Fair value measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

We are required to disclose fair value information about all financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. We measure and disclose the estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities utilizing a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions. This hierarchy consists of three broad levels, as follows: (i) quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, (ii) “significant other observable inputs,” and (iii) “significant unobservable inputs.” “Significant other observable inputs” can include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. “Significant unobservable inputs” are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, since there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances in which 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 of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our 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. There were no transfers between the levels in the fair value hierarchy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

The following tables set forth the assets and liabilities that we measure at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):



			September 30, 2014
Description	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Assets:
“Available-for-sale” securities	$	30,817	$	30,817	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swap agreements	$	958	$	—	$	958	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap agreements	$	1,245	$	—	$	1,245	$	—



			December 31, 2013
Description	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Assets:
“Available-for-sale” securities	$	4,469	$	4,469	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swap agreements	$	2,870	$	—	$	2,870	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap agreements	$	6,191	$	—	$	6,191	$	—

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, tenant receivables, other assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits approximate fair value. Our “available-for-sale” securities and our interest rate swap agreements, respectively, have been recognized at fair value. See Note 6 – Interest Rate Swap Agreements, for further details on our interest rate swap agreements. The fair values of our secured notes payable, unsecured senior notes payable, unsecured senior line of credit, and unsecured senior bank term loans were estimated using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analyses of “significant other observable inputs” such as available market information on discount and borrowing rates with similar terms, maturities, and credit ratings. Because the valuations of our financial instruments are based on these types of estimates, the actual fair value of our financial instruments may differ materially if our estimates do not prove to be accurate. Additionally, the use of different market assumptions or estimation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

As of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the book and fair values of our “available-for-sale” marketable equity securities, interest rate swap agreements, secured notes payable, unsecured senior notes payable, unsecured senior line of credit, and unsecured senior bank term loans were as follows (in thousands):



	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Book Value		Fair Value		Book Value		Fair Value
Assets:
“Available-for-sale” marketable equity securities	$	30,817	$	30,817	$	4,469	$	4,469
Interest rate swap agreements	$	958	$	958	$	2,870	$	2,870

Liabilities:
Interest rate swap agreements	$	1,245	$	1,245	$	6,191	$	6,191
Secured notes payable	$	636,825	$	686,388	$	708,831	$	736,772
Unsecured senior notes payable	$	1,747,290	$	1,775,990	$	1,048,230	$	1,043,125
Unsecured senior line of credit	$	142,000	$	141,881	$	204,000	$	193,714
Unsecured senior bank term loans	$	975,000	$	974,424	$	1,100,000	$	1,099,897

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References+ Details