UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________to _________
Commission file number 333-44467-01
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
California | | 77-0369575 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
925 East Meadow Drive
Palo Alto, California 94303
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)
(650) 494-3700
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes o No x
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
| | Page No. |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
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Item 1. | Financial Statements (Unaudited): | |
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| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 | |
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| Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 | |
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| Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 | |
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| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 | |
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| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | |
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Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | |
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Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | |
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Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | |
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | |
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Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | |
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Item 6. | Exhibits | |
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Signature | |
Part I -- Financial Information
Essex Portfolio, L.P., a California limited partnership, (the “Operating Partnership”) effectively holds the assets and liabilities and conducts the operating activities of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (“Essex” or the “Company”). Essex Property Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust incorporated in the State of Maryland, is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership.
The information furnished in the accompanying consolidated unaudited balance sheets, statements of operations, partners' capital and cash flows of the Operating Partnership reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements for the interim periods.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to such consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations herein. Additionally, these unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Operating Partnership's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
| | September 30, | | December 31, | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | |
Assets | | | | | |
Real estate: | | | | | |
Rental properties: | | | | | |
Land and land improvements | | $ | 554,028 | | $ | 536,600 | |
Buildings and improvements | | | 1,935,543 | | | 1,834,594 | |
| | | 2,489,571 | | | 2,371,194 | |
Less accumulated depreciation | | | (380,772 | ) | | (329,652 | ) |
| | | 2,108,799 | | | 2,041,542 | |
Real estate investments held for sale, net of accumulated | | | | | | | |
depreciation of $496 as of December 31, 2004 | | | - | | | 14,445 | |
Investments | | | 27,637 | | | 49,712 | |
Real estate under development | | | 34,834 | | | 38,320 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | 2,171,270 | | | 2,144,019 | |
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted | | | 19,365 | | | 10,644 | |
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted | | | 15,027 | | | 21,255 | |
Notes and other receivables from related parties | | | 1,202 | | | 1,435 | |
Notes and other receivables | | | 8,069 | | | 9,535 | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 20,968 | | | 19,591 | |
Deferred charges, net | | | 10,424 | | | 10,738 | |
Total assets | | $ | 2,246,325 | | $ | 2,217,217 | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Partners' Capital | | | | | | | |
Mortgage notes payable | | $ | 1,164,504 | | $ | 1,067,449 | |
Lines of credit | | | 149,735 | | | 249,535 | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | | 45,024 | | | 29,997 | |
Dividends payable | | | 22,700 | | | 21,976 | |
Other liabilities | | | 12,522 | | | 11,853 | |
Deferred gain | | | 2,193 | | | 5,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,396,678 | | | 1,385,810 | |
Minority interests | | | 46,344 | | | 49,254 | |
Redeemable convertible limited partnership units | | | 4,750 | | | 4,750 | |
| | | | | | | |
Partners' capital: | | | | | | | |
General partner: | | | | | | | |
Common equity | | | 593,967 | | | 566,865 | |
Preferred equity (liquidation value of $25,000) | | | 24,412 | | | 24,412 | |
| | | 618,379 | | | 591,277 | |
Limited partners: | | | | | | | |
Common equity | | | 53,393 | | | 59,436 | |
Preferred equity (liquidation value of $185,000) | | | 126,690 | | | 126,690 | |
| | | 180,083 | | | 186,126 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 91 | | | - | |
| | | | | | | |
Total partners' capital | | | 798,553 | | | 777,403 | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and partners' capital | | $ | 2,246,325 | | $ | 2,217,217 | |
| | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2005 | | 2004 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
Rental and other property | | $ | 80,219 | | $ | 71,733 | | $ | 234,851 | | $ | 206,991 | |
Management and other fees from affiliates | | | 1,601 | | | 15,701 | | | 9,108 | | | 18,318 | |
| | | 81,820 | | | 87,434 | | | 243,959 | | | 225,309 | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property operating, excluding real estate taxes | | | 19,592 | | | 18,673 | | | 57,198 | | | 52,494 | |
Real estate taxes | | | 7,066 | | | 6,253 | | | 20,517 | | | 17,821 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 20,323 | | | 18,061 | | | 59,945 | | | 53,428 | |
Interest | | | 18,566 | | | 16,394 | | | 54,866 | | | 45,785 | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 451 | | | 449 | | | 1,490 | | | 1,179 | |
General and administrative | | | 4,560 | | | 7,639 | | | 13,574 | | | 13,985 | |
Other expenses | | | 1,400 | | | - | | | 2,900 | | | - | |
| | | 71,958 | | | 67,469 | | | 210,490 | | | 184,691 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on sale of real estate | | | - | | | 7,909 | | | 6,391 | | | 7,909 | |
Interest and other income | | | 4,978 | | | 836 | | | 7,932 | | | 2,095 | |
Equity income in co-investments | | | 21 | | | 15,365 | | | 17,575 | | | 16,460 | |
Minority interests | | | (1,433 | ) | | (877 | ) | | (4,174 | ) | | (2,526 | ) |
Income from continuing operations before income | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
tax provision | | | 13,428 | | | 43,198 | | | 61,193 | | | 64,555 | |
Income tax provision | | | (1,185 | ) | | (122 | ) | | (2,386 | ) | | (208 | ) |
Income from continuing operations | | | 12,243 | | | 43,076 | | | 58,807 | | | 64,347 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Discontinued operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income from real estate sold | | | - | | | 646 | | | 1,861 | | | 984 | |
Gain on sale of real estate | | | - | | | - | | | 29,219 | | | - | |
Income from discontinued operations | | | - | | | 646 | | | 31,080 | | | 984 | |
Net income | | | 12,243 | | | 43,722 | | | 89,887 | | | 65,331 | |
Write off of Series E preferred unit offering costs | | | - | | | (1,575 | ) | | - | | | (1,575 | ) |
Preferred return to general partner - Series F | | | (488 | ) | | (488 | ) | | (1,465 | ) | | (1,464 | ) |
Distributions to preferred units - limited partners | | | (2,559 | ) | | (3,502 | ) | | (7,678 | ) | | (11,615 | ) |
Net income available to common units | | $ | 9,196 | | $ | 38,157 | | $ | 80,744 | | $ | 50,677 | |
Per common unit data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations available to | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
common units | | $ | 0.36 | | $ | 1.48 | | $ | 1.96 | | $ | 1.97 | |
Income from discontinued operations | | | - | | | 0.03 | | | 1.22 | | | 0.04 | |
Net income available to common units | | $ | 0.36 | | $ | 1.51 | | $ | 3.18 | | $ | 2.01 | |
Weighted average number of common units | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
outstanding during the period | | | 25,405,930 | | | 25,301,913 | | | 25,381,534 | | | 25,212,179 | |
Diluted: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations available to | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
common units | | $ | 0.36 | | $ | 1.47 | | $ | 1.94 | | $ | 1.95 | |
Income from discontinued operations | | | - | | | 0.02 | | | 1.21 | | | 0.04 | |
Net income available to common units | | $ | 0.36 | | $ | 1.49 | | $ | 3.15 | | $ | 1.99 | |
Weighted average number of common units | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
outstanding during the period | | | 25,711,320 | | | 25,567,452 | | | 25,671,923 | | | 25,445,166 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distribution per Operating Partnership common unit | | $ | 0.81 | | $ | 0.79 | | $ | 2.43 | | $ | 2.37 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital and
Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and units in thousands)
| | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | Accumulated | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Other | | | |
| | Common Equity | | Preferred Equity | | Common Equity | | Preferred Equity | | Comprehensive | | | |
| | Units | | Amount | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Amount | | Income | | Total | |
Balances at December 31, 2004 | | | 23,034 | | $ | 566,865 | | $ | 24,412 | | | 2,478 | | $ | 59,436 | | $ | 126,690 | | $ | - | | $ | 777,403 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common units under | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
stock-based compensation plan | | | 105 | | | 4,662 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 4,662 | |
Redemption of limited partner | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
common units | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (89 | ) | | (2,698 | ) | | - | | | - | | | (2,698 | ) |
Vested series Z and Z-1 incentive units | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 30 | | | 362 | | | - | | | - | | | 362 | |
Reallocation of partners' capital (1) | | | - | | | 5,509 | | | - | | | - | | | (5,509 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | - | | | 73,039 | | | 1,464 | | | - | | | 7,707 | | | 7,677 | | | - | | | 89,887 | |
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 91 | | | 91 | |
Comprehensive income | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 89,978 | |
Partners' distributions | | | - | | | (56,108 | ) | | (1,464 | ) | | - | | | (5,905 | ) | | (7,677 | ) | | - | | | (71,154 | ) |
Balances at September 30, 2005 | | | 23,139 | | $ | 593,967 | | $ | 24,412 | | | 2,419 | | $ | 53,393 | | $ | 126,690 | | $ | 91 | | $ | 798,553 | |
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(1) During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Operating Partnership recorded a true-up of the reallocation of minority interest as of December 31, 2004. This true-up was not material to partners’ capital at either September 30, 2005 or December 31, 2004.
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
| | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 106,652 | | $ | 87,867 | |
| | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | |
Additions to real estate: | | | | | | | |
Acquisitions and improvements to recent acquisitions | | | (30,968 | ) | | (129,464 | ) |
Capital expenditures and redevelopment | | | (23,510 | ) | | (11,557 | ) |
Additions to real estate under development | | | (22,540 | ) | | (11,696 | ) |
Dispositions of real estate and investments | | | 6,585 | | | 91,735 | |
Change in restricted cash | | | 6,228 | | | (8,688 | ) |
Additions to notes receivable from related parties and other receivables | | | (3,278 | ) | | (5,234 | ) |
Repayment of notes receivable from related parties and other receivables | | | 4,925 | | | 1,373 | |
Net distributions from (contributions to) limited partnerships | | | 43,341 | | | 17,356 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (19,217 | ) | | (56,175 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from mortgage notes payable and lines of credit | | | 152,971 | | | 321,702 | |
Repayment of mortgage notes payable and lines of credit | | | (154,813 | ) | | (215,051 | ) |
Additions to deferred charges | | | (1,167 | ) | | (4,032 | ) |
Net proceeds from stock options exercised | | | 4,143 | | | 4,022 | |
Distributions to limited partners and minority interest | | | (17,353 | ) | | (21,299 | ) |
Redemption of limited partnership units and minority interest | | | (5,463 | ) | | (5,624 | ) |
Redemption of Series E limited partnership units | | | - | | | (55,000 | ) |
Distributions to general partner | | | (57,032 | ) | | (54,954 | ) |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | (78,714 | ) | | (30,236 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | 8,721 | | | 1,456 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 10,644 | | | 14,768 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 19,365 | | $ | 16,224 | |
| | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for interest, net of $647 and $3,108 capitalized | | | | | | | |
in 2005 and 2004, respectively | | $ | 54,245 | | $ | 44,352 | |
| | | | | | | |
Assumption of mortgage loans payable in conjunction with the purchases of real estate | | $ | - | | $ | 167,635 | |
Common stock issued pursuant to phantom stock plan | | $ | 362 | | $ | 39 | |
Issuance of Limited partnership units in connection with the purchase of real estate | | $ | - | | $ | 6,479 | |
Transfer of real estate under development to rental properties | | $ | 23,102 | | $ | - | |
Proceeds from disposition of real estate held by exchange facilitator | | $ | 62,000 | | $ | 9,536 | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2005 and 2004
(Unaudited)
| Organization and Basis of Presentation |
The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented have been included and are normal and recurring in nature. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Operating Partnership's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
The Company is the sole general partner in the Operating Partnership, with a 90.5% and 90.3% general partnership interest as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. See below for a description of entities consolidated by the Operating Partnership for all periods presented pursuant to its adoption of FIN 46 Revised.
As of September 30, 2005, the Operating Partnership has ownership interests in 125 multifamily properties (containing 25,950 units), three office buildings (with approximately 166,340 square feet), three recreational vehicle parks (comprising 562 spaces) and one manufactured housing community (containing 157 sites), (collectively, the "Properties"). The Properties are located in Southern California (Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area), the Pacific Northwest (the Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas) and other areas (Houston, Texas).
Fund Activities
Essex Apartment Value Fund, L.P. ("Fund I"), is an investment fund organized by the Operating Partnership in 2001 to add value through rental growth and asset appreciation, utilizing the Operating Partnership's development, redevelopment and asset management capabilities. An affiliate of the Operating Partnership, Essex VFGP, L.P. ("VFGP"), is a 1% general partner and is a 20.4% limited partner. The Operating Partnership owns a 99% limited partnership interest in VFGP.
On September 27, 2004 the Operating Partnership announced the final closing of partner equity commitments for Essex Apartment Value Fund II (“Fund II”). Fund II has eight institutional investors, including the Operating Partnership, with combined partner equity commitments of $265.9 million. The Operating Partnership has committed $75.0 million to Fund II, which represents a 28.2% interest as general partner and limited partner. Fund II expects to utilize leverage equal to approximately 65% of the estimated value of the underlying real estate. Fund II will invest in multifamily properties in the Operating Partnership’s targeted West Coast markets with an emphasis on investment opportunities in Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area. Subject to certain exceptions, Fund II will be the Operating Partnership’s exclusive investment vehicle until October 31, 2006, or when Fund II’s committed capital has been invested, whichever occurs first. Consistent with Fund I, the Operating Partnership will record revenue for its asset management, property management, development and redevelopment services, and promote distributions should Fund II exceed certain financial return benchmarks.
Variable Interest Entities
In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 46 Revised (FIN 46R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51”, the Operating Partnership consolidates Essex Management Corporation (EMC), Essex Fidelity I Corporation (EFC), 17 Down REIT limited partnerships (comprising ten properties), an office building that is subject to loans made by the
Operating Partnership, and the multifamily improvements owned by a third party in which the Operating Partnership owns the land underlying these improvements and from which the Operating Partnership receives fees, including land lease, subordination and property management fees, and a joint venture to develop a building in Los Angeles, California. The Operating Partnership consolidated these entities because it is deemed the primary beneficiary under FIN 46R. The Operating Partnership's total assets and liabilities related to these variable interest entities (VIEs), net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $232.2 million and $156.0 million, respectively, at September 30, 2005 and $238.1 million and $155.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2004.
Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Operating Partnership are allocated net income equal to the cash payments made to those interest holders for services rendered or distributions from cash flow. The remaining results of operations are generally allocated to the Operating Partnership.
Properties consolidated in accordance with FIN 46R were encumbered by third party, non-recourse loans totaling $150.3 million and $151.3 million as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
As of September 30, 2005 the Operating Partnership is involved with four VIEs, of which it is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary. Total assets and liabilities of these entities as of September 30, 2005 were approximately $97.8 million and $74.2 million, respectively. The Operating Partnership does not have a significant exposure to loss resulting from its involvement with these unconsolidated VIEs.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense under the fair value method was $308,000 and $169,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively and $679,000 and $496,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. There were 6,000 stock options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2005 and no options granted for the three months ended September 30, 2004. There were 143,800 and 20,000 options granted for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The average fair value of stock options granted was $12.07 for the three months ended September 30, 2005, and $9.60 and $7.11 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The fair value was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants:
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, | | September 30, |
| 2005 | | 2004 | | 2005 | | 2004 |
Stock price | $89.33 - $89.98 | | $62.34 | | $69.11 - $89.98 | | $62.34 |
Risk-free interest rates | 3.94% - 4.06% | | 3.94% | | 3.64% - 4.30% | | 3.94% |
Expected lives | 6 years | | 5 years | | 5-6 years | | 5 years |
Volatility | 18.54% | | 19.07% | | 18.09% -18.54% | | 19.07% |
Dividend yield | 4.22% - 4.24% | | 5.07% | | 4.22% - 5.13% | | 5.07% |
Accounting Changes
(A) Depreciation
Beginning in 2003, the Operating Partnership implemented an upgrade to its subsidiary ledger for accounting for fixed assets. The Operating Partnership completed this system upgrade in the first quarter of 2004. In conjunction with this system upgrade, the Operating Partnership determined that cumulative depreciation expense generated by consolidated or equity method rental properties was understated by approximately $2.1 million through December 31, 2003 and this amount was recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2004.
The Operating Partnership does not believe that the correction is material to any previously reported financial statements and is not material to any consolidated earnings trends.
(B) New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In June 2005, the FASB ratified the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) consensus on Issue No. 04-5 “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partner Have Certain Rights.”This consensus establishes the presumption that general partners in a limited partnership control that limited partnership regardless of the extent of the general partners’ ownership interest in the limited partnership. The consensus further establishes that the rights of the limited partners can overcome the presumption of control by the general partners, if the limited partners have either (a) the substantive ability to dissolve (liquidate) the limited partnership or otherwise remove the general partners without cause or (b) substantive participating rights. Whether the presumption of control is overcome is a matter of judgment based on the facts and circumstances, for which the consensus provides additional guidance. This consensus is currently applicable to the Operating Partnership for new or modified partnerships, and will otherwise be applicable to existing partnerships in 2006. This consensus applies to limited partnerships or similar entities, such as limited liability companies that have governing provisions that are the functional equivalent of a limited partnership. The Operating Partnership is currently evaluating the effect of this consensus on its consolidation policies.
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 revised, “Share-Based Payment”. This statement is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, and supersedes APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. The Statement requires companies to recognize in the income statement the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity based compensation issued to employees. This Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of this Statement on our future results of operations.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Non-monetary Assets an amendment of APB No. 29”. This Statement amends APB Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Non-monetary Transactions” to eliminate the exception for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of non-monetary assets that do not have commercial substance. That exception required that some non-monetary exchanges be recorded on a carryover basis versus this Statement, which requires that an entity record a non-monetary exchange at fair value and recognize any gain or loss if the transaction has commercial substance. This Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We do not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 153 will have a material impact on our financial position, net earnings or cash flows.
Reclassifications
Certain other reclassifications have been made to prior periods in order to conform them to the current period presentation. Such reclassifications have no impact on reported earnings, total assets or total liabilities.
(2) Significant Transactions for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005
(A) Acquisitions
On September 28, 2005, the Operating Partnership acquired Marbella Apartments, a 60-unit apartment community, located in Los Angeles, California, for approximately $13.6 million. The community is in proximity to other existing properties.
(B) Development Communities
The Operating Partnership defines development communities as new apartment properties that are being constructed or are newly constructed, which are in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations. As of September 30, 2005, the Operating Partnership had ownership interests in three
development communities (excluding development projects owned by the Essex Apartment Value Fund, L.P. described below), aggregating 505 multifamily units. The estimated total cost of the three development communities is $122.8 million with $98.8 million remaining to be expended.
| (C) | Redevelopment Communities |
The Operating Partnership defines redevelopment communities as existing properties owned or recently acquired, which have been targeted for investment by the Operating Partnership with the expectation of increased financial returns through property improvement. Redevelopment communities typically have some apartment units that are not available for rent and, as a result, may have less than stabilized operations. At September 30, 2005, the Operating Partnership had ownership interests in six redevelopment communities, aggregating 1,905 multifamily units with estimated redevelopment costs of $33.9 million, of which approximately $19.3 million remains to be expended.
(D) Debt
On July 14, 2005, the Operating Partnership obtained a non-recourse mortgage loan on previously unencumbered property in the aggregate amount of $40.3 million with a fixed interest rate of 4.935% for a 10-year term that matures on August 1, 2015.
(E) Equity
On September 21, 2005, the Operating Partnership declared a quarterly distribution of $0.48828 per share, which represents an annual distribution of $1.9531 per share on its 7.8125% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares. Distributions are or will be payable on December 1, 2005 to shareholders of record as of November 16, 2005.
On September 21, 2005, the Operating Partnership declared a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.81 per common unit, which was payable on October 15, 2005 to unitholders of record as of September 30, 2005. On an annualized basis, the distribution represents a distribution of $3.24 per common unit.
(F) | Interest and Other Income |
During 2005, the Operating Partnership received from the developer at The Essex at Lake Merritt property approximately $4.3 million and $6.1 million of participating interest for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.
| (G) | The Essex Apartment Value Fund ("Fund I") |
Fund I has sold all of its apartment communities, aggregating 4,646 units, which were provided for in the purchase and sale agreement with United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. (UDR) for the agreed upon contract price of approximately $756 million. The UDR sales included River Terrace, a newly developed 250-unit apartment community located in Santa Clara, California, which was sold on August 3, 2005 for approximately $63.0 million.
Subsequent to the quarter, Fund I sold its remaining asset Kelvin Avenue, a land parcel, which is permitted for the development of a 132-unit multifamily community, located in Irvine, California, for a contract price of $10.5 million. Fund I has guaranteed to refund $500,000 to the buyer, if necessary entitlements are not obtained pursuant to the requirements of the purchase and sale agreement.
(H) The Essex Apartment Value Fund II (“Fund II”)
On September 1, 2005, Fund II acquired Echo Ridge Apartments, a 120-unit apartment community, located in Snoqualmie, Washington, for approximately $17.9 million. Echo Ridge is comprised of 21, 2-story apartment buildings, within a 1,300-acre master planned community.
On September 30, 2005, Fund II acquired Morning Run Apartments, a 222-unit apartment community, located in Monroe, Washington, for approximately $19.75 million. Morning Run consists of 20, two- and three-story buildings, located on 11 acres.
The following table details the Operating Partnership's investments (dollars in thousands):
| | September 30, | | December 31, | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | |
Investments in joint ventures accounted for under the equity | | | | | |
method of accounting: | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Direct and indirect LLC member interests of approximately 49.9% | | | | | |
in Newport Beach South, LLC | | $ | - | | $ | 11,524 | |
Limited partnership interest of 20.4% and general partner | | | | | | | |
interest of 1% in Essex Apartment Value Fund, L.P (Fund I) | | | 2,570 | | | 14,140 | |
Limited partnership interest of 27.2% and general partner | | | | | | | |
interest of 1% in Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P (Fund II) | | | 17,761 | | | 17,242 | |
Preferred limited partnership interests in Mountain Vista | | | | | | | |
Apartments (A) | | | 6,806 | | | 6,806 | |
| | | 27,137 | | | 49,712 | |
Investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting: | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Series A Preferred Stock interest in Multifamily Technology | | | | | | | |
Solutions, Inc. | | | 500 | | | - | |
Total investments | | $ | 27,637 | | $ | 49,712 | |
(A) | The investment is held in an entity that includes an affiliate of The Marcus & Millichap Company (“TMMC”). TMMC’s Chairman is also the Chairman of the Operating Partnership. |
The combined summarized financial information of investments, which are accounted for under the equity method, are as follows (dollars in thousands).
| | | September 30, | | | December 31, | | | | | | |
| | | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | | | | |
Balance sheets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Real estate and real estate under development | $ | 292,400 | | $ | 322,233 | | | | | | |
Other assets | | | 22,941 | | | 36,709 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 315,341 | | $ | 358,942 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage notes payable | | $ | 185,841 | | $ | 203,171 | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | 42,982 | | | 21,276 | | | | | | |
Partners' capital | | | 86,518 | | | 134,495 | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and partners' capital | | $ | 315,341 | | $ | 358,942 | | | | | | |
Operating Partnership's share of capital | | $ | 27,137 | | $ | 49,712 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended |
| | | September 30, | | | September 30, |
| | | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 |
Statements of operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total property revenues | | $ | 12,458 | | $ | 15,502 | | $ | 26,314 | | $ | 48,856 |
Total gain on the sales of real estate | | | 5,889 | | | 91,089 | | | 38,897 | | | 91,089 |
Total expenses | | | 7,044 | | | 13,203 | | | 21,432 | | | 46,119 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net income | | $ | 11,303 | | $ | 93,388 | | $ | 43,779 | | $ | 93,826 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Partnership's share of net income | $ | 21 | | $ | 15,365 | | $ | 17,575 | | $ | 16,460 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(4) | Related Party Transactions |
Notes and other receivables from related parties as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
| | | September 30, | | | December 31, | |
| | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Related party receivables, unsecured: | | | | | | | |
Loans to officers made prior to July 31, 2002, secured, | | | | | | | |
bearing interest at 8%, due beginning April 2006 | | $ | 625 | | $ | 625 | |
Related party receivables, substantially due on demand | | | 577 | | | 810 | |
Total notes and other receivable from related parties | | $ | 1,202 | | $ | 1,435 | |
| | | | | | | |
Related party receivables consist primarily of accrued interest income on notes receivable from joint venture investees and loans to officers, and advances and accrued management fees from joint venture investees.
Management and other fees from affiliates includes property management, asset management, development and redevelopment fees from the Operating Partnership’s investees of $705,000 and $1,206,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $3,098,000 and $3,823,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and promote income from the Operating Partnership’s investees of $896,000 and $14,495,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $6,010,000 and $14,495,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The Operating Partnership defines its reportable operating segments as the three geographical regions in which its properties are located: Southern California, Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Excluded from segment revenues are properties outside of these regions, management and other fees from affiliates, and interest and other income. Non-segment revenues and net operating income included in the following schedule also consist of revenue generated from commercial properties, recreational vehicle parks, and manufactured housing communities. Other non-segment assets include investments, real estate under development, cash, notes receivable, other assets and deferred charges. The revenues, net operating income, and assets for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows for the periods presented (dollars in thousands).
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | |
Revenues: | | | | | |
Southern California | | $ | 48,171 | | $ | 43,607 | |
Northern California | | | 16,505 | | | 15,123 | |
Pacific Northwest | | | 14,491 | | | 12,310 | |
Other non-segment areas | | | 1,052 | | | 693 | |
Total property revenues | | $ | 80,219 | | $ | 71,733 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net operating income: | | | | | | | |
Southern California | | $ | 33,193 | | $ | 29,137 | |
Northern California | | | 11,032 | | | 9,991 | |
Pacific Northwest | | | 9,243 | | | 7,855 | |
Other non-segment areas | | | 93 | | | (176 | ) |
Total net operating income | | | 53,561 | | | 46,807 | |
| | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization: | | | | | | | |
Southern California | | | (10,619 | ) | | (9,724 | ) |
Northern California | | | (4,023 | ) | | (3,571 | ) |
Pacific Northwest | | | (3,708 | ) | | (3,193 | ) |
Other non-segment areas | | | (1,973 | ) | | (1,573 | ) |
| | | (20,323 | ) | | (18,061 | ) |
Interest expense: | | | | | | | |
Southern California | | | (7,750 | ) | | (6,911 | ) |
Northern California | | | (4,251 | ) | | (3,749 | ) |
Pacific Northwest | | | (1,964 | ) | | (1,572 | ) |
Other non-segment areas | | | (4,601 | ) | | (4,162 | ) |
| | | (18,566 | ) | | (16,394 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | (451 | ) | | (449 | ) |
General and administrative | | | (4,560 | ) | | (7,639 | ) |
Other expenses | | | (1,400 | ) | | - | |
Management and other fees from affiliates | | | 1,601 | | | 15,701 | |
Gain on sale of real estate | | | - | | | 7,909 | |
Interest and other income | | | 4,978 | | | 836 | |
Equity income in co-investments | | | 21 | | | 15,365 | |
Minority interests | | | (1,433 | ) | | (877 | ) |
Income tax provision | | | (1,185 | ) | | (122 | ) |
Income from continuing operations | | $ | 12,243 | | $ | 43,076 | |
| | | | | | | |
(5) Segment Information (continued)
| | Nine Months Ended |
| | | September 30, |
| | | 2005 | | | 2004 |
Revenues: | | | | | | |
Southern California | | $ | 139,869 | | $ | 122,558 |
Northern California | | | 49,286 | | | 45,767 |
Pacific Northwest | | | 42,733 | | | 36,697 |
Other non-segment areas | | | 2,963 | | | 1,969 |
Total property revenues | | $ | 234,851 | | $ | 206,991 |
| | | | | | |
Net operating income: | | | | | | |
Southern California | | $ | 95,209 | | $ | 82,111 |
Northern California | | | 33,370 | | | 30,782 |
Pacific Northwest | | | 27,503 | | | 23,498 |
Other non-segment areas | | | 1,054 | | | 285 |
Total net operating income | | | 157,136 | | | 136,676 |
| | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization: | | | | | | |
Southern California | | | (31,115) | | | (29,427) |
Northern California | | | (11,938) | | | (11,908) |
Pacific Northwest | | | (11,042) | | | (7,553) |
Other non-segment areas | | | (5,850) | | | (4,540) |
| | | (59,945) | | | (53,428) |
Interest expense: | | | | | | |
Southern California | | | (22,912) | | | (19,809) |
Northern California | | | (11,818) | | | (10,143) |
Pacific Northwest | | | (5,302) | | | (4,841) |
Other non-segment areas | | | (14,834) | | | (10,992) |
| | | (54,866) | | | (45,785) |
| | | | | | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | (1,490) | | | (1,179) |
General and administrative | | | (13,574) | | | (13,985) |
Other expenses | | | (2,900) | | | - |
Management and other fees from affiliates | | 9,108 | | | 18,318 |
Gain on sale of real estate | | | 6,391 | | | 7,909 |
Interest and other income | | | 7,932 | | | 2,095 |
Equity income in co-investments | | | 17,575 | | | 16,460 |
Minority interests | | | (4,174) | | | (2,526) |
Income tax provision | | | (2,386) | | | (208) |
Income from continuing operations | | $ | 58,807 | | $ | 64,347 |
| | | | | | |
| | | September 30, | | | December 31, |
| | | 2005 | | | 2004 |
Assets: | | | | | | |
Net real estate assets: | | | | | | |
Southern California | | $ | 1,292,846 | | $ | 1,162,803 |
Northern California | | | 397,880 | | | 458,199 |
Pacific Northwest | | | 375,508 | | | 358,219 |
Other non-segment areas | | | 42,565 | | | 62,321 |
Total net real estate assets | | | 2,108,799 | | | 2,041,542 |
Other non-segment assets | | | 137,526 | | | 175,675 |
Total assets | | $ | 2,246,325 | | $ | 2,217,217 |
| | | | | | |
(6) | Net Income Per Common Unit |
| (Amounts in thousands, except per unit data) |
| | | Three Months Ended | | | Three Months Ended |
| | | September 30, 2005 | | | September 30, 2004 |
| | | | | Weighted | | | Per | | | | | | Weighted | | | Per |
| | | | | Average | | | Common | | | | | | Average | | | Common |
| | | | | Common | | | Unit | | | | | | Common | | | Unit |
| | | Income | | Units | | | Amount | | | Income | | | Units | | | Amount |
Basic: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations available to common units | | $ | 9,196 | | 25,406 | | $ | 0.36 | | $ | 37,511 | | | 25,302 | | $ | 1.48 |
Income from discontinued operations | | | - | | 25,406 | | | - | | | 646 | | | 25,302 | | | 0.03 |
| | | 9,196 | | | | $ | 0.36 | | | 38,157 | | | | | $ | 1.51 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Effect of Dilutive Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock options (1) | | | -- | | 185 | | | | | | -- | | | 176 | | | |
Vested series Z incentive units | | | -- | | 120 | | | | | | -- | | | 90 | | | |
| | | - | | 305 | | | | | | - | | | 266 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations available to common units | | | 9,196 | | 25,711 | | $ | 0.36 | | | 37,511 | | | 25,568 | | $ | 1.47 |
Income from discontinued operations | | | - | | 25,711 | | | - | | | 646 | | | 25,568 | | | 0.02 |
| | $ | 9,196 | | | | $ | 0.36 | | $ | 38,157 | | | | | $ | 1.49 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Nine Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended |
| | | September 30, 2005 | | | September 30, 2004 |
| | | | | Weighted | | | Per | | | | | | Weighted | | | Per |
| | | | | Average | | | Common | | | | | | Average | | | Common |
| | | | | Common | | | Unit | | | | | | Common | | | Unit |
| | | Income | | Units | | | Amount | | | Income | | Units | | | Amount |
Basic: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations available to common units | | $ | 49,664 | | 25,382 | | $ | 1.96 | | $ | 49,693 | | | 25,212 | | $ | 1.97 |
Income from discontinued operations | | | 31,080 | | 25,382 | | | 1.22 | | | 984 | | | 25,212 | | | 0.04 |
| | | 80,744 | | | | $ | 3.18 | | | 50,677 | | | | | $ | 2.01 |
Effect of Dilutive Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock options (1) | | | -- | | 171 | | | | | | -- | | | 155 | | | |
Vested series Z incentive units | | | -- | | 119 | | | | | | -- | | | 78 | | | |
| | | - | | 290 | | | | | | - | | | 233 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations available to common units | | | 49,664 | | 25,672 | | $ | 1.94 | | | 49,693 | | | 25,445 | | $ | 1.95 |
Income from discontinued operations | | | 31,080 | | 25,672 | | | 1.21 | | | 984 | | | 25,445 | | | 0.04 |
| | $ | 80,744 | | | | $ | 3.15 | | $ | 50,677 | | | | | $ | 1.99 |
| | | | | | | | | | | . | | | | | | |
The Operating Partnership has the ability and intent to redeem Down REIT Limited Partnership units for cash and does not consider them to be common stock equivalents.
(1) 4,788 and 26,930 stock options are not included in the diluted earnings per common unit calculation for three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, because the exercise price of the option was greater than the average market price of the common unit for the quarter end and, therefore, the stock options were anti-dilutive.
(7) | Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities |
On February 16, 2005, the Operating Partnership entered into a $50.0 million notional forward-starting swap with a commercial bank at a fixed rate of 4.927% and a settlement date on or around October 1, 2007. This 10-year forward starting interest rate swap is used to hedge the cash flows associated with the forecasted issuance of debt expected to occur in 2007.
On August 18, 2005, the Operating Partnership entered into a $50.0 million notional forward-starting swap with a commercial bank at a fixed rate of 4.869% and a settlement date between January 1 and December 1, 2008. This 10-year forward starting interest rate swap is used to hedge the cash flows associated with the forecasted issuance of debt expected to occur in 2008.
These transactions are considered highly effective at offsetting changes in future cash flows for forecasted transactions and qualify for hedge accounting.
The Operating Partnership records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.
For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. The Operating Partnership assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. For derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.
The Operating Partnership’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks. To accomplish this objective, the Operating Partnership primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying principal amount.
At September 30, 2005, derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were recorded as a net derivative asset of $91,000 and were included in prepaid expenses and other assets. The net change in fair value of the derivative instruments for the nine months was a net unrealized gain of $91,000. Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are separately disclosed in the statement of changes in partners’ capital and accumulated other comprehensive income. No hedge ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges was recognized during 2005. The Operating Partnership did not have accumulated other comprehensive income in 2004.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Operating Partnership’s hedged debt. The Operating Partnership is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions over a maximum period of 39 months (excluding forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments).
(8) | Discontinued Operations |
In the normal course of business, the Operating Partnership will receive offers for sale of its properties, either solicited or unsolicited. For those offers that are accepted, the prospective buyer will usually require a due diligence period before consummation of the transaction. It is not unusual for matters to arise that result in the withdrawal or rejection of the offer during this process. The Operating Partnership classifies real estate as "held for sale" when all criteria under SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" (SFAS 144) have been met.
At June 30, 2004, Golden Village Recreational Vehicle Park, a property located in Hemet, California and acquired as part of the John M. Sachs merger in December 2002, met the "held for sale" criteria under SFAS 144. In accordance with SFAS 144, assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the property were presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2004. Upon reclassification as held for sale at June 30, 2004, the Operating Partnership presented Golden Village at its estimated fair value less disposal costs which resulted in an impairment charge of approximately $718,000. Such fair value was determined using the contractual sales price pursuant to the contract with the buyer of the property. On July 18, 2004, the Operating Partnership sold Golden Village for $6.7 million. No gain or loss was recognized on the sale.
In January 2005, the Operating Partnership sold four non-core assets that were acquired in conjunction with the John M. Sachs’s merger in 2002 for $14.9 million. The four non-core assets were: The Riviera Recreational Vehicle Park and a Manufactured Home Park, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, for which the Operating Partnership had previously entered into master lease and option agreements with an unrelated entity; and two small office buildings, located in San Diego California, aggregating 7,200 square feet. The Operating Partnership recorded a gain of $668,000 on the sale of these assets, net of minority interests. As of December 31, 2004 Riviera RV Resort and Riviera Mobile Home Park met the “held for sale” criteria under SFAS 144. In accordance with SFAS 144, assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the properties are presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
On June 21, 2005, the Operating Partnership sold Eastridge Apartments, a 188-unit apartment community located in San Ramon, California for a contract price of approximately $47.5 million. The Operating Partnership acquired Eastridge in 1996 for $19.2 million. In conjunction with the sale, the Operating Partnership deferred $2.2 million of the gain on the sale of Eastridge because an affiliate of the Operating Partnership originated a participating loan to the buyer in the amount of approximately $2.2 million, which allows the Operating Partnership to financially participate in the buyer’s condominium conversion plan. The Operating Partnership has recorded the operations and gain on sale of Eastridge Apartments as part of discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for all periods presented.
The components of discontinued operations are outlined below and include the results of operations for the respective periods that the Operating Partnership owned such assets, as described above.
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2005 | | 2004 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Rental revenues | | $ | - | | $ | 699 | | $ | 1,233 | | $ | 2,080 | |
Interest and other | | | - | | | (175 | ) | | 1,134 | | | 1,380 | |
Revenues | | | - | | | 524 | | | 2,367 | | | 3,460 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property operating expenses | | | - | | | (421 | ) | | (506 | ) | | (1,758 | ) |
Impairment charge | | | - | | | 543 | | | - | | | (718 | ) |
Operating income from real estate sold | | | - | | | 646 | | | 1,861 | | | 984 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on sale of real estate | | | - | | | - | | | 29,219 | | | - | |
Income from discontinued operations | | $ | - | | $ | 646 | | $ | 31,080 | | $ | 984 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(9) Commitments and Contingencies
In April 2004, an employee lawsuit was filed against the Company in the California Superior Court in the County of Alameda. In this lawsuit, two former Operating Partnership maintenance employees seek unpaid wages, associated penalties and attorneys’ fees on behalf of a putative class of the Operating Partnership’s current and former maintenance employees who were required to wear a pager while they were on call during evening and weekend hours. In June 2005, the Operating Partnership recorded $1.5 million for legal settlement costs. There has been no change to the settlement amount for the current quarter. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and such amount represents management’s best estimate of the total cost of the litigation at this time.
Recently there has been an increasing number of lawsuits against owners and managers of multifamily properties alleging personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in residential real estate. Some of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements. The Operating Partnership has been sued for mold related matters and has settled some, but not all, of such matters. Insurance carriers have reacted to mold related liability awards by excluding mold related claims from standard policies and pricing mold endorsements at prohibitively high rates. The Operating Partnership has, however, purchased pollution liability insurance, which includes coverage for mold. The Operating Partnership has adopted programs designed to manage the existence of mold in its properties as well as guidelines for promptly addressing and resolving reports of mold to minimize any impact mold might have on residents or the property. Liabilities resulting from such mold related matters and the costs of carrying insurance to address potential mold related claims may also be substantial.
The Operating Partnership is subject to various other lawsuits in the normal course of its business operations. Accordingly, such lawsuits, as well as the class action lawsuit described above, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
On October 28, 2005, the Operating Partnership closed on a $190 million exchangeable senior note offering with a coupon of 3.625%. Concurrent with the offering, the Operating Partnership acquired 286,073 shares of Essex’s common stock priced at $87.39. An additional $35 million aggregate principal amount of notes may be issued, at the option of the initial purchasers, within 30 days of the initial issuance of the notes. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Operating Partnership, and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Operating Partnership. The notes were sold, on an over-night basis, to 33 qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A.
Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying Notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and our Current Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts are in thousands.
Essex is a fully integrated Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), property revenues are generated primarily from multifamily property operations, which are located in three major West Coast regions:
Southern California (Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties)
Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area)
Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas)
The Operating Partnership’s consolidated multifamily properties are as follows:
| As of September 30, 2005 | | As of September 30, 2004 | |
| Number of Apartment Homes | % | Number of Apartment Homes | % |
Southern California | 12,784 | 54% | 11,669 | 52% |
Northern California | 4,621 | 20% | 4,411 | 20% |
Pacific Northwest | 5,831 | 25% | 5,457 | 25% |
Other | 302 | 1% | 578 | 3% |
Total | 23,538 | 100% | 22,115 | 100% |
Operating Results
With respect to stabilized multifamily properties with sufficient operating history, occupancy figures are based on financial occupancy, which is defined as the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental revenue by total possible rental revenue. Actual rental revenue represents contractual revenue pursuant to leases without considering delinquency and concessions. Total possible rental revenue represents the value of all apartment units, with occupied units valued at contractual rental rates pursuant to leases and vacant units valued at estimated market rents. We believe that financial occupancy is a meaningful measure of occupancy because it considers the value of each vacant unit at its estimated market rate. Financial occupancy may not completely reflect short-term trends in physical occupancy and financial occupancy rates as disclosed by other REITs may not be comparable to our calculation of financial occupancy.
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2004
Our average financial occupancies increased 1.2% to 97.3% as of September 30, 2005 from 96.1% as of September 30, 2004 for the multifamily Quarterly Same Store Properties. The regional breakdown for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
| | | Three months ended | |
| | | September 30, | |
| | | 2005 | | 2004 | |
Southern California | | | 97.2% | | 96.7% | |
Northern California | | | 97.3% | | 96.0% | |
Pacific Northwest | | | 97.3% | | 95.6% | |
Total Property Revenues increased 12% to $80.2 million in the third quarter of 2005 from $71.7 million in the third quarter of 2004. The following table illustrates a breakdown of these revenue amounts, including revenues attributable to the same store properties.
| | | | Three Months Ended | | | | | |
| | Number of | | September 30, | | Dollar | | Percentage | |
| | Properties | | 2005 | | 2004 | | Change | | Change | |
Revenues: | | | | (Dollars in thousands) | | | |
Property revenues - quarterly | | | | | | | | | | | |
Quarterly Same Store Properties | | | | | | | | | | | |
Southern California | | | 52 | | $ | 36,203 | | $ | 34,323 | | $ | 1,880 | | | 5.5 | % |
Northern California | | | 17 | | | 13,351 | | | 13,033 | | | 318 | | | 2.4 | |
Pacific Northwest | | | 25 | | | 12,084 | | | 11,675 | | | 409 | | | 3.5 | |
Total property revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Same Store Properties | | | 94 | | | 61,638 | | | 59,031 | | | 2,607 | | | 4.4 | |
Property revenues - quarterly | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Properties acquired subsequent to | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
June 30, 2004 (1) | | | | | | 18,581 | | | 12,702 | | | 5,879 | | | 46.3 | |
Total property revenues | | | | | $ | 80,219 | | $ | 71,733 | | $ | 8,486 | | | 11.8 | % |
(1) Also includes three office buildings, three recreational vehicle parks, one multifamily property located in Houston, Texas, one manufactured housing community, and redevelopment and development communities.
Quarterly Same Store Property Revenues increased by $2.6 million or 4.4% to $61.6 million in the third quarter of 2005 from $59.0 million in the third quarter of 2004. Quarterly Same Store Properties include those stabilized properties owned by the Operating Partnership during each of the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. The increase in third quarter 2005 was primarily attributable to an increase of rents of $1.8 million, and an increase in financial occupancy of 1.2% or $625,000.
Quarterly Non-Same Store Property Revenues increased by $5.9 million or 46.3% to $18.6 million in the third quarter of 2005 from $12.7 million in the third quarter of 2004. Quarterly Non-Same Store Properties include properties acquired subsequent to June 30, 2004, three office buildings, three recreational vehicle parks, one manufactured housing community, and development and redevelopment communities. The increase was primarily generated from communities acquired and or developed and increased rents from redeveloped properties. Subsequent to June 30, 2004, we acquired 4,726 units and completed the construction of 756 units.
Management and other fees from affiliates decreased by approximately $14.1 million in the quarter due primarily to the promote distributions from Fund I being reduced from $14.5 million in 2004 to $900,000 in 2005.
Total Expenses increased 7% to $72.0 million in the third quarter of 2005 from $67.5 million in the third quarter of 2004. The increase was due to depreciation and amortization, interest, and other expenses. Depreciation and amortization increased 13% to $20.3 million in the third quarter from $18.0 million in the third quarter of 2004 due to an increase in the number of owned properties. Total expenses were offset in the third quarter of 2005 by a reduction in general and administrative expense in the amount of $3.1 million as a result of a $4.0 million accrual in employee incentive compensation related to promote distributions from Fund I, recorded during the third quarter of 2004.
Interest expense increased by 13% in the third quarter of 2005 to $18.6 million, net of $136,000 in capitalized interest, compared to $16.4 million for the third quarter of 2004. The increase was mainly due to an increase in short term rates and paying down lines of credit with permanent financing in the third quarter.
Other expenses increased $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2005. As a result of the $6.1 million pretax gain realized in 2005 from the $5 million participating loan at The Essex at Lake Merritt, management has accrued $1.4 million incentive compensation expense to reward the key members of the management team that contributed to the success of this investment.
Gain on sale of real estate was $0 for the third quarter of 2005 compared to a gain of $7.9 million recorded in third quarter of 2004 related to the sale of The Essex at Lake Merritt.
Interest and other income increased to $5.0 million in the third quarter of 2005 compared to $836,000 in third quarter of 2004. During the third quarter of 2005, the Operating Partnership recorded interest income of $4.3 million relating to The Essex at Lake Merritt participating loan.
Equity income in co-investments decreased $15.3 million in the third quarter of 2005 due to the fact the Operating Partnership recorded $14.0 million in equity income related to the sale of Fund I properties during the third quarter of 2004.
Income tax provision increased by $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2005 to $1.2 million from $122,000 in the third quarter of 2004 due to taxable income related to The Essex at Lake Merritt participating loan and our other taxable REIT subsidiaries.
Discontinued operations were $646,000 for the third quarter of 2004 related to the Eastridge Property sold during the second quarter of 2005 and four assets sold during first quarter of 2005 that were non-core assets to the Operating Partnership. There were no assets held for sale during the three months ended September 30, 2005.
Operating Results
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
Our average financial occupancies increased 0.9% to 96.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from 95.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 for the multifamily Same Store Properties. The regional breakdown for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
| | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | | September 30, | |
| | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
Southern California | | | 96.6% | | | 95.9% | |
Northern California | | | 97.1% | | | 96.2% | |
Pacific Northwest | | | 97.0% | | | 95.5% | |
Total Property Revenues increased by $25.2 million or 13.5% to $234.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from $207.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The following table illustrates a breakdown of these revenue amounts, including revenues attributable to the Same Store Properties.
| | | | Nine Months Ended | | | | | | |
| Number of | | September 30, | | | Dollar | | Percentage | |
| Properties | | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | Change | | Change | |
Revenues: | | | | (Dollars in thousands) | | | |
Property revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Same Store Properties | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Southern California | 49 | | $ | 95,788 | | $ | 91,084 | | $ | 4,704 | | 5.2 | % |
Northern California | 16 | | | 37,777 | | | 37,517 | | | 260 | | 0.7 | |
Pacific Northwest | 25 | | | 35,712 | | | 34,773 | | | 939 | | 2.7 | |
Total property revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Same Store Properties | 90 | | | 169,277 | | | 163,374 | | | 5,903 | | 3.6 | |
Property revenues - properties | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
acquired subsequent to | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2003 (1) | | | | 65,574 | | | 43,617 | | | 21,957 | | 50.3 | |
Total property revenues | | | $ | 234,851 | | $ | 206,991 | | $ | 27,860 | | 13.5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) Also includes three office buildings, three recreational vehicle parks, one multifamily property located in Houston, Texas, one manufactured housing community, and redevelopment and development communities.
Same Store Property Revenues increased by $5.9 million or 3.6% to $169.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from $163.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Same Store Properties include those stabilized properties owned by the Operating Partnership during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable an increase in rents of 3.9% for Southern California of $3.7 million, an increase in occupancy of .9%, or $1.4 million, an increase in other property revenues of $415,000, and a decrease in concessions of $152,000.
Non Same Store Property Revenues increased by $22.0 million or 50.3% to $65.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from $43.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Non-Same Store Properties include properties acquired subsequent to December 31, 2003, three office buildings, three recreational vehicle parks, one manufactured housing community, and development and redevelopment communities. The increase was primarily generated from communities acquired and or developed and increased rents from redeveloped properties. Subsequent to December 31, 2003, we acquired 5,453 units and completed the construction of 756 units.
Management and other fees from affiliates decreased by approximately $9.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 due primarily to the promote distributions from Fund I being reduced from $14.5 million in 2004 to $6 million in 2005 as the Fund finishes its liquidation of assets. Development and redevelopment fees from Fund I decreased by $800,000 as the expenditures for the Fund's development asset decreased.
Total Expenses increased 14% to $210.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from $184.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The increase was mainly due to depreciation and amortization, interest expense, real estate taxes, and other expenses. Depreciation and amortization increased 12% to $59.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from $53.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, and real estate taxes increased $2.7 million during the nine months ended 2005 due to an increase in the number of owned properties.
Interest expense increased by 20% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $54.9 million, net of $647,000 of capitalized interest, as compared to $45.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The increase was primarily due to an increase in short term rates and paying down lines of credit with permanent financing in the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
Other expenses increased to $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 due to a provision of $1.5 million for a legal settlement recorded in the second quarter of 2005, see Item 1 in Part II - Other Information for additional information. As a result of the $6.1 million pretax gain realized in 2005 from the $5 million participating loan at The Essex at Lake Merritt, management has accrued $1.4 million incentive compensation expense to reward the key members of the management team that contributed to the success of this investment. There were no other expense items in the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
Gain on sale of real estate decreased by $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $6.4 million compared to $7.9 million recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. During 2005, Essex recognized $5.0 million in gains deferred on the sale of Essex at Lake Merritt and $1.4 million in gains related to additional real estate sales. The gain of $7.9 million was recorded in third quarter of 2004 and related to the sale of The Essex at Lake Merritt.
Interest and other income increased to $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The increase relates primarily to interest income of $4.3 million related to The Essex at Lake Merritt participating loan in 2005.
Equity income in co-investments increased $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as a result of the sale of Fund I properties during the first two quarters of 2005, and $575,000 in equity income related to earnings generated from Funds I and II and other joint ventures.
Income tax provision increased by $2.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to $208,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 due to taxable income related to our taxable REIT subsidiaries.
Discontinued operations increased by $30.1 million to $31.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from $984,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The increase was due mainly to a gain on sale of the Eastridge property during the second quarter of 2005, for $30.5 million net of minority interest offset by a deferred gain of $2.2 million relating to a participating loan with the buyer.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Standard and Poor's and Fitch ratings have existing issuer credit ratings of BBB/Stable for Essex Portfolio L.P.
We believe that cash flows generated by our operations, existing cash balances, availability under existing lines of credit, access to capital markets and the ability to generate cash gains from the disposition of real estate are sufficient to meet all of our reasonably anticipated cash needs during 2005. The timing, source and amounts of cash flows provided by financing activities and used in investing activities are sensitive to changes in interest rates and other fluctuations in the capital markets environment, which can affect our plans for acquisitions, dispositions, development and redevelopment activities.
The Operating Partnership had an $185,000,000 unsecured line of credit as of September 30, 2005, and $56,000,000 was outstanding with an average interest rate of approximately 4.4%. This facility matures in April 2007, with an option for a one-year extension. The underlying interest rate on this line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to our corporate ratings and is currently LIBOR plus 1.0%. We also have a $100 million credit facility from Freddie Mac, which is secured by six of the Operating Partnership's multifamily communities. As of September 30, 2005, we had
$94 million outstanding under this line of credit, which bears an average interest rate of 3.1 percent and matures in January 2009. The underlying interest rate on this line is between 55 and 59 basis points over the Freddie Mac Reference Rate. Fund II obtained a credit facility during the first quarter of 2005, aggregating $50,000,000, and during the second quarter of 2005 Fund II amended the credit facility increasing the facility to $115 million. This line bears interest at LIBOR plus 0.875%, and matures in June 30, 2007. At the end of the third quarter, we had the capacity to issue up to $219,455,250 in equity securities, and the Operating Partnership had the capacity to issue up to $250,000,000 of debt securities under our existing shelf registration statements. On July 14, 2005, the Operating Partnership originated a mortgage loan secured by the Esplanade Apartment property in the amount of $40.3 million, with an interest rate of 4.935%, which matures on August 1, 2015.
On October 28, 2005, the Operating Partnership closed on a $190 million exchangeable senior note offering with a coupon of 3.625%. Concurrent with the offering, the Company acquired 286,073 shares of Essex’s common stock priced at $87.39. An additional $35 million aggregate principal amount of notes may be issued, at the option of the initial purchasers, within 30 days of the initial issuance of the notes. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Operating Partnership, and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Operating Partnership. The notes were sold, on an over-night basis, to 33 qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A.
The notes are due on November 1, 2025. On or after November 1, 2020, and earlier upon the occurrence of specified events, the notes will be exchangeable at the option of the holder into cash and, in certain circumstances at the Operating Partnership’s option, shares of Essex’s common stock at an initial exchange rate of 9.6852 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (or an initial exchange price of approximately $103.25 per share). The initial exchange rate is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. After November 4, 2010, the Operating Partnership may redeem all or a portion of the notes at a redemption price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any).
Note holders may require the Operating Partnership to repurchase all or a portion of the notes at a purchase price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) on the notes on November 1, 2010, November 1, 2015 and November 1, 2020, or after the occurrence of a fundamental change.
Concurrent with or subsequent to the closing of the above mentioned $190 million exchangeable senior note offering, the Operating Partnership executed the following transactions with the use of proceeds from the senior note offering:
§ | Repaid $73.5 million in outstanding indebtedness under the unsecured line of credit; |
§ | Repaid $56.9 million in outstanding indebtedness under the credit facility from Freddie Mac; |
§ | Repaid $21.3 million on the outstanding mortgage loan for Park Hill apartments; |
§ | Repaid $8.1 million on the outstanding mortgage loan for Peregrine Point apartments. |
Concurrent with the closing of the above mentioned $190 million exchangeable senior note offering, the Company executed the following transaction with the use of proceeds from the senior note offering:
§ | Repurchased $25.0 million of Essex’s common stock. |
As of September 30, 2005, our mortgage notes payable totaled $1,164,504,000, which consisted of $969,602,000 in fixed rate debt with interest rates varying from 4.14% to 8.18% and maturity dates ranging from 2006 to 2026 and $194,902,000 of tax-exempt variable rate demand bonds with a weighted average interest rate of 3.7%. The tax-exempt variable rate demand bonds have maturity dates ranging from 2006 to 2034, and are subject to interest rate caps.
The Operating Partnership pays quarterly dividends from cash available for distribution. Until it is distributed, cash available for distribution is invested by the Operating Partnership primarily in short-term investment grade securities or is used by the Operating Partnership to reduce balances outstanding under its line of credit.
In an effort to hedge the cash flows associated with the forecasted issuance of debt expected to occur in 2007 and 2008, on February 16, 2005, the Operating Partnership entered into a $50.0 million notional forward-starting swap with a commercial bank at a fixed rate of 4.927%, with a settlement date on or around October 1, 2007. Additionally, on August 18, 2005, the Operating Partnership entered into a $50.0 million notional forward-starting swap with a commercial bank at a fixed rate of 4.869% and a settlement date between January 1 and December 1, 2008. We believe that these transactions will be effective in offsetting changes in future cash flows for forecasted transactions and qualify for hedge accounting.
There can be no assurance that the Operating Partnership will have access to the debt and equity markets in a timely fashion to meet such future funding requirements. Future working capital and borrowings under the lines of credit may not be available, or if available, may not be sufficient to meet the Operating Partnership's requirements, and we may not be able to sell properties in a timely manner and under terms and conditions that we deem acceptable.
Capital Expenditures
Non-revenue generating capital expenditures are costs associated with improvements and/or upgrades that extend the useful life of the property. These expenses do not include the improvement costs that are related to (a) improvements required as a condition to funding mortgage loans, (b) expenditures for acquisition properties' renovations and/or improvements, and (c) renovation expenditures required pursuant to redevelopment and other revenue generating capital improvements. It is expected that cash from operations and/or the Operating Partnership’s lines of credit will fund these expenditures. However, actual expenditures and/or funding for 2005 could be significantly different than our current expectations.
Development
We currently have three development projects in our pipeline, aggregating 505 units, with total incurred costs to-date of $34.8 million and estimated remaining costs of approximately $98.8 million. These consolidated development projects are:
· | Northwest Gateway, which is located in Los Angeles, California and will consist of 275 units. |
· | Moorpark, which is located in Ventura County, California and will consist of 200 units. |
· | Tracy, which is located in Tracy, California and will consist of 30 units. |
Redevelopment
Our redevelopment strategy strives to improve the financial and physical aspects of our redevelopment apartment communities and to target a 10 to 15 percent return on the incremental renovation investment. Many of the Operating Partnership’s properties are older and in excellent neighborhoods, providing lower density with large floor plans that represent attractive redevelopment opportunities. As of September 30, 2005, we had six communities, aggregating 1,905 units in various stages of redevelopment. Total redevelopment cost of these projects as of September 30, 2005 is approximately $33.9 million, of which $19.3 million remains to be expended.
Alternative Capital Sources
The Essex Apartment Value Fund II (“Fund II”), a value added discretionary fund, is utilized as the Operating Partnership’s investment vehicle (subject to certain exceptions) until October 31, 2006, or when Fund II’s committed capital has been invested, whichever occurs first. Fund II invests in multifamily properties in the Operating Partnership’s targeted West Coast markets with a focus on investment opportunities in the Seattle Metropolitan Area and the San Francisco Bay Area. Fund II announced its final closing on partner equity commitments on September 27, 2004. There are eight institutional investors including the Operating Partnership with combined partner equity commitments of $265.9 million. the Operating Partnership has committed $75.0 million, which represents a 28.2% interest as general partner and limited partner. Fund II expects to utilize leverage equal to approximately 65% of the estimated value of the underlying real estate. Consistent with Fund I, the Operating Partnership will record revenue for its asset management, property management, development and redevelopment services, and promote distributions should Fund II exceed certain financial return benchmarks.
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
In accordance FIN 46R, the Operating Partnership consolidates EMC, EFC, 17 Down REIT limited partnerships (comprising ten properties), an office building that is subject to loans made by the Operating Partnership, and the multifamily improvements owned by a third party in which the Operating Partnership owns the land underlying these improvements and from which the Operating Partnership receives fees, including land lease, subordination and property management fees, and a joint venture to develop a building in Los Angeles, California. The Operating Partnership consolidated these entities because it is deemed the primary beneficiary under FIN 46R. The Operating Partnership's total assets and liabilities related to these VIEs, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $232.2 million and $156.0 million, respectively, at September 30, 2005 and $238.1 million and $155.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2004.
Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Operating Partnership are allocated net income equal to the cash payments made to those interest holders for services rendered or distributions from cash flow. The remaining results of operations are generally allocated to the Operating Partnership.
Properties consolidated in accordance with FIN 46R were encumbered by third party, non-recourse loans totaling $150.3 million and $151.3 million as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
As of September 30, 2005 the Operating Partnership is involved with four VIEs, of which it is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary. Total assets and liabilities of these entities as of September 30, 2005 were approximately $97.8 million and $74.2 million, respectively. The Operating Partnership does not have a significant exposure to loss resulting from its involvement with these unconsolidated VIEs.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and other commitments as of September 30, 2005, and the effect these obligations could have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods:
| | | | 2006 and | | 2008 and | | | | | |
(In thousands) | | 2005 | | 2007 | | 2009 | | Thereafter | | Total | |
Mortgage notes payable | | $ | 6,480 | | $ | 152,643 | | $ | 210,044 | | $ | 795,337 | | $ | 1,164,504 | |
Lines of credit | | | - | | | 56,000 | | | 93,735 | | | - | | | 149,735 | |
Development commitments (1) | | | 4,500 | | | 94,300 | | | - | | | - | | | 98,800 | |
Redevelopment commitments (2) | | | 8,000 | | | 11,342 | | | - | | | - | | | 19,342 | |
Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
capital commitment (3) | | | 1,900 | | | 55,161 | | | - | | | - | | | 57,061 | |
| | $ | 20,880 | | $ | 369,446 | | $ | 303,779 | | $ | 795,337 | | $ | 1,489,442 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) $45,748 of these commitments relate to actual contracts as of September 30, 2005.
(2) $7,863 of these commitments relate to actual contracts as of September 30, 2005.
(3) | The Operating Partnership has a total commitment of $57,061, as of September 30, 2005. The amounts provided by year are management’s best estimate of the timing of the funding of such commitments. These estimates could change if the timing of Fund II’s acquisition of real estate changes |
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires the Operating Partnership to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We define critical accounting policies as those accounting policies that require our management to exercise their most difficult, subjective and complex judgments. Our critical accounting policies relate principally to the following key areas: (i) consolidation under applicable accounting standards of various entities; (ii) assessing the carrying values of our real estate properties and investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates;(iii) internal cost capitalization; (iiii) and qualification as a REIT. The Operating Partnership bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates made by management, and those estimates could be different under different assumptions and conditions.
The Operating Partnership’s critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially from information reported in Note 2, Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies, in the Operating Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In June 2005, the FASB ratified the EITF’s consensus on Issue No. 04-5 “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partner Have Certain Rights.”This consensus establishes the presumption that general partners in a limited partnership control that limited partnership regardless of the extent of the general partners’ ownership interest in the limited partnership. The consensus further establishes that the rights of the limited partners can overcome the presumption of control by the general partners, if the limited partners have either (a) the substantive ability to dissolve (liquidate) the limited partnership or otherwise remove the general partners without cause or (b) substantive participating rights. Whether the presumption of control is overcome is a matter of judgment based on the facts and circumstances, for which the consensus provides additional guidance. This consensus is currently applicable to the Operating Partnership for new or modified partnerships, and will otherwise be applicable to existing partnerships in 2006. This consensus applies to limited partnerships or similar entities, such as limited liability companies that have governing
provisions that are the functional equivalent of a limited partnership. The Operating Partnership is currently evaluating the effect of this consensus on its consolidation policies.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123, “Share-Based Payment, revised”. This statement is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, and supersedes APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. The Statement requires companies to recognize in the income statement the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity based compensation issued to employees. This Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of this Statement on our future results of operations.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Non-monetary Assets an amendment of APB No. 29”. This Statement amends APB Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Non-monetary Transactions” to eliminate the exception for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of non-monetary assets that do not have commercial substance. That exception required that some non-monetary exchanges be recorded on a carryover basis versus this Statement, which requires that an entity record a non-monetary exchange at fair value and recognize any gain or loss if the transaction has commercial substance. This Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We do not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 153 will have a material impact on our financial position, net earnings or cash flows.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q which are not historical facts may be considered forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the Operating Partnership's expectations, hopes, intentions, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. Forward looking statements include statements regarding the Operating Partnership's expectations as to the timing of completion of current development and redevelopment projects and the stabilization dates of such projects, expectation as to the total projected costs and rental rates of acquisition and development projects, beliefs as to the adequacy of future cash flows to meet operating requirements and to provide for dividend payments in accordance with REIT requirements, expectations as to the amount of capital expenditures, expectations as to the amount of non-revenue generating capital expenditures, future acquisitions, developments, and redevelopment, the Operating Partnership's anticipated development projects in 2005, the anticipated performance of the second Essex Apartment Value Fund ("Fund II"), the anticipated performance of existing properties, anticipated results from various geographic regions and the Operating Partnership's investment focus in such regions, statements regarding the Operating Partnership's financing activities and the use of proceeds from such activities.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to, that the Operating Partnership will fail to achieve its business objectives, that the actual completion of development projects will be subject to delays, that the stabilization dates of such projects will be delayed, that the total projected costs of current development projects will exceed expectations, that the Operating Partnership's 2005 development strategy will change, that such development projects will not be completed, that development projects and acquisitions will fail to meet expectations, that estimates of future income from an acquired property may prove to be inaccurate, that future cash flows will be inadequate to meet operating requirements and/or will be insufficient to provide for dividend payments in accordance with REIT requirements, that the actual non-revenue generating capital expenditures will exceed the Operating Partnership's current expectations, that the Operating Partnership's partners in Fund II fail to fund capital commitments as contractually required, that there may be a downturn in the markets in which the Operating Partnership's properties are located, that the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness, as well as those risks, special considerations, and other factors discussed under the caption "Potential Factors Affecting Future Operating Results" below and those discussed under the caption "Other Matters/Risk Factors" in Item 1 of the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and those other risk factors and special considerations set forth in the Operating Partnership's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Operating Partnership to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and the Operating Partnership assumes no obligation to update this information.
Potential Factors Affecting Future Operating Results
Many factors affect the Operating Partnership’s actual financial performance and may cause the Operating
Partnership’s future results to be different from past performance or trends. These factors include those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item I of the Operating Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the following:
Development and Redevelopment Activities
The Operating Partnership pursues multifamily residential properties and development and redevelopment projects from time to time. These projects generally require various government and other approvals, the receipt of which cannot be assured. The Operating Partnership's development and redevelopment activities generally entail certain risks, including the following:
• | | funds may be expended and management's time devoted to projects that may not be completed; |
• | | construction costs of a project may exceed original estimates possibly making the project economically unfeasible; |
• | | projects may be delayed due to, among other things, adverse weather conditions; |
• | | occupancy rates and rents at a completed project may be higher than anticipated |
• | | expenses at a completed development project may be higher than anticipated. |
These risks may reduce the funds available for distribution to the Operating Partnership's unitholders. Further, the development and redevelopment of properties is also subject to the general risks associated with real estate investments.
Interest Rate Fluctuations
The Operating Partnership monitors changes in interest rates and believes that it is well positioned from both a liquidity and interest rate risk perspective. However, current interest rates are at historic lows and potentially could increase rapidly to levels more in line with higher historical levels. The immediate effect of significant and rapid interest rate increases would result in higher interest expense on the Operating Partnership's variable interest rate debt. The effect of prolonged interest rate increases could negatively impact the Operating Partnership's ability to make acquisitions and develop properties at economic returns on investment and the Operating Partnership's ability to refinance existing borrowings at acceptable rates. During the third quarter of 2005, the Operating Partnership originated a mortgage loan totaling $40.3 million on one of its wholly-owned properties. The mortgage loan has a fixed interest rate of 4.935% and matures August 1, 2015. Subsequent to September 30, 2005, the Operating Partnership closed on a $190 million exchangeable senior note offering with a coupon of 3.625%. The notes are due on November 1, 2025.
Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Operating Partnership is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of its line of credit and long-term debt used to maintain liquidity and to fund capital expenditures and expansion of the Operating Partnership’s real estate investment portfolio and operations. The Operating Partnership’s interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs. To achieve its objectives the Operating Partnership borrows primarily at fixed rates and may enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps and treasury locks in order to mitigate its interest rate risk on a related financial instrument. The Operating Partnership does not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.
The Operating Partnership’s interest rate risk is monitored using a variety of techniques. The table below presents the principal amounts and weighted average interest rates by year of expected maturity to evaluate the expected cash flows. Management believes that the carrying amounts of its variable LIBOR debt approximates fair value as of September 30, 2005 because interest rates, yields and other terms for these instruments are consistent with yields and other terms currently available to the Operating Partnership for similar instruments.
The table incorporates only those exposures that exist as of September 30, 2005; it does not consider exposures or positions that could arise after that date. As a result, our ultimate realized gain or loss, with respect to interest rate fluctuations, would depend on the exposures that arise during the period, our hedging strategies at the time, and interest rates.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Estimated | |
For the Years Ended | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | Thereafter | | Total | | Fair value | |
Fixed rate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amount | | $ | 6,480 | | $ | 18,120 | | $ | 126,443 | | $ | 156,119 | | $ | 53,925 | | $ | 608,515 | | $ | 969,602 | | $ | 1,007,832 | |
Average interest rate | | | 6.5 | % | | 6.5 | % | | 6.5 | % | | 6.5 | % | | 6.5 | % | | 6.5 | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Variable rate debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amount | | $ | -- | | $ | 8,080 | | $ | 56,000 | | $ | -- | | $ | 93,735 | | $ | 186,822 | | $ | 344,637 | | $ | 344,637 | |
Average interest rate | | | -- | | | 3.7 | % | | 5.3 | % | | -- | | | 3.1 | % | | 3.7 | % | | | | | | |
On February 16, 2005, the Operating Partnership entered into a $50.0 million notional forward-starting swap with a commercial bank at a fixed rate of 4.927% and a settlement date on or around October 1, 2007. This 10-year forward starting interest rate swap is used to hedge the cash flows associated with the forecasted issuance of debt expected to occur in 2007.
On August 18, 2005, the Operating Partnership entered into a $50.0 million notional forward-starting swap with a commercial bank at a fixed rate of 4.869% and a settlement date between January 1 and December 1, 2008. This 10-year forward starting interest rate swap is used to hedge the cash flows associated with the forecasted issuance of debt expected to occur in 2008.
At September 30, 2005, these transactions are considered highly effective at offsetting changes in future cash flows for forecasted transactions and qualify for hedge accounting.
As of September 30, 2005, the Operating Partnership owns interest rate cap agreements, which expire at various dates through 2010 and which allow the Operating Partnership to be reimbursed in the event the interest rate on $138.9 million of its variable rate debt exceeds approximately 6.5%. Currently, the interest rate in effect on this debt is approximately 3.9%.
Item 4: Controls and Procedures
As of September 30, 2005, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting management to material information relating to the Operating Partnership that is required to be included in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There were no changes in the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting, that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2005, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
Part II -- Other Information
Item 1: Legal Proceedings
In April 2004, an employee lawsuit was filed against the Company in the California Superior Court in the County of Alameda. In this lawsuit, two former Operating Partnership maintenance employees seek unpaid wages, associated penalties and attorneys’ fees on behalf of a putative class of the Operating Partnership’s current and former maintenance employees who were required to wear a pager while they were on call during evening and weekend hours. In June 2005, the Operating Partnership recorded $1.5 million for legal settlement costs. There has been no change to the settlement amount for the current quarter. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and such amount represents management’s best estimate of the total cost of the litigation at this time.
Recently there has been an increasing number of lawsuits against owners and managers of multifamily properties
alleging personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in residential real estate. Some of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements. The Operating Partnership has been sued for mold related matters and has settled some, but not all, of such matters. Insurance carriers have reacted to mold related liability awards by excluding mold related claims from standard policies and pricing mold endorsements at prohibitively high rates. The Operating Partnership has, however, purchased pollution liability insurance, which includes coverage for mold. The Operating Partnership has adopted programs designed to manage the existence of mold in its properties as well as guidelines for promptly addressing and resolving reports of mold to minimize any impact mold might have on residents or the property. Liabilities resulting from such mold related matters and the costs of carrying insurance to address potential mold related claims may also be substantial.
The Operating Partnership is subject to various other lawsuits in the normal course of its business operations. Accordingly, such lawsuits, as well as the class action lawsuit described above, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
| 10.1 | Indenture, dated October 28, 2005, by and among Essex Property Trust, Inc., as Guarantor, Essex Portfolio, L.P., as the Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Operating Partnership’s current report on Form 8-K, filed November 2, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 31.1 | Certification of Keith R. Guericke, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 31.2 | Certification of Michael T. Dance, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 32.1 | Certification of Keith R. Guericke, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 32.2 | Certification of Michael T. Dance, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
__________
SIGNATURE
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.
| ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. |
| (Registrant) |
| |
| |
| Date: November 9, 2005 |
| |
| By: | By: /S/ MICHAEL T. DANCE |
| Michael T. Dance |
| Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer) |