Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Marketable Securities

The Company reports its available for sale securities at fair value, based on quoted market prices (Level 2 for the unsecured bonds and Level 1 for the common stock and investment funds, as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) standard for fair value measurements), and any unrealized gain or loss is recorded as other comprehensive income (loss).  Realized gains and losses, interest and dividend income, and amortization of purchase discounts are included in interest and other income on the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company consolidates 19 DownREIT limited partnerships (comprising twelve communities) since the Company is the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities (“VIEs”).  Total DownREIT units outstanding were 965,289 and 974,790 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock totaled $221.9 million and $201.4 million, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to these VIEs, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $235.6 million and $209.3 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2015 and $235.1 million and $209.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.  Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Company are allocated income equal to the cash distributions made to those interest holders.  The remaining results of operations are allocated to the Company.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any other VIEs of which it was deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

Equity Based Compensation

The Company accounts for equity based compensation using the fair value method of accounting.  The estimated fair value of stock options granted by the Company is being amortized over the vesting period of the stock options.  The estimated grant date fair values of the long term incentive plan units (discussed in Note 13, “Equity Based Compensation Plans,” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014) are being amortized over the expected service periods.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management believes that the carrying amounts of outstanding lines of credit, and notes and other receivables approximate fair value as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, because interest rates, yields and other terms for these instruments are consistent with yields and other terms currently available for similar instruments.  Management has estimated that the fair value of the Company’s $4.8 billion of fixed rate debt, including unsecured bonds, at March 31, 2015 is approximately $5.1 billion and the Company’s variable rate debt, excluding borrowings under the lines of credit, at March 31, 2015 approximates its fair value based on the terms of existing mortgage notes payable, unsecured bonds and variable rate demand notes compared to those available in the marketplace.  Management believes that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, construction payables, other liabilities and dividends payable approximate fair value as of March 31, 2015 due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.  Marketable securities, except mortgage backed securities that are held to maturity, and derivatives are carried at fair value as of March 31, 2015.

At March 31, 2015, the Company’s investments in mortgage backed securities had a carrying value of $70.8 million and the Company estimated the fair value to be approximately $99.0 million.  At December 31, 2014, the Company’s investments in mortgage backed securities had a carrying value of $68.0 million and the Company estimated the fair value to be approximately $96.0 million.  The Company determines the fair value of the mortgage backed securities based on unobservable inputs (level 3 of the fair value hierarchy) considering the assumptions that market participants would make in valuing these securities.  Assumptions such as estimated default rates and discount rates are used to determine expected discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value.

Capitalization of Costs

The Company capitalizes leasing commissions associated with the lease-up of a development community and amortizes the costs over the life of the leases.  The amounts capitalized for leasing commissions are immaterial for all periods presented.

Co-investments

The Company owns investments in joint ventures (“co-investments”) in which it has significant influence, but its ownership interest does not meet the criteria for consolidation in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Therefore, the Company accounts for co-investments using the equity method of accounting.  The equity method employs the accrual basis for recognizing the investor’s share of investee income or losses. In addition, distributions received from the investee are treated as a reduction in the investment account, not as income.  The significant accounting policies of the Company’s co-investment entities are consistent with those of the Company in all material respects.

Upon the acquisition of a controlling interest of a co-investment, the co-investment entity is consolidated and a gain or loss is recognized upon the remeasurement of co-investments in the condensed consolidated statement of income equal to the amount by which the fair value of the co-investment interest the Company previously owned exceeds its carrying value.  A majority of the co-investments, excluding the preferred equity investments, compensate the Company for its asset management services and may provide promote income if certain financial return benchmarks are achieved.  Asset management fees are recognized when earned, and promote fees are recognized when the earnings events have occurred and the amount is determinable and collectible. Any promote fees are reflected in equity income in co-investments.

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net by Component

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with derivatives are recorded in interest expense on the condensed consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.  Realized gains and losses on available for sale securities are included in interest and other income on the condensed consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to acquiring, developing and assessing the carrying values of its real estate portfolio, its investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates, its notes receivables and its qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”). The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may vary from those estimates and those estimates could be different under different assumptions or conditions.