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Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
1000 Abernathy Road, Suite 260
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
(770) 829-3700 | www.beazer.com
ABOUT THE COVER: GATHERINGS® 55+ LIVING AT LAKE NONA, FLORIDA
2019
ANNUAL REPORT
ABOUT BEAZER HOMES
Headquartered in Atlanta, Beazer Homes is one of the country’s
largest homebuilders. Every Beazer home is designed and built
to provide Surprising Performance, giving you more quality
and more comfort from the moment you move in — saving you
money every month. With Beazer’s Choice Plans™, you can
personalize your primary living areas — giving you a choice of
how you want to live in the home, at no additional cost. And
unlike most national homebuilders, we empower our customers
to shop and compare loan options.
Our Mortgage Choice program
gives you the resources to easily
compare multiple loan offers and
choose the best lender and loan
offer for you, saving you thousands
over the life of your loan. We build
our homes in Arizona, California,
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana,
Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
and Virginia. Beazer Homes is listed
on the New York Stock Exchange
under the ticker symbol “BZH.”
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
(Total Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA dollars in millions, Average Selling Price dollars in thousands)
Year Ended September 30,
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Continuing Operations Data (except EBITDA)
Home Orders
Home Closings
Total Revenue
5,358
5,010
5,297
5,419
5,464
5,525
5,544
5,767
5,576
5,500
$1,627
$1,822
$1,916
$ 2,107
$ 2,088
Average Selling Price
$ 314
$ 329
$ 343
$ 360
$ 378
Homebuilding Gross Margin*
21.5%
20.6%
21.2%
21.2%
19.7%
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
$10.91
$ 0.16
$ 0.99
$ (1.40)
$ (2.59)
Adjusted EBITDA**
$ 144
$ 156
$ 179
$ 205
$ 180
* Excluding impairments, abandonments, and interest included in cost of sales, as well as certain unexpected
warranty costs and recoveries detailed in Item 6 on our Form 10-K.
** For a full reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA, see Item 6 on our Form 10-K.
SHAREHOLDER AND CORPORATE
INFORMATION
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
1000 Abernathy Road, Suite 260
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
(770) 829-3700 | www.beazer.com
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
BEAZER HOMES CONFIDENTIAL ETHICS HOTLINE
Beazer Homes is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards
and compliance with the law at all levels. To help ensure that all instances
of known or suspected fraud, theft, accounting or auditing improprieties,
other financial misconduct, and any other type of misconduct involving a
violation of Beazer Homes’ Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the assets,
operations or employees of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. are reported, we
maintain an ethics hotline.
Interested parties may contact the hotline by calling 1-866-457-9346 and
reporting their concerns to a representative of Global Compliance, a third-
party company that administers our ethics hotline.
Alternatively, interested parties can report any such concern via an
online form by visiting the following website:
www.integrity-helpline.com/Beazer.jsp. The link provides an online form
that upon completion will be submitted directly to Global Compliance.
Interested parties may report their concerns anonymously, should they
wish to do so. All concerns, whether reported through the toll-free number
or the online form, will be directed to certain officers of Beazer Homes, and
will be reviewed and investigated as appropriate. Where warranted after
investigation, messages will be summarized and referred to the Audit
Committee of our Board of Directors for appropriate action.
INQUIRIES
Individuals seeking financial data or information about the Company and its
operations should visit the Company’s website at www.beazer.com or
contact our Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Department.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Copies of Beazer Homes USA, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Proxy
Statement, and Forms 10-Q and 8-K, as filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission, will be furnished upon written
request to our Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Department or can be accessed at www.beazer.com.
TRANSFER AGENT
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
New York, New York 10038
(212) 936-5100
TRADING INFORMATION
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. lists its common shares on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “BZH.”
DUPLICATE MAILINGS
If you are receiving duplicate or unwanted copies of our publications,
please contact American Stock Transfer & Trust Company at the number
listed above.
CERTIFICATION TO NYSE
Pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed
Company Manual, the Company submitted the Annual CEO Certification
to the NYSE, effective February 15, 2019.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Allan P. Merrill
President and Chief Executive Officer
Keith L. Belknap
Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
Robert L. Salomon
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Elizabeth S. Acton (1)(4)(5)(6)
Retired Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer,
Comerica, Inc.
Laurent Alpert (3)(4)(6)
Senior Counsel,
Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP
Allan P. Merrill
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
C. Christian Winkle (4)(6)
Chief Executive Officer,
Sunrise Senior Living
BRIAN C. BEAZER*
Chairman Emeritus,
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
PETER G. LEEMPUTTE*
Retired, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer,
Keurig Green Mountain
Peter M. Orser (2)(4)(5)(6)
Retired President and Chief Executive Officer,
Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company
STEPHEN P. ZELNAK, JR.*
Chairman,
ZP Enterprises, LLC
Norma A. Provencio (2)(3)(5)(6)
President,
Provencio Advisory Services, Inc.
Danny R. Shepherd (1)(2)(5)(6)
Retired Vice Chairman,
Vulcan Materials Company
David J. Spitz (2)(6)
Chief Executive Officer,
ChannelAdvisor Corp.
COMMITTEES
(1) Member of the Audit Committee
(2) Member of the Compensation
Committee
(3) Member of the Nominating/
Corporate Governance Committee
(4) Member of the Finance Committee
(5) Audit Committee Financial Expert,
as defined by SEC regulations
(6) Independent, within the meaning of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and NYSE Listing
Standards
* As part of a comprehensive, long-term Board succession plan, three of our current directors are
retiring and will not stand for reelection at the annual meeting.
1
2 0 1 9 ANNUAL REPORT
DEAR SHAREHOLDERS
As we entered Fiscal 2019, we
faced considerable uncertainty
in the housing market as rising
rates constrained affordability and
led to weaker demand. We took
decisive action in the face of this
uncertainty, including increasing
home buyer incentives and
re-allocating a portion of our land
spending to allow us to reduce
debt and repurchase shares well
below book value. This coordinated response, combined with an
improved demand environment in the second half of the fiscal year,
allowed us to end the year with momentum that will carry into 2020.
For the full year, we increased new home orders, the dollar value and
number of homes in backlog, and our community count, providing
a solid foundation for growth in the coming year. Operationally,
we streamlined our product offering, which led to higher customer
satisfaction scores, quicker construction cycle times, and lower build
costs. We also invested in our business by acquiring or controlling
more than 3,000 new homesites and approving five new Gatherings
locations. Our balance sheet improvements were driven by our
debt retirement, share repurchases, and capital markets activity.
These improvements included a dramatic decrease in our cash
interest costs and a significant extension in the weighted-average
maturity of our liabilities. In short, we ended Fiscal 2019 in a better
place than where we began, and we are optimistic about our
opportunity to drive higher earnings and improved returns in 2020.
Beazer Homes
1
2019 ENERGY STAR®
Partner of the Year
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the
U.S. Department of Energy
Sustained Excellence Award
2019 Best of
55+ Housing Awards
National Association
of Home Builders
Gatherings®: Silver Award
for best attached home
under 1,700 square feet
2019 Quality of
Construction Award
Quality Built
BALANCED GROWTH
The overarching goal of Balanced Growth, our enduring, long-term financial and operational strategy,
is to generate a double-digit return on assets by growing EBITDA faster than revenue from a more
efficient and less leveraged balance sheet.
Balanced Growth in 2020 will be focused on three components:
GROWING
EBITDA
BALANCE SHEET
EFFICIENCY
REDUCING
LEVERAGE
GOAL > 10% EBITDA Growth
• Benefit from the community count
growth in 2019
• Expand gross margin
GOAL > 10% ROA
• Shorter duration land deals
• Increase our use of options
• Generate cash from assets that were
• Improve overhead leverage
previously inactive
GOAL Net Debt to EBITDA < 5x
• Repurchase over $50 million of our
outstanding senior debt
NET DEBT/LTM ADJUSTED EBITDA*
x
8
8
.
x
1
.
7
x
8
5
.
x
3
5
.
x
9
5
.
Q4
FY15
Q4
FY16
Q4
FY17
Q4
FY18
Q4
FY19
* For a full reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA, see Item 6 on our Form 10-K.
RETURN ON ASSETS
%
0
6
.
%
1
.
7
%
0
8
.
%
6
9
.
%
2
9
.
Q4
FY15
Q4
FY16
Q4
FY17
Q4
FY18
Q4
FY19
2
2019ANNUAL REPORT
GATHERINGS®
We continued the rollout of our higher-density,
age-restricted Gatherings communities in Fiscal
2019. These communities consist of four-story
condominiums with 27-33 units. The economics
of this building, and the sites it allows us to
acquire, enable us to target downsizing Baby
Boomers who wish to remain in, or near, their
existing neighborhoods. For these buyers,
the convenience, affordability, and low-cost
maintenance of a Gatherings home represents
an exceptional value compared to other
alternatives. As of the end of Fiscal 2019, we
have Gatherings buildings under construction
in Orlando, Dallas, and Nashville. In 2019, new
Gatherings land purchases were approved in
Dallas, Houston, Orlando, and Maryland.
3
THE BEAZER
DIFFERENCE
We are constantly updating
and improving the homes we
offer. In fact, we believe that buying
a Beazer home provides the best new
home value of any offering in the
industry. Specifically, we emphasize three
key points of differentiation to our customers:
MORTGAGE CHOICE
We attempt to create a more valuable mortgage
application process for our customers by ensuring
they have an opportunity to shop and compare loan
estimates from more than one lender. We do this by
providing each buyer with a selection of high-quality
lenders who compete for our customers’ business
on the basis of customer service, available loan
programs, and, of course, interest rates.
CHOICE PLANS™
With Beazer’s Choice PlansTM, we have created
structural floor plan options for every plan we
offer. These Choice Plans allow buyers to configure
their primary living areas — particularly kitchens
and master bathrooms — to match their living
preferences at no additional charge.
SURPRISING PERFORMANCE
We design and build every Beazer home to provide
more quality and more comfort from the moment
our customers move in. With the experience of
nine generations of builders, quality and comfort
is a part of everything we do — from our people,
to our process, to our materials from industry-
leading partners. In addition, our commitment to
exceed the latest ENERGY STAR® standards means
wall-to-wall comfort in every Beazer home. In fact,
Beazer received the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the
Year — Sustained Excellence Award for the fourth
consecutive year in 2019.
Beazer Homes 10+ ROA GOAL:
LOOKING FORWARD
While a greater than 10% return on assets is one of our goals for 2020, it is not
our destination. When we look to the future, we expect ROA to continue rising
above 10% as we grow our business with new communities, focus on reducing
costs, and continue to improve the efficiency of our balance sheet. By combining
this with further reductions in debt, our Balanced Growth strategy will drive
increased shareholder returns with a less risky and more durable balance sheet.
CONCLUSION
Thanks to our accomplishments in 2019, Beazer is in
its strongest position since the housing upturn began.
We are proud of the resiliency of our employees and
the progress we have made on our profitability and
balance sheet objectives. Thank you for your
continued support as we execute our Balanced
Growth strategy and drive toward a double-digit ROA.
Sincerely,
Allan P. Merrill
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
4
2019ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_____________________________________________________________
FORM 10-K
_____________________________________________________________
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 001-12822
_____________________________________________________________
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________________________________________________
DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
1000 Abernathy Road, Suite 260,
Atlanta, Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices)
58-2086934
(I.R.S. employer
Identification no.)
30328
(Zip Code)
(770) 829-3700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol(s)
BZH
Name of each exchange on which
registered
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES
NO
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
YES
NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such
reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES
NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to submit such files). YES
NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller
reporting company, or an emerging growth 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
Non-accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition
period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the
Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). YES
NO
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of March 31, 2019, based
on the closing sale price per share as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on such date, was $353,443,060.
Class
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Outstanding at November 8, 2018
30,941,060
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the registrant’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by
reference into Part III of this Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. The Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of the
registrant’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Forward Looking Statements
PART I
Item 1. Business
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
SIGNATURES
1
3
13
21
21
21
21
22
24
27
45
46
96
96
96
97
97
97
97
97
98
104
References to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Beazer,” “Beazer Homes” and the “Company” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refer to
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent
our expectations or beliefs concerning future events or results, and it is possible that such events or results described in this Form
10-K will not occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of statements that
include words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,”,
"outlook", “goal,” “target” or other similar words or phrases.
These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that
could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results discussed in the forward-looking statements,
including, among other things, the matters discussed in this Form 10-K in the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Additional information about factors that could lead to material
changes is contained in Part I, Item 1A- Risk Factors of this Form 10-K. These factors are not intended to be an all-inclusive list
of risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of our business, but instead are the
risks that we currently perceive as potentially being material. Such factors may include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the cyclical nature of the homebuilding industry and a potential deterioration in homebuilding industry conditions;
economic changes nationally or in local markets, changes in consumer confidence, wage levels, declines in employment
levels, inflation or increases in the quantity and decreases in the price of new homes and resale homes on the market;
shortages of or increased prices for labor, land or raw materials used in housing production, and the level of quality
and craftsmanship provided by our subcontractors;
the availability and cost of land and the risks associated with the future value of our inventory, such as asset
impairment charges we took on select California assets during the second quarter of fiscal 2019;
factors affecting margins, such as decreased land values underlying land option agreements, increased land development
costs in communities under development or delays or difficulties in implementing initiatives to reduce our production
and overhead cost structure;
estimates related to homes to be delivered in the future (backlog) are imprecise, as they are subject to various cancellation
risks that cannot be fully controlled;
increases in mortgage interest rates, increased disruption in the availability of mortgage financing, changes in tax laws
or otherwise regarding the deductibility of mortgage interest expenses and real estate taxes or an increased number of
foreclosures;
our allocation of capital and the cost of and ability to access capital, due to factors such as limitations in the capital markets
or adverse credit market conditions, and ability to otherwise meet our ongoing liquidity needs, including the impact of
any downgrades of our credit ratings or reduction in our liquidity levels;
our ability to reduce our outstanding indebtedness and to comply with covenants in our debt agreements or satisfy such
obligations through repayment or refinancing;
our ability to continue to execute and complete our capital allocation plans, including our share and debt repurchase
programs;
increased competition or delays in reacting to changing consumer preferences in home design;
natural disasters or other related events that could result in delays in land development or home construction, increase
our costs or decrease demand in the impacted areas;
the potential recoverability of our deferred tax assets;
potential delays or increased costs in obtaining necessary permits as a result of changes to, or complying with, laws,
regulations or governmental policies, and possible penalties for failure to comply with such laws, regulations or
governmental policies, including those related to the environment;
the results of litigation or government proceedings and fulfillment of any related obligations;
the impact of construction defect and home warranty claims;
the cost and availability of insurance and surety bonds, as well as the sufficiency of these instruments to cover potential
losses incurred;
the impact of information technology failures, cybersecurity issues or data security breaches;
terrorist acts, natural disasters, acts of war or other factors over which the Company has little or no control; or
the impact on homebuilding in key markets of governmental regulations limiting the availability of water.
1
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and, except as required by law, we
undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such
statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible
to predict all such factors.
2
Item 1. Business
PART I
We are a geographically diversified homebuilder with active operations in 13 states within three geographic regions in the United
States: the West, East, and Southeast. Our homes are designed to appeal to homeowners at different price points across various
demographic segments, and are generally offered for sale in advance of their construction. Our objective is to provide our customers
with homes that incorporate extraordinary value and quality, at affordable prices, while seeking to maximize our return on invested
capital over the course of a housing cycle.
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 1993. Our principal executive offices are located at 1000 Abernathy
Road, Suite 260, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, and our main telephone number is (770) 829-3700. We also provide information about
our company, including active communities, through our Internet website located at www.beazer.com. Information on our website
is not a part of this Form 10-K and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference.
Industry Overview and Current Market Conditions
The sale and production of new homes has been, and will likely remain, a large industry in the United States for four primary
reasons: (1) historical growth in both population and households; (2) demographic patterns that indicate an increased likelihood
of home ownership as age and income increase; (3) job creation within geographic markets that necessitate new home construction;
and (4) consumer demand for home features that can be more easily provided in a new home than an existing home.
The demand for new and existing homes is dependent on a variety of demographic and economic factors, including job and wage
growth, household formation, consumer confidence, mortgage financing, and overall housing affordability. Through the first half
of fiscal 2019, the homebuilding industry experienced a softening in demand, after adjusting for normal seasonality, that we believe
was a result of the rise in mortgage interest rates and higher home prices, which created affordability challenges for some prospective
buyers. As the fiscal year progressed, a decline in mortgage interest rates combined with a positive macroeconomic backdrop led
to improved demand. We believe there are multiple factors that will support housing demand moving forward, including low
unemployment, rising wages, and growing household formation. Our operating strategy focuses on offering homes that provide
our customers extraordinary value at an affordable price.
Long-Term Business Strategy
We continue to execute against our long-term balanced growth strategy, which we define as the expansion of earnings at a faster
rate than our revenue growth, supported by a less-leveraged and return-driven capital structure. This strategy provides us with the
flexibility to return more capital to investors or increase investment in land and other operating assets in response to changing
market conditions. By carefully managing our investment in land, our debt reduction targets can be achieved while also maintaining
focus on other investment opportunities.
We remain committed to this balanced growth strategy, which is designed to increase shareholder value by improving our return
on assets while reducing operational risk and debt. Aligned with this longer-term strategy, we have several objectives for fiscal
2020, including increasing EBITDA, improving balance sheet efficiency, and reducing leverage.
We achieved our debt reduction objective in fiscal 2019 while also repurchasing common shares. We repurchased $51.3 million
of debt and $34.6 million of outstanding common stock during fiscal 2019. We expect to reduce more outstanding debt by the end
of fiscal 2020 than we did in fiscal 2019, with a goal of having less than $1.0 billion of outstanding debt over time. As of September
30, 2019, we had outstanding debt of $1.2 billion.
3
Reportable Business Segments
Our active homebuilding operations consist of the design, sale, and construction of single-family and multi-family homes in the
following geographic regions, which represent our reportable segments:
Segment/State
West:
Arizona
California
Nevada
Texas
East:
Indiana
Maryland/Delaware
Tennessee
Virginia
Southeast:
Florida
Georgia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Market(s)
Phoenix
Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sacramento
County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Yolo County
Las Vegas
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston
Indianapolis
Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Howard County,
Montgomery County, Sussex County
Nashville
Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Stafford
County
Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg
Atlanta, Savannah
Raleigh/Durham
Charleston, Myrtle Beach
The following tables summarize certain operating information of our reportable segments, including number of homes closed, the
average selling price for the periods presented, and units and dollar value in backlog as of September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017.
Refer to “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K
for additional information.
($ in thousands)
West
East
Southeast
Total Company
West
East
Southeast
Total Company
ASP in backlog (in thousands)
2019
2018
2017
Number of
Homes
Closed
Average
Closing Price
Number of
Homes
Closed
Average
Closing Price
Number of
Homes
Closed
Average
Selling Price
2,859
$
1,092
1,549
5,500
$
354.3
463.7
360.2
377.7
2,895
$
1,221
1,651
5,767
$
345.3
418.3
343.5
360.2
2,527
$
1,382
1,616
5,525
$
336.9
386.1
316.1
343.1
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2018
September 30, 2017
Units in
Backlog
Dollar Value
in Backlog (in
millions)
Units in
Backlog
Dollar Value
in Backlog (in
millions)
Units in
Backlog
Dollar Value
in Backlog (in
millions)
982
$
341
385
1,708
$
$
362.5
155.1
147.5
665.1
389.4
858
$
281
493
1,632
$
$
305.5
127.5
195.0
628.0
384.8
879
$
413
563
1,855
$
$
306.0
161.7
198.1
665.8
358.9
4
Seasonal and Quarterly Variability
Our homebuilding operating cycle generally reflects higher levels of new home order activity in our second and third fiscal quarters,
and increased closings in our third and fourth fiscal quarters. However, these seasonal patterns may be impacted or reduced by a
variety of factors, including periods of economic downturn, which result in decreased revenues and closings.
Marketing and Sales
We make extensive use of digital and traditional marketing vehicles and other promotional activities, including our websites
(www.beazer.com, www.gatherings.com, and www.beazerenespanol.com), mobile site (m.beazer.com), real estate listing sites,
digital advertising (including search engine marketing and display advertising), social media, video, brochures, direct marketing,
and out-of-home advertising (including billboards and signage) located in the immediate areas of our developments, as well as
additional activities. In connection with these marketing vehicles, we have registered or applied for registration of trademarks and
Internet domain names, including Beazer Homes®, Gatherings®, and Choice PlansTM, for use in our business.
Our practice is to build, decorate, furnish, and landscape model homes for each community we build and maintain on-site sales
offices. As of September 30, 2019, we maintained and owned 262 model homes. We believe that model homes play a particularly
important role in our selling efforts, and we are continuously innovating within our model homes to provide a unique, memorable,
and hands-on experience for our customers, including digital kiosks, interactive site maps/plans, interactive magnetic floor plan
boards, signage, and more. The selection of interior features is also a principal component of our marketing and sales efforts.
Our homes are customarily sold through commissioned new home sales counselors (who work from the sales offices located in
the model homes used in the community) as well as through independent brokers. Our new home counselors are available to assist
prospective homebuyers by providing them with floor plans, pricing information, tours of model homes, the community's unique
selling proposition, detailed explanations of our differentiators, discussed below, and associated savings opportunities. Sales
personnel are trained internally and participate in a structured training program focused on sales techniques, product familiarity,
competitive products in the area, construction schedules, and Company policies around compliance, which management believes
results in a sales force with extensive knowledge of our operating policies and housing products. Sales personnel must be licensed
real estate agents where required by law.
We sometimes use various sales incentives in order to attract homebuyers. The use of incentives depends largely on local economic
and competitive market conditions.
Depending on market conditions, we also at times begin construction on a number of homes for which no signed sales contract
exists, known as “speculative” or “spec” homes. This speculative inventory satisfies demand by providing near ready or move in
ready homes targeted at relocated personnel and others who require a completed home within 60 days.
Differentiating Beazer Homes
We know that our buyers have many choices when purchasing a home. To help us become a builder of choice and thereby achieve
the operational objectives we have outlined, we have identified the following three strategic pillars that differentiate Beazer's
homes from both resale homes and other newly built homes:
Mortgage Choice - Most of our buyers need to arrange financing in order to purchase a new home. Unlike many of our major
competitors, we have no ownership or other interest in a mortgage company, which allows us to partner with our customers to
help them get the most competitive interest rates, fees and service levels available. For every Beazer community, we identify
Choice Lenders, who are selected for their ability to provide a comprehensive array of products and programs, meet our high
customer service standards and willingness to compete to earn our customer’s business. We then provide our customers with an
industry-leading online comparison tool that helps them easily compare multiple mortgage offers side-by-side.
Choice PlansTM - Every family lives in their home differently, which is why we created Choice PlansTM. Choice PlansTM provide
our buyers with more floor plan flexibility at no additional cost. For example, buyers of to-be-built homes can typically choose
between two different configurations in the kitchen/great room and in the master bedroom/bathrooms based on individual
preferences, at no additional cost. Offering these pre-designed floor plan alternatives allows us to offer fewer different plans, which
improves efficiency and reduce costs while creating living areas that match an individual buyer's lifestyle.
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Surprising Performance - We place an emphasis on building high-quality homes and delivering outstanding customer experience.
All Beazer homes are designed and built to provide Surprising Performance, which means more quality, comfort, and savings. We
deliver these benefits through people, materials, and process. From the perspective of people, our experienced team of new home
counselors, designers, builders, and customer care representatives are dedicated to provide excellent service at every point of the
home purchase process. From the perspective of materials, we work with industry-leading partners who, like us, are committed
to innovation and quality. From the perspective of process, we ensure quality of construction through high caliber construction
practices and rigorous inspections. For example, we ensure our homes are built to the latest ENERGY STAR® standards and
provide buyers with an energy rating for their home, completed by a qualified third-party rating company. Used homes typically
have an energy rating (on a scale in which a lower score is better) of 130, while new homes that are built to code typically score
around 100. As of September 30, 2019, the average new Beazer home has an energy rating of 58.
Markets and Product Description
We evaluate a number of factors in determining which geographic markets to enter and remain in as well as which consumer
segments to target with our homebuilding activities. We compete in sixteen geographic markets across the United States in part
to reduce our exposure to any particular regional economy. Within these markets, we build homes in a variety of new home
communities. We continually review our sixteen markets based on aggregate demographic information, land prices and availability,
competitive dynamics, and our own operating results. We use the results of these reviews to re-allocate our investments generally
to those markets where we believe we can maximize our profitability and return on capital.
We maintain the flexibility to alter our product mix within a given market, depending on market conditions. In determining our
product mix, we consider demographic trends, demand for a particular type of product, product affordability, consumer preferences,
margins, timing, and the economic strength of the market. Depending on the market, we attempt to address one or more of the
following categories of home buyers: entry-level, move-up, or active adult. We expect our focus on active adult buyers to increase
as our Gatherings® business progresses, which is further discussed below. Within these buyer groups, we have developed detailed
targeted buyer profiles based on demographic and psychographic data, including information about marital and family status,
employment, age, affluence, special interests, media consumption, and distance moved. Although we offer a selection of amenities
and home customization options, we generally do not build “custom homes.” In all of our home offerings, we attempt to increase
customer satisfaction by incorporating quality and energy-efficient materials, distinctive design features, convenient locations,
and competitive prices.
Gatherings. For over a decade, we have been building age-targeted four-story condominiums to address the growing 55-plus
segment in the Mid-Atlantic. In 2016, Gatherings® by Beazer Homes was officially introduced across several new areas within
Beazer's geographic footprint. We strive to provide extraordinary value at an affordable price and become a premier provider of
condominium living for adults over age 55. Orlando and Dallas are currently selling Gatherings homes, and projects are underway
in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Maryland, Nashville, and Virginia. As of September 30, 2019, we have approved new communities
representing nearly 1,200 potential future sales.
Operational Overview
Corporate Operations
We perform the following functions at our corporate office to promote standardization and operational excellence:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
evaluate and select geographic markets;
allocate capital resources for land acquisitions;
maintain and develop relationships with lenders and capital markets to create and maintain access to financial resources;
maintain and develop relationships with national product vendors;
perform certain accounting, finance, legal, risk and marketing functions to support our field operations;
operate and manage information systems and technology support operations; and
monitor the operations of our divisions and partners.
We allocate capital resources in a manner consistent with our overall business strategy. We will vary our capital allocation based
on market conditions, results of operations, and other factors. Capital commitments are determined through consultation among
executive and operational personnel who play an important role in ensuring that new investments are consistent with our strategy.
6
Financial controls are also maintained through the centralization and standardization of accounting and finance activities, policies,
and procedures.
Field Operations
The development and construction of each new home community is managed by our operating divisions, each of which is led by
a regional market leader and/or an area president who reports to our Chief Executive Officer. Within our operating divisions, our
field teams are equipped with the skills needed to complete the functions of land acquisition, land entitlement, land development,
home construction, local marketing, sales, warranty service, and certain purchasing and planning/design functions. However, the
accounting and accounts payable functions of our field operations are concentrated in our national accounting center, which we
consider to be part of our corporate operations.
Land Acquisition and Development
Generally, the land we acquire is purchased only after necessary entitlements have been obtained so that we have the right to begin
development or construction as market conditions dictate. The term “entitlements” refers to subdivision approvals, development
agreements, tentative maps, or recorded plats, depending on the jurisdiction in which the land is located. Entitlements generally
give a developer the right to obtain building permits upon compliance with conditions that are usually within the developer's
control. Although entitlements are ordinarily obtained prior to the purchase of land, we are still required to obtain a variety of
other governmental approvals and permits during the development process. In limited circumstances, we will purchase property
without all necessary entitlements where we have identified an opportunity to build on such property in a manner consistent with
our strategy.
We select land for purchase based upon a variety of factors, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
internal and external demographic and marketing studies;
suitability for development during the time period of one to five years from the beginning of the development process to
the last closing;
financial review as to the feasibility of the proposed project, including profit margins and returns on capital employed;
the ability to secure governmental approvals and entitlements;
environmental and legal due diligence;
competition in the area;
proximity to local traffic corridors, job centers, and other amenities; and
• management's judgment of the real estate market and economic trends and our experience in a particular market.
We generally purchase land or obtain an option to purchase land, which, in either case, requires certain site improvements prior
to home construction. Where required, we then undertake, or the grantor of the option then undertakes in the case of land under
option, the development activities (through contractual arrangements with local developers, general contractors, and/or
subcontractors), which include site planning and engineering as well as constructing roads, water, sewer, and utility infrastructures,
drainage and recreational facilities, and other amenities. When available in certain markets, we also buy finished lots that are ready
for home construction. During our fiscal 2019 and 2018, we continued to pursue land acquisition opportunities and develop our
land positions, spending approximately $226.0 million and $425.4 million, respectively, for land acquisition and $243.9 million
and $210.1 million, respectively, for land development.
We strive to develop a design and marketing concept for each of our communities, which includes determination of the size, style,
and price range of the homes, layout of streets and individual lots, and overall community design. The product line offered in a
particular new home community depends upon many factors, including the housing generally available in the area, the needs of
a particular market, and our cost of lots in the new home community.
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Option Contracts
We acquire certain lots by means of option contracts from various sellers and developers, including land banking entities. Option
contracts generally require the payment of a cash deposit or issuance of a letter of credit for the right to acquire lots during a
specified period of time at a fixed or variable price.
Under option contracts, purchase of the underlying properties is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by us and
the sellers. Our liability under option contracts is generally limited to forfeiture of the non-refundable deposits, letters of credit,
and other non-refundable amounts incurred, which totaled approximately $78.2 million as of September 30, 2019. The total
remaining purchase price, net of cash deposits, committed under all land option contracts was $389.7 million as of September 30,
2019.
We expect to exercise, subject to market conditions and seller satisfaction of contract terms, substantially all of our option contracts.
Various factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as market conditions, weather conditions, and the timing of the
completion of development activities, will have a significant impact on the timing of option exercises or whether lot options will
be exercised at all.
The following table summarizes land controlled by us by reportable segment as of September 30, 2019:
Lots Owned
Lots with
Homes Under
Construction (a)
Finished
Lots
Lots Under
Development
Lots Held
for Future
Development
Lots
Held for
Sale
Total Lots
Owned
Total Lots
Under
Contract
Total Lots
Controlled
West
Arizona
California
Nevada
Texas
Total West
East
Indiana
Maryland/Delaware
New Jersey
Tennessee
Virginia
Total East
Southeast
Florida
Georgia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Total Southeast
Total
182
390
192
622
1,386
373
983
455
1,033
2,844
95
115
—
182
18
410
199
195
66
277
61
—
240
61
639
343
580
62
141
601
2,397
498
1,483
4,966
243
771
409
1,971
3,394
391
383
—
305
121
1,200
179
210
40
969
1,398
5,992
—
1
66
—
67
—
93
117
—
—
210
33
—
21
68
122
399
—
379
—
75
454
38
1
—
101
—
140
1
86
—
35
122
716
798
2,524
1,122
3,701
8,145
801
653
117
828
200
507
21
334
1,635
2,497
181
882
—
177
346
2,599
1,586
755
1,071
189
1,711
3,726
14,470
749
163
288
122
1,322
5,405
1,305
2,545
1,456
5,336
10,642
982
1,535
117
1,005
546
4,185
1,504
1,234
477
1,833
5,048
19,875
(a) This category represents lots upon which construction of a home has commenced, including model homes.
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The following table summarizes the dollar value of our land under development, land held for future development, and land held
for sale by reportable segment as of September 30, 2019:
(In thousands)
West
East
Southeast
Total
Land Under
Development
Land Held for Future
Development
Land Held for Sale
$
$
413,848
$
3,483
$
136,399
187,954
738,201
$
14,077
10,971
28,531
$
5,160
4,104
3,398
12,662
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Occasionally, we use legal entities in which we have less than a controlling interest. We enter into the majority of these investments
with land developers, other homebuilders and financial partners to acquire attractive land positions, to manage our risk profile
and to leverage our capital base. The underlying land positions are developed into finished lots for sale to the unconsolidated
entity’s members or other third parties. We account for our interest in unconsolidated entities under the equity method.
Historically, we and our partners have provided varying levels of guarantees of debt or other obligations of our unconsolidated
entities. As of September 30, 2019, our unconsolidated entities had borrowings outstanding totaling $12.7 million. See Note 4 of
notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for further information.
Our consolidated balance sheets include investments in unconsolidated entities totaling $4.0 million and $4.0 million as of
September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively.
Construction
We typically act as the general contractor for the construction of our new home communities. Our project development activities
are controlled by our operating divisions whose employees supervise the construction of each new home community by coordinating
the activities of independent subcontractors and suppliers, subjecting their work to quality and cost controls and ensuring compliance
with zoning and building codes. We specify that quality, durable materials be used in the construction of our homes. Our
subcontractors follow design plans prepared by architects and engineers who are retained or directly employed by us and whose
designs are geared to the local market. Our home plans are created in a collaborative effort with industry leading architectural
firms, allowing us to stay current with changing home design trends as well as expanding our focus on engineering without
sacrificing value for our customers.
Agreements with our subcontractors and materials suppliers are generally entered into after a competitive bidding process during
which we obtain information from prospective subcontractors and vendors with respect to their financial condition and ability to
perform their agreements with us in accordance with the specifications we provide. Subcontractors typically are retained on a
project-by-project basis to complete construction at a fixed price. We do not maintain significant inventories of construction
materials, except for materials being utilized for homes under construction. We have numerous suppliers of raw materials and
services used in our business, and such materials and services have been and continue to be available. However, material prices
may fluctuate due to various factors, including demand or supply shortages and the price of certain commodities, which may be
beyond the control of us or our vendors. When it is economically advantageous, we enter into regional and national supply contracts
with certain of our vendors. We believe that our relationships with our suppliers and subcontractors are good.
Construction time for our homes depends on local governmental approval processes, product type, location, and the availability
of labor, materials, and supplies. Homes are designed to promote efficient use of space and materials and to minimize construction
costs and time. In all of our markets, construction of a home is typically completed within three to six months following
commencement of construction. As of September 30, 2019, excluding models, we had 2,135 homes at various stages of completion,
of which 1,271 were under contract and included in backlog at such date and 864 were unsold homes (238 of which were substantially
completed), either because the construction of the home was begun without a sales contract or because the original sales contract
had been canceled (collectively known as “speculative” or “spec” homes).
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Warranty Program
We currently provide a limited warranty (ranging from one to two years) covering workmanship and materials per our defined
standards of performance. In addition, we provide a limited warranty for up to ten years covering only certain defined structural
element failures. Our warranties are issued, administered and insured, subject to applicable self-insured retentions, by independent
third parties.
Since we subcontract our homebuilding work to subcontractors whose contracts generally include an indemnity obligation and a
requirement that certain minimum insurance requirements be met, including providing us with a certificate of insurance prior to
receiving payments for their work, many claims relating to workmanship and materials are the primary responsibility of our
subcontractors.
In addition, we maintain third-party insurance, subject to applicable self-insured retentions, for most construction defects that we
encounter in the normal course of business. We believe that our warranty and litigation accruals and third-party insurance are
adequate to cover the ultimate resolution of our potential liabilities associated with known and anticipated warranty and construction
defect related claims and litigation. Please see Note 9 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for
additional information. However, there can be no assurance that the terms and limitations of the limited warranty will be effective
against claims made by homebuyers; that we will be able to renew our insurance coverage or renew it at reasonable rates; that we
will not be liable for damages, the cost of repairs, and/or the expense of litigation surrounding possible construction defects, soil
subsidence, or building related claims; or that claims will not arise out of events or circumstances not covered by insurance and/
or not subject to effective indemnification agreements with our subcontractors.
Customer Financing
As previously mentioned, we do not provide mortgage origination services. Unlike many of our peers, we have no ownership
interest in any lender and are able to promote competition among lenders on behalf of our customers through our Mortgage Choice
program. Approximately 92% of our fiscal 2019 customers elected to finance a portion of their home purchase.
Competition
The development and sale of residential properties is highly competitive and fragmented. We compete for residential sales on the
basis of a number of interrelated factors, including location, reputation, amenities, design, quality, and price with numerous large
and small homebuilders, including many homebuilders with nationwide operations and greater financial resources and/or lower
costs than us. We also compete for residential sales with individual resales of existing homes and available rental housing.
We utilize our experience within our geographic markets and the breadth of our product line to vary regional product offerings to
reflect changing market conditions. We strive to respond to market conditions and to capitalize on the opportunities for advantageous
land acquisitions in desirable locations. Our product offerings strive to provide extraordinary value at an affordable price with
intentional focus on Millennials and Baby Boomers because they are the two largest demographic groups of potential home buyers.
Government Regulation and Environmental Matters
In most instances, our land is purchased with entitlements, giving us the right to obtain building permits upon compliance with
specified conditions, which generally are within our control. The length of time necessary to obtain such permits and approvals
affects the carrying costs of unimproved property acquired for the purpose of development and construction. In addition, the
continued effectiveness of permits already granted is subject to factors such as changes in policies, rules and regulations, and their
interpretation and application. Many governmental authorities have imposed impact fees as a means of defraying the cost of
providing certain governmental services to developing areas. To date, these governmental approval processes have not had a
material adverse effect on our development activities, and all homebuilders in a given market face the same fees and restrictions.
However, there can be no assurance that these and other restrictions will not adversely affect us in the future.
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We may also be subject to periodic delays or may be precluded entirely from developing communities due to building moratoriums,
“slow-growth” or “no-growth” initiatives, or building permit allocation ordinances, which could be implemented in the future in
the markets in which we operate. Substantially all of our land is entitled and, therefore, moratoriums generally adversely affect
us only if they arose from health, safety, and welfare issues such as insufficient water or sewage facilities. Local and state
governments also have broad discretion regarding the imposition of development fees for communities in their jurisdictions.
However, these fees are normally established when we receive recorded final maps and building permits. We are also subject to
a variety of local, state, and federal statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations concerning the protection of health and the
environment. These laws may result in delays, cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs, and prohibit or severely
restrict development in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas. Our communities in California are especially susceptible
to restrictive government regulations and environmental laws, particularly surrounding water usage due to continuing drought
conditions within that region.
In order to provide homes to homebuyers qualifying for Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured or Veterans Affairs (VA)-
guaranteed mortgages, we must construct homes in compliance with FHA and VA regulations. These laws and regulations include
provisions regarding operating procedures, investments, lending, and privacy disclosures and premiums.
In some states, we are required to be registered as a licensed contractor and comply with applicable rules and regulations. Also,
in various states, our new home counselors are required to be licensed real estate agents and to comply with the laws and regulations
applicable to real estate agents.
Failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations, where applicable, could result in loss of licensing and a restriction of our
business activities in the applicable jurisdiction.
Health and Safety Matters
We strive to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. We believe that corporate social responsibility is an
essential factor for our overall success. This includes adopting ethical practices to direct how we do business while keeping the
interests of our stakeholders and the environment in mind.
The objectives of our practices and policies underscore this commitment:
• To treat all employees with dignity and respect. Employee diversity and inclusion are embraced and opportunities for
training, growth, and advancement are strongly encouraged.
• To uphold ethical standards and comply with applicable laws and our internal guidelines, including a Code of Conduct
applicable to all employees and an actively-managed ethics hotline.
• To promote the idea that the quality of our products and employee well-being are predicated on a safe and healthy work
environment. Our Safety First culture focuses on the safety of our people at every level of the organization.
We are also committed to maintaining high standards in health and safety at all of our sites. We have a health and safety audit
system that includes comprehensive independent third-party inspections. All of our team members are required to attend certain
health and safety related training programs applicable to their respective job responsibilities.
Bonds and Other Obligations
In connection with the development of our communities, we are frequently required to provide performance, maintenance, and
other bonds and letters of credit in support of our related obligations with respect to such developments. The amount of such
obligations outstanding at any time varies in accordance with our pending development activities. In the event any such bonds or
letters of credit are drawn upon, we would be obligated to reimburse the issuer of such bonds or letters of credit. As of September 30,
2019, we had approximately $276.5 million and $48.3 million of outstanding performance bonds and letters of credit, respectively,
primarily related to our obligations to local governments to construct roads and other improvements in various developments.
Employees and Subcontractors
As of September 30, 2019, we employed 1,205 persons, of whom 386 were sales and marketing personnel and 300 were construction
personnel. Although none of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, at times certain of the independent
subcontractors engaged by us may be represented by labor unions or may be subject to collective bargaining arrangements. We
believe that our relations with our employees and subcontractors are good.
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Available Information
Our Internet website address is www.beazer.com and our mobile site is m.beazer.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after
we electronically file with or furnish them to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and are available in print to any
stockholder who requests a printed copy. The public may also read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC's
Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public
Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Furthermore, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy
statements, information statements and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC at
www.sec.gov.
In addition, many of our corporate governance documents are available on our website at www.beazer.com. Specifically, our Audit,
Finance, Compensation, and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charters, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available. Each of these documents is also available in print to any stockholder who
requests it.
The content on our website and mobile site is available for information purposes only and is not a part of and shall not be deemed
incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
A number of conditions that affect demand for the homes we sell are outside of our control. Many of these conditions, such as
interest rates, inflation, employment levels, wage levels and governmental actions also impact consumer confidence, upon
which our business is highly dependent.
Changes in national and regional economic conditions, as well as local economic conditions where we conduct our operations,
may result in more caution on the part of homebuyers and, consequently, fewer home purchases. These economic uncertainties
involve, among other things, interest rates, inflation, employment levels, wage growth and governmental actions, all of which are
out of our control and affect the affordability of, and demand for, the homes we sell. These conditions also impact consumer
confidence, upon which our business is highly dependent. Adverse changes in any of these conditions could decrease demand and
pricing for our homes or result in customer cancellations of pending contracts, which could adversely affect the number of home
sales we make or reduce home prices, either of which could result in a decrease in our revenues and earnings and adversely affect
our financial condition.
Because almost all of our customers require mortgage financing, increases in interest rates could negatively affect the
affordability of the homes we sell. In addition, reductions in mortgage availability or increases in the effective costs of owning
a home could prevent our customers from buying our homes and adversely affect our business and financial results.
Substantially all of the purchasers of our homes finance their acquisition with mortgage financing. Mortgage interest rates have
remained low compared to most historical periods for the last several years, which has made the homes we sell more affordable.
After increasing steadily over the second half of 2018, mortgage rates fell precipitously in fiscal year 2019 due in part to Federal
Reserve interest rate deductions, decelerating economic growth and other factors. However, given the recent volatility in interest
rates, we cannot predict whether interest rates will continue to fall or remain low or rise. Increases in interest rates increase the
costs of owning a home and could adversely affect the purchasing power of consumers and lower demand for the homes we sell,
which could result in a decrease in our revenues and earnings and adversely affect our financial condition.
The availability of mortgage financing is significantly influenced by governmental entities such as the Federal Housing
Administration, Veteran’s Administration and Government National Mortgage Association and government-sponsored enterprises
known as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. If these or other lenders’ borrowing standards are tightened and/or the federal government
were to reduce or eliminate these mortgage loan programs (including due to any failure of lawmakers to agree on a budget or
appropriation legislation to fund relevant programs or operations), it would likely make it more difficult for our customers to
obtain acceptable financing, which would, in turn, adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Mortgage interest expense and real estate taxes represent significant costs of homeownership. Therefore, when there are changes
in federal or state income tax laws that eliminate or substantially limit the income tax deductions relating to these expenses, the
after-tax costs of owning a new home can increase significantly. For example, the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” which was enacted
in December 2017, includes provisions that impose significant limitations with respect to these income tax deductions. Under this
legislation, through the end of 2025, the annual deduction for real estate property taxes and state and local income or sales taxes
has been limited to a combined amount of $10,000 ($5,000 in the case of a separate return filed by a married individual). In
addition, through the end of 2025, the deduction for mortgage interest will generally only be available with respect to acquisition
indebtedness that does not exceed $750,000 ($375,000 in the case of a separate return filed by a married individual). We believe
changes such as these adversely impact the demand for and sales prices of homes in certain markets, including parts of California
and Maryland, and therefore could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Inflation may adversely affect us by increasing costs beyond what we can recover through price increases.
Inflation can adversely affect us by increasing costs of land, materials and labor. In addition, inflation is often accompanied by
higher interest rates. In an inflationary environment, depending on homebuilding industry and other economic conditions, we may
be unable to raise home prices enough to keep up with the rate of inflation, which would reduce our profit margins. Although the
rate of inflation has been low for the last several years, during the same period we have experienced, and we continue to experience,
increases in the prices of land, labor and materials above the general inflation rate.
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Supply shortages and other risks related to the demand for skilled labor and building materials could increase costs, delay
deliveries and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The residential construction industry experiences price fluctuations and shortages in labor and materials from time to time. Shortages
in labor can be due to shortages in qualified trades people, changes in immigration laws and trends in labor migration, lack of
availability of adequate utility infrastructure and services, or our need to rely on local subcontractors who may not be adequately
capitalized or insured. Labor and material shortages can be more severe during periods of strong demand for housing or during
periods in which the markets where we operate experience natural disasters such as hurricanes or flooding as discussed more fully
below. Pricing for labor and materials can be affected by the factors discussed above, changes in energy prices, and various other
national, regional and local economic and political factors. For example, government imposed tariffs and trade regulations on
imported building supplies have, and in the future could have, significant impacts on the cost to construct our homes. Such measures
limit our ability to control costs, which if we are not able to successfully offset such increased costs through higher sales prices,
could adversely affect our margins on the homes we build.
The homebuilding industry is cyclical. A downturn in the industry could adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
During periods of downturn in the homebuilding industry, housing markets across the United States may experience an oversupply
of both new and resale home inventory, an increase in foreclosures, reduced levels of consumer demand for new homes, increased
cancellation rates, aggressive price competition among homebuilders and increased incentives for home sales. In the event of a
downturn, we may experience a material reduction in revenues and margins and our financial condition as well as our results of
operations could be adversely affected.
The market value of our land and/or homes may decline, leading to impairments or other charges and reduced profitability.
We regularly acquire land for replacement and expansion of our land inventory within our existing and new markets. The market
value of land, building lots and housing inventories can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing market conditions. While
we employ measures to manage inventory risk, we may not be able to adequately insulate our operations from a severe drop in
inventory values. As a result, we may incur impairment charges or have to sell land at a loss. For example, during the second
quarter of fiscal 2019, we recognized impairments of $110.0 million on projects in progress and $38.6 million on land held for
sale. See Note 5 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K. In addition, when market conditions are
such that land values are not appreciating, option contracts previously entered into may become less desirable, at which time we
may elect to forgo deposits and pre-acquisition costs and terminate the agreements, which could result in abandonment charges.
Material impairment charges, abandonment charges of other write-downs of assets could adversely affect our financial condition
and results of operations.
Our long-term success depends on our ability to acquire finished lots and undeveloped land suitable for residential homebuilding
at reasonable prices, in accordance with our land investment criteria.
The homebuilding industry is highly competitive for suitable land and the risk inherent in purchasing and developing land increases
as consumer demand for housing increases. The availability of finished and partially finished developed lots and undeveloped
land for purchase that meet our investment criteria depends on a number of factors outside our control, including land availability
in general, competition with other homebuilders and land buyers, inflation in land prices, zoning, allowable housing density, the
ability to obtain building permits and other regulatory requirements. Should suitable lots or land become less available, the number
of homes we may be able to build and sell could be reduced, and the cost of land could increase, perhaps substantially, which
could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
As competition for suitable land increases, the cost of acquiring both finished and undeveloped lots and the cost of developing
owned land could rise, and the availability of suitable land at acceptable prices may decline, which could adversely impact our
financial results. The availability of suitable land assets could also affect the success of our land acquisition strategy and ultimately
our long-term strategic goals by impacting our ability to increase the number of actively selling communities, grow our revenues
and margins and achieve or maintain profitability.
14
Reduced numbers of home sales extend the time it takes us to recover land purchase and property development costs, negatively
impacting profitability and our results of operations.
We incur many costs even before we begin to build homes in a community. Depending on the stage of development a land parcel
is in when we acquire it, these may include costs of preparing land, finishing and entitling lots, installing roads, sewers, water
systems and other utilities, taxes and other costs related to ownership of the land on which we plan to build homes. If the rate at
which we sell and deliver homes slows, or if we delay the opening of new home communities, we may incur additional pre-
construction costs and it may take longer for us to recover our costs, which could adversely affect our profitability and results of
operations.
An increase in cancellation rates may negatively impact our business and lead to imprecise estimates related to homes to be
delivered in the future (backlog).
Our backlog reflects the number and value of homes for which we have entered into a sales contract with a customer but have not
yet delivered the home. Although these sales contracts typically require a cash deposit and do not make the sale contingent on the
sale of the customer's existing home, in some cases a customer may cancel the contract and receive a complete or partial refund
of the deposit as a result of local laws or as a matter of our business practices. If industry or economic conditions deteriorate or if
mortgage financing becomes less accessible, more homebuyers may have an incentive to cancel their contracts with us, even where
they might be entitled to no refund or only a partial refund, rather than complete the purchase. Significant cancellations have had,
and could have, a material adverse effect on our business as a result of lost sales revenue and the accumulation of unsold housing
inventory. It is important to note that both backlog and cancellation metrics are operational, rather than accounting data, and should
be used only as a general gauge to evaluate our performance. There is an inherent imprecision in these metrics based on an
evaluation of qualitative factors during the transaction cycle.
Our access to capital and our ability to obtain additional financing could be affected by any downgrade of our credit ratings,
as well as limitations in the capital markets or adverse credit market conditions.
The Company's credit rating and ratings on our senior notes and our current credit condition affect, among other things, our ability
to access new capital, especially debt. Negative changes in these ratings may result in more stringent covenants and higher interest
rates under the terms of any new debt. If our credit ratings are lowered or rating agencies issue adverse commentaries in the future,
it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. In particular, a
weakening of our financial condition, including a significant increase in our leverage or decrease in our profitability or cash flows,
could adversely affect our ability to obtain necessary funds, result in a credit rating downgrade or change in outlook, or otherwise
increase our cost of borrowing.
We could experience a reduction in home sales and revenues due to our inability to acquire and develop land for our communities
if we are unable to obtain reasonably priced financing.
The homebuilding industry is capital intensive and homebuilding requires significant up-front expenditures to acquire land and
to begin development. Accordingly, we incur substantial indebtedness to finance our homebuilding activities. If internally generated
funds are not sufficient, we would seek additional capital in the form of equity or debt financing from a variety of potential sources,
including additional bank financing and/or securities offerings. The amount and types of indebtedness that we may incur are limited
by the terms of our existing debt. In addition, the availability of borrowed funds, especially for land acquisition and construction
financing, may be greatly reduced nationally, and the lending community may require increased amounts of equity to be invested
in a project by borrowers in connection with both new loans and the extension of existing loans. The credit and capital markets
have continued to experience significant volatility. If we are required to seek additional financing to fund our operations, the
volatility in these markets may restrict our flexibility to access such financing. If we are not successful in obtaining sufficient
capital to fund our planned capital and other expenditures, we may be unable to acquire land for our housing developments, thereby
limiting our anticipated growth and community count. Additionally, if we cannot obtain additional financing to fund the purchase
of land under our option contracts, we may incur contractual penalties and fees.
15
Our senior notes, revolving credit facility, letter of credit facilities and certain other debt impose significant restrictions and
obligations on us. Restrictions on our ability to borrow could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, our substantial
indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition, limit our growth and make it more difficult for us to satisfy our
debt obligations.
Our senior notes, revolving credit facility, unsecured term loan, letter of credit facilities and other debt impose certain restrictions
and obligations on us. Under certain of these instruments, we must comply with defined covenants that limit our ability to, among
other things, incur additional indebtedness, engage in certain asset sales, make certain types of restricted payments, engage in
transactions with affiliates and create liens on our assets. Failure to comply with certain of these covenants could result in an event
of default under the applicable instrument. Any such event of default could negatively impact other covenants or lead to cross
defaults under certain of our other debt agreements. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any waivers or
amendments that may become necessary in the event of a future default situation without significant additional cost or at all.
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to us and the holders of our securities, including, among other
things:
•
•
causing us to be unable to satisfy our obligations under our debt agreements;
causing us to pay higher interest rates upon refinancing indebtedness if interest rates rise;
• making us more vulnerable to adverse general economic and industry conditions;
• making it difficult to fund future working capital, land purchases, acquisitions, capital expenditures, share repurchases,
general corporate or other activities; and
•
causing us to be limited in our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business.
In addition, subject to the restrictions of our existing debt instruments, we may incur additional indebtedness. If new debt is added
to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify. Our growth plans and our ability to make payments
of principal or interest on, or to refinance, our indebtedness will depend on our future operating performance and our ability to
enter into additional debt and/or equity financings. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows in the future to service our
debt, we may be required to refinance all or a portion of our existing debt, to sell assets or to obtain additional financing. We may
not be able to do any of the foregoing on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
If we are unsuccessful in competing against our competitors, our market share could decline or our growth could be impeded
and, as a result, our financial condition and results of operations could suffer.
Competition in the homebuilding industry is intense, and there are relatively low barriers to entry into our business. Increased
competition could hurt our business, as it could prevent us from acquiring attractive parcels of land on which to build homes or
make such acquisitions more expensive, hinder our market share expansion and lead to pricing pressures on our homes that may
adversely impact our margins and revenues. If we are unable to successfully compete, our financial results could suffer and our
ability to service our debt could be adversely affected. Our competitors may independently develop land and construct housing
units that are superior or substantially similar to our products. Furthermore, many of our competitors have substantially greater
financial resources, less leverage and lower costs of funds and operations than we do. Many of these competitors also have
longstanding relationships with subcontractors and suppliers in the markets in which we operate. We currently build in several of
the top markets in the nation and, therefore, we expect to continue to face additional competition from new entrants into our
markets.
Natural disasters and other related events could result in delays in land development or home construction, increase our costs
or decrease demand in the impacted areas.
The climates and geology of many of the states in which we operate, including California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and certain mid-Atlantic states, present increased risks of natural disasters. To the extent that hurricanes,
tornadoes, severe storms, heavy or prolonged precipitation, earthquakes, droughts, floods, wildfires or other natural disasters or
similar events occur, our homes under construction or our building lots in such states could be damaged or destroyed, which may
result in losses exceeding our insurance coverage. For example, in fiscal 2017 and 2018, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Florence
disrupted our operations in Texas, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina, which resulted in what we believe were temporary
reductions in sales and closings. Natural disasters can also lead to increased competition for subcontractors, which can delay our
progress even after the event has concluded. Additionally, and as discussed above, increased competition for skilled labor can
lead to cost overruns, as we may have to incentivize the impacted region’s limited trade base to work on our homes. Finally, natural
disasters and other related events may also temporarily impact demand, as buyers are not as willing to shop for new homes during
or after the event. These risks could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
16
The tax benefits of our pre-ownership change net operating loss carryforwards and built-in losses were substantially limited
since we experienced an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, and portions of our
deferred income tax asset have been written off since they were not fully realizable. Any subsequent ownership change, should
it occur, could have a further impact on these tax attributes.
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an “ownership change,”
which is generally defined as any change in ownership of more than 50% of its common stock over a three-year period, to utilize
its net operating loss carryforwards and certain built-in losses or deductions, as of the ownership change date, that are recognized
during the five-year period after the ownership change. These rules generally operate by focusing on changes in the ownership
among shareholders owning, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the company's common stock (including changes involving a
shareholder becoming a 5% shareholder) or any change in ownership arising from a new issuance of stock or share repurchases
by the company.
We believe we have significant “built-in losses” in our assets, i.e., an excess tax basis over current fair market value, which may
result in tax losses as such assets are sold. Net operating losses generally may be carried forward for a 20-year period to offset
future earnings and reduce our federal income tax liability. Any net operating losses created during or after our fiscal 2019 may
be carried forward indefinitely; however, the loss can only be utilized to offset 80% of taxable income generated in a tax year. Built-
in losses, if and when recognized, generally will result in tax losses that may then be deducted or carried forward. However, we
experienced an “ownership change” under Section 382 as of January 12, 2010. As a result of this previous “ownership change”
for purposes of Section 382, our ability to use certain net operating loss carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions in existence
prior to the ownership change was limited by Section 382. We cannot predict or control the occurrence or timing of another
ownership change in the future. If another ownership change were to occur, the limitations imposed by Section 382 could result
in a material amount of our net operating loss carryforwards expiring unused and, therefore, significantly impair the future value
of our deferred tax assets.
Our certificate of incorporation prohibits certain transfers of our common stock that could result in an ownership change. In
addition, we are party to a rights agreement intended to act as a deterrent to any person desiring to acquire 4.95% or more of our
common stock. In February 2019, our stockholders approved an extension of these protective provisions in our certificate of
incorporation and the rights agreement, which as a result are scheduled to expire on November 2022. Any extension of these
protective provisions and our entry into a new rights agreement will require additional approval by our stockholders. We cannot
guarantee that the requisite stockholder approvals will be obtained. In addition, neither the protective provisions nor the rights
agreement offer a complete solution, and an ownership change may occur even if the protective provisions of our charter are
extended and a new rights agreement is approved upon expiration. The protective provisions of our certificate of incorporation
may not be enforceable against all stockholders and may not prevent all stock transfers that have the potential to cause a Section
382 ownership shift, and the rights agreement may deter, but ultimately cannot block, all transfers of our common stock that might
result in an ownership change.
The realization of all or a portion of our deferred income tax assets (including net operating loss carryforwards) is dependent upon
the generation of future income during the statutory carryforward periods. Our inability to utilize our limited pre-ownership change
net operating loss carryforwards and recognized built-in losses or deductions, or the occurrence of a future ownership change and
resulting additional limitations to these tax attributes, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows.
17
Information technology failures, cybersecurity breaches or data security breaches could harm our business.
We use information technology and other computer resources to perform important operational and marketing activities and to
maintain our business records. Certain of these resources are provided to us and/or maintained by third-party service providers
pursuant to agreements that specify certain security and service level standards. Our computer systems, including our back-up
systems and portable electronic devices, and those of our third-party providers, are subject to damage or interruption from power
outages, computer and telecommunication failures, computer viruses, security breaches including malware and phishing,
cyberattacks, natural disasters, usage errors by our employees or contractors and other related risks. As part of our normal business
activities, we collect and store certain confidential information, including information about employees, homebuyers, customers,
vendors and suppliers. This information is entitled to protection under a number of regulatory regimes. We share some of this
information with third parties who assist us with certain aspects of our business. A significant and extended disruption of or breach
of security related to our computer systems and back-up systems may result in business disruption, damage our reputation and
cause us to lose customers, sales and revenue, result in the unintended misappropriation of proprietary, personal and confidential
information and require us to incur significant expense to remediate or otherwise resolve these issues including financial obligations
to third parties, fines, penalties, regulatory proceedings and private litigation with potentially large costs and other competitive
disadvantages. While, to date, we have not had a significant cybersecurity breach or attack that had a material impact on our
business or results of operations, there can be no assurance that our efforts to maintain the security and integrity of these types of
IT networks and related systems will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or
damaging.
Our stock price is volatile and could decline.
The securities markets in general and our common stock in particular have experienced significant price and volume volatility
over the past several years. The market price and volume of our common stock may continue to experience significant fluctuations
due not only to general stock market conditions, but also to a change in sentiment in the market regarding our industry, operations
or business prospects. The price and volume volatility of our common stock may be affected by:
•
•
•
•
•
operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;
factors influencing home purchases, such as higher interest rates and availability of home mortgage loans, credit criteria
applicable to prospective borrowers, ability to sell existing residences and homebuyer sentiment in general;
the operating and securities price performance of companies that investors consider comparable to us;
announcements of strategic developments, acquisitions and other material events by us or our competitors; and
changes in global financial markets and global economies and general market conditions, such as interest rates, commodity
and equity prices and the value of financial assets.
Our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or otherwise use our common stock as consideration is impacted by the
price of our common stock. A low stock price may adversely impact our ability to reduce our financial leverage, as measured by
the ratio of total debt to total capital. Continued high levels of leverage or significant increases may adversely affect our credit
ratings and make it more difficult for us to access additional capital. These factors may limit our ability to implement our operating
and growth plans.
Inefficient or ineffective allocation of capital could adversely affect our operating results and/or stockholder value.
Our goal is to allocate capital to maximize our overall long-term returns. This includes spending on capital projects, such as
developing strategic businesses (e.g., the launch of our Gatherings® business in 2016 to meet the needs of the growing 55 plus
segment) and acquiring other homebuilders with the potential to strengthen our industry position. In addition, from time to time
we may engage in bond repurchases to reduce our indebtedness and return value to our stockholders through share repurchases.
If we do not properly allocate our capital, we may fail to produce optimal financial results and we may experience a reduction in
stockholder value, including increased volatility in our stock price.
We experience fluctuations and variability in our operating results on a quarterly basis and, as a result, our historical
performance may not be a meaningful indicator of future results.
We historically have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, variability in home sales and earnings on a quarterly basis.
As a result of such variability, our historical performance may not be a meaningful indicator of future results. Our quarterly results
of operations may continue to fluctuate in the future as a result of a variety of both national and local factors, including, among
others:
18
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the timing of home closings and land sales;
our ability to continue to acquire additional land or secure option contracts to acquire land on acceptable terms;
conditions of the real estate market in areas where we operate and of the general economy;
inventory impairments or other material write-downs;
raw material and labor shortages;
seasonal home buying patterns; and
other changes in operating expenses, including the cost of labor and raw materials, personnel and general economic
conditions.
We may incur additional operating expenses or longer construction cycle times due to compliance programs or fines, penalties
and remediation costs pertaining to environmental regulations within our markets. Additionally, any violations of such
regulations could harm our reputation, thereby negatively impacting our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning the protection of health
and the environment. The particular environmental laws that apply to any given community vary greatly according to the location
of the community site, the site's environmental conditions and the present and former use of the site. Environmental laws may
result in delays, may cause us to implement time consuming and expensive compliance programs and may prohibit or severely
restrict development in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas. From time to time, the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and similar federal or state agencies review homebuilders' compliance with environmental laws and
may levy fines and penalties for failure to strictly comply with applicable environmental laws or impose additional requirements
for future compliance as a result of past failures. Any such actions taken with respect to us may increase our costs or harm our
reputation. Further, we expect that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on homebuilders in the future.
Environmental regulations can also have an adverse impact on the availability and price of certain raw materials such as lumber.
Our communities in California are especially susceptible to restrictive government regulations and environmental laws, particularly
surrounding water usage due to continuing drought conditions within that region.
In addition, there is a growing concern from advocacy groups and the general public that the emissions of greenhouse gases and
other human activities have caused, or will cause, significant changes in weather patterns and temperatures and the frequency and
severity of natural disasters. Government mandates, standards and regulations enacted in response to these projected climate
changes impacts could result in restrictions on land development in certain areas or increased energy, transportation and raw
material costs that may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to extensive government regulation, which could cause us to incur significant liabilities or restrict our business
activities.
Regulatory requirements could cause us to incur significant liabilities and operating expenses and could restrict our business
activities. We are subject to local, state and federal statutes and rules regulating, among other things, certain developmental matters,
building and site design, the availability of water and matters concerning the protection of health, safety and the environment. Our
operating costs may be increased by governmental regulations, such as building permit allocation ordinances and impact and other
fees and taxes, which may be imposed to defray the cost of providing certain governmental services and improvements. Other
governmental regulations, such as building moratoriums and “no growth” or “slow growth” initiatives, which may be adopted in
communities that have developed rapidly, may cause delays in new home communities or otherwise restrict our business activities,
resulting in reductions in our revenues. Any delay or refusal from government agencies to grant us necessary licenses, permits
and approvals could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may be subject to significant potential liabilities as a result of construction defect, product liability and warranty claims
made against us.
As a homebuilder, we have been, and continue to be, subject to construction defect, product liability and home warranty claims,
including moisture intrusion and related claims, arising in the ordinary course of business. These claims are common to the
homebuilding industry and can be costly, as evidenced by the water intrusion issues in Florida.
19
With respect to certain general liability exposures, including construction defect claims, product liability claims and related claims,
assessment of claims and the related liability and reserve estimation process is highly judgmental due to the complex nature of
these exposures and unique circumstances of each claim. Furthermore, once claims are asserted for construction defects, it can be
difficult to determine the extent to which the assertion of these claims will expand geographically. Although we have obtained
insurance for construction defect claims, such policies may not be available or adequate to cover liability for damages, the cost
of repairs and/or the expense of litigation. Current and future claims may arise out of events or circumstances not covered by
insurance and not subject to effective indemnification agreements with our subcontractors.
At any given time, we are the subject of pending civil litigation that could require us to pay substantial damages or could
otherwise have a material adverse effect on us.
Certain of our subsidiaries have been named in class action and multi-party lawsuits regarding claims made by homebuyers. We
are also party to putative class action lawsuits related to the inventory impairment charges we recognized during fiscal 2019. We
cannot predict or determine the timing or final outcome of the current lawsuits, or the effect that any adverse determinations the
lawsuits may have on us. An unfavorable determination in any of the lawsuits could result in the payment by us of substantial
monetary damages that may not be covered by insurance. Further, the legal costs associated with the lawsuits and the amount of
time required to be spent by management and the Board of Directors on these matters, even if we are ultimately successful, could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition to expenses incurred to
defend the Company in these matters, under Delaware law and our bylaws, we may have an obligation to indemnify our current
and former officers and directors in relation to these matters. We have obligations to advance legal fees and expenses to directors
and certain officers.
Our insurance carriers may seek to rescind or deny coverage with respect to certain of the pending lawsuits, or we may not have
sufficient coverage under such policies. If the insurance companies are successful in rescinding or denying coverage, or if we do
not have sufficient coverage under our policies, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
adversely affected.
Our operating expenses could increase if we are required to pay higher insurance premiums or litigation costs for various
claims, which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, our insurance policies
may not offset our entire expense due to limitation in coverages, amounts payable under the policies or other related restrictions.
The costs of insuring against construction defect, product liability and director and officer claims are substantial. Increasingly in
recent years, lawsuits (including class action lawsuits) have been filed against builders, asserting claims of personal injury and
property damage. Our insurance may not cover all of the claims, including personal injury claims, or such coverage may become
prohibitively expensive. If we are not able to obtain adequate insurance against these claims, we may experience losses that could
negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations, as well as our cash flows.
Historically, builders have recovered from subcontractors and their insurance carriers a significant portion of the construction
defect liabilities and costs of defense that the builders have incurred. However, insurance coverage available to subcontractors for
construction defects is becoming increasingly expensive and the scope of coverage is restricted. If we cannot effectively recover
from our subcontractors or their carriers, we may suffer even greater losses.
A builder's ability to recover against any available insurance policy depends upon the continued solvency and financial strength
of the insurance carrier that issued the policy. Many of the states in which we build homes have lengthy statutes of limitations
applicable to claims for construction defects. To the extent that any carrier providing insurance coverage to us or our subcontractors
becomes insolvent or experiences financial difficulty in the future, we may be unable to recover on those policies, thereby negatively
impact our financial condition and results of operations.
We are dependent on the services of certain key employees and the loss of their services could hurt our business.
Our future success depends upon our ability to attract, train and retain skilled personnel, including officers and directors. If we
are unable to retain our key employees or attract, train or retain other skilled personnel in the future, it could hinder our business
strategy and impose additional costs of identifying and training new individuals. Competition for qualified personnel in all of our
operating markets, as well as within our corporate operations, is intense.
Terrorist attacks or acts of war against the United States or increased domestic or international instability could have an adverse
effect on our operations.
Adverse developments in the war on terrorism, terrorist attacks against the United States or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities
between the United States and any foreign power may cause disruption to the economy, our Company, our employees and our
customers, which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
20
Negative publicity or poor relations with the residents of our communities could negatively impact sales, which could cause
our revenues or results of operations to decline.
Unfavorable media related to our industry, company, brands, marketing, personnel, operations, business performance, or prospects
may affect our stock price and the performance of our business, regardless of its accuracy or inaccuracy. Our success in maintaining,
extending and expanding our brand image depends on our ability to adapt to a rapidly changing media environment. Adverse
publicity or negative commentary on social media outlets could hurt operating results, as consumers might avoid or protest brands
that receive bad press or negative reviews. Negative publicity may result in a decrease in our operating results. In addition, residents
of communities we develop may look to us to resolve issues or disputes that may arise in connection with the operation or
development of their communities. Efforts made by us to resolve these issues or disputes could be deemed unsatisfactory by the
affected residents, and subsequent actions by these residents could adversely affect sales or our reputation.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
As of September 30, 2019, we had under lease approximately 35,000 square feet of office space in Atlanta, Georgia to house our
corporate headquarters. We also lease an aggregate of approximately 220,000 square feet of office space for our divisional and
shared services operations at various locations. All facilities are in good condition, adequately utilized, and sufficient to meet our
present operating needs.
Due to the nature of our business, significant amounts of property are held by us as inventory in the ordinary course of our
homebuilding operations. See Note 5 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for a further discussion
of our inventory.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Litigation
In the normal course of business, we are subject to various lawsuits. We cannot predict or determine the timing or final outcome
of these lawsuits or the effect that any adverse findings or determinations in pending lawsuits may have on us. In addition, an
estimate of possible loss or range of loss, if any, cannot presently be made with respect to certain of these pending matters. An
unfavorable determination in any of the pending lawsuits could result in the payment by us of substantial monetary damages that
may not be fully covered by insurance. Further, the legal costs associated with the lawsuits and the amount of time required to be
spent by management and our Board of Directors on these matters, even if we are ultimately successful, could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
For a discussion of our legal proceedings, see Note 9 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
21
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
The Company lists its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “BZH.” On November 8, 2019,
the last reported sales price of the Company's common stock on the NYSE was $14.06, and we had approximately 189 stockholders
of record and 30,941,060 shares of common stock outstanding. The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, the range
of high and low trading prices for the Company's common stock during our fiscal 2019 and 2018.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019
High
Low
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018
High
Low
Dividends
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
$
$
$
$
11.60
8.16
23.24
18.66
$
$
$
$
13.58
9.23
20.94
15.02
$
$
$
$
14.37
8.89
17.46
14.05
$
$
$
$
15.00
9.61
16.08
10.46
The indentures under which our senior notes were issued contain certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on the payment
of dividends. There were no dividends paid during our fiscal 2019, 2018, or 2017. The Board of Directors will periodically
reconsider the declaration of dividends, assuming payment of dividends is not limited under our indentures. The reinstatement of
quarterly dividends, the amount of such dividends and the form in which the dividends are paid (cash or stock) will depend upon
our financial condition, results of operations, and other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information about the Company's shares of common stock that may be issued under our existing
equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2019, all of which have been approved by our stockholders:
Plan Category
Number of Common
Shares to be Issued Upon
Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and
Rights
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
Number of Common Shares
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
523,754
$14.34
1,195,793
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
22
Performance Graph
The following graph illustrates the cumulative total stockholder return on Beazer Homes' common stock for the last five fiscal
years through September 30, 2019 as compared to the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Homebuilding Index. The comparison
assumes an investment of $100 at September 30, 2014 in Beazer Homes' common stock and in each of the benchmark indices
specified, assumes that all dividends were reinvested, and accounts for the impact of any stock splits, where applicable. Stockholder
returns over the indicated period are based on historical data and should not be considered indicative of future stockholder returns.
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
S&P 500 Index
S&P 500 Homebuilding Index
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
79.44
99.39
126.68
69.49
114.72
125.79
111.68
136.07
165.62
62.57
160.44
160.08
88.79
167.27
207.18
23
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table summarizes certain financial data for the periods presented:
Statements of Operations Data: (a)
Total revenue
Gross profit
Gross margin (b)
Operating (loss) income
(Loss) income from continuing operations
(Loss) income per share from continuing operations -
basic
(Loss) income per share from continuing operations -
diluted
Net (loss) income (c)
Balance Sheet Data (end of year): (d)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Inventory
Total assets
Total debt
Stockholders' equity
Supplemental Financial Data: (d)
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Financial Statistics: (d)
Total debt as a percentage of total debt and stockholders'
equity (end of year)
Net debt as a percentage of net debt and stockholders'
equity (end of year) (e)
Adjusted EBITDA from total operations (f)
Adjusted EBITDA margin from total operations (g)
Operating Statistics from continuing operations:
New orders, net
Closings
Average selling price on closings (in thousands)
Units in backlog (end of year)
Average selling price in backlog (end of year; in
thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
($ in millions, except per share amounts and unit data)
$
$
2,088
166
8.0%
(90)
(79)
2,107
345
16.4%
82
(45)
(2.59)
(1.40)
(2.59)
(79.5)
123
1,504
1,958
1,178
539
114
(25)
(119)
$
$
$
(1.40)
(45.4)
153
1,692
2,128
1,231
644
55
(74)
(132)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
1,916
313
16.3%
62
32
1.00
0.99
31.8
305
1,543
2,221
1,327
682
105
(14)
(30)
$
$
$
$
$
1,822
297
16.3%
59
5
0.16
0.16
4.7
243
1,569
2,213
1,332
643
171
(13)
(206)
1,627
272
16.7%
52
347
12.54
10.91
344.1
290
1,698
2,409
1,516
630
(81)
3
(19)
68.6%
65.7%
66.0%
67.4%
70.6%
66.5%
180.2
8.6%
5,576
5,500
377.7
1,708
$
$
62.9%
204.7
9.7%
5,544
5,767
360.2
1,632
$
$
60.3%
178.8
9.3%
5,464
5,525
343.1
1,855
$
$
63.2%
156.3
8.6%
5,297
5,419
329.4
1,916
$
$
66.3%
144.1
8.9%
5,358
5,010
313.5
2,038
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
389.4
$
384.8
$
358.9
$
340.6
$
327.6
(a) Statements of operations data is from continuing operations. Gross profit includes inventory impairments and abandonments
of $148.6 million, $6.5 million, $2.4 million, $15.3 million, and $3.1 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019,
2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, as well as unexpected warranty costs and additional insurance recoveries from our
third-party insurer, both of which are detailed in the table below that reconciles our net income to Adjusted EBITDA (subsequently
defined). The aforementioned charges related to impairments and abandonments were primarily driven by reduction in average
selling prices taken for certain communities as a result of competitive pressures over the applicable years. (Loss) income from
continuing operations for the fiscal years ended 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 also includes losses on extinguishment of
debt of $24.9 million, $27.8 million, $12.6 million, $13.4 million, and $0.1 million, respectively.
24
(b) Gross margin = gross profit divided by total revenue.
(c) For fiscal 2015, amount includes $335.2 million release of a substantial portion of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax
assets. For fiscal 2018, amount includes $110.1 million tax expense for the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets at the
newly enacted 21.0% federal tax rate, partially offset by an additional $27.4 million release of valuation allowance on our
deferred tax assets. See Note 13 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for a further discussion of
income taxes and the valuation allowance.
(d) Discontinued operations were not segregated in the consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of cash flows and
are not material in the periods presented.
(e) Net Debt = debt less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash related to the cash secured loan, when outstanding.
(f) EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) equals net (loss) income before (a) previously capitalized interest amortized to home
construction and land sales expenses, capitalized interest impaired, and interest expense not qualified for capitalization; and (b)
income taxes. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) is calculated by adding non-cash charges,
including depreciation and amortization for the period to EBIT. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
and amortization) is calculated by adding charges, including debt extinguishment charges, inventory impairment and
abandonment charges, joint venture impairment charges, and other non-recurring items for the period to EBITDA. EBITDA
and Adjusted EBITDA are not Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial measures. EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA should not be considered alternatives to net income determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating
performance. Because some analysts and companies may not calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner as
Beazer Homes, the EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA information presented above may not be comparable to similar presentations
by others.
(g) Adjusted EBITDA margin = Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue.
25
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to total company net (loss) income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is provided
for each period discussed below. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA assists investors in understanding and comparing
the operating characteristics of homebuilding activities by eliminating many of the differences in companies' respective
capitalization, tax position, and level of impairments. These EBITDA measures should not be considered alternatives to net income
determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.
The following table reconciles our net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:
(In thousands)
Net (loss) income
(Benefit) expense from income taxes
Interest amortized to home construction and land
sales expenses and capitalized interest impaired
Interest expense not qualified for capitalization
EBIT
Depreciation and amortization and stock-based
compensation amortization
EBITDA
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Inventory impairments and abandonments (a)
Joint venture impairment and abandonment charges
Unexpected warranty costs related to Florida stucco
issues (net of expected insurance recoveries)
Additional insurance recoveries from third-party
insurer
Litigation settlement in discontinued operations
Write-off of deposit on legacy land investment
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
$
2019
(79,520) $
(37,245)
2018
(45,375) $
94,373
2017
2016
2015
31,813
$
4,693
$
2,621
16,224
344,094
(325,927)
108,941
3,109
(4,715)
25,285
20,570
24,920
134,711
—
—
—
—
—
93,113
5,325
88,820
15,636
79,322
25,388
56,164
29,822
147,436
138,890
125,627
104,153
24,065
171,501
27,839
4,988
341
—
—
—
—
22,173
161,063
12,630
2,389
—
—
—
—
2,700
21,752
147,379
13,423
14,572
—
19,473
123,626
80
3,109
—
(3,612)
13,582
(15,500)
—
—
—
3,660
—
Adjusted EBITDA
$
180,201
$
204,669
$
178,782
$
156,262
$
144,057
(a) In periods during which we impaired certain of our inventory assets, capitalized interest that is impaired is included in the line
above titled “Interest amortized to home construction and land sales expenses and capitalized interest impaired."
26
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Executive Overview and Outlook
Market Conditions
The demand for new and existing homes is dependent on a variety of demographic and economic factors, including job and wage
growth, household formation, consumer confidence, mortgage financing, and overall housing affordability. Through the first half
of fiscal 2019, the homebuilding industry experienced a softening in demand, after adjusting for normal seasonality, that we believe
was a result of the rise in mortgage interest rates and higher home prices, which created affordability challenges for some prospective
buyers. As the fiscal year progressed, a decline in mortgage interest rates combined with a positive macroeconomic backdrop led
to improved demand. We believe there are multiple factors that will support housing demand moving forward, including low
unemployment, rising wages, and growing household formation. Our operating strategy focuses on offering homes that provide
our customers with extraordinary value at an affordable price.
Overview of Results for Our Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2019 represented continued progress towards the execution of our balanced growth strategy. Specifically, we have
successfully improved our balance sheet by reducing our debt balance, extending debt maturities, and reducing our cash interest
expense. We have also achieved growth in average active community count, average selling price, net new orders, and homes in
backlog.
Profitability
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, we recorded net loss from continuing operations of $79.4 million, an increase of
$34.4 million from the prior fiscal year’s net loss from continuing operations of $45.0 million. However, there were multiple
items that impacted the comparability of our net loss from continuing operations between periods:
•
Income tax benefit from continuing operations was $37.2 million for fiscal 2019 and income tax expense was $94.5
million for fiscal 2018. The income tax benefit in fiscal 2019 was impacted by our loss from operations and the generation
of an additional $14.9 million of energy efficient homebuilding federal tax credits. Refer to Note 13 of the notes to the
consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of these matters.
• We recognized $24.9 million in loss on extinguishment of debt in fiscal 2019, a decrease of $2.9 million compared to
the prior fiscal year.
• We recorded $148.6 million in inventory impairment and abandonment charges in fiscal 2019, as compared to $6.5 million
charges recorded in the prior year.
Balanced Growth Strategy
We continue to execute against our longer-term balanced growth strategy, which we define as the expansion of earnings at a faster
rate than our revenue growth, supported by a less-leveraged and return-driven capital structure. This strategy provides us with
flexibility to increase return of capital to investors, reduce leverage, or increase investment in land and other operating assets in
response to changing market conditions. The following is a summary of our performance against certain key operating and financial
metrics during the current period:
•
Sales per community per month was 2.8 and 3.0 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The decrease in sales pace in fiscal 2019 resulted from difficult selling conditions in the first half of the fiscal year. In
response, we took actions to increase sales paces, including increasing pricing incentives. These efforts, together with
improving conditions in the second half of the year resulted in much better sales pace in our third and fourth quarters We
are focused on maintaining a competitive sales pace in the range of 2.8 to 3.2 going forward.
• During the year ended September 30, 2019, we had an average active community count of 166, up 6.3% from the
prior year. We ended the year with an active community count of 166. We continue to evaluate strategic opportunities
to purchase land within our geographic footprint, balancing our desire to reduce leverage with land acquisition strategies
that maximize the efficiency of capital employed.
• Our ASP for homes closed during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 was $377.7 thousand, up 4.9% compared
to the prior year. The year-over-year increase in ASP on closings was primarily a function of geographic mix and product
shift, though we also benefited from pricing power in some markets. In addition, we ended fiscal 2019 with an ASP of
$389.4 thousand for our units in backlog, indicating that ASP growth may continue in the near term.
27
• Homebuilding gross margin excluding impairments and abandonments and interest for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2019 was 19.7%, down from 21.2% in the prior year. We experienced a softening of demand for new
homes in early fiscal 2019 in many of our markets. We responded by offering price reductions and sales incentives in
order to stimulate sales demand which has resulted in lower gross margins than the comparable prior year period. In
addition, we also experienced some cost pressures related to labor and materials and a slight shift in geographic mix. We
continue to take action to mitigate these pressures through our efforts to reduce construction costs, improve cycle time,
and reduce incentives where feasible.
•
SG&A for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 was 11.6% of total revenue compared with 11.8% a year
earlier. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of total revenue was due to our continued focus on improving overhead
cost management in relation to our revenue growth.
• Capital efficiency, debt reduction, and share repurchases. We continue to employ a number of strategies to improve
capital efficiency, including the use of option contracts, acquisition of shorter duration land parcels, and activation of
previously land held for future development communities. In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal 2019, our Board
of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorizes us to repurchase up to $50.0 million of our outstanding
common stock. As part of this program, we repurchased a total of $34.6 million of our common stock during the first
three quarters of 2019 through accelerated share repurchases (ASR), a 10b5-1 plan, and open market transactions. During
fiscal 2019, we also refinanced our unsecured Senior Notes due 2022 and repurchased $51.3 million of our Senior Notes,
which generated approximately $15.0 million in annual interest savings (see Note 8 of the notes to our consolidated
financial statements in this Form 10-K for discussion of debt activity). We expect to reduce outstanding debt during fiscal
2020 by more than we did in fiscal 2019, with a goal of having less than $1.0 billion of outstanding debt over time.
Seasonal and Quarterly Variability: Our homebuilding operating cycle generally reflects escalating new order activity in the
second and third fiscal quarters and increased closings in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. The following tables present new
order and closings data for the periods presented:
2019
2018
2017
2019
2018
2017
New Orders (Net of Cancellations)
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
Total
976
1,110
1,005
1,598
1,679
1,549
Closings
1,544
1,450
1,595
1,458
1,305
1,315
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
Total
1,083
1,066
995
1,134
1,266
1,239
1,269
1,391
1,387
2,014
2,044
1,904
5,576
5,544
5,464
5,500
5,767
5,525
28
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes certain key income statement metrics for the periods presented:
$ in thousands
Revenues:
Homebuilding
Land sales and other
Total
Gross profit (loss):
Homebuilding
Land sales and other
Total
Gross margin:
Homebuilding (a)
Land sales and other (b)
Total
Commissions
G&A (c)
SG&A (commissions plus G&A) as a percentage of total revenue
G&A as a percentage of total revenue
Depreciation and amortization
Operating (loss) income
Operating (loss) income as a percentage of total revenue
Effective tax rate (d)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$ 2,077,245
$ 2,077,360
$ 1,895,855
10,494
29,773
20,423
$ 2,087,739
$ 2,107,133
$ 1,916,278
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
206,034
(39,998)
166,036
9.9 %
(381.2)%
8.0 %
79,802
161,371
11.6 %
7.7 %
14,759
(89,896)
(4.3)%
31.9 %
404
24,920
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
348,275
(3,260)
345,015
16.8 %
(10.9)%
16.4 %
81,002
168,658
11.8 %
8.0 %
13,807
81,548
3.9 %
191.1 %
34
27,839
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
312,201
663
312,864
16.5%
3.2%
16.3%
74,811
161,906
12.4%
8.4%
14,009
62,138
3.2%
7.8%
371
12,630
(a) Homebuilding gross margin for fiscal 2019 was impacted by $110.0 million of impairments primarily related to impairments
recorded in the second quarter for certain projects in progress in California.
(b) Calculated as land sales and other gross profit (loss) divided by land sales and other revenue. Land sales and other gross margin
is shown as a significant negative percentage for fiscal 2019 due to the $38.6 million of impairments recorded in the second
quarter related to land held for sale assets in California.
(c) G&A was impacted in fiscal 2017 by a $2.7 million charge to write off a deposit on a legacy investment in a development site
that we deemed uncollectible.
(d) Calculated as tax (benefit) expense for the period divided by (loss) income from continuing operations. Due to a variety of
factors, including the impact of discrete tax items on our effective tax rate, our income tax (benefit) expense is not always directly
correlated to the amount of pretax (loss) income for the associated periods.
29
Homebuilding Operations Data
The following table summarizes net new orders and cancellation rates by reportable segment for the periods presented:
West
East
Southeast
Total
New Orders, net
Cancellation Rates
2019
2018
2017
19 v 18
18 v 17
2,983
1,152
1,441
5,576
2,874
1,089
1,581
5,544
2,578
1,351
1,535
5,464
3.8 %
11.5 %
5.8 % (19.4)%
(8.9)%
3.0 %
0.6 %
1.5 %
2019
16.7%
16.0%
15.2%
16.1%
2018
2017
18.4%
20.9%
16.2%
18.3%
18.1%
18.1%
19.4%
18.5%
Net new orders for the year ended September 30, 2019 increased to 5,576, up 0.6% from the year ended September 30, 2018. The
increase in net new orders was primarily driven by an increase in average active communities to 166, up from 156 in the prior
year. The slight increase also resulted from a lower cancellation rate in fiscal 2019. Sales per active community per month were
2.8 for fiscal year 2019 compared to 3.0 for fiscal year 2018, with no change in the West and slight decreases in the East and
Southeast segments. Net new order increased in the West and the East but decreased in the Southeast segment due to affordability
concerns, among other things, that impacted buyers' willingness to commit to a home purchase, particularly in the first quarter of
fiscal 2019.
Sales per active community per month were 3.0 for fiscal year 2018 compared to 2.9 for fiscal year 2017, contributing to the 1.5%
increase in net new orders year-over-year, driven by our continued emphasis on sales absorptions. Average active communities
were relatively flat compared to the prior year, with 156 average active communities during fiscal 2018 compared to 155 during
fiscal 2017. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, the 11.5% increase in net new orders in our West segment was primarily
attributable to a significant year-over-year increase in our Las Vegas and Dallas markets. Net new orders declined by 19.4% in
the East as we work to rebuild community counts by making new investments. The 3.0% increase in net new orders in the Southeast
segment was primarily due to 100 net new orders in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 within communities acquired from Venture
Homes. Additionally, net new orders were impacted in North and South Carolina in the Southeast segment due to Hurricane
Florence, which impacted our ability to sell homes in the affected areas for a number of weeks.
The table below summarizes backlog units by reportable segment as well as the aggregate dollar value and ASP of homes in
backlog as of September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017:
Backlog Units:
West
East
Southeast
Total
Aggregate dollar value of homes in backlog (in millions)
ASP in backlog (in thousands)
As of September 30,
2019
2018
2017
19 v 18
18 v 17
982
341
385
1,708
665.1
389.4
$
$
858
281
493
1,632
628.0
384.8
$
$
879
413
563
1,855
665.8
358.9
$
$
14.5 %
(2.4)%
21.4 % (32.0)%
(21.9)% (12.4)%
4.7 % (12.0)%
5.9 %
(5.7)%
1.2 %
7.2 %
Backlog reflects the number of homes for which the Company has entered into a sales contract with a customer but has not yet
delivered the home. Homes in backlog are generally delivered within three to six months following commencement of construction.
The aggregate dollar value of homes in backlog as of September 30, 2019 increased 5.9% compared to the prior year due to a
4.7% increase in units in backlog and an 1.2% increase in the ASP of homes in backlog. The increase in backlog units was primarily
due to the aforementioned increase in net new orders for the year ended September 30, 2019 compared to prior year.
The aggregate dollar value of homes in backlog as of September 30, 2018 decreased 5.7% compared to September 30, 2017 due
to a 7.2% increase in the ASP of homes in backlog, partially offset by a 12.0% decline in units in backlog. The decline in units in
backlog was primarily driven by a rise in the pace of closing compared to the prior fiscal year and disruptions related to Hurricane
Florence in North and South Carolina.
30
Homebuilding Revenue, Average Selling Price, and Closings
The tables below summarize homebuilding revenue, the ASP of our homes closed, and closings by reportable segment for the
periods presented:
Homebuilding Revenue
Average Selling Price
$ in thousands
2019
2018
2017
19 v 18
18 v 17
2019
2018
2017
19 v 18
18 v 17
West
East
Southeast
$1,012,977
$ 999,599
$ 851,472
1.3 % 17.4 % $
354.3
$
345.3
$
506,389
557,879
510,710
567,051
533,585
(0.8)% (4.3)%
510,798
(1.6)% 11.0 %
463.7
360.2
418.3
343.5
Total
$2,077,245
$2,077,360
$1,895,855
— % 9.6 % $
377.7
$
360.2
$
336.9
386.1
316.1
343.1
2.6%
10.9%
4.9%
4.9%
2.5%
8.3%
8.7%
5.0%
West
East
Southeast
Total
2019
2018
2,859
1,092
1,549
5,500
2,895
1,221
1,651
5,767
Closings
2017
2,527
1,382
1,616
5,525
19 v 18
18 v 17
(1.2)%
(10.6)%
(6.2)%
(4.6)%
14.6 %
(11.6)%
2.2 %
4.4 %
The increase in ASP across all segments for the year ended September 30, 2019 was impacted by a change in the mix of closings
between geographies, products, and communities within each individual market as compared with the prior fiscal year. It was also
positively impacted by our operational strategies as well as improved market conditions in certain geographies in the latter half
of our fiscal year. These same dynamics enhanced our ability to generate a higher ASP during fiscal 2018 when compared with
fiscal 2017. On average, we anticipate that our ASP will continue to increase slightly during the first two quarters of fiscal 2020,
as indicated by our ASP for homes in backlog as of September 30, 2019.
Closings for fiscal 2019 decreased across all segments compared to fiscal 2018 due to fewer units in beginning backlog and lower
sales per active community per month for fiscal 2019. However, closings in our Dallas, Nashville and Myrtle Beach markets
increased as a result of higher sales per active community per month at these markets for fiscal 2019 as compared to fiscal 2018.
In addition, closings in our Atlanta market increased by more than 120 units primarily due to the Venture Homes acquisition in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.
For fiscal year 2018, the year-over-year increase in closings in our West segment was primarily driven by strong growth in our
Las Vegas and Phoenix markets, where we sold a significant number of homes in certain communities. Closings in our East segment
declined due to lower closings in our Indianapolis market, partially offset by growth in our Maryland market. Closings increased
in our Southeast segment primarily due to growth in the Atlanta market related to the Venture Homes acquisition, which added
70 closings in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, partially offset by disruption from Hurricane Florence, which caused us to push a
small number of closings into the first quarter of fiscal year 2019.
Our overall increase in homebuilding revenue for fiscal 2019 as compared to fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 is primarily the result of
increase in ASP, partially offset by a decrease in closings.
31
Homebuilding Gross Profit and Gross Margin
The following tables present our homebuilding (HB) gross profit and gross margin by reportable segment and in total. In addition,
such amounts are presented excluding inventory impairments and abandonments and interest amortized to cost of sales (COS).
Homebuilding gross profit is defined as homebuilding revenue less home cost of sales (which includes land acquisition and land
development costs, home construction costs, capitalized interest amortization, indirect costs of construction, estimated warranty
costs, closing costs, and inventory impairment and abandonment charges).
$ in thousands
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019
HB Gross
Profit (Loss)
HB Gross
Margin
Impairments
&
Abandonme
nts
(I&A)
HB Gross
Profit (Loss)
w/o (a)
I&A
HB Gross
Margin w/o
I&A
Interest
Amortized
to COS
(Interest)
HB Gross
Profit
w/o I&A and
Interest
HB Gross
Margin
w/o I&A and
Interest
West
East
Southeast
Corporate &
unallocated
$
119,624
11.8% $
92,912
$
212,536
21.0% $
— $
212,536
96,008
95,603
(105,201)
19.0%
17.1%
—
858
96,008
96,461
19.0%
17.3%
—
—
96,008
96,461
16,259
(88,942)
93,875
4,933
21.0%
19.0%
17.3%
Total homebuilding $
206,034
9.9% $
110,029
$
316,063
15.2% $
93,875
$
409,938
19.7%
$ in thousands
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018
HB Gross
Profit (Loss)
HB Gross
Margin
Impairments
&
Abandonmen
ts
(I&A)
HB Gross
Profit (Loss)
w/o I&A
HB Gross
Margin w/o
I&A
Interest
Amortized to
COS
(Interest)
HB Gross
Profit
w/o I&A and
Interest
HB Gross
Margin
w/o I&A and
Interest
West
East
Southeast
Corporate &
unallocated
$
228,637
22.9 % $
— $
228,637
22.9 % $
— $
228,637
102,346
104,051
(86,759)
20.0 %
18.3 %
—
793
212
102,346
104,844
(86,547)
20.0 %
18.5 %
—
—
102,346
104,844
91,132
4,585
22.9 %
20.0 %
18.5 %
Total homebuilding
$
348,275
16.8 % $
1,005
$
349,280
16.8 % $
91,132
$
440,412
21.2 %
$ in thousands
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017
HB Gross
Profit (Loss)
HB Gross
Margin
Impairments
&
Abandonmen
ts
(I&A)
HB Gross
Profit (Loss)
w/o I&A
HB Gross
Margin w/o
I&A
Interest
Amortized to
COS
(Interest)
HB Gross
Profit
w/o I&A and
Interest
HB Gross
Margin
w/o I&A and
Interest
West
East
Southeast
Corporate &
unallocated
$
186,629
21.9 % $
1,625
$
188,254
22.1 % $
— $
188,254
109,289
103,193
(86,910)
20.5 %
20.2 %
188
—
68
109,477
103,193
(86,842)
20.5 %
20.2 %
—
—
109,477
103,193
88,764
1,922
22.1 %
20.5 %
20.2 %
Total homebuilding
$
312,201
16.5 % $
1,881
$
314,082
16.6 % $
88,764
$
402,846
21.2 %
(a) w/o - without
32
Our overall homebuilding gross profit decreased to $206.0 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, from $348.3
million in the prior year. The decrease in homebuilding gross profit was driven by (1) impairment charges of $110.0 million
primarily related to impairments recognized during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 for projects in progress in California and (2)
a slight decrease in revenue and gross margin for non-impaired communities. Interest amortized to homebuilding cost of sales
increased by $2.7 million year-over-year (refer to Note 5 and Note 6 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements in this
Form 10-K for additional details). When excluding the impact of impairments and abandonments and interest, year-over-year
gross profit decreased by $30.5 million while our gross margin decreased by 150 basis points to 19.7%. The year-over-year change
in gross margin is due to a variety of factors, including: (1) mix of closings between geographies/markets, individual communities
within each market, and product type; (2) our pricing strategies, including margin impact on homes closed during the current fiscal
year; (3) increased focus on managing our house costs and improving cycle times; (4) fluctuations in discrete items in the current
period such as warranty costs; and (5) the impact of purchase accounting related to our acquisition of Venture Homes. In fiscal
2019, we focused on a continuing objective to simplify our product offerings, which includes streamlining our plan and structural
options and design studio offerings to improve efficiency and reduce costs. We expect these efforts to positively contribute to our
gross margin in the future.
Our overall homebuilding gross profit increased to $348.3 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, from $312.2
million in the prior year. The increase was driven by growth in homebuilding revenue of $181.5 million combined with slightly
higher gross margin. However, as shown in the tables above, the comparability of our gross profit and gross margin was modestly
impacted by certain items. Specifically, interest amortized to homebuilding cost of sales increased by $2.4 million year-over-year,
and impairment and abandonment charges decreased by $0.9 million over the same period. When excluding the impact of
impairments and abandonments, interest, and non-recurring items, year-over-year gross profit increased by $37.6 million while
our gross margin remained flat at 21.2%.
Measures of homebuilding gross profit and gross margin after excluding inventory impairments and abandonments, interest
amortized to cost of sales, and other non-recurring items are not GAAP financial measures. These measures should not be considered
alternatives to homebuilding gross profit and gross margin determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating
performance.
In particular, the magnitude and volatility of non-cash inventory impairment and abandonment charges for the Company and other
homebuilders have been significant historically and, as such, have made financial analysis of our industry more difficult.
Homebuilding metrics excluding these charges, as well as interest amortized to cost of sales and other similar presentations by
analysts and other companies, are frequently used to assist investors in understanding and comparing the operating characteristics
of homebuilding activities by eliminating many of the differences in companies' respective level of impairments and levels of
debt. Management believes these non-GAAP measures enable holders of our securities to better understand the cash implications
of our operating performance and our ability to service our debt obligations as they currently exist and as additional indebtedness
is incurred in the future. These measures are also useful internally, helping management to compare operating results and to measure
cash available for discretionary spending.
In a given period, our reported gross profit is generated from both communities previously impaired and communities not previously
impaired. In addition, as indicated above, certain gross profit amounts arise from recoveries of prior period costs, including warranty
items that are not directly tied to communities generating revenue in the period. Home closings from communities previously
impaired would, in most instances, generate very low or negative gross margins prior to the impact of the impairment. Gross
margin for each home closing is higher for a particular community after an impairment because the carrying value of the underlying
land was reduced to the present value of future cash flows as a result of the impairment, leading to lower cost of sales at the home
closing. This improvement in gross margin resulting from one or more prior impairments is frequently referred to in the aggregate
as the “impairment turn” or “flow-back” of impairments within the reporting period. The amount of this impairment turn may
exceed the gross margin for an individual impaired asset if the gross margin for that asset prior to the impairment would have been
negative. The extent to which this impairment turn is greater than the reported gross margin for the individual asset is related to
the specific historical cost basis of that individual asset.
33
The asset valuations that result from our impairment calculations are based on discounted cash flow analyses and are not derived
by simply applying prospective gross margins to individual communities. As such, impaired communities may have gross margins
that are somewhat higher or lower than the gross margins for unimpaired communities. The mix of home closings in any particular
quarter varies to such an extent that comparisons between previously impaired and never impaired communities would not be a
reliable way to ascertain profitability trends or to assess the accuracy of previous valuation estimates. In addition, since any amount
of impairment turn is tied to individual lots in specific communities, it will vary considerably from period to period. As a result
of these factors, we review the impairment turn impact on gross margin on a trailing 12-month basis rather than a quarterly basis
as a way of considering whether our impairment calculations are resulting in gross margins for impaired communities that are
comparable to our unimpaired communities. For fiscal 2019, our homebuilding gross margin was 9.9% and excluding interest and
inventory impairments and abandonments, it was 19.7%. For the same period, homebuilding gross margin was as follows in those
communities that have previously been impaired, which represented 9.3% of total closings during fiscal 2019:
Homebuilding Gross Margin from previously impaired communities:
Pre-impairment turn gross margin
Impact of interest amortized to COS related to these communities
Pre-impairment turn gross margin, excluding interest amortization
Impact of impairment turns
Gross margin (post impairment turns), excluding interest amortization
(1.2)%
5.1 %
3.9 %
15.3 %
19.2 %
For a further discussion of our impairment policies and communities impaired during the current and prior two fiscal years, refer
to Notes 2 and 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K.
Land Sales and Other Revenues and Gross Profit (Loss)
Land sales relate to land and lots sold that did not fit within our homebuilding programs and strategic plans in certain markets.
Other revenues included net fees we received for general contractor services that we performed on behalf of a third party and
broker fees. The following tables summarize our land sales and other revenues and related gross profit (loss) by reportable segment
for the periods presented:
$ in thousands
West
East
Southeast
Total
$ in thousands
West
East
Southeast
Corporate and unallocated (a)
Total
2019
2018
2017
19 v 18
18 v 17
Land Sales and Other Revenues
$
$
$
$
1,725
$
15,204
$
8,572
197
13,853
716
10,494
$
29,773
$
1,758
17,837
828
20,423
(88.7)%
(38.1)%
(72.5)%
(64.8)%
Land Sales and Other Gross Profit (Loss)
2019
2018
2017
(37,854) $
208
(65)
(2,287)
(39,998) $
1,708
$
321
(3,153)
(2,136)
(3,260) $
732
(119)
50
—
663
19 v 18
(2,316.3)%
(35.2)%
97.9 %
(7.1)%
(1,126.9)%
764.8 %
(22.3)%
(13.5)%
45.8 %
18 v 17
133.3 %
369.7 %
(6,406.0)%
n/m
(591.7)%
(a) Corporate and unallocated includes interest and indirect costs related to land sold that was expensed.
n/m - indicates the percentage is “not meaningful.”
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, land sales and other gross profit (loss) was impacted by a $38.6 million of impairment
charges recognized during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 related to six land held for sale parcels in California. Two of these
parcels were sold in the fourth quarter for amounts approximately equal to their carrying costs. While steps to sell our remaining
land held for sale assets have been taken, the timing of completion of such asset dispositions is unknown.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, we recognized impairment charges in our Southeast and Corporate and unallocated
segments of approximately $3.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively, related to a community in our Atlanta market. Please see
Note 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for additional details.
34
To further support our efforts to reduce leverage, we continued to focus on closing a number of land sales for land positions that
did not fit within our strategic plans. Future land and lot sales will depend on a variety of factors, including local market conditions,
individual community performance, and changing strategic plans.
Operating (Loss) Income
The table below summarizes operating (loss) income by reportable segment for the periods presented:
in thousands
West
East (a)
Southeast
Corporate and Unallocated (b)
Operating (loss) income (c)
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
19 v 18
18 v 17
$
$
(5,492) $
142,310
$
110,600
$
(147,802) $
31,710
51,576
40,165
57,372
45,950
58,191
53,905
(5,796)
(5,785)
(176,145)
(89,896) $
(164,084)
81,548
$
(160,558)
62,138
$
(12,061)
(171,444) $
(819)
(7,955)
(3,526)
19,410
(a) Operating (loss) income for our East segment for the year ended September 30, 2017 was impacted by a charge to G&A of $2.7
million related to the write-off of a deposit on a legacy investment in a development site that we deemed uncollectible.
(b) Corporate and unallocated operating loss includes amortization of capitalized interest and capitalized indirect costs, expenses
related to numerous shared services functions that benefit all segments but are not allocated to the operating segments, and
certain other amounts that are not allocated to our operating segments.
(c) Operating (loss) income is impacted by impairment and abandonment charges incurred during the periods presented (see Note
5 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K).
Our operating income decreased by $171.4 million to a loss of $89.9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, compared
to income of $81.5 million for fiscal 2018. The decrease was primarily driven by the previously discussed decline in gross profit
due to impairment charges recognized during the second quarter of fiscal 2019, partially offset by lower SG&A costs compared
to the prior year. Commissions and G&A declined year-over-year as a percentage of total revenue by approximately 10 and 30
basis points.
Our operating income increased by $19.4 million to $81.5 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, compared to
$62.1 million for fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to a $36.1 million increase in homebuilding profit, partially offset
by a decrease in land sales and other gross profit, an increase in commissions expense on higher homebuilding revenue, and an
increase in G&A costs due to overall business growth. However, commissions and G&A declined year-over-year as a percentage
of total revenue by approximately 6 basis points and 44 basis points, respectively. Also, as previously discussed, fiscal 2017
included a $2.7 million write-off of a deposit on a legacy investment in a development site that we deemed uncollectible. No such
write-off was recognized during fiscal 2018. As a percentage of total revenue, our operating income was 3.9% for fiscal 2018
compared to 3.2% for fiscal 2017.
Below operating income, we had two noteworthy fluctuations between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 as follows: (1) we experienced
a decline in other expense, net, primarily attributable to a year-over-year decrease in interest costs not qualified for capitalization;
and (2) we recorded a loss of $24.9 million on the extinguishment of debt as compared to $27.8 million in the prior year due to
the management of our debt portfolio. See the notes to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for additional
discussion of these matters.
Income taxes
Our income tax assets and liabilities and related effective tax rate are affected by various factors, the most significant of which is
the valuation allowance recorded against a portion of our deferred tax assets. Due to the effect of our valuation allowance adjustments
beginning in fiscal 2008, a comparison of our annual effective tax rates must consider the changes in our valuation allowance. As
such, our effective tax rates have not been meaningful metrics, as our income tax expense/benefit was not directly correlated to
the amount of pretax income or loss for the associated periods. Beginning in fiscal 2016, the Company began using an annualized
effective tax rate in interim periods to determine its income tax expense/benefit, which we believe more closely correlates with
our periodic pretax income or loss. The annualized effective tax rate will continue to be impacted by discrete tax items.
The income tax benefit recorded during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 resulted from our loss from operations and
the generation of additional federal tax credits.
35
The income tax expense recorded during our fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 resulted from our income from operations and
the remeasurement of deferred tax asset at the newly enacted 21.0% federal tax rate, partially offset by the generation of federal
tax credits and an additional benefit resulting from changes in our valuation allowance. The valuation allowance on all of our
federal tax net operating losses and credits as well as portions of our state net losses was reduced due to our determination that it
is more likely than not that these assets will be realized.
The income tax expense recorded during our fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 resulted from our income from operations,
partially offset by the generation of federal tax credits and an additional benefit resulting from changes in our valuation allowance.
Our valuation allowance on our state net operating losses was reduced due to an increase in our estimate of utilization related to
changes in our uncertain tax positions.
Refer to Note 13 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for a further discussion of our income taxes
and valuation allowance changes.
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 as compared to 2018
West Segment: Homebuilding revenue increased by 1.3% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 compared to the prior fiscal
year due to an increase in ASP of 2.6%, partially offset by a 1.2% decrease in closings. Compared to the prior fiscal year,
homebuilding gross profit decreased by $109.0 million primarily due to a decline in gross margin, from 22.9% in fiscal 2018 to
11.8% in fiscal 2019. The decrease in gross margin resulted primarily from impairment charges recognized during the second
quarter of fiscal 2019 as well as a decline in homebuilding gross margin for non-impaired communities. Excluding impairments,
homebuilding margin decreased to 21.0%, down from 22.9% in the prior year. The decrease in gross margin was driven primarily
by a combination of increased incentives and direct construction costs. The $147.8 million year-over-year decrease in operating
income was the result of the aforementioned impairment charges, partially offset by a decrease in commissions expense on higher
homebuilding revenues and lower G&A costs.
East Segment: Homebuilding revenue decreased by 0.8% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 compared to the prior
fiscal year due to an 10.6% decrease in closings, partially offset by an increase in ASP of 10.9%. Compared to the prior fiscal
year, homebuilding gross profit decreased by $6.3 million due to a decline in homebuilding revenue and lower homebuilding gross
margin, which decreased from 20.0% in fiscal 2018 to 19.0% in fiscal 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to a combination
of increased incentives and a softening in demand during the first half of fiscal 2019. The $5.8 million year-over year decrease in
operating income was a result of the aforementioned decrease in gross profit, partially offset by a decrease in commissions expense
on lower homebuilding revenue and a year-over-year decline in G&A costs.
Southeast Segment: Homebuilding revenue decreased by 1.6% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 compared to the prior
fiscal year due to a decrease in closings of 6.2%, partially offset by a 4.9% increase in ASP. Compared to the prior fiscal year,
homebuilding gross profit decreased by $8.4 million due to the decrease in homebuilding revenue and a decrease in gross margin,
from 18.3% in fiscal 2018 to 17.1% in fiscal 2019. The decrease in gross margin was driven in part by a softening in demand
during the first half of fiscal 2019, a $0.9 million impairment during the first quarter of fiscal 2019, and the impact of purchase
accounting related to our acquisition of Venture Homes. The $5.8 million year-over-year decrease in operating income resulted
from a decline in homebuilding gross profit and higher G&A costs, partially offset by a decrease in commissions expense on lower
homebuilding revenue.
Corporate and Unallocated: Our corporate and unallocated results include amortization of capitalized interest and capitalized
indirect costs, expenses for various shared services functions that benefit all segments but are not allocated, including information
technology, treasury, corporate finance, legal, branding and national marketing, and certain other amounts that are not allocated
to our operating segments. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, corporate and unallocated net costs increased by $12.1
million over the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to (1) a $16.9 million write-off of capitalized interest and indirect
costs related to the impairment of assets in the West and Southeast segments; (2) an increase in the proportion of interest and
indirect costs expensed to cost of sales year-over-year, partially offset by (3) decrease in G&A costs of $7.1 million.
36
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 as compared to 2017
West Segment: Homebuilding revenue increased by 17.4% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 compared to the prior
fiscal year due to a 14.6% increase in closings, led by gains in our Las Vegas and Phoenix markets, and an increase in ASP of
2.5%. Compared to the prior fiscal year, homebuilding gross profit increased by $42.0 million due to the increase in homebuilding
revenue combined with higher homebuilding gross margin, which rose from 21.9% to 22.9%. The increase in gross margin was
primarily driven by our Las Vegas market, where our communities continue to gain momentum, and our Southern California
market, where newer communities are driving margin growth. The $31.7 million year-over-year increase in operating income was
the result of the previously discussed increase in homebuilding gross profit, partially offset by an increase in commissions expense
on higher homebuilding revenue and higher G&A costs associated with growth in the segment.
East Segment: Homebuilding revenue decreased by 4.3% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 compared to the prior
fiscal year due to an 11.6% decrease in closings, partially offset by an 8.3% increase in ASP. Homebuilding gross profit decreased
by $6.9 million over the same period due to a decline in homebuilding revenue and lower homebuilding gross margin, which
decreased from 20.5% in the prior fiscal year to 20.0% in fiscal 2018. The decrease was primarily attributable to the Indianapolis
market, which achieved lower margins due to year-over-year changes in product and community mix. The $0.8 million decrease
in operating income resulted from the aforementioned decrease in gross profit, partially offset by a year-over-year decline in G&A
costs and a decrease in commissions expense on lower homebuilding revenue. In addition, the prior year included a $2.7 million
write-off of a deposit on a legacy land investment, whereas there was no such charge incurred during the current year.
Southeast Segment: Homebuilding revenue increased by 11.0% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 compared to the
prior fiscal year due to a 2.2% increase in closings, primarily driven by the Atlanta market due to the Venture Homes acquisition,
and an 8.7% increase in ASP, offset by the loss of a number of closings due to the disruption from Hurricane Florence. Compared
to the prior fiscal year, homebuilding gross profit increased by $0.9 million due to the increase in homebuilding revenue offset by
a decrease in gross margin, from 20.2% in fiscal 2017 to 18.3% in fiscal 2018. The decrease in gross margin was driven by the
geographic mix of closings between our markets and a $1.0 million impairment on a formerly land held asset. The $8.0 million
year-over-year decrease in operating income resulted from the previously discussed decline in homebuilding gross profit, higher
G&A costs due to growth in the segment, and a $3.2 million impairment of a land held for sale asset in the Atlanta market (see
Note 5 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for discussion of impairment activity).
Corporate and Unallocated: Our corporate and unallocated results include amortization of capitalized interest and capitalized
indirect costs; expenses for various shared services functions that benefit all segments but are not allocated, including information
technology, treasury, corporate finance, legal, branding and national marketing; and certain other amounts that are not allocated
to our operating segments. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, corporate and unallocated net costs increased by $3.5
million over the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to higher corporate costs incurred due to (1) business growth,
including costs associated with the opportunity to increase the scope of our Gatherings projects for active adults; and (2) a $2.1
million write-off of capitalized interest and indirect costs related to the impairment of a land held for sale asset; partially offset
by (4) an increase in the proportion of interest and indirect costs capitalized to inventory within our respective operating segments,
resulting in a decrease to interest expense not qualified for capitalization.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
We are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates. From time to time, we may enter into derivative agreements to manage interest
costs and hedge against risks associated with fluctuating interest rates. However, as of September 30, 2019, we were not a party
to any such derivative agreements. We do not enter into or hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our sources of liquidity include, but are not limited to, cash from operations; proceeds from Senior Notes, our Secured Revolving
Credit Facility (the Facility), and other bank borrowings; the issuance of equity and equity-linked securities; and other external
sources of funds. Our short-term and long-term liquidity depends primarily upon our level of net income, working capital
management (cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other liabilities) and available credit facilities.
Cash and cash equivalents changed as follows for the periods presented:
(In thousands)
Cash provided by operating activities
Cash used in investing activities
Cash used in financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
2019
2018
2017
$
$
$
113,635
(25,125)
(118,964)
(30,454) $
$
54,838
(74,148)
(132,051)
(151,361) $
104,862
(13,783)
(29,746)
61,333
37
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $113.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 compared to $54.8
million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Our primary drivers of operating cash flows are typically cash earnings and
changes in inventory levels, including land acquisition and land development spending. Net cash provided by operating activities
for fiscal 2019 was driven primarily by a net decrease in inventory of $42.9 million, and loss from continuing operations before
income taxes of $116.6 million, which included non-cash impairment charges of $148.6 million, loss on debt extinguishment of
$24.9 million and other non-cash charges of $25.0 million, partially offset by a net increase in non-inventory working capital
assets of $1.4 million and a net decrease in trade accounts payable and other current liabilities of $9.7 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 was $54.8 million compared to $104.9
million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2018 was driven primarily
by income from continuing operations before income taxes of $49.4 million, which included $34.2 million of non-cash charges,
and a $43.3 million decrease in non-inventory working capital balances, partially offset by a net increase in inventory of $95.8
million resulting from land acquisition, land development, and house construction spending to support future growth. This net
increase in inventory excludes the initial cash paid to acquire inventory from Venture Homes, which is included in investing cash
flows due to our treatment of the acquisition as a business combination (refer to "Investing Activities" below for discussion of the
cash flow impact of the Venture Homes acquisition; also refer to Note 2 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements for
additional details regarding the Venture Homes acquisition).
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $25.1 million for fiscal year 2019 compared to $74.1 million in fiscal 2018 and $13.8
million in fiscal 2017. For both fiscal 2019 and 2018, net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to capital expenditures
for model homes as well as the acquisition of Venture Homes (refer to Note 2 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements
included in this Form 10-K for discussion of the Venture Homes acquisition). For fiscal 2017, net cash used in investing activities
was primarily driven by capital expenditures for model homes, partially offset by the receipt of proceeds from the sale of fixed
assets and the return of capital from unconsolidated entities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities of $119.0 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to the
repayment of certain debt issuances (including our 2022, 2023, 2025, and 2027 Senior Notes and other secured notes payable),
the payment of cash for debt issuance costs, repurchase of common stock, partially offset by the proceeds received from the
issuance of Senior Notes due 2029 as well as the Senior Unsecured Term Loan (refer to Note 8 of the notes to our consolidated
financial statements included in this Form 10-K, as well as discussion below).
Net cash used in financing activities during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 was $132.1 million, primarily due to the
repayment of certain debt issuances (including our 2019 and 2023 Senior Notes and other miscellaneous borrowings) and the
payment of cash for debt issuance costs related to our Senior Notes due 2027, offset by the proceeds received from the issuance
of Senior Notes due 2027. Net cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 was $29.7 million,
primarily due to the repayment of certain debt issuances (including our 2021 Senior Notes, the then outstanding Term Loan, and
other miscellaneous borrowings) and the payment of cash for debt issuance costs related to our Senior Notes due 2025, offset by
the proceeds received from the issuance of Senior Notes due 2025.
Financial Position
As of September 30, 2019, our liquidity position consisted of the following:
•
•
•
$106.7 million in cash and cash equivalents;
$250.0 million of remaining capacity under the Facility; and
$16.1 million of restricted cash, the majority of which is used to secure certain stand-alone letters of credit.
While we believe we possess sufficient liquidity, we are mindful of potential short-term or seasonal requirements for enhanced
liquidity that may arise to operate and grow our business. We expect to be able to meet our liquidity needs in fiscal 2020 and to
maintain a significant liquidity position, subject to changes in market conditions that would alter our expectations for land
acquisition and land development expenditures or capital market transactions, which could increase or decrease our cash balance
on a period-to-period basis.
38
Debt
In September 2019, the Company entered into an unsecured amortizing term loan agreement in an aggregate principal amount of
$150.0 million maturing in September 2022 with annual repayment installment provisions and a fixed rate of 4.875%. In September
2019, we also issued and sold $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% unsecured Senior Notes due October 2029 at
par (before underwriting and other issuance costs) through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers (the 2029 Notes).
Using the proceeds from the term loan agreement, the 2029 Notes and cash on hand, we redeemed our outstanding 8.75% unsecured
Senior Notes due March 2022 of $500.0 million, and recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $25.2 million, which was net of
a $1.9 million non-cash write-off of debt issuance and discount costs. As a result, the Company terminated, cancelled, and discharged
all of its obligations under the 2022 Notes.
During fiscal 2019, we also redeemed the following debt issuances, which resulted in a net reduction of our outstanding debt of
$51.3 million after considering the issuances described above: (1) all of our unsecured Senior Notes due February 2023, which
had a balance of $24.8 million as of the beginning of the current fiscal year; (2) $20.4 million of our unsecured Senior Notes due
March 2025, which had a balance of $250.0 million as of the beginning of the current fiscal year; and (3) $6.0 million of our
unsecured Senior Notes due October 2027, which had a balance of $400.0 million as of the beginning of the current fiscal year.
Additionally, we redeemed $2.9 million of loans secured by real estate during the fiscal year. These redemptions resulted in a net
loss on debt extinguishment of $0.3 million.
We generally fulfill our short-term cash requirements with cash generated from our operations and available borrowings.
Additionally, we maintain the Facility, which had a total and available capacity of $250.0 million as of September 30, 2019.
We have also entered into a number of stand-alone, cash-secured letter of credit agreements with banks. These combined facilities
provide for letter of credit needs collateralized by either cash or assets of the Company. We currently have $14.1 million of
outstanding letters of credit under these facilities, secured with cash collateral that is maintained in restricted accounts totaling
$14.8 million.
To provide greater letter of credit capacity, the Company has also entered into a reimbursement agreement, which provides for
the issuance of performance letters of credit, and an unsecured credit agreement that provides for the issuance of up to $50.0
million of standby letters of credit to backstop the Company's obligations under the reimbursement agreement (collectively, the
"Bilateral Facility"). The Bilateral Facility will terminate on June 10, 2021. As of September 30, 2019, the total stated amount of
performance letters of credit issued under the reimbursement agreement was $34.2 million (and the stated amount of the backstop
standby letter of credit issued under the credit agreement was $40.0 million).
In the future, we may from time to time seek to continue to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash repurchases or
in exchange for other debt securities, in open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions, or otherwise. We may also seek
to expand our business through acquisition, which may be funded through cash, additional debt, or equity. In addition, any material
variance from our projected operating results could require us to obtain additional equity or debt financing. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to complete any of these transactions in the future on favorable terms or at all. See Note 8 of the
notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for more information related to our borrowings.
Credit Ratings
Our credit ratings are periodically reviewed by rating agencies. In September 2019, Moody's reaffirmed the Company's issuer
corporate family rating of B3 and stable outlook for the Company. In July 2019, S&P reaffirmed the Company's corporate
credit rating of B- and its positive outlook for the Company. In October 2019, Fitch reaffirmed the Company's long-term issuer
default rating of B- and withdrew ratings for commercial reasons. These ratings and our current credit condition affect, among
other things, our ability to access new capital. Negative changes to these ratings may result in more stringent covenants and
higher interest rates under the terms of any new debt. Our credit ratings could be lowered or rating agencies could issue adverse
commentaries in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations, and liquidity. In particular, a weakening of our financial condition, including any further increase in our leverage or
decrease in our profitability or cash flows, could adversely affect our ability to obtain necessary funds, could result in a credit
rating downgrade or change in outlook, or could otherwise increase our cost of borrowing.
39
Stock Repurchases and Dividends Paid
During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the
repurchase of up to $50.0 million of our outstanding common stock. As part of this program, we executed an accelerated share
repurchase agreement (ASR) in November 2018 to repurchase an aggregate of $16.5 million of our outstanding common stock.
The ASR was completed in December 2018 with a repurchase of approximately 1.6 million shares at an average price per share
of $10.62. In May 2019, we executed an additional ASR to repurchase $10.0 million of our outstanding common stock. The
second ASR was completed in July 2019 with a total of 1.0 million common shares repurchased at an average price per share of
$9.87.
In addition to shares repurchased under ASR agreements, the Company repurchased 0.7 million shares for $8.1 million at an
average price per share of $11.35 through open market transactions and a 10b5-1 plan during fiscal 2019. The Company made
no share repurchases in the prior year. Refer to Note 2 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for
additional discussion of our share repurchases.
The indentures under which our Senior Notes were issued contain certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on the payment
of dividends. There were no dividends paid during our fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, 2018, or 2017.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2019, we controlled 19,875 lots. We owned 14,470, or 72.8%, of these lots and 5,405, or 27.2%, of these lots
were under option contracts with land developers and land bankers, which generally require the payment of cash or the posting
of a letter of credit for the right to acquire lots during a specified period of time at a certain price. We historically have attempted
to control a portion of our land supply through options. As a result of the flexibility that these options provide us, upon a change
in market conditions, we may renegotiate the terms of the options prior to exercise or terminate the agreement. Under option
contracts, purchase of the properties is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by us and the sellers, and our liability
is generally limited to forfeiture of the non-refundable deposits and other non-refundable amounts incurred, which totaled
approximately $78.2 million as of September 30, 2019. The total remaining purchase price, net of cash deposits, committed under
all options was $389.7 million as of September 30, 2019. Based on market conditions and our liquidity, we may further expand
our use of option agreements to supplement our owned inventory supply.
We expect to exercise, subject to market conditions and seller satisfaction of contract terms, most of our option contracts. Various
factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as market conditions, weather conditions, and the timing of the completion
of development activities, will have a significant impact on the timing of option exercises or whether lot options will be exercised
at all.
We have historically funded the exercise of lot options with operating cash flows, which we expect to continue to be adequate to
fund anticipated future option exercises. Therefore, we do not anticipate that the exercise of our lot options will have a material
adverse effect on our liquidity.
Occasionally, we use legal entities in which we have less than a controlling interest. We enter into the majority of these arrangements
with land developers, other homebuilders, and financial partners to acquire attractive land positions, to manage our risk profile,
and to leverage our capital base. The underlying land positions are developed into finished lots for sale to the unconsolidated
entity’s members or other third parties. We account for our interest in unconsolidated entities under the equity method.
Historically, we and our partners have provided varying levels of guarantees of debt or other obligations for our unconsolidated
entities. As of September 30, 2019, we had no repayment guarantees outstanding related to the debt of our unconsolidated entities.
See Note 4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for additional information.
We had outstanding letters of credit and performance bonds of approximately $48.3 million and $276.5 million, respectively, as
of September 30, 2019, related principally to our obligations to local governments to construct roads and other improvements in
various developments.
40
Contractual Commitments
The following table summarizes our aggregate contractual commitments as of September 30, 2019:
(In thousands)
Total
Less than 1 Year
1-3 Years
3-5 Years
More than 5
Years
Payments Due by Period
Senior notes, term loan, junior
subordinated notes, and other secured notes
payable (a)
Interest commitments under senior notes,
term loan, junior subordinated notes, and
other secured notes payable (b)
Obligations related to lots under option
Operating leases
Uncertain tax positions (c)
Total
$
1,225,482
$
51,154
$
100,000
$
— $
1,074,328
585,417
389,705
20,152
—
75,882
209,208
4,749
—
144,446
151,454
8,181
—
137,539
28,308
4,671
—
227,550
735
2,551
—
$
2,220,756
$
340,993
$
404,081
$
170,518
$
1,305,164
(a) For a listing of our borrowings, refer to Note 8 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K.
(b) Interest on variable rate obligations is based on rates effective as of September 30, 2019.
(c) Due to the uncertainty of the timing of settlement with tax authorities, the Company is unable to make reasonably reliable
estimates of the period of cash settlement of unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions. See Note 13 of the
notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for additional information regarding the Company's unrecognized
tax benefits as of September 30, 2019.
We had outstanding performance bonds of approximately $276.5 million as of September 30, 2019, related principally to our
obligations to local governments to construct roads and other improvements in various developments.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our critical accounting policies require the use of judgment in their application and in certain cases require estimates of inherently
uncertain matters. Although our accounting policies are in compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America (GAAP), a change in the facts and circumstances of the underlying transactions could significantly change the
application of the accounting policies and the resulting financial statement impact. It is also possible that other professionals
applying reasonable judgment to the same set of facts and circumstances could reach a different conclusion. Listed below are those
policies that we believe are critical and require the use of complex judgment in their application.
Inventory Valuation - Projects in Progress
Our homebuilding inventories that are accounted for as held for development (projects in progress) include land and home
construction assets grouped together as communities. Homebuilding inventories held for development are stated at cost
(including home construction costs, direct overhead costs, capitalized indirect costs, capitalized interest, real estate taxes and
allocated lot costs) unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. We assess
these assets no less than quarterly for recoverability. We assess these assets no less than quarterly for recoverability. Generally,
upon the commencement of land development activities, it may take three to five years (depending on, among other things, the
size of the community and its sales pace) to fully develop, sell, construct, and close all of the homes in a typical community.
Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to
be generated by the asset. If the expected undiscounted cash flows generated are expected to be less than its carrying amount, an
impairment charge is recorded to write down the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated fair value based on discounted
cash flows.
41
When conducting our community level review for the recoverability of our homebuilding inventory related to projects in progress,
we establish a quarterly “watch list” of communities that carry profit margins in backlog or in our forecast that are below a minimum
threshold of profitability, as well as recent closings that have gross margins less than a specified threshold. In our experience, this
threshold represents a level of profitability that may be an indicator of conditions that would require an asset impairment but does
not necessitate that such an impairment is warranted without additional analysis. Each community is first evaluated qualitatively
to determine if there are temporary factors driving the low profitability levels. Following our qualitative evaluation, communities
with more than ten homes remaining to close are subjected to substantial additional financial and operational analyses and reviews
that consider the competitive environment and other factors contributing to profit margins below our watch list threshold. For
communities where the current competitive and market dynamics indicate that these factors may be other than temporary, which
may call into question the recoverability of our investment, a formal impairment analysis is performed. The formal impairment
analysis consists of both qualitative competitive market analyses and a quantitative analysis reflecting market and asset specific
information.
Our qualitative competitive market analyses include site visits to new home communities of our competitors and written community-
level competitive assessments. A competitive assessment consists of a comparison of our specific community with its competitor
communities, considering square footage of homes offered, amenities offered within the homes and the communities, location,
transportation availability and school districts, among other relevant attributes. In addition, we review the pace of monthly home
sales of our competitor communities in relation to our specific community. We also review other factors, such as the target buyer
and the macro-economic characteristics that impact the performance of our asset, including unemployment and the availability of
mortgage financing, among other things. Based on this qualitative competitive market analysis, adjustments to our sales prices
may be required in order to make our communities competitive. We incorporate these adjusted prices in our quantitative analysis
for the specific community.
The quantitative analyses compare the projected future undiscounted cash flows for each such community with its current carrying
value. This undiscounted cash flow analysis requires important assumptions regarding the location and mix of house plans to be
sold, current and future home sale prices and incentives for each plan, current and future construction costs for each plan, and the
pace of monthly sales to occur today and into the future.
There is uncertainty associated with preparing the undiscounted cash flow analyses because future market conditions will almost
certainly be different, either better or worse, than current conditions. The single most important input to the cash flow analysis is
current and future home sales prices for a specific community. The risk of over or under-stating any of the important cash flow
variables, including home prices, is greater with longer-lived communities and within markets that have historically experienced
greater home price volatility. In an effort to address these risks, we consider some home price and construction cost appreciation
in future years for certain communities that are expected to be selling for more than three years and/or if the market has typically
exhibited high levels of price volatility. Absent these assumptions on cost and sales price appreciation, we believe the long-term
cash flow analysis would be unrealistic and would serve to artificially improve expected future profitability. Finally, we also ensure
that the monthly sales absorptions, including historical seasonal differences of our communities and those of our competitors,
used in our undiscounted cash flow analyses are realistic, consider our development schedules, and relate to those achieved by
our competitors for the specific communities.
If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows from our quantitative analyses are in excess of the carrying value, the asset is considered
to be recoverable and is not impaired. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying or book value, we perform
a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of the community. The fair value of the community is estimated using
the present value of the estimated future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risk associated with the underlying
community assets. The discount rate used may be different for each community. The factors considered when determining an
appropriate discount rate for a community include, among others: (1) community specific factors such as the number of lots in
the community, the status of land development in the community, and the competitive factors influencing the sales performance
of the community and (2) overall market factors such as employment levels, consumer confidence, and the existing supply of new
and used homes for sale. If the determined fair value is less than the carrying value of the specific asset, the asset is considered
not recoverable and is written down to its fair value. The carrying value of assets in communities that were previously impaired
and continue to be classified as projects in progress is not increased for future estimates of increases in fair value in future reporting
periods. However, market deterioration that exceeds our initial estimates may lead us to incur impairment charges on previously
impaired homebuilding assets, in addition to homebuilding assets not currently impaired but for which indicators of impairment
may arise if markets deteriorate.
42
Asset Valuation - Land Held for Future Development
For those communities that have been idled (land held for future development), all applicable carrying costs, such as interest and
real estate taxes, are expensed as incurred, and the inventory is stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that the
carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable, such as the future enactment of a development plan or the occurrence of
outside events. We evaluate the potential plans for each community in land held for future development if changes in facts and
circumstances occur that would give rise to a more detailed analysis for a change in the status of a community.
Asset Valuation - Land Held for Sale
We record assets held for sale at the lower of the asset's carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. The following criteria are
used to determine if land is held for sale:
• management has the authority and commits to a plan to sell the land;
•
•
•
•
•
the land is available for immediate sale in its present condition;
there is an active program to locate a buyer and the plan to sell the property has been initiated;
the sale of the land is probable within one year;
the property is being actively marketed at a reasonable sales price relative to its current fair value; and
it is unlikely that the plan to sell will be withdrawn or that significant changes to the plan will be made.
Additionally, in certain circumstances, such as a change in strategy, management will re-evaluate the best use of an asset that is
currently being accounted for as held for development. In such instances, management will review, among other things, the current
and projected competitive circumstances of the community, including the level of supply of new and used inventory, the level of
sales absorptions by us and our competition, the level of sales incentives required and the number of owned lots remaining in the
community. If, based on this review, we believe that the best use of the asset is the sale of all or a portion of the asset in its current
condition, then all or portions of the community are accounted for as held for sale if the foregoing criteria have been met as of the
end of the applicable reporting period.
In determining the fair value of the assets less cost to sell, we consider factors including current sales prices for comparable assets
in the area, recent market analysis studies, appraisals, any recent legitimate offers and listing prices of similar properties. If the
estimated fair value less cost to sell of an asset is less than its current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair
value less cost to sell.
Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates used in
our historical analyses. Our assumptions about land sales prices require significant judgment because the market is highly sensitive
to changes in economic conditions. We calculate the estimated fair values of land held for sale based on current market conditions
and assumptions made by management, which may differ materially from actual results and may result in additional impairments
if market conditions deteriorate.
Revenue Recognition
On October 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,
and ASC 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs - Contracts with Customers, collectively referred to as ASC 606. ASC 606
provides a new model for accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers that supersedes most revenue recognition
guidance. Under the new guidance, entities are required to recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which
the entity expects to be entitled upon transferring control of goods or services to a customer. As part of our adoption of ASC 606,
we applied the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not completed as of October 1, 2018. Further, results for
reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted
and continue to be reported under the previous accounting standards. The adoption of ASC 606 had no impact on opening retained
earnings and did not materially affect the amount or timing of our revenue.
We recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which
we expect to be entitled by applying the following five-step process specified in ASC 606.
•
•
Identify the contract(s) with a customer
Identify the performance obligations
43
• Determine the transaction price
• Allocate the transaction price
• Recognize revenue when the performance obligations are met
Homebuilding revenue
Homebuilding revenue is reported net of any discounts and incentives and is generally recognized when title to and possession of
the home are transferred to the buyer at the closing date. The performance obligation to deliver the home is generally satisfied in
less than one year from the original contract date. Home sale contract assets consist of cash from home closings held in escrow
for our benefit, typically for less than five days, and are considered deposits in-transit and classified as cash.
Land sales and other revenue
Land sales revenue relates to land that does not fit within our homebuilding programs and strategic plans. Land sales typically
require cash consideration on the closing date, which is generally when performance obligations are satisfied. In some periods,
we also have other revenue related to broker fees as well as fees received for general contractor services that we perform on behalf
of third parties. Revenue for broker and general contractor services are typically immaterial and are generally recognized as
performance obligations are satisfied.
Warranty Reserves
We currently provide a limited warranty ranging from one to two years covering workmanship and materials per our defined
quality standards. In addition, we provide a limited warranty for up to ten years covering only certain defined structural element
failures.
Since we subcontract our homebuilding work to other companies whose agreements generally include an indemnity obligation
and a requirement that certain minimum insurance requirements be met, including that they provide us with a certificate of insurance
prior to receiving payments for their work, claims relating to workmanship and materials are generally the primary responsibility
of our subcontractors.
Warranty reserves are included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. We record reserves covering our anticipated
warranty expense for each home closed. Management reviews the adequacy of warranty reserves each reporting period based on
historical experience and management's estimate of the costs to remediate any claims and adjusts these provisions accordingly.
Our review includes a quarterly analysis of the historical data and trends in warranty expense by division. An analysis by division
allows us to consider market specific factors such as our warranty experience, the number of home closings, the prices of homes,
product mix, and other data in estimating our warranty reserves. In addition, our analysis also factors in the existence of any non-
recurring or community-specific warranty matters that might not be contemplated in our historical data and trends. The cost of
material non-recurring or community-specific warranty matters is often separately estimated based on management's judgment
of the ultimate cost of repair for that specific issue. As a result of our analyses, we adjust our estimated warranty liabilities on a
quarterly basis. Based on historical results, we believe that our existing estimation process is accurate and do not anticipate the
process to materially change in the future. Our estimation process for such accruals is discussed in Note 9 of notes to the consolidated
financial statements in this Form 10-K. While we believe that our current warranty reserves are adequate, there can be no assurances
that historical data and trends will accurately predict our actual warranty costs or that future developments might not lead to a
significant change in the reserve.
Income Taxes - Valuation Allowance and Ownership Change
Judgment is required in estimating valuation allowances for deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation
allowance if an assessment of their components indicates that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of these assets will
not be realized. The realization of a deferred tax asset ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income in either
the carryback or carryforward periods under tax law. We assess the need for valuation allowances for deferred tax assets based on
more-likely-than-not realization threshold criteria. In our assessment, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative
evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, (1) the nature,
frequency and severity of any current and cumulative losses; (2) forecasts of future profitability; (3) the duration of statutory
carryforward periods; (4) our experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards not expiring unused; (5) the Section 382
limitation on our ability to carryforward pre-ownership change net operating losses; (6) recognized built-in losses or deductions;
and (7) tax planning alternatives.
44
Our assessment of the need for the valuation of deferred tax assets includes assessing the likely future tax consequences of events
that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We base our estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities on
current tax laws and rates and, in certain cases, business plans and other expectations about future outcomes. Changes in existing
tax laws or rates could affect actual tax results and future business results may affect the amount of deferred tax liabilities or the
valuation of deferred tax assets over time. Our accounting for deferred tax consequences represents our best estimate of future
events. Although it is possible there will be changes that are not anticipated in our current estimates, we believe it is unlikely such
changes would have a material period-to-period impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
During fiscal 2008, we determined that it was not more likely than not that substantially all of our deferred tax assets would be
realized and, therefore, we established a valuation allowance on substantially all of our deferred tax assets. Each period, we
evaluated the continued need for the valuation allowance based on extensive quantitative and qualitative factors, a process that
requires significant estimates to be made. As of September 30, 2015, we determined that it was appropriate to release a substantial
portion of our valuation allowance, generating a non-cash tax benefit. Based on the available evidence and recent operating trends,
as of September 30, 2018 we determined that it was appropriate to release an additional portion of our valuation allowance, which
also generated a non-cash tax benefit. As of September 30, 2019, our conclusions on whether we are more likely than not to realize
all of our federal tax attributes and certain portions of our state tax attributes remain consistent with our fiscal 2018 determinations.
For fiscal 2019, a number of additional positive and negative factors were considered as part of our analysis. The negative factors
for fiscal 2019 included current period operating losses, primarily a result of impairments recorded on a number of long held assets
in our California submarkets and a loss on debt extinguishment charge in the fourth quarter. The positive factors included a recovery
in housing demand throughout the year that resulted in backlog levels consistent with prior year, interest savings from our newly
issued debt, a new multi-year debt reduction strategy, and additional changes in our taxable income as we continue to account for
the changes to the tax code under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the related state impacts. These analyses, while rooted in actual
Company performance, are highly subjective and rely on certain estimates, including forecasts, which could be very different from
actual results.
We experienced an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 382) as of January 12,
2010. Section 382 contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an “ownership change” to utilize its net operating
loss carryforward and certain built-in losses or deductions recognized during the five-year period after the ownership change.
Therefore, our ability to utilize our pre-ownership change net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards and certain recognized built-
in losses or deductions is substantially limited by Section 382. There can be no assurance that another ownership change, as defined
in the tax law, will not occur. If another “ownership change” occurs, a new annual limitation on the utilization of net operating
losses would be determined as of that date. This limitation, should one be required in the future, is subject to assumptions and
estimates that could differ from actual results.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to a number of market risks in the ordinary course of business. Our primary market risk exposure relates to
fluctuations in interest rates. We do not believe that our exposure in this area is material to our cash flows or results of operations.
As of September 30, 2019, our Junior Subordinated Notes were our only variable-rate debt outstanding. A one percent increase
in the interest rate for these notes would result in an increase of our interest expense by approximately $1.0 million over the next
twelve-month period. The estimated fair value of our fixed rate debt as of September 30, 2019 was $1.12 billion, compared to a
carrying value of $1.11 billion. The effect of a hypothetical one-percentage point decrease in our estimated discount rates would
increase the estimated fair value of the fixed rate debt instruments from $1.12 billion to $1.18 billion as of September 30, 2019.
45
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
in thousands (except share and per share data)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $304 and $378, respectively)
Income tax receivable
Owned inventory
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Deferred tax assets, net
Property and equipment, net
Goodwill
Other assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Trade accounts payable
Other liabilities
Total debt (net of premium of $0 and $2,640, respectively, and debt issuance costs of
$12,470 and $14,336, respectively)
Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity:
September 30,
2019
September 30,
2018
$
106,741
$
139,805
16,053
26,395
4,935
13,443
24,647
—
1,504,248
1,692,284
3,962
246,957
27,421
11,376
9,556
4,035
213,955
20,843
9,751
9,339
$
$
1,957,644
$
2,128,102
131,152
$
109,429
126,432
126,389
1,178,309
1,418,890
1,231,254
1,484,075
Preferred stock (par value $0.01 per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued)
Common stock (par value $0.001 per share, 63,000,000 shares authorized, 30,933,110 issued
and outstanding and 33,522,046 issued and outstanding, respectively)
—
31
—
34
Paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
854,275
(315,552)
538,754
880,025
(236,032)
644,027
$
1,957,644
$
2,128,102
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
46
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
in thousands (except per share data)
Total revenue
Home construction and land sales expenses
Inventory impairments and abandonments
Gross profit
Commissions
General and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Operating (loss) income
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
Other expense, net
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
(Benefit) expense from income taxes
(Loss) income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net (loss) income
Weighted-average number of shares:
Basic
Diluted
Basic (loss) income per share:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total
Diluted (loss) income per share:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
2,087,739
$
2,107,133
$
1,916,278
1,773,085
1,755,619
1,600,969
148,618
166,036
79,802
161,371
14,759
(89,896)
404
(24,920)
(2,226)
(116,638)
(37,217)
(79,421)
(99)
6,499
345,015
81,002
168,658
13,807
81,548
34
(27,839)
(4,305)
49,438
94,484
(45,046)
(329)
$
(79,520) $
(45,375) $
30,617
30,617
32,141
32,141
$
$
$
$
(2.59) $
(0.01)
(2.60) $
(2.59) $
(0.01)
(2.60) $
(1.40) $
(0.01)
(1.41) $
(1.40) $
(0.01)
(1.41) $
2,445
312,864
74,811
161,906
14,009
62,138
371
(12,630)
(15,230)
34,649
2,696
31,953
(140)
31,813
31,952
32,426
1.00
—
1.00
0.99
—
0.99
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
47
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
in thousands
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Balance as of September 30, 2016
33,071
$
Net income and comprehensive income
Amortization of nonvested stock awards
Exercises of stock options
Shares issued under employee stock plans, net
Forfeiture of restricted stock
Common stock redeemed for tax liability
Balance as of September 30, 2017
Net loss and comprehensive loss
Amortization of nonvested stock awards
Exercises of stock options
Shares issued under employee stock plans, net
Forfeiture of restricted stock
Common stock redeemed for tax liability
—
—
2
536
(61)
(32)
33,516
$
—
—
8
443
(216)
(229)
33
—
—
—
1
—
—
34
—
—
—
—
—
—
Other activity
— $
— $
Balance as of September 30, 2018
Net loss and comprehensive loss
Amortization of nonvested stock awards
Exercises of stock options
Shares issued under employee stock plans, net
Forfeiture of restricted stock
Common stock redeemed for tax liability
Share repurchases
Balance as of September 30, 2019
33,522
$
—
—
32
917
(68)
(185)
(3,285)
30,933
$
Paid in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
$
865,290
$
(222,470) $
642,853
—
8,164
24
—
—
(415)
31,813
—
—
—
—
31,813
8,164
24
1
—
(415)
$
873,063
$
(190,657) $
682,440
—
10,258
64
—
—
(3,378)
18
34
—
—
—
—
—
—
(3)
$
880,025
—
10,526
314
—
—
(1,969)
(34,621)
(45,375)
—
—
—
—
—
— $
(45,375)
10,258
64
—
—
(3,378)
18
(236,032) $
644,027
$
$
(79,520)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(79,520)
10,526
314
—
—
(1,969)
(34,624)
31
$
854,275
$
(315,552) $
538,754
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
48
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
in thousands
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
(79,520) $
(45,375) $
31,813
Depreciation and amortization
Stock-based compensation expense
Inventory impairments and abandonments
Deferred and other income tax (benefit) expense
Write-off of deposit on legacy land investment
Gain on sale of fixed assets
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities
Cash distributions of income from unconsolidated entities
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable
Decrease in income tax receivable
Decrease (increase) in inventory
Decrease (increase) in other assets
Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Acquisition, net of cash acquired
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities and marketable securities
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt
Proceeds from issuance of new debt
Repayment of borrowings from credit facility
Borrowings from credit facility
Debt issuance costs
Repurchase of common stock
Tax payments for stock-based compensation awards
Stock option exercises
Net cash used in financing activities
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period
$
14,759
10,526
148,618
(37,245)
—
(232)
(74)
(403)
408
24,920
(1,674)
—
42,927
323
4,720
(14,418)
113,635
(21,356)
251
(4,088)
—
68
(25,125)
(576,548)
500,000
(425,000)
425,000
(6,137)
(34,624)
(1,969)
314
(118,964)
(30,454)
153,248
122,794
13,807
10,258
6,949
93,935
—
(351)
48
(127)
331
27,839
11,875
88
(95,809)
(1,300)
17,492
15,178
54,838
(17,020)
370
(57,253)
(421)
176
(74,148)
(522,465)
400,000
(225,000)
225,000
(6,272)
—
(3,378)
64
(132,051)
(151,361)
304,609
153,248
$
$
14,009
8,159
2,445
678
2,700
(294)
(24)
(401)
171
12,630
16,927
204
41,911
(168)
(690)
(25,208)
104,862
(12,440)
297
—
(3,261)
1,621
(13,783)
(274,436)
250,000
(25,000)
25,000
(4,919)
—
(415)
24
(29,746)
61,333
243,276
304,609
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
49
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Description of Business
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Beazer,” “Beazer Homes” and the “Company”) is a geographically diversified
homebuilder with active operations in 13 states within three geographic regions in the United States: the West, East and Southeast.
Our homes are designed to appeal to homeowners at different price points across various demographic segments, and are generally
offered for sale in advance of their construction. Our objective is to provide our customers with homes that incorporate extraordinary
value and quality, while seeking to maximize our return on invested capital over the course of a housing cycle.
(2) Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America (GAAP), and present the consolidated financial position, income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows
of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in
consolidation. Our net (loss) income is equivalent to our comprehensive (loss) income, so we have not presented a separate
statement of comprehensive loss (income).
In the past, we have discontinued homebuilding operations in various markets. Results from certain of these exited markets are
reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented (see Note
20 for a further discussion of our discontinued operations).
Our fiscal year 2019 began on October 1, 2018 and ended on September 30, 2019. Our fiscal year 2018 began on October 1, 2017
and ended on September 30, 2018. Our fiscal year 2017 began on October 1, 2016 and ended on September 30, 2017.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make informed estimates and judgments
that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Accordingly, actual results could
differ from these estimates.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, by allocating the purchase price
of the business to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon management's estimates of fair values as of the acquisition
date. Any excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill, which is assigned to
applicable reporting units based on expected revenues. The fair value estimation process includes analyses based on income and
market approaches. Significant judgment is often required in estimating the fair value of assets acquired, particularly inventory
and intangible assets. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, information obtained from the
management of the acquired companies, and the Company’s judgment about the significant assumptions that market participants
would use when determining fair value. The estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a
result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, adjustments to the assets acquired
and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill, are recorded in the reporting period in which the adjustment
amounts are determined. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired
or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded in our results of operations in the reporting
period such adjustments are made.
On July 13, 2018, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets, operations, and certain assumed liabilities of Venture
Homes, a leading private homebuilder in the Atlanta market, for a purchase price of $61.3 million, net of cash acquired. The
acquired assets consisted of more than 1,100 total owned or controlled lots within 27 single-family communities in the greater
Atlanta metropolitan area. The acquired lots included a backlog of 48 homes and 6 model homes. The acquired assets and
liabilities were recorded at their estimated fair values and resulted in inventory of $55.2 million and goodwill of $11.4 million,
and other assets of $0.4 million as well as accounts payable of $5.5 million and other liabilities of $0.2 million.
50
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
We consider highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. As of
September 30, 2019, the majority of our cash and cash equivalents were on demand deposits with major banks. These assets were
valued at par and had no withdrawal restrictions. Restricted cash includes cash restricted by state law or a contractual requirement,
including cash collateral for our outstanding cash-secured letters of credit (refer to Note 8).
Accounts Receivable and Allowance
Accounts receivable include escrow deposits to be received from title companies associated with closed homes, receivables from
municipalities related to the development of utilities or other infrastructure, insurance recovery receivables, rebates to be received
from our suppliers and other miscellaneous receivables. Generally, we receive cash from title companies within a few days of the
home being closed. We regularly review our receivable balances for collectiblity and record an allowance against any receivable
for which collectiblity is deemed to be uncertain.
Inventory
Owned inventory consists solely of residential real estate developments. Inventory includes land acquisition costs, land development
costs, home construction costs, capitalized interest, real estate taxes, direct overhead costs and capitalized indirect costs incurred
during land development and home construction, and common costs that benefit the entire community, less impairments, if any.
Land acquisition, land development and other common costs (both incurred and estimated to be incurred) are allocated to individual
lots on a pro-rata basis, and the cost of individual lots is transferred to homes under construction when home construction begins.
Home construction costs are accumulated on a per-home basis. Cost of home closings includes the specific construction costs of
the home and the allocated lot costs. Any changes to the estimated total development costs of a community or phase are allocated
to the remaining homes to be closed in the community or phase.
Land not owned under option agreements, if outstanding, represents the value of land under option agreements with a variable
interest entity (VIE) where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. VIEs are entities in which (1) equity
investors do not have a controlling financial interest and/or (2) the entity is unable to finance its activities without additional
subordinated financial support from other parties (refer to section below entitled “Land Not Owned Under Option Agreements”
for a further discussion of VIEs). In addition, when our deposits and pre-acquisition development costs exceed certain thresholds,
we record the remaining purchase price of the lots as consolidated inventory not owned and obligations related to consolidated
inventory not owned on our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 5 for a further discussion and detail of our inventory
balance.
Inventory Valuation - Projects in Progress
Our homebuilding inventories that are accounted for as held for development (projects in progress) include land and home
construction assets grouped together as communities. Homebuilding inventories held for development are stated at cost (including
home construction costs, direct overhead costs, capitalized indirect costs, capitalized interest, real estate taxes and allocated lot
costs) unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. We assess these assets
no less than quarterly for recoverability. Generally, upon the commencement of land development activities, it may take three to
five years (depending on, among other things, the size of the community and its sales pace) to fully develop, sell, construct and
close all the homes in a typical community. Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to
future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the expected undiscounted cash flows generated are less
than its carrying amount, an impairment charge is recorded to write down the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated fair
value based on discounted cash flows.
When conducting our community level review for the recoverability of our homebuilding inventory related to projects in progress,
we establish a quarterly “watch list” of communities that carry profit margins in backlog or in our forecast that are below a minimum
threshold of profitability, as well as recent closings that have gross margins less than a specified threshold. In our experience, this
threshold represents a level of profitability that may be an indicator of conditions that would require further asset recoverability
assessment. Each identified community is first evaluated qualitatively to determine if there are temporary factors driving the low
profitability levels. Following our qualitative evaluation, communities with more than ten homes remaining to close are subjected
to substantial additional financial and operational analyses and review that consider the competitive environment and other factors
contributing to profit margins below our watch list threshold. For communities where the current competitive and market dynamics
indicate that these factors may be other than temporary, which may call into question the recoverability of our investment, a formal
impairment analysis is performed. The formal impairment analysis consists of both qualitative competitive market analyses and
a quantitative analysis reflecting market and asset specific information.
51
Our qualitative competitive market analyses include site visits to new home communities of our competitors and written community-
level competitive assessments. A competitive assessment consists of a comparison of our specific community with its competitor
communities, considering square footage of homes offered, amenities offered within the homes and the communities, location,
transportation availability and school districts, among other relevant attributes. In addition, we review the pace of monthly home
sales of our competitor communities in relation to our specific community. We also review other factors, such as the target buyer
and the macro-economic characteristics that impact the performance of our asset, including unemployment and the availability of
mortgage financing, among other things. Based on this qualitative competitive market analysis, adjustments to our sales prices
may be required in order to make our communities competitive. We incorporate these adjusted prices in our quantitative analysis
for the specific community.
The quantitative analyses compare the projected future undiscounted cash flows for each such community with its current carrying
value. This undiscounted cash flow analysis requires important assumptions regarding the location and mix of house plans to be
sold, current and future home sale prices and incentives for each plan, current and future construction costs for each plan and the
pace of monthly sales to occur today and into the future.
There is uncertainty associated with preparing the undiscounted cash flow analyses because future market conditions will almost
certainly be different, either better or worse, than current conditions. The single most important input to the cash flow analysis is
current and future home sales prices for a specific community. The risk of over or under-stating any of the important cash flow
variables, including home prices, is greater with longer-lived communities and within markets that have historically experienced
greater home price volatility. To address these risks, we consider some home price and construction cost appreciation in future
years for certain communities that are expected to be selling for more than three years and/or if the market has typically exhibited
high levels of price volatility. Absent these assumptions on cost and sales price appreciation, we believe the long-term cash flow
analysis would be unrealistic and would serve to artificially improve expected future profitability. Finally, we also ensure that the
monthly sales absorptions, including historical seasonal differences of our communities and those of our competitors, used in our
undiscounted cash flow analyses are realistic, considering our development schedules and comparing to those achieved by our
competitors for the comparable communities.
If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows from our quantitative analyses are in excess of the carrying value, the asset is considered
to be recoverable and is not impaired. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, we perform a
discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of the community. The fair value of the community is estimated based
on the present value of the estimated future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risk associated with the
underlying community assets. The discount rate used may be different for each community. The factors considered when
determining an appropriate discount rate for a community include, among others: (1) community specific factors such as the
number of lots in the community, the status of land development in the community and the competitive factors influencing the
sales performance of the community and (2) overall market factors such as employment levels, consumer confidence and the
existing supply of new and used homes for sale. If the determined fair value is less than the carrying value of the specific asset,
the asset is considered not recoverable and is written down to its fair value. The carrying value of assets in communities that were
previously impaired and continue to be classified as projects in progress is not increased for future estimates of increases in fair
value in future reporting periods. However, market deterioration that exceeds our initial estimates may lead us to incur impairment
charges on previously impaired homebuilding assets, in addition to homebuilding assets not currently impaired but for which
indicators of impairment may arise if markets deteriorate.
Asset Valuation - Land Held for Future Development
For those communities that have been idled (land held for future development), all applicable carrying costs, such as interest and
real estate taxes, are expensed as incurred, and the inventory is stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that the
carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable, such as the future enactment of a development plan or the occurrence of
outside events. We evaluate the potential plans for each community in land held for future development if changes in facts and
circumstances occur that would give rise to a more detailed analysis for a change in the status of a community.
Asset Valuation - Land Held for Sale
We record assets held for sale at the lower of the asset's carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. The following criteria are
used to determine if land is held for sale:
• management has the authority and commits to a plan to sell the land;
•
•
the land is available for immediate sale in its present condition;
there is an active program to locate a buyer and the plan to sell the property has been initiated;
52
•
•
•
the sale of the land is probable within one year;
the property is being actively marketed at a reasonable sale price relative to its current fair value; and
it is unlikely that the plan to sell will be withdrawn or that significant changes to the plan will be made.
Additionally, in certain circumstances, such as a change in strategy, management will re-evaluate the best use of an asset that is
currently being accounted for as held for development. In such instances, management will review, among other things, the current
and projected competitive circumstances of the community, including the level of supply of new and used inventory, the level of
sales absorptions by us and our competition, the level of sales incentives required and the number of owned lots remaining in the
community. If, based on this review, we believe that the best use of the asset is the sale of all or a portion of the asset in its current
condition, then all or portions of the community are accounted for as held for sale if the foregoing criteria have been met as of the
end of the applicable reporting period.
In determining the fair value of the assets less cost to sell, we consider factors including current sales prices for comparable assets
in the area, recent market analysis studies, appraisals, any recent legitimate offers and listing prices of similar properties. If the
estimated fair value less cost to sell of an asset is less than its current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair
value less cost to sell.
Land Not Owned Under Option Agreements
In addition to purchasing land directly, we utilize lot option agreements that enable us to defer acquiring portions of properties
owned by third parties and unconsolidated entities until we have determined whether to exercise our lot option. The majority of
our lot option contracts require a non-refundable cash deposit or irrevocable letter of credit based on a percentage of the purchase
price of the land for the right to acquire lots during a specified period at a specified price. Purchase of the properties under these
agreements is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by us and the sellers. Under lot option contracts, our liability
is generally limited to forfeiture of the non-refundable deposits, letters of credit and other non-refundable amounts incurred. If
the Company cancels a lot option agreement, it would result in a write-off of the related deposits and pre-acquisition costs, but
would not expose the Company to the overall risks or losses of the applicable entity we are purchasing from.
In accordance with GAAP, if the entity holding the land under option is a VIE, the Company's deposit represents a variable interest
in that entity. To determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we are first required to evaluate whether we have
the ability to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. Such activities include,
but are not limited to, (1) the ability to determine the budget and scope of land development work, if any; (2) the ability to control
financing decisions for the VIE; (3) the ability to acquire additional land into the VIE or dispose of land in the VIE not under
contract with Beazer; and (4) the ability to change or amend the existing option contract with the VIE. If we are not determined
to control such activities, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE and thus do not consolidate the VIE. If we do
have the ability to control such activities, we will continue our analysis by determining if we are expected to absorb a potentially
significant amount of the VIE's losses or, if no party absorbs the majority of such losses, if we will benefit from potentially a
significant amount of the VIE's expected gains.
If we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we will consolidate the VIE even though creditors of the VIE have no recourse against
the Company. For those we consolidate, we record the remaining contractual purchase price under the applicable lot option
agreement, net of cash deposits already paid, to land not owned under option agreements with an offsetting increase to obligations
related to land not owned under option agreements on our consolidated balance sheets. Also, to reflect the total purchase price of
this inventory on a consolidated basis, we present the related option deposits as land not owned under option agreement.
Consolidation of these VIEs has no impact on the Company’s statements of operations or cash flows.
53
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
We participate in a number of joint ventures and other investments in which we have less than a controlling interest. We enter into
the majority of these investments with land developers, other homebuilders and financial partners to acquire attractive land positions,
to manage our risk profile and to leverage our capital base. The land positions are developed into finished lots for sale to the
unconsolidated entity’s members or other third parties. We recognize our share of equity in income (loss) and profits (losses) from
the sale of lots to other buyers. Our share of profits from lots we purchase from the unconsolidated entities is deferred and treated
as a reduction of the cost of the land purchased from the unconsolidated entity. Such profits are subsequently recognized at the
time the home closes and title passes to the homebuyer. We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment
during each reporting period. A series of operating losses of an investee or other factors may indicate that a decrease in the value
of our investment in the unconsolidated entity has occurred that is other-than-temporary. The amount of impairment recognized
is the excess of the investment’s carrying value over its estimated fair value. Our unconsolidated entities typically obtain secured
acquisition, development and construction financing. We account for our interest in unconsolidated entities under the equity
method. For additional discussion of these entities, refer to Note 4.
Property and Equipment, Net
Our property and equipment is recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis
based on estimated useful lives as follows:
Asset Class
Buildings
Information systems
Furniture, fixtures and computer and office equipment
Model and sales office improvements
Leasehold improvements
Goodwill
Useful Lives
25 - 30 years
Lesser of estimated useful life of the asset or 5 years
3 - 7 years
Lesser of estimated useful life of the asset or estimated life
of the community
Lesser of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the
asset
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets from the businesses that we
acquire. The Company's entire goodwill balance as of September 30, 2019 and 2018 is related to the Venture Homes acquisition
that occurred during fiscal 2018. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually or more
often if indicators of impairment exist.
The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary
or to perform a quantitative assessment to determine whether the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. In
January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-04,
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04), which eliminates
Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2017-04 using the required prospective
approach and apply a one-step quantitative test. The combination of the income approach, utilizing the discounted cash flow
method, and the market approach, utilizing readily available market valuation multiples, is used to estimate the fair value of the
reporting unit. If through a quantitative analysis the Company concludes that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its
carrying value, an impairment will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair
value. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of 2019 and determined that
the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount. As such, no impairment was recorded.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit under the quantitative goodwill impairment test requires the Company to make
estimates and assumptions regarding future operating results, cash flows (including timing), discount rates, expected growth
rates, capital expenditures and cost of capital, similar to those a market participant would use to assess fair value. We also make
certain assumptions about future economic conditions and other data. Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are
outside the control of management, and these assumptions and estimates may change in future periods.
Other Assets
Our other assets principally include prepaid expenses and assets related to our deferred compensation plan (refer to Note 15 for
a discussion of our deferred compensation plan).
54
Other Liabilities
Our other liabilities principally include accrued warranty expense, accrued interest on our outstanding borrowings, customer
deposits, income tax liabilities and other accruals related to our operations. Refer to Note 12 for a detail of our other liabilities.
Income Taxes
Our provision for income taxes is comprised of taxes that are currently payable and deferred taxes that relate to temporary differences
between financial reporting carrying values and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from
deductible or taxable amounts in future years when such assets and liabilities are recovered or settled, and are measured using the
enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. We include any
estimated interest and penalties on tax related matters in income taxes payable. We recognize the effect of income tax positions
only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest
amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition of measurement are recorded in the period in
which the change in judgment occurs. We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
For a discussion of our evaluation of and accounting for valuation allowances, refer to Note 13.
Our income tax receivable includes the refundable portion of our alternative minimum tax credit. The alternative minimum tax
credit became a refundable credit when the alternative minimum tax was eliminated with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act on December 22, 2017. We will make claims for half of our remaining balance on each of our next three tax returns beginning
with our fiscal 2019, until all remaining credits are refunded in the fourth year.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which
we expect to be entitled by applying the following five-step process specified in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606.
Identify the contract(s) with a customer
Identify the performance obligations
•
•
• Determine the transaction price
• Allocate the transaction price
• Recognize revenue when the performance obligations are met
in thousands
Homebuilding revenue
Land sales and other revenue
Total revenue (a)
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30,
2019
2,077,245
10,494
2,087,739
$
$
2018
2,077,360
29,773
2,107,133
$
$
2017
1,895,855
20,423
1,916,278
$
$
(a) Please see Note 18 for total revenue disaggregated by reportable segment.
Homebuilding revenue
Homebuilding revenue is reported net of any discounts and incentives and is generally recognized when title to and possession of
the home are transferred to the buyer at the closing date. The performance obligation to deliver the home is generally satisfied in
less than one year from the original contract date. Home sale contract assets consist of cash from home closings held in escrow
for our benefit, typically for less than five days, and are considered deposits in-transit and classified as cash. Contract liabilities
include customer deposits related to sold but undelivered homes and totaled $11.5 million and $14.9 million as of September 30,
2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively. Of the customer liabilities outstanding as of September 30, 2018, $13.5 million was
recognized in revenue during the year ended September 30, 2019, upon closing of the related homes, and $1.3 million was refunded
to or forfeited by the buyer. The remaining balance of $0.1 million remains included within customer deposits as of September 30,
2019.
55
Land sales and other revenue
Land sales revenue relates to land that does not fit within our homebuilding programs and strategic plans. Land sales typically
require cash consideration on the closing date, which is generally when performance obligations are satisfied. In some periods,
we also have other revenue related to broker fees as well as fees received for general contractor services that we perform on behalf
of third parties. Revenue for broker and general contractor services are typically immaterial and are generally recognized as
performance obligations are satisfied.
Home Construction Expenses
Home construction expenses includes the specific construction costs of the home and the allocated lot costs (land acquisition, land
development and other common costs are allocated to individual lots on a pro-rata basis based on the number of lots remaining
to close). All home closing costs are charged to home construction expenses in the period when the revenues from home closing
are recognized.
Sales discounts and incentives include cash discounts, discounts on home building options, option upgrades and seller-paid
financing or closing costs. Cash discounts are accounted for as a reduction in the sale price of the home, thereby decreasing the
amount of revenue we recognize on that closing. All sales incentives other than cash discounts are recognized as a cost of selling
the home and are included in home construction expenses.
Estimated future warranty costs are charged to home construction expense in the period when the revenues from home closings
are recognized. Such estimated warranty costs generally range from 0.3% to 1.3% of total revenue recognized for each home
closed. Additional warranty costs are charged to home construction expenses as necessary based on management's estimate of the
costs to remediate existing claims. See Note 9 for a more detailed discussion of warranty costs and related reserves.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs related to continuing operations of $17.9 million, $17.6 million, and $17.5 million for our fiscal years 2019,
2018 and 2017, respectively, were expensed as incurred and were included in general and administrative (G&A) expenses.
Fair Value Measurements
Certain of our assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis; the fair value of our deferred compensation plan
assets are based on market-corroborated inputs (level 2). Certain of our assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-
recurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recovered (level 3). For example, we
review our long-lived assets, including inventory, for recoverability when factors indicate an impairment may exist, but no less
than quarterly. Fair value is based on estimated cash flows discounted for market risks associated with the long-lived assets. The
fair value of certain of our financial instruments approximates their carrying amounts due to the short maturity of these assets and
liabilities or the variable interest rates on such obligations. The fair value of our publicly-held debt is generally estimated based
on quoted bid prices for these instruments (level 2). Certain of our other financial instruments are estimated by discounting
scheduled cash flows through maturity or using market rates currently being offered on loans with similar terms and credit quality.
The fair value of our investments in unconsolidated entities is determined primarily using a discounted cash flow model to value
the underlying net assets of the respective entities. See Note 10 for additional discussion of our fair value measurements.
Stock-Based Compensation
We use the Black-Scholes model to value our stock option grants. Other stock-based awards with only performance conditions
granted to employees are valued based on the market price of the common stock on the date of the grant. Stock-based awards with
market conditions granted to employees are valued using the Monte Carlo valuation method. Any portion of our stock-based
awards that can be settled in cash is initially valued based on the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of the
grant, and is adjusted to fair value until vested and recorded as a liability on our consolidated balance sheets. On the date of grant,
we estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation. In addition, we reflect the benefits of tax
deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost as an operating cash outflow. Compensation cost arising from all stock-
based compensation awards is recognized as expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period and is included in
G&A in our consolidated statements of operations. See Note 16 for additional discussion of our stock-based compensation.
56
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue from Contracts with Customers. On October 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic
606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and ASC 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs - Contracts with Customers,
collectively referred to as ASC 606. ASC 606 provides a new model for accounting for revenue arising from contracts with
customers that supersedes most revenue recognition guidance. Under the new guidance, entities are required to recognize revenue
at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled upon transferring control of goods or services
to a customer. As part of our adoption of ASC 606, we applied the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not
completed as of October 1, 2018. Further, results for reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2018 are presented under
ASC 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported under the previous accounting standards. The
adoption of ASC 606 had no impact on opening retained earnings and did not materially affect the amount or timing of our revenue.
Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to record most
leases on their balance sheets. The timing and classification of lease-related expenses for lessees will depend on whether a lease
is determined to be an operating lease or a finance lease using updated criteria within ASU 2016-02. Operating leases will result
in straight-line expense (similar to current operating leases), while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern
(similar to current capital leases). Regardless of lease type, the lessee will recognize a right-of-use asset, representing the right to
use the identified asset during the lease term, and a related lease liability, representing the present value of the lease payments
over the lease term. The guidance within ASU 2016-02 will be effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019.
We have elected to apply the modified retrospective transition approach, so financial information will not be updated, and the
disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before October 1, 2019. We expect that this
standard will have an effect on our consolidated balance sheet, but we do not expect any significant change to our consolidated
statement of operations or cash flows. Upon adoption, we currently expect to recognize additional lease liabilities of approximately
$18.0 million based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments for existing leasing arrangements. The
corresponding right of use (ROU) assets are expected to be the same amount as the lease liabilities, adjusted for accrued lease
payments and remaining balance of lease incentives received. We also do not expect significant changes to our business processes,
systems, or internal controls as a result of implementing the standard.
Statement of Cash Flows. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification
of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15), which addresses specific classification issues and is intended to
reduce diversity in current practice regarding the manner in which certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and
classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016-15 on October 1, 2018. We applied the
retrospective transition method upon adoption and reclassified $24.6 million and $9.0 million of payments for debt
extinguishment costs from operating activities to financing activities within our consolidated statements of cash flows for the
years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively.
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350):
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. This change
will allow an entity to avoid calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of
its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination, thus reducing the cost and complexity
of evaluating goodwill for impairment. The Company elected to early adopt this amendment using the required prospective
approach, effective the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's
consolidated financial statements. No impairment was recorded as of September 30, 2019.
Fair Value Measurements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure
Framework (ASU 2018-13). The updated guidance improves the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The updated
guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early
adoption is permitted for any removed or modified disclosures. We are currently assessing the impact of adopting the updated
provisions.
Internal Use Software. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software
(Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a
Service Contract (ASU 2018-15). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting
arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain
internal-use software. This new guidance will be effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect
that the new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
57
(3) Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table presents supplemental disclosure of non-cash and cash activity as well as a reconciliation of total cash
balances between the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods presented:
in thousands
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:
Non-cash land acquisitions (a)
Supplemental disclosure of cash activity:
Interest payments
Income tax payments
Tax refunds received
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the
statement of cash flows
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
$
$
— $
— $
14,651
101,109
$
95,857
$
100,125
766
12
607
162
1,616
351
106,741
$
139,805
$
16,053
13,443
292,147
12,462
122,794
$
153,248
$
304,609
(a) For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, we did not have any non-cash land acquisitions. For the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2017, non-cash land acquisitions were comprised of $6.3 million related to non-cash seller financing and
$8.4 million in lot takedowns from one of our unconsolidated land development joint ventures.
58
(4) Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Unconsolidated Entities
As of September 30, 2019, the Company participated in certain joint ventures and had investments in unconsolidated entities in
which it had less than a controlling interest. The following table presents the Company's investment in these unconsolidated entities
as well as the total equity and outstanding borrowings of these unconsolidated entities as of September 30, 2019 and September 30,
2018:
in thousands
Investment in unconsolidated entities
Total equity of unconsolidated entities
Total outstanding borrowings of unconsolidated entities
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2018
$
3,962
$
9,969
12,658
4,035
10,113
12,266
Equity in income from unconsolidated entity activities included in income from continuing operations is as follows for the periods
presented:
in thousands
Income from unconsolidated entity activity
Impairment of unconsolidated entity investment
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
404
—
404
$
$
375
(341)
34
$
$
371
—
371
No impairments for unconsolidated entities were recorded during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30,
2017. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, we recorded a $0.3 million impairment charge in the consolidated statements
of operations related to an investment in an unconsolidated entity.
Guarantees. Historically, the Company's joint ventures typically obtained secured acquisition, development, and construction
financing. In addition, the Company and its joint venture partners provided varying levels of guarantees of debt and other debt-
related obligations for these unconsolidated entities. However, as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the Company
had no outstanding guarantees or other debt-related obligations related to our investments in unconsolidated entities.
The Company and its joint venture partners generally provide unsecured environmental indemnities to land development joint
venture project lenders. These indemnities obligate the Company to reimburse the project lenders for claims related to environmental
matters for which they are held responsible. During our fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company was not
required to make any payments related to environmental indemnities.
In assessing the need to record a liability for these guarantees, the Company considers its historical experience in being required
to perform under the guarantees, the fair value of the collateral underlying these guarantees, and the financial condition of the
applicable unconsolidated entities. In addition, the fair value of the collateral of unconsolidated entities is monitored to ensure
that the related borrowings do not exceed the specified percentage of the value of the property securing the borrowings. As of
September 30, 2019, no liability was recorded for the contingent aspects of any guarantees that were determined to be reasonably
possible but not probable.
59
(5) Inventory
The components of our owned inventory are as follows as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018:
in thousands
Homes under construction
Development projects in progress
Land held for future development
Land held for sale
Capitalized interest
Model homes
Total owned inventory
September 30, 2019
507,542
$
738,201
28,531
12,662
136,565
80,747
September 30, 2018
$
476,752
907,793
83,173
7,781
144,645
72,140
$
1,504,248
$
1,692,284
Homes under construction include homes in various stages of construction and homes substantially finished and ready for delivery,
including the allocated underlying lot costs. We had 238 (with a cost of $82.2 million) and 240 (with a cost of $84.8 million)
substantially completed homes that were not subject to a sales contract (spec homes) as of September 30, 2019 and 2018,
respectively.
Development projects in progress consist principally of land acquisition, land development and other common costs. These land
related costs are allocated to individual lots on a pro-rata basis, and the lot costs are transferred to homes under construction when
home construction begins for the respective lots. Certain of the fully developed lots in this category are reserved by a customer
deposit or sales contract.
Land held for future development consists of communities for which construction and development activities are expected to occur
in the future or have been idled and are stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets
may not be recoverable. All applicable interest and real estate taxes on land held for future development are expensed as incurred.
Land held for sale includes land and lots that do not fit within our homebuilding programs and strategic plans in certain markets,
and land is classified as held for sale once certain criteria are met (refer to Note 2). These assets are recorded at the lower of the
carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.
The amount of interest we are able to capitalize depends on our qualified inventory balance, which considers the status of our
inventory holdings. Our qualified inventory balance includes the majority of our homes under construction and development
projects in progress but excludes land held for future development and land held for sale (see Note 6 for additional information
on capitalized interest).
60
Total owned inventory by reportable segment is presented in the table below as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018:
in thousands
September 30, 2019
West Segment
East Segment
Southeast Segment
Corporate and unallocated (b)
Total
September 30, 2018
West Segment
East Segment
Southeast Segment
Corporate and unallocated (b)
Total
Projects in
Progress (a)
Land
Held for Future
Development
Land Held
for Sale
Total Owned
Inventory
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
723,094
228,937
318,737
192,287
1,463,055
763,453
280,761
358,126
198,990
$
$
$
3,483
14,077
10,971
—
28,531
58,125
14,077
10,971
—
5,160
4,104
3,398
—
12,662
$
$
— $
4,580
3,177
24
731,737
247,118
333,106
192,287
1,504,248
821,578
299,418
372,274
199,014
1,601,330
$
83,173
$
7,781
$
1,692,284
(a) Projects in progress include homes under construction, development projects in progress, capitalized interest, and model home
categories from the preceding table.
(b) Projects in progress amount includes capitalized interest and indirect costs that are maintained within our Corporate and
unallocated segment. Land held for sale amount includes parcels held by our discontinued operations.
Inventory Impairments
When conducting our community level review for the recoverability of inventory related to projects in progress, we establish a
quarterly “watch list” comprised of communities that carry profit margins in backlog or in our forecast that are below a minimum
threshold of profitability, as well as recent closings that have gross margins less than a specified threshold. Each community is
first evaluated qualitatively to determine if there are temporary factors driving the low profitability levels. Following our qualitative
evaluation, communities with more than ten homes remaining to close are subjected to additional financial and operational review
that considers the competitive environment and other factors contributing to gross margins below our watch list threshold. Our
assumptions about future home sales prices and absorption rates require significant judgment because the residential homebuilding
industry is cyclical and is highly sensitive to changes in economic conditions. For certain communities, it may be prudent to reduce
sales prices or further increase sales incentives in response to a variety of factors, including competitive market conditions in those
specific submarkets for the product and locations of these communities. For communities where the current competitive and market
dynamics indicate that assets may not be recoverable, a formal impairment analysis is performed. The formal impairment analysis
consists of both qualitative considerations and quantitative analyses reflecting market and asset specific information.
As of September 30, 2019, we identified two communities through our watch list process based on the specified threshold, taking
into consideration the remaining lots left to close. We performed further evaluation and determined the low profitability levels
were temporary in nature. As such, no additional quantitative analysis (cash flow run out) was deemed necessary.
As of September 30, 2018, we identified four communities on our watch list as having potential indicators of impairment. Based
on our evaluation performed, we determined it was necessary to subject two of the four communities to additional quantitative
analysis. This additional analysis led to an impairment charge of $1.0 million for one of these communities, principally due to a
reduction in price taken that is other than temporary based on the competitive and market dynamics.
61
The table below presents, by reportable segment, details of the impairment charges taken on projects in progress for the periods
presented:
$ in thousands
Results of Discounted Cash Flow Analyses Prepared
Segment
Year Ended September 30, 2019
West
Southeast
Corporate and unallocated (a)
Total
Year Ended September 30, 2018
Southeast
Corporate and unallocated (a)
Total
Year Ended September 30, 2017
West
Corporate and unallocated (a)
Total
# of
Communities
Impaired
# of Lots
Impaired
Impairment
Charge
Estimated Fair
Value of
Impaired
Inventory at Time of
Impairment
9
1
—
10
1
—
1
1
—
1
839
15
—
854
25
—
25
46
—
46
$
$
$
$
$
$
92,912
858
16,260
110,030
793
212
1,005
1,625
68
1,693
$
$
$
$
$
$
69,449
1,367
14,166
84,982
1,312
—
1,312
3,791
—
3,791
(a) Amount represents the capitalized interest and indirect costs that were impaired. Capitalized interest and indirect costs are
maintained within our Corporate and unallocated segment.
Impairments on land held for sale generally represent write downs of these properties to net realizable value and are based on
current market conditions and our review of recent comparable transactions. Our assumptions related to land sales prices
require significant judgment because the real estate market is highly sensitive to changes in economic conditions, and our
estimates of sale prices could differ significantly from actual results.
From time-to-time, we also determine that the proper course of action with respect to a community is to not exercise an option
and to write off the deposit securing the option takedown and the related pre-acquisition costs, as applicable. In determining
whether to abandon lots or lot option contracts, our evaluation is primarily based upon the expected cash flows from the property.
Additionally, in certain limited instances, we are forced to abandon lots due to permitting or other regulatory issues that do not
allow us to build on those lots. If we intend to abandon or walk away from a property, we record a charge to earnings for the
deposit amount and any related capitalized costs in the period such decision is made. Abandonment charges generally relate to
our decision to abandon lots or not exercise certain option contracts that are not projected to produce adequate results, no longer
fit with our long-term strategic plan or, in limited circumstances, are not suitable for building due to regulatory or environmental
restrictions that are enacted.
62
The following table presents, by reportable segment, our total impairment and abandonment charges for the periods presented:
in thousands
Projects in Progress:
West
Southeast
Corporate and unallocated (a)
Total impairment charges on projects in progress
Land Held for Sale:
West (b)
East
Southeast
Corporate and unallocated (a)
Total impairment charges on land held for sale
Abandonments:
East
Total abandonments charges
Total continuing operations
Discontinued Operations:
Land Held for Sale
Total discontinued operations
Total impairment and abandonment charges
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
92,912
$
— $
1,625
793
212
—
68
1,005
$
1,693
$
$
858
16,260
110,030
37,963
—
—
625
— $
168
3,218
2,108
38,588
$
5,494
$
— $
— $
$
148,618
— $
— $
$
148,618
— $
— $
6,499
450
450
6,949
$
$
$
$
94
470
—
—
564
188
188
2,445
—
—
2,445
(a)
Amount represents the capitalized interest and indirect costs that were impaired. Capitalized interest and indirect costs are
maintained within our Corporate and unallocated segment.
(b) Land held for sale impairments during the year ended September 30, 2019 related to six communities representing 732 lots in
California that were impaired in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. Two of these parcels were sold in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2019 for amounts approximately equal to their carrying costs. While steps to initiate planned sales of our remaining
land held for sale assets have been taken, the timing of completion of such asset dispositions is unknown.
Valuation assumptions for communities tested for impairment are specific to each community. For projects in progress impaired
during the periods presented, we determined the fair value of each community by discounting its estimated future cash flows at
a rate commensurate with the risks inherent in the project. The discount rate used depends on the development stage and
expected duration of the project, local market conditions, and other specific factors. The estimated future cash flows for each
community were determined based on the expected pace of closings and average sales price of the community less expected
costs for land acquisition and land development, direct construction, overhead, and interest. We determined the fair value of
land held for sale assets impaired during the periods presented based on sales contracts, letters of intent, and recent comparable
land sale transactions, as applicable. The assumptions used in the determination of fair value of both projects in progress and
land held for sale communities are based on factors known to us at the time such estimates are made and our expectations of
future operations and market conditions. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated fair values
deteriorate in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges and write-offs related to these assets,
and such amounts could be material.
The table below presents the ranges or values of significant quantitative unobservable inputs we used in determining the fair
value of the communities impaired during the periods presented:
Unobservable Inputs
Average selling price (in thousands)
Closings per community per month
Discount rate
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
350 - 615
1 - 4
$
14.7% - 16.8%
$
356
1 - 6
15.11%
405
1 - 4
12.83%
63
Lot Option Agreements and Variable Interest Entities (VIE)
As previously discussed, we also have access to land inventory through lot option contracts, which generally enable us to defer
acquiring portions of properties owned by third parties and unconsolidated entities until we have determined whether to exercise
our lot option. The majority of our lot option contracts require a non-refundable cash deposit or irrevocable letter of credit based
on a percentage of the purchase price of the land for the right to acquire lots during a specified period at a specified price. Under
lot option contracts, purchase of the properties is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by us and the sellers. Our
liability under option contracts is generally limited to forfeiture of the non-refundable deposits, letters of credit, and other non-
refundable amounts incurred. We expect to exercise, subject to market conditions and seller satisfaction of contract terms, most
of our remaining option contracts. Various factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as market conditions, weather
conditions, and the timing of the completion of development activities, will have a significant impact on the timing of option
exercises or whether lot options will be exercised at all.
The following table provides a summary of our interests in lot option agreements as of September 30, 2019 and September 30,
2018:
in thousands
As of September 30, 2019
Unconsolidated lot option agreements
As of September 30, 2018
Unconsolidated lot option agreements
(6) Interest
Deposits &
Non-refundable
Pre-acquisition
Costs Incurred
Remaining
Obligation
$
$
78,202
72,191
$
$
389,705
383,150
Interest capitalized during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017 was limited by the balance of inventory
eligible for capitalization. The following table presents certain information regarding interest for the periods presented:
in thousands
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
Capitalized interest in inventory, beginning of period
$
144,645
$
139,203
$
Interest incurred
Capitalized interest impaired
103,970
(13,907)
103,880
(1,961)
138,108
105,551
(56)
Interest expense not qualified for capitalization and included as other
expense (a)
Capitalized interest amortized to home construction and land sales
expenses (b)
Capitalized interest in inventory, end of period
(3,109)
(5,325)
(15,636)
(95,034)
136,565
$
(91,152)
144,645
$
(88,764)
139,203
$
(a) The amount of interest capitalized depends on the qualified inventory balance, which considers the status of the Company's
inventory holdings. The qualified inventory balance includes the majority of homes under construction and development projects
in progress but excludes land held for future development and land held for sale.
(b) Capitalized interest amortized to home construction and land sales expenses varies based on the number of homes closed during
the period and land sales, if any, as well as other factors.
64
(7) Property and Equipment
The following table presents our property and equipment as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018:
in thousands
Model furnishings and sales office improvements
Information systems
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
Leasehold improvements
Buildings and improvements
Property and equipment, gross
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
Property and equipment, net
(8) Borrowings
September 30, 2019
21,114
$
$
15,045
10,068
5,136
1,671
53,034
(25,613)
27,421
$
$
September 30, 2018
28,311
13,183
9,332
4,388
—
55,214
(34,371)
20,843
The Company's debt, net of premiums, discounts, and unamortized debt issuance costs consisted of the following as of
September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018:
in thousands
Senior Unsecured Term Loan (Term Loan)
Maturity Date
September 2022
September 30, 2019
150,000
$
$
8 3/4% Senior Notes (2022 Notes)
7 1/4% Senior Notes (2023 Notes)
6 3/4% Senior Notes (2025 Notes)
5 7/8% Senior Notes (2027 Notes)
7 1/4% Senior Notes (2029 Notes)
Unamortized debt premium, net
Unamortized debt issuance costs
Total Senior Notes, net
Junior Subordinated Notes (net of unamortized accretion
of $34,703 and $36,770, respectively)
Other Secured Notes Payable
Total debt, net
March 2022
February 2023
March 2025
October 2027
October 2029
July 2036
Various Dates
—
—
229,555
394,000
350,000
—
(12,470)
1,111,085
66,070
1,154
September 30, 2018
—
500,000
24,834
250,000
400,000
—
2,640
(14,336)
1,163,138
64,003
4,113
$
1,178,309
$
1,231,254
As of September 30, 2019, the future maturities of our borrowings were as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
in thousands
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter
Total
$
$
51,154
50,000
50,000
—
—
1,074,328
1,225,482
65
Secured Revolving Credit Facility
The Secured Revolving Credit Facility (the Facility) provides working capital and letter of credit capacity. In September 2019,
the Company executed a Seventh Amendment to the Facility. The Seventh Amendment (1) extends the termination date of the
Facility from February 2021 to February 2022; (2) increases the maximum aggregate amount of commitments under the Facility,
including borrowings and letters of credit, from $210.0 million to $250.0 million; and (3) increased the after-acquired exclusionary
condition (as defined by the underlying Credit Agreement) from $800 million to the product of the aggregate amount of the
commitments multiplied by 4. The Facility is currently with four lenders.
The Facility allows us to issue letters of credit against the undrawn capacity. Subject to our option to cash collateralize our
obligations under the Facility upon certain conditions, our obligations under the Facility are secured by liens on substantially all
of our personal property and a significant portion of our owned real property. We also pledged approximately $936.0 million of
inventory assets to the Facility to collateralize potential future borrowings or letters of credit (in addition to the letters of credit
already issued under the Facility). As of September 30, 2019, no borrowings and no letters of credit were outstanding under the
Facility, resulting in a remaining capacity of $250.0 million. As of September 30, 2018, no borrowings and no letters of credit
were outstanding under the Facility, resulting in a remaining capacity of $200.0 million. The Facility contains certain covenants,
including negative covenants and financial maintenance covenants, with which we are required to comply. We are currently in
compliance with all such covenants.
Senior Unsecured Term Loan
On September 9, 2019, the Company entered into a term loan agreement, which provides for a Senior Unsecured Term Loan (the
Term Loan) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150.0 million. The proceeds from the Term Loan were used to refinance
a portion of the Company's 2022 Notes. The Term Loan will (1) mature in September 2022, with $50.0 million annual repayment
installments in September 2020 and September 2021; (2) bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.875%; and (3) includes an option to
prepay, subject to certain conditions and the payment of certain premiums. The Term Loan contains covenants generally consistent
with the covenants contained in the Facility. As of September 30, 2019, we were in compliance with all such covenants.
Letter of Credit Facilities
The Company has entered into stand-alone, cash-secured letter of credit agreements with banks to maintain pre-existing letters of
credit and to provide for the issuance of new letters of credit (in addition to the letters of credit issued under the Facility). As of
September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the Company had letters of credit outstanding under these additional facilities of
$14.1 million and $10.4 million, respectively, all of which were secured by cash collateral in restricted accounts. The Company
may enter into additional arrangements to provide additional letter of credit capacity.
In May 2018, the Company entered into a reimbursement agreement, which provides for the issuance of performance letters of
credit, and an unsecured credit agreement that provides for the issuance of up to $50.0 million of standby letters of credit to
backstop the Company's obligations under the reimbursement agreement. The Bilateral Facility will terminate on June 10, 2021.
As of September 30, 2019, the total stated amount of performance letters of credit issued under the reimbursement agreement was
$34.2 million (and the stated amount of the backstop standby letter of credit issued under the credit agreement was $40.0 million).
The Company may enter into additional arrangements to provide greater letter of credit capacity.
Senior Notes
The Company's Senior Notes are unsecured obligations ranking pari passu with all other existing and future senior indebtedness.
Substantially all of the Company's significant subsidiaries are full and unconditional guarantors of the Senior Notes and are jointly
and severally liable for obligations under the Senior Notes and the Facility. Each guarantor subsidiary is a 100% owned subsidiary
of Beazer Homes. See Note 19 for further information.
All unsecured Senior Notes rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior unsecured obligations, senior to
all of the Company's existing and future subordinated indebtedness and effectively subordinated to the Company's existing and
future secured indebtedness, including indebtedness under the Facility, if outstanding, to the extent of the value of the assets
securing such indebtedness. The unsecured Senior Notes and related guarantees are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness
and other liabilities of all of the Company's subsidiaries that do not guarantee these notes, but are fully and unconditionally
guaranteed jointly and severally on a senior basis by the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries party to each applicable indenture.
The Company's Senior Notes are issued under indentures that contain certain restrictive covenants which, among other things,
restrict our ability to pay dividends, repurchase our common stock, incur certain types of additional indebtedness, and make certain
investments. Compliance with the Senior Note covenants does not significantly impact the Company's operations. The Company
is in compliance with the covenants contained in the indentures of all of its Senior Notes as of September 30, 2019.
66
In September 2019, we issued and sold $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes at par (before underwriting
and other issuance costs) through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. Interest on the 2029 Notes is payable semi-
annually, beginning in April 2020. The 2029 Notes will mature in October 2029. We may redeem the 2029 Notes at any time prior
to October 15, 2024, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed,
together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, plus a customary make-whole premium. The
covenants related to the 2029 Notes are consistent with our other senior notes.
In September 2019, we redeemed our outstanding 2022 Notes of $500.0 million using proceeds from the Term Loan, the issuance
of the 2029 Notes, and cash on hand, resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $25.2 million, which was net of a $1.9 million
non-cash write-off of debt issuance and discount costs. As a result, the Company terminated, cancelled, and discharged all of its
obligations under the 2022 Notes.
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, we also redeemed $6.0 million of the 2027 Notes and the remaining outstanding
balance of the 2023 Notes of $23.7 million using cash on hand, resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.3 million, which
is net of a $0.2 million non-cash write-off of debt issuance costs. As a result, the Company terminated, cancelled, and discharged
all of its obligations under the 2023 Notes.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2019, we redeemed $1.2 million and $20.4 million of the 2023 Notes and the 2025 Notes,
respectively. The retirements resulted in an aggregate gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.6 million, which was net of a $0.3
million non-cash write-off of debt issuance costs for the year ended September 30, 2019.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the retirement of various unsecured senior notes discussed above resulted in an
aggregate loss on extinguishment of debt of $24.9 million, which was net of a $2.4 million non-cash write-off of debt issuance
and discount costs.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, we completed the following transactions with respect to our unsecured Senior Notes.
In October 2017, we issued and sold $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2027 Notes at par (before underwriting and
other issuance costs) through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. Interest on the 2027 Notes is payable semi-
annually, beginning on April 15, 2018. The 2027 Notes will mature on October 15, 2027. We may redeem the 2027 Notes at any
time prior to October 15, 2022, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to
be redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, plus a customary make-whole
premium. The covenants related to the 2027 Notes are consistent with our other senior notes.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we used the proceeds of the 2027 Notes, as well as $34.5 million cash on hand, to redeem
$225.0 million of our 2019 Notes and $175.0 million of our 2023 Notes then outstanding, resulting in a loss on extinguishment
of debt of $25.9 million, of which $3.2 million was a non-cash write-off of debt issuance and discount costs.
In September 2018, we redeemed our then outstanding 2019 Notes for $98.2 million using cash on hand, resulting in a loss on
extinguishment of debt of $1.9 million, of which $0.1 million was a non-cash write-off of debt issuance and discount costs. As a
result, the Company terminated, cancelled, and discharged all of its obligations under the 2019 Notes. The retirement of the 2019
and 2023 Notes in fiscal 2018 resulted in an aggregate loss on extinguishment of debt of $27.8 million for the year ended September
30, 2018.
67
For additional redemption features, refer to the table below that summarizes the redemption terms of our Senior Notes:
Senior Note Description
Issuance Date
Maturity Date
6 3/4% Senior Notes
March 2017
March 2025
5 7/8% Senior Notes
October 2017
October 2027
7 1/4% Senior Notes
September
2019
October 2029
Redemption Terms
On or prior to March 15, 2020, we may redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes with the net cash
proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to
106.75% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest
to, but excluding, the redemption date, provided at least 65% of the
aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes originally issued
remains outstanding immediately after such redemption.
Callable at any time prior to March 15, 2020, in whole or in part, at
a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus
a customary make-whole premium; on or after March 15, 2020,
callable at a redemption price equal to 105.063% of the principal
amount; on or after March 15, 2021, callable at a redemption price
equal to 103.375% of the principal amount; on or after March 15,
2022, callable at a redemption price equal to 101.688% of the
principal amount; on or after March 15, 2023, callable at a redemption
price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus, in each case,
accrued and unpaid interest
On or prior to October 15, 2022, we may redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Notes with the net cash
proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to
105.875% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest
to, but excluding, the redemption date, provided at least 65% of the
aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Notes originally issued
remains outstanding immediately after such redemption.
Callable at any time prior to October 15, 2022, in whole or in part,
at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount,
plus a customary make-whole premium; on or after October 15, 2022,
callable at a redemption price equal to 102.938% of the principal
amount; on or after October 15, 2023, callable at a redemption price
equal to 101.958% of the principal amount; on or after October 15,
2024, callable at a redemption price equal to 100.979% of the
principal amount; on or after October 15, 2025, callable at a
redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus,
in each case, accrued and unpaid interest
On or prior to October 15, 2022, we may redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes with the net cash
proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to
107.250% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest
to, but excluding, the redemption date, provided at least 65% of the
aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes originally issued
remains outstanding immediately after such redemption.
Callable at any time prior to October 15, 2024, in whole or in part,
at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a
customary make-whole premium; on or after October 15, 2024,
callable at a redemption price equal to 103.625% of the principal
amount; on or after October 15, 2025, callable at a redemption price
equal to 102.417% of the principal amount; on or after October 15,
2026, callable at a redemption price equal to 101.208% of the
principal amount; on or after October 15, 2027, callable at a
redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus,
in each case, accrued and unpaid interest
68
Junior Subordinated Notes
The Company's unsecured junior subordinated notes (Junior Subordinated Notes) mature on July 30, 2036. The Junior Subordinated
Notes are redeemable at par and paid interest at a fixed rate of 7.987% for the first ten years ending July 30, 2016. The securities
now have a floating interest rate as defined in the Junior Subordinated Notes Indenture, which was a weighted-average of 4.72%
as of September 30, 2019. The obligations relating to these notes are subordinated to the Facility and the Senior Notes. In January
2010, the Company modified the terms of $75.0 million of these notes and recorded them at their then estimated fair value. Over
the remaining life of the Junior Subordinated Notes, we will increase their carrying value until this carrying value equals the face
value of the notes. As of September 30, 2019, the unamortized accretion was $34.7 million and will be amortized over the remaining
life of the notes. As of September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Junior Subordinated
Notes.
Other Secured Notes Payable
The Company periodically acquires land through the issuance of notes payable. As of September 30, 2019 and September 30,
2018, the Company had outstanding notes payable of $1.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively, primarily related to land
acquisitions. These secured notes payable have varying expiration dates in fiscal 2020, have a weighted-average fixed interest
rate of 6.00% as of September 30, 2019 and are secured by the real estate to which they relate.
The agreements governing these other secured notes payable contain various affirmative and negative covenants. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to obtain any future waivers or amendments that may become necessary without significant
additional cost or at all. In each instance, however, a covenant default can be cured by repayment of the indebtedness.
(9) Contingencies
Beazer Homes and certain of its subsidiaries have been and continue to be named as defendants in various construction defect
claims, complaints, and other legal actions. The Company is subject to the possibility of loss contingencies related to these alleged
defects as well as others arising from its business. In determining loss contingencies, we consider the likelihood of loss and our
ability to reasonably estimate the amount of such loss. An estimated loss is recorded when it is considered probable that a liability
has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.
Warranty Reserves
We currently provide a limited warranty ranging from one to two years covering workmanship and materials per our defined
quality standards. In addition, we provide a limited warranty for up to ten years covering only certain defined structural element
failures.
Our homebuilding work is performed by subcontractors who typically must agree to indemnify us with regard to their work and
provide certificates of insurance demonstrating that they have met our insurance requirements and have named us as an additional
insured under their policies. Therefore, many claims relating to workmanship and materials that result in warranty spending are
the primary responsibility of these subcontractors. In addition, we maintain insurance coverage related to our construction efforts
that can result in recoveries of warranty and construction defect costs above certain specified limits.
Warranty reserves are included in other liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets, and the provision for warranty accruals
is included in home construction expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Reserves covering anticipated warranty
expenses are recorded for each home closed. Management assesses the adequacy of warranty reserves each reporting period based
on historical experience and the expected costs to remediate potential claims. Our review includes a quarterly analysis of the
historical data and trends in warranty expense by division. Such analysis considers market specific factors such as warranty
experience, the number of home closings, the prices of homes, product mix, and other data in estimating warranty reserves. In
addition, the analysis also contemplates the existence of any non-recurring or community-specific warranty-related matters that
might not be included in historical data and trends. While estimated warranty liabilities are adjusted each reporting period based
on the results of our quarterly analyses, we may not accurately predict actual warranty costs, which could lead to significant
changes in the reserve.
69
Changes in warranty reserves are as follows for the periods presented:
in thousands
Balance at beginning of period
Accruals for warranties issued (a)
Changes in liability related to warranties existing in prior periods (b)
Payments made (b)
Balance at end of period
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
15,331
$
18,091
$
11,847
(1,686)
(12,104)
13,388
$
13,755
(2,401)
(14,114)
15,331
$
39,131
14,215
4,807
(40,062)
18,091
(a) Accruals for warranties issued are a function of the number of home closings in the period, the selling prices of the homes closed
and the rates of accrual per home estimated as a percentage of the selling price of the home.
(b) Changes in liability related to warranties existing and payments made in all periods are elevated in 2017 due to charges and
subsequent payments related to water intrusion issues in certain of our communities located in Florida (refer to separate discussion
below).
Florida Water Intrusion Issues
In the latter portion of our fiscal 2014, we began to experience an increase in calls from homeowners reporting stucco and water
intrusion issues in certain of our communities in Florida (the Florida stucco issues). Through September 30, 2019, we cumulatively
recorded charges related to these issues of $82.4 million.
Warranty reserves related to the Florida stucco issues decreased during the current fiscal year by $0.7 million and decreased by
$0.6 million in the prior year. As of September 30, 2019, 707 homes have been identified as likely to require repairs, of which
686 homes have been repaired. We made payments related to the Florida stucco issues of $0.5 million during the current fiscal
year. This amount included payments on fully repaired homes and homes for which remediation is not yet complete, bringing the
remaining accrual related to this issue to $0.5 million as of September 30, 2019 compared to $1.7 million as of September 30,
2018. These accruals are included in the overall warranty liabilities detailed above.
Our assessment of the Florida stucco issues is ongoing. As a result, we anticipate that the ultimate magnitude of our liability may
change as additional information is obtained. Certain visual and other inspections of the homes that could be subject to defect
often do not reveal the severity or extent of the defects, which can only be discovered once we receive a homeowner call and begin
repairs. The current fiscal year charges were impacted by additional insurance recoveries; for a discussion of the amounts we have
already recovered or anticipate recovering from our insurers, refer to the “Insurance Recoveries” section below.
In addition, we believe that we will also recover a portion of such repair costs from sources other than our own insurer, including
the subcontractors involved with the construction of these homes and their insurers; however, no amounts related to subcontractor
recoveries have been recorded in our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2019. Any amounts recovered from
our subcontractors related to homes closed during policy years for which we have exceeded the deductible in our insurance policies
would be remitted to our insurers, while recoveries in other policy years would be retained by us.
Insurance Recoveries
The Company has insurance policies that provide for the reimbursement of certain warranty costs incurred above a specified
threshold for each period covered. We have surpassed these thresholds for certain policy years, particularly those that cover most
of the homes impacted by the water intrusion issues discussed above. As such, beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we
expect a substantial majority of additional costs for warranty work on homes within these policy years to be reimbursed by our
insurers. For two policy years, our exposure has exceeded the insurance claim limit for one division under our first layer of
coverage; however, we are claiming and recovering additional amounts under our excess insurance coverage.
Warranty expense beyond the thresholds set in our insurance policies was recorded related to homes impacted by the Florida stucco
issues as well as other various warranty issues that are in excess of our insurance thresholds. We adjust our insurance receivable
balance each quarter to reflect our estimate of future costs to be incurred subject to recoveries from insurers. Insurance receivables
decreased by $0.4 million during fiscal 2019 and decreased by $0.2 million in fiscal 2018 to reflect the amounts deemed probable
of receiving. The changes to our insurance receivables offset the current fiscal year movements in our reserve related to the Florida
stucco issues.
Amounts recorded for anticipated insurance recoveries are reflected within consolidated statements of operations as a reduction
of home construction expenses. Amounts not yet received from our insurer were recorded on a gross basis, without any reduction
for the associated warranty expense, within accounts receivable within the consolidated balance sheets.
70
Amounts still to be recovered under our insurance policies will vary based on whether expected additional warranty costs are
actually incurred for periods for which our threshold has already been met. As a result, we anticipate the balance of our established
receivable for insurance recoveries to fluctuate for potential future reimbursements as well as the amounts ultimately owed to us
from our insurer.
Litigation
In the normal course of business, we are subject to various lawsuits. We cannot predict or determine the timing or final outcome
of these lawsuits or the effect that any adverse findings or determinations in pending lawsuits may have on us. In addition, an
estimate of possible loss or range of loss, if any, cannot presently be made with respect to certain of these pending matters. An
unfavorable determination in any of the pending lawsuits could result in the payment by us of substantial monetary damages that
may not be fully covered by insurance. Further, the legal costs associated with the lawsuits and the amount of time required to be
spent by management and our Board of Directors on these matters, even if we are ultimately successful, could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Claims Related to Inventory Impairment Charges. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, we recognized inventory impairment
charges related to 15 communities in California, all of which were previously land held for future development assets. Related to
these inventory impairment charges, on June 5, 2019, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
and certain of our officers in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The proposed class consisted of all
persons and entities that acquired our securities between August 1, 2014 and May 2, 2019. On October 18, 2019, the plaintiffs
filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of this case, and the Court subsequently entered an order dismissing the case.
Beginning June 25, 2019, several shareholder derivative lawsuits relating to the same inventory impairment charges discussed
above were filed against Beazer Homes USA, Inc., certain of our officers and members of our Board of Directors in the U.S.
District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The plaintiffs in these cases allege breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment
and violations of the federal securities laws. The plaintiffs seek, among other things, monetary damages, disgorgement of profits
and attorneys’ and experts’ fees, but do not specify any specific amounts. We believe the allegations are without merit and intend
to vigorously defend against the claims. However, because the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with
certainty, we have determined that the amount of any possible losses or range of possible losses in connection with these matters
is not reasonably estimable.
Other Matters
We and certain of our subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various claims, complaints, and other legal actions, most
relating to construction defects, moisture intrusion, and product liability. Certain of the liabilities resulting from these actions are
covered in whole or in part by insurance. In our opinion, based on our current assessment, the ultimate resolution of these matters
will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
We have an accrual of $3.4 million and $3.7 million in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets related to litigation and
other matters, excluding warranty, as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
We had outstanding letters of credit and performance bonds of approximately $48.3 million and $276.5 million, respectively, as
of September 30, 2019, related principally to our obligations to local governments to construct roads and other improvements in
various developments.
(10) Fair Value Measurements
As of the dates presented, we had assets on our consolidated balance sheets that were required to be measured at fair value on a
recurring or non-recurring basis. We use a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and
minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value as follows:
• Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
• Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly through
corroboration with market data; and
• Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect our own estimates about the assumptions market participants would use in
pricing the asset or liability.
Certain of our assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of our deferred compensation
plan assets is based on market-corroborated inputs (Level 2).
71
Certain of our assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis when events and circumstances indicate
that the carrying value of these assets may not be recovered. We review our long-lived assets, including inventory, for recoverability
when factors indicate an impairment may exist, but no less than quarterly. Fair value on assets deemed to be impaired is determined
based upon the type of asset being evaluated. Fair value of our owned inventory assets, when required to be calculated, is further
discussed within Notes 2 and 5. The fair value of our investments in unconsolidated entities is determined primarily using a
discounted cash flow model to value the underlying net assets of the respective entities. Due to the substantial use of unobservable
inputs in valuing the assets on a non-recurring basis, they are classified within Level 3.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, we recognized impairments of $110.0 million on projects in process and $38.6
million on land held for sale. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, we recognized impairments of $1.0 million on
projects in process and $5.9 million on land held for sale. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, we recognized
impairments of $1.7 million on projects in process and $0.6 million on land held for sale.
Determining within which hierarchical level an asset or liability falls requires significant judgment. We evaluate our hierarchy
disclosures each quarter.
The following table presents the period-end balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the impairment-
date fair value of certain assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for each hierarchy level. These balances represent
only those assets whose carrying values were adjusted to fair value during the periods presented:
in thousands
As of September 30, 2019
Deferred compensation plan assets (a)
Development projects in progress (b)
Land held for sale (b)
As of September 30, 2018
Deferred compensation plan assets (a)
Development projects in progress (b)
Land held for sale (b)
Unconsolidated entity investments (b)
As of September 30, 2017
Deferred compensation plan assets (a)
Development projects in progress (b)
Land held for sale (b)
(a) Measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
$
$
$
— $
—
—
— $
—
—
—
— $
—
—
$
$
$
1,970
—
—
1,578
—
—
—
1,114
—
—
$
$
$
—
84,982 (c)
5,207 (c)
—
1,312 (c)
1,724 (c)
80
—
3,791 (c)
325
1,970
84,982
5,207
1,578
1,312
1,724
80
1,114
3,791
325
(b) Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, including the capitalized interest and indirect costs related to the asset.
(c) Amount represents the impairment-date fair value of the development projects in progress and land held for sale assets that were
impaired during the periods indicated.
72
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, other liabilities, amounts
due under the Facility (if outstanding), and other secured notes payable approximate their carrying amounts due to the short
maturity of these assets and liabilities. When outstanding, obligations related to land not owned under option agreements
approximate fair value.
The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of certain other financial liabilities as of September 30,
2019 and September 30, 2018:
in thousands
Senior Notes (b)
Junior Subordinated Notes (c)
Total
As of September 30, 2019
As of September 30, 2018
Carrying
Amount (a)
Fair Value
Carrying
Amount (a)
Fair Value
$
$
1,111,085
66,070
1,177,155
$
$
1,115,011
66,070
1,181,081
$
$
1,163,138
64,003
1,227,141
$
$
1,096,214
64,003
1,160,217
(a)
Carrying amounts are net of unamortized debt premiums/discounts, debt issuance costs or accretion.
(b)
The estimated fair value for our publicly-held Senior Notes has been determined using quoted market rates (Level 2).
(c) Since there is no trading market for our Junior Subordinated Notes, the fair value of these notes is estimated by discounting
scheduled cash flows through maturity (level 3). The discount rate is estimated using market rates currently being offered on
loans with similar terms and credit quality. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop these estimates of fair
value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current
market exchange.
(11) Operating Leases
We are obligated under various noncancelable operating leases for our office facilities and equipment. Rental expense under these
agreements, which is included in G&A in our consolidated statements of operations, amounted to approximately $5.8 million,
$4.8 million, and $4.9 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. This rental expense
excludes expense related to our discontinued operations, which is not material in any period presented. Additionally, sublease
income received in all periods presented was not material. As of September 30, 2019, future minimum lease payments under
noncancelable operating lease agreements are as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
in thousands
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter
Total
$
$
4,749
4,537
3,644
2,853
1,818
2,551
20,152
73
(12) Other Liabilities
Other liabilities include the following as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018:
in thousands
Accrued bonus and deferred compensation
Accrued warranty expenses
Accrued Interest
Customer Deposits
Litigation accrual
Income tax liabilities
Other
Total
(13) Income Taxes
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2018
$
$
36,237
$
13,388
12,767
11,539
3,420
648
31,430
109,429
$
41,508
15,331
14,401
14,903
3,656
710
35,880
126,389
The Company's (benefit) expense from income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following for the periods
presented:
in thousands
Current federal (a)
Current state
Deferred federal (b)
Deferred state (c)
Total (benefit) / expense
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
(4,935) $
693
(31,291)
(1,684)
(37,217) $
57
$
512
102,082
(8,167)
94,484
$
—
859
1,625
212
2,696
(a) Fiscal 2019 federal current benefit is primarily driven by the expected refund of half of our outstanding minimum tax credit
balance as discussed below.
(b) Fiscal 2018 federal deferred expense is primarily driven by the remeasurement of our deferred tax asset at the newly enacted
21.0% federal tax rate, partially offset by the release of the remaining valuation allowance on our federal deferred tax assets.
(c) Fiscal 2018 state deferred benefit is primarily driven by the release of valuation allowance in certain operating jurisdictions;
refer to discussion below titled “Valuation Allowance.”
74
The (benefit) expense from income taxes from continuing operations differs from the amount computed by applying the federal
income tax statutory rate as follows for the periods presented:
in thousands
Income tax computed at statutory rate
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
Deferred rate change
Decrease in valuation allowance - other (a) (b)
Changes in uncertain tax positions
Stock based compensation
Permanent differences
Tax credits
Other, net
Total (benefit) / expense
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
(24,494) $
(590)
(88)
—
(7)
—
2,908
(14,902)
(44)
(37,217) $
12,112
$
111
110,071
(27,370)
598
—
2,133
(3,174)
3
94,484
$
12,052
1,287
—
(3,482)
(685)
741
496
(7,460)
(253)
2,696
(a) For fiscal 2018, amount includes a $27.4 million release of the valuation allowance on our federal and state deferred tax
assets; refer to discussion below titled “Valuation Allowance.” Due to our fiscal year end, our fiscal provision was calculated
using a blended 24.5% federal tax rate. The increase in permanent differences in fiscal 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year
was largely driven by the limits on deductibility for executive compensation for current year incentive awards and anticipated
limitations on unvested stock awards due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
(b) For fiscal 2017, amount includes $3.5 million release of the valuation allowance on our state deferred tax assets due to a number
of changes to the legal forms of our operating entities; refer to discussion below titled “Valuation Allowance.”
The principal differences between our effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate for fiscal 2019 relate to state taxes,
permanent differences and tax credits.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of our assets and liabilities
for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of significant temporary differences
that give rise to the net deferred tax assets are as follows as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018:
in thousands
Deferred tax assets:
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2018
Federal and state tax carryforwards
$
208,360
$
Inventory adjustments
Intangible assets
Incentive compensation
Warranty and other reserves
Property, equipment and other assets
Uncertain tax positions
Other
Total deferred tax assets
Valuation allowance
Net deferred tax assets
42,605
17,209
9,360
4,302
2,255
729
623
285,443
(38,486)
246,957
$
$
196,702
29,565
192
11,959
6,350
2,123
734
542
248,167
(34,212)
213,955
75
As of September 30, 2019, our gross deferred tax assets above included $132.2 million for federal net operating loss carryforwards,
$42.3 million for state net operating loss carryforwards, $4.6 million for an alternative minimum tax credit and $32.7 million for
general business credits. The net operating loss carryforwards expire at various dates through 2033, and the general business credits
expire at various dates through 2038. The alternative minimum tax credit became a refundable credit when the alternative minimum
tax was eliminated with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017. We will make claims for half of our
remaining balance on each of our next three tax returns beginning with our fiscal 2019, until all remaining credits are refunded in
the fourth year. For fiscal 2019, the $4.6 million refundable portion of our alternative minimum tax credit was recorded in our
income tax receivable. We experienced an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code
(Section 382) as of January 12, 2010. Section 382 contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an “ownership
change” to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) and certain built-in losses or deductions recognized during the five-
year period after the ownership change to offset future taxable income. Because the five-year period has expired, we have determined
the actual impact and final classification of those amounts, which are properly reflected in the amounts presented above. The actual
realization of our deferred tax assets is difficult to predict and is dependent on future events.
We recognized income tax benefit from continuing operations of $37.2 million in our fiscal 2019, compared to income tax expense
from continuing operations of $94.5 million and $2.7 million in our fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. The income tax
benefit in our fiscal 2019 primarily resulted from loss in the current year and the generation of additional federal tax credits. The
income tax expense in our fiscal 2018 primarily resulted from income generated in the fiscal year and the remeasurement of our
deferred tax asset at a lower 21% federal tax rate, partially offset by the additional release of valuation allowance and the generation
of additional federal tax credits. In fiscal 2017, our income tax expense primarily resulted from income generated in the fiscal
year, partially offset by the generation of federal tax credits and an additional benefit resulting from changes to our valuation
allowance due to changes in our state net operating loss estimates. Due to the effects of changes in our valuation allowance on
our deferred tax balance, tax credits and changes in our unrecognized tax benefits, our effective tax rates in fiscal 2019, 2018, and
2017 are not meaningful metrics, as our income tax amounts were not directly correlated to the amount of our pretax income for
those periods.
Valuation Allowance
A reduction of the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance is required if, based on the available evidence,
it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred
tax assets is assessed periodically based on the more-likely-than-not realization threshold criterion. In the assessment for a valuation
allowance, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax
assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses,
forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, the Company's experience with loss carryforwards
not expiring unused and tax planning alternatives.
During fiscal 2017, we recorded impacts related to our tax elections and changes in legal form as further determinations were
made throughout the year. These impacts included changes to our apportionment and deferred balances by jurisdiction, as well as
changes to our uncertain tax positions. As a result, we recorded a decrease of 3.5 million in valuation allowance during the quarter
ended September 30, 2017 for changes in our expected state net operating loss utilization due to changes in our uncertain tax
positions.
During fiscal 2018, we concluded that it was more likely than not that all of our federal tax attributes and additional portions of
our state tax assets would be realized over their remaining recovery periods. This conclusion was based on an evaluation of all
relevant evidence, both positive and negative, that would impact our ability to realize our deferred tax assets. The positive evidence
included continued improvements in our pre-tax earnings profile, recent acquisitions and community count growth in future years,
tax planning strategies, and increases to our future taxable income due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The negative
evidence included a number of factors within the homebuilding industry, notably recent market related impacts to costs of
production, labor constraints, mortgage interest rate forecasts, and the position of the current housing cycle. We continue to maintain
levels of backlog and community count to support our expectations of future profitability. During the fiscal 2018, the Company
completed its plan to repurchase portions of its outstanding debt, which altered its debt maturity and interest rate profile through
new issuances and redemptions of prior issuances. The change in the Company's debt portfolio will create future interest expense
savings that further support its estimates of future profitability.
76
In fiscal 2019, our conclusions on whether we are more likely than not to realize all of our federal tax attributes and certain portions
of our state tax attributes remain consistent with our fiscal 2018 determinations. For fiscal 2019, a number of additional positive
and negative factors were considered as part of our analysis. The negative factors for fiscal 2019 included current period operating
losses, primarily a result of impairments recorded on a number of long held assets in our California submarkets and a loss on debt
extinguishment charge in the fourth quarter. The positive factors included a recovery in housing demand throughout the year that
resulted in backlog levels consistent with prior year, interest savings from our current year debt repurchases and debt refinance,
a new multi-year debt reduction strategy, and additional changes in our taxable income as we continue to account for the changes
to the tax code under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the related state impacts. As of September 30, 2019, the Company will have
to cumulatively generate approximately $944.0 million in pre-tax income over the course of its carryforward period to realize its
deferred tax assets prior to their expiration, which, as previously discussed, is the Company's fiscal 2038.
The valuation allowance of $38.5 million as of September 30, 2019 remains on various state attributes for which the Company
has concluded it is not more likely than not that these attributes would be realized at that time.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
A reconciliation of our unrecognized tax benefits is as follows for the beginning and end of each period presented:
in thousands
Balance at beginning of year
Additions for tax positions related to current year
Additions for tax positions related to prior years
Reductions in tax positions of prior years
Lapse of statute of limitations
Balance at end of year
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
3,494
$
3,804
$
—
—
—
(21)
3,473
$
—
—
—
(310)
3,494
$
4,541
61
2,611
(2,273)
(1,136)
3,804
$
$
If we were to recognize our $3.5 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits remaining as of September 30, 2019, substantially all
would impact our effective tax rate. Additionally, we had an immaterial amount of accrued interest and penalties as of September 30,
2019 and 2018, respectively. Our income tax expense includes tax-related interest.
In the normal course of business, we are subject to audits by federal and state tax authorities regarding various tax liabilities.
Certain state income tax returns for various fiscal years are under routine examination. The statute of limitations for our major tax
jurisdictions remains open for examination for fiscal years 2007 and subsequent years. As of September 30, 2019, it is reasonably
possible that $32 thousand of our uncertain tax positions will reverse within the next twelve months.
(14) Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock
The Company currently has no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Common Stock
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had 63,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 30,933,110 shares both issued
and outstanding.
77
Common Stock Repurchases
During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorizes
the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its outstanding common stock. As part of this program, the Company has
repurchased common stock during fiscal 2019 through open market transactions, 10b5-1 plans, and accelerated share
repurchase (ASR) agreements. Under an ASR agreement, the Company pays a specified amount to a third party financial
institution and receives an initial delivery of shares of common stock. This initial delivery of shares represents the minimum
number of shares the Company expects to receive under the agreement. Upon settlement of the ASR agreement, the financial
institution delivers additional shares, with the final number of shares delivered determined with reference to the volume
weighted average price per share of our common stock over the term of the agreement, less a negotiated discount. The
transactions are accounted for as equity transactions with shares received reflected as an immediate reduction in the weighted
average common shares calculation for basic and diluted earnings per share.
The following table presents information regarding ASR agreements entered into during fiscal 2019 (in millions, except per
share data).
Agreement Date
Settlement Date
November 2018
December 2018
$
May 2019
July 2019
Agreement
Amount
Initial Shares
Delivered
16.5
10.0
1.3
0.9
Additional
Shares
Delivered
0.3
0.1
Total Shares
Delivered
Average Price
Per Share
$
1.6
1.0
10.62
9.87
In addition to shares repurchased under ASR agreements, the Company repurchased 0.7 million shares for $8.1 million at an
average price per share of $11.35 through open market transactions and 10b5-1 plans during fiscal 2019.
All shares have been retired upon repurchase during fiscal 2019. The aggregate reduction to stockholders’ equity related to
share repurchases was $34.6 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2019, the remaining
availability of the share repurchase program was $15.4 million. The Company made no share repurchases in the prior year.
Dividends
The indentures under which our Senior Notes were issued contain certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on our
payment of dividends. There were no dividends paid during our fiscal 2019, 2018, or 2017.
Section 382 Rights Agreement
Prior to fiscal 2019, the Company’s stockholders had approved amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the
Protective Amendment) designed to preserve the value of certain tax assets associated with NOL carryforwards under Section
382. In February 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved an extension of the term of the Protective Amendment and approved
a Section 382 Rights Agreement that was adopted by our Board of Directors. These instruments are intended to act as deterrents
to any person or group, together with their affiliates and associates, from being or becoming the beneficial owner of 4.95% or
more of the Company’s common stock.
(15) Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans
401(k) Retirement Plan
The Company sponsors a defined-contribution plan that is a tax-qualified retirement plan under section 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code (the Plan). Substantially all employees are eligible for participation in the Plan. Participants may defer and contribute
from 1% to 80% of their salary to the Plan, with certain limitations on highly compensated individuals. The Company matches
50% of the first 6% of the participant's contributions. The participant's contributions vest immediately, while the Company's
contributions vest over five years. The total contributions for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017 were
approximately $3.6 million, $3.3 million, and $3.0 million, respectively. During fiscal 2019, 2018, and 2017, participants forfeited
$0.7 million, $0.7 million, and $0.6 million, respectively, of unvested matching contributions.
78
Deferred Compensation Plan
The Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the DCP) is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for a select
group of executives and highly compensated employees. The DCP allows the executives to defer current compensation on a pre-
tax basis to a future year, until termination of employment. The objectives of the DCP are to assist executives with financial
planning and capital accumulation and to provide the Company with a method of attracting, rewarding and retaining executives.
Participation in the DCP is voluntary. Beazer Homes may voluntarily make a contribution to the participants' DCP accounts.
Deferred compensation assets of $2.0 million and $1.6 million and deferred compensation liabilities of $4.9 million and $4.6
million as of September 30, 2019, and 2018, respectively, are included in other assets and other liabilities on our consolidated
balance sheets, and are recorded at fair value. For the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company contributed
approximately $0.2 million, $0.2 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, to the DCP in the form of voluntary contributions.
(16) Stock-Based Compensation
During fiscal 2014, we adopted, and our stockholders approved, the 2014 Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan
(the 2014 Plan). Following adoption of the 2014 Plan, shares available for grant under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2010
Plan) remain available for grant in accordance with the terms of that plan. We issue new shares upon the exercise of stock options
and the vesting of restricted stock awards. In cases of forfeitures and cancellations, those shares are returned to the share pool for
future issuance. As of September 30, 2019, we had approximately 1.7 million shares of common stock for issuance under our
various equity incentive plans, of which approximately 1.2 million shares are available for future grants.
Our total stock-based compensation expense is included in G&A expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and
recognized using the straight-line method over the vesting period. A summary of the expense related to stock-based compensation
by award type is as follows for the periods presented:
(In thousands)
Stock options expense
Restricted stock awards expense
Stock-based compensation expense
Stock Options
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
178
10,348
10,526
$
$
225
10,033
10,258
$
$
274
7,885
8,159
We have issued stock options to officers and key employees under the 2014 Plan, the 2010 Plan, and the 1999 Plan. Stock options
have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, vest three years after the date of grant,
and may be exercised thereafter until their expiration, subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment as provided in the
applicable plan. Under certain conditions of retirement, eligible participants may receive a partial vesting of stock options. Stock
options generally expire on the seventh or eighth anniversary from the date such options were granted, depending on the terms of
the award.
The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (Black-
Scholes Model). As of September 30, 2019, the intrinsic value of our stock options outstanding, vested and expected to vest, vested
and exercisable were $1.1 million, $1.0 million, and $0.9 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018,
there was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options.
The cost remaining as of September 30, 2019 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.
During fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved the Employee Stock Option Program (EOP).
This program is available to all full-time employees and is designed to enable employees to share in potential price appreciation
of the Company's stock. The EOP matches stock purchases made by eligible employees meeting certain conditions with an option
to purchase an additional share of the Company's shares on a one-to-one basis. The exercise price of the options granted is equal
to the closing price of the Company's stock on the day the underlying stock is purchased. The options will vest on the second
anniversary of the date of grant but are forfeited if (1) the eligible employee no longer works for the Company or (2) the underlying
shares are sold before the two-year vesting period is over. The total number of options available under the EOP is limited to
100,000, of which 30,782 options were granted through the end of fiscal 2019.
79
During the year ended September 30, 2019, we issued 30,782 stock options, all were issued under the EOP, each for one share of
the Company's stock. These stock options typically vest ratably over two years from the date of grant. We used the following
valuation assumptions for stock options granted for the periods presented:
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
Expected life of options
Expected volatility
Expected dividends
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate
5.0 years
46.69%
—
2.70%
5.0 years
44.71%
—
2.10%
Weighted-average fair value
$
4.50
$
8.30
$
5.4 years
50.10%
—
1.85%
5.83
We relied upon a combination of the observed exercise behavior of our prior grants with similar characteristics, the vesting schedule
of the current grants, and an index of peer companies with similar grant characteristics to determine the expected life of the options
granted. We considered historic returns of our stock and the implied volatility of our publicly-traded options in determining expected
volatility. We assumed no dividends would be paid since our Board of Directors has suspended payment of dividends indefinitely
and payment of dividends is restricted under our Senior Note covenants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the term structure
of interest rates at the time of the option grant.
Activity related to stock options for the periods presented is as follows:
Outstanding at beginning of period
Granted
Exercised
Expired
Cancelled
Forfeited
Outstanding at end of period
Exercisable at end of period
Vested or expected to vest in the future
2019
2018
2017
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
14.26
10.23
10.00
—
—
10.45
14.34
14.42
14.36
Shares
533,052
$
30,782
(31,450)
—
—
(8,630)
523,754
470,501
521,362
$
$
$
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
14.76
19.99
7.52
23.19
—
10.46
14.26
14.03
14.26
Shares
593,753
$
25,230
(8,411)
(61,967)
—
(15,553)
533,052
479,538
533,052
$
$
$
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
16.49
12.50
10.80
28.45
23.65
11.97
14.76
15.91
14.83
Shares
672,669
$
29,410
(2,313)
(84,976)
(480)
(20,557)
593,753
476,606
585,186
$
$
$
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2019:
Range of Exercise Price
$1 - $10
$11 - $15
$16 - $20
$1 - $20
Stock Options Outstanding
Stock Options Exercisable
Weighted-
Average
Contractual
Remaining
Life (Years)
2.5
2.3
2.7
2.5
Number
Outstanding
138,472
212,240
173,042
523,754
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Number
Exercisable
$
$
9.79
13.28
19.30
14.34
116,980
196,266
157,255
470,501
Weighted-
Average
Contractual
Remaining
Life (Years)
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
1.6
2.0
2.3
2.0
$
$
9.77
13.38
19.19
14.42
Information pertaining to the intrinsic value of options exercised and the fair market value of options that vested is below:
(In thousands)
Intrinsic value of options exercised
Fair market value of options vested
2019
2018
2017
$
90
$
178
$
76
296
13
482
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
80
Restricted Stock Awards
The fair value of each restricted stock award with market conditions is estimated on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo
valuation method. The fair value of restricted stock awards without market conditions is based on the market price of the Company's
common stock on the date of grant. If applicable, the cash-settled component of any awards granted to employees is accounted
for as a liability, which is adjusted to fair value each reporting period until vested.
Compensation cost arising from restricted stock awards granted to employees is recognized as an expense using the straight-line
method over the vesting period. As of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, there was $9.0 million and $8.8 million,
respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards. The cost remaining as of
September 30, 2019 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.
We have issued restricted stock awards to officers and key employees under both the 2014 Plan and the 2010 Plan. During fiscal
2019, we issued time-based restricted stock awards and performance-based restricted stock awards with a payout subject to certain
performance and market conditions. Each award type is discussed below.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards
During the year ended September 30, 2019, we issued 381,769 shares of performance-based restricted stock (2019 Performance
Shares) to our executive officers and certain other employees that also have market conditions. The 2019 Performance Shares are
structured to be awarded based on the Company's performance under three pre-determined financial metrics at the end of the three-
year performance period. After determining the number of shares earned based on the financial metrics, which can range from 0%
to 175% of the targeted number of shares, the award will be subject to further upward or downward adjustment by as much as
20% based on the Company's relative total shareholder return (TSR) compared against the S&P Homebuilders Select Industry
Index during the three-year performance period. The 2019 Performance Shares were valued using the Monte Carlo valuation
model due to the existence of the TSR market condition and had an estimated fair value of $10.50 per share on the date of grant.
A Monte Carlo valuation model requires the following inputs: (1) the expected dividend yield on the underlying stock; (2) the
expected price volatility of the underlying stock; (3) the risk-free interest rate for the period corresponding with the expected term
of the award; and (4) the fair value of the underlying stock. For the Company and each member of the peer group, the following
inputs were used, as applicable, in the Monte Carlo valuation model to determine the fair value as of the grant date for performance-
based restricted stock granted in each of the fiscal years ended. The methodology used to determine these assumptions is similar
to the Black-Scholes Model; however, the expected term is determined by the model in the Monte Carlo simulation.
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Dividend yield
Grant-date stock price
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
21.0% - 57.1%
21.1% - 61.2%
32.6% - 66.0%
2.92%
—
9.82
$
1.81%
—
20.50
$
1.30%
—
12.51
$
Each performance share represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Company's common stock if vesting is satisfied
at the end of the three-year performance period. Any 2019 Performance Shares earned in excess of the target number of 381,769 may
be settled in cash or additional shares at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Any portion of these shares that do not
vest at the end of the period will be forfeited.
The performance criteria of the 2017 Performance Share grant were satisfied as of September 30, 2019. Based on the actual
performance level achieved, 390,043 performance-based restricted stock awards from the 2017 Performance Share grant will cliff
vest at the end of the three-year vesting period on November 17, 2019. Of the total $5.9 million compensation cost related to these
awards, we have recognized $2.7 million, $2.0 million, and $1.0 million during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, 2018,
and 2017, respectively. The remaining $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized in the first quarter of
fiscal 2020.
Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards
During the year ended September 30, 2019, we also issued 448,657 shares of time-based restricted stock (Restricted Shares) to
our directors, executive officers, and certain other employees. Restricted Shares are valued based on the market price of the
Company's common stock on the date of the grant. The Restricted Shares granted to our non-employee directors vest on the first
anniversary of the grant, while the Restricted Shares granted to our executive officers and other employees generally vest ratably
over three years from the date of grant.
81
Activity relating to all restricted stock awards for the periods presented is as follows:
Year Ended September 30, 2019
Performance-Based
Time-Based
Total
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
16.47
9.95
15.36
13.44
13.60
Shares
644,785
$
467,819
(321,833)
(11,957)
778,814
$
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
16.60
9.82
16.41
12.20
12.11
Shares
431,783
$
448,657
(212,558)
(56,275)
611,607
$
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
16.53
9.89
15.78
12.42
16.53
Shares
1,076,568
916,476
(534,391)
(68,232)
1,390,421
$
$
Beginning of period
Granted (a)
Vested (a)
Forfeited
End of period
(a) Grant and vesting activity during the twelve months ended September 30, 2019 include 86,050 shares that were issued above
target based on performance level achieved under performance-based restricted stock vesting in the current period.
Performance-Based
Time-Based
Total
Year Ended September 30, 2018
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
15.72
22.40
—
18.98
16.47
Shares
668,766
$
165,085
—
(189,066)
644,785
$
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
16.47
18.98
17.38
17.02
16.60
Shares
872,181
$
277,165
(690,922)
(26,641)
431,783
$
Year Ended September 30, 2017
Shares
1,540,947
$
442,250
(690,922)
(215,707)
1,076,568
$
Performance-Based
Time-Based
Total
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
16.71
13.60
—
13.11
15.72
Shares
448,693
$
263,696
—
(43,623)
668,766
$
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
17.52
12.50
15.52
14.08
16.47
Shares
807,124
$
271,855
(189,029)
(17,769)
872,181
$
Shares
1,255,817
$
535,551
(189,029)
(61,392)
1,540,947
$
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
16.15
20.26
17.38
18.74
16.53
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
17.23
13.04
15.52
13.39
16.15
Beginning of period
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
End of period
Beginning of period
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
End of period
82
(17) Earnings Per Share
Basic (loss) income per share is calculated by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding
during the period. Diluted (loss) income per share adjusts the basic (loss) income per share for the effects of any potentially dilutive
securities in periods in which the Company has net income and such effects are dilutive under the treasury stock method.
Following is a summary of the components of basic and diluted (loss) income per share for the periods presented:
in thousands, except per share data
Numerator:
(Loss) income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net (loss) income
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average shares
Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards
Dilutive effect of stock options
Diluted weighted-average shares (a)
Basic (loss) income per share:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total
Diluted (loss) income per share:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
$
$
$
$
(79,421) $
(45,046) $
(99)
(329)
(79,520) $
(45,375) $
30,617
32,141
—
—
—
—
30,617
32,141
(2.59) $
(0.01)
(2.60) $
(2.59) $
(0.01)
(2.60) $
(1.40) $
(0.01)
(1.41) $
(1.40) $
(0.01)
(1.41) $
31,953
(140)
31,813
31,952
433
41
32,426
1.00
—
1.00
0.99
—
0.99
(a) The following potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted (loss) income per share as a result of
their anti-dilutive effect. Due to the reported net losses for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, all common stock
equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for fiscal years 2019 and 2018 because inclusion would
have resulted in anti-dilution.
in thousands
Stock options
Time-based restricted stock
Performance-based restricted stock
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
524
612
779
533
432
645
319
—
—
83
(18) Segment Information
We currently operate in 13 states that are grouped into three homebuilding segments based on geography. Revenues from our
homebuilding segments are derived from the sale of homes that we construct and from land and lot sales. Our reportable segments
have been determined on a basis that is used internally by management for evaluating segment performance and resource allocations.
We have considered the applicable aggregation criteria, and have combined our homebuilding operations into three reportable
segments as follows:
West: Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas
East: Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey(a), Tennessee, and Virginia
Southeast: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
(a) During our fiscal 2015, we made the decision that we would not continue to reinvest in new homebuilding assets in our New
Jersey division; therefore, it is no longer considered an active operation. However, it is included in this listing because the
segment information below continues to include New Jersey.
Management’s evaluation of segment performance is based on segment operating (loss) income. Operating (loss) income for our
homebuilding segments is defined as homebuilding and land sales and other revenue less home construction, land development
and land sales expense, commission expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain G&A expenses that are incurred by or
allocated to our homebuilding segments. The accounting policies of our segments are those described in Note 2.
The following tables contain our revenue, operating (loss) income, and depreciation and amortization by segment for the periods
presented:
in thousands
Revenue
West
East
Southeast
Total revenue
in thousands
Operating (loss) income (a)
West
East (b)
Southeast
Segment total
Corporate and unallocated (c)
Total operating (loss) income
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
1,014,702
$
514,961
558,076
$
1,014,803
524,563
567,767
853,230
551,422
511,626
2,087,739
$
2,107,133
$
1,916,278
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
(5,492) $
51,576
40,165
86,249
(176,145)
(89,896) $
142,310
$
57,372
45,950
245,632
(164,084)
81,548
$
110,600
58,191
53,905
222,696
(160,558)
62,138
$
$
$
$
(a) Operating (loss) income is impacted by impairment and abandonment charges incurred during the periods presented (see Note
5).
(b) Operating income for our East segment for the year ended September 30, 2017 was impacted by a charge to G&A of $2.7 million
related to the write-off of a deposit on a legacy investment in a development site that we deemed uncollectible.
(c) Corporate and unallocated operating loss includes amortization of capitalized interest, movement in capitalized indirect costs,
expenses related to numerous shared services functions that benefit all segments but are not allocated to the operating segments
reported above, including information technology, treasury, corporate finance, legal, branding and national marketing, and other
amounts that are not allocated to our operating segments.
84
in thousands
Depreciation and amortization
West
East
Southeast
Segment total
Corporate and unallocated (a)
Total depreciation and amortization
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
6,456
$
7,062
$
3,250
3,455
13,161
1,598
2,619
3,053
12,734
1,073
14,759
$
13,807
$
7,207
2,927
2,564
12,698
1,311
14,009
(a) Corporate and unallocated depreciation and amortization represents depreciation and amortization related to assets held by our
corporate functions that benefit all segments.
The following table presents capital expenditures by segment for the periods presented:
in thousands
Capital Expenditures
West
East
Southeast
Corporate and unallocated
Total capital expenditures
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
11,635
$
8,152
$
2,518
3,086
4,117
2,234
3,112
3,522
21,356
$
17,020
$
7,086
2,474
2,539
341
12,440
The following table presents assets by segment as of September 30, 2019 and 2018:
in thousands
Assets
West
East
Southeast
Corporate and unallocated (a)
Total assets
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2018
$
$
751,110
$
286,340
359,431
560,763
835,230
335,474
414,685
542,713
1,957,644
$
2,128,102
(a) Corporate and unallocated total assets primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, deferred taxes, capitalized
interest and indirect costs, and other items that are not allocated to the segments.
(19) Supplemental Guarantor Information
As discussed in Note 8, the Company's obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest under certain debt agreements
are guaranteed on a joint and several basis by substantially all of the Company's subsidiaries. Some of the immaterial subsidiaries
do not guarantee the Senior Notes or the Facility. The guarantees are full and unconditional, and the guarantor subsidiaries are
100% owned by Beazer Homes USA, Inc. The following financial information presents the line items of the Company's consolidated
financial statements separated by amounts related to the parent issuer, guarantor subsidiaries, non-guarantor subsidiaries, and
consolidating adjustments as of or for the periods presented.
85
Trade accounts payable
$
— $
131,152
$
— $
— $
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
September 30, 2019
in thousands
ASSETS
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Cash and cash equivalents
$
70,617
$
36,115
$
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of
$304)
Income tax receivable
Owned inventory
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Deferred tax assets, net
Property and equipment, net
Investments in subsidiaries
Intercompany
Goodwill
Other assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Other liabilities
Intercompany
Total debt (net of premium and debt
issuance costs)
Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity
14,847
—
4,935
—
773
246,957
—
636,791
753,769
—
1,235
1,206
26,394
—
1,504,248
3,189
—
27,421
—
—
11,376
8,317
9
—
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,680
—
4
$
— $
106,741
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(636,791)
(755,449)
—
—
16,053
26,395
4,935
1,504,248
3,962
246,957
27,421
—
—
11,376
9,556
$
1,729,924
$
1,618,266
$
1,694
$
(1,392,240) $
1,957,644
12,335
1,680
1,177,155
1,191,170
538,754
97,081
753,769
1,154
983,156
635,110
13
—
—
13
1,681
—
(755,449)
—
(755,449)
(636,791)
131,152
109,429
—
1,178,309
1,418,890
538,754
$
1,729,924
$
1,618,266
$
1,694
$
(1,392,240) $
1,957,644
86
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
September 30, 2018
in thousands
ASSETS
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Cash and cash equivalents
$
93,875
$
45,355
$
575
$
— $
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable (net of allowance
of $378)
Income tax receivable
Owned inventory
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Deferred tax assets, net
Property and equipment, net
Investments in subsidiaries
Intercompany
Goodwill
Other assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Trade accounts payable
$
$
Other liabilities
Intercompany
Total debt (net of discount and debt
issuance costs)
Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity
10,921
—
—
—
773
213,955
—
645,086
922,525
—
694
2,522
24,647
—
1,692,284
3,262
—
20,843
—
—
9,751
8,626
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2,304
—
19
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(645,086)
(924,829)
—
—
139,805
13,443
24,647
—
1,692,284
4,035
213,955
20,843
—
—
9,751
9,339
1,887,829
$
1,807,290
$
2,898
$
(1,569,915) $
2,128,102
— $
126,432
$
— $
— $
14,357
2,304
1,227,141
1,243,802
644,027
111,906
922,525
4,113
1,164,976
642,314
126
—
—
126
2,772
—
(924,829)
—
(924,829)
(645,086)
126,432
126,389
—
1,231,254
1,484,075
644,027
$
1,887,829
$
1,807,290
$
2,898
$
(1,569,915) $
2,128,102
87
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Consolidating Statements of Operations Information
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
in thousands
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019
Total revenue
Home construction and land sales expenses
Inventory impairments and abandonments
Gross (loss) profit
Commissions
General and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Operating (loss) income
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Other (expense) income, net
(Loss) income from continuing operations
before income taxes
(Benefit) expense from income taxes
Equity in income of subsidiaries
(Loss) income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of
tax
Equity in loss of subsidiaries from
discontinued operations
$
— $
93,875
13,908
(107,783)
—
—
—
(107,783)
—
(24,920)
(3,109)
(135,812)
(15,603)
40,788
(79,421)
—
(99)
$
2,087,739
1,679,325
134,710
273,704
79,802
161,375
14,759
17,768
404
—
887
19,059
(21,643)
—
40,702
(85)
—
Net (loss) income
$
(79,520) $
40,617
$
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018
Total revenue
Home construction and land sales expenses
Inventory impairments and abandonments
Gross (loss) profit
Commissions
General and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Operating (loss) income
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Other (expense) income, net
(Loss) income from continuing operations
before income taxes
(Benefit) expense from income taxes
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
Loss from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of
tax
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
Net loss
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
$
— $
91,132
1,961
(93,093)
—
—
—
(93,093)
—
(27,839)
(5,323)
(126,255)
(93,714)
(12,505)
(45,046)
$
2,107,133
1,664,570
4,538
438,025
81,002
168,536
13,807
174,680
34
—
1,046
175,760
188,217
—
(12,457)
83
—
—
83
—
122
—
(39)
—
—
(28)
(67)
(19)
—
(48)
—
(329)
(45,375) $
(312)
—
(12,769) $
$
(17)
—
(65) $
88
115
—
—
115
—
(4)
—
119
—
—
(4)
115
29
—
86
(14)
—
72
$
$
$
(115) $
(115)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(40,788)
(40,788)
—
99
(40,689) $
2,087,739
1,773,085
148,618
166,036
79,802
161,371
14,759
(89,896)
404
(24,920)
(2,226)
(116,638)
(37,217)
—
(79,421)
(99)
—
(79,520)
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
(83) $
(83)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
12,505
12,505
—
329
12,834
$
2,107,133
1,755,619
6,499
345,015
81,002
168,658
13,807
81,548
34
(27,839)
(4,305)
49,438
94,484
—
(45,046)
(329)
—
(45,375)
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Consolidating Statements of Operations Information
in thousands
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017
Total revenue
Home construction and land sales expenses
Inventory impairments and abandonments
Gross (loss) profit
Commissions
General and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Operating (loss) income
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities
Gain (Loss) on extinguishment of debt
Other (expense) income, net
(Loss) income before income taxes
(Benefit) expense from income taxes
Equity in income of subsidiaries
Income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of
tax
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
Net income (loss)
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
$
— $
88,764
56
(88,820)
—
—
—
(88,820)
—
(12,630)
(15,635)
(117,085)
(42,564)
106,474
31,953
$
1,916,278
1,512,312
2,389
401,577
74,811
161,804
14,009
150,953
371
—
429
151,753
45,266
—
106,487
$
107
—
—
107
—
102
—
5
—
—
(24)
(19)
(6)
—
(13)
—
(140)
31,813
$
(115)
—
106,372
$
$
(25)
—
(38) $
(107) $
(107)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(106,474)
(106,474)
—
140
(106,334) $
1,916,278
1,600,969
2,445
312,864
74,811
161,906
14,009
62,138
371
(12,630)
(15,230)
34,649
2,696
—
31,953
(140)
—
31,813
89
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flow Information
in thousands
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$ (107,882) $
221,529
$
(12) $
— $
113,635
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Acquisition, net of cash acquired
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities
Advances to/from subsidiaries
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt
Proceeds from issuance of new debt
Repayment of borrowing from credit facility
Borrowings from credit facility
Debt issuance costs
Other financing activities
Repurchase of common stock
Advances to/from subsidiaries
Net cash used in financing activities
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at
beginning of period
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of
period
—
—
—
—
204,555
204,555
(573,589)
500,000
(425,000)
425,000
(6,137)
(1,655)
(34,624)
—
(116,005)
(19,332)
(21,356)
251
(4,088)
68
—
(25,125)
(2,959)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(204,001)
(206,960)
(10,556)
104,796
47,877
—
—
—
—
(554)
(554)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(566)
575
—
—
—
—
(204,001)
(204,001)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
204,001
204,001
—
—
(21,356)
251
(4,088)
68
—
(25,125)
(576,548)
500,000
(425,000)
425,000
(6,137)
(1,655)
(34,624)
—
(118,964)
(30,454)
153,248
$
85,464
$
37,321
$
9
$
— $
122,794
90
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flow Information
in thousands
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Acquisition, net of cash acquired
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities
Advances to/from subsidiaries
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt
Proceeds from issuance of new debt
Repayment of borrowing from credit facility
Borrowing from credit facility
Debt issuance costs
Other financing activities
Advances to/from subsidiaries
Net cash (used in) provided by financing
activities
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at
beginning of period
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of
period
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities
Advances to/from subsidiaries
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt
Proceeds from issuance of new debt
Borrowing from credit facility
Repayment of borrowing from credit facility
Debt issuance costs
Other financing activities
Advances to/from subsidiaries
Net cash used in financing activities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at
beginning of period
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of
period
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
$
(1,163) $
56,153
$
(152) $
— $
54,838
—
—
—
—
—
(56,182)
(56,182)
(522,465)
400,000
(225,000)
225,000
(6,272)
(3,314)
—
(132,051)
(189,396)
(17,020)
370
(57,253)
(421)
176
—
(74,148)
—
—
—
—
—
—
49,018
49,018
31,023
294,192
16,854
—
—
—
—
3
3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(149)
724
—
—
—
—
56,179
56,179
—
—
—
—
—
—
(49,018)
(49,018)
7,161
(17,020)
370
(57,253)
(421)
176
—
(74,148)
(522,465)
400,000
(225,000)
225,000
(6,272)
(3,314)
—
(132,051)
(151,361)
(7,161)
304,609
$
104,796
$
47,877
$
575
$
— $
153,248
$
(65,093) $
170,129
$
(174) $
— $
104,862
—
—
—
—
148,081
148,081
(261,999)
250,000
25,000
(25,000)
(4,919)
(391)
—
(17,309)
65,679
(12,440)
297
(3,261)
1,621
—
(13,783)
(12,437)
—
—
—
—
—
(145,459)
(157,896)
(1,550)
—
—
—
—
39
39
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(135)
—
—
—
—
(148,120)
(148,120)
—
—
—
—
—
—
145,459
145,459
(2,661)
(12,440)
297
(3,261)
1,621
—
(13,783)
(274,436)
250,000
25,000
(25,000)
(4,919)
(391)
—
(29,746)
61,333
228,513
18,404
859
(4,500)
243,276
$
294,192
$
16,854
$
724
$
(7,161) $
304,609
91
(20) Discontinued Operations
We continually review each of our markets in order to refine our overall investment strategy and to optimize capital and resource
allocations in an effort to enhance our financial position and to increase stockholder value. This review entails an evaluation of
both external market factors and our position in each market, and over time has resulted in the decision to discontinue certain of
our homebuilding operations. During our fiscal 2015, we made the decision that we would not continue to reinvest in new
homebuilding assets in our New Jersey division; therefore, it is no longer considered an active operation. However, the results of
our New Jersey division are not included in the discontinued operations information shown below.
We have classified the results of operations of our discontinued operations separately in the accompanying consolidated statements
of operations for all periods presented. There were no material assets or liabilities related to our discontinued operations as of
September 30, 2019 or September 30, 2018. Discontinued operations were not segregated in the consolidated statements of cash
flows. Therefore, amounts for certain captions in the consolidated statements of cash flows will not agree with the respective data
in the consolidated statements of operations. The results of our discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations
for the periods presented were as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2019
2018
2017
$
55
61
—
(6)
125
(131)
(1)
5
(127)
(28)
(99) $
$
633
612
450
(429)
101
(530)
93
(4)
(441)
(112)
(329) $
—
72
—
(72)
169
(241)
31
(5)
(215)
(75)
(140)
in thousands
Total revenue
Home construction and land sales expenses
Inventory impairments and abandonments
Gross loss
General and administrative expenses
Operating loss
Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated entities
Other income (expense), net
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes
Benefit from income taxes
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
$
$
92
December 31
March 31
June 30
September 30
(21) Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Selected summarized quarterly financial information is as follows for the periods presented:
in thousands, except per share data
Quarter Ended
Fiscal 2019
Total revenue
Gross profit (loss) (a)
Operating income (loss)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (b)
Basic EPS from continuing operations (c)
Diluted EPS from continuing operations (c)
Fiscal 2018
Total revenue
Gross profit (a)
Operating income
Net (loss) income from continuing operations (b)
Basic EPS from continuing operations (c)
Diluted EPS from continuing operations (c)
$
$
$
$
$
$
402,040
$
60,655
3,506
7,322
0.23
0.23
421,260
(82,680)
(138,950)
(100,832)
$
482,738
$
71,764
9,543
11,625
$
$
(3.28) $
(3.28) $
0.38
0.38
$
$
372,489
$
455,178
$
511,521
$
60,829
6,681
(130,575)
75,077
13,825
11,616
83,244
17,580
13,429
(4.07) $
(4.07) $
0.36
0.36
$
$
0.42
0.41
$
$
(a) Gross profit (loss) in fiscal 2019 and 2018 includes inventory impairment and abandonments as follows:
in thousands
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2018
$
$
1,007
$
147,611
—
—
148,618
$
781,701
116,297
36,005
2,464
0.08
0.08
767,945
125,865
43,462
60,484
1.88
1.83
—
—
168
6,331
6,499
(b) Net (loss) income from continuing operations in fiscal 2019 and 2018 includes (loss) gain on extinguishment of debt as follows:
in thousands
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2018
$
$
— $
216
358
(25,494)
(24,920) $
(25,904)
—
—
(1,935)
(27,839)
(c) Amounts shown above for EPS for the quarterly periods are calculated separately from the full fiscal year amounts. Accordingly,
quarterly amounts will not add to the respective annual amount.
93
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company")
as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for
each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial
statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Company as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended September 30, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019, based on criteria established in
Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission and our report dated November 13, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over
financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether
due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included
examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also
included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
November 13, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1996.
94
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as
of September 30, 2019, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all
material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019, based on criteria established in
Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2019, of the Company and our
report dated November 13, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are
required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all
material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk
that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the
assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
November 13, 2019
95
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial
Officer (CFO), evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of
September 30, 2019 pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Our disclosure
controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under
the Exchange Act 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 our management, including our
CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on the evaluation, our CEO and CFO
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2019.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements included in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and reflect management’s judgments and estimates concerning events and transactions that
are accounted for or disclosed.
Our management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such
term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed
under the supervision of our CEO and CFO to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and
the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and even
when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and
presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019. Management’s
assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control – Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on
this assessment, management concluded that the Company has maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as
of September 30, 2019. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019 has been audited
by Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in “Part II -
Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30,
2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
96
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Officers
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, which is expected to be filed on or before December 15, 2019.
Code of Ethics
Beazer Homes has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that applies to its principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and other senior financial officers. In November 2019, the Company’s
Board of Directors amended the Code. The full text of the Code, as amended, can be found on the Company’s website at
www.beazer.com. If at any time there is an amendment or waiver of any provision of the Code that is required to be disclosed,
information regarding such amendment or waiver will be published on the Company’s website.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, which is expected to be filed on or before December 15, 2019.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is set forth above in Item 5 - Market
for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. All of the other information
required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is
expected to be filed on or before December 15, 2019.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, which is expected to be filed on or before December 15, 2019.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, which is expected to be filed on or before December 15, 2019.
97
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
PART IV
(a) 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, 2018,
and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page Herein
46
47
48
49
50
2. Financial Statement Schedules
None required.
3. Exhibits
All exhibits were filed under File No. 001-12822, except as otherwise indicated below.
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4.1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008)
Certificate of Amendment, dated April 13, 2010, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2010)
Certificate of Amendment, dated February 3, 2011, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Company's Form 8-K filed on February 8, 2011)
Certificate of Amendment, dated October 11, 2012, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Company's Form 8-K filed on October 12, 2012)
Certificate of Amendment, dated February 2, 2013, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Company's Form 8-K filed on February 5, 2013)
Certificate of Amendment, dated November 6, 2013, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Company's Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2013)
Certificate of Amendment, dated November 11, 2016, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.8 of the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016)
Certificate of Amendment, dated as of November 8, 2019, and effective as of November 12, 2019, to the
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3
of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010)
Specimen Physical Common Stock Certificate of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 10-K filed on November 10, 2015)
98
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18
4.19
4.20
4.21
4.22
4.23
4.24
4.25
4.31
4.32
—
—
Indenture, dated as of April 17, 2002 among the Company, the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank
Trust National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on July 16, 2002)
Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated January 9, 2006, to the Indenture dated as of April 17, 2002
(incorporated herein by referenced to Exhibit 99.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2006)
—
Reserved.
— Reserved.
—
Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated June 15, 2006, between the Company and JPMorgan Chase
Bank, National Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K
filed on June 21, 2006)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated June 15, 2006, among the Company, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, National Association, Chase Bank USA, National Association, and certain individuals named
therein as Administrative Trustees (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's
Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2006)
Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated October 26, 2007, amending and supplementing the Indenture dated
April 17, 2002, by and among Beazer Homes USA, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and U.S.
Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's
Form 8-K filed on October 30, 2007)
Junior Subordinated Indenture between Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as
trustee, dated as of January 15, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's
Form 8-K dated January 21, 2010)
Reserved.
Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated July 22, 2011, to the Indenture dated April 17, 2002, between the
Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, amending and supplementing the Thirteenth
Supplemental Indenture, dated May 20, 2010, and the Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated
November 12, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2011)
Reserved.
Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2017, between the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed
on October 10, 2017)
Form of 5.875% Senior Note due 2027 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s
Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2017)
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2017, between the Company, the Guarantors and
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2017)
Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2019, and effective as of November 14, 2019,
between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent
Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated April 2, 2014, between Beazer-Inspirada LLC and U.S. Bank
National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(i) to the Company’s Form
S-4 filed on June 10, 2014 (File No. 333-196637))
Supplemental Indenture, dated April 2, 2014, between Beazer-Inspirada LLC and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee, related to the Company’s 6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5(c) to the Company’s Form S-4 filed on June 10, 2014 (File No.
333-196637))
Supplemental Indenture, dated April 2, 2014, between Beazer-Inspirada LLC and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee, related to the Company’s 7.250% Senior Notes due 2023 (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.6(c) to the Company’s Form S-4 filed on June 10, 2014 (File No. 333-196637))
Supplemental Indenture, dated April 2, 2014, between Beazer-Inspirada LLC and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee, related to the Company’s 7.500% Senior Notes due 2021 (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.7(c) to the Company’s Form S-4 filed on June 10, 2014 (File No. 333-196637))
Reserved.
Reserved.
Reserved.
Indenture for 6.750% Senior Notes due 2025, dated March 14, 2017, by and among the Company, the
Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
4.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2017)
Form of 6.750% Senior Note due 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Form
8-K filed on March 15, 2017)
99
4.33
4.34
4.35
4.36
10.1*
10.2*
10.3*
10.4*
10.5*
10.6*
10.7*
10.8*
10.9*
10.10*
10.11*
10.12*
10.13*
10.14*
10.15*
10.16*
10.17*
10.18*
10.19*
10.20*
10.21*
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2017, by and among the Company, the Guarantors
and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, as representatives of the Initial Purchasers (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 15, 2017)
Indenture for 7.250% Senior Notes due 2029, dated as of September 24, 2019, by and among the Company,
the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2019)
Form of 7.250% Senior Note due 2029 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's
8-K filed on September 24, 2019)
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2019, by and among the Company, the
Guarantors and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2019)
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003)
Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the
Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008)
Second Amended and Restated Corporate Management Stock Purchase Program (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007)
Director Stock Purchase Program (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's
Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004)
Form of Stock Option and Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004)
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004)
Form of Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Performance Share
Awards, dated as of February 2, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006)
Form of Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Option and Restricted
Stock Awards, dated as of February 2, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the
Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006)
Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's
Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2008)
2008 Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, adopted effective January 1,
2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2007)
Discretionary Employee Bonus Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.28 of the Company's
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007)
2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 10-
Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010)
Form of 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Employee Award Agreement for Option and Restricted Stock
Awards (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2010)
Form of 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Option and Restricted Stock Awards (Non-
Employee Directors) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2010)
Form of 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Option and Restricted Stock Awards (Named
Executive Officers) dated as of November 16, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of
the Company's 8-K filed on November 22, 2011)
Form of 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Performance Cash Award Agreement (Named Executive Officers)
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's 10-Q for the quarter ended December
31, 2012)
2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix I of the
Company’s Form DEF 14A filed on December 19, 2016)
Reserved.
Reserved.
Reserved.
Form of 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Awards (Named Executive
Officers) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Company’s Form 10-K filed on
November 13, 2014)
100
10.22*
10.23*
10.24*
10.25*
10.26*
10.27*
10.28*
10.29*
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
10.35
—
10.36
—
10.37
10.38
—
—
10.39
—
Form of 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement for TSR Performance Share Awards (Named
Executive Officers) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the Company’s Form 10-K filed
on November 13, 2014)
Form of 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Pre-Tax Income Performance Share Awards
(Named Executive Officers) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the Company’s Form
10-K filed on November 13, 2014)
Form of 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Awards (Non-Employee
Directors) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Company’s Form 10-K filed on
November 13, 2014)
Form of 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Performance Shares (Named Executive
Officers) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on February
4, 2016)
Form of 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Performance Shares (Named Executive
Officers) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Company's Form 10-K filed on
November 14, 2017)
Severance and Change In Control Agreement by and between Allan P. Merrill and the Company, effective
as of September 18, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K
filed on September 24, 2018)
Severance and Change In Control Agreement by and between Robert L. Salomon and the Company,
effective as of September 18, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s
Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2018)
Severance and Change In Control Agreement by and between Keith L. Belknap and the Company, effective
as of September 18, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of the Company's Form 10-
K filed on November 13, 2018)
Delayed-Draw Term Loan Facility, dated November 16, 2010, among Beazer Homes USA, Inc., Citibank,
N.A. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's
Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2010)
Delayed-Draw Term Loan Facility, dated November 16, 2010, among Beazer Homes USA, Inc., Deutsche
Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2010)
First Amendment to the Delayed-Draw Term Loan Facility, dated as of November 16, 2010, by and between
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the
Company's 8-K filed on August 9, 2012)
First Amendment to the Delayed-Draw Term Loan Facility, dated as of November 16, 2010, by and between
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's 8-K filed on August 9, 2012)
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2012, between Beazer Homes
USA, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party thereto, the issuers party thereto, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman
Islands Branch, as agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's 8-K filed on
September 26, 2012)
First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2014,
between Beazer Homes USA, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party thereto, the issuers party thereto, and
Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.33 of
the Company’s Form 10-K filed on November 13, 2014)
Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2015,
between Beazer Homes USA, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party thereto, the issuers party thereto, and
Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34 of
the Company's 10-K filed on November 10, 2015)
Credit Agreement, dated March 11, 2016, by and between Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and Wilmington Trust
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2016)
Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2016, by
and among Beazer Homes USA, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party thereto, the issuers party thereto, and
Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
Company’s Form 8-K filed October 13, 2016)
Fourth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 24,
2012, among the Company, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, the issuers party thereto, and Credit
Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as agent, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2017)
101
10.40
—
10.41
—
10.42
—
10.43
10.4
21
23
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INS
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2012,
among the Company, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, the issuers party thereto, and Credit Suisse
AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as agent, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of
the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2018)
Sixth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 24,
2012, among the Company, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, the issuers party thereto, and Credit
Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as agent, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q filed on May 2, 2019)
Seventh Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 24,
2012, among the Company, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, the issuers party thereto, and Credit
Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as agent, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2019)
Term Loan Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2019, by and among the Company, the subsidiaries of
the Company as guarantors thereto, and Credit Suisse International, as lender (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2019)
Form of 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement for Performance Shares (Named Executive
Officers) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 2017)
Subsidiaries of the Company
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Certification pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14 promulgated under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
Certification pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14 promulgated under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH —
XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL —
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB —
XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE —
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF —
XRBL Definition Linkbase Document
* Represents a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
102
(b) Exhibits
Reference is made to Item 15(a)3 above. The following is a list of exhibits, included in item 15(a)3 above, that are filed concurrently
with this report.
3.8
4.18
21
23
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INS
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Certificate of Amendment, dated as of November 8, 2019, and effective as of November 12, 2019, to the
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended
Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2019, and effective November 14, 2019, between
the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent
Subsidiaries of the Company
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Certification pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14 promulgated under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
Certification pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14 promulgated under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH —
XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL —
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB —
XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE —
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF —
XRBL Definition Linkbase Document
(c) Financial Statement Schedules
Reference is made to Item 15(a)2 above.
103
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 13, 2019
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
By:
Name:
/s/ Allan P. Merrill
Allan P. Merrill
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
/s/ Allan P. Merrill
Allan P. Merrill
Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
/s/ Robert L. Salomon
Robert L. Salomon
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Elizabeth S. Acton
Elizabeth S. Acton
Director
/s/ Laurent Alpert
Laurent Alpert
Director
/s/ Brian C. Beazer
Brian C. Beazer
Director and Chairman Emeritus
/s/ Peter G. Leemputte
Peter G. Leemputte
Director
/s/ Peter M. Orser
Peter M. Orser
Director
/s/ Norma A. Provencio
Norma A. Provencio
Director
/s/ Danny R. Shepherd
Danny R. Shepherd
Director
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
Name:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
104
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
Date: November 13, 2019
By:
By:
By:
Name:
Name:
Name:
/s/ David J. Spitz
David J. Spitz
Director
/s/ C. Christian Winkle
C. Christian Winkle
Director
/s/ Stephen P. Zelnak
Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr.
Director
105
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO 17 CFR 240.13a-14
PROMULGATED UNDER
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
EXHIBIT 31.1
I, Allan P. Merrill, certify that:
1.
2.
3.
4.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Beazer Homes USA, Inc.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as
of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures
to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly
during the period in which this report is being prepared;
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles;
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this
report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end
of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that
occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the
case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
(b)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information; and
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 13, 2019
/s/ Allan P. Merrill
Allan P. Merrill
President and Chief Executive Officer
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
EXHIBIT 32.1
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer of Beazer Homes USA,
Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies that the Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the period ended September 30, 2019,
accompanying this certification, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and that information contained in the periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company.
Date: November 13, 2019
/s/ Allan P. Merrill
Allan P. Merrill
President and Chief Executive Officer
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
Section 1350 of Title 18, United States Code, and is not being filed as part of the report or as a separate disclosure document.
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO 17 CFR 240.13a-14
PROMULGATED UNDER
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
EXHIBIT 31.2
I, Robert L. Salomon, certify that:
1.
2.
3.
4.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Beazer Homes USA, Inc.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as
of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures
to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly
during the period in which this report is being prepared;
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles;
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this
report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end
of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that
occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the
case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
(b)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information; and
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 13, 2019
/s/ Robert L. Salomon
Robert L. Salomon
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
EXHIBIT 32.2
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned Chief Financial Officer of Beazer Homes USA,
Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies that the Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the period ended September 30, 2019,
accompanying this certification, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and that information contained in the periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company.
Date: November 13, 2019
/s/ Robert L. Salomon
Robert L. Salomon
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
Section 1350 of Title 18, United States Code, and is not being filed as part of the report or as a separate disclosure document.
ABOUT BEAZER HOMES
Headquartered in Atlanta, Beazer Homes is one of the country’s
largest homebuilders. Every Beazer home is designed and built
to provide Surprising Performance, giving you more quality
and more comfort from the moment you move in — saving you
money every month. With Beazer’s Choice Plans™, you can
personalize your primary living areas — giving you a choice of
how you want to live in the home, at no additional cost. And
unlike most national homebuilders, we empower our customers
to shop and compare loan options.
Our Mortgage Choice program
gives you the resources to easily
compare multiple loan offers and
choose the best lender and loan
offer for you, saving you thousands
over the life of your loan. We build
our homes in Arizona, California,
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana,
Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
and Virginia. Beazer Homes is listed
on the New York Stock Exchange
under the ticker symbol “BZH.”
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
(Total Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA dollars in millions, Average Selling Price dollars in thousands)
Year Ended September 30,
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Continuing Operations Data (except EBITDA)
Home Orders
Home Closings
Total Revenue
5,358
5,010
5,297
5,419
5,464
5,525
5,544
5,767
5,576
5,500
$1,627
$1,822
$1,916
$ 2,107
$ 2,088
Average Selling Price
$ 314
$ 329
$ 343
$ 360
$ 378
Homebuilding Gross Margin*
21.5%
20.6%
21.2%
21.2%
19.7%
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
$10.91
$ 0.16
$ 0.99
$ (1.40)
$ (2.59)
Adjusted EBITDA**
$ 144
$ 156
$ 179
$ 205
$ 180
* Excluding impairments, abandonments, and interest included in cost of sales, as well as certain unexpected
warranty costs and recoveries detailed in Item 6 on our Form 10-K.
** For a full reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA, see Item 6 on our Form 10-K.
SHAREHOLDER AND CORPORATE
INFORMATION
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
1000 Abernathy Road, Suite 260
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
(770) 829-3700 | www.beazer.com
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
BEAZER HOMES CONFIDENTIAL ETHICS HOTLINE
Beazer Homes is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards
and compliance with the law at all levels. To help ensure that all instances
of known or suspected fraud, theft, accounting or auditing improprieties,
other financial misconduct, and any other type of misconduct involving a
violation of Beazer Homes’ Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the assets,
operations or employees of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. are reported, we
maintain an ethics hotline.
Interested parties may contact the hotline by calling 1-866-457-9346 and
reporting their concerns to a representative of Global Compliance, a third-
party company that administers our ethics hotline.
Alternatively, interested parties can report any such concern via an
online form by visiting the following website:
www.integrity-helpline.com/Beazer.jsp. The link provides an online form
that upon completion will be submitted directly to Global Compliance.
Interested parties may report their concerns anonymously, should they
wish to do so. All concerns, whether reported through the toll-free number
or the online form, will be directed to certain officers of Beazer Homes, and
will be reviewed and investigated as appropriate. Where warranted after
investigation, messages will be summarized and referred to the Audit
Committee of our Board of Directors for appropriate action.
INQUIRIES
Individuals seeking financial data or information about the Company and its
operations should visit the Company’s website at www.beazer.com or
contact our Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Department.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Copies of Beazer Homes USA, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Proxy
Statement, and Forms 10-Q and 8-K, as filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission, will be furnished upon written
request to our Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Department or can be accessed at www.beazer.com.
TRANSFER AGENT
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
New York, New York 10038
(212) 936-5100
TRADING INFORMATION
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. lists its common shares on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “BZH.”
DUPLICATE MAILINGS
If you are receiving duplicate or unwanted copies of our publications,
please contact American Stock Transfer & Trust Company at the number
listed above.
CERTIFICATION TO NYSE
Pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed
Company Manual, the Company submitted the Annual CEO Certification
to the NYSE, effective February 15, 2019.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Allan P. Merrill
President and Chief Executive Officer
Keith L. Belknap
Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
Robert L. Salomon
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Elizabeth S. Acton (1)(4)(5)(6)
Retired Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer,
Comerica, Inc.
Laurent Alpert (3)(4)(6)
Senior Counsel,
Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP
Allan P. Merrill
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
C. Christian Winkle (4)(6)
Chief Executive Officer,
Sunrise Senior Living
BRIAN C. BEAZER*
Chairman Emeritus,
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
PETER G. LEEMPUTTE*
Retired, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer,
Keurig Green Mountain
Peter M. Orser (2)(4)(5)(6)
Retired President and Chief Executive Officer,
Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company
STEPHEN P. ZELNAK, JR.*
Chairman,
ZP Enterprises, LLC
Norma A. Provencio (2)(3)(5)(6)
President,
Provencio Advisory Services, Inc.
Danny R. Shepherd (1)(2)(5)(6)
Retired Vice Chairman,
Vulcan Materials Company
David J. Spitz (2)(6)
Chief Executive Officer,
ChannelAdvisor Corp.
COMMITTEES
(1) Member of the Audit Committee
(2) Member of the Compensation
Committee
(3) Member of the Nominating/
Corporate Governance Committee
(4) Member of the Finance Committee
(5) Audit Committee Financial Expert,
as defined by SEC regulations
(6) Independent, within the meaning of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and NYSE Listing
Standards
* As part of a comprehensive, long-term Board succession plan, three of our current directors are
retiring and will not stand for reelection at the annual meeting.
1
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Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
1000 Abernathy Road, Suite 260
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
(770) 829-3700 | www.beazer.com
ABOUT THE COVER: GATHERINGS® 55+ LIVING AT LAKE NONA, FLORIDA
2019
ANNUAL REPORT