Q3' 14 10-Q
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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

OR
¨ 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: 1-12252 (Equity Residential)
Commission File Number: 0-24920 (ERP Operating Limited Partnership)


EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland (Equity Residential)
13-3675988 (Equity Residential)
Illinois (ERP Operating Limited Partnership)
36-3894853 (ERP Operating Limited Partnership)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
Two North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 474-1300
 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(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.
Equity Residential Yes x    No ¨
ERP Operating Limited Partnership 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).
Equity Residential Yes x    No ¨
ERP Operating Limited Partnership 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.
Equity Residential:
 
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨
ERP Operating Limited Partnership:
 
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 
Equity Residential Yes ¨    No x
ERP Operating Limited Partnership Yes ¨      No x 
The number of EQR Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value, outstanding on October 31, 2014 was 362,363,189.



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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014 of Equity Residential and ERP Operating Limited Partnership. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to “EQR” mean Equity Residential, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”), and references to “ERPOP” mean ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean collectively EQR, ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by EQR and/or ERPOP. References to the “Operating Partnership” mean collectively ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ERPOP. The following chart illustrates the Company's and the Operating Partnership's corporate structure:
    

EQR is the general partner of, and as of September 30, 2014 owned an approximate 96.2% ownership interest in, ERPOP. The remaining 3.8% interest is owned by limited partners. As the sole general partner of ERPOP, EQR has exclusive control of ERPOP's day-to-day management.

The Company is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT (“UPREIT”) and contributes all net proceeds from its various equity offerings to the Operating Partnership. In return for those contributions, the Company receives a number of OP Units (see definition below) in the Operating Partnership equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering. Contributions of properties to the Company can be structured as tax-deferred transactions through the issuance of OP Units in the Operating Partnership, which is one of the reasons why the Company is structured in the manner shown above. Based on the terms of ERPOP's partnership agreement, OP Units can be exchanged with Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The Company maintains a one-for-one relationship between the OP Units of the Operating Partnership issued to EQR and the Common Shares.
    
The Company believes that combining the reports on Form 10-Q of EQR and ERPOP into this single report provides the following benefits:

enhances investors' understanding of the Company and the Operating Partnership by enabling investors to view the business as a whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business;

eliminates duplicative disclosure and provides a more streamlined and readable presentation since a substantial portion of the disclosure applies to both the Company and the Operating Partnership; and

creates time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports.

Management operates the Company and the Operating Partnership as one business. The management of EQR consists of the same members as the management of ERPOP.

The Company believes it is important to understand the few differences between EQR and ERPOP in the context of how EQR and ERPOP operate as a consolidated company. All of the Company's property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and EQR has no material assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. EQR's primary function is acting as the general partner of ERPOP. EQR also issues equity from time to time and guarantees certain debt of ERPOP, as disclosed in this report. EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company's ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity. Except for the net proceeds from equity offerings by the Company, which are contributed



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to the capital of the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis), the Operating Partnership generates all remaining capital required by the Company's business. These sources include the Operating Partnership's working capital, net cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under its revolving credit facility, the issuance of secured and unsecured debt and equity securities and proceeds received from disposition of certain properties and joint ventures.

Shareholders' equity, partners' capital and noncontrolling interests are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of the Company and those of the Operating Partnership. The limited partners of the Operating Partnership are accounted for as partners' capital in the Operating Partnership's financial statements and as noncontrolling interests in the Company's financial statements. The noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership's financial statements include the interests of unaffiliated partners in various consolidated partnerships and development joint venture partners. The noncontrolling interests in the Company's financial statements include the same noncontrolling interests at the Operating Partnership level and limited partner OP Unit holders of the Operating Partnership. The differences between shareholders' equity and partners' capital result from differences in the equity issued at the Company and Operating Partnership levels.

To help investors understand the significant differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report provides separate consolidated financial statements for the Company and the Operating Partnership; a single set of consolidated notes to such financial statements that includes separate discussions of each entity's debt, noncontrolling interests and shareholders' equity or partners' capital, as applicable; and a combined Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section that includes discrete information related to each entity.

This report also includes separate Part I, Item 4. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibits 31 and 32 certifications for each of the Company and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the requisite certifications have been made and that the Company and the Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. §1350.

 
In order to highlight the differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, the separate sections in this report for the Company and the Operating Partnership specifically refer to the Company and the Operating Partnership. In the sections that combine disclosure of the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report refers to actions or holdings as being actions or holdings of the Company. Although the Operating Partnership is generally the entity that directly or indirectly enters into contracts and joint ventures and holds assets and debt, reference to the Company is appropriate because the Company is one business and the Company operates that business through the Operating Partnership.

 
As general partner with control of the Operating Partnership, the Company consolidates the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes, and EQR essentially has no assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of the Company and the Operating Partnership are the same on their respective financial statements. The separate discussions of the Company and the Operating Partnership in this report should be read in conjunction with each other to understand the results of the Company on a consolidated basis and how management operates the Company.



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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
PAGE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                      and Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands except for share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
6,329,907

 
$
6,192,512

Depreciable property
 
19,919,609

 
19,226,047

Projects under development
 
1,046,210

 
988,867

Land held for development
 
279,139

 
393,522

Investment in real estate
 
27,574,865

 
26,800,948

Accumulated depreciation
 
(5,314,260
)
 
(4,807,709
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
22,260,605

 
21,993,239

Cash and cash equivalents
 
31,478

 
53,534

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
128,100

 
178,526

Deposits – restricted
 
84,945

 
103,567

Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
45,995

 
42,636

Deferred financing costs, net
 
60,530

 
58,486

Other assets
 
396,441

 
404,557

Total assets
 
$
23,008,094

 
$
22,834,545

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
5,090,960

 
$
5,174,166

Notes, net
 
5,420,646

 
5,477,088

Lines of credit
 
446,000

 
115,000

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
203,070

 
118,791

Accrued interest payable
 
86,472

 
78,309

Other liabilities
 
349,371

 
347,748

Security deposits
 
75,738

 
71,592

Distributions payable
 
188,266

 
243,511

Total liabilities
 
11,860,523

 
11,626,205

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
430,149

 
363,144

Equity:
 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
 
 
 
 
100,000,000 shares authorized; 1,000,000 shares issued and
outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
50,000

 
50,000

Common Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
 
 
 
 
1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 362,208,087 shares issued
and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and 360,479,260
shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013
 
3,622

 
3,605

Paid in capital
 
8,574,176

 
8,561,500

Retained earnings
 
1,915,344

 
2,047,258

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 
(164,806
)
 
(155,162
)
Total shareholders’ equity
 
10,378,336

 
10,507,201

Noncontrolling Interests:
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership
 
213,889

 
211,412

Partially Owned Properties
 
125,197

 
126,583

Total Noncontrolling Interests
 
339,086

 
337,995

Total equity
 
10,717,422

 
10,845,196

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
23,008,094

 
$
22,834,545


See accompanying notes
2

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EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
1,942,492

 
$
1,741,169

 
$
662,001

 
$
624,063

Fee and asset management
 
7,596

 
7,399

 
2,077

 
2,566

Total revenues
 
1,950,088

 
1,748,568

 
664,078

 
626,629

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
361,105

 
330,812

 
120,144

 
118,782

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
245,717

 
217,753

 
80,568

 
75,916

Property management
 
61,080

 
63,395

 
18,407

 
18,875

Fee and asset management
 
4,293

 
4,739

 
1,253

 
1,516

Depreciation
 
565,772

 
796,233

 
190,469

 
276,707

General and administrative
 
41,296

 
47,017

 
9,968

 
14,437

Total expenses
 
1,279,263

 
1,459,949

 
420,809

 
506,233

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
670,825

 
288,619

 
243,269

 
120,396

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
3,213

 
1,767

 
576

 
1,015

Other expenses
 
(7,161
)
 
(27,718
)
 
(4,971
)
 
(4,368
)
Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(347,224
)
 
(437,452
)
 
(118,251
)
 
(120,035
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(8,554
)
 
(15,636
)
 
(2,628
)
 
(4,335
)
Income (loss) before income and other taxes, (loss) from investments in
unconsolidated entities, net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels,
discontinued operations and net gain on sales of real estate
properties
 
311,099

 
(190,420
)
 
117,995

 
(7,327
)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(1,146
)
 
(1,325
)
 
(260
)
 
(492
)
(Loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(10,201
)
 
(57,749
)
 
(1,176
)
 
(3,209
)
Net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels
 
1,846

 
12,179

 
1,052

 
(2,437
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
301,598

 
(237,315
)
 
117,611

 
(13,465
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
1,500

 
2,026,798

 
(62
)
 
405,182

Income before net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
303,098

 
1,789,483

 
117,549

 
391,717

Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
128,544

 

 
113,641

 

Net income
 
431,642

 
1,789,483

 
231,190

 
391,717

Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership
 
(16,273
)
 
(70,947
)
 
(8,738
)
 
(14,836
)
Partially Owned Properties
 
(1,800
)
 
1,101

 
(708
)
 
311

Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
413,569

 
1,719,637

 
221,744

 
377,192

Preferred distributions
 
(3,109
)
 
(3,109
)
 
(1,037
)
 
(1,037
)
Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
410,460

 
$
1,716,528

 
$
220,707

 
$
376,155

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
1.13

 
$
(0.65
)
 
$
0.61

 
$
(0.04
)
Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
1.14

 
$
4.87

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.05

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding
 
360,900

 
352,414

 
361,409

 
359,811

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
1.13

 
$
(0.65
)
 
$
0.61

 
$
(0.04
)
Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
1.13

 
$
4.87

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.05

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding
 
377,228

 
352,414

 
377,954

 
359,811

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Common Share outstanding
 
$
1.50

 
$
1.20

 
$
0.50

 
$
0.40








See accompanying notes
3

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EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
431,642

 
$
1,789,483

 
$
231,190

 
$
391,717

Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income – derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period
 
(21,784
)
 
8,737

 
97

 
(3,600
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
12,606

 
16,084

 
4,271

 
3,986

Other comprehensive income (loss) – other instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period
 

 
554

 

 
(374
)
(Gains) realized during the period
 

 
(830
)
 

 
(830
)
Other comprehensive (loss) – foreign currency:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
(466
)
 
(789
)
 
(2,184
)
 
(1,730
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(9,644
)
 
23,756

 
2,184

 
(2,548
)
Comprehensive income
 
421,998

 
1,813,239

 
233,374

 
389,169

Comprehensive (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(17,705
)
 
(70,770
)
 
(9,530
)
 
(14,428
)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
404,293

 
$
1,742,469

 
$
223,844

 
$
374,741



See accompanying notes
4

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EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
431,642

 
$
1,789,483

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
565,772

 
830,097

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
8,554

 
15,864

Amortization of above/below market leases
 
2,376

 
2,214

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt
 
(8,750
)
 
(37,612
)
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments
 
12,205

 
15,683

Write-off of pursuit costs
 
2,067

 
3,969

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
10,201

 
57,749

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital
 
4,557

 
1,519

Net (gain) on sales of investment securities
 
(57
)
 
(830
)
Net (gain) on sales of land parcels
 
(1,846
)
 
(12,179
)
Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 
(223
)
 
(1,990,577
)
Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties
 
(128,544
)
 

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments
 
(66
)
 
32

Compensation paid with Company Common Shares
 
24,647

 
29,019

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in deposits – restricted
 
(2,223
)
 
4,152

Decrease in mortgage deposits
 
1,638

 
271

Decrease in other assets
 
3,854

 
7,315

Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
76,331

 
65,001

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
 
8,163

 
(2,175
)
(Decrease) in other liabilities
 
(173
)
 
(5,427
)
Increase (decrease) in security deposits
 
4,146

 
(6,475
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
1,014,271

 
767,093

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of Archstone, net of cash acquired
 

 
(4,000,875
)
Investment in real estate – acquisitions
 
(404,658
)
 
(108,308
)
Investment in real estate – development/other
 
(380,691
)
 
(256,965
)
Capital expenditures to real estate
 
(133,181
)
 
(96,866
)
Non-real estate capital additions
 
(2,446
)
 
(3,359
)
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development
 
(38,140
)
 
(32,946
)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net
 
224,538

 
4,434,708

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(14,568
)
 
(59,363
)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return of capital
 
77,042

 
25,471

Proceeds from sale of investment securities
 
57

 
828

Decrease in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net
 
20,845

 
147,890

Decrease in mortgage deposits
 
560

 
7,623

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(5,501
)
 

Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities
 
(656,143
)
 
57,838





See accompanying notes
5

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Debt financing costs
 
$
(10,598
)
 
$
(18,254
)
Mortgage deposits
 
(5,557
)
 
(3,769
)
Mortgage notes payable:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds
 

 
5,951

Lump sum payoffs
 
(63,772
)
 
(701,762
)
Scheduled principal repayments
 
(8,919
)
 
(9,527
)
Notes, net:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds
 
1,194,278

 
1,245,550

Lump sum payoffs
 
(1,250,000
)
 
(400,000
)
Lines of credit:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds
 
5,324,000

 
8,413,000

Repayments
 
(4,993,000
)
 
(8,413,000
)
(Payments on) settlement of derivative instruments
 
(758
)
 
(44,013
)
Proceeds from Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
2,728

 
2,973

Proceeds from exercise of options
 
56,554

 
16,044

Common Shares repurchased and retired
 
(1,777
)
 

Payment of offering costs
 

 
(954
)
Other financing activities, net
 
(33
)
 
(33
)
Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
5,684

 
11,520

Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
3

 
5

Distributions:
 
 
 
 
Common Shares
 
(595,564
)
 
(537,464
)
Preferred Shares
 
(3,109
)
 
(3,109
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
(23,582
)
 
(22,216
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(6,762
)
 
(5,702
)
Net cash (used for) financing activities
 
(380,184
)
 
(464,760
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(22,056
)
 
360,171

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
53,534

 
612,590

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
31,478

 
$
972,761

 
















See accompanying notes
6

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
335,646

 
$
451,495

Net cash paid for income and other taxes
 
$
866

 
$
1,064

Amortization of deferred financing costs:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$

 
$
(152
)
Deferred financing costs, net
 
$
8,554

 
$
16,016

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
(10,515
)
 
$
(39,232
)
Notes, net
 
$
1,765

 
$
1,620

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(401
)
 
$
(401
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
12,606

 
$
16,084

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
7,684

 
$
51,907

Other liabilities
 
$
2,517

 
$
5,842

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
4,399

 
$
1,519

Other liabilities
 
$
158

 
$

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
11,409

 
$
(10,609
)
Notes, net
 
$
(2,485
)
 
$
(1,523
)
Other liabilities
 
$
12,794

 
$
3,427

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
(21,784
)
 
$
8,737

Acquisition of Archstone, net of cash acquired:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
39,929

 
$
(8,710,242
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(33,993
)
 
$
(217,092
)
Deposits – restricted
 
$

 
$
(474
)
Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
$

 
$
(35,897
)
Deferred financing costs, net
 
$

 
$
(25,780
)
Other assets
 
$
(2,586
)
 
$
(203,295
)
Mortgage notes payable
 
$

 
$
3,076,876

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
(146
)
 
$
17,576

Accrued interest payable
 
$

 
$
11,305

Other liabilities
 
$
(3,204
)
 
$
117,068

Security deposits
 
$

 
$
10,949

Issuance of Common Shares
 
$

 
$
1,929,868

Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
$

 
$
28,263

Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
(38,086
)
 
$
(31,648
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(54
)
 
$
(1,298
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(5,118
)
 
$
(9,317
)
Other liabilities
 
$
(9,450
)
 
$
(50,046
)
Other:
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
$
466

 
$
789


See accompanying notes
7

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2014
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
PREFERRED SHARES
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
50,000

Balance, end of period
 
$
50,000

 
 
 
COMMON SHARES, $0.01 PAR VALUE
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
3,605

Conversion of OP Units into Common Shares
 
1

Exercise of share options
 
14

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
 
Restricted shares
 
2

Balance, end of period
 
$
3,622

 
 
 
PAID IN CAPITAL
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
8,561,500

Common Share Issuance:
 
 
Conversion of OP Units into Common Shares
 
1,717

Exercise of share options
 
56,540

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
2,728

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
 
Restricted shares
 
8,392

Share options
 
6,326

ESPP discount
 
701

Common Shares repurchased and retired
 
(1,777
)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
 
5,664

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(2,308
)
Change in market value of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
(69,579
)
Adjustment for Noncontrolling Interests ownership in Operating Partnership
 
4,272

Balance, end of period
 
$
8,574,176

 
 
 
RETAINED EARNINGS
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
2,047,258

Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
413,569

Common Share distributions
 
(542,374
)
Preferred Share distributions
 
(3,109
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
1,915,344

 













See accompanying notes
8

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2014
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
 
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
(155,162
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) – derivative instruments:
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
 
(21,784
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
12,606

   Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) – foreign currency:
 
 
     Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
(466
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
(164,806
)
 
 
 
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
211,412

Issuance of LTIP Units to Noncontrolling Interests
 
3

Conversion of OP Units held by Noncontrolling Interests into OP Units held by General Partner
 
(1,718
)
Equity compensation associated with Noncontrolling Interests
 
11,144

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
16,273

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(21,527
)
Change in carrying value of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
2,574

Adjustment for Noncontrolling Interests ownership in Operating Partnership
 
(4,272
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
213,889

 
 
 
PARTIALLY OWNED PROPERTIES
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
126,583

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
1,800

Contributions by Noncontrolling Interests
 
5,684

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(6,795
)
Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(2,244
)
Other
 
169

Balance, end of period
 
$
125,197


See accompanying notes
9

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
6,329,907

 
$
6,192,512

Depreciable property
 
19,919,609

 
19,226,047

Projects under development
 
1,046,210

 
988,867

Land held for development
 
279,139

 
393,522

Investment in real estate
 
27,574,865

 
26,800,948

Accumulated depreciation
 
(5,314,260
)
 
(4,807,709
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
22,260,605

 
21,993,239

Cash and cash equivalents
 
31,478

 
53,534

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
128,100

 
178,526

Deposits – restricted
 
84,945

 
103,567

Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
45,995

 
42,636

Deferred financing costs, net
 
60,530

 
58,486

Other assets
 
396,441

 
404,557

Total assets
 
$
23,008,094

 
$
22,834,545

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
5,090,960

 
$
5,174,166

Notes, net
 
5,420,646

 
5,477,088

Lines of credit
 
446,000

 
115,000

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
203,070

 
118,791

Accrued interest payable
 
86,472

 
78,309

Other liabilities
 
349,371

 
347,748

Security deposits
 
75,738

 
71,592

Distributions payable
 
188,266

 
243,511

Total liabilities
 
11,860,523

 
11,626,205

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Limited Partners
 
430,149

 
363,144

Capital:
 
 
 
 
Partners' Capital:
 
 
 
 
Preference Units
 
50,000

 
50,000

General Partner
 
10,493,142

 
10,612,363

Limited Partners
 
213,889

 
211,412

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 
(164,806
)
 
(155,162
)
Total partners' capital
 
10,592,225

 
10,718,613

Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
125,197

 
126,583

Total capital
 
10,717,422

 
10,845,196

Total liabilities and capital
 
$
23,008,094

 
$
22,834,545



See accompanying notes
10

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands except per Unit data)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
1,942,492

 
$
1,741,169

 
$
662,001

 
$
624,063

Fee and asset management
 
7,596

 
7,399

 
2,077

 
2,566

Total revenues
 
1,950,088

 
1,748,568

 
664,078

 
626,629

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
361,105

 
330,812

 
120,144

 
118,782

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
245,717

 
217,753

 
80,568

 
75,916

Property management
 
61,080

 
63,395

 
18,407

 
18,875

Fee and asset management
 
4,293

 
4,739

 
1,253

 
1,516

Depreciation
 
565,772

 
796,233

 
190,469

 
276,707

General and administrative
 
41,296

 
47,017

 
9,968

 
14,437

Total expenses
 
1,279,263

 
1,459,949

 
420,809

 
506,233

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
670,825

 
288,619

 
243,269

 
120,396

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
3,213

 
1,767

 
576

 
1,015

Other expenses
 
(7,161
)
 
(27,718
)
 
(4,971
)
 
(4,368
)
Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(347,224
)
 
(437,452
)
 
(118,251
)
 
(120,035
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(8,554
)
 
(15,636
)
 
(2,628
)
 
(4,335
)
Income (loss) before income and other taxes, (loss) from investments in
unconsolidated entities, net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels,
discontinued operations and net gain on sales of real estate
properties
 
311,099

 
(190,420
)
 
117,995

 
(7,327
)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(1,146
)
 
(1,325
)
 
(260
)
 
(492
)
(Loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(10,201
)
 
(57,749
)
 
(1,176
)
 
(3,209
)
Net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels
 
1,846

 
12,179

 
1,052

 
(2,437
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
301,598

 
(237,315
)
 
117,611

 
(13,465
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
1,500

 
2,026,798

 
(62
)
 
405,182

Income before net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
303,098

 
1,789,483

 
117,549

 
391,717

Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
128,544

 

 
113,641

 

Net income
 
431,642

 
1,789,483

 
231,190

 
391,717

Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially
Owned Properties
 
(1,800
)
 
1,101

 
(708
)
 
311

Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
429,842

 
$
1,790,584

 
$
230,482

 
$
392,028

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALLOCATION OF NET INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preference Units
 
$
3,109

 
$
3,109

 
$
1,037

 
$
1,037

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General Partner
 
$
410,460

 
$
1,716,528

 
$
220,707

 
$
376,155

Limited Partners
 
16,273

 
70,947

 
8,738

 
14,836

Net income available to Units
 
$
426,733

 
$
1,787,475

 
$
229,445

 
$
390,991

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Unit – basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
1.13

 
$
(0.65
)
 
$
0.61

 
$
(0.04
)
Net income available to Units
 
$
1.14

 
$
4.87

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.05

Weighted average Units outstanding
 
374,626

 
366,150

 
375,116

 
373,547

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Unit – diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
1.13

 
$
(0.65
)
 
$
0.61

 
$
(0.04
)
Net income available to Units
 
$
1.13

 
$
4.87

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.05

Weighted average Units outstanding
 
377,228

 
366,150

 
377,954

 
373,547

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Unit outstanding
 
$
1.50

 
$
1.20

 
$
0.50

 
$
0.40

 





See accompanying notes
11

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands except per Unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
431,642

 
$
1,789,483

 
$
231,190

 
$
391,717

Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income – derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period
 
(21,784
)
 
8,737

 
97

 
(3,600
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
12,606

 
16,084

 
4,271

 
3,986

Other comprehensive income (loss) – other instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period
 

 
554

 

 
(374
)
(Gains) realized during the period
 

 
(830
)
 

 
(830
)
Other comprehensive (loss) – foreign currency:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
(466
)
 
(789
)
 
(2,184
)
 
(1,730
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(9,644
)
 
23,756

 
2,184

 
(2,548
)
Comprehensive income
 
421,998

 
1,813,239

 
233,374

 
389,169

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling
Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(1,800
)
 
1,101

 
(708
)
 
311

Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
420,198

 
$
1,814,340

 
$
232,666

 
$
389,480


See accompanying notes
12

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
431,642

 
$
1,789,483

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
565,772

 
830,097

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
8,554

 
15,864

Amortization of above/below market leases
 
2,376

 
2,214

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt
 
(8,750
)
 
(37,612
)
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments
 
12,205

 
15,683

Write-off of pursuit costs
 
2,067

 
3,969

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
10,201

 
57,749

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital
 
4,557

 
1,519

Net (gain) on sales of investment securities
 
(57
)
 
(830
)
Net (gain) on sales of land parcels
 
(1,846
)
 
(12,179
)
Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 
(223
)
 
(1,990,577
)
Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties
 
(128,544
)
 

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments
 
(66
)
 
32

Compensation paid with Company Common Shares
 
24,647

 
29,019

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in deposits – restricted
 
(2,223
)
 
4,152

Decrease in mortgage deposits
 
1,638

 
271

Decrease in other assets
 
3,854

 
7,315

Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
76,331

 
65,001

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
 
8,163

 
(2,175
)
(Decrease) in other liabilities
 
(173
)
 
(5,427
)
Increase (decrease) in security deposits
 
4,146

 
(6,475
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
1,014,271

 
767,093

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of Archstone, net of cash acquired
 

 
(4,000,875
)
Investment in real estate – acquisitions
 
(404,658
)
 
(108,308
)
Investment in real estate – development/other
 
(380,691
)
 
(256,965
)
Capital expenditures to real estate
 
(133,181
)
 
(96,866
)
Non-real estate capital additions
 
(2,446
)
 
(3,359
)
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development
 
(38,140
)
 
(32,946
)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net
 
224,538

 
4,434,708

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(14,568
)
 
(59,363
)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return of capital
 
77,042

 
25,471

Proceeds from sale of investment securities
 
57

 
828

Decrease in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net
 
20,845

 
147,890

Decrease in mortgage deposits
 
560

 
7,623

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(5,501
)
 

Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities
 
(656,143
)
 
57,838

 





See accompanying notes
13

Table of Contents


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Debt financing costs
 
$
(10,598
)
 
$
(18,254
)
Mortgage deposits
 
(5,557
)
 
(3,769
)
Mortgage notes payable:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds
 

 
5,951

Lump sum payoffs
 
(63,772
)
 
(701,762
)
Scheduled principal repayments
 
(8,919
)
 
(9,527
)
Notes, net:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds
 
1,194,278

 
1,245,550

Lump sum payoffs
 
(1,250,000
)
 
(400,000
)
Lines of credit:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds
 
5,324,000

 
8,413,000

Repayments
 
(4,993,000
)
 
(8,413,000
)
(Payments on) settlement of derivative instruments
 
(758
)
 
(44,013
)
Proceeds from EQR's Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
2,728

 
2,973

Proceeds from exercise of EQR options
 
56,554

 
16,044

OP Units repurchased and retired
 
(1,777
)
 

Payment of offering costs
 

 
(954
)
Other financing activities, net
 
(33
)
 
(33
)
Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
5,684

 
11,520

Contributions – Limited Partners
 
3

 
5

Distributions:
 
 
 
 
OP Units – General Partner
 
(595,564
)
 
(537,464
)
Preference Units
 
(3,109
)
 
(3,109
)
OP Units – Limited Partners
 
(23,582
)
 
(22,216
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(6,762
)
 
(5,702
)
Net cash (used for) financing activities
 
(380,184
)
 
(464,760
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(22,056
)
 
360,171

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
53,534

 
612,590

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
31,478

 
$
972,761

 














See accompanying notes
14

Table of Contents



ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
335,646

 
$
451,495

Net cash paid for income and other taxes
 
$
866

 
$
1,064

Amortization of deferred financing costs:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$

 
$
(152
)
Deferred financing costs, net
 
$
8,554

 
$
16,016

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
(10,515
)
 
$
(39,232
)
Notes, net
 
$
1,765

 
$
1,620

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(401
)
 
$
(401
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
12,606

 
$
16,084

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
7,684

 
$
51,907

Other liabilities
 
$
2,517

 
$
5,842

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
4,399

 
$
1,519

Other liabilities
 
$
158

 
$

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
11,409

 
$
(10,609
)
Notes, net
 
$
(2,485
)
 
$
(1,523
)
Other liabilities
 
$
12,794

 
$
3,427

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
(21,784
)
 
$
8,737

Acquisition of Archstone, net of cash acquired:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
39,929

 
$
(8,710,242
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(33,993
)
 
$
(217,092
)
Deposits – restricted
 
$

 
$
(474
)
Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
$

 
$
(35,897
)
Deferred financing costs, net
 
$

 
$
(25,780
)
Other assets
 
$
(2,586
)
 
$
(203,295
)
Mortgage notes payable
 
$

 
$
3,076,876

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
(146
)
 
$
17,576

Accrued interest payable
 
$

 
$
11,305

Other liabilities
 
$
(3,204
)
 
$
117,068

Security deposits
 
$

 
$
10,949

Issuance of OP Units
 
$

 
$
1,929,868

Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
$

 
$
28,263

Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
(38,086
)
 
$
(31,648
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(54
)
 
$
(1,298
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(5,118
)
 
$
(9,317
)
Other liabilities
 
$
(9,450
)
 
$
(50,046
)
Other:
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
$
466

 
$
789


See accompanying notes
15

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2014
PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
 
 
PREFERENCE UNITS
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
50,000

Balance, end of period
$
50,000

 
 
GENERAL PARTNER
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
10,612,363

OP Unit Issuance:
 
Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into OP Units held by General Partner
1,718

Exercise of EQR share options
56,554

EQR's Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
2,728

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
EQR restricted shares
8,394

EQR share options
6,326

EQR ESPP discount
701

OP Units repurchased and retired
(1,777
)
Net income available to Units – General Partner
410,460

OP Units – General Partner distributions
(542,374
)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
5,664

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
(2,308
)
Change in market value of Redeemable Limited Partners
(69,579
)
Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership
4,272

Balance, end of period
$
10,493,142

 
 
LIMITED PARTNERS
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
211,412

Issuance of LTIP Units to Limited Partners
3

Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into OP Units held by General Partner
(1,718
)
Equity compensation associated with Units – Limited Partners
11,144

Net income available to Units – Limited Partners
16,273

Units – Limited Partners distributions
(21,527
)
Change in carrying value of Redeemable Limited Partners
2,574

Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership
(4,272
)
Balance, end of period
$
213,889

 
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
(155,162
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) – derivative instruments:
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
(21,784
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
12,606

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) – foreign currency:
 
Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
(466
)
Balance, end of period
$
(164,806
)
 






See accompanying notes
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Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2014
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
 
 
 
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS – PARTIALLY OWNED PROPERTIES
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
126,583

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
1,800

Contributions by Noncontrolling Interests
5,684

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
(6,795
)
   Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
(2,244
)
   Other
169

Balance, end of period
$
125,197


See accompanying notes
17

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
1.
Business

Equity Residential (“EQR”), a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in March 1993, is an S&P 500 company focused on the acquisition, development and management of high quality apartment properties in top United States growth markets. ERP Operating Limited Partnership ("ERPOP"), an Illinois limited partnership, was formed in May 1993 to conduct the multifamily residential property business of Equity Residential. EQR has elected to be taxed as a REIT. References to the "Company," "we," "us" or "our" mean collectively EQR, ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by EQR and/or ERPOP. References to the "Operating Partnership" mean collectively ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ERPOP. Unless otherwise indicated, the notes to consolidated financial statements apply to both the Company and the Operating Partnership.
EQR is the general partner of, and as of September 30, 2014 owned an approximate 96.2% ownership interest in, ERPOP. All of the Company’s property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and EQR has no material assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. EQR issues public equity from time to time but does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company’s ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity.
As of September 30, 2014, the Company, directly or indirectly through investments in title holding entities, owned all or a portion of 396 properties located in 12 states and the District of Columbia consisting of 111,087 apartment units. The ownership breakdown includes (table does not include various uncompleted development properties):
 
 
Properties
 
Apartment
Units
Wholly Owned Properties
 
368

 
99,789

Master-Leased Properties – Consolidated
 
3

 
853

Partially Owned Properties – Consolidated
 
19

 
3,771

Partially Owned Properties – Unconsolidated
 
4

 
1,669

Military Housing
 
2

 
5,005

 
 
396

 
111,087


2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) and certain reclassifications considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements in order to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net income previously reported. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.

In preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The balance sheets at December 31, 2013 have been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

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For further information, including definitions of capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Income and Other Taxes
Due to the structure of EQR as a REIT and the nature of the operations of its operating properties, no provision for federal income taxes has been made at the EQR level. In addition, ERPOP generally is not liable for federal income taxes as the partners recognize their proportionate share of income or loss in their tax returns; therefore no provision for federal income taxes has been made at the ERPOP level. Historically, the Company has generally only incurred certain state and local income, excise and franchise taxes. The Company has elected Taxable REIT Subsidiary (“TRS”) status for certain of its corporate subsidiaries and as a result, these entities will incur both federal and state income taxes on any taxable income of such entities after consideration of any net operating losses.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities applicable to the TRS are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates for which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effects of changes in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in earnings in the period enacted. The Company’s deferred tax assets are generally the result of tax affected suspended interest deductions, net operating losses, differing depreciable lives on capitalized assets and the timing of expense recognition for certain accrued liabilities. As of September 30, 2014, the Company has recorded a deferred tax asset, which is fully offset by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty in forecasting future TRS taxable income.

Other

The Company is the controlling partner in various consolidated partnerships owning 19 properties and 3,771 apartment units and various completed and uncompleted development properties having a noncontrolling interest book value of $125.2 million at September 30, 2014. The Company is required to make certain disclosures regarding noncontrolling interests in consolidated limited-life subsidiaries. Of the consolidated entities described above, the Company is the controlling partner in limited-life partnerships owning six properties having a noncontrolling interest deficit balance of $10.2 million. These six partnership agreements contain provisions that require the partnerships to be liquidated through the sale of their assets upon reaching a date specified in each respective partnership agreement. The Company, as controlling partner, has an obligation to cause the property owning partnerships to distribute the proceeds of liquidation to the Noncontrolling Interests in these Partially Owned Properties only to the extent that the net proceeds received by the partnerships from the sale of their assets warrant a distribution based on the partnership agreements. As of September 30, 2014, the Company estimates the value of Noncontrolling Interest distributions for these six properties would have been approximately $60.2 million (“Settlement Value”) had the partnerships been liquidated. This Settlement Value is based on estimated third party consideration realized by the partnerships upon disposition of the six Partially Owned Properties and is net of all other assets and liabilities, including yield maintenance on the mortgages encumbering the properties, that would have been due on September 30, 2014 had those mortgages been prepaid. Due to, among other things, the inherent uncertainty in the sale of real estate assets, the amount of any potential distribution to the Noncontrolling Interests in the Company's Partially Owned Properties is subject to change. To the extent that the partnerships' underlying assets are worth less than the underlying liabilities, the Company has no obligation to remit any consideration to the Noncontrolling Interests in these Partially Owned Properties.

Effective January 1, 2013, companies are required to report, in one place, information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). Companies are also required to report changes in AOCI balances. For significant items reclassified out of AOCI to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, reporting is required about the effect of the reclassifications on the respective line items in the statement where net income is presented. For items that are not reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, a cross reference to other disclosures currently required under US GAAP is required in the notes. This does not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position. See Note 9 for further discussion.

Effective January 1, 2014, companies are required to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date as the sum of the amount a company agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount a company expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. Companies are required to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. This does not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.
    

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In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued new guidance for reporting discontinued operations. Only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations that has a major effect on a company’s operations and financial results will be presented as discontinued operations. Companies will be required to expand their disclosures about discontinued operations to provide more information on the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the discontinued operations. Companies will also be required to disclose the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of a company that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. Application of this guidance is prospective from the date of adoption and early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The new standard is effective January 1, 2015, but the Company early adopted it as allowed effective January 1, 2014. Adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's overall consolidated results of operations or financial position. However, adoption will result in substantially fewer of the Company's dispositions meeting the discontinued operations qualifications. See Note 11 for further discussion.
    
In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard entitled Revenue from Contracts with Customers that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. The new standard specifically excludes lease contracts. The new standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Companies will likely need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current revenue recognition guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration, if any, to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. The new standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated results of operations and financial position.

In August 2014, the FASB issued a new standard that will explicitly require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. In connection with each annual and interim period, management will assess whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the issuance date. Disclosures will be required if conditions give rise to substantial doubt, however to determine the specific disclosures, management will need to assess whether its plans will alleviate substantial doubt. The new standard is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016. The Company does not expect that this will have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

3.
Equity, Capital and Other Interests

Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests of Equity Residential

The following tables present the changes in the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares and “Units” (which includes OP Units and Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) Units) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

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Table of Contents

 
 
2014
Common Shares
 
 
Common Shares outstanding at January 1,
 
360,479,260

Common Shares Issued:
 
 
Conversion of OP Units
 
68,296

Exercise of share options
 
1,476,512

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
56,945

Restricted share grants, net
 
170,460

Common Shares Other:
 
 
Conversion of restricted shares to LTIP Units
 
(12,146
)
Repurchased and retired
 
(31,240
)
Common Shares outstanding at September 30,
 
362,208,087

Units
 
 
Units outstanding at January 1,
 
14,180,376

LTIP Units, net
 
200,840

Conversion of restricted shares to LTIP Units
 
12,146

Conversion of OP Units to Common Shares
 
(68,296
)
Units outstanding at September 30,
 
14,325,066

Total Common Shares and Units outstanding at September 30,
 
376,533,153

Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership
 
3.8
%
    
The equity positions of various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units, as well as the equity positions of the holders of LTIP Units, are collectively referred to as the “Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership”. Subject to certain exceptions (including the “book-up” requirements of LTIP Units), the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership may exchange their Units with EQR for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The carrying value of the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership (including redeemable interests) is allocated based on the number of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in total in proportion to the number of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in total plus the number of Common Shares. Net income is allocated to the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership based on the weighted average ownership percentage during the period.

The Operating Partnership has the right but not the obligation to make a cash payment instead of issuing Common Shares to any and all holders of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units requesting an exchange of their OP Units with EQR. Once the Operating Partnership elects not to redeem the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units for cash, EQR is obligated to deliver Common Shares to the exchanging holder of the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units.

The Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units are classified as either mezzanine equity or permanent equity. If EQR is required, either by contract or securities law, to deliver registered Common Shares, such Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership are differentiated and referred to as “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership”. Instruments that require settlement in registered shares can not be classified in permanent equity as it is not always completely within an issuer’s control to deliver registered shares. Therefore, settlement in cash is assumed and that responsibility for settlement in cash is deemed to fall to the Operating Partnership as the primary source of cash for EQR, resulting in presentation in the mezzanine section of the balance sheet. The Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership are adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value based on the Common Share price of EQR at the end of each respective reporting period. EQR has the ability to deliver unregistered Common Shares for the remaining portion of the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units that are classified in permanent equity at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

The carrying value of the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership is allocated based on the number of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in proportion to the number of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in total. Such percentage of the total carrying value of Units which is ascribed to the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership is then adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value as described above. As of September 30, 2014, the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership have a redemption value of approximately $430.1 million, which represents the value of Common Shares that would be issued in exchange with the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units.


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Table of Contents

The following table presents the changes in the redemption value of the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
2014
Balance at January 1,
 
$
363,144

Change in market value
 
69,579

Change in carrying value
 
(2,574
)
Balance at September 30,
 
$
430,149

Net proceeds from EQR Common Share and Preferred Share (see definition below) offerings are contributed by EQR to ERPOP. In return for those contributions, EQR receives a number of OP Units in ERPOP equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering (or in the case of a preferred equity offering, a number of preference units in ERPOP equal in number and having the same terms as the Preferred Shares issued in the equity offering). As a result, the net offering proceeds from Common Shares and Preferred Shares are allocated between shareholders’ equity and Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership to account for the change in their respective percentage ownership of the underlying equity of ERPOP.
The Company’s declaration of trust authorizes it to issue up to 100,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Shares”), with specific rights, preferences and other attributes as the Board of Trustees may determine, which may include preferences, powers and rights that are senior to the rights of holders of the Company’s Common Shares.
The following table presents the Company’s issued and outstanding Preferred Shares as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts in thousands
 
 
Redemption
Date (1)
 
Annual
Dividend per
Share (2)
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
100,000,000 shares authorized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred; liquidation
value $50 per share; 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding
at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
12/10/26
 

$4.145

 
$
50,000

 
$
50,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
50,000

 
$
50,000

 
(1)
On or after the redemption date, redeemable preferred shares may be redeemed for cash at the option of the Company, in whole or
in part, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation price per share, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any.
(2)
Dividends on Preferred Shares are payable quarterly.

Capital and Redeemable Limited Partners of ERP Operating Limited Partnership

The following tables present the changes in the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding Units and in the limited partners’ Units for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

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Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
2014
General and Limited Partner Units
 
 
General and Limited Partner Units outstanding at January 1,
 
374,659,636

Issued to General Partner:
 
 
Exercise of EQR share options
 
1,476,512

EQR’s Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
56,945

EQR's restricted share grants, net
 
170,460

Issued to Limited Partners:
 
 
LTIP Units, net
 
200,840

OP Units Other:
 
 
Repurchased and retired
 
(31,240
)
General and Limited Partner Units outstanding at September 30,
 
376,533,153

Limited Partner Units
 
 
Limited Partner Units outstanding at January 1,
 
14,180,376

Limited Partner LTIP Units, net
 
200,840

Conversion of EQR restricted shares to LTIP Units
 
12,146

Conversion of Limited Partner OP Units to EQR Common Shares
 
(68,296
)
Limited Partner Units outstanding at September 30,
 
14,325,066

Limited Partner Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership
 
3.8
%
The Limited Partners of the Operating Partnership as of September 30, 2014 include various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units, as well as the equity positions of the holders of LTIP Units. Subject to certain exceptions (including the “book-up” requirements of LTIP Units), Limited Partners may exchange their Units with EQR for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The carrying value of the Limited Partner Units (including redeemable interests) is allocated based on the number of Limited Partner Units in total in proportion to the number of Limited Partner Units in total plus the number of General Partner Units. Net income is allocated to the Limited Partner Units based on the weighted average ownership percentage during the period.
    
The Operating Partnership has the right but not the obligation to make a cash payment instead of issuing Common Shares to any and all holders of Limited Partner Units requesting an exchange of their OP Units with EQR. Once the Operating Partnership elects not to redeem the Limited Partner Units for cash, EQR is obligated to deliver Common Shares to the exchanging limited partner.

The Limited Partner Units are classified as either mezzanine equity or permanent equity. If EQR is required, either by contract or securities law, to deliver registered Common Shares, such Limited Partner Units are differentiated and referred to as “Redeemable Limited Partner Units”. Instruments that require settlement in registered shares can not be classified in permanent equity as it is not always completely within an issuer's control to deliver registered shares. Therefore, settlement in cash is assumed and that responsibility for settlement in cash is deemed to fall to the Operating Partnership as the primary source of cash for EQR, resulting in presentation in the mezzanine section of the balance sheet. The Redeemable Limited Partner Units are adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value based on the Common Share price of EQR at the end of each respective reporting period. EQR has the ability to deliver unregistered Common Shares for the remaining portion of the Limited Partner Units that are classified in permanent equity at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
The carrying value of the Redeemable Limited Partner Units is allocated based on the number of Redeemable Limited Partner Units in proportion to the number of Limited Partner Units in total. Such percentage of the total carrying value of Limited Partner Units which is ascribed to the Redeemable Limited Partner Units is then adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value as described above. As of September 30, 2014, the Redeemable Limited Partner Units have a redemption value of approximately $430.1 million, which represents the value of Common Shares that would be issued in exchange with the Redeemable Limited Partner Units.
The following table presents the changes in the redemption value of the Redeemable Limited Partners for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):

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Table of Contents

 
 
2014
Balance at January 1,
 
$
363,144

Change in market value
 
69,579

Change in carrying value
 
(2,574
)
Balance at September 30,
 
$
430,149


EQR contributes all net proceeds from its various equity offerings (including proceeds from exercise of options for Common Shares) to ERPOP. In return for those contributions, EQR receives a number of OP Units in ERPOP equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering (or in the case of a preferred equity offering, a number of preference units in ERPOP equal in number and having the same terms as the preferred shares issued in the equity offering).

The following table presents the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding “Preference Units” as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts in thousands
 
 
Redemption
Date (1)
 
Annual
Dividend per
Unit (2)
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Preference Units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units;
  liquidation value $50 per unit; 1,000,000 units issued and
  outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
12/10/26
 

$4.145

 
$
50,000

 
$
50,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
50,000

 
$
50,000

 
(1)
On or after the redemption date, redeemable preference units may be redeemed for cash at the option of the Operating Partnership, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation price per unit, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any, in conjunction with the concurrent redemption of the corresponding Company Preferred Shares.
(2)
Dividends on Preference Units are payable quarterly.

Other

On February 27, 2013, the Company issued 34,468,085 Common Shares to an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. as partial consideration for the portion of the Archstone Portfolio acquired by the Company (as discussed in Note 4 below). The shares had a total value of $1.9 billion based on the February 27, 2013 closing price of EQR Common Shares of $55.99 per share. Concurrent with this transaction, ERPOP issued 34,468,085 OP Units to EQR. On March 7, 2013, EQR filed a shelf registration statement relating to the resale of these shares by the selling shareholders.
    
In September 2009, the Company announced the establishment of an At-The-Market (“ATM”) share offering program which would allow EQR to sell Common Shares from time to time into the existing trading market at current market prices as well as through negotiated transactions. Per the terms of ERPOP's partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds from all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis). On July 30, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved an increase to the amount of shares which may be offered under the ATM program to 13.0 million Common Shares and extended the program maturity to July 2016. EQR has not issued any shares under this program since September 14, 2012.

Effective July 30, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved an increase and modification to the Company's share repurchase program to allow for the potential repurchase of up to 13.0 million Common Shares. Considering the repurchase activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (see discussion below), EQR has remaining authorization to repurchase an additional 12,968,760 of its shares as of September 30, 2014.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, EQR repurchased 31,240 of its Common Shares at a price of $56.87 per share for total consideration of approximately $1.8 million. These shares were retired subsequent to the repurchases. Concurrent with these transactions, ERPOP repurchased and retired 31,240 OP Units previously issued to EQR. All of the shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were repurchased from employees at the then current market price to cover the minimum statutory tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of employees’ restricted shares. 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company acquired all of its partners' interests in one consolidated partially owned property consisting of 268 apartment units and one consolidated partially owned land parcel for $5.5 million. In conjunction with these transactions, the Company reduced paid in capital (included in general partner's capital in the Operating

24

Table of Contents

Partnership's financial statements) by $2.3 million, Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties by $2.2 million and other liabilities by $1.0 million.

See Note 6 for a discussion of the Noncontrolling Interests assumed in conjunction with the acquisition of Archstone.

4.
Real Estate and Lease Intangibles

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts for the Company’s investment in real estate (at cost) as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Land
 
$
6,329,907

 
$
6,192,512

Depreciable property:
 
 
 
 
Buildings and improvements
 
18,064,739

 
17,509,609

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
1,345,371

 
1,214,220

In-Place lease intangibles
 
509,499

 
502,218

Projects under development:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
395,402

 
353,574

Construction-in-progress
 
650,808

 
635,293

Land held for development:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
228,261

 
341,389

Construction-in-progress
 
50,878

 
52,133

Investment in real estate
 
27,574,865

 
26,800,948

Accumulated depreciation
 
(5,314,260
)
 
(4,807,709
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
22,260,605

 
$
21,993,239


The following table summarizes the carrying amounts for the Company's above and below market ground and retail lease intangibles as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):
Description
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ground lease intangibles – below market
 
Other Assets
 
$
178,251

 
$
178,251

Retail lease intangibles – above market
 
Other Assets
 
1,260

 
1,260

Lease intangible assets
 
 
 
179,511

 
179,511

Accumulated amortization
 
 
 
(7,777
)
 
(4,364
)
Lease intangible assets, net
 
 
 
$
171,734

 
$
175,147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ground lease intangibles – above market
 
Other Liabilities
 
$
2,400

 
$
2,400

Retail lease intangibles – below market
 
Other Liabilities
 
5,270

 
5,500

Lease intangible liabilities
 
 
 
7,670

 
7,900

Accumulated amortization
 
 
 
(1,968
)
 
(1,161
)
Lease intangible liabilities, net
 
 
 
$
5,702

 
$
6,739


During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company amortized approximately $3.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of above and below market ground lease intangibles which is included (net increase) in property and maintenance expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and approximately $0.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of above and below market retail lease intangibles which is included (net increase) in rental income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. During the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company amortized approximately $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of above and below market ground lease intangibles which is included (net increase) in property and maintenance expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and approximately $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively,

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of above and below market retail lease intangibles which is included (net increase) in rental income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The weighted average amortization period for above and below market ground lease intangibles and retail lease intangibles is 49.8 years and 2.8 years, respectively.

The following table provides a summary of the aggregate amortization expense for above and below market ground lease intangibles and retail lease intangibles for each of the next five years (amounts in thousands):
            
 
 
Remaining
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ground lease intangibles
 
$
1,080

 
$
4,321

 
$
4,321

 
$
4,321

 
$
4,321

 
$
4,321

Retail lease intangibles
 
(234
)
 
(939
)
 
(896
)
 
(540
)
 
(71
)
 
(71
)
Total
 
$
846

 
$
3,382

 
$
3,425

 
$
3,781

 
$
4,250

 
$
4,250

    
Archstone Acquisition
    
On February 27, 2013, the Company, AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (“AVB”) and certain of their respective subsidiaries completed their previously announced acquisition (the “Archstone Acquisition” or the “Archstone Transaction”) from Archstone Enterprise LP (“Enterprise”) (which subsequently changed its name to Jupiter Enterprise LP), an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman”) and its affiliates, of all of the assets of Enterprise (including interests in various entities affiliated with Enterprise), constituting a portfolio of apartment properties and other assets (the “Archstone Portfolio”).

The Company acquired assets representing approximately 60% of the Archstone Portfolio which consisted principally of high-quality apartment properties in major markets in the United States. The acquisition allowed the Company to accelerate the completion of its strategic shift into coastal apartment markets. Pursuant to the Archstone Transaction, the Company acquired directly or indirectly, 71 wholly owned, stabilized properties consisting of 20,160 apartment units, one partially owned and consolidated stabilized property consisting of 432 apartment units, one partially owned and unconsolidated stabilized property consisting of 336 apartment units, three consolidated master-leased properties consisting of 853 apartment units, four projects in various stages of construction (two consolidated and two unconsolidated) for 964 apartment units and fourteen land sites for approximately $9.0 billion. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded revenues and net operating income ("NOI") of $358.0 million and $244.2 million, respectively, from the acquired assets. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded revenues and NOI of $153.5 million and $104.2 million, respectively, from the acquired assets.

The consideration paid by the Company in connection with the Archstone Acquisition consisted of cash of approximately $4.0 billion (inclusive of $2.0 billion of Archstone secured mortgage principal paid off in conjunction with the closing), 34,468,085 Common Shares (which shares had a total value of $1.9 billion based on the February 27, 2013 closing price of EQR common shares of $55.99 per share) issued to the seller and the assumption of approximately $3.1 billion of mortgage debt (inclusive of a net mark-to-market premium of $127.9 million) and approximately 60% of all of the other assets and liabilities related to the Archstone Portfolio. The cash consideration was funded with proceeds from the issuance of 21,850,000 Common Shares (which shares had a total value of approximately $1.2 billion based on a price of $54.75 per share) in the November/December 2012 public equity offering, asset sales of approximately $4.5 billion that were completed during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company's $750.0 million unsecured term loan facility (which was subsequently paid off in the second quarter of 2014) and the Company's revolving credit facility.

The Company owns the building and improvements and leases the land underlying the improvements under long-term ground leases that expire beginning in 2042 and running through 2103 for nine of the operating properties acquired and discussed above. These properties are consolidated and reflected as real estate assets while the ground leases are accounted for as operating leases. The Company also leases the three master-leased properties discussed above to third party operators and earns monthly net rental income.

The Company accounted for the acquisition under the acquisition method in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), and the accounting for this business combination is complete and final. The following table summarizes the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which the Company determined using Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 inputs (amounts in thousands):


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Land
 
$
2,239,000

Depreciable property:
 
 
Buildings and improvements
 
5,765,538

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
61,470

In-Place lease intangibles
 
304,830

Projects under development
 
36,583

Land held for development
 
244,097

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
230,608

Other assets
 
195,260

Other liabilities
 
(108,997
)
Net assets acquired
 
$
8,968,389


The allocation of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has changed from the allocation reported in “Note 4 – Real Estate and Lease Intangibles” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2014. The changes to our valuation assumptions were based on more accurate information concerning the subject assets and liabilities and resulted from information not readily available at the acquisition date, final purchase price settlement with our partner in accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement and reclassification adjustments for presentation. None of these changes had a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company's assessment of the fair values and the allocation of the purchase price to the identified tangible and intangible assets/liabilities at March 31, 2014 was its final and best estimate of fair value. As a result, the Company did not make any changes to its allocation of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed subsequent to the allocation reported in "Note 4 – Real Estate and Lease Intangibles" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on May 8, 2014.

The fair values of investment in real estate were determined using internally developed models that were based on market assumptions and comparable sales data as well as external valuations performed by unrelated third parties. The market assumptions used as inputs to the Company’s fair value model include construction costs, leasing assumptions, growth rates, discount rates, terminal capitalization rates and development yields. The Company used data on its existing portfolio of properties and its recent acquisition and development properties, as well as similar market data from third party sources, when available, in determining these inputs (Level 2 and 3). The fair value of Noncontrolling Interests was calculated similar to the investment in real estate described above. The fair value of mortgage debt was calculated using indicative rates, leverage and coverage provided by lenders of similar loans (Level 2). The Common Shares issued to an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. were valued using the quoted market price of Common Shares (Level 1).

The following table summarizes the acquisition date fair values of the above and below market ground and retail lease intangibles, which we determined using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs (amounts in thousands):
Description
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
Ground lease intangibles – below market
 
Other Assets
 
$
178,251

Retail lease intangibles – above market
 
Other Assets
 
1,260

 
 
 
 
 
Ground lease intangibles – above market
 
Other Liabilities
 
2,400

Retail lease intangibles – below market
 
Other Liabilities
 
8,040


As of September 30, 2014, the Company has incurred cumulative Archstone-related expenses of approximately $101.1 million, of which approximately $13.5 million of this total was financing-related and approximately $87.6 million was merger costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company expensed nominal amounts of direct merger costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company expensed $19.7 million of direct merger costs primarily related to investment banking and legal/accounting fees, which were included in other expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company also expensed $6.4 million and $54.8 million, respectively, of indirect merger costs primarily related to severance and retention obligations, office leases and German operations/sales that were incurred through our 60% interest in unconsolidated joint ventures with AVB, which were included in (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities in the accompanying consolidated statements of

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operations and comprehensive income. Finally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company also expensed $2.5 million of financing-related costs, which were included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

Equity Residential

The following table illustrates the effect on net income, earnings per share – basic and earnings per share – diluted as if the Company had consummated the Archstone Acquisition as of January 1, 2012 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
$
1,854,509

 
$
629,446

Income from continuing operations
 
132,592

 
84,978

Discontinued operations, net
 
2,024,346

 
403,181

Net income
 
2,156,938

 
488,159

Net income available to Common Shares
 
2,070,153

 
468,959

Earnings per share - basic:
 
 
 
 
Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
5.76

 
$
1.30

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding (1)
 
359,611

 
359,811

Earnings per share - diluted:
 
 
 
 
Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
5.74

 
$
1.30

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding (1)
 
375,808

 
375,883


(1)
Includes an adjustment for Common Shares issued to the public in November/December 2012 and to an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in February 2013 as partial consideration for the Archstone Acquisition.


ERP Operating Limited Partnership

The following table illustrates the effect on net income, earnings per Unit – basic and earnings per Unit – diluted as if the Operating Partnership had consummated the Archstone Acquisition as of January 1, 2012 (amounts in thousands, except per Unit amounts):

 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
$
1,854,509

 
$
629,446

Income from continuing operations
 
132,592

 
84,978

Discontinued operations, net
 
2,024,346

 
403,181

Net income
 
2,156,938

 
488,159

Net income available to Units
 
2,155,736

 
487,433

Earnings per Unit - basic:
 
 
 
 
Net income available to Units
 
$
5.76

 
$
1.30

Weighted average Units outstanding (1)
 
373,347

 
373,547

Earnings per Unit - diluted:
 
 
 
 
Net income available to Units
 
$
5.74

 
$
1.30

Weighted average Units outstanding (1)
 
375,808

 
375,883



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(1)
Includes an adjustment for Common Shares issued to the public in November/December 2012 and to an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in February 2013 as partial consideration for the Archstone Acquisition. Concurrent with these transactions, ERPOP issued the same number of OP Units to EQR.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, acquisition costs of $19.7 million and severance/retention and other costs of $53.6 million related to the Archstone Acquisition are not expected to have a continuing impact on the Company's financial results and therefore have been excluded from these pro forma results. The pro forma results also do not include the impact of any synergies or lower borrowing costs that the Company has or may achieve as a result of the acquisition or any strategies that management has or may consider in order to more efficiently manage the Company's operations, nor do they give pro forma effect to any other acquisitions, dispositions or capital markets transactions (excluding the equity offering in November/December 2012 which proceeds were used for the Archstone Acquisition) that the Company completed during the periods presented. These pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have been obtained had the Archstone Acquisition occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of future operating results.

Other

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company acquired the entire equity interest in the following from unaffiliated parties (purchase price in thousands):
 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Purchase Price
Rental Properties
 
4

 
1,080

 
$
375,610

Land Parcels (two)
 

 

 
28,790

Total
 
4

 
1,080

 
$
404,400


During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company disposed of the following to unaffiliated parties (sales price in thousands):
 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Sales Price
Rental Properties
 
4

 
1,317

 
$
197,100

Land Parcels (two)
 

 

 
30,502

Total
 
4

 
1,317

 
$
227,602


The Company recognized a net gain on sales of real estate properties of approximately $128.5 million and a net gain on sales of land parcels of approximately $1.8 million on the above sales.

5.
Commitments to Acquire/Dispose of Real Estate

The Company has entered into separate agreements to acquire the following (purchase price in thousands):

 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Purchase Price
Rental Properties
 
1

 
161

 
$
61,000

Land Parcel
 

 

 
3,300

Total
 
1

 
161

 
$
64,300


In addition to the properties that were subsequently disposed of as discussed in Note 14, the Company has entered into separate agreements to dispose of the following (sales price in thousands):

 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Sales Price
Rental Properties
 
3

 
529

 
$
124,400

Land Parcel
 

 

 
32,100

Total
 
3

 
529

 
$
156,500


The closings of these pending transactions are subject to certain conditions and restrictions, therefore, there can be no assurance that these transactions will be consummated or that the final terms will not differ in material respects from those summarized in the preceding paragraphs.

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6.
Investments in Partially Owned Entities

The Company has co-invested in various properties with unrelated third parties which are either consolidated or accounted for under the equity method of accounting (unconsolidated). The following tables and information summarize the Company’s investments in partially owned entities as of September 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands except for project and apartment unit amounts):

 
Consolidated
 
Unconsolidated
 
Development Projects
 
 
 
 
 
Development Projects
 
 
 
 
 
Held for
and/or Under
Development
 
Operating
 
Total
 
Held for
and/or Under
Development
 
Completed, Not
Stabilized (3)
 
Operating
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total projects (1)

 
19

 
19

 

 
1

 
3

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total apartment units (1)

 
3,771

 
3,771

 

 
444

 
1,225

 
1,669

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet information at 9/30/14 (at 100%):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
$
324,997

 
$
679,956

 
$
1,004,953

 
$
61,037

 
$
155,413

 
$
186,779

 
$
403,229

Accumulated depreciation

 
(189,005
)
 
(189,005
)
 

 
(5,313
)
 
(12,185
)
 
(17,498
)
Investment in real estate, net
324,997

 
490,951

 
815,948

 
61,037

 
150,100

 
174,594

 
385,731

Cash and cash equivalents
2,953

 
15,820

 
18,773

 
66

 
1,975

 
4,486

 
6,527

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 
52,641

 
52,641

 

 

 

 

Deposits – restricted
31,236

 
300

 
31,536

 

 

 
189

 
189

Deferred financing costs, net

 
2,229

 
2,229

 
41

 

 
158

 
199

Other assets
6,679

 
26,927

 
33,606

 

 
50

 
1,039

 
1,089

       Total assets
$
365,865

 
$
588,868

 
$
954,733

 
$
61,144

 
$
152,125

 
$
180,466

 
$
393,735

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable (2)
$

 
$
360,392

 
$
360,392

 
$
25,631

 
$
96,793

 
$
111,800

 
$
234,224

Accounts payable & accrued expenses
16,707

 
3,217

 
19,924

 
5,730

 
456

 
1,467

 
7,653

Accrued interest payable

 
1,266

 
1,266

 
51

 
464

 
269

 
784

Other liabilities

 
1,230

 
1,230

 
3

 
88

 
986

 
1,077

Security deposits

 
1,975

 
1,975

 

 
161

 
296

 
457

       Total liabilities
16,707

 
368,080

 
384,787

 
31,415

 
97,962

 
114,818

 
244,195

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned
Properties/Partners' equity
117,351

 
7,846

 
125,197

 
27,858

 
47,223

 
46,639

 
121,720

Company equity/General and Limited Partners'
Capital
231,807

 
212,942

 
444,749

 
1,871

 
6,940

 
19,009

 
27,820

       Total equity/capital
349,158

 
220,788

 
569,946

 
29,729

 
54,163

 
65,648

 
149,540

       Total liabilities and equity/capital
$
365,865

 
$
588,868

 
$
954,733

 
$
61,144

 
$
152,125

 
$
180,466

 
$
393,735




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Table of Contents

 
Consolidated
 
Unconsolidated
 
Development Projects
 
 
 
 
 
Development Projects
 
 
 
 
 
Held for
and/or Under
Development
 
 
 
 
 
Held for
and/or Under
Development
 
 
 
Operating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completed, Not
Stabilized (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
 
Total
 
 
 
 
Total
Operating information for the nine months
ended 9/30/14 (at 100%):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$

 
$
65,565

 
$
65,565

 
$

 
$
6,874

 
$
14,499

 
$
21,373

Operating expenses

 
19,390

 
19,390

 
159

 
2,486

 
5,442

 
8,087

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net operating income (loss)

 
46,175

 
46,175

 
(159
)
 
4,388

 
9,057

 
13,286

Depreciation

 
16,202

 
16,202

 

 
4,903

 
6,102

 
11,005

General and administrative/other
1

 
34

 
35

 

 
1

 
205

 
206

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating (loss) income
(1
)
 
29,939

 
29,938

 
(159
)
 
(516
)
 
2,750

 
2,075

Interest and other income

 
10

 
10

 

 

 

 

Other expenses

 
(54
)
 
(54
)
 

 

 

 

Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net

 
(11,708
)
 
(11,708
)
 

 
(3,905
)
 
(3,422
)
 
(7,327
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs

 
(266
)
 
(266
)
 

 

 
(81
)
 
(81
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) income before income and other taxes
and (loss) from investments in
unconsolidated entities
(1
)
 
17,921

 
17,920

 
(159
)
 
(4,421
)
 
(753
)
 
(5,333
)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit

 
(45
)
 
(45
)
 

 
(7
)
 

 
(7
)
(Loss) from investments in unconsolidated
entities

 
(1,273
)
 
(1,273
)
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(1
)
 
$
16,603

 
$
16,602

 
$
(159
)
 
$
(4,428
)
 
$
(753
)
 
$
(5,340
)

(1)
Project and apartment unit counts exclude all uncompleted development projects until those projects are substantially completed.
(2)
All debt is non-recourse to the Company with the exception of 50% of the current $25.6 million outstanding debt balance on one unconsolidated development project.
(3)
Projects included here are substantially complete. However, they may still require additional exterior and interior work for all units to be available for leasing.

Note:
The above tables exclude the Company's interests in unconsolidated joint ventures entered into with AVB in connection with the Archstone Transaction. These ventures own certain non-core Archstone assets that are held for sale and succeeded to certain residual Archstone liabilities, such as liability for various employment-related matters as well as responsibility for tax protection arrangements and third-party preferred interests in former Archstone subsidiaries. The preferred interests have an aggregate liquidation value of $73.5 million at September 30, 2014. The ventures are owned 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company and its joint venture partner sold one consolidated partially owned land parcel and recognized a net gain on the sale of approximately $1.1 million.

The Company is the controlling partner in various consolidated partnership properties and development properties having a noncontrolling interest book value of $125.2 million at September 30, 2014. The Company does not have any VIEs.

Archstone Acquisition
    
On February 27, 2013, in conjunction with the Archstone Acquisition, the Company acquired interests in several joint ventures. Details of these interests follow by project:
    
Wisconsin Place – This project contains a mixed-use site located in Chevy Chase, Maryland consisting of residential, retail, office and accessory uses, including underground parking facilities. The Company has a 75% equity interest with an initial basis of $198.5 million in the 432 unit residential component. The Company is the managing member, was responsible for constructing the residential project and its partner does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the entity that owns the residential component of this mixed-use site is required to be consolidated on the Company's balance sheet. Such entity also retains an unconsolidated interest in an entity that owns the land underlying the entire project and owns and operates the parking facility. The initial fair value of this investment is $56.5 million. The Company does not have any ownership interest in the retail and office components.

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San Norterra – This venture developed certain land parcels into a 388 unit apartment building located in Phoenix, Arizona. The Company has an 85% equity interest with an initial basis of $16.9 million. Total project costs were approximately $52.8 million and construction was partially funded with a construction loan that was guaranteed by the partner and non-recourse to the Company. The loan has a maximum debt commitment of $34.8 million and a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $33.0 million; the loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.00% and matures January 6, 2015. The partner is the managing member and developed the project. The Company does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the entity is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

Waterton Tenside – This venture was formed to develop and operate a 336 unit apartment property located in Atlanta, Georgia. The Company has a 20% equity interest with an initial basis of $5.1 million. The partner is the managing member and developed the project. The project is encumbered by a non-recourse mortgage loan that has a current outstanding balance of $30.1 million, bears interest at 3.66% and matures December 1, 2018. The Company does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the entity is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

Parc on Powell (formerly known as 1333 Powell) – This venture is currently developing certain land parcels into a 176 unit apartment building located in Emeryville, California. The Company has a 5% equity interest with an initial obligation of approximately $2.1 million. Total project costs are expected to be approximately $75.0 million and construction is being partially funded with a construction loan. The loan has a maximum debt commitment of $39.5 million and a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $25.6 million; the loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% and matures August 14, 2015. The Company has given a repayment guaranty on the construction loan of 50% of the outstanding balance, up to a maximum of $19.7 million, and has given certain construction cost overrun guarantees. The partner is the managing member. The Company does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the entity is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

On February 27, 2013, in connection with the Archstone Acquisition, subsidiaries of the Company and AVB entered into three limited liability company agreements (collectively, the “Residual JV”). The Residual JV owns certain non-core Archstone assets, such as interests in a six property portfolio of apartment buildings and succeeded to certain residual Archstone liabilities, such as liability for various employment-related matters. The Residual JV is owned 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB and the Company's initial investment was $147.6 million. The Residual JV is managed by a Management Committee consisting of two members from each of the Company and AVB. Both partners have equal participation in the Management Committee and all significant participating rights are shared by both partners. As a result, the Residual JV is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company closed on the sale of its unconsolidated interest in the German portfolio fund, the German management company and the remaining wholly-owned German real estate assets. With these sales, all German real estate assets that were acquired by the Residual JV as part of the Archstone Acquisition have now been sold. The Company's pro rata share of the proceeds/distributions that have been repatriated to the Residual JV and received by the Company as a result of the German dispositions was approximately $77.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $95.9 million cumulatively since the closing of the Archstone Acquisition.

On February 27, 2013, in connection with the Archstone Acquisition, a subsidiary of the Company and AVB entered into a limited liability company agreement (the “Legacy JV”), through which they assumed obligations of Archstone in the form of preferred interests, some of which are governed by tax protection arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company purchased with AVB $65.0 million (of which the Company's 60% share was $39.0 million) of the preferred interests assumed by the Legacy JV. At September 30, 2014, the remaining preferred interests have an aggregate liquidation value of $73.5 million, our share of which is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Obligations of the Legacy JV are borne 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB. The Legacy JV is managed by a Management Committee consisting of two members from each of the Company and AVB. Both partners have equal participation in the Management Committee and all significant participating rights are shared by both partners. As a result, the Legacy JV is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

Other

In December 2011, the Company and Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) jointly acquired a vacant land parcel at 400 Park Avenue South in New York City. The Company's and Toll Brothers' allocated portions of the purchase price were approximately $76.1 million and $57.9 million, respectively. The Company is the managing member and Toll Brothers does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. Until the core and shell of the building is complete, the building and land will be owned jointly and are required to be consolidated on the Company's balance sheet. Thereafter, the Company will solely own and control the rental portion of the building (floors 2-22) and Toll Brothers will solely own and control the for sale portion of the building (floors 23-40). Once

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the core and shell are complete, the Toll Brothers' portion of the property will be deconsolidated from the Company's balance sheet. The acquisition was financed through contributions by the Company and Toll Brothers of approximately $102.5 million and $75.7 million, respectively, which included the land purchase noted above, restricted deposits and taxes and fees. As of September 30, 2014, the Company's and Toll Brothers' consolidated contributions to the joint venture were approximately $331.8 million, of which Toll Brothers' noncontrolling interest balance totaled $117.4 million.

The Company admitted an 80% institutional partner to two separate entities/transactions (Nexus Sawgrass in December 2010 and Domain in August 2011), each owning a developable land parcel, in exchange for $40.1 million in cash and retained a 20% equity interest in both of these entities. These projects are now unconsolidated. Details of these projects follow:

Nexus Sawgrass – This development project was completed and stabilized during the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Total project costs were approximately $78.6 million and construction was predominantly funded with a long-term, non-recourse secured loan from the partner. The mortgage loan has a maximum debt commitment of $48.7 million and a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $48.6 million; the loan bears interest at 5.60% and matures January 1, 2021.
Domain – This development project is substantially complete. Total project costs are expected to be approximately $155.8 million and construction was predominantly funded with a long-term, non-recourse secured loan from the partner. The mortgage loan has a maximum debt commitment of $98.6 million and a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $96.8 million; the loan bears interest at 5.75% and matures January 1, 2022.

While the Company is the managing member of both of the joint ventures, was responsible for constructing both of the projects and has given certain construction cost overrun guarantees, the joint venture partner has significant participating rights and has active involvement in and oversight of the ongoing projects. The Company currently has no further funding obligations related to these projects.

7.
Deposits – Restricted and Escrow Deposits – Mortgage

The following table presents the Company’s restricted deposits as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):

 
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Tax-deferred (1031) exchange proceeds
 
$
3,909

 
$

Earnest money on pending acquisitions
 
330

 
4,514

Restricted deposits on real estate investments
 
33,201

 
53,771

Resident security and utility deposits
 
47,000

 
44,777

Other
 
505

 
505

Totals
 
$
84,945

 
$
103,567


The following table presents the Company’s escrow deposits as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Real estate taxes and insurance
 
$
2,049

 
$
3,687

Replacement reserves
 
3,669

 
4,229

Mortgage principal reserves/sinking funds
 
39,425

 
33,868

Other
 
852

 
852

Totals
 
$
45,995

 
$
42,636


8.    Debt

EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. EQR guarantees the Operating Partnership’s revolving credit facility up to the maximum amount and for the full term of the facility.

Mortgage Notes Payable

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had outstanding mortgage debt of approximately $5.1 billion.

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company:

Repaid $72.7 million of mortgage loans.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $700.5 million of secured debt subject to third party credit enhancement.

As of September 30, 2014, scheduled maturities for the Company’s outstanding mortgage indebtedness were at various dates through May 1, 2061. At September 30, 2014, the interest rate range on the Company’s mortgage debt was 0.03% to 7.25%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s mortgage debt was 4.24%.

Notes

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had outstanding unsecured notes of approximately $5.4 billion.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company:

Repaid $500.0 million of 5.250% unsecured notes at maturity;
Repaid its $750.0 million unsecured term loan facility in conjunction with the note issuances discussed below;
Issued $450.0 million of five-year 2.375% fixed rate public notes, receiving net proceeds of $449.6 million before underwriting fees and other expenses, at an all-in effective interest rate of 2.52% and swapped the notes to a floating interest rate in conjunction with the issuance (see Note 9 for further discussion); and
Issued $750.0 million of thirty-year 4.50% fixed rate public notes, receiving net proceeds of $744.7 million before underwriting fees, hedge termination costs and other expenses, at an all-in effective interest rate of 4.57% after termination of various forward starting swaps in conjunction with the issuance (see Note 9 for further discussion).

As of September 30, 2014, scheduled maturities for the Company’s outstanding notes were at various dates through 2044. At September 30, 2014, the interest rate range on the Company’s notes was 2.375% to 7.57%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s notes was 4.99%.

Lines of Credit

On January 11, 2013, the Company replaced its existing $1.75 billion facility with a $2.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing April 1, 2018. The Company has the ability to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million by adding additional banks to the facility or obtaining the agreement of existing banks to increase their commitments. The interest rate on advances under the facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.05%) and the Company pays an annual facility fee (currently 15 basis points). Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long-term debt.

As of September 30, 2014, the amount available on the credit facility was $2.01 billion (net of $44.0 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and net of $446.0 million outstanding). During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the weighted average interest rate was 0.99%.

9.
Derivative and Other Fair Value Instruments

The valuation of financial instruments requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments. The Company, where possible, bases the fair values of its financial instruments, including its derivative instruments, on listed market prices and third party quotes. Where these are not available, the Company bases its estimates on current instruments with similar terms and maturities or on other factors relevant to the financial instruments.

The carrying values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt (including its line of credit) were approximately $5.1 billion and $5.9 billion, respectively, at September 30, 2014. The fair values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt (including its line of credit) were approximately $5.1 billion (Level 2) and $6.2 billion (Level 2), respectively, at September 30, 2014. The carrying values of the Company's mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt (including its line of credit) were approximately $5.2 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2013. The fair values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt (including its line of credit) were approximately $5.1 billion (Level 2) and $5.9 billion (Level 2), respectively, at December 31, 2013. The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments (other than mortgage notes payable, unsecured notes, lines of credit and derivative instruments), including cash and cash equivalents and other financial instruments, approximate their carrying or contract values.

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Table of Contents


In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to the effect of interest rate changes. The Company seeks to manage these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on debt instruments. The Company may also use derivatives to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rates or manage commodity prices in the daily operations of the business.

The following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated derivative instruments at September 30, 2014 (dollar amounts are in thousands):

 
 
Fair Value
Hedges (1)
 
Forward
Starting
Swaps (2)
Current Notional Balance
 
$
450,000

 
$
200,000

Lowest Possible Notional
 
$
450,000

 
$
200,000

Highest Possible Notional
 
$
450,000

 
$
200,000

Lowest Interest Rate
 
2.375
%
 
2.689
%
Highest Interest Rate
 
2.375
%
 
3.191
%
Earliest Maturity Date
 
2019

 
2025

Latest Maturity Date
 
2019

 
2025

 
(1)
Fair Value Hedges – Converts outstanding fixed rate unsecured notes ($450.0 million 2.375% notes due July 1, 2019) to a floating interest rate of 90-Day LIBOR plus 0.61%.
(2)
Forward Starting Swaps – Designed to partially fix interest rates in advance of a planned future debt issuance. These swaps have mandatory counterparty terminations in 2016, and are targeted to 2015 issuances.

A three-level valuation hierarchy exists for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company’s derivative positions are valued using models developed by the respective counterparty as well as models developed internally by the Company that use as their basis readily observable market parameters (such as forward yield curves and credit default swap data). Employee holdings other than Common Shares within the supplemental executive retirement plan (the “SERP”) are valued using quoted market prices for identical assets and are included in other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership/Redeemable Limited Partners are valued using the quoted market price of Common Shares. The fair values disclosed for mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt (including its line of credit) were calculated using indicative rates provided by lenders of similar loans in the case of mortgage notes payable and the private unsecured debt (including its line of credit) and quoted market prices for each underlying issuance in the case of the public unsecured notes.

The following tables provide a summary of the fair value measurements for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the location within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively (amounts in thousands):


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Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
9/30/2014
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant  Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level  3)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps
 
Other Assets
 
$
678

 
$

 
$
678

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Assets
 
98,350

 
98,350

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
99,028

 
$
98,350

 
$
678

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Hedges
 
Other Liabilities
 
$
2,485

 
$

 
$
2,485

 
$

Forward Starting Swaps
 
Other Liabilities
 
2,927

 

 
2,927

 

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Liabilities
 
98,350

 
98,350

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
103,762

 
$
98,350

 
$
5,412

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests –
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership/Redeemable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited Partners
 
Mezzanine
 
$
430,149

 
$

 
$
430,149

 
$


 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
12/31/2013
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant  Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level  3)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps
 
Other Assets
 
$
18,710

 
$

 
$
18,710

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Assets
 
83,845

 
83,845

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
102,555

 
$
83,845

 
$
18,710

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Liabilities
 
$
83,845

 
$
83,845

 
$

 
$

Total
 
 
 
$
83,845

 
$
83,845

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests –
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership/Redeemable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited Partners
 
Mezzanine
 
$
363,144

 
$

 
$
363,144

 
$

The following tables provide a summary of the effect of fair value hedges on the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively (amounts in thousands):


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Table of Contents

September 30, 2014
Type of Fair Value Hedge
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
 
Hedged Item
 
Income Statement
Location of
Hedged Item
Gain/(Loss)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Hedged Item
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
Interest expense
 
$
(2,485
)
 
Fixed rate debt
 
Interest expense
 
$
2,485

Total
 
 
 
$
(2,485
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
2,485

 
September 30, 2013
Type of Fair Value Hedge
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Derivative
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Derivative
 
Hedged Item
 
Income Statement
Location of
Hedged Item
Gain/(Loss)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Hedged Item
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
Interest expense
 
$
(1,524
)
 
Fixed rate debt
 
Interest expense
 
$
1,524

Total
 
 
 
$
(1,524
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,524


The following tables provide a summary of the effect of cash flow hedges on the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
September 30, 2014
Type of Cash Flow Hedge
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in OCI
on Derivative
 
Location of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
 on Derivative
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps/Treasury Locks
$
(21,693
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
(12,606
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
91

Total
 
$
(21,693
)
 
 
 
$
(12,606
)
 
 
 
$
91

 
 
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
September 30, 2013
Type of Cash Flow Hedge
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in OCI
on Derivative
 
Location of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
 on Derivative
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps/Treasury Locks
 
$
8,737

 
Interest expense
 
$
(16,084
)
 
N/A
 
$

Total
 
$
8,737

 
 
 
$
(16,084
)
 
 
 
$

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were approximately $165.0 million and $155.8 million in deferred losses, net, included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss), respectively, related to derivative instruments. Based on the estimated fair values of the net derivative instruments at September 30, 2014, the Company may recognize an estimated $22.0 million of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) as additional interest expense during the twelve months ending September 30, 2015.

In June 2014, the Company paid a net $2.0 million to settle seven forward starting ten-year swaps in conjunction with the issuance of $750.0 million of thirty-year fixed rate public notes. The ineffective portion of approximately $0.1 million was recorded as a decrease to interest expense and accrued interest of approximately $1.3 million was recorded as an increase to interest expense. The remaining amount of approximately $0.8 million will be deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) and recognized as an increase to interest expense over the first nine years and ten months of the notes.





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10.    Earning Per Share and Earnings Per Unit

Equity Residential

The following tables set forth the computation of net income per share – basic and net income per share – diluted for the Company (amounts in thousands except per share amounts):
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Numerator for net income per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
301,598

 
$
(237,315
)
 
$
117,611

 
$
(13,465
)
Allocation to Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership, net
 
(16,216
)
 
9,517

 
(8,740
)
 
521

Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
128,544

 

 
113,641

 

Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially
Owned Properties
 
(1,800
)
 
1,101

 
(708
)
 
311

Preferred distributions
 
(3,109
)
 
(3,109
)
 
(1,037
)
 
(1,037
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares,
net of Noncontrolling Interests
 
409,017

 
(229,806
)
 
220,767

 
(13,670
)
Discontinued operations, net of Noncontrolling Interests
 
1,443

 
1,946,334

 
(60
)
 
389,825

Numerator for net income per share – basic
 
$
410,460

 
$
1,716,528

 
$
220,707

 
$
376,155

Numerator for net income per share – diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
 
$
301,598

 


 
$
117,611

 
 
Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
128,544

 
 
 
113,641

 
 
Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially
Owned Properties
 
(1,800
)
 


 
(708
)
 
 
Preferred distributions
 
(3,109
)
 


 
(1,037
)
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
425,233

 


 
229,507

 
 
Discontinued operations, net
 
1,500

 


 
(62
)
 
 
Numerator for net income per share – diluted (1)
 
$
426,733

 
$
1,716,528

 
$
229,445

 
$
376,155

Denominator for net income per share – basic and diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for net income per share – basic
 
360,900

 
352,414

 
361,409

 
359,811

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OP Units
 
13,726

 
 
 
13,707

 
 
Long-term compensation shares/units
 
2,602

 
 
 
2,838

 
 
Denominator for net income per share – diluted (1)
 
377,228

 
352,414

 
377,954

 
359,811

Net income per share – basic
 
$
1.14

 
$
4.87

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.05

Net income per share – diluted
 
$
1.13

 
$
4.87

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.05

Net income per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares,
net of Noncontrolling Interests
 
$
1.133

 
$
(0.652
)
 
$
0.611

 
$
(0.038
)
Discontinued operations, net of Noncontrolling Interests
 
0.004

 
5.523

 

 
1.083

Net income per share – basic
 
$
1.137

 
$
4.871

 
$
0.611

 
$
1.045

Net income per share – diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
1.127

 
$
(0.652
)
 
$
0.607

 
$
(0.038
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
0.004

 
5.523

 

 
1.083

Net income per share – diluted
 
$
1.131

 
$
4.871

 
$
0.607

 
$
1.045


(1)
Potential common shares issuable from the assumed conversion of OP Units and the exercise/vesting of long-term compensation shares/units are automatically anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as the Company had a loss from continuing operations for the nine months and quarter ended September 30, 2013.





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Table of Contents

ERP Operating Limited Partnership

The following tables set forth the computation of net income per Unit – basic and net income per Unit – diluted for the Operating Partnership (amounts in thousands except per Unit amounts):

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Numerator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
301,598

 
$
(237,315
)
 
$
117,611

 
$
(13,465
)
Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
128,544

 

 
113,641

 

Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially
Owned Properties
 
(1,800
)
 
1,101

 
(708
)
 
311

Allocation to Preference Units
 
(3,109
)
 
(3,109
)
 
(1,037
)
 
(1,037
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
425,233

 
(239,323
)
 
229,507

 
(14,191
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
1,500

 
2,026,798

 
(62
)
 
405,182

Numerator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted (1)
 
$
426,733

 
$
1,787,475

 
$
229,445

 
$
390,991

Denominator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for net income per Unit – basic
 
374,626

 
366,150

 
375,116

 
373,547

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dilution for Units issuable upon assumed exercise/vesting of the
   Company’s long-term compensation shares/units
 
2,602

 
 
 
2,838

 
 
Denominator for net income per Unit – diluted (1)
 
377,228

 
366,150

 
377,954

 
373,547

Net income per Unit – basic
 
$
1.14

 
$
4.87

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.05

Net income per Unit – diluted
 
$
1.13

 
$
4.87

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.05

Net income per Unit – basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
1.133

 
$
(0.652
)
 
$
0.611

 
$
(0.038
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
0.004

 
5.523

 

 
1.083

Net income per Unit – basic
 
$
1.137

 
$
4.871

 
$
0.611

 
$
1.045

Net income per Unit – diluted (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
1.127

 
$
(0.652
)
 
$
0.607

 
$
(0.038
)
Discontinued operations, net
 
0.004

 
5.523

 

 
1.083

Net income per Unit – diluted
 
$
1.131

 
$
4.871

 
$
0.607

 
$
1.045


(1)
Potential Units issuable from the assumed exercise/vesting of the Company's long-term compensation shares/units are automatically anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the diluted earnings per Unit calculation as the Operating Partnership had a loss from continuing operations for the nine months and quarter ended September 30, 2013.

11.
Discontinued Operations

The Company has presented separately as discontinued operations in all periods the results of operations for all consolidated assets disposed of and all properties held for sale, if any, for properties sold in 2013 and prior years. The amounts included in discontinued operations for the nine months and quarter ended September 30, 2014 represent trailing activity for properties sold in 2013 and prior years. None of the properties sold during the nine months and quarter ended September 30, 2014 met the new criteria for reporting discontinued operations. See Note 2 for further discussion.

The components of discontinued operations are outlined below and include the results of operations for the respective periods that the Company owned such assets for properties sold in 2013 and prior years during the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).

    


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Table of Contents

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
1,218

 
$
119,191

 
$
(57
)
 
$
11,235

Total revenues
 
1,218

 
119,191

 
(57
)
 
11,235

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
(125
)
 
35,571

 
(84
)
 
4,122

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
146

 
11,602

 
152

 
735

Property management
 

 
1

 

 

Depreciation
 

 
33,864

 

 
2,902

General and administrative
 
59

 
77

 
8

 
4

Total expenses
 
80

 
81,115

 
76

 
7,763

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operating income (loss)
 
1,138

 
38,076

 
(133
)
 
3,472

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
152

 
156

 
72

 
66

Other expenses
 

 
(3
)
 

 

Interest (2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 

 
(1,276
)
 

 
(18
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 

 
(228
)
 

 

Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(13
)
 
(504
)
 

 
(41
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations
 
1,277

 
36,221

 
(61
)
 
3,479

Net gain on sales of discontinued operations
 
223

 
1,990,577

 
(1
)
 
401,703

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations, net
 
$
1,500

 
$
2,026,798

 
$
(62
)
 
$
405,182

 
(1)
Includes expenses paid in the current period for properties sold in prior periods related to the Company’s period of ownership.
(2)
Includes only interest expense specific to secured mortgage notes payable for properties sold.

12.
Commitments and Contingencies

The Company, as an owner of real estate, is subject to various Federal, state and local environmental laws. Compliance by the Company with existing laws has not had a material adverse effect on the Company. However, the Company cannot predict the impact of new or changed laws or regulations on its current properties or on properties that it may acquire in the future.

The Company is party to a housing discrimination lawsuit brought by a non-profit civil rights organization in April 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The suit alleges that the Company designed and built approximately 300 of its properties in violation of the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act and Americans With Disabilities Act. The suit seeks actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief (including modification of non-compliant properties), costs and attorneys' fees. The Company believes it has a number of viable defenses, including that a majority of the named properties were completed before the operative dates of the statutes in question and/or were not designed or built by the Company. Accordingly, the Company is defending the suit vigorously. Due to the pendency of the Company’s defenses and the uncertainty of many other critical factual and legal issues, it is not possible to determine or predict the outcome of the suit or a possible loss or a range of loss, and no amounts have been accrued at September 30, 2014. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that the suit, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company has established a reserve related to various litigation matters associated with its Massachusetts properties and periodically assesses the adequacy of the reserve and makes adjustments as necessary. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded additional reserves relating to these matters of approximately $4.0 million, resulting in total reserves of approximately $6.0 million at September 30, 2014. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these litigation matters, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company does not believe there is any other litigation pending or threatened against it that, individually or in the aggregate, may reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.


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As of September 30, 2014, the Company has 12 consolidated projects (including Prism at Park Avenue South in New York City, which the Company is jointly developing with Toll Brothers as discussed below) totaling 4,017 apartment units in various stages of development with commitments to fund of approximately $1.1 billion and estimated completion dates ranging through September 30, 2017, as well as other completed development projects that are in various stages of lease up or are stabilized. Some of the projects are being developed solely by the Company, while others are being co-developed with various third party development partners. The development venture agreements with these partners are primarily deal-specific, with differing terms regarding profit-sharing, equity contributions, returns on investment, buy-sell agreements and other customary provisions. The Company is the "general" or "managing" partner of the development ventures.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company has one unconsolidated project totaling 176 apartment units under development with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2015, as well as other completed development projects that are in various stages of lease up or are stabilized. These projects are all being co-developed with various third party development partners. The development venture agreements with these partners are primarily deal-specific, with differing terms regarding profit-sharing, equity contributions, returns on investment, buy-sell agreements and other customary provisions. The Company currently has no further funding obligations for Domain, Nexus Sawgrass and San Norterra. While the Company is the managing member of the Domain and Nexus Sawgrass joint ventures, was responsible for constructing both projects and has given certain construction cost overrun guarantees, the joint venture partner has significant participating rights and has active involvement in and oversight of the ongoing projects. The Domain and Nexus Sawgrass buy-sell arrangements contain provisions that provide the right, but not the obligation, for the Company to acquire the partner’s interests or sell its interests at any time following the occurrence of certain pre-defined events (including at stabilization) described in the development venture agreements. The respective partner for San Norterra and Parc on Powell (formerly known as 1333 Powell) is the “general” or “managing” partner of the development venture, and the Company does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. The Company has given a repayment guaranty on the construction loan for Parc on Powell of 50% of the outstanding balance, up to a maximum of $19.7 million, and has given certain construction cost overrun guarantees.
    
In December 2011, the Company and Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) jointly acquired a vacant land parcel at 400 Park Avenue South in New York City. The Company's and Toll Brothers' allocated portions of the purchase price were approximately $76.1 million and $57.9 million, respectively. The Company is the managing member and Toll Brothers does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. Until the core and shell of the building is complete, the building and land will be owned jointly and are required to be consolidated on the Company's balance sheet. Thereafter, the Company will solely own and control the rental portion of the building (floors 2-22) and Toll Brothers will solely own and control the for sale portion of the building (floors 23-40). Once the core and shell are complete, the Toll Brothers' portion of the property will be deconsolidated from the Company's balance sheet. The acquisition was financed through contributions by the Company and Toll Brothers of approximately $102.5 million and $75.7 million, respectively, which included the land purchase noted above, restricted deposits and taxes and fees. As of September 30, 2014, the Company's and Toll Brothers' consolidated contributions to the joint venture were approximately $331.8 million, of which Toll Brothers' noncontrolling interest balance totaled $117.4 million.

13.
Reportable Segments
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses and about which discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker decides how resources are allocated and assesses performance on a recurring basis at least quarterly.

The Company’s primary business is the acquisition, development and management of multifamily residential properties, which includes the generation of rental and other related income through the leasing of apartment units to residents. The chief operating decision maker evaluates the Company's operating performance geographically by market and both on a same store and non-same store basis. The Company’s operating segments located in its core markets represent its reportable segments (with the aggregation of Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego into the Southern California reportable segment). The Company's operating segments located in its non-core markets that are not material have also been aggregated in the tables presented below.

The Company’s fee and asset management and development (including its partially owned properties) activities are other business activities that do not constitute an operating segment and as such, have been aggregated in the "Other" category in the tables presented below.

All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues during the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.


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The primary financial measure for the Company’s rental real estate segment is net operating income (“NOI”), which represents rental income less: 1) property and maintenance expense; 2) real estate taxes and insurance expense; and 3) property management expense (all as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income). The Company believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of its operating performance because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Company’s apartment communities. Current year NOI is compared to prior year NOI and current year budgeted NOI as a measure of financial performance. The following tables present NOI for each segment from our rental real estate specific to continuing operations for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as well as total assets and capital expenditures at September 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
Rental Income
 
Operating Expenses
 
NOI
 
Rental Income
 
Operating Expenses
 
NOI
Same store (1)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

  Boston
 
$
188,509

 
$
61,195

 
$
127,314

 
$
182,143

 
$
59,373

 
$
122,770

  Denver
 
82,392

 
23,263

 
59,129

 
76,796

 
23,095

 
53,701

  New York
 
340,374

 
129,561

 
210,813

 
327,884

 
124,960

 
202,924

  San Francisco
 
251,812

 
79,898

 
171,914

 
232,062

 
81,417

 
150,645

  Seattle
 
116,581

 
38,649

 
77,932

 
108,789

 
37,108

 
71,681

  South Florida
 
143,000

 
53,347

 
89,653

 
136,599

 
52,238

 
84,361

  Southern California
 
314,247

 
104,996

 
209,251

 
300,788

 
104,211

 
196,577

  Washington DC
 
335,154

 
108,931

 
226,223

 
337,270

 
107,547

 
229,723

  Non-core
 
92,660

 
34,236

 
58,424

 
89,791

 
33,349

 
56,442

Total same store
 
1,864,729

 
634,076

 
1,230,653

 
1,792,122

 
623,298

 
1,168,824

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Boston
 
2,749

 
639

 
2,110

 
1,900

 
430

 
1,470

  Seattle
 
8,608

 
3,014

 
5,594

 
2,855

 
813

 
2,042

  South Florida
 
3,687

 
2,113

 
1,574

 
44

 
364

 
(320
)
  Southern California
 
28,005

 
12,737

 
15,268

 
9,824

 
4,554

 
5,270

  Washington DC
 
17,324

 
6,005

 
11,319

 
9,109

 
3,276

 
5,833

  Other (3)
 
17,390

 
9,318

 
8,072

 
17,738

 
15,954

 
1,784

Total non-same store/other
 
77,763

 
33,826

 
43,937

 
41,470

 
25,391

 
16,079

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Archstone pre-ownership (4)
 

 

 

 
(92,423
)
 
(36,729
)
 
(55,694
)
Total
 
$
1,942,492

 
$
667,902

 
$
1,274,590

 
$
1,741,169

 
$
611,960

 
$
1,129,209


(1)
Same store primarily includes all properties acquired or completed and stabilized prior to January 1, 2013, less properties subsequently sold, which represented 99,686 apartment units. Also includes 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company.
(2)
Non-same store primarily includes properties acquired after January 1, 2013, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of January 1, 2013, but excludes 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company.
(3)
Other includes development, other corporate operations and operations prior to sale for properties sold in 2014 that do not meet the new discontinued operations criteria.
(4)
Represents pro forma Archstone pre-ownership results for the period January 1, 2013 to February 27, 2013 that is included in 2013 same store results.


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Quarter Ended September 30, 2014
 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
Rental Income
 
Operating Expenses
 
NOI
 
Rental Income
 
Operating Expenses
 
NOI
Same store (1)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

  Boston
 
$
63,485

 
$
19,781

 
$
43,704

 
$
61,687

 
$
19,721

 
$
41,966

  Denver
 
28,269

 
8,164

 
20,105

 
26,303

 
8,109

 
18,194

  New York
 
114,968

 
41,457

 
73,511

 
110,588

 
41,215

 
69,373

  San Francisco
 
86,468

 
26,938

 
59,530

 
79,602

 
27,312

 
52,290

  Seattle
 
41,575

 
13,428

 
28,147

 
38,786

 
12,992

 
25,794

  South Florida
 
48,245

 
17,805

 
30,440

 
46,135

 
17,673

 
28,462

  Southern California
 
106,974

 
35,543

 
71,431

 
102,422

 
35,062

 
67,360

  Washington DC
 
114,478

 
36,841

 
77,637

 
114,793

 
36,905

 
77,888

  Non-core
 
31,391

 
11,387

 
20,004

 
30,294

 
11,092

 
19,202

Total same store
 
635,853

 
211,344

 
424,509

 
610,610

 
210,081

 
400,529

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Boston
 
931

 
215

 
716

 
747

 
176

 
571

  Seattle
 
2,464

 
645

 
1,819

 

 

 

  South Florida
 
1,645

 
736

 
909

 
21

 
218

 
(197
)
  Southern California
 
11,889

 
4,653

 
7,236

 
4,413

 
1,962

 
2,451

  Washington DC
 
4,899

 
1,654

 
3,245

 
2,458

 
1,003

 
1,455

  Other (3)
 
4,320

 
(128
)
 
4,448

 
5,814

 
133

 
5,681

Total non-same store/other
26,148

 
7,775

 
18,373

 
13,453

 
3,492

 
9,961

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
662,001

 
$
219,119

 
$
442,882

 
$
624,063

 
$
213,573

 
$
410,490


(1)
Same store primarily includes all properties acquired or completed and stabilized prior to July 1, 2013, less properties subsequently sold, which represented 100,196 apartment units. Also includes 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company.
(2)
Non-same store primarily includes properties acquired after July 1, 2013, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of July 1, 2013, but excludes 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company.
(3)
Other includes development, other corporate operations and operations prior to sale for properties sold in 2014 that do not meet the new discontinued operations criteria.


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Table of Contents

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
Total Assets
 
Capital Expenditures
Same store (1)
 
 

 
 

  Boston
 
$
1,939,055

 
$
14,656

  Denver
 
525,685

 
3,900

  New York
 
4,683,104

 
14,802

  San Francisco
 
2,736,460

 
20,234

  Seattle
 
1,039,100

 
9,699

  South Florida
 
1,145,788

 
11,377

  Southern California
 
2,955,062

 
19,125

  Washington DC
 
4,252,450

 
30,477

  Non-core
 
575,000

 
4,967

Total same store
 
19,851,704

 
129,237

 
 
 
 
 
Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
 
 
 
  Boston
 
48,570

 
690

  Seattle
 
226,023

 
396

  South Florida
 
68,528

 

  Southern California
 
754,384

 
971

  Washington DC
 
303,871

 
1,290

  Other (3)
 
1,755,014

 
597

Total non-same store/other
 
3,156,390

 
3,944

Total
 
$
23,008,094

 
$
133,181


(1)
Same store primarily includes all properties acquired or completed and stabilized prior to January 1, 2013, less properties subsequently sold, which represented 99,686 apartment units. Also includes 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company.
(2)
Non-same store primarily includes properties acquired after January 1, 2013, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of January 1, 2013, but excludes 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company.
(3)
Other includes development, other corporate operations and capital expenditures for properties sold.

Note: Markets/Metro Areas aggregated in the above Southern California and Non-core segments are as follows:
(a) Southern California – Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
(b) Non-core – Inland Empire, CA, New England (excluding Boston), Orlando and Phoenix.
The following table presents a reconciliation of NOI from our rental real estate specific to continuing operations for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Rental income
 
$
1,942,492

 
$
1,741,169

 
$
662,001

 
$
624,063

Property and maintenance expense
 
(361,105
)
 
(330,812
)
 
(120,144
)
 
(118,782
)
Real estate taxes and insurance expense
 
(245,717
)
 
(217,753
)
 
(80,568
)
 
(75,916
)
Property management expense
 
(61,080
)
 
(63,395
)
 
(18,407
)
 
(18,875
)
Total operating expenses
 
(667,902
)
 
(611,960
)
 
(219,119
)
 
(213,573
)
Net operating income
 
$
1,274,590

 
$
1,129,209

 
$
442,882

 
$
410,490








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Table of Contents

14.
Subsequent Events/Other

Subsequent Events

Subsequent to September 30, 2014, the Company:

Sold four properties consisting of 1,424 apartment units for $199.5 million; and
Entered into $100.0 million of forward starting swaps to hedge changes in interest rates related to future secured or unsecured debt issuances.

Other

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred charges of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, related to property acquisition costs, such as survey, title and legal fees, on the acquisition of operating properties (excluding the Archstone Transaction) and $2.1 million and $4.0 million, respectively, related to the write-off of various pursuit and out-of-pocket costs for terminated acquisition, disposition and development transactions. These costs, totaling $2.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively, are included in other expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. See Note 4 for details on the property acquisition costs related to the Archstone Transaction.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company received $2.8 million for the settlement of various litigation/insurance claims, which are included in interest and other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.


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Table of Contents

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

For further information including definitions for capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this report are intended to be made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made by management. While the Company’s management believes the assumptions underlying its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such information is inherently subject to uncertainties and may involve certain risks, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Many of these uncertainties and risks are difficult to predict and beyond management’s control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or events. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or supplement these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to the following:

We intend to actively acquire, develop and rehab multifamily properties for rental operations as market conditions dictate. We may also acquire multifamily properties that are unoccupied or in the early stages of lease up. We may be unable to lease up these apartment properties on schedule, resulting in decreases in expected rental revenues and/or lower yields due to lower occupancy and rates as well as higher than expected concessions. We may not be able to achieve rents that are consistent with expectations for acquired, developed or rehabbed properties. We may underestimate the costs necessary to bring an acquired property up to standards established for its intended market position, to complete a development property or to complete a rehab. Additionally, we expect that other real estate investors with capital will compete with us for attractive investment opportunities or may also develop properties in markets where we focus our development and acquisition efforts. This competition (or lack thereof) may increase (or depress) prices for multifamily properties. We may not be in a position or have the opportunity in the future to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms. We have acquired in the past and intend to continue to pursue the acquisition of properties and portfolios of properties, including large portfolios, that could increase our size and result in alterations to our capital structure. The total number of apartment units under development, costs of development and estimated completion dates are subject to uncertainties arising from changing economic conditions (such as the cost of labor and construction materials), competition and local government regulation;
Debt financing and other capital required by the Company may not be available or may only be available on adverse terms;
Labor and materials required for maintenance, repair, capital expenditure or development may be more expensive than anticipated;
Occupancy levels and market rents may be adversely affected by national and local economic and market conditions including, without limitation, new construction and excess inventory of multifamily and single family housing, increasing portions of single family housing stock being converted to rental use, rental housing subsidized by the government, other government programs that favor single family rental housing or owner occupied housing over multifamily rental housing, governmental regulations, slow or negative employment growth and household formation, the availability of low-interest mortgages or the availability of mortgages requiring little or no down payment for single family home buyers, changes in social preferences and the potential for geopolitical instability, all of which are beyond the Company's control; and
Additional factors as discussed in Part I of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly those under “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.

Forward-looking statements and related uncertainties are also included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

Overview

Equity Residential (“EQR”), a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in March 1993, is an S&P 500 company focused on the acquisition, development and management of high quality apartment properties in top United States growth markets. ERP Operating Limited Partnership (“ERPOP”), an Illinois limited partnership, was formed in May 1993 to conduct the multifamily residential property business of Equity Residential. EQR has elected to be taxed as a REIT. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean collectively EQR, ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by

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EQR and/or ERPOP. References to the “Operating Partnership” mean collectively ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ERPOP.
EQR is the general partner of, and as of September 30, 2014 owned an approximate 96.2% ownership interest in, ERPOP. All of the Company’s property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and EQR has no material assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. EQR issues equity from time to time but does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company’s ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity.
The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois and the Company also operates property management offices in each of its core markets. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had approximately 3,500 employees who provided real estate operations, leasing, legal, financial, accounting, acquisition, disposition, development and other support functions.

Available Information

You may access our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to any of those reports we file with the SEC free of charge at our website, www.equityresidential.com. These reports are made available at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with the SEC. The information contained on our website, including any information referred to in this report as being available on our website, is not a part of or incorporated into this report.

Business Objectives and Operating and Investing Strategies
The Company invests in high quality apartment communities located in strategically targeted markets with the goal of maximizing our risk adjusted total return (operating income plus capital appreciation) on invested capital.
We seek to maximize the income and capital appreciation of our properties by investing in markets that are characterized by conditions favorable to multifamily property appreciation. We are focused primarily on the six core coastal, high barrier to entry markets of Boston, New York, Washington DC, Southern California (including Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego), San Francisco and Seattle. These markets generally feature one or more of the following characteristics that allow us to increase rents:
High barriers to entry where, because of land scarcity or government regulation, it is difficult or costly to build new apartment properties, creating limits on new supply;
High home ownership costs;
Strong economic growth leading to job growth and household formation, which in turn leads to high demand for our apartments;
Urban core locations with an attractive quality of life and higher wage job categories leading to high resident demand and retention; and
Favorable demographics contributing to a larger pool of target residents with a high propensity to rent apartments.
Our operating focus is on balancing occupancy and rental rates to maximize our revenue while exercising tight cost control to generate the highest possible return to our shareholders. Revenue is maximized by attracting qualified prospects to our properties, cost-effectively converting these prospects into new residents and keeping our residents satisfied so they will renew their leases upon expiration. While we believe that it is our high-quality, well-located assets that bring our customers to us, it is the customer service and superior value provided by our on-site personnel that keeps them renting with us and recommending us to their friends.

We use technology to engage our customers in the way that they want to be engaged. Many of our residents utilize our web-based resident portal which allows them to sign and renew their leases, review their accounts and make payments, provide feedback and make service requests on-line.

Acquisitions and developments may be financed from various sources of capital, which may include retained cash flow, issuance of additional equity and debt, sales of properties and joint venture agreements. In addition, the Company may acquire properties in transactions that include the issuance of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) as consideration for the acquired properties. Such transactions may, in certain circumstances, enable the sellers to defer, in whole or

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in part, the recognition of taxable income or gain that might otherwise result from the sales. The Company may acquire land parcels to hold and/or sell based on market opportunities as well as options to buy more land in the future. The Company may also seek to acquire properties by purchasing defaulted or distressed debt that encumbers desirable properties in the hope of obtaining title to property through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure proceedings. The Company has also, in the past, converted some of its properties and sold them as condominiums but is not currently active in this line of business.
Over the past several years, the Company has done an extensive repositioning of its portfolio from low barrier to entry/non-core markets to high barrier to entry/core markets. Since 2005, the Company has sold over 163,000 apartment units primarily in its non-core markets for an aggregate sales price of approximately $15.8 billion, acquired over 67,000 apartment units primarily in its core markets for approximately $19.4 billion and began approximately $4.9 billion of development projects primarily in its core markets. We are currently seeking to acquire and develop assets primarily in the following six core coastal metropolitan areas: Boston, New York, Washington DC, Southern California, San Francisco and Seattle. We also have investments (in the aggregate about 11.6% of our NOI at September 30, 2014) in the two core markets of South Florida and Denver but do not currently intend to acquire or develop new assets in these markets. Further, we are in the process of exiting Phoenix and Orlando and will use sales proceeds from these markets to acquire and/or develop new assets and for other corporate purposes.
As part of its strategy, the Company purchases completed and fully occupied apartment properties, partially completed or partially occupied properties and takes options on land or acquires land on which apartment properties can be constructed. We intend to hold a diversified portfolio of assets across our target markets. As of September 30, 2014, no single market/metropolitan area accounted for more than 18.6% of our NOI, though no guarantee can be made that NOI concentration may not increase in the future.
We endeavor to attract and retain the best employees by providing them with the education, resources and opportunities to succeed. We provide many classroom and on-line training courses to assist our employees in interacting with prospects and residents as well as extensively train our customer service specialists in maintaining our properties and improvements, equipment and appliances. We actively promote from within and many senior corporate and property leaders have risen from entry level or junior positions. We monitor our employees' engagement by surveying them annually and have consistently received high engagement scores.
We have a commitment to sustainability and consider the environmental impacts of our business activities. Sustainability and social responsibility are key drivers of our focus on creating the best apartment communities for residents to live, work and play. We have a dedicated in-house team that initiates and applies sustainable practices in all aspects of our business, including investment activities, development, property operations and property management activities. With its high density, multifamily housing is, by its nature, an environmentally friendly property type. Our recent acquisition and development activities have been primarily concentrated in pedestrian-friendly urban locations near public transportation. When developing and renovating our properties, we strive to reduce energy and water usage by investing in energy saving technology while positively impacting the experience of our residents and the value of our assets. We continue to implement a combination of irrigation, lighting, HVAC and renewable energy improvements at our properties that will reduce energy and water consumption. The Company was recently named as the 2014 North American Residential – Large Cap Sector Leader by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark ("GRESB") survey, a globally recognized analysis of the sustainability indicators of approximately 650 real estate portfolios worldwide. For additional information regarding our sustainability efforts, see our December 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report at our website, www.equityresidential.com.

Current Environment

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company acquired four consolidated rental properties consisting of 1,080 apartment units for $375.6 million and two land parcels for $28.8 million. We believe our access to capital, our ability to execute large, complex transactions and our ability to efficiently stabilize large scale lease up properties provide us with a competitive advantage, which was demonstrated in the Archstone Transaction that closed in 2013. The Company currently budgets consolidated rental acquisitions of approximately $500.0 million during the year ending December 31, 2014 to be funded with proceeds from rental dispositions (see discussion below).
    
The Company started construction on four projects representing 1,543 apartment units totaling approximately $829.0 million of development costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The Company expects to increase its development activity as compared to the past few years and has budgeted up to $1.6 billion combined of new apartment construction starts on land currently owned during the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2015, with up to $1.1 billion occurring in 2014 and the balance occurring in 2015. We currently budget spending approximately $500.0 million and $700.0 million on development costs during the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. This capital will be primarily sourced with excess operating cash flow and borrowings on our revolving credit facility.


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The Company expects to continue to sell non-core assets and reduce its exposure to non-core markets as we believe these assets will have lower long-term returns and we can sell them for prices that we believe are favorable. The Archstone Transaction that closed in 2013 provided an opportunity to accelerate this strategy and do so efficiently through the use of Section 1031 tax deferred exchanges. Over the past several years, dispositions combined with reinvestment of the cash proceeds in assets with lower cap rates (see definition below) were dilutive to our earnings per share. The Company defines dilution from transactions as the lost NOI from sales proceeds that were not reinvested in other apartment properties or were reinvested in properties with a lower cap rate. Beginning in 2014 and going forward, the Company expects a decrease in dilution due to our reduced disposition volume and less lost NOI due to the locations of our planned dispositions. The Company sold four consolidated rental properties consisting of 1,317 apartment units for $197.1 million and two land parcels for $30.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The Company currently budgets consolidated rental dispositions of approximately $500.0 million during the year ending December 31, 2014.

We currently have access to multiple sources of capital including the equity markets as well as both the secured and unsecured debt markets. In June 2014, the Company completed a $450.0 million unsecured five year note offering with a coupon of 2.375% and an all-in effective interest rate of approximately 2.52% as well as a $750.0 million unsecured thirty year note offering with a coupon of 4.5% and an all-in effective interest rate of approximately 4.57%. The Company used the proceeds from these offerings to repay its $750.0 million unsecured term loan facility that was scheduled to mature on January 11, 2015 and to repay the outstanding balance on its revolving credit facility. In October 2013, the Company used cash on hand from dispositions to repay $963.5 million outstanding of 5.883% mortgage debt assumed as part of the Archstone Transaction prior to the November 1, 2014 maturity date. Also in October 2013, the Company closed a new $800.0 million mortgage loan from a large insurance company which matures on November 10, 2023, is interest only and carries a fixed interest rate of 4.21%. The Company used the loan proceeds from this new loan to simultaneously repay $825.0 million of a $1.27 billion mortgage loan assumed as part of the Archstone Transaction. The approximately $440.0 million balance will remain outstanding, continue to mature in November 2017 and continue to carry a fixed interest rate of 6.256%. The Company believes it has obtained favorable interest terms on all of this long term debt and has substantially extended the duration of its debt maturities as well as reduced its 2014, 2015 and 2017 maturities as a percentage of outstanding debt.

We believe that cash and cash equivalents, securities readily convertible to cash, current availability on our revolving credit facility and disposition proceeds for 2014 will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our funding obligations relating to asset acquisitions, debt maturities and existing development projects through 2014. We expect that our remaining longer-term funding requirements will be met through some combination of new borrowings, equity issuances, property dispositions, joint ventures and cash generated from operations.

There is significant uncertainty surrounding the futures of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “Government Sponsored Enterprises” or “GSEs”). Through their lender originator networks, the GSEs are significant lenders both to the Company and to buyers of the Company's properties. The GSEs have a mandate to support multifamily housing through their financing activities. Any changes to their mandates, further reductions in their size or the scale of their activities or loss of key personnel could have a significant impact on the Company and may, among other things, lead to lower values for our assets and higher interest rates on our borrowings. The regulator of the GSEs required the GSEs to decrease their 2013 multifamily lending activities by 10% compared to 2012 levels. While the regulator's mandate for 2014 multifamily activity remains the same as 2013, it is unclear if future reductions or changes could be mandated. The GSEs' regulator has proposed 2015-2017 affordability targets for the GSEs. These targets are generally consistent with historical requirements and are not anticipated to materially impact the GSE's overall multifamily lending activity. However, going forward the regulator could require the GSEs to focus more of their lending activities on small borrowers or properties that the regulator deems affordable, which may or may not include the Company's assets. Reductions in GSE activity or increases in GSE loan pricing may also provide a competitive advantage to us by making the cost of financing multifamily properties more expensive for other multifamily owners while the Company continues to have access to cheaper capital in the public and private debt and equity markets. Over time, we expect that other lenders, including banks, the commercial mortgage-backed securities market and life insurance companies, will become larger sources of debt capital to the multifamily market because multifamily properties are attractive to lenders due to their relatively stable cash flows.

We expect continued growth in revenue (anticipated 2014 same store revenue increase of 4.1%) and NOI (anticipated 2014 same store NOI increase of 5.1%) and are optimistic that the continued strength in fundamentals across most of our markets will continue to produce solid performance for the remainder of 2014. These same store revenue and NOI growth assumptions are both above the high end of the Company's original projections budgeted in February 2014. These same-store assumptions include the 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company. Same store revenues increased 4.1% during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013. We believe the key drivers behind the anticipated increase in revenue are base rent pricing for new residents, renewal pricing for existing residents, resident turnover and physical occupancy. For 2014, we now expect average base rent growth of 3.5% (vs.

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original guidance of 3.25%), an increase in renewal rates of 5.5% (vs. original guidance of 4.75%), occupancy of 95.6% (vs. original guidance of 95.4%) and turnover at 51.0% (vs. original guidance of 51.5%).

All of our markets are generally performing better than original expectations back in February 2014. As noted above, demand for our apartments has been stronger than expected, with higher occupancy and lower turnover due in part to declines in move outs to buy new homes. In general, new supply continues to be absorbed in an orderly fashion with lease-ups occurring faster than expected and only minimal impact on rents at nearby stabilized assets. However, Washington D.C. continues to show signs of stress as substantial new supply and the impact of sequestration and furloughs have dampened the metro area economy. We expect our Washington D.C. results to produce a slightly better than 1% decline in same store revenues during 2014, which will likely reduce our expected Company-wide same store revenue growth by 1%. Despite slow growth in the overall economy and the issues noted in Washington D.C., our business continues to perform well because of the combined forces of demographics, household formations and increasing consumer preference for the flexibility of rental housing, all of which should ensure a continued strong demand for rental housing. Taking all of the above factors into account, the Company currently forecasts same store revenue growth of 3.5% to 4.5% in 2015.

The Company anticipates that 2014 same store expenses will increase 2.2%, at the low end of original expectations, with increases in real estate taxes expected to approximate 5.7% and utilities expected to approximate 5% to 6% for the full year 2014. Same store expenses increased 1.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013, with real estate taxes up 5.7% and utilities up 4.9%. The increase in real estate taxes is primarily due to rate and value increases in certain states and municipalities, reflecting those states' and municipalities' continued economic challenges and the dramatic improvement in apartment values and fundamentals as well as the continued burn off of 421a tax abatements in New York City. The increase in utilities is primarily due to a combination of increases in natural gas prices, increased consumption of gas and electric due to historically low temperatures and increases in water and sewer costs as many municipalities have antiquated systems with limited revenue for modernization. Expense growth in the controllable property level expenses (excluding real estate taxes and utilities) declined 1.7% as the Company leverages the geographic locations of its new same-store portfolio (as a result of the Archstone Transaction and the 2013 disposition program) and technology to lower costs, which should partially offset the increase in real estate taxes and utilities. We expect that the beneficial impact resulting from Archstone synergies will continue to diminish in the remainder of the year.

We believe that the Company is well-positioned as of September 30, 2014 because our properties are geographically diverse, were approximately 95.9% occupied (96.2% on a same store basis) and the long-term demographic picture is positive. We believe certain market areas, especially Washington D.C., downtown Boston and Cambridge and Seattle, will see substantial near term multifamily supply; yet total new supply levels for our core markets remain within historical ranges. We believe over the longer term that our core markets will absorb future supply without material marketwide disruption because of the high occupancy levels we currently experience and increasing household formations. We have seen evidence of this in Seattle as supply has been absorbed and rental rates continue to grow. We believe our strong balance sheet and ample liquidity will allow us to fund our debt maturities and development costs in the near term, and should also allow us to take advantage of investment opportunities in the future.

The current environment information presented above is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Results of Operations

In conjunction with our business objectives and operating strategy, the Company continued to invest in apartment properties located in strategically targeted markets during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as follows:

Acquired two consolidated apartment properties consisting of 738 apartment units for $269.0 million at a weighted cap rate (see definition below) of 4.8% and two land parcels for $28.8 million;
Acquired two consolidated apartment properties, one that had just completed lease up and the other which was still in lease up, consisting of 342 apartment units for $106.6 million and are expected to stabilize at a 6.4% yield on cost and a 4.9% yield on cost, respectively; and
Sold four consolidated apartment properties consisting of 1,317 apartments units for $197.1 million at a weighted average cap rate of 6.4% generating an unlevered internal rate of return ("IRR"), inclusive of management costs, of 11.3% and two land parcels for $30.5 million.

The Company's primary financial measure for evaluating each of its apartment communities is net operating income (“NOI”). NOI represents rental income less property and maintenance expense, real estate tax and insurance expense and property management expense. The Company believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of its operating

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performance because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Company's apartment communities. The cap rate is generally the first year NOI yield (net of replacements) on the Company's investment.
    
Properties that the Company owned and were stabilized (see definition below) for all of both of the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 as well as the 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company (the “Nine-Month 2014 Same Store Properties”), which represented 99,686 apartment units, impacted the Company's results of operations. Properties that the Company owned and were stabilized for all of both of the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (the "Third Quarter 2014 Same Store Properties"), which represented 100,196 apartment units, also impacted the Company's results of operations. Both the Nine-Month 2014 Same Store Properties and the Third Quarter 2014 Same Store Properties are discussed in the following paragraphs.

The following tables provide a rollforward of the apartment units included in Same Store Properties and a reconciliation of apartment units included in Same Store Properties to those included in Total Properties for the nine months and quarter ended September 30, 2014:

 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
Properties
Apartment
Units
 
Properties
Apartment
Units
Same Store Properties at Beginning of Period
 
296

80,247

 
374

100,648

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012 acquisitions
 
9

1,896

 


2013 acquisitions
 
77

22,103

 
1

322

2013 acquisitions not yet included in same store (1)
 
(1
)
(322
)
 


2013 acquisitions not yet stabilized (2)
 
(2
)
(613
)
 


2013 acquisitions not managed by the Company (3)
 
(3
)
(853
)
 


2013 acquisitions not consolidated
 
(1
)
(336
)
 


2013 acquisitions disposed of in 2013 (4)
 
(3
)
(1,536
)
 


2014 dispositions
 
(4
)
(1,317
)
 
(3
)
(981
)
Lease-up properties stabilized
 
3

374

 
1

188

Other
 

43

 

19

Same Store Properties at September 30, 2014
 
371

99,686

 
373

100,196

 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
Properties
Apartment
Units
 
Properties
Apartment
Units
Same Store
 
371

99,686

 
373

100,196

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Same Store:
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 acquisitions
 
2

738

 
2

738

2014 acquisitions not yet stabilized (2)
 
2

342

 
2

342

2013 acquisitions not yet included in same store (1)
 
1

322

 


   2013 acquisitions not yet stabilized (2)
 
2

613

 
2

613

2013 acquisitions not managed by the Company (3)
 
3

853

 
3

853

2013 acquisitions not consolidated
 
1

336

 
1

336

   Lease-up properties not yet stabilized (2)
 
11

3,191

 
10

3,003

   Other
 
1

1

 
1

1

Total Non-Same Store
 
23

6,396

 
21

5,886

Military Housing (not consolidated)
 
2

5,005

 
2

5,005

Total Properties and Apartment Units
 
396

111,087

 
396

111,087


Note: Properties are considered "stabilized" when they have achieved 90% occupancy for three consecutive months. Properties are included in Same Store when they are stabilized for all of the current and comparable periods presented. Same store includes the 18,465 stabilized

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apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company, with pro forma pre-ownership results for the period January 1, 2013 to February 27, 2013.

(1)
Includes one property containing 322 apartment units acquired in 2013 separately from the Archstone Acquisition.
(2)
Includes properties in various stages of lease-up and properties where lease-up has been completed but the properties were not stabilized for the comparable periods presented.
(3)
Includes three properties containing 853 apartments units acquired on February 27, 2013 in conjunction with the Archstone Acquisition that are owned by the Company but the entire projects are master leased to a third party corporate housing provider and the Company earns monthly net rental income.
(4)
Includes three properties containing 1,536 apartment units acquired on February 27, 2013 in conjunction with the Archstone Acquisition that were subsequently sold in 2013.

The Company’s acquisition, disposition and completed development activities also impacted overall results of operations for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The impacts of these activities are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs.

Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to the nine months ended September 30, 2013

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company reported diluted earnings per share/unit of $1.13 compared to $4.87 per share/unit in the same period of 2013. The difference is primarily due to approximately $1.9 billion in higher gains on property sales in 2013 vs. 2014, partially offset by $68.2 million of higher merger-related expenses incurred in 2013 vs. 2014 in connection with the Archstone Acquisition, $71.4 million of prepayment penalties incurred in 2013 in connection with early debt extinguishment of existing mortgage notes payable to manage the Company's post Archstone 2017 maturities profile and higher depreciation in 2013 as a direct result of in-place residential lease intangibles acquired in the Archstone Transaction.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, income from continuing operations increased approximately $538.9 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase in continuing operations is discussed below.

Revenues from the Nine-Month 2014 Same Store Properties increased $72.6 million primarily as a result of an increase in average rental rates charged to residents, higher occupancy and a decrease in turnover. Expenses from the Nine-Month 2014 Same Store Properties increased $10.8 million primarily due to increases in real estate taxes and utilities, partially offset by lower property management costs. The following tables provide comparative same store results and statistics for the Nine-Month 2014 Same Store Properties:
 
September YTD 2014 vs. September YTD 2013
Same Store Results/Statistics for 99,686 Same Store Apartment Units
$ in thousands (except for Average Rental Rate)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Results
 
Statistics
Description
 
Revenues
 
Expenses
 
NOI
 
Average
Rental
Rate (1)
 
Occupancy
 
Turnover
YTD 2014
 
$
1,864,729

 
$
634,076

 
$
1,230,653

 
$
2,174

 
95.7
%
 
42.8
%
YTD 2013
 
$
1,792,122

 
$
623,298

 
$
1,168,824

 
$
2,094

 
95.4
%
 
43.5
%
Change
 
$
72,607

 
$
10,778

 
$
61,829

 
$
80

 
0.3
%
 
(0.7
%)
Change
 
4.1
%
 
1.7
%
 
5.3
%
 
3.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Same store results/statistics include the stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Average rental rate is defined as total rental revenues divided by the weighted average occupied apartment units for the period.
     
The following table provides comparative same store operating expenses for the Nine-Month 2014 Same Store Properties:
 

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September YTD 2014 vs. September YTD 2013
Same Store Operating Expenses for 99,686 Same Store Apartment Units
$ in thousands
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
YTD 2014
 
Actual
YTD 2013
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
% of Actual
YTD 2014
Operating
Expenses
Real estate taxes
 
$
217,227

 
$
205,572

 
$
11,655

 
5.7
%
 
34.3
%
On-site payroll (1)
 
134,810

 
134,225

 
585

 
0.4
%
 
21.3
%
Utilities (2)
 
96,469

 
91,946

 
4,523

 
4.9
%
 
15.2
%
Repairs and maintenance (3)
 
77,368

 
77,320

 
48

 
0.1
%
 
12.2
%
Property management costs (4)
 
55,942

 
59,140

 
(3,198
)
 
(5.4
%)
 
8.8
%
Insurance
 
18,532

 
18,741

 
(209
)
 
(1.1
%)
 
2.9
%
Leasing and advertising
 
7,862

 
9,142

 
(1,280
)
 
(14.0
%)
 
1.2
%
Other on-site operating expenses (5)
 
25,866

 
27,212

 
(1,346
)
 
(4.9
%)
 
4.1
%
Same store operating expenses
 
$
634,076

 
$
623,298

 
$
10,778

 
1.7
%
 
100.0
%

(1)
On-site payroll – Includes payroll and related expenses for on-site personnel including property managers, leasing consultants and maintenance staff.
(2)
Utilities – Represents gross expenses prior to any recoveries under the Resident Utility Billing System (“RUBS”). Recoveries are reflected in rental income.
(3)
Repairs and maintenance – Includes general maintenance costs, apartment unit turnover costs including interior painting, routine landscaping, security, exterminating, fire protection, snow removal, elevator, roof and parking lot repairs and other miscellaneous building repair costs.
(4)
Property management costs – Includes payroll and related expenses for departments, or portions of departments, that directly support on-site management. These include such departments as regional and corporate property management, property accounting, human resources, training, marketing and revenue management, procurement, real estate tax, property legal services and information technology.
(5)
Other on-site operating expenses – Includes ground lease costs and administrative costs such as office supplies, telephone and data charges and association and business licensing fees.

The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income per the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income to NOI for the Nine-Month 2014 Same Store Properties:
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Operating income
 
$
670,825

 
$
288,619

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Archstone pre-ownership operating results
 

 
55,694

Non-same store operating results
 
(43,937
)
 
(16,079
)
Fee and asset management revenue
 
(7,596
)
 
(7,399
)
Fee and asset management expense
 
4,293

 
4,739

Depreciation
 
565,772

 
796,233

General and administrative
 
41,296

 
47,017

Same store NOI
 
$
1,230,653

 
$
1,168,824

    
For properties that the Company acquired prior to January 1, 2013 and expects to continue to own through December 31, 2014 as well as the 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company, the Company anticipates the following same store results for the full year ending December 31, 2014:
 

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2014 Same Store Assumptions
Physical occupancy
95.6%
Revenue change
4.1%
Expense change
2.2%
NOI change
5.1%
The Company anticipates consolidated rental acquisitions of $500.0 million and consolidated rental dispositions of $500.0 million and expects that acquisitions will have a 1.00% lower cap rate than dispositions for the full year ending December 31, 2014.

These 2014 assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.

Non-same store operating results increased approximately $27.9 million and consist primarily of properties acquired in calendar years 2013 and 2014 as well as operations from the Company’s completed development properties, but exclude the 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company. This increase primarily resulted from:

Development and newly stabilized development properties in lease-up of $12.5 million;
Operating properties acquired in 2013 and 2014 of $8.5 million (excluding operating properties acquired in the Archstone Acquisition);
Other miscellaneous properties (including three master-leased properties acquired in the Archstone Acquisition) of $2.1 million; and
Operating activities from other miscellaneous operations.

See also Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Company’s segment disclosures.

Fee and asset management revenues, net of fee and asset management expenses, increased approximately $0.6 million or 24.2% primarily as a result of higher revenue earned on management of the Company's military housing ventures at Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force base and lower expenses, partially offset by lower fees earned on management of the Company's unconsolidated development joint ventures.

Property management expenses from continuing operations include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Company’s properties as well as management fees paid to any third party management companies. These expenses decreased approximately $2.3 million or 3.7%. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in payroll-related costs, a decrease in office rent and a decrease in legal and professional fees.

Depreciation expense from continuing operations, which includes depreciation on non-real estate assets, decreased approximately $230.5 million or 28.9% primarily as a result of in-place residential lease intangibles which are generally amortized over a six month period and can significantly elevate depreciation expense following an acquisition, especially during 2013 as a direct result of the Archstone Acquisition, partially offset by additional depreciation expense on properties acquired in 2014, development properties placed in service and capital expenditures for all properties owned.

General and administrative expenses from continuing operations, which include corporate operating expenses, decreased approximately $5.7 million or 12.2% primarily due to a decrease in payroll-related costs, partially offset by an increase in office rent. The Company anticipates that general and administrative expenses will approximate $51.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Interest and other income from continuing operations increased approximately $1.4 million or 81.8% primarily due to proceeds received from various insurance/litigation settlements totaling $2.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 that did not occur in 2013, partially offset by proceeds received from the sale of certain investment securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 that did not reoccur in 2014. The Company anticipates that interest and other income, excluding the $2.8 million in settlements discussed above, will approximate $0.7 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Other expenses from continuing operations decreased approximately $20.6 million or 74.2% primarily due to the closing of the Archstone Acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the significant decline in transaction activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

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Interest expense from continuing operations, including amortization of deferred financing costs, decreased approximately $97.3 million or 21.5% primarily as a result of $78.8 million of debt extinguishment costs incurred on early debt prepayments and write-offs of unamortized deferred financing costs in 2013 on existing mortgage notes payable to manage the Company's post Archstone 2017 maturities profile and higher capitalized interest in 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company capitalized interest costs of approximately $38.1 million as compared to $32.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This capitalization of interest primarily relates to consolidated projects under development. The effective interest cost on all indebtedness for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 4.76% as compared to 4.91% (excluding prepayment penalties) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company anticipates that interest expense from continuing operations will approximate $460 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Income and other tax expense from continuing operations decreased approximately $0.2 million or 13.5% primarily due to decreases and timing of all other taxes, partially offset by an increase in estimated taxes related to properties that may be sold by the Company's TRS. The Company anticipates that income and other tax expense will approximate $2.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities decreased by $47.5 million or 82.3% primarily due to indirect costs incurred in 2013 from the Archstone Acquisition through the Company's joint ventures with AVB such as severance and retention bonuses that have significantly decreased in 2014.

Net gain on sales of land parcels decreased approximately $10.3 million or 84.8% due to the gain on sale of six land parcels during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to two land sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Discontinued operations, net decreased approximately $2.0 billion or 99.9% between the periods under comparison. This decrease is primarily due to substantially higher sales volume during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2014. See Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Net gain on sales of real estate properties increased $128.5 million as a result of the sale of four consolidated apartment properties during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 that did not meet the new criteria for reporting discontinued operations. See Notes 2 and 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Comparison of the quarter ended September 30, 2014 to the quarter ended September 30, 2013

For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the Company reported diluted earnings per share/unit of $0.61 compared to $1.05 per share/unit in the same period of 2013. The difference is primarily due to approximately $288.1 million in higher gains on property sales in 2013 vs. 2014, partially offset by higher depreciation in 2013 as a direct result of in-place residential lease intangibles acquired in the Archstone Transaction.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, income from continuing operations increased approximately $131.1 million when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013. The increase in continuing operations is discussed below.

Revenues from the Third Quarter 2014 Same Store Properties increased $25.2 million primarily as a result of an increase in average rental rates charged to residents and higher occupancy, partially offset by an increase in turnover. Expenses from the Third Quarter 2014 Same Store Properties increased $1.3 million primarily due to an increase in real estate taxes, partially offset by lower property management costs. The following tables provide comparative same store results and statistics for the Third Quarter 2014 Same Store Properties:
 

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Third Quarter 2014 vs. Third Quarter 2013
Same Store Results/Statistics for 100,196 Same Store Apartment Units
$ in thousands (except for Average Rental Rate)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Results
 
Statistics
Description
 
Revenues
 
Expenses
 
NOI
 
Average
Rental
Rate (1)
 
Occupancy
 
Turnover
Q3 2014
 
$
635,853

 
$
211,344

 
$
424,509

 
$
2,203

 
96.1
%
 
17.3
%
Q3 2013
 
$
610,610

 
$
210,081

 
$
400,529

 
$
2,123

 
95.7
%
 
17.0
%
Change
 
$
25,243

 
$
1,263

 
$
23,980

 
$
80

 
0.4
%
 
0.3
%
Change
 
4.1
%
 
0.6
%
 
6.0
%
 
3.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Same store results/statistics include the stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Average rental rate is defined as total rental revenues divided by the weighted average occupied apartment units for the period.
     
The following table provides comparative same store operating expenses for the Third Quarter 2014 Same Store Properties:
 
Third Quarter 2014 vs. Third Quarter 2013
Same Store Operating Expenses for 100,196 Same Store Apartment Units
$ in thousands
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
Q3 2014
 
Actual
Q3 2013
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
% of Actual
Q3 2014
Operating
Expenses
Real estate taxes
 
$
72,075

 
$
68,851

 
$
3,224

 
4.7
%
 
34.1
%
On-site payroll (1)
 
46,022

 
44,860

 
1,162

 
2.6
%
 
21.8
%
Utilities (2)
 
30,377

 
30,778

 
(401
)
 
(1.3
%)
 
14.4
%
Repairs and maintenance (3)
 
27,075

 
27,393

 
(318
)
 
(1.2
%)
 
12.8
%
Property management costs (4)
 
18,440

 
20,150

 
(1,710
)
 
(8.5
%)
 
8.7
%
Insurance
 
6,199

 
6,271

 
(72
)
 
(1.1
%)
 
2.9
%
Leasing and advertising
 
2,861

 
3,070

 
(209
)
 
(6.8
%)
 
1.4
%
Other on-site operating expenses (5)
 
8,295

 
8,708

 
(413
)
 
(4.7
%)
 
3.9
%
Same store operating expenses
 
$
211,344

 
$
210,081

 
$
1,263

 
0.6
%
 
100.0
%

(1)
On-site payroll – Includes payroll and related expenses for on-site personnel including property managers, leasing consultants and maintenance staff.
(2)
Utilities – Represents gross expenses prior to any recoveries under the Resident Utility Billing System (“RUBS”). Recoveries are reflected in rental income.
(3)
Repairs and maintenance – Includes general maintenance costs, apartment unit turnover costs including interior painting, routine landscaping, security, exterminating, fire protection, snow removal, elevator, roof and parking lot repairs and other miscellaneous building repair costs.
(4)
Property management costs – Includes payroll and related expenses for departments, or portions of departments, that directly support on-site management. These include such departments as regional and corporate property management, property accounting, human resources, training, marketing and revenue management, procurement, real estate tax, property legal services and information technology.
(5)
Other on-site operating expenses – Includes ground lease costs and administrative costs such as office supplies, telephone and data charges and association and business licensing fees.

The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income per the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income to NOI for the Third Quarter 2014 Same Store Properties:
 

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Table of Contents

 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Operating income
 
$
243,269

 
$
120,396

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Non-same store operating results
 
(18,373
)
 
(9,961
)
Fee and asset management revenue
 
(2,077
)
 
(2,566
)
Fee and asset management expense
 
1,253

 
1,516

Depreciation
 
190,469

 
276,707

General and administrative
 
9,968

 
14,437

Same store NOI
 
$
424,509

 
$
400,529

    
Non-same store operating results increased approximately $8.4 million and consist primarily of properties acquired in calendar years 2013 and 2014 as well as operations from the Company’s completed development properties, but exclude the 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company. This increase primarily resulted from:

Development and newly stabilized development properties in lease-up of $6.2 million;
Operating properties acquired in 2013 and 2014 of $3.5 million (excluding operating properties acquired in the Archstone Acquisition);
Partially offset by a decrease in other miscellaneous properties (including three master-leased properties acquired in the Archstone Acquisition) of $0.1 million and a decrease in operating activities from other miscellaneous operations.

See also Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Company’s segment disclosures.

Fee and asset management revenues, net of fee and asset management expenses, decreased approximately $0.2 million or 21.5% primarily as a result of lower fees earned on management of the Company's unconsolidated development joint ventures, partially offset by lower expenses.

Property management expenses from continuing operations include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Company’s properties as well as management fees paid to any third party management companies. These expenses decreased approximately $0.5 million or 2.5%. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in payroll-related costs, a decrease in office rent and a decrease in legal and professional fees.

Depreciation expense from continuing operations, which includes depreciation on non-real estate assets, decreased approximately $86.2 million or 31.2% primarily as a result of in-place residential lease intangibles which are generally amortized over a six month period and can significantly elevate depreciation expense following an acquisition, especially during 2013 as a direct result of the Archstone Acquisition, partially offset by additional depreciation expense on properties acquired in 2014, development properties placed in service and capital expenditures for all properties owned.

General and administrative expenses from continuing operations, which include corporate operating expenses, decreased approximately $4.5 million or 31.0% primarily due to a decrease in payroll-related costs.

Interest and other income from continuing operations decreased approximately $0.4 million or 43.3% primarily due to proceeds received from the sale of certain investment securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 that did not reoccur in 2014, partially offset by proceeds received from a litigation settlement during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 that did not occur in 2013.

Other expenses from continuing operations increased approximately $0.6 million or 13.8% primarily due to an increase in litigation settlement costs.

Interest expense from continuing operations, including amortization of deferred financing costs, decreased approximately $3.5 million or 2.8% primarily as a result of the repayment of $500.0 million of 5.250% unsecured notes in September 2014, the repayment of the Company's $750.0 million unsecured term loan facility in June 2014, the repayment of $963.5 million of 5.883% mortgage debt (which was assumed as part of the Archstone Transaction) in October 2013 and the partial paydown of $825.0

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Table of Contents

million of 6.256% mortgage debt (which was assumed as part of the Archstone Transaction) in October 2013, partially offset by interest expense on $1.2 billion of unsecured notes that closed in June 2014 and an $800.0 million loan pool that closed in October 2013. During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the Company capitalized interest costs of approximately $13.1 million as compared to $12.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. This capitalization of interest primarily relates to consolidated projects under development. The effective interest cost on all indebtedness for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 was 4.84% as compared to 4.69% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

Income and other tax expense from continuing operations decreased approximately $0.2 million or 47.2% primarily due to decreases and timing of all other taxes, partially offset by an increase in estimated taxes related to properties that may be sold by the Company's TRS.

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities decreased by $2.0 million or 63.4% primarily due to indirect costs incurred in 2013 from the Archstone Acquisition through the Company's joint ventures with AVB such as severance and retention bonuses that have significantly decreased in 2014.

Net gain on sales of land parcels increased approximately $3.5 million due to the gain on sale of one land parcel during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the loss on sale of one land parcel during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

Discontinued operations, net decreased approximately $405.2 million between the periods under comparison. This decrease is primarily due to substantially higher sales volume during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2014. See Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Net gain on sales of real estate properties increased $113.6 million as a result of the sale of three consolidated apartment properties during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 that did not meet the new criteria for reporting discontinued operations. See Notes 2 and 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

EQR issues public equity from time to time and guarantees certain debt of ERPOP. EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership.
As of January 1, 2014, the Company had approximately $53.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and it had $2.35 billion available under its revolving credit facility (net of $34.9 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and net of $115.0 million outstanding). After taking into effect the various transactions discussed in the following paragraphs and the net cash provided by operating activities, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance at September 30, 2014 was approximately $31.5 million and the amount available on its revolving credit facility was $2.01 billion (net of $44.0 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and net of $446.0 million outstanding).
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company generated proceeds from various transactions, which included the following:

Disposed of four consolidated properties and two land parcels, receiving net proceeds of approximately $224.5 million;
Issued $450.0 million of five-year 2.375% fixed rate public notes, receiving net proceeds of $449.6 million before underwriting fees and other expenses, at an all-in effective interest rate of 2.52%;
Issued $750.0 million of thirty-year 4.50% fixed rate public notes, receiving net proceeds of $744.7 million before underwriting fees, hedge termination costs and other expenses, at an all-in effective interest rate of 4.57%;
Received approximately $77.0 million representing the Company's pro rata share of the proceeds/distributions that have been repatriated to the Residual JV as a result of the disposition of the German portfolio fund, the German management company and the remaining wholly-owned German real estate assets that were acquired by the Residual JV as part of the Archstone Acquisition (see Note 6); and
Issued approximately 1.5 million Common Shares related to share option exercises and ESPP purchases and received net proceeds of $59.3 million, which were contributed to the capital of the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis).

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the above proceeds along with net cash flow from operations and availability on the Company's revolving line of credit were primarily utilized to:


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Table of Contents

Acquire four rental properties, two land parcels and additional development rights at one of its existing land sites for approximately $404.7 million;
Invest $380.7 million primarily in development projects;
Repay $72.7 million of mortgage loans;
Repay its $750.0 million unsecured term loan facility in conjunction with the note issuances discussed above;
Repay $500.0 million of 5.250% unsecured notes at maturity; and
Repurchase 31,240 Common Shares, utilizing cash of $1.8 million (See Note 3).

On February 27, 2013, the Company issued 34,468,085 Common Shares to an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. as partial consideration for the portion of the Archstone Portfolio acquired by the Company. The shares had a total value of $1.9 billion based on the February 27, 2013 closing price of EQR Common Shares of $55.99 per share. Concurrent with this transaction, ERPOP issued 34,468,085 OP Units to EQR. On March 7, 2013, EQR filed a shelf registration statement relating to the resale of these shares by the selling shareholders. Lehman has since sold all of these Common Shares.

In September 2009, EQR announced the establishment of an At-The-Market (“ATM”) share offering program which would allow EQR to sell Common Shares from time to time into the existing trading market at current market prices as well as through negotiated transactions. Per the terms of ERPOP’s partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds from all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis). EQR may, but shall have no obligation to, sell Common Shares through the ATM share offering program in amounts and at times to be determined by EQR. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by EQR from time to time, including (among others) market conditions, the trading price of EQR’s Common Shares and determinations of the appropriate sources of funding for EQR. On July 30, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved an increase to the amount of shares which may be offered under the ATM program to 13.0 million Common Shares and extended the program maturity to July 2016. EQR has not issued any shares under this program since September 14, 2012. Through October 31, 2014, EQR has cumulatively issued approximately 16.7 million Common Shares at an average price of $48.53 per share for total consideration of approximately $809.9 million.

Depending on its analysis of market prices, economic conditions and other opportunities for the investment of available capital, EQR may repurchase its Common Shares pursuant to its existing share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Trustees. Effective July 30, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved an increase and modification to the Company's share repurchase program to allow for the potential repurchase of up to 13.0 million shares. EQR repurchased approximately $1.8 million (31,240 shares at a price of $56.87 per share) of its Common Shares (all related to the vesting of employees' restricted shares) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. No open market repurchases have occurred since 2008. As of October 31, 2014, EQR has remaining authorization to repurchase an additional 12,968,760 of its shares. See Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Depending on its analysis of prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors, the Company may from time to time seek to repurchase and retire its outstanding debt in open market or privately negotiated transactions.

The Company’s total debt summary and debt maturity schedules as of September 30, 2014 are as follows:


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Table of Contents

Debt Summary as of September 30, 2014
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts (1)
 
% of Total
 
Weighted
Average
Rates (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Maturities
(years)
Secured
 
$
5,090,960

 
46.5
%
 
4.24
%
 
7.8

Unsecured
 
5,866,646

 
53.5
%
 
4.81
%
 
7.9

Total
 
$
10,957,606

 
100.0
%
 
4.55
%
 
7.8

Fixed Rate Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured – Conventional
 
$
4,356,597

 
39.8
%
 
4.86
%
 
6.2

Unsecured – Public
 
4,973,559

 
45.3
%
 
5.47
%
 
8.6

Fixed Rate Debt
 
9,330,156

 
85.1
%
 
5.18
%
 
7.5

Floating Rate Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured – Conventional
 
7,985

 
0.1
%
 
2.19
%
 
19.3

Secured – Tax Exempt
 
726,378

 
6.6
%
 
0.66
%
 
16.5

Unsecured – Public (2)
 
447,087

 
4.1
%
 
1.22
%
 
4.8

Unsecured – Revolving Credit Facility
 
446,000

 
4.1
%
 
0.99
%
 
3.5

Floating Rate Debt
 
1,627,450

 
14.9
%
 
0.97
%
 
9.7

Total
 
$
10,957,606

 
100.0
%
 
4.55
%
 
7.8


(1)
Net of the effect of any derivative instruments. Weighted average rates are for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
(2)
Fair value interest rate swaps convert the $450.0 million 2.375% notes due July 1, 2019 to a floating interest rate of 90-Day LIBOR plus 0.61%.
Note: The Company capitalized interest of approximately $38.1 million and $32.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company capitalized interest of approximately $13.1 million and $12.9 million during the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Debt Maturity Schedule as of September 30, 2014
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
Fixed
Rate (1)
 
Floating
Rate (1)
 
Total
 
% of Total
 
Weighted Average
Rates on Fixed
Rate Debt (1)
 
Weighted Average
Rates on
Total Debt (1)
2014
 
$
2,956

 
$

 
$
2,956

 
0.0
%
 
5.39
%
 
5.39
%
2015
 
408,712

 

 
408,712

 
3.7
%
 
6.32
%
 
6.32
%
2016
 
1,193,107

 

 
1,193,107

 
10.9
%
 
5.34
%
 
5.34
%
2017
 
1,346,581

 
456

 
1,347,037

 
12.3
%
 
6.16
%
 
6.16
%
2018
 
84,197

 
543,659

(2)
627,856

 
5.7
%
 
5.61
%
 
1.59
%
2019
 
806,471

 
468,281

 
1,274,752

 
11.7
%
 
5.48
%
 
3.76
%
2020
 
1,678,413

 
809

 
1,679,222

 
15.3
%
 
5.49
%
 
5.49
%
2021
 
1,195,041

 
856

 
1,195,897

 
10.9
%
 
4.63
%
 
4.64
%
2022
 
228,716

 
905

 
229,621

 
2.1
%
 
3.17
%
 
3.18
%
2023
 
1,302,847

 
956

 
1,303,803

 
11.9
%
 
3.75
%
 
3.75
%
2024+
 
1,046,561

 
674,988

 
1,721,549

 
15.7
%
 
4.99
%
 
3.22
%
Premium/(Discount)
 
36,554

 
(63,460
)
 
(26,906
)
 
(0.2
%)
 
N/A

 
N/A

Total
 
$
9,330,156

 
$
1,627,450

 
$
10,957,606

 
100.0
%
 
5.14
%
 
4.46
%

(1)
Net of the effect of any derivative instruments. Weighted average rates are as of September 30, 2014.
(2)
Includes $446.0 million outstanding on the Company's unsecured revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2014, there was approximately $2.01 billion available on this facility.
The following table provides a summary of the Company’s unsecured debt as of September 30, 2014:
 

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Table of Contents

Unsecured Debt Summary as of September 30, 2014
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coupon
Rate
 
Due
Date
 
 
 
Face
Amount
 
Unamortized
Premium/
(Discount)
 
Net
Balance
Fixed Rate Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.584%
 
04/13/15
 
  
 
$
300,000

 
$
(55
)
 
$
299,945

 
 
5.125%
 
03/15/16
 
  
 
500,000

 
(76
)
 
499,924

 
 
5.375%
 
08/01/16
 
  
 
400,000

 
(340
)
 
399,660

 
 
5.750%
 
06/15/17
 
  
 
650,000

 
(1,399
)
 
648,601

 
 
7.125%
 
10/15/17
 
  
 
150,000

 
(197
)
 
149,803

 
 
2.375%
 
07/01/19
 
(1)
 
450,000

 
(428
)
 
449,572

Fair Value Derivative Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
 
(450,000
)
 
428

 
(449,572
)
 
 
4.750%
 
07/15/20
 
  
 
600,000

 
(2,632
)
 
597,368

 
 
4.625%
 
12/15/21
 
 
 
1,000,000

 
(2,731
)
 
997,269

 
 
3.000%
 
04/15/23
 
 
 
500,000

 
(3,782
)
 
496,218

 
 
7.570%
 
08/15/26
 
  
 
140,000

 

 
140,000

 
 
4.500%
 
07/01/44
 
 
 
750,000

 
(5,229
)
 
744,771

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,990,000

 
(16,441
)
 
4,973,559

Floating Rate Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
07/01/19
 
(1)
 
450,000

 
(428
)
 
449,572

Fair Value Derivative Adjustments
 
 
 
07/01/19
 
(1)
 
(2,485
)
 

 
(2,485
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
447,515

 
(428
)
 
447,087

Revolving Credit Facility:
 
LIBOR+1.05%
 
04/01/18
 
(2)(3)
 
446,000

 

 
446,000

Total Unsecured Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,883,515

 
$
(16,869
)
 
$
5,866,646


(1)
Fair value interest rate swaps convert the $450.0 million 2.375% notes due July 1, 2019 to a floating interest rate of 90-Day LIBOR plus 0.61%.
(2)
Facility is private. All other unsecured debt is public.
(3)
Represents the Company's $2.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing April 1, 2018. The interest rate on advances under the credit facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.05%) and an annual facility fee (currently 15 basis points). Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long-term debt. As of September 30, 2014, there was approximately $2.01 billion available on this facility.

An unspecified amount of equity and debt securities remains available for issuance by EQR and ERPOP under a universal shelf registration statement that automatically became effective upon filing with the SEC on July 30, 2013 and expires on July 30, 2016. In July 2013, the Board of Trustees also approved an increase to the amount of shares which may be offered under the ATM program to 13.0 million Common Shares and extended the program maturity to July 2016. Per the terms of ERPOP’s partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds of all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis) or preference units (on a one-for-one preferred share per preference unit basis).

The Company’s “Consolidated Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio” as of September 30, 2014 is presented in the following table. The Company calculates the equity component of its market capitalization as the sum of (i) the total outstanding Common Shares and assumed conversion of all Units at the equivalent market value of the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange and (ii) the liquidation value of all perpetual preferred shares outstanding.
 

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Table of Contents

Equity Residential 
Capital Structure as of September 30, 2014
(Amounts in thousands except for share/unit and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured Debt
 
 
 
 
 
$
5,090,960

 
46.5
%
 
 
Unsecured Debt
 
 
 
 
 
5,866,646

 
53.5
%
 
 
Total Debt
 
 
 
 
 
10,957,606

 
100.0
%
 
32.0
%
Common Shares (includes Restricted Shares)
 
362,208,087

 
96.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Units (includes OP Units and LTIP Units)
 
14,325,066

 
3.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Shares and Units
 
376,533,153

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Share Price at September 30, 2014
 
$
61.58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23,186,912

 
99.8
%
 
 
Perpetual Preferred Equity (see below)
 
 
 
 
 
50,000

 
0.2
%
 
 
Total Equity
 
 
 
 
 
23,236,912

 
100.0
%
 
68.0
%
Total Market Capitalization
 
 
 
 
 
$
34,194,518

 
 
 
100.0
%
Equity Residential
Perpetual Preferred Equity as of September 30, 2014
(Amounts in thousands except for share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series
 
Redemption
Date
 
Outstanding
Shares
 
Liquidation
Value
 
Annual
Dividend
Per Share
 
Annual
Dividend
Amount
Preferred Shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K
 
12/10/26
 
1,000,000

 
$
50,000

 
$
4.145

 
$
4,145

Total Perpetual Preferred Equity
 
 
 
1,000,000

 
$
50,000

 
 
 
$
4,145


The Operating Partnership’s “Consolidated Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio” as of September 30, 2014 is presented in the following table. The Operating Partnership calculates the equity component of its market capitalization as the sum of (i) the total outstanding Units at the equivalent market value of the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange and (ii) the liquidation value of all perpetual preference units outstanding.
 
ERP Operating Limited Partnership 
Capital Structure as of September 30, 2014
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured Debt
 
 
 
$
5,090,960

 
46.5
%
 
 
Unsecured Debt
 
 
 
5,866,646

 
53.5
%
 
 
Total Debt
 
 
 
10,957,606

 
100.0
%
 
32.0
%
Total outstanding Units
 
376,533,153

 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Share Price at September 30, 2014
 
$
61.58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23,186,912

 
99.8
%
 
 
Perpetual Preference Units (see below)
 
 
 
50,000

 
0.2
%
 
 
Total Equity
 
 
 
23,236,912

 
100.0
%
 
68.0
%
Total Market Capitalization
 
 
 
$
34,194,518

 
 
 
100.0
%

 

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Table of Contents

ERP Operating Limited Partnership
Perpetual Preference Units as of September 30, 2014
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series
 
Redemption
Date
 
Outstanding
Units
 
Liquidation
Value
 
Annual
Dividend
Per Unit
 
Annual
Dividend
Amount
Preference Units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K
 
12/10/26
 
1,000,000

 
$
50,000

 
$
4.145

 
$
4,145

Total Perpetual Preference Units
 
 
 
1,000,000

 
$
50,000

 
 
 
$
4,145


The Company generally expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements, including capital expenditures related to maintaining its existing properties and scheduled unsecured note and mortgage note repayments, through its working capital, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Under normal operating conditions, the Company considers its cash provided by operating activities to be adequate to meet operating requirements and payments of distributions.

The Company has a flexible dividend policy which it believes will generate payouts closely aligned with the actual annual operating results of the Company’s core business and provide transparency to investors. Beginning in 2014, the Company's annual dividend will be paid based on 65% of the midpoint of the range of Normalized FFO guidance customarily provided as part of the Company's fourth quarter earnings release. The Company expects the annual dividend payout will be $2.00 per share and the Company intends to pay four quarterly dividends of $0.50 per share in 2014. All future dividends remain subject to the discretion of the Board of Trustees. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking. While our current dividend policy makes it less likely we will over distribute, it will also lead to a dividend reduction more quickly should operating results deteriorate. However, whether due to changes in the dividend policy or otherwise, there may be times when the Company experiences shortfalls in its coverage of distributions, which may cause the Company to consider reducing its distributions and/or using the proceeds from property dispositions or additional financing transactions to make up the difference. Should these shortfalls occur for lengthy periods of time or be material in nature, the Company's financial condition may be adversely affected and it may not be able to maintain its current distribution levels. The Company believes that its expected 2014 operating cash flow will be sufficient to cover capital expenditures and distributions.

The Company also expects to meet its long-term liquidity requirements, such as lump sum unsecured note and mortgage debt maturities, property acquisitions, financing of construction and development activities through the issuance of secured and unsecured debt and equity securities, including additional OP Units, proceeds received from the disposition of certain properties and joint ventures and cash generated from operations after all distributions. In addition, the Company has significant unencumbered properties available to secure additional mortgage borrowings in the event that the public capital markets are unavailable or the cost of alternative sources of capital is too high. The fair value of and cash flow from these unencumbered properties are in excess of the requirements the Company must maintain in order to comply with covenants under its unsecured notes and line of credit. Of the $27.6 billion in investment in real estate on the Company’s balance sheet at September 30, 2014, $19.1 billion or 69.1% was unencumbered. However, there can be no assurances that these sources of capital will be available to the Company in the future on acceptable terms or otherwise.

ERPOP’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Moody’s and Fitch for its outstanding senior debt are BBB+ (positive outlook), Baa1 and BBB+, respectively. EQR’s equity ratings from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch for its outstanding preferred equity are BBB+ (positive outlook), Baa2 and BBB-, respectively.

On January 11, 2013, the Company replaced its existing $1.75 billion facility with a $2.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing April 1, 2018. The Company has the ability to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million by adding additional banks to the facility or obtaining the agreement of existing banks to increase their commitments. The interest rate on advances under the facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 1.05%) and the Company pays an annual facility fee (currently 15 basis points). Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of the Company’s long-term debt. As of October 31, 2014, there was available borrowings of $1.99 billion (net of $44.0 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and net of $465.0 million outstanding) on the revolving credit facility. This facility may, among other potential uses, be used to fund property acquisitions, costs for certain properties under development and short-term liquidity requirements.

See Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the events which occurred subsequent to September 30, 2014.

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Capitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate

Our policy with respect to capital expenditures is generally to capitalize expenditures that improve the value of the property or extend the useful life of the component asset of the property. We track improvements to real estate in two major categories and several subcategories:

Replacements (inside the apartment unit). These include:
flooring such as carpets, hardwood, vinyl or tile;
appliances;
mechanical equipment such as individual furnace/air units, hot water heaters, etc;
furniture and fixtures such as kitchen/bath cabinets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, sinks, tubs, toilets, mirrors, countertops, etc; and
blinds.
All replacements are depreciated over a five to ten-year estimated useful life. We expense as incurred all make-ready maintenance and turnover costs such as cleaning, interior painting of individual apartment units and the repair of any replacement item noted above.

Building improvements (outside the apartment unit). These include:
roof replacement and major repairs;
paving or major resurfacing of parking lots, curbs and sidewalks;
amenities and common areas such as pools, exterior sports and playground equipment, lobbies, clubhouses, laundry rooms, alarm and security systems and offices;
major building mechanical equipment systems;
interior and exterior structural repair and exterior painting and siding;
major landscaping and grounds improvement; and
vehicles and office and maintenance equipment.
All building improvements are depreciated over a five to fifteen-year estimated useful life. We capitalize building improvements and upgrades only if the item: (i) exceeds $2,500 (selected projects must exceed $10,000); (ii) extends the useful life of the asset; and (iii) improves the value of the asset.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our actual improvements to real estate totaled approximately $133.2 million. This includes the following (amounts in thousands except for apartment unit and per apartment unit amounts):

Capital Expenditures to Real Estate
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Apartment
Units (1)
 
Replacements (2)
 
Avg. Per
Apartment
Unit
 
Building
Improvements
 
Avg. Per
Apartment
Unit
 
Total
 
Avg. Per
Apartment
Unit
Same Store Properties (3)
 
99,686

 
$
63,691

 
$
639

 
$
65,546

 
$
658

 
$
129,237

 
$
1,297

Non-Same Store Properties (4)
 
4,727

 
182

 
50

 
3,165

 
875

 
3,347

 
925

Other (5)
 

 
408

 
 
 
189

 
 
 
597

 
 
Total
 
104,413

 
$
64,281

 
 
 
$
68,900

 
 
 
$
133,181

 
 
 
(1)
Total Apartment Units – Excludes 1,669 unconsolidated apartment units and 5,005 military housing apartment units for which repairs and maintenance expenses and capital expenditures to real estate are self-funded and do not consolidate into the Company's results.
(2)
Replacements – Includes new expenditures inside the apartment units such as appliances, mechanical equipment, fixtures and flooring, including carpeting. Replacements for same store properties also include $37.5 million spent during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 on apartment unit renovations/rehabs (primarily kitchens and baths) on 4,416 same store apartment units (equating to about $8,500 per apartment unit rehabbed) designed to reposition these assets for higher rental levels in their respective markets.
(3)
Same Store Properties – Primarily includes all properties acquired or completed and stabilized prior to January 1, 2013, less properties subsequently sold. Also includes 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company.
(4)
Non-Same Store Properties – Primarily includes all properties acquired during 2013 and 2014, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of January 1, 2013, but excludes 18,465 stabilized apartment units acquired in the Archstone Acquisition that are owned and managed by the Company. Per apartment unit amounts are based on a weighted average of 3,618 apartment units.

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(5)
Other – Primarily includes expenditures for properties sold.

For 2014, the Company estimates that it will spend approximately $1,700 per apartment unit of capital expenditures, inclusive of apartment unit renovation/rehab costs, or $1,200 per apartment unit excluding apartment unit renovation/rehab costs. In 2014, the Company expects to spend approximately $50.0 million for all unit renovation/rehab costs (primarily on same store properties) at a weighted average cost of $8,500 per apartment unit rehabbed. These anticipated amounts represent an increase in the cost per unit over 2013, which is primarily driven by increases in building improvement costs (i.e. roofs, mechanical systems and siding) for the Archstone assets as well as certain large building improvement projects the Company had planned to complete in 2013 but will not finalize until 2014. The Company is also accelerating its rehab/renovation efforts in 2014 with plans to continue to create value from our properties by doing those rehabs that meet our investment parameters. The above assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company’s total non-real estate capital additions, such as computer software, computer equipment, and furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements to the Company’s property management offices and its corporate offices, were approximately $2.5 million. The Company expects to fund approximately $0.2 million in total additions to non-real estate property for the remainder of 2014. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Improvements to real estate and additions to non-real estate property are generally funded from net cash provided by operating activities and from investment cash flow.

Derivative Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to the effect of interest rate changes. The Company seeks to manage these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on debt instruments. The Company may also use derivatives to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rates or manage commodity prices in the daily operations of the business.

The Company has a policy of only entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. When viewed in conjunction with the underlying and offsetting exposure that the derivatives are designed to hedge, the Company has not sustained a material loss from these instruments nor does it anticipate any material adverse effect on its net income or financial position in the future from the use of derivatives it currently has in place.

See Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative instruments at September 30, 2014.

Other

Total distributions paid in October 2014 amounted to $188.3 million (excluding distributions on Partially Owned Properties), which included certain distributions declared during the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

Archstone Acquisition  
    
On February 27, 2013, in conjunction with the Archstone Acquisition, the Company acquired unconsolidated interests in several joint ventures. The Company does not believe that these investments have a materially different impact upon its liquidity, cash flows, capital resources, credit or market risk than its other consolidated operating and/or development activities. Details of these interests follow by project:

San Norterra – This venture developed certain land parcels into a 388 unit apartment building located in Phoenix, Arizona. The Company has an 85% equity interest with an initial basis of $16.9 million. Total project costs were approximately $52.8 million and construction was partially funded with a construction loan that was guaranteed by the partner and non-recourse to the Company. The loan has a maximum debt commitment of $34.8 million and a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $33.0 million; the loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.00% and matures January 6, 2015. The partner is the managing member and developed the project. The Company does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the entity is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.


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Waterton Tenside – This venture was formed to develop and operate a 336 unit apartment property located in Atlanta, Georgia. The Company has a 20% equity interest with an initial basis of $5.1 million. The partner is the managing member and developed the project. The project is encumbered by a non-recourse mortgage loan that has a current outstanding balance of $30.1 million, bears interest at 3.66% and matures December 1, 2018. The Company does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the entity is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

Parc on Powell (formerly known as 1333 Powell) – This venture is currently developing certain land parcels into a 176 unit apartment building located in Emeryville, California. The Company has a 5% equity interest with an initial obligation of approximately $2.1 million. Total project costs are expected to be approximately $75.0 million and construction is being partially funded with a construction loan. The loan has a maximum debt commitment of $39.5 million and a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $25.6 million; the loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% and matures August 14, 2015. The Company has given a repayment guaranty on the construction loan of 50% of the outstanding balance, up to a maximum of $19.7 million, and has given certain construction cost overrun guarantees. The partner is the managing member. The Company does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the entity is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

On February 27, 2013, in connection with the Archstone Acquisition, subsidiaries of the Company and AVB entered into three limited liability company agreements (collectively, the “Residual JV”). The Residual JV owns certain non-core Archstone assets, such as interests in a six property portfolio of apartment buildings and succeeded to certain residual Archstone liabilities, such as liability for various employment-related matters. The Residual JV is owned 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB and the Company's initial investment was $147.6 million. The Residual JV is managed by a Management Committee consisting of two members from each of the Company and AVB. Both partners have equal participation in the Management Committee and all significant participating rights are shared by both partners. As a result, the Residual JV is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company closed on the sale of its unconsolidated interest in the German portfolio fund, the German management company and the remaining wholly-owned German real estate assets. With these sales, all German real estate assets that were acquired by the Residual JV as part of the Archstone Acquisition have now been sold. The Company's pro rata share of the proceeds/distributions that have been repatriated to the Residual JV and received by the Company as a result of the German dispositions was approximately $77.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $95.9 million cumulatively since the closing of the Archstone Acquisition.

On February 27, 2013, in connection with the Archstone Acquisition, a subsidiary of the Company and AVB entered into a limited liability company agreement (the “Legacy JV”), through which they assumed obligations of Archstone in the form of preferred interests, some of which are governed by tax protection arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company purchased with AVB $65.0 million (of which the Company's 60% share was $39.0 million) of the preferred interests assumed by the Legacy JV. At September 30, 2014, the remaining preferred interests have an aggregate liquidation value of $73.5 million, our share of which is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Obligations of the Legacy JV are borne 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB. The Legacy JV is managed by a Management Committee consisting of two members from each of the Company and AVB. Both partners have equal participation in the Management Committee and all significant participating rights are shared by both partners. As a result, the Legacy JV is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

Other 

The Company admitted an 80% institutional partner to two separate entities/transactions (Nexus Sawgrass in December 2010 and Domain in August 2011), each owning a developable land parcel, in exchange for $40.1 million in cash and retained a 20% equity interest in both of these entities. These projects are now unconsolidated. Details of these projects follow:

Nexus Sawgrass – This development project was completed and stabilized during the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Total project costs were approximately $78.6 million and construction was predominantly funded with a long-term, non-recourse secured loan from the partner. The mortgage loan has a maximum debt commitment of $48.7 million and a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $48.6 million; the loan bears interest at 5.60% and matures January 1, 2021.
Domain – This development project is substantially complete. Total project costs are expected to be approximately $155.8 million and construction was predominantly funded with a long-term, non-recourse secured loan from the partner. The mortgage loan has a maximum debt commitment of $98.6 million and a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $96.8 million; the loan bears interest at 5.75% and matures January 1, 2022.


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While the Company is the managing member of both of the joint ventures, was responsible for constructing both of the projects and has given certain construction cost overrun guarantees, the joint venture partner has significant participating rights and has active involvement in and oversight of the ongoing projects. The Company currently has no further funding obligations related to these projects. The Company's strategy with respect to these ventures was to reduce its financial risk related to the development of the properties. However, management does not believe that these investments have a materially different impact upon the Company's liquidity, cash flows, capital resources, credit or market risk than its other consolidated development activities.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company has 12 consolidated projects (including Prism at Park Avenue South in New York City which the Company is jointly developing with Toll Brothers – see Note 12 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion) totaling 4,017 apartment units and one unconsolidated project totaling 176 apartment units in various stages of development with estimated completion dates ranging through September 30, 2017, as well as other completed development projects that are in various stages of lease up or are stabilized. The development agreements currently in place are discussed in detail in Note 12 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

See also Notes 2 and 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Company’s investments in partially owned entities.

The Company’s contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter have not changed materially from the amounts and disclosures included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. See the updated debt maturity schedule included in Liquidity and Capital Resources for further discussion.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different or different assumptions were made, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in different financial results or different presentation of our financial statements.

The Company has identified five significant accounting policies as critical accounting policies. These critical accounting policies are those that have the most impact on the reporting of our financial condition and those requiring significant judgments and estimates. With respect to these critical accounting policies, management believes that the application of judgments and estimates is consistently applied and produces financial information that fairly presents the results of operations for all periods presented. The five critical accounting policies are:

Acquisition of Investment Properties

The Company allocates the purchase price of properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired based on their fair values. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, the Company utilizes a number of sources, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, our own analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties in our portfolio and other market data. The Company also considers information obtained about each property as a result of its pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets, including its investments in real estate, for indicators of impairment. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions and legal and environmental concerns, as well as the Company’s ability to hold and its intent with regard to each asset. Future events could occur which would cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and an impairment loss is warranted.

Depreciation of Investment in Real Estate

The Company depreciates the building component of its investment in real estate over a 30-year estimated useful life, building improvements over a 5-year to 15-year estimated useful life and both the furniture, fixtures and equipment and replacement components over a 5-year to 10-year estimated useful life, all of which are judgmental determinations.

    

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Cost Capitalization
See the Capitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate section for a discussion of the Company’s policy with respect to capitalization vs. expensing of fixed asset/repair and maintenance costs. In addition, the Company capitalizes an allocation of the payroll and associated costs of employees directly responsible for and who spend their time on the execution and supervision of major capital and/or renovation projects. These costs are reflected on the balance sheets as increases to depreciable property.
    
For all development projects, the Company uses its professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for capitalization or must be expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes and insurance and payroll and associated costs for those individuals directly responsible for and who spend their time on development activities, with capitalization ceasing no later than 90 days following issuance of the certificate of occupancy. These costs are reflected on the balance sheets as construction-in-progress for each specific property. The Company expenses as incurred all payroll costs of on-site employees working directly at our properties, except as noted above on our development properties prior to certificate of occupancy issuance and on specific major renovations at selected properties when additional incremental employees are hired.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company capitalized $15.5 million and $12.5 million, respectively, of payroll and associated costs of employees directly responsible for and who spend their time on the execution and supervision of development activities as well as major capital and/or renovation projects.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Including Derivative Instruments

The valuation of financial instruments requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments. The Company, where possible, bases the fair values of its financial instruments, including its derivative instruments, on listed market prices and third party quotes. Where these are not available, the Company bases its estimates on current instruments with similar terms and maturities or on other factors relevant to the financial instruments.

Funds From Operations and Normalized Funds From Operations

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, Funds From Operations ("FFO") available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units increased $241.2 million, or 38.8%, and $102.6 million, or 13.4%, respectively, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013.    

For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units increased $38.5 million, or 14.4%, and $34.5 million, or 12.6%, respectively, as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013.
    
The following is the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s reconciliation of net income to FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

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Funds From Operations and Normalized Funds From Operations
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
 
$
431,642

 
$
1,789,483

 
$
231,190

 
$
391,717

Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests  Partially
     Owned Properties
 
(1,800
)
 
1,101

 
(708
)
 
311

Preferred distributions
 
(3,109
)
 
(3,109
)
 
(1,037
)
 
(1,037
)
Net income available to Common Shares and Units / Units
 
426,733

 
1,787,475

 
229,445

 
390,991

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
565,772

 
796,233

 
190,469

 
276,707

Depreciation – Non-real estate additions
 
(3,485
)
 
(3,626
)
 
(1,137
)
 
(1,153
)
Depreciation – Partially Owned Properties
 
(3,211
)
 
(5,405
)
 
(1,071
)
 
(1,855
)
Depreciation – Unconsolidated Properties
 
5,182

 
2,331

 
1,746

 
1,289

Net (gain) on sales of unconsolidated entities
 

 
(16
)
 

 
(16
)
Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties
 
(128,544
)
 

 
(113,641
)
 

Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 

 
33,864

 

 
2,902

Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 
(223
)
 
(1,990,577
)
 
1

 
(401,703
)
Net incremental gain on sales of condominium units
 

 
7

 

 

Gain on sale of Equity Corporate Housing (ECH)
 

 
709

 

 
108

FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (1) (3) (4)
 
862,224

 
620,995

 
305,812

 
267,270

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset impairment and valuation allowances
 

 

 

 

Property acquisition costs and write-off of pursuit costs
 
8,714

 
78,694

 
837

 
2,578

Debt extinguishment (gains) losses, including prepayment penalties,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
preferred share/preference unit redemptions and non-cash convertible
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
debt discounts
 
513

 
78,820

 
22

 

(Gains) losses on sales of non-operating assets, net of income and other
   tax expense (benefit)
 
(1,903
)
 
(13,725
)
 
(1,052
)
 
1,499

Other miscellaneous non-comparable items
 
1,191

 
3,361

 
3,581

 
3,361

Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (2) (3) (4)
 
$
870,739

 
$
768,145

 
$
309,200

 
$
274,708

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FFO (1) (3)
 
$
865,333

 
$
624,104

 
$
306,849

 
$
268,307

Preferred/preference distributions
 
(3,109
)
 
(3,109
)
 
(1,037
)
 
(1,037
)
FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (1) (3) (4)
 
$
862,224

 
$
620,995

 
$
305,812

 
$
267,270

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Normalized FFO (2) (3)
 
$
873,848

 
$
771,254

 
$
310,237

 
$
275,745

Preferred/preference distributions
 
(3,109
)
 
(3,109
)
 
(1,037
)
 
(1,037
)
Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (2) (3) (4)
 
$
870,739

 
$
768,145

 
$
309,200

 
$
274,708


(1)
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines funds from operations (“FFO”) (April 2002 White Paper) as net income (computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”)), excluding gains (or losses) from sales and impairment write-downs of depreciable operating properties, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis. The April 2002 White Paper states that gain or loss on sales of property is excluded from FFO for previously depreciated operating properties only. Once the Company commences the conversion of apartment units to condominiums, it simultaneously discontinues depreciation of such property.

(2)
Normalized funds from operations (“Normalized FFO”) begins with FFO and excludes:
the impact of any expenses relating to non-operating asset impairment and valuation allowances;
property acquisition and other transaction costs related to mergers and acquisitions and pursuit cost write-offs;
gains and losses from early debt extinguishment, including prepayment penalties, preferred share/preference unit redemptions and the cost related to the implied option value of non-cash convertible debt discounts;
gains and losses on the sales of non-operating assets, including gains and losses from land parcel and condominium sales, net of the effect of income tax benefits or expenses; and

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other miscellaneous non-comparable items.

(3)
The Company believes that FFO and FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the operating performance of a real estate company, because they are recognized measures of performance by the real estate industry and by excluding gains or losses related to dispositions of depreciable property and excluding real estate depreciation (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates), FFO and FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units can help compare the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods or as compared to different companies. The Company also believes that Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the operating performance of a real estate company because they allow investors to compare the Company’s operating performance to its performance in prior reporting periods and to the operating performance of other real estate companies without the effect of items that by their nature are not comparable from period to period and tend to obscure the Company’s actual operating results. FFO, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units, Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units do not represent net income, net income available to Common Shares / Units or net cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, FFO, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units, Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units should not be exclusively considered as alternatives to net income, net income available to Common Shares / Units or net cash flows from operating activities as determined by GAAP or as a measure of liquidity. The Company’s calculation of FFO, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units, Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units may differ from other real estate companies due to, among other items, variations in cost capitalization policies for capital expenditures and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other real estate companies.

(4)
FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units are calculated on a basis consistent with net income available to Common Shares / Units and reflects adjustments to net income for preferred distributions and premiums on redemption of preferred shares/preference units in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The equity positions of various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units are collectively referred to as the “Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership”. Subject to certain restrictions, the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership may exchange their OP Units for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company’s and the Operating Partnership's market risk has not changed materially from the amounts and information reported in Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, to the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. See the Current Environment section of Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relating to market risk and the current economic environment. See also Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative and other fair value instruments.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

Equity Residential

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:
Effective as of September 30, 2014, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its Exchange Act filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
There were no changes to the internal control over financial reporting of the Company identified in connection with the Company’s evaluation referred to in Item 4(a) above that occurred during the third quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ERP Operating Limited Partnership

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:
Effective as of September 30, 2014, the Operating Partnership carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Operating Partnership’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of EQR, of the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure

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controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Operating Partnership in its Exchange Act filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
There were no changes to the internal control over financial reporting of the Operating Partnership identified in connection with the Operating Partnership’s evaluation referred to in Item 4(a) above that occurred during the third quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

The Company and the Operating Partnership do not believe that there have been any material developments in the legal proceedings that were discussed in Part I, Item 3 of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors that were discussed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) Unregistered Common Shares Issued in the Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 - Equity Residential

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, EQR issued 11,760 Common Shares in exchange for 11,760 OP Units held by various limited partners of the Operating Partnership. OP Units are generally exchangeable into Common Shares on a one-for-one basis or, at the option of the Operating Partnership, the cash equivalent thereof, at any time one year after the date of issuance. These shares were either registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as these were transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. In light of the manner of the sale and information obtained by EQR from the limited partners in connection with these transactions, EQR believes it may rely on these exemptions.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.
Other Information

None.

Item 6.
Exhibits – See the Exhibit Index

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 6, 2014
 
By:
 
/s/ Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 6, 2014
 
By:
 
/s/ Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
BY: EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ITS GENERAL PARTNER
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 6, 2014
 
By:
 
/s/ Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 6, 2014
 
By:
 
/s/ Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)




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EXHIBIT INDEX
The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this report. References to exhibits or other filings under the caption “Location” indicate that the exhibit or other filing has been filed, that the indexed exhibit and the exhibit referred to are the same and that the exhibit referred to is incorporated by reference. The Commission file numbers for our Exchange Act filings referenced below are 1-12252 (Equity Residential) and 0-24920 (ERP Operating Limited Partnership).
 
Exhibit
  
Description
  
Location
 
 
 
 
 
10.1*
 
Fourth Amendment to 2011 Share Incentive Plan.
 
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
10.2*
 
The Equity Residential Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as Amended and Restated effective July 1, 2014.
 
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
12
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges.
 
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
  
Equity Residential – Certification of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
31.2
  
Equity Residential – Certification of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
31.3
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
31.4
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
32.1
  
Equity Residential – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
32.2
  
Equity Residential – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
32.3
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
32.4
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
101
  
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials from Equity Residential’s and ERP Operating Limited Partnership’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL: (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, (iii) consolidated statements of cash flows, (iv) consolidated statement of changes in equity (Equity Residential), (v) consolidated statement of changes in capital (ERP Operating Limited Partnership) and (vi) notes to consolidated financial statements.
  
Attached herein.

*Management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements filed as exhibits to this report are identified by an asterisk.