Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

We follow accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, commonly referred to as the “FASB.” The FASB sets GAAP, which we follow to ensure that we consistently report our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”).


(a)	Basis of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the consolidation of our accounts. We do not have controlling interests in any of our joint ventures (“JV”), which are therefore treated under the equity method of accounting and not consolidated in our financial statements. The holders of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“Common OP Unitholders”) receive an allocation of net income that is based on their respective ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership which is shown in our Consolidated Financial Statements as Non-controlling interests-Common OP Units. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


(b)	Real Estate

Our policy is to estimate useful lives or salvage values associated with our real estate assets and to depreciate the assets based on our estimates. We review useful lives periodically to ensure that these estimates accurately reflect the economic use of the assets. In January 2014, we completed a review of the useful lives and salvage values of our manufactured homes. During the first quarter 2014, we prospectively changed the depreciable life of our new manufactured homes to 25 years straight-lined with no residual value and our used manufactured homes to 10-25 years straight-lined. This change in estimate did not have a material impact in our financial statements.


(c)	Identified Intangibles and Goodwill

We record acquired intangible assets at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill. We amortize 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 the Codification Sub-Topic “Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets” (“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 March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the gross carrying amounts of identified intangible assets and goodwill, a component of “Escrow deposits, goodwill and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets, were approximately $12.1 million. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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 $2.0 million and $1.9 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. For each of the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense for the identified intangible assets was approximately $0.1 million.

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



Year ending December 31,	Amount
2014	$	349
2015	349
2016	251
2017	87
2018	87


(d)	Restricted Cash

Cash as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included approximately $5.2 million of restricted cash for the payment of capital improvements, insurance or real estate taxes.


(e)	Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments include notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses, interest rate swaps and mortgage notes payable. We disclose the estimated fair value of our financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (Level 1, 2 and 3).

Our mortgage notes payable and term loan had a fair value of approximately $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar liabilities (Level 2). At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our 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). We consider our own credit risk as well as the credit risk of our counterparties when evaluating the fair value of our derivative. The fair values of our notes receivable approximate their carrying or contract values.


(f)	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 $26.5 million and $25.4 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.


(g)	Reclassifications

Certain 2013 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. Income statement amounts for disposed Properties have been reclassified to “Discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for all periods presented. In addition, certain prior period disclosures in the accompanying footnotes have been revised to exclude amounts which have been reclassified to discontinued operations. These reclassifications had no material effect on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.


(h)	Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2014-08, “Property, Plant, and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”). Effective on January 1, 2015, the definition of discontinued operations has been revised to limit the criteria for the classification and presentation to disposals of components of a company that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on a company’s operations and financial results. Required expanded disclosures for disposals or disposal groups that qualify for discontinued operations are intended to provide users of financial statements with enhanced information about the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of such discontinued operations. While the threshold for a disposal or disposal group to qualify for discontinued operations has been revised, this pronouncement retains the held for sale classification and presentation concepts of previous authoritative literature. Accordingly, under this pronouncement, a disposal or disposal group may qualify for held for sale classification but not meet the threshold for discontinued operations treatment. This pronouncement allows for early adoption permitted January 1, 2014. Pursuant to its terms we have elected to early adopt this pronouncement effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.