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 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):

 

 

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 $2.8 billion as of June 30, 2008. As of February 25, 2009, there were 117,298,253 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 27, 2009, 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, 2008

 

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, including, without limitation, statements regarding the effect of acquisitions and redevelopments, our future financial performance, including our ability to maintain current or meet projected occupancy, rent levels and same store results, and the effect of government regulations. 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; national and local economic conditions; energy costs; the terms of governmental regulations that affect us and interpretations of those regulations; the competitive environment in which we operate; real estate risks, including fluctuations in real estate values and the general economic climate in the markets in which we operate and competition for tenants in such markets; insurance risk; acquisition and development risks, including failure of such acquisitions to perform in accordance with projections; the timing of acquisitions and dispositions; natural disasters and severe weather such as hurricanes; litigation, including costs associated with prosecuting or defending claims and any adverse outcomes; 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, engaged in the acquisition, ownership, management and redevelopment of apartment properties. As of December 31, 2008, we owned or managed a real estate portfolio of 992 apartment properties containing 162,807 apartment units located in 44 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. We are one of the largest owners and operators of apartment properties in the United States. Our portfolio includes garden style, mid-rise and high-rise properties.

 

We own an equity interest in, and consolidate the majority of, the properties in our owned real estate portfolio. These properties represent the consolidated real estate holdings in our financial statements, which we refer to as consolidated properties. In addition, we have an equity interest in, but do not consolidate for financial statement purposes, certain properties that are accounted for under the equity or cost methods. These properties represent our investment in unconsolidated real estate partnerships in our financial statements, which we refer to as unconsolidated properties. Additionally, we provide property management and asset management services to certain properties, and in certain cases, we may indirectly own generally less than one percent of the operations of such

properties through a partnership syndication or other fund. Our equity holdings and managed properties are as follows as of December 31, 2008:

 

 

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, 2008, we held an interest of approximately 91% 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 OP Units, partnership preferred units, or preferred OP Units, and high performance partnership units, or High Performance Units. Generally, after a holding period of twelve months, holders of common OP Units may redeem such units for cash or, at the Aimco Operating Partnership’s option, Aimco Class A Common Stock, which we refer to as Common Stock. At December 31, 2008, we had 101,176,232 shares of our Common Stock outstanding and the Aimco Operating Partnership had 9,484,191 common OP Units and equivalents outstanding for a combined total of 110,660,423 shares of Common Stock and OP Units outstanding (excluding preferred OP Units).

 

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, 2008, our portfolio of owned and/or managed properties consists of 992 properties with 162,807 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.

 

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 2008, our chief executive officer submitted his annual corporate governance listing standards certification to the New York Stock Exchange, which certification was unqualified.

 

Financial Information About Industry Segments

 

We operate in two reportable segments: real estate (owning, operating and redeveloping apartments) and investment management (portfolio strategy, capital allocation, joint ventures, tax credit syndication, acquisitions, dispositions and other transaction activities). For further information on these segments, see Note 18 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis in Item 7.

 

Business Overview

 

Our principal financial objective is to increase long-term stockholder value per share, as measured by Economic Income, which consists of cash dividends and changes in Net Asset Value, or NAV, which is the estimated fair value of our assets, net of debt.

We strive to meet our objectives through:

 

 

Our business is organized around three core activities: Property Operations, Redevelopment, and Investment Management. These three core activities, along with our financial strategy, are described in more detail below.

 

Property Operations

 

Our portfolio is comprised of two business components: conventional and affordable. Our conventional operations, which are market-rate apartments with rents paid by the resident, include 310 properties with 93,444 units. Our affordable operations consist of 289 properties with 33,888 units, with rents that are generally paid, in whole or part, by a government agency. 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.

 

We operate a broad range of property types, from suburban garden-style to urban high-rise properties in 44 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico at a broad range of average monthly rental rates, with most between $700 and $1,200 per month, and reaching as high as $10,000 per month at some of our premier properties. This diversification insulates us, to some degree, from inevitable downturns in any one market.

 

Our property operations currently are organized into five areas, which are further subdivided according to our target markets, which are the largest 20 U.S. markets as measured by total market capitalization, or the total market value of institutional-grade apartment properties in a particular market. 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 Vice President, or AVP, with regular senior management reviews. To enable the AVPs 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 AVP, and with the exception of routine maintenance, our specialized Construction Services group manages all on-site improvements, thus reducing the need for AVPs to spend time on oversight of construction projects.

 

We seek to improve our corporate-level oversight of property operations by developing better systems, standardizing business goals, operational measurements and internal reporting, and enhancing financial controls over field operations. Our objectives are to focus on the areas discussed below:

 

 

 

Capital Replacements and Capital Improvements

 

We believe that the physical condition and amenities of our apartment properties are important factors in our ability to maintain and increase rental rates. In 2008, we spent $101.4 million (Aimco’s share), or $799 per owned apartment unit, for Capital Replacements, which represent the share of expenditures that are deemed to replace the consumed portion of acquired capital assets. Additionally, we spent $124.9 million (Aimco’s share), or $985 per owned apartment unit, for Capital Improvements, which are non-redevelopment capital expenditures that are made to enhance the value, profitability or useful life of an asset from its original purchase condition.

 

Redevelopment

 

In addition to maintenance and improvements of our properties, we focus on the redevelopment of certain properties each year. 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. Redevelopment work also includes 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, which includes developers, engineers, architects and construction managers, to oversee these projects.

 

Our share of 2008 redevelopment expenditures on active and completed projects totaled $226.3 million and $113.9 million in conventional and affordable redevelopment projects, respectively. During 2008, we completed redevelopment projects at 13 conventional properties and 21 affordable properties with 6,524 and 2,903 units, respectively. During 2008, we delivered 4,817 conventional and 1,780 affordable redeveloped units, respectively, some of which are part of redevelopment projects completed in 2008 and some of which are part of ongoing

projects. As of December 31, 2008, we had 37 conventional and four affordable redevelopment projects at various stages of completion.

 

In 2009, we expect to decrease our redevelopment expenditures, with an investment between $50.0 and $75.0 million in conventional redevelopment projects and between $30.0 and $45.0 million in affordable redevelopment projects, predominantly funded by third-party tax credit equity.

 

Investment Management

 

Investment management includes activities related to our owned portfolio of properties as well as services provided to affiliated partnerships. Activities and services that fall within Investment Management include portfolio strategy, capital allocation, joint ventures, tax credit syndication, acquisitions, dispositions and other transaction activities. Within our owned portfolio, we refer to these activities as “Portfolio Management” and they include strategic portfolio and capital allocation decisions through transactions to buy, sell or modify our ownership interest in properties, including through the use of partnerships and joint ventures. The purpose of these transactions is to adjust Aimco’s investments to reflect our decisions regarding target allocations to geographic markets and to investment types. When we provide these services with respect to our own investments, there is no separate compensation, and their benefit is seen in property operating results and in investment gains. For affiliated partnerships, we refer to these activities as “Asset Management,” and they include property management, financial management, accounting, investor reporting, property debt financings, tax credit syndication, redevelopment and construction management. When we provide these services to affiliated partnerships, we are separately compensated through fees paid by third party investors. Those fees may be recognized in a subsequent period upon the occurrence of a current transaction or a transaction expected to close within twelve months, or improvement in operations that generates sufficient cash to pay the fees. Although many teams at Aimco are involved in the delivery of these services, the negotiation of transactions for Aimco’s account and the oversight of services provided to others is primarily the responsibility of our Investment Management team.

 

Conventional 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.

 

During 2007, we refined our geographic allocation strategy to focus on our target markets. We believe these markets to be deep, relatively liquid and to 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. Following this strategy through dispositions, acquisitions and redevelopment spending, we have reduced our investment in markets outside our target markets and increased our investment in our target markets. We expect that increased geographic focus will also add to our investment knowledge and increase operating efficiencies based on local economies of scale.

 

Portfolio management also includes dispositions of properties located within markets we intend to exit, properties in less favored locations within our target markets and properties that do not meet our long-term investment criteria. Property sales proceeds are used to fund redevelopment spending, acquisitions, and other corporate purposes, such as debt reduction, preferred stock redemptions or purchases and special dividends. In 2008, we sold 130 conventional properties generating net cash proceeds to us, after repayment of existing debt, payment of transaction costs and distributions to limited partners, of $852.2 million. In 2008, we exited six markets, and as of December 31, 2008, our conventional portfolio included 310 properties with 93,444 units in 40 markets.

 

As of December 31, 2008, conventional properties in our target markets comprised 84.2% of our Net Asset Value (which is the estimated fair value of our assets, net of debt, or NAV) attributable to our conventional properties. Our top five markets by NOI contribution include the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, California; “Other” Florida (which is comprised of Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Palm Beach County and Tampa); Chicago, Illinois and Boston, Massachusetts.

During 2008, we invested in our conventional portfolio primarily by funding redevelopment. In 2008, we invested $226.3 million in redevelopment of properties in our conventional portfolio. We also completed acquisitions of three conventional properties, containing approximately 470 residential units for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $111.5 million (excluding transaction costs). These properties are located in San Jose, California, Brighton, Massachusetts and Seattle, Washington.

 

Portfolio management can include the use of partnerships and joint ventures to allow us to attract and serve high quality investment partners, and to rebalance efficiently our geographic market allocation of capital while maintaining our local operating platform and its operational scale.

 

Affordable Portfolio Management

 

The portfolio management strategy for our affordable portfolio is similar to that for our conventional portfolio. During 2008, we invested $113.9 million in redevelopment of affordable properties, funded primarily by proceeds from the sale of tax credits to institutional partners. As with conventional properties, we also seek to dispose of properties that are inconsistent with our long-term investment and operating strategies. During 2008, we sold 25 properties from our affordable portfolio, including six unconsolidated properties, generating net cash proceeds to us, after repayment of existing debt, payment of transaction costs and distributions to limited partners, of $169.8 million. As of December 31, 2008, our affordable portfolio included 289 properties with 33,888 units.

 

Financial Strategy

 

We are focused on improving liquidity and balancing our sources and uses of cash. During 2008, using proceeds from asset dispositions, we repaid in full our $75.0 million term loan which was scheduled for payment in September 2009, repaid all of the outstanding amounts due on our revolving credit facility and repurchased approximately $27.0 million of outstanding variable rate preferred stock. Also during 2008, in connection with property dispositions, we repaid approximately $1.1 billion in non-recourse property debt. As of December 31, 2008, the amount available under our revolving credit facility, which matures in May 2010 (inclusive of a one-year extension option we expect to exercise), was $578.8 million (after giving effect to $56.2 million outstanding for undrawn letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility). Additionally, we had $72.0 million of available capacity on our $200.0 million non-recourse secured credit facility which, inclusive of two one-year extension options, matures in October 2012. During 2009, we intend to use proceeds from asset dispositions to continue to reduce the remaining balance on our term loan, which matures in March 2011. That term loan has an outstanding balance of $350.0 million after we repaid $50.0 million in January 2009. Other than the term loan and any borrowings under the revolving credit facility, we have no recourse corporate debt.

 

Our revolving credit facility includes customary financial covenants, including the maintenance of specified ratios with respect to total indebtedness to gross asset value, total secured indebtedness to gross asset value, aggregate recourse indebtedness to gross asset value, variable rate debt to total indebtedness, debt service coverage and fixed charge coverage; the maintenance of a minimum adjusted tangible net worth; and limitations regarding the amount of cross-collateralized debt. The credit facility includes other customary covenants, including a restriction on distributions and other restricted payments, but permits distributions 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. These covenants are calculated on a quarterly basis and are monitored as various strategic decisions are considered. We were in compliance with all such covenants as of December 31, 2008.

 

We are also focused on minimizing our cost of capital on a risk-adjusted basis. We primarily use non-recourse property debt with laddered maturities and minimize reliance on corporate debt. The lower risk inherent in non-recourse property debt permits us to operate with higher debt leverage and a lower weighted average cost of capital. We use floating rate property and corporate debt to provide lower interest costs over time at a level that considers acceptable earnings volatility. During 2008, we closed property loans totaling $962.2 million at an average interest rate of 5.51%, which included the refinancing of property loans totaling $472.9 million with prior interest rates averaging 5.58%. In addition to the refinancing activity, the property loans included new financings on existing properties, redevelopment loans and the modification of terms on existing property debt. In 2009, 2010 and 2011, 38

property loans will mature and our share of these maturities totals $273.9 million, $279.9 million and $102.3 million, respectively. We expect to refinance a number of such loans in the first half of 2009.

 

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 oversupply of single family homes and condominiums and household consolidation, both of which affect the pricing and occupancy of our rental apartments. Additionally, we compete with other real estate investors, including other apartment REITs, pension and investment funds, partnerships and investment companies in acquiring, redeveloping and managing 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.

 

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 (property management, asset management, risk, etc.) 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, as these services and activities generally cannot be offered directly by the REIT.

 

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.

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 hazardous substances present on a property. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release or presence of the hazardous substances. 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, litigation management and loss reserving procedures to manage our exposure.

 

Employees

 

At December 31, 2008, we had approximately 4,500 employees, of which approximately 3,400 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. Unions represent approximately 120 of our employees. We have never experienced a work stoppage and believe we maintain satisfactory relations with our employees.

 

As further described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, we initiated an organizational restructuring during 2008. As a result of the restructuring, we plan to eliminate approximately 300 jobs on or before March 1, 2009, with reductions in staffing within corporate, redevelopment and construction services, property management and investment management functions. Approximately half of the planned job eliminations had been completed at December 31, 2008.

 

 

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, 2008, 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.

 

Our strategy is generally to incur debt to increase the return on our equity while maintaining acceptable coverage ratios. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we had a ratio of free cash flow (net operating income less spending for capital replacements) to combined interest expense and preferred stock dividends of 1.43:1. For the year ended December 31, 2008, as calculated based on the provisions in our credit agreement, which is further

discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, we had a ratio of earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization to debt service of 1.63:1 and a ratio of earnings to fixed charges of 1.43:1.

 

At December 31, 2008, we had swap positions with two financial institutions totaling $422.1 million. The related swap agreements provide for collateral calls to maintain specified loan-to-value ratios. In the event the values of the real estate properties serving as collateral under these agreements decline, we may be required to provide additional collateral pursuant to the swap agreements, which would adversely affect our cash flows.

 

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 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. Recently the United States credit markets have experienced significant liquidity disruptions, which have caused the spreads on debt financings to widen considerably and have made obtaining financing, both non-recourse property debt and corporate borrowings, such as our term loan or revolving credit facility, more difficult.

 

Further or prolonged disruptions in the credit markets could result in Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae reducing their level of involvement in secondary credits markets which would adversely affect our ability to obtain non-recourse property debt financing. Additionally, further or prolonged disruptions in the credit markets could lead to the failure of additional financial companies, some of which may have financial commitments within our revolving credit facility. This may affect our access to liquidity through our credit facility’s scheduled maturity in May 2010 (inclusive of a one-year extension option we expect to exercise). When the revolving credit facility matures, disruptions in the credit markets may also affect our ability to renew such credit facility with similar commitments.

 

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, 2008, we had approximately $1,309.5 million of variable-rate indebtedness outstanding and $73.0 million of variable rate preferred stock outstanding. Of the total debt subject to variable interest rates, floating rate tax-exempt bond financing was $563.4 million. Floating rate tax-exempt bond financing is benchmarked against the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index, or SIFMA, rate (previously the Bond Market Association index), which since 1989 has averaged 69% of the 30-day LIBOR rate. If this historical relationship continues, we estimate that an increase in 30-day LIBOR of 1.0% (0.69% in tax-exempt interest rates) with constant credit risk spreads would result in our income before minority interests being reduced by $11.6 million and our income attributable to common stockholders being reduced by $11.1 million on an annual basis. At December 31, 2008, we had approximately $717.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and notes receivable, the majority of which bear interest. We also had approximately $127.3 million of variable rate debt associated with our redevelopment activities, for which we capitalize a portion of the interest expense. The effect of our interest-bearing assets and of capitalizing interest on variable rate debt associated with our redevelopment activities would partially reduce the effect of an increase in variable interest rates. Considering these offsets, the same increase in 30-day LIBOR would result in our income before minority interests being reduced by $3.1 million and our income attributable to common stockholders being reduced by $4.3 million on an annual basis.

 

Failure to generate sufficient net operating income may 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 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. Our freedom to sell properties is also restricted by REIT tax rules. Thus, we may not be able to change our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other market conditions. We also intend to use proceeds from property sales to repay our corporate debt. 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. The current 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 our 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:

 

 

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 net 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 acquisitions 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.

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

 

We are self-insured for a portion of our consolidated properties’ exposure to casualty losses resulting from fire, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood and other perils. We recognize casualty losses or gains based on the net book value of the affected property and 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. 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 (or reinsurance where we insure unconsolidated properties) 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. The extent of our losses in connection with catastrophic 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 trend affecting a region may have a significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations. We cannot accurately predict catastrophes, or the number and type of catastrophic events that will affect us. As a result, our operating and financial results may vary significantly from one period to the next. While 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 catastrophic events 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. 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. The loss of any member of senior management could adversely affect our ability to pursue effectively our business strategy.

 

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.

 

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 HUD or state housing finance agencies, typically provide 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 impose restrictions on resident incomes. Failure to comply with these requirements and restrictions may result in financial penalties or loss of benefits. We usually need 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.

 

During 2008, 2007 and 2006, for continuing and discontinued operations, our rental revenues include $119.1 million, $123.8 million and $135.2 million, respectively, of subsidies from government agencies. Any loss of such benefits would 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. Likewise, the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, or FHAA, requires apartment properties first occupied after March 13, 1990, to be accessible to the handicapped. 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 and the FHAA 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 hazardous substances present on a property, including lead-based paint. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release or presence of the hazardous substances. The presence of, or the failure to manage or remedy properly, hazardous substances 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 presence of hazardous substances 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 hazardous substances through a licensed disposal or treatment facility. Anyone who arranges for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances 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 liable 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.

 

We have been named as a defendant in lawsuits that have alleged personal injury and property damage as a result of the presence of mold. In addition, we are aware of lawsuits against owners and managers of multifamily properties asserting claims of personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold, some of which have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements. We have only limited insurance coverage for property damage loss claims arising from the presence of mold and for personal injury claims related to mold exposure. 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 prevent or eliminate mold exposure from 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. 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 payment 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 will 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.

 

We have in the past chosen, and may in the future choose, to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case you may be required to pay income taxes in excess of the cash dividends you receive.

 

We have in the past distributed, and may in the future distribute, taxable dividends that are payable in cash and shares of our Common Stock. Stockholders subject to the payment of income tax receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as taxable income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash dividends received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our Common Stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our Common Stock.

 

Further, various aspects of such a taxable cash/stock dividend are uncertain and have not yet been addressed by the IRS. No assurance can be given that the IRS will not impose additional requirements in the future with respect to taxable cash/stock dividends, including on a retroactive basis, or assert that the requirements for such taxable cash/stock dividends have not been met.

 

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% 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 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, 2008, 426,157,736 shares were classified as Common Stock, of which 101,176,232 were outstanding, and 84,429,764 shares were classified as preferred stock, of which 24,950,146 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, rights, powers and restrictions 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.

 

Maryland business statutes 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 restricts mergers and other business combination transactions between us and any person who acquires 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. Maryland law also provides generally that a person who acquires shares of our capital stock that represent 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, Maryland 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. In addition, Maryland 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 properties are located in 44 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Our geographic allocation strategy focuses on target markets which are grouped by region below. The following table sets forth information on all of our property operations as of December 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

At December 31, 2008, we owned an equity interest in and consolidated 514 properties containing 117,719 apartment units, which we refer to as “consolidated properties.” These consolidated properties contain, on average, 229 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 and tennis courts. Many of the apartment units offer features such as vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, washer and dryer hook-ups, 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, 2008, we held an equity interest in and did not consolidate 85 properties containing 9,613 apartment units, which we refer to as “unconsolidated properties.” In addition, we provided property management services for 34 properties containing 3,252 apartment units, and asset management services for 359 properties containing 32,223 apartment units. In certain cases, we may indirectly own generally less than one percent of the operations of such properties through a partnership syndication or other fund.

 

Substantially all of our consolidated properties are encumbered by mortgage indebtedness. At December 31, 2008, our consolidated properties classified as held for use in our consolidated balance sheet were encumbered by aggregate mortgage indebtedness totaling $6,281.1 million having an aggregate weighted average interest rate of 5.55%. Such mortgage indebtedness was secured by 497 properties with a combined net book value of $8,005.6 million. Included in the 497 properties, we had a total of 37 mortgage loans on 25 properties, with an aggregate principal balance outstanding of $483.7 million, that were each secured by property and cross-collateralized with certain (but not all) other mortgage loans within this group of mortgage loans (see Note 6 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information about our indebtedness).

 

 

See the information under the caption “Legal Matters” in Note 8 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for information regarding legal proceedings, which information is incorporated by reference in this Item 3.

 

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

 

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, including the repurchase of our common and preferred shares. We have previously announced that we intend to adjust the regular annual per share dividend from $2.40 (or $0.60 per quarter) to $1.00 (or $0.25 per quarter). The Board of Directors may further adjust the dividend amount or the frequency with which the dividend is paid based on then prevailing facts and circumstances.

 

On February 25, 2009, the closing price of our Common Stock was $5.47 per share, as reported on the NYSE, and there were 117,298,253 shares of Common Stock outstanding, held by 3,018 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 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, 2008, approximately 4,400 and 160,000 shares of Common Stock were issued in exchange for common OP Units, respectively. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2008, no shares of Common Stock were issued in exchange for preferred OP Units.

 

The following table summarizes repurchases of our equity securities in the quarter ended December 31, 2008(1):

 

 

 

 

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 Standard & Poor’s 500 Total Return Index (the “S&P 500”), the NASDAQ Composite, the SNL REIT Residential Index and the MSCI US REIT Index. The SNL REIT Residential Index was prepared by SNL Securities, an independent research and publishing firm specializing in the collection and dissemination of data on the banking, thrift and financial services industries.

 

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, 2003, 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 ^©2009.

 

The Performance Graph will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Company 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, engaged in the acquisition, ownership, management and redevelopment of apartment properties. Our property operations are characterized by diversification of product, location and price point. As of December 31, 2008, we owned or managed 992 apartment properties containing 162,807 units located in 44 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Our primary sources of income and cash are rents associated with apartment leases.

 

The key financial indicators that we use in managing our business and in evaluating our financial condition and operating performance are: NAV; Funds From Operations, or FFO; Adjusted Funds From Operations, or AFFO, which is FFO less spending for Capital Replacements; same store property operating results; net operating income; net operating income less spending for Capital Replacements, or Free Cash Flow; Economic Income; financial coverage ratios; and leverage as shown on our balance sheet. FFO and Capital Replacements are defined and further described in the sections captioned “Funds From Operations” and “Capital Expenditures” below. The key macro-economic factors and non-financial indicators that affect our financial condition and operating performance are: 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, the pace and price at which we redevelop, acquire and dispose of our apartment properties, and the volume and timing of fee transactions 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.

 

As the financial and economic environment became more challenging during 2008, we focused on: serving and retaining residents; controlling costs and increasing efficiency through improved business processes and automation; controlling capital spending; minimizing our cost of capital, building cash and reducing leverage; and upgrading the quality of our portfolio through portfolio management. Additionally, in connection with 2008 property sales and expected reductions in redevelopment and transactional activities, we initiated an organizational restructuring during the fourth quarter of 2008. We expect 2009 to continue to be very difficult and will continue to evaluate our activities and organizational structure, and intend to adjust as necessary.

 

Our portfolio management strategy includes property dispositions and acquisitions aimed at concentrating our portfolio in our target markets. Over the next two years and subject to market conditions and various REIT requirements, we expect to sell approximately $2.0 billion of conventional and affordable assets located primarily outside these target markets.

 

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

 

2008 compared to 2007

 

We reported net income of $415.5 million and net income attributable to common stockholders of $361.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to net income of $29.9 million and net loss attributable to common stockholders of $36.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, increases of $385.6 million and $397.9 million, respectively. These increases 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:

 

• a provision for impairment losses on real estate development assets;

 

 

2007 compared to 2006

 

We reported net income of $29.9 million and net loss attributable to common stockholders of $36.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to net income of $176.8 million and net income attributable to common stockholders of $95.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, decreases of $146.9 million and $131.8 million, respectively. These decreases 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.

 

Business Segment Operating Results

 

We have two reportable segments: real estate (owning, operating and redeveloping apartments) and investment management (portfolio strategy, capital allocation, joint ventures, tax credit syndication, acquisitions, dispositions and other transaction activities). Several members of our executive management team comprise our chief operating decision maker, as defined in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures About

Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, and use various generally accepted industry financial measures to assess the performance and financial condition of the business, including: NAV; FFO; AFFO; same store property operating results; net operating income; Free Cash Flow; Economic Income; financial coverage ratios; and leverage as shown on our balance sheet. The chief operating decision maker emphasizes net operating income as a key measurement of segment profit or loss. Segment net operating income is generally defined as segment revenues less direct segment operating expenses.

 

Real Estate Segment

 

Our real estate segment involves the ownership and operation of properties that generate rental and other property-related income through the leasing of apartment units. Our real estate segment’s net operating income also includes income from property management services performed for unconsolidated partnerships and unrelated parties.

 

The following table summarizes our real estate segment’s net operating income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

Consolidated Conventional Same Store Property Operating Results

 

Same store operating results is a key indicator we use to assess the performance of our property operations and to understand the period over period operations of a consistent portfolio of properties. We define “consolidated same store” properties as our conventional properties (i) that we manage, (ii) in which our ownership interest exceeds 10%, (iii) the operations of which have been stabilized, and (iv) that have not been sold or classified as held for sale, in each case, throughout all periods presented. The following tables summarize the operations of our consolidated conventional rental property operations:

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, consolidated same store net operating income increased $20.1 million, or 4.1%. Revenues increased $16.5 million, or 2.0%, primarily due to higher average rent (up $16 per unit) and an increase in average physical occupancy. Expenses decreased by $3.6 million, or 1.1%, primarily due to decreases of $2.2 million in repair and maintenance expense, $1.4 million in turnover expense and $1.9 million in employee compensation and related expenses, offset by an increase of $2.0 million in utilities expense.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, consolidated real estate segment net operating income related to consolidated properties other than same store properties increased by $6.4 million, or 3.1%. Increases in net operating income attributable to affordable, acquisition and redevelopment properties contributed to the increase, and were partially offset by increases in casualty losses of $6.5 million, including $2.7 million related to Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Ike during the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, consolidated same store net operating income increased $27.6 million, or 5.9%. Revenues increased $41.2 million, or 5.3%, primarily due to higher average rent (up $40 per unit) and a $6.4 million increase in utility reimbursements. Expenses increased by $13.7 million, or 4.3%, primarily due to increases of $5.1 million in employee compensation and related expenses, $2.5 million in contract services expense, $2.3 million in marketing expense, $2.1 million in taxes and $2.0 million in insurance expense.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, consolidated real estate segment net operating income related to consolidated properties other than same store properties increased by $2.6 million, or 1.3%. Increases in net operating income attributable to affordable, acquisition and redevelopment properties contributed to the increase, and were partially offset by an unfavorable change in casualty losses, resulting from casualty gains recognized in 2006.

 

Investment Management Segment

 

Our investment management segment includes activities and services related to our owned portfolio of properties as well as services provided to affiliated partnerships. Activities and services that fall within investment management include portfolio strategy, capital allocation, joint ventures, tax credit syndication, acquisitions, dispositions and other transaction activities. Within our owned portfolio, we refer to these activities as “Portfolio

Management,” and their benefit is seen in property operating results and in investment gains. For affiliated partnerships, we refer to these activities as “Asset Management,” for which we are separately compensated through fees paid by third party investors. The expenses of this segment consist primarily of the costs of departments that perform these activities. These activities are conducted in part by our taxable subsidiaries, and the related net operating income may be subject to income taxes.

 

Transactions occur on varying timetables; thus, the income varies from period to period. We have affiliated real estate partnerships for which we have identified a pipeline of transactional opportunities. As a result, we view asset management fees as a predictable part of our core business strategy. Asset management revenue includes certain fees that were earned in a prior period, but not recognized at that time because collectibility was not reasonably assured. Those fees may be recognized in a subsequent period upon occurrence of a transaction or a high level of the probability of occurrence of a transaction within twelve months, or improvement in operations that generates sufficient cash to pay the fees.

 

The following table summarizes the net operating income from our investment management segment for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, net operating income from investment management increased $26.0 million, or 48.8%. This increase is attributable to a $30.7 million increase in promote income, which is income earned in connection with the disposition of properties owned by our consolidated joint ventures, and a $9.2 million increase in other general partner transactional fees, partially offset by a $7.4 million decrease in asset management fees, a $0.9 million increase in investment management expenses and a $5.0 million decrease in revenues associated with our affordable housing tax credit syndication business, including syndication fees and other revenue earned in connection with these arrangements.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, net operating income from investment management increased $19.1 million, or 55.9%. This increase is primarily attributable to a $9.6 million increase in promote income, an $8.6 million increase in asset management fees and an increase of $9.1 million in revenues associated with our affordable housing tax credit syndication business, including syndication fees and other revenue earned in connection with these arrangements. These increases were partially offset by an increase in expenses and a decrease in other general partner transactional fees.

 

Other Operating Expenses (Income)

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, depreciation and amortization increased $54.8 million, or 13.6%. This increase reflects depreciation of $74.8 million for newly acquired properties, completed redevelopments and other capital projects recently placed in service. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $25.7 million in depreciation adjustments necessary to reduce the carrying amount of buildings and improvements to their estimated disposition value, or zero in the case of a planned demolition (see Impairment of Long-Lived Assets in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8).

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, depreciation and amortization increased $35.0 million, or 9.5%. This increase reflects depreciation of $23.7 million for newly acquired properties, completed redevelopments and other capital projects recently placed in service. Depreciation

also increased by approximately $8.6 million as a result of depreciation adjustments necessary to reduce the carrying amount of buildings and improvements to their estimated disposition value, or to zero in connection with a planned demolition (see Impairment of Long-Lived Assets in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8).

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, general and administrative expenses increased $8.4 million, or 9.2%. This increase is primarily attributable to higher personnel and related expenses of $6.1 million and an increase of $1.5 million in information technology communications costs.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.9 million, or 1.0%. This decrease is primarily due to a reduction in variable compensation, partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits (net of capitalization) related to additional redevelopment personnel and an increase in director compensation resulting from the addition of two new board members.

 

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, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, other expenses, net changed unfavorably by $3.4 million. The net unfavorable change includes a $5.4 million write-off of certain communications hardware and capitalized costs during 2008 (see Capitalized Software Costs in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8) and a $1.2 million write-off of redevelopment costs associated with a change in the planned use of a property during 2008. The net unfavorable change also reflects $3.6 million of income recognized in 2007 related to the transfer of certain property rights to an unrelated party. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by a $3.7 million reduction in expenses of our self insurance activities (net of $2.8 million of costs in 2008 related to Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Ike) and a net decrease of $2.0 million in costs related to certain litigation matters.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, other expenses, net changed unfavorably by $3.6 million. The net unfavorable change is primarily attributable to our self insurance activities, including a $7.9 million increase in claims on our consolidated properties in excess of reimbursements from third parties, and the settlement of certain litigation matters which resulted in a $2.5 million unfavorable change during the year ended December 31, 2007. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by favorable changes related to a $2.9 million charge recorded in 2006 related to the valuation of the High Performance Units (see Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8) and a $1.7 million charge for one-time benefits to certain employees terminated in 2006 that did not recur in 2007. Other expenses, net for the year ended December 31, 2007, also includes $3.6 million of income related to the transfer of certain property rights to an unrelated party.

 

Restructuring Costs

 

In connection with 2008 property sales and an expected reduction in redevelopment and transactional activities, during the three months ended December 31, 2008, we initiated an organizational restructuring program that included reductions in workforce and related costs, reductions in leased corporate facilities and abandonment of certain redevelopment projects and business pursuits. As a result, we recognized a restructuring charge of $22.8 million ($20.5 million net of tax), which consists of: severance costs of $12.9 million; unrecoverable lease obligations and related costs of $6.4 million related to space that we will no longer use; and the write-off of deferred transaction costs totaling $3.5 million associated with certain acquisitions and redevelopment opportunities that we will no longer pursue. No comparable restructuring costs were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2007 or 2006.

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 occur infrequently and thus accretion income may vary from period to period.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, interest income decreased $23.8 million, or 58.1%. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of $16.0 million due to lower interest rates on notes receivable, cash and restricted cash balances and lower average balances. The decrease also includes the effect of a $5.8 million net adjustment to accretion on certain discounted notes during the year ended December 31, 2008, resulting from a change in the estimated timing and amount of collection, and $1.5 million of accretion income recognized during the year ended December 31, 2007, related to the prepayment of principal on certain discounted loans collateralized by properties in West Harlem in New York City, which were funded in November 2006.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, interest income increased $8.7 million, or 27.1%. This increase is primarily due to $5.9 million of interest income earned during 2007 on loans collateralized by properties in West Harlem in New York City, which were funded in November 2006, and an increase in interest income earned on escrowed funds related to a tax exempt bond financing transaction and certain property sales during 2007.

 

Interest Expense

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, interest expense, which includes the amortization of deferred financing costs, increased $13.3 million, or 3.7%. Interest on property loans payable increased $19.1 million due to higher balances resulting primarily from refinancing activities, offset by lower average interest rates. Interest expense also increased by $4.6 million due to decreases in capitalized interest related to redevelopment activities. These increases were partially offset by a $10.4 million decrease in corporate interest expense primarily due to lower average interest rates.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, interest expense, which includes the amortization of deferred financing costs, increased $29.4 million, or 9.0%. Interest on property debt increased $32.5 million primarily due to higher balances resulting from refinancing activities and mortgage loans on newly acquired properties, offset by lower weighted average rates. Corporate interest increased by $3.1 million as a result of higher weighted average rates and a higher average balance during the year ended December 31, 2007. These increases were partially offset by a $6.2 million increase in capitalized interest related to increased levels of redevelopment and entitlement activities.

 

Deficit Distributions to Minority Partners

 

When real estate partnerships that are consolidated in our financial statements disburse cash to partners in excess of the carrying amount of the minority interest, we record a charge equal to the excess amount, even though there is no economic effect or cost.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, deficit distributions to minority partners increased $10.4 million. Deficit distributions to minority partners increased in 2008 partially due to $17.0 million in deficit distributions to minority interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership, resulting from higher cash distributions associated with Aimco Operating Partnership’s special distributions discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. This increase was partially offset by lower levels of distributions to minority interests in consolidated real estate partnerships in 2008, including distributions in connection with debt refinancing transactions.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, deficit distributions to minority partners increased $17.1 million. This increase reflects higher levels of distributions to minority interests in consolidated real estate partnerships in 2007, including several large distributions in connection with debt refinancing transactions.

Provision for Operating Real Estate Impairment Losses

 

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.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, provision for operating real estate impairment losses increased by $4.0 million, from $1.6 million to $5.6 million. This increase is primarily attributed to a reduction in the estimated holding period for certain assets anticipated to sell within twelve months, but that did not otherwise meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale at December 31, 2008.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, provision for operating real estate impairment losses increased by $2.4 million, from a recovery of $0.8 million in 2006 to a provision of $1.6 million in 2007. This increase is attributable to impairment losses recognized during 2007 on four properties classified as held for use relative to recoveries on previously recorded impairment losses recognized in 2006.

 

Provision for Impairment Losses on Real Estate Development Assets

 

In connection with the preparation of our annual financial statements, we assessed the recoverability of our investment in our Lincoln Place property, located in Venice, California. Based upon the recent decline in land values in Southern California 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 value for the property exceeded its estimated fair value. Accordingly, we recognized an impairment loss of $5.7 million for this property during the three months ended December 31, 2008.

 

As part of the March 2002 acquisition of Casden Properties, Inc., we invested $50.0 million for a 20% passive interest in Casden Properties LLC, an entity organized to buy, re-entitle and develop land parcels in Southern California. Based upon the profit allocation agreement, we account for this investment as a note receivable and have been amortizing the discounted value of the investment to the $50.0 million previously estimated to be collectible through January 2, 2009, the initial dissolution date of the entity. The managing member is seeking to extend the dissolution date. In connection with the preparation of our annual financial statements and as a result of the aforementioned decline in Southern California land values, we determined our recorded investment of $47.1 million is 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.

 

The impairments discussed above totaled $107.5 million and are included in provisions for impairment losses on real estate development assets in our consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2008 included in Item 8. We recognized no comparable impairments on real estate development assets during the years ended December 31, 2007 or 2006.

 

Gain on Dispositions of Unconsolidated Real Estate and Other

 

Gain on dispositions of unconsolidated real estate and other includes our share of gains related to dispositions of real estate by unconsolidated real estate partnerships, gains on disposition of interests in unconsolidated real estate partnerships, gains on dispositions of land and other non-depreciable assets and costs related to asset disposal activities. For the year ended December 31, 2007, gain on dispositions of unconsolidated real estate and other also includes a gain on extinguishment of debt. 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, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, gain on dispositions of unconsolidated real estate and other increased $67.5 million. This increase is primarily attributable to a $98.4 million net gain on the disposition of interests in two unconsolidated real estate partnerships and a $1.7 million gain on the sale of an undeveloped land parcel during the year ended December 31, 2008. During 2007, we recognized a $6.0 million non-refundable option and extension fee resulting from the termination of rights under an option agreement to sell the North and Central towers of our Flamingo South Beach property, approximately $6.7 million of net gains on dispositions of land parcels and our share of gains on dispositions of properties by unconsolidated real estate partnerships, and a $19.4 million gain on debt extinguishment related to seven properties in the VMS partnership (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8).

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, gain on dispositions of unconsolidated real estate and other increased $4.3 million. This increase is primarily related to a $19.4 million gain on debt extinguishment related to seven properties in the VMS partnership (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8), the recognition of a $6.0 million non-refundable option and extension fee resulting from the termination of rights under an option agreement to sell the North and Central towers of our Flamingo South Beach property, and approximately $6.7 million of net gains on dispositions of land parcels and our share of gains on dispositions of properties by unconsolidated real estate partnerships in 2007, as compared to net gains of $27.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, on the sale of parcels of land, interests in unconsolidated real estate properties and an interest in an unconsolidated joint venture that owned and operated several student housing properties.

 

Income Tax Benefit

 

Certain of our operations, such as property management, asset management and risk management, are conducted through, and certain of our properties are owned by, 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, as these services and activities generally cannot be offered directly by the 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 income.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, income tax benefit increased by $33.5 million. This increase 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.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, income tax benefit increased by $8.7 million. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in losses from continuing operations of our TRS entities, due largely to favorable results from our self-insurance activities, which reduced losses of our TRS entities during 2006.

 

Minority Interest in Consolidated Real Estate Partnerships

 

Minority interest in consolidated real estate partnerships reflects minority partners’ share of operating results of consolidated real estate partnerships. This generally includes the minority partners’ share of property management fees, interest on notes and other amounts eliminated in consolidation that we charge to such partnerships. However, we generally do not recognize a benefit for the minority interest share of partnership losses for partnerships that have deficits in partners’ equity.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, minority interest in consolidated real estate partnerships changed favorably by $20.9 million. The change includes a $9.1 million favorable change relating to the minority interest share of losses for real estate partnerships consolidated during the fourth quarter of 2007, and the remainder relates to increases in the minority partners’ share of losses of our other consolidated real estate partnerships.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, minority interest in consolidated real estate partnerships changed favorably by $13.6 million. This change is primarily attributable to our revised accounting treatment for tax credit arrangements (see Tax Credit Arrangements in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8) which resulted in the reversal in 2006 of a previously recognized benefit of $9.0 million for losses of tax credit partnerships that were allocated to minority interests in prior years, but which are absorbed by us under our revised accounting treatment. This favorable change was in addition to an increase in the minority interest partners’ share of losses of other consolidated real estate partnerships.

 

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, and any related minority interest. 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, 2008, 2007 and 2006, income from discontinued operations, net totaled $544.8 million, $83.1 million and $226.9 million, respectively. The $461.7 million increase in income from discontinued operations from 2007 to 2008 was principally due to a $515.3 million increase in gain on dispositions of real estate, net of minority partners’ interest and income taxes, a $31.2 million decrease in interest expense and a $36.3 million increase in recovery of deficit distributions to minority partners, partially offset by a $39.4 million decrease in operating income, a $19.1 million increase in real estate impairment losses, a $41.1 million increase in minority interest in Aimco Operating Partnership and a decrease of $22.8 million attributable to a 2007 gain on debt extinguishment related to eight properties in the VMS partnership. The $143.8 million decrease in income from discontinued operations from 2006 to 2007 was principally due to a $163.4 million decrease in gain on dispositions of real estate, net of minority partners’ interest and income taxes, a $16.6 million decrease in recovery of deficit distributions to minority partners, a $12.0 million decrease in operating income and a $5.3 million increase in real estate impairment losses, partially offset by a $21.7 decrease in interest expense, a $15.7 million decrease in minority interest in Aimco Operating Partnership and an increase of $22.8 million attributable to a 2007 gain on debt extinguishment related to eight properties in the VMS partnership.

 

During 2008, we sold 151 consolidated properties, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $578.2 million (which is net of $40.0 million of related income taxes). Additionally, we recognized $24.0 million in impairment losses on assets sold or classified as held for sale in 2008 and $30.1 million of net recoveries of deficit distributions to minority partners. During 2007, we sold 73 consolidated properties, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $62.9 million (which is net of $2.1 million of related income taxes). Additionally, we recognized $4.9 million in impairment losses on assets sold or classified as held for sale in 2007 and $6.2 million of deficit distributions to minority partners. During 2006, we sold 77 consolidated properties and the South Tower of the Flamingo South Beach property, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $226.3 million (which is net of $32.6 million of related income taxes). Additionally, we recognized $0.4 million in impairment recoveries on assets sold in 2006 and $10.4 million of net recoveries of deficit distributions to minority partners. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, income from discontinued operations includes the operating results of the properties sold or classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2008.

 

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).

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or 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 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 in our long-lived assets, including real estate and investments in unconsolidated real estate partnerships. In addition to the impairments of Lincoln Place and Pacific Bay Vistas discussed above and our investment in Casden Properties LLC discussed below, based on periodic tests of recoverability of long-lived assets, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, we recorded net impairment losses of $5.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, related to properties to be held and used. For the year ended December 31, 2006, we recorded net recoveries of previously recorded impairment losses of $0.8 million.

 

Notes Receivable and Interest Income Recognition

 

Notes receivable from unconsolidated real estate partnerships consist primarily of notes receivable from partnerships in which we are the general partner. Notes receivable from non-affiliates consist of notes receivable from unrelated third parties. The ultimate repayment of these notes is subject to a number of variables, including the performance and value of the underlying real estate and the claims of unaffiliated mortgage lenders. Our notes receivable include 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, some of 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 transactions or has 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. Accretion income recognized in any given period is based on our ability to complete transactions to monetize the notes receivable and the difference between the carrying value and the estimated collectible amount of the notes; therefore, accretion income varies on a period by period basis and could be lower or higher than in prior periods.

 

Allowance 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 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. 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, 2008, 2007 and 2006 we recorded net provisions for losses on notes receivable of $4.2 million, $4.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively. 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.

 

Additionally, as discussed in Provision for Impairment Losses on Real Estate Development Assets within the preceding discussion of Results of Operations, during 2008 we recognized an impairment loss of $16.3 million ($10.0 million net of tax) on our investment in Casden Properties LLC, which we account for as a note receivable.

 

Capitalized Costs

 

We capitalize costs, including certain indirect costs, incurred in connection with our capital expenditure 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 expenditure 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 expenditure 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 expenditure activities, including ordinary repairs, maintenance, resident turnover costs and general and administrative expenses (see Capital Expenditures and Related Depreciation in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8).

 

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, for continuing and discontinued operations, we capitalized $25.7 million, $30.8 million and $24.7 million of interest costs, respectively, and $78.1 million, $78.1 million and $66.2 million of site payroll and indirect costs, respectively.

Funds From Operations

 

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 (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, discounts on preferred stock redemptions or repurchases and interest expense on dilutive mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred securities. FFO should not be considered an alternative to net income 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 real estate investment trusts, there can be no assurance that our basis for computing FFO is comparable with that of other real estate investment trusts.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, our FFO is 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 and proceeds from refinancings of existing mortgage loans and borrowings under new mortgage loans.

 

Our principal uses for liquidity include normal operating activities, payments of principal and interest on outstanding debt, capital expenditures, dividends paid to stockholders and distributions paid to partners, repurchases of shares of our Common Stock, 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, both secured and unsecured, the issuance of debt or equity securities (including OP Units), the sale of properties and cash generated from operations.

The current state of credit markets and related effect on the overall economy may have an adverse affect on our liquidity, both through increases in interest rates and credit risk spreads, and access to financing. 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, preferred stock and assets. Based on our net variable rate liabilities, preferred stock and assets outstanding at December 31, 2008, we estimate that a 1.0% increase in 30-day LIBOR with constant credit risk spreads would reduce our income attributable to common stockholders by approximately $4.3 million on an annual basis. From January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008, both the SIFMA (previously the Bond Market Association index) and 30-day LIBOR rates, the predominant interest rates to which our variable rate debt obligations are indexed, decreased, with the SIFMA rate decreasing from 3.06% to 1.25% and the 30-day LIBOR rate decreasing from 4.57% to 0.45%. Although base interest rates have decreased, the tightening of credit markets has affected the credit risk spreads charged over base interest rates on, and the availability of, mortgage loan financing. For future refinancing activities, our liquidity and cost of funds may be affected by increases in base interest rates or higher credit risk spreads. If timely property financing options are not available for maturing debt, we may consider alternative sources of liquidity, such as reductions in certain capital spending or proceeds from asset dispositions.

 

From time to time, we enter into total rate of return swaps on various fixed rate secured tax-exempt bonds payable and fixed rate notes payable to convert these borrowings from a fixed rate to a variable rate and provide an efficient financing product to lower our cost of borrowing. In exchange for our receipt of a fixed rate generally equal to the underlying borrowing’s interest rate, the total rate of return swaps require that we pay a variable rate, equivalent to the SIFMA rate for tax-exempt bonds payable and the 30-day LIBOR rate for notes payable, plus a credit risk spread. These swaps generally have a second or third lien on the property collateralized by the related borrowings and the obligations under certain of these swaps are cross-collateralized with certain of the other swaps with a particular counterparty. 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, we may be required to provide additional collateral pursuant to the swap agreements, which would adversely affect our cash flows. The underlying borrowings are generally callable at our option, with no prepayment penalty, with 30 days advance notice, and the swaps generally have a term of less than five years. At December 31, 2008, we had total rate of return swap positions with two financial institutions totaling $422.1 million and had provided $3.2 million in cash collateral pursuant to the swap agreements to satisfy the loan-to-value ratio requirements.

 

The total rate of return swaps have a contractually defined termination value generally equal to the difference between the fair value and the counterparty’s purchased value of the underlying borrowings (which is typically par value or contract value), which may require payment by us if the fair value is less than the purchased value, or to us if the fair value exceeds the purchased value. In the event we are unable to extend the arrangements at their maturities, the counterparty, who is also the creditor on the related borrowings, may desire to sell the borrowings. If the counterparty’s purchased value of the underlying borrowings exceeds the fair value of the underlying borrowings at the date of the swap maturities, we may elect to purchase the borrowings at counterparty’s purchased value to avoid incurring a termination payment under the swap arrangements. In such event, we would be required to refinance the borrowings or find other sources of liquidity to repay the borrowings.

 

We periodically evaluate counterparty credit risk associated with these arrangements. At the current time, we have concluded we do not have material exposure. 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 operating cash flows. See Derivative Financial Instruments in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional discussion of these arrangements, including the current swap maturity dates.

 

As of December 31, 2008, the amount available under our revolving credit facility was $578.8 million. For the years ending December 31, 2009 and 2010, we have non-recourse property debt maturities of $288.0 million and $284.7 million, respectively, at an average estimated loan-to-value of approximately 52% and 51%, respectively. Our total outstanding unsecured term debt of $400.0 million at December 31, 2008, matures in March 2011. In January 2009, we prepaid $50.0 million of the balance outstanding on the unsecured term debt. Additionally, we have limited obligations to fund redevelopment commitments during the year ending December 31, 2009, and no development commitments.

At December 31, 2008, we had $299.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $89.2 million from December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2008, we had $258.3 million of restricted cash, primarily consisting of reserves and escrows held by lenders for bond sinking funds, capital expenditures, 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, 2008, our net cash provided by operating activities of $421.5 million was primarily from operating income from our consolidated properties, which is affected primarily by rental rates, occupancy levels and operating expenses related to our portfolio of properties. Cash provided by operating activities decreased $44.1 million compared with the year ended December 31, 2007, driven primarily by a $48.3 million decrease in operating income of our consolidated properties, including those classified in discontinued operations, which was attributable to property sales in 2008 and 2007.

 

Investing Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, our net cash provided by investing activities of $1.3 billion consisted primarily of proceeds from disposition of real estate and interests in unconsolidated real estate partnerships, partially offset by capital expenditures and purchases of real estate.

 

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, 2008, we sold 151 consolidated properties. These properties were sold for an aggregate sales price of $2.4 billion and generated proceeds totaling $2.3 billion, after the payment of transaction costs and debt prepayment penalties. The $2.3 billion in proceeds is inclusive of promote income which is generated by the disposition of properties owned by our consolidated joint ventures, debt assumed by buyers and sales proceeds placed into escrows for tax-free exchanges and other purposes, all of which are excluded from proceeds from disposition of real estate in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Sales proceeds were used to repay property debt, repay borrowings under our revolving credit facility, repurchase shares of our Common Stock and preferred stock and for other corporate purposes.

 

Our portfolio management strategy includes property acquisitions and dispositions to concentrate our portfolio in our target markets. We are currently marketing for sale certain properties that are inconsistent with this long-term investment strategy. Additionally, from time to time, we may market certain properties that are consistent with this strategy but offer attractive returns. We plan to use our share of the net proceeds from such dispositions to reduce debt, fund capital expenditures on existing assets, fund acquisitions, and for other operating needs and corporate purposes.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

We classify all capital spending as Capital Replacements (which we refer to as CR), Capital Improvements (which we refer to as CI), casualties, redevelopment or entitlement. Expenditures other than casualty, redevelopment and entitlement capital expenditures are apportioned between CR and CI based on the useful life of the capital item under consideration and the period we have owned the property.

 

CR represents the share of capital expenditures that are deemed to replace the portion of acquired capital assets that was consumed during the period we have owned the asset. CI represents the share of expenditures that are made to enhance the value, profitability or useful life of an asset as compared to its original purchase condition. CR and CI exclude capital expenditures for casualties, redevelopment and entitlements. Casualty expenditures represent capitalized costs incurred in connection with casualty losses and are associated with the restoration of the asset. A portion of the restoration costs may be reimbursed by insurance carriers subject to deductibles associated with each loss. Redevelopment expenditures represent expenditures that substantially upgrade the property. Entitlement expenditures represent costs incurred in connection with obtaining local governmental approvals to increase density and add residential units to a site. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we spent a total of $101.4 million,

$124.9 million, $22.8 million, $340.3 million and $24.2 million on CR, CI, casualties, redevelopment and entitlement, respectively.

 

The table below details our share of actual spending, on both consolidated and unconsolidated real estate partnerships, for CR, CI, casualties, redevelopment and entitlements for the year ended December 31, 2008, on a per unit and total dollar basis. Per unit numbers for CR and CI are based on approximately 126,834 average units for the year, including 109,956 conventional units and 16,879 affordable units. Average units are weighted for the portion of the period that we owned an interest in the property, represent ownership-adjusted effective units, and exclude non-managed units. Total capital expenditures are reconciled to our consolidated statement of cash flows for the same period (in thousands, except per unit amounts).

 

 

 

 

Included in the above spending for CI, casualties, redevelopment and entitlement, was approximately $63.1 million of our share of capitalized site payroll and indirect costs related to these activities for the year ended December 31, 2008.

We funded all of the above capital expenditures with cash provided by operating activities, working capital and property sales as discussed below.

 

Financing Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, net cash used in financing activities of $1.7 billion was primarily attributed to debt principal payments, distributions to minority interests, payment of common and preferred dividends and repurchases of Common Stock and preferred stock. Proceeds from property loans and tax-exempt bond financing partially offset the cash outflows.

 

Mortgage Debt

 

At December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had $6.3 billion and $7.0 billion, respectively, in consolidated mortgage debt outstanding, which included $52.0 million and $1.1 billion, respectively, of mortgage debt classified within liabilities related to assets held for sale. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we refinanced or closed mortgage loans on 71 properties (including one unconsolidated property) generating $962.2 million of proceeds from borrowings with a weighted average interest rate of 5.51%. Our share of the net proceeds after repayment of existing debt, payment of transaction costs and distributions to limited partners, was $430.9 million. We used these total net proceeds for capital expenditures and other corporate purposes. We intend to continue to refinance mortgage debt primarily as a means of extending current and near term maturities.

 

Term Loans and Credit Facility

 

We have an Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions, which we refer to as the Credit Agreement. In September 2008, we entered into a fifth amendment to the Credit Facility that modifies certain provisions related to letters of credit.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2008, we repaid in full our $75.0 million term loan which was due for payment in September 2009. Following this repayment, the aggregate amount of commitments and loans under the Credit Agreement is $1.035 billion, comprised of a $400.0 million term loan and $635.0 million of revolving loan commitments. The $635.0 million of revolving loan commitments is after the elimination of a $15.0 million commitment held by Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. The $400.0 million term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.5%, or at our option, a base rate equal to the prime rate, and matures March 2011. Our revolving credit facility matures May 2009, and may be extended for an additional year, subject to a 20.0 basis point fee on the total commitments. Borrowings under the revolver bear interest based on a pricing grid determined by leverage (currently at LIBOR plus 1.125%).

 

At December 31, 2008, the term loan had an outstanding principal balance of $400.0 million and a weighted average interest rate of 2.94%. In January 2009, we prepaid $50.0 million of the outstanding balance on the term debt. The amount available under the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2008, was $578.8 million (after giving effect to $56.2 million outstanding for undrawn letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility). The proceeds of revolving loans are generally permitted to be used to fund working capital and for other corporate purposes.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

We enter into total rate of return swaps on various fixed rate secured tax-exempt bonds payable and fixed rate notes payable to convert these borrowings from a fixed rate to a variable rate and provide an efficient financing product to lower our cost of borrowing. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, or SFAS 133, we designate total rate of return swaps as hedges of the risk of overall changes in the fair value of the underlying borrowings. At each reporting period, we estimate the fair value of these borrowings and the total rate of return swaps and recognize any changes therein as an adjustment of interest expense.

 

Our method used to calculate the fair value of the total rate of return swaps generally results in changes in fair value that are equal to the changes in fair value of the related borrowings, which is consistent with our hedging strategy. We believe that these financial instruments are highly effective in offsetting the changes in fair value of the

related borrowings during the hedging period, and accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments have no material impact on our liquidity, results of operations or capital resources.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2008, changes in the fair values of these financial instruments resulted in decreases of $20.1 million in the carrying amount of the hedged borrowings and equal increases in accrued liabilities and other for total rate of return swaps. At December 31, 2008, the cumulative recognized changes in the fair value of these financial instruments resulted in a $29.5 million reduction in the carrying amount of the hedged borrowings offset by an equal increase in accrued liabilities and other for total rate of return swaps. The current and cumulative decreases in the fair values of the hedged borrowings and related swaps reflect the recent uncertainty in the credit markets which has decreased demand and increased pricing for similar debt instruments.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2008, we received net cash receipts of $16.7 million under the total return swaps, which positively impacted 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 the year ended December 31, 2008, we provided $3.2 million of cash collateral to satisfy certain loan-to-value requirements under the total rate of return swap agreements, which negatively affected our liquidity. In the event the values of the real estate properties serving as collateral under these agreements decline, we may be required to provide additional collateral pursuant to the swap agreements, which would adversely affect our liquidity.

 

See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information on our total rate of return swaps and related borrowings.

 

Equity Transactions

 

During the year ended December 31, 2008, we paid cash dividends totaling $55.2 million and $212.3 million to preferred and common stockholders, respectively. Additionally, pursuant to the special dividends discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, during the year ended December 31, 2008, we paid dividends totaling $489.8 million to common stockholders through the issuance of approximately 22.9 million shares.

 

During September 2008, we repurchased 54 shares, or $27.0 million in liquidation preference, of our Series A Community Reinvestment Act Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, for cash totaling $24.8 million.

 

In April 2008, we and the Aimco Operating Partnership filed a new shelf registration statement to replace the existing shelf (which was due to expire later in 2008) that provides for the issuance of debt and equity securities by Aimco and debt securities by the Aimco Operating Partnership.

 

Our Board of Directors has, from time to time, authorized us to repurchase shares of our outstanding capital stock. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we repurchased approximately 13.9 million shares of Common Stock (19.3 million shares after the effect of the special dividend) for approximately $473.5 million. As of December 31, 2008, we were authorized to repurchase approximately 19.3 million additional shares of our Common Stock under an authorization that has no expiration date. Future repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

Contractual Obligations

 

This table summarizes information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report regarding payments due under contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2008 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

 

 

In addition, 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, additional redevelopment projects, capital improvements and capital replacement 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.

 

In 2009, inclusive of the redevelopment commitments discussed in Contractual Obligations above, we expect to invest between $50.0 and $75.0 million in conventional redevelopment projects and between $30.0 and $45.0 million in affordable redevelopment projects, predominantly funded by third-party tax credit equity.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We own general and limited partner interests in unconsolidated real estate partnerships, in which our total ownership interests range typically from less than 1% up to 50%. However, based on the provisions of the relevant partnership agreements, we are not deemed to be the primary beneficiary or to have control of these partnerships sufficient to require or permit consolidation for accounting purposes (see Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8). 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 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, mortgage spreads and availability of credit. We are not subject to any foreign currency exchange rate risk or commodity price risk, or any other material market rate or price risks. We use predominantly long-term, fixed-rate non-recourse mortgage 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.

 

We had $1,309.5 million of floating rate debt and $73.0 million of floating rate preferred stock outstanding at December 31, 2008. Of the total floating rate debt, the major components were floating rate tax-exempt bond financing ($563.4 million), floating rate secured notes ($335.6 million) and a term loan ($400.0 million). At December 31, 2008, we had approximately $717.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and notes receivable, the majority of which bear interest. We also had approximately $127.3 million of variable rate debt associated with our redevelopment activities, for which we capitalize a portion of the interest expense. The effect of our interest bearing assets and of capitalizing interest on variable rate debt associated with our redevelopment activities would partially reduce the effect of an increase in variable interest rates. Historically, changes in tax-exempt interest rates have been at a ratio of less than 1:1 with changes in taxable interest rates. Floating rate tax-exempt bond financing is benchmarked against the SIFMA rate (previously the Bond Market Association index), which since 1989 has averaged 69% of the 30-day LIBOR rate. If this historical relationship continues, on an annual basis, we estimate that an increase in 30-day LIBOR of 1.0% (0.69% in tax-exempt interest rates) with constant credit risk spreads would result in our income before minority interests being reduced by $3.1 million and our income attributable to common stockholders being reduced by $4.3 million.

 

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 $6.7 billion and $7.6 billion at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The combined carrying value of our consolidated debt (including amounts reported in liabilities related to assets held for sale) was approximately $6.8 billion and $7.5 billion at December 31, 2008 and 2007, 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 1.0% with constant credit risk spreads, the estimated fair value of our debt discussed above would have decreased from $6.7 billion to $6.4 billion. If market rates for our debt discussed above were lower by 1.0% with constant credit risk spreads, the estimated fair value of our fixed-rate debt would have increased from $6.7 billion to $6.9 billion.

 

At December 31, 2008, we had swap positions with two financial institutions totaling $422.1 million. The related swap agreements provide for collateral calls to maintain specified loan-to-value ratios, pursuant to which we had provided $3.2 million of collateral as of December 31, 2008. In the event the values of the real estate properties serving as collateral under these agreements decline, we may be required to provide additional collateral pursuant to the swap agreements, which would adversely affect our cash flows.

 

 

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, 2008. 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, 2008, 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 2008 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, 2008, 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, 2008, 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, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, and our report dated February 26, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

Denver, Colorado

February 26, 2009

 

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 2009 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 2008,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End 2008,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2008,” “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” and “Corporate Governance Matters — Director Compensation” in the proxy statement for our 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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 27, 2009

 

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.

 

 

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APARTMENT INVESTMENT AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS