APARTMENT INVESTMENT & MANAGEMENT CO - Annual Report: 2010 (Form 10-K)

 

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

Form 10-K

 

 

Commission File Number 1-13232

Apartment Investment and Management Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 757-8101

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: none

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $2.2 billion as of June 30, 2010. As of February 22, 2011, there were 118,131,892 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding.

 

 

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be issued in conjunction with the registrant’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held April 26, 2011, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report.

 

 

APARTMENT INVESTMENT AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements in certain circumstances. Certain information included in this Annual Report contains or may contain information that is forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding our ability to maintain current or meet projected occupancy, rental rates and property operating results and the effect of acquisitions and redevelopments. Actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements and, in addition, will be affected by a variety of risks and factors, some of which are beyond our control, including, without limitation: financing risks, including the availability and cost of financing and the risk that our cash flows from operations may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest; earnings may not be sufficient to maintain compliance with debt covenants; real estate risks, including fluctuations in real estate values and the general economic climate in the markets in which we operate and competition for residents in such markets; national and local economic conditions, including the pace of job growth and the level of unemployment; the terms of governmental regulations that affect us and interpretations of those regulations; the competitive environment in which we operate; the timing of acquisitions and dispositions; insurance risk, including the cost of insurance; natural disasters and severe weather such as hurricanes; litigation, including costs associated with prosecuting or defending claims and any adverse outcomes; energy costs; and possible environmental liabilities, including costs, fines or penalties that may be incurred due to necessary remediation of contamination of properties presently owned or previously owned by us. In addition, our current and continuing qualification as a real estate investment trust involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and depends on our ability to meet the various requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, through actual operating results, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership. Readers should carefully review our financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as the section entitled “Risk Factors” described in Item 1A of this Annual Report and the other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

The Company

 

Apartment Investment and Management Company, or Aimco, is a Maryland corporation incorporated on January 10, 1994. We are a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT. Our principal financial objective is to provide predictable and attractive returns to our stockholders. Our business plan to achieve this objective is described in the Business Overview section.

 

Through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, AIMCO-GP, Inc. and AIMCO-LP Trust, we own a majority of the ownership interests in AIMCO Properties, L.P., which we refer to as the Aimco Operating Partnership. As of December 31, 2010, we held an interest of approximately 93% in the common partnership units and equivalents of the Aimco Operating Partnership. We conduct substantially all of our business and own substantially all of our assets through the Aimco Operating Partnership. Interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership that are held by limited partners other than Aimco are referred to as “OP Units.” OP Units include common partnership units, high performance partnership units and partnership preferred units, which we refer to as common OP Units, High Performance Units and preferred OP Units, respectively. At December 31, 2010, 117,642,872 shares of our Common Stock were outstanding and the Aimco Operating Partnership had 8,470,013 common partnership units and equivalents outstanding for a combined total of 126,112,885 shares of Common Stock, common partnership units and equivalents outstanding.

 

Since our initial public offering in July 1994, we have completed numerous transactions, including purchases of properties and interests in entities that own or manage properties, expanding our portfolio of owned or managed properties from 132 properties with 29,343 apartment units to a peak of over 2,100 properties with 379,000 apartment units. As of December 31, 2010, our portfolio of owned and/or managed properties consists of 768 properties with 122,694 apartment units.

Except as the context otherwise requires, “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” refer to Aimco, the Aimco Operating Partnership and their consolidated entities, collectively. As used herein, and except where the context otherwise requires, “partnership” refers to a limited partnership or a limited liability company and “partner” refers to a limited partner in a limited partnership or a member in a limited liability company.

 

Business Overview

 

Our principal financial objective is to provide predictable and attractive returns to our stockholders. Our business plan to achieve this objective is to:

 

 

Our business is organized around two core activities: Property Operations and Portfolio Management. We continue to simplify our business, including de-emphasizing transactional based activity fees and a corresponding reduction in personnel involved in those activities. Our core activities, along with our financial strategy, are described in more detail below.

 

Property Operations

 

Our owned real estate portfolio is comprised of two business components: conventional and affordable property operations, which also comprise our reportable segments. Our conventional property operations consist of market-rate apartments with rents paid by the resident and included 219 properties with 68,972 units as of December 31, 2010. Our affordable property operations consist of apartments with rents that are generally paid, in whole or part, by a government agency and consisted of 228 properties with 26,540 units as of December 31, 2010. Affordable properties tend to have relatively more stable rents and higher occupancy due to government rent payments and thus are much less affected by market fluctuations. Our conventional and affordable properties generated 87% and 13%, respectively, of our proportionate property net operating income (as defined in Item 7) during the year ended December 31, 2010. For the three months ended December 31, 2010, our conventional portfolio monthly rents averaged $1,052 and provided 62% operating margins. These average rents increased about 1% from average rents of $1,042 for the three months ended December 31, 2009.

 

Our property operations currently are organized into five geographic areas. To manage our nationwide portfolio more efficiently and to increase the benefits from our local management expertise, we have given direct responsibility for operations within each area to an area operations leader with regular senior management reviews. To enable the area operations leaders to focus on sales and service, as well as to improve financial control and budgeting, we have dedicated an area financial officer to support each area operations leader, and with the exception of routine maintenance, our specialized Construction Services group manages all on-site capital spending, thus reducing the need for the area operations leaders to spend time on oversight of construction projects.

 

We seek to improve our oversight of property operations by: upgrading systems; standardizing business processes, operational measurements and internal reporting; and enhancing financial controls over field operations. Our objectives are to focus on the areas discussed below:

 

 

 

Portfolio Management

 

Portfolio Management involves the ongoing allocation of investment capital to meet our geographic and product type goals. We target geographic balance in Aimco’s diversified portfolio in order to optimize risk-adjusted returns and to avoid the risk of undue concentration in any particular market. We also seek to balance the portfolio by product type, with both high quality properties in excellent locations and also high land value properties that support redevelopment activities.

 

Our geographic allocation strategy focuses on the 20 largest markets in the United States (as measured by total apartment value) to reduce volatility in and our dependence on particular areas of the country. We believe these markets are deep, relatively liquid and possess desirable long-term growth characteristics. They are primarily coastal markets, and also include a number of Sun Belt cities and Chicago, Illinois. We may also invest in other markets on an opportunistic basis. We expect that increased geographic focus will also add to our investment knowledge and increase operating efficiencies based on local economies of scale.

 

Our portfolio strategy also focuses on asset type and quality. Our target allocation of capital to conventional and affordable properties is 90% and 10%, respectively, of our Net Asset Value, which is the estimated fair value of our assets, net of liabilities and preferred equity. For conventional assets, we focus on the ownership of primarily B/B+ assets. We measure conventional property asset quality based on average rents compared to local market

average rents as reported by a third-party provider of commercial real estate performance and analysis, with A-quality assets earning rents greater than 125% of local market average, B-quality assets earning rents 90% to 125% of local market average and C-quality assets earning rents less than 90% of local market average.

 

Portfolio management involves strategic portfolio and capital allocation decisions such as transactions to buy or sell properties, or modify our ownership interest in properties, including the use of partnerships and joint ventures, or to increase our investment in existing properties through redevelopment. We generally seek to sell assets with lower projected returns, which are often in markets less desirable than our target markets, and reinvest those proceeds through the purchase of new assets or additional investment in existing assets in our portfolio. The purpose of these transactions is to adjust our investments to reflect decisions regarding target allocations to geographic markets and between conventional and affordable properties.

 

We believe redevelopment of certain properties in superior locations provides advantages over ground-up development, enabling us to generate rents comparable to new properties with lower financial risk, in less time and with reduced delays associated with governmental permits and authorizations. We believe redevelopment also provides superior risk adjusted returns with lower volatility compared to ground-up development. Redevelopment work may also include seeking entitlements from local governments, which enhance the value of our existing portfolio by increasing density, that is, the right to add residential units to a site. We have historically undertaken a range of redevelopment projects: from those in which a substantial number of all available units are vacated for significant renovations to the property, to those in which there is significant renovation, such as exteriors, common areas or unit improvements, typically done upon lease expirations without the need to vacate units on any wholesale or substantial basis. We have a specialized Redevelopment and Construction Services group to oversee these projects.

 

During 2010, we increased our allocation of capital to our target markets by disposing of 24 conventional properties located primarily outside of our target markets or in less desirable locations within our target markets and by investing $26.4 million in redevelopment of conventional properties included in continuing operations. As of December 31, 2010, our conventional portfolio included 219 properties with 68,972 units in 38 markets. As of December 31, 2010, conventional properties comprised 88% of our Net Asset Value and conventional properties in our target markets comprised 88% of the Net Asset Value attributable to our conventional properties. Our top five markets by net operating income contribution include the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

During 2010, we invested $3.1 million in redevelopment of affordable properties included in continuing operations, funded primarily by proceeds from the sale of tax credits to institutional partners. As with conventional properties, we also seek to dispose of affordable properties that are inconsistent with our long-term investment and operating strategies. During 2010, we sold 27 properties from our affordable portfolio. As of December 31, 2010, our affordable portfolio included 228 properties with 26,540 units and our affordable properties comprised 12% of our Net Asset Value.

 

Financial Strategy

 

Our leverage strategy seeks to balance increasing financial returns with the risks inherent with leverage. At December 31, 2010, approximately 86% of our leverage consisted of property-level, non-recourse, long-dated, fixed-rate, amortizing debt and 13% consisted of perpetual preferred equity, a combination which helps to limit our refunding and re-pricing risk. At December 31, 2010, we had no outstanding corporate level debt. Our leverage strategy limits refunding risk on our property-level debt. At December 31, 2010, the weighted average maturity of our property-level debt was 7.8 years, with 2% of our debt maturing in 2011, less than 9% maturing in 2012, and on average approximately 7% maturing in each of 2013, 2014 and 2015. Long duration, fixed-rate liabilities provide a hedge against increases in interest rates and inflation. Approximately 91% of our property-level debt is fixed-rate. Of the $104.9 million of property debt maturing during 2011, we completed the refinance of $79.4 million in February 2011, and we are focusing on refinancing our property debt maturing during 2012 through 2015 to extend maturities and lock in current low interest rates.

 

During 2010, we repaid the remaining $90.0 million on our term loan. We also expanded our credit facility from $180.0 million to $300.0 million, providing additional liquidity for short-term or unexpected cash

requirements. As of December 31, 2010, we had the capacity to borrow $260.3 million pursuant to our credit facility (after giving effect to $39.7 million outstanding for undrawn letters of credit). The revolving credit facility matures May 1, 2013, and may be extended for an additional year, subject to certain conditions.

 

Competition

 

In attracting and retaining residents to occupy our properties we compete with numerous other housing alternatives. Our properties compete directly with other rental apartments as well as condominiums and single-family homes that are available for rent or purchase in the markets in which our properties are located. Principal factors of competition include rent or price charged, attractiveness of the location and property and quality and breadth of services. The number of competitive properties relative to demand in a particular area has a material effect on our ability to lease apartment units at our properties and on the rents we charge. In certain markets there exists an oversupply of single family homes and condominiums and a reduction of households, both of which affect the pricing and occupancy of our rental apartments.

 

We also compete with other real estate investors, including other apartment REITs, pension and investment funds, partnerships and investment companies in acquiring, redeveloping, managing, obtaining financing for and disposing of apartment properties. This competition affects our ability to: acquire properties we want to add to our portfolio and the price that we pay in such acquisitions; finance or refinance properties in our portfolio and the cost of such financing; and dispose of properties we no longer desire to retain in our portfolio and the timing and price for which we dispose of such properties.

 

Taxation

 

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1994, and intend to continue to operate in such a manner. Our current and continuing qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to meet the various requirements imposed by the Code, which relate to organizational structure, distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership and certain restrictions with regard to owned assets and categories of income. If we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to United States Federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” (at the corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from an investment in a corporation.

 

Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may be subject to United States Federal income and excise taxes in various situations, such as on our undistributed income. We also will be required to pay a 100% tax on any net income on non-arm’s length transactions between us and a TRS (described below) and on any net income from sales of property that was property held for sale to customers in the ordinary course. We and our stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which we transact business or our stockholders reside. In addition, we could also be subject to the alternative minimum tax, or AMT, on our items of tax preference. The state and local tax laws may not conform to the United States Federal income tax treatment. Any taxes imposed on us reduce our operating cash flow and net income.

 

Certain of our operations or a portion thereof, including property management, asset management and risk management are conducted through taxable REIT subsidiaries, each of which we refer to as a TRS. A TRS is a C-corporation that has not elected REIT status and, as such, is subject to United States Federal corporate income tax. We use TRS entities to facilitate our ability to offer certain services and activities to our residents and investment partners that cannot be offered directly by a REIT. We also use TRS entities to hold investments in certain properties.

 

The recently enacted Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 extends the 2001 and 2003 tax rates for taxpayers that are taxable as individuals, trusts and estates through 2012, including the maximum 35% tax rate on ordinary income and the maximum 15% tax rate for long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income. Dividends paid by REITs will generally not constitute qualified dividend income eligible for the 15% tax rate for stockholders that are taxable as individuals, trusts and estates and will generally be taxable at the higher ordinary income tax rates.

Regulation

 

General

 

Apartment properties and their owners are subject to various laws, ordinances and regulations, including those related to real estate broker licensing and regulations relating to recreational facilities such as swimming pools, activity centers and other common areas. Changes in laws increasing the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on properties or increasing the restrictions on discharges or other conditions, as well as changes in laws affecting development, construction and safety requirements, may result in significant unanticipated expenditures, which would adversely affect our net income and cash flows from operating activities. In addition, future enactment of rent control or rent stabilization laws, such as legislation that has been considered in New York, or other laws regulating multifamily housing may reduce rental revenue or increase operating costs in particular markets.

 

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

 

In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Act, was signed into federal law. The provisions of the Act include new regulations for over-the-counter derivatives and substantially increased regulation and risk of liability for credit rating agencies, all of which could increase our cost of capital. The Act also includes provisions concerning corporate governance and executive compensation which, among other things, require additional executive compensation disclosures and enhanced independence requirements for board compensation committees and related advisors, as well as provide explicit authority for the Securities and Exchange Commission to adopt proxy access, all of which could result in additional expenses in order to maintain compliance. The Act is wide-ranging, and the provisions are broad with significant discretion given to the many and varied agencies tasked with adopting and implementing the Act. The majority of the provisions of the Act do not go into effect immediately and may be adopted and implemented over many months or years. As such, we cannot predict the full impact of the Act on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Environmental

 

Various Federal, state and local laws subject property owners or operators to liability for management, and the costs of removal or remediation, of certain potentially hazardous materials present on a property. These materials may include lead-based paint, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, and petroleum-based fuels, among other miscellaneous materials. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release or presence of such materials. In connection with the ownership, operation and management of properties, we could potentially be liable for environmental liabilities or costs associated with our properties or properties we acquire or manage in the future. These and other risks related to environmental matters are described in more detail in Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”

 

Insurance

 

Our primary lines of insurance coverage are property, general liability, and workers’ compensation. We believe that our insurance coverages adequately insure our properties against the risk of loss attributable to fire, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, terrorism and other perils, and adequately insure us against other risk. Our coverage includes deductibles, retentions and limits that are customary in the industry. We have established loss prevention, loss mitigation, claims handling and litigation management procedures to manage our exposure.

 

Employees

 

At December 31, 2010, we had approximately 3,100 employees, of which approximately 2,400 were at the property level, performing various on-site functions, with the balance managing corporate and area operations, including investment and debt transactions, legal, financial reporting, accounting, information systems, human resources and other support functions. As of December 31, 2010, unions represented 103 of our employees. We have never experienced a work stoppage and believe we maintain satisfactory relations with our employees.

Available Information

 

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to any of those reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable through our website at www.aimco.com. The information contained on our website is not incorporated into this Annual Report. Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AIV.” In 2010, our chief executive officer submitted his annual corporate governance listing standards certification to the New York Stock Exchange, which certification was unqualified.

 

 

The risk factors noted in this section and other factors noted throughout this Annual Report, describe certain risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

 

Our existing and future debt financing could render us unable to operate, result in foreclosure on our properties, prevent us from making distributions on our equity or otherwise adversely affect our liquidity.

 

We are subject to the risk that our cash flow from operations will be insufficient to make required payments of principal and interest, and the risk that existing indebtedness may not be refinanced or that the terms of any refinancing will not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness. If we fail to make required payments of principal and interest on secured debt, our lenders could foreclose on the properties and other collateral securing such debt, which would result in loss of income and asset value to us. As of December 31, 2010, substantially all of the properties that we owned or controlled were encumbered by debt. Our organizational documents do not limit the amount of debt that we may incur, and we have significant amounts of debt outstanding. Payments of principal and interest may leave us with insufficient cash resources to operate our properties or pay distributions required to be paid in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT.

 

Disruptions in the financial markets could affect our ability to obtain financing and the cost of available financing and could adversely affect our liquidity.

 

Our ability to obtain financing and the cost of such financing depends on the overall condition of the United States credit markets and, to an important extent, on the level of involvement of certain government sponsored entities, specifically, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac, and Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae, in secondary credit markets. In recent years, the United States credit markets (outside of multi-family) experienced significant liquidity disruptions, which caused the spreads on debt financings to widen considerably and made obtaining financing, both non-recourse property debt and corporate borrowings, such as our term loan or revolving credit facility, more difficult.

 

During 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, placed Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae into, and they currently remain under, conservatorship. In February 2011, the Obama Administration presented Congress with a set of proposals regarding the Federal government’s future role in the housing finance market, each of which included the winding down of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s future relationship with the Federal government and their future role in the financial markets is uncertain. Any significant reduction in Freddie Mac’s or Fannie Mae’s level of involvement in the secondary credit markets may adversely affect our ability to obtain non-recourse property debt financing. Additionally, further or prolonged disruptions in the credit markets may also affect our ability to renew our credit facility with similar commitments or the cost of financing when it matures in May 2014 (inclusive of a one year extension option).

 

If our ability to obtain financing is adversely affected, we may be unable to satisfy scheduled maturities on existing financing through other sources of liquidity, which could result in lender foreclosure on the properties securing such debt and loss of income and asset value, each of which would adversely affect our liquidity.

Increases in interest rates would increase our interest expense and reduce our profitability.

 

As of December 31, 2010, on a consolidated basis, we had approximately $470.3 million of variable-rate indebtedness outstanding and $57.0 million of variable rate preferred stock outstanding. Of the total debt subject to variable interest rates, floating rate tax-exempt bond financing was approximately $374.4 million. Floating rate tax-exempt bond financing is benchmarked against the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index, or SIFMA, rate, which since 1989 has averaged 75% of the 30-day LIBOR rate. If this historical relationship continues, we estimate that an increase in 30-day LIBOR of 100 basis points (75 basis points for tax-exempt interest rates) with constant credit risk spreads would result in net income and net income attributable to Aimco common stockholders being reduced (or the amounts of net loss and net loss attributable to Aimco common stockholders being increased) by $3.9 million on an annual basis.

 

At December 31, 2010, we had approximately $450.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and notes receivable, a portion of which bear interest at variable rates indexed to LIBOR-based rates, and which may mitigate the effect of an increase in variable rates on our variable-rate indebtedness and preferred stock discussed above.

 

Failure to generate sufficient net operating income may adversely affect our liquidity, limit our ability to fund necessary capital expenditures or adversely affect our ability to pay dividends.

 

Our ability to fund necessary capital expenditures on our properties depends on, among other things, our ability to generate net operating income in excess of required debt payments. If we are unable to fund capital expenditures on our properties, we may not be able to preserve the competitiveness of our properties, which could adversely affect our net operating income.

 

Our ability to make payments to our investors depends on our ability to generate net operating income in excess of required debt payments and capital expenditure requirements. Our net operating income and liquidity may be adversely affected by events or conditions beyond our control, including:

 

 

Covenant restrictions may limit our ability to make payments to our investors.

 

Some of our debt and other securities contain covenants that restrict our ability to make distributions or other payments to our investors unless certain financial tests or other criteria are satisfied. Our credit facility provides, among other things, that we may make distributions to our investors during any four consecutive fiscal quarters in an aggregate amount that does not exceed the greater of 95% of our Funds From Operations for such period, subject to certain non-cash adjustments, or such amount as may be necessary to maintain our REIT status. Our outstanding classes of preferred stock prohibit the payment of dividends on our Common Stock if we fail to pay the dividends to which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled.

Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, we may not be able to sell properties when appropriate.

 

Real estate investments are relatively illiquid and cannot always be sold quickly. REIT tax rules also restrict our ability to sell properties. Thus, we may not be able to change our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other market conditions. Our ability to dispose of assets in the future will depend on prevailing economic and market conditions, including the cost and availability of financing. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Competition could limit our ability to lease apartments or increase or maintain rents.

 

Our apartment properties compete for residents with other housing alternatives, including other rental apartments, condominiums and single-family homes that are available for rent, as well as new and existing condominiums and single-family homes for sale. Competitive residential housing in a particular area could adversely affect our ability to lease apartments and to increase or maintain rental rates. Recent challenges in the credit and housing markets have increased housing inventory that competes with our apartment properties.

 

Our subsidiaries may be prohibited from making distributions and other payments to us.

 

All of our properties are owned, and all of our operations are conducted, by the Aimco Operating Partnership and our other subsidiaries. As a result, we depend on distributions and other payments from the Aimco Operating Partnership and our other subsidiaries in order to satisfy our financial obligations and make payments to our investors. The ability of our subsidiaries to make such distributions and other payments depends on their earnings and cash flows and may be subject to statutory or contractual limitations. As an equity investor in our subsidiaries, our right to receive assets upon their liquidation or reorganization will be effectively subordinated to the claims of their creditors. To the extent that we are recognized as a creditor of such subsidiaries, our claims may still be subordinate to any security interest in or other lien on their assets and to any of their debt or other obligations that are senior to our claims.

 

Redevelopment and construction risks could affect our profitability.

 

We intend to continue to redevelop certain of our properties. These activities are subject to the following risks:

 

 

 

We are insured for certain risks, and the cost of insurance, increased claims activity or losses resulting from casualty events may affect our operating results and financial condition.

 

We are insured for a portion of our consolidated properties’ exposure to casualty losses resulting from fire, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood and other perils, which insurance is subject to deductibles and self-insurance retention. We recognize casualty losses or gains based on the net book value of the affected property and the amount of any related insurance proceeds. In many instances, the actual cost to repair or replace the property may exceed its net book value and any insurance proceeds. We also insure certain unconsolidated properties for a portion of their exposure to such losses. With respect to our consolidated properties, we recognize the uninsured portion of losses as part of casualty losses in the periods in which they are incurred. In addition, we are self-insured for a portion of our exposure to third-party claims related to our employee health insurance plans, workers’ compensation coverage and general liability exposure. With respect to our insurance obligations to unconsolidated properties and our exposure to claims of third parties, we establish reserves at levels that reflect our known and estimated losses. The ultimate cost of losses and the impact of unforeseen events may vary materially from recorded reserves, and variances may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. We purchase insurance to reduce our exposure to losses and limit our financial losses on large individual risks. The availability and cost of insurance are determined by market conditions outside our control. No assurance can be made that we will be able to obtain and maintain insurance at the same levels and on the same terms as we do today. If we are not able to obtain or maintain insurance in amounts we consider appropriate for our business, or if the cost of obtaining such insurance increases materially, we may have to retain a larger portion of the potential loss associated with our exposures to risks.

 

Natural disasters and severe weather may affect our operating results and financial condition.

 

Natural disasters and severe weather such as hurricanes may result in significant damage to our properties. The extent of our casualty losses and loss in operating income in connection with such events is a function of the severity of the event and the total amount of exposure in the affected area. When we have geographic concentration of exposures, a single catastrophe (such as an earthquake) or destructive weather event (such as a hurricane) affecting a region may have a significant negative effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We cannot accurately predict natural disasters or severe weather, or the number and type of such events that will affect us. As a result, our operating and financial results may vary significantly from one period to the next. Although we anticipate and plan for losses, there can be no assurance that our financial results will not be adversely affected by our exposure to losses arising from natural disasters or severe weather in the future that exceed our previous experience and assumptions.

 

We depend on our senior management.

 

Our success depends upon the retention of our senior management, including Terry Considine, our chief executive officer. We have a succession planning and talent development process that is designed to identify potential replacements and develop our team members to provide depth in the organization and a bench of talent on which to draw. However, there are no assurances that we would be able to find qualified replacements for the individuals who make up our senior management if their services were no longer available. The loss of services of one or more members of our senior management team could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not currently maintain key-man life insurance for any of our employees.

 

If we are not successful in our acquisition of properties, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

The selective acquisition of properties is a component of our strategy. However, we may not be able to complete transactions successfully in the future. Although we seek to acquire properties when such acquisitions increase our property net operating income, Funds From Operations or Net Asset Value, such transactions may fail to perform in accordance with our expectations. In particular, following acquisition, the value and operational

performance of a property may be diminished if obsolescence or neighborhood changes occur before we are able to redevelop or sell the property.

 

We may be subject to litigation associated with partnership transactions that could increase our expenses and prevent completion of beneficial transactions.

 

We have engaged in, and intend to continue to engage in, the selective acquisition of interests in partnerships controlled by us that own apartment properties. In some cases, we have acquired the general partner of a partnership and then made an offer to acquire the limited partners’ interests in the partnership. In these transactions, we may be subject to litigation based on claims that we, as the general partner, have breached our fiduciary duty to our limited partners or that the transaction violates the relevant partnership agreement or state law. Although we intend to comply with our fiduciary obligations and the relevant partnership agreements, we may incur additional costs in connection with the defense or settlement of this type of litigation. In some cases, this type of litigation may adversely affect our desire to proceed with, or our ability to complete, a particular transaction. Any litigation of this type could also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Government housing regulations may limit the opportunities at some of our properties and failure to comply with resident qualification requirements may result in financial penalties and/or loss of benefits, such as rental revenues paid by government agencies. Additionally, the government may cease to operate government housing programs which would result in a loss of benefits.

 

We own consolidated and unconsolidated equity interests in certain properties and manage other properties that benefit from governmental programs intended to provide housing to people with low or moderate incomes. These programs, which are usually administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, or state housing finance agencies, typically provide one or more of the following: mortgage insurance; favorable financing terms; tax-credit equity; or rental assistance payments to the property owners. As a condition of the receipt of assistance under these programs, the properties must comply with various requirements, which typically limit rents to pre-approved amounts and limit our choice of residents to those with incomes at or below certain levels. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in financial penalties or loss of benefits. We are usually required to obtain the approval of HUD in order to acquire or dispose of a significant interest in or manage a HUD-assisted property. We may not always receive such approval.

 

Additionally, there is no guarantee that the government will continue to operate these programs. Any cessation of these government housing programs may result in our loss of the benefits we receive under these programs, including rental subsidies. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, for continuing operations, our rental revenues include $131.4 million, $126.9 million and $119.5 million, respectively, of subsidies from government agencies. Of the 2010 subsidy amounts, approximately 10.7% related to properties subject to housing assistance contracts that expire in 2011, which we anticipate renewing, and the remainder related to properties subject to housing assistance contracts that expire after 2011 and have a weighted average term of 10.8 years. Any loss of these benefits may adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.

 

Laws benefiting disabled persons may result in our incurrence of unanticipated expenses.

 

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or ADA, all places intended to be used by the public are required to meet certain Federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, or FHAA, requires apartment properties first occupied after March 13, 1991, to comply with design and construction requirements for disabled access. For those projects receiving Federal funds, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 also has requirements regarding disabled access. These and other Federal, state and local laws may require modifications to our properties, or affect renovations of the properties. Noncompliance with these laws could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants and also could result in an order to correct any non-complying feature, which could result in substantial capital expenditures. Although we believe that our properties are substantially in compliance with present requirements, we may incur unanticipated expenses to comply with the ADA, the FHAA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in connection with the ongoing operation or redevelopment of our properties.

Potential liability or other expenditures associated with potential environmental contamination may be costly.

 

Various Federal, state and local laws subject property owners or operators to liability for management, and the costs of removal or remediation, of certain potentially hazardous materials present on a property, including lead-based paint, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum-based fuels, and other miscellaneous materials. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release or presence of such materials. The presence of, or the failure to manage or remedy properly, these materials may adversely affect occupancy at affected apartment communities and the ability to sell or finance affected properties. In addition to the costs associated with investigation and remediation actions brought by government agencies, and potential fines or penalties imposed by such agencies in connection therewith, the improper management of these materials on a property could result in claims by private plaintiffs for personal injury, disease, disability or other infirmities. Various laws also impose liability for the cost of removal, remediation or disposal of these materials through a licensed disposal or treatment facility. Anyone who arranges for the disposal or treatment of these materials is potentially liable under such laws. These laws often impose liability whether or not the person arranging for the disposal ever owned or operated the disposal facility. In connection with the ownership, operation and management of properties, we could potentially be responsible for environmental liabilities or costs associated with our properties or properties we acquire or manage in the future.

 

Moisture infiltration and resulting mold remediation may be costly.

 

Although we are proactively engaged in managing moisture intrusion and preventing the presence of mold at our properties, it is not unusual for mold to be present at some units within the portfolio. We have implemented policies, procedures, third-party audits and training, and include a detailed moisture intrusion and mold assessment during acquisition due diligence. We believe these measures will manage mold exposure at our properties and will minimize the effects that mold may have on our residents. To date, we have not incurred any material costs or liabilities relating to claims of mold exposure or to abate mold conditions. We have only limited insurance coverage for property damage claims arising from the presence of mold and for personal injury claims related to mold exposure. Because the law regarding mold is unsettled and subject to change, we can make no assurance that liabilities resulting from the presence of or exposure to mold will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

We may fail to qualify as a REIT.

 

If we fail to qualify as a REIT, we will not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to our stockholders in computing our taxable income, and we will be subject to Federal income tax at regular corporate rates, including any applicable alternative minimum tax. This would substantially reduce our funds available for distribution to our investors. Unless entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we ceased to qualify as a REIT. In addition, our failure to qualify as a REIT would place us in default under our primary credit facilities.

 

We believe that we operate, and have always operated, in a manner that enables us to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes. Our continued qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, investment, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we do not obtain independent appraisals. Our compliance with the REIT income and quarterly asset requirements also depends upon our ability to manage successfully the composition of our income and assets on an ongoing basis. Moreover, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for Federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT qualification requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will not contend that our interests in subsidiaries or other issuers constitutes a violation of the REIT requirements. Moreover, future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT, or our Board of Directors may determine to revoke our REIT status.

REIT distribution requirements limit our available cash.

 

As a REIT, we are subject to annual distribution requirements, which generally limit the amount of cash we retain for other business purposes, including amounts to fund our growth. We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our net REIT taxable income, excluding any net capital gain, in order for our distributed earnings not to be subject to corporate income tax. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the requirements of the Code. However, differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to sell assets or borrow funds on a short-term or long-term basis to meet the 90% distribution requirement of the Code.

 

Limits on ownership of shares in our charter may result in the loss of economic and voting rights by purchasers that violate those limits.

 

Our charter limits ownership of our Common Stock by any single stockholder (applying certain “beneficial ownership” rules under the Federal securities laws) to 8.7% (or up to 9.8% upon a waiver from our Board of Directors) of our outstanding shares of Common Stock, or 15% in the case of certain pension trusts, registered investment companies and Mr. Considine. Our charter also limits ownership of our Common Stock and preferred stock by any single stockholder to 8.7% of the value of the outstanding Common Stock and preferred stock, or 15% in the case of certain pension trusts, registered investment companies and Mr. Considine. The charter also prohibits anyone from buying shares of our capital stock if the purchase would result in us losing our REIT status. This could happen if a transaction results in fewer than 100 persons owning all of our shares of capital stock or results in five or fewer persons (applying certain attribution rules of the Code) owning 50% or more of the value of all of our shares of capital stock. If anyone acquires shares in excess of the ownership limit or in violation of the ownership requirements of the Code for REITs:

 

 

We may purchase the shares of capital stock held in trust at a price equal to the lesser of the price paid by the transferee of the shares or the then current market price. If the trust transfers any of the shares of capital stock, the affected person will receive the lesser of the price paid for the shares or the then current market price. An individual who acquires shares of capital stock that violate the above rules bears the risk that the individual:

 

 

Our charter may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of us.

 

The 8.7% ownership limit discussed above may have the effect of delaying or precluding acquisition of control of us by a third party without the consent of our Board of Directors. Our charter authorizes our Board of Directors to issue up to 510,587,500 shares of capital stock. As of December 31, 2010, 422,157,736 shares were classified as Common Stock, of which 117,642,872 were outstanding, and 88,429,764 shares were classified as preferred stock,

of which 24,900,114 were outstanding. Under our charter, our Board of Directors has the authority to classify and reclassify any of our unissued shares of capital stock into shares of capital stock with such preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemptions as our Board of Directors may determine. The authorization and issuance of a new class of capital stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing someone from taking control of us, even if a change in control were in our stockholders’ best interests.

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of us.

 

As a Maryland corporation, we are subject to various Maryland laws that may have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us and increasing the difficulty of consummating any such offers, even if an acquisition would be in our stockholders’ best interests. The Maryland General Corporation Law, specifically the Maryland Business Combination Act, restricts mergers and other business combination transactions between us and any person who acquires, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of shares of our stock representing 10% or more of the voting power without our Board of Directors’ prior approval. Any such business combination transaction could not be completed until five years after the person acquired such voting power, and generally only with the approval of stockholders representing 80% of all votes entitled to be cast and 662/3% of the votes entitled to be cast, excluding the interested stockholder, or upon payment of a fair price. The Maryland General Corporation Law, specifically the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, provides generally that a person who acquires shares of our capital stock representing 10% or more of the voting power in electing directors will have no voting rights unless approved by a vote of two-thirds of the shares eligible to vote. Additionally, the Maryland General Corporation Law provides, among other things, that the board of directors has broad discretion in adopting stockholders’ rights plans and has the sole power to fix the record date, time and place for special meetings of the stockholders. To date, we have not adopted a shareholders’ rights plan. In addition, the Maryland General Corporation Law provides that corporations that:

 

 

may elect in their charter or bylaws or by resolution of the board of directors to be subject to all or part of a special subtitle that provides that:

 

 

To date, we have not made any of the elections described above.

 

 

None.

 

Our portfolio includes garden style, mid-rise and high-rise properties located in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Our geographic allocation strategy focuses on the 20 largest markets in the United States, which are grouped according to the five geographic areas into which our property operations team is organized. The following table sets forth information on all of our properties as of December 31, 2010:

 

At December 31, 2010, we owned an equity interest in and consolidated 399 properties containing 89,875 apartment units, which we refer to as “consolidated properties.” These consolidated properties contain, on average, 225 apartment units, with the largest property containing 2,113 apartment units. These properties offer residents a range of amenities, including swimming pools, clubhouses, spas, fitness centers, dog parks and open spaces. Many of the apartment units offer features such as vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, washer and dryer connections, cable television, balconies and patios. Additional information on our consolidated properties is contained in “Schedule III — Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. At December 31, 2010, we held an equity interest in and did not consolidate 48 properties containing 5,637 apartment units, which we refer to as “unconsolidated properties.” In addition, we provided property management services for 20 properties containing 2,373 apartment units, and asset management services for 301 properties containing 24,809 apartment units. In certain cases, we may indirectly own generally less than one percent of the economic interest in such properties through a partnership syndication or other fund.

 

Substantially all of our consolidated properties are encumbered by property debt. At December 31, 2010, our consolidated properties were encumbered by aggregate property debt totaling $5,457.8 million having an aggregate weighted average interest rate of 5.52%. Such property debt was collateralized by 388 properties with a combined net book value of $6,443.9 million. Included in the 388 properties, we had a total of 16 property loans on 13 properties, with an aggregate principal balance outstanding of $294.8 million, that were each collateralized by property and cross-collateralized with certain (but not all) other property loans within this group of property loans (see Note 6 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information about our property debt).

 

 

None.

 

 

 

Our Common Stock has been listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “AIV” since July 22, 1994. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales prices of our Common Stock, as reported on the NYSE, and the dividends declared in the periods indicated:

 

 

Our Board of Directors determines and declares our dividends. In making a dividend determination, the Board of Directors considers a variety of factors, including: REIT distribution requirements; current market conditions; liquidity needs and other uses of cash, such as for deleveraging and accretive investment activities. In February 2011, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share on our Class A Common Stock for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. Our Board of Directors anticipates similar per share quarterly dividends for the remainder of 2011. However, the Board of Directors may adjust the dividend amount or the frequency with which the dividend is paid based on then prevailing facts and circumstances.

 

On February 22, 2011, the closing price of our Common Stock was $24.24 per share, as reported on the NYSE, and there were 118,131,892 shares of Common Stock outstanding, held by 2,943 stockholders of record. The number of holders does not include individuals or entities who beneficially own shares but whose shares are held of record by a broker or clearing agency, but does include each such broker or clearing agency as one recordholder.

 

As a REIT, we are required to distribute annually to holders of common stock at least 90% of our “real estate investment trust taxable income,” which, as defined by the Code and United States Department of Treasury regulations, is generally equivalent to net taxable ordinary income.

 

From time to time, we may issue shares of Common Stock in exchange for common and preferred OP Units tendered to the Aimco Operating Partnership for redemption in accordance with the terms and provisions of the agreement of limited partnership of the Aimco Operating Partnership. Such shares are issued based on an exchange ratio of one share for each common OP Unit or the applicable conversion ratio for preferred OP Units. The shares are generally issued in exchange for OP Units in private transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010, we did not issue any shares of Common Stock in exchange for common OP Units or preferred OP Units.

 

Our Board of Directors has, from time to time, authorized us to repurchase shares of our outstanding capital stock. There were no repurchases of our equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, we were authorized to repurchase approximately 19.3 million shares. This authorization has no expiration date. These repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

 

Dividend Payments

 

Our Credit Agreement includes customary covenants, including a restriction on dividends and other restricted payments, but permits dividends during any four consecutive fiscal quarters in an aggregate amount of up to 95% of

our Funds From Operations for such period, subject to certain non-cash adjustments, or such amount as may be necessary to maintain our REIT status.

 

Performance Graph

 

The following graph compares cumulative total returns for our Common Stock, the MSCI US REIT Index and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Total Return Index (the “S&P 500”). The MSCI US REIT Index is published by Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc., a provider of equity indices. The indices are weighted for all companies that fit the definitional criteria of the particular index and are calculated to exclude companies as they are acquired and add them to the index calculation as they become publicly traded companies. All companies of the definitional criteria in existence at the point in time presented are included in the index calculations. The graph assumes the investment of $100 in our Common Stock and in each index on December 31, 2005, and that all dividends paid have been reinvested. The historical information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

 

Total Return Performance

 

 

 

Source: (other than with respect to S&P 500) SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA ^©2011

 

The Performance Graph will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing by Aimco under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that Aimco specifically incorporates the same by reference.

 

The information required by Item 5 with respect to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference in Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report.

 

The following selected financial data is based on our audited historical financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with such financial statements, including the notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included herein or in previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

 

 

Executive Overview

 

We are a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT. Our principal financial objective is to provide predictable and attractive returns to our stockholders. Our business plan to achieve this objective is to:

 

 

Our owned real estate portfolio includes 219 conventional properties with 68,972 units and 228 affordable properties with 26,540 units. Our conventional and affordable properties comprise 88% and 12%, respectively, of our total property Net Asset Value. For the three months ended December 31, 2010, our conventional portfolio monthly rents averaged $1,052 and provided 62% operating margins. These average rents increased from $1,042 for the three months ended December 31, 2009. Notwithstanding the economic challenges of the last several years, our diversified portfolio of conventional and affordable properties generated improved property operating results from 2007 to 2010. From 2007 to 2010, the net operating income of our same store properties and total real estate operations increased by 1.2% and 5.8%, respectively.

 

We continue to work toward simplifying our business, including de-emphasizing transaction-based activity fees and, as a result, reducing the cost of personnel involved in those activities. Revenues from transactional activities decreased from $68.2 million during 2008 to $7.9 million during 2010, and during 2010 transactional activities generated approximately 3.0% of our Pro forma Funds From Operations (defined below). Additionally, we have reduced our offsite costs by $16.8 million. Our 2010, 2009 and 2008 results are discussed in the Results of Operations section below.

 

We upgrade the quality of our portfolio through the sale of assets with lower projected returns, which are often in markets less desirable than our target markets, and reinvest these proceeds through the purchase of new assets or additional investment in existing assets in our portfolio, through increased ownership or redevelopment. We prefer the redevelopment of select properties in our existing portfolio to ground-up development, as we believe it provides superior risk adjusted returns with lower volatility.

 

Our leverage strategy focuses on increasing financial returns while minimizing risk. At December 31, 2010, approximately 86% of our leverage consisted of property-level, non-recourse, long-dated, fixed-rate, amortizing debt and 13% consisted of perpetual preferred equity, a combination which helps to limit our refunding and re-pricing risk. At December 31, 2010, we had no outstanding corporate level debt. Our leverage strategy limits refunding risk on our property-level debt. At December 31, 2010, the weighted average maturity of our property-level debt was 7.8 years, with 2% of our debt maturing in 2011, less than 9% maturing in 2012, and on average approximately 7% maturing in each of 2013, 2014 and 2015. Long duration, fixed-rate liabilities provide a hedge against increases in interest rates and inflation. Approximately 91% of our property-level debt is fixed-rate. Of the $104.9 million of property debt maturing during 2011, we completed the refinance of $79.4 million in February 2011, and we are focusing on refinancing our property debt maturing during 2012 through 2015 to extend maturities and lock in current low interest rates.

During 2010, we repaid the remaining $90.0 million on our term loan. We also expanded our credit facility from $180.0 million to $300.0 million, providing additional liquidity for short-term or unexpected cash requirements. As of December 31, 2010, we had the capacity to borrow $260.3 million pursuant to our credit facility (after giving effect to $39.7 million outstanding for undrawn letters of credit). The revolving credit facility matures May 1, 2013, and may be extended for an additional year, subject to certain conditions.

 

The key financial indicators that we use in managing our business and in evaluating our financial condition and operating performance are: Net Asset Value; Pro forma Funds From Operations, which is Funds From Operations excluding operating real estate impairment losses and preferred equity redemption related amounts; Adjusted Funds From Operations, which is Pro forma Funds From Operations less spending for Capital Replacements; property net operating income, which is rental and other property revenues less direct property operating expenses, including real estate taxes; proportionate property net operating income, which reflects our share of property net operating income of our consolidated and unconsolidated properties; same store property operating results; Free Cash Flow, which is net operating income less spending for Capital Replacements; Free Cash Flow internal rate of return; financial coverage ratios; and leverage as shown on our balance sheet. Funds From Operations is defined and further described in the section captioned “Funds From Operations.” The key macro-economic factors and non-financial indicators that affect our financial condition and operating performance are: household formations; rates of job growth; single-family and multifamily housing starts; interest rates; and availability and cost of financing.

 

Because our operating results depend primarily on income from our properties, the supply and demand for apartments influences our operating results. Additionally, the level of expenses required to operate and maintain our properties and the pace and price at which we redevelop, acquire and dispose of our apartment properties affect our operating results. Our cost of capital is affected by the conditions in the capital and credit markets and the terms that we negotiate for our equity and debt financings.

 

Highlights of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010, are summarized below:

 

 

The following discussion and analysis of the results of our operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements in Item 8.

 

Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

2010 compared to 2009

 

We reported net loss attributable to Aimco of $71.7 million and net loss attributable to Aimco common stockholders of $125.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to net loss attributable to Aimco of $64.3 million and net loss attributable to Aimco common stockholders of $114.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, increases of $7.4 million and $10.5 million, respectively. These increases in net loss were principally due to the following items, all of which are discussed in further detail below:

 

 

 

The effects of these items on our operating results were partially offset by:

 

 

2009 compared to 2008

 

We reported net loss attributable to Aimco of $64.3 million and net loss attributable to Aimco common stockholders of $114.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to net income attributable to Aimco of $412.0 million and net income attributable to Aimco common stockholders of $351.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, decreases of $476.3 million and $466.1 million, respectively. These decreases in net income were principally due to the following items, all of which are discussed in further detail below:

 

 

 

The effects of these items on our operating results were partially offset by:

 

 

The following paragraphs discuss these and other items affecting the results of our operations in more detail.

 

Real Estate Operations

 

Our real estate portfolio is comprised of two business components: conventional real estate operations and affordable real estate operations, which also represent our two reportable segments. Our conventional real estate portfolio consists of market-rate apartments with rents paid by the resident and includes 219 properties with 68,972 units. Our affordable real estate portfolio consists of 228 properties with 26,540 units, with rents that are generally paid, in whole or part, by a government agency. Our conventional and affordable properties contributed 87% and 13%, respectively, of proportionate property net operating income amounts during the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, we consolidate certain properties in which we hold an insignificant economic interest and in some cases we do not consolidate other properties in which we have a significant economic interest. Due to the diversity of our economic ownership interests in our properties, our chief operating decision maker emphasizes proportionate property net

operating income as a key measurement of segment profit or loss. Accordingly, the results of operations of our conventional and affordable segments discussed below are presented on a proportionate basis.

 

We do not include property management revenues and expenses or casualty related amounts in our assessment of segment performance. Accordingly, these items are not allocated to our segment results discussed below. The effects of these items on our real estate operations results are discussed below on a consolidated basis, that is, before adjustments for noncontrolling interests or our interest in unconsolidated real estate partnerships.

 

The tables and discussions below reflect the proportionate results of our conventional and affordable segments and the consolidated results related to our real estate operations not allocated to segments for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands). The tables and discussions below exclude the results of operations for properties included in discontinued operations as of December 31, 2010. Refer to Note 17 in the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for further discussion regarding our reporting segments, including a reconciliation of these proportionate amounts to consolidated rental and other property revenues and property operating expenses.

 

Conventional Real Estate Operations

 

Our conventional segment consists of conventional properties we classify as same store, redevelopment and other conventional properties. Same store properties are properties we manage and that have reached and maintained a stabilized level of occupancy during the current and prior year comparable period. Redevelopment properties are those in which a substantial number of available units have been vacated for major renovations or have not been stabilized in occupancy for at least one year as of the earliest period presented, or for which other significant non-unit renovations are underway or have been complete for less than one year. Other conventional properties may include conventional properties that have significant rent control restrictions, acquisition properties, university housing properties and properties that are not multifamily, such as commercial properties or fitness centers. Our definitions of same store and redevelopment properties may result in these populations differing for the purpose of comparing 2010 to 2009 results and 2009 to 2008 results.

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to 2009, our conventional segment’s proportionate property net operating income increased $8.7 million, or 1.8%.

Conventional same store net operating income increased by $0.9 million. This increase was attributable to a $2.4 million decrease in expense primarily due to a reduction during 2010 of previously estimated real estate tax obligations resulting from successful appeals settled during the period, and decreases in marketing expenses and unit turn costs, partially offset by increases in contract services, insurance and administrative costs. This decrease in expense was partially offset by a $1.5 million decrease in revenue, primarily due to lower average rent (approximately $34 per unit). The decrease in average rent was partially offset by a 200 basis point increase in average physical occupancy and higher utility reimbursement and miscellaneous income. Rental rates on new leases transacted during the year ended December 31, 2010, were 2.3% lower than expiring lease rates and renewal rates were 1.5% higher than expiring lease rates.

 

The net operating income of our conventional redevelopment properties increased by $7.1 million, primarily due to a $5.8 million increase in revenue resulting from higher average physical occupancy and an increase in utility reimbursement and miscellaneous income, and a $1.3 million reduction in expense primarily related to marketing expenses, partially offset by higher insurance.

 

Our other conventional net operating income increased by $0.7 million, primarily due to increases in both revenue and expense of approximately 2.0%.

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to 2008, our conventional segment’s proportionate property net operating income decreased $6.6 million, or 1.3%.

 

Our conventional same store net operating income decreased $16.3 million, or 4.3%. This decrease was primarily attributable to a $15.4 million decrease in revenue, primarily due to a 2.5% decline in rental rates and a 90 basis point decrease in occupancy, partially offset by an increase in utility reimbursements and miscellaneous income. The decrease was also attributable to a $0.9 million increase in expense, primarily due to higher insurance and personnel costs, partially offset by lower administrative costs.

 

Conventional redevelopment net operating income increased by $10.6 million, primarily due to an $11.5 million increase in revenue. Revenue increased due to more units in service at these properties during 2009 and an increase in utility reimbursements and miscellaneous income. This increase in revenue was partially offset by a $0.9 million increase in expense, primarily related to higher real estate taxes, partially offset by lower administrative costs.

Our other conventional net operating income decreased by $0.9 million, primarily due to a 6.9% increase in expenses partially offset by a 1.8% increase in revenues.

 

Affordable Real Estate Operations

 

Our affordable segment consists of properties we classify as same store or other (primarily redevelopment properties). Our criteria for classifying affordable properties as same store or redevelopment are consistent with those for our conventional properties described above. Our definitions of same store and redevelopment properties may result in these populations differing for the purpose of comparing 2010 to 2009 results and 2009 to 2008 results.

 

 

The proportionate property net operating income of our affordable segment increased $4.4 million, or 6.6%, during the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to 2009. Affordable same store net operating income increased by $2.9 million, primarily due to a $3.0 million increase in revenue due to higher average rent ($7 per unit) and higher average physical occupancy (18 basis points). The net operating income of our other affordable properties increased by $1.5 million, primarily due to an increase in revenue driven by higher average rent ($23 per unit) and higher average occupancy.

 

Our affordable segment proportionate property net operating income increased $4.8 million, or 7.7%, during the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to 2008. Affordable same store net operating income increased $4.3 million, primarily due to increased revenue. Affordable same store revenue increased by $4.4 million, primarily due to higher average rent ($29 per unit), partially offset by lower average physical occupancy (56 basis points). The net operating income of our other affordable properties increased by $0.5 million, primarily due to an increase in revenues due to higher average rent ($43 per unit), partially offset by lower average occupancy. The increase in revenues was partially offset by an increase in expenses.

 

Non-Segment Real Estate Operations

 

Real estate operations net operating income amounts not attributed to our conventional or affordable segments include property management revenues and expenses and casualty losses, reported in consolidated amounts, which we do not allocate to our conventional or affordable segments for purposes of evaluating segment performance (see Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8).

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to 2009, property management revenues decreased by $2.2 million, from $5.1 million to $2.9 million, primarily due to the elimination of revenues related to properties consolidated during 2010 in connection with our adoption of revised accounting guidance regarding consolidation of variable interest entities (see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8). For the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to 2009, expenses not allocated to our conventional or affordable segments, including property management expenses and casualty losses, decreased by $3.2 million. Property management expenses decreased by $3.0 million, from $51.2 million to $48.2 million, primarily due to reductions in personnel and related costs attributed to our restructuring activities and casualty losses decreased by $0.2 million, from $9.8 million to $9.6 million.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to 2008, property management revenues decreased by $1.3 million, from $6.4 million to $5.1 million, primarily due to a decrease in the number of managed properties due to asset sales. For the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to 2008, expenses not allocated to our conventional or affordable segments decreased by $16.5 million. Property management expenses decreased by $16.6 million, from $67.8 million to $51.2 million, primarily due to reductions in personnel and related costs attributed to our restructuring activities, and casualty losses increased by $0.1 million.

 

Asset Management and Tax Credit Revenues

 

We perform activities and services for consolidated and unconsolidated real estate partnerships, including portfolio strategy, capital allocation, joint ventures, tax credit syndication, acquisitions, dispositions and other transaction activities. These activities are conducted in part by our taxable subsidiaries, and the related net operating income may be subject to income taxes.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, asset management and tax credit revenues decreased $14.3 million. This decrease is attributable to an $8.7 million decrease in income related to our affordable housing tax credit syndication business. Approximately $3.8 million of this decrease is due to the delivery of historic credits during 2009 for which no comparable credits were delivered during 2010, and the remainder of the decrease is primarily due to a reduction in amortization of deferred tax credit income. Asset management and tax credit revenues also decreased due to a $2.0 million decrease in current asset management fees due to the elimination of fees on newly consolidated properties, for which the benefit of these fees is now included in noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships, a $1.9 million decrease in disposition and other fees we earn in connection with transactional activities, and a $1.7 million decrease in promote income, which is income earned in connection with the disposition of properties owned by our consolidated joint ventures.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, asset management and tax credit revenues decreased $49.0 million. This decrease is primarily attributable to a $42.8 million decrease in promote income due to fewer sales of joint venture assets in 2009, a $7.6 million decrease in other general partner transactional fees, and a $2.2 million decrease in asset management fees, partially offset by a $3.6 million increase in revenues related to our affordable housing tax credit syndication business, including syndication fees and other revenue earned in connection with these arrangements.

Investment Management Expenses

 

Investment management expenses consist primarily of the costs of personnel that perform asset management and tax credit activities. For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, investment management expenses decreased $1.3 million. This decrease is primarily due to a $4.3 million reduction in personnel and related costs from our organizational restructurings, partially offset by a $3.0 million net increase in expenses, primarily related to our write off of previously deferred costs related to tax credit projects we recently abandoned.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, investment management expenses decreased $9.0 million, primarily due to reductions in personnel and related costs from our organizational restructurings (see Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8) and a reduction in transaction costs, which in 2008 include the retrospective application of SFAS 141(R).

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, depreciation and amortization decreased $1.6 million, or 0.4%. This decrease was primarily due to depreciation adjustments recognized in 2009 to reduce the carrying amount of certain properties. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in depreciation primarily related to properties we consolidated during 2010 based on our adoption of revised accounting guidance regarding consolidation of variable interest entities (see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8) and completed redevelopments and other capital projects recently placed in service.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, depreciation and amortization increased $51.2 million, or 13.6%. This increase primarily consists of depreciation related to properties acquired during the latter part of 2008, completed redevelopments and other capital projects placed in service in the latter part of 2009.

 

Provision for Impairment Losses on Real Estate Development Assets

 

In connection with the preparation of our 2008 annual financial statements, we assessed the recoverability of our investment in our Lincoln Place property, located in Venice, California. Based upon the decline in land values in Southern California during 2008 and the expected timing of our redevelopment efforts, we determined that the total carrying amount of the property was no longer probable of full recovery and, accordingly, during the three months ended December 31, 2008, recognized an impairment loss of $85.4 million ($55.6 million net of tax).

 

Similarly, we assessed the recoverability of our investment in Pacific Bay Vistas (formerly Treetops), a vacant property located in San Bruno, California, and determined that the carrying amount of the property was no longer probable of full recovery and, accordingly, we recognized an impairment loss of $5.7 million for this property during the three months ended December 31, 2008.

 

The impairments discussed above totaled $91.1 million and are included in provisions for impairment losses on real estate development assets in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 included in Item 8. We recognized no similar impairments on real estate development assets during the years ended December 31, 2010 or 2009.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.3 million, or 5.8%. This decrease is primarily attributable to net reductions in personnel and related expenses, partially offset by an increase in information technology outsourcing costs.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, general and administrative expenses decreased $23.7 million, or 29.5%. This decrease is primarily attributable to reductions in personnel and related expenses associated with our organizational restructurings (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8), pursuant to which we eliminated approximately 400, or 36%, of our offsite positions between December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009.

As a result of our restructuring activities, our general and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues has decreased from 6.8% in 2008, to 5.0% in 2009 and 4.7% in 2010.

 

Other Expenses, Net

 

Other expenses, net includes franchise taxes, risk management activities, partnership administration expenses and certain non-recurring items.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, other expenses, net decreased by $5.0 million. During 2009, we settled certain litigation matters resulting in a net expense in our operations, and in 2010 we settled certain litigation matters that resulted in a net gain in our operations. The effect of the expense in 2009 and gain in 2010 resulted in a $14.8 million decrease in other expenses, net from 2009 to 2010. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the cost of our insurance (net of a reduction in the number of properties insured from 2009 to 2010).

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, other expenses, net decreased by $6.8 million. The decrease is primarily attributable to a $5.4 million write-off during 2008 of certain communications hardware and capitalized costs in 2008, and a $5.3 million reduction in expenses of our self insurance activities, including a decrease in casualty losses on less than wholly owned properties from 2008 to 2009. These decreases are partially offset by an increase of $4.8 million in costs related to certain litigation matters.

 

Restructuring Costs

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, we recognized restructuring costs of $11.2 million, as compared to $22.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2008, related to our organizational restructurings, which are further discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. For the year ended December 31, 2010, we recognized no similar restructuring costs.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income consists primarily of interest on notes receivable from non-affiliates and unconsolidated real estate partnerships, interest on cash and restricted cash accounts, and accretion of discounts on certain notes receivable from unconsolidated real estate partnerships. Transactions that result in accretion may occur infrequently and thus accretion income may vary from period to period.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, interest income increased $2.0 million, or 22.4%. Interest income increased during 2010 primarily due to an increase of accretion income related to a change in timing and amount of collection for certain of our discounted notes, including several notes that were repaid in advance of their maturity dates.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, interest income decreased $10.5 million, or 53.5%. Interest income decreased by $8.7 million due to lower interest rates on notes receivable, cash and restricted cash balances and lower average balances and by $4.1 million due to a decrease in accretion income related to our note receivable from Casden Properties LLC for which we ceased accretion following impairment of the note in 2008. These decreases were partially offset by a $2.3 million increase in accretion income related to other notes during the year ended December 31, 2008, resulting from a change in the timing and amount of collection.

 

Provision for Losses on Notes Receivable

 

During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recognized net provisions for losses on notes receivable of $0.9 million, $21.5 million and $17.6 million, respectively. The provisions for losses on notes receivable for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, primarily consist of impairments related to our investment in Casden Properties LLC, which are discussed further below.

 

As further discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, we have an investment in Casden Properties LLC, an entity organized to acquire, re-entitle and develop land parcels in Southern California.

Based upon the profit allocation agreement, we account for this investment as a note receivable. In connection with the preparation of our 2008 annual financial statements and as a result of a decline in land values in Southern California, we determined our recorded investment amount was not fully recoverable, and accordingly recognized an impairment loss of $16.3 million ($10.0 million net of tax) during the three months ended December 31, 2008. In connection with the preparation of our 2009 annual financial statements and as a result of continued declines in land values in Southern California, we determined our then recorded investment amount was not fully recoverable, and accordingly recognized an impairment loss of $20.7 million ($12.4 million net of tax) during the three months ended December 31, 2009.

 

In addition to the impairments related to Casden Properties LLC discussed above, we recognized provisions for losses on notes receivable totaling $0.9 million, $0.8 million and $1.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Interest Expense

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, interest expense, which includes the amortization of deferred financing costs, increased by less than $0.1 million. Property related interest expense increased by $7.6 million, due to a $3.3 million increase related to properties newly consolidated in 2010 (see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for further discussion of our adoption of ASU 2009-17) and an increase related to properties refinanced with higher average outstanding balances, partially offset by lower average rates. The increase in property related interest expense was substantially offset by a $7.6 million decrease in corporate interest expense, primarily due to a decrease in the average outstanding balance on our term loan, which we repaid during July 2010.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, interest expense increased $1.1 million, or 0.3%. Property related interest expense increased by $20.5 million, primarily due to a $14.2 million decrease in capitalized interest due to a reduction in redevelopment during 2009, and an increase of $5.1 million related to properties refinanced with higher average rates, partially offset by lower average outstanding balances during 2009. The increase in property related interest expense was offset by a $19.4 million decrease in corporate interest expense, primarily due to lower average outstanding balances and lower average rates during 2009.

 

Equity in Losses of Unconsolidated Real Estate Partnerships

 

Equity in losses of unconsolidated real estate partnerships includes our share of net losses of our unconsolidated real estate partnerships, and may include impairment losses, gains or losses on the disposition of real estate assets or depreciation expense which generally exceeds the net operating income recognized by such unconsolidated partnerships.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, equity in losses of unconsolidated real estate partnerships increased $11.7 million. During the three months ended December 31, 2010, certain of our consolidated investment partnerships, including those we consolidated in 2010 in connection with our adoption of ASU 2009-17, reduced by $9.8 million their investment balances related to unconsolidated low income housing tax credit partnerships based on a reduction in the remaining tax credits to be delivered. This increase in equity in losses was in addition to an increase in equity in losses from real estate operations due to an increase in the number of unconsolidated partnerships, resulting from our consolidation during 2010 of additional investment partnerships that hold investments in unconsolidated real estate partnerships. These losses had an insignificant effect on net loss attributable to Aimco during 2010 as substantially all of the results of these consolidated investment partnerships are attributed to the noncontrolling interests in these entities.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, equity in losses of unconsolidated real estate partnerships increased $6.7 million. The increase in our equity in losses from 2008 to 2009 was primarily due to our sale in late 2008 of an interest in an unconsolidated real estate partnership that generated $3.0 million of equity in earnings during the year ended December 31, 2008, and our sale during 2009 of our interest in an unconsolidated group purchasing organization which resulted in a decrease of equity in earnings of approximately $1.2 million.

Gain on Dispositions of Unconsolidated Real Estate and Other

 

Gain on dispositions of unconsolidated real estate and other includes gains on disposition of interests in unconsolidated real estate partnerships, gains on dispositions of land and other non-depreciable assets and certain costs related to asset disposal activities. Changes in the level of gains recognized from period to period reflect the changing level of disposition activity from period to period. Additionally, gains on properties sold are determined on an individual property basis or in the aggregate for a group of properties that are sold in a single transaction, and are not comparable period to period.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, gain on dispositions of unconsolidated real estate and other decreased $10.9 million. This decrease is primarily attributable to $8.6 million of additional proceeds received in 2009 related to our disposition during 2008 of an interest in an unconsolidated real estate partnership and a $4.0 million gain from the disposition of our interest in a group purchasing organization during 2009.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, gain on dispositions of unconsolidated real estate and other decreased $75.8 million. This decrease is primarily attributable to a net gain of $98.4 million on our disposition in 2008 of interests in two unconsolidated real estate partnerships. This decrease was partially offset by $18.7 million of gains on the disposition of interests in unconsolidated partnerships during 2009. Gains recognized in 2009 consist of $8.6 million related to our receipt in 2009 of additional proceeds related to our disposition during 2008 of one of the partnership interests discussed above (see Note 3 to the consolidated financials statements in Item 8), $4.0 million from the disposition of our interest in a group purchasing organization (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8), and $6.1 million from our disposition in 2009 of interests in several unconsolidated real estate partnerships.

 

Income Tax Benefit

 

Certain of our operations or a portion thereof, including property management, asset management and risk management are conducted through taxable REIT subsidiaries, each of which we refer to as a TRS. A TRS is a C-corporation that has not elected REIT status and, as such, is subject to United States Federal corporate income tax. We use TRS entities to facilitate our ability to offer certain services and activities to our residents and investment partners that cannot be offered directly by a REIT. We also use TRS entities to hold investments in certain properties. Income taxes related to the results of continuing operations of our TRS entities are included in income tax benefit in our consolidated statements of operations.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, income tax benefit increased by $0.9 million, from $17.5 million to $18.4 million. This increase in income tax benefit was primarily due to increased losses of our TRS entities, and was substantially offset by the $8.1 million tax benefit we recognized in 2009 related to the impairment of our investment in Casden Properties, LLC, for which no similar benefit was recognized in 2010.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, income tax benefit decreased by $39.1 million. This decrease was primarily attributed to $36.1 million of income tax benefit recognized in 2008 related to the impairments of our Lincoln Place property and our investment in Casden Properties LLC, both of which are owned through TRS entities, partially offset by $8.1 million of income tax benefit recognized in 2009 related to the impairment of our investment in Casden Properties LLC. The decrease in tax benefit from 2008 to 2009 related to these impairment losses was in addition to a decrease in tax benefit primarily due to larger losses by our TRS entities during 2008 as compared to 2009, including restructuring costs incurred in 2008 and a reduction in personnel and other costs in 2009 as a result of the organizational restructurings.

 

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net

 

The results of operations for properties sold during the period or designated as held for sale at the end of the period are generally required to be classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The components of net earnings that are classified as discontinued operations include all property-related revenues and operating expenses, depreciation expense recognized prior to the classification as held for sale, property-specific interest

expense and debt extinguishment gains and losses to the extent there is secured debt on the property. In addition, any impairment losses on assets held for sale and the net gain or loss on the eventual disposal of properties held for sale are reported in discontinued operations.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, income from discontinued operations totaled $76.3 million and $156.8 million, respectively. The $80.5 million decrease in income from discontinued operations was principally due to a $129.9 million decrease in gain on dispositions of real estate, net of income taxes, primarily attributable to fewer properties sold in 2010 as compared to 2009, partially offset by a $21.0 million decrease in operating loss (inclusive of a $41.9 million decrease in real estate impairment losses) and a $34.9 million decrease in interest expense.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, income from discontinued operations totaled $156.8 million and $744.9 million, respectively. The $588.1 million decrease in income from discontinued operations was principally due to a $541.1 million decrease in gain on dispositions of real estate, net of income taxes, primarily attributable to fewer properties sold in 2009 as compared to 2008, and a $112.8 million decrease in operating income (inclusive of a $27.1 million increase in real estate impairment losses), partially offset by a $59.8 million decrease in interest expense and a $44.9 million increase in income tax benefit for 2009.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we sold 51 consolidated properties for gross proceeds of $401.4 million and net proceeds of $118.4 million, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $86.1 million (which is net of $8.8 million of related income taxes). During the year ended December 31, 2009, we sold 89 consolidated properties for gross proceeds of $1.3 billion and net proceeds of $432.7 million, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $216.0 million (which is net of $5.8 million of related income taxes). During the year ended December 31, 2008, we sold 151 consolidated properties for gross proceeds of $2.4 billion and net proceeds of $1.1 billion, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $757.1 million (which is net of $43.1 million of related income taxes).

 

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, income from discontinued operations includes the operating results of the properties sold during the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Changes in the level of gains recognized from period to period reflect the changing level of our disposition activity from period to period. Additionally, gains on properties sold are determined on an individual property basis or in the aggregate for a group of properties that are sold in a single transaction, and are not comparable period to period (see Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information on discontinued operations).

 

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Real Estate Partnerships

 

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships reflects the non-Aimco partners’, or noncontrolling partners’, share of operating results of consolidated real estate partnerships, as well as the noncontrolling partners’ share of property management fees, interest on notes and other amounts that we charge to such partnerships. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, we adopted the provisions of SFAS 160, which are now codified in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification, or FASB ASC, Topic 810, effective January 1, 2009. Prior to our adoption of SFAS 160, we generally did not recognize a benefit for the noncontrolling interest partners’ share of partnership losses for partnerships that have deficit noncontrolling interest balances and we generally recognized a charge to our earnings for distributions paid to noncontrolling partners for partnerships that had deficit noncontrolling interest balances. Under the updated provisions of FASB ASC Topic 810, we are required to attribute losses to noncontrolling interests even if such attribution would result in a deficit noncontrolling interest balance and we are no longer required to recognize a charge to our earnings for distributions paid to noncontrolling partners for partnerships that have deficit noncontrolling interest balances.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, we allocated net losses of $13.3 million to noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships as compared to net income of $22.5 million allocated to these noncontrolling interests during the year ended December 31, 2009, a variance of $35.8 million. This change was substantially

attributed to a decrease in the noncontrolling interest partners’ share of income from discontinued operations, which decreased primarily due to a reduction in gains on the dispositions of real estate from 2009 to 2010.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, net earnings attributed to noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships decreased by $133.2 million. This decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction of $108.7 million related to the noncontrolling interest partners’ share of gains on dispositions of real estate, due primarily to fewer sales in 2009 as compared to 2008, $5.5 million of losses allocated to noncontrolling interests in 2009 that we would not have allocated to the noncontrolling interest partners in 2008 because to do so would have resulted in deficits in their noncontrolling interest balances, and approximately $3.8 million related to deficit distribution charges recognized as a reduction to our earnings in 2008, for which we did not recognize similar charges in 2009 based on the change in accounting discussed above. These decreases are in addition to the noncontrolling interest partners’ share of increased losses of our consolidated real estate partnerships in 2009 as compared to 2008.

 

Noncontrolling Interests in Aimco Operating Partnership

 

Noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership consist of common partnership units and preferred OP Units held by limited partners in the Aimco Operating Partnership other than Aimco. We allocate the Aimco Operating Partnership’s income or loss to the holders of common partnership units based on the weighted average number of common partnership units (including those held by Aimco) outstanding during the period. Holders of the preferred OP Units participate in the Aimco Operating Partnership’s income or loss only to the extent of their preferred distributions.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, the effect on our earnings of income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership changed by $1.5 million. This change is primarily attributable to the $1.8 million excess of the carrying amount over the consideration paid in our repurchase of certain preferred OP Units during 2010, which is reflected as a reduction of income allocated to preferred noncontrolling interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, the effect on our earnings of income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership changed by $62.3 million. This change is attributable to a decrease of $50.8 million related to the noncontrolling interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership’s share of income from discontinued operations (net of noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships), due primarily to larger gains on sales in 2008 relative to 2009 and $11.5 million in deficit distribution charges recognized during 2008 due to distributions in excess of the positive balance in noncontrolling interest. These changes were also affected by a decrease in the noncontrolling interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership’s effective ownership interest from 2008 to 2009.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions. We believe that the following critical accounting policies involve our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

Real estate and other long-lived assets to be held and used are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, unless the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable. If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a property may not be recoverable, we make an assessment of its recoverability by comparing the carrying amount to our estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows, excluding interest charges, of the property. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated aggregate undiscounted future cash flows, we recognize an impairment loss to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value of the property.

 

From time to time, we have non-revenue producing properties that we hold for future redevelopment. We assess the recoverability of the carrying amount of these redevelopment properties by comparing our estimate of undiscounted future cash flows based on the expected service potential of the redevelopment property upon

completion to the carrying amount. In certain instances, we use a probability-weighted approach to determine our estimate of undiscounted future cash flows when alternative courses of action are under consideration. As discussed in Provision for Impairment Losses on Real Estate Development Assets within the preceding discussion of our Results of Operations, during 2008 we recognized impairment losses on our Lincoln Place and Pacific Bay Vistas properties of $85.4 million ($55.6 million net of tax) and $5.7 million, respectively.

 

Real estate investments are subject to varying degrees of risk. Several factors may adversely affect the economic performance and value of our real estate investments. These factors include:

 

 

Any adverse changes in these and other factors could cause an impairment of our long-lived assets, including real estate and investments in unconsolidated real estate partnerships. During 2011, we expect to market for sale certain real estate properties that are inconsistent with our long-term investment strategy. For any properties that are sold or meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale during 2011, the reduction in the estimated holding period for these assets may result in additional impairment losses.

 

In addition to the impairments of Lincoln Place and Pacific Bay Vistas discussed above, based on periodic tests of recoverability of long-lived assets, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, we recorded impairment losses of $0.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively, related to properties classified as held for use, and during the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded no additional impairments related to properties held for use. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recognized impairment losses of $12.7 million, $54.5 million and $27.4 million, respectively, for properties included in discontinued operations, primarily due to reductions in the estimated holding periods for assets sold during these periods.

 

Notes Receivable and Interest Income Recognition

 

Notes receivable from unconsolidated real estate partnerships and from non-affiliates represent our two portfolio segments, as defined in FASB Accounting Standards Update 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, that we use to evaluate for potential loan loss. Notes receivable from unconsolidated real estate partnerships consist primarily of notes receivable from partnerships in which we are the general partner but do not consolidate the partnership. These loans are typically due on demand, have no stated maturity date and may not require current payments of principal or interest. Notes receivable from non-affiliates have stated maturity dates and may require current payments of principal and interest. Repayment of these notes is subject to a number of variables, including the performance and value of the underlying real estate properties and the claims of unaffiliated mortgage lenders, which are generally senior to our claims. Our notes receivable consist of two classes: loans extended by us that we carry at the face amount plus accrued interest, which we refer to as “par value notes;” and loans extended by predecessors whose positions we generally acquired at a discount, which we refer to as “discounted notes.”

 

We record interest income on par value notes as earned in accordance with the terms of the related loan agreements. We discontinue the accrual of interest on such notes when the notes are impaired, as discussed below, or when there is otherwise significant uncertainty as to the collection of interest. We record income on such nonaccrual

loans using the cost recovery method, under which we apply cash receipts first to the recorded amount of the loan; thereafter, any additional receipts are recognized as income.

 

We recognize interest income on discounted notes receivable based upon whether the amount and timing of collections are both probable and reasonably estimable. We consider collections to be probable and reasonably estimable when the borrower has closed or entered into certain pending transactions (which include real estate sales, refinancings, foreclosures and rights offerings) that provide a reliable source of repayment. In such instances, we recognize accretion income, on a prospective basis using the effective interest method over the estimated remaining term of the loans, equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the discounted notes and the estimated collectible value. We record income on all other discounted notes using the cost recovery method.

 

Provision for Losses on Notes Receivable

 

We assess the collectibility of notes receivable on a periodic basis, which assessment consists primarily of an evaluation of cash flow projections of the borrower to determine whether estimated cash flows are sufficient to repay principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the note. We update our cash flow projections of the borrowers annually, and more frequently for certain loans depending on facts and circumstances. We recognize impairments on notes receivable when it is probable that principal and interest will not be received in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. Factors that affect this assessment include the fair value of the partnership’s real estate, pending transactions to refinance the partnership’s senior obligations or sell the partnership’s real estate, and market conditions (current and forecasted) related to a particular asset. The amount of the impairment to be recognized generally is based on the fair value of the partnership’s real estate that represents the primary source of loan repayment. In certain instances where other sources of cash flow are available to repay the loan, the impairment is measured by discounting the estimated cash flows at the loan’s original effective interest rate.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 we recorded net provisions for losses on notes receivable of $0.9 million, $21.5 million and $17.6 million, respectively. As discussed in Provision for Losses on Notes Receivable within the preceding discussion of our Results of Operations, provisions for losses on notes receivable in 2009 and 2008 include impairment losses of $20.7 million ($12.4 million net of tax) and $16.3 million ($10.0 million net of tax), respectively, on our investment in Casden Properties LLC, which we account for as a note receivable. We will continue to evaluate the collectibility of these notes, and we will adjust related allowances in the future due to changes in market conditions and other factors.

 

Capitalized Costs

 

We capitalize costs, including certain indirect costs, incurred in connection with our capital additions activities, including redevelopment and construction projects, other tangible property improvements and replacements of existing property components. Included in these capitalized costs are payroll costs associated with time spent by site employees in connection with the planning, execution and control of all capital additions activities at the property level. We characterize as “indirect costs” an allocation of certain department costs, including payroll, at the area operations and corporate levels that clearly relate to capital additions activities. We capitalize interest, property taxes and insurance during periods in which redevelopment and construction projects are in progress. We charge to expense as incurred costs that do not relate to capital additions activities, including ordinary repairs, maintenance, resident turnover costs and general and administrative expenses (see Capital Additions and Related Depreciation in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8).

 

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, for continuing and discontinued operations, we capitalized $11.6 million, $9.8 million and $25.7 million of interest costs, respectively, and $25.3 million, $40.0 million and $78.1 million of site payroll and indirect costs, respectively. The reductions from 2008 to 2010 are primarily due to a reduced level of redevelopment activities.

 

Funds From Operations

 

Funds From Operations, or FFO, is a non-GAAP financial measure that we believe, when considered with the financial statements determined in accordance with GAAP, is helpful to investors in understanding our performance

because it captures features particular to real estate performance by recognizing that real estate generally appreciates over time or maintains residual value to a much greater extent than do other depreciable assets such as machinery, computers or other personal property. The Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT, defines FFO as net income (loss), computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains from sales of depreciable property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures are calculated to reflect FFO on the same basis. We compute FFO for all periods presented in accordance with the guidance set forth by NAREIT’s April 1, 2002, White Paper, which we refer to as the White Paper. We calculate FFO attributable to Aimco common stockholders (diluted) by subtracting redemption or repurchase related preferred stock issuance costs and dividends on preferred stock and adding back dividends/distributions on dilutive preferred securities and premiums or discounts on preferred stock redemptions or repurchases. FFO should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) or net cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indication of our performance or as a measure of liquidity. FFO is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund future cash needs. In addition, although FFO is a measure used for comparability in assessing the performance of REITs, there can be no assurance that our basis for computing FFO is comparable with that of other REITs.

 

In addition to FFO, we compute an alternate measure of FFO, which we refer to as Pro forma FFO and which is FFO attributable to Aimco common stockholders (diluted), excluding operating real estate impairments and preferred equity redemption related amounts (adjusted for noncontrolling interests). Both operating real estate impairment losses and preferred equity redemption related amounts are items that periodically affect our operating results. We exclude operating real estate impairment losses, net of related income tax benefits and noncontrolling interests, from our calculation of Pro forma FFO because we believe the inclusion of such losses in FFO is inconsistent with the treatment of gains on the disposition of operating real estate, which are not included in FFO. We exclude preferred equity redemption related amounts (gains or losses) from our calculation of Pro forma FFO because such amounts are not representative of our operating results. Similar to FFO, we believe Pro forma FFO is helpful to investors in understanding our performance because it captures features particular to real estate performance by recognizing that real estate generally appreciates over time or maintains residual value to a much greater extent than do other depreciating assets such as machinery, computers or other personal property. Not all REITs present an alternate measure of FFO similar to our Pro forma FFO measure and there can be no assurance our basis for calculating Pro forma FFO is comparable to those of other REITs that do provide such a measure.

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, our FFO and Pro forma FFO are calculated as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity is the ability to meet present and future financial obligations. Our primary source of liquidity is cash flow from our operations. Additional sources are proceeds from property sales, proceeds from refinancings of existing property loans, borrowings under new property loans and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

 

Our principal uses for liquidity include normal operating activities, payments of principal and interest on outstanding property debt, capital expenditures, dividends paid to stockholders and distributions paid to noncontrolling interest partners and acquisitions of, and investments in, properties. We use our cash and cash equivalents and our cash provided by operating activities to meet short-term liquidity needs. In the event that our cash and cash equivalents and cash provided by operating activities are not sufficient to cover our short-term liquidity demands, we have additional means, such as short-term borrowing availability and proceeds from property sales and refinancings, to help us meet our short-term liquidity demands. We may use our revolving credit facility for general corporate purposes and to fund investments on an interim basis. We expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements, such as debt maturities and property acquisitions, through long-term borrowings, primarily secured, the issuance of equity securities (including OP Units), the sale of properties and cash generated from operations.

 

The availability of credit and its related effect on the overall economy may affect our liquidity and future financing activities, both through changes in interest rates and access to financing. Currently, interest rates are low compared to historical levels, many lenders have reentered the market, and the CMBS market is showing signs of recovery. However, any adverse changes in the lending environment could negatively affect our liquidity. We believe we mitigate this exposure through our continued focus on reducing our short and intermediate term maturity risk, by refinancing such loans with long-dated, fixed-rate property loans. If property financing options become unavailable for our debt needs, we may consider alternative sources of liquidity, such as reductions in certain capital spending or proceeds from asset dispositions.

 

As further discussed in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, we are subject to interest rate risk associated with certain variable rate liabilities and preferred stock. At December 31, 2010, we estimate that a 1.0% increase in 30-day LIBOR with constant credit risk spreads would reduce our net income (or increase our net loss) attributable to Aimco common stockholders by approximately $3.9 million on an annual basis. The effect of an increase in 30-day LIBOR may be mitigated by the effect of our variable rate assets.

As further discussed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8, we use total rate of return swaps as a financing product to lower our cost of borrowing through conversion of fixed-rate debt to variable-rates. The cost of financing through these arrangements is generally lower than the fixed rate on the debt. As of December 31, 2010, we had total rate of return swap positions with two financial institutions with notional amounts totaling $277.3 million. Swaps with notional amounts of $248.1 million and $29.2 million had maturity dates in May 2012 and October 2012, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we received net cash receipts of $20.9 million under the total return swaps, which positively affected our liquidity. To the extent interest rates increase above the fixed rates on the underlying borrowings, our obligations under the total return swaps will negatively affect our liquidity.

 

During 2010, we refinanced certain of the underlying borrowings subject to total rate of return swaps with long-dated, fixed-rate property debt, and we expect to do the same with certain of the underlying borrowings in 2011. The average effective interest rate associated with our borrowings subject to the total rate of return swaps was 1.6% at December 31, 2010. To the extent we are successful in refinancing additional of the borrowings subject to the total rate of return swaps during 2011, we anticipate the interest cost associated with these borrowings will increase, which would negatively affect our liquidity.

 

We periodically evaluate counterparty credit risk associated with these arrangements. In the event a counterparty were to default under these arrangements, loss of the net interest benefit we generally receive under these arrangements, which is equal to the difference between the fixed rate we receive and the variable rate we pay, may adversely affect our liquidity. However, at the current time, we have concluded we do not have material exposure.

 

The total rate of return swaps require specified loan-to-value ratios. In the event the values of the real estate properties serving as collateral under these agreements decline or if we sell properties in the collateral pool with low loan-to-value ratios, certain of our consolidated subsidiaries have an obligation to pay down the debt or provide additional collateral pursuant to the swap agreements, which may adversely affect our cash flows. The obligation to provide collateral is limited to these subsidiaries and is non-recourse to us. At December 31, 2010, these subsidiaries were not required to provide cash collateral based on the loan-to-value ratios of the real estate properties serving as collateral under these agreements.

 

See Derivative Financial Instruments in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information regarding these arrangements, including the current swap maturity dates and disclosures regarding fair value measurements.

 

As of December 31, 2010, we had the capacity to borrow $260.3 million pursuant to our $300.0 million revolving credit facility (after giving effect to $39.7 million outstanding for undrawn letters of credit).

 

At December 31, 2010, we had $111.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $30.1 million from December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2010, we had $201.4 million of restricted cash, a decrease of $17.3 million from December 31, 2009. Restricted cash primarily consists of reserves and escrows held by lenders for bond sinking funds, capital additions, property taxes and insurance. In addition, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are held by partnerships that are not presented on a consolidated basis. The following discussion relates to changes in cash due to operating, investing and financing activities, which are presented in our consolidated statements of cash flows in Item 8.

 

Operating Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, our net cash provided by operating activities of $257.5 million was primarily related to operating income from our consolidated properties, which is affected primarily by rental rates, occupancy levels and operating expenses related to our portfolio of properties, in excess of payments of operating accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including amounts related to our organizational restructuring. Cash provided by operating activities increased $23.7 million compared with the year ended December 31, 2009, primarily due to decreases in interest paid and other working capital expenditures, including payments related to our restructuring accruals, in 2010 as compared to 2009, partially offset by a decrease in property net operating income, primarily due to property sales during 2009 and 2010.

Investing Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, our net cash provided by investing activities of $86.4 million consisted primarily of proceeds from disposition of real estate and partnership interests, partially offset by capital expenditures.

 

Although we hold all of our properties for investment, we sell properties when they do not meet our investment criteria or are located in areas that we believe do not justify our continued investment when compared to alternative uses for our capital. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we sold 51 consolidated properties. These properties were sold for an aggregate sales price of $402.5 million, generating proceeds totaling $387.9 million after the payment of transaction costs and debt prepayment penalties. The $387.9 million is inclusive of debt assumed by buyers. Net cash proceeds from property sales were used primarily to repay or pay down property debt and for other corporate purposes.

 

Capital expenditures totaled $178.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, and consisted primarily of Capital Improvements and Capital Replacements, and to a lesser extent included spending for redevelopment projects and casualties. In 2011, we expect to increase our redevelopment spending on conventional properties from approximately $30.0 million in 2010 to approximately $50.0 million to $75.0 million. We generally fund capital additions with cash provided by operating activities, working capital and property sales.

 

Financing Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, net cash used in financing activities of $313.8 million was primarily attributed to debt principal payments, dividends paid to common and preferred stockholders, distributions to noncontrolling interests and our redemption and repurchase of preferred stock. Proceeds from property loans and our issuance of preferred stock partially offset the cash outflows.

 

Property Debt

 

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had $5.5 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively, in consolidated property debt outstanding, which included $240.0 million at December 31, 2009, of property debt classified within liabilities related to assets held for sale. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we refinanced or closed property loans on 23 properties generating $449.4 million of proceeds from borrowings with a weighted average interest rate of 5.42%. Our share of the net proceeds after repayment of existing debt, payment of transaction costs and distributions to limited partners, was $138.9 million. We used these total net proceeds for capital expenditures and other corporate purposes. We intend to continue to refinance property debt primarily as a means of extending current and near term maturities and to finance certain capital projects.

 

Credit Facility

 

We have an Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, as amended, with a syndicate of financial institutions, which we refer to as the Credit Agreement. During 2010, we amended the Credit Agreement to, among other things, increase the revolving commitments from $180.0 million to $300.0 million, extend the maturity from May 2012 to May 2014 (both inclusive of a one year extension option) and reduce the LIBOR floor on the facility’s base interest rate from 2.00% to 1.50%. During 2010, we also repaid in full the remaining $90.0 million term loan that was outstanding as of December 31, 2009.

 

As of December 31, 2010, the Credit Agreement consisted of $300.0 million of revolving loan commitments. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest based on a pricing grid determined by leverage (either at LIBOR plus 4.25% with a LIBOR floor of 1.50% or, at our option, a base rate equal to the prime rate plus a spread of 3.00%). The revolving credit facility matures May 1, 2013, and may be extended for an additional year, subject to certain conditions, including payment of a 35.0 basis point fee on the total revolving commitments.

 

At December 31, 2010, we had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The amount available under the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2010, was $260.3 million (after giving effect to $39.7 million outstanding for undrawn letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility). The proceeds of revolving loans are generally used to fund working capital and for other corporate purposes.

Our Credit Agreement requires us to satisfy covenant ratios of earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization to debt service and earnings to fixed charges of 1.40:1 and 1.20:1, respectively. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, as calculated based on the provisions in our Credit Agreement, we had a ratio of earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization to debt service of 1.57:1 and a ratio of earnings to fixed charges of 1.33:1. We expect to remain in compliance with these covenants during 2011. In the first quarter of 2012, the covenant ratios of earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization to debt service and earnings to fixed charges required by our Credit Agreement will increase to 1.50:1 and 1.30:1, respectively.

 

Equity Transactions

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we paid cash dividends or distributions totaling $53.4 million, $46.7 million and $10.1 million to preferred stockholders, common stockholders and noncontrolling interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership, respectively.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we sold 4,000,000 shares of our 7.75% Class U Cumulative Preferred Stock for net proceeds of $96.1 million (after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and transaction expenses of $3.3 million), and we sold 600,000 shares of our Common Stock pursuant to an At-The-Market, or ATM, offering program we initiated during 2010, generating $14.4 million of net proceeds. Aimco used the proceeds from the Common Stock issuance primarily to fund the acquisition of noncontrolling limited partnership interests for certain consolidated real estate partnerships.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we repurchased 20 shares, or $10.0 million in liquidation preference, of CRA Preferred Stock for $7.0 million, and primarily using the proceeds from our issuance of preferred stock discussed above, we redeemed the 4,040,000 outstanding shares of our 9.375% Class G Cumulative Preferred Stock for $101.0 million plus accrued and unpaid dividends of $2.2 million.

 

Pursuant to the ATM offering program discussed above, we may issue up to 6.4 million additional shares of our Common Stock. Additionally, we and the Aimco Operating Partnership have a shelf registration statement that provides for the issuance of debt and equity securities by Aimco and debt securities by the Aimco Operating Partnership.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we paid cash distributions of $44.5 million to noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships, primarily related to property sales during 2010 and late 2009.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we acquired the remaining noncontrolling limited partnership interests in two consolidated partnerships, in which our affiliates serve as general partner, for total consideration of $19.9 million. This consideration consisted of $12.5 million in cash, $6.9 million in common OP Units and $0.5 million of other consideration.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

This table summarizes information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report regarding payments due under contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2010 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the amounts presented in the table above, at December 31, 2010, we had $679.5 million (liquidation value) of perpetual preferred stock outstanding with annual dividend yields ranging from 1.5% (variable) to 8.0%, and $82.6 million (liquidation value) of redeemable preferred units of the Aimco Operating Partnership outstanding with annual distribution yields ranging from 1.8% to 8.8%, or equal to the dividends paid on Common Stock based on the conversion terms. As further discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, we have a potential obligation to repurchase $20.0 million in liquidation preference our Series A Community Reinvestment Act Preferred Stock over the next two years for $14.0 million.

 

As discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, we have notes receivable collateralized by second mortgages on certain properties in West Harlem in New York City. In certain circumstances, the obligor under these notes has the ability to put properties to us, which would result in a cash payment of approximately $30.6 million and the assumption of approximately $118.6 million in property debt. The obligor’s right to exercise the put is dependent upon the achievement of specified operating performance thresholds.

 

Additionally, we may enter into commitments to purchase goods and services in connection with the operations of our properties. Those commitments generally have terms of one year or less and reflect expenditure levels comparable to our historical expenditures.

 

Future Capital Needs

 

In addition to the items set forth in “Contractual Obligations” above, we expect to fund any future acquisitions, redevelopment projects, Capital Improvements and Capital Replacements principally with proceeds from property sales (including tax-free exchange proceeds), short-term borrowings, debt and equity financing (including tax credit equity) and operating cash flows.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We own general and limited partner interests in unconsolidated real estate partnerships, in which our total ownership interests typically range from less than 1% to 50% and in some instances may exceed 50%. There are no lines of credit, side agreements, or any other derivative financial instruments related to or between our unconsolidated real estate partnerships and us and no material exposure to financial guarantees. Accordingly, our maximum risk of loss related to these unconsolidated real estate partnerships is limited to the aggregate carrying amount of our investment in the unconsolidated real estate partnerships and any outstanding notes or accounts receivable as reported in our consolidated financial statements (see Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information about our investments in unconsolidated real estate partnerships).

 

 

Our primary market risk exposure relates to changes in base interest rates, credit risk spreads and availability of credit. We are not subject to any other material market rate or price risks. We use predominantly long-term, fixed-rate non-recourse property debt in order to avoid the refunding and repricing risks of short-term borrowings. We use short-term debt financing and working capital primarily to fund short-term uses and acquisitions and generally expect to refinance such borrowings with cash from operating activities, property sales proceeds, long-term debt or equity financings. We use total rate-of-return swaps to obtain the benefit of variable rates on certain of our fixed rate debt instruments. We make limited use of other derivative financial instruments and we do not use them for trading or other speculative purposes.

As of December 31, 2010, on a consolidated basis, we had approximately $470.3 million of variable-rate indebtedness outstanding and $57.0 million of variable rate preferred stock outstanding. Of the total debt subject to variable interest rates, floating rate tax-exempt bond financing was approximately $374.4 million. Floating rate tax-exempt bond financing is benchmarked against the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index, or SIFMA, rate, which since 1989 has averaged 75% of the 30-day LIBOR rate. If this historical relationship continues, we estimate that an increase in 30-day LIBOR of 100 basis points (75 basis points for tax-exempt interest rates) with constant credit risk spreads would result in net income and net income attributable to Aimco common stockholders being reduced (or the amounts of net loss and net loss attributable to Aimco common stockholders being increased) by $3.9 million on an annual basis.

 

At December 31, 2010, we had approximately $450.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and notes receivable, a portion of which bear interest at variable rates indexed to LIBOR-based rates, and which may mitigate the effect of an increase in variable rates on our variable-rate indebtedness and preferred stock discussed above.

 

We estimate the fair value for our debt instruments using present value techniques that include income and market valuation approaches with market rates for debt with the same or similar terms. Present value calculations vary depending on the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In many cases, the fair value estimates may not be realizable in immediate settlement of the instruments. The estimated aggregate fair value of our consolidated debt (including amounts reported in liabilities related to assets held for sale) was approximately $5.6 billion and $5.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The combined carrying value of our consolidated debt (including amounts reported in liabilities related to assets held for sale) was approximately $5.5 billion and $5.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. See Note 6 and Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for further details on our consolidated debt. Refer to Derivative Financial Instruments in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for further discussion regarding certain of our fixed rate debt that is subject to total rate of return swap instruments. If market rates for our fixed-rate debt were higher by 100 basis points with constant credit risk spreads, the estimated fair value of our debt discussed above would have decreased from $5.6 billion to $5.3 billion. If market rates for our debt discussed above were lower by 100 basis points with constant credit risk spreads, the estimated fair value of our fixed-rate debt would have increased from $5.6 billion to $6.0 billion.

 

 

The independent registered public accounting firm’s report, consolidated financial statements and schedule listed in the accompanying index are filed as part of this report and incorporated herein by this reference. See “Index to Financial Statements” on page F-1 of this Annual Report.

 

 

None.

 

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

 

Based on their assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Stockholders and Board of Directors Apartment Investment and Management Company

 

We have audited Apartment Investment and Management Company’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, and our report dated February 24, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

Denver, Colorado

February 24, 2011

 

None.

 

 

The information required by this item is presented under the captions “Board of Directors and Executive Officers,” “Corporate Governance Matters — Code of Ethics,” “Other Matters — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Corporate Governance Matters — Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,” “Corporate Governance Matters — Audit Committee” and “Corporate Governance Matters — Audit Committee Financial Expert” in the proxy statement for our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

The information required by this item is presented under the captions “Compensation Discussion & Analysis,” “Compensation and Human Resources Committee Report to Stockholders,” “Summary Compensation Table,” “Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2010,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End 2010,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2010,” “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” and “Corporate Governance Matters — Director Compensation” in the proxy statement for our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

The information required by this item is presented under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans” in the proxy statement for our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

The information required by this item is presented under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Matters — Independence of Directors” in the proxy statement for our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

The information required by this item is presented under the caption “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in the proxy statement for our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(a)(1)  The financial statements listed in the Index to Financial Statements on Page F-1 of this report are filed as part of this report and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(a)(2)  The financial statement schedule listed in the Index to Financial Statements on Page F-1 of this report is filed as part of this report and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(a)(3)  The Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS (1)(2)

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

Apartment Investment And
Management Company

 

Terry Considine

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: February 24, 2011

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

APARTMENT INVESTMENT AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Stockholders and Board of Directors Apartment Investment and Management Company

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Apartment Investment and Management Company (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying Index to Financial Statements. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, during 2010 the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Update 2009-17, Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities, and during 2009 adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51 (codified in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810).

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 24, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

Denver, Colorado

February 24, 2011

APARTMENT INVESTMENT AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2010 and 2009
(In thousands, except share data)