Form 10-Q for period ending 3/31/2006


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006

or

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

For the transition period from   to  

Commission File Number: 1-12762

MID-AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

TENNESSEE
62-1543819
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 
6584 POPLAR AVENUE, SUITE 300
38138
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 

(901) 682-6600
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
  
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, 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 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 90 days.
[X] Yes [ ] No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [X] 
Accelerated filer [ ]
Non-accelerated filer [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
[ ] Yes [X] No

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:

 
Number of Shares Outstanding
Class
at April 20, 2006
Common Stock, $.01 par value
22,669,219


 

MID-AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.
     
TABLE OF CONTENTS
   
Page
 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2006 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2005
2
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)
3
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)
4
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
5
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
14
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
23
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
23
     
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
24
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
24
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
25
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
25
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
25
Item 5.
Other Information
25
Item 6.
Exhibits
25
 
Signatures
31
 
 

 

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2006 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2005
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
           
   
March 31, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
 
Assets:
         
Real estate assets:
         
Land 
 
$
189,150
 
$
179,523
 
Buildings and improvements 
   
1,793,119
   
1,740,818
 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 
   
47,499
   
46,301
 
Capital improvements in progress 
   
1,027
   
4,175
 
     
2,030,795
   
1,970,817
 
Less accumulated depreciation 
   
(491,810
)
 
(473,421
)
     
1,538,985
   
1,497,396
 
               
Land held for future development 
   
1,366
   
1,366
 
Commercial properties, net 
   
7,257
   
7,345
 
Investments in and advances to real estate joint ventures 
   
4,021
   
4,182
 
 Real estate assets, net
   
1,551,629
   
1,510,289
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents
   
11,073
   
14,064
 
Restricted cash
   
4,402
   
5,534
 
Deferred financing costs, net
   
15,509
   
15,338
 
Other assets
   
29,580
   
20,181
 
Goodwill
   
5,051
   
5,051
 
 Total assets
 
$
1,617,244
 
$
1,570,457
 
               
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
             
Liabilities:
             
Notes payable 
 
$
1,181,046
 
$
1,140,046
 
Accounts payable 
   
2,663
   
3,278
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 
   
28,352
   
28,380
 
Security deposits 
   
6,871
   
6,429
 
 Total liabilities
   
1,218,932
   
1,178,133
 
               
Minority interest
   
28,356
   
29,798
 
               
Shareholders' equity:
             
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 
             
$166,863 or $25 per share liquidation preference: 
             
 9 1/4% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock,
             
 3,000,000 shares authorized, 474,500 shares issued and outstanding
   
5
   
5
 
 8.30% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock,
             
 6,200,000 shares authorized, 6,200,000 shares issued and outstanding
   
62
   
62
 
Common stock, $.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 
             
 22,623,529 and 22,048,372 shares issued and outstanding at
             
 March 31, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively
   
226
   
220
 
Additional paid-in capital 
   
691,429
   
671,885
 
Other 
   
-
   
(2,422
)
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income 
   
(339,311
)
 
(314,352
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 
   
17,545
   
7,128
 
 Total shareholders' equity
   
369,956
   
362,526
 
 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
1,617,244
 
$
1,570,457
 
               
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
             

 

 
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations  
Three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005  
                
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
                
                
   
  
 
2006
 
2005
 
Operating revenues:
              
Rental revenues 
       
$
75,045
 
$
68,669
 
Other property revenues 
         
3,549
   
2,906
 
Total property revenues 
         
78,594
   
71,575
 
Management fee income 
         
52
   
118
 
Total operating revenues 
         
78,646
   
71,693
 
Property operating expenses:
                   
Personnel 
         
9,108
   
8,358
 
Building repairs and maintenance 
         
2,470
   
2,307
 
Real estate taxes and insurance 
         
9,641
   
9,442
 
Utilities 
         
4,720
   
4,155
 
Landscaping 
         
2,113
   
1,947
 
Other operating 
         
3,448
   
3,417
 
Depreciation 
         
18,930
   
18,049
 
Total property operating expenses 
         
50,430
   
47,675
 
Property management expenses
         
2,511
   
2,808
 
General and administrative expenses
         
3,361
   
2,656
 
Income from continuing operations before non-operating items
         
22,344
   
18,554
 
Interest and other non-property income
         
117
   
157
 
Interest expense
         
(15,803
)
 
(13,732
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
         
(550
)
 
(4
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
         
(485
)
 
(460
)
Minority interest in operating partnership income
         
(413
)
 
(260
)
(Loss) income from investments in unconsolidated entities
         
(84
)
 
318
 
Net gain on insurance and other settlement proceeds
         
-
   
7
 
Income from continuing operations
         
5,126
   
4,580
 
Discontinued operations:
                   
Loss from discontinued operations before 
                   
 asset impairment, settlement proceeds and gain on sale
         
-
   
(135
)
Asset impairment on discontinued operations 
         
-
   
(94
)
Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on 
                   
 discontinued operations
         
-
   
(25
)
Net income
         
5,126
   
4,326
 
Preferred dividend distribution
         
3,490
   
3,713
 
Net income available for common shareholders
       
$
1,636
 
$
613
 
                     
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
                   
Basic 
         
22,134
   
20,928
 
Effect of dilutive stock options 
         
232
   
284
 
Diluted 
         
22,366
   
21,212
 
                     
Net income available for common shareholders
       
$
1,636
 
$
613
 
Discontinued property operations
         
-
   
254
 
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders
       
$
1,636
 
$
867
 
                     
Earnings per share - basic:
                   
Income from continuing operations  
                   
available for common shareholders 
       
$
0.07
 
$
0.04
 
Discontinued property operations 
         
-
   
(0.01
)
Net income available for common shareholders 
       
$
0.07
 
$
0.03
 
                     
Earnings per share - diluted:
                   
Income from continuing operations  
                   
available for common shareholders 
       
$
0.07
 
$
0.04
 
Discontinued property operations 
         
-
   
(0.01
)
Net income available for common shareholders 
       
$
0.07
 
$
0.03
 
                     
Dividends declared per common share (1)
       
$
1.190
 
$
0.585
 
                     
 
(1) 
The Company declared and paid $0.595 per common share during the three months ended March 31, 2006.
       
 
During this same period the Company also declared an additional $0.595 per common share that will not be paid until April 29, 2006.
     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements        
 


 

MID-AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005
(Dollars in thousands)
           
           
   
2006
 
2005
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net income
 
$
5,126
 
$
4,326
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
             
Loss from discontinued operations before asset impairment, settlement
             
    proceeds and gain on sale
   
-
   
135
 
Depreciation and amortization of deferred financing costs
   
19,415
   
18,509
 
Stock compensation expense
   
245
   
133
 
Amortization of debt premium
   
(465
)
 
(467
)
(Gain) loss from investments in unconsolidated entities
   
84
   
(318
)
Minority interest in operating partnership income
   
413
   
260
 
(Gain) loss on debt extinguishment
   
550
   
4
 
Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued
             
    operations
   
-
   
25
 
Asset impairment on discontinued operations
   
-
   
94
 
Net gain on insurance and other settlement proceeds
   
-
   
(7
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
             
Restricted cash
   
873
   
(517
)
Other assets
   
(20
)
 
419
 
    Accounts payable
   
(615
)
 
1,683
 
Accrued expenses and other
   
(4,513
)
 
(4,725
)
Security deposits
   
442
   
260
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
21,535
   
19,814
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Purchases of real estate and other assets
   
(56,265
)
 
(47,314
)
Improvements to existing real estate assets
   
(4,887
)
 
(4,099
)
Distributions from real estate joint venture
   
77
   
218
 
Proceeds from disposition of real estate assets
   
801
   
24
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(60,274
)
 
(51,171
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Net change in credit lines
   
41,915
   
12,127
 
Proceeds from notes payable
   
13,235
   
19,486
 
Principal payments on notes payable
   
(13,685
)
 
(625
)
Payment of deferred financing costs
   
(974
)
 
(362
)
Proceeds from issuances of common shares and units
   
13,384
   
15,079
 
Distributions to unitholders
   
(2,991
)
 
(1,534
)
Dividends paid on common shares
   
(11,646
)
 
(12,225
)
Dividends paid on preferred shares
   
(3,490
)
 
(3,713
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
35,748
   
28,233
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(2,991
)
 
(3,124
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
14,064
   
9,133
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
11,073
 
$
6,009
 
 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
         
Interest paid
 
$
17,052
 
$
14,128
 
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
             
Conversion of units to common shares
 
$
52
 
$
20
 
Issuance of restricted common shares
 
$
23
 
$
404
 
Interest capitalized
             
Marked-to-market adjustment on derivative instruments
 
$
10,417
 
$
11,301
 
Fair value adjustment on debt assumed
 
$
-
 
$
2,277
 
               
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
             
 
 

 

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)


1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the management of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (the “Company”) in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Company’s accounting policies in effect as of December 31, 2005, as set forth in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements, as of such date. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included and all such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

RECLASSIFICATION

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to 2006 presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on net income available for common shareholders.

2. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 123 (revised December 2004), Share-Based Payment (“Statement 123(R)”). Statement 123(R) replaces FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Statement 123(R) requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or the liability instruments issued. In addition, liability awards will be remeasured each reporting period. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. Statement 123(R) is effective as of the beginning of the first annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005.

The Company adopted Statement 123(R) effective January 1, 2006 using the “modified prospective” method permitted by Statement 123(R) in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of Statement 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of Statement 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of Statement 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date. The effect of adopting Statement 123(R) for the 3 months ending March 31, 2006 was an increase of approximately $186,900 in net income from continuing operations and in net income, and an increase of $0.01 in both basic and diluted earnings per share. The adoption of Statement 123(R) had no impact on cash flow from operations or cash flow from financing activities.
 
 

 
The modified prospective method of Statement 123(R) does not require prior periods to be restated to reflect the amount of compensation cost that would have been reflected in the financial statements. The following table reflects the effect on net income if Statement 123(R) had been used by the Company along with the applicable assumptions utilized in the Black-Scholes option pricing model calculation for those periods in which option grants were issued (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data):


       
Three Months Ended
       
March 31, 2005
 
Net income
             
$
4,326
 
Preferred dividend distribution
               
3,713
 
Net income available for
                   
common shareholders
               
613
 
Add: Stock-based employee
                   
compensation expense included
                   
in reported net income
               
-
 
Less: Stock-based employee
                   
compensation expense from
                   
employee stock purchase plan discount
               
7
 
Less: Stock-based employee
                   
compensation expense determined
                   
under fair value method of accounting
               
30
 
Pro forma net income available for
                   
common shareholders
             
$
576
 
                     
Average common shares outstanding - Basic
               
20,928
 
Average common shares outstanding - Diluted
               
21,212
 
                     
Net income available per common share:
                   
Basic as reported
             
$
0.03
 
Basic pro forma
             
$
0.03
 
Diluted as reported
             
$
0.03
 
Diluted pro forma
             
$
0.03
 
                     
Assumptions:(1)
                   
Risk free interest rate
               
N/A
 
Expected life - Years
               
N/A
 
Expected volatility
               
N/A
 
Expected dividends
               
N/A
 
                     
(1)No grants were issued in the periods shown.
       

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) provides a means for employees to purchase common stock of the Company. The Board of Directors has authorized the issuance of 150,000 shares for the plan. The ESPP is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors who may annually grant options to employees to purchase annually up to an aggregate of 15,000 shares of common stock at a price equal to 85% of the market price of the common stock. Shares are purchased semi-annually on June 30 and December 31; therefore, no shares were purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2006 or 2005. Because it is not possible to reasonably estimate fair value at the grant date, the Company estimates the compensation costs based on intrinsic values updated until the date of the settlement. Compensation cost recognized for the three months ending March 31, 2006 was approximately $8,600.
 
 

 

Incentive Plans Overview and Summary

The Company’s stock compensation plans consist of the ESPP and a number of incentives provided to attract and retain independent directors, executive officers and key employees. Incentives are currently granted under the 2004 Stock Plan which was approved at the May 24, 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This plan replaced the 1994 Restricted Stock and Stock Option Plan (collectively, the “Plans”) under which no further awards may be granted as of January 31, 2004. The 1994 Restricted Stock and Stock Option Plan allowed for the grant of restricted stock and stock options up to a total of 2.4 million shares. The 2004 Stock Plan allows for the grant of restricted stock and stock options up to a total of 500,000 shares. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its employees with those of its shareholders. Total compensation cost under the Plans was approximately $121,900 and $75,600 for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As of March 31, 2006, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to the Plans was approximately $3.2 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 4.9 years. Information concerning specific grants under the Plans is listed below.

Options

All option awards made under the Plans have been granted with the exercise price equal to the market price on the day of grant. The options vest over five years of continuous service at a rate of 10%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 30%, and expire 10 years from grant date. Dividends are not paid on unexercised options.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes method which utilizes the assumptions noted in the following table. Volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. Expected life of the option is estimated using historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination. The Company uses a U.S. constant-maturity Treasury close to the same expected life of the option to represent the risk-free rate. Turnover is based on the historical rate at which options are exercised. The Company uses its current dividend yield at the time of grant to estimate the dividend yield over the life of the option. No options were granted during the periods presented in the following table; therefore, no fair value was calculated.


   
Three months ended March 31,
   
2006
 
2005
Volatility
 
N/A
 
N/A
Expected life
 
N/A
 
N/A
Risk-free rate
 
N/A
 
N/A
Dividend yield
 
N/A
 
N/A

A summary of option activity under the Plans as of March 31, 2006, and the changes during the three months then ended follows:


           
Weighted-
     
       
Weighted-
 
Average
     
       
Average
 
Remaining
 
Aggregate
 
       
Exercise
 
Contractual
 
Intrinsic
 
Options
 
Shares
 
Price
 
Life
 
Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2006
   
398,052
 
$
24.83
             
Granted
   
-
   
-
             
Exercised
   
(123,360
)
 
24.09
             
Forfeited or expired
   
(7,350
)
 
26.03
             
Outstanding at March 31, 2006
   
267,342
 
$
25.14
   
3.8
 
$
7,916,799
 
Exercisable at March 31, 2006
   
193,662
 
$
24.99
   
3.0
 
$
5,763,132
 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, was $3.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of options for the three months ended March 31, 2006, was $3.0 million.
 
 



Executive 2000 Restricted Stock
 
In 2000, the Company issued 10,750 restricted shares of common stock to executive officers with a grant date fair value of $22.1875. The grant date fair value was determined by the closing trading price of the Company’s shares on the day prior to the date of the grant. These shares vest 10% each over ten years through 2010. The executive officers have the option to accelerate the vesting in lieu of bonuses. As of March 31, 2006, no shares have been vested early. Recipients receive dividend payments on the shares of restricted stock prior to vesting.

A summary of the status of the Executive 2000 Restricted Stock nonvested shares as of March 31, 2006, and the changes for the three months ended March 31, 2006, is presented below:

       
Weighted
 
       
Average
 
       
Grant-Date
 
Nonvested Shares
 
Shares
 
Fair Value
 
Nonvested at January 1, 2006
   
4,479
 
$
22.19
 
Granted
   
-
       
Vested
   
-
     
Forfeited
   
-
       
Nonvested at March 31, 2006
   
4,479
 
$
22.19
 

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, compensation costs related to the nonvested shares granted was approximately $6,000. As of March 31, 2006 there was approximately $93,400 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares granted. This cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 3.9 years. No shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

Key Managers 2002 Restricted Stock

In 2002, the Company issued 97,881 restricted shares of common stock to key managers with a grant date fair value of $25.65. The grant date fair value was determined by the closing trading price of the Company’s shares on the day prior to the date of the grant. As a result of two managers leaving the employment of the Company, as of March 31, 2006, only 86,477 shares remain issued. These shares will vest 20% a year for five consecutive years beginning in 2007. Recipients receive dividend payments on the shares of restricted stock prior to vesting.

A summary of the status of the Key Management 2002 Restricted Stock nonvested shares as of March 31, 2006, and the changes for the three months ended March 31, 2006, is presented below:

         
Weighted
         
Average
         
Grant-Date
Nonvested Shares
 
Shares
 
Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2006
86,477
 
$25.65
Granted
   
-
   
Vested
   
-
   
Forfeited
   
-
   
Nonvested at March 31, 2006
 
86,477
 
$25.65

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, compensation costs related to the nonvested shares granted was approximately $55,000. As of March 31, 2006, there was approximately $1.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares granted. This cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 5.8 years. No shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2006.





Executive 2005 Restricted Stock

In 2005, the Company issued 8,852 restricted shares of common stock to executive management under the 2004 Stock Plan with a grant date fair value of $38.50. These shares will vest in two equal amounts in 2006 and 2007. Recipients will receive dividend payments on the shares of restricted stock prior to vesting.

A summary of the status of the Executive 2005 Restricted Stock nonvested shares as of March 31, 2006, and the changes for the three months ended March 31, 2006, is presented below:

         
Weighted
         
Average
         
Grant-Date
Nonvested Shares
 
Shares
 
Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2006
8,852
 
$38.50
Granted
   
-
   
Vested
   
(4,426)
 
$38.50
Forfeited
   
-
   
Nonvested at March 31, 2006
4,426
 
$38.50

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, compensation costs related to the nonvested shares granted was approximately $42,600. As of March 31, 2006, there was approximately $156,200 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted. This cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 0.9 years. The total fair value of shares vesting during the three months ended March 31, 2006, was approximately $170,400.

Director Restricted Stock Plan

Beginning with the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, non-employee directors elected to the Board of Directors receive a grant of $75,000 worth of restricted shares of common stock. The shares vest in three equal installments over the director’s three-year term. To begin the program, non-employee directors not sitting for re-election at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders received a pro-rata grant representing the number of years left in their term. In 2005, 8,596 shares of restricted stock were granted to non-employee directors with a grant date fair value of $40.71. The grant date fair value is determined by the closing trading price of the Company’s shares on the day prior to the date of the grant.

A summary of the status of the Director Restricted Stock nonvested shares as of March 31, 2006, and the changes for the three months ended March 31, 2006, is presented below:

       
Weighted
       
Average
       
Grant-Date
Nonvested Shares
 
Shares
 
Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2006
 
8,596
 
$40.71
Granted
 
73
 
$56.60
Vested
 
-
   
Forfeited
 
(1,228)
 
$40.71
Nonvested at March 31, 2006
 
7,441
 
$40.87

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, compensation costs related to the nonvested shares granted was approximately $23,100. As of March 31, 2006, there was approximately $173,100 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted. This cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 0.8 years. No shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2006.
 


 

Key Managers 2005 Restricted Stock

In 2005, the Board of Directors adopted the 2005 Key Management Restricted Stock Plan (the “2005 Plan”), a long-term incentive program for key managers and executive officers. The 2005 Plan grants shares of restricted stock based on a sliding scale of total shareholder return over three 12-month periods ending in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Any restricted stock earned will vest 100% three years after the date of the restricted stock issuance. Recipients will receive dividend payments on the shares of restricted stock during the restriction periods. There is no automatic vesting of the shares.

The fair value of the stock award is estimated on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation with the assumptions noted in the following table. Volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected term of the 2005 Plan is based on the criteria for the plan and the expected life of the awards. The Company uses a U.S. constant-maturity Treasury with the same term as the expected term of the 2005 Plan to represent the risk-free rate. Turnover is based on the historical experience for the key managers and executive officers. The Company uses its current dividend yield at the time of grant to estimate the dividend yield over the life of the plan.
 

   
Three months ended March 31,
   
2006
 
2005
Volatility
 
17.10%
 
N/A
Expected life in years
 
3
 
N/A
Risk-free rate
 
3.77%
 
N/A
Dividend yield
 
5.20%
 
N/A
 

A summary of the status of the 2005 Plan nonvested shares as of March 31, 2006, and the changes for the three months ended March 31, 2006, is presented below:
 

       
Weighted
       
Average
       
Grant-Date
Nonvested Shares
 
Shares
 
Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2006
 
36,691
 
$45.42
Granted
 
-
 
 
Vested
 
-
   
Forfeited
 
-
 
 
Nonvested at March 31, 2006
 
36,691
 
$45.42

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, compensation costs related to the nonvested shares granted was approximately $61,400. As of March 31, 2006, there was approximately $1.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted. The Company’s policy is to recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for an entire award (rather than each portion of an award). Accordingly, the $1.3 million unrecognized cost will be recognized over the weighted average period of 5.25 years. No shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

Long-Term Performance Based Incentive Plan for Executive Officers

The Compensation Committee by authorization of the Board of Directors of the Company submitted the Long-Term Performance Based Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (the "Long-Term Plan") which was approved by shareholders on June 2, 2003. The Long-Term Plan allows executive management to earn performance units that convert into shares of restricted stock based on achieving defined total shareholder investment performance levels. Based on the Company’s performance from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2005, 74,894 restricted shares of common stock were issued to executive management on March 14, 2006. While these shares of restricted stock will be entitled to dividend payments, they will not be transferable or have voting privileges until they vest. Dependent upon the executive officer’s continued employment with the Company, these shares of restricted stock will vest 20% annually from 2006 through 2010.


 

The fair value of the stock award is estimated on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation with the assumptions noted in the following table. Volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected term of the Long-Term Plan is based on the criteria for the plan and the expected life of the awards. The Company uses a U.S. constant-maturity Treasury for the same term as the expected term of the Long-Term Plan to represent the risk-free rate. Turnover is based on the historical experience for the key managers and executive officers. The Company uses its current dividend yield at the time of grant to estimate the dividend yield over the life of the plan.


   
Three months ended March 31,
   
2006
 
2005
Volatility
 
6.38%
 
N/A
Expected life in years
 
3
 
N/A
Risk-free rate
 
1.99%
 
N/A
Dividend yield
 
9.60%
 
N/A

A summary of the status of the Long-Term Plan nonvested shares as of March 31, 2006, and the changes for the three months ended March 31, 2006, is presented below:

       
Weighted
       
Average
       
Grant-Date
Nonvested Shares
 
Shares
 
Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2006
 
75,895
 
$34.72
Granted
 
-
 
 
Vested
 
-
   
Forfeited
 
-
 
 
Nonvested at March 31, 2006
 
75,895
 
$34.72

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, compensation costs related to the nonvested shares granted was approximately $10,300. As of March 31, 2006, there was approximately $196,600 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted. This unrecognized cost will be recognized over the weighted average period of 4.8 years. No shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

3. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Total comprehensive income and its components for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, were as follows (dollars in thousands):


   
Three months
 
   
ended March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Net income
 
$
5,126
 
$
4,326
 
Marked-to-market adjustment
             
on derivative instruments
   
10,417
   
11,301
 
Total comprehensive income
 
$
15,543
 
$
15,627
 
 
The marked-to-market adjustment on derivative instruments is based upon the change of interest rates available for derivative instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities existing at each balance sheet date.
 
 

 

4. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In the normal course of business, the Company uses certain derivative financial instruments to manage, or hedge, the interest rate risk associated with the Company’s variable rate debt or as hedges in anticipation of future debt transactions to manage well-defined interest rate risk associated with the transaction.

The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Further, the Company has a policy of entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit rating and other factors. When viewed in conjunction with the underlying and offsetting exposure that the derivatives are designated to hedge, the Company has not sustained any material loss from those instruments nor does it anticipate any material adverse effect on its net income or financial position in the future from the use of derivatives.

The Company requires that derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges be effective in reducing the interest rate risk exposure that they are designated to hedge. This effectiveness is essential for qualifying for hedge accounting. Instruments that meet the hedging criteria are formally designated as hedging instruments at the inception of the derivative contract. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives used are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively.

All of the Company’s derivative financial instruments are reported at fair value and represented on the balance sheet, and are characterized as cash flow hedges. These transactions hedge the future cash flows of debt transactions through interest rate swaps that convert variable payments to fixed payments and interest rate caps that limit the exposure to rising interest rates. The unrealized gains/losses in the fair value of these hedging instruments are reported on the balance sheet with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, with any ineffective portion of the hedging transactions reclassified to earnings. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the ineffective portion of the hedging transactions was not significant.

5. SHARE AND UNIT INFORMATION

At March 31, 2006, 22,623,529 common shares and 2,515,655 operating partnership units were outstanding, representing a total of 25,139,184 shares and units. Additionally, the Company had outstanding options for 267,342 shares of common stock at March 31, 2006, of which 126,031 were anti-dilutive. At March 31, 2005, 21,331,300 common shares and 2,633,065 operating partnership units were outstanding, representing a total of 23,964,365 shares and units. Additionally, the Company had outstanding options for 510,240 shares of common stock at March 31, 2005, of which 342,880 were anti-dilutive.

6. 8 5/8% SERIES G CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

In 2002, the Company issued 8 5/8% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series G”) with a $25.00 per share liquidation preference and a preferential cumulative annual distribution of $2.15625 per share, payable monthly. The Company has outstanding 400,000 Series G shares issued in a direct placement with private investors (“Investors”) for which it received aggregate proceeds of $10 million. On or after November 15, 2004, the Company or the Investors may give the required one-year notice to redeem or put, respectively, all or part of the Series G shares beginning on or after November 15, 2005, in increments of $1 million. In the event the Investors elect to put all or a part of the Series G to the Company, the Company has the option to redeem all or a portion of the shares of the Series G in shares of common stock of the Company in lieu of cash.

In accordance with EITF D-98: Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities, as of March 31, 2005, the Company classified the Series G outside of permanent equity as the Company determined that in the event of a put by the Investors, there were two possible circumstances which were not wholly in control of the Company that could require the Series G to be redeemed by the Company for cash as opposed to common stock, and thus the Series G should be presented outside of permanent equity. These circumstances were the delisting of the Company’s common
 
 

 

stock from the New York Stock Exchange and the failure to complete a registration of the Company’s common stock exchanged for the Series G.

On May 26, 2005, the Company gave the required one-year notice to redeem all of the issued and outstanding Series G shares on May 26, 2006. As a result, in accordance with Statement No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity (“Statement 150”), the Company classified the Series G as a liability within notes payable as of May 26, 2005, on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Statement 150 also requires that all subsequent dividend payments be classified as interest expense on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

7. REAL ESTATE ACQUISITIONS  

On January 19, 2006, the Company acquired the Preserve at Brier Creek apartments, a 250-unit community located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

On March 23, 2006, the Company acquired the Silverado apartments, a 312-unit community located in Austin, Texas.

8. DEBT EXTINGUISHMENT

On March 1, 2006, the Company incurred approximately $550,000 of debt extinguishment costs as a result of the refinancing of tax-exempt bonds of $13.3 million secured by three of its communities. 

9. LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

As part of the Company’s disposition strategy to selectively dispose of mature assets that no longer meet the Company’s investment criteria and long-term strategic objectives, as of March 31, 2005, the Company was in negotiations to sell the Eastview apartments, a 432-unit community located in Memphis, Tennessee. In accordance with Statement No. 144 Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, (“Statement 144”) the community was considered held for sale in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The sale of the Eastview apartments was subsequently completed on April 1, 2005. No properties were classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2006.

The following is a summary of loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006, and 2005, (dollars in thousands):
 

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Revenues
         
Rental revenues
 
$
-
 
$
567
 
Other revenues
   
-
   
24
 
Total revenues
   
-
   
591
 
Expenses
             
Property operating expenses
   
-
   
660
 
Interest expense
   
-
   
66
 
Asset impairment
   
-
   
94
 
Total expense
   
-
   
820
 
Loss from discontinued operations before
             
gain on sale and settlement proceeds
   
-
   
(229
)
Net loss on insurance and other settlement
             
proceeds
   
-
   
(25
)
Loss from discontinued operations
 
$
-
 
$
(254
)
 
 

 

In April 2006, the Company entered into an agreement to list the 184-unit Gleneagles apartments and the 200-unit Hickory Farm apartments both located in Memphis, Tennessee, for sale. In accordance with Statement 144, these communities will subsequently be classified as held for sale on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

10. SEGMENT INFORMATION

At March 31, 2006, the Company owned or had an ownership interest in 134 multifamily apartment communities, including the apartment communities owned by the Company’s joint venture, in 12 different states from which it derives all significant sources of earnings and operating cash flows. The Company’s operational structure is organized on a decentralized basis, with individual property managers having overall responsibility and authority regarding the operations of their respective properties. Each property manager individually monitors local and area trends in rental rates, occupancy percentages, and operating costs. Property managers are given the on-site responsibility and discretion to react to such trends in the best interest of the Company. The Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of each individual property based on its contribution to net operating income in order to ensure that the individual property continues to meet the Company’s return criteria and long-term investment goals. The Company defines each of its multifamily communities as an individual operating segment. It has also determined that all of its communities have similar economic characteristics and also meet the other criteria which permit the communities to be aggregated into one reportable segment, which is acquisition and operation of the multifamily communities owned.

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Real Estate Acquisition

On April 27, 2006, the Company acquired the Grand Courtyard apartments, a 390-unit community located in Dallas, Texas.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the condensed consolidated financial statements. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions based upon historical experience and various other factors and circumstances. The Company believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances; however, actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

The Company believes that the estimates and assumptions that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, in that they require the most subjective determinations, form the basis of accounting policies deemed to be most critical. These critical accounting policies include revenue recognition, capitalization of expenditures and depreciation of assets, impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill, and fair value of derivative financial instruments.

Revenue Recognition

The Company leases multifamily residential apartments under operating leases primarily with terms of one year or less. Rental revenues are recognized using a method that represents a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and other revenues are recorded when earned.
 
 

 

The Company records all gains and losses on real estate in accordance with Statement No. 66 Accounting for Sales of Real Estate.

Capitalization of expenditures and depreciation of assets

The Company carries its real estate assets at their depreciated cost. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 8 to 40 years for land improvements and buildings, 5 years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and 3 to 5 years for computers and software, all of which are subjective determinations. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred while significant improvements, renovations, and replacements are capitalized. The cost to complete any deferred repairs and maintenance at properties acquired by the Company in order to elevate the condition of the property to the Company’s standards are capitalized as incurred.

Impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill

The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“Statement 144”) and evaluates its goodwill for impairment under Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“Statement 142”). The Company evaluates its goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter, or sooner if a goodwill impairment indicator is identified. The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets, including its investments in real estate and goodwill, for indicators that would suggest that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The judgments regarding the existence of such indicators are based on factors such as operating performance, market conditions, and legal factors.

In accordance with Statement 144, long-lived assets, such as real estate assets, equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale are presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, and is tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. This determination is made at the reporting unit level and consists of two steps. First, the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit and compares it to its carrying amount. In the apartment industry, the primary method used for determining fair value is to divide annual operating cash flows by an appropriate capitalization rate. The Company determines the appropriate capitalization rate by reviewing the prevailing rates in a property’s market or submarket. Second, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in accordance with Statement No. 141, Business Combinations. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill.

Fair value of derivative financial instruments

The Company utilizes certain derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps and caps, during the normal course of business to manage, or hedge, the interest rate risk associated with the Company’s variable rate debt or as hedges in anticipation of future debt transactions to manage well-defined interest rate risk associated with the transaction. The valuation of the derivative financial instruments under Statement No. 133 Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended, requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments.
 
 

 

In order for a derivative contract to be designated as a hedging instrument, the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item must be highly effective. While the Company’s calculation of hedge effectiveness contains some subjective determinations, the historical correlation of the cash flows of the hedging instruments and the underlying hedged item are measured by the Company before entering into the hedging relationship and have been found to be highly correlated.

The Company performs ineffectiveness tests using the change in the variable cash flows method at the inception of the hedge and for each reporting period thereafter, through the term of the hedging instruments. Any amounts determined to be ineffective are recorded in earnings. The change in fair value of the interest rate swaps and caps designated as cash flow hedges are recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders’ equity.

OVERVIEW OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006

The Company’s operating results for the first three months of 2006 benefited from strengthened revenue performance from the communities held in the Company’s portfolio throughout both the current and prior period (“same store”) from improved collections and resident utility reimbursements, as well as higher occupancy. Property performance was somewhat offset by an increase in interest expense caused by an increase in total debt outstanding as well as an increase in the average borrowing cost.

The following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2006. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report. These financial statements include all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to reflect a fair statement of the results for the interim period presented, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

The total number of apartment units the Company owned or had an ownership interest in, including the properties owned by its 33.33% unconsolidated joint venture, at March 31, 2006, was 38,789 in 134 communities compared to 38,561 in 133 communities at March 31, 2005. The average monthly rental per apartment unit for the Company’s 100% owned apartment units not in lease-up was $701 at March 31, 2006, compared to $685 at March 31, 2005. Occupancy for these same apartment units at March 31, 2006 and 2005, was 95.4% and 93.6%, respectively.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006 TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005

Property revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2006, increased by approximately $7,019,000 from the three months ended March 31, 2005, due to (i) a $2,443,000 increase in property revenues from the three properties acquired in 2005 (the “2005 Acquisitions”), (ii) a $608,000 increase in property revenues from the two properties acquired in the first quarter of 2006 (the “2006 Acquisitions”), and (iii) $3,968,000 increase in property revenues from all other communities. The increase in property revenues from all other communities was generated primarily by the Company’s same store portfolio and was driven by a 43.9% reduction in net delinquencies from the three months ended March 31, 2005, to the three months ended March 31, 2006, as well as a 23.1% increase in utility reimbursements and a 1.7% increase in occupancy over the same periods.

Property operating expenses include costs for property personnel, building repairs and maintenance, real estate taxes and insurance, utilities, landscaping and other property related costs. Property operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006, increased by approximately $1,874,000 from the three months ended March 31, 2005, due primarily to increases of property operating expenses of (i) $1,039,000 from the 2005 Acquisitions, (ii) $224,000 from the 2006 Acquisitions, and (iii) $611,000 from all other communities. The increase in property operating expenses from all other communities consisted primarily of the Company’s same store portfolio and was driven by a 9.0% increase in utilities for the three months ended March 31, 2006, over the three months ended March 31, 2005, as the Company experienced an increase in electricity, natural gas and water and sewer prices, as well as a 4.3% increase in personnel expense as higher occupancy drove overtime and contract expenses above the levels experienced in the prior year.
 
 

 

Depreciation expense increased by approximately $881,000 primarily due to the increases of depreciation expense of (i) $646,000 from the 2005 Acquisitions, (ii) $124,000 from the 2006 Acquisitions, and (iii) $406,000 from all other communities. Increases of depreciation expense from all other communities resulted from asset additions made during the normal course of business. These increases were partially offset by a net decrease in depreciation expense of (i) $295,000 from the expiration of the amortization of fair market value of leases of acquired communities.

Property management expenses decreased by approximately $297,000 from the first quarter of 2005 to the first quarter of 2006 mainly related to an increase in the efficiency of processing medical claims which allowed the Company to decrease its accrual for losses incurred but not received. General and administrative expenses increased by approximately $705,000 over this same period partially related to an increase in cash bonuses earned related to 2005 performance results as determined by the Board of Directors.

Interest expense increased approximately $2,071,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2006, from the three months ended March 31, 2005, primarily due to the increase in the amount of debt outstanding of $1.12 billion at March 31, 2005, to $1.18 billion at March 31, 2006, and the increase in the Company’s average borrowing cost from 5.0% over the three months ended March 31, 2005, to 5.4% over the three months ended March 31, 2006.

In the first three months of 2006, the Company refinanced the debt on three of its communities primarily to take advantage of the lower interest rate environment. This resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of approximately $550,000.

Primarily as a result of the foregoing, net income increased by approximately $800,000 in the first three months of 2006 over the first three months of 2005.

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS AND NET INCOME

Funds from operations (“FFO”) represents net income (computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or “GAAP”) excluding extraordinary items, minority interest in Operating Partnership income, gain on disposition of real estate assets, plus depreciation of real estate, and adjustments for joint ventures to reflect FFO on the same basis. This definition of FFO is in accordance with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust’s (“NAREIT”) definition. Disposition of real estate assets includes sales of discontinued operations as well as proceeds received from insurance and other settlements from property damage.

In response to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Policy Statement relating to EITF Topic D-42 concerning the calculation of earnings per share for the redemption of preferred stock, the Company has included the amount charged to retire preferred stock in excess of carrying values in its FFO calculation.

The Company's policy is to expense the cost of interior painting, vinyl flooring, and blinds as incurred for stabilized properties. During the stabilization period for acquisition properties, these items are capitalized as part of the total repositioning program of newly acquired properties, and, thus are not deducted in calculating FFO.

FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other GAAP measurement of performance, as an indicator of operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow from operating, investing, and financing activities as a measure of liquidity. The Company believes that FFO is helpful to investors in understanding the Company's operating performance in that such calculation excludes depreciation expense on real estate assets. The Company believes that GAAP historical cost depreciation of real estate assets is generally not correlated with changes in the value of those assets, whose value does not diminish predictably over time, as historical cost depreciation implies. The Company’s calculation of FFO may differ from the methodology for calculating FFO utilized by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs.
 
 

 

The following table is a reconciliation of FFO to net income for the three months ended March 31, 2006, and 2005 (dollars and shares in thousands):

   
Three months
 
   
ended March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Net income
 
$
5,126
 
$
4,326
 
Depreciation of real estate assets
   
18,592
   
17,718
 
Net gain on insurance and other settlement proceeds
   
-
   
(7
)
Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds
             
of discontinued operations
   
-
   
25
 
Depreciation of real estate assets of unconsolidated
             
entities
   
140
   
132
 
Preferred dividend distribution
   
(3,490
)
 
(3,713
)
Minority interest in operating partnership income
   
413
   
260
 
Funds from operations
 
$
20,781
 
$
18,741
 
               
Weighted average shares and units:
             
Basic
   
24,653
   
23,561
 
Diluted
   
24,885
   
23,845
 
 
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2006, was approximately $800,000 above the three months ended March 31, 2005. Revenues increased due to strengthened property performance and acquisitions but was partially offset by an increase in interest expense from larger debt balances and an increase in the Company’s average interest rate in the first quarter of 2006. FFO for the same period increased approximately $2,040,000, due mainly to the increase in net income and the addback of the increase in depreciation of real estate assets.

TRENDS

Property performance over the past four years has been pressured by an imbalance between supply and demand for apartment units in many of the Company’s markets, but has begun to show signs of improvement.

The Company believes that demand by apartment residents is most impacted by household formation, which is driven by job formation. Job formation has been quite weak in many of the Company’s markets, and most noticeably in the larger metro areas, such as Atlanta, Houston and Dallas. Some of the smaller and mid-size markets in which the Company operates, such as Jackson, Mississippi, Jacksonville, Florida, and Columbus, Georgia, have been less impacted.

On the supply side, low interest rates encouraged over-building of apartments, especially in the larger metropolitan areas. Delivery of new apartment units during this period of weakened apartment demand increased competition, reducing apartment occupancy levels, especially in the larger markets. In addition, single-family homes, which are direct competition for apartments, became even more affordable, and home ownership continued to climb in the Company’s markets.

The Company has begun to see a turn in many of its markets, particularly in Florida and Georgia, where there are some signs of improving demand coupled with a slight slow down in supply. The Company’s large-tier markets, which have been under the most pressure during the economic downturn, are beginning to show signs of absorbing the oversupply of new apartments and returning to historical occupancy and pricing levels, while the Company’s smaller-tier and mid-sized markets are benefiting from improving market fundamentals which support continued stable growth. The policies of the Federal Reserve, which has raised short-term interest rates, also seem to be having some early impact on the supply of new apartments. Development costs of apartments and of single-family homes also appear to be rising, as are mortgage interest rates, with the likelihood that this may slightly alleviate this competition.

The Company believes that the impact of higher demand from apartment renters, a reduced rate of increase in supply, and reduced competition from single-family homes will continue to contribute to better operating results in 2006.
 
 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash flow provided by operating activities increased by approximately $1.7 million from $19.8 million in the first three months of 2005 to $21.5 million in the first three months of 2006.

Net cash used in investing activities increased during the first three months of 2006 from the first three months of 2005 to approximately $60.3 million from $51.2 million mainly related to the additional $9.0 million of cash used for acquisitions in the first quarter of 2006 over 2005.

Net cash provided by financing activities increased by approximately $7.5 million from $28.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, to $35.7 million for the same period in 2006. During the first three months of 2006 the Company increased its borrowings under its credit lines by approximately $29.8 million over its levels in the first three months of 2005. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in proceeds from notes payable of approximately $6.3 million and an increase in principal payments on notes payable of approximately $13.1 million over the same time periods, as the Company took advantage of interest rate environments to refinance debt.

The weighted average interest rate at March 31, 2006, for the $1.18 billion of debt outstanding was 5.4% compared to 5.4% on $1.12 billion of debt outstanding at March 31, 2005. The Company utilizes both conventional and tax exempt debt to help finance its activities. Borrowings are made through individual property mortgages and secured credit facilities. The Company utilizes fixed rate borrowings, interest rate swaps and interest rate caps to manage its current and future interest rate risk. More details on the Company’s borrowings can be found in the schedule presented later in this section.

At March 31, 2006, the Company had secured credit facilities relationships with Prudential Mortgage Capital which are credit enhanced by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie MAC”), and a group of banks led by AmSouth Bank. Together, these credit facilities provided a total borrowing capacity and availability to borrow of $1.1 billion at March 31, 2006. The Company had total borrowings outstanding under these credit facilities of $975 million at March 31, 2006.

Approximately 72% of the Company’s outstanding obligations at March 31, 2006, were borrowed through facilities with/or credit enhanced by FNMA (the “FNMA Facilities”). The FNMA Facilities have a combined line limit of $950 million, $925 million of which was available to borrow at March 31, 2006. The Company had total borrowings outstanding under the FNMA Facilities of $856 million at March 31, 2006. Various traunches of the facilities mature from 2010 through 2014. The FNMA Facilities provide for both fixed and variable rate borrowings. The interest rate on the majority of the variable portion renews every 90 days and is based on the FNMA Discount Mortgage Backed Security (“DMBS”) rate on the date of renewal, which has typically approximated three-month LIBOR less an average spread of 0.04% over the life of the FNMA Facilities, plus a credit enhancement fee of 0.62% to 0.795%.

Each of the Company’s secured credit facilities is subject to various covenants and conditions on usage, and are subject to periodic re-evaluation of collateral. If the Company were to fail to satisfy a condition to borrowing, the available credit under one or more of the facilities could not be drawn, which could adversely affect the Company’s liquidity. In the event of a reduction in real estate values the amount of available credit could be reduced. Moreover, if the Company were to fail to make a payment or violate a covenant under a credit facility, after applicable cure periods one or more of its lenders could declare a default, accelerate the due date for repayment of all amounts outstanding and/or foreclose on properties securing such facilities. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

On May 26, 2005, the Company gave the required one year notice to redeem all of the issued and outstanding shares of its 8 5/8% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series G”) on May 26, 2006, for the total redemption price of $10 million. As a result, in accordance with Statement No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, the Company classified the Series G as a liability within notes payable as of May 26, 2005, on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

As of March 31, 2006, the Company had interest rate swaps in effect totaling a notional amount of approximately $684 million. To date, these swaps have proven to be highly effective hedges. The Company also had interest rate cap agreements totaling a notional amount of approximately $42 million in effect as of March 31, 2006.
 
 

 
 

Summary details of the debt outstanding at March 31, 2006, follows in the table below:

           
Outstanding
             
           
Balance/
 
Average
 
Average
 
Average
 
   
Line
 
Line
 
Notional
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Contract
 
   
Limit
 
Availability
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Maturity
 
Maturity
 
                           
COMBINED DEBT
                         
Fixed Rate or Swapped
                         
Conventional 
             
$
871,440,060
   
5.5
%
 
4/14/2011
   
4/14/2011
 
Tax Exempt 
               
73,780,000
   
4.3
%
 
2/8/2012
   
2/8/2012
 
Preferred Series G 
               
10,000,000
   
8.6
%
 
5/26/2006
   
5/26/2006
 
 Subtotal Fixed Rate or Swapped
               
955,220,060
   
5.5
%
 
4/18/2011
   
4/18/2011
 
Variable Rate
                                     
Conventional 
               
172,945,404
   
5.2
%
 
5/22/2006
   
3/1/2012
 
Tax Exempt 
               
10,855,004
   
4.0
%
 
4/15/2006
   
5/30/2020
 
Conventional - Capped 
               
17,936,000
   
5.4
%
 
11/13/2009
   
11/13/2009
 
Tax Exempt - Capped 
               
24,090,000
   
3.9
%
 
11/25/2009
   
11/25/2009
 
 Subtotal Variable Rate
               
225,826,408
   
5.0
%
 
5/17/2006
   
11/14/2012
 
Total Combined Debt Outstanding
             
$
1,181,046,468
   
5.4
%
 
5/9/2010
   
8/6/2011
 
                                       
UNDERLYING DEBT
                                     
Individual Property Mortgages/Bonds
                                     
Conventional Fixed Rate 
             
$
138,440,060
   
5.0
%
 
11/16/2014
   
11/16/2014
 
Tax Exempt Fixed Rate 
               
12,450,000
   
5.2
%
 
12/1/2028
   
12/1/2028
 
Tax Exempt Variable Rate 
               
4,760,004
   
4.2
%
 
4/15/2006
   
6/1/2028
 
Preferred Series G
               
10,000,000
   
8.6
%
 
5/26/2006
   
5/26/2006
 
FNMA Credit Facilities
                                     
Tax Free Borrowings 
 
$
91,515,000
 
$
91,515,000
   
91,515,000
   
3.9
%
 
4/15/2006
   
3/1/2014
 
Conventional Borrowings 
                                     
 Fixed Rate Borrowings
   
110,000,000
   
110,000,000
   
110,000,000
   
7.2
%
 
1/10/2009
   
1/10/2009
 
 Variable Rate Borrowings
   
748,485,000
   
723,380,000
   
654,318,000
   
5.4
%
 
5/29/2006
   
5/16/2013
 
Subtotal FNMA Facilities
   
950,000,000
   
924,895,000
   
855,833,000
   
5.4
%
 
9/24/2006
   
11/23/2012
 
Freddie Mac Credit Facility
   
100,000,000
   
96,404,000
   
96,404,000
   
5.4
%
 
5/28/2006
   
7/1/2011
 
AmSouth Credit Facility
   
40,000,000
   
30,203,438
   
23,159,404
   
6.0
%
 
4/30/2006
   
5/24/2007
 
Union Planters Bank
               
40,000,000
   
5.8
%
 
4/30/2006
   
4/1/2009
 
Total Underlying Debt Outstanding
             
$
1,181,046,468
   
5.4
%
 
11/13/2007
   
12/16/2012
 
 

HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
             
Interest Rate Swaps
             
LIBOR indexed 
 
$
623,000,000
   
5.3
%
 
9/24/2010
 
BMA indexed 
   
61,330,000
   
4.1
%
 
9/10/2008
 
Total Interest Rate Swaps
 
$
684,330,000
   
5.2
%
 
7/19/2010
 
                     
Interest Rate Caps
                   
LIBOR indexed 
 
$
17,936,000
   
6.2
%
 
11/13/2009
 
BMA indexed 
   
24,090,000
   
6.0
%
 
11/25/2009
 
Total Interest Rate Caps
 
$
42,026,000
   
6.1
%
 
11/19/2009
 
 

The Company believes that it has adequate resources to fund its current operations, annual refurbishment of its properties, and incremental investment in new apartment properties. The Company is relying on the efficient operation of the financial markets to finance debt maturities, and also is heavily reliant on the creditworthiness of FNMA, which provides credit enhancement for approximately $856 million of the Company’s debt. The interest rate market for FNMA DMBS, which in the Company’s experience is highly correlated with three-month LIBOR interest rates, is also an important component of the Company’s liquidity and interest rate swap effectiveness. In the event that the FNMA DMBS market becomes less efficient, or the credit of FNMA becomes impaired, the Company would seek alternative sources of debt financing.
 
 

 

For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company’s net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $1.5 million short of funding improvements to existing real estate assets, distributions to unitholders, and dividends paid on common and preferred shares. This compared to a shortfall of approximately $1.8 million for the same period in 2005. While the Company has sufficient liquidity to permit distributions at current rates through additional borrowings, if necessary, any significant deterioration in operations could result in the Company’s financial resources to be insufficient to pay distributions to shareholders at the current rate, in which event the Company would be required to reduce the distribution rate.

The following table reflects the Company’s total contractual cash obligations which consists of its long-term debt and operating leases as of March 31, 2006, (dollars in 000’s):
 

   
Payments Due by Period
 
Contractual Obligations
 
2006
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Long-Term Debt (1)
 
$
37,429
 
$
27,142
 
$
109,900
 
$
106,201
 
$
121,268
 
$
779,106
 
$
1,181,046
 
Operating Lease
   
3
   
4
   
4
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
11
 
 Total
 
$
37,432
 
$
27,146
 
$
109,904
 
$
106,201
 
$
121,268
 
$
779,106
 
$
1,181,057
 
                                             
(1) Represents principal payments.
                                           
 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

At March 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance, special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. The Company’s joint ventures with Crow Holdings were established to acquire multifamily properties. In addition, the Company does not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. As such, the Company is not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market, or credit risk that could arise if it had engaged in such relationships. The Company does not have any relationships or transactions with persons or entities that derive benefits from their non-independent relationships with the Company or its related parties other than those disclosed in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 13 in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company’s investment in its real estate joint venture is unconsolidated and is recorded on the equity method as the Company does not have a controlling interest.

INSURANCE

In the opinion of management, property and casualty insurance is in place that provides adequate coverage to provide financial protection against normal insurable risks such that it believes that any loss experienced would not have a significant impact on the Company’s liquidity, financial position, or results of operations.

INFLATION

Substantially all of the resident leases at the Company’s communities allow, at the time of renewal, for adjustments in the rent payable thereunder, and thus may enable the Company to seek rent increases. Almost all leases are for one year or less. The short-term nature of these leases generally serves to reduce the risk to the Company of the adverse effects of inflation.

IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29 (“Statement 153”). Statement 153 was a result of a joint effort by the FASB and the IASB to improve financial reporting by eliminating certain narrow differences between their existing accounting standards. Statement 153 amends APB Opinion No. 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. Statement 153 is applied prospectively for nonmonetary
 
 

 

asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The adoption of Statement 153 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations taken as a whole.

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123 (revised December 2004), Share-Based Payment (“Statement 123(R)”). Statement 123(R) replaces FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Statement 123(R) requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity or the liability instruments issued. In addition, liability awards will be remeasured each reporting period. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. Statement 123(R) is effective as of the beginning of the first annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. The Company adopted Statement 123(R) effective January 1, 2006, utilizing the modified prospective transition method. The adoption of Statement 123(R) did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations taken as a whole.

In March 2005, the SEC issued SAB 107 to provide public companies additional guidance in applying the provisions of Statement 123(R). Among other things, SAB 107 describes the SEC staff's expectations in determining the assumptions that underlie the fair value estimates and discusses the interaction of Statement 123(R) with certain existing SEC guidance. The guidance is also beneficial to users of financial statements in analyzing the information provided under statement 123(R). SAB 107 was applied upon the adoption of Statement 123(R).

In March 2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143 (“Interpretation 47”). Interpretation 47 clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, (“Statement 143”) refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. Interpretation 47 is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005, (December 31, 2005, for calendar-year enterprises). Retrospective application for interim financial information is permitted but is not required. The adoption of Interpretation 47 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations taken as a whole.

In June 2005, the FASB ratified EITF 04-5: Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights (“EITF 04-5”). EITF 04-5 provides a framework for determining whether a general partner is required to consolidate limited partners. The new framework is significantly different than the guidance in SOP 78-9 and would make it more difficult for a general partner to overcome the presumption that it controls the limited partnership, requiring the limited partner to have substantive “kick-out” or “participating” rights. Kick-out rights are the right to dissolve or liquidate the partnership or to otherwise remove the general partner without cause and participating rights are the right to effectively participate in significant decisions made in the ordinary course of the partnership’s business. EITF 04-5 became effective immediately for all newly formed limited partnerships and existing limited partnerships which are modified. The guidance will become effective for existing limited partnerships which are not modified the beginning of the first reporting period in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of EITF 04-5 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations taken as a whole.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This and other sections of this Quarterly Report contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about anticipated market conditions, expected growth rates of revenues and expenses, planned asset dispositions, disposition pricing, planned acquisitions and developments, property financings, expected interest rates and planned capital expenditures. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this report on Form 10-Q will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such
 
 

 

information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
This information has been omitted as there have been no material changes in the Company’s market risk as disclosed in the 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K except for the changes as discussed under Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

MANAGEMENT’S EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management's control objectives. The Company also has an investment in an unconsolidated entity which is not under its control. Consequently, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures with respect to this entity are necessarily more limited than those it maintains with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and financial officers has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on their evaluation as of March 31, 2006, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2006, in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) that is required to be included in the Company’s Exchange Act filings.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

During the three months ended March 31, 2006, there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
In addition to the risk factors previously disclosed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company is subject to the following tax-related risks.

FAILURE TO MAKE REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS WOULD SUBJECT THE COMPANY TO INCOME TAXATION

In order to qualify as a REIT, each year the Company must distribute to stockholders at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividend paid deduction and by excluding net capital gains). To the extent that the Company satisfies the distribution requirement, but distributes less than 100% of taxable income, it will be subject to federal corporate income tax on the undistributed income. In addition, the Company will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which the distributions in any year are less than the sum of:

·  
85% of ordinary income for that year;
·  
95% of capital gain net income for that year; and
·  
100% of undistributed taxable income from prior years.

Differences in timing between the recognition of income and the related cash receipts or the effect of required debt amortization payments could require the Company to borrow money or sell assets to pay out enough of the taxable income to satisfy the distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax in a particular year.

COMPLYING WITH REIT REQUIREMENTS MAY CAUSE THE COMPANY TO FORGO OTHERWISE ATTRACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES OR ENGAGE IN MARGINAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

To qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, the Company must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of income, the nature and diversification of assets, the amounts distributed to shareholders and the ownership of the Company’s stock. In order to meet these tests, the Company may be required to forgo attractive business or investment opportunities or engage in marginal investment opportunities. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder the Company’s ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.

THE TAXATION OF CORPOARTE DIVIDENDS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE COMPANY’S STOCK

The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, among other things, generally reduced to 15% the maximum marginal rate of tax payable by domestic noncorporate taxpayers on dividends received from a regular C corporation for tax years 2003 through 2008. This reduced tax rate does not apply, however, to dividends paid to domestic noncorporate taxpayers by a REIT on its stock, except for certain limited amounts. Although the earnings of a REIT that are distributed to its stockholders are generally subject to less federal income taxation than earnings of a non-REIT C corporation that are distributed to its stockholders net of corporate-level income tax, this legislation could cause domestic noncorporate investors to view the stock of regular C corporations as more attractive relative to the stock of a REIT than was the case prior to the enactment of the legislation, because the dividends from regular C corporations are now generally taxed at a lower rate while dividends from REITs are generally taxed at the same rate as the domestic noncorporate taxpayer’s ordinary income. The more favorable tax rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause domestic noncorporate investors to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including the Company’s stock.
 
 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.

Item 5. Other Information
None.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a)   
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report.

 
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Charter of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. dated as of January 10, 1994, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on January 25, 1994 (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2
Articles of Amendment to the Charter of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. dated as of January 28, 1994, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on January 28, 1994 (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter Designating and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of a Series of Preferred Stock dated as of October 9, 1996, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on October 10, 1996 (Filed as Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on October 11, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.4
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter dated November 17, 1997, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on November 18, 1997 (Filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.5
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter Designating and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of a Series of Shares of Preferred Stock dated as of November 17, 1997, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on November 18, 1997 (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on November 19, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.6
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter Designating and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of a Series of Shares of Preferred Stock dated as of June 25, 1998, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on June 30, 1998 (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on June 26, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.7
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter Designating and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of A Series of Shares of Preferred Stock dated as of December 24, 1998, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on December 30, 1998 (Filed as Exhibit 3.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (File Number 333-112469) and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 

 

3.8
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter Designating and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of a Series of Shares of Preferred Stock dated as of October 11, 2002, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on October 14, 2002 (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on October 11, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.9
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter Designating and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of a Series of Shares of Preferred Stock dated as of October 28, 2002, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on October 28, 2002 (Filed as Exhibit 3.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (File Number 333-112469) and incorporated herein by reference).
3.10
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Charter Designating and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of a Series of Shares of Preferred Stock dated as of August 7, 2003, as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State on August 7, 2003 (Filed as Exhibit 3.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (File Number 333-112469) and incorporated herein by reference).
3.11
Bylaws of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File Number 33-69434) and incorporated herein by reference).
3.12
First Amendment to the Bylaws of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. dated May 2, 2006
4.1
Form of Common Share Certificate (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.2
Form of 9.5% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock Certificate (Filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on October 11, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3
Form of 8 7/8% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock Certificate (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on November 19, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.4
Form of 9 3/8% Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock Certificate (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on June 26, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.5
Form of 9.5% Series E Cumulative Preferred Stock Certificate (Filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (File Number 333-112469) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.6
Form of 9 ¼% Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock Certificate (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on October 11, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.7
Form of 8.30% Series G Cumulative Preferred Stock Certificate (Filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (File Number 333-112469) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.8
Form of 8.30% Series H Cumulative Preferred Stock Certificate (Filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (File Number 333-112469) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1
Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Mid-America Apartments, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2 †
Employment Agreement between the Registrant and H. Eric Bolton, Jr. (Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).
 


 

10.3 †
Employment Agreement