M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2015 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015

OR

Commission File No. 1-8951

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

(303) 773-1100

(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 reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  ☒  No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  ☒  No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  ☐  No  ☒

As of July 31, 2015, 48,883,924 shares of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. common stock were outstanding.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2015

INDEX

ITEM 1.     Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

The Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. ("MDC," “the Company," “we,” “us,” or “our” which refers to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries) have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of MDC at June 30, 2015 and for all periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with MDC’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in MDC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"), which is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We do not plan to early adopt the guidance and are currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures ("ASU 2014-11"), which makes limited amendments to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 860, "Transfers and Servicing." ASU 2014-11 requires entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, eliminates accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and expands disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets. The only changes in ASU 2014-11 that are applicable to our consolidated financial statements are the disclosures for repurchase agreements effective for our fiscal periods beginning January 1, 2015 and interim periods beginning April 1, 2015. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”), which amends the consolidation requirements in ASC 810, primarily related to limited partnerships and variable interest entities. ASU 2015-02 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“ASU 2015-03”), which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. Under ASU 2015-03, an entity presents such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. ASU 2015-03 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2016. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements (“ASU 2015-10”), which amends previously issued guidance on several topics. ASU 2015-10 is effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2016. The amendments in ASU 2015-10 are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Our operating segments are defined as a component of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available and is reviewed regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), or decision-making group, to evaluate performance and make operating decisions. We have identified our CODM as two key executives—the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

We have identified each homebuilding division as an operating segment. Our homebuilding operating segments have been aggregated into the reportable segments noted below because they are similar in the following regards: (1) economic characteristics; (2) housing products; (3) class of homebuyer; (4) regulatory environments; and (5) methods used to construct and sell homes. Our homebuilding reportable segments are as follows:

Our financial services business consists of the operations of the following operating segments: (1) HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation (“HomeAmerican”); (2) Allegiant Insurance Company, Inc., A Risk Retention Group (“Allegiant”); (3) StarAmerican Insurance Ltd. (“StarAmerican”); (4) American Home Insurance Agency, Inc.; and (5) American Home Title and Escrow Company. Due to its contributions to consolidated pretax income, we consider HomeAmerican to be a reportable segment (“Mortgage operations”). The remaining operating segments have been aggregated into one reportable segment (“Other”) because they do not individually exceed 10 percent of: (1) consolidated revenue; (2) the greater of (A) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or (B) the positive value of the combined reported loss of all operating segments that reported losses; or (3) consolidated assets.

Corporate is a non-operating segment that develops and implements strategic initiatives and supports our operating divisions by centralizing key administrative functions such as finance and treasury, information technology, insurance and risk management, litigation and human resources. Corporate also provides the necessary administrative functions to support MDC as a publicly traded company. A portion of the expenses incurred by Corporate are allocated to the homebuilding operating segments based on their respective percentages of assets, and to a lesser degree, a portion of Corporate expenses are allocated to the financial services segments. A majority of Corporate’s personnel and resources are primarily dedicated to activities relating to the homebuilding segments, and, therefore, the balance of any unallocated Corporate expenses is included in the homebuilding segment.

The table set forth below summarizes home and land sale revenues for our homebuilding operations and revenues for our financial services operations.  

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes pretax income for our homebuilding and financial services operations:

The following table summarizes total assets for our homebuilding and financial services operations. The assets in our West, Mountain and East segments consist primarily of inventory while the assets in our Corporate segment primarily include cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and our deferred tax asset. The assets in our financial services segment consist mostly of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and mortgage loans held-for-sale.

A company that has participating securities (for example, holders of unvested restricted stock that has nonforfeitable dividend rights) is required to utilize the two-class method to calculate earnings per share (“EPS”) unless the treasury stock method results in lower EPS. The two-class method is an allocation of earnings/(loss) between the holders of common stock and a company’s participating security holders. Under the two-class method, earnings/(loss) for the reporting period are allocated between common shareholders and other security holders based on their respective rights to receive distributed earnings (i.e., dividends) and undistributed earnings (i.e., net income/(loss)). Currently, we have one class of security and we have participating security holders consisting of shareholders of unvested restricted stock. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing income or loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. To calculate diluted EPS, basic EPS is further adjusted to include the effect of potential dilutive stock options outstanding. The following table shows basic and diluted EPS calculations:

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

Diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 excluded options to purchase approximately 3.6 million and 3.6 million shares, respectively, of common stock because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the same periods in 2014, diluted EPS excluded options to purchase approximately 4.2 million and 4.0 million shares, respectively.

The following table sets forth our changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”):

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table sets forth the activity related to reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income related to available for sale securities:

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), defines fair value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The following table sets forth the fair values and methods used for measuring the fair values of financial instruments on a recurring basis:

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade and other receivables, prepaid and other assets, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities. Fair value approximates carrying value.

Marketable Securities.  We have marketable debt and equity securities.  Our equity securities consist of holdings in corporate equities and holdings in mutual fund securities, which are primarily invested in debt securities. Our debt securities consist primarily of fixed and floating rate interest earning debt securities, which may include, among others, United States government and government agency debt and corporate debt. We measure the fair value of our debt securities using a third party pricing service that either provides quoted prices in less active markets for identical or similar securities or uses observable inputs for their pricing, both of which are level 2 inputs. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, all of our marketable securities were treated as available-for-sale investments and, as such, we have recorded all of our marketable securities at fair value with changes in fair value being recorded as a component of AOCI.

Each quarter we assess all of our securities in an unrealized loss position for potential other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). Our assessment includes a consideration of many factors, both qualitative and quantitative, including the amount of the unrealized loss, the period of time the security has been in a loss position, the financial condition of the issuer and whether we have the intent and ability to hold the securities, among other factors. Based on our assessments, no OTTI was recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 or 2014.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our available-for-sale marketable securities:

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our marketable securities were in net unrealized gain positions totaling $2.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively. Our marketable securities that were in unrealized loss positions aggregated to unrealized losses of $3.1 million and $3.1 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The table below sets forth the debt and equity securities that were in an aggregate loss position. We do not believe that the unrealized loss related to our equity securities as of June 30, 2015 is material to our operations.

The following table sets forth gross realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale marketable securities, which were included in either interest and other income in the homebuilding section or interest and other income in the financial services section of our consolidated statements of operations:

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, Net.  As of June 30, 2015, the primary components of our mortgage loans held-for-sale that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are: (1) mortgage loans held-for-sale under commitments to sell; and (2) mortgage loans held-for-sale not under commitments to sell. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $64.7 million and $74.2 million, respectively, of mortgage loans held-for-sale under commitments to sell for which fair value was based upon Level 2 inputs, which were the quoted market prices for those mortgage loans. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $15.0 million and $14.2 million, respectively, of mortgage loans held-for-sale that were not under commitments to sell. The fair value for those loans was primarily based upon the estimated market price received from an outside party, which is a Level 2 fair value input.

Metropolitan District Bond Securities (Related Party).  The Metropolitan district bond securities (the “Metro Bonds”) are included in the homebuilding section of our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We acquired the Metro Bonds from a quasi-municipal corporation in the state of Colorado (the “Metro District”), which was formed to help fund and maintain the infrastructure associated with a master-planned community being developed by our Company. Cash flows received by the Company from these securities reflect principal and interest payments from the Metro District, which are generally received in the fourth quarter, and are supported by an annual levy on the taxable value of real estate and personal property within the Metro District’s boundaries. The stated year of maturity for the Metro Bonds is 2037. However, if the unpaid principal and all accrued interest are not paid off by the year 2037, the Company will continue to receive principal and interest payments in perpetuity until the unpaid principal and accrued interest is paid in full. Since 2007 and through the first quarter of 2013, we accounted for these securities under the cost recovery method and they were not carried at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310-30”).

In the second quarter of 2013, we determined that these securities no longer were required to be accounted for under the cost recovery method due to an increase in the number of new homes delivered in the community coupled with improvements in property values within the Metro District. In accordance with ASC 310-30, we adjust the bond principal balance using an interest accretion model that utilizes future cash flows expected to be collected. Furthermore, as this investment is accounted for as an available-for-sale asset, we update its fair value on a quarterly basis, with the adjustment being recorded through AOCI. The fair value is based upon a discounted future cash flow model, which uses Level 3 inputs. The two primary unobservable inputs used in our discounted cash flow model are the forecasted number of homes to be closed, as they drive any increases to the tax base for the Metro District, and the discount rate. Cash receipts, which are typically only received in the fourth quarter, reduce the carrying value of the Metro Bonds. The table below provides quantitative data, as of June 30, 2015, regarding each unobservable input and the sensitivity of fair value to potential changes in those unobservable inputs.

The table set forth below summarizes the activity for our Metro Bonds:

Mortgage Repurchase Facility. The debt associated with our mortgage repurchase facility (see Note 18 for further discussion) is at floating rates or at fixed rates that approximate current market rates and have relatively short-term maturities, generally within 30 days. The fair value approximates carrying value and is based on Level 2 inputs.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

Senior Notes. The estimated values of the senior notes in the following table are based on Level 2 inputs, including market prices of other homebuilder bonds.

The following table sets forth, by reportable segment, information relating to our homebuilding inventories:

Our inventories are primarily associated with communities where we intend to construct and sell homes, including models and speculative homes (defined as homes under construction without a sales contract and also referred to as “spec homes”). Costs capitalized to land and land under development primarily include: (1) land costs; (2) land development costs; (3) entitlement costs; (4) capitalized interest; (5) engineering fees; and (6) title insurance, real property taxes and closing costs directly related to the purchase of the land parcel. Components of housing completed or under construction primarily include: (1) land costs transferred from land and land under development; (2) direct construction costs associated with a house; (3) real property taxes, engineering fees, permits and other fees; (4) capitalized interest; and (5) indirect construction costs, which include field construction management salaries and benefits, utilities and other construction related costs. Land costs are transferred from land and land under development to housing completed or under construction at the point in time that construction of a home on an owned lot begins.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), homebuilding inventories are carried at cost unless events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying subdivision may not be recoverable. We evaluate inventories for impairment at each quarter end on a subdivision level basis as each subdivision represents the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. In making this determination, we review, among other things, the following for each subdivision:

If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our inventory may not be recoverable, assets are reviewed for impairment by comparing the undiscounted estimated future cash flows from an individual subdivision to its carrying value. If the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the subdivision’s carrying value, the carrying value of the subdivision is written down to its estimated fair value. We generally determine the estimated fair value of each subdivision by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at discount rates that are commensurate with the risk of the subdivision under evaluation. We recognized no inventory impairments during the three months ended June 30, 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, we recorded $0.4 million of inventory impairment charges related to one project in our East segment. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, we recorded $0.9 million of inventory impairment charges related to two projects in our East segment.

We capitalize interest to inventories during the period of development in accordance with ASC Topic 835, Interest (“ASC 835”). Homebuilding interest capitalized as a cost of inventories is included in cost of sales as related units or lots are sold. To the extent our homebuilding debt exceeds our qualified assets as defined in ASC 835, we expense a portion of interest incurred. Qualified homebuilding assets consist of all lots and homes, excluding finished unsold homes or finished models, within projects that are actively selling or under development. The table set forth below summarizes homebuilding interest activity.

The homebuilding interest expensed in the table below relates to the portion of interest incurred where our homebuilding debt exceeded our qualified inventory for such periods in accordance with ASC 835.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table sets forth the components of homebuilding prepaid expenses and other assets:

The following table sets forth information relating to homebuilding accrued liabilities:

The following table sets forth information relating to financial services accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

Our homes are sold with limited third-party warranties. We record expenses and warranty accruals for general and structural warranty claims, as well as accruals for known, unusual warranty-related expenditures. Warranty accruals are established based upon historical payment experience in an amount estimated to be adequate to cover expected costs of materials and outside labor during warranty periods. The establishment of warranty accruals for closed homes and the evaluation of our warranty accrual balance at period end are both based on an internally developed analysis that includes known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including, among other things, our trends in historical warranty payment levels and warranty payments for claims not considered to be normal and recurring.

Our warranty accrual is included in accrued liabilities in the homebuilding section of our consolidated balance sheets and adjustments to our warranty accrual are recorded as an increase or reduction to home cost of sales in the homebuilding section of our consolidated statements of operations.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

The table set forth below summarizes warranty accrual, payment and adjustment activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. As a result of favorable warranty payment experience relative to our estimates at the time of home closing, we reduced our warranty reserve by $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $1.3 million and $2.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

The establishment of reserves for estimated losses associated with insurance policies issued by Allegiant and re-insurance agreements issued by StarAmerican are based on actuarial studies that include known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including our experience with similar cases and historical trends involving claim payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid claims, product mix or concentration, claim severity, frequency patterns depending on the business conducted, and changing regulatory and legal environments.

The table set forth below summarizes the insurance reserve activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. The insurance reserve is included as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The $1.5 million adjustment to decrease our insurance reserve during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 primarily resulted from a decrease in insurance claim payment severity and frequency relative to prior period estimates. No such adjustment was required for the three or six months ended June 30, 2014.

In the ordinary course of business, we make payments from our insurance reserves to settle litigation claims arising primarily from our homebuilding activities. These payments are irregular in both their timing and their magnitude. As a result, the cash payments, net of recoveries shown for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 are not necessarily indicative of what future cash payments will be for subsequent periods.

At the end of each interim period, we are required to estimate our annual effective tax rate for the fiscal year and use that rate to provide for income taxes for the current year-to-date reporting period. Our overall effective income tax rates were 37.3% and 37.1% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to 36.7% and 37.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. The rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 resulted in income tax expense of $11.9 million and $16.8 million, respectively, compared to income tax expense of $12.5 million and $19.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 we had deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, of $136.9 million and $153.5 million, respectively. Included in our deferred tax assets at June 30, 2015 are $35.5 million and $34.0 million of federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, respectively. Our net deferred tax assets at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were partially offset by valuation allowances of $13.4 million and $13.0 million, respectively, related to (1) various state net operating loss carryforwards where realization is more uncertain at this time due to the more limited carryforward periods that exist in certain states and (2) the portion of the amount by which the carrying value of our Metro Bonds for tax purposes exceeds our carrying value for book purposes, as we believe realization of that portion is more uncertain at this time.

The following table sets forth the carrying amount of our senior notes as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, net of applicable discounts:

On March 26, 2014, we redeemed our 5⅜% Senior Notes due December 2014.  As a result of this transaction, we paid $259.1 million to extinguish $250 million in debt principal with a carrying value, including unamortized deferred financing costs, of $249.7 million and recorded a $9.4 million expense for loss on extinguishment of debt.

Our senior notes are not secured and, while the senior note indentures contain some restrictions on secured debt and other transactions, they do not contain financial covenants. Our senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by substantially all of our homebuilding segment subsidiaries.

We account for share-based awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), which requires the fair value of stock-based compensation awards to be amortized as an expense over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation awards are valued at fair value on the date of grant. The following table sets forth share-based award expense activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014:

On May 18, 2015, the Company granted a non-qualified stock option to each of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer for 1,000,000 shares of common stock under the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. The terms of each option provide that, over a five year period, one third of the option shares will vest as of each of the third, fourth, and fifth anniversary dates of the grant of the option; provided that all unvested option shares will vest immediately in the event the closing price of the Company’s stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange in any 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days closes at a price equal to or greater than 120% of the closing price on the date of grant (the “market-based condition”). The option exercise price is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, which was $28.45 and the expiration date of each option is May 18, 2025. In accordance with ASC 718, the market-based awards were assigned a fair value of $5.62 per share on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. In accordance with the valuation model used, the total $11.2 million in expense is expected to be recorded on a straight-line basis by the end of the 2016 second quarter. See “Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 2. However, if at such time these options vest under the market-based condition prior to the end of the expected expense term, all remaining expense will be recognized immediately.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

Surety Bonds and Letters of Credit. We are required to obtain surety bonds and letters of credit in support of our obligations for land development and subdivision improvements, homeowner association dues, warranty work, contractor license fees and earnest money deposits. At June 30, 2015, we had issued and outstanding surety bonds and letters of credit totaling $149.4 million and $27.3 million, respectively, including $15.2 million in letters of credit issued by HomeAmerican. The estimated cost to complete obligations related to these bonds and letters of credit was approximately $45.8 million and $6.4 million, respectively. The letters of credit as of June 30, 2015, excluding those issued by HomeAmerican, were outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facility (see Note 18 for further discussion of the revolving credit facility). We expect that the obligations secured by these performance bonds and letters of credit generally will be performed in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable contractual terms. To the extent that the obligations are performed, the related performance bonds and letters of credit should be released and we should not have any continuing obligations. However, in the event any such performance bonds or letters of credit are called, our indemnity obligations could require us to reimburse the issuer of the performance bond or letter of credit.

We have made no material guarantees with respect to third-party obligations.

Mortgage Loan Loss Reserves. In the normal course of business, we establish reserves for potential losses associated with HomeAmerican’s sale of mortgage loans to third-parties. These reserves are created to address repurchase and indemnity claims by third-party purchasers of the mortgage loans, which claims arise primarily out of, but not limited to, allegations of homebuyer fraud at the time of origination of the loan, missing documentation, loan processing defects or defective appraisals. These reserves are based upon, among other things: (1) pending claims received from third-party purchasers associated with previously sold mortgage loans; (2) a current assessment of the potential exposure associated with future claims of homebuyer fraud in mortgage loans originated in prior periods; and (3) historical loss experience. In addition to reserves established for mortgage loans previously sold to third-parties, we establish reserves for loans that we have been required to repurchase. Our mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and the associated expenses are included in expenses in the financial services section of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes the mortgage loan loss reserve activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014:

Legal Reserves. Because of the nature of the homebuilding business, we have been named as defendants in various claims, complaints and other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including product liability claims and claims associated with the sale and financing of homes. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Lot Option Contracts. In the normal course of business, we enter into lot option purchase contracts (“Option Contracts”), generally through a deposit of cash or a letter of credit, for the right to purchase land or lots at a future point in time with predetermined terms. The use of such land option and other contracts generally allow us to reduce the risks associated with direct land ownership and development, reduces our capital and financial commitments and minimizes the amount of our land inventories on our consolidated balance sheets. Our obligation with respect to Option Contracts is generally limited to forfeiture of the related deposits. At June 30, 2015, we had cash deposits and letters of credit totaling $12.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, at risk associated with the option to purchase 2,269 lots.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

The derivative instruments we utilize in the normal course of business are interest rate lock commitments and forward sales of mortgage-backed securities, both of which typically are short-term in nature. Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities are utilized to hedge changes in fair value of our interest rate lock commitments as well as mortgage loans held-for-sale not under commitments to sell. For forward sales of securities, as well as interest rate lock commitments that are still outstanding at the end of a reporting period, we record the changes in fair value of the derivatives in revenues in the financial services section of our consolidated statements of operations with an offset to prepaid expenses and other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the financial services section of our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, depending on the nature of the change.

At June 30, 2015, we had interest rate lock commitments with an aggregate principal balance of $86.5 million. Additionally, we had $15.0 million of mortgage loans held-for-sale that were not under commitments to sell at June 30, 2015. In order to hedge the changes in fair value of our interest rate lock commitments and mortgage loans held-for-sale which had not yet been committed to a mortgage purchaser, we had forward sales of securities totaling $71.0 million at June 30, 2015.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, we recorded net gains (losses) on our derivatives of $0 and $0.6 million, respectively, compared to $0.1 million and $(0.4) million for the same periods in 2014.

Revolving Credit Facility. On December 13, 2013, we entered into an unsecured revolving credit agreement (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders, which may be used for general corporate purposes. This agreement was amended on December 17, 2014 to (1) increase the aggregate commitment amount by $100 million to $550 million (the “Commitment”) and (2) extend the maturity until December 13, 2019. Each lender may issue letters of credit in an amount up to 50% of its commitment. The facility permits an increase in the maximum Commitment amount to $1.0 billion upon our request, subject to receipt of additional commitments from existing or additional lenders and the consent of the designated agent and the co-administrative agent. Interest rates on outstanding borrowings are determined by reference to a specified London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a specified federal funds effective rate or a specified prime rate, plus a margin that is determined based on our credit ratings and leverage ratio, as defined in the facility agreement. At any time at which our leverage ratio, as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, exceeds 55%, the aggregate principal amount of all consolidated senior debt borrowings outstanding may not exceed the borrowing base. There is no borrowing base requirement if our leverage ratio, as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, is 55% or less.

The Revolving Credit Facility is fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by most of our homebuilding segment subsidiaries. The facility contains various representations, warranties and covenants that we believe are customary for agreements of this type. The financial covenants include a consolidated tangible net worth test and a leverage test, along with a consolidated tangible net worth covenant, all as defined in the facility agreement. A failure to satisfy the foregoing tests does not constitute an event of default, but can trigger a “term-out” of the facility. A breach of the consolidated tangible net worth covenant (but not the consolidated tangible net worth test) would result in an event of default.