Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Estimates and Assumptions

The Company prepares its financial statements and related notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the consolidated financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts, purchase price allocations, useful lives of fixed assets and the valuation of derivatives.

Real Estate and Depreciation

Real estate assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. If the Company determines that impairment has occurred, the affected assets are reduced to their fair value.

The Company allocates the value of real estate acquired among land, buildings and identified intangible assets or liabilities. Costs related to land, building and improvements are capitalized. Typical capital items include new roofs, site improvements, various exterior building improvements and major interior renovations. Costs incurred in connection with leasing (primarily tenant improvements and leasing commissions) are capitalized and amortized over the lease period. Routine replacements and ordinary maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life of the asset are expensed as incurred. Funding for repairs and maintenance items typically is provided by cash flows from operating activities. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives as follows:


Category	Years
Commercial buildings		39
Building improvements	15	-	39
Fixtures and equipment	3	-	7

The Company reviews its properties to determine if their carrying amounts will be recovered from future operating cash flows if certain indicators of impairment are identified at those properties. The evaluation of anticipated cash flows is highly subjective and is based in part on assumptions regarding future occupancy, rental rates and capital requirements that could differ materially from actual results in future periods. Since cash flows are considered on an undiscounted basis in the analysis that the Company conducts to determine whether an asset has been impaired, the Company’s strategy of holding properties over the long term directly decreases the likelihood of recording an impairment loss. If the Company’s strategy changes or market conditions otherwise dictate an earlier sale date, an impairment loss may be recognized.

Acquired Real Estate Leases and Amortization

The Company recorded the value of acquired real estate leases as a result of three acquisitions in 2016 and one acquisition in 2015. Acquired real estate leases represent costs associated with acquiring an in-place lease (i.e., the market cost to execute a similar lease, including leasing commission, tenant improvements, legal, vacancy and other related costs) and the value relating to leases with rents above the market rate. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the term of the leases, which range from 6 months to 281 months. Amortization expense of these combined components was approximately $38,970,000, $36,854,000 and $38,829,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Amortization related to costs associated with acquiring an in-place lease is included in depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of income. Amortization related to leases with rents above the market rate is offset against the rental revenue in the consolidated statements of income. The estimated annual amortization expense for the five years and thereafter following December 31, 2017 is as follows:


(in thousands)	December 31,
2018	$	27,214
2019		18,644
2020		12,721
2021		9,022
2022		5,427
2023 and thereafter		13,492

Acquired Unfavorable Real Estate Leases and Amortization

The Company recorded the value of acquired unfavorable leases as a result three acquisitions in 2016 and one acquisition in 2015. Acquired unfavorable real estate leases represent the value relating to leases with rents below the market rate. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the term of the leases, which range from 7 months to 176 months. Amortization expense was approximately $3,117,000, $3,292,000 and $3,242,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Amortization related to leases with rents below the market rate is included with rental revenue in the consolidated statements of income. The estimated annual amortization for the five years and thereafter following December 31, 2017 is as follows:


(in thousands)	December 31,
2018	$	2,039
2019		1,319
2020		950
2021		620
2022		346
2023 and thereafter		532

Assets held for sale

Asset Held For Sale

Classification of a property as held for sale typically occurs upon the execution of a purchase and sale agreement and belief by management that the sale or disposition is probable of occurrence within one year. Upon determining that a property was held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the property and reflects the property in its consolidated balance sheet at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less the cost to sell. The Company presents the property held for sale on its consolidated balance sheet as “Asset held for sale”. The Company reports the results of operations of its properties sold or held for sale in its consolidated statements of income through the date of sale.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of tenant security deposits, which are required by law in some states or by contractual agreement to be kept in a segregated account, and escrows arising from property sales. Tenant security deposits are refunded when tenants vacate, provided that the tenant has not damaged the property.

Cash held in escrow is paid when the related issue is resolved. Restricted cash also may include funds segregated for specific tenant improvements per lease agreements.

Tenant Rent Receivables

Tenant rent receivables are expected to be collected within one year. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based on its estimate of a tenant’s ability to make future rent payments. The computation of this allowance is based in part on the tenants’ payment history and current credit status. The Company wrote off $28,000 and increased its allowance by $178,000 during 2017; wrote off $108,000 in receivables and increased its allowance by $78,000 during 2016; and wrote-off $89,000 in receivables and decreased its allowance by $106,000 during 2015, based on such analysis.

Related Party Mortgage Loan Receivable

Management monitors and evaluates the secured loans compared to the expected performance, cash flow and value of the underlying real estate and has not experienced a loss on these loans to date.

Concentration of Credit Risks

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash investments, derivatives and accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash balances principally in two banks which the Company believes to be creditworthy. The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of the banks and believes that the risk of loss is minimal. Cash balances held with various financial institutions frequently exceed the insurance limit of $250,000 provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The derivatives that we have are from two interest rate swap agreements that are discussed in Note 6. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of our tenants and requires certain tenants to provide security deposits or letters of credit. Though these security deposits and letters of credit are insufficient to meet the total value of a tenant’s lease obligation, they are a measure of good faith and a source of funds to offset the economic costs associated with lost rent and the costs associated with re-tenanting the space. The Company has no single tenant which accounts for more than 10% of its annualized rent.

Financial Instruments

The Company estimates that the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses, accrued compensation, and tenant security deposits approximate their fair values based on their short-term maturity and the bank note and term loans payable approximate their fair values as they bear interest at variable interest rates.

Straight-line Rent Receivable

Certain leases provide for fixed rent increases over the term of the lease. Rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the related lease term; however, billings by the Company are based on the lease agreements. Straight-line rent receivable, which is the cumulative revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed by the Company, was $53,194,000 and $50,930,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based on its estimate of a tenant’s ability to make future rent payments. The computation of this allowance is based in part on the tenants’ payment history and current credit status. The reserve balance was not changed during 2017 or 2016 and the Company wrote off $112,000 in receivables during 2015, based on such analysis.

Deferred Leasing Commissions

Deferred leasing commissions represent direct and incremental external leasing costs incurred in the leasing of commercial space. These costs are capitalized and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related lease agreements. Amortization expense was approximately $6,919,000, $6,272,000 and $5,680,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The estimated annual amortization for the five years and thereafter following December 31, 2017 is as follows:


(in thousands)	December 31,
2018	$	7,655
2019		7,027
2020		6,148
2021		5,379
2022		4,112
2023 and thereafter		10,358

Common Share Repurchases

The Company recognizes the gross cost of the common shares it repurchases as a reduction in stockholders’ equity using the treasury stock method. Maryland law does not recognize a separate treasury stock account but provides that shares repurchased are classified as authorized but unissued shares. Accordingly, the Company reduces common stock for the par value and the excess of the purchase price over the par value is a reduction to additional paid-in capital.

Revenue Recognition

Rental Revenue - The Company has retained substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of the Company’s commercial properties and accounts for its leases as operating leases. Rental revenue includes income from leases, certain reimbursable expenses, straight-line rent adjustments and other income associated with renting the property. Rental income from leases, which includes rent concessions (including free rent and other lease inducements) and scheduled increases in rental rates during the lease term, is recognized on a straight-line basis. The Company does not have any significant percentage rent arrangements with its commercial property tenants. Reimbursable expenses are included in rental income in the period earned. A summary of rental revenue is shown in the following table:


	Year Ended
	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Income from leases	$	205,690	$	192,055	$	185,738
Reimbursable expenses		58,777		49,821		49,512
Straight-line rent adjustment		1,767		1,977		2,448
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases		1,031		496		158
	$	267,265	$	244,349	$	237,856

Rental Revenue


	Year Ended
	December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Income from leases	$	205,690	$	192,055	$	185,738
Reimbursable expenses		58,777		49,821		49,512
Straight-line rent adjustment		1,767		1,977		2,448
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases		1,031		496		158
	$	267,265	$	244,349	$	237,856

Related Party and Other Revenue

Related Party and Other Revenue - Property and asset management fees, interest income on loans and other income are recognized when the related services are performed and the earnings process is complete.

Segment Reporting

The Company is a REIT focused on real estate investments primarily in the office market and currently operates in only one segment: real estate operations.

Income Taxes

Taxes on income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 represent taxes incurred by FSP Protective TRS Corp, which is a taxable REIT subsidiary and the State of Texas franchise tax applicable to FSP Corp., which is classified as an income tax for reporting purposes.

Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue shares were exercised or converted into shares. There were no potential dilutive shares outstanding at December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015. The denominator used for calculating basic and diluted net income per share was 107,231,000, 102,843,000, and 100,187,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Derivative Instruments

The Company recognizes derivatives on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Derivatives that do not qualify, or are not designated as hedge relationships, must be adjusted to fair value through income. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Cash flow hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability. To the extent hedges are effective, a corresponding amount, adjusted for swap payments, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Amounts are then reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to the income statement in the period or periods the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Ineffectiveness, if any, is recorded in the income statement. The Company reviews the effectiveness of each hedging transaction, which involves estimating future cash flows, at least quarterly. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. The Company currently has no fair value hedges outstanding. Fair values of derivatives are subject to significant variability based on changes in interest rates and counterparty credit risk. The results of such variability could be a significant increase or decrease in our derivative assets, derivative liabilities, book equity, and/or earnings.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There is also an established fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which is typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity or information. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability including credit risk, which was not significant to the overall value. These inputs were considered and applied to the Company’s derivative, and Level 2 inputs were used to value the interest rate swap.

Subsequent Events

In preparing these consolidated financial statements the Company evaluated events that occurred through the date of issuance of these financial statements for potential recognition or disclosure.

Recent Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. A substantial portion of our revenue consists of rental income from leasing arrangements, which is specifically excluded from Topic 606. The Company plans to adopt Topic 606 using the modified retrospective approach effective January 1, 2018 and the adoption will not have an impact on the timing of revenue recognition in the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), (“ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to establish a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right of use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on their balance sheets. Lessees will continue to recognize lease expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current accounting. The guidance also eliminates current real estate-specific provisions for all entities. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. This new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods thereafter with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential changes from ASU 2016-02 to future financial reporting and disclosures. The Company expects the adoption of this standard in 2019 will increase our assets and liabilities by approximately $3 million for the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to an operating lease for office space; however, we do not expect it to have a material impact to our results of operations or liquidity.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires that entities use a new forward looking “expected loss” model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowance for credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses is based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently assessing the potential impact the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 will have in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”), which clarifies how reporting entities should present and classify certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We do note expect that the adoption of ASU 2016-15 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”), which clarifies how reporting entities should present restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Reporting entities will show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The new standard requires a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheets. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Upon the adoption of ASU No. 2016-18, we will reconcile both cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, whereas under the current guidance we explain the changes during the period for cash and cash equivalents only.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), which provides additional guidance on evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as an acquisition (or disposal) of assets of a business. The update defines three requirements for a set of assets and activities (collectively referred to as a “set”) to be considered a business: inputs, processes and outputs. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring within the period of adoption. Subsequent to adoption, we believe certain property acquisitions which under previous guidance would have been accounted for as business combinations will be accounted for as acquisitions of assets. In an acquisition of assets, certain acquisition costs are capitalized as opposed to expensed under business combination guidance.