Document/ExhibitDescriptionPagesSize 1: 10-K Ashton Woods Usa L.L.C. HTML 677K
2: EX-31.1 EX-31.1 Section 302, Certification of the CEO HTML 11K
3: EX-31.2 EX-31.2 Section 302, Certification of the CFO HTML 11K
4: EX-32.1 EX-32.1 Section 906, Certification of the CEO HTML 7K
5: EX-32.2 EX-32.2 Section 906, Certification of the CFO HTML 7K
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1405 Old Alabama Rd. Suite 200, Roswell, Georgia
30076
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code): (770) 998-9663
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Name of each exchange on which registered:
None
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes þ No o
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is
not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant: Not Applicable. The registrant has no publicly traded equity securities.
Unless otherwise indicated, when we use the terms “Ashton Woods,”“we,”“us,” and “our,” we mean
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
INTRODUCTION
We are one of the largest private homebuilders in the United States based on number of home
closings and revenues. We design, build and market high-quality single-family detached homes,
townhomes and stacked-flat condominiums under the Ashton Woods Homes brand name. We currently
operate in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Denver and Tampa. These cities represent
seven of the 22 largest new residential housing markets in the United States according to the U.S.
Census Bureau. We have been in operation for over 15 years and serve a broad customer base
including first-time buyers and first- and second-time move-up buyers. We focus on achieving the
highest standards in design, quality and customer satisfaction.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Throughout fiscal years 2007 and 2008, our business has been significantly impacted by the
continued protracted downturn in the homebuilding industry, which has resulted in decreases in home
closings, net new home orders and revenues and adverse changes in our net income/loss from the
record levels achieved in earlier fiscal years. Consistent with the general downturn in housing
markets across the United States, most of the markets we serve have faced a persistent oversupply
of new and resale homes available for sale. Our business has encountered significant challenges
from heightened builder and investor efforts to sell homes and land, increased foreclosure
activity, consumer reluctance to purchase homes, tighter lending standards due to turmoil in the
mortgage finance and credit markets, and reduced home affordability, particularly in areas that
experienced rapid sales price increases in prior years. We believe that housing market conditions
will continue to be challenging and may deteriorate further. We cannot predict the duration or
ultimate severity of these challenging conditions. Although we believe the long-term fundamentals
which support housing demand remain solid and the current negative conditions will moderate over
time, the timing of a recovery in the housing market is unclear.
As a result, while our long-term strategy remains to continue to grow our homebuilding business in
our current and in new markets leveraging on the attributes and strategies discussed below, our
primary strategy during this downturn has been to strengthen our financial condition, and in
particular, to focus on the quality of our balance sheet, maintaining our conservative land
position and leverage. Our strategy has focused on cost containment through managed reductions in
labor force and reductions in our cost structure, including a 12% reduction in direct costs over a
24-month period and savings through internalizing our architectural design process, changing our
advertising strategy, focusing more on internet generated leads, and revisions to our national
contracts and model rebates. Further, as discussed below, we have continued to focus on managing
our inventory risk through a focused reduction in land purchases, proactively managing our
speculative homes and land inventory and exiting options where appropriate. Current market
conditions have also afforded us the opportunity to strategically enhance our talent pool through
selective hiring of experienced personnel in a number of our markets. Also, through carefully
structured compensation, selection, recruiting and training programs, we are working to reduce our
turnover rate to below the market average. With these areas of immediate focus, we continue to
follow the following long-term strategies designed to leverage the strengths of our business in the
diverse market conditions we face from time to time.
We Provide Our Customers with Superior Value, Quality and Customer Service. Based on the awards we
have received, we believe we are recognized for building homes that offer superior design,
excellent quality and outstanding value. We believe that our rigorous focus on value, quality and
customer service provides us with an important competitive advantage which can enable us to
increase our sales and enhance our profitability. We perform comprehensive research of homebuyer
preferences and utilize the services of award-winning outside architectural firms to provide our
customers with attractive, well designed homes, consistent with the tastes and trends in each of
our markets. We offer our homebuyers the opportunity to personalize their new homes in our state-
of-the-art Ashton Woods Homes Design Centers in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Tampa and Orlando, or in
our fully decorated model homes in each of our communities. We instill in all our employees the
importance of high quality and superior customer service through extensive in-house training, as
well as through a compensation structure directly tied to our customer satisfaction results.
Our reputation for outstanding quality, superior designs and excellent customer service is
evidenced by the recognition received for outstanding customer satisfaction as well as the numerous
design and marketing awards and accolades that we have received over the past several years. These
awards include:
•
The Keystone Award from Residential Warranty Company — A quality building standard
award for unique design and excellent customer service.
The 2007 Parade of Homes Grand Award received for our Napa plan featured at our
South Green neighborhood for homes in the $650,000 to $699,000 category;
Ø
The 2007 Parade of Homes Blue Ribbon award for outstanding features; and
Ø
The 2008 Parade of Homes Grand Award received for our Coronado at Landings Port
Tampa neighborhood for homes in the $450,000 to $499,000 category.
•
The Orlando Parade of Homes Award received for our Wickham Park townhouse community -
first place in 2008 for communities of between 100 and 1000 lots.
•
Greater Houston Builder Association Award received for our Terravista Model — 2008 Best
Interior Design for homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 category.
•
Awards granted for 2007 sales and construction managers of the year.
We Leverage Our Product, Customer and Geographic Diversification. We offer a broad portfolio of
products including single-family detached homes, townhomes and stacked-flat condominiums, designed
for and marketed to first-time buyers and first- and second-time move-up buyers. We operate in
seven geographically diverse markets. Our product, customer and geographic diversification enable
us to balance dynamic market conditions, enhance financial stability and reduce our exposure to any
specific market or homebuyer segment. Single-family detached homes, townhomes, stacked-flat
condominiums and active adult communities accounted for 69%, 20%, 9% and 2%, respectively, of our
net new home orders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, and 80%, 13%, 6% and 1%, respectively,
of our net new home orders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. We capitalize on our broad
product portfolio by targeting a diversified customer base. We estimate that first-time buyers, and
first- and second-time move-up buyers accounted for 25%, 50% and 25%, respectively, of our net new
home orders during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 and 31%, 42% and 27%, respectively, of our
net new home orders during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.
We believe that we are able to successfully leverage our market presence in our existing markets
and enhance our product offerings. We also believe that we are able to appeal to a broader group of
homebuyers and enhance our growth without a significant increase in our overhead costs. This
strategy has proven successful as we build multi-family product lines, such as townhomes and
stacked-flat condominiums, in many of our markets along with an active adult line targeted to
buyers over 55 years of age in Atlanta.
We Pursue Disciplined Expansion in Large, High Growth Markets. While the development of new markets
is not a priority for us in the near term, we believe that current market conditions will provide
opportunities in the future to expand and strengthen our business. We currently operate in
Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Denver and Tampa, seven of the 22 largest new
residential housing markets in the United States by single-family housing
1
The OBIE awards are presented annually by the Atlanta
Home Builders Association. Although we, along with other homebuilders, are
members of this association, we do not have an ownership interest and are not
otherwise affiliated with the award sponsor. The OBIE Awards began in 1980 and
have grown throughout the years to now feature more than 100 building,
remodeling, marketing and personal achievement categories in which to enter.
These awards are the highest honor given in the Atlanta housing industry, and
winners gain industry recognition and attract promotional opportunities.
starts. Enhancing our
product and price point portfolio in our existing markets, as market conditions allow, is central
to our growth strategy. We perform extensive research, including customer focus groups, to
determine demand for additional product offerings in each of our markets. We target the homebuyer
segments with the most attractive demand and supply characteristics, which we identify with the
help of proprietary market studies analyzing economic and demographic trends and the competitive
environment. We believe our existing markets offer attractive long-term growth opportunities. We
further believe that we have demonstrated our ability to effectively compete and succeed in our
markets through our expansion into townhomes, stacked-flat condominiums and an active adult line in
certain of our markets.
We will also continue to evaluate prudent expansion opportunities into select new markets as market
conditions allow. Our strategy for growth in new markets is driven by identifying large
homebuilding markets with attractive long-term growth prospects and favorable supply and demand
characteristics. We typically hire experienced local managers to manage each new market and
initially focus on providing homes for the first- and second-time move-up buyer segments. While we
consider acquisitions where attractive opportunities are identified, we have historically pursued a
strategy of developing start-up operations to drive our expansion in select new markets.
We Acquire and Develop Strong Land Positions. We maintain a rigorous focus on only acquiring land
in premier locations, which we believe provides us with superior competitive positioning and
enhanced operational performance. We target land opportunities in each of our markets largely
through the use of an in-depth analysis of supply and demand fundamentals, combined with
site-specific financial feasibility studies, which we prepare with the help of our local
operational managers. We utilize strict financial hurdles to evaluate each land acquisition
opportunity. This process enables us to optimize our financial returns while minimizing our land
and inventory risk.
Additionally, we develop a significant portion of the land we use in our homebuilding operations.
We believe that our considerable expertise in land development enables us to maintain attractive
land positions, create desirable communities and optimize our financial returns. We intend to
continue to utilize our disciplined land selection process and land development expertise to
maintain and enhance our strong land positions.
We Manage Inventory Risk. We operate with a conservative approach to financial and inventory
management, striving to maintain prudent leverage and substantial liquidity. We have a disciplined
land acquisition process with strict financial hurdles. All land purchases must be approved by our
Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. We historically targeted a four-year
supply of land, subject to periodic adjustments based on market conditions, achieving a balance of
land owned and developed for our own use, and additional lots controlled through option contracts.
To control our land risk and maintain a conservative balance sheet during the current depressed
housing market, we have reduced our land purchases in the last two fiscal years. As of May 31,2008, and based on the last twelve month’s (“LTM”) closings, our supply of land controlled for use
in our homebuilding operations was 3.2 years, consisting of a 2.2-year supply of owned land and a
1.0-year supply of land controlled through option contracts, one of the lowest in the industry
compared to other publicly-reporting home builders. For fiscal 2009, we intend to make strategic
land purchases as necessary to support our operations and as we identify areas where land and lot
prices have declined due to foreclosures and the exit of smaller builders from the industry,
applying our historical disciplined process. Additionally, we actively manage our housing inventory
by pre-selling substantially all of our homes prior to starting construction, limiting our
inventory risk and minimizing our construction cycles. Limitations on the number of speculative
units are approved at the corporate level. As of May 31, 2008, we had only 67 completed but unsold
homes among our 52 active communities and a total of 156 speculative homes.
We Leverage Our Highly Experienced Management Team. We benefit from a strong and experienced
senior management team, with our executive officers averaging more than 15 years of experience in
the homebuilding
industry. Thomas Krobot, our Chief Executive Officer, has over 35 years of industry experience and
has been with our company since 1995. In addition to our seasoned senior management team, we have
an outstanding group of division presidents who manage our individual markets. Each division
president brings substantial industry knowledge and deep market expertise, with an average of
approximately 16 years of experience in new residential construction.
HISTORY
We were founded in 1989 in Dallas, Texas and are headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We have
expanded into
several growing housing markets primarily in the South and Southwest United States.
Since our inception, we have grown organically by forming homebuilding and land development
operations in select strategic markets with strong housing and employment growth characteristics.
Our initial homebuilding operations were established in Dallas in 1989, followed by Houston in 1990
and Atlanta in 1992. We formed land development operations in Denver in 1994 and Orlando in 1998.
We focused on growing our core markets until 2001 when we entered a second expansion phase through
the formation of homebuilding operations in Orlando in 2001 and Phoenix in 2002. We most recently
entered Tampa with homebuilding operations and expanded our presence in Denver with homebuilding
operations in fiscal year 2005.
OWNERSHIP
We are owned by six families or family trusts related to the following individuals: Elly Reisman,
Norman Reisman, Bruce Freeman, Seymour Joffe, Larry Robbins and Harry Rosenbaum. The owners
control us through individual Nevada-based holding companies in which each family or family trust
owns all of the equity interests.
The same families and family trusts or related parties also control the Great Gulf Group of
Companies (“Great Gulf Group”), which was formed in Toronto in 1983. Great Gulf Group’s
operations, in addition to Ashton Woods, consist of one of Ontario’s largest homebuilders of
single-family attached and detached homes and high rise condominiums, a commercial, retail and
industrial properties construction and management company, and other operations focused in land
and resort development, as well as diversified financial investments.
MARKETS AND PRODUCTS
We currently operate in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa and Denver. Our presence
in Denver commenced in 1994 with land development and in fiscal 2005 with homebuilding operations.
We sold our first home in Denver in April 2007. Based on current market conditions, we are considering
winding down our Denver home building operations as our remaining housing inventory is sold and
potentially exiting that market by the end of fiscal year 2009. We currently have one community there which we anticipate will be closed out
by the end of fiscal year 2009, and one community with lots under option. We evaluate a number of factors in determining
which geographic markets to enter. We analyze economic and real estate conditions by evaluating
such statistical information as the historical and projected population growth, the number of new
jobs created and projected to be created, the number of housing starts in previous periods,
building lot availability and price, housing inventory, competitive environment, and home sale
absorption rates.
We generally seek to maintain the flexibility to alter our product mix within a given market
depending on market conditions. In determining our product mix in each market, we consider
demographic trends, demand for a particular type of product, margins, timing and the economic
strength of the market. While remaining responsive to market opportunities within the industry, we
have focused, and intend to continue to focus, our business primarily on first-time and first- and
second-time move-up buyers offering single-family detached homes, townhomes and stacked-flat
condominiums, which are developments with four or fewer stories of condominium units.
While we develop single-family detached homes in all of our markets, townhomes are currently only
offered in Atlanta, Orlando, Denver and Dallas and stacked flat condominiums are only offered in
Atlanta and Orlando. For
the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008, our homebuilding revenue was comprised of single-family
detached homes (79% of revenues), townhomes (15% of revenues) and condominiums (6% of revenues).
Our single-family detached homes range in price from $140,000 to over $560,000, and our townhomes
range in price from $180,000 to over $330,000. Stacked-flat condominiums have prices ranging from
$170,000 to over $200,000.
As of May 31, 2008, we had 52 active communities in our existing markets, comprised of 41
single-family detached home communities, eight townhome communities and three stacked-flat
condominium communities.
We are dedicated to providing high-quality, well-designed homes in desirable communities meeting
the demands of today’s homebuyers. The product line offered in a particular community depends
upon many factors, including the supply of existing housing and the demand for new housing in the
general area. In order to ensure that we meet the demand in the marketplace, we conduct in-depth
qualitative and quantitative market research including consumer focus groups. This research
enables us to improve the linkage between the design of our homes and the community development
and meet the specific lifestyle demands of our targeted homebuyer.
Utilizing both our in-house architectural team and, from time to time, external consultants, we are
able to ensure that our home designs provide maximum utilization of space for our wide variety of
product offerings ranging from single-family detached homes and townhomes for both first-time and
move-up homebuyers as well as stacked-flat condominiums for first-time homebuyers.
At Ashton Woods, we believe that our superior designs are the direct result of a process focused on
utilizing internal talent that works intimately with every department to create a product that is
the envy of the industry. Utilizing the resources from our internal design studio gives Ashton
Woods a competitive advantage in that our group develops concepts that helps us to stay focused on
the mission of leading by design.
Our product is designed to appeal to the individual buyer at hand and is never torn from a plan
book. To supplement the internal resources at our disposal, we use external consultants, from time
to time, that we believe are experts in their field to help perfect our homes, often utilizing
experts with knowledge in specific regional architecture, exterior finishes and selections, or
floor plan solutions that give our product an added edge. Additionally, we do not believe that one
house plan can meet multiple needs across the geographic boundaries of our seven cities. Instead,
we take a regional focus and design products not only specific to the city in which they will be
built, but to the individual neighborhood.
Our aim is to provide each home with features that make it appeal to a specific lifestyle segment,
while giving the plan flexibility through options and/or elevation variety that will appeal to
customers in the multiple buyer profiles that our strategic market analysts have provided to us.
This will allow the consumer to feel as if we designed the house just for them while capturing
multiple buyer types with a single floor plan that has numerous plan options and exterior elevation
styles.
We also maintain fully decorated model homes in each of our communities merchandised to provide the
homebuyers with the ability to view the completed product as part of their buying decision. In
addition, we utilize our Ashton Woods Homes Design Centers to provide homebuyers the ability to
personalize their homes. The design centers are staffed with expert in-house designers who can help
make selections from an extensive array of products, including carpets, tiles, cabinets, light
fixtures and countertops, among others. Our home design centers are organized to fully facilitate
the home buying experience for both first-time homebuyers and move-up homebuyers.
LAND ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT
Our long-term land strategy is to return to a four-year land supply, based on homes closed during
the last twelve months. However, based on improving or declining market conditions, we may modify
this strategy from time to time. We believe that our attractive land positions in our markets will
enable us to continue to maintain market share in the current depressed homebuilding environment
and to increase our residential production when the homebuilding market improves. As of May 31,2008 and based on LTM closings, we had a land supply for use in our homebuilding operations of
approximately 3.2 years, consisting of a 2.2-year supply of owned land and a 1.0-year supply of
land controlled through option contracts.
We typically purchase land only after necessary entitlements have been obtained so that development
or construction may begin as market conditions dictate. The term “entitlements’’ refers to
development agreements, tentative maps or recorded plats, depending on the jurisdiction within
which the land is located. Entitlements generally give the developer the right to obtain building
permits upon compliance with conditions that are ordinarily within the developer’s control. Even
though entitlements are usually obtained before land is purchased, we are still required to secure
a variety of other governmental approvals and permits during development. The process of obtaining
such approvals and permits can substantially delay the development process. For this reason, we may
consider, on a limited basis, purchasing unentitled property in the future when we can do so in a
manner consistent with our business strategy.
We select land for control based upon a variety of factors, including:
•
internal and external demographic and marketing studies;
•
project suitability;
•
suitability for development generally within a one to three-year time period
from the beginning of the development process to the delivery of the last home;
•
financial review as to the feasibility of the proposed project, including
projected profit margins, return on capital employed and the capital payback
period;
•
results of environmental and legal due diligence;
•
proximity to local traffic corridors and amenities; and
•
management’s judgment as to the real estate market and economic trends, and our
experience in a particular market.
In addition to the land purchased specifically for our homebuilding operations, we have in the past
pursued land development opportunities in which we acquired and developed lots for sale to third
party builders in addition to use in our own homebuilding operations. We still hold some of this
land for our use and for sale to third party builders in Denver and Orlando, among other markets.
Currently, our land development activities in Denver consist of the development of custom lots for
sale to third party custom builders in Parker, Colorado in the southeastern area of Denver. As of
May 31, 2008, we had 219 lots held for development during the coming fiscal years for sale to
third parties.
We believe that we have significant land development expertise which we will continue to leverage
in developing land for our own use. However, we do not plan to engage in land development for sale
to third parties as a significant aspect of our business in the future.
We acquire land through purchases, rolling option contracts and joint ventures with other builders
or developers. We acquire approximately one-fourth to one-third of our land through rolling option
contracts, which allow us to control lots and land without incurring the risks of land ownership or
financial commitments other than relatively small non-
refundable deposits. We enter into option contracts with third parties to purchase finished lots
generally as home construction begins. These contracts are generally non-recourse and require
non-refundable deposits of 2% to 15% of the sales price. As of May 31, 2008, we had $2.8 million in
non-refundable deposits on real estate under option or contract. As of May 31, 2008, we had 4,395
lots under control for use in our homebuilding operations, 2,992 of which are owned by us and 1,403
or 31.9%, of which are available to us through rolling options. As of May 31, 2008, we had no
commitments under option contracts with specific performance obligations. Once we acquire land, we
generally initiate development through contractual agreements with local subcontractors. These
activities include site planning, engineering and home construction, as well as constructing road,
sewer, water, utilities, drainage, recreation facilities and other refinements.
The following table presents information regarding land owned and land under option by market as of
May 31, 2008:
Includes (i) options under agreements with unrelated third parties and related parties, (ii)
options under agreements with joint ventures with unrelated third parties and related parties, and
(iii) 195 lots in Houston held by a joint venture with an unrelated third party that is managed by
us and as to which option agreements do not yet exist. All of the controlled lots held by joint
ventures described below under “Joint Ventures” are included in “Lots Under Option.” This column
does not include 219 lots of raw land and land under development in Denver that we own but do not
anticipate using in our homebuilding operations.
JOINT VENTURES
Occasionally, we use partnerships or joint ventures to purchase and develop land where these
arrangements are economically advantageous. As of May 31, 2008, we controlled 464 lots for future
use by our homebuilding operations through joint ventures with unrelated third parties. We
anticipate continuing to form new partnerships or joint ventures in the future where economically
advantageous.
LETTERS OF CREDIT AND SURETY BONDS
We are frequently required, in connection with the development of our projects, to obtain letters
of credit and surety bonds in support of our related obligations with respect to such developments.
The amount of such obligations outstanding at any time varies in accordance with our pending
development activities. In the event any letters of credit or surety bonds are drawn upon, we would
be obligated to reimburse the issuer of such letters of credit or surety bond. At May 31, 2008, we
had outstanding $17.6 million of letters of credit and surety bonds related to our obligations to
local governments to construct roads and other improvements in various developments. We do not
believe that any such letters of credit or surety bonds will be drawn upon.
MARKETING AND SALES
We believe that we have established a reputation for developing high quality homes, which helps to
generate interest in each new project. We market our products through a variety of means ranging
from fully decorated model homes at each of our communities to newspaper and magazine advertising
and increasingly through internet exposure via our website. We focus on continually improving upon
our brand awareness and maintaining consistency across our various markets. To this end, we have
implemented a standardized sales office design and have increased national advertising to further
these initiatives.
We generally build, decorate, furnish and landscape between one and four model homes for each
project and maintain on-site sales offices. As of May 31, 2008, we maintained 126 model homes,
all of which were owned. We believe that model homes play a particularly important role in our
marketing efforts. Consequently, we expend a significant effort in creating an attractive
atmosphere at our model homes. Interior decorations are undertaken by local third-party design
specialists, and vary within our models based upon the lifestyles of targeted homebuyers.
Structural changes in design from the model homes are generally permitted within specific
guidelines, and homebuyers may select various optional amenities through the Ashton Woods Homes
Design Centers which allow our homebuyers to personalize their new home. The design centers are
staffed with expert in-house designers that can help make selections from an extensive array of
resources. Homebuyers can choose from among hundreds of carpets, tiles, floors, cabinets, light
fixtures, countertops and more.
We generally sell our homes through commissioned employees. Our personnel are available to assist
prospective homebuyers by providing them with floor plans, price information and tours of model
homes and to assist them
with the selection of options. The selection of interior features is a
principal component of our marketing and sales efforts. Sales personnel are trained by us and
attend periodic meetings to be updated on sales techniques, competitive products in the area, the
availability of financing, construction schedules and marketing and advertising plans, which
management believes result in a sales force with extensive knowledge of our operating policies
and housing products. Our policy also provides that sales personnel be licensed real estate
agents where required by law.
We sometimes use various sales incentives in order to attract homebuyers. The sales incentives come
in several forms, including sales price reductions, reductions in the prices of options or upgrades
for their homes and the payment of certain closing costs and other mortgage financing programs.
These sales incentives are included in the contract price and do not require our continuing
involvement after the home is closed and title passes to the homebuyer. The decision to offer
incentives and the type of incentives offered at any point in time are driven by market forces,
including the marketing strategies of our competitors and will vary by market depending on the
interests of target homebuyers, the features of the relevant communities and the competitive
environment.
Sales of our homes are made pursuant to home sale contracts the terms of which vary according to
market practices and to the legal requirements of the markets in which they are used. Typically,
each contract requires a deposit from the homebuyer, which may vary from one to 30 percent of the
purchase price, according to product type and market practice. In addition, the home sale contract
typically contains a financing contingency. The financing contingency provides homebuyers with the
right to cancel in the event they are unable to obtain financing at a prevailing interest rate
within a specified time period from the execution of the home sale contract.
CUSTOMER FINANCING
As part of our objective to make the home buying process more convenient and to increase the
efficiency of our building cycle, we originate mortgages for our customers through Ashton Woods
Mortgage, LLC, which is a joint venture with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. It has a mortgage capture
rate (representing the percentage of our homes closed with mortgages originated by Ashton Woods
Mortgage, LLC) of more than 80%, and does not retain or service the mortgages that it originates.
Ashton Woods Mortgage, LLC provides mortgage origination services only, and it originates mortgage
financing for qualified homebuyers for the ultimate purchase of our homes. Upon origination, the
mortgages are sold concurrently to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage or other third party mortgage
companies as deemed necessary by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. We record Ashton Woods Mortgage, LLC’s
earnings using the equity method of accounting, and its earnings are a component of the line item
titled “Earnings in unconsolidated entities’’ in our statement of operations.
TITLE SERVICES
We also offer title services to our homebuyers in Dallas and Houston through 49.0% ownership
interests in two title companies and in Florida through a 49.0% ownership interest in a joint
venture with a third party title company. The title service companies are managed by, and all
underwriting risks associated with the title are transferred to, the majority owners of these
companies. The earnings from these title companies are recorded using the equity method of
accounting, and the earnings are a component of the line item “Earnings in unconsolidated
entities’’ in our statement of operations.
CONSTRUCTION
We act as the general contractor for the construction of our projects. Subcontractors are
typically retained on a project-by-project basis to complete construction at a fixed price.
Agreements with our subcontractors and material suppliers are generally entered into after
competitive bidding. Our divisional project operators supervise the construction of each project,
coordinate the activities of subcontractors and suppliers, subject their work to quality and cost
controls and assure compliance with zoning and building codes.
We specify that quality, durable materials be used in the construction of our homes. We have
numerous suppliers of raw materials and services, and such materials and services have been and
continue to be available. From time to time, we enter into regional and national supply contracts
with certain vendors to leverage our purchasing power and our size in order to control our costs.
However, we do not have any material long-term contractual commitments with any of our
subcontractors or suppliers. We do not maintain inventories of construction materials
except for
materials being utilized for homes under construction. Materials prices may fluctuate due to
various factors, including demand or supply shortages, which may be beyond the control of our
vendors. We believe that our relationships with our suppliers and subcontractors are good.
Construction time for our homes depends on the availability of labor, materials and supplies, the
type and size of the home, location and weather conditions. Our homes are designed to promote
efficient use of space and materials, and to minimize construction costs and time. In all of our
markets, construction of a home is typically completed within four to five months following
commencement of construction.
WARRANTY PROGRAM
We offer a standard one, two and ten-year warranty program. The one-year limited warranty covers
workmanship and materials and includes home inspection visits with the customer. We subcontract
our homebuilding work to subcontractors who provide us with an indemnity and a certificate of
insurance prior to receiving payments for their work and, therefore, claims relating to workmanship
and materials are generally the primary responsibility of our subcontractors. In addition, the
first year of our warranty covers defects in plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and ventilation
systems, and construction defects. The second year of the warranty covers construction defects and
certain defects in plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and ventilation systems of the home
(exclusive of defects in appliances, fixtures and equipment). The remaining years of protection
cover only construction defects.
We record a liability of approximately 1.0% to 1.3% of the sales price of a home to cover
warranty expenses, although this allowance is subject to adjustment in special circumstances.
Our historical experience is that warranty expenses generally fall within the amount
established for such allowance.
In addition, we maintain insurance coverage with Residential Warranty Corporation for
construction defects. We believe that our accruals and third party insurance are adequate to
cover the ultimate resolution of our potential liabilities associated with known and anticipated
warranty and construction defect related to claims and litigation.
CORPORATE OPERATIONS
We perform the following functions at a centralized level:
•
the evaluation and selection of geographic markets;
•
the allocation of capital resources to particular markets, including final approval
of all land acquisitions;
•
the regulation of the flow of financial resources and maintenance of relationships
with our lenders;
•
the maintenance of centralized information systems; and
•
the monitoring of the decentralized operations of our subsidiaries and divisions.
We allocate the capital resources necessary for new projects in a manner consistent with our
overall operating strategy. We utilize return on assets, gross margins, net income margin and
inventory turnover as the primary criteria for our allocation of capital resources. We will vary
the capital allocation based on market conditions, results of operations and other factors. Capital
commitments are determined through consultation among selected executive and operational personnel,
who play an important role in ensuring that new projects are consistent with our strategy.
Centralized financial controls are also maintained through the standardization of accounting and
financial policies and procedures.
Structurally, we operate through separate divisions, which are located within the market in which
they operate. Each division is managed by executives with substantial experience in the division’s
market. In addition, each division is equipped with the skills to complete the functions of land
acquisition, land development, construction, marketing, sales, product service and accounting.
COMPETITION AND MARKET FACTORS
The development and sale of residential properties is highly competitive and fragmented. We compete
with numerous small and large residential builders for sales on the basis of a number of
interrelated factors, including location, reputation, amenities, design, quality and price. We also
compete for sales with individual resales of existing homes, available rental housing and resales
of stacked-flat condominiums. We believe that we compare favorably to other builders in the markets
in which we operate, due primarily to our experience within our geographic markets and breadth of
product line, which allows us to vary our product offerings to reflect changing
conditions within a
market; our responsiveness to market conditions, enabling us to capitalize on the opportunities for
advantageous land acquisitions in desirable locations; and our reputation for quality design,
construction and service. Notwithstanding our perceived advantages with respect to other builders,
some of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources or lower costs than we do.
Because some of our competitors are larger than us, they may possess certain advantages over us,
such as the ability to raise money at lower cost and the ability to negotiate significantly better
prices on supplies and with subcontractors. Certain of our smaller competitors may have an
advantage over us because they tend to have closer ties to the communities in which they build and,
based on length of operation in the market, better name recognition than us. Furthermore, many
custom homebuilders may have an advantage over us because purchasers of custom homes tend to want a
level of flexibility in the design and construction of their homes that we do not offer.
The demand for new housing is affected by consumer confidence levels and prevailing economic
conditions generally, including employment and interest rate levels. A variety of other factors
affect the housing industry and demand for new homes, including the availability of labor and
materials and increases in the costs thereof, changes in costs associated with home ownership such
as increases in property taxes and energy costs, changes in consumer preferences, demographic
trends, the amount of resale housing inventory available in the market and the availability of and
changes in mortgage financing programs.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Substantially all of our land is purchased with entitlements, giving us the right to obtain
building permits upon compliance with specified conditions, which generally are within our control.
Upon compliance with such conditions, we must obtain building permits. The length of time necessary
to obtain such permits and approvals affects the carrying costs of unimproved property acquired for
the purpose of development and construction. In
addition, the continued effectiveness of permits already granted is subject to factors such as
changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretation and application. Several
governmental authorities have imposed impact fees as a means of defraying the cost of providing
certain governmental services to developing areas. To date, the governmental approval processes
discussed above have not had a material adverse effect on our development activities and have not
had a material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position, and indeed
all homebuilders in a given market face the same fees and restrictions. There can be no assurance,
however, that these and other restrictions will not adversely affect us in the future.
We may also be subject to periodic delays or may be precluded entirely from developing communities
due to building moratoriums or “slow-growth’’ or “no-growth’’ initiatives or building permit
allocation ordinances which could be implemented in the future in the states and markets in which
we operate. Substantially all of our land is entitled and, therefore, the moratoriums generally
would only adversely affect us if they arose from health, safety and welfare issues such as
insufficient water or sewage facilities. Local and state governments also have broad discretion
regarding the imposition of development fees for projects in their jurisdiction. These fees are
normally established, however, when we receive recorded final maps and building permits. We are
also subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations
concerning the protection of health and the environment. Although in the future these laws may
result in delays, cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs, and prohibit or
severely restrict development in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas, these laws
have not had a material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position to
date.
EMPLOYEES
As of May 31, 2008, we employed 321 persons, of whom 154 were sales and marketing personnel, 76
were executive, management and administrative personnel and 91 were involved in construction.
Although none of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, a certain number of
the subcontractors engaged by us are represented by labor unions or are subject to collective
bargaining arrangements. We believe that our relations with our employees and subcontractors are
good.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
The occurrence of recent adverse developments in the housing and credit markets has adversely
affected our operations resulting in our default under certain covenants of our senior credit
facility and our not maintaining the tangible net worth level set forth in the indenture covering
the $125 million aggregate principal amount of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 (the “Subordinated Notes”).
In connection with our fiscal year 2008 financial statements, KPMG LLP, our independent registered
public accounting firm, issued an opinion containing an explanatory paragraph that
states that substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern exists due to the
fact that we are in default under our senior credit facility and are below the tangible net worth
level set forth in our Subordinated Notes. Our financial statements have been prepared assuming we
will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction
of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not
include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts
and the amount and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to
continue as a going concern. Our senior credit facility default and current tangible net worth
level are a result of the impact of the protracted downturn in the homebuilding industry and credit
markets on our operations and financial results. We have received a notice of default from our
lenders under the senior credit facility, which among other things, prohibits us from making
payments of interest on, or purchasing, the Subordinated Notes, which may result in a default under
the Subordinated Notes. Further, if we do not meet the tangible net worth level in our
Subordinated Notes for two consecutive
quarters, we are required to repurchase 10% of the Subordinated Notes, which we are currently
prohibited from doing under our senior credit facility. The fact that we are in default under our
senior credit facility and also may default under the Subordinated Notes could cause material
adverse effects on our business, results of operations and cash flows, by causing parties that we
deal with to question our financial ability to perform our obligations. Financial uncertainty also
could negatively affect our relationships with customers, employees and others. Our ability to
continue as a going concern may be dependent on our completing an amendment to our senior credit
facility, our maintaining compliance with the terms of that facility as amended, our finding a way
to comply with the Subordinated Notes, or on our finding alternative financing sources to repay
outstanding amounts under the senior credit facility to satisfy our other debt obligations and to
fund our operations.
The homebuilding industry is undergoing a significant downturn, the duration and ultimate severity
of which are uncertain. Further deterioration in industry conditions or in broader economic
conditions in the markets we serve could further decrease demand and pricing for new homes and have
additional adverse affects on our operations and financial results.
The housing industry historically has been cyclical and has been affected significantly by adverse
changes in consumer confidence levels and prevailing general and local economic conditions,
including interest rate levels. These changes in economic conditions have in the past resulted in
more caution on the part of potential purchasers of our homes and consequently resulted in a
decline in our home sales. Beginning in 2006, through 2007 and continuing into 2008, the
homebuilding industry has experienced a significant and prolonged downturn, the first and most
severe in a number of years, resulting in a significant decline in demand for newly built homes in
our markets. The significant drivers of these economic conditions in this cycle include, among
other things, a deepening decline in demand in our markets due to changes in consumer confidence in
the real estate market, increased inventory of new and used homes for sale and resulting increases
in cancellation rates, pricing pressures resulting from the imbalance between supply and demand and
the collapse of the sub-prime lending industry that financed a significant number of home sales
over the last few years. These factors have continued to impact our operating performance, and
have caused our operating revenues to continue to decline. Also, our gross profits from home sales
revenues have continued to decline as we offered higher levels of incentives and price concessions
in an attempt to stimulate demand in our communities. We believe that housing market conditions
will continue to be challenging and may deteriorate further. We cannot predict the duration or
ultimate severity of these challenging conditions. While the industry factors discussed above have
an impact on the homebuilding industry generally, they may have a more significant impact on us
compared to certain of our competitors because our operations are concentrated in fewer geographic
markets.
The reduction in availability of mortgage financing and the volatility and reduction in liquidity
in the financial markets have adversely affected our business, and the duration and ultimate
severity of the effects are uncertain.
During fiscal years 2007 and 2008, the mortgage lending industry experienced significant
instability due to, among other things, defaults on sub-prime loans and a resulting decline in the
market value of such loans. In light of these developments, lenders, investors, regulators and
other third parties have questioned the adequacy of lending standards and other requirements for a
number of loan programs made available to borrowers in recent years. This has led to reduced
investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage backed securities, tightened credit requirements,
reduced liquidity and increased credit risk premiums. Fewer loan products, tighter loan
qualifications and tighter terms make it more difficult for some borrowers to finance the purchase
of our homes. These factors have served to reduce the pool of qualified homebuyers and have made
it more difficult to sell to both first time and first time move-up buyers, both of whom form a
substantial part of our target markets. These reductions in demand have adversely affected our
operations and financial results, and the duration and severity of the effects are uncertain.
Further, we believe that the liquidity provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the mortgage
industry is very important to the housing market. These entities have recently encountered
significant problems as a result of
the deteriorating housing and credit market conditions. While the federal government has expressed
an intention to support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, any inability on their part to support the
housing market would have additional adverse affects on the availability of mortgages, interest
rates and ultimately our ability to sell new homes.
If the market value of our inventory drops significantly, we could be required to further write
down the carrying value of our inventory to its estimated fair value, which would negatively impact
our results of operations and financial condition.
We acquire land for expansion into new markets and for replacement of land inventory and expansion
within our current markets. The market value of land, building lots and housing inventories can
fluctuate significantly as a result of changing market conditions, and the measures we employ to
manage inventory risk may not be adequate to insulate our operations from a severe drop in
inventory values. Because of deteriorating conditions in the homebuilding industry, we recognized
asset impairment charges with respect to our inventories for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006 of
$116.9 million, $18.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively. If the market value of our inventory
drops again in the future, we could be required to further write down the carrying value of our
inventory to its estimated fair value, which would negatively impact our results of operations and
financial condition.
Our
outstanding indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition, limit our growth and
make it more difficult for us to satisfy our debt obligations. Our credit facility and
the Subordinated Notes impose significant restrictions and obligations on us. Restrictions on our
ability to borrow could adversely affect our liquidity.
As of May 31, 2008, our outstanding indebtedness was approximately $149.4 million. This
outstanding indebtedness could adversely affect us and the holders of our securities in several
ways, including, among other things:
•
causing us to be unable to satisfy our obligations under our debt agreements;
•
making us more vulnerable to adverse general economic and industry conditions;
•
making it difficult to fund future working capital, land purchases, acquisitions,
general corporate purposes or other purposes; and
•
causing us to be limited in our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes
in our business.
We are currently in default under our senior credit facility and amounts outstanding under this
facility could be accelerated and become immediately payable. Our ability to obtain additional
borrowing and fund our operations in the future could be jeopardized if we do not obtain an
amendment to our existing senior credit facility to address such defaults, if in the
future we default under our senior credit facility or our Subordinated Notes or if we do not obtain a new
credit facility to refinance our existing indebtedness.
Our senior credit facility imposes significant restrictions and obligations on us. Under this
facility, we are required to meet certain financial tests, including a minimum consolidated
tangible net worth, a maximum leverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum land
inventory ratio. In addition, we must comply with other covenants which, among other things, limit
the incurrence of liens, secured debt, investments, transactions with
affiliates, asset sales,
mergers, redemptions or repurchases of our Subordinated Notes and other matters. Any failure to
comply with any of these covenants could result in an event of default under the senior credit
facility. Further, the Subordinated Notes contain covenants which, among other things, limit the
incurrence of liens, secured debt (other than security on senior debt), investments, transactions
with affiliates, asset sales, mergers and other matters and require that we purchase a portion of
the Subordinated Notes if we fail to meet certain consolidated tangible net worth levels. Any
failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event of default under the Subordinated
Notes which would result in an event of default under the senior credit facility.
As of May 31, 2008, we are in default of the tangible net worth and leverage ratio covenants of
the senior credit facility. As of May 31, 2008, we are also below the consolidated tangible net
worth level in the Subordinated
Notes. If we fall below this level again as of August 31, 2008, we will be required to offer to
purchase 10% of the Subordinated Notes, which is currently prohibited by the senior credit
facility. We have received a notice of default from the lenders under the senior credit facility,
which among other things, prohibits us from paying interest on, or repurchasing the Subordinated
Notes, which may result in default under the Subordinated Notes. If we are not able to obtain an
amendment of the senior credit facility to address our covenant defaults and to permit us to pay
interest on and to purchase a portion of the Subordinated Notes, if required, we would be
precluded from incurring additional borrowings and the lenders could cause our debt to become due
and payable prior to maturity. Further, if we are not able to pay interest when due on the
Subordinated Notes or are required to purchase 10% of the Subordinated Notes, and are not
permitted to do so by the terms of our senior credit facility and are unable to obtain a waiver
from the holders of the Subordinated Notes, an event of default will occur under the Subordinated
Notes and the holders will have the right to accelerate payment of all amounts outstanding. If
any of these events occur, we would be forced to seek alternative financing to repay indebtedness
under the senior credit facility, to repay the Subordinated Notes and to continue to operate our
business. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain an acceptable amendment under
the senior credit facility or a waiver or amendment of the Subordinated Notes, when needed,
without significant additional cost, or at all, or that we will be able to obtain alternative
financing on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Failure to secure waivers and amendments or
alternative financing could have a material adverse effect on the solvency of our company and our
ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.
Further increases in our cancellation rate could have a significant negative impact on our
operating results.
Our cancellation rate, which is defined as gross new home orders cancelled during a reporting
period as a percentage of gross new home orders received, increased significantly during fiscal
years 2006, 2007 and 2008, compared with cancellation rates during fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
This has negatively impacted the number of homes closed, net home orders, home sales revenue and
net income/loss during fiscal years 2008 and 2007. Continued and further high cancellation rates
resulting from a number of factors, including, slower home price appreciation, increases in the
supply of homes available to be purchased, higher mortgage interest rates, the availability of
mortgage products, increased competition and adverse changes in economic conditions, could have a
significant negative impact on our home sales revenue and result in lower net income or higher net
loss in future reporting periods.
Our operating results are variable, and as a result, our historical performance may not be a
meaningful indicator of future results.
We have historically experienced, and in the future expect to continue to experience, variability
in our operating results on a quarterly and an annual basis. Factors expected to contribute to this
variability include, among other things:
•
the timing of land acquisitions and zoning and other regulatory approvals;
•
the timing of home closings, land sales and level of home sales;
our ability to continue to acquire additional land or options thereon on acceptable
terms;
•
the condition of the real estate market and the general economy;
•
delays in construction due to acts of God, adverse weather, reduced
subcontractor availability and strikes; and
•
employment levels.
For example, the timing of land acquisitions, zoning and other regulatory approvals impacts our
ability to pursue the development of new housing projects in accordance with our business plan. If
the timing of land acquisitions or zoning or regulatory approvals is delayed, we will be delayed in
our ability to develop housing projects, which would likely decrease our backlog. Furthermore,
these delays could result in a decrease in our revenues and earnings for the periods in which the
delays occur and possibly subsequent periods until the planned housing projects can be completed. A
delay in a significant number of home closings or land sales due to acts of God, adverse weather,
subcontractor availability or strikes would have a similar impact on revenues and earnings for the
period in which the delays occur. Further, revenues may increase in subsequent periods over what
would normally be expected as a result of increased home closings as the delays described above are
resolved.
Changes in employment levels could affect the number of people seeking new housing in one or more
of our markets. Consequently, if there was an adverse change in employment levels in our markets,
we may not reach our projected level of home sales, and we may have planned the construction of
more homes than necessary resulting in a slowdown in the closing of our developments. Conversely,
favorable changes in employment levels could result in unexpected increases in our revenues and
earnings.
An increase in mortgage interest rates may reduce consumer demand for our homes.
Virtually all purchasers of our homes finance their acquisitions through lenders providing mortgage
financing. A substantial increase in mortgage interest rates would adversely affect the ability of
prospective homebuyers to obtain the financing they would need in order to purchase our homes, as
well as adversely affect the ability of prospective move-up homebuyers to sell their current homes.
For example, if mortgage financing became less available at acceptable rates, demand for our homes
could decline. A reduction in demand could also have an adverse effect on the pricing of our homes
because we and our competitors may reduce prices in an effort to better compete for home buyers. A
reduction in pricing could result in a decline in revenues and in our margins.
As market conditions permit, we intend to continue to consider growth or expansion of our
operations which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows or profitability.
We intend to continue to consider growth or expansion of our operations in our current markets or
in other areas when market conditions for growth are favorable, which will require substantial
capital expenditures. The current downturn in the homebuilding industry may provide opportunities
for growth as conditions stabilize. The magnitude, timing and nature of any future expansion will
depend on a number of factors, including the identification of suitable markets, our financial
capabilities, the availability of qualified personnel in the target market and general economic
and business conditions. Our expansion into new or existing markets could have a material adverse
effect on our cash flows or profitability.
Historically, our strategy has been to enter new markets through the start-up of company-developed
divisions, rather than the acquisition of existing homebuilding companies. Because we typically do
not acquire existing homebuilders when entering a new market, we do not have the advantage of the
experience and goodwill of an established homebuilding company. As a result, we incur substantial
start-up costs in establishing our operations in new markets, and we may not be successful in
taking operations in new markets from the start-up phase to profitability. If we are not successful
in making operations in new markets profitable, we may not be able to recover our investment, and
our financial results could suffer.
Furthermore, in the future we may choose to enter new markets or expand operations in existing
markets through acquisitions, and these acquisitions may result in the incurrence of additional
debt. Acquisitions also involve
numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the
acquired company’s operations, the incurrence of unanticipated liabilities or expenses, the
diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns, risks of
entering markets in which we have limited or no direct experience, and the potential loss of key
employees of the acquired company.
Lack of greater geographic diversification could expose our business to increased risks based on
economic conditions in our markets.
We have homebuilding operations in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa and Denver.
We also have land operations in Denver and Orlando. Our operations in Atlanta, Orlando and
Phoenix together provided 58% and 64% of our home building revenues for the fiscal years ended
May 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Failure to be more geographically diversified could
adversely impact us if the homebuilding business in our current markets, especially Atlanta,
Orlando, and Phoenix decline further.
We could experience a reduction in home sales and revenues or reduced cash flows if we are unable
to obtain reasonably priced financing to support our homebuilding and land development activities.
The homebuilding industry is capital intensive, and homebuilding requires significant up-front
expenditures to acquire land and begin development. Accordingly, we
incur debt to finance our homebuilding and land development activities. If internally
generated funds and borrowing capacity under our senior credit facility are not adequate to
meet our needs, we would seek additional capital in the form of debt or equity financing from a
variety of potential sources, including additional bank financing and/or securities offerings.
The amount and types of indebtedness which we may incur are limited by the terms of the
agreements governing our existing debt. In addition, the availability of borrowed funds, to be
utilized for land acquisition, development and construction, may be greatly reduced, and the
lending community may require increased amounts of equity to be invested in a project by
borrowers in connection with both new loans and the extension of existing loans. The failure to
obtain sufficient capital to fund our planned capital and other expenditures could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
Changes in government regulations applicable to homebuilders could restrict our business
activities, increase our operating expenses and cause our revenues to decline.
Regulatory requirements applicable to homebuilders could cause us to incur significant liabilities
and operating expenses and could restrict our business activities. We are subject to local, state
and federal statutes and rules regulating, among other things certain developmental matters,
building and site design, and matters concerning the protection of health and the environment. Our
operating expenses may be increased by governmental regulations, such as building permit allocation
ordinances, impact and other fees and taxes, which may be imposed to defray the cost of providing
certain governmental services and improvements. Other governmental regulations, such as building
moratoriums and “no growth’’ or “slow growth’’ initiatives, which may be adopted in communities
which have developed rapidly, may cause delays in our home projects or otherwise restrict our
business activities resulting in reductions in our revenues. Any delay or refusal to grant us
necessary licenses, permits or approvals from government agencies could have an adverse effect on
our operations. Because we currently operate in only seven markets, any increase in costs or delays
due to regulatory changes in one or more of our markets may have a proportionately greater impact
on us than on other homebuilding companies that operate in more markets or more regions of the
country.
We may incur additional operating expenses due to compliance requirements or fines, penalties and
remediation costs pertaining to environmental regulations within our markets.
We are subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations
concerning the protection of health and the environment. The particular environmental laws which
apply to any given community
vary greatly according to the community site, the site’s environmental
conditions and the present and former use of the site. We expect that increasingly stringent
requirements will be imposed on homebuilders in the future. Environmental laws may result in
delays, cause us to implement time consuming and expensive compliance programs, and prohibit or
severely restrict development in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas. Environmental
regulations can also have an adverse impact on the availability and price of certain raw materials,
such as lumber. Furthermore, our failure to comply with all applicable environmental laws and
regulations may result in the imposition of fines and penalties or remediation obligations that may
require us to pay substantial amounts of money. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could result
in an increase in our expenses and adverse changes in our net income/loss.
We are subject to warranty claims arising in the ordinary course of our business that could
adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject in the ordinary course of our business to home warranty claims. We provide our
homebuyers with a one year warranty covering workmanship and materials, a two year warranty
covering construction defects and certain defects in plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and
ventilation systems and a ten year warranty covering construction defects. Warranty claims are
common in the homebuilding industry and can be costly, and the terms and limitations of the limited
warranties provided to homebuyers may not be effective against claims made by homebuyers. We
maintain homebuilder protective policy insurance coverage with Residential Warranty Corporation for
construction defects. However, we may not be able to renew our insurance coverage or renew it at
reasonable rates. As a result, we may be liable for damages, the cost of repairs and/or the expense
of litigation surrounding possible construction defects, soil subsidence or building-related
claims. Furthermore, claims may arise out of uninsurable events or circumstances not covered by
insurance and not subject to effective indemnification agreements with our subcontractors.
Increases in the cost to insure against warranty claims may result in an increase in our
self-insured retentions and claims reserves. Further, the loss of insurance or liability for
uninsured claims could result in an increase in our expenses, thereby reducing our margins and
adversely affecting our results of operations and our ability to implement our business plan.
Our operating expenses could increase if we are required to pay higher insurance premiums or incur
substantial litigation costs for claims involving construction and product defect liability claims,
including claims related to mold, which could adversely affect our net income/loss.
The costs of insuring against construction defect and product liability claims are high, and the
amount and scope of coverage offered by insurance companies is currently limited. The scope of
coverage may continue to be limited or be further restricted and may become more costly which could
require us to divert money away from implementing our business plan in order to pay insurance
premiums.
Increasingly in recent years, lawsuits (including class action suits) have been filed against
builders asserting claims of personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in
residential dwellings. Our insurance may not cover all of the claims, including personal injury
claims, arising from the presence of mold, or such coverage may become prohibitively expensive. If
we are not able to obtain adequate insurance against these claims, we may experience litigation
costs and losses that could adversely affect our net income/loss.
Historically, builders have recovered from subcontractors and their insurance carriers a
significant portion of the construction and product defect liabilities and costs of defense
incurred. Insurance coverage available to subcontractors for construction and product defects is
becoming increasingly expensive and the scope of coverage is restricted. If we cannot effectively
recover from our subcontractors or their carriers, we may suffer greater
losses which could adversely affect our net income/loss.
A builder’s ability to recover against any available insurance policy depends upon the continued
solvency and financial strength of the insurance carrier that issued the policy. Many of the
states in which we build homes have lengthy statutes of limitations applicable to claims for
construction defects. To the extent that any carrier providing insurance coverage to us or our
subcontractors becomes insolvent or experiences financial difficulty in the future, we may be
unable to recover on those policies and our net income/loss may be adversely affected. Our
inability to
recover under those policies or to recover the losses from our subcontractors could
have a more severe impact on us than on our larger competitors that have more financial resources.
We are dependent on the services of certain key employees, and the loss of their services could
hurt our business.
Our success is dependent upon our senior management team and our ability to attract and retain
qualified personnel. During fiscal year 2008, two members of our senior management team, including
our chief financial officer, left the Company. We rely heavily on our senior management team for
their expertise and understanding of our business operations and strategy. Our decision making
process is generally concentrated among our senior management team and is based on their skill and
depth of knowledge of us and the homebuilding industry. The departures during fiscal year 2008
have resulted in our placing increased reliance on the remaining members of our senior management
team. If we are unable to retain these key employees, particularly Tom Krobot, or attract, train,
assimilate or retain other skilled personnel in the future, it could hinder the execution of our
business strategy. Further, the loss of one or more of the remaining key employees could put
additional strain on the existing management team. Competition for qualified personnel in all of
our operating markets is intense, and it could be difficult for us to find experienced personnel to
replace our current employees, particularly our senior management team. Furthermore, a significant
increase in the number of our active communities would place additional strain on the members of
our senior management team and would necessitate the hiring of a significant number of additional
personnel, including senior officers, who are in short supply in our markets, particularly with
respect to individuals with significant homebuilding experience.
We are dependent on the continued availability and satisfactory performance of our subcontractors,
which, if unavailable, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We conduct our construction operations only as a general contractor. Virtually all construction
work is performed by unaffiliated third party subcontractors. As a consequence, we depend on the
continued availability of and satisfactory performance by these subcontractors for the construction
of our homes. There may not be sufficient availability of and satisfactory performance by these
unaffiliated third party subcontractors. If there are not sufficient quality subcontractors
available to assist us in home construction, our ability to construct homes on the schedule to
which we have committed with our homebuyers would be affected. This could result in an increase in
the number of homebuyers that cancel their contracts with us, resulting in less of our backlog
being closed in a year than is projected, or could result in an increase in our costs to construct
homes in a timely manner, which could result in an increase in our overall costs and thus a decline
in our margins and an adverse effect on our net income/loss.
Supply risks and shortages relating to labor and materials can harm our business by delaying
construction and increasing costs.
The homebuilding industry from time to time has experienced significant difficulties with respect
to:
•
shortages of qualified trade personnel and other labor;
•
shortages of materials; and
•
volatile increases in the cost of certain materials, including lumber, framing
and cement, which are significant components of home construction costs.
These difficulties can, and often do, cause unexpected short-term increases in construction costs
and cause construction delays. We are generally unable to pass on any unexpected increases in
construction costs to those customers who have already entered into sales contracts, as those
contracts generally fix the price of the house at the time the contract is signed, which may be up
to one year in advance of the delivery of the home. Furthermore, sustained increases in
construction costs may, over time, erode our profit margins. In the future, pricing competition may
restrict our ability to pass on any additional costs, and we may not be able to achieve sufficient
operating efficiencies and economics of scale to maintain our current profit margins.
Our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by any decrease in the
value of our land inventory, as well as by the associated carrying costs.
We must continuously acquire land for replacement and expansion of land inventory within our
existing and new markets. The risks inherent in purchasing and developing land increase as
consumer demand for housing decreases. Thus, we may have bought and developed land which we cannot
profitably sell or on which we cannot profitably build and sell homes. The market value of land,
building lots and housing inventories can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing market
conditions. It is possible that the measures we employ to manage inventory risks will not be
successful and as a result our operations may suffer.
In addition, inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses in a poorly
performing project or market. In the event of significant changes in economic or market
conditions, we may have to sell homes at significantly lower margins or at a loss.
Our business and operating results could be adversely affected by adverse weather conditions and
natural disasters.
Adverse weather conditions, such as extended periods of rain, snow or cold temperatures, and
natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and fires, can delay completion and sale
of homes, damage partially complete or other unsold homes in our inventory and/or decrease the
demand for homes or increase the cost of building homes. To the extent that natural disasters or
adverse weather events occur, our business and results may be adversely affected. To the extent
our insurance is not adequate to cover business interruption losses or repair costs resulting from
these events, our revenues and earnings may be adversely affected.
If we are unsuccessful in competing against other homebuilders, our market share could decline or
our growth could be impaired and, as a result, our financial results could suffer.
The homebuilding industry is highly competitive. Homebuilders compete for, among other things,
desirable land, financing, raw materials, skilled labor and purchasers. We compete for residential
sales on the basis of a number of interrelated factors, including location, reputation, amenities,
design, quality and price, with numerous large and small homebuilders, including some homebuilders
with nationwide operations and greater financial resources and/or lower costs than us. The
consolidation of some homebuilding companies may create competitors that have greater financial,
marketing and sales resources than we do and thus could create competitors that are able to
compete more effectively against us. In addition, there may be new entrants in the markets in
which we currently conduct business. We also compete for sales with the resale market for existing
homes and with available rental housing. Increased competition could cause us to increase our
selling incentives and reduce our home prices. Increased competition could also reduce the number
of homes we deliver, reducing our revenues, or cause us to
accept reduced margins to maintain sales volumes. A reduction in our revenue or margins due to
competitive factors could affect our ability to service our debt.
Reduced numbers of home sales may force us to absorb additional costs which could have an adverse
impact on our operating results and financial condition.
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, which is related to the number of home sales, extends the length of time it takes us
to recover these costs, which could have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial
condition.
We lease 7,105 square feet of office space in Atlanta, Georgia for our corporate offices. This
lease expires in 2011. In addition, we lease 92,559 square feet of space for our operating
divisions under leases expiring between 2008 and 2012. The leases have terms ranging from 12
months to 48 months, with various renewal options.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time we are involved in various routine legal proceedings incidental to our business.
We believe that none of these matters, some of which are covered by insurance, will have a material
adverse impact upon our consolidated financial statements as a whole if decided against us.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Repurchases
of Equity Securities
We are a limited liability company, and all of our membership interests are owned by six
families or family trusts related to the following individuals: Elly Reisman, Norman Reisman, Bruce
Freeman, Seymour Joffe, Larry Robbins and Harry Rosenbaum. The owners control us through individual
Nevada-based holding companies in which each family or family trust owns all of the equity
interests. See Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters” for additional information about the ownership of our membership interests.
There is no established public trading market for our membership interests.
Although we do not pay dividends to our members, we periodically make distributions to them for the
payment of federal and state income taxes and as general distributions of our income. During the
fiscal years ended May 31, 2008 and 2007, we distributed a total of $768,000 and $30.4 million,
respectively, to our members. All of the distribution in 2008 related to the payment of income
taxes and in 2007, $22.9 million related to the payment of income taxes and $7.5 million
represented general distributions. We are restricted in our ability to pay distributions under
various covenants of our debt agreements.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth certain selected consolidated income statement and balance sheet
data of Ashton Woods as of and for each of the following five fiscal years:
See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations,” for a discussion of the factors that gave rise to the significant changes that
occurred in these line items during fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal year 2007.
(2)
Because we are structured as a limited liability company, income tax obligations are paid by
our members and are not borne by us.
The following table sets forth certain other selected financial data as of and for each of the
following five fiscal years:
EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is calculated by
adding interest, franchise taxes, depreciation and amortization to our net income/loss. EBITDA
is not a financial measure under generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States, or GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income/loss determined
in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance, nor an alternative to cash
flows from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of liquidity.
Because some analysts and companies may not calculate EBITDA in the same manner as us, the
EBITDA information in this report may not be comparable to similar presentations by others.
EBITDA is a measure commonly used in the homebuilding industry and is presented as a useful
adjunct to net income/loss and other measurements under GAAP because it is a meaningful measure
of a company’s performance, as interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
can vary significantly between companies due in part to differences in structure, accounting policies,
tax strategies, levels of indebtedness, capital purchasing practices and interest rates. EBITDA
also assists management in evaluating operating performance, and we believe that it is a useful
measure for investors to compare us with our competitors.
The following is a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income/loss, the most directly comparable
GAAP measure:
Fiscal years ended May 31
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
(In thousands)
Net (loss) income
$
(113,527
)
$
24,683
$
86,471
$
59,454
$
42,427
Franchise taxes
415
188
595
439
361
Depreciation and amortization
5,615
5,925
6,192
3,870
3,915
Interest expense in cost of sales
14,801
13,047
9,037
4,790
5,822
Interest expense included in
general and administrative expense
954
—
—
—
—
EBITDA
$
(91,742
)
$
43,843
$
102,295
$
68,553
$
52,525
EBITDA does have certain limitations as a tool for measuring a company’s performance from period
to period, because that performance is affected by the use of cash to purchase capital assets
and to pay interest and taxes. These amounts, as well as depreciation and amortization
associated with capital assets, can fluctuate significantly over time due to fluctuations in our
debt levels used to finance our inventory, purchases of capital assets and operations, income
levels and other performance issues, which is not apparent if EBITDA is used as an evaluation
tool. Because we borrow money to finance our inventory purchases and operations, interest
expense is a necessary element of our costs and affects our ability to generate revenue.
Further, because we use capital assets, depreciation and amortization are necessary elements of
our costs and also affect our ability to generate revenue. Any performance measure that excludes
interest expense, depreciation and amortization has material limitations. To compensate for
these limitations, our management uses both EBITDA and net income/loss, the most directly
comparable GAAP measurement, to evaluate our performance.
(4)
EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by total revenues.
(5)
Interest incurred for any period is the aggregate amount of interest which is capitalized or
charged directly to general and administrative expenses during such period.
(6)
Total debt to EBITDA is computed by dividing total debt by EBITDA. Since EBITDA is negative
for fiscal year 2008, this computation is not considered meaningful. As noted above, EBITDA
for fiscal year 2008 was adversely affected by impairment charges of $116.9 million.
(7)
A home is included in “homes closed” when title is transferred to the buyer. Revenues and
cost of sales for a home are recognized at the date of closing.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the discussion and analysis in this section in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and accompanying notes included in Item 15 of this Report on Form 10-K. In
addition to historical information, this document contains forward-looking statements that are
subject to risks and other uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements. In the text below, financial statement amounts have
been rounded, but the percentage changes are based on the more complete numbers presented in the
financial statements.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Description of Business
We are one of the largest private homebuilders in the United States. We design, build and market
high-quality single-family detached homes, townhomes and stacked-flat condominiums under the Ashton
Woods Homes brand name. We currently operate in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Denver
and Tampa. These cities represent seven of the 22 largest new residential housing markets in the
United States. We have been in operation for over 15 years and serve a broad customer base
including first-time buyers and first- and second-time move-up buyers.
Our revenues are primarily generated from designing, building and marketing single-family detached
homes, townhomes, and stacked-flat condominiums in the five states and seven markets that we
currently serve. We also acquire and develop land for use in our homebuilding operations and for
sale to others. From time to time, we elect to sell parcels of land or finished lots that do not
fit with our home development program and to generate cash flow. Parcels of land or finished
lots may be deemed not to fit within our home development program for a variety of reasons,
including, when a specific parcel contains a greater supply of lots than deemed appropriate for the
particular development or specific lots are designed for a housing product that is not within our
business plan for that area, such as custom built homes or homes that are not within the size
specifications for the particular development. These land sales are incidental to our business of
selling and building homes and have fluctuated significantly in the past. We anticipate continuing
to sell parcels of land and finished lots in the future when circumstances warrant; however, we do
not anticipate future sales of land being as significant a part of our revenues as they have been
in the past. We expect that the significance of land sales revenue will fluctuate from quarter to
quarter.
We also conduct mortgage origination and title services for the benefit of our homebuilding
operation. These ancillary services do not provide us with significant revenues and are carried out
through separate jointly-owned entities, which are operated by our partners in these entities. The
earnings from these jointly-owned entities are recorded using the equity method of accounting, and
the earnings are a component of the line item “Earnings in unconsolidated entities” on our
Consolidated Statement of Operations. We have a 49.9% interest in an entity that offers mortgage
financing to all of our buyers and in the past has offered refinancing services to others. The
mortgage operation’s revenues consist primarily of origination and premium fee income, interest
income and the gain on sale of the mortgages. We also offer title services to our homebuyers in
Dallas and Houston through 49.0% ownership interests in two title companies, and in Florida through
a 49.0% ownership interest in a joint venture with a third party title company. The companies are
managed by, and all underwriting risks associated with the title are transferred to, the majority
owners.
Discussion of Key Results
The continued, significant downturn in the homebuilding industry has resulted in decreases in home
closings, net new home orders, revenues and adverse changes in our net income/loss from the record
levels achieved in earlier fiscal years. These conditions have resulted in a shift in our business
strategy to a focus on strengthening our financial condition, improving the quality of our balance
sheet and maintaining a conservative land position and leverage.
Our cancellation rates have also continued to increase. Presented below are cancellation rates for
fiscal years 2004 through 2008:
As shown in the table above, cancellation rates increased significantly during fiscal years 2006
and 2007, compared to cancellation rates during fiscal years 2004 and 2005 and have continued at
increased levels in fiscal 2008. This has negatively impacted the number of homes closed, net home
orders, home sales revenue and net income/loss during fiscal years 2008 and 2007. Continued high
cancellation rates resulting from a number of factors, including, increases in the supply of homes
available to be purchased, higher mortgage interest rates, increased competition and adverse
changes in economic conditions, could continue to negatively impact our home sales revenue and
result in lower net income or higher net loss in future reporting periods.
Primarily as a result of the downturn discussed above, during fiscal year 2008, revenues decreased
from $581.0 million in fiscal year 2007 to $408.1 million in fiscal year 2008. This 29.8% decrease
in revenues was directly related to the 30.1% decrease in homes closed, a decrease from 1,992 in
fiscal year 2007 to 1,393 homes closed in fiscal year 2008. During fiscal year 2008, we recorded a
net loss of $113.5 million. This sharp contrast to fiscal year
2007’s net income of $24.7 million
is primarily due to a non-cash impairment charge of $116.9 million recorded during fiscal year
2008, which resulted from the decline in the housing market discussed above. Net new home orders
for fiscal year 2008 were 1,043, down from 1,564 in fiscal 2007, a decrease of 33.3%.
The decline in net new home orders resulted from, among other things, the continued general
reduction in the demand for new homes and the oversupply of new and used homes available for sale
in the marketplace. The ongoing problems in the sub-prime mortgage lending market have exacerbated
the oversupply of new and used homes available for sale. Fewer potential homebuyers have been
able to qualify for a mortgage compared to prior years resulting in a smaller pool of homebuyers
and a negative impact on the sale of existing homes by our move-up buyers.
Throughout fiscal year 2008, we worked to contain and reduce our costs while we increased the sales
incentives offered to homebuyers and increased marketing efforts to stimulate net new home orders
and maintain homes in backlog. The sales incentives offered to our homebuyers vary depending upon
the particular market and include sales price reductions, reductions in the prices of options for
their homes, discounted upgrades, the payment of certain closing costs and other mortgage financing
programs. We believe that these incentives contributed to an improvement in our cancellation rate
from 40% for the first six months of fiscal year 2008 to 25% for the final six months of fiscal
year 2008. For the entire fiscal year our average cancellation rate was 32%.
During fiscal year 2008, we were able to significantly lower our direct costs through value
engineering and aggressive competitive bidding. We were also able to reduce our architectural
costs by performing the majority of our design work in-house. In addition to the above, we lowered
general and administrative expenses through staff reductions and increased our sales capture rate
by improving sales management and the quality of our sales staff.
As more fully discussed in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below and Note 5 of our consolidated
financial statements included in Item 15 of this report on Form 10-K, at the end of fiscal year
2008, we were in default of certain covenants in our senior credit facility and did not meet the
tangible net worth level set forth in our Subordinated Notes, which may result in our being
required to repurchase a portion of the Subordinated Notes in the future.
These circumstances resulted in the audit report of KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accountants,
containing an explanatory paragraph that states that substential doubt about our ability to continue as a going
concern exists.
Market Outlook
The continued deterioration of the market for new homes throughout fiscal year 2008 reflects a
continued significant and protracted downturn which has been exacerbated by the significant decline
in the availability of mortgage credit. This mortgage credit crunch has negatively impacted the
already high level of new and resale inventory available for sale in the marketplace and has driven
consumer confidence lower. The over supply of new and used homes for sale as compared to the demand
for housing by potential homebuyers has continued and we believe that the continued high level of
new and resale inventory available for sale in the market, the reduced level of consumer confidence
and higher mortgage interest rates coupled with tightened mortgage lending standards will continue
to negatively impact the demand for new homes for the foreseeable future. We have made significant
adjustments in our operations including, among other things, reductions in sales and marketing and
general and administrative expenses, reduced construction costs, reduced land acquisitions and
increased sales incentives, in an effort to mitigate the effects of a prolonged decrease in the
demand for new homes, although there can be no assurances that these efforts will be successful.
Further deterioration in the homebuilding market may cause additional pressures on sales incentives
that may lead to reduced gross margins and additional inventory impairments in the future.
Management has been and continues to be committed to maintaining conservative inventory levels
through the strict control of speculative inventory and curtailment of land acquisition activities.
We have focused our efforts on generating net new home sales through the continued use of sales
incentives and an increase in our advertising efforts. As of May 31, 2008, we had 156 homes at
various stages of completion. We did not have a sales contract for these homes and refer to these
homes as “spec homes.” Of the 156 homes, 67 were completed. At May 31, 2007, we had 138 spec
homes at various stages of completion, of which 93 were completed. The land sale transaction described in “Other
Significant Developments” below and our desire to maintain a
conservative balance sheet have resulted in a land supply portfolio that is below our historical
four-year supply target. Due to our desire to maintain a conservative balance sheet,
we have tightened our underwriting guidelines for new land acquisitions. As of May31, 2008 and based on LTM closings, our supply of land controlled for use in our homebuilding
operations was 3.2 years, consisting of a 2.2 year supply of owned land and a 1.0 year supply of
land controlled through option contracts. Management will continue to evaluate our
land supply in relation to the overall health of the homebuilding environment and will continue to closely monitor
our land acquisition activities. As a result, we may adjust our land supply in the future.
Other Significant Developments
As more fully discussed in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below, on December 20, 2007, we
entered into an amendment to our senior credit facility, which resulted in certain modifications to
the financial covenants included therein and also resulted in further restrictions on the payment,
purchase or defeasance of certain subordinated indebtedness. The amendment also provided for a
reduction of the aggregate commitment under the agreement to $250 million. As of May 31, 2008, we
were in default of the minimum tangible net worth and leverage ratio covenants of our senior credit
facility and were also below the consolidated tangible net worth level in the Subordinated Notes.
If we fall below this level again as of August 31, 2008, we will be required to offer to purchase
10% of the Subordinated Notes, which is currently prohibited by the senior credit facility. We
have received a notice of default from the lenders under the senior credit facility, which, among
other things, prohibits us from paying interest on or purchasing the Subordinated Notes. The
lenders under the senior credit facility are not obligated to allow us to borrow under such
facility while the default remains outstanding. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for
additional information.
On May 29, 2008, Ashton Tampa Residential, L.L.C. and Ashton Woods
Arizona, L.L.C. (two of our subsidiaries), entered into land purchase and sale agreements (the “Land Sale Agreements”)
with an entity which is owned indirectly by family trusts or other
entities associated with Seymour Joffe, Bruce Freeman and Harry Rosenbaum (directors, and beneficial owners of membership interests in, our company), and with a beneficial owner of a
membership interest in our company. Pursuant to the Land Sale Agreements, we agreed to sell
certain subdivisions and certain undeveloped land in Tampa and certain finished, single-family lots in subdivisions in Arizona for an aggregate purchase price of $16.3 million in cash. The sale was completed on May 30,2008. During the year ended May 31, 2008, we recorded impairment charges for these properties of $35.9
million, which is reflected in land cost of sales in our consolidated statement of operations for
the year ended May 31, 2008. Of the $35.9 million, $25.1 million was recorded in the fourth
quarter of fiscal year 2008 and $10.8 million was recorded in the first three quarters of fiscal
year 2008. The impairment charges recorded in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2008 were
recorded in home cost of sales but were reclassified to land cost of sales in the fourth quarter of
fiscal year 2008. As a result of the impairment charges
recorded, there was no gain or loss on the sale of these properties. The proceeds from this sale
were used to pay down the senior credit facility.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
General. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires us to make decisions based upon estimates,
assumptions, and factors we consider relevant to the circumstances. Such decisions include the
selection of applicable accounting principles and the use of judgment in their application, the
results of which impact reported amounts and disclosures. Some of our critical accounting policies
require the use of judgment in their application or require estimates of inherently uncertain
matters. Changes in future economic conditions or other business circumstances may affect the
outcomes of our estimates and assumptions. Accordingly actual results could differ materially from
those anticipated. In instances where alternative methods of accounting are permissible under
GAAP, we have chosen the method that most appropriately reflects the nature of our business, the
results of our operations and our financial condition, and have consistently applied those methods
over each of the periods presented in the financial statements.
A summary of the significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the financial
statements is contained in Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements included in Item 15 of
this report on Form 10-K. Other footnotes describe various elements of the financial statements
and the assumptions on which specific amounts were determined. Listed below are those accounting
policies and underlying estimates and judgments that we believe are critical and require the use of
complex judgment in their application.
Consolidation. Our financial statements include the accounts of Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. and all of
its wholly-owned, majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
accounts, transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. As more fully discussed
below under the heading “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,”we also consolidate certain
variable interest entities from which we are purchasing lots under option purchase contracts.
Revenue Recognition. We recognize homebuilding revenues when a home closes and title to and
possession of the property are transferred to the buyer. Substantially all of our revenues are
received in cash within a day or two of
closing. We include amounts in transit from title companies
at the end of each reporting period in accounts receivable. When we execute sales contracts with
our homebuyers, or when we require advance payment from homebuyers for custom changes, upgrades or
options related to their homes, we record the cash deposits received as liabilities until the homes
are closed or the contracts are canceled. We either retain or refund to the homebuyer deposits on
canceled sales contracts, depending upon the applicable provisions of the contract.
Inventories and Cost of Sales. Finished inventories and land held for sale are stated at the lower
of accumulated cost or fair value less cost to sell. Homebuilding projects and land held for
development and construction are stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that such
cost would not be recovered from the undiscounted cash flows generated by future dispositions,
after considering estimated cash flows associated with all future expenditures to develop the
assets, including interest payments that will be capitalized as part of the cost of the asset. In
this instance, such inventories are written down to estimated fair value, which is determined based
on management’s estimate of future revenues and costs that would be considered by an unrelated
buyer in determining the fair value of the asset. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process,
it is possible that actual results could differ from the estimates.
In addition to the costs of direct land acquisition, land development and home construction,
inventory costs include interest, real estate taxes and indirect overhead costs incurred during
development and home construction. We use the specific identification method for the purpose of
accumulating home construction costs. Cost of sales for homes closed includes the specific
construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, land development and related
costs (both incurred and estimated to be incurred) based upon the total number of homes expected to
be closed in each project. Any changes to the estimated total development costs subsequent to the
initial home closings in a project are generally allocated on a pro-rata basis to the remaining
homes in the project.
When a home is closed, we generally have not yet paid and recorded all incurred costs necessary to
complete the home. Each month we record as a liability and a charge to cost of sales the amount we
estimate will ultimately be paid related to completed homes that have been closed as of the end of
that month.
We compare our home construction budgets to actual recorded costs to estimate the additional costs
remaining to be paid on each closed home. We monitor the accuracy of each month’s accrual by
comparing actual costs paid on closed homes in subsequent months to the amount we accrued. Although
actual costs to be paid on closed homes in the future could differ from our current estimate, our
method has historically produced consistently accurate estimates of actual costs to complete closed
homes.
Each reporting period, we review all components of inventory in accordance with SFAS No. 144,
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets, which requires that if the sum of
the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from a community is less than the carrying
value of the community, an asset impairment must be recognized in the consolidated financial
statements as a component of cost of sales. The amount of the impairment is calculated by
subtracting the estimated fair value of the community from the carrying value of the community.
In order for management to assess the fair value of a community, certain assumptions must be made
which are highly subjective and susceptible to change. We evaluate, among other things, the actual
gross margins for homes closed and the gross margins for homes sold in backlog. This evaluation
also includes critical assumptions and estimates that are dependent on market or sub-market
conditions for each subdivision. 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 periods as facts and circumstances change. Local market-specific conditions
that also impact these estimates for a community may include:
•
Estimates with respect to future home sale prices, cost of sales, including levels of
sales incentives, the monthly rate of sales, discount rates, profit margins and potential
buyers;
•
Intensity of competition within a market or sub-market, including current publicly
available home sales prices and home sales incentives offered by our competitors;
•
Subdivision specific attributes, such as location, availability of lots in sub-market,
desirability and uniqueness of subdivision location and the size and style of homes
currently being offered;
•
Potential for alternative home styles to respond to local market conditions; and
•
Changes by management in the sales strategy for a given subdivision.
If events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a community is not expected to be
recoverable, then the community is written down to its estimated fair value. Given the historical
cyclicality of the homebuilding industry, the valuation of homebuilding inventories is sensitive to
changes in economic conditions, such as availability of mortgage credit, interest rates and
unemployment levels. Changes in these economic conditions could materially affect the projected
home sales price, the level of sales incentives, the costs to develop land and construct the homes
and the monthly rate of sale. Because of these potential changes in economic conditions as well as
market or sub-market conditions and their impact on the assumptions and estimates required of
management in valuing homebuilding inventory, actual results could differ materially from
management’s assumptions and may require material inventory impairments to be recorded in the
future.
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, valuation adjustments are recorded on finished homes and land held
for sale when events or circumstances indicate that the fair value, less costs to sell, is less
than the carrying value. We recorded $116.9 million of impairment losses during the fiscal year
ended May 31, 2008, $18.8 million during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 and $4.5 million in the
fiscal year ended May 31, 2006, comprised as follows:
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation
(“FIN”) No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting
Research Bulletin No. 51. On December 24, 2003, FIN No. 46 was replaced by a revised version (“FIN
46R”). FIN 46R requires the consolidation of variable interest entities in which an enterprise
absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected
residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in
the entity.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into land and lot option purchase contracts in order
to procure land or lots for the construction of homes. Under such option purchase contracts, we
will fund a stated deposit in consideration for the right, but not the obligation, to purchase land
or lots at a future point in time with predetermined terms. Under the terms of the option purchase
contracts, many of our option deposits are non-refundable. Certain non-refundable deposits are
deemed to create a variable interest in a variable interest entity under the requirements of FIN
46R. As such, certain of our option purchase contracts result in the acquisition of a variable
interest in the entity holding the land parcel under option.
In applying the provisions of FIN 46R, we evaluate those land and lot option purchase contracts
with variable interest entities to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary based upon
analysis of the variability of the expected gains and losses of the entity. Based on this
evaluation, if we are the primary beneficiary of an entity with which we have entered into a land
or lot option purchase contract, the variable interest entity is consolidated.
Since we own no equity interest in any of the unaffiliated variable interest entities that we must
consolidate pursuant to FIN 46R, we generally have little or no control or influence over the
operations of these entities or their owners. When our requests for financial information are
denied by the land sellers, certain assumptions about the assets and liabilities of such entities
are required. In most cases, the fair value of the assets of the consolidated entities have
been estimated to be the remaining contractual purchase price of the land or lots we are purchasing. In
these cases, it is assumed that the entities have no significant debt obligations and the only
asset recorded is the land or lots we have the option to buy with a related offset to minority
interest for the assumed third party investment in the variable interest entity. Creditors, if any,
of these variable interest entities have no recourse against us.
Warranty Liabilities. We establish warranty liabilities by charging cost of sales and crediting a
warranty liability for each home closed. Unlike our two- and ten-year warranties which we insure
through a third-party insurance company, we self-insure for our obligations under our one-year
warranties. Consequently, we estimate the amounts charged to be adequate to cover expected
warranty-related costs for materials and labor required under the one-year warranty obligation
period. The one-year warranty is comprehensive for all parts and labor. Our warranty cost accruals
are based upon our historical warranty cost experience in each market in which we operate and are
adjusted as appropriate to reflect qualitative risks associated with the type of homes we build and the
geographic areas in which we build them. Actual future warranty costs could differ significantly
from our currently estimated amounts.
Insurance Claim Costs. We have, and require the majority of our subcontractors to have, general
liability and workers compensation insurance. These insurance policies protect us against a portion
of our risk of loss from claims, subject to certain deductibles and other coverage limits. We
accrue an estimated liability for costs to cover our deductible amounts under those policies and
for any estimated costs of claims and lawsuits in excess of our coverage limits or not covered by
our policies, based on an analysis of our historical claims, which includes an estimate of
construction defect claims incurred but not yet reported. Projection of losses related to these
liabilities is subject to a high degree of variability due to uncertainties such as trends in
construction defect claims relative to our markets and the types of products we build, claims
settlement patterns, insurance industry practices, and legal interpretations, among others. Because
of the high degree of judgment required in determining these estimates, actual future costs could
differ significantly from our currently estimated amounts.
SEASONALITY AND INFLATION
Our historical quarterly results of operations have tended to be variable due to the seasonal
nature of the homebuilding industry. As a result of the downturn in the market and our responses to
such downturn, our historical seasonal pattern may not be a sufficient indicator of our future
results of operations.
Any period of high inflation is likely to have an adverse effect on us and the homebuilding
industry in general since it may contribute to higher land, financing, labor and construction
costs. Further, higher mortgage interest rates may accompany inflation and affect the affordability
of mortgage financing for homebuyers. We have, in the past, attempted to pass on at least a portion
of cost increases to our customers via increased sales prices, however, the state of the market may
limit our ability to increase our prices. If we are unable to increase our sales prices to
compensate for any increased costs, or if mortgage interest rates increase significantly, thereby
affecting the ability of potential homebuyers to adequately finance home purchases, our results of
operations will likely be adversely affected.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — INCOME STATEMENT LINE ITEM DISCUSSION
Fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal year 2007
The following tables set forth certain key operating and financial data for our operations as of
and for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2008 and 2007:
Ratio of SG&A and related party
expenses to revenues
14.7
%
13.0
%
Backlog (units) at end of period
471
821
Sales value of backlog at end of period
$
132,204
$
236,234
Active communities at end of period
52
44
(1)
Home gross margin is defined as home sales revenues less cost of home sales, which
includes land, house construction costs, indirect costs of construction, capitalized
interest, a reserve for warranty expense, impairments and closing costs, as a percent of
home sales revenue.
Revenues. Revenues decreased from $581.0 million in fiscal year 2007 to $408.1 million in fiscal
year 2008, a decline of $172.9 million or 29.8%. This decline is directly related to a 30.1%
decrease in homes closed. Due to the overall decline in the housing industry, the number of homes
closed decreased in all of our markets, except Tampa, which recorded an increase of 6 homes closed,
and Denver which is a new market in which we closed on 50 homes. The impact of this decline was
intensified by an increase in cancellations experienced during fiscal year 2008. In addition, the
average sales price per home closed decreased by $16,000 per home or 5.6% from $287,000 to
$271,000.
Our revenues from land sales increased from $7.6 million in fiscal year 2007 to $30.7 million in
fiscal year 2008 primarily as a result of the land sale to a related party that is more fully
discussed in the Executive Overview section above.
Asset Impairments. During the quarter ended May 31, 2008, we evaluated 54 communities (42 active,
12 inactive), of which 35 were identified as impaired resulting in the recording of an asset
impairment charge of $61.8 million during the quarter ended May 31, 2008. The aggregate impairment
charge for fiscal year 2008 was $116.9 million. The remaining carrying value of the finished homes
and land in these communities was $72.7 million at May 31, 2008. The following table sets forth,
by reportable segment and inventory category, the asset impairments recorded for the fiscal years
ended May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007:
Home
Gross Margins. During fiscal year 2008, we recorded a
negative home gross margin of 3.8%
compared to a positive 17.1% home gross margin in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in our home
gross margin was primarily due to the $81.0 million impairment charge recorded during fiscal year
2008 related to our homebuilding inventory. The impairment charge recorded in
fiscal year 2008 was $62.2 million higher than the $18.8 million charge recorded in fiscal year 2007, which was also related
to our home inventory. To a lesser extent, our home gross margin was also adversely impacted by an
increase in sales incentives offered in fiscal year 2008 compared to the prior fiscal year, as we
sought to mitigate the impact on our sales arising from the decline in the housing market. As a
percentage of revenues, most of the expense categories included in cost of sales increased,
primarily as a result of the reduced volume and the increased incentives offered to capture sales.
However, as a percentage of revenues, the following expense categories were lower in fiscal year
2008 than in fiscal year 2007:
•
Construction extras — these costs represent expenses over and above the initial amount
estimated to build a home. We were able to reduce these costs due to improvements we made
in our billing and field controls. Construction extras represented 0.8% of revenues in
fiscal year 2008 compared to 1.1% of revenues in fiscal year 2007.
•
Indirect costs — these costs are primarily field-related overheads. Primarily as a
result of reductions in headcount in the field, these costs decreased from 3.7% of revenues
in fiscal year 2007 to 3.5% of revenues in fiscal year 2008.
Land
Gross Margins. The negative land sales gross margin of $35.8 million in fiscal year 2008 was
due to the impairment charges of $35.9 million recorded on the subdivisions and certain undeveloped
land which were part of the land sale to a related party discussed in the Overview section above.
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses, which include sales commissions,
advertising, model expenses and other costs, totaled $29.3 million for fiscal year 2008 or 7.2% of
revenues, compared to $34.8 million in fiscal year 2007 or 6.0% of revenues. The dollar decrease of
$5.5 million, or 15.7%, was primarily due to the decrease in the number of homes sold and closed
during fiscal year 2008 and reflects the decrease in sales commissions due to the 30.1% decrease in
homes closed, offset in part by an increase in marketing costs experienced by all divisions.
General and Administrative and Related Party Expenses. General and administrative and related
party expenses totaled $30.6 million in fiscal year 2008 or 7.5% of revenues, compared to $40.8
million in the prior fiscal year or 7.0% of revenues. The dollar decrease of $10.2 million or 25.0%
resulted primarily from decreased compensation costs attributable to reduced headcount and the
decrease in bonuses earned by corporate and division management, which are partially based on our
profitability. At May 31, 2008, we employed 76 executive, management and administrative personnel
compared to 182 at May 31, 2007, a decrease of 58.2%.
Net Income/Loss. We recorded a net loss of $113.5 million in fiscal year 2008, in contrast to net
income of $24.7 million in fiscal year 2007, primarily as a result of the $116.9 million impairment
charge recorded during fiscal year 2008 and to a lesser extent, the result of the 30.1% decrease in
homes closed and the aggregate increase in sales, marketing and general and administrative expenses
as a percentage of total revenues.
Net New Home Orders and Backlog. Net new home orders decreased 33.3% by 521 orders from 1,564 in
fiscal year 2007 to 1,043 homes during fiscal year 2008. The decrease was the result of an increase
in the number of homes available for sale in the market, the continued increase in cancellations
and the continued decline in consumer demand for new homes.
Backlog as of May 31, 2008 was 471 homes, with a sales value of $132.2 million. This represents a
decrease in the sales value of backlog of $104.0 million, or 44.0%, from $236.2 million at May 31,2007. Backlog represents the number or value of new sales orders net of any cancellations that may
have occurred during the reporting period that have not yet closed. In earlier years, the
cancellation rate on homes ordered was between 15% and 20% of gross new orders recorded in any
reporting period, which resulted in an 80% to 85% backlog or 80 to 85% of homes closed expressed as
a percentage of gross orders received. However, during fiscal years 2008 and 2007, we experienced
cancellation rates of approximately 32% and 31%, respectively. We attribute the increase in
cancellations and the slowdown in demand for new homes to increases in housing inventories as a
result of a change in consumer confidence and the reduction in the availability of mortgage lending
products, resulting in fewer potential homebuyers that can qualify for a mortgage loan. Continued
deterioration of these and other homebuilding economic factors resulted in continued and prolonged
decreases in demand for new homes.
We expect, assuming no significant change in market conditions or mortgage interest rates,
approximately 70% of the number of units in our backlog will close under existing sales contracts
during fiscal year 2009.
Fiscal year 2007 compared to fiscal year 2006
The following tables set forth certain key operating and financial data for our operations as of
and for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007 and 2006:
Ratio of SG&A and related party
expenses to revenues
13.0
%
11.0
%
Backlog (units) at end of period
821
1,249
Sales value of backlog at end of period
$
236,234
$
379,906
Active communities at end of period
44
51
Revenues. Revenues decreased 17.4% or $122.0 million for fiscal year 2007 to $581.0 million as
compared to $703.0 million for fiscal year 2006. We experienced a 17.4% decrease in homes closed to
1,992 in fiscal year 2007 from 2,413 in the prior year. Homes closed decreased in all of our
markets due to the overall decline in the housing industry, except Orlando, where homes closed
remained flat year over year, and Tampa, where homes closed increased by 46 closings. The impact
of this decline was intensified by an increase in cancellations experienced during fiscal year
2007. Despite this decline in homes closed, the average sales price per home closed increased
slightly by $9,000 per home or 3.2% to $287,000 as compared to $278,000 in fiscal year 2006 due to
the mix of homes closed during fiscal year 2007 being more heavily weighted towards single-family
detached move up housing as compared to fiscal year 2006. This was offset somewhat by the 3.6% and
the 14.7% declines in sale prices in Tampa and Phoenix, respectively, due to an increase in sales
incentives during fiscal year 2007 as compared to fiscal year 2006.
Our revenues from land sales decreased to $7.6 million for fiscal year 2007 as compared to $31.3
million in the prior fiscal year, primarily as a result of identifying fewer parcels of land or
finished lots that no longer fit within our home development program. Land sales are incidental to
the business of building and selling homes.
Gross Margins. Home gross margins were 17.1% for fiscal year 2007 compared to 22.5% in the prior
fiscal year. The decrease in our home gross margins was primarily due to $18.8 million in
impairment expense related to our real estate inventory recognized in fiscal year 2007 compared to
$4.5 million in impairment expense related to our real estate inventory recognized in fiscal year
2006 and an increase in sales incentives offered in fiscal year 2007 as compared to the prior year.
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses, which include sales commissions,
advertising, model expenses and other costs, totaled $34.8 million for fiscal year 2007 or 6.0% of
revenues, compared to $35.4 million in fiscal year 2006 or 5.0% of revenues. The dollar decrease of
$0.6 million, or 1.7%, was primarily due to a decrease in the number of homes sold and closed
during fiscal year 2007 compared to fiscal year 2006 and reflects the decrease in sales commissions
due to the 17.4% decrease in homes closed, offset in part by an increase in marketing costs
experienced by all divisions.
General and Administrative and Related Party Expenses. General and administrative and related
party expenses totaled $40.8 million in fiscal year 2007 or 7.0% of revenues, compared to $42.1
million in the prior year or 6.0% of revenues. The dollar decrease of $1.3 million resulted
primarily from decreased compensation costs attributable to the decrease in net earnings as all
bonuses earned by corporate and division management are partially based on our profitability.
Net Income/loss. Net income decreased $61.8 million or 71.5% in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007
as compared to the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. The decrease resulted primarily from the 17.4%
decrease in homes closed, 24.0% decrease in home gross margins and the impairment expense, as well
as an increase in sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses as a percentage of
total revenues.
Net New Home Orders and Backlog. Net new home orders decreased 32.8% or by 764 orders, during the
fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 as compared to the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. The decrease was
the result of a decrease in our active communities, the decrease in the number of homes available
for sale, the continued increase in cancellations and the continued decline in consumer demand for
new homes.
Net new home orders in Atlanta decreased in fiscal year 2007 to 321 as compared to 533 in the prior
fiscal year, representing a decrease of 212 orders, or 39.8%. The decrease was due to the decrease
in active communities from nine to eight and the continued decline in consumer demand for new
homes.
Net new home orders in Orlando decreased to 183 in fiscal year 2007 compared to 371 in fiscal year
2006. This decrease of 188 orders, or 50.7%, reflects an increase in cancellations and a general
decline in consumer demand for new homes.
Net new home orders in Tampa increased slightly in fiscal year 2007 to 54 as compared to 46 in the
prior fiscal year, representing an increase of eight orders, or 17.4%. Although a slight increase,
the division had its first closings during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006.
Net new home orders in Dallas decreased to 356 in fiscal year 2007 compared to 622 in the fiscal
year ended May 31, 2006. This decrease of 266 orders, or 42.8%, reflects the continued decline in
overall market conditions.
Net new home orders in Houston decreased in fiscal year 2007 to 353 as compared to 435 in the prior
fiscal year, representing a decrease of 82 orders, or 18.9%. The decrease was primarily due to the
decrease in active communities from twelve to eight.
Net new home orders in Phoenix decreased to 275 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 as compared
to 321 net new home orders in the prior year, representing 46 units, or 14.3%. This reduction was
due to a higher level of cancellations coupled with a decline in consumer demand for new homes.
Backlog as of May 31, 2007 was 821 homes representing a sales value of $236.2 million and a
decrease in the sales value of backlog of $143.7 million or 37.8% at the end of the fiscal year
compared to the sales value of backlog of $379.9 million at the end of fiscal year 2006. During the
latter part of fiscal year 2006 and for fiscal year 2007, we experienced cancellations of gross new
home orders of approximately 30%. This was in contrast to previous cancellation rates, which were
generally in the region of 15-20% of gross new orders received or 80 to 85% of closed homes as a
percentage of gross orders received. We attribute the increase in cancellations and the slowdown
in demand for new homes to increases in housing inventories as a result of a change in consumer
confidence and the increase in interest rates during the fiscal year. Continued deterioration of
these and other homebuilding economic factors resulted in continued and prolonged decreases in
demand for new homes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — HOME BUILDING SEGMENT DISCUSSION
We have grouped our homebuilding activities into two reportable segments, which we refer to as
Homebuilding East and Homebuilding West. At May 31, 2008, our reportable homebuilding segments
consisted of homebuilding divisions located in the following areas:
Sales value of backlog at end of period ($ in thousands):
Atlanta
$
30,059
$
27,494
$
54,790
Orlando
17,249
47,150
109,705
Tampa
9,986
13,101
13,852
East
57,294
87,745
178,347
Dallas
15,996
46,705
67,052
Houston
19,506
33,520
37,433
Phoenix
35,698
62,799
97,074
Denver
3,710
5,465
—
West
74,910
148,489
201,559
Company total
$
132,204
$
236,234
$
379,906
Fiscal years ended May 31
2008
2007
2006
Cancellation rates during the period
Atlanta
20.1
%
25.5
%
23.2
%
Orlando
22.8
%
47.0
%
15.1
%
Tampa
24.7
%
26.0
%
19.3
%
East
21.7
%
34.3
%
20.0
%
Dallas
33.6
%
26.6
%
22.0
%
Houston
48.3
%
30.0
%
20.5
%
Phoenix
36.2
%
34.7
%
20.1
%
Denver
25.9
%
0.0
%
0.0
%
West
38.6
%
29.7
%
21.1
%
Company total
32.3
%
31.4
%
20.7
%
Fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal year 2007
Homebuilding East: Revenues for our eastern segment decreased $99.8 million in fiscal year 2008 or
36.6% from $272.8 million in fiscal year 2007 to $173.0 million in fiscal year 2008. The decrease
in revenues was primarily due to a 43.6% decrease in the number of homes closed in this segment,
which is primarily due to the overall decline in
the housing industry. In spite of this decline in the housing industry, we experienced a 2.0%
increase in the average sales price of homes closed in this segment, which served to slightly
offset the impact of the decrease in the number of homes closed in this segment. The average price
of homes closed in our eastern segment, particularly in our Orlando division, increased due to a
change in the mix of the homes closed in that segment. During fiscal year 2008, 80% of the homes
closed in the eastern segment were higher priced single family and townhomes and 20% were lower
priced condominiums. In comparison, in fiscal year 2007, only 62% of homes closed in this segment
were the higher priced single family type and townhomes while 38% were the lower priced
condominiums. For our Orlando division, 83% of the homes closed in fiscal year 2008 were of the
higher priced single family type compared to 43% in fiscal year 2008.
We recorded a gross loss of $23.9 million in this segment in fiscal year 2008 compared to a gross
profit of $50.7 million in fiscal year 2007. This unfavorable change from a gross profit to a
significant gross loss was primarily a result of the $56.1 million impairment charge recorded in
this segment in fiscal year 2008 compared to a $9.6
million impairment charge recorded during
fiscal year 2007. To a lesser extent, increased sales incentives offered to homebuyers contributed
to this segment’s unfavorable change from a gross profit to a gross loss. With regard to the
impairment charges recorded by this segment for the quarter ended May 31, 2008, we evaluated 27
communities, of which 19 were identified as impaired. The remaining carrying value of these assets
as of May 31, 2008 was approximately $42.5 million.
Homebuilding West: Revenues for our western segment decreased $73.0 million in fiscal year 2008 or
23.7% from $308.0 million in fiscal year 2007 to $235.0 million in fiscal year 2008. The decrease
in revenues was primarily due to an 18.9% decrease in the number of homes closed in this segment as
well as a 9.5% decrease in the average sales price of homes closed in this segment. The number of
homes closed in this segment was particularly affected by the decline in the Houston market in
which we experienced a 37.3% decline in home closings. The average price of homes closed in our
western segment decreased due to the overall decline in the housing industry discussed in earlier
sections, particularly in the Phoenix market where we experienced a 23.3% decline in the average
price of homes closed. The decline in the average price of homes closed in the western segment was
partially offset by the average price of homes sold in the Denver market in fiscal year 2008 since
we closed on the first home in that division in fiscal year 2008.
We recorded a gross loss of $25.8 million in this segment in fiscal year 2008 compared to a gross
profit of $52.3 million in fiscal year 2007. This unfavorable change from a gross profit to a
significant gross loss was primarily a result of the $60.8 million impairment charge recorded in
this segment in fiscal year 2008 compared to a $9.3 million impairment charge recorded during
fiscal year 2007 as well as to an 18.9% decrease in home closings. To a lesser extent, increased
sales incentives offered to homebuyers contributed to this segment’s unfavorable change from a
gross profit to a significant gross loss. With regard to the impairment charges recorded by this
segment for the quarter ended May 31, 2008, we evaluated 27 communities, of which 16 were
identified as impaired. The remaining carrying value of these assets as of May 31, 2008 was
approximately $30.2 million.
Fiscal year 2007 compared to fiscal year 2006
Homebuilding East: Revenues decreased to $272.8 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 from
$302.7 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. The decrease in revenues was primarily due
to a lack of any land sales during fiscal year 2007 compared to $30.5 million in land sales during
fiscal year 2006 and a 10.2% decrease in the number of homes closed, which was partially offset by
an 11.4% increase in the average sales price of homes closed. Homes closed in Atlanta decreased
25.1% due to continued weakening in the demand for new homes in the market. Homes closed in Orlando
were flat year over year, due to the significant level of backlog at the start of fiscal year 2007.
Homes closed in Tampa increased slightly because the division had its first closings during the
fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006. Since land sales are incidental to our business of building and
selling homes, we generally sell only parcels of land and finished lots that do not fit with our
home development program. The absence
of land sales revenue was a result of not having identified any parcels of land and finished lots
that did not fit with our home development program during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.
Gross profit decreased $33.6 million, or 39.8%, for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, compared to
the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006, primarily as a result of increased sales incentives offered to
homebuyers, $9.6 million of inventory valuation adjustments and a decrease in gross profit from
land sales of $16.2 million. Gross margins were 18.6% for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007,
compared to 27.9% for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006.
Homebuilding West: Revenues decreased 23% for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 to $308.0 million
from $400.0 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006. The decrease in revenues was primarily
due to the 22.9% decrease in homes closed in Dallas, the 22.6% decrease in the number of homes
closed in Houston and the 22.1% decrease in the number of homes closed in Phoenix. The average
sales price of homes delivered decreased 2.8% in the region primarily due to a 14.7% decrease in
the average sales price in Phoenix and a decrease in the number of homes closed in higher priced
communities. These decreases were offset somewhat by the slight increases in average sales prices
experienced in both Dallas and Houston as both markets delivered a greater percentage of move-up
single-family homes in fiscal year 2007 as compared to the prior fiscal year.
Gross profit decreased $30.8 million, or 37.0%, for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, compared to
the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006 primarily as a result of increased sales incentives offered to
homebuyers and a decrease in gross profit from land sales of $0.6 million. Gross margins were 17.0%
for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, compared to 20.8% for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES (including credit facilities)
Our principal uses of cash are land purchases, lot development and home construction. We fund our
operations with cash flows from operating activities and/or borrowings under our senior credit
facility. As we utilize our capital resources and liquidity to fund the growth of our operations,
we monitor our balance sheet leverage ratios to ensure that we maintain reasonable levels. Assuming
we are able to negotiate an acceptable amendment addressing the current defaults under our senior
credit facility, we believe that we will be able to continue to fund our operations and our future
cash needs (including debt maturities) through a combination of cash flows from operating
activities and our existing senior credit facility. If we are not able to secure an amendment
addressing the current defaults, providing additional assurance that we will be able to continue to
comply with the terms of our senior credit facility and allowing us to comply with the terms of the
Subordinated Notes, or obtain a waiver or amendment of the Subordinated Notes requirements, we will
need to seek additional financing to repay our outstanding indebtedness and to continue to fund
our operations and our future cash needs. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure
such financing on terms acceptable to us, or at all, if needed. Our failure to secure financing
when required could have a material adverse effect on our solvency and our ability to continue as a
going concern for a reasonable period of time.
In connection with the audit of our fiscal year 2008 financial statements, KPMG LLP, our independent registered
public accounting firm, issued an opinion containing an explanatory paragraph that
states that substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern exists due to the
fact that we are in default under our senior credit facility and are below the tangible net worth
level set forth in our Subordinated Notes. We are in the process of preparing a
plan to address our current liquidity and capital resource issues to allow us to continue to
operate as a going concern. Agreeing upon an amendment with our lenders under the senior credit
facility to address our current default and to establish covenants that will provide us with needed
flexibility during the continued market downturn to continue to fund our obligations and to meet
the requirements of our Subordinated Notes is an important element of this plan. We are also
currently engaged in identifying alternatives to satisfy the requirements of the Subordinated Notes
to pay interest and to purchase a portion of the notes if our consolidated tangible net worth falls
below $60 million for two consecutive quarters. These plans could include a range of alternatives,
including seeking an amendment or waiver under the senior credit facility or from the holders of
the Subordinated Notes, issuing a new security in exchange for or to amend or refinance the
Subordinated Notes or finding another way to satisfy our obligations under the Subordinated Notes.
While management is currently optimistic in the possibility of either reaching agreement with the
senior credit facility lenders and the holders of the Subordinated Notes or of obtaining
alternative financing, acceptable terms of such agreements or financing may not be available and
therefore there are no guaranties of successfully achieving such results.
As of May 31, 2008, our ratio of total debt to total capitalization was 71.8%, compared to 52.1% as
of May 31, 2007. Total debt to total capitalization consists of notes payable divided by total
capitalization (notes payable plus members’ equity).
Operating Cash Flow. Operating activities provided $46.3 million in fiscal year 2008 compared to
$35.3 million in fiscal year 2007. This increase of $11.0 million was due primarily to the
proceeds of $16.3 million received as a result of the Land Sale Agreement discussed previously and to a reduction of our operating expenses in
light of the market decline. Such factors were partially offset by the overall decline in receipts
from home sales.
Investing Cash Flow. During fiscal year 2008, we used $5.2 million in investing activities compared
to $2.9 million in fiscal year 2007. This increased usage of $2.3 million is primarily due to
lower investment returns from our joint venture partners in fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal
year 2007. Investment returns from our joint venture partners were $2.0 million less in fiscal
year 2008 than in fiscal year 2007.
Financing Cash Flow. We used $40.1 million in financing activities in fiscal year 2008 while in
fiscal year 2007, we used $32.5 million. This increased usage of funds from financing sources of
$7.6 million was due primarily to net repayments of our credit facility of $38.7 million
in fiscal year 2008 compared to net repayments of $1.7 million in fiscal year 2007, partially
offset by reduced distributions to our members of $29.6 million. In fiscal year 2008, we only
distributed $0.8 million to our members, primarily to facilitate the payment of federal and state
income taxes by them. This is in contrast to the distribution in fiscal year 2007 of $30.4
million, which represented general distributions of our income as well as payments to facilitate
the payment of federal and state income taxes by our members.
Senior Credit Facility. In December 2005, we entered into an amended senior credit
facility. The senior credit facility originally provided for up to $300.0 million of
borrowings, subject to a borrowing base. The senior credit facility provided for the
issuance of up to $50.0 million in letters of credit. Our obligations under the amended senior
credit facility are guaranteed by all of our subsidiaries and all of the holders of our
membership interests. These obligations are not currently secured by
our assets. However we may be required to secure these obligations in
order to reach an agreement with the lenders regarding the amendments currently under
negotiation, which are discussed below.
Once during each fiscal year, (i.e., June 1-May 31), we may request that the lenders extend the
maturity date by an additional year. On January 10, 2007, we amended the senior credit facility to
extend the maturity date to January 19, 2011, for 88.3%, or $265.0 million of the facility and to
amend the definition of “EBITDA” contained therein to exclude certain non-cash gains and include
certain non-cash losses or charges. On February 21, 2007, we obtained consent from an additional
lender representing 5.0% or $15 million of the facility, to also extend this portion of the senior
credit facility to January 19, 2011.
The senior credit facility contains a number of customary financial and operating covenants,
including covenants requiring us to maintain a minimum consolidated tangible net worth; limiting
the principal amount of our secured debt to $50 million at any given time; limiting the net book
value of our unimproved entitled land, land under development and finished lots to 150.0% of our
adjusted tangible net worth; limiting the aggregate distributions by us and our subsidiaries in any
fiscal year; restricting our ability to incur additional indebtedness; and restricting our ability
to engage in mergers and consolidations and our ability to sell all or substantially all of our
assets. The senior credit facility also contains covenants requiring us to maintain a
certain ratio of consolidated total
liabilities to adjusted net worth and to maintain a certain interest coverage ratio. In June 2007,
we entered into another amendment to the senior credit facility which provided for a
permanent reduction in the interest coverage ratio to 2.0x, from 2.50x, and included a provision
allowing such ratio to fall to no less than 1.75x for up to three consecutive fiscal quarters in
any rolling four fiscal quarter period ending on or before May 31, 2009. The June 2007 amendment
also provided that in the event our interest coverage ratio for any fiscal quarter was less than
2.0x, (1) the ratio of consolidated total liabilities to adjusted net worth would decrease to 2.0x,
from 2.25x, for such fiscal quarter and (2) the interest rates for borrowings under the senior
credit facility would increase to the levels set forth in the amendment. The terms of
this amendment were superseded by the December 20, 2007 amendment to our senior credit
facility described below.
On December 20, 2007, we amended certain terms of our senior credit facility (the
“December Amendment”). The December Amendment provides for (1) maintenance of tangible net worth of
$110 million plus 50% of consolidated earnings for each quarter after November 30, 2007 (excluding
any quarter in which consolidated earnings are less than zero) plus 50% of net proceeds of any
capital stock or other equity interests issued or sold after November 30, 2007, (2) a leverage
ratio ranging from a ratio of 2.00 to 1.00 to a ratio of 1.00 to 1.00 depending on the interest
coverage ratio at the time of measurement, (3) an interest coverage ratio of 2.00 to 1.00, provided
that the interest coverage ratio may be less than 2.00 to 1.00 for any quarter so long as the
number of quarters ending after November 30, 2007 in which it is less than 1.50 to 1.00 does not
exceed eight and the number of quarters in which the ratio is less than 0.50 to 1.00 does not
exceed four, and (4) minimum liquidity, defined as unrestricted cash together with borrowing base
availability, of not less than $43 million for any quarter where (x) the interest coverage ratio is
less than 1.50 to 1.00 and (y) the ratio of adjusted cash flow from operations for the last four
quarters then ended to interest expense is less than 1.50 to 1.00. The December Amendment provides
for changes to the applicable unused fee rate and adjustments to interest rates and margin
depending on the leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio at each measurement date.
The December Amendment prohibits the payment, purchase or defeasance of any subordinated
indebtedness, unless all obligations under the senior credit facility have been satisfied
and the commitments terminated, other than (a) regularly scheduled payments of interest and
payments of subordinated indebtedness upon scheduled maturity, and (b) a redemption of subordinated
indebtedness under terms of any subordinated indebtedness allowing redemption at the option of the
Company with the proceeds of any equity offering or after it has been outstanding for a defined
period, or the purchase of subordinated indebtedness by issuer tender offer or open market
purchase, so long as, in each case, (i) the leverage ratio is less than 1.25 to 1.00 after giving
effect to the redemption or purchase and (ii) the interest coverage ratio is greater than 2.00 to
1.00 after giving effect to the redemption or purchase. Further, such payments, redemptions and
purchases may be made only if no default or event of default, has occurred and is continuing or
would occur as a result of the making of such payment, redemption or purchase. Finally, the
December Amendment provides for a reduction of the aggregate commitment under the senior credit facility to $250.0 million. As further discussed below, as of May 31, 2008, we were in
default of the minimum tangible net worth and leverage ratio covenants under
the senior credit facility.
The borrowings under the facility bear daily interest at rates based upon the London Interbank
Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread based upon our interest coverage ratio and ratio of consolidated
total liabilities to adjusted net worth. In addition to the stated interest rates, the credit facility requires us to pay certain fees. The effective interest rate of the facility at May31, 2008, was approximately 4.33%.
Borrowings under the senior credit facility are limited by the availability of sufficient
real estate borrowing base, which is determined regularly throughout the life of the senior
credit facility. At May 31, 2008, we had $22.8 million in outstanding borrowings, $17.6
million outstanding under letters of credit and surety bonds and $159.3 million in available
borrowings under the senior credit facility. Borrowing base availability was not
materially impacted by the December Amendment. However, as a result of the defaults of the senior
credit facility, the borrowing base availability is subject to the outcome of the negotiations
between the Company and the lenders under the senior credit facility.
The three amendments effected in 2007 all related to changing industry conditions and the impact on
our financial
condition. At the time we negotiated these amendments, we were in compliance with our credit
facility, but requested modifications to reduce the likelihood of noncompliance if industry
conditions continued to decline. In January 2007, we modified the definition of EBITDA to address
non-cash gains and non-cash losses or charges, primarily as a result of the impairment charges we
and others in our industry have been experiencing and their unintended impact on covenant
compliance. The amendments negotiated in June and December 2007 were designed to improve the
likelihood of compliance with the leverage and interest coverage ratios of the credit facility as
our levels of revenue and income declined in light of industry conditions. We also amended our
tangible net worth requirement in the December Amendment as part of the overall negotiations with
our lenders. Finally, the December Amendment included a reduction in the aggregate commitment that
may be borrowed under the facility. While the size of the facility was decreased, we were of the
view that this reduction would not impact our liquidity. The size of the facility was calibrated
consistent with the size of our business at the time as well as our anticipated liquidity needs for
the immediately ensuing years, based on assumptions at the time regarding anticipated conditions in
our industry. Further, the covenant changes were designed to improve the likelihood of compliance
with a view to protecting our access to liquidity going forward.
The interest coverage ratio and our minimum tangible net worth requirement are our most restrictive
covenants under the senior credit facility. The credit facility requires that we
maintain an interest coverage ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00, but permits the ratio to fall below
this level so long as the number of fiscal quarters in which it is less than 1.50 to 1.00 does not
exceed eight and the number of fiscal quarters in which it is less than .50 to 1.00 does not exceed
four. Further, if our interest coverage ratio falls below 2.00 to 1.00, our leverage ratio becomes
more restrictive. Specifically, if the interest coverage ratio is as depicted in the first column
of the table below, then the leverage ratio must not exceed the ratio in the second column:
Under the facility, we are also required to maintain tangible net worth of $110 million, plus 50%
of consolidated earnings for each quarter after November 30, 2007. As of May 31, 2008, our
interest coverage ratio was 1.41, which required us to maintain a leverage ratio of less than 1.5.
Our actual leverage ratio as of May 31, 2008 was 1.97 and our tangible net worth was $58.7 million.
Pursuant to the land inventory covenant of our senior secured credit facility, we are also
required to maintain our land inventory at no more than 150% of tangible net worth. Land inventory
means the net book value of unimproved land, lots under development and finished lots. At May 31,2008, the land inventory was 149.5% of tangible net worth. Accordingly, as of May 31, 2008, we were
in default of the tangible net worth and leverage ratio covenants but were in compliance with the land
inventory ratio covenant of our senior credit facility. On August 21, 2008, we received a notice of
default from the lenders under the senior credit facility, which prohibits us from paying interest on or
purchasing the Subordinated Notes during the existence of the default. The notice also indicated
that the lenders have no obligation to fund borrowings under the senior credit facility while the
default is outstanding. We have 30 days from the date of notice to cure the defaults identified.
Thereafter, if the defaults are not cured or waived and the facility is not amended to address the
defaults, the lenders will have the right to accelerate the maturity of all amounts outstanding
under the senior credit facility. As of August 19, 2008, we had borrowings and letters of credit
outstanding under the senior credit facility of $31.8 million and $16.6 million, respectively.
We are in the process of negotiating amendments to our senior credit facility to address the
defaults and to provide for less restrictive covenants going forward during the period of the
market downturn. However, we may not be able to agree upon an amendment with acceptable terms or
at all.
If our financial condition deteriorates, we may be challenged to meet our covenants, even if
revised upon completion of the amendment discussed above, and we may be required to further modify
the facility and assess the viability of other methods of raising equity and/or debt capital. Our
goal is to have adequate liquidity during the current market decline and emerge with enough
resources to take advantage of opportunities when the market turnaround begins. If we are unable
to reach a satisfactory agreement with our lenders regarding an amendment to address the existing
defaults, or we fail to meet our covenants in the future and are unable to amend the facility,
secure a waiver of the default from the lenders or otherwise cure the default, the lenders will
have the right to cease lending under the facility and to accelerate our outstanding indebtedness.
Any acceleration of the credit facility indebtedness would also constitute a default under the
Subordinated Notes discussed below, which would require waiver or could also result in acceleration
of that debt. In such circumstance, we would be required to seek other sources of liquidity to
fund our operations and to repay outstanding amounts under the credit facility unless an amendment
or waiver could be secured from the holders of the Notes. Such additional resources could include
the issuance of additional equity to our existing members or the admission of new members or the
issuance of new debt capital. Under covenants contained in the Subordinated Notes, our ability to
bring in new equity participants is limited to a change of ownership of 50% or less and under the
senior credit facility to 20% or less, and our ability to incur additional indebtedness is limited
by the additional indebtedness covenants of such facilities. If our need for additional funding
exceeded the limits of the Subordinated Notes and the senior credit facility, we would have to seek
the consent of the holders of the Subordinated Notes and the lenders under the senior credit
facility to complete a financing. Given the current issues faced by our industry, including the
current fair value of our outstanding debt instruments, we may not be able to raise capital on
terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, if needed. Further, we may not be able to secure the
consents needed for such financing on acceptable terms to us, or at all.
The Subordinated Notes. In September 2005, we and Ashton Woods Finance Co., our 100% owned finance
subsidiary, co-issued $125 million aggregate principal amount of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2015 in a private placement pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. The net proceeds were used to repay amounts outstanding under our senior credit
facility and to repay certain related party debt. In April 2006, we completed an offer to exchange
all of the notes issued in September 2005 for
an equal amount of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2015, which were registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Subordinated Notes”). Interest
on the Subordinated Notes is payable semiannually on October 1st and April
1st of each year. We may redeem the Subordinated Notes, in whole or in part, at any
time on or after October 1, 2010, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus
a premium declining ratably to par, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, at any time
prior to October 1, 2008, the indenture governing the Subordinated Notes allows us to redeem up to
35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes with the proceeds of qualified
equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.5% of the principal amount, plus accrued and
unpaid interest. The Subordinated Notes are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all
of our existing and future senior debt, including borrowings under our senior credit facility. All
of our existing subsidiaries, other than the co-issuer, fully and unconditionally guaranteed,
jointly and severally, the Subordinated Notes on a senior subordinated basis. Each of the
subsidiary guarantors is 100% owned by us. Future direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries, excluding
subsidiaries that are designated unrestricted subsidiaries in accordance with the indenture, will
be required to guarantee the Subordinated Notes on a full and unconditional basis, jointly and
severally with the other subsidiary guarantors. The guarantees are general unsecured obligations of
the guarantors and are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt of
the guarantors, which includes their guarantees of our senior credit facility. We do not have any
independent operations or assets apart from our investments in our subsidiaries. As of May 31,2008, the Subordinated Notes which have a face value of $125.0 million, had a fair value of
approximately $72.5 million, based on quoted market prices by independent dealers.
The indenture governing the Subordinated Notes contains covenants that limit our ability and the
ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends or
make other distributions; make investments; sell assets; incur liens; enter into agreements
restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; enter
into transactions with affiliates; and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our
assets. Unlike the senior credit facility, the financial covenants in the indenture governing the
Subordinated Notes primarily limit our ability to incur additional debt, make distributions or
engage in other actions. Consequently, the covenants in the indenture have not, historically, had a
significant impact on our operations, financial condition and results of operations. However, in
the future our ability to secure financing for our operations could be limited by these covenants,
and if we are limited in our ability to obtain financing, our operations, financial condition and
results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our most restrictive covenant under the Subordinated Notes is the minimum tangible net worth
covenant, which requires us to make an offer to purchase 10% of the outstanding Subordinated Notes
at 100% of the principal amount of the Subordinated Notes plus accrued interest, if tangible net
worth falls below $60 million for a period of two consecutive quarters. As of May 31, 2008, our
tangible net worth was $58.7 million. If the tangible net worth remains below the level required by
the Subordinated Notes at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, as is currently
expected, the Company will be required to repurchase 10% of the outstanding Subordinated Notes,
which may be prohibited by the senior credit facility. If we do not repurchase the Subordinated
Notes when required, this would constitute an event of default under the Subordinated Notes, giving
the holders the right to require repayment of the Subordinated Notes in full. We are also
currently prohibited from making interest payments on the Subordinated Notes as a result of our
default under the senior credit facility. Our next interest payment is due on October 1, 2008. If
we do not make such payment on a timely basis and are not able to cure such failure within 30 days,
an event of default will occur and the holders of the Subordinated Notes will also have the right
to require repayment of the Subordinated Notes in full. Either event of default under the
Subordinated Notes would constitute an event of default under the senior credit facility. In this
case, if we are unable to negotiate a waiver or amendment of the terms of the Subordinated Notes,
secure a waiver of the resulting default from the holders or otherwise cure the default, we would
be required to seek other sources of liquidity to fund our operations and to repay outstanding
amounts under the Subordinated Notes and the senior credit facility. Such additional resources
could include the issuance of additional equity to our existing members or the admission of new
members or the issuance of new debt instruments. Given the current issues faced by our industry,
including the current fair value of our outstanding debt instruments, we may not be able to raise
capital when needed on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all.
As of and for the quarter ended May 31, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants under the
Subordinated Notes; however, under the restricted payments test, we will not be able to make
additional restricted payments until such time as we have increased consolidated net income. The
restricted payments test limits our ability to make restricted payments, defined by the indenture
covering the Subordinated Notes to include dividends or other distributions on our outstanding
equity interests, the redemption of our outstanding equity interests, investments in
other entities
whether in the form of debt or equity (unless considered a permitted investment under the
indenture) and certain payments prior to scheduled maturity or any scheduled repayment date with
respect to indebtedness that is subordinated by its terms to the Subordinated Notes. The amount of
such restricted payments is limited to an aggregate amount that does not exceed $5 million, plus
50% of consolidated net income (as defined in the indenture) for the period beginning June 1, 2005
to and including the last day of the fiscal quarter ended immediately prior to the calculation
date, plus 100% of aggregate net cash proceeds or the fair market value of assets received by the
Company as contributions to its common equity or from the sale of equity interests qualified under
the indenture, plus additional amounts related to the conversion or exchange of indebtedness for
certain equity interests or upon the redesignation of an unrestricted subsidiary as restricted
under the indenture. However, the indenture provides that if consolidated net income for the
measurement period starting June 1, 2005 is a deficit, 100% of the aggregate deficit will be
subtracted in the above formula. In addition to having funds available under the restricted
payments test, in order to make a restricted payment, we must also be able to incur $1.00 of
additional indebtedness under the indebtedness incurrence ratio test set forth in the indenture and
not otherwise be in default under the indenture. Based on the restricted payments calculation at
May 31, 2008, in order to make additional payments under the restricted payments test, we would
need to achieve consolidated net income exceeding $45.7 million in the aggregate. The amount of any
future restricted payments will depend on the amount by which aggregate consolidated net income in
the future exceeds such minimum amount. However, because the types of payments that are restricted
by
this test generally relate to voluntary payments by us to our equity owners or investments in new
businesses, the inability to make restricted payments at this time does not impact our ability to
conduct operations in the ordinary course. Our ability to expand our business through acquisition
or investment in other businesses may, however, be limited. In addition to the above restrictions,
there are certain exceptions to the restricted payments limitations, including a provision that
allows the continued payment of dividends to our equity owners to satisfy their tax obligations. We
will continue to make such tax payments to our owners, except to the extent limited by an amended
senior credit facility.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND AGGREGATE AND CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS
Our primary contractual cash obligations for our operations are payments under our debt agreements,
lease payments under operating leases and purchase obligations with specific performance
requirements under lot option purchase agreements. These lot option purchase agreements may require
us to purchase land contingent upon the land seller meeting certain obligations. Assuming we are
able to negotiate an acceptable amendment addressing the current defaults under our senior credit
facility, we expect to fund our contractual obligations in the ordinary course of business through
our operating cash flows and our senior credit facility.
Based on the payment terms of our contractual obligations as of May 31, 2008, our future cash
requirements for contractual obligations as of May 31, 2008 are presented below:
Due in
Less than
2 to 3
4 to 5
More than
1 year
years
years
5 years
Total
9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
125,000
$
125,000
Senior Credit Facility (1)
22,838
—
—
22,838
Interest Commitments under Subordinated Notes
11,875
23,750
23,750
27,708
87,083
Secured note (2)
166
333
332
704
1,535
Operating Leases
1,236
1,418
90
—
2,744
$
13,277
$
48,339
$
24,172
$
153,412
$
239,200
(1)
Excludes interest obligations under the senior credit facility as these amounts are not
currently determinable
(2)
Excludes interest obligations under the secured note as these amounts are not currently
determinable
In the ordinary course of our business, we enter into land and lot option purchase contracts with
unaffiliated entities in order to procure land or lots for the construction of homes. Certain of
such land and lot option purchase contracts contain specific performance provisions which require
us to purchase the land or lots subject to the contract upon satisfaction of certain conditions by
us and the sellers. Under option purchase contracts without specific performance provisions, we
will fund a stated deposit in consideration for the right, but not the obligation, to purchase land
or lots at a future point in time with predetermined terms.
Under option contracts without specific performance provisions, our liability is generally limited
to the forfeiture of deposits, any letters of credit posted and any other nonrefundable amounts
specified in the contracts. As of May 31, 2008, we had fulfilled our obligations under all specific
performance agreements and we expect to exercise, subject to market conditions, substantially all
of our option contracts without specific performance provisions. Various factors, some which are
beyond our control, such as market conditions, weather conditions and the timing of the completion
of development activities, can have a significant impact on the timing of option exercises. Under
the current terms, and assuming no significant changes in market conditions or other factors, we
expect to exercise our land options as shown in the table below. Amounts (in thousands) shown in
the following table, include cash
deposits totaling an aggregate of approximately $2.8 million.
Fiscal Years Ending
May 31
2009
$
24,318
2010
15,213
Thereafter
8,795
$
48,326
Under FIN 46R, if the entity holding the land under option is a variable interest entity, our
deposit represents a variable interest in that entity. Creditors of the variable interest entities
have no recourse against us. In applying the provisions of FIN 46R, we evaluated all land option
agreements and determined that we have three lot purchase contracts with certain related parties
to acquire 655 finished lots at an aggregate price of approximately $33.0 million, which have
created variable interests and of which 139 finished lots remain to be acquired for an aggregate
price of $6.9 million. While we own no equity interest in the entities, we must consolidate these
entities pursuant to FIN 46R. The consolidation of these variable interest entities added $5.0
million, $4.3 million and $0.4 million in real estate not owned, liabilities related to real
estate not owned and minority interests in real estate not owned, respectively, to our balance
sheet at May 31, 2008. With respect to our balance sheet as of May 31, 2007, the consolidation of
these variable interest entities added $5.9 million, $4.8 million and $0.7 million in real estate
not owned, liabilities related to real estate not owned and minority interests in real estate not
owned, respectively.
Additionally, we participate in a number of land development entities with equity investments of
50% or less and do not have a controlling interest in these entities. These land development
entities are typically entered into with developers, other homebuilders and related parties to
develop finished lots for sale to the members of the entities and other third parties. We account
for our interest in these entities under the equity method. Our share of profits from these
entities are deferred and treated as a reduction of the cost basis of land purchased from the
entity. The land development entities with unrelated parties typically obtain secured acquisition
and development financing. In some instances, the entity partners have provided varying levels of
guarantees of debt of the unconsolidated entities. These repayment guarantees require us to repay
our share of the debt of unconsolidated entities in the event the entity defaults on its
obligations under the borrowings. We had repayment guarantees of $3.0 million, $1.5 million and
$3.6 million at May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS and RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 establishes a single
authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and requires
expanded disclosures about fair-value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies only to fair-value
measurements that are already required or permitted by other accounting standards and is expected
to increase the consistency of those measurements. SFAS No. 157 clarifies the definition of fair
value. Specifically, this Statement clarifies that the exchange price is the price in an orderly
transaction between market participants to sell an asset or transfer a liability in the market in
which the reporting entity would transact for the asset or liability, that is, the principal or
most advantageous market for the asset or liability. This Statement also emphasizes that fair value
is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair-value
measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in
pricing the asset or liability. SFAS No. 157 expands disclosures about the use of
fair value to measure assets and liabilities in interim and annual periods subsequent to initial
recognition. The disclosures focus on the inputs used to measure fair value and, for recurring
fair-value measurements using
significant unobservable inputs, the effect of the measurements on
earnings for the period. This Statement encourages entities to combine the fair value information
disclosed under this Statement with the fair value information disclosed under other accounting
pronouncements, including SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,
where practicable.
SFAS No. 157, as originally issued, was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
beginning after November15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. However, in
February 2008, FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP No.
157-2”) was issued, which delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and
nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the
financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Pursuant to this later guidance, we
will only partially implement SFAS No. 157 effective June 1, 2008, which in our case will affect
only financial instruments. This partial adoption will not impact us significantly and though the
full adoption will result in additional disclosures regarding assets and liabilities measured at
fair value, we do not expect the adoption to significantly affect our financial condition or
results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities, Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. SFAS No. 159 permits
entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that
are not currently required to be measured at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure
requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement
attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the
beginning of each reporting entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. SFAS
No. 159 will be effective for us at the beginning of fiscal year 2009. We do not believe that the
adoption will have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS No.
141R”). SFAS No. 141R will change the accounting for business combinations by requiring, among
other changes, an acquiring entity to recognize all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a
transaction at the acquisition-date fair value with limited exceptions; acquisition costs to be
generally expensed as incurred; noncontrolling interests (formerly known as “minority interests”)
to be valued at fair value at the acquisition date. SFAS No. 141R also contains certain additional
disclosure requirements and will apply prospectively to business combinations for which the
acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or
after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. We expect SFAS No. 141R to have an effect
on accounting for business combinations once adopted but the effect on us is dependent upon whether
we enter into any acquisitions.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial
Statements — An Amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS No.160”). SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting and
reporting standards that require that: the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties
other than the parent be clearly identified and presented on the balance sheet within equity but
separate from the parent’s equity; the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent
and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the income
statement; changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling
financial interest in its subsidiary be accounted for consistently as equity transactions; when a
subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former
subsidiary be initially measured at fair value; entities provide sufficient disclosures that
clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the
noncontrolling owners. SFAS No.160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those
fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Like SFAS 141R, earlier adoption is
prohibited. As of May 31, 2008, we had no interest that would normally be classified as minority
interests and hence unless we enter into a transaction that results in our having minority
interests in an entity, the adoption of SFAS No. 160 is not expected to have an impact on our
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements included in this report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements, which
represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and no assurance can be given that
the results described in this report will be achieved. These forward-looking statements can
generally be identified by the use of statements that include words such as “estimate,’’
“project,’’ “believe,’’ “expect,’’ “anticipate,’’ “intend,’’ “plan,’’ “foresee,’’ “likely,’’
“will,’’ “goal,’’ “target’’ or other similar words or phrases. All forward-looking statements are
based upon information
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of
which are outside of our control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Item 1A — “Risk Factors” contains information
about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in
our forward-looking statements. Other factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements include
but are not limited to:
•
Our ability to continue as a going concern and resolve the outstanding defaults
under our senior credit facility and meet our payment obligations under our
Subordinated Notes;
•
economic changes nationally or in our local markets;
•
volatility of mortgage interest rates, inflation and underwriting standards;
•
increased competition;
•
shortages of skilled labor or raw materials used in the production of houses;
•
increased prices for labor, land and raw materials used in the production of
houses;
•
increased land development costs on projects under development;
•
the cost and availability of insurance, including the availability of
insurance for the presence of mold;
•
the impact of construction defect and home warranty claims;
•
any delays in reacting to changing consumer preferences in home design;
•
changes in consumer confidence;
•
delays in land development or home construction resulting from adverse weather
conditions;
•
increases in resale inventory;
•
potential delays or increased costs in obtaining necessary permits as a result of
changes to, or complying with, laws, regulations or governmental policies, including
environmental laws, regulations and policies; or
•
terrorist acts and other acts of war.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and,
except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to
reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible
for management to predict all such factors.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to a number of market risks in the ordinary course of business. Our primary market
risk exposure for financial instruments relates to fluctuations in interest rates. We do not
believe our exposure in this area is material to cash flows or earnings. From time to time, we have
entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage interest costs and hedge against risks
associated with fluctuating interest rates with respect to floating rate debt. However, as of May31, 2008 we have not entered into any interest rate swap agreements. We do not enter into or
hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. As of May 31, 2008, we had a total of $22.8
million of floating rate debt outstanding under our senior credit facility, and borrowings under
that facility generally bear interest based on an applicable margin plus LIBOR or an alternate base
rate.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements appear beginning at page F-2.
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None
Item 9A (T). Controls and Procedures
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of
management, have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of May 31, 2008.
Based upon their evaluation, they have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures were effective, as of May 31, 2008, to provide reasonable assurance that information
that the Company is required to disclose in reports that the Company files or submits under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and
when required and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive
Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, in a manner to allow the timely decisions regarding
the required disclosure.
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control
over financial reporting for the Company. As of May 31, 2008, management conducted an assessment of
the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting using the criteria set
forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting was effective as of May 31, 2008.
This annual report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report from the Company’s
registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s
report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant
to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide
only management’s report in the annual report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
In order to further enhance the Company’s internal controls, management initiated
the following actions during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008:
1. Implemented more robust policies and procedures to ensure consistent practices for
managing access and changes to the financial systems;
2. Enhanced procedures for logging, testing, and authorizing changes with the potential
to impact the financial systems.
Management believes that these measures will continue to strengthen our control environment. The
audit Committee of the Board of Directors and management will continue to monitor the effectiveness
of the Company’s internal controls and procedures on an ongoing basis and will take further action,
as appropriate.
Our previous Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Robert Salomon and our previous Senior Vice President,
Mr. Mark Thomas resigned effective February 8, 2008 and November 12, 2007, respectively. As a
result, these two officers were excluded from the table above. Mr. Jerry Patava, the Chief
Executive Officer of Great Gulf Homes is our Interim Chief Financial Officer until a replacement
is found.
Mr. Krobot has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since 1995 and as a member of
our Board since September 2005. Before joining the Company, Mr. Krobot worked for Ryland Homes as a
Senior Vice President responsible for seven cities, one lumber yard and over 2,000 units per year
in the Southeast Region (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida) and as a Regional
Manager of its Midwest Region (Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana). Mr. Krobot
is a graduate of the University of Dayton.
Mr. Patava has been serving as our Interim Chief Financial Officer since February 2008 and has been
serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Great Gulf Group since July 2007.
Between January 2005 and 2007, he served on several public company Boards. Between 1998 and 2005,
Mr. Patava served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Fairmont Hotels &
Resorts Inc., between 1990 and 1998 as Vice President and Treasurer of Canadian Pacific Limited and
between 1986 and 1990 as Vice President and Director of RBC Dominion Securities. Mr. Patava has a
Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration
degree from York University.
Mr. Serbin joined the Company in 2002 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining
the Company, he was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Pulte Homes in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Serbin is a
graduate of the California State College in Hayward, California where he received a degree in
Business Administration.
Mr. Farrell joined the Company in December 2004 as the Vice President of Construction. From July
2000 to November 2004, Mr. Farrell was employed with Centex Homes as the Vice President of
Construction in Atlanta,
Georgia. From 1989 to 2000, Mr. Farrell was a Construction Manager for Pulte Homes in Atlanta, Georgia and the Washington Metro Area in Maryland.
Mr. Joffe, a member of our Board or our prior management committee since 1997, is a founder of the
Great Gulf Group and is its Chief Financial Officer. Prior to 1983, Mr. Joffe worked in real estate
and public accounting. Mr. Joffe qualified as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa and in Canada.
Mr. Freeman, a member of our Board or our prior management committee since 1997, is a founder of
the Great Gulf Group and is its Executive Vice President. Prior to 1983, Mr. Freeman was the Vice
President of Sales for Great Gulf Homes. Mr. Freeman has worked in residential real estate
marketing since 1969.
Mr. Rosenbaum, a member of our Board or our prior management committee since 1997, is a founder of
the Great Gulf Group and is its Chief Operating Officer. Prior to 1983, Mr. Rosenbaum was a partner
in a law practice. Mr. Rosenbaum graduated as a lawyer from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called
to the bar in 1976.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Company does not have an independent audit committee. Since our securities are not currently listed on or
with a national securities exchange or national securities association, we are not required to have
an independent audit committee. Further, given the small size of the Board, the Board believes it
appropriate for all members of the Board to be involved in the discussions and decisions typically
delegated to an audit committee. Our Board has determined that Mr. Joffe meets the qualifications
of an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC, but
does not meet the definition of an “independent director” under the rules promulgated by NASDAQ or
the New York Stock Exchange as a result of his affiliation with our ownership group. However,
because our securities are not listed on a national securities exchange or national securities
association, we are not required to have an audit committee financial expert who is an “independent
director.”
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which meets the definition of a
“code of ethics” under Item 406 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K. The
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to and is binding upon all of the Company’s employees
(including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting
officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions).
Item 11. Executive Compensation
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
The purpose of this compensation discussion and analysis is to provide information about each
material element of compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each of our named executive
officers during fiscal year 2008. Our compensation policies are designed to reward superior
performance, recognize individual initiative and achievement and encourage actions to meet our
short-term and long-term goals.
Compensation Governance and Philosophy
The entire Board of Directors undertakes the duties of the Compensation Committee with respect to
the compensation of Mr. Krobot. Mr. Krobot, with the input from our interim Chief Financial
Officer, determines the compensation of the other executive officers. Mr. Krobot, our President and Chief Executive
Officer, is a member of our Board of Directors. As a member of the Board of Directors, he
participates in discharging the duties of the Compensation Committee, other than with respect to
his own compensation.
Our executive compensation programs have been aligned with the Board of Directors’ beliefs that
total cash compensation should be comparable to the median compensation for similar positions in
the homebuilding industry and that annual incentive opportunities should represent a significant
portion of total cash compensation for executives. The Board of Directors believes that annual
incentive compensation should provide a meaningful upside opportunity which depends on our business
and financial results and be at risk when performance or results do not
meet expectations. We communicate our general performance expectations and goals to executives, but bonus payments are at
the discretion of the Board of Directors taking into account actual performance. It is the Board
of Directors’ further belief that managing a compensation program around these principles will
place executives’ and owners’ interests together and enhance the financial returns to our owners.
The Board of Directors utilizes publicly available information about compensation levels in the
homebuilding industry in establishing the compensation levels of our executives. Each component of
compensation is described more fully below.
Base Salary
The base salaries for our executive officers provide the foundation for a fair and competitive
compensation opportunity. Base salary levels are generally targeted at or slightly below the
average of our industry. Base salary, which is a fixed element of total pay, is only one element,
and not the most significant element, of our total compensation program because of our
performance-based compensation philosophy. Base salaries are a necessary part of our compensation
program and provide executives with a fixed portion of pay that is not performance-based. Our goal
is to provide modest, yet competitive, base pay levels in comparison to other homebuilders.
Base salaries for Mr. Krobot and Mr. Salomon (our former Chief Financial Officer), in fiscal year
2008, were determined by the Board of Directors in part after reviewing publicly available industry
information. Mr. Krobot, with input from Mr. Salomon, determined the compensation of the other
executive officers based on comparisons of industry salary practices for positions of similar
responsibilities, additional elements of the executives’ total compensation, and on individual
performance.
On June 17, 2008, Mr. Krobot’s base salary was increased to $500,000 per annum. This salary
increase is in recognition of the important role Mr. Krobot plays in our company and to provide an
incentive to him to continue to lead our company through the current difficult market. In setting
the amount of such base salary increase, the Board of Directors recognized that the bonus
provisions of Mr. Krobot’s employment agreement are less effective as an incentive mechanism in
years when our profitability is impaired by market conditions.
Annual Bonus Incentives
We pay annual bonus incentives to our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Krobot based on the parameters
outlined in his employment agreement. Prior to his resignation, Mr. Salomon’s annual bonus
incentives were also based on the parameters outlined in his employment agreement.
Mr. Krobot’s annual bonus is equal to 4.0% of the first $10,000,000 and 3.0% of any amount in
excess of $10,000,000 of our annual net income, reflected in our annual audited financial
statements, as adjusted to exclude imputed interest on equity, bonuses paid at the operational
level and specific projects as agreed from time to time.
Mr. Salomon’s employment agreement provided for an annual bonus equal to 0.75% of our annual net
income, reflected in our annual audited financial statements, as adjusted to exclude initial
start-up losses of any new division during the first two years of operation, imputed interest on
equity, bonuses paid at the operational level and specific projects as agreed from time to time.
However, Mr. Salomon resigned from the Company in February 2008 and as a result, did not receive a
bonus in fiscal year 2008.
We periodically pay bonuses to our other senior executives, which are entirely discretionary and
are based on individual performance and our performance. For fiscal year 2008, discretionary
bonuses were paid to various executives, including Mr. Krobot ($500,000) and two named executive
officers, Tad Serbin ($38,000) and Ralph Farrell ($34,000). We chose to pay these amounts to
reward each individual’s accomplishments in light of the operational results achieved by us in an
extremely difficult market and as a continuing cash incentive for their performance.
Deferred Compensation Plan
Effective June 1, 2005, we adopted the Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. Deferred Compensation Plan (the
“Plan”) for the purpose of providing deferred compensation to a select group of management and
highly compensated employees, including the named executive officers. Annually, we make
contributions, in the amounts determined by the Board of Directors, to each participant’s Plan
account. These contributions are in addition to the salary and bonuses
received by the participants. For a more detailed description of the Plan please refer to the section
“Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.”
Severance Benefits
Severance benefits are provided from time to time to executive officers as a result of negotiations
of their employment agreements. The Board of Directors does not have a standard program applicable
to all executives, but has negotiated severance or other enhanced benefits for certain named
executive officers upon termination of their employment or upon a change of control. Such
arrangements are negotiated from time to time in an effort to provide appropriate incentives to
executives and are negotiated based on the Board of Directors’ understanding of standard market
practice among private companies in the homebuilding industry. Currently, Mr. Krobot is the only
named executive officer with an employment agreement. For a discussion of the severance benefits
available to him, refer to the section “Employment Agreements.”
In setting compensation, the Board of Directors considers ways to minimize the adverse tax
consequences from the impact of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. If an executive is
entitled to nonqualified deferred compensation benefits, as defined by and subject to Section 409A,
and such benefits do not comply with Section 409A, the executive would be subject to adverse tax
treatment (including accelerated income recognition in the first year that benefits are no longer
subject to substantial risk of forfeiture) and a 20% penalty tax. The Company is continuing to
evaluate the impact of Section 409A on its compensation plans, programs and arrangements and will
modify them to the extent it is determined necessary to comply with Section 409A.
Compensation Committee Report
The Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with
management and has recommended that it be included in this Form 10-K.
The following table sets forth certain summary information concerning the total compensation for
the fiscal years ended May 31, 2008 and 2007, earned by our Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and our three most highly compensated executive officers, which are referred to
as the named executive officers. Since Mr. Salomon’s resignation, Jerry Patava has served as our
Interim Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Patava is an employee of the Great Gulf Group and is serving
in this interim capacity for no additional compensation from us.
Mr. Krobot’s base salary is in accordance with his employment agreement that was effective June1, 2005. Mr. Krobot’s base salary was increased to $500,000 per annum effective June 1, 2008.
[b]
Mr. Salomon’s annual base salary increased from $200,000 to $260,000, effective April 1, 2007.
However, Mr. Salomon resigned from the Company in February 2008 and as a result only $184,167 was
earned for fiscal year 2008.
[c]
Mr. Serbin’s base salary increased from $175,000 to $190,000, effective March 1, 2007.
[d]
Mr. Farrell’s base salary increased from $155,000 to $170,000, effective March 1, 2007.
[e]
Mr. Thomas’ annual base salary was $500,000. However, Mr. Thomas’ employment was terminated by
the Company in November 2007. As a result, he only received salary of $229,167 in fiscal year
2008.
[f]
Mr. Krobot’s bonus for fiscal year 2008 was discretionary and was approved by the Board of
Directors. Mr. Salomon’s bonus for fiscal year 2007 was based on the formula in his employment
agreement.
[g]
Mr. Serbin’s and Mr. Farrell’s bonuses were discretionary.
[h]
The amounts in this column reflect the above market earnings under the Plan during fiscal year
2008.
[i]
Other annual compensation includes employer contributions for basic life insurance premium,
medical insurance, and the 401k match. Other annual
compensation also includes contributions that the Company made to the following individuals’
non-qualified deferred compensation accounts: Mr. Krobot $50,000, Mr. Salomon $40,000; Mr. Serbin
$30,000 and Mr. Farrell $30,000. Refer to the section “Employment Agreements” for a description of
the payment due to Mr. Krobot in the event of his termination for cause or voluntary resignation.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The Plan is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan which is administered by a committee
appointed by the Board of Directors. Under the Plan, we may make contributions to the
participants’ accounts, and amounts in the participants’ accounts earn an annual interest rate
which is periodically determined by the Board of Directors. Currently, the annual interest rate is
9.0%.
Contributions vest ratably over a five year period. However, a participant’s account will become
fully vested if the participant remains employed with us until the participants’ death, total
disability or the participant turns 65. Furthermore, a participant’s account will become fully
vested if the participant is terminated without cause within two years of a change of control.
Once a contribution is fully vested, a participant, who is still employed by us, may receive a cash
distribution of such vested contribution and any earnings thereon. Otherwise, a participant will
receive a cash payment of the participant’s vested contributions upon termination of the
participant’s employment with us or upon the participant’s death or disability. In the event that
the committee administering the Plan determines that a participant’s employment was terminated by
us for good cause, the participant will forfeit his or her interest in the Plan.
Consists of amounts credited to each executive officer’s account under the Ashton Woods USA
L.L.C. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008. Each of
these amounts is included in the Summary Compensation Table in the “All Other Compensation” column.
[2]
Aggregate earnings equal 9% of the accumulated benefit balance as of May 31, 2008. The “Change
in Pension Value and Deferred Compensation Earnings” column in the Summary Compensation Table
reflects the portion of these earnings that are deemed to be above market.
[3]
Aggregate balance at last fiscal year end equals the amounts credited to each executive
officer’s account since inception of the Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. Nonqualified Compensation Plan on
June 1, 2005.
Employment Agreements
On January 30, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with our President and Chief Executive
Officer, Tom Krobot. The agreement, which is effective as of June 1, 2005, is for a term of
approximately five years ending May 31, 2010. The employment agreement provided for an initial
annual base salary of $225,000. On June 17, 2008, the Board of Directors increased Mr. Krobot’s
annual base salary from $225,000 to $500,000. Mr. Krobot’s employment agreement also provides for
an annual bonus in an amount equal to 4.0% of the first $10,000,000 and 3.0% of any amount in
excess of $10,000,000 of our annual net income, calculated in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and reflected in our annual audited financial statements, as adjusted to
exclude imputed interest on equity, bonuses paid at the operational level and specific projects as
agreed from time to time. The agreement also provides for certain incentive payments upon a sale of
the Company, irrespective of form, or the consummation by the Company of an initial public offering
of equity securities. Such payments are due upon the sale of the Company or initial public offering
irrespective of the executive’s continued employment with us. The incentive payment owed upon the
sale of the Company will be equal to an amount determined by multiplying the excess of the
aggregate purchase price paid by the buyer or buyers in such transaction over the book value of the
Company, as determined in good faith by our board of directors, at the time of such sale by 3.0%,
provided such payment is subject to a floor of $3,000,000.
Upon an initial public offering, Mr. Krobot is entitled to a payment equal to 3.0% of the excess of
the aggregate market value of the Company at such time, determined based on the excess of valuation
applied in the offering, over the then book value of the Company, as determined in good faith by
our board of directors, subject to a minimum of $3,000,000. The payment upon an initial public
offering shall be paid through the issuance of stock with an aggregate value equal to the payment
owed, if possible, otherwise, such payment shall be made in cash or some other mutually agreed upon
method.
Following the payments of amounts owed to Mr. Krobot upon a sale or initial public offering of the
Company, the agreement will terminate, and Mr. Krobot will continue as an at will employee. The
agreement also provides Mr. Krobot with certain severance payments upon termination of his
employment as follows:
•
Upon termination for cause, as defined in the agreement, or voluntary resignation by Mr.
Krobot, in addition to accrued salary through the date of termination, Mr. Krobot will be
entitled for each year of employment completed between fiscal years beginning June 1, 2005 and
ending May 31, 2009, to a payment of $400,000 and for completion of the fiscal year June 1,2009 to May 31, 2010 to a payment of $1,400,000.
•
Upon termination of employment upon death or disability, in addition to base salary accrued
through the date of termination, Mr. Krobot or his estate, will be entitled to a payment in an
amount equal to the greater of (a) $3,000,000 or (b) a prorated portion (based on the number
of years of the term of the agreement that has expired divided by five), of 3.0% of the excess
of the then-determined public market value of the Company over the book value of the Company,
in each case as determined in good faith by the board of directors.
•
Upon termination without cause, in addition to base salary accrued through the date of
termination, Mr. Krobot will be entitled to a payment equal to the greater of: (a) the sum of
one year’s base salary at the rate then in effect plus a bonus payable pursuant to the annual
bonus provisions of the agreement based on projections of our net income for the following 12
months, plus an amount equal to a bonus calculated in such manner based on a pro rata share of net income for the then-current fiscal year; or (b) the sum of a bonus
calculated in accordance with the annual bonus provisions of the agreement pro rated based on
net income for the then-current fiscal year plus 3.0% of the excess of the then-determined
public market value of the Company over the then-book value of the Company, in each case as
determined in good faith by the board of directors, subject to a minimum of $3,000,000.
•
If Mr. Krobot’s employment terminates upon expiration of the term of the agreement, Mr.
Krobot will be entitled to a payment equal to 3.0% of the excess of then-public market value
of the Company as compared to the book value of the Company, in each case as determined in
good faith by the board of directors, subject to a minimum payment of $3,000,000.
•
Upon the sale of the Company, if Mr. Krobot’s employment is terminated, in addition to the
incentive payment described above and his base salary accrued through the date of termination,
Mr. Krobot will receive an amount equal to a bonus calculated in accordance with the annual
bonus provisions described above based on a pro rated share of net income for the current
fiscal year to the date of termination.
Finally, the Agreement provides that we will provide health insurance for Mr. Krobot and his
spouse, whether or not Mr. Krobot is an employee of ours, until he reaches the age of 65, upon the
same terms then available to executive officers of the Company.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following table provides the estimated value of the benefits that each of the named executive
officers would have received had his employment been terminated on the last business day of fiscal
year 2008 under the scenarios described below or had a change of control or initial public offering
of the Company’s equity occurred on the last business day of fiscal year 2008. The table does not
include benefits that are generally available to all salaried employees. Mr. Salomon and Mr.
Thomas are not included in the table below. They each resigned before the end of fiscal year 2008
and received no payments upon termination.
Mr. Krobot’s employment agreement provided for an initial annual base salary of $225,000. On
June 17, 2008, the Board of Directors increased Mr. Krobot’s annual base salary from $225,000 to
$500,000.
(2)
Lump sum payment in cash. The incentive payment is equal to the greater of $3 million or 3% of
the excess of the purchase price paid by a buyer of Ashton Woods over our book value. We assumed
that a buyer would pay the average of (i) a multiple of our book value as of May 31, 2008 and (ii)
(a) a multiple of our EBITDA for fiscal year 2008 adjusted to exclude the effect of the inventory
impairment charge taken during fiscal year 2008 less (b) our total debt as of May 31, 2008. Based
on our estimate of what a buyer would pay and our book value as of May 31, 2008, Mr. Krobot would
have received the minimum payment of $3 million. See the description of the Mr. Krobot’s employment
agreement above for an explanation of the payment due to him upon a change of control.
(3)
Lump sum payment in stock, cash or some other mutually agreed upon method. The incentive
payment is equal to the greater of $3 million or 3% of the excess of our aggregate market value,
based on the valuation applied in an IPO, over our book value. We assumed that our aggregate
market value in an IPO would be equal to the average of (i) a multiple of our book value as of May31, 2008 and (ii) (a) a multiple of our EBITDA for fiscal year 2008 adjusted to exclude the effect
of the inventory impairment charge taken during fiscal year 2008 less (b) our total debt as of May31, 2008. Based on our estimate of our aggregate market value in an IPO and our book value as of
May 31, 2008, Mr. Krobot would have received the minimum payment of $3 million. See the description of the Mr. Krobot’s
employment agreement above for an explanation of the payment due to him upon an IPO.
(4)
Lump sum payment in cash. Amounts in a Plan participant’s account becomes fully vested (i.e.,
accelerated vesting) upon the participant’s death or disability or upon the participant’s
termination without cause within two years of a change of control.
(5)
Lump sum payment in cash. This is vested portion of the participant’s account as of May 31,2008.
(6)
This is an estimate based on the premiums paid during fiscal 2008 to provide coverage for Mr.
Krobot and his wife.
(7)
Upon termination for cause, as defined in the agreement, or voluntary resignation by Mr.
Krobot, in addition to accrued salary through the date of termination, Mr. Krobot will be entitled
for each year of employment completed between fiscal years beginning June 1, 2005 and ending May31, 2009, to a payment of $400,000 and for completion of the fiscal year June 1, 2009 to May 31,2010 to a payment of $1,400,000.
Director Compensation
The members of our Board of Directors do not receive compensation for services as our directors.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The entire Board of Directors undertakes the duties of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Krobot, with
input from Mr. Salomon, until his resignation, and thereafter, Mr. Patava, determines the
compensation of the other executive officers. Mr. Krobot, our President and Chief Executive
Officer, is a member of our Board of Directors. As a member of the Board of Directors, he will
participate in discharging the duties of the Compensation Committee.
For a discussion of transactions between us and certain affiliates of members of our Board of
Directors, see Item 13 “Certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence.”
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
The following table sets forth certain information as of May 31, 2008 regarding the beneficial
ownership of the membership interests in the Company. In addition, the footnotes below explain that
certain of the persons or entities listed in the table have special membership interests entitling
them to allocations of profits and cash distributions in the land development activities in Denver and Orlando of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Section 13 of the Exchange Act
and the rules promulgated thereunder. Accordingly, if an individual or entity is a member
of a “group” which has agreed to act together for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting
or disposing of membership interests, such individual or entity is deemed to be the
beneficial owner of the membership interests held by all members of the group. Further, if
an individual or entity has or shares the power to vote or dispose of membership interests
held by another entity, beneficial ownership of the interests held by such entity may be
attributed to such other individuals or entities.
(2)
The address of this beneficial owner is 3751 Victoria Park Ave, Toronto, Ontario M1W
3Z4 Canada.
(3)
Entities and/or family trusts associated with these individuals hold interests
(including the special membership interests referred to in footnote 7 below) in the Company
through Little Shots Nevada L.L.C. For beneficial ownership purposes, the membership and
special membership interests held by Little Shots Nevada L.L.C. are attributable to each
such individual. The entities associated with each such individual have, respectively, a
33.3% ownership interest in Little Shots Nevada L.L.C. and are entitled to receive an
allocation of 33.3% of any proceeds received by Little Shots Nevada L.L.C. as a result of
its 21.0% special membership interest in the Denver, Colorado land development activities
and its 21.0% special membership interest in the Orlando, Florida land development
activities.
(4)
This entity is owned by entities and/or family trusts associated with Elly Reisman.
This entity is owned by entities and/or family trusts associated with Norman Reisman.
(6)
This entity is owned by entities and/or family trusts associated with Larry Robbins.
(7)
These and other related entities also hold special membership interests in allocations
of profits and cash distributions in the land development activities in Denver, Colorado
and Orlando, Florida of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries as follows:
Denver
Orlando
Little Shots Nevada L.L.C.
21.00
%
21.00
%
Elly Colorado Inc.
29.25
%
—
Elly Nevada Inc.
—
29.25
%
Norman Colorado Inc.
29.25
%
—
Norman Nevada Inc.
—
29.25
%
Larry Colorado Inc.
20.50
%
—
Larry Nevada Inc.
—
20.50
%
As noted in footnote 3 above, entities and/or family trusts associated with Seymour Joffe, Bruce
Freeman and Harry Rosenbaum are entitled to receive a portion of the proceeds received by Little
Shots Nevada L.L.C. through allocations on such special membership interests based on their
respective percentage ownership interests in Little Shots Nevada L.L.C. as set forth in footnote 3.
Special membership interests do not entitle the holders thereof to vote or otherwise participate in
the management or operation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
In August 2005, we entered into a Services and Software License Agreement (the “Services and
License Agreement”) with Paramount Development Corporation Limited (“Paramount”), which is an
affiliate of the Great Gulf Group. Under the Services and License Agreement, which was effective as
of June 1, 2005, Paramount licenses to us and our affiliates certain software which we use in
performing the following functions: accounting, job costing, work order, home warranty, home
design, scheduling, and purchase orders. Furthermore, pursuant to the Services and License
Agreement, Paramount provides us and our affiliates with the services of its employees to assist us
with land development matters relating to our land operations in Orlando and Denver. In return for
the software license and the land development services, we pay Paramount a fee of $600 for each
home closed. The initial term of the Services and License Agreement is two years and will
automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless either party gives notice that the
agreement will not be renewed. Although we did not have a written agreement with Paramount
covering the software license and land development services prior to entering into the Services and
License Agreement, Paramount provided us with such software and services in return for a payment of
$600 for each home closed. During fiscal year 2008, we paid Paramount $0.8 million for the software
license and land development services.
We, in the ordinary course of our business, from time to time enter into lot option purchase
agreements to facilitate the development of land for our use with entities that are owned directly
or indirectly by the six families that indirectly own our membership interests or that are
otherwise affiliates of the Great Gulf Group. These entities generally obtain secured acquisition
and development financing which is supported by specific performance requirements under our lot
option purchase agreements. As of May 31, 2008, we had three lot purchase contracts with such
related parties to acquire 655 finished lots at an aggregate price of approximately $33.0 million
which have created variable interests and of which 139 finished lots remain to be purchased for an
aggregate price of $6.9 million. While we do not own any equity interests in these entities, we
must consolidate the entities pursuant to FIN46R.
On
May 29, 2008, Ashton Tampa Residential, L.L.C. and Ashton Woods
Arizona, L.L.C. (two of our
subsidiaries),entered into land purchase and sale agreements (the “Land Sale Agreements”)
with an entity which is owned
indirectly by family trusts or other entities associated with Seymour Joffe, Bruce Freeman and Harry Rosenbaum (directors, and beneficial owners of membership interests in, our company), and with a beneficial owner of a
membership interest in our company. Pursuant to the Land Sale Agreements, we agreed to sell
certain subdivisions and certain undeveloped land in Tampa and certain finished, single-family lots in subdivisions in Arizona for an aggregate purchase price of $16.3 million in cash. The sale was completed on May 30,2008. During the year ended May 31, 2008, we recorded impairment charges for these properties of $35.9
million, which is reflected in land cost of sales in our consolidated statement of operations for
the year ended May 31, 2008. Of the $35.9 million, $25.1 million was recorded in the fourth
quarter of fiscal year 2008 and $10.8 million was recorded in the first three quarters of fiscal
year 2008. The impairment charges recorded in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2008 were
recorded in home cost of sales but were reclassified to land cost of sales in the fourth quarter of
fiscal year 2008. As a result of the impairment charges recorded, there was no gain or loss on the sale of
these properties. The proceeds from this sale were used to pay down the senior credit facility.
We believe that the transactions described above between us and the various related parties have
been and will continue to be on terms no less favorable to us than those available from
unaffiliated third-parties in transactions negotiated at arms-length. We do not intend to enter
into any transactions in the future with or involving any of our officers or directors or any
members of their immediate family on terms that would be less favorable to us than those that would
be available from unaffiliated third-parties in arms-length transactions.
None of the members of our Board of Directors meet the definition of an “independent director”
under the rules promulgated by NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange as a result of their
affiliation with our ownership group or their employment with the Company. However, because our
securities are not listed on a national securities exchange or national securities association,
none of our directors are required to qualify as an “independent director.”
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2008 and 2007, professional services were performed by KPMG LLP.
Audit and audit-related fees aggregated $567,500 and $612,213 for the fiscal years ended May 31,2008 and 2007, respectively, and were composed of the following:
Audit Fees: The aggregate fees billed for the audit of our annual financial statements for the
fiscal years ended May 31, 2008 and 2007 and for reviews of our quarterly financial statements were
$567,500 and $546,000, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees: No audit-related services were provided by KPMG for the fiscal year ended May31, 2008. The aggregate fees billed for audit-related services for the fiscal year ended May 31,2007 were $66,213. These fees relate to assurance and related services performed by KPMG that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements.
Tax Fees: The aggregate fees billed for tax services for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2008 and
2007 were $125,515 and $116,700, respectively. These fees relate to professional services performed
by KPMG with respect to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
All Other Fees: None
The Board of Directors annually approves each year’s engagement for audit services in advance. The
Board of Directors has also established complementary procedures to require pre-approval of all
permitted non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent auditors. All non-audit services
described above were pre-approved by the Board of Directors in fiscal year 2008.
56
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules
The following list of exhibits includes both exhibits submitted with this Form 10-K as filed with
the Commission and those incorporated by reference to other filings:
Amended and Restated Regulations of Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. (1)
4.1
Form of Indenture dated as of September 21, 2005 among Ashton Woods USA
L.L.C., Ashton Woods Finance Co., the guarantors named therein and the
and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as trustee. (1)
4.2
Form of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015. (1)
10.1
Form of Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 16,2005, by and among Ashton Woods USA L.L.C., the Lenders party thereto,
Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Agent for the Lenders, and
Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner,
Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and Citibank Texas, N.A.,
as Documentation Agent. (2)
10.2
Limited Partnership Agreement of Navo South Development Partners, Ltd.,
dated as of December 18, 2003, by and among G.P. Navo South, L.L.C.,
Ashton Dallas Residential, L.L.C., Horizon Homes Ltd., and Priority
Development, L.P. (1)
10.3
Agreement of Limited Partnership for CL Ashton Woods, L.P., dated as of
March 10, 2005, by and among CL Texas I, GP, LLC, CL Texas, L.P., AW
Southern Trails, Inc., and Ashton Houston Residential L.L.C. (1)
10.4
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Palm Cove Developers, LLC, dated
as of January 19, 2005, by and between Ashton Tampa Residential, LLC
and M/I Homes of Tampa, LLC. (1)
10.5
Services and Software License Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2005, by
and between Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. and Paramount Development
Corporation Limited. (1)
10.6*
Form of Ashton Woods USA, LLC Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan,
effective June 1, 2005 (1)
10.7*
Form of Employment Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2006, by and
between Thomas Krobot and Ashton Woods USA, L.L.C. (2)
10.8
Agreement of Limited Liability Company of Ashton Woods Mortgage, LLC (2)
10.9
Dominion Title of Dallas, L.L.C. Members’ Agreement, dated January 21,2001, by and among Stewart Title Dallas, Inc., Ashton Dallas
Residential, L.L.C. and Dominion Title of Dallas, L.L.C. (2)
10.10
Dominion Title, L.L.C. Members’ Agreement, dated June 7, 1999, by and
among Stewart Title Company, Daltor Houston Title, Inc. and Dominion
Title, L.L.C. (2)
10.11
Assignment of Membership Interest, dated as of June 1, 2002, by and
between Daltor Houston Title, Inc. and Ashton Houston Residential,
L.L.C. (2)
10.12*
Form of Employment Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2006, by and between Robert Salomon and Ashton Woods USA, L.L.C.(3)
10.13
First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
dated as of January 11, 2007, by and among Ashton Woods USA L.L.C., the
Lenders party thereto, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Agent,
and the Guarantors party thereto. (4)
10.14
Second Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
dated as of June 15, 2007, by and among Ashton Woods USA L.L.C., the
Lenders party thereto, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Agent,
and the Guarantors party thereto. (5)
10.15
Third Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
dated as of June 15, 2007, by and among Ashton Woods USA L.L.C., the
Lenders party thereto, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Agent,
and the Guarantors party thereto. (7)
14.1
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (8)
21
List of Subsidiaries of Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. (6)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules
13a-14(a) and 15d-
14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (filed herewith)
31.2
Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange
Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (filed herewith)
32.1
Certification of 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 of Interim 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)
*
Represents a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
The exhibits, which are referenced in the above documents, are hereby incorporated by reference.
Such exhibits have been omitted for purposes of this filing but will be furnished supplementary to
the Commission upon request.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Members
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. and
subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of May 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements
of operations, members’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
May 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements
based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Ashton Woods USA L.L.C., and subsidiaries as of May31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended May 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will
continue as a going concern. As discussed in note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, as
of May 31, 2008, the Company was in default of certain covenants under its senior credit facility,
as amended, and was below the required tangible net worth level contained in the Subordinated
Notes. These
circumstances raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Management’s plans in regard to these matters are described in Notes 1 and 5. The consolidated financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these
uncertainties.
Land sales (for the year ended May 31, 2008, includes
$16.3 million related to land sold to related parties
as discussed in Note 7)
30,688
7,582
31,336
Other
562
1,242
1,167
408,064
580,990
702,990
Cost of sales:
Home sales
391,211
474,330
519,688
Land sales (for the year ended May 31, 2008, includes cost of
sales of $16.3 million (after impairment charges of $35.9
million)
related to land sold to related parties as discussed in Note 7)
66,527
3,444
15,711
457,738
477,774
535,399
Gross (loss) profit:
Home sales
(14,397
)
97,836
150,799
Land sales
(35,839
)
4,138
15,625
Other
562
1,242
1,167
(49,674
)
103,216
167,591
Expenses
Sales and marketing
29,295
34,766
35,413
General and administrative
29,798
39,625
40,678
Related party
836
1,195
1,447
Franchise taxes
415
188
595
Depreciation and amortization
5,615
5,925
6,192
65,959
81,699
84,325
Earnings in unconsolidated entities
2,106
3,166
3,205
Net (loss) income
$
(113,527
)
$
24,683
$
86,471
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Organization
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. (the “Company’’), operating as Ashton Woods Homes, is a limited
liability company formed on February 6, 1997 for a period of duration ending no later than
February 1, 2037. The Company acquires and develops land for residential purposes and designs,
sells and builds residential homes on such land in seven markets located in Georgia, Texas,
Florida, Arizona, and Colorado. The Company also holds an investment in an unconsolidated
entity that provides mortgage origination for homebuyers through Ashton Woods Mortgage, LLC
(“Ashton Woods Mortgage’’). In addition, the Company provides title services to its buyers in
Texas and Florida through three unconsolidated entities.
(b) Presentation and Going Concern
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and its wholly-owned,
majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, as well as certain variable interest entities required
to be consolidated pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation
(“FIN”) No. 46, as amended (“FIN 46R’’), Variable Interest Entities. All intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s balance sheet presentation is unclassified due to the fact that certain assets and
liabilities have both short and long-term characteristics.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as
a going concern. As of May 31, 2008, the Company was not in compliance with certain of the
financial covenants under its senior credit facility. The Company also had tangible net worth
below the level required by its Subordinated Notes. If the tangible net worth remains below the
level required by its Subordinated Notes at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, as is
currently expected, the Company will be required to repurchase 10% of the outstanding Subordinated
Notes, which may be prohibited by the senior credit facility. The Company is in the process of
preparing and implementing a plan to address its current liquidity and capital resources issues to
allow it to continue to operate as a going concern. Agreeing upon an amendment with its lenders
under the senior credit facility to address the current defaults and to establish covenants that
will provide the Company with the needed flexibility during the continued market downturn to
continue to fund its obligations and to meet the requirements of its Subordinated Notes is an
important element of this plan. The Company is also currently engaged in identifying alternatives
to satisfy the requirements of the Subordinated Notes to repurchase a portion of the Subordinated
Notes if its consolidated tangible net worth remains below $60 million through the first fiscal
quarter of 2009. These plans could include a range of alternatives, including seeking an amendment
or waiver under the senior credit facility or from the holders of the Subordinated Notes, issuing a
new security in exchange for or to amend or refinance the Subordinated Notes or finding another way
to satisfy its obligations to repurchase the Subordinated Notes. While management is currently
optimistic in the possibility of either reaching agreement with the senior credit facility lenders
and the holders of the Subordinated Notes or obtaining alternative financing, acceptable terms of
such agreements or financing may not be available and therefore there are no guaranties of
successfully achieving such results. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not
include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts
or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to
continue as a going concern.
(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or
less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(d) Inventory
Finished inventories and land held for sale are stated at the lower of accumulated cost or fair
value less cost to sell. Homebuilding projects and land held for development and construction are
stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that such cost would not be recovered from
the undiscounted cash flows generated by future dispositions, after considering estimated future
cash flows associated with all future expenditures to develop the assets, including interest
payments that will be capitalized as part of the cost of the asset. In this instance, such
inventories are written down to estimated fair value, which is determined based on management’s
estimate of future cash flows that would be considered by an unrelated buyer in determining the
fair value of the asset. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, it is possible that actual
results could differ from the estimated amounts.
In addition to the costs of direct land acquisition, land development and home construction,
inventory costs include interest, real estate taxes and indirect overhead costs incurred during
development and home construction. The Company uses the specific identification method for the
purpose of accumulating home construction costs. Cost of sales for homes closed includes the
specific construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, land development and
related costs (both incurred and estimated to be incurred) based upon the total number of homes
expected to be closed in each project. Any changes to the estimated total development costs
subsequent to the initial home closings in a project are generally allocated on a pro-rata basis to
the remaining homes in the project.
When a home is closed, the Company generally has not yet paid and recorded all incurred costs
necessary to complete the home. Each month, the Company records as a liability and a charge to cost
of sales the amount it estimates will ultimately be paid related to completed homes that have been
closed as of the end of that month.
The Company compares home construction budgets to actual recorded costs to estimate the additional
costs remaining to be paid on each closed home. The Company monitors the accuracy of each month’s
accrual by comparing actual costs paid on closed homes in subsequent months to the amount accrued.
Although actual costs to be paid on closed homes in the future could differ from the current
estimate, this method has historically produced consistently accurate estimates of actual costs to
complete closed homes.
Each reporting period, the Company reviews all components of inventory in accordance with Statement
of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-lived Assets, which requires that if the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to
result from a community is less than the carrying value of the community, an asset impairment must
be recognized in the consolidated financial statements as a component of cost of sales. The amount
of the impairment is calculated by subtracting the fair value of the community from the carrying
value of the community.
In order for management to assess the fair value of a community, certain assumptions must be made
which are highly subjective and susceptible to change. The Company evaluates, among other things,
the actual gross margins for homes closed and the gross margins for homes sold in backlog. This
evaluation also includes critical assumptions with respect to future home sales prices, cost of
sales, including levels of sales incentives, the monthly rate of sale, discount rates, profit
margins, and potential buyers, which are critical in determining the fair value of a community. If
events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a community is not expected to be
recoverable, then the community is written down to its estimated fair value. Given the historical
variability in the homebuilding industry cycle, the valuation of homebuilding inventories is
sensitive to changes in economic conditions, such as interest rates and unemployment levels.
Changes in these economic conditions could materially affect the projected home sales price, the
level of sales incentives, the costs to develop land and construct homes and the monthly rate of
sale. Because of these potential changes in economic and market conditions in conjunction with the
assumptions and estimates required of management in valuing homebuilding inventory, actual results
could differ materially from management’s assumptions and may require material inventory
impairments to be recorded in the future.
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, valuation adjustments are recorded on finished homes and land held
for sale when events or circumstances indicate that the fair value, less costs to sell, is less
than the carrying value.
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The impairments recorded during the years ended May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 by reportable segment
are as follows (in thousands):
2008
2007
2006
East
$
56,154
$
9,581
$
2,010
West
60,791
9,251
2,506
$
116,945
$
18,832
$
4,516
Deposits paid related to land option purchase agreements and contracts to purchase land are
capitalized when paid and classified as other assets until the related land is acquired. The
deposits are then transferred to inventory at the time the land is acquired. Deposits are charged
to expense if the land acquisition is no longer considered probable.
(e) Real Estate Not Owned
Consolidated real estate not owned represents the fair value of land under option purchase
agreements when consolidated pursuant to FIN 46R.
(f) Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
The Company participates in a number of land development entities in which it has less than a
controlling interest. These land development entities are typically entered into with developers,
other homebuilders and related parties to develop finished lots for sale to the members of the
entities and other third parties. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities under
the equity method. The Company’s share of profits from these entities are deferred and treated as
a reduction of the cost basis of land purchased from the entity.
The Company’s investments in Ashton Woods Mortgage and the title service entities are also
accounted for under the equity method, as the Company does not have a controlling interest.
Under the equity method, the Company’s share of the unconsolidated entities’ income or loss is
recognized as earned.
(g) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization generally is recorded
using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 2 to
5 years, and depreciable lives for leasehold improvements typically reflect the life of the lease.
Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
possession of the property are transferred to the buyer. Sales commissions are
included in sales and marketing expenses. Virtually all homebuilding, land and lot sales
revenues are received in cash within two days of closing. Trade receivables as of May 31, 2008
and 2007 were approximately $2.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively.
(i) Prepaid Expenses
Included in other assets are prepaid expenses of approximately $2.0 million and $2.3 million at May31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. These prepaid expenses primarily represent prepaid land
development costs but also include prepaid insurance and prepaid rent.
(j) Warranty Costs
The Company provides its homebuyers with limited warranties that generally provide for ten years
of structural coverage, two years of coverage for plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation
and air conditioning systems and one year of coverage for workmanship and materials. Warranty
liabilities are initially established on a per home basis by charging cost of sales and
establishing a warranty liability for each home delivered to cover expected costs of materials and
labor during the warranty period. The amounts accrued are based on management’s estimate of
expected warranty-related costs under all unexpired warranty obligation periods. The Company’s
warranty liability is based upon historical warranty cost experience in each market in which it
operates and is adjusted as appropriate to reflect qualitative risks associated with the types of
homes built and the geographic areas in which they are built. The Company’s warranty liability is
included in accounts payable and accruals on the consolidated balance sheets. Presented below are
summaries of the activity in the Company’s warranty liabilities for the three years ended May 31,2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):
2008
2007
2006
Warranty liability, beginning of period
$
6,383
$
5,023
$
3,075
Costs accrued during year
4,106
7,382
7,438
Incurred costs during year
(4,287
)
(6,022
)
(5,490
)
Warranty liability, end of period
$
6,202
$
6,383
$
5,023
(k) Advertising Costs
The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. Advertising expense was approximately
$5.9 million, $6.0 million, and $4.4 million in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2008, 2007, and
2006, respectively.
(l) Provision for Income Taxes
The Company operates as a limited liability company and is treated as a partnership for income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company incurs no liability for federal or state income taxes, other than franchise taxes,
since the taxable income is passed through to its members.
(m) Use of Estimates and Effect of Changing Prices
The preparation of consolidated 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 amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in the prices of
certain significant components of home construction costs,
particularly lumber and fuel, may cause unexpected short term increases in construction costs.
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(n) Reclassifications
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
(o) Segments
The Company’s operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments in accordance with SFAS
No. 131 Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (“SFAS 131”), based
primarily upon similar economic characteristics, geography and product type. The Company’s
homebuilding reportable segments are as follows:
1)
East (Atlanta, Orlando and Tampa markets) and
2)
West (Dallas, Houston, Phoenix and Denver markets)
See Note 14 for further discussion of the Company’s segments.
Note 2 — Inventory
Inventory consists of the following as of May 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):
2008
2007
Homes under construction and finished homes
$
107,576
$
143,551
Finished lots
59,809
111,704
Land under development
34,461
116,514
Land held for development
18,961
7,169
Land held for sale
5,223
—
$
226,030
$
378,938
On May 29, 2008, Ashton Tampa Residential, L.L.C. and Ashton Woods
Arizona, L.L.C. (two of the Company’s subsidiaries), entered into land purchase and sale agreements to sell certain
subdivisions and certain undeveloped land in Tampa and certain finished, single-family lots in
subdivisions in Arizona to a related party for an aggregate purchase price of $16.3 million in
cash. The sale was completed on May 30, 2008. See Note 7 for further details.
The Company capitalizes interest costs to inventory during development and construction.
Capitalized interest is charged to cost of sales as the related inventory is delivered to the
buyer. The following table summarizes the Company’s interest costs incurred, capitalized and
charged to cost of sales during the years ended May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):
2008
2007
2006
Capitalized interest, beginning of period
$
16,063
$
9,483
$
3,173
Interest incurred
17,769
19,627
15,347
Interest amortized to cost of sales
(14,801
)
(13,047
)
(9,037
)
Interest included in impairment
(6,465
)
—
—
Interest charged to general and administrative expenses
(954
)
—
—
Capitalized interest, end of period
$
11,612
$
16,063
$
9,483
The Company has historically capitalized the interest incurred on both the $125 million aggregate
principal amount of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 (the “Subordinated Notes”) as well as the senior credit facility since its qualifying assets
exceeded its debt obligations. However, during the
year ended May 31, 2008, qualifying assets were less than the Company’s debt obligations, requiring
interest
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
incurred during the period to be directly expensed. Interest directly expensed during the
year ended May 31, 2008 was approximately $1.0 million.
Note 3 — Consolidated Land Inventory Not Owned
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into land option agreements in order to
procure 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. Under FIN 46R, if
the entity holding the land under option is a variable interest entity, the Company’s deposit
represents a variable interest in that entity. Creditors of the variable interest entities have no
recourse against the Company.
In applying the provisions of FIN 46R, the Company evaluated all land option agreements and
determined that the Company has three lot purchase contracts with certain related parties to
acquire 655 finished lots at an aggregate price of approximately $33.0 million, which have created
variable interests and of which 139 finished lots remain to be acquired for an aggregate price of
$6.9 million. In addition, the Company has provided various specific performance guarantees under
one of the option purchase contracts, which has been deemed as providing subordinated financial
support to the entity. While the Company owns no equity interest in the entities, it must
consolidate them pursuant to FIN 46R. The consolidation of these variable interest entities added
$5.0 million, $4.3 million and $0.4 million in real estate not owned, liabilities related to real
estate not owned and minority interests in real estate not owned, respectively, to the Company’s
balance sheet at May 31, 2008. With respect to the Company’s balance sheet at May 31, 2007, the
consolidation of these variable interest entities added $5.9 million, $4.8 million and $0.7
million in real estate not owned, liabilities related to real estate not owned and minority
interests in real estate not owned, respectively.
Land option agreements that did not require consolidation under FIN 46R at May 31, 2008 and 2007
had a total purchase price of $41.5 million and $56.2 million, respectively. In connection with
these agreements, the Company had deposits of $2.3 million and $3.9 million, included in other
assets at May 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Note 4 — Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
The Company enters into land development joint ventures from time to time as a means of accessing
larger parcels of land and lot positions, managing its risk profile and leveraging its capital
base. At May 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had equity investments of 50% or less and did not have
a controlling interest in these unconsolidated entities. The Company’s partners are generally
unrelated homebuilders, land developers or other real estate entities. These unconsolidated
entities follow GAAP and the partners generally share profits and losses in accordance with their
ownership interests.
The Company and/or its entity partners enter into option purchase agreements under which they can
purchase finished lots held by the unconsolidated entity. Option prices are generally negotiated
prices that approximate fair value when the option contract is signed. The Company’s share of the
entity’s earnings is deferred until homes related to the lots purchased are delivered and title
passes to a homebuyer.
The land development entities with unrelated parties typically obtain secured acquisition and
development financing. As of May 31, 2008, the Company had entered into lot option purchase
agreements with three unconsolidated entities for the purchase of 887 lots, of which 464 remain to
be purchased with an aggregate remaining purchase price of $17.4 million. These unconsolidated
entities had borrowings outstanding totaling $9.1 million and $8.1 million at May 31, 2008 and
2007, respectively. In some instances, the entity partners have provided varying levels of
guarantees of debt of the unconsolidated entities. These repayment guarantees require the Company
to repay its share of the debt of unconsolidated entities in the event the entity defaults on its
obligations under the borrowings. The Company had repayment guarantees of $3.0 million and $1.5
million at May 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Summarized condensed financial information related to unconsolidated entities that are accounted
for
using the equity method at May 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in thousands):
In September 2005, the Company and Ashton Woods Finance Co., the Company’s 100% owned finance
subsidiary, co-issued $125 million aggregate principal amount of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2015 in a private placement pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended. The net proceeds were used to repay amounts outstanding under the Company’s
then senior credit facility and to repay certain related party debt. In April 2006, the
Company completed an offer to exchange all of the notes issued in September 2005 for an equal
amount of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, which were registered under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the “Subordinated Notes”). Interest on the Subordinated Notes is payable semiannually on
October 1st and April 1st of each year. The Company may redeem the
Subordinated Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after October 1, 2010, at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a premium declining ratably to par, plus accrued
and unpaid interest. In addition, at any time prior to October 1, 2008, the indenture governing
the Subordinated Notes allows the Company to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of
the Subordinated Notes with the proceeds of qualified equity offerings at a redemption price
equal to 109.5% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Subordinated Notes
are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future
senior debt, including borrowings
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
under the Company’s senior credit facility. All of the
Company’s existing subsidiaries, other than the co-issuer, fully and unconditionally guaranteed,
jointly and severally, the Subordinated Notes on a senior subordinated basis. Each of the
subsidiary guarantors is 100% owned by the Company. Future direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries,
excluding subsidiaries that are designated unrestricted subsidiaries in accordance with the
indenture, will be required to guarantee the Subordinated Notes on a full and unconditional basis,
jointly and severally with the other subsidiary guarantors. The guarantees are general unsecured
obligations of the guarantors and are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future
senior debt of the guarantors, which includes their guarantees of the Company’s senior credit
facility. The Company does not have any independent operations or assets apart from its
investments in its subsidiaries. As of May 31, 2008, the Subordinated Notes, which have a face
value of $125.0 million, had a fair value of approximately $72.5 million, based on quoted market
prices by independent dealers.
The indenture governing the Subordinated Notes contains covenants that limit the Company’s ability
and the ability of its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness; pay
dividends or make other distributions; make investments; sell assets; incur liens; enter into
agreements restricting the Company’s subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; enter into
transactions with affiliates; and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its
assets. Unlike the senior credit facility, the financial covenants in the indenture governing the
Subordinated Notes primarily limit the Company’s ability to incur additional debt, make
distributions or engage in other actions. Consequently, the covenants in the indenture have not,
historically, had a significant impact on the Company’s operations, financial condition and results
of operations. However, in the future the Company’s ability to secure financing for its operations
could be limited by these covenants, and if the Company is limited in its ability to obtain
financing, its operations, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely
affected.
The Company’s most restrictive covenant under the Subordinated Notes is the minimum tangible net
worth covenant, which requires the Company to make an offer to purchase 10% of the outstanding
Subordinated Notes at 100% of the principal amount of the Subordinated Notes plus accrued interest,
if tangible net worth falls below $60 million for a period of two consecutive quarters. As of May31, 2008, the Company’s tangible net worth was $58.7 million. If the tangible net worth remains
below the level required by the Subordinated Notes at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year
2009, as is currently expected, the Company will be required to repurchase 10% of the outstanding
Subordinated Notes, which may be prohibited by the senior credit facility. If the Company does not
repurchase the Subordinated Notes when required, this would constitute an event of default under
the Subordinated Notes, giving the holders the right to require repayment of the Subordinated
Notes in full. The Company is also currently prohibited from making interest payments on the
Subordinated Notes as a result of the default under the senior credit facility. The next interest
payment is due on October 1, 2008. If the Company does not make such payment on a timely basis and
is not able to cure such failure within 30 days, an event of default will occur and the holders of
the Subordinated Notes will also have the right to require repayment of the Subordinated Notes in
full. Either event of default under the Subordinated Notes would constitute an event of default
under the senior credit facility. In this case, if the Company is unable to negotiate a waiver or
amendment of the terms of the Subordinated Notes, secure a waiver of the resulting default from the
holders or otherwise cure the default, it would be required to seek other sources of liquidity to
fund its operations and to repay outstanding amounts under the Subordinated Notes and the senior
credit facility. Such additional resources could include the issuance of additional equity to its
existing members or the admission of new members or the issuance of new debt instruments. Given
the current issues faced by the industry, including the current fair value of the Company’s
outstanding debt instruments, the Company may not be able to raise capital when needed on terms
that are acceptable, or at all.
As of and for the quarter ended May 31, 2008, the Company was in compliance with the covenants
under the Subordinated Notes; however, under the restricted payments test, the Company will not be
able to make additional restricted payments until such time as it has increased consolidated net
income. The restricted payments test limits the Company’s ability to make restricted payments,
defined by the indenture covering the Subordinated Notes to include dividends or other
distributions on outstanding equity interests, the redemption of the Company’s outstanding equity
interests, investments in other entities whether in the form of debt or equity (unless considered a
permitted investment under the indenture) and certain payments prior to scheduled maturity or any
scheduled repayment date with respect to indebtedness that is subordinated by its terms to the
Subordinated Notes. The amount
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
of such restricted payments is limited to an aggregate amount that
does not exceed $5 million, plus 50% of consolidated net income (as defined in the indenture) for
the period beginning June 1, 2005 to and including the last day of the fiscal quarter ended
immediately prior to the calculation date, plus 100% of aggregate net cash proceeds or the fair
market value of assets received by the Company as contributions to its common equity or from the
sale of equity interests qualified under the indenture, plus additional amounts related to the
conversion or exchange of indebtedness for certain equity interests or upon the redesignation of an
unrestricted subsidiary as restricted under the indenture. However, the indenture provides that if
consolidated net income for the measurement period starting June 1, 2005 is a deficit, 100% of the
aggregate deficit will be subtracted in the above formula. In addition to having funds available
under the restricted payments test, in order to make a restricted payment, the Company must also be
able to incur $1.00 of additional indebtedness under the indebtedness incurrence ratio test set
forth in the indenture and not otherwise be in default under the indenture. Based on the restricted
payments calculation at May 31, 2008, in order to make additional payments under the restricted
payments test, the Company would need to achieve consolidated net income exceeding $45.7 million in
the aggregate. The amount of any future restricted payments will depend on the amount by which
aggregate consolidated net income in the future exceeds such minimum amount. However, because the
types of payments that are restricted by this test generally relate to voluntary payments by the
Company to its equity owners or investments in new businesses, the inability to make restricted
payments at this time does not impact the Company’s ability to conduct operations in the ordinary
course. The Company’s ability to expand its business through acquisition or investment in other
businesses may, however, be limited. In addition to the above restrictions, there are certain
exceptions to the restricted payments limitations, including a provision that allows the continued
payment of dividends to the Company’s equity owners to satisfy their tax obligations. The Company
plans to continue to make such tax payments to its owners, except to the extent limited by an
amended senior credit facility.
The Amended Senior Credit Facility
In December 2005, the Company entered into an amended senior credit facility. The senior credit
facility provided for up to $300.0 million of unsecured borrowings, subject to a borrowing base.
The senior credit facility provided for the issuance of up to $50.0 million in letters of credit.
The Company’s obligations under the amended senior credit facility are guaranteed by all of its
subsidiaries and all of the holders of its membership interests. However, these obligations are
not currently secured by the Company’s assets.
Once during each fiscal year (i.e., June 1-May 31), the Company may request that the lenders extend
the maturity date by an additional year. On January 10, 2007, the Company amended the senior
credit facility to extend the maturity date to January 19, 2011, for 88.3%, or $265.0 million of
the facility and to amend the definition of “EBITDA” contained therein to exclude certain non-cash
gains and include certain non-cash losses or charges. On February 21, 2007, the Company obtained
consent from an additional lender representing 5.0% or $15 million of the facility, to also extend
this portion of the senior credit facility to January 19, 2011.
The senior credit facility contains a number of customary financial and operating covenants,
including covenants: requiring the Company to maintain a minimum consolidated tangible net worth;
limiting the principal amount of the Company’s secured debt to $50 million at any given time;
limiting the net book value of its unimproved entitled land, land under development and finished
lots to 150.0% of the Company’s adjusted tangible net worth; limiting the aggregate distributions
by the Company and its subsidiaries in any fiscal year; restricting its ability to incur additional
indebtedness; and restricting its ability to engage in mergers and consolidations and its ability
to sell all or substantially all of its assets. The senior credit facility also contains
covenants requiring the Company to maintain a certain ratio of consolidated total liabilities to
adjusted net worth and to maintain a certain interest coverage ratio. In June 2007, the Company
entered into another amendment to the senior credit facility which provided for a
permanent reduction in the interest coverage ratio to 2.0x, from 2.50x, and included a
provision allowing such ratio to fall to no less than 1.75x for up to three consecutive fiscal
quarters in any rolling four fiscal quarter period ending on or before May 31, 2009. The June 2007
amendment also provided that in the
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
event the Company’s interest coverage ratio for any fiscal
quarter was less than 2.0x, (1) the ratio of consolidated total liabilities to adjusted net worth
would decrease to 2.0x, from 2.25x, for such fiscal quarter and (2) the interest rates for
borrowings under the senior credit facility would increase to the levels set forth in the
amendment. The terms of this amendment were superseded by the December 20, 2007 amendment to the
Company’s senior credit facility described below.
On December 20, 2007, the Company amended certain terms of its senior credit facility
(the “December Amendment”). The December Amendment provided for (1) maintenance of tangible net
worth of $110 million plus 50% of consolidated earnings for each quarter after November 30, 2007
(excluding any quarter in which consolidated earnings are less than zero) plus 50% of net proceeds
of any capital stock or other equity interests issued or sold after November 30, 2007, (2) a
leverage ratio ranging from a ratio of 2.00 to 1.00 to a ratio of 1.00 to 1.00 depending on the
interest coverage ratio at the time of measurement, (3) an interest coverage ratio of 2.00 to 1.00,
provided that the interest coverage ratio may be less than 2.00 to 1.00 for any quarter so long as
the number of quarters ending after November 30, 2007 in which it is less than 1.50 to 1.00 does
not exceed eight and the number of quarters in which the ratio is less than 0.50 to 1.00 does not
exceed four, and (4) minimum liquidity, defined as unrestricted cash together with borrowing base
availability, of not less than $43 million for any quarter where (x) the interest coverage ratio is
less than 1.50 to 1.00 and (y) the ratio of adjusted cash flow from operations for the last four
quarters then ended to interest expense is less than 1.50 to 1.00. The December Amendment provides
for changes to the applicable unused fee rate and adjustments to interest rates and margin
depending on the leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio at each measurement date.
The December Amendment prohibits the payment, purchase or defeasance of any subordinated
indebtedness, unless all obligations under the senior credit facility have been satisfied
and the commitments terminated, other than (a) regularly scheduled payments of interest and
payments of subordinated indebtedness upon scheduled maturity, and (b) a redemption of subordinated
indebtedness under terms of any subordinated indebtedness allowing redemption at the option of the
Company with the proceeds of any equity offering or after it has been outstanding for a defined
period, or the purchase of subordinated indebtedness by issuer tender offer or open market
purchase, so long as, in each case, (i) the leverage ratio is less than 1.25 to 1.00 after giving
effect to the redemption or purchase and (ii) the interest coverage ratio is greater than 2.00 to
1.00 after giving effect to the redemption or purchase. Further, such payments, redemptions and
purchases may be made only if no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or
would occur as a result of the making of such payment, redemption or purchase. Finally, the
December Amendment provides for a reduction of the aggregate commitment under the senior credit facility to $250.0 million. As of May 31, 2008, the Company was in default of the minimum
tangible net worth and leverage ratio covenants under the senior credit facility.
The borrowings under the facility bear daily interest at rates based upon the London Interbank
Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread based upon our interest coverage ratio and ratio of consolidated
total liabilities to adjusted net worth. In addition to the stated interest rates, the credit facility requires the Company to pay certain fees. The effective interest rate of the
facility at May 31, 2008 and 2007, was approximately 4.33% and 6.57%, respectively.
Borrowings under the senior credit facility are limited by the availability of sufficient
real estate borrowing base, which is determined regularly throughout the life of the senior
credit facility. At May 31, 2008, the Company had $22.8 million in outstanding
borrowings, $17.6 million outstanding under letters of credit and surety bonds and $159.3 million
in available borrowings under the senior credit facility. Borrowing base availability was
not materially impacted by the December Amendment. However, due to the default under the senior
credit facility, the borrowing base availability is subject to the outcome of the current
negotiations between the Company and the lenders under the senior credit facility.
The interest coverage ratio and the minimum tangible net worth requirement are the Company’s most
restrictive covenants under the senior credit facility. The credit facility requires
that the Company maintain an interest coverage ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00, but permits the
ratio to fall below this level so long as the number of fiscal quarters in which it is less than
1.50 to 1.00 does not exceed eight and the number of fiscal quarters in which it
is less than .50 to 1.00 does not exceed four. Further, if the Company’s interest coverage ratio
falls below 2.00 to 1.00, the leverage ratio becomes more restrictive. Specifically, if the
interest coverage ratio is as depicted in the first
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
column of the following table, then the
leverage ratio must not exceed the ratio in the second column:
If Interest
Then Leverage
Coverage Ratio
Ratio must be < or =
> or = 2.00 to 1.00
2.00 to 1.00
> 1.5 to 1.00 but < 2.00 to 1.00
1.75 to 1.00
> 1.00 to 1.00 but < 1.50 to 1.00
1.50 to 1.00
> 0.50 to 1.00 but < 1.00 to 1.00
1.25 to 1.00
< 0.50 to 1.00
1.00 to 1.00
Under the facility, the Company is also required to maintain tangible net worth of $110 million,
plus 50% of consolidated earnings for each quarter after November 30, 2007. As of May 31, 2008,
the Company’s interest coverage ratio was 1.41, which required it to maintain a leverage ratio of
less than 1.5. The Company’s actual leverage ratio as of May 31, 2008 was 1.97 and its tangible
net worth was $58.7 million. Pursuant to the land inventory covenant of its senior credit
facility, the Company was required to maintain its land inventory at no more than 150% of its
tangible net worth. Land inventory means the net book value of unimproved land, lots under
development and finished lots. At May 31, 2008, the land inventory was 149.5% of tangible net worth.
Accordingly, as of May 31, 2008, the Company was in default of the tangible net worth and leverage
ratio covenants but was in compliance with the land inventory ratio covenant of its senior credit
facility. On August 21, 2008, the Company received a notice of default from the lenders under the
senior credit facility, which prohibits it from paying on or purchasing the Subordinated Notes
during the existence of the default. The notice also indicated that the lenders have no obligation
to fund borrowings under the senior credit facility while the default is outstanding. The Company
has 30 days from the date of notice to cure the defaults identified. Thereafter, if the defaults
are not cured or waived and the facility is not amended to address the defaults, the lenders will
have the right to accelerate the maturity of all amounts outstanding under the senior credit
facility. As of August 19, 2008, the Company had borrowings and letters of credit outstanding
under the senior credit facility of $31.8 million and $16.6 million, respectively. The Company is in the process of negotiating
amendments to its senior credit facility to address the defaults and to provide for less
restrictive covenants going forward during the period of the market downturn. However, the Company
may not be able to agree upon an amendment with acceptable terms or at all.
If the Company’s financial condition further deteriorates, it may be challenged to meet its
covenants, even if revised upon completion of the amendment discussed above and it may be required
to further modify the facility and assess the viability of other methods of raising equity and/or
debt capital. If the Company and its lenders are unable to agree upon a satisfactory amendment to
address the existing defaults, or it fails to meet its covenants in the future and is unable to
amend the facility, secure a waiver of the default from the lenders or otherwise cure the default,
the lenders will have the right to cease lending under the facility and to accelerate the
outstanding indebtedness. Any acceleration of the credit facility indebtedness would also
constitute a default under the Subordinated Notes discussed above, which would require waiver or
could also result in acceleration of that debt. In such circumstance, the Company would be
required to seek other sources of liquidity to fund its operations and to repay outstanding amounts
under the credit facility unless an amendment or waiver could be secured from the holders, under
the Notes. Such additional resources could include the issuance of additional equity to the
existing members or the admission of new members or the issuance of new debt capital. Under
covenants contained in the Subordinated Notes, the Company’s ability to bring in new equity
participants is limited to a change of ownership of 50% or less
and under the senior credit facility, to 20% or less and the Company’s ability to incur additional
indebtedness is limited by the additional indebtedness covenants of such facilities. If the
Company’s need for additional funding exceeded the limits of the Subordinated Notes and the senior
credit facility, it would have to seek the consent of the holders of the Subordinated Notes and the
lenders under the senior credit facility to complete a financing. Given the current issues faced
by the industry in which the Company operates, including the current fair value of its outstanding
debt instruments, it may not be able to raise capital on terms that are acceptable, or at all, if
needed. Further, the Company may not be able to secure the consents needed for such financing on
acceptable terms or at all.
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Also, see Note 1, subsection b).
Note 6 — Accounts payable and accruals
The Company’s accounts payable and accruals at May 31, 2008 and 2007 consisted of the following (in
thousands):
2008
2007
Accounts payable and accruals — trade
$
23,953
$
21,637
Interest accrued
2,178
2,295
Legal and professional fees
1,660
730
Salaries, wages and fringe benefits
5,163
8,238
Warranty accruals
6,202
6,383
Other
2,684
3,776
$
41,840
$
43,059
Note 7 — Transactions With Related Parties
On May 29, 2008, Ashton Tampa Residential, L.L.C. and Ashton Woods
Arizona, L.L.C. (two of the Company’s subsidiaries), entered into land purchase and sale agreements (the “Land Sale
Agreements”) with an entity which is owned indirectly by family trusts or other entities associated
with Seymour Joffe, Bruce Freeman and Harry Rosenbaum (directors, and beneficial owners of membership interests in, our company), and with a beneficial
owner of a membership interest in the Company. Pursuant to the Land Sale Agreements, the Company
agreed to sell certain subdivisions and certain undeveloped land in Tampa and certain finished, single-family lots in subdivisions in Arizona for an aggregate purchase price of $16.3 million in cash. The sale
was completed on May 30, 2008. During the year ended May 31, 2008, the Company recorded impairment charges for these properties of
$35.9 million, which is reflected in land cost of sales in the consolidated statement of operations
for the year ended May 31, 2008. Of the $35.9 million, $25.1 million was recorded in the fourth
quarter of fiscal year 2008 and $10.8 million was recorded in the first three quarters of fiscal
year 2008. The impairment charges recorded in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2008 were
recorded in home cost of sales but were reclassified to land cost of sales in the fourth quarter of
fiscal year 2008. As a result of the impairment charges recorded, there
was no gain or loss on the sale of these properties. The proceeds from this sale were used to pay
down the senior credit facility.
A services agreement with a related party provides the Company with the license, development and
support for the Company’s computer systems and the provision of certain administrative services.
The Company pays $600 per home closing quarterly, in arrears for these services, and in 2006, the
Company made payments of $1,500 per lot closed for certain services rendered by the related party
to one of the Company’s subsidiaries. During the fiscal years ended May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
$0.8 million, $1.2 million, and $1.5 million were incurred related to these services, respectively.
The Company has entered into option purchase agreements for the purchase of finished lots for use
in its homebuilding operations for the acquisition and development of land and lots for use in its
homebuilding operations with certain related parties. These entities were considered variable
interest entities pursuant to FIN 46R and consolidated by the Company. As of May 31, 2008, the
Company had 139 finished lots under contract to be purchased, representing $6.9 million in purchase
price.
Note 8 — Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has a 401(k) plan for all Company employees who have been with the Company for a
period of three months or more. Prior to May 31, 2008, the Company matched portions of employee’s
voluntary contributions up to 4% of employee’s compensation limited by the maximum allowed under
federal guidelines. Expenses for the plan were $0.8 million, $1.1 million, and $0.9 million in the
fiscal years ended May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Effective June 1, 2008,
the 401(k) match was made discretionary.
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are based on quoted market prices, where
available, or are estimated. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on
relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are
subjective in nature, involve matters of judgment and therefore, cannot be determined with
precision. Estimated fair values are significantly affected by the assumptions used.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents and the senior credit facility, as reported
in the Company’s balance sheets approximate their fair values due to their short maturity or
floating interest rate terms, as applicable.
Note 10 — Employment Agreements
On January 30, 2006, the Company entered into an employment agreement with its President and
Chief Executive Officer, Tom Krobot. The agreement, which is effective as of June 1, 2005, is
for a term of approximately five years ending May 31, 2010. The employment agreement includes
base salary and annual bonus provisions that are calculated based on annual net income. The
agreement also provides for certain incentive payments upon a sale of the Company, irrespective
of form, the consummation by the Company of an initial public offering of equity securities,
upon his termination under certain circumstances or upon expiration of the agreement. The
incentive payment will be equal to the amount determined by multiplying the excess of the
aggregate fair value of the Company over the book value of the Company by 3%, provided such
payment is subject to a floor of $3.0 million. The Company accrued $600,000 for each year in
the fiscal years ended May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and accordingly $1.8 million and $1.2
million was accrued at May 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for this payment obligation. The
expense for each year is reflected in general and administrative expenses; the liability as of
May 31, 2008 and 2007 is reflected in accounts payable and accruals. The liability under this
employment agreement has been measured using the intrinsic value method. On June 17, 2008, the
Board of Directors approved an increase in Mr. Krobot’s salary. No other changes were made to
the terms of Mr. Krobot’s agreement.
Note 11 — Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is involved in lawsuits and other contingencies in the ordinary course of business.
Management believes that, while the ultimate outcome of the contingencies cannot be predicted with
certainty, the ultimate liability, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
In the normal course of business, the Company provides standby letters of credit and surety bonds
under its senior credit facility to third parties to secure performance under various contracts. As
of May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company had letters of credit and surety bonds outstanding of
$17.6 million, $21.3 million, and $25.4 million, respectively.
The Company leases office space and equipment under various operating leases. Minimum annual lease
payments under these leases at May 31, 2008 were (in thousands):
2009
$
1,236
2010
933
2011
485
2012
90
2013
—
$
2,744
Rent expense approximated $1.7 million, $1.7 million and $1.8 million for the fiscal years ended
May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and are included within general and administrative
expense on the consolidated
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
statements of operations.
Note 12 — Cash Flow Information
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information and non-cash activities are as follows (in
thousands):
2008
2007
2006
Cash paid for interest
$
16,215
$
19,091
$
12,000
Non-cash distribution of land from
joint venture
$
—
$
379
$
8,482
Note 13 — Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
August 31
November 30
February 28
May 31
($ in thousands)
Fiscal Year 2008
Revenue
$
97,503
$
114,162
$
82,957
$
113,442
Gross profit (loss)
$
5,682
$
1,206
$
(8,906
)
$
(47,656
)
Net loss
$
(10,615
)
$
(15,102
)
$
(22,398
)
$
(65,412
)
Gross profit (loss) and net loss were negatively impacted by the recording of impairment charges of
$13.5 million, $21.3 million, $20.3 million and $61.8 million in the first, second, third and
fourth quarters of 2008, respectively (see Note 1).
Quarter Ended
August 31
November 30
February 28
May 31
($ in thousands)
Fiscal Year 2007
Revenue
$
156,642
$
129,437
$
129,426
$
165,485
Gross profit
$
32,503
$
21,286
$
23,899
$
25,528
Net income
$
11,482
$
3,050
$
6,174
$
3,977
Note 14 — Information on business segments
SFAS No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (“SFAS No. 131”),
defines operating segments as a component of an enterprise for which discrete financial information
is available and is reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making
group, to evaluate performance and to make operating decisions. The Company has identified its
chief operating decision-makers (“CODMs”) as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer.
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The Company has identified each homebuilding market as an operating segment in accordance with SFAS
No. 131. Operations of the Company’s homebuilding segments primarily include the sale and
construction of single-family attached and detached homes, and to a lesser extent, condominiums, as
well as the purchase, development and sale of residential land directly and through the Company’s
unconsolidated entities. The Company’s operating segments have been aggregated into the reportable
segments noted below because they have similar: (1) economic characteristics; (2) housing products;
(3) class of homebuyer; (4) regulatory environments; and (5) methods used to construct and sell
homes.
The Company’s homebuilding reportable segments are as follows:
(1)
East (Atlanta, Orlando and Tampa markets)
(2)
West (Dallas, Houston, Phoenix and Denver markets)
The accounting policies for each segment are the same as those described in Note 1. Except for
the allocation of certain corporate overhead such as interest and certain depreciation on corporate
assets, the costs of operating each segment as well as the assets owned are primarily maintained
and recorded directly within the respective segment. Operational results of each segment are not
necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the segment been an independent,
stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
The following table summarizes revenue, gross profit and net income for each of the Company’s
reportable segments:
Fiscal years ended May 31
2008
2007
2006
($ in thousands)
Total Revenues
Homebuilding
East
$
172,961
$
272,782
$
302,710
West
235,047
307,998
400,037
Total Homebuilding
408,008
580,780
702,747
Corporate
56
210
243
Consolidated revenues
$
408,064
$
580,990
$
702,990
Gross (Loss) Profit
East
$
(23,940
)
$
50,727
$
84,309
West
(25,790
)
52,279
83,039
Total Homebuilding
(49,730
)
103,006
167,348
Corporate
56
210
243
Consolidated gross (loss) profit
$
(49,674
)
$
103,216
$
167,591
Net (Loss) Income
East
$
(50,982
)
$
15,398
$
50,432
West
(62,516
)
7,333
$
34,626
Total Homebuilding
(113,498
)
22,731
85,058
Corporate
(29
)
1,952
1,413
Consolidated net (loss) income
$
(113,527
)
$
24,683
$
86,471
The following table summarizes assets for each of the Company’s reportable segments: