Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Carrying Value and Classification of Related Assets and Maximum Exposure to Loss

The carrying value and classification of the related assets and maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with these VIEs are presented below at December 31, 2014 (in thousands):


VIE Type	Maximum Loss Exposure(1)		Asset Type Classification	Carrying Amount(2)
Loans, net		$257,208	Mortgage and other loans	$	207,617
Equity investments		$ 53,542	Other assets	$	5,490

(1)

Our maximum loss exposure related to loans with VIEs represents our current aggregate gross carrying value of the loan plus accrued interest and any other related assets (such as rents receivable), less any liabilities. Our maximum loss exposure related to our equity investment in VIEs represent the current carrying values of such investment plus any other related assets (such as rent receivables) less any liabilities.

(2)	Carrying amount reflects the net book value of our loan or equity interest only in the VIE.

Weighted Average Useful Lives of Related Real Estate and Other Assets

Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method over the useful lives of the related real estate and other assets. Our weighted-average useful lives at December 31, 2014 are as follows:


Buildings and improvements			37.9 years
Tenant lease intangibles			17.9 years
Leasehold improvements			22.3 years
Furniture, equipment and other			6.5 years

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest (as defined) held by the entity requires the variable interest entity (VIE) (as defined) to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the VIE, individually or in aggregate (as applicable); the nature of restrictions, if any, on the consolidated VIE's assets and on the settlement of its liabilities reported by an entity in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities; the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with involvement in the VIE; how involvement with the VIE affects the entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; the lack of recourse if creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary (if applicable); the terms of arrangements, giving consideration to both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, if any, that could require the entity to provide financial support to the VIE, including events or circumstances that could expose the entity to a loss; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance are shared (as defined); the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities of the VIE included in the statement of financial position; the entity's maximum exposure to loss, if any, as a result of its involvement with the VIE, including how the maximum exposure is determined and significant sources of the entity's exposure to the VIE; a comparison of the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities and the entity's maximum exposure to loss; information about any liquidity arrangements, guarantees, and (or) other commitments by third parties that may affect the fair value or risk of the entity's variable interest in the VIE; whether or not the entity has provided financial support or other support (explicitly or implicitly) to the VIE that it was not previously contractually required to provide or whether the entity intends to provide that support, including the type and amount of the support and the primary reasons for providing the support; and supplemental information the entity determines necessary to provide.

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