M/I HOMES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2012 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2012
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number 1-12434
M/I HOMES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in it charter)
Ohio | 31-1210837 | |||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
3 Easton Oval, Suite 500, Columbus, Ohio 43219 |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) |
(614) 418-8000 |
(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 | X | 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 | X | No |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | Accelerated filer | X | ||||
Non-accelerated filer | Smaller reporting company | |||||
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes | No | X |
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common shares, par value $.01 per share: 21,437,727 shares outstanding as of October 25, 2012.
M/I HOMES, INC. | |||
FORM 10-Q | |||
TABLE OF CONTENTS | |||
PART 1. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||
Item 1. | M/I Homes, Inc. and Subsidiaries Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | ||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2011 | |||
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 | |||
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 | |||
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 | |||
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | |||
Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | ||
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | ||
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | ||
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION | ||
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | ||
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | ||
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | ||
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | ||
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | ||
Item 5. | Other Information | ||
Item 6. | Exhibits | ||
Signatures | |||
Exhibit Index |
2
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | ||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except par values) | (Unaudited) | ||||||
ASSETS: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 159,765 | $ | 59,793 | |||
Restricted cash | 8,980 | 41,334 | |||||
Mortgage loans held for sale | 58,338 | 57,275 | |||||
Inventory | 543,871 | 466,772 | |||||
Property and equipment - net | 11,956 | 14,358 | |||||
Investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | 11,256 | 10,357 | |||||
Other assets | 23,126 | 14,596 | |||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 817,292 | $ | 664,485 | |||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||
LIABILITIES: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 65,348 | $ | 41,256 | |||
Customer deposits | 10,976 | 4,181 | |||||
Other liabilities | 52,257 | 39,348 | |||||
Community development district ("CDD") obligations | 4,988 | 5,983 | |||||
Obligation for consolidated inventory not owned | 6,552 | 2,944 | |||||
Note payable bank - financial services operations | 54,840 | 52,606 | |||||
Note payable - other | 10,769 | 5,801 | |||||
Convertible senior subordinated notes | 57,500 | — | |||||
Senior notes | 227,570 | 239,016 | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 490,800 | 391,135 | |||||
Commitments and contingencies | — | — | |||||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | |||||||
Preferred shares - $.01 par value; authorized 2,000,000 shares; issued 4,000 shares | 96,325 | 96,325 | |||||
Common shares - $.01 par value; authorized 38,000,000 shares; issued 24,631,723 and 22,101,723 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively | 246 | 221 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 181,324 | 139,943 | |||||
Retained earnings | 112,033 | 103,701 | |||||
Treasury shares - at cost - 3,193,996 and 3,365,366 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively | (63,436 | ) | (66,840 | ) | |||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 326,492 | 273,350 | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 817,292 | $ | 664,485 |
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 208,875 | $ | 141,624 | $ | 510,994 | $ | 389,638 | |||||||
Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Land and housing | 164,452 | 116,269 | 408,893 | 322,886 | |||||||||||
Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | 1,309 | 1,697 | 1,876 | 18,013 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | 16,016 | 13,896 | 42,299 | 38,064 | |||||||||||
Selling | 14,647 | 11,213 | 38,483 | 30,621 | |||||||||||
Interest | 3,999 | 3,384 | 12,066 | 10,884 | |||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 200,423 | 146,459 | 503,617 | 420,468 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 8,452 | (4,835 | ) | 7,377 | (30,830 | ) | |||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 138 | (117 | ) | (955 | ) | 71 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 8,314 | $ | (4,718 | ) | $ | 8,332 | $ | (30,901 | ) | |||||
Earnings (loss) per common share: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.43 | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | 0.44 | $ | (1.65 | ) | |||||
Diluted | $ | 0.42 | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | 0.43 | $ | (1.65 | ) | |||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | 19,434 | 18,728 | 19,014 | 18,685 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 20,273 | 18,728 | 19,238 | 18,685 |
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Shares | Common Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Outstanding | Shares Outstanding | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Treasury Shares | Total Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Amount | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 | 4,000 | $ | 96,325 | 18,736,357 | $ | 221 | $ | 139,943 | $ | 103,701 | $ | (66,840 | ) | $ | 273,350 | ||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | — | 8,332 | — | 8,332 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Common share issuance | — | — | 2,530,000 | 25 | 42,060 | — | — | 42,085 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock options exercised | — | — | 137,174 | — | (1,510 | ) | — | 2,725 | 1,215 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | — | — | — | — | 1,398 | — | — | 1,398 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Deferral of executive and director compensation | — | — | — | — | 112 | — | — | 112 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Executive and director deferred compensation distributions | — | — | 34,196 | — | (679 | ) | — | 679 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2012 | 4,000 | $ | 96,325 | 21,437,727 | $ | 246 | $ | 181,324 | $ | 112,033 | $ | (63,436 | ) | $ | 326,492 |
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
2012 | 2011 | ||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 8,332 | $ | (30,901 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||
Inventory valuation adjustments and abandoned land transaction write-offs | 2,132 | 17,424 | |||||
Impairment of investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | — | 1,029 | |||||
Bargain purchase gain | (1,219 | ) | — | ||||
Mortgage loan originations | (355,075 | ) | (256,708 | ) | |||
Proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans | 354,443 | 266,737 | |||||
Fair value adjustment of mortgage loans held for sale | (431 | ) | (3,383 | ) | |||
Depreciation | 4,940 | 3,819 | |||||
Amortization of intangibles, debt discount and debt issue costs | 1,822 | 1,866 | |||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 1,398 | 1,525 | |||||
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) | 3,721 | (11,657 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax asset valuation (benefit) expense | (3,721 | ) | 11,657 | ||||
Other | 50 | (165 | ) | ||||
Change in assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Cash held in escrow | (37 | ) | 237 | ||||
Inventory | (71,236 | ) | (50,618 | ) | |||
Other assets | (4,030 | ) | 954 | ||||
Accounts payable | 23,016 | 16,089 | |||||
Customer deposits | 6,604 | 2,314 | |||||
Accrued compensation | 1,667 | (703 | ) | ||||
Other liabilities | 11,303 | 5,918 | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (16,321 | ) | (24,566 | ) | |||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Change in restricted cash | 32,391 | (4,532 | ) | ||||
Purchase of property and equipment | (858 | ) | (889 | ) | |||
Acquisition, net of cash acquired | (4,707 | ) | (4,654 | ) | |||
Investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | (949 | ) | — | ||||
Proceeds from sale of property | — | (648 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 25,877 | (10,723 | ) | ||||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Repayment of senior notes, including transaction costs | (41,443 | ) | — | ||||
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes | 29,700 | — | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior subordinated notes | 57,500 | — | |||||
Proceeds (repayments) from bank borrowings - net | 2,234 | (539 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from note payable-other and CDD bond obligations | 4,968 | 4 | |||||
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares | 42,085 | — | |||||
Debt issue costs | (5,843 | ) | (220 | ) | |||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 1,215 | 1,500 | |||||
Excess tax deficiency from stock-based payment arrangements | — | 165 | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 90,416 | 910 | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 99,972 | (34,379 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents balance at beginning of period | 59,793 | 81,208 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents balance at end of period | $ | 159,765 | $ | 46,829 | |||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | |||||||
Cash paid during the year for: | |||||||
Interest — net of amount capitalized | $ | 5,442 | $ | 4,208 | |||
Income taxes | $ | 280 | $ | 282 | |||
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS DURING THE PERIOD: | |||||||
Community development district infrastructure | $ | (995 | ) | $ | (764 | ) | |
Consolidated inventory not owned | $ | 3,608 | $ | 4,132 | |||
Contingent consideration related to acquisition | $ | — | $ | 512 |
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (the “financial statements”) of M/I Homes, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) and notes thereto have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim financial information. The financial statements include the accounts of M/I Homes, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments (all of which are normal and recurring in nature) necessary for a fair presentation of financial results for the interim periods presented. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “2011 Form 10-K”).
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during that period. Actual results could differ from these estimates and have a significant impact on the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows. With regard to the Company, estimates and assumptions are inherent in calculations relating to valuation of inventory and investment in unconsolidated limited liability companies (“Unconsolidated LLCs”), property and equipment depreciation, valuation of derivative financial instruments, accounts payable on inventory, accruals for costs to complete inventory, accruals for warranty claims, accruals for self-insured general liability claims, litigation, accruals for health care and workers' compensation, accruals for guaranteed or indemnified loans, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes, and contingencies. Items that could have a significant impact on these estimates and assumptions include the risks and uncertainties listed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our 2011 Form 10-K, as the same may be updated from time to time in our subsequent filings with the SEC.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 have been reclassified to conform to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 presentation. The Company believes these reclassifications are immaterial to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Impact of New Accounting Standards
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04: Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS ("ASU 2011-04"). ASU 2011-04 provides clarity to the fair value definition in order to achieve greater consistency in fair value measurements and disclosures between United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Additional disclosures are required regarding transfers of assets between Level 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and expands the fair value disclosure requirements particularly for Level 3 measurements. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2012 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” The amendments in ASU 2011-11 will enhance disclosures required by U.S. GAAP by requiring additional information about financial and derivative instruments that are either (a) offset in accordance with Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45 or (b) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in accordance with Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45. We are required to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and for interim periods within those annual periods. We are to provide the required disclosures retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
7
NOTE 2. Cash and Restricted Cash
The table below is a summary of our cash balances at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
(In thousands) | September 30, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||
Homebuilding | $ | 141,043 | $ | 43,539 | |||
Financial services | 18,722 | 16,254 | |||||
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents | $ | 159,765 | $ | 59,793 | |||
Restricted cash | 8,980 | 41,334 | |||||
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 168,745 | $ | 101,127 |
Restricted cash at September 30, 2012 consists primarily of homebuilding cash the Company had pledged as collateral in accordance with the three secured credit agreements for the issuance of letters of credit outside of the Credit Facility to which the Company is a party (collectively, the "Letter of Credit Facilities"). The reduction in restricted cash at September 30, 2012 compared to December 31, 2011 was primarily the result of an amendment dated January 31, 2012 (the "2012 Amendment") to the Company's $140 million secured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility"). As a result of the 2012 Amendment, the Company was able to release $25.0 million of restricted cash that had been pledged to the lenders under the Credit Facility.
NOTE 3. Fair Value Measurements
There are three measurement input levels for determining fair value: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis
The Company measures both mortgage loans held for sale and interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) at fair value. Fair value measurement results in a better presentation of the changes in fair values of the loans and the derivative instruments used to economically hedge them.
In the normal course of business, our financial services segment enters into contractual commitments to extend credit to buyers of single-family homes with fixed expiration dates. The commitments become effective when the borrowers “lock-in” a specified interest rate within established time frames. Market risk arises if interest rates move adversely between the time of the “lock-in” of rates by the borrower and the sale date of the loan to an investor. To mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing rate lock commitments to borrowers, the Company enters into optional or mandatory delivery forward sale contracts to sell whole loans and mortgage-backed securities to broker/dealers. The forward sale contracts lock in an interest rate and price for the sale of loans similar to the specific rate lock commitments. The Company does not engage in speculative or trading derivative activities. Both the rate lock commitments to borrowers and the forward sale contracts to broker/dealers or investors are undesignated derivatives, and accordingly, are marked to fair value through earnings. Changes in fair value measurements are included in earnings in the accompanying statements of operations.
The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is estimated based primarily on published prices for mortgage-backed securities with similar characteristics. To calculate the effects of interest rate movements, the Company utilizes applicable published mortgage-backed security prices, and multiplies the price movement between the rate lock date and the balance sheet date by the notional loan commitment amount. The Company sells the majority of its loans on a servicing released basis, and receives a servicing release premium upon sale. Thus, the value of the servicing rights included in the fair value measurement is based upon contractual terms with investors and depends on the loan type. The Company applies a fallout rate to IRLCs when measuring the fair value of rate lock commitments. Fallout is defined as locked loan commitments for which the Company does not close a mortgage loan and is based on management’s judgment and company experience.
The fair value of the Company’s forward sales contracts to broker/dealers solely considers the market price movement of the same type of security between the trade date and the balance sheet date. The market price changes are multiplied by the notional amount of the forward sales contracts to measure the fair value.
8
Interest Rate Lock Commitments. IRLCs are extended to certain home-buying customers who have applied for a mortgage loan and meet certain defined credit and underwriting criteria. Typically, the IRLCs will have a duration of less than six months; however, in certain markets, the duration could extend to twelve months.
Some IRLCs are committed to a specific third party investor through the use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments matching the exact terms of the IRLC loan. Uncommitted IRLCs are considered derivative instruments and are fair value adjusted, with the resulting gain or loss recorded in current earnings.
Forward Sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities. Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (“FMBSs”) are used to protect uncommitted IRLC loans against the risk of changes in interest rates between the lock date and the funding date. FMBSs related to uncommitted IRLCs are classified and accounted for as non-designated derivative instruments and are recorded at fair value, with gains and losses recorded in current earnings.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale. Mortgage loans held for sale consist primarily of single-family residential loans collateralized by the underlying property. During the intervening period between when a loan is closed and when it is sold to an investor, the interest rate risk is covered through the use of a best-efforts contract or by FMBSs. The FMBSs are classified and accounted for as non-designated derivative instruments, with gains and losses recorded in current earnings.
The table below shows the notional amounts of our financial instruments at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
Description of financial instrument (in thousands) | September 30, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||
Best efforts contracts and related committed IRLCs | $ | 1,080 | $ | 1,088 | |||
Uncommitted IRLCs | 39,073 | 25,912 | |||||
FMBSs related to uncommitted IRLCs | 32,000 | 26,000 | |||||
Best efforts contracts and related mortgage loans held for sale | 11,791 | 14,058 | |||||
FMBSs related to mortgage loans held for sale | 43,000 | 42,000 | |||||
Mortgage loans held for sale covered by FMBSs | 43,191 | 42,227 |
The table below shows the level and measurement of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
Description of Financial Instrument (in thousands) | Fair Value Measurements September 30, 2012 | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
Mortgage loans held for sale | $ | 58,338 | $ | — | $ | 58,338 | $ | — | ||||||||
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities | (1,395 | ) | — | (1,395 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Interest rate lock commitments | 686 | — | 686 | — | ||||||||||||
Best-efforts contracts | (208 | ) | — | (208 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 57,421 | $ | — | $ | 57,421 | $ | — |
Description of Financial Instrument (in thousands) | Fair Value Measurements December 31, 2011 | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
Mortgage loans held for sale | $ | 57,275 | $ | — | $ | 57,275 | $ | — | ||||||||
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities | (470 | ) | — | (470 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Interest rate lock commitments | 356 | — | 356 | — | ||||||||||||
Best-efforts contracts | (129 | ) | — | (129 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 57,032 | $ | — | $ | 57,032 | $ | — |
9
The following table sets forth the amount of (loss) gain recognized, within our revenue in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, on assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
Description (in thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Mortgage loans held for sale | $ | 328 | $ | 1,233 | $ | 431 | $ | 3,383 | |||||||
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities | (838 | ) | (1,350 | ) | (925 | ) | (1,334 | ) | |||||||
Interest rate lock commitments | 341 | 497 | 328 | 725 | |||||||||||
Best-efforts contracts | (84 | ) | (180 | ) | (77 | ) | (455 | ) | |||||||
Total (loss) gain recognized | $ | (253 | ) | $ | 200 | $ | (243 | ) | $ | 2,319 |
The following tables set forth the fair value of the Company's derivative instruments and their location within the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the periods indicated (except for mortgage loans held for sale which is disclosed as a separate line item):
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
September 30, 2012 | September 30, 2012 | |||||||||||
Description of Derivatives | Balance Sheet Location | Fair Value (in thousands) | Balance Sheet Location | Fair Value (in thousands) | ||||||||
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities | Other assets | $ | — | Other liabilities | $ | 1,395 | ||||||
Interest rate lock commitments | Other assets | 686 | Other liabilities | — | ||||||||
Best-efforts contracts | Other assets | — | Other liabilities | 208 | ||||||||
Total fair value measurements | $ | 686 | $ | 1,603 |
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
December 31, 2011 | December 31, 2011 | |||||||||||
Description of Derivatives | Balance Sheet Location | Fair Value (in thousands) | Balance Sheet Location | Fair Value (in thousands) | ||||||||
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities | Other assets | $ | — | Other liabilities | $ | 470 | ||||||
Interest rate lock commitments | Other assets | 356 | Other liabilities | — | ||||||||
Best-efforts contracts | Other assets | — | Other liabilities | 129 | ||||||||
Total fair value measurements | $ | 356 | $ | 599 |
Assets Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis
The Company assesses inventory for recoverability on a quarterly basis if events or changes in local or national economic conditions indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In conducting our quarterly review for indicators of impairment on a community level, we evaluate, among other things, margins on sales contracts in backlog, the margins on homes that have been delivered, expected changes in margins with regard to future home sales over the life of the community, expected changes in margins with regard to future land sales, and the value of the land itself. We pay particular attention to communities in which inventory is moving at a slower than anticipated absorption pace, and communities whose average sales price and/or margins are trending downward and are anticipated to continue to trend downward. We also evaluate communities where management intends to lower the sales price or offer incentives in order to improve absorptions even if the community's historical results do not indicate a potential for impairment. From this review, we identify communities whose carrying values may exceed their undiscounted future cash flows. For those communities whose carrying values exceed the estimated undiscounted future cash flows and which are deemed to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the communities exceeds the estimated fair value. Due to the fact that the Company's cash flow models and estimates of fair values are based upon management estimates and assumptions, unexpected changes in market conditions may lead the Company to incur additional impairment charges in the future.
Our determination of fair value is based on projections and estimates, which are Level 3 measurement inputs. Our analysis is completed at a phase level within each community; therefore, changes in local conditions may affect one or several of our communities. For all of the categories discussed below, the key assumptions relating to the valuations are dependent on project-specific local market and/or community conditions and are inherently uncertain. Because each inventory asset is unique, there are numerous inputs and assumptions used in our valuation techniques. Market factors that may impact these assumptions include:
• | historical project results such as average sales price and sales pace, if closings have occurred in the project; |
• | competitors’ market and/or community presence and their competitive actions; |
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• | project specific attributes such as location desirability and uniqueness of product offering; |
• | potential for alternative product offerings to respond to local market conditions; and |
• | current economic and demographic conditions and related trends and forecasts. |
These, and other market factors that may impact project assumptions, are considered by personnel in our homebuilding divisions as they prepare or update the forecasts for each community. Quantitative and qualitative factors other than home sales prices could significantly impact the potential for future impairments. The sales objectives can differ between communities, even within a given sub-market. For example, facts and circumstances in a given community may lead us to price our homes with the objective of yielding a higher sales absorption pace, while facts and circumstances in another community may lead us to price our homes to minimize deterioration in our gross margins, although it may result in a slower sales absorption pace. Furthermore, the key assumptions included in our estimated future undiscounted cash flows may be interrelated. For example, a decrease in estimated base sales price or an increase in home sales incentives may result in a corresponding increase in sales absorption pace. Changes in our key assumptions, including estimated average selling price, construction and development costs, absorption pace, selling strategies, or discount rates, could materially impact future cash flow and fair value estimates.
Operating Communities: If an indicator for impairment exists for existing operating communities, the recoverability of assets is evaluated by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to estimated future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales. These estimated cash flows are developed based primarily on management's assumptions relating to the specific community. The significant assumptions used to evaluate the recoverability of assets include: the timing of development and/or marketing phases; projected sales price and sales pace of each existing or planned community; the estimated land development, home construction, and selling costs of the community; overall market supply and demand; the local market; and competitive conditions. Management reviews these assumptions on a quarterly basis. While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change. Some of the most critical assumptions in the Company's cash flow models are projected absorption pace for home sales, sales prices, and costs to build and deliver homes on a community by community basis.
In order to estimate the assumed absorption pace for home sales included in the Company's cash flow models, the Company analyzes the historical absorption pace in the community as well as other communities in the geographic area. Our overall absorption rate was 1.7 per community per month for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2.1 per community per month for the first nine months of 2012. In addition, the Company considers internal and external market studies and trends, which may include, but are not limited to, statistics on population demographics, unemployment rates, foreclosure sales, and availability of competing products in the geographic area where a community is located. When analyzing the Company's historical absorption pace for home sales and corresponding internal and external market studies, the Company places greater emphasis on more current metrics and trends such as the absorption pace realized in its most recent quarters.
In order to estimate the sales prices included in its cash flow models, the Company considers the historical sales prices realized on homes it delivered in the community and other communities in the geographic area, as well as the sales prices included in its current backlog for such communities. In addition, the Company considers internal and external market studies and trends, which may include, but are not limited to, statistics on sales prices in neighboring communities, which include the impact of short sales, if any, and sales prices on similar products in non-neighboring communities in the geographic area where the community is located. When analyzing its historical sales prices and corresponding market studies, the Company places greater emphasis on more current metrics and trends such as the sales prices realized in its most recent quarters and the sales prices in current backlog. Based upon this analysis, the Company sets a sales price for each house type in the community which it believes will achieve an acceptable gross margin and sales pace in the community. This price becomes the price published to the sales force for use in its sales efforts. The Company then considers the average of these published sales prices when estimating the future sales prices in its cash flow models, using weighted average sales price increases of 1% in 2013 and 2% in 2014 and beyond.
In order to arrive at the Company's assumed costs to build and deliver homes, the Company generally assumes a cost structure reflecting contracts currently in place with its vendors and subcontractors adjusted for any anticipated cost reduction initiatives or increases in cost structure. With respect to overhead included in the cash flow models, the Company uses forecasted rates included in the Company's annual budget adjusted for actual experience that is materially different than budgeted rates. The Company used a weighted average increase of 1% assumed costs in 2013 and 2% in 2014 and beyond.
Future Communities: If an indicator of impairment exists for raw land, land under development, or lots that management anticipates will be utilized for future homebuilding activities, the recoverability of assets is evaluated by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales, consistent with the evaluations performed for operating communities discussed above.
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For raw land, land under development, or lots that management intends to market for sale to a third party, but that do not meet all of the criteria to be classified as land held for sale as discussed below, the estimated fair value of the assets is determined based on either the estimated net sales proceeds expected to be realized on the sale of the assets or the estimated fair value determined using cash flow valuation techniques.
If the Company has not yet determined whether raw land or land under development will be utilized for future homebuilding activities or marketed for sale to a third party, the Company assesses the recoverability of the inventory using a probability-weighted approach.
Land Held for Sale: Land held for sale includes land that meets all of the following six criteria: (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset; (2) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated; (4) the sale of the asset is probable, and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year; (5) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. The Company records land held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or estimated fair value less costs to sell. In performing the impairment evaluation for land held for sale, management considers, among other things, prices for land in recent comparable sales transactions, market analysis and recent bona fide offers received from outside third parties, as well as actual contracts. If the estimated fair value less the costs to sell an asset is less than the current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value less costs to sell.
Investment In Unconsolidated Limited Liability Companies: The Company evaluates its investment in Unconsolidated LLCs for potential impairment on a quarterly basis. If the fair value of the investment is less than the investment's carrying value and the Company has determined that the decline in value is other than temporary, the Company would write down the value of the investment to fair value.
The determination of whether an investment's fair value is less than the carrying value requires management to make certain assumptions regarding the amount and timing of future contributions to the Unconsolidated LLC, the timing of distribution of lots to the Company from the Unconsolidated LLC, the projected fair value of the lots at the time of distribution to the Company, and the estimated proceeds from, and timing of, the sale of land or lots to third parties. In determining the fair value of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs, the Company evaluates the projected cash flows associated with each Unconsolidated LLC. As of September 30, 2012, the Company used a discount rate of 16% in determining the fair value of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs.
In addition to the assumptions management must make to determine if the investment's fair value is less than the carrying value, management must also use judgment in determining whether the impairment is other than temporary. The factors management considers are: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost; (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the Company; and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the Unconsolidated LLC for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. Because of the high degree of judgment involved in developing these assumptions, it is possible that the Company may determine the investment is not impaired in the current period but, due to passage of time or change in market conditions leading to changes in assumptions, impairment could occur.
The tables below show the level and measurement of assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011:
Description of asset or liability (In thousands) | Fair Value Measurements September 30, 2012 | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total Losses For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 | ||||||||||
Inventory | $ | 2,350 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,350 | $ | 1,876 | |||||
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||
Total fair value measurements | $ | 2,350 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,350 | $ | 1,876 |
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Description of asset or liability (In thousands) | Fair Value Measurements December 31, 2011 | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total Losses For The Year Ended December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||
Inventory | $ | 43,659 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 43,659 | $ | 20,964 | |||||
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs | 970 | — | — | 970 | 1,029 | ||||||||||
Total fair value measurements | $ | 44,629 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 44,629 | $ | 21,993 |
Financial Instruments
Counterparty Credit Risk. To reduce the risk associated with accounting losses that would be recognized if counterparties failed to perform as contracted, the Company limits the entities with whom management can enter into commitments. This risk of accounting loss is the difference between the market rate at the time of non-performance by the counterparty and the rate to which the Company committed.
The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price).
September 30, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 168,745 | $ | 168,745 | $ | 101,127 | $ | 101,127 | ||||||||
Mortgage loans held for sale | 58,338 | 58,338 | 57,275 | 57,275 | ||||||||||||
Split dollar life insurance policies | 719 | 679 | 719 | 655 | ||||||||||||
Notes receivable | 823 | 764 | 851 | 753 | ||||||||||||
Commitments to extend real estate loans | 686 | 686 | 356 | 356 | ||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Note payable - banks | 54,840 | 54,840 | 52,606 | 52,606 | ||||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable | 10,769 | 10,885 | 5,521 | 6,076 | ||||||||||||
Convertible senior subordinated notes | 57,500 | 60,819 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Senior notes | 227,570 | 247,825 | 239,016 | 218,925 | ||||||||||||
Best-efforts contracts for committed IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale | 208 | 208 | 470 | 470 | ||||||||||||
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities | 1,395 | 1,395 | 129 | 129 | ||||||||||||
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments: | ||||||||||||||||
Letters of credit | — | 546 | — | 792 |
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures of financial instruments at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
Cash, Restricted Cash and Other Liabilities. The carrying amounts of these items approximate fair value because they are short-term by nature.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, Forward Sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities, Commitments to Extend Real Estate Loans, Best-Efforts Contracts for Committed IRLCs and Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes, and Senior Notes. The fair value of these financial instruments was determined based upon market quotes at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The market quotes used were quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities along with inputs taken from observable market data by correlation. The inputs were adjusted to account for the condition of the asset or liability.
Split Dollar Life Insurance Policies and Notes Receivable. The estimated fair value was determined by calculating the present value of the amounts based on the estimated timing of receipts using discount rates that incorporate management's estimate of risk associated with the corresponding note receivable.
Note Payable - Banks. The interest rate available to the Company fluctuates with the Alternate Base Rate or the Eurodollar Rate (for our Credit Facility) or LIBOR (for M/I Financial Corp.'s $70 million secured mortgage warehousing agreement dated April 18, 2011, as amended on March 23, 2012 and September 26, 2012 (the “MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement”)), and thus their carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
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Mortgage Notes Payable. The estimated fair value was determined by calculating the present value of the future cash flows using the Company's current incremental borrowing rate.
Letters of Credit. Letters of credit of $26.5 million and $35.8 million represent potential commitments at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The letters of credit generally expire within one or two years. The estimated fair value of letters of credit was determined using fees currently charged for similar agreements.
NOTE 4. Inventory
A summary of the Company's inventory as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is as follows:
(In thousands) | September 30, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||
Single-family lots, land and land development costs | $ | 230,040 | $ | 242,372 | |||
Land held for sale | 8,448 | — | |||||
Homes under construction | 252,325 | 181,483 | |||||
Model homes and furnishings - at cost (less accumulated depreciation: September 30, 2012 - $4,390; December 31, 2011 - $4,340) | 35,314 | 27,662 | |||||
Community development district infrastructure | 4,988 | 5,983 | |||||
Land purchase deposits | 6,204 | 2,676 | |||||
Consolidated inventory not owned | 6,552 | 6,596 | |||||
Total inventory | $ | 543,871 | $ | 466,772 |
Single-family lots, land and land development costs include raw land that the Company has purchased to develop into lots, costs incurred to develop the raw land into lots, and lots for which development has been completed but which have not yet been used to start construction of a home.
Homes under construction include homes that are in various stages of construction. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had 673 homes (with a carrying value of $81.6 million) and 573 homes (with a carrying value of $85.5 million), respectively, included in homes under construction that were not subject to a sales contract.
Model homes and furnishings include homes that are under construction or have been completed and are being used as sales models. The amount also includes the net book value of furnishings included in our model homes. Depreciation on model home furnishings is recorded using an accelerated method over the estimated useful life of the assets, typically three years.
The Company assesses inventory for recoverability on a quarterly basis. Refer to Note 3 for additional details relating to our procedures for evaluating our inventories for impairment.
Land purchase deposits include both refundable and non-refundable amounts paid to third party sellers relating to the purchase of land. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the land option agreements relating to the land purchase deposits. In the period during which the Company makes the decision not to proceed with the purchase of land under an agreement, the Company writes off any deposits and accumulated pre-acquisition costs relating to such agreement.
NOTE 5. Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs
The Company assesses inventory for recoverability on a quarterly basis, by reviewing for impairment whenever events or changes in local or national economic conditions indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
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A summary of the Company’s valuation adjustments and write-offs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Impairment of operating communities: | |||||||||||||||
Midwest | $ | — | $ | 962 | $ | 10 | $ | 3,944 | |||||||
Southern | — | 594 | — | 2,459 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic | — | — | — | 17 | |||||||||||
Total impairment of operating communities (a) | $ | — | $ | 1,556 | $ | 10 | $ | 6,420 | |||||||
Impairment of future communities: | |||||||||||||||
Midwest | $ | 1,309 | $ | 141 | $ | 1,771 | $ | 6,519 | |||||||
Southern | — | — | — | 3,455 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Total impairment of future communities (a) | $ | 1,309 | $ | 141 | $ | 1,771 | $ | 9,974 | |||||||
Impairment of land held for sale: | |||||||||||||||
Midwest | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 95 | $ | — | |||||||
Southern | — | — | — | 590 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Total impairment of land held for sale (a) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 95 | $ | 590 | |||||||
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs: | |||||||||||||||
Midwest | $ | — | $ | 121 | $ | 36 | $ | 143 | |||||||
Southern | — | 19 | 110 | 56 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic | — | — | 110 | 241 | |||||||||||
Total option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs (b) | $ | — | $ | 140 | $ | 256 | $ | 440 | |||||||
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs: | |||||||||||||||
Midwest | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 979 | |||||||
Southern | — | — | — | 50 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Total impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs (a) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,029 | |||||||
Total impairments and write-offs of option deposits and pre-acquisition costs | $ | 1,309 | $ | 1,837 | $ | 2,132 | $ | 18,453 |
(a) | Amounts are recorded within Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs in the Company's Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. |
(b) | Amounts are recorded within General and administrative expenses in the Company's Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. |
NOTE 6. Capitalized Interest
The Company capitalizes interest during land development and home construction. Capitalized interest is charged to cost of sales as the related inventory is delivered to a third party. A summary of capitalized interest for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Capitalized interest, beginning of period | $ | 17,967 | $ | 19,758 | $ | 18,869 | $ | 20,075 | |||||||
Interest capitalized to inventory | 2,574 | 2,773 | 7,128 | 7,613 | |||||||||||
Capitalized interest charged to cost of sales | (3,755 | ) | (2,515 | ) | (9,211 | ) | (7,672 | ) | |||||||
Capitalized interest, end of period | $ | 16,786 | $ | 20,016 | $ | 16,786 | $ | 20,016 | |||||||
Interest incurred — net | $ | 6,573 | $ | 6,157 | $ | 19,194 | $ | 18,497 |
NOTE 7. Investment in Unconsolidated Limited Liability Companies
At September 30, 2012, the Company had interests ranging from 33% to 50% in Unconsolidated LLCs. These Unconsolidated LLCs engage in land acquisition and development activities for the purpose of selling or distributing (in the form of a capital distribution) developed lots to the Company and its partners in the entity. Based on relevant accounting guidance, the Company is required to evaluate these Unconsolidated LLCs to determine whether they meet the criteria of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). These evaluations are initially performed when each new entity is created and upon any events that require reconsideration of the entity. If it is determined that we are the primary beneficiary, we must first determine if we have the ability to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the ability to determine the budget and scope of land development work, if any; the ability to control financing decisions for the VIE; the ability to acquire additional land into the VIE or dispose of land in the VIE not under contract with M/I Homes; and the ability to change or amend the existing option contract with the VIE. If it is determined we are not able to control such activities, we are not
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considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If we do have the ability to control such activities, we will continue our analysis by determining if we are also expected to benefit from or absorb a potentially significant amount of the VIE's expected gains or losses, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, we have determined that none of the Unconsolidated LLCs in which we have an interest are VIEs. Each of the entities had sufficient equity at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from the equity investors. We have determined that we do not have substantive control over any of these entities; therefore, they are recorded using the equity method of accounting The Company's maximum exposure related to its investment in these entities as of September 30, 2012 was the amount invested of $11.3 million. Included in the Company's investment in Unconsolidated LLCs at both September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $0.8 million of capitalized interest and other costs.
The Company evaluates its investment in Unconsolidated LLCs for potential impairment on a quarterly basis. If the fair value of the investment (see Note 3) is less than the investment's carrying value, and the Company determines the decline in value was other than temporary, the Company would write down the investment to fair value.
NOTE 8. Guarantees and Indemnifications
Warranty
The Company generally offers a limited warranty program in conjunction with a thirty-year transferable structural limited warranty on homes closed after September 30, 2007. This limited warranty program covers construction defects and certain damage resulting from construction defects for a statutory period based on geographic market and state law (currently ranging from five to ten years for the states in which the Company operates) and includes a mandatory arbitration clause. Warranty expense is accrued as the home sale is recognized and is intended to cover estimated material and outside labor costs to be incurred during the warranty period.
The accrual amounts are based upon historical experience and geographic location. Our warranty accruals are included in Other liabilities in the Company's Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. A summary of warranty activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Warranty accrual, beginning of period | $ | 8,733 | $ | 7,835 | $ | 9,025 | $ | 8,335 | |||||||
Warranty expense on homes delivered during the period | 1,646 | 1,131 | 4,021 | 3,100 | |||||||||||
Changes in estimates for pre-existing warranties | 141 | 1,021 | 231 | 921 | |||||||||||
Settlements made during the period | (1,524 | ) | (1,771 | ) | (4,281 | ) | (4,140 | ) | |||||||
Warranty accrual, end of period | $ | 8,996 | $ | 8,216 | $ | 8,996 | $ | 8,216 |
Guarantees
In the ordinary course of business, M/I Financial Corp. (“M/I Financial”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of M/I Homes, Inc., enters into agreements that guarantee certain purchasers of its mortgage loans that M/I Financial will repurchase a loan if certain conditions occur, primarily if the mortgagor does not meet those conditions of the loan within the first six months after the sale of the loan. Loans totaling approximately $6.3 million and $53.0 million were covered under the above guarantees as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. A portion of the revenue paid to M/I Financial for providing the guarantees on the above loans was deferred at September 30, 2012, and will be recognized in income as M/I Financial is released from its obligation under the guarantees. M/I Financial has not repurchased any loans under the above agreements during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, but has received inquiries concerning underwriting matters from purchasers of its loans concerning certain loans under those agreements. The total of these loans was approximately $3.7 million and $4.6 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The risk associated with the guarantees above is offset by the value of the underlying assets.
M/I Financial has also guaranteed the collectability of certain loans to third party insurers (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Veterans Administration) of those loans for periods ranging from five to thirty years. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the total of all loans indemnified to third party insurers relating to the above agreements was $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The maximum potential amount of future payments is equal to the outstanding loan value less the value of the underlying asset plus administrative costs incurred related to foreclosure on the loans, should this event occur.
The Company has recorded a liability relating to the guarantees described above totaling $2.5 million and $2.8 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which is management's best estimate of the Company's liability.
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At September 30, 2012, the Company had outstanding $230.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "2018 Senior Notes") and $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes”). The Company's obligations under the 2018 Senior Notes, the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes and the Credit Facility are guaranteed jointly and severally by all of the Company's subsidiaries, with the exception of subsidiaries that are primarily engaged in the business of mortgage financing, the origination of mortgages for resale, title insurance or similar financial businesses relating to the homebuilding and home sales business and certain subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned by the Company or another subsidiary.
NOTE 9. Commitments and Contingencies
At September 30, 2012, the Company had outstanding approximately $63.2 million of completion bonds and standby letters of credit, some of which were issued to various local governmental entities that expire at various times through December 2016. Included in this total are: (1) $17.1 million of performance and maintenance bonds and $30.4 million of performance letters of credit that serve as completion bonds for land development work in progress; (2) $9.4 million of financial letters of credit, of which $2.8 million represent deposits on land and lot purchase agreements; and (3) $6.3 million of financial bonds.
As of September 30, 2012, the Company has identified 93 homes that have been confirmed as having defective drywall installed by our subcontractors. All of these homes are located in Florida. As of September 30, 2012, we have completed the repair of 88 homes and are in the process of repairing two homes. The remaining three homeowners have not granted us authority to repair their homes. In consideration for performing these repairs, we received from the homeowners a full release of claims (excluding, in nearly all cases, personal injury claims) arising from the defective drywall. Since 2009, the Company has accrued approximately $13.0 million for the repair of these 93 homes. The remaining balance in this accrual is $0.7 million, which is included in Other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Based on our investigation to date and our evaluation of the defective drywall issue, we believe our existing accrual is sufficient to cover costs and claims associated with the repair of these homes. However, if we identify additional homes with defective drywall, we may increase the accrual for costs of repair attributable to defective drywall. During the third quarter of 2012, the Company received a $3.0 million settlement for claims attributed to the defective drywall that is recorded as a reduction in land and housing costs in our consolidated statement of operations. The Company has made demand for reimbursement from manufacturers, suppliers, insurers and others for costs the Company has incurred and may incur in the future in connection with the defective drywall. Please refer to Note 10 for further information on this matter.
At September 30, 2012, the Company also had options and contingent purchase agreements to acquire land and developed lots with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $195.6 million. Purchase of properties under these agreements is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by the Company and the sellers.
NOTE 10. Legal Liabilities
On March 5, 2009, a resident of Florida and an owner of one of our homes filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, on behalf of himself and other similarly situated owners and residents of homes in the United States or alternatively in Florida, against the Company and certain other identified and unidentified parties (the “Initial Action”). The plaintiff alleged that the Company built his home with defective drywall, manufactured and supplied by certain of the defendants, that contains sulfur or other organic compounds capable of harming the health of individuals and damaging property. The plaintiff alleged physical and economic damages and sought legal and equitable relief, medical monitoring and attorney's fees. The Company filed a responsive pleading on or about April 30, 2009. The Initial Action was consolidated with other similar actions not involving the Company and transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana pursuant to an order from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation for coordinated pre-trial proceedings (collectively, the “In Re: Chinese Manufactured Drywall Product Liability Litigation”). In connection with the administration of the In Re: Chinese Manufactured Drywall Product Liability Litigation, the same homeowner and nine other homeowners were named as plaintiffs in omnibus class action complaints filed in and after December 2009 against certain identified manufacturers of drywall and others (including the Company), including one homeowner named as a plaintiff in an omnibus class action complaint filed in March 2010 against various unidentified manufacturers of drywall and others (including the Company) (collectively, the “MDL Omnibus Actions”). As they relate to the Company, the Initial Action and the MDL Omnibus Actions address substantially the same claims and seek substantially the same relief. The Company has entered into agreements with several of the homeowners named as plaintiffs pursuant to which the Company agreed to make repairs to their homes consistent with repairs made to the homes of other homeowners (as described in Note 9). As a result of these agreements, the Initial Action has been resolved and dismissed, and seven of the nine other homeowners named as plaintiffs in omnibus class action complaints have dismissed their claims against the Company. One of the two remaining plaintiffs has also filed a complaint in Florida state court asserting essentially the same claims and seeking substantially the same relief as asserted in the MDL Omnibus Action. The court in the MDL Omnibus Action recently preliminarily approved a global class action settlement, which is intended to resolve all Chinese Drywall-related claims of and against those who participate in the settlement. The Company currently is planning to participate in the global settlement. A final fairness and approval hearing
17
is currently scheduled for November 2012. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the claims of any plaintiffs who are not bound by or elect to opt out of the global class action settlement. Given the inherent uncertainties in this litigation, as of September 30, 2012, no accrual has been recorded (other than the accrual for repairs described in Note 9) because we cannot make a determination as to the probability of a loss resulting from this matter or estimate the range of possible loss, if any. There can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of the MDL Omnibus Actions, or any other actions or claims relating to defective drywall that may be asserted in the future, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. Please refer to Note 9 for further information on this matter.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in other claims, complaints and legal actions which are routine and incidental to our business. Certain of the liabilities resulting from these other matters are covered by insurance. While management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these other matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows, such matters are subject to inherent uncertainties. The Company has recorded a liability to provide for the anticipated costs, including legal defense costs, associated with the resolution of these other matters. However, there exists the possibility that the costs to resolve these other matters could differ from the recorded estimates and, therefore, have a material effect on the Company's net income for the periods in which the matters are resolved. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had $0.4 million and $0.5 million reserved for legal expenses, respectively.
NOTE 11. Debt
Notes Payable - Homebuilding
At September 30, 2012, borrowing availability under the Credit Facility was $72.6 million in accordance with the borrowing base calculation, and there were no borrowings outstanding and $17.8 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility, leaving net remaining borrowing availability of $54.8 million. At September 30, 2012, the Company had pledged $187.1 million in aggregate book value of inventory to secure any borrowings and letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. At September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Credit Facility.
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company extended the maturity dates on two of the Letter of Credit Facilities for an additional year to August 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, while reducing the maximum available amounts thereunder to $5.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, and also elected not to extend the maturity of one Letter of Credit Facility that expired and terminated an uncommitted $5.0 million Letter of Credit Facility for the issuance of letters of credit under which there were no letters of credit remaining outstanding at the time of termination.
At September 30, 2012, there was $8.2 million of outstanding letters of credit under the Company's three remaining secured Letter of Credit Facilities, which were collateralized with $8.3 million of the Company's cash.
Notes Payable — Financial Services
In September 2012 we entered into the Third Amendment to the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement which increased our maximum principal amount permitted to be outstanding at any one time in aggregate under all warehouse credit lines from $75.0 million to $100.0 million.
At September 30, 2012, M/I Financial had $54.8 million outstanding under the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement and was in compliance with all financial covenants of that agreement.
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
In September 2012, the Company issued $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes. The 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes will bear interest at a rate of 3.25% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year beginning on March 15, 2013. The 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes mature on September 15, 2017. At any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes into the Company's common shares. The conversion rate will initially equal 42.0159 shares per $1,000 of their principal amount. This corresponds to an initial conversion price of approximately $23.80 per common share. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. The 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior subordinated unsecured basis by those subsidiaries of the Company that are guarantors under the Company's 2018 Senior Notes. The 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes are senior subordinated unsecured obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors and will be subordinated in right of payment to our existing and future senior indebtedness and will also be effectively
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subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, The indenture governing the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes provides that we may not redeem the notes prior to their stated maturity date, but also contains provisions requiring the Company to repurchase the notes (subject to certain exceptions), at a holder's option, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture).
Senior Notes
At maturity, on April 2, 2012, the Company repaid the $41.4 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 6.875% Senior Notes due 2012 (the “2012 Senior Notes”). In May 2012, the Company issued an additional $30.0 million of 2018 Senior Notes under the indenture pursuant to which the Company's outstanding $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2018 Senior Notes (the "Original Senior Notes") were issued and with substantially identical terms to the terms of the Original Senior Notes. As of September 30, 2012, we had $230.0 million of our 2018 Senior Notes outstanding. The 2018 Senior Notes are general, unsecured senior obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors and rank equally in right of payment with all our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness. The 2018 Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of our subsidiaries, with the exception of subsidiaries that are primarily engaged in the business of mortgage financing, the origination of mortgages for resale, title insurance or similar financial businesses relating to the homebuilding and home sales business and certain subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned by the Company or another subsidiary, and certain subsidiaries that are otherwise designated by the Company as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms of the indenture.
The indenture governing our 2018 Senior Notes limits our ability to pay dividends on, and repurchase, our common shares and 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares to the amount of the positive balance in our “restricted payments basket,” as defined in the indenture. From the third quarter of 2008 until the closing of our offering of common shares in September 2012, we were contractually prohibited from paying dividends and repurchasing shares due to deficits in our restricted payments basket. At September 30, 2012, after giving effect to the proceeds from the sale of common shares and our profitable operations during third quarter 2012, our restricted payment basket had a positive balance of $36.6 million. As a result, we are permitted by the indenture to pay dividends on, and repurchase, our common shares and 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares to the extent of such positive balance.
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NOTE 12. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The table below presents a reconciliation between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, net income (loss) available to common shareholders and basic and diluted income (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||
NUMERATOR | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 8,314 | $ | (4,718 | ) | $ | 8,332 | $ | (30,901 | ) | ||||||
Interest on 3.25% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2017 | 128 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders | 8,442 | (4,718 | ) | 8,332 | (30,901 | ) | ||||||||||
DENOMINATOR | ||||||||||||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 19,434 | 18,728 | 19,014 | 18,685 | ||||||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: | ||||||||||||||||
Stock option awards | 187 | — | 92 | — | ||||||||||||
Deferred compensation awards | 127 | — | 132 | — | ||||||||||||
3.25% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2017 | 525 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding - adjusted for assumed conversions | 20,273 | 18,728 | 19,238 | 18,685 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per common share | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.43 | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | 0.44 | $ | (1.65 | ) | ||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.42 | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | 0.43 | $ | (1.65 | ) | ||||||
Anti-dilutive equity awards not included in the calculation | ||||||||||||||||
of diluted earnings per common share | 695 | 2,167 | 1,003 | 2,186 |
During the third quarter of 2012, the Company issued $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes that are initially convertible into the Company's common shares at a conversion rate of 42.0159 shares per $1,000 of their principal amount (subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events). This corresponds to an initial conversion price of approximately $23.80 per common share and results in a maximum number of additional common shares in our diluted earnings per share calculation above of approximately 2.4 million common shares. During the third quarter of 2012, the Company also issued 2.53 million common shares in a public offering at a price of $17.63 per share (for net proceeds of $42.1 million), which shares are included above in our total basic weighted average shares outstanding.
For the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, the effect of convertible debt was not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as it would have been anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the effects of outstanding shares underlying deferred compensation awards and outstanding options to purchase common shares were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they would have been anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss for the respective periods.
NOTE 13. Income Taxes
Deferred federal and state income tax assets primarily represent the deferred tax benefits arising from temporary differences between book and tax income which will be recognized in future years as an offset against future taxable income. These assets were largely generated as a result of inventory impairments that the Company incurred in 2006 through 2011. If, for some reason, the combination of future years' income (or loss), combined with the reversal of the timing differences, results in a loss, such losses can be carried back to prior years or carried forward to future years to recover the deferred tax assets.
The Company evaluates its deferred tax assets, including net operating results, to determine if a valuation allowance is required. We are required to assess whether a valuation allowance should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. A cumulative loss in recent years is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable, and also restricts the amount of reliance on projections of future taxable income to support the recovery of deferred tax assets. The Company's pre-tax loss in the first half of 2012 as well as for the year ended December 31, 2011 present the most significant negative evidence as to whether the Company needs to reduce its deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance. We are currently in a four-year cumulative pre-tax loss position, and despite achieving positive pre-tax net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we currently believe the cumulative weight of the negative evidence exceeds that of the positive evidence and, as a result, it is more likely than not that we will not be able to utilize all of our deferred tax assets. During the nine
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months ended September 30, 2012, the Company reduced its valuation allowance by $3.7 million, for a total valuation allowance recorded of $137.1 million, against its deferred tax assets. The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon an estimate of future results. Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.
The Company is allowed to carry forward federal tax losses for 20 years and apply such tax losses to future taxable income to realize federal deferred tax assets. In August 2012, the Company filed its 2011 federal income tax return and claimed
$81.1 million of tax loss carryforwards. In addition, the Company expects to be able to reverse previously recognized valuation allowances against future tax provisions during any future period for which it reports book income before income taxes. The Company will continue to review its deferred tax assets for recoverability in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”.
At September 30, 2012, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $83.2 million and federal credit carryforwards of $3.9 million. These federal carryforward benefits will begin to expire in 2028. The Company also had state net operating loss benefits of $15.7 million, with $8.6 million expiring between 2020 and 2027, and $7.1 million expiring between 2028 and 2033.
NOTE 14. Business Segments
The Company’s segment information is presented on the basis that the chief operating decision makers use in evaluating segment performance. The Company’s chief operating decision makers evaluate the Company’s performance in various ways, including: (1) the results of our eleven individual homebuilding operating segments and the results of our financial services operations; (2) the results of our three homebuilding regions; and (3) our consolidated financial results. We have determined our reportable segments as follows: Midwest homebuilding, Southern homebuilding, Mid-Atlantic homebuilding and financial services operations. The homebuilding operating segments that are included within each reportable segment have similar operations and exhibit similar long-term economic characteristics. Our homebuilding operations include the acquisition and development of land, the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached homes, and the occasional sale of lots to third parties. The homebuilding operating segments that comprise each of our reportable segments are as follows:
Midwest | Southern | Mid-Atlantic |
Columbus, Ohio | Tampa, Florida | Washington, D.C. |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Orlando, Florida | Charlotte, North Carolina |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Houston, Texas | Raleigh, North Carolina |
Chicago, Illinois | San Antonio, Texas |
In April 2012, we expanded our Houston, Texas operations by acquiring the assets of a privately-held homebuilder based in Houston, Texas. In connection with this acquisition, we recorded a $1.2 million bargain purchase gain in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as the cash purchase price was less than the fair market value of the assets acquired.
In October 2012, we announced our entry into the Austin, Texas market.
Our financial services operations include the origination and sale of mortgage loans and title services primarily for purchasers of the Company's homes.
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The following table shows, by segment, revenue, operating income (loss) and interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, as well as the Company’s loss before income taxes for such periods:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||||||||
Midwest homebuilding | $ | 79,015 | $ | 58,941 | $ | 198,994 | $ | 168,291 | |||||||
Southern homebuilding | 50,828 | 35,281 | 123,400 | 84,117 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding | 72,649 | 44,530 | 172,977 | 127,863 | |||||||||||
Financial services | 6,383 | 2,872 | 15,623 | 9,367 | |||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 208,875 | $ | 141,624 | $ | 510,994 | $ | 389,638 | |||||||
Operating income (loss): | |||||||||||||||
Midwest homebuilding (a) | $ | 3,940 | $ | 1,364 | $ | 9,012 | $ | (6,925 | ) | ||||||
Southern homebuilding (a) | 6,144 | (203 | ) | 9,837 | (6,895 | ) | |||||||||
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding (a) | 5,787 | 1,909 | 9,496 | 4,959 | |||||||||||
Financial services | 3,960 | 969 | 8,606 | 4,203 | |||||||||||
Less: Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses | (7,380 | ) | (5,490 | ) | (17,508 | ) | (15,288 | ) | |||||||
Total operating income (loss) | $ | 12,451 | $ | (1,451 | ) | $ | 19,443 | $ | (19,946 | ) | |||||
Interest expense: | |||||||||||||||
Midwest homebuilding | $ | 1,243 | $ | 1,291 | $ | 4,181 | $ | 4,612 | |||||||
Southern homebuilding | 999 | 768 | 2,543 | 1,965 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding | 1,342 | 1,122 | 4,248 | 3,663 | |||||||||||
Financial services | 415 | 203 | 1,094 | 644 | |||||||||||
Total interest expense | $ | 3,999 | $ | 3,384 | $ | 12,066 | $ | 10,884 | |||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 8,452 | $ | (4,835 | ) | $ | 7,377 | $ | (30,830 | ) |
(a) | For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the impact of charges relating to the impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs and the write-off of abandoned land transaction costs was $1.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively. These charges reduced operating income by $1.3 million and $1.2 million in the Midwest region for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $0.6 million in the Southern region for the three months ended September 30, 2011. There were no charges in the Mid-Atlantic or Southern regions for the three months ended September 30, 2012 or any charges in the Mid-Atlantic region for the three months ended September 30, 2011. |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the impact of charges relating to the impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs and the write-off of abandoned land transaction costs was $2.1 million and $18.5 million, respectively. These charges reduced operating income by $1.9 million and $11.6 million in the Midwest region, $0.1 million and $6.6 million in the Southern region and $0.1 million and $0.3 million in the Mid-Atlantic region for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The following tables show total assets by segment:
September 30, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Midwest | Southern | Mid-Atlantic | Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated | Total | ||||||||||||||
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | $ | 1,274 | $ | 2,675 | $ | 2,255 | $ | — | $ | 6,204 | |||||||||
Inventory (a) | 203,947 | 126,524 | 207,196 | — | 537,667 | ||||||||||||||
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs | 5,255 | 6,001 | — | — | 11,256 | ||||||||||||||
Other assets | 5,710 | 4,434 | 11,044 | 240,977 | 262,165 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 216,186 | $ | 139,634 | $ | 220,495 | $ | 240,977 | $ | 817,292 |
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December 31, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Midwest | Southern | Mid-Atlantic | Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated | Total | ||||||||||||||
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | $ | 252 | $ | 1,516 | $ | 907 | $ | — | $ | 2,675 | |||||||||
Inventory (a) | 200,760 | 89,586 | 173,751 | — | 464,097 | ||||||||||||||
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs | 5,157 | 5,200 | — | — | 10,357 | ||||||||||||||
Other assets | 3,865 | 2,858 | 9,861 | 170,772 | 187,356 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 210,034 | $ | 99,160 | $ | 184,519 | $ | 170,772 | $ | 664,485 |
(a) | Inventory includes single-family lots, land and land development costs; land held for sale; homes under construction; model homes and furnishings; community development district infrastructure; and consolidated inventory not owned. |
NOTE 15. Supplemental Guarantor Information
The Company's obligations under the 2018 Senior Notes and 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes are not guaranteed by all of the Company's subsidiaries and therefore, the Company has disclosed condensed consolidating financial information in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10, Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered. The subsidiary guarantors of the 2018 Senior Notes and the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes are the same.
The following condensed consolidating financial information includes balance sheets, statements of operations and cash flow information for the parent company, the guarantors for the 2018 Senior Notes and the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”), collectively, and for all other subsidiaries and joint ventures of the Company (“the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”), collectively. Each Guarantor Subsidiary is a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of M/I Homes, Inc. and has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the (a) 2018 Senior Notes, on a joint and several senior unsecured basis and (b) the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes on a joint and several senior subordinated unsecured basis.
There are no significant restrictions on the parent company's ability to obtain funds from its Guarantor Subsidiaries in the form of a dividend, loan, or other means.
As of September 30, 2012, each of the Company's subsidiaries is a Guarantor Subsidiary, with the exception of subsidiaries that are primarily engaged in the business of mortgage financing, the origination of mortgages for resale, title insurance or similar financial businesses relating to the homebuilding and home sales business and certain subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned by the Company or another subsidiary.
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In the condensed financial tables presented below, the parent company presents all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries as if they were accounted for under the equity method. All applicable corporate expenses have been allocated appropriately among the Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | M/I Homes, Inc. | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||
Revenue | $ | — | $ | 202,492 | $ | 6,383 | $ | — | $ | 208,875 | ||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Land and housing | — | 164,452 | — | — | 164,452 | |||||||||||
Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | — | 1,309 | — | — | 1,309 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | — | 13,425 | 2,591 | — | 16,016 | |||||||||||
Selling | — | 14,647 | — | — | 14,647 | |||||||||||
Interest | — | 3,584 | 415 | — | 3,999 | |||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | — | 197,417 | 3,006 | — | 200,423 | |||||||||||
Income before income taxes | — | 5,075 | 3,377 | — | 8,452 | |||||||||||
(Benefit) provision for income taxes | — | (1,003 | ) | 1,141 | — | 138 | ||||||||||
Equity in subsidiaries | 8,314 | — | — | (8,314 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 8,314 | $ | 6,078 | $ | 2,236 | $ | (8,314 | ) | $ | 8,314 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | M/I Homes, Inc. | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||
Revenue | $ | — | $ | 138,752 | $ | 2,872 | $ | — | $ | 141,624 | ||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Land and housing | — | 116,269 | — | — | 116,269 | |||||||||||
Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | — | 1,697 | — | — | 1,697 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | — | 11,914 | 1,982 | — | 13,896 | |||||||||||
Selling | — | 11,213 | — | — | 11,213 | |||||||||||
Interest | — | 3,181 | 203 | — | 3,384 | |||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | — | 144,274 | 2,185 | — | 146,459 | |||||||||||
(Loss) income before income taxes | — | (5,522 | ) | 687 | — | (4,835 | ) | |||||||||
(Benefit) provision for income taxes | — | (366 | ) | 249 | — | (117 | ) | |||||||||
Equity in subsidiaries | (4,718 | ) | — | — | 4,718 | — | ||||||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (4,718 | ) | $ | (5,156 | ) | $ | 438 | $ | 4,718 | $ | (4,718 | ) |
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | M/I Homes, Inc. | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||
Revenue | $ | — | $ | 495,371 | $ | 15,623 | $ | — | $ | 510,994 | ||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Land and housing | — | 408,893 | — | — | 408,893 | |||||||||||
Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | — | 1,876 | — | — | 1,876 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | — | 34,938 | 7,361 | — | 42,299 | |||||||||||
Selling | — | 38,482 | 1 | — | 38,483 | |||||||||||
Interest | — | 10,972 | 1,094 | — | 12,066 | |||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | — | 495,161 | 8,456 | — | 503,617 | |||||||||||
Income before income taxes | — | 210 | 7,167 | — | 7,377 | |||||||||||
(Benefit) provision for income taxes | — | (3,403 | ) | 2,448 | — | (955 | ) | |||||||||
Equity in subsidiaries | 8,332 | — | — | (8,332 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 8,332 | $ | 3,613 | $ | 4,719 | $ | (8,332 | ) | $ | 8,332 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | M/I Homes, Inc. | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||
Revenue | $ | — | $ | 380,271 | $ | 9,367 | $ | — | $ | 389,638 | ||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Land and housing | — | 322,886 | — | — | 322,886 | |||||||||||
Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | — | 18,013 | — | — | 18,013 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | — | 32,606 | 5,458 | — | 38,064 | |||||||||||
Selling | — | 30,621 | — | — | 30,621 | |||||||||||
Interest | — | 10,240 | 644 | — | 10,884 | |||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | — | 414,366 | 6,102 | — | 420,468 | |||||||||||
(Loss) income before income taxes | — | (34,095 | ) | 3,265 | — | (30,830 | ) | |||||||||
(Benefit) provision for income taxes | — | (1,003 | ) | 1,074 | — | 71 | ||||||||||
Equity in subsidiaries | (30,901 | ) | — | — | 30,901 | — | ||||||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (30,901 | ) | $ | (33,092 | ) | $ | 2,191 | $ | 30,901 | $ | (30,901 | ) |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | M/I Homes, Inc. | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | — | $ | 140,899 | $ | 18,866 | $ | — | $ | 159,765 | ||||||
Restricted cash | — | 8,980 | — | — | 8,980 | |||||||||||
Mortgage loans held for sale | — | — | 58,338 | — | 58,338 | |||||||||||
Inventory | — | 543,871 | — | — | 543,871 | |||||||||||
Property and equipment - net | — | 11,821 | 135 | — | 11,956 | |||||||||||
Investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | — | — | 11,256 | — | 11,256 | |||||||||||
Investment in subsidiaries | 388,041 | — | — | (388,041 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Intercompany | 213,796 | (204,295 | ) | (9,501 | ) | — | — | |||||||||
Other assets | 9,725 | 12,217 | 1,184 | — | 23,126 | |||||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 611,562 | $ | 513,493 | $ | 80,278 | $ | (388,041 | ) | $ | 817,292 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | — | $ | 64,694 | $ | 654 | $ | — | $ | 65,348 | ||||||
Customer deposits | — | 10,976 | — | — | 10,976 | |||||||||||
Other liabilities | — | 45,875 | 6,382 | — | 52,257 | |||||||||||
Community development district obligations | — | 4,988 | — | — | 4,988 | |||||||||||
Obligation for consolidated inventory not owned | — | 6,552 | — | — | 6,552 | |||||||||||
Note payable bank - financial services operations | — | — | 54,840 | — | 54,840 | |||||||||||
Note payable - other | — | 10,769 | — | — | 10,769 | |||||||||||
Convertible senior subordinated notes | 57,500 | — | — | — | 57,500 | |||||||||||
Senior notes | 227,570 | — | — | — | 227,570 | |||||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 285,070 | 143,854 | 61,876 | — | 490,800 | |||||||||||
Shareholders' equity | 326,492 | 369,639 | 18,402 | (388,041 | ) | 326,492 | ||||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 611,562 | $ | 513,493 | $ | 80,278 | $ | (388,041 | ) | $ | 817,292 |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | M/I Homes, Inc. | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | — | $ | 43,539 | $ | 16,254 | $ | — | $ | 59,793 | ||||||
Restricted cash | — | 41,334 | — | — | 41,334 | |||||||||||
Mortgage loans held for sale | — | — | 57,275 | — | 57,275 | |||||||||||
Inventory | — | 466,772 | — | — | 466,772 | |||||||||||
Property and equipment - net | — | 14,241 | 117 | — | 14,358 | |||||||||||
Investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | — | — | 10,357 | — | 10,357 | |||||||||||
Investment in subsidiaries | 381,709 | — | — | (381,709 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Intercompany | 125,272 | (115,058 | ) | (10,214 | ) | — | — | |||||||||
Other assets | 5,385 | 8,455 | 756 | — | 14,596 | |||||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 512,366 | $ | 459,283 | $ | 74,545 | $ | (381,709 | ) | $ | 664,485 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | — | $ | 40,759 | $ | 497 | $ | — | $ | 41,256 | ||||||
Customer deposits | — | 4,181 | — | — | 4,181 | |||||||||||
Other liabilities | — | 33,589 | 5,759 | — | 39,348 | |||||||||||
Community development district obligations | — | 5,983 | — | — | 5,983 | |||||||||||
Obligation for consolidated inventory not owned | — | 2,944 | — | — | 2,944 | |||||||||||
Note payable bank - financial services operations | — | — | 52,606 | — | 52,606 | |||||||||||
Note payable - other | — | 5,801 | — | — | 5,801 | |||||||||||
Senior notes | 239,016 | — | — | — | 239,016 | |||||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 239,016 | 93,257 | 58,862 | — | 391,135 | |||||||||||
Shareholders' equity | 273,350 | 366,026 | 15,683 | (381,709 | ) | 273,350 | ||||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 512,366 | $ | 459,283 | $ | 74,545 | $ | (381,709 | ) | $ | 664,485 |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | M/I Homes, Inc. | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | $ | — | $ | (20,546 | ) | $ | 4,225 | $ | — | $ | (16,321 | ) | |||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | — | 32,391 | — | — | 32,391 | ||||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | — | (786 | ) | (72 | ) | — | (858 | ) | |||||||
Acquisition, net of cash acquired | — | (4,707 | ) | — | — | (4,707 | ) | ||||||||
Investments in and advances to Unconsolidated LLC's | — | — | (949 | ) | — | (949 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | — | 26,898 | (1,021 | ) | — | 25,877 | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
Repayment of senior notes | (41,443 | ) | — | — | — | (41,443 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from bank borrowings - net | — | — | 2,234 | — | 2,234 | ||||||||||
Principal proceeds from note payable - other and community development district bond obligations | — | 4,968 | — | — | 4,968 | ||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes | 29,700 | — | — | — | 29,700 | ||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior subordinated notes | 57,500 | — | — | — | 57,500 | ||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common shares | 42,085 | — | — | — | 42,085 | ||||||||||
Intercompany financing | (89,057 | ) | 91,852 | (2,795 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
Debt issue costs | — | (5,812 | ) | (31 | ) | — | (5,843 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 1,215 | — | — | — | 1,215 | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | — | 91,008 | (592 | ) | — | 90,416 | |||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | — | 97,360 | 2,612 | — | 99,972 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents balance at beginning of period | — | 43,539 | 16,254 | — | 59,793 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents balance at end of period | $ | — | $ | 140,899 | $ | 18,866 | $ | — | $ | 159,765 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | M/I Homes, Inc. | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | $ | — | $ | (37,939 | ) | $ | 13,373 | $ | — | $ | (24,566 | ) | |||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | — | (4,532 | ) | — | — | (4,532 | ) | ||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | — | (851 | ) | (38 | ) | — | (889 | ) | |||||||
Acquisition, net of cash acquired | — | (4,654 | ) | — | — | (4,654 | ) | ||||||||
Distributions from Unconsolidated LLCs | — | — | (648 | ) | — | (648 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | — | (10,037 | ) | (686 | ) | — | (10,723 | ) | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
Repayments of bank borrowings - net | — | — | (539 | ) | — | (539 | ) | ||||||||
Principal repayments of note payable - other and community development district bond obligations | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||
Intercompany financing | (1,665 | ) | 8,636 | (6,971 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
Debt issue costs | — | (150 | ) | (70 | ) | — | (220 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 1,500 | — | — | — | 1,500 | ||||||||||
Excess tax deficiency from stock-based payment arrangements | 165 | — | — | — | 165 | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | — | 8,490 | (7,580 | ) | — | 910 | |||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | — | (39,486 | ) | 5,107 | — | (34,379 | ) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents balance at beginning of period | — | 71,874 | 9,334 | — | 81,208 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents balance at end of period | $ | — | $ | 32,388 | $ | 14,441 | $ | — | $ | 46,829 |
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ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
M/I Homes, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”) is one of the nation’s leading builders of single-family homes, having delivered over 82,000 homes since we commenced homebuilding activities in 1976. The Company's homes are marketed and sold under the M/I Homes, Showcase Homes, TriStone Homes and Triumph Homes trade names. The Company has homebuilding operations in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; Tampa and Orlando, Florida; Austin, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; and the Virginia and Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Included in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are the following topics relevant to the Company's performance and financial condition:
• | Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements; |
• | Our Application of Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies; |
• | Our Results of Operations; |
• | Discussion of Our Liquidity and Capital Resources; |
• | Update of Our Contractual Obligations; |
• | Discussion of Our Utilization of Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; and |
• | Impact of Interest Rates and Inflation. |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information included in this report or in other materials we have filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us) contains or may contain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our future financial performance and financial condition. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statements that we make herein and in future reports and statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risk factors. Please see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date made. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements or risk factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and our other filings with the SEC should be consulted. This discussion is provided as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and all of our forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referenced in this section.
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates such estimates and judgments and makes adjustments as deemed necessary. Actual results could differ from these estimates using different estimates and assumptions, or if conditions are significantly different in the future. See Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for additional information about our accounting policies.
We believe that there have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to those disclosed in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
29
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company’s segment information is presented on the basis that the chief operating decision makers use in evaluating segment performance. The Company’s chief operating decision makers evaluate the Company’s performance in various ways, including: (1) the results of our eleven individual homebuilding operating segments and the results of our financial services operations; (2) the results of our three homebuilding regions; and (3) our consolidated financial results. We have determined our reportable segments as follows: Midwest homebuilding, Southern homebuilding, Mid-Atlantic homebuilding and financial services operations. The homebuilding operating segments that are included within each reportable segment have similar operations and exhibit similar long-term economic characteristics. Our homebuilding operations include the acquisition and development of land, the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached homes, and the occasional sale of lots to third parties. The homebuilding operating segments that comprise each of our reportable segments are as follows:
Midwest | Southern | Mid-Atlantic |
Columbus, Ohio | Tampa, Florida | Washington, D.C. |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Orlando, Florida | Charlotte, North Carolina |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Houston, Texas | Raleigh, North Carolina |
Chicago, Illinois | San Antonio, Texas |
In April 2012, we expanded our Houston, Texas operations by acquiring the assets of a privately-held homebuilder.
In October 2012, we announced our entry into the Austin, Texas market.
Our financial services operations include the origination and sale of mortgage loans and title services primarily for purchasers of the Company's homes.
Outlook
Throughout the first nine months of 2012, we, as well as others in the homebuilding industry, have seen signs that the overall housing market is stabilizing and beginning to recover from the severe housing downturn that began in mid-2006. We are experiencing broad-based improvement across most of our regions which we believe is being driven by attractive housing affordability levels, moderate changes in buyer perceptions, increased demand for distressed properties, and record-low interest rates for residential consumer mortgage loans, all of which have led to a decline in national housing inventory levels and to stabilization in most of the Company's markets. These factors are evident in both our 2012 third quarter and year to date operating results as well as by our improving gross margins, operating margins and operating leverage statistics when compared to our results from a year ago as more fully described below.
The Company was profitable for both the quarter and the year to date, and achieved its highest net income since 2006 reaching $8.3 million for the quarter and nine months year-to-date. In September 2012, the Company increased its cash with the public issuances of $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes”) and 2.53 million common shares, for aggregate combined net proceeds of $99.6 million.
With these improving conditions in mind, we will continue to focus on the following primary strategic business objectives focused on profitability:
• | maintaining a strong balance sheet; |
• | emphasizing customer service, product design, and premier locations; |
• | strategically investing in new communities and/or markets; and |
• | having a meaningful presence in our markets. |
Summary of Company Results
We have historically experienced, and expect to continue to experience, variability in our quarterly results. Our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
As a result of the improving operating conditions and our continued effort to manage our business with a focus on profitability, we experienced improvements in a number of operational metrics and our financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
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Operationally, for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, we experienced a 29% increase in our new contracts, a 28% increase in our homes delivered, and a 12% increase in the average sales price of our homes delivered compared to 2011's third quarter. We also experienced a 41% increase in the number of homes in our backlog as well as a 50% increase in the overall sales value of our backlog over prior year's third quarter. For the first nine months of 2012, new contracts increased 25%, homes delivered increased 17%, and the average sales price of our homes delivered increased 10% over the first nine months of 2011. In addition, we continue to invest in new communities and markets that we believe are helping us in attaining improved profitability when and as housing markets improve and in enhancing our ability to establish significant market share and create a platform for future growth in our markets. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we opened 12 new communities and closed eight legacy communities. We are experiencing higher gross margins in our new communities (20.2%) compared to our legacy communities (14.8%). Of our homes delivered during the third quarter of 2012, 71% were in new communities (defined by us as communities opened after January 1, 2009), compared to 60% during the third quarter of 2011.
From a financial perspective, we improved our financial results in several areas for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Most notably for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, we achieved net income of $8.3 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $4.7 million, or a loss of $0.25 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. We also achieved net income for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 of $8.3 million compared to a loss of $30.9 million for the same period in 2011.
Below is a further description of the additional improvements in our financial results.
• | For the quarter ended September 30, 2012, total revenue increased $67.3 million (48%), from $141.6 million in the third quarter of 2011 to $208.9 million in the third quarter of 2012. This increase was attributable to a 28% increase in homes delivered, from 582 in the third quarter of 2011 to 746 in the third quarter of 2012, along with a 12% increase in the average sales price of homes delivered, from $238,000 in the third quarter of 2011 to $266,000 in the third quarter of 2012. We also had $4.1 million of revenue from land sales in the third quarter of 2012 compared to only $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2011. Revenue in our financial services segment increased from $2.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 to $6.4 million for the same period in 2012. Please see the discussion below for an explanation regarding the increase in revenue. |
• | Income before taxes for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 was $8.5 million compared to loss before taxes of $4.8 million for the third quarter of 2011. The $13.3 million increase in income before taxes was primarily due to the increase in revenue described above, a 190 basis point improvement in our adjusted operating gross margin, a $3.0 million drywall settlement, a $0.8 million increase in land sale profit and a $0.4 million decrease in impairment charges taken during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2011. These improvements were offset, in part, by a $5.6 million increase in selling, general and administrative costs which was driven primarily by a $2.6 million increase in variable selling expenses related to the increase in homes delivered; a $2.0 million increase in payroll related expenses; a $0.7 million increase in design center depreciation expenses, and a $0.3 million increase in expenses related to our sales offices. Excluding the drywall settlement and the impairment charges of $1.3 million, the Company earned adjusted pre-tax income from operations of $6.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, a $9.8 million increase compared to the adjusted pre-tax loss from operations of $3.0 million for the third quarter of 2011. This improvement was also a result of the factors described with respect to income before taxes above. Please see the table set forth below which reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted operating gross margin and adjusted pre-tax income (loss) from operations to their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, gross margin, and income (loss) from operations before taxes. |
• | For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, total revenue increased $121.4 million (31%), from $389.6 million in the first nine months of 2011 to $511.0 million in the first nine months of 2012. This increase was attributable to a 17% increase in homes delivered, from 1,611 in the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 to 1,878 in the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, along with a 10% increase in the average sales price of homes delivered, from $235,000 in the first nine months of 2011 to $259,000 in the first nine months of 2012. Revenue in our financial services segment increased 66% from $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $15.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Please see the discussion below for an explanation regarding the increase in revenue. |
• | Income before taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $7.4 million compared to loss before taxes of $30.8 million for the first nine months of 2011. The $38.2 million increase124% in income before taxes was primarily due to the increase in revenue described above, a 230 basis point improvement in our adjusted operating gross margin, a $3.0 million drywall settlement, a $2.0 million increase in land sale profit and a $16.1 million decrease in impairment charges taken during the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. These improvements were offset, in part, by a $1.2 million increase in interest expense due to the increase in borrowings related to the increase in the number of loans originated by our mortgage company during the first nine months of 2012 as well as a $12.1 million increase in selling, general and administrative costs driven primarily by a $5.3 million increase in variable selling expenses related to the increase in homes delivered; a |
31
$4.0 million increase in payroll related expenses; a $0.9 million increase in expenses related to our sales offices; a $0.5 million increase related to design center related expenses, a $0.5 million increase in land related expenses; a $0.4 million increase in expenses related to our model homes; a $0.3 million increase in miscellaneous other expenses; and a $0.2 million increase in advertising expenses. Excluding the drywall settlement and the impairment charges of $2.1 million, the Company earned adjusted pre-tax income from operations of $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a $18.9 million increase compared to adjusted pre-tax loss from operations of $12.4 million for the first nine months of 2011. This improvement was also a result of the factors described with respect to income before taxes above. Please see the table set forth below which reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted operating gross margin and adjusted pre-tax income from operations to their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, gross margin, and income from operations before income taxes.
• | Our mortgage company's capture rate increased from 84% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to 85% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, and decreased from 85% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 84% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Capture rate is influenced by financing availability and can fluctuate up or down from period to period. |
• | During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we reduced our deferred tax assets by $3.7 million, and we recorded a non-cash valuation allowance against the entire amount of deferred tax assets. |
The following table reconciles our adjusted operating gross margin and adjusted pre-tax income (loss) from operations (each of which constitutes a non-GAAP financial measure) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 to the GAAP financial measures of gross margin and income (loss) from operations before income taxes, respectively:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 43,114 | $ | 23,658 | $ | 100,225 | $ | 48,739 | |||||||
Add: | |||||||||||||||
Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs | 1,309 | 1,697 | 1,876 | 18,013 | |||||||||||
Imported drywall settlement | $ | (3,000 | ) | $ | — | $ | (3,000 | ) | $ | — | |||||
Adjusted operating gross margin | $ | 41,423 | $ | 25,355 | $ | 99,101 | $ | 66,752 | |||||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes | $ | 8,452 | $ | (4,835 | ) | $ | 7,377 | $ | (30,830 | ) | |||||
Add: | |||||||||||||||
Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs and abandoned land transaction costs | 1,309 | 1,837 | 2,132 | 18,453 | |||||||||||
Imported drywall settlement | (3,000 | ) | — | (3,000 | ) | — | |||||||||
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) from operations | $ | 6,761 | $ | (2,998 | ) | $ | 6,509 | $ | (12,377 | ) |
Adjusted operating gross margin and adjusted pre-tax income (loss) from operations are non-GAAP financial measures. Management finds these measures to be useful in evaluating the Company's performance because they disclose the financial results generated from homes the Company actually delivered during the period, as the asset impairments and certain other write-offs relate, in part, to inventory that was not delivered during the period. They also assist the Company's management in making strategic decisions regarding the Company's future operations. The Company believes investors will also find these to be important and useful because they disclose profitability measures that can be compared to a prior period without regard to the variability of asset impairments and certain other write-offs. In addition, to the extent that the Company's competitors provide similar information, disclosure of these measures helps readers of the Company's financial statements compare the Company's profits to the profits of its competitors with regard to the homes they deliver in the same period. Because these measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they may not be completely comparable to similarly titled measures of the Company's competitors due to potential differences in methods of calculation and charges being excluded. Due to the significance of the GAAP components excluded, such measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to operating performance measures prescribed by GAAP.
32
The following table shows, by segment, revenue, operating income (loss) and interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, as well as the Company’s income (loss) before income taxes for such periods:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||||||||
Midwest homebuilding | $ | 79,015 | $ | 58,941 | $ | 198,994 | $ | 168,291 | |||||||
Southern homebuilding | 50,828 | 35,281 | 123,400 | 84,117 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding | 72,649 | 44,530 | 172,977 | 127,863 | |||||||||||
Financial services | 6,383 | 2,872 | 15,623 | 9,367 | |||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 208,875 | $ | 141,624 | $ | 510,994 | $ | 389,638 | |||||||
Operating income (loss): | |||||||||||||||
Midwest homebuilding (a) | $ | 3,940 | $ | 1,364 | $ | 9,012 | $ | (6,925 | ) | ||||||
Southern homebuilding (a) | 6,144 | (203 | ) | 9,837 | (6,895 | ) | |||||||||
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding (a) | 5,787 | 1,909 | 9,496 | 4,959 | |||||||||||
Financial services | 3,960 | 969 | 8,606 | 4,203 | |||||||||||
Less: Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses | (7,380 | ) | (5,490 | ) | (17,508 | ) | (15,288 | ) | |||||||
Total operating income (loss) | $ | 12,451 | $ | (1,451 | ) | $ | 19,443 | $ | (19,946 | ) | |||||
Interest expense: | |||||||||||||||
Midwest homebuilding | $ | 1,243 | $ | 1,291 | $ | 4,181 | $ | 4,612 | |||||||
Southern homebuilding | 999 | 768 | 2,543 | 1,965 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding | 1,342 | 1,122 | 4,248 | 3,663 | |||||||||||
Financial services | 415 | 203 | 1,094 | 644 | |||||||||||
Total interest expense | $ | 3,999 | $ | 3,384 | $ | 12,066 | $ | 10,884 | |||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 8,452 | $ | (4,835 | ) | $ | 7,377 | $ | (30,830 | ) |
(a) | For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the impact of charges relating to the impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs and the write-off of abandoned land transaction costs was $1.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively. These charges reduced operating income by $1.3 million and $1.2 million in the Midwest region for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $0.6 million in the Southern region for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Note there were no charges in the Mid-Atlantic region for both the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the impact of charges relating to the impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs and the write-off of abandoned land transaction costs was $2.1 million and $18.5 million, respectively. These charges reduced operating income by $1.9 million and $11.6 million in the Midwest region, $0.1 million and $6.6 million in the Southern region and $0.1 million and $0.3 million in the Mid-Atlantic region for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The following tables show total assets by segment:
At September 30, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Midwest | Southern | Mid-Atlantic | Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated | Total | ||||||||||||||
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | $ | 1,274 | $ | 2,675 | $ | 2,255 | $ | — | $ | 6,204 | |||||||||
Inventory (a) | 203,947 | 126,524 | 207,196 | — | 537,667 | ||||||||||||||
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs | 5,255 | 6,001 | — | — | 11,256 | ||||||||||||||
Other assets | 5,710 | 4,434 | 11,044 | 240,977 | 262,165 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 216,186 | $ | 139,634 | $ | 220,495 | $ | 240,977 | $ | 817,292 |
At December 31, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Midwest | Southern | Mid-Atlantic | Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated | Total | ||||||||||||||
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | $ | 252 | $ | 1,516 | $ | 907 | $ | — | $ | 2,675 | |||||||||
Inventory (a) | 200,760 | 89,586 | 173,751 | — | 464,097 | ||||||||||||||
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs | 5,157 | 5,200 | — | — | 10,357 | ||||||||||||||
Other assets | 3,865 | 2,858 | 9,861 | 170,772 | 187,356 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 210,034 | $ | 99,160 | $ | 184,519 | $ | 170,772 | $ | 664,485 |
(a) | Inventory includes single-family lots, land and land development costs; land held for sale; homes under construction; model homes and furnishings; community development district infrastructure; and consolidated inventory not owned. |
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Seasonality
Typically, our homebuilding operations experience significant seasonality and quarter-to-quarter variability in homebuilding activity levels. In general, homes delivered increase substantially in the second half of the year compared to the first half of the year. We believe that this seasonality reflects the tendency of homebuyers to shop for a new home in the spring with the goal of closing in the fall or winter, as well as the scheduling of construction to accommodate seasonal weather conditions. Our financial services operations also experience seasonality because loan originations correspond with the delivery of homes in our homebuilding operations.
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Reportable Segments
The following table presents, by reportable segment, selected financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Midwest Region | |||||||||||||||
Homes delivered | 307 | 254 | 795 | 741 | |||||||||||
New contracts, net | 274 | 251 | 913 | 846 | |||||||||||
Backlog at end of period | 505 | 441 | 505 | 441 | |||||||||||
Average sales price per home delivered | $ | 257 | $ | 232 | $ | 250 | $ | 227 | |||||||
Average sales price of homes in backlog | $ | 267 | $ | 253 | $ | 267 | $ | 253 | |||||||
Aggregate sales value of homes in backlog | $ | 135,086 | $ | 111,538 | $ | 135,086 | $ | 111,538 | |||||||
Revenue homes | $ | 79,015 | $ | 58,941 | $ | 198,374 | $ | 168,291 | |||||||
Revenue third party land sales | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 620 | $ | — | |||||||
Operating income (loss) homes (a) | $ | 3,940 | $ | 1,364 | $ | 9,083 | $ | (6,925 | ) | ||||||
Operating (loss) third party land sales (a) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (70 | ) | $ | — | ||||||
Number of active communities | 58 | 60 | 58 | 60 | |||||||||||
Southern Region | |||||||||||||||
Homes delivered | 223 | 162 | 543 | 395 | |||||||||||
New contracts, net | 224 | 149 | 707 | 451 | |||||||||||
Backlog at end of period | 362 | 184 | 362 | 184 | |||||||||||
Average sales price per home delivered | $ | 226 | $ | 217 | $ | 226 | $ | 210 | |||||||
Average sales price of homes in backlog | $ | 263 | $ | 230 | $ | 263 | $ | 230 | |||||||
Aggregate sales value of homes in backlog | $ | 95,299 | $ | 42,270 | $ | 95,299 | $ | 42,270 | |||||||
Revenue homes | $ | 50,382 | $ | 35,126 | $ | 122,748 | $ | 83,007 | |||||||
Revenue third party land sales | $ | 447 | $ | 155 | $ | 653 | $ | 1,110 | |||||||
Operating income (loss) homes (a) | $ | 6,141 | $ | (206 | ) | $ | 9,837 | $ | (6,403 | ) | |||||
Operating income (loss) third party land sales (a) | $ | 4 | $ | 3 | $ | — | $ | (492 | ) | ||||||
Number of active communities | 34 | 25 | 34 | 25 | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic Region | |||||||||||||||
Homes delivered | 216 | 166 | 540 | 475 | |||||||||||
New contracts, net | 259 | 187 | 727 | 579 | |||||||||||
Backlog at end of period | 312 | 213 | 312 | 213 | |||||||||||
Average sales price per home delivered | $ | 319 | $ | 268 | $ | 306 | $ | 269 | |||||||
Average sales price of homes in backlog | $ | 333 | $ | 324 | $ | 333 | $ | 324 | |||||||
Aggregate sales value of homes in backlog | $ | 103,951 | $ | 68,930 | $ | 103,951 | $ | 68,930 | |||||||
Revenue homes | $ | 69,009 | $ | 44,530 | $ | 165,277 | $ | 127,863 | |||||||
Revenue third party land sales | $ | 3,640 | $ | — | $ | 7,700 | $ | — | |||||||
Operating income homes (a) | $ | 5,017 | $ | 1,909 | $ | 7,960 | $ | 4,959 | |||||||
Operating income third party land sales (a) | $ | 770 | $ | — | $ | 1,536 | $ | — | |||||||
Number of active communities | 36 | 35 | 36 | 35 | |||||||||||
Total Homebuilding Regions | |||||||||||||||
Homes delivered | 746 | 582 | 1,878 | 1,611 | |||||||||||
New contracts, net | 757 | 587 | 2,347 | 1,876 | |||||||||||
Backlog at end of period | 1,179 | 838 | 1,179 | 838 | |||||||||||
Average sales price per home delivered | $ | 266 | $ | 238 | $ | 259 | $ | 235 | |||||||
Average sales price of homes in backlog | $ | 284 | $ | 266 | $ | 284 | $ | 266 | |||||||
Aggregate sales value of homes in backlog | $ | 334,336 | $ | 222,738 | $ | 334,336 | $ | 222,738 | |||||||
Revenue homes | $ | 198,406 | $ | 138,597 | $ | 486,399 | $ | 379,161 | |||||||
Revenue third party land sales | $ | 4,087 | $ | 155 | $ | 8,973 | $ | 1,110 | |||||||
Operating income (loss) homes (a) | $ | 15,098 | $ | 3,067 | $ | 26,880 | $ | (8,369 | ) | ||||||
Operating income (loss) third party land sales (a) | $ | 774 | $ | 3 | $ | 1,466 | $ | (492 | ) | ||||||
Number of active communities | 128 | 120 | 128 | 120 |
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Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Financial Services | |||||||||||||||
Number of loans originated | 606 | 435 | 1,589 | 1,217 | |||||||||||
Value of loans originated | $ | 139,020 | $ | 92,585 | $ | 355,075 | $ | 256,708 | |||||||
Revenue | $ | 6,383 | $ | 2,872 | $ | 15,623 | $ | 9,367 | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 2,423 | 1,903 | 7,017 | 5,164 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | 415 | 203 | 1,094 | 644 | |||||||||||
Income before income taxes | $ | 3,545 | $ | 766 | $ | 7,512 | $ | 3,559 | |||||||
(a) | Amount shown includes impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs and abandoned land transaction costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows: |
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Midwest: | |||||||||||||||
Homes | $ | 1,309 | $ | 1,224 | $ | 1,817 | $ | 11,585 | |||||||
Land | — | — | 95 | — | |||||||||||
1,309 | 1,224 | 1,912 | 11,585 | ||||||||||||
Southern: | |||||||||||||||
Homes | — | 613 | 110 | 6,020 | |||||||||||
Land | — | — | — | 590 | |||||||||||
— | 613 | 110 | 6,610 | ||||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic: | |||||||||||||||
Homes | — | — | 110 | 258 | |||||||||||
Land | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
— | — | 110 | 258 | ||||||||||||
Total | |||||||||||||||
Homes | 1,309 | 1,837 | 2,037 | 17,863 | |||||||||||
Land | — | — | 95 | 590 | |||||||||||
$ | 1,309 | $ | 1,837 | $ | 2,132 | $ | 18,453 |
A home is included in “new contracts” when our standard sales contract is executed. “Homes delivered” represents homes for which the closing of the sale has occurred. “Backlog” represents homes for which the standard sales contract has been executed, but which are not included in homes delivered because closings for these homes have not yet occurred as of the end of the period specified.
Cancellation Rates
The following table sets forth the cancellation rates for each of our homebuilding segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||
Midwest | 18.7 | % | 21.3 | % | 16.8 | % | 20.9 | % | |||
Southern | 23.8 | % | 19.5 | % | 18.9 | % | 18.6 | % | |||
Mid-Atlantic | 11.3 | % | 15.8 | % | 12.0 | % | 14.1 | % | |||
Total cancellation rate | 18.0 | % | 19.1 | % | 16.0 | % | 18.3 | % |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
Midwest Region. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, homebuilding revenue in our Midwest region increased $20.1 million, from $58.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 to $79.0 million in the third quarter of 2012. This increase was primarily the result of a 21% increase in homes delivered from 254 in the third quarter of 2011 to 307 in the third quarter of 2012 along with an 11% increase in the average sales price of homes delivered, from $232,000 in the third quarter of 2011 to $257,000 in the third quarter of 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, there were $1.3 million of charges related to the impairment of
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inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs in our Midwest region, compared to $1.1 million of impairment charges for the three month period ended September 30, 2011. Excluding these impairment charges, our adjusted operating gross margin percentage was 17.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 15.9% for the same period in 2011. The increase in adjusted operating gross margin percentage was primarily the result of an increase in homes delivered in new communities, where we typically experience higher gross margins compared to our legacy communities primarily due to improved product and cost structures. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, 56% of the homes delivered in our Midwest region were in new communities, compared to 45% of our homes delivered during the three months ended September 30, 2011. Our Midwest region had operating income of $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a $2.5 million increase from the operating income of $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2011. The $2.5 million increase in operating income was primarily the result of the 110 basis point improvement in our adjusted operating gross margin percentage offset partially by the $0.2 million increase in impairment charges discussed above as well as a $1.3 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a $0.7 million acceleration of leasehold improvement depreciation for rented space that we intend to exit early, as well as a $0.8 million increase in variable selling expenses as a result of the increase in homes delivered as well as increased sales commissions due to the higher average sales price of homes delivered during the third quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011. Partially offsetting these increases was a $0.2 million decrease in payroll related expenses.
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we opened six new communities in our Midwest region compared to four new communities opened during the third quarter of 2011. We experienced a 9% increase in new contracts in our Midwest region for the three months ended September 30, 2012, from 251 for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 to 274 for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. Our monthly absorption rate in our Midwest region in the third quarter of 2012 increased to 1.7 per community compared to 1.4 per community in the third quarter of 2011.
Southern Region. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, homebuilding revenue in our Southern region increased $15.5 million, from $35.3 million in the third quarter of 2011 to $50.8 million in the third quarter of 2012. This increase was primarily the result of a 38% increase in the number of homes delivered, from 162 for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 to 223 for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, along with a 4% increase in the average sales price of homes delivered from $217,000 in the third quarter of 2011 to $226,000 in the third quarter of 2012. There were no charges related to the impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs in our Southern region for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $0.6 million in charges we incurred during the third quarter of 2011. Excluding these impairment charges as well as the $3.0 million settlement the Company received in the third quarter of 2012 related to defective imported drywall, our adjusted operating gross margin percentage for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was 17.6% compared to an adjusted operating gross margin percentage of 15.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Overall, we are experiencing higher gross margins in our new communities than in our legacy communities primarily due to improved product and cost structures. For the quarter ended September 30, 2012, 76% of the homes delivered in our Southern region were in new communities, compared to 67% of our homes delivered in our Southern region during the third quarter of 2011. Our Southern region had operating income of $6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a $6.3 million increase from our operating loss of $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2011. The $6.3 million increase in operating income was primarily the result of the 230 basis point improvement in our adjusted operating gross margin percentage discussed above. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2012 primarily due to an increase in variable selling expenses as a result of the increase in homes delivered as well as increased sales commissions due to the higher average sales price of homes delivered during the third quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011.
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we opened five new communities in our Southern region compared to three new communities opened during the third quarter of 2011. We experienced an 50% increase in new contracts in our Southern region, from 149 in the third quarter of 2011 to 224 in the third quarter of 2012. Our third quarter 2012 monthly absorption rate in our Southern region increased from 1.8 per community in the third quarter of 2011 to 2.2 per community in 2012.
Mid-Atlantic Region. Homebuilding revenue in our Mid-Atlantic region increased from $44.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to $72.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. This 63% increase was primarily the result of a 19% increase in the average sales price of homes delivered, from $268,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to $319,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012; a 30% increase in the number of homes delivered, from 166 in the third quarter of 2011 to 216 in the third quarter of 2012; and revenue of $3.6 million from land sales that occurred during 2012's third quarter. There were no charges related to the impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs in our Mid-Atlantic region for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. Excluding $0.8 million of profit relating to the sale of land to third parties, our adjusted operating gross margin percentage declined from 17.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to 17.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in adjusted operating gross margin percentage was primarily the result of changes in our product mix of homes delivered in certain of our Mid-Atlantic markets. Our Mid-Atlantic region had operating income of $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a $3.9 million increase from
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third quarter 2011's operating income of $1.9 million. This increase was primarily due to the increase in revenue noted above and $0.8 million of profit relating to the sale of land to third parties, offset in part, by the slight decline in our adjusted operating gross margin percentage and a $1.0 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in variable selling expenses as a result of the increase in homes delivered as well as increased sales commissions due to the higher average sales price of homes delivered during the third quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011.
We experienced a 39% increase in new contracts, from 187 in the third quarter of 2011 to 259 in the third quarter of 2012. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we opened one new community in our Mid-Atlantic region compared to four new communities opened during the third quarter of 2011. Our monthly absorption rate in our Mid-Atlantic region was 2.4 per community in the third quarter of 2012, compared to 2.0 per community in the third quarter of 2011.
Financial Services. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, revenue from our mortgage and title operations increased $3.5 million (121%), from $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 to $6.4 million in the third quarter of 2012. The increase was primarily due a 39% increase in the number of loan originations, from 435 in the third quarter of 2011 to 606 in the third quarter of 2012 as well as an 8% increase in the average loan amount from $213,000 in the third quarter of 2011 to $229,000 in the third quarter of 2012. Also contributing to the increase in revenue during the quarter was higher margins on our loans sold than we experienced in 2011's third quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to a $0.5 million increase in payroll related expenses. We had a $3.0 million increase in operating income for the third quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011, which was primarily due to the increase in revenue discussed above, offset in part by the increased selling, general and administrative expenses.
At September 30, 2012, M/I Financial provided financing services in all of our markets. Approximately 85% of our homes delivered during the third quarter of 2012 that were financed through M/I Financial compared to 84% in the third quarter of 2011. Capture rate is influenced by financing availability and can fluctuate up or down from quarter to quarter.
Corporate Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.9 million, from $5.5 million in the third quarter of 2011 to $7.4 million in the third quarter of 2012. The increase was primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in payroll related expenses.
Interest Expense - Net. The Company incurred $4.0 million of interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 and $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. The majority of the expense was primarily a result of the increase in our weighted average borrowings from $262.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 to $294.7 million in the third quarter of 2012 due to the increase in borrowings related to the number of loan originated by our mortgage company during the third quarter of 2012.
Income Taxes. The Company evaluates its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis to determine whether a valuation allowance is required. During the third quarter of 2012, the Company reduced its deferred tax asset by $3.6 million. The decrease is primarily the result of utilizing such assets to offset income tax expense of $3.2 million at an effective rate of 38%, along with other changes in our deferred tax assets.
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we reported an effective tax rate of 1.6% compared to 2.4% for the same period a year ago. The change in our tax rate for the quarter is primarily attributable to the state tax expense related to our mortgage business. The effective rates are not reflective of our historical tax rate or our effective tax rate in future periods.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Midwest Region. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, homebuilding revenue in our Midwest region increased $30.7 million, from $168.3 million in the first nine months of 2011 to $199.0 million in the first nine months of 2012. This 18% increase was primarily the result of a 7% increase in the number of homes delivered, from 741 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 795 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a 10% increase in the average sales price of homes delivered, from $227,000 in the first nine months of 2011 to $250,000 in the first nine months of 2012, and a $0.6 million increase in revenue from third party land sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, there were $1.9 million of charges related to the impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs in our Midwest region, compared to $11.4 million of impairment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Excluding these impairment charges, our adjusted operating gross margin percentage was 16.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 14.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase in adjusted operating gross margin percentage was primarily the result of a 13% increase in homes delivered in new communities where we typically experience higher gross margins compared to our legacy communities primarily due to improved
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product and cost structures. Our Midwest region had operating income of $9.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a $15.9 million increase from an operating loss of $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase in operating income was primarily the result of improvement in both our average sales price and adjusted operating gross margin percentage (240 basis points) as well as the $9.5 million decrease in impairment charges discussed above. Partially offsetting the aforementioned improvements, was a $2.7 million increase in our selling, general and administrative expenses, from $19.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $21.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This increase was primarily due to a $1.1 million increase in variable selling expenses, which were the result of the increase in sales commissions due to the higher average sales price of homes delivered during the first nine months of 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011; $0.7 million increase related to acceleration of leasehold improvement depreciation for rented space that we intend to exit early, a $0.4 million increase in professional fees; a $0.4 million increase in expenses related to our sales offices; and a $0.1 million increase in miscellaneous other expenses.
We opened ten new communities in our Midwest region during both the first nine months of 2012 and 2011. We had an 8% increase in new contracts in our Midwest region for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from 846 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 913 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 Our year to date 2012 monthly absorption rate in our Midwest region increased to 1.8 per community, compared to 1.2 per community for the same period in 2011.
Southern Region. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, homebuilding revenue in our Southern region increased $39.3 million, from $84.1 million in the first nine months of 2011 to $123.4 million in the first nine months of 2012. This 47% increase was primarily the result of a 37% increase in the number of homes delivered, from 395 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 543 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, along with a 8% increase in the average sales price of homes delivered from $210,000 in the first nine months of 2011 to $226,000 in the first nine months of 2012. We experienced an increase in homes delivered across all of our southern region markets. There were no charges related to the impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs in our Southern region for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to the $6.6 million in charges we incurred during the first nine months of 2012. Excluding these impairment charges as well as the $3.0 million settlement the Company received in the third quarter of 2012 related to defective imported drywall, our adjusted operating gross margin percentage for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 20.6%, compared to an adjusted operating gross margin percentage of 14.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Overall, we are experiencing higher gross margins in our new communities than in our legacy communities primarily due to improved product and cost structures. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, 75% of the homes delivered in our Southern region were in new communities, compared to 57% of our homes delivered in our Southern region during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Our Southern region had operating income of $9.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a $16.7 million increase from the operating loss of $6.9 million for the first nine months of 2011. The $16.7 million increase in operating income was primarily the result of the 590 basis point improvement in our adjusted operating gross margin percentage discussed above. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.9 million from $12.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $15.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in variable selling expenses, which was the result of the increased sales commissions due to the higher average sales price of homes delivered as well as the increase in the number of homes delivered; a $0.4 million increase in expenses related to our sales offices; and a $0.3 million increase in expenses related to our model homes.
During the first nine months of 2012, we opened 16 new communities in our Southern region (five of which were acquired in our April 2012 acquisition), which was the same number of new communities opened during the first nine months of 2011. We experienced a 57% increase in new contracts in our Southern region during the first nine months of 2012, from 451 in the first nine months of 2011 to 707 in the first nine months of 2012. Our monthly absorption rate for the first nine months of 2012 in our Southern region was 2.5 per community, compared to1.8 per community in the first nine months of 2011.
Mid-Atlantic Region. Homebuilding revenue in our Mid-Atlantic region increased $45.1 million from $127.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $173.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This 35% increase was primarily the result of a 14% increase in the average sales price of homes delivered, from $269,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $306,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012; a 14% increase in the number of homes delivered, from 475 in the first nine months of 2011 to 540 in the first nine months of 2012; and revenue of $7.7 million from a $4.1 million land sale that occurred during 2012's second quarter as well as an additional $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2012. The increase in the average sales price of homes delivered was primarily due to changes in our product mix of homes delivered from the first nine months of 2011 in certain of our Mid-Atlantic markets. There were no charges related to the impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs in our Mid-Atlantic region for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to less than $0.1 million in charges we incurred during the first nine months of 2011. Excluding these impairment charges as well as $1.5 million of profit relating to the sale of land to third parties, our adjusted operating gross margin percentage declined from 16.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 16.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in adjusted operating gross margin percentage was primarily the result of changes in our product/market mix of homes delivered in
39
our Mid-Atlantic segment. Our Mid-Atlantic region had operating income of $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a $4.5 million increase from the operating income of $5.0 million in 2011's first nine months . This increase was primarily due to the increase in revenue noted above and $1.5 million of profit relating to the sale of land to third parties, offset in part, by the decline in our adjusted operating gross margin percentage and a $2.5 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses from $16.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $19.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in variable selling expenses, a $0.2 million increase in advertising expenses, and a $0.2 million increase in expenses related to our sales offices.
During the first nine months of 2012, we opened eight new communities in our Mid-Atlantic region, compared to 11 new communities opened during the first nine months of 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, 86% of the homes delivered in our Mid-Atlantic region were in new communities, compared to 70% of the homes delivered in our Mid-Atlantic region during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. During the first nine months of 2012, we experienced a 26% increase in new contracts, from 579 in the first nine months of 2011 to 727 in the first nine months of 2012. Our monthly absorption rate in our Mid-Atlantic region was 2.3 per community in the first nine months of 2012, compared to 1.5 per community in the first nine months of 2011.
Financial Services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, revenue from our mortgage and title operations increased $6.2 million (66%), from $9.4 million in the first nine months of 2011 to $15.6 million in the first nine months of 2012, primarily due to a 31% increase in the number of loan originations, from 1,217 in the first nine months of 2011 to 1,589 in the first nine months of 2012 as well as a 6% increase in the average loan amount from $211,000 in the first nine months of 2011 to $223,000 in the first nine months of 2012. Also contributing to the increase in revenue were higher margins on our loans sold than we experienced in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in payroll related expenses and $0.2 million increase in other miscellaneous expenses. We had a $4.4 million increase in operating income for the first nine months of 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011, which was primarily due to the increase in revenue discussed above.
At September 30, 2012, M/I Financial provided financing services in all of our markets. Approximately 84% of our homes delivered during the first nine months of 2012 that were financed through M/I Financial compared to 85% in the first nine months of 2011. Capture rate is influenced by financing availability and can fluctuate up or down from quarter to quarter.
Corporate Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.2 million, from $15.3 million in the first nine months of 2011 to $17.5 million in the first nine months of 2012. The increase was primarily due to a $3.0 million increase in payroll related expenses which was partially offset by a $0.8 million net gain on purchase accounting related to our April 2012 acquisition.
Interest Expense - Net. Interest expense for the Company increased $1.2 million, from $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $12.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This increase was primarily a result of an increase in our weighted average borrowings from $259.9 million in the first nine months of 2011 to $279.1 million in the first nine months of 2012 due to borrowings related to the increase in the number of loans originated by our mortgage company during the first nine months of 2012.
Income Taxes. The Company evaluates its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis to determine whether a valuation allowance is required. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 , the Company reduced its deferred tax asset by $3.7 million. The decrease is primarily the result of utilizing such assets to offset income tax expense of $2.8 million at an effective rate of 38%, along with other changes in our deferred tax assets.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we reported an effective tax rate of (12.9)% compared to (0.2)% for the same period a year ago. The change in our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is related to $1.2 million benefit recorded during the first quarter of 2012 reflecting the favorable outcome of certain prior year tax positions. The effective rates are not reflective of our historical tax rate or our effective tax rate in future periods.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview of Capital Resources and Liquidity
During 2011 and the first nine months of 2012, we continued to carefully manage our use of cash to operate our business. During the second quarter of 2012, we repaid the remaining $41.4 million aggregate principal balance of our 6.875% Senior Notes due 2012 (the “2012 Senior Notes”) at maturity on April 2, 2012 and also issued an additional $30 million of our 8.625% Senior Notes
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due 2018. In September 2012, the Company issued $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes and 2.53 million common shares, for aggregate combined net proceeds of $99.6 million. At September 30, 2012, we had $168.7 million of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, with $159.8 million of this amount comprised of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents.
At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our ratio of net debt to net capital was 36% and 42%, respectively. Our ratio of net debt to net capital is calculated as total debt minus total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, divided by the sum of total debt minus total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash plus shareholders' equity. We believe that the ratio of net debt to net capital is useful in understanding the leverage employed in our operations and comparing us with other homebuilders.
Our net income (loss) historically does not approximate cash flow from operating activities. The difference between net income (loss) and cash flow from operating activities is primarily caused by changes in inventory levels together with changes in receivables, prepaid and other assets, interest and other accrued liabilities, deferred income taxes, accounts payable, mortgage loans and liabilities, and non-cash charges relating to depreciation, stock compensation awards and impairment losses for inventory, among other things. When we are expanding our operations, inventory levels, prepaids, and other assets generally increase, causing cash flow from operating activities to decrease. Certain liabilities also generally increase as operations expand and partially offset the negative effect on cash flow from operations caused by the increase in inventory levels, prepaids and other assets. The opposite is generally true during periods when our investment in new land purchases and development of new communities decrease. Similarly, as our mortgage operations expand, net income from these operations generally increases, but this may be offset by the net change in mortgage assets and liabilities for cash flow purposes.
During 2011 and the first nine months of 2012, we made acquisitions of land assets that met our investment and marketing standards to replenish our land inventories and to facilitate future growth in the markets in which we operate, including the acquisition of the assets of a privately-held homebuilder based in Houston, Texas in April 2012. As a result of these new land purchases and land development expenditures, combined with expenditures on home construction, interest, selling expenses, and general and administrative expenses, which in aggregate have exceeded our revenues from home deliveries and our financial services operations, we have used cash in operations during this period as we strategically added new communities and purchased land for future use.
We continue to operate in an uncertain, albeit improving, economic environment, and our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations, if needed, or to obtain additional capital from financings, or to maintain sufficient liquidity for our business operations may be affected by economic or business conditions beyond our control.
We believe that our balance of unrestricted cash and available borrowing options, including availability under the Company's $140 million secured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility"), and proceeds from home deliveries and other sources of liquidity, will be sufficient to fund currently anticipated working capital needs, investment in land and land development, construction of homes, planned capital spending, and debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, we routinely monitor current operational requirements, financial market conditions, and credit relationships and we may choose to issue new debt and/or equity securities as management deems necessary.
Operating Cash Flow Activities
During the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, we used $16.3 million of cash in our operating activities, compared to cash used in operating activities of $24.6 million in the first nine months of 2011. As is typical in the homebuilding industry, our primary uses of cash in operating our business during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were for land purchases, land development expenditures, the costs of home construction, interest expense, selling expenses, and general and administrative expenses. The primary source of cash was revenues from home deliveries, along with revenues from our financial services operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we spent $80.7 million on land and $37.2 million on land development, which was the primary use of cash during the first nine months of 2012, compared to $90.1 million of like spending during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. With respect to changes in assets and liabilities, the primary use of cash from operations in the first nine months of 2012 was an increase in total inventory of $71.2 million, which is related in part to the amount spent on land and land development during the quarter. This compares with a $50.6 million increase in total inventory in the first nine months of 2011. Partially offsetting these increases in our use of cash compared to 2011 was a $23.0 million increase in accounts payable, a $1.7 million increase in accrued compensation, and a $6.6 million increase in our customer deposits in the first nine months of 2012.
The net decrease of $8.2 million in cash used in operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was due to the following: (i) a $39.2 million shift from a net loss of $30.9 million to net income of $8.3 million; (ii) $18.9 million total source of operating cash from favorable net changes in accounts payable
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($6.9 million), customer deposits ($4.3 million), and other liabilities and accrued compensation ($7.8 million), off set, in part, by (iii) a $20.6 million increase in the net change in total inventory and a $5.0 million decrease in the change in other assets.
In the normal course of our business, in addition to our land purchases, we have continued to enter into land option agreements, taking into consideration current and projected market conditions, in order to secure land for the construction of homes in the future. Pursuant to these land option agreements, we have provided deposits to land sellers totaling $11.0 million as of September 30, 2012 as consideration for the right to purchase land and lots in the future, including the right to purchase $195.6 million of land and lots during the years 2012 through 2019.
Based upon our business activity levels, liquidity, leverage, market conditions, and opportunities for land in our markets, we currently estimate that in 2012, we will spend approximately $180 million to $210 million on land purchases and land development for the full year. However, land transactions are subject to a number of contingencies and thus the timing of specific purchases is difficult to project. In addition, we will actively monitor market conditions and our ongoing pace of home deliveries, and we plan to adjust our land spending accordingly.
Investing Cash Flow Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we generated $25.9 million of cash from investing activities, compared to using $10.7 million of cash for investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. This increase in cash was primarily due to the $32.4 million reduction in restricted cash in the first nine months of 2012 compared to the $4.5 million increase in restricted cash in the first nine months of 2011. The $32.4 million reduction in restricted cash was primarily the result of the January 31, 2012 amendment to our Credit Facility (the "2012 Amendment"), which is more fully described below in "Notes Payable - Homebuilding." Among other things, the 2012 Amendment allows us to maintain either (or a combination of) $25 million of cash pledged to the lenders or $25 million of excess availability under the Secured Borrowing Base (as defined in the Credit Agreement dated June 9, 2010, as amended, that governs the Credit Facility (the "Credit Agreement")) if the Company fails to maintain a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or a minimum Adjusted Cash Flow Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As a result of the 2012 Amendment, the $25 million of cash previously pledged to the lenders under the Credit Facility and included as restricted cash at December 31, 2011 was released. At September 30, 2012, restricted cash consisted of homebuilding cash the Company had pledged as collateral at September 30, 2012 in accordance with the three secured Letter of Credit Facilities. See “Homebuilding Letter of Credit Facilities” below for more information regarding the Letter of Credit Facilities.
Financing Cash Flow Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we generated $90.4 million of cash from our financing activities, compared to $0.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase in cash generated was primarily the result of the net proceeds received from our issuance of an additional $30 million of our 2018 Senior Notes in May 2012 as well as the net proceeds received from our concurrent issuances of $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes and 2.53 million common shares in September 2012. These proceeds were partially offset by our repayment of the $41.4 million aggregate outstanding principal balance of our 2012 Senior Notes during the second quarter of 2012..
Our homebuilding and financial services operations financing needs depend on anticipated sales volume in the current year as well as future years, inventory levels and related turnover, forecasted land and lot purchases, debt maturity dates, and other Company plans. We fund these operations with cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under our credit facilities, and, from time to time, issuances of new debt and/or equity securities, as management deems necessary.
We have incurred substantial indebtedness, and may incur substantial indebtedness in the future, to fund our homebuilding and mortgage origination activities. We routinely monitor current operational requirements, financial market conditions, and credit relationships. We believe that our existing cash balances, cash from operations and borrowing resources will provide for our liquidity requirements. However, we continue to evaluate the impact of market conditions on our liquidity and we may modify our cash management and financing sources if market conditions change. We cannot be certain that we will be able to replace our existing financing or find sources of additional financing in the future. Please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II below for further discussion of risk factors that could impact our source of funds.
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Included in the table below is a summary of our available sources of cash from financing sources as of September 30, 2012:
(In thousands) | Expiration Date | Outstanding Balance | Available Amount | ||||
Notes payable – homebuilding (a) | 12/31/2014 | $ | — | $ | 54,780 | ||
Notes payable – financial services (b) | 3/30/2013 | $ | 54,840 | $ | 255 |
(a) | The available amount is computed in accordance with the borrowing base calculation under the Credit Facility and can be increased if we secure additional assets or invest additional amounts in the currently pledged assets. The 2012 Amendment provides that the Company may increase the amount of the Credit Facility from $140 million to up to $175 million in the aggregate, contingent on obtaining additional commitments from lenders. The Credit Facility has an expiration date of December 31, 2014. |
(b) | The available amount is computed in accordance with the borrowing base calculation under M/I Financial's $70 million mortgage warehousing agreement dated April 18, 2011, as amended on March 23, 2012 and September 26, 2012 (the “MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement”), and may be increased by pledging additional mortgage collateral. The maximum aggregate commitment amount of the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement is $70 million. The MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement has an expiration date of March 30, 2013. |
Notes Payable - Homebuilding.
Homebuilding Credit Facility. The Credit Facility matures on December 31, 2014, and provides revolving credit financing for the Company in the aggregate commitment amount of up to $140 million (with availability as determined by a borrowing base), including a $40 million sub-facility for letters of credit. The Credit Facility is governed by the Credit Agreement which was most recently amended on January 31, 2012.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility are at the Alternate Base Rate plus a margin of 350 basis points or at the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin of 450 basis points, as described in the Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had no outstanding borrowings and $17.8 million of issued and outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Facility, and the Company had pledged $187.1 million in aggregate book value of inventory to secure any borrowings and letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility.
The Company's obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by certain personal property of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interests in the subsidiary guarantors, and by certain real property in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina.
Availability under the Credit Facility is based on a borrowing base equal to 100% of cash, if any, pledged as security, plus 45% of the aggregate appraised value of mortgaged real property, plus up to $25 million of availability based on 35% of the aggregate book value of mortgaged real property for which appraisals and other requirements have not been completed, for a period of up to 120 days. The borrowing base also includes certain limits on the percentage of real property in a single geographic market and on the percentage of real property consisting of lots under development and unimproved land. As of September 30, 2012, there was $72.6 million of availability under the Credit Facility in accordance with the borrowing base calculation, and $17.8 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility, leaving $54.8 million of remaining availability. The Company can create additional borrowing availability under the Credit Facility to the extent it pledges additional assets. The borrowing availability can also be increased by increasing investments in assets currently pledged, offset by decreases equal to the collateral value of homes delivered that are within the pledged asset pool.
The Company's obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by all of the Company's subsidiaries, with the exception of subsidiaries that are primarily engaged in the business of mortgage financing, title insurance or similar financial businesses relating to the homebuilding and home sales business, certain subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned by the Company or another subsidiary, and other subsidiaries designated by the Company as Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, subject to limitations on the aggregate amount invested in such Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.
The Credit Facility contains various representations, warranties and affirmative, negative and financial covenants. The covenants, as more fully described and defined in the Credit Agreement, require, among other things, that the Company:
• | Maintain a minimum level of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth equal to or exceeding (i) $200 million plus (ii) 50% of Consolidated Earnings (without deduction for losses and excluding the effect of any decreases in any Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance) earned for each completed fiscal quarter ending after June 30, 2010 to the date of determination, excluding any quarter in which the Consolidated Earnings are less than zero, plus (iii) the amount of any reduction or reversal in Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance for each completed fiscal quarter ending after June 30, 2010 minus (iv) the costs of the Company's repurchase of the 2012 Senior Notes up to $10 million. |
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• | Maintain a leverage ratio (Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth) not in excess of 1.50 to 1.00. |
• | Maintain one or more of the following: (i) a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.50 to 1.00; (ii) a minimum Adjusted Cash Flow Ratio of 1.50 to 1.00; or (iii) a combination of unrestricted cash pledged as security to the lenders or unused availability under the Secured Borrowing Base of not less than $25 million in total. Each of the Company's ratios were less than the required minimum Interest Coverage Ratio and the minimum Adjusted Cash Flow Ratio for the quarters ended June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011, December 31, 2011, March 31, 2012, and June 30, 2012, and therefore, we were required to maintain either unrestricted cash pledged as security to the lenders or unused availability under the Secured Borrowing Base (or a combination thereof) of not less than $25 million in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. The Company's Interest Coverage Ratio was greater than the required minimum ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. |
• | Not incur any secured indebtedness outside of the Credit Facility exceeding $25 million at any one time outstanding other than an aggregate amount not in excess of $50 million of issued and outstanding secured letters of credit. |
• | Not incur any liens except for liens permitted by the Credit Agreement, which permitted liens include liens on the permitted amount of secured indebtedness and liens incurred in the normal operation of the Company's homebuilding and related business. |
• | Not allow the number of unsold housing units and model homes to exceed, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, the greater of (a) the number of housing unit closings occurring during the period of twelve months ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, multiplied by 35%, or (b) the number of housing unit closings occurring during the period of six months ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, multiplied by 70%. |
• | Not allow adjusted land value to exceed 110% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. |
• | Not make or commit to make any Investments except for Investments permitted by the Credit Agreement, which permitted Investments include (i) Investments made in the normal operation of the Company's homebuilding and related business, (ii) Investments in cash and equivalents and (iii) Investments in Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, Financial Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures up to a maximum of 30% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. |
As of September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Credit Facility. The following table summarizes the restrictive covenant thresholds under the Credit Facility and our compliance with such covenants as of September 30, 2012:
Financial Covenant | Covenant Requirement | Actual | ||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth | ≥ | $ | 199.3 | $ | 316.6 | |||
Leverage Ratio | ≤ | 1.5 to 1.0 | 1.2 to 1.0 | |||||
Interest Coverage Ratio (a) | ≥ | 1.5 to 1.0 | 2.1 to 1.0 | |||||
Adjusted Cash Flow Ratio (a) | ≥ | 1.5 to 1.0 | (0.5) to 1.0 | |||||
Secured Indebtedness (Excluding Secured Letters of Credit) | < | $ | 25.0 | $ | 6.4 | |||
Adjusted Land Value | ≤ | $ | 348.3 | $ | 133.9 | |||
Investments in Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, Financial Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures | ≤ | $ | 95.0 | $ | 11.6 | |||
Unsold Housing Units and Model Homes | ≤ | 960 | 646 |
(a) | The Company is required to meet one of these two interest coverage requirements or maintain either (or a combination of) $25 million of cash pledged to the lenders or $25 million of excess availability under the Secured Borrowing Base (as defined in the Credit Agreement). |
Homebuilding Letter of Credit Facilities. The Company is party to three secured credit agreements for the issuance of letters of credit outside of the Credit Facility (collectively, the "Letter of Credit Facilities"). The maturity dates for the Letter of Credit Facilities range from June 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013. Under the terms of the Letter of Credit Facilities, letters of credit can be issued for maximum terms ranging from one year up to three years. The Letter of Credit Facilities contain cash collateral requirements ranging from 100% to 105%. Upon maturity or the earlier termination of the Letter of Credit Facilities, letters of credit that have been issued under the Letters of Credit Facilities remain outstanding with cash collateral in place through the respective expiration dates.
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The agreements governing the Letter of Credit Facilities contain limits for the issuance of letters of credit ranging from $5.0 million to $8.0 million, for a combined letter of credit capacity of $18.0 million, of which $2.8 million was uncommitted at September 30, 2012 and could be withdrawn at any time. As of September 30, 2012, there was a total of $8.2 million of letters of credit issued under the Letter of Credit Facilities, which was collateralized with $8.3 million of restricted cash.
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company extended the maturity dates on two of the Letter of Credit Facilities for an additional year to August 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, while reducing the maximum available amounts thereunder to $5.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, and also elected not to extend the maturity of one Letter of Credit Facility that expired and terminated an uncommitted $5.0 million Letter of Credit Facility for the issuance of letters of credit under which there were no letters of credit remaining outstanding at the time of termination.
In addition to the letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility and the Letter of Credit Facilities, the Company had $0.6 million of letters of credit outstanding with other banks, collateralized with $0.6 million of restricted cash, with expiration dates ranging through December 28, 2013.
Notes Payable - Financial Services.
MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement. The MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement is used to finance eligible residential mortgage loans originated by M/I Financial, with a maximum borrowing availability of $70.0 million and an expiration date of March 30, 2013. M/I Financial pays interest on each advance under the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement at a per annum rate of the greater of (i) the floating LIBOR rate plus 225 basis points and (ii) 3.50%.
M/I Financial entered into the Second Amendment (the "Second Amendment") to the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement on March 23, 2012. The Second Amendment, among other things, increased the maximum borrowing availability from $60.0 million to $70.0 million and extended the expiration date to March 30, 2013. In September 2012, we entered into the Third Amendment to the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement which increased our maximum principal amount permitted to be outstanding at any one time in aggregate under all warehouse credit lines from $75.0 million to $100.0 million.
The MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement is secured by certain mortgage loans that have been originated by M/I Financial and are being “warehoused” prior to their sale to investors. The MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement provides for limits with respect to certain loan types that can secure outstanding borrowings. There are currently no guarantors of the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement, although M/I Financial may, at its election, designate from time to time any one or more of its subsidiaries as guarantors.
M/I Financial must comply with certain representations, warranties and covenants set forth in the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement. The covenants, as more fully described and defined in the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement, require, among other things, that M/I Financial:
•Maintain Tangible Net Worth of at least $10 million.
•Maintain liquidity (unencumbered cash and cash equivalents) of at least $5 million.
•Maintain a leverage ratio (Debt to Tangible Net Worth) of not more than 10.0 to 1.0.
•Maintain, as of the end of each calendar month, for the 12 months then ending, positive Adjusted Net Income.
• | Not incur any Funded Debt, except as permitted by the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement, which permitted Funded Debt includes other mortgage collateralized facilities and Funded Debt incurred in the normal operation of M/I Financial's mortgage finance and related business. |
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As of September 30, 2012, there was $54.8 million outstanding under the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement and the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants. The following table summarizes the restrictive covenant thresholds under the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement and M/I Financial's compliance with such covenants as of September 30, 2012:
Financial Covenant | Covenant Requirement | Actual | ||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||
Leverage Ratio | ≤ | 10.0 to 1.0 | 4.3 to 1.00 | |||||
Liquidity | ≥ | $ | 5.0 | $ | 17.4 | |||
Adjusted Net Income | > | $ | 0.0 | $ | 4.6 | |||
Tangible Net Worth | ≥ | $ | 10.0 | $ | 14.7 |
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes. In September 2012, the Company issued $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes. The 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes will bear interest at a rate of 3.25% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year beginning on March 15, 2013. The 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes mature on September 15, 2017. At any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes into the Company's common shares. The conversion rate will initially equal 42.0159 shares per $1,000 of their principal amount. This corresponds to an initial conversion price of approximately $23.80 per common share. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. The 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior subordinated unsecured basis by those subsidiaries of the Company that are guarantors under the Company's 2018 Senior Notes. The 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes are senior subordinated unsecured obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors and will be subordinated in right of payment to our existing and future senior indebtedness. The 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes will also be effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness. The indenture governing the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes provides that we may not redeem the notes prior to their stated maturity date, but also contains provisions requiring the Company to repurchase the notes (subject to certain exceptions), at a holder's option, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture).
Senior Notes. In November 2010 the Company issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of 2018 Senior Notes. In May 2012, we issued an additional $30 million of 2018 Senior Notes under our 2018 Senior Notes indenture for a total outstanding balance of $230 million.
The 2018 Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed jointly and severally by all of our subsidiaries, with the exception of subsidiaries that are primarily engaged in the business of mortgage financing, the origination of mortgages for resale, title insurance or similar financial businesses relating to the homebuilding and home sales business and certain subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned by the Company or another subsidiary, and certain subsidiaries that are otherwise designated by the Company as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the 2018 Senior Notes. The 2018 Senior Notes and the related guarantees are general, unsecured senior obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors and rank equally in right of payment with all our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness.
The Company must comply with certain covenants set forth in the indenture governing the 2018 Senior Notes. The covenants, as more fully described and defined in the indenture, limit the ability of the Company and the restricted subsidiaries to, among other things:
• | Incur additional Indebtedness except for Indebtedness permitted under the applicable indenture (which permitted Indebtedness includes indebtedness under the Credit Facility) unless, after giving effect to the issuance of such additional Indebtedness, either (a) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio would be at least 2.00 to 1.00 or (b) the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth would be less than 3.00 to 1.00 (the “Ratio Limitations”). |
• | Make Investments except for Investments permitted under the applicable indenture, which permitted Investments include (i) Investments made in the normal operation of the Company's homebuilding and related business, (ii) Investments in cash and equivalents, (iii) Investments in Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures that are not Guarantors under the indenture, in an aggregate amount subsequent to the respective Issue Dates (net of any such Investment amounts re-distributed) not to exceed 15% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding and (iv) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $40 million at any one time outstanding. |
• | Make certain payments, including dividends, or repurchase any shares, in an aggregate amount exceeding our “restricted payments basket,” as defined in the indenture. |
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• | At September 30, 2012, after giving effect to the proceeds from the sale of common shares and our profitable operations during third quarter of 2012, our restricted payment basket had a positive balance of $36.6 million. As a result, we are permitted by the indenture to pay dividends on, and repurchase, our common shares and 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares to the extent of such positive balance. |
• | Create liens except for liens permitted under the indenture (which permitted liens include liens under the Credit Facility). |
• | Consolidate or merge with or into other companies. |
• | Liquidate or sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets. |
These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications as described in the indenture governing the 2018 Senior Notes. As of September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions, and financial covenants under the indentures.
Weighted Average Borrowings. For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, our weighted average borrowings outstanding were $294.7 million and $262.9 million, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 8.83% and 9.42%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, our weighted average borrowings outstanding were $279.1 million and $259.9 million, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 9.01% and 9.54%, respectively. The increase in borrowings was primarily the result of the increase in borrowings under the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement as a result of an increase in the number of loan originations during the third quarter of 2012 along with the issuance of the the additional $30 million of 2018 Senior Notes in the second quarter of 2012 and the issuance of the $57.5 million of 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes in the third quarter of 2012.
At September 30, 2012 we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the average daily amount outstanding under the Credit Facility was $1.9 million and the maximum amount outstanding under the Credit Facility was $15.0 million. We do not expect that we will incur additional borrowings under the Credit Facility during the fourth quarter in 2012. The actual amount borrowed will vary depending on various factors, including the timing and amount of land and house construction expenditures, payroll and other general and administrative costs, and cash receipts from home closings, as well as other cash receipts and payments. The company experiences significant variation in cash and Credit Facility balances from week to week due to the timing of such receipts and payments. The amount borrowed would also be impacted by any capital markets transactions or additional financing executed by the Company during the quarter, if any.
There were $17.8 million of letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility at September 30, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the average daily amount of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility was $17.6 million and the maximum amount of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility was $19.8 million.
At September 30, 2012, M/I Financial had $54.8 million outstanding under the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the average daily amount outstanding under the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement was $35.1 million and the maximum amount outstanding under the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement was $56.2 million.
Preferred Shares. On March 15, 2007, we issued 4,000,000 depositary shares, each representing 1/1000th of a 9.75% Series A Preferred Share, or 4,000 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares in the aggregate, for net proceeds of $96.3 million. The 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares have a liquidation preference equal to $25 per depositary share (plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) for the then current quarterly dividend period accrued to but excluding the date of final distribution). Dividends on the 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares are non-cumulative and, if declared by us, are paid at an annual rate of 9.75%. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears, if declared by us, on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. If there is a change of control of the Company and if the Company's corporate credit rating is withdrawn or downgraded to a certain level (together constituting a “change of control event”), the dividends on the 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares will increase to 10.75% per year. We may redeem the 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares in whole or in part (provided, that any redemption that would reduce the aggregate liquidation preference of the 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares below $25 million in the aggregate would be restricted to a redemption in whole only) at any time or from time to time at a cash redemption price equal to $25 per depositary share (plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) for the then current quarterly dividend period accrued to but excluding the redemption date). Holders of the 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares have no right to require redemption of the 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares. The 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares have no stated maturity, are not subject to any sinking fund provisions, are not convertible into any other securities, and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless redeemed by us. Holders of the 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares have no voting rights, except as otherwise required by applicable Ohio law, and no preemptive rights. The outstanding depositary shares are listed on the New
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York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “MHO-PrA.” There is no separate public trading market for the 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares except as represented by the depositary shares.
The indenture governing our 2018 Senior Notes limits our ability to pay dividends on, and repurchase, our common shares and 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares to the amount of the positive balance in our “restricted payments basket,” as defined in the indenture. From the third quarter of 2008 until the closing of our offering of common shares in September 2012, we were contractually prohibited from paying dividends and repurchasing shares due to deficits in our restricted payments basket. At September 30, 2012, after giving effect to the proceeds from the sale of common shares and our profitable operations during third quarter 2012, our restricted payment basket had a positive balance of $36.6 million. As a result, we are permitted by the indenture to pay dividends on, and repurchase, our common shares and 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares to the extent of such positive balance.
The determination to make such payments or repurchases will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and compliance with debt covenants and the terms of our 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares, as well as other factors.
Universal Shelf Registration. In August 2011, the Company filed a $250 million universal shelf registration statement with the SEC, which registration statement became effective on September 30, 2011. Pursuant to the registration statement, the Company may, from time to time, offer debt securities, common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, warrants to purchase debt securities, common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares or units of two or more of those securities, rights to purchase debt securities, common shares, preferred shares or depositary shares, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and units. The timing and amount of offerings, if any, will depend on market and general business conditions.
In September 2012, we issued $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes and $44.6 million of common shares pursuant to the universal shelf registration statement. See “Overview of Capital Resources and Liquidity” for more information regarding these issuances. As of September 30, 2012, approximately $147.9 million remained available for future offerings under the universal shelf registration statement.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations appearing in the Contractual Obligations section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, except for obligations related to the issuance of our 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes described within the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section above.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Our primary use of off-balance sheet arrangements is for the purpose of securing the most desirable lots on which to build homes for our homebuyers in a manner that we believe reduces the overall risk to the Company. Our off-balance sheet arrangements relating to our homebuilding operations include Unconsolidated LLCs, land option agreements, guarantees and indemnifications associated with acquiring and developing land, and the issuance of letters of credit and completion bonds. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, our financial services operations issue guarantees and indemnities relating to the sale of loans to third parties.
Unconsolidated Limited Liability Companies. In the ordinary course of business, the Company periodically enters into arrangements with third parties to acquire land and develop lots. These arrangements include the creation by the Company of Unconsolidated LLCs, with the Company's interest in these entities ranging from 33% to 50%. These entities engage in land development activities for the purpose of distributing (in the form of a capital distribution) or selling developed lots to the Company and its partners in the entity. The Company is required to evaluate these Unconsolidated LLCs to determine whether they meet the criteria of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). These evaluations are initially performed when each new entity is created and upon any events that require reconsideration of the entity. If it is determined that we are the primary beneficiary, we must first determine if we have the ability to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the ability to determine the budget and scope of land development work, if any; the ability to control financing decisions for the VIE; the ability to acquire additional land into the VIE or dispose of land in the VIE not under contract with M/I Homes; and the ability to change or amend the existing option contract with the VIE. If it is determined we are not able to control such activities, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If we do have the ability to control such activities, we will continue our analysis by determining if we are also expected to benefit from or absorb a potentially significant amount of the VIE's expected gains or losses, respectively.
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As of September 30, 2012, we have determined that none of the Unconsolidated LLCs in which we have an interest are VIEs. Each of the entities had sufficient equity at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from the equity investors. We have determined that we do not have substantive control over any of these entities; therefore, they are recorded using the equity method of accounting The Company's maximum exposure related to its investment in these entities as of September 30, 2012 was the amount invested of $11.3 million.
Land Option Agreements. In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into land option agreements in order to secure land for the construction of homes in the future. Pursuant to these land option agreements, the Company will provide a deposit to the seller as consideration for the right to purchase land at different times in the future, usually at predetermined prices. Because the entities holding the land under the option agreement often meet the criteria for VIEs, the Company evaluates all land option agreements to determine if it is necessary to consolidate any of these entities. The Company currently believes that its maximum exposure as of September 30, 2012 related to these agreements is equal to the amount of the Company’s outstanding deposits, which totaled $11.0 million, including prepaid acquisition costs of $2.4 million, and letters of credit of $2.8 million.
Letters of Credit and Completion Bonds. The Company provides standby letters of credit and completion bonds for development work in progress, deposits on land and lot purchase agreements and miscellaneous deposits. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had outstanding $63.2 million of completion bonds and standby letters of credit, some of which were issued to various local governmental entities, that expire at various times through December 2016. Included in this total are: (1) $17.1 million of performance bonds and $30.4 million of performance letters of credit that serve as completion bonds for land development work in progress; (2) $9.4 million of financial letters of credit; and (3) $6.3 million of financial bonds. The development agreements under which we are required to provide completion bonds or letters of credit are generally not subject to a required completion date and only require that the improvements are in place in phases as houses are built and sold. In locations where development has progressed, the amount of development work remaining to be completed is typically less than the remaining amount of bonds or letters of credit due to timing delays in obtaining release of the bonds or letters of credit.
Guarantees and Indemnities. In the ordinary course of business, M/I Financial enters into agreements that guarantee purchasers of its mortgage loans that M/I Financial will repurchase a loan if certain conditions occur. The risks associated with these guarantees are offset by the value of the underlying assets, and the Company accrues its best estimate of the probable loss on these loans. Additionally, the Company has provided certain other guarantees and indemnities in connection with the acquisition and development of land by our homebuilding operations. Refer to Note 8 of our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details relating to our guarantees and indemnities.
INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION
Our business is significantly affected by general economic conditions within the United States and, particularly, by the impact of interest rates and inflation. Higher interest rates may decrease our potential market by making it more difficult for homebuyers to qualify for mortgages or to obtain mortgages at interest rates that are acceptable to them. The impact of increased rates can be offset, in part, by offering variable rate loans with lower interest rates. In conjunction with our mortgage financing services, hedging methods are used to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations between the commitment date of the loan and the time the loan closes.
During the past few years, we have experienced some detrimental effects from inflation, particularly the inflation in the cost of land that occurred several years ago. As a result of declines in market conditions in most of our markets, in certain communities we have been unable to recover the cost of these higher land prices, resulting in lower gross margins and significant charges being recorded in our operating results due to the impairment of inventory and investments in Unconsolidated LLCs, and other write-offs relating to abandoned land transaction costs. In recent years, we have not experienced a detrimental effect from inflation in relation to our home construction costs, and we have been successful in reducing certain of these costs with our subcontractors. However, unanticipated construction costs or a change in market conditions may occur during the period between the date sales contracts are entered into with customers and the delivery date of the related homes, resulting in lower gross profit margins.
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ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our primary market risk results from fluctuations in interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate risk through borrowings under our revolving credit facilities, consisting of the Credit Facility and the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement, which permit borrowings of up to $210 million, subject to availability constraints. Additionally, M/I Financial is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its mortgage loan origination services.
Interest Rate Lock Commitments: Interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) are extended to certain home-buying customers who have applied for a mortgage loan and meet certain defined credit and underwriting criteria. Typically, the IRLCs will have a duration of less than six months; however, in certain markets, the duration could extend to twelve months.
Some IRLCs are committed to a specific third party investor through the use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments matching the exact terms of the IRLC loan. Uncommitted IRLCs are considered derivative instruments and are fair value adjusted, with the resulting gain or loss recorded in current earnings.
Forward Sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities: Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (“FMBSs”) are used to protect uncommitted IRLC loans against the risk of changes in interest rates between the lock date and the funding date. FMBSs related to uncommitted IRLCs are classified and accounted for as non-designated derivative instruments and are recorded at fair value, with gains and losses recorded in current earnings.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale: Mortgage loans held for sale consist primarily of single-family residential loans collateralized by the underlying property. During the intervening period between when a loan is closed and when it is sold to an investor, the interest rate risk is covered through the use of a best-efforts contract or by FMBSs. The FMBSs are classified and accounted for as non-designated derivative instruments, with gains and losses recorded in current earnings.
The table below shows the notional amounts of our financial instruments at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
September 30, | December 31, | ||||||
Description of financial instrument (in thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | |||||
Best-effort contracts and related committed IRLCs | $ | 1,080 | $ | 1,088 | |||
Uncommitted IRLCs | 39,073 | 25,912 | |||||
FMBSs related to uncommitted IRLCs | 32,000 | 26,000 | |||||
Best-effort contracts and related mortgage loans held for sale | 11,791 | 14,058 | |||||
FMBSs related to mortgage loans held for sale | 43,000 | 42,000 | |||||
Mortgage loans held for sale covered by FMBSs | 43,191 | 42,227 |
The table below shows the measurement of assets and liabilities at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
September 30, | December 31, | ||||||
Description of Financial Instrument (in thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | |||||
Mortgage loans held for sale | $ | 58,338 | $ | 57,275 | |||
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities | (1,395 | ) | (470 | ) | |||
Interest rate lock commitments | 686 | 356 | |||||
Best-efforts contracts | (208 | ) | (129 | ) | |||
Total | $ | 57,421 | $ | 57,032 |
The following table sets forth the amount of (loss) gain recognized on assets and liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
Description (in thousands) | 2012 | 2011 | |||||
Mortgage loans held for sale | $ | 328 | $ | 1,233 | |||
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities | (838 | ) | (1,350 | ) | |||
Interest rate lock commitments | 341 | 497 | |||||
Best-efforts contracts | (84 | ) | (180 | ) | |||
Total (loss) gain recognized | $ | (253 | ) | $ | 200 |
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The following table provides the expected future cash flows and current fair values of borrowings under our credit facilities and mortgage loan origination services that are subject to market risk as interest rates fluctuate, as of September 30, 2012:
Weighted Average Interest | Expected Cash Flows by Period | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Rate | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | Thereafter | Total | 9/30/2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage loans held for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate | 3.58 | % | $ | 58,298 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 58,298 | $ | 56,997 | ||||||||||||||||
Variable rate | 2.76 | % | 1,327 | — | — | — | — | — | 1,327 | 1,342 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt — fixed rate | 7.42 | % | $ | 93 | $ | 391 | $ | 424 | $ | 459 | $ | 498 | $ | 290,889 | $ | 292,754 | $ | 314,003 | ||||||||||||||||
Short-term debt — variable rate | 3.50 | % | — | 54,840 | — | — | — | — | 54,840 | 54,840 |
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ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) was performed by the Company's management, with the participation of the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Based on that evaluation, the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
On March 5, 2009, a resident of Florida and an owner of one of our homes filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, on behalf of himself and other similarly situated owners and residents of homes in the United States or alternatively in Florida, against the Company and certain other identified and unidentified parties (the “Initial Action”). The plaintiff alleged that the Company built his home with defective drywall, manufactured and supplied by certain of the defendants, that contains sulfur or other organic compounds capable of harming the health of individuals and damaging property. The plaintiff alleged physical and economic damages and sought legal and equitable relief, medical monitoring and attorney's fees. The Company filed a responsive pleading on or about April 30, 2009. The Initial Action was consolidated with other similar actions not involving the Company and transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana pursuant to an order from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation for coordinated pre-trial proceedings (collectively, the “In Re: Chinese Manufactured Drywall Product Liability Litigation”). In connection with the administration of the In Re: Chinese Manufactured Drywall Product Liability Litigation, the same homeowner and nine other homeowners were named as plaintiffs in omnibus class action complaints filed in and after December 2009 against certain identified manufacturers of drywall and others (including the Company), including one homeowner named as a plaintiff in an omnibus class action complaint filed in March 2010 against various unidentified manufacturers of drywall and others (including the Company) (collectively, the “MDL Omnibus Actions”). As they relate to the Company, the Initial Action and the MDL Omnibus Actions address substantially the same claims and seek substantially the same relief. The Company has entered into agreements with several of the homeowners named as plaintiffs pursuant to which the Company agreed to make repairs to their homes consistent with repairs made to the homes of other homeowners (as described in Note 9). As a result of these agreements, the Initial Action has been resolved and dismissed, and seven of the nine other homeowners named as plaintiffs in omnibus class action complaints have dismissed their claims against the Company. One of the two remaining plaintiffs has also filed a complaint in Florida state court asserting essentially the same claims and seeking substantially the same relief as asserted in the MDL Omnibus Action. The court in the MDL Omnibus Action recently preliminarily approved a global class action settlement, which is intended to resolve all Chinese Drywall-related claims of and against those who participate in the settlement. The Company currently is planning to participate in the global settlement. A final fairness and approval hearing is currently scheduled for November 2012. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the claims of any plaintiffs who are not bound by or elect to opt out of the global class action settlement. Given the inherent uncertainties in this litigation, there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of the MDL Omnibus Actions, or any other actions or claims relating to defective drywall that may be asserted in the future, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. Please refer to Note 9 for further information on this matter.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in other claims, complaints and legal actions which are routine and incidental to our business. Certain of the liabilities resulting from these other matters are covered by insurance. While management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these other matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows, such matters are subject to inherent uncertainties. The Company has recorded a liability to provide for the anticipated costs, including legal defense costs, associated with the resolution of these other matters. However, there exists the possibility that the costs to resolve these other matters could differ from the recorded estimates and, therefore, have a material effect on the Company's net income for the periods in which the matters are resolved.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
The risk factors set forth below, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results, update the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The risks described below are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may eventually prove to materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
The homebuilding industry has experienced a prolonged and severe downturn, and the volume of new home sales in most markets remains at historically depressed levels despite recent signs of a modest recovery in housing, and such conditions could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Since 2006, many of our markets and the U.S. homebuilding industry as a whole have experienced a significant and sustained decrease in demand for new homes and an oversupply of new and existing homes available for sale. These conditions have shown modest signs of improvement in recent months, but demand for new homes remains at historically low levels. In many markets, a rapid increase in new and existing home prices in the years leading up to and including 2006 reduced housing affordability relative to consumer incomes and tempered buyer demand. Also since the downturn began, investors and speculators reduced their purchasing activity and instead accelerated their efforts to sell residential property they had previously acquired. These trends, which were more pronounced in markets that had experienced the greatest levels of price appreciation, resulted in fewer overall home sales, greater cancellations of home purchase agreements by buyers, higher inventories of unsold homes and the increased use by homebuilders, speculators, investors and others of discounts, incentives, price concessions and other marketing efforts to close home sales in the years following 2006. These negative supply and demand trends were exacerbated further beginning in 2008 by increasing sales of lender-owned homes, a severe downturn in general economic conditions, increased unemployment, turmoil in credit and consumer lending markets and tighter mortgage lending standards.
Reflecting the impact of this difficult environment, we, like many other homebuilders, experienced declines in new contracts, decreases in the average selling price of new homes sold and reduced margins through 2010 relative to years prior to the housing market downturn, and we generated operating losses through 2011. Despite recent signs of a modest recovery in housing conditions, we can provide no assurances that the homebuilding market or our business will improve substantially in the near future. If economic conditions and employment remain weak and mortgage foreclosures, delinquencies and short sales remain at heightened levels, there would likely be a corresponding adverse effect on our business and our results of operations, including, but not limited to, our number of homes delivered and the amount of revenues we generate.
Further tightening of residential consumer mortgage lending or mortgage financing requirements or further volatility in credit and consumer lending markets could adversely affect the availability of residential consumer mortgage loans for some potential purchasers of our homes and thereby reduce our sales.
Since 2008, the residential consumer mortgage lending and mortgage finance industries have experienced significant instability due to, among other things, relatively high rates of delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures on residential consumer mortgage loans and a resulting decline in their market value and the market value of securities backed by such loans. The delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures have been driven in part by persistent poor economic and employment conditions, which have negatively affected borrowers' incomes, and by a decline in the values of many existing homes in various markets below the principal balance of the residential consumer mortgage loans secured by such homes. A number of providers, purchasers and insurers of residential consumer mortgage loans and residential consumer mortgage-backed securities have gone out of business or exited the market, and lenders, investors, regulators and others have questioned the oversight and the adequacy of lending standards for several residential consumer mortgage loan programs made available to borrowers in recent years, including programs offered or supported by the Federal Housing Administration (the “FHA”), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (the “VA”) and the federal government sponsored enterprises, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Compared to periods prior to 2008, this has led to reduced investor demand for residential consumer mortgage loans and residential consumer mortgage-backed securities, tightened credit requirements, reduced liquidity and availability of residential consumer mortgage loan products (particularly subprime and nonconforming loans), and increased down payment requirements and credit risk premiums related to home purchases. It has also led to enhanced regulatory and legislative actions, and government programs focused on modifying the principal balances, interest rates and/or payment terms of existing residential consumer mortgage loans and preventing residential consumer mortgage loan foreclosures, which have achieved somewhat mixed results.
The reduction in the availability of residential consumer mortgage loan products and providers and tighter residential consumer mortgage loan qualifications and down payment requirements have made it more difficult for some categories of borrowers to finance the purchase of our homes or the purchase of existing homes from potential move-up buyers who wish to
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purchase one of our homes. Overall, these factors have slowed the general improvement in the housing market, and although they have shown recent signs of stabilizing, they have resulted in reduced demand for our homes and for residential consumer mortgage loans originated through our M/I Financial subsidiary. These reductions in demand have had a materially adverse effect on our business and results of operations which may continue.
Potentially exacerbating the foregoing trends, in 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law and established several new standards and requirements (including risk retention obligations) relating to the origination, securitizing and servicing of, and consumer disclosures for, residential consumer mortgage loans. In addition, United States and international banking regulators have proposed or enacted higher capital standards and requirements for financial institutions. These standards and requirements, as and when implemented, are expected to further reduce the availability of loans to borrowers and/or increase the costs to borrowers to obtain such loans.
As a result of the volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and in the residential consumer mortgage lending and mortgage finance industries since 2008, the federal government has taken on a significant role in supporting residential consumer mortgage lending through its conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both of which purchase or insure residential consumer mortgage loans and residential consumer mortgage-backed securities, and its insurance of residential consumer mortgage loans through the FHA and the VA. In the last few years, the FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have purchased or insured substantially all new residential consumer mortgage loans originated by lenders and other mortgage banking services providers. FHA-backing of residential consumer mortgage loans has been particularly important to the residential consumer mortgage finance industry and to our business. Federal regulators and legislators are discussing steps that may significantly reduce the ability or authority of the FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase or insure residential consumer mortgage loans. In addition, due to growing federal budget deficits, the U.S. Department of the Treasury may not be able to continue supporting the residential consumer mortgage-related activities of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHA and the VA at present levels. The availability and affordability of residential consumer mortgage loans, including interest rates for such loans, could be adversely affected by a scaling back or termination of the federal government's mortgage-related programs or policies.
Since 2010, investors in residential consumer mortgage-backed securities, as well as the FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have increasingly demanded that lenders and other mortgage banking services providers, brokers and other institutions, or their agents, repurchase the loans underlying the securities based on alleged breaches of underwriting standards or of representations and warranties made in connection with transferring the loans. We expect these “put-back” demands will continue and, to the extent successful, could cause lenders and other mortgage banking services providers and brokers to further curtail their residential consumer mortgage loan origination activities due to reduced liquidity. Concerns about the soundness of the residential consumer mortgage lending and mortgage finance industries have also been heightened due to allegedly widespread errors by lenders and other mortgage banking services providers or brokers, or their agents, in the processing of residential consumer mortgage loan foreclosures and sales of foreclosed homes, leading to voluntary or involuntary delays and higher costs to finalize foreclosures and foreclosed home sales, and greater court and regulatory scrutiny. In addition to having a potential negative impact on the origination of new residential consumer mortgage loans, these disruptions in residential consumer mortgage loan foreclosures and lender-owned home sales can make it more difficult for us to accurately assess the supply of and prevailing prices for unsold homes and/or the overall health of particular housing markets.
Many of our homebuyers obtain financing for their home purchases from our M/I Financial subsidiary. If, due to higher costs, reduced liquidity, heightened risk retention obligations and/or new operating restrictions or regulatory reforms related to or arising from compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act, limitations or restrictions in the availability of government-backed financing, residential consumer mortgage loan put-back demands or internal or external reviews of its residential consumer mortgage loan foreclosure processes, or other factors or business decisions, M/I Financial is limited or unable to make loan products available to our homebuyers, our home sales and our homebuilding and financial services results of operations may be adversely affected. We can provide no assurance that the trend of tighter residential consumer mortgage lending standards will slow or reverse in the foreseeable future.
Our strategies in responding to the adverse conditions in the homebuilding industry over the past several years and the implementation of additional strategies may not be successful, despite signs of modest recovery in the housing industry in 2012.
In an effort to generate higher revenues and restore and maintain our homebuilding operations' profitability, beginning in late 2008 and continuing through the third quarter of 2012, we have (1) invested in new communities in our markets with higher margins, (2) rolled out new, more flexible product designs, including our “Eco Series” product line, (3) continued to take steps to reduce our selling, general and administrative expenses and (4) redeployed our capital into housing markets with perceived higher future growth prospects, such as our entry into the Austin, Houston and San Antonio, Texas markets.
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We believe these steps helped us increase our homes delivered,new contracts and margins in the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, as well as increase the number of homes in backlog, the average sales price of the homes in backlog and the overall sales value of our backlog. However, there can be no assurance that these trends will continue, that we will successfully increase our average active community count and inventory base with desirable land assets at a reasonable cost, or that we will maintain profitability in the future.
In addition, notwithstanding our sales strategies, we have experienced volatility in our new contracts throughout the housing downturn, and continuing during 2012. The relatively tight consumer mortgage lending environment and the inability of some homebuyers to sell their existing homes have also led to lower demand for new homes. It is uncertain how long and to what degree these factors, and the volatility in new contracts we have experienced, will continue. To the extent that these factors continue, and to the extent that they limit our average selling prices, we expect that they may have a negative effect on our business and our results of operations.
Our land investment exposes us to significant risks, including potential impairment write-downs, that could negatively impact our profits if the market value of our inventory declines.
We must anticipate demand for new homes several years prior to homes being sold to homeowners. There are significant risks inherent in controlling or purchasing land, especially as the demand for new homes fluctuates. There is often a significant lag time between when we acquire land for development and when we sell homes in neighborhoods we have planned, developed and constructed. The value of undeveloped land, building lots and housing inventories can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing market conditions. In addition, inventory carrying costs can be significant, and fluctuations in value can result in reduced profits. Economic conditions could result in the necessity to sell homes or land at a loss, or hold land in inventory longer than planned, which could significantly impact our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and stock performance. Additionally, if conditions in the homebuilding industry worsen in the future, we may be required to evaluate our inventory for potential impairment, which may result in additional valuation adjustments, which could be significant and could negatively impact our financial results and condition. We cannot make any assurances that the measures we employ to manage inventory risks and costs will be successful.
If we are unable to successfully compete in the highly competitive homebuilding industry, our financial results and growth may suffer.
The homebuilding industry is highly competitive. We compete for sales in each of our markets with national, regional, and local developers and homebuilders, foreclosures sales, existing home resales and, to a lesser extent, condominiums and available rental housing. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources or lower costs than we do. Competition among both small and large residential homebuilders is based on a number of interrelated factors, including location, reputation, amenities, design, quality and price. Competition is expected to continue and may become more intense, and there may be new entrants in the markets in which we currently operate and in markets we may enter in the future. If we are unable to successfully compete, our financial results and growth could suffer.
If economic conditions worsen or the current challenging economic conditions continue for an extended period of time, this could have continued negative consequences on our operations, financial position and cash flows.
The homebuilding industry is cyclical and is significantly affected by changes in industry conditions, as well as by general and local economic conditions, such as:
• | employment levels and job and personal income growth; |
• | availability and pricing of financing for homebuyers; |
• | short and long-term interest rates; |
• | overall consumer confidence and the confidence of potential homebuyers in particular; |
• | demographic trends; |
• | housing demand from population growth, household formation and other demographic changes, among other factors; |
• | U.S. and global financial system and credit market stability; |
• | private party and governmental residential consumer mortgage loan programs, and federal and state regulation of lending and appraisal practices; |
• | federal and state personal income tax rates and provisions, including provisions for the deduction of residential consumer mortgage loan interest payments and other expenses; |
• | the supply of and prices for available new or existing homes (including lender-owned homes acquired through foreclosures and short sales) and other housing alternatives, such as apartments and other residential rental property; |
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• | homebuyer interest in our current or new product designs and community locations, and general consumer interest in purchasing a home compared to choosing other housing alternatives; and |
• | real estate taxes. |
Adverse changes in economic conditions may affect our business nationally or may be more prevalent or concentrated in particular regions or localities in which we operate. In recent years, unfavorable changes in many economic factors negatively affected all of our served markets, and the widespread nature of the housing downturn may result in an extended recovery period. Continued weakness in the economy, employment levels and consumer confidence would likely exacerbate the unfavorable trends the housing market generally experienced beginning in the latter half of 2006.
Potential difficulties in the economy can cause demand and prices for our homes to fall or cause us to take longer and incur more costs to build our homes. We may not be able to recover these increased costs by raising prices because of market conditions and because the price of each home we sell is usually set several months before the home is delivered, as our customers typically sign their home purchase contracts before construction begins. The potential difficulties could also lead some homebuyers to cancel or refuse to honor their home purchase contracts altogether. Reflecting the difficult economic conditions in our served markets over the past several years, we have experienced volatility in our new contracts in recent years, and despite recent signs of a modest improvement in new home demand in many of our markets, we may experience similar or increased volatility in the future.
Interest rate increases could lower demand for our homes.
Nearly all of our customers finance the purchase of their homes. Before the housing downturn began, low interest rates and the increased availability of specialized residential consumer mortgage loan products, including products requiring no or low down payments, and interest-only and adjustable-rate residential consumer mortgage loans, made purchasing a home more affordable for a number of customers and more available to customers with lower credit scores. Increases in interest rates or decreases in the availability of residential consumer mortgage loan financing or of certain residential consumer mortgage loan products or programs may lead to fewer residential consumer mortgage loans being provided, higher down payment requirements or borrower costs, or a combination of the foregoing, and, as a result, reduce demand for our homes and increase our home purchase contract cancellation rates.
Tax law changes could make home ownership more expensive or less attractive.
Under current U.S. tax law and policy, significant expenses of owning a home, including residential consumer mortgage loan interest costs and real estate taxes, generally are deductible expenses for the purpose of calculating an individual's federal, and in some cases state, taxable income, subject to various limitations. If the federal government or a state government changes income tax laws, as some policy makers and a presidential commission have proposed, by eliminating or substantially reducing these income tax benefits, the after-tax cost of owning a home could increase substantially. This could adversely impact demand for and/or sales prices of new homes.
Inflation can adversely affect us, particularly in a period of declining home sale prices.
Inflation can have a long-term impact on us because, if the costs of land, materials and labor increase, this would require us to attempt to increase the sale prices of homes in order to maintain satisfactory margins. Although an excess of supply over demand for new homes, such as the environment in which we are currently operating, generally requires that we reduce prices, rather than increase them, it does not necessarily result in reductions, or prevent increases, in the costs of materials, labor and land development costs. Under those circumstances, the effect of cost increases is to reduce the margins on the homes we sell. Reduced margins in such cases make it more difficult for us to recover the full cost of previously purchased land.
Our limited geographic diversification could adversely affect us if the homebuilding industry in our markets declines.
We have operations in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Texas. Our limited geographic diversification could adversely impact us if the homebuilding business in our current markets should continue to decline, since there may not be a balancing opportunity in a stronger market in other geographic regions.
Operational Risks
We may not be successful in integrating acquisitions or implementing our growth strategies.
In April 2011, we acquired the assets of TriStone Homes, a privately-held homebuilder based in San Antonio, Texas. In April 2012, we expanded our Houston, Texas operations by acquiring the assets of Triumph Homes, a privately-held
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homebuilder based in Houston, Texas. In October 2012, we announced our entry into the Austin, Texas market. We may in the future consider growth or expansion of our operations in our current markets or in other areas of the country, whether through strategic acquisitions of homebuilding companies or otherwise. The magnitude, timing and nature of any future expansion will depend on a number of factors, including our ability to identify suitable additional markets and/or acquisition candidates, the negotiation of acceptable terms, our financial capabilities and general economic and business conditions. Our expansion into new or existing markets, whether through acquisition or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and/or profitability, and any future acquisitions could result in the dilution of existing shareholders if we issue our common shares as consideration. Acquisitions also involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the acquired company's operations, the incurrence of unanticipated liabilities or expenses, the risk of impairing inventory and other assets related to the acquisition, the diversion of management's attention and resources from other business concerns, risks associated with entering markets in which we have limited or no direct experience and the potential loss of key employees of the acquired company.
If we are unable to obtain suitable financing, our business may be negatively impacted.
The homebuilding industry is capital intensive because of the length of time from when land or lots are acquired to when the related homes are constructed on those lots and delivered to homebuyers. Our business and earnings depend on our ability to obtain financing to support our homebuilding operations and to provide the resources to carry inventory. We may be required to seek additional capital, whether from sales of equity or debt, or additional bank borrowings, to support our business. Our ability to secure the needed capital on terms that are acceptable to us may be impacted by factors beyond our control. In the event we are unable to obtain suitable financing, our future liquidity may be impacted, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations and require us to use cash or other sources of capital to fund our business operations.
The mortgage warehousing agreement of our financial services segment will expire in March 2013.
M/I Financial is party to a $70 million secured mortgage warehousing agreement dated April 18, 2011, as amended on March 23, 2012 and September 26, 2012, among M/I Financial, the lenders party thereto and Comerica Bank, as administrative agent (the “MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement”). M/I Financial uses the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement to finance its lending activities until the loans are delivered to third party buyers. The MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement will expire on March 30, 2013. If we are unable to renew or replace the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement when it matures, the activities of our financial services segment could be seriously impeded.
Reduced numbers of home sales may force us to absorb additional carrying costs.
We incur many costs even before we begin to build homes in a community. These include costs of preparing land and installing roads, sewage and other utilities, as well as taxes and other costs related to ownership of the land on which we plan to build homes. Reducing the rate at which we build homes extends the length of time it takes us to recover these additional costs. Also, we frequently enter into contracts to purchase land and make deposits that may be forfeited if we do not fulfill our purchase obligation within specified periods.
We could be adversely affected by a negative change in our credit rating.
Our ability to access capital on favorable terms is a key factor in growing our business and operations in a profitable manner. Our debt and the company have credit ratings issued by Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's. Downgrades of our credit rating by one or more of these credit agencies may make it more difficult and costly for us to access external financing.
Errors in estimates and judgments that affect decisions about how we operate and on our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses could have a material impact on us.
In the ordinary course of business, we must make estimates and judgments that affect decisions about how we operate and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates include, but are not limited to, those related to: recognition of income and expenses; impairment of assets; estimates of future improvement and amenity costs; estimates of sales levels and sales prices; capitalization of costs to inventory; provisions for litigation, insurance and warranty costs; cost of complying with government regulations; and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate and adjust our estimates based upon the information then currently available. Actual results may differ from these estimates, assumptions and conditions.
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If our ability to resell mortgages to investors is impaired, we may be required to broker loans.
We sell substantially all of the loans we originate within a short period of time in the secondary mortgage market on a servicing released, non-recourse basis, although we remain liable for certain limited representations and warranties related to loan sales. If we are unable to sell to viable purchasers in the marketplace, our ability to originate and sell mortgage loans at competitive prices could be limited which would negatively affect our operations and our profitability. Additionally, if there is a significant decline in the secondary mortgage market, our ability to sell mortgages could be adversely impacted and we would be required to make arrangements with banks or other financial institutions to fund our buyers' closings. If we became unable to sell loans into the secondary mortgage market or directly to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we would have to modify our origination model, which, among other things, could significantly reduce our ability to sell homes.
Mortgage investors could seek to have us buy back loans or compensate them for losses incurred on mortgages we have sold based on claims that we breached our limited representations or warranties.
M/I Financial originates mortgages, primarily for our homebuilding customers. Substantially all of the mortgage loans originated are sold within a short period of time in the secondary mortgage market on a servicing released, nonrecourse basis, although we remain liable for certain limited representations, such as fraud, and warranties related to loan sales. Accordingly, mortgage investors have in the past and could in the future seek to have us buy back loans or compensate them for losses incurred on mortgages we have sold based on claims that we breached our limited representations or warranties. We believe there continues to be an industry-wide issue with the number of purchaser claims in which purchasers purport to have found inaccuracies related to sellers' representations and warranties in particular loan sale agreements. In 2011 and to date in 2012, we have not repurchased any loans and we have established reserves for potential losses. However, there can be no assurance that we will not have significant liabilities in respect of such claims in the future, which could exceed our reserves, or that the impact of such claims on our results of operations will not be material.
We compete on several levels with homebuilders that may have greater sales and financial resources than us, which could hurt our future earnings.
We compete not only for homebuyers but also for desirable properties, financing, raw materials and skilled labor, often within larger subdivisions designed, planned and developed by other homebuilders. Our competitors include other local, regional and national homebuilders, some of which have greater sales and financial resources than us. The competitive conditions in the homebuilding industry, together with current market conditions, have resulted in and could continue to result in:
• | difficulty in acquiring suitable land at acceptable prices; |
• | lower selling prices; |
• | increased selling incentives; |
• | lower sales; |
• | lower profit margins; |
• | impairments in the value of inventory; and |
• | delays in construction. |
If we are unable to successfully compete within the homebuilding industry, this could lead to increased costs and/or lower profit margins.
We may not be able to benefit from net operating loss carryforwards.
We suffered losses in each fiscal year from 2007 through 2011 for tax (as well as for financial statement) purposes. We were able to carryback 100% of our tax loss in the 2007 fiscal year to recover tax we had paid with regard to a prior year. However, we would not have been able to carryback 100% of our 2008 fiscal year tax loss without legislation enacted in November 2009 that extended the net operating loss (“NOL”) carryback period to five years. We were unable to carryback our tax losses for the fiscal years from 2009 through 2011. We will not receive any tax benefits with regard to tax losses we could not carryback unless we have taxable income in the 20-year NOL carryforward period. In our financial statements, we have fully reserved against all our deferred tax assets due to the possibility that we may not have taxable income that will enable us to benefit from our tax losses for the fiscal years from 2009 through 2011. However, those reserves will be reversed when it becomes more likely than not that we will have sufficient future taxable income to take advantage of the deferred tax assets.
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Our net operating loss carryforwards could be substantially limited if we experience an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Based on recent impairments and our current financial performance, we generated NOL carryforwards for the years ending December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and it is possible that we will generate net NOL carryforwards in future years. Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), we may use these NOL carryforwards to offset future earnings and reduce our federal income tax liability. As a result, we believe these NOL carryforwards could be a substantial asset for us.
Section 382 of the Code contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an “ownership change,” which is generally defined as any change in ownership of more than 50% of its common stock over a three-year period, to utilize its NOL carryforwards and certain built-in losses recognized in years after the ownership change. These rules generally operate by focusing on ownership changes among shareholders owning, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the company's common stock (including changes involving a shareholder becoming a 5% shareholder) or any change in ownership arising from a new issuance of stock by the company.
In March 2009, we amended our code of regulations to impose certain restrictions on the transfer of our common shares to preserve the tax treatment of our NOLs and built-in losses (the “NOL Protective Amendment”). The transfer restrictions imposed by the NOL Protective Amendment generally restrict (unless otherwise approved by our board of directors) any direct or indirect transfer if the effect would be to: (1) increase the direct or indirect ownership of our shares by any person or group of persons from less than 5% to 5% or more of our common shares; or (2) increase the percentage of our common shares owned directly or indirectly by a person or group of persons owning or deemed to own 5% or more of our common shares. Although the NOL Protective Amendment is intended to reduce the likelihood of an “ownership change” that could adversely affect us, we cannot provide assurance that the restrictions on transferability in the NOL Protective Amendment will prevent all transfers that could result in such an “ownership change.” There also can be no assurance that the transfer restrictions in the NOL Protective Amendment will be enforceable against all of our shareholders absent a court determination confirming such enforceability. The transfer restrictions may be subject to challenge on legal or equitable grounds.
If we undergo an “ownership change” for purposes of Section 382 of the Code as a result of future transactions involving the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes or our common shares, including transactions initiated by the Company, and including transactions involving a shareholder becoming an owner of 5% or more of our common shares and purchases and sales of our common shares by existing 5% shareholders, our ability to use our NOL carryforwards and recognize certain built-in losses could be limited by Section 382 of the Code. Depending on the resulting limitation, a significant portion of our NOL carryforwards could expire before we would be able to use them. Our inability to utilize our NOL carryforwards could have a material adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected if pending or future legal claims against us are not resolved in our favor.
On March 5, 2009, a resident of Florida and an owner of one of our homes filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, on behalf of himself and other similarly situated owners and residents of homes in the United States or alternatively in Florida, against the Company and certain other identified and unidentified parties (the “Initial Action”). The plaintiff alleged that the Company built his home with defective drywall, manufactured and supplied by certain of the defendants, that contains sulfur or other organic compounds capable of harming the health of individuals and damaging property. The plaintiff alleged physical and economic damages and sought legal and equitable relief, medical monitoring and attorney's fees. The Company filed a responsive pleading on or about April 30, 2009. The Initial Action was consolidated with other similar actions not involving the Company and transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana pursuant to an order from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation for coordinated pre-trial proceedings (collectively, the “In Re: Chinese Manufactured Drywall Product Liability Litigation”). In connection with the administration of the In Re: Chinese Manufactured Drywall Product Liability Litigation, the same homeowner and nine other homeowners were named as plaintiffs in omnibus class action complaints filed in and after December 2009 against certain identified manufacturers of drywall and others (including the Company), including one homeowner named as a plaintiff in an omnibus class action complaint filed in March 2010 against various unidentified manufacturers of drywall and others (including the Company) (collectively, the “MDL Omnibus Actions”). As they relate to the Company, the Initial Action and the MDL Omnibus Actions address substantially the same claims and seek substantially the same relief. The Company has entered into agreements with several of the homeowners named as plaintiffs pursuant to which the Company agreed to make repairs to their homes consistent with repairs made to the homes of other homeowners (as described in Note 9 to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). As a result of these agreements, the Initial Action has been resolved and dismissed, and seven of the nine other homeowners named as plaintiffs in omnibus class action complaints have dismissed their claims against the Company. One of the two remaining plaintiffs has also filed a complaint in Florida state court asserting essentially the same claims and seeking substantially the
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same relief as asserted in the MDL Omnibus Action. The court in the MDL Omnibus Action recently preliminarily approved a global class action settlement, which is intended to resolve all Chinese Drywall-related claims of and against those who participate in the settlement. A final fairness and approval hearing is currently scheduled for November 2012. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the claims of any plaintiffs who are not bound by or elect to opt out of the class action settlement. Given the inherent uncertainties in this litigation, there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of the MDL Omnibus Actions, or any other actions or claims relating to defective drywall that may be asserted in the future, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. See Notes 9 and 10 to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the risk factor below captioned “Homebuilding is subject to warranty and liability claims in the ordinary course of business which may lead to additional reserves or expenses” for more information.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have also been named as defendants in other claims, complaints and legal actions which are routine and incidental to our business. While management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these other matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, such matters are subject to inherent uncertainties. We have recorded a liability to provide for the anticipated costs, including legal defense costs, associated with the resolution of these other matters. However, it is possible that the costs to resolve these other matters could differ from the recorded estimates and, therefore, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows for the periods in which the matters are resolved. Similarly, if additional claims are filed against us in the future, the negative outcome of one or more of such matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
The terms of our indebtedness may restrict our ability to operate and, if our financial performance declines, we may be unable to maintain compliance with the covenants in the documents governing our indebtedness.
The Credit Facility and the indenture governing the 2018 Senior Notes impose restrictions on our operations and activities. These restrictions, and/or our failure to comply with the terms of our indebtedness, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to operate our business.
The Credit Facility requires compliance with certain financial covenants, including a minimum consolidated tangible net worth requirement and a maximum permitted leverage ratio. Currently, we believe the most restrictive covenant of the Credit Facility is to maintain a minimum consolidated tangible net worth. Failure to comply with this covenant or any of the other restrictions or covenants of the Credit Facility, whether because of a decline in our operating performance or otherwise, could result in a default under the Credit Facility. If a default occurs, the affected lenders could elect to declare the indebtedness, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable, which in turn could cause a default under the documents governing any of our other indebtedness that is then outstanding if we are not able to repay such indebtedness from other sources. If this happens and we are unable to obtain waivers from the required lenders, the lenders could exercise their rights under such documents, including forcing us into bankruptcy or liquidation. Also, while the aggregate commitment of the Credit Facility is $140 million (with the ability to increase the amount of the credit facility up to $175 million in aggregate, contingent on obtaining additional commitments from lenders), we can only borrow up to the amount we have secured by real estate and/or cash in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Facility. This secured borrowing base limitation could preclude us from incurring additional borrowings, which could impair our ability to maintain sufficient working capital. In such a situation, there can be no assurance that we would be able to obtain alternative financing.
The indenture governing the 2018 Senior Notes also contains covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things:
• | pay dividends on, and repurchase, our common shares and 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares; |
• | incur additional indebtedness or liens; |
• | make investments; |
• | consolidate or merge with or into other companies; or |
• | liquidate or sell all or substantially all of our assets. |
These restrictions may limit our ability to operate our business and may prohibit or limit our ability to enhance our operations or take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise. Failure to comply with these covenants or any of the other restrictions or covenants contained in the indenture governing the 2018 Senior Notes could result in a default under such document, in which case holders of the 2018 Senior Notes may be entitled to cause the sums evidenced by such notes to become due immediately. This acceleration of our obligations under the 2018 Senior Notes could force us into bankruptcy or liquidation and we may be unable to repay those amounts without selling substantial assets, which might be at prices well below the long-term fair values and carrying values of the assets. Our ability to comply with the foregoing restrictions and covenants may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions.
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In addition, while the indenture governing the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes does not contain any financial or operating covenants relating to or restrictions on the payment of dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the repurchase or issuance of securities by us or any of our subsidiaries, such indenture does impose certain other requirements on us, such as the requirement to offer to repurchase the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes upon a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture. Our failure to comply with the requirements contained in the indenture governing the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes could result in a default under such document, in which case holders of the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes may be entitled to cause the sums evidenced by such notes to become due immediately. This acceleration of our obligations under the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes could have the same effect as an acceleration of the 2018 Senior Notes described above.
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition, and we and our subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness, which could increase the risks created by our indebtedness.
As of September 30, 2012, , we had approximately $295.8 million of indebtedness outstanding (excluding issuances of letters of credit and the MIF Mortgage Warehousing Agreement), and $54.8 million of available borrowings. In addition, under the terms of the Credit Facility, the indenture governing our 2018 Senior Notes, the indenture governing the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes and the documents governing our other indebtedness, we have the ability, subject to applicable debt covenants, to incur additional indebtedness. The incurrence of additional indebtedness could magnify other risks related to us and our business. Our indebtedness and any future indebtedness we may incur could have a significant adverse effect on our future financial condition. For example:
• | a significant portion of our cash flow may be required to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness, which could reduce the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes; |
• | borrowings under the Credit Facility bear, and borrowings under any new facility could bear, interest at floating rates, which could result in higher interest expense in the event of an increase in interest rates; |
• | the terms of our indebtedness could limit our ability to borrow additional funds or sell assets to raise funds, if needed, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes; |
• | our debt level and the various covenants contained in the Credit Facility, the indenture governing our 2018 Senior Notes, the indenture governing the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes and the documents governing our other indebtedness could place us at a relative competitive disadvantage as compared to some of our competitors; and |
• | the terms of our indebtedness could prevent us from raising the funds necessary to repurchase all of the 2018 Senior Notes or the 2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes tendered to us upon the occurrence of a change of control or a fundamental change, respectively, which would constitute a default under the applicable indenture, which in turn could trigger a default under the Credit Facility and the documents governing our other indebtedness. |
In the ordinary course of business, we are required to obtain performance bonds, the unavailability of which could adversely affect our results of operations and/or cash flows.
As is customary in the homebuilding industry, we are often required to provide surety bonds to secure our performance under construction contracts, development agreements and other arrangements. Our ability to obtain surety bonds primarily depends upon our credit rating, capitalization, working capital, past performance, management expertise and certain external factors, including the overall capacity of the surety market and the underwriting practices of surety bond issuers. The ability to obtain surety bonds also can be impacted by the willingness of insurance companies to issue performance bonds. If we were unable to obtain surety bonds when required, our results of operations and/or cash flows could be adversely impacted.
Changes in accounting principles, interpretations and practices may affect our reported revenues, earnings and results of operations.
Generally accepted accounting principles and the accompanying standards, implementation guidelines, interpretations and practices for certain aspects of our business are complex and may involve subjective judgments, estimates and assumptions, such as revenue recognition, inventory valuations and income taxes. Changes in interpretations could significantly affect our reported revenues, earnings and operating results, and could add significant volatility to those measures without a comparable underlying change in cash flows from operations. The imposition of new accounting standards (e.g. , International Financial Reporting Standards) could result in increased expenses as we may be required to modify our current practices and systems in order to comply with such standards.
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We can be injured by failures of persons who act on our behalf to comply with applicable regulations and guidelines.
There are instances in which subcontractors or others through whom we do business engage in practices that do not comply with applicable regulations or guidelines. When we learn of practices relating to homes we build or financing we provide that do not comply with applicable laws, rules or regulations, we actively move to stop the non-complying practices as soon as possible. However, regardless of the steps we take after we learn of practices that do not comply with applicable laws, rules or regulations, we can in some instances be subject to fines or other governmental penalties, and our reputation can be injured, due to the practices having taken place.
We experience fluctuations and variability in our operating results on a quarterly basis and, as a result, our historical performance may not be a meaningful indicator of future results.
We historically have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, variability in home sales and results of operations on a quarterly basis. As a result of such variability, our historical performance may not be a meaningful indicator of future results. Factors that contribute to this variability include:
• | the timing of home deliveries and land sales; |
• | delays in construction schedules due to strikes, adverse weather, acts of God, reduced subcontractor availability and governmental restrictions; |
• | our ability to acquire additional land or options for additional land on acceptable terms; |
• | conditions of the real estate market in areas where we operate and of the general economy; |
• | the cyclical nature of the homebuilding industry, changes in prevailing interest rates and the availability of mortgage financing; and |
• | costs and availability of materials and labor. |
Historically, a significant percentage of our home purchase contracts are entered into in the spring and summer months, and we deliver a corresponding significant percentage of our homes in the fall and winter months. Construction of our homes typically requires approximately four to six months and weather delays that often occur in late winter and early spring may extend this period. As a result of these combined factors, we historically have experienced uneven quarterly results, with lower revenues and operating income generally during the first and second quarters of the year.
Homebuilding is subject to warranty and liability claims in the ordinary course of business which may lead to additional reserves or expenses.
As a homebuilder, we are subject to home warranty and construction defect claims arising in the ordinary course of business. We record warranty and other reserves for homes we sell based on historical experience in our markets and our judgment of the qualitative risks associated with the types of homes built. We have, and require the majority of our subcontractors to have, general liability, workers' compensation, and other business insurance. These insurance policies protect us against a portion of our risk of loss from claims, subject to certain self-insured retentions, deductibles and other coverage limits. We reserve for the costs to cover our self-insured retentions and deductible amounts under these policies and for any costs of claims and lawsuits based on an analysis of our historical claims, which includes an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Because of the uncertainties inherent to these matters, we cannot provide assurance that our insurance coverage, our subcontractors' arrangements and our reserves will be adequate to address all of our warranty and construction defect claims in the future. For example, contractual indemnities can be difficult to enforce, we may be responsible for applicable self-insured retentions and some types of claims may not be covered by insurance or may exceed applicable coverage limits. Additionally, the coverage offered and the availability of general liability insurance for construction defects are currently limited and costly. As a result, in some cases, we have reduced our customary insurance requirements. We have responded to the increases in insurance costs and coverage limitations by increasing our self-insured retentions. There can be no assurance that coverage will not be further restricted and may become even more costly or may not be available at rates that are acceptable to us.
There has been significant publicity about homes constructed with defective drywall. Since the discovery of defective drywall, we implemented procedures in every division to investigate homes for signs of the presence of defective drywall. As of September 30, 2012, the Company has identified 93 homes that have been confirmed as having defective drywall installed by our subcontractors. All of these homes are located in Florida. As of September 30, 2012, we have completed the repair of 88 homes and are in the process of repairing two homes. The remaining three homeowners have not granted us authority to repair their homes. In consideration for performing these repairs, we received from the homeowner a full release of claims (excluding, in nearly all cases, personal injury claims) arising from the defective drywall. Since 2009, the Company has accrued
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approximately $13.0 million for the repair of these 93 homes. The remaining balance in this accrual was $0.7 million as of September 30, 2012. Based on our investigation to date and our evaluation of the defective drywall issue, we believe our existing accrual is sufficient to cover costs and claims associated with the repair of these homes. However, if and to the extent the scope of the defective drywall issue proves to be significantly greater than we currently anticipate, or in the event defective drywall is, through credible evidence, linked to significant adverse health effects of the occupants of the homes containing such defective drywall, or if it is determined that our accrual for costs of repair attributable to defective drywall together with recoveries from our insurance carrier and from other responsible parties and their insurance carriers are not sufficient to cover claims, losses or other issues related to defective drywall, then it is possible that we could incur additional costs or liabilities related to this issue that may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. See Notes 9 and 10 to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the risk factor above captioned “Our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected if pending or future legal claims against us are not resolved in our favor” for more information.
Natural disasters and severe weather conditions could delay deliveries, increase costs and decrease demand for homes in affected areas.
Several of our markets, specifically our operations in Florida, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Texas, are situated in geographical areas that are regularly impacted by severe storms, including hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes. In addition, our operations in the Midwest can be impacted by severe storms, including tornados. The occurrence of these or other natural disasters can cause delays in the completion of, or increase the cost of, developing one or more of our communities, and as a result could materially and adversely impact our results of operations.
Supply shortages and other risks related to the demand for skilled labor and building materials could increase costs and delay deliveries.
The residential construction industry has, from time to time, experienced significant material and labor shortages in insulation, drywall, brick, cement and certain areas of carpentry and framing, as well as fluctuations in lumber prices and supplies. Any shortages of long duration in these areas could delay construction of homes, which could adversely affect our business and increase costs.
We are subject to extensive government regulations, which could restrict our homebuilding or financial services business.
The homebuilding industry is subject to numerous and increasing local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning zoning, resource protection, building design and construction, and similar matters. This includes local regulations that impose restrictive zoning and density requirements in order to limit the number of homes that can eventually be built within the boundaries of a particular location. Such regulation also affects construction activities, including construction materials that must be used in certain aspects of building design, as well as sales activities and other dealings with homebuyers. We must also obtain licenses, permits and approvals from various governmental agencies for our development activities, the granting of which are beyond our control. Furthermore, increasingly stringent requirements may be imposed on homebuilders and developers in the future. Although we cannot predict the impact on us to comply with any such requirements, such requirements could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs. In addition, we have been, and in the future may be, subject to periodic delays or may be precluded from developing certain projects due to building moratoriums. These moratoriums generally relate to insufficient water supplies or sewage facilities, delays in utility hookups or inadequate road capacity within the specific market area or subdivision. These moratoriums can occur prior or subsequent to commencement of our operations, without notice or recourse.
We are also subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning consumer protection matters and the protection of health and the environment. These statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations, and any failure to comply therewith, could give rise to additional liabilities or expenditures and have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or business. The particular consumer protection matters regulate the marketing, sales, construction, closing and financing of our homes. The particular environmental laws that apply to any given project vary greatly according to the project site and the present and former uses of the property. These environmental laws may result in delays, cause us to incur substantial compliance costs (including substantial expenditures for pollution and water quality control), and prohibit or severely restrict development in certain environmentally sensitive regions.
In addition to the laws and regulations that relate to our homebuilding operations, M/I Financial is subject to a variety of laws and regulations concerning the underwriting, servicing and sale of mortgage loans, as well as anti-money laundering compliance obligations applicable to non-bank residential mortgage lenders.
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Information technology failures and data security breaches could harm our business.
We use information technology, digital communications and other computer resources to carry out important operational and marketing activities and to maintain our business records. Many of these resources are provided to us and/or maintained on our behalf by third-party service providers pursuant to agreements that specify to varying degrees certain security and service level standards. Although we and our service providers employ what we believe are adequate security and other preventative and corrective measures, our ability to conduct our business may be impaired if these resources, including our website, are compromised, degraded, damaged or fail, whether due to a virus or other harmful circumstance, intentional penetration or disruption of our information technology resources by a third party, natural disaster, hardware or software corruption or failure or error (including a failure of security controls incorporated into or applied to such hardware or software), telecommunications system failure, service provider error or failure or intentional or unintentional personnel actions (including the failure to follow our security protocols). A significant and extended disruption in the functioning of these resources, including our website, could damage our reputation and cause us to lose customers, sales and revenue, result in the unintended and/or unauthorized public disclosure or the misappropriation of proprietary, personal identifying and confidential information (including information about our homebuyers and business partners), and require us to incur significant expense to address and remediate or otherwise resolve these kinds of issues. The release of confidential information may also lead to litigation or other proceedings against us by affected individuals and/or business partners and/or by regulators, and the outcome of such proceedings, which could include penalties or fines, could have a material and adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. In addition, the costs of maintaining adequate protection against such threats, depending on their evolution, pervasiveness and frequency and/or government-mandated standards or obligations regarding protective efforts, could be material to our consolidated financial statements in a particular period or over various periods.
We are dependent on the services of certain key employees, and the loss of their services could hurt our business.
Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to attract, train and retain skilled personnel. If we are unable to retain our key employees or attract, train and retain other skilled personnel in the future, this could materially and adversely impact our operations and result in additional expenses for identifying and training new personnel.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities — None.
(b) Use of Proceeds — Not Applicable.
(c) Purchases of Equity Securities
There were no purchases made by, or on behalf of, the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a) (3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of the Company's equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2012. See Note 11 to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding the limit imposed by the indenture governing our 2018 Senior Notes on our ability to pay dividends on, and repurchase, our common shares and 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares to the amount of the positive balance in our “restricted payments basket,” as defined in the indenture.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities - None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures - None.
Item 5. Other Information - None.
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Item 6. Exhibits
The exhibits required to be filed herewith are set forth below.
Exhibit Number | Description | |
4.1 | Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2012, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2012). | |
4.2 | Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2012, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2012). | |
4.3 | Form of 3.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note due 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2012). | |
4.4 | Form of Guarantee of 3.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2012). | |
10.1 | Third Amendment to Mortgage Warehousing Agreement among M/I Financial Corp., Comerica Bank and The Huntington National Bank (Filed herewith). | |
10.2 | Third Amendment to Letter of Credit Agreement between M/I Homes, Inc. and Regions Bank (Filed herewith). | |
10.3 | Third Amended and Restated Master Letter of Credit Facility Agreement between M/I Homes, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (Filed herewith). | |
10.4 | Termination of the Continuing Agreement for Standby Letters of Credit between M/I Homes, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. (Filed herewith). | |
31.1 | Certification by Robert H. Schottenstein, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith.) | |
31.2 | Certification by Phillip G. Creek, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith.) | |
32.1 | Certification by Robert H. Schottenstein, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith.) | |
32.2 | Certification by Phillip G. Creek, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith.) | |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. (Furnished herewith.) |
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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.
M/I Homes, Inc. | |||||
(Registrant) | |||||
Date: | October 29, 2012 | By: | /s/ Robert H. Schottenstein | ||
Robert H. Schottenstein | |||||
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and | |||||
President | |||||
(Principal Executive Officer) | |||||
Date: | October 29, 2012 | By: | /s/ Ann Marie W. Hunker | ||
Ann Marie W. Hunker | |||||
Vice President, Corporate Controller | |||||
(Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||
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EXHIBIT INDEX | ||
Exhibit Number | Description | |
4.1 | Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2012, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2012). | |
4.2 | Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2012, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2012). | |
4.3 | Form of 3.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note due 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2012). | |
4.4 | Form of Guarantee of 3.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2012). | |
10.1 | Third Amendment to Mortgage Warehousing Agreement among M/I Financial Corp., Comerica Bank and The Huntington National Bank (Filed herewith). | |
10.2 | Third Amendment to Letter of Credit Agreement between M/I Homes, Inc. and Regions Bank (Filed herewith). | |
10.3 | Third Amended and Restated Master Letter of Credit Facility Agreement between M/I Homes, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (Filed herewith). | |
10.4 | Termination of the Continuing Agreement for Standby Letters of Credit between M/I Homes, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. (Filed herewith). | |
31.1 | Certification by Robert H. Schottenstein, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith.) | |
31.2 | Certification by Phillip G. Creek, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith.) | |
32.1 | Certification by Robert H. Schottenstein, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith.) | |
32.2 | Certification by Phillip G. Creek, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith.) | |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. (Furnished herewith.) | |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. (Furnished herewith.) |
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