Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

10. 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. Included in our accounts payable and accrued expenses are our interest rate swaps, which are recorded at fair value based on Level 2 observable market assumptions using standardized derivative pricing models. We estimate the fair value of our interest and rent receivables in the table below 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 in the following table is generally estimated by using Level 2 and Level 3 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 exchangeable notes and 2011 and 2012 Senior Unsecured Notes in the table below, using Level 2 inputs such as quotes from securities dealers and market makers. Finally, we estimate the fair value of our 2006 Senior Unsecured Notes, revolving credit facilities, and term loans in the table below 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):

	December 31, 2012						December 31, 2011
Asset (Liability)	Book Value			Fair Value			Book Value			Fair Value
Interest and rent receivables	$	45,289		$	36,700		$	29,862			$22,866
Loans(1)		334,693			335,595			239,839			243,272
Debt, net		(1,025,160	)		(1,082,333	)		(689,849	)		(688,032	)

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

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

As discussed in Note 2, our equity interest in Ernest and related loans, which were acquired in 2012, are being measured at fair value on a recurring basis as we elected to account for these investments using the fair value option method. At December 31, 2012, these amounts were as follows (in thousands):

Asset (Liability)	Fair Value		Cost		Asset Type Classification
Mortgage loans	$	100,000	$	100,000	Mortgage loans
Acquisition loan		93,200		93,200	Other loans
Equity investments		3,300		3,300	Other assets
	$	196,500	$	196,500

Our mortgage loans with Ernest are recorded at fair value based on Level 3 inputs by discounting the estimated cash flows using the current rates which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and the same remaining maturities. Our acquisition loan and equity investments are recorded at fair value based on Level 3 inputs, by using a discounted cash flow model, which requires significant estimates of our investee such as projected revenue and expenses and appropriate discount rates based on the risk profile of comparable companies. We classify these loans and equity investments as Level 3, as we use certain unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the fair value measurement, and the valuation requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices. For these cash flow models, our observable inputs include capitalization rates and market interest rates, and our unobservable input includes our adjustment for a marketability discount on our equity investment of 40% at December 31, 2012.

Because the fair value of Ernest investments noted above approximate their original cost, we did not recognize any unrealized gains/losses during 2012.