ELS 9.30.2014 10-Q


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________________________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
_________________________________________________________ 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to            
Commission file number: 1-11718
_________________________________________________________ 
EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
_________________________________________________________ 
Maryland
36-3857664
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois
60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(312) 279-1400
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
_________________________________________________________ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o
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):
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
83,909,012 shares of Common Stock as of October 31, 2014.
 



Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Table of Contents
 
 
 
Page
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
Index To Financial Statements
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.

2




Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
(unaudited)
 
Assets
 
 
 
Investment in real estate:
 
 
 
Land
$
1,068,236

 
$
1,025,246

Land improvements
2,706,662

 
2,667,213

Buildings and other depreciable property
551,522

 
535,647

 
4,326,420

 
4,228,106

Accumulated depreciation
(1,143,800
)
 
(1,058,540
)
Net investment in real estate
3,182,620

 
3,169,566

Cash
109,144

 
58,427

Notes receivable, net
38,051

 
42,990

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures
15,414

 
11,583

Deferred financing costs, net
22,676

 
19,873

Deferred commission expense
27,885

 
25,251

Escrow deposits, goodwill, and other assets, net
55,358

 
64,619

Total Assets
$
3,451,148

 
$
3,392,309

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
$
2,005,942

 
$
1,992,368

Term loan
200,000

 
200,000

Unsecured lines of credit
—

 
—

Accrued payroll and other operating expenses
85,879

 
65,157

Deferred revenue – up-front payments from right-to-use contracts
72,976

 
68,673

Deferred revenue – right-to-use annual payments
10,762

 
11,136

Accrued interest payable
8,865

 
9,416

Rents and other customer payments received in advance and security deposits
60,560

 
59,601

Distributions payable
29,620

 
22,753

Total Liabilities
2,474,604

 
2,429,104

Equity:
 
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value 9,945,539 shares authorized as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; none issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, includes 125 shares 6% Series D Cumulative Preferred stock and 250 shares 18.75% Series E Cumulative Preferred stock; both issued and outstanding
—

 
—

6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 54,461 shares authorized and 54,458 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 at liquidation value
136,144

 
136,144

Common stock, $0.01 par value 200,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 83,905,662 and 83,313,677 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
838

 
834

Paid-in capital
1,028,912

 
1,021,365

Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings
(256,340
)
 
(264,083
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
141

 
(927
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
909,695

 
893,333

Non-controlling interests – Common OP Units
66,849

 
69,872

Total Equity
976,544

 
963,205

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
3,451,148

 
$
3,392,309






The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

3


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the Quarters Ended and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Quarters Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Community base rental income
$
106,967

 
$
103,157

 
$
319,514

 
$
305,401

Rental home income
3,684

 
3,584

 
11,187

 
10,576

Resort base rental income
44,351

 
39,932

 
126,188

 
113,868

Right-to-use annual payments
11,404

 
12,323

 
33,859

 
35,889

Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
3,944

 
3,707

 
9,956

 
9,899

Right-to-use contracts, deferred, net of prior period amortization
(1,989
)
 
(1,856
)
 
(4,303
)
 
(4,446
)
Utility and other income
18,581

 
16,224

 
53,070

 
48,694

Gross revenues from home sales
8,717

 
5,415

 
20,455

 
12,328

Brokered resale revenues and ancillary services revenues, net
1,124

 
1,395

 
3,491

 
4,122

Interest income
1,902

 
2,200

 
6,477

 
6,173

Income from other investments, net
1,869

 
1,885

 
6,098

 
5,989

Total revenues
200,554

 
187,966

 
585,992

 
548,493

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating and maintenance
66,105

 
61,782

 
186,018

 
175,183

Rental home operating and maintenance
1,829

 
1,950

 
5,376

 
5,307

Real estate taxes
12,263

 
11,584

 
36,905

 
35,873

Sales and marketing, gross
3,018

 
3,842

 
8,118

 
9,536

Sales and marketing, deferred commissions, net
(757
)
 
(706
)
 
(2,022
)
 
(1,824
)
Property management
11,086

 
10,077

 
32,169

 
30,380

Depreciation on real estate assets and rental homes
27,831

 
26,460

 
83,234

 
81,793

Amortization of in-place leases
1,075

 
485

 
3,791

 
803

Cost of home sales
8,156

 
5,137

 
19,679

 
11,837

Home selling expenses
513

 
563

 
1,710

 
1,544

General and administrative
7,623

 
7,606

 
20,178

 
21,261

Early debt retirement
5,087

 
36,530

 
5,087

 
37,911

Property rights initiatives
751

 
521

 
2,063

 
2,377

Interest and related amortization
27,864

 
29,206

 
84,177

 
89,706

Total expenses
172,444

 
195,037

 
486,483

 
501,687

Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures and gain on sale of property
28,110

 
(7,071
)
 
99,509

 
46,806

Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
1,237

 
439

 
3,768

 
1,624

Gain on sale of property
929

 
—

 
929

 
—

Consolidated income (loss) from continuing operations
30,276

 
(6,632
)
 
104,206

 
48,430

Discontinued Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale of property
—

 
982

 
—

 
7,215

Gain on sale of property, net of tax
—

 
40,586

 
—

 
41,544

           Consolidated income from discontinued operations
—

 
41,568

 
—

 
48,759

Consolidated net income
30,276

 
34,936

 
104,206

 
97,189

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income allocated to non-controlling interests – Common OP Units
(2,219
)
 
(2,753
)
 
(7,929
)
 
(7,483
)
Series C Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Dividends
(2,311
)
 
(2,311
)
 
(6,949
)
 
(6,951
)
Net income available for Common Shares
$
25,746

 
$
29,872

 
$
89,328

 
$
82,755

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated net income
$
30,276

 
$
34,936

 
$
104,206

 
$
97,189

Other comprehensive income (“OCI”):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustment for fair market value of swap
141

 
361

 
1,068

 
1,233

Consolidated comprehensive income
30,417

 
35,297

 
105,274

 
98,422

Comprehensive income allocated to non-controlling interests – Common OP Units
(2,230
)
 
(2,783
)
 
(8,016
)
 
(7,585
)
Series C Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Dividends
(2,311
)
 
(2,311
)
 
(6,949
)
 
(6,951
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Common Stockholders
$
25,876

 
$
30,203

 
$
90,309

 
$
83,886



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

4


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Continued)
For the Quarters Ended and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Earnings per Common Share – Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
0.31

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
1.07

 
$
0.46

Income from discontinued operations
$
—

 
$
0.46

 
$
—

 
$
0.54

Net income available for Common Shares
$
0.31

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.00

Earnings per Common Share – Fully Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
0.31

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
1.06

 
$
0.46

Income from discontinued operations
$
—

 
$
0.46

 
$
—

 
$
0.53

Net income available for Common Shares
$
0.31

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.06

 
$
0.99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Common Share outstanding
$
0.325

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.975

 
$
0.75

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – basic
83,531

 
83,021

 
83,295

 
83,023

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – fully diluted
91,528

 
91,259

 
91,471

 
91,149

























The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

5


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
6.75%  Series C Cumulative
Redeemable
Perpetual
Preferred  Stock
 
Distributions
in Excess of
Accumulated
Earnings
 
Non-
controlling
interests –
Common OP
Units
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
834

 
$
1,021,365

 
$
136,144

 
$
(264,083
)
 
$
69,872

 
$
(927
)
 
$
963,205

Conversion of OP Units to common stock
4

 
4,085

 
—

 
—

 
(4,089
)
 
—

 
—

Issuance of common stock through employee stock purchase plan
1

 
928

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
929

Compensation expenses related to stock options and restricted stock
—

 
4,998

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,998

Repurchase of common stock or Common OP Units
—

 
(32
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(32
)
Adjustment for fair market value of swap
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,068

 
1,068

Release of common shares from escrow
(1
)
 
(1,933
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,934
)
Adjustment for Common OP Unitholders in the Operating Partnership
—

 
(345
)
 
—

 
—

 
345

 
—

 
—

Net income
—

 
—

 
6,949

 
89,328

 
7,929

 
—

 
104,206

Distributions
—

 
—

 
(6,949
)
 
(81,585
)
 
(7,208
)
 
—

 
(95,742
)
Other
—

 
(154
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(154
)
Balance, September 30, 2014
$
838

 
$
1,028,912

 
$
136,144

 
$
(256,340
)
 
$
66,849

 
$
141

 
$
976,544


















The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

6


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited) 
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Consolidated net income
$
104,206

 
$
97,189

Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Gain on sale of property
(929
)
 
(41,544
)
Early debt retirement expense
5,087

 
37,911

Depreciation expense
83,821

 
83,872

Amortization of in-place leases
3,791

 
803

Amortization of loan costs
3,655

 
4,039

Debt premium amortization
(3,956
)
 
(5,597
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
(3,768
)
 
(1,624
)
Distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures
2,869

 
1,251

Amortization of stock-related compensation
4,998

 
4,332

Revenue recognized from right-to-use contract up-front payments
(5,653
)
 
(5,453
)
Commission expense recognized related to right-to-use contracts
2,100

 
1,933

Long term incentive plan compensation
1,425

 
1,431

(Recovery of) provision for uncollectible rents receivable
(219
)
 
380

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes receivable activity, net
(1,345
)
 
48

Deferred commission expense
(4,734
)
 
(3,757
)
Escrow deposits, goodwill and other assets
13,362

 
(1,299
)
Accrued payroll and other operating expenses
15,436

 
14,759

Deferred revenue – up-front payments from right-to-use contracts
9,956

 
9,899

Deferred revenue – right-to-use annual payments
(374
)
 
367

Rents received in advance and security deposits
(1,386
)
 
(1,204
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
228,342

 
197,736

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Real estate acquisition
(54,645
)
 
(116,359
)
Proceeds from disposition of property
2,102

 
157,975

Tax deferred exchange deposit
10,576

 
(13,755
)
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures
411

 
—

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures
(3,489
)
 
(1,149
)
Repayments of notes receivable
12,524

 
9,270

Issuance of notes receivable
(7,266
)
 
(7,792
)
Capital improvements
(41,645
)
 
(48,571
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(81,432
)
 
(20,381
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Net proceeds from stock options and employee stock purchase plan
896

 
774

Distributions:
 
 
 
Common Stockholders
(75,077
)
 
(41,712
)
Common OP Unitholders
(6,772
)
 
(3,728
)
Preferred Stockholders
(6,949
)
 
(6,951
)
Line of credit repayments
—

 
(20,000
)
Line of credit proceeds
—

 
20,000

Principal payments and mortgage debt payoff
(165,578
)
 
(415,977
)
New mortgage notes payable financing proceeds
169,000

 
347,060

Debt issuance costs
(11,559
)
 
(41,919
)
Other
(154
)
 
(502
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(96,193
)
 
(162,955
)
Net increase in cash
50,717

 
14,400

Cash, beginning of period
58,427

 
37,126

Cash, end of period
$
109,144

 
$
51,526


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

7


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Supplemental Information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for interest
$
90,376

 
$
92,904

Non-cash activities (increase/(decrease)):
 
 
 
Capital improvements – used homes acquired by repossessions
$
1,026

 
$
1,724

Net repayments of notes receivable – used homes acquired by repossessions
$
(1,026
)
 
$
(1,724
)
Building and other depreciable property – reclassification of rental homes
$
16,881

 
$
10,011

Escrow deposits and other assets – reclassification of rental homes
$
(16,881
)
 
$
(10,011
)
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions:
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
$
73,597

 
$
126,186

Deferred financing costs, net
$
180

 
$
—

Rents and other customer payments received in advance and security deposits
$
2,345

 
$
506

Accrued payroll and other operating expenses
$
1,848

 
$
446

Escrow deposits and other assets
$
(371
)
 
$
(811
)
Debt assumed and financed on acquisition
$
14,564

 
$
—

Non-controlling interests - Common OP Units
$
—

 
$
9,686

 
 
 
 
Dispositions:
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
$
86,309

 
$
113,050

Notes receivable, net
$
—

 
$
6,507

Other, net
$
—

 
$
(2,166
)
     















The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

8

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Definition of Terms
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with MHC Operating Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and other consolidated subsidiaries (“Subsidiaries”) are referred to herein as “we,” “us,” and “our.” Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2013 Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Basis of Presentation
These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2013 Form 10-K. The following notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements highlight significant changes to the notes included in the 2013 Form 10-K and present interim disclosures as required by the SEC. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments and estimates necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements, which are of a normal, recurring nature. Revenues are subject to seasonal fluctuations and accordingly, quarterly interim results may not be indicative of full year results.

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
We follow accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, commonly referred to as the “FASB.” The FASB sets GAAP, which we follow to ensure that we consistently report our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”).
(a)
Basis of Consolidation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the consolidation of our accounts. We do not have controlling interests in any of our joint ventures (“JV”), which are therefore treated under the equity method of accounting and not consolidated in our financial statements. The holders of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“Common OP Unitholders”) receive an allocation of net income that is based on their respective ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership which is shown in our Consolidated Financial Statements as Non-controlling interests-Common OP Units. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(b)
Real Estate
Our policy is to estimate useful lives associated with our real estate assets and to depreciate the assets based on our estimates. We review useful lives periodically to ensure that these estimates accurately reflect the economic use of the assets. In January 2014, we completed a review of the useful lives and salvage values of our manufactured homes. During the first quarter of 2014, we prospectively changed the depreciable life of our new manufactured homes to 25 years straight-lined with no residual value and our used manufactured homes to 10-25 years straight-lined with no residual value. This change in estimate did not have a material impact in our financial statements.
(c)
Identified Intangibles and Goodwill
We record acquired intangible assets at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill. We amortize identified intangible assets and liabilities that are determined to have finite lives over the period the assets and liabilities are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the property or business acquired. In accordance with the Codification Sub-Topic “Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets” (“FASB ASC 360-10-35”), intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value.
The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. In accordance with Codification Topic “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FASB ASC 350”), goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the gross carrying amounts of identified intangible assets and goodwill, a component of “Escrow deposits, goodwill and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets, were approximately $12.1

9

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

million. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, this amount was comprised of approximately $4.3 million of identified intangible assets and approximately $7.8 million of goodwill. Accumulated amortization of identified intangible assets was approximately $2.1 million and $1.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. For each of the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense for the identified intangible assets was approximately $0.1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense for the identified intangible assets was approximately $0.3 million.
Estimated amortization of identified intangible assets for each of the next five years are as follows (amounts in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
Amount
2015
$
349

2016
251

2017
87

2018
87

2019
87

(d)
Restricted Cash
Cash as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included approximately $5.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of restricted cash for the payment of capital improvements, insurance or real estate taxes.
(e)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments include notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses, interest rate swaps and mortgage notes payable. We disclose the estimated fair value of our financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (Level 1, 2 and 3).
Our mortgage notes payable and term loan had a fair value of approximately $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar liabilities (Level 2). At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our cash flow hedge of interest rate risk included in accrued payroll and other operating expenses was measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar assets and liabilities (Level 2). We consider our own credit risk as well as the credit risk of our counterparties when evaluating the fair value of our derivatives. The fair values of our notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses and interest rate swaps approximate their carrying or contract values.
(f)
Deferred Financing Costs, net
Deferred financing costs, net include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. The costs are being amortized over the terms of the respective loans on a basis that approximates level yield. Unamortized deferred financing fees are written-off when debt is retired before the maturity date. Upon amendment of the line of credit or refinancing of mortgage debt, unamortized deferred financing fees are accounted for in accordance with Codification Sub-Topic “Modifications and Extinguishments” (“FASB ASC 470-50-40”). Accumulated amortization for such costs was $28.8 million and $25.4 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

(g)
Reclassifications
Certain 2013 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. Income statement amounts for disposed Properties were reclassified in 2013 to “Discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for all transactions that occurred in 2013. In addition, certain prior period disclosures in the accompanying footnotes have been revised to exclude amounts which have been reclassified to discontinued operations. These reclassifications had no material effect on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

(h)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2014-08, “Property, Plant, and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”). The definition of discontinued operations has been revised to limit the criteria for the classification and presentation to disposals of components of

10

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

a company that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on a company’s operations and financial results. Required expanded disclosures for disposals or disposal groups that qualify for discontinued operations are intended to provide users of financial statements with enhanced information about the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of such discontinued operations. While the threshold for a disposal or disposal group to qualify for discontinued operations has been revised, this pronouncement retains the held for sale classification and presentation concepts of previous authoritative literature. Accordingly, under this pronouncement, a disposal or disposal group may qualify for held for sale classification but not meet the threshold for discontinued operations treatment. This pronouncement allows for early adoption permitted January 1, 2014. Pursuant to its terms we have elected to early adopt this pronouncement effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The gain on sale of property recognized during the current quarter, is presented separately as continuing operations in our Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”) which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. ASU No. 2014-09 does not apply to lease contracts accounted for under ASC 840, Leases. ASU 2014-09 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 – Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Codification Topic “Earnings Per Share” (“FASB ASC 260”) defines the calculation of basic and fully diluted earnings per share. Basic and fully diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average shares outstanding during each period and basic earnings per share exclude any dilutive effects of options, unvested restricted shares and convertible securities. The conversion of OP Units has been excluded from the basic earnings per share calculation. The conversion of an OP Unit for a share of common stock has no material effect on earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis.

11

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2 – Earnings Per Common Share (continued)


The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
 
Quarters Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Numerators:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from Continuing Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
30,276

 
$
(6,632
)
 
$
104,206

 
$
48,430

Amounts allocated to dilutive securities
(2,219
)
 
755

 
(7,929
)
 
(3,385
)
Preferred Stock distributions
(2,311
)
 
(2,311
)
 
(6,949
)
 
(6,951
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares – basic
25,746

 
(8,188
)
 
89,328

 
38,094

Amounts allocated to dilutive securities
2,219

 
(755
)
 
7,929

 
3,385

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares – fully diluted
$
27,965

 
$
(8,943
)
 
$
97,257

 
$
41,479

Income from Discontinued Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of amounts allocated to dilutive securities
$
—

 
$
38,060

 
$
—

 
$
44,661

Net Income Available for Common Shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available for Common Shares – basic
$
25,746

 
$
29,872

 
$
89,328

 
$
82,755

Amounts allocated to dilutive securities
2,219

 
2,753

 
7,929

 
7,483

Net income available for Common Shares – fully diluted
$
27,965

 
$
32,625

 
$
97,257

 
$
90,238

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – basic
83,531

 
83,021

 
83,295

 
83,023

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange of Common OP Units for Common Shares
7,254

 
7,604

 
7,471

 
7,506

Stock options and restricted shares
743

 
634

 
705

 
620

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – fully diluted
91,528

 
91,259

 
91,471

 
91,149

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Common Share – Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
0.31

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
1.07

 
$
0.46

Income from discontinued operations
—

 
0.46

 
—

 
0.54

Net income available for Common Shares
$
0.31

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.00

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Common Share – Fully Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
0.31

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
1.06

 
$
0.46

Income from discontinued operations
—

 
0.46

 
—

 
0.53

Net income available for Common Shares
$
0.31

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.06

 
$
0.99


Note 3 – Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions
On September 30, 2014, we paid a $0.421875 per share distribution on our Depositary Shares (each representing 1/100 of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock) to stockholders of record on September 19, 2014. On June 30, 2014, we paid a $0.421875 per share distribution on our Depositary Shares (each representing 1/100 of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock) to stockholders of record on June 20, 2014. On March 31, 2014, we paid a $0.421875 per share distribution on our Depositary Shares (each representing 1/100 of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock) to stockholders of record on March 21, 2014.
On October 10, 2014, we paid a $0.325 per share distribution to common stockholders of record on September 26, 2014. On July 11, 2014, we paid a $0.325 per share distribution to common stockholders of record on June 27, 2014. On April 11, 2014, we paid a $0.325 per share distribution to common stockholders of record on March 28, 2014.

Note 4 – Investment in Real Estate
Land improvements consist primarily of improvements such as infrastructure items, such as streets, sidewalks or water mains, as well as grading and landscaping. Buildings and other depreciable property consist of buildings on the Properties such as clubhouses, laundry facilities, maintenance storage facilities, rental units and furniture, fixtures, equipment, and in-place leases.
Acquisitions
All acquisitions have been accounted for utilizing the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805 and, accordingly, the results of operations of acquired assets are included in the statements of operations from the dates of acquisition. Certain purchase price adjustments may be made within one year following the acquisition and applied retroactively to the date of acquisition.

12

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4 – Investment in Real Estate (continued)

In January 2014, we completed the acquisition of two RV resorts, Blackhawk, a 490-Site RV Resort and Lakeland, a 682-Site RV Resort. On December 17, 2013, we closed on the acquisition of Neshonoc, a 284-Site RV Resort. The combined purchase price of $31.8 million was funded with available cash and the assumption of mortgage debt of approximately $18.7 million, excluding note premiums of $1.3 million.
On March 10, 2014, we exercised a purchase option and purchased land comprising a portion of our Colony Cove Property which was part of our 2011 Hometown acquisition. The total purchase price of $35.9 million was funded with available cash. In connection with the acquisition of the land, we terminated the ground lease related to the Property. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we received the final distribution of 51,290 shares of our common stock from the escrow funded by the seller.
In September 2014, we completed the acquisition of three RV resorts, Pine Acres, a 421-Site RV Resort, Echo Farms, a 237-Site RV Resort, and Mays Landing, a 168-Site RV Resort. The combined purchase price of $11.8 million was funded with available cash.
On October 1, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Space Coast, a 270-Site RV Resort. The total purchase price of $6.1 million was funded with available cash.
    
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we acquired Fiesta Key, a 324-Site RV Resort for a purchase price of approximately $24.6 million funded with available cash. We also acquired three manufactured home communities located in the Chicago metropolitan area collectively containing approximately 1,207 Sites for a stated purchase price of $102.0 million. The purchase price was funded with approximately $9.7 million of limited partnership interests in our Operating Partnership, equivalent to 240,969 OP units, and the remainder was funded with available cash.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and year ended December 31, 2013, which we determined using Level two and Level three inputs (amounts in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 Year Ended December 31, 2013
Assets acquired
 
 
 
Land
$
43,761

 
$
41,022

Depreciable property
29,493

 
87,306

Manufactured homes
769

 
1,155

In-place leases
773

 
3,910

Net investment in real estate
74,796

 
133,393

Other Assets
1,197

 
1,025

Total Assets acquired
$
75,993

 
$
134,418

 
 
 
 
Liabilities assumed
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
14,230

 
5,382

Other liabilities
4,193

 
1,777

Total Liabilities assumed
18,423

 
7,159

Net assets acquired
$
57,570

 
$
127,259

Dispositions and real estate held for disposition
On July 11, 2014, we received payment of approximately $2.1 million from the Arizona Department of Transportation related to the value of certain property taken for state highway purposes at our Seyenna Vista property in Maricopa County, Arizona, of which $0.9 million was in excess of our basis and recognized as a gain on sale of property in the current quarter.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we closed on the sale of 11 manufactured home communities located in Michigan (the “Michigan Properties”) collectively containing approximately 5,344 sites for a net purchase price of approximately $165.0 million. We recognized a gain on sale of real estate assets of approximately $40.6 million in the third quarter of 2013.

13

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4 – Investment in Real Estate (continued)

Results of operations for the Michigan Properties have been presented separately as discontinued operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013 in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The following table summarizes the components of income and expense relating to discontinued operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
Community base rental home income
 
$
1,448

 
$
11,565

Rental income
 
328

 
1,948

Utility and other income
 
378

 
1,375

Discontinued property operating revenues
 
2,154

 
14,888

Property operating expenses
 
1,116

 
6,039

Income from discontinued property operations
 
1,038

 
8,849

Income (loss) from home sales operations
 
2

 
(77
)
Other income and expenses
 
37

 
334

Interest and amortization
 
(95
)
 
(355
)
Depreciation and in place lease amortization
 
—

 
(1,536
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
$
982

 
$
7,215

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized approximately $1.0 million of gain on the sale of the Cascade Property during 2012 as a result of a new U.S. Federal tax law that eliminated a previously accrued built-in-gain tax liability related to such disposition.
As of September 30, 2014, we have no properties designated as held for disposition pursuant to FASB ASC 360-10-35.

Note 5 – Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

We recorded approximately $3.8 million and $1.6 million (net of approximately $0.7 million of depreciation expense, respectively) of equity in income from unconsolidated joint ventures for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We received approximately $3.3 million and $1.3 million in distributions from such joint ventures for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Approximately $2.0 million of the distributions received exceeded our basis in our joint venture and as such were recorded as income from unconsolidated joint ventures for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
In 2013, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party to create a new joint venture named ECHO Financing, LLC (the “ECHO JV”). We entered into the ECHO JV in order to buy and sell homes, as well as to offer financing to purchasers of homes at our Properties. Under certain circumstances, the ECHO JV may also rent homes in our communities. Each party to the venture made an initial contribution of $1.0 million in exchange for a pro rata ownership interest in the joint venture, which resulted in us owning 50% of the ECHO JV. We account for our investment in the ECHO JV using the equity method of accounting, since we do not have a controlling direct or indirect voting interest, but we can exercise significant influence with respect to its operations and major decisions.

14

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5 – Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (continued)


The following table summarizes our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures (investment amounts in thousands with the number of Properties shown parenthetically as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment as of
 
JV Income for the
Nine Months Ended
Investment
Location
 
 Number of 
Sites
 
Economic
Interest (a)
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Meadows
Various (2,2)
 
1,077

 
50
%
 
 
$
1,999

 
$
1,679

 
$
1,703

 
$
856

Lakeshore
Florida (2,2)
 
342

 
65
%
 
 
21

 
145

 
1,288

 
203

Voyager
Arizona (1,1)
 
1,706

 
50
%
(b) 
 
7,166

 
7,074

 
724

 
720

Other
Various (0,0)
 
—

 
20
%
(c) 
 
—

 
—

 
25

 
(188
)
ECHO JV
Various (0,0)
 
—

 
50
%
 
 
6,228

 
2,685

 
28

 
33

 
 
 
3,125

 
 
 
 
$
15,414

 
$
11,583

 
$
3,768

 
$
1,624

_____________________
(a)
The percentages shown approximate our economic interest as of September 30, 2014. Our legal ownership interest may differ.
(b)
Voyager joint venture primarily consists of a 50% interest in Voyager RV Resort and 33% interest in the utility providing water to the Property.
(c)
During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we received payment of $0.1 million for the sale of our remaining 20% interest in the Time Shares Only joint venture.

Note 6 – Notes Receivable
Occasionally, we purchase loans made by others to finance the sale of homes to our customers (“Chattel Loans”). The Chattel Loans receivable require monthly principal and interest payments and are collateralized by homes at certain of the Properties. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had approximately $19.6 million and $21.9 million, respectively, of these Chattel Loans included in notes receivable. As of September 30, 2014, the Chattel Loans receivable had a stated per annum average rate of approximately 7.8%, with a yield of 22.8%, and had an average term remaining of approximately 12 years. These Chattel Loans are recorded net of allowances of approximately $0.4 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we received principal payment of approximately $1.0 million on a previously reserved loan related to one of our previous acquisitions.
We also provide financing for non-refundable upgrades to existing right-to-use contracts (“Contracts Receivable”). As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had approximately $18.4 million and $17.2 million, respectively, of Contracts Receivable, net of allowances of approximately $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively. These Contracts Receivable represent loans to customers who have entered into right-to-use contracts. The Contracts Receivable have an average stated interest rate of 16.0% per annum, have a weighted average term remaining of approximately four years and require monthly payments of principal and interest.

Note 7 – Borrowing Arrangements
Mortgage Notes Payable
As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had outstanding mortgage indebtedness of approximately $2,006 million and $1,992 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate including the impact of premium/discount amortization on this mortgage indebtedness for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was approximately 5.2% per annum. The debt bears interest at stated rates of 3.9% to 8.9% per annum and matures on various dates ranging from 2015 to 2039. The debt encumbered a total of 137 and 147 of our Properties as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and the carrying value of such Properties was approximately $2,315 million and $2,378 million, respectively, as of such dates.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we closed on four loans with total proceeds of $54.0 million that are secured by two manufactured home communities and two RV resorts. The loans have a weighted average interest rate of 4.54% per annum and are set to mature in 2034 and 2038. We also refinanced the $53.8 million loan secured by our Colony Cove community with a stated interest rate of 4.65% per annum that was scheduled to mature in 2017. The new loan, with gross proceeds of $115.0 million, has a 25 year term and carries a stated interest rate of 4.64% per annum. We paid a prepayment fee of approximately $5.1 million associated with the early retirement of the prior loan. The aforementioned loan proceeds were used to pay off 16 mortgages totaling approximately $86.3 million that had a weighted average interest rate of 5.57% per annum.

15

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7 – Borrowing Arrangements (continued)

We also assumed approximately $13.3 million of mortgage debt, excluding note premiums of $1.0 million, secured by Blackhawk and Lakeland resort properties with a weighted average stated interest rate of 6.48% per annum which are set to mature in 2017 and 2018.
Term Loan
As of September 30, 2014, our amended $200.0 million Term Loan (the “Term Loan”) matures on January 10, 2020 and has an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.35% to 1.95% per annum and, subject to certain conditions, may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. The spread over LIBOR is variable based on leverage measured quarterly throughout the loan term. The Term Loan contains customary representations, warranties, and negative and affirmative covenants, and provides for acceleration of principal and payment of all other amounts payable thereunder upon the occurrence of certain events of default. In connection with the amendment of the Term Loan, we also entered into a three year LIBOR Swap Agreement (the “2014 Swap”) allowing us to trade the variable interest rate for a fixed interest rate on the Term Loan. (See Note 8 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for further information on the accounting for the Swap.)
As of December 31, 2013, our Term Loan matured on June 30, 2017, had an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.85% to 2.80% per annum and, subject to certain conditions, was prepayable at any time without premium or penalty. In connection with the original Term Loan, we entered into a three year, $200.0 million LIBOR notional Swap Agreement (the “2011 Swap”), which allowed us to trade the variable interest rate for a fixed interest rate on the Term Loan and matured July 1, 2014.
Unsecured Line of Credit
As of September 30, 2014, our amended, unsecured Line of Credit (“LOC”) had a borrowing capacity of $400.0 million, with the option to increase the borrowing capacity by $100.0 million, subject to certain conditions. The amended LOC bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a maximum of 1.20% to 1.65%, requires an annual facility fee of 0.20% to 0.35% and matures on July 17, 2018, with an option to extend an additional year, subject to certain conditions. The spread over LIBOR is variable based on leverage throughout the loan term. We incurred commitment and arrangement fees of approximately $3.5 million to enter into the amended LOC and Term Loan extension.
As of December 31, 2013, our LOC had availability of $380.0 million with no amounts outstanding. Our LOC bore a LIBOR rate plus a maximum of 1.40% to 2.00%, contained a 0.25% to 0.40% facility fee and had a maturity date of September 15, 2016, with the option to extend for one year, subject to certain conditions.
As of September 30, 2014, we are in compliance in all material respects with the covenants in our borrowing arrangements.

Note 8 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
In connection with our amended Term Loan, we entered into the 2014 Swap (see Note 7 in the the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for information about the Term Loan related to the 2014 Swap) allowing us to trade the variable interest rate for a fixed interest rate on the Term Loan. The 2014 Swap fixes the underlying LIBOR rate on the Term Loan at 1.04% per annum for the first three years and matures on August 1, 2017. Based on the leverage as of September 30, 2014, our spread over LIBOR will be 1.35% resulting in an initial estimated all-in interest rate of 2.39% per annum.
In connection with the original Term Loan in 2011, we entered into the 2011 Swap (see Note 7 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for information about the Term Loan related to the 2011 Swap) that fixed the underlying LIBOR rate on the Term Loan at 1.11% per annum for the first three years and matured on July 1, 2014.
We have designated the 2014 and 2011 Swap as cash flow hedges. No gain or loss was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income related to hedge ineffectiveness or to amounts excluded from effectiveness testing on our cash flow hedge during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to derivatives are reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, we estimate that an additional $1.6 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense. This estimate may be subject to change as the under underlying LIBOR rate changes.



16

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (continued)


Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instrument as well as our classification on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands).
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Interest Rate Swap
Escrow deposits, goodwill, and other assets, net
 
$
141

 
$
—

Interest Rate Swap
Accrued payroll and other operating expenses
 
$
—

 
$
927

Tabular Disclosure of the Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement
The tables below present the effect of our derivative financial instrument on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship
Amount of loss recognized
in OCI on derivative
(effective portion)
 
Location of loss
reclassified from
accumulated OCI into income
(effective portion)
 
Amount of loss
reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective
portion)
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Interest Rate Swap
$
233

 
$
106

 
Interest Expense
 
$
374

 
$
467

The tables below present the effect of our derivative financial instrument on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship
Amount of loss recognized
in OCI on derivative
(effective portion)
 
Location of loss
reclassified from
accumulated OCI into income
(effective portion)
 
Amount of loss
reclassified from
accumulated OCI into
income (effective
portion)
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Interest Rate Swap
$
256

 
$
141

 
Interest Expense
 
$
1,324

 
$
1,374

We determined that no adjustment was necessary for nonperformance risk on our derivative obligation. As of September 30, 2014, we have not posted any collateral related to this agreement.

Note 9 – Deferred Revenue-entry of right-to-use contracts and Deferred Commission Expense
Up-front payments received upon the entry of right-to-use contracts are recognized in accordance with FASB ASC 605. We recognize the up-front non-refundable payments over the estimated customer life, which, based on historical attrition rates, we have estimated to be 31 years. The commissions paid on the entry of right-to-use contracts are deferred and amortized over the same period as the related revenue.













17

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 9 – Deferred Revenue-entry of right-to-use contracts and Deferred Commission Expense (continued)
Components of the change in deferred revenue-right-to-use contracts and deferred commission expense are as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Deferred revenue – right-to-use contracts, as of January 1,
$
68,673

 
$
62,979

Deferral of new right-to-use contracts
9,956

 
9,899

Deferred revenue recognized
(5,653
)
 
(5,453
)
Net increase in deferred revenue
4,303

 
4,446

Deferred revenue – right-to-use contracts, as of September 30,
$
72,976

 
$
67,425

 
 
 
 
Deferred commission expense, as of January 1,
$
25,251

 
$
22,841

Costs deferred
4,734

 
3,757

Commission expense recognized
(2,100
)
 
(1,933
)
Net increase in deferred commission expense
2,634

 
1,824

Deferred commission expense, as of September 30,
$
27,885

 
$
24,665


Note 10 – Equity Incentive Awards
We account for our stock-based compensation in accordance with the Codification Topic “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (“FASB ASC 718”).
Stock-based compensation expense, reported in “General and administrative” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $2.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $5.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

Our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) was adopted by our Board of Directors on March 11, 2014 and approved by our stockholders on May 13, 2014. Pursuant to the 2014 Plan, our officers, directors, employees and consultants may be awarded (i) shares of common stock (“Restricted Stock Grants”), (ii) options to acquire shares of common stock (“Options”), including non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, and (iii) other forms of equity awards, subject to conditions and restrictions determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will determine the vesting schedule, if any, of each Restricted Stock Grant or Option and the term of each Option, which term shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant. Shares that do not vest are forfeited. Dividends paid on restricted stock are not returnable, even if the underlying stock does not entirely vest. Options are awarded at the New York Stock Exchange closing price of our common stock on the grant date. A maximum of 3,750,000 shares of common stock are available for grant under the 2014 Plan.
    
Grants under the 2014 Plan are made by the Compensation Committee, which determines the individuals eligible to receive awards, the types of awards, and the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to any award.
Grants Issued
On May 13, 2014, we awarded Restricted Stock Grants for 84,666 shares of common stock at a fair market value of $3.6 million to certain members of our senior management. These Restricted Stock Grants will vest on December 31, 2014.
On May 13, 2014, we awarded Restricted Stock Grants for 62,000 shares of common stock at a fair market value of approximately $2.6 million to certain members of our Board of Directors for services rendered for the remainder of 2014. One-third of the shares of restricted common stock covered by these awards vests on each of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2016.
On May 13, 2014, we awarded Restricted Stock Grants for 40,000 shares of common stock at a fair market value of approximately $1.7 million to the Board of Directors. One-third of the shares of restricted common stock covered by these awards vests on each of November 13, 2014, May 13, 2015, and May 13, 2016.


18

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 11 – Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan
On January 24, 2013, our Compensation Committee approved a Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan Award (the “2013 LTIP”) to provide a long-term cash bonus opportunity to certain members of our management. The 2013 LTIP was approved by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the authority set forth in the Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan approved by the Board of Directors on May 15, 2007. The total cumulative payment for all participants (the “Eligible Payment”) is based upon certain performance conditions being met over a three year period ending December 31, 2015.
The Compensation Committee has responsibility for administering the 2013 LTIP and may use its reasonable discretion to adjust the performance criteria or Eligible Payments to take into account the impact of any major or unforeseen transaction or event. Our executive officers are not participants in the 2013 LTIP. The Eligible Payment will be paid in cash upon completion of our annual audit for the 2015 fiscal year and upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions as outlined in the 2013 LTIP and, including employer costs, is currently estimated to be approximately $5.8 million. As of September 30, 2014, we had accrued compensation expense of approximately $3.3 million for the 2013 LTIP, including approximately $1.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The amount accrued for the 2013 LTIP reflects our evaluation of the 2013 LTIP based on forecasts and other available information and is subject to performance in line with forecasts and final evaluation and determination by the Compensation Committee. There can be no assurances that our estimates of the probable outcome will be representative of the actual outcome.

Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies

California Rent Control Litigation

As part of our effort to realize the value of our Properties subject to rent control, we previously initiated lawsuits against certain localities in California with the goal of achieving a level of regulatory fairness in California’s rent control jurisdictions, and in particular those jurisdictions that prohibit increasing rents to market upon turnover. Such regulations allow tenants to sell their homes for a price that includes a premium above the intrinsic value of the homes. The premium represents the value of the future discounted rent-controlled rents, which is fully capitalized into the prices of the homes sold. In our view, such regulations result in a transfer to the tenants of the value of our land, which would otherwise be reflected in market rents. We have discovered through the litigation process that certain municipalities considered condemning our Properties at values well below the value of the underlying land. In our view, a failure to articulate market rents for Sites governed by restrictive rent control would put us at risk for condemnation or eminent domain proceedings based on artificially reduced rents. Such a physical taking, should it occur, could represent substantial lost value to stockholders. We are cognizant of the need for affordable housing in the jurisdictions, but assert that restrictive rent regulation does not promote this purpose because tenants pay to their sellers as part of the purchase price of the home all the future rent savings that are expected to result from the rent control regulations, eliminating any supposed improvement in the affordability of housing. In a more well-balanced regulatory environment, we would receive market rents that would eliminate the price premium for homes, which would trade at or near their intrinsic value. Such efforts have included the following matters:
City of San Rafael
We sued the City of San Rafael on October 13, 2000 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenging its rent control ordinance (the “Ordinance”) on constitutional grounds. We believe the litigation was settled by the City’s agreement to amend the ordinance to permit adjustments to market rent upon turnover. The City subsequently rejected the settlement agreement. The Court refused to enforce the settlement agreement, and submitted to a jury the claim that it had been breached. In October 2002, a jury found no breach of the settlement agreement.
Our constitutional claims against the City were tried in a bench trial during April 2007. On April 17, 2009, the Court issued its Order for Entry of Judgment in our favor (the “April 2009 Order”). On June 10, 2009, the Court ordered the City to pay us net fees and costs of approximately $2.1 million. On June 30, 2009, as anticipated by the April 2009 Order, the Court entered final judgment that gradually phased out the City’s Site rent regulation scheme that the Court found unconstitutional. Pursuant to the final judgment, existing residents of our Property in San Rafael were able to continue to pay Site rent as if the Ordinance were to remain in effect for a period of 10 years, enforcement of the Ordinance was immediately enjoined with respect to new residents of the Property, and the Ordinance would expire entirely ten years from the June 30, 2009 date of judgment.
The City and the residents’ association (which intervened in the case) appealed, and we cross-appealed. On April 17, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion in which, among other rulings, it reversed the trial

19

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

court’s determinations that the Ordinance had unconstitutionally taken our property and that we were entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs, and affirmed the jury verdict that the City had not breached the settlement agreement and affirmed the award to the City of approximately $1.25 million of attorneys’ fees and costs on the settlement agreement claims. On May 1, 2013, we filed with the Court of Appeals a petition for panel rehearing and rehearing en banc, which was denied on June 3, 2013. On June 26, 2013, the Court of Appeals’ mandate was issued. On September 3, 2013, we filed a petition for review by the U.S. Supreme Court. On September 10, 2013, the City and the residents’ association each waived the right to respond to our petition. On October 7, 2013, the Supreme Court requested that a response be filed, which was filed on December 6, 2013. We filed a reply supporting our petition on December 20, 2013. On January 13, 2014, the Supreme Court issued an order denying our petition for review.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we paid approximately $1.4 million related to the ruling of the Court of Appeals. On July 10, 2013, we paid to the City $1.27 million to satisfy, including interest, the attorneys’ fees and costs judgment affirmed by the Court of Appeals. In August 2013, we also paid to the City approximately $0.08 million to satisfy its claim for attorney’s fees on appeal.
City of Santee
On January 31, 2012, we sued the City of Santee in the United States District for the Southern District of California alleging that the City’s rent control ordinance effectuates a regulatory and private taking of our property and is unconstitutional under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. On April 2, 2012, the City filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. On December 21, 2012, the Court entered an order in which it: (a) denied the City’s motion to dismiss our private taking and substantive due process claims; (b) granted the City’s motion to dismiss our procedural due process claim as not cognizable because of the availability of a state remedy of a writ of mandamus; and (c) granted the City’s motion to dismiss our regulatory taking claim as being not ripe. In addition, we also filed in the California Superior Court on February 1, 2012 a petition for a writ of administrative mandamus, and on September 28, 2012 a motion for writ of administrative mandamus, seeking orders directing that a rent increase petition we had filed with the City be granted. On April 5, 2013, the Court denied our petition for writ of administrative mandamus. On June 3, 2013, we filed an appeal to the California Court of Appeal from the denial of our petition for writ of administrative mandamus.
On September 26, 2013, we entered a settlement agreement with the City of Santee pursuant to which the City agreed to the entry of a peremptory writ of mandate by the Superior Court directing the City to grant us a special adjustment under the City’s rent control ordinance permitting us, subject to the terms of the agreement, to increase Site rents at the Meadowbrook community through January 1, 2034 as follows: (a) a one-time 2.5% rent increase on all Sites in January 2014; plus (b) annual rent increases of 100% of the consumer price index (CPI) beginning in 2014; and (c) a 10% increase in the rent on a site upon turnover of that site. Absent the settlement, the rent control ordinance limited us to annual rent increases of at most 70% of CPI with no increases on turnover of a site.
Colony Park
On December 1, 2006, a group of tenants at our Colony Park Property in Ceres, California filed a complaint in the California Superior Court for Stanislaus County alleging that we had failed to properly maintain the Property and had improperly reduced the services provided to the tenants, among other allegations. We answered the complaint by denying all material allegations and filed a counterclaim for declaratory relief and damages. The case proceeded in Superior Court because our motion to compel arbitration was denied and the denial was upheld on appeal. Trial of the case began on July 27, 2010. After just over three months of trial in which the plaintiffs asked the jury to award a total of approximately $6.8 million in damages, the jury rendered verdicts awarding a total of less than $44,000 to six out of the 72 plaintiffs, and awarding nothing to the other 66 plaintiffs. The plaintiffs who were awarded nothing filed a motion for a new trial or alternatively for judgment notwithstanding the jury’s verdict, which the Court denied on February 14, 2011. All but three of the 66 plaintiffs to whom the jury awarded nothing appealed. Oral argument in the appeal was held on September 19, 2013 and the matter was taken under submission by the California Court of Appeal.
By orders entered on December 14, 2011, the Superior Court awarded us approximately $2.0 million in attorneys’ fees and other costs jointly and severally against the plaintiffs to whom the jury awarded nothing, and awarded no attorneys’ fees or costs to either side with respect to the six plaintiffs to whom the jury awarded less than $44,000. Plaintiffs filed an appeal from the approximately $2.0 million award of our attorneys’ fees and other costs. Oral argument in that appeal was also held on September 19, 2013. On December 3, 2013, the Court of Appeal issued a partially published opinion that rejected all of plaintiffs’ claims on appeal except one, relating to whether the park’s rules prohibited the renting of spaces to recreational vehicles.  The Court of Appeal reversed the judgment on the recreational vehicle issue and remanded for further proceedings regarding that issue.  Because

20

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

the judgment was reversed, the award of attorney’s fees and other costs was also reversed.  Both sides filed rehearing petitions with the Court of Appeal.  On December 31, 2013, the Court of Appeal granted the defendants’ rehearing petition and ordered the parties to submit supplemental briefing, which the parties did. On March 10, 2014, the Court of Appeal issued a new partially published opinion in which it again rejected all of plaintiffs’ claims on appeal except the one relating to whether the park’s rules prohibited the renting of spaces to recreational vehicles, reversing the judgment on that issue and remanding it for further proceedings, and accordingly vacating the award of attorney’s fees and other costs. A case management conference is scheduled for December 15, 2014 for purposes of setting a schedule and procedure for resolving the RV issue.
California Hawaiian
On April 30, 2009, a group of tenants at our California Hawaiian Property in San Jose, California filed a complaint in the California Superior Court for Santa Clara County, Case No. 109CV140751, alleging that we have failed to properly maintain the Property and have improperly reduced the services provided to the tenants, among other allegations. We moved to compel arbitration and stay the proceedings, to dismiss the case, and to strike portions of the complaint. By order dated October 8, 2009, the Court granted our motion to compel arbitration and stayed the court proceedings pending the outcome of the arbitration. The plaintiffs filed with the California Court of Appeal a petition for a writ seeking to overturn the trial court’s arbitration and stay orders. On May 10, 2011, the Court of Appeal granted the petition and ordered the trial court to vacate its order compelling arbitration and to restore the matter to its litigation calendar for further proceedings. On May 24, 2011, we filed a petition for rehearing requesting the Court of Appeal to reconsider its May 10, 2011 decision. On June 8, 2011, the Court of Appeal denied the petition for rehearing. On June 16, 2011, we filed with the California Supreme Court a petition for review of the Court of Appeal’s decision. On August 17, 2011, the California Supreme Court denied the petition for review.

The trial commenced on January 27, 2014. On April 14-15, 2014, the jury entered verdicts against our Operating Partnership of approximately $15.3 million in compensatory damages and approximately $95.8 million in punitive damages. We will vigorously seek to overturn these verdicts in the trial court or on appeal, including but not limited to asking the trial judge to grant a new trial and to reduce the damages. On October 6, 2014, we filed a motion for a new trial and a motion for partial judgment notwithstanding the jury’s verdict. The plaintiffs’ responses are due on November 5, 2014, our replies on November 17, 2014 and oral argument will be held on November 25, 2014. The court has until December 5, 2014 to rule on our motion for a new trial, and until December 15, 2014 to specify in detail the reasons for granting relief. At September 30, 2014, based on the information available to us, a material loss was neither probable nor estimable. We have taken into consideration the events that have occurred after the reporting period and before the financial statements were issued. We anticipate a lengthy time period to achieve resolution of this case.
  
Given the uncertainty related to the ultimate resolution of this case as well as the time period to reach a conclusion, we are unable to provide an estimate of any possible loss, although we currently estimate a range of possible outcomes between zero and approximately $111.1 million based on all of the facts presented.  At this time, we cannot determine that any amount within the range is a better estimate and therefore we conclude that we should accrue the minimum of zero as of September 30, 2014. We will continue to evaluate the possible outcomes of this case in light of future developments and their potential impact on factors relevant to our assessment of any possible loss.
Other

In addition to legal matters discussed above, we are involved in various other legal and regulatory proceedings (“Other Proceedings”) arising in the ordinary course of business. The Other Proceedings include, but are not limited to, notices, consent decrees, information requests, and additional permit requirements and other similar enforcement actions by governmental agencies relating to our water and wastewater treatment plants and other waste treatment facilities. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, our operations are subject to audit by various taxing authorities. Management believes these Other Proceedings taken together do not represent a material liability. In addition, to the extent any such proceedings or audits relate to newly acquired Properties, we consider any potential indemnification obligations of sellers in our favor.


21

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 13 – Reportable Segments


Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker evaluates and assesses performance on a monthly basis. Segment operating performance is measured on Net Operating Income (“NOI”). NOI is defined as total operating revenues less total operating expenses. Segments are assessed before interest income, depreciation and amortization of in-place leases.
We have two reportable segments which are: (i) Property Operations and (ii) Home Sales and Rentals Operations. The Property Operations segment owns and operates land lease Properties and the Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment purchases, sells and leases homes at the Properties.
All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of our total revenues during the quarters or nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.
The following tables summarize our segment financial information for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
Quarter Ended September 30, 2014
 
Property
Operations
 
Home Sales
and Rentals
Operations
 
Consolidated
Operations revenues
$
184,046

 
$
12,737

 
$
196,783

Operations expenses
(91,715
)
 
(10,498
)
 
(102,213
)
Income from segment operations
92,331

 
2,239

 
94,570

Interest income
696

 
1,185

 
1,881

Depreciation on real estate and rental homes
(25,010
)
 
(2,821
)
 
(27,831
)
Amortization of in-place leases
(1,075
)
 
—

 
(1,075
)
Income from operations
$
66,942

 
$
603

 
$
67,545

Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate interest income
 
 
 
 
21

Income from other investments, net
 
 
 
 
1,869

General and administrative
 
 
 
 
(7,623
)
Interest and related amortization
 
 
 
 
(27,864
)
Early debt retirement
 
 
 
 
(5,087
)
Property rights initiatives
 
 
 
 
(751
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
 
 
 
 
1,237

Gain on sale of property
 
 
 
 
929

Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
$
30,276

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
3,170,718

 
$
280,430

 
$
3,451,148












22

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 13 – Reportable Segments (continued)

Quarter Ended September 30, 2013
 
Property
Operations
 
Home Sales
and Rentals
Operations
 
Consolidated
Operations revenues
$
174,657

 
$
9,224

 
$
183,881

Operations expenses
(86,579
)
 
(7,650
)
 
(94,229
)
Income from segment operations
88,078

 
1,574

 
89,652

Interest income
856

 
1,216

 
2,072

Depreciation on real estate and rental homes
(24,730
)
 
(1,730
)
 
(26,460
)
Amortization of in-place leases
(485
)
 
—

 
(485
)
Income from operations
$
63,719

 
$
1,060

 
$
64,779

Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate interest income
 
 
 
 
128

Income from other investments, net
 
 
 
 
1,885

General and administrative
 
 
 
 
(7,606
)
Interest and related amortization
 
 
 
 
(29,206
)
Early debt retirement
 
 
 
 
(36,530
)
Property rights initiatives
 
 
 
 
(521
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
 
 
 
 
439

Discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
982

Gain on sale of property, net of tax
 
 
 
 
40,586

Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
$
34,936

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
3,099,625

 
$
297,505

 
$
3,397,130


The following tables summarize our segment financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Property
Operations
 
Home Sales
and Rentals
Operations
 
Consolidated
Operations revenues
$
540,859

 
$
32,558

 
$
573,417

Operations expenses
(261,188
)
 
(26,765
)
 
(287,953
)
Income from segment operations
279,671

 
5,793

 
285,464

Interest income
2,266

 
3,339

 
5,605

Depreciation on real estate and rental homes
(74,815
)
 
(8,419
)
 
(83,234
)
Amortization of in-place leases
(3,791
)
 
—

 
(3,791
)
Income from operations
$
203,331

 
$
713

 
$
204,044

Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate interest income
 
 
 
 
872

Income from other investments, net
 
 
 
 
6,098

General and administrative
 
 
 
 
(20,178
)
Early debt retirement
 
 
 
 
(5,087
)
Interest and related amortization
 
 
 
 
(84,177
)
Property rights initiatives
 
 
 
 
(2,063
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
 
 
 
 
3,768

Gain on sale of property
 
 
 
 
929

Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
$
104,206

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
3,170,718

 
$
280,430

 
$
3,451,148

Capital improvements
$
22,111

 
$
19,534

 
$
41,645





23

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 13 – Reportable Segments (continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
Property
Operations
 
Home Sales
and Rentals
Operations
 
Consolidated
Operations revenues
$
512,587

 
$
23,744

 
$
536,331

Operations expenses
(249,148
)
 
(18,688
)
 
(267,836
)
Income from segment operations
263,439

 
5,056

 
268,495

Interest income
2,589

 
3,220

 
5,809

Depreciation on real estate and rental homes
(76,704
)
 
(5,089
)
 
(81,793
)
Amortization of in-place leases
(803
)
 
—

 
(803
)
Income from operations
$
188,521

 
$
3,187

 
$
191,708

Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate interest income
 
 
 
 
364

Income from other investments, net
 
 
 
 
5,989

General and administrative
 
 
 
 
(21,261
)
Interest and related amortization
 
 
 
 
(89,706
)
Early debt retirement
 
 
 
 
(37,911
)
Property rights initiatives
 
 
 
 
(2,377
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
 
 
 
 
1,624

Discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
7,215

Gain on sale of property, net of tax
 
 
 
 
41,544

Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
$
97,189

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
3,099,625

 
$
297,505

 
$
3,397,130

Capital improvements
$
17,787

 
$
30,784

 
$
48,571

The following table summarizes our financial information for the Property Operations segment, specific to continuing operations, for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):    
 
Quarters Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Community base rental income
$
106,967

 
$
103,157

 
$
319,514

 
$
305,401

Resort base rental income
44,351

 
39,932

 
126,188

 
113,868

Right-to-use annual payments
11,404

 
12,323

 
33,859

 
35,889

Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
3,944

 
3,707

 
9,956

 
9,899

Right-to-use contracts current period, deferred
(1,989
)
 
(1,856
)
 
(4,303
)
 
(4,446
)
Utility income and other
18,581

 
16,224

 
53,070

 
48,694

Ancillary services revenues, net
788

 
1,170

 
2,575

 
3,282

Total property operations revenues
184,046

 
174,657

 
540,859

 
512,587

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating and maintenance
66,105

 
61,782

 
186,018

 
175,183

Real estate taxes
12,263

 
11,584

 
36,905

 
35,873

Sales and marketing, gross
3,018

 
3,842

 
8,118

 
9,536

Sales and marketing deferred commissions, net
(757
)
 
(706
)
 
(2,022
)
 
(1,824
)
Property management
11,086

 
10,077

 
32,169

 
30,380

Total property operations expenses
91,715

 
86,579

 
261,188

 
249,148

Income from property operations segment
$
92,331

 
$
88,078

 
$
279,671

 
$
263,439








24

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 13 – Reportable Segments (continued)

The following table summarizes our financial information for the Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment, specific to continuing operations, for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
 
Quarters Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross revenue from home sales
$
8,717

 
$
5,415

 
$
20,455

 
$
12,328

Brokered resale revenues, net
336

 
225

 
916

 
840

Rental home income (a)
3,684

 
3,584

 
11,187

 
10,576

Total revenues
12,737

 
9,224

 
32,558

 
23,744

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of home sales
8,156

 
5,137

 
19,679

 
11,837

Home selling expenses
513

 
563

 
1,710

 
1,544

Rental home operating and maintenance
1,829

 
1,950

 
5,376

 
5,307

Total expenses
10,498

 
7,650

 
26,765

 
18,688

Income from home sales and rentals operations segment
$
2,239

 
$
1,574

 
$
5,793

 
$
5,056

______________________
(a)
Segment information does not include Site rental income included in Community base rental income.



25


Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview and Outlook
We are a self-administered, self-managed, real estate investment trust (“REIT”) with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. We are a fully integrated owner and operator of lifestyle-oriented properties (“Properties”). We lease individual developed areas (“Sites”) with access to utilities for placement of factory built homes, cottages, cabins or recreational vehicles (“RVs”). Customers may lease individual Sites or purchase right-to-use contracts providing the customer access to specific Properties for limited stays. As of September 30, 2014, we owned or had an ownership interest in a portfolio of 382 Properties located throughout the United States and Canada containing 141,195 residential Sites. These Properties are located in 32 states and British Columbia (with the number of Properties in each state or province shown parenthetically) as follows: Florida (120), California (49), Arizona (41), Texas (17), Pennsylvania (15), Washington (14), Colorado (10), Wisconsin (10), Oregon (9), North Carolina (8), Delaware (7), Indiana (7), Nevada (7), New York (7), Virginia (7), New Jersey (6), Illinois (5), Maine (5), Massachusetts (5), Idaho (4), Michigan (4), Minnesota (4), New Hampshire (3), South Carolina (3), Utah (3), Maryland (2), North Dakota (2), Ohio (2), Tennessee (2), Alabama (1), Connecticut (1), Kentucky (1), and British Columbia (1).
This report includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used, words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “project,” “intend,” “may be” and “will be” and similar words or phrases, or the negative thereof, unless the context requires otherwise, are intended to identify forward-looking statements and may include without limitation, information regarding our expectations, goals or intentions regarding the future, and the expected effect of recent acquisitions on us. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:
•
our ability to control costs, real estate market conditions, the actual rate of decline in customers, the actual use of Sites by customers and our success in acquiring new customers at our Properties (including those that we may acquire);
•
our ability to maintain historical or increase future rental rates and occupancy with respect to Properties currently owned or that we may acquire;
•
our ability to retain and attract customers renewing, upgrading and entering right-to-use contracts;
•
our assumptions about rental and home sales markets;
•
our ability to manage counterparty risk;
•
in the age-qualified Properties, home sales results could be impacted by the ability of potential home buyers to sell their existing residences as well as by financial, credit and capital markets volatility;
•
results from home sales and occupancy will continue to be impacted by local economic conditions, lack of affordable manufactured home financing and competition from alternative housing options including site-built single-family housing;
•
impact of government intervention to stabilize site-built single family housing and not manufactured housing;
•
effective integration of recent acquisitions and our estimates regarding the future performance of recent acquisitions;
•
the completion of future transactions in their entirety, if any, and timing and effective integration with respect thereto;
•
unanticipated costs or unforeseen liabilities associated with recent acquisitions;
•
ability to obtain financing or refinance existing debt on favorable terms or at all;
•
the effect of interest rates;
•
the dilutive effects of issuing additional securities;
•
the effect of accounting for the entry of contracts with customers representing a right-to-use the Properties under the Codification Topic “Revenue Recognition;”
•
the outcome of the case currently pending in the California Superior Court for Santa Clara County, Case No. 109CV140751, involving our California Hawaiian manufactured home property including any post-trial proceedings in the trial court on appeal;
•
Tenant groups have filed lawsuits against us seeking not only to limit rent increases, but large damage awards for our alleged failure to properly maintain certain Properties, and other tenant groups may file additional lawsuits against us in the future related to similar or other tenant related matters; and
•
other risks indicated from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s present expectations and beliefs about future events. As with any projection or forecast, these statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. We are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of such changes, new information, subsequent events or otherwise.


26


The following chart lists the Properties acquired, invested in, or sold since January 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014.
Property
Transaction Date
 
Sites
 
 
 
 
Total Sites as of January 1, 2013
 
 
142,679

Property or Portfolio:
 
 
 
Acquisitions:
 
 
 
Pheasant Lake
August 1, 2013
 
613

Rainbow Lake
August 1, 2013
 
270

Westwood Estates
August 1, 2013
 
324

Fiesta Key
September 16, 2013
 
324

Neshonoc
December 17, 2013
 
284

Blackhawk
January 7, 2014
 
490

Lakeland
January 24, 2014
 
682

Pine Acres
September 26, 2014
 
421

Echo Farms
September 29, 2014
 
237

Mays Landing
September 30, 2014
 
168

Expansion Site Development and other:
 
 
 
Sites added (reconfigured) in 2013
 
 
(24
)
Sites added (reconfigured) in 2014
 
 
71

Dispositions:
 
 
 
        Avon on the Lake
July 23, 2013
 
(616
)
        Cranberry Lake
July 23, 2013
 
(328
)
        Fairchild Lake
July 23, 2013
 
(344
)
        Grand Blanc Crossing
July 23, 2013
 
(478
)
        Holly Hills
July 23, 2013
 
(241
)
        Oakland Glens
July 23, 2013
 
(724
)
        Old Orchard
July 23, 2013
 
(200
)
        Royal Estates
July 23, 2013
 
(183
)
        Westbrook
July 23, 2013
 
(387
)
        Westbridge Manor
July 23, 2013
 
(1,424
)
        Ferrand Estates
September 25, 2013
 
(419
)
Total Sites as of September 30, 2014
 
 
141,195

The gross investment in real estate has increased approximately $98.3 million to $4,326 million as of September 30, 2014 from $4,228 million as of December 31, 2013 primarily due to the acquisition of the Blackhawk, Lakeland, Pine Acres, Echo Farm and Mays Landing RV Resorts and the Colony Cove land purchase.
Occupancy in our Properties, as well as our ability to increase rental rates, directly affects revenues. Our revenue streams are predominantly derived from customers renting our Sites on a long-term basis. Some revenues streams are subject to seasonal fluctuations and accordingly, quarterly interim results may not be indicative of full fiscal year results.
The following table shows the breakdown of our Sites by type. Our community Sites and annual resort Sites are leased on an annual basis. Seasonal Sites are leased to customers generally for three to six months. Transient Sites are leased to customers on a short-term basis. The revenue from seasonal and transient Sites is generally higher during the first and third quarters. We expect to service over 100,000 customers at our transient Sites in 2014 and we consider this revenue stream to be our most volatile as it is subject to weather conditions and other factors affecting the marginal RV customer’s vacation and travel preferences. Sites designated as right-to-use Sites are primarily utilized to service the approximately 97,000 customers who have entered into right-to-use contracts. We also have interests in joint venture Properties for which revenue is classified as Equity in income from unconsolidated joint ventures in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
 
Total Sites as of September 30, 2014
Community sites
69,900

Resort sites:
 
Annual
24,800

Seasonal
9,100

Transient
10,100

Right-to-use (1)
24,100

Joint Ventures (2)
3,200

 
141,200

_________________________ 
(1) 
Includes approximately 5,000 Sites rented on an annual basis.
(2) 
Joint ventures have approximately 2,300 annual Sites, approximately 400 seasonal sites and approximately 500 transient sites.

27


The following comparisons exclude the results from the 11 Properties that have been reclassified to “Discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for 2013, which was prior to our prospective adoption of ASU 2014-08 (see Note 4 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q). Core Portfolio ("Core Portfolio") consists of our Property Operations for all Properties owned and operated for the same period in 2013 and 2014.
Third quarter property operating revenues in our Core Portfolio, excluding deferrals, were up 4.0% and property operating expenses in our Core Portfolio, excluding deferrals and property management, were up 2.7%, resulting in an increase in core net operating income before property management of 5.0%. Operating expenses in our Core Portfolio were slightly higher than expected in the quarter. This is primarily the result of increased repair and maintenance expenses related to storm events in the North and West regions as well as certain one-time items at various properties.
A significant portion of our rental agreements on community Sites have rent increases that are directly or indirectly related to published Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) statistics that are issued from June through September of the year prior to the increase effective date. We currently expect our 2014 Core Portfolio community base rental income to increase, coming from rate increases and occupancy gains.
Nineteen of our 49 California Properties, our seven Delaware Properties and one of our five Massachusetts Properties are affected by state and local rent control regulations. The impact of the rent control regulations is to limit our ability to implement rent increases based on prevailing market conditions. The regulations generally provide the ability to increase rates by a percentage of the increase in the CPI. The limit on rent increases may range from 60% to 100% of CPI with certain maximum limits depending on the jurisdiction.
In the years following the disruption in the site-built housing market, our home sales business was negatively impacted by our customers’ inability to sell their existing site-built homes and relocate to their retirement destination. As a result, we focused on home rental rather than sales as our primary source of occupancy upon turnover. As we managed and expanded our portfolio of rental homes, we placed homes in communities where we believed we could successfully sell homes as the market improved. We continue to allocate capital to home purchases based on our assessment of market conditions and emphasize home sales in that assessment. We continue to see population growth in our key markets, increased access to distribution channels for our products, and a renewed willingness by our customers to commit to us for a longer period of time. Also, we have seen a decrease in homes coming back to us, which generally means that our residents have the opportunity to resell their homes.
Beginning in 2013, we have seen an increase in the sales volume of new and used homes in our communities. We attribute this increase to various factors including management’s focus on increasing the number of homeowners within our communities, changes to incentive structures for our on-site personnel to emphasize home sales rather than rentals and willingness of an increasing number of customers to commit their capital to purchase a home in our communities. New home sales in the manufactured home communities in our Core Portfolio during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased by 134 over the same period of the prior year. The recent new home sales have been primarily in our California, Florida and Colorado communities. Used home sales in the manufactured home communities in our Core Portfolio during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased 2.2% over the same period of the prior year, these results are 25% more than the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
In 2013 we entered into a joint venture, ECHO Financing, LLC, with a home manufacturer to buy and sell homes, as well as to offer another financing option to purchasers of homes at our Properties. Under certain circumstances, the ECHO JV may also rent homes in our communities. Chattel financing options available today include community owner funded programs or third party lender programs which provide subsidized financing to customers and require the community owner to guarantee customer defaults. Third party lender programs have stringent underwriting criteria, sizable down payment requirements, short loan amortization and high interest rates.
The quality of occupancy growth continues to be our primary focus by decreasing the number of home renters in our portfolio. As of September 30, 2014, we have increased occupancy by 168 sites, while reducing rental occupancy by 131 sites. By comparison, as of September 30, 2013, our year-to-date occupancy increase was 224 sites with an increase of rental occupancy of 348 sites as compared to year-to-date occupancy as of September 30, 2012.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we had 5,340 occupied manufactured home rentals, including 15 homes rented through our ECHO JV. For the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, rental program net operating income was approximately $8.8 million and $9.7 million, respectively, net of rental asset depreciation expense of approximately $2.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The net operating income and rental asset depreciation expense does not include the revenues and expense associated with our ECHO JV. The increase in rental asset depreciation expense is due to the change in depreciable life (see Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q). Approximately $9.8 million and $9.7 million of rental operations revenue was included in community base rental income for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

28


For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, rental program net operating income was approximately $27.1 million and $29.4 million, respectively, net of rental asset depreciation expense of approximately $8.3 million and $4.8 million, respectively. The increase in rental asset depreciation expense is due to a change in the accounting policy (see Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q). Approximately $29.6 million and $28.9 million of rental operations revenue was included in community base rental income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We continue to evaluate home rental operations and may continue to invest in additional units.
In our RV Resorts, we are focused on engaging with our existing customers and providing them the lifestyle they seek as well as attracting additional customers interested in our Properties. We continue to see growth in our annual revenues as a result of our ability to increase rate and occupancy. Third quarter Core Portfolio annual revenues were 5.4% higher than the third quarter of last year. Our customer base is loyal and engaged in the lifestyle we offer at our Properties. We have annual customers who have stayed ten years with us and our member base includes members who have camped with us for more than twenty years. Our social media presence has increased within this member base.

In the spring of 2010, we introduced low-cost membership products that focus on the existing base of approximately nine million RV owners. Such products include right-to-use contracts that entitle the customer to use certain Properties. We are offering a Zone Park Pass (“ZPP”), which can be purchased for one to five geographic areas of the United States and requires annual payments. In 2014, the required annual payment is $545. The ZPP replaces high cost products that were typically entered into at Properties after tours and lengthy sales presentations. Prior to 2010, we incurred significant costs to generate leads, conduct tours and make sales presentations. A single zone ZPP requires no additional upfront payment while additional zones may be purchased for modest additional upfront payments. Since inception we have entered into approximately 52,200 ZPPs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we entered into approximately 14,800 ZPPs, or a 13.8% increase from approximately 13,000 ZPPs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Of the 14,800 ZPPs activated during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, approximately 8,000 were sold to dues paying members and the remainder were activated through select RV dealers.

In 2012, we initiated a program with select RV dealers to feature our ZPP as part of the dealers’ sales and marketing efforts. In return, we provide the dealer with a ZPP membership to give to their customers in connection with the purchase of an RV. No cash is received from the members during the first year of membership for memberships activated through the RV dealer program.
Since the inception of the ZPP program with the RV dealers we have activated 13,953 ZPPs. Our renewal rate for theses RV dealer memberships is approximately 18%.
Existing customers are eligible to upgrade their right-to-use contract from time-to-time. An upgrade is currently distinguishable from a new right-to-use contract that a customer would enter into by, depending on the type of upgrade, offering (1) access to additional resorts; (2) increased length of consecutive stay by 50% (i.e., up to 28 days); (3) ability to make earlier advance reservations; (4) discounts on rental units; (5) access to additional Properties, which may include use of Sites at non-membership RV Properties and (6) membership in discount travel programs. Each upgrade contract requires a non-refundable upfront payment. We may finance the purchase of the upgrade.
We actively seek to acquire additional Properties and are currently engaged in negotiations relating to the possible acquisition of a number of Properties. At any time these negotiations are at varying stages, which may include contracts outstanding to acquire certain Properties that are subject to satisfactory completion of our due diligence review.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Refer to the 2013 Form 10-K for a discussion of our critical accounting policies, which includes impairment of real estate assets and investments, revenue recognition and notes and contracts receivable. There have been no changes to these policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Supplemental Measures
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations include certain non-GAAP financial measures in management’s view of the business which we believe are meaningful as they allow the investor the ability to understand key operating details of our business both with and without regard to certain accounting conventions or items which may not always be indicative of recurring annual cash flow of the portfolio. These non-GAAP financial measures as determined and presented by us, may not be comparable to related or similarly titled measures reported by other companies and include Income from property operations, Funds from Operations (“FFO”) and Normalized Funds from Operations (“Normalized FFO”).
Income from property operations represents rental income, utility income and right-to-use income less property and maintenance expenses, real estate tax and sales and marketing expenses. We believe that Income from property operations is helpful to investors and analysts as a direct measure of the actual operating results of our manufactured home and RV communities. A discussion of FFO, Normalized FFO and a reconciliation to net income are included in the presentation of FFO following our “Results of Operations.”

29


The following table reconciles Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures to Income from property operations for the quarters and nine months ended ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Total Portfolio
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
Income from property operations
 
$
93,398

 
$
88,542

 
$
4,856

 
5.5
%
 
$
282,907

 
$
265,426

 
$
17,481

 
6.6
 %
Income from home sales operations and other
 
$
1,172

 
$
1,110

 
$
62

 
5.6
%
 
$
2,557

 
$
3,069

 
$
(512
)
 
(16.7
)%
Total other expenses, net
 
$
(66,460
)
 
$
(96,723
)
 
$
30,263

 
31.3
%
 
$
(185,955
)
 
$
(221,689
)
 
$
35,734

 
16.1
 %
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
 
$
28,110

 
$
(7,071
)
 
$
35,181

 
497.5
%
 
$
99,509

 
$
46,806

 
$
52,703

 
112.6
 %

Comparison of the Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 to the Quarter Ended September 30, 2013
The following tables for the comparison of the quarter ended September 30, 2014 to the quarter ended September 30, 2013 exclude the results from the 11 Properties that have been reclassified to “Discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for 2013 prior to our prospective adoption of ASU 2014-08.
Income from Property Operations
The following table summarizes certain financial and statistical data for the Core Portfolio and the total portfolio for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands). The Core Portfolio may change from time-to-time depending on acquisitions, dispositions and significant transactions or unique situations. The Core Portfolio in this Form 10-Q includes all Properties acquired prior to December 31, 2012 and which we have owned and operated continuously since January 1, 2013.
 
Core Portfolio
 
Total Portfolio
 
2014
 
2013
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
Community base rental income
$
104,955

 
$
101,883

 
$
3,072

 
3.0
 %
 
$
106,967

 
$
103,157

 
$
3,810

 
3.7
 %
Rental home income
3,661

 
3,571

 
90

 
2.5
 %
 
3,684

 
3,584

 
100

 
2.8
 %
Resort base rental income
42,404

 
39,922

 
2,482

 
6.2
 %
 
44,351

 
39,932

 
4,419

 
11.1
 %
Right-to-use annual payments
11,404

 
12,323

 
(919
)
 
(7.5
)%
 
11,404

 
12,323

 
(919
)
 
(7.5
)%
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
3,944

 
3,707

 
237

 
6.4
 %
 
3,944

 
3,707

 
237

 
6.4
 %
Utility and other income
18,292

 
16,183

 
2,109

 
13.0
 %
 
18,581

 
16,224

 
2,357

 
14.5
 %
Property operating revenues, excluding deferrals
184,660

 
177,589

 
7,071

 
4.0
 %
 
188,931

 
178,927

 
10,004

 
5.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Property operating and maintenance
64,312

 
61,583

 
2,729

 
4.4
 %
 
66,105

 
61,782

 
4,323

 
7.0
 %
Rental home operating and maintenance
1,822

 
1,948

 
(126
)
 
(6.5
)%
 
1,829

 
1,950

 
(121
)
 
(6.2
)%
Real estate taxes
11,791

 
11,476

 
315

 
2.7
 %
 
12,263

 
11,584

 
679

 
5.9
 %
Sales and marketing, gross
3,018

 
3,841

 
(823
)
 
(21.4
)%
 
3,018

 
3,842

 
(824
)
 
(21.4
)%
Property operating expenses, excluding deferrals and Property management
80,943

 
78,848

 
2,095

 
2.7
 %
 
83,215

 
79,158

 
4,057

 
5.1
 %
Income from property operations, excluding deferrals and Property management
103,717

 
98,741

 
4,976

 
5.0
 %
 
105,716

 
99,769

 
5,947

 
6.0
 %
Property management
11,086

 
10,077

 
1,009

 
10.0
 %
 
11,086

 
10,077

 
1,009

 
10.0
 %
Income from property operations, excluding deferrals (1)
92,631

 
88,664

 
3,967

 
4.5
 %
 
94,630

 
89,692

 
4,938

 
5.5
 %
Right-to-use contracts, deferred and sales and marketing, deferred, net
1,232

 
1,150

 
82

 
7.1
 %
 
1,232

 
1,150

 
82

 
7.1
 %
Income from property operations 
$
91,399

 
$
87,514

 
$
3,885

 
4.4
 %
 
$
93,398

 
$
88,542

 
$
4,856

 
5.5
 %
__________________________
(1)     Non-GAAP measure.
The 3.0% increase in Core Portfolio community base rental income primarily reflects a 2.6% increase in rate and a 0.4% increase in occupancy. The average monthly base rent per site increased to $553 in 2014 from $539 in 2013. The average occupancy

30


increased to 92.2% in 2014 from 91.8% in 2013. The increase in Core property operating and maintenance expenses was primarily driven by increased utility expenses due to higher electric usage and higher repair and maintenance expenses related to storm damage and other one-time events at various properties.
The increase in rental home income and rental home operating and maintenance are discussed in further detail in the Rental Operations table below.
Resort base rental income is comprised of the following (amounts in thousands):
 
Core Portfolio
 
Total Portfolio
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Annual
$
25,132

 
$
23,838

 
$
1,294

 
5.4
%
 
$
26,055

 
$
23,838

 
$
2,217

 
9.3
%
Seasonal
3,189

 
3,148

 
41

 
1.3
%
 
3,339

 
3,147

 
192

 
6.1
%
Transient
14,083

 
12,936

 
1,147

 
8.9
%
 
14,957

 
12,947

 
2,010

 
15.5
%
Resort base rental income
$
42,404

 
$
39,922

 
$
2,482

 
6.2
%
 
$
44,351

 
$
39,932

 
$
4,419

 
11.1
%
The 7.5% decrease in right-to-use annual payments is primarily due to the 2013 change in accounting treatment of revenues and expenses related to memberships activated through the RV dealer program. Right-to-use contracts current period, gross, net of sales and marketing, gross, increased primarily due to higher upgrade sales. During the third quarter of 2014 there were 920 upgrade sales with an average price per sale of $4,555. This compares to 842 upgrade sales with an average price per sale of $4,618 for the third quarter of 2013.
The following growth rate percentages exclude property management expense (amounts in thousands): 
 
Core Portfolio
 
Total Portfolio
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Property operating revenues, excluding Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
$
180,716

 
$
173,882

 
$
6,834

 
3.9
%
 
$
184,987

 
$
175,220

 
$
9,767

 
5.6
%
Property operating expenses, excluding Sales and marketing, gross
77,925

 
75,007

 
2,918

 
3.9
%
 
80,197

 
75,316

 
4,881

 
6.5
%
Income from property operations, excluding Right-to-use contracts current period, gross and Sales and marketing, gross
$
102,791

 
$
98,875

 
$
3,916

 
4.0
%
 
$
104,790

 
$
99,904

 
$
4,886

 
4.9
%
The increase in total portfolio income from property operations is due primarily to increases in Core community base rental income, Core resort base rental income and the additional income from property operations related to the 2013 and 2014 acquisitions, partially offset by increases in repair and maintenance and utility expenses.












31


Home Sales Operations
The following table summarizes certain financial and statistical data for the Home Sales Operations for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except home sales volumes).
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
% Change
Gross revenues from new home sales (1)
$
4,051

 
$
1,530

 
$
2,521

 
164.8
 %
Cost of new home sales (1)
(3,334
)
 
(1,353
)
 
(1,981
)
 
(146.4
)%
Gross profit from new home sales
717

 
177

 
540

 
305.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross revenues from used home sales
4,666

 
3,885

 
781

 
20.1
 %
Cost of used home sales
(4,822
)
 
(3,784
)
 
(1,038
)
 
(27.4
)%
Gross (loss) profit from used home sales
(156
)
 
101

 
(257
)
 
(254.5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brokered resale revenues and ancillary services revenues, net
1,124

 
1,395

 
(271
)
 
(19.4
)%
Home selling expenses
(513
)
 
(563
)
 
50

 
8.9
 %
Income from home sales operations and other
$
1,172

 
$
1,110

 
$
62

 
5.6
 %
Home sales volumes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total new home sales(2)
106

 
36

 
70

 
194.4
 %
               New Home Sales Volume - ECHO JV
52

 
12

 
40

 
333.3
 %
Used home sales
424

 
402

 
22

 
5.5
 %
Brokered home resales
251

 
176

 
75

 
42.6
 %
_________________________
(1) New home sales gross revenues and costs of new home sales does not include the revenues and costs associated with our ECHO JV.
(2) Total new home sales volume includes home sales from our ECHO JV for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Includes one third-party dealer sale for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.
The increase in income from home sales operations and other is primarily due to an increase in volume and gross profits from new home sales, partially offset by reduced profits in used home sales and lower revenues from ancillary services.
Rental Operations
The following table summarizes certain financial and statistical data for manufactured home Rental Operations for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except rental unit volumes).
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Manufactured homes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Home
$
5,632

 
$
5,638

 
$
(6
)
 
(0.1
)%
Used Home
7,807

 
7,670

 
137

 
1.8
 %
Rental operations revenue (1)
13,439

 
13,308

 
131

 
1.0
 %
Rental home operating and maintenance
(1,829
)
 
(1,950
)
 
121

 
(6.2
)%
Income from rental operations
11,610

 
11,358

 
252

 
2.2
 %
Depreciation on rental homes (2)
(2,773
)
 
(1,653
)
 
(1,120
)
 
67.8
 %
Income from rental operations, net of depreciation
$
8,837

 
$
9,705

 
$
(868
)
 
(8.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross investment in new manufactured home rental units (3)
$
110,700

 
$
112,585

 
$
(1,885
)
 
(1.7
)%
Gross investment in used manufactured home rental units
$
64,182

 
$
63,651

 
$
531

 
0.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment in new manufactured home rental units
$
94,180

 
$
100,428

 
$
(6,248
)
 
(6.2
)%
Net investment in used manufactured home rental units
$
50,488

 
$
55,568

 
$
(5,080
)
 
(9.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of occupied rentals – new, end of period (4)
2,087

 
2,032

 
55

 
2.7
 %
Number of occupied rentals – used, end of period
3,253

 
3,380

 
(127
)
 
(3.8
)%
______________________
(1) 
Approximately $9.8 million and $9.7 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, of Site rental income are included in Community base rental income in the Income from Property Operations table. The remainder of home rental income is included in Rental home income in the Income from Property Operations table.
(2) 
Included in depreciation on real estate and other costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
(3) 
New home cost basis does not include the costs associated with our ECHO JV. At September 30, 2014, our investment in the ECHO JV was $6.2 million.
(4) 
Includes 15 homes rented through our ECHO JV.


32


The increase in income from rental operations is due primarily to an increase in rates on rental units and a decrease in operating expenses. In the ordinary course of business, we acquire used homes from customers through purchase, foreclosure on a lien or abandonment. In a vibrant new home sale market, used homes may be sold in place or removed from sites and replaced with new homes. Used homes may also be rented either in the condition received or after warranted rehabilitation. We continue to evaluate rental units and, based on market conditions, while we continue to focus on selling homes, we may invest in additional new homes for customer rentals.
Other Income and Expenses
The following table summarizes other income and expenses for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
% Change
Depreciation on real estate and rental homes
$
(27,831
)
 
$
(26,460
)
 
$
(1,371
)
 
(5.2
)%
Amortization of in-place leases
(1,075
)
 
(485
)
 
(590
)
 
(121.6
)%
Interest income
1,902

 
2,200

 
(298
)
 
(13.5
)%
Income from other investments, net
1,869

 
1,885

 
(16
)
 
(0.8
)%
General and administrative
(7,003
)
 
(6,066
)
 
(937
)
 
(15.4
)%
Transaction costs
(620
)
 
(1,540
)
 
920

 
59.7
 %
Early debt retirement
(5,087
)
 
(36,530
)
 
31,443

 
86.1
 %
Property rights initiatives
(751
)
 
(521
)
 
(230
)
 
(44.1
)%
Interest and related amortization
(27,864
)
 
(29,206
)
 
1,342

 
4.6
 %
Total other expenses, net
$
(66,460
)
 
$
(96,723
)
 
$
30,263

 
31.3
 %
Depreciation on real estate and rental homes increased primarily due to the acquisitions that occurred in the third quarter of 2013 and the change in the depreciable life of our new and used manufactured homes.
Amortization of in-place leases increased primarily due to the expected one-year life of in-place leases. In-place lease amortization in 2013 and 2014 includes amortization of in-place leases at five and six properties respectively. However, the amortization in 2013 only includes two months of amortization at three properties.
General and administrative increased primarily due to an increase in stock-based compensation expense (see Note 10 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for additional detail regarding our stock-based compensation plan).
Transactions costs decreased primarily due to the settlement costs incurred in 2013.
Early debt retirement decreased primarily due to defeasance costs totaling $36.5 million incurred as a result of the long-term refinancing plan initiated in 2013, offset by the prepayment fee of approximately $5.1 million associated with the early retirement of the loan secured by our Colony Cove community incurred in 2014.     
A decrease in secured debt and lower weighted average interest rates contributed to the decrease in interest and related amortization.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

The following tables for the comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to the nine months ended September 30, 2013 exclude the results from the 11 Properties that have been reclassified to “Discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for 2013 prior to our prospective adoption of ASU 2014-08.














33


Income from Property Operations
The following table summarizes certain financial and statistical data for the Core Portfolio and the total portfolio for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands). The Core Portfolio may change from time-to-time depending on acquisitions, dispositions and significant transactions or unique situations. The Core Portfolio in this Form 10-Q includes all Properties acquired prior to December 31, 2012 and which we have owned and operated continuously since January 1, 2013.
 
Core Portfolio
 
Total Portfolio
 
2014
 
2013
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
Community base rental income
$
313,525

 
$
304,126

 
$
9,399

 
3.1
 %
 
$
319,514

 
$
305,401

 
$
14,113

 
4.6
 %
Rental home income
11,133

 
10,563

 
570

 
5.4
 %
 
11,187

 
10,576

 
611

 
5.8
 %
Resort base rental income
121,198

 
113,858

 
7,340

 
6.4
 %
 
126,188

 
113,868

 
12,320

 
10.8
 %
Right-to-use annual payments
33,859

 
35,889

 
(2,030
)
 
(5.7
)%
 
33,859

 
35,889

 
(2,030
)
 
(5.7
)%
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
9,956

 
9,899

 
57

 
0.6
 %
 
9,956

 
9,899

 
57

 
0.6
 %
Utility and other income
52,203

 
48,651

 
3,552

 
7.3
 %
 
53,070

 
48,694

 
4,376

 
9.0
 %
Property operating revenues, excluding deferrals
541,874

 
522,986

 
18,888

 
3.6
 %
 
553,774

 
524,327

 
29,447

 
5.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating and maintenance
181,925

 
174,900

 
7,025

 
4.0
 %
 
186,018

 
175,183

 
10,835

 
6.2
 %
Rental home operating and maintenance
5,357

 
5,304

 
53

 
1.0
 %
 
5,376

 
5,307

 
69

 
1.3
 %
Real estate taxes
35,795

 
35,763

 
32

 
0.1
 %
 
36,905

 
35,873

 
1,032

 
2.9
 %
Sales and marketing, gross
8,118

 
9,536

 
(1,418
)
 
(14.9
)%
 
8,118

 
9,536

 
(1,418
)
 
(14.9
)%
Property operating expenses, excluding deferrals and Property management
231,195

 
225,503

 
5,692

 
2.5
 %
 
236,417

 
225,899

 
10,518

 
4.7
 %
Income from property operations, excluding deferrals and Property management
310,679

 
297,483

 
13,196

 
4.4
 %
 
317,357

 
298,428

 
18,929

 
6.3
 %
Property management
32,169

 
30,380

 
1,789

 
5.9
 %
 
32,169

 
30,380

 
1,789

 
5.9
 %
Income from property operations, excluding deferrals (1)
278,510

 
267,103

 
11,407

 
4.3
 %
 
285,188

 
268,048

 
17,140

 
6.4
 %
Right-to-use contracts, deferred and sales and marketing, deferred, net
2,281

 
2,622

 
$
(341
)
 
(13.0
)%
 
2,281

 
2,622

 
$
(341
)
 
(13.0
)%
Income from property operations
$
276,229

 
$
264,481

 
$
11,748

 
4.4
 %
 
$
282,907

 
$
265,426

 
$
17,481

 
6.6
 %
__________________________
(1) Non-GAAP measure.
The 3.1% increase in Core Portfolio community base rental income primarily reflects a 2.7% increase in rate and a 0.4% increase in occupancy. The average monthly base rent per site increased to $551 in 2014 from $537 in 2013. The average occupancy increased to 92.1% in 2014 from 91.7% in 2013. The increase in Core property operating and maintenance expenses was primarily driven by increased utility expenses due to higher rate and usage related to electric expense.
The increase in rental home income and rental home operating and maintenance are discussed in further detail in the Rental Operations table below.
Resort base rental income is comprised of the following (amounts in thousands):
 
Core Portfolio
 
Total Portfolio
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Annual
$
74,145

 
$
70,327

 
$
3,818

 
5.4
%
 
$
76,747

 
$
70,327

 
$
6,420

 
9.1
%
Seasonal
18,882

 
17,983

 
899

 
5.0
%
 
19,316

 
17,982

 
1,334

 
7.4
%
Transient
28,171

 
25,548

 
2,623

 
10.3
%
 
30,125

 
25,559

 
4,566

 
17.9
%
Resort base rental income
$
121,198

 
$
113,858

 
$
7,340

 
6.4
%
 
$
126,188

 
$
113,868

 
$
12,320

 
10.8
%
The 5.7% decrease in right-to-use annual payments is primarily due to the 2013 change in accounting treatment of revenues and expenses related to memberships activated through the RV dealer program. Right-to-use contracts current period, gross, net of sales and marketing, gross, increased primarily due to higher upgrade sales. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 there were 2,239 upgrade sales with an average price per sale of $4,700. This compares to 2,275 upgrade sales with an average price per sale of $4,549 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

34


The following growth rate percentages exclude property management expense (amounts in thousands): 
 
Core Portfolio
 
Total Portfolio
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Property operating revenues, excluding Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
$
531,918

 
$
513,087

 
$
18,831

 
3.7
%
 
$
543,819

 
$
514,428

 
$
29,391

 
5.7
%
Property operating expenses, excluding Sales and marketing, gross
223,077

 
215,967

 
7,110

 
3.3
%
 
228,299

 
216,363

 
11,936

 
5.5
%
Income from property operations, excluding Right-to-use contracts current period, gross and Sales and marketing, gross
$
308,841

 
$
297,120

 
$
11,721

 
3.9
%
 
$
315,520

 
$
298,065

 
$
17,455

 
5.9
%
The increase in total portfolio income from property operations is due primarily to increases in Core community base rental income, Core resort base rental income and the additional income from property operations related to the 2013 and 2014 acquisitions, partially offset by increases in repair and maintenance and utility expenses.
Home Sales Operations
The following table summarizes certain financial and statistical data for the Home Sales Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except home sales volumes).
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
% Change
Gross revenues from new home sales (1)
$
9,771

 
$
3,269

 
$
6,502

 
198.9
 %
Cost of new home sales (1)
(8,370
)
 
(2,969
)
 
(5,401
)
 
(181.9
)%
Gross profit from new home sales
1,401

 
300

 
1,101

 
367.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross revenues from used home sales
10,684

 
9,059

 
1,625

 
17.9
 %
Cost of used home sales
(11,309
)
 
(8,868
)
 
(2,441
)
 
(27.5
)%
Gross (loss) profit from used home sales
(625
)
 
191

 
(816
)
 
(427.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brokered resale revenues and ancillary services revenues, net
3,491

 
4,122

 
(631
)
 
(15.3
)%
Home selling expenses
(1,710
)
 
(1,544
)
 
(166
)
 
(10.8
)%
Income from home sales operations and other
$
2,557

 
$
3,069

 
$
(512
)
 
(16.7
)%
Home sales volumes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total new home sales(2)
237

 
69

 
168

 
243.5
 %
               New Home Sales Volume - ECHO JV
94

 
14

 
80

 
571.4
 %
Used home sales
1,144

 
1,141

 
3

 
0.3
 %
Brokered home resales
720

 
623

 
97

 
15.6
 %
__________________________
(1) New home sales gross revenues and costs of new home sales does not include the revenues and costs associated with our ECHO JV.
(2) Total new home sales volume includes home sales from our ECHO JV for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Includes one third-party dealer sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
The decrease in income from home sales operations and other is primarily due to a decrease in ancillary services revenues, an increase in home selling expenses and a decrease in profits from used home sales, partially offset by an increase of new home sales and gross profits from new home sales.









35


Rental Operations
The following table summarizes certain financial and statistical data for manufactured home Rental Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except rental unit volumes).
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Manufactured homes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Home
$
17,207

 
$
16,631

 
$
576

 
3.5
 %
Used Home
23,547

 
22,894

 
653

 
2.9
 %
Rental operations revenue (1)
40,754

 
39,525

 
1,229

 
3.1
 %
Rental home operating and maintenance
(5,376
)
 
(5,307
)
 
(69
)
 
1.3
 %
Income from rental operations
35,378

 
34,218

 
1,160

 
3.4
 %
Depreciation on rental homes (2)
(8,287
)
 
(4,847
)
 
(3,440
)
 
71.0
 %
Income from rental operations, net of depreciation
$
27,091

 
$
29,371

 
$
(2,280
)
 
(7.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross investment in new manufactured home rental units (3)
$
110,700

 
$
112,585

 
$
(1,885
)
 
(1.7
)%
Gross investment in used manufactured home rental units
$
64,182

 
$
63,651

 
$
531

 
0.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment in new manufactured home rental units
$
94,180

 
$
100,428

 
$
(6,248
)
 
(6.2
)%
Net investment in used manufactured home rental units
$
50,488

 
$
55,568

 
$
(5,080
)
 
(9.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of occupied rentals – new, end of period (4)
2,087

 
2,032

 
55

 
2.7
 %
Number of occupied rentals – used, end of period
3,253

 
3,380

 
(127
)
 
(3.8
)%
______________________
(1) 
Approximately $29.6 million and $28.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, of Site rental income are included in Community base rental income in the Income from Property Operations table. The remainder of home rental income is included in Rental home income in the Income from Property Operations table.
(2) 
Included in depreciation on real estate and other costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
(3) 
New home cost basis does not include the costs associated with our ECHO JV. At September 30, 2014, our investment in the ECHO JV was $6.2 million.
(4) 
Includes 15 homes rented through our ECHO JV.
The increase in income from rental operations is due primarily to an increase in rates on rental units. In the ordinary course of business, we acquire used homes from customers through purchase, foreclosure on a lien or abandonment. In a vibrant new home sale market, used homes may be sold in place or removed from sites and replaced with new homes. Used homes may also be rented either in the condition received or after warranted rehabilitation. We continue to evaluate rental units and, based on market conditions, while we continue to focus on selling homes, we may invest in additional new homes for customer rentals.
Other Income and Expenses
The following table summarizes other income and expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
% Change
Depreciation on real estate and rental homes
$
(83,234
)
 
$
(81,793
)
 
$
(1,441
)
 
(1.8
)%
Amortization of in-place leases
(3,791
)
 
(803
)
 
(2,988
)
 
(372.1
)%
Interest income
6,477

 
6,173

 
304

 
4.9
 %
Income from other investments, net
6,098

 
5,989

 
109

 
1.8
 %
General and administrative
(19,027
)
 
(19,521
)
 
494

 
2.5
 %
Transaction costs
(1,151
)
 
(1,740
)
 
589

 
33.9
 %
Early debt retirement
(5,087
)
 
(37,911
)
 
32,824

 
86.6
 %
Property rights initiatives
(2,063
)
 
(2,377
)
 
314

 
13.2
 %
Interest and related amortization
(84,177
)
 
(89,706
)
 
5,529

 
6.2
 %
Total other expenses, net
$
(185,955
)
 
$
(221,689
)
 
$
35,734

 
16.1
 %
    
Depreciation on real estate and rental homes increased primarily due to the acquisitions that occurred in the third quarter of 2013 and the change in the depreciable life of our new and used manufactured homes.
Amortization of in-place leases increased primarily due to the expected one-year life of in-place leases. In-place lease amortization in 2013 and 2014 includes amortization of in-place leases at five and six properties, respectively. However, the amortization in 2013 only includes two months of amortization at three properties.

36


General and administrative decreased primarily due to lower legal fees and public company costs, offset by an increase in stock-based compensation expense (see Note 10 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for additional detail regarding our stock-based compensation plan).
Transaction costs decreased primarily due to settlement costs incurred in 2013.
Early debt retirement decreased, primarily due to defeasance costs totaling $36.5 million incurred as a result of the long-term refinancing plan initiated in 2013 offset by the prepayment fee of approximately $5.1 million associated with the early retirement of the loan secured by our Colony Cove community incurred in 2014.
A decrease in secured debt and lower weighted average interest rates contributed to the decrease in interest and related amortization.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our primary demands for liquidity include payment of operating expenses, debt service, including principal and interest, capital improvements on properties, purchasing both new and pre-owned homes, acquisitions of new Properties, and distributions. We expect these demands for liquidity to continue for the short-term and long-term. Our commitment to capital improvements on existing assets is anticipated to be consistent with last year. Our primary sources of cash include operating cash flows, proceeds from financings, borrowings under our LOC and proceeds from issuance of equity and debt securities. We have entered into equity distribution agreements with sales agents, pursuant to which we may sell, from time-to-time, shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $125.0 million. We have not sold any common stock to date under the equity distribution agreements. In addition, we have available liquidity in the form of approximately 9.9 million shares of authorized and unissued preferred stock and approximately 116.1 million shares of authorized but unissued common stock registered for sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by a shelf registration statement which was automatically effective when filed with the SEC. Our charter allows for us to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
One of our stated objectives is to maintain financial flexibility. Achieving this objective allows us to take advantage of strategic opportunities that may arise.  We believe effective management of our balance sheet, including maintaining various access points to raise capital, manage future debt maturities and borrow at competitive rates enables us to meet this objective.  We believe we currently have sufficient liquidity, in the form of $109.1 million of cash as of September 30, 2014 and $400.0 million available on our LOC, to satisfy our near term obligations. On July 17, 2014, we amended our LOC to increase the borrowing capacity under the LOC from $380.0 million to $400.0 million with the option to increase the borrowing capacity by $100.0 million, subject to certain conditions (see Note 7 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q).
We expect to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, including all distributions, generally through net cash provided by operating activities and availability under our existing LOC and available cash. We consider these resources to be adequate to meet our operating requirements for capital improvements, amortizing debt and payment of dividends and distributions.
We expect to meet certain long-term liquidity requirements such as scheduled debt maturities, property acquisitions and capital improvements by use of our current cash balance, long-term collateralized and uncollateralized borrowings including borrowings under the existing LOC and the issuance of debt securities or equity securities, in addition to net cash provided by operating activities. As of September 30, 2014, we have no remaining scheduled debt maturities in 2014. We expect to satisfy our 2015 maturities with existing cash, anticipated operating cash flow and refinancing proceeds.    
    
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we closed on four loans with total proceeds of $54.0 million that are secured by two manufactured home communities and two RV resorts. The loans have a weighted average interest rate of 4.54% per annum and are set to mature in 2034 and 2038. We also refinanced the $53.8 million loan secured by our Colony Cove community with a stated interest rate of 4.65% per annum that was scheduled to mature in 2017. The new loan, with gross proceeds of $115.0 million, has a 25 year term and carries a stated interest rate of 4.64% per annum. We paid a prepayment fee of approximately $5.1 million associated with the early retirement of the prior loan. The aforementioned loan proceeds were used to pay off 16 mortgages totaling approximately $86.3 million that had a weighted average interest rate of 5.57% per annum.
We also assumed approximately $13.3 million of mortgage debt, excluding note premiums of $1.0 million, secured by Blackhawk and Lakeland resort properties with a weighted average interest rate of 6.48% per annum which are set to mature in 2017 and 2018.
    


37


The table below summarizes cash flow activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
228,342

 
$
197,736

Net cash used in investing activities
(81,432
)
 
(20,381
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(96,193
)
 
(162,955
)
Net increase in cash
$
50,717

 
$
14,400

Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities of $197.7 million increased $30.6 million to $228.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared with the net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This overall increase in net cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to an increase of $14.7 million in escrow deposits, goodwill and other assets and an increase of $7.0 million in consolidated net income as well as a decrease in early debt retirement costs of $32.8 million. Additionally, a $41.5 million gain on sale of property was recognized in 2013 compared to a gain of $1.0 million in 2014.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $81.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $20.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Significant components of net cash provided by (used in) investing activities include:
•
We paid approximately $54.6 million in 2014 to acquire the Blackhawk, Lakeland, Pine Acres, Echo Farms, and Mays Landing RV resorts as well as the Colony Cove land purchase (see Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for a description of our recent acquisitions).
•
We received approximately $2.1 million in proceeds in 2014 from the condemnation of a certain parcel at our Seyenna Vista Property. In 2013, we received approximately $158.0 million in proceeds from the disposition of the Michigan Properties (see Note 4 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this form 10-Q for additional details on our 2014 and 2013 dispositions).
•
We received approximately $10.6 million in 2014 of the net tax deferred exchange deposits which were used to acquire the Blackhawk and Lakeland resort properties. We paid approximately $13.8 million in 2013 to a net tax deferred exchange deposit.
•
We paid approximately $41.6 million for capital improvements including new and used home investments in 2014 compared to $48.6 million in 2013 (see table below).
•
We contributed approximately $3.5 million to our ECHO JV in 2014 offset by $0.4 million of distributions from our joint ventures. We invested approximately $1.1 million in 2013 to create our ECHO JV (see Note 5 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for a description of our joint ventures).
•
We received approximately $12.5 million of repayments on notes receivable in 2014 compared to $9.3 million in 2013 partially offset by new notes receivable of $7.3 million in 2014 compared to $7.8 million in 2013 (see Note 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for further discussion).








38


Capital Improvements
The table below summarizes capital improvements activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,(1)
 
2014
 
2013
Recurring Cap Ex (2)
$
17,285

 
$
16,967

Development (3)
3,999

 
754

New home investments (4)
11,286

 
17,636

Used home investments
8,248

 
12,474

Total Property
40,818

 
47,831

Corporate
827

 
740

Total Capital improvements
$
41,645

 
$
48,571

______________________
(1) 
Excludes non-cash activity of approximately $1.0 million and $1.7 million of used homes acquired by repossessions of Chattel Loans collateral for both the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(2) 
Recurring capital expenditures (“Recurring CapEx”) are primarily comprised of common area improvements, furniture, and mechanical improvements.
(3) 
Development primarily represents costs to improve and upgrade Property infrastructure or amenities and bring new home sites online as well as upgrade existing new home sites.
(4) 
Excludes new home investments associated with our ECHO JV.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $96.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $163.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Significant components of net cash used in financing activities include:
•
We paid approximately $25.4 million of amortizing principal debt, approximately $86.3 million of maturing mortgages, we refinanced the $53.8 million loan secured by our Colony Cove community and paid approximately $11.6 million in debt issuance and early debt retirement costs in 2014 (see Note 7 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for a description of our borrowing arrangements).
•
We made distributions of approximately $88.8 million in 2014 to common stockholders, common OP unitholders and preferred stockholders and paid approximately $0.2 million for offering costs, offset by proceeds received of approximately $0.9 million from the exercise of stock options and the sale of shares through the employee stock purchase plan (see Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for a description of our equity transactions).
•
We closed on $169.0 million in financing in 2014 compared to $347.1 million in financing in 2013.
•
We paid approximately $30.1 million of amortizing principal debt, approximately $73.7 million of maturing mortgages, defeased approximately $312.2 million of debt and paid approximately $41.9 million in debt issuance costs in 2013 (see Note 7 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for a description of our borrowing arrangements).
•
We made distributions of approximately $52.4 million in 2013 to common stockholders, common OP unitholders and preferred stockholders and paid approximately $0.5 million for other, offset by proceeds received of approximately $0.8 million from the exercise of stock options and the sale of shares through the employee stock purchase plan (see Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for a description of our equity transactions).







39


Contractual Obligations
As of September 30, 2014, we were subject to certain contractual payment obligations as described in the table below (amounts in thousands):
 
Total (5)
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
Thereafter
Long Term Borrowings (1)
$
2,191,296

 
$
12,428

 
$
310,277

 
$
248,871

 
$
69,766

 
$
220,239

 
$
1,329,715

Interest Expense (2)
635,731

 
28,083

 
107,267

 
85,932

 
77,743

 
68,885

 
267,821

Operating Lease
14,313

 
513

 
1,922

 
1,954

 
1,987

 
2,032

 
5,905

LOC Maintenance Fee (3)
3,077

 
204

 
811

 
811

 
811

 
440

 
—

Ground Lease (4)
19,749

 
484

 
1,941

 
1,948

 
1,953

 
1,955

 
11,468

Total Contractual Obligations
$
2,864,166

 
$
41,712

 
$
422,218

 
$
339,516

 
$
152,260

 
$
293,551

 
$
1,614,909

Weighted average interest rates
4.84
%
 
5.23
%
 
5.10
%
 
4.99
%
 
4.91
%
 
4.81
%
 
4.57
%
 ______________________________
(1) 
Balance excludes note premiums of $14.6 million. Balances include debt maturing and scheduled periodic principal payments.
(2) 
Amounts include interest expected to be incurred on our secured debt based on obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2014.
(3) 
As of September 30, 2014, assumes we will not exercise our one year extension option on July 17, 2018 and assumes we will maintain our current leverage ratios as defined by the LOC.
(4) 
We also lease land under non-cancelable operating leases at certain of the Properties expiring in various years from 2015 to 2054. The majority of the lease terms require twelve equal payments per year plus additional rents calculated as a percentage of gross revenues.
(5) 
We do not include insurance, property taxes and cancelable contracts in the contractual obligations table.
We believe that we will be able to refinance our maturing debt obligations on a secured or unsecured basis; however, to the extent we are unable to refinance our debt as it matures, we believe that we will be able to repay such maturing debt from operating cash flow, asset sales and/or the proceeds from equity issuances. With respect to any refinancing of maturing debt, our future cash flow requirements could be impacted by significant changes in interest rates or other debt terms, including required amortization payments.
Inflation
Substantially all of the leases at the Properties allow for monthly or annual rent increases which provide us with the opportunity to achieve increases, where justified by the market, as each lease matures. Such types of leases generally minimize our risks of inflation. In addition, our resort Properties are not generally subject to leases and rents are established for these sites on an annual basis. Our right-to-use contracts generally provide for an annual dues increase, but dues may be frozen under the terms of certain contracts if the customer is over 61 years of age.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2014, we have no off balance sheet arrangements.

40


Funds From Operations
Funds from Operations (“FFO”) is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe FFO, as defined by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), is generally an appropriate measure of performance for an equity REIT. While FFO is a relevant and widely used measure of operating performance for equity REITs, it does not represent cash flow from operations or net income as defined by GAAP, and it should not be considered as an alternative to these indicators in evaluating liquidity or operating performance.
We define FFO as net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains and actual or estimated losses from sales of Properties, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, impairments, if any, 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 receive up-front non-refundable payments from the entry of right-to-use contracts. In accordance with GAAP, the up-front non-refundable payments and related commissions are deferred and amortized over the estimated customer life. Although the NAREIT definition of FFO does not address the treatment of non-refundable right-to-use payments, we believe that it is appropriate to adjust for the impact of the deferral activity in our calculation of FFO.
Normalized Funds from Operations (“Normalized FFO”) is a non-GAAP measure. We define Normalized FFO as FFO excluding the following non-operating income and expense items: a) the financial impact of contingent consideration; b) gains and losses from early debt extinguishment, including prepayment penalties and defeasance costs; c) property acquisition and other transaction costs related to mergers and acquisitions; and d) other miscellaneous non-comparable items.
We believe that FFO and Normalized FFO are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the performance of an equity REIT. We believe that by excluding the effect of depreciation, amortization and actual or estimated gains or losses from sales of real estate, all of which are based on historical costs and which may be of limited relevance in evaluating current performance, FFO can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and among other equity REITs. We further believe that Normalized FFO provides useful information to investors, analysts and our management because it allows them to compare our operating performance to the operating performance of other real estate companies and between periods on a consistent basis without having to account for differences not related to our operations. For example, we believe that excluding the early extinguishment of debt, property acquisition and other transaction costs related to mergers and acquisitions and the change in fair value of our contingent consideration asset from Normalized FFO allows investors, analysts and our management to assess the sustainability of operating performance in future periods because these costs do not affect the future operations of the Properties. In some cases, we provide information about identified non-cash components of FFO and Normalized FFO because it allows investors, analysts and our management to assess the impact of those items.
Investors should review FFO and Normalized FFO along with GAAP net income and cash flow from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities, when evaluating an equity REIT’s operating performance. We compute FFO in accordance with our interpretation of standards established by NAREIT, which may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than we do. Normalized FFO presented herein is not necessarily comparable to normalized FFO presented by other real estate companies due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same methodology for computing this amount. FFO and Normalized FFO do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, nor do they represent cash available to pay distributions and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indication of our financial performance, or to cash flow from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as a measure of our liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions.

    

41


The following table presents a calculation of FFO and Normalized FFO for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
 
Quarters Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Computation of funds from operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available for common shares
$
25,746

 
$
29,872

 
$
89,328

 
$
82,755

Income allocated to common OP units
2,219

 
2,753

 
7,929

 
7,483

Right-to-use contract upfront payments, deferred, net
1,989

 
1,856

 
4,303

 
4,446

Right-to-use contract commissions, deferred, net
(757
)
 
(706
)
 
(2,022
)
 
(1,824
)
Depreciation on real estate assets
25,058

 
24,807

 
74,947

 
76,946

Depreciation on real estate assets, discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,536

Depreciation on rental homes
2,773

 
1,653

 
8,287

 
4,847

Amortization of in-place leases
1,075

 
485

 
3,791

 
803

Depreciation on unconsolidated joint ventures
228

 
229

 
690

 
732

Gain on sale of property
(929
)
 
(40,586
)
 
(929
)
 
(41,544
)
FFO available for common shares
57,402

 
20,363

 
186,324

 
136,180

Change in fair value of contingent consideration asset
—

 
988

 
(65
)
 
(124
)
Transaction costs
620

 
1,540

 
1,151

 
1,740

Early debt retirement
5,087

 
36,530

 
5,087

 
37,911

Normalized FFO available for common shares
$
63,109

 
$
59,421

 
$
192,497

 
$
175,707

Weighted average common shares outstanding – fully diluted
91,528

 
91,259

 
91,471

 
91,149



42


Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. Our earnings, cash flows and fair values relevant to financial instruments are dependent on prevailing market interest rates. The primary market risk we face is long-term indebtedness, which bears interest at fixed and variable rates. The fair value of our long-term debt obligations is affected by changes in market interest rates with scheduled maturities from 2015 to 2039. At September 30, 2014, approximately 100% or approximately $2.0 billion of our outstanding secured debt had fixed interest rates, which minimizes the market risk until the debt matures. For each increase in interest rates of 1% (or 100 basis points), the fair value of the total outstanding secured debt would decrease by approximately $150.5 million. For each decrease in interest rates of 1% (or 100 basis points), the fair value of the total outstanding secured debt would increase by approximately $162.8 million. If interest rates were to increase or decrease by 1%, there would be no effect on interest expense or cash flows as our outstanding secured debt has fixed interest rates.
As of September 30, 2014, none of our outstanding secured debt was short-term. Our $200.0 million Term Loan has variable rates based on LIBOR plus 1.35% to 1.95% per annum. However, we entered into the 2014 Swap that fixed the underlying LIBOR rate at 1.04% per annum for the first three years.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2014. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to give reasonable assurances to the timely collection, evaluation and disclosure of information relating to us that would potentially be subject to disclosure under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as of September 30, 2014.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within us to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in our periodic reports.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the third quarter of 2014, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



43


Part II – Other Information

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
See Note 12 of the Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors
    
There have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 other than those disclosed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014.
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
    
None.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosure
None.

Item 5.
Other Information
None.



44


Item 6.
Exhibit Index
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101
The following materials from Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, filed herewith.



45


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES, INC.
 
 
 
Date: October 31, 2014
By:
/s/ Marguerite Nader
 
 
Marguerite Nader
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
Date: October 31, 2014
By:
/s/ Paul Seavey
 
 
Paul Seavey
 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
Date: October 31, 2014
By:
/s/ John Los
 
 
John Los
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)


46