Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

v3.7.0.1
Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements

Fair value guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers are defined as follows:
Tier
 
Description
Level 1
 
Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets
Level 2
 
Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable
Level 3
 
Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions

The following table sets forth our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities
 
Significant Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Total
 
 
 
Fair value as of March 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps (prepaids and other assets)
 
$
4,716

 
$

 
$
4,716

 
$

Total assets
 
$
4,716

 
$

 
$
4,716

 
$


 
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities
 
Significant Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
 
Total
 
 
 
Fair value as of December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps (prepaids and other assets)
 
$
3,993

 
$

 
$
3,993

 
$

Total assets
 
$
3,993

 
$

 
$
3,993

 
$



Fair values of interest rate swaps are approximated using Level 2 inputs based on current market data received from financial sources that trade such instruments and are based on prevailing market data and derived from third party proprietary models based on well recognized financial principles including counterparty risks, credit spreads and interest rate projections, as well as reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions.


The estimated fair value within the fair value hierarchy and recorded value of our debt consisting of senior unsecured notes, unsecured term loans, secured mortgages and unsecured lines of credit were as follows (in thousands):

 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Level 1 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities
 
$

 
$

Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs
 
1,134,037

 
1,137,976

Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
574,717

 
566,668

Total fair value of debt
 
$
1,708,754

 
$
1,704,644

 
 
 
 
 
Recorded value of debt
 
$
1,699,461

 
$
1,687,866



Our senior unsecured notes are publicly-traded which provides quoted market rates. However, due to the limited trading volume of these notes, we have classified these instruments as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Our other debt is classified as Level 3 given the unobservable inputs utilized in the valuation. Our unsecured term loan, unsecured lines of credit and variable interest rate mortgages are all LIBOR based instruments. When selecting the discount rates for purposes of estimating the fair value of these instruments, we evaluated the original credit spreads and do not believe that the use of them differs materially from current credit spreads for similar instruments and therefore the recorded values of these debt instruments is considered their fair value.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other assets and liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments.