Form: 10-Q

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

November 4, 2010



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

Commission file number 1-12672


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
Maryland 77-0404318
(State or other jurisdiction of  (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
 
Ballston Tower
671 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 800
Arlington, Virginia  22203
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(703) 329-6300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


 (Former name, if changed since last report)

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve (12) months (or for such shorter period that the reg­istrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety (90) days.

Yes x           No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x           No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Exchange registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) o Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 Yes o           No x

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date:

85,284,504 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding as of October 31, 2010




 
 

 
 
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Page
     
   
 
     
   
 
     
   
 
     
 
     
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation 20-43
     
44
     
44
 
 
   
44-45
     
45
     
  45-46
     
46
     
46
     
46
     
46-48
     
49
 
 
 

 
 
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
    9-30-10     12-31-09  
   
(unaudited)
         
ASSETS
               
Real estate:
               
Land
  $ 1,330,289     $ 1,249,236  
Buildings and improvements
    6,409,618       5,980,423  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    197,586       185,395  
      7,937,493       7,415,054  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (1,650,905 )     (1,474,147 )
Net operating real estate
    6,286,588       5,940,907  
Construction in progress, including land
    402,721       531,299  
Land held for development
    228,496       237,095  
Operating real estate assets held for sale, net
    6,265       124,186  
Total real estate, net
    6,924,070       6,833,487  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
    229,111       105,691  
Cash in escrow
    178,030       210,676  
Resident security deposits
    22,605       23,646  
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities
    93,770       74,570  
Deferred financing costs, net
    32,006       34,531  
Deferred development costs
    81,124       87,763  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    113,686       87,241  
Total assets
  $ 7,674,402     $ 7,457,605  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Unsecured notes, net
  $ 1,660,480     $ 1,658,029  
Mortgage notes payable
    2,287,410       2,316,843  
Dividends payable
    76,127       72,773  
Payables for construction
    37,706       49,623  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    241,875       232,964  
Accrued interest payable
    22,377       35,069  
Resident security deposits
    33,966       33,646  
Liabilities related to real estate assets held for sale
    --       2,734  
Total liabilities
    4,359,941       4,401,681  
                 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
    10,630       5,797  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 140,000,000 shares authorized at both                
September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009; 85,284,865 and 81,528,957 shares                
issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
    853       815  
Noncontrolling interest
    4,812       --  
Additional paid-in capital
    3,532,451       3,200,367  
Accumulated earnings less dividends
    (232,770 )     (149,988 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1,515 )     (1,067 )
Total stockholders' equity
    3,303,831       3,050,127  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 7,674,402     $ 7,457,605  
 
See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
1

 
 
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
    9-30-10     9-30-09     9-30-10     9-30-09  
Revenue:
                               
Rental and other income
  $ 225,783     $ 213,165     $ 658,040     $ 631,392  
Management, development and other fees
    1,800       1,878       5,334       5,423  
Total revenue
    227,583       215,043       663,374       636,815  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Operating expenses, excluding property taxes
    69,848       66,693       200,575       195,226  
Property taxes
    23,402       21,093       69,695       61,871  
Interest expense, net
    44,262       41,205       128,260       108,215  
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net
    --       --       --       (1,062 )
Depreciation expense
    58,628       52,987       171,956       153,992  
General and administrative expense
    7,039       5,750       19,975       18,388  
Impairment loss - land holdings
    --       --       --       20,302  
Total expenses
    203,179       187,728       590,461       556,932  
                                 
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated entities
    (325 )     190       364       4,139  
Gain on sale of land
    --       241       --       241  
                                 
                                 
Income from continuing operations
    24,079       27,746       73,277       84,263  
                                 
Discontinued operations:
                               
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    (99 )     3,685       1,917       10,991  
Gain on sale of communities
    --       26,670       72,220       26,670  
Total discontinued operations
    (99 )     30,355       74,137       37,661  
                                 
Net income
    23,980       58,101       147,414       121,924  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    674       53       890       1,329  
                                 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 24,654     $ 58,154     $ 148,304     $ 123,253  
                                 
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges
    (314 )     521       (448 )     1,318  
Comprehensive income
  $ 24,340     $ 58,675     $ 147,856     $ 124,571  
                                 
Earnings per common share - basic:
                               
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders
  $ 0.29     $ 0.34     $ 0.88     $ 1.08  
Discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders
    --       0.38       0.89       0.47  
                                 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 0.29     $ 0.72     $ 1.77     $ 1.55  
                                 
Earnings per common share - diluted:
                               
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders
  $ 0.29     $ 0.34     $ 0.88     $ 1.07  
Discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders
    --       0.38       0.88       0.47  
                                 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 0.29     $ 0.72     $ 1.76     $ 1.54  
                                 
Dividends per common share:
  $ 0.8925     $ 0.8925     $ 2.6775     $ 2.6775  
 
See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
2

 
 
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
For the nine months ended
 
    9-30-10     9-30-09  
                 
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 147,414     $ 121,924  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided
               
by operating activities:
               
Depreciation expense
    171,956       153,992  
Depreciation expense from discontinued operations
    371       7,701  
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt premium/discount
    5,944       5,422  
Amortization of stock-based compensation
    4,536       4,887  
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities and noncontrolling
               
interests, net of eliminations
    852       (3,992 )
Impairment loss - land holdings
    --       20,302  
Gain on sale of real estate assets
    (72,220 )     (26,911 )
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net
    --       (1,062 )
Increase in cash in operating escrows
    (294 )     (2,699 )
Increase in resident security deposits, prepaid expenses and other assets
    (25,221 )     (17,711 )
Increase in accrued expenses, other liabilities and accrued interest payable
    1,041       11,125  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    234,379       272,978  
                 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Development/redevelopment of real estate assets including
               
land acquisitions and deferred development costs
    (330,251 )     (444,892 )
Capital expenditures - existing real estate assets
    (9,683 )     (4,112 )
Capital expenditures - non-real estate assets
    (517 )     (699 )
Proceeds from sale of real estate, net of selling costs
    186,058       67,893  
Decrease in payables for construction
    (11,917 )     (14,742 )
Decrease in cash in construction escrows
    32,940       66,492  
Acquisition of mortgage note
    (24,000 )     --  
Decrease (increase) in investments in unconsolidated real estate entities
    (20,977 )     382  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (178,347 )     (329,678 )
                 
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Issuance of common stock
    322,257       102,442  
Dividends paid
    (222,081 )     (211,269 )
Payments under unsecured credit facility
    --       (124,000 )
Issuance of mortgage notes payable and draws on construction loans
    --       741,140  
Repayments of mortgage notes payable
    (29,433 )     (29,516 )
Issuance of unsecured notes
    --       499,372  
Repayment of unsecured notes
    --       (420,936 )
Payment of deferred financing costs
    (3,149 )     (11,635 )
Redemption of units for cash by minority partners
    --       (202 )
Distributions to DownREIT partnership unitholders
    (42 )     (39 )
Distributions to joint venture and profit-sharing partners
    (164 )     --  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    67,388       545,357  
                 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    123,420       488,657  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    105,691       65,678  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 229,111     $ 554,335  
                 
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amount capitalized
  $ 125,190     $ 101,059  
 
See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
3

 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities (dollars in thousands):

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

As described in Note 4, “Stockholders’ Equity,” 102,984 shares of common stock valued at $7,777 were issued in connection with stock grants; 4,716 shares valued at $419 were issued through the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan; 46,852 shares valued at $3,990 were withheld to satisfy employees’ tax withholding and other liabilities; 1,300 shares valued at $39 were forfeited and 61,055 shares valued at $3,322 were issued to members of the board of directors in fulfillment of deferred stock awards for a net value of $7,489. In addition, the Company granted 126,484 options for common stock at a value of $2,460.

25 units of limited partnership, valued at $3, were presented for redemption to the DownREIT partnerships that issued such units and were acquired by the Company in exchange for an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock.

The Company recorded an increase to other liabilities and a corresponding decrease to other comprehensive income of $448 and recorded an increase to prepaid expenses and other assets of $2,181, with a corresponding offset to the basis of unsecured notes, net to record the impact of the Company’s hedge accounting activity (as described in Note 5, “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”).

Common dividends declared but not paid totaled $76,127.

The Company recorded an increase of $5,305 in redeemable noncontrolling interests with a corresponding decrease to accumulated earnings less dividends to adjust the redemption value associated with the put options held by joint venture partners and DownREIT partnership units. For further discussion of the nature and valuation of these items, see Note 11, “Fair Value”.

The Company recognized $4,812 in noncontrolling interest in conjunction with the consolidation of a Fund I subsidiary. See Note 6, “Investments in Real Estate Entities” for further discussion.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

2,624,641 shares of common stock valued at $139,058 were issued as part of the special dividend declared in the fourth quarter of 2008; 169,851 shares of common stock valued at $8,360 were issued in connection with stock grants; 9,201 shares valued at $505 were issued through the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan; 33,006 shares valued at $1,502 were withheld to satisfy employees’ tax withholding and other liabilities and 1,031 shares valued at $147 were forfeited, for a net value of $146,274.  In addition, the Company granted 344,801 options for common stock at a value of $2,252.

The Company recorded a decrease to other liabilities and a corresponding increase to other comprehensive income of $1,318 to record the impact of the Company’s hedge accounting activity.

Common dividends declared but not paid totaled $72,595.

The Company recorded a decrease of $4,745 in redeemable noncontrolling interests with a corresponding increase to accumulated earnings less dividends to adjust the redemption value associated with the put options held by joint venture partners and DownREIT partnership units.

In May 2009, the Company obtained $93,440 in variable rate tax-exempt bond financing related to a Development Right (as defined elsewhere in this Form 10-Q), the proceeds of which will be held in escrow until requisitioned for construction funding. This loan provides an option for the Company to request an additional construction loan of up to $83,560 subject to the lender’s discretion.
 
 
 
 
4

 
 
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

1.  Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Basis of Presentation

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (the “Company,” which term, unless the context otherwise requires, refers to AvalonBay Communities, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries), is a Maryland corporation that elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“the Code”). The Company focuses on the development, acquisition, ownership and operation of apartment communities in high barrier to entry markets of the United States. These markets are located in the New England, Metro New York/New Jersey, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California regions of the country.

At September 30, 2010, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 167 operating apartment communities containing 49,061 apartment homes in ten states and the District of Columbia, of which seven communities containing 2,361 apartment homes were under reconstruction.  In addition, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 12 communities under construction that are expected to contain an aggregate of 3,429 apartment homes when completed.  The Company also owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in land or rights to land in which the Company expects to develop an additional 24 communities that, if developed as expected, will contain an estimated 6,984 apartment homes.

The interim unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.  Management believes the disclosures are adequate to ensure the information presented is not misleading.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments and eliminations, consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods, have been included.

All capitalized terms have the meaning as provided elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.  All outstanding unvested restricted share awards contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends and participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders and, accordingly, are considered participating securities that are included in the two-class method of computing basic earnings per share (“EPS”). Both the unvested restricted shares and other potentially dilutive common shares, and the related impact to earnings, are considered when calculating earnings per share on a diluted basis.  The Company’s earnings per common share are determined as follows:
 
 
 
 
5

 
 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
    9-30-10     9-30-09     9-30-10     9-30-09  
Basic and diluted shares outstanding
                               
                                 
Weighted average common shares - basic
    84,968,804       80,132,409       83,385,833       79,521,277  
                                 
Weighted average DownREIT units outstanding
    15,346       15,351       15,349       16,874  
                                 
Effect of dilutive securities
    784,546       461,517       728,712       631,942  
                                 
Weighted average common shares - diluted
    85,768,696       80,609,277       84,129,894       80,170,093  
                                 
Calculation of Earnings per Share - basic
                               
                                 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 24,654     $ 58,154     $ 148,304     $ 123,253  
Net income allocated to unvested restricted shares
    (68 )     (182 )     (429 )     (389 )
Net income attributable to common stockholders, adjusted
  $ 24,586     $ 57,972     $ 147,875     $ 122,864  
                                 
Weighted average common shares - basic
    84,968,804       80,132,409       83,385,833       79,521,277  
                                 
Earnings per common share - basic
  $ 0.29     $ 0.72     $ 1.77     $ 1.55  
                                 
Calculation of Earnings per Share - diluted
                               
                                 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 24,654     $ 58,154     $ 148,304     $ 123,253  
Add: noncontrolling interests of DownREIT unitholders in
                               
consolidated partnerships, including discontinued operations
    14       14       41       52  
                                 
Adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 24,668     $ 58,168     $ 148,345     $ 123,305  
                                 
Weighted average common shares - diluted
    85,768,696       80,609,277       84,129,894       80,170,093  
                                 
Earnings per common share - diluted
  $ 0.29     $ 0.72     $ 1.76     $ 1.54  
 
 
Certain options to purchase shares of common stock in the amounts of 1,039,724 and 2,023,878 were outstanding at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because such options were anti-dilutive.

The Company is required to estimate the forfeiture of stock options and recognize compensation cost net of the estimated forfeitures.  The estimated forfeitures included in compensation cost are adjusted to reflect actual forfeitures at the end of the vesting period.  The forfeiture rate at September 30, 2010 is based on the average forfeiture activity over a period equal to the estimated life of the stock options, and was 1.4%. The application of estimated forfeitures did not materially impact compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 or 2009.

Abandoned Pursuit Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company capitalizes pre-development costs incurred in pursuit of new development opportunities for which the Company currently believes future development is probable (“Development Rights”). Future development of these Development Rights is dependent upon various factors, including zoning and regulatory approval, rental market conditions, construction costs and the availability of capital.  Initial pre-development costs incurred for pursuits for which future development is not yet considered probable are expensed as incurred.  In addition, if the status of a Development Right changes, making future development by the Company no longer probable, any capitalized pre-development costs are written off with a charge to expense.  The Company expensed costs related to abandoned pursuits, which includes the abandonment of Development Rights as well as costs incurred in pursuing the disposition of assets for which the disposition did not occur, in the amounts of $737 and $1,721 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively and $1,685 and $5,096 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These costs are included in operating expenses, excluding property taxes on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income. Abandoned pursuit costs can vary greatly, and the costs incurred in any given period may be significantly different in future periods.
 
 

 
 
6

 
 
The Company evaluates its real estate and other long-lived assets for impairment when potential indicators of impairment exist. Such assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, unless the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable. If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the Company assesses its recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the long-lived asset to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying amount exceeds the aggregate undiscounted future cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment loss to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value of the long-lived asset. Based on periodic tests of recoverability of long-lived assets, the Company did not record any impairment losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. In the second quarter of 2009, the Company concluded that the economic downturn and the related decline in employment levels did not support the development and construction of certain new apartment communities previously in planning.  As a result the Company recognized a charge of $20,302 related to the impairment of two land parcels for which the Company decided not to pursue development. The Company looked to third-party pricing estimates to determine the fair values of the land parcels considered to be impaired. Given the heterogeneous nature of multifamily real estate, the third-party values incorporated significant unobservable inputs, including the use of estimated rates of return, investment time horizons and sales prices for land parcels considered to be market comparables, adjusted for known differences in critical areas including the existing entitlements (such as zoning and state of infrastructure readiness).  Accordingly, the third-party values are classified as Level 3 prices in the fair value hierarchy. In 2009, the Company also recognized a charge for severance related costs associated with this reduction in planned development activity of approximately $2,000, reported as a component of general and administrative expense. However, as a result of improved economic conditions, the Company has increased its investment activity, allowing the Company to retain staff previously expected to depart. Therefore, certain planned terminations are no longer expected to take place, resulting in a decline of $1,550 in accrued severance recorded as a reduction in general and administrative expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
Legal and Other Contingencies

As previously reported, on August 13, 2008 the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York filed a civil lawsuit against the Company and the joint venture in which it has an interest that owns Avalon Chrystie Place.  The lawsuit alleged that Avalon Chrystie Place was not designed and constructed in accordance with the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”).  Without admitting or denying liability, the Company settled the outstanding claims under this matter in October 2010.  The Company does not expect that the settlement and its fulfillment of settlement terms will have a material impact to its financial position or results of operations.  Refer to Note 12, Subsequent Events.

The Company accounts for recoveries from legal matters as a reduction in the legal and related costs incurred associated with the matter, with recoveries in excess of these costs reported as a gain or, where appropriate, a reduction in the basis of a community to which the suit related.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized receipt of settlement proceeds of $3,300 related to environmental contamination matters pursued by the Company.  The Company reported $1,200 of these recoveries as a reduction in the legal and professional fees related to costs incurred in pursuit of the matters during 2010 and years prior as a component of general and administrative expense, with the remainder of the recovery reported as a reduction in the associated capitalized basis of the related communities.

The Company is involved in various claims and/or administrative proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that any of these outstanding litigation matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts in prior period financial statements to conform to current period presentations.
 
 

 
 
7

 
 
2.  Interest Capitalized

The Company capitalizes interest during the development and redevelopment of real estate assets. Capitalized interest associated with the Company’s development or redevelopment activities totaled $7,774 and $11,878 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively and $27,265 and $37,923 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

3.  Notes Payable, Unsecured Notes and Credit Facility

The Company’s mortgage notes payable, unsecured notes and Credit Facility, as defined below, as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, are summarized below.  The following amounts and discussion do not include the mortgage notes related to the communities classified as held for sale, if any, as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, as shown in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 7, “Real Estate Disposition Activities”).
 
    9-30-10     12-31-09  
                 
Fixed rate unsecured notes(1)
  $ 1,360,477     $ 1,360,477  
Variable rate unsecured notes(1)
    300,000       300,000  
Fixed rate mortgage notes payable - conventional and tax-exempt
    1,661,705       1,632,605  
Variable rate mortgage notes payable - conventional and tax-exempt
    625,705       684,238  
                 
Total notes payable and unsecured notes     3,947,887       3,977,320  
                 
Credit Facility
    --       --  
                 
Total mortgage notes payable, unsecured notes and Credit Facility   $ 3,947,887     $ 3,977,320  
 
(1)
Balances at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 exclude $1,950 and $2,220 respectively of debt discount, and $1,953 and ($228) respectively for basis adjustments, as reflected in unsecured notes on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance sheets.
 
 
The following debt activity occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

In February 2010, the Company repaid a 6.47% fixed rate secured mortgage note in the amount of $13,961 in advance of its March 2012 scheduled maturity date.
In March 2010, the Company repaid a 6.95% fixed rate secured mortgage note in the amount of $11,226 in advance of its February 2025 scheduled maturity date.
 
In the aggregate, secured notes payable mature at various dates from October 2010 through July 2066, and are secured by certain apartment communities and improved land parcels (with a net carrying value of $1,827,153 as of September 30, 2010).  As of September 30, 2010, the Company has guaranteed approximately $278,728 of mortgage notes payable held by wholly owned subsidiaries; all such mortgage notes payable are consolidated for financial reporting purposes.  The weighted average interest rate of the Company’s fixed rate mortgage notes payable (conventional and tax-exempt) was 5.7% at September 30, 2010 and 5.9% at December 31, 2009. The weighted average interest rate of the Company’s variable rate mortgage notes payable and its Credit Facility, including the effect of certain financing related fees, was 2.2% at September 30, 2010 and 1.9% at December 31, 2009.
 
 

 
 
8

 
 
Scheduled payments and maturities of mortgage notes payable and unsecured notes outstanding at September 30, 2010 are as follows:
 
Year
 
Secured notes payments (1)
   
Secured notes maturities
   
Unsecured
notes
maturities
   
Stated
interest rate
of unsecured
notes
 
                             
2010
  $ 1,325     $ 28,989     $ 14,576       7.500 %    
                      75,000       7.072 %   (2)
                                     
2011
    10,776       36,425       39,900       6.625 %    
                      150,000       5.701 %   (2)
                                     
2012
    14,034       108,101       201,601       6.125 %    
                      104,400       5.500 %    
                      75,000       4.600 %   (2)
                                     
2013
    14,876       264,697       100,000       4.950 %    
                                     
2014
    15,769       33,100       150,000       5.375 %    
                                     
2015
    14,725       365,130       --       --      
                                     
2016
    15,600       --       250,000       5.750 %    
                                     
2017
    16,533       18,300       250,000       5.700 %    
                                     
2018
    17,522       --       --       --      
                                     
2019
    2,588       699,529       --       --      
                                     
Thereafter
    110,707       498,684       250,000       6.100 %    
                                     
    $ 234,455     $ 2,052,955     $ 1,660,477              
                                     
(1)  Secured note payments are comprised of the principal pay downs for amortizing mortgage notes.
(2)  The weighted average interest rate for the swapped unsecured notes as of September 30, 2010.
 
 
The Company has a variable rate unsecured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) in the amount of $1,000,000 with a syndicate of commercial banks, to whom the Company pays an annual facility fee of approximately $1,250. The Company did not have any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility and had $50,933 outstanding in letters of credit as of September 30, 2010. At December 31, 2009, there were no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility and $44,105 outstanding in letters of credit. The Credit Facility bears interest at varying levels based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), rating levels achieved on the Company’s unsecured notes and on a maturity schedule selected by the Company.  The current stated pricing is LIBOR plus 0.40% per annum (0.66% at September 30, 2010).  During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company executed its option to extend the maturity of the Credit Facility for one year to November 2011, at a cost of approximately $1,000.

The Company was in compliance at September 30, 2010 with certain customary financial and other covenants under the Credit Facility and the Company’s unsecured notes.
 
 

 
 
9

 
 
4.  Stockholders’ Equity

The following summarizes the changes in stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:
 
                                           
               
Accumulated
   
Accumulated
   
Total
             
         
Additional
   
earnings
   
other
   
AvalonBay
             
   
Common
   
paid-in
   
less
   
comprehensive
   
stockholders'
   
Noncontrolling
   
Total
 
   
stock
   
capital
   
dividends
   
loss
   
equity
   
interests
   
equity
 
                                           
                                           
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 815     $ 3,200,367     $ (149,988 )   $ (1,067 )   $ 3,050,127     $ --     $ 3,050,127  
                                                         
Net income attributable to common stockholders
    --       --       148,304       --       148,304       --       148,304  
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges
    --       --       --       (448 )     (448 )     --       (448 )
Change in redemption value of
                                                       
     redeemable noncontrolling interest
    --       --       (5,305 )     --       (5,305 )     --       (5,305 )
Noncontrolling interests (a)
    --       --       --       --       -       4,812       4,812  
Dividends declared to common stockholders
    --       --       (225,854 )     --       (225,854 )     --       (225,854 )
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings
    38       321,857       73       --       321,968       --       321,968  
Amortization of deferred compensation
    --       10,227       --       --       10,227       --       10,227  
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2010
  $ 853     $ 3,532,451     $ (232,770 )   $ (1,515 )   $ 3,299,019     $ 4,812     $ 3,303,831  
                                                         
(a) Represents the impact of consolidating a Fund I subsidiary. See Note 6, "Investments in Real Estate Entities".
                         
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company:
 
(i)
issued 3,080,204 shares of common stock through public offerings;
 
(ii)
issued 555,076 shares of common stock in connection with stock options exercised;
 
(iii)
issued 4,716 common shares through the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan;
 
(iv)
issued 102,984 common shares in connection with stock grants;
 
(v)
issued 61,055 common shares to two members of the Board of Directors in fulfillment of deferred stock awards;
 
(vi)
issued 25 common shares for DownREIT OP units conversion;
 
(vii)
withheld 46,852 common shares to satisfy employees’ tax withholding and other liabilities; and
 
(viii)
redeemed 1,300 shares of restricted common stock upon forfeiture.

In addition, the Company granted 126,484 options for common stock to employees.  Any deferred compensation related to the Company’s stock option and restricted stock grants during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is not reflected on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2010, and will not be reflected until earned as compensation cost.

In August 2009, the Company commenced a continuous equity program (the “CEP”), under which the Company was authorized to sell up to $400,000 of its common stock until August 2012. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company completed the sale of common stock authorized under the CEP, selling 76,700 and 3,080,204 shares under this program at an average sales price of $100.41 and  $95.88 per share, for net proceeds of $7,586 and $290,884, respectively. From program inception in August 2009 through completion of the currently registered offering, the Company sold 4,585,105 shares at an average price of $87.24 for net proceeds of $393,993.

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized noncontrolling interest of $4,812 in conjunction with the consolidation of an AvalonBay Value Added Fund, LP (“Fund I”) subsidiary.  See Note 6, “Investments in Real Estate Entities” for further discussion.


5.  Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company enters into interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements (collectively, the “Hedging Derivatives”) for interest rate risk management purposes and in conjunction with certain variable rate secured debt to satisfy lender requirements.  The Company does not enter into derivative transactions for trading or other speculative purposes.  The following table summarizes the consolidated Hedging Derivatives at September 30, 2010, excluding derivatives executed to hedge debt on communities classified as held for sale (dollars in thousands):
 

 
 
 
10

 
 
 
   
Non-designated
Hedges
   
Cash Flow
Hedges
   
Fair Value
Hedges
 
   
Interest
   
Interest
   
Interest
 
   
Rate Caps
   
Rate Caps
   
Rate Swaps
 
 
                 
    Notional balance
  $ 109,847     $ 196,678     $ 300,000  
    Weighted average interest rate (1)
    1.5 %     2.5 %     5.8 %
    Weighted average capped interest rate
    6.9 %     5.3 %     N/A  
    Earliest maturity date
 
Apr-11
   
Jun-12
   
Dec-10
 
    Latest maturity date
 
Mar-14
   
Jun-15
   
Jan-12
 
    Estimated fair value, asset/(liability)
  $ 22     $ 370     $ 1,953  
                         
(1) For interest rate caps, this represents the weighted average interest rate on the debt.
 

 
Excluding derivatives executed to hedge debt on communities classified as held for sale, the Company had five derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, five derivatives designated as fair value hedges and five derivatives not designated as hedges at September 30, 2010. Fair value changes for derivatives that are not in qualifying hedge relationships are reported as a component of general and administrative expenses on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income.  Fair value changes for derivatives not in qualifying hedge relationships for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, were not material. For the derivative positions that the Company has determined qualify as effective cash flow hedges, the Company has recorded the effective portion of cumulative changes in the fair value of the Hedging Derivatives in other comprehensive income.  Amounts recorded in other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings in the periods in which earnings are affected by the hedged cash flow.  To adjust the Hedging Derivatives in qualifying cash flow hedges to their fair value and recognize the impact of hedge accounting, the Company recorded a decrease in other comprehensive income of $448 and an increase of $1,318 during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The amount reclassified into earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as well as the estimated amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2010, expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months to offset the variability of cash flows of the hedged items during this period are not material. For the derivative positions that the Company has determined qualify as effective fair value hedges during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company has recorded an increase in the fair value of $2,181 with the derivatives fair value reported as a component of prepaid expenses and other assets, with the associated gain as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the corresponding debt being hedged on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010.

The Company assesses, both at inception and on an on-going basis, the effectiveness of qualifying cash flow and fair value hedges.  Hedge ineffectiveness, reported as a component of general and administrative expenses, did not have a material impact on earnings of the Company for any prior period, and the Company does not anticipate that it will have a material effect in the future.  The fair values of the Hedging Derivatives and non-designated derivatives that are in an asset position are recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets. The fair value of derivatives that are in a liability position are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Derivative financial instruments expose the Company to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties under the terms of the Hedging Derivatives. The Company minimizes its credit risk on these transactions by dealing with major, creditworthy financial institutions which have an A+ or better credit rating by the Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group. As part of its on-going control procedures, the Company monitors the credit ratings of counterparties and the exposure of the Company to any single entity, thus minimizing credit risk concentration. The Company believes the likelihood of realizing losses from counterparty non-performance is remote. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements of its derivative financial instruments.  Refer to Note 11, “Fair Value,” for further discussion.
 
 
 
 
 
11

 

6.  Investments in Real Estate Entities

As of September 30, 2010, the Company had investments in six unconsolidated real estate entities with ownership interest percentages ranging from 15.2% to 50%. In the third quarter of 2010, a lender ran a competitive bid process to sell a $26,000 non-recourse mortgage note secured by a Fund I operating community with an estimated fair value of approximately $30,000. The Company participated in the bidding and purchased the note on an arms length basis for $24,000. The note pays interest-only through the maturity date of October 2014 at a stated interest rate of 6.06%. Subsequent to acquisition, the Company modified certain terms of the mortgage note, including (i) conforming the original principal balance to the Company's purchase price, (ii) modifying the interest payment terms to require remittance of interest based on available cash flow with any deficiency in the monthly payment amount accruing to the principal due on the note, and (iii) modifying certain terms to help eliminate any potential conflicts between the Company and Fund I, such as removing any prepayment penalty.

Upon the acquisition of the note, the Company determined that it had control of the Fund I subsidiary, as a result of its collective equity and debt investments, the relationship between the Company and Fund I, and the nature of the Company’s operations being more similar to those of the Fund I subsidiary than those of Fund I.  Therefore, the Company consolidated the results of operations and net assets of the Fund I subsidiary.  The Fund I subsidiary was consolidated at fair value, determined using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the underlying community. This analysis reflects the use of estimated rates of return, capitalization rates, estimated holding periods and estimated sales proceeds, all of which are considered significant other unobservable inputs and are therefore classified as Level 3 prices in the fair value hierarchy.

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, AvalonBay Value Added Fund II, LP (“Fund II”) acquired the following three apartment communities:
Creekside Meadows, a garden-style community consisting of 628 apartment homes located in Tustin (Orange County), CA, was acquired for a purchase price of $98,500;
Grove Park Apartments, a garden-style community consisting of 684 apartment homes located in Gaithersburg, MD was acquired for a purchase price of $101,000; and
The Apartments at Briarwood, a garden-style community consisting of 348 apartment homes located in Owings Mills, MD, was acquired for a purchase price of $44,750.

There were no other changes in the Company’s ownership interest in, or presentation of, its investments in unconsolidated real estate entities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Detail of the real estate and associated funding underlying the Company’s unconsolidated investments is presented in the following table (unaudited).
 
 
 
 
 
12

 
 
       
Company
   
# of
   
Total
   
Debt
       
Ownership
   
Apartment
   
Capitalized
           
Interest
 
Maturity
Unconsolidated Real Estate Investments
 
Percentage
   
Homes
   
Cost (1)
   
Amount (2)
 
Type
 
Rate (3)
 
Date
                                       
Fund I
                                 
                                       
  1.  
Avalon at Redondo Beach - Los Angeles, CA
      105     $ 24,622     $ 21,033  
Fixed
    4.87 %
Oct 2011
                                                 
  2.  
Avalon Lakeside - Chicago, IL
          204       18,362       12,056  
Fixed
    5.74 %
Mar 2012
                                                 
  3.  
Avalon Columbia - Baltimore, MD
          170       29,406       22,275  
Fixed
    5.48 %
Apr 2012
                                                 
  4.  
Avalon Sunset - Los Angeles, CA
          82       20,903       12,750  
Fixed
    5.41 %
Mar 2014
                                                 
  5.  
Avalon at Poplar Creek - Chicago, IL
          196       28,093       16,500  
Fixed
    4.83 %
Oct 2012
                                                 
  6.  
Avalon at Civic Center - Norwalk, CA
          192       42,756       27,001  
Fixed
    5.38 %
Aug 2013
                                                 
  7.  
Avalon Paseo Place - Fremont, CA
          134       24,840       11,800  
Fixed
    5.74 %
Nov 2013
                                                 
  8.  
Avalon at Yerba Buena - San Francisco, CA
      160       66,805       41,500  
Fixed
    5.88 %
Mar 2014
                                                 
  9.  
Avalon at Aberdeen Station - Aberdeen, NJ
      290       58,385       39,842  
Fixed
    5.64 %
Sep 2013
                                                 
  10.  
The Springs - Corona, CA (4)
          320       30,832       24,000  
Fixed
    6.06 %
Oct 2014
                                                 
  11.  
Avalon Lombard - Lombard, IL
          256       35,319       17,243  
Fixed
    5.43 %
Jan 2014
                                                 
  12.  
Avalon Cedar Place - Columbia, MD
          156       24,466       12,000  
Fixed
    5.68 %
Feb 2014
                                                 
  13.  
Avalon Centerpoint - Baltimore, MD
          392       80,059       45,000  
Fixed
    5.74 %
Dec 2013
                                  -              
  14.  
Middlesex Crossing - Billerica, MA
          252       38,089       24,100  
Fixed
    5.49 %
Dec 2013
                                                 
  15.  
Avalon Crystal Hill - Ponoma, NY
          168       38,610       24,500  
Fixed
    5.43 %
Dec 2013
                                                 
  16.  
Avalon Skyway - San Jose, CA
          348       78,198       37,500  
Fixed
    6.11 %
Mar 2014
                                                 
  17.  
Avalon Rutherford Station - East Rutherford, NJ
      108       36,795       19,865  
Fixed
    6.13 %
Sep 2016
                                                 
  18.  
South Hills Apartments - West Covina, CA
      85       24,756       11,761  
Fixed
    5.92 %
Oct 2013
                                                 
  19.  
Weymouth Place - Weymouth, MA
          211       25,299       13,455  
Fixed
    5.12 %
Mar 2015
                                                 
     
Total Fund I
    15.2 %     3,829     $ 726,595     $ 434,181         5.6 %  
                                                   
Fund II
                                           
                                                   
  1.  
Avalon Bellevue Park - Bellevue, WA
            220     $ 33,969     $ 21,515  
Fixed
    5.52 %
Jun 2019
                                                   
  2.  
The Hermitage - Fairfax, VA
            491       72,029       42,600  
Fixed
    5.26 %
May 2017
                                                   
  3.  
Avalon Rothbury - Gaithersburg, MD
            203       31,364       18,750  
Variable
    2.85 %
Jun 2017
                                                   
  4.  
The Apartments at Briarwood - Owings Mills, MD
      348       44,750       -   N/A     N/A   N/A
                                                   
  5.  
Grove Park Apartments - Gaithersburg, MD
      684       101,000       63,200  
Fixed
    5.42 %
Jan 2017
                                                   
  6.  
Creekside Meadows - Tustin, CA
      628       98,500       59,100  
Fixed
    3.81 %
Sep 2017
                                                   
     
Fund II corporate debt
            N/A       N/A       46,000  
Variable
    2.76 % 2010 (5)
                                                   
     
Total Fund II
    31.3 %     2,574     $ 381,612     $ 251,165         4.3 %  
                                                   
Other Operating Joint Ventures
                                           
                                                   
                                                   
  1.  
Avalon Chrystie Place I - New York, NY (6)
 
 
20.0
    361     $ 135,393     $ 117,000  
Variable
    0.97 %
Nov 2036
                                                   
  2.   Avalon at Mission Bay North II - San Francisco, CA (7)
 
 
25.0
    313       124,014       105,000  
Fixed
    6.02 %
Dec 2015
                                                   
  3.  
Avalon Del Rey - Los Angeles, CA
    30.0 %     309       70,037       45,292  
Variable
    3.60 %
Apr 2016
                                                   
Other Development Joint Ventures
                                           
                                                   
  1.  
Aria at Hathorne - Danvers, MA (7) (8)
    50.0 %     64       N/A       1,860  
Variable
    4.19 %
Jun 2010 (9)
                                                   
     
Total Other Joint Ventures
            1,047     $ 329,444     $ 269,152         3.4 %  
                                                   
                                                   
     
Total Unconsolidated Investments
            7,450     $ 1,437,651     $ 954,498         4.7 %  
                                                   

 
 
(1)
Represents total capitalized cost as of September 30, 2010.

 
(2)
The Company has not guaranteed the debt of its unconsolidated investees and bears no responsibility for the repayment, other than the construction and completion and related financing guarantee for Avalon Chrystie Place I associated with the construction completion and occupancy certificate.

 
(3)
Represents weighted average rate on outstanding debt.

 
(4)
As discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, beginning in the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company consolidated the net assets and results of operations of The Springs.

 
(5)
As of September 30, 2010, these borrowings are drawn under an unsecured credit facility maturing in December 2011, assuming exercise of a one-year extension option.

 
(6)
After the venture makes certain threshold distributions to the third-party partner, the Company generally receives 50% of all further distributions.

 
(7)
The Company has contributed land at a stepped up basis as its only capital contribution to this development.

 
(8)
After the venture makes certain threshold distributions to the Company, the Company receives 50% of all further distributions.

 
(9)
The loan for this venture matured in June 2010. As of September 30, 2010, the amounts under this borrowing have not been repaid. The venture is negotiating an extension or refinancing of the amounts outstanding. The lender has not to date declared an event of default with respect to the note or required the venture to pay a default rate of interest. Although the Company bears no responsibility to repay the amounts outstanding, the Company has the right to cure any event of default by the venture.
 
 
 
 
 
13

 
 
The following is a combined summary of the financial position of the entities accounted for using the equity method, as of the dates presented:
 
 
      9-30-10       12-31-09  
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
Assets:
               
Real estate, net
  $ 1,291,271     $ 1,065,328  
Other assets
    68,711       39,502  
                 
   Total assets
  $ 1,359,982     $ 1,104,830  
Liabilities and partners' capital:
               
Mortgage notes payable and credit facility
  $ 930,498     $ 758,487  
Other liabilities
    25,278       19,669  
Partners' capital
    404,206       326,674  
                 
   Total liabilities and partners' capital
  $ 1,359,982     $ 1,104,830  
                 


The following is a combined summary of the operating results of the entities accounted for using the equity method, for the periods presented:

 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
      9-30-10       9-30-09       9-30-10       9-30-09  
                                 
 
                               
  Rental and other income
  $ 28,236     $ 25,230     $ 81,066     $ 75,871  
  Operating and other expenses
    (15,488 )     (12,282 )     (40,290 )     (36,636 )
  Interest expense, net
    (9,957 )     (9,277 )     (28,548 )     (27,458 )
  Depreciation expense
    (9,242 )     (8,392 )     (26,494 )     (24,420 )
                                 
    Net loss
  $ (6,451 )   $ (4,721 )   $ (14,266 )   $ (12,643 )

 
In conjunction with the formation of Fund I and Fund II, as well as the acquisition and development of certain other investments in unconsolidated entities, the Company incurred costs in excess of its equity in the underlying net assets of the respective investments. These costs represent $10,745 at September 30, 2010 and $11,047 at December 31, 2009 of the respective investment balances.

As part of the formation of Fund I and Fund II, the Company provided separate and distinct guarantees to one of the limited partners in each of the ventures.  These guarantees are specific to the respective fund and any impacts or obligation of the Company to perform under one of the guarantees has no impact on the Company’s obligations with respect to the other guarantee. The guarantees provide that, if, upon final liquidation of Fund I or Fund II, the total amount of all distributions to the guaranteed partner during the life of the respective fund (whether from operating cash flow or property sales) does not equal the total capital contributions made by that partner, then the Company will pay the guaranteed partner an amount equal to the shortfall, but in no event more than 10% of the total capital contributions made by the guaranteed partner (maximum of approximately $7,500 for Fund I and approximately $3,495 for Fund II as of September 30, 2010).  As of September 30, 2010, the expected realizable values of the real estate assets owned by Fund I and Fund II are considered adequate to cover such potential payments under a liquidation scenario.  The estimated fair value of, and the Company’s obligation under these guarantees, both at inception and as of September 30, 2010, was not significant and therefore the Company has not recorded any obligation for either of these guarantees as of September 30, 2010.

7.  Real Estate Disposition Activities

The Company did not sell any communities during the three months ended September 30, 2010. As of September 30, 2010, the Company had one commercial real estate asset (the Company’s former headquarters) that qualified as held for sale.

The operations for any real estate assets sold from January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010 have been presented as income from discontinued operations in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income. Accordingly, certain reclassifications have been made to prior years to reflect discontinued operations consistent with current year presentation.
 
 

 
 
14

 

The following is a summary of income from discontinued operations for the periods presented:
 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
     9-30-10      9-30-09      9-30-10      9-30-09  
 
                               
  Rental income
  $ 127     $ 9,149     $ 4,142     $ 29,200  
  Operating and other expenses
    (101 )     (3,134 )     (1,854 )     (9,825 )
  Interest expense, net
    --       --       --       (682 )
  Depreciation expense
    (125 )     (2,330 )     (371 )     (7,702 )
                                 
     Income from discontinued operations
  $ (99 )   $ 3,685     $ 1,917     $ 10,991  

 
8.  Segment Reporting

The Company’s reportable operating segments include Established Communities, Other Stabilized Communities, and Development/Redevelopment Communities.  Annually as of January 1st, the Company determines which of its communities fall into each of these categories and maintains that classification, unless disposition plans regarding a community change, throughout the year for the purpose of reporting segment operations.

In addition, the Company owns land for future development and has other corporate assets that are not allocated to an operating segment.

The Company’s segment disclosures present the measure(s) used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of assessing each segments’ performance.  The Company’s chief operating decision maker is comprised of several members of its executive management team who use net operating income (“NOI”) as the primary financial measure for Established Communities and Other Stabilized Communities.  NOI is defined by the Company as total revenue less direct property operating expenses.  Although the Company considers NOI a useful measure of a community’s or communities’ operating performance, NOI should not be considered an alternative to net income or net cash flow from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP.  NOI excludes a number of income and expense categories as detailed in the reconciliation of NOI to net income.

A reconciliation of NOI to net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:
 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
      9-30-10       9-30-09       9-30-10       9-30-09  
                                 
                                 
Net income
  $ 23,980     $ 58,101     $ 147,414     $ 121,924  
Indirect operating expenses, net of corporate income
    7,189       6,987       22,269       22,922  
Investments and investment management expense
    1,026       976       3,111       2,799  
Expensed development and other pursuit costs
    737       1,721       1,685       5,096  
Interest expense, net
    44,262       41,205       128,260       108,215  
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net
    --       --       --       (1,062 )
General and administrative expense
    7,039       5,750       19,975       18,388  
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated entities
    325       (190 )     (364 )     (4,139 )
Depreciation expense
    58,628       52,987       171,956       153,992  
Impairment loss - land holdings
    --       --       --       20,302  
Gain on sale of real estate assets
    --       (26,911 )     (72,220 )     (26,911 )
(Income) loss from discontinued operations
    99       (3,685 )     (1,917 )     (10,991 )
                                 
        Net operating income
  $ 143,285     $ 136,941     $ 420,169     $ 410,535  


The primary performance measure for communities under development or redevelopment depends on the stage of completion.  While under development, management monitors actual construction costs against budgeted costs as well as lease-up pace and rent levels compared to budget.
 
 
 
 
 
15

 

 
The following table provides details of the Company’s segment information as of the dates specified. The segments are classified based on the individual community’s status as of the beginning of the given calendar year. Therefore, each year the composition of communities within each business segment is adjusted.  Accordingly, the amounts between years are not directly comparable. Segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 have been adjusted for the communities that were sold from January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010, or otherwise qualify as discontinued operations as of September 30, 2010, as described in Note 7, “Real Estate Disposition Activities”.
 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
   
Total
         
% NOI change
   
Total
         
% NOI change
   
Gross
 
   
revenue
   
NOI
   
from prior year
   
revenue
   
NOI
   
from prior year
   
real estate (1)
 
                                           
                                           
For the period ended September 30, 2010
                                     
                                           
Established
                                         
New England
  $ 36,291     $ 22,562       (0.1 %)   $ 107,138     $ 66,505       (2.3 %)   $ 1,099,428  
Metro NY/NJ
    45,945       29,944       (2.2 %)     135,622       90,041       (3.4 %)     1,391,159  
Mid-Atlantic/Midwest
    30,382       18,290       1.9 %     89,704       54,501       (1.0 %)     751,739  
Pacific Northwest
    6,593       4,035       (14.7 %)     19,824       12,710       (14.6 %)     239,936  
Northern California
    29,754       20,248       (1.4 %)     88,707       60,651       (8.0 %)     1,113,445  
Southern California
    14,683       9,328       (2.8 %)     44,142       28,466       (6.9 %)     468,666  
                                                         
Total Established
    163,648       104,407       (1.5 %)     485,137       312,874       (4.6 %)     5,064,373  
 
                                                       
Other Stabilized
    31,783       19,411       N/A       90,442       54,403       N/A       1,597,052  
                                                         
Development / Redevelopment
    30,352       19,467       N/A       82,461       52,892       N/A       1,604,250  
                                                         
Land Held for Future Development
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       228,496  
                                                         
Non-allocated (2)
    1,800       N/A       N/A       5,334       N/A       N/A       74,539  
                                                         
Total
  $ 227,583     $ 143,285       4.6 %   $ 663,374     $ 420,169       2.3 %   $ 8,568,710  
                                                         
                                                         
For the period ended September 30, 2009
                                                 
                                                         
Established
                                                       
New England
  $ 30,313     $ 18,964       (7.2 %)   $ 91,665     $ 57,750       (6.1 %)   $ 857,868  
Metro NY/NJ
    38,620       25,541       (9.5 %)     117,568       79,283       (5.5 %)     1,047,469  
Mid-Atlantic/Midwest
    30,662       18,458       (0.7 %)     91,711       56,704       (1.8 %)     774,762  
Pacific Northwest
    6,983       4,720       (9.9 %)     21,537       14,870       (5.6 %)     238,801  
Northern California
    24,203       16,681       (13.2 %)     75,034       54,019       (6.1 %)     855,803  
Southern California
    15,551       10,066       (14.2 %)     47,442       32,159       (9.9 %)     426,957  
                                                         
Total Established
    146,332       94,430       (8.7 %)     444,957       294,785       (5.5 %)     4,201,660  
 
                                                       
Other Stabilized
    32,154       21,321       N/A       94,691       61,582       N/A       1,410,927  
                                                         
Development / Redevelopment
    34,679       21,190       N/A       91,744       54,168       N/A       2,148,151  
                                                         
Land Held for Future Development
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       243,656  
                                                         
Non-allocated (2)
    1,878       N/A       N/A       5,423       N/A       N/A       71,765  
                                                         
Total
  $ 215,043     $ 136,941       (0.0 %)   $ 636,815     $ 410,535       2.1 %   $ 8,076,159  
                                                         
                                                         
(1)
Does not include gross real estate assets held for sale of $10,210 and $274,573 as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
(2)
Revenue represents third-party management, asset management and developer fees and miscellaneous income which are not
 
 
allocated to a reportable segment.
                                                       

9.  Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Information with respect to stock options granted under the Company’s 1994 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “1994 Plan”) and under the AvalonBay Communities, Inc. 2009 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”) are as follows:
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
         
average
         
average
 
   
2009 Plan
   
exercise price
   
1994 Plan
   
exercise price
 
   
shares
   
per share
   
shares
   
per share
 
                         
Options Outstanding, December 31, 2009
    --     $ --       2,836,254     $ 80.76  
Exercised
    --       --       (555,076 )     57.09  
Granted
    126,484       74.20       --       --  
Forfeited
    --       --       (34,656 )     100.02  
Options Outstanding, September 30, 2010
    126,484     $ 74.20       2,246,522     $ 86.32  
                                 
Options Exercisable September 30, 2010
    --       N/A       1,896,182     $ 90.69  
 
 
 
 
 
16

 

The weighted average fair value of the options granted under the 2009 Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is estimated at $19.45 per share on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: dividend yield of 5.5% over the expected life of the option, volatility of 43.00%, risk-free interest rate of 3.15% and an expected life of approximately seven years.

At September 30, 2010, the Company had 234,194 outstanding unvested shares granted under restricted stock awards. The Company issued 102,984 shares of restricted stock valued at $7,777 as part of its stock-based compensation plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Restricted stock vesting during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled 113,398 shares and had fair values at the grant date ranging from $48.60 to $147.75 per share.  The total grant date fair value of shares vested was $9,467 and $10,687 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Total employee stock-based compensation cost recognized in income was $7,709 and $10,056 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and total capitalized stock-based compensation cost was $3,857 and $5,193 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  At September 30, 2010, there was a total of $1,929 and $6,589 in unrecognized compensation cost for unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock, respectively, which does not include estimated forfeitures. The unrecognized compensation cost for unvested stock options and restricted stock is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.77 years and 2.36 years, respectively.

Deferred Stock Performance Plan

The total cost recognized in earnings in connection with the multi-year performance plan implemented by the Company in 2008 was $1,280 and $1,313 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and total capitalized stock-based compensation cost was $699 and $661 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

10.  Related Party Arrangements

Unconsolidated Entities

The Company manages unconsolidated real estate entities for which it receives asset management, property management, development and redevelopment fee revenue.  From these entities, the Company received fees of $1,800 and $1,878 in the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively and $5,334 and $5,423 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  These fees are included in management, development and other fees on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income. In addition, the Company has outstanding receivables associated with its management role of $4,634 and $2,706 as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

In addition, the Company acquired a mortgage note secured by a Fund I community. See Note 6, “Investments in Real Estate Entities” for further discussion.

Director Compensation

The Company recorded non-employee director compensation expense relating to the restricted stock grants and deferred stock awards in the amount of $182 and $614 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as a component of general and administrative expense.  Deferred compensation relating to these restricted stock grants and deferred stock awards was $500 and $365 on September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
17

 
 
11.  Fair Value

Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value

Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Currently, the Company uses interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements to manage its interest rate risk.   These instruments are carried at fair value in the Company’s financial statements. See Note 5, “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” for derivative values at September 30, 2010 and a description of where these amounts are recorded in the financial statements.  In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of counterparty nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of its net position with a given counterparty, as well as any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.  Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives use Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. As of September 30, 2010, the Company assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined it is not significant.  As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

 
Puts – The Company provided redemption options (the “Puts”) that allow two of the Company’s joint venture partners to require the Company to purchase their interests in the investments at the future fair market value.  One Put is payable in cash or, at the Company’s option, common stock of the Company, and the second is payable in cash. The Company determines the fair value of the Puts based on unobservable inputs considering the assumptions that market participants would make in pricing the obligations. The Company applies discount factors to the estimated future cash flows of the asset underlying the associated joint venture, which in the case of the Puts is the NOI from an apartment community, as well as potential disposition proceeds utilizing market capitalization rates, to derive the fair value of the position.  Given the significance of the unobservable inputs, the valuations are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. At December 31, 2009, the Puts’ aggregate fair value was $4,101. At September 30, 2010, the aggregate fair value of the Puts was $8,600.

 
DownREIT units – The Company issued units of limited partnership interest in DownREITs which provide the DownREIT limited partners the ability to present all or some of their units for redemption for a cash amount as determined by the applicable partnership agreement.  Under the DownREIT agreements, for each limited partnership unit, the limited partner is entitled to receive cash in the amount equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on or about the date of redemption.  In lieu of cash redemption, the Company may elect to exchange such units for an equal number of shares in the Company’s common stock. The limited partnership units in DownREITs are valued using the market price of the Company’s common stock, a Level 1 price under the fair value hierarchy. At December 31, 2009, the fair value of the DownREIT units was $1,260. At September 30, 2010, the fair value of the DownREIT units was $1,594.

Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalent balances are held with various financial institutions within principal protected accounts.  The Company monitors credit ratings of these financial institutions and the concentration of cash and cash equivalent balances with any one financial institution and believes the likelihood of realizing material losses related to cash and cash equivalent balances is remote.  Cash and cash equivalents are carried at their face amounts, which reasonably approximate their fair values.

Other Financial Instruments
 
Rents receivable, accounts and construction payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities are carried at their face amounts, which reasonably approximate their fair values.

The Company values its bond indebtedness, notes payable and outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each instrument. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the instrument, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The process also considers credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect the Company’s nonperformance risk. The Company has concluded that the value of its bond indebtedness and notes payable are Level 2 prices as the majority of the inputs used to value its positions fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  Bond indebtedness, notes payable and outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility (as applicable) with an aggregate outstanding par amount of approximately $3,947,887 and $3,977,320 had an estimated aggregate fair value of $4,159,873 and $4,052,817 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
18

 

 
12.  Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date on which this Form 10-Q was filed, the date on which these financial statements were issued, and identified the following for disclosure.

In October 2010, the Company repaid a variable rate secured mortgage note in the amount of $28,989 in accordance with its scheduled maturity date.

In October 2010, the Company repaid a 5.17% fixed rate secured mortgage note in the amount of $9,780 in advance of its July 2024 scheduled maturity date.

Also in October 2010, without admitting or denying liability, the Company settled the outstanding litigation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York regarding the Avalon Chrystie Place joint venture, in which the Company has an interest.  The settlement requirements include that the Company make various agreed upon modifications to the apartment homes and common areas at Avalon Chrystie Place and inspect and, to the extent necessary, negotiate and make modifications at six other New York City communities.  The Company expects that all retrofits will be capitalized as real estate improvements, and that the settlement and the Company’s fulfillment of its terms will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
 

 

 
19

 
 
ITEM 2.                MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help provide an understanding of our business and results of operations. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. This report, including the following MD&A, contains forward-looking statements regarding future events or trends as described more fully under “Forward-Looking Statements” included in this report.  Actual results or developments could differ materially from those projected in such statements as a result of the factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements” below and the risk factors described in Item 1a, “Risk Factors,” of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (our “Form 10-K”).

All capitalized terms have the meaning as provided elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

Executive Overview

Business Description

We are primarily engaged in developing, acquiring, owning and operating apartment communities in high barrier to entry markets of the United States. We believe that apartment communities are an attractive long-term investment opportunity compared to other real estate investments because a broad potential resident base should help reduce demand volatility over a real estate cycle. We seek to create long-term shareholder value by accessing capital at cost effective terms; deploying that capital to develop, redevelop and acquire apartment communities in high barrier to entry markets; operating apartment communities; and selling communities when they no longer meet our long-term investment strategy or when pricing is attractive. Barriers to entry in our markets generally include a difficult and lengthy entitlement process with local jurisdictions and dense urban or suburban areas where zoned and entitled land is in limited supply.

We regularly evaluate the allocation of our investments by the amount of invested capital and by product type within our individual markets, which are located in New England, the New York/New Jersey metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northern and Southern California regions of the United States. Our strategy is to be leaders in market research and capital allocation, delivering a range of multifamily offerings tailored to serve the needs of the most attractive customer segments in the best-performing submarkets of the United States. Our communities are predominately upscale, which generally command among the highest rents in their markets. However, we also pursue the ownership and operation of apartment communities that target a variety of customer segments and price points, consistent with our goal of offering a broad range of products and services.

Third Quarter 2010 Highlights

 
Net income attributable to common stockholders for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 was $24,654,000, a decrease of $33,500,000 or 57.6% from the prior year period.  The decrease is attributable primarily to gains from dispositions in the third quarter of 2009, with no comparable activity in the third quarter of 2010.

 
For the quarter ended September 30, 2010, Established Communities NOI decreased by 1.5% or $1,614,000 from the prior year period, a continued improvement over the NOI declines of 7.6% and 4.4% for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively.  This year-over-year decline for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was driven primarily by an increase in operating expenses of 3.3%.  The increase in expenses is offset somewhat by an increase in rental revenue of 0.2%, the first quarter of year-over-year growth in rental revenue for our Established Communities since 2008.
 
 
 
 
 
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Financial Outlook

Our portfolio results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 reflect both year-over-year revenue growth, as well as continued sequential rental revenue growth.  The increase in revenues is driven by both our portfolio growth through new development as well as an increase in rental rates, partially offset by a decrease in occupancy. We expect year-over-year revenue growth to continue for the balance of 2010.  The improvement in fundamentals in the multifamily sector continues to be supported by a combination of a decline in the homeownership rate, modest employment growth and limited supply of new multifamily rental product. We expect further improvement in revenue growth and operating fundamentals will be driven by home ownership trends, demographic trends, as well as the timing and magnitude of employment growth.  We believe that the recent improvement in apartment fundamentals, as well as favorable capital markets activity, supports our expanded investment activity as further discussed below.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, we started construction of five communities containing 920 apartment homes at an aggregate total capitalized cost of $232,500,000. Four of our five development starts are second phases of current operating communities. At September 30, 2010, twelve communities were under construction with a total projected capitalized cost of approximately $1,072,500,000. As of September 30, 2010, approximately $779,889,000 of the capital for this development was invested, with $292,611,000 remaining to invest.  We have obtained $28,100,000 of this required funding through financing from secured tax-exempt and taxable debt.  At September 30, 2010 our combined development under way and in planning currently is $3,192,500,000, providing us the ability to deliver assets into expected favorable market conditions in late 2011 and 2012.

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we started the redevelopment of Avalon at Decoverly.  The redevelopment will focus on the first phase of the community, which comprises 368 of the 564 apartment homes.  We expect to complete the redevelopment of Avalon at Decoverly for $7,800,000, excluding costs incurred prior to redevelopment.  At September 30, 2010, there were seven communities under redevelopment, with an expected investment of approximately $73,400,000, excluding costs incurred prior to the start of redevelopment, with $33,046,000 remaining to be invested.  During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we completed the redevelopment of Avalon Burbank, a 400 apartment home community in Burbank, CA for $23,400,000, excluding costs incurred prior to redevelopment.  We expect to increase our current level of redevelopment activity through the end of 2010 and into 2011, taking the opportunity to reinvest and reposition our assets to meet the needs of our residents and ensure that our assets are positioned to outperform as the economy fully recovers.

At present, cash on hand and available capital from our Credit Facility are sufficient to provide the capital necessary to fund our development and redevelopment activities for the balance of 2010. We believe that the strength of our balance sheet, as measured by our current level of indebtedness, our current ability to service interest and other fixed charges and our current limited use of financial encumbrances (such as secured financing), provides us with adequate access to liquidity from the capital markets through the issuance of corporate securities (which could include unsecured debt and/or common and preferred equity) and secured debt, as well as other sources of liquidity such as from joint ventures or from our retained cash, to meet any reasonably foreseeable liquidity needs as they arise. See the discussion under Liquidity and Capital Resources.

While we continue to grow principally through our demonstrated core competency of developing wholly owned assets, we also acquire interests in additional assets, primarily through our investment in two private discretionary investment funds.

We established Fund I and Fund II (collectively “the Funds") to engage in acquisition programs through discretionary investment funds.  We believe this investment format provides the following attributes:  (i) third-party joint venture equity as an additional source of financing to expand and diversify our portfolio; (ii) additional sources of income in the form of property management and asset management fees and, potentially, incentive distributions if the performance of the Funds exceeds certain thresholds; and (iii) visibility into the transactions occurring in multi-family assets that helps us with other investment decisions related to our wholly owned portfolio.

One of our wholly owned subsidiaries is the general partner of Fund I and we have made an equity investment of approximately $44,000,000 in Fund I (net of distributions and excluding the purchase of a mortgage note secured by a Fund I community), representing a 15.2% combined general partner and limited partner equity interest. Fund I was our principal vehicle for acquiring apartment communities through the close of its investment period in March 2008. Subsidiaries of Fund I have 21 loans, including one held by us, as discussed below, secured by individual assets with amounts outstanding in the aggregate of $434,181,000 with varying maturity dates (or dates after which the loans can be prepaid without penalty), ranging from October 2011 to September 2016. These mortgage loans are secured by the underlying real estate.
 
 
 
 
 
21

 

 
In the third quarter of 2010, a lender ran a competitive bid process to sell a $26,000,000 non-recourse mortgage note secured by a Fund I asset. We participated in the bidding and purchased the note on an arms length basis for $24,000,000. The note pays interest-only through the maturity date of October 2014 at a stated interest rate of 6.06%. Subsequent to acquisition, we modified certain terms of the mortgage note, including (i) conforming the original principal balance to our purchase price, (ii) modifying the interest payment terms to require remittance of interest based on available cash flow with any deficiency in the monthly payment amount accruing to the principal due on the note, and (iii) modifying certain terms to help eliminate any potential conflicts between us and Fund I, such as removing any prepayment penalty. At the date of acquisition and at September 30, 2010, the fair value of the underlying collateral exceeded the note’s carrying balance.

Fund II has six institutional investors, including us.  One of our wholly owned subsidiaries is the general partner of Fund II and we have total equity commitments of $125,000,000, representing a 31.3% combined general partner and limited partner equity interest. Fund II had invested $381,612,000 as of September 30, 2010. Fund II has a term that expires in August 2018, plus two one-year extension options. Fund II now serves as the exclusive vehicle through which we will acquire investment interests in apartment communities until August 2011 or, if earlier, until 90% of the committed capital of Fund II is invested, subject to limited exceptions. Fund II will not include or involve our development activities. We will receive, in addition to any returns on our invested equity, asset management fees, property management fees and redevelopment fees. We will also receive a promoted interest if certain return thresholds are met.  During the three months ended September 30, 2010 subsidiaries of Fund II acquired the following three operating communities:

Creekside Meadows, a garden-style community consisting of 628 apartment homes located in Tustin (Orange County), CA, was acquired for a purchase price of $98,500,000;
Grove Park Apartments, a garden-style community consisting of 684 apartment homes located in Gaithersburg, MD was acquired for a purchase price of $101,000,000; and
The Apartments at Briarwood, a garden-style community consisting of 348 apartment homes located in Owings Mills, MD, was acquired for a purchase price of $44,750,000.

Subsidiaries of Fund II have five loans secured by individual assets with amounts outstanding in the aggregate of $205,165,000 with varying maturity dates (or dates after which the loans can be prepaid without penalty), ranging from May 2017 to June 2019. These mortgage loans are secured by the underlying real estate.

Communities Overview

Our real estate investments consist primarily of current operating apartment communities, communities in various stages of development (“Development Communities”) and Development Rights as defined below.  Our current operating communities are further distinguished as Established Communities, Other Stabilized Communities, Lease-Up Communities and Redevelopment Communities.  The following is a description of each category:

Current Communities are categorized as Established, Other Stabilized, Lease-Up, or Redevelopment according to the following attributes:

 
Established Communities (also known as Same Store Communities) are consolidated communities where a comparison of operating results from the prior year to the current year is meaningful, as these communities were owned and had stabilized occupancy and operating expenses as of the beginning of the prior year.  For the period ended September 30, 2010, the Established Communities are communities that are consolidated for financial reporting purposes, had stabilized occupancy and operating expenses as of January 1, 2009, are not conducting or planning to conduct substantial redevelopment activities and are not held for sale or planned for disposition within the current year.  A community is considered to have stabilized occupancy at the earlier of (i) attainment of 95% physical occupancy or (ii) the one-year anniversary of completion of development or redevelopment.
 
 
 
 
 
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Other Stabilized Communities are all other completed communities that we own or have a direct or indirect ownership interest in, and that have stabilized occupancy, as defined above.  Other Stabilized Communities do not include communities that are conducting or planning to conduct substantial redevelopment activities within the current year.

 
Lease-Up Communities are communities where construction has been complete for less than one year and where physical occupancy has not reached 95%.

 
Redevelopment Communities are communities where substantial redevelopment is in progress or is planned to begin during the current year.  Redevelopment is considered substantial when capital invested during the reconstruction effort is expected to exceed either $5,000,000 or 10% of the community’s pre-redevelopment basis and is expected to have a material impact on the operations of the community, including occupancy levels and future rental rates.

Development Communities are communities that are under construction and for which a certificate of occupancy has not been received.  These communities may be partially or fully complete and operating.

Development Rights are development opportunities in the early phase of the development process for which we either have an option to acquire land or enter into a leasehold interest, for which we are the buyer under a long-term conditional contract to purchase land or where we control the land through a ground lease or own land to develop a new community.  We capitalize related pre-development costs incurred in pursuit of new developments for which we currently believe future development is probable.

We currently lease our corporate headquarters located in Arlington, Virginia under an operating lease. The lease term ends in 2020, subject to two five year renewal options. In addition, we currently own approximately 60,000 square feet of office space in Alexandria, Virginia, which formerly served as our corporate office. We have entered into an agreement to sell the office space in Alexandria, Virginia, and expect to finalize the sale in the fourth quarter of 2010. All other regional and administrative offices are leased under operating leases.

As of September 30, 2010, communities that we owned or held a direct or indirect interest in were classified as follows:
 
 

 
 
23

 
 
    Number of
 
  Number of
    communities  
 
apartment homes
                 
Current Communities
               
                 
Established Communities:
             
New England
 
          25
     
     6,442
 
Metro NY/NJ
 
          21
     
     6,908
 
Mid-Atlantic/Midwest
 
          15
     
     5,944
 
Pacific Northwest
 
            8
     
     1,943
 
Northern California
 
          20
     
     5,975
 
Southern California
 
          12
     
     3,460
 
Total Established
 
        101
     
   30,672
 
                 
Other Stabilized Communities:
             
New England
 
            9
     
     2,169
 
Metro NY/NJ
 
            9
     
     2,423
 
Mid-Atlantic/Midwest
 
          13
     
     3,836
 
Pacific Northwest
 
            4
     
     1,021
 
Northern California
 
            8
     
     2,145
 
Southern California
 
          15
     
     4,158
 
Total Other Stabilized
 
          58
     
   15,752
 
                 
Lease-Up Communities
 
            1
     
        276
 
                 
Redevelopment Communities
 
            7
     
     2,361
 
                 
Total Current Communities
 
        167
     
   49,061
 
                 
Development Communities
   
          12
     
     3,429
 
                 
Development Rights
   
          24
     
     6,984
 

 
Results of Operations

Our year-over-year operating performance is primarily affected by both overall and individual geographic market conditions and apartment fundamentals and is reflected in changes in NOI of our Established Communities; NOI derived from acquisitions and development completions; the loss of NOI related to disposed communities; and capital market and financing activity.  A comparison of our operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
24

 

 
 
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
   9-30-10      9-30-09    
$ Change
   
% Change
     9-30-10      9-30-09    
$ Change
   
% Change
 
                                                       
Revenue:
                                                     
   Rental and other income
$ 225,783     $ 213,165     $ 12,618       5.9 %   $ 658,040     $ 631,392     $ 26,648       4.2 %
   Management, development and other fees
  1,800       1,878       (78 )     (4.2 %)     5,334       5,423       (89 )     (1.6 %)
           Total revenue   227,583       215,043       12,540       5.8 %     663,374       636,815       26,559       4.2 %
                                                               
Expenses:
                                                             
   Direct property operating expenses,
                                                             
     excluding property taxes
  59,114       55,164       3,950       7.2 %     168,492       158,821       9,671       6.1 %
 Property taxes
  23,402       21,093       2,309       10.9 %     69,695       61,871       7,824       12.6 %
           Total community operating expenses   82,516       76,257       6,259       8.2 %     238,187       220,692       17,495       7.9 %
                                                               
      Corporate-level property management
                                                         
     and other indirect operating expenses
  8,971       8,832       139       1.6 %     27,287       28,510       (1,223 )     (4.3 %)
Investments and investment management expense
  1,026       976       50       5.1 %     3,111       2,799       312       11.1 %
   Expensed development and other pursuit costs
  737       1,721       (984 )     (57.2 %)     1,685       5,096       (3,411 )     (66.9 %)
   Interest expense, net
  44,262       41,205       3,057       7.4 %     128,260       108,215       20,045       18.5 %
   Gain on extinguishment of debt, net
  --       --       N/A       N/A       --       (1,062 )     1,062       (100.0 %)
   Depreciation expense
  58,628       52,987       5,641       10.6 %     171,956       153,992       17,964       11.7 %
   General and administrative expense
  7,039       5,750       1,289       22.4 %     19,975       18,388       1,587       8.6 %
 Impairment loss
  --       --       --       N/A       --       20,302       (20,302 )     (100.0 %)
   Gain on sale of land
  --       (241 )     241       (100.0 %)     --       (241 )     241       (100.0 %)
          Total other expenses   120,663       111,230       9,433       8.5 %     352,274       335,999       16,275       4.8 %
                                                               
   Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated entities
  (325 )     190       (515 )     (271.1 %)     364       4,139       (3,775 )     (91.2 %)
                                                               
Income from continuing operations
  24,079       27,746       (3,667 )     (13.2 %)     73,277       84,263       (10,986 )     (13.0 %)
                                                               
Discontinued operations:
                                                             
   Income (loss) from discontinued operations
  (99 )     3,685       (3,784 )     (102.7 %)     1,917       10,991       (9,074 )     (82.6 %)
   Gain on sale of communities
  -       26,670       (26,670 )     (100.0 %)     72,220       26,670       45,550       170.8 %
Total discontinued operations   (99 )     30,355       (30,454 )     (100.3 %)     74,137       37,661       36,476       96.9 %
                                                               
Net income
  23,980       58,101       (34,121 )     (58.7 %)     147,414       121,924       25,490       20.9 %
                                                               
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling
   interests
  674       53       621       1,171.7 %     890       1,329       (439 )     (33.0 %)
                                                               
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$ 24,654     $ 58,154     $ (33,500 )     (57.6 %)   $ 148,304     $ 123,253     $ 25,051       20.3 %
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders decreased $33,500,000 or 57.6%, to $24,654,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and increased $25,051,000 or 20.3% to $148,304,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from the prior year period is due primarily to gains on asset sales during the three months ended September 30, 2009 that were not present in the three months ended September 30, 2010.  The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 over the prior year period is due primarily to increased gains from the disposition of communities in 2010 as compared to the prior year period as well as the asset impairment reported in 2009 with no comparable charge in 2010.  Both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were also impacted by the growth in income from newly developed communities and increases in interest and depreciation expense in 2010 over the prior year period.

NOI is considered by management to be an important and appropriate supplemental performance measure to net income because it helps both investors and management to understand the core operations of a community or communities prior to the allocation of any corporate-level or financing-related costs.  NOI reflects the operating performance of a community and allows for an easy comparison of the operating performance of individual assets or groups of assets.  In addition, because prospective buyers of real estate have different financing and overhead structures, with varying marginal impacts to overhead by acquiring real estate, NOI is considered by many in the real estate industry to be a useful measure for determining the value of a real estate asset or group of assets.  We define NOI as total property revenue less direct property operating expenses, including property taxes, and excluding corporate-level income (including management, development and other fees), corporate-level property management and other indirect operating expenses, investments and investment management expenses, expensed development and other pursuit costs, net interest expense, gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, general and administrative expense, joint venture income (loss), depreciation expense, impairment loss on land holdings, gain on sale of real estate assets and income from discontinued operations.

NOI does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP.  Therefore, NOI should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indication of our performance.  NOI should also not be considered an alternative to net cash flow from operating activities, as determined by GAAP, as a measure of liquidity, nor is NOI indicative of cash available to fund cash needs.  Reconciliations of NOI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 to net income for each period, are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 
 

 
 
25

 

 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
      9-30-10       9-30-09       9-30-10       9-30-09  
                                 
                                 
Net income
  $ 23,980     $ 58,101     $ 147,414     $ 121,924  
Indirect operating expenses, net of corporate income
    7,189       6,987       22,269       22,922  
Investments and investment management expense
    1,026       976       3,111       2,799  
Expensed development and other pursuit costs
    737       1,721       1,685       5,096  
Interest expense, net
    44,262       41,205       128,260       108,215  
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net
    --       --       --       (1,062 )
General and administrative expense
    7,039       5,750       19,975       18,388  
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated entities
    325       (190 )     (364 )     (4,139 )
Depreciation expense
    58,628       52,987       171,956       153,992  
Impairment loss - land holdings
    --       --       --       20,302  
Gain on sale of real estate assets
    --       (26,911 )     (72,220 )     (26,911 )
(Income) loss from discontinued operations
    99       (3,685 )     (1,917 )     (10,991 )
                                 
        Net operating income
  $ 143,285     $ 136,941     $ 420,169     $ 410,535  
 
The NOI changes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the prior year period, consist of changes in the following categories (dollars in thousands):

   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
      9-30-10       9-30-10  
                 
Established Communities
  $ (1,614 )   $ (14,918 )
                 
Other Stabilized Communities
    4,086       20,819  
                 
Development and Redevelopment Communities
    3,872       3,733  
                 
Total
  $ 6,344     $ 9,634  


The NOI decrease for our Established Communities for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 from the prior year period is due primarily to an increase in operating expenses related to repairs and maintenance activity.  The decrease in our Established Communities’ NOI for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is due to a combination of the decline in rental revenues and an increase in operating expenses.  In the third quarter of 2010, we experienced the first quarter of year-over-year growth in rental revenue for our Established Communities since 2008.  For the balance of 2010, we expect to experience modest growth in rental revenue over the prior year period due to continued improvement in rental rates while maintaining occupancy near current occupancy levels at our Established Communities.

Rental and other income increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year period due to additional rental income generated from newly developed communities and increases in rental rates at our Established Communities, offset somewhat by decreased occupancy for our Established Communities.
 
Overall Portfolio – The weighted average number of occupied apartment homes decreased to 40,255 apartment homes for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to 42,323 homes for the prior year period.  This decrease is primarily due to fewer homes available due to dispositions and homes taken out of service at our redevelopment communities during 2009 and 2010. The weighted average monthly revenue per occupied apartment home increased to $1,811 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $1,728 in the prior year period.

Established Communities – Rental revenue increased $270,000, or 0.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from the prior year period. Rental revenue decreased $10,120,000, or 2.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 over the prior year period. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2010 is due to an increase in rental rates, partially offset by a decrease in the average economic occupancy.  The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was due primarily to a decrease in rental rates, partially offset by an increase in the average economic occupancy.  Economic occupancy takes into account the fact that apartment homes of different sizes and locations within a community have different economic impacts on a community’s gross revenue.  Economic occupancy is defined as gross potential revenue less vacancy loss, as a percentage of gross potential revenue. Economic occupancy increased from 95.5% to 96.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Gross potential revenue is determined by valuing occupied homes at leased rates and vacant homes at market rents. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the weighted average monthly revenue per occupied apartment home decreased 2.7% to $1,826 compared to $1,877 in the prior year period.
 
 
 
 
 
26

 

 
We continue to see improvement in our year to date results for our Established Communities at September 30, 2010 primarily on the East Coast, while the West Coast is responding more slowly.  While our Established Communities continue to reflect an overall year-to-date decline in rental revenue in five of our regions as compared to the prior year period, continued sequential revenue growth has resulted in this decline decreasing from 4.2% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 3.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2010, to 2.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  In the discussion below, sequential revenue growth represents growth in revenue between the second and third quarter of 2010. Information regarding rental revenue for each of our six regions is discussed in more detail below.

The Metro New York/New Jersey region, which accounted for 27.9% of Established Community rental revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, experienced a decrease in rental revenue of 0.9% as compared to the prior year period. Average rental rates decreased 1.4% to $2,260, and economic occupancy increased 0.5% to 96.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  On a sequential basis, the New York metro area posted rental revenue growth of 1.2% during the third quarter of 2010. We believe rental revenue growth will continue this positive trend during the final quarter of 2010, supported by the ongoing recovery in New York’s economy.
 
The New England region accounted for 22.1% of the Established Community rental revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and experienced a rental revenue decrease of 0.2% over the prior year period. Average rental rates decreased 1.4% to $1,917 and economic occupancy increased 1.2% to 96.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the prior year period. Sequential revenue growth over the prior year period totaled 1.8% during the three months ended September 30, 2010.  This is the strongest sequential growth in our portfolio, driven by reduced supply and a stable employment base.  Fairfield-New Haven, with sequential rental revenue growth of 2.7% during the third quarter of 2010, benefited from improvement in the Metro New York economy.

The Mid-Atlantic/Midwest region, which represented 18.5% of Established Community rental revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, experienced an increase in rental revenue of 0.3% over the prior year period. Average rental rates increased by 0.5% to $1,743, while economic occupancy decreased 0.2% to 96.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year period. Apartment demand in this region continues to benefit from the impact of increased federal spending and the corresponding increase in federal employment, resulting in sequential quarterly rental revenue growth of 1.5%.

Northern California accounted for 18.3% of the Established Community rental revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and experienced a rental revenue decrease of 5.6% over the prior year period. Average rental rates decreased 6.1% to $1,714 and economic occupancy increased 0.5% to 96.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year period. We expect improving conditions in the technology and tourism sectors to improve renter demand in the near-term, but the impact is expected to be uneven among the Company’s markets in this region.

Southern California accounted for 9.1% of the Established Community rental revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and experienced a rental revenue decrease of 4.4% over the prior year period. Average rental rates decreased 6.0% to $1,486, and economic occupancy increased 1.6% to 95.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. We expect this region’s economic recovery to lag other regions due primarily to a stalled job market driven in part by the concentration of employment in real estate and mortgage origination industries.
 
 
 
 
 
27

 

 
The Pacific Northwest region accounted for 4.1% of the Established Community rental revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and experienced a rental revenue decrease of 7.9% over the prior year period. Average rental rates decreased 8.9% to $1,188 and economic occupancy increased by 1.0% to 95.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. While metropolitan Seattle has experienced net positive job gains during the first nine months of 2010, the pace of improvement in apartment fundamentals will depend on absorption of new supply in certain submarkets.

In accordance with GAAP, cash concessions are amortized as an offset to rental revenue over the approximate lease term, which is generally one year.  As a supplemental measure, we also present rental revenue with concessions stated on a cash basis to help investors evaluate the impact of both current and historical concessions on GAAP based rental revenue and to more readily enable comparisons to revenue as reported by other companies.  Rental revenue with concessions stated on a cash basis also allows investors to understand historical trends in cash concessions, as well as current rental market conditions.

The following table reconciles total rental revenue in conformity with GAAP to total rental revenue adjusted to state concessions on a cash basis for our Established Communities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (dollars in thousands).

 
    For the three months ended    
For the nine months ended
 
      9-30-10       9-30-09       9-30-10       9-30-09  
 
                               
Rental revenue (GAAP basis)
  $ 163,464     $ 163,194     $ 484,744     $ 494,864  
Concessions amortized
    705       2,472       3,451       8,103  
Concessions granted
    (516 )     (2,016 )     (1,585 )     (6,791 )
                                 
Rental revenue adjusted to state
                               
    concessions on a cash basis
  $ 163,653     $ 163,650     $ 486,610     $ 496,176  
                                 
Year-over-year % change -- GAAP revenue
            0.2 %             (2.0 %)
                                 
Year-over-year % change -- cash concession based revenue
      0.0 %             (1.9 %)
 

Direct property operating expenses, excluding property taxes increased $3,950,000, or 7.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and $9,671,000, or 6.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year periods, primarily due to the addition of recently developed apartment homes, as well as increased spending on maintenance related activities.

For Established Communities, direct property operating expenses, excluding property taxes, increased $1,156,000, or 2.8% to $41,987,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, and increased approximately $2,005,000, or 1.7% to $120,328,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the prior year periods.  The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were due to increased maintenance-related expenses, offset partially by a reduction in bad debt expense. In addition, our year-to-date expenses include costs associated with storm related repairs from the severe weather experienced on the East Coast in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010.

Property taxes increased $2,309,000, or 10.9% and $7,824,000, or 12.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, due to the addition of newly developed and redeveloped apartment homes and a large refund received for one community in New York in 2009, with no comparable receipts in 2010. Property tax increases are often impacted by the size and timing of successful tax appeals.

For Established Communities, property taxes increased by $711,000, or 4.3% and $2,795,000 or 5.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 over the prior year periods. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2010 is due primarily to higher rates, principally for East Coast assets. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is also due to a large refund received for one community in New York in 2009 not present in 2010. The impact of the economic recession has not been reflected in all current assessments, as there is typically a time lag between a change in the economy affecting property valuations and updated real estate tax assessments. In regions where current assessments have been reduced, tax rates have increased to provide consistent amounts of revenue to the taxing authorities. Therefore, we expect property taxes to continue to increase for the balance of 2010 over 2009. For communities in California, property tax changes are determined by the change in the California Consumer Price Index, with increases limited by law (Proposition 13). We evaluate property tax increases internally and also engage third-party consultants to assist in our evaluations. We appeal property tax increases when appropriate.
 
 
 
 
 
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Corporate-level property management and other indirect operating expenses increased by $139,000, or 1.6% and decreased by $1,223,000 or 4.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively over the prior year periods. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from the prior year period is due primarily to decreases in costs related to corporate initiatives, partially offset by increases in compensation costs.

Expensed development and other pursuit costs primarily reflect the costs incurred for abandoned pursuit costs, which include costs incurred for development pursuits not yet considered probable for development, as well as the abandonment of Development Rights and disposition pursuits. Expensed development and other pursuit costs decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year periods, due to decreases in abandoned development pursuits. These costs can be volatile, particularly in periods of economic downturn or when there is limited access to capital, and the costs may vary significantly from period to period.

Interest expense, net increased $3,057,000, or 7.4% and $20,045,000 or 18.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 over the prior year periods.  This category includes interest costs offset by interest capitalized and interest income.  The increase for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 is due primarily to interest expense from additional debt outstanding, as well as a decrease in the amount of interest cost allocated to capitalized interest in 2010 as compared to the prior year periods.

Gain on extinguishment of debt, net reflects the impact of our debt repurchase activity for payments above or below the carrying basis.  The net gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is due to the gain recognized from our January 2009 tender offer.

Depreciation expense increased $5,641,000 or 10.6% and $17,964,000, or 11.7% in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily due to the net increase in assets from the completion of development and redevelopment activities.

General and administrative expense (“G&A”) increased $1,289,000, or 22.4% and $1,587,000, or 8.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year periods. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 over the prior year periods is due to an increase in compensation costs, coupled with a reduction of prior period excise and other corporate taxes recognized in 2009.  The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2010 is partially offset by the accrual of our obligation under a legal settlement recorded in 2009, not incurred in 2010. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is partially offset by the timing of separation costs in both periods.

Impairment loss decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from the prior year periods due to the recognition of an impairment charge on property owned associated with two former Development Rights in 2009, with no comparable expense in 2010.  We are not aware of any additional impairments present in our inventory of land, or other development ventures.  However, our focus on development of new apartment communities, coupled with the existing development pipeline, presents a risk that could result in future abandoned pursuits and/or impairment charges.  These costs can be volatile, varying significantly from period to period, particularly in periods of economic downturn or when there is limited access to capital.

Equity in income of unconsolidated entities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $515,000, or 271.1% and $3,775,000, or 91.2% from the prior year periods due to the recognition of our proportionate share of acquisition costs incurred by Fund II, as well as the recognition of our promoted interest in the joint venture that owns Avalon Chrystie Place in the first quarter of 2009.

Income from discontinued operations represents the net income generated by communities sold or qualifying as discontinued operations during the period from January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.  This income decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to communities disposed from January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.
 
 
 
 
 
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Gain on sale of communities decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2010 due to the community sales during the prior year period, with no comparable activity in the three months ended September 30, 2010.  Gain on sale of communities increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year periods as a result of increased gains on the dispositions in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The amount of gain realized upon disposition of a community depends on many factors, including the number of communities sold, the size and carrying value of those communities and the market conditions in the local area.

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted in income of $674,000 and $890,000, respectively, compared to $53,000 and $1,329,000, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The increase for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 is due to the impact of consolidating the Fund I community as discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, allocating the proportionate share of the operating loss from this community to our joint venture partners.  In addition, the year-over-year results for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 are impacted by the recognition of income for our joint venture partners’ portion of expenses incurred by Fund II in 2009, not present in 2010, as well as the conversion and redemption of limited partnership units in 2009 and 2010, thereby reducing outside ownership interests and the allocation of net income to outside ownership interests.

Funds from Operations Attributable to Common Stockholders (“FFO”)

FFO is considered by management to be an appropriate supplemental measure of our operating and financial performance.  In calculating FFO, we exclude gains or losses related to dispositions of previously depreciated property and exclude real estate depreciation, which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates.  FFO can help one compare the operating performance of a real estate company between periods or as compared to different companies.  We believe that in order to understand our operating results, FFO should be examined with net income as presented in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.

Consistent with the definition adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trustsâ (“NAREIT”), we calculate FFO as net income or loss computed in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for:

 
gains or losses on sales of previously depreciated operating communities;
 
extraordinary gains or losses (as defined by GAAP);
 
depreciation of real estate assets; and
 
adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.

FFO does not represent net income attributable to common stockholders of the Company in accordance with GAAP, and therefore it should not be considered an alternative to net income, which remains the primary measure of performance.  In addition, FFO as calculated by other REITs may not be comparable to our calculation of FFO.

The following is a reconciliation of net income attributable to the Company to FFO (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
 
 
 
30

 

 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
      9-30-10       9-30-09       9-30-10       9-30-09  
                                 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 24,654     $ 58,154     $ 148,304     $ 123,253  
Depreciation - real estate assets, including discontinued
                               
     operations and joint venture adjustments
    59,794       56,239       175,399       163,891  
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, including
                               
     discontinued operations
    14       14       41       52  
Gain on sale of operating communities
    --       (26,670 )     (72,220 )     (26,670 )
                                 
FFO attributable to common stockholders
  $ 84,462     $ 87,737     $ 251,524     $ 260,526  
                                 
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
    85,768,696       80,609,277       84,129,894       80,170,093  
EPS per common share - diluted
  $ 0.29     $ 0.72     $ 1.76     $ 1.54  
FFO per common share - diluted
  $ 0.98     $ 1.09     $ 2.99     $ 3.25  
                                 
 
FFO also does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, and therefore should not be considered an alternative to net cash flows from operating activities, as determined by GAAP, as a measure of liquidity.  Additionally, it is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs.

A presentation of GAAP based cash flow metrics is as follows (dollars in thousands) and a discussion of “Liquidity and Capital Resources” can be found later in this report.
 
 
                                 
                                 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
      9-30-10       9-30-09       9-30-10       9-30-09  
     Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 62,655     $ 83,250     $ 234,379     $ 272,978  
     Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
  $ (144,369 )   $ (53,621 )   $ (178,347 )   $ (329,678 )
     Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
  $ (62,896 )   $ 308,946     $ 67,388     $ 545,357  
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We believe our principal short-term liquidity needs are to fund:

 
development and redevelopment activity in which we are currently engaged;
 
the minimum dividend payments on our common stock required to maintain our REIT qualification under the Code;
 
debt service and principal payments either at maturity or opportunistic pre-payments;
 
normal recurring operating expenses; and
 
capital calls for Fund II, as required.

Factors affecting our liquidity and capital resources are our cash flows from operations, financing activities and investing activities (including dispositions) as well as general economic and market conditions.  Operating cash flow has historically been determined by: (i) the number of apartment homes currently owned, (ii) rental rates, (iii) occupancy levels and (iv) operating expenses with respect to apartment homes.  The timing and type of capital markets activity in which we engage, as well as our plans for development, redevelopment, acquisition and disposition activity, are affected by changes in the capital markets environment, such as changes in interest rates or the availability of cost-effective capital. We regularly review our liquidity needs, the adequacy of cash flows from operations and other expected liquidity sources to meet these needs.

During the third quarter of 2010 we reached the maximum amount of sales registered for sale under the CEP, having raised $393,993,000 in net proceeds since its inception in August 2009. For the balance of 2010, we expect to meet our liquidity needs from a variety of internal and external sources, which may include cash balances on hand, borrowing capacity under our Credit Facility (as defined elsewhere in this Form 10-Q), secured and unsecured debt financings, and other public or private sources of liquidity including common and preferred equity, as well as from our operating activities. Our ability to obtain additional financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the overall availability of credit to the real estate industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, as well as the perception of lenders regarding our long or short-term financial prospects. At September 30, 2010, we have unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and cash in escrow of $407,141,000 available for both current liquidity needs as well as development activities, of which $93,440,000 relates to a Development Right for which we have not begun construction.
 
 
 
 
 
31

 

 
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents totaled $229,111,000 at September 30, 2010, an increase of $123,420,000 from $105,691,000 at December 31, 2009.  The following discussion relates to changes in cash due to operating, investing and financing activities, which are presented in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included elsewhere in this report.

Operating Activities – Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $234,379,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $272,978,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The change was driven primarily by the increase in interest costs and timing of corporate payables.

Investing Activities – Net cash used in investing activities of $178,347,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to investments in assets primarily through development and redevelopment. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we invested $340,451,000 in the development of the following real estate and capital expenditures:
 
 
 
We invested approximately $330,251,000 in the development of communities.
 
We had capital expenditures of $10,200,000 for real estate and non-real estate assets.

These amounts are partially offset by the proceeds from the disposition of real estate of $186,058,000, and draws on construction escrows of $32,940,000.

Financing Activities – Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $67,388,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  The net cash provided is due primarily to $322,257,000 received from the issuance of common stock, primarily through the CEP we initiated in August 2009, partially offset by the payment of cash dividends in the amount of $222,081,000 and $29,433,000 for the repayment of secured notes.

Variable Rate Unsecured Credit Facility

We currently have a $1,000,000,000 revolving variable rate Credit Facility with a syndicate of commercial banks.  In August 2010, we executed our option to extend the maturity of the Credit Facility for one year to November 2011, at a cost of approximately $1,000,000. We pay an annual facility fee of approximately $1,250,000.  The Credit Facility bears interest at varying levels based on LIBOR, our credit rating and on a maturity schedule selected by us.  The current stated pricing is LIBOR plus 0.40% per annum (0.65% on October 31, 2010). At October 31, 2010, there were no amounts outstanding on the Credit Facility, $47,668,000 was used to provide letters of credit, and $952,332,000 was available for borrowing under the Credit Facility.

We expect to enter into a new unsecured credit facility prior to the November 2011 expiration of the Credit Facility. While credit market conditions continue to improve from the difficult environment seen in 2008 and 2009, we cannot at this time determine how the terms and size for a new facility will compare to the terms and size of our current Credit Facility.

Financial Covenants

We are subject to financial and other covenants contained in the Credit Facility and the indenture under which our unsecured notes were issued.  The financial covenants include the following:

 
limitations on the amount of total and secured debt in relation to our overall capital structure;
 
limitations on the amount of our unsecured debt relative to the undepreciated basis of real estate assets that are not encumbered by property-specific financing; and
 
minimum levels of debt service coverage.

We were in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2010.
 
 
 
 
 
32

 
 
In addition, our secured borrowings may include yield maintenance, defeasance, or prepayment penalty provisions, which would result in us incurring an additional charge in the event of a full or partial prepayment of outstanding principal before the scheduled maturity. These provisions in our secured borrowings are generally consistent with other similar types of debt instruments issued during the same time period in which our borrowings were secured.

Continuous Equity Program (CEP)

In August 2009, we commenced the CEP, under which we were authorized to sell up to $400,000,000 of our common stock. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, and year to date through September 30, 2010, we sold 76,700 and 3,080,204 shares at an average price of $100.41 and $95.88 per share for net proceeds of $7,586,000 and $290,884,000, respectively, exhausting the currently-registered amount of sales under the CEP.  From program inception in August 2009 through the end of the currently-registered offering in July 2010, we sold 4,585,105 shares at an average price of $87.24 for net proceeds of $393,993,000.

Future Financing and Capital Needs – Debt Maturities

One of our principal long-term liquidity needs is the repayment of long-term debt at the time that such debt matures.  For both our unsecured and secured notes, a portion of the principal of these notes may be repaid prior to maturity. Early retirement of our unsecured notes could result in gains or losses on extinguishment similar to those recognized in 2008 and 2009. If we do not have funds on hand sufficient to repay our indebtedness as it becomes due, it will be necessary for us to refinance the debt. This refinancing may be accomplished by uncollateralized private or public debt offerings, additional debt financing that is secured by mortgages on individual communities or groups of communities or draws on our Credit Facility.  Although we believe we will have the capacity to meet our currently anticipated liquidity needs, we cannot assure you that additional debt financing or debt or equity offerings will be available or, if available, that they will be on terms we consider satisfactory.

In addition to the activity under the CEP discussed above, the following financing activity occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 
we repaid a 6.47% fixed rate secured mortgage note in the amount of $13,961,000 in advance of its March 2012 scheduled maturity date; and
 
we repaid a 6.95% fixed rate secured mortgage note in the amount of $11,226,000 in advance of its February 2025 scheduled maturity date.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The following table details debt maturities for the next five years, excluding our Credit Facility and amounts outstanding related to communities classified as held for sale, for debt outstanding at September 30, 2010 (dollars in thousands):
 
   
All-In
 
Principal
                                       
   
interest
 
maturity
 
Balance outstanding
     
Scheduled maturities
 
Community
 
rate (1)
 
date
   12-31-09      9-30-10        2010    2011    2012    2013    2014  
Thereafter
 
Tax-exempt bonds
                                                             
Fixed rate
                                                             
CountryBrook
  --  
Mar-2012
  $ 13,961     $ --       $ --   $ --   $ --   $ --   $ --   $ --  
Avalon at Symphony Glen
  5.17 %
Jul-2024
    9,780       9,780 (8 )     --     --     --     --     --     9,780  
Avalon at Lexington
  --  
Feb-2025
    11,226       --         --     --     --     --     --     --  
Avalon Campbell
  --  
Jun-2025
    29,881       -- (2 )     --     --     --     --     --     --  
Avalon Pacifica
  --  
Jun-2025
    13,554       -- (2 )     --     --     --     --     --     --  
Avalon Fields
  7.79 %
May-2027
    9,714       9,495         76     316     339     364     390     8,010  
Avalon Oaks
  7.49 %
Feb-2041
    16,794       16,677         40     168     180     193     207     15,889  
Avalon Oaks West
  7.54 %
Apr-2043
    16,661       16,556         36     152     162     173     185     15,848  
Avalon at Chestnut Hill
  6.15 %
Oct-2047
    41,501       41,240         89     368     388     409     432     39,554  
Morningside Park
  4.09 %
Nov-2040
    --       100,000 (9 )     --     --     --     --     --     100,000  
              163,072       193,748         241     1,004     1,069     1,139     1,214     189,081  
Variable rate (3)
                                                               
Avalon Burbank
  2.03 %
Oct-2010
    29,387       28,989 (10 )     28,989     --     --     --     --     --  
Waterford
  1.13 %
Jul-2014
    33,100       33,100 (4 )     --     --     --     --     33,100     --  
Avalon at Mountain View
  1.18 %
Feb-2017
    18,300       18,300 (4 )     --     --     --     --     --     18,300  
Avalon at Mission Viejo
  1.43 %
Jun-2025
    7,635       7,635 (4 )     --     --     --     --     --     7,635  
Avalon at Nob Hill
  1.35 %
Jun-2025
    20,800       20,800 (4 )     --     --     --     --     --     20,800  
Avalon Campbell
  1.69 %
Jun-2025
    8,919       38,800 (2 )     --     --     --     --     --     38,800  
Avalon Pacifica
  1.71 %
Jun-2025
    4,046       17,600 (2 )     --     --     --     --     --     17,600  
Bowery Place I
  3.33 %
Nov-2037
    93,800       93,800 (4     --     --     --     --     --     93,800  
Bowery Place II
  4.48 %
Nov-2039
    48,500       48,500 (5 )     --     --     --     --     --     48,500  
Avalon Acton
  1.77 %
Jul-2040
    45,000       45,000 (4     --     --     --     --     --     45,000  
Morningside Park
  0.00 %
Nov-2040
    100,000       -- (9 )     --     --     --     --     --     --  
West Chelsea
  0.22 %
May-2012
    93,440       93,440 (5 )     --     --     93,440     --     --     --  
Avalon Walnut Creek
  2.99 %
Mar-2046
    116,000       116,000 (5 )     --     --     --     --     --     116,000  
Avalon Walnut Creek
  2.97 %
Mar-2046
    10,000       10,000 (5 )     --     --     --     --     --     10,000  
              628,927       571,964         28,989     --     93,440     --     33,100     416,435  
Conventional loans (6)
                                                               
Fixed rate
                                                               
$200 Million unsecured notes
  7.67 %
Dec-2010
    14,576       14,576         14,576     --     --     --     --     --  
$300 Million unsecured notes
  6.79 %
Sep-2011
    39,900       39,900         --     39,900     --     --     --     --  
$250 Million unsecured notes
  5.74 %
Jan-2012
    104,400       104,400         --     --     104,400     --     --     --  
$250 Million unsecured notes
  6.26 %
Nov-2012
    201,601       201,601         --     --     201,601     --     --     --  
$100 Million unsecured notes
  5.11 %
Mar-2013
    100,000       100,000         --     --     --     100,000     --     --  
$150 Million unsecured notes
  5.52 %
Apr-2014
    150,000       150,000         --     --     --     --     150,000     --  
$250 Million unsecured notes
  5.89 %
Sep-2016
    250,000       250,000         --     --     --     --     --     250,000  
$250 Million unsecured notes
  5.82 %
Mar-2017
    250,000       250,000         --     --     --     --     --     250,000  
$250 Million unsecured notes
  6.19 %
Mar-2020
    250,000       250,000         --     --     --     --     --     250,000  
Avalon at Twinbrook
  7.25 %
Oct-2011
    7,578       7,400         61     7,339     --     --     --     --  
Avalon at Tysons West
  5.55 %
Jul-2028
    6,045       5,909         47     193     204     216     229     5,020  
Avalon Orchards
  7.78 %
Jul-2033
    19,011       18,763         85     357     382     409     438     17,092  
Avalon at Arlington Square
  4.81 %
Apr-2013
    170,125       170,125         --     --     --     170,125     --     --  
Avalon at Cameron Court
  5.07 %
Apr-2013
    94,572       94,572         --     --     --     94,572     --     --  
Avalon Crescent
  5.59 %
May-2015
    110,600       110,600         --     --     --     --     --     110,600  
Avalon at Silicon Valley
  5.74 %
Jul-2015
    150,000       150,000         --     --     --     --     --     150,000  
Avalon Darien
  6.22 %
Nov-2015
    51,172       50,718         206     702     746     793     843     47,428  
Avalon Greyrock Place
  6.12 %
Nov-2015
    61,690       61,130         251     861     914     971     1,031     57,102  
Avalon Commons
  6.10 %
Jan-2019
    55,100       55,100         --     693     734     779     826     52,068  
Avalon Walnut Creek
  4.00 %
Jul-2066
    2,500       2,500         --     --     --     --     --     2,500  
Avalon Shrewsbury
  5.92 %
May-2019
    21,130       21,130         --     183     285     301     319     20,042  
Avalon Gates
  5.92 %
May-2019
    41,321       41,321         --     357     557     589     624     39,194  
Avalon at Stamford Harbor
  5.92 %
May-2019
    65,695       65,695         --     568     885     937     992     62,313  
Avalon Freehold
  5.94 %
May-2019
    36,630       36,630         --     317     493     522     553     34,745  
Avalon Run East II
  5.94 %
May-2019
    39,250       39,250         --     339     529     560     592     37,230  
Avalon Gardens
  6.05 %
May-2019
    66,237       66,237         --     572     892     945     1,000     62,828  
Avalon Edgewater
  6.10 %
May-2019
    78,565       78,565         --     679     1,058     1,120     1,186     74,522  
Avalon Foxhall
  6.05 %
May-2019
    59,010       59,010         --     510     795     841     891     55,973  
Avalon Gallery Place I
  6.05 %
May-2019
    45,850       45,850         --     396     618     654     692     43,490  
Avalon Traville
  5.91 %
May-2019
    77,700       77,700         --     672     1,047     1,108     1,173     73,700  
Avalon Bellevue
  5.91 %
May-2019
    26,698       26,698         --     231     360     381     403     25,323  
Avalon on the Alameda
  5.90 %
May-2019
    53,980       53,980         --     467     727     770     815     51,201  
Avalon Mission Bay North
  5.90 %
May-2019
    73,269       73,269         --     633     987     1,045     1,106     69,498  
Avalon Woburn
  5.90 %
May-2019
    55,805       55,805         --     482     752     796     842     52,933  
              2,830,010       2,828,434         15,226     56,451     318,966     378,434     164,555     1,894,802  
                                                                 
Variable rate (3) (6)
                                                               
Avalon at Crane Brook
  2.12 %
Mar-2011
    30,440       29,385 (4 )     299     29,086     --     --     --     --  
Avalon at Bedford Center
  1.75 %
May-2012
    15,871       15,356 (4 )     135     560     14,661     --     --     --  
Avalon Walnut Creek
  2.99 %
Mar-2046
    9,000       9,000 (5 )     --     --     --     --     --     9,000  
$200 Million unsecured notes
  7.07 %
Dec-2010
    75,000       75,000 (7 )     75,000     --     --     --     --     --  
$300 Million unsecured notes
  5.70 %
Sep-2011
    100,000       100,000 (7 )     --     100,000     --     --     --     --  
$50 Million unsecured notes
  5.70 %
Sep-2011
    50,000       50,000 (7 )     --     50,000     --     --     --     --  
$250 Million unsecured notes
  4.60 %
Jan-2012
    75,000       75,000 (7 )     --     --     75,000     --     --     --  
                                                                 
              355,311       353,741         75,434     179,646     89,661     --     --     9,000  
                                                                 
Total indebtedness - excluding unsecured credit facility
    $ 3,977,320     $ 3,947,887       $ 119,890   $ 237,101   $ 503,136   $ 379,573   $ 198,869   $ 2,509,318  


(1)
Includes credit enhancement fees, facility fees, trustees’ fees and other fees.

(2)
Variable rate, tax-exempt debt for which the interest rate on a portion of this debt was effectively fixed through an interest rate swap agreement through the maturity of the swap in early June 2010.  Concurrent with the maturity of the interest rate swap, we executed an interest rate cap limiting the maximum interest rate paid on the portion of the debt hedged. The entire outstanding balance has therefore been presented as variable rate financing beginning June 30, 2010.
 
 
 
 
 
 
34

 

 
(3)
Variable rates are given as of September 30, 2010.

(4)
Financed by variable rate debt, but interest rate is capped through an interest rate protection agreement.

(5)
Represents full amount of the debt as of September 30, 2010.  Actual amounts drawn on the debt as of September 30, 2010 are $47,074 for Bowery Place II, $95,313 for Walnut Creek, and $0 for West Chelsea.

(6)
Balances at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 exclude $1,950 and $2,220 respectively of debt discount, and $1,953 and ($228) respectively for basis adjustments, as reflected in unsecured notes on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included elsewhere in this report.

(7)
In October 2009, we executed $300,000 of interest rate swaps allowing us to effectively convert the principal of these fixed rate unsecured notes to floating rate debt.

(8)
Borrowing was repaid, prior to its scheduled maturity, in October 2010.

(9)
In October 2010, we elected to fix the borrowing rate until June 2011, at which point we will select the updated term and mode for the bonds.

(10)
Borrowing was repaid, in accordance with its scheduled maturity, in October 2010.


Future Financing and Capital Needs – Portfolio and Other Activity

As of September 30, 2010, we had 12 wholly owned communities under construction, for which a total estimated cost of $292,611,000 remained to be invested.  We also had seven wholly owned communities under reconstruction, for which a total estimated cost of $33,046,000 remained to be invested.  In addition, we may be required to contribute our proportionate share of capital to Fund II, if or to the extent that Fund II makes capital calls in conjunction with additional community acquisitions during 2010. Substantially all of the capital expenditures necessary to complete the communities currently under construction and reconstruction, fund development costs related to pursuing Development Rights, and make equity contributions to Fund II, will be funded from:
 
 
     cash currently on hand, including cash in construction escrows, invested in highly liquid overnight money market funds and repurchase agreements, and short-term investment vehicles;
     the remaining capacity under our $1,000,000,000 Credit Facility;
     retained operating cash;
     the net proceeds from sales of existing communities;
     the issuance of debt or equity securities; and/or
     private equity funding, including joint venture activity.

Before planned reconstruction activity, including reconstruction activity related to communities acquired by the Funds, or the construction of a Development Right begins, we intend to arrange adequate financing to complete these undertakings, although we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such financing.  In the event that financing cannot be obtained, we may have to abandon Development Rights, write off associated pre-development costs that were capitalized and/or forego reconstruction activity.  In such instances, we will not realize the increased revenues and earnings that we expected from such Development Rights or reconstruction activity and significant losses could be incurred.
 
From time to time we use joint ventures to hold or develop individual real estate assets.  We generally employ joint ventures primarily to mitigate asset concentration or market risk and secondarily as a source of liquidity.  We may also use joint ventures related to mixed-use land development opportunities where our partners bring development and operational expertise to the venture.  Each joint venture or partnership agreement has been individually negotiated, and our ability to operate and/or dispose of a community in our sole discretion may be limited to varying degrees depending on the terms of the joint venture or partnership agreement.  We cannot assure you that we will achieve our objectives through joint ventures.
 
 
 
 
 
35

 

 
In evaluating our allocation of capital within our markets, we sell assets that do not meet our long-term investment criteria or when capital and real estate markets allow us to realize a portion of the value created over the past business cycle and redeploy the proceeds from those sales to develop and redevelop communities.  Because the proceeds from the sale of communities may not be immediately redeployed into revenue generating assets, the immediate effect of a sale of a community for a gain is to increase net income, but reduce future total revenues, total expenses and NOI. However, we believe that the absence of future cash flows from communities sold will have a minimal impact on our ability to fund future liquidity and capital resource needs.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In addition to our investment interests in consolidated and unconsolidated real estate entities, we have certain off-balance sheet arrangements with the entities in which we invest.   Additional discussion of these entities can be found in Note 6, “Investments in Real Estate Entities,” of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements located elsewhere in this report.

 
CVP I, LLC has outstanding tax-exempt, variable rate bonds maturing in November 2036 in the amount of $117,000,000, which have permanent credit enhancement.  We have agreed to guarantee, under limited circumstances, the repayment to the credit enhancer of any advances it may make in fulfillment of CVP I, LLC’s repayment obligations under the bonds. We have also guaranteed to the credit enhancer that CVP I, LLC will obtain a final certificate of occupancy for the project (Chrystie Place in New York City), which is expected in 2010.  Our 80% partner in this venture has agreed that it will reimburse us its pro rata share of any amounts paid relative to these guaranteed obligations.  The estimated fair value of and our obligation under these guarantees, both at inception and as of September 30, 2010, were not significant.  As a result we have not recorded any obligation associated with these guarantees at September 30, 2010.

 
Subsidiaries of Fund I have 21 loans secured by individual assets with amounts outstanding in the aggregate of $434,181,000, including 24,000,000 for the mortgage note we purchased during the three months ended September 30, 2010 as discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.  Fund I subsidiary loans have varying maturity dates (or dates after which the loans can be prepaid), ranging from October 2011 to September 2016. These mortgage loans are secured by the underlying real estate. The mortgage loans are payable by the subsidiaries of Fund I with operating cash flow or disposition proceeds from the underlying real estate. We have not guaranteed the debt of Fund I, nor do we have any obligation to fund this debt should Fund I be unable to do so.
 
In addition, as part of the formation of Fund I, we have provided to one of the limited partners a guarantee.  The guarantee provides that if, upon final liquidation of Fund I, the total amount of all distributions to that partner during the life of Fund I (whether from operating cash flow or property sales) does not equal a minimum of the total capital contributions made by that partner, then we will pay the partner an amount equal to the shortfall, but in no event more than 10% of the total capital contributions made by the partner (maximum of approximately $7,500,000 as of September 30, 2010). As of September 30, 2010, the expected realizable value of the real estate assets owned by Fund I is considered adequate to cover such potential payment to that partner under the expected Fund I liquidation scenario.  The estimated fair value of, and our obligation under this guarantee, both at inception and as of September 30, 2010 was not significant and therefore we have not recorded any obligation for this guarantee as of September 30, 2010.

 
As of September 30, 2010, subsidiaries of Fund II have five loans secured by individual assets with amounts outstanding in the aggregate of $205,165,000 with varying maturity dates (or dates after which the loans can be prepaid), ranging from January 2017 to June 2019. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, two subsidiaries of Fund II obtained separate fixed rate secured notes, one for $63,200,000 with a 5.42% interest rate with a maturity of January 2017 and the other for $59,100,000 with a 3.81% interest rate with a maturity of September 2017. As of September 30, 2010, Fund II also has $46,000,000 outstanding under a credit facility that matures in December 2011 assuming the exercise of a one year extension by Fund II. The mortgage loans are payable by the subsidiaries of Fund II with operating cash flow or disposition proceeds from the underlying real estate, and the credit facility is payable by Fund II and is secured by capital commitments.  We have not guaranteed, beyond our proportionate share of capital commitments supporting the credit facility of Fund II, the debt of Fund II, nor do we have any obligation to fund this debt should Fund II be unable to do so.
 
 
 
 
 
36

 

 
In addition, as part of the formation of Fund II, we have provided to one of the limited partners a guarantee.  The guarantee provides that if, upon final liquidation of Fund II, the total amount of all distributions to that partner during the life of Fund II (whether from operating cash flow or property sales) does not equal a minimum of the total capital contributions made by that partner, then we will pay the partner an amount equal to the shortfall, but in no event more than 10% of the total capital contributions made by the partner (maximum of approximately $3,495,000 as of September 30, 2010).  As of September 30, 2010, the expected realizable value of the real estate assets owned by Fund II is considered adequate to cover such potential payment to that partner under the expected Fund II liquidation scenario.  The estimated fair value of, and our obligation under this guarantee, both at inception and as of September 30, 2010 was not significant and therefore we have not recorded any obligation for this guarantee as of September 30, 2010.

 
Each individual mortgage loan of Fund I or Fund II was made to a special purpose, single asset subsidiary of the Funds.  Each mortgage loan provides that it is the obligation of the respective subsidiary only, except under exceptional circumstances (such as fraud or misapplication of funds) in which case the respective Fund could also have obligations with respect to the mortgage loan.  In no event do the mortgage loans provide for recourse against investors in the Funds, including against us or our wholly owned subsidiaries that invest in the Funds.  Similarly, in no event are investors in Fund II obligated with respect to the credit facility for Fund II except with respect to their capital commitment to Fund II.  A default by a Fund or a Fund subsidiary on any loan to it would not constitute a default under any of our loans or any loans of our other non-Fund subsidiaries or affiliates.  If either the Funds or a subsidiary of one of the Funds were unable to meet its obligations under a loan, the value of our investment in that Fund would likely decline and we might also be more likely to be obligated under the guarantee we provided to one of the Fund partners in each Fund as described above.  If either of the Funds or a subsidiary of one of the Funds were unable to meet its obligations under a loan, we and/or the other investors might evaluate whether it was in our respective interests to voluntarily support the Fund through additional equity contributions and/or take other actions to avoid a default under a loan or the consequences of a default (such as foreclosure of a Fund asset).
 
In the future, in the event either of the Funds were unable to meet their obligations under a loan, we cannot predict at this time whether we would provide any voluntary support, or take any other action, as any such action would depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of support required and the possibility that such support could enhance the return of either of the Funds and/or our returns by providing time for performance to improve.
 
 
MVP I, LLC, the entity that owns Avalon at Mission Bay North II, has a loan secured by the underlying real estate assets of the community for $105,000,000.  The loan is a fixed rate, interest-only note bearing interest at 6.02%, maturing in December 2015.  We have not guaranteed the debt of MVP I, LLC, nor do we have any obligation to fund this debt should MVP I, LLC be unable to do so.

 
Avalon Del Rey Apartments, LLC has a loan secured by the underlying real estate assets of the community for $45,292,000 maturing in April 2016.  The variable rate loan had an interest rate of 3.60% at September 30, 2010. We have not guaranteed the debt of Avalon Del Rey Apartments, LLC, nor do we have any obligation to fund this debt should Avalon Del Rey Apartments, LLC be unable to do so.

 
Aria at Hathorne Hill, LLC is a joint venture in which we have a non-managing member interest.  The LLC is developing for-sale town homes in Danvers, Massachusetts.  The LLC has a variable rate loan for $1,860,000 at an interest rate of 4.19% that matured in June 2010. As of September 30, 2010, the amounts under this borrowing have not been repaid, and the venture is negotiating an extension or refinancing of the amounts outstanding. The lender has not to date declared an event of default with respect to the note or required the venture to pay a default rate of interest. Although we bear no responsibility to repay the amounts outstanding, we have the right to cure any event of default by the venture.
 
 
 
 
 
37

 

 
 
In 2007 we entered into a non-cancelable commitment (the “Commitment”) to acquire parcels of land in Brooklyn, New York for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $111,000,000.  Under the terms of the Commitment, we are closing on the various parcels over a period determined by the seller’s ability to execute unrelated purchase transactions and achieve deferral of gains for the land sold under this Commitment.  However, under no circumstances will the Commitment extend beyond 2011, at which time either we or the seller can compel execution of the remaining transactions.  At September 30, 2010, we have an outstanding commitment to purchase the remaining land for approximately $49,430,000.

There are no other lines of credit, side agreements, financial guarantees or any other derivative financial instruments related to or between our unconsolidated real estate entities and us.  In evaluating our capital structure and overall leverage, management takes into consideration our proportionate share of this unconsolidated debt.

Contractual Obligations

We currently have contractual obligations consisting primarily of long-term debt obligations and lease obligations for certain land parcels and regional and administrative office space. There have not been any material changes outside the ordinary course of business to our contractual obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Development Communities

As of September 30, 2010, we had 12 Development Communities under construction.  We expect these Development Communities, when completed, to add a total of 3,429 apartment homes to our portfolio for a total capitalized cost, including land acquisition costs, of approximately $1,072,500,000.  You should carefully review Item 1a., “Risk Factors,” of our Form 10-K for a discussion of the risks associated with development activity.

The following table presents a summary of the Development Communities. We hold a direct or indirect fee simple ownership interest in these communities.

             
Total
                         
        Number of     capitalized                          
        apartment     cost  (1)     Construction    
Initial
   
Estimated
     Estimated
 
        homes     ($ millions)    
start
     occupancy (2)    
completion
   
stabilization (3)
 
                                         
                                         
1  
Avalon Fort Greene
  631     $ 304.5       Q4 2007       Q4 2009       Q4 2010       Q2 2011
   
New York, NY
                                             
2  
Avalon Walnut Creek (4)
  422       151.7       Q3 2008       Q2 2010       Q4 2010       Q2 2011
   
Walnut Creek, CA
                                             
3  
Avalon Norwalk
  311       84.8       Q3 2008       Q2 2010       Q2 2011       Q4 2011
   
Norwalk, CT
                                             
4  
Avalon Towers Bellevue
  397       125.9       Q4 2008       Q2 2010       Q2 2011       Q4 2011
   
Bellevue, WA
                                             
5  
Avalon Northborough II
  219       35.3       Q4 2009       Q1 2010       Q4 2010       Q2 2011
   
Northborough, MA
                                             
6  
Avalon at West Long Branch
  180       27.6       Q4 2009       Q3 2010       Q1 2011       Q3 2011
   
West Long Branch, NJ
                                         
7  
Avalon Rockville Centre
  349       110.2       Q1 2010       Q3 2011       Q3 2012       Q1 2013
   
Rockville Centre, NY
                                         
8  
Avalon Queen Anne
  203       56.7       Q3 2010       Q1 2012       Q2 2012       Q4 2012
   
Seattle, WA
                                             
9  
Avalon at the Pinehills II
  91       18.4       Q3 2010       Q2 2011       Q3 2011       Q1 2012
   
Plymouth, MA
                                             
10  
Avalon Springs II
  100       31.3       Q3 2010       Q2 2011       Q3 2011       Q1 2012
   
Wilton, CT
                                             
11  
Avalon Green II
  444       110.6       Q3 2010       Q4 2011       Q1 2013       Q3 2013
   
Greenburgh, NY
                                             
12  
Avalon Brandemoor II
  82       15.5       Q3 2010       Q3 2011       Q4 2011       Q2 2012
   
Lynnwood, WA
                                             
                                                   
   
Total
  3,429     $ 1,072.5                                  
 

(1)
Total capitalized cost includes all capitalized costs projected to be or actually incurred to develop the respective Development Community, determined in accordance with GAAP, including land acquisition costs, construction costs, real estate taxes, capitalized interest and loan fees, permits, professional fees, allocated development overhead and other regulatory fees.  Total capitalized cost for communities identified as having joint venture ownership, either during construction or upon construction completion, represents the total projected joint venture contribution amount.
 
 
 
 
 
38

 

 
(2)
Future initial occupancy dates are estimates.  There can be no assurance that we will pursue to completion any or all of these proposed developments.

(3)
Stabilized operations is defined as the earlier of (i) attainment of 95% or greater physical occupancy or (ii) the one-year anniversary of completion of development.

(4)
This community is being financed in part by third-party, tax-exempt and taxable debt.

Redevelopment Communities

As of September 30, 2010, there were seven communities under redevelopment.  We expect the total capitalized cost to redevelop these communities to be $73,400,000 excluding costs prior to redevelopment.  We have found that the cost to redevelop an existing apartment community is more difficult to budget and estimate than the cost to develop a new community. Accordingly, we expect that actual costs may vary from our budget by a wider range than for a new development community. We cannot assure you that we will meet our schedule for reconstruction completion or increasing operations, or that we will meet our budgeted costs, either individually or in the aggregate. We anticipate increasing the level of our redevelopment activity related to communities in our current operating portfolio for the remainder of 2010.  You should carefully review Item 1a., “Risk Factors,” of our Form 10-K for a discussion of the risks associated with redevelopment activity. The following presents a summary of these Redevelopment Communities:
 
             
Total cost
                   
        Number of    
($ millions)
         
Estimated
   
Estimated
 
        apartment     Pre-redevelopment     Total capitalized     Reconstruction     reconstruction    
restabilized
 
       
homes
   
cost
   
cost (1)
   
start
   
completion
   
operations (2)
 
                                         
                                         
1.  
Avalon at Diamond Heights
    154     $ 25.3     $ 30.6       Q4 2007       Q4 2010       Q2 2011  
   
San Francisco, CA
                                               
2.  
Avalon Pleasanton
    456       63.0       80.9       Q2 2009       Q4 2011       Q2 2012  
   
Pleasanton, CA
                                               
3.  
Avalon Princeton Junction
    512       30.2       49.9       Q2 2009       Q1 2012       Q3 2012  
   
West Windsor, NJ
                                               
4.  
Avalon at Cedar Ridge
    195       27.7       33.8       Q3 2009       Q4 2010       Q2 2011  
   
Daly City, CA
                                               
5.  
Avalon Warm Springs
    235       36.5       44.0       Q4 2009       Q1 2011       Q3 2011  
   
Fremont, CA
                                               
6.  
Avalon Summit
    245       17.7       26.8       Q2 2010       Q4 2011       Q2 2012  
   
Quincy, MA
                                               
7.  
Avalon at Decoverly (3)
    564       63.5       71.3       Q3 2010       Q4 2011       Q2 2012  
   
Rockville, MD
                                               
   
Total (4)
    2,361     $ 263.9     $ 337.3                          


(1)
Total capitalized cost includes all capitalized costs projected to be or actually incurred to redevelop the respective Redevelopment Community, including land acquisition costs, construction costs, real estate taxes, capitalized interest and loan fees, permits, professional fees, allocated development overhead and other regulatory fees, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(2)
Restabilized operations is defined as the earlier of (i) attainment of 95% or greater physical occupancy or (ii) the one-year anniversary of completion of redevelopment.

(3)
Redevelopment efforts will be focused on the 368 apartment homes associated with the initial phase of this community which was acquired by a predecessor of the Company in 3Q 2005.

(4)
The Company commenced the redevelopment of Avalon at Prudential Center in Boston, MA and Crowne Ridge in San Rafael, CA during the second quarter 2010 for an estimated total capital cost of $35.4 million. The redevelopment of these communities is primarily focused on the exterior and/or common area and is not expected to have a material impact on community operations, including occupancy, or the expected future level of rental revenue. These communities are therefore included in the Established Community portfolio and not classified as Redevelopment Communities.

 
 

 
 
39

 

Development Rights

At September 30, 2010, we had $228,496,000 in acquisition and related capitalized costs for land parcels we own, and $81,124,000 in capitalized costs (including legal fees, design fees and related overhead costs) related to Development Rights for which we control the land parcel, typically through an option to purchase or lease the land.  Collectively, the land held for development and associated costs for deferred development rights relate to 24 Development Rights for which we expect to develop new apartment communities in the future. The cumulative capitalized costs for land held for development as of September 30, 2010, includes $175,667,000 in original land acquisition costs.  We also have $49,430,000 in future land acquisition costs under our Commitment, related to a Development Right in Brooklyn, NY, as discussed under “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” elsewhere within this Form 10-Q.  The original land acquisition cost per home, including our obligation under the Commitment, ranged from $45,000 per home in Virginia to $160,000 per home in New York City.  In addition, the land for a Development Right that we control under a 99-year land lease agreement is subject to future minimum rental amounts of $6,500,000 per year. The Development Rights range from those beginning design and architectural planning to those that have completed site plans and drawings and can begin construction almost immediately. We estimate that the successful completion of all of these communities would ultimately add approximately 6,984 apartment homes to our portfolio.  Substantially all of these apartment homes will offer features like those offered by the communities we currently own.

For 11 Development Rights, we control the land through an option to purchase or lease the parcel.  While we generally prefer to hold Development Rights through options to acquire land, for the remaining 13 Development Rights we either currently own the land or have executed a long term land lease for the parcel of land on which a community would be built if we proceeded with development.

The properties comprising the Development Rights are in different stages of the due diligence and regulatory approval process.  The decisions as to which of the Development Rights to invest in, if any, or to continue to pursue once an investment in a Development Right is made, are business judgments that we make after we perform financial, demographic and other analyses.  In the event that we do not proceed with a Development Right, we generally would not recover capitalized costs incurred in the pursuit of those communities, unless we were to recover amounts in connection with the sale of land; however, we cannot guarantee a recovery.  Pre-development costs incurred in the pursuit of Development Rights for which future development is not yet considered probable are expensed as incurred.  In addition, if the status of a Development Right changes, making future development no longer probable, any capitalized pre-development costs are charged to expense.

You should carefully review Section 1a., “Risk Factors,” of our Form 10-K for a discussion of the risks associated with Development Rights.
 

 
 
 
40

 
 
 
                Total
 
             Estimated   capitalized
 
             number   cost
 
   
Location
 
Land Status
   of homes   ($ millions) (1)
 
                     
1.  
San Francisco, CA
 
Owned
 
173
  $
62
 
2.  
Cohasset, MA
 
Owned
 
220
   
             53
 
3.  
Tysons Corner, VA I
 
Owned
 
354
   
             78
 
4.  
North Bergen, NJ
 
Owned
 
164
   
             45
 
5.  
Wood-Ridge, NJ
 
 Optioned
 
406
   
             87
 
6.  
Garden City, NY
 
Owned
 
204
   
             71
 
7.  
Andover, MA
 
Owned
 
115
   
             27
 
8.  
New York, NY Phase I
 
 Ground Lease
 
396
   
           169
 
9.  
Shelton, CT
 
Optioned
 
200
   
             41
 
10.  
Seattle, WA
 
Owned
 
271
   
             81
 
11.  
Dublin, CA Phase II
 
Optioned
 
486
   
           145
 
12.  
Somerset, NJ
 
Optioned
 
384
   
             82
 
13.  
Boston, MA
 
 Option to Lease
 
187
   
             97
 
14.  
Hackensack, NJ
 
 Option to Lease
 
226
   
             48
 
15.  
Rockville, MD
 
Owned
 
240
   
             57
 
16.  
Huntington Station, NY
 
 Optioned
 
392
   
             92
 
17.  
Bloomingdale, NJ
 
 Optioned
 
174
   
             33
 
18.  
Tysons Corner, VA II
 
Owned
 
338
   
             87
 
19.  
Stratford, CT
 
Owned
 
130
   
             25
 
20.  
Ossining, NY
 
Optioned
 
210
   
             44
 
21.  
Brooklyn, NY
 
Owned
 
861
   
           443
 
22.  
Ocean Township, NJ
 
Optioned
 
309
   
             57
 
23.  
New York, NY Phase II
 
Ground Lease
 
295
   
           142
 
24.  
Roselle Park, NJ
 
 Optioned
 
249
   
             54
 
                     
   
     Total
     
6,984
  $
2,120
 

 

(1)
Total capitalized cost includes all capitalized costs incurred to date (if any) and projected to be incurred to develop the respective community, determined in accordance with GAAP, including land acquisition costs, construction costs, real estate taxes, capitalized interest and loan fees, permits, professional fees, allocated development overhead and other regulatory fees.


Other Land and Real Estate Assets

We own land parcels with a carrying value of approximately $112,900,000 that we do not currently plan to develop. These parcels consist of land that we (i) originally planned to develop and (ii) ancillary parcels acquired in connection with Development Rights that we had not planned to develop, as more fully described below.

i)  The land that we originally acquired for future development has an original cost of $151,986,000, and a current carrying value of $90,499,000, and is comprised of nine parcels originally intended for the development of approximately 2,900 apartment homes.  The current carrying value of these land parcels reflects impairment charges of $61,487,000 incurred in prior periods.

ii)  The out parcels and certain other land parcels that we acquired in connection with various development pursuits without a view to developing have a current carrying value of $22,394,000, which reflects impairment charges of $12,166,000 incurred in prior periods.

We believe that the current carrying value of $112,900,000 for all of these land parcels is such that there is no indication of impaired value, or further need to record a charge for impairment in the case of assets previously impaired.  However we may be subject to the recognition of further charges for impairment in the event that there are indicators of such impairment, and we determine that the carrying value of the assets is greater than the current fair value, less costs to dispose.

Insurance and Risk of Uninsured Losses

We carry commercial general liability insurance and property insurance with respect to all of our communities.  These policies, and other insurance policies we carry, have policy specifications, insured limits and deductibles that we consider commercially reasonable.  There are, however, certain types of losses (such as losses arising from acts of war) that are not insured, in full or in part, because they are either uninsurable or the cost of insurance makes it, in management’s view, economically impractical.  You should carefully review the discussion under Item 1a., “Risk Factors,” of our Form 10-K for a discussion of risks associated with an uninsured property or liability loss.
 
 
 
 
 
41

 

 
In August 2010, we renewed our general liability policy and worker’s compensation coverage for a one year term, and experienced an increase in the premium on these policies of approximately 3%, which for the worker’s compensation coverage primarily reflects increased volume at a slightly lower rate and for the general liability coverage reflects a marginal rate increase. For both policies, there were no material changes in the coverage.
 
Inflation and Deflation

Substantially all of our apartment leases are for a term of one year or less.  In an inflationary environment, this may allow us to realize increased rents upon renewal of existing leases or the beginning of new leases. Short-term leases generally minimize our risk from the adverse effects of inflation, although these leases generally permit residents to leave at the end of the lease term and therefore expose us to the effect of a decline in market rents.  In a deflationary rent environment, we may be exposed to declining rents more quickly under these shorter-term leases.
 
Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  You can identify forward-looking statements by our use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “assume,” “project,” “plan,” “may,” “shall,” “will” and other similar expressions in this Form 10-Q, that predict or indicate future events and trends and that do not report historical matters.  These statements include, among other things, statements regarding our intent, belief or expectations with respect to:

 
our potential development, redevelopment, acquisition or disposition of communities;
 
the timing and cost of completion of apartment communities under construction, reconstruction, development or redevelopment;
 
the timing of lease-up, occupancy and stabilization of apartment communities;
 
the pursuit of land on which we are considering future development;
 
the anticipated operating performance of our communities;
 
cost, yield, revenue, NOI and earnings estimates;
 
our declaration or payment of distributions;
 
our joint venture and discretionary fund activities;
 
our policies regarding investments, indebtedness, acquisitions, dispositions, financings and other matters;
 
our qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code;
 
the real estate markets in Northern and Southern California and markets in selected states in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, Metro New York/New Jersey and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States and in general;
 
the availability of debt and equity financing;
 
interest rates;
 
general economic conditions including the recent economic downturn; and
 
trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations.

We cannot assure the future results or outcome of the matters described in these statements; rather, these statements merely reflect our current expectations of the approximate outcomes of the matters discussed. We do not undertake a duty to update these forward-looking statements, and therefore they may not represent our estimates and assumptions after the date of this report. You should not rely on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.  These risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should carefully review the discussion under Item 1a., “Risk Factors,” on our Form 10-K for a discussion of risks associated with forward-looking statements.
 
 
 
 
 
42

 

 
In addition, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. We do not undertake a duty to update these forward-looking statements, and therefore they may not represent our estimates and assumptions after the date of this report.

Some of the factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

 
we may fail to secure development opportunities due to an inability to reach agreements with third-parties to obtain land at attractive prices or to obtain desired zoning and other local approvals;
 
we may abandon or defer development opportunities for a number of reasons, including changes in local market conditions which make development less desirable, increases in costs of development, increases in the cost of capital or lack of capital availability, resulting in losses;
 
construction costs of a community may exceed our original estimates;
 
we may not complete construction and lease-up of communities under development or redevelopment on schedule, resulting in increased interest costs and construction costs and a decrease in our expected rental revenues;
 
occupancy rates and market rents may be adversely affected by competition and local economic and market conditions which are beyond our control;
 
financing may not be available on favorable terms or at all, and our cash flows from operations and access to cost effective capital may be insufficient for the development of our pipeline which could limit our pursuit of opportunities;
 
our cash flows may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, and we may be unable to refinance existing indebtedness or the terms of such refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness;
 
we may be unsuccessful in our management of Fund I, Fund II or the REIT vehicles that are used with each respective Fund; and
 
we may be unsuccessful in managing changes in our portfolio composition.

Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions.  If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, or different assumptions were made, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in different financial results or a different presentation of our financial statements.  Our critical accounting policies consist primarily of the following: (i) principles of consolidation, (ii) cost capitalization, (iii) asset impairment evaluation and (iv) REIT status.  Our critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially from the discussion of our significant accounting policies found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations in our Form 10-K.
 
 
 
 
 
43

 
 

Item 3.
 
 
 
There have been no material changes to our exposures to market risk since December 31, 2009.


Item 4.

 
(a)
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
 
 
 
The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2010.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 
 
We continue to review and document our disclosure controls and procedures, including our internal controls and procedures for financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business.
 
 
(b)
Changes in internal controls over financial reporting.
 
None.


Part II.                    OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.                     Legal Proceedings
 
As reported in our Report on Form 8-K filed on October 20, 2010, the Company recently settled litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the accessibility of the Company's New York City buildings to persons with disabilities.  The Company does not expect that the settlement and the Company's fulfillment of its terms will have a material impact to its financial condition or results of operations.  Additional details regarding this matter follow.
 
In August 2008, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York on behalf of the United States filed a civil lawsuit in the federal district court in that jurisdiction against the Company, the joint venture that owns its Avalon Chrystie Place community, and the architect that designed Avalon Chrystie Place.  The lawsuit alleged that Avalon Chrystie Place was not designed and constructed in accordance with the accessibility requirements of the federal Fair Housing Act.  The Company designed and constructed Avalon Chrystie Place with a view to compliance with New York City’s Local Law 58, which is New York City’s code regulating accessible design and construction and has been viewed in New York City as a code that would also meet federal standards.  Without admitting or denying liability, the Company, the joint venture and the architect entered into a consent decree which the court approved on October 15, 2010.   The settlement requires that the Company make various agreed upon modifications to the apartment homes and common areas at Avalon Chrystie Place and inspect and, to the extent necessary, negotiate and make modifications at six other New York City communities owned by the Company.  All retrofits are expected be capitalized as real estate improvements. The consent decree contains other terms, including a civil penalty and the establishment of an aggrieved persons fund to compensate individuals in the event they can establish that they were damaged by the alleged accessibility deficiencies at the Company’s New York City communities.  Amounts remaining in the aggrieved persons fund after its administration period will revert to the Company.  The Company has entered into a separate agreement with the architect of Avalon Chrystie Place (who also designed three of the Company’s other New York City properties) to share some of the cost of the civil penalty and aggrieved persons fund.
 
 
 
 
 
44

 

 
The Company is involved in various other claims and/or administrative proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that any of these other outstanding litigation matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its operations.
 
Item 1a.

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results discussed in the Form 10-K in Part I, “Item 1a. Risk Factors.”  The risks described in our Form 10-K are not the only risks that could affect the Company.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results in the future.  There have been no material changes to our risk factors since December 31, 2009.
 

 
During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company issued 25 shares of common stock in exchange for 25 units of limited partnership held by a limited partner of Avalon DownREIT V, L.P.  The shares were issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.  The Company is relying on the exemption based on factual representations received from the limited partner who received these shares.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


 
 
 
Period
 
 
(a)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
(1)
(b)
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
(c)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
(d)
Maximum Dollar
Amount that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
(in thousands)
(2)
July 1- July 31, 2010
--
--
--
$200,000
August  1– August 31, 2010
1,687
105.50
--
$200,000
September 1- September 30, 2010
--
--
--
$200,000
 
 
 

 
 
45

 

 
(1)
Reflects shares surrendered to the Company in connection with exercise of stock options as payment of exercise price.

 
(2)
As disclosed in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, represents amounts outstanding under the Company’s $500,000,000 Stock Repurchase Program.  There is no scheduled expiration date to this program.
 
Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
  None.
 
 
Item 5.  Other Information
 
  None.
 
Item 6.  Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
46

 
 
 
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
3(i).1
--
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Articles of Incorporation of AvalonBay Communities (the “Company”), dated as of June 4, 1998.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i).1 to Form 10-K of the Company filed on March 1, 2007.)

 
3(i).2
--
Articles of Amendment, dated as of October 2, 1998.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i).2 to Form 10-K of the Company filed on March 1, 2007.)

 
3(ii).1
--
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as adopted by the Board of Directors on May 21, 2009.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii).1 to Form 10-K of the Company filed on March 1, 2010.)

 
3(ii).2
--
Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, dated February 10, 2010.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K of the Company filed February 12, 2010.)

 
4.1
--
Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of January 16, 1998, between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on form S-3 of the Company (File No. 333-139839), filed January 8, 2007.)

 
4.2
--
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 20, 1998, between the Company and the State Street Bank and Trust Company as Trustee.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Company (File No. 333-139839), filed January 8, 2007.)

 
4.3
--
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 7, 1998, between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company as Trustee.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Company (File No. 333-139839), filed January 8, 2007.)

 
4.4
--
Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 10, 2000 between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company as Trustee.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Company (File No. 333-139839), filed January 8, 2007.)

 
4.5
--
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 18, 2006 between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Company (File No. 333-139839), filed January 8, 2007.)

 
4.6
--
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan of the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Company (File No. 333-87063), filed September 14, 1999.)

 
4.7
--
Amendment to the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan filed on December 17, 1999.  (Incorporated by reference to the Prospectus Supplement filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 on December 17, 1999.)

 
4.8
--
Amendment to the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan filed on March 26, 2004.  (Incorporated by reference to the Prospectus Supplement filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 on March 26, 2004.)
 
 
 
 
 
47

 

 
 
4.9
--
Amendment to the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan filed on May 15, 2006.  (Incorporated by reference to the Prospectus Supplement filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 on May 15, 2006.)

 
10.1
--
Notice, dated August 16, 2010, to extend Second Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement, as amended, dated November 14, 2006, among AvalonBay Communities, Inc. and JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Deutsche Bank and other banks.  (Filed herewith.)

 
12.1
--
Statements re: Computation of Ratios. (Filed herewith.)

 
31.1
--
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer).  (Filed herewith.)

 
31.2
--
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer).  (Filed herewith.)

 
32
--
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer).  (Furnished herewith.)

 
101
--
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language).  The following materials from AvalonBay Communities, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010, formatted in XBRL: (i) condensed consolidated balance sheets, (ii) condensed consolidated statements of operations, (iii) condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, and (iv) notes to consolidated financial statements.*




* As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
 
 
48

 
 
SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.



Date: November 4, 2010
 
/s/ Bryce Blair                                    
   
Bryce Blair
   
Chief Executive Officer
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
     
Date: November 4, 2010
 
/s/ Thomas J. Sargeant                     
   
Thomas J. Sargeant
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Financial Officer)


 
49