APARTMENT INVESTMENT & MANAGEMENT CO

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included within Property operating expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, we recognized total advertising costs of$2.2 million,$2.0 million, and$1.0 million, respectively.

Gain or (loss) on dispositions of real estate

Gains or losses on dispositions are recognized when the criteria for the derecognition of a nonfinancial asset are met, including when control of the real estate has transferred. Upon disposition, the related assets and liabilities are derecognized, and the gain or loss on disposition is recognized as the difference between the carrying amount of those assets and liabilities and the value of consideration received. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, we recognized total Gain on dispositions of real estate, including discontinued operations, of$783.0 million, $10.6 million, and $8.0 million, respectively. Refer to Note 3 forfurther information regarding real estate dispositions.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation for all tangible assets is calculated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Acquired buildings and improvements are depreciated over a useful life based on the age, condition, and other physical characteristics of the asset. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are generally depreciated over five years.

We depreciate capitalized costs using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related improvement, which is generally 5,15, or 30 years. We also capitalize payroll and other indirect costs incurred in connection with preparing an asset for its intended use. These costs include corporate-level costs that clearly relate to the capital addition activities, which we allocate to the applicable assets. All capitalized payroll costs and indirect costs are allocated to capital additions proportionately based on direct costs and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of such capital additions.

Purchased equipment is recognized at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, which is generally five years. Leasehold improvements are also recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the term of the related lease.

Certain homogeneous items that are purchased in bulk on a recurring basis, such as appliances, are depreciated using group methods that reflect the average estimated useful life of the items in each group. Except in the case of casualties, where the net book value of the lost asset is written off in the determination of casualty gains or losses, we generally do not recognize any loss in connection with the replacement of an existing community component because normal replacements are considered in determi ning the estimated useful lives used in connection with our composite and group depreciation methods.