Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

The Company has categorized its financial assets and financial liabilities that are recorded at fair value into a hierarchy in accordance with 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 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 $4,759,526 and $4,737,077 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 net mortgage and other indebtedness was $4,522,480 and $4,465,294 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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.

Long-lived Assets Measured at Fair Value in 2017

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized impairments of real estate of $3,263 when it divested its interests in a parcel project near an outlet center and wrote down one outparcel to its estimated fair value upon its sale. The properties were 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⁾

March

Vacant land ⁽²⁾

Woodstock, GA

Malls

3,147

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(1)	The long-lived asset is not included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2017 as the Company no longer has an interest in the consolidated joint venture as described below.

(2)

The Company wrote down the book value of its interest in a consolidated joint venture that owned land adjacent to one of its outlet malls upon the divestiture of its interests in March 2017 to a fair value of $1,000. In conjunction with the divestiture and assignment of the Company's interests in this consolidated joint venture, the Company was relieved of its debt obligation by the joint venture partner. See Note 6 for more information.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded an impairment of $116 related to the sale of one outparcel. Outparcels are classified for segment reporting purposes in the All Other category. See Note 9 for segment information.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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