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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
| 2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Principles of Consolidation. Our condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of other subsidiaries and joint ventures (including partnerships and limited liability companies) over which we have control. All intercompany transactions, balances, and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments acquired or created are continuously evaluated based on the accounting guidance relating to variable interest entities ("VIEs"), which requires the consolidation of VIEs in which we are considered to be the primary beneficiary. If the investment is determined not to be a VIE, then the investment is evaluated for consolidation (primarily using a voting interest model) under the remaining consolidation guidance relating to real estate entities. If we are the general partner of a limited partnership, or manager of a limited liability company, we also consider the consolidation guidance relating to the rights of limited partners (non-managing members) to assess whether any rights held by the limited partners overcome the presumption of control by us. Interim Financial Reporting. We have prepared these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial statements and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Accordingly, these statements do not include all information and footnote disclosures required for annual statements. While we believe the disclosures presented are adequate for interim reporting, these interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes included in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and eliminations, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair representation of our financial statements for the interim period reported have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the full year. Asset Impairment. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairment exists if estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with long-lived assets are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of such assets. We consider projected future discounted and undiscounted cash flows, trends, strategic decisions regarding future development plans, and other factors in our assessment of whether impairment conditions exist. When impairment exists, the long-lived asset is adjusted to its fair value. While we believe our estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding a number of factors, including market rents, economic conditions, and occupancies, could significantly affect these estimates. In estimating fair value, management uses appraisals, management estimates, and discounted cash flow calculations which maximize inputs from a marketplace participant's perspective. In addition, we evaluate our equity investments in joint ventures and if we believe there is an other than temporary decline in market value of our investment, we will record an impairment charge. The value of our properties under development depends on market conditions, including estimates of the project start date as well as estimates of demand for multifamily communities. We have reviewed market trends and other marketplace information and have incorporated this information as well as our current outlook into the assumptions we use in our impairment analyses. Due to the judgment and assumptions applied in the impairment analyses, it is possible actual results could differ substantially from those estimated. We believe the carrying value of our operating real estate assets, properties under development, and land is currently recoverable. However, if market conditions deteriorate or if changes in our development strategy significantly affect any key assumptions used in our fair value calculations, we may need to take material charges in future periods for impairments related to existing assets. Any such material non-cash charges would have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. Cash and Cash Equivalents. All cash and investments in money market accounts and other highly liquid securities with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash and cash equivalents. We maintain the majority of our cash and cash equivalents at major financial institutions in the United States and deposits with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, we regularly monitor the financial stability of these financial institutions and believe we are not currently exposed to any significant default risk with respect to these deposits. Cost Capitalization. Real estate assets are carried at cost plus capitalized carrying charges. Carrying charges are primarily interest and real estate taxes which are capitalized as part of properties under development. Capitalized interest is generally based on the weighted average interest rate of our unsecured debt. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition of operating real estate assets are expensed. Expenditures directly related to the development and improvement of real estate assets are capitalized at cost as land and buildings and improvements. Indirect development costs, including salaries and benefits and other related costs directly attributable to the development of properties, are also capitalized. All construction and carrying costs are capitalized and reported in the balance sheet as properties under development until the apartment homes are substantially completed. Upon substantial completion of the apartment homes, the total capitalized development cost for the apartment homes and the associated land is transferred to buildings and improvements and land, respectively. As discussed above, carrying charges are principally interest and real estate taxes capitalized as part of properties under development and buildings and improvements. Capitalized interest was approximately $1.8 million and $3.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, and approximately $1.3 million and $2.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. Capitalized real estate taxes were approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, and approximately $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. Where possible, we stage our construction to allow leasing and occupancy during the construction period, which we believe minimizes the duration of the lease-up period following completion of construction. Our accounting policy related to properties in the development and leasing phase is to expense all operating expenses associated with completed apartment homes. We capitalize renovation and improvement costs we believe extend the economic lives of depreciable property. Capital expenditures subsequent to initial construction are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation and amortization is computed over the expected useful lives of depreciable property on a straight-line basis with lives generally as follows:
|  | Estimated Useful Life
Buildings and improvements |  | 5-35 years
Furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other |  | 3-20 years
Intangible assets (in-place leases and above and below market leases) |  | underlying lease term
Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative financial instruments are recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value and we do not apply master netting for financial reporting purposes. Accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting, and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows or other types of forecasted transactions are cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes attributable to the earnings effect of the hedged transactions. We may enter into derivative contracts which are intended to economically hedge certain of our risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or we elect not to apply hedge accounting. Discontinued Operations. Gains on sale of real estate are recognized using the full accrual or partial sale methods, as applicable, in accordance with GAAP, provided various criteria relating to the terms of sale and any subsequent involvement with the real estate sold are met. Income Recognition. Our rental and other property revenue is recorded when due from residents and is recognized monthly as it is earned. Other property revenue consists primarily of utility rebillings and administrative, application, and other transactional fees charged to our residents. Our apartment homes are rented to residents on lease terms generally ranging from six to fifteen months, with monthly payments due in advance. All other sources of income, including interest and fee and asset management income, are recognized as earned. Eight of our properties are subject to rent control. Operations of multifamily properties acquired are recorded from the date of acquisition in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting. In management's opinion, due to the number of residents, the types and diversity of submarkets in which our properties operate, and the collection terms, there is no significant concentration of credit risk. Reportable Segments. Our multifamily communities are geographically diversified throughout the United States, and management evaluates operating performance on an individual property level. As each of our apartment communities has similar economic characteristics, residents, and products and services, our apartment communities have been aggregated into one reportable segment. Our multifamily communities generate rental revenue and other income through the leasing of apartment homes, which comprised approximately 98% of our total property revenues and total non-property income, excluding income on deferred compensation plans, for all periods presented. Use of Estimates. In the application of GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, results of operations during the reporting periods, and related disclosures. Our more significant estimates include estimates supporting our impairment analysis related to the carrying values of our real estate assets and estimates related to the valuation of our investments in joint ventures. These estimates are based on historical experience and other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Future events rarely develop exactly as forecasted, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment. Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-05 ("ASU 2011-05"), "Presentation of Comprehensive Income." ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity and requires all nonowner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Additionally, ASU 2011-05 requires an entity to present reclassification adjustments on the face of the financial statements from other comprehensive income to net income. ASU 2011-05 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2012 and is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements as we currently present other comprehensive income components in two separate but consecutive statements.

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- Definition Represents disclosure of any changes in an accounting principle, including a change from one generally accepted accounting principle to another generally accepted accounting principle when there are two or more generally accepted accounting principles that apply or when the accounting principle formerly used is no longer generally accepted. Also disclose any change in the method of applying an accounting principle, or any change in an accounting principle required by a new pronouncement in the unusual instance that a new pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 154 -Paragraph 2, 17, 18 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 28 -Paragraph 23, 24 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 01 -Paragraph b -Subparagraph 6 -Article 10 + Details
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