Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Real Estate

Real Estate

Real estate is recorded at cost. Costs related to the development, construction and improvement of properties are capitalized. Recurring capital replacements typically include carpeting and tile, appliances, HVAC equipment, new roofs, site improvements and various exterior building improvements. Non-recurring upgrades include, among other items, community centers, new windows, kitchens and bathrooms. Costs incurred on a lease turnover due to normal wear and tear by the resident are expensed on the turn. Ordinary repairs and maintenance that do not extend the life of the asset are expensed as incurred. When retired or otherwise disposed of, the related asset cost and accumulated depreciation are cleared from the respective accounts and the net difference, less any amount realized from disposition, is reflected in income.

The Company capitalizes the payroll and associated costs of employees directly responsible for the supervision and construction of major capital and rehabilitation projects. Interest costs for major capital projects and properties under rehabilitation are capitalized during the construction period. These costs are reflected on the balance sheet as an increase to depreciable property.

For development properties, the Company uses its professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for capitalization or must be expensed as incurred. Costs directly related to the development of properties are capitalized. The Company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes, insurance; and payroll and associated costs for those individuals directly responsible for and who spend all their time on development activities. Determination of when a development project commences and capitalization begins, and when a development project is substantially complete and capitalization must end involves a degree of judgment. We begin the capitalization of costs during the pre-construction period which we define as activities that are necessary to the development of the property. We consider a development property as substantially complete after major construction has ended and the property is available for occupancy. For properties that are built in phases, we end capitalization on the portion of a property that is considered substantially complete, and we capitalize only those costs associated with the portion under construction. These costs are reflected on the balance sheet as construction in progress.

The interest rate used for capitalization is the weighted average interest rate for all Company indebtedness, including amortization of debt issuance costs. In connection with development properties, major capital projects and rehabilitation projects, there was $5,255, $9,384 and $8,900 of interest capitalized in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and payroll and associated costs capitalized were $3,028, $3,007 and $2,896 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Management reviews its long-lived assets used in operations for impairment when, in accordance with the authoritative guidance for the accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, there is an event or change in circumstances that indicates an impairment in value. An asset is considered impaired when the undiscounted future cash flows are not sufficient to recover the asset's carrying value. If such impairment is present, an impairment loss is recognized based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. The Company records impairment losses and reduces the carrying amounts of assets held for sale when the carrying amounts exceed the estimated selling proceeds less the costs to sell.

The Company accounts for its acquisitions of investments in real estate in accordance with the authoritative guidance for the initial measurement, which requires the assets and liabilities acquired to be recognized using fair value. Typical assets and liabilities acquired include land, building, and personal property and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, value of in-place leases and value of resident relationships, based in each case on their fair values. Additionally, acquisition related costs are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received. The Company considers acquisitions of operating real estate assets to be businesses as that term is defined in the authoritative guidance.

The Company determines the fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes the land, building, and personal property) by valuing the property as if it were vacant. The as-if-vacant value is assigned to land, buildings, and personal property based on management's determination of the relative fair values of these assets.

Above-market and below-market in-place lease values for acquired properties are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management's estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease. The capitalized above-market lease values are included in other assets and are amortized as a reduction of rental income over the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective leases. The capitalized below-market lease values are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities and are amortized as an increase to rental income over the initial term of the respective leases.

The fair value of in-place leases is based upon the Company's evaluation of the specific characteristics of the leases. Factors considered in these analyses include an estimate of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. The Company also considers information obtained about each property as a result of its pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired. In estimating carrying costs, management also includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods depending on the property acquired.

The fair value of resident relationships is based on management's evaluation of the specific characteristics of the residential leases and the Company's resident retention history.

The in-place leases and resident relationships are amortized and included in depreciation and amortization expense over the initial term of the respective leases.

Exchange Of UPREIT Units For Shares

Exchange of UPREIT Units for shares

Exchanges of UPREIT Units for shares of the Company's common stock are recorded under the historical cost method with UPREIT Units acquired reflected at their book value ("exchange value"). The exchange value of UPREIT Units is allocated to common stock and additional paid in capital.

There were 565,509, 528,004 and 1,086,612 shares of UPREIT Units exchanged for common stock, during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company made adjustments within equity in the amount of $11,399, $10,234 and $21,332, during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, to record the exchange value of the transactions.

Costs Incurred For Stock Issuances

Costs Incurred for Stock Issuances

Costs incurred in connection with the Company's stock issuances are reflected as a reduction of additional paid in capital.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations

The Company reports its property dispositions as discontinued operations as prescribed by the authoritative guidance. Pursuant to the definition of a component of an entity in the authoritative guidance for discontinued operations, assuming no significant continuing involvement by the former owner after the sale, the sale of an apartment community is considered a discontinued operation. In addition, apartment communities classified as held for sale are also considered a discontinued operation. The Company generally considers assets to be held for sale when all significant contingencies surrounding the closing have been resolved, which often corresponds with the actual closing date. For purposes of the discontinued operations presentation, the Company includes interest expense and losses from early extinguishment of debt associated with specific mortgage indebtedness of the properties that are considered discontinued operations.

Depreciation

Depreciation

The Company is required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of its properties and improvements for purposes of determining the amount of depreciation to record on an annual basis. These assessments have a direct impact on the Company's net income.

Assets are depreciated using a straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Land improvements	3-20 years
Buildings and improvements	3-40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	5-10 years
Computer software	5 years

Depreciation expense charged to operations was $143,272, $125,634 and $117,694 from continuing operations and $0, $832 and $2,346 from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less. The Company estimates that the fair value of cash equivalents approximates the carrying value due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments. The majority of the Company's cash and cash equivalents are held at major commercial banks which at times may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit of $250. The Company has not experienced any losses to date on its invested cash.

Cash In Escrows

Cash in Escrows

Cash in escrows consists of cash restricted under the terms of various loan agreements to be used for the payment of property taxes and insurance as well as required replacement reserves, resident security deposits for residential properties and occasionally funds held in escrow from tax-free exchanges.

Accounts Receivable And Allowance For Doubtful Receivables

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Receivables

Accounts receivable are generally comprised of amounts receivable from residents and other miscellaneous receivables from non-affiliated entities. We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable from residents and establish an allowance for accounts greater than 60 days past due for current residents and all receivables due from former residents, after the application of security deposits. The allowance for doubtful resident receivables was $2,869 and $3,134 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Deferred Charges

Deferred Charges

Costs relating to the financing of properties are deferred and amortized over the life of the related financing agreement. The straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method, is used to amortize all financing costs; such amortization is reflected as interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations, with remaining terms ranging from 3 month to 10 years. Unamortized financing costs are written off when the financing agreement is retired before the maturity date. Accumulated amortization was $8,231 and $10,788, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets of $12,518 and $10,093 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, included in other assets, consist solely of intangible assets recorded in connection with the authoritative guidance for the acquisition of real estate assets. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 6 months to 3 years. Accumulated amortization of intangible assets was $10,194 and $8,680 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Amortization expense charged to operations was $1,547, $1,034 and $878 from continuing operations and $0, $7 and $10 from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The carrying value of intangible assets is periodically reviewed by the Company and impairments are recognized when the expected future operating cash flows derived from such intangible assets are less than their carrying value.

Insurance Reserves

Insurance Reserves

The Company has self insured retentions and aggregates up to certain limits for general liability and property claims. The Company relies on third-party actuaries in the development of reserve requirements. Reserves are currently funded for the estimated cost of claims incurred, both reported and unreported.

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company follows the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements when valuing its financial instruments for disclosure purposes. The valuation of financial instruments requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments. The Company determined the fair value of its mortgage notes payable, unsecured notes payable and unsecured line of credit facility using a discounted future cash flow technique that incorporates a market interest yield curve with adjustments for duration, loan to value, and risk profile (level 2 inputs, as defined by the authoritative guidance). In determining the market interest yield curve, the Company considered its BBB credit rating. The Company based the fair value of its exchangeable senior notes using quoted prices (a level 1 input, as defined by the authoritative guidance).

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the fair value of the Company's total debt, including the exchangeable senior notes, unsecured notes and line of credit, amounted to a liability of $2,826,006 and $2,678,524, respectively, compared to its carrying amount of $2,663,336 and $2,618,932.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company leases its residential apartment units under leases with terms generally one year or less. Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the related lease term. As a result, deferred rents receivable are created when rental income is recognized during the concession period of certain negotiated leases and amortized over the remaining term of the lease. In accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations, the Company recognizes rental revenue of acquired in-place "above and below" market leases at their fair value over the weighted average remaining lease term. Property other income, which consists primarily of income from operation of laundry facilities, utility recovery, administrative fees, garage and carport rentals and miscellaneous charges to residents, is recognized when earned (when the services are provided, or when the resident incurs the charge).

Other Income

Other Income

Other income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is primarily comprised of other real estate service fees.

Other Expenses

Other Expenses

Other expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are the transaction costs from the apartment communities acquired during 2011 and 2010 that were expensed according to authoritative guidance for business combinations. These costs, which are primarily transfer taxes and title fees, represent 0.64% and 0.85% of the total purchase price of the apartment communities acquired during 2011 and 2010, respectively. There were no costs incurred during 2009 as the company did not acquire any properties.

Gains On Real Estate Sales

Gains on Real Estate Sales

Gains on disposition of properties are recognized using the full accrual method in accordance with the authoritative guidance, provided that various criteria relating to the terms of sale and any subsequent involvement by the Company with the properties sold are met.

Advertising

Advertising

Advertising expenses are charged to operations during the year in which they are incurred. Advertising expenses incurred and charged to operations were $4,856, $4,604 and $4,321 from continuing operations, and $0, $2 and $116 from discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Federal Income Taxes

Federal Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 1994. As a result, the Company generally is not subject to federal or state income taxation at the corporate level to the extent it distributes annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders and satisfies certain other requirements. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company distributed in excess of 100% of its taxable income; accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Stockholders of the Company are taxed on dividends and must report distributions from the Company as either ordinary income, capital gains, or as return of capital; as more fully described in Note 10.

The Company follows the authoritative guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes which addresses the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities associated with tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company reviewed its potential uncertain tax positions and made no adjustments to its existing financial and tax accounting treatment for all periods presented. The authoritative guidance also requires a public enterprise to disclose the aggregate difference in the basis of its net assets for financial and tax reporting purposes. The tax basis of assets is less than the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements by approximately $420,930 and $478,591 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The following table reconciles net income to taxable income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

	2011			2010			2009
Net income	$	47,664		$	26,318		$	47,078
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(9,808	)		(6,237	)		(12,659	)
Net loss of taxable REIT Subsidiary included in net income		4			54			38
Net loss of taxable VIE, including impairment of real property		—			821			1,244
Net income from REIT operations		37,860			20,956			35,701
Book to tax differences:
Book depreciation and amortization		114,138			96,153			87,424
Tax depreciation and amortization		(117,822	)		(96,158	)		(86,594	)
Gains/losses from capital transactions		(22	)		(86	)		(3,131	)
Carrying value of mortgages		(575	)		(322	)		(2,095	)
Equity compensation		(3,928	)		(1,770	)		2,057
Amortization of debt discount		1,409			1,586			1,438
Property acquisition costs		2,551			2,188			—
Other, net		1,912			1,609			(1,042	)
Adjusted taxable income subject to 90% REIT dividend requirement	$	35,523		$	24,156		$	33,758

The Company made actual distributions in excess of 100% of taxable income before capital gains. All adjustments to net income from REIT operations are net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interest and the taxable REIT subsidiary, HPRS.

Included in total assets on the consolidated balance sheets are deferred tax assets of $13,185 and $12,750 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The deferred tax assets were a result of the net losses associated with the affordable property portfolio sales during 2004 and 2003. In 2010, an additional deferred tax asset of $2,555 resulted from the sale of a variable interest entity, as more fully described in Note 4. Management does not believe it is more likely than not that these deferred assets will be used, and accordingly has recorded a reserve against the deferred tax assets of $13,185 and $12,750 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The deferred tax assets are associated with HPRS which performs certain of the residential and development activities of the Company. HPRS historically provided commercial management services and provided loan advances to affordable housing entities owned through general partnership interests. As these activities are no longer provided, Management does not currently believe there is a source for future material taxable earnings for HPRS that would give rise to value for the deferred tax assets.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures 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 those estimates.