Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Aimco’s accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aimco, the Aimco Operating Partnership, and their consolidated subsidiaries. The Aimco Operating Partnership’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Aimco Operating Partnership and its consolidated entities.

We consolidate all variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. Generally, a variable interest entity, or VIE, is a legal entity in which the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or the equity investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consider qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of our investment; the obligation or likelihood for us or other investors to provide financial support; and the similarity with and significance to our business activities and the business activities of the other investors. Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current and future fair values and performance of real estate held by these VIEs and general market conditions.

As of December 31, 2013, we were the primary beneficiary of, and therefore consolidated, 63 VIEs, which owned 49 apartment communities with 7,656 apartment homes. Substantially all of these VIEs are partnerships that operate qualifying affordable housing apartment communities and which are structured to provide for the pass-through of low-income housing tax credits and deductions to their partners. Real estate with a net book value of $392.2 million collateralized $355.4 million of debt of those VIEs. Any significant amounts of assets and liabilities related to our consolidated VIEs are identified parenthetically on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to our general credit.

In addition to the VIEs discussed above, at December 31, 2013, our consolidated financial statements included certain consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs that are part of the legacy asset management business we sold during 2012, which is discussed in Note 3. The assets and liabilities related to these consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs are each condensed into single line items within other assets and accrued liabilities and other, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets.

Generally, we consolidate real estate partnerships and other entities that are not variable interest entities when we own, directly or indirectly, a majority voting interest in the entity or are otherwise able to control the entity. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership that are held by limited partners other than Aimco are reflected in Aimco’s accompanying balance sheets as noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership. Interests in partnerships consolidated into the Aimco Operating Partnership that are held by third parties are reflected in our accompanying balance sheets as noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships. The assets of consolidated real estate partnerships owned or controlled by the Aimco Operating Partnership generally are not available to pay creditors of Aimco or the Aimco Operating Partnership.

As used herein, and except where the context otherwise requires, “partnership” refers to a limited partnership or a limited liability company and “partner” refers to a partner in a limited partnership or a member of a limited liability company.

Variable Interest Entities

Acquisition of Real Estate Assets and Related Depreciation and Amortization

We recognize at fair value the acquisition of apartment communities or interests in partnerships that own apartment communities if the transaction results in consolidation and we expense as incurred most related transaction costs. We allocate the cost of acquired apartment communities to tangible assets and identified intangible assets based on their fair values. We determine the fair value of tangible assets, such as land, building, furniture, fixtures and equipment, generally using internal valuation techniques that consider comparable market transactions, discounted cash flow techniques, replacement costs and other available information. We determine the fair value of identified intangible assets (or liabilities), which typically relate to in-place leases, using internal valuation techniques that consider the terms of the in-place leases, current market data for comparable leases, and our experience in leasing similar communities. The intangible assets or liabilities related to in-place leases are comprised of:

The value of the above- and below-market leases in-place. An asset or liability is recognized based on the difference between (a) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (b) our estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over the period, including estimated lease renewals for below-market leases, that the leases are expected to remain in effect.


2.	The estimated unamortized portion of avoided leasing commissions and other costs that ordinarily would be incurred to originate the in-place leases.


3.	The value associated with vacant apartment homes during the absorption period (estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on current market demand and stabilized occupancy levels).

The values of the above- and below-market leases are amortized to rental revenue over the expected remaining terms of the associated leases, which include reasonably assured renewal periods. Other intangible assets related to in-place leases are amortized to depreciation and amortization over the expected remaining terms of the associated leases. We prospectively adjust the amortization period to reflect significant variances between actual lease termination activity as compared to those used to determine the historical amortization periods.

Depreciation for all tangible real estate assets is calculated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Acquired buildings and improvements are depreciated over a useful life based on the age, condition and other physical characteristics of the apartment community. At December 31, 2013, the weighted average depreciable life of our acquired buildings and improvements was approximately 30 years. As discussed below under the Impairment of Long Lived Assets heading, we may adjust depreciation of apartment communities that are expected to be disposed of or demolished prior to the end of their useful lives. Furniture, fixtures and equipment associated with acquired apartment communities are depreciated over five years.

At December 31, 2013 and 2012, deferred income in our consolidated balance sheets includes below-market lease amounts totaling $16.9 million and $19.8 million, respectively, which are net of accumulated amortization of $35.9 million and $33.0 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we included amortization of below-market leases of $2.9 million, $3.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively, in rental and other property revenues in our consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2013, our below-market leases had a weighted average amortization period of 6.5 years and estimated aggregate amortization for each of the five succeeding years as follows (in thousands):



	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018
Estimated amortization	$	2,270	$	2,016	$	1,757	$	1,550	$	1,331

Capital Additions and Related Depreciation

We capitalize costs, including certain indirect costs, incurred in connection with our capital additions activities, including redevelopment, development and construction projects, other tangible apartment community improvements, and replacements of existing apartment community components. Included in these capitalized costs are payroll costs associated with time spent by site employees in connection with capital additions activities at the apartment community level. We characterize as “indirect costs” an allocation of certain department costs, including payroll, at the area operations and corporate levels that clearly relate to capital additions activities. We also capitalize interest, property taxes and insurance during periods in which redevelopment, development and construction projects are in progress. We commence capitalization of costs, including certain indirect costs, incurred in connection with our capital addition activities, at the point in time when activities necessary to get apartment communities ready for their intended use are in progress. This includes when apartment communities or apartment homes are undergoing physical construction, as well as when apartment homes are held vacant in advance of planned construction, provided that other activities such as permitting, planning and design are in progress. We cease the capitalization of costs when the assets are substantially complete and ready for their intended use, which is typically when construction has been completed and apartment homes are available for occupancy. We charge to property operating expense, as incurred, costs including ordinary repairs, maintenance and resident turnover costs.

We depreciate capitalized costs using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related component or improvement, which is generally 5, 15 or 30 years. All capitalized site payroll and indirect costs are allocated proportionately, based on direct costs, among capital projects and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of such projects.

Certain homogeneous items that are purchased in bulk on a recurring basis, such as carpeting and appliances, are depreciated using group methods that reflect the average estimated useful life of the items in each group. Except in the case of apartment community casualties, where the net book value of the lost asset is written off in the determination of casualty gains or losses, we generally do not recognize any loss in connection with the replacement of an existing apartment community component because normal replacements are considered in determining the estimated useful lives used in connection with our composite and group depreciation methods.

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, for continuing and discontinued operations, we capitalized to buildings and improvements $17.6 million, $16.6 million and $14.0 million of interest costs, respectively, and $33.2 million, $33.7 million and $29.0 million of other direct and indirect costs, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Real estate and other long-lived assets to be held and used are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, unless the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable. If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an apartment community may not be recoverable, we make an assessment of its recoverability by comparing the carrying amount to our estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows, excluding interest charges, of the apartment community. If the carrying amount exceeds the aggregate undiscounted future cash flows, we recognize an impairment loss to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value of the apartment property.

Based on periodic tests of recoverability of long-lived assets, for the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a provision for real estate impairment losses of $6.2 million related to apartment communities classified as held for use, and we recorded no such provisions during the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2011.

Discontinued Operations

We classify certain apartment communities and related assets and liabilities as held for sale when they meet certain criteria, as defined in GAAP. The operating results of such apartment communities as well as those communities sold during the periods presented are included in discontinued operations in both current periods and all comparable periods presented. Depreciation is not recorded on apartment communities once they have been classified as held for sale; however, depreciation expense recorded prior to classification as held for sale is included in discontinued operations. The net gain on sale and any impairment losses are presented in discontinued operations when recognized. See Note 12 for additional information regarding discontinued operations.

Cash Equivalents

We classify highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes capital replacement reserves, completion repair reserves, bond sinking fund amounts, tax and insurance escrow accounts held by lenders and resident security deposits.

Notes Receivable

At December 31, 2012, our notes receivable were primarily comprised of second mortgages collateralized by apartment communities in New York City, which, as further described in Note 3, were repaid during 2013.

Deferred Costs

We defer lender fees and other direct costs incurred in obtaining new financing and amortize the amounts over the terms of the related loan agreements. Amortization of these costs is included in interest expense.

We defer leasing commissions and other direct costs incurred in connection with successful leasing efforts and amortize the costs over the terms of the related leases. Amortization of these costs is included in depreciation and amortization.

Investments

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Partnerships

We own general and limited partner interests in partnerships that either directly, or through interests in other real estate partnerships, own apartment communities. We generally account for investments in real estate partnerships that we do not consolidate under the equity method. Under the equity method, our share of the earnings or losses of the entity for the periods being presented is included in equity in earnings or losses from unconsolidated real estate partnerships, inclusive of our share of any impairments and disposition gains recognized by and related to such entities.

The excess of the cost of the acquired partnership interests over the historical carrying amount of partners’ equity or deficit is ascribed generally to the fair values of land and buildings owned by the partnerships. We amortize the excess cost related to the buildings over the estimated useful lives of the buildings. Such amortization is recorded as a component of equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated real estate partnerships.

Investments in Securitization Trust that Holds Aimco Property Debt

We hold an investment in the first loss and mezzanine positions in a securitization trust which primarily holds certain of our property debt. These investments were initially recognized at their purchase price and the discount to the face value is being accreted into interest income over the expected term of the securities. We have designated these investments as available for sale securities and we measure these investments at fair value with changes in their fair value, other than the changes attributed to the accretion described above, recognized as an adjustment of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss within equity and partners’ capital.

Intangible Assets

At December 31, 2013 and 2012, other assets included goodwill associated with our reportable segments of $49.0 million, and at December 31, 2012 assets held for sale included $5.5 million of goodwill allocated to apartment communities sold during 2013. We perform an annual impairment test of goodwill that compares the fair value of reporting units with their carrying amounts, including goodwill. We determined that our goodwill was not impaired in 2013, 2012 or 2011.

During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we allocated $5.5 million, $7.5 million and $5.1 million, respectively, of goodwill related to our reportable segments (conventional and affordable real estate operations) to the carrying amounts of the apartment communities sold or classified as held for sale. The amounts of goodwill allocated to these apartment communities were based on the relative fair values of the apartment communities sold or classified as held for sale and the retained portions of the reporting units to which the goodwill as allocated.

Intangible assets also includes amounts related to in-place leases as discussed under the Acquisition of Real Estate Assets and Related Depreciation and Amortization heading.

Capitalized Software Costs

Purchased software and other costs related to software developed for internal use are capitalized during the application development stage and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, generally five years. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we capitalized software purchase and development costs totaling $3.3 million, $5.8 million and $12.6 million, respectively. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, other assets included $22.0 million and $27.5 million of net capitalized software, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized amortization of capitalized software of $8.9 million, $10.0 million and $8.7 million, respectively, which is included in depreciation and amortization in our consolidated statements of operations.

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Real Estate Partnerships

We report the unaffiliated partners’ interests in the net assets of our consolidated real estate partnerships as noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships within consolidated equity and partners’ capital. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships consist primarily of equity interests held by limited partners in consolidated real estate partnerships that have finite lives. We generally attribute to noncontrolling interests their share of income or loss of consolidated partnerships based on their proportionate interest in the results of operations of the partnerships, including their share of losses even if such attribution results in a deficit noncontrolling interest balance within our equity and partners’ capital accounts.

The terms of the related partnership agreements generally require the partnerships to be liquidated following the sale of the underlying real estate. As the general partner in these partnerships, we ordinarily control the execution of real estate sales and other events that could lead to the liquidation, redemption or other settlement of noncontrolling interests. However, as discussed in Note 3, we continue to consolidate certain partnerships and apartment communities associated with the legacy asset management business for which the derecognition criteria associated with our sale of the portfolio have not been met. We do not control the execution of sales and other events related to the assets that will lead to the to the liquidation of these partnerships and derecognition of the associated noncontrolling interests. The aggregate carrying amount of noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships totaled $233.0 million and $271.1 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, of which $35.8 million and $57.2 million, respectively, was associated with noncontrolling interests in the legacy asset management business.

Changes in our ownership interest in consolidated real estate partnerships generally consist of our purchase of an additional interest in or the sale of our entire interest in a consolidated real estate partnership. The effect on our equity and partners’ capital of our purchase of additional interests in consolidated real estate partnerships during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is shown in our consolidated statements of equity and partners’ capital and further discussed in Note 3. The effect on our equity and partners' capital of sales of consolidated real estate or sales of our entire interest in consolidated real estate partnerships is reflected in our consolidated financial statements as sales of real estate and accordingly the effect on our equity and partners’ capital is reflected within the the amount of net income attributable to us and to noncontrolling interests. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 810, upon our deconsolidation of a real estate partnership following the sale of our partnership interests or liquidation of the partnership following sale of the related apartment community, we derecognize any remaining noncontrolling interest of the associated partnership previously recorded in our consolidated balance sheet.

Noncontrolling Interests in Aimco Operating Partnership

Noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership consist of common OP Units, HPUs and preferred OP Units. Within Aimco’s consolidated financial statements, the Aimco Operating Partnership’s income or loss is allocated to the holders of common partnership units and equivalents based on the weighted average number of common partnership units (including those held by Aimco) and equivalents outstanding during the period. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the holders of common OP Units and equivalents had a weighted average ownership interest in the Aimco Operating Partnership of 5.2%, 5.7% and 6.6%, respectively. Holders of the preferred OP Units participate in the Aimco Operating Partnership’s income or loss only to the extent of their preferred distributions. See Note 10 for further information regarding the items comprising noncontrolling interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership.

Revenue Recognition

Our apartment communities have operating leases with apartment residents with terms averaging 12 months. We recognize rental revenue related to these leases, net of any concessions, on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. We recognize revenues from property management, asset management, syndication and other services when the related fees are earned and are realized or realizable.

Insurance

We believe that our insurance coverages insure our apartment communities adequately against the risk of loss attributable to fire, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, and other perils. In addition, we have insurance coverage for substantial portions of our property, workers’ compensation, health, and general liability exposures. Losses are accrued based upon our estimates of the aggregate liability for uninsured losses incurred using certain actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and based on our experience.

Stock-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

We recognize all share-based employee compensation, including grants of employee stock options, in the consolidated financial statements based on the grant date fair value and recognize compensation cost, net of forfeitures, ratably over the awards’ requisite service period. See Note 11 for further discussion of our share-based compensation.

Tax Credit Arrangements

We sponsor certain partnerships that acquire, develop and operate qualifying affordable housing apartment communities and are structured to provide for the pass-through of tax credits and deductions to their partners. The tax credits are generally realized ratably over the first ten years of the tax credit arrangement and are subject to the partnership’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations for a period of 15 years. Typically, we are the general partner with a legal ownership interest of one percent or less and unaffiliated institutional investors (which we refer to as tax credit investors or investors) acquire the limited partnership interests (at least 99%). At inception, each investor agrees to fund capital contributions to the partnerships and we receive a syndication fee from the partnerships upon the investors’ admission to the partnership.

We have determined that the partnerships in these arrangements are VIEs and, where we are general partner, we are generally the primary beneficiary that is required to consolidate the partnerships. When the contractual arrangements obligate us to deliver tax benefits to the investors, and entitle us through fee arrangements to receive substantially all available cash flow from the partnerships, we account for these partnerships as wholly-owned subsidiaries, recognizing the income or loss generated by the underlying real estate based on our economic interest in the partnerships. Capital contributions received by the partnerships from tax credit investors represent, in substance, consideration that we receive in exchange for our obligation to deliver tax credits and other tax benefits to the investors. We record these contributions as deferred income in our consolidated balance sheet upon receipt, and we recognize the receipts as revenue in our consolidated statements of operations when our obligation to the investors is relieved upon delivery of the tax benefits.

Income Taxes

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1994, and intend to continue to operate in such a manner. Our current and continuing qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to meet the various requirements imposed by the Code, which are related to organizational structure, distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership and certain restrictions with regard to owned assets and categories of income. If we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to United States Federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” (at the corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from an investment in a corporation.

Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may be subject to United States Federal income and excise taxes in various situations, such as on our undistributed income. We also will be required to pay a 100% tax on any net income on non-arm’s length transactions between us and a TRS (described below) and on any net income from sales of apartment communities that were held for sale to customers in the ordinary course. In addition, we could also be subject to the alternative minimum tax, or AMT, on our items of tax preference. The state and local tax laws may not conform to the United States Federal income tax treatment, and we and our stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which we transact business or our stockholders reside. Any taxes imposed on us reduce our operating cash flow and net income.

Certain of our operations or a portion thereof, including property management, asset management and risk management, are conducted through taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subsidiaries of the Aimco Operating Partnership, and each of which we refer to as a TRS. A TRS is a subsidiary C-corporation that has not elected REIT status and as such is subject to United States Federal corporate income tax. We use TRS entities to facilitate our ability to offer certain services and activities to our residents and investment partners that cannot be offered directly by a REIT. We also use TRS entities to hold investments in certain apartment communities.

For our TRS entities, deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for Federal income tax purposes, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. We reduce deferred tax assets by recording a valuation allowance when we determine based on available evidence that it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. We recognize the tax consequences associated with intercompany transfers between the REIT and TRS entities when the related assets are sold to third parties, impaired or otherwise disposed of for financial reporting purposes. Refer to Note 8 for further information about our income taxes.

Comprehensive Income or Loss

As discussed under the preceding Investments in Available for Sale Securities heading, we have investments that are measured at fair value with unrealized gains or losses recognized as an adjustment of accumulated other comprehensive loss within equity and partners’ capital. Additionally, as discussed in Note 6, we recognize changes in the fair value of our cash flow hedges as an adjustment of accumulated other comprehensive loss within equity and partners’ capital. The amounts of consolidated comprehensive income or loss for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, along with the corresponding amounts of such comprehensive income or loss attributable to Aimco, the Aimco Operating Partnership and to noncontrolling interests, is presented within the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income or loss.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per Share and Unit

Aimco calculates earnings (loss) per share based on the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock, participating securities, common stock equivalents and dilutive convertible securities outstanding during the period. The Aimco Operating Partnership calculates earnings (loss) per unit based on the weighted average number of common partnership units and equivalents, participating securities and dilutive convertible securities outstanding during the period. The Aimco Operating Partnership considers both common partnership units and HPUs, which have identical rights to distributions and undistributed earnings, to be common units for purposes of the earnings per unit computations. See Note 13 for further information regarding earnings per share and unit computations.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts included in the financial statements and accompanying notes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications and Adjustments

Certain items included in the 2012 and 2011 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation, including adjustments for discontinued operations.