SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the instructions to Form 10-K and include the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, consolidated variable interest entities and the unconsolidated investments in real estate affiliates accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We consider the authoritative guidance of accounting for investments in common stock, investments in real estate ventures, investors accounting for an investee when the investor has the majority of the voting interest but the minority partners have certain approval or veto rights, determining whether a general partner or general partners as a group controls a limited partnership or similar entity when the limited partners have certain rights, and the consolidation of variable interest entities in which we own less than a 100% interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Parenthetical disclosures are shown on our Consolidated Balance Sheets regarding the amounts of variable interest entities' ("VIE") assets and liabilities that are consolidated. Our VIEs include The District at Howell Mill, Cabana Beach San Marcos, Cabana Beach Gainesville, The Lodge of Athens, Campus Lodge Columbia, The Edge at Lafayette, and Campus Lodge Tampa as we maintain control over significant decisions, which began at the time of acquisition of the properties. The creditors of our VIEs do not have general recourse to us.

Noncontrolling interests represent the minority members’ proportionate share of the equity in our VIEs. At acquisition, the assets, liabilities and non-controlling interests were measured and recorded at the estimated fair value. Noncontrolling interests will increase for the minority members’ share of net income of these entities and contributions and decrease for the minority members’ share of net loss and distributions. As of December 31, 2012, noncontrolling interests represented the minority members’ proportionate share of the equity of the entities listed above.

Certain of the Company’s joint venture agreements include provisions whereby, at certain specified times, each party has the right to initiate a purchase or sale of its interest in the joint ventures at an agreed upon fair value. Under these provisions, we are not obligated to purchase the interest of its outside joint venture partners.

Investments in Real Estate

Real estate assets are stated at cost. Our real estate assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. A real estate asset is considered to be impaired when the estimated future undiscounted operating cash flow over the expected hold period is less than its carrying value in accordance with the authoritative guidance on accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. To the extent impairment has occurred, the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value will be charged to operations. The valuation adjustments were calculated based on market conditions and assumptions made by management at the time the valuation adjustments were recorded, which may differ materially from actual results if market conditions or the underlying assumptions change in the future. When we intend on selling properties and have the necessary approvals and marketing in place, the assets selected for disposal will be classified as held-for-sale and carried at the lower of their carrying values (i.e., cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment loss recognized, where applicable) or estimated fair values less costs to sell. Carrying values are reassessed at each balance sheet date. Due to market fluctuation, actual proceeds realized on the ultimate sale of these properties may differ from estimates and such differences could be material. Depreciation and amortization cease once a property is classified as held-for-sale. We recorded net impairment charges on consolidated real estate properties for years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 totaling $913, $14,934 and $25,639, respectively, including amounts reflected in discontinued operations.

Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method based upon the following estimated useful lives:



Asset Category		Estimated Useful Life
Buildings and improvements		40-50 Years
Tenant improvements		Life of related lease
Equipment and fixtures		2-10 Years

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred. Expenditures for significant betterments and improvements are capitalized.

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Affiliates

We account for our investments in unconsolidated real estate affiliates using the equity method whereby the costs of the investments are adjusted for our share of equity in net income or loss from the date of acquisition and reduced by distributions received and increased by contributions provided. The limited liability company agreements (“the Agreements”) with respect to the unconsolidated real estate affiliates provide that elements of assets, liabilities and funding obligations are shared in accordance with our ownership percentage. In addition, we share in the profits and losses, cash flows, distributions and other matters relating to our unconsolidated real estate affiliates in accordance with the Agreements.

To the extent that our cost basis is different than the basis reflected at the joint venture level, the basis difference is amortized over the life of the related assets and liabilities included in our share of equity in income (loss) of the unconsolidated affiliates.

We evaluate the carrying value of its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in accordance with the authoritative guidance on the equity method of accounting for investments in common stock. We analyze our investments in unconsolidated real estate affiliates when circumstances change and at every reporting period and determine if an “other-than-temporary” impairment exists and, if so, we assess our ability to recover our carrying cost of the investment. We concluded that we did not have any “other than temporary” impairments in our investments in unconsolidated real estate affiliates in 2012 , 2011 or 2010.

Revenue Recognition

Minimum rent revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Straight-line rent revenue (representing rents recognized prior to being billed and collectible as provided by the terms of the leases) caused net increases to rent revenue of $403 and $101 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and a net decrease to rent revenue $751 for the year ended December 31, 2010. Also included, as an increase to rent revenue, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, are $882, $2,396 and $1,783, respectively, of net amortization related to above-and below-market in-place leases at properties acquired as provided by authoritative guidance on goodwill and intangible assets. Tenant recoveries are recognized as revenues in the period the applicable costs are incurred.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided against the portion of accounts receivable and deferred rent receivable that is estimated to be uncollectible. Such allowance is reviewed periodically based upon our recovery experience. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, our allowance for doubtful accounts was $570 and $731, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly-liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We maintain a portion of our cash in bank deposit accounts, which, at times, may exceed the federally insured limits. No losses have been experienced related to such accounts. We believe our bank deposit accounts are held with quality financial institutions.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes amounts established pursuant to various agreements for loan escrow accounts and loan commitments.

Deferred Expenses

Deferred expenses consist of debt issuance costs and lease commissions. Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized over the terms of the respective agreements as a component of interest expense. Lease commissions are capitalized and amortized over the term of the related lease as a component of depreciation and amortization expense. Accumulated amortization of deferred expenses at December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $4,013 and $4,022, respectively.

Foreign Exchange

We utilize the U.S. dollar as our functional currency, except for our Canadian operations, which use the Canadian dollar as the functional currency. When preparing consolidated financial statements, assets and liabilities of foreign entities are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date, while income and expense items are translated at average rates for the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Acquisitions

We use estimates of future cash flows and other valuation techniques to allocate the fair value of acquired property among land, building and other identifiable asset and liability intangibles. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred. We record land and building values using an as-if-vacant methodology. We record above- and below-market in-place lease values for acquired properties based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) our estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease plus any below-market lease extension option periods. We amortize the capitalized above-market lease values as a reduction of minimum rents over the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective leases. We amortize the capitalized below-market lease values as an increase to minimum rents over the term of the respective leases plus any below-market lease extension option terms. Should a tenant terminate its lease prior to the contractual expiration, the unamortized portion of the above-market and below-market in-place lease value is immediately charged to minimum rents.

We measure the aggregate value of other intangible assets acquired based on the difference between (i) the property valued with existing in-place leases and (ii) the property valued as-if-vacant. Our estimates of value are made using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers, primarily discounted cash flow analyses. Factors considered by us in our analysis include an estimate of carrying costs during the hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions at the date of acquisition, and costs to execute similar leases. We also consider information obtained about each property as a result of the pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired. In estimating carrying costs, we will include estimates of lost rentals during the expected lease-up periods, which is expected to primarily range from one to two years, depending on specific local market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases, including leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses to the extent that such costs are not already incurred in connection with a new lease origination as part of the transaction.

The total amount of other intangible assets acquired is further allocated to in-place lease values and customer relationship intangible values based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and our overall relationship with that respective tenant. Characteristics considered by us in allocating these values include, among other factors, the nature and extent of our existing business relationships with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality and expectations of lease renewals (including those existing under the terms of the lease agreement). As of December 31, 2012, we have allocated no value to customer relationship value. We amortize the value of in-place leases to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases, which generally range from one to 29 years.

Purchase price has been allocated to acquired intangible assets, which include acquired in-place lease intangibles, acquired above-market in-place lease intangibles and acquired ground lease intangibles, which are reported net of accumulated amortization of $26,515 and $34,100 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The acquired intangible liabilities represent acquired below-market in-place leases, which are reported net of accumulated amortization of $5,465 and $5,685 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our amortizing intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. According to authoritative guidance, an amortizing intangible asset is considered to be impaired when the estimated future undiscounted operating cash flow is less than its carrying value. To the extent impairment has occurred, the excess of the carrying value of the amortizing intangible asset over its estimated fair value will be charged to operations.

Future amortization related to amortizing acquired intangible assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 is as follows:



	Acquired in-place leases		Acquired above-market leases		Below- market ground leases		Acquired below-market leases
2013	$	8,047	$	451	$	146	$	(2,605	)
2014	7,491		357		146		(2,083		)
2015	7,242		287		146		(1,611		)
2016	2,999		145		146		(1,366		)
2017	1,573		76		146		(730		)
Thereafter	2,853		25		8,849		(1,685		)
	$	30,205	$	1,341	$	9,579	$	(10,080	)

Income Taxes

We made the election to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) as of December 23, 2004. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including requirements to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains, and to meet certain quarterly asset and annual income tests. It is our current intention to adhere to these requirements. As a REIT, we will generally not be subject to corporate-level federal income tax to the extent we distribute 100% of our taxable income to our stockholders. Accordingly, the consolidated statements of operations do not reflect a provision for income taxes. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years. Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local taxes on our income or property, and to certain federal income and excise taxes.

Earnings and profits, which determine the tax ability of dividends to stockholders, differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due to differences for federal income tax reporting purposes in computing, among other things, estimated useful lives, depreciable basis of properties and permanent and timing differences on the inclusion or deductibility of elements of income and expense for such purposes.

Business Segments

As a result of the Offering, which commenced on October 1, 2012, we expect that we will raise significant capital, acquire new real estate investments and further diversify our portfolio. We have revised our internal operations reporting to align along our four primary property types we are targeting for investments. Going forward we will have four operating segments: office properties, retail properties, industrial properties and apartment properties.

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, we held one investment outside the United States. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, total revenues of this foreign investment were $3,874, $4,462 and $4,274, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, total revenues of U.S. domiciled investments were $78,407, $92,889 and $93,068, respectively. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, total assets of our foreign investment were $40,917 and $39,663, respectively. The change in total assets from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2012 at our foreign investment was mainly a result of tenant improvements and lease commissions incurred as well as the change in foreign currency rate on those dates. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, total assets of U.S domiciled investments were $801,117 and $795,247, respectively.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) guidance for fair value measurement and disclosure states that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering assumptions, authoritative guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:


•	Level 1—Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which the Company has access at the date of measurement.

•

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or instances where prices vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers.


•	Level 3—Model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.

The authoritative guidance requires the disclosure of the fair value of our financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The guidance does not apply to all balance sheet items. Market information as available or present value techniques have been utilized to estimate the amounts required to be disclosed. Since such amounts are estimates, there can be no assurance that the disclosed value of any financial instrument could be realized by immediate settlement of the instrument. We have estimated the fair value of our mortgage notes payable reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at amounts that are based upon an interpretation of available market information and valuation methodologies (including discounted cash flow analysis with regard to fixed rate debt) for similar loans made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same maturities. The fair value of our mortgage notes payable using level two inputs was approximately $17,136 higher and $2,224 lower than the aggregate carrying amounts at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Such fair value estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized upon disposition of our mortgage notes payable.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. For example, significant estimates and assumptions have been made with respect to useful lives of assets, recoverable amounts of receivables, initial valuations and related amortization periods of deferred costs and intangibles, particularly with respect to property acquisitions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.