BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Merger of MAA and Colonial On October 1, 2013, we completed our previously announced merger with Colonial. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Martha Merger Sub, LP, or OP Merger Sub, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of our Operating Partnership, merged with and into Colonial LP, with Colonial LP being the surviving entity of the merger and becoming a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of our Operating Partnership, which is referred to as the partnership merger. The partnership merger was part of the transactions contemplated by the previously announced agreement and plan of merger entered into on June 3, 2013 among MAA, our Operating Partnership, OP Merger Sub, Colonial, and Colonial LP pursuant to which MAA and Colonial combined through a merger of Colonial with and into MAA, with MAA surviving the merger, which is referred to as the parent merger. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each Colonial common share was converted into the right to receive 0.36 of a newly issued share of MAA common stock. In addition, each limited partner interest in Colonial LP designated as a  Class A Unit  and a  Partnership Unit  under the limited partnership agreement of Colonial LP, which we refer to in this filing as Colonial LP units, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the partnership merger was converted into common units in our Operating Partnership at the 0.36 conversion rate. The merger combined two complimentary multifamily portfolios to create the second largest publicly-held owner and operator of multifamily units in the United States by number of units, diversified across the large and secondary markets of the Sunbelt region. The increased size and scale of the operating platform produces synergies and enhances the Company's competitive advantage in the region, which is expected to drive higher operating margins. The larger Company also has enhanced liquidity for shareholders and greater access to multiple forms of capital. As part of the Merger, we acquired 115 wh