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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation:

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include all the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and have not been audited by independent registered public accountants.

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods have been made. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents, for which cost approximates fair value, due to their short term maturities.

Restricted Cash:

Restricted cash is comprised of impound reserve accounts for property taxes, insurance, capital improvements and tenant improvements.

Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities:

Included in accounts payable and other liabilities are deferred rents in the amount of $4.1 million and $4.4 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Revenue Recognition:

The Company commences revenue recognition on its leases based on a number of factors. In most cases, revenue recognition under a lease begins when the lessee takes possession of or controls the physical use of the leased asset. Generally, this occurs on the lease commencement date. In determining what constitutes the leased asset, the Company evaluates whether the Company or the lessee is the owner, for accounting purposes, of the tenant improvements. If the Company is the owner, for accounting purposes, of the tenant improvements, then the leased asset is the finished space and revenue recognition begins when the lessee takes possession of the finished space, typically when the improvements are substantially complete. If the Company concludes that it is not the owner, for accounting purposes, of the tenant improvements (the lessee is the owner), then the leased asset is the unimproved space and any tenant improvement allowances funded under the lease are treated as lease incentives, which reduce revenue recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining non-cancelable term of the respective lease. In these circumstances, the Company begins revenue recognition when the lessee takes possession of the unimproved space for the lessee to construct improvements. The determination of who is the owner, for accounting purposes, of the tenant improvements is highly subjective and determines the nature of the leased asset and when revenue recognition under a lease begins. The Company considers a number of different factors to evaluate whether it or the lessee is the owner of the tenant improvements for accounting purposes. These factors include:

 

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whether the lease stipulates how and on what a tenant improvement allowance may be spent;

 

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whether the tenant or landlord retains legal title to the improvements;

 

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the uniqueness of the improvements;

 

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the expected economic life of the tenant improvements relative to the length of the lease;

 

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the responsible party for construction cost overruns; and

 

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who constructs or directs the construction of the improvements.

Minimum rental revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related lease. The difference between the amount of cash rent due in a year and the amount recorded as rental income is referred to as the “straight-line rent adjustment.” Rental income (net of write-offs for uncollectible amounts) was increased by $877,000 and $751,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to the straight-line rent adjustment. Percentage rent is recognized after tenant sales have exceeded defined thresholds (if applicable) and was $385,000 and $208,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Estimated recoveries from certain tenants for their pro rata share of real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses are recognized as revenues in the period the applicable expenses are incurred or as specified in the leases. Other tenants pay a fixed rate and these tenant recoveries are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases.

Property:

Costs incurred in connection with the development or construction of properties and improvements are capitalized. Capitalized costs include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development costs, construction costs, interest costs, real estate taxes and related costs and other direct costs incurred during the period of development. The Company capitalizes costs on land and buildings under development until construction is substantially complete and the property is held available for occupancy. The determination of when a development project is substantially complete and when capitalization must cease involves a degree of judgment. The Company considers a construction project as substantially complete and held available for occupancy upon the completion of landlord-owned tenant improvements or when the lessee takes possession of the unimproved space for construction of its own improvements, but no later than one year from cessation of major construction activity. The Company ceases capitalization on the portion substantially completed and occupied or held available for occupancy, and capitalizes only those costs associated with any remaining portion under construction. In March 2012, the Company reclassified the majority of construction in progress costs relating to two non-operating properties into the corresponding buildings, site improvements and tenant improvements financial statement line items upon substantial completion of development activities.

Maintenance and repairs expenses are charged to operations as incurred. Costs for major replacements and betterments, which include HVAC equipment, roofs, parking lots, etc., are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Gains and losses are recognized upon disposal or retirement of the related assets and are reflected in earnings.

Property is recorded at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets as follows:

 

  Building and improvements    15 to 40 years   
  Tenant improvements    Shorter of the useful lives or the terms
of the related leases
  

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed:

The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. This assessment considers expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand, competition and other economic factors. Such factors include the tenants’ ability to perform their duties and pay rent under the terms of the leases. The determination of recoverability is made based upon the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, excluding interest expense, expected to result from the long-lived asset’s use and eventual disposition. The Company’s evaluation as to whether impairment may exist, including estimates of future anticipated cash flows, are highly subjective and could differ materially from actual results in future periods. The amount of impairment loss, if any, is determined by comparing the fair value, as determined by a discounted cash flows analysis, with the carrying value of the related assets. Although the Company’s strategy is to hold its properties over a long-term period, if the strategy changes or market conditions dictate that the sale of properties at an earlier date would be preferable, a property may be classified as held for sale and an impairment loss may be recognized to reduce the property to the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. There was no impairment recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2013 or 2012.

 

Investments in Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies:

The Company evaluates its investments in limited liability companies and partnerships to determine whether such entities may be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and, if a VIE, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. Generally, an entity is determined to be a VIE when either (1) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by any parties or (2) as a group, the holders of the equity investment lack one or more of the essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both (1) the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company considers a variety of factors in identifying the entity that holds the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance including, but not limited to, the ability to direct financing, leasing, construction and other operating decisions and activities. In addition, the Company considers the form of ownership interest, voting interest, the size of the investment (including loans) and the rights of other investors to participate in policy making decisions, to replace or remove the manager and to liquidate or sell the entity. The obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits when a reporting entity is affiliated with a VIE must be based on ownership, contractual, and/or other pecuniary interests in that VIE.

If the foregoing conditions do not apply, the Company considers whether a general partner or managing member controls a limited partnership or limited liability company. The general partner in a limited partnership or managing member in a limited liability company is presumed to control that limited partnership or limited liability company. The presumption may be overcome if the limited partners or members have either (1) the substantive ability to dissolve the limited partnership or limited liability company or otherwise remove the general partner or managing member without cause or (2) substantive participating rights, which provide the limited partners or members with the ability to effectively participate in significant decisions that would be expected to be made in the ordinary course of the limited partnership’s or limited liability company’s business and thereby preclude the general partner or managing member from exercising unilateral control over the partnership or company. If these criteria are not met and the Company is the general partner or the managing member, as applicable, the consolidation of the partnership or limited liability company is required.

Investments that are not consolidated, over which the Company exercises significant influence but does not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. These investments are recorded initially at cost and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s portion of earnings or losses and for cash contributions and distributions. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s investment is reflected in the consolidated balance sheets and its share of net income or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Share-Based Payments:

All share-based payments to employees are recognized in earnings based on their fair value on the date of grant. Through March 31, 2013, the Company has awarded only restricted stock awards under its incentive award plan, which are based on shares of the Company’s common stock. The fair value of equity awards that include only service or performance vesting conditions is determined based on the closing market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of equity awards that include one or more market vesting conditions is determined based on the use of a widely accepted valuation model. The fair value of equity grants is amortized to general and administrative expense ratably over the requisite service period for awards that include only service vesting conditions and utilizing a graded vesting method (an accelerated vesting method in which the majority of compensation expense is recognized in earlier periods) for awards that include one or more market vesting conditions, adjusted for anticipated forfeitures.

Purchase Accounting:

The Company, with the assistance of independent valuation specialists, records the purchase price of acquired properties to tangible and identified intangible assets and liabilities based on their respective fair values. Tangible assets (building and land) are recorded based upon the Company’s determination of the value of the property as if it were vacant using discounted cash flow models similar to those used by independent appraisers. Factors considered include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods taking into account current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. The fair value of land is derived from comparable sales of land within the same submarket and/or region. The fair value of buildings and improvements, tenant improvements, site improvements and leasing costs are based upon current market replacement costs and other relevant market rate information. Additionally, the purchase price of the applicable property is recorded to the above- or below-market value of in-place leases, the value of in-place leases and above- or below-market value of debt assumed, as applicable.

 

The value recorded to the above- or below-market component of the acquired in-place leases is determined based upon the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the acquired leases) of the difference between: (1) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term, and (2) the Company’s estimate of the amounts that would be paid using fair market rates over the remaining term of the lease. The amounts recorded to above-market leases are included in lease intangible assets, net in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and amortized to rental income over the remaining non-cancelable lease term of the acquired leases with each property. The amounts recorded to below-market lease values are included in lease intangible liabilities, net in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and amortized to rental income over the remaining non-cancelable lease term plus any below-market fixed price renewal options of the acquired leases with each property.

The value recorded to above- or below-market debt is determined based upon the present value of the difference between the cash flow stream of the assumed mortgage and the cash flow stream of a market rate mortgage. The amounts recorded to above- or below-market debt are included in mortgage payables, net in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the assumed mortgage.

Tenant receivables:

Tenant receivables and deferred rent are carried net of the allowances for uncollectible current tenant receivables and deferred rent. An allowance is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of certain tenants to meet the contractual obligations under their lease agreements. The Company maintains an allowance for deferred rent receivable arising from the straight-lining of rents. Such allowances are charged to bad debt expense which is included in other operating expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company’s determination of the adequacy of these allowances is based primarily upon evaluations of historical loss experience, the tenant’s financial condition, security deposits, letters of credit, lease guarantees, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $877,000 and $719,000, respectively, in allowances for uncollectible accounts as determined to be necessary to reduce receivables to the estimate of the amount recoverable. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, $337,000 and $247,000, respectively, of receivables were charged to bad debt expense.

Non-controlling Interests:

Non-controlling interests represent the portion of equity that the Company does not own in those entities it consolidates, including OP units not held by the Company. In conjunction with the Company’s formation transactions, interests in four properties were contributed in exchange for 641,062 OP units. The Company issued 764,343 OP units in March 2011 in connection with the acquisition of the Edwards Theatres property. In addition, the Company issued 411,184 OP units in October 2012 in connection with the acquisition of the West Broad Village property.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, a total of 19,904 OP units related to the Edwards Theatres acquisition were tendered to the Company for redemption, resulting in the issuance of 22,074 shares of common stock. The OP units were redeemed for common stock on a one-to-one basis, with additional common stock provided as a result of the accompanying additional redemption obligation that guaranteed consideration equal to $14.00 per OP unit on the date of redemption. The remaining additional redemption obligation of $246,000 associated with the Edwards Theatres acquisition expired on March 11, 2013 and was reclassified and recognized as a gain in changes in fair value of financial instruments and gain on OP unit redemption (net of a loss of $16,000 on the OP unit redemption) on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. At March 31, 2013, 172,869 OP units related to the Edwards Theatres acquisition remained outstanding, which continue to be redeemable for cash or common stock on a one-for-one basis, at the Company’s option, as noted below.

OP units not held by the Company are reflected as non-controlling interests in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The OP units not held by the Company may be redeemed by the Company at the holder’s option for cash. The Company, at its option, may satisfy the redemption obligation with common stock on a one-for-one basis, which has been further evaluated to determine that permanent equity classification on the balance sheet is appropriate.

Concentration of Risk:

The Company maintains its cash accounts in a number of commercial banks. Accounts at these banks are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. At various times during the periods, the Company had deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limit.

In the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, no tenant accounted for more than 10% of revenues.

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s gross real estate assets in the states of California, Arizona and Virginia represented approximately 22.1%, 18.3% and 16.1% of the Company’s total assets, respectively. At December 31, 2012, the Company’s gross real estate assets in the states of Arizona, California and Virginia represented approximately 16.6%, 16.5% and 14.6% of the Company’s total assets, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company’s revenues derived from properties located in the states of California, Arizona, Virginia and Texas represented approximately 20.5%, 19.0%, 11.9% and 11.0% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company’s revenues derived from properties located in the states of California, Arizona, Texas and Alabama represented approximately 29.2%, 21.7%, 10.7% and 10.3% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively.

Management Estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

The Company measures financial instruments and other items at fair value where required under GAAP, but has elected not to measure any additional financial instruments and other items at fair value as permitted under fair value option accounting guidance.

Fair value measurement is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, there is a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices 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, foreign exchange rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. 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.

The Company has used interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk (see Note 11). The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives classified as cash flow hedges fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. However, as of March 31, 2013, the Company has determined that the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions is not significant. As a result, the Company has determined that its valuations related to derivatives classified as cash flow hedges in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 17).

Changes in the fair value of financial instruments (other than derivative instruments for which an effective hedging relationship exists and available-for-sale securities) are recorded as a charge against earnings in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which they occur. The Company estimates the fair value of financial instruments at least quarterly based on current facts and circumstances, projected cash flows, quoted market prices and other criteria (primarily utilizing Level 3 inputs). The Company may also utilize the services of independent third-party valuation experts to estimate the fair value of financial instruments, as necessary.

 

The Company’s investments in equity securities fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as the Company utilizes observable market-based inputs, based on the closing trading price of securities as of the balance sheet date, to determine the fair value of the investments.

Derivative Instruments:

The Company is exposed to certain risk arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, from time to time the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s investments and borrowings.

In addition, from time to time the Company may execute agreements in connection with business combinations that include embedded derivative instruments as part of the consideration provided to the sellers of the properties. Although these embedded derivative instruments are not intended as hedges of risks faced by the Company, they can provide additional consideration to the Company’s selling counterparties and may be a key component of negotiations.

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

The Company records all derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value. In determining the fair value of derivative instruments, the Company also considers the credit risk of its counterparties, which typically constitute larger financial institutions engaged in providing a wide variety of financial services. These financial institutions generally face similar risks regarding changes in market and economic conditions, including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, exchange rates, equity and commodity pricing and credit spreads.

Accounting for changes in the fair value of derivative instruments depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether it has been designated as a hedging instrument and whether the hedging relationship has continued to satisfy the criteria to apply hedge accounting. For derivative instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value is initially recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. The Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in the cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in the cash flows of the hedged item or transaction.

The Company formally documents the hedging relationship for all derivative instruments, has accounted for its interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges and does not utilize derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Revision to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company determined that a cash outflow related to a contingent consideration payment in the three months ended March 31, 2012 should have been reflected as a cash outflow from financing activities rather than operating activities within the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. The Company reviewed the impact of this correction with respect to the prior period condensed consolidated financial statements and determined that the correction was not material. However, the Company has revised the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of cash flows to reflect this correction in the prior period. The effect of the correction to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is an increase to cash flows provided by operating activities from an original balance of $7.6 million to a corrected balance of $9.2 million and a decrease to cash flows provided by financing activities from an original balance of $60.4 million to a corrected balance of $58.8 million (a total change of approximately $1.6 million). This correction had no effect on previously reported revenues, net loss, assets or equity.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (“ASU 2012-02”). The amendments in this update provide an entity with the option to make a qualitative assessment about the likelihood that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired to determine whether it should perform a quantitative impairment test. ASU 2012-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after September 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2012-02 on January 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). The amendments in this update require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the income statement or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by the net income line item. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 on January 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations.