REAL ESTATE PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Real Estate Property Acquisitions and Acquired Intangibles

REAL ESTATE PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES

Upon acquisition of real estate properties, EastGroup applies the principles of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations. Prior to the Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, effective October 1, 2016, acquisition-related costs were recognized as expenses in the periods in which the costs were incurred and the services were received.

As discussed in Note 18, beginning with acquisitions after October 1, 2016, the Company follows the guidance in ASU 2017-01, which provides a new framework for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under the new guidance, companies are required to utilize an initial screening test to determine whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set is not a business. EastGroup has determined that its real estate property acquisition in the first quarter of 2017 is considered to be an acquisition of a group of similar identifiable assets; therefore, the acquisition is not considered to be an acquisition of a business. As a result, the Company has capitalized acquisition costs related to its first quarter 2017 acquisition.

The FASB Codification provides guidance on how to properly determine the allocation of the purchase price among the individual components of both the tangible and intangible assets based on their respective fair values.  Goodwill for business combinations is recorded when the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired.  Factors considered by management in allocating the cost of the properties acquired include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases.  The allocation to tangible assets (land, building and improvements) is based upon management’s determination of the value of the property as if it were vacant using discounted cash flow models. The Company determines whether any financing assumed is above or below market based upon comparison to similar financing terms for similar properties.  The cost of the properties acquired may be adjusted based on indebtedness assumed from the seller that is determined to be above or below market rates.  

The purchase price is also allocated among the following categories of intangible assets:  the above or below market component of in-place leases, the value of in-place leases, and the value of customer relationships.  The value allocable to the above or below market component of an acquired in-place lease is determined based upon the present value (using a discount rate reflecting the risks associated with the acquired leases) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term, and (ii) management’s estimate of the amounts that would be paid using fair market rates over the remaining term of the lease.  The amounts allocated to above and below market leases are included in Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized to rental income over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The total amount of intangible assets is further allocated to in-place lease values and customer relationship values based upon management’s assessment of their respective values.  These intangible assets are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized over the remaining term of the existing lease, or the anticipated life of the customer relationship, as applicable.

Amortization expense for in-place lease intangibles was $1,121,000 and $1,111,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Amortization of above and below market leases increased rental income by $136,000 and $125,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, EastGroup acquired Shiloh 400 in Atlanta, Georgia, for $20,347,000 of which $18,712,000 was allocated to Real estate properties. EastGroup allocated $3,092,000 of the total purchase price to land using third party land valuations for the Atlanta market. The market values are considered to be Level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (see Note 16 for additional information on ASC 820). Intangibles associated with the purchase of real estate were allocated as follows: $1,801,000 to in-place lease intangibles and $2,000 to above market leases (both included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets), and $168,000 to below market leases (included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets).

During the year ended December 31, 2016, EastGroup acquired the following development-stage properties: Parc North in Fort Worth (Dallas), Weston Commerce Park in Weston (South Florida), and Jones Corporate Park in Las Vegas. At the time of acquisition, the properties were classified as under construction or in the lease-up phase of development. In addition, the Company acquired Flagler Center, a three-building business distribution complex in Jacksonville, Florida.

The properties purchased in 2016 were acquired for a total cost of $112,158,000, of which $22,228,000 was allocated to Real estate properties and $84,490,000 was allocated to Development. EastGroup allocated $29,164,000 of the total purchase price to land using third party land valuations for the Dallas, South Florida, Las Vegas and Jacksonville markets. The market values are considered to be Level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820. Intangibles associated with the purchase of real estate were allocated as follows: $5,941,000 to in-place lease intangibles and $393,000 to above market leases (included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets), and $894,000 to below market leases (included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets).

The intangible assets, including in-place lease intangibles, above market leases and below market leases, are amortized over the remaining lives of the associated leases in place at the time of acquisition.

The Company periodically reviews the recoverability of goodwill (at least annually) and the recoverability of other intangibles (on a quarterly basis) for possible impairment.  In management’s opinion, no impairment of goodwill or other intangibles existed at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.