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AvalonBay Communities

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Employees 1001-5000
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FY2010 Annual Report · AvalonBay Communities
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A P

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E C I A T

I N G

V A L U E

2010 ANNUAL REPORT

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. is an equity REIT primarily 

and  Northern  and  Southern  California.  At  year-end,  

engaged  in  developing,  redeveloping,  acquiring,  and 

our  Total  Market  Capitalization  was  approximately  

managing  quality  apartment  communities  in  high 

$13.7 billion. 

barrier-to-entry  markets  within  the  United  States.  Our 

strategy  is  to  be  leaders  in  customer  insight,  market 

AvalonBay  Communities 

Inc.  common  shares  are 

research  and  capital  allocation,  delivering  a  range  of 

traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker 

multifamily  offerings  tailored  to  serve  the  needs  of 

symbol  AVB  and  are  included  in  the  S&P  500  Index. 

the  most  attractive  customer  segments  in  the  best-

More  information  about  AvalonBay  may  be  found  on 

performing US submarkets. Our markets are located in 

our website at www.avalonbay.com. 

the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

See page 13 for notes and defined terms, and page 15 for 5 year stock performance graph

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN (1)

NAV  PE R  SHARE GROW TH (2)

49.7%

42.1%

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60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

9.7%

8.5%

13.9%

11.3%

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60%

56.3%

40%

46.6%

20%

0%

-20%

0.4%

6.6%

4.4%

-0.6%

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

AVB              Multifamily Sector Avg.

Source: SNL Financial, Green Street Advisors

AVB              Multifamily Sector Avg.

COVER:  AVALON TOWERS BELLEVUE, WA.      THIS PAGE: AVALON NORWALK, CT

 
 
 
 
 
 
A P

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V A L U E

2010 ANNUAL REPORT

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.  1

A V A L O N   F O R T   G R E E N E ,   N Y

2  AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

T O   O U R

S H A R E H O L D E R S

It  was  a  good  year  to  invest  with  AvalonBay.  Last  year 

we  said  2010  would  be  a  transition  year  with  both  the 

economy  and  apartment  markets  in  recovery.  Indeed, 

it  was.  Modest  job  growth  emerged  while  apartment 

rental demand surged to the strongest level in five years. 

Fundamentals  other  than  employment  were  driving  

the  apartment  market  recovery  and  this  shift  was  

recognized by investors. For the year, the S&P 500 Index 

was  up  13%  while  the  Morgan  Stanley  REIT  Index  rose 

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3%

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1%

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-1%

-2%

-3%

IMPROVING JOB OUTLOOK

%
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-

 Q1’10      Q2’10      Q3’10      Q4’10     Q1’11E     Q2’11E    Q3’11E    Q4’11E  

24%. For AvalonBay, Total Shareholder Return was 42%.

Source: Moody’s Analytics

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300

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100

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STRONG  U.S.  NET RENTER
AB SO RPTION (3)

227

78

 1995-2009 Avg.            2010    

Source: Witten Advisors

As  we  move  into  2011,  apartment  fundamentals  look 

even  stronger.  Accelerating  job  growth,  limited  new 

supply,  a  declining  homeownership  rate,  favorable  de-

mographics  and  expectations  for  an  improving  econ-

omy  all  support 

improved  operating  performance. 

Accordingly,  we  expect  absorption,  occupancy  and 

rental rates for our  portfolio to rise. Moreover, attitudes 

among  consumers,  lenders,  and  lawmakers  are  shift-

ing  from  homeownership  towards  renting.  Given  the 

key  structural  advantages  of  our  markets,  our  ability 

to  invest  capital  through  multiple  growth  platforms, 

and a balance sheet that supports growth, AvalonBay is  

well-positioned  to  extend  our  industry-leading  position 

for value creation in new apartment investment.

Last year’s annual report, titled “Where You Want To Be”, 

describes an organization that is alert and responsive to 

challenging  market  conditions  while  prepared  for  the 

next  phase  of  growth  and  opportunities.  In  this  year’s 

report,  we  will  review  our  accomplishments  in  2010 

and share with you our view of fundamentals that favor 

rental housing over the next several years. We will also  

provide a deeper look into our business. By understanding 

the  value-creation  opportunities  available  to  us,  we  

believe  investors  will  better  appreciate  the  potential  for 

outsized returns going forward. “Appreciating Value” is 

the theme of our report this year.

Looking Back at 2010  

At the beginning of last year, the economic outlook was 

uncertain. The economy had lost 270,000 jobs in the last 

quarter of 2009. Rental rates and occupancies were falling. 

Our 2010 financial outlook called for the impact of these 

soft economic conditions on our portfolio to moderate and 

trend into a period of stronger demand/supply fundamen-

tals for 2011 and beyond.

In fact, the job market stabilized early in 2010, consumer 

confidence improved, and renters that had doubled up be-

gan to establish their own households. This drove renter 

demand higher at a time when fewer of our residents were 

choosing to move. As a result, we began to recoup rental 

revenue lost during the recession sooner than expected.

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.  3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fundamentals accelerated quickly. We updated investors 

•   We  sold  three  assets  for  an  aggregate  price  of  $190 

in April and again in June, increasing our forecast for rev-

  million. These sales, at a weighted average Initial Year  

enue growth. At mid-year, we announced a 5% increase 

  Market  Capitalization  Rate  of  5.8%,  provided  a  total  

in our full-year 2010 outlook for Funds From Operations 

  Economic  Gain  to  us  of  $22  million  and  a  9%  

per Share (FFO) and another 2% increase in the fall. We 

  unleveraged  IRR  on  our  investment  over  a  12  year  

ended  the  year  with  Net  Operating  Income  (NOI)  from 

  weighted  average  holding  period  -  harvesting  value  

our  Same  Store  portfolio  down  3%  for  the  year  com-

that was reinvested into attractive new development.

pared to a projected decline of 6% in our original outlook. 

Earnings  per  Share  (EPS)  increased  7%,  primarily  from 

•   Through our second private discretionary real estate 

an  increase  in  gains  from  community  dispositions  and 

investment  fund,  we  acquired  six  communities  with  

impairment charges reported in 2009 not present in 2010. 

just under 2,800 apartment homes for approximately  

FFO increased 3% for the full year.

$400 million.

We also increased our investment activity last year:

•   We  completed  five  redevelopments  during  the  year 

for  a  Total  Capital  Cost  of  approximately  $80  million 

•   We started 11 communities for a total budgeted cost 

(excluding costs incurred prior to redevelopment) and  

  of  $640  million.  This  was  60%  more  than  we  antici- 

started  seven  redevelopments  with 

incremental 

  pated at the beginning of the year and demonstrates  

estimated Total Capital Costs of $80 million.

the  multiple  dimensions  of  our  Company.  Organiza- 

tional capacity, a willingness to be agile and balance  

This  opportunistic  and  timely  commitment  to  new  in-

street strength allow us to respond quickly to accelera- 

vestment required new capital from a variety of sources. 

ting fundamentals.

We  issued  $340  million  of  common  stock  under  our 

Continuous  Equity  Program  (CEP)  at  an  average  price 

AVALO NB AY D E VE LO P ME NT  A C TIV IT Y

of  $98  –  20%  above  the  share  price  at  the  beginning  of 

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$400

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2001       2002       2003       2004       2005       2006      2007       2008      2009       2010       2011(E)

Total Development Starts                    Total Development Under Construction

the year. We sourced $250 million in ten-year unsecured 

notes at a coupon of 3.95% and lowered our cost of debt 

by  repaying  $64  million  with  a  weighted  average  rate 

of  6.3%.  The  pricing  on  the  ten-year  note  offering  was  

reported to be the lowest coupon in modern REIT history 

on unsecured debt by any REIT in any sector, and reflects 

an appreciation by the credit markets of the strong finan-

cial condition of AvalonBay and our overall credit qual-

ity. This is especially meaningful given the severity of the 

recent credit crisis and our ability to preserve our strong 

credit profile during the downturn.

Source: AVB (as of December 31, 2010)

SOL ID  CR EDIT  ME TR ICS (4)

•   We  completed  and  delivered  four  new  communities 

totaling  over  1,500  apartment  homes  for  a  Total  

  Capital Cost of $570 million. At year-end 2010, we had  

14  developments  under  construction  –  double  the  

  number underway at the prior year-end. 

                        Multifamily 
AVB                 Sector Avg.

L ev era ge  

         2 9.6 % 

                4 2. 1%

F ixe d  Ch arg e  Cov er ag e 

           2 .8 

                   2 .3

Deb t/E BIT DA 

             7 .2x  

                  8 .6x

Source:  SNL Financial (as of December 31, 2010)

4  AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A V A L O N   A N A H E I M   S T A D I U M ,   C A

A P P R E C I A T I N G  F O C U S

We see opportunities to improve growth and investment returns 

in our markets through greater focus on location, asset quality 

and customer segment.

The Economy and Apartment Fundamentals

With only limited job growth, the recovery in our sector 

is evidence that the drivers we believe support strong de-

mand  for  rental  housing  for  the  next  several  years  are 

now aligning:

segment  as  potential  buyers  face  tighter  mortgage 

  qualifications  and  lingering  concerns  regarding  the  

risks and burdens of investing in a home. Some fore- 

casts suggest that by 2015, the U.S. homeownership  

rate could fall to 64%, potentially creating two million  

  new renter households.

•   Demographics  Younger  age  groups  have  a  higher 

  propensity  to  rent  and  today  there  are  more  U.S. 

residents age 20 to 29 than 30 to 39 years old. Further,  

the pace of hiring among young adults in the 20 to 34  

  years old age range is reportedly at its strongest pace  

since  the  mid-1980’s.  Together,  these  trends  help  ex- 

  plain some  of the “unbundling” of households which  

  occurred during 2010 that boosted renter demand.

•   New  Supply  Perhaps  most  importantly,  a  sharp

reduction in new rental supply is now underway. Over  

the  last  ten  years,  nationwide  construction  starts  for  

  multifamily rental units averaged 200,000 per year. In  

2010, only 75,000 multifamily rental units were started,  

a 60% drop. While new starts will likely increase this  

year,  only  130,000  apartment  homes  are  anticipated  

for completion in 2012. These are the lowest levels of  

  new rental development in the last 40 years.

O UT SIZ E D J OB  GA INS  AMO NG  P RIM E  R E N TE R S

CONSTRAI NTS ON N EW SUPPLY I N  AV B M ARK ET S

1,300

900

73%

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1,400

1,200

1,000

800

400

200

0

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

31%

Total New Jobs
in 2010
(All Ages)

Total New Jobs
in 2010
(20-34 Year Olds)

Share of New 
2010 Jobs
(20-34 Year Olds)

Share of Total 
2010 Job Base
(20-34 Year Olds)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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1.5%

1.0%

0.5%

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 2000 

2002 

2004 

2006 

2008 

2010 

2012 (E)

AVB Markets                U.S.

Source: REIS, AVB

•   Homeownership  The nation’s homeownership rate is 

•  Government  Policy  Recent  proposals  to  scale  back 

approximately 67%, down from the 69% peak reached  

in early 2005. Not surprisingly, the percentage of our  

residents leaving to purchase a home is near historical  

lows. This reflects continued weakness in the for-sale

the  government’s  footprint  in  the  mortgage  market  

send strong signals of a general shift towards a more  

  balanced housing policy. The impact of this shift will  

likely  be  tougher  lending  hurdles  and  higher  costs  

for  homeowners,  which  will  benefit  rental  housing 

HIGH HOUSE HO LD IN CO ME

LO W HO U SING  AF FORDABILITY (5)

  demand in the years to come.

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$70

$60

$50

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$65.3

$49.8

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AVB Markets

U.S.

AVB Markets

U.S.

Source: Moody’s Analytics, AVB

6  AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

The Road Ahead: Appreciating Value

Our markets have a number of key structural advantages:  

higher  household  income,  lower  home  affordability 

and  constraints  on  new  supply.  This  helps  explain  why 

many of our markets were among the top-performing in 

effective  rent  growth  over  the  last  ten  years.  These  ad-

vantages should continue to result in strong performance 

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i

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A V A L O N   W E S T   L O N G   B R A N C H ,   N J

A P P R E C I A T I N G   G R O W T H 

Whether through development, redevelopment or acquisitions, 

we will invest capital through multiple platforms as a means to 

grow Net Asset Value and optimize portfolio performance.

going  forward.  As  a  result,  we  are  likely  to  see  other  

LEADING SHARE OF NEW DEVELOPMENT

players  enter  or  expand  in  our  markets.  An  investor 

should  ask:  “How  will  you  create  value  in  a  potentially 

more competitive environment?”

Opportunity  exists  within  our  markets  to 

improve 

growth  and  investment  returns  through  greater  focus 

on  submarket  selection,  asset  quality  and  customer  

segmentation. Portfolio performance can be enhanced by 

shifting AVB’s portfolio over time to the top-performing 

submarkets  within  each  of  our  markets.  With  enhanced 

market research and local knowledge, a reasonable goal 

is  to  shift  the  portfolio  so  that  approximately  70%  is 

located  in  the  top  half  of  each  MSA’s  submarkets  vs. 

T
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50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0

41%

38%

2010 Starts

2011 Starts (E)

Source: Industry reports

approximately  50%  today.  Within  individual  submarkets, 

•    Redevelopment    Depending  on  the  strategy,  redevel-

performance  can  vary  by  asset  class.  With  a  greater 

  opment  can  range  from  remerchandising  (essentially  

focus  on  segmenting  our  markets  by  customer,  price 

  upgrading  finishes  and  furnishings)  to  a  major 

point  and,  ultimately,  product  type,  we  can  identify  the 

reconstruction  of  an  older  asset.  The  value  created  

most attractive pockets of growth at a more granular level 

from  a  redevelopment  includes  the  higher  rents  we  

to optimize portfolio performance. With only a 1% share 

  achieve from improving the asset and the incremental  

of  the  total  rental  inventory  in  our  markets  and  only  a 

  NOI growth over time as a result of higher rents and  

9% share of new development, we believe there is room 

lower expenses. Over the past decade, we have invested  

to expand our capabilities and capture return from these 

  close  to  $300  million  in  redevelopment  capital  for  31  

value-added activities. 

  communities. Assuming favorable market conditions,  

To  optimize  portfolio  positioning  and  grow  NAV,  

  ment opportunities exists in our portfolio for the next  

  we believe about $100 million per year of redevelop- 

AvalonBay  can  invest  capital  through  multiple  growth 

few years.

platforms:    development  (to  grow  the  portfolio),  rede-

velopment  (to  position  the  portfolio),  and  transaction  

•    Transaction  Activity  Acquisitions  are  also  a  platform 

activity (acquisitions and dispositions to shape the port-

for growth. Combined with dispositions, they provide  

folio). Let’s look at each platform.

  a  vehicle  to  achieve  portfolio  reshaping  goals.  Since  

  1998,  we  realized  a  14.2%  unleveraged  IRR  on  $1.5  

•  Development  From  $6  billion  in  new  development 

  billion of acquired assets that were subsequently sold.  

invested  since  1994,  we  have  sold  $1.1  billion  

  We currently invest in and manage two acquisition funds  

  and  realized  a  16.8%  unleveraged  IRR  and  an  eco- 

through  our  Investment  Management  platform.  By  

  nomic  gain  of  $96,000  per  apartment  home.  With  

  executing  acquisition  activity  principally  through  the  

the  ability  to  compete  for  any  apartment  opportu- 

funds, we are able to tap into an additional source of  

  nity  within  our  diverse  geographic 

footprint,  

  capital  through  the  private  equity  market  while  we  

  AvalonBay’s development capabilities are unmatched  

  separately  allocate  capital  into  development  activity.  

in our sector. At year-end 2010, we had $900 million of  

  These activities provide both the potential for outsized  

  new  development  underway  at  a  projected  weighted  

returns to inves-tors and an additional source of rev- 

  average yield of 7%. Our future pipeline consists of 26  

  enue  from  fees  and  promotes,  all  while  being  good  

  sites  for  an  estimated  Total  Capital  Cost  cost  of  

  stewards of the capital provided by both our public and  

  $2.2 billion.

  private investors. 

8  AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A V A L O N   A T   D E C O V E R L Y ,   M D

A P P R E C I A T I N G   C A P I T A L 
M A N A G E M E N T

We  have  the  strongest  balance  sheet  in  our  sector.  A  largely  

unencumbered  asset  base  and  access  to  unsecured  markets 

preserves financial flexibility and enhances liquidity.

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.  9

As  a  value-centric  organization,  we  align  our  perfor-

Conclusion

mance  measures  with  value  creation  over  a  period  of 

Through the years, creating value has been our focus and 

Appreciating Value has been the outcome. We recognize 

that  value  and  earnings  growth  align  over  time  to  gen-

erate  outsized  returns  and  cash  flow.  Looking  forward, 

our  strategy  of  allocating  capital  to  deliver  a  range  of 

multifamily  offerings  tailored  to  serve  the  needs  of  the 

most attractive customer segments in the best perform-

ing US submarkets positions us well to improve growth 

and  investment  returns.  We  believe  the  fundamentals 

in  our  markets,  our  multiple  growth  platforms  and  our  

disciplined  approach  to  capital  management  are  all 

aligned to deliver outsized dividend growth, Total Share-

holder Return and NAV growth.  

As always, thank you to our shareholders for your con-

tinued support, to our associates for your extraordinary 

efforts, and to our residents who have chosen to make an 

AvalonBay community your home.

time that may not necessarily be within a calendar year. 

As  a  result,  we  manage  our  capital  structure  by  match-

ing  financing  and  investing  activities.  This  disciplined 

approach  helps  guide  the  type  and  timing  of  capital  

markets activity by managing our credit metrics, liquid-

ity  and  debt  maturities.  This  helps  mitigate  the  impact  

of  recent  capital  markets  volatility  by  increasing  our  

financial  flexibility.  Through  these  efforts,  we  have  

expanded  our  financing  options,  avoiding  unfavorable  

market conditions, reducing our cost of capital and creat-

ing shareholder value. 

We have found that value-centric activities, characterized  

by  low  leverage,  conservative  accounting  policies  and 

a  willingness  to  recycle  capital  back  into  our  invest-

ment platform are highly correlated to Total Shareholder  

Return.  Not  surprisingly,  dividend  growth  and  Total 

Shareholder  Return  are  highly  correlated.  Our  dividend 

has never been reduced and has always been covered by 

recurring cash flow. We can think of no better evidence 

of  an  organization’s  long-term  value  creation  capability 

than outsized cash flow growth as measured by dividend 

growth and retained cash. 

AVB FFO E XC E ED S DI VID END S PA I D

$5.00

$4.50

$4.00

$3.50

$3.00

$2.50

$2.00

 2000        2001        2002        2003        2004        2005        2006        2007        2008        2009        2010

AVB FFO per Share                 AVB Dividends per Share

Source: SNL Financial

Bryce Blair

Chairman and CEO

10  AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
10  AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

 
 
A V A L O N   C E N T E R P O I N T ,   M D

A P P R E C I A T I N G   V A L U E

We  have  internal  and  external  opportunities  to  create  value, 

with  attractive  fundamentals  in  our  markets  and  an  ability  to 

execute  based  on  a  strong  balance  sheet  and  an  experienced 

management team.

A V A L O N   F A S H I O N   V A L L E Y ,   C A

12 AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

NOTES

1. 

Total Shareholder Return: The change in value over the period stated with all dividends reinvested. Total Shareholder Return is sometimes presented as the compound annual growth 

rate. The Total Shareholder Return for each year within the timeframe presented may vary.

2. 

Estimated NAV per Share Growth: The compound annual growth rate of Estimated NAV per Share as estimated by Green Street Advisors, Inc. during the periods indicated. Estimated 

NAV per Share Growth for each year within the timeframe presented may vary.

3.  

Net Renter Absorption is a measure of renter demand and is defined as the year-over-year change in occupied apartments. Data based on US rental inventoty as calculated by 

Witten Advisors as of 4Q 2010.

See “Definitions and Reconciliations of Non-GAAAP Financial Measures and Other Terms.”

Home Affordability defined as the ratio of the current US median home sales price to US median household income (data as of 3Q 2010). A higher price-to-income ratio implies 

that homes are less affordable. Data from Moody’s Analytics.

4. 

5. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 

          35

Selected Financial Data 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

          37

          40

          59

          61 

          F-3

Form 10-K Page

DEFINITIONS AND RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND OTHER TERMS

This Annual Report contains certain non-GAAP financial measures and other terms. The definition and calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and other terms may differ from the 

definitions and methodologies used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable. The non-GAAP financial measures referred to below should not be considered an alternative to net 

income as an indication of our performance. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and therefore 

should not be considered as an alternative measure of liquidity or as indicative of cash available to fund cash needs. The definitions of Non-GAAP financial measures and other terms not 

included below (Funds from Operations, Net Operating Income, Established/Same Store Communities) are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share

The estimated market value of a company’s assets less the estimated market value of all current and long-term liabilities divided by the number of outstanding common shares (diluted) and 

operating partnership units per Green Street Advisors.  

Interest Coverage

Interest Coverage is calculated by the Company as EBITDA from continuing operations, excluding land gains and gain on the sale of investments in real estate joint ventures, divided by the 

sum of interest expense, net, and preferred dividends. Interest Coverage is presented by the Company because it provides rating agencies and investors an additional means of comparing our 

ability to service debt obligations to that of other companies. EBITDA is defined by the Company as net income attributable to the Company before interest income and expense, income taxes, 

depreciation, and amortization. A reconciliation of EBITDA and a calculation of Interest Coverage for the full year 2010 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Net income attributable to common stockholders 

Interest expense, net 

Interest expense (discontinued operations) 

Depreciation expense 

Depreciation expense (discontinued operations) 

EBITDA 

EBITDA from continuing operations 

EBITDA from discontinued operations 

EBITDA 

EBITDA from continuing operations 

Interest charges 

Interest coverage 

$175,331

175,209 

0

232,571

371 

$583,482

$507,100

76,382

$583,482 

$507,100

175,209

2.9

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.  13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Initial Year Market Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate)

Initial Year Market Cap Rate is defined by the Company as Projected NOI of a single community for the first 12 months of operations (assuming no repositioning), less estimates for non-routine 

allowance of approximately $200 - $300 per apartment home, divided by the gross sales price for the community. Projected NOI, as referred to above, represents management’s estimate 

of projected rental revenue minus projected operating expenses before interest, income taxes (if any), depreciation, amortization, and extraordinary items. For this purpose, management’s 

projection of operating expenses for the community includes a management fee of 3.0% - 3.5%. The Initial Year Market Cap Rate, which may be determined in a different manner by others, is 

a measure frequently used in the real estate industry when determining the appropriate purchase price for a property or estimating the value for a property. Buyers may assign different Initial 

Year Market Cap Rates to different communities when determining the appropriate value because they (i) may project different rates of change in operating expenses and capital expenditure 

estimates and (ii) may project different rates of change in future rental revenue due to different estimates for changes in rent and occupancy levels. The weighted average Initial Year Market 

Cap Rate is weighted based on the gross sales price of each community.   

Leverage and Total Market Capitalization

Leverage is total debt as a percentage of Total Market Capitalization. Total Market Capitalization represents the aggregate of the market value of the Company’s common stock, the market 

value of the Company’s operating partnership units outstanding (based on the market value of the Company’s common stock) and the outstanding principal balance of the Company’s debt.  

Management  believes  that  Leverage  can  be  one  useful  measure  of  a  real  estate  operating  company’s  long-term  liquidity  and  balance  sheet  strength,  because  it  shows  an  approximate 

relationship between a company’s total debt and the current total market value of its assets based on the current price at which the Company’s common stock trades.  Changes in Leverage also 

can influence changes in per share results.  A calculation of Leverage as of December 31, 2010 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

Common stock 

Preferred stock 

Operating partnership units 

Total debt 

Total Market Capitalization 

$9,667,941

—

1,712

$4,068,417

$13,378,070

Debt as % of Total Market Capitalization                                                                                                                            30.4% 

Because Leverage changes with fluctuations in the Company’s stock price, which occur regularly, the Company’s Leverage may change even when the Company’s earnings, interest and debt 

levels remain stable.  Investors should also note that the net realizable value of the Company’s assets in liquidation is not easily determinable and may differ substantially from the Company’s 

Total Market Capitalization.

Multifamily Sector Average

Multifamily Sector Average is a weighted average based on Total Market Capitalization per SNL Financial. The weighted average for “Total Shareholder Return” includes AEC, AIV, BRE, CPT, 

EQR, ESS, HME, MAA, PPS, and UDR. The weighted average for “NAV per Share Growth” includes all apartment companies under Green Street Advisors, Inc.’s coverage for which data is 

available during each of the time periods presented and includes AEC, BRE, CPT, EQR, PPS, and UDR. The weighed average for “Leverage”, “Fixed Charge Coverage” and “Debt/EBITDA” 

includes AIV, BRE, CPT, EQR, ESS, HME and UDR.

Total Capital Cost

Total  Capital  Cost  includes  all  capitalized  costs  projected  to  be  actually  incurred  to  develop  the  respective  Development  Community,  Redevelopment  Community  or  Development  Right, 

including land acquisition costs, construction costs, real estate taxes, capitalized interest and loan fees, permits, professional fees, allocated development overhead, and other regulatory fees, 

all as determined in accordance with GAAP. For Redevelopment Communities, Total Capital Cost excludes costs incurred prior to the start of redevelopment when indicated. With respect to 

communities where development or redevelopment was recently completed in the prior or current period, Total Capital Cost reflects the actual cost incurred, plus any construction contingency 

estimate made by management. Total Capital Cost for communities identified as having joint venture ownership, either during construction or upon construction completion, represents the 

total projected joint venture contribution amount. For joint ventures not in construction, Total Capital Cost is equal to gross real estate cost.

Economic Gain (Loss)

Economic  Gain  (Loss)  is  calculated  by  the  Company  as  the  gain  (loss)  on  sale  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  less  accumulated  depreciation  through  the  date  of  sale  and  any  other  non-cash 

adjustments  that  may  be  required  under  GAAP  accounting.  Management  generally  considers  Economic  Gain  (Loss)  to  be  an  appropriate  supplemental  measure  to  gain  (loss)  on  sale  in 

accordance with GAAP because it helps investors to understand the relationship between the cash proceeds from a sale and the cash invested in the sold community. The Economic Gain (Loss) 

for each of the communities presented is estimated based on their respective final settlement statements. A reconciliation of Economic Gain (Loss) to gain on sale in accordance with GAAP for 

the full year ended December 31, 2010 and from 1998-2010 is shown below.

Number of 

Communities Sold 

 2010 (3 Communities, 1 Office Building) 

1998-2010 (19 Communities, 4,941 Apt. Homes) 

Gross Sales 

Price 

 $198,600  

 $1,083,921  

GAAP Gain 

$74,074 

$583,344 

Accumulated

Depreciation 

and Other 

$51,977  

$111,179  

Economic 

Gain       

$21,767

$472,166

Unleveraged IRR 

Unleveraged IRR on sold communities refers to the internal rate of return calculated by the Company considering the timing and amounts of (i) total revenue during the period owned by the 

Company and (ii) the gross sales price net of selling costs, offset by (iii) the undepreciated capital cost of the communities at the time of sale and (iv) total direct operating expenses during 

the period owned by the Company. Each of the items (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) are calculated in accordance with GAAP. The calculation of Unleveraged IRR does not include an adjustment for the 

Company’s general and administrative expense, interest expense, or corporate-level property management and other indirect operating expenses. Therefore, Unleveraged IRR is not a substitute 

for Net income as a measure of our performance. Management believes that the Unleveraged IRR achieved during the period a community is owned by the Company is useful because it is one 

indication of the gross value created by the Company’s acquisition, development or redevelopment, management and sale of a community, before the impact of indirect expenses and Company 

overhead. The Unleveraged IRR achieved on the communities as cited in this report should not be viewed as an indication of the gross value created with respect to other communities owned 

by the Company, and the Company does not represent that it will achieve similar Unleveraged IRRs upon the disposition of other communities. The weighted average Unleveraged IRR for sold 

communities is weighted based on all cash flows over the holding period for each respective community, including net sales proceeds.

14  AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STOCK  PERFORMANC E

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

AVB              FTSE NAREIT Apartment REIT Index              S&P 500 Index 

Source: NAREIT  Benchmarked at 12/05=$100

Dec 2005 

Dec 2006 

Dec 2007 

Dec 2008 

Dec 2009 

Dec 2010

AvalonBay 

FTSE NAREIT Apartment REIT Index 

S&P 500 Index 

$100 

100 

 100  

$150 

140 

 116  

$112 

104 

 122 

$77 

78 

 77  

$111 

102 

 97  

$ 158

150

 112

Ten Year FFO Reconciliation

                For the Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands) 

12-31--10 

12-31-09 

12-31-08 

12-31-07 

12-31-06 

12-31-05 

12-31-04 

12-31-03 

12-31-02 

12-31-01 

Net income 

Dividends attributable to preferred stock 

Depreciation—real estate assets,

  including discontinued operations and

  joint venture adjustments 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests,

   including discontinued operations 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 

Gain on sale of unconsolidated entities 

Gain on sale of operating communities 

Funds from Operations attributable

  to common stockholders 

Weighted average common shares

  outstanding—diluted 

$175,331 

$155,647 

$411,487 

$358,160  

$266,546 

$310,468 

$207,779 

$262,503 

$173,125 

$248,997 

— 

— 

(10,454) 

(8,700) 

(8,700) 

(8,700) 

(8,700) 

(10,744) 

(17,896) 

(40,035) 

237,041  

 221,415  

  203,082  

 184,731  

 165,982  

 163,252  

 159,221  

 129,207  

 143,026  

 128,086  

55 

— 

— 

66 

— 

— 

216 

— 

280 

— 

391 

— 

 (3,483) 

 (59,927) 

 (6,609) 

1,363 

— 

— 

 3,048  

(4,547) 

— 

 1,263  

 1,601  

 1,559  

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(74,074) 

 (63,887) 

 (284,901) 

 (106,487) 

 (97,411) 

 (195,287) 

 (121,287) 

 (159,756) 

 (48,893) 

 (62,852) 

 $338,353  

 $313,241  

 $315,947  

 $368,057  

 $320,199  

 $271,096  

 $235,514  

 $222,473  

 $250,963  

 $275,755  

  84,632,869  80,599,657  77,578,852  79,856,927  75,586,898  74,759,318  73,354,956 

70,203,467  70,674,211  69,781,719 

EPS—diluted 

$2.07 

$1.93 

$5.17 

$4.38 

$3.42  

$4.05 

$2.75 

$3.60 

$2.22 

$3.02 

FFO per common share—diluted 

$4.00 

$3.89 

$4.07 

$4.61 

$4.24 

$3.63 

$3.21 

$3.17 

$3.55 

$3.95 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.  15

 
 
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
AVALONBAY CORPORATE INFORMATION

William M. McLaughlin
Executive Vice President
Development–Northeast 

Stephen W. Wilson
Executive Vice President
Development–West Coast,
Mid-Atlantic

David W. Bellman
Senior Vice President
Construction-East Coast

Kurt Conway
Senior Vice President
Brand Strategy

Deborah A. Coombs
Senior Vice President
Property Operations–
West Coast

Jonathan B. Cox
Senior Vice President
Development–Mid-Atlantic 

Frederick S. Harris
Senior Vice President
Development–NY

Joanne M. Lockridge
Senior Vice President
Finance, Assistant Treasurer
and Assistant Secretary

J. Richard Morris
Senior Vice President
Construction 

Kevin P. O’Shea
Senior Vice President
Investment Management

Christopher L. Payne
Senior Vice President
Development–Southern CA

Edward M. Schulman
Senior Vice President
General Counsel and  
Secretary

Bernard J. Ward
Senior Vice President
Property Operations–
East Coast, Midwest

Danyell D. Alders
Vice President
Property Operations–
Southern CA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bryce Blair
Chairman and CEO 
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. 

Bruce A. Choate (2,4,5)
President and CEO
Watson Land Company 
A real estate investment trust

John J. Healy, Jr. (2,4,5)
Private Investor

Timothy J. Naughton (4)
President
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. 

Lance R. Primis (1,3,5)
Managing Partner
Lance R. Primis and Partners, LLC 
A management consulting firm

Peter S. Rummel (3,4)
Private Investor

H. Jay Sarles (2,3)
Private Investor

W. Edward Walter (2,4)
President and CEO
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
A real estate investment trust

1  Lead Independent Director
2  Audit Committee
3  Compensation Committee
4  Investment and Finance Committee
5  Nominating and Corporate  
    Governance Committee

OFFICERS

Bryce Blair
Chairman and CEO 

Timothy J. Naughton
President 

Thomas J. Sargeant
Chief Financial Officer 

Leo S. Horey
Executive Vice President
Property Operations

Sean J. Breslin
Executive Vice President
Investments and Asset 
Management

16  AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

Ronald S. Ladell
Vice President
Development–NJ 

Lyn C. Lansdale
Vice President
Strategic Business Services

Sarah K. Mathewson
Vice President
Property Operations–MA, RI

Mike F. Nootens
Vice President
Engineering

Michael J. Roberts
Vice President
Development–MA 

Robert S. Salkovitz 
Vice President
Construction–Southern CA

Keri A. Shea
Vice President
Finance and Treasurer 

Meg Spriggs
Vice President
Development-Northern CA

Mona R. Stahling
Vice President
Operations

Craig Thomas
Vice President
Market Research

B. Kevin Thompson
Vice President
Marketing 

Timothy M. Walters
Vice President
Investments-West Coast

Matthew B. Whalen
Vice President
Development–Long Island 

Philip M. Wharton
Vice President
Development–NY

Trinity M. Blue
Vice President
Property Operations–
Metro NY, NJ

Shannon E. Brennan 
Vice President
Property Operations–
Mid-Atlantic

Alfred Brockunier III
Vice President
Construction–NY 

Duane W. Carlson 
Vice President
Construction–Northern CA, 
Pacific NW

Sean M. Clark 
Vice President
Asset Management/
Redevelopment–West Coast 

Scott W. Dale
Vice President
Development–MA

Heather Duffy
Vice President
Property Operations–
CT, NY, Midwest

Steve Fabian
Vice President
Customer Care Center

Mark Forlenza
Vice President
Development–CT

Brian E. Fritz 
Vice President
Development–Pacific NW

Patrick Gniadek
Vice President
Investments–East Coast

Karen A. Hollinger
Vice President
Information Services 

Suzanne Jakstavich
Vice President
Human Resources

Scott R. Kinter
Vice President
Construction–Northeast

 
 
 
FOR M 10-K

A copy of the Company’s Annual Report  
on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission is being distrib-
uted with this Annual Report and also may 
be obtained without charge by contacting 
Investor Relations.

S TOCK  L IS TINGS

NYSE–AVB

FORWA RD -LOOK ING STAT EM ENTS

This Annual Report contains “forward-
looking statements” within the meaning of 
the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934. Please see our discus-
sion titled “Forward-Looking Statements” 
on page 55 of our Annual Report on Form 
10-K for a discussion regarding risks associ-
ated with these statements.

AVALONBAY CORPORATE INFORMATION

San Jose, CA
400 Race Street
Suite 200
San Jose, CA 95126
Phone:  
Fax:  

(408) 983-1500
(408) 287-9167

Seattle, WA
11808 Northup Way
Suite W311
Bellevue, WA 98005
Phone: 
Fax: 

(425) 576-2100
(425) 576-8447

Virginia Beach, VA
2901 Sabre Street
Suite 100
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
(757) 631-5000
Phone: 
(757) 486-1063
Fax: 

Woodbridge, NJ
Woodbridge Place
517 Route One South
Suite 5500
Iselin, NJ 08830
Phone: 
Fax: 

(732) 404-4800
(732) 283-9105

IN VE STOR  R ELAT IONS

Investor Relations
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.
Ballston Tower
671 N. Glebe Road
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: 
ir@avalonbay.com

(703) 329-6300 ext. 4747

WE BSIT E

www.avalonbay.com

T RAN SFE R AGE NT

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 358015
Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8015
(866) 230-0668
Phone:  

IN DE P END ENT AUD ITORS

Ernst & Young, LLP
8484 Westpark Drive
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: 

(703) 747-1000

HEADQU ARTER S

Washington, DC
Ballston Tower
671 N. Glebe Road
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: 
Fax:       

(703) 329-6300
(703) 329-9130

REGIONAL OF FIC ES

Boston, MA
51 Sleeper Street
Suite 750
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 
Fax: 

(617) 654-9500
(617) 426-1610

Chicago, IL
200 North Arlington Heights Road
Suite 15
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: 
Fax: 

(847) 342-0065
(847) 342-0075 

Shelton, CT
1000 Bridgeport Avenue 
Suite 258
Shelton, CT 06484
Phone: 
Fax: 

(203) 926-2300
(203) 926-2355 

Long Island, NY
135 Pinelawn Road
Suite 130 South
Melville, NY 11747
Phone: 
Fax: 

(631) 843-0736
(631) 843-0737 

Los Angeles, CA
16255 Ventura Boulevard
Suite 950
Encino, CA 91436
Phone: 
Fax: 

(818) 784-2800
(818) 784-2810

Newport Beach, CA
4440 Von Karman Avenue
Suite 300
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 955-6200
Phone:  
(949) 724-9208
Fax: 

New York, NY
275 Seventh Avenue
25th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 
Fax: 

(212) 370-9269
(212) 370-1415

San Francisco, CA
185 Berry Street
Suite 3500
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 284-9080
Phone:  
(415) 546-4138
Fax:  

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Ballston Tower • 671 N. Glebe Road, Suite 800 
Arlington  •  VA  •  22203  
Tel: (703) 329-6300
www.avalonbay.com