Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.10.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
    
Investment Properties
    
The Company records investment properties and related intangibles at fair value upon acquisition. Investment properties include both acquired and constructed assets. Improvements and major repairs and maintenance are capitalized when the repair and maintenance substantially extends the useful life, increases capacity or improves the efficiency of the asset. All other repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes interest on projects during periods of construction until the projects reach the completion point that corresponds with their intended purpose.
    
The Company allocates the purchase price of acquisitions to the various components of the asset based upon the fair value of each component which may be derived from various observable or unobservable inputs and assumptions. Also, the Company may utilize third party valuation specialists. These components typically include buildings, land and any intangible assets related to out-of-market leases, tenant relationships and in-place leases the Company determines to exist. The Company determines fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends and specific market and economic conditions that may affect the property. Factors considered by management in the analysis of determining the as-if-vacant property value include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, tenant demand and other economic conditions. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related expenses. Intangibles related to out-of-market leases, tenant relationships and in-place lease value are recorded at fair value as acquired lease intangibles and are amortized as an adjustment to rental revenue or amortization expense, as appropriate, over the remaining terms of the underlying leases. Premiums or discounts on acquired out-of-market debt are amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of such debt.
    
The Company records depreciation on buildings and improvements utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, generally 5 to 40 years. The Company reviews depreciable lives of investment properties periodically and makes adjustments to reflect a shorter economic life, when necessary. Tenant allowances, tenant inducements and tenant improvements are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related lease or occupancy term of the tenant, if shorter.
 
Amounts allocated to buildings are depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the acquired building or related improvements. The Company amortizes amounts allocated to tenant improvements, in-place lease assets and other lease-related intangibles over the remaining life of the underlying leases. The Company also estimates the value of other acquired intangible assets, if any, and amortizes them over the remaining life of the underlying related intangibles.
    
The Company reviews investment properties for impairment on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable, but at least annually. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, declines in the property’s cash flows, occupancy and fair market value. The Company measures any impairment of investment property when the estimated undiscounted future operating income before depreciation and amortization, plus its residual value, is less than the carrying value of the property. Estimated discounted operating income before depreciation and amortization includes various level 3 fair value assumptions including renewal and renegotiations of current leases, estimates of operating costs and fluctuating market conditions. The renewal and renegotiations of leases in some cases must be approved by additional third parties outside the control of the Company and the tenant. If such renewed or renegotiated leases are approved at amounts below correct estimates, then impairment adjustments may be necessary in the future. To the extent impairment has occurred, the Company charges to income the excess of the carrying value of the property over its estimated fair value. The Company estimates fair value using unobservable data such as operating income, estimated capitalization rates, or multiples, leasing prospects and local market information. These valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges to its investment properties for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.



Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations

The Company may decide to sell properties that are held for use. The Company records these properties as held for sale when management has committed to a plan to sell the assets, actively seeks a buyer for the assets, and the consummation of the sale is considered probable and is expected within one year. Properties classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or their fair value, less estimated costs to sell. When the carrying value exceeds the fair value, less estimated costs to sell an impairment charge is recognized. The Company estimates fair value, less estimated closing costs based on similar real estate sales transactions. These valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The Company recorded a $3.94 million impairment charge for year ended December 31, 2018 on its undeveloped land parcels classified as held for sale and discontinued operations after making the decision to no longer pursue future development activities. No impairment charges were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Assets held for sale are presented as discontinued operations in all periods presented if the disposition represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. This includes the net gain (or loss) upon disposal of property held for sale, the property's operating results, depreciation and interest expense.
    
Conditional Asset Retirement Obligation
    
A conditional asset retirement obligation represents a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement depends on a future event that may or may not be within the Company’s control. Currently, the Company does not have any conditional asset retirement obligations. However, any such obligations identified in the future would result in the Company recording a liability if the fair value of the obligation can be reasonably estimated. Environmental studies conducted at the time the Company acquired its properties did not reveal any material environmental liabilities, and the Company is unaware of any subsequent environmental matters that would have created a material liability. The Company believes that its properties are currently in material compliance with applicable environmental, as well as non-environmental, statutory and regulatory requirements. The Company did not record any conditional asset retirement obligation liabilities as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
    
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
    
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents consist primarily of bank operating accounts and money markets. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk include its cash and cash equivalents and its trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with institutions of high credit quality.

Restricted cash represents amounts held by lenders for real estate taxes, insurance, reserves for capital improvements
and tenant security deposits.
    
The Company places its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash on deposit with financial institutions in the United States, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company ("FDIC") up to $250 thousand. The Company's credit loss in the event of failure of these financial institutions is represented by the difference between the FDIC limit and the total amounts on deposit. Management monitors the financial institutions credit worthiness in conjunction with balances on deposit to minimize risk.
    
Tenant Receivables and Unbilled Rent
    
Tenant receivables include base rents, tenant reimbursements and receivables attributable to recording rents on a straight-line basis. The Company determines an allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rents and accounts receivable based upon customer credit-worthiness (including expected recovery of a claim with respect to any tenants in bankruptcy), historical bad debt levels, and current economic trends. The Company considers a receivable past due once it becomes delinquent per the terms of the lease. The Company’s standard lease form considers a rent charge past due after five days. A past due receivable triggers certain events such as notices, fees and other allowable and required actions per the lease. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s allowance for uncollectible tenant receivables totaled $1.26 million and $705 thousand, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded bad debt expenses in the amount of $511 thousand, $457 thousand and $425 thousand, respectively, related to tenant receivables that were specifically identified as potentially uncollectible based on the an assessment of the tenant’s credit-worthiness. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not realize any recoveries related to tenant receivables previously written off.

Notes Receivable
Notes receivable represent financing to Sea Turtle Development as discussed in Note 4 for development of the project. The notes are secured by a 2nd deed of trust on the underlying real estate known as Sea Turtle Development. The Company evaluates the collectability of both the interest and principal of the notes receivable based primarily upon the projected fair market value of the project at stabilization. The notes receivable are determined to be impaired when, based upon current information, it is no longer probable that the Company will be able to collect all contractual amounts due from the borrower. The amount of impairment loss recognized is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the loan and its estimated realizable value. The impairment on the Sea Turtle Development note is further discussed at Note 4.
        
Goodwill
        
Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite economic life and is not subject to amortization. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and is tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company performs its goodwill impairment test using the simplified method, whereby the fair value of this reporting unit is compared to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then goodwill is considered impaired by an amount equal to that difference.

During the last quarter of 2018, the market capitalization of the Company’s common stock sustained a significant decline so that it fell below the book value of the Company’s net assets. The outcome of the annual goodwill impairment test resulted in an impairment of goodwill of $5.49 million, which was recorded in the consolidated financial statements during the year ended December 31, 2018. See Note 5 for assessment of Goodwill impairment for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Above and Below Market Lease Intangibles, net

The Company determines the above and below market lease intangibles upon acquiring a property. Above and below market lease intangibles are amortized over the life of the respective leases. Amortization of above and below market lease intangibles is recorded as a component of rental revenues.

Deferred Costs and Other Assets, net
    
The Company’s deferred costs and other assets consist primarily of leasing commissions, leases in place, capitalized legal and marketing costs, tenant relationships and ground lease sandwich interest intangibles associated with acquisitions. The Company’s lease origination costs consist primarily of the portion of property acquisitions allocated to lease originations and commissions paid in connection with lease originations.

The Company generally records amortization of lease origination costs on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Details of these deferred costs, net of amortization and other assets are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Leases in place, net
$
21,785

 
$
25,118

Tenant relationships, net
3,764

 
6,804

Ground lease sandwich interest, net
2,488

 

Lease origination costs, net
1,261

 
1,077

Other
716

 
810

Deposits on acquisitions

 
547

Legal and marketing costs, net
59

 
76

Total Deferred Costs and Other Assets, net
$
30,073

 
$
34,432


    
Amortization of lease origination costs, leases in place, legal and marketing costs and tenant relationships and ground lease sandwich interest represents a component of depreciation and amortization expense. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company’s intangible accumulated amortization totaled $50.55 million and $41.83 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s intangible amortization expense totaled $14.43 million, $15.64 million, and $12.75 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes $1.38 million of accelerated amortization on intangibles related to the SEG early lease termination at Ladson Crossing, South Park, St. Matthews and Tampa Festival. Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes $1.74 million of accelerated amortization on intangibles related to the BI-LO early lease termination at the Shoppes at Myrtle Park. Future amortization of lease origination costs, leases in place, legal and marketing costs, tenant relationships and ground lease sandwich interest is as follows (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
Leases
In Place, net
 
Tenant
Relationships, net
 
Lease
Origination
Costs, net
 
Legal &
Marketing
Costs, net
 
Ground Lease Sandwich Interest, net
 
Total
2019
$
6,391

 
$
1,567

 
$
233

 
$
14

 
$
274

 
$
8,479

2020
4,553

 
865

 
190

 
11

 
274

 
5,893

2021
2,850

 
453

 
175

 
9

 
274

 
3,761

2022
2,181

 
359

 
134

 
6

 
274

 
2,954

2023
1,696

 
232

 
116

 
6

 
274

 
2,324

Thereafter
4,114

 
288

 
413

 
13

 
1,118

 
5,946

 
$
21,785

 
$
3,764

 
$
1,261

 
$
59

 
$
2,488

 
$
29,357


    
Revenue Recognition
Adoption of ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”
As detailed in “Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” the Company adopted Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers on January 1, 2018. The cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized on this date was immaterial. As a result, the Company has changed its accounting policies for revenue recognized on non-real estate lease contracts. As of adoption, non-lease revenue streams are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under Topic 605.
Lease Contract Revenue
The Company retains substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of the investment properties and accounts for its leases as operating leases. The Company accrues minimum rents on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases which results in an unbilled rent asset or deferred rent liability being recorded on the balance sheet. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were $3.12 million and $2.34 million, respectively, in unbilled rent which is included in "rents and other tenant receivables, net." Additionally, certain of the lease agreements contain provisions that grant additional rents based on tenants’ sales volumes (contingent or percentage rent). Percentage rents are recognized when the tenants achieve the specified targets as defined in their lease agreements.
The Company’s leases generally require the tenant to reimburse the Company for a substantial portion of its expenses incurred in operating, maintaining, repairing, insuring and managing the shopping center and common areas (collectively defined as Common Area Maintenance or “CAM” expenses). This significantly reduces the Company’s exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation or other outside factors. The Company accrues reimbursements from tenants for recoverable portions of all these expenses as revenue in the period the applicable expenditures are incurred. The Company calculates the tenant’s share of operating costs by multiplying the total amount of the operating costs by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of square feet being leased by the tenant, and the denominator of which is the average total square footage of all leasable buildings at the property. The Company also receives escrow payments for these reimbursements from substantially all its tenants throughout the year. The Company recognizes differences between estimated recoveries and the final billed amounts in the subsequent year. These differences were not material for the twelve months ending December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
The Company recognizes lease termination fees in the year that the lease is terminated and collection of the fee is reasonably assured. Upon early lease termination, the Company provides for losses related to unrecovered intangibles and other assets. Lease termination fees during the year ended December 31, 2018 are primarily a result of early lease termination fees on SEG recaptures and the early termination of the Farm Fresh at Berkley Shopping Center. Lease termination fees during the year ended December 31, 2017 are primarily a result of the BI-LO at Shoppes at Myrtle Park early lease termination.
Asset Management Fees
Asset management fees are generated from Non-REIT properties. The Non-REIT Properties pay WRE property management and/or asset management fees of 3% and 2% of collected revenues, respectively for services performed. Revenues are governed by the management fee agreements for the various properties. Obligations under the agreements include and are not limited to: managing of maintenance, janitorial, security, landscaping, vendors, back office (collecting rents, paying bills), etc. Each of the obligations are bundled together to be one service and are satisfied over time. Non-REIT Properties are billed monthly and typically pay monthly for these services.
Commissions
Commissions are generated from Non-REIT properties. The Non-REIT Properties pay WRE leasing commissions based on the total contractual revenues to be generated under the new/renewed lease agreement (6% for new leases and 3% for renewals). Revenues are governed by the leasing commission agreements for the various properties. Obligations under the agreements include and are not limited to: monitoring upcoming vacancies, new tenant identification, proposal preparation, lease negotiation, document preparation, etc. Each of the obligations are bundled together to be one service as the overall objective of these services is to maintain the overall occupancy of the property. Revenue is recognized and billed upon lease execution.
Development Income
Non-REIT properties pay development fees of 5% of hard costs. Revenues are governed by the development agreements for each development. Obligations under the agreements include overseeing the development of the project. The Company’s performance creates or enhances the project that the Non-REIT property controls as such this revenue is recognized over time. The projects are billed monthly and typically pay monthly for these services.
The below table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by type of service for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minimum rent
$
50,698

 
$
43,957

 
$
32,876

Tenant reimbursements
12,595

 
11,032

 
8,649

Lease termination fees
1,271

 
560

 
26

Percentage rent
254

 
199

 
289

Asset management fees
189

 
927

 
855

Commissions
140

 
899

 
964

Development income

 
537

 
244

Other
562

 
424

 
257

Total
$
65,709

 
$
58,535

 
$
44,160



Income Taxes
    
The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations relating to REIT qualification. In order to maintain this REIT status, the regulations require the Company to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders and meet certain other asset and income tests, as well as other requirements. The TRS' have accrued $13 thousand and $15 thousand at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for federal and state income tax expenses. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates for the years in which it fails to qualify. If the Company loses its REIT status it could not elect to be taxed as a REIT for five years unless the Company’s failure to qualify was due to reasonable cause and certain other conditions were satisfied.
 
Management has evaluated the effect of the guidance provided by GAAP on Accounting for Uncertainty of Income Taxes and has determined that the Company had no uncertain income tax positions.

Taxable REIT Subsidiary Cost Allocation

The Company’s overall philosophy regarding cost allocation centers around the premise that the Trust exists to acquire, lease and manage properties for the benefit of its investors. Accordingly, a majority of the Company’s operations occur at the property level. Each property must carry its own weight by absorbing the costs associated with generating its revenues. Additionally, leases generally allow the Company to pass through to the tenant most of the costs involved in operating the property, including, but not limited to, the direct costs associated with owning and maintaining the property (landscaping, repairs and maintenance, taxes, insurance, etc.), property management and certain administrative costs.

Service vendors bill the majority of the direct costs of operating the properties directly to the REIT Properties and Non-REIT Properties and each property pays them accordingly. The Non-REIT Properties pay WRE property management and/or asset management fees of 3% and 2% of collected revenues, respectively. The Non-REIT Properties also pay WRE leasing commissions based on the total contractual revenues to be generated under the new/renewed lease agreement (6% for new leases and 3% for renewals). Non-REIT properties pay development fees of 5% of hard costs.

Costs incurred to manage, lease and administer the Non-REIT Properties are allocated to the TRS. These costs include compensation and benefits, property management, leasing and other corporate, general and administrative expenses associated with generating the TRS' revenues.
Financial Instruments
    
The carrying amount of financial instruments included in assets and liabilities approximates fair market value due to their immediate or short-term maturity.



    
Use of Estimates
    
The Company has made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reported period. The Company’s actual results could differ from these estimates.
    
Advertising Costs
    
The Company expenses advertising and promotion costs as incurred. The Company incurred advertising and promotion costs of $261 thousand, $237 thousand and $228 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
    
Corporate General and Administrative Expense
    
A detail for the "corporate general & administrative" ("CG&A") line item from the consolidated statements of operations is presented below (in thousands):
    
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Professional fees
$
2,844

 
$
1,780

 
$
1,683

Compensation and benefits
2,673

 
2,736

 
5,046

Acquisition and development costs
300

 
1,101

 
2,018

Corporate administration
1,272

 
1,156

 
1,111

Capital related costs
576

 
663

 
514

Travel
240

 
289

 
481

Advertising
261

 
237

 
228

Taxes and licenses
212

 
90

 
162

 
8,378

 
8,052

 
11,243

Less: Allocation of CG&A to Non-REIT management and leases services
(150
)
 
(688
)
 
(1,319
)
Total
$
8,228

 
$
7,364

 
$
9,924


    
In 2017, the Company started allocating professional fees, compensation and benefits, corporate administration and travel to Non-REIT management and leasing services on the statements of operations. This allocation varies period to period depending on the relative operational fluctuations of Non-REIT management and leasing services.

Other Operating Expense

In July 2018, the Company recorded lease termination expense of $250 thousand to allow a space to be available for a high credit grocery store tenant.

Noncontrolling Interests
    
Noncontrolling interests is the portion of equity in the Operating Partnership not attributable to the Trust. The ownership interests not held by the parent are considered noncontrolling interests. Accordingly, noncontrolling interests have been reported in equity on the consolidated balance sheets but separate from the Company’s equity. On the consolidated statements of operations, the subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amount, including both the amount attributable to the Company and noncontrolling interests. Consolidated statements of changes in equity include beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for shareholders’ equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity.
    
The noncontrolling interest of the Operating Partnership common unit holders is calculated by multiplying the noncontrolling interest ownership percentage at the balance sheet date by the Operating Partnership’s net assets (total assets less total liabilities). The noncontrolling interest percentage is calculated at any point in time by dividing the number of units not owned by the Company by the total number of units outstanding. The noncontrolling interest ownership percentage will change as additional units are issued or as units are exchanged for the Company’s $0.01 par value per share common stock ("Common Stock"). In accordance with GAAP, any changes in the value from period to period are charged to additional paid-in capital.
    
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” and most industry-specific guidance on revenue recognition throughout the ASC. The new standard is principles based and provides a five step model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle of the new standard is that revenue should be recognized when a company 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. The new standard also requires disclosure of qualitative and quantitative information surrounding the amount, nature, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, "Revenue from contracts with customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," which provides further guidance on identifying performance obligations and intellectual property licensing implementation. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”, which relates to assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration and completed contracts and contract modifications in transition. In December 2016, the FASB issued 2016-20, "Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which clarifies or corrects unintended application of the standard. Companies are permitted to adopt the ASUs as early as fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, but the adoption is required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-13, "Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)," "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," "Leases (Topic 840)," and "Leases (Topic 842)." These amendments provide additional clarification and implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)."

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606. The cumulative effect of initially applying the standard as of this date to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018 was immaterial. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under Topic 605. The majority of the Company’s revenue is based on real estate lease contracts which are not within the scope of this ASU.  The Company has identified its non-lease revenue streams and adoption of this standard does not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. The Company has increased disclosures around revenue recognition in the notes to consolidated financial statements to comply with the standard.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." ASU 2016-02 is intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The ASU affects all companies and other organizations that lease assets such as real estate, airplanes, and manufacturing equipment. The ASU will require organizations that lease assets referred to as “Lessees” to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. An organization is to provide disclosures designed to enable users of financial statements to understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements concerning additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP which requires only capital leases to be recognized on the balance sheet the new ASU will require both types of leases (i.e. operating and capital) to be recognized on the balance sheet. The FASB lessee accounting model will continue to account for both types of leases. The capital lease will be accounted for in substantially the same manner as capital leases are accounted for under existing GAAP. The operating lease will be accounted for in a manner similar to operating leases under existing GAAP, except that lessees will recognize a lease liability and a lease asset for all of those leases.

In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-13, "Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)," "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," "Leases (Topic 840)," and "Leases (Topic 842)," which provides additional implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)."

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, "Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases" and ASU 2018-11 "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements". ASU 2018-10 provides narrow amendments that clarify how to apply certain aspects of the guidance in ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-11 provides lessors with a practical expedient in combining lease and non-lease components, if certain criteria are met.
    
The leasing standard will be effective for calendar year-end public companies beginning after December 15, 2018.  Public companies will be required to adopt the new leasing standard for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption will be permitted for all companies and organizations upon issuance of the standard. For calendar year-end public companies, this means an adoption date of January 1, 2019 and retrospective application to previously issued annual and interim financial statements for 2018 and 2017. The accounting for leases under which we are the lessor remains largely unchanged. Lessees with a large portfolio of leases are likely to see a significant increase in balance sheet assets and liabilities. While we are currently assessing the impact of the standard on our financial position and results of operations we expect the primary impact to be on those ground leases which we are the lessee. The new standard will result in the recording of right of use assets and lease obligations. See Note 10 for the Company’s current lease commitments. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of ASU 2016-02 and the related ASU amendments on its financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” The ASU provides guidance on the presentation of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows in an effort to reduce diversity in practice. The standard requires a reconciliation of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the cash flow statement or in the notes to the financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The new standard is to be applied retrospectively for all periods presented.  The Company adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2018 and applied retrospectively. The adoption resulted in a reduction of $942 thousand and an increase of $658 thousand in net cash provided by operating activities and a reduction of $101 thousand and an increase of $1.40 million in net cash provided by investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805):  Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” The ASU clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses.  This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The new standard is to be applied prospectively. The adoption of this standard will most likely result in less real estate acquisitions qualifying as businesses and, accordingly, acquisition costs for those acquisitions that are not businesses will be capitalized rather than expensed. The Company adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2018. As a result of this adoption, the acquisition costs incurred in 2018 with the purchase of JANAF were capitalized as a cost of the asset.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350):  Simplifying the test for Goodwill Impairment.” The amendments in ASU 2017-04 eliminate the current two-step approach used to test goodwill for impairment and require an entity to apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The Company adopted this standard for the fourth quarter of 2018, and applied the guidance to its annual goodwill impairment test at that time. Refer to Note 5 for details of the goodwill impairment test performed.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, “Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20):  Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets.” This amendment provides guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The standard is to be applied retrospectively or modified retrospectively. The Company adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This update clarifies when modification accounting guidance in Topic 718 should be applied to a change in terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The new standard is to be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Loses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." This updated enhances the methodology of measuring expected credit losses to include the use of forward-looking information to better calculate credit loss estimates. The guidance will apply to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, such as accounts receivable and loans. The guidance will require that the Company estimate the lifetime expected credit loss with respect to these receivables and record allowances that, when deducted from the balance of the receivables, represent the net amounts expected to be collected. The Company will also be required to disclose information about how it developed the allowances, including changes in the factors that influenced the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses and the reasons for those changes. The guidance would be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies are not currently applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.