Fair Value Measurements

The Company has categorized its financial assets and financial liabilities that are recorded at fair value into a hierarchy in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, ("ASC 820") based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. The fair value hierarchy contains three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities as of the measurement date.

Level 2 – Inputs, other than those included in Level 1, represent observable measurements for similar instruments in active markets, or identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and observable measurements or market data for instruments with substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3 – Inputs represent unobservable measurements, supported by little, if any, market activity, and require considerable assumptions that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability. Market valuations must often be determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, pricing models or similar techniques based on the Company’s assumptions and best judgment.

The asset or liability's fair value within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Under ASC 820, fair value measurements are determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability in an orderly transaction at the measurement date and under current market conditions. Valuation techniques used maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and consider assumptions such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions and risk of nonperformance.

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s financial instruments that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015. The interest rate swaps matured April 1, 2016:



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Fair Value at December 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	434	$	—	$	434	$	—

The Company recognizes transfers in and out of every level at the end of each reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2, or 3 for any periods presented.

The Company uses interest rate swaps to mitigate the effect of interest rate movements on its variable-rate debt. The Company had four interest rate swaps as December 31, 2015, that qualified as hedging instruments and were designated as cash flow hedges. The interest rate swaps were reflected in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The swaps met the effectiveness test criteria since inception and changes in their fair values were, thus, reported in other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI/L") and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged items affected earnings. The fair values of the Company’s interest rate hedges, classified under Level 2, were determined based on prevailing market data for contracts with matching durations, current and anticipated LIBOR information, consideration of the Company’s credit standing, credit risk of the counterparties and reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions. See Note 6 for further information regarding the Company’s interest rate hedging instruments.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. Based on the interest rates for similar financial instruments, the carrying value of mortgage and other notes receivable is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The estimated fair value of mortgage and other indebtedness was $4,799,363 and $4,945,622 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The fair value was calculated using Level 2 inputs by discounting future cash flows for mortgage and other indebtedness using estimated market rates at which similar loans would be made currently. The carrying amount of mortgage and other indebtedness was $4,531,269 and $4,710,628 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company measures the fair value of certain long-lived assets on a nonrecurring basis, through quarterly impairment testing or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company considers both quantitative and qualitative factors in its impairment analysis of long-lived assets. Significant quantitative factors include historical and forecasted information for each property such as net operating income ("NOI"), occupancy statistics and sales levels. Significant qualitative factors used include market conditions, age and condition of the property and tenant mix. Due to the significant unobservable estimates and assumptions used in the valuation of long-lived assets that experience impairment, the Company classifies such long-lived assets under Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 inputs primarily consist of sales and market data, independent valuations and discounted cash flow models as noted below.

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and related impairment charges:



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Loss
Long-lived assets	$	85,818	$	—	$	—	$	85,818	$	116,736

Long-lived Assets Measured at Fair Value in 2016

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized impairments of real estate of $116,736 when it wrote down nine malls, an associated center, a community center, three office buildings and three outparcels to their estimated fair values. The properties are classified for segment reporting purposes as listed below (see section below for information on outparcels). See Note 9 for segment information.

Impairment Date

Property

Location

Segment Classification

Loss on Impairment

Fair

Value ⁽¹⁾

September

Randolph Mall, Regency Mall & Walnut Square ⁽²⁾

Asheboro, NC; Racine, WI & Dalton, GA

Malls

43,294

31,318

September

One Oyster Point & Two Oyster Point ⁽³⁾

Newport News, VA

All Other

3,844

6,000

September

Oak Branch Business Center ⁽⁴⁾

Greensboro, NC

All Other

122

—

September

Cobblestone Village at Palm Coast ⁽⁵⁾

Palm Coast, FL

Community Centers

6,298

8,300

June

The Lakes Mall & Fashion Square ⁽⁶⁾

Muskegon, MI & Saginaw, MI

Malls

32,096

—

June

Wausau Center ⁽⁷⁾

Wausau, WI

Malls

10,738

11,000

March

Bonita Lakes Mall & Crossing ⁽⁸⁾

Meridian, MS

Malls/Associated Centers

5,323

—

March

Midland Mall ⁽⁹⁾

Midland, MI

Malls

4,681

29,200

March

River Ridge Mall ⁽¹⁰⁾

Lynchburg, VA

Malls

9,510

—

115,906

85,818


(1)	The long-lived asset is measured at fair value and included in Net Investment in Real Estate Assets in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2016.

(2)

The Company wrote down the book values of the three malls to their estimated fair value based upon a sales price of $32,250 in a signed contract with a third party buyer, adjusted to reflect disposition costs. These malls are classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2016. The revenues of the malls accounted for approximately 1.5% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2016.

(3)

In accordance with the Company's quarterly impairment review process, the Company recorded impairment to write down the depreciated book value of two office buildings to their estimated fair value as of September 30, 2016 as a result of a change in the expected holding period for the buildings to a range of 1-2 years. Other factors used in the discounted cash flow analysis at September 30, 2016 included a capitalization rate of 8.0%, a discount rate of 10.0% and estimated selling costs of 2.0%. The revenues of the office buildings accounted for approximately 0.1% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2016.


(4)	The office building was sold in September 2016. A loss on impairment was recorded to adjust the book value to its net sales price. See Note 4 for more information.

(5)

In accordance with the Company's quarterly impairment review process, the Company recorded impairment to write down the depreciated book value of a community center to its estimated fair value as of September 30, 2016 as a result of a change in the expected holding period for the asset to a range of 1-2 years. Other factors used in the discounted cash flow analysis at September 30, 2016 included a capitalization rate of 9.0%, a discount rate of 10.75% and estimated selling costs of 2.0%. The revenue of the community center accounted for approximately 0.1% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2016.

(6)

The Company adjusted the book value of the malls to their estimated fair value of $65,447 based upon the sales price of $66,500 in the signed contract with a third party buyer, adjusted to reflect disposition costs. The revenues of The Lakes Mall and Fashion Square accounted for approximately 1.6% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2016. These properties were sold in July 2016. See Note 4 for additional information.

(7)

In accordance with the Company's quarterly impairment review process, the Company recorded impairment to write down the depreciated book value of the mall to its estimated fair value as of June 30, 2016. After evaluating redevelopment options, the Company determined that an appropriate risk-adjusted return was not achievable and reduced its holding period. The mall is encumbered by a non-recourse loan with a balance of $17,689 as of September 30, 2016 and has experienced declining sales and the loss of two anchor stores. The revenues of Wausau Center accounted for approximately 0.3% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2016. The Company notified the lender that it would not make its scheduled July 1, 2016 debt payment and the mall is in foreclosure. See Note 6. With the assistance of a third-party appraiser, management determined the fair value of Wausau Center using a discounted cash flow methodology as of June 30, 2016. The discounted cash flow used assumptions including a 10-year holding period with a sale at the end of the holding period, a capitalization rate of 13.25% and a discount rate of 13.0%. As these assumptions are subject to economic and market uncertainties, they are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter the assumptions used or management's estimates of future possible outcomes.

(8)

The Company adjusted the book value of Bonita Lakes Mall and Bonita Lakes Crossing ("Bonita Lakes") to its estimated fair value of $27,440, which represented the contractual sales price of $27,910 with a third party buyer, adjusted to reflect disposition costs. The revenues of Bonita Lakes accounted for approximately 0.7% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2016. See Note 4 for further information on the sale that closed in the second quarter of 2016.

(9)

The Company wrote down the mall to its estimated fair value as of March 31, 2016. The fair value analysis used a discounted cash flow methodology with assumptions including a 10-year holding period with a sale at the end of the holding period, a capitalization rate of 9.75% and a discount rate of 11.5%. As these assumptions are subject to economic and market uncertainties, they are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter the assumptions used or management's estimates of future possible outcomes. The Company recognized an impairment upon the change in its plans to hold the investment. The Company notified the lender that it would not pay off the loan that was scheduled to mature in August 2016 and the mall went into receivership in September 2016. See Note 6. The revenues of Midland Mall accounted for approximately 0.6% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2016.

(10)

The Company sold a 75% interest in its wholly owned investment in River Ridge Mall to a newly formed joint venture in March 2016 and recognized impairment when it adjusted the book value to its net sales price. The impairment loss includes a $2,100 reserve for a roof and electrical work that the Company must fund in the future. The revenues of River Ridge Mall accounted for approximately 0.6% of total consolidated revenues for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2016. The Company's investment in River Ridge is included in Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2016. See Note 5 for further information.

Other Impairment Loss in 2016

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded impairments of $830 related to the sales of three outparcels. These outparcels are classified for segment reporting purposes in the All Other category. See Note 9 for segment information.