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Debt
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]
8.
Debt

EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. EQR guarantees the Operating Partnership’s $750.0 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility and also guarantees the Operating Partnership’s revolving credit facility up to the maximum amount and for the full term of the facility.

Mortgage Notes Payable

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding mortgage debt of approximately $5.2 billion.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company:

Assumed as part of the Archstone Transaction $2.2 billion of mortgage debt held in two Fannie Mae loan pools, consisting of $1.2 billion collateralized by 16 properties with an interest rate of 6.256% and a maturity date of November 1, 2017 ("Pool 3") and $963.5 million collateralized by 15 properties with an interest rate of 5.883% and a maturity date of November 1, 2014 ("Pool 4");
Repaid $2.5 billion of mortgage loans, which includes the partial paydown of $825.0 million of Pool 3 mortgage debt and the payoff of $963.5 million of Pool 4 mortgage debt;
Assumed as part of the Archstone Transaction $346.6 million of tax-exempt bonds on four properties with interest rates ranging from SIFMA plus 0.860% to SIFMA plus 1.402% and maturity dates through November 15, 2036;
Assumed as part of the Archstone Transaction $339.0 million of other mortgage debt on three properties with fixed interest rates ranging from 0.100% to 5.240% and maturity dates through May 1, 2061;
Assumed as part of the Archstone Transaction $34.1 million of other mortgage debt on one property with a variable rate of LIBOR plus 1.75% and a maturity date of September 1, 2014;
Recorded $127.9 million of net mark-to-market premiums on the mortgage debt described in the bullets above; and
Obtained $902.9 million of new mortgage loan proceeds, inclusive of an $800.0 million secured loan from a large insurance company which matures on November 10, 2023, is interest only and carries a fixed interest rate of 4.21%.

The Company recorded approximately $222.4 million and $7.4 million of prepayment penalties and write-offs of unamortized deferred financing costs, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2013 as additional interest expense related to debt extinguishment of mortgages. The Company also recorded $110.5 million of write-offs of net unamortized premiums during the year ended December 31, 2013 as a reduction of interest expense related to debt extinguishment of mortgages.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $700.5 million of secured debt subject to third party credit enhancement.

As of December 31, 2013, scheduled maturities for the Company’s outstanding mortgage indebtedness were at various dates through May 1, 2061. At December 31, 2013, the interest rate range on the Company’s mortgage debt was 0.03% to 7.25%. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s mortgage debt was 4.23% (excludes $113.6 million of write-offs of unamortized premiums related to debt extinguishment of mortgages).

The historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation, of encumbered properties was $7.3 billion and $4.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding mortgage debt of approximately $3.9 billion.
During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company:
Repaid $364.3 million of mortgage loans;
Obtained $26.5 million of new mortgage loan proceeds; and
Assumed $137.6 million of mortgage debt on two acquired properties.
The Company recorded approximately $0.3 million and $1.6 million of prepayment penalties and write-offs of unamortized deferred financing costs, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2012 as additional interest expense related to debt extinguishment of mortgages.
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $362.2 million of secured debt subject to third party credit enhancement.
As of December 31, 2012, scheduled maturities for the Company’s outstanding mortgage indebtedness were at various dates through June 15, 2051. At December 31, 2012, the interest rate range on the Company’s mortgage debt was 0.11% to 11.25%. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s mortgage debt was 4.96%.

Notes
The following tables summarize the Company’s unsecured note balances and certain interest rate and maturity date information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
December 31, 2013
 (Amounts are in thousands)
 
Net Principal Balance
 
Interest Rate Ranges
 
Weighted Average Interest Rate
 
Maturity Date Ranges
Fixed Rate Public/Private Notes (1)
 
$
4,727,088

 
3.00% - 7.57%
 
5.55%
 
2014 - 2026
Floating Rate Public/Private Notes (1)
 
750,000

 
(1) (2)
 
1.58%
 
2015
Totals
 
$
5,477,088

 
 
 
 
 
 


December 31, 2012
(Amounts are in thousands)
 
Net Principal Balance
 
Interest Rate Ranges
 
Weighted Average Interest Rate
 
Maturity Date Ranges
Fixed Rate Public/Private Notes (1)
 
$
4,329,352

 
4.625% - 7.57%
 
5.70%
 
2013 - 2026
Floating Rate Public/Private Notes (1)
 
301,523

 
(1)
 
1.83%
 
2013
Totals
 
$
4,630,875

 
 
 
 
 
 


(1)
At December 31, 2012, $300.0 million in fair value interest rate swaps converts a portion of the $400.0 million face value 5.200% notes due April 1, 2013 to a floating interest rate. On April 1, 2013, the Company paid off the $400.0 million outstanding of its 5.200%  public notes at maturity and the related fair value interest rate swaps matured.
(2)
Includes the Company's senior unsecured $750.0 million delayed draw term loan facility that matures on January 11, 2015 and is subject to a one-year extension option exercisable by the Company. The interest rate on advances under the term loan facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.20%), which is dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long-term debt.
The Company’s unsecured public debt contains certain financial and operating covenants including, among other things, maintenance of certain financial ratios. The Company was in compliance with its unsecured public debt covenants for both the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

An unspecified amount of equity and debt securities remains available for issuance by EQR and ERPOP under a universal shelf registration statement that automatically became effective upon filing with the SEC on July 30, 2013 and expires on July 30, 2016. Per the terms of ERPOP's partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds of all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis) or preference units (on a one-for-one preferred share per preference unit basis).

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company:
Repaid $400.0 million of 5.200% unsecured notes at maturity;
Issued $500.0 million of ten-year 3.00% fixed rate public notes, receiving net proceeds of $495.6 million before underwriting fees, hedge termination costs and other expenses, at an all-in effective interest rate of 3.998%; and
Entered into a senior unsecured $750.0 million delayed draw term loan facility which was fully drawn on February 27, 2013 in connection with the Archstone Acquisition. The maturity date of January 11, 2015 is subject to a one-year extension option exercisable by the Company. The interest rate on advances under the term loan facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.20%), which is dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long-term debt.
During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company:
Repaid $253.9 million of 6.625% unsecured notes at maturity;
Repaid $222.1 million of 5.500% unsecured notes at maturity;
Repaid its $500.0 million term loan facility at maturity; and
Entered into a new senior unsecured $500.0 million delayed draw term loan facility that could have been drawn anytime on or before July 4, 2012. The Company elected not to draw on this facility and subject to the terms of the agreement, the facility expired undrawn. The Company recorded approximately $1.0 million of write-offs of unamortized deferred financing costs at termination.
    
In November 2012, the Company obtained a commitment for a senior unsecured bridge loan facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2.5 billion to finance the acquisition of Archstone and to pay fees and expenses relating to this transaction. The Company incurred fees totaling $10.9 million to structure this facility, of which $8.4 million was written off in 2012 in conjunction with additional capital raising activities which curtailed amounts available on this facility. On January 11, 2013, the Company terminated this $2.5 billion bridge loan facility in connection with the execution of the term loan facility discussed above and the new revolving credit facility discussed below. The Company wrote off approximately $2.5 million of unamortized deferred financing costs during the year ended December 31, 2013 as additional interest expense.
In December 2011, the Company obtained a commitment for a senior unsecured bridge loan facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1.0 billion to finance the potential acquisition of an ownership interest in Archstone. The Company paid fees of $2.6 million to structure this facility, which were recorded as deferred financing costs and amortized in 2011. On January 6, 2012, the Company terminated this $1.0 billion bridge loan facility in connection with an amendment to the Company's revolving credit facility (see below for further discussion) and the execution of the $500.0 million delayed draw term loan facility discussed above.
On October 11, 2007, the Company closed on a $500.0 million senior unsecured term loan. Effective April 5, 2011, the Company exercised the second of its two one-year extension options, resulting in a maturity date of October 5, 2012. The Company paid off this term loan at maturity. The loan bore interest at variable rates based upon LIBOR plus a spread (0.50%) dependent upon the credit rating on the Company’s long-term senior unsecured debt.

On August 23, 2006, the Company issued $650.0 million of exchangeable notes that were to mature on August 15, 2026. The notes bore interest at a fixed rate of 3.85%. The notes were exchangeable into Common Shares, at the option of the holders, under specific circumstances or on or after August 15, 2025, at an exchange rate of 16.3934 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an exchange price of $61.00 per share). On August 18, 2011 (the "Redemption Date"), the Operating Partnership redeemed all of the outstanding notes for $482.5 million in cash, which was equal to 100% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but excluding the Redemption Date. See Note 2 for more information on the change in the recognition of interest expense for these notes.

Lines of Credit

On January 11, 2013, the Company replaced its existing $1.75 billion facility with a $2.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing April 1, 2018. The Company has the ability to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million by adding additional banks to the facility or obtaining the agreement of existing banks to increase their commitments. The interest rate on advances under the new credit facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.05%) and the Company pays an annual facility fee (currently 15 basis points). Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long-term debt.

In July 2011, the Company replaced its then existing unsecured revolving credit facility with a new $1.25 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing on July 13, 2014, subject to a one-year extension option exercisable by the Company. The Company had the ability to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million by adding additional banks to the facility or obtaining the agreement of existing banks to increase their commitments. On January 6, 2012, the Company amended this credit facility to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million to $1.75 billion with all other terms, including the July 13, 2014 maturity date, remaining the same. The interest rate on advances under the credit facility was generally LIBOR plus a spread (1.15%) and the Company paid an annual facility fee of 0.2%. Both the spread and the facility fee were dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long-term debt. The facility had replaced the Company's previous $1.425 billion facility which was scheduled to mature in February 2012. The Company wrote-off $0.2 million in unamortized deferred financing costs related to the old facility.

As of December 31, 2013, the amount available on the credit facility was $2.35 billion (net of $34.9 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and net of $115.0 million outstanding). During the year ended December 31, 2013, the weighted average interest rate was 1.26%. As of December 31, 2012, the amount available on the credit facility was $1.72 billion (net of $30.2 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit) and there was no amount outstanding. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the weighted average interest rate was 1.35%.

Other

The following table provides a summary of the aggregate payments of principal on all debt for each of the next five years and thereafter (amounts in thousands):
Year
 
Total (1)
2014
 
$
561,084

2015
 
1,170,448

2016
 
1,193,251

2017
 
1,347,191

2018

297,016

Thereafter
 
6,209,697

Net Unamortized (Discount)
 
(12,433
)
Total
 
$
10,766,254


(1)
Premiums and discounts are amortized over the life of the debt.