Credit Facility (Credit Facility)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Credit Facility

Debt instrument

Credit Facility

7. Credit Facility

In May 2012, we entered into a new $1 billion unsecured acquisition credit facility, which replaced our $425 million acquisition credit facility that was scheduled to expire in March 2014. The initial term of the new credit facility expires in May 2016 and includes, at our option, a one-year extension option. Under this new credit facility, our current investment grade credit ratings provide for financing at the London Interbank Offered Rate, commonly referred to as LIBOR, plus 1.075% with a facility commitment fee of 0.175%, for all-in drawn pricing of 1.25% over LIBOR. The borrowing rate is not subject to an interest rate floor or ceiling. We also have other interest rate options available to us. Our credit facility is unsecured and, accordingly, we have not pledged any assets as collateral for this obligation.

As a result of entering into our new credit facility, we incurred credit facility origination costs of $7.1 million. At December 31, 2012, $5.9 million of the $7.1 million is included in other assets, net, on our consolidated balance sheet, along with $2.2 million incurred as a result of entering into our previous credit facilities.  These costs are being amortized over the remaining term of our current $1 billion credit facility.

At December 31, 2012, we had a borrowing capacity of $842 million available on our credit facility (subject to customary conditions to borrowing) and an outstanding balance of $158 million, as compared to an outstanding balance of $237.4 million at December 31, 2011.

The average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facilities was 1.6% during 2012, 2.1% during 2011, and was 1.3% during 2010. At December 31, 2012, the effective interest rate was 1.3%.  Our current and prior credit facilities are and were subject to various leverage and interest coverage ratio limitations.  At December 31, 2012, we remain in compliance with these covenants.