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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy

Assets representing rights to receive money on demand or at fixed or determinable dates are referred to as finance receivables. Our finance receivable portfolios consist of our Net investments in direct financing leases and Notes receivable. Operating leases are not included in finance receivables as such amounts are not recognized as an asset in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy

Under current authoritative accounting guidance for fair value measurements, the fair value of an asset is defined as the exit price, which is the amount that would either be received when an asset is sold or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers are: Level 1, for which quoted market prices for identical instruments are available in active markets, such as money market funds, equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities; Level 2, for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the instrument, such as certain derivative instruments including an interest rate cap and swaps; and Level 3, for securities and other derivative assets that do not fall into Level 1 or Level 2 and for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring us to develop our own assumptions.

 

Income Tax, Policy

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code. We believe we have operated, and we intend to continue to operate, in a manner that allows us to continue to qualify as a REIT. Under the REIT operating structure, we are permitted to deduct distributions paid to our stockholders and generally will not be required to pay U.S. federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. federal income taxes in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Discontinued Operations, Policy

From time to time, tenants may vacate space due to lease buy-outs, elections not to renew their leases, insolvency or lease rejection in the bankruptcy process. In these cases, we assess whether we can obtain the highest value from the property by re-leasing or selling it. In addition, in certain cases, we may try to sell a property that is occupied. When it is appropriate to do so under current authoritative accounting guidance for the disposal of long-lived assets, we classify the property as an asset held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet and the current and prior period results of operations of the property are reclassified as discontinued operations.