Attached files

file filename
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CEO PURSUANT TO SECTION 1350 - EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES INCelsex322331201710q.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - CERTIFICATION OF CFO PURSUANT TO SECTION 1350 - EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES INCelsex321331201710q.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CEO PURSUANT TO SECTION OF THE SOX ACT 2002 - EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES INCelsex312331201710q.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - CERTIFICATION OF CFO PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SOX ACT 2002 - EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES INCelsex311331201710q.htm



 
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 March 31, 2017
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to            
Commission file number: 1-11718
_________________________________________________________ 
EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
_________________________________________________________ 
Maryland
36-3857664
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois
60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(312) 279-1400
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
_________________________________________________________ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
 
 
Emerging growth company
o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
86,842,419 shares of Common Stock as of April 27, 2017.
 



Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Table of Contents
 
 
 
Page
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
Index To Financial Statements
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 (unaudited) and December 31, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.



2


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(unaudited)
 
Assets
 
 
 
Investment in real estate:
 
 
 
Land
$
1,163,987

 
$
1,163,987

Land improvements
2,903,564

 
2,893,759

Buildings and other depreciable property
635,248

 
627,590

 
4,702,799

 
4,685,336

Accumulated depreciation
(1,429,999
)
 
(1,399,531
)
Net investment in real estate
3,272,800

 
3,285,805

Cash
73,248

 
56,340

Notes receivable, net
34,239

 
34,520

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures
19,187

 
19,369

Deferred commission expense
31,357

 
31,375

Escrow deposits, goodwill, and other assets, net
40,210

 
51,578

Total Assets
$
3,471,041

 
$
3,478,987

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable, net
$
1,859,890

 
$
1,891,900

Term loan
199,431

 
199,379

Unsecured lines of credit

 

Accrued expenses and accounts payable
85,554

 
89,864

Deferred revenue – upfront payments from right-to-use contracts
82,264

 
81,484

Deferred revenue – right-to-use annual payments
13,316

 
9,817

Accrued interest payable
8,212

 
8,379

Rents and other customer payments received in advance and security deposits
77,398

 
76,906

Distributions payable
45,230

 
39,411

Total Liabilities
2,371,295

 
2,397,140

Equity:
 
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 9,945,539 shares authorized as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016; none issued and outstanding.

 

6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 54,461 shares authorized and 54,458 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 at liquidation value
136,144

 
136,144

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016; 86,841,775 and 85,529,386 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
866

 
854

Paid-in capital
1,117,628

 
1,103,048

Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings
(216,724
)
 
(231,276
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1
)
 
(227
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
1,037,913

 
1,008,543

Non-controlling interests – Common OP Units
61,833

 
73,304

Total Equity
1,099,746

 
1,081,847

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
3,471,041

 
$
3,478,987











The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
March 31,
2016
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Community base rental income
$
120,692

 
$
114,076

 
Rental home income
3,605

 
3,545

 
Resort base rental income
61,068

 
55,434

 
Right-to-use annual payments
11,252

 
11,054

 
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
3,206

 
2,532

 
Right-to-use contract upfront payments, deferred, net
(775
)
 
(302
)
 
Utility and other income
22,126

 
20,793

 
Gross revenues from home sales
7,027

 
8,214

 
Brokered resale revenues and ancillary services revenues, net
1,661

 
1,418

 
Interest income
1,770

 
1,660

 
Income from other investments, net
757

 
1,723

 
Total revenues
232,389

 
220,147

 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
Property operating and maintenance
68,054

 
62,954

 
Rental home operating and maintenance
1,551

 
1,525

 
Real estate taxes
14,037

 
13,198

 
Sales and marketing, gross
2,690

 
2,493

 
Right-to-use contract commissions, deferred, net
(84
)
 
104

 
Property management
12,560

 
11,763

 
Depreciation on real estate assets and rental homes
30,109

 
28,656

 
Amortization of in-place leases
1,032

 
335

 
Cost of home sales
7,119

 
8,281

 
Home selling expenses
925

 
834

 
General and administrative
7,373

 
7,407

 
Property rights initiatives and other, net
219

 
654

 
Interest and related amortization
24,879

 
25,634

 
Total expenses
170,464

 
163,838

 
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
61,925

 
56,309

 
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
1,150

 
881

 
Consolidated net income
63,075

 
57,190

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income allocated to non-controlling interests – Common OP Units
(3,890
)
 
(4,310
)
 
Series C Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Dividends
(2,297
)
 
(2,297
)
 
Net income available for Common Stockholders
$
56,888

 
$
50,583

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated net income
$
63,075

 
$
57,190

 
Other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”):
 
 
 
 
Adjustment for fair market value of swap
226

 
(608
)
 
Consolidated comprehensive income
63,301

 
56,582

 
Comprehensive income allocated to non-controlling interests – Common OP Units
(3,904
)
 
(4,262
)
 
Series C Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Dividends
(2,297
)
 
(2,297
)
 
Comprehensive income attributable to Common Stockholders
$
57,100

 
$
50,023

 












The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Continued)
For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
March 31,
2016
 
Earnings per Common Share – Basic:
 
 
 
 
Net income available for Common Stockholders
$
0.66

 
$
0.60

 
Earnings per Common Share – Fully Diluted:
 
 
 
 
Net income available for Common Stockholders
$
0.65

 
$
0.60

 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Common Share outstanding
$
0.488

 
$
0.425

 
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – basic
86,048

 
84,321

 
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – fully diluted
93,011

 
92,041

 






















































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

5


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2017
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Common
Stock
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
6.75%  Series C Cumulative
Redeemable
Perpetual
Preferred  Stock
 
Distributions
in Excess of
Accumulated
Earnings
 
Non-
controlling
interests –
Common OP
Units
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2016
$
854

 
$
1,103,048

 
$
136,144

 
$
(231,276
)
 
$
73,304

 
$
(227
)
 
$
1,081,847

Conversion of Common OP Units to Common Stock
12

 
15,339

 

 

 
(15,351
)
 

 

Issuance of Common Stock through employee stock purchase plan

 
403

 

 

 

 

 
403

Compensation expenses related to restricted stock

 
1,755

 

 

 

 

 
1,755

Adjustment for Common OP Unitholders in the Operating Partnership

 
(2,885
)
 

 

 
2,885

 

 

Adjustment for fair market value of swap

 

 

 

 

 
226

 
226

Net income

 

 
2,297

 
56,888

 
3,890

 

 
63,075

Distributions

 

 
(2,297
)
 
(42,335
)
 
(2,895
)
 

 
(47,527
)
Other

 
(32
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(33
)
Balance, March 31, 2017
$
866

 
$
1,117,628

 
$
136,144

 
$
(216,724
)
 
$
61,833

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,099,746










































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

6


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited) 
 
Quarters Ended
 
March 31,
2017
 
March 31,
2016
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Consolidated net income
$
63,075

 
$
57,190

Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
30,398

 
28,935

Amortization of in-place leases
1,032

 
335

Amortization of loan costs
898

 
979

Debt premium amortization
(655
)
 
(885
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
(1,150
)
 
(881
)
Distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures
1,115

 
553

Stock-based compensation
1,755

 
1,914

Revenue recognized from right-to-use contract upfront payments
(2,426
)
 
(2,230
)
Commission expense recognized related to right-to-use contracts
1,090

 
1,002

Long term incentive plan compensation
337

 
(4,314
)
Recovery for uncollectible rents receivable
(53
)
 
(178
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes receivable activity, net
(45
)
 
164

Deferred commission expense
(1,072
)
 
(895
)
Escrow deposits, goodwill and other assets
18,316

 
7,746

Accrued expenses and accounts payable
(5,526
)
 
6,209

Deferred revenue – upfront payments from right-to-use contracts
3,206

 
2,532

Deferred revenue – right-to-use annual payments
3,499

 
3,737

Rents received in advance and security deposits
492

 
(147
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
114,286

 
101,766

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Real estate acquisition

 
(7,387
)
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures

 
(5,000
)
Repayments of notes receivable
2,461

 
2,712

Issuance of notes receivable
(2,212
)
 
(1,874
)
Capital improvements
(24,354
)
 
(22,495
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(24,105
)
 
(34,044
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from stock options and employee stock purchase plan
403

 
5,323

Distributions:
 
 
 
Common Stockholders
(36,364
)
 
(31,612
)
Common OP Unitholders
(3,047
)
 
(2,703
)
Preferred Stockholders
(2,297
)
 
(2,297
)
Principal payments and mortgage debt payoff
(31,887
)
 
(19,535
)
Debt issuance and defeasance costs
(49
)
 
(8
)
Other
(32
)
 
(41
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(73,273
)
 
(50,873
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
16,908

 
16,849

Cash, beginning of period
56,340

 
80,258

Cash, end of period
$
73,248

 
$
97,107











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

7


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Quarters Ended
 
March 31,
2017
 
March 31,
2016
Supplemental Information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for interest
$
25,618

 
$
26,535

Capital improvements – used homes acquired by repossessions
77

 
317

Net repayments of notes receivable – used homes acquired by repossessions
(77
)
 
(317
)
Building and other depreciable property – reclassification of rental homes
6,967

 
7,257

Escrow deposits and other assets – reclassification of rental homes
(6,967
)
 
(7,257
)
 
 
 
 
Real estate acquisitions:
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, fair value
$

 
$
(7,375
)
Accrued expenses and accounts payable

 
8

Rents and other customer payments received in advance and security deposits

 
(20
)
Real estate acquisitions, net
$

 
$
(7,387
)

















































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

8


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



Note 1 – Basis of Presentation
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with MHC Operating Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and other consolidated subsidiaries (“Subsidiaries”) are referred to herein as “we,” “us,” and “our.” Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2016 Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2016. These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2016 Form 10-K.
The following notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements highlight significant changes to the notes included in the 2016 Form 10-K and present interim disclosures as required by the SEC. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments and estimates necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements, which are of a normal, recurring nature. Revenues and expenses are subject to seasonal fluctuations and accordingly, quarterly interim results may not be indicative of full year results.
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a)
Consolidation
We consolidate our majority-owned Subsidiaries in which we have the ability to control the operations and all variable interest entities with respect to which we are the primary beneficiary. We also consolidate entities in which we have a direct or indirect controlling or voting interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted (“ASU 2015-02”) Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 required us to evaluate whether we should consolidate certain legal entities. The adoption of this standard did not result in any changes to our accounting of interests in less than wholly-owned joint ventures; however, the Operating Partnership now meets the criteria as a VIE. We concluded that the Operating Partnership is a VIE because we are the general partner and controlling owner of approximately 93.6% of the Operating Partnership and the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. Our sole significant asset is our investment in the Operating Partnership, and consequently, substantially all of our assets and liabilities represent those assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership. The Company has the power to direct the VIE's activities and the obligation to absorb its losses or the right to receive its benefits, which are significant to the VIE. Accordingly, we are the primary beneficiary and we will continue to consolidate the Operating Partnership under this new guidance.
We apply the equity method of accounting to entities in which we do not have a direct or indirect controlling interest or for variable interest entities where we are not considered the primary beneficiary, but can exercise influence over the entity with respect to its operations and major decisions.
(b)
Identified Intangibles and Goodwill
As of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the gross carrying amount of identified intangible assets and goodwill, a component of escrow deposits, goodwill and other assets, net on our consolidated balance sheets, was approximately $12.1 million. As of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, this amount was comprised of approximately $4.3 million of identified intangible assets and approximately $7.8 million of goodwill. Accumulated amortization of identified intangible assets was approximately $2.8 million as of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
As of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the gross carrying amount of in-place lease intangible assets, a component of buildings and other depreciable property on our consolidated balance sheets, was approximately $75.9 million. Accumulated amortization of in-place lease intangible assets was approximately $75.0 million and $74.0 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
(c)
Restricted Cash
Cash as of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 included approximately $5.3 million of restricted cash for the payment of capital improvements, insurance or real estate taxes.

9


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(d)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments include notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses, interest rate swaps and mortgage notes payable. We disclose the estimated fair value of our financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (Level 1, 2 and 3).
Our mortgage notes payable and term loan, excluding deferred financing costs of approximately $18.4 million and $18.9 million, respectively, had an aggregate carrying value of approximately $2,077.7 million and $2,110.2 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and a fair value of approximately $2,066.7 million and $2,081.2 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The fair value was measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar liabilities (Level 2). At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our cash flow hedge of interest rate risk included in accrued expenses and accounts payable was measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar assets and liabilities (Level 2). We consider our own credit risk as well as the credit risk of our counterparties when evaluating the fair value of our derivative. The fair values of our notes receivable approximate their carrying or contract values. We also utilize Level 2 and Level 3 inputs as part of our determination of the purchase price allocation for our acquisitions.
(e)
New Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2017, the FASB issued ("ASU 2017-01") Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 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. ASU 2017-01 will be effective for annual reporting beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued (“ASU 2016-15”) Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230). ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on how certain cash receipts and cash payments are to be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact, if any, that adoption of this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued (“ASU 2016-13”) Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 also requires enhanced disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact, if any, that adoption of this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ("ASU 2016-02") Leases. ASU 2016-02 amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. ASU 2016-02 will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of income. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ("ASU 2014-09") Revenue from Contracts with Customers which along with related subsequent amendments will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018, however early application beginning on January 1, 2017 is permitted. The standard permits the use of either the full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method.

10


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

We expect to adopt ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method. We are evaluating the complete impact of the adoption to our consolidated financial results. Our primary source of revenue is generated through leasing arrangements, which are excluded from ASU 2014-09. We continue to evaluate and are in the process of quantifying the impact, if any, the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our non-lease revenue streams, including right-to-use annual payments, right-to-use contracts, and utility and other income.
Note 3 – Earnings Per Common Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per Common Share for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
Net income available for Common Stockholders – basic
$
56,888

 
$
50,583

 
Amounts allocated to dilutive securities
3,890

 
4,310

 
Net income available for Common Stockholders – fully diluted
$
60,778

 
$
54,893

 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – basic
86,048

 
84,321

 
Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Redemption of Common OP Units for Common Shares
6,588

 
7,208

 
Stock options and restricted shares
375

 
512

 
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – fully diluted
93,011

 
92,041

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Common Share – Basic:
 
 
 
 
Net income available for Common Stockholders
$
0.66

 
$
0.60

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Common Share – Fully Diluted:
 
 
 
 
Net income available for Common Stockholders
$
0.65

 
$
0.60

 
Note 4 – Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions
Dividends
On March 31, 2017 we paid a$0.421875 per share distribution on our depositary shares (each representing 1/100 of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock) to stockholders of record on March 10, 2017.
On April 14, 2017 we paid a $0.4875 per share distribution to Common Stockholders of record on March 31, 2017.
Conversions
Subject to certain limitations, holders of Common Operating Partnership units ("OP units") can convert their units to Common Stock at any time. During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, 1,231,796 OP units were converted to an equal number of shares of Common Stock.

11


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Note 5 – Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
The following table summarizes our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (investment amounts in thousands with the number of Properties shown parenthetically as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment as of
 
Joint Venture Income for the
Quarters Ended
Investment
 
Location
 
 Number of 
Sites
 
Economic
Interest
(a)
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
March 31,
2017
 
March 31,
2016
Meadows
 
Various (2,2)
 
1,077

 
50
%
 
 
$
208

 
$
510

 
$
548

 
$
246

Lakeshore
 
Florida (2,2)
 
344

 
65
%
 
 
59

 
56

 
77

 
83

Voyager
 
Arizona (1,1)
 
1,801

 
50
%
(b) 
 
3,602

 
3,376

 
500

 
539

ECHO JV
 
Various
 

 
50
%
 
 
15,318

 
15,427

 
25

 
13

 
 
 
 
3,222

 
 
 
 
$
19,187

 
$
19,369

 
$
1,150

 
$
881

_____________________
(a)
The percentages shown approximate our economic interest as of March 31, 2017. Our legal ownership interest may differ.
(b)
Voyager joint venture primarily consists of a 50% interest in Voyager RV Resort and 33% interest in the utility plant servicing the Property.

We received approximately $1.1 million and $0.6 million in distributions from these joint ventures for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Approximately $0.2 million of the distributions made to us exceeded our basis in joint ventures for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and as such were recorded as income from unconsolidated joint ventures. None of the distributions made to us exceeded our basis in joint ventures for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
Note 6 – Borrowing Arrangements
Mortgage Notes Payable
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had outstanding mortgage indebtedness of approximately $1,859.9 million and $1,891.9 million, respectively, excluding deferred financing costs. During the quarter ended March 31, 2017 we paid off one maturing mortgage loan of approximately $21.1 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.76%per annum, secured by one manufactured home Property.
The weighted average interest rate, including the impact of premium/discount amortization and loan cost amortization on on mortgage indebtedness, for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was approximately 4.9% per annum. The debt bears interest at stated rates ranging from 3.5% to 8.9% per annum and matures on various dates ranging from 2017 to 2041. The debt encumbered a total of 125 and 126 of our Properties as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and the carrying value of such Properties was approximately $2,267.0 million and $2,296.6 million, as of such dates.
As of March 31, 2017, we are in compliance in all material respects with the covenants in our borrowing arrangements.
Note 7 – Equity Incentive Awards
Stock-based compensation expense, reported in general and administrative on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
Our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) was adopted by our Board of Directors on March 11, 2014 and approved by our stockholders on May 13, 2014. Pursuant to the 2014 Plan, our officers, directors, employees and consultants may be awarded (i) shares of common stock (“Restricted Stock Grants”), (ii) options to acquire shares of common stock (“Options”), including non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, and (iii) other forms of equity awards, subject to conditions and restrictions determined by the Compensation, Nominating, and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). The Compensation Committee will determine the vesting schedule, if any, of each Restricted Stock Grant or Option and the term of each Option, which term shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant. Shares that do not vest are forfeited. Dividends paid on restricted stock are not returnable, even if the underlying stock does not entirely vest. A maximum of 3,750,000 shares of common stock were originally available for grant under the 2014 Plan. As of March 31, 2017, 3,189,053 shares remained available for grant.

12


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7 – Equity Incentive Awards (continued)

Grants under the 2014 Plan are approved by the Compensation Committee, which determines the individuals eligible to receive awards, the types of awards, and the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to any award, except grants to directors which are approved by the Board of Directors.
On February 1, 2017, we awarded restricted stock grants for 75,000 shares of common stock at a fair market value of approximately $5.4 million to certain members of our senior management for their service in 2017. These restricted stock grants will vest on December 31, 2017.
The fair market value of our restricted stock grants was determined by using the closing share price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued and is recorded as compensation expense and paid in capital over the vesting period.
Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies
California Rent Control Litigation
As part of our effort to realize the value of our Properties subject to rent control, we previously initiated lawsuits against certain localities in California with the goal of achieving a level of regulatory fairness in California's rent control jurisdictions, and in particular those jurisdictions that prohibit increasing rents to market upon turnover. Such regulations allow tenants to sell their homes for a price that includes a premium above the intrinsic value of the homes. The premium represents the value of the future discounted rent-controlled rents, which is fully capitalized into the prices of the homes sold. In our view, such regulations result in a transfer to the tenants of the value of our land, which would otherwise be reflected in market rents. We have discovered through the litigation process that certain municipalities considered condemning our Properties at values well below the value of the underlying land. In our view, a failure to articulate market rents for Sites governed by restrictive rent control would put us at risk for condemnation or eminent domain proceedings based on artificially reduced rents. Such a physical taking, should it occur, could represent substantial lost value to stockholders. We are cognizant of the need for affordable housing in the jurisdictions, but assert that restrictive rent regulation does not promote this purpose because tenants pay to their sellers as part of the purchase price of the home all the future rent savings that are expected to result from the rent control regulations, eliminating any supposed improvement in the affordability of housing. In a more well-balanced regulatory environment, we would receive market rents that would eliminate the price premium for homes, which would trade at or near their intrinsic value. Such efforts have included the following matters:
We sued the City of San Rafael on October 13, 2000 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenging its rent control ordinance on constitutional grounds. While the District Court found the rent control ordinance unconstitutional, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the District Court and ruled that the ordinance had not unconstitutionally taken our property. On September 3, 2013, we filed a petition for review by the U.S. Supreme Court, which was denied.
On January 31, 2012, we sued the City of Santee in the United States District for the Southern District of California challenging its rent control ordinance on constitutional grounds. On September 26, 2013, we entered a settlement agreement with the City pursuant to which we are able to increase Site rents at the Meadowbrook community through January 1, 2034 as follows: (a) a one-time 2.5% rent increase on all Sites in January 2014; plus (b) annual rent increases of 100% of the consumer price index (CPI) beginning in 2014; and (c) a 10% increase in the rent on a site upon turnover of that site. Absent the settlement, the rent control ordinance limited us to annual rent increases of at most 70% of CPI with no increases on turnover of a site.
Colony Park
On December 1, 2006, a group of tenants at our Colony Park Property in Ceres, California filed a complaint in the California Superior Court for Stanislaus County alleging that we had failed to properly maintain the Property and had improperly reduced the services provided to the tenants, among other allegations. We answered the complaint by denying all material allegations and filed a counterclaim for declaratory relief and damages. The case proceeded in Superior Court because our motion to compel arbitration was denied and the denial was upheld on appeal. Trial of the case began on July 27, 2010. After just over three months of trial in which the plaintiffs asked the jury to award a total of approximately $6.8 million in damages, the jury rendered verdicts awarding a total of less than $44,000 to six out of the 72 plaintiffs, and awarding nothing to the other 66 plaintiffs. The plaintiffs who were awarded nothing filed a motion for a new trial or alternatively for judgment notwithstanding the jury's verdict, which the Superior Court denied on February 14, 2011. All but three of the 66 plaintiffs to whom the jury awarded nothing appealed. Oral argument in the appeal was held on September 19, 2013 and the matter was taken under submission by the California Court of Appeal.

13


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies (continued)


By orders entered on December 14, 2011, the Superior Court awarded us approximately $2.0 million in attorneys' fees and other costs jointly and severally against the plaintiffs to whom the jury awarded nothing, and awarded no attorneys' fees or costs to either side with respect to the six plaintiffs to whom the jury awarded less than $44,000. Plaintiffs filed an appeal from the approximately $2.0 million award of our attorneys' fees and other costs. Oral argument in that appeal was also held on September 19, 2013. On December 3, 2013, the Court of Appeal issued a partially published opinion that rejected all of plaintiffs' claims on appeal except one, relating to whether the park's rules prohibited the renting of spaces to recreational vehicles.  The Court of Appeal reversed the judgment on the recreational vehicle issue and remanded for further proceedings regarding that issue. Because the judgment was reversed, the award of attorney's fees and other costs was also reversed. Both sides filed rehearing petitions with the Court of Appeal. On December 31, 2013, the Court of Appeal granted the defendants' rehearing petition and ordered the parties to submit supplemental briefing, which the parties did. On March 10, 2014, the Court of Appeal issued a new partially published opinion in which it again rejected all of the plaintiffs' claims on appeal except the one relating to whether the park's rules prohibited the renting of spaces to recreational vehicles, reversing the judgment on that issue and remanding it for further proceedings, and accordingly vacating the award of attorney's fees and other costs.
As of result of a settlement we reached with the plaintiffs remaining in the litigation, pursuant to which among other provisions the parties agreed to mutually release all of their claims in the litigation without any payment by us, on September 28, 2015 the plaintiffs filed with the Superior Court a request for dismissal with prejudice of the entire action, to which we consented. On July 14, 2016, the Superior Court entered a dismissal of the action with prejudice.
California Hawaiian
On April 30, 2009, a group of tenants at our California Hawaiian Property in San Jose, California filed a complaint in the California Superior Court for Santa Clara County, Case No. 109CV140751, alleging that we have failed to properly maintain the Property and have improperly reduced the services provided to the tenants, among other allegations. We moved to compel arbitration and stay the proceedings, to dismiss the case, and to strike portions of the complaint. By order dated October 8, 2009, the Superior Court granted our motion to compel arbitration and stayed the court proceedings pending the outcome of the arbitration. The plaintiffs filed with the California Court of Appeal a petition for a writ seeking to overturn the Superior Court's arbitration and stay orders. On May 10, 2011, the Court of Appeal granted the petition and ordered the Superior Court to vacate its order compelling arbitration and to restore the matter to its litigation calendar for further proceedings. On May 24, 2011, we filed a petition for rehearing requesting the Court of Appeal to reconsider its May 10, 2011 decision. On June 8, 2011, the Court of Appeal denied the petition for rehearing. On June 16, 2011, we filed with the California Supreme Court a petition for review of the Court of Appeal's decision. On August 17, 2011, the California Supreme Court denied the petition for review.
The trial commenced on January 27, 2014. On April 14-15, 2014, the jury entered verdicts against our Operating Partnership of approximately $15.3 million in compensatory damages and approximately $95.8 million in punitive damages. On October 6, 2014, we filed a motion for a new trial and a motion for partial judgment notwithstanding the jury's verdict. On December 5, 2014, after briefing and a hearing on those motions, the Superior Court entered an order granting us a new trial on the issue of damages while upholding the jury's determination of liability. As grounds for the ruling, the Superior Court cited excessive damages and insufficiency of the evidence to support the verdict as to the amount of damages awarded by the jury. The Superior Court's ruling overturned the April 2014 verdicts of $15.3 million in compensatory damages and $95.8 million in punitive damages. On January 28, 2015, we and the plaintiffs each served notices of appeal from the Superior Court's December 5, 2014 order. The Court of Appeal issued an order setting the briefing sequence and ordered commencement of the briefing. On December 15, 2015, the plaintiffs filed their opening appellants’ brief; on March 25, 2016, we filed our combined respondents’ and opening brief; on July 8, 2016, the plaintiffs filed their combined reply and cross-respondents’ brief; and on September 26, 2016, we filed our reply brief, which was the final brief pursuant to the Court of Appeal's order setting forth the briefing sequence.
We believe the allegations had no merit, and we vigorously defended ourselves in the lawsuit. However, as described below in “Settlement of the California Hawaiian, Monte del Lago and Santiago Estates Matters,” we settled this matter. See below for further details.
Monte del Lago
On February 13, 2015, a group of tenants at our Monte del Lago Property in Castroville, California filed a complaint in the California Superior Court for Monterey County, Case No. M131016, alleging that we have failed to properly maintain the Property and have improperly reduced the services provided to the tenants, among other allegations. On May 13, 2015, we filed a motion to compel arbitration with respect to certain plaintiffs and to stay the litigation pending the conclusion of the arbitration proceedings. Hearings on the motion were held on July 17, 2015 and September 18, 2015. On October 7, 2015, the Superior Court denied our

14


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies (continued)


motion. On December 3, 2015, we filed a notice of appeal from the denial of our motion, and on October 4, 2016, we filed our opening appellants' brief.
We believe the allegations had no merit, and we vigorously defended ourselves in the lawsuit. However, as described below in “Settlement of the California Hawaiian, Monte del Lago and Santiago Estates Matters,” we settled this matter. See below for further details.
Santiago Estates
On September 4, 2015, a group of tenants at our Santiago Estates Property in Sylmar, California filed a complaint in the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County, Case No. BC593831, alleging that we have failed to properly maintain the Property and have improperly reduced the services provided to the tenants, among other allegations. We believe the allegations are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the lawsuit.
On November 24, 2015, we filed a motion to compel arbitration with respect to certain plaintiffs and to stay the litigation pending the conclusion of the arbitration proceedings. The hearing on that motion was held on August 19, 2016, and the Superior Court granted our motion and ordered the plaintiffs subject to arbitration agreements to resolve all claims alleged in their complaint by arbitration and stayed the remainder of the litigation while the arbitration proceeded. On September 12, 2016, we filed a demand for arbitration seeking, among other things, a declaration, with respect to the plaintiffs subject to arbitration agreements, that their claims are without merit as well as for recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs. On September 30, 2016, plaintiffs filed an ex parte motion in the Superior Court requesting that the Superior Court stay the arbitration proceedings. The Superior Court heard oral argument on the motion on September 30, 2016, we filed a written opposition brief on October 5, 2016 and the Superior Court denied the motion on October 14, 2016. On October 18, 2016, the plaintiffs filed with the California Court of Appeal a petition for a writ seeking to overturn the Superior Court’s order compelling arbitration and requested an immediate stay of the arbitration. On October 19, 2016, the Court of Appeal denied the request for stay, without prejudice to plaintiffs’ resubmitting the request in the event they make a stay request to the arbitrator and that request is denied.
We believe the allegations had no merit, and we vigorously defended ourselves in the lawsuit. However, as described below in “Settlement of the California Hawaiian, Monte del Lago and Santiago Estates Matters,” we settled this matter. See below for further details.

Settlement of the California Hawaiian, Monte del Lago and Santiago Estates Matters
On January 18, 2017, we entered into agreements pursuant to which we agreed to settle each of the California Hawaiian matter, the Monte del Lago matter and the Santiago Estates matter. The settlement agreements provide that $9.9 million will be paid to settle the California Hawaiian matter, $1.5 million will be paid to settle the Monte del Lago matter and $1.9 million will be paid to settle the Santiago Estates matter. As a result, a litigation settlement payable was recorded in Accrued expenses and accounts payable as of December 31, 2016. In addition, an insurance receivable was recorded in escrow deposits, goodwill and other assets, net as of December 31, 2016, resulting in a net settlement of approximately $2.4 million reflected as a component of property rights initiatives and other, net on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2016. During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the settlements were finalized, the settlement payments were made and the insurance payments were received. Each of the three plaintiff groups is represented by the same law firm, and these settlements resolved all pending matters brought by plaintiffs’ counsel against us or any of our affiliates. Pursuant to the settlement agreements, all plaintiffs provided full releases to each of the defendants and their affiliates including with respect to the claims alleged in the lawsuits, and each of the lawsuits and related appeals were dismissed with prejudice. The settlements do not constitute an admission of liability by us or any of our affiliates and were made to avoid the costs, risks and uncertainties inherent in litigation.

Civil Investigation by Certain California District Attorneys
In November 2014, we received a civil investigative subpoena from the office of the District Attorney for Monterey County, California ("MCDA"), seeking information relating to, among other items, statewide compliance with asbestos and hazardous waste regulations dating back to 2005 primarily in connection with demolition and renovation projects performed by third-party contractors at our California Properties. We responded by providing the information required by the subpoena.
On October 20, 2015, we attended a meeting with representatives of the MCDA and certain other District Attorneys' offices at which the MCDA reviewed the preliminary results of their investigation including, among other things, (i) alleged violations of asbestos and related regulations associated with approximately 200 historical demolition and renovation projects in California;

15


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies (continued)


(ii) potential exposure to civil penalties and unpaid fees; and (iii) next steps with respect to a negotiated resolution of the alleged violations. No legal proceedings have been instituted to date and we are involved in settlement discussions with the District Attorneys' offices. We continue to assess the allegations and the underlying facts, and at this time we are unable to predict the outcome of the investigation or reasonably estimate any possible loss.
Alpine Lake RV Resort OSHA Citations
On February 19, 2016, we received a Citation and Notice of Penalty from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) alleging two willful and seven serious safety violations relating to the design and maintenance of the electrical system at our Alpine Lake RV Resort in Corinth, New York, and assessing fines totaling $0.2 million. We retained a certified third-party electrician and addressed the items raised in the citations.
On March 9, 2016, we attended an informal conference in Albany, New York with the OSHA Area Director. The matter was not resolved at the meeting, and we filed the required notice of contest on March 10, 2016 after which the matter was transferred to the Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission, which is represented by a solicitor from the Department of Labor. The solicitor filed a complaint on May 20, 2016, and the parties participated in a formal settlement conference on June 22, 2016. The parties did not reach a settlement at the formal settlement conference; however the parties continued to engage in settlement discussions. Trial had been scheduled for April 2017. On March 17, 2017, the parties entered into a settlement agreement which, among other things, reclassifies the two willful citations to serious, provides for abatement of the matters included in the citations and requires us to implement certain safety measures. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, we agreed to pay a fine totaling $0.1 million following approval of the settlement agreement by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Other
In addition to legal matters discussed above, we are involved in various other legal and regulatory proceedings ("Other Proceedings") arising in the ordinary course of business. The Other Proceedings include, but are not limited to, notices, consent decrees, information requests, and additional permit requirements and other similar enforcement actions by governmental agencies relating to our utility infrastructure, including water and wastewater treatment plants and other waste treatment facilities and electrical systems. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, our operations are subject to audit by various taxing authorities. Management believes these Other Proceedings taken together do not represent a material liability. In addition, to the extent any such proceedings or audits relate to newly acquired Properties, we consider any potential indemnification obligations of sellers in our favor.


16


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 9 – Reportable Segments
We have identified two reportable segments which are: (i) Property Operations and (ii) Home Sales and Rentals Operations. The Property Operations segment owns and operates land lease Properties and the Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment purchases, sells and leases homes at the Properties. The distribution of the Properties throughout the United States reflects our belief that geographic diversification helps insulate the portfolio from regional economic influences.
All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of our total revenues during the quarters ended March 31, 2017 or 2016.
The following tables summarize our segment financial information for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):                                
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2017
 
Property
Operations
 
Home Sales
and Rentals
Operations
 
Consolidated
Operations revenues
$
218,988

 
$
10,874

 
$
229,862

Operations expenses
(97,257
)
 
(9,595
)
 
(106,852
)
Income from segment operations
121,731

 
1,279

 
123,010

Interest income
729

 
1,038

 
1,767

Depreciation on real estate assets and rental homes
(27,410
)
 
(2,699
)
 
(30,109
)
Amortization of in-place leases
(1,032
)
 

 
(1,032
)
Income (loss) from operations
$
94,018

 
$
(382
)
 
$
93,636

Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate interest income
 
 
 
 
3

Income from other investments, net
 
 
 
 
757

General and administrative
 
 
 
 
(7,373
)
Property rights initiatives and other
 
 
 
 
(219
)
Interest and related amortization
 
 
 
 
(24,879
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
 
 
 
 
1,150

Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
$
63,075

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
3,247,523

 
$
223,518

 
$
3,471,041

Capital improvements
$
13,198

 
$
11,156

 
$
24,354


 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
 
Property
Operations
 
Home Sales
and Rentals
Operations
 
Consolidated
Operations revenues
$
204,726

 
$
12,038

 
$
216,764

Operations expenses
(90,512
)
 
(10,640
)
 
(101,152
)
Income from segment operations
114,214

 
1,398

 
115,612

Interest income
718

 
918

 
1,636

Depreciation on real estate assets and rental homes
(25,965
)
 
(2,691
)
 
(28,656
)
Amortization of in-place leases
(335
)
 

 
(335
)
Income from operations
$
88,632

 
$
(375
)
 
88,257

Reconciliation to Consolidated net income:
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate interest income
 
 
 
 
24

Income from other investments, net
 
 
 
 
1,723

General and administrative
 
 
 
 
(7,407
)
Property rights initiatives and other
 
 
 
 
(654
)
Interest and related amortization
 
 
 
 
(25,634
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
 
 
 
 
881

Consolidated net income
 
 
 
 
$
57,190

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
3,176,748

 
$
238,377

 
$
3,415,125


17


Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table summarizes our financial information for the Property Operations segment for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):    
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
March 31,
2016
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Community base rental income
$
120,692

 
$
114,076

 
Resort base rental income
61,068

 
55,434

 
Right-to-use annual payments
11,252

 
11,054

 
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
3,206

 
2,532

 
Right-to-use contract upfront payments, deferred, net
(775
)
 
(302
)
 
Utility and other income
22,126

 
20,793

 
Ancillary services revenues, net
1,419

 
1,139

 
Total property operations revenues
218,988

 
204,726

 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
Property operating and maintenance
68,054

 
62,954

 
Real estate taxes
14,037

 
13,198

 
Sales and marketing, gross
2,690

 
2,493

 
Right-to-use contract commissions, deferred, net
(84
)
 
104

 
Property management
12,560

 
11,763

 
Total property operations expenses
97,257

 
90,512

 
Income from property operations segment
$
121,731

 
$
114,214

 

The following table summarizes our financial information for the Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 
Quarters Ended
 
March 31,
2017
 
March 31,
2016
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Gross revenue from home sales
$
7,027

 
$
8,214

 
Brokered resale revenues, net
242

 
279

 
Rental home income (a)
3,605

 
3,545

 
Total revenues
10,874

 
12,038

 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
Cost of home sales
7,119

 
8,281

 
Home selling expenses
925

 
834

 
Rental home operating and maintenance
1,551

 
1,525

 
Total expenses
9,595

 
10,640

 
Income from home sales and rentals operations segment
$
1,279

 
$
1,398

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



18


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

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and with the information under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Overview
We are a self-administered, self-managed, real estate investment trust (“REIT”) with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. We are a fully integrated owner and operator of lifestyle-oriented properties (“Properties”) consisting primarily of manufactured home ("MH") communities and recreational vehicle ("RV") resorts and campgrounds. As of March 31, 2017, we owned or had an ownership interest in a portfolio of 391 Properties located throughout the United States and Canada containing 146,609 Sites. These properties are located in 32 states and British Columbia, with more than 80 Properties with lake, river or ocean frontage and more than 100 Properties within 10 miles of the coastal United States.

We generate the majority of our revenues from customers renting our Sites, or entering into right-to-use contracts (also referred to as membership products) which provide our customers access to specific Properties for limited stays. Our MH community Sites and annual RV resort Sites are leased on an annual basis. Seasonal Sites are leased to customers generally for one to six months. Transient Sites are leased to customers on a short-term basis. The revenue from seasonal and transient Sites is generally higher during the first and third quarters. We consider the transient revenue stream to be our most volatile as it is subject to weather conditions and other factors affecting the RV customer's vacation and travel preferences. Sites designated as right-to-use Sites are primarily utilized to service the approximately 105,300 customers who have entered into right-to-use contracts (otherwise referred to as "memberships" or "membership dues"). We also have interests in joint venture Properties for which revenue is classified as Equity in income from unconsolidated joint ventures in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The breakdown of our Sites by type are as follows (amounts are approximate):

 
Total Sites as of March 31, 2017
Community Sites
71,000

Resort Sites:
 
Annual
26,600

Seasonal
11,200

Transient
10,500

Right-to-use (1)
24,100

Joint Ventures (2)
3,200

 
146,600

_________________________ 
(1) 
Includes approximately 5,700 Sites rented on an annual basis.
(2) 
Joint ventures have approximately 2,300 annual Sites, approximately 400 seasonal Sites and approximately 500 transient Sites.

In our Home Sales and Rental Operations business our revenue streams include home sales, home rentals, brokerage services and ancillary activities. We generate revenue through home sales and rental operations by selling or leasing Site Set homes that are located in Properties owned and managed by us. We continue to focus on our rental operations, as we believe renting our vacant new homes may represent an attractive source of occupancy and the opportunity to convert to a new homebuyer in the future. We also sell and rent homes through our joint venture, ECHO Financing, LLC (the "ECHO JV"). We provide brokerage services to residents of our Properties who move from a Property but do not relocate their home. In addition, we operate ancillary activities at certain Properties, such as golf courses, pro shops, stores and restaurants.
In the manufactured housing industry chattel financing options are limited. Financing options available today include community owner funded programs or third party lender programs that provide subsidized financing to customers and require the community owner to guarantee customer defaults. Third party lender programs have stringent underwriting criteria, sizable down payment requirements, short loan amortization and high interest rates. We have a limited program under which we purchase loans made by an unaffiliated lender to purchasers of homes at our Properties.
We invest in Properties in sought-after locations near retirement and vacation destinations and urban areas across the United States with a focus on increasing operating cash flows. We seek growth in earnings, funds from operations ("FFO") and cash flows by enhancing the profitability and operation of our Properties and investments. We seek to accomplish this by attracting high quality customers to our Properties and retaining these customers who take pride in the Property and in their homes and efficiently

19

Management's Discussion (continued)

managing our Properties to increase operating margins by increasing occupancy, maintaining competitive market rents and controlling expenses.
We actively seek to acquire and are currently engaged in various stages of negotiations relating to the possible acquisition of additional properties, which may include contracts outstanding to acquire such properties that are subject to the satisfactory completion of our due diligence review.
We consider FFO, Normalized funds from operations ("NFFO"), Income from property operations, Income from property operations, excluding deferrals and property management, and Core Portfolio income from property operations, excluding deferrals and property management, (operating results for properties owned and operated in both periods under comparison) to be key measures of operating performance that are not specifically defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. We use these measures internally to evaluate the operating performance of our portfolio and provide a basis for comparison with other real estate companies. Definitions and reconciliations of these measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included below in this discussion.
Results Overview

Net income available for Common Stockholders increased $6.3 million, to $56.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to $50.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Both FFO per diluted share and NFFO per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 were $1.00 compared to $0.92 for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 driven by improved Core and Non-Core income from property operations.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2017 property operating revenues in our Core Portfolio, excluding deferrals, were up 4.3% and property operating expenses in our Core Portfolio, excluding deferrals and property management, were up 5.2% from the quarter ended March 31, 2016, resulting in an increase in our income from property operations before deferrals and property management of 3.8%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
We continue to focus on the quality of occupancy growth by increasing the number of manufactured homeowners in our Core Portfolio. Our Core Portfolio average occupancy consists of occupied home sites in our MH communities (both homeowners and renters) and was 94.0% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to 93.5% for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 and 93.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, we increased occupancy of manufactured homes within our Core Portfolio by 141 sites with an increase in homeowner occupancy of 128 sites compared to occupancy as of December 31, 2016. By comparison, as of March 31, 2016, our Core Portfolio occupancy increased 136 sites with an increase in homeowner occupancy of 141 sites compared to occupancy at December 31, 2015.
We continue to experience growth in revenues in our Core RV Portfolio as a result of our ability to increase rental rates and occupancy. RV revenues in our Core Portfolio for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 were 3.0% higher than the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Annual, seasonal and transient revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 increased 4.6%, 1.4% and 0.5%, respectively, from the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
We continue to offer the Thousand Trails Camping Pass (“TTC”) and since the introduction of this low-cost membership product, we have entered into approximately 67,300 TTCs. Our renewal rate for these memberships is approximately 31.2%. In addition, as a customer acquisition tool we have relationships with a network of RV dealers to provide them with a free one-year TTC membership to give to their customers in connection with the purchase of an RV. Since inception, we have activated approximately 49,700 TTCs through the RV dealer program. During the quarter we activated 2,529 TTCs and 3,506 RV dealer TTCs. During 2016 approximately 13.2% of customers who activated their RV dealer TTC renewed after the first year.
Our social media presence continues to increase within our RV customer base and we continue to be successful at providing a venue for our customers to promote our Properties by encouraging them to share their memories of their experiences at our resorts. We continue to develop targeted marketing campaigns to drive traffic to our properties and websites.
We continue to see high demand for our homes and communities. We closed 120 new home sales in the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to 121 during the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The recent new home sales have been primarily in our Florida and Colorado communities.
As of March 31, 2017, we had 4,764 occupied rental homes in our MH communities. For the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, home rental program net operating income was approximately $8.1 million and $8.4 million, respectively, net of rental asset depreciation expense of approximately $2.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and $2.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Approximately $8.8 million and $9.0 million of home rental operations revenue was included in community base rental income for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively.

20

Management's Discussion (continued)

Our gross investment in real estate has increased approximately $17.5 million to $4,702.8 million as of March 31, 2017 from $4,685.3 million as of December 31, 2016 primarily due to increased capital expenditures.
The following chart lists both the Properties acquired or invested in since January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017, which represents our Non-Core Portfolio; and Sites added through expansion opportunities at our existing Properties.
Property
 
Location
 
Type of Property
 
Transaction  Date
 
Sites
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Sites as of January 1, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
143,938

Acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rose Bay
 
Port Orange, Florida
 
RV
 
January 27, 2016
 
303

Portland Fairview
 
Fairview, Oregon
 
RV
 
May 26, 2016
 
407

Forest Lake Estates
 
Zephryhills, Florida
 
RV, MH
 
June 15, 2016
 
1,168

Riverside RV
 
Arcadia, Florida
 
RV
 
October 13, 2016
 
499

Expansion Site Development and other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sites added (reconfigured) in 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
295

Net Sites added (reconfigured) in 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
Total Sites as of March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
146,609

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Income from Property Operations and Core Portfolio
We use Income from property operations and Income from property operations, excluding deferrals and property management and Core Portfolio income from property operations, excluding deferrals and property management, as alternative measures to evaluate the operating results of our manufactured home and RV communities. Income from property operations, represents rental income, utility income and right-to-use income less property operating and maintenance expenses, real estate tax, sales and marketing expenses and property management expenses. Income from property operations, excluding deferrals and property management represents income from property operations excluding property management expenses and the impact of the GAAP deferral of right-to-use contract upfront payments and related commissions, net. Our Core Portfolio consists of our Properties owned and operated since December 31, 2015. Core Portfolio income from property operations, excluding deferrals and property management is useful to investors for annual comparison as it removes the fluctuations associated with acquisitions, dispositions and significant transactions or unique situations. Our Non-Core Portfolio (or Acquisitions) includes all Properties were not owned and operated during 2016 and 2017.
Funds from Operations ("FFO") and Normalized Funds from Operations ("NFFO")
We define FFO as net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains and actual or estimated losses from sales of properties, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, impairments, if any, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures are calculated to reflect FFO on the same basis. We compute FFO in accordance with our interpretation of standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), which may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than we do. We receive up-front non-refundable payments from the entry of right-to-use contracts. In accordance with GAAP, the upfront non-refundable payments and related commissions are deferred and amortized over the estimated customer life. Although the NAREIT definition of FFO does not address the treatment of non-refundable right-to-use payments, we believe that it is appropriate to adjust for the impact of the deferral activity in our calculation of FFO.
We define NFFO as FFO excluding the following non-operating income and expense items: a) the financial impact of contingent consideration; b) gains and losses from early debt extinguishment, including prepayment penalties and defeasance costs; c) property acquisition and other transaction costs related to mergers and acquisitions; and d) other miscellaneous non-comparable items. NFFO presented herein is not necessarily comparable to NFFO presented by other real estate companies due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same methodology for computing this amount.
We believe that FFO and Normalized FFO are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the performance of an equity REIT. We believe that by excluding the effect of depreciation, amortization, impairments, if any, and actual or estimated gains or losses from sales of real estate, all of which are based on historical costs and which may be of limited relevance in evaluating current performance, FFO can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and among other equity REITs. We further believe that Normalized FFO provides useful information to investors, analysts and our management because it allows them to compare our operating performance to the operating performance of other real estate companies and between periods on a consistent basis without having to account for differences not related to our operations. For example, we believe that excluding

21

Management's Discussion (continued)

the early extinguishment of debt, property acquisition and other transaction costs related to mergers and acquisitions from NFFO allows investors, analysts and our management to assess the sustainability of operating performance in future periods because these costs do not affect the future operations of the properties. In some cases, we provide information about identified non-cash components of FFO and NFFO because it allows investors, analysts and our management to assess the impact of those items.
Our definitions and calculations of these non-GAAP financial and operating measures and other terms may differ from the definitions and methodologies used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable. These non-GAAP financial and operating measures do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, nor do they represent cash available to pay distributions and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indication of our financial performance, or to cash flow from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as a measure of our liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions.
The following table reconciles Net income available for Common Stockholders to Income from property operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Total Portfolio
 
 
 
Quarters Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Computation of Income from Property Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available for Common Stockholders
 
$
56,888

 
$
50,583

 
Series C Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Dividends
 
2,297

 
2,297

 
Income allocated to non-controlling interests - Common OP Units
 
3,890

 
4,310

 
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
 
(1,150
)
 
(881
)
 
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
 
61,925

 
56,309

 
Total other expenses, net
 
61,085

 
59,303

 
Income from home sales operations and other
 
(644
)
 
(517
)
 
Income from property operations
 
$
122,366

 
$
115,095

 
The following table presents a calculation of FFO available for Common Stock and OP Unit holders and Normalized FFO available for Common Stock and OP Unit holders for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Computation of FFO and Normalized FFO:
 
 
 
 
Net income available for Common Stockholders
 
$
56,888

 
$
50,583

Income allocated to common OP units
 
3,890

 
4,310

Right-to-use contract upfront payments, deferred, net
 
775

 
302

Right-to-use contract commissions, deferred, net
 
(84
)
 
104

Depreciation on real estate assets
 
27,452

 
26,008

Depreciation on rental homes
 
2,657

 
2,647

Amortization of in-place leases
 
1,032

 
335

Depreciation on unconsolidated joint ventures
 
447

 
290

FFO available for Common Stock and OP Unit holders
 
93,057

 
84,579

Transaction costs
 
104

 
200

Normalized FFO available for Common Stock and OP Unit holders
 
$
93,161

 
$
84,779

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – fully diluted
 
93,011

 
92,041


22

Management's Discussion (continued)

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Quarter Ended March 31, 2017 to the Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
Income from Property Operations
The following table summarizes certain financial and statistical data for the Core Portfolio and the total portfolio for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands). The Core Portfolio in this discussion includes all Properties acquired on or before December 31, 2015 and which we have owned and operated continuously since January 1, 2016. Core Portfolio growth percentages exclude the impact of GAAP deferrals of upfront payments from right-to-use contracts and related commissions.
 
Core Portfolio
 
Total Portfolio
 
2017
 
2016
 
Variance
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Community base rental income
$
119,579

 
$
114,076

 
$
5,503

 
4.8
%
 
$
120,692

 
$
114,076

 
$
6,616

 
5.8
%
Rental home income
3,605

 
3,545

 
60

 
1.7
%
 
3,605

 
3,545

 
60

 
1.7
%
Resort base rental income
56,850

 
55,208

 
1,642

 
3.0
%
 
61,068

 
55,434

 
5,634

 
10.2
%
Right-to-use annual payments
11,252

 
11,054

 
198

 
1.8
%
 
11,252

 
11,054

 
198

 
1.8
%
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
3,206

 
2,532

 
674

 
26.6
%
 
3,206

 
2,532

 
674

 
26.6
%
Utility and other income
21,684

 
20,781

 
903

 
4.3
%
 
22,126

 
20,793

 
1,333

 
6.4
%
Property operating revenues, excluding deferrals
216,176

 
207,196

 
8,980

 
4.3
%
 
221,949

 
207,434

 
14,515

 
7.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Property operating and maintenance
66,343

 
62,822

 
3,521

 
5.6
%
 
68,054

 
62,954

 
5,100

 
8.1
%
Rental home operating and maintenance
1,551

 
1,525

 
26

 
1.7
%
 
1,551

 
1,525

 
26

 
1.7
%
Real estate taxes
13,570

 
13,177

 
393

 
3.0
%
 
14,037

 
13,198

 
839

 
6.4
%
Sales and marketing, gross
2,689

 
2,493

 
196

 
7.9
%
 
2,690

 
2,493

 
197

 
7.9
%
Property operating expenses, excluding deferrals and Property management
84,153

 
80,017

 
4,136

 
5.2
%
 
86,332

 
80,170

 
6,162

 
7.7
%
Income from property operations, excluding deferrals and Property management (1)
132,023

 
127,179

 
4,844

 
3.8
%
 
135,617

 
127,264

 
8,353

 
6.6
%
Property management
12,560

 
11,763

 
797

 
6.8
%
 
12,560

 
11,763

 
797

 
6.8
%
Income from property operations, excluding deferrals (1)
119,463

 
115,416

 
4,047

 
3.5
%
 
123,057

 
115,501

 
7,556

 
6.5
%
Right-to-use contracts, deferred and sales and marketing, deferred, net
691

 
406

 
285

 
70.2
%
 
691

 
406

 
285

 
70.2
%
Income from property operations (1)
$
118,772

 
$
115,010

 
$
3,762

 
3.3
%
 
$
122,366

 
$
115,095


$
7,271

 
6.3
%
__________________________
(1)     Non-GAAP measure.
Total Portfolio income from property operations, which includes recently acquired properties, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 increased $7.3 million, or 6.3%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2016, driven by an increase of $3.8 million, or 3.3%, in our Core Portfolio income from property operations and a $3.5 million increase in our Non-Core income from property operations.
Property Operating Revenues
Community base rental income in our Core Portfolio for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 increased $5.5 million, or 4.8%, which reflects 3.9% growth from rate increases and approximately 0.9% growth from occupancy gains. The average monthly base rental income per Site increased to approximately $606 for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 from approximately $584 for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The average occupancy for the Core Portfolio increased to 94.0% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 from 93.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

23

Management's Discussion (continued)


Resort base rental income in our Core Portfolio for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 increased $1.6 million, or 3.0%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2016 primarily due to an increase in annual revenues as a result of increased rates. Resort base rental income is comprised of the following (amounts in thousands):
 
Core Portfolio
 
Total Portfolio
 
2017
 
2016
 
Variance
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Annual
$
31,239

 
$
29,864

 
$
1,375

 
4.6
%
 
$
32,096

 
$
30,010

 
$
2,086

 
7.0
%
Seasonal
16,383

 
16,159

 
224

 
1.4
%
 
18,499

 
16,215

 
2,284

 
14.1
%
Transient
9,228

 
9,185

 
43

 
0.5
%
 
10,473

 
9,209

 
1,264

 
13.7
%
Resort base rental income
$
56,850

 
$
55,208

 
$
1,642

 
3.0
%
 
$
61,068

 
$
55,434

 
$
5,634

 
10.2
%
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross, net of sales and marketing, gross, increased by $0.5 million, primarily as a result of higher upgrade sales. During the quarter ended March 31, 2017 there were 625 upgrade sales with an average price per sale of $5,128. This compares to 526 upgrade sales with an average price per sale of $4,813 for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
The increase in utility and other income is primarily due to insurance proceeds received related to weather events and increased trash, water and sewer income recovery.
Property Operating Expenses

Property operating expenses, excluding deferrals and property management, in our Core Portfolio for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 increased $4.1 million, or 5.2%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2016 primarily driven by an increase in utility expenses, property payroll and repairs and maintenance. The increase in utility expense was driven by increases in trash, gas, water and electric expenses, which is partially offset by increased utility income recovery. The increase in property payroll expense resulted from 2017 salary increases. The increase in repairs and maintenance expense was largely due to extraordinary expenses, including expenses related to insurance losses, such as clean-up costs following Hurricane Hermine, Hurricane Matthew and heavy rainfall and flooding in California; as well as costs related to the demolition of a water park at one of our Properties.
Home Sales and Rental Operations
Home Sales and Other
The following table summarizes certain financial and statistical data for Home Sales for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands, except home sales volumes).
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Gross revenues from new home sales (1)
 
$
4,943

 
$
5,399

 
$
(456
)
 
(8.4
)%
Cost of new home sales (1)
 
(4,772
)
 
(5,452
)
 
680

 
12.5
 %
Gross profit from new home sales
 
171

 
(53
)
 
224

 
422.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross revenues from used home sales
 
2,084

 
2,815

 
(731
)
 
(26.0
)%
Cost of used home sales
 
(2,347
)
 
(2,829
)
 
482

 
17.0
 %
Loss from used home sales
 
(263
)
 
(14
)
 
(249
)
 
(1,778.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brokered resale revenues and ancillary services revenues, net
 
1,661

 
1,418

 
243

 
17.1
 %
Home selling expenses
 
(925
)
 
(834
)
 
(91
)
 
(10.9
)%
Income from home sales and other
 
$
644

 
$
517

 
$
127

 
24.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home sales volumes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total new home sales (2)
 
120

 
121

 
(1
)
 
(0.8
)%
 New Home Sales Volume - ECHO JV
 
37

 
34

 
3

 
8.8
 %
Used home sales
 
285

 
311

 
(26
)
 
(8.4
)%
Brokered home resales
 
168

 
186

 
(18
)
 
(9.7
)%
_________________________
(1) New home sales gross revenues and costs of new home sales does not include the revenues and costs associated with our ECHO JV.
(2) Total new home sales volume includes home sales from our ECHO JV for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively.

24

Management's Discussion (continued)

The increase in income from home sales and other is primarily due to higher revenue from ancillary services, which includes retail sales at various Properties, partially offset by higher gross losses on used home sales and higher home selling expenses.
Rental Operations
The following table summarizes certain financial and statistical data for manufactured home Rental Operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands, except rental unit volumes).
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Manufactured homes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Home
 
$
6,563

 
$
6,141

 
$
422

 
6.9
 %
Used Home
 
5,785

 
6,390

 
(605
)
 
(9.5
)%
Rental operations revenue (1)
 
12,348

 
12,531

 
(183
)
 
(1.5
)%
Rental home operating and maintenance
 
(1,551
)
 
(1,525
)
 
(26
)
 
(1.7
)%
Income from rental operations
 
10,797

 
11,006

 
(209
)
 
(1.9
)%
Depreciation on rental homes (2)
 
(2,657
)
 
(2,647
)
 
(10
)
 
(0.4
)%
Income from rental operations, net of depreciation
 
$
8,140

 
$
8,359

 
$
(219
)
 
(2.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross investment in new manufactured home rental units (3)
 
$
128,301

 
$
115,639

 
$
12,662

 
10.9
 %
Gross investment in used manufactured home rental units
 
$
49,991

 
$
56,455

 
$
(6,464
)
 
(11.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment in new manufactured home rental units
 
$
99,845

 
$
92,323

 
$
7,522

 
8.1
 %
Net investment in used manufactured home rental units
 
$
21,617

 
$
33,616

 
$
(11,999
)
 
(35.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of occupied rentals – new, end of period (4)
 
2,467

 
2,247

 
220

 
9.8
 %
Number of occupied rentals – used, end of period
 
2,297

 
2,716

 
(419
)
 
(15.4
)%
______________________
(1) 
Rental operations revenue consists of Site rental income and home rental income. Approximately $8.8 million and $9.0 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively, of Site rental income are included in Community base rental income in the Income from Property Operations table. The remainder of home rental income is included in Rental home income in the Income from Property Operations table.
(2) 
Included in depreciation on real estate and other costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
(3) 
New home cost basis does not include the costs associated with our ECHO JV. Our investment in the ECHO JV was $15.3 million and $15.4 million at March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively.
(4) 
Includes 228 and 131 homes rented through our ECHO JV during the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively.
The decrease in income from rental operations is primarily due to a decrease in the number of occupied rental units. The occupancy decrease is partially offset by the change in the mix of occupied rentals, driven by an increased number of occupied new homes at a higher rental rate.
Other Income and Expenses
The following table summarizes other income and expenses for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands, expenses shown as negative).
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Variance
 
%
Change
Depreciation on real estate and rental homes
 
$
(30,109
)
 
$
(28,656
)
 
$
(1,453
)
 
(5.1
)%
Amortization of in-place leases
 
(1,032
)
 
(335
)
 
(697
)
 
(208.1
)%
Interest income
 
1,770

 
1,660

 
110

 
6.6
 %
Income from other investments, net
 
757

 
1,723

 
(966
)
 
(56.1
)%
General and administrative (excluding transaction costs)
 
(7,269
)
 
(7,207
)
 
(62
)
 
(0.9
)%
Transaction costs
 
(104
)
 
(200
)
 
96

 
48.0
 %
Property rights initiatives and other
 
(219
)
 
(654
)
 
435

 
66.5
 %
Interest and related amortization
 
(24,879
)
 
(25,634
)
 
755

 
2.9
 %
Total other income and expenses, net
 
$
(61,085
)
 
$
(59,303
)
 
$
(1,782
)
 
(3.0
)%

Other expenses increased $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to March 31, 2016. The variance from prior year is driven by higher depreciation on real estate and rental homes and amortization of in-place leases due to 2016 acquisition activity, as well as decreased income from other investments, net due to the termination of the Tropical Palms RV ground lease.


25

Management's Discussion (continued)

These increases are partially offset by a decrease in interest and related amortization as a result of the refinancing activities completed during 2016 (see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail regarding borrowing arrangements).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our primary demands for liquidity include payment of operating expenses, debt service, including principal and interest, capital improvements on properties, purchasing both new and pre-owned homes, acquisitions of new Properties, and distributions. We expect similar demands for liquidity will continue for the short-term and long-term. Our primary sources of cash include operating cash flows, proceeds from financings, borrowings under our unsecured Line of Credit ("LOC") and proceeds from issuance of equity and debt securities.
We have entered into an at-the-market (“ATM”) offering program, pursuant to which we may sell, from time-to-time, shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $125.0 million. As of March 31, 2017, $75.0 million of common stock remained available for issuance under the ATM equity offering program. In addition, we have available liquidity in the form of authorized and unissued preferred stock of approximately 9.9 million shares and approximately 113.2 million shares of authorized but unissued common stock registered for sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by a shelf registration statement which was automatically effective when filed with the SEC. Our charter allows us to issue up to 200.0 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and up to 10.0 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
One of our stated objectives is to maintain financial flexibility. Achieving this objective allows us to take advantage of strategic opportunities that may arise. We believe effective management of our balance sheet, including maintaining various access points to raise capital, manage future debt maturities and borrow at competitive rates enables us to meet this objective. We believe that as of March 31, 2017, we have sufficient liquidity, in the form of $68.0 million in available cash, net of restricted cash, and $400.0 million available on our LOC, to satisfy our near term obligations. Our LOC has a borrowing capacity of $400.0 million with the option to increase the borrowing capacity by $100.0 million, subject to certain conditions. The LOC bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.20% to 1.65%, requires an annual facility fee of 0.20% to 0.35% and matures on July 17, 2018, with an option to extend for one additional year, subject to certain conditions.
We expect to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, including distributions for the next twelve months, generally through available cash as well as net cash provided by operating activities and availability under our existing LOC. We consider these resources to be adequate to meet our operating requirements for capital improvements, amortizing debt and payment of dividends and distributions.
We expect to meet certain long-term liquidity requirements such as scheduled debt maturities, property acquisitions and capital improvements by use of our current cash balance, long-term collateralized and uncollateralized borrowings including borrowings under the existing LOC and the issuance of debt securities or additional equity securities, in addition to net cash provided by operating activities. As of March 31, 2017, we have approximately $13.2 million of scheduled debt maturities in 2017 (excluding scheduled principal payments on debt maturing in 2017 and beyond). We expect to satisfy our 2017 maturities with existing cash and anticipated operating cash flow.
During the quarter, we paid off one loan of approximately $21.1 million using available cash, with an interest
rate of 5.76% per annum, secured by one manufactured home community.

The table below summarizes cash flow activity for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 
Quarters ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
114,286

 
$
101,766

Net cash used in investing activities
(24,105
)
 
(34,044
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(73,273
)
 
(50,873
)
Net increase in cash
$
16,908

 
$
16,849

Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $12.5 million to $114.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, from $101.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities is primarily

26

Management's Discussion (continued)

due to receipt of insurance proceeds of $10.8 million related to the California failure to maintain litigations, higher income from property operations of $7.3 million, long term incentive plan payments of $4.3 million during the first quarter of 2016, an increase of $0.6 million in rents received in advance and an increase of $0.6 million in distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures. These increases were partially offset by the litigation settlement payment of $13.3 million related to the California failure to maintain litigations.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $24.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to $34.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in cash used in investing activities is primarily due to the acquisition of Rose Bay RV for $7.4 million and a joint venture contribution of $5.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, partially offset by an increase in capital improvement expenditures in the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to March 31, 2016 (see Capital Improvements table below).
Capital Improvements
The table below summarizes capital improvement activity for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 
Quarters Ended
March 31,
 (1)
 
2017
 
2016
Recurring Capital Expenditures (2)
$
7,160

 
$
7,337

Property upgrades and site development
5,423

 
2,229

New home investments (3)(4)
10,151

 
11,041

Used home investments (4)
1,005

 
1,671

Total Property
23,739

 
22,278

Corporate
615

 
217

Total Capital improvements
$
24,354

 
$
22,495

______________________
(1) Excludes non-cash activity of approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million of used homes acquired through foreclosure of Chattel Loans for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively.
(2) Recurring capital expenditures are primarily comprised of common area improvements, furniture, and mechanical improvements.
(3) Excludes new home investment associated with our ECHO JV.
(4) Net proceeds from new and used home sale activities are reflected within Operating Activities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $73.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $50.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The increase in net cash used in financing activities is primarily driven by higher distributions to Common Stockholders, Common OP unitholders and preferred stockholders, along with higher amortizing principal debt payments and maturing loan repayments during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to March 31, 2016. This is partially offset by proceeds received from the exercise of stock options during the quarter ended March 31, 2016.










27

Management's Discussion (continued)

Contractual Obligations
As of March 31, 2017, we were subject to certain contractual payment obligations as described in the table below (amounts in thousands):
 
Total (5)
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
Thereafter
Long Term Borrowings (1)
$
2,072,866

 
$
45,781

 
$
233,336

 
$
234,820

 
$
351,984

 
$
211,540

 
$
995,405

Interest Expense (2)
624,925

 
72,277

 
87,573

 
72,751

 
57,382

 
49,489

 
285,453

Operating Lease
9,985

 
1,631

 
2,221

 
2,062

 
2,011

 
1,711

 
349

LOC Maintenance Fee (3)
1,051

 
611

 
440

 

 

 

 

Ground Lease (4)
16,529

 
1,489

 
1,980

 
1,983

 
1,984

 
1,987

 
7,106

Total Contractual Obligations
$
2,725,356

 
$
121,789

 
$
325,550

 
$
311,616

 
$
413,361

 
$
264,727

 
$
1,288,313

Weighted average interest rates - Long Term Borrowings
3.87
%
 
3.52
%
 
4.60
%
 
4.40
%
 
4.49
%
 
4.39
%
 
4.25
%
______________________________
(1) 
Balance excludes note premiums of $4.8 million and deferred financing costs of approximately $18.4 million. Balances include debt maturing and scheduled periodic principal payments.
(2) 
Amounts include interest expected to be incurred on our secured debt and Term Loan based on obligations outstanding as of March 31, 2017.
(3) 
As of March 31, 2017, assumes we will not exercise our one year extension option on July 17, 2018 and assumes we will maintain our current leverage ratios as defined by the LOC.
(4) 
We also lease land under non-cancelable operating leases at certain of the Properties expiring in various years from 2017 to 2054. The majority of the lease terms require twelve equal payments per year plus additional rents calculated as a percentage of gross revenues.
(5) 
We do not include insurance, property taxes and cancelable contracts in the contractual obligations table.
We believe that we will be able to refinance our maturing debt obligations on a secured or unsecured basis; however, to the extent we are unable to refinance our debt as it matures, we believe that we will be able to repay such maturing debt through available cash as well as operating cash flow, asset sales and/or the proceeds from equity issuances. With respect to any refinancing of maturing debt, our future cash flow requirements could be impacted by significant changes in interest rates or other debt terms, including required amortization payments.
Inflation
Substantially all of the leases at the Properties allow for monthly or annual rent increases which provide us with the opportunity to achieve increases, where justified by the market, as each lease matures. Such types of leases generally minimize our risks of inflation. In addition, our resort Properties are not generally subject to leases and rents are established for these Sites on an annual basis. Our right-to-use contracts generally provide for an annual dues increase, but dues may be frozen under the terms of certain contracts if the customer is over 61 years of age.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2017, we have no off balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Refer to the 2016 Form 10-K for a discussion of our critical accounting policies, which includes impairment of real estate assets and investments, revenue recognition and business combinations. There have been no changes to these policies during the quarter ended March 31, 2017.




28

Management's Discussion (continued)

Forward Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used, words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “project,” “intend,” “may be” and “will be” and similar words or phrases, or the negative thereof, unless the context requires otherwise, are intended to identify forward-looking statements and may include without limitation, information regarding our expectations, goals or intentions regarding the future, and the expected effect of our acquisitions. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:
our ability to control costs, real estate market conditions, the actual rate of decline in customers, the actual use of Sites by customers and our success in acquiring new customers at our Properties (including those that we may acquire);
our ability to maintain historical or increase future rental rates and occupancy with respect to Properties currently owned or that we may acquire;
our ability to retain and attract customers renewing, upgrading and entering right-to-use contracts;
our assumptions about rental and home sales markets;
our ability to manage counterparty risk;
in the age-qualified Properties, home sales results could be impacted by the ability of potential home buyers to sell their existing residences as well as by financial, credit and capital markets volatility;
results from home sales and occupancy will continue to be impacted by local economic conditions, lack of affordable manufactured home financing and competition from alternative housing options including site-built single-family housing;
impact of government intervention to stabilize site-built single-family housing and not manufactured housing;
effective integration of recent acquisitions and our estimates regarding the future performance of recent acquisitions;
the completion of future transactions in their entirety, if any, and timing and effective integration with respect thereto;
unanticipated costs or unforeseen liabilities associated with recent acquisitions;
ability to obtain financing or refinance existing debt on favorable terms or at all;
the effect of interest rates;
the dilutive effects of issuing additional securities;
the effect of accounting for the entry of contracts with customers representing a right-to-use the Properties under the Codification Topic "Revenue Recognition";
the outcome of pending or future lawsuits or actions brought against us, including those disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
other risks indicated from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These forward-looking statements are based on management's present expectations and beliefs about future events. As with any projection or forecast, these statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. We are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of such changes, new information, subsequent events or otherwise.


29


Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk
We disclosed a quantitative and qualitative analysis regarding market risk in Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. There have been no material changes in the assumptions used or results obtained regarding market risk since December 31, 2016.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer), has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2017. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to give reasonable assurances to the timely collection, evaluation and disclosure of information relating to us that would potentially be subject to disclosure under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as of March 31, 2017.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within us to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in our periodic reports.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



30


Part II – Other Information

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
See Note 8 of the Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors
    
There have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Our Performance and Common Stock Value Are Subject to Risks Associated With the Real Estate Industry.
We included a risk factor in our 2016 Form 10-K related to our insurance coverage - Some Potential Losses Are Not
Covered by Insurance, whereby we disclosed that our then current property and casualty insurance policies were to expire on April 1, 2017 and that we planned to renew those policies. Those policies that were in effect on March 31, 2017, were renewed on April 1, 2017. We have a $100 million loss limit with respect to our all-risk property insurance program including named windstorms, which include, for example, hurricanes. This loss limit is subject to additional sub-limits as set forth in the policy form, including, among others, a $25 million aggregate loss limit for earthquake(s) in California. Policy deductibles primarily range from a $125,000 minimum to 5% per unit of insurance for most catastrophic events. A deductible indicates our maximum exposure, subject to policy limits and sub-limits, in the event of a loss.


Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
    
None.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosure
None.

Item 5.
Other Information
None.



31


Item 6.
Exhibit Index
 
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101
The following materials from Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, filed herewith.


32


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES, INC.
 
 
 
Date: May 3, 2017
By:
/s/ Marguerite Nader
 
 
Marguerite Nader
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
Date: May 3, 2017
By:
/s/ Paul Seavey
 
 
Paul Seavey
 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


33