UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

[ X ] Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

For quarterly period ended APRIL 30, 2008 or

 

[

]

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Commission file number 1-8551

 

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

22-1851059

 

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

 

Incorporation or Organization)

Identification No.)

 

110 West Front Street, P.O. Box 500, Red Bank, NJ 07701

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

 

732-747-7800

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (l) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section l3 or l5(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of l934 during the preceding l2 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes

[ X ]

No o

 

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

Large Accelerated Filer [ X ] Accelerated Filer [

]

 

Non-Accelerated Filer [

]

Smaller Reporting Company [

]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [ X ]

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 62,051,052 shares of Class A Common Stock and 14,644,227 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding as of June 4, 2008.

 

 



 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

PAGE NUMBER

 

 

PART I. Financial Information

 

Item l. Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30,

 

2008 (unaudited) and October 31, 2007

3

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three

 

and six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)

5

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders'

 

Equity for the six months ended April 30, 2008 (unaudited)

6

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for

 

the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)

7

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial

 

Statements (unaudited)

9

 

 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis

 

of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

28

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures

 

About Market Risk

53

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

54

 

 

PART II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

54

 

 

Item 1A – Risk Factors

55

 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and

 

Use of Proceeds

62

 

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

62

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

64

 

 

Signatures

67

 

 

 



 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands Except Share Amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

April 30,

2008

 

October 31,

2007

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

Homebuilding:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$119,910

 

$12,275

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

4,461

 

6,594

 

 

 

 

Inventories - at the lower of cost or fair value:

 

 

 

Sold and unsold homes and lots under development

2,039,797

 

2,792,436

 

 

 

 

Land and land options held for future

 

 

 

development or sale

624,614

 

446,135

 

 

 

 

Consolidated inventory not owned:

 

 

 

Specific performance options

7,582

 

12,123

Variable interest entities

102,807

 

139,914

Other options

116,111

 

127,726

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated inventory not owned

226,500

 

279,763

 

 

 

 

Total inventories

2,890,911

 

3,518,334

 

 

 

 

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated

 

 

 

joint ventures

166,408

 

176,365

 

 

 

 

Receivables, deposits, and notes

113,638

 

109,856

 

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment – net

101,169

 

106,792

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

156,886

 

174,032

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

32,658

 

32,658

 

 

 

 

Definite life intangibles

2,996

 

4,224

 

 

 

 

Total homebuilding

3,589,037

 

4,141,130

 

 

 

 

Financial services:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

3,982

 

3,958

Restricted cash

6,149

 

11,572

Mortgage loans held for sale

136,294

 

182,627

Other assets

3,906

 

6,851

 

 

 

 

Total financial services

150,331

 

205,008

 

 

 

 

Income taxes receivable – including net deferred

 

 

 

tax benefits

223,223

 

194,410

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$3,962,591

 

$4,540,548

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 



 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands Except Share Amounts)

 

April 30,

2008

 

October 31,

2007

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding:

 

 

 

 

Nonrecourse land mortgages

$4,871

 

$9,430 

 

Accounts payable and other liabilities

413,736

 

515,422 

 

Customers’ deposits

48,790

 

65,221 

 

Nonrecourse mortgages secured by operating

 

 

 

 

properties

22,618

 

22,985 

 

Liabilities from inventory not owned

164,887

 

189,935 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total homebuilding

654,902

 

802,993 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial services:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other liabilities

13,349

 

19,597 

 

Mortgage warehouse line of credit

123,142

 

171,133 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total financial services

136,491

 

190,730 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable:

 

 

 

 

Revolving credit agreement

325,000

 

206,750 

 

Senior notes

1,510,832

 

1,510,600 

 

Senior subordinated notes

400,000

 

400,000 

 

Accrued interest

45,274

 

43,944 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total notes payable

2,281,106

 

2,161,294 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

3,072,499

 

3,155,017 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest from inventory not owned

38,552

 

62,238 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest from consolidated joint ventures

1,380

 

1,490 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value-authorized 100,000

 

 

 

 

shares; issued 5,600 shares at April 30,

 

 

 

 

2008 and at October 31, 2007 with a

 

 

 

 

liquidation preference of $140,000

135,299

 

135,299 

 

Common stock, Class A, $.01 par value-authorized

 

 

 

 

200,000,000 shares; issued 59,713,441 shares at

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2008 and 59,263,887 shares at

 

 

 

 

October 31, 2007 (including 11,694,720

 

 

 

 

shares at April 30, 2008 and

 

 

 

 

October 31, 2007 held in Treasury)

597

 

593 

 

Common stock, Class B, $.01 par value (convertible

 

 

 

 

to Class A at time of sale) authorized

 

 

 

 

30,000,000 shares; issued 15,337,350 shares at

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2008 and 15,338,840 shares at

 

 

 

 

October 31, 2007 (including 691,748 shares at

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2008 and October 31, 2007 held in

 

 

 

 

Treasury) 

153

 

153 

 

Paid in capital – common stock

285,727

 

276,998 

 

Retained earnings

543,641

 

1,024,017 

 

Treasury stock - at cost

(115,257)

 

(115,257)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

850,160

 

1,321,803 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$3,962,591

 

$4,540,548 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

 



 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

April 30,

Six Months Ended

April 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of homes

$755,684

 

$1,058,014

 

$1,807,502

 

$2,193,930

Land sales and other revenues

8,203

 

34,761

 

36,113

 

43,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total homebuilding

763,887

 

1,092,775

 

1,843,615

 

2,237,028

Financial services

12,552

 

17,883

 

26,525

 

39,431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

776,439

 

1,110,658

 

1,870,140

 

2,276,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales, excluding interest

706,845

 

903,810

 

1,710,409

 

1,837,785

Cost of sales interest

34,572

 

28,756

 

63,160

 

55,628

Inventory impairment loss and land option
       write-offs

245,860

 

34,353

 

336,028

 

75,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of sales

987,277

 

966,919

 

2,109,597

 

1,969,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

97,646

 

137,637

 

197,815

 

269,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total homebuilding

1,084,923

 

1,104,556

 

2,307,412

 

2,239,019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial services

8,450

 

11,628

 

19,320

 

24,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate general and administrative

21,296

 

19,558

 

43,112

 

42,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other interest

462

 

6,666

 

1,002

 

7,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operations

1,057

 

805

 

1,863

 

2,258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible amortization

292

 

6,718

 

1,227

 

68,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

1,116,480

 

1,149,931

 

2,373,936

 

2,384,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from unconsolidated joint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ventures

(3,397)

 

(2,160)

 

(8,436)

 

(195)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

(343,438)

 

(41,433)

 

(512,232)

 

(108,062)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State and federal income tax
  (benefit) provision:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State

11,942 

 

1,094 

 

14,225 

 

(1,252)

Federal

(14,669)

 

(14,468)

 

(54,803)

 

(24,143)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total taxes

(2,727)

 

(13,374)

 

(40,578)

 

(25,395)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

(340,711)

 

(28,059)

 

(471,654)

 

(82,667)

Less:  preferred stock dividends

-

 

2,669 

 

-

 

5,338 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss available to common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

stockholders

$(340,711)

 

$(30,728)

 

$(471,654)

 

$(88,005)

Per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per common share

$(5.29)

 

$(0.49)

 

$(7.43)

 

$(1.40)

Weighted average number of common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shares outstanding

64,410 

 

63,004 

 

63,455 

 

62,953 

Assuming dilution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per common share

$(5.29)

 

$(0.49)

 

$(7.43)

 

$(1.40)

Weighted average number of common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shares outstanding

64,410 

 

63,004 

 

63,455 

 

62,953 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In Thousands Except Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Common Stock

 

B Common Stock

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Issued and Outstanding

 

Amount

 

Shares Issued and Outstanding

 

Amount

 

Shares Issued and Outstanding

 

Amount

 

Paid-In

Capital

 

Retained Earnings

 

Treasury Stock

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, October 31, 2007

47,569,167

 

$593

 

14,647,092

 

$153

 

5,600

 

$135,299

 

$276,998

 

$1,024,017

 

$(115,257)

 

$1,321,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adoption of FASB interpretation
No. 48 (FIN 48)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,722)

 

 

 

(8,722)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options amortization 

and issuances, net of tax

203,448

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,350

 

 

 

 

 

5,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock 

amortization, issuances and 

forfeitures, net of tax

244,616

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,379

 

 

 

 

 

3,381

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of Class B to 

Class A common stock

1,490

 

 

 

(1,490)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(471,654)

 

 

 

(471,654)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, April 30, 2008

48,018,721

 

$597

 

14,645,602

 

$153

 

5,600

 

$135,299

 

$285,727

 

$543,641

 

$(115,257)

 

$850,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

 



 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands - Unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended

 

April 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Net loss

$(471,654)

 

$(82,667)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash

 

 

 

provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

Depreciation

9,105

 

8,972

Intangible amortization

1,227

 

68,274

Compensation from stock options and awards

8,709

 

12,455

Amortization of bond discounts

232

 

558

Excess tax payments (benefits) from
         share-based payment

2,243

 

(2,467)

Gain on sale and retirement of property

 

 

 

and assets

(1,758)

 

(2)

Loss from unconsolidated joint ventures

8,436

 

195

Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures

2,857

 

464

Deferred income taxes

77,373

 

(17,148)

Impairment and land option deposit write-offs

336,028

 

75,827

Decrease (increase) in assets:

 

 

 

Mortgage notes receivable

46,387

 

148,646

Restricted cash, receivables, prepaids and

 

 

 

other assets

23,277

 

27,745

Inventories

276,016

 

(214,732)

Decrease in liabilities:

 

 

 

State and Federal income taxes

(114,908)

 

(16,177)

Customers’ deposits

(21,860)

 

(52,706)

Interest and other accrued liabilities

(126,530)

 

(143,377)

Accounts payable

(5,082)

 

(49,594)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

50,098

 

(235,734)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

Net proceeds from sale of property and assets

2,092

 

557

Purchase of property, equipment and other fixed

 

 

 

assets and acquisitions

(3,376)

 

(33,246)

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated

 

 

 

joint ventures

(9,262)

 

(27,008)

Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures

8,019

 

22,878

Net cash used in investing activities

(2,527)

 

(36,819)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

Proceeds from mortgages and notes

141

 

35,075

Net proceeds related to revolving

 

 

 

credit agreement

118,250

 

412,300

Net payments related to mortgage

 

 

 

warehouse line of credit

(47,991)

 

(148,334)

Principal payments on mortgages and notes

(9,112)

 

(54,960)

Excess tax (payments) benefits from 
    share-based payment

(2,243)

 

2,467

Preferred dividends paid

-

 

(5,338)

Purchase of treasury stock

-

 

(6,309)

Proceeds from sale of stock and employee stock plan

1,043

 

2,860

Net cash provided by financing activities

60,088

 

237,761

Net increase (decrease) in cash

107,659

 

(34,792)

Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning

 

 

 

of period

16,233

 

54,323

Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period

$123,892

 

$19,531

 

 



 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands - Unaudited)

(Continued)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

April 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow:

 

 

 

Cash paid (received) during the period for:

 

 

 

Interest

$69,144

 

$68,371

Income taxes

$(3,956)

 

$5,316

Supplemental disclosures of noncash operating

 

 

 

activities:

 

 

 

Consolidated inventory not owned:

 

 

 

Specific performance options

$6,955

 

$13,631

Variable interest entities

93,722

 

168,548

Other options

116,110

 

213,491

Total inventory not owned

$216,787

 

$395,670

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 



 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

 

1. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments for interim periods presented have been made, which include normal recurring accruals and deferrals necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and changes in cash flows. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and these differences could have a significant impact on the financial statements. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results which might be expected for a full year. The balance sheet at October 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

 

The Company’s reportable segments consist of six Homebuilding segments (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West) and the Financial Services segment (see Note 13).

 

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

2. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, the Company’s total stock-based compensation expense was $3.8 million ($3.5 million net of tax) and $8.7 million ($8.0 million net of tax), respectively. Included in this total stock-based compensation expense was expense for stock options of $3.5 million ($3.2 million net of tax) and $7.0 million ($6.4 million net of tax) for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively.

 

 

3. Interest costs incurred, expensed and capitalized were:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

April 30,

 

April 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Interest capitalized at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

beginning of period

$171,430

 

$120,054

 

$155,642

 

$102,849

 

Plus interest incurred (1)

41,206

 

53,501

 

86,122

 

98,798

 

Less cost of sales interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

expensed (2)

34,572

 

28,756

 

63,160

 

55,628

 

Less other interest expensed

462

 

6,666

 

1,002

 

7,886

 

Interest capitalized at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

end of period (3)

$177,602

 

$138,133

 

$177,602

 

$138,133

 

 

(1) Data does not include interest incurred by our mortgage and finance subsidiaries.

(2) Represents interest on borrowings for construction, land and development costs, which are

 

charged to interest expense when homes are delivered.

(3) We have incurred significant inventory impairments in recent quarters, which are determined based

 

on total inventory including capitalized interest. However, the capitalized interest amounts above

 

are shown gross before allocating any portion of the impairments to capitalized interest.

 

 

4. Accumulated depreciation at April 30, 2008 and October 31, 2007 amounted to $65.0 million and $57.4 million, respectively, for our homebuilding assets.

 

5. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 ("SFAS"), "Accounting for the Impairment of or Disposal of Long Lived Assets", we record impairment losses on inventories related to communities under development when events and circumstances indicate that they may be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows

 



 

estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their related carrying amounts. As a result of a continued decline in sales pace, sales price and general market conditions, for the three months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, we recorded inventory impairment of $226.4 million and $29.8 million, respectively, and $300.2 million and $76.3 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, both of which are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and deducted from inventory.

 

As a result of the declining homebuilding market in some of our segments, we have decided to mothball (stop development) certain communities where we determine the current performance does not justify further investment at this time. When we decide to mothball a community, the inventory is reclassified from Sold and unsold homes and lots under development to Land and land options held for future development or sale. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we mothballed 11 communities. As of April 30, 2008, we have mothballed land in 28 communities. The book value associated with these 28 communities at April 30, 2008 was $493.3 million, net of an impairment balance of $131.1 million. We continually review communities to determine if mothballing is appropriate.

 

The following table represents inventory impairments by segment for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

(Dollars in millions)

April 30, 2008

 

April 30, 2007

 

 

Number of

Communities

Dollar

Amount of

Impairment

Pre-

Impairment

Value(1)

 

Number of

Communities

Dollar

Amount of

Impairment

Pre-

Impairment

Value(1)

Northeast

6

$12.3

$86.1

 

3

$4.4

$26.0

Mid-Atlantic

6

8.3

32.9

 

-

-

-

Midwest

-

-

-

 

3

2.9

10.6

Southeast

12

11.4

43.5

 

2

7.5

66.6

Southwest

14

17.3

40.7

 

1

.3

.7

West

45

177.1

464.9

 

5

14.7

45.8

Total

83

$226.4

$668.1

 

14

$29.8

$149.7

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

(Dollars in millions)

April 30, 2008

 

April 30, 2007

 

Number of

Communities

Dollar

Amount of

Impairment

Pre-

Impairment

Value(1)

 

Number of

Communities

Dollar

Amount of

Impairment

Pre-

Impairment

Value(1)

 

Northeast

6

$14.8

$105.8

 

4

$5.8

$35.2

 

Mid-Atlantic

10

11.6

51.6

 

-

-

-

 

Midwest

4

5.6

20.2

 

6

6.1

25.8

 

Southeast

15

17.8

71.8

 

2

49.4

135.1

 

Southwest

16

22.1

57.8

 

1

.3

.7

 

West

52

228.3

680.2

 

5

14.7

45.8

 

Total

103

$300.2

$987.4

 

18

$76.3

$242.6

 

 

(1) Represents carrying value in dollars, net of prior period impairments, if any, at the time of recording

 

this period’s impairments.

 

The Consolidated Statements of Operations line entitled "Homebuilding—Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs" also includes write-offs of capitalized approval, engineering and interest costs that we record when we redesign communities and/or abandon certain engineering costs and we do not exercise options in various locations because the communities' pro forma profitability does not produce adequate returns on investment commensurate with the risk.

 

The total aggregate write-offs were $19.5 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $35.8 million and $7.5 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007,

 



 

respectively. The write-offs of $7.5 million in the six months ended April 30, 2007 were offset by $8.0 million in recovered deposits that had been written off in the prior year as walk-away costs because, in certain instances where we walked away from option contracts in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we took legal action to recover our deposits. In two of these cases, we were successful and received a portion of our deposit back in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

The following table represents write-offs of such costs and the related number of lots by segment for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

(Dollars in millions)

April 30,

April 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

Number of Walk-Away Lots

 

Dollar Amount of Write-Offs

 

Number of Walk-Away Lots

 

Dollar Amount of Write-Offs

 

Number of Walk-Away Lots

 

Dollar Amount of Write-Offs

 

Number of Walk-Away Lots

 

Dollar Amount of Write-Offs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast

144

 

$3.0

 

702

 

$2.3

 

453

 

$4.7

 

990

 

$2.8 

 

Mid-Atlantic

1,755

 

4.4

 

468

 

.5

 

2,528

 

15.8

 

468

 

1.1 

 

Midwest

-

 

-

 

146

 

.7

 

-

 

-

 

146

 

.8 

 

Southeast

1,405

 

6.8

 

925

 

.3

 

1,754

 

7.2

 

1,650

 

.4 

 

Southwest

202

 

1.6

 

726

 

.6

 

430

 

4.4

 

809

 

.6 

 

West

239

 

3.7

 

-

 

.1

 

239

 

3.7

 

-

 

(6.2)

 

Total

3,745

 

$19.5

 

2,967

 

$4.5

 

5,404

 

$35.8

 

4,063

 

$(.5)

 

 

6. We provide a warranty accrual for repair costs under $5,000 per occurrence to homes, community amenities, and land development infrastructure. We accrue for warranty costs as part of cost of sales at the time each home is closed and title and possession have been transferred to the homebuyer. In addition, we accrue for warranty costs over $5,000 per occurrence as part of our general liability insurance deductible expensed as selling, general and administrative costs. For homes delivered in fiscal 2008, our deductible under our general liability insurance is $20 million per occurrence with an aggregate $20 million for liability claims and an aggregate $21.5 million for construction defect claims. Additions and charges in the warranty reserve and general liability accrual for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

April 30,

 

April 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$120,855 

 

$91,670 

 

$120,653 

 

$93,516 

Additions

 

20,507 

 

21,597 

 

34,807 

 

35,598 

Charges incurred

 

(17,796)

 

(22,536)

 

(31,894)

 

(38,383)

Balance, end of period

 

$123,566 

 

$90,731 

 

$123,566 

 

$90,731 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warranty accruals are based upon historical experience. We engage a third party actuary that uses our historical warranty data to estimate our unpaid claims, claim adjustment expenses and incurred but not reported claims reserves for the risks that we are assuming under the general liability and workers compensation programs. The estimates include provisions for inflation, claims handling and legal fees.

 

Insurance claims paid by our insurance carriers were $2.1 million and zero for the three months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $7.0 million and $0.8 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for prior year deliveries.

 

7. We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations and we are subject to extensive and complex

 



 

regulations that affect the development and home building, sales and customer financing processes, including zoning, density, building standards and mortgage financing. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities. This can delay or increase the cost of development or homebuilding.

 

We also are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations concerning 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 uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation, and/or other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas.

 

In March 2005, we received two requests for information pursuant to Section 308 of the Clean Water Act from Region 3 of the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA"). These requests sought information concerning storm water discharge practices in connection with completed, ongoing and planned homebuilding projects by subsidiaries in the states and district that comprise EPA Region 3. We also received a notice of violations for one project in Pennsylvania and requests for sampling plan implementation in two projects in Pennsylvania. The amount requested by the EPA to settle the asserted violations at the one project was less than $100,000. We provided the EPA with information in response to its requests. The Department of Justice (‘‘DOJ’’) subsequently also has become involved in the review of our storm water discharge practices and enforcement with respect to them. We have subsequently received a notification with respect to another development from the EPA alleging violations of storm water discharge practices and requesting related information. We cannot predict the outcome of the review of these practices or estimate the costs that may be involved in resolving the matter. To the extent that the EPA or the DOJ asserts violations of regulatory requirements and requests injunctive relief or penalties, we will defend and attempt to resolve such asserted violations.

 

It can be anticipated that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. Although we cannot predict the effect of these requirements, they could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs and in substantial expenditures, which could cause delays and increase our cost of operations. In addition, the continued effectiveness of permits already granted or approvals already obtained is dependent upon many factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretations and application.

 

On September 26, 2006, a stockholder derivative action was filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth County, against certain of our current and former officers and directors, captioned as Michael Crady v. Ara K. Hovnanian et al., Civil Action No. L-4380-06. An amended complaint was filed on January 11, 2007, and a second amended complaint, adding Judy Wolf as a derivative plaintiff, was served on December 10, 2007. The second amended complaint alleges, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty in connection with certain of our historical stock options grants and exercises by certain current and former officers and directors. The second amended complaint seeks an award of damages, disgorgement and/or rescission of certain stock options or any proceeds therefrom, equitable relief, an accounting of certain stock option grants, certain corporate governance changes and an award of fees and expenses. The parties have reached a settlement in principle with respect to all matters and have petitioned the court to approve the settlement. The terms of the settlement will have no material impact on the Company.

 

The Company, Chief Executive Officer and President Ara K. Hovnanian, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer J. Larry Sorsby and a former Division Vice-President have been named as defendants in a purported class action. The original complaint was filed on September 14, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, captioned Herbert Mankofsky v. J. Larry Sorsby, and named only Mr. Sorsby as a defendant. On January 31, 2008, the court appointed Herbert Mankofsky as Lead Plaintiff. On February 19, 2008, the action was transferred to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. On March 10, 2008, plaintiff filed an amended complaint, captioned In re Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. Securities Litigation, alleging among other things, that the defendants made false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business and future prospects with respect to the Company’s acquisition and operation of First Home Builders of Florida in violation of federal securities laws.

 

The Company has been named as a defendant in a purported class action suit filed May 30, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Mark W. Mellar et al v. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. et al,

 



 

asserting that the Company's sales of homes along with the financing of home purchases and the provision of title insurance by affiliated companies violated the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. The Company’s Motion to Dismiss the complaint was denied by the Court on March 4, 2008 without prejudice. The case has been placed on the inactive list by the Court pending the outcome of another case with similar allegations against unrelated defendants.

 

A subsidiary of the Company has been named as defendant in a purported class action suit filed May 30, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Randolph Sewell et al v. D'Allesandro & Woodyard et al, alleging violations of the federal securities acts, among other allegations, in connection with the sale of some of the Company's subsidiary's homes in Fort Myers, Florida. The Company's subsidiary has filed a Motion to Dismiss the complaint.

 

On April 4, 2008, K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (“K. Hovnanian”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, initiated arbitration proceedings against GMAC Model Home Finance, LLC ("GMAC") to resolve a dispute arising under a Model Purchase, Construction Management and Rental Agreement dated October 4, 2001 (the "Agreement"). The Company is the guarantor of K. Hovnanian's obligations under the Agreement. On March 31, 2008, GMAC advised K. Hovnanian that it was terminating all model home leases and intended to take possession of all model homes at issue based on the claim that K. Hovnanian had defaulted under the Agreement. In its arbitration demand, K. Hovnanian disputes the existence of any default and claims that GMAC has materially breached the Agreement by failing to fund certain construction costs. On April 25, 2008, GMAC asserted counterclaims against K. Hovnanian and the Company alleging that K. Hovnanian defaulted and that all leases were terminated. The parties expect that a final hearing will take place in August 2008.

 

8. As of April 30, 2008 and October 31, 2007, we are obligated under various performance letters of credit amounting to $219.3 million and $306.4 million, respectively.

 

9. On May 16, 2008, we entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”). On May 27, 2008, in conjunction with the consummation of the issuance of $600 million of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (See Note 10), the Amendment became effective. The Amendment decreases the aggregate amount of commitments under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement from $900 million to $300 million. The maturity date of the facility remains May 31, 2011. Until July 31, 2008, the full amount under the Amended Credit Agreement will be available for the issuance of letters of credit and up to $25 million under the Amended Credit Agreement will be available for revolving loans. After July 31, 2008, availability under the Amended Credit Agreement will equal the lesser of $300 million and the amount available pursuant to the borrowing base and the sub-limit for revolving loans will be increased to $100 million. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate equal, at the Company’s option, to (1) one, two, three or six month LIBOR, plus 4.50%, (2) a base rate equal to the greater of PNC Bank, National Association’s prime rate and the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, plus 2.75% and (3) an index rate based on daily LIBOR, plus 4.625%. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the revolving facility, the Company will be required to pay an unused fee equal to 0.55% per annum on the daily average unused portion of the revolving facility. The Company will also pay a letter of credit fee of 4.50% per annum on the average outstanding face amount of letters of credit issued under the revolving facility. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest rate and fees payable under the revolving facility may not be less than the applicable interest rates and fees that would have been payable pursuant to the revolving facility that was in effect prior to March 7, 2008, the date of the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes and working capital. A portion of the proceeds of the issuance of $600 million of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 were used to repay the outstanding balance of $325.0 million at May 27, 2008 under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. As of May 27, 2008, the aggregate face amount of outstanding letters of credit was $217.8 million. As of April 30, 2008 and October 31, 2007, there was $325.0 million and $206.8 million drawn under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, excluding letters of credit totaling $219.3 million and $306.4 million, respectively. Under the Amended Credit Agreement borrowing base limits, as of April 30, 2008, we would have had an excess of $99.6 million available, which is limited by the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, as described above.

 

We and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors under the Amended Credit Agreement, except for K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (“K. Hovnanian”), the borrower, our financial services subsidiaries, joint ventures and certain of our title insurance subsidiaries. All obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement, and the guarantees

 



 

of those obligations, will be secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the assets owned by us, K. Hovnanian and the guarantors.

 

The Amended Credit Agreement has covenants that restrict, among other things, the ability of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, including K. Hovnanian, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on, and make distributions with respect to, common and preferred stock and repurchase capital stock, make other restricted payments, make investments, dispose of assets, incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The Amended Credit Agreement also contains a covenant that requires that as of the last day of each fiscal quarter either (1) the ratio of our adjusted operating cash flow to fixed charges exceed 1.50 to 1.00 or (2) our liquidity equals or exceeds $100 million. However, the Amended Credit Agreement does not contain any other financial maintenance covenants. The Amended Credit Agreement contains events of default which would permit the lenders to accelerate the loans if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments under the Amended Credit Agreement or other material indebtedness, the failure to satisfy covenants, the failure of the documents granting security for the obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement to be in full force and effect and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency. As of April 30, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and are currently in compliance with the covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement.

 

Our wholly-owned mortgage banking subsidiary originates mortgage loans, primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans are sold in the secondary mortgage market with servicing released within a short period of time. Our secured master repurchase agreement with a group of banks is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $161 million through December 26, 2008. Interest is payable monthly at LIBOR plus 1.10%. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. We also had a commercial paper facility which provided for up to $200 million through April 25, 2008 with interest payable monthly at LIBOR plus 0.40%. On November 28, 2007 we paid the outstanding balance in full and terminated the commercial paper facility. We believe that we will be able to extend the master repurchase agreement beyond its expiration date, but there can be no assurance of such extension. As of April 30, 2008, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings under the master repurchase agreement was $123.1 million. The master repurchase agreement requires K. Hovnanian American Mortgage, LLC to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests. As of April 30, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants of the master repurchase agreement.

 

10. On May 27, 2008, K. Hovnanian issued $600 million ($594.4 million net of discount) of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013. The notes will be secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by a second-priority lien on substantially all of the assets owned by us, K. Hovnanian and the guarantors to the extent such assets secure obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement. The notes are redeemable in whole or in part at our option at 102% of principal commencing November 1, 2010, 101% of principal commencing May 1, 2011 and 100% of principal commencing May 1, 2012. In addition, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes before May 1, 2011 with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at 111.50% of principal. A portion of the net proceeds of the issuance were used to repay the outstanding balance under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 

At April 30, 2008, we had $1,515.0 million of outstanding senior notes ($1,510.8 million, net of discount), $100 million 8% Senior Notes due 2012, $215 million 6 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014, $150 million 6 3/8% Senior Notes due 2014, $200 million 6 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015, $300 million 6 1/4% Senior Notes due 2016, $300 million 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2016, and $250 million 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2017. At April 30, 2008, we had $400.0 million of outstanding senior subordinated notes, comprised of $150 million 8 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012, $150 million 7 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, and $100 million 6% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010.

 

We and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors of the senior secured, senior and senior subordinated notes, except for K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the notes, our financial services subsidiaries, joint ventures and certain of our title insurance subsidiaries. (See Note 18). The indentures governing the senior secured notes, senior notes and senior subordinated notes contain restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of Hovnanian and certain of its subsidiaries, including K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the senior secured notes, senior notes and senior

 



 

subordinated notes, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends and make distributions on common and preferred stock, repurchase senior and senior subordinated notes (with respect to the senior secured notes indenture), make other restricted payments, make investments, sell certain assets, incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. If our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the indentures governing our senior secured notes, senior notes and senior subordinated notes is less than 2.0 to 1.0, we are restricted from making certain payments, including dividends, and from incurring indebtedness other than certain permitted indebtedness, refinancing indebtedness and non-recourse indebtedness. As a result of this restriction, we are currently restricted from paying dividends on our 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock and will continue to be restricted during the remainder of fiscal 2008. If current market trends continue or worsen, we anticipate that we will continue to be restricted from paying dividends into fiscal 2009. The restriction on making preferred dividend payments under our bond indentures will not affect our compliance with any of the covenants contained in the Amended Credit Agreement and will not permit the lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement to accelerate the loans. The indentures also contain events of default which would permit the holders of the senior secured notes, senior notes and senior subordinated notes to declare those notes to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments on the notes or other material indebtedness, the failure to satisfy covenants and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency and, with respect to the indenture governing the senior secured notes, the failure of the documents granting security for the senior secured notes to be in full force and effect and the failure of the liens on any material portion of the collateral securing the senior secured notes to be valid and perfected. As of April 30, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants of the indentures governing our outstanding notes. Under the terms of the indentures, we have the right to make certain redemptions and depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions, may do so from time to time. We may also make open market purchases from time to time depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions.

 

11. Per Share Calculations - Basic earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding adjusted for the incremental shares attributed to non-vested stock and outstanding options to purchase common stock. However, for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, there were no incremental shares attributed to non-vested stock and outstanding options to purchase common stock because we had a net loss for the period, and any incremental shares would not be dilutive.

 

12. On July 12, 2005, we issued 5,600 shares of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are not cumulative and are paid at an annual rate of 7.625%. The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into the Company’s common stock and is redeemable in whole or in part at our option at the liquidation preference of the shares beginning on the fifth anniversary of their issuance. The Series A Preferred Stock is traded as depositary shares, with each depositary share representing 1/1000th of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. The depositary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “HOVNP”. In January and April 2007, we paid $2.7 million of dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock. In January and April 2008, we did not make any dividend payments as a result of covenant restrictions in the indentures governing our Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes. (See Note 10)

 

13. Operating and Reporting Segments - SFAS 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information ("SFAS 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 make operating decisions. The Company has identified its chief operating decision-maker as the Chief Executive Officer. Under the definition, we have more than 49 homebuilding operating segments, and therefore, in accordance with paragraph 24 of SFAS 131, it is impractical to provide segment disclosures for this many segments. As such, we have aggregated the homebuilding operating segments into six reportable segments.

 

The Company’s operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments in accordance with SFAS 131, based primarily upon geographic proximity, similar regulatory environments, land acquisition characteristics and similar methods used to construct and sell homes. The Company’s reportable segments consist of:

 

 



 

 

                Homebuilding:

 

(1) Northeast (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania)

 

 

(2) Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C.)

 

(3) Midwest (Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio)

 

 

(4) Southeast (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina)

 

 

(5) Southwest (Arizona, Texas)

 

 

(6) West (California)

 

 

 

Financial Services

 

Operations of the Company’s Homebuilding segments primarily include the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached homes, attached townhomes and condominiums, mid-rise and high-rise condominiums, urban infill and active adult homes in planned residential developments. Operations of the Company’s Financial Services segment include mortgage banking and title services to the homebuilding operations’ customers. We do not retain or service mortgages that we originate but rather sell the mortgages and related servicing rights to investors.

 

Evaluation of segment performance is based primarily on operating earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes (“(Loss) income before income taxes”). (Loss) income before income taxes for the Homebuilding segments consist of revenues generated from the sales of homes and land, (loss) income from unconsolidated entities and management fees and other income, net, less the cost of homes and land sold, selling, general and administrative expenses and minority interest expense, net. Income before income taxes for the Financial Services segment consist of revenues generated from mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services, less the cost of such services and certain selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by the Financial Services 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.

 

 



 

 

 

Financial information relating to the Company’s operations was as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

April 30,

 

Six Months Ended

April 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast

$169,856

 

$188,231 

 

$351,773

 

$402,325

 

Mid-Atlantic

135,543

 

217,903 

 

263,351

 

441,645

 

Midwest

55,367

 

41,941 

 

103,051

 

80,765

 

Southeast

110,697

 

209,803 

 

504,102

 

429,740

 

Southwest

148,262

 

201,390 

 

312,822

 

378,402

 

West

143,444

 

233,391 

 

307,580

 

503,906

 

Total homebuilding revenues

763,169

 

1,092,659 

 

1,842,679

 

2,236,783

 

Financial services

12,552

 

17,883 

 

26,525

 

39,431

 

Corporate and unallocated

718

 

116 

 

936

 

245

 

Total revenues

$776,439

 

$1,110,658 

 

$1,870,140

 

$2,276,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income
  taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast

$(24,774)

 

$(5,070)

 

$(36,309)

 

$11,390 

 

Mid-Atlantic

(20,807)

 

31,433 

 

(43,845)

 

57,730 

 

Midwest

(8,335)

 

(11,965)

 

(22,712)

 

(22,497)

 

Southeast

(27,052)

 

(14,516)

 

(33,047)

 

(102,275)

 

Southwest

(18,905)

 

9,692 

 

(25,630)

 

16,361 

 

West

(222,213)

 

(36,917)

 

(310,214)

 

(37,594)

 

Homebuilding loss
        before income taxes

(322,086)

 

(27,343)

 

(471,757)

 

(76,885)

 

Financial services

4,102 

 

6,255 

 

7,205 

 

14,733 

 

Corporate and unallocated

(25,454)

 

(20,345)

 

(47,680)

 

(45,910)

 

Loss before income
          taxes

$(343,438)

 

$(41,433)

 

$(512,232)

 

$(108,062)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30,

 

October 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast

$1,161,501

 

$1,240,221

 

Mid-Atlantic

521,064

 

606,343

 

Midwest

111,118

 

130,360

 

Southeast

272,462

 

360,172

 

Southwest

487,493

 

553,743

 

West

782,967

 

1,083,543

 

Total homebuilding assets

3,336,605

 

3,974,382

 

Financial services

150,331

 

205,008

 

Corporate and unallocated

475,655

 

361,158

 

Total assets

$3,962,591

 

$4,540,548

 

 

14. Variable Interest Entities - In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”). A Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) is created when (i) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities

 



 

without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or (ii) equity holders either (a) lack direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity, (b) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity or (c) do not have the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity if they occur. If an entity is deemed to be a VIE pursuant to FIN 46, an enterprise that absorbs a majority of the expected losses of the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE.

 

Based on the provisions of FIN 46, we have concluded that whenever we option land or lots from an entity and pay a non-refundable deposit, a VIE is created under condition (ii) (b) and (c) of the previous paragraph. We are deemed to have provided subordinated financial support, which refers to variable interests that will absorb some or all of an entity’s expected theoretical losses if they occur. For each VIE created with a significant nonrefundable option fee (we currently define significant as greater than $100,000 because we have determined that in the aggregate the VIEs related to deposits of this size or less are not material), we compute expected losses and residual returns based on the probability of future cash flows as outlined in FIN 46. If we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we consolidate it on our balance sheet. The fair value of the VIE’s inventory is reported as “Consolidated inventory not owned – variable interest entities”.

 

Typically, the determining factor in whether or not we are the primary beneficiary is the deposit amount as a percentage of the total purchase price, because it determines the amount of the first risk of loss we take on the contract. The higher this percentage deposit, the more likely we are to be the primary beneficiary. Other important criteria that impact the outcome of the analysis, are the probability of getting the property through the approval process for residential homes, because this impacts the ultimate value of the property, as well as who is the responsible party (seller or buyer) for funding the approval process and development work that will take place prior to our decision to exercise the option.

 

Management believes FIN 46 was not clearly thought out for application in the homebuilding industry for land and lot options. Under FIN 46, we can have an option and put down a small deposit as a percentage of the purchase price and still have to consolidate the entity. Our exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with the VIE is only the deposit, not its total assets consolidated on our balance sheet. In certain cases, we will have to place inventory the VIE has optioned to other developers on our balance sheet. In addition, if the VIE has creditors, its debt will be placed on our balance sheet even though the creditors have no recourse against us. Based on these observations, we believe consolidating VIEs based on land and lot option deposits does not reflect the economic realities or risks of owning and developing land.

 

At April 30, 2008, all 16 VIEs we were required to consolidate were the result of our options to purchase land or lots from the selling entities. We paid cash or issued letters of credit deposits to these VIEs totaling $11.8 million. Our option deposits represent our maximum exposure to loss. The fair value of the property owned by these VIEs was $102.8 million. Since we do not own an equity interest in any of the unaffiliated VIEs that we must consolidate pursuant to FIN 46, 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, we determine the fair value of the assets of the consolidated entities based on the remaining contractual purchase price of the land or lots we are purchasing. In these cases, it is assumed that the entities have no 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 equity. At April 30, 2008, the balance reported in minority interest from inventory not owned was $38.6 million. Creditors of these 16 VIEs have no recourse against us.

 

We will continue to control land and lots using options. Not all of our deposits are with VIEs. Including the deposits with the 16 VIEs described above, at April 30, 2008, we have total cash and letters of credit deposits amounting to approximately $119.3 million to purchase land and lots with a total purchase price of $1,595.0 billion. The maximum exposure to loss is limited to the deposits, although some deposits are refundable at our request or refundable if certain conditions are not met.

 

15. Investments in Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures - We enter into homebuilding and land development joint ventures from time to time as a means of accessing lot positions, expanding our market opportunities, establishing strategic alliances, managing our risk profile, leveraging our capital base, and enhancing returns on capital. Our homebuilding joint ventures are generally entered into with third

 



 

party investors to develop land and construct homes that are sold directly to third party homebuyers. Our land development joint ventures include those entered into with developers, other homebuilders, and financial investors to develop finished lots for sale to the joint venture’s members or other third parties. The tables set forth below summarize the combined financial information related to our unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures that are accounted for under the equity method.

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2008

 

 

 

Homebuilding

 

Land Development

 

Total

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$30,231

 

$2,627

 

$32,858

Inventories

550,433

 

169,394

 

719,827

Other assets

34,012

 

5,666

 

39,678

Total assets

$614,676

 

$177,687

 

$792,363

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued

Liabilities

$48,213

 

$16,442

 

$64,655

Notes payable

292,923

 

43,753

 

336,676

Equity of:

 

 

 

 

 

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.

68,769

 

73,931

 

142,700

Others

204,771

 

43,561

 

248,332

Total equity

273,540

 

117,492

 

391,032

Total liabilities and equity

$614,676

 

$177,687

 

$792,363

Debt to capitalization ratio

52%

 

27%

 

46%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 31, 2007

 

 

 

Homebuilding

 

Land Development

 

Total

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$43,789

 

$9,903

 

$53,692

Inventories

574,195

 

171,067

 

745,262

Other assets

36,028

 

5,510

 

41,538

Total assets

$654,012

 

$186,480

 

$840,492

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued

Liabilities

$76,197

 

$14,309

 

$90,506

Notes payable

292,633

 

46,546

 

339,179

Equity of:

 

 

 

 

 

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.

75,858

 

77,129

 

152,987

Others

209,324

 

48,496

 

257,820

Total equity

285,182

 

125,625

 

410,807

Total liabilities and equity

$654,012

 

$186,480

 

$840,492

Debt to capitalization ratio

51%

 

27%

 

45%

 

As of April 30, 2008 and October 31, 2007, we had advances outstanding of approximately $23.7 million and $23.4 million, respectively, to these unconsolidated joint ventures, which were included in the accounts payable and accrued liabilities balances in the table above. On our Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets our “Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures” amounted to $166.4 million and $176.4 million at April 30, 2008 and October 31, 2007, respectively.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended April 30, 2008

 

Homebuilding

 

Land Development

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$92,731

 

$2,940

 

$95,671

Cost of sales and expenses

(118,493)

 

(2,721)

 

(121,214)

Net (loss) income

$(25,762)

 

$219

 

$(25,543)

Our share of net loss

$(2,990)

 

$(231)

 

$(3,221)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended April 30, 2007

 

Homebuilding

 

Land Development

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$105,885 

 

$16,799 

 

$122,684 

Cost of sales and expenses

(115,005)

 

(17,127)

 

(132,132)

Net loss

$(9,120)

 

$(328)

 

$(9,448)

Our share of net loss

$(2,132)

 

$(187)

 

$(2,319)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2008

 

Homebuilding

 

Land Development

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$139,014 

 

$12,553 

 

$151,567 

Cost of sales and expenses

(173,885)

 

(12,396)

 

(186,281)

Net (loss) income

$(34,871)

 

$157

 

$(34,714)

Our share of net loss

$(7,978)

 

$(209)

 

$(8,187)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2007

 

Homebuilding

 

Land Development

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$221,446 

 

$24,221 

 

$245,667 

Cost of sales and expenses

(219,181)

 

(24,105)

 

(243,286)

Net income

$2,265 

 

$116 

 

$2,381 

Our share of net loss

$(434)

 

$(15)

 

$(449)

 

Loss from unconsolidated joint ventures is reflected as a separate line in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and reflects our proportionate share of the loss of these unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures. The minor difference between our share of the loss from these unconsolidated joint ventures disclosed here compared to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is due to the reclass of the intercompany portion of management fee income from certain joint ventures and the deferral of income for lots purchased by us from certain joint ventures. Our ownership interests in the joint ventures vary but are generally less than or equal to 50%. In determining whether or not we must consolidate joint ventures where we are the manager of the joint venture, we consider the guidance in EITF 04-5 in assessing whether the other partners have specific rights to overcome the presumption of control by us as the manager of the joint venture. In most cases, the presumption is overcome because the joint venture agreements require that both partners agree on establishing the operating and capital decisions of the partnership, including budgets, in the ordinary course of business.

 

 



 

 

Typically, our unconsolidated joint ventures obtain separate project specific mortgage financing for each venture. Generally, the amount of such financing is limited to no more than 50% of the joint venture’s total assets, and such financing is obtained on a non-recourse basis. Other than guarantees limited only to completion of development, environmental indemnification and standard indemnification for fraud and misrepresentation including voluntary bankruptcy, we have no other guarantees associated with unconsolidated joint ventures. In some instances, the joint venture entity is considered a variable interest entity (VIE) under FIN 46 due to the returns being capped to the equity holders; however, in these instances, we are not the primary beneficiary, therefore we do not consolidate these entities.

 

16. Recent Accounting Pronouncements - The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN 48), effective November 1, 2007. FIN 48 creates a single model to address accounting for uncertainty in tax positions and clarifies accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and transactions.

 

The November 1, 2007 adoption of FIN 48 resulted in a $8.7 million increase in income tax liabilities and a corresponding charge to beginning retained earnings. As of the date of adoption, we had $25.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits, including $3.3 million of accrued interest and penalties, all of which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. We recognize interest and penalties related to income taxes in income tax expense. Such amounts totaled $0.4 and $0.1 million of income tax expense for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008.

 

On November 29, 2006, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 06-8, "Applicability of the Assessment of a Buyer's Continuing Investment Under FASB Statement No. 66, Accounting for Sales of Real Estate, for Sales of Condominiums." EITF 06-8 states that the adequacy of the buyer's continuing investment under SFAS 66 should be assessed in determining whether to recognize profit under the percentage-of-completion method on the sale of individual units in a condominium project. This consensus could require that additional deposits be collected by developers of condominium projects that wish to recognize profit during the construction period under the percentage-of-completion method. EITF 06-8 is effective for fiscal years beginning after March 15, 2007. Implementation of EITF No. 06-8 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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 159"). The statement permits entities to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity's fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 159 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("SFAS 157"), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is encouraged provided that the reporting entity has not yet issued financial statements for the fiscal year including financial statements for an interim period within that fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 157 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In November 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 109, "Written Loan Commitments Recorded at Fair Value Through Earnings." SAB No. 109, which revises and rescinds portions of SAB No. 105, "Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments," and which specifically states that the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of a loan should be included in the measurements of all written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings. The provisions of SAB No. 109 are applicable to written loan commitments issued or modified in fiscal quarters beginning after December 15, 2007. The adoption of SAB No. 109 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 



 

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). The statement clarifies the accounting for non-controlling interests and establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, including classification as a component of equity. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and earlier adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 160 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141(R)). The statement replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and provides revised guidance for recognizing and measuring identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. It also provides disclosure requirements to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and is to be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 141(R) may have on our consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 expands the disclosure requirements in SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” regarding an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, SFAS 161 may have on our consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.

 

17. Intangible Assets – The intangible assets recorded on our balance sheet are goodwill, which has an indefinite life, and definite life intangibles, including tradenames, architectural designs, distribution processes, and contractual agreements resulting from our acquisitions. We no longer amortize goodwill, but instead assess it periodically for impairment. We performed such assessments utilizing a fair value approach as of October 31, 2007. We also assess definite life intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An intangible impairment is recorded when events and circumstances indicate the undiscounted future cash flows generated from the business unit with the intangible asset are less than the net assets of the business unit. The impairment loss is the lesser of the difference between the net assets of the business unit and the discounted future cash flows generated from the applicable business unit, which approximates fair value and the intangible asset balance. The estimates used in the determination of the estimated cash flows and fair value of a business unit are based on factors known to us at the time such estimates are made and our expectations of future operations and economic conditions. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments. However, we only have $3.0 million remaining in intangible assets and $32.7 million remaining in goodwill so any future impairments are limited to these balances. Any intangible impairment charge is included in Intangible amortization on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. We are amortizing the remaining definite life intangibles over their expected useful lives, ranging from one to four years.

 

18. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the parent company (the "Parent"), is the issuer of publicly traded common stock and preferred stock. One of its wholly owned subsidiaries, K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the “Subsidiary Issuer”), acts as a finance entity that as of April 30, 2008 had issued and outstanding $400.0 million of Senior Subordinated Notes, $1,515.0 million face value of Senior Notes, and $325.0 million drawn under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. On May 27, 2008, the Subsidiary Issuer issued $600 million of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 and the Amendment to the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement became effective (see Notes 9 and 10). The Senior Secured Notes, Senior Subordinated Notes, Senior Notes, and the current and former revolving Credit Agreement are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Parent.

 

In addition to the Parent, each of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the Parent other than the Subsidiary Issuer (collectively, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”), with the exception of our financial service subsidiaries and joint ventures (collectively, the “Non-guarantor Subsidiaries”), have guaranteed fully and unconditionally, on a joint and

 



 

several basis, the obligations of the Subsidiary Issuer to pay principal and interest under the Senior Secured Notes, Senior Notes, Senior Subordinated Notes, and the Amended Credit Agreement.

 

In lieu of providing separate audited financial statements for the Guarantor Subsidiaries we have included the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements. Management does not believe that separate financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are material to investors. Therefore, separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented.

 

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of (i) the Parent, (ii) the Subsidiary Issuer, (iii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries, (iv) the Non-guarantor Subsidiaries, and (v) the eliminations to arrive at the information for Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. on a consolidated basis.

 

 



 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET – UNAUDITED

APRIL 30, 2008

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary Issuer

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

$20

 

$159,388

 

$3,261,755

 

$167,874

 

$               

 

$3,589,037

Financial services

 

 

 

 

7,523

 

142,808

 

 

 

150,331

Income taxes (payable)
  receivable

(67,557)

 

50,833

 

239,902

 

45

 

 

 

223,223

Investments in and amounts
  due to and from
  consolidated subsidiaries

917,697

 

2,921,283

 

(3,114,466)

 

(109,063)

 

(615,451)

 

-

Total assets

$850,160

 

$3,131,504

 

$394,714

 

$201,664

 

$(615,451)

 

$3,962,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

$            

 

$2,122

 

$652,441

 

$339

 

$                

 

$654,902

Financial services

 

 

 

 

6,976

 

129,515

 

 

 

136,491

Notes payable

 

 

2,280,817

 

289

 

 

 

 

 

2,281,106

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

38,552

 

1,380

 

 

 

39,932

Stockholders’ equity

850,160

 

848,565

 

(303,544)

 

70,430

 

(615,451)

 

850,160

Total liabilities and
  stockholders’ equity

$850,160

 

$3,131,504

 

$394,714

 

$201,664

 

$(615,451)

 

$3,962,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

OCTOBER 31, 2007

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary Issuer

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

$105

 

$62,575

 

$3,833,782

 

$244,668

 

$               

 

$4,141,130

Financial services

 

 

 

 

448

 

204,560

 

 

 

205,008

Income taxes (payable)
  receivable

(92,282)

 

42,865

 

244,798

 

(971)

 

 

 

194,410

Investments in and amounts
  due to and from consolidated
  subsidiaries

1,413,980

 

2,824,461

 

(2,931,333)

 

(165,846)

 

(1,141,262)

 

-

Total assets

$1,321,803

 

$2,929,901

 

$1,147,695

 

$282,411

 

$(1,141,262)

 

$4,540,548

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

$               

 

$72,688

 

$706,629

 

$23,676

 

$               

 

$802,993

Financial services

 

 

 

 

104

 

190,626

 

 

 

190,730

Notes payable

 

 

2,117,350

 

43,944

 

 

 

 

 

2,161,294

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

62,238

 

1,490

 

 

 

63,728

Stockholders’ equity

1,321,803

 

739,863

 

334,780

 

66,619

 

(1,141,262)

 

1,321,803

Total liabilities and
  stockholders’ equity

$1,321,803

 

$2,929,901

 

$1,147,695

 

$282,411

 

$(1,141,262)

 

$4,540,548

 

 

 



 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS – UNAUDITED

THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2008

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary Issuer

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

$            

 

$562

 

$763,322

 

$3

 

$              

 

$763,887

 

Financial services

 

 

 

 

2,364

 

10,188

 

 

 

12,552

 

Intercompany charges

 

 

61,943

 

62,007

 

 

 

(123,950)

 

-

 

Equity in pretax loss
  of consolidated
  subsidiaries

(343,438)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

343,438

 

-

 

Total revenues

(343,438)

 

62,505

 

827,693

 

10,191

 

219,488

 

776,439

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

 

 

498

 

1,149,267

 

13

 

(41,748)

 

1,108,030

 

Financial services

 

 

 

 

1,739

 

6,711

 

 

 

8,450

 

Total expenses

 

 

498

 

1,151,006

 

6,724

 

(41,748)

 

1,116,480

 

Income from
  unconsolidated joint
  ventures

 

 

 

 

(3,397)

 

 

 

 

 

(3,397)

 

Income (loss) before
  income taxes

(343,438)

 

62,007

 

(326,710)

 

3,467

 

261,236

 

(343,438)

 

State and federal income
  (benefit)/taxes

(2,727)

 

21,703

 

6,710

 

(2,369)

 

(26,044)

 

(2,727)

 

Net income (loss)

$(340,711)

 

$40,304

 

$(333,420)

 

$5,836

 

$287,280

 

$(340,711)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – UNAUDITED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2007

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary Issuer

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

$         

 

$89

 

$1,089,864

 

$2,822

 

$            

 

$1,092,775

Financial services

 

 

 

 

481

 

17,402

 

 

 

17,883

Intercompany charges

 

 

71,670

 

71,178

 

 

 

(142,848)

 

-

Equity in pretax income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subsidiaries

(41,433)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,433

 

-

Total revenues

(41,433)

 

71,759

 

1,161,523

 

20,224

 

(101,415)

 

1,110,658

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

 

 

581

 

1,182,399

 

2,756

 

(47,433)

 

1,138,303

Financial services

 

 

 

 

76

 

11,552

 

 

 

11,628

Total expenses

 

581

 

1,182,475

 

14,308

 

(47,433)

 

1,149,931

Income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

unconsolidated joint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ventures

 

 

 

 

(2,160)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,160)

(Loss) income before
  income taxes

(41,433)

 

71,178

 

(23,112)

 

5,916

 

(53,982)

 

(41,433)

State and federal income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(benefit)/taxes

(13,374)

 

26,291

 

(8,676)

 

2,406

 

(20,021)

 

(13,374)

Net (loss) income

$(28,059)

 

$44,887

 

$(14,436)

 

$3,510

 

$(33,961)

 

$(28,059)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – UNAUDITED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2008

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary Issuer

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

$            

 

$747

 

$1,842,865

 

$3

 

$               

 

$1,843,615

Financial services

 

 

 

 

4,606

 

21,919

 

 

 

26,525

Intercompany charges

 

 

124,480

 

124,231

 

 

 

(248,711)

 

-

Equity in pretax income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subsidiaries

(512,232)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

512,232

 

-

Total revenues

(512,232)

 

125,227

 

1,971,702

 

21,922

 

263,521

 

1,870,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

 

 

996

 

2,439,719

 

16

 

(86,115)

 

2,354,616

Financial services

 

 

 

 

4,970

 

14,350

 

 

 

19,320

Total expenses

 

 

996

 

2,444,689

 

14,366

 

(86,115)

 

2,373,936

Income from
  unconsolidated joint
  ventures

 

 

 

 

(8,436)

 

 

 

 

 

(8,436)

Income (loss) before
  income taxes

(512,232)

 

124,231

 

(481,423)

 

7,556

 

349,636

 

(512,232)

State and federal income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(benefit)/taxes

(40,578)

 

43,481

 

(26,282)

 

(868)

 

(16,331)

 

(40,578)

Net income (loss)

$(471,654)

 

$80,750

 

$(455,141)

 

$8,424

 

$365,967

 

$(471,654)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – UNAUDITED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2007

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary Issuer

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

$            

 

$238

 

$2,227,899

 

$8,891

 

$                 

 

$2,237,028

Financial services

 

 

 

 

1,538

 

37,893

 

 

 

39,431

Intercompany charges

 

 

143,222

 

142,360

 

 

 

(285,582)

 

-

Equity in pretax income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subsidiaries

(108,062)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

108,062

 

-

Total revenues

(108,062)

 

143,460

 

2,371,797

 

46,784

 

(177,520)

 

2,276,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding

 

 

1,100

 

2,442,427

 

8,100

 

(91,999)

 

2,359,628

Financial services

 

 

 

 

559

 

24,210

 

(71)

 

24,698

Total expenses

 

1,100

 

2,442,986

 

32,310

 

(92,070)

 

2,384,326

(Loss) income from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

unconsolidated joint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ventures

 

 

 

 

(195)

 

 

 

 

 

(195)

(Loss) income before
  income taxes

(108,062)

 

142,360

 

(71,384)

 

14,474

 

(85,450)

 

(108,062)

State and federal income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(benefit)/taxes

(25,395)

 

49,826

 

(13,123)

 

5,631

 

(42,334)

 

(25,395)

Net (loss) income

$(82,667)

 

$92,534

 

$(58,261)

 

$8,843

 

$(43,116)

 

$(82,667)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – UNAUDITED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2008

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary Issuer

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Cash flows from operating
  activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

$(471,654)

 

$80,750

 

$(455,141)

 

$8,424

 

$365,967

 

$(471,654)

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

income to net cash provided by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(used in) operating activities

(9,036)

 

(9,119)

 

837,134

 

68,740

 

(365,967)

 

521,752

Net cash provided by (used in)
  operating activities

(480,690)

 

71,631

 

381,993

 

77,164

 

-

 

50,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) investing
  activities

 

 

 

 

(2,527)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,527)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

financing activities

(15,702)

 

118,250

 

5,531

 

(47,991)

 

 

 

60,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercompany investing and
  financing activities – net

496,283

 

(96,822)

 

(370,321)

 

(29,140)

 

 

 

-

Net increase (decrease) in cash

(109)

 

93,059

 

14,676

 

33

 

-

 

107,659

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

balance, beginning of period

126

 

31,993

 

(21,225)

 

5,339

 

 

 

16,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
  balance, end of period

$17

 

$125,052

 

$(6,549)

 

$5,372

 

$            -

 

$123,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – UNAUDITED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2007

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary Issuer

 

Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Cash flows from operating
  activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

$(82,667)

 

$92,534 

 

$(58,261)

 

$8,843 

 

$(43,116)

 

$(82,667)

Adjustments to reconcile net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

income (loss) to net cash
    provided by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(used in) operating activities

(40,704)

 

35,867 

 

(339,888)

 

148,542 

 

43,116 

 

(153,067)

Net cash (used in) provided by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operating activities

(123,371)

 

128,401 

 

(398,149)

 

157,385 

 

-

 

(235,734)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

investing activities

 

 

 

 

(28,958)

 

(7,861)

 

 

 

(36,819)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

financing activities

26,169 

 

412,300 

 

(52,024)

 

(148,684)

 

 

 

237,761 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercompany investing and
  financing activities – net

97,203 

 

(551,199)

 

454,517 

 

(521)

 

 

 

-

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

(10,498)

 

(24,614)

 

319 

 

 

(34,792)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

16 

 

59,529 

 

(16,122)

 

10,900 

 

 

 

54,323 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
  balance, end of period

$17 

 

$49,031 

 

$(40,736)

 

$11,219 

 

$            - 

 

$19,531 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

19. Subsequent Events - On May 14, 2008, we issued 14,000,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock for net proceeds of $125.9 million.

 

On May 27, 2008, we issued $600 million of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes, and the Amendment to the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement reducing the aggregate amount of commitments from $900 million to $300 million became effective. See Notes 9 and 10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

 

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

During the second half of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2006 and continuing through the first half of 2008, the U.S. housing market was impacted by a lack of consumer confidence, increasing home foreclosure rates and large supplies of resale and new home inventories. The result has been weakened demand for new homes, slower sales, higher than normal cancellation rates, and increased price discounts and other sales incentives to attract homebuyers. Additionally, the availability of certain mortgage financing products became more constrained starting in February 2007 when the mortgage industry began to more closely scrutinize sub-prime, Alt-A, and other non-prime mortgage products. The combination of these homebuilding industry and related mortgage financing developments resulted in significant decreases in our gross margins during fiscal 2007 and the first and second quarters of fiscal 2008 compared with the same periods in the prior years. Additionally, we incurred total land-related charges of $457.8 million and $336.0 million for the year ended October 31, 2007 and the six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively. These charges resulted from the write-off of deposit and pre-acquisition costs of $126.0 million and $35.8 million, respectively, related to land we no longer plan to pursue and impairments on owned inventory of $331.8 million and $300.2 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007 and the six months ended April 30, 2008. Of the impairments on owned inventory for the six months ended April 30, 2008, 76.0% came from our West segment, which has continued to deteriorate more than our other segments. Segment level detail for inventory impairments and option write-offs is included in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition to land related charges, the continued weakening of the market resulted in impairments of our intangible assets of $135.2 million during fiscal 2007, the majority of which related to intangibles in our Southeast segment. There have been no additional intangible asset impairments recorded in fiscal 2008.

 

We have exposure to additional impairments of our inventories, which, as of April 30, 2008, have a book value of $2.9 billion, net of $480.2 million of impairments recorded on 95 of our open for sale and/or under development communities, and $79.1 million of impairments recorded on 8 of our communities in planning. We also have $236.7 million invested in 27,191 lots under option, including cash and letters of credit deposits of $119.2 million as of April 30, 2008. We will record a write-off for the amounts associated with an option if we determine it is probable we will not exercise it. As of April 30, 2008, we have total investments in, and advances to, unconsolidated joint ventures of $166.4 million. Each of our joint ventures assesses its inventory and other long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which has resulted in reductions in our investment in joint ventures of $50.1 million from our second half of fiscal 2006 through April 30, 2008. We still have exposure to future write-downs of our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures, if conditions continue to deteriorate in the markets that our joint ventures operate. With respect to goodwill and intangibles, there is a lesser risk of further exposure to impairments because we only have a total balance of $32.7 million of goodwill, and $3.0 million of definite life intangibles as of April 30, 2008.

 

We continue to operate our business with the expectation that difficult market conditions will continue to impact us for at least the near term. We have adjusted our approach to land acquisition and construction practices and continue to shorten our land pipeline, reduce production volumes, and balance home price and profitability with sales pace. We are delaying planned land purchases and renegotiating land prices and have significantly reduced our total number of controlled lots owned and under option. Additionally, we are significantly reducing the number of speculative homes put into production. While we will continue to purchase select land positions where it makes strategic and economic sense to do so, we currently anticipate minimal investment in new land parcels in the second

 



 

half of fiscal 2008. We have also closely evaluated and made reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses, including corporate general and administrative expenses, due in large part to a 49% reduction head count from our peak in June 2006. Given the persistence of these difficult market conditions, improving the efficiency of our selling, general and administrative expenses will continue to be a significant area of focus. We believe that these measures will help to strengthen our market position and allow us to take advantage of opportunities that will develop in the future.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Management believes that the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:

 

Business Combinations – When we make an acquisition of another company, we use the purchase method of accounting in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141 “Business Combinations”. Under SFAS 141, we record as our cost the estimated fair value of the acquired assets less liabilities assumed. Any difference between the cost of an acquired company and the sum of the fair values of tangible and intangible assets less liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The reported income of an acquired company includes the operations of the acquired company from the date of acquisition.

 

Income Recognition from Home and Land Sales – We are primarily engaged in the development, construction, marketing and sale of residential single-family and multi-family homes where the planned construction cycle is less than 12 months. For these homes, in accordance with SFAS No. 66, “Accounting for Sales of Real Estate” (“SFAS 66”), revenue is recognized when title is conveyed to the buyer, adequate initial and continuing investments have been received and there is no continued involvement. In situations where the buyer’s financing is originated by our mortgage subsidiary and the buyer has not made an adequate initial or continuing investment as prescribed by SFAS 66, the profit on such sales is deferred until the sale of the related mortgage loan to a third-party investor has been completed.

 

Additionally, in certain markets, we sell lots to customers, transferring title, collecting proceeds, and entering into contracts to build homes on these lots. In these cases, we do not recognize the revenue from the lot sale until we deliver the completed home and have no continued involvement related to that home. The cash received on the lot is recorded as a component of inventory until the revenue is recognized.

 

Income Recognition from High-Rise/Mid-Rise Projects – We are developing several high-rise/mid-rise buildings that will take more than 12 months to complete. If these buildings qualify, revenues and costs are recognized using the percentage of completion method of accounting in accordance with SFAS 66. Under the percentage of completion method, revenues and costs are to be recognized when construction is beyond the preliminary stage, the buyer is committed to the extent of having a sufficient initial and continuing investment that the buyer cannot require to be refunded except for non-delivery of the home, sufficient homes in the building have been sold to ensure that the property will not be converted to rental property, the sales prices are collectible and the aggregate sales proceeds and the total cost of the building can be reasonably estimated. We currently do not have any buildings that meet these criteria, therefore the revenues from delivering homes in high-rise/mid-rise buildings are recognized when title is conveyed to the buyer, adequate cash payment has been received and there is no continued involvement with respect to that home.

 

Income Recognition from Mortgage Loans – Our Financial Services segment originates mortgages, primarily for our homebuilding customers. We use mandatory mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) forward commitments and investor commitments to hedge our mortgage-related interest rate exposure on agency and government loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk. Credit risk associated with MBS forward commitments and loan sales transactions is managed by limiting our counterparties to investment banks, federally regulated bank affiliates and other investors meeting our credit standards. Our risk, in the event of default by the purchaser, is the difference between the contract price and fair value of the MBS forward commitments. In an effort to reduce our exposure to the marketability and disposal of non-agency and non-governmental loans, including Alt-A (FICO scores above 680 and depending on credit criteria) and sub-prime loans (FICO scores above 580 and depending on credit criteria), we require our Financial Services segment to either presell or broker all of these loans, on an individual loan basis as soon as they are committed to by

 



 

the customer. However, because of the recent tightening by mortgage lenders our origination of Alt-A and sub-prime loans has declined to only 15.1% and 0.5%, respectively, of the total loans we originated in the first half of 2008, as compared to 27.6% and 6.2%, respectively, for the same period last year. In addition, of the $136.3 million of mortgage loans held for sale as of April 30, 2008 only $3.1 million were Alt-A loans and none were sub-prime loans. The Alt-A and sub-prime loans have been replaced by Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) loans. For the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, FHA loans represented 24.2% and 7.0%, respectively, of our total loans. Profits and losses relating to the sale of mortgage loans are recognized when legal control passes to the buyer of the mortgage and the sales price is collected.

 

Interest Income Recognition for Mortgage Loans Receivable and Recognition of Related Deferred Fees and Costs - Interest income is recognized as earned for each mortgage loan during the period from the loan closing date to the sale date when legal control passes to the buyer and the sale price is collected. All fees related to the origination of mortgage loans and direct loan origination costs are deferred and recorded as either (a) an adjustment to the related mortgage loans upon the closing of a loan or (b) recognized as a deferred asset or deferred revenue while the loan is in process. These fees and costs include loan origination fees, loan discount, and salaries and wages. Such deferred fees and costs relating to the closed loans are recognized over the life of the loans as an adjustment of yield or taken into operations upon sale of the loan to a permanent investor.

 

Inventories - Inventories consist of land, land development, home construction costs, capitalized interest and construction overhead and are stated at cost, net of impairment losses, if any. Construction costs are accumulated during the period of construction and charged to cost of sales under specific identification methods. Land, land development, and common facility costs are allocated based on buildable acres to product types within each community, then charged to cost of sales equally based upon the number of homes to be constructed in each product type.

 

The recoverability of inventories and other long-lived assets are assessed in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”). SFAS 144 requires long-lived assets, including inventories, held for development to be evaluated for impairment based on undiscounted future cash flows of the assets at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows. As such, we evaluate inventories for impairment at the individual community level, the lowest level of discrete cash flows that we measure.

 

We evaluate inventories of communities under development for impairment when indicators of potential impairment are present. Indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, decreases in local housing market values, decreases in gross margins or sales absorption rates, decreases in net sales prices (base sales price net of sales incentives), or actual or projected operating or cash flow losses. The assessment of communities for indication of impairment is performed quarterly, primarily by completing detailed budgets for all of our communities, and identifying those communities with a projected operating loss for any projected fiscal year or for the entire projected community life. For those communities with projected losses, we estimate remaining undiscounted future cash flows and compare those to the carrying value of the community, to determine if the carrying value of the asset is recoverable.

 

The projected operating profits, losses or cash flows of each community can be significantly impacted by our estimates of the following:

 

future base selling prices;

 

future home sales incentives;

 

future home construction and land development costs; and

 

future sales absorption pace and cancellation rates.

 

These estimates are dependent upon specific market conditions for each community. While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a quarterly reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change. Local market-specific conditions that may impact our estimates for a community include:

 

the intensity of competition within a market, including publicly available home sales prices and home sales incentives offered by our competitors;

 

 



 

 

 

the current sales absorption pace for both our communities and competitor communities;

 

community specific attributes, such as location, availability of lots in the market, desirability and uniqueness of our community, and the size and style of homes currently being offered;

 

potential for alternative product offerings to respond to local market conditions;

 

changes by management in the sales strategy of the community; and

 

current local market economic and demographic conditions and related trends and forecasts.

 

These and other local market-specific conditions that may be present are considered by management in preparing projection assumptions for each community. The sales objectives can differ between our communities, even within a given market. For example, facts and circumstances in a given community may lead us to price our homes with the objective of yielding a higher sales absorption pace, while facts and circumstances in another community may lead us to price our homes to minimize deterioration in our gross margins, although it may result in a slower sales absorption pace. In addition, the key assumptions included in our estimate of future undiscounted cash flows may be interrelated. For example, a decrease in estimated base sales price or an increase in homes sales incentives may result in a corresponding increase in sales absorption pace. Additionally, a decrease in the average sales price of homes to be sold and closed in future reporting periods for one community that has not been generating what management believes to be an adequate sales absorption pace may impact the estimated cash flow assumptions of a nearby community. Changes in our key assumptions, including estimated construction and development costs, absorption pace, and selling strategies could materially impact future cash flow and fair value estimates. Due to the number of possible scenarios that would result from various changes in these factors, we do not believe it is possible to develop a sensitivity analysis with a level of precision that would be meaningful to an investor.

 

If the undiscounted cash flows are more than the carrying value of the community, then the carrying amount is recoverable and no impairment adjustment is required. However, if the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, then the community is deemed impaired and is written-down to its fair value. We determine the estimated fair value of each community by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at a discount rate of approximately 15%. The estimated future cash flow assumptions are the same for both our recoverability and fair value assessments. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments related to current and future communities. The impairment of a community is allocated to each lot on a straight line basis.

 

Inventories held for sale, which are land parcels where we have decided not to build homes, are a very small portion of our total inventories, and are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. In determining whether land held for sale is impaired, management considers, among other things, prices for land in recent comparable sale transactions, market analysis studies, which include the estimated price a willing buyer would pay for the land (other than in a forced liquidation sale) and recent bona fide offers received from outside third parties.

 

From time to time, we write-off deposits, and approval, engineering and capitalized interest costs when we decide not to exercise options to buy land in various locations, or we redesign communities and/or abandon certain engineering costs. In deciding not to exercise a land option, we take into consideration changes in market conditions, the timing of required land takedowns, the willingness of land sellers to modify terms of the land option contract (including timing of land takedowns), the availability and best use of our capital, among other factors. The write-off is recorded in the period it is deemed probable that the optioned property will not be acquired. In certain instances, we have been able to recover deposits and other preacquisition costs which were previously written off. These recoveries are generally not significant in comparison to the total costs written off.

 

The impairment of communities under development and inventories held for sale, and the charge for land option write-offs are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations in a separate line entitled “Homebuilding – Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs”. See also Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for inventory impairment and write-off amounts by segment.

 

Insurance Deductible Reserves – For homes delivered in fiscal 2008 and 2007, our deductible is $20 million per occurrence with an aggregate $20 million for liability claims and an aggregate $21.5 million for

 



 

construction defect claims under our general liability insurance. Our worker’s compensation insurance deductible is $0.5 million per occurrence in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. Reserves have been established based upon actuarial analysis of estimated losses for fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. We engage a third party actuary that uses our historical warranty data to estimate our unpaid claims, claim adjustment expenses and incurred but not reported claims reserves for the risks that we are assuming under the general liability and workers compensation programs. The estimates include provisions for inflation, claims handling and legal fees. These estimates are 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, claim settlement patterns, insurance industry practices and legal interpretations, among others. Because of the high degree of judgment required in determining these estimated liability amounts, actual future costs could differ significantly from our currently estimated amounts.

 

Interest – In accordance with SFAS 34 “Capitalization of Interest Cost”, interest incurred is first capitalized to properties under development during the land development and home construction period and expensed along with the associated cost of sales as the related inventories are sold. Interest in excess of interest capitalized or interest incurred on borrowings directly related to properties not under development is expensed immediately in “Other interest”.

 

Land Options - Costs are capitalized when incurred and either included as part of the purchase price when the land is acquired or charged to operations when we determine we will not exercise the option. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46R (“FIN 46R”) “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, SFAS No. 49 “Accounting for Product Financing Arrangements” (“SFAS 49”), SFAS No. 98 “Accounting for Leases” (“SFAS 98”), and Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 97-10 “The Effects of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction” (“EITF 97-10”), we record on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets specific performance options, options with variable interest entities, and other options under “Consolidated inventory not owned” with the offset to “Liabilities from inventory not owned” and “Minority interest from inventory not owned”.

 

Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint Ventures - Investments in unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, we recognize our proportionate share of earnings and losses earned by the joint venture upon the delivery of lots or homes to third parties. Our ownership interest in joint ventures varies but is generally less than or equal to 50%. In determining whether or not we must consolidate joint ventures where we are the managing member of the joint venture, we consider the guidance in EITF 04-5 in assessing whether the other partners have specific rights to overcome the presumption of control by us as the manager of the joint venture. In most cases, the presumption is overcome because the joint venture agreements require that both partners agree on establishing the operating and capital decisions of the partnership, including budgets, in the ordinary course of business.

 

Intangible Assets – The intangible assets recorded on our balance sheet are goodwill, which has an indefinite life, and definite life intangibles, including trade names, architectural designs, distribution processes, and contractual agreements resulting from our acquisitions. We no longer amortize goodwill, but instead assess it periodically for impairment. We performed such assessments utilizing a fair value approach as of October 31, 2007. We also assess definite life intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An intangible impairment is recorded when events and circumstances indicate the undiscounted future cash flows generated from the business unit with the intangible asset are less than the net assets of the business unit. The impairment loss is the lesser of the difference between the net assets of the business unit and the discounted future cash flows generated from the applicable business unit, which approximates fair value and the intangible asset balance. The estimates used in the determination of the estimated cash flows and fair value of a business unit are based on factors known to us at the time such estimates are made and our expectations of future operations and economic conditions. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments. However, we only have $3.0 million remaining in intangible assets and $32.7 million remaining in goodwill so any future impairments are limited to these balances. Any intangible impairment charge is included in Intangible amortization on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. We are amortizing the remaining definite life intangibles over their expected useful lives, ranging from one to four years.

 

 



 

 

Post Development Completion and Warranty Costs - In those instances where a development is substantially completed and sold and we have additional construction work to be incurred, an estimated liability is provided to cover the cost of such work. In addition, we accrue warranty costs as part of cost of sales for repair costs under $5,000 per occurrence to homes, community amenities and land development infrastructure. In addition, we accrue for warranty costs over $5,000 per occurrence as part of our general liability insurance deductible expensed as selling, general and administrative costs. As previously stated, the deductible for our general liability insurance for homes delivered in fiscal 2008 and 2007 is $20 million per occurrence with an aggregate $20 million for liability claims, and an aggregate $21.5 million for construction defect claims. Both of these liabilities are recorded in “Accounts payable and other liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Deferred Income Taxes - Deferred income taxes or income tax benefits are provided for temporary differences between amounts recorded for financial reporting and for income tax purposes. If, for some reason, the combination of future years income (or loss) combined with the reversal of the timing differences results in a loss, such losses can be carried back to prior years or carried forward to future years to recover the deferred tax assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), we evaluate our deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. SFAS 109 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a "more likely than not" standard. See Total Taxes below under Results of Operations for further discussion of the valuation allowances.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

 

See Note 16 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

 

 

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

 

Our operations consist primarily of residential housing development and sales in the Northeast (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania), the Midwest (Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota), the Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D. C.), the Southeast (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina), the Southwest (Arizona, Texas), and the West (California). In addition, we provide financial services to our homebuilding customers.

 

Our cash uses during the six months ended April 30, 2008 were for operating expenses, construction, income taxes, and interest. We provided for our cash requirements from housing and land sales, the revolving credit facility, financial service revenues, and other revenues. We believe that these sources of cash are sufficient to finance our working capital requirements and other needs because for the remaining two fiscal quarters of 2008, we expect to generate positive cash flow from operations as we limit investments in new communities and delay further investment in current communities reducing our inventory as we continue to build and deliver homes from our current communities. We expect this positive cash flow from operations to continue through 2009. Thus we believe that our sources of cash are sufficient to finance our needs, despite an 18% decline in total revenues in the first half of 2008 compared to the same period for the prior year, and a reduction in the availability under our revolving credit facility. We may also enter into land sale agreements or joint ventures to generate cash from our existing balance sheet. These expectations are based on our most recent budget process completed in April 2008, which assumes current sales prices and sales absorption paces continue through 2008 and most of 2009 and the issuances of equity and Senior Secured Notes described below.

 

On May 27, 2008, we issued $600 million of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes and the Amendment to the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which reduced the aggregate amount of commitments from $900 million to $300 million, became effective. Until July 31, 2008, the full amount under the Amended Credit Agreement will be available for the issuance of letters of credit and up to $25 million under the Amended Credit Agreement will be available for revolving loans. After July 31, 2008, availability under the Amended Credit Agreement will equal the lesser of $300 million and the amount available pursuant to the borrowing base and the sub-limit for revolving loans will be increased to $100 million. The Amended Credit Agreement eliminated all but one of the financial maintenance covenants, which requires that as of the last day of each fiscal quarter either (1) the ratio of our adjusted operating cash flow to fixed charges exceed 1.50 to 1.00 or (2) our liquidity equals or exceeds $100 million. After giving effect to this issuance of Notes and the proceeds of $126 million from the recent equity

 



 

issuance and the use of proceeds from these issuances, we would have had approximately $500 million in homebuilding cash at April 30, 2008. Consistent with prior years cash flow cycles where we have generated the majority of our positive cash flow in the latter half of the year (for 2007 we had negative operating cash flow through the first six months of $236 million, but in the second half of 2007 we had positive cash flow of $298 million), we expect that we will generate positive cash flow from operations over the remainder of the fiscal year, resulting in excess of $800 million in homebuilding cash at October 31, 2008; and therefore, we believe we will be in compliance with this new covenant for the foreseeable future.

 

Our net (loss) income historically does not approximate cash flow from operating activities. The difference between net (loss) income and cash flow from operating activities is primarily caused by changes in inventory levels together with changes in receivables, prepaid and other assets, interest and other accrued liabilities, deferred income taxes, accounts payable, mortgage loans and liabilities, and non-cash charges relating to depreciation, amortization of computer software costs, amortization of definite life intangibles, stock compensation awards and impairment losses. When we are expanding our operations, which was the case in fiscal 2006, inventory levels, prepaids and other assets increase causing cash flow from operating activities to decrease. Certain liabilities also increase as operations expand and partially offset the negative effect on cash flow from operations caused by the increase in inventory levels, prepaids and other assets. Similarly, as our mortgage operations expand, net income from these operations increase, but for cash flow purposes are offset by the net change in mortgage assets and liabilities. The opposite is true as our investment in new land purchases and development of new communities decrease, which is what we expect to happen in fiscal 2008 and 2009. Therefore, we expect to generate cash flows from operations in those years, increasing our liquidity and decreasing our dependency on availability under the Amended Credit Agreement.

 

On July 3, 2001, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to 4 million shares of Class A Common Stock. As of April 30, 2008, 3.4 million shares of Class A Common Stock have been purchased under this program, (See Part II, Item 2 for information on equity purchases). On March 5, 2004, our Board of Directors authorized a 2-for-1 stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend. All share information reflects this stock dividend.

 

On July 12, 2005, we issued 5,600 shares of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are not cumulative and are paid at an annual rate of 7.625%. The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into the Company’s common stock and is redeemable in whole or in part at our option at the liquidation preference of the shares beginning on the fifth anniversary of their issuance. The Series A Preferred Stock is traded as depositary shares, with each depositary share representing 1/1000th of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. The depositary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “HOVNP”. In January and April 2007, we paid $2.7 million of dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock. In January and April 2008, we did not make any dividend payments as a result of covenant restrictions in the indentures governing our Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes discussed below.

 

On May 16, 2008, we entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”). On May 27, 2008, in conjunction with the consummation of the issuance of $600 million of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (See Note 10), the Amendment became effective. The Amendment decreases the aggregate amount of commitments under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement from $900 million to $300 million. The maturity date of the facility remains May 31, 2011. Until July 31, 2008, the full amount under the Amended Credit Agreement will be available for the issuance of letters of credit and up to $25 million under the Amended Credit Agreement will be available for revolving loans. After July 31, 2008, availability under the Amended Credit Agreement will equal the lesser of $300 million and the amount available pursuant to the borrowing base and the sub-limit for revolving loans will be increased to $100 million. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate equal, at the Company’s option, to (1) one, two, three or six month LIBOR, plus 4.50%, (2) a base rate equal to the greater of PNC Bank, National Association’s prime rate and the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, plus 2.75% and (3) an index rate based on daily LIBOR, plus 4.625%. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the revolving facility, the Company will be required to pay an unused fee equal to 0.55% per annum on the daily average unused portion of the revolving facility. The Company will also pay a letter of credit fee of 4.50% per annum on the average outstanding face amount of letters of credit issued under the revolving facility. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest rate and fees payable under the revolving facility may not be less than the applicable interest rates and fees that would have been payable pursuant to the revolving facility that was in

 



 

effect prior to March 7, 2008, the date of the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes and working capital. A portion of the proceeds of the issuance of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 were used to repay the outstanding balance of $325.0 million at May 27, 2008 under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. As of May 27, 2008, the aggregate face amount of outstanding letters of credit was $217.8 million. As of April 30, 2008 and October 31, 2007, there was $325.0 million and $206.8 million drawn under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, excluding letters of credit totaling $219.3 million and $306.4 million, respectively. Under the Amended Credit Agreement borrowing base limits, as of April 30, 2008, we would have had an excess of $99.6 million available, which is limited by the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, as described above.

 

We and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors under the Amended Credit Agreement, except for K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (“K. Hovnanian”), the borrower, our financial services subsidiaries, joint ventures and certain of our title insurance subsidiaries. All obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement, and the guarantees of those obligations, will be secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the assets owned by us, K. Hovnanian and the guarantors.

 

The Amended Credit Agreement has covenants that restrict, among other things, the ability of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, including K. Hovnanian, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on, and make distributions with respect to, common and preferred stock and repurchase capital stock, make other restricted payments, make investments, dispose of assets, incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The Amended Credit Agreement also contains a covenant that requires that as of the last day of each fiscal quarter either (1) the ratio of our adjusted operating cash flow to fixed charges exceed 1.50 to 1.00 or (2) our liquidity equal or exceed $100 million. However, the Amended Credit Agreement does not contain any other financial maintenance covenants. The Amended Credit Agreement contains events of default which would permit the lenders to accelerate the loans if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments under the Amended Credit Agreement or other material indebtedness, the failure to satisfy covenants, the failure of the documents granting security for the obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement to be in full force and effect and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency. As of April 30, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and are currently in compliance with the covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement.

 

Our wholly-owned mortgage banking subsidiary originates mortgage loans, primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans are sold in the secondary mortgage market with servicing released within a short period of time. Our secured Master Repurchase Agreement with a group of banks is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $161 million through December 26, 2008. Interest is payable monthly at LIBOR plus 1.10%. The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. We also had a commercial paper facility which provided for up to $200 million through April 25, 2008 with interest payable monthly at LIBOR plus 0.40%. On November 28, 2007 we paid the outstanding balance in full and terminated the commercial paper facility. We believe that we will be able to extend the Master Repurchase Agreement beyond its expiration date, but there can be no assurance of such extension. As of April 30, 2008, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings under the master repurchase agreement was $123.1 million. The Master Repurchase Agreement requires K. Hovnanian American Mortgage, LLC to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests. As of April 30, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Master Repurchase Agreement.

 

On May 27, 2008, K. Hovnanian issued $600 million ($594.4 million net of discount) of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013. The notes will be secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by a second-priority lien on substantially all of the assets owned by us, K. Hovnanian and the guarantors to the extent such assets secure obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement. The notes are redeemable in whole or in part at our option at 102% of principal commencing November 1, 2010, 101% of principal commencing May 1, 2011 and 100% of principal commencing May 1, 2012. In addition, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes before May 1, 2011 with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at 111.50% of principal. A portion of the net proceeds of the issuance were used to repay the outstanding balance under the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 

 



 

 

At April 30, 2008, we had $1,515.0 million of outstanding senior notes ($1,510.8 million, net of discount), $100 million 8% Senior Notes due 2012, $215 million 6 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014, $150 million 6 3/8% Senior Notes due 2014, $200 million 6 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015, $300 million 6 1/4% Senior Notes due 2016, $300 million 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2016, and $250 million 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2017. At April 30, 2008, we had $400.0 million of outstanding senior subordinated notes, comprised of $150 million 8 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012, $150 million 7 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, and $100 million 6% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010.

 

We and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors of the senior secured, senior and senior subordinated notes, except for K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the notes, our financial services subsidiaries, joint ventures and certain of our title insurance subsidiaries. (See Note 18). The indentures governing the senior secured notes, senior notes and senior subordinated notes contain restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of Hovnanian and certain of its subsidiaries, including K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the senior secured notes, senior notes and senior subordinated notes, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends and make distributions on common and preferred stock, repurchase senior and senior subordinated notes (with respect to the senior secured notes indenture), make other restricted payments, make investments, sell certain assets, incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. If our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the indentures governing our senior secured notes, senior notes and senior subordinated notes is less than 2.0 to 1.0, we are restricted from making certain payments, including dividends, and from incurring indebtedness other than certain permitted indebtedness, refinancing indebtedness and non-recourse indebtedness. As a result of this restriction, we are currently restricted from paying dividends on our 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock and will continue to be restricted during the remainder of fiscal 2008. If current market trends continue or worsen, we anticipate that we will continue to be restricted from paying dividends into fiscal 2009. The restriction on making preferred dividend payments under our bond indentures will not affect our compliance with any of the covenants contained in the Amended Credit Agreement and will not permit the lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement to accelerate the loans. The indentures also contain events of default which would permit the holders of the senior secured notes, senior notes and senior subordinated notes to declare those notes to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments on the notes or other material indebtedness, the failure to satisfy covenants and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency and, with respect to the indenture governing the senior secured notes, the failure of the documents granting security for the senior secured notes to be in full force and effect and the failure of the liens on any material portion of the collateral securing the senior secured notes to be valid and perfected. As of April 30, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants of the indentures governing our outstanding notes. Under the terms of the indentures, we have the right to make certain redemptions and depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions, may do so from time to time. We may also make open market purchases from time to time depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions.

 

Total inventory decreased $574.2 million during the six months ended April 30, 2008 of which $226.4 million was attributed to impairments. This decrease excluded the decrease in consolidated inventory not owned of $53.3 million consisting of specific performance options, options with variable interest entities, and other options that were added to our balance sheet in accordance with SFAS 49, SFAS 98, and EITF 97-10, and variable interest entities in accordance with FIN 46R. See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 14 for additional information on FIN 46R. Specific performance inventory decreased $4.5 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008. This was due to the fact that some of the lots previously recorded as a future obligation were taken down during the first six months of 2008. Other options inventory decreased $11.6 million for this period. Other options consist of our GMAC model program and structured lot option agreements. GMAC model home inventory decreased $10.3 million as a result of our decision to remove homes from the program, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic. Structured lot option inventory decreased $1.3 million during the six months ended April 30, 2008. This decrease was primarily due to the decision to walk away from a deal in the Northeast and the purchase of some lots under structured options in the Southwest. This decrease was offset by additional inventory recorded for a transaction in the Northeast during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Total inventory decreased in the Mid-Atlantic $76.6 million, the Southeast $64.4 million, the Midwest $13.6 million, the Southwest $52.8 million, the West $314.8 million, and the Northeast $52.0 million. The decreases were primarily the result of deliveries in existing communities and inventory impairments incurred during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2008. Substantially all homes under construction or completed and included in inventory at April 30, 2008 are expected to be closed

 



 

during the next twelve months. Most inventory completed or under development is partially financed through our line of credit, preferred stock and senior and senior subordinated indebtedness.

 

Despite the decrease in total inventory, our inventory representing Land and land options held for future development or sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets increased by $178.5 million compared to October 31, 2007. The increase is due to Sold and unsold home and lots under development inventory being reclassified to Land and land options held for future development or sale inventory when we decide to mothball (stop development) a community. We mothball communities when we determine the current performance does not justify further investment at this time. That is, we believe we will generate higher returns if we avoid spending money to improve land today and save the raw land until such times as the markets improve. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we mothballed 11 communities. As of April 30, 2008, we have mothballed land in 28 communities. The book value associated with these 28 communities at April 30, 2008 was $493.3 million, net of an impairment balance of $131.1 million. We continually review communities to determine if mothballing is appropriate.

 

We usually option property for development prior to acquisition. By optioning property, we are only subject to the loss of the cost of the option and predevelopment costs if we choose not to exercise the option. As a result, our commitment for major land acquisitions is reduced. Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs, which include inventory that has been written-off or written-down, increased $260.2 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008, compared to the same period in the prior year. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we incurred $226.4 million in write-downs primarily attributable to significant impairments taken as a result of continued deterioration in our California operations in the West, as well as smaller impairments in our other segments. In addition, we recorded land option write-offs in the amount of $19.5 million.

 

 



 

 

 

The following table summarizes the number of buildable homes included in our total residential real estate.

 

 

 

Active Communities(1)

 

Active Communities Homes

 

Proposed Developable Homes

 

Grand Total Homes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast

 

30

 

4,422

 

7,024

 

11,446

Mid-Atlantic

 

69

 

6,149

 

3,318

 

9,467

Midwest

 

19

 

2,653

 

996

 

3,649

Southeast

 

76

 

5,530

 

3,603

 

9,133

Southwest

 

121

 

8,371

 

2,314

 

10,685

West

 

64

 

5,982

 

2,569

 

8,551

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated total

 

379

 

33,107

 

19,824

 

52,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unconsolidated joint

ventures

 

 

 

3,383

 

592

 

3,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total including

unconsolidated joint

ventures

 

 

 

36,490

 

20,416

 

56,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owned

 

 

 

17,863

 

7,401

 

25,264

Optioned

 

 

 

14,768

 

12,423

 

27,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Controlled lots

 

 

 

32,631

 

19,824

 

52,455

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction to

permanent financing

lots

 

 

 

476

 

-

 

476

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated total

 

 

 

33,107

 

19,824

 

52,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots controlled by

unconsolidated joint

ventures

 

 

 

3,383

 

592

 

3,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total including

unconsolidated joint

ventures

 

 

 

36,490

 

20,416

 

56,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Active communities are open for sale communities with 10 or more home sites available.

 

 



 

 

 

 

Active Communities(1)

 

Active Communities Homes

 

Proposed Developable Homes

 

Grand Total Homes

October 31, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast

 

37

 

5,497

 

7,426

 

12,923

Mid-Atlantic

 

74

 

7,169

 

5,458

 

12,627

Midwest

 

31

 

3,066

 

996

 

4,062

Southeast

 

88

 

9,087

 

4,491

 

13,578

Southwest

 

129

 

10,689

 

3,247

 

13,936

West

 

72

 

8,250

 

1,547

 

9,797

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated total

 

431

 

43,758

 

23,165

 

66,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unconsolidated joint

ventures

 

 

 

3,734

 

592

 

4,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total including

unconsolidated joint

ventures

 

 

 

47,492

 

23,757

 

71,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owned

 

 

 

22,559

 

6,121

 

28,680

Optioned

 

 

 

19,060

 

17,044

 

36,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Controlled lots

 

 

 

41,619

 

23,165

 

64,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction to
  permanent financing
  lots

 

 

 

2,139

 

 

 

2,139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated total

 

 

 

43,758

 

23,165

 

66,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots controlled by

unconsolidated joint

ventures

 

 

 

3,734

 

592

 

4,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total including

unconsolidated joint

ventures

 

 

 

47,492

 

23,757

 

71,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Active communities are open for sale communities with 10 or more home sites available.

 

 



 

 

The following table summarizes our started unsold homes and models. The decrease in total started unsold homes compared to the prior year end is primarily due to a continued focused effort to sell inventoried homes during the first six months of fiscal 2008. In some instances, this required additional incentives to be given to homebuyers on completed unsold homes. The decrease in models is directly due to the decrease of 52 active communities from 431 at October 31, 2007 to 379 at April 30, 2008.

 

 

April 30, 2008

 

October 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Started Unsold Homes

 

Models

 

Total

 

Started Unsold Homes

 

Models

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast

211

 

44

 

255

 

301

 

49

 

350

Mid-Atlantic

198

 

7

 

205

 

318

 

3

 

321

Midwest

65

 

16

 

81

 

125

 

28

 

153

Southeast

246

 

20

 

266

 

386

 

24

 

410

Southwest

557

 

91

 

648

 

787

 

91

 

878

West

226

 

204

 

430

 

473

 

237

 

710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

1,503

 

382

 

1,885

 

2,390

 

432

 

2,822

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $10.0 million during the six months ended April 30, 2008. This decrease is due to distributions received from the joint ventures and losses incurred by the joint ventures primarily from inventory impairments and land option and walk away costs during the six months ended April 30, 2008, offset by increases resulting from income from joint ventures not distributed and additional investment in joint ventures. As of April 30, 2008, we have investments in ten homebuilding joint ventures and nine land development joint ventures. Other than guarantees limited only to completion of development, environmental indemnification and standard indemnification for fraud and misrepresentation including voluntary bankruptcy, we have no other guarantees associated with unconsolidated joint ventures.

 

Receivables, deposits, and notes increased $3.8 million to $113.6 million at April 30, 2008. The increase is primarily due to an increase in receivables for home closings as a result of cash in transit from various title companies at the end of the respective periods. This increase was offset by decreases primarily due to the receipts of cash from insurance carriers related to outstanding warranty claims, as well as the return of deposits on land option transactions we terminated in fiscal 2007.

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30,

 

October 31,

 

Dollar

 

2008

 

2007

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid insurance

$9,481

 

$6,769

 

$2,712 

Prepaid project costs

100,897

 

110,439

 

(9,542)

Senior residential rental
  properties

7,524

 

7,694

 

(170)

Other prepaids

25,776

 

20,995

 

4,781 

Other assets

13,208

 

28,135

 

(14,927)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$156,886

 

$174,032

 

$(17,146)

 

Prepaid insurance increased due to a payment of a full year of certain liability insurance premium costs during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. These costs are amortized over the life of the associated insurance policy.

 



 

Prepaid project costs decreased for the homes delivered and have not been replenished, as we have reduced the number of active selling communities given the current homebuilding environment. Prepaid project costs consist of community specific expenditures that are used over the life of the community. Such prepaids are expensed as homes are delivered. Other prepaids increased as a result of bank fees paid in connection with the entering into the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in March 2008, which normally would be amortized over the loan period, however, because we amended and reduced the aggregate commitment of the facility effective May 27, 2008, we will expense a significant portion of these bank fees in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Other assets decreased because there were significant distributions in the first quarter from our executive deferred compensation plan.

 

At April 30, 2008 and October 31, 2007, we had $32.7 million of goodwill. This amount resulted from Company acquisitions prior to fiscal 2002.

 

Definite life intangibles decreased $1.2 million to $3.0 million at April 30, 2008, as a result of amortization during the six months.

 

Financial Services - Mortgage loans held for sale consist of residential mortgages receivable of which $136.3 million and $182.6 million at April 30, 2008 and October 31, 2007, respectively, are being temporarily warehoused and awaiting sale in the secondary mortgage market. We may incur risk with respect to mortgages that are delinquent, but only to the extent the losses are not covered by mortgage insurance or resale value of the house. Historically, we have incurred minimal credit losses. The decrease in the receivable from October 31, 2007 is directly related to a decrease in the volume of loans financed at April 30, 2008.

 

Income taxes receivable increased $28.8 million in the six months ended April 30, 2008 as a result of temporary differences between book and tax related to the inventory and intangible impairment charges taken, partially offset by an increase in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $141.8 million. The recoverability of the tax asset is limited to the use of loss carrybacks to 2005 and 2006 and existing deferred tax liabilities.

 

 

Accounts payable and other liabilities are as follows:

 

 

 

April 30,

 

October 31,

 

Dollar

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$165,146

 

$170,091

 

$(4,945)

Reserves

 

131,466

 

131,790

 

(324)

Accrued expenses

 

56,610

 

97,753

 

(41,143)

Accrued compensation

 

23,588

 

53,767

 

(30,179)

Other liabilities

 

36,926

 

62,021

 

(25,095)

Total

 

$413,736

 

$515,422

 

$(101,686)

 

The decrease in accounts payable was primarily due to a decrease in our accrual for inventory received but not yet invoiced. The decrease in accrued expenses is primarily due to payments made for land options that were terminated and accrued in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. The decrease in accrued compensation was primarily due to the significant distributions in the first quarter from our executive deferred compensation plan as well as lower bonus accruals at April 30, 2008 compared to October 31, 2007. The decrease in other liabilities is primarily related to accrued costs paid when a significant number of homes in our Fort Myers operations closed during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Also contributing to the decrease was a decrease in deferred revenue for homes financed through our wholly-owned mortgage subsidiary, whereby a less than 5% deposit was obtained on the home sale.

 

Customer deposits decreased $16.4 million to $48.8 million at April 30, 2008. The decrease is primarily due to the reduction in the number of homes in backlog from 5,938 at October 31, 2007 to 3,577 at April 30, 2008.

 

Mortgage warehouse line of credit under our secured master repurchase agreement decreased $48.0 million to $123.1 million at April 30, 2008. The decrease is directly correlated to the decrease in mortgage loans held for sale from October 31, 2007 to April 30, 2008.

 

 



 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2008 COMPARED TO THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2007

 

Total revenues:

 

 

Compared to the same prior period, revenues decreased as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

April 30, 2008

 

April 30, 2007

 

Dollar Change

 

Percentage Change

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of homes

$755,684

 

$1,058,014

 

$(302,330)

 

(29)%

Land sales and other

Revenues

8,203

 

34,761

 

(26,558)

 

(76)%

Financial services

12,552

 

17,883

 

(5,331)

 

(30)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$776,439

 

$1,110,658

 

$(334,219)

 

(30)%

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

April 30, 2008

 

April 30, 2007

 

Dollar Change

 

Percentage Change

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of homes

$1,807,502

 

$2,193,930

 

$(386,428)

 

(18)%

Land sales and other

Revenues

36,113

 

43,098

 

(6,985)

 

(16)%

Financial services

26,525

 

39,431

 

(12,906)

 

(33)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$1,870,140

 

$2,276,459

 

$(406,319)

 

(18)%

 

 

Homebuilding:

 

Compared to the same prior period, homebuilding revenues decreased $302.3 million, or 29%, during the three months ended April 30, 2008 and decreased $386.4 million or 18% during the six months ended April 30, 2008. Many of our communities have experienced further price declines during the six months ended April 30, 2008, resulting in an average price per home of $303,000 and $296,000 for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, compared to $335,900 and $341,900 for the same periods of the prior year. This is primarily due to deteriorating housing market conditions, as well as the mix of communities that are delivering homes. For example, for the six months ended April 30, 2008, 25% of the deliveries came from our Fort Myers operations compared to 10% for the same period of the prior year. This trend is not expected to continue as the majority of the Fort Myers backlog has now been delivered. Housing revenues are recorded at the time when title is conveyed to the buyer, adequate cash payment has been received and there is no continued involvement. Land sales are ancillary to our homebuilding operations and are expected to continue in the future but may significantly fluctuate up or down. For further details on land sales and other revenues, see section titled “Land Sales and Other Revenues” below.

 

 



 

 

 

Information on homes delivered by market area is set forth below:

 

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

Six Months Ended April 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

Northeast:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$168,590

 

$185,852

 

$328,936

 

$399,138

 

Homes

347

 

409

 

661

 

869

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-Atlantic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$134,494

 

$189,370

 

$260,052

 

$412,058

 

Homes

337

 

402

 

634

 

872

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midwest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$55,092

 

$41,524

 

$101,672

 

$80,103

 

Homes

257

 

199

 

468

 

395

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southeast:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$109,182

 

$207,844

 

$502,364

 

$425,569

 

Homes

444

 

766

 

2,073

 

1,580

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southwest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$143,649

 

$200,053

 

$307,833

 

$376,223

 

Homes

645

 

866

 

1,336

 

1,653

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$144,677

 

$233,371

 

$306,645

 

$500,839

 

Homes

464

 

508

 

926

 

1,047

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$755,684

 

$1,058,014

 

$1,807,502

 

$2,193,930

 

Homes

2,494

 

3,150

 

6,098

 

6,416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unconsolidated joint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ventures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$70,013

 

$103,241

 

$136,581

 

$211,737

 

Homes

196

 

275

 

351

 

564

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Housing revenues

$825,697

 

$1,161,255

 

$1,944,083

 

$2,405,667

 

Homes delivered

2,690

 

3,425

 

6,449

 

6,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

                An important indicator of our future results are recently signed contracts and home contract backlog for future deliveries. Our sales contracts and homes in contract backlog primarily using base sales prices by segment are set forth below:

 

 

Net Contracts(1) for the

Six Months Ended April 30,

 

Contract Backlog as of

April 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

Northeast:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$224,067

 

$377,932

 

$406,002

 

$592,250

Homes

532

 

794

 

846

 

1,143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-Atlantic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$180,491

 

$432,124

 

$280,566

 

$587,339

Homes

488

 

944

 

607

 

1,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midwest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$61,760

 

$124,680

 

$117,474

 

$167,350

Homes

298

 

540

 

589

 

813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southeast:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$86,567

 

$147,366

 

$122,663

 

$785,921

Homes

352

 

494

 

430

 

2,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southwest :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$293,716

 

$388,321

 

$163,929

 

$245,148

Homes

1,284

 

1,720

 

699

 

1,066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$257,966

 

$523,668

 

$137,054

 

$357,982

Homes

783

 

1,194

 

406

 

811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$1,104,567

 

$1,994,091

 

$1,227,688

 

$2,735,990

Homes

3,737

 

5,686

 

3,577

 

7,766

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unconsolidated joint   ventures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$133,861

 

$59,612

 

$197,607

 

$370,634

Homes

313

 

245

 

389

 

811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollars

$1,238,428

 

$2,053,703

 

$1,425,295

 

$3,106,624

Homes

4,050

 

5,931

 

3,966

 

8,577

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Net contracts are defined as new contracts during the period for the purchase of homes, less cancellations

 

of prior contracts.

 

Our reported level of sales contracts (net of cancellations) has been impacted by a slowdown in the pace in most of the Company’s segments and an increase in our cancellation rates over the past two years, due to weakening market conditions. The cancellation rate represents the number of cancelled contracts in the quarter divided by the number of gross sales contracts executed in the quarter. For comparison, the following are historical cancellation rates, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures.

 

 



 

 

Quarter

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

First

38%

36%

30%

27%

23%

Second

29%

32%

32%

21%

19%

Third

 

35%

33%

24%

20%

Fourth

 

40%

35%

25%

24%

 

Another common and meaningful way to analyze our cancellation trends is to compare the number of contract cancellations as a percentage of beginning backlog. For comparison, the following table provides this historical comparison, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures:

 

Quarter

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

First

16%

17%

11%

15%

14%

Second

24%

19%

15%

17%

18%

Third

 

18%

14%

15%

13%

Fourth

 

26%

16%

12%

15%

 

Most cancellations occur within the legal rescission period, which varies by state but is generally less than two weeks. Cancellations also occur as a result of buyer failure to qualify for a mortgage, which generally occurs during the first few weeks after signing. However, in recent quarters we have experienced a higher than normal number of cancellations later in the construction process. These cancellations are related primarily to falling prices, sometimes due to new discounts offered by us and other builders, leading the buyer to lose confidence in the contract price, and due to tighter mortgage underwriting criteria leading to some customer’s inability to be approved for a mortgage loan. In some cases, the buyer will walk away from a significant nonrefundable deposit that we recognize as other revenues. We expect that cancellation rates will return to a more normal level at some point as prices stabilize, but it is difficult to predict when this will occur, and the timing will vary by market. A failure to return to a more normal level would continue to negatively impact our results of operations.

 

 



 

 

               Cost of sales includes expenses for consolidated housing and land and lot sales, including impairment loss and land option write-offs (defined as “land charges” in the schedules below). A breakout of such expenses for housing sales and housing gross margin is set forth below:

 

 

Three Months Ended

April 30,

 

Six Months Ended

April 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of homes

$755,684

 

$1,058,014

 

$1,807,502

 

$2,193,930

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales, excluding interest

704,613

 

885,783

 

1,686,181

 

1,817,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding gross margin, before
  cost of sales interest expense and
  land charges

51,071

 

172,231

 

121,321

 

376,664

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales interest expense,
  excluding land sales interest expense

33,103

 

28,578

 

61,066

 

55,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding gross margin, after
  cost of sales interest expense, before
  land charges

17,968

 

143,653

 

60,255

 

321,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land charges

245,860

 

34,353

 

336,028

 

75,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding gross margin, after cost
  of sales interest expense and land
  charges

$(227,892)

 

$109,300

 

$(275,773)

 

$245,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin percentage, before cost
  of sales interest expense and land
  charges

6.8%

 

16.3%

 

6.7%

 

17.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin percentage, after cost of
  sales interest expense, before land
  charges

2.4%

 

13.6%

 

3.3%

 

14.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin percentage, after cost of
  sales interest expense and land
  charges

(30.2)%

 

10.3%

 

(15.3)%

 

11.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

                Cost of sales expenses as a percentage of home sales revenues are presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

April 30,

 

Six Months Ended

April 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of homes

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales, excluding interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Housing, land & development costs

 

81.1%

 

73.4%

 

82.9%

 

72.3%

 

Commissions

 

2.9%

 

2.7%

 

2.6%

 

2.8%

 

Financing concessions

 

1.9%

 

1.5%

 

1.4%

 

1.4%

 

Overheads

 

7.3%

 

6.1%

 

6.4%

 

6.3%

 

Total cost of sales, before interest

expense and land charges

 

93.2%

 

83.7%

 

93.3%

 

82.8%

 

Gross margin percentage, before cost
          of sales interest expense and land
          charges

 

6.8%

 

16.3%

 

6.7%

 

17.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales interest

 

4.4%

 

2.7%

 

3.4%

 

2.6%

 

Gross margin percentage, after cost of
          sales interest expense and before
          land charges

 

2.4%

 

13.6%

 

3.3%

 

14.6%

 

 

We sell a variety of home types in various communities, each yielding a different gross margin. As a result, depending on the mix of communities delivering homes, consolidated gross margin may fluctuate up or down. Total homebuilding gross margins, before interest expense and land impairment and option write off charges decreased to 6.8% during the three months ended April 30, 2008 compared to 16.3% for the same period last year and decreased to 6.7% during the six months ended April 30, 2008 compared to 17.2% for the same period last year. Continued declines in percentages in the first and second quarter of 2008 from 10.9% in the fourth quarter of 2007, are primarily the result of decreased sales prices and increased buyer concessions, as well as a significant impact from the large number of deliveries in our Fort Myers operations in the first half of 2008 at gross margins of 2.7%. Excluding the Fort Myers deliveries, gross margin percentage would have been 7.7% for the six months. The declining pace of sales in our markets in 2007 and 2008 has led to intense competition in many of our specific community locations. In order to maintain a reasonable pace of absorption, we have increased incentives, reduced lot location premiums, as well as lowered some base prices, all of which have impacted our margins significantly. In addition, homes for which contracts have been cancelled have typically been resold at a lower price, resulting in a further decline in margins. As discussed in “Homebuilding Operations by Segment” below, certain of our segments experienced increases in average selling prices for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008 compared to 2007. It should be noted however, that these increases are primarily the result of geographic and community mix of our deliveries, rather than an ability to increase home prices.

 

Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of homebuilding revenues increased to 12.8% for the three months ended April 30, 2008, compared to 12.6% for the three months ended April 30, 2007 and decreased to 10.7% for the six months ended April 30, 2008, compared to 12.1% for the six months ended April 30, 2007. Such expenses decreased $40.0 million for the three months ended April 30, 2008 and decreased $72.0 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008 compared to the same period last year as we have reduced these costs through headcount reduction and other cost saving measures.

 

 



 

 

Land Sales and Other Revenues:

 

Land sales and other revenues consist primarily of land and lot sales. A breakout of land and lot sales is set forth below:

 

 

Three Months Ended

April 30,

 

Six Months Ended

April 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and lot sales

$3,740

 

$31,695

 

$26,493

 

$35,294

 

Cost of sales, excluding interest

2,232

 

18,027

 

24,228

 

20,519

 

Land and lot sales gross margin,     excluding interest

1,508

 

13,668

 

2,265

 

14,775

 

Land sales interest expense

1,469

 

178

 

2,094

 

234

 

Land and lot sales gross margin,     including interest

$39

 

$13,490

 

$171

 

$14,541

 

 

Land sales are ancillary to our residential homebuilding operations and are expected to continue in the future but may significantly fluctuate up or down. Profits from land sales in the three and six months of the year were significantly less than the three and six months of 2007, and for the full fiscal year 2008, we expect pre-tax profit from land sales to be lower than they were in fiscal 2007. Although we budget land sales, they are often dependent upon receiving approvals and entitlements, the timing of which can be uncertain. As a result, projecting the amount and timing of land sales is difficult.

 

Other Revenues include income from contract cancellations, where the deposit has been forfeited due to contract terms, interest income, cash discounts and miscellaneous one-time receipts.

 

 



 

 

HOMEBUILDING OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT

 

Homebuilding Results by Segment

 

Segment Analysis

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

Six Months Ended April 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

Change

 

2008

 

2007

 

Change

 

(Dollars in thousands, except average sales price)

Northeast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding revenue

$169,856

 

$188,231

 

$(18,375)

 

$351,773

 

$402,325

 

$(50,552)

(Loss) income before taxes

$(24,774)

 

$(5,070)

 

$(19,704)

 

$(36,309)

 

$11,390

 

$(47,699)

Homes delivered

347

 

409

 

(62)

 

661

 

869

 

(208)

Average sales price

$485,850

 

$454,406

 

$31,444

 

$497,634

 

$459,307

 

$38,327

Contract cancellation rate

27%

 

23%

 

4%

 

30%

 

25%

 

5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-Atlantic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding revenue

$135,543

 

$217,903

 

$(82,360)

 

$263,351

 

$441,645

 

$(178,294)

(Loss) income before taxes

$(20,807)

 

$31,433

 

$(52,240)

 

$(43,845)

 

$57,730

 

$(101,575)

Homes delivered

337

 

402

 

(65)

 

634

 

872

 

(238)

Average sales price

$399,092

 

$471,070

 

$(71,978)

 

$410,177

 

$472,544

 

$(62,367)

Contract cancellation rate

32%

 

34%

 

(2%)

 

35%

 

33%

 

2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midwest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding revenue

$55,367

 

$41,941

 

$13,426

 

$103,051

 

$80,765

 

$22,286

(Loss) income before taxes

$(8,335)

 

$(11,965)

 

$3,630

 

$(22,712)

 

$(22,497)

 

$(215)

Homes delivered

257

 

199

 

58

 

468

 

395

 

73

Average sales price

$214,366

 

$208,663

 

$5,703

 

$217,248

 

$202,792

 

$14,456

Contract cancellation rate

26%

 

26%

 

-

 

31%

 

25%

 

6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southeast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding revenue

$110,697

 

$209,803

 

$(99,106)

 

$504,102

 

$429,740

 

$74,362

Loss before taxes

$(27,052)

 

$(14,516)

 

$(12,536)

 

$(33,047)

 

$(102,275)

 

$69,228

Homes delivered

444

 

766

 

(322)

 

2,073

 

1,580

 

493

Average sales price

$245,905

 

$271,337

 

$(25,432)

 

$242,337

 

$269,347

 

$(27,010)

Contract cancellation rate

45%

 

48%

 

(3%)

 

48%

 

62%

 

(14%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southwest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding revenue

$148,262

 

$201,390

 

$(53,128)

 

$312,822

 

$378,402

 

$(65,580)

(Loss) income before taxes

$(18,905)

 

$9,692

 

$(28,597)

 

$(25,630)

 

$16,361

 

$(41,991)

Homes delivered

645

 

866

 

(221)

 

1,336

 

1,653

 

(317)

Average sales price

$222,712

 

$231,008

 

$(8,296)

 

$230,414

 

$227,600

 

$2,814

Contract cancellation rate

26%

 

28%

 

(2%)

 

28%

 

28%

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homebuilding revenue

$143,444

 

$233,391

 

$(89,947)

 

$307,580

 

$503,906

 

$(196,326)

Loss before taxes

$(222,213)

 

$(36,917)

 

$(185,296)

 

$(310,214)

 

$(37,594)

 

$(272,620)

Homes delivered

464

 

508

 

(44)

 

926

 

1,047

 

(121)

Average sales price

$311,804

 

$459,392

 

$(147,588)

 

$331,150

 

$478,356

 

$(147,206)

Contract cancellation rate

27%

 

35%

 

(8%)

 

34%

 

31%

 

3%

 

 



 

 

Northeast - Homebuilding revenues decreased 9.8% and 12.6% for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the same period of the prior year. The decrease is primarily due to a 15.2% and 23.9% decrease in homes delivered offset by a 6.9% and 8.3% increase in average selling price for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, as the mix of communities delivered in 2008 was different than 2007. Income before income taxes decreased $19.7 million to a loss of $24.8 million and decreased $47.7 million to a loss of $36.3 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively. This was mainly due to a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense as the markets in this segment have become much more competitive and $19.5 million of inventory impairment losses and land option write-offs recorded in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2008.

 

Mid-Atlantic - Homebuilding revenues decreased 37.8% and 40.4% for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to a 16.2% and 27.3% decrease in homes delivered and a 15.3% and 13.2% decrease in average selling price for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, due to increased incentives and the different mix of communities delivered in 2008 than 2007. Income before income taxes decreased $52.2 million to a loss of $20.8 million and decreased $101.6 million to a loss of $43.8 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, with $12.6 million and $27.4 million of the decrease due to inventory impairment losses and land option write-offs for the three and six months, respectively. The segment also had a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense as the markets in this segment have become much more competitive.

 

Midwest - Homebuilding revenues increased 32.0% and 27.6% for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to a 29.1% and 18.5% increase in homes delivered and a 2.7% and 7.1% increase in average selling price for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively. The increases in homes delivered and average selling prices were the result of organic growth in this segment in Cleveland, Illinois and Minnesota, as these operations were started or acquired since 2004. The segment loss before income taxes decreased $3.6 million to a loss of $8.3 million and increased $0.2 million to a loss of $22.7 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively. Despite the increased revenues for both periods in fiscal 2008, which help improve operating performance, inventory impairments and land option write-offs of $5.6 million taken during fiscal 2008 partially offset the benefits from the increased revenues.

 

Southeast - Homebuilding revenues decreased 47.2% for the three months ended April 30, 2008, but increased 17.3% for the six months ended April 30, 2008, compared to the same periods of the prior year. The increase in the six months is primarily due to a 31.2% increase in homes delivered offset by a 10.0% decrease in average selling price in the first half of fiscal 2008. The primary reason for the increase in deliveries is due to the 1,540 deliveries from our Fort Myers operations. Loss before income taxes increased $12.5 million to $27.1 million for the three months and decreased $69.2 million to $33.0 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively. The increased loss for the three months ended April 30, 2008 compared to the same period of the prior year was primarily due to $18.2 million in inventory impairments and land option write-offs taken in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, compared to $7.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007. The decreased loss for the six months ended April 30, 2008, compared to the same period of the prior year, is primarily due to $25.0 million in inventory impairments and land option write-offs for the six months ended April 30, 2008, compared to $49.8 million for the six months ended April 30, 2007, as well as $51.5 million of intangible impairments taken in the first half of fiscal 2007, compared to zero for the same period of fiscal 2008.

 

Southwest - Homebuilding revenues decreased 26.4% and 17.3% for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to a 25.5% and 19.2% decrease in homes delivered and a 3.6% decrease and 1.2% increase in average selling price for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, as the mix of communities delivered in 2008 was different than 2007. Income before income taxes decreased $28.6 million to a loss of $18.9 million for the three months and decreased $42.0 million to a loss of $25.6 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively. This was mainly due to a reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense and $26.6 million in inventory impairment losses and land option write-offs in the first and second quarter of 2008.

 

West - Homebuilding revenues decreased 38.5% and 39.0% for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to a 8.7% and 11.6% decrease in homes delivered and a 32.1% and 30.8% decrease in average selling price for the three and six months ended April 30,

 



 

2008, respectively. The decrease in deliveries was the result of the more competitive and slowing housing market in California during 2007 and continuing through the first and second quarters of fiscal 2008. This reduced revenue was further compounded by a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense and $232.0 million in inventory impairment losses and land option write-offs in the first and second quarter of 2008. As a result of the above, loss before income taxes increased $185.3 million to a loss of $222.2 million for the three months and increased $272.6 million to a loss before income taxes of $310.2 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008, respectively.

 

Financial Services

 

Financial services consist primarily of originating mortgages from our homebuyers and selling such mortgages in the secondary market, and title insurance activities. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, financial services provided a $4.1 million and a $7.2 million profit before income taxes, compared to a profit of $6.3 million and $14.7 million for the same periods in 2007, respectively. The decrease in pretax profit for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008 is due to decreased mortgage settlements, a decrease in the average price of settlements, partially offset by a reduction in costs.

 

Corporate General and Administrative

 

Corporate general and administrative expenses represent the operations at our headquarters in Red Bank, New Jersey. These expenses include our executive offices, information services, human resources, corporate accounting, training, treasury, process redesign, internal audit, construction services, and administration of insurance, quality, and safety. As a percentage of total revenues, such expenses increased to 2.7% for the three months ended April 30, 2008 from 1.8% for the prior year’s three months and increased to 2.3% million for the six months ended April 30, 2008 from 1.9% for the prior year’s six months. The increases are primarily the result of increased office facility costs and higher bonus accruals in 2008 as a result of new bonus structures based on net debt reduction.

 

Other Interest

 

Other interest decreased $6.2 million and $6.9 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, compared to the three and six months ended April 30, 2007. In 2007, this interest included interest on completed homes in our Fort Myers operations, but those homes have now been delivered thus resulting in the decrease in other interest.

 

Other Operations

 

Other operations consist primarily of miscellaneous residential housing operations expenses, senior rental residential property operations, earnout payments from homebuilding company acquisitions, minority interest relating to consolidated joint ventures, and corporate owned life insurance. Other operations increased to $1.1 million and decreased to $1.9 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, compared to $0.8 and $2.3 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2007.

 

Intangible Amortization

 

We are amortizing our definite life intangibles over their expected useful life, ranging from one to four years. Intangible amortization decreased $6.4 million and $67.0 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008, when compared to the same period last year. This decrease was primarily the result of the write-off of intangible assets for the Fort Myers operations in the Southeast during the first quarter of 2007 and reduced intangible amortization in 2008 as a result of extensive write-offs during the fourth quarter of 2007.

 

 



 

 

Loss From Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

 

Loss from unconsolidated joint ventures consists of our share of losses from joint ventures. The loss increased $1.2 million and $8.2 million to a loss of $3.4 million and $8.4 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008 when compared to the same periods last year. The increased losses in 2008 are primarily related to our share of the losses from inventory impairments and land-option and walk-away costs from our joint venture with affiliates of Blackstone Real Estate Advisors. Our share of unconsolidated joint venture intangible and land-related charges were $5.1 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $9.2 million and $0.3 million for the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Total Taxes

 

Total taxes as a percentage of the loss before taxes was .8% and 7.9% for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008. The rate was significantly below the statutory tax rate because we recorded an additional $120.6 million charge to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the quarter as discussed further below. For the remainder of the year, we do not expect to record any additional tax benefits.

 

Deferred federal and state income tax assets primarily represent the deferred tax benefits arising from temporary differences between book and tax income which will be recognized in future years as an offset against future taxable income. If, for some reason, the combination of future years income (or loss) combined with the reversal of the timing differences results in a loss, such losses can be carried back to prior years or carried forward to future years to recover the deferred tax assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), we evaluate our deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. SFAS 109 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a "more likely than not" standard. Given the continued downturn in the homebuilding industry during 2007 and the first half of 2008, resulting in additional inventory and intangible impairments, we are now in a three year cumulative loss position. According to SFAS 109, a three year cumulative loss is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable, and also precludes relying on projections of future taxable income to support the recovery of deferred tax assets. Therefore, during the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded an additional valuation allowance of $215.7 million against our deferred tax assets. Our valuation allowance increased $120.6 million and $141.8 million during the three and six months ended April 30, 2008 from $265.9 million at October 31, 2007 to $407.7 million at April 30, 2008. Our deferred tax assets, for which there is no valuation allowance, relate to amounts that can be realized through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences or through carrybacks to the 2005 and 2006 years.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation has a long-term effect, because increasing costs of land, materials, and labor result in increasing sale prices of our homes. In general, these price increases have been commensurate with the general rate of inflation in our housing markets and have not had a significant adverse effect on the sale of our homes. A significant risk faced by the housing industry generally is that rising house construction costs, including land and interest costs, will substantially outpace increases in the income of potential purchasers. Recently in the more highly regulated markets that have seen significant home price appreciation, customer affordability has become a concern. Our broad product array insulates us to some extent, but customer affordability of our homes is something we monitor closely.

 

Inflation has a lesser short-term effect, because we generally negotiate fixed price contracts with many, but not all, of our subcontractors and material suppliers for the construction of our homes. These prices usually are applicable for a specified number of residential buildings or for a time period of between three to twelve months. Construction costs for residential buildings represent approximately 62% of our homebuilding cost of sales.

 

 

 



 

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

All statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts should be considered as “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in, or suggested by, such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions, or expectations will be achieved. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to:

 

 

. Changes in general and local economic and business conditions;

 

 

. Adverse weather conditions and natural disasters;

 

 

. Changes in market conditions and seasonality of the Company’s business;

 

 

. Changes in home prices and sales activity in the markets where the Company builds homes;

 

. Government regulation, including regulations concerning development of land, the home

 

 

building, sales and customer financing processes, and the environment;

 

 

. Fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of mortgage financing;

 

 

. Shortages in, and price fluctuations of, raw materials and labor;

 

 

. The availability and cost of suitable land and improved lots;

 

 

. Levels of competition;

 

 

. Availability of financing to the Company;

 

 

. Utility shortages and outages or rate fluctuations; and

 

 

. Levels of indebtedness and restrictions on the Company's operations and activities imposed

 

 

by the agreements governing the Company's outstanding indebtedness;

 

 

. Operations through joint ventures with third parties;

 

 

. Product liability litigation and warranty claims;

 

 

. Successful identification and integration of acquisitions;

 

 

. Significant influence of the Company's controlling stockholders; and

 

 

. Geopolitical risks, terrorist acts and other acts of war.

 

 

Certain risks, uncertainties, and other factors are described in detail in Part I, Item 1 “Business” in our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007 and Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2008. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason after the date of this Form 10-Q.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

A primary market risk facing us is interest rate risk on our long-term debt. In connection with our mortgage operations, mortgage loans held for sale and the associated mortgage warehouse line of credit under our secured master repurchase agreement are subject to interest rate risk; however, such obligations reprice frequently and are short-term in duration. In addition, we hedge the interest rate risk on mortgage loans by obtaining forward commitments from private investors. Accordingly, the risk from mortgage loans is not material. We do not use financial instruments to hedge interest rate risk except with respect to mortgage loans. We are also subject to foreign currency risk but this risk is not material. The following table sets forth as of April 30, 2008, our long term debt obligations principal cash flows by scheduled maturity, weighted average interest rates and estimated fair market value (“FMV”).

 

 



 

 

 

As of April 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

Thereafter(2)

 

Total

 

FMV at April 30, 2008

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

Long term debt(1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed rate

$4,871

 

$773

 

$100,826

 

$884

 

$250,946

 

$1,584,189

 

$1,942,488

 

$1,394,638

Weighted
    average interest
      rate

5.31%

 

6.72%

 

6.01%

 

6.76%

 

8.52%

 

7.06%

 

7.19%

 

 

 

(1) Does not include the mortgage warehouse line of credit made under our secured master repurchase

 

agreement.

(2) On May 27, 2008, we issued $600 million of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013.

 

In addition, we have reassessed the market risk for our variable rate debt, which at April 30, 2008 was, under the terms of the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement prior to the May 2008 amendment, based on (1) a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.50% per annum depending on our Adjusted Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) plus a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (a) PNC Bank, National Association's prime rate and (b) the federal funds rate plus 1/2% , (2) a margin ranging from 2.00% to 3.50% per annum, depending on our Adjusted Leverage Ratio, plus a LIBOR-based rate for a one, two, three, or six month interest period as selected by us or (3) a margin ranging from 2.125% to 3.625% per annum, based on our Adjusted Leverage Ratio, plus an index rate determined by reference to a LIBOR-based rate for one month. We believe that a 1% increase in this rate would have resulted in an approximate $1.3 million increase in interest expense for the six months ended April 30, 2008, assuming an average of $265.9 million of variable rate debt outstanding from November 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008. We have also reassessed the market risk for our variable debt at April 30, 2008 under the terms of the May 2008 Amended Credit Agreement, under which interest is based to (1) one, two, three or six month LIBOR, plus 4.50%, (2) a base rate equal to the greater of PNC Bank, National Association’s prime rate and the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, plus 2.75% and (3) an index rate based on daily LIBOR, plus 4.625%. We believe that a 1% increase in this rate would have resulted in an approximate $1.3 million increase in interest expense for the six months ended April 30, 2008, assuming an average of $265.9 million of variable rate debt outstanding from November 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of April 30, 2008. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of April 30, 2008 are effective to accomplish their objectives.

In addition, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended April 30, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. Other Information

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

 

 



 

 

Information with respect to legal proceedings is incorporated into this Part II, Item 1 from Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item I.

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

The risk factors in our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007 have been updated and are included herein in their entirety.

 

The homebuilding industry is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions, real estate markets and weather conditions, which could affect our ability to build homes at prices our customers are willing or able to pay, could reduce profits that may not be recaptured and could result in cancellation of sales contracts.

 

The homebuilding industry is cyclical, has from time to time experienced significant difficulties and is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions such as:

 

• employment levels and job growth;

• availability of financing for home buyers;

• interest rates;

• foreclosure rates;

• inflation;

• adverse changes in tax laws;

• consumer confidence;

• housing demand; and

• population growth.

 

Weather conditions and natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and fires can harm the local homebuilding business. Our business in Florida was adversely affected in late 2005 and into 2006 due to the impact of Hurricane Wilma on materials and labor availability and pricing.

 

The difficulties described above could cause us to take longer and incur more costs to build our homes. We may not be able to recapture increased costs by raising prices in many cases because we fix our prices up to twelve months in advance of delivery by signing home sales contracts. In addition, some home buyers may cancel or not honor their home sales contracts altogether.

 

The homebuilding industry is undergoing a significant and sustained downturn which has, and could continue to, materially and adversely affect our business, liquidity and results of operations.

 

The homebuilding industry is now experiencing a significant and sustained downturn. An industry-wide softening of demand for new homes has resulted from a lack of consumer confidence, decreased housing affordability, decreased availability of mortgage financing, and large supplies of resale and new home inventories. In addition, an oversupply of alternatives to new homes, such as rental properties and resale homes, has depressed prices and reduced margins for the sale of new homes. Industry conditions had a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations during fiscal year 2007 and are continuing to materially adversely affect our business and results of operations in fiscal 2008. For example, we are continuing to experience slower sales, reductions in our margins and higher cancellations which impact most of our markets. Further, we substantially increased our inventory in recent years, which required significant cash outlays and which has increased our price and margin exposure as we continue to work through this inventory. Continuation of this downturn would continue to have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Leverage places burdens on our ability to comply with the terms of our indebtedness, may restrict our ability to operate, may prevent us from fulfilling our obligations and may adversely affect our financial condition.

 

We have a significant amount of debt. On a pro forma basis after giving effect to the May 27, 2008 issuance of $600 million of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 and the application of the proceeds there from and the effectiveness of the Amended Credit Agreement:

 

 



 

 

• our debt, as of April 30, 2008, including the debt of the subsidiaries that guarantee our debt, would have been $2,542.5 million;

 

• As of May 27, 2008, the aggregate outstanding face amount of letters of credit under our Amended Credit Agreement were approximately $217.8 million and we had no outstanding revolving loans; and

 

• our debt service payments for the 12-month period ended April 30, 2008, which include interest incurred and mandatory principal payments on our corporate debt under the terms of our indentures (but which do not include principal and interest on non-recourse secured debt and debt of our financial subsidiaries), would have been approximately $360.0 million ($140.3 million of which relates to principal payments on our 10 1/2% Senior Notes due 2007).

 

In addition, we had substantial contractual commitments and contingent obligations, including $710.3 million of performance bonds as of April 30, 2008. See ‘‘Management’s Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contractual Obligations’’ in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007.

 

 

Our significant amount of debt could have important consequences. For example, it could:

 

• limit our ability to obtain future financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other requirements;

 

• require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of our debt and reduce our ability to use our cash flow for other purposes;

 

• limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business;

 

• place us at a competitive disadvantage because we have more debt than some of our competitors; and

 

• make us more vulnerable to downturns in our business and general economic conditions.

 

Our ability to meet our debt service and other obligations will depend upon our future performance. We are engaged in businesses that are substantially affected by changes in economic cycles. Our revenues and earnings vary with the level of general economic activity in the markets we serve. Our businesses are also affected by customer sentiment and financial, political, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The factors that affect our ability to generate cash can also affect our ability to raise additional funds for these purposes through the sale of equity securities, the refinancing of debt, or the sale of assets. Changes in prevailing interest rates may affect our ability to meet our debt service obligations, because borrowings under our Amended Credit Agreement bear interest at floating rates. A higher interest rate on our debt service obligations could result in lower earnings.

 

Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations and borrowings may not be available to us under our Amended Credit Agreement in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Under the Amended Credit Agreement, the amount available for revolving loans is limited to $25 million until July 31, 2008 and to $100 million thereafter, with the remaining amounts available for the issuance of letters of credit. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity, which we may not be able to do on favorable terms or at all.

 

Restrictive covenants in our debt instruments may restrict our ability to operate and if our financial performance worsens, we may not be able to maintain compliance with the financial covenants of our debt instruments.

 

The indentures governing our outstanding debt securities and our Amended Credit Agreement impose restrictions on our operations and activities. The most significant restrictions relate to debt incurrence, sales of assets, cash distributions, including paying dividends on common and preferred stock, capital stock repurchases, and investments by us and certain of our subsidiaries. The covenants in our Amended Credit Agreement also include a

 



 

borrowing base covenant and a covenant requiring either a minimum operating cash flow coverage ratio or minimum liquidity as of the last day of each fiscal quarter but do not contain any other financial covenants. Our level of home deliveries, amount of impairments and other financial performance factors have negatively impacted the borrowing base and financial covenants under the Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement and there can be no assurance that we will not violate the financial or other covenants under our debt instruments in the future or that the amount available under our revolving credit line would not be reduced.

 

In addition, as a result of the restrictions in our indentures, which would require our fixed charge coverage ratio to be at least 2.0 to 1.0, we are currently restricted from paying dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock and will continue to be restricted during the remainder of fiscal 2008. If current market trends continue or worsen, we anticipate that we will continue to be restricted from paying dividends into fiscal 2009.

 

If we fail to comply with any of the restrictions or covenants of our debt instruments, and are unable to amend the instrument or obtain a waiver, or make timely payments on this debt and other material indebtedness, we could be precluded from incurring additional borrowings under our Amended Credit Agreement and the trustees or the banks, as appropriate, could cause our debt to become due and payable prior to maturity. In such a situation, there can be no assurance that we would be able to obtain alternative financing. In addition, if we are in default of these agreements, we may be prohibited from drawing additional funds under the Amended Credit Agreement, which could impair our ability to maintain sufficient working capital. Either situation could have a material adverse effect on the solvency of the Company.

 

The terms of our debt instruments allow us to incur additional indebtedness.

 

Under the terms of our indebtedness under our indentures and under the Amended Credit Agreement, we have the ability, subject to our debt covenants, to incur additional amounts of debt. The incurrence of additional indebtedness could magnify the risks described above. In addition, certain obligations such as standby letters of credit and performance bonds issued in the ordinary course of business are not considered indebtedness under our indentures (and may be secured) and are therefore not subject to limits in our debt covenants.

 

We could be adversely affected by a negative change in our credit rating.

 

Our ability to access capital on favorable terms is a key factor in continuing to grow our business and operations in a profitable manner. Recently, Moody’s and S&P have lowered our credit ratings, which may make it more difficult and costly for us to access capital. A further downgrade by any of the principal credit agencies may exacerbate these difficulties.

 

Our business is seasonal in nature and our quarterly operating results can fluctuate.

 

Our quarterly operating results generally fluctuate by season. Historically, a large percentage of our agreements of sale have been entered into in the winter and spring. The construction of a customer’s home typically begins after signing the agreement of sale and can take 12 months or more to complete. Weather-related problems, typically in the late winter and early spring, can delay starts or closings and increase costs and thus reduce profitability. In addition, delays in opening communities could have an adverse impact on our sales and revenues. Due to these factors, our quarterly operating results may continue to fluctuate.

 

Our success depends on the availability of suitable undeveloped land and improved lots at acceptable prices.

 

Our success in developing land and in building and selling homes depends in part upon the continued availability of suitable undeveloped land and improved lots at acceptable prices. The availability of undeveloped land and improved lots for purchase at favorable prices depends on a number of factors outside of our control, including the risk of competitive over-bidding on land and lots and restrictive governmental regulation. Should suitable land opportunities become less available, the number of homes we may be able to build and sell would be reduced, which would reduce revenue and profits.

 

 



 

 

Raw material and labor shortages and price fluctuations could delay or increase the cost of home construction and adversely affect our operating results.

 

The homebuilding industry has from time to time experienced raw material and labor shortages. In particular, shortages and fluctuations in the price of lumber or in other important raw materials could result in delays in the start or completion of, or increase the cost of, developing one or more of our residential communities. In addition, we contract with subcontractors to construct our homes. Therefore, the timing and quality of our construction depends on the availability, skill and cost of our subcontractors. Delays or cost increases caused by shortages and price fluctuations could harm our operating results, the impact of which may be further affected depending on our ability to raise sales prices.

 

Changes in economic and market conditions could result in the sale of homes at a loss or holding land in inventory longer than planned, the cost of which can be significant.

 

Land inventory risk can be substantial for homebuilders. We must continuously seek and make acquisitions of land for expansion into new markets and for replacement and expansion of land inventory within our current markets. The market value of undeveloped land, buildable lots and housing inventories can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing economic and market conditions. In the event of significant changes in economic or market conditions, we may have to sell homes at a loss or hold land in inventory longer than planned. In the case of land options, we could choose not to exercise them, in which case we would write off the value of these options. Inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses in a poorly performing project or market. For example, during 2007 and 2006 we decided not to exercise many option contracts and walked away from land option deposits and predevelopment costs, which resulted in land option write-offs of $126.0 million and $159.1 million, respectively. Also, in 2007 and 2006, as a result of the slowing market, we recorded inventory impairment losses on owned property of $331.8 million and $177.1 million, respectively. For the six months ended April 30, 2008, we recorded inventory impairment losses on owned property of $300.2 million and we also recorded $35.8 million of land option write-offs.

 

Home prices and sales activities in the California, New Jersey, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Florida and Arizona markets have a large impact on our profitability because we conduct a significant portion of our business in these markets.

 

We presently conduct a significant portion of our business in the California, New Jersey, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Florida and Arizona markets. Home prices and sales activities in these markets, and in most of the other markets in which we operate, have declined from time to time, particularly as a result of slow economic growth. In particular, California, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland have continued to slow since the end of 2006. Furthermore, precarious economic and budget situations at the state government level may adversely affect the market for our homes in those affected areas. If home prices and sales activity decline in one or more of the markets in which we operate, our costs may not decline at all or at the same rate and profits may be reduced.

 

Because almost all of our customers require mortgage financing, increases in interest rates or the availability of mortgage financing could impair the affordability of our homes, lower demand for our products, limit our marketing effectiveness, and limit our ability to fully realize our backlog.

 

Virtually all of our customers finance their acquisitions through lenders providing mortgage financing. Increases in interest rates or decreases in availability of mortgage financing could lower demand for new homes because of the increased monthly mortgage costs to potential home buyers. Even if potential customers do not need financing, changes in interest rates and mortgage availability could make it harder for them to sell their existing homes to potential buyers who need financing. This could prevent or limit our ability to attract new customers as well as our ability to fully realize our backlog because our sales contracts generally include a financing contingency. Financing contingencies permit the customer to cancel his obligation in the event mortgage financing at prevailing interest rates, including financing arranged or provided by us, is unobtainable within the period specified in the contract. This contingency period is typically four to eight weeks following the date of execution.

 

 



 

 

Over the last several quarters, many lenders have significantly tightened their underwriting standards, and many subprime and other alternative mortgage products are no longer being made available in the marketplace. If these trends continue and mortgage loans continue to be difficult to obtain, the ability and willingness of prospective buyers to finance home purchases or to sell their existing homes will be adversely affected, which will adversely affect our operating results.

 

In addition, we believe that the availability of FNMA, FHLMC, FHA and VA mortgage financing is an important factor in marketing many of our homes. Any limitations or restrictions on the availability of those types of financing could reduce our sales.

 

We conduct certain of our operations through unconsolidated joint ventures with independent third parties in which we do not have a controlling interest. These investments involve risks and are highly illiquid.

 

We currently operate through a number of unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures with independent third parties in which we do not have a controlling interest. At April 30, 2008, we had invested an aggregate of $166.4 million in these joint ventures, which had borrowings outstanding of approximately $336.7 million. In addition, as part of our strategy, we intend to continue to evaluate additional joint venture opportunities.

 

These investments involve risks and are highly illiquid. There are a limited number of sources willing to provide acquisition, development and construction financing to land development and homebuilding joint ventures, and as the use of joint venture arrangements by us and our competitors increases and as market conditions become more challenging, it may be difficult or impossible to obtain financing for our joint ventures on commercially reasonable terms. In addition, we lack a controlling interest in these joint ventures and therefore are usually unable to require that our joint ventures sell assets or return invested capital, make additional capital contributions or take any other action without the vote of at least one of our venture partners. Therefore, absent partner agreement, we will be unable to liquidate our joint venture investments to generate cash.

 

Homebuilders are subject to a number of federal, local, state and foreign laws and regulations concerning the development of land, the home building, sales and customer financing processes and protection of the environment, which can cause us to incur delays and costs associated with compliance and which can prohibit or restrict our activity in some regions or areas.

 

We are subject to extensive and complex regulations that affect the development and home building, sales and customer financing processes, including zoning, density, building standards and mortgage financing. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities. This can delay or increase the cost of development or homebuilding. In addition, some state and local governments in markets where we operate have approved, and others may approve, slow growth or no growth initiatives that could negatively impact the availability of land and building opportunities within those areas. Approval of these initiatives could adversely affect our ability to build and sell homes in the affected markets and/or could require the satisfaction of additional administrative and regulatory requirements, which could result in slowing the progress or increasing the costs of our homebuilding operations in these markets. Any such delays or costs could have a negative effect on our future revenues and earnings.

 

We also are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations concerning 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 uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation, and/or other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas.

 

For example, during 2005, we received requests for information from the Environmental Protection Agency (the ‘‘EPA’’) pursuant to provisions of the Clean Water Act. These requests sought information concerning storm water discharge practices in connection with completed, ongoing and planned homebuilding projects in the states and district that comprise EPA Region 3. We provided the EPA with information in response to its requests. The Department of Justice (‘‘DOJ’’) subsequently also has become involved in the review of our storm water discharge

 



 

practices and enforcement with respect to them. We have subsequently received a notification with respect to another development from the EPA alleging violations of storm water discharge practices and requesting related information. We cannot predict the outcome of the review of these practices or estimate the costs that may be involved in resolving the matter. To the extent that the EPA or the DOJ asserts violations of regulatory requirements and request injunctive relief or penalties, we will defend and attempt to resolve such asserted violations.

 

It can be anticipated that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. Although we cannot predict the effect of these requirements, they could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs and in substantial expenditures, which could cause delays and increase our cost of operations. In addition, the continued effectiveness of permits already granted or approvals already obtained is dependent upon many factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretation and application.

 

Product liability litigation and warranty claims that arise in the ordinary course of business may be costly.

 

As a homebuilder, we are subject to construction defect and home warranty claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Such claims are common in the homebuilding industry and can be costly. In addition, the amount and scope of coverage offered by insurance companies is currently limited and this coverage may be further restricted and become more costly. If we are not able to obtain adequate insurance against such claims, we may experience losses that could hurt our financial results. Our financial results could also be adversely affected if we were to experience an unusually high number of claims or unusually severe claims.

 

We compete on several levels with homebuilders that may have greater sales and financial resources, which could hurt future earnings.

 

We compete not only for home buyers but also for desirable properties, financing, raw materials and skilled labor often within larger subdivisions designed, planned and developed by other homebuilders. Our competitors include other local, regional and national homebuilders, some of which have greater sales and financial resources.

 

The competitive conditions in the homebuilding industry together with current market conditions have, and could continue to, result in:

 

• difficulty in acquiring suitable land at acceptable prices;

• increased selling incentives;

• lower sales; or

• delays in construction.

 

 

Any of these problems could increase costs and/or lower profit margins.

 

We may have difficulty in obtaining the additional financing required to operate and develop our business.

 

Our operations require significant amounts of cash, and we may be required to seek additional capital, whether from sales of equity or borrowing additional money, for the future growth and development of our business. The terms or availability of additional capital is uncertain. Moreover, the indentures for our outstanding debt securities and our Amended Credit Agreement contain provisions that restrict the debt we may incur and the equity we may issue in the future. If we are not successful in obtaining sufficient capital, it could reduce our sales and may hinder our future growth and results of operations. In addition, pledging substantially all of our assets to support the Amended Credit Agreement and the Senior Secured Notes due 2013 may make it more difficult to raise additional financing in the future.

 

Our future growth may include additional acquisitions of companies that may not be successfully integrated and may not achieve expected benefits.

 

Acquisitions of companies have contributed to our growth and are a component of our growth strategy. In March 2005, we acquired Cambridge Homes and Town & Country Homes; in August 2005, we acquired Oster Homes and First Home Builders of Florida and in April 2006, we acquired Craftbuilt Homes. In the future, we may

 



 

acquire other businesses, some of which may be significant. As a result of acquisitions of companies, we may need to seek additional financing and integrate product lines, dispersed operations and distinct corporate cultures. These integration efforts may not succeed or may distract our management from operating our existing business. Additionally, we may not be able to enhance our earnings as a result of acquisitions. Our failure to successfully identify and manage future acquisitions could harm our operating results.

 

Our controlling stockholders are able to exercise significant influence over us.

 

Kevork S. Hovnanian, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, and Ara K. Hovnanian, our President and Chief Executive Officer, have voting control, through personal holdings and family-owned entities, of Class A and Class B common stock that enables them to cast approximately 71.6% of the votes that may be cast by the holders of our outstanding Class A and Class B common stock combined. Their combined stock ownership enables them to exert significant control over us, including power to control the election of our Board of Directors and to approve matters presented to our stockholders. This concentration of ownership may also make some transactions, including mergers or other changes in control, more difficult or impossible without their support. Also, because of their combined voting power, circumstances may occur in which their interests could be in conflict with the interests of other stakeholders.

 

Our net operating loss carryforwards could be substantially limited if we experience an ownership change as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Based on recent impairments and our current financial performance, we expect to generate net operating loss carryforwards for the year ending October 31, 2008, and possibly future years.

 

Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an ownership change, which is generally any change in ownership of more than 50% of its stock over a three-year period, to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards and certain built in losses recognized in years after the ownership change. These rules generally operate by focusing on ownership changes among stockholders owning directly or indirectly 5% or more of the stock of a company or any change in ownership arising from a new issuance of stock by the company.

 

If we undergo an ownership change for purposes of Section 382 as a result of future transactions involving our common stock, including purchases or sales of stock between 5% shareholders, our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and recognize certain built in losses would be subject to the limitations of Section 382. Depending on the resulting limitation, a significant portion of our net operating loss carryforwards could expire before we would be able to use them. Our inability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards could have a negative impact on our financial position and results of operations.

 

Utility shortages and outages or rate fluctuations could have an adverse effect on our operations.

 

In prior years, the areas in which we operate in California have experienced power shortages, including periods without electrical power, as well as significant fluctuations in utility costs. We may incur additional costs and may not be able to complete construction on a timely basis if such power shortages/outages and utility rate fluctuations continue. Furthermore, power shortages and outages, such as the blackout that occurred in 2003 in the Northeast, and rate fluctuations may adversely affect the regional economies in which we operate, which may reduce demand for our homes. Our operations may be adversely affected if further rate fluctuations and/or power shortages and outages occur in California, the Northeast or in our other markets.

 

Geopolitical risks and market disruption could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

 

Geopolitical events, such as the aftermath of the war with Iraq and the continuing involvement in Iraq, may have a substantial impact on the economy and the housing market. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 had an impact on our business and the occurrence of similar events in the future cannot be ruled out. The war and the continuing involvement in Iraq, terrorism and related geopolitical risks have created many economic and political uncertainties, some of which may have additional material adverse effects on the U.S. economy, and our customers and, in turn, our results of operations and financial condition.

 

 



 

 

 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

On April 22, 2008, in transactions approved in accordance with Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we (i) exchanged 72,418 shares of Class B Common Stock held by a member of the Hovnanian family for an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) immediately thereafter exchanged the 72,418 shares of Class B Common Stock received from the member of the Hovnanian family for an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock held by Kevork S. Hovnanian. The aggregate Hovnanian family holdings of shares, both Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, remain unchanged by such exchanges. The Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock were exchanged pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Act.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities(1)

 

No shares of our 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock were purchased by or on behalf of Hovnanian Enterprises or any affiliated purchaser during the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The table below provides information with respect to purchases of shares of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock made by or on behalf of Hovnanian Enterprises or any affiliated purchaser during the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

Period

Total Number of

Shares Purchased

Average Price

Paid Per Share

Total Number

Of Shares

Purchased as

Part of

Publicly Announced

Plans or Programs

Maximum Number

of Shares That

May Yet Be

Purchased Under

The Plans or Programs

 

 

 

 

 

February 1, 2008 through February 29, 2008

 

 

 

612,668

 

 

 

 

 

March 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008

 

 

 

612,668

 

 

 

 

 

April 1, 2008 through April 30, 2008

72,418 (Class A) (2)

 

 

612,668

 

 

 

 

 

April 1, 2008 through April 30, 2008

72,418 (Class B) (2)

 

 

612,668

 

(1)

In July 2001, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to 4 million

 

shares of Class A Common Stock (adjusted for a 2 for 1 stock dividend on March 5, 2004).

 

 

(2)

On April 22, 2008, in transactions approved in accordance with Rule 16b-3 under the Securities

 

 

Exchange Act of 1934, as amended we (i) exchanged 72,418 shares of Class B Common Stock held

 

 

by a member of the Hovnanian family for an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock and

 

 

(ii) immediately thereafter exchanged the 72,418 shares of Class B Common Stock received from the member

 

of the Hovnanian family for an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock held by Kevork S.

 

 

Hovnanian. The aggregate Hovnanian family holdings of shares, both Class A Common Stock and Class B

 

 

Common Stock, remain unchanged by such exchanges.

 

 

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

We held our annual stockholders meeting on March 31, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York. The following matters were voted upon at the meeting:

 

 



 

 

 

(1)

Election of all Directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders. There were no broker non-votes and abstentions were counted and had the same effect as a vote against the Director. The elected Directors were:

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

 

Votes For

 

Votes Withheld

 

Votes For

 

Votes Withheld

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

K. Hovnanian

 

29,512,149

 

8,970,660

 

144,292,869

 

26,382

A. Hovnanian

 

29,552,401

 

8,930,408

 

144,292,869

 

26,382

R. Coutts

 

35,439,617

 

3,043,192

 

144,295,071

 

24,180

E. Kangas

 

35,400,190

 

3,082,619

 

144,295,071

 

24,180

J. Marengi

 

35,722,721

 

2,760,088

 

144,314,371

 

4,880

J. Robbins

 

35,716,206

 

2,766,603

 

144,314,371

 

4,880

J. Sorsby

 

29,317,494

 

9,165,315

 

144,292,969

 

26,282

S. Weinroth

 

33,482,904

 

4,999,905

 

144,294,571

 

24,680

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young, LLP as independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2008. There were no broker non-votes.

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Votes For

 

38,101,413

 

144,315,391

 

Votes Against

 

340,303

 

2,440

 

Abstain

 

41,092

 

1,420

 

 

 

(3) Approval of the amended and restated Senior Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Votes For

 

23,271,469

 

144,263,576

 

Votes Against

 

7,312,879

 

30,322

 

Abstain

 

644,424

 

1,620

 

Broker Non-Votes

 

7,254,037

 

23,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4) Approval of the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Votes For

 

12,216,775

 

144,180,986

 

Votes Against

 

18,381,942

 

113,232

 

Abstain

 

630,055

 

1,300

 

Broker Non-Votes

 

7,254,037

 

23,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5) Approval of the amended and restated 1983 Stock Option Plan.

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Votes For

 

12,183,866

 

144,185,436

 

Votes Against

 

18,409,952

 

109,782

 

Abstain

 

634,954

 

300

 

Broker Non-Votes

 

7,254,037

 

23,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

 

Exhibit 3(a) Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. (1)

 

 

 

Exhibit 3(b) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. (2)

 

 

 

Exhibit 3(c) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. (3)

 

 

 

Exhibit 3(d) Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. (4)

 

 

 

Exhibit 4(a) Certificate of Designations, Powers, Preferences and Rights of the 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., dated July 12, 2005.(5)

 

 

 

Exhibit 4(b) Indenture dated as of May 27, 2008, relating to 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and the other Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee, including form of 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013. (6)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(a) Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 7, 2008. (7)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(b) Amendment No. 1 to Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 16, 2008. (6)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(c) Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement, dated March 7, 2008. (7)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(d) Pledge Agreement, relating to the Amended Credit Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2008. (7)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(e) Amended and Restated Security Agreement, relating to the Amended Credit Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2008. (6)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(f) Intellectual Property Security Agreement, relating to the Amended Credit Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2008. (6)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(g) Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 27, 2008. (6)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(h) Second Lien Pledge Agreement, relating to the 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, dated as of May 27, 2008.(6)

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(i) Second Lien Security Agreement, relating to the 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, dated as of May 27, 2008. (6)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(j) Intellectual Property Security Agreement, relating to the 11 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, dated as of May 27, 2008. (6)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(k) Amended and Restated Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. Senior Executive Short−Term Incentive Plan. (8)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(l) 2008 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan. (9)

 

 

 

Exhibit 10(m) Amended and Restated Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. 1983 Stock Option Plan. (10)

 

 

 

Exhibit 31(a) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

Exhibit 31(b) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

 

Exhibit 32(a) Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

Exhibit 32(b) Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

(1)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Registration Statement (No. 2-85198) on Form S-1 of the Registrant.

 

 

(2)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration

Statement (No. 333-106761) on Form S-3 of the Registrant.

 

 

(3)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended January 31, 2004.

 

 

(4)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement (No. 1-08551) on Form 8-A of the Registrant.

 

 

(5)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant, filed on July 13, 2005.

 

 

(6)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant, filed on June 2, 2008.

 

 

(7)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended January 31, 2008.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

(8)

Incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the definitive Proxy Statement of the Registrant on Schedule 14A filed on February 19, 2008.

 

 

(9)

Incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the definitive Proxy Statement of the Registrant on Schedule 14A filed on February 19, 2008.

 

 

(10)

Incorporated by reference to Appendix C of the definitive Proxy Statement of the Registrant on Schedule 14A filed on February 19, 2008.

 

 

 



 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of l934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.

(Registrant)

 

 

 

DATE:

June 9, 2008

 

 

/S/J. LARRY SORSBY

 

 

J. Larry Sorsby,

 

 

Executive Vice President and

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

DATE:

June 9, 2008

 

 

/S/PAUL W. BUCHANAN

 

Paul W. Buchanan

 

 

Senior Vice President/

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer