Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We have various assets and liabilities that are considered financial instruments. We estimate that the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values. We estimate the fair value of our interest and rent receivables using Level 2 inputs such as discounting the estimated future cash flows using the current rates at which similar receivables would be made to others with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. The fair value of our mortgage loans and working capital loans are estimated by using Level 2 inputs such as discounting the estimated future cash flows using the current rates which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. We determine the fair value of our senior unsecured notes using Level 2 inputs such as quotes from securities dealers and market makers. We estimate the fair value of our revolving credit facility and term loan using Level 2 inputs based on the present value of future payments, discounted at a rate which we consider appropriate for such debt.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, are subjective in nature, and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment. Settlement of such fair value amounts may not be possible and may not be a prudent management decision. The following table summarizes fair value estimates for our financial instruments (in thousands):

	As of						As of
	September 30, 2018						December 31, 2017
Asset (Liability)	Book Value			Fair Value			Book Value			Fair Value
Interest and rent receivables	$	87,939		$	87,067		$	78,970		$	78,028
Loans (1)		1,681,562			1,700,346			1,698,471			1,722,101
Debt, net		(4,043,849	)		(4,087,207	)		(4,898,667	)		(5,073,707	)

(1)

Excludes loans related to Ernest since they are recorded at fair value and discussed below.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Our equity interest in Ernest along with their related loans are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as we elected to account for these investments using the fair value option method. We have elected to account for these investments at fair value due to the size of the investments and because we believe this method is more reflective of current values. We have not made a similar election for other currently existing equity interests or loans.

At September 30, 2018, these amounts were as follows (in thousands):

Asset Type	Fair Value		Original Cost		Asset Type Classification
Mortgage loans	$	115,000	$	115,000	Mortgage loans
Equity investment and other loans		108,373		117,260	Other loans/other assets
	$	223,373	$	232,260

Our equity investment and other loans with Ernest are recorded at fair value using a Level 1 input based on the proceeds of the October 4, 2018 transaction in which such equity investment was sold and such loans were repaid, as more fully described in Note 10 to this Form 10-Q. Our mortgage loans are recorded at fair value based on Level 2 inputs by discounting the estimated future cash flows using the market rates which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and the same remaining maturities. Because the fair value of the Ernest investments noted above is below our original cost, we recognized an unrealized loss during the nine months of 2018. No unrealized gain/loss on the Ernest investments was recorded in the first nine months of 2017.

- 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.

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