Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation – The consolidated financial statements of the Company presented herein include all of the accounts of Sotherly Hotels Inc., the Operating Partnership, MHI TRS and subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership presented herein include all of the accounts of Sotherly Hotels LP, MHI TRS and subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. Additionally, all administrative expenses of the Company and those expenditures made by the Company on behalf of the Operating Partnership are reflected as the administrative expenses, expenditures and obligations thereto of the Operating Partnership, pursuant to the terms of the Partnership Agreement. Investment in Hotel Properties – Investments in hotel properties include investments in operating properties which are recorded at acquisition cost and allocated to land, property and equipment and identifiable intangible assets. Replacements and improvements are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Upon the sale or retirement of a fixed asset, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from our accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the statements of operations. Expenditures under a renovation project which constitute additions or improvements that extend the life of the property are capitalized. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 7 to 39 years for buildings and building improvements and 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the useful lives of the related assets. We review our investments in hotel properties for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the hotel properties may not be recoverable. Events or circumstances that may cause a review include, but are not limited to, adverse changes in the demand for lodging at the properties due to declining national or local economic conditions and/or new hotel construction in markets where the hotels are located. When such conditions exist, management performs an analysis to determine if the estimated undiscounted future cash flows from operations and the proceeds from the ultimate disposition of a hotel property exceed its carrying value. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are found to be less than the carrying amount of the asset, an adjustment to reduce the carrying amount to the related hotel property’s estimated fair market value would be recorded and an impairment loss recognized. At December 31, 2015, our review of possible impairment at one of our hotel properties revealed an excess of current carrying cost over the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, which was triggered by a combination of a change in anticipated use and future branding of the property and a re-evaluation of future revenues based on anticipated market conditions, market penetration and costs necessary to achieve such market penetration, resulting in an impairment of approximately $0.5 million. Assets Held For Sale – We record assets as held for sale when management has committed to a plan to sell the assets, actively seeks a buyer for the assets, and the consummation of the sale is considered probable and is expected within one year. Cash and Cash Equivalents – We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Concentration of Credit Risk – We hold cash accounts at several institutions in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) protection limits of $250,000. Our exposure to credit loss in the event of the failure of these institutions is represented by the difference between the FDIC protection limit and the total amounts on deposit. Management monitors, on a regular basis, the financial condition of the financial institutions along with the balances there on deposit to minimize our potential risk. Restricted Cash – Restricted cash includes real estate tax escrows, insurance escrows and reserves for replacements of furniture, fixtures and equipment pursuant to certain requirements in our various mortgage agreements. Accounts Receivable – Accounts receivable consists primarily of hotel guest and banqueting receivables. Ongoing evaluations of collectability are performed and an allowance for potential credit losses is provided against the portion of accounts receivable that is estimated to be uncollectible. Inventories – Inventories, consisting primarily of food and beverages, are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on a method that approximates first-in, first-out basis. Franchise License Fees – Fees expended to obtain or renew a franchise license are amortized over the life of the license or renewal. The unamortized franchise fees as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $399,694 and $339,542, respectively. Amortization expense for the three month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 totaled $15,331 and $40,572, respectively, and for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 totaled $45,593 and $68,972, respectively. Deferred Financing and Offering Costs – Deferred financing costs are recorded at cost and consist of loan fees and other costs incurred in issuing debt and are reflected in mortgage loans, net on the consolidated balance sheets. Deferred offering costs are recorded at cost and consist of offering fees and other costs incurred in issuing equity and are reflected in prepaid expenses, inventory and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of deferred financing costs is computed using a method that approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related debt and is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Amortization of deferred offering costs occurs when the common equity offering is complete, whereby the costs are offset against the equity funds raised in the future and included in additional paid in capital on the consolidated balance sheets, or if the offering expires and the offering costs exceed the funds raised in the offering then the excess will be included in corporate general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Derivative Instruments – Our derivative instruments are reflected as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. Derivative instruments 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 an interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivative instruments used to hedge exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. For a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, the change in fair value each period is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity and partners’ capital to the extent the hedge is effective. For a derivative instrument designated as a fair value hedge, the change in fair value each period is reported in earnings along with the change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. For a derivative instrument that does not qualify for hedge accounting or is not designated as a hedge, the change in fair value each period is reported in earnings. We use derivative instruments to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest-rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we primarily are using an interest rate cap which acts as a cash flow hedge. We value our interest-rate cap at fair value, which we define as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We also have used derivative instruments in the Company’s stock to obtain more favorable terms on our financing. We do not enter into contracts to purchase or sell derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes. Fair Value Measurements – We classify the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy: Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. We endeavor to utilize the best available information in measuring fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following table represents our investment in hotel property, net, interest rate cap, mortgage loans and unsecured notes measured at fair value and the basis for that measurement: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2015 Investment in hotel property, net (1) $ — $ — $ 5,700,000 Interest Rate Cap (4) $ — $ 70,981 $ — Mortgage loans (2) $ — $ (272,933,327 ) $ — Unsecured notes (3) $ (54,238,600 ) $ — $ — September 30, 2016 Interest Rate Cap (4) $ — $ 4,414 $ — Mortgage loans (2) $ — $ (272,807,569 ) $ — Unsecured notes (3) $ (26,210,800 ) $ — $ — (1) A non-recurring fair value measurement was conducted in 2015 for our investment in hotel property, which resulted in impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2015, which represent the amount by which the carrying value of the asset group exceeded its fair value. (2) Mortgage loans are reflected at outstanding principal balance net of deferred financing costs on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. (3) Unsecured notes are recorded at outstanding principal balance net of deferred financing costs on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. (4) Interest rate cap for our loan on DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront, which caps the 1-month LIBOR rate at 2.5%. Noncontrolling Interest in Operating Partnership – Certain hotel properties have been acquired, in part, by the Operating Partnership through the issuance of limited partnership units of the Operating Partnership. The noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership is: (i) increased or decreased by the limited partners’ pro-rata share of the Operating Partnership’s net income or net loss, respectively; (ii) decreased by distributions; (iii) decreased by redemption of partnership units for the Company’s common stock; and (iv) adjusted to equal the net equity of the Operating Partnership multiplied by the limited partners’ ownership percentage immediately after each issuance of units of the Operating Partnership and/or the Company’s common stock through an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. Net income or net loss is allocated to the noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership based on the weighted average percentage ownership throughout the period. Revenue Recognition – Revenues from operations of the hotels are recognized when the services are provided. Revenues consist of room sales, food and beverage sales, and other hotel department revenues, such as telephone, parking, gift shop sales and rentals from restaurant tenants, rooftop leases and gift shop operators. Revenues are reported net of occupancy and other taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities. Lease Revenue – Several of our properties generate revenue from leasing commercial space adjacent to the hotel, the restaurant space within the hotel, apartment units and space on the roofs of our hotels for antennas and satellite dishes. We account for the lease income as revenue from other operating departments within the statement of operations pursuant to the terms of each lease. Lease revenue was approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and approximately $1.3 million and $1.4 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. A schedule of minimum future lease payments receivable for the remaining lease periods is as follows: Remaining three months ending December 31, 2016 $ 361,177 December 31, 2017 938,414 December 31, 2018 427,180 December 31, 2019 310,505 December 31, 2020 270,774 December 31, 2021 and thereafter 1,252,315 Total $ 3,560,365 Income Taxes – The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax. MHI TRS, our wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary which leases our hotels from subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership, is subject to federal and state income taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had no uncertain tax positions. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of September 30, 2016, the tax years that remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions to which the Company is subject generally include 2010 through 2015. In addition, as of September 30, 2016, the tax years that remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions to which MHI TRS is subject generally include 2004 through 2015. The Operating Partnership is generally not subject to federal and state income taxes as the unit holders of the Partnership are subject to tax on their respective shares of the Partnership’s taxable income. Stock-based Compensation – The Company’s 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) and its 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), which the Company’s stockholders approved in April 2013, permit the grant of stock options, restricted stock and performance share compensation awards to its employees for up to 350,000 and 750,000 shares of common stock, respectively. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its employees with those of its stockholders. Under the 2004 Plan, the Company has made restricted stock and deferred stock awards totaling 337,438 shares including 255,938 shares issued to certain executives and employees and 81,500 restricted shares issued to its independent directors. Of the 255,938 shares issued to certain of our executives and employees, all have vested except 12,000 shares issued to the Chief Financial Officer upon execution of his employment contract which will vest pro rata on each of the next two anniversaries of the effective date of his employment agreement. All of the 81,500 restricted shares issued to the Company’s independent directors have vested. The 2004 Plan was terminated in 2013. Under the 2013 Plan, the Company has made stock awards totaling 109,100 shares, including 72,350 non-restricted shares to certain executives and employees and 35,500 restricted shares issued to its independent directors. All awards have vested except for 12,000 shares issued to the Company’s independent directors in January 2016, which will vest on December 31, 2016. Previously, under the 2004 Plan, and currently, under the 2013 Plan, the Company may issue a variety of performance-based stock awards, including nonqualified stock options. The value of the awards is charged to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting or service period based on the value of the award as determined by the Company’s stock price on the date of grant or issuance. As of September 30, 2016, no performance-based stock awards have been granted. Consequently, stock-based compensation as determined under the fair-value method would be the same under the intrinsic-value method. Total compensation cost recognized under the 2004 and 2013 Plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $206,703 and $276,016, respectively. Advertising – Advertising costs were $138,017 and $69,006 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and were $333,076 and $178,661 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Comprehensive Income – Comprehensive income as defined, includes all changes in equity during a period from non-owner sources. We do not have any items of comprehensive income other than net income. Segment Information – We have determined that our business is conducted in one reportable segment: hotel ownership. Use of Estimates – The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassifications – Certain reclassifications in the amount of $4.1 million, from deferred financing costs, net in total assets on the consolidating balance sheet, have been netted against mortgage loans and unsecured debt on the December 31, 2015 balances to conform to the current period presentation. This presentation applies Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, “ “ Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” Loss on early debt extinguishments in the amount of $698,083 has been reclassified from amortization of deferred financing costs on the consolidated statements of cash flows as of September 30, 2015 to conform to the current period presentation. New Accounting Pronouncements – In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, . Current GAAP either is unclear or does not include specific guidance on the eight cash flow classification issues included in the amendments in this update. The amendments are an improvement to GAAP because they provide guidance for each of the eight issues, thereby reducing the current and potential future diversity in practice. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application of this ASU is permitted for all entities. We are currently assessing the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on the statements of cash flows. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 related to Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02 related to ASC Topic 810, Consolidation |