, through quarterly impairment testing or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company considers both quantitative and qualitative factors in its impairment analysis of long-lived assets. Significant quantitative factors include historical and forecasted information for each property such as net operating income ("NOI"), occupancy statistics and sales levels. Significant qualitative factors used include market conditions, age and condition of the property and tenant mix. Due to the significant unobservable estimates and assumptions used in the valuation of long-lived assets that experience impairment, the Company classifies such long-lived assets under Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value analysis as of March 31, 2016 used various probability-weighted scenarios comparing the property's net book value to the sum of its estimated fair value. Assumptions included up to a 10-year holding period with a sale at the end of the holding period and capitalization rates ranging from 9% to 12%. As these assumptions are subject to economic and market uncertainties, they are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter the assumptions used or management's estimates of future possible outcomes.

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and related impairment charges:



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Loss
2016:
Long-lived assets	$	57,200	$	—	$	—	$	57,200	$	19,514

Long-lived Assets Measured at Fair Value in 2016

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment of real estate of $19,514 when it wrote down three malls and an associated center to their estimated fair values. These properties were Bonita Lakes Mall and Bonita Lakes Crossing ("Bonita Lakes"), Midland Mall and River Ridge Mall.

In accordance with the Company's quarterly impairment review process, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment of real estate of $5,323 in the first quarter of 2016 when it adjusted the book value of Bonita Lakes Mall and Bonita Lakes Crossing, located in Meridian, MS, to their estimated fair value of $28,000 as of March 31, 2016.

The Company recognized a non-cash impairment of $4,681 on Midland Mall, located in Midland, MI, when it wrote down the mall to its estimated fair value of $29,200 as of March 31, 2016. The Company plans to exit this investment when the non-recourse loan secured by the property matures later this year and recognized an impairment upon the change in its plans to hold the investment.

The Company sold a 75% interest in its wholly-owned investment in River Ridge Mall to a newly formed joint venture in March 2016 and recognized a non-cash impairment of $9,510 when it adjusted the book value to its net sales price. The impairment loss includes a $2,100 reserve for a roof and electrical work that the Company must fund as part of the joint venture agreement. The Company's 25% share of River Ridge, the Company's 25% share in property contributed by the other partner and the $2,100 reserve noted above is included in investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2016 with a fair value of $20,033. See Note 5 for further information.

A reconciliation of each property's carrying values for the three months ending March 31, 2016 is as follows:



	Bonita Lakes ⁽¹⁾			Midland Mall ⁽²⁾			River Ridge Mall ⁽³⁾			Total
Beginning carrying value, January 1, 2016	$	33,347		$	34,195		$	56,610		$	124,152
Capital expenditures	379			52			7,106			7,537
Depreciation expense	(403		)	(366		)	(673		)	(1,442		)
Net sales proceeds							(33,500		)	(33,500		)
Loss on impairment of real estate	(5,323		)	(4,681		)	(9,510		)	(19,514		)
Reclass to investments in unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			(20,033		)	(20,033		)
Ending carrying value, March 31, 2016	$	28,000		$	29,200		$	—		$	57,200


(1)	The revenues of Bonita Lakes accounted for approximately 0.7% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2016.


(2)	The revenues of Midland Mall accounted for approximately 0.6% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2016.


(3)	The revenues of River Ridge Mall accounted for approximately 0.6% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2016.

Other Impairment Loss in 2016

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded an impairment of real estate of $171 related to the sale of an outparcel.