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New Home Company

nwhm · NYSE Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker nwhm
Exchange NYSE
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Residential Construction
Employees 201-500
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FY2018 Annual Report · New Home Company
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        N E W
HOME

C O M P A N Y

THE NEW HOME COMPANY
2018 Annual Report

 
NWHM 2018 ANNUAL REPORT LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

In 2018, The New Home Company took another step forward in its evolution towards becoming a more 
diversifi  ed homebuilder by expanding both its product portfolio and geographic reach. The company 
continued to move down the price point spectrum to address a deeper pool of buyers through more 
affordably priced product and established a presence in new markets with the opening of new wholly owned 
communities in San Diego, the Inland Empire and Phoenix. These efforts helped generate a 46% increase in 
new home deliveries versus last year and a 28% higher backlog value to end the year as compared to 2017.

While we made progress on a number of fronts in 2018, the second half of the year proved to be more 
challenging than anticipated as potential buyers in our markets exercised a high degree of caution, which 
resulted in slower absorption rates. Several factors contributed to this slowdown, including heightened 
affordability concerns driven by years of home price appreciation and rising interest rates, a decline in the 
number of foreign buyers in the Southern California market and reduced buyer confi  dence due in part to a 
volatile stock market. These issues combined to create a diffi  cult sales environment for our company and the 
industry as a whole.

While we continue to have confi  dence in the fundamental drivers of our business and the quality of our 
home offerings, we recognize that this sales softness may continue for the foreseeable future and have 
proactively adjusted to this new demand environment in a number of ways. First, we are keenly focused on 
generating cash fl ow and reducing our leverage. This effort has resulted in additional scrutiny on our land 
acquisition efforts, making sure that every deal makes sense from a profi  t and return on capital perspective. 
Second, we have meaningfully cut overhead expenses internally by reducing headcount to keep our 
organization as streamlined as possible. Third, we are actively re-bidding many of our projects to ensure we 
are getting competitive prices from our trade partners and suppliers. 

In summary, we are proud of our accomplishments in 2018 and continue to have confi  dence in the strategic 
focus of our company and the appeal of our home offerings. While the sales softness we experienced at 
the end of the year may prove to be temporary, we are positioning our company in 2019 to be prepared for 
the possibility that they are not. We are taking the necessary steps to generate cash fl ow and deleverage 
our balance sheet, right size our cost structure and re-evaluate all land options. Our leadership team has a 
wealth of experience operating in diffi  cult demand environments, and I believe this experience will serve us 
well going forward.

Finally, I would like to thank our team members for their collective contributions in 2018, our Board of 
Directors for their continued guidance and our shareholders and credit providers for their ongoing support. 
I am proud of what we have built at The New Home Company and continue to be optimistic about its future.

Sincerely,

Larry Webb

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934

For the transition period from ______to ______

Commission File Number 001-36283

The New Home Company Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
(State or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

27-0560089
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

85 Enterprise, Suite 450
Aliso Viejo, California 92656
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (949) 382-7800

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

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 Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to 
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  

    No  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be 
submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such 
shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  

    No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, 
and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by 
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  

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," 
"smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-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 

Act).    Yes  

    No  

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 29, 2018, 

based on the closing price of $9.97 as reported by the New York Stock Exchange was $160,926,637.

There were 19,906,991 shares of the registrant's common stock issued and outstanding as of February 13, 2019.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

The information required by Part III of this Report, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated herein by reference 

from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2019, which 
definitive proxy statement shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the 
fiscal year to which this Report relates.

 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018

Item 1
Item 1A
Item 1B
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4

Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures

Part I

Part II

Item 5

Item 6
Item 7
Item 7A
Item 8
Item 9
Item 9A
Item 9B

Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer 
Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information

Part III

Item 10
Item 11
Item 12

Item 13
Item 14

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related 
Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Item 15
Item 16

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary (Not Applicable)
Signatures

Part IV

3

Page
Number

5
13
31
32
32
32

33
34
35
59
60
60
60
61

61
61

62
62
62

63
—
112

 
 
 
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on Form 10-K and other materials we have filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange 

Commission (the "SEC") (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by 
us) contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 
1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.  All 
statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding 
our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, 
are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are frequently accompanied by words such as "believe," 
"may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "goal," "could," "can," "might," "should," "plan" and 
similar expressions.  We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about 
future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term 
and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. Such statements may include, but are not limited to 
information related to: anticipated operating results; home deliveries; the ability to acquire land and pursue real estate 
opportunities; our ability to reduce our leverage; our plans to sell more affordably priced homes; the ability to gain approvals 
and open new communities; the ability to sell homes and properties; the ability to deliver homes from backlog; the ability to 
secure materials and subcontractors; joint ventures in which we are involved; anticipated results from our investments in 
unconsolidated entities; the ability to produce the liquidity and obtain capital necessary to expand and take advantage of 
opportunities; financial resources and condition; changes in revenues; changes in profitability; changes in margins; changes in 
accounting treatment; cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; interest expense; inventory write-downs; 
dividends; community openings; seasonality; home warranty claims and reserves; unrecognized tax benefits; anticipated 
effective tax rates; seasonality; dividends; sales paces and prices; trends and effects of home buyer cancellations; growth and 
expansion; and the impact of legal proceedings, claims and reserves.

From time to time, forward-looking statements also are included in other reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, in press 

releases, in presentations, on our website and in other materials released to the public. Any or all of the forward-looking 
statements included in this report and in any other reports or public statements made by us are not guarantees of future 
performance and may turn out to be inaccurate. This can occur as a result of incorrect assumptions or as a consequence of 
known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in this report or in other reports or public statements made 
by us, such as market conditions, government regulation and the competitive environment, will be important in determining our 
future performance. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we 
assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual 
results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Consequently, actual results 
may differ materially from those that might be anticipated from our forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to revise or 

publicly release any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and 
uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

For a discussion of factors that we believe could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and 
historical results, see "Item 1A - Risk Factors" in this annual report on Form 10-K. This discussion is provided as permitted by 
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and all of our forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their 
entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referenced in this section.

4

 
 
 
 
Item 1.

Business

PART I

As used in this annual report on Form 10-K, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, references to "the 
Company," "our company," "we," "our" and "us" (1) for periods prior to the completion of our formation transactions, refer to 
The New Home Company LLC and its subsidiaries and affiliates, which we sometimes refer to as "TNHC LLC," and 
(2) following the completion of our formation transactions, refer to The New Home Company Inc. and its subsidiaries.  The 
New Home Company LLC was formed on June 25, 2009 as a Delaware limited liability company. On January 30, 2014, in 
connection with our initial public offering, The New Home Company LLC was converted into a Delaware corporation and 
renamed The New Home Company Inc., which we refer to as our formation transaction. You should read the following in 
conjunction with the section titled "Risk Factors", which is included in Part I, Item 1A in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Our Company

We are a new generation homebuilder focused on the design, construction and sale of innovative and consumer-driven 

homes in major metropolitan areas within select growth markets in California and Arizona, including Southern California, the 
San Francisco Bay area, metro Sacramento and the greater Phoenix area. 

We were founded in 2009, towards the end of an unprecedented downturn in the U.S. homebuilding industry.  In January 
2014, we completed our initial public offering of shares of our common stock.  We believe our management team has extensive 
and complementary construction, design, marketing, development and entitlement expertise, as well as strong relationships 
with key land sellers within each of our local markets, and a reputation for quality building, which provide a competitive 
advantage in being able to acquire land, participate in and create masterplans, obtain entitlements and build quality homes.  

We are organized into two reportable segments: homebuilding and fee building.  Our homebuilding operations are 
comprised of divisions in Northern California, Southern California and Arizona. Our primary business focus is building and 
selling homes for our own account; however, we also have a meaningful fee building business. For financial information about 
our segments, see Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Note 
15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Homebuilding Operations

We are currently focused on identifying unique sites and creating communities that allow us to design, construct and sell 

consumer-driven, single-family detached and attached homes in major metropolitan areas in Southern California, the San 
Francisco Bay area, metro Sacramento and the greater Phoenix area.  We seek sites where we are rewarded for thoughtful land 
planning and architecture, and additional defining characteristics of our markets generally include barriers to entry, job growth, 
high employment to building permit ratios and increasing populations, which can create growing demand for new housing. We 
perform extensive consumer research that helps us create land plans and design homes that meet the needs and desires of our 
targeted buyers.  We believe our approach to market research and construction expertise across an extensive product offering 
allows us the flexibility to pursue a wide array of land acquisition opportunities and appeals to a broad range of potential 
homebuyers, including entry-level, move-up, move-down and luxury customers. The homes that we and our unconsolidated 
joint ventures build range in price from approximately $360,000 to over $3 million, with home sizes ranging from 
approximately 700 to 5,000 square feet. Homebuilding revenue contributed to 76%, 75% and 73% of total revenue for the years 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the average 
sales price of homes delivered from our communities was approximately $1.0 million, $1.6 million and $2.0 million, 
respectively. We believe that customer-focused community creation and product development, our reputation for high quality 
construction, as well as exemplary customer service, are key components of the lifestyle connection we seek to establish with 
each homebuyer and enhances our overall financial performance. 

Additionally, we strive to enhance the home-buying experience and buyers’ personal investment in their homes by 
actively engaging them in the selection of design options and upgrades. We believe that our on-site design studios, which allow 
buyers to personalize our home offerings with dedicated designers who are knowledgeable about the attributes of the homes 
offered in the community, are often a competitive differentiator. We believe that the active participation of buyers in selecting 
options and upgrades results in buyers becoming more personally invested in their homes. In addition to our on-site design 
studios, we also believe our emphasis on customer care provides us a competitive advantage.  Our commitment to customer 
satisfaction is a key element of company culture, which fosters an environment where team members can innovate. 

5

We seek to maximize returns and reduce exposure to land risk through the use of land options, joint ventures and other 
flexible land acquisition and development arrangements.  The Company owned approximately 1,667 lots and had options to 
purchase an additional 1,145 lots as of December 31, 2018. We believe our lot option and joint venture strategy allows us to 
leverage and establish a homebuilding platform focused on high-growth, land-constrained markets. In addition, we believe that 
our professional reputation and long-standing relationships with key land sellers, including masterplan community developers, 
brokers and other builders, as well as our institutional investors and joint venture partners, enable us to acquire well-positioned 
land parcels in our existing markets as well as new target markets.

Fee Building Operations

Our fee business is comprised primarily of building for third party landowners for a fee with such third party landowners 

paying or reimbursing the Company for all costs associated with construction.  Our fee building segment also includes our 
management fee revenues that we receive for serving as the managing member or other similar role in our joint ventures. We 
believe our fee building business complements our homebuilding business nicely, as most of the fee building occurs in what we 
believe are among the most attractive masterplan communities in Southern California and in a concentrated geographic area. 
One of our wholly owned subsidiaries is usually the general contractor for our and our unconsolidated joint ventures’ projects 
and retains subcontractors for home construction and land development. 

The following table shows the percentage of each segment's revenue in relation to our consolidated total revenues for the 

years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.  For additional information related to geographic location of our 
homebuilding revenues, see Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations."

Year Ended December 31,

(dollars in thousands)

Homebuilding

Fee building

Total revenues

2018

504,029

163,537

667,566

$

$

% of Total
Revenues

2017

% of Total
Revenues

2016

% of Total
Revenues

76% $

560,842

75% $

507,949

24%

190,324

25%

186,507

100% $

751,166

100% $

694,456

73%

27%

100%

Summary of Owned and Controlled Lots

As of December 31, 2018, we owned or controlled an aggregate of 2,812 lots, plus another 806 lots pursuant to our fee 

building contracts.  The following table presents certain information with respect to our wholly owned and fee building lots as 
of December 31, 2018. See Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - 
Lots Owned and Controlled" for further detail.

Lots Owned
Lots Controlled(1)
Lots Owned and Controlled - Wholly Owned
Fee Building(2)
Total Lots Owned and Controlled

December 31,

Change

Change

2018

Amount

%

2017

Amount

%

2016

1,667

1,145

2,812

806

3,618

721

(661)

60

(114)

(54)

76 %

(37)%

2 %

(12)%

(1)%

946

1,806

2,752

920

3,672

356

820

1,176

(15)

1,161

60 %

83 %

75 %

(2)%

46 %

590

986

1,576

935

2,511

(1) 

(2) 

Includes lots that we control under purchase and sales agreements or option agreements subject to customary conditions and have not yet closed.  
There can be no assurance that such acquisitions will occur.
Lots owned by third party property owners for which we perform general contracting or construction management services. 

6

 
 
 
Backlog

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, homes under contract, but not yet delivered ("backlog") totaled 191 and 153, 

respectively, with an estimated sales value of $207.1 million and $162.3 million, respectively. We expect to deliver all of the 
homes in backlog at December 31, 2018 during 2019 under existing home order contracts or through the replacement of an 
existing contract with a new home order contract. The estimated backlog sales value at December 31, 2018 may be impacted 
by, among other things, subsequent home order cancellations, incentives provided, and/or options and upgrades selected. 

Acquisition Process

Our land acquisition strategy focuses on purchasing entitled finished, or partially improved land sufficient for 

construction of homes over a two- to three-year period from the initiation of homebuilding activity. We also selectively acquire 
parcels that require land development activities.  Our acquisition process generally includes the following steps aimed at 
reducing development and market cycle risk:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

review of the status of entitlements and other governmental processing, including title reviews;

identification of target buyer and appropriate housing product;

determination of land plan to accommodate desired housing product;

completion of environmental reviews and third-party market studies;

preparation of detailed budgets for all cost categories;

completion of due diligence on the land parcel prior to committing to the acquisition;

limitation on the size of an acquisition relative to the Company's pro forma capitalization; and

centralized acquisition procedure through a land committee and full Board approval process for larger acquisitions.

Before purchasing a land parcel, we engage and work closely with outside architects and consultants to design our homes 

and communities.

We also differentiate our acquisition strategy based on whether the land is in a masterplan community, or part of a larger 
development. For land which is not part of a larger development or masterplan, we generally enter into a purchase agreement 
with the land owner and deliver a deposit, which becomes nonrefundable upon the expiration of a specified due diligence 
period. The closing is generally tied to the date on which we have obtained development entitlements for the land. For land 
which is part of a larger development being developed by a master developer, we generally enter into a purchase agreement 
with the master developer and pay a deposit that becomes nonrefundable upon expiration of the due diligence period. The 
closing in master developments is generally tied to the issuance of final land development entitlements and completion of 
certain infrastructure and other improvements by the master developer.  In master developments we may acquire all of the land 
at the closing or we may acquire the land in "phases". In master developments we may be required to (a) pay to the master 
developer a share of our net profit in excess of a specified margin (b) pay to the master developer marketing fees and/or (c) 
grant the master developer the right to repurchase the land if we fail to develop the land in accordance with applicable 
development requirements or wish to sell the land in bulk.  Our acquisition-development financing is generally obtained using 
one or more of the following: (i) proceeds from the sale of debt securities, (ii) unsecured lines of credit; (iii) secured 
acquisition-development loans; (iv) equity obtained from joint venture partners and/or (v) land bank arrangements with 
providers who take title to the land at closing subject to agreements which obligate us to perform all development activities 
with respect to the land and provide us with an option to purchase the land.

Construction, Marketing and Sales Process

We typically develop communities in phases based upon projected sales. We seek to control the timing of construction of 

subsequent phases in the same community based on sales demand in prior phases. Our construction process is driven by sales 
contracts that generally precede the start of the construction of homes, however, depending on the price point, product, and 
buyer demand we also engage in some speculative building. The determination that a potential home buyer is qualified to 
obtain the financing necessary to complete the purchase is an integral part of our process. Once qualified, our on-site design 
centers, with designers dedicated to a specific community, work with the buyer to tailor the home to meet the buyer’s needs and 
budget. 

7

Land Development and Construction

We customarily acquire improved or unimproved land zoned for residential use. To control larger land parcels or gain 

access to highly desirable parcels, we sometimes form land development joint ventures with third parties in order to provide us 
with a pipeline of land to acquire from the joint venture when the lots are developed. If we purchase raw land or partially 
developed land, we will perform development work that may include negotiating with governmental agencies and local 
communities to obtain any necessary zoning, environmental and other regulatory approvals and permits, and constructing, as 
necessary, roads, water, sewer and drainage systems and recreational facilities like parks, community centers, pools, and hiking 
and biking trails.

The design of our homes must conform to zoning requirements, building codes and energy efficiency laws. As a result, 

we contract with a number of architects and other consultants in connection with the design process. We act as a general 
contractor (and certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries hold the general contractor's licenses in California and Arizona) with 
our supervisory employees coordinating most of the land development and construction work on a project. Independent 
architectural design, engineering and other consulting firms are generally engaged on a project-by-project basis to assist in 
project planning and community and home design, and subcontractors and trade partners are engaged to perform all of the 
physical development and construction work. Although we generally do not have long-term contractual commitments with our 
subcontractors, trade partners, suppliers or laborers, we maintain strong and long-standing relationships with many of our 
subcontractors and trade partners. We believe that our relationships with subcontractors and trade partners have been enhanced 
through involving them prior to the start of a new community, maintaining our schedules and making timely payments. By 
dealing fairly, we believe we are able to keep our key subcontractors and trade partners loyal to us.

Sales and Marketing

In connection with the sale and marketing of our homes, we make extensive use of advertising and other promotional 

activities, including through our website (www.NWHM.com), social-media, brochures, direct mail and other community-
specific collateral materials. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through our website, is not incorporated by 
reference and is not a part of this annual report on Form 10-K.

We primarily sell our homes through our own sales representatives and through the use of outside brokers. It is also fairly 

common that a third party broker representing a homebuyer receives co-broker commissions in connection with a sale. One of 
our wholly owned subsidiaries holds the corporate broker's licenses in California and Arizona. Our in-house sales force works 
from sales offices located in model homes or sales centers close to, or within each community. Sales representatives assist 
potential buyers by providing them with floor plan, price and community amenity information, construction timetables and 
tours of model homes. 

Generally, we build model homes at each project and have them professionally decorated and landscaped to display 
design features and options available for purchase in the design center. We believe that model homes play a significant role in 
helping homebuyers understand the efficiencies and value provided by each floor plan type. Structural changes in design from 
the model homes, other than those predetermined, are not generally permitted, but homebuyers may select various other 
optional construction and design amenities. Our on-site design centers are an integral part of this process. The specific options 
selected for each community are based upon the price of the home and anticipated buyer preferences. Options include structural 
(room configurations or pre-determined additional square footage), electrical, plumbing and finish options (flooring, cabinets, 
fixtures). In certain communities, we also offer turn-key landscape options. Each design center is managed by our own 
designers dedicated to the specific community. 

We typically sell homes using sales contracts that include cash deposits by the purchasers. Most homebuyers utilize long-

term mortgage financing to purchase a home, and mortgage lenders will usually make loans only to qualified borrowers.  
Before entering into sales contracts, we pre-qualify many of our customers through a preferred mortgage provider.  However, 
purchasers can generally cancel sales contracts if they are unable to sell their existing homes, if they fail to qualify for 
financing, or under certain other circumstances. For our communities, the cancellation rate of buyers who contracted to buy a 
home but did not close escrow as a percentage of overall orders was 10%, 9% and 12% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 
2017 and 2016, respectively.  Cancellation rates are subject to a variety of factors, including those beyond our control, such as 
adverse economic or housing market conditions and increases in mortgage interest rates.

8

Quality Control and Customer Service

We pay particular attention to the product design process and carefully consider quality and choice of materials in order 

to attempt to eliminate building deficiencies. The quality and workmanship of the subcontractors and trade partners we employ 
are monitored using our personnel and third-party consultants. We make regular inspections and evaluations of our 
subcontractors and trade partners to seek to ensure that our standards are met.

We utilize a third party quality control provider and maintain customer service staff whose role includes providing a 

positive experience for each customer throughout the pre-sale, sale, building, delivery and post-delivery periods. These 
employees are also responsible for providing after-sales customer service, including the coordination of warranty requests. Our 
quality and service initiatives include taking homebuyers on a comprehensive tour of their home during construction and prior 
to delivery.  In addition, we generally use a third party, Eliant, to survey our homebuyers in order to improve our performance 
and evaluate our standards of quality and customer satisfaction.

Insurance and Warranty Program

We provide a limited one-year warranty to our homeowners covering workmanship and materials. In addition, we 
generally provide a more limited warranty, which generally ranges from a minimum of two years up to the period covered by 
the applicable statute of repose, that covers certain defined construction defects. The limited warranty covering construction 
defects is transferable to subsequent buyers and provides for the resolution of unresolved construction-related disputes through 
binding arbitration.  Additionally, we have dedicated customer service staff that work with our homebuyers and coordinate with 
subcontractors and trade partners, as necessary, during the warranty period. We maintain reserves to cover the resolution of our 
potential liabilities associated with known and anticipated warranty and construction defect related claims and litigation. While 
our subcontractors who perform our homebuilding work generally provide us with an indemnity for claims relating to their 
workmanship and materials, we also purchase general liability insurance that covers development and construction activity at 
each of our communities. Our subcontractors are usually covered by these programs through an owner-controlled insurance 
program, or "OCIP." Consultants such as engineers and architects are generally not covered by the OCIP but are required to 
maintain their own insurance.  In general, we maintain insurance, subject to deductibles and self-insured retentions, to protect 
us against various risks associated with our activities, including, among others, general liability, "all-risk" property, 
construction defects, workers’ compensation, automobile, and employee fidelity. Our warranty reserves include expected costs 
associated with the deductibles and self-insured amounts. For a further discussion of the risks associated with our warranty and 
insurance program, please see the risk factor under the heading "Risks Related to Our Business - We are subject to construction 
defect, warranty, and personal injury claims arising in the ordinary course of business that can be significant and could 
adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations." 

Seasonality and Cycles

We have experienced seasonal variations in our quarterly operating results and capital requirements in each of our 
reportable segments. We typically take orders for more homes in the first half of the fiscal year than in the second half, which 
creates additional working capital requirements in the second and third quarters to build our inventories to satisfy the deliveries 
in the second half of the year. Our revenues and cash flows (exclusive of the amount and timing of land purchases) from 
homebuilding operations are generally higher in the second half of the calendar year, particularly in the fourth quarter. We 
expect this seasonal pattern to continue over the long-term, although it may be affected by volatility in the homebuilding 
industry. The homebuilding industry is cyclical. We continue to make substantial investments in land, which is likely to utilize a 
significant portion of our cash resources, so long as we believe such investments will yield results that meet our investment 
criteria.

Labor and Raw Materials

Typically, the raw materials and most of the components used in our business are available in the United States. Most are 

standard items carried by major suppliers.  However, our industry experiences shortages in both raw materials and labor from 
time to time.  Increases in the cost of building materials and subcontracted labor may reduce gross margins from home sales to 
the extent that market conditions prevent the recovery of increased costs through higher home sales prices.  These shortages 
and delays may result in delays in the delivery of homes under construction, reduced gross margins from home sales, or both. 
We continue to monitor the supply markets to achieve favorable prices.  In addition, the imposition of tariffs on building 
materials frequently impacts the cost of construction and increases in costs may not be recovered by raising home prices due to 
affordability and market demand constraints.

9

Joint Ventures

Our joint venture strategy has assisted in leveraging our entity-level capital and establishing a homebuilding and land 

development platform focused on high-growth, land-constrained markets.  We own interests in our unconsolidated joint 
ventures that generally range from 5% to 35%.  We also earn management fees from such joint ventures.

We serve as the administrative member, manager or managing member of each of our six homebuilding and four land 

development joint ventures. We do not, however, exercise control over the joint ventures, as the joint venture agreements 
generally provide our respective partners with the right to consent to certain actions. Under most joint venture agreements, 
certain major decisions must be approved by the applicable joint venture’s executive committee, which is comprised of both 
our representatives and representatives of our joint venture partners. In addition, some of our joint venture agreements grant 
both partners a buy-sell right pursuant to which, subject to certain exceptions, either partner may initiate procedures requiring 
the other partner to choose between selling its interest to the other partner or buying the other partner’s interest.  Additional 
information related to our unconsolidated joint ventures is set forth in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations." 

Fee Building Services

Although our primary business focus is building and selling homes for our own account, we also selectively provide 

general contracting, construction management and coordination services, and sales and marketing services as part of 
agreements with third-parties and the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures.  We refer to these projects as "fee building 
projects."  For the year ended December 31, 2018, 97% of our fee building revenue represents billings to third-party land 
owners for general contracting and construction management services and 3% represents management fees from 
unconsolidated joint ventures and third-party land owners for construction and sales management services. Our services with 
respect to fee building projects may include design, development, construction, and sales and marketing services.  We earn 
revenue on our fee building projects either as a flat fee for the project or as a percentage of the cost or revenue of the project 
depending upon the terms of the agreement with our customer.  For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, fee 
building revenue contributed to 24%, 25% and 27%, respectively, of total revenue.  The Company’s fee building revenues have 
historically been concentrated with a small number of customers.  We have several fee building agreements with Irvine Pacific, 
LP and revenues from this customer totaled 23%, 25%, and 26% of our total consolidated revenues for the years ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Our billings to this customer are dependent upon such customer’s decision to 
proceed with construction and the agreements can be canceled at any time.  We cannot predict whether these agreements will 
continue in the future or the current pace of construction, and the loss of these billings could have a material adverse effect on 
our results of operations.  See Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations - Fee Building" and Note 1 "Revenue Recognition - Fee Building" to the Consolidated Financial Statements for 
further discussion of this revenue concentration.

Government Regulation and Environmental Matters

We are subject to numerous local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning zoning, 
development, building design, construction and similar matters, which impose restrictive zoning and density requirements, the 
result of which is to limit the number of homes that can be built within the boundaries of a particular area. Communities that 
are not entitled may be subjected to periodic delays, changes in use, less intensive development or elimination of development 
in certain specific areas due to government regulations. We may also be subject to periodic delays or may be precluded entirely 
from developing in certain communities due to building moratoriums or "slow-growth" or "no-growth" initiatives that could be 
implemented in the future. Local governments also have broad discretion regarding the imposition of development fees and 
exactions for communities in their jurisdiction. Communities for which we have received land use and development 
entitlements or approvals may still require a variety of other governmental approvals and permits during the development 
process and can also be impacted adversely by unforeseen health, safety and welfare issues, which can further delay these 
communities or prevent their development.

We are also subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning the 
environment. The particular environmental laws which apply to any given homebuilding site vary according to multiple factors, 
including the site’s location, its environmental conditions and the present and former uses of the site, as well as adjoining 
properties. Environmental laws and conditions may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance and other 
costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict homebuilding activity in environmentally sensitive regions or areas. In addition, in 
those cases where an endangered or threatened species is involved, environmental rules and regulations can result in the 
restriction or elimination of development in identified environmentally sensitive areas. Legislation related to climate change 
and energy efficiency can impose stricter building standards, which may increase our cost to build.  From time to time, the EPA 
10

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. 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. California, where we conduct most of our 
operations, is especially susceptible to restrictive government regulations and environmental laws.

Under various environmental laws, current or former owners of real estate, as well as certain other categories of parties, 

may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases, and may be held 
liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for related damages, including for bodily injury, and for investigation and 
clean-up costs incurred by such parties in connection with the contamination. A mitigation system may be installed during the 
construction of a home if a cleanup does not remove all contaminants of concern or to address a naturally occurring condition 
such as methane. Some buyers may not want to purchase a home with a mitigation system.

We use and our business relies upon general contractors' licenses and corporate real estate broker's licenses in order to 

build and sell homes.    

For a further discussion of the impact of govern regulations on our business, including the impact of environmental 

regulations, please see the risk factors included under the heading "Risks Related to Laws and Regulations."

Health and Safety Matters 

We strive to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. We believe that corporate social 
responsibility is a significant 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, including valuing and challenging the 
talented men and women who comprise our workforce.  To that end, we have a comprehensive Code of Ethics and Business 
Conduct applicable to all employees and an actively-managed ethics hotline.  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. 

In 2018, the Company performed a review on gender pay equality by reviewing compensation between similar roles and 

positions and comparing male versus female compensation. We believe that our pay practices are consistent across male and 
female employees, as we evaluate each person that we hire to ensure that the individual, regardless of gender, is paid 
consistently with regards to role, department, and function. Further, we believe it is important to treat all employees with 
dignity and respect. Employee diversity and inclusion are embraced and opportunities for training, growth, and advancement 
are strongly encouraged. 

Sustainability

California is at the forefront when it comes to sustainability, including green energy, water conservation and efficient 

construction standards. As a builder with most of its operations in California, we have made a dedicated effort to implement a 
variety of sustainable best practices in many of our communities, including the masterplan communities which we and our joint 
venture partners have created. For example, our Cannery joint venture created a visionary farm-to-table new-home community, 
with a working urban farm operated by the Center for Land-Based Learning which serves as a training ground for beginning 
farmers while supplying the community with fresh seasonal produce. Non-potable water from an onsite agricultural well was 
designed to irrigate landscaped areas along roadways and within open-space greenbelts, parks and the urban farm.  In addition, 
a 1.5 kV photovoltaic solar system and electric vehicle charging pre-wire has been designed to come standard with every home, 
and residents can upgrade to net zero living.  Similarly, our McKinley Village joint venture created the McKinley Village 
masterplan where each residence is pre-wired for solar and electric vehicle chargers with building standards that reflect what 
are among the best environmental practices.  We believe our commitment to design and build energy-efficient homes is aligned 
with buyer sensitivities about how eco-friendly designs, features and materials help impact the environment and the livability 
of homes in addition to reducing cost of home ownership. 

11

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 December 31, 2018, we had approximately $50.5 million and $2.3 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. 

Competition

The homebuilding industry is fragmented and highly competitive. We compete with numerous other residential 

construction companies, including large national and regional firms, for customers, land, financing, raw materials, skilled labor, 
and employees. A number of our primary competitors are significantly larger, have a longer operating history and may have 
greater resources or lower cost of capital than us. We compete for customers primarily on the basis of home design and 
location, price, customer satisfaction, construction quality, reputation, and the availability of mortgage financing. We also 
compete for sales with individual resales of existing homes and with available rental housing. In the past several years, we have 
embarked on a strategy to expand our product offerings to include more affordably-priced homes to reach a deeper pool of 
qualified buyers and in connection with growing our overall community count.  We anticipate that we will continue to build 
more affordably-priced homes. We believe there is more competition among homebuilding companies in more affordable 
product offerings than in the luxury and move-up segments, however, we also believe this is a prudent strategy as there is a 
larger population of qualified buyers in more affordable price points. For risks associated with the competition we face, please 
see the risk factor under the heading "Risks Related to Our Business - We may not be able to compete effectively against 
competitors in the homebuilding industry".

Employees

As of December 31, 2018, we had 322 employees, 122 of whom were executive, management and administrative 
personnel located in our offices, 64 of whom were sales and marketing personnel and 136 were involved in field construction.  
Although none of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, certain of the third party subcontractors and 
trade partners engaged by us are represented by labor unions or are subject to collective bargaining arrangements. We believe 
that relations with our employees, subcontractors and trade partners are good. 

Our Offices and Available Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 85 Enterprise, Suite 450, Aliso Viejo, California 92656. Our main telephone 

number is (949) 382-7800. Our internet website is www.NWHM.com.  Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock 
Exchange (NYSE: NWHM). We will make available through the "Investors" section of our website our annual report on 
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports filed or furnished 
pursuant to Section 13(d) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with, or 
furnishing to, the SEC. Copies of these reports, and any amendment to them, are available free of charge upon request. We 
provide information about our business and financial performance, including our corporate profile, on our Investor Relations 
website. Additionally, we webcast our earnings calls and certain events we participate in with members of the investment 
community on our Investor Relations website. Further corporate governance information, including our Code of Ethics and 
Business Conduct, corporate governance guidelines, and board committee charters, is also available on our Investor Relations 
website. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference and is not 
part of this annual report on Form 10-K.

12

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the following risk factors, which address the material risks concerning our business, 
together with the other information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K. If any of the risks discussed in this annual 
report on Form 10-K occur, our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations could be materially 
and adversely affected, in which case the trading price of our common stock could decline significantly and you could lose part 
or all of your investment. Some statements in this annual report, including statements in the following risk factors, constitute 
forward-looking statements. Please refer to the initial section of this annual report entitled "Cautionary Note Concerning 
Forward-Looking Statements."

Risks Related to Our Business

Our geographic concentration could materially and adversely affect us if the homebuilding industry or the 

availability of land parcels in our current markets declines.

Our current business involves the design, construction and sale of innovative single-family detached and attached homes 
in planned communities in major metropolitan areas in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay area, metro Sacramento and 
the greater Phoenix area.  Because our operations are concentrated in these areas, a prolonged economic downturn affecting one 
or more of these areas, or affecting any sector of employment on which the residents of such area are dependent, could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations, and a 
disproportionately greater impact on us than other homebuilders with more diversified operations. During the downturn from 
2007 to 2011, land values, the demand for new homes and home prices declined substantially in California. If another downturn 
were to occur and land values decreased or demand for new homes and home prices declined substantially in California, our 
sales, results of operations, financial condition and business would be negatively impacted. 

In addition, our ability to acquire land parcels for new single-family homes may be adversely affected by changes in the 

general availability of land parcels, the willingness of land sellers to sell land parcels at reasonable prices, competition for 
available land parcels, availability of financing to acquire land parcels, zoning and other market conditions. The availability of 
land parcels in our California markets at reasonable prices is limited.  If the supply of land parcels appropriate for development 
of single-family homes is limited because of these factors, or for any other reason, our ability to grow could be significantly 
limited, and the number of homes that we build and sell could decline.

The homebuilding industry is cyclical and affected by changes in general economic, real estate and other business 

conditions that could reduce the demand for new homes and, as a result, adversely impact our results of operations, 
financial condition and cash flows. 

The residential homebuilding industry is cyclical and is highly sensitive to changes in general economic, real estate and 
other business conditions such as levels of employment, consumer confidence and income, availability of mortgage financing 
for homebuyers, interest rate levels, demographic trends, homebuyer preferences for specific designs or locations, real estate 
taxes, inflation and supply of and demand for new and existing homes.  The foregoing conditions, among others, are complex 
and interrelated.  Periods of prolonged economic downturn, high unemployment levels, increases in the rate of inflation and 
uncertainty in the U.S. economy, have historically contributed to decreased demand for housing, declining sales prices and 
increasing pricing pressure. In the event that one or more of such economic and business conditions occur, we could experience 
declines in the market value of our inventory and demand for our homes, which could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. Federal government actions and new legislation 
related to economic stimulus, taxation, spending levels and borrowing limits, along with the related political debates, conflicts 
and compromises associated with such actions, may negatively impact the financial markets and consumer confidence. Such 
events could hurt the U.S. economy and the housing market and, in turn, could adversely affect the operating results of our 
business. Adverse economic conditions outside the U.S., such as Asia or Canada, may also adversely affect the demand for our 
homes to the extent such conditions impact the amount of potential homebuyers from such regions in our markets.

In addition, an important segment of our customer base consists of first and second "move-up" buyers, who often 

purchase homes contingent upon the sale of their existing homes. During recessionary periods, these buyers may face 
difficulties selling their homes, which may in turn adversely affect our sales. Moreover, during such periods, we may need to 
reduce our sales prices and offer greater incentives to buyers to compete for sales that may result in reduced margins. 

13

Our long-term growth depends upon our ability to successfully identify and acquire desirable land parcels for 

residential buildout for reasonable prices.

Our future growth depends upon our ability to successfully identify and acquire attractive land parcels for development 
of our single-family homes at reasonable prices and with terms that meet our underwriting criteria. Our ability to acquire land 
parcels for new single-family homes may be adversely affected by changes in the general availability of land parcels, the 
willingness of land sellers to sell land parcels at reasonable prices, competition for available land parcels, availability of 
financing to acquire land parcels, zoning and other market conditions. We currently depend primarily on the California markets 
and availability of land parcels in that market at reasonable prices is limited.  If the supply of land parcels appropriate for 
development of single-family homes is limited because of these factors, or for any other reason, our ability to grow could be 
significantly limited, and the number of homes that we build and sell could decline. Additionally, our ability to begin new 
projects could be impacted if we elect not to purchase land parcels under option contracts. To the extent that we are unable to 
purchase land parcels timely or enter into new contracts for the purchase of land parcels at reasonable prices, our home sales 
revenue and results of operations could be adversely impacted.

Labor and raw material shortages and price fluctuations could delay or increase the cost of home construction, which 

could materially and adversely affect us.

The residential construction industry experiences labor and raw material shortages from time to time, including shortages 
in qualified tradespeople, and supplies of insulation, drywall, cement, steel and lumber. These labor and raw material shortages 
can be more severe during periods of strong demand for housing or during periods where the regions in which we operate 
experience natural disasters that have a significant impact on existing residential and commercial structures. The cost of labor 
and raw materials may also increase during periods of shortage or high inflation. During the downturn in 2007 to 2011, a large 
number of qualified trade partners went out of business or otherwise exited the market into new fields. A reduction in available 
trade partners exacerbates labor shortages as demand for new housing increases. Shortages and price increases could cause 
delays in and increase our costs of home construction, which we may not be able to recover by raising home prices due to 
market demand and because the price for each home is typically sets prior to its delivery pursuant to the agreement of sale with 
the home buyer. In addition, the Trump Administration has, at various times during 2018, imposed tariffs on a variety of 
imports from foreign countries and may impose additional tariffs in the future. Significant tariffs or other restrictions are placed 
on raw materials that we use in our homebuilding operation, such as lumber or steel, could cause the cost of home construction 
to increase which we may not be able to recover by raising home prices or which could slow our absorption due to being 
constrained by market demand.  As a result, shortages or increased costs of labor and raw materials could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations

Our business and results of operations depend on the availability and skill of subcontractors at reasonable rates.

Substantially all of our construction work is done by third-party subcontractors with us acting as the general contractor. 

Accordingly, the timing and quality of our construction depend on the availability and skill of our subcontractors. We do not 
have long-term contractual commitments with any subcontractors, and there can be no assurance that skilled subcontractors will 
continue to be available at reasonable rates and in the areas in which we conduct our operations. Certain of the subcontractors 
engaged by us are represented by labor unions or are subject to collective bargaining arrangements that require the payment of 
prevailing wages that are higher than normally expected on a residential construction site. A strike or other work stoppage 
involving any of our subcontractors could also make it difficult for us to retain subcontractors for our construction work. In 
addition, union activity could result in higher costs to retain our subcontractors. Access to qualified labor at reasonable rates 
may also be affected by other circumstances beyond our control, including: (i) shortages of qualified tradespeople, such as 
carpenters, roofers, drywallers, electricians and plumbers; (ii) high inflation; (iii) changes in laws relating to employment and 
union organizing activity; (iv) changes in trends in labor force migration; (v) increases in contractor, subcontractor and 
professional services costs; and (vi) changes in immigration laws and policies as well as changes in immigration trends. In 
particular, changes in federal and state immigration laws and policies, or in the enforcement of current laws and policies, may 
have the effect of increasing our labor costs. The lack of adequate supply of skilled labor or a significant increase in labor costs 
could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, the enactment of federal, state or local statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations requiring the payment 
of prevailing wages on private residential developments would materially increase our costs of development and construction.  
For example, California, where we conduct most of our business, generally requires that workers employed on public works 
projects in California be paid the applicable prevailing wage, as determined by the Department of Industrial Relations. Private 
residential projects built on private property are exempt unless the project is built pursuant to an agreement with a state agency, 
redevelopment agency, or local public housing authority. In 2017, the California legislature made this exemption inapplicable to 
a project built pursuant to an agreement with a successor agency of a redevelopment agency. We expect that the imposition of a 
14

prevailing wage requirement to additional types of projects would materially increase our costs of development and 
construction for those projects. Further extensions of prevailing wage requirements to private projects could materially and 
adversely affect our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

Furthermore, despite our quality control efforts, we may discover that our subcontractors were engaging in improper 

construction practices or installing defective materials in our homes. When we discover these issues, we, generally through our 
subcontractors, repair the homes in accordance with our new home warranty and as required by law.  Reserves are established 
based on market practices, our historical experiences and our judgment of the qualitative risks associated with the types of 
homes built. However, the cost of satisfying our warranty and other legal obligations in these instances may be significantly 
higher than our reserves, and we may be unable to recover the cost of repair from such subcontractors. Regardless of the steps 
we take, we can in some instances be subject to fines, litigation, or other penalties, and our reputation and our financial 
condition may be adversely affected. 

We could be responsible for employment-related liabilities with respect to our contractors’ employees.

Although contractors are independent of the homebuilders that contract with them under normal management practices 

and the terms of trade contracts and subcontracts within the homebuilding industry, on October 14, 2017, California’s governor 
signed into law Assembly Bill 1701, which would require general contractors to assume and be liable for unpaid wage, fringe 
or other benefit payments or contributions that subcontractors owe their employees. Assembly Bill 1701 imposes such liability 
under California Labor Code Section 218.7 for private works contracts entered on or after January 1, 2018. We are, and may 
become in the future, subject to similar measures and legislation, such as California Labor Code Section 2810.3, that requires 
us to share liability with our contractors for the payment of wages and the failure to secure valid workers’ compensation 
insurance coverage. While the Company ordinarily negotiates with its subcontractors to obtain broad indemnification rights, 
there is no guarantee that it will be able to recover from its subcontractors for actions brought against the Company by its 
subcontractors’ employees or unions representing such employees and such liability could have a material and adverse effect on 
our financial position or results of operations.  Even if we are successful in obtaining indemnification from our subcontractors, 
we may sustain additional administrative costs as a result of such legislation which could materially and adversely affect our 
results of operations. In addition, despite the fact that our subcontractors are independent from us, if regulatory agencies 
reclassify the employees of contractors as employees of homebuilders, homebuilders using contractors could be responsible for 
wage and hour labor laws, workers’ compensation and other employment-related liabilities of their contractors. Governmental 
rulings that make us responsible for labor practices by our subcontractors could create substantial exposures for us in situations 
that are not within our control.

If the market value of our land or housing inventory decreases, our results of operations could be adversely affected 

due to the illiquid nature of real estate investments and by impairments.

The market value of our land and housing inventories depends on market conditions. We acquire land for expansion into 
new markets and for replacement of land inventory and expansion within our current markets. There is an inherent risk that the 
value of the land owned or controlled by us may decline after purchase. The risks inherent in purchasing and developing land 
parcels increase as consumer demand for housing decreases. As a result, we may buy and develop land parcels on which homes 
cannot be profitably built and sold. The valuation of property is inherently subjective and based on the individual characteristics 
of each property. When market conditions drive land values down, land we have purchased or option agreements we have 
previously entered into may become less desirable because we may not be able to build and sell homes profitably, at which time 
we may elect to sell the land or, in the case of options contracts, to forego pre-acquisition costs and forfeit deposits and 
terminate the agreements.  Factors such as changes in regulatory requirements and applicable laws (including in relation to 
building regulations, taxation and planning), political conditions, the condition of financial markets, both local and national 
economic conditions, the financial condition of customers, potentially adverse tax consequences, and interest and inflation rate 
fluctuations subject the market value of land owned, controlled or optioned by us to uncertainty. Moreover, all valuations are 
made on the basis of assumptions that may not prove to reflect economic or demographic reality. If housing demand decreases 
below what we anticipated when we acquired our inventory, our results of operations and financial conditions may be adversely 
affected and we may not be able to recover our costs when we sell and build houses. Land parcels, building lots and housing 
inventories are illiquid assets, and we may not be able to dispose of them efficiently or at all if we or the housing market and 
general economy are in financial distress. In addition, inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses in a 
poorly performing project or market. We regularly review the value of our land holdings and continue to review our holdings on 
a periodic basis. Material impairments in the value of our inventory may be required, and we may in the future sell land or 
homes at significantly lower margins or at a loss, if we are able to sell them at all, which could adversely affect our results of 
operations and financial condition.

15

 
We may not be able to compete effectively against competitors in the homebuilding industry.

We operate in a very competitive environment which is characterized by competition from a number of other 

homebuilders in each market in which we operate. Additionally, there are relatively low barriers to entry into our business. We 
compete with numerous large national and regional homebuilding companies and with smaller local homebuilders and land 
developers for, among other things, home buyers, desirable land parcels, financing, raw materials and skilled management and 
labor resources. Our competitors may independently develop land and construct homes that are superior or substantially similar 
to our products. Over the past several years, we have embarked on a strategy to expand our product offerings to include more 
affordably-priced homes to reach a deeper pool of qualified buyers and grow our overall community count. We anticipate that 
we will continue to build more affordably-priced homes. We believe there is more competition among homebuilding companies 
in more affordable product offerings than in the luxury and move-up segments. Increased competition could hurt our business, 
as it could prevent us from acquiring attractive land parcels on which to build homes or make such acquisitions more 
expensive, hinder our market share expansion and cause us to increase our selling incentives or reduce our prices. In past 
housing cycles, an oversupply of homes available for sale and heavy discounting of home prices by some of our competitors 
have adversely affected demand for homes in the market as a whole and could do so again in the future. We also compete with 
the resale, or "previously owned," home market. If we are unable to compete effectively in our markets, our business could 
decline disproportionately to our competitors, and our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We may be at a competitive disadvantage with regard to certain of our large national and regional homebuilding 
competitors whose operations are more geographically diversified than ours, as these competitors may be better able to 
withstand any future regional downturn in the housing market. We compete directly with a number of large national and 
regional homebuilders that may have longer operating histories and greater financial and operational resources than we do, 
including a lower cost of capital. Many of these competitors also have longstanding relationships with subcontractors, local 
governments and suppliers in the markets in which we operate or in which we may operate in the future. This may give our 
competitors an advantage in securing materials and labor at lower prices, marketing their products and allowing their homes to 
be delivered to customers more quickly and at more favorable prices. This competition could reduce our market share and limit 
our ability to expand our business as we have planned.

If we are unable to develop our communities successfully or within expected timeframes, our results of operations 

could be adversely affected.

Before a community generates any revenue, time and material expenditures are required to acquire land, obtain 
development approvals and construct significant portions of project infrastructure, amenities, model homes and sales facilities. 
It can take several years from the time we acquire control of a property to the time we make our first home sale on the site. Our 
ability to process a significant number of transactions (which include, among other things, evaluating the site purchase, 
designing the layout of the development, sourcing materials and subcontractors and managing contractual commitments) 
efficiently and accurately is important to our success. Errors by employees, failure to comply with regulatory requirements and 
conduct of business rules, failings or inadequacies in internal control processes, equipment failures, natural disasters or the 
failure of external systems, including those of our suppliers or counterparties, could result in delays and operational issues that 
could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results and our relationships with our customers. Delays 
in the development of communities also expose us to the risk of changes in market conditions for homes. A decline in our 
ability to develop and market our communities successfully and to generate positive cash flow from these operations in a timely 
manner could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations and on our ability to service our debt and 
to meet our working capital requirements.

Increases in our cancellation rate could have a negative impact on our home sales revenue, homebuilding margins 

and cash flows.

In connection with the sale of a home we collect a deposit from the homebuyer that is a small percentage of the total 
purchase price. In California, upon a home order cancellation, the homebuyer’s escrow deposit is generally returned to the 
homebuyer (other than with respect to certain design-related deposits, which we generally retain).  In Arizona, we generally 
retain buyer deposits following a home order cancellation. Home order cancellations can result from a number of factors, 
including declines or slow appreciation in the market value of homes, increases in the supply of homes available to be 
purchased, increased competition, higher mortgage interest rates, and changes in homebuyers' financial condition or personal 
circumstances. In addition, as part of our strategy, we intend to increase the number of homes we build at more affordable price 
points. Our cancellation rate may increase as we sell to a more diverse credit quality of buyers. Home order cancellations 
negatively impact our financial and operating results due to a negative impact on the number of homes closed, net new home 
orders, home sales revenue, results of operations and cash flows, as well as the number of homes in backlog.

16

A large proportion of our fee building revenue is from one customer.

The Company’s fee building revenues have historically been concentrated with a small number of customers.  We have 
several fee building agreements with Irvine Pacific, LP and our billings to this customer are dependent upon such customer’s 
decision to proceed with construction and the agreements can be canceled at any time.  We cannot predict whether these 
agreements will continue in the future or the current pace of construction, and the loss of these billings could negatively impact 
our business and our results of operations.  See Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations - Fee Building" and Note 1 "Revenue Recognition - Fee Building" to the accompanying notes to 
consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K for further discussion of this revenue 
concentration. 

We are subject to construction defect, warranty, and personal injury claims arising in the ordinary course of business 

that can be significant and could adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations.

As a homebuilder, we are subject to construction defect, product liability and home warranty claims, arising in the 
ordinary course of business or otherwise. While we maintain general liability insurance and generally seek to require our 
subcontractors and design professionals to indemnify us for some portion of the liabilities arising from their work, there can be 
no assurance that these insurance rights and indemnities will be collectible or adequate to cover any or all construction defect 
and warranty claims for which we may be liable. Some claims may not be covered by insurance or may exceed applicable 
coverage limits. We may not be able to renew our insurance coverage or renew it at reasonable rates and may incur significant 
costs or expenses (including repair costs and litigation expenses) surrounding possible construction defects, product liability 
claims, soil subsidence or building related claims.  Some claims may arise out of uninsurable events or circumstances not 
covered by insurance or that are not subject to effective indemnification agreements with our trade partners.  In addition, we 
typically act as the general contractor for the homes we build for third party landowners on fee. In connection with these fee 
building agreements, we indemnify the landowner for liabilities arising from our work.  While we are covered by general 
liability insurance, procured either by us or the landowner, and we generally seek to require our subcontractors to indemnify us 
for some portion of the liabilities arising from their work, there can be no assurance that these indemnities will be collectible 
and some claims may arise out of uninsurable events or circumstances not covered by insurance. Furthermore, most insurance 
policies have some level of a self insured retention that we are required to satisfy per occurrence in order to access the 
underlying insurance which levels can be significant. Any such claims or self insured retentions can be costly and could result 
in significant liability.

With respect to certain general liability exposures, including construction defects and related claims and product liability 

claims, interpretation of underlying current and future trends, assessment of claims and the related liability and reserve 
estimation process require us to exercise significant judgment due to the complex nature of these exposures, with each exposure 
often exhibiting unique circumstances. Furthermore, once claims are asserted against us for construction defects, it is difficult 
to determine the extent to which the assertion of these claims will expand. Plaintiffs may seek to consolidate multiple parties in 
one lawsuit or seek class action status in some of these legal proceedings with potential class sizes that vary from case to case. 
Consolidated and class action lawsuits can be costly to defend and, if we were to lose any consolidated or certified class action 
suit, it could result in substantial liability.

We also expend significant resources to repair items in homes we have sold to fulfill the warranties we issued to our 
homebuyers. Additionally, construction defect claims can be costly to defend and resolve in the legal system. Warranty and 
construction defect matters can also result in negative publicity in the media and on the internet, which can damage our 
reputation and adversely affect our ability to sell homes.

In addition, we conduct most of our business in California, one of the most highly regulated and litigious jurisdictions in 

the United States, which imposes a ten year, strict liability tail on many construction liability claims. As a result, our potential 
losses and expenses due to litigation, new laws and regulations may be greater than those of our competitors who have smaller 
California operations as a percentage of the total enterprise.

Adverse weather and geological conditions may increase costs, cause project delays and reduce consumer demand for 

housing, all of which could materially and adversely affect us.

As a homebuilder and land developer, we are subject to the risks associated with numerous weather-related and geologic 

events, many of which are beyond our control. These weather-related and geologic events include but are not limited to 
droughts, floods, wildfires, landslides, soil subsidence and earthquakes. The occurrence of any of these events could damage 
our land parcels and projects, cause delays in the completion of our projects, reduce consumer demand for housing and cause 
shortages and price increases in labor or raw materials, any of which could harm our sales and profitability. Our California 

17

 
 
markets are in areas which have historically experienced significant earthquake activity, seasonal wildfires, droughts and water 
shortages. In addition to directly damaging our land or projects, earthquakes, floods, landslides, wildfires or other geologic 
events could damage roads and highways providing access to those projects, thereby adversely affecting our ability to market 
homes in those areas and possibly increasing the costs of completion. 

There are some risks of loss for which we may be unable to purchase insurance coverage. For example, losses associated 

with landslides, earthquakes and other geologic events may not be insurable, and other losses, such as those arising from 
terrorism, may not be economically insurable. A sizeable uninsured loss could materially and adversely affect our business, 
prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

Power, water and other natural resource shortages, including drought conditions and wildfires, or price increases 

could have an adverse impact on operations.

The markets in which we operate have experienced power and resource shortages, including mandatory periods without 

electrical power, changes to water availability (including drought conditions) and significant increases in utility and resource 
costs. These conditions may cause us to incur additional costs and we may not be able to complete construction on a timely 
basis if they were to continue for an extended period of time. Shortages of natural resources, particularly water and power, may 
make it more difficult to obtain regulatory approval of new developments. We may incur additional costs and may not be able 
to complete construction on a timely basis if such power shortages and utility rate increases continue. Furthermore, water 
restrictions, drought conditions, power shortages and rate increases may adversely affect the regional economies and the 
environment in which we operate, as well as increase greatly the risk of wildfires, which may both reduce demand for housing 
and damage our inventory currently under construction. Our operations may be adversely impacted if further restrictions, 
drought conditions, wildfires, rate increases and/or power shortages occur. 

Because of the seasonal nature of our business, our quarterly operating results fluctuate.

As discussed under "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition-Seasonality" we have experienced 
seasonal fluctuations in our quarterly operating results and capital requirements that can have a material impact on our results 
and our consolidated financial statements. We typically experience the highest new home order activity in spring and summer, 
although this activity also highly depends on the number of active selling communities, timing of new community openings and 
other market factors. Since it typically takes five to nine months to construct a new home, depending on the nature of the 
product and whether it is single-family detached or multi-family attached, we typically deliver more homes in the second half 
of the year as spring and summer home orders convert to home deliveries. Because of this seasonality, home starts, construction 
costs and related cash outflows have historically been highest in the second and third quarters, and the majority of cash receipts 
from home deliveries occur during the second half of the year. We expect this seasonal pattern to continue over the long-term, 
although it may be affected by volatility in the homebuilding industry. 

Seasonality also requires us to finance construction activities in advance of the receipt of sales proceeds. In many cases, 

we may not be able to recapture increased costs by raising prices because prices are established upon signing the purchase 
contract. Accordingly, there is a risk that we will invest significant amounts of capital in the acquisition and development of 
land and construction of homes that we do not sell at anticipated pricing levels or within anticipated time frames. If, due to 
market conditions, construction delays or other causes, we do not complete sales of our homes at anticipated pricing levels or 
within anticipated time frames, our financial performance and financial conditions could be materially and adversely affected.

We may be unable to obtain suitable bonding for the development of our housing projects.

We are often required to provide bonds to governmental authorities and others to ensure the completion of our projects. 

As a result of market conditions, surety providers have been reluctant to issue new bonds and some providers are requesting 
credit enhancements (such as cash deposits or letters of credit) in order to maintain existing bonds or to issue new bonds. If we 
are unable to obtain required bonds in the future for our projects, or if we are required to provide credit enhancements with 
respect to our current or future bonds, our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations could be 
materially and adversely affected.

Inflation could adversely affect our business and financial results.

Inflation could adversely affect us by increasing the costs of land, raw materials and labor needed to operate our 
business, which in turn requires us to increase our home selling price in an effort to maintain satisfactory housing gross 
margins. Inflation typically also accompanies higher interests rates, which could adversely impact potential customers’ ability 
to obtain financing on favorable terms, thereby further decreasing demand. If we are unable to raise the prices of our homes to 
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offset the increasing costs of our operations, our margins could decrease. Furthermore, if we need to lower the price of our 
homes to meet demand, the value of our land inventory may decrease. Depressed land values may cause us to abandon and 
forfeit deposits on land option contracts and other similar contracts if we cannot satisfactorily renegotiate the purchase price of 
the subject land. We may record charges against our earnings for inventory impairments if the value of our owned inventory, 
including land we decide to sell, is reduced, or for land option contract abandonments if we choose not to exercise land option 
contracts or other similar contracts, and these charges may be substantial. Inflation may also raise our costs of capital and 
decrease our purchasing power, making it more difficult to maintain sufficient funds to operate our business.  

A major health and safety incident relating to our business could be costly in terms of potential liabilities and 

reputational damage.

Building sites are inherently dangerous, and operating in the homebuilding industry poses certain inherent health and 

safety risks to those working at such sites. Due to health and safety regulatory requirements and the number of projects we 
work on, health and safety performance is critical to the success of all areas of our business. Any failure in health and safety 
performance may result in penalties for non-compliance with relevant regulatory requirements or litigation, and a failure that 
results in a major or significant health and safety incident is likely to be costly in terms of potential liabilities incurred as a 
result. Such a failure could generate significant negative publicity and have a corresponding impact on our reputation, our 
relationships with relevant regulatory agencies, governmental authorities and local communities, and our ability to win new 
business, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results 
of operations. 

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, such as blogs, websites or newsletters, 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. 

An information systems interruption or breach in security could adversely affect us.

Privacy, security, and compliance concerns have continued to increase as technology has evolved.  We use information 

technology and other computer resources to carry out important operational and marketing activities and to maintain our 
business records. Furthermore, as part of our normal business activities, we may collect and store certain confidential 
information, including information about employees, homebuyers, customers, vendors and suppliers and may share information 
with vendors who assist us with certain aspects of our business. These information technology systems are dependent upon 
global communications providers, web browsers, third-party software and data storage providers and other aspects of the 
Internet infrastructure that have experienced security breaches, cyber-attacks, significant systems failures and service outages in 
the past. A material breach in the security of our information technology systems or other data security controls could include 
the theft or release of customer, employee, vendor or company data. A data security breach, a significant and extended 
disruption in the functioning of our information technology systems or a breach of any of our data security controls could 
disrupt our business operations, damage our reputation and cause us to lose customers, adversely impact our sales and revenue 
and require us to incur significant expense to address and remediate or otherwise resolve these kinds of issues.  The release of 
confidential information as a result of a security breach could also lead to litigation or other proceedings against us by affected 
individuals or business partners, or by regulators, and the outcome of such proceedings, which could include penalties or fines, 
could have a significant negative impact on our business. We may also be required to incur significant costs to protect against 
damages caused by information technology failures or security breaches in the future. We provide employee awareness training 
of cybersecurity threats and routinely utilize information technology consultants to assist us in our evaluations of the 
effectiveness of the security of our information technology systems, and we regularly enhance our security measures to protect 
our systems and data. However, because methods used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade systems change 
frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these attacks or to 

19

 
implement adequate preventative measures. Consequently, we cannot eliminate the risk that a security breach, cyber-attack, 
data theft or other significant systems or security failures will occur in the future, and such occurrences could have a material 
and adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.  In addition, the cost and operational 
consequences of implementing further data or system protection measure could be significant and our efforts to deter, identify, 
mitigate and/or eliminate any security breaches or incidents may not be successful.

Inefficient or ineffective allocation of capital, including from efforts to invest in future growth or expansion of our 

operations or acquisitions of businesses, could adversely affect our operations and/or stockholder value if expected benefits 
are not realized.

As a part of our business strategy, we may consider growth or expansion of our operations in our current markets or in 

other areas of the country. Any such growth or expansion would be accompanied by risks such as:

•  difficulties in assimilating the operations and personnel of acquired companies or businesses;

•  potential loss of key employees of the acquired companies or business;

•  diversion of our management’s attention from ongoing business concerns;

•  our potential inability to maximize our financial and strategic position through the successful expansion or acquisition;

•  impairment of existing relationships with employees, contractors, suppliers and customers as a result of the integration of 

new management personnel and cost-saving initiatives; and

•  risks associated with entering markets in which we have limited or no direct experience.

The magnitude, timing and nature of any future acquisition or expansion will depend on a number of factors, including 

our ability to identify suitable additional markets or acquisition candidates as well as capital resources. We cannot guarantee 
that any expansion into a new market will be successfully executed, and our failure to do so could harm our current business.  

Furthermore, we may engage in other capital projects such as repurchasing shares or engage in bond repurchases from 
time to time to reduce our indebtedness. While our goal is to allocate capital to maximize our overall long-term returns, 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.

Our ability to execute on our business strategies is uncertain, and we may be unable to achieve our goals.

We may undertake various strategic initiatives as part of our business, such as our recent strategy to offer more 
affordable-priced homes or our entry into new markets. We can provide no assurance (i) that our strategies, and any related 
initiatives or actions, will be successful or that they will generate growth, earnings or returns at any particular level or within 
any particular time frame; (ii) that in the future we will achieve positive operational or financial results or results in any 
particular metric or measure equal to or better than those attained in the past; or (iii) that we will perform in any period as well 
as other homebuilders. We also cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to maintain our strategies, and any related 
initiatives or actions, in the future and, due to unexpectedly favorable or unfavorable market conditions or other factors, we 
may determine that we need to adjust, refine or abandon all or portions of our strategies, and any related initiatives or actions, 
though we cannot guarantee that any such adjustments will be successful. The failure of any one or more of our present 
strategies, or any related initiatives or actions, or the failure of any adjustments that we may pursue or implement, would likely 
have an adverse effect on our ability to increase the value and profitability of our business; on our ability to operate our 
business in the ordinary course; on our overall liquidity; and on our consolidated financial statements, and the effect, in each 
case, could be material.

A reduction in our sales absorption levels may force us to incur and absorb additional community-level costs.

We incur certain overhead costs associated with our communities, such as indirect construction costs, property taxes, 

marketing expenses and costs associated with the upkeep and maintenance of our model and sales complexes. If our sales 
absorptions pace decreases and the time required to close out our communities is extended, we would likely incur additional 
overhead costs, which would negatively impact our financial results. Additionally, we incur various land development 
improvement costs for a community prior to the commencement of home construction. Such costs include infrastructure, 
utilities, property taxes, HOA assessments, interest and other related expenses. Reduction in home absorption rates increases 
the associated holding costs and extends our time to recover such costs. Declines in the homebuilding market may also require 
us to evaluate the recoverability of costs relating to land acquired more recently.

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Future terrorist attacks against the United States, public health issues or increased domestic or international 

instability could have an adverse effect on our operations.

Deployments of U.S. military personnel to foreign regions, terrorist attacks, other acts of violence or threats to national 

security and any corresponding response by the United States or any foreign country or increased domestic or international 
instability could cause consumer unease or an economic slowdown, which could significantly reduce the number of new 
contracts signed, and/or increase the number of cancellations of existing contracts, which could adversely affect our business. 

Public health issues such as a major epidemic or pandemic could adversely affect our business. The U.S. and other 
countries have experienced, and may experience in the future, outbreaks of contagious diseases that affect public perception of 
health risk. In the event of a widespread, prolonged, actual or perceived outbreak of a contagious disease, our operations could 
be negatively impacted by a reduction in customer traffic or other factors which could reduce demand for new homes.

Risks Related to Laws and Regulations

Mortgage financing, interest rate increases or changes in federal lending programs or other regulations could lower 

demand for or impact homebuyers’ ability to purchase our homes, which could materially and adversely affect us.

A substantial percentage of purchasers of our homes finance their acquisitions with mortgage financing. Rising interest 

rates, decreased availability of mortgage financing or of certain mortgage programs, higher down payment requirements, 
increased monthly mortgage costs, tightened credit requirements and underwriting standards, and an increase in indemnity 
claims for mortgages may lead to reduced demand for our homes and mortgage loans. Deterioration in credit quality among 
subprime and other nonconforming loans has caused most lenders to eliminate subprime mortgages and most other loan 
products that do not conform to Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae, Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
Corporation, or Freddie Mac, Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, or Veterans Administration, or the VA, standards. In 
addition, as a result of the turbulence in the credit markets and mortgage finance industry during the last significant downturn, 
in July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law. This legislation provides 
for a number of new requirements relating to residential mortgages and mortgage lending practices that reduce the availability 
of loans to borrowers or increase the costs to borrowers to obtain such loans. Fewer loan products and tighter loan 
qualifications, in turn, make it more difficult for a borrower to finance the purchase of a new home or the purchase of an 
existing home from a potential "move-up" buyer who wishes to purchase one of our homes.  The foregoing may also hinder our 
ability to realize our backlog because our home purchase contracts provide customers with a financing contingency. Financing 
contingencies allow customers to cancel their home purchase contracts in the event that they cannot arrange for adequate 
financing. As a result, rising interest rates, stricter underwriting standards, and a reduction of loan products, among other 
similar factors, can contribute to a decrease in our home sales. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

The federal government has also taken on a significant role in supporting mortgage lending through its conservatorship 

of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both of which purchase home mortgages and mortgage-backed securities originated by 
mortgage lenders, and its insurance of mortgages originated by lenders through the FHA and the VA. The availability and 
affordability of mortgage loans, including interest rates for such loans, could be adversely affected by a curtailment or cessation 
of the federal government’s mortgage-related programs or policies. The FHA may continue to impose stricter loan qualification 
standards, raise minimum down payment requirements, impose higher mortgage insurance premiums and other costs, or limit 
the number of mortgages it insures. Due to federal budget deficits, the U.S. Treasury may not be able to continue supporting the 
mortgage-related activities of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHA and the VA at present levels, or it may revise significantly the 
federal government’s participation in and support of the residential mortgage market. Because the availability of Fannie Mae, 
Freddie Mac, FHA and VA-backed mortgage financing is an important factor in marketing and selling many of our homes, 
especially as we move down in price point, any limitations, restrictions or changes in the availability of such government-
backed financing could reduce our home sales, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, liquidity, 
financial condition and results of operations.

21

Changes in tax laws can increase the after-tax cost of owning a home, and further tax law changes or government 
fees could adversely affect demand for the homes we build, increase our costs, or negatively affect our operating results. 

Under previous tax law, certain significant expenses of owning a home, including mortgage loan interest costs and real 
estate taxes, generally were deductible expenses for the purpose of calculating an individual’s federal, and in some cases state, 
tax liability. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") signed into law on December 22, 2017 now limits these 
deductions for some individuals.  The Tax Act caps individual state and local tax deductions at $10,000 for the aggregate of 
state and local real property and income taxes or state and local sales taxes.  Additionally, the Tax Act reduces the cap on 
mortgage interest deduction to $750,000 of debt for debt incurred after December 15, 2017 while retaining the $1 million debt 
cap for debt incurred prior to December 15, 2017.  The limits on deductibility of mortgage interest and property taxes may 
increase the after-tax cost of owning a home for some individuals.

Any increases in personal income tax rates and/or additional tax deduction limits could adversely impact demand for 

new homes, including homes we build, which could adversely affect our results of operations.  Furthermore, increases in real 
estate taxes and other local government fees, such as fees imposed on developers to fund schools, open space, and road 
improvements, and/or provide low- and moderate-income housing, could increase our costs and have an adverse effect on our 
operations. In addition, increases in local real estate taxes as well as the limitation on deductibility of such costs could 
adversely affect our potential home buyers, who may consider those costs in determining whether to make a new home 
purchase and decide, as a result, not to purchase one of our homes or not purchase a resale, which would negatively impact 
homebuyers that need to sell their home before they purchase one of ours.

New and existing laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations, or other governmental actions 

may increase our expenses, limit the number of homes that we can build or delay the completion of our projects.

We are subject to numerous local, state, federal and other statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning zoning, 

development, building design, construction and similar matters which impose restrictive zoning and density requirements, 
which can limit the number of homes that can be built within the boundaries of a particular area. Projects that are not entitled 
may be subjected to periodic delays, changes in use, less intensive development or elimination of development in certain 
specific areas due to government regulations. We may also be subject to periodic delays or may be precluded entirely from 
developing in certain communities due to building moratoriums or "slow-growth" or "no-growth" initiatives that could be 
implemented in the future. Local governments also have broad discretion regarding the imposition of development fees, 
assessments and exactions for projects in their jurisdiction. Projects for which we have received land use and development 
entitlements or approvals may still require a variety of other governmental approvals and permits during the development 
process and can also be impacted adversely by unforeseen health, safety and welfare issues, which can further delay these 
projects or prevent their development. As a result, home sales could decline and costs could increase, which could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

We are also subject to a significant number and variety of local, state and federal laws and regulations concerning 
protection of health, safety, labor standards and the environment. The particular environmental laws which apply to any given 
property vary according to multiple factors, including the property’s location, its environmental conditions and geographic 
attributes or historical artifacts, the present and former uses of the property, the presence or absence of endangered plants, 
animals or sensitive habitats, as well as conditions at nearby properties. Environmental laws and conditions may result in 
delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs and can prohibit or severely restrict development and 
homebuilding activity in environmentally sensitive regions or areas.  For example, under certain environmental laws and 
regulations, third parties, such as environmental groups or neighborhood associations, may challenge the permits and other 
approvals required for our projects and operations. Any such claims may adversely affect our business, prospects, liquidity, 
financial condition and results of operations. Insurance coverage for such claims may be limited or non-existent.

In addition, in those cases where an endangered or threatened species is involved and agency rulemaking and litigation 

are ongoing, the outcome of such rulemaking and litigation can be unpredictable, and at any time can result in unplanned or 
unforeseeable restrictions on or even the prohibition of development in identified environmentally sensitive areas. From time to 
time, the EPA and similar federal, state or local agencies review land developers’ and homebuilders’ compliance with 
environmental laws and may levy fines and penalties for failure to strictly comply with applicable environmental laws, 
including those applicable to control of storm water discharges during construction, 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 and result in 
project delays. We expect that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on land developers and homebuilders in the 
future. Environmental regulations can also have an adverse impact on the availability and price of certain raw materials such as 
lumber, and on other building materials.

22

California is especially susceptible to restrictive government regulations and environmental laws. For example, 
California imposes notification obligations respecting environmental conditions, sometimes recorded on deeds, and also those 
required to be delivered to persons accessing property or to home buyers or renters, which may cause some persons, or their 
financing sources, to view the subject parcels as less valuable or as impaired. 

Under various environmental laws, current or former owners of real estate, as well as certain other categories of parties, 

may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases, and may be held liable 
to a governmental entity or to third parties for related damages, including for bodily injury, and for investigation and clean-up 
costs incurred by such parties in connection with the contamination. 

Legislation relating to energy and climate change could increase our costs to construct homes.

There is a variety of new legislation being enacted, or considered for enactment at the federal, state and local level 
relating to energy, emissions and climate change. This legislation relates to items such as carbon dioxide emissions control and 
building codes that impose energy efficiency standards.  New building code requirements, including California's solar mandate 
that will go into effect in 2020, that impose stricter energy efficiency standards could significantly increase our cost to construct 
homes and we may be unable to fully recover such costs due to market conditions, which could cause a reduction in our 
homebuilding gross margin and materially and adversely effect our results of operations.  As climate change concerns continue 
to grow, legislation and regulations of this nature are expected to continue and become more costly to comply with. Similarly, 
energy-related initiatives affect a wide variety of companies throughout the United States and the world and because our 
operations are heavily dependent on significant amounts of raw materials, such as lumber, steel, and concrete, they could have 
an indirect adverse impact on our operations and profitability to the extent the manufacturers and suppliers of our materials are 
burdened with expensive cap and trade and similar energy-related regulations.

Risks Related to Financing and Indebtedness

Difficulty in obtaining sufficient capital could prevent us from acquiring land for our developments or increase costs 

and delays in the completion of our development projects.

The homebuilding and land development industry is capital-intensive and requires significant up-front expenditures to 

acquire land parcels and complete development. We cannot assure you that we will maintain cash reserves and generate 
sufficient cash flow from operations in an amount to enable us to service our debt or to fund other liquidity needs. Additionally, 
while we have issued $325 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "Notes") and debt 
commitments of $200 million under our revolving credit facility, our ability and capacity to borrow under the credit facility is 
limited by our asset based borrowing base and our ability to meet the covenants of the facility. In addition, our senior notes 
contain certain restrictions on our business, including the incurrence of additional debt under certain circumstances. If our 
Notes, credit facility and internally generated funds are insufficient to cover our liquidity needs, we may seek additional capital 
in the form of equity or debt financing from a variety of potential sources, including additional bank financings, formation of 
joint venture relationships or securities offerings. 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. If we are 
required to seek additional financing to fund our operations, continued 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 or to develop the land and construct homes. Additionally, if we 
cannot obtain additional financing to fund the purchase of land under our option contracts or purchase contracts, we may incur 
contractual penalties and fees. Any difficulty in obtaining sufficient capital for planned development expenditures could also 
cause project delays, which could increase our costs. Furthermore, if additional funds are raised through the issuance of stock, 
dilution to stockholders could result. If additional funds are raised through the incurrence of debt, we will incur increased debt 
servicing costs and would likley become subject to additional restrictive financial and other covenants. We can give no 
assurance as to the terms or availability of additional capital. If we are not successful in obtaining or refinancing capital when 
needed, it could adversely impact our ability to operate our business effectively, which could reduce our sales and earnings, and 
adversely impact our financial position.

23

Our level of indebtedness is significant and may adversely affect our financial position and prevent us from fulfilling 

our debt obligations; we may incur additional debt in the future.

The homebuilding industry is capital-intensive and requires significant up-front expenditures to secure land and pursue 

development and construction on such land. Accordingly, we incur substantial indebtedness to finance our homebuilding 
activities.  As discussed elsewhere in this filing, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Result of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources," the Company has outstanding $325 million in aggregate principal 
amount of  7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "Notes").  As of December 31, 2018, the Notes had a carrying value of $320.1 
million, net of the unamortized discount of $1.7 million, unamortized premium of $1.3 million and $4.5 million of unamortized 
debt issuance costs.  In addition, we have $200 million in debt commitments under our revolving credit facility, of which $67.5 
million was outstanding and $2.3 million was utilized to provide letters of credit at December 31, 2018 and $130.2 million is 
available for borrowing, subject to satisfaction of the financial covenants and borrowing base requirements in our revolving 
credit facility. As of December 31, 2018, we did not meet the minimum interest coverage ratio test under our revolving credit 
facility. Not meeting such test is not a default under the credit facility so long as we maintain unrestricted cash equal to not less 
than the trailing 12 month consolidated interest incurred (as defined in the credit facility agreement) which was $28.5 million as 
of December 31, 2018.  The Company was in compliance with this requirement with an unrestricted cash balance of $42.3 
million at December 31, 2018.  This requirement to maintain additional cash balances may reduce our ability to use our cash 
flow for other purposes, including land investments.  

The terms of the indenture governing the Notes and our revolving credit facility permit us to incur additional debt, in 

each case, subject to certain restrictions. Our level of indebtedness and incurring additional debt subject us to many risks that, if 
realized, would adversely affect us, including the risk that:

•  our ability to obtain additional financing as needed for working capital, land acquisition costs, building costs, other 

capital expenditures, or general corporate purposes, or to refinance existing indebtedness before its scheduled maturity, 
may be limited;

•  our debt may increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;

•  we may be required to dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, thereby reducing 

funds available for other purposes such as land and lot acquisition, development and construction activities; 

•  our cash flow from operations may be insufficient to make required payments of principal of and interest on the debt, 

which would likely result in acceleration of the maturity of such debt; and

•  we may be put at a competitive disadvantage and reduce our flexibility in planning for, or responding to, changing 

conditions in our industry, including increased competition. 

Our ability to meet our expenses depends, to a large extent, on our future performance, which will be affected by 
financial, business, economic and other factors. We will not be able to control many of these factors, such as economic 
conditions in the markets where we operate and pressure from competitors. If we do not have sufficient funds, we may be 
required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets or borrow additional funds. We cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are unable to refinance our debt on acceptable terms, we may be forced to 
dispose of our assets on disadvantageous terms, potentially resulting in losses. To the extent we cannot meet any future debt 
service obligations, we may lose some or all of our assets or property that may be pledged to secure our obligations to 
foreclosure. Also, debt agreements may contain specific cross-default provisions with respect to specified other indebtedness, 
giving the lenders the right to declare a default if we are in default under other loans in some circumstances. Defaults under our 
debt agreements could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of 
operations.

We currently have significant amounts invested in unconsolidated joint ventures with third parties - some of which 
are affiliated with certain of our board members - in which we have less than a controlling interest. These investments are 
highly illiquid and have significant risks due to, in part, a lack of sole decision-making authority and reliance on the 
financial condition and liquidity of our joint venture partners.

We own interests in various joint ventures and as of December 31, 2018, our investments in and advances to our 

unconsolidated joint ventures was $34.3 million.  We have entered into joint ventures in order to acquire land positions, to 
manage our risk profile and to leverage our capital base.  We may enter into additional joint ventures in the future. Such joint 
venture investments involve risks not otherwise present in wholly owned projects, including the following:

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•  Control and Partner Dispute Risk. We do not have exclusive control over the development, financing, management and 
other aspects of the project or joint venture, which may prevent us from taking actions that are in our best interest but 
opposed by our partners. We cannot exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the project or joint venture, which 
could create the potential risk of creating impasses on decisions, such as acquisitions or sales. Disputes between us and 
our partners may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and directors 
from focusing their time and efforts on our business and could result in subjecting the projects owned by the joint 
venture to additional risk. Our existing joint venture agreements contain, and any future joint venture agreements may 
contain, buy-sell provisions pursuant to which one partner may initiate procedures requiring the other partner to choose 
between buying the other partner’s interest or selling its interest to that partner; we may not have the capital to purchase 
our joint venture parties’ interest under these circumstances even if we believe it would be beneficial to do so.

•  Covenant Compliance Risk. Our revolving credit facility prohibits us from making investments in and advances to joint 
ventures when we are unable to meet certain financial covenants. In addition, the Indenture governing the Notes limits 
our ability to make investments in joint ventures or guarantee of joint venture indebtedness when our aggregate 
investments in joint ventures exceeds 15% of our consolidated tangible assets (before the operation of general baskets 
and other exceptions). If we become unable to fund our joint venture obligations this could result in, among other things, 
our default  under our joint venture operating agreements, loan agreements, and credit enhancements. And, our failure to 
satisfy our joint venture obligations could also affect our joint venture's ability to carry out its operations or strategy 
which could impair the value of our investment in the joint venture. Furthermore, a failure to comply with covenants in 
our joint venture loans could trigger cross-defaults with respect to the Company's other indebtedness.

•  Development Risk. Typically, we serve as the administrative member, managing member, or general partner of our joint 

ventures and one of our subsidiaries acts as the general contractor while our joint venture partner serves as the capital 
provider. Due to our respective role in these joint ventures, we may become liable for obligations beyond our 
proportionate equity share.  In addition, the projects we build through joint ventures are often larger and have a longer 
time horizon than the typical project developed by our wholly owned homebuilding operations. Time delays associated 
with obtaining entitlements, unforeseen development issues, unanticipated labor and material cost increases, higher 
carrying costs, and general market deterioration and other changes are more likely to impact larger, long-term projects, 
all of which may negatively impact the profitability and capital needs of these ventures and our proportionate share of 
income and capital.  For example, as discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations - Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures", in 2018 one of our Northern 
California land development joint ventures recorded a significant impairment loss of $28.8 million, of which the 
Company's allocated shares totaled $18.9 million.

•  Financing Risk. There are generally a limited number of sources willing to provide acquisition, development and 

construction financing to land development and homebuilding joint ventures. During difficult market conditions, it may 
be difficult or impossible to obtain financing for our joint ventures on commercially reasonable terms, or to refinance 
existing joint venture borrowings as such borrowings mature. In addition, a partner may fail to fund its share of required 
capital contributions or may become bankrupt, which may cause us and any other remaining partners to need to fulfill 
the obligations of the venture in order to preserve our interests and retain any benefits from the joint venture.  As a result, 
we could be contractually required, or elect, to contribute our corporate funds to the joint venture to finance acquisition 
and development and/or construction costs following termination or step-down of joint venture financing that the joint 
venture is unable to restructure, extend, or refinance with another third party lender. In addition, our ability to contribute 
our funds to or for the joint venture may be limited if we do not meet the credit facility conditions discussed above. In 
addition, we sometimes finance projects in our unconsolidated joint ventures with debt that is secured by the underlying 
real property. Secured indebtedness increases the risk of the joint venture’s loss of ownership of the property (which 
would, in turn, impair the value of our ownership interests in the joint venture). See Item 7, "Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Off-Balance Sheet 
Arrangements and Contractual Obligations"

•  Contribution Risk. Under credit enhancements that we typically provide with respect to joint venture borrowings, we and 
our partners could be required to make additional unanticipated investments in and advances to these joint ventures, 
either in the form of capital contributions or loan repayments, to reduce such outstanding borrowings. We may have to 
make additional contributions that exceed our proportional share of capital if our partners fail to contribute any or all of 
their share. While in most instances we would be able to exercise remedies available under the applicable joint venture 
agreements if a partner fails to contribute its proportional share of capital, our partner's financial condition may preclude 
any meaningful cash recovery on the obligation. See Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual 
Obligations" and Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on LTV maintenance 
agreements and completion guaranties.

25

•  Completion Risk. We often sign a completion agreement in connection with obtaining financing for our joint ventures. 
Under such agreements, we may be compelled to complete a project, usually with costs within the budget related to the 
project being funded by the lender with any budget shortfalls being borne by us, even if we no longer have an economic 
interest in the joint venture or the joint venture no longer has an interest in the property.
Illiquid Investment Risk. We lack a controlling interest in our joint ventures and therefore are generally unable to compel 
our joint ventures to sell assets, return invested capital, require additional capital contributions or take any other action 
without the vote of at least one or more of our venture partners. This means that, absent partner agreement, we may not 
be able to liquidate our joint venture investments to generate cash.

• 

•  Consolidation Risk. The accounting rules for joint ventures are complex and the decision as to whether it is proper to 
consolidate a joint venture onto our balance sheet is fact intensive. If the facts concerning an unconsolidated joint 
venture were to change and a triggering event under applicable accounting rules were to occur, we might be required to 
consolidate previously unconsolidated joint ventures onto our balance sheet which could adversely impact our financial 
statements and our leverage and other financial conditions or covenants.

Any of the above might subject a project to liabilities in excess of those contemplated and adversely affect the value of our 
current and future joint venture investments.

Our current financing arrangements contain, and our future financing arrangements likely will contain, restrictive 

covenants relating to our operations.

Our current financing arrangements, including the Indenture governing the Notes, contain covenants (financial and 

otherwise) affecting our ability to incur additional debt, make certain investments, allow liquidity to fall below certain levels, 
make distributions to our stockholders, and otherwise affect our operating policies. These restrictions limit our ability to, among 
other things: 

•  incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue certain equity interests;

•  pay dividends or distributions, repurchase equity or prepay subordinated debt;

•  make certain investments;

•  sell assets;

•  incur liens;

•  create restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to transfer assets;

•  enter into transactions with affiliates;

•  create unrestricted subsidiaries; and

•  consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets.

In addition, our revolving credit facility provides that our maximum leverage ratio must be less than 65%, which, as 

defined in our revolving credit agreement, is calculated on a net debt basis after a minimum liquidity threshold of $10 million. 
Our leverage ratio as of December 31, 2018, as calculated under our revolving credit facility, was approximately 59.7%. Our 
credit facility also contains financial covenants related to our tangible net worth, liquidity, and interest coverage or a minimum 
unrestricted cash balance.  Tables measuring our compliance with the financial conditions and covenants under the Notes and 
revolving credit facility are set forth in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" included elsewhere in this Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by 
reference. Failure to have sufficient borrowing base availability in the future or to be in compliance with our financial 
covenants under our revolving credit facility could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

A breach of the covenants under the Indenture or any of the other agreements governing our indebtedness could 

result in an event of default under the Indenture or other such agreements.

A default under the Indenture governing the Notes or our revolving credit facility or other agreements governing our 

indebtedness may allow our creditors to accelerate the related debt and may result in the acceleration of any other debt to 
which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In addition, an event of default under the revolving credit 
agreement would permit the lenders thereunder to terminate all commitments to extend further credit under our revolving 
credit facility. Furthermore, if we were unable to repay the amounts due and payable under any future secured credit facilities, 
those lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. In the event our lenders or the 
holders of our Notes accelerate the repayment of our borrowings, we cannot assure you that we and our subsidiaries would 

26

have sufficient assets to repay such indebtedness. As a result of these restrictions, we may be:

•  limited in how we conduct our business;

•  unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to operate during general economic or business downturns; or

•  unable to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. These restrictions may affect our 

ability to grow in accordance with our plans. 

Potential future downgrades of our credit ratings could adversely affect our access to capital and could otherwise 

have a material adverse effect on us.

Rating agencies may elect in the future to downgrade our corporate credit rating or any rating of the Notes due to 
deterioration in our homebuilding operations, credit metrics or other earnings-based metrics, as well as our leverage or a 
significant decrease in our tangible net worth. These ratings and our current credit condition affect, among other things, our 
ability to access new capital, especially debt, and negative changes in these ratings may result in more stringent covenants and 
higher interest rates under the terms of any new debt. Our credit ratings could be downgraded or rating agencies could issue 
adverse commentaries in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock price, business, results of 
operations, financial condition 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.

Interest expense on debt we incur may limit our cash available to fund our growth strategies.

As of December 31, 2018, our  Notes had a carrying value of approximately $320.1 million, net of the unamortized 

discount of $1.7 million, unamortized premium of $1.3 million and $4.5 million of unamortized debt issuance costs. In 
addition, we have $200 million in debt commitments under our revolving credit facility, of which $67.5 million is outstanding,
$2.3 million is utilized to provide letters of credit at December 31, 2018 and $130.2 million is available for borrowing, subject 
to satisfaction of the financial covenants and borrowing base requirements in our senior unsecured revolving credit facility.  As 
part of our financing strategy, we may incur a significant amount of additional debt. Our revolving credit facility has, and any 
additional debt we subsequently incur may have, a floating rate of interest.  Our Notes have a fixed rate of interest. We may 
incur fixed rate debt in the future that may be at a higher interest rate than our floating rate debt.  Higher interest rates could 
increase debt service requirements on our current floating rate debt and on any floating or fixed rate debt we subsequently 
incur, and could reduce funds available for operations, future business opportunities or other purposes. If we need to repay 
existing debt during periods of rising interest rates, we could be required to refinance our then-existing debt on unfavorable 
terms or liquidate one or more of our assets to repay such debt at times that may not permit realization of a favorable return on 
such assets and could result in a loss or lower profitability. The occurrence of either such event or both could materially and 
adversely affect our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to repurchase the Notes upon a change of control as required by the Indenture.

Upon the occurrence of certain specific kinds of change of control events, we must offer to repurchase the Notes at 

101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. In such circumstances, we cannot assure you that 
we would have sufficient funds available to repay all of our indebtedness that would become payable upon a change of control 
and to repurchase all of the Notes. Our failure to purchase the Notes would be a default under the Indenture and would trigger 
a cross default of the revolving credit facility.

Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure

We are and will continue to be dependent on key personnel and certain members of our management team.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the contributions of certain key personnel including, but not limited to, 

our executive officers, each of whom would be difficult to replace. Although we have entered into employment agreements 
with our executive officers, there is no guarantee that these executives will remain employed with us.  If any of our key 
personnel were to cease employment with us, our operating results could suffer. Our ability to retain our key personnel or to 
attract suitable replacements should any members of our management team leave depends on the competitive nature of the 
employment market. The loss of services from key personnel or a limitation in their availability could materially and adversely 
impact our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. Further, such a loss could be negatively 
perceived in the capital markets and with our bank group. We have not obtained key person life insurance that would provide us 
with proceeds in the event of death or disability of any of our key personnel. 

27

Termination of the employment agreements with the members of our management team could be costly and prevent a 

change in control of our company. 

Our employment agreements with Messrs. Webb, Stephens and Miller each provide that if their employment with us 

terminates under certain circumstances, we may be required to pay them significant amounts of severance compensation, 
thereby making it costly to terminate their employment. Furthermore, these provisions could delay or prevent a transaction or a 
change in control of our company that might involve a premium paid for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the 
best interests of our stockholders, which could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our charter and bylaws could prevent a third party from acquiring us or limit the price that investors might be willing 

to pay for shares of our common stock. 

Provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws could have the 
effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control 
of us. These provisions could delay or prevent a change in control of and could limit the price that investors might be willing to 
pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with the term of one class expiring each year, which could delay a 

change in our control. Our certificate of incorporation also authorizes our Board of Directors to issue new series of common 
stock and preferred stock without stockholder approval. Depending on the rights and terms of any new series created, and the 
reaction of the market to the series, rights of existing stockholders could be negatively affected. For example, subject to 
applicable law, our Board of Directors could create a series of common stock or preferred stock with preferential rights to 
dividends or assets upon liquidation, or with superior voting rights to our existing common stock. The ability of our Board of 
Directors to issue these new series of common stock and preferred stock could also prevent or delay a third party from 
acquiring us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders.

We are also subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which 
prohibits Delaware corporations from engaging in business combinations specified in the statute with an interested stockholder, 
as defined in the statute, for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person first becomes an 
interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in advance by a majority of the independent directors or by 
the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding disinterested shares. The application of Section 203 of the Delaware 
General Corporation Law could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us.

The obligations associated with being a public company require significant resources and management attention.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes Oxley Act, requires annual management assessments of 

the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and generally requires in the same report a report by our 
independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, 
under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our 
internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until we are no longer an "emerging 
growth company" which is scheduled to occur as of December 31, 2019.  The rules governing the standards that must be met 
for our management to assess our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, 
testing and possible remediation. These reporting and other obligations place significant demands on our management, 
administrative, operational and accounting resources and may cause us to incur significant expenses. 

We may encounter problems or delays in completing the implementation of any necessary improvements and receiving 

an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting in connection with the attestation 
provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. If we cannot favorably assess the effectiveness of our internal 
control over financial reporting, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide an unqualified 
attestation report on our internal controls, investors could lose confidence in our financial information and the price of our 
common stock could decline.

As we transition from our status as "an emerging growth company," we may need to upgrade our systems or create new 

systems, implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures, create or outsource an 
internal audit function, and hire additional accounting and finance staff. If we are unable to accomplish these objectives in a 
timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with the financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to 
reporting companies could be impaired. Any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

28

We are an "emerging growth company" and a "smaller reporting company" and, as a result of the reduced 
disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth and smaller reporting companies, our common 
stock may be less attractive to investors. 

We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act, and we are eligible to take advantage of certain 

exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to emerging growth companies, 
including, but not limited to, an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, 
reduced disclosure about executive compensation arrangements pursuant to the rules applicable to smaller reporting companies 
and no requirement to seek non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation. We have elected to adopt certain of these 
reduced disclosure requirements. Our status as an emerging growth company is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2019.

We are also a "smaller reporting company" because we had public float of less than $250 million on the applicable 
measurement date.  As a smaller reporting company, we are subject to reduced disclosure obligations in our periodic reports and 
proxy statements.

We cannot predict whether investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result of our taking advantage of 

these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of our choices, there may be a less active 
trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The price of our Common Stock is subject to volatility and our trading volume is relatively low.

The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. Compared to other public 

homebuilders, we believe we have relatively low trading volume. Because of this limited trading volume, purchases and sales 
of large numbers of our shares may cause rapid price swings in our stock. In addition, our financial performance, government 
regulatory action, tax laws, additions or departures of key personnel, interest rates and market conditions in general could have 
a significant impact on the future market price of our common stock.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish, or cease publishing, research or reports about us, our business or our 

market, or if they change their recommendations regarding our common stock adversely, our stock price and trading 
volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock is influenced by whether industry or securities analysts publish research and 
reports about us, our business, our market or our competitors and, if any analysts do publish such reports, what they publish in 
those reports. Any analysts who do cover us may make adverse recommendations regarding our common stock, adversely 
change their recommendations from time to time or provide more favorable relative recommendations about our competitors. If 
any analyst who cover us now or may cover us in the future were to cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish 
reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to 
decline.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future.

We currently intend to retain our future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business and, 
therefore, do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay 
dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, 
capital requirements, restrictions contained in any financing instruments, applicable legal requirements and such other factors 
as our board of directors deems relevant. Accordingly, stockholders may need to sell their shares of our common stock to 
realize a return on investment, and may not be able to sell shares at or above the price paid for them.

29

Certain stockholders have rights to cause our Company to undertake securities offerings. Future sales of our 
common stock or other securities convertible into our common stock could cause the market value of our common stock to 
decline and could result in dilution of your shares.

Our board of directors is authorized, without stockholder approval, to cause us to issue additional shares of our common 
stock or to raise capital through the issuance of preferred stock, securities (including debt securities) convertible into common 
stock, options, warrants and other rights, on terms and for consideration as our board of directors in its sole discretion may 
determine. In addition, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the individual founders and certain of our 
institutional shareholders, IHP Capital Partners VI, LLC, TCN/TNHC LLC and Watt/TNHC LLC (the "Institutional Investors") 
at the time our Company consummated its initial public offering.  If these holders, or any shareholders, sell substantial amounts 
of their shares, the price of our common stock could decline significantly. In addition, the sale of these shares could impair our 
ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future sales of our 
common stock, or other securities on the value of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock by a 
large stockholder or otherwise, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect the market price of our 
common stock. 

Our Notes and Future offerings of debt securities, which rank senior to our common stock upon our bankruptcy or 
liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities that may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of dividend 
and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We have issued $325 million in aggregate principal amount of Notes. In the future, we may attempt to increase our 

capital resources by conducting offerings of debt securities or additional offerings of equity securities. Upon bankruptcy or 
liquidation, holders of our debt securities, including the Senior Notes, and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to 
other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity 
offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. Our 
preferred stock, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments or both that 
could limit our ability to make a dividend distribution to the holders of our common stock. Our decision to issue securities in 
any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control. As a result, we cannot predict or 
estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings, and purchasers of our common stock bear the risk of our future 
offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their ownership interest in our company.

Certain large stockholders own a significant percentage of our shares and exert significant influence over us. Their 

interests may not coincide with ours and may have conflicts of interests with us in the future.

IHP Capital Partners VI, LLC ("IHP"), H. Lawrence Webb, Wayne Stelmar, Tom Redwitz and Joseph Davis 

(collectively, the "Founders") beneficially own (as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), directly or 
indirectly through their affiliates, approximately 28% of our common stock. IHP and the Founders are also currently party to an 
investor rights agreement, pursuant to which each such holder agreed to vote, in respect of IHP, in favor of one individual for 
nomination and election to the Board chosen by IHP for so long as IHP owns 4% or more of our then-outstanding stock. IHP 
has also agreed to vote its shares of common stock in favor of Messrs. Webb, Stelmar or Berchtold (or, if at that time nominated 
as a director, Messrs. Davis or Redwitz) in any election in which any such individual is a nominee. In addition to the influence 
such holders have due to their voting arrangement, to the extent they and their affiliates vote their shares together on any matter, 
their combined stock ownership may effectively give them the power to influence matters reserved for our shareholders, 
including the election of members of our board of directors and significant corporate or change of control transactions. 

Circumstances may occur in which the interest of these shareholders could be in conflict with your interests or our 

interests. In addition, such persons may have an interest in pursuing transactions that, in their judgment, enhance the value of 
their equity investment in us, even though such transactions may involve risks to you. For example, our Institutional Investors 
are also in the real estate and land development business.  Such Institutional Investors and their affiliates may have an interest 
in directly or indirectly pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings or other transactions that, in their judgment, could 
enhance their other equity investments, even though such transactions might involve risks to us. We have entered into various 
business relationships with some of our Institutional Investors, or entities affiliated with or controlled by them, including real 
estate development or homebuilding joint ventures. While our audit committee, and in some cases all of our independent or 
disinterested board members, have reviewed and approved all such transactions, we do not have exclusive control over such 
joint ventures, which may prevent us from taking actions that are in our best interest but opposed by our partners. If the projects 
within such joint ventures do not perform well, it is possible that disputes between us and our partners may result in litigation or 
arbitration which would be further complicated due to the conflict of interest. Any such dispute would increase our expenses 
and prevent our officers and directors from focusing their time and efforts on our business and could have a material and 
adverse effect on our business.  See the Risk Factor entitled "We currently have significant amounts invested in unconsolidated 
30

 
joint ventures with independent third parties--some which are affiliated with certain of our board members--in which we have 
less than a controlling interest. These investments are highly illiquid and have significant risks due to, in part, a lack of sole 
decision-making authority and reliance on the financial condition and liquidity of our joint venture partners" for a description 
of additional risks arising from our investments in joint ventures.  Institutional Investors and their affiliates are involved in 
business that provides equity capital for residential housing, land and development, including for businesses that directly or 
indirectly compete with our business. In their capacities as principals or executives of those businesses, they may also pursue 
opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and, as a result, those opportunities may not be available to us.  

There is no assurance that the existence of a stock repurchase program will result in additional repurchases of our 

common stock or enhance long term stockholder value, and repurchases, if any, could affect our stock price and increase its 
volatility and will diminish our cash reserves. 

On May 10, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”), 

authorizing the repurchase of shares of common stock with an aggregate value of up to $15 million.  The repurchases of the 
Company’s shares may be made in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The timing and amount 
of repurchases, if any, will be determined by the Company’s management at its discretion and be based on a variety of factors 
such as the market price of the Company’s common stock, corporate and contractual requirements, prevailing market and 
economic conditions and legal requirements. The share repurchase program may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any 
time. The Company intends to retire any shares repurchased.

Repurchases pursuant to the Repurchase Program or any other stock repurchase program we adopt in the future could 

affect our stock price and increase its volatility and will reduce the market liquidity for our stock. The existence of a stock 
repurchase program could also cause our stock price to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program. 
Additionally, these repurchases will diminish our cash reserves and increase our leverage, which could impact our ability to 
pursue possible future strategic opportunities and acquisitions, result in lower overall returns on our cash balances and impact 
our debt covenants and our ability to incur more indebtedness. There can be no assurance that any stock repurchases will, in 
fact, occur, or, if they occur, that they will enhance stockholder value. Although stock repurchase programs are intended to 
enhance long term stockholder value, short-term stock price fluctuations could reduce the effectiveness of these repurchases.

Non-U.S. holders may be subject to United States federal income tax on gain realized on the sale or

disposition of shares of our common stock.

We believe that we are a “United States real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for United States federal 
income tax purposes. If we are a USRPHC, Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) may be subject to United States federal 
income tax (including withholding tax) upon a sale or disposition of our common stock, if (i) our common stock is not regularly 
traded on an established securities market, or (ii) our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, and 
the Non-U.S. Holder owned, actually or constructively, common stock with a fair market value of more than 5% of the total fair 
market value of such common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other 
disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for such common stock.

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is neither a “U.S. 

person” nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. person is any person that, for U.S. 
federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

•  an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

•  a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

•  an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

•  a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more “United States 

persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a 
United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

Not Applicable.

31

Item 2.

Properties

We lease our corporate headquarters in Aliso Viejo, California.  The lease on this facility consists of approximately 

18,700 square feet and expires in November 2020.  In addition, we lease divisional offices in Northern California, Southern 
California and Arizona, including approximately 6,800 square feet through May 2020 in Roseville, CA approximately 7,700 
square feet through October 2021 in Walnut Creek, CA (of which approximately 5,800 square feet is sublet), approximately 
1,400 square feet through July 2021 in Agoura Hills, CA and approximately 3,100 square feet through February 2021 in 
Scottsdale, AZ.  For information on land owned and controlled by us and our joint ventures for use in our homebuilding 
activities, please refer to Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -  
Results of Operations - Lots Owned and Controlled", "- Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures" and "- 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations - Joint Ventures".

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any 

such claims and litigation will have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations or financial position.

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

32

PART II

Item 5.

Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NWHM" and began trading on 

January 31, 2014. 

As of February 13, 2019, we had 11 holders of record of our common stock.  The number of holders of record is based 
upon the actual numbers of holders registered at such date and does not include holders of shares in "street name" or persons, 
partnerships, associates, corporations or other entities in security position listings maintained by depositories.  

Dividends

We currently intend to retain our future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business and, 
therefore, do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay 
dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, 
capital requirements, compliance with Delaware law, restrictions contained in any financing instruments, including but not 
limited to, our unsecured credit facility and senior notes indenture, and such other factors as our board of directors deem 
relevant. 

Issuer Share Repurchases

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 1,003,116 shares of its common stock at an 
aggregate purchase price of $8.5 million.  The table below summarizes the number of shares that were repurchased during the 
three month period ended December 31, 2018. 

Total number
of shares
purchased

Average price
paid per share

54,605

261,388

63,512

379,505

$

$

$

$

6.94

7.66

6.44

7.35

Approximate 
dollar value of 
shares that may 
be purchased 
under the plans or 
programs
 (in thousands)(1)
8,869
$

$

$

6,867

6,457

Total number of 
shares purchased 
as part of publicly 
announced plans 
or programs(1)

54,605

261,388

63,512

379,505

October 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018

November 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018

December 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018

Total

(1)  On May 10, 2018, our board of directors approved a stock repurchase program (the "Repurchase Program") authorizing the repurchase of the Company's 
common stock with an aggregate value of up to $15 million.  The Repurchase Program was announced on May 14, 2018.  Repurchases of the Company's 
common stock may be made in open-market transactions, effected through a broker-dealer at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in 
block trades or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws, including pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 
10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The board of directors did not fix any expiration date for the Repurchase Program. 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

We did not sell any unregistered securities during the year ended December 31, 2018.

33

 
Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

The following sets forth our selected financial data and other operating data on a historical basis. You should read the 

following selected financial data in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, "Risk Factors" 
and with "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," which are included 
elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.  The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the 
results to be expected for any future period.

Income Statement Data
Home sales revenue
Fee building revenue, including management fees

Total revenues

Pretax income (loss):

Homebuilding
Fee building

Pretax income

Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding: (1)

Basic
Diluted

Balance Sheet Data

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2016
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

2017

2015

$

$

$

$

$
$
$

504,029
163,537
667,566

$

$

560,842
190,324
751,166

(24,706) $
4,401
(20,305) $

(14,216) $
(0.69) $
(0.69) $

27,034
5,497
32,531

17,152
0.82
0.82

$

$

$

$

$
$
$

507,949
186,507
694,456

25,546
8,404
33,950

21,022
1.02
1.01

$

$

$

$

$
$
$

280,209
149,890
430,099

23,698
10,213
33,911

21,688
1.29
1.28

$

$

$

$

$
$
$

2014

56,094
93,563
149,657

497
4,506
5,003

4,787
0.30
0.30

20,703,967
20,703,967

20,849,736
20,995,498

20,685,386
20,791,445

16,767,513
16,941,088

15,927,917
15,969,199

$
Cash and cash equivalents
Real estate inventories (2)
$
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures $
$
Total assets
$
Total debt
Stockholders’ equity 
$
$
Stockholders' equity per common share outstanding
$
Cash dividends declared per share

42,273
566,290
34,330
696,097
387,648
239,954
11.96

$
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $

123,546
416,143
55,824
644,512
318,656
263,990
12.64

$
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $

30,496
286,928
50,857
419,136
118,000
244,523
11.81

$
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $

45,874
200,636
60,572
351,270
83,082
220,775
10.75

$
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $

44,058
157,629
60,564
291,958
113,751
148,084
9.00
—

Operating Data (excluding unconsolidated JVs)

Net new home orders
New homes delivered
Average sales price of homes delivered
Selling communities at end of year
Backlog at end of year, number of homes
Backlog at end of year, dollar value
Average sales price of homes in backlog

536
498
1,012
20
191
207,071
1,084

$

$
$

412
341
1,645
17
153
162,250
1,060

$

$
$

253
250
2,032
15
79
187,296
2,371

$

$
$

174
148
1,893
10
67
166,567
2,486

$

$
$

$

$
$

Operating Data – Fee Building Projects (excluding unconsolidated JVs)
545
600
244

Homes started
Homes delivered
Homes under construction at end of period

533
820
299

784
644
586

513
537
446

79
53
1,058
4
41
86,711
2,115

550
206
470

(1) 

(2) 

The Company completed a follow-on offering on December 9, 2015 issuing and selling 4,025,000 shares of common stock at a price of $12.50 per 
share.
Effective July 1, 2016, certain capitalizable selling and marketing costs were reclassified to other assets from real estate inventories.  Prior year 
periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.  $9.3 million and $5.9 million was reclassified from real estate inventories to 
other assets for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

34

 
Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following in conjunction with the sections of this annual report on Form 10-K entitled "Risk 
Factors," "Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements," "Selected Financial Data" and "Business" and our 
historical financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. This 
discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual 
results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number 
of factors, including those discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Non-GAAP Measures

This annual report on Form 10-K includes certain non-GAAP measures, including homebuilding gross margin before 
impairments (or home sales gross margin before impairments), homebuilding gross margin percentage before impairments, 
Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin percentage, the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total interest incurred, adjusted net 
income, adjusted earnings per share,  adjusted earnings per diluted share, net debt, the ratio of net debt-to-capital, adjusted 
homebuilding gross margin, adjusted homebuilding gross margin percentage, and the effective tax rate before discrete items.  
For a reconciliation of homebuilding gross margin before impairments, homebuilding gross margin percentage before 
impairments, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin percentage, and the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total interest 
incurred to the comparable GAAP measures please see  Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations - Consolidated Financial Data."  For a reconciliation of adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per 
share and adjusted earnings per diluted share to the comparable GAAP measures, please see "Management's Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview."  For a reconciliation of adjusted homebuilding gross 
margin and adjusted homebuilding gross margin percentage to the comparable GAAP measures, please see Item 7, 
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations - 
Homebuilding Gross Margin."  For a reconciliation of net debt and net debt-to-capital to the comparable GAAP measures, 
please see Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and 
Capital Resources - Debt-to-Capital Ratios."  For reconciliation of effective rate before discrete items see "Management's 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes."

35

 Consolidated Financial Data

Revenues:

Home sales
Fee building, including management fees from unconsolidated joint
ventures of $3,385, $4,945 and $8,202, respectively

Cost of Sales:

Home sales
Home sales impairments
Land sales impairment
Fee building

Gross Margin:
Home sales
Land sales
Fee building

Home sales gross margin
Home sales gross margin before impairments(1)
Fee building gross margin

Selling and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures
Other income (expense), net
Pretax income (loss)

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

Net income (loss)

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

Net income (loss) attributable to The New Home Company Inc.

Interest incurred
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
Adjusted EBITDA margin percentage (2)
Ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total interest incurred (2)

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

2016

$

504,029

$

560,842

$

507,949

163,537
667,566

436,530
10,000
—
159,136
605,666

57,499
—
4,401
61,900

11.4%
13.4%
2.7%

(36,065)
(25,966)
(19,653)
(521)
(20,305)
6,075
(14,230)
14
(14,216)

28,377
39,898

6.0%
1.4x

$

$
$

190,324
751,166

473,213
2,200
—
184,827
660,240

85,429
—
5,497
90,926

15.2%
15.6%
2.9%

(32,702)
(26,330)
866
(229)
32,531
(15,390)
17,141
11
17,152

21,978
50,145

6.7%
2.3x

$

$
$

186,507
694,456

433,559
2,350
1,150
178,103
615,162

72,040
(1,150)
8,404
79,294

14.2%
14.6%
4.5%

(26,744)
(25,882)
7,691
(409)
33,950
(13,024)
20,926
96
21,022

7,484
43,144

6.2%
5.8x

$

$
$

36

(1) 

Home sales gross margin before impairments (also referred to as homebuilding gross margin before impairments) is a non-GAAP measure.  The table 
below reconciles this non-GAAP financial measure to homebuilding gross margin, the nearest GAAP equivalent. 

Home sales revenue

Cost of home sales

Homebuilding gross margin

Add: Home sales impairments

Homebuilding gross margin before impairments 

2018

%

2017

%

2016

%

Year Ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

$

504,029

446,530

57,499

10,000

67,499

100.0% $

88.6%

11.4%

2.0%

13.4%

560,842

475,413

85,429

2,200

87,629

100.0% $

84.8%

15.2%

0.4%

15.6%

507,949

435,909

72,040

2,350

74,390

100.0%

85.8%

14.2%

0.4%

14.6%

(2)  

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin percentage and ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total interest incurred are non-GAAP measures.  Adjusted 
EBITDA margin percentage is calculated as a percentage of total revenue.  Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP 
measure, assists investors in understanding and comparing the operating characteristics of homebuilding activities by eliminating many of the 
differences in companies' respective capitalization, interest costs, tax position and inventory impairments.  Due to the significance of the GAAP 
components excluded, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income (loss), cash flows from operations or 
any other performance measure prescribed by GAAP.  The table below reconciles net income (loss), calculated and presented in accordance with 
GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA.

Net income (loss)

Add:

Interest amortized to cost of sales and equity in net income (loss) of  
unconsolidated joint ventures

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

Depreciation and amortization

Amortization of stock-based compensation

Cash distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures

Noncash inventory impairments and abandonments

Less:

Gain from notes payable principal reduction

Equity in net (income) loss of unconsolidated joint ventures

Adjusted EBITDA

Total Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA margin percentage

Interest incurred

Ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total interest incurred

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

(Dollars in thousands)

$

(14,230)

$

17,141

$

20,926

19,908

(6,075)

6,631

3,090

715

10,206

—

19,653

39,898

667,566

6.0%

28,377

1.4x

$

$

11,057

15,390

449

2,803

1,588

2,583

—

(866)

$

$

50,145

751,166

$

$

6.7%

21,978

2.3x

5,331

13,024

511

3,471

3,742

4,080

(250)

(7,691)

43,144

694,456

6.2%

7,484

5.8x

37

 
 
Overview

Fiscal 2018 was a transition year for our Company as we expanded and diversified our product portfolio to more 
affordably priced communities, which resulted in a 38% decrease in our average price of homes delivered to $1.0 million from 
$1.6 million in 2017.  The fourth quarter of 2018 was particularly challenging from a sales, closings and profitability 
perspective.  The healthy buyer demand experienced in the first half of 2018 weakened during the second half of the year as 
homebuyer hesitation emerged.  We believe home affordability concerns stemming from higher interest rates and higher absolute 
home prices slowed our sales absorption rates in the back half of 2018, particularly in the fourth quarter, and resulted in an 
overall decline in our monthly sales per community for 2018 as compared to 2017.  The slower sales pace contributed to an 
increase in incentives and estimated carrying costs at certain communities, which along with a mix shift in deliveries partially 
attributable to construction delays, resulted in a 380 basis point decline in our gross margin from home sales (220 basis points 
excluding inventory impairments*).  In addition, higher incentives and pricing adjustments at two of our higher-priced Southern 
California communities resulted in $10.0 million of noncash pretax inventory impairment charges for 2018.  The Company also 
incurred  $20.0 million in noncash, pretax impairment charges related to a master plan land development joint venture in 
Northern California in the 2018 fourth quarter. 

While 2018 home deliveries were up 46% due to increased community count and a strategic shift to more affordable 
product, our average selling price declined 38%.  The lower year over year average selling price, coupled with slower sales 
absorption rates experienced in the second half of 2018, offset the delivery increase and resulted in a 10% decline in homes sales 
revenue from 2017 to $504.0 million.  Home sales revenue was also adversely impacted by construction delays at a few of our 
communities where the delivery of several homes scheduled to occur in the fourth quarter of 2018 were delayed.  Most notably, 
home closings from our multifamily condominium community in Playa Vista, CA were delayed into 2019, which negatively 
impacted our 2018 home sales revenue by approximately $20 million.  These homes remained in backlog as of December 31, 
2018 and are scheduled to deliver in the 2019 first quarter.  Backlog dollar value at the end of 2018 was $207.1 million related to 
191 homes, up 28% and 25%, respectively, from December 31, 2017.   

As a result of these activities, the Company generated a net loss of $14.2 million, or $(0.69) per diluted share for 2018.  

Included in the net loss was $10.0 million of noncash inventory impairment charges and $20.0 million of joint venture 
impairments, or $1.05 per diluted share on an after-tax basis.  Adjusted net income for 2018 was $7.6 million*, or $0.37* per 
diluted share, after excluding the $30.0 million in pretax impairment charges.  Net income attributable to the Company for 2017 
was $17.2 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, and adjusted net income was $21.7 million*, or $1.03* per diluted share, after 
excluding $3.2 million in income tax charges related to the revaluation of deferred tax assets and $2.2 million in pretax inventory 
impairment charges.  The year-over-year decrease in net income was primarily due to a $27.8 million increase in inventory and 
joint venture impairments, a 380 basis point decline in home sales gross margin (220 basis point decline in home sales gross 
margin before impairments*), an 11% decrease in total revenues, and a 180 basis point increase in selling, general and 
administrative expenses as a percentage of home sales revenue.  These items were partially offset by an income tax benefit for 
2018.

The Company's wholly owned lots owned and controlled at December 31, 2018 was 2,812.  Of the total wholly owned 

lots, approximately 41% were controlled through option contracts.  The Company ended the year with $42.3 million in cash and 
cash equivalents, $387.6 million in debt, of which $67.5 million was outstanding under its $200 million unsecured revolving 
credit facility.  The Company's debt-to-capital ratio was 61.8% and its net debt-to-capital ratio was 59.0%*.  The Company also 
authorized a $15 million stock repurchase plan during 2018.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company had repurchased and 
retired 1,003,116 shares of common stock totaling $8.5 million, leaving a remaining authorization of $6.5 million for future 
purchases.

As we move into fiscal 2019, we are aware of the operational challenges a slowing housing market poses and are taking 

the appropriate steps to right-size our business and fortify our balance sheet.  We anticipate that these initiatives will lead to a 
leaner cost structure and an improved debt leverage over time. 

* Home sales gross margin before impairments, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per diluted share and net debt-to-capital ratio are non-GAAP measures. 
For a reconciliation of home sales gross margin before impairments to home sales gross margin, the nearest GAAP equivalent, please see "Results of Operations 
- Homebuilding Gross Margin." For a reconciliation of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share please see below.  For a reconciliation of the 
net debt-to-capital ratio to the appropriate GAAP measure, please see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Debt-to-Capital Ratios."  We believe home sales gross 
margin before impairments is meaningful, as it isolates the impact home sales impairments have on homebuilding gross margin and provides investors better 
comparisons with our competitors, who may adjust gross margins in a similar fashion.  We believe adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share 
are meaningful as the impact of impairments and deferred tax asset adjustments are removed to provide investors with an understanding of the impact these 
noncash items had on earnings.  We believe that the ratio of net debt-to-capital is a relevant financial measure for management and investors to understand the 
leverage employed in our operations and as an indicator of the Company’s ability to obtain financing.  

38

Net income (loss) attributable to The New Home Company Inc.

Home sales, land sales and joint venture impairments (tax effected)

Noncash deferred tax asset charge

Adjusted net income attributable to The New Home Company Inc.

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc.:

Basic

Diluted

Adjusted earnings per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc.:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

Home sales, land sales and joint venture impairments
Effective tax rate for The New Home Company Inc. before discrete items(1)

Tax benefit from home sales, land sales and joint venture impairments

Home sales, land sales and joint venture impairments (tax effected)

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

(14,216)

$

17,152

$

21,810

—

1,366

3,190

21,022

2,194

—

7,594

$

21,708

$

23,216

(0.69)

(0.69)

0.37

0.37

20,703,967

20,804,859

30,000

27.3%

(8,190)

21,810

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

0.82

0.82

1.04

1.03

20,849,736

20,995,498

2,200

37.9%

(834)

1,366

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1.02

1.01

1.12

1.12

20,685,386

20,791,445

3,500

37.3%

(1,306)

2,194

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

After-tax loss per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc. related to home sales, land
sales and joint venture impairments:

Basic

Diluted

Loss per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc. related to deferred tax asset charge:

Basic

Diluted

$1.05

$1.05

$0.07

$0.07

NA $

NA $

(0.15)

(0.15)

$0.11

$0.11

NA

NA

(1)  For a reconciliation of effective tax rate before discrete items, please see "Results of Operations - Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes."

39

 
Results of Operations

Net New Home Orders 

Net new home orders

Southern California

Northern California

Arizona

Total net new home orders

Selling communities at end of year

Southern California

Northern California

Arizona

Total selling communities

Monthly sales absorption rate per community (1)

Southern California

Northern California

Arizona

Total monthly sales absorption rate per 
community (1)

Average selling communities

Southern California

Northern California

Arizona

Total average selling communities

Year Ended December 31,

Change

Change

2018

Amount

%

2017

Amount

%

2016

301

202

33

536

13

5

2

20

2.2
2.7
1.7

2.3

12

6

2

20

104

(13)

33

124

3

(2)

2

3

(0.1)
(0.4)
NA

53 %

(6)%

NA

30 %

30 %

(29)%

NA

18 %

(4)%

(13)%

NA

(0.4)

(15)%

197

215

—

412

10

7

—

17

2.3

3.1

—

2.7

5

—

NA

7

71 %

— %

NA

54 %

7

6

NA

13

56

103

—

159

2

—

—

2

0.5

1.4

NA

1.0

—

1

NA

1

40%

92%

NA

63%

25%

—%

NA

13%

28%

82%

NA

59%

—%

20%

NA

8%

141

112

—

253

8

7

—

15

1.8

1.7

—

1.7

7

5

NA

12

Cancellation rate

10%

1%

NA

9%

(3)%

NA

12%

(1)        Monthly sales absorption represents the number of net new home orders divided by the number of average selling communities for the period.  

Net new home orders for the year ended December 31, 2018 were up 30% compared to 2017 as a result of a 54% increase 

in average selling communities, partially offset by a decline in the monthly sales absorption rate.  Demand was healthy across 
our markets throughout the first half of 2018, however, buyer hesitancy emerged in the second half of the year, particularly in the 
2018 fourth quarter, which was spurred by higher interest rates and higher absolute home prices and resulted in an overall 
decline in sales per community for 2018.  

Orders were up 53% in 2018 for Southern California primarily driven by a 71% increase in average selling communities, 
which included six communities that opened in late 2017 and 2018 with base pricing of $750,000 or less.  The increase in more 
affordably priced communities helped maintain Southern California's monthly sales absorption rate at 2.2 sales per community, 
nearly flat with the pace in 2017, as buyer demand was less impacted at lower price points.  The decline in net new orders for 
Northern California was largely attributable to a 13% decrease in 2018 monthly sales absorption rate to 2.7 sales per community 
from 3.1 in the year ago period.  Northern California benefited in 2017 from strong sales activity from high-demand 
communities that sold out during 2017, two of which were located in the Bay Area and one in Davis, CA.  New for 2018, were 
contributions of 1.7 sales per month from our first wholly owned projects in Arizona which were largely driven by our single-
family detached, move-up Belmont community in Gilbert. 

Net new home orders for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased 63% compared to 2016. The increase was 
primarily driven by a 59% increase in the monthly sales absorption rate per community and to a lesser extent, an 8% increase in 
40

 
average selling communities. The improvement in our 2017 absorption rate was driven by solid order activity in both Southern 
and Northern California resulting from the addition of more affordably-priced product, which generally sells at a faster pace than 
move-up or luxury product. Southern California experienced a monthly absorption of 2.3 sales per community in 2017, 
compared to 1.8 in 2016, while high buyer demand in Northern California resulted in an 82% increase in monthly sales 
absorption to 3.1 sales per community in 2017 as compared to 2016.

The Company's cancellation rate for 2018 was 10% as compared to 9% and 12% for 2017 and 2016, respectively.  We 
believe our cancellation rate is one of the lower rates in the industry due to many factors, including loan prequalifying buyers 
before ratifying sales contracts, the high level of personalized options that our homebuyers select in some higher-priced 
communities, which often creates emotional attachment, and a higher proportion of affluent buyers with strong credit profiles.  
As we transition to more affordably-priced product, our cancellation rate may increase moderately.  Additionally, cancellations 
may rise in a slowing housing market where higher interest rates may impact buyer financing and soft demand may preclude 
move-up buyers from being able to sell their existing homes.  We experienced a spike in our 2018 fourth quarter cancellation 
rate largely resulting from the low level of gross orders generated during the 2018 fourth quarter, however, our cancellations as a 
percentage of beginning backlog remained relatively low at 7% during the 2018 fourth quarter.     

Backlog

Southern California

Northern California

Arizona

Total

Year Ended December 31,

2018
Dollar
Value

Homes

Average
Price

Homes

2017
Dollar
Value

Average
Price

Homes

% Change
Dollar
Value

Average
Price

90

68

33

$111,024

$

1,234

59,847

36,200

880

1,097

(Dollars in thousands)

71

82

—

$ 93,955

$

1,323

68,295

—

833

—

191

$207,071

$

1,084

153

$162,250

$

1,060

27 %

(17)%

NA

25 %

18 %

(12)%

NA

28 %

(7)%

6 %

NA

2 %

Year Ended December 31,

2017
Dollar
Value

Homes

Average
Price

Homes

2016
Dollar
Value

Average
Price

Homes

% Change
Dollar
Value

Average
Price

Southern California

Northern California

Total

71

82

$ 93,955

$ 1,323

68,295

833

153

$162,250

$ 1,060

(Dollars in thousands)

48

31

79

$162,599

$

3,387

24,697

797

$187,296

$

2,371

48%

165%

94%

(42)%

177 %

(13)%

(61)%

5 %

(55)%

Backlog reflects the number of homes, net of cancellations, for which we have entered into sales contracts with 

customers, but for which we have not yet delivered the homes.  The number of homes in backlog at the end of 2018 was up 25% 
compared to a year ago due to a 30% increase in net new home orders from a higher average community count, and the impact 
of closing delays at a few communities.  The 28% increase in backlog dollar value to $207.1 million at December 31, 2018, was 
driven mostly by the increase in the number of homes in backlog, and to a lesser extent, a 2% increase in average selling price.  
Northern California average sales price was up year-over-year due to sales price increases at one particular community in the 
Bay Area.  This increase was partially offset by a decrease in Southern California average selling price related to the close-out of 
higher-priced communities and an increase in orders from more affordable communities during 2018.   

Backlog dollar value at December 31, 2017 declined 13% compared to 2016 due to a 55% decrease in average selling 

price to $1.1 million in 2017 as compared to $2.4 million in 2016, which was partially offset by a 94% increase in backlog units. 
The decline in the average selling price of homes in backlog in 2017 as compared to 2016 was primarily related to the delivery 
of the final homes from two higher-priced luxury communities in Newport Coast, CA in 2017. Additionally, 2017 ending 
backlog included increased contributions from more affordably-priced communities consistent with the Company's strategic shift 
to diversify its product offerings and access a deeper buyer pool as compared to ending backlog at December 31, 2016. The 
increase in the number of homes in backlog as of December 31, 2017 compared to 2016 was largely the result of higher monthly 
sales absorption rates.

41

Lots Owned and Controlled

Lots Owned

Southern California

Northern California

Arizona

Total

Lots Controlled(1)

Southern California

Northern California

Arizona

Total

Lots Owned and Controlled - Wholly Owned

Fee Building(2)

Total Lots Owned and Controlled

December 31,

Change

Change

2018

Amount

%

2017

Amount

%

2016

626

742

299

1,667

205

451

489

1,145

2,812

806

3,618

63

424

234

721

(73)

(580)

(8)

(661)

60

(114)

(54)

11 %

133 %

360 %

76 %

(26)%

(56)%

(2)%

(37)%

2 %

(12)%

(1)%

563

318

65

946

278

1,031

497

1,806

2,752

920

3,672

273

18

65

356

(443)

766

497

820

1,176

(15)

1,161

94 %

6 %

NA

60 %

(61)%

289 %

NA

83 %

75 %

(2)%

46 %

290

300

—

590

721

265

—

986

1,576

935

2,511

(1) 

(2) 

Includes lots that we control under purchase and sale agreements or option agreements that are subject to customary conditions and have not yet closed.  
There can be no assurance that such acquisitions will occur.
Lots owned by third party property owners for which we perform general contracting or construction management services. 

The Company increased the number of wholly owned lots owned and controlled by 2% and 75% year-over-year for the 

years ending December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  Of the lots owned and controlled at December 31, 2018, 41% were 
controlled through option contracts. The increase in wholly owned lots owned and controlled was due to contracts entered into 
during 2018 for new developments across all markets.  In Southern California, contracts were executed for three communities 
for control of 272 lots within the Inland Empire. Purchase agreements for two new communities in the greater Phoenix area were 
executed for a total of 226 lots increasing our geographic footprint in the Arizona market.  In Northern California, we entered 
into an agreement for 60 lots in a community in Rocklin, CA.  The increase in wholly owned lots owned and controlled was 
partially offset by a 46% increase in home deliveries for 2018.  

The increase in wholly owned lots owned and controlled in 2017 compared to 2016 was due to our planned expansion in 

Arizona where we entered into contracts on four land parcels totaling 562 aggregate lots, and an increase in lots controlled in 
Northern California primarily due to two new developments with multiple planning areas, one for 418 lots in Vacaville, CA and 
a second for 394 lots in a masterplan development in Folsom, CA. The increase in wholly owned lots owned and controlled was 
partially offset by a 36% increase in new home deliveries in 2017.

The decrease in fee building lots at December 31, 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily attributable to the delivery of 

600 homes to customers during 2018.  This impact was offset by fee lot additions of 486 lots for new contracts entered into 
during 2018, including construction management contracts the Company entered into with a new customer during the 2018 
second quarter totaling 165 lots across five communities. 

42

 
 
Home Sales Revenue and New Homes Delivered

Year Ended December 31,

2018

Dollar
Value

Homes

Average
Price

Homes

2017

Dollar
Value

% Change

Average
Price

Homes

Dollar
Value

Average
Price

Southern California

Northern California

Total

282

216

498

$317,373

$

1,125

186,656

864

$504,029

$

1,012

(Dollars in thousands)

174

167

341

$433,651

$

2,492

127,191

762

$560,842

$

1,645

62%

29%

46%

(27)%

47 %

(10)%

(55)%

13 %

(38)%

Year Ended December 31,

2017
Dollar
Value

Homes

Average
Price

Homes

2016
Dollar
Value

Average
Price

Homes

% Change
Dollar
Value

Average
Price

Southern California

Northern California

Total

174

167

341

$433,651

$

2,492

127,191

762

$560,842

$

1,645

(Dollars in thousands)

147

103

250

$422,041

$

2,871

85,908

834

$507,949

$

2,032

18%

62%

36%

3 %

48 %

10 %

(13)%

(9)%

(19)%

New home deliveries increased 46% for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the prior year.  The increase in 

deliveries was the result of a higher number of homes in backlog at December 31, 2017, and an increase in new home orders 
during the year.  Notwithstanding the increase in 2018 deliveries, home sales revenue decreased 10% compared to 2017 
primarily due to a 38% lower average sales price per delivery that resulted from the Company's strategic shift to more affordable 
price points.  The year-over-year decrease in average sales price was most pronounced in Southern California where over half of 
2018 deliveries were from more-affordable communities with base pricing of $750,000 or less compared to only about 10% of 
total deliveries from this price point in 2017.  Additionally, the 2017 average selling price was heavily influenced by deliveries 
from two Crystal Cove luxury communities in Newport Coast, CA where average selling prices exceeded $6.0 million for the 
year.  2018 home sales revenue was also adversely impacted by closing delays of several homes in backlog that were scheduled 
to be delivered in the 2018 fourth quarter and an overall slowing in sales rates in the second half of 2018, particularly in the 
fourth quarter.  Most notably, homes in backlog from our multifamily condominium community in Playa Vista, CA were 
scheduled to close in the 2018 fourth quarter but were rescheduled for delivery in the 2019 first quarter, which negatively 
impacted 2018 home sales revenue by approximately $20.0 million.  

New home deliveries increased 36% for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to 2016. The increase in deliveries 

was the result of a higher number of homes in backlog at December 31, 2016 and an increase in new home orders generated 
during 2017. Home sales revenue for 2017 increased 10% compared to 2016 primarily due to an increase in new home 
deliveries, which was offset by a 19% lower average sales price per delivery. The year-over-year decrease in average sales price 
in 2017 versus 2016 was driven by increased deliveries from our Northern California operations, which had lower-priced 
communities than Southern California, coupled with a product mix shift for both Southern California and Northern California 
from deliveries from more affordably-priced communities increased.

Homebuilding Gross Margin

Homebuilding gross margin percentage for 2018 was 11.4% versus 15.2% in the prior year.  Homebuilding gross margin 

for 2018 included a $10.0 million in noncash inventory impairment charges related to two higher-priced communities in 
Southern California that were experiencing slower monthly sales absorption and required sales price adjustments.  Inventory 
impairment charges for 2017 totaled $2.2 million and related to one homebuilding community in Southern California where 
slower monthly sales required additional incentives.  Homebuilding gross margin percentage before impairments was 13.4% and 
15.6% for 2018 and 2017, respectively.  Homebuilding gross margin before impairments is a non-GAAP measure. See the table 
below reconciling this non-GAAP financial measure to homebuilding gross margin, the nearest GAAP equivalent.  The 220 basis 
point decline in homebuilding gross margin before impairments was primarily due to higher interest costs included in cost of 
homes sales, and to a lesser extent a product mix shift.  Interest in cost of home sales increased for 2018 as the amount of 
previously capitalized interest from our Senior Notes issued in 2017 began to flow through cost of homes sales in greater 
proportion than capitalized interest from our unsecured credit facility, which carries a lower interest rate.  The year-over-year 

43

mix shift included, among other things, significant deliveries in 2017 from two luxury communities in Newport Coast, CA, 
which generated higher gross margins than many of our 2018 communities.

Homebuilding gross margin percentage for 2017 improved 100 basis points to 15.2% as compared to 14.2% in 2016. 

2017 included $2.2 million in noncash inventory impairments related to one homebuilding community in Southern California 
while 2016 included $2.4 million in noncash inventory impairment charges related to two homebuilding communities, one in 
each of Southern and Northern California. The impairments in both years were due to project-specific issues, including slower 
monthly sales absorption rates that required additional sales incentives. In addition, the 2017 and 2016 homebuilding gross 
margins included a benefit related to warranty adjustments of $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The homebuilding 
gross margin before impairments for 2017 was 15.6% versus 14.6% in 2016.  The 100 basis point improvement in homebuilding 
gross margin before impairments for 2017 as compared to 2016 was due primarily to a change in product mix, including the 
favorable impact of higher-margin, luxury communities located in Newport Coast, CA.

Excluding home sales impairments and interest in cost of home sales, adjusted homebuilding gross margin percentage for 
the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was 17.1%, 17.6% and 15.7%, respectively.  See the table below reconciling 
this non-GAAP financial measure to homebuilding gross margin, the nearest GAAP equivalent.

Home sales revenue

Cost of home sales

Homebuilding gross margin

Add: Home sales impairments

Homebuilding gross margin before impairments (1)

Add: Interest in cost of home sales
Adjusted homebuilding gross margin(1)

2018

%

2017

%

2016

%

Year Ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

$ 504,029

100.0%

$ 560,842

100.0%

$ 507,949

100.0%

446,530

57,499

10,000

67,499

18,678

$

86,177

88.6%

11.4%

2.0%

13.4%

3.7%

17.1%

475,413

85,429

2,200

87,629

11,021

$

98,650

84.8%

15.2%

0.4%

15.6%

2.0%

17.6%

435,909

72,040

2,350

74,390

5,331

$

79,721

85.8%

14.2%

0.4%

14.6%

1.1%

15.7%

(1) 

Homebuilding gross margin before impairments and adjusted homebuilding gross margin are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe this 
information is meaningful as it isolates the impact that home sales impairments and leverage have on homebuilding gross margin and permits investors 
to make better comparisons with our competitors who also break out and adjust gross margins in a similar fashion.

Land Sales

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded a noncash land sale impairment charge of $1.2 million related to 

land under development in Northern California that the Company initially intended to sell.  The land sale was ultimately not 
consummated and the Company made the determination to develop and build homes on this land.   

Fee Building  

Fee building revenue

Cost of fee building

Fee building gross margin

2018

%

2017

%

2016

%

Year Ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

$ 163,537

100.0%

$ 190,324

100.0%

$ 186,507

100.0%

159,136

$

4,401

97.3%

2.7%

184,827

$

5,497

97.1%

2.9%

178,103

$

8,404

95.5%

4.5%

Our fee building revenue includes (i) billings to third-party land owners for general contracting services, and (ii) 
management fees from our unconsolidated joint ventures and third party land owners for construction and sales management 
services.  Cost of fee building includes (i) labor, subcontractor, and other indirect construction and development costs that are 
reimbursable by the land owner, and (ii) general and administrative, or G&A, expenses that are attributable to fee building 
activities and joint venture management overhead.  Besides allocable G&A expenses, there are no other material costs associated 
with management fees from our unconsolidated joint ventures.

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
Billings to land owners for general contracting services are a function of construction activity and reimbursable costs are 
incurred generally once home construction begins.  The total billings and reimbursable costs are driven by the pace at which the 
land owner executes its development plan.  Management fees from our unconsolidated joint ventures are collected over the 
underlying project's life and as homes and lots are delivered.  Construction management fees from third-party customers are 
collected over the life of the contract and sales management fees from third-party customers are collected as homes close escrow.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, fee building revenues decreased 14% from the prior year period primarily due to a 

decrease in costs incurred from fee building activities resulting from a lower number of homes under construction during the 
year.  Included in fee building revenues for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were (i) $157.8 million 
and $185.4 million, respectively, of billings to land owners for general contracting services and (ii) $5.7 million and $4.9 million 
of management fees from our unconsolidated joint ventures and third-party land owners for 2018 and 2017, respectively.  The 
increase in management fees related to $2.3 million in new fee revenue from construction and sales management service 
contracts commencing in 2018, partially offset by a $1.6 million reduction in management fees from joint ventures as a result of 
joint venture community closeouts and buyouts during 2017.   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, cost of fee building decreased due to the decrease in fee building activity, 

compared to 2017.  The amount of G&A expenses included in cost of fee building was $7.2 million and $8.3 million for the 
years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  Fee building gross margin percentage decreased to 2.7% for the year 
ended December 31, 2018 from 2.9% in the prior year.  The decrease in fee building gross margin was due to a change in the fee 
building business agreements on certain projects from a percentage of cost fee to a per-unit fixed fee arrangement and a decrease 
in fee billings and joint venture management fees, partially offset by an increase in management fees from new construction and 
sales service contracts and lower allocated G&A expenses.   

For the year ended December 31, 2017, fee building revenues increased 2% from 2016 primarily due to an increase in fee 

building costs incurred related to a higher fee building delivery volume. Included in fee building revenues for the years 
ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were (i) $185.4 million and $178.3 million of billings to land owners for 
general contracting services for 2017 and 2016, respectively, and (ii) $4.9 million and $8.2 million of management fees from our 
unconsolidated joint ventures for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in management fees from JVs was primarily the 
result of fewer deliveries and lower land sales revenue from JV communities.  

For the year ended December 31, 2017, cost of fee building increased due to the increase in fee building activity, 

compared to the same period during 2016. The amount of G&A expenses included in cost of fee building was $8.3 
million and $8.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Fee building gross margin percentage 
decreased to 2.9% for the year ended December 31, 2017 from 4.5% in the prior year period. The decrease in fee building gross 
margin was due to a change in the fee building business arrangements on certain projects combined with a decrease in 
management fees received from joint ventures.

Our fee building revenue has historically been concentrated with a small number of customers.  For the years ended 

December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, one customer comprised 95%, 97% and 96% of fee building revenue, respectively.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Year Ended December 31,

As a Percentage of
Home Sales Revenue

2018

2017

2016

2018

2017

2016

(Dollars in thousands)

Selling and marketing expenses

General and administrative expenses ("G&A")

Total selling, marketing and G&A ("SG&A")

$

$

36,065

25,966

62,031

$

$

32,702

26,330

59,032

$

$

26,744

25,882

52,626

7.1%

5.2%

5.8%

4.7%

5.3%

5.1%

12.3%

10.5%

10.4%

During 2018, our SG&A rate as a percentage of home sales revenue increased 180 basis points to 12.3% from 10.5% for 
2017.  The increase was primarily due to lower home sales revenue, higher selling and marketing costs related to advertising for 
newly opened communities, increased master marketing fees, higher co-broker commissions, and higher sales personnel and 
advertising costs associated with increased community count growth.  These increases were partially offset by lower 
amortization of capitalized selling and marketing costs due to the 2017 close out of higher-end, luxury communities. In addition, 
the increase also included a net $0.1 million increase in selling and marketing expenses in 2018 related to accounting changes 
from the adoption of ASC 606, the updated revenue recognition standard. The G&A rate for 2018 was up 50 basis points due to 

45

 
lower home sales revenue, notwithstanding a year-over-year reduction in G&A expenses primarily due to lower incentive-based 
compensation costs. 

The Company's SG&A expense ratio for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased 10 basis points over 2016 
to 10.5%. The slight increase was primarily attributable to higher selling and marketing costs, driven by greater amortization of 
capitalized selling and marketing costs from our two luxury communities located in Newport Coast, CA and an increase in 
marketing spend and model operating costs related to new community openings.

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had ownership interests in 10 unconsolidated joint ventures.  We own interests in 

our unconsolidated joint ventures that generally range from 5% to 35% and these interests vary by entity.

The Company's share of joint venture loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $19.7 million as compared to $0.9 

million of income for the year ended December 31, 2017.  The joint venture loss in 2018 was primarily the result of allocated 
noncash impairment losses of $18.9 million and a $1.1 million impairment to the Company's investment in unconsolidated joint 
ventures, and to a lesser extent, lower homebuilding gross margins.  The $20.0 million aggregate joint venture impairment 
charges related to one of the Company's unconsolidated land development joint ventures in Northern California.   The joint 
venture impairment resulted from lower anticipated land sales revenue, higher development and carrying costs, and a strategic 
decision not to incorporate a potential homebuilding component into the existing land development venture at this time in order 
to preserve capital and avoid over-concentration in one geographic location.  The Company's share of 2017 joint venture income 
was positively impacted by buyouts and community closeouts.  

The Company's share of joint venture income was $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared 
to $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. A 37% reduction in joint venture revenues from decreased home and lot 
deliveries and lower gross margins from joint venture home sales contributed to the year-over-year decrease in the Company's 
share of joint venture income.  Additionally, in 2017, the Company purchased the equity interest of its joint venture partner in 
the joint venture known as Larkspur. Prior to the close out, the Company received a $0.1 million income allocation from the 
joint venture. Upon close out, the Company recognized a gain of $0.3 million due to the purchase of its joint venture partner's 
interest for less than its carrying value. In 2016, the Company purchased the equity interest of its joint venture partner in the 
joint venture known as Lambert Ranch. Prior to the close out, the Company received a $0.5 million income allocation from the 
joint venture. Upon closeout, the Company recognized a gain of $1.1 million due to the purchase of its joint venture partner's 
interest for less than its carrying value. The joint venture close outs mentioned are discussed in further detail within Note 12, 
"Related Party Transactions," in our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

46

The following sets forth supplemental operational and financial information about our unconsolidated joint ventures.  

Such information is not included in our financial data for GAAP purposes, but is reflected in our results as a component of 
equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures.  This data is included for informational purposes only.

Year Ended December 31,

Change

Change

2018

Amount

%

2017

Amount

%

2016

(Dollars in thousands)

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures—Homebuilding

Operational Data

Net new home orders

New homes delivered

Average sales price of homes delivered

$

142

146

951

Home sales revenue

Land sales revenue

Total Revenue

Net income (loss)

(28)

(3)

(7)

(16)%

(2)%

(1)% $

170

149

958

$

11

(48)

57

7 %

(24)%

6 % $

159

197

901

(3,805)

37,981

34,176

(3)% $ 142,697

$ (34,847)

(20)% $ 177,544

800 %

4,750

(50,925)

(91)%

55,675

23 % $ 147,447

$ (85,772)

(37)% $ 233,219

$

$

$

$ 138,892

42,731

$ 181,623

$ (27,904)

$ (27,375)

NM $

(529)

$ (26,720)

(102)% $

26,191

Selling communities at end of period

Backlog (dollar value)

Backlog (homes)

Average sales price of homes in backlog

Homebuilding lots owned and controlled
Land development lots owned and
controlled

Total lots owned and controlled

$

$

7

66,892

76

880

211

1,879

2,090

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

—

256

(4)

47

$

$

— %

7

(2)

(22)%

9

— % $

66,636

$ 11,222

20 % $

55,414

(5)%

6 % $

80

833

341

18

(61)

$

29 %

(7)% $

(244)

(42)%

62

894

585

(130)

(38)%

(444)

(574)

(19)%

(22)%

2,323

2,664

(92)

(336)

(4)%

(11)%

2,415

3,000

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6.1 million compared to a 

provision of $15.4 million for 2017.  The Company's effective tax rate for 2018 was 29.9%, 27.3% before discrete items, 
compared to 47.3%, 37.9% before discrete items, for 2017.  The effective tax rate for 2017 was impacted by a $3.2 million 
deferred tax asset charge, included in discrete items, related to federal tax rate cuts from 2017's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax 
Act").  The federal corporate tax rate cut to a flat 21% from a maximum 35% was the primary driver of the year-over-year 
decrease in the Company's effective tax rate before discrete items, partially offset by the loss of certain tax benefits from 
production activities that were eliminated as a result of the Tax Act.  Effective tax rate before discrete items is a non-GAAP 
measure, please see the table below for a reconciliation to effective tax rate, the nearest GAAP equivalent.    

The effective tax rate for 2018 differs from the federal statutory tax rate due to state income taxes, deduction limitations, 

and discrete items. Discrete items totaled $0.5 million of tax benefit for the year and were primarily related to benefits from 
energy tax credits that were extended in February 2018 for 2017 closings and, to a lesser extent, an adjustment to the Company's 
deferred tax asset revaluation required as a result of the federal tax rate cut.  The effective tax rate for 2017 differs from 
the 35% federal statutory tax rate, primarily due to the $3.2 million noncash, provisional charge related to the revaluation of the 
Company's deferred tax asset to reflect the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, and state income taxes, 
offset partially by the benefit from production activities.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $13.0 million and its 
effective tax rate was 38.4%. Included in this provision is an allocation of income of $0.5 million from LR8 Investors LLC 
("LR8") and a $1.1 million gain from the closeout of the LR8 joint venture, which resulted in a provision for income taxes of 
$0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and did not impact our effective tax rate. The effective tax rate for 2016 
differs from the 35% federal statutory tax rate, primarily due to state income taxes, offset partially by the benefit from 
production activities and energy efficient credits.

47

  
 
 
The Tax Act amended the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for 
individuals and businesses. In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740"), the consolidated provision for income 
taxes is calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the 
difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in 
which the differences are expected to reverse. As a result of the reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% 
under the Tax Act, the Company revalued its net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2017 and recorded a noncash, provisional 
charge of $3.2 million, which was included in the tax provision for fiscal 2017.  The Company completed its accounting for the 
tax effects of the Tax Act in the 2018, within the one-year measurement period prescribed by the SEC, and recorded a $0.1 
million adjustment to the provisional amount.  As part of the Tax Act, the Company was no longer able to take certain tax 
deductions for production activities in 2018 that reduced our effective tax rate in prior years.  Additionally, the Company may be 
subject to increased deduction limitations on certain executive compensation in future years.

Effective tax rate for The New Home Company Inc.:
Pretax income (loss)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes
Effective tax rate(1)

Effective tax rate for The New Home Company Inc. before discrete
items:
(Provision) benefit for income taxes
Adjustment for discrete items (2)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes before discrete items
Effective tax rate for The New Home Company Inc. before discrete 
items(1)

2018

Year ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

2016

$
$

$

$

(20,305)
6,075
29.9%

6,075
(523)
5,552

$
$

$

$

32,531
(15,390)
47.3%

(15,390)
3,068
(12,322)

$
$

$

$

33,950
(13,024)
38.4%

(13,024)
364
(12,660)

27.3%

37.9%

37.3%

(1) 
(2) 

Effective tax rate is computed by dividing the (provision) benefit for income taxes by pretax income (loss).
The noncash deferred tax asset charges related to the reduction in federal corporate income tax rates are included among discrete items.

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

Overview 

Our principal sources of capital for the year ended December 31, 2018 were cash generated from home sales activities, 

borrowing from our credit facility, distributions from our unconsolidated joint ventures, and management fees from our fee 
building agreements.  Our principal uses of capital for 2018 were land purchases, land development, home construction, 
repayments on our revolving credit facility, contributions and advances to our unconsolidated joint ventures, repurchases of the 
Company's common stock and payment of operating expenses and routine liabilities. 

Cash flows for each of our communities depend on their stage in the development cycle, and can differ substantially 

from reported earnings. Early stages of development or expansion require significant cash outlays for land acquisitions, 
entitlements and other approvals, and construction of model homes, roads, utilities, general landscaping and other amenities. 
Because these costs are a component of our real estate inventories and not recognized in our consolidated statement of 
operations until a home is delivered, we incur significant cash outlays prior to our recognition of earnings. In the later stages of 
community development, cash inflows may significantly exceed earnings reported for financial statement purposes, as the cash 
outflows associated with home and land construction were previously incurred.  From a liquidity standpoint, we are actively 
acquiring and developing lots to increase our lot supply and community count.  As we continue to expand our business, we 
expect cash outlays for land purchases, land development and home construction at times to exceed cash generated by 
operations.

We ended 2018 with $42.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, an $81.3 million decrease from December 31, 2017, 
primarily due to the issuance of our Senior Notes in 2017,  land acquisition expenditures and development activity and home 
construction costs in excess of proceeds from home sales during the year.  We expect to generate cash from the sale of our 
inventory and plan to reduce our net leverage over the next year.  We will redeploy a portion of the net cash generated from the 

48

sale of inventory to acquire and develop strategic, well-positioned lots that represent opportunities to generate future income 
and cash flows.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had $8.5 million and $11.3 million, respectively, in accounts payable that related 

to costs incurred under our fee building agreements. Funding to pay these amounts is the obligation of the third-party land 
owner, which is generally funded on a monthly basis.  Similarly, contracts and accounts receivable and due from affiliates as of 
the same dates included $8.8 million and $11.6 million, respectively, related to the payment of the above payables. 

We intend to utilize both debt and equity as part of our ongoing financing strategy, coupled with redeployment of cash 
flows from operations, to provide us with the financial flexibility to operate our business. In that regard, we expect to employ 
prudent levels of leverage to finance the acquisition and development of our lots and construction of our homes.  As of 
December 31, 2018, we had outstanding borrowings of $325.0 million in aggregate principal related to our senior notes and 
$67.5 million related to our credit facility.  We will consider a number of factors when evaluating our level of indebtedness and 
when making decisions regarding the incurrence of new indebtedness, including the purchase price of assets to be acquired 
with debt financing, the estimated market value of our assets and the ability of particular assets, and our company as a whole, to 
generate cash flow to cover the expected debt service.  In addition, our debt contains certain financial covenants that limit the 
amount of leverage we can maintain. 

We intend to finance future acquisitions and developments with what we believe to be the most advantageous source of 

capital available to us at the time of the transaction, which may include unsecured corporate level debt, property-level debt, and 
other public, private or bank debt, or common and preferred equity.

Senior Notes Due 2022 

On March 17, 2017, the Company completed the sale of $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior 

Unsecured Notes due 2022 (the "Existing Notes"), in a private placement.  The Notes were issued at an offering price of 
98.961% of their face amount, which represents a yield to maturity of 7.50%.  On May 4, 2017, the Company completed a 
tack-on private placement offering through the sale of an additional $75 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% 
Senior Notes due 2022 ("Additional Notes").  The Additional Notes were issued at an offering price of 102.75% of their face 
amount plus accrued interest since March 17, 2017, which represented a yield to maturity of 6.438%.  Net proceeds from the 
Existing Notes were used to repay all borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility with the remainder 
used for general corporate purposes.  Net proceeds from the Additional Notes were used for working capital, land acquisition 
and general corporate purposes. Interest on the Existing Notes and the Additional Notes (together, the "Notes") is payable 
semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1.  The Notes will mature on April 1, 2022.  The Notes were exchanged in an 
exchange offer for Notes that are identical to the original Notes, except that they are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 
and are freely tradeable in accordance with applicable law.    

The Notes contain certain restrictive covenants, including a limitation on additional indebtedness and a limitation on 

restricted payments.  Restricted payments include, among other things, dividends, investments in unconsolidated entities, and 
stock repurchases.  Under the limitation on additional indebtedness, we are permitted to incur specified categories of 
indebtedness but are prohibited, aside from those exceptions, from incurring further indebtedness if we do not satisfy either a 
leverage condition or an interest coverage condition.  The leverage and interest coverage conditions are summarized in the table 
below, as described and defined further in the indenture for the Notes. Exceptions to the additional indebtedness limitation 
include, among other things, borrowings of up to $260 million under existing or future bank credit facilities, non-recourse 
indebtedness, and indebtedness incurred for the purpose of refinancing or repaying certain existing indebtedness. Under the 
limitation on restricted payments, we are also prohibited from making restricted payments, aside from certain exceptions, if we 
do not satisfy either condition.  In addition, the amount of restricted payments that we can make is subject to an overall basket 
limitation, which builds based on, among other things, 50% of consolidated net income from January 1, 2017 forward and 
100% of the net cash proceeds from qualified equity offerings.  Exceptions to the foregoing limitations on our ability to make 
restricted payments include, among other things, investments in joint ventures and other investments up to 15% of our 
consolidated tangible net assets and a general basket of $15 million.  The Notes are guaranteed by all of the Company's 100% 
owned subsidiaries, for more information about these guarantees, please see Note 18 of the notes to our consolidated financial 
statements. 

49

 
Financial Conditions

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Incurred; or

Leverage Ratio: Indebtedness to Tangible Net Worth

 As of December 31, 2018, we were able to satisfy the leverage condition. 

 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 

December 31, 2018

Actual

Requirement

1.4

1.62

> 2.0 : 1.0

< 2.25 : 1.0

The Company's senior unsecured revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility") is with a bank group and matures on 

September 1, 2020.  Total commitments under the Credit Facility are $200 million with an accordion feature that allows the 
facility size thereunder to be increased up to an aggregate of $300 million, subject to certain conditions, including the 
availability of bank commitments. 

As of December 31, 2018, we had $67.5 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. Interest is payable 
monthly and is charged at a rate of 1-month LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.25% to 3.00% depending on the Company’s 
leverage ratio as calculated at the end of each fiscal quarter.  As of December 31, 2018, the interest rate under the Credit 
Facility was 5.50%.  Pursuant to the Credit Facility, the Company is required to maintain certain financial covenants as defined 
in the Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, those listed in the following table. 

Financial Covenants

Unencumbered Liquid Assets (Minimum Liquidity Covenant)
EBITDA to Interest Incurred (2)
Tangible Net Worth

Leverage Ratio
Adjusted Leverage Ratio (3)

December 31, 2018

Actual 

Covenant
Requirement

(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

42,273

1.39 (2)

239,954

$

$

59.7%

NA

10,000 (1)

> 1.75 : 1.0

188,362

< 65.0%

NA

(1)  

(2) 

(3) 

So long as the Company is in compliance with the interest coverage test (see Note 2), the minimum unencumbered liquid assets that the Company 
must maintain as of the quarter end measurement date is $10 million. 

If the test is not met, it will not be considered an event of default so long as the Company maintains unrestricted cash equal to not less than the 
trailing 12 month consolidated interest incurred (as defined in the Credit Facility agreement) which was $28.5 million as of December 31, 2018.  
The Company was in compliance with this requirement with an unrestricted cash balance of $42.3 million at December 31, 2018.      

Adjusted Leverage Ratio is computed as total joint venture debt divided by total joint venture equity.  The Adjusted Leverage Ratio requirement 
ceases to apply as of and after the fiscal quarter in which consolidated tangible net worth is at least $250 million.  During any period when the 
Adjusted Leverage Ratio ceases to apply, consolidated tangible net worth shall be reduced by an adjustment equal to the aggregate amount of 
investments in and advance to unconsolidated joint ventures that exceed 35% of consolidated tangible net worth as calculated without giving effect 
to this adjustment (the "Adjustment Amount").  As of September 30, 2017, the Company's consolidated tangible net worth exceeded $250 million 
and therefore the Adjusted Leverage Ratio ceased to apply.  In addition, the Adjustment Amount was considered in the calculation of consolidated 
tangible net worth.   

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we were in compliance with all financial covenants.

Stock Repurchase Program

On May 10, 2018, our board of directors approved a stock repurchase program (the "Repurchase Program") authorizing 
the repurchase of the Company's common stock with an aggregate value of up to $15 million.  Repurchases of the Company's 
common stock may be made in open-market transactions, effected through a broker-dealer at prevailing market prices, in 
privately negotiated transactions, in block trades or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws, including 
pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The 
Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount or number of shares of common 
stock, and it may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.  The timing and amount of repurchases are determined 
by the Company’s management at its discretion and be based on a variety of factors, such as the market price of the Company’s 
common stock, corporate and contractual requirements, general market and economic conditions and legal requirements.  As of 

50

December 31, 2018, the Company had repurchased and retired 1,003,116 shares totaling $8.5 million and had remaining 
authorization to purchase $6.5 million of common shares.   

Debt-to-Capital Ratios

We believe that debt-to-capital ratios provide useful information to the users of our financial statements regarding our 
financial position and leverage.  Net debt-to-capital ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure.  See the table below reconciling 
this non-GAAP measure to debt-to-capital ratio, the nearest GAAP equivalent. 

Total debt, net

Equity, exclusive of non-controlling interest

Total capital

Ratio of debt-to-capital (1)

Total debt, net

Less: cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

Net debt

Equity, exclusive of non-controlling interest

Total capital

Ratio of net debt-to-capital (2)

December 31,

2018

2017

(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

$

$

387,648

239,954

627,602

61.8%

387,648

42,542

345,106

239,954

585,060

$

$

$

$

318,656

263,990

582,646

54.7%

318,656

123,970

194,686

263,990

458,676

59.0%

42.4%

(1) 

(2) 

The ratio of debt-to-capital is computed as the quotient obtained by dividing total debt, net by total capital (the sum of total debt, net plus equity), 
exclusive of non-controlling interest. 

The ratio of net debt-to-capital is computed as the quotient obtained by dividing net debt (which is total debt, net less cash, cash equivalents and 
restricted cash to the extent necessary to reduce the debt balance to zero) by total capital, exclusive of non-controlling interest. The most directly 
comparable GAAP financial measure is the ratio of debt-to-capital. We believe the ratio of net debt-to-capital is a relevant financial measure for 
investors to understand the leverage employed in our operations and as an indicator of our ability to obtain financing. We believe that by deducting our 
cash from our debt, we provide a measure of our indebtedness that takes into account our cash liquidity. We believe this provides useful information as 
the ratio of debt-to-capital does not take into account our liquidity and we believe that the ratio net of cash provides supplemental information by 
which our financial position may be considered. Investors may also find this to be helpful when comparing our leverage to the leverage of our 
competitors that present similar information. 

Cash Flows

For the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, the comparison of cash flows 

is as follows:

•  Net cash used in operating activities was $139.7 million in 2018 versus $90.9 million in 2017.  The change was 

primarily the result of a net increase in cash outflows for real estate inventories to $157.7 million in 2018 compared to 
$114.9 million in 2017 due to increased construction in progress and lower home sales revenue, partially offset by a 
decrease in land acquisition spend.  Additionally, the year-over-year decrease in net income reduced cash inflow by 
$30.0 million, partially offset by noncash inventory and joint venture impairment charges of $27.9 million for 2018. 

•  Net cash provided by investing activities was $0.3 million in 2018 compared net cash used in investing activities of 

$10.6 million for 2017.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, net distributions of capital and repayment of advances 
from unconsolidated joint ventures was $0.4 million compared to net contributions an advances to unconsolidated 
joint ventures of $11.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 and was the primary reason net cash 
provided by investing activities increased.  The decrease in net contributions and advances related primarily to a 
reduction in joint venture contributions in 2018 to a land development joint venture in Folsom, CA.  

•  Net cash provided by financing activities was $58.0 million in 2018 compared to $194.3 million in 2017.  The 

decrease was primarily due to a decrease in net borrowings, in particular the issuance of $324.5 million of our senior 
notes due 2022 in 2017, offset partially by increased net borrowings from our unsecured credit facility during 2018. 

51

 
For the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, the comparison of cash flows 

is as follows:

•  Net cash used in operating activities was $90.9 million in 2017 versus $42.8 million in 2016. The change was 

primarily the result of a net increase in cash outflows for real estate inventories to $114.9 million in 2017 compared 
to $71.4 million in 2016 due to greater land acquisition spend and increased construction in progress.

•  Net cash used in investing activities was $10.6 million in 2017 compared $1.8 million provided by investing activities 

in 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our contributions and advances to joint ventures were $27.5 
million compared to $15.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 and was the primary reason net cash used 
in investing activities increased. The increase in contributions to joint ventures primarily related to a large contribution 
to a land development joint venture in Folsom, CA.

•  Net cash provided by financing activities was $194.3 million in 2017 compared to $25.2 million in 2016. The increase 
was primarily due to an increase in net borrowings, in particular the issuance of $324.5 million of our senior notes due 
2022, offset partially by increased repayments of the unsecured credit facility.

52

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

Option Contracts

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into land option contracts in order to procure lots for the construction of our 

homes. We are subject to customary obligations associated with entering into contracts for the purchase of land and improved 
lots. These purchase contracts typically require a cash deposit and the purchase of properties under these contracts is generally 
contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by the sellers, including obtaining applicable property and development 
entitlements. We also utilize option contracts with land sellers and financial intermediaries as a method of acquiring land in 
staged takedowns, to help us manage the financial and market risk associated with land holdings, to reduce the use of funds 
from our corporate financing sources, and to enhance our return on capital. Option contracts generally require a nonrefundable 
deposit for the right to acquire lots over a specified period of time at pre-determined prices. We generally have the right, at our 
discretion, to terminate our obligations under both purchase contracts and option contracts by forfeiting our cash deposit with 
no further financial responsibility to the land seller or financial intermediary.  In some instances, we may also expend funds for 
due diligence and development activities with respect to our option contracts prior to purchase which we would have to write 
off should we not purchase the land.  As of December 31, 2018, we had $18.9 million of nonrefundable and $0.9 million of 
refundable cash deposits pertaining to land option contracts and purchase contracts with an estimated aggregate remaining 
purchase price of $145.0 million, net of deposits ("Aggregate Remaining Purchase Price").  These cash deposits are included as 
a component of our real estate inventories in our consolidated balance sheets. 

Our utilization of land option contracts is dependent on, among other things, the availability of land sellers willing to 
enter into option arrangements, the availability of capital to financial intermediaries to finance the development of optioned 
lots, general housing market conditions, and local market dynamics. Options may be more difficult to procure from land sellers 
in strong housing markets and are more prevalent in certain geographic regions.

Joint Ventures

We enter into land development and homebuilding joint ventures from time to time as means of:

•  leveraging our capital base

•  accessing larger lot positions

•  expanding our market opportunities

•  managing financial and market risk associated with land holdings

These joint ventures have historically obtained secured acquisition, development and/or construction financing which 

reduces the use of funds from our corporate financing sources.

We are subject to certain contingent obligations in connection with our unconsolidated joint ventures.  The Company has 

provided credit enhancements in connection with joint venture borrowings in the form of loan-to-value ("LTV") maintenance 
agreements in order to secure the joint venture's performance under the loans and maintenance of certain LTV ratios. The 
Company has also entered into agreements with its partners in each of the unconsolidated joint ventures whereby the Company 
and its partners are apportioned liability under the LTV maintenance agreements according to their respective capital interest. 
In addition, the agreements provide the Company, to the extent its partner has an unpaid liability under such credit 
enhancements, the right to receive distributions from the unconsolidated joint venture that would otherwise be made to the 
partner.  However, there is no guarantee that such distributions will be made or will be sufficient to cover the Company's 
liability under such LTV maintenance agreements.  The loans underlying the LTV maintenance agreements comprise 
acquisition and development loans, construction revolvers and model home loans, and the agreements remain in force until the 
loans are satisfied.  Due to the nature of the loans, the outstanding balance at any given time is subject to a number of factors 
including the status of site improvements, the mix of horizontal and vertical development underway, the timing of phase build 
outs, and the period necessary to complete the escrow process for homebuyers.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, $41.3 
million and $38.6 million, respectively, was outstanding under loans that are credit enhanced by the Company through LTV 
maintenance agreements.  Under the terms of the joint venture agreements, the Company's proportionate share of LTV 
maintenance agreement liabilities was $7.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 
2017.  In addition, the Company has provided completion agreements regarding specific performance for certain projects 
whereby the Company is required to complete the given project with funds provided by the beneficiary of the agreement.  If 
there are not adequate funds available under the specific project loans, the Company would then be subject to financial liability 
under such completion guaranties.  Typically, under such terms of the joint venture agreements, the Company has the right to 
apportion the respective share of any costs funded under such completion guaranties to its partners.  However, there is no 

53

guarantee that we will be able to recover against our partners for such amounts owed to us under the terms of such joint venture 
agreements.  In connection with joint venture borrowings, the Company also selectively provides (a) an environmental 
indemnity provided to the lender that holds the lender harmless from and against losses arising from the discharge of hazardous 
materials from the property and non-compliance with applicable environmental laws; and (b) indemnification of the lender 
from customary "bad boy acts" of the unconsolidated entity such as fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication or non-payment of 
rents, profits, insurance, and condemnation proceeds, waste and mechanic liens, and bankruptcy.  Additionally, in some cases, 
under our joint venture agreements, our shares of profits and losses may be greater than our contribution percentage.  

For more information about our off-balance sheet arrangements, please see Note 12 to our consolidated financial 

statements. 

As of December 31, 2018, we held membership interests in 10 unconsolidated joint ventures, six of which related to 

homebuilding activities and four related to land development as noted below. We were a party to two LTV maintenance 
agreements related to unconsolidated joint ventures as of December 31, 2018. The following table reflects certain financial and 
other information related to our unconsolidated joint ventures as of December 31, 2018:

December 31, 2018

Total Joint Venture

Contri-
bution 
%(1)

Assets Debt

(2)

Equity

NWHM 
Equity
 (3)

Debt-to-
Total
Capital-
ization

Loan-to-
Value
Maintenance
Agreement

(Dollars in 000's)

15%

2,150

10%

12%

944

1,881

—

—

—

343

103

—%

233

58

—%

1,613

291

—%

N/A

N/A

N/A

10%

72,669

20,254

45,586

4,559

31%

Yes

35%

35%

10%

35%

57,163

1,153

42,535

6,161

3%

No

1,640

1,108

—

1,009

469

—%

30,600

— 29,380

2,938

—%

6,319

—

5,101

1,786

—%

N/A

N/A

N/A

—

—

—

5%

210,373

25,545

171,178

8,560

13%

No

1,080

1,391

Estimated 
Future
Capital
Commit-
ment
(4)

Lots
Owned
and
Controlled

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

161

476

—

8

12

Joint Venture (Project
Name)

Year
Formed

Location

TNHC-HW San Jose LLC
(Orchard Park)

TNHC-TCN Santa Clarita 
LP (Villa Metro)(5)

TNHC Newport LLC 
(Meridian)(5)

Encore McKinley Village
LLC (McKinley Village)

2012

2012

2013

2013

San Jose,
CA

Santa
Clarita, CA

Newport
Beach, CA

Sacramento,
CA

TNHC Russell Ranch LLC 
(Russell Ranch)(5) (6) (7)

2013

Folsom, CA

TNHC-HW Foster City 
LLC (Foster Square)(6)

Calabasas Village LP 
(Avanti)(5)

TNHC-HW Cannery LLC 
(Cannery Park)(6)

Arantine Hills Holdings 
LP (Bedford Ranch) (5) (6)

2013

2013

Foster City,
CA

Calabasas,
CA

2013

Davis, CA

2014

Corona, CA

TNHC Mountain Shadows
LLC (Mountain Shadows)

2015

Paradise
Valley, AZ

Total Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

$443,988 $71,299 $329,531

33,617

25%

60,781

24,347

32,553

8,692

43%

18%

Yes

—

$

2,720

42

2,090

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 
(7) 

Actual equity interests may differ due to current phase of underlying project's life cycle.  The contribution percentage reflects the percentage of capital 
we are generally obligated to contribute (subject to adjustment under the joint venture agreement) and generally (subject to waterfall provisions) aligns 
with our percentage of distributions.  In some cases our share of profit and losses may be greater than our contribution percentage. 
The carrying value of the debt is presented net of $0.3 million in unamortized debt issuance costs.  Scheduled maturities of the unconsolidated joint 
venture debt as of December 31, 2018 are as follows: $45.8 million matures in 2019, $25.8 million matures in 2020.  The Mountain Shadows project 
has multiple debt instruments, some of which do not have LTV maintenance agreements.  
Represents the Company's equity in unconsolidated joint ventures.  Equity does not include $0.7 million of interest capitalized to certain investments 
in unconsolidated joint ventures, which along with equity, are included in investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures in the 
accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Estimated future capital commitment represents our proportionate share of estimated future contributions to the respective unconsolidated joint 
ventures as of December 31, 2018. Actual contributions may differ materially.
Certain current and former members of the Company's board of directors are affiliated with entities that have an investment in these joint ventures.  
See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.   
Land development joint venture.
Estimated future capital commitment reflects our contractual contribution obligation under the joint venture agreement.  We currently anticipate that 
the joint venture will require aggregate contributions of approximately $30.0 million.  Neither joint venture partner is currently contractually obligated 
to provide this estimated additional funding and the future proportional funding must be determined.

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
As of December 31, 2018, the unconsolidated joint ventures were in compliance with their respective loan covenants, 
where applicable, and we were not required to make any loan-to-value maintenance related payments during the year ended 
December 31, 2018.

Contractual Obligations Table

The following table summarizes our future payment obligations under existing contractual obligations as of 

December 31, 2018 including payment obligations due by period.  Our purchase obligations primarily represent commitments 
for land purchases under purchase and land option contracts with nonrefundable deposits and commitments for subcontractor 
labor and material to be utilized in the normal course of business. 

Contractual Obligations

Long-term debt principal payments (1)
Long-term interest payments (2)
Operating leases
Purchase obligations (3)

Total

Payments Due By Period

Total

Less than 1
Year

1-3 Years

4-5 Years

(Dollars in thousands)

More than 5
Years

$

$

392,500

$

— $

67,500

$

325,000

$

82,766

3,327

236,241

27,275

1,739

209,288

49,600

1,588

26,953

5,891

—

—

714,834

$

238,302

$

145,641

$

330,891

$

—

—

—

—

—

(1) 
(2) 

(3) 

For a more detailed description of our long-term debt, please see Note 9 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
Includes future interest payments for our senior notes due 2022 and unsecured credit facility.  Future interest payments for unsecured credit facility 
based on $67.5 million balance and interest rate of 5.50% at December 31, 2018. 
Includes $126.8 million (net of deposits) of the remaining purchase price for land option and land purchase contracts where deposits are nonrefundable 
and $108.4 million of subcontractor labor and material commitments as of December 31, 2018 for which we are responsible if the subcontractor 
completes the work as specified in their respective commitments.  Excluded from this number is $48.4 million in purchase obligations made on behalf 
of the owner(s) of fee build projects for which we are reimbursed per our fee building agreements. 

Inflation 

Our homebuilding and fee building segments can be adversely impacted by inflation, primarily from higher land, 

financing, labor, material and construction costs. In addition, inflation can lead to higher mortgage rates, which can 
significantly affect the affordability of mortgage financing to homebuyers. While we attempt to pass on cost increases to 
customers through increased prices, when weak housing market conditions exist, we may be unable to offset cost increases with 
higher selling prices. 

Seasonality 

Historically, the homebuilding industry experiences seasonal fluctuations in quarterly operating results and capital 
requirements. We typically experience the highest new home order activity in spring and summer, although this activity is also 
highly dependent on the number of active selling communities, timing of new community openings and other market factors. 
Since it typically takes five to nine months to construct a new home, depending on whether it is single-family detached or 
multi-family attached, we typically deliver more homes in the second half of the year as spring and summer home orders 
convert to home deliveries. Because of this seasonality, home starts, construction costs and related cash outflows have 
historically been highest in the second and third quarters, and a higher level of cash receipts from home deliveries occurs 
during the second half of the year. We expect this seasonal pattern to continue over the long-term, although it may be affected 
by volatility in the homebuilding industry and the opening and closeout of communities. 

Critical Accounting Policies 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting policies generally accepted in the United States of 

America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at 
the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. 
Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be 
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets 
and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Management evaluates such estimates and judgments on an on-

55

going basis and makes adjustments as deemed necessary. Actual results could differ from these estimates if conditions are 
significantly different in the future. 

Real Estate Inventories  

We capitalize pre-acquisition, land, development and other allocated costs, including interest, property taxes and indirect 
construction costs to real estate inventories.  Pre-acquisition costs, including nonrefundable land deposits, are expensed to other 
income (expense), net if we determine continuation of the prospective project is not probable.  Land, development and other 
common costs are typically allocated to real estate inventories using a methodology that approximates the relative-sales-value 
method. Home construction costs per production phase are recorded using the specific identification method. In accordance 
with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 360, Property, Plant and Equipment ("ASC 360") inventory is stated at cost, 
unless the carrying amount is determined not to be recoverable, in which case inventory is written down to its fair value. 

We review each real estate asset on a periodic basis or whenever indicators of impairment exist. Real estate assets 

include projects actively selling and projects under development or held for future development. Indicators of impairment 
include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in local housing market values and selling prices of comparable homes, 
significant decreases in gross margins or sales absorption rates, costs significantly in excess of budget, and actual or projected 
cash flow losses.

If there are indicators of impairment, we perform a detailed budget and cash flow review of the applicable real estate 

inventories to determine whether the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the project are more or less than the asset’s 
carrying value. If the estimated future undiscounted cash flows exceed the asset’s carrying value, no impairment adjustment is 
required. However, if the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the asset’s carrying value, then the asset is 
impaired.  If the asset is deemed impaired, it is written down to its fair value.

When estimating undiscounted future cash flows of a project, we make various assumptions, including: (i) expected 
sales prices and sales incentives to be offered, including the number of homes available, pricing and incentives being offered by 
us or other builders in other projects, and future sales price adjustments based on market and economic trends; (ii) expected 
sales pace and cancellation rates based on local housing market conditions, competition and historical trends; (iii) costs 
expended to date and expected to be incurred including, but not limited to, land and land development costs, home construction 
costs, interest costs, indirect construction and overhead costs, and selling and marketing costs; (iv) alternative product offerings 
that may be offered that could have an impact on sales pace, sales price and/or building costs; and (v) alternative uses for the 
property.

Many assumptions are interdependent and a change in one may require a corresponding change to other assumptions. 

For example, increasing or decreasing sales absorption rates has a direct impact on the estimated per unit sales price of a home 
and the level of time sensitive costs (such as indirect construction, overhead and carrying costs). Depending on the underlying 
objective of the project, assumptions could have a significant impact on the projected cash flow analysis. For example, if our 
objective is to preserve operating margins, our cash flow analysis will be different than if the objective is to increase the 
velocity of sales. These objectives may vary significantly from project to project and change over time. If a real estate asset is 
deemed impaired, the impairment is calculated by determining the amount the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value.  We 
calculate fair value of real estate inventories using a land residual value analysis or a discounted cash flow analysis.  Under the 
land residual value analysis, we estimate what a willing buyer would pay and what a willing seller would sell a parcel of land 
for (other than in a forced liquidation) in order to generate a market rate operating margin and return based on the remaining 
life and status of the project. Under the discounted cash flow method, the fair value is determined by calculating the present 
value of future cash flows using a risk adjusted discount rate. Some of the critical assumptions involved with measuring the 
asset's fair value include estimating future revenues, sales absorption rates, development and construction costs, and other 
applicable project costs. This evaluation and the assumptions used by management to determine future estimated cash flows 
and fair value require a substantial degree of judgment, especially with respect to real estate projects that have a substantial 
amount of development to be completed, have not started selling or are in the early stages of sales, or are longer in duration. 
Actual revenues, costs and time to complete and sell a community could vary from these estimates which could impact the 
calculation of fair value of the asset and the corresponding amount of impairment that is recorded in our results of operations. 

Home Sales Revenue and Cost of Home Sales

In accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), homebuilding revenue is 
recognized when our performance obligations within the underlying sales contracts are fulfilled.  We consider our obligations 
fulfilled when closing conditions are complete, title has transferred to the homebuyer, and the collection of the purchase price is 
reasonably assured.  Sales incentives are recorded as a reduction of revenues when the respective home is closed.  Cost of sales 

56

 
 
 
 
 
is recorded based upon total estimated costs to be allocated to each home within a community.  Any changes to the estimated 
costs are allocated to the remaining undelivered lots and homes within their respective community. The estimation and 
allocation of these costs requires a substantial degree of judgment by management. 

The estimation process involved in determining relative sales or fair values is inherently uncertain because it involves 

estimating future sales values of homes before sale and delivery. Additionally, in determining the allocation of costs to a 
particular land parcel or individual home, we rely on project budgets that are based on a variety of assumptions, including 
assumptions about construction schedules and future costs to be incurred. It is common that actual results differ from budgeted 
amounts for various reasons, including construction delays, increases in costs that have not been committed or unforeseen 
issues encountered during construction that fall outside the scope of existing contracts, or costs that come in less than originally 
anticipated. While the actual results for a particular construction project are accurately reported over time, a variance between 
the budget and actual costs could result in the understatement or overstatement of costs and have a related impact on gross 
margins between reporting periods. To reduce the potential for such variances, we have procedures that have been applied on a 
consistent basis, including assessing and revising project budgets on a periodic basis, obtaining commitments from 
subcontractors and vendors for future costs to be incurred, and utilizing the most recent information available to estimate costs. 
We believe that these policies and procedures provide for reasonably dependable estimates for purposes of calculating amounts 
to be relieved from inventories and expensed to cost of sales in connection with the delivery of homes. 

Fee Building

The Company enters into fee building agreements to provide services whereby it builds homes on behalf of third-party 
property owners. The third-party property owner funds all project costs incurred by the Company to build and sell the homes. 
The Company primarily enters into cost plus fee contracts where it charges third-party property owners for all direct and 
indirect costs, plus a fee.  The fee is typically a per-unit fixed fee or based on a percentage of the cost or home sales revenue of 
the project depending on the terms of the agreement with the third-party property owner.  For these types of contracts, the 
Company recognizes revenue based on the actual total costs it has incurred plus the applicable fee.  In accordance with ASC 
606, we apply the percentage-of-completion method, using the cost-to-cost approach, as it most accurately measures the 
progress of our efforts in satisfying our obligations within the fee building agreements.  Under this approach, revenue is earned 
in proportion to total costs incurred, divided by total costs expected to be incurred.  In the course of providing its services, the 
Company routinely subcontracts for services and incurs other direct costs on behalf of the property owners. These costs are 
passed through to the property owners and, in accordance with GAAP, are included in the Company’s revenue and cost of sales. 

The Company also provides construction management and coordination services and sales and marketing services as 
part of agreements with third parties and its unconsolidated joint ventures.  In certain contracts, the Company also provides 
project management and administrative services.  For most services provided, the Company fulfills its related obligations as 
time-based measures, according to the input method guidance described in ASC 606.  Accordingly, revenue is recognized on a 
straight-line basis as the Company's efforts are expended evenly throughout the performance period.  The Company may also 
have an obligation to manage the home or lot sales process as part of providing sales and marketing services.  This obligation is 
considered fulfilled when related homes or lots close escrow, as these events represent milestones reached according to the 
output method guidance described in ASC 606.  Accordingly, revenue is recognized in the period that the corresponding lots or 
homes close escrow.  Costs associated with these services are recognized as incurred. 

Variable Interest Entities

The Company accounts for variable interest entities in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810"). Under 
ASC 810, a variable interest entity ("VIE") is created when: (a) the equity investment at risk in the entity is not sufficient to 
permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by other parties, including 
the equity holders; (b) the entity’s equity holders as a group either (i) lack the direct or indirect ability to make decisions about 
the entity, (ii) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity or (iii) do not have the right to receive expected residual 
returns of the entity; or (c) the entity’s equity holders have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests, 
and the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of the equity holder with disproportionately few voting rights. 

Once we consider the sufficiency of equity and voting rights of each legal entity, we then evaluate the characteristics of 

the equity holders' interests, as a group, to see if they qualify as controlling financial interests. Our real estate joint ventures 
consist of limited partnerships and limited liability companies. For entities structured as limited partnerships or limited liability 
companies, our evaluation of whether the equity holders (equity partners other than us in each our joint ventures) lack the 
characteristics of a controlling financial interest includes the evaluation of whether the limited partners or non-managing 
members (the non-controlling equity holders) lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, defined 
as follows:

57

 
 
 
 
 
• 

Participating rights - provide the non-controlling equity holders the ability to direct significant financial and 
operational decision made in the ordinary course of business that most significantly influence the entity's economic 
performance.

•  Kick-out rights - allow the non-controlling equity holders to remove the general partner or managing member without 

cause. 

If we conclude that any of the three characteristics of a VIE are met, including if equity holders lack the characteristics 

of a controlling financial interest because they lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, we 
conclude that the entity is a VIE and evaluate it for consolidation under the variable interest model.

If an entity is deemed to be a VIE pursuant to ASC 810, the enterprise that has both (i) the power to direct the activities 
of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses 
of the entity or right to receive benefits from the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE is considered the primary 
beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE.  In accordance with ASC 810, we perform ongoing reassessments of whether an 
enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

We use the equity method to account for investments in homebuilding and land development joint ventures when any of 

the following situations exist: 1) the joint venture qualifies as a VIE and we are not the primary beneficiary, 2) we do not 
control the joint venture but have the ability to exercise significant influence over its operating and financial policies or 3) we 
function as the managing member or general partner of the joint ventures and our joint venture partner has substantive 
participating rights or can replace us as managing member or general partner without cause.

Under the equity method, we recognize our proportionate share of earnings and losses generated by the joint venture 

upon the delivery of lots or homes to third parties. Our proportionate share of intra-entity profits and losses are eliminated until 
the related asset has been sold by the unconsolidated joint venture to third parties.  Our ownership interests in our 
unconsolidated joint ventures vary, but are generally less than or equal to 35%.  The accounting policies of our joint ventures 
are consistent with those of the Company with an exception for the requirements of ASC 606, which our joint ventures had not 
adopted at December 31, 2018.

We review real estate inventory held by our unconsolidated joint ventures for impairment, consistent with how we 

review our real estate inventories as described in more detail above in the section entitled "Real Estate Inventories".  We also 
review our investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures for evidence of other-than-temporary declines in 
value. To the extent we deem any portion of our investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures as not 
recoverable, we impair our investment accordingly.

  Warranty Accrual

We offer warranties on our homes that generally cover various defects in workmanship or materials, or structural 
construction defects for one year.  In addition, we provide a more limited warranty, which generally ranges from a minimum of 
two years up to the period covered by the applicable statute of repose, that covers certain defined construction defects.  
Estimated future direct warranty costs are accrued and charged to cost of sales in the period when the related homebuilding 
revenues are recognized. Amounts are accrued based upon the Company’s historical rates.  In addition, the Company has 
received warranty payments from third party property owners for certain of its fee building projects that have since closed out 
where the Company has the contractual risk of construction. These payments are recorded as warranty accruals. We assess the 
adequacy of our warranty accrual on a quarterly basis and adjust the amounts recorded if necessary.  Although we consider the 
warranty accruals reflected in our consolidated balance sheet to be adequate, actual future costs could differ significantly from 
our currently estimated amounts.

58

 
 
 
  
    Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740").  The consolidated provision 

for, or benefit from, income taxes is calculated using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and 
liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using 
enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.  

Each quarter we assess our deferred tax asset to determine whether all or any portion of the asset is more likely than not 
(defined as a likelihood of more than 50%) unrealizable under ASC 740.  We are required to establish a valuation allowance for 
any portion of the tax asset we conclude is more likely than not unrealizable.  Our assessment considers, among other things, 
the nature, frequency and severity of prior cumulative losses, forecasts of future taxable income, the duration of statutory 
carryforward periods, our utilization experience with net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards and the planning 
alternatives, to the extent these items are applicable.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends primarily on the 
generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the differences become deductible. The value of our deferred 
tax assets will depend on applicable income tax rates. Judgment is required in determining the future tax consequences of 
events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements and/or tax returns. Differences between anticipated 
and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  
Changes in existing tax laws and tax rates also affect actual tax results and the valuation of deferred tax assets over time.

ASC 740 defines the methodology for recognizing the benefits of uncertain tax return positions as well as guidance 
regarding the measurement of the resulting tax benefits.  These provisions require an enterprise to recognize the financial 
statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be 
sustained upon examination.  In addition, these provisions provide guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and 
penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  The evaluation of whether a tax position meets the more-
likely-than-not recognition threshold requires a substantial degree of judgment by management based on the individual facts 
and circumstances.  Changes in the recognition or measurement of uncertain tax positions could result in material increases or 
decreases in our income tax expense in the period in which we make the change.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

See Note 1 to the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

JOBS Act

We qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the provisions of the JOBS Act. For as long as we are an "emerging 
growth company," we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other 
public companies that are not "emerging growth companies," including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the 
auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive 
compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, exemptions from the requirements of holding advisory "say-on-pay" 
votes on executive compensation and shareholder advisory votes on golden parachute compensation.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an "emerging growth company" can take advantage of the 
extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting 
standards. An "emerging growth company" can therefore delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards 
would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we have chosen to "opt out" of such extended transition period and, as a 
result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is 
required for non-emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended 
transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on our outstanding variable rate debt. We did not 

utilize swaps, forward or option contracts on interest rates or commodities, or other types of derivative financial instruments as 
of or during the year ended December 31, 2018.  We have not entered into and currently do not hold derivatives for trading or 
speculative purposes. 

The table below details the principal amount and the average interest rates for the outstanding debt for each category 
based upon the expected maturity or disposition dates.  The fair value of our senior unsecured notes is derived from quoted 

59

 
market prices.  The fair value of our variable rate debt consists of the balance of our senior unsecured revolving credit facility 
(the "Credit Facility").  Based on the short-term duration of LIBOR rates, the fair value of debt under the Credit Facility 
approximates the carrying value. 

Senior Unsecured Notes

Fixed Rate

Weighted Average Interest Rate

Senior Unsecured Credit Facility

Variable rate debt

Weighted Average Interest Rate

$

$

Expected Maturity Date

2019

2020 - 2023

Thereafter

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Estimated Fair
Value

— $

325,000

$

— $

325,000

$

292,500

—%

7.25%

—%

7.25%

NA

— $

—%

67,500

$

5.5%

— $

—%

67,500

$

5.5%

67,500

NA

We do not believe that the future market rate risks related to the above securities will have a material adverse impact on 

our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The information required by this item is set forth beginning on page 64.

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

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in 

our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules 
and forms is communicated to the our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as 
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based on the definition of "disclosure controls and 
procedures" in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to 
provide a reasonable level of assurance of reaching our desired disclosure control objectives.  In designing controls and 
procedures specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management 
recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance 
of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the 
cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no 
evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.  
These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur 
because of simple error and mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by 
collusion of two or more people or by management override of controls. 

At the end of the period being reported upon, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the 

participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the 
design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of 
December 31, 2018.

60

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as 
defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2018 based on the framework established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by 
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on this 
framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 
2018.

This annual report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting 
firm, because as an "emerging growth company" under the JOBS Act our independent registered public accounting firm is not 
required to issue such an attestation report.

Changes in Internal Controls

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent 

fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial 
reporting.

Item 9B.

Other Information

None.

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

PART III

Information required by Item 10 of Part III is included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2019 Annual Meeting of 

Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

Information required by Item 11 of Part III is included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2019 Annual Meeting of 

Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

61

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information required by Item 12 of Part III is included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2019 Annual Meeting of 

Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information required by Item 13 of Part III is included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2019 Annual Meeting of 

Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information required by Item 14 of Part III is included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2019 Annual Meeting of 

Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

62

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

PART IV

(a)  The following documents are filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K:

(1)  Financial Statements:

The New Home Company Inc.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2)  Financial Statement Schedules

PAGE

64

65

66

67

68

69

All other schedules have been omitted since the required information is presented in the financial statements and the 

related notes or is not applicable.

(3)  Exhibits

The exhibits filed or furnished as part of this annual report on Form 10-K are listed in the Index to Exhibits immediately 

preceding the signature page, which Index is incorporated in this Item by reference.

63

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
The New Home Company Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of The New Home Company Inc. (“the Company”) as of 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, equity and cash flows for each of 
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the 
“consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all 
material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the 
consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 
2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 

Adoption of ASU No. 2014-09

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for 
revenue recognition and real estate inventories and cost of sales effective January 1, 2018 due to the adoption of 
ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and related Subtopic ASC 340-40, Other 
Assets and Deferred Costs - Contracts with Customers.

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/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.

Irvine, California
February 15, 2019 

64

THE NEW HOME COMPANY INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Contracts and accounts receivable
Due from affiliates
Real estate inventories
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures
Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and equity
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Unsecured revolving credit facility
Senior notes, net

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Equity:

Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 20,058,904 and

20,876,837, shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and December
31, 2017, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings

Total stockholders' equity
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary

Total equity
Total liabilities and equity

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

December 31,

2018

2017

(Dollars in thousands, except
par value amounts)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

42,273
269
18,265
1,218
566,290
34,330
33,452
696,097

39,391
29,028
67,500
320,148
456,067

123,546
424
23,224
1,060
416,143
55,824
24,291
644,512

23,722
38,054
—
318,656
380,432

—

—

201
193,132
46,621
239,954
76
240,030
696,097

$

209
199,474
64,307
263,990
90
264,080
644,512

65

THE NEW HOME COMPANY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenues:

Home sales
Fee building, including management fees from unconsolidated joint

ventures of $3,385, $4,945 and $8,202, respectively

Cost of Sales:

Home sales
Home sales impairments
Land sales impairment
Fee building

Gross Margin:
Home sales
Land sales
Fee building

Selling and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures
Other income (expense), net
Pretax income (loss)

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

Net income (loss)

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

Net income (loss) attributable to The New Home Company Inc.

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc.:

Basic
Diluted

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic
Diluted

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

$

504,029

$

560,842

$

507,949

163,537
667,566

436,530
10,000
—
159,136
605,666

57,499
—
4,401
61,900

(36,065)
(25,966)
(19,653)
(521)
(20,305)
6,075
(14,230)
14
(14,216) $

190,324
751,166

473,213
2,200
—
184,827
660,240

85,429
—
5,497
90,926

(32,702)
(26,330)
866
(229)
32,531
(15,390)
17,141
11
17,152

(0.69) $
(0.69) $

0.82
0.82

$

$
$

186,507
694,456

433,559
2,350
1,150
178,103
615,162

72,040
(1,150)
8,404
79,294

(26,744)
(25,882)
7,691
(409)
33,950
(13,024)
20,926
96
21,022

1.02
1.01

20,703,967
20,703,967

20,849,736
20,995,498

20,685,386
20,791,445

$

$
$

66

 
THE NEW HOME COMPANY INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

Stockholders’ Equity

Number of 
Shares of
Common
Stock

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

Non-
controlling
Interest in
Subsidiary

Total
Equity

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2015

20,543,130

$

205

$ 194,437

$ 26,133

$

220,775

$

922

$ 221,697

Net income (loss)

Non-controlling interest distribution

Stock-based compensation expense

Shares net settled with the Company to satisfy
employee personal income tax liabilities resulting
from share based compensation plans

Excess tax provision from stock-based
compensation

Shares issued through stock plans

—

—

—

(62,597)

—

231,633

Balance at December 31, 2016

20,712,166

Net income (loss)

Stock-based compensation expense

Shares net settled with the Company to satisfy
employee personal income tax liabilities resulting
from share based compensation plans

Shares issued through stock plans

—

—

(56,092)

220,763

—

—

—

—

—

2

207

—

—

—

2

—

—

3,471

(648)

(97)

(2)

197,161

—

2,803

(590)

100

21,022

—

—

—

—

—

47,155

17,152

—

—

—

21,022

—

3,471

(648)

(97)

—

244,523

17,152

2,803

(590)

102

Balance at December 31, 2017

20,876,837

209

199,474

64,307

263,990

Adoption of ASC 606 and ASU 2018-07  (see
Note 1)

Net income (loss)

Stock-based compensation expense

Shares net settled with the Company to satisfy
employee personal income tax liabilities resulting
from share based compensation plans

Shares issued through stock plans

—

—

—

(86,692)

271,875

—

—

—

—

2

(18)

—

3,090

(982)

(2)

(3,347)

(14,216)

—

—

—

(3,365)

(14,216)

3,090

(982)

—

Repurchase of common stock

(1,003,116)

(10)

(8,430)

(123)

(8,563)

(96)

(725)

—

20,926

(725)

3,471

—

—

—

101

(11)

—

—

—

90

—

(14)

—

—

—

—

(648)

(97)

—

244,624

17,141

2,803

(590)

102

264,080

(3,365)

(14,230)

3,090

(982)

—

(8,563)

Balance at December 31, 2018

20,058,904

$

201

$ 193,132

$ 46,621

$

239,954

$

76

$ 240,030

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

67

THE NEW HOME COMPANY INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

2016

$

(14,230) $

17,141

$

20,926

(7,620)
—
3,090
—
10,000
206
—
715
19,653
136
6,631

4,959
(242)
(157,705)
(11,642)
15,669
(9,305)
—
(139,685)

(246)
—
(15,066)

15,436
178
302

—
150,000
(82,500)
—
—
—
—
(8,563)
(982)
—
—
57,955
(81,428)
123,970
42,542

$

(1,073)
3,190
2,803
—
2,200
383
—
1,588
(866)
821
449

4,670
18
(114,930)
(5,255)
(9,546)
7,544
—
(90,863)

(195)
995
(27,479)

15,577
552
(10,550)

—
88,000
(206,000)
324,465
—
(4,110)
(7,565)
—
(590)
—
102
194,302
92,889
31,081
123,970

$

(918)
—
3,471
97
3,500
580
(250)
3,742
(7,691)
646
511

(3,737)
(344)
(71,388)
(756)
6,171
2,921
(293)
(42,812)

(439)
2,610
(15,088)

15,307
—
2,390

(725)
223,050
(179,974)
—
343
(15,636)
(1,064)
—
(648)
(97)
—
25,249
(15,173)
46,254
31,081

Operating activities:
Net income (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating
activities:

Deferred taxes
Noncash deferred tax asset charge
Amortization of stock-based compensation
Excess income tax provision from stock-based compensation
Inventory impairments
Abandoned project costs
Gain from notes payable principal reduction
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures
Deferred profit from unconsolidated joint ventures
Depreciation and amortization

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Contracts and accounts receivable
Due from affiliates
Real estate inventories
Other assets
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Due to affiliates
Net cash used in operating activities
Investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment
Cash assumed from joint venture at consolidation
Contributions and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures
Distributions of capital and repayment of advances from unconsolidated
joint ventures
Interest collected on advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Financing activities:

Cash distributions to non-controlling interest in subsidiary
Borrowings from credit facility
Repayments of credit facility
Proceeds from senior notes
Borrowings from other notes payable
Repayments of other notes payable
Payment of debt issuance costs
Repurchase of common stock
Tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for stock awards
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based compensation
Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Net cash provided by financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of period
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – end of period

$

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

68

1. 

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization

The New Home Company Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in all 

aspects of residential real estate development, including acquiring land and designing, constructing and selling homes in 
California and Arizona.

The Company completed its initial public offering ("IPO") on January 30, 2014 and sold 8,984,375 shares of common 

stock (including 1,171,875 shares sold pursuant to the underwriters' exercise of their option to purchase additional shares from 
the Company) at the public offering price of $11.00 per share.  In accordance with the terms of the IPO, with net proceeds 
received from the underwriters' exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, the Company repurchased 1,171,875 
shares of its common stock.  The Company received proceeds of $75.8 million, net of the underwriting discount, offering 
expenses and the repurchase of shares.  Upon the close of the IPO, the Company had 16,448,750 common shares outstanding.

On December 9, 2015, the Company completed a follow-on equity offering, issuing and selling 4,025,000 shares of 
common stock (including 525,000 shares sold pursuant to the underwriter's exercise of their option to purchase additional 
shares from the Company) at a public offering price of $12.50 per share.  The Company received proceeds of $47.3 million, net 
of the underwriting discount and offering expenses.  After the closing of the follow-on offering, the Company had 20,541,546 
common shares outstanding. 

Based on our public float of $160.9 million at June 29, 2018, we are a smaller reporting company and are subject to 

reduced disclosure obligations in our periodic reports and proxy statements.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All 

significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated upon consolidation.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting 

principles ("GAAP") as contained within the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards 
Codification ("ASC").

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "we", "us", "our" and "the Company" refer to the Company and its 

wholly owned subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to 
make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and 
notes. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain items in the prior year consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with current year 
presentation.  These reclassifications have not changed the results of operations of prior periods. On January 1, 2018, the 
Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash 
("ASU 2016-18") under the full retrospective method.  As a result, the Company no longer presents transfers between cash and 
restricted cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  Instead, restricted cash is included with cash and cash equivalents 
when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the consolidated statements of cash flows. 
The adoption of ASU 2016-18 also caused a reclassification on the statement of cash flows for cash assumed from joint venture 
at consolidation for the year ended December 31, 2016.  For additional detail on restricted cash, please see Restricted Cash 
below. 

Segment Reporting

ASC 280, Segment Reporting ("ASC 280") established standards for the manner in which public enterprises report 
information about operating segments. In accordance with ASC 280, we have determined that our homebuilding division and 
our fee building division are our reportable segments.

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents

We define cash and cash equivalents as cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions, and short term liquid 

investments with a maturity date of less than three months from the date of purchase.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash of $0.3 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, is held in accounts for 

payments of subcontractor costs incurred in connection with various fee building projects.

The table below shows the line items and amounts of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported within the 
Company's consolidated balance sheets for each period shown that sum to the total of the same such amounts at the end of the 
periods shown in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.

Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash
flows

Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

(Dollars in thousands)

$

42,273
269

$

123,546
424

30,496
585

42,542

$

123,970

$

31,081

$

$

We capitalize pre-acquisition, land, development and other allocated costs, including interest, property taxes and indirect 
construction costs.  Pre-acquisition costs, including nonrefundable land deposits, are expensed to other income (expense), net if 
we determine continuation of the prospective project is not probable.

Land, development and other common costs are typically allocated to real estate inventories using a methodology that 
approximates the relative-sales-value method. Home construction costs per production phase are recorded using the specific 
identification method. Cost of sales for homes closed includes the estimated total construction costs of each home at 
completion and an allocation of all applicable land acquisition, land development and related common costs (both incurred and 
estimated to be incurred) based upon the relative-sales-value of the home within each project. Changes in estimated 
development and common costs are allocated prospectively to remaining homes in the project.

In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment ("ASC 360"), inventory is stated at cost, unless the carrying 

amount is determined not to be recoverable, in which case inventory is written down to its fair value. We review each real 
estate asset on a periodic basis or whenever indicators of impairment exist. Real estate assets include projects actively selling 
and projects under development or held for future development. Indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, 
significant decreases in local housing market values and selling prices of comparable homes, significant decreases in gross 
margins or sales absorption rates, costs significantly in excess of budget, and actual or projected cash flow losses.

If there are indicators of impairment, we perform a detailed budget and cash flow review of the applicable real estate 

inventories to determine whether the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the project are more or less than the asset’s 
carrying value. If the estimated future undiscounted cash flows exceed the asset’s carrying value, no impairment adjustment is 
required. However, if the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the asset’s carrying value then the asset is 
impaired. If the asset is deemed impaired, it is written down to its fair value in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value 
Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820").

When estimating undiscounted future cash flows of a project, we make various assumptions, including: (i) expected sales 
prices and sales incentives to be offered, including the number of homes available, pricing and incentives being offered by us or 
other builders in other projects, and future sales price adjustments based on market and economic trends; (ii) expected sales 
pace and cancellation rates based on local housing market conditions, competition and historical trends; (iii) costs expended to 
date and expected to be incurred including, but not limited to, land and land development costs, home construction costs, 
interest costs, indirect construction and overhead costs, and selling and marketing costs; (iv) alternative product offerings that 

70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
may be offered that could have an impact on sales pace, sales price and/or building costs; and (v) alternative uses for the 
property.

Many assumptions are interdependent and a change in one may require a corresponding change to other assumptions. For 
example, increasing or decreasing sales absorption rates has a direct impact on the estimated per unit sales price of a home and 
the level of time sensitive costs (such as indirect construction, overhead and carrying costs). Depending on the underlying 
objective of the project, assumptions could have a significant impact on the projected cash flow analysis. For example, if our 
objective is to preserve operating margins, our cash flow analysis will be different than if the objective is to increase the 
velocity of sales. These objectives may vary significantly from project to project and change over time. 

If a real estate asset is deemed impaired, the impairment is calculated by determining the amount the asset's carrying 
value exceeds its fair value in accordance with ASC 820. We calculate the fair value of real estate inventories considering a 
land residual value analysis and a discounted cash flow analysis.  Under the discounted cash flow method, the fair value is 
determined by calculating the present value of future cash flows using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Some of the critical 
assumptions involved with measuring the asset's fair value include estimating future revenues, sales absorption rates, 
development and construction costs, and other applicable project costs. This evaluation and the assumptions used by 
management to determine future estimated cash flows and fair value require a substantial degree of judgment, especially with 
respect to real estate projects that have a substantial amount of development to be completed, have not started selling or are in 
the early stages of sales, or are longer in duration. Actual revenues, costs and time to complete and sell a community could vary 
from these estimates which could impact the calculation of fair value of the asset and the corresponding amount of impairment 
that is recorded in our results of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded inventory 
impairments of $10.0 million, $2.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively.  For additional detail regarding these impairment 
charges, please see Note 4.

Capitalization of Interest

We follow the practice of capitalizing interest to real estate inventories during the period of development and to 
investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, when applicable, in accordance with ASC 835, Interest ("ASC 835"). Interest 
capitalized as a cost component of real estate inventories is included in cost of home sales as related homes or lots are sold. To 
the extent interest is capitalized to investment in unconsolidated joint ventures, it is included as a reduction of income from 
unconsolidated joint ventures when the related homes or lots are sold to third parties. In instances where the Company 
purchases land from an unconsolidated joint venture, the pro rata share of interest capitalized to investment in unconsolidated 
joint ventures is added to the basis of the land acquired and recognized as a cost of sale upon the delivery of the related land to 
a third-party buyer. To the extent our debt exceeds our qualified assets as defined in ASC 835, we expense a portion of the 
interest incurred by us. Qualified assets represent projects that are actively selling or under development as well as investments 
in unconsolidated joint ventures accounted for under the equity method until such equity investees begin their principal 
operations.

Revenue Recognition

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted the requirements of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 

606) ("ASC 606") under the modified retrospective method.  For additional detail on the new standard and the impact to our 
consolidated financial statements, refer to "Recently Issued Accounting Standards" below. Under ASC 606, we recognize 
revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which 
the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  To do this, the Company performs the following five 
steps as outlined in ASC 606: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the 
contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; 
and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation.

Home Sales and Profit Recognition

In accordance with ASC 606, home sales revenue is recognized when our performance obligations within the underlying 
sales contracts are fulfilled.  We consider our obligations fulfilled when closing conditions are complete, title has transferred to 
the homebuyer, and collection of the purchase price is reasonably assured.  Sales incentives are recorded as a reduction of 
revenues when the respective home is closed.  The profit we record is based on the calculation of cost of sales, which is 
dependent on our allocation of costs, as described in more detail above in the section entitled "Real Estate Inventories and Cost 
of Sales."  When it is determined that the earnings process is not complete, the related revenue and profit are deferred for 
recognition in future periods. 

71

 
 
 
 
  
For periods prior to January 1, 2018, the company recognized home sales and other real estate sales revenue in 

accordance with ASC 360.  Under ASC 360, revenue from home sales and other real estate sales was recorded and a profit was 
recognized when the sales process was complete under the full accrual method. The sales process was considered complete for 
home sales and other real estate sales when all conditions of escrow were met, including delivery of the home or other real 
estate asset, title passes, appropriate consideration is received and collection of associated receivables, if any, was reasonably 
assured. 

Fee Building

The Company enters into fee building agreements to provide services whereby it builds homes on behalf of third-party 
property owners. The third-party property owner funds all project costs incurred by the Company to build and sell the homes. 
The Company primarily enters into cost plus fee contracts where it charges third-party property owners for all direct and 
indirect costs plus a fee. The fee is typically a per-unit fixed fee or based on a percentage of the cost or home sales revenue of 
the project, depending on the terms of the agreement with the third-party property owner.  For these types of contracts, the 
Company recognizes revenue based on the actual total costs it has incurred plus the applicable fee. In accordance with ASC 606 
for periods after January 1, 2018 and ASC 605, Revenue Recognition ("ASC 605") for prior periods, we apply the percentage-
of-completion method, using the cost-to-cost approach, as it most accurately measures the progress of our efforts in satisfying 
our obligations within the fee building agreements. Under this approach, revenue is earned in proportion to total costs incurred 
divided by total costs expected to be incurred. In the course of providing fee building services, the Company routinely 
subcontracts for services and incurs other direct costs on behalf of the property owners. These costs are passed through to the 
property owners and, in accordance with GAAP, are included in the Company’s revenues and cost of sales. 

The Company also provides construction management and coordination services and sales and marketing services as part 
of agreements with third parties and its unconsolidated joint ventures.  In certain contracts, the Company also provides project 
management and administrative services.  For most services provided, the Company fulfills its related obligations as time-
based measures, according to the input method guidance described in ASC 606.  Accordingly, revenue is recognized on a 
straight-line basis as the Company's efforts are expended evenly throughout the performance period.  The Company may also 
have an obligation to manage the home or lot sales process as part of providing sales and marketing services.  This obligation is 
considered fulfilled when related homes or lots close escrow, as these events represent milestones reached according to the 
output method guidance described in ASC 606.  Accordingly, revenue is recognized in the period that the corresponding lots or 
homes close escrow.  Costs associated with these services are recognized as incurred.  Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, the 
Company recognized revenues from these services in accordance with ASC 605 under a proportional performance method or 
completed performance method. Under ASC 605, revenue was earned as services were provided in proportion to total services 
expected to be provided to the customer or on a straight-line basis if the pattern of performance could not be determined.

The Company’s fee building revenues have historically been concentrated with a small number of customers. For the 

years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, one customer comprised 95%, 97% and 96% of fee building revenue, 
respectively.  The balance of the fee building revenues primarily represented management fees earned from unconsolidated 
joint ventures and third-party customers.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, one customer comprised 48% and 49% of 
contracts and accounts receivable, respectively, with the balance of accounts receivable primarily representing escrow 
receivables from home sales.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company accounts for variable interest entities in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810"). Under 
ASC 810, a variable interest entity ("VIE") is created when: (a) the equity investment at risk in the entity is not sufficient to 
permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by other parties, including 
the equity holders; (b) the entity’s equity holders as a group either (i) lack the direct or indirect ability to make decisions about 
the entity, (ii) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity or (iii) do not have the right to receive expected residual 
returns of the entity; or (c) the entity’s equity holders have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests, 
and the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of the equity holder with disproportionately few voting rights.

72

 
 
 
 
Once we consider the sufficiency of equity and voting rights of each legal entity, we then evaluate the characteristics of 

the equity holders' interests, as a group, to see if they qualify as controlling financial interests.  Our real estate joint ventures 
consist of limited partnerships and limited liability companies.  For entities structured as limited partnerships or limited liability 
companies, our evaluation of whether the equity holders (equity partners other than us in each our joint ventures) lack the 
characteristics of a controlling financial interest includes the evaluation of whether the limited partners or non-managing 
members (the non-controlling equity holders) lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, defined 
as follows:

• 

Participating rights - provide the non-controlling equity holders the ability to direct significant financial and 
operational decision made in the ordinary course of business that most significantly influence the entity's economic 
performance.

•  Kick-out rights - allow the non-controlling equity holders to remove the general partner or managing member without 

cause. 

If we conclude that any of the three characteristics of a VIE are met, including if equity holders lack the characteristics of 

a controlling financial interest because they lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, we 
conclude that the entity is a VIE and evaluate it for consolidation under the variable interest model.

If an entity is deemed to be a VIE pursuant to ASC 810, the enterprise that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of 

a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of 
the entity or right to receive benefits from the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE is considered the primary 
beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE.

Under ASC 810, a nonrefundable deposit paid to an entity may be deemed to be a variable interest that will absorb some 
or all of the entity’s expected losses if they occur. Our land purchase and lot option deposits generally represent our maximum 
exposure to the land seller if we elect not to purchase the optioned property. In some instances, we may also expend funds for 
due diligence, development and construction activities with respect to optioned land prior to takedown. Such costs are 
classified as real estate inventories, which we would have to write off should we not exercise the option. Therefore, whenever 
we enter into a land option or purchase contract with an entity and make a nonrefundable deposit, a VIE may have been 
created. 

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company was not required to consolidate any VIEs.  In accordance with ASC 

810, we perform ongoing reassessments of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

Non-controlling Interest

During 2013, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with a third-party property owner.  In accordance with 
ASC 810, the Company analyzed this arrangement and determined that it was not a VIE; however, the Company determined it 
was required to consolidate the joint venture as the Company has a controlling financial interest with the powers to direct the 
major decisions of the entity.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the third-party investor had an equity balance of $0.1 million 
and $0.1 million, respectively.

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

We use the equity method to account for investments in homebuilding and land development joint ventures when any of 

the following situations exist: 1) the joint venture qualifies as a VIE and we are not the primary beneficiary, 2) we do not 
control the joint venture but have the ability to exercise significant influence over its operating and financial policies, or 3) we 
function as the managing member or general partner of the joint venture and our joint venture partner has substantive 
participating rights or can replace us as managing member or general partner without cause. 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company concluded that none of its joint ventures were VIEs and accounted for these 

entities under the equity method of accounting. 

Under the equity method, we recognize our proportionate share of earnings and losses generated by the joint venture 
upon the delivery of lots or homes to third parties. Our proportionate share of intra-entity profits and losses are eliminated until 
the related asset has been sold by the unconsolidated joint venture to third parties. We classify cash distributions received from 
equity method investees using the cumulative earnings approach consistent with ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows 
(Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments ("ASU 2016-15").  Under the cumulative earnings 

73

 
 
 
  
 
approach, distributions received are considered returns on investment and shall be classified as cash inflows from operating 
activities unless the cumulative distributions received exceed cumulative equity in earnings.  When such an excess occurs, the 
current-period distribution up to this excess is considered a return of investment and shall be classified as cash inflows from 
investing activities. Our ownership interests in our unconsolidated joint ventures vary, but are generally less than or equal to 
35%.  The accounting policies of our joint ventures are consistent with those of the Company with an exception for the 
requirements of ASC 606, which our joint ventures had not adopted at December 31, 2018. 

We review real estate inventory held by our unconsolidated joint ventures for impairment, consistent with how we review 
our real estate inventories as described in more detail above in the section entitled "Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales."  
For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, our unconsolidated joint ventures recorded noncash impairment 
charges of $28.8 million, $0 and $0, respectively, of which $18.9 million, $0 and $0, respectively, was allocated to the 
Company.  We also review our investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures for evidence of other-than-
temporary declines in value in accordance with ASC 820. To the extent we deem any portion of our investment in and advances 
to unconsolidated joint ventures as not recoverable, we impair our investment accordingly. For the years ended December 31, 
2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded other-than-temporary, noncash impairment charges of $1.1 million, $0 and $0, 
respectively, related to our investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures.  

 Selling and Marketing Expense

Effective January 1, 2018, costs incurred for tangible assets directly used in the sales process such as our sales offices, 

design studios and model landscaping and furnishings are capitalized to other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance 
sheets under ASC 340, Other Assets and Deferred Costs ("ASC 340").   These costs are depreciated to selling and marketing 
expenses generally over the shorter of 30 months or the actual estimated life of the selling community. All other selling and 
marketing costs, such as commissions and advertising, are expensed as incurred.  Prior to January 1, 2018, the Company 
followed the guidance under ASC 970-340, Real Estate - Other Assets and Deferred Costs ("ASC 970"), and capitalized certain 
selling and marketing costs to other assets in the consolidated balance sheet if the costs were reasonably expected to be 
recovered from the sale of the project or from incidental operations, and were incurred for tangible assets that were used 
directly through the selling period to aid in the sale of the project or services that had been performed to obtain regulatory 
approval of sales. These capitalizable selling and marketing costs included, but were not limited to, model home design, model 
home decor and landscaping, and sales office/design studio setup.  These costs were amortized to selling and marketing 
expense as the underlying homes were delivered.

Warranty Accrual

We offer warranties on our homes that generally cover various defects in workmanship or materials, or structural 
construction defects for one year. In addition, we provide a more limited warranty, which generally ranges from a minimum of 
two years up to the period covered by the applicable statute of repose, that covers certain defined construction defects. 
Estimated future direct warranty costs are accrued and charged to cost of sales in the period when the related homebuilding 
revenues are recognized. Amounts are accrued based upon the Company’s historical rates. In addition, the Company has 
received warranty payments from third-party property owners for certain of its fee building projects that have since closed-out 
where the Company has the contractual risk of construction. These payments are recorded as warranty accruals. We assess the 
adequacy of our warranty accrual on a quarterly basis and adjust the amounts recorded if necessary. Our warranty accrual is 
included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and adjustments to our 
warranty accrual are recorded through cost of sales.

Contracts and Accounts Receivable

Contracts and accounts receivable primarily represent the fees earned, but not collected, and reimbursable project costs 

incurred in connection with fee building agreements. The Company periodically evaluates the collectability of its contracts 
receivable, and, if it is determined that a receivable might not be fully collectible, an allowance is recorded for the amount 
deemed uncollectible. This allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on management’s evaluation of the contracts 
involved and the financial condition of its customers. Factors considered in such evaluations include, but are not limited to: (i) 
customer type; (ii) historical contract performance; (iii) historical collection and delinquency trends; (iv) customer credit 
worthiness; and (v) general economic conditions. In addition to contracts receivable, escrow receivables are included in 
contracts and accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, no 
allowance was recorded related to contracts and accounts receivable.

74

 
 
 
 
Property, Equipment and Capitalized Selling and Marketing Costs

Property, equipment and capitalized selling and marketing costs are recorded at cost and included in other assets in the 
accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  Property and equipment are depreciated to general and administrative expenses 
using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives ranging from three to five years. Leasehold improvements are 
stated at cost and are amortized to general and administrative expenses using the straight-line method generally over the shorter 
of either their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease.  Capitalized selling and marketing costs are depreciated using the 
straight-line method to selling and marketing expenses over the shorter of either 30 months or the actual estimated life of the 
selling community. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred depreciation and 
amortization expense of $6.6 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The increase in the 2018 depreciation and 
amortization expense is primarily due to capitalized selling and marketing costs that were reclassified in accordance with the 
adoption of ASC 606.  Please refer to "Selling and Marketing Expense" above for more detail.  

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740").  The consolidated provision 

for, or benefit from, income taxes is calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and 
liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using 
enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. 

Each quarter we assess our deferred tax asset to determine whether all or any portion of the asset is more likely than not 

(defined as a likelihood of more than 50%) unrealizable under ASC 740.  We are required to establish a valuation allowance for 
any portion of the tax asset we conclude is more likely than not unrealizable.  Our assessment considers, among other things, 
the nature, frequency and severity of prior cumulative losses, forecasts of future taxable income, the duration of statutory 
carryforward periods, our utilization experience with net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards and the planning 
alternatives, to the extent these items are applicable.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends primarily on the 
generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the differences become deductible. The value of our deferred 
tax assets will depend on applicable income tax rates. Judgment is required in determining the future tax consequences of 
events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements and/or tax returns. Differences between anticipated 
and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, no valuation allowance was recorded.

ASC 740 defines the methodology for recognizing the benefits of uncertain tax return positions as well as guidance 
regarding the measurement of the resulting tax benefits.  These provisions require an enterprise to recognize the financial 
statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be 
sustained upon examination.  In addition, these provisions provide guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and 
penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  The evaluation of whether a tax position meets the more-
likely-than-not recognition threshold requires a substantial degree of judgment by management based on the individual facts 
and circumstances. At December 31, 2018, the Company has concluded that there were no significant uncertain tax positions 
requiring recognition in its financial statements.

The Company classifies any interest and penalties related to income taxes assessed as part of income tax expense. As of 

December 31, 2018, the Company has not been assessed interest or penalties by any major tax jurisdictions related to any open 
tax periods. 

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for share-based awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation ("ASC 718") and 

ASC 505-50, Equity – Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees ("ASC 505-50").

ASC 718 requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in a company's 
financial statements. ASC 718 requires all entities to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for share-
based payment transactions with employees except for equity instruments held by employee share ownership plans.

On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement that transitioned Joseph Davis' role within the Company from 

Chief Investment Officer to a non-employee consultant to the Company. On February 16, 2017, the Company entered into an 
agreement that transitioned Wayne Stelmar's role within the Company from Chief Investment Officer to a non-employee 
consultant and non-employee director.  Per the agreements, Mr. Davis' and Mr. Stelmar's outstanding equity awards continued 
to vest in accordance with their original terms. Under ASC 505-50, if an employee becomes a non-employee and continues to 

75

 
 
 
vest in an award pursuant to the award's original terms, that award will be treated as an award to a non-employee prospectively, 
provided the individual is required to continue providing services to the employer (such as consulting services). Based on the 
terms and conditions of both Mr. Davis' and Mr. Stelmar's consulting agreements noted above, we accounted for their share-
based awards in accordance with ASC 505-50 through March 31, 2018.  ASC 505-50 required that these awards be accounted 
for prospectively, such that the fair value of the awards was re-measured at each reporting date until the earlier of (a) the 
performance commitment date or (b) the date the services required under the transition agreement with Mr. Davis or Mr. 
Stelmar have been completed. ASC 505-50 required that compensation cost ultimately recognized in the Company's financial 
statements be the sum of (a) the compensation cost recognized during the period of time the individual was an employee (based 
on the grant-date fair value) plus (b) the fair value of the award determined on the measurement date determined in accordance 
with ASC 505-50 for the pro-rata portion of the vesting period in which the individual was a non-employee.  Mr. Davis' 
outstanding awards fully vested during January 2017 and were fully expensed. 

In June of 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting 

("ASU 2018-07") which expanded the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payments for acquiring goods and services 
from nonemployees, with certain exceptions.  Under ASC 718, the measurement date for equity-classified, share-based awards 
is generally the grant date of the award.  The Company early adopted ASU 2018-07 on April 1, 2018, at which time Mr. 
Stelmar's award was the only nonemployee award outstanding.  In accordance with the transition guidance, the Company 
assessed Mr. Stelmar's award for which a measurement date had not been established.  The outstanding award was re-measured 
to fair value as of the April 1, 2018 adoption date.  The adoption of ASU 2018-07 provides administrative relief by fixing the 
remaining unamortized expense of the award and eliminating the requirement to quarterly re-measure the Company's one 
remaining nonemployee award.  The Company adopted this standard on a modified retrospective basis booking a cumulative-
effect adjustment of an $18,000 increase to retained earnings and equal decrease to additional paid-in capital as of the 
beginning of the 2018 fiscal year.  The remaining unamortized expense for Mr. Stelmar's award as of December 31, 2018 was 
$24,000.

Share Repurchase and Retirement

When shares are retired, the Company’s policy is to allocate the excess of the repurchase price over the par value of 

shares acquired to both retained earnings and additional paid-in capital. The portion allocated to additional paid-in capital is 
determined by applying a percentage, which is determined by dividing the number of shares to be retired by the number of 
shares issued, to the balance of additional paid-in capital as of the retirement date.  The residual, if any, is allocated to retained 
earnings as of the retirement date. 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repurchased and retired 1,003,116 shares of its common stock at 

an aggregate purchase price of $8.5 million.  The shares were returned to the status of authorized but unissued. 

Dividends

No dividends were paid on our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.  We currently 

intend to retain our future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business and, therefore, do not intend to 
pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the 
discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, 
compliance with Delaware law, restrictions contained in any financing instruments, including but not limited to, our unsecured 
credit facility and senior notes indenture, and such other factors as our board of directors deem relevant.

Employee Benefit Plan

We have a defined contribution plan pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code where each employee may 

elect to make before-tax or Roth contributions up to the current tax limits.  The Company matches 50% of the employee's 
contribution on the first 8% of compensation up to a maximum match of $11,000, on a discretionary basis.  Our contributions 
to the plan for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $1.0 million, $0.8 million, and $0.9 million, 
respectively.

76

  
 Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

The Company qualifies as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the provisions of the Jumpstart Our Business 

Startups Act of 2012 (the "JOBS Act"). Section 102 of the JOBS Act provides that an "emerging growth company" can take 
advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for 
complying with new or revised accounting standards. As previously disclosed, the Company has chosen, irrevocably, to "opt 
out" of such extended transition period, and as a result, will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant 
dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASC 606, which supersedes existing accounting literature relating to how and when a 
company recognizes revenue. Under ASC 606, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services 
to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those 
goods and services. Additionally, ASC 606 supersedes existing industry-specific accounting literature relating to how a 
company expenses certain selling and marketing costs.  Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the requirements of 
ASC 606 using the modified retrospective approach.

Under the modified retrospective approach, the Company recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new 

standard as a $3.4 million, tax-effected decrease to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2018.  The 
comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported as it was previously, under the appropriate 
accounting standards in effect for those periods.  The adjustment to retained earnings related to a $4.7 million write-down of 
certain recoverable selling and marketing costs included in other assets that were formerly capitalized under ASC 970, but that 
no longer qualify for capitalization under the Company's accounting policy reflecting the changes upon the adoption of ASC 
606.  As a result of this write-down, the Company's deferred tax asset increased by $1.3 million.  For the year ended December 
31, 2018, the Company expensed $0.1 million more in selling and marketing costs than it would have recognized as required by 
the previous guidance, ASC 970.  In addition, the accounting policy change resulted in depreciation expense for capitalized 
selling and marketing assets to be included in the line item "depreciation and amortization" in the consolidated statement of 
cash flows for year ended December 31, 2018 compared to including the expense in the net change to other assets line item.  
The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on other areas of the Company's consolidated balance sheet, 
consolidated statement of operations or statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASC 842"). ASC 842 will require 

organizations that lease assets (referred to as "lessees") to present lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet at their 
gross value based on the the rights and obligations created by those leases.  Under ASC 842, a lessee will be required to 
recognize assets and liabilities for leases with greater than 12 month terms.  Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to 
current GAAP.  Additional disclosures including qualitative and quantitative information regarding leasing activities are also 
required.  ASC 842 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and mandates a 
modified retrospective transition method.  In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), Targeted 
Improvements ("ASU 2018-11") which provides for an additional transition method that allows companies to apply the new 
lease standard at the adoption date, eliminating the requirement to apply the standard to the earliest period presented in the 
financial statements.  The Company's lease agreements that will be impacted by ASC 842 primarily relate to our corporate 
headquarters, several other office locations and office or construction equipment where we are the lessee.  We believe all 
applicable agreements would be considered operating leases.  Upon adoption of ASC 842, we expect to add a right-of-use asset 
and a related lease liability to our consolidated balance sheets.  We expect to recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis 
with a portion of the expense recorded as amortization of the right-of-use asset and the balance recorded as interest expense or 
capitalized interest to real estate inventories, if applicable. 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit 

Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13").  Subsequently, in November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, 
Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses.  ASU 2016-13 changes the impairment model 
for most financial assets and certain other instruments from an "incurred loss" approach to a new "expected credit loss" 
methodology.  The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption 
permitted, and requires full retrospective application upon adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these 
standards and expects no material impact to its consolidated financial statements as a result of adoption.  

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15.  ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on how certain cash receipts and cash 

payments are to be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows.  ASU 2016-15 is effective for interim and annual 
reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  Our adoption of ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018, did not have an 
impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures as the Company had previously classified cash distributions 
received from equity method investees using the cumulative earnings approach.

77

 
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and 
Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets ("ASU 2017-05"). ASU 2017-05 clarifies the guidance for derecognition of 
nonfinancial assets and in-substance nonfinancial assets when the asset does not meet the definition of a business and is not a 
not-for-profit activity. We adopted ASU 2017-05 on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective approach. There was no 
effect of initially applying the new standard and there was no impact to our consolidated financial statements. 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of 
Modification Accounting ("ASU 2017-09").  The guidance provides clarity and reduces diversity in practice and cost and 
complexity when accounting for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. We adopted ASU 
2017-09 on January 1, 2018 and its adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to 

SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("ASU 2018-05"), which amends Income Taxes (Topic 740) by incorporating the 
Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) issued on December 22, 2017. 
SAB 118 provides guidance on accounting for the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”). We recognized 
the income tax effects of the Tax Act in our 2017 financial statements in accordance with SAB 118. Please see Note 14.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, which was adopted by the Company on April 1, 2018 using the modified 

retrospective basis and resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment of an $18,000 increase to retained earnings and an equal 
decrease to additional paid-in capital as of the beginning of the 2018 fiscal year.  For further discussion of our adoption of this 
ASU, see “Stock-Based Compensation.”

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework - Changes 

to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13").  The amendments in ASU 2018-13 modify 
certain disclosure requirements of fair value measurements and are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods 
within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently 
evaluating the impact of ASU 2018-13 and expects no material impact to the consolidated financial statements as a result of 
adoption.    

2. 

Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The following table sets forth the components used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the 

years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

2018

Numerator:

Net income (loss) attributable to The New Home Company Inc.

$

(14,216) $

17,152

$

21,022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share
amounts)

Denominator:

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
Effect of dilutive shares:

Stock options and unvested restricted stock units

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

20,703,967

20,849,736

20,685,386

—
20,703,967

145,762
20,995,498

106,059
20,791,445

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc.
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to The New Home Company Inc.

$
$

(0.69) $
(0.69) $

0.82
0.82

$
$

1.02
1.01

Antidilutive stock options and unvested restricted stock units not included in
diluted earnings per share

1,311,802

7,074

849,977

78

    
3. 

Contracts and Accounts Receivable

Contracts and accounts receivable consist of the following:

Contracts receivable:

Costs incurred on fee building projects
Estimated earnings

Less: amounts collected during the period

Contracts receivable

Contracts receivable:

Billed
Unbilled

Accounts receivable:

Escrow receivables
Other receivables

Contracts and accounts receivable

December 31,

2018
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

159,136
4,401
163,537
(154,743)
8,794

$

$

184,827
5,497
190,324
(178,704)
11,620

— $

8,794
8,794

8,787
684
18,265

$

—
11,620
11,620

11,554
50
23,224

$

$

$

$

Billed contracts receivable represent amounts billed to customers that have yet to be collected.  Unbilled contracts 
receivable represents the contract revenue recognized but not yet invoiced.  All unbilled receivables as of December 31, 2018 
and 2017 are expected to be billed and collected within 30 days.  Accounts payable at December 31, 2018 and 2017 includes 
$8.5 million and $11.3 million, respectively, related to costs incurred under the Company’s fee building contracts.

4. 

Real Estate Inventories

Real estate inventories are summarized as follows:

Deposits and pre-acquisition costs
Land held and land under development
Homes completed or under construction
Model homes

December 31,

2017
2018
(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

20,726
115,987
380,956
48,621
566,290

$

$

35,846
47,757
302,884
29,656
416,143

All of our deposits and pre-acquisition costs are nonrefundable, except for refundable deposits of $0.9 million and $0.8 

million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

Land held and land under development includes land costs and costs incurred during site development such as 
development, indirects, and permits.  Homes completed or under construction and model homes include all costs associated 
with home construction, including land, development, indirects, permits, materials and labor (except for capitalized selling and 
marketing costs, which are classified in other assets).

In accordance with ASC 360, inventory is stated at cost, unless the carrying amount is determined not to be recoverable, 
in which case inventory is written down to its fair value. We review each real estate asset at the community-level on a quarterly 
basis or whenever indicators of impairment exist.  For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company 
recognized real estate-related impairments of $10.0 million, $2.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively, in cost of sales 
resulting in a decrease of the same amount to pretax income for our homebuilding segment.  Fair value for the homebuilding 
projects impaired during 2018 and 2017 was calculated under discounted cash flow models.  Project cash flows were 

79

discounted at rates ranging from 9%-16% for 2018 and 8% for 2017.  Fair value for the homebuilding projects impaired during 
2016 was calculated under discounted cash flow models with project cash flows discounted at rates ranging from 10%-14%.  
Fair value for the land sales project impaired during 2016 was determined using the land purchase price included in the 
executed sales agreement, less the Company's cost to sell.  The following table summarizes inventory impairments recorded 
during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016: 

Inventory impairments:

Home sales

Land sales

Total inventory impairments

Remaining carrying value of inventory impaired at year end

Number of projects impaired during the year
Total number of projects subject to periodic impairment review during the year (1)

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

(Dollars in Thousands)

$

$

$

$

$

$

10,000

—

10,000

57,845

2

26

$

$

$

2,200

—

2,200

5,921

1

26

2,350

1,150

3,500

30,225

3

27

(1) 

Represents the peak number of real estate projects that we had during each respective year.  The number of projects outstanding at the end of each year 
may be less than the number of projects listed herein.  

The home sales impairments of $10.0 million recorded during 2018 related to homes completed or under construction 

for two, higher-priced active homebuilding communities located in Southern California.  These communities were experiencing 
slower monthly sales absorption rates, and the Company determined additional incentives and pricing adjustments were 
required to sell the remaining homes and lots at lower estimated aggregate sales prices than the previous carrying value for 
each project. 

The home sales impairments of $2.2 million recorded during 2017 related to homes completed or under construction for 

one active homebuilding community located in Southern California that closed out during 2018. This community was 
experiencing a slow monthly sales absorption rate, and the Company determined that additional incentives were required to sell 
the remaining homes and lots at estimated aggregate sales prices that would be lower than its previous carrying value. 

The home sales impairments of $2.4 million recorded during 2016 related to land under development and homes 

completed or under construction for two active homebuilding communities.  These communities were experiencing slow 
monthly sales absorption rates, and the Company determined that additional incentives were required to sell the remaining 
homes and lots at estimated aggregate sales prices that would be lower than its previous carrying values.  One community is 
located in Southern California and the other is located in Northern California and both communities closed out during 2018.  
The land sales impairments of $1.2 million related to land under development in Northern California that the Company 
intended to sell after certain improvements were complete.  Subsequently, the land sale was not ultimately consummated and 
the Company made the determination during 2017 to develop and build homes on this land.  At December 31, 2018, the 
Company had delivered approximately 85% of the homes built in this community.  

80

  
5. 

Capitalized Interest

Interest is capitalized to inventory and investment in unconsolidated joint ventures during development and other 
qualifying activities. Interest capitalized as a cost of inventory is included in cost of sales as related homes are closed.  Interest 
capitalized to investment in unconsolidated joint ventures is amortized to equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint 
ventures as related joint venture homes or lots close, or in instances where lots are sold from the unconsolidated joint venture to 
the Company, the interest is added to the land basis and included in cost of sales when the related lots or homes are sold to 
third-party buyers. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 interest incurred, capitalized and expensed was as 
follows:

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)
$

$

2016

28,377
(27,393)
(984)

21,978
(20,394)
(1,584)

Interest incurred
Interest capitalized to inventory
Interest capitalized to investment in unconsolidated joint ventures
Interest expensed

Capitalized interest in beginning inventory
Interest capitalized as a cost of inventory
Capitalized interest acquired from unconsolidated joint ventures at
consolidation

Capitalized interest transferred from investment in unconsolidated joint
ventures to inventory upon lot acquisition

Contribution to unconsolidated joint ventures
Previously capitalized interest included in cost of home sales

Capitalized interest in ending inventory

Capitalized interest in beginning investment in unconsolidated joint ventures

Interest capitalized to investment in unconsolidated joint ventures
Capitalized interest transferred from investment in unconsolidated joint
ventures to inventory upon consolidation
Capitalized interest transferred from investment in unconsolidated joint
ventures to inventory upon lot acquisition
Previously capitalized interest included in equity in net income (loss) of
unconsolidated joint ventures

Capitalized interest in ending investment in unconsolidated joint ventures
Total capitalized interest in ending inventory and investments in
unconsolidated joint ventures

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

— $

— $

16,453
27,393

$

6,342
20,394

$

—

738

513
—
(18,678)
25,681

1,472
984

—

(513)

(1,230)
713

26,394

$

$

$

$

—
—
(11,021)
16,453

$

— $

1,584

(76)

—

(36)
1,472

17,925

$

$

Capitalized interest as a percentage of inventory
Interest included in cost of home sales as a percentage of home sales revenue

4.5%
3.7%

4.0%
2.0%

7,484
(7,484)
—
—

4,190
7,484

—

—
(1)
(5,331)
6,342

—
—

—

—

—
—

6,342

2.2%
1.1%

Capitalized interest as a percentage of investment in and advances to
unconsolidated joint ventures

2.1%

2.6%

—%

 For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company expensed $1.1 million in interest previously capitalized to 
investments in unconsolidated joint ventures as the result of an other-than-temporary impairment to its investment in one joint 
venture.  For more information, please refer to Note 6.

Contribution to unconsolidated joint ventures related to interest capitalized as a cost of inventory, which was then 

contributed by the Company to an unconsolidated joint venture formed in 2016. 

81

 
 
6. 

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had ownership interests in 10 unconsolidated joint ventures with 
ownership percentages that generally ranged from 5% to 35%. The condensed combined balance sheets for our unconsolidated 
joint ventures accounted for under the equity method were as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Real estate inventories
Other assets

Total assets

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Notes payable

Total liabilities

The New Home Company's equity
Other partners' equity

Total equity
Total liabilities and equity

Debt-to-capitalization ratio
Debt-to-equity ratio

December 31,

2017
2018
(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

$

$

45,945
19,205
374,607
4,231
443,988

43,158
71,299
114,457
33,617
295,914
329,531
443,988

$

$

$

$

30,017
15,041
396,850
3,942
445,850

34,959
78,341
113,300
50,523
282,027
332,550
445,850

17.8%
21.6%

19.1%
23.6%

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had advances outstanding of approximately $0 and $3.8 million, 

respectively, to one of its unconsolidated joint ventures, which were included in the notes payable balances of the 
unconsolidated joint ventures in the table above. The advances related to an unsecured promissory note entered into on October 
31, 2016 and amended on February 3, 2017 with Encore McKinley Village LLC ("Encore McKinley"), an unconsolidated joint 
venture of the Company.  The note bore interest at 10% per annum and was fully repaid during the 2018 second quarter.

The condensed combined statements of operations for our unconsolidated joint ventures accounted for under the equity 

method were as follows:

Revenues
Cost of sales and expenses
Net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures reflected in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations

$

$

$

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)
$

$

181,623
209,527
(27,904) $

147,447
147,976

(529) $

233,219
207,028
26,191

2016

(19,653) $

866

$

7,691

Included in cost of sales and expenses for our unconsolidated joint ventures for the year ended December 31, 2018, 

was $28.8 million in real estate impairment charges.  The Company's allocated share of these charges was $18.9 million.   The 
impairment related to the assets of a land development joint venture in Northern California.  Fair value for the land 
development project impaired during 2018 was calculated under a discounted cash flow model.  The table below summarizes 
inventory impairments recorded by our unconsolidated joint ventures during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 
2016:

82

 
 
2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

2016

Joint venture impairments related to:
Homebuilding joint ventures
Land development joint ventures

Total joint venture impairments

Number of projects impaired during the year

Total number of projects included in unconsolidated joint ventures and reviewed
for impairment during the year

$

$

— $

28,776
28,776

$

1

10

— $
—
— $

—

10

—
—
—

—

13

The Company reviews its investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures for other-than-temporary 
declines in value in accordance with ASC 820. To the extent we deem any portion of our investment in and advances to 
unconsolidated joint ventures as not recoverable, we impair our investment accordingly. For the years ended December 31, 
2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded other-than-temporary, noncash impairment charges of $1.1 million, $0 and $0, 
respectively, related to our investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures.  The 2018 impairment related to our 
investment in a Northern California land development joint venture and was included in equity in net income (loss) of 
unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the loss allocation from the Company's TNHC Russell Ranch LLC ("Russell 

Ranch") unconsolidated joint venture exceeded 20% of the Company's consolidated net loss.  As a smaller reporting company, 
we are not subject to the provisions of Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X, however, the table below presents select financial 
information for the Russell Ranch joint venture as prescribed by Rule 8-03(b)(3) of Regulation S-X:

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)
— $

$

24,632

2016

Revenues
Cost of sales:
Land sales
Inventory impairments

Gross Margin
Expenses
Net loss
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures reflected in the 
accompanying consolidated statements of operations (1)

$

$

$

24,510
28,776
(28,654)
(1,149)
(29,803) $

—
—
—
(920)
(920) $

(20,219) $

(372) $

—

—
—
—
(361)
(361)

(264)

Balance represents equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures included in the statements of operations related to the Company's 

(1) 
investment in the Russell Ranch joint venture.  The balance may differ from the amount of profit or loss allocated to the Company as reflected in Russell 
Ranch's financial records primarily due to the other-than-temporary impairment charge taken to the Company's interest in the joint venture and profit deferral 
from lot sales from Russell Ranch to the Company.

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company earned $3.4 million, $4.9 million, and $8.2 
million, respectively, in management fees from its unconsolidated joint ventures. For additional detail regarding management 
fees, please see Note 12. 

On October 23, 2017, the Company acquired the remaining outside equity interest of our TNHC Tidelands LLC 
(Tidelands) unconsolidated joint venture. TNHC Tidelands LLC was the owner of a project in Northern California (the 
"Tidelands Project"). The Company paid $13.6 million to our joint venture partner for its interest and paid off the $4.1 
million remaining balance on the joint venture's construction loan.  Following the purchase, the Company was required to 
consolidate this entity as it was now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Tidelands Project became a wholly 
owned active selling community of the Company.  The purchase consideration and the cost basis of our previous investment in 
unconsolidated joint ventures related to this joint venture, were included in real estate inventories at the time of consolidation.

83

In August 2017, we acquired the remaining outside equity interest of our DMB/TNHC LLC (Sterling at Silverleaf) 
unconsolidated joint venture.  The Company paid $2.6 million to our joint venture partner and upon the change of control was 
required to consolidate this venture as it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  The purchase consideration and 
the cost basis of our previous investment in unconsolidated joint ventures related to this joint venture, are included in real estate 
inventories.  

During the 2017 second quarter, our Larkspur Land 8 Investors LLC (Larkspur) unconsolidated joint venture allocated 

$0.1 million of income to the Company from a reduction in cost to complete reserves, which was included in equity in net 
income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, and our outside 
equity partner exited the joint venture. Upon the change in control, we were required to consolidate this venture as a wholly 
owned subsidiary and the Company assumed the cash, other assets, and accrued liabilities, including warranty and the 
remaining costs to complete reserves, of the joint venture. As part of this transaction, the Company also recognized a gain of 
$0.3 million, which was included in equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying 
consolidated statements of operations, due to the purchase of our JV partner's interest for less than its carrying value. 

During June 2016, our LR8 Investors LLC (LR8) unconsolidated joint venture made its final distributions, allocated $0.5 

million of income to the Company from a reduction in warranty reserves, which was included in equity in net income (loss) of 
unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, and our outside equity partner exited 
the joint venture.  Upon the change in control, we were required to consolidate this venture as a wholly owned subsidiary and 
the Company assumed the cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, including the remaining 
warranty reserve, of the joint venture.  As part of this transaction, the Company also recognized a gain of $1.1 million, which 
was included in equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statements of 
operations, due to the purchase of our JV partner's interest for less than its carrying value.

On January 15, 2016, the Company entered into an assignment and assumption of membership interest agreement (the 
"Buyout Agreement") for its partner's interest in the TNHC San Juan LLC unconsolidated joint venture.  Per the terms of the 
Buyout Agreement, the Company contributed $20.6 million to the joint venture, and the joint venture made a liquidating cash 
distribution to our partner for the same amount in exchange for its membership interest.  Prior to the buyout, the Company 
accounted for its investment in TNHC San Juan LLC as an equity method investment.  After the buyout, TNHC San Juan LLC 
became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. 

7. 

Other Assets

Other assets consist of the following:

Property, equipment and capitalized selling and marketing costs, net(1)(2)
Deferred tax asset, net
Prepaid income taxes
Prepaid expenses
Warranty insurance receivable(3)
Capitalized selling and marketing costs(1)(4)

December 31,

2018
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

11,738
13,937
514
6,348
915
—
33,452

$

$

603
6,317
—
4,937
1,202
11,232
24,291

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Under the adoption of the requirements of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, certain selling and marketing costs that were previously capitalized under 
former accounting guidance were written off.  For the current year, remaining selling and marketing costs and those incurred during 2018 that are 
permitted to be capitalized under ASC 340 are included as "Property, equipment and capitalized selling and marketing costs, net" within "Other 
Assets."  Under the modified retrospective adoption approach, the December 31, 2017 balance has not been restated.  For more information on the 
adoption of ASC 606, please refer to Note 1.  
The Company depreciated $6.2 million of capitalized selling and marketing costs to selling and marketing expenses during the year ended 
December 31, 2018.  The Company depreciated $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million of property and equipment to general and administrative 
expenses during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Of the $1.2 million amount for December 31, 2017, approximately $0.6 million related to 2016 estimated warranty insurance recoveries.  For 
further discussion, please see Note 8.
The Company amortized $11.3 million and $9.2 million of capitalized selling and marketing costs to selling and marketing expenses during the 
years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  

84

 
8. 

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following:

 Warranty accrual(1)
 Accrued compensation and benefits
 Accrued interest
 Completion reserve
 Income taxes payable
 Deferred profit from unconsolidated joint ventures
 Other accrued expenses

December 31,

2018
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

6,898
5,749
6,497
4,192
—
—
5,692
29,028

$

$

6,859
9,164
6,217
5,792
6,368
136
3,518
38,054

$

$

(1) 

Included in the amount for 2018 is approximately $0.9 million of additional warranty liabilities estimated to be covered by our insurance policies.  
Included in the amount for 2017 is approximately $1.2 million of additional warranty liabilities estimated to be covered by our insurance policies 
that were adjusted to present the warranty reserves and related estimated warranty insurance receivable on a gross basis at December 31, 2017.  Of 
$1.2 million of this amount, approximately $0.6 million related to 2016 estimated warranty insurance recoveries.

Changes in our warranty accrual are detailed in the table set forth below:

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

2016

Beginning warranty accrual for homebuilding projects
Warranty provision for homebuilding projects
Warranty assumed from joint ventures at consolidation
Warranty payments for homebuilding projects
Adjustment to warranty accrual(1)

Ending warranty accrual for homebuilding projects

Beginning warranty accrual for fee building projects
Warranty provision for fee building projects
Warranty efforts for fee building projects
Adjustment to warranty accrual for fee building projects(2)

Ending warranty accrual for fee building projects
Total ending warranty accrual

$

$

6,634
2,330
—
(2,006)
(277)
6,681

225
—
(70)
62
217
6,898

$

$

4,608
1,825
781
(989)
409
6,634

323
—
(3)
(95)
225
6,859

$

$

3,846
1,921
469
(563)
(1,065)
4,608

335
—
(12)
—
323
4,931

(1) 

Included in the amount for 2017 is approximately $1.2 million of additional warranty liabilities estimated to be covered by our insurance policies 
that were adjusted to present the warranty reserves and related estimated warranty insurance receivable on a gross basis at December 31, 2017.  Of 
the $1.2 million adjusted in 2017, approximately $0.6 million related to prior year estimated warranty insurance recoveries.  During 2018, the 
estimated amount to be covered by our insurance policies was reduced by $0.3 million.  Netted against the amount recorded in 2017 is a warranty 
accrual adjustment of $0.8 million related to a lower experience rate of expected warranty expenditures.  Netted against the amount recorded in 
2018 is a warranty accrual adjustment of $43,000 related to higher expected warranty expenditures.

(2) 

During 2018, the estimated amount to be covered by our insurance policies was increased by approximately $32,000.  Netted with this amount is a 
warranty accrual adjustment of approximately $30,000 related to higher expected warranty expenditures.

We maintain general liability insurance designed to protect us against a portion of our risk of loss from construction-

related warranty and construction defect claims.  Our warranty accrual and related estimated insurance recoveries are based on 
historical claim and expense data, and expected recoveries from insurance carriers are recorded based on actual insurance 
claims and amounts determined using our warranty accrual estimates, our insurance policy coverage limits for the applicable 

85

 
policy years and historical recovery rates.  Because of the inherent uncertainty and variability in these assumptions, our actual 
insurance recoveries could differ significantly from amounts currently estimated.

During 2018, we recorded an adjustment of $0.1 million to our warranty accrual due to higher expected warranty 
expenditures.  Of which, $43,000 is included in "Adjustment to warranty accrual" and $30,000 is included in "Adjustment to 
warranty accrual for fee building projects" above and resulted in corresponding increases to cost of home sales and cost of fee 
building sales in the consolidated statements of operations.  During 2017 and 2016, we recorded adjustments of $0.9 million 
and $1.1 million, respectively, to our warranty accrual due to a lower experience rate of expected warranty expenditures.  In 
2017, $0.8 million is included in "Adjustment to warranty accrual" and $63,000 is included in "Adjustment to warranty accrual 
for fee building projects" above and resulted in respective reductions of cost of homes sales and cost of fee building sales in the 
consolidated statements of operations.

9. 

Senior Notes and Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Notes payable consisted of the following:

7.25% Senior Notes due 2022, net
Unsecured revolving credit facility

Total Notes Payable

December 31,

2018
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

320,148
67,500
387,648

$

$

318,656
—
318,656

The carrying amount of our senior notes listed above at December 31, 2018 is net of the unamortized discount of $1.7 

million, unamortized premium of $1.3 million, and unamortized debt issuance costs of $4.5 million, each of which are 
amortized and capitalized to interest costs on a straight-line basis over the respective terms of the notes, which approximates 
the effective interest method. The carrying amount for the senior notes listed above at December 31, 2017, is net of the 
unamortized discount of $2.2 million, unamortized premium of $1.8 million, and unamortized debt issuance costs of $5.9 
million.  Debt issuance costs for the unsecured revolving credit facility are included in other assets and amortized and 
capitalized to interest costs on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement.

On March 17, 2017, the Company completed the sale of $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior 

Notes due 2022 (the "Existing Notes"), in a private placement.  The Existing Notes were issued at an offering price of 98.961% 
of their face amount, which represents a yield to maturity of 7.50%.  On May 4, 2017, the Company completed a tack-on 
private placement offering through the sale of an additional $75 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior 
Notes due 2022 ("Additional Notes").  The Additional Notes were issued at an offering price of 102.75% of their face amount 
plus accrued interest since March 17, 2017, which represented a yield to maturity of 6.438%.  Net proceeds from the Existing 
Notes were used to repay all borrowings outstanding under the Company’s senior unsecured revolving credit facility with the 
remainder used for general corporate purposes.  Net proceeds from the Additional Notes were used for working capital, land 
acquisition and general corporate purposes. Interest on the Existing Notes and the Additional Notes (together, the "Notes") is 
paid semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1. The Notes were exchanged in an exchange offer for Notes that are 
identical to the original Notes, except that they are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, and are freely tradeable in 
accordance with applicable law.

The Notes are general senior unsecured obligations that rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior 
indebtedness, including borrowings under the Company's senior unsecured revolving credit facility.  The Notes contain certain 
restrictive covenants, including a limitation on additional indebtedness and a limitation on restricted payments.  Restricted 
payments include, among other things, dividends, investments in unconsolidated entities, and stock repurchases. Under the 
limitation on additional indebtedness, we are permitted to incur specified categories of indebtedness but are prohibited, aside 
from those exceptions, from incurring further indebtedness if we do not satisfy either a leverage condition or an interest 
coverage condition.  Exceptions to the limitation include, among other things, borrowings of up to $260 million under existing 
or future bank credit facilities, non-recourse indebtedness, and indebtedness incurred for the purpose of refinancing or repaying 
certain existing indebtedness. Under the limitation on restricted payments, we are also prohibited from making restricted 
payments, aside from certain exceptions, if we do not satisfy either condition. In addition, the amount of restricted payments 
that we can make is subject to an overall basket limitation, which builds based on, among other things, 50% of consolidated net 
income from January 1, 2017 and 100% of the net cash proceeds from qualified equity offerings.  Exceptions to the foregoing 
limitations on our ability to make restricted payments include, among other things, investments in joint ventures and other 
investments up to 15% of our consolidated tangible net assets and a general basket of $15 million.  The Notes are guaranteed, 

86

on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by all of the Company's 100% owned subsidiaries.  See Note 18 for information 
about the guarantees and supplemental financial statement information about our guarantor subsidiaries group and non-
guarantor subsidiaries group.

The Company's unsecured revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility") is with a bank group and matures on September 1, 

2020.  Total commitments under the Credit Facility are $200 million with an accordion feature that allows the facility size 
thereunder to be increased up to an aggregate of $300 million subject to certain financial conditions, including the availability 
of bank commitments. As of December 31, 2018, we had $67.5 million of outstanding borrowings under the credit facility.  
Interest is payable monthly and is charged at a rate of 1-month LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.25% to 3.00% depending 
on the Company’s leverage ratio as calculated at the end of each fiscal quarter.  As of December 31, 2018, the interest rate 
under the facility was 5.50%. Pursuant to the Credit Facility, the Company is required to maintain certain financial covenants as 
defined in the Credit Facility, including (i) a minimum tangible net worth; (ii) maximum leverage ratios; (iii) a minimum 
liquidity covenant; and (iv) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio based on EBITDA (as detailed in the Credit Facility) to 
interest incurred or if this test is not met, the Company maintains unrestricted cash equal to not less than the trailing 12 month 
consolidated interest incurred.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.  

The Credit Facility also provides a $25.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, subject to conditions set forth in the 
agreement.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had $2.3 million and $3.4 million in outstanding letters of credit 
issued under the Credit Facility, respectively.

In December 2016, the Company retired a term loan with a land seller.  The loan was secured by real estate, and bore 

interest at 7.0% per annum.  Immediately prior to payoff, the land seller reduced the principal balance of $4.0 million by $0.3 
million in exchange for the immediate payoff of the note.  The Company paid off the new principal balance of $3.75 million 
and recognized the $0.3 million principal reduction as a gain in other expense, net, in the accompanying consolidated 
statements of operations. 

Notes payable have stated maturities as follows for the years ending December 31 (dollars in thousands):

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023

$

$

—
67,500
—
325,000
—
392,500

10. 

Fair Value Disclosures

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received for selling an 
asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at measurement date and requires assets 
and liabilities carried at fair value to be classified and disclosed in the following three categories: 

• Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets
• Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar

instruments in markets that are inactive; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and
significant value drivers are observable in active markets at measurement date

• Level 3 – Valuations derived from techniques where one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers

are unobservable in active markets at measurement date

87

Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

The following table presents an estimated fair value of the Company's Notes and Credit Facility.  The Notes are 

classified as Level 2 and primarily reflect estimated prices obtained from outside pricing sources.  The Company's Credit 
Facility is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The Company had an outstanding balance of $67.5 million under 
its Credit Facility at December 31, 2018, and the estimated fair value of the outstanding balance approximated the carrying 
value due to the short-term nature of LIBOR contracts.  

December 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Carrying
Amount

Fair Value

Carrying
Amount

Fair Value

(dollars in thousands)

7.25% Senior Notes due 2022, net (1)
Unsecured revolving credit facility

$

$

320,148

67,500

$

$

292,500

67,500

$

$

318,656

$

336,375

— $

—

(1)  The carrying value for the Senior Notes, as presented at December 31, 2018, is net of the unamortized discount of $1.7 million, unamortized premium of 
$1.3 million, and unamortized debt issuance costs of $4.5 million.  The carrying value of the Senior Notes, as presented at December 31, 2017, is net of the 
unamortized discount of $2.2 million, unamortized premium of $1.8 million, and unamortized debt issuance costs of $5.9 million. The unamortized discount, 
unamortized premium and debt issuance costs are not factored into the estimated fair value. 

The Company considers the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, contracts and accounts 
receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other liabilities to approximate the fair value of these financial 
instruments based on the short duration between origination of the instruments and their expected realization. The fair value of 
amounts due from affiliates is not determinable due to the related party nature of such amounts.  

Non-Recurring Fair Value Adjustments 

Nonfinancial assets and liabilities include items such as real estate inventory and long-lived assets that are measured at 

cost when acquired and adjusted for impairment to fair value, if deemed necessary. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 
2017, the Company recognized real estate-related impairment adjustments of $10.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively, 
related to two homebuilding communities for 2018 and one homebuilding community for 2017.  For the year ended December 
31, 2016, the Company recognized real-estate related impairments of $3.5 million.  Of this amount, $2.4 million related to two 
active homebuilding communities and $1.2 million related to land the Company had under development and intended to sell.  
The impairment adjustments were made using Level 3 inputs and assumptions, and the remaining carrying value of the real 
estate inventories subject to the impairment adjustments were $57.8 million, $5.9 million and $30.2 million at December 31, 
2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For more information on real estate impairments, please refer to Note 4.  

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment to its 

investment in unconsolidated joint ventures of $1.1 million and $0, respectively.  The 2018 impairment related to a land 
development joint venture in Northern California.  The impairment adjustment was made using Level 3 inputs and 
assumptions.  For more information on the investment in unconsolidated joint ventures impairment, please refer to Note 6.

11. 

Commitments and Contingencies

From time-to-time, the Company is involved in various legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business.  These 
claims and legal proceedings are of a nature that we believe are normal and incidental to a homebuilder. We make provisions 
for loss contingencies when they are probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Such provisions are 
assessed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impact of any settlement negotiations, judicial and administrative rulings, 
advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. In view of the inherent unpredictability 
of litigation, we generally cannot predict their ultimate resolution, related timing or eventual loss.  At this time, we do not 
believe that our loss contingencies individually or in the aggregate, are material to our consolidated financial statements.

As an owner and developer of real estate, the Company is subject to various environmental laws of federal, state and 

local governments.  The Company is not aware of any environmental liability that could have a material adverse effect on its 
financial condition or results of operations.  However, changes in applicable environmental laws and regulations, the uses and 
conditions of real estate in the vicinity of the Company’s real estate and other environmental conditions of which the Company 
is unaware with respect to the real estate could result in future environmental liabilities. 

88

The Company has provided credit enhancements in connection with joint venture borrowings in the form of LTV 

maintenance agreements in order to secure the joint venture's performance under the loans and maintenance of certain LTV 
ratios. The Company has also entered into agreements with its partners in each of the unconsolidated joint ventures whereby the 
Company and its partners are apportioned liability under the LTV maintenance agreements according to their respective capital 
interest. In addition, the agreements provide the Company, to the extent its partner has an unpaid liability under such credit 
enhancements, the right to receive distributions from the unconsolidated joint venture that would otherwise be made to the 
partner.  However, there is no guarantee that such distributions will be made or will be sufficient to cover the Company's 
liability under such LTV maintenance agreements. The loans underlying the LTV maintenance agreements comprise acquisition 
and development loans, construction revolvers and model home loans, and the agreements remain in force until the loans are 
satisfied.  Due to the nature of the loans, the outstanding balance at any given time is subject to a number of factors including 
the status of site improvements, the mix of horizontal and vertical development underway, the timing of phase build outs, and 
the period necessary to complete the escrow process for homebuyers.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, $41.3 million and 
$38.6 million, respectively, was outstanding under loans that are credit enhanced by the Company through LTV maintenance 
agreements.  Under the terms of the joint venture agreements, the Company's proportionate share of LTV maintenance 
agreement liabilities was $7.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.  In addition, the 
Company has provided completion agreements regarding specific performance for certain projects whereby the Company is 
required to complete the given project with funds provided by the beneficiary of the agreement.  If there are not adequate funds 
available under the specific project loans, the Company would then be subject to financial liability under such completion 
agreements.  Typically, under such terms of the joint venture agreements, the Company has the right to apportion the respective 
share of any costs funded under such completion agreements to its partners.  However, there is no guarantee that we will be 
able to recover against our partners for such amounts owed to us under the terms of such joint venture agreements. In 
connection with joint venture borrowings, the Company also selectively provides (a) an environmental indemnity provided to 
the lender that holds the lender harmless from and against losses arising from the discharge of hazardous materials from the 
property and non-compliance with applicable environmental laws; and (b) indemnification of the lender from "bad boy acts" of 
the unconsolidated entity such as fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication or non-payment of rents, profits, insurance, and 
condemnation proceeds, waste and mechanic liens, and bankruptcy. 

We obtain surety bonds in the normal course of business to ensure completion of certain infrastructure improvements of 
our projects.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had outstanding surety bonds totaling $50.5 million and $52.1 
million, respectively.  The estimated remaining costs to complete of such improvements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 
were $20.3 million and $24.4 million, respectively.  The beneficiaries of the bonds are various municipalities and other 
organizations.  In the event that any such surety bond issued by a third party is called because the required improvements are 
not completed, the Company could be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the bond.

We lease our corporate headquarters in Aliso Viejo, California.  The lease on this facility consists of approximately 

18,700 square feet and expires in November 2020.  In addition, we lease divisional offices in Southern California, Northern 
California and Arizona totaling approximately 19,000 square feet (of which approximately 5,800 square feet is sublet) expiring 
at various times through 2021.  As of December 31, 2018, the future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating 
leases, primarily associated with our office facilities, are as follows (dollars in thousands):

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter

$

$

1,739
1,266
322
—
—
—
3,327

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, rent expense was $1.1 million for each year. 

12. 

Related Party Transactions

During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred construction-related costs on behalf 
of its unconsolidated joint ventures totaling $6.4 million, $7.3 million and $9.4 million, respectively.  As of December 31, 2018 
and 2017, $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively, are included in due from affiliates in the accompanying consolidated 
balance sheets related to such costs.

89

The Company has entered into agreements with its unconsolidated joint ventures to provide management services related 

to the underlying projects (collectively referred to as the "Management Agreements"). Pursuant to the Management 
Agreements, the Company receives a management fee based on each project’s revenues. During the years ended December 31, 
2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company earned $3.4 million, $4.9 million and $8.2 million, respectively, in management fees, 
which have been recorded as fee building revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  As of 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of management fees are included in due from 
affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

One member of the Company's board of directors beneficially owns more than 10% of the Company's outstanding 

common stock through an affiliated entity, IHP Capital Partners VI, LLC, and is also affiliated with entities that have 
investments in two of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures, TNHC Meridian Investors LLC and TNHC Russell Ranch 
LLC ("Russell Ranch").  A former member of the Company's board of directors is affiliated with entities that have investments 
in three of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures, Arantine Hills Holdings LP ("Bedford"), Calabasas Village LP, and 
TNHC-TCN Santa Clarita, LP. As of December 31, 2018, the Company's investment in these five unconsolidated joint ventures 
totaled $18.5 million.  During the 2017 second quarter, the Bedford joint venture agreement was amended to increase the 
Company's funding obligation by $4.0 million over the existing contribution cap.  During the 2017 third quarter, the Company 
amended the Russell Ranch joint venture agreement pursuant to which it, among other things, agreed to acquire lots in Phase 1 
of the project which were taken down in July 2018.  At December 31, 2017, the Company had a $5.1 million nonrefundable 
deposit outstanding related to this purchase, which was subsequently applied to the $34.0 million purchase price of the land. 

TL Fab LP, an affiliate of one of the Company's non-employee directors, was engaged by the Company and some of its 

unconsolidated joint ventures as a trade contractor to provide metal fabrication services.  For the years ended December 31, 
2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred $0.3 million, $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for these services.  For 
the same periods, the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures incurred $0.4 million, $0.9 million and $0.6 million, 
respectively, for these services.  Of these costs, $7,000 and $10,700 was due to TL Fab LP from the Company at December 31, 
2018 and 2017, respectively, and $8,000 and $0 was due to TL Fab LP from the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures at 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

In its ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements to purchase lots from unconsolidated land 
development joint ventures of which it is a member.  In accordance with ASC 360-20, Property, Plant and Equipment - Real 
Estate Sales ("ASC 360-20"), the Company defers its portion of the underlying gain from the joint venture's sale of these lots.  
When the Company purchases lots directly from the joint venture, the deferred gain is recorded as a reduction to the Company's 
land basis on the purchased lots.  In certain instances, a third party may purchase lots from our unconsolidated joint ventures 
with the intent to finish the lots with the Company having an option to acquire these finished lots from the third party.  In these 
instances, the Company defers its portion of the underlying gain and records the deferred gain as deferred profit from 
unconsolidated joint ventures which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated 
balance sheets.  Once the lot is purchased by the Company, the pro-rata share of the previously deferred profit is recorded as a 
reduction to the Company's land basis in the purchased lots.  In both instances, the gain is ultimately recognized when the 
Company delivers lots to third-party home buyers at the time of the home closing.  At December 31, 2018 and 2017, $0 and 
$0.1 million, respectively, of deferred gain from lot sale transactions is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the 
accompanying consolidated balance sheets as deferred profit from unconsolidated joint ventures for lot transactions between 
the Company and its TNHC-HW Cannery LLC ("Cannery") unconsolidated joint venture. In addition, at December 31, 2018, 
$0.2 million of deferred gain from lot transactions with the Cannery, Bedford and Russell Ranch unconsolidated joint ventures 
remained unrecognized and included as a reduction to land basis in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At 
December 31, 2017, $0.5 million of deferred gain from the Cannery lot transactions remained unrecognized and was included 
as a reduction to land basis in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s land purchase agreement with the Cannery requires profit participation payments due upon the closing 

of each home.  Payment amounts are calculated based upon a percentage of estimated net profits and are due every 90 days 
after the first home closing.  During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company was refunded $0.2 million from the 
Cannery for profit participation overpayments from prior periods due to a modification of the underlying calculation related to 
profit participation, and as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, no profit participation was due to the Cannery. Also per the 
purchase agreement, the Company was reimbursed $0.1 million in fee credits from the Cannery during 2018. As of 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, $37,000 and $0.1 million, respectively, in fee credits was due to the Company from the Cannery, 
which amount is included in due from affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

On June 18, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement that effectively transitioned Joseph Davis' role within the 

Company from that of Chief Investment Officer to that of a non-employee consultant to the Company effective June 26, 2015 
("Transition Date"). As of the Transition Date, Mr. Davis ceased being an employee of the Company and became an 

90

independent contractor performing consulting services. For his services, he is compensated $5,000 per month.  His current 
agreement terminates on June 26, 2019 with the option to extend the agreement one year, if mutually consented to by the 
parties. Either party may terminate the agreement at any time for any or no reason. At December 31, 2018, no fees were due to 
Mr. Davis for his consulting services.  Additionally, the Company entered into a construction agreement effective September 7, 
2017, with The Joseph and Terri Davis Family Trust Dated August 25, 1999 ("Davis Family Trust") of which Joseph Davis is a 
trustee.  The agreement is a fee building contract pursuant to which the Company acts in the capacity of a general contractor to 
build a single family detached home on land owned by the Davis Family Trust.  For its services, the Company will receive a 
contractor's fee and the Davis Family Trust will reimburse the Company's field overhead costs. During the years ended 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company billed the Davis Family Trust $3.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, including 
reimbursable construction costs and the Company's contractor's fees which are included in fee building revenues in the 
accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  Contractor's fees comprised $83,000 and $13,000 of the total billings for 
the years ended ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  The Company recorded $2.9 million and $0.5 million for 
the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for the cost of this fee building revenue which is included in fee 
building cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the 
Company was due $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, from the Davis Family Trust for construction draws, which are 
included in due from affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  

On February 17, 2017, the Company entered into a consulting agreement that transitioned Mr. Stelmar's role from that of 

Chief Investment Officer to a non-employee consultant to the Company.  While an employee of the Company, Mr. Stelmar 
served as an employee director of the Company's Board of Directors.  The agreement provides that effective upon Mr. Stelmar's 
termination of employment, he shall become a non-employee director and shall receive the compensation and be subject to the 
requirements of a non-employee director pursuant to the Company's policies.  For his consulting services, Mr. Stelmar is 
compensated $6,000 per month. The current term is through August 17, 2019 and may be extended upon mutual consent of the 
parties. Additionally, Mr. Stelmar's outstanding restricted stock unit equity award granted in 2016 continues to vest in 
accordance with its original terms based on his continued provision of consulting services rather than continued employment.  
At December 31, 2018, no fees were due to Mr. Stelmar for his consulting services.    

On June 29, 2015, the Company formed a new unconsolidated joint venture TNHC Tidelands LLC ("Tidelands"), and 
received capital credit in excess of our contributed land basis.  As a result, the Company recognized $1.6 million in equity in 
net income of unconsolidated joint ventures and deferred $0.4 million in profit from unconsolidated joint ventures related to 
this transaction for the year ended December 31, 2015.  During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $0.2 million and 
$0.1 million, respectively, of the previously deferred revenue was recognized as equity in net income of unconsolidated joint 
ventures.  During the third quarter of 2017, the Company acquired its partner's equity interest in the Tidelands joint venture.  As 
part of this transaction, the remaining $0.1 million deferred profit was written off.  The Company paid $13.6 million to our 
joint venture partner for its interest and paid off the $4.1 million remaining balance on the joint venture's construction loan.  
Following the purchase, the Company was required to consolidate this entity as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, 
and the underlying homebuilding project became a wholly owned active selling community of the Company.  The purchase 
consideration and the cost basis of our previous investment in unconsolidated joint ventures related to this joint venture was 
included in real estate inventories at the time of consolidation.

On January 15, 2016, the Company entered into an assignment and assumption of membership interest agreement (the 
"Buyout Agreement") for its partner's interest in the TNHC San Juan LLC unconsolidated joint venture.  Per the terms of the 
Buyout Agreement, the Company contributed $20.6 million to the joint venture, and the joint venture made a liquidating cash 
distribution to our partner for the same amount in exchange for its membership interest.  Prior to the buyout, the Company 
accounted for its investment in TNHC San Juan LLC as an equity method investment.  After the buyout, TNHC San Juan LLC 
became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

During June 2016, our LR8 Investors LLC ("LR8") unconsolidated joint venture made its final distributions, allocated 

$0.5 million of income to the Company from a reduction in warranty reserves, which was included in equity in net income 
(loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, and our outside equity 
partner exited the joint venture. Upon the change in control, we were required to consolidate this venture as a wholly owned 
subsidiary, and the Company assumed the cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, including the 
remaining warranty reserve, of the joint venture.  As part of this transaction, the Company also recognized a gain of $1.1 
million, which was included in equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated 
statement of operations, due to the purchase of our JV partner's interest for less than its carrying value.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had advances outstanding of approximately $0 and $3.8 million, 
respectively, to an unconsolidated joint venture, Encore McKinley. The note bore interest at 10% per annum and was fully 
repaid during the 2018 second quarter.  For the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company earned $0.1 million and 
91

$0.5 million in interest income on the unsecured promissory note which is included in equity in net income (loss) of 
unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, 
$0 and $34,000, respectively, of interest income was due to the Company and included in due from affiliates in the 
accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

During the 2017 second quarter, our Larkspur Land 8 Investors LLC ("Larkspur") unconsolidated joint venture allocated 

$0.1 million of income to the Company from a reduction in cost to complete reserves, which was included in equity in net 
income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, and our outside 
equity partner exited the joint venture. Upon the change in control, we were required to consolidate this venture as a wholly 
owned subsidiary and the Company assumed the cash, other assets, and accrued liabilities, including warranty and the 
remaining costs to complete reserves, of the joint venture. As part of this transaction, the Company also recognized a gain of 
$0.3 million, which was included in equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying 
consolidated statements of operations, due to the purchase of our JV partner's interest for less than its carrying value. 

The Company entered into two transactions in each 2018 and 2017 to purchase land from affiliates of IHP Capital 
Partners VI, LLC, which owns more than 10% of the Company's outstanding common stock and is affiliated with one member 
of the Company's board of directors.  The first 2017 agreement allows the Company the option to purchase lots in Northern 
California in a phased takedown for a gross purchase price of $16.1 million with profit participation and master marketing fees 
due to the seller as outlined in the contract.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company has taken down approximately two-thirds 
of the lots, paid $0.3 million in master marketing fees, and has a $0.3 million nonrefundable deposit outstanding on the 
remaining lots.  The second 2017 transaction allows the Company to purchase finished lots in Northern California, which 
includes customary profit participation, and is structured as an optioned takedown. The total purchase price, including the cost 
for the finished lot development and the option, is expected to be approximately $56.3 million, and depends on timing of 
takedowns, as well as our obligation to pay certain fees and costs during the option maintenance period.  As of December 31, 
2018, the Company has made a $5.3 million nonrefundable deposit, reimbursed the owner $0.1 million for fees and costs, paid 
$5.9 million in option payments, and had taken down approximately 8% of the lots.  In 2018, the Company agreed to purchase 
and completed the takedown of finished lots in Northern California for a gross purchase price of $8.0 million with additional 
profit participation, marketing fees and certain reimbursements due to the seller as outlined in the agreement.  At December 31, 
2018, the Company had paid $0.3 million in master marketing fees and reimbursed the land seller $0.2 million in costs related 
to this contract.  Also during 2018, the Company entered an agreement to purchase land in a master-plan community in Arizona 
for an estimated purchase price of $3.8 million plus profit participation and marketing fees pursuant to contract terms.  The 
Company has an outstanding, nonrefundable deposit of $0.3 million related to this contract and had not taken down any lots as 
of December 31, 2018. 

In August 2017, we acquired the remaining outside equity interest of our DMB/TNHC LLC (Sterling at Silverleaf) 
unconsolidated joint venture.  The Company paid $2.6 million to our joint venture partner and upon the change of control was 
required to consolidate this venture as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  There was no remeasurement gain or loss 
on our unconsolidated interest prior to the change in control. The purchase consideration and the cost basis of our previous 
investment in unconsolidated joint ventures related to this joint venture are included in real estate inventories at December 31, 
2018 and 2017. 

In the first quarter 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with its Bedford joint venture that is affiliated with one 

former member of the Company's board of directors for the option to purchase lots in phased takedowns.  As of December 31, 
2018, the Company has made a $1.5 million nonrefundable deposit as consideration for this option, and a portion of the deposit 
will be applied to the purchase price across the phases.  The gross purchase price of the land is $10.0 million with profit 
participation due to seller as outlined in the contract.  The Company has taken down approximately one-half of the contracted 
lots and $0.9 million of the nonrefundable deposit remains outstanding.  During the fourth quarter 2018, the Company entered 
into a second option agreement with the Bedford joint venture to purchase lots in phased takedowns.  As of December 31, 
2018, the Company has made a $1.4 million nonrefundable deposit as consideration for the option, and a portion of the deposit 
will be applied to the purchase price across the phases.  The gross purchase price of the land is $10.5 million with profit 
participation due to the seller pursuant to the agreement.  At December 31, 2018, the Company had not taken down any of the 
optioned lots and the full deposit remained outstanding. 

FMR LLC beneficially owns over 10% of the Company's common stock, and an affiliate of FMR LLC ("Fidelity") 

provides investment management and record keeping services to the Company’s 401(k) Plan. For the years ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 the Company paid Fidelity approximately $14,000, $11,000 and $0, respectively, for 
401(k) Plan record keeping and investment management services.  The participants in the Company's 401(k) Plan paid Fidelity 
approximately $6,000, $4,000 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, for record keeping 
and investment management services.

92

The Company has provided credit enhancements in connection with joint venture borrowings in the form of LTV 

maintenance agreements in order to secure the joint venture's performance under the loans and maintenance of certain LTV 
ratios.  In addition, the Company has provided completion agreements regarding specific performance for certain projects 
whereby the Company is required to complete the given project with funds provided by the beneficiary of the agreement.  For 
more information regarding these agreements please refer to Note 11.

13. 

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company's 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2014 Incentive Plan"), was adopted by our board of directors in 

January 2014.  The 2014 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including options to purchase shares of 
common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance 
awards. The 2014 Incentive Plan will automatically expire on the tenth anniversary of its effective date. 

The number of shares of our common stock authorized to be issued under the 2014 Incentive Plan is 1,644,875 shares. 

To the extent that shares of the Company's common stock subject to an outstanding option, stock appreciation right, stock 
award or performance award granted under the 2014 Incentive Plan or any predecessor plan are not issued or delivered by 
reason of the expiration, termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such award or the settlement of such award in cash, then such 
shares of common stock generally shall again be available under the 2014 Incentive Plan. 

At our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 24, 2016, our shareholders approved the Company's 2016 

Incentive Award Plan (the "2016 Incentive Plan").  The 2016 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock 
appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock- or cash-based awards. Non-employee directors of the 
Company and employees and consultants of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, are eligible to receive awards under the 
2016 Incentive Plan. On May 22, 2018, our shareholders approved the amended and restated 2016 Incentive Plan which 
increased the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan from 800,000 to 2,100,000 shares. The amended and 
restated 2016 Incentive Plan will expire on April 4, 2028.

The Company has issued stock option and restricted stock unit awards under the 2014 Incentive Plan and restricted stock 
unit awards and performance share unit awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2018, 51,681 shares remain 
available for grant under the 2014 Incentive Plan and 1,465,834 shares remain available for grant under the 2016 Incentive 
Plan.  The exercise price of stock-based awards may not be less than the market value of the Company's common stock on the 
date of grant. The fair value for stock options is established at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model for time-based 
vesting awards. The Company's stock option, restricted stock unit awards, and performance share unit awards typically vest 
over a one to three year period and the stock options expire ten years from the date of grant. 

A summary of the Company’s common stock option activity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 

2016 is presented below:

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price per
Share

Number
of Shares

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price per
Share

Number
of Shares

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price per
Share

Number
of Shares

Outstanding Stock Option Activity
Outstanding, beginning of period

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding, end of period
Exercisable, end of period

826,498

$
— $
— $
(5,028) $
$
$

821,470
821,470

11.00
—
—
11.00
11.00
11.00

93

835,786

$
— $
(9,288) $
— $
$
$

826,498
826,498

11.00
—
11.00
—
11.00
11.00

840,298

$
— $
— $
(4,512) $
$
$

835,786
42,042

11.00
—
—
11.00
11.00
11.00

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock unit activity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 

2016 is presented below:

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017

2016

Weighted-
Average
Grant-
Date Fair
Value per
Share

Number
of Shares

Weighted-
Average
Grant-
Date Fair
Value per
Share

Number
of Shares

Weighted-
Average
Grant-
Date Fair
Value per
Share

Number
of Shares

$
562,082
179,268
$
(271,875) $
(248) $
$

469,227

10.72
11.24
11.02
10.05
10.75

$
474,989
343,933
$
(211,475) $
(45,365) $
$
562,082

10.66
10.84
10.76
10.79
10.72

$
308,386
414,045
$
(231,633) $
(15,809) $
$
474,989

14.20
10.05
14.22
11.62
10.66

Restricted Stock Unit Activity

Outstanding, beginning of period

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Outstanding, end of period

A summary of the Company’s performance share unit activity as of and for the years ended ended December 31, 2018 is 

presented below:

Year Ended December 31,
2018

Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
per Share

Number of
Shares

Performance Share Unit Activity
Outstanding, beginning of period

Granted (at target)
Vested
Forfeited

Outstanding, end of period (at target)

— $
$
— $
— $
$

125,422

125,422

—
11.68
—
—
11.68

The expense related to the Company's stock-based compensation programs, included in general and administrative 

expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, was as follows:

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

2016

Expense related to:
Stock options
Restricted stock units and performance share units

$

$

— $

3,090
3,090

$

11
2,792
2,803

$

$

1,054
2,417
3,471

94

 
 
The Company granted stock options on January 30, 2014 that fully vested on January 30, 2017.  Assumptions used to 

calculate the weighted-average grant date fair value of the common stock options included an expected term of 4.3 years, 
expected volatility of 49.0%, a risk-free interest rate of 1.2% and no expected dividends.  Based on these inputs, the weighted-
average grant date fair value per share equaled $4.43. 

The following table presents details of the assumptions used to calculate the re-measurement date fair value of common 

stock options granted to Mr. Davis by the Company in accordance with ASC 505-50 as discussed in Note 1. Mr Davis' stock 
options fully vested on January 30, 2017 and were fully expensed. The below reflects fair value assumptions at January 30, 
2017.

Expected term (in years)
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected dividends
Re-measurement date fair value per share

Period
Ended
January 30,
2017

Year Ended
December
31,
2016

1.0
34.9%
0.8%
—
1.32

$

1.1
36.7%
0.9%
—
2.14

$

We used the "simplified method" to establish the expected term of the common stock options granted by the Company. 

Our restricted stock unit awards and performance share unit awards are valued based on the closing price of our common stock 
on the date of grant.  The number of performance share units that will vest ranges from 50%-150% of the target amount 
awarded based on actual cumulative earnings per share and return on equity growth from 2018-2019, subject to initial 
achievement of minimum thresholds.  We evaluate the probability of achieving the performance targets established under each 
of the performance share unit awards quarterly and estimate the number of underlying units that are probable of being issued. 
Compensation expense for restricted stock unit and performance share unit awards is being recognized using the straight-line 
method over the requisite service period, subject to cumulative catch-up adjustments required as a result of changes in the 
number shares probable of being issued for performance share unit awards. At December 31, 2018, the probability of achieving 
the performance targets associated with the outstanding performance share unit awards was estimated to be 0%.  Forfeitures are 
recognized in compensation cost during the period that the award forfeiture occurs.  

At December 31, 2018, the amount of unearned stock-based compensation currently estimated to be expensed through 

2021 is $2.6 million. The weighted-average period over which the unearned stock-based compensation is expected to be 
recognized is 1.4 years.  If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested awards, the Company may 
be required to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unearned stock-based compensation expense.

14.  

Income Taxes 

The provision (benefit) for income taxes includes the following: 

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

2016

Current provision (benefit) for income taxes:

Federal
State

Deferred provision (benefit) for income taxes:

Federal
State

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

$

$

(67) $
304
237

(4,208)
(2,104)
(6,312)
(6,075) $

10,243
3,030
13,273

2,341
(224)
2,117
15,390

$

$

10,321
3,375
13,696

(506)
(166)
(672)
13,024

95

The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 35% for 

the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, due to the following items:

Income (loss) before taxes of taxable entities
(Provision) benefit for income taxes at federal statutory rate
(Increases) decreases in tax resulting from:
Provisional rate adjustment - tax reform
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
Manufacturing deduction
Return to provision difference
Other

(Provision) benefit for income taxes
Effective tax rate

$
$

$

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)
$
$

32,531
(11,386)

$
$

(20,305)
4,264

2016

33,950
(11,883)

148
1,396
—
388
(121)
6,075
29.9%

$

(3,190)
(1,860)
958
159
(71)
(15,390)
47.3%

$

—
(1,977)
1,142
(145)
(161)
(13,024)
38.4%

With the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), the corporate federal income tax rate dropped from a 

maximum of 35% to a flat 21% rate effective January 1, 2018.  The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 ("SAB 
118"), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act and provides a measurement period that should 
not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740.  As 
of December 31, 2017, we had completed the majority of our accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act.  As a result of the 
rate change, the Company was required to revalue its net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2017 and recorded a provisional 
adjustment to reduce its value by $3.2 million.  The Company completed its accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act in 
2018, within the one-year measurement period prescribed by the SEC, and recorded a $0.1 million adjustment to the 
provisional amount.      

The components of our deferred income tax asset, net are as follows:

State taxes
Reserves and accruals
Intangible assets
Share based compensation
Inventory
Investments in joint ventures
Depreciation and amortization
Deferred tax asset, net

December 31,

2018
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

74
2,258
28
1,594
3,699
6,318
(34)
13,937

$

$

633
1,893
207
1,585
627
1,411
(39)
6,317

 The Company classifies any interest and penalties related to income taxes assessed as part of income tax provision. 

The Company has concluded that there were no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in its financial 
statements, nor has the Company been assessed interest or penalties by any major tax jurisdictions related to any open tax 
periods. We are subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for calendar tax years ending 2015 through 2018 and various 
state income tax examinations for 2014 through 2018 calendar tax years.

15. 

Segment Information

The Company’s operations are organized into two reportable segments: homebuilding and fee building.  The 

homebuilding reportable segment aggregates the Southern California, Northern California and Arizona homebuilding operating 
segments.  In determining the most appropriate reportable segments, we considered similar economic and other characteristics, 
including product types, average selling prices, gross margins, production processes, suppliers, subcontractors, regulatory 

96

 
 
      
 
environments, land acquisition results, and underlying demand and supply in accordance with ASC Topic 280, Segment 
Reporting.

Our homebuilding operations acquire and develop land and construct and sell single-family attached and detached 

homes.  Our fee building operations build homes and manage construction related activities on behalf of third-party property 
owners and our joint ventures.  In addition, our corporate operations develop and implement strategic initiatives and support 
our operating segments by centralizing key administrative functions such as accounting, finance and treasury, information 
technology, insurance and risk management, litigation, marketing and human resources.  A portion of the expenses incurred by 
corporate are allocated to the fee building segment primarily based on its respective percentage of revenues.  The assets of our 
fee building segment primarily consist of cash, restricted cash and accounts receivable.  The majority of our corporate 
personnel and resources are primarily dedicated to activities relating to our homebuilding segment, and, therefore, the balance 
of any unallocated corporate expenses and assets are included in our homebuilding segment.  

The reportable segments follow the same accounting policies as our consolidated financial statements described in Note 

1.  Operational results of each reportable segment are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been achieved 
had the reportable segment been an independent, stand-alone entity during the periods presented.  Financial information 
relating to reportable segments was as follows:

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

2016

Revenues:

Homebuilding
Fee building, including management fees

Total

Pretax income (loss):

Homebuilding
Fee building, including management fees

Total

Assets:

Homebuilding
Fee building

Total

$

$

$

$

504,029
163,537
667,566

$

$

560,842
190,324
751,166

(24,706) $
4,401
(20,305) $

27,034
5,497
32,531

$

$

$

$

507,949
186,507
694,456

25,546
8,404
33,950

December 31,

2018
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

685,218
10,879
696,097

$

$

631,087
13,425
644,512

97

 
 
16. 

Results of Quarterly Operations (Unaudited)

The following table presents our unaudited quarterly financial data.  In our opinion, this information has been prepared 

on a basis consistent with that of our audited consolidated financial statements and all necessary material adjustments, 
consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments, have been included to present fairly the unaudited quarterly financial 
data. Our quarterly results of operations for these periods are not necessarily indicative of future results of operations.

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Fourth
Quarter

2018
Home sales revenue
Cost of home sales
Home sales impairments
Homebuilding gross margin
Fee building revenue
Cost of fee building
Fee building gross margin
Pretax income (loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to The New Home
Company Inc.
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to The 
New Home Company Inc.(1)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to 
The New Home Company Inc.(1)

2017
Home sales revenue
Cost of home sales
Home sales impairments
Homebuilding gross margin
Fee building revenue
Cost of fee building
Fee building gross margin
Pretax income
Net income attributable to The New Home
Company Inc.
Basic earnings per share attributable to The New 
Home Company Inc. (1)
Diluted earnings per share attributable to The 
New Home Company Inc. (1)

$

$
$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$
$

$

$

$

$

79,437
69,694
—
9,743
43,794
42,699
1,095
$
(1,511) $

$
$

(640) $

(0.03) $

(0.03) $

69,406
60,065
—
9,341
55,617
53,926
1,691
1,360

846

0.04

0.04

$

$
$

$
$

$

$

$

117,460
102,678
—
14,782
38,095
37,038
1,057
182

115

0.01

0.01

96,929
82,488
1,300
13,141
47,181
45,899
1,282
2,505

1,517

0.07

0.07

$

$
$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$
$

$

$

$

119,874
102,124
—
17,750
39,240
38,124
1,116
3,400

2,459

0.12

0.12

114,622
95,992
—
18,630
43,309
41,808
1,501
6,974

4,318

0.21

0.21

$

$
$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$
$

$

$

$

Total

504,029
436,530
10,000
57,499
163,537
159,136
4,401
(20,305)

$

187,258
162,034
10,000
15,224
42,408
41,275
1,133
$
(22,376) $

$
$

(16,150) $

(14,216)

(0.80) $

(0.69)

(0.80) $

(0.69)

279,885
234,668
900
44,317
44,217
43,194
1,023
21,692

10,471

0.50

0.50

$

$
$

$
$

$

$

$

560,842
473,213
2,200
85,429
190,324
184,827
5,497
32,531

17,152

0.82

0.82

(1) 

Some amounts do not add to our full year results presented on our consolidated statement of operations due to rounding differences in quarterly and 
annual weighted average share calculations.

98

 
17.  Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

The following table presents certain supplemental cash flow information: 

2018

Year Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in thousands)

2016

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
Income taxes paid

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash transactions

Contribution of real estate to unconsolidated joint ventures
Assets assumed from unconsolidated joint ventures
Liabilities and equity assumed from unconsolidated joint ventures

18.  Supplemental Guarantor Information

$
$

$
$
$

— $
$

7,110

— $
$

14,050

— $
— $
— $

— $
$
$

26,613
27,608

—
13,670

798
46,811
47,197

The Company's 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "Notes") are guaranteed, on an unsecured basis, jointly and 

severally, by all of the Company's 100% owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Guarantors").  The guarantees are full and 
unconditional. The Indenture governing the Notes provides that the guarantees of a Guarantor will be automatically and 
unconditionally released and discharged: (1) upon any sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition (by merger, consolidation or 
otherwise) of all of the equity interests of such Guarantor after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a "Restricted 
Subsidiary" (as defined in the Indenture), which sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition is made in compliance with 
applicable provisions of the Indenture; (2) upon the proper designation of such Guarantor as an "Unrestricted Subsidiary" (as 
defined in the Indenture), in accordance with the Indenture; (3) upon request of the Company and certification in an officers’ 
certificate provided to the trustee that the applicable Guarantor has become an "Immaterial Subsidiary" (as defined in the 
indenture), so long as such Guarantor would not otherwise be required to provide a guarantee pursuant to the Indenture; 
provided that, if immediately after giving effect to such release the consolidated tangible assets of all Immaterial Subsidiaries 
that are not Guarantors would exceed 5.0% of consolidated tangible assets, no such release shall occur, (4) if the Company 
exercises its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option under the Indenture or if the obligations of the Company 
and the Guarantors are discharged in compliance with applicable provisions of the Indenture, upon such exercise or discharge; 
(5) unless a default has occurred and is continuing, upon the release or discharge of such Guarantor from its guarantee of any 
indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company and the Guarantors so long as such Guarantor would not then otherwise be 
required to provide a guarantee pursuant to the Indenture; or (6) upon the full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under 
the Indenture; provided that in each case if such Guarantor has incurred any indebtedness in reliance on its status as a 
Guarantor in compliance with applicable provisions of the Indenture, such Guarantor’s obligations under such indebtedness, as 
the case may be, so incurred are satisfied in full and discharged or are otherwise permitted to be incurred by a Restricted 
Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) in compliance with applicable provisions of the Indenture.  The Company has determined 
that separate, full financial statements of the Guarantors would not be material to investors and, accordingly, supplemental 
financial information for the guarantors is presented. 

99

 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Contracts and accounts receivable
Intercompany receivables
Due from affiliates
Real estate inventories
Investment in and advances to
unconsolidated joint ventures
Investment in subsidiaries
Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and equity
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Intercompany payables
Due to affiliates
Unsecured revolving credit facility
Senior notes, net

Total liabilities
Stockholders' equity
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Contracts and accounts receivable
Intercompany receivables
Due from affiliates
Real estate inventories
Investment in and advances to
unconsolidated joint ventures
Investment in subsidiaries
Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and equity
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Intercompany payables
Due to affiliates
Senior notes, net

Total liabilities
Stockholders' equity
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

December 31, 2018

NWHM Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated
NWHM

(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

$

$

28,877
—
7
192,341
—
—

—
396,466
18,643
636,334

240
8,492
—
—
67,500
320,148
396,380
239,954
—
239,954
636,334

$

$

$

$

13,249
269
18,926
—
1,218
566,290

34,330
—
14,812
649,094

39,151
21,129
192,341
7
—
—
252,628
396,466
—
396,466
649,094

$

$

$

$

147
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
147

$

— $
—
(668)
(192,341)
—
—

—
(396,466)
(3)

$

(589,478) $

— $
71
—
—
—
—
71
—
76
76
147

$

— $

(664)
(192,341)
(7)
—
—
(193,012)
(396,466)
—
(396,466)
(589,478) $

42,273
269
18,265
—
1,218
566,290

34,330
—
33,452
696,097

39,391
29,028
—
—
67,500
320,148
456,067
239,954
76
240,030
696,097

NWHM Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated
NWHM

December 31, 2017

(Dollars in thousands)

$

$

$

$

99,586
—
10
129,414
—
—

—
356,443
8,464
593,917

237
11,034
—
—
318,656
329,927
263,990
—
263,990
593,917

$

$

$

$

23,772
424
24,238
—
1,060
416,143

55,824
—
15,827
537,288

23,479
27,954
129,414
10
—
180,857
356,431
—
356,431
537,288

$

$

$

$
$

100

188
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
188

6
80
—
—
—
86
12
90
102
188

$

$

$

$

— $
—
(1,024)
(129,414)
—
—

—
(356,443)
—
(486,881) $

— $

(1,014)
(129,414)
(10)
—
(130,438)
(356,443)
—
(356,443)
(486,881) $

123,546
424
23,224
—
1,060
416,143

55,824
—
24,291
644,512

23,722
38,054
—
—
318,656
380,432
263,990
90
264,080
644,512

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenues:

Home sales
Fee building

Cost of Sales:
Home sales
Home sales impairments
Fee building

Gross Margin:
Home sales
Fee building

Selling and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated joint
ventures
Equity in net loss of subsidiaries
Other income (expense), net

Pretax loss

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

Net loss

Net loss attributable to non-controlling
interest in subsidiary

Net loss attributable to The New Home
Company Inc.

Year Ended December 31, 2018

NWHM Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated
NWHM

(Dollars in thousands)

$

— $
—
—

—
—
—
—

$

504,029
163,537
667,566

436,508
10,000
159,136
605,644

—
—
—
—
4,330

—
(17,372)
(66)
(13,108)
(1,108)
(14,216)

—

57,521
4,401
61,922
(36,065)
(30,293)

(19,653)
—
(455)
(24,544)
7,183
(17,361)

—

— $
—
—

— $
—
—

22
—
—
22

(22)
—
(22)
—
(3)

—
—
—
(25)
—
(25)

14

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
17,372
—
17,372
—
17,372

—

504,029
163,537
667,566

436,530
10,000
159,136
605,666

57,499
4,401
61,900
(36,065)
(25,966)

(19,653)
—
(521)
(20,305)
6,075
(14,230)

14

$

(14,216) $

(17,361) $

(11) $

17,372

$

(14,216)

101

Year Ended December 31, 2017

NWHM Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated
NWHM

(Dollars in thousands)

$

— $
—
—

—
—
—
—

$

560,842
190,324
751,166

473,181
2,200
184,827
660,208

—
—
—
—
(2,403)

—
21,773
107
19,477
(2,325)
17,152

—

85,461
5,497
90,958
(32,702)
(23,927)

866
—
(336)
34,859
(13,065)
21,794

—

— $
—
—

— $
—
—

32
—
—
32

(32)
—
(32)
—
—

—
—
—
(32)
—
(32)

11

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
(21,773)
—
(21,773)
—
(21,773)

—

560,842
190,324
751,166

473,213
2,200
184,827
660,240

85,429
5,497
90,926
(32,702)
(26,330)

866
—
(229)
32,531
(15,390)
17,141

11

Revenues:

Home sales
Fee building

Cost of Sales:
Home sales
Home sales impairments
Fee building

Gross Margin:
Home sales
Fee building

Selling and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Equity in net income of unconsolidated joint
ventures
Equity in net income of subsidiaries
Other income (expense), net
Pretax income (loss)
Provision for income taxes
Net income (loss)

Net loss attributable to non-controlling
interest in subsidiary

Net income (loss) attributable to The New
Home Company Inc.

$

17,152

$

21,794

$

(21) $

(21,773) $

17,152

102

Year Ended December 31, 2016

NWHM Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated
NWHM

(Dollars in thousands)

$

— $
—
—

—
—
—
2,240
2,240

—
—
(2,240)
(2,240)
—
(14,719)

—
32,091
(119)
15,013
6,009
21,022

—

$

502,792
186,662
689,454

428,881
2,350
1,150
175,863
608,244

71,561
(1,150)
10,799
81,210
(26,058)
(11,163)

7,691
—
(303)
51,377
(19,033)
32,344

—

5,157
—
5,157

4,678
—
—
—
4,678

479
—
—
479
(686)
—

—
—
(142)
(349)
—
(349)

96

$

— $

(155)
(155)

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
(155)
(155)
—
—

—
(32,091)
155
(32,091)
—
(32,091)

—

507,949
186,507
694,456

433,559
2,350
1,150
178,103
615,162

72,040
(1,150)
8,404
79,294
(26,744)
(25,882)

7,691
—
(409)
33,950
(13,024)
20,926

96

Revenues:

Home sales
Fee building

Cost of Sales:
Home sales
Home sales impairments
Land sales impairment
Fee building

Gross Margin:
Home sales
Land sales
Fee building

Selling and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Equity in net income of unconsolidated joint
ventures
Equity in net income of subsidiaries
Other income (expense), net
Pretax income (loss)

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

Net income (loss)

Net loss attributable to non-controlling
interest in subsidiary

Net income (loss) attributable to The New
Home Company Inc.

$

21,022

$

32,344

$

(253) $

(32,091) $

21,022

103

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Net cash used in operating activities
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
Contributions and advances to
unconsolidated joint ventures
Contributions to subsidiaries from corporate
Distributions of capital from subsidiaries
Distributions of capital and repayment of
advances to unconsolidated joint ventures
Interest collected on advances to
unconsolidated joint ventures

Net cash (used in) provided by investing
activities
Financing activities:
Borrowings from credit facility
Repayments of credit facility
Contributions to subsidiaries from corporate
Distributions to corporate from subsidiaries
Repurchase of common stock
Tax withholding paid on behalf of employees
for stock awards
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and
restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash –
beginning of period

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash –
end of period

Year Ended December 31, 2018

NWHM Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated
NWHM

$

(63,076) $

(71,789) $

(41) $

(4,779) $

(139,685)

(Dollars in thousands)

(49)

(197)

—
(249,435)
183,896

—

—

(15,066)
—
—

15,436

178

—

—
—
—

—

—

—

—
249,435
(183,896)

—

—

$

(65,588) $

351

$

— $

65,539

$

150,000
(82,500)
—
—
(8,563)

—
—
249,435
(188,675)
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
(249,435)
188,675
—

(982)
57,955

$

—
60,760

$

$

—
— $

—
(60,760) $

(70,709)

(10,678)

99,586

24,196

(41)

188

—

—

(246)

(15,066)
—
—

15,436

178

302

150,000
(82,500)
—
—
(8,563)

(982)
57,955

(81,428)

123,970

$

28,877

$

13,518

$

147

$

— $

42,542

104

Net cash used in operating activities
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
Cash assumed from joint venture at
consolidation
Contributions and advances to
unconsolidated joint ventures
Contributions to subsidiaries from corporate
Distributions of capital from subsidiaries
Distributions of capital and repayment of
advances to unconsolidated joint ventures
Interest collected on advances to
unconsolidated joint ventures

Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities:
Borrowings from credit facility
Repayments of credit facility
Proceeds from senior notes
Repayments of other notes payable
Payment of debt issuance costs
Contributions to subsidiaries from corporate
Distributions to corporate from subsidiaries
Tax withholding paid on behalf of employees
for stock awards

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Year Ended December 31, 2017

NWHM Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated
NWHM

$

(31,824) $

(41,900) $

(81) $

(17,058) $

(90,863)

(Dollars in thousands)

(71)

—

—
(275,794)
192,478

—

—

(124)

995

(27,479)
—
—

15,577

552

—

—

—
—
—

—

—

—

—

—
275,794
(192,478)

—

—

(195)

995

(27,479)
—
—

15,577

552

$

(83,387) $

(10,479) $

— $

83,316

$

(10,550)

88,000
(206,000)
324,465
—
(7,565)
—
—

(590)

102

—
—
—
(4,110)
—
275,794
(209,536)

—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—

—

—
—
—
—
—
(275,794)
209,536

—

—

88,000
(206,000)
324,465
(4,110)
(7,565)
—
—

(590)

102

Net cash provided by financing activities

$

198,412

$

62,148

$

— $

(66,258) $

194,302

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash
equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash –
beginning of period

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash –
end of period

83,201

16,385

9,769

14,427

(81)

269

—

—

92,889

31,081

$

99,586

$

24,196

$

188

$

— $

123,970

105

Net cash (used in) provided by operating
activities
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
Cash assumed from joint venture at
consolidation
Contributions and advances to
unconsolidated joint ventures
Contributions to subsidiaries from corporate
Distributions of capital from subsidiaries
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated
joint ventures
Net cash (used in) provided by investing
activities
Financing activities:
Borrowings from credit facility
Repayments of credit facility
Borrowings from other notes payable
Repayments of other notes payable
Payment of debt issuance costs
Cash distributions to non-controlling interest
in subsidiary
Contributions to subsidiaries from corporate
Distributions to corporate from subsidiaries
Tax withholding paid on behalf of employees
for stock awards
Excess income tax provision from stock-
based compensation
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and
restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  –
beginning of period

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash –
end of period

Year Ended December 31, 2016

NWHM Inc.

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

Consolidating
Adjustments

Consolidated
NWHM

(Dollars in thousands)

$

(7,041) $

(12,149) $

3,272

$

(26,894) $

(42,812)

(193)

—

—
(225,169)
189,392

(246)

2,610

(15,088)
—
725

—

15,307

—

—

—
—
—

—

—

—

—
225,169
(190,117)

—

(439)

2,610

(15,088)
—
—

15,307

$

(35,970) $

3,308

$

— $

35,052

$

2,390

223,050
(179,974)
—
—
(1,064)

—
—
—

(648)

(97)

—
—
—
(13,135)
—

—
225,169
(216,286)

—

—

—
—
343
(2,501)
—

(725)
—
(725)

—

—

—
—
—
—
—

—
(225,169)
217,011

—

—

223,050
(179,974)
343
(15,636)
(1,064)

(725)
—
—

(648)

(97)

$

41,267

$

(4,252) $

(3,608) $

(8,158) $

25,249

(1,744)

(13,093)

18,129

27,520

(336)

605

—

—

(15,173)

46,254

$

16,385

$

14,427

$

269

$

— $

31,081

106

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description

3.1

   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The New Home Company Inc. (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2013)

3.2

3.3

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

State of Delaware Certificate of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2016)

Amended and Restated Bylaws of The New Home Company Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 
of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2016)

Specimen Common Stock Certificate of The New Home Company Inc. (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 10, filed on January 
24, 2014))

Investor Rights Agreement among The New Home Company Inc., TNHC Partners LLC, IHP Capital 
Partners VI, LLC, WATT/TNHC LLC, TCN/TNHC LP and collectively H. Lawrence Webb, Wayne J. 
Stelmar, Joseph D. Davis and Thomas Redwitz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013)

Indenture, dated as of March 17, 2017, among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National 
Association, as trustee, including form of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2017)

Form of 7.250% Senior Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2017)

First Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 28, 2017 between the Company and U.S. Bank National 
Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
June 30, 2017)

Officers' Certificate, dated May 4, 2017, delivered pursuant to the Indenture, and setting forth the terms of 
the Additional Notes 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the 
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 
2017)

Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 28, 2017 between the Company, the guaranteeing 
subsidiaries, as defined herein, and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
4.3 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)

Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 18, 2017 between the Company, DMB/TNHC LLC 
and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Form 10-Q 
for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)

Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 27, 2017 between the Company, TNHC Tidelands 
LLC, TNHC Arizona Marketing LLC and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 4.9 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017)

4.10

Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 5, 2018, among TNHC Holdings LLC, TNHC Holdings 1 
LLC and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Form 
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018)

107

  
  
  
  
10.1

10.2†

10.3†

10.4†

10.5†

10.6†

10.7†

10.8†

10.8(a)†

10.8(b)†

10.9†

10.10

10.11+

10.12†

10.13†

   Registration Rights Agreement among The New Home Company Inc., TNHC Partners LLC, IHP Capital 
Partners VI, LLC, WATT/TNHC LLC, and TCN/TNHC LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of 
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013)

The New Home Company Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 
of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013)

The New Home Company Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013)

Employment Agreement between The New Home Company Inc. and H. Lawrence Webb (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2013)

Employment Agreement between The New Home Company Inc. and Thomas Redwitz (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2013)

Employment Agreement, dated May 29, 2015, between The New Home Company Inc. and John Stephens 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended June 30, 2015)

Form of Indemnification Agreement between The New Home Company Inc. and each of its directors and 
officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2013)

The New Home Company Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan form of Option Award and Stock Option 
Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the year ended December 31, 2013)

The New Home Company Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan form of Restricted Stock Unit Award 
Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the year ended December 31, 2013)

The New Home Company Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan form of Restricted Stock Unit Award 
Agreement for Nonemployee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11(a) of the Company's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015)

The New Home Company Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Program (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015)

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated May 10, 2016, among The New Home Company Inc., U.S. 
Bank National Association d/b/a Housing Capital Company, as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders 
party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
May 11, 2016)

Agreement of Limited Partnership of Arantine Hills Holdings LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 
of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014)

The New Home Company Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2016)

The New Home Company Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement 
(incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 
2016)

108

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
10.14†

10.15†

10.16†

10.17†

10.18†

10.19†

10.20

10.21+

10.22+

10.23

10.24†

10.25†

10.26†

10.27†

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 16, 2017, by and between The New Home 
Company Inc. and H. Lawrence Webb (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 16, 2017, by and between The New Home 
Company Inc. and John Stephens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form 10-Q 
for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 16, 2017, by and between The New Home 
Company Inc. and Thomas Redwitz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Form 10-
Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)

Employment Agreement, dated February 16, 2017, by and between The New Home Company Inc. and 
Leonard Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended March 31, 2017)

Consulting Agreement, dated February 16, 2017, by and between The New Home Company Inc. and Wayne 
Stelmar (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
March 31, 2017)

Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 23, 2017, by and between The New Home 
Company Inc. and Thomas Redwitz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Form 10-
Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)

Letter agreement re: Arantine Hills Holdings LP - funding Excess Shortfall among TNHC-Arantine GP 
LLC, TNHC Land Company LLC and Arantine Hills Equity LP dated as of June 28, 2017 (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017)

Limited Liability Company Agreement of TNHC Russell Ranch LLC, dated as of May 22, 2013, between 
TNHC Land Company LLC and IHP Capital Partners VI, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)

First Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of TNHC Russell Ranch LLC, dated as of 
August 4, 2017, between TNHC Land Company LLC and IHP Capital Partners VI, LLC (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)

Modification Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2017, among The New Home Company Inc., U.S. 
Bank National Association, d/b/a Housing Capital Company, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 2, 2017)

Amendment to Consulting Agreement, dated February 13, 2017, by and between The New Home Company 
Inc. and Wayne Stelmar (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company's Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017)

The New Home Company Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Program (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 16, 2018)

The New Home Company Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement 
(incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
February 16, 2018)

The New Home Company Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan form of Performance Share Unit Award 
Agreement (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on February 16, 2018)

109

10.28†

10.29†

10.30†

10.31†

10.32†

10.33

10.34†

10.35

First Amendment to The New Home Company Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan dated February 12, 
2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 
31, 2018)

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 16, 2018, by and between The New Home 
Company Inc. and H. Lawrence Webb (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018)

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 16, 2018, by and between The New Home 
Company Inc. and John M. Stephens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form 10-
Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018)

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 16, 2018, by and between The New Home 
Company Inc. and Leonard Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Form 10-Q 
for the quarter ended March 31, 2018)

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 16, 2018, by and between The New Home 
Company Inc. and Thomas Redwitz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Form 10-
Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018)

Amendment No. 1 to Investor Rights Agreement among The New Home Company Inc., TNHC Partners 
LLC, IHP Capital Partners VI, LLC, WATT/TNHC, LLC, TCN/TNHC LP and collectively H. Lawrence 
Webb, Wayne J. Stelmar, Joseph D. Davis and Thomas Redwitz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 
of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2018)

The New Home Company Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Incentive Award Plan (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2018)

First Amendment to Agreement of Limited Partnership of Arantine Hills Holdings LP, dated July 27, 2018, 
among TNHC-Arantine GP LLC, Arantine Hills Equity LP and TNHC Land Company LLC (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018)

21.1*

List of subsidiaries of The New Home Company Inc.

23.1*

   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Ernst & Young LLP

31.1*

   Chief Executive Officer Section 302 Certification of Periodic Report dated February 15, 2019

31.2*

   Chief Financial Officer Section 302 Certification of Periodic Report dated February 15, 2019

32.1**

   Chief Executive Officer Section 906 Certification of Periodic Report dated February 15, 2019

32.2**

   Chief Financial Officer Section 906 Certification of Periodic Report dated February 15, 2019

101*

The following materials from The New Home Company Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended December 31, 2018, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated 
Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Equity, (iv) 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

110

  
†

+

*

**

Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement

Confidential treatment was requested with respect to omitted portions of this Exhibit, which portions have been filed
separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Filed herewith

The information in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor
shall they be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Exchange Act (including this Report), unless the Registrant specifically incorporates the foregoing information into
those documents by reference.

111

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.

SIGNATURES

The New Home Company Inc.

By:

/s/ H. Lawrence Webb

  H. Lawrence Webb
  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

Date: February 15, 2019 

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:

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ H. Lawrence Webb
H. Lawrence Webb

/s/ John M. Stephens
John M. Stephens

/s/ Sam Bakhshandehpour
Sam Bakhshandehpour

/s/ Michael Berchtold
Michael Berchtold

/s/ Paul Heeschen

Paul Heeschen

/s/ Gregory P. Lindstrom
Gregory P. Lindstrom

/s/ Cathey S. Lowe

Cathey S. Lowe

/s/ Douglas C. Neff
Douglas C. Neff

/s/ Wayne Stelmar
Wayne Stelmar

William A. Witte

   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the

February 15, 2019

Board (Principal Executive Officer)

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

   Director

   Director

   Director

   Director

   Director

   Director

   Director

   Director

112

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
THE NEW HOME COMPANY INC.
SUBSIDIARIES

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiary
TNHC Realty and Construction Inc.(2)
The New Home Company Southern California LLC
TNHC-Santa Clarita GP, LLC
TNHC-TCN Santa Clarita, LP*
TNHC Meridian Investors LLC*
TNHC Newport LLC* 
TNHC-Calabasas GP LLC
Calabasas Village LP*
TNHC San Juan LLC
LR8 Investors, LLC (1)
LR8 Owner, LLC
The New Home Company Northern California LLC
Larkspur Land 8 Investors LLC (3)
Larkspur Land 8 Owner LLC
TNHC-HW San Jose LLC*
McKinley Village LLC*
Encore McKinley Village LLC*
TNHC Grove Investment LLC
The Grove at Granite Bay, LLC*
TNHC Tidelands LLC (5)
TNHC Land Company LLC
TNHC Canyon Oaks LLC
TNHC Russell Ranch LLC*
TNHC-HW Foster City LLC*
TNHC-HW Cannery LLC*
TNHC-Arantine GP LLC
Arantine Hills Holdings LP*
TNHC Arizona LLC
TNHC Mountain Shadows LLC*
DMB/TNHC LLC (4)
TNHC Arizona Marketing LLC
TNHC Holdings LLC
TNHC Holdings 1 LLC

State of Incorporation or Formation
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
California
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware

* Entities marked with * are our joint ventures at December 31, 2018. Some such entities are lower tier investees in which we only hold an indirect interest 
through our ownership interest in the higher tier joint venture entity.

(1)  During June 2016, the Company's outside equity partner exited this joint venture and upon the change in control, we were required to consolidate this 
venture as a wholly owned subsidiary.

(2)  TNHC Realty and Construction Inc. has the following fictitious business names (d/b/a): The New Home Company, NWHM, New Home, New Home 
Company, TNHC, and New Home Co.

(3)  During May 2017, the Company's outside equity partner exited this joint venture and upon the change in control, we were required to consolidate this 
venture as a wholly owned subsidiary.

(4)  During August 2017, the Company's outside equity partner exited this joint venture and upon the change in control, we were required to consolidate this 
venture as a wholly owned subsidiary.

(5)  During October 2017, the Company's outside equity partner exited this joint venture and upon the change in control, we were required to consolidate this 
venture as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Exhibit 23.1

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

(1) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-222645) and related prospectus of The New Home Company Inc.;

(2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-193753) pertaining to The New Home Company Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive 

Plan; and

(3) Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-211756 and No. 333-217515) pertaining to The New Home Company Inc. 2016 

Incentive Award plan;

of our report dated February 15, 2019, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of The New Home Company Inc., 
included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Irvine, California
February 15, 2019

 
I, H. Lawrence Webb, certify that: 

Section 302 CERTIFICATION 

Exhibit 31.1 

(1)

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The New Home Company Inc.;

(2) 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;

(3) 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;

(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. 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;

b. 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;

c. 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

d. 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(s) 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. 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

b. 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: February 15, 2019

/s/ H. Lawrence Webb
H. Lawrence Webb
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive
Officer)

 
 
        I, John M. Stephens, certify that: 

Section 302 CERTIFICATION 

Exhibit 31.2 

(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The New Home Company Inc.;

(2) 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;

(3) 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;

(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. 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;

b. 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;

c. 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

d. 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(s) 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. 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

b. 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: February 15, 2019

/s/ John M. Stephens
John M. Stephens
Chief Financial Officer (Principal 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 32.1 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The New Home Company Inc. (the “Company”) for the 
period ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the 
“Report”), I, H. Lawrence Webb, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as 
adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act

of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition

and results of operations of the Company.

Date: February 15, 2019

/s/ H. Lawrence Webb
H. Lawrence Webb
Chief Executive Officer (Principal 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 32.2 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The New Home Company Inc. (the “Company”) for the 
period ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the 
“Report”), I, John M. Stephens, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as 
adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act

of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition

and results of operations of the Company.

Date: February 15, 2019

/s/ John M. Stephens
John M. Stephens
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer)

 
 
 
Sam Bakhshandehpour (1)(2)
CEO & Managing Partner,
The Silverstone Companies, LLC

Paul Heeschen (1) (3)
General Partner,
Sequoia Enterprises

Douglas C. Neff
President,
IHP Capital Partners

H. Lawrence Webb
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
The New Home Company

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael J. Berchtold (3) 
Lead Independent Director,
The New Home Company
Chief Executive Officer, 
Berchtold Capital Partners 

Gregory P. Lindstrom (2)(3)
Alternative Dispute Resolution 
Professional and Former General Counsel,
The Irvine Company

Wayne Stelmar
Former Chief Investment Officer,
The New Home Company

William A. Witte
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Related California

Cathey S. Lowe (1)(2)
Owner,
Cathey Lowe Consulting, LLC

(1) Audit Committee Member

(2) Compensation Committee Member

(3) Nominating & Corporate    

    Governance Committee Member

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

H. Lawrence Webb
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Leonard S. Miller
President & Chief Operating Officer

John M. Stephens
Chief Financial Officer

 
INFORMATION REQUESTS
The Company’s annual report to shareholders and 
proxy statement together contain substantially 
all the information presented in the Form 10-K 
report filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission. Individuals interested in receiving 
the annual report, Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs 
or other printed corporate literature should 
email the Investor Relations Department at 
investorrelations@nwhm.com.

INVESTOR INQUIRIES
Shareholders, securities analysts, portfolio 
managers and others with inquiries about the 
Company should contact Drew Mackintosh,  
(949) 382-7838, investorrelations@nwhm.com.  
Shareholders with inquiries relating to 
shareholder records, stock transfers, change of 
ownership, and change of address or dividend 
payments should contact:

Transfer Agent and Registrar
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
(800) 937-5449
www.amstock.com

Our Board of Directors has an audit committee, 
a compensation committee and a nominating 
and corporate governance committee. Each of 
these committees has a formal charter. We have 
Corporate Governance Guidelines and a Code of 
Ethics and Business Conduct which applies to all 
directors, officers and employees. We also have a 
Code of Ethics for the Principal Executive Officer 
and Senior Financial Officers that applies to our 
principal executive officer and senior financial 
officers. Copies of these charters, guidelines, and 
codes can be obtained on our website and are also 
available upon request from Investor Relations at 
the contact information above.

INTERNET ADDRESS
Additional information about The New Home 
Company Inc. may be obtained by visiting our 
website at www.NWHM.com

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The annual meeting of stockholders of The New 
Home Company Inc., will be held on May 21, 2019 
at 8:30 a.m. local time, at the Renaissance Aliso 
Viejo Hotel, located at 50 Enterprise, Aliso Viejo, 
CA 92656.

COMMON STOCK INFORMATION
Ticker Symbol: NWHM
Common stock of The New Home Company 
Inc. is listed and traded on the New York Stock 
Exchange, which is the principal market for the 
common stock.

Various statements contained in this annual report, including those that express a belief, anticipation, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not 
statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing 
and success of specific projects, community counts and openings and our future production, our ability to execute our strategic growth objectives, gross 
margins, revenues, projected results, income, earnings per share and capital spending. Our forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words 
such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “plan,” “goal,” “will,” “guidance,” or other words that convey 
the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this release, and we disclaim any 
obligation to update these statements unless required by law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. We have based these forward-looking statements 
on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they 
are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to 
predict and many of which are beyond our control. The following factors, among others, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ 
materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements: economic changes either nationally 
or in the markets in which we operate, including declines in employment, volatility of mortgage interest rates and inflation; a downturn in the homebuilding 
industry; changes in sales conditions, including home prices, in the markets where we build homes, volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader 
financial markets; our business and investment strategy; availability of land to acquire and our ability to acquire such land on favorable terms or at all; our 
liquidity and availability, terms and deployment of capital; shortages of or increased prices for labor, land or raw materials used in housing construction; delays 
in land development or home construction resulting from adverse weather conditions or other events outside our control; issues concerning our joint venture 
partnerships; the cost and availability of insurance and surety bonds; changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, governmental laws and regulations; 
the timing of receipt of regulatory approvals and the opening of projects; the degree and nature of competition; our leverage and debt service obligations; the 
impact of recent accounting standards; restrictive covenants relating to our operations in our current of future financing arrangements; availability of qualified 
personnel and our ability to retain our key personnel; and additional factors discussed under the sections captioned “Risk Factors” included in our annual report 
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company reserves the right 
to make such updates from time to time by press release, periodic report or other method of public disclosure without the need for specific reference to this press 
release. No such update shall be deemed to indicate that other statements not addressed by such update remain correct or create an obligation to provide 
any other updates.

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