Revenue Recognition
Rental Revenues
The Company leases its properties under operating leases and recognizes base rents when earned on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rental revenues include $1.2 million, $1.1 million and $1.9 million of straight-line rent adjustments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The Company begins recognizing rental revenue when the tenant has the right to take possession of or controls the physical use of the property under lease. The extended collection period for accrued straight-line rental revenue along with the Company’s evaluation of tenant credit risk may result in the nonrecognition of all or a portion of straight-line rental revenue until the collection of such revenue is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes contingent rental revenue (e.g., percentage rents based on tenant sales thresholds) when the sales thresholds are met. Contingent rents included in rental revenues were $0.4 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The Company recognizes leasing incentives as reductions to rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leasing incentive amortization was $0.8 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015. The Company recognizes fair value adjustments recorded at the time of lease assumption in rental income on a straight line basis as a reduction to revenue over the remaining life of the lease or any renewal periods for which the Company determines have value at the time of acquisition. The Company recognizes cost reimbursement revenue for real estate taxes, operating expenses and common area maintenance costs on an accrual basis during the periods in which the expenses are incurred. The Company recognizes lease termination fees either upon termination or amortizes them over any remaining lease term.
General Contracting and Real Estate Services Revenues
The Company recognizes general contracting revenue on construction contracts using the percentage-of-completion method. Under this method, the Company recognizes revenue and an estimated profit as construction contract costs are incurred based on the proportion of incurred costs to total estimated construction contract costs at completion. Construction contract costs include all direct material, labor, and subcontract costs as well as any indirect costs related to contract performance. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are recognized immediately in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Profit incentives are included in revenues when their realization is probable and when they can be reasonably estimated.
The Company recognizes real estate services revenues from property development and management when realized and earned, generally as such services are provided. Multiple contracts with a single counterparty are not combined into a single contract for the revenue recognition purposes.
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.