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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Method

The Company will recognize the upfront non-refundable payments over the estimated customer life which, based on historical attrition rates, the Company has estimated to be from one to 31 years.

Basis of Consolidation

The Company consolidates its majority-owned subsidiaries in which it has the ability to control the operations of the subsidiaries and all variable interest entities with respect to which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company also consolidates entities in which it has a controlling direct or indirect voting interest. All inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For business combinations the purchase price of Properties is accounted for in accordance with the Codification Topic “Business Combinations” (“FASB ASC 805”).

The Company has applied the Codification Sub-Topic “Variable Interest Entities” (“FASB ASC 810-10-15”). The objective of FASB ASC 810-10-15 is to provide guidance on how to identify a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and determine when the assets, liabilities, non-controlling interests, and results of operations of a VIE need to be included in a company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company has also applied the Codification Sub-Topic “Control of Partnerships and Similar Entities” (“FASB ASC 810-20”), which determines whether a general partner or the general partners as a group controls a limited partnership or similar entity and therefore should consolidate the entity. The Codification Sub-Topic ASC 810-10-15 adopted amendments to the variable interest consolidation model described above. The requirement to consolidate a VIE as revised in this amendment is based on the qualitative analysis considerations for primary beneficiary determination which requires a company consolidate an entity determined to be a VIE if it has both of the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the principal activities of the entity and (2) the obligation to absorb the expected losses or the right to receive the residual returns that could be significant to the entity. The Company applies FASB ASC 810-10-15 and FASB ASC 810-20 to all types of entity ownership (general and limited partnerships and corporate interests).

The Company applies the equity method of accounting to entities in which the Company does not have a controlling direct or indirect voting interest or for variable interest entities where it is not considered the primary beneficiary, but can exercise influence over the entity with respect to its operations and major decisions. The cost method is applied when (i) the investment is minimal (typically less than 5%) and (ii) the Company’s investment is passive.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 these estimates. All property, site counts and acreage amounts are unaudited.

Markets

The Company has two reportable segments which are: (i) Property Operations and (ii) Home Sales and Rental Operations segments. The Property Operations segment owns and operates land lease Properties and the Home Sales and Rental Operations segment purchases, sells and leases homes at the Properties. The distribution of the Properties throughout the United States reflects the Company’s belief that geographic diversification helps insulate the portfolio from regional economic influences. The Company intends to target new acquisitions in or near markets where the Properties are located and will also consider acquisitions of Properties outside such markets.

Real Estate

In accordance with FASB ASC 805, the Company recognizes all the assets acquired and all the liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition-date fair value. The Company also expenses transaction costs as they are incurred. Certain purchase price adjustments may be made within one year following any acquisition and applied retroactively to the date of acquisition.

In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, the Company utilizes a number of sources, including independent appraisals or valuations that may be available in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective Property and other market data. The Company also considers information obtained about each Property as a result of its due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Real estate is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company generally uses a 30-year estimated life for buildings and structural and land improvements acquired (including site development), a ten-year estimated life for building upgrades, a five-year estimated life for furniture, fixtures and equipment and a one-year life for acquired in-place leases. New rental units are generally depreciated using a 20-year estimated life from each model year down to a salvage value of 40% of the original costs. Used rental units are generally depreciated based on the estimated life of the unit with no estimated salvage value.

Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are expensed to operations as incurred and significant renovations and improvements that improve the asset and extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized over their estimated useful life.

The values of above-and below-market leases are amortized and recorded as either an increase (in the case of below-market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above-market leases) to rental income over the remaining term of the applicable lease. The value associated with in-place leases is amortized over the expected term, which includes an estimated probability of lease renewal.

In accordance with the Codification Sub-Topic “Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets” (“FASB ASC 360-10-35”), the Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets to be held and used, including its investments in real estate, for impairment indicators. The Company’s judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions and legal factors. Future events could occur which would cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and an impairment loss is warranted.

For long-lived assets to be held and used, if an impairment indicator exists, the Company compares the expected future undiscounted cash flows against the carrying amount of that asset. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, the Company would record an impairment loss for the carrying amount in excess of the estimated fair value, if any, of the asset.

For Properties to be disposed of, an impairment loss is recognized when the fair value of the Property, less the estimated cost to sell, is less than the carrying amount of the Property measured at the time the Company has made the decision to dispose of the Property, has a commitment to sell the Property and/or is actively marketing the Property for sale. A Property to be disposed of is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or its estimated fair value, less costs to sell. Subsequent to the date that a Property is held for disposition, depreciation expense is not recorded. The Company accounts for its Properties held for disposition in accordance with FASB ASC 360-10-35. Accordingly, the results of operations for all assets sold or held for sale are classified as discontinued operations in all periods presented, as applicable.

Identified Intangibles and Goodwill

The Company records acquired intangible assets at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill. The Company amortizes identified intangible assets and liabilities that are determined to have finite lives over the period the assets and liabilities are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the property or business acquired. In accordance with FASB ASC 360-10-35, intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value.

The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. In accordance with Codification Topic “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FASB ASC 350”), goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying amounts of identified intangible assets and goodwill, a component of “Escrow deposits and other assets” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, were approximately $12.1 million. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, this amount was comprised of approximately $4.3 million of identified intangible assets and approximately $7.8 million of goodwill. Accumulated amortization of identified intangible assets was approximately $1.4 million and $1.2 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, amortization expense for the identified intangible assets was approximately $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, amortization expense for identified intangible assets was approximately $0.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Estimated amortization of identified intangible assets for each of the next five years are as follows (amounts in thousands):



Year ending December 31,	Amount
2013	$	349
2014	$	349
2015	$	349
2016	$	251
2017	$	87

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all demand and money market accounts and certificates of deposit with a maturity date, when purchased, of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 include approximately $4.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively, of restricted cash. Cash is generally restricted for risk and insurance purposes.

Notes Receivable

Notes receivable generally are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances net of any deferred fees or costs on originated loans, unamortized discounts or premiums, and an allowance. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Discounts or premiums are amortized to income using the interest method. In certain cases, the Company finances the sales of homes to its customers (referred to as “Chattel Loans”) which loans are secured by the homes. The valuation of an allowance for doubtful accounts for the Chattel Loans is calculated based on delinquency trends, average annual default rates, loss rates and the current estimated market value of the underlying manufactured home collateral.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased Chattel Loans that were recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition under the Codification Topic “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality” (“FASB ASC 310-30”). (See Note 19 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the 2011 Form 10-K for a detailed description of our recent Acquisition (as defined herein).) The fair value of these Chattel Loans includes an estimate of losses that are expected to be incurred over the estimated remaining lives of the receivables, and therefore no allowance for losses was recorded for these Chattel Loans as of the transaction date. The fair value is estimated based on a number of factors including customer

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

delinquency status, FICO scores, the original down payment amount and below-market stated interest rates. Through September 30, 2012, the short-term historical performance of these loans has indicated a default rate and a recovery rate which are slightly higher than originally estimated. Management regularly reviews these assumptions and may adjust its estimates as needed as more information becomes available. A probable decrease in management’s expectation of future cash collections related to these Chattel Loans could result in the need to record an allowance for credit losses in the future. Due to the size of the Chattel Loan pool and maturity dates ranging up to 29 years , future credit losses or changes to interest income could be significant.

The Company also provides financing for nonrefundable up-front payments on sales of new or upgrades of right-to-use contracts (“Contracts Receivable”). Based upon historical collection rates and current economic trends, when an up-front payment is financed, a reserve is established for a portion of the Contracts Receivable balance estimated to be uncollectible. The reserve and the rate at which the Company provides for losses on its Contracts Receivable could be increased or decreased in the future based on its actual collection experience. (See Note 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q.)

Certain of the Company’s Contracts Receivable were recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition under the FASB ASC 310-30. The fair value of these Contracts Receivable included an estimate of losses that were expected to be incurred over the estimated lives of these Contracts Receivable, and therefore no allowance for losses was recorded for these Contracts Receivable as of the transaction date. Through September 30, 2012, the credit performance of these Contracts Receivable has been better than the assumptions used in determining its initial fair value, and the Company regularly updates its expectations regarding the amounts and timing of future cash flows.

Financial instruments that potentially could subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of notes receivable. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes receivable are limited due to the size of the receivable and geographic diversity of the underlying Properties.

Investments in Joint Ventures

Investments in joint ventures in which the Company does not have a controlling direct or indirect voting interest, but can exercise significant influence over the entity with respect to its operations and major decisions, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting whereby the cost of an investment is adjusted for the Company’s share of the equity in net income or loss from the date of acquisition and reduced by distributions received. The income or loss of each entity is allocated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable operating agreements. The allocation provisions in these agreements may differ from the ownership interests held by each investor. (See Note 5 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q.)

Insurance Claims

The Properties are covered against losses caused by various events including fire, flood, property damage, earthquake, windstorm and business interruption by insurance policies containing various deductible requirements and coverage limits. Recoverable costs are classified in other assets as incurred. Insurance proceeds are applied against the asset when received. Recoverable costs relating to capital items are treated in accordance with the Company’s capitalization policy. The book value of the original capital item is written off once the value of the impaired asset has been determined. Insurance proceeds relating to the capital costs are recorded as income in the period they are received.

Approximately 70 Florida Properties suffered damage from five hurricanes that struck the state during 2004 and 2005. The Company estimates its total claim to be approximately $21.0 million and has made claims for full recovery of these amounts, subject to deductibles. On June 22, 2007, the Company filed a lawsuit related to some of the unpaid claims against certain insurance carriers and its insurance broker. (See Note 12 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for further discussion of this lawsuit.) The Company has received proceeds from insurance carriers of approximately $14.7 million through September 30, 2012. The proceeds were accounted for in accordance with the Codification Topic “Contingencies” (“FASB ASC 450”).

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Codification Topic “Derivatives and Hedging” (“FASB ASC 815”) provides the disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging activities with the intent to provide users of financial statements an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how the entity accounts for derivative instruments and related hedged items, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Further,

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

qualitative disclosures are required that explain the Company’s objectives and strategies for using derivatives, as well as quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments.

As required by FASB ASC 815, the Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The Company’s objective in utilizing interest rate derivatives is to add stability to its 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 effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in accumulated other comprehensive loss and is subsequently reclassified into earnings on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative will be recognized directly in earnings. (See Note 8 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q.)

The Company has made the election to use the exception in Codification Topic “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“FASB ASC 820”) with respect to measuring counterparty credit risk for derivative instruments, consistent with the guidance in FASB ASC 820. The Company recognizes that key market participants take into account the existence of each arrangement that mitigate credit risk exposure in the event of default (i.e., master netting arrangements with counterparty). As such, the Company formally elects to apply the portfolio exception in FASB ASC 820 with respect to measuring counterparty credit risk for all of its derivative transactions subject to master netting arrangements. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses, interest rate swaps and mortgage notes payable.

Codification Topic “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“FASB ASC 820”) establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company’s mortgage notes payable, a fair value of approximately $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, were measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar liabilities (Level 2). At September 30, 2012, the Company’s cash flow hedge of interest rate risk included in accrued payroll and other operating expenses, was measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar assets and liabilities (Level 2). The Company considers its own credit risk as well as the credit risk of its counterparties when evaluating the fair value of its derivative. Any adjustments resulting from credit risk are recorded as a change in fair value of derivative and amortization in the current period Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The fair values of the Company’s remaining financial instruments approximate their carrying or contract values.

Deferred Financing Costs, net

Deferred financing costs, net include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. The costs are being amortized over the terms of the respective loans on a basis that approximates level yield. Unamortized deferred financing fees are written-off when debt is retired before the maturity date. Upon amendment of the line of credit or refinancing of mortgage debt, unamortized deferred financing fees are accounted for in accordance with, Codification Sub-Topic “Modifications and Extinguishments” (“FASB ASC 470-50-40”). Accumulated amortization for such costs was $19.2 million and $15.1 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

The Company accounts for leases with its customers as operating leases. Rental income is recognized over the term of the respective lease or the length of a customer’s stay, the majority of which are for a term of not greater than one year. The Company will reserve for receivables when it believes the ultimate collection is less than probable. The Company’s allowance for uncollectible rents receivable was approximately $4.9 million and $4.4 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The Company accounts for the entry of right-to-use contracts in accordance with the Codification Topic “Revenue Recognition” (“FASB ASC 605”). A right-to-use contract gives the customer the right to a set schedule of usage at a specified group of Properties. Customers may choose to upgrade their contracts to increase their usage and the number of Properties they may access. A contract requires the customer to make annual payments during the term of the contract and may require an upfront nonrefundable payment. The stated term of a right-to-use contract is at least one year and the customer may renew his contract by continuing to make the annual payments. The Company will recognize the upfront non-refundable payments over the estimated customer life which, based on historical attrition rates, the Company has estimated to be from one to 31 years. For example, the Company has currently estimated that 7.9% of customers who enter a new right-to-use contract will terminate their contract after five years. Therefore, the upfront nonrefundable payments from 7.9% of the contracts entered in any particular period are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of five years as five years is the estimated customer life for 7.9% of the Company’s customers who enter a contract. The historical attrition rates for upgrade contracts are lower than for new contracts, and therefore, the nonrefundable upfront payments for upgrade contracts are amortized at a different rate than for new contracts. The decision to recognize this revenue in accordance with FASB ASC 605 was made after corresponding during September and October 2008 with the Office of the Chief Accountant at the SEC.

Right-to-use annual payments by customers under the terms of the right-to-use contracts are deferred and recognized ratably over the one year period in which access to sites at certain Properties are provided.

Income from home sales is recognized when the earnings process is complete. The earnings process is complete when the home has been delivered, the purchaser has accepted the home and title has transferred.

Preferred Stock

The Company accounts for the Preferred Stock in accordance with the Codification Topic “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity – SEC Materials” (“FASB ASC 480-10-S99”). Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have certain preference rights with respect to the common stock. Based on the Company’s analysis, for the year ended December 31, 2011, the Series A Preferred Stock had been classified as redeemable interests outside of permanent equity in the mezzanine section of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of certain registration requirements or other terms. On May 8, 2012, the ability to issue shares upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock was approved by the Company’s common stockholders. As a result, at September 30, 2012, the Series A Preferred Stock has been classified as redeemable interests inside of permanent equity on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

On March 4, 2011, the Company, on behalf of selling stockholders, closed on a public offering of 8,000,000 shares of 8.034% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), par value $0.01 per share, liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, at a price of $24.75 per share. The selling stockholders received the Series A Preferred Stock in exchange for $200 million of previously issued series D and series F Perpetual Preferred OP Units. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the offering. The Company has the option at anytime to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends.

On September 14, 2012, the Company issued to a depositary 54,458 shares of the Company's 6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (the "Series C Preferred Stock") with a liquidation value of $2,500.00 per share, which is represented by depositary shares as described below. Also on September 14, 2012, the Company exchanged 5,445,765 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock for 5,445,765 depositary shares, each representing 1/100^thof a share of the Company's Series C Preferred Stock with a liquidation value of $25.00 per depositary share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends of $0.3849625 per share of Series A Preferred Stock. On October 18, 2012, the Company redeemed the remaining 2,554,235 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the $25.00 per share liquidation value plus accrued and unpaid dividends of $0.094846 per share on such redeemed shares for approximately $64.1 million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” ASU No. 2011-05 amends current guidance found in FASB ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income.” ASU No. 2011-05 requires entities to present comprehensive income in either: (i) one continuous financial statement or (ii) two separate but consecutive statements that display net income and the components of other comprehensive income. Totals and individual components of both net income and other comprehensive income must be included in either presentation. ASU No. 2011-05 is effective for the Company beginning with the first quarter of 2012. The Company has updated the presentation of its consolidated financial statements consistent with the provisions of this guidance.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 amends current guidance to allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this amendment an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2011-08 applies to all companies that have goodwill reported in their financial statements. The provisions of ASU 2011-08 are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this update, when the Company performs its annual impairment test, is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other” (“ASU 2012-02”). ASU 2012-02 amends current guidance to allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the annual quantitative indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test. Under this amendment, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2012-02 applies to all companies that have indefinite-lived intangible assets reported in their financial statements. The provisions of ASU 2012-02 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company has not yet adopted this pronouncement, but does not believe it will have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications


(p)	Reclassifications

Certain 2011 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2012 presentation. These reclassifications had no material effect on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Company.