Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018
 
Commission file number 1-12672
 
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Maryland
 
77-0404318
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
 
Ballston Tower
671 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 800
Arlington, Virginia  22203
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
(703) 329-6300
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 
 
(Former name, if changed since last report) 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve (12) months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety (90) days.
Yes ý                    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ý                    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) o
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  o

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


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:

138,208,815 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding as of April 30, 2018.


Table of Contents

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
 
 
PAGE
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Table of Contents



AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
3/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 

 
 

Real estate:
 

 
 

Land and improvements
$
4,226,043

 
$
4,237,318

Buildings and improvements
15,733,783

 
15,708,666

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
636,793

 
615,288

 
20,596,619

 
20,561,272

Less accumulated depreciation
(4,345,596
)
 
(4,218,379
)
Net operating real estate
16,251,023

 
16,342,893

Construction in progress, including land
1,375,366

 
1,306,300

Land held for development
136,771

 
68,364

Real estate assets held for sale, net
121,387

 

Total real estate, net
17,884,547

 
17,717,557

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
137,244

 
67,088

Cash in escrow
134,163

 
134,818

Resident security deposits
33,130

 
32,686

Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities
164,344

 
163,475

Deferred development costs
39,369

 
45,819

Prepaid expenses and other assets
253,650

 
253,378

Total assets
$
18,646,447

 
$
18,414,821

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 

 
 

Unsecured notes, net
$
6,150,633

 
$
5,852,764

Variable rate unsecured credit facility

 

Mortgage notes payable, net
1,448,822

 
1,476,706

Dividends payable
203,166

 
196,094

Payables for construction
83,209

 
85,377

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
299,426

 
308,189

Accrued interest payable
60,111

 
43,116

Resident security deposits
58,760

 
58,473

Liabilities related to real estate assets held for sale
1,244

 

Total liabilities
8,305,371

 
8,020,719

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies


 


 
 
 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
5,952

 
6,056

 
 
 
 
Equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; $25 liquidation preference; 50,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; zero shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 280,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; 138,208,280 and 138,094,154 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
1,382

 
1,381

Additional paid-in capital
10,229,738

 
10,235,475

Accumulated earnings less dividends
128,166

 
188,609

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(24,162
)
 
(37,419
)
Total equity
10,335,124

 
10,388,046

Total liabilities and equity
$
18,646,447

 
$
18,414,821

 
See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

1

Table of Contents

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
Revenue:
 

 
 

Rental and other income
$
559,906

 
$
521,126

Management, development and other fees
886

 
1,200

Total revenue
560,792

 
522,326

 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 

 
 

Operating expenses, excluding property taxes
132,024

 
123,044

Property taxes
59,896

 
52,930

Interest expense, net
55,113

 
49,295

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
397

 

Depreciation expense
159,059

 
140,621

General and administrative expense
13,664

 
13,206

Expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries
800

 
728

Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net
(58
)
 
11,688

Total expenses
420,895

 
391,512

 
 
 
 
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, gain (loss) on sale of communities and other real estate, and income taxes
139,897

 
130,814

 
 
 
 
Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities
1,740

 
16,672

Gain on sale of communities

 
87,949

(Loss) gain on other real estate transactions
(47
)
 
366

 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
141,590

 
235,801

Income tax expense

 
20

 
 
 
 
Net income
141,590

 
235,781

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
53

 
94

 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
141,643

 
$
235,875

 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income:
 

 
 

Gain on cash flow hedges
11,501

 
145

Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings
1,756

 
1,752

Comprehensive income
$
154,900

 
$
237,772

 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share - basic:
 

 
 

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
1.03

 
$
1.72

 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share - diluted:
 

 
 

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
1.03

 
$
1.72

 
 
 
 
Dividends per common share
$
1.47

 
$
1.42


See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

Table of Contents

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
141,590

 
$
235,781

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation expense
159,059

 
140,621

Amortization of deferred financing costs
2,007

 
1,826

Amortization of debt discount (premium)
419

 
(4,621
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
397

 

Amortization of stock-based compensation
4,029

 
4,319

Equity in loss of (income), and return on, unconsolidated real estate entities and noncontrolling interests, net of eliminations
1,486

 
(5,768
)
Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net
(58
)
 
11,688

Abandonment of development pursuits
112

 
265

Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings
1,756

 
1,752

Loss (gain) on sale of real estate assets
47

 
(97,012
)
Increase in resident security deposits, prepaid expenses and other assets
(6,608
)
 
(10,630
)
Increase in accrued expenses, other liabilities and accrued interest payable
11,677

 
21,674

Net cash provided by operating activities
315,913

 
299,895

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Development/redevelopment of real estate assets including land acquisitions and deferred development costs
(301,299
)
 
(259,573
)
Capital expenditures - existing real estate assets
(15,240
)
 
(8,015
)
Capital expenditures - non-real estate assets
(1,735
)
 
(2,429
)
Proceeds from sale of real estate, net of selling costs
603

 
159,985

Insurance proceeds for property damage claims
58

 
4,095

Mortgage note receivable lending
(2,006
)
 
(4,795
)
Mortgage note receivable payment
4,862

 

Decrease in payables for construction
(2,168
)
 
(4,326
)
Distributions from unconsolidated real estate entities
2,013

 
11,952

Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities
(4,368
)
 
(5,774
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(319,280
)
 
(108,880
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock, net

 
56,817

Dividends paid
(195,999
)
 
(185,192
)
Repayments of mortgage notes payable, including prepayment penalties
(28,584
)
 
(21,905
)
Issuance of unsecured notes
299,442

 

Payment of deferred financing costs
(3,244
)
 
(2,315
)
Payment of capital lease obligation
(267
)
 

Receipts for termination of forward interest rate swaps
12,598

 

Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation
(10,483
)
 

Distributions to DownREIT partnership unitholders
(11
)
 
(11
)
Contributions from joint venture and profit-sharing partners

 
1,038

Distributions to joint venture and profit-sharing partners
(104
)
 
(104
)
Preferred interest obligation redemption and dividends
(480
)
 
(600
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
72,868

 
(152,272
)
 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
69,501

 
38,743

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
201,906

 
329,977

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
$
271,407

 
$
368,720

 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amount capitalized
$
33,936

 
$
34,503

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
137,244

 
$
121,705

Cash in escrow
 
134,163

 
247,015

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
$
271,407

 
$
368,720


Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:

During the three months ended March 31, 2018:

As described in Note 4, "Equity," 182,998 shares of common stock were issued as part of the Company's stock-based compensation plans, of which 88,297 shares related to the conversion of performance awards to restricted shares, and the remaining 94,701 shares valued at $15,277,000 were issued in connection with new stock grants; 566 shares valued at $96,000 were issued through the Company's dividend reinvestment plan; 67,609 shares valued at $10,483,000 were withheld to satisfy employees' tax withholding and other liabilities; and 1,829 restricted shares with an aggregate value of $234,000 previously issued in connection with employee compensation were canceled upon forfeiture.

Common stock dividends declared but not paid totaled $203,166,000.

The Company recorded an increase of $63,000 in redeemable noncontrolling interest with a corresponding decrease to accumulated earnings less dividends to adjust the redemption value associated with the put options held by joint venture partners and DownREIT partnership units.  For further discussion of the nature and valuation of these items, see Note 10, "Fair Value."

The Company reclassified $1,756,000 of cash flow hedge losses from other comprehensive income to interest expense, net, to record the impact of the Company's derivative and hedge accounting activity.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017:

The Company issued 198,502 shares of common stock as part of the Company's stock-based compensation plans, of which 128,482 shares related to the conversion of performance awards to restricted shares, and the remaining 70,020 shares valued at $12,538,000 were issued in connection with new stock grants; 1,165 shares valued at $205,000 were issued through the Company's dividend reinvestment plan; 57,172 shares valued at $10,149,000 were withheld to satisfy employees' tax withholding and other liabilities; and 236 restricted shares with an aggregate value of $41,000 previously issued in connection with employee compensation were canceled upon forfeiture.

Common stock dividends declared but not paid totaled $195,657,000.

The Company recorded an increase of $183,000 in redeemable noncontrolling interest with a corresponding decrease to accumulated earnings less dividends to adjust the redemption value associated with the put options held by joint venture partners and DownREIT partnership units.

The Company recorded an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $180,000 and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $102,000, and a corresponding adjustment to other comprehensive income, and reclassified $1,752,000 of cash flow hedge losses from other comprehensive income to interest expense, net, to record the impact of the Company's derivative and hedge accounting activity.

As discussed in Note 5, "Investments in Real Estate Entities," the Company recognized a non-cash charge of $16,361,000 to write-off the net book value of the fixed assets destroyed by the fire that occurred in February 2017 at the Company's Avalon Maplewood Development Community ("Maplewood"), and a corresponding recovery of loss of $12,598,000 for property damage insurance proceeds for the Maplewood casualty loss not received during the period.


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Table of Contents

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)  

1.  Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Basis of Presentation

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (the "Company," which term, unless the context otherwise requires, refers to AvalonBay Communities, Inc. together with its subsidiaries), is a Maryland corporation that has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). The Company focuses on the development, redevelopment, acquisition, ownership and operation of multifamily communities primarily in New England, the New York/New Jersey metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California.

At March 31, 2018, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 270 operating apartment communities containing 78,388 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 15 communities containing 6,260 apartment homes were under redevelopment. In addition, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 18 communities under development that are expected to contain an aggregate of 5,774 apartment homes when completed. The Company also owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in land or rights to land on which the Company expects to develop an additional 28 communities that, if developed as expected, will contain an estimated 9,268 apartment homes.

The interim unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year. Management believes the disclosures are adequate to ensure the information presented is not misleading.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments and eliminations, consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods, have been included.

Capitalized terms used without definition have meanings provided elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

Earnings per Common Share

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

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Table of Contents

 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
Basic and diluted shares outstanding
 

 
 

Weighted average common shares - basic
137,764,468

 
137,068,874

Weighted average DownREIT units outstanding
7,500

 
7,500

Effect of dilutive securities
381,202

 
454,868

Weighted average common shares - diluted
138,153,170

 
137,531,242

 
 
 
 
Calculation of Earnings per Share - basic
 

 
 

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
141,643

 
$
235,875

Net income allocated to unvested restricted shares
(430
)
 
(652
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders, adjusted
$
141,213

 
$
235,223

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares - basic
137,764,468

 
137,068,874

 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share - basic
$
1.03

 
$
1.72

 
 
 
 
Calculation of Earnings per Share - diluted
 

 
 

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
141,643

 
$
235,875

Add: noncontrolling interests of DownREIT unitholders in consolidated partnerships
11

 
11

Adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders
$
141,654

 
$
235,886

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares - diluted
138,153,170

 
137,531,242

 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share - diluted
$
1.03

 
$
1.72

 

Certain options to purchase shares of common stock in the amount of 6,995 were outstanding as of March 31, 2018, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because such options were anti-dilutive for the period. All options to purchase shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2017 are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company enters into interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements (collectively, "Hedging Derivatives") for interest rate risk management purposes and in conjunction with certain variable rate secured debt to satisfy lender requirements. The Company does not enter into Hedging Derivative transactions for trading or other speculative purposes. The Company assesses the effectiveness of qualifying cash flow and fair value hedges, both at inception and on an on-going basis. Hedge ineffectiveness is reported as a component of general and administrative expenses. The fair values of Hedging Derivatives that are in an asset position are recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets. The fair value of Hedging Derivatives that are in a liability position are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The Company does not present or disclose the fair value of Hedging Derivatives on a net basis. Fair value changes for derivatives that are not in qualifying hedge relationships are reported as a component of interest expense, net.  For the Hedging Derivative positions that the Company has determined qualify as effective cash flow hedges, the Company has recorded the cumulative changes in the fair value of Hedging Derivatives in other comprehensive loss.  Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings in the periods in which earnings are affected by the hedged cash flow. The effective portion of the change in fair value of the Hedging Derivatives that the Company has determined qualified as effective fair value hedges is reported as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the corresponding debt being hedged. See Note 10, "Fair Value," for further discussion of derivative financial instruments.

Legal and Other Contingencies

Edgewater Casualty Loss

In January 2015, a fire occurred at the Company's Avalon at Edgewater apartment community located in Edgewater, New Jersey ("Edgewater"). Edgewater consisted of two residential buildings. One building, containing 240 apartment homes, was destroyed. The second building, containing 168 apartment homes, suffered minimal damage and has been repaired.


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Table of Contents

In conjunction with legal matters associated with the Edgewater casualty loss, the Company has established protocols for processing claims from third parties who suffered losses as a result of the fire, and many third parties have contacted the Company's insurance carrier and settled their claims. See Part II, Item 1, "Legal Proceedings," for further discussion of the lawsuits associated with the Edgewater casualty loss.

Three class action lawsuits have been filed against the Company on behalf of occupants of the destroyed building and consolidated in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The Company has agreed with class counsel to the terms of a settlement which provides a claims process (with agreed upon protocols for instructing the adjuster as to how to evaluate claims) and, if needed, an arbitration process to determine damage amounts to be paid to individual claimants covered by the class settlement. In July 2017 the District Court granted final approval of the settlement and all claims have been submitted to the independent claims adjuster. A total of 66 units (consisting of residents who did not previously settle their claims and who did not opt out of the class settlement) are included in the class action settlement and bound by its terms. However, only 44 units submitted claims. The independent claims adjuster is currently reviewing the claims submitted; the submitted claims total approximately $6,900,000 but, based on the Company's review of the initial determinations made by the adjuster on a number of claims, the Company believes that the total amount actually awarded will be significantly less. To date, the claims adjuster has completed his evaluation of 17 of these claims and it is expected that the evaluation of the remaining claims should be completed within the next month. A fourth class action, being heard in the same federal court, was filed against the Company on behalf of residents of the second Edgewater building that suffered minimal damage. In addition to the class action lawsuits described above, 18 of the 19 lawsuits representing approximately 143 individual plaintiffs filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey Bergen County - Law Division were previously scheduled for trial on January 2, 2018. In advance of this date, the Company was able to resolve all of these claims in principle which included approximately 50 units. The Company previously resolved litigated claims with another 10 units. There is currently one remaining lawsuit which was recently filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County - Law Division on behalf of one apartment unit. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the extent of damages claimed in that suit. There are also seven subrogation lawsuits that have been filed against the Company by insurers of Edgewater residents who obtained renters insurance; it is the Company's position that in the majority of the applicable leases the residents waived subrogation rights. One of these lawsuits has been dismissed on that basis, one is pending in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County - Law Division, one has been amicably resolved in principle and the other four have been consolidated and are currently pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The District Court denied the Company's motions seeking dismissal on this basis. The Company will reassess the viability of this defense after conducting additional discovery.

Having settled many third party claims through the insurance claims process, the Company currently believes that any potential remaining liability to third parties (including any potential liability to third parties determined in accordance with the class settlement described above) will not be material to the Company and will in any event be substantially covered by the Company's insurance policies. However, the Company can give no assurances in this regard and continues to evaluate this matter. See Part II, Item 1, "Legal Proceedings," for further discussion of the casualty gains and losses and lawsuits associated with the Edgewater casualty loss.

Other Matters

The Company is involved in various other claims and/or administrative proceedings unrelated to the Edgewater casualty loss that arise in the ordinary course of its business. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not currently believe that any of these other outstanding litigation matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

Acquisitions of Investments in Real Estate

The Company accounts for acquisitions of investments in real estate in accordance with the authoritative guidance for the initial measurement, which first requires that the Company determine if the real estate investment is the acquisition of an asset or a business combination. Under either model, the Company must identify and determine the fair value of any assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. Typical assets acquired and liabilities assumed include land, building, furniture, fixtures and equipment, debt and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above or below market leases and in-place leases. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, the Company utilizes various sources, including its own analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties in its portfolio and other market data. Consideration for acquisitions is typically in the form of cash unless otherwise disclosed. For a business combination, the Company records the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair value of each respective item. For an asset acquisition, the allocation of the purchase price is based on the relative fair value of the net assets. The Company expenses all applicable acquisition costs for a business combination and capitalizes all applicable acquisition costs for an asset acquisition. The Company expects that acquisitions of individual operating communities will generally be viewed as asset acquisitions.


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Table of Contents

Use of Estimates

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

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts in prior years' notes to financial statements to conform to current year presentations as a result of changes in held for sale classification and disposition activity.

Revenue and Gain Recognition

As of January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, using the modified retrospective approach, which applies the new standard to contracts that are not completed as of the date of adoption. Under the new standard, revenue is recognized in accordance with the transfer of goods and services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled for those goods and services. The majority of the Company’s revenue is derived from residential and retail rental income and other lease income, which are scoped out from this standard and included in the current lease accounting framework, and will be accounted for under ASU 2016-02, Leases, discussed under Recently Issued Accounting Standards below. Revenue streams that are scoped into ASU 2014-09 include:

Management fees - The Company has investment interests in real estate joint ventures, for which the Company may manage (i) the venture, (ii) the associated operating communities owned by the ventures and/or (iii) the development or redevelopment of those operating communities. For these activities, the Company receives asset management, property management, development and/or redevelopment fee revenue. The performance obligation is the management of the venture, community or other defined task such as the development or redevelopment of the community. While the individual activities that comprise the performance obligation of the management fees can vary day to day, the nature of the overall performance obligation to provide management service is the same and considered by the Company to be a series of services that have the same pattern of transfer to the customer and the same method to measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenue for fees as earned on a monthly basis and has concluded this is appropriate under the new standard.

Rental and non-rental related income - The Company recognizes revenue for new rental related income not included as components of a lease, such as reservation and application fees, as well as for non-rental related income, as earned, and has concluded this is appropriate under the new standard.

Gains or losses on sales of real estate - The Company accounts for the sale of real estate assets and any related gain recognition in accordance with the accounting guidance applicable to sales of real estate, which establishes standards for recognition of profit on all real estate sales transactions, other than retail land sales. The Company recognizes the sale, and associated gain or loss from the disposition, provided that the earnings process is complete and the Company does not have significant continuing involvement. Subsequent to the adoption of the new standard, a gain or loss is recognized when the criteria for an asset to be derecognized are met, which include when (i) a contract exists and (ii) the buyer obtained control of the nonfinancial asset that was sold. As a result, the Company may recognize a gain on a real estate disposition transaction that previously did not qualify as a sale or for full profit recognition due to the timing of the transfer of control or certain forms of continuing involvement. In addition, subsequent to the adoption of the new standard, a gain or loss recognized on the sale of a nonfinancial asset to an unconsolidated entity will be recognized at 100%, and not the Company’s proportionate ownership percentage.

The Company concluded that the adoption of the new standard did not require an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.

The following table provides details of the Company’s revenue streams disaggregated by the Company’s reportable operating segments, further discussed in Note 7, “Segment Reporting,” for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. Segment information for total revenue has been adjusted to exclude the real estate assets that were sold from January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018, or otherwise qualify as held for sale as of March 31, 2018, as described in Note 6, "Real Estate Disposition Activities," (dollars in thousands):

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Table of Contents

 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
Established
Communities
 
Other
Stabilized
Communities
 
Development/
Redevelopment
Communities
 
Non-
allocated (1)
 
Total
For the period ended March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management, development and other fees
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
886

 
$
886

Rental and non-rental related income (2)
 
2,399

 
1,817

 
405

 

 
4,621

Total non-lease revenue (3)
 
2,399

 
1,817

 
405

 
886

 
5,507

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease income (4)
 
415,145

 
69,386

 
67,529

 

 
552,060

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
 
$
417,544

 
$
71,203

 
$
67,934

 
$
886

 
$
557,567

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the period ended March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management, development and other fees
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,200

 
$
1,200

Rental and non-rental related income (2)
 
2,224

 
1,687

 
405

 

 
4,316

Total non-lease revenue (3)
 
2,224

 
1,687

 
405

 
1,200

 
5,516

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease income (4)
 
380,533

 
68,429

 
55,142

 

 
504,104

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
 
$
382,757

 
$
70,116

 
$
55,547

 
$
1,200

 
509,620

__________________________________

(1)
Revenue represents third-party management, asset management and developer fees and miscellaneous income which are not allocated to a reportable segment.
(2)
Amounts include revenue streams related to leasing activities that are not considered components of a lease, including but not limited to, apartment hold fees and application fees, as well as revenue streams not related to leasing activities, including but not limited to, vendor revenue sharing, building advertising, vending and dry cleaning revenue.
(3)
Represents all revenue accounted for under ASC 2014-09.
(4)
Amounts include all revenue streams derived from residential and retail rental income and other lease income, which are scoped out from ASC 2014-09 and accounted for under the lease accounting framework.

Due to the nature and timing of the Company’s identified revenue streams, there are no material amounts of outstanding or unsatisfied performance obligations as of March 31, 2018.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This ASU expands hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. This update also simplifies the application of hedge accounting guidance and eases the administrative burden of hedge documentation requirements and assessing hedge effectiveness. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. This ASU (i) clarifies the scope of the nonfinancial asset guidance and the derecognition of certain businesses and nonprofit activities, (ii) eliminates the exception in the financial asset guidance for transfers of investments (including equity method investments) in real estate entities and supersedes the guidance in the Exchanges of a Nonfinancial Asset for a Noncontrolling Ownership Interest and (iii) provides guidance on the accounting of partial sales of nonfinancial assets and contributions of nonfinancial assets to a joint venture or other noncontrolled investee. The new standard allows for either a retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The Company adopted the new standard as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach, applying the provisions to open contracts as of the date of adoption. See "Revenue and Gain Recognition" above for additional discussion of the impact of adopting the guidance.


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In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, amending the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. The guidance will be effective in the first quarter of 2019 and allows for early adoption. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. ASU 2016-02 provides for transition relief, which includes not electing to (i) reassess whether any expired or existing contract is a lease or contains a lease, (ii) reassess the lease classification of any expired or existing leases and (iii) expense any capitalized initial direct costs for any existing leases. Subsequently, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01 which provides further transition relief by including an option to not evaluate land easements that exist or have expired prior to the date of adoption under ASC 842. The Company anticipates adoption of the standard to have a material impact on its financial position resulting from the recognition of the right to use asset and corresponding lease obligation for its long-term ground leases, currently accounted for as operating leases. The Company will continue to assess the impact of the new standard.

Change in Accounting Principle

As of October 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The guidance requires statements of cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, and was adopted retrospectively. The prior period amounts that have been impacted by the new guidance and retrospectively adjusted include (i) an increase in cash in operating escrows (cash provided by operating activities), (ii) an increase in cash in deposit escrows (cash provided by investing activities) and (iii) repayments of mortgage notes payable, including prepayment penalties (cash used in financing activities), located on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The following tables present the impact of the change in accounting principle to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
3/31/2017
(as previously reported)
 
Impact of ASU 2016-18
 
3/31/2017
(as adjusted and currently reported)
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
293,462

 
$
6,433

 
$
299,895

Net cash used in investing activities
(235,347
)
 
126,467

 
(108,880
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(151,404
)
 
(868
)
 
(152,272
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents
(93,289
)
 
93,289

 

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 
38,743

 
38,743

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash, cash equivalents, beginning of period
214,994

 
(214,994
)
 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

 
329,977

 
329,977

Cash, cash equivalents, end of period
$
121,705

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
 
 
$
247,015

 
$
368,720


2.  Interest Capitalized

The Company capitalizes interest during the development and redevelopment of real estate assets. Capitalized interest associated with the Company's development or redevelopment activities totaled $13,164,000 and $17,821,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

3.  Mortgage Notes Payable, Unsecured Notes and Credit Facility

The Company's mortgage notes payable, unsecured notes, variable rate unsecured term loans ("Term Loans") and Credit Facility, as defined below, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized below.  The following amounts and discussion do not include the mortgage notes related to the communities classified as held for sale, if any, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, as shown in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (dollars in thousands) (see Note 6, "Real Estate Disposition Activities").

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Table of Contents

 
3/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate unsecured notes (1)
$
5,650,000

 
$
5,350,000

Variable rate unsecured notes (1)
300,000

 
300,000

Term Loans (1)
250,000

 
250,000

Fixed rate mortgage notes payable - conventional and tax-exempt (2)
566,091

 
593,987

Variable rate mortgage notes payable - conventional and tax-exempt (2)
909,788

 
910,326

Total mortgage notes payable, unsecured notes and Term Loans
7,675,879

 
7,404,313

Credit Facility

 

Total mortgage notes payable, unsecured notes, Term Loans and Credit Facility
$
7,675,879

 
$
7,404,313

_____________________________________

(1)
Balances at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 exclude $11,039 and $10,850, respectively, of debt discount, and $38,328 and $36,386, respectively, of deferred financing costs, as reflected in unsecured notes, net on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)
Balances at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 exclude $16,328 and $16,351, respectively, of debt discount, and $10,729 and $11,256, respectively, of deferred financing costs, as reflected in mortgage notes payable on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following debt activity occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018:

In February 2018, the Company repaid $15,174,000 of fixed rate debt secured by Avalon Oaks West in advance of its scheduled maturity date, incurring a charge of $426,000, consisting of a prepayment penalty of $152,000 and the non-cash write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $274,000.

In February 2018, the Company repaid $11,038,000 of fixed rate debt secured by AVA Pasadena at par in advance of its scheduled maturity date.

In March 2018, the Company issued $300,000,000 principal amount of unsecured notes in a public offering under its existing shelf registration statement for net proceeds of approximately $296,210,000. The notes mature in April 2048 and were issued at a 4.35% interest rate. The effective interest rate of the notes for the first 10 years is 3.97%, including the impact of an interest rate hedge and offering costs, and for the remainder of the term the effective interest rate will be 4.39%.

At March 31, 2018, the Company has a $1,500,000,000 revolving variable rate unsecured credit facility with a syndicate of banks (the "Credit Facility") which matures in April 2020. The Company may extend the maturity for up to nine months, provided the Company is not in default and upon payment of a $1,500,000 extension fee. The Credit Facility bears interest at varying levels based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), rating levels achieved on the Company's unsecured notes and on a maturity schedule selected by the Company. The current stated pricing is LIBOR plus 0.825% per annum (2.71% at March 31, 2018), assuming a one month borrowing rate. The annual facility fee is 0.125% (or approximately $1,875,000 annually based on the $1,500,000,000 facility size and based on the Company's current credit rating).

The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility and had $43,352,000 and $47,315,000 outstanding in letters of credit that reduced the borrowing capacity as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

In the aggregate, secured notes payable mature at various dates from April 2018 through July 2066, and are secured by certain apartment communities (with a net carrying value of $2,252,748,000, excluding communities classified as held for sale, as of March 31, 2018).

As of March 31, 2018, the Company has guaranteed a $100,000,000 secured note payable held by a wholly-owned subsidiary; such secured note payable is consolidated for financial reporting purposes. The weighted average interest rate of the Company's fixed rate secured notes payable (conventional and tax-exempt) was 3.9% and 4.0% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of the Company's variable rate secured notes payable (conventional and tax-exempt) including the effect of certain financing related fees, was 3.3% and 3.2% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.


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Table of Contents

Scheduled payments and maturities of secured notes payable and unsecured notes outstanding at March 31, 2018 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Year
 
Secured notes payments
 
Secured notes maturities
 
Unsecured notes maturities
 
Stated interest rate of unsecured notes
2018
 
5,273

 
65,183

 

 
N/A

2019
 
4,443

 
114,721

 

 
N/A

2020
 
3,345

 
140,429

 
250,000

 
6.100
%

 


 


 
400,000

 
3.625
%
2021
 
3,259

 
27,844

 
250,000

 
3.950
%

 


 


 
300,000

 
LIBOR + 0.43%

2022
 
3,483

 

 
450,000

 
2.950
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
100,000

 
LIBOR + .90%

2023
 
3,713

 

 
350,000

 
4.200
%

 


 


 
250,000

 
2.850
%
2024
 
3,950

 

 
300,000

 
3.500
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
150,000

 
LIBOR + 1.50%

2025
 
4,202

 
84,835

 
525,000

 
3.450
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
300,000

 
3.500
%
2026
 
4,486

 

 
475,000

 
2.950
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
300,000

 
2.900
%
2027
 
4,048

 
185,100

 
400,000

 
3.350
%
Thereafter
 
135,148

 
682,417

 
350,000

 
3.900
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
300,000

 
4.150
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
450,000

 
3.200
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
300,000

 
4.350
%
 
 
$
175,350

 
$
1,300,529

 
$
6,200,000

 
 

 

The Company was in compliance at March 31, 2018 with customary financial and other covenants under the Credit Facility, the Term Loans and the Company's fixed rate unsecured notes.

4.  Equity

The following summarizes the changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):
 
Common
stock
 
Additional
paid-in
capital
 
Accumulated
earnings
less
dividends
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
 
Total
equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
1,381

 
$
10,235,475

 
$
188,609

 
$
(37,419
)
 
$
10,388,046

Net income attributable to common stockholders

 

 
141,643

 

 
141,643

Gain on cash flow hedges, net

 

 

 
11,501

 
11,501

Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings

 

 

 
1,756

 
1,756

Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 
(63
)
 

 
(63
)
Dividends declared to common stockholders

 

 
(203,166
)
 

 
(203,166
)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings
1

 
(12,286
)
 
1,143

 

 
(11,142
)
Amortization of deferred compensation

 
6,549

 

 

 
6,549

Balance at March 31, 2018
$
1,382

 
$
10,229,738

 
$
128,166

 
$
(24,162
)
 
$
10,335,124


As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company's charter had authorized for issuance a total of 280,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock.


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Table of Contents

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company:

i.
issued 566 common shares through the Company's dividend reinvestment plan;
ii.
issued 182,998 common shares in connection with restricted stock grants and the conversion of performance awards to restricted shares;
iii.
withheld 67,609 common shares to satisfy employees' tax withholding and other liabilities; and
iv.
canceled 1,829 common shares of restricted stock upon forfeiture.

Any deferred compensation related to the Company's stock option, restricted stock and performance award grants during the three months ended March 31, 2018 is not reflected on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2018, and will not be reflected until recognized as compensation cost.

In December 2015, the Company commenced a fourth continuous equity program ("CEP IV") under which the Company may sell (and/or enter into forward sale agreements for the sale of) up to $1,000,000,000 of its common stock from time to time. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by the Company, including market conditions, the trading price of the Company's common stock and determinations by the Company of the appropriate sources of funding for the Company. In conjunction with CEP IV, the Company engaged sales agents who will receive compensation of up to 2.0% of the gross sales price for shares sold. The Company expects that, if entered into, it will physically settle each forward sale agreement on one or more dates specified by the Company on or prior to the maturity date of that particular forward sale agreement, in which case the Company will expect to receive aggregate net cash proceeds at settlement equal to the number of shares underlying the particular forward agreement multiplied by the relevant forward sale price. However, the Company may also elect to cash settle or net share settle a forward sale agreement. In connection with each forward sale agreement, the Company will pay the relevant forward seller, in the form of a reduced initial forward sale price, a commission of up to 2.0% of the sales prices of all borrowed shares of common stock sold. As of March 31, 2018, there are no outstanding forward sales agreements. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company had no sales under the program. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $892,915,000 of shares remaining authorized for issuance under this program.

5.  Investments in Real Estate Entities

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Entities

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had investments in five unconsolidated real estate entities with ownership interest percentages ranging from 20.0% to 31.3%, excluding development joint ventures and joint ventures formed with Equity Residential as part of the Archstone acquisition. The Company accounts for its investments in unconsolidated real estate entities under the equity method of accounting. The significant accounting policies of the Company's unconsolidated real estate entities are consistent with those of the Company in all material respects.

The Company has an equity interest of 31.3% in AvalonBay Value Added Fund II, L.P. ("Fund II"), and upon achievement of a threshold return, the Company has a right to incentive distributions for its promoted interest based on the current returns earned by Fund II, which currently represents 40.0% of further Fund II distributions, which is in addition to its proportionate share of the remaining 60.0% of distributions. During 2017, Fund II sold its final apartment communities. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized income of $925,000 for its promoted interest, which is reported as a component of equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The following is a combined summary of the financial position of the entities accounted for using the equity method discussed above as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands):

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Table of Contents

 
3/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
Assets:
 

 
 

Real estate, net
$
689,612

 
$
695,077

Other assets
38,084

 
39,976

Total assets
$
727,696

 
$
735,053

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and partners' capital:
 

 
 

Mortgage notes payable, net and credit facility
$
523,008

 
$
523,815

Other liabilities
13,406

 
10,540

Partners' capital
191,282

 
200,698

Total liabilities and partners' capital
$
727,696

 
$
735,053

 

The following is a combined summary of the operating results of the entities accounted for using the equity method discussed above for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
 
(unaudited)
Rental and other income
$
21,801

 
$
28,642

Operating and other expenses
(8,305
)
 
(11,094
)
Gain on sale of communities

 
29,447

Interest expense, net
(5,618
)
 
(6,948
)
Depreciation expense
(5,880
)
 
(7,327
)
Net income
$
1,998

 
$
32,720


In conjunction with the formation of North Point II JV, LP ("AVA North Point") and the acquisition of Archstone Multifamily Partners AC LP (the "U.S. Fund"), Multifamily Partners AC JV LP (the "AC JV") and Brandywine Apartments of Maryland, LLC ("Brandywine"), the Company incurred costs in excess of its equity in the underlying net assets of the respective investments. These costs represent $35,052,000 and $35,402,000 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, of the Company's respective investment balances. These amounts are being amortized over the lives of the underlying assets as a component of equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

In conjunction with the development of Avalon Brooklyn Bay, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement to construct a mixed-use building that contains rental apartments, for-sale residential condominium units and related common elements. The Company owns a 70.0% interest in the venture, which represents a 100% interest in the rental apartments, and the venture partner owns the remaining 30.0% interest, which represents a 100% interest in the for-sale residential condominium units. The Company is responsible for the development and construction of the structure, and provided a loan to the venture partner for the venture partner's share of costs. The development of Avalon Brooklyn Bay was completed during the three months ended March 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2018, the Company has a receivable from the venture partner in the form of a variable rate mortgage note, secured by the for-sale residential condominium units, in the amount of $41,976,000 for outstanding principal and interest, net of repayments, reported as a component of prepaid expenses and other assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognizes interest income on the accrual basis. Beginning in 2018, the mortgage note is being repaid by the venture partner with the proceeds the venture partner receives from the sales of the residential condominium units. The venture is considered a VIE, and the Company consolidates its interest in the rental apartments and common areas.


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Table of Contents

Expensed Acquisition, Development and Other Pursuit Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company capitalizes pre-development costs incurred in pursuit of new development opportunities for which the Company currently believes future development is probable ("Development Rights"). Future development of these Development Rights is dependent upon various factors, including zoning and regulatory approval, rental market conditions, construction costs and the availability of capital. Initial pre-development costs incurred for pursuits for which future development is not yet considered probable are expensed as incurred. In addition, if the status of a Development Right changes, making future development by the Company no longer probable, any capitalized pre-development costs are expensed. The Company expensed costs related to the abandonment of Development Rights, as well as costs incurred in pursuing the acquisition or disposition of assets for which such acquisition and disposition activity did not occur, in the amounts of $800,000 and $728,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These costs are included in expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Abandoned pursuit costs can vary greatly, and the costs incurred in any given period may be significantly different in future periods.

The Company evaluates its real estate and other long-lived assets for impairment when potential indicators of impairment exist. Such assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, unless the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable. If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a property or long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the Company assesses its recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the property or long-lived asset to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying amount exceeds the aggregate undiscounted future cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment loss to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value of the property or long-lived asset. Based on periodic tests of recoverability of long-lived assets for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not recognize any impairment losses for wholly-owned operating real estate assets, and did not record any impairment losses other than those related to the impairment on land held for investment and casualty gains and losses from property damage, as discussed below.

The Company assesses its portfolio of land held for both development and investment for impairment if the intent of the Company changes with respect to either the development of, or the expected holding period for, the land. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $9,350,000 relating to a land parcel which the Company had acquired for development in 2004 and sold during 2017. This charge was determined as the excess of the Company's carrying basis over the expected sale price for the parcel, and is included in casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The Company evaluates its unconsolidated investments for other than temporary impairment, considering both the extent and amount by which the carrying value of the investment exceeds the fair value, and the Company's intent and ability to hold the investment to recover its carrying value. The Company also evaluates its proportionate share of any impairment of assets held by unconsolidated investments. There were no other than temporary impairment losses recognized by any of the Company's investments in unconsolidated real estate entities during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Casualty Gains and Losses

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a casualty loss of $19,481,000 composed of a charge of $16,361,000 to write-off the net book value of the fixed assets destroyed in the Maplewood casualty loss, and an accrual for demolition and additional incident expenses of $3,120,000. The casualty loss was partially offset by $17,143,000 of property damage insurance proceeds, of which $4,545,000 was received during the three months ended March 31, 2017. The net casualty loss of $2,338,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is included in casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

6.  Real Estate Disposition Activities

At March 31, 2018, the Company had two communities that qualified as held for sale.


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Table of Contents

7.  Segment Reporting

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

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

The Company's segment disclosures present the measure(s) used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of assessing each segment's performance. The Company's chief operating decision maker is comprised of several members of its executive management team who use net operating income ("NOI") as the primary financial measure for Established Communities and Other Stabilized Communities. NOI is defined by the Company as total property revenue less direct property operating expenses (including property taxes), and excluding corporate-level income (including management, development and other fees), corporate-level property management and other indirect operating expenses, investments and investment management expenses, expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries, interest expense, net, loss on extinguishment of debt, net, general and administrative expense, equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, depreciation expense, corporate income tax expense, casualty and impairment loss (gain), net, gain on sale of communities, loss (gain) on other real estate transactions and net operating income from real estate assets sold or held for sale. Although the Company considers NOI a useful measure of a community's or communities' operating performance, NOI should not be considered an alternative to net income or net cash flow from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP. NOI excludes a number of income and expense categories as detailed in the reconciliation of NOI to net income.

A reconciliation of NOI to net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
Net income
$
141,590

 
$
235,781

Indirect operating expenses, net of corporate income
18,082

 
16,297

Investments and investment management expense
1,643

 
1,321

Expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries
800

 
728

Interest expense, net
55,113

 
49,295

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
397

 

General and administrative expense
13,664

 
13,206

Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities
(1,740
)
 
(16,672
)
Depreciation expense
159,059

 
140,621

Income tax expense

 
20

Casualty and impairment loss (gain), net
(58
)
 
11,688

Gain on sale of communities

 
(87,949
)
Loss (gain) on other real estate transactions
47

 
(366
)
Net operating income from real estate assets sold or held for sale
(2,144
)
 
(8,101
)
        Net operating income
$
386,453

 
$
355,869


The following is a summary of NOI from real estate assets sold or held for sale for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
Rental income from real estate assets sold or held for sale
$
3,225

 
$
12,706

Operating expenses from real estate assets sold or held for sale
(1,081
)
 
(4,605
)
Net operating income from real estate assets sold or held for sale
$
2,144

 
$
8,101


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

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The following table provides details of the Company's segment information as of the dates specified (dollars in thousands). The segments are classified based on the individual community's status at the beginning of the given calendar year. Therefore, each year the composition of communities within each business segment is adjusted. Accordingly, the amounts between years are not directly comparable. Segment information for total revenue and NOI for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 has been adjusted to exclude the real estate assets that were sold from January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018, or otherwise qualify as held for sale as of March 31, 2018, as described in Note 6, "Real Estate Disposition Activities." Segment information for gross real estate as of March 31, 2018 and 2017 has not been adjusted to exclude real estate assets that were sold or otherwise qualified as held for sale subsequent to the respective balance sheet dates.
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
Total
revenue
 
NOI
 
% NOI  change from  prior year
 
Gross real estate (1)
For the period ended March 31, 2018
 
 

 
 

Established
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

New England
$
57,909

 
$
37,643

 
1.8
 %
 
$
1,973,203

Metro NY/NJ
104,096

 
71,921

 
0.9
 %
 
3,722,387

Mid-Atlantic
59,159

 
41,067

 
0.2
 %
 
2,233,711

Pacific Northwest
21,242

 
14,838

 
(0.6
)%
 
725,487

Northern California
92,197

 
70,494

 
1.8
 %
 
3,017,863

Southern California
82,941

 
59,394

 
1.9
 %
 
2,842,685

Total Established
417,544

 
295,357

 
1.2
 %
 
14,515,336

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Stabilized
71,203

 
47,265

 
N/A

 
3,036,815

Development / Redevelopment
67,934

 
43,831

 
N/A

 
4,321,466

Land Held for Development
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
136,771

Non-allocated (2)
886

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
98,368

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
557,567

 
$
386,453

 
8.6
 %
 
$
22,108,756

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the period ended March 31, 2017
 
 

 
 

Established
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

New England
$
56,154

 
$
36,180

 
1.0
 %
 
$
1,875,024

Metro NY/NJ
85,760

 
58,938

 
2.9
 %
 
2,903,317

Mid-Atlantic
55,755

 
39,147

 
3.7
 %
 
2,062,311

Pacific Northwest
20,454

 
14,815

 
5.2
 %
 
731,537

Northern California
83,323

 
63,717

 
2.0
 %
 
2,815,589

Southern California
81,311

 
59,223

 
5.0
 %
 
3,005,810

Total Established
382,757

 
272,020

 
3.1
 %
 
13,393,588

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Stabilized
70,116

 
48,943

 
N/A

 
3,032,689

Development / Redevelopment
55,547

 
34,906

 
N/A

 
4,276,266

Land Held for Development
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
103,954

Non-allocated (2)
1,200

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
112,987

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
509,620

 
$
355,869

 
3.4
 %
 
$
20,919,484

__________________________________

(1)
Does not include gross real estate assets held for sale of $153,151 as of March 31, 2018.
(2)
Revenue represents third-party management, asset management and developer fees and miscellaneous income which are not allocated to a reportable segment.


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8.  Stock-Based Compensation Plans

As part of its long term compensation plans, the Company has granted stock options, performance awards and restricted stock. Detail of the outstanding awards and activity is presented below.

Information with respect to stock options granted under the Company's 1994 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "1994 Plan") and its Second Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2009 Plan") for the three months ended March 31, 2018, is as follows:
 
 
2009 Plan
shares
 
Weighted average
exercise price
per share
 
1994 Plan
shares
 
Weighted average
exercise price
per share
Options Outstanding, December 31, 2017
 
149,973

 
$
126.77

 
7,778

 
$
48.60

Exercised
 

 

 

 

Granted (1)
 
6,995

 
161.10

 

 

Forfeited
 

 

 

 

Options Outstanding, March 31, 2018
 
156,968

 
$
128.30

 
7,778

 
$
48.60

Options Exercisable, March 31, 2018
 
149,973

 
$
126.77

 
7,778

 
$
48.60

__________________________________

(1)
Options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018, are a result of recipient elections to receive a portion of earned performance awards and time-vesting restricted stock in the form of stock options.

Information with respect to performance awards granted is as follows:
 
 
Performance awards
 
Weighted average grant date fair value per award
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
 
251,770

 
$
155.25

  Granted (1)
 
100,501

 
155.31

  Change in awards based on performance (2)
 
5,990

 
148.79

  Converted to restricted stock or options
 
(88,477
)
 
148.79

  Forfeited
 
(1,271
)
 
157.06

Outstanding at March 31, 2018
 
268,513

 
$
157.25

__________________________________

(1)
The amount of restricted stock that ultimately may be earned is based on the total shareholder return metrics related to the Company's common stock for 61,746 performance awards and financial metrics related to operating performance and leverage metrics of the Company for 38,755 performance awards.
(2)
Represents the change in the number of performance awards earned based on actual performance achievement for the performance period.

The Company used a Monte Carlo model to assess the compensation cost associated with the portion of the performance awards granted in 2018 for which achievement will be determined by using total shareholder return measures. The assumptions used are as follows:
 
 
2018
Dividend yield
 
3.7%
Estimated volatility over the life of the plan (1)
 
11.8% - 18.7%
Risk free rate
 
1.86% - 2.46%
Estimated performance award value based on total shareholder return measure
 
$151.67
__________________________________

(1)
Estimated volatility over the life of the plan is using 50% historical volatility and 50% implied volatility.

For the portion of the performance awards granted in 2018 for which achievement will be determined by using financial metrics, the compensation cost was based on the grant date fair value of $161.10, and the Company's estimate of corporate achievement for the financial metrics.

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Information with respect to restricted stock granted is as follows:
 
 
Restricted stock shares
 
Restricted stock shares weighted average grant date fair value per share
 
Restricted stock shares converted from performance awards
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
 
133,633

 
$
172.33

 
233,928

  Granted - restricted stock shares
 
94,701

 
161.32

 
88,297

  Vested - restricted stock shares
 
(64,224
)
 
171.20

 
(112,076
)
  Forfeited
 
(1,257
)
 
168.68

 
(572
)
Outstanding at March 31, 2018
 
162,853

 
$
166.40

 
209,577


Total employee stock-based compensation cost recognized in income was $3,846,000 and $3,986,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and total capitalized stock-based compensation cost was $2,086,000 and $2,078,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. At March 31, 2018, there was a total unrecognized compensation cost of $50,913,000 for unvested restricted stock and performance awards and $69,000 for unvested stock options, which does not include forfeitures, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.1 years and 0.4 years, respectively.

9.  Related Party Arrangements

Unconsolidated Entities

The Company manages unconsolidated real estate entities for which it receives asset management, property management, development and redevelopment fee revenue. From these entities, the Company earned fees of $886,000 and $1,200,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In addition, the Company has outstanding receivables associated with its property and construction management role of $4,265,000 and $2,449,000 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Director Compensation

The Company recorded non-employee director compensation expense relating to restricted stock grants and deferred stock awards in the amount of $389,000 and $371,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as a component of general and administrative expense. Deferred compensation relating to these restricted stock grants and deferred stock awards to non-employee directors was $189,000 and $525,000 on March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, reported as a component of prepaid expenses and other assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

10.  Fair Value

Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements to manage its interest rate risk. These instruments are carried at fair value in the Company's financial statements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of counterparty nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of its net position with a given counterparty, as well as any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees. The Company minimizes its credit risk on these transactions by dealing with major, creditworthy financial institutions which have an A or better credit rating by the Standard & Poor's Ratings Group. As part of its on-going control procedures, the Company monitors the credit ratings of counterparties and the exposure of the Company to any single entity, thus reducing credit risk concentration. The Company believes the likelihood of realizing losses from counterparty nonperformance is remote. Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, such as interest rate, term to maturity and volatility, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives use Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. As of March 31, 2018, the Company assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined it is not significant.  As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.



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The following table summarizes the consolidated derivative positions at March 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):
 
Non-designated
Hedges
Interest Rate Caps
 
Cash Flow
Hedges
Interest Rate Caps
 
 
 
 
Notional balance
$
688,044

 
$
34,820

Weighted average interest rate (1)
3.2
%
 
3.5
%
Weighted average swapped/capped interest rate
6.5
%
 
5.9
%
Earliest maturity date
Aug 2018

 
Apr 2019

Latest maturity date
Sep 2022

 
Apr 2019

____________________________________

(1)
For interest rate caps, represents the weighted average interest rate on the hedged debt.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, in conjunction with the Company's March 2018 unsecured note issuance, the Company settled $300,000,000 of forward interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges of the interest rate variability on the forecasted issuance of the unsecured notes, receiving a payment of $12,598,000. The Company has deferred the effective portion of the fair value change of these swaps in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and will recognize the impact as a component of interest expense, net, over the next 10 years. As of March 31, 2018, the Company has no outstanding forward interest rate swap agreements.

Excluding derivatives executed to hedge secured debt on communities classified as held for sale, the Company had one derivative designated as a cash flow hedge and 14 derivatives not designated as hedges at March 31, 2018. Fair value changes for derivatives not in qualifying hedge relationships for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were not material. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company deferred $11,501,000 of gains for cash flow hedges reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The following table summarizes the deferred losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of interest expense, net (dollars in thousands):
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings
$
1,756

 
$
1,752


The Company anticipates reclassifying approximately $5,752,000 of net hedging losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings within the next 12 months to offset the variability of cash flows of the hedged item during this period. The Company did not have any derivatives designated as fair value hedges as of March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The Company provided redemption options (the "Puts") that allow joint venture partners of the Company to require the Company to purchase their interests in the investment at a guaranteed minimum amount related to three ventures. The Puts are payable in cash. The Company determines the fair value of the Puts based on unobservable inputs considering the assumptions that market participants would make in pricing the obligations, applying a guaranteed rate of return to the joint venture partners' net capital contribution balances as of period end. Given the significance of the unobservable inputs, the valuations are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

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


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Table of Contents

Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalent balances are held with various financial institutions within principal protected accounts. The Company monitors credit ratings of these financial institutions and the concentration of cash and cash equivalent balances with any one financial institution and believes the likelihood of realizing material losses related to cash and cash equivalent balances is remote.  Cash and cash equivalents are carried at their face amounts, which reasonably approximate their fair values and are Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.

Other Financial Instruments

Rents and other receivables and prepaid expenses, accounts and construction payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities are carried at their face amounts, which reasonably approximate their fair values.

The Company values its unsecured notes using quoted market prices, a Level 1 price within the fair value hierarchy. The Company values its notes payable and outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility and Term Loans using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each instrument. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the instrument, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The process also considers credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect the Company's nonperformance risk. The Company has concluded that the value of its notes payable and amounts outstanding under its Credit Facility and Term Loans are Level 2 prices as the majority of the inputs used to value its positions fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Financial Instruments Measured/Disclosed at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables summarize the classification between the three levels of the fair value hierarchy of the Company's financial instruments measured/disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands):
 
 
3/31/2018
Description
 
Total Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for Identical Asset
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Non-Designated Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Caps
 
$
18

 
$

 
$
18

 
$

Puts
 
(3,245
)
 

 

 
(3,245
)
DownREIT units
 
(1,234
)
 
(1,234
)
 

 

Indebtedness
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured notes
 
(5,585,598
)
 
(5,585,598
)
 

 

Secured notes payable and variable rate unsecured indebtedness
 
(1,817,732
)
 

 
(1,817,732
)
 

Total
 
$
(7,407,791
)
 
$
(5,586,832
)
 
$
(1,817,714
)
 
$
(3,245
)

21

Table of Contents

 
 
12/31/2017
Description
 
Total Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for Identical Asset
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
Non-Designated Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Caps
 
$
2

 
$

 
$
2

 
$

Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps - Assets
 
2,270

 

 
2,270

 

Interest Rate Swaps - Liabilities
 
(1,171
)
 

 
(1,171
)
 

Puts
 
(3,245
)
 

 

 
(3,245
)
DownREIT units
 
(1,338
)
 
(1,338
)
 

 

Indebtedness
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured notes
 
(5,446,604
)
 
(5,446,604
)
 

 

Secured notes payable and variable rate unsecured indebtedness
 
(1,849,851
)
 

 
(1,849,851
)
 

Total
 
$
(7,299,937
)
 
$
(5,447,942
)
 
$
(1,848,750
)
 
$
(3,245
)

11.  Subsequent Events

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

In April 2018, the Company:

repaid $13,380,000 of 3.06% fixed rate debt secured by Avalon Andover at par at its maturity date; and

entered into an agreement to sell two operating communities containing an aggregate of 472 apartment homes and net real estate of $72,081,000 as of March 31, 2018, resulting in the communities qualifying as held for sale. The Company expects to complete the sales in the second quarter of 2018.



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Table of Contents

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

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is intended to help provide an understanding of our business, financial condition and results of operations. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. This report, including the following MD&A, contains forward-looking statements regarding future events or trends that should be read in conjunction with the factors described under "Forward-Looking Statements" included in this report.  Actual results or developments could differ materially from those projected in such statements as a result of the factors described under "Forward-Looking Statements" as well as the risk factors described in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (the "Form 10-K").

Capitalized terms used without definition have the meanings provided elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

Executive Overview

Business Description

We develop, redevelop, acquire, own and operate multifamily apartment communities primarily in New England, the New York/New Jersey metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California. We focus on leading metropolitan areas that we believe are characterized by growing employment in high wage sectors of the economy, lower housing affordability and a diverse and vibrant quality of life. We believe these market characteristics offer the opportunity for superior risk-adjusted returns on apartment community investments relative to other markets that do not have these characteristics. We believe that the Denver, Colorado, and Southeast Florida markets share these characteristics, and we are pursuing opportunities to invest in these markets through acquisitions and developments. We seek to create long-term shareholder value by accessing capital on cost effective terms; deploying that capital to develop, redevelop and acquire apartment communities in our selected markets; operating apartment communities; and selling communities when they no longer meet our long-term investment strategy or when pricing is attractive.

Our strategic vision is to be the leading apartment company in select U.S. markets, providing a range of distinctive living experiences that customers value. We pursue this vision by targeting what we believe are among the best markets and submarkets, leveraging our strategic capabilities in market research and consumer insight and being disciplined in our capital allocation and balance sheet management. Our communities are predominately upscale and generally command among the highest rents in their markets. However, we also pursue the ownership and operation of apartment communities that target a variety of customer segments and price points, consistent with our goal of offering a broad range of products and services. We regularly evaluate the allocation of our investments by the amount of invested capital and by product type within our individual markets.

First Quarter 2018 Highlights

Net income attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $141,643,000, a decrease of $94,232,000, or 39.9%, as compared to the prior year period. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in real estate sales and related gains, coupled with increases in depreciation and interest expense, partially offset by an increase in NOI and a net casualty and impairment loss in the prior year period.

Established Communities NOI for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $295,357,000, an increase of $3,645,000, or 1.2%, over the prior year period. This increase was driven by an increase in rental revenue of 2.4%, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses of 5.3% compared to the prior year period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we completed the construction of three communities, containing 770 apartment homes for an aggregate total capitalized cost of $287,000,000. At March 31, 2018, we owned or held a direct or indirect interest in 18 communities under construction, which are expected to contain 5,774 apartment homes with a projected total capitalized cost of $2,697,000,000, including the total projected capitalized cost for one community being developed within an unconsolidated joint venture in which we own a 55.0% interest. In addition, as of March 31, 2018, we held a direct or indirect ownership interest in land or rights to land on which we expect to develop an additional 28 apartment communities that, if developed as expected, will contain 9,268 apartment homes, and will be developed for an aggregate total capitalized cost of $3,724,000,000.


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Table of Contents

We expect to be able to meet our reasonably foreseeable liquidity needs, as they arise, through a combination of one or more of the following sources: existing cash on hand; operating cash flows; borrowings under our Credit Facility; secured debt; the issuance of corporate securities (which could include unsecured debt, preferred equity and/or common equity); the sale of apartment communities; or through the formation of joint ventures. See the discussion under "Liquidity and Capital Resources".

Communities Overview

Our real estate investments consist primarily of current operating apartment communities, communities in various stages of development ("Development Communities") and Development Rights (as defined below).  Our current operating communities are further distinguished as Established Communities, Other Stabilized Communities, Lease-Up Communities, Redevelopment Communities and Unconsolidated Communities. While we generally establish the classification of communities on an annual basis, we intend to update the classification of communities during the calendar year to the extent that our plans with regard to the disposition or redevelopment of a community change during the year. The following is a description of each category:

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

Established Communities (also known as Same Store Communities) are consolidated communities where a comparison of operating results from the prior year to the current year is meaningful, as these communities were owned and had stabilized occupancy as of the beginning of the respective prior year period. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Established Communities are communities that are consolidated for financial reporting purposes, had stabilized occupancy as of January 1, 2017, are not conducting or planning to conduct substantial redevelopment activities and are not held for sale or planned for disposition within the current year. A community is considered to have stabilized occupancy at the earlier of (i) attainment of 95% physical occupancy or (ii) the one-year anniversary of completion of development or redevelopment.

Other Stabilized Communities are all other completed consolidated communities that have stabilized occupancy, as defined above, as of the beginning of the current calendar year. Other Stabilized Communities do not include communities that are conducting or planning to conduct substantial redevelopment activities within the current year. 

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

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

Unconsolidated Communities are communities that we have an indirect ownership interest in through our investment interest in an unconsolidated joint venture.

Development Communities are communities that are under construction and for which a certificate or certificates of occupancy for the entire community have not been received.  These communities may be partially complete and operating.

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

We currently lease our corporate headquarters located in Arlington, Virginia, as well as our other regional and administrative offices under operating leases.


24

Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2018, communities that we owned or held a direct or indirect interest in were classified as follows:
 
 
Number of
communities
 
Number of
apartment homes
 
 
 
 
 
Current Communities
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Established Communities:
 
 

 
 

New England
 
34

 
8,145

Metro NY/NJ
 
40

 
11,690

Mid-Atlantic
 
27

 
9,465

Pacific Northwest
 
14

 
3,256

Northern California
 
37

 
11,033

Southern California
 
46

 
12,697

Total Established
 
198

 
56,286

 
 
 
 
 
Other Stabilized Communities:
 
 

 
 

New England
 
8

 
1,837

Metro NY/NJ
 
6

 
1,303

Mid-Atlantic
 
7

 
2,666

Pacific Northwest
 
2

 
860

Northern California
 
2

 
516

Southern California
 
10

 
2,680

Expansion Markets
 
2

 
622

Non Core
 
3

 
1,014

Total Other Stabilized
 
40

 
11,498

 
 
 
 
 
Lease-Up Communities
 
6

 
1,728

 
 
 
 
 
Redevelopment Communities (1)
 
15

 
6,260

 
 
 
 
 
Unconsolidated Communities
 
11

 
2,616

 
 
 
 
 
Total Current Communities
 
270

 
78,388

 
 
 
 
 
Development Communities (2)
 
18

 
5,774

 
 
 
 
 
Total Communities
 
288

 
84,162

 
 
 
 
 
Development Rights
 
28

 
9,268

_________________________

(1)
Redevelopment Communities includes the reconstruction of the building destroyed in the Edgewater casualty loss. Due to the nature of this reconstruction, the 240 apartment homes we expect the new building to contain upon completion are not included in the apartment home count presented, and will be included upon completion.
(2)
Development Communities includes AVA North Point, expected to contain 265 apartment homes, which is being developed within an unconsolidated joint venture.


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Results of Operations

Our year-over-year operating performance is primarily affected by both overall and individual geographic market conditions and apartment fundamentals and is reflected in changes in NOI of our Established Communities; NOI derived from acquisitions and development completions; the loss of NOI related to disposed communities; and capital market and financing activity.  A comparison of our operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 follows (unaudited, dollars in thousands):
    
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Rental and other income
$
559,906

 
$
521,126

 
$
38,780

 
7.4
 %
Management, development and other fees
886

 
1,200

 
(314
)
 
(26.2
)%
Total revenue
560,792

 
522,326

 
38,466

 
7.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Direct property operating expenses, excluding property taxes
111,405

 
104,233

 
7,172

 
6.9
 %
Property taxes
59,896

 
52,930

 
6,966

 
13.2
 %
Total community operating expenses
171,301

 
157,163

 
14,138

 
9.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate-level property management and other indirect operating expenses
18,976

 
17,490

 
1,486

 
8.5
 %
Investments and investment management expense
1,643

 
1,321

 
322

 
24.4
 %
Expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries
800

 
728

 
72

 
9.9
 %
Interest expense, net
55,113

 
49,295

 
5,818

 
11.8
 %
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
397

 

 
397

 
100.0
 %
Depreciation expense
159,059

 
140,621

 
18,438

 
13.1
 %
General and administrative expense
13,664

 
13,206

 
458

 
3.5
 %
Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net
(58
)
 
11,688

 
(11,746
)
 
N/A (1)

Total other expenses
249,594

 
234,349

 
15,245

 
6.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities
1,740

 
16,672

 
(14,932
)
 
(89.6
)%
Gain on sale of communities

 
87,949

 
(87,949
)
 
(100.0
)%
(Loss) gain on other real estate transactions
(47
)
 
366

 
(413
)
 
N/A (1)

Income before income taxes
141,590

 
235,801

 
(94,211
)
 
(40.0
)%
Income tax expense

 
20

 
(20
)
 
(100.0
)%
Net income
141,590

 
235,781

 
(94,191
)
 
(39.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
53

 
94

 
(41
)
 
(43.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
141,643

 
$
235,875

 
$
(94,232
)
 
(39.9
)%
_________________________

(1)
Percent change is not meaningful.

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Table of Contents

Net income attributable to common stockholders decreased $94,232,000, or 39.9%, to $141,643,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the prior year period. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to a decrease in real estate sales and related gains, coupled with increases in depreciation and interest expense, partially offset by an increase in NOI and a net casualty and impairment loss in the prior year period.

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

NOI does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, and NOI should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indication of our performance. NOI should also not be considered an alternative to net cash flow from operating activities, as determined by GAAP, as a measure of liquidity, nor is NOI indicative of cash available to fund cash needs.  Reconciliations of NOI for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 to net income for each period are as follows (unaudited, dollars in thousands):
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
141,590

 
$
235,781

Indirect operating expenses, net of corporate income
18,082

 
16,297

Investments and investment management expense
1,643

 
1,321

Expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries
800

 
728

Interest expense, net
55,113

 
49,295

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
397

 

General and administrative expense
13,664

 
13,206

Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities
(1,740
)
 
(16,672
)
Depreciation expense
159,059

 
140,621

Income tax expense

 
20

Casualty and impairment loss (gain), net
(58
)
 
11,688

Gain on sale of real estate assets

 
(87,949
)
Loss (gain) on other real estate transactions
47

 
(366
)
Net operating income from real estate assets sold or held for sale
(2,144
)
 
(8,101
)
Net operating income
$
386,453

 
$
355,869



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The NOI changes for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year period, consist of changes in the following categories (unaudited, dollars in thousands):
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
 

Established Communities
$
3,645

Other Stabilized Communities
17,573

Development and Redevelopment Communities
9,366

Total
$
30,584


Rental and other income increased in the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year periods due to additional rental income generated from newly developed, acquired and existing operating communities and an increase in rental rates at our Established Communities, discussed below.

Consolidated Communities — The weighted average number of occupied apartment homes increased to 72,562 apartment homes for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 69,069 homes for the prior year period. The weighted average monthly revenue per occupied apartment home increased to $2,569 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $2,512 in the prior year period.

Established Communities — Rental revenue increased $9,769,000, or 2.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period due to an increase in average rental rates of 2.5% to 2,570 per apartment home, partially offset by a decrease in economic occupancy of 0.1% to 96.2%. Economic occupancy takes into account the fact that apartment homes of different sizes and locations within a community have different economic impacts on a community's gross revenue.  Economic occupancy is defined as gross potential revenue less vacancy loss, as a percentage of gross potential revenue. Gross potential revenue is determined by valuing occupied homes at leased rates and vacant homes at market rents.

The Metro New York/New Jersey region accounted for approximately 24.9% of Established Community rental revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and experienced an increase in rental revenue of 1.7% compared to the prior year period. Average rental rates increased 1.7% to $3,088 per apartment home, and economic occupancy remained consistent at 96.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year period. We expect operating conditions in the Metro New York/New Jersey region to remain bifurcated between New York City and surrounding suburban submarkets in 2018. We believe elevated levels of new apartment deliveries in New York City are limiting our ability to increase rental rates, while surrounding suburban submarkets are more insulated from this new competition.

The Northern California region accounted for approximately 22.1% of Established Community rental revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and experienced an increase in rental revenue of 2.3% compared to the prior year period. Average rental rates increased 2.1% to $2,876 per apartment home, and economic occupancy increased 0.2% to 96.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year period. We expect operating conditions to remain challenged in the Northern California region in 2018 due to slower job growth and an increase in competition from new apartment deliveries.

The Southern California region accounted for approximately 19.9% of Established Community rental revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and experienced an increase in rental revenue of 4.0% compared to the prior year period. Average rental rates increased 4.3% to $2,264 per apartment home, and were partially offset by a 0.3% decrease in economic occupancy to 96.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year period. We expect an increase in new apartment deliveries in Southern California in 2018 but believe strengthening job and income growth will continue to support a favorable operating environment.

The Mid-Atlantic region accounted for approximately 14.1% of Established Community rental revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and experienced an increase in rental revenue of 0.7% compared to the prior year period.  Average rental rates increased 0.9% to $2,171 per apartment home, and were partially offset by a 0.2% decrease in economic occupancy to 95.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year period. We believe elevated levels of new apartment deliveries in the Mid-Atlantic region will limit our ability to increase rental rates in select submarkets in 2018.

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Table of Contents


The New England region accounted for approximately 13.9% of Established Community rental revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and experienced an increase in rental revenue of 2.8% compared to the prior year period. Average rental rates increased 3.1% to $2,482 per apartment home, and were partially offset by a 0.3% decrease in economic occupancy to 95.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year period. We expect the operating environment in New England in 2018 to be more favorable in the suburban submarkets than in the urban submarkets due to higher levels of new apartment deliveries in the urban submarkets.

The Pacific Northwest region accounted for approximately 5.1% of Established Community rental revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and experienced an increase in rental revenue of 3.6% compared to the prior year period. Average rental rates increased 3.7% to $2,252 per apartment home, and were partially offset by a 0.1% decrease in economic occupancy to 96.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year period. We expect strong job and income growth in 2018 in the Pacific Northwest region will continue to support a favorable operating environment.
 
Management, development and other fees decreased $314,000, or 26.2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the prior year period. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to lower property and asset management fees earned as a result of dispositions from Fund II and the U.S. Fund during the prior year.

Direct property operating expenses, excluding property taxes increased $7,172,000, or 6.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to the addition of newly developed and acquired apartment communities.

For Established Communities, direct property operating expenses, excluding property taxes, increased $3,251,000, or 4.2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to increased compensation expense, property insurance and utility costs.

Property taxes increased $6,966,000, or 13.2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to the addition of newly developed and acquired apartment communities, coupled with increased assessments across our portfolio and successful appeals in the prior year period.

For Established Communities, property taxes increased $2,922,000, or 7.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to increased assessments in the current year period and successful appeals in the prior year period. For communities in California, property tax changes are determined by the change in the California Consumer Price Index, with increases limited by law (Proposition 13). Massachusetts also has laws in place to limit property tax increases. We evaluate property tax increases internally and also engage third-party consultants to assist in our evaluations. We appeal property tax increases when appropriate.

Corporate-level property management and other indirect operating expenses increased $1,486,000, or 8.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to advocacy contributions, spending on technology based solutions and increased compensation related costs in the current year period.

Investments and investment management expense increased by $322,000 or 24.4% due primarily to an increase in compensation expense.
Expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries primarily reflect abandoned pursuit costs, which include costs incurred for development pursuits not yet considered probable for development, as well as the abandonment of Development Rights and disposition pursuits, and also includes costs related to abandoned acquisition pursuits. These costs can be volatile, particularly in periods of increased acquisition pursuit activity, periods of economic downturn or when there is limited access to capital, and the costs may vary significantly from period to period.

Interest expense, net increased $5,818,000, or 11.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period. This category includes interest costs offset by capitalized interest pertaining to development and redevelopment activity, amortization of premium/discount on debt, and interest income. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to a decrease in amounts of interest capitalized and an increase in outstanding unsecured indebtedness, partially offset by a decrease in secured indebtedness.


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Table of Contents

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net reflects prepayment penalties, the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and premiums from our debt repurchase and retirement activity, and payments to acquire our outstanding debt at amounts above or below the carrying basis of the debt acquired, excluding costs related to debt secured by assets sold or held for sale.

Depreciation expense increased $18,438,000, or 13.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the addition of newly developed and acquired apartment communities.

General and administrative expense ("G&A") increased $458,000, or 3.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year period. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to legal settlement costs and related professional fees, partially offset by decreased sales and use tax expense.

Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net for the three months ended March 31, 2017 consists of an impairment charge recognized for a land parcel we had acquired for development in 2004 and sold in July 2017, as well as the Maplewood casualty loss, which was partially offset by insurance proceeds.

Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities decreased $14,932,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the prior year period. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily due to gains on the sale of communities in various ventures, as well as recognition of income for the Company's promoted interest from Fund II, in the prior year period, and the resulting decreased NOI from the ventures in the current year period, due to disposition activity in 2017.

Gain on sale of communities decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the prior year period. The amount of gain realized in a given period depends on many factors, including the number of communities sold, the size and carrying value of the communities sold and the market conditions in the local area.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Consistent with the definition adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts® ("NAREIT"), we calculate Funds from Operations Attributable to Common Stockholders ("FFO") as net income or loss attributable to common stockholders computed in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for:

gains or losses on sales of previously depreciated operating communities;
cumulative effect of change in accounting principle;
impairment write-downs of depreciable real estate assets;
write-downs of investments in affiliates due to a decrease in the value of depreciable real estate assets held by those affiliates;
depreciation of real estate assets; and
adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.

FFO and FFO adjusted for non-core items, or "Core FFO," as defined below, are generally considered by management to be appropriate supplemental measures of our operating and financial performance. In calculating FFO, we exclude gains or losses related to dispositions of previously depreciated property and exclude real estate depreciation, which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates. FFO can help one compare the operating performance of a real estate company between periods or as compared to different companies. By further adjusting for items that are not considered part of our core business operations, Core FFO allows one to compare the core operating performance of the Company between periods. We believe that in order to understand our operating results, FFO and Core FFO should be examined with net income as presented in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.

We calculate Core FFO as FFO, adjusted for:

joint venture gains, costs, and promoted interests;
casualty and impairment losses or gains, net;
gains or losses from early extinguishment of consolidated borrowings;
abandoned pursuits;
business interruption insurance proceeds and the related lost NOI that is covered by the business interruption insurance proceeds;
property and casualty insurance proceeds and legal settlements;
gains or losses on sales of assets not subject to depreciation;
advocacy contributions, representing payments to promote our business interests;
hedge ineffectiveness;

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Table of Contents

severance related costs;
expensed acquisition costs related to business combinations; and
other non-core items.

FFO and Core FFO do not represent net income in accordance with GAAP, and therefore should not be considered an alternative to net income, which remains the primary measure, as an indication of our performance. In addition, FFO and Core FFO as calculated by other REITs may not be comparable to our calculations of FFO and Core FFO.

The following is a reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders to FFO attributable to common stockholders and to Core FFO attributable to common stockholders (unaudited, dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
141,643

 
$
235,875

Depreciation - real estate assets, including joint venture adjustments
158,483

 
140,957

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
11

 
11

Gain on sale of unconsolidated entities holding previously depreciated real estate

 
(8,697
)
Gain on sale of previously depreciated real estate

 
(87,949
)
FFO attributable to common stockholders
300,137

 
280,197

 
 
 
 
Adjusting items:
 
 
 
Joint venture losses

 
266

Joint venture promote (1)
(925
)
 
(6,765
)
Impairment loss on real estate (2)

 
9,350

Casualty (gain) loss, net on real estate (3)
(58
)
 
2,338

Lost NOI from casualty losses covered by business interruption insurance (4)
898

 
1,805

Loss on extinguishment of consolidated debt
397

 

Advocacy contributions
303

 

Severance related costs
370

 
124

Development pursuit and other write-offs
327

 
423

Loss (gain) on sale of other real estate transactions
47

 
(366
)
Legal settlements
300

 

Core FFO attributable to common stockholders
$
301,796

 
$
287,372

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
138,153,170

 
137,531,242

 
 
 
 
EPS per common share - diluted
$
1.03

 
$
1.72

FFO per common share - diluted
$
2.17

 
$
2.04

Core FFO per common share - diluted
$
2.18

 
$
2.09

_________________________

(1)
Amounts represent our promoted interest in Fund II.
(2)
Amount for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is composed of an impairment charge for a land parcel we had acquired for development in 2004 and sold in July 2017.
(3)
Amount for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is composed of $19,481 for the Maplewood casualty loss, partially offset by $17,143 of property damage insurance proceeds.
(4)
Amount for the three months ended March 31, 2018 relates to the Maplewood casualty loss in Q1 2017, for which the Company recognized $3,495 in business interruption insurance proceeds in Q3 2017. Amount for the three months ended March 31, 2017 relates to the Edgewater casualty loss, for which we received $20,306 in business interruption insurance proceeds in Q1 2016.

FFO and Core FFO also do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, and therefore should not be considered an alternative to net cash flows from operating activities, as determined by GAAP, as a measure of liquidity. Additionally, it is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs.

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Table of Contents


A presentation of GAAP based cash flow metrics is as follows (unaudited, dollars in thousands) and a discussion of "Liquidity and Capital Resources" can be found later in this report:

 
For the three months ended
 
3/31/2018
 
3/31/2017 (1)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
315,913

 
$
299,895

Net cash used in investing activities
$
(319,280
)
 
$
(108,880
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
$
72,868

 
$
(152,272
)
_________________________

(1)
Amounts for 2017 reflect retrospective adjustments to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows discussed in Note 1, "Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, Change in Accounting Principle," of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We employ a disciplined approach to our liquidity and capital management. When we source capital, we take into account both our view of the most cost effective alternative available and our desire to maintain a balance sheet that provides us with flexibility. Our principal short-term liquidity needs are to fund:

development and redevelopment activity in which we are currently engaged;
the minimum dividend payments on our common stock required to maintain our REIT qualification under the Code;
debt service and principal payments either at maturity or opportunistically before maturity; and
normal recurring operating expenses and corporate overhead expenses.

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

We had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of $271,407,000 at March 31, 2018, an increase of $69,501,000 from $201,906,000 at December 31, 2017. As presented in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included elsewhere in this report, the following discussion relates to changes in cash due to operating, investing and financing activities.

Operating Activities — Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $315,913,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $299,895,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The change was driven primarily by increased NOI from existing, acquired and newly developed communities.

Investing Activities — Net cash used in investing activities totaled $319,280,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The net cash used was primarily due to:

investment of $301,299,000 in the development and redevelopment of communities; and
capital expenditures of $16,975,000 for our operating communities and non-real estate assets.

Financing Activities — Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $72,868,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  The net cash provided by was primarily due to:

proceeds from the issuance of unsecured notes in the amount of $299,442,000, less deferred financing costs for the issuance activity of $3,244,000.

This amount is partially offset by:

payment of cash dividends in the amount of $195,999,000; and

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Table of Contents

the repayment of secured notes in the amount of $28,584,000.

Variable Rate Unsecured Credit Facility

We have a $1,500,000,000 revolving variable rate unsecured credit facility with a syndicate of banks (the "Credit Facility") which matures in April 2020. We may extend the maturity for up to nine months, provided we are not in default and upon payment of a $1,500,000 extension fee. The Credit Facility bears interest at varying levels based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), rating levels achieved on our unsecured notes and on a maturity schedule selected by us. The current stated pricing is LIBOR plus 0.825% per annum (2.73% at April 30, 2018), assuming a one month borrowing rate. The annual facility fee is 0.125% (or approximately $1,875,000 annually based on the $1,500,000,000 facility size and based on our current credit rating).

We had $138,000,000 outstanding under the Credit Facility and had $42,352,000 outstanding in letters of credit that reduced our borrowing capacity as of April 30, 2018.

Financial Covenants

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

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

We were in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2018.

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

Continuous Equity Offering Program

In December 2015, we commenced a fourth continuous equity program ("CEP IV") under which we may sell (and/or enter into forward sale agreements for the sale of) up to $1,000,000,000 of our common stock from time to time. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined, including market conditions, the trading price of our common stock and determinations of the appropriate sources of funding. In conjunction with CEP IV, we engaged sales agents who will receive compensation of up to 2.0% of the gross sales price for shares sold. We expect that, if entered into, we will physically settle each forward sale agreement on one or more dates prior to the maturity date of that particular forward sale agreement, in which case we will expect to receive aggregate net cash proceeds at settlement equal to the number of shares underlying the particular forward agreement multiplied by the relevant forward sale price. However, we may also elect to cash settle or net share settle a forward sale agreement. In connection with each forward sale agreement, we will pay the relevant forward seller, in the form of a reduced initial forward sale price, a commission of up to 2.0% of the sales prices of all borrowed shares of common stock sold. As of April 30, 2018, there are no outstanding forward sales agreements. As of April 30, 2018, we had $892,915,000 of shares remaining authorized for issuance under this program.

Forward Interest Rate Swap Agreements

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, in conjunction with our March 2018 unsecured note issuance, we settled $300,000,000 of forward interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges of the interest rate variability on the forecasted issuance of the unsecured notes, receiving a payment of $12,598,000. As of March 31, 2018, we have no outstanding forward interest rate swap agreements.


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Table of Contents

Future Financing and Capital Needs — Debt Maturities

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

The following debt activity occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018:

In February 2018, we repaid $15,174,000 of fixed rate debt secured by Avalon Oaks West in advance of its scheduled maturity date, incurring a charge of $426,000, consisting of a prepayment penalty of $152,000 and the non-cash write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $274,000.

In February 2018, we repaid $11,038,000 of fixed rate debt secured by AVA Pasadena at par in advance of its scheduled maturity date.

In March 2018, we issued $300,000,000 principal amount of unsecured notes in a public offering under our existing shelf registration statement for net proceeds of approximately $296,210,000. The notes mature in April 2048 and were issued at a 4.35% interest rate. The effective interest rate of the notes for the first 10 years is 3.97%, including the impact of an interest rate hedge and offering costs, and for the remainder of the term the effective interest rate will be 4.39%.

In addition, in April 2018, we repaid $13,380,000 of fixed rate debt secured by Avalon Andover at par at its maturity date.

The following table details our consolidated debt maturities for the next five years, excluding our Credit Facility and amounts outstanding related to communities classified as held for sale, for debt outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands). We are not directly or indirectly (as borrower or guarantor) obligated in any material respect to pay principal or interest on the indebtedness of any unconsolidated entities in which we have an equity or other interest.

34

Table of Contents

 
 
All-In
interest
rate (1)
 
Principal
maturity
date
 
Balance Outstanding (2)
 
Scheduled Maturities
Community
 
 
 
12/31/2017
 
3/31/2018
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Thereafter
Tax-exempt bonds
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed rate
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Avalon Oaks West
 
7.55
%
 
Apr-2043
(3)
$
15,213

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Avalon at Chestnut Hill
 
6.16
%
 
Oct-2047

38,097

 
37,966

 
405

 
566

 
596

 
629

 
663

 
35,107

Avalon Westbury
 
3.81
%
 
Nov-2036
(4)
62,200

 
62,200

 

 

 

 

 

 
62,200

 
 
 

 
 
 
115,510

 
100,166

 
405

 
566

 
596

 
629

 
663

 
97,307

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable rate
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Eaves Mission Viejo
 
2.40
%
 
Jun-2025
(5)
7,635

 
7,635

 

 

 

 

 

 
7,635

AVA Nob Hill
 
2.39
%
 
Jun-2025
(5)
20,800

 
20,800

 

 

 

 

 

 
20,800

Avalon Campbell
 
2.72
%
 
Jun-2025
(5)
38,800

 
38,800

 

 

 

 

 

 
38,800

Eaves Pacifica
 
2.74
%
 
Jun-2025
(5)
17,600

 
17,600

 

 

 

 

 

 
17,600

Avalon Bowery Place I
 
4.27
%
 
Nov-2037
(5)
93,800

 
93,800

 

 

 

 

 

 
93,800

Avalon Acton
 
3.18
%
 
Jul-2040
(5)
45,000

 
45,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
45,000

Avalon Morningside Park
 
4.02
%
 
May-2046
(4)
100,000

 
100,000

 

 

 

 
345

 
405

 
99,250

Avalon Clinton North
 
3.27
%
 
Nov-2038
(5)
147,000

 
147,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
147,000

Avalon Clinton South
 
3.27
%
 
Nov-2038
(5)
121,500

 
121,500

 

 

 

 

 

 
121,500

Avalon Midtown West
 
3.18
%
 
May-2029
(5)
100,500

 
100,500

 

 

 

 

 

 
100,500

Avalon San Bruno I
 
3.16
%
 
Dec-2037
(5)
64,450

 
64,450

 

 

 

 

 

 
64,450

Avalon Calabasas
 
2.90
%
 
Apr-2028
(5)
44,410

 
44,410

 

 

 

 

 

 
44,410

 
 
 
 
 
 
801,495

 
801,495

 

 

 

 
345

 
405

 
800,745

Conventional loans
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed rate
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

$250 million unsecured notes
 
6.19
%
 
Mar-2020

250,000

 
250,000

 

 

 
250,000

 

 

 

$250 million unsecured notes
 
4.04
%
 
Jan-2021

250,000

 
250,000

 

 

 

 
250,000

 

 

$450 million unsecured notes
 
4.30
%
 
Sep-2022

450,000

 
450,000

 

 

 

 

 
450,000

 

$250 million unsecured notes
 
3.00
%
 
Mar-2023

250,000

 
250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
250,000

$400 million unsecured notes
 
3.78
%
 
Oct-2020

400,000

 
400,000

 

 

 
400,000

 

 

 

$350 million unsecured notes
 
4.30
%
 
Dec-2023

350,000

 
350,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
350,000

$300 million unsecured notes
 
3.66
%
 
Nov-2024

300,000

 
300,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
300,000

$525 million unsecured notes
 
3.55
%
 
Jun-2025

525,000

 
525,000

  

 

 

 

 

 
525,000

$300 million unsecured notes
 
3.62
%
 
Nov-2025

300,000

 
300,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
300,000

$475 million unsecured notes
 
3.35
%
 
May-2026

475,000

 
475,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
475,000

$300 million unsecured notes
 
3.01
%
 
Oct-2026

300,000

 
300,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
300,000

$350 million unsecured notes
 
3.95
%
 
Oct-2046

350,000

 
350,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
350,000

$400 million unsecured notes
 
3.50
%
 
May-2027

400,000

 
400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
400,000

$300 million unsecured notes
 
4.09
%
 
Jul-2047

300,000

 
300,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
300,000

$450 million unsecured notes
 
3.32
%
 
Jan-2028

450,000

 
450,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
450,000

$300 million unsecured notes
 
3.97
%
 
Apr-2048


 
300,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
300,000

Avalon Orchards
 
7.80
%
 
Jul-2033

15,579

 
15,439

 
437

 
619

 
663

 
710

 
760

 
12,250

Avalon Walnut Creek
 
4.00
%
 
Jul-2066

3,557

 
3,557

 

 

 

 

 

 
3,557

AVA Pasadena
 
4.06
%
 
Jun-2018
(3)
11,073

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaves Los Feliz
 
3.68
%
 
Jun-2027

41,400

 
41,400

 

 

 

 

 

 
41,400

Eaves Woodland Hills
 
3.67
%
 
Jun-2027

111,500

 
111,500

 

 

 

 

 

 
111,500

Avalon Russett
 
3.77
%
 
Jun-2027

32,200

 
32,200

 

 

 

 

 

 
32,200

Avalon San Bruno II
 
3.85
%
 
Apr-2021

29,533

 
29,397

 
398

 
564

 
591

 
27,844

 

 

Avalon Westbury
 
4.88
%
 
Nov-2036
(4)
16,450

 
16,120

 
1,025

 
1,430

 
1,495

 
1,575

 
1,655

 
8,940

Avalon San Bruno III
 
3.18
%
 
Jun-2020

53,315

 
53,007

 
918

 
1,264

 
50,825

 

 

 

Avalon Andover
 
3.28
%
 
Apr-2018
(6)
13,498

 
13,410

 
13,410

 

 

 

 

 

Avalon Natick
 
3.14
%
 
Apr-2019

13,831

 
13,745

 
263

 
13,482

 

 

 

 

Avalon Hoboken
 
3.55
%
 
Dec-2020

67,904

 
67,904

 

 

 
67,904

 

 

 

Avalon Columbia Pike
 
3.24
%
 
Nov-2019

68,637

 
68,246

 
1,162

 
67,084

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
5,828,477

 
6,115,925

 
17,613

 
84,443

 
771,478

 
280,129

 
452,415

 
4,509,847

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

35

Table of Contents

 
 
All-In
interest
rate (1)
 
Principal
maturity
date
 
Balance Outstanding (2)
 
Scheduled Maturities
Community
 
 
 
12/31/2017
 
3/31/2018
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Thereafter
Variable rate
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Avalon Calabasas
 
2.41
%
 
Aug-2018
(5)
52,092

 
51,773

 
51,773

 

 

 

 

 

Avalon Natick
 
3.50
%
 
Apr-2019
(5)
35,039

 
34,820

 
665

 
34,155

 

 

 

 

Archstone Lexington
 
3.49
%
 
Oct-2020

21,700

 
21,700

 

 

 
21,700

 

 

 

Term Loan - $100 million
 
2.74
%
 
Feb-2022

100,000

 
100,000

 

 

 

 

 
100,000

 

Term Loan - $150 million
 
3.28
%
 
Feb-2024

150,000

 
150,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
150,000

$300 million unsecured notes
 
2.03
%
 
Jan-2021

300,000

 
300,000

 

 

 

 
300,000

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
658,831

 
658,293

 
52,438

 
34,155

 
21,700

 
300,000

 
100,000

 
150,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total indebtedness - excluding Credit Facility
 
 

 
 
 
$
7,404,313

 
$
7,675,879

 
$
70,456

 
$
119,164

 
$
793,774

 
$
581,103

 
$
553,483

 
$
5,557,899

_________________________

(1)
Rates are given as of March 31, 2018 and include credit enhancement fees, facility fees, trustees' fees, the impact of interest rate hedges, offering costs, mark to market amortization and other fees.
(2)
Balances outstanding represent total amounts due at maturity, and exclude deferred financing costs and debt discount for the unsecured notes of $49,367 and $47,236 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and deferred financing costs and debt discount associated with secured notes of $27,057 and $27,607 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, as reflected on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included elsewhere in this report.
(3)
In February 2018, we repaid this borrowing in advance of its scheduled maturity date.
(4)
Maturity date reflects the contractual maturity of the underlying bond. There is also an associated earlier credit enhancement maturity date.
(5)
Financed by variable rate debt, but interest rate is capped through an interest rate protection agreement.
(6)
In April 2018, we repaid this borrowing at par at its scheduled maturity date.

Future Financing and Capital Needs — Portfolio and Capital Markets Activity

During the remainder of 2018, we expect to meet our liquidity needs from a variety of internal and external sources, including (i) real estate dispositions, (ii) cash balances on hand as well as cash generated from our operating activities, (iii) borrowing capacity under our Credit Facility and (iv) secured and unsecured debt financings. Additional sources of liquidity in 2018 may include the issuance of common and preferred equity. Our ability to obtain additional financing will depend on a variety of factors, such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the overall availability of credit to the real estate industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, as well as the perception of lenders regarding our long or short-term financial prospects.

Before beginning new construction or reconstruction activity, including activity related to communities owned by unconsolidated joint ventures, we intend to plan adequate financing to complete these undertakings, although we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such financing. In the event that financing cannot be obtained, we may have to abandon Development Rights, write off associated pre-development costs that were capitalized and/or forego reconstruction activity. In such instances, we will not realize the increased revenues and earnings that we expected from such Development Rights or reconstruction activity and significant losses could be incurred.

From time to time we use joint ventures to hold or develop individual real estate assets. We generally employ joint ventures primarily to mitigate asset concentration or market risk and secondarily as a source of liquidity. We may also use joint ventures related to mixed-use land development opportunities and new markets where our partners bring development and operational expertise and/or experience to the venture. Each joint venture or partnership agreement has been individually negotiated, and our ability to operate and/or dispose of a community in our sole discretion may be limited to varying degrees depending on the terms of the joint venture or partnership agreement. We cannot assure you that we will achieve our objectives through joint ventures.

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


36

Table of Contents

Unconsolidated Real Estate Investments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Unconsolidated Investments

As of March 31, 2018, we had investments in unconsolidated real estate accounted for under the equity method of accounting shown in the following table, excluding development joint ventures, Fund II, which sold its final apartment community in 2017, and joint ventures formed with Equity Residential as part of the Archstone acquisition. Refer to Note 5, "Investments in Real Estate Entities," of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report, which includes information on the aggregate assets, liabilities and equity, as well as operating results, and our proportionate share of their operating results. For ventures holding operating apartment communities as of March 31, 2018, detail of the real estate and associated funding underlying our unconsolidated investments is presented in the following table (dollars in thousands).

 
 
Company
 ownership percentage
 
# of Apartment homes
 
Total capitalized cost (1)
 
Debt (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate (3)
 
Maturity date
Unconsolidated Real Estate Investments
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
Type
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Fund
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
1. Avalon Studio 4121 - Studio City, CA
 
 

 
149

 
$
57,080

 
$
28,763

 
Fixed
 
3.34
%
 
Nov 2022
2. Avalon Marina Bay - Marina del Rey, CA (4)
 
 

 
205

 
77,186

 
51,300

 
Fixed
 
1.56
%
 
Dec 2020
3. Avalon Venice on Rose - Venice, CA
 
 

 
70

 
57,364

 
28,911

 
Fixed
 
3.28
%
 
Jun 2020
4. Avalon Station 250 - Dedham, MA
 
 

 
285

 
97,117

 
56,048

 
Fixed
 
3.73
%
 
Sep 2022
5. Avalon Grosvenor Tower - Bethesda, MD
 
 

 
237

 
80,098

 
43,442

 
Fixed
 
3.74
%
 
Sep 2022
6. Avalon Kirkland at Carillon - Kirkland, WA
 
 

 
131

 
60,716

 
28,240

 
Fixed
 
3.75
%
 
Feb 2019
Total U.S. Fund
 
28.6
%
 
1,077

 
429,561

 
236,704

 
 
 
3.16
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AC JV
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
1. Avalon North Point - Cambridge, MA (5)
 
 

 
426

 
188,153

 
111,653

 
Fixed
 
6.00
%
 
Aug 2021
2. Avalon Woodland Park - Herndon, VA (5)
 
 

 
392

 
86,376

 
50,647

 
Fixed
 
6.00
%
 
Aug 2021
3. Avalon North Point Lofts - Cambridge, MA
 
 
 
103

 
26,805

 

 
N/A
 
N/A

 
N/A
Total AC JV
 
20.0
%
 
921

 
301,334

 
162,300

 
 
 
6.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Joint Ventures
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
1. MVP I, LLC
 
25.0
%
 
313

 
125,246

 
103,000

 
Fixed
 
3.24
%
 
Jul 2025
2. Brandywine Apartments of Maryland, LLC
 
28.7
%
 
305

 
19,384

 
22,621

 
Fixed
 
3.40
%
 
Jun 2028
Total Other Joint Ventures
 
 
 
618

 
144,630

 
125,621

 
 
 
3.27
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Total Unconsolidated Investments
 
 
 
2,616

 
$
875,525

 
$
524,625

 
 
 
4.06
%
 
 
_____________________________

(1)
Represents total capitalized cost as of March 31, 2018.
(2)
We have not guaranteed the debt of unconsolidated investees and bear no responsibility for the repayment.
(3)
Represents weighted average rate on outstanding debt as of March 31, 2018.
(4)
Borrowing on this community is a variable rate loan which has been converted to a fixed rate borrowing with an interest rate swap.
(5)
Borrowing is comprised of loans made by the equity investors in the venture in proportion to their equity interests.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In addition to our investment interests in consolidated and unconsolidated real estate entities, we have certain off-balance sheet arrangements with the entities in which we invest.  Additional discussion of these entities can be found in Note 5, "Investments in Real Estate Entities," of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.


37

Table of Contents

We have not guaranteed the debt of our unconsolidated real estate entities, as referenced in the table above, nor do we have any obligation to fund this debt should the unconsolidated real estate entities be unable to do so. In the future, in the event the unconsolidated real estate entities were unable to meet their obligations under a loan, we cannot predict at this time whether we would provide any voluntary support, or take any other action, as any such action would depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of support required and the possibility that such support could enhance the return of the unconsolidated real estate entities and/or our returns by providing time for performance to improve.

There are no other material lines of credit, side agreements, financial guarantees or any other derivative financial instruments related to or between our unconsolidated real estate entities and us. In evaluating our capital structure and overall leverage, management takes into consideration our proportionate share of the indebtedness of unconsolidated entities in which we have an interest.

Contractual Obligations

We currently have contractual obligations consisting primarily of long-term debt obligations and lease obligations for certain land parcels and regional and administrative office space. As of March 31, 2018, other than as discussed in this Form 10-Q, there have been no other material changes in our scheduled contractual obligations as disclosed in our Form 10-K.

Development Communities

As of March 31, 2018, we owned or held a direct or indirect interest in 18 Development Communities under construction. We expect these Development Communities, when completed, to add a total of 5,774 apartment homes to our portfolio for a total capitalized cost, including land acquisition costs, of approximately $2,697,000,000, including the total projected capitalized cost for one community being developed within an unconsolidated joint venture in which we own a 55.0% interest. We cannot assure you that we will meet our schedule for construction completion or that we will meet our budgeted costs, either individually or in the aggregate. You should carefully review Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our Form 10-K for a discussion of the risks associated with development activity.

The following table presents a summary of the Development Communities. We hold a fee simple ownership interest in these communities (directly or through a wholly-owned subsidiary) unless otherwise noted in the table.

38

Table of Contents

 
Number of
apartment
homes
 
Projected total
capitalized cost (1)
($ millions)
 
Construction
start
 
Initial  projected occupancy (2)
 
Estimated
completion
 
Estimated
stabilized operations (3)
1.
 
Avalon Maplewood (4)
Maplewood, NJ
235

 
66

 
Q4 2015
 
Q4 2017
 
Q2 2018
 
Q4 2018
2.
 
AVA Wheaton
Wheaton, MD
319

 
77

 
Q4 2015
 
Q3 2017
 
Q2 2018
 
Q4 2018
3.
 
Avalon Dogpatch
San Francisco, CA
326

 
203

 
Q4 2015
 
Q3 2017
 
Q2 2018
 
Q4 2018
4.
 
AVA North Point (5)
Cambridge, MA
265

 
114

 
Q2 2016
 
Q1 2018
 
Q3 2018
 
Q1 2019
5.
 
Avalon Boonton
Boonton, NJ
350

 
91

 
Q3 2016
 
Q2 2019
 
Q1 2020
 
Q3 2020
6.
 
11 West 61st Street (6)
New York, NY
172

 
604

 
Q4 2016
 
Q2 2019
 
Q4 2019
 
Q2 2020
7.
 
Avalon Belltown Towers (6)
Seattle, WA
275

 
147

 
Q4 2016
 
Q3 2019
 
Q4 2019
 
Q2 2020
8.
 
Avalon Public Market
Emeryville, CA
289

 
149

 
Q4 2016
 
Q4 2018
 
Q2 2019
 
Q4 2019
9.
 
Avalon Teaneck
Teaneck, NJ
248

 
73

 
Q4 2016
 
Q2 2019
 
Q1 2020
 
Q3 2020
10.
 
AVA Hollywood (6)
Hollywood, CA
695

 
365

 
Q4 2016
 
Q2 2019
 
Q2 2020
 
Q4 2020
11.
 
AVA Esterra Park
Redmond, WA
323

 
91

 
Q2 2017
 
Q4 2018
 
Q3 2019
 
Q1 2020
12.
 
Avalon at the Hingham Shipyard II
Hingham, MA
190

 
64

 
Q2 2017
 
Q4 2018
 
Q2 2019
 
Q4 2019
13.
 
Avalon Piscataway
Piscataway, NJ
360

 
89

 
Q2 2017
 
Q3 2018
 
Q2 2019
 
Q4 2019
14.
 
Avalon Sudbury
Sudbury, MA
250

 
85

 
Q3 2017
 
Q2 2018
 
Q1 2019
 
Q3 2019
15.
 
Avalon Towson
Towson, MD
371

 
114

 
Q4 2017
 
Q1 2020
 
Q4 2020
 
Q2 2021
16.
 
Avalon Yonkers
Yonkers, NY
590

 
188

 
Q4 2017
 
Q4 2019
 
Q2 2021
 
Q3 2021
17
 
Avalon Walnut Creek II
Walnut Creek, CA
200

 
93

 
Q4 2017
 
Q3 2019
 
Q1 2020
 
Q2 2020
18.
 
Avalon North Creek
Bothell, WA
316

 
84

 
Q4 2017
 
Q2 2019
 
Q1 2020
 
Q3 2020
 
 
Total
5,774

 
$
2,697

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
_________________________________

(1)
Projected total capitalized cost includes all capitalized costs projected to be or actually incurred to develop the respective Development Community, determined in accordance with GAAP, including land acquisition costs, construction costs, real estate taxes, capitalized interest and loan fees, permits, professional fees, allocated development overhead and other regulatory fees.  Projected total capitalized cost for communities identified as having joint venture ownership, either during construction or upon construction completion, represents the total projected joint venture contribution amount.
(2)
Initial projected occupancy dates are estimates. There can be no assurance that we will pursue to completion any or all of these proposed developments.
(3)
Stabilized operations is defined as the earlier of (i) attainment of 95% or greater physical occupancy or (ii) the one-year anniversary of completion of development.
(4)
In February 2017, a fire occurred at Maplewood. See Note 5, "Investments in Real Estate Entities - Casualty Gains and Losses," in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion related to the Maplewood casualty loss.
(5)
We are developing this project within an unconsolidated joint venture that was formed in July 2016, in which we own a 55.0% interest. The projected total capitalized cost above represents the total cost for the venture.
(6)
Development communities containing at least 10,000 square feet of retail space include 11 West 61st Street (67,000 square feet), Avalon Belltown Towers (11,000 square feet) and AVA Hollywood (19,000 square feet).

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we completed the development of the following communities:

39

Table of Contents

 
Number of
apartment
homes
 
Total capitalized 
cost (1)
($ millions)
 
Approximate rentable area
(sq. ft.)
 
Total capitalized cost per sq. ft.
1.
 
AVA NoMa
Washington, D.C.
438

 
$
144

 
373,828

 
$
385

2.
 
Avalon Brooklyn Bay (2)
Brooklyn, NY
180

 
97

 
149,881

 
$
647

3.
 
Avalon Somers
Somers, NY
152

 
46

 
179,401

 
$
256

 
 
Total
770

 
$
287

 
 
 
 
__________________________________

(1)
Total capitalized cost is as of March 31, 2018. We generally anticipate incurring additional costs associated with these communities that are customary for new developments.
(2)
We developed this project with a private development partner. We own the rental portion of the development on floors 3 through 19 and the partner owns the for-sale condominium portion of the development on floors 20 through 30. The information above represents only our portion of the project. We provided a construction loan to the development partner in the amount of $41,976,000 for outstanding principal and interest, net of repayments, as of March 31, 2018. The loan is being repaid with proceeds the venture partner receives from the sale of the condominium portion of the project.

We anticipate commencing the construction of seven apartment communities during the balance of 2018, which, if completed as expected, will contain 2,185 apartment homes and be constructed for a total capitalized cost of $767,000,000.

Redevelopment Communities

As of March 31, 2018, there were 15 communities under active redevelopment. We expect the total capitalized cost to redevelop these communities to be $330,000,000, excluding costs incurred prior to redevelopment. We have found that the cost to redevelop an existing apartment community is more difficult to budget and estimate than the cost to develop a new community. Accordingly, we expect that actual costs may vary from our budget by a wider range than for a new Development Community. We cannot assure you that we will meet our schedule for reconstruction completion or for attaining restabilized operations, or that we will meet our budgeted costs, either individually or in the aggregate. We anticipate maintaining or increasing our current level of redevelopment activity related to communities in our current operating portfolio for the remainder of 2018. You should carefully review Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our Form 10-K for a discussion of the risks associated with redevelopment activity.


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The following presents a summary of these Redevelopment Communities:
 
 
 
 
Number of
apartment
homes
 
Projected total
capitalized cost (1)
($ millions)
 
Reconstruction
start
 
Estimated
reconstruction
completion
 
Estimated
restabilized
operations (2)
1.
 
AVA Toluca Hills
Los Angeles, CA
 
1,151

 
$
79

 
Q1 2017
 
Q1 2019
 
Q3 2019
2.
 
Avalon Prudential Center II
Boston, MA
 
266

 
19

 
Q1 2017
 
Q3 2019
 
Q1 2020
3.
 
Avalon Midtown West
New York, NY
 
550

 
30

 
Q1 2017
 
Q2 2019
 
Q4 2019
4.
 
Avalon at Edgewater II (3)
Edgewater, NJ
 
240

 
60

 
Q2 2017
 
Q4 2018
 
Q2 2019
5.
 
Avalon at Florham Park
Florham Park, NJ
 
270

 
13

 
Q3 2017
 
Q3 2018
 
Q1 2019
6.
 
AVA Van Ness
Washington, D.C.
 
269

 
20

 
Q3 2017
 
Q1 2019
 
Q3 2019
7.
 
Avalon Ballston Square
Arlington, VA
 
714

 
25

 
Q4 2017
 
Q1 2019
 
Q3 2019
8.
 
Eaves Los Feliz
Los Angeles, CA.
 
263

 
6

 
Q1 2018
 
Q4 2018
 
Q2 2019
9.
 
Eaves Seal Beach
Seal Beach, CA
 
549

 
10

 
Q1 2018
 
Q4 2018
 
Q2 2019
10.
 
Avalon Walnut Ridge II
Walnut Creek, CA
 
360

 
7

 
Q1 2018
 
Q4 2018
 
Q2 2019
11.
 
Eaves Redmond Campus
Redmond, WA
 
422

 
17

 
Q1 2018
 
Q4 2018
 
Q2 2019
12.
 
Eaves Fairfax Towers
Falls Church, VA
 
415

 
6

 
Q1 2018
 
Q2 2019
 
Q4 2019
13.
 
Avalon at Newton Highlands
Newton, MA
 
294

 
12

 
Q1 2018
 
Q4 2018
 
Q2 2019
14.
 
Avalon Prudential Center I
Boston, MA
 
243

 
18

 
Q1 2018
 
Q2 2020
 
Q4 2020
15.
 
Avalon Court
Melville, NY
 
494

 
8

 
Q1 2018
 
Q3 2018
 
Q1 2019
 
 
Total
 
6,500

 
$
330

 
 
 
 
 
 
____________________________________

(1)
Projected total capitalized cost does not include capitalized costs incurred prior to redevelopment.
(2)
Estimated restabilized operations is defined as the earlier of (i) attainment of 95% or greater physical occupancy or (ii) the one-year anniversary of completion of redevelopment.
(3)
Redevelopment Communities includes the reconstruction of the building destroyed in the Edgewater casualty loss. Due to the nature of this reconstruction, the 240 apartment homes that we expect the new building to contain upon completion are not included in the apartment home count presented elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, and will be included upon completion.

Development Rights

At March 31, 2018, we had $136,771,000 in acquisition and related capitalized costs for direct interests in land parcels we own, and $39,369,000 in capitalized costs (including legal fees, design fees and related overhead costs) related to Development Rights for which we control the land parcel, typically through a conditional agreement or option to purchase or lease the land. Collectively, the land held for development and associated costs for deferred development rights relate to 28 Development Rights for which we expect to develop new apartment communities in the future. The cumulative capitalized costs for land held for development as of March 31, 2018 includes $105,526,000 in original land acquisition costs. The Development Rights range from those beginning design and architectural planning to those that have completed site plans and drawings and can begin construction almost immediately. We estimate that the successful completion of all of these communities would ultimately add approximately 9,268 apartment homes to our portfolio. Substantially all of these apartment homes will offer features like those offered by the communities we currently own.


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For 20 Development Rights, we control the land through a conditional agreement or option to purchase or lease the parcel. While we generally prefer to hold Development Rights through conditional agreements or options to acquire land, for six Development Rights we either currently own the land, have an ownership interest in a joint venture that owns the land or have executed a long term land lease for the parcel of land on which a community would be built if we proceeded with development. During the next 12 months we expect to commence construction of apartment communities on five of the Development Rights for which we currently own the land, with a carrying basis of $122,152,000. In addition, two Development Rights are additional development phases of existing stabilized operating communities we own, and will be constructed on land currently associated with those operating communities.

The properties comprising the Development Rights are in different stages of the due diligence and regulatory approval process.  The decisions as to which of the Development Rights to invest in, if any, or to continue to pursue once an investment in a Development Right is made, are business judgments that we make after we perform financial, demographic and other analyses.  In the event that we do not proceed with a Development Right, we generally would not recover any of the capitalized costs incurred in the pursuit of those communities, unless we were to recover amounts in connection with the sale of land; however, we cannot guarantee a recovery.  Pre-development costs incurred in the pursuit of Development Rights for which future development is not yet considered probable are expensed as incurred.  In addition, if the status of a Development Right changes, making future development no longer probable, any capitalized pre-development costs are charged to expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we incurred a charge of approximately $800,000 for development pursuits that were not yet probable of future development at the time incurred, or for pursuits that we determined were no longer probable to be developed.

You should carefully review Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our Form 10-K for a discussion of the risks associated with Development Rights.

The following presents a summary of the Development Rights as of March 31, 2018:
Market
 
Number of rights
 
Estimated
number of homes
 
Projected total
capitalized cost ($ millions) (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New England
 
6

 
1,380

 
$
508

Metro NY/NJ
 
10

 
3,770

 
1,488

Mid-Atlantic
 
3

 
1,058

 
305

Pacific Northwest
 
1

 
272

 
80

Northern California
 
5

 
1,507

 
762

Southern California
 
3

 
1,281

 
581

Total
 
28

 
9,268

 
$
3,724

____________________________________

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

Land Acquisitions

We acquired two land parcels for future development during the three months ended March 31, 2018 for an aggregate investment of $57,080,000 and have or anticipate starting construction on these parcels during the next twelve months.

Federal Income Tax Law Changes and Updates

The following discussion updates the disclosures under “Federal Income Tax Considerations and Consequences of Your Investment” in the prospectus dated February 23, 2018 contained in our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on February 23, 2018.

On March 23, 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (the “CAA”), which amended various provisions of the Code and implicate certain tax-related disclosures contained in the prospectus. As a result, the discussion under “Federal Income Tax Considerations and Consequences of Your Investment-U.S. Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders-Special FIRPTA Rules” on p. 68 of the prospectus is replaced with the following paragraphs:

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Special FIRPTA Rules. To the extent our stock is held directly (or indirectly through one or more partnerships) by a "qualified shareholder," it will not be treated as a U.S. real property interest for such qualified shareholder. Further, to the extent such treatment applies, any distribution to such shareholder will not be treated as gain recognized from the sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest. For these purposes, a qualified shareholder is generally a non-U.S. stockholder that (i)(A) is eligible for treaty benefits under an income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program, and the principal class of interests of which is listed and regularly traded on one or more stock exchanges as defined by the treaty, or (B) is a foreign limited partnership organized in a jurisdiction with an exchange of information agreement with the United States and that has a class of regularly traded limited partnership units (having a value greater than 50% of the value of all partnership units) on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, (ii) is a “qualified collective investment vehicle” (within the meaning of Section 897(k)(3)(B) of the Code) and (iii) maintains records of persons holding 5% or more of the class of interests described in clauses (i)(A) or (i)(B) above. However, in the case of a qualified shareholder having one or more “applicable investors,” the exception described in the first sentence of this paragraph will not apply to the applicable percentage of the qualified shareholder's stock (with “applicable percentage” generally meaning the percentage of the value of the interests in the qualified shareholder held by applicable investors after applying certain constructive ownership rules). The applicable percentage of the amount realized by a qualified shareholder on the disposition of our stock or with respect to a distribution from us attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest will be treated as amounts realized from the disposition of U.S. real property interest. Such treatment shall also apply to applicable investors in respect of distributions treated as a sale or exchange of stock with respect to a qualified shareholder. For these purposes, an "applicable investor" is a person (other than a qualified shareholder) who generally holds an interest in the qualified shareholder and holds more than 10% of our stock applying certain constructive ownership rules.

For FIRPTA purposes, a "qualified foreign pension fund" shall not be treated as a non-U.S. stockholder, and any entity all of the interests of which are held by an qualified foreign pension fund shall be treated as such a fund. A "qualified foreign pension fund" is an organization or arrangement (i) created or organized in a foreign country, (ii) established to provide retirement or pension benefits to current or former employees (including self-employed individuals) or their designees by either (A) a foreign country as a result of services rendered by such employees to their employers, or (B) one or more employers in consideration for services rendered by such employees to such employers, (iii) which does not have a single participant or beneficiary that has a right to more than 5% of its assets or income, (iv) which is subject to government regulation and with respect to which annual information about its beneficiaries is provided, or is otherwise available, to relevant local tax authorities and (v) with respect to which, under its local laws, (A) contributions that would otherwise be subject to tax are deductible or excluded from its gross income or taxed at a reduced rate, or (B) taxation of its investment income is deferred, or such income is excluded from its gross income or taxed at a reduced rate.

In addition, the CAA clarified that for purposes of determining if a REIT is a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” under FIRPTA, the presumption that generally a person holding less than 5% of a REIT’s class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States for five years has been, and will be, treated as a U.S. person applies for testing periods ending on or after December 18, 2015 (e.g., if a testing period ends on June 1, 2018, then the presumption applies for the entire five-year period starting on June 1, 2013).

The CAA also amended numerous Code provisions relating to the new rules applicable to federal income tax audits of partnerships effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 to provide that a broader range of partnership-related items may be adjusted on audit or in other tax proceedings.

Finally, the discussion under “Federal Income Tax Considerations and Consequences of Your Investment-U.S. Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders-Distributions by AvalonBay” on p. 66 and p. 67 of the prospectus is clarified to explain that the exception to FIPRTA for 10% or smaller holders may apply only if our common stock is regularly traded an established securities market located in the United States.

Inflation and Deflation

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


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

our potential development, redevelopment, acquisition or disposition of communities;

the timing and cost of completion of apartment communities under construction, reconstruction, development or redevelopment;

the timing of lease-up, occupancy and stabilization of apartment communities;

the pursuit of land on which we are considering future development;

the anticipated operating performance of our communities;

cost, yield, revenue, NOI and earnings estimates;

our declaration or payment of dividends;

our joint venture and discretionary fund activities;

our policies regarding investments, indebtedness, acquisitions, dispositions, financings and other matters;

our qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code;

the real estate markets in Northern and Southern California and markets in selected states in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, Metro New York/New Jersey and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States and in general;

the availability of debt and equity financing;

interest rates;

general economic conditions including the potential impacts from current economic conditions;

trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations; and

the impact of legal proceedings relating to the Edgewater casualty loss and related matters, including liability to third parties resulting therefrom.

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

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

we may fail to secure development opportunities due to an inability to reach agreements with third-parties to obtain land at attractive prices or to obtain desired zoning and other local approvals;


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we may abandon or defer development opportunities for a number of reasons, including changes in local market conditions which make development less desirable, increases in costs of development, increases in the cost of capital or lack of capital availability, resulting in losses;

construction costs of a community may exceed our original estimates;

we may not complete construction and lease-up of communities under development or redevelopment on schedule, resulting in increased interest costs and construction costs and a decrease in our expected rental revenues;

occupancy rates and market rents may be adversely affected by competition and local economic and market conditions which are beyond our control;

financing may not be available on favorable terms or at all, and our cash flows from operations and access to cost effective capital may be insufficient for the development of our pipeline which could limit our pursuit of opportunities;

our cash flows may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, and we may be unable to refinance existing indebtedness or the terms of such refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness;

we may be unsuccessful in our management of the U.S. Fund, the AC JV or the REIT vehicles that are used with each respective joint venture;

we may be unsuccessful in managing changes in our portfolio composition; and

our expectations, estimates and assumptions as of the date of this filing regarding the outcome of investigations and/or legal proceedings resulting from the Edgewater casualty loss are subject to change.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, or different assumptions were made, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in different financial results or a different presentation of our financial statements.  Our critical accounting policies consist primarily of the following: (i) principles of consolidation, (ii) cost capitalization, (iii) abandoned pursuit costs and asset impairment, (iv) REIT status and (v) acquisition of investments in real estate. Additionally, as discussed in this Form 10-Q in Note 1, "Organization, Basis and Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue and Gain Recognition," to the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, as of January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. There were no material changes to our critical accounting policies resulting from the adoption of this new standard. Our critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially from the discussion of our significant accounting policies found in Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations in our Form 10-K.


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ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes to our exposures to market risk since December 31, 2017.

ITEM 4.
CONTROL AND PROCEDURES

(a)
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. 

The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2018. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

We continue to review and document our disclosure controls and procedures, including our internal controls and procedures for financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business.

(b)
Changes in internal controls over financial reporting.

As of January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company implemented internal controls related to the revenue recognition process, but there were no significant changes to the internal control over financial reporting due to the adoption of this new standard.

PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

As discussed in this Form 10-Q in Note 1, "Organization, Basis and Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Legal and Other Contingencies," to the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, in January 2015, a fire occurred at the Company's Avalon at Edgewater apartment community in Edgewater, NJ. The Company believes that the fire was caused by sparks from a torch used during repairs being performed by a Company employee who was not a licensed plumber. The Company has since revised its maintenance policies to require that non-flame tools be used for plumbing repairs where possible or, where not possible inside the building envelope, that a qualified third party vendor perform the work in accordance with the Company's policies.

The Company has established protocols for processing claims from third parties who suffered losses as a result of the fire, and many third parties have contacted the Company's insurance carrier and settled their claims. Through the date of this Form 10-Q, of the 229 occupied apartments destroyed in the fire, the residents of approximately 95 units have settled claims with the Company's insurer through this claims process.

Three class action lawsuits have been filed against the Company on behalf of occupants of the destroyed building and consolidated in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The Company has agreed with class counsel to the terms of a settlement which provides a claims process (with agreed upon protocols for instructing the adjuster as to how to evaluate claims) and, if needed, an arbitration process to determine damage amounts to be paid to individual claimants covered by the class settlement. In July 2017 the District Court granted final approval of the class action settlement and all claims have been submitted to the independent claims adjuster. A total of 66 units (consisting of residents who did not previously settle their claims and who did not opt out of the class settlement) are included in the class action settlement and bound by its terms. However, only 44 units submitted claims. The independent claims adjuster is currently reviewing the claims submitted; the submitted claims total approximately $6,900,000 but, based on the Company's review of initial determinations made by the adjuster on a number of claims, the Company believes that the total amount actually awarded will be significantly less. To date, the claims adjuster completed his evaluation of 17 of these claims and it is expected that the evaluation of the remaining claims should be completed within the next month. A fourth class action,

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being heard in the same federal court, was filed against the Company on behalf of residents of the second Edgewater building that suffered minimal damage. In addition to the class action lawsuits described above, 18 of the 19 lawsuits representing approximately 143 individual plaintiffs filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey Bergen County - Law Division were previously scheduled for trial on January 2, 2018. In advance of this date, the Company was able to resolve all of these claims in principle which included approximately 50 units. The Company previously resolved litigated claims with another 10 units. There is currently one remaining lawsuit which was recently filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County - Law Division on behalf of one apartment unit. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the extent of damages claimed in that suit. There are also seven subrogation lawsuits that have been filed against the Company by insurers of Edgewater residents who obtained renters insurance; it is the Company's position that in the majority of the applicable leases the residents waived subrogation rights. One of these lawsuits has been dismissed on that basis, one is pending in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County - Law Division, one has been amicably resolved in principle and the other four have been consolidated and are currently pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The District Court denied the Company's motions seeking dismissal on this basis. The Company will reassess the viability of this defense after conducting additional discovery.

Having settled many third party claims through the insurance claims process, the Company currently believes that any potential remaining liability to third parties (including any potential liability to third parties determined in accordance with the class settlement described above) will not be material to the Company and will in any event be substantially covered by the Company's insurance policies. However, the Company can give no assurances in this regard and continues to evaluate this matter.

The Company is involved in various other claims and/or administrative proceedings unrelated to the Edgewater casualty loss that arise in the ordinary course of its business. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not currently believe that any of these other outstanding litigation matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. 
RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results discussed in our Form 10-K in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors." The risks described in our Form 10-K are not the only risks that could affect the Company.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results in the future.  There have been no material changes to our risk factors since December 31, 2017.


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ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
 
(a)
Total Number of Shares
Purchased (1)
 
(b)
Average Price Paid 
Per Share
 
(c)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 
(d)
Maximum Dollar
Amount that May Yet
be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs
(in thousands) (2)
January 1 - January 31, 2018
 

 
$

 

 
$
200,000

February 1 - February 28, 2018
 
126

 
$
161.10

 

 
$
200,000

March 1 - March 31, 2018
 
67,483

 
$
155.05

 

 
$
200,000

___________________________________

(1)
Reflects shares surrendered to the Company in connection with exercise of stock options as payment of exercise price, as well as for taxes associated with the vesting of restricted share grants.
(2)
As disclosed in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, represents amounts outstanding under the Company's $500,000,000 Stock Repurchase Program. There is no scheduled expiration date to this program.

ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.        MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.        OTHER INFORMATION

None.


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ITEM 6.        EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
 
 
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
3(i).1
 
 
3(i).2
 
 
3(i).3
 
 
3(ii).1
 
 
3(ii).2
 
 
3(ii).3
 
 
4.1
 
 
4.2
 
 
4.3
 
 
4.4
 
 
4.5
 
 
4.6
 
 
4.7
 
 
4.8
 
 
4.9
 
 
10.1
 
 

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10.2
 
 
10.3
 
 
10.4
 
 
10.5
 
 
10.6
 
 
12.1
 
 
31.1
 
 
31.2
 
 
32
 
 
101
 
 
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials from AvalonBay Communities, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018, formatted in XBRL: (i) condensed consolidated balance sheets, (ii) condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iii) condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and (iv) notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


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

 
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 4, 2018
/s/ Timothy J. Naughton
 
 
Timothy J. Naughton
 
 
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
Date:
May 4, 2018
/s/ Kevin P. O'Shea
 
 
Kevin P. O'Shea
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)


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