10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013

OR

oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _________ to _________

Commission File Number 1-12486

Associated Estates Realty Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

OHIO	34-1747603
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification Number)

1 AEC Parkway, Richmond Hts., Ohio 44143-1550

(Address of principal executive offices)

(216) 261-5000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x   Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No x

The number of shares outstanding as of July 26, 2013 was 50,454,527 shares.

ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION

Index

		Page
PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1	Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	3
	Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the
	three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012	4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six month
	periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012	5
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	6
ITEM 2	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
	Condition and Results of Operations	23
ITEM 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	31
ITEM 4	Controls and Procedures	31
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1	Legal Proceedings	32
ITEM 1A	Risk Factors	32
ITEM 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	32
ITEM 6	Exhibits	33
SIGNATURES		34

2

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

	June 30,			December 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)	2013			2012
ASSETS
Real estate assets
Land	$	275,383		$	241,159
Buildings and improvements	1,172,450			1,223,042
Furniture and fixtures	36,721			36,997
Construction in progress	27,421			10,449
Gross real estate	1,511,975			1,511,647
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(382,057		)	(371,730		)
Net real estate owned	1,129,918			1,139,917
Investment in unconsolidated entities	1,613			—
Total net real estate	1,131,531			1,139,917
Cash and cash equivalents	4,219			4,740
Restricted cash	5,945			4,429
Accounts receivable, net
Rents	1,840			1,395
Other	1,154			553
Other assets, net	21,189			21,443
Total assets	$	1,165,878		$	1,172,477
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Mortgage notes payable	$	374,275		$	376,278
Unsecured notes	150,000			—
Unsecured revolving credit facility	33,500			190,500
Unsecured term loan	150,000			150,000
Total debt	707,775			716,778
Accounts payable and other liabilities	35,643			32,865
Dividends payable	10,489			10,149
Resident security deposits	3,691			3,846
Accrued interest	5,100			2,363
Total liabilities	762,698			766,001
Noncontrolling redeemable interest	1,734			1,734
Equity
Common shares, without par value, $.10 stated value; 91,000,000
authorized 50,454,527 issued and outstanding at
June 30, 2013 and 49,526,639 issued and
outstanding at December 31, 2012, respectively	5,045			4,953
Paid-in capital	637,162			634,587
Accumulated distributions in excess of accumulated net income	(240,486		)	(233,208		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(625		)	(2,934		)
Total shareholders' equity attributable to AERC	401,096			403,398
Noncontrolling interest	350			1,344
Total equity	401,446			404,742
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,165,878		$	1,172,477
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012			2013			2012
Revenue
Property revenue	$	45,425		$	39,686		$	90,106		$	77,893
Office revenue	238			313			550			313
Total revenue	45,663			39,999			90,656			78,206
Expenses
Property operating and maintenance	17,617			15,582			34,708			30,654
Depreciation and amortization	14,356			12,297			28,740			24,171
Construction and other services	—			83			—			153
General and administrative	4,398			4,264			9,356			8,633
Development costs	181			297			443			607
Costs associated with acquisitions	64			485			64			485
Total expenses	36,616			33,008			73,311			64,703
Operating income	9,047			6,991			17,345			13,503
Interest expense	(7,395		)	(6,796		)	(14,816		)	(16,104		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,652			195			2,529			(2,601		)
Income from discontinued operations:
Operating income, net of interest expense	—			611			690			1,361
Gain on disposition of properties	—			22,859			8,796			22,819
Income from discontinued operations	—			23,470			9,486			24,180
Net income	1,652			23,665			12,015			21,579
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14		)	4			(31		)	9
Net income attributable to AERC	$	1,638		$	23,669		$	11,984		$	21,588
Allocation to participating securities	—			(100		)	—			(99		)
Net income applicable to common shares	$	1,638		$	23,569		$	11,984		$	21,489
Earnings per common share - basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	$	0.03		$	—		$	0.05		$	(0.06	)
Income from discontinued operations	—			0.55			0.19			0.56
Net income applicable to common shares - basic	$	0.03		$	0.55		$	0.24		$	0.50
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	$	0.03		$	—		$	0.05		$	(0.06	)
Income from discontinued operations	—			0.54			0.19			0.56
Net income applicable to common shares - diluted	$	0.03		$	0.54		$	0.24		$	0.50
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$	1,652		$	23,665		$	12,015		$	21,579
Other comprehensive income:
Change in fair value and reclassification of hedge instruments	2,421			(1,655		)	2,309			(1,633		)
Total comprehensive income	4,073			22,010			14,324			19,946
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14		)	4			(31		)	9
Total comprehensive income attributable to AERC	$	4,059		$	22,014		$	14,293		$	19,955
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.19		$	0.18		$	0.38		$	0.35
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding - basic	49,864			42,968			49,749			42,655
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding - diluted	50,583			43,461			50,431			42,655
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
(In thousands)	2013			2012
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income	$	12,015		$	21,579
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including discontinued operations)	28,918			26,696
Gain on disposition of properties	(8,796		)	(22,819		)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other	656			1,143
Share-based compensation expense	2,406			1,952
Net change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(1,088		)	2,818
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(861		)	(1,976		)
Other operating assets and liabilities	4,292			969
Total adjustments	25,527			8,783
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	37,542			30,362
Cash flow from investing activities:
Recurring fixed asset additions	(4,564		)	(5,120		)
Revenue enhancing/non-recurring fixed asset additions	(392		)	(505		)
Acquisition fixed asset additions	(731		)	(59,825		)
Development fixed asset additions	(59,237		)	(40,652		)
Net proceeds from disposition of operating properties	61,970			57,523
Investment in joint venture	(1,598		)	—
Other investing activity	(1,985		)	(1,967		)
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(6,537		)	(50,546		)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Principal amortization payments on mortgage notes payable	(1,593		)	(1,441		)
Principal repayments of mortgage notes payable	—			(123,448		)
Payment of debt procurement costs	(2,453		)	(3,466		)
Proceeds from secured mortgages	—			45,839
Proceeds from issuance of unsecured notes	150,000			—
Revolving credit facility borrowings	115,700			349,800
Revolving credit facility repayments	(272,700		)	(332,800		)
Common share dividends paid	(18,747		)	(14,704		)
Operating partnership distributions paid	(28		)	(27		)
Exercise of stock options	1,550			52
Issuance of common shares	1,870			98,512
Purchase of treasury shares	(697		)	(952		)
Noncontrolling interest investment in partnership	—			350
Purchase of noncontrolling interest in partnership	(4,544		)	—
Other financing activities, net	116			203
Net cash flow (used for) provided by financing activities	(31,526		)	17,918
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(521		)	(2,266		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	4,740			4,328
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	4,219		$	2,062
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Dividends declared but not paid	$	10,489		$	9,506
Issuance of shares for share-based compensation	68			1,909
Net change in accounts payable related to fixed asset additions	5,105			(92		)
Net change in accounts payable and security deposits
related to disposition of operating properties	(322		)	(432		)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATIONNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSUNAUDITED

1.    BUSINESS

Except as the context otherwise requires, all references to "we," "our," "us," "AERC" and the "Company" in this report collectively refer to Associated Estates Realty Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

We are a fully-integrated, self-administered and self-managed equity real estate investment trust ("REIT") specializing in multifamily ownership, operation, acquisition, development, construction, disposition and property management activities. Our primary source of income is rental revenue. We own a taxable REIT subsidiary that performs construction services for our own account in connection with the development of multifamily properties we own and operate, including consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures. As of June 30, 2013, our operating portfolio consisted of 51 apartment communities containing 13,107 units in ten states that are owned, either directly or indirectly, through subsidiaries. In conjunction with our acquisition of land for development of an apartment community, we acquired an office building in Los Angeles, California containing approximately 78,800 square feet of office and retail space.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. The reported results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Segment Reporting

Substantially all of our properties are multifamily communities that have similar economic characteristics and offer similar products and services, and as such, our apartment communities have been aggregated into one reportable segment. Management evaluates the performance of our properties on an individual basis. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, substantially all of our consolidated revenue was provided by our multifamily properties. We have determined that we have only one reportable segment, which is multifamily properties.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We have utilized interest rate swaps to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. Interest rate swaps, designated as cash flow hedges, involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying principal amount.

We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Further, we have a policy of entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. When viewed in conjunction with the underlying and offsetting exposure for which the derivatives are designed to hedge, we have not sustained a material loss from these hedges.

6

We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows or other types of forecasted transactions are considered cash flow hedges.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. Hedge ineffectiveness is measured by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. For derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. See Note 12 for additional information related to our derivative and hedging activities.

Real Estate and Depreciation

Real estate assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Buildings and improvements	5 - 30 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	5 - 10 years

We capitalize replacements and improvements, such as HVAC equipment, structural replacements, windows, appliances, flooring, carpeting and kitchen/bath replacements and renovations. Ordinary repairs and maintenance, such as unit cleaning, painting and appliance repairs, are expensed when incurred.

We allocate the purchase price of acquired properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired based on their fair values. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, we utilize a number of sources, including analysis provided by an advisor, independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, our analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties in our portfolio and other market data. The intangible assets are amortized over the remaining lease terms or estimated life of the tenant relationship, which is approximately 12 months. Due to the short term nature of residential leases, we believe that existing lease rates approximate market rates; therefore, no allocation is made for above/below market leases. The intangible assets associated with one commercial lease are being amortized over the life of the lease, which is 60 months.

For properties under development, we capitalize interest costs on funds used in construction, real estate taxes and insurance from the commencement of development activity through the time the property is ready for leasing. For properties under development in which we use the equity method, we capitalize interest costs on our investment in such entities through the time the property is substantially complete and ready for leasing. We also capitalize internal costs, which are primarily payroll, but may also include costs such as travel, lodging and temporary construction facilities that are directly attributable to the construction of a property or asset. Internal costs associated with the lease up of development properties are not capitalized. Revenue from incidental operations are reductions of capitalized project costs. Capitalized payroll costs are allocated to projects based upon time incurred by the applicable personnel. Capitalized costs related to development and construction are transferred to buildings and improvements and/or furniture and fixtures, as applicable, upon substantial completion of the project. Total capitalized interest, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, was $790,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. Total capitalized interest, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, was $410,000 and $620,000, respectively. Total capitalized payroll costs, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, were $750,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. Total capitalized payroll costs, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, were $480,000 and $1.0 million, respectively.

7

We discontinue the depreciation of assets we have specifically identified as held for sale. There were no properties classified as held for sale at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

Classification of Fixed Asset Additions

We define recurring fixed asset additions to a property as capital expenditures made to replace worn out assets to maintain the property's value. Revenue enhancing/non-recurring fixed asset additions are defined as capital expenditures that increase the value of the property and enable us to increase rents. Acquisition/development fixed asset additions are defined as capital expenditures for the purchase or construction of new properties to be added to our portfolio, or fixed asset additions identified at the time of purchase that are not made until subsequent periods.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse purchase agreements, in addition to securities borrowing and lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with ASC 210 or ASC 815 or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This ASU requires disclosure of quantitative information separately for assets and liabilities in a tabular format and a description of the rights of setoff associated with the assets and liabilities subject to the master netting arrangements. See Note 12 for additional information related to our derivative and hedging activities. This updated guidance applies to fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013.

Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to present information about significant reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. This information is required to be presented by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. See Note 12 for additional information related to our derivative and hedging activities. This updated guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2012 financial statements to conform to the 2013 presentation as a result of discontinued operations.

8

3.    ACQUISTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND DISPOSITION ACTIVITY

Acquisition Activity

We have entered into an agreement to acquire an apartment project that is being developed in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for a purchase price of $80.2 million. Our purchase obligation is conditioned upon the successful completion of the property in accordance with agreed upon plans and specifications and up to an 18-month period to allow for lease up of the property. Closing will not occur unless the conditions are satisfied, which is currently expected to be in 2016. The developer may elect to terminate our agreement to purchase by agreeing to the release of our $4.0 million earnest money deposit from escrow and paying us an $8.0 million termination fee.  If we choose not to purchase the property, despite the closing conditions having been satisfied within the time period contemplated by the purchase agreement, we would forfeit our $4.0 million earnest money deposit.  We consider our deposit to be a variable interest and the development entity to be a variable interest entity for which we are not the primary beneficiary as of this reporting date.

On May 28, 2013, we acquired a 3.35 acre parcel of land in San Francisco, California in the South of Market ("SoMa") neighborhood, for $46.6 million. The purchase price for the site known as 8th and Harrison includes the related entitlement rights, architectural drawings and other matters for which we intend to develop a 408-unit apartment community with ground floor retail and underground parking. Construction is expected to commence in 2014.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we acquired a 205-unit apartment community located in Cary, North Carolina as well as an office and retail building, in conjunction with a development project, consisting of approximately 78,800 square feet of space in Los Angeles, California.

The following table presents the purchase allocation for the properties acquired during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The purchase allocation for the property acquired in July 2013 was not complete as of the filing date of this document. See Note 15 for more information related to this purchase.

(In thousands)
Land	$	28,648
Buildings and improvements	41,142
Furniture and fixtures	4,081
Existing leases and tenant relationships (Other assets)	2,629
Total	$	76,500

The following table presents actual and pro forma information related to the properties acquired during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The pro forma information is presented as if the properties were acquired on January 1, 2011. We recognized acquisition costs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, totaling $420,000 related to these properties, which are included in "Costs associated with acquisitions" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The purchase allocation for the property acquired in July 2013 was not complete as of the filing date of this document, therefore, the impact of this property cannot be estimated and included in the pro forma information below. See Note 15 for more information related to this purchase. The pro forma presentation is presented for informational purposes only, and is not necessarily indicative of what our actual results of operations would have been had the acquisitions occurred at such time.

9

	Three Months Ended		Six Months Ended
	June 30,		June 30,
(In thousands)	2012		2012
Actual revenue from acquisitions	$	542	$	542
Actual net income from acquisitions	133		133
Pro forma revenue	42,899		84,375
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	24,195		22,402
Pro forma earnings per common share - basic:
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	$	0.56	$	0.53
Pro forma earnings per common share - diluted:
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	$	0.56	$	0.53

Development Activity

During the three months ended June 30, 2013, we entered into a partnership in which we are a 50.0% partner, to develop a 472-unit apartment community located in Los Angeles, California on the site known as 950 Third. See Note 6 for additional information related to this development.

The following table identifies our consolidated development activity on which construction has commenced:

				Total
(Dollar amounts in thousands)			Planned	Budgeted		Costs				Actual	Estimated
Under	Ownership		Total	Capital		to		Total		Construction	Construction
Construction	%		Units	Cost (1)		Date (3)		Debt		Start	Completion
San Raphael Phase II	100.0%		99	$	13,750	$	10,830	$	—	Q2 2012	Q4 2013
Dallas, TX
Bethesda	97.0%	(2)	140	$	53,400	$	18,113	$	—	Q4 2012	Q1 2015
Bethesda, MD
Cantabria	100.0%		249	$	56,800	$	12,898	$	—	Q2 2013	Q1 2015
Dallas, TX
The Desmond on Wilshire	100.0%		175	$	76,300	$	22,550	$	—	Q2 2013	Q2 2015
Los Angeles, CA
Total			663	$	200,250	$	64,391	$	—

(1) Total budgeted capital cost represents estimated costs for projects under development inclusive of all capitalized costs.

(2) Ownership percentage based on current equity of the joint venture and is subject to change based on changes in total equity. Costs are shown at 100%. Joint venture partner contribution is $350.

(3) Costs to date include the cost of land.

The following table identifies our consolidated development activity that is in the planning phase:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)			Estimated	Costs
Name	Location	Ownership %	Total Units (1)	to Date (2)
8th and Harrison	San Francisco, CA	100.0%	408	$	46,891

(1) Based on current projections as of July 23, 2013.

(2) Costs to date include the cost of land.

10

The following table identifies our unconsolidated development activity that is in the planning phase:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)			Estimated	Costs
Name	Location	Ownership %	Total Units (1)	to Date (2)
950 Third (3)	Los Angeles, CA	50.0%	472	$	31,613

(1) Based on current projections as of July 23, 2013.

(2) Costs to date include the cost of land.

(3) The Company's total investment in this entity at June 30, 2013, is $1.6 million. Costs to date include the cost of land, which was contributed by the joint venture partner. Costs shown are at 100%. See Note 6 for further information on this unconsolidated variable interest entity.

Disposition Activity

The results of operations for all periods presented and gains related to the sale of operating properties are reported in "Income from discontinued operations" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Real estate assets classified as held for sale are also reported as discontinued operations. We classify properties as held for sale when all significant contingencies surrounding the completion of the disposition have been resolved. In most transactions, these contingencies are not satisfied until the actual closing of the transaction. Interest expense included in discontinued operations is limited to interest on mortgage debt specifically associated with properties sold or classified as held for sale.

During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we completed the sale of one property located in Georgia for a total sales price of $63.2 million and recognized a gain of $8.8 million.

"Income from discontinued operations" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, include the operating results and related gains recognized for one property sold in 2013 and six properties sold in 2012. The following table summarizes "Income from discontinued operations:"

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
(In thousands)	2013		2012		2013		2012
REVENUE
Property revenue	$	—	$	3,952	$	1,923	$	8,676
EXPENSES
Property operating and maintenance	—		2,174		1,055		4,545
Depreciation and amortization	—		1,167		178		2,525
Total expenses	—		3,341		1,233		7,070
Operating income	—		611		690		1,606
Interest expense	—		—		—		(245		)
Operating income, net of interest expense	—		611		690		1,361
Gain on disposition of properties	—		22,859		8,796		22,819
Income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	23,470	$	9,486	$	24,180

11

4.    DEBT

The following table identifies our total debt outstanding and weighted average interest rates:

	June 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
			Weighted				Weighted
	Balance		Average Interest		Balance		Average Interest
(Dollar amounts in thousands)	Outstanding		Rate		Outstanding		Rate
Fixed Rate Debt:
Secured	$	374,275	5.4	%	$	376,278	5.4	%
Unsecured - notes	150,000		4.3	%	—		—	%
Total Fixed Rate Debt	524,275		5.1	%	376,278		5.4	%
Variable Rate Debt Swapped to Fixed:
Unsecured - term loan (1)	125,000		3.0	%	125,000		1.9	%
Total Variable Rate Debt Swapped to Fixed	125,000		3.0	%	125,000		1.9	%
Variable Rate Debt Unhedged:
Unsecured - revolver	33,500		1.5	%	190,500		1.7	%
Unsecured - term loan	25,000		1.9	%	25,000		1.9	%
Total Variable Rate Debt Unhedged	58,500		1.7	%	215,500		1.7	%
Total Debt	$	707,775	4.4	%	$	716,778	3.7	%

(1) The Company entered into a forward starting swap in December 2011 fixing the rate at 1.26%, plus the credit spread which was 1.70% at June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 2.96% beginning June 2013 through June 2016. Additionally, the Company entered into a forward starting swap in April 2013 fixing the rate beginning June 2016 at a rate of 1.55%, plus the credit spread which was 1.70% as of June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 3.25% until the loan matures in January 2018. See Note 12 for additional information related to this swap.

Unsecured Debt

On June 19, 2013, we amended our $350.0 million revolving credit facility. Among other modifications, the amendment extends the maturity date from January 12, 2016 to June 15, 2017 and reduces the interest spread and facility fee across the pricing grid. Total costs associated with this amendment were $1.2 million. Additionally, on June 19, 2013, the Company amended its $150.0 million term loan to implement modifications corresponding to the revolving credit facility modifications.

On January 22, 2013, we completed the issuance of $150.0 million of unsecured senior notes. The notes were offered in a private placement with two maturity tranches: $63.0 million with an 8-year maturity at a fixed rate of 4.02% and $87.0 million with a 10-year maturity at a fixed rate of 4.45%. The $150.0 million total issuance had a weighted average term of 9.2 years and a weighted average interest rate of 4.27%. Proceeds from the issuance were used to repay borrowings on the unsecured revolver. Total costs associated with this issuance were approximately $1.0 million.

Mortgage Notes Payable

During 2008, 2007 and 2006, we defeased 21 CMBS loans. These loans were defeased pursuant to the terms of the underlying loan documents. In accordance with GAAP, we removed those financial assets and the mortgage loans from our financial records. All risk of loss associated with these defeasances was transferred from us to the successor borrower, and any ongoing relationship between the successor borrower and us was deemed inconsequential at the time of completion of the respective transfers. We subsequently learned that, for certain defeasance transactions, the successor borrower was able to prepay certain loans, thus enabling us to receive a refund of a portion of the costs incurred in connection with the transactions. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we received a refund of $279,000, which represents the last refund we could receive as all defeased loans have now matured and have been repaid in full.

12

Cash paid for interest, excluding $1.3 million and $620,000 of capitalized interest, respectively, was $11.0 million and $15.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Cash paid for interest was reduced by the defeasance refund received of $279,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Additionally, $1.7 million of prepayment costs is included in the cash paid for interest for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

5.    GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Our goodwill has been allocated to our properties on a relative fair value basis. Upon disposition of said properties, the goodwill allocated is included in the calculation of the gain or loss on disposal and subsequently written-off. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we wrote-off $150,000 of our goodwill related to our property disposition. The carrying value of our goodwill as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, was $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Our annual review of goodwill is completed during the first quarter of each year and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The review that was completed during the three months ended March 31, 2013, determined that goodwill was not impaired and no other events have occurred that would require goodwill to be reevaluated. In performing this analysis, we compare the net book value of each property, including the amount of allocated goodwill, to its estimated fair market value. Should the estimates used to determine the fair value of the properties change, impairment may result which could materially impact our results of operations for the period in which it is recorded.

Intangible Assets

We allocate a portion of the total purchase price of a property acquisition to any intangible assets identified, such as in place leases and tenant relationships. The intangible assets are amortized over the remaining lease terms or estimated life of the tenant relationship, which is approximately 12 months. Due to the short term nature of residential leases, we believe existing lease rates approximate market rates; therefore, no allocation is made for above/below market leases. The intangible assets associated with one commercial lease are being amortized over the life of the lease, which is 60 months.

6.    INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

During the three months ended June 30, 2013, we entered into a partnership agreement with Legendary Investors Group No. 1 LLC ("Legendary"), an unrelated third-party for the development and operation of 950 Third, a 472-unit apartment community located in Los Angeles, California. We are a 50.0% partner with Legendary, who contributed the land at a value of $30.0 million to the joint venture. As of June 30, 2013, we have contributed $1.3 million to the partnership. We expect to fund the remaining portion of our capital contribution during the development and construction process. Both partners have equal voting rights with respect to all major decisions and all such decisions must be unanimous, including, among other things, development planning, budgeting and operational budgets. We will perform construction management and property management services in accordance with the approved budgets for which we will receive a fee approximating market rates. We have determined that this entity is a variable interest entity and that we do not hold a controlling financial interest in the entity. As such, our investment in the entity is included in our consolidated financial statements using the equity method. The amount of capitalized interest associated with our investment in this property was approximately $10,000 as of June 30, 2013. We also capitalized internal payroll and overhead costs directly related to the development of this property for which we are not being reimbursed in the amount of $340,000 as of June 30, 2013. This excess of our investment over our equity in the underlying net assets of the joint venture is included in "Investment in unconsolidated entities" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and will be amortized as a reduction to earnings on a straight-line basis over the lives of the related assets. Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement in this entity is the carrying value of our investment, which was $1.6 million as of June 30, 2013. See Note 3 for more information related to this development.

13

7.    NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

Noncontrolling Redeemable Interest

In 1998, we issued a total of 522,032 operating partnership units ("OP units") in conjunction with the acquisition of an operating partnership that owned two apartment communities, one of which was sold in October 2005. Holders of OP units are entitled to receive cumulative distributions per OP unit equal to the per share distributions on our common shares. If and when the OP units are presented for redemption, we have the option to redeem the OP units for common shares exchangeable on a one-for-one basis, or the cash equivalent amount, determined as the average closing price for our common shares over the 20-day period preceding the redemption. All units presented to date for redemption were redeemed for cash. No OP Units were redeemed during the six months ended June 30, 2013 or 2012. There were 74,083 OP units remaining as of June 30, 2013.

Activity related to noncontrolling redeemable interest is as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734
Net income attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interest	14			14			28			27
Distribution to noncontrolling redeemable interest	(14		)	(14		)	(28		)	(27		)
Balance at end of period	$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734

Noncontrolling Interests

On July 14, 2011, we entered into a partnership agreement with Keating Project Development, Inc., an unrelated third-party, pursuant to which we hold a 97.0% equity interest in the partnership. In March 2012, the partnership acquired a 2.5 acre parcel of land in Bethesda, Maryland for $12.2 million on which it is developing 140 multifamily units and 7,000 square feet of retail space. We have determined that this entity is not a variable interest entity and that we hold a controlling interest in the entity. As such, this entity is included in our consolidated financial statements. We have also determined that the noncontrolling interest in this entity meets the criteria to be classified as a component of permanent equity.

On September 24, 2010, we entered into a partnership agreement with Bristol Development Group, an unrelated third-party, for the development of Vista Germantown, a 242-unit apartment community located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. We contributed $9.4 million to the partnership and held a 90.0% equity interest in the partnership. In February 2013, we funded the redemption of the interest of the minority 10.0% partner of this partnership for $4.5 million and as a result we own a 100% interest in Vista Germantown.

The following table provides details of the activity related to the noncontrolling interests:

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
(In thousands)	2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,344		$	1,029
Net income (loss)	3			(36		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(997		)	—
Noncontrolling interest cash contribution	—			350
Balance at end of period	$	350		$	1,343

14

The following table provides details of the activity related to changes in ownership of noncontrolling interests:

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2013			2012
Net income attributable to AERC	$	11,984		$	21,588
Decrease in equity for purchase of noncontrolling interest	(3,547		)	—
Change from net income attributable to AERC and net
transfers to noncontrolling interest	$	8,437		$	21,588

8.    EQUITY

The following table provides a reconciliation of significant activity in equity accounts:

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Common					Accumulated
	Shares					Distributions			Accumulated
	(at $.10					in Excess of			Other			Treasury
	stated		Paid-In			Accumulated			Comprehensive			Shares			Noncontrolling
(In thousands)	value)		Capital			Net Income			Loss			(at Cost)			Interest
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	4,953	$	634,587		$	(233,208	)	$	(2,934	)	$	—		$	1,344
Net income attributable to AERC	—		—			11,984			—			—			—
Other comprehensive income:
Changes in fair value of hedge
instruments	—		—			—			2,309			—			—
Net income attributable to
noncontrolling interest	—		—			—			—			—			3
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—		(3,547		)	—			—			—			(997		)
Share-based compensation	68		3,423			2			—			—			—
Purchase of common shares	—		—			—			—			(697		)	—
Option exercises	13		840			—			—			697			—
Issuance of common shares	11		1,859			—			—			—			—
Common share dividends declared	—		—			(19,264		)	—			—			—
Balance, June 30, 2013	$	5,045	$	637,162		$	(240,486	)	$	(625	)	$	—		$	350

9.    COMMON SHARES

In April 2013, we registered an at-the-market ("ATM") program allowing us to sell up to $75.0 million of our common shares in open market transactions at the then current market price per share. During the three months ended June 30, 2013, we sold 107,498 shares under this ATM program for total net proceeds of $1.9 million. The proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.

Under Forward Sale Agreements (FSAs) that the Company entered into with forward purchasers on May 29, 2013, we have agreed to sell 6,500,000 shares plus an option to purchase up to 975,000 additional shares, of which 547,958 shares were exercised on July 2, 2013, for a total of 7,047,958 shares, at a public offering price of $17.25 per share to be settled on or about October 1, 2013. The use of an equity forward transaction substantially eliminates future equity market price risk by fixing a common equity offering sales price under the then existing market conditions, while mitigating immediate share dilution resulting from the offering by postponing the actual issuance of common stock until funds are needed.

15

We have the option to settle the FSAs by cash or net share settlement for all or a portion of our obligation under the FSAs. However, we expect to settle the FSAs by delivering shares. If we physically settle the FSAs by issuing 7,047,958 shares of our common stock to the forward purchasers, the forward purchasers will, at settlement, pay us the proceeds less certain adjustments from their sale of borrowed shares to the underwriters, including the third quarter dividend.

On or about October 1, 2013, by delivering 7,047,958 shares of our common stock to the forward purchasers at a public offering price of $17.25 per share, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $116.2 million based on the adjusted net settlement price of $16.49 per share, inclusive of the underwriting discount and estimated costs, but before the deduction for the third quarter dividend. Inclusive of the dividend payment, we expect to use the net proceeds of $114.9 million to partially repay our scheduled debt maturities for 2013 consisting of five mortgage loans totaling approximately $129.7 million or for general corporate purposes.

We have classified the FSAs as equity transactions because the forward sale transactions were indexed to our own stock and physical settlement is within our control. As a result of this classification, no amounts will be recorded in the consolidated financial statements until settlement of each FSA.

Whether we decide to physically settle or net share settle the FSAs, any delivery of our shares upon settlement will result in dilution to our earnings per share ("EPS") at the date of the settlement. The inclusion of any incremental shares in the calculation of diluted EPS under the treasury stock method began during the quarter ending June 30, 2013. Any dilutive effect of the FSAs on our EPS will occur only during periods when the average market price per share of our common stock during that reporting period is above the per share forward sale price.

10.    EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012			2013			2012
Numerator - basic and diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1,652		$	195		$	2,529		$	(2,601	)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14		)	4			(31		)	9
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	$	1,638		$	199		$	2,498		$	(2,592	)
Income from discontinued operations	$	—		$	23,470		$	9,486		$	24,180
Allocation to participating securities	—			(100		)	—			(99		)
Income from discontinued operations applicable to common shares	$	—		$	23,370		$	9,486		$	24,081
Denominator - basic	49,864			42,968			49,749			42,655
Effect of dilutive securities (1)	719			493			682			—
Denominator - diluted	50,583			43,461			50,431			42,655
Earnings per common share - basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	—		$	0.05		$	(0.06	)
Income from discontinued operations	—			0.55			0.19			0.56
Net income attributable to AERC - basic	$	0.03		$	0.55		$	0.24		$	0.50
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	—		$	0.05		$	(0.06	)
Income from discontinued operations	—			0.54			0.19			0.56
Net income attributable to AERC - diluted	$	0.03		$	0.54		$	0.24		$	0.50

(1) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the effect of 83 stock options were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the effect of 125 stock options were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, all potential common shares are excluded as they are anti-dilutive to the net loss from continuing operations.

16

The effect of exercise of rights for exchange of OP units into common shares was not included in the computation of diluted EPS because we intend to settle the exchange of these interests in cash.

11.EQUITY BASED AWARD PLANS

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we recognized total share-based compensation cost of $1.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, in "General and administrative expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, we recognized total share-based compensation cost of $740,000 and $1.9 million, respectively, in "General and administrative expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we recognized $100,000 and $210,000 of share-based compensation in capitalized payroll, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, we recognized $50,000 and $90,000 of share-based compensation in capitalized payroll, respectively. See Note 2 for additional information related to capitalized payroll.

Restricted Shares. Restricted shares generally have the same rights as our common shares, except for transfer restrictions and forfeiture provisions. Our officers and directors may elect to defer the receipt of restricted shares under our deferred compensation plans. Deferred restricted share awards are reflected as restricted share equivalent units ("RSUs") in an individual bookkeeping account maintained for each participant. The vesting of such RSUs occurs on the same schedule as the restricted shares subject to the deferral election, and the valuation and attribution of cost in our consolidated financial statements are also the same as the restricted shares subject to the deferral election. RSUs are not included in the number of issued and outstanding common shares reflected in the "Equity" section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. RSUs with non-forfeitable dividend rights are included in the allocation to participating securities using the two-class method. RSUs with forfeitable dividend rights do not qualify as participating securities and are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share to the extent they are not anti-dilutive for the period presented.

The following table represents restricted share and RSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2013:

		Weighted			Weighted
		Average			Average
	Number of	Grant Date		Number of	Grant Date
	Shares	Fair Value		RSUs	Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period	525,406	$	9.23	58,825	$	14.13
Granted	757,583	$	10.36	25,848	$	17.44
Vested	161,713	$	15.97	36,817	$	16.01
Forfeited	81,511	$	8.48	1,865	$	8.38
Nonvested at end of period	1,039,765	$	9.05	45,991	$	14.72

The weighted average grant-date fair value of restricted shares and RSUs granted during the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $16.51. The total fair value of restricted shares vested during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, was $2.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, was $590,000 and $720,000, respectively. At June 30, 2013, there was a total of $7.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted share awards and RSUs that we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years.

17

During 2013, we issued restricted share awards in which the number of shares that will ultimately vest is subject to market conditions over a three-year period and service conditions over a four-year period. The total estimated grant-date fair value of these awards, including the awards that were deferred, was$4.3 million. We used the Monte Carlo method to estimate the fair value of these awards. The Monte Carlo method, which is similar to the binomial analysis, evaluates the award for changing stock prices over the term of vesting and uses random situations that are averaged based on past stock characteristics. There were one million simulation paths used to estimate the fair value of these awards. The expected volatility for the awards granted in 2013 was based upon a 50/50 blend of historical and implied volatility. The historical volatility was based upon changes in the weekly closing prices of our shares over a period equal to the expected life of the restricted shares granted. The implied volatility was the trailing month average of daily implied volatilities calculated by interpolating between the volatilities implied by stock call option contracts that were both closest to the expected life and the exercise price of the restricted shares. The risk-free interest rate used was based on a yield curve derived from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds on the date of grant with a maturity equal to the market condition performance periods. The expected life used was the market condition performance periods.

The following table represents the assumption ranges used in the Monte Carlo method during 2013:

Expected volatility - AERC	18.1% to 22.5%
Expected volatility - peer group	14.7% to 29.5%
Risk-free interest rate	0.1% to 0.5%
Expected life (performance period)	3 years

Stock Options. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based awards that do not include a market condition. There were no stock options awarded and169,164 options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2013. There were 125,000 stock options awarded and 5,000 stock options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The Black-Scholes assumptions and fair value for the options awarded in 2012 were as follows:

Expected volatility	33.9		%
Risk-free interest rate	1.3		%
Expected life of options	7 years
Dividend yield	4.7		%
Grant-date fair value	$	2.97

The expected volatility was based upon a 50/50 blend of historical and implied volatility. The historical volatility was based upon changes in the weekly closing prices of our shares over a period equal to the expected life of the options granted. The implied volatility was the trailing month average of daily implied volatilities calculated by interpolating between the volatilities implied by stock call option contracts that were both closest to the expected life and the exercise price of the options. The longest terms of such options over the trailing month averaged 7.1 months. The risk-free interest rate used was the yield from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds on the date of the grant with a maturity equal to the expected life of the options. The expected life was derived using our historical experience for similar awards. The dividend yield was derived using our annual dividend rate as a percentage of the price of our shares on the date of grant.

18

The following table represents stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2013:

				Weighted-Average
	Number of	Weighted-Average		Remaining
	Stock Options	Exercise Price		Contract Life
Outstanding at beginning of period	769,184	$	10.81
Exercised	169,164	$	9.16
Outstanding at end of period	600,020	$	11.28	3.8 years
Exercisable at end of period	486,687	$	10.64	2.8 years

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at June 30, 2013 and 2012, was $2.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

12.    DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

We utilize interest rate swaps, from time to time, to add stability to interest rate risk and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. See Note 2 for additional information related to our derivative instruments and hedging policy.

On April 2, 2013, we executed a forward starting interest rate swap on $125.0 million of our $150.0 million unsecured term loan, fixing the rate beginning June 2, 2016 at a rate of 1.55% plus the credit spread, which was 1.70% as of June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 3.25% until the loan matures in January 2018. The credit spread is subject to change, from time to time, from a minimum of 1.25% to a maximum of 2.2% over LIBOR based upon our qualified ratings as defined in the agreement. See Note 13 for additional information related to this forward starting interest rate swap.

On December 19, 2011, we entered into a forward starting interest rate swap effective June 7, 2013. This swap hedges the future cash flows of interest payments on $125.0 million of our unsecured term loan by fixing the rate until June 2016 at a rate of 1.26% plus the credit spread which was 1.70% at June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 2.96%. The credit spread is subject to change, from time to time, from a minimum of 1.25% to a maximum of 2.2% over LIBOR based upon our qualified ratings as defined in the agreement. See Note 13 for additional information related to this forward starting interest rate swap.

The following table presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as the classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 13 for additional information regarding the fair value of these derivative instruments):

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	Asset Derivatives
	As of June 30, 2013			As of December 31, 2012
(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated
as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swap	Other assets	$	1,584	Other assets	$	—

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	Liability Derivatives
	As of June 30, 2013			As of December 31, 2012
(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated
as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swap	Other liabilities	$	2,209	Other liabilities	$	2,934

19

The following table presents the effect of our derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income:

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands)	Location of Gain or
	(Loss) Recognized	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging	in Income	June 30,						June 30,
Relationships (Interest Rate Swaps)	on Derivative	2013			2012			2013			2012
Amount of gain or (loss)
recognized in OCI on derivative		$	2,333		$	(1,655	)	$	2,221		$	(1,633	)
Amount of loss reclassified from
accumulated OCI into interest expense	Interest expense	$	(89	)	$	—		$	(89	)	$	—
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized
in income on derivative
(ineffective portion and amount
excluded from effectiveness testing)	Other expense	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

The following tables present the effect of offsetting financial assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Offsetting of Derivative Assets

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of June 30, 2013

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Assets Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Assets

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

1,584

$

—

$

1,584

$

—

$

—

$

1,584

Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of June 30, 2013

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Liabilities Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Liabilities

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

2,209

$

—

$

2,209

$

—

$

—

$

2,209

Offsetting of Derivative Assets

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of December 31, 2012

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Assets Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Assets

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

—

20

Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of December 31, 2012

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Liabilities Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Liabilities

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

2,934

$

—

$

2,934

$

—

$

—

$

2,934

As of June 30, 2013, the fair value of the derivative in a net liability position, excluding any adjustment for nonperformance risk, was $2.3 million. As of June 30, 2013, we have not posted any collateral related to this agreement.  If we had breached any of the provisions in the agreement with our derivative counterparty at June 30, 2013, we could have been required to settle our obligations under the agreement at its termination value of $2.3 million, which includes accrued interest of $90,000. The expected amount of other comprehensive income to be reclassified as earnings within the next twelve months is $1.3 million.

13.    FAIR VALUE

Fair value, as defined by GAAP, represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The inputs used in the determination of fair value amounts and disclosures are based on the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing certain assets or liabilities. These inputs are classified in the fair value hierarchy as follows:

Ÿ	Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access;
Ÿ	Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals; and
Ÿ	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that are typically based on an entity's own assumptions as there is little, if any, related market activity.

The inputs used in the fair value measurement should be from the highest level available. In instances where the measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement will fall within the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Cash, accounts and notes receivable, other assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (except for the interest rate swap discussed below) are carried at amounts that reasonably approximate corresponding fair values because of their short term nature.

The interest rate swap derivatives, as discussed in detail in Note 12 under "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," are carried at fair value. The fair value of the derivative was determined by using a model that applies discount rates to the expected future cash flows associated with the swap. The significant inputs used in the valuation model to estimate the discount rates and expected cash flows are observable in active markets and, therefore, are Level 2 inputs.

We estimate the fair value of our mortgage notes payable by discounting the associated cash flows using the interest rates available to us as of the dates reported for issuance of debt with similar terms, remaining maturities and loan to value ratios, which ranged from 38% to 65% at June 30, 2013. We classify the fair value of our mortgage notes payable as Level 3.

21

We estimate the fair value of our unsecured debt by discounting the associated cash flows using the interest rates available to us as of the dates reported for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. We classify the fair value of our unsecured debt as Level 2.

			Fair Value at June 30, 2013 Using
			Quoted Prices in
			Active Markets		Significant
			for Identical		Other		Significant
			Assets or		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Liabilities		Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Mortgage notes payable	$	374,275	$	—	$	—	$	382,231
Unsecured debt	$	333,500	$	—	$	333,790	$	—

			Fair Value at December 31, 2012 Using
			Quoted Prices in
			Active Markets		Significant
			for Identical		Other		Significant
			Assets or		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Liabilities		Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Mortgage notes payable	$	376,278	$	—	$	—	$	403,391
Unsecured debt	$	340,500	$	—	$	339,604	$	—

14.    CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

We are subject to legal proceedings, lawsuits and other claims arising in the ordinary course of business (collectively, "Litigation"). Litigation is subject to uncertainties and outcomes are difficult to predict. We believe any current Litigation will not have a material adverse impact on us after final disposition. However, because of the uncertainties of Litigation, one or more lawsuits could ultimately result in a material obligation.

15.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Acquisitions

On July 16, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Doral West, a 388-unit property located in Doral, Florida, for a purchase price of $93.5 million.

Dividends

On August 1, 2013, we paid a dividend of $0.19 per common share to shareholders of record on July 15, 2013, which had been declared on June 20, 2013. The declaration and payment of quarterly dividends remains subject to review by, and approval of, the Board of Directors.

22

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements based on current judgments and current knowledge of management, which are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary from those projected, including but not limited to, expectations regarding our 2013 performance that are based on certain assumptions. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this report. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "expects," "projects," "believes," "plans," "anticipates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty that could cause actual results to differ from estimates or projections contained in these forward-looking statements, including without limitation the following:

• changes in the economic climate in the markets in which we own and manage properties, including interest rates, the overall level of economic activity, the availability of consumer credit and mortgage financing, unemployment rates and other factors;

• elimination of, or limitations on, federal government support for Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac that might result in significantly reduced availability of mortgage financing sources, as well as increases in interest rates for mortgage financing;

• our ability to refinance debt on favorable terms at maturity;

• risks of a lessening of demand for the multifamily units that we own;

• competition from other available multifamily units, single family units available for rental or purchase, and changes in market rental rates;

• the failure of development projects or redevelopment activities to achieve expected results due to, among other causes, construction and contracting risks, unanticipated increases in materials and/or labor, and delays in project completion and/or lease-up that result in increased costs and/or reduce the profitability of a completed project;

• the failure to enter into development joint venture arrangements on acceptable terms;

• increases in property and liability insurance costs;

• unanticipated increases in real estate taxes and other operating expenses;

• weather conditions that adversely affect operating expenses;

• expenditures that cannot be anticipated such as utility rate and usage increases and unanticipated repairs;

• our inability to control operating expenses or achieve increases in revenue;

• shareholder ownership limitations that may discourage a takeover otherwise considered favorable by shareholders;

• the results of litigation filed or to be filed against us;

• changes in tax legislation;

• risks of personal injury claims and property damage claims that are not covered by our insurance;

• catastrophic property damage losses that are not covered by our insurance;

• our inability to acquire properties at prices consistent with our investment criteria;

• risks associated with property acquisitions such as failure to achieve expected results or matters not discovered in due diligence; and

• risks related to the perception of residents and prospective residents as to the attractiveness, convenience and safety of our properties or the neighborhoods in which they are located.

23

Overview.

We are engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of multifamily apartment units. Our subsidiary, Merit, is a general contractor and construction manager that acts as our in-house construction division. Our primary source of cash and revenue from operations is rental payments from the leasing of apartment units, which represented substantially all of our consolidated revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2013.

The operating performance of our properties is affected by general economic trends including, but not limited to, household formation, job and wage growth, unemployment rates, population growth, immigration, the supply of new multifamily rental communities and, in certain markets, the supply of other housing alternatives, such as condominiums, single and multifamily rental homes and owner occupied single and multifamily homes. Additionally, our performance may be affected by access to, and cost of, debt and equity securities.

Rental revenue collections are impacted by net rental rates and occupancy levels. We use LRO^TM, a rental revenue software product that provides comprehensive submarket based statistical data to assist in maximizing rental revenue while remaining market competitive. We combine this data with our proprietary market knowledge and experience in our efforts to maximize rental revenues and maintain high occupancy levels. We expect LRO^TM to continue to assist us in generating long term rent growth and asset stability with daily, incremental rent changes. We adjust our rental rates in our continuing effort to adapt to changing market conditions and maximize rental revenue. We continuously monitor physical occupancy and net rent per unit to track our success in maximizing rental revenue. These indicators are more fully described in the Results of Operations comparison. Additionally, we consider property net operating income ("NOI"), Funds from Operations ("FFO") and FFO as adjusted to be important indicators of our overall performance. Property NOI (property revenue less property operating and maintenance expenses) is a measure of the profitability of our properties and has the largest impact on our financial condition and operating results. FFO is used by real estate investment trusts as a supplemental measure of the operating performance of real estate companies because it excludes charges such as real estate depreciation and amortization on intangible assets that are generally considered not to be reflective of the actual value of real estate assets over time. Additionally, gains and losses from the sale of most real estate assets and certain other items are also excluded from FFO. We calculate FFO as adjusted as FFO, defined above, excluding prepayment penalties associated with debt repayments ($1.7 million in 2012) and any refunds for previously defeased loans ($279,000 in 2012). In accordance with GAAP, these prepayment penalties and refunds on the previously defeased loan are included in interest expense in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. We are providing this calculation as an alternative FFO calculation as we consider it a more appropriate measure for comparing the operating performance of a company's real estate between periods or as compared to different REITs. A reconciliation of property NOI to consolidated net income attributable to AERC and a reconciliation of net income attributable to AERC to FFO and FFO as adjusted are included in the Results of Operations comparison.

Updated 2013 Expectations.

• Portfolio performance - Our updated full-year 2013 guidance reflects Same Community NOI increasing in the range of 4.75% to 5.25% as compared to 2012.

• Property acquisitions, sales and development- During 2013, we anticipate acquisitions between $93.5 and $150 million and dispositions between $63.2 million and $150 million. We also anticipate that development expenditures will be between $105 million and $115 million during 2013. Through June 30, 2013, we have disposed of one property for $63.2 million and incurred $64.5 million for development expenditures. Additionally, on July 16, 2013, we completed a property acquisition for $93.5 million.

24

Forecast Qualification. The foregoing updated expectations are forward looking statements expressly subject to the discussion in the first paragraph of this Item 2. However, the uncertainties caused by economic and financial conditions complicate our ability to forecast future performance. We believe the apartment industry is better situated to weather a slow growing or recessionary environment or a delayed recovery than other real estate sectors because people will normally choose shelter over discretionary spending such as going to the mall or hotel stays. Government sponsored agencies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continue to provide attractive apartment financing, which may be unavailable to other commercial real estate sectors. Our 2013 expectations could be adversely impacted if recessionary forces resume or if Congress curtails Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac financing support to the apartment industry. Moreover, unless and until sustained job and wage growth occurs in our markets, significant continued rental growth may be limited.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows and Liquidity. Significant sources and uses of cash are summarized as follows:

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
(In thousands)	2013			2012
Net cash provided by operations	$	37,542		$	30,362
Fixed assets:
Acquisitions and development expenditures	(59,968		)	(100,477		)
Net property disposition proceeds	61,970			57,523
Recurring, revenue enhancing and non-recurring capital expenditures	(4,956		)	(5,625		)
Debt:
Decrease in mortgage notes payable, net	(1,593		)	(79,050		)
(Decrease) increase in revolving credit facility borrowings, net	(157,000		)	17,000
Increase in senior note issuances	150,000			—
Issuance of common shares	1,870			98,512
Purchase of treasury shares	(697		)	(952		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(4,544		)	—
Cash dividends and operating partnership distributions paid	(18,775		)	(14,731		)

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows provided by operations, short-term borrowings on the unsecured revolver, project specific loans and the sale of debt or equity securities. Our scheduled debt maturities for 2013 consist of five mortgage loans totaling approximately $129.7 million. We intend to repay these loans primarily with proceeds from a forward equity sale that we entered into in May 2013 and borrowings on our unsecured revolver. As of July 26, 2013, the maximum amount of borrowings available to us under the unsecured revolver was $332.9 million and borrowings outstanding totaled $125.0 million.

On January 22, 2013, we completed the issuance of $150.0 million of unsecured senior notes. The notes were offered in a private placement with two maturity tranches: $63.0 million with an 8-year maturity at 4.02% and $87.0 million with a 10-year maturity at 4.45%. The $150.0 million total issuance had a weighted average term of 9.2 years and a weighted average interest rate of 4.27%. Proceeds from the issuance were used to repay borrowings under the unsecured revolver.

On February 15, 2013, we funded the development partnership's redemption of Bristol Development Group's partnership interest for $4.5 million. Hereinafter, we own a 100% interest in the Vista Germantown property, a 242-unit apartment community located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to February 15, 2013, we held a 90.0% equity interest. This property was included as a consolidated entity in our financial statements both prior to as well as subsequent to the redemption.

25

On April 12, 2013, we filed a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR, which makes equity and debt securities available for public offerings to replace our shelf registration statement that was to expire in June 2013. This current shelf registration expires in April 2016. Additionally, on April 12, 2013, we filed a prospectus supplement to register an at-the-market ("ATM") program, which allows us to sell up to $75.0 million of our common shares in open market transactions at the then-current market price per share. This ATM program was originally established in August 2012. However, due to the filing of the new shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR, it was necessary to file a new prospectus supplement to continue our existing ATM program. During the three months ended June 30, 2013, we sold 107,498 shares under this ATM program for total net proceeds of $1.9 million.

On June 19, 2013, among other modifications, we reduced the credit spread and extended the maturity of our $350.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility from January 12, 2016 to June 15, 2017. This facility provides financial flexibility and the opportunity to capitalize on strategic acquisitions without the delays associated with financing contingencies.

We anticipate cash flow provided by operations for the remainder of the year will be sufficient to meet normal business operations and liquidity requirements. We believe that if net cash provided by operations is below projections, other sources such as the unsecured revolver, secured and unsecured borrowings are, or can be made, available and should be sufficient to meet our normal business operations and liquidity requirements. We anticipate that we will continue to pay our regular quarterly dividends in cash. Funds to be used for property acquisitions, development or other capital expenditures are expected to be provided primarily by proceeds from the refinancing of debt borrowings, our unsecured revolver, the sale of properties, the sale of common shares, the sale of debt securities and the admission of joint venture partners.

Cash flow provided by operations increased 23.6% during the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012, as a result of a 5.4% increase in Same Community Property NOI, the contribution from the four properties acquired during 2012 and the completion and lease up of our Vista Germantown development in 2012. See the discussion under Results of Operations for further information concerning the property NOI contribution from the Same Community Properties and Acquired and Development Properties.

During the remainder of 2013, we anticipate incurring an additional $8.2 million in capital expenditures for replacements and improvements at our operating properties. This includes replacement of worn carpet and appliances, refurbishing parking lots and similar items in accordance with our current property expenditure plan, as well as commitments for investment/revenue enhancing and non-recurring expenditures. We expect to use cash provided by operating activities to pay for these expenditures. For the 2013 fiscal year, we anticipate the acquisition of $93.5 million to $150 million of properties, the disposition of $63.2 million to $150 million of properties, and development spend of $105 million to $115 million.

The following table identifies our capital expenditures as of June 30, 2013:

(In thousands)	2013		2012		Variance
Recurring fixed asset additions	$	4,564	$	5,120	$	(556	)
Revenue enhancing/non-recurring
fixed asset additions	392		505		(113		)
Acquisition fixed asset additions (1)	731		59,825		(59,094		)
Development fixed assets:
Internal costs	1,300		1,000		300
Capitalized interest	1,300		620		680
Land and other development costs (2)	56,637		39,032		17,605
Total development fixed asset additions	$	59,237	$	40,652	$	18,585
Total fixed asset additions	$	64,924	$	106,102	$	(41,178	)

(1) The decrease in Acquisition fixed asset additions in 2013 compared to 2012 is due to the acquisition of The Apartments at the Arboretum in Cary, North Carolina for $39.3 million and the acquisition of Desmond's Tower in Los Angeles, California for $20.0 million during three months ended June 30, 2012.

(2) The increase in Land and other development costs in 2013 compared to 2012 is due to the acquisition of a 3.35 acre parcel of land in San Francisco, California for $46.6 million during 2013 compared to the acquisition of a 2.5 acre parcel of land in Bethesda, Maryland for $12.2 million, the acquisition of the land associated with Desmond's Tower in Los Angeles, California for $17.3 million in 2012 as well the completion of the Vista Germantown apartment community in 2012.

26

See Note 2, "Real Estate and Depreciation" and "Classification of Fixed Asset Additions" for additional information.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 to the three and six months ended June 30, 2012:

Our Same Community portfolio represents operating properties that we owned for all of the comparison periods. Development Properties are added to our Same Community portfolio after they have been stabilized for all of the comparison periods. We consider a property to be stabilized when it has reached 93% occupancy. For the three and six month comparison periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Same Community portfolio consisted of 46 owned properties containing 11,709 units. In 2013, the three properties we acquired in 2011 (Waterstone at Wellington, Dwell Vienna Metro and The Brixton), containing 696 units, moved into the Same Community portfolio from the Acquired Properties portfolio. Properties that are sold or are classified as held for sale are removed from the Same Community portfolio at that time. The one property we sold during 2013 containing 843 units has been removed from the the Same Community portfolio. Acquired Properties for the three and six month comparison periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 include four properties acquired in 2012. The Development Property for the three and six month comparison periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 is a 242-unit development in Nashville, Tennessee that was completed and stabilized during the fourth quarter of 2012.

Net income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2013, increased $1.5 million to $1.7 million when compared to the $195,000 income from continuing operations recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2012. Net income from continuing operations recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2013 increased $5.1 million.

Our positive performance was primarily due to an increase in property revenue, net of increases in property operating and maintenance expenses, depreciation and amortization expense, general and administrative expense and interest expense.

The following table reflects the amount and percentage change in line items relevant to the changes in overall operating performance, which includes income from discontinued operations as well as income (loss) from continuing operations:

	Increase (Decrease) When					Increase (Decrease) When
	Comparing the Three Months					Comparing the Six Months
	Ended June 30, 2013					Ended June 30, 2013
(Dollar amounts in thousands)	to June 30, 2012					to June 30, 2012
Property revenue	$	5,739		14.5	%	$	12,213		15.7	%
Property operating and maintenance expenses	2,035			13.1	%	4,054			13.2	%
Depreciation and amortization	2,059			16.7	%	4,569			18.9	%
General and administrative expense	134			3.1	%	723			8.4	%
Interest expense	599			8.8	%	(1,288		)	(8.0	)%
Income from discontinued operations	(23,470		)	(100.0	)%	(14,694		)	(60.8	)%

We use property NOI as a measure of the results of our properties' activities. We believe the changes in property NOI can help explain how the properties' activities influenced our results of operations. Property NOI is determined by deducting property operating and maintenance expenses from property revenue (excluding revenue and expense amounts classified as discontinued operations). We consider property NOI to be an appropriate supplemental measure of our performance because it reflects the operating performance of our real estate portfolio, and is used to assess regional property level performance. Property NOI should not be considered (i) as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP), (ii) as an indicator of financial performance, (iii) as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP), or (iv) as a measure of liquidity; nor is it necessarily indicative of sufficient cash flow to fund all of our needs. Other real estate companies may define property NOI in a different manner.

27

A reconciliation of property NOI to total consolidated net income attributable to AERC is as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
Property NOI	$	27,808		$	24,104		$	55,398		$	47,239
Office revenue	238			313			550			313
Construction and other services net loss	—			(83		)	—			(153		)
Depreciation and amortization	(14,356		)	(12,297		)	(28,740		)	(24,171		)
General and administrative expense	(4,398		)	(4,264		)	(9,356		)	(8,633		)
Development costs	(181		)	(297		)	(443		)	(607		)
Costs associated with acquisitions	(64		)	(485		)	(64		)	(485		)
Interest expense	(7,395		)	(6,796		)	(14,816		)	(16,104		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,652			195			2,529			(2,601		)
Income from discontinued operations:
Operating income, net of interest expense	—			611			690			1,361
Gain on disposition of properties	—			22,859			8,796			22,819
Income from discontinued operations	—			23,470			9,486			24,180
Net income	1,652			23,665			12,015			21,579
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interest	(14		)	4			(31		)	9
Consolidated net income attributable to AERC	$	1,638		$	23,669		$	11,984		$	21,588

PropertyNOI increased as a result of revenue increases across the Same Community portfolio and the contributions of the Acquired and Development Properties partially offset by increased property operating expenses.

The following table presents property NOI results by region:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2013		2012				2013		2012
(In thousands)	Property NOI		Property NOI		Increase		Property NOI		Property NOI		Increase
Same Community Properties:
Midwest	$	10,887	$	10,308	$	579	$	21,761	$	20,580	$	1,181
Mid-Atlantic	9,115		8,827		288		18,155		17,304		851
Southeast	3,954		3,780		174		7,787		7,486		301
Southwest	801		686		115		1,525		1,345		180
Total Same Community	24,757		23,601		1,156		49,228		46,715		2,513
Acquired Properties	2,399		221		2,178		4,798		221		4,577
Development Property	652		282		370		1,372		303		1,069
Total Property NOI	$	27,808	$	24,104	$	3,704	$	55,398	$	47,239	$	8,159

28

Property revenue. Property revenue is impacted by a combination of rental rates and rent concessions, or net rent, and occupancy levels. Net collected rent is net rent reduced by loss to vacancy. Physical occupancy at the end of each period and net collected rent per unit are presented in the following tables:

	Physical Occupancy (1)
	at June 30,
	2013	2012
Same Community Properties:
Midwest	97.2%	97.7%
Mid-Atlantic	95.8%	96.9%
Southeast	95.8%	96.3%
Southwest	97.1%	97.8%
Total Same Community	96.6%	97.3%
Acquired Properties	97.0%	96.1%
Development Property	95.5%	N/A

(1) Physical occupancy represents the actual number of units leased divided by the total number of units available at the end of the period.

	Average Monthly Net Collected				Average Monthly Net Collected
	Rent Per Unit (1)				Rent Per Unit (1)
	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
(In thousands)	2013		2012		2013		2012
Same Community Properties:
Midwest	$	934	$	900	$	926	$	890
Mid-Atlantic	$	1,417	$	1,391	$	1,417	$	1,377
Southeast	$	1,205	$	1,156	$	1,200	$	1,158
Southwest	$	979	$	945	$	975	$	936
Total Same Community	$	1,104	$	1,070	$	1,099	$	1,061
Acquired Properties	$	1,097	$	1,214	$	1,091	$	1,214
Development Property	$	1,417	N/A		$	1,415	N/A

(1) Average monthly net collected rent per unit is calculated as total market rent for all units less vacancy and concessions, divided by the total number of units available. This does not represent actual revenue collected per unit.

The following table presents property revenue results:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2013		2012				2013		2012
	Property		Property				Property		Property
(In thousands)	Revenue		Revenue		Increase		Revenue		Revenue		Increase
Same Community Properties:
Midwest	$	18,761	$	17,865	$	896	$	37,043	$	35,254	$	1,789
Mid-Atlantic	13,391		13,079		312		26,689		25,883		806
Southeast	6,875		6,634		241		13,682		13,238		444
Southwest	1,360		1,295		65		2,696		2,571		125
Total Same Community	40,387		38,873		1,514		80,110		76,946		3,164
Acquired Properties	3,945		329		3,616		7,831		329		7,502
Development Property	1,093		484		609		2,165		618		1,547
Total Property Revenue	$	45,425	$	39,686	$	5,739	$	90,106	$	77,893	$	12,213

29

The increase in Same Community property revenue was a result of increased net rents, which was partially offset by increasing loss to vacancy in 2013 compared to 2012 across substantially all of the portfolio.

Property operating and maintenance expenses. The property operating and maintenance expenses increase was primarily due to the acquisition and development properties being owned and operated during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to 2012 and the increases in real estate taxes across the Midwest and Southeast portfolio in Same Community Properties.

Depreciation and amortization. The depreciation and amortization expense increase was primarily due to the acquisition and development properties.

General and administrative expense. General and administrative expenses increased primarily due to increases in payroll expense associated with higher payroll and payroll taxes associated with higher incentive compensation awards.

Interest expense. Interest expense increased during the three-month comparison primarily due to interest incurred on the senior notes that closed in January 2013 which was partially offset by a reduction of mortgage loan interest expense resulting from the payoff of ten mortgages during 2012 and an increase of capitalized interest during 2013. Interest expense decreased during the six-month comparison primarily due to $1.7 million in prepayment costs incurred during 2012, net of a defeasance refund of $279,000 during 2012, a reduction of mortgage loan interest expense resulting from the payoff of ten mortgages during 2012, an increase of capitalized interest in 2013, which was offset by interest incurred on the senior notes that closed January 2013.

Income from discontinued operations. Discontinued operations include the operating results of one property sold during 2013 and six properties sold during 2012. For further details on "Income from discontinued operations," see Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in Part 1, Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q.

We also use FFO, a non-GAAP financial measure, as a measure of our results of operations. We calculate FFO in accordance with the definition adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"). This definition includes all operating results, both recurring and non-recurring, except those results defined as "extraordinary items" under GAAP, adjusted for depreciation on real estate assets and amortization of intangible assets, and excludes impairment write-downs of depreciable real estate and gains and losses from the disposition of properties and land. We calculate FFO per share using the weighted average shares outstanding amounts used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share in accordance with GAAP. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow as a measure of liquidity. FFO is used in the real estate industry as a supplemental measure of the operating performance of real estate companies because it excludes charges such as real estate depreciation and amortization on intangibles assets that are generally considered not to be reflective of the actual value of real estate assets over time. Other real estate companies may define FFO in a different manner.

We calculate FFO as adjusted as FFO, defined above, excluding prepayment penalties associated with debt repayments ($1.7 million in 2012) and any refunds for previously defeased loans ($279,000 in 2012). In accordance with GAAP, these prepayment penalties and refunds on the previously defeased loan are included in interest expense in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. We are providing this calculation as an alternative FFO calculation as we consider it a more appropriate measure of comparing the operating performance of a company's real estate between periods or as compared to different REITs.

30

A reconciliation of net income attributable to AERC to FFO and FFO as adjusted is as follows:

	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	June 30,					June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2013		2012			2013			2012
Net income attributable to AERC	$	1,638	$	23,669		$	11,984		$	21,588
Depreciation - real estate assets	12,650		11,772			25,483			23,386
Amortization of intangible assets	1,141		1,162			2,346			2,255
Gain on disposition of properties	—		(22,859		)	(8,796		)	(22,819		)
Funds from Operations attributable to AERC	15,429		13,744			31,017			24,410
Prepayment costs	—		—			—			1,743
Refund of defeasance costs on previously defeased loan	—		—			—			(279		)
Funds from Operations as adjusted attributable to AERC	$	15,429	$	13,744		$	31,017		$	25,874
Funds from Operations per common share - basic	$	0.31	$	0.32		$	0.62		$	0.57
Funds from Operations per common share - diluted	$	0.31	$	0.32		$	0.62		$	0.57
Funds from Operations as adjusted per common share - basic	$	0.31	$	0.32		$	0.62		$	0.61
Funds from Operations as adjusted per common share - diluted	$	0.31	$	0.32		$	0.62		$	0.61
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	49,864		42,968			49,749			42,655
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	50,583		43,461			50,431			42,655

CONTINGENCIES

For a discussion of contingencies, see Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in Part I, Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to interest rate changes associated with variable rate debt and the refinancing risk on our fixed-rate debt. Based on our variable rate debt outstanding at June 30, 2013 and 2012, an interest rate change of 100 basis points would impact interest expense approximately $590,000 and $2.5 million on an annual basis, respectively. We occasionally use derivative instruments to manage our exposure to interest rates. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in Part I, Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding derivative instruments and "Item 7A, Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, for a more complete discussion of interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We evaluated the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures to determine whether they are effective in ensuring that the disclosure of required information is made timely in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and the rules and forms of the SEC. This evaluation was made under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q. The CEO and CFO have concluded, based on their review, that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

31

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the second quarter of 2013 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

We believe that because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For information related to legal proceedings, see Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in Part I, Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

See "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
					Approximate Dollar
					Value of Shares
				Total Number of	That May Yet Be
				Shares Purchased	Purchased Under
				As Part of Publicly	the Plans of
	Total Number of	Average Price Paid		Announced Plans	Programs
Period	Shares Purchased	Per Share		or Programs	(in thousands)
April 1 through
April 30	—	$	—	—	$	26,288
May 1 through
May 31	—	—		—	26,288
June 1 through
June 30	—	—		—	26,288
Total	—	$	—	—

There is a total of $26.3 million remaining on our Board of Directors' authorization to repurchase our common shares. We did not repurchase any shares using this authority during the second quarter of 2013, and we have no present intention to use this authority to repurchase shares. We have a policy which allows employees to pay their portion of the income taxes related to restricted share vesting by surrendering a number of shares to us equal in value on the day of vesting to the amount of taxes due up to the minimum statutory withholding amount.

32

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

		Filed herewith
		or incorporated
Number	Title	herein by reference
1.1	Equity Distribution Agreement between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and Barclays Capital Inc.	Exhibit 1.1 to Form 8-K filed April 12, 2013.
1.2	Equity Distribution Agreement between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.	Exhibit 1.2 to Form 8-K filed April 12, 2013.
1.3	Equity Distribution Agreement between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and Jefferies LLC.	Exhibit 1.3 to Form 8-K filed April 12, 2013.
1.4	Equity Distribution Agreement between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.	Exhibit 1.4 to Form 8-K filed April 12, 2013.
1.5	Equity Distribution Agreement between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and Raymond James & Associates, Inc.	Exhibit 1.5 to Form 8-K filed April 12, 2013.
1.6	Underwriting Agreement dated May 29, 2013 by and among the Company and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, acting as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule II thereto.	Exhibit 1.1 to Form 8-K filed June 4, 2013.
1.7	Confirmation of Forward Sale Transaction dated May 29, 2013 between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and Citibank, N.A.	Exhibit 1.2 to Form 8-K filed June 4, 2013.
1.8	Confirmation of Forward Sale Transaction dated May 29, 2013 between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and Bank of America, N.A.	Exhibit 1.3 to Form 8-K filed June 4, 2013.
1.9	Confirmation of Forward Sale Transaction dated May 29, 2013 between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.	Exhibit 1.4 to Form 8-K filed June 4, 2013.
4.1	Note Purchase Agreement dated January 22, 2013, between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and the purchasers of the Notes party thereto (including the forms of 4.02% Senior Notes, Series A, due January 22, 2021 and 4.45% Senior Notes, Series B, due January 22, 2023).	Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed January 25, 2013.
4.2	Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 19,2013, between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and PNC Bank, National Association and the several lenders, financial institutions and other entities who are parties thereto.	Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed June 19, 2013.
4.3	Third Amendment to Term Loan Agreement dated June 19, 2013, between Associated Estates Realty Corporation and PNC Bank, National Association and the several lenders, financial institutions and other entities who are parties thereto.	Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed June 19, 2013.
31	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act.	Exhibit 31 to Form 10-Q filed herewith.
31.1	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act.	Exhibit 31.1 to Form 10-Q filed herewith.
32	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act.	Exhibit 32 to Form 10-Q filed herewith.

33

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
August 2, 2013	/s/ Lou Fatica
(Date)	Lou Fatica, Vice President
	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

34

EX-31

EXHIBIT 31

CERTIFICATION

I, Jeffrey I. Friedman, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013, of Associated Estates Realty Corporation;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

August 2, 2013	/s/ Jeffrey I. Friedman
Date	Jeffrey I. Friedman, Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Lou Fatica, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013, of Associated Estates Realty Corporation;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

August 2, 2013	/s/ Lou Fatica
Date:	Lou Fatica, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned, Jeffrey I. Friedman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Lou Fatica, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Associated Estates Realty Corporation (the "Company"), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended June 30, 2013, which this certification accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Jeffrey I. Friedman

Jeffrey I. Friedman

/s/ Lou Fatica

Lou Fatica

August 2, 2013

Date

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to Associated Estates Realty Corporation and will be retained by Associated Estates Realty Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

XML

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

We utilize interest rate swaps, from time to time, to add stability to interest rate risk and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. See Note 2 for additional information related to our derivative instruments and hedging policy.

On April 2, 2013, we executed a forward starting interest rate swap on $125.0 million of our $150.0 million unsecured term loan, fixing the rate beginning June 2, 2016 at a rate of 1.55% plus the credit spread, which was 1.70% as of June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 3.25% until the loan matures in January 2018. The credit spread is subject to change, from time to time, from a minimum of 1.25% to a maximum of 2.2% over LIBOR based upon our qualified ratings as defined in the agreement. See Note 13 for additional information related to this forward starting interest rate swap.

On December 19, 2011, we entered into a forward starting interest rate swap effective June 7, 2013. This swap hedges the future cash flows of interest payments on $125.0 million of our unsecured term loan by fixing the rate until June 2016 at a rate of 1.26% plus the credit spread which was 1.70% at June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 2.96%. The credit spread is subject to change, from time to time, from a minimum of 1.25% to a maximum of 2.2% over LIBOR based upon our qualified ratings as defined in the agreement. See Note 13 for additional information related to this forward starting interest rate swap.

The following table presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as the classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 13 for additional information regarding the fair value of these derivative instruments):

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	Asset Derivatives
	As of June 30, 2013			As of December 31, 2012
(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated
as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swap	Other assets	$	1,584	Other assets	$	—

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	Liability Derivatives
	As of June 30, 2013			As of December 31, 2012
(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated
as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swap	Other liabilities	$	2,209	Other liabilities	$	2,934

The following table presents the effect of our derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income:

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands)	Location of Gain or
	(Loss) Recognized	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging	in Income	June 30,						June 30,
Relationships (Interest Rate Swaps)	on Derivative	2013			2012			2013			2012
Amount of gain or (loss)
recognized in OCI on derivative		$	2,333		$	(1,655	)	$	2,221		$	(1,633	)
Amount of loss reclassified from
accumulated OCI into interest expense	Interest expense	$	(89	)	$	—		$	(89	)	$	—
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized
in income on derivative
(ineffective portion and amount
excluded from effectiveness testing)	Other expense	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

The following tables present the effect of offsetting financial assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Offsetting of Derivative Assets

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of June 30, 2013

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Assets Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Assets

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

1,584

$

—

$

1,584

$

—

$

—

$

1,584

Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of June 30, 2013

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Liabilities Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Liabilities

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

2,209

$

—

$

2,209

$

—

$

—

$

2,209

Offsetting of Derivative Assets

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of December 31, 2012

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Assets Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Assets

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

—

Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of December 31, 2012

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Liabilities Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Liabilities

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

2,934

$

—

$

2,934

$

—

$

—

$

2,934

As of June 30, 2013, the fair value of the derivative in a net liability position, excluding any adjustment for nonperformance risk, was $2.3 million. As of June 30, 2013, we have not posted any collateral related to this agreement.  If we had breached any of the provisions in the agreement with our derivative counterparty at June 30, 2013, we could have been required to settle our obligations under the agreement at its termination value of $2.3 million, which includes accrued interest of $90,000. The expected amount of other comprehensive income to be reclassified as earnings within the next twelve months is $1.3 million.

XML

Equity Based Award Plans Monte Carlo (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life of options (in years)	7 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk free rate minimum	0.10%
Risk free rate maximum	0.50%
Expected life of options (in years)	3 years
AERC [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility minimum	18.10%
Expected volatility maximum	22.50%
Peer Group [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility minimum	14.70%
Expected volatility maximum	29.50%

XML

Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Revenue
Property revenue	$ 45,425	$ 39,686	$ 90,106	$ 77,893
Office revenue	238	313	550	313
Total revenue	45,663	39,999	90,656	78,206
Expenses
Property operating and maintenance	17,617	15,582	34,708	30,654
Depreciation and amortization	14,356	12,297	28,740	24,171
Construction and other services	0	83	0	153
General and administrative	4,398	4,264	9,356	8,633
Development costs	181	297	443	607
Costs associated with acquisitions	64	485	64	485
Total expenses	36,616	33,008	73,311	64,703
Operating income	9,047	6,991	17,345	13,503
Interest expense	(7,395)	(6,796)	(14,816)	(16,104)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,652	195	2,529	(2,601)
Income from discontinued operations:
Operating income, net of interest expense	0	611	690	1,361
Gain on disposition of properties	0	22,859	8,796	22,819
Income from discontinued operations	0	23,470	9,486	24,180
Net income	1,652	23,665	12,015	21,579
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14)	4	(31)	9
Net income attributable to AERC	1,638	23,669	11,984	21,588
Allocation to participating securities	0	(100)	0	(99)
Net income applicable to common shares	1,638	23,569	11,984	21,489
Earnings per common share - basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.05	$ (0.06)
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.55	$ 0.19	$ 0.56
Net income applicable to common shares - basic	$ 0.03	$ 0.55	$ 0.24	$ 0.50
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.05	$ (0.06)
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.54	$ 0.19	$ 0.56
Net income applicable to common shares - diluted	$ 0.03	$ 0.54	$ 0.24	$ 0.50
Comprehensive income:
Net income	1,652	23,665	12,015	21,579
Change in fair value and reclassification of hedge instruments	2,421	(1,655)	2,309	(1,633)
Total comprehensive income	4,073	22,010	14,324	19,946
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14)	4	(31)	9
Total comprehensive income attributable to AERC	$ 4,059	$ 22,014	$ 14,293	$ 19,955
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.19	$ 0.18	$ 0.38	$ 0.35
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	49,864	42,968	49,749	42,655
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	50,583	43,461	50,431	42,655

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Our goodwill has been allocated to our properties on a relative fair value basis. Upon disposition of said properties, the goodwill allocated is included in the calculation of the gain or loss on disposal and subsequently written-off. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we wrote-off $150,000 of our goodwill related to our property disposition. The carrying value of our goodwill as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, was $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Our annual review of goodwill is completed during the first quarter of each year and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The review that was completed during the three months ended March 31, 2013, determined that goodwill was not impaired and no other events have occurred that would require goodwill to be reevaluated. In performing this analysis, we compare the net book value of each property, including the amount of allocated goodwill, to its estimated fair market value. Should the estimates used to determine the fair value of the properties change, impairment may result which could materially impact our results of operations for the period in which it is recorded.

Intangible Assets

We allocate a portion of the total purchase price of a property acquisition to any intangible assets identified, such as in place leases and tenant relationships. The intangible assets are amortized over the remaining lease terms or estimated life of the tenant relationship, which is approximately 12 months. Due to the short term nature of residential leases, we believe existing lease rates approximate market rates; therefore, no allocation is made for above/below market leases. The intangible assets associated with one commercial lease are being amortized over the life of the lease, which is 60 months.

XML

Debt (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Outstanding Debt Instruments

The following table identifies our total debt outstanding and weighted average interest rates:

	June 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
			Weighted				Weighted
	Balance		Average Interest		Balance		Average Interest
(Dollar amounts in thousands)	Outstanding		Rate		Outstanding		Rate
Fixed Rate Debt:
Secured	$	374,275	5.4	%	$	376,278	5.4	%
Unsecured - notes	150,000		4.3	%	—		—	%
Total Fixed Rate Debt	524,275		5.1	%	376,278		5.4	%
Variable Rate Debt Swapped to Fixed:
Unsecured - term loan (1)	125,000		3.0	%	125,000		1.9	%
Total Variable Rate Debt Swapped to Fixed	125,000		3.0	%	125,000		1.9	%
Variable Rate Debt Unhedged:
Unsecured - revolver	33,500		1.5	%	190,500		1.7	%
Unsecured - term loan	25,000		1.9	%	25,000		1.9	%
Total Variable Rate Debt Unhedged	58,500		1.7	%	215,500		1.7	%
Total Debt	$	707,775	4.4	%	$	716,778	3.7	%

(1) The Company entered into a forward starting swap in December 2011 fixing the rate at 1.26%, plus the credit spread which was 1.70% at June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 2.96% beginning June 2013 through June 2016. Additionally, the Company entered into a forward starting swap in April 2013 fixing the rate beginning June 2016 at a rate of 1.55%, plus the credit spread which was 1.70% as of June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 3.25% until the loan matures in January 2018. See Note 12 for additional information related to this swap.

XML

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] Interest Expense [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] Interest Expense [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] Other Expense [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] Other Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	$ 2,221,000	$ (1,633,000)	$ 2,333,000	$ (1,655,000)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(89,000)	0			(89,000)	0
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net	$ 0	$ 0					$ 0	$ 0

XML

Fair Value

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE

FAIR VALUE

Fair value, as defined by GAAP, represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The inputs used in the determination of fair value amounts and disclosures are based on the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing certain assets or liabilities. These inputs are classified in the fair value hierarchy as follows:

Ÿ	Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access;
Ÿ	Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals; and
Ÿ	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that are typically based on an entity's own assumptions as there is little, if any, related market activity.

The inputs used in the fair value measurement should be from the highest level available. In instances where the measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement will fall within the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Cash, accounts and notes receivable, other assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (except for the interest rate swap discussed below) are carried at amounts that reasonably approximate corresponding fair values because of their short term nature.

The interest rate swap derivatives, as discussed in detail in Note 12 under "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," are carried at fair value. The fair value of the derivative was determined by using a model that applies discount rates to the expected future cash flows associated with the swap. The significant inputs used in the valuation model to estimate the discount rates and expected cash flows are observable in active markets and, therefore, are Level 2 inputs.

We estimate the fair value of our mortgage notes payable by discounting the associated cash flows using the interest rates available to us as of the dates reported for issuance of debt with similar terms, remaining maturities and loan to value ratios, which ranged from 38% to 65% at June 30, 2013. We classify the fair value of our mortgage notes payable as Level 3.

We estimate the fair value of our unsecured debt by discounting the associated cash flows using the interest rates available to us as of the dates reported for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. We classify the fair value of our unsecured debt as Level 2.

			Fair Value at June 30, 2013 Using
			Quoted Prices in
			Active Markets		Significant
			for Identical		Other		Significant
			Assets or		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Liabilities		Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Mortgage notes payable	$	374,275	$	—	$	—	$	382,231
Unsecured debt	$	333,500	$	—	$	333,790	$	—

			Fair Value at December 31, 2012 Using
			Quoted Prices in
			Active Markets		Significant
			for Identical		Other		Significant
			Assets or		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Liabilities		Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Mortgage notes payable	$	376,278	$	—	$	—	$	403,391
Unsecured debt	$	340,500	$	—	$	339,604	$	—

XML

Earnings Per Share Earnings per share table (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Numerator - basic and diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 1,652		$ 195		$ 2,529		$ (2,601)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14)		4		(31)		9
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	1,638		199		2,498		(2,592)
Income from discontinued operations	0		23,470		9,486		24,180
Allocation to participating securities	0		(100)		0		(99)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations applicable to common shares	$ 0		$ 23,370		$ 9,486		$ 24,081
Denominator - basic:	49,864,000		42,968,000		49,749,000		42,655,000
Effect of dilutive securities	719,000	[1]	493,000	[1]	682,000	[1]	0	[1]
Denominator - diluted:	50,583,000		43,461,000		50,431,000		42,655,000
Earnings per common share - basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.03		$ 0.00		$ 0.05		$ (0.06)
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.00		$ 0.55		$ 0.19		$ 0.56
Net income applicable to common shares - basic	$ 0.03		$ 0.55		$ 0.24		$ 0.50
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.03		$ 0.00		$ 0.05		$ (0.06)
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.00		$ 0.54		$ 0.19		$ 0.56
Net income applicable to common shares - diluted	$ 0.03		$ 0.54		$ 0.24		$ 0.50
Antidilutive options	83		125		83

[1] For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the effect of 83 stock options were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the effect of 125 stock options were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, all potential common shares are excluded as they are anti-dilutive to the net loss from continuing operations.

XML

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Offsetting financial assets and liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Offseting Liabilities [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ 2,209	$ 2,934
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	0	0
Derivative Liabilities	2,209	2,934
Derivative Liabilities, Financial Instruments Gross Amounts Not Offset	0	0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	1,584	0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	0	0
Derivative Assets	1,584	0
Derivative Assets, Financial Instruments Gross Amounts Not Offset	0	0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value of Collateral		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value of Collateral	0	0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value of Collateral	0
Derivative [Member]
Offseting Liabilities [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ 2,209	$ 2,934

XML

Debt Debt outstanding (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Fixed Rate Debt Unsecured Notes [Member] [Domain]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fixed Rate Debt Unsecured Notes [Member] [Domain]	Dec. 31, 2012 Variable Rate Debt Hedged [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Variable Rate Debt Hedged [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Fixed Rate Debt Hedged [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Fixed Rate Debt Hedged [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Variable Rate Debt Unhedged [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Variable Rate Debt Unhedged [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Variable Rate Debt Unhedged Revolver [Member] [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Variable Rate Debt Unhedged Revolver [Member] [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Variable Rate Debt Unhedged Term Loan [Member] [Domain]	Dec. 31, 2012 Variable Rate Debt Unhedged Term Loan [Member] [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured	$ 374,275	$ 376,278	$ 374,275	$ 376,278
Secured Debt Weighted Average Interest Rate			5.40%	5.40%
Unsecured notes	150,000	0	150,000	0
Unsecured term loan	150,000	150,000					125,000	[1]		125,000	[1]				33,500	190,500	25,000	25,000
Unsecured Debt Weighted Average Interest Rate					4.30%	0.00%	1.90%	[1]		3.00%	[1]		1.90%		1.50%	1.70%		1.90%
Total debt	$ 707,775	$ 716,778	$ 524,275	$ 376,278			$ 125,000			$ 125,000			$ 58,500	$ 215,500
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	3.70%	5.10%	5.40%			1.90%			3.00%			1.70%	1.70%
Base rate									1.55%	1.26%		1.26%
Credit spread	1.70%								1.70%
All-in rate	2.96%								3.25%			2.96%

[1] The Company entered into a forward starting swap in December 2011 fixing the rate at 1.26%, plus the credit spread which was 1.70% at June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 2.96% beginning June 2013 through June 2016. Additionally, the Company entered into a forward starting swap in April 2013 fixing the rate beginning June 2016 at a rate of 1.55%, plus the credit spread which was 1.70% as of June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 3.25% until the loan matures in January 2018. See Note 12 for additional information related to this swap.

XML

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012			2013			2012
Numerator - basic and diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1,652		$	195		$	2,529		$	(2,601	)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14		)	4			(31		)	9
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	$	1,638		$	199		$	2,498		$	(2,592	)
Income from discontinued operations	$	—		$	23,470		$	9,486		$	24,180
Allocation to participating securities	—			(100		)	—			(99		)
Income from discontinued operations applicable to common shares	$	—		$	23,370		$	9,486		$	24,081
Denominator - basic	49,864			42,968			49,749			42,655
Effect of dilutive securities (1)	719			493			682			—
Denominator - diluted	50,583			43,461			50,431			42,655
Earnings per common share - basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	—		$	0.05		$	(0.06	)
Income from discontinued operations	—			0.55			0.19			0.56
Net income attributable to AERC - basic	$	0.03		$	0.55		$	0.24		$	0.50
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	—		$	0.05		$	(0.06	)
Income from discontinued operations	—			0.54			0.19			0.56
Net income attributable to AERC - diluted	$	0.03		$	0.54		$	0.24		$	0.50

(1) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the effect of 83 stock options were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the effect of 125 stock options were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, all potential common shares are excluded as they are anti-dilutive to the net loss from continuing operations.

XML

Equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Stockholders Equity

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Common					Accumulated
	Shares					Distributions			Accumulated
	(at $.10					in Excess of			Other			Treasury
	stated		Paid-In			Accumulated			Comprehensive			Shares			Noncontrolling
(In thousands)	value)		Capital			Net Income			Loss			(at Cost)			Interest
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	4,953	$	634,587		$	(233,208	)	$	(2,934	)	$	—		$	1,344
Net income attributable to AERC	—		—			11,984			—			—			—
Other comprehensive income:
Changes in fair value of hedge
instruments	—		—			—			2,309			—			—
Net income attributable to
noncontrolling interest	—		—			—			—			—			3
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—		(3,547		)	—			—			—			(997		)
Share-based compensation	68		3,423			2			—			—			—
Purchase of common shares	—		—			—			—			(697		)	—
Option exercises	13		840			—			—			697			—
Issuance of common shares	11		1,859			—			—			—			—
Common share dividends declared	—		—			(19,264		)	—			—			—
Balance, June 30, 2013	$	5,045	$	637,162		$	(240,486	)	$	(625	)	$	—		$	350

XML

Common Shares (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Common Shares [Abstract]
Common stock authorized through equity offering program		$ 75,000,000
Shares issued	107,498
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	$ 1,900,000	$ 1,870,000	$ 98,512,000

XML

Acquisition, Development, and Disposition Activity Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Land	$ 28,648
Buildings and improvements	41,142
Furniture and fixtures	4,081
Existing leases and tenant relationships (Other assets)	2,629
Total	$ 76,500

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Intangible (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill written-off	$ 150,000
Goodwill	$ 1,600,000	$ 1,700,000
Residential Real Estate [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period	12 months
Desmond's Tower [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period	60 months

XML

Equity Based Award Plans Equity Based Award Plans Textual (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation	$ 1,000,000	$ 740,000	$ 2,400,000	$ 1,900,000
Share-basedcompensation in capitalized payroll	100,000	50,000	210,000	90,000
Stock options awarded			0	125,000
Options exercised			169,164	5,000
Option Trailing Month Average			7.1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	2,900,000	3,400,000	2,900,000	3,400,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-Average grant date fair value			$ 17.44
Fair value of restricted shares vested			590,000	720,000
Unrecognized compensation costs	7,400,000		7,400,000
Weighted average period of unrecognized compensation cost			2 years 10 months
Restricted Share and RSU's [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-Average grant date fair value			$ 16.51
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-Average grant date fair value			$ 10.36
Fair value of restricted shares vested			2,700,000	2,900,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated grant-date fair value			$ 4,300,000

XML

Business (Details)	Jul. 16, 2013 Units	Jun. 30, 2013
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of apartment communities owned		51
Apartment units owned	388	13,107
Number of states		10
Desmond's Tower [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Square feet of space		78,800

XML

Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Redeemable Interest (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Balance at the beginning of period	$ 1,734	$ 1,734	$ 1,734	$ 1,734
Net income attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interest	14	14	28	27
Distribution to noncontrolling redeemable interest	(14)	(14)	(28)	(27)
Balance at the end of period	$ 1,734	$ 1,734	$ 1,734	$ 1,734

XML

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]

Noncontrolling Redeemable Interest

Activity related to noncontrolling redeemable interest is as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734
Net income attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interest	14			14			28			27
Distribution to noncontrolling redeemable interest	(14		)	(14		)	(28		)	(27		)
Balance at end of period	$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734

Noncontrolling Interest

The following table provides details of the activity related to the noncontrolling interests:

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
(In thousands)	2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,344		$	1,029
Net income (loss)	3			(36		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(997		)	—
Noncontrolling interest cash contribution	—			350
Balance at end of period	$	350		$	1,343

The following table provides details of the activity related to changes in ownership of noncontrolling interests:

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2013			2012
Net income attributable to AERC	$	11,984		$	21,588
Decrease in equity for purchase of noncontrolling interest	(3,547		)	—
Change from net income attributable to AERC and net
transfers to noncontrolling interest	$	8,437		$	21,588

XML

Business

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BUSINESS

BUSINESS

Except as the context otherwise requires, all references to "we," "our," "us," "AERC" and the "Company" in this report collectively refer to Associated Estates Realty Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

We are a fully-integrated, self-administered and self-managed equity real estate investment trust ("REIT") specializing in multifamily ownership, operation, acquisition, development, construction, disposition and property management activities. Our primary source of income is rental revenue. We own a taxable REIT subsidiary that performs construction services for our own account in connection with the development of multifamily properties we own and operate, including consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures. As of June 30, 2013, our operating portfolio consisted of 51 apartment communities containing 13,107 units in ten states that are owned, either directly or indirectly, through subsidiaries. In conjunction with our acquisition of land for development of an apartment community, we acquired an office building in Los Angeles, California containing approximately 78,800 square feet of office and retail space.

XML

Acquisition, Development, and Disposition Activity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Acquisition, Development, and Disposotion Activity [Abstract]

ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT, AND DISPOSITION ACTIVITY

ACQUISTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND DISPOSITION ACTIVITY

Acquisition Activity

We have entered into an agreement to acquire an apartment project that is being developed in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for a purchase price of $80.2 million. Our purchase obligation is conditioned upon the successful completion of the property in accordance with agreed upon plans and specifications and up to an 18-month period to allow for lease up of the property. Closing will not occur unless the conditions are satisfied, which is currently expected to be in 2016. The developer may elect to terminate our agreement to purchase by agreeing to the release of our $4.0 million earnest money deposit from escrow and paying us an $8.0 million termination fee.  If we choose not to purchase the property, despite the closing conditions having been satisfied within the time period contemplated by the purchase agreement, we would forfeit our $4.0 million earnest money deposit.  We consider our deposit to be a variable interest and the development entity to be a variable interest entity for which we are not the primary beneficiary as of this reporting date.

On May 28, 2013, we acquired a 3.35 acre parcel of land in San Francisco, California in the South of Market ("SoMa") neighborhood, for $46.6 million. The purchase price for the site known as 8th and Harrison includes the related entitlement rights, architectural drawings and other matters for which we intend to develop a 408-unit apartment community with ground floor retail and underground parking. Construction is expected to commence in 2014.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we acquired a 205-unit apartment community located in Cary, North Carolina as well as an office and retail building, in conjunction with a development project, consisting of approximately 78,800 square feet of space in Los Angeles, California.

The following table presents the purchase allocation for the properties acquired during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The purchase allocation for the property acquired in July 2013 was not complete as of the filing date of this document. See Note 15 for more information related to this purchase.

(In thousands)
Land	$	28,648
Buildings and improvements	41,142
Furniture and fixtures	4,081
Existing leases and tenant relationships (Other assets)	2,629
Total	$	76,500

The following table presents actual and pro forma information related to the properties acquired during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The pro forma information is presented as if the properties were acquired on January 1, 2011. We recognized acquisition costs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, totaling $420,000 related to these properties, which are included in "Costs associated with acquisitions" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The purchase allocation for the property acquired in July 2013 was not complete as of the filing date of this document, therefore, the impact of this property cannot be estimated and included in the pro forma information below. See Note 15 for more information related to this purchase. The pro forma presentation is presented for informational purposes only, and is not necessarily indicative of what our actual results of operations would have been had the acquisitions occurred at such time.

	Three Months Ended		Six Months Ended
	June 30,		June 30,
(In thousands)	2012		2012
Actual revenue from acquisitions	$	542	$	542
Actual net income from acquisitions	133		133
Pro forma revenue	42,899		84,375
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	24,195		22,402
Pro forma earnings per common share - basic:
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	$	0.56	$	0.53
Pro forma earnings per common share - diluted:
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	$	0.56	$	0.53

Development Activity

During the three months ended June 30, 2013, we entered into a partnership in which we are a 50.0% partner, to develop a 472-unit apartment community located in Los Angeles, California on the site known as 950 Third. See Note 6 for additional information related to this development.

The following table identifies our consolidated development activity on which construction has commenced:

				Total
(Dollar amounts in thousands)			Planned	Budgeted		Costs				Actual	Estimated
Under	Ownership		Total	Capital		to		Total		Construction	Construction
Construction	%		Units	Cost (1)		Date (3)		Debt		Start	Completion
San Raphael Phase II	100.0%		99	$	13,750	$	10,830	$	—	Q2 2012	Q4 2013
Dallas, TX
Bethesda	97.0%	(2)	140	$	53,400	$	18,113	$	—	Q4 2012	Q1 2015
Bethesda, MD
Cantabria	100.0%		249	$	56,800	$	12,898	$	—	Q2 2013	Q1 2015
Dallas, TX
The Desmond on Wilshire	100.0%		175	$	76,300	$	22,550	$	—	Q2 2013	Q2 2015
Los Angeles, CA
Total			663	$	200,250	$	64,391	$	—

(1) Total budgeted capital cost represents estimated costs for projects under development inclusive of all capitalized costs.

(2) Ownership percentage based on current equity of the joint venture and is subject to change based on changes in total equity. Costs are shown at 100%. Joint venture partner contribution is $350.

(3) Costs to date include the cost of land.

The following table identifies our consolidated development activity that is in the planning phase:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)			Estimated	Costs
Name	Location	Ownership %	Total Units (1)	to Date (2)
8th and Harrison	San Francisco, CA	100.0%	408	$	46,891

(1) Based on current projections as of July 23, 2013.

(2) Costs to date include the cost of land.

The following table identifies our unconsolidated development activity that is in the planning phase:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)			Estimated	Costs
Name	Location	Ownership %	Total Units (1)	to Date (2)
950 Third (3)	Los Angeles, CA	50.0%	472	$	31,613

(1) Based on current projections as of July 23, 2013.

(2) Costs to date include the cost of land.

(3) The Company's total investment in this entity at June 30, 2013, is $1.6 million. Costs to date include the cost of land, which was contributed by the joint venture partner. Costs shown are at 100%. See Note 6 for further information on this unconsolidated variable interest entity.

Disposition Activity

The results of operations for all periods presented and gains related to the sale of operating properties are reported in "Income from discontinued operations" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Real estate assets classified as held for sale are also reported as discontinued operations. We classify properties as held for sale when all significant contingencies surrounding the completion of the disposition have been resolved. In most transactions, these contingencies are not satisfied until the actual closing of the transaction. Interest expense included in discontinued operations is limited to interest on mortgage debt specifically associated with properties sold or classified as held for sale.

During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we completed the sale of one property located in Georgia for a total sales price of $63.2 million and recognized a gain of $8.8 million.

"Income from discontinued operations" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, include the operating results and related gains recognized for one property sold in 2013 and six properties sold in 2012. The following table summarizes "Income from discontinued operations:"

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
(In thousands)	2013		2012		2013		2012
REVENUE
Property revenue	$	—	$	3,952	$	1,923	$	8,676
EXPENSES
Property operating and maintenance	—		2,174		1,055		4,545
Depreciation and amortization	—		1,167		178		2,525
Total expenses	—		3,341		1,233		7,070
Operating income	—		611		690		1,606
Interest expense	—		—		—		(245		)
Operating income, net of interest expense	—		611		690		1,361
Gain on disposition of properties	—		22,859		8,796		22,819
Income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	23,470	$	9,486	$	24,180

XML

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]

INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

During the three months ended June 30, 2013, we entered into a partnership agreement with Legendary Investors Group No. 1 LLC ("Legendary"), an unrelated third-party for the development and operation of 950 Third, a 472-unit apartment community located in Los Angeles, California. We are a 50.0% partner with Legendary, who contributed the land at a value of $30.0 million to the joint venture. As of June 30, 2013, we have contributed $1.3 million to the partnership. We expect to fund the remaining portion of our capital contribution during the development and construction process. Both partners have equal voting rights with respect to all major decisions and all such decisions must be unanimous, including, among other things, development planning, budgeting and operational budgets. We will perform construction management and property management services in accordance with the approved budgets for which we will receive a fee approximating market rates. We have determined that this entity is a variable interest entity and that we do not hold a controlling financial interest in the entity. As such, our investment in the entity is included in our consolidated financial statements using the equity method. The amount of capitalized interest associated with our investment in this property was approximately $10,000 as of June 30, 2013. We also capitalized internal payroll and overhead costs directly related to the development of this property for which we are not being reimbursed in the amount of $340,000 as of June 30, 2013. This excess of our investment over our equity in the underlying net assets of the joint venture is included in "Investment in unconsolidated entities" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and will be amortized as a reduction to earnings on a straight-line basis over the lives of the related assets. Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement in this entity is the carrying value of our investment, which was $1.6 million as of June 30, 2013. See Note 3 for more information related to this development.

XML

Debt

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

DEBT

DEBT

The following table identifies our total debt outstanding and weighted average interest rates:

	June 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
			Weighted				Weighted
	Balance		Average Interest		Balance		Average Interest
(Dollar amounts in thousands)	Outstanding		Rate		Outstanding		Rate
Fixed Rate Debt:
Secured	$	374,275	5.4	%	$	376,278	5.4	%
Unsecured - notes	150,000		4.3	%	—		—	%
Total Fixed Rate Debt	524,275		5.1	%	376,278		5.4	%
Variable Rate Debt Swapped to Fixed:
Unsecured - term loan (1)	125,000		3.0	%	125,000		1.9	%
Total Variable Rate Debt Swapped to Fixed	125,000		3.0	%	125,000		1.9	%
Variable Rate Debt Unhedged:
Unsecured - revolver	33,500		1.5	%	190,500		1.7	%
Unsecured - term loan	25,000		1.9	%	25,000		1.9	%
Total Variable Rate Debt Unhedged	58,500		1.7	%	215,500		1.7	%
Total Debt	$	707,775	4.4	%	$	716,778	3.7	%

(1) The Company entered into a forward starting swap in December 2011 fixing the rate at 1.26%, plus the credit spread which was 1.70% at June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 2.96% beginning June 2013 through June 2016. Additionally, the Company entered into a forward starting swap in April 2013 fixing the rate beginning June 2016 at a rate of 1.55%, plus the credit spread which was 1.70% as of June 30, 2013, or an all-in rate of 3.25% until the loan matures in January 2018. See Note 12 for additional information related to this swap.

Unsecured Debt

On June 19, 2013, we amended our $350.0 million revolving credit facility. Among other modifications, the amendment extends the maturity date from January 12, 2016 to June 15, 2017 and reduces the interest spread and facility fee across the pricing grid. Total costs associated with this amendment were $1.2 million. Additionally, on June 19, 2013, the Company amended its $150.0 million term loan to implement modifications corresponding to the revolving credit facility modifications.

On January 22, 2013, we completed the issuance of $150.0 million of unsecured senior notes. The notes were offered in a private placement with two maturity tranches: $63.0 million with an 8-year maturity at a fixed rate of 4.02% and $87.0 million with a 10-year maturity at a fixed rate of 4.45%. The $150.0 million total issuance had a weighted average term of 9.2 years and a weighted average interest rate of 4.27%. Proceeds from the issuance were used to repay borrowings on the unsecured revolver. Total costs associated with this issuance were approximately $1.0 million.

Mortgage Notes Payable

During 2008, 2007 and 2006, we defeased 21 CMBS loans. These loans were defeased pursuant to the terms of the underlying loan documents. In accordance with GAAP, we removed those financial assets and the mortgage loans from our financial records. All risk of loss associated with these defeasances was transferred from us to the successor borrower, and any ongoing relationship between the successor borrower and us was deemed inconsequential at the time of completion of the respective transfers. We subsequently learned that, for certain defeasance transactions, the successor borrower was able to prepay certain loans, thus enabling us to receive a refund of a portion of the costs incurred in connection with the transactions. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we received a refund of $279,000, which represents the last refund we could receive as all defeased loans have now matured and have been repaid in full.

Cash paid for interest, excluding $1.3 million and $620,000 of capitalized interest, respectively, was $11.0 million and $15.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Cash paid for interest was reduced by the defeasance refund received of $279,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Additionally, $1.7 million of prepayment costs is included in the cash paid for interest for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

XML

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)			3 Months Ended
	Jul. 16, 2013 Units	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013 Planned development [Member] 950 Third [Member] Units
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property	388	13,107	472	[1],[2]
Ownership percentage			50.00%	[2]
Contribution of land value			$ 30,000,000
Equity Method Investment, Contribution			1,300,000
Capitalized interest investment property			10,000
Equity Method Investment, Capitalized Internal Costs			340,000
Maximum exposure			$ 1,600,000

[1] Based on current projections as of July 23, 2013

[2] The Company's total investment in this entity at June 30, 2013, is $1.6 million. Costs to date include the cost of land, which was contributed by the joint venture partner. Costs shown are at 100%. See Note 6 for further information on this unconsolidated variable interest entity.

XML

Equity Based Award Plans (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Restricted Share Activity

The following table represents restricted share and RSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2013:

		Weighted			Weighted
		Average			Average
	Number of	Grant Date		Number of	Grant Date
	Shares	Fair Value		RSUs	Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period	525,406	$	9.23	58,825	$	14.13
Granted	757,583	$	10.36	25,848	$	17.44
Vested	161,713	$	15.97	36,817	$	16.01
Forfeited	81,511	$	8.48	1,865	$	8.38
Nonvested at end of period	1,039,765	$	9.05	45,991	$	14.72

Assumptions used in Monte Carlo method

The following table represents the assumption ranges used in the Monte Carlo method during 2013:

Expected volatility - AERC	18.1% to 22.5%
Expected volatility - peer group	14.7% to 29.5%
Risk-free interest rate	0.1% to 0.5%
Expected life (performance period)	3 years

Stock Option Valuation Assumptions

Expected volatility	33.9		%
Risk-free interest rate	1.3		%
Expected life of options	7 years
Dividend yield	4.7		%
Grant-date fair value	$	2.97

Stock Option Activity

The following table represents stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2013:

				Weighted-Average
	Number of	Weighted-Average		Remaining
	Stock Options	Exercise Price		Contract Life
Outstanding at beginning of period	769,184	$	10.81
Exercised	169,164	$	9.16
Outstanding at end of period	600,020	$	11.28	3.8 years
Exercisable at end of period	486,687	$	10.64	2.8 years

XML

Significant Accounting Policies Real Estate and Depreciation (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Intangible assets	12 months
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Buildings and improvements	5	5
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	5	5
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Buildings and improvements	30	30
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	10	10
Commercial Lease [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Intangible assets	60 months

XML

Acquisition, Development, and Disposition Activity Acquisition, Development, and Disposition Text (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jul. 16, 2013 Units	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Properties		Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 93,500,000				$ 80,200,000
Lease up period					18 months
Earnest money deposit		4,000,000			4,000,000
Termination Fee					8,000,000
Business acquisition date	Jul. 16, 2013
Number of units in real estate property	388	13,107			13,107
Costs associated with acquisitions		64,000		485,000	64,000		485,000
Equity interest		100.00%			100.00%
Development costs		181,000		297,000	443,000		607,000
Costs to date		27,421,000			27,421,000			10,449,000
Percentage of development costs to date included					100.00%
Contribution					1,598,000		0
Property dispositions					1		6
Total sales price					63,200,000
Desmond's Tower [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Square feet of space		78,800			78,800
Bristol Development Group [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest cash contribution					0		350,000
Current Development [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property		663			663
Development costs					200,250,000	[1]
Costs to date		64,391,000	[2]		64,391,000	[2]
950 Third [Member] | Planned development [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property		472	[3],[4]		472	[3],[4]
Ownership percentage		50.00%	[4]		50.00%	[4]
Costs to date		31,613,000	[2],[4]		31,613,000	[2],[4]
Equity Method Investments		1,600,000			1,600,000
SixMonthAcquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Costs associated with acquisitions							420,000,000
8th and Harrison [Member] | Planned development [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price					46,600,000
Business acquisition date		May 28, 2013
Area of land		3.35			3.35
Number of units in real estate property		408	[5]		408	[5]
Equity interest		100.00%			100.00%
Costs to date		46,891,000	[6]		46,891,000	[6]
San Raphael Phase II [Member] | Current Development [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property		99			99
Equity interest		100.00%			100.00%
Development costs					13,750,000	[1]
Costs to date		10,830,000	[2]		10,830,000	[2]
Bethesda [Member] | Current Development [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property		140			140
Equity interest		97.00%	[7]		97.00%	[7]
Development costs					53,400,000	[1]
Costs to date		18,113,000	[2]		18,113,000	[2]
Cantabria [Member] | Current Development [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property		249			249
Equity interest		100.00%			100.00%
Development costs					56,800,000	[1]
Costs to date		12,898,000	[2]		12,898,000	[2]
The Desmond on Wilshire [Member] | Current Development [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property		175			175
Equity interest		100.00%			100.00%
Development costs					76,300,000	[1]
Costs to date		$ 22,550,000	[2]		$ 22,550,000	[2]
The Apartments at Arborteum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units in real estate property		205			205

[1] Total budgeted capital cost represents estimated costs for projects under development inclusive of all capitalized costs.

[2] Costs to date include the cost of land

[3] Based on current projections as of July 23, 2013

[4] The Company's total investment in this entity at June 30, 2013, is $1.6 million. Costs to date include the cost of land, which was contributed by the joint venture partner. Costs shown are at 100%. See Note 6 for further information on this unconsolidated variable interest entity.

[5] Based on current projections as of July 23, 2013.

[6] Costs to date include the cost of land.

[7] Ownership percentage based on current equity of the joint venture and is subject to change based on changes in total equity. Costs are shown at 100%. Joint venture partner contribution is $350.

XML

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and their Classification on the Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Other assets	$ 1,584	$ 0
Other liabilities	$ 2,209	$ 2,934

XML

Equity Based Award Plans Restricted Shares (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Restricted Share and RSU's [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-Average grant date fair value	$ 16.51
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested at beginning of period	525,406
Nonvested at beginning of period weighted average grant date fair value	$ 9.23
Granted	757,583
Weighted-Average grant date fair value	$ 10.36
Vested	161,713
Vested weighted average grant date fair value	$ 15.97
Forfeited	81,511
Forfeited weighted average grant date fair value	$ 8.48
Nonvested at end of period	1,039,765
Nonvested at end of period weighted average grant date fair value	$ 9.05
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested at beginning of period	58,825
Nonvested at beginning of period weighted average grant date fair value	$ 14.13
Granted	25,848
Weighted-Average grant date fair value	$ 17.44
Vested	36,817
Vested weighted average grant date fair value	$ 16.01
Forfeited	1,865
Forfeited weighted average grant date fair value	$ 8.38
Nonvested at end of period	45,991
Nonvested at end of period weighted average grant date fair value	$ 14.72

XML

Equity Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2012			$ 404,742
Net income attributable to AERC	1,638	23,669	11,984	21,588
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			(4,500)
Balance, June 30, 2013	401,446		401,446
Common Stock [Member]
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2012			4,953
Share-based compensation			68
Option exercises			13
Issuance of common shares from ATM			11
Balance, June 30, 2013	5,045		5,045
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2012			634,587
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			(3,547)	0
Share-based compensation			3,423
Option exercises			840
Issuance of common shares from ATM			1,859
Balance, June 30, 2013	637,162		637,162
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2012			(233,208)
Net income attributable to AERC			11,984
Share-based compensation			2
Common share dividends declared			(19,264)
Balance, June 30, 2013	(240,486)		(240,486)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2012			(2,934)
Changes in fair value of hedge instruments			2,309
Balance, June 30, 2013	(625)		(625)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2012			0
Purchase of common shares			(697)
Option exercises			697
Balance, June 30, 2013	0		0
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Equity Note [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2012			1,344
Net income			3
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			(997)
Balance, June 30, 2013	$ 350		$ 350

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, par value
Common stock, stated value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	91,000,000	91,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	50,454,527	49,526,639
Common stock, shares outstanding	50,454,527	49,526,639

XML

Common Shares Common Shares

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Common Shares [Abstract]

COMMON SHARES

COMMON SHARES

In April 2013, we registered an at-the-market ("ATM") program allowing us to sell up to $75.0 million of our common shares in open market transactions at the then current market price per share. During the three months ended June 30, 2013, we sold 107,498 shares under this ATM program for total net proceeds of $1.9 million. The proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.

Under Forward Sale Agreements (FSAs) that the Company entered into with forward purchasers on May 29, 2013, we have agreed to sell 6,500,000 shares plus an option to purchase up to 975,000 additional shares, of which 547,958 shares were exercised on July 2, 2013, for a total of 7,047,958 shares, at a public offering price of $17.25 per share to be settled on or about October 1, 2013. The use of an equity forward transaction substantially eliminates future equity market price risk by fixing a common equity offering sales price under the then existing market conditions, while mitigating immediate share dilution resulting from the offering by postponing the actual issuance of common stock until funds are needed.

We have the option to settle the FSAs by cash or net share settlement for all or a portion of our obligation under the FSAs. However, we expect to settle the FSAs by delivering shares. If we physically settle the FSAs by issuing 7,047,958 shares of our common stock to the forward purchasers, the forward purchasers will, at settlement, pay us the proceeds less certain adjustments from their sale of borrowed shares to the underwriters, including the third quarter dividend.

On or about October 1, 2013, by delivering 7,047,958 shares of our common stock to the forward purchasers at a public offering price of $17.25 per share, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $116.2 million based on the adjusted net settlement price of $16.49 per share, inclusive of the underwriting discount and estimated costs, but before the deduction for the third quarter dividend. Inclusive of the dividend payment, we expect to use the net proceeds of $114.9 million to partially repay our scheduled debt maturities for 2013 consisting of five mortgage loans totaling approximately $129.7 million or for general corporate purposes.

We have classified the FSAs as equity transactions because the forward sale transactions were indexed to our own stock and physical settlement is within our control. As a result of this classification, no amounts will be recorded in the consolidated financial statements until settlement of each FSA.

Whether we decide to physically settle or net share settle the FSAs, any delivery of our shares upon settlement will result in dilution to our earnings per share ("EPS") at the date of the settlement. The inclusion of any incremental shares in the calculation of diluted EPS under the treasury stock method began during the quarter ending June 30, 2013. Any dilutive effect of the FSAs on our EPS will occur only during periods when the average market price per share of our common stock during that reporting period is above the per share forward sale price.

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income	$ 12,015	$ 21,579
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including discontinued operations)	28,918	26,696
Gain on disposition of properties	(8,796)	(22,819)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other	656	1,143
Share-based compensation expense	2,406	1,952
Net change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(1,088)	2,818
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(861)	(1,976)
Other operating assets and liabilities	4,292	969
Total adjustments	25,527	8,783
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	37,542	30,362
Cash flow from investing activities:
Recurring fixed asset additions	(4,564)	(5,120)
Revenue enhancing/non-recurring fixed asset additions	(392)	(505)
Acquisition fixed asset additions	(731)	(59,825)
Development fixed asset additions	(59,237)	(40,652)
Net proceeds from disposition of operating properties	61,970	57,523
Investment in joint venture	(1,598)	0
Other investing activity	(1,985)	(1,967)
Net cash flow used for investing activities	(6,537)	(50,546)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Principal amortization payments on mortgage notes payable	(1,593)	(1,441)
Principal repayments of mortgage notes payable	0	(123,448)
Payment of debt procurement costs	(2,453)	(3,466)
Proceeds from secured mortgages	0	45,839
Proceeds from issuance of unsecured notes	150,000	0
Revolving credit facility borrowings	115,700	349,800
Revolving credit facility repayments	(272,700)	(332,800)
Common share dividends paid	(18,747)	(14,704)
Operating partnership distributions paid	(28)	(27)
Exercise of stock options	1,550	52
Issuance of common shares	1,870	98,512
Purchase of treasury shares	(697)	(952)
Noncontrolling interest investment in partnership	0	350
Purchase of noncontrolling interest in partnership	(4,544)	0
Other financing activities, net	116	203
Net cash flow (used for) provided by financing activities	(31,526)	17,918
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(521)	(2,266)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	4,740	4,328
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	4,219	2,062
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Dividends declared but not paid	10,489	9,506
Issuance of shares for share-based compensation	68	1,909
Net change in accounts payable related to fixed asset additions	5,105	(92)
Net change in accounts payable and security deposits related to the disposition of operating properties	$ (322)	$ (432)

XML

Fair Value Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable	$ 374,275	$ 376,278
Unsecured debt	333,500	340,500
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable	0	0
Unsecured debt	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable	0	0
Unsecured debt	333,790	339,604
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable	382,231	403,391
Unsecured debt	$ 0	$ 0
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loan to value ratios	38.00%
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loan to value ratios	65.00%

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate assets
Land	$ 275,383	$ 241,159
Buildings and improvements	1,172,450	1,223,042
Furniture and fixtures	36,721	36,997
Construction in progress	27,421	10,449
Gross real estate	1,511,975	1,511,647
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(382,057)	(371,730)
Net real estate owned	1,129,918	1,139,917
Investment in unconsolidated entities	1,613	0
Total net real estate	1,131,531	1,139,917
Cash and cash equivalents	4,219	4,740
Restricted cash	5,945	4,429
Accounts receivable, net
Rents	1,840	1,395
Other	1,154	553
Other assets, net	21,189	21,443
Total assets	1,165,878	1,172,477
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Mortgage notes payable	374,275	376,278
Unsecured notes	150,000	0
Unsecured revolving credit facility	33,500	190,500
Unsecured term loan	150,000	150,000
Total debt	707,775	716,778
Accounts payable and other liabilities	35,643	32,865
Dividends payable	10,489	10,149
Resident security deposits	3,691	3,846
Accrued interest	5,100	2,363
Total liabilities	762,698	766,001
Noncontrolling redeemable interest	1,734	1,734
Equity
Common shares, without par value; $.10 stated value; 91,000,000 authorized; 50,454,527 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and 49,526,639 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012, respectively	5,045	4,953
Paid-in capital	637,162	634,587
Accumulated distributions in excess of accumulated net income	(240,486)	(233,208)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(625)	(2,934)
Total shareholders' equity attributable to AERC	401,096	403,398
Noncontrolling interest	350	1,344
Total equity	401,446	404,742
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,165,878	$ 1,172,477

XML

Equity Based Award Plans Black Scholes Assumptions (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	33.90%
Risk-free interest rate	1.30%
Expected life of options (in years)	7 years
Dividend yield	4.70%
Grant-date fair value	$ 2.97

XML

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments and their Classification on the Balance Sheet

The following table presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as the classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 13 for additional information regarding the fair value of these derivative instruments):

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	Asset Derivatives
	As of June 30, 2013			As of December 31, 2012
(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated
as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swap	Other assets	$	1,584	Other assets	$	—

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	Liability Derivatives
	As of June 30, 2013			As of December 31, 2012
(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated
as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swap	Other liabilities	$	2,209	Other liabilities	$	2,934

Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the effect of our derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income:

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands)	Location of Gain or
	(Loss) Recognized	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging	in Income	June 30,						June 30,
Relationships (Interest Rate Swaps)	on Derivative	2013			2012			2013			2012
Amount of gain or (loss)
recognized in OCI on derivative		$	2,333		$	(1,655	)	$	2,221		$	(1,633	)
Amount of loss reclassified from
accumulated OCI into interest expense	Interest expense	$	(89	)	$	—		$	(89	)	$	—
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized
in income on derivative
(ineffective portion and amount
excluded from effectiveness testing)	Other expense	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

Offsetting assets

Offsetting of Derivative Assets

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of June 30, 2013

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Assets Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Assets

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

1,584

$

—

$

1,584

$

—

$

—

$

1,584

Offsetting of Derivative Assets

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of December 31, 2012

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Assets Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Assets

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

—

Offsetting liabilities

Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of June 30, 2013

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Liabilities Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Liabilities

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

2,209

$

—

$

2,209

$

—

$

—

$

2,209

Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities

Gross Amounts Not Offset in

the Balance Sheets

as of December 31, 2012

Net Amounts of

Gross Amounts

Gross Amounts Offset

Liabilities Presented

Cash

of Recognized

in the

in the

Financial

Collateral

Net

(in thousands)

Liabilities

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets

Instruments

Received

Amount

Derivatives

$

2,934

$

—

$

2,934

$

—

$

—

$

2,934

XML

Acquisition, Development, and Disposition Activity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Purchase price allocation

(In thousands)
Land	$	28,648
Buildings and improvements	41,142
Furniture and fixtures	4,081
Existing leases and tenant relationships (Other assets)	2,629
Total	$	76,500

Pro forma information

	Three Months Ended		Six Months Ended
	June 30,		June 30,
(In thousands)	2012		2012
Actual revenue from acquisitions	$	542	$	542
Actual net income from acquisitions	133		133
Pro forma revenue	42,899		84,375
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	24,195		22,402
Pro forma earnings per common share - basic:
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	$	0.56	$	0.53
Pro forma earnings per common share - diluted:
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	$	0.56	$	0.53

Schedule of completed, current and planned development

The following table identifies our consolidated development activity on which construction has commenced:

				Total
(Dollar amounts in thousands)			Planned	Budgeted		Costs				Actual	Estimated
Under	Ownership		Total	Capital		to		Total		Construction	Construction
Construction	%		Units	Cost (1)		Date (3)		Debt		Start	Completion
San Raphael Phase II	100.0%		99	$	13,750	$	10,830	$	—	Q2 2012	Q4 2013
Dallas, TX
Bethesda	97.0%	(2)	140	$	53,400	$	18,113	$	—	Q4 2012	Q1 2015
Bethesda, MD
Cantabria	100.0%		249	$	56,800	$	12,898	$	—	Q2 2013	Q1 2015
Dallas, TX
The Desmond on Wilshire	100.0%		175	$	76,300	$	22,550	$	—	Q2 2013	Q2 2015
Los Angeles, CA
Total			663	$	200,250	$	64,391	$	—

(1) Total budgeted capital cost represents estimated costs for projects under development inclusive of all capitalized costs.

(2) Ownership percentage based on current equity of the joint venture and is subject to change based on changes in total equity. Costs are shown at 100%. Joint venture partner contribution is $350.

(3) Costs to date include the cost of land.

The following table identifies our consolidated development activity that is in the planning phase:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)			Estimated	Costs
Name	Location	Ownership %	Total Units (1)	to Date (2)
8th and Harrison	San Francisco, CA	100.0%	408	$	46,891

(1) Based on current projections as of July 23, 2013.

(2) Costs to date include the cost of land.

The following table identifies our unconsolidated development activity that is in the planning phase:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)			Estimated	Costs
Name	Location	Ownership %	Total Units (1)	to Date (2)
950 Third (3)	Los Angeles, CA	50.0%	472	$	31,613

(1) Based on current projections as of July 23, 2013.

(2) Costs to date include the cost of land.

(3) The Company's total investment in this entity at June 30, 2013, is $1.6 million. Costs to date include the cost of land, which was contributed by the joint venture partner. Costs shown are at 100%. See Note 6 for further information on this unconsolidated variable interest entity.

Summary of income from discontinued operations

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
(In thousands)	2013		2012		2013		2012
REVENUE
Property revenue	$	—	$	3,952	$	1,923	$	8,676
EXPENSES
Property operating and maintenance	—		2,174		1,055		4,545
Depreciation and amortization	—		1,167		178		2,525
Total expenses	—		3,341		1,233		7,070
Operating income	—		611		690		1,606
Interest expense	—		—		—		(245		)
Operating income, net of interest expense	—		611		690		1,361
Gain on disposition of properties	—		22,859		8,796		22,819
Income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	23,470	$	9,486	$	24,180

XML

Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Bristol Development Group [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Bristol Development Group [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Bristol Development Group [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Bristol Development Group [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Bristol Development Group [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period			$ 1,344		$ 1,344	$ 1,029	$ 1,343
Net income (loss)					3	(36)
Decrease in equity for purchase of noncontrolling interest			(4,500)					(997)	0	(3,547)	0
Noncontrolling interest cash contribution					0	350
Balance at end of period	350		350		350		1,343
Net income attributable to AERC	1,638	23,669	11,984	21,588
Change from net income (loss) attributable to AERC and net transfers from noncontrolling interest			$ 8,437	$ 21,588

XML

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Textual (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013 Fixed Rate Debt Hedged [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fixed Rate Debt Hedged [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 2013 derivative [Domain]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inception date	Dec. 19, 2011			Apr. 02, 2013
Effective date	Jun. 07, 2013			Jun. 02, 2016
Amount of cash flow hedge				$ 125,000,000
Term Loan, Amount Outstanding	150,000,000
Base rate		1.26%	1.26%	1.55%
Credit spread	1.70%
All-in rate	2.96%		2.96%	3.25%
Lower range of basis spread	1.25%
Higher range of basis spread	2.20%
Fair value of the derivative in a net liability position	2,300,000
Fair value of assets needed for immediate settlement	2,300,000
Derivative interest payable	90,000
Amount of other comprehensive income to be reclassified to earnings over the next twelve months	$ 1,300,000

XML

Debt Textual (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 350,000,000		$ 350,000,000
Debt Issuance Cost			1,200,000
Term Loan, Amount Outstanding	150,000,000		150,000,000
Amount of unsecured senior notes	150,000,000		150,000,000
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%		4.40%		3.70%
Number of defeased loans			21
Defeasance refund			279,000
Interest costs capitalized	790,000	410,000	1,300,000	620,000
Cash paid for interest			11,000,000	15,900,000
Prepayment costs			1,700,000
Variable Rate Debt Hedged [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate					1.90%
Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Cost			1,000,000
Weighted average interest rate	4.27%		4.27%
Debt, Weighted Average Term			9 years 2 months 12 days
Issuance of Debt, Maturity Tranche Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of unsecured senior notes	87,000,000.0		87,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Term			10 years
Fixed interest rate	4.45%		4.45%
Issuance of Debt, Maturity Tranche One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of unsecured senior notes	$ 63,000,000.0		$ 63,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Term			8 years
Fixed interest rate	4.02%		4.02%

XML

Acquisition, Development, and Disposition Activity Pro Forma (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Actual revenue from acquisitions	$ 542	$ 542
Actual net income from acquisitions	133	133
Pro forma revenue	42,899	84,375
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	$ 24,195	$ 22,402
Pro forma earnings per common share - basic:
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	$ 0.56	$ 0.53
Pro forma earnings per common share - diluted:
Pro forma net income applicable to common shares	$ 0.56	$ 0.53

XML

Acquisition, Development, and Disposition Activity Income from Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment			$ 8,800,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Property revenue	0	3,952,000	1,923,000	8,676,000
EXPENSES
Property operating and maintenance	0	2,174,000	1,055,000	4,545,000
Depreciation and amortization	0	1,167,000	178,000	2,525,000
Total expense	0	3,341,000	1,233,000	7,070,000
Operating income	0	611,000	690,000	1,606,000
Interest expense	0	0	0	(245,000)
Operating income, net of interest expense	0	611,000	690,000	1,361,000
Gain on disposition of properties	0	22,859,000	8,796,000	22,819,000
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 23,470,000	$ 9,486,000	$ 24,180,000

XML

Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Equity [Abstract]

EQUITY

EQUITY

The following table provides a reconciliation of significant activity in equity accounts:

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Common					Accumulated
	Shares					Distributions			Accumulated
	(at $.10					in Excess of			Other			Treasury
	stated		Paid-In			Accumulated			Comprehensive			Shares			Noncontrolling
(In thousands)	value)		Capital			Net Income			Loss			(at Cost)			Interest
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	4,953	$	634,587		$	(233,208	)	$	(2,934	)	$	—		$	1,344
Net income attributable to AERC	—		—			11,984			—			—			—
Other comprehensive income:
Changes in fair value of hedge
instruments	—		—			—			2,309			—			—
Net income attributable to
noncontrolling interest	—		—			—			—			—			3
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—		(3,547		)	—			—			—			(997		)
Share-based compensation	68		3,423			2			—			—			—
Purchase of common shares	—		—			—			—			(697		)	—
Option exercises	13		840			—			—			697			—
Issuance of common shares	11		1,859			—			—			—			—
Common share dividends declared	—		—			(19,264		)	—			—			—
Balance, June 30, 2013	$	5,045	$	637,162		$	(240,486	)	$	(625	)	$	—		$	350

XML

Fair Value (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Schedule of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

			Fair Value at June 30, 2013 Using
			Quoted Prices in
			Active Markets		Significant
			for Identical		Other		Significant
			Assets or		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Liabilities		Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Mortgage notes payable	$	374,275	$	—	$	—	$	382,231
Unsecured debt	$	333,500	$	—	$	333,790	$	—

			Fair Value at December 31, 2012 Using
			Quoted Prices in
			Active Markets		Significant
			for Identical		Other		Significant
			Assets or		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Liabilities		Inputs		Inputs
(In thousands)	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Mortgage notes payable	$	376,278	$	—	$	—	$	403,391
Unsecured debt	$	340,500	$	—	$	339,604	$	—

XML

Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interests Textual (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Opertating partnership units issued	522,032
OP units redeemed	0	0
OP units remaining	74,083
Equity interest	100.00%
Redemption of minority interest	10.00%
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	$ (4,500,000)
Bethesda [Member] [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Equity interest	97.00%
Area of land	2.5
Contribution	12,200,000
Real estate units intended to develop	140
Square feet of space	7,000
Vista Germantown [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Equity interest	90.00%
Contribution	$ 9,400,000
Real estate units intended to develop	242

XML

Equity Based Award Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

EQUITY BASED AWARD PLANS

EQUITY BASED AWARD PLANS

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we recognized total share-based compensation cost of $1.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, in "General and administrative expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, we recognized total share-based compensation cost of $740,000 and $1.9 million, respectively, in "General and administrative expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we recognized $100,000 and $210,000 of share-based compensation in capitalized payroll, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, we recognized $50,000 and $90,000 of share-based compensation in capitalized payroll, respectively. See Note 2 for additional information related to capitalized payroll.

Restricted Shares. Restricted shares generally have the same rights as our common shares, except for transfer restrictions and forfeiture provisions. Our officers and directors may elect to defer the receipt of restricted shares under our deferred compensation plans. Deferred restricted share awards are reflected as restricted share equivalent units ("RSUs") in an individual bookkeeping account maintained for each participant. The vesting of such RSUs occurs on the same schedule as the restricted shares subject to the deferral election, and the valuation and attribution of cost in our consolidated financial statements are also the same as the restricted shares subject to the deferral election. RSUs are not included in the number of issued and outstanding common shares reflected in the "Equity" section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. RSUs with non-forfeitable dividend rights are included in the allocation to participating securities using the two-class method. RSUs with forfeitable dividend rights do not qualify as participating securities and are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share to the extent they are not anti-dilutive for the period presented.

The following table represents restricted share and RSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2013:

		Weighted			Weighted
		Average			Average
	Number of	Grant Date		Number of	Grant Date
	Shares	Fair Value		RSUs	Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period	525,406	$	9.23	58,825	$	14.13
Granted	757,583	$	10.36	25,848	$	17.44
Vested	161,713	$	15.97	36,817	$	16.01
Forfeited	81,511	$	8.48	1,865	$	8.38
Nonvested at end of period	1,039,765	$	9.05	45,991	$	14.72

The weighted average grant-date fair value of restricted shares and RSUs granted during the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $16.51. The total fair value of restricted shares vested during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, was $2.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, was $590,000 and $720,000, respectively. At June 30, 2013, there was a total of $7.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted share awards and RSUs that we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years.

During 2013, we issued restricted share awards in which the number of shares that will ultimately vest is subject to market conditions over a three-year period and service conditions over a four-year period. The total estimated grant-date fair value of these awards, including the awards that were deferred, was$4.3 million. We used the Monte Carlo method to estimate the fair value of these awards. The Monte Carlo method, which is similar to the binomial analysis, evaluates the award for changing stock prices over the term of vesting and uses random situations that are averaged based on past stock characteristics. There were one million simulation paths used to estimate the fair value of these awards. The expected volatility for the awards granted in 2013 was based upon a 50/50 blend of historical and implied volatility. The historical volatility was based upon changes in the weekly closing prices of our shares over a period equal to the expected life of the restricted shares granted. The implied volatility was the trailing month average of daily implied volatilities calculated by interpolating between the volatilities implied by stock call option contracts that were both closest to the expected life and the exercise price of the restricted shares. The risk-free interest rate used was based on a yield curve derived from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds on the date of grant with a maturity equal to the market condition performance periods. The expected life used was the market condition performance periods.

The following table represents the assumption ranges used in the Monte Carlo method during 2013:

Expected volatility - AERC	18.1% to 22.5%
Expected volatility - peer group	14.7% to 29.5%
Risk-free interest rate	0.1% to 0.5%
Expected life (performance period)	3 years

Stock Options. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based awards that do not include a market condition. There were no stock options awarded and169,164 options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2013. There were 125,000 stock options awarded and 5,000 stock options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The Black-Scholes assumptions and fair value for the options awarded in 2012 were as follows:

Expected volatility	33.9		%
Risk-free interest rate	1.3		%
Expected life of options	7 years
Dividend yield	4.7		%
Grant-date fair value	$	2.97

The expected volatility was based upon a 50/50 blend of historical and implied volatility. The historical volatility was based upon changes in the weekly closing prices of our shares over a period equal to the expected life of the options granted. The implied volatility was the trailing month average of daily implied volatilities calculated by interpolating between the volatilities implied by stock call option contracts that were both closest to the expected life and the exercise price of the options. The longest terms of such options over the trailing month averaged 7.1 months. The risk-free interest rate used was the yield from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds on the date of the grant with a maturity equal to the expected life of the options. The expected life was derived using our historical experience for similar awards. The dividend yield was derived using our annual dividend rate as a percentage of the price of our shares on the date of grant.

The following table represents stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2013:

				Weighted-Average
	Number of	Weighted-Average		Remaining
	Stock Options	Exercise Price		Contract Life
Outstanding at beginning of period	769,184	$	10.81
Exercised	169,164	$	9.16
Outstanding at end of period	600,020	$	11.28	3.8 years
Exercisable at end of period	486,687	$	10.64	2.8 years

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at June 30, 2013 and 2012, was $2.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

XML

Noncontrolling Interests

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

Noncontrolling Redeemable Interest

In 1998, we issued a total of 522,032 operating partnership units ("OP units") in conjunction with the acquisition of an operating partnership that owned two apartment communities, one of which was sold in October 2005. Holders of OP units are entitled to receive cumulative distributions per OP unit equal to the per share distributions on our common shares. If and when the OP units are presented for redemption, we have the option to redeem the OP units for common shares exchangeable on a one-for-one basis, or the cash equivalent amount, determined as the average closing price for our common shares over the 20-day period preceding the redemption. All units presented to date for redemption were redeemed for cash. No OP Units were redeemed during the six months ended June 30, 2013 or 2012. There were 74,083 OP units remaining as of June 30, 2013.

Activity related to noncontrolling redeemable interest is as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734
Net income attributable to noncontrolling redeemable interest	14			14			28			27
Distribution to noncontrolling redeemable interest	(14		)	(14		)	(28		)	(27		)
Balance at end of period	$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734		$	1,734

Noncontrolling Interests

On July 14, 2011, we entered into a partnership agreement with Keating Project Development, Inc., an unrelated third-party, pursuant to which we hold a 97.0% equity interest in the partnership. In March 2012, the partnership acquired a 2.5 acre parcel of land in Bethesda, Maryland for $12.2 million on which it is developing 140 multifamily units and 7,000 square feet of retail space. We have determined that this entity is not a variable interest entity and that we hold a controlling interest in the entity. As such, this entity is included in our consolidated financial statements. We have also determined that the noncontrolling interest in this entity meets the criteria to be classified as a component of permanent equity.

On September 24, 2010, we entered into a partnership agreement with Bristol Development Group, an unrelated third-party, for the development of Vista Germantown, a 242-unit apartment community located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. We contributed $9.4 million to the partnership and held a 90.0% equity interest in the partnership. In February 2013, we funded the redemption of the interest of the minority 10.0% partner of this partnership for $4.5 million and as a result we own a 100% interest in Vista Germantown.

The following table provides details of the activity related to the noncontrolling interests:

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
(In thousands)	2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,344		$	1,029
Net income (loss)	3			(36		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(997		)	—
Noncontrolling interest cash contribution	—			350
Balance at end of period	$	350		$	1,343

The following table provides details of the activity related to changes in ownership of noncontrolling interests:

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2013			2012
Net income attributable to AERC	$	11,984		$	21,588
Decrease in equity for purchase of noncontrolling interest	(3,547		)	—
Change from net income attributable to AERC and net
transfers to noncontrolling interest	$	8,437		$	21,588

XML

Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. The reported results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Segment Reporting

Substantially all of our properties are multifamily communities that have similar economic characteristics and offer similar products and services, and as such, our apartment communities have been aggregated into one reportable segment. Management evaluates the performance of our properties on an individual basis. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, substantially all of our consolidated revenue was provided by our multifamily properties. We have determined that we have only one reportable segment, which is multifamily properties.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We have utilized interest rate swaps to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. Interest rate swaps, designated as cash flow hedges, involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying principal amount.

We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Further, we have a policy of entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. When viewed in conjunction with the underlying and offsetting exposure for which the derivatives are designed to hedge, we have not sustained a material loss from these hedges.

We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows or other types of forecasted transactions are considered cash flow hedges.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. Hedge ineffectiveness is measured by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. For derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. See Note 12 for additional information related to our derivative and hedging activities.

Real Estate and Depreciation

Real estate assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Buildings and improvements	5 - 30 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	5 - 10 years

We capitalize replacements and improvements, such as HVAC equipment, structural replacements, windows, appliances, flooring, carpeting and kitchen/bath replacements and renovations. Ordinary repairs and maintenance, such as unit cleaning, painting and appliance repairs, are expensed when incurred.

We allocate the purchase price of acquired properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired based on their fair values. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, we utilize a number of sources, including analysis provided by an advisor, independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, our analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties in our portfolio and other market data. The intangible assets are amortized over the remaining lease terms or estimated life of the tenant relationship, which is approximately 12 months. Due to the short term nature of residential leases, we believe that existing lease rates approximate market rates; therefore, no allocation is made for above/below market leases. The intangible assets associated with one commercial lease are being amortized over the life of the lease, which is 60 months.

For properties under development, we capitalize interest costs on funds used in construction, real estate taxes and insurance from the commencement of development activity through the time the property is ready for leasing. For properties under development in which we use the equity method, we capitalize interest costs on our investment in such entities through the time the property is substantially complete and ready for leasing. We also capitalize internal costs, which are primarily payroll, but may also include costs such as travel, lodging and temporary construction facilities that are directly attributable to the construction of a property or asset. Internal costs associated with the lease up of development properties are not capitalized. Revenue from incidental operations are reductions of capitalized project costs. Capitalized payroll costs are allocated to projects based upon time incurred by the applicable personnel. Capitalized costs related to development and construction are transferred to buildings and improvements and/or furniture and fixtures, as applicable, upon substantial completion of the project. Total capitalized interest, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, was $790,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. Total capitalized interest, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, was $410,000 and $620,000, respectively. Total capitalized payroll costs, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, were $750,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. Total capitalized payroll costs, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, were $480,000 and $1.0 million, respectively.

We discontinue the depreciation of assets we have specifically identified as held for sale. There were no properties classified as held for sale at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

Classification of Fixed Asset Additions

We define recurring fixed asset additions to a property as capital expenditures made to replace worn out assets to maintain the property's value. Revenue enhancing/non-recurring fixed asset additions are defined as capital expenditures that increase the value of the property and enable us to increase rents. Acquisition/development fixed asset additions are defined as capital expenditures for the purchase or construction of new properties to be added to our portfolio, or fixed asset additions identified at the time of purchase that are not made until subsequent periods.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse purchase agreements, in addition to securities borrowing and lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with ASC 210 or ASC 815 or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This ASU requires disclosure of quantitative information separately for assets and liabilities in a tabular format and a description of the rights of setoff associated with the assets and liabilities subject to the master netting arrangements. See Note 12 for additional information related to our derivative and hedging activities. This updated guidance applies to fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013.

Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to present information about significant reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. This information is required to be presented by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. See Note 12 for additional information related to our derivative and hedging activities. This updated guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2012 financial statements to conform to the 2013 presentation as a result of discontinued operations.

XML

Equity Based Award Plans Stock Options (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Outstanding at the beginning of period	769,184
Granted	0	125,000
Exercised	169,164	5,000
Outstanding at the end of the period	600,020
Exercisable at the end of the period	486,687
Weighted average exercise price outstanding at the beginning of the period	$ 10.81
Weighted-Average exercised	$ 9.16
Weighted average exercise price outstanding at the end of the period	$ 11.28
Weighted-Average exercise price exercisable at the end of the period	$ 10.64
Weighted-Average remaining contract life outstanding at the end of the period	3 years 10 months
Weighted-Average remaining contract life exercisable at the end of the period	2 years 10 months

XML

Common Shares Forward Sale (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 Loans
Forward Sale [Abstract]
Base common shares	6,500,000
Additional common shares option	975,000
Additional common shares option exercised	547,958
Total shares	7,047,958
Forward rate per share	$ 17.25
Settlement date	Oct. 01, 2013
Net proceeds	$ 116.2
Net settlement price per share	$ 16.49
Net proceeds including dividend	114.9
Number of mortgages to repay	5
Value of mortgages to repay	$ 129.7

XML

Significant Accounting Policies Capitalized Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Capitalized Costs of Unproved Properties Excluded from Amortization [Line Items]
Interest costs capitalized	$ 790,000	$ 410,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 620,000
Payroll costs capitalized	$ 750,000	$ 480,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 1,000,000
Number of properties classified as held for sale	0		0		0

XML

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2013	Jul. 16, 2013 Units	Jun. 30, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business acquisition date		Jul. 16, 2013
Number of units in real estate property		388	13,107
Purchase price		$ 93.5	$ 80.2
Dividends date to be paid	Aug. 01, 2013
Dividend Declared [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend per share	$ 0.19
Dividend record date	Jul. 15, 2013
Dividend declaration date	Jun. 20, 2013

XML

Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

CONTINGENCIES

CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

We are subject to legal proceedings, lawsuits and other claims arising in the ordinary course of business (collectively, "Litigation"). Litigation is subject to uncertainties and outcomes are difficult to predict. We believe any current Litigation will not have a material adverse impact on us after final disposition. However, because of the uncertainties of Litigation, one or more lawsuits could ultimately result in a material obligation.

XML

Earnings Per Share

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012			2013			2012
Numerator - basic and diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1,652		$	195		$	2,529		$	(2,601	)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14		)	4			(31		)	9
Income (loss) from continuing operations applicable to common shares	$	1,638		$	199		$	2,498		$	(2,592	)
Income from discontinued operations	$	—		$	23,470		$	9,486		$	24,180
Allocation to participating securities	—			(100		)	—			(99		)
Income from discontinued operations applicable to common shares	$	—		$	23,370		$	9,486		$	24,081
Denominator - basic	49,864			42,968			49,749			42,655
Effect of dilutive securities (1)	719			493			682			—
Denominator - diluted	50,583			43,461			50,431			42,655
Earnings per common share - basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	—		$	0.05		$	(0.06	)
Income from discontinued operations	—			0.55			0.19			0.56
Net income attributable to AERC - basic	$	0.03		$	0.55		$	0.24		$	0.50
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	—		$	0.05		$	(0.06	)
Income from discontinued operations	—			0.54			0.19			0.56
Net income attributable to AERC - diluted	$	0.03		$	0.54		$	0.24		$	0.50

(1) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the effect of 83 stock options were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the effect of 125 stock options were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, all potential common shares are excluded as they are anti-dilutive to the net loss from continuing operations.

The effect of exercise of rights for exchange of OP units into common shares was not included in the computation of diluted EPS because we intend to settle the exchange of these interests in cash.

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	Buildings and improvements5 - 30 yearsFurniture, fixtures and equipment5 - 10 years

XML

Subsequent Events

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Acquisitions

On July 16, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Doral West, a 388-unit property located in Doral, Florida, for a purchase price of $93.5 million.

Dividends

On August 1, 2013, we paid a dividend of $0.19 per common share to shareholders of record on July 15, 2013, which had been declared on June 20, 2013. The declaration and payment of quarterly dividends remains subject to review by, and approval of, the Board of Directors.

XML

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 26, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000911635
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		50,454,527
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. The reported results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

Substantially all of our properties are multifamily communities that have similar economic characteristics and offer similar products and services, and as such, our apartment communities have been aggregated into one reportable segment. Management evaluates the performance of our properties on an individual basis. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, substantially all of our consolidated revenue was provided by our multifamily properties. We have determined that we have only one reportable segment, which is multifamily properties.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We have utilized interest rate swaps to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. Interest rate swaps, designated as cash flow hedges, involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying principal amount.

We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Further, we have a policy of entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. When viewed in conjunction with the underlying and offsetting exposure for which the derivatives are designed to hedge, we have not sustained a material loss from these hedges.

We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows or other types of forecasted transactions are considered cash flow hedges.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. Hedge ineffectiveness is measured by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. For derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. See Note 12 for additional information related to our derivative and hedging activities.

Real Estate and Depreciation

Real Estate and Depreciation

Real estate assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Buildings and improvements	5 - 30 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	5 - 10 years

We capitalize replacements and improvements, such as HVAC equipment, structural replacements, windows, appliances, flooring, carpeting and kitchen/bath replacements and renovations. Ordinary repairs and maintenance, such as unit cleaning, painting and appliance repairs, are expensed when incurred.

We allocate the purchase price of acquired properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired based on their fair values. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, we utilize a number of sources, including analysis provided by an advisor, independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, our analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties in our portfolio and other market data. The intangible assets are amortized over the remaining lease terms or estimated life of the tenant relationship, which is approximately 12 months. Due to the short term nature of residential leases, we believe that existing lease rates approximate market rates; therefore, no allocation is made for above/below market leases. The intangible assets associated with one commercial lease are being amortized over the life of the lease, which is 60 months.

For properties under development, we capitalize interest costs on funds used in construction, real estate taxes and insurance from the commencement of development activity through the time the property is ready for leasing. For properties under development in which we use the equity method, we capitalize interest costs on our investment in such entities through the time the property is substantially complete and ready for leasing. We also capitalize internal costs, which are primarily payroll, but may also include costs such as travel, lodging and temporary construction facilities that are directly attributable to the construction of a property or asset. Internal costs associated with the lease up of development properties are not capitalized. Revenue from incidental operations are reductions of capitalized project costs. Capitalized payroll costs are allocated to projects based upon time incurred by the applicable personnel. Capitalized costs related to development and construction are transferred to buildings and improvements and/or furniture and fixtures, as applicable, upon substantial completion of the project. Total capitalized interest, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, was $790,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. Total capitalized interest, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, was $410,000 and $620,000, respectively. Total capitalized payroll costs, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, were $750,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. Total capitalized payroll costs, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, were $480,000 and $1.0 million, respectively.

We discontinue the depreciation of assets we have specifically identified as held for sale. There were no properties classified as held for sale at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012

Classification of Fixed Asset Additions

Classification of Fixed Asset Additions

We define recurring fixed asset additions to a property as capital expenditures made to replace worn out assets to maintain the property's value. Revenue enhancing/non-recurring fixed asset additions are defined as capital expenditures that increase the value of the property and enable us to increase rents. Acquisition/development fixed asset additions are defined as capital expenditures for the purchase or construction of new properties to be added to our portfolio, or fixed asset additions identified at the time of purchase that are not made until subsequent periods.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse purchase agreements, in addition to securities borrowing and lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with ASC 210 or ASC 815 or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This ASU requires disclosure of quantitative information separately for assets and liabilities in a tabular format and a description of the rights of setoff associated with the assets and liabilities subject to the master netting arrangements. See Note 12 for additional information related to our derivative and hedging activities. This updated guidance applies to fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013.

Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to present information about significant reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. This information is required to be presented by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. See Note 12 for additional information related to our derivative and hedging activities. This updated guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2012 financial statements to conform to the 2013 presentation as a result of discontinued operations.