v3.3.1.900
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
The aggregate gross cost of property included above for federal income tax purposes approximated $5.5 billion as of December 31, 2015.

The following table reconciles the historical cost of total real estate held for investment from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015:

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands)
Total real estate held for investment, beginning of year
$
6,057,932

 
$
5,264,947

 
$
4,757,394

Additions during period:
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions
139,123

 
340,296

 
384,650

Improvements, etc.  
536,411

 
588,166

 
452,331

Total additions during period
675,534

 
928,462

 
836,981

Deductions during period:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of real estate sold
(231,984
)
 
(113,416
)
 
(56,993
)
Properties held for sale
(160,074
)
 
(14,700
)
 
(259,251
)
Other
(13,262
)
 
(7,361
)
 
(13,184
)
Total deductions during period
(405,320
)
 
(135,477
)
 
(329,428
)
Total real estate held for investment, end of year
$
6,328,146

 
$
6,057,932

 
$
5,264,947



The following table reconciles the accumulated depreciation from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015:

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands)
Accumulated depreciation, beginning of year
$
947,664

 
$
818,957

 
$
756,515

Additions during period:

 

 

Depreciation of real estate
159,524

 
153,841

 
145,325

Total additions during period
159,524

 
153,841

 
145,325

Deductions during period:

 

 

Write-offs due to sale
(66,603
)
 
(18,111
)
 
(17,144
)
Properties held for sale
(46,191
)
 
(7,007
)
 
(63,110
)
Other
(153
)
 
(16
)
 
(2,629
)
Total deductions during period
(112,947
)
 
(25,134
)
 
(82,883
)
Accumulated depreciation, end of year
$
994,241

 
$
947,664

 
$
818,957