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ELS Reports Third Quarter Results

10/15/07

Strong Operating Performance; Lower Home Sales

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2007--Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (NYSE:ELS) today announced results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

a) Financial Results

For the third quarter of 2007, Funds From Operations ("FFO") were $21.4 million, or $0.70 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to $20.1 million, or $0.66 per share on a fully diluted basis for the same period in 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, FFO was $70.9 million, or $2.33 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to $64.0 million, or $2.12 per share on a fully diluted basis for the same period in 2006.

Net income available to common stockholders totaled $9.7 million, or $0.39 per share on a fully diluted basis for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. This compares to net income available to common stockholders of $3.6 million, or $0.15 per share on a fully diluted basis for the third quarter of 2006. Net income available to common stockholders totaled $27.5 million, or $1.12 per share on a fully diluted basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This compares to net income available to common stockholders of $14.8 million, or $0.62 per share on a fully diluted basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

See the attachment to this press release for a reconciliation of FFO and FFO per share to net income and net income per common share, respectively, which are the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

b) Portfolio Performance

Third quarter 2007 property operating revenues were $94.2 million, compared to $87.2 million in the third quarter of 2006. Property operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $285.1 million, compared to $261.5 million for the same period in 2006, a 9.0 percent increase over the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2007, our Core(1) property operating revenues increased approximately 5.9 percent and Core property operating expenses increased approximately 6.4 percent, resulting in an increase of approximately 5.4 percent to income from Core property operations over the quarter ended September 30, 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, our Core property operating revenues increased approximately 6.0 percent, while Core property operating expenses increased approximately 5.0 percent, resulting in an increase of approximately 6.9 percent in income from Core property operations over the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company had 113 new home sales (including 14 third-party dealer sales), a 48.6 percent decrease over the quarter ended September 30, 2006. Gross revenues from home sales were approximately $8.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, compared to approximately $16.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. Net loss from home sales and other was approximately ($0.4) million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 compared to net income from home sales of $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company had 346 new home sales (including 37 third-party dealer sales), a 39.7 percent decrease over the same period in 2006. Gross revenues from home sales were approximately $26.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to approximately $46.6 million for the same period in 2006. Net income from home sales and other was approximately $0.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

c) Asset-related Transactions

On October 11, 2007, we acquired a 305-site resort property known as Tuxbury Resort, on approximately 193 acres in Amesbury, Massachusetts, including approximately 100 acres of potential expansion land. The purchase price was approximately $7.3 million and the seller provided financing of approximately $1.2 million that matures in January 2010.

On September 26, 2007, we acquired a 106-site resort property known as Santa Cruz RV Ranch located on 6.65 acres near Scotts Valley, California. The purchase price was approximately $5.5 million.

On August 3, 2007, we acquired a 363-site resort property known as Pine Island located on 31 acres in St. James City, Florida. The purchase price was approximately $6.5 million.

On July 6, 2007, we closed on the sale of Del Rey for $13 million to a developer. Del Rey is a 407-site manufactured home community located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A gain on sale of approximately $6.9 million was recognized in the third quarter of 2007.

We currently have three all-age properties held for disposition and are in various stages of negotiations for sale. The Company plans to reinvest the proceeds from the sales of these properties or reduce its outstanding lines of credit with proceeds.

d) Balance Sheet

In September 2007, we amended our existing unsecured Lines of Credit ("LOC") to expand our borrowing capacity from $275 million to $420 million. The lines of credit continue to accrue interest at LIBOR plus a maximum of 1.20% per annum, have a 0.15% facility fee, mature on June 30, 2010, and have a one-year extension option. Our current group of banks have committed up to $370 million on our $420 million borrowing capacity. We incurred commitment and arrangement fees of approximately $0.3 million to increase our borrowing capacity.

Our average long-term secured debt balance was approximately $1.6 billion in the quarter, with a weighted average interest rate, including amortization, of approximately 6.1 percent per annum. Our unsecured debt balance currently consists of approximately $92.5 million outstanding on our unsecured lines of credit, which have a current availability of approximately $277.5 million. Interest coverage was approximately 2.0 times in the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

e) Privileged Access

In September 2007, Privileged Access paid the Company the remaining $5.0 million outstanding on a 2006 note receivable. In connection with the payoff, Privileged Access obtained a $5.0 million loan from a bank and the Company guaranteed $2.5 million of this additional loan. The Company's guaranteed portion matures in January 2008.

f) Guidance

ELS management projects fourth quarter 2007 FFO per share on a fully diluted basis to be in the range of $0.62 to $0.64.

ELS management continues to project 2008 FFO per share on a fully-diluted basis to be in the range of $3.15 to $3.30, assuming free cash flow is used to pay down debt or for acquisitions. The Company expects Core property operating revenue for 2008 to grow at approximately 3.5 to 4.0 percent over 2007, assuming stable occupancy. In 2008, the Company expects income from property operations in the Core portfolio to grow from 2.5 to 3.0 percent over 2007. The Company expects 2007 acquisitions will contribute approximately $2.0 million to income from property operations.

Factors impacting 2007 and 2008 guidance include i) the mix of site usage within the portfolio; ii) yield management on our short-term resort sites; iii) scheduled or implemented rate increases; and iv) occupancy changes. Results for 2007 and 2008 also may be impacted by, among other things i) continued competitive housing options and new home sales initiatives impacting occupancy levels at certain properties; ii) variability in income from home sales operations, including anticipated expansion projects; iii) potential effects of uncontrollable factors such as hurricanes; iv) potential acquisitions, investments and dispositions; v) refinancing of maturing mortgage debt; vi) changes in interest rates; vii) renewal of our property and casualty insurance policies during March 2008; and viii) continued initiatives regarding rent control legislation in California and related legal fees. Quarter-to-quarter results during the year are impacted by the seasonality at certain of the properties.

This news release 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. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:

  • in the age-qualified properties, home sales results could be impacted by the ability of potential homebuyers to sell their existing residences as well as by financial markets volatility;
  • in the all-age properties, 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;
  • our ability to maintain rental rates and occupancy with respect to properties currently owned or pending acquisitions;
  • our assumptions about rental and home sales markets;
  • the completion of pending acquisitions and timing with respect thereto;
  • ability to obtain financing or refinance existing debt;
  • the effect of interest rates; 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. The Company is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of such changes, new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. owns or has an interest in 312 quality properties in 29 states and British Columbia consisting of 113,230 sites. The Company is a self-administered, self-managed, real estate investment trust (REIT) with headquarters in Chicago.

A live webcast of Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.'s conference call discussing these results will be available via the Company's website in the Investor Info section at www.equitylifestyle.com at 10:00 a.m. Central time on October 16, 2007. The conference call will be limited to questions and answers from interested parties.

(1) Properties we owned for the same period in both years.

Tables follow:



                  Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
                       Selected Financial Data
                             (Unaudited)

           (Amounts in thousands except for per share data)

                                 Quarters Ended     Nine Months Ended
                               Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
                                 2007      2006      2007      2006
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
Property Operations:
  Community base rental income   $59,366   $56,877  $177,190  $168,617
  Resort base rental income       25,557    22,833    79,336    69,480
  Utility and other income         9,273     7,539    28,551    23,445
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Property operating
     revenues                     94,196    87,249   285,077   261,542

  Property operating and
   maintenance                    33,252    30,125    95,681    87,229
  Real estate taxes                7,037     6,780    21,646    20,122
  Property management              4,576     4,301    13,940    13,526
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Property operating
     expenses                     44,865    41,206   131,267   120,877
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Income from property
     operations                   49,331    46,043   153,810   140,665

Home Sales Operations:
  Gross revenues from
   inventory home sales            8,483    16,577    26,767    46,577
  Cost of inventory home sales   (8,117)  (15,125)  (24,364)  (41,229)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Gross profit from
     inventory home sales            366     1,452     2,403     5,348
  Brokered resale revenues,
   net                               305       448     1,248     1,723
  Home selling expenses          (1,845)   (2,472)   (5,845)   (7,386)
  Ancillary services revenues,
   net                               799       700     2,223     2,706
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    (Loss) income from home
     sales and other               (375)       128        29     2,391

Other Income and Expenses:
  Interest income                    496       595     1,458     1,434
  Income from other
   investments, net                5,323     6,172    15,407    15,454
  Equity in income of
   unconsolidated joint
   ventures                        1,092     1,328     3,136     3,933
  General and administrative     (3,795)   (3,541)  (11,146)  (10,342)
  Rent control initiatives         (722)     (201)   (2,157)     (499)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Operating income (EBITDA)     51,350    50,524   160,537   153,036

  Interest and related
   amortization                 (25,942)  (26,339)  (77,420)  (77,167)
  Income from discontinued
   operations                         96        30       234       497
  Depreciation on corporate
   assets                          (116)     (102)     (337)     (312)
  Income allocated to
   Preferred OP Units            (4,031)   (4,031)  (12,101)  (12,099)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Funds from operations
     (FFO)                       $21,357   $20,082   $70,913   $63,955

  Depreciation on real estate
   and other costs              (15,901)  (15,137)  (47,232)  (44,570)
  Depreciation on
   unconsolidated joint
   ventures                        (354)     (459)   (1,088)   (1,465)
  Depreciation on discontinued
   operations                        ---      (21)       ---      (63)
  Gain on sale of properties       6,858       ---    11,444       852
  Income allocated to Common
   OP Units                      (2,308)     (911)   (6,592)   (3,863)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Net Income available to
     Common Shares                $9,652    $3,554   $27,445   $14,846
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

Net income per Common Share -
 Basic                             $0.40     $0.15     $1.14     $0.63
Net income per Common Share -
 Fully Diluted                     $0.39     $0.15     $1.12     $0.62
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

FFO per Common Share - Basic       $0.71     $0.68     $2.37     $2.16
FFO per Common Share - Fully
 Diluted                           $0.70     $0.66     $2.33     $2.12
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

Average Common Shares - Basic     24,148    23,474    24,065    23,396
Average Common Shares and OP
 Units - Basic                    29,984    29,633    29,946    29,585
Average Common Shares and OP
 Units - Fully Diluted            30,418    30,239    30,402    30,209




                  Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
                             (Unaudited)


                                               As Of         As Of
                                           September 30, December 31,
Total Common Shares and OP Units
 Outstanding:                                  2007          2006
                                           ------------- -------------

Total Common Shares Outstanding               24,357,179    23,928,652
Total Common OP Units Outstanding              5,836,043     6,090,068



Selected Balance Sheet Data:               September 30, December 31,
                                               2007          2006
                                           (amounts in   (amounts in
                                               000s)         000s)
                                           ------------- -------------
Total real estate, net                        $1,895,434    $1,901,651
Cash and cash equivalents                         $3,702        $1,605
Total assets                                  $2,047,271    $2,055,831

Mortgage notes payable                        $1,575,196    $1,586,012
Unsecured debt                                   $97,900      $131,200
Total liabilities                             $1,760,297    $1,795,919
Minority interest                               $217,435      $212,794
Total stockholders' equity                       $69,539       $47,118


Manufactured Home Site Figures   Quarters Ended     Nine Months Ended
 and Occupancy Averages: (1)   Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
                                 2007      2006      2007      2006
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

Total Sites                       44,158    44,134    44,155    43,740
Occupied Sites                    39,887    39,735    39,916    39,403
Occupancy %                        90.3%    90.0 %     90.4%     90.1%
Monthly Base Rent Per Site       $496.11   $477.12   $493.23   $475.47
Core Monthly Base Rent Per
 Site                            $501.82   $482.63   $498.94   $479.34


                                 Quarters Ended     Nine Months Ended
                               Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
Home Sales: (1)                  2007      2006      2007      2006
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
New Home Sales Volume (2)            113       220       346       574
New Home Sales Gross Revenues     $8,019   $15,949   $25,045   $44,637

Used Home Sales Volume (3)            69       117       224       297
Used Home Sales Gross Revenues      $464      $628    $1,722    $1,940

Brokered Home Resale Volume          202       271       769     1,015
Brokered Home Resale Revenues,
 net                                $305      $448    $1,248    $1,723


(1) Results of continuing operations.
(2) Quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 includes 14 and
 37 third-party dealer sales, respectively. Quarter and nine months
 ended September 30, 2006 include 17 and 46 third-party dealer sales,
 respectively.
(3) Quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 includes zero and
 five third-party dealer sales, respectively. Quarter and nine months
 ended September 30, 2006 include seven and nine third-party dealer
 sales, respectively.


                  Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
                             (Unaudited)


Summary of Total Sites as of September 30, 2007:


                                                            Sites
                                                        --------------

Community sites (1)                                             45,300
Resort sites:
  Annuals                                                       19,100
  Seasonal                                                       8,300
  Transient                                                      9,300
  Membership (2)                                                24,100
Joint Ventures (3)                                               6,800
                                                        --------------
                                                               112,900
                                                        ==============


(1) Includes 1,174 sites from discontinued operations.
(2) All sites are currently leased to Privileged Access.
(3) Joint Venture income is included in Equity in income of
 unconsolidated joint ventures.


Funds available for
 distribution (FAD):             Quarters Ended     Nine Months Ended
                               Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
                                 2007      2006      2007      2006
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

Funds from operations            $21,357   $20,082   $70,913   $63,955
Non-revenue producing
 improvements to real estate     (4,467)   (3,132)  (10,850)   (8,568)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Funds available for
   distribution                  $16,890   $16,950   $60,063   $55,387
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

FAD per Common Share - Basic       $0.56     $0.57     $2.01     $1.87
FAD per Common Share - Fully
 Diluted                           $0.56     $0.56     $1.98     $1.83
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
Earnings and FFO per Common
 Share Guidance on a fully
 diluted basis (unaudited):      Full Year 2007      Full Year 2008
                                  Low      High       Low      High
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

Projected net income               $0.98     $0.99     $0.83     $0.95
Projected depreciation              2.12      2.12      2.12      2.12
Gain on sale of properties        (0.38)    (0.38)         -         -
Projected income allocated to
 common OP units                    0.23      0.24      0.20      0.23
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
Projected FFO available to
 common shareholders               $2.95     $2.97     $3.15     $3.30
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

Funds from Operations ("FFO") is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes that FFO, as defined by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), is an appropriate measure of performance for an equity REIT. While FFO is a relevant and widely used measure of operating performance for equity REITs, it does not represent cash flow from operations or net income as defined by GAAP, and it should not be considered as an alternative to these indicators in evaluating liquidity or operating performance.

FFO is defined as net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses from sales of properties, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, 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. The Company believes that FFO is helpful to investors as one of several measures of the performance of an equity REIT. The Company further believes that by excluding the effect of depreciation, amortization and 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. The Company computes FFO in accordance with standards established by 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. Funds available for distribution ("FAD") is a non-GAAP financial measure. FAD is defined as FFO less non-revenue producing capital expenditures. Investors should review FFO and FAD, along with GAAP net income and cash flow from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities, when evaluating an equity REIT's operating performance. FFO and FAD 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.

CONTACT:
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Michael Berman
(312) 279-1496

SOURCE: Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.