ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST INC
10-Q, 1998-11-16
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>   1
                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

             (X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998

                                       OR

            ( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission File No. 1-13106

                           ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

                Maryland                                77-0369576
     (State or other jurisdiction                     (I.R.S. Employer
 of incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.)

                925 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, California 94303
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip code)

                                 (650) 494-3700
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

   Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such report, and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No __



                      APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date: 16,636,516 shares of Common
Stock as of October 30, 1998


<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      INDEX

Exhibit
Number   Description                                                                Page Number

PART I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<S>           <C>                                                                       <C>
Item 1:       Financial Statements (Unaudited)                                           3

              Consolidated Balance Sheets
              as of September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997                             4

              Consolidated Statements of Operations
              for the three months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                     5

              Consolidated Statements of Operations
              for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                      6

              Consolidated Statements of  Stockholders' Equity
              for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and the year
              ended December 31, 1997                                                    7

              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
              for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                      8

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                 9

Item 2:       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
              Condition and Results of Operations                                       13

PART II:      OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6:       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                          21

              Signatures                                                                22

</TABLE>


                                     Page 2
<PAGE>   3


PART I            FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1:  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

              "Essex" or "The Company" means Essex Property Trust, Inc., a real
              estate investment trust incorporated in the State of Maryland, or
              where the context otherwise requires, Essex Portfolio, L.P., a
              limited partnership in which Essex Property Trust, Inc. is the
              sole general partner.

              The information furnished in the accompanying consolidated
              unaudited balance sheets, statements of operations, stockholders'
              equity and cash flows of Essex reflects all adjustments which are,
              in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of
              the aforementioned financial statements for the interim periods.

              The accompanying unaudited financial statements should be read in
              conjunction with the notes to such financial statements and
              Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations.


                                     Page 3
<PAGE>   4


                           ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                   (Unaudited)
                             (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       September 30,       December 31,
                                   Assets                                  1998                1997
                                   ------                                ---------           ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>      
Real estate:
     Rental properties:
         Land and land improvements                                      $ 219,013           $ 182,416
         Buildings and improvements                                        663,457             548,571
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                           882,470             730,987
         Less accumulated depreciation                                     (71,734)            (58,040)
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                           810,736             672,947
     Investments                                                             9,848               2,347
     Real estate under development                                          45,028              27,422
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                           865,612             702,716

Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted                                       3,071               4,282
Restricted cash                                                             15,205               6,093
Notes and other related party receivables                                    9,864               9,264
Notes and other receivables                                                 10,770               8,602
Prepaid expenses and other assets                                           10,402               3,838
Deferred charges, net                                                        5,310               4,040
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                         $ 920,234           $ 738,835
                                                                         =========           =========

                    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Mortgage notes payable                                                   $ 297,508           $ 248,997
Lines of credit                                                             63,000              27,600
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                    37,648              21,337
Dividends payable                                                           10,913               9,189
Deferred gain                                                                5,002                  --
Other liabilities                                                            5,316               4,208
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                             Total liabilities                             419,387             311,331

Minority interests                                                         106,112              28,589

Stockholders' equity:
     8.75% Convertible Preferred Stock, Series 1996A: $.0001                     1                   1
       par value, 1,600,000 authorized, issued, and outstanding
     Common stock, $.0001 par value per share, 668,400,000
       authorized, 16,635,966 and 16,614,687                                     2                   2
       issued and outstanding
     Excess stock, $.0001 par value per share, 330,000,000
       shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding                       --                  --
     Additional paid-in capital                                            431,197             430,804
     Accumulated deficit                                                   (36,465)            (31,892)
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                             Total stockholders' equity                    394,735             398,915
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                         $ 920,234           $ 738,835
                                                                         =========           =========

</TABLE>

   See accompanying notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements.


                                     Page 4
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)
                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                        Three months ended
                                                                -----------------------------------
                                                                 September 30,       September 30,
                                                                     1998                 1997
                                                                ------------           ------------
<S>                                                             <C>                  <C>  
Revenues:
     Rental                                                     $     31,068           $     20,887
     Interest and other income                                         1,583                  1,088
                                                                ------------           ------------
                                                                      32,651                 21,975
                                                                ------------           ------------

Expenses:
     Property operating expenses
         Maintenance and repairs                                       1,858                  1,678
         Real estate taxes                                             2,349                  1,571
         Utilities                                                     2,023                  1,369
         Administrative                                                2,888                  1,493
         Advertising                                                     342                    309
         Insurance                                                       224                    224
         Depreciation and amortization                                 5,575                  3,555
                                                                ------------           ------------
                                                                      15,259                 10,199

     Interest                                                          5,245                  3,118
     Amortization of deferred financing costs                            212                    128
     General and administrative                                        1,007                    631
     Provision for litigation loss                                       930                     --
                                                                ------------           ------------
         Total expenses                                               22,653                 14,076
                                                                ------------           ------------

         Income before gain on sales of real estate,
             minority interests and extraordinary item                 9,998                  7,899

     Gain on sales of real estate                                          9                  4,713
                                                                ------------           ------------

         Income before minority interests and
            extraordinary item                                        10,007                 12,612

     Minority interests                                               (2,523)                (1,645)
                                                                ------------           ------------

         Income before extraordinary item                              7,484                 10,967

     Extraordinary item:
         Loss on early extinguishment of debt                           (806)                    --
                                                                ------------           ------------
            Net income                                          $      6,678           $     10,967
                                                                ============           ============

Per share data:
     Basic:
         Income before extraordinary item                       $       0.40           $       0.73
         Extraordinary item -  debt extinguishment                     (0.05)                  0.00
                                                                ------------           ------------
            Net income                                          $       0.35           $       0.73
                                                                ============           ============

         Weighted average number of shares
            outstanding during the period                         16,635,228             13,915,790
                                                                ============           ============

     Diluted:
         Income before extraordinary item                       $       0.39           $       0.69
         Extraordinary item -  debt extinguishment                     (0.05)                  0.00
                                                                ------------           ------------
            Net income                                          $       0.34           $       0.69
                                                                ============           ============

         Weighted average number of shares
            outstanding during the period                         16,821,421             15,961,927
                                                                ============           ============
     Dividend per share                                         $      0.500           $      0.450
                                                                ============           ============

</TABLE>

   See accompanying notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements.


                                     Page 5
<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)
                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                        Nine months ended
                                                               -----------------------------------
                                                                 September 30,       September 30,
                                                                     1998                1997
                                                               ------------           ------------
<S>                                                            <C>                    <C>         
Revenues:
     Rental                                                    $     87,871           $     56,596
     Interest and other income                                        4,300                  3,510
                                                               ------------           ------------
                                                                     92,171                 60,106
                                                               ------------           ------------

Expenses:
     Property operating expenses
         Maintenance and repairs                                      6,585                  4,765
         Real estate taxes                                            6,767                  4,473
         Utilities                                                    5,631                  3,649
         Administrative                                               7,022                  3,845
         Advertising                                                  1,190                    861
         Insurance                                                      859                    688
         Depreciation and amortization                               15,876                  9,863
                                                               ------------           ------------
                                                                     43,930                 28,144

     Interest                                                        14,259                  9,348
     Amortization of deferred financing costs                           553                    383
     General and administrative                                       2,841                  1,682
     Provision for litigation loss                                      930                     --
                                                               ------------           ------------
         Total expenses                                              62,513                 39,557
                                                               ------------           ------------

         Income before gain on sales of real estate,
            minority interests and extraordinary item                29,658                 20,549

     Gain on sales of real estate                                         9                  5,127
                                                               ------------           ------------

         Income before minority interests and
            extraordinary item                                       29,667                 25,676

     Minority interests                                              (6,710)                (3,483)
                                                               ------------           ------------

         Income before extraordinary item                            22,957                 22,193

     Extraordinary item:
         Loss on early extinguishment of debt                          (806)                  (104)
                                                               ------------           ------------
            Net income                                         $     22,151           $     22,089
                                                               ============           ============

Per share data:
     Basic:
         Income before extraordinary item                      $       1.22           $       1.57
         Extraordinary item -  debt extinguishment                    (0.05)                 (0.01)
                                                               ------------           ------------
            Net income                                         $       1.17           $       1.56
                                                               ============           ============

         Weighted average number of shares
            outstanding during the period                        16,628,721             13,024,696
                                                               ============           ============

     Diluted:
         Income before extraordinary item                      $       1.21           $       1.53
         Extraordinary item -  debt extinguishment                    (0.05)                 (0.01)
                                                               ------------           ------------
            Net income                                         $       1.16           $       1.52
                                                               ============           ============

         Weighted average number of shares
            outstanding during the period                        16,814,880             14,486,272
                                                               ============           ============

     Dividend per share                                        $      1.450           $      1.320
                                                               ============           ============

</TABLE>


   See accompanying notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements.

                                     Page 6
<PAGE>   7

                           ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
                 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
              For the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and the
                          year ended December 31, 1997
                                   (Unaudited)
                        (Dollars and shares in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                       
                                            Preferred stock            Common stock          Additional              
                                         ----------------------    ----------------------    paid - in   Accumulated
                                         Shares        Amount       Shares        Amount      capital      deficit         Total
                                        ---------     ---------    ---------     ---------   ---------    ---------      ---------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>      
Balances at December 31, 1996                 800     $       1       11,592     $       1   $ 256,106    $ (33,301)     $ 222,807

Net proceeds from preferred
  stock offering                              800            --           --            --      20,000           --         20,000
Net proceeds from common
  stock offerings                              --            --        4,995             1     154,012           --        154,013
Net proceeds from options exercised            --            --           28            --         686           --            686
Net income                                     --            --           --            --          --       29,316         29,316
Dividends declared                             --            --           --            --          --      (27,907)       (27,907)

                                        ---------     ---------    ---------     ---------   ---------    ---------      ---------
Balances at December 31, 1997               1,600             1       16,615             2     430,804      (31,892)       398,915

Shares issued from Dividend
   Reinvestment Plan                           --            --            2            --          10           --             10
Net proceeds from options exercised            --            --           19            --         383           --            383
Net income                                     --            --           --            --          --       22,151         22,151
Dividends declared                             --            --           --            --          --      (26,724)       (26,724)

                                        ---------     ---------    ---------     ---------   ---------    ---------      ---------
Balances at September 30, 1998              1,600     $       1       16,636     $       2   $ 431,197    $ (36,465)     $ 394,735
                                        =========     =========    =========     =========   =========    =========      =========

</TABLE>

    See accompanying notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements

                                     Page 7
<PAGE>   8


                           ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)
                             (Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       Nine months ended
                                                                                 -----------------------------
                                                                                 September 30,     September 30,
                                                                                    1998               1997
                                                                                 ---------           ---------

<S>                                                                             <C>                 <C>    
Net cash provided by operating activities                                        $  48,725           $  30,839
                                                                                 ---------           ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Additions to rental properties                                               (152,660)           (122,667)
     Additions to restricted cash                                                   (9,112)             (1,468)
     Dispositions of rental properties                                              26,354              15,470
     Additions to notes receivable                                                    (438)               (785)
     Additions to real estate under development                                    (24,018)            (22,663)
     Investments in corporations and limited partnerships                              531                 371
                                                                                 ---------           ---------

          Net cash used in investing activities                                   (159,343)           (131,742)
                                                                                 ---------           ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Proceeds from mortgage and other notes payable
          and lines of credit                                                      199,347              75,055
     Repayment of mortgage and other notes payable
          and lines of credit                                                     (133,879)            (89,471)
     Additions to deferred charges                                                  (1,823)               (413)
     Additions to related party notes and other receivables                         (3,450)            (23,277)
     Repayment of related party notes and other receivables                          2,850              11,576
     Decrease in offering related accounts payable                                    (282)               (789)
     Net proceeds from convertible preferred stock sale                                 --              20,000
     Net proceeds from follow-on offerings                                              --             104,119
     Net proceeds from perpetual preferred units sale                               77,775                  --
     Net proceeds from stock options exercised
          and dividend reinvestment plan                                               393                 338
     Distributions to minority interest/partners                                    (5,624)             (2,785)
     Dividends paid                                                                (25,900)            (17,374)
                                                                                 ---------           ---------

          Net cash provided by financing activities                                109,407              76,979
                                                                                 ---------           ---------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                (1,211)            (23,924)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                     4,282              42,705
                                                                                 ---------           ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                       $   3,071           $  18,781
                                                                                 =========           =========

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
          Cash paid for interest, net of $2,575
          and $1,276 capitalized                                                 $  10,917           $   8,741
                                                                                 =========           =========

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
               Mortgage notes payable assumed in connection
                    with purchase of real estate                                 $  18,443           $  49,137
                                                                                 =========           =========

               Dividends payable                                                 $  10,913           $   8,509
                                                                                 =========           =========

</TABLE>

   See accompanying notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements.

                                     Page 8
<PAGE>   9


                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
                                   (UNAUDITED)
        (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)


(1)       ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

       The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Essex are prepared in
       accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
       financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form
       10-Q. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair
       presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash
       flows for the periods presented have been included and are normal and
       recurring in nature. These unaudited consolidated financial statements
       should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial
       statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the
       year ended December 31, 1997.

       The consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended
       September 30, 1998 and 1997 include the accounts of the Company and Essex
       Portfolio, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership", which holds the operating
       assets of the Company). The Company is the sole general partner in the
       Operating Partnership, owning an 89.9%, 89.9%, and 89.0% general
       partnership interest as of September 30, 1998, December 31, 1997 and
       September 30, 1997, respectively.

       All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
       eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

(2)       SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS

       (A) Acquisitions

       On August 10, 1998, the Company acquired Westwood Apartments, a 116-unit
       apartment community located in Cupertino, California, for a contract
       price of $19,850. The community features a swimming pool, large private
       backyards, and convenient freeway access.

       This third quarter 1998 acquisition was funded with proceeds from the
       disposition of Santa Fe Ridge Apartments and borrowings under the
       Company's lines of credit.

       (B)   Dispositions

       On August 5, 1998, the Company sold Santa Fe Ridge Apartments located in
       Silverdale, Washington, for a gross sales price of $12,000 resulting in a
       gain of $9. The gain included an estimated $1,000 receivable relating to
       a defective siding claim based on estimates provided by a court appointed
       claims administrator in accordance with a class action suit arrangement.

       (C)  Litigation Loss

       In September of 1998, the Company established a $930 provision for
       litigation loss relating to employee claims made several years ago. The
       provision reduces net income per share by approximately $.06 and
       represents a non-recurring charge included in the accompanying unaudited
       consolidated statement of operations.

       (D)  Debt Related Transactions

       On July 28, 1998 the Company repaid the Prudential loan secured by Santa
       Fe Ridge and originated a new loan with Prudential secured by Wilshire
       Promenade. The fixed interest rate on the new loan is 7.0% compared to
       8.9% on the repaid loan. A prepayment penalty of approximately $806 was
       incurred and is reflected in the accompanying unaudited consolidated
       statement of operations as an extraordinary charge resulting from early
       extinguishment of debt.


                                     Page 9
<PAGE>   10

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
                                   (UNAUDITED)
        (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)


       (E)  Subsequent Events

       On October 9, 1998, the Company completed financing for a $100,000
       mortgage loan, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 6.62% per annum, which
       matures in October 2008. This mortgage loan is secured by eight apartment
       communities. This loan provides for the option to release the underlying
       collateral, thereby making the loan unsecured, upon satisfying several
       conditions, including the requirement that the resulting unsecured debt
       is rated at least BBB- by Standard & Poors and Baa3 by Moody's Investors
       Service. A portion of the proceeds were utilized by the Company to repay
       an existing loan of $47,000 which had an approximate 7.9% effective rate.
       The remainder of the proceeds was utilized by the Company to pay down
       outstanding balances under its line of credit. In connection with this
       refinancing, the Company has incurred an approximate extraordinary loss
       of $3,900 relating to prepayment penalties and the write-off of
       unamortized loan costs which will be reflected as an extraordinary item
       in the Company's financial statements for the year ending December 31,
       1998.

(3)      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

       All general and administrative expenses of the Company and Essex
       Management Corporation ("EMC") are initially borne by the Company, with a
       portion subsequently allocated to EMC. Expenses allocated to EMC for the
       three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 totaled $37 and $174,
       respectively, and are reflected as a reduction in general and
       administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of
       operations.

       Rental income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations
       includes related party rents earned from space leased to The Marcus &
       Millichap Company ("M&M"), including operating expense reimbursement, of
       $133 and $563 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998,
       respectively, and $175 and $518 for the three and nine months ended
       September 30, 1997, respectively.

       Other income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998
       includes interest income of $249 and $784, respectively, earned
       principally under notes receivable from the partnerships which
       collectively own Highridge Apartments, a 255 unit multifamily property
       located in Rancho Palos Verde, California ("Highridge"), the partnerships
       which collectively own an approximate 30.7% minority interest in Pathways
       Apartments, a 296 unit multifamily property located in Long Beach,
       California ("Pathways") and from notes receivable from Essex Fidelity I
       Corporation. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998, the
       Company earned $0 and $196, respectively, of dividend income from Essex
       Sacramento Corporation and Essex Fidelity I Corporation combined. In
       addition, Essex earned management fee income of $143 and $348 for the
       three and nine months ended September 30, 1998, respectively, from Anchor
       Village, Highridge, Pathways, and the partnerships which collectively own
       the three retail shopping centers located in the Portland, Oregon
       metropolitan area.


                                    Page 10
<PAGE>   11

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
                                   (UNAUDITED)
        (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)


       Notes and other related party receivables as of September 30, 1998 and
         December 31, 1997 consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           September  30,   December 31,
                                                               1998            1997
                                                           -------------    ------------

<S>                                                        <C>             <C>  
Notes and other related party receivables:
Note receivable from Highridge Apartments
 secured, bearing interest at 9%, due March, 2008             $1,047          $2,750

Notes receivable from Fidelity I,  secured,
 bearing interest at 12%, due December 1998                    1,580           1,580

Note receivable from Fidelity I and JSV, secured,
  bearing interest at 9.5%-10%, due 2015                       1,026             726

Notes receivable from Highridge Apartments,
  non-interest bearing, due on demand                          2,784           1,699

Loans to officers, bearing interest at 8%, due April
  2006                                                           375             375

Other related party receivables, substantially
  due on demand                                                3,052           2,134
                                                              ------          ------
                                                              $9,864          $9,264
                                                              ======          ======

</TABLE>

Other related party receivables consist primarily of accrued interest income on
related party notes receivables and loans to officers, advances and accrued
management fees from joint venture partnerships, and unreimbursed expenses due
from EMC.


(4)      FORWARD TREASURY CONTRACTS:

       In October 1997, the Company entered into four forward treasury contracts
       for an aggregate notional amount of $60,000, locking the 10 year treasury
       rate at between 6.15% - 6.26%. These contracts are to limit the interest
       rate exposure on identified future debt financing requirements relating
       to the multi-family residential projects under development and a maturity
       of an $18,520 fixed rate loan. These contracts will be settled no later
       than June 2000. If the contracts were settled as of October 30, 1998, the
       Company would be obliged to pay approximately $4,500.

       The Company has a LIBOR based swap contract for a notional amount of
       $12,298, fixing the one month LIBOR rate at 6.14%. This contract was 
       originally purchased to cover a variable rate loan which was repaid in
       March 1997. The Company has kept this contract in place to limit its
       interest rate exposure on borrowings on its LIBOR based lines of credit.
       If this contract were settled as of October 30, 1998, the Company would
       be obligated to pay approximately $544.

(5)    RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

       In June 1997, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 130
       (SFAS130), Reporting Comprehensive Income. SFAS 130 is effective with the
       year-end 1998 financial statements; however, the total comprehensive
       income is required in the financial statements for interim periods
       beginning in 1998. In March 1998, the Emerging Issues Task Force issued
       EITF 97-11 Accounting for Internal Costs Related to Real Estate Property
       Acquisitions. The Company has adopted SFAS 130 and EITF 97-11 for interim
       periods beginning in 1998. The adoption does not have a material impact
       on the Company's financial statements.

       In June 1997, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 131,
       Disclosure About Segments of An Enterprise and Related Information. SFAS
       131 is effective with the year-end 1998 financial statements. In February
       1998, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards No. 132,


                                    Page 11
<PAGE>   12

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
                                   (UNAUDITED)
        (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AND PER UNIT AMOUNTS)


       Employees' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.
       SFAS 132 is effective with the year-end 1998 Financial Statements. In
       June 1998, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Statement No. 133 (SFAS
       133), Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The
       Company will adopt SFAS 133 for interim periods beginning in 2000, the
       effective date of SFAS 133. Management believes that the adoption of
       these statements will not have a material impact on the Company's
       financial statements.


 (6)   NET INCOME PER SHARE:

       Net income per share in the accompanying consolidated statements of
       operations is calculated for the three months ended September 30, 1998
       and 1997, respectively, by dividing net income applicable to the holders
       of the Company's Common Stock ("Common Stockholders") of $5,803 and
       $10,092 by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Net
       income applicable to Common Stockholders is calculated by deducting
       preferred dividends of $875 and $875 for the three months ended September
       30, 1998 and 1997, respectively, from net income.

       Net income per share in the accompanying consolidated statements of
       operations is calculated for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and
       1997, respectively, by dividing net income applicable to Common
       Stockholders of $19,526 and $20,284 by the weighted average shares
       outstanding during the period. Net income applicable to Common
       Stockholders is calculated by deducting preferred dividends of $2,625 and
       $1,805 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997,
       respectively, from net income.




                                    Page 12
<PAGE>   13


ITEM 2:  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                  RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following discussion is based primarily on the consolidated financial
statements of Essex Property Trust, Inc. ("Essex" or the "Company") as of
September 30, 1998 and 1997 and for the three and nine months ended September
30, 1998 and 1997.

This information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. These financial statements
include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to
reflect a fair statement of the results and all such adjustments are of a normal
recurring nature.

Substantially all of the assets of Essex are held by, and substantially all of
the operations of Essex are conducted through, Essex Portfolio, L.P. (the
"Operating Partnership"). Essex is the sole general partner of the Operating
Partnership and, as of September 30, 1998 and 1997, owned an 89.9% and 89.0%
general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, respectively. The
Company has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (a "REIT")
for federal income tax purposes.

Certain statements in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in the quarterly report on
Form 10-Q which are not historical facts may be considered forward looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, intentions,
beliefs and strategies regarding the future. Forward looking statements include
statements regarding the Company's expectation as to the timing of completion of
current development projects, beliefs as to the adequacy of future cash flows to
meet operating requirements and to provide for dividend payments in accordance
with REIT requirements, and expectations as to the amount of non-revenue
generating capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 1998, potential
acquisitions and developments, the anticipated performance of existing
properties, future acquisitions and developments, and statements regarding the
Company's financing activities. Such forward-looking statements involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited
to, that the actual completion of development projects will be subject to
delays, that such development projects will not be completed, that future cash
flows will be inadequate to meet operating requirements and/or will be
sufficient to provide for dividend payments in accordance with REIT
requirements, the actual non-revenue generating capital expenditures will exceed
the Company's current expectations, as well as those risks, special
considerations, and other factors discussed under the caption "Other Matters" in
Item 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, and those other risk factors and special considerations set forth in
Essex's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Essex to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Essex's revenues are generated primarily from multifamily residential and
commercial property operations, which accounted for 97% and 96% of its revenues
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Essex's
properties (the "Properties") are located in California, Washington and Oregon.
Occupancy levels of the multifamily residential Properties in these markets have
averaged over 95% for the last five years.

Essex has elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes,
commencing with the year ended December 31, 1994. In order to maintain
compliance with REIT tax rules, Essex provides some of its fee-based asset
management and disposition services as well as third-party property management
and leasing services through Essex Management Corporation ("EMC"). Essex owns
100% of EMC's 19,000 shares of non-voting preferred stock. Executives of Essex
own 100% of EMC's 1,000 shares of common stock.

Since the Company's initial public offering (the "IPO") in June 1994, the
Company has acquired ownership interests in 49 multifamily residential
properties, of which 32 are located in California, 16 are located in


                                    Page 13
<PAGE>   14

Washington and one is located in Oregon. In aggregate, these acquisitions
consist of a total of 9,498 units and had a total capitalized cost of
approximately $716.7 million. As part of its active portfolio management
strategy, the Company has sold, since its IPO, six multifamily residential
properties (five in Northern California and one in the Pacific Northwest)
consisting of a total of 819 units and six retail shopping centers in the
Portland, Oregon metropolitan area at an aggregate gross sales price of
approximately $71.1 million resulting in net aggregate gain recognition of
approximately $13.6 million.

Average financial occupancy rates (the percentage resulting from dividing actual
rents by total possible rents as determined by valuing occupied units at
contractual rates and vacant units at market rents) of the Company's multifamily
properties on a same-property basis decreased to 96.5% for the three months
ended September 30, 1998 from 96.7% for the three months ended September 30,
1997. The regional breakdown of such financial occupancy for the three months
ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 September 30,       September 30,
                                     1998                1997
                                 ------------        -------------
<S>                              <C>                 <C>  
Northern California                  97.3%               97.7%
Pacific Northwest                    95.2%               96.0%
Southern California                  96.9%               96.1%

</TABLE>

The Company's commercial properties were 100% occupied (based on square footage)
as of September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 1998 to the Three Months
Ended September 30, 1997.

Total Revenues increased by $10,676,000 or 48.6% to $32,651,000 in the third
quarter of 1998 from $21,975,000 in the third quarter of 1997. The following
table sets forth a breakdown of these revenue amounts, including the revenues
attributable to properties that Essex owned for both of the quarters ended
September 30, 1998 and 1997 ("Quarterly Same Store Properties").

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               
                                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                                    September 30,
                                             Number of          ---------------------           Dollar            Percentage
                                             Properties           1998           1997           Change              Change
                                             ----------          -----          -----           ------            ----------
<S>                                          <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>  
Quarterly Same Store Properties
   Rental income:
     Northern California                           12          $ 9,014          $ 8,285          $    729                8.8 %
     Pacific Northwest                             12            5,656            5,323               333                6.3
     Southern California                            9            4,306            4,005               301                7.5
     Commercial                                     1              476              410                66               16.1
                                              -------          -------          -------          --------           --------
       Total rental income quarterly
       same store properties                       34           19,452           18,023             1,429                7.9%
                                              =======
   Other property income                                           466              318               148               46.5
                                                               -------          -------          --------           --------
       Total revenues quarterly
       same store properties                                    19,918           18,341             1,577                8.6%
                                                      
Properties Acquired/Disposed of                       
Subsequent to July 1, 1997                            
   Rental income                                                11,616            2,864             8,752             305.6%
   Other property income                                           256               56               200             357.1
                                                               -------          -------          --------           --------
       Total revenues properties                      
       acquired/disposed of                           
       subsequent to July 1, 1997                               11,872            2,920             8,952             306.6%
   Interest and other income                                       861              714               147              20.6
                                                               -------          -------          --------           --------
       Total revenues                                          $32,651          $21,975           $10,676              48.6%
                                                               =======          =======          ========           ========

</TABLE>


                                    Page 14
<PAGE>   15

As set forth in the above table, $8,752,000 of the $10,676,000 increase in total
revenues between the comparable quarters is attributable to properties acquired
or disposed of subsequent to July 1, 1997. During this period, Essex acquired
interests in 22 multifamily properties (the "Quarterly Acquisition Properties"),
and disposed of two multifamily properties and four retail shopping centers (the
"Quarterly Disposition Properties").

Of the increase in total revenues, $1,429,000 is attributable to increases in
rental income from the Quarterly Same Store Properties. Rental income from the
Quarterly Same Store Properties increased by $1,429,000 or 7.9% to $19,452,000
in the third quarter of 1998 from $18,023,000 in the third quarter of 1997. The
majority of this increase was attributable to the 12 multifamily Quarterly Same
Store Properties located in Northern California, the rental income of which
increased by $729,000 or 8.8% to $9,014,000 in the third quarter of 1998 from
$8,285,000 in the third quarter of 1997. This $729,000 increase is primarily
attributable to rental rate increases as offset by a decrease in financial
occupancy to 97.3% in the third quarter of 1998 from 97.7% in the third quarter
of 1997. The 12 multifamily Quarterly Same Store Properties located in the
Pacific Northwest accounted for the next largest regional component of the
Quarterly Same Store Properties rental income increase. The rental income of
these properties increased by $333,000 or 6.3% to $5,656,000 in the third
quarter of 1998 from $5,323,000 in the third quarter of 1997. The $333,000
increase is attributable to rental rate increases as offset by a decrease in
financial occupancy to 95.2% in the third quarter of 1998 from 96.0% in the
third quarter of 1997. The nine multifamily Quarterly Same Store Properties
located in Southern California also contributed towards the Quarterly Same Store
Properties rental income increase. The rental income of these properties
increased by $301,000 or 7.5% to $4,306,000 in the third quarter of 1998 from
$4,005,000 in the third quarter of 1997. This $301,000 increase is primarily
attributable to rental rate increases and an increase in financial occupancy to
96.9% in the third quarter of 1998 from 96.1% in the third quarter of 1997.

The increase in total revenue also reflected an increase of $148,000 in other
property income from the Quarterly Same Store Properties, an increase of
$200,000 in other property income from the Quarterly Acquisition Properties, and
an increase of $147,000 attributable to interest and other income.

Total Expenses increased by $8,577,000 or approximately 60.9% to $22,653,000 in
the third quarter of 1998 from $14,076,000 in the third quarter of 1997.
Interest expense increased by $2,127,000 or 68.2% to $5,245,000 in the third
quarter of 1998 from $3,118,000 in the third quarter of 1997. Such increase was
primarily due to the net addition of outstanding mortgage debt in connection
with property and investment acquisitions. Property operating expenses,
exclusive of depreciation and amortization, increased by $3,040,000 or 45.8% to
$9,684,000 in the third quarter of 1998 from $6,644,000 in the third quarter of
1997. Of such increase, $3,227,000 was attributable to the Quarterly Acquisition
Properties and the Quarterly Disposition Properties. General and administrative
expenses represents the costs of Essex's various acquisition and administrative
departments as well as partnership administration and non-operating expenses.
Such expenses increased by $376,000 in the third quarter of 1998 from the amount
for the third quarter of 1997. This increase is largely due to additional
staffing requirements resulting from the growth of Essex.

Net income decreased by $4,289,000 to $6,678,000 in the third quarter of 1998
from $10,967,000 in the third quarter of 1997. The decrease in net income was
primarily a result of a recorded loss on early debt extinguishment of $806,000
and a provision for litigation loss and related legal costs of $930,000 in the
third quarter of 1998. Furthermore, the Company recorded a gain on sale of real
estate of $4,713,000 in the third quarter of 1997. The net effect of these items
were offset by the net contribution of the Quarterly Acquisition Properties and
an increase in net operating income from the Quarterly Same Store Properties, as
offset by a decrease in operating income attributable to the Quarterly
Disposition Properties.

Comparison Of The Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 To Nine Months Ended
September 30, 1997.

Total Revenues increased by $32,065,000 or 53.3% to $92,171,000 in the first
nine months of 1998 from $60,106,000 in the first nine months of 1997. The
following table sets forth a breakdown of these revenue amounts, including the
revenues attributable to properties that Essex owned for both of the nine months
ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 ("Same Store Properties").


                                    Page 15
<PAGE>   16

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           Nine Months Ended
                                                                June 30, 
                                                           ------------------
                                                                                             Dollar        Percentage
                                                           1998          1997                Change          Change
                                                           ----          ----                ------        ----------
                                         Number of 
                                         Properties
                                         ----------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>  
Same Store Properties
   Rental income:
     Northern California                       11       $ 24,580          $ 22,336          $  2,244            10.0%
     Pacific Northwest                         11         15,104            14,244               860             6.0
     Southern California                        3          6,212             5,912               300             5.1
     Commercial                                 1          1,496             1,222               274            22.4
                                            -----       --------          --------          --------           -----
       Total rental income
       same store properties                   26         47,392            43,714             3,678             8.4%
                                            =====
   Other property income                                   1,042               781               261            33.4
                                                        --------          --------          --------           -----
       Total revenues same
       store properties                                   48,434            44,495             3,939             8.9%

Properties Acquired/Disposed of
Subsequent to January 1, 1997
   Rental Income                                          40,479            12,882            27,597           214.2%
   Other property income                                     869               287               582           202.8
                                                        --------          --------          --------           -----
       Total revenues properties
       acquired/disposed of
       subsequent to January 1, 1997                      41,348            13,169            28,179           214.0%
   Interest and other income                               2,389             2,442               (53)           (2.2)
                                                        --------          --------          --------           -----
       Total revenues                                   $ 92,171          $ 60,106          $ 32,065            53.3%
                                                        ========          ========          ========           =====

</TABLE>


As set forth in the above table, $27,597,000 of the $32,065,000 increase in
total revenues between the comparable periods is attributable to properties
acquired or disposed of subsequent to January 1, 1997. During this period, Essex
acquired interest in 35 multifamily properties (the "Acquisition Properties"),
and disposed of two multifamily properties and six retail shopping centers (the
"Disposition Properties").

Of the increase in total revenues, $3,678,000 is attributable to increases in
rental income from the Same Store Properties. Rental income from the Same Store
Properties increased by $3,678,000 or 8.4% to $47,392,000 in the first nine
months of 1998 from $43,714,000 in the first nine months of 1997. The majority
of this increase was attributable to the 11 multifamily Same Store Properties
located in Northern California, the rental income of which increased by
$2,244,000 or 10.0% to $24,580,000 in the first nine months of 1998 from
$22,336,000 in the first nine months of 1997. This $2,244,000 increase is
primarily attributable to rental rate increases as offset by a decrease in
financial occupancy to 97.2% in the first nine months of 1998 from 97.5% in the
first nine months of 1997. The 11 multifamily Same Store Properties located in
the Pacific Northwest accounted for the next largest regional component of the
Same Store Properties rental income increase. The rental income of these
properties increased by $860,000 or 6.0% to $15,104,000 in the first nine months
of 1998 from $14,244,000 in the first nine months of 1997. This $860,000
increase is attributable to rental rate increases as offset by a decrease in
financial occupancy to 95.2% in the first nine months of 1998 from 96.7% in the
first nine months of 1997. The three multifamily Same Store Properties located
in Southern California also contributed towards the Same Store Properties rental
income increase. The rental income of these properties increased by $300,000 or
5.1% to $6,212,000 in the first nine months of 1998 from $5,912,000 in the first
nine months of 1997. The $300,000 increase is attributable to rental rate
increases and an increase in financial occupancy to 95.1% in the first nine
months of 1998 from 94.8% in the first nine months of 1997.

The increases in total revenue also reflected an increase of $261,000 in other
property income attributable to the Same Store Properties, an increase of
$582,000 in other income attributable to the Acquisition Properties, and a
decrease of $53,000 in interest and other income.

Total Expenses increased by $22,956,000 or approximately 58.0% to $62,513,000 in
the first nine months of 1998 from $39,557,000 in the first nine months of 1997.
Interest expense increased by $4,911,000 or 52.5% to $14,259,000 in the first
nine months of 1998 from $9,348,000 in the first nine months of 1997. 


                                    Page 16
<PAGE>   17

Such interest expense increase was primarily due to the net addition of
outstanding mortgage debt in connection with property and investment
acquisitions. Property operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and
amortization, increased by $9,773,000 or 53.5% to $28,054,000 in the first nine
months of 1998 from $18,281,000 in the first nine months of 1997. Of such
increase, $9,898,000 was attributable to the Acquisition Properties and the
Disposition Properties. General and administrative expenses represents the costs
of Essex's various acquisition and administrative departments as well as
partnership administration and non-operating expenses. Such expenses increased
by $1,159,000 in the first nine months of 1998 from the amount for the first
nine months of 1997. This increase is largely due to additional staffing
requirements resulting from the growth of Essex.

Net income increased by $62,000 to $22,151,000 in the first nine months of 1998
from $22,089,000 in the first nine months of 1997. The increase in net income
was primarily a result of the net contribution of the Acquisition Properties and
an increase in net operating income from the Same Store Properties, as offset by
a decrease in operating income attributable to the Disposition Properties. Net
income for the first nine months of 1997 also included a gain on the sales of
real estate of $5,127,000 compared to $9,000 for the first nine months of 1998.
Furthermore, net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 included a
loss on early debt extinguishment of $806,000 compared to $104,000 for the first
nine months of 1997 and a provision for litigation loss of $930,000 in the first
nine months of 1998 and $0 in the first nine months of 1997.

 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At September 30, 1998, Essex had $3,071,000 of unrestricted cash and cash
equivalents. The Company expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements
by using its working capital, cash generated from operations, and amounts
available under lines of credit. The Company believes that its future net cash
flows will be adequate to meet operating requirements and to provide for payment
of dividends by the Company in accordance with REIT requirements. Essex has
credit facilities in the committed amount of approximately $110,000,000. At
September 30, 1998 Essex had $63,000,000 outstanding on its lines of credit,
with interest rates during the third quarter of 1998 ranging from 6.9% to 7.3%.
Essex expects to meet its long-term liquidity requirements relating to property
acquisition and development (beyond the next 12 months) by using working
capital, amounts available on lines of credit, net proceeds from public and
private debt and equity issuances, and proceeds from the disposition of
properties that may be sold from time to time. There can, however, be no
assurance that Essex will have access to the debt and equity markets in a timely
fashion to meet long-term liquidity requirements or that future working capital,
and borrowings under the lines of credit will be available, or if available,
will be sufficient to meet the Company's requirements or that the Company will
be able to dispose of properties in a timely manner and under terms and
conditions that the Company deems acceptable.

Essex's unrestricted cash balance decreased by $1,211,000 from $4,282,000 as of
December 31, 1997 to $3,071,000 as of September 30, 1998. This decrease was
primarily a result of $109,407,000 of net cash provided by financing activities
and $48,725,000 of net cash provided by operating activities, which were reduced
by $159,343,000 of net cash used in investing activities. Of the $159,343,000
net cash used in investing activities, $152,660,000 was used to purchase and
upgrade rental properties, $24,018,000 was used to fund real estate under
development, and $9,112,000 was used to fund an increase in the Company's
restricted cash; these expenditures were offset by $26,354,000 of proceeds
received from the disposition of two multifamily and three retail properties.
The $109,407,000 net cash provided by financing activities was primarily a
result of $199,347,000 of proceeds from mortgage and other notes payable and
lines of credit and $77,775,000 net proceeds from the Perpetual Preferred Units
sales (as discussed below) as offset by $133,879,000 of repayments of mortgages
and other notes payable and lines of credit, and $31,524,000 of
dividends/distributions paid.

As of September 30, 1998, the total amount of Essex's outstanding debt was
$360,508,000. Such indebtedness consisted of $213,867,000 in fixed rate debt,
$87,821,000 of variable rate debt and $58,820,000 of debt represented by tax
exempt variable rate demand bonds, of which $29,220,000 is capped at a maximum
interest rate of 7.2%.


                                    Page 17
<PAGE>   18

As of September 30, 1998, 35 of the Company's Properties were encumbered by
debt. The agreements underlying these encumbrances contain customary restrictive
covenants which the Company believes do not have a material adverse effect on
the Company's operations. As of September 30, 1998, the Company was in
compliance with such covenants. Also, of the Company's 35 Properties encumbered
by debt, 18 were secured by deeds of trust relating solely to those Properties.
With respect to the remaining 17 Properties, three cross collaterized mortgages
were secured by eight Properties, three Properties and three Properties,
respectively, and a separate line of credit was secured by three Properties.

Essex expects to incur approximately $300 per weighted average occupancy unit in
non-revenue generating capital expenditures for the year ended December 31,
1998. These expenditures do not include the improvements required in connection
with the origination of mortgage loans, expenditures for Acquisition Properties
renovations and improvements, which are expected to generate additional revenue,
and renovation expenditures required pursuant to tax-exempt bond financings.
Essex expects that cash from operations and/or its lines of credit will fund
such expenditures. However, there can be no assurance that the actual
expenditures incurred or funded during 1998 will not be significantly different
than the Company's current expectations.

Essex is developing eight multifamily residential projects, which are
anticipated to have an aggregate of approximately 1,578 multifamily units. Essex
expects that such projects will be completed during the next two years (1998 and
1999). Such projects involve certain risks inherent in real estate development.
See "Other Matters - Development Activities; Risks That Developments Will Be
Delayed or Not Completed" in Item 1 of Essex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997. As of September 30, 1998, the Company is
committed to fund approximately $111,700,000 relating to these projects. Essex
expects to fund such commitments with a combination of its working capital,
amounts available on its lines of credit, net proceeds from public and private
equity and debt issuances, and proceeds from the disposition of properties,
which may be sold from time to time.

Essex pays quarterly dividends from cash available for distribution. Until it is
distributed, cash available for distribution is invested by the Company
primarily in short-term investment grade securities or is used by the Company to
reduce balances outstanding under its lines of credit.

On March 31, 1997, the Company completed the sale of 2,000,000 shares of its
Common Stock to Cohen & Steers at a price of $29.125 per share.

On June 20, 1997, the Company completed the sale of an additional $20,000,000 of
its convertible preferred stock to Tiger/Westbrook.

On September 10, 1997, the Company completed a public offering of 1,495,000
shares of its Common Stock at a net price of $31.00 per share.

On December 8, 1997, the Company completed a public offering of 1,500,000 shares
of its Common Stock at a price of $35.50 per share.

On February 6, 1998, the Operating Partnership sold 1,200,000 units of its
7.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units ("Perpetual Preferred
Units") to an institutional investor at a price of $50.00 per unit.

On April 20, 1998, The Operating Partnership sold 400,000 units of its Perpetual
Preferred Units at a $50.00 per unit price to the same institutional investor
who purchased the 1,200,000 units in February 1998.

The proceeds from these offerings and sales were used primarily to reduce
balances under the Company's lines of credit and to fund acquisitions and
development of multifamily properties.

In the second quarter of 1998, Essex and the Operating Partnership filed a
registration statement (the "1998 Shelf Registration Statement") with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to register $300,000,000 of
equity securities of Essex and $250,000,000 of debt securities of the Operating


                                    Page 18
<PAGE>   19

Partnership. The 1998 Shelf Registration Statement was declared effective by the
SEC in July 1998. Prior to the filing of the 1998 Shelf Registration Statement,
Essex had approximately $42,000,000 of capacity remaining on a previously filed
registration statement which registered equity securities of Essex. Thus,
combined with the prior shelf registration statement and the 1998 Shelf
Registration Statement, Essex has the capacity to issue up to $342,000,000 of
equity securities and the Operating Partnership has the capacity to issue up to
$250,000,000 of debt securities.

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

The Company's State of Readiness. The Company utilizes a number of computer
software programs and operating systems across its entire organization,
including applications used in financial business systems and various
administrative functions. To the extent that the Company's software applications
contains source code that is unable to appropriately interpret the upcoming
calendar year "2000" and beyond, some level of modification or replacement of
such applications will be necessary. The Company currently believes that its
"Year 2000" issues are limited to information technology ("IT") systems (i.e.,
software programs and computer operating systems). There are no non-IT systems
(i.e., devices used to control, monitor or assist the operation of equipment and
machinery), the failure of which would have a material effect on the Company's
operations. The Company has also completed its assessment of the Year 2000
compliance issues presented by its hardware components.

The Company, employing a team made up of internal personnel has completed its
identification of IT systems that are not yet Year 2000 compliant and has
commenced modification or replacement of such systems as necessary. The Company
has communicated with third parties with whom it does significant business, such
as financial institutions and vendors to determine their readiness for Year 2000
compliance. Based on position statements received by the Company, it appears as
though the preparation being made by these third parties with whom the Company
does significant business is sufficient regarding Year 2000 compliance. However,
no assurance can be given regarding the cost of their failure to comply. The 
Company is in the process of developing contingency plans should third parties 
with whom the Company does significant business fail to be Year 2000 compliant.

Costs of Addressing the Company's Year 2000 issues. Given the information known
at this time about the Operating Partnership's systems that are non-compliant,
coupled with the Company's ongoing, normal course-of-business efforts to upgrade
or replace critical systems, as necessary, management does not expect Year 2000
compliance costs to have any material adverse impact on the Company's liquidity
or ongoing results of operation. The costs of such assessment and remediation
will be paid out of the Company's general and administrative expenses.

Risks of the Company's Year 2000 issues. In light of the Company's assessment
and remediation efforts to date, and the planned, normal course-of-business
upgrades, management believes that any residual Year 2000 risk is limited to
non-critical business applications and support hardware. No assurance can be
given, however, that all of the Company's systems will be year 2000 compliant or
that compliance will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's future
liquidity or results of operations or ability to service debt.

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

Industry analysts generally consider funds from operations, ("Funds From
Operations"), an appropriate measure of performance of an equity REIT.
Generally, Funds From Operations adjusts the net income of equity REITs for
non-cash charges such as depreciation and amortization of rental properties and
non-recurring gains or losses. Management generally considers Funds from
Operations to be a useful financial performance measurement of an equity REIT
because, together with net income and cash flows, Funds from Operations provides
investors with an additional basis to evaluate the ability of a REIT to incur
and service debt and to fund acquisitions and other capital expenditures. Funds
From Operations does not represent net 


                                    Page 19
<PAGE>   20

income or cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP and is not intended to
indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. It should not
be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of the REIT's
operating performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Funds From
Operations does not measure whether cash flow is sufficient to fund all cash
needs including principal amortization, capital improvements and distributions
to shareholders. Funds From Operations also does not represent cash flows
generated from operating, investing or financing activities as defined under
GAAP. Further, Funds from Operations as disclosed by other REITs may not be
comparable to the Company's calculation of Funds From Operations. The following
table sets forth Essex's calculation of Funds from Operations for the three and 
nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  Three months ended                             Nine months ended
                                           ----------------------------------            -----------------------------------
                                           September 30          September 30            September 30          September 30
                                           -----------------------------------           ------------           ------------
                                               1998                   1997                   1998                   1997
                                           ------------           ------------           ------------           ------------
<S>                                        <C>                    <C>                    <C>                    <C>         
Income before gain on the
  sale of real estate, minority
  interests and extraordinary item         $  9,998,000           $  7,899,000           $ 29,658,000           $ 20,549,000

Adjustments:
Depreciation & amortization                   5,575,000              3,555,000             15,876,000              9,863,000
Adjustment for unconsolidated
  joint ventures                                365,000                242,000              1,027,000                690,000
Non-recurring items:
  provision for litigation loss                 930,000                     --                930,000                     --


Minority interests (1)                       (1,754,000)              (161,000)            (4,353,000)              (441,000)
                                           ------------           ------------           ------------           ------------

Funds from Operations                      $ 15,114,000           $ 11,535,000           $ 43,138,000           $ 30,661,000
                                           ============           ============           ============           ============
  Weighted average number
  shares outstanding diluted (1)             20,523,466             17,835,400             20,516,925             17,603,384
                                           ============           ============           ============           ============

</TABLE>


(1) Assumes conversion of all outstanding operating partnership interests in the
Operating Partnership into shares of Essex's Common Stock. Minority interests
have been adjusted to reflect such conversion. Also assumes conversion of shares
of convertible preferred stock into shares of Essex's common stock.

The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), a leading
industry trade group, has approved a revised interpretation of Funds from
Operations, which provides, in part, that the amortization of deferred financing
costs is no longer to be added back to net income in the calculation of Funds
from Operations. Consistent with the NAREIT recommendation, Essex has adopted
this new definition beginning in 1996.


                                    Page 20
<PAGE>   21


PART II  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6:  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         A.    EXHIBITS

         10.1  $100,000,000 Promissory Note between Essex Portfolio, L.P. and 
               Essex Morgan Funding Corp.

         11.1  Statement regarding Computation of Earnings per Share

         12.1  Schedule of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
               Preferred Stock Dividends

         27.1  Article 5 Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR Filing Only)

         27.2  Article 5 Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR Filing Only) as amended
               for September 30, 1997


                                    Page 21
<PAGE>   22


                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                                   ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.



                                                   /s/ Mark J. Mikl
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Mark J. Mikl, Controller
                                                   (Authorized Officer and
                                                   Principal Accounting Officer)


                                                   November 13, 1998
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Date

                                    Page 22
<PAGE>   23
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit
Number                            Description
- ------                            -----------

<S>          <C>
 10.1        $100,000,000 Promissory Note between Essex Portfolio, L.P. and
             Essex Morgan Funding Corp.

 11.1        Statement regarding Computation of Earnings per Share

 12.1        Schedule of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
             Preferred Stock Dividends

 27.1        Article 5 Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR Filing Only)
 
 27.2        Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>

                                    Page 23

<PAGE>   1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

$100,000,000                                                  New York, New York
                                                                 October 9, 1998


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P., a California limited
partnership, having an office at c/o Essex Property Trust, Inc., 925 East Meadow
Drive, Palo Alto, California 94303-4233 ("BORROWER"), promises to pay to the
order of ESSEX MORGAN FUNDING CORP. ("LENDER") having an address c/o Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York, 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036,
or at such other place as may be designated in writing by the holder of this
Note, in legal tender of the United States of America in immediately available
funds, the principal sum of ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($100,000,000) or so
much thereof as shall at any time be outstanding (the "PRINCIPAL AMOUNT"),
together with interest on the Principal Amount to be computed from the date
hereof on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve (12) thirty-day
months, at the rate of Six and Sixty-Two Hundredths percent (6.62%) per annum
(the "INTEREST RATE") (provided, however, for periods of less than one full
calendar month, the interest on the Principal Amount shall be computed on the
basis of actual days elapsed divided by the actual number of days in the year
such period occurs).

         1. Certain Definitions. The following capitalized terms used in this
Note shall have meanings defined or referenced below.

                  "business day" shall mean any day of the year other than (a) a
         Saturday or Sunday, (b) a day on which banks located in New York City,
         New York are required or are authorized by law to remain closed, or (c)
         a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed.

                  "Deed of Trust" or "Deeds of Trust" shall mean individually
         each Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents
         and Fixture Filing listed on Exhibit "A" annexed hereto and made a part
         hereof, and collectively all such documents listed on Exhibit "A"
         hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
         from time to time.

                  "Environmental Indemnities" shall mean those certain
         Environmental Indemnity Agreements, dated as of the date hereof, made
         by the Essex Parties in favor of Lender, as the same may be amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "EP" shall mean Essex-Palisades Facilitator, a California
         limited partnership.

                  "EPTI" shall mean Essex Property Trust, Inc., a Maryland
         corporation.

                  "ES" shall mean Essex Sunpointe Ltd., a California limited
         partnership.


<PAGE>   2

                  "Essex Parties" shall mean collectively, and jointly and
         severally, Borrower, EP and ES.

                  "Guarantees" shall mean collectively those certain Guarantees,
         dated as of the date hereof, made by each of EP and ES in favor of
         Lender, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
         from time to time.

                  "Loan Documents" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
         in the Deeds of Trust.

                  "Property" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
         each Deed of Trust.

                  "Obligation" or "Obligations" shall have the meaning ascribed
         to such terms in the Deeds of Trust.

                  "Unsecured Debt Conversion" shall have the meaning ascribed to
         such term in the Unsecured Debt Conversion Agreement, dated as of the
         date hereof, by and between Borrower and Lender, as the same may be
         amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (the
         "Unsecured Debt Conversion Agreement").

                  To the extent defined terms are used herein which are not
         defined herein, such defined terms shall have the meaning ascribed to
         such terms in the other Loan Documents.

         2. Maturity Date. As used herein, "MATURITY DATE" means the earliest to
occur of (i) October 8, 2008 (the "SCHEDULED MATURITY DATE"), (ii) the date of
the occurrence of any Event of Default under this Note, the Deeds of Trust, the
Guarantees or under any of the other Loan Documents, or (iii) the date of any
other event or occurrence which, pursuant to the terms of this Note, the Deeds
of Trust, the Guarantees or any of the other Loan Documents, causes the
outstanding Principal Amount of this Note to become due and payable.

         3. Defaults. This Note is secured by the Deeds of Trust, as the same
may be amended, modified, supplemented, restated, consolidated, spread, split,
extended, replaced or renewed, from time to time, and all of the other Loan
Documents (other than the Environmental Indemnities). The Obligations shall
become immediately due and payable, at the option of Lender, upon the occurrence
of any default in payment under this Note (and the expiration of any applicable
cure period, if any), or any other event which would constitute an Event of
Default under the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees or any of the other Loan
Documents.

         4. Reference. This Note is referred to in, and is entitled to the
benefits of, the Loan Documents. Reference to the Loan Documents is hereby made
for a statement of the rights of Lender and duties and obligations of the Essex
Parties, but neither this reference to the Loan Documents nor any provision
thereof shall affect or impair the absolute and unconditional obligation of
Borrower to pay the Principal Amount, interest and other amounts payable with
respect to this Note when due.


                                       2
<PAGE>   3

         5. Payments. (a) On the date hereof, Borrower shall pay to Lender an
installment of interest only computed on the Principal Amount at the Interest
Rate for the number of days to elapse from and including the date hereof through
and including October 31, 1998. Borrower shall pay to Lender on December 1, 1998
(the "FIRST MONTHLY PAYMENT DATE") and on the first day of each and every
calendar month thereafter through the third (3rd) anniversary of the First
Monthly Payment Date, a monthly installment of interest due on the Principal
Amount at the Interest Rate in the amount of Five Hundred Fifty-One Thousand Six
Hundred Sixty-Six and 67/100 Dollars ($551,666.67) (such monthly installment
being referred to herein as an "INTEREST ONLY PERIODIC INSTALLMENT"). From and
after the third (3rd) anniversary of the First Monthly Payment Date until the
earlier of the Maturity Date or the Unsecured Debt Conversion, Borrower shall
pay to Lender a monthly installment of interest and principal equal to Six
Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Five and 58/100 Dollars
($663,235.58) ("INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL PERIODIC INSTALLMENTS"), each of which
Interest and Principal Periodic Installments shall be applied first to interest
on the Principal Amount computed at the Interest Rate and then to amortization
of the Principal Amount on the basis of a 27-year amortization schedule (the
Interest Only Periodic Installments and the Interest and Principal Periodic
Installments shall be collectively referred to herein as the "PERIODIC
INSTALLMENTS"). The remaining balance of the Principal Amount, all accrued
interest, and all other portions of the Obligations remaining unpaid on the
Maturity Date shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date. In the case
of an Unsecured Debt Conversion, payments on the Loan shall be modified as
described in the Unsecured Debt Conversion Agreement. All payments, whether of
principal, interest or otherwise, due hereunder and under any of the other Loan
Documents shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available federal funds
to the following account of Lender, unless otherwise directed by Lender in
writing:

                  Bank of New York
                  ABA # 021-000-018 BNF: IOC566
                  Att: P&I Dept/for further credit to
                  A/C: 188967 - Re: Essex Portfolio

         Any wire transfer received by Lender after 1:00 p.m. New York City time
shall be deemed received on the next succeeding business day. If any payment on
this Note becomes due and payable on a day which is not a business day, the due
date thereof shall, unless otherwise provided herein, be extended to the next
succeeding business day.

                  (b) (i) Each payment received by Lender with respect to this
Note shall be applied: first, to the payment of any Make-Whole Amounts payable
to Lender; second, to the payment of any late charges due and payable hereunder,
under the Deeds of Trust or under any of the other Loan Documents; third, to the
repayment of any amounts advanced by Lender in accordance with the Deeds of
Trust or the other Loan Documents for insurance premiums, taxes, assessments, or
for preservation or protection of the collateral covered by those documents and
to the payment of all costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with
the collection of this Note or the Guarantees (including, without limitation,
all reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses); fourth, to the payment of accrued
interest due and payable hereunder; and fifth, to


                                       3
<PAGE>   4

reduction of the Principal Amount, or in such other order or proportion as
Lender, in Lender's sole discretion, may determine.

                  (ii) BORROWER UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS NOTE IS NOT FULLY
         SELF-AMORTIZING AND THAT A SUBSTANTIAL BALLOON PAYMENT WILL BE DUE ON
         THE MATURITY DATE.

         6. Prepayment Rights and Charges.

                  A. The Principal Amount shall not be prepayable, in whole or
in part. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time following the first (1st)
anniversary of the date hereof, Borrower shall have the right to prepay the
entire unpaid Principal Amount evidenced by this Note, in full, but not in part,
with accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all other sums due and owing under
the Deeds of Trust and the other Loan Documents by paying to Lender (x) the then
remaining unpaid Principal Amount and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon
and all other sums then due and owing under this Note, the Deeds of Trust and
the other Loan Documents, plus (y) an amount equal to the Make-Whole Amount
(hereinafter defined). The "MAKE-WHOLE AMOUNT" shall mean an amount, not less
than zero, equal to the amount by which:

                           (1) the sum of (i) the Present Value (as hereinafter
                  defined) of each installment of principal and interest which
                  would have been payable under this Note had this Note not been
                  prepaid (including, without limitation, each Interest Only
                  Periodic Installment and each Interest and Principal Periodic
                  Installment), plus (ii) the Present Value of the portion of
                  the Principal Amount which would have been due and payable on
                  the Scheduled Maturity Date had this Note not been prepaid;
                  exceeds

                           (2) the then outstanding Principal Amount of this
                  Note.

For purposes of the definition of Make-Whole Amount, "PRESENT VALUE" shall be
computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles at a
discount rate equal to the Treasury Yield (as hereinafter defined) plus
twenty-five (25) basis points; and the "TREASURY YIELD" shall be determined by
reference to the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (or
any successor or substitute publication of the Federal Reserve Board) (the
"STATISTICAL RELEASE") that has become publicly available at least two (2)
business days prior to the date fixed for prepayment, and shall be the most
recent weekly average yield to maturity (expressed as a rate per annum) opposite
the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities" for the year corresponding to the
then Remaining Life (as hereinafter defined) of this Note, converted to a
mortgage equivalent yield; provided, however, that if the Remaining Life of this
Note does not correspond directly to any of the "Treasury Constant Maturities"
shown on the Statistical Release, the Treasury Yield shall be obtained by linear
interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the most
recent weekly average yield of the two "Treasury Constant Maturities" shown on
the Statistical Release and which are for maturities as close as possible to the
Remaining Life. The "Remaining Life" of this Note shall equal, at the date of
prepayment or acceleration (as the case may be), the number of years obtained by
dividing (x) the Principal Amount of this Note, as of such date, into (y) the
sum of the products obtained by multiplying (A) the amount of each then



                                       4

<PAGE>   5

remaining principal payment, including the payment due at the Scheduled Maturity
Date, under this Note by (B) the number of years (calculated to the nearest
one-twelfth) that will elapse between the date of such prepayment or
acceleration and the date on which such payment is to be made (assuming for
purposes of clauses (A) and (B) above that the optional prepayment of this Note
pursuant hereto or any acceleration of maturity of this Note, as applicable, in
respect of which the Make-Whole Amount is then being determined, and any
Unsecured Debt Conversion, had not occurred). The Treasury Yield shall be
computed to the fifth decimal place (one thousandth of a percentage point) and
then rounded to the fourth decimal point (one hundredth of a percentage point).
Any prepayment of this Note permitted hereunder shall be made on not less than
thirty (30) days prior written notice from Borrower to Lender, which notice
shall be irrevocable once given and shall set forth the intended prepayment
date, which shall in all instances coincide with the date a Periodic Installment
shall be due.

                  B. Borrower hereby acknowledges that Lender would not make the
loan evidenced by this Note without full and complete assurance by Borrower of
its agreement to pay the Periodic Installments as hereinabove provided, and
Borrower's further agreement not to prepay all or any part of the Principal
Amount prior to the Scheduled Maturity Date, except on the terms expressly set
forth in this Note. In consideration of the foregoing, if, as a result of an
Event of Default hereunder, Lender shall declare the Obligations due and
payable, in whole or in part, prior to the Scheduled Maturity Date in accordance
with Lender's rights under this Note, the Guarantees, the Deeds of Trust or any
of the other Loan Documents, then, Borrower shall pay to Lender on the date of
such acceleration, in addition to all other amounts due Lender, an amount equal
to the Make-Whole Amount which would have been due and payable in accordance
with the foregoing provisions of this Note had a voluntary prepayment occurred
on the date of such acceleration. Borrower hereby waives any rights Borrower may
have to prepay the indebtedness evidenced by this Note without charge and agrees
to pay the Make-Whole Amount, if applicable, upon any prepayment, whether
voluntary, pursuant to any such acceleration or otherwise. Borrower hereby
acknowledges that if such acceleration shall result from an Event of Default, it
shall be presumed, for purposes of imposing the Make-Whole Amount only, and
conclusively deemed to be a willful and deliberate attempt by Borrower to avoid
the payment of the Make-Whole Amount or the limitations on prepayment herein
contained and the Make-Whole Amount shall constitute liquidated damages, and not
a penalty, as a reasonable estimate of Lender's loss as a consequence of the
breach of the Borrower's covenant not to prepay the Obligations other than as
specifically permitted herein, the exact amount of which damages would be
impossible to ascertain.

                  C. Any such Make-Whole Amount (whether voluntary, pursuant to
any acceleration or otherwise) shall constitute a portion of the Obligations
evidenced hereby and secured by the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees and the other
Loan Documents (other than the Environmental Indemnities). Nothing herein shall
constitute a waiver by Lender of any right it may have to specifically enforce
the terms of repayment of the Obligations set forth herein, in the Deeds of
Trust, the Guarantees and in the other Loan Documents. The foregoing provisions
shall be deemed to apply, without limitation, to any prepayment of the
Obligations in connection with (i) any reinstatement of any or all of the Loan
Documents under any foreclosure proceedings, (ii) any right of redemption, or
(iii) the consummation of any foreclosure sale, whether or not such


                                       5

<PAGE>   6

prepayment is made by or on behalf of Borrower or otherwise and whether or not
any such prepayment is made pursuant to rights granted at law or in equity.

                  D. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Paragraph 6, the Borrower may prepay the loan evidenced by this Note in whole,
but not in part, without paying a Make-Whole Amount if such prepayment is made
subsequent to August 10, 2008. Such prepayment shall be made upon not less than
ten (10) days irrevocable prior written notice to Lender and shall include the
payment of the then outstanding Principal Amount, interest and other amounts due
under the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees and the other Loan Documents
(including, without limitation, any amounts (e.g., late charges and interest at
the Default Rate) due in connection with or arising from any default which may
then exist under any the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees or any of the other Loan
Documents).

                  E. BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY (i) WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE
UNDER LAW TO PREPAY THIS NOTE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT PENALTY, UPON
ACCELERATION OF THE SCHEDULED MATURITY DATE, AND (ii) AGREES THAT IF, FOR ANY
REASON, A PREPAYMENT OF ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS NOTE
IS MADE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, UPON OR FOLLOWING ANY ACCELERATION OF
THE SCHEDULED MATURITY DATE BY LENDER ON ACCOUNT OF ANY DEFAULT BY BORROWER
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY TRANSFER, DISPOSITION, OR FURTHER ENCUMBRANCE
PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY THE DEEDS OF TRUST, THEN BORROWER SHALL BE OBLIGATED
TO PAY CONCURRENTLY WITH SUCH PREPAYMENT THE MAKE-WHOLE AMOUNT SPECIFIED ABOVE.
BY INITIALING THIS PROVISION IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW, BORROWER HEREBY
DECLARES THAT (1) EACH OF THE FACTUAL MATTERS SET FORTH IN THIS PARAGRAPH IS
TRUE AND CORRECT, (2) LENDER'S AGREEMENT TO MAKE THE LOAN EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE
AT THE INTEREST RATE AND FOR THE TERM SET FORTH IN THIS NOTE CONSTITUTES
ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION FOR THIS WAIVER AND AGREEMENT, AND HAS BEEN GIVEN
INDIVIDUAL WEIGHT BY BORROWER AND LENDER, (3) BORROWER IS A SOPHISTICATED AND
KNOWLEDGEABLE REAL ESTATE INVESTOR WITH COMPETENT AND INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL
AND (4) BORROWER FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE EFFECT OF THIS WAIVER AND AGREEMENT.

                                                           -------------------
                                                           BORROWER'S INITIALS

         7. Late Charge. In the event that any payment due under this Note or
any of the other Loan Documents shall become overdue for a period of five (5)
days or more, then, in addition to any other amounts due Lender hereunder and
notwithstanding any applicable notice and/or cure period, if any, a late charge
(the "LATE CHARGE") of four cents (.04) for each dollar of the amount so overdue
shall become immediately due to Lender as liquidated damages, and not as a
penalty, as a reasonable estimate of Lender's additional administrative expenses
occasioned by such overdue payment, the exact amount of which would be
impossible to

                                       6


<PAGE>   7

ascertain, and such sum shall be part of the Obligations evidenced hereby and
secured by the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees and the other Loan Documents. Such
Late Charge shall be due and payable with the next payment of a Periodic
Installment, whether or not Lender shall have billed Borrower for such charges,
or upon demand if there shall be no succeeding Periodic Installments due
thereafter. Application of a late charge shall not be construed as a consent by
Lender to an extension of time for any payment, as a waiver of any default that
may be related to such or any other overdue payment or of any other default or
as a waiver of any other right or remedy of Lender hereunder, at law or in
equity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Late Charge with respect to any
overdue Periodic Installment (other than any Periodic Installment due on the
Maturity Date) shall not accrue until the second (2nd) day after Lender shall
have given notice (i) by telephone to Keith Guericke, President and CEO of EPTI
at (650) 849-1634 (or his successor), (ii) at Lender's election, by telecopier
to (650) 858-0139, or (iii) otherwise to Keith Guericke, President and CEO (or
his successor) (without the need for any additional copies of notices to others
of the existence of such payment default) (the "LATE CHARGE NOTICE"); provided,
however, that Lender shall not be required to deliver any such Late Charge
Notice in the event that there has been any other such payment default during
the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period or more than three (3) such
payment defaults during the term of this Note.

         8. Default Rate Applied Upon Non-Payment. From and after the occurrence
and during the continuation of (a) any monetary default under the Loan Documents
(as well as any monetary Event of Default), and notwithstanding any applicable
notice and/or cure period, if any, and/or (b) any non-monetary Event of Default,
the Principal Amount and all other unpaid Obligations (including, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, any portion thereof which constitutes accrued and
unpaid interest) shall accrue interest at a rate of interest equal to the lesser
of (i) five percent (5%) above the Interest Rate and (ii) the highest lawful
rate of interest per annum allowable under applicable law (such lesser rate of
interest being herein referred to as the "DEFAULT RATE"), whether or not an
action against Borrower shall have been commenced, and if commenced, whether or
not a judgment against Borrower shall have been obtained; it being understood
and agreed that nothing set forth in this Paragraph 8 shall be deemed or
construed to grant Borrower any right to cure an Event of Default or otherwise
increase or expand any notice and/or cure periods (if any) set forth in the Loan
Documents with respect to any default or Event of Default.

         9. Set off. Upon the occurrence of any default under the terms of this
Note, the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees or any of the other Loan Documents,
then, notwithstanding any applicable notice and/or cure period, if any, Lender
is hereby authorized, at any time or from time to time, without notice to
Borrower or to any other person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived,
to immediately set off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general
or special) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by Lender to or
for the credit or the account of Borrower against and on account of the
Obligations and liabilities of Borrower hereunder.


                                       7

<PAGE>   8

         10. Miscellaneous.

                  A. All parties now and hereafter liable with respect to this
Note, whether as borrower, maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorser or
otherwise, hereby waive presentation for payment, demand, notice of nonpayment
or dishonor, protest and notice of protest. No delay or omission on the part of
Lender in exercising any right under this Note, the Deeds of Trust, the
Guarantees or any other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver of such right
or of any other right of Lender, nor shall any waiver by Lender of any such
right or rights on any one occasion be deemed a bar to exercise or waiver of the
same right or rights on any future occasion.

                  B. All agreements in this Note and in the other Loan Documents
are expressly limited so that in no contingency or event whatsoever, whether by
reason of advancement or acceleration of maturity of the Obligations, or
otherwise, shall the amount paid or agreed to be paid hereunder or thereunder
for the use, forbearance or detention of money exceed the highest lawful rate
permitted under applicable usury laws. If, from any circumstance whatsoever,
fulfillment of any provision of this Note or any of the Loan Documents, at the
time performance of such provision shall be due, shall involve transcending the
limit of validity prescribed by law which a court of competent jurisdiction may
deem applicable hereto, then, ipso facto, the obligation to be fulfilled shall
be reduced to the limit of such validity and if, from any circumstance
whatsoever, Lender shall ever receive as interest an amount which would exceed
the highest lawful rate, the receipt of such excess shall, at the option of
Lender, be deemed a mistake and such excess shall be rebated to Borrower or held
in trust by Lender for the benefit of Borrower and shall be credited against the
principal amount of the Obligations to which the same may lawfully be credited,
and any portion of such excess not capable of being so credited shall be rebated
to Borrower.

                  C. Each and every right, remedy and power hereby granted to
Lender or allowed it by law or other agreement shall be cumulative and not
exclusive and may be exercised by Lender from time to time.

                  D. Borrower agrees to promptly pay all taxes which may be
imposed on this Note or any of the Obligations (other than income or franchise
taxes imposed on Lender). Any such sums shall be added to the amount due under
this Note and be paid herewith.

                  E. Borrower hereby agrees to pay all costs of collection when
incurred, including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and expenses, whether
or not suit is brought (which costs may be added to the amount due under this
Note and shall be paid promptly upon demand with interest thereon at the Default
Rate) and to perform and comply with each of the terms, covenants and provisions
contained in this Note, the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees or any of the other
Loan Documents on the part of Borrower to be observed or performed.

                  F. No release of any security for the Principal Amount due
under this Note, or extension of time for the payment of this Note, or any
installment hereof, and no alteration, amendment or waiver of any provision of
this Note, the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees or any of the other Loan
Documents, shall release, discharge, modify, change or affect the liability of


                                       8


<PAGE>   9

Borrower or any indemnitor or any guarantor under this Note, the Deeds of Trust,
the Guarantees or any of the other Loan Documents.

                  G. In the event that any provision of this Note or the
application thereof to Borrower shall, to any extent, be invalid or
unenforceable under any applicable statute, regulation, or rule of law, then
such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict
therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform to such statute, regulation or
rule of law, and the remainder of this Note and the application of any such
invalid or unenforceable provision to parties, jurisdictions, or circumstances
other than to whom or to which it shall be held invalid or unenforceable, shall
not be affected thereby nor shall same affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Note.

                  H. The headings in this Note are for the convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall not limit or
otherwise affect any of the terms hereof.

                  I. THIS NOTE IS MADE AND DELIVERED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK AND
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED ACCORDING TO, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK. BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY: (A) SUBMITS IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATING
TO THIS NOTE TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE IN PERSONAM JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR
UNITED STATES COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION SITTING IN THE CITY AND STATE OF
NEW YORK AND AGREES TO SUIT BEING BROUGHT IN SUCH COURTS, AS LENDER MAY ELECT;
(B) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF SUCH
PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH PROCEEDING WAS BROUGHT IN AN
INCONVENIENT COURT; (C) AGREES TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING BY
MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF (BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL) POSTAGE PREPAID TO
ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH ABOVE OR SUCH OTHER ADDRESS OF WHICH LENDER SHALL HAVE
BEEN NOTIFIED IN WRITING; AND (D) AGREES THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT
LENDER'S RIGHT TO EFFECT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY
LAW, AND THAT LENDER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRING ANY LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
(INCLUDING A PROCEEDING FOR ENFORCEMENT OF A JUDGMENT ENTERED BY ANY OF THE
AFOREMENTIONED COURTS) AGAINST BORROWER IN ANY OTHER COURT OR JURISDICTION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. BORROWER AFTER CONSULTING OR HAVING HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL, KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY
WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT WITH
RESPECT TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR RELATED INSTRUMENT OR AGREEMENT OR ANY
OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS NOTE OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, DEALING,
STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY TO THIS NOTE, THE
DEEDS OF TRUST, THE GUARANTEES OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. BORROWER
SHALL NOT SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE, BY COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHERWISE, ANY SUCH ACTION IN
WHICH A JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN WAIVED WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL
CANNOT


                                       9


<PAGE>   10

BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. THESE PROVISIONS SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO HAVE
BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY RESPECT OR RELINQUISHED BY LENDER EXCEPT BY A WRITTEN
INSTRUMENT EXECUTED BY LENDER.

                  J. This Note cannot be altered, amended, modified, terminated
or discharged, except in a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement
of such alteration, amendment, modification, termination or discharge is sought.
No waiver, release or other forbearance by Lender will be effective against
Lender and no waiver, release or other forbearance by Borrower will be effective
against Borrower unless it is in a writing signed by Lender or Borrower, as
applicable, and then only to the extent expressly stated. It is expressly
understood and agreed that neither this Note nor any of the other Loan Documents
can be modified orally and no oral modifications or other agreements with
respect to this Note or any other Loan Document shall be valid or enforceable.

                  K. Any notice, demand, consent, approval, direction, agreement
or other communication (any "NOTICE") required or permitted hereunder or under
any other documents in connection herewith shall be in writing and shall be
directed as follows:

                  If to Borrower:

                  Essex Portfolio, L.P.
                  c/o Essex Property Trust, Inc.
                  925 East Meadow Drive
                  Palo Alto, California  94303-4233
                  Attention: Michael Schall
                  Facsimile: (650) 858-0139
                  and
                  Attention: Jordan Ritter, Esq.
                  Facsimile: (650) 424-1851

                  If to Lender:

                  Essex Morgan Funding Corp.
                  c/o Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York
                  522 Fifth Avenue
                  New York, New York  10036
                  Attention: J. Daniel Adkinson
                  Facsimile: (212) 837-2646
                  and
                  Attention: Steven M. Greenspan, Esq.
                  Facsimile: (212) 837-2933


                                       10

<PAGE>   11

                  and a copy to:

                  Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
                  200 Park Avenue, 48th Floor
                  New York, New York  10166-0193
                  Attention: David J. Furman, Esq.
                  Facsimile: (212) 351-4035

or to such changed address or facsimile number as a party hereto shall designate
to the other party hereto from time to time in writing. Any counsel designated
above or replacement counsel which may be designated respectively by each party
by written notice to the other party hereto is hereby authorized to give notices
hereunder on behalf of its respective client.

                  Notices shall be (i) personally delivered to the offices set
forth above, in which case they shall be deemed delivered on the date of
delivery or first (1st) business day thereafter if delivered other than on a
business day (or after 5:00 p.m. New York City time) to said offices; (ii) sent
by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, in
which case they shall be deemed delivered on the date shown on the receipt
unless delivery is refused or delayed by the addressee in which event they shall
be deemed delivered on the earliest to occur of the first (1st) business day on
or after the date of delivery or the third (3rd) business day after such notice
has been deposited in the U.S. Mail in accordance with the terms hereof; (iii)
sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier, in which case they shall be
deemed delivered on the first (1st) business day on or after the date following
the date such notice was delivered to or picked up by the courier; or (iv) sent
by means of a facsimile transmittal machine, in which case they shall be deemed
delivered at the time and on the date of receipt with receipt thereof confirmed
by telephonic acknowledgment or on the first (1st) business day thereafter if
receipted other than on a business day or after 5:00 p.m. New York City time.

                  L. Borrower agrees that Lender shall have the right to assign,
sell, participate, "securitize" or otherwise transfer its interest in the
Obligations, this Note, the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees, the Environmental
Indemnities and the other Loan Documents to (i) an entity wholly-owned by Lender
and/or (ii) any commercial bank, savings and loan association, savings bank,
insurance company, pension fund or other financial institution or any other
person or entity whatsoever, and upon such assignment, sale, participation,
"securitization" or other transfer Lender shall automatically be released from
liability hereunder. Borrower further agrees that Lender may disseminate to any
such actual or potential assignee(s), participant(s) or transferee(s) all
documents and information (including, without limitation, all financial
information) which has been or is hereafter provided to or known to Lender with
respect to: (a) any Property and its operation; (b) any party connected with the
Loan (including, without limitation, any Essex Party, any partner of any Essex
Party or any constituent partner of any of the foregoing, any other guarantor
and any non-borrower Trustor); and/or (c) any lending relationship other than
the Loan which Lender may have with any party connected with the Loan. In
connection with any such assignment, sale, participation, "securitization" or
other transfer, Borrower further agrees that the Note shall be sufficient
evidence of the obligations of Borrower to each assignee, participant or
transferee and upon written request by Lender, Borrower shall consent to such
amendments or


                                       11


<PAGE>   12

modifications to the Loan Documents as may be reasonably required in order to
evidence any such assignment, sale, participation, "securitization" or other
transfer; provided that such amendments or modifications shall not decrease any
of Borrower's rights or increase any of Borrower's obligations hereunder or
under any other Loan Document in any material respect.

                  M. Time is of the essence for the performance of each and
every covenant of Borrower hereunder. No excuse, delay, act of God, or other
reason, whether or not within the control of Borrower, shall operate to defer,
reduce or waive Borrower's performance of any such payment covenants or
obligations.

                  N. Whenever used in this Note, the singular number shall
include the plural, the plural the singular, and the terms "Borrower" and the
"Lender" shall include their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors
and/or administrators; provided, however, that except as expressly provided in
the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Deeds of Trust), Borrower
shall in no event or under any circumstances have the right, without obtaining
the prior written consent of Lender (which may be granted or withheld in the
sole and absolute discretion of Lender), to assign or transfer its obligations
under this Note, the Guarantees, or the Environmental Indemnities, the Deeds of
Trust or the other Loan Documents, in whole or in part, to any other person,
party or entity.

         11. Limited Recourse.

                  (a) Subject to the further limitations and conditions of this
clause (a) and of clause (b) below, Lender agrees that it will look solely to
each of the Properties and such other collateral, if any, as may now or
hereafter be given to secure the repayment of the Obligations and no other
property or assets of the Essex Parties, or any partner, member, shareholder or
principal of any Essex Party shall be subject to levy, execution or other
enforcement procedure for the satisfaction of the remedies of the Lender or for
any payment required to be made under this Note, the Guarantees or any of the
other Loan Documents or for the performance of any of the covenants or
warranties contained in the Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing
provisions of this Paragraph 11(a) shall not (i) constitute a waiver of the
Obligations secured by the Deeds of Trust, the Guarantees or the other Loan
Documents enforceable in accordance with the terms of this Paragraph 11(a), (ii)
limit the right of the Lender to name any Essex Party and/or the partners,
member, shareholders or principals of any Essex Party, as parties defendant in
any action or suit for judicial or non-judicial foreclosure and sale under any
Deed of Trust or the other Loan Documents so long as no monetary judgment shall
be enforced against any Essex Party, or any partner, member, shareholder or
principal of any Essex Party except to the extent of each of the Properties or
such other collateral as may now or hereafter be given to secure repayment of
the obligations under the Loan Documents, (iii) release or impair this Note, or
the Guarantees, or the lien of the Deeds of Trust or any other Loan Document,
(iv) prevent or in any way hinder Lender from exercising any remedy available to
Lender under this Note, the Guarantees or any of the other Loan Documents or to
name any Essex Party or any person owning an interest in any Essex Party in any
action, suit or proceeding in connection with the exercise of any such remedy,
as long as no judgment in the nature of a deficiency shall be enforced against
any assets of any Essex Party or any person owning an interest in any Essex


                                       12
<PAGE>   13

Party, other than each of the Properties or other collateral, or (v) release or
limit the liability of any Essex Party or affect in any way the validity or
enforceability (in accordance with the terms thereof) of the Environmental
Indemnities or any guaranty or indemnity (if any) given in connection with this
Note or any of the other Loan Documents.

                  (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, the
obligations under the Loan Documents shall be fully recourse to each of the
Essex Parties (i) in the event that any Essex Party commits waste, fraud or
material misrepresentation, willfully misrepresents any facts in connection with
this Note, the Guarantees, the Environmental Indemnities or any of the other
Loan Documents, misappropriates condemnation or insurance proceeds or rental
payments or other sums attributable to any Property or other collateral, or
fails to pay any real estate taxes and assessments and/or insurance premiums to
the extent there is sufficient net cash flow generated by the Property in
question to pay the same, (ii) with respect to any environmental liability at
any Property pursuant to the terms of the Environmental Indemnities, (iii) if
any Essex Party files any petition or commences any proceeding pursuant to any
reorganization, bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws or any such petition or
proceeding is filed or commenced against any Essex Party by a third-party or any
Essex Party otherwise becomes the subject of any petition or proceeding pursuant
to any reorganization, bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws (including,
without limitation, by reason of substantive consolidation with any other
person), and, in any such event, the same is not dismissed (with prejudice)
within sixty (60) days, or (iv) if any Essex Party (or any of its affiliates)
(x) challenges or disputes the validity, enforceability or priority of the liens
and security interests securing payment of amounts owing or payable under the
terms of the Loan Documents, (y) challenges or disputes the Loan Documents as a
whole, or (z) asserts that there fails to exist under the Loan Documents legally
adequate remedies for realization of the principal benefits intended to be
provided thereby (including, without limitation, foreclosure and/or the exercise
of the power of sale under the Loan Documents).

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has executed this Note as of the date
first forth above.

                             ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.

                             By: Essex Property Trust, Inc., as General Partner



                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:





                                       13
<PAGE>   14





STATE OF NEW YORK   )
                    : ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK  )

         On the _____ day of October in the year 1998, before me, the
undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said state, personally appeared
______________________ personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of
satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to
the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same
in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the
instrument, the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s)
acted, executed the instrument.



                                             -----------------------------------
                                                       Notary Public





<PAGE>   15


                                   EXHIBIT "A"
                                   -----------

                                 Deeds of Trust


         1. DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,
AND FIXTURE FILING, made as of the 9th day of October 1998, by ESSEX PORTFOLIO,
L.P., a California limited partnership, in favor of FIRST AMERICAN TITLE
INSURANCE COMPANY, for the benefit of ESSEX MORGAN FUNDING CORP.

          Property Address:       Oak Pointe
                                  450 N. Matilda Avenue
                                  Sunnyvale, California*

         2. DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,
AND FIXTURE FILING, made as of the 9th day of October 1998, by ESSEX PORTFOLIO,
L.P., a California limited partnership, in favor of FIRST AMERICAN TITLE
INSURANCE COMPANY, for the benefit of ESSEX MORGAN FUNDING CORP.

          Property Address:       Summerhill Commons
                                  36626 Cherry Street
                                  Newark, California

         3. DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,
AND FIXTURE FILING, made as of the 9th day of October 1998, by ESSEX PORTFOLIO,
L.P., a California limited partnership, in favor of FIRST AMERICAN TITLE
INSURANCE COMPANY, for the benefit of ESSEX MORGAN FUNDING CORP.

          Property Address:       Summerhill Park
                                  972 Corte Madera Avenue
                                  Sunnyvale, California

         4. DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,
AND FIXTURE FILING, made as of the 9th day of October 1998, by ESSEX PORTFOLIO,
L.P., a California limited partnership, in favor of FIRST AMERICAN TITLE
INSURANCE COMPANY, for the benefit of ESSEX MORGAN FUNDING CORP.

          Property Address:       Stevenson Place
                                  4141 Stevenson Boulevard
                                  Fremont, California

- --------

  *  The property addresses set forth on this Exhibit are for identification
     purposes only; each Property may have multiple addresses. For the exact
     location of each Property, reference should be made to the legal
     description attached to each of the Deeds of Trust.


                                      A-1

<PAGE>   16

         5. DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,
AND FIXTURE FILING, made as of the 9th day of October 1998, by ESSEX PORTFOLIO,
L.P., a California limited partnership, in favor of FIRST AMERICAN TITLE
INSURANCE COMPANY, for the benefit of ESSEX MORGAN FUNDING CORP.

          Property Address:       Villa Rio Vista
                                  175-225 S. Rio Vista
                                  Anaheim, California

         6. DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,
AND FIXTURE FILING, made as of the 9th day of October 1998, by ESSEX SUNPOINTE
LTD., a California limited partnership, in favor of FIRST AMERICAN TITLE
INSURANCE COMPANY, for the benefit of ESSEX MORGAN FUNDING CORP.

          Property Address:       Foothill Commons
                                  13800 NE 9th Place
                                  Bellevue, Washington

         7. DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,
AND FIXTURE FILING, made as of the 9th day of October 1998, by ESSEX-PALISADES
FACILITATOR, a California limited partnership, in favor of FIRST AMERICAN TITLE
INSURANCE COMPANY, for the benefit of ESSEX MORGAN FUNDING CORP.

          Property Address:       The Palisades
                                  13808 NE 12th Place
                                  Bellevue, Washington

         8. DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,
AND FIXTURE FILING, made as of the 9th day of October 1998, by ESSEX SUNPOINTE
LTD., a California limited partnership, in favor of FIRST AMERICAN TITLE
INSURANCE COMPANY, for the benefit of ESSEX MORGAN FUNDING CORP.

          Property Address:       Woodland Commons
                                  13700 NE 10th Place
                                  Bellevue, Washington




                                      A-2


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 11.1

                           ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
                STATEMENTS OF COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         Three months ended September 30,         Nine months ended September 30,
                                                         --------------------------------        --------------------------------
                                                             1998                 1997                1998               1997
                                                         ------------        ------------        ------------        ------------
<S>                                                      <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>         
BASIC:
Net income                                               $      6,678        $     10,967        $     22,151        $     22,089
Less:
   Dividends on 8.75% Convertible Preferred Stock,
       Series 1996A                                              (875)               (875)             (2,625)             (1,805)
                                                         ------------        ------------        ------------        ------------
Net income applicable to common stockholders             $      5,803        $     10,092        $     19,526        $     20,284
                                                         ============        ============        ============        ============

Weighted average number of shares outstanding
   during the period                                       16,635,228          13,915,790          16,628,721          13,024,696
                                                         ============        ============        ============        ============

Net income per share                                     $       0.35        $       0.73        $       1.17        $       1.56
                                                         ============        ============        ============        ============


DILUTED:
Adjusted shares - basic, from above                        16,635,228          13,915,790          16,628,721          13,024,696
Additional weighted average shares of dilutive
   stock options using the average stock price
   under the treasury stock method                            186,193             217,565             186,159             205,689
Additional weighted average shares of common
   stock issuable upon conversion of 8.75%
   Convertible Preferred Stock, Series 1996A                       --           1,828,572                  --           1,255,887
                                                         ------------        ------------        ------------        ------------
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
   during the period                                       16,821,421          15,961,927          16,814,880          14,486,272
                                                         ============        ============        ============        ============

Net income per share                                     $       0.34        $       0.69        $       1.16        $       1.52
                                                         ============        ============        ============        ============
</TABLE>


(1)   In accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards Board No. 128, the
      conversion of all of the outstanding operating partnership interests in
      the Operating Partnership into shares of Essex's Common Stock is not
      included as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

(2)   In accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards Board No. 128, the
      additional weighted average shares issuable upon conversion of the 8.75%
      Convertible Preferred Stock, Series 1996A is not included for the three
      and nine months ended September 30, 1998 as the effect would be
      anti-dilutive.

(3)    In accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards Board No. 128,
       preferred dividends were included in the numerator of net income per
       share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997 as the
       additional weighted average shares issuable upon conversion of the 8.75%
       Convertible Preferred Stock was dilutive.


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1

                           ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
              SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
                      CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
                         (in thousands, except ratios)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                       NINE MONTHS ENDED   YEAR ENDED        YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED
                                                          SEPTEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 31,
                                                              1998             1997              1996             1995
                                                             -------         -------         ------------      ----------

<S>                                                    <C>                 <C>               <C>               <C>
EARNINGS:
 Income before minority interests and 
    extraordinary item                                      $29,667           $34,146           $14,970           $14,244
  Interest expense                                           14,259            12,659            11,442            10,928
  Amortization of deferred financing costs                      553               509               639             1,355
                                                            -------           -------           -------           -------
  TOTAL EARNINGS                                            $44,479           $47,314           $27,051           $26,527
                                                            -------           -------           -------           -------


FIXED CHARGES:
  Interest expense                                          $14,259           $12,659           $11,442           $10,928
  Convertible preferred stock dividends                       2,625             2,681               635                --
  Perpetual preferred unit distributions                      3,789                --                --                --
  Amortization of deferred financing costs                      553               509               639             1,355
  Capitalized interest                                        2,575             1,276               115                92
                                                            -------           -------           -------           -------
  TOTAL FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED
    STOCK DIVIDENDS                                         $23,801           $17,125           $12,831           $12,375

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
  (EXCLUDING PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS)                       2.56X             3.28X             2.22X             2.14X
                                                            =======           =======           =======           =======

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED
  CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS                             1.87X             2.76X             2.11X             2.14X
                                                            =======           =======           =======           =======
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ESSEX
PROPERTY TRUST, INC. REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          18,276
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,634
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                49,312
<PP&E>                                         927,498
<DEPRECIATION>                                  71,734
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 920,234
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,877
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          1
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                     394,735
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   920,234
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                92,171
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   43,930
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,104
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   930
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,259
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,957 
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,957
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (806)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,151
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.17<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.16
<FN>
<F1>FOR PURPOSES OF THIS EXHIBIT, PRIMARY MEANS BASIC.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ESSEX
PROPERTY TRUST, INC. REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997.
(AS AMENDED)
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          24,443
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,149
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                55,925
<PP&E>                                         589,074
<DEPRECIATION>                                (53,916)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 597,790
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           31,708
<BONDS>                                        187,926
                                0
                                          1
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     349,779
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   597,790
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,106
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,144
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,548
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,348
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,193
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,193
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    104
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         0
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.56<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.52
<FN>
<F1>FOR PURPOSES OF THIS EXHIBIT, PRIMARY MEANS BASIC.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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