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EX-32.1 - SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE - WCI Communities, Inc.d22484dex321.htm
EX-31.1 - RULE 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF RULE 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF - WCI Communities, Inc.d22484dex311.htm
EX-32.2 - SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL - WCI Communities, Inc.d22484dex322.htm
EX-31.2 - RULE 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF RULE 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF - WCI Communities, Inc.d22484dex312.htm
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

  x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

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: 001-36023

 

 

WCI COMMUNITIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware    27-0472098
(State or Other Jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)    Identification No.)
24301 Walden Center Drive   
Bonita Springs, Florida    34134
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)    (Zip Code)

(239) 947-2600

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

None

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

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x No ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer    ¨    Accelerated filer    x
Non-accelerated filer    ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company    ¨

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

Common shares outstanding as of October 28, 2015: 26,099,057

 

 


Table of Contents

WCI COMMUNITIES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page      

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014

     3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September  30, 2015 and 2014

     4   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September  30, 2015 and 2014

     5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

     6   

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

     7   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     17   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     33   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     34   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     34   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     34   

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

     35   

Item 6. Exhibits

     36   

SIGNATURES

     37   

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

WCI Communities, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

         September 30,    
2015
        December 31,    
2014
 
     (unaudited)        

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

     $ 149,383          $ 174,756     

Restricted cash

     15,458          12,125     

Notes and accounts receivable

     5,258          5,637     

Real estate inventories

     527,120          449,249     

Property and equipment, net

     25,496          25,021     

Other assets

     25,188          20,179     

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances

     97,383          110,823     

Goodwill

     7,520          7,520     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     $ 852,806          $ 805,310     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity

    

Accounts payable

     $ 31,521          $ 20,040     

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     66,627          68,986     

Customer deposits

     40,487          30,662     

Senior notes, including unamortized premiums of $1,069 and $1,179 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively

     251,069          251,179     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     389,704          370,867     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

WCI Communities, Inc. shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

     -          -     

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized,
25,877,975 shares issued and 25,829,608 shares outstanding at September 30, 2015;
25,850,484 shares issued and 25,806,706 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014

     259          259     

Additional paid-in capital

     305,330          302,111     

Retained earnings

     156,236          130,581     

Treasury stock, at cost, 48,367 shares and 43,778 shares at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively

     (607)         (505)    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total WCI Communities, Inc. shareholders’ equity

     461,218          432,446     

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

     1,884          1,997     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     463,102          434,443     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     $           852,806          $           805,310     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

WCI Communities, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

        Three Months Ended September 30,             Nine Months Ended September 30,      
    2015     2014     2015     2014  

Revenues

       

Homebuilding

    $ 120,509          $ 62,381          $ 303,121          $ 171,294     

Real estate services

    24,998          22,886          76,871          67,848     

Amenities

    4,681          4,393          18,608          17,257     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    150,188          89,660          398,600          256,399     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of Sales

       

Homebuilding

    88,049          45,937          221,273          124,354     

Real estate services

    24,048          22,455          72,923          66,041     

Amenities

    6,052          5,570          20,021          18,465     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost of sales

    118,149          73,962          314,217          208,860     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

    32,039          15,698          84,383          47,539     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    16,024          11,034          45,328          32,026     

Interest expense

    200          191          658          876     

Other income, net

    (398)         (107)         (593)         (535)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    15,826          11,118          45,393          32,367     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations before income taxes

    16,213          4,580          38,990          15,172     

Income tax expense

    6,289          1,703          13,392          6,337     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    9,924          2,877          25,598          8,835     

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    259          263          57          123     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders of WCI Communities, Inc.

    $ 10,183          $ 3,140          $ 25,655          $ 8,958     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to common shareholders of WCI Communities, Inc.:

       

Basic

    $ 0.39          $ 0.12          $ 0.98          $ 0.34     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

    $ 0.38          $ 0.12          $ 0.97          $ 0.34     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding:

       

Basic

    26,201          26,020          26,189          26,018     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

    26,494          26,307          26,442          26,272     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

WCI Communities, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

                  Additional                            
            Preferred Stock                     Common Stock             Paid-in         Retained             Treasury           Noncontrolling          
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Stock     Interests             Total          

Balance at January 1, 2015

    -          $ -          25,850          $     259          $  302,111          $     130,581          $     (505)         $     1,997          $  434,443     

Net income (loss)

    -          -          -          -          -          25,655          -          (57)         25,598     

Stock-based compensation expense

    -          -          -          -          3,156          -          -          -          3,156     

Stock issued pursuant to stock-based incentive compensation plans and related tax matters

    -          -          28          -          63          -          -          -          63     

Purchases of treasury stock

    -          -          -          -          -          -          (102)         -          (102)    

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

    -          -          -          -          -          -          -          (56)         (56)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2015

    -          $ -          25,878          $ 259          $ 305,330          $ 156,236          $ (607)         $ 1,884          $ 463,102     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                Additional                          
    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Paid-in     Retained     Treasury     Noncontrolling        
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Stock     Interests     Total  

Balance at January 1, 2014

    -          $ -          25,795          $ 258          $ 298,530          $ 108,984          $ (196)         $ 2,288          $ 409,864     

Net income (loss)

    -          -          -          -          -          8,958          -          (123)         8,835     

Stock-based compensation expense

    -          -          -          -          2,541          -          -          -          2,541     

Stock issued pursuant to stock-based incentive compensation plans and related tax matters

    -          -          30          -          38          -          -          -          38     

Purchases of treasury stock

    -          -          -          -          -          -          (178)         -          (178)    

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

    -          -          -          -          -          -          -          (78)         (78)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

    -          $ -          25,825          $ 258          $ 301,109          $ 117,942          $ (374)         $ 2,087          $ 421,022     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

WCI Communities, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

          Nine Months Ended September 30,       
     2015     2014  

Operating activities

    

Net income

     $ 25,598          $ 8,835     

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     690          619     

Amortization of debt premium

     (110)         (35)    

Depreciation

     2,234          1,910     

Recovery of bad debts

     (117)         (2)    

Loss on disposition of property and equipment

     65          -     

Deferred income tax expense

     13,503          6,720     

Stock-based compensation expense

     3,156          2,541     

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Restricted cash

     (3,333)         (3,861)    

Notes and accounts receivable

     496          2,362     

Real estate inventories

     (79,313)         (141,285)    

Other assets

     (5,676)         (1,287)    

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     9,867          (4,974)    

Customer deposits

     9,825          16,496     

Equity compensation excess income tax benefits

     (63)         -     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (23,178)         (111,961)    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities

    

Additions to property and equipment

     (2,100)         (2,465)    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,100)         (2,465)    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities

    

Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes

     -          51,250     

Payments of debt issuance costs

     -          (1,116)    

Proceeds from the sale of community development district bonds

     -          21,673     

Payments of community development district obligations

     -          (936)    

Purchases of treasury stock

     (102)         (178)    

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (56)         (78)    

Equity compensation excess income tax benefits

     63          -     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (95)         70,615     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (25,373)         (43,811)    

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     174,756          213,352     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

     $ 149,383          $ 169,541     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

WCI Communities, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2015

 

1. Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

WCI Communities, Inc. is a lifestyle community developer and luxury homebuilder in several of Florida’s coastal markets. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” in these notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements refer to WCI Communities, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our business is organized into three operating segments: homebuilding, real estate services and amenities. Our homebuilding operations design, sell and build single- and multi-family homes, including luxury high-rise tower units, targeting move-up, second-home and active adult buyers. Our real estate services businesses include real estate brokerage and title services. Our amenities operations own and/or operate golf courses and country clubs, marinas and resort-style amenity facilities within certain of our communities.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), as contained in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for a complete set of financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015 due to, among other things, the seasonal nature of our business. We have historically experienced, and in the future expect to continue to experience, variability in our operating results on a quarterly basis in each of our three operating segments. Because many of our Florida homebuyers prefer to close on their new home purchases before the winter, the fourth quarter of each calendar year often produces a disproportionately large portion of our annual homebuilding revenues, income and cash flows. Activity in our realty brokerage operations is greater during the spring and summer months primarily because (i) buyers with families generally move when their children are out of school and (ii) Florida’s seasonal residents tend to make resale home purchases prior to leaving for the summer. These factors typically result in a larger portion of real estate services revenues, income and cash flows during the second and third quarters of each calendar year. In addition, many of our club members spend the winter months in Florida, thereby producing a disproportionately large portion of our annual amenities revenues and cash flows during that time period. Accordingly, revenues and operating results for our three operating segments may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. Although we believe that the abovementioned seasonal patterns will likely continue, they may be affected by economic conditions in the homebuilding and real estate industry and other interrelated factors. As a result, our operating results may not follow the historical trends.

The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for a complete set of financial statements. For further information, refer to our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “2014 Form 10-K”) that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2015.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and certain joint ventures, which are not variable interest entities (“VIEs”), as defined under ASC 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), but over which the Company has the ability to exercise control. In accordance with ASC 323, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures, the equity method of accounting is applied to those investments in joint ventures that are not VIEs where the Company has either less than a controlling interest or substantive participating rights, as defined in ASC 810. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Also, see below under “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements” for certain accounting guidance that the Company is required to adopt during the year ending December 31, 2016 and interim reporting periods during that year.

The Company’s operations involve real estate development and sales and, as such, it is not possible to precisely measure the duration of its operating cycle. The accompanying consolidated balance sheets of the Company have been prepared on an unclassified basis in accordance with real estate industry practice.

 

7


Table of Contents

Use of Estimates

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

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). Among other things, ASU 2014-09 outlines a framework for a single comprehensive model that entities can use when accounting for revenue and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including that which pertains to specific industries such as homebuilding (e.g., sales of real estate, etc.). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods and services. ASU 2014-09 also requires expanded quantitative and qualitative disclosures that will enable the users of an entity’s financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. As originally issued, public entities were required to adopt ASU 2014-09 during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim reporting periods during the year of adoption; however, on August 12, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date (“ASU 2015-14”), which delayed the new revenue standard’s effective date by one year. An entity may adopt ASU 2014-09 using either a full retrospective approach for each prior reporting period presented or a modified retrospective approach. Under the latter approach an entity will (i) recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 as an adjustment to the opening balance of its retained earnings or accumulated deficit during the annual reporting period that includes the date of initial application of ASU 2014-09 and (ii) provide certain supplemental disclosures during reporting periods that include the date of initial application of ASU 2014-09. Early adoption of ASU 2014-09 was not initially permitted by public entities; however, ASU 2015-14 provides for early adoption by such entities but not before the original effective date of the new revenue standard. Due to the complex analyses required under ASU 2014-09, we have not yet determined the impact thereof on our consolidated financial statements or the method of adoption that the Company will apply.

On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). Among other things, ASU 2014-15 requires management of a public entity to perform interim and annual assessments of such public entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date that its financial statements are issued. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, then such entity must provide certain supplemental disclosures in its financial statements. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption of ASU 2014-15 is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements or any related disclosures.

On February 18, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”), which makes targeted amendments to GAAP’s existing consolidation guidance under both the variable interest and voting models. Among other things, ASU 2015-02 (i) introduces a separate analysis specific to limited partnerships and similar entities for assessing if the equity holders at risk lack decision-making rights and (ii) eliminates certain guidance under the consolidation voting model that pertains to limited partnerships, including the rebuttable presumption that a general partner unilaterally controls a limited partnership and should therefore consolidate it. Public entities are required to adopt ASU 2015-02 during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim reporting periods within those years. An entity may adopt ASU 2015-02 using either a full retrospective approach for each prior reporting period presented or a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption of ASU 2015-02 is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2015-02 will have our consolidated financial statements and the method of adoption that the Company will apply.

On April 7, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). Among other things, ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in an entity’s balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of such debt liability, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. Public entities are required to adopt ASU 2015-03 during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim reporting periods within those years. ASU 2015-03 must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption of ASU 2015-03 is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2015-03 is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements or any related disclosures. As a corollary to ASU 2015-03, on August 16, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting, which clarifies that debt issuance costs attributable to line-of-credit arrangements can be presented as an asset and amortized ratably over the life of the revolving debt arrangement, regardless of whether there is an outstanding balance thereunder. This methodology is consistent with the Company’s historical treatment of such costs.

 

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2. Real Estate Inventories and Capitalized Interest

Real estate inventories are summarized in the table below.

 

        September 30,              December 31,      
    2015      2014  
 

 

 

 
    (in thousands)  

Land and land improvements held for development

    $     314,908       $     310,499     

Work in progress

    129,496         94,078     

Completed inventories

    75,088         37,421     

Investments in amenities

    7,628         7,251     
 

 

 

 

Total real estate inventories

    $     527,120       $     449,249     
 

 

 

 

Work in progress includes homes and related home site costs in various stages of construction. Completed inventories consist of model homes and related home site costs used to facilitate sales and homes with certificates of occupancy. During July 2015, the Company closed on its last remaining held for sale land parcel for $1.2 million, resulting in a gain of $0.4 million, which was recognized in homebuilding gross margin in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

As of both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, single- and multi-family inventories represented approximately 94% of total real estate inventories. Moreover, as of both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, tower inventories, which consisted primarily of land and land improvements, represented approximately 4% of total real estate inventories.

Capitalized interest activity is summarized in the table below.

 

        Three Months Ended September 30,             Nine Months Ended September 30,      
    2015     2014     2015     2014  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (in thousands)  

Capitalized interest at the beginning of the period

    $ 29,328      $ 20,066          $ 24,856      $ 15,443     

Interest incurred

    4,622        4,602          13,916        12,177     

Interest expensed

    (200     (191)         (658     (876)    

Interest charged to homebuilding segment cost of sales

    (3,061     (1,386)         (7,425     (3,653)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capitalized interest at the end of the period

    $ 30,689      $ 23,091          $ 30,689      $ 23,091     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

3. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is summarized in the table below.

 

   

    Estimated    

    Useful Life    

    (In Years)    

 

    September 30,    

2015

   

     December 31,     

2014

 
 

 

 
        (in thousands)  

Land and land improvements

  10 to 15     $ 14,371      $ 14,106     

Buildings and improvements

  5 to 40     16,468        16,062     

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

  3 to 7     8,464        7,370     
   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, gross

      39,303        37,538     

Accumulated depreciation

      (13,807     (12,517)    
   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

      $ 25,496      $ 25,021     
   

 

 

 

Amenities assets, net of accumulated depreciation, included in property and equipment, net above were $22.7 million and $21.6 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

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4. Other Assets

Other assets are summarized in the table below.

 

           September 30,                December 31,       
     2015     2014  
  

 

 

 
     (in thousands)  

Prepaid expenses

     $ 7,642      $ 6,292     

Debt issuance costs

     5,268        5,955     

Cash held by community development districts (Note 6)

     2,896        2,875     

Land acquisition deposits

     3,594        740     

Prepaid and recoverable income taxes, net

     847        646     

Other

     4,941        3,671     
  

 

 

 

Total other assets

     $ 25,188      $ 20,179     
  

 

 

 

See above under “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements” for certain accounting guidance regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs that the Company is required to adopt during the year ending December 31, 2016 and interim reporting periods during that year.

 

5. Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other liabilities are summarized in the table below.

 

           September 30,                December 31,       
     2015     2014  
  

 

 

 
     (in thousands)  

Community development district obligations (Note 6)

     $ 38,296      $ 39,965     

Deferred revenue and income

     5,558        8,192     

Accrued interest

     2,259        6,564     

Accrued compensation and employee benefits

     5,757        5,692     

Warranty reserves

     2,920        1,888     

Accrued property taxes

     3,690        -     

Other

     8,147        6,685     
  

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses and other liabilities

     $ 66,627      $ 68,986     
  

 

 

 

The table below presents certain recent activity related to warranty reserves.

 

         Three Months Ended September 30,               Nine Months Ended September 30,       
    2015     2014     2015     2014  
 

 

 

 
    (in thousands)  

Warranty reserves at the beginning of the period

    $ 2,464      $ 1,414          $ 1,888      $ 1,558     

Additions to reserves for new home deliveries

    612        319          1,544        874     

Payments for warranty costs

    (156     (74)         (401     (289)    

Adjustments to prior year warranty reserves

    -        (187)         (111     (671)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Warranty reserves at the end of the period

    $ 2,920      $ 1,472          $ 2,920      $ 1,472     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded net warranty expense of $0.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in homebuilding cost of sales in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of operations. The corresponding net warranty expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $1.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Adjustments to prior year warranty reserves related to changes in our anticipated warranty payments on previously delivered homes. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, favorable warranty experience in certain neighborhoods led us to reduce our warranty reserves on homes where the warranty had expired and on homes still under warranty in such neighborhoods.

 

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6. Community Development District Obligations

A community development district or similar development authority (“CDD”) is a unit of local government created under various state and/or local statutes to encourage planned community development and allow for the construction and maintenance of long-term infrastructure through alternative financing sources, including the tax-exempt markets. A CDD is generally created through the approval of the local city or county in which the CDD is located and is controlled by a Board of Supervisors representing the landowners within the CDD. In connection with the development of certain communities, CDDs may use bond financing to fund construction or acquisition of certain on-site or off-site infrastructure improvements near or within those communities. CDDs are also granted the power to levy assessments and user fees on the properties benefiting from the improvements financed by the bond offerings. We pay a portion of the assessments and user fees levied by the CDDs on the properties we own that are benefited by the improvements. We may also agree to repay a specified portion of the bonds at the time of each unit or parcel closing.

The obligation to pay principal and interest on the bonds issued by the CDD is assigned to each parcel within the CDD and the CDD has a lien on each parcel at the time the CDD adopts its fees and assessments for the applicable fiscal year. If the owner of the parcel does not pay this obligation, the CDD can foreclose on the lien. The bonds, including interest and redemption premiums, if any, and the associated lien on the property are typically payable, secured and satisfied by revenues, fees or assessments levied on the property benefited.

In connection with the development of certain of our communities, CDDs have been established and bonds have been issued to finance a portion of the related infrastructure. There are two primary types of bonds issued by a CDD, type “A” and “B,” the proceeds of which are used to reimburse us for construction or acquisition of certain infrastructure improvements. The “A” bond is the portion of a bond offering that is ultimately intended to be assumed by the end user (homeowner) and the “B” bond is our obligation.

The total amount of CDD bond obligations issued and outstanding with respect to our communities was $60.2 million and $68.4 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, which represented outstanding amounts payable from all landowners/homeowners within our communities. The CDD bond obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2015 mature at various times during the years 2018 through 2039. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we recorded CDD bond obligations of $38.3 million and $40.0 million, respectively, net of debt discounts of $2.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, which represented the estimated amount of both “A” and “B” bond obligations that we may be required to pay based on our proportionate share of property owned within our communities.

We record a liability related to the “A” bonds for the estimated developer obligations that are probable and estimable and user fees that are required to be paid or transferred at the time the parcel or unit is sold to an end user. We reduce this liability by the corresponding assessment assumed by property purchasers and the amounts paid by us at the time of closing and the transfer of the property. We record a liability related to the “B” bonds, net of cash held by the districts that may be used to reduce our district obligations, for the full amount of the developer obligations that are fixed and determinable and user fees that are required to be paid at the time the parcel or unit is sold to an end user. We reduce this liability by the corresponding assessments paid by us at the time of closing of the property.

Our proportionate share of cash held by CDDs was $3.2 million as of both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Cash related to our share of the “A” bonds, which do not have a right of setoff on our CDD bond obligations, was $2.9 million as of both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and was included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (Note 4). As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, cash related to the “B” bonds, which has a right of setoff, was $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and was recorded as a reduction of our CDD bond obligations.

During April 2014, we sold $23.6 million of CDD bonds held that related to property that we own and received proceeds, including accrued and unpaid interest, of $22.7 million. As a result, the Company’s CDD obligations increased by $21.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, which represented our discounted proportionate share of the CDD bonds.

 

7. Debt Obligations

The following discussion of our debt obligations should be read in conjunction with Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements in the 2014 Form 10-K.

Senior Notes.  During August 2013, the Company completed the issuance of its 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021 in the aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million (the “Original 2021 Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0%. One of the Company’s largest shareholders and one of such shareholder’s affiliates collectively purchased $10.0 million of the Original 2021 Notes when they were first issued by us and those entities subsequently sold their notes during March 2014. During June 2014, the Company completed the issuance of additional 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021 in the aggregate principal amount of $50.0 million (the “Supplemental 2021 Notes”) at an issue price of 102.5%, plus accrued and unpaid interest from February 15, 2014 to June 26, 2014. As of both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Original 2021 Notes and the Supplemental 2021 Notes (collectively, the “2021 Notes”) were the Company’s only outstanding debt obligations.

 

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The Supplemental 2021 Notes were issued as additional securities under an indenture, dated as of August 7, 2013, by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, governing the Original 2021 Notes (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Indenture”). The Original 2021 Notes and the Supplemental 2021 Notes are treated as a single series of notes and now have the exact same terms and conditions. The net proceeds from the offering of the Supplemental 2021 Notes (the “Supplemental 2021 Notes Offering”), excluding accrued interest of $1.3 million paid to the Company by the initial holder of the Supplemental 2021 Notes, were $50.4 million after deducting fees and expenses payable by us. We used the net proceeds from the Supplemental 2021 Notes Offering for general corporate purposes, including the acquisition and development of land and home construction.

The 2021 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of WCI Communities, Inc. (“WCI”) that are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and severable and senior unsecured basis by certain of WCI’s subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”). Each of the Guarantors is directly or indirectly owned 100% by WCI. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of any of the Guarantors to pay dividends, provide loans or otherwise make payments to WCI. Each of the Guarantors will be released and relieved of its guarantee obligations pertaining to the 2021 Notes: (i) in the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of one or more of the Guarantors, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise; (ii) upon designation of a Guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; (iii) in connection with the dissolution of a Guarantor under applicable law in accordance with the Indenture; (iv) upon release or discharge of the guarantee that resulted in the creation of such guarantee of the 2021 Notes; or (v) if WCI exercises its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option or if its obligations under the Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. Separate condensed consolidating financial statements of the Company are not provided herein because: (i) WCI has no independent assets or operations; (ii) the guarantees provided by the Guarantors are full and unconditional and joint and several; and (iii) the total assets, equity and operations of WCI’s non-guarantor subsidiaries are individually and in the aggregate minor.

Revolving Credit Arrangements.  During August 2013, the Company entered into a four-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), providing for a revolving line of credit of up to $75.0 million. The commitment under the Revolving Credit Facility is limited by a borrowing base calculation based on certain asset values as set forth in the underlying loan agreement. In addition, a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit. The Company has never borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of October 28, 2015, there were no limitations on the Company’s borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility, leaving the full amount of the line of credit available to us on such date.

During February 2013, WCI and WCI Communities, LLC (collectively, the “WCI Parties”) entered into a five-year $10.0 million loan with a bank secured by a first mortgage on a parcel of land and related amenity facilities comprising the Pelican Preserve Town Center (the “Town Center”) in Fort Myers, Florida. The loan is also secured by the rights to certain fees and charges that the WCI Parties are to receive as the owners of the Town Center. During its initial 36 months, the loan is structured as a revolving credit facility whereby the WCI Parties may borrow and repay advances up to $10.0 million and have the right to issue standby letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $5.0 million at any time. The WCI Parties have never borrowed under this credit facility; however, $1.6 million of letters of credit have been issued thereunder as of October 28, 2015, limiting the borrowing capacity on such date to $8.4 million. We are currently discussing a loan modification with representatives from the bank; however, there can be no assurances that such discussions will be successful or ultimately result in an amended loan agreement.

Other.  As of September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our debt agreements.

 

8. Fair Value Disclosures

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), as amended, provides a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities and establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy can be summarized as follows:

 

Level 1:    Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
Level 2:    Fair value determined based on using significant observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, by correlation or other means.
Level 3:    Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs, such as pricing models, discounted cash flows or similar techniques. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.

 

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The carrying amounts reported for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, notes and accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable, customer deposits and accrued expenses and other liabilities were estimated to approximate their fair values.

The carrying values and estimated fair values of our financial liabilities are summarized in the table below, except for the abovementioned liabilities for which the carrying values approximate their fair values.

 

         September 30, 2015              December 31, 2014      
  

 

 

 
         Carrying
    Value
     Estimated
Fair Value
     Carrying
Value
     Estimated  
Fair Value  
 
  

 

 

 
     (in thousands)  

 

Senior Notes due 2021

   $ 251,069       $ 261,250       $ 251,179       $ 251,875   

Community development district obligations

     38,296         42,168         39,965         44,010   

The estimated fair values of our debt and community development district obligations were derived from quoted market prices by independent dealers (Level 2).

There were no financial instruments—assets or liabilities—measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The majority of our nonfinancial assets, which include real estate inventories, property and equipment and goodwill, are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain events occur, such that a nonfinancial asset is required to be evaluated for impairment, the resulting effect would be to record the nonfinancial asset at the lower of cost or fair value, determined primarily through the use of Level 3 inputs.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no nonfinancial assets written down to fair value as the result of an impairment charge. However, in the event that real estate market conditions or the Company’s operations were to deteriorate in the future, long-lived asset impairment charges may be necessary and they could be significant. We also continue to monitor the values of certain of our land and amenities assets to determine whether to hold them for future development or sell them at current market prices. If we choose to market any of our assets for sale, this action may potentially lead to the recording of impairment charges on those assets.

 

9. Income Taxes

The following discussion regarding our income taxes should be read in conjunction with Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements in the 2014 Form 10-K.

General.  We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires the recognition of income taxes currently payable or receivable, as well as deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between the amounts reported for financial statement purposes and the amounts reported for income tax purposes at each balance sheet date using enacted statutory tax rates for the years in which taxes are expected to be paid, recovered or settled. Changes in tax rates are recognized in earnings in the period in which the changes are enacted. The components of the Company’s income tax expense (benefit) are summarized in the table below.

 

    

           Three Months Ended September 30,              Nine Months Ended September 30,      
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      2015     2014     2015     2014  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (in thousands)  
 

 

Federal

    $ 5,691      $ 1,830           $ 12,270      $ 5,769     
 

State

    598        (127)         1,122        568     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Income tax expense

    $ 6,289      $ 1,703           $ 13,392      $ 6,337     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

After excluding the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests, which is not tax-effected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, our effective income tax rates during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were 38.2% and 34.3%, respectively. The effective income tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was favorably impacted by the Company’s accounting for certain final regulations published by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service on March 31, 2015. Among other things, those new regulations, which pertain to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue

 

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Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), provide newly public companies with certain relief from the annual federal income tax deduction limitation for executive compensation. Our cumulative catch-up accounting for the new regulations resulted in a $1.8 million reduction in our income tax expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and a corresponding increase of $0.07 in our diluted earnings per share.

Our effective income tax rates during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were 35.2% and 41.4%, respectively. The effective rate for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was favorably impacted by the recognition of a $0.4 million state tax refund receivable pertaining to a prior period. The effective rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was higher than the customary blended federal and state income tax rate primarily due to certain stock-based compensation expense that was expected to be non-deductible under the then-existing regulations pertaining to Section 162(m) of the Code, partially offset by a $0.7 million net reduction in the Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowances and the aforementioned state tax refund receivable.

The Company had no unrecognized income tax benefits at either September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

Deferred Tax Assets and Related Matters.  ASC 740 requires that companies assess whether deferred tax asset valuation allowances should be established based on consideration of all of the available evidence using a “more-likely-than-not” standard. A valuation allowance must be established when it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of a company’s deferred tax assets will not be realized. We assess our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis, including the benefits from federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, to determine if valuation allowances are required. When making a determination as to the adequacy of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance, we consider all of the available objectively verifiable positive and negative evidence. If we determine that the Company will not be able to realize some or all of its deferred tax assets in the future, a valuation allowance will be recorded through the provision for income taxes.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had a deferred tax asset of $97.4 million, which was net of a valuation allowance of $70.7 million. Such valuation allowance primarily relates to (i) limitations under Section 382 (“Section 382”) of the Code and similar state limitations for federal and Florida income and franchise tax purposes and (ii) certain states other than Florida where the more-likely-than-not realization threshold criteria has not been met. Prospectively, we will continue to review the Company’s deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowances in accordance with ASC 740 on a quarterly basis.

The rate at which we can utilize our federal NOL carryforwards is limited (which could result in their expiration prior to being used) each time we experience an “ownership change,” as determined under Section 382. A Section 382 ownership change generally occurs if one or more shareholders who are each deemed to own at least 5% of our stock change their ownership by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three-year period. If an ownership change occurs, Section 382 generally imposes an annual limit on the amount of post-ownership change federal taxable income that may be offset with pre-ownership change federal NOL carryforwards equal to the product of the total value of an entity’s outstanding equity immediately prior to the ownership change (reduced by certain items specified in Section 382) and the federal long-term tax-exempt rate in effect at the time of the ownership change. Most states, including Florida, have statutes or provisions in their tax codes that function similar to the federal rules under Section 382. Moreover, our ability to use our federal and state NOL carryforwards may be limited if we fail to generate enough taxable income in the future before they expire, which may be the result of changes in the markets in which we do business, our profitability and/or general economic conditions.

Prior to 2015, we experienced ownership changes affecting our current federal and state NOL carryforwards. Additionally, on July 13, 2015, WCI Communities, Inc. (“WCI”) completed the registered public offering of its common stock (the “Offering”) by entities affiliated with Monarch Alternative Capital LP and Stonehill Capital Management LLC (collectively, the “Selling Stockholders”) wherein the Selling Stockholders sold 3,250,000 shares of WCI’s common stock. The Selling Stockholders also granted the participating underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 487,500 shares of WCI’s common stock. On July 24, 2015, the underwriters exercised their option and purchased all of the available shares thereunder. WCI did not sell any shares in the Offering or receive any portion of the proceeds therefrom, nor did it receive any proceeds when the underwriters exercised their option to purchase additional shares. As a result of the Offering, we underwent an ownership change and are now subject to certain new annual limitations under Section 382 and corresponding state law. While such limitations may impact the amount by which we can utilize our federal and state NOLs to offset taxable income in any particular year, we currently do not expect that they will impact our ability to ultimately utilize the NOLs over time.

Our accounting for deferred tax assets represents our best estimate of future events. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, particularly with respect to changes in facts and circumstances in future reporting periods, including carryforward period assumptions, actual results could differ from our estimates. Our assumptions require significant judgment because the homebuilding industry is cyclical and highly sensitive to changes in economic conditions. If the Company’s future results of operations are less than projected or if the timing and jurisdiction of its future taxable income varies from our estimates, there may be insufficient objectively verifiable positive evidence to support a more-likely-than-not assessment of the Company’s deferred tax assets and an increase in our valuation allowance may be required at that time for some or all of such deferred tax assets.

 

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10. Commitments and Contingencies

Standby letters of credit and surety bonds (performance and financial), issued by third-party entities, are used to guarantee our performance under various land development and construction agreements, land purchase obligations, escrow agreements, financial guarantees and other arrangements. As of September 30, 2015, we had $1.6 million of outstanding letters of credit. Performance bonds do not have stated expiration dates; rather, we are released from the bonds as the contractual performance is completed. Our performance and financial bonds, which totaled $48.7 million as of September 30, 2015, are typically outstanding over a period of approximately one to five years or longer, depending on, among other things, the pace of development. Our estimated exposure on the outstanding performance and financial bonds as of September 30, 2015 was $27.8 million, primarily based on development remaining to be completed.

In accordance with various amenity and equity club documents, we operate certain facilities until control of the amenities is transferred to the membership. Additionally, we are required to fund (i) the cost of constructing club facilities and acquiring related equipment and (ii) operating deficits prior to turnover. We do not currently believe that these obligations will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We may be responsible for funding certain condominium and homeowner association deficits in the ordinary course of business, including amounts settled at association turnovers.

We maintain a 51.0% ownership interest in Pelican Landing Timeshare Ventures Limited Partnership (“Pelican Landing”), which operates multi-family timeshare units in Bonita Springs, Florida. As the noncontrolling interest has substantive participating rights relating to operating decisions at the joint venture, we account for our investment in Pelican Landing under the equity method. Because Pelican Landing has incurred cumulative net losses since 2010 and a return to profitability is not assured, we have discontinued applying the equity method for our share of its net losses and reduced the carrying value of our investment to zero. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our investment in such joint venture was less than our ownership share of the capital on the partnership’s books by $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively. In the future, we may be required to make additional cash contributions to the joint venture to avoid the loss of some or all of our ownership interest. Moreover, although Pelican Landing does not have outstanding debt, the partners may agree to incur debt to fund partnership operations in the future. We do not currently believe that our incremental cash requirements for Pelican Landing, if any, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Legal Proceedings

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various claims, complaints and other legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, it is possible that future results of operations for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by changes in our estimates and assumptions pertaining to these proceedings or the ultimate resolution of related litigation.

 

11. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed based on the weighted average number of outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed based on the weighted average number of outstanding common shares plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents using the treasury stock method. The table below sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the common shareholders of WCI Communities, Inc.

 

      Three Months Ended September 30,         Nine Months Ended September 30,    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2015     2014     2015     2014  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

 

Net income

   $ 9,924      $ 2,877        $ 25,598      $ 8,835    

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    259        263         57        123    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders of WCI Communities, Inc.

   $ 10,183      $ 3,140        $ 25,655      $ 8,958    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

    26,201        26,020         26,189        26,018    

Effect of dilutive securities:

       

Stock-based compensation arrangements

    293        287         253        254    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

    26,494        26,307         26,442        26,272    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share of WCI Communities, Inc.:

       

 

Basic

   $ 0.39      $ 0.12        $ 0.98      $ 0.34    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Diluted

   $       0.38      $       0.12        $       0.97      $       0.34    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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12. Segment Reporting

As defined in ASC 280, Segment Reporting, our reportable segments are based on operating segments with similar economic characteristics and lines of business. Our reportable segments consist of: (i) Homebuilding; (ii) Real Estate Services; and (iii) Amenities.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, all of the revenues of our reportable segments were generated by our Florida operations. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, all of the Company’s assets were located in the United States. Evaluation of segment performance is primarily based on operating earnings.

Operations of our Homebuilding segment primarily include the construction and sale of single- and multi-family homes, including luxury high-rise tower units. The results of operations for the Homebuilding segment consist of revenues generated from the delivery of homes and land and home site sales, less the cost of home construction, land and land development costs, asset impairments (if any) and selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by the segment.

Operations of our Real Estate Services segment include providing residential real estate brokerage and title services. The results of operations for the Real Estate Services segment consist of revenues generated primarily from those activities, less the cost of such services, including royalties associated with franchise agreements with third-parties, and selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by the segment.

Operations of our Amenities segment primarily include the construction, ownership and management of recreational amenities in residential communities that we develop. Amenities consist of golf courses and country clubs, marinas and resort-style facilities. The results of operations for the Amenities segment consist of revenues from the sale of equity and nonequity memberships, the sale and lease of marina slips, membership dues, and golf and restaurant operations, less the cost of such services, asset impairments (if any) and selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by the segment.

Each reportable segment follows the same accounting policies as those described in Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements in the 2014 Form 10-K. The financial position and operating results of our segments, which are included in the tables below, are not necessarily indicative of the results and financial position that would have occurred had the segments been independent stand-alone entities during the periods presented.

 

      Three Months Ended September 30,            Nine Months Ended September 30,   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     2015      2014          2015      2014  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (in thousands)  

Revenues

             

Homebuilding

    $ 120,509          $ 62,381            $ 303,121          $ 171,294     

Real Estate Services

     24,998           22,886             76,871           67,848     

Amenities

     4,681           4,393             18,608           17,257     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total revenues

    $ 150,188          $ 89,660            $ 398,600          $ 256,399     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (loss)

             

Homebuilding

    $ 16,436          $ 5,410            $ 36,520          $ 14,914     

Real Estate Services

     950           431             3,948           1,807     

Amenities

     (1,371)         (1,177)           (1,413)         (1,208)   

Interest expense

     (200)         (191)           (658)         (876)   

Other income, net

     398           107             593           535     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income from operations before income taxes

    $           16,213          $           4,580            $         38,990          $           15,172     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

       September 30,       December 31,    
     2015     2014  
  

 

 

 
     (in thousands)  

Assets

  

Homebuilding

    $ 538,931        $ 457,093    

Real Estate Services

     15,441         16,971    

Amenities

     43,337         41,302    

Corporate and unallocated (1)

     255,097         289,944    
  

 

 

 

Total assets

    $         852,806        $         805,310    
  

 

 

 

 

    (1) Corporate and unallocated primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents, deferred tax assets and other corporate items that are not otherwise allocated to an individual reporting segment.  

 

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ITEM 2.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This item and the related discussion contain forward-looking statements reflecting current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under: (i) “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; (ii) “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; and (iii) “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “2014 Form 10-K”) that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2015. Many of the amounts and percentages in this discussion have been rounded for convenience of presentation.

Overview

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q refer to WCI Communities, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we continued to benefit from the positive momentum in the Florida housing market, which has been largely driven by attractive home affordability, low levels of home inventory in many of the markets that we serve, historically low mortgage rates, increasing consumer confidence levels, favorable demographics and an overall improvement in the economy. We continue to experience year-over-year improvement in customer traffic and new orders in our active selling neighborhoods. Increased scale in our homebuilding operations has also resulted in increases in home deliveries during each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 when compared to the same periods during the prior year.

We continue to capitalize on the improving Florida housing market by differentiating ourselves from our competition by offering luxury lifestyle communities and award-winning homes in most of coastal Florida’s highest growth markets. The move-up, second-home and active adult buyers that we target continue to exhibit favorable demographic trends, strong demand indicators and financial stability. Moreover, the Florida economy and housing market have been demonstrating favorable trends in recent years in respect of: (i) population growth; (ii) job growth; (iii) household growth; (iv) growth of building permits in comparison to national levels; and (v) the new and resale markets for single- and multi-family homes. Overall, our positive operating results and capital markets activity have strengthened our financial position, which was demonstrated by solid improvements in most of our key financial and operating metrics. We believe that our strong balance sheet and significant liquidity position us to take advantage of the improving Florida economy and housing market through the increasing scale of our existing land holdings and future acquisitions.

Opportunities to purchase land in desirable locations at reasonable prices are becoming increasingly more limited and competitive. However, during the period from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, we acquired approximately 2,100 home sites for $106.6 million. As of September 30, 2015, we owned or controlled approximately 14,400 home sites of which approximately 8,000 were owned and 6,400 were controlled by us. Outstanding land purchase contracts as of October 28, 2015 totaled approximately 6,500 home sites in 33 planned neighborhoods, situated in ten master-planned communities throughout Florida, for an aggregate purchase price of $129.1 million. Deposits related to these outstanding purchase contracts consisted of $2.7 million that are non-refundable and $0.9 million that are refundable due to being in the early stages of our various inspection periods. There can be no assurances that we will acquire any of the land under contract on the terms or within the timing anticipated, or at all. For further discussion of certain risks related to the Company’s land acquisitions, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We may not be successful in our efforts to identify, complete or integrate acquisitions, which could adversely affect our results of operations and future growth.” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2014 Form 10-K.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we began converting reservations to contracts in a 75-unit luxury high-rise tower in Bonita Springs, Florida that we have been marketing during 2015. Initial site clearing and commencement of the building foundation were in progress as of September 30, 2015. At that date, we had recorded 12 new orders with an aggregate contract value of $19.6 million, or an average selling price per unit of $1,635,000. We continue to convert existing reservations to contracts and are expanding our marketing efforts in advance of the upcoming sales season.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our two principal stockholders, Monarch Alternative Capital LP and Stonehill Capital Management LLC (collectively, the “Selling Stockholders”), sold certain of their shares of the common stock of WCI Communities, Inc. As a result, pursuant to stockholders agreements with those parties, each of the Selling Stockholders is now entitled to nominate only one director to our board of directors and each board committee (subject to applicable independence requirements of each committee). Before the 2015 stock sales, each Selling Stockholder had the right to nominate two directors to our board of directors and one director to each board committee (subject to applicable independence requirements of each committee).

 

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Summary Company Operating Results

We continued to experience solid operating and financial performance during the three months ended September 30, 2015, including an increase in total revenues to $150.2 million, or 67.4%, compared to $89.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Such increase was primarily due to a 93.1% improvement in our Homebuilding segment revenues, which was driven by a 76.7% increase in home deliveries and an 8.2% increase in the average selling price per home delivered. Additionally, year-over-year revenues from our Real Estate Services and Amenities segments grew 9.2% and 6.8%, respectively. Consolidated gross margin during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $32.0 million and $15.7 million, respectively. The gross margin increase of $16.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 included (i) improvement of $16.1 million in our Homebuilding segment, which was primarily due to an increase in homes delivered, an increase in the average selling price per home delivered and gross margin improvement of 50 basis points related to shifting product mix, and (ii) improvement of $0.5 million in our Real Estate Services segment. Such increases were partially offset by a nominal decline in our Amenities segment gross margin.

Our income from operations before income taxes was $16.2 million and $4.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, an increase of $11.6 million, or 252.2%. This year-over-year change in operating results included the abovementioned net improvement in consolidated gross margin, partially offset by an increase in certain selling, general and administrative expenses, including compensation and benefits, commissions from more homes delivered during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and direct marketing and sales office expenses as a result of our increased neighborhood count.

Net income attributable to common shareholders of WCI Communities, Inc. was $10.2 million and $3.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. This year-over-year increase was primarily due to certain factors impacting our operations, which are described in the immediately preceding paragraph, partially offset by an increase in income tax expense of $4.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $6.3 million, compared to $1.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. See Note 9 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussion of our income taxes.

As of September 30, 2015, our cash and cash equivalents were $149.4 million, a decrease of $25.4 million from $174.8 million as of December 31, 2014. Such decrease was primarily due to our continued investment in real estate inventories, partially offset by the cash flow generated from the homes that we delivered during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The net increase in our real estate inventories of $79.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to land acquisitions, land development and home construction spending within our communities, partially offset by homebuilding cost of sales. As of September 30, 2015, our net debt to net capitalization was 17.8%. See below under “Non-GAAP Measures” for additional information about our net debt to net capitalization measure, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP (as such term is defined below) measure in our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Due to continued improvement in the Florida housing market and growth in our active selling neighborhoods, new orders increased to 277 homes during the three months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 105 homes, or 61.0%, from 172 homes during the three months ended September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, the value of our backlog was $300.5 million, an increase of $48.2 million, or 19.1%, from $252.3 million as of September 30, 2014. We had 646 homes in backlog as of September 30, 2015, an increase of 187 homes, or 40.7%, from 459 homes as of September 30, 2014. The growth in backlog units was primarily due to a 2015 increase in new orders. The increase in the value of our backlog as of September 30, 2015 was net of a 15.5% decline in the average selling price of our backlog units to $465,000, which resulted from a shift in product mix of our new orders during 2015 to lower-priced homes in active adult communities. Partially offsetting such 2015 decline in the average selling price per unit were 12 tower backlog units that had an aggregate contract value of $19.6 million, or an average selling price per unit of $1,635,000. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, our cancellation rate as a percent of gross new orders was 5.8% and our all-cash buyers as a percent of total homebuyers was approximately 49%. As of September 30, 2015, our average customer deposit as a percent of a home’s selling price in our backlog was 13.1%. Our low cancellation rate, high customer deposit percentage and historically high percentage of all-cash buyers reflect a high quality backlog given our move-up, second-home and active adult buyers.

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to the results reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we have provided information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q relating to adjusted gross margin from homes delivered, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (both such terms are defined below), and net debt to net capitalization. Our GAAP-based measures can be found in our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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Adjusted Gross Margin from Homes Delivered

We calculate adjusted gross margin from homes delivered by subtracting the gross margin from land and home sites, if any, from Homebuilding gross margin to arrive at gross margin from homes delivered. Adjusted gross margin from homes delivered is calculated by adding back asset impairments, if any, and capitalized interest in cost of sales to gross margin from homes delivered. Management uses adjusted gross margin from homes delivered to evaluate operating performance in our Homebuilding segment and make strategic decisions regarding sales price, construction and development pace, product mix and other operating decisions. We believe that adjusted gross margin from homes delivered is (i) meaningful because it eliminates the impact that our indebtedness and asset impairments have on gross margin and (ii) relevant and useful to shareholders, investors and other interested parties for evaluating our comparative operating performance from period to period and among companies within the homebuilding industry as it is reflective of overall profitability during any given reporting period. This measure is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, the comparable GAAP financial measures when evaluating our operating performance. Although other companies in the homebuilding industry report similar information, they may calculate this measure differently than we do and, therefore, it may not be comparable. We urge shareholders, investors and other interested parties to understand the methods used by other companies in the homebuilding industry to calculate gross margins and any adjustments to such amounts before comparing our measures to those of such other companies.

The table below reconciles adjusted gross margin from homes delivered to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, Homebuilding gross margin, for the periods presented herein. For a detailed discussion of Homebuilding gross margin, see “Consolidated Results of Operations” below.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,           Nine Months Ended September 30,   
    2015     2014         2015     2014  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
    ($ in thousands)  

 

Homebuilding gross margin

   $ 32,460        $ 16,444           $ 81,848       $ 46,940    

Less: gross margin from land and home sites

    353          -            353           
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross margin from homes delivered

    32,107          16,444            81,495         46,940    

Add: capitalized interest in cost of sales

    3,061          1,386            7,425         3,653    
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Adjusted gross margin from homes delivered

   $           35,168        $           17,830           $           88,920       $           50,593    
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Gross margin from homes delivered as a percentage of revenues from homes delivered

    26.9%        26.4%          27.0%        27.4%   
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Adjusted gross margin from homes delivered as a percentage of revenues from homes delivered

    29.5%        28.6%          29.5%        29.5%   
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA measures performance by adjusting net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of WCI Communities, Inc. to exclude, if any, interest expense, capitalized interest in cost of sales, income taxes, depreciation (‘‘EBITDA’’), preferred stock dividends, income (loss) from discontinued operations, other income, stock-based compensation expense, asset impairments and expenses related to early repayment of debt. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to shareholders, investors and other interested parties regarding our results of operations because it assists those parties and us when analyzing and benchmarking the performance and value of our business. We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful as a measure of comparative operating performance from period to period and among companies in the homebuilding industry as it is reflective of changes in pricing decisions, cost controls and other factors that affect operating performance, and it removes the effects of our capital structure (such as preferred stock dividends and interest expense), asset base (primarily depreciation), items outside of our control (primarily income taxes) and the volatility related to the timing and extent of non-operating activities (such as discontinued operations and asset impairments). Accordingly, we believe that this measure is useful for comparing general operating performance from period to period. Other companies may define Adjusted EBITDA differently and, as a result, our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA of other companies. Although we use Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure to assess the performance of our business, the use of Adjusted EBITDA is limited because it does not include certain material costs, such as interest and income taxes, necessary to operate our business. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, and not as substitutes for, net income (loss) in accordance with GAAP as a measure of performance. Our presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an indication that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items.

 

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Our EBITDA-based measures have limitations as analytical tools and, therefore, shareholders, investors and other interested parties should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analyses of our results as reported under GAAP. Some such limitations are:

 

    they do not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters that we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations;
    they are not adjusted for all non-cash income or expense items that are reflected in our consolidated statements of cash flows;
    they do not reflect the interest that is necessary to service our debt; and
    other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently than we do, thereby limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

Because of these limitations, our EBITDA-based measures are not intended to be alternatives to net income (loss), indicators of our operating performance, alternatives to any other measure of performance under GAAP or alternatives to cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities as measures of liquidity. Shareholders, investors and other interested parties should therefore not place undue reliance on our EBITDA-based measures or ratios calculated using those measures.

The table below reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net income attributable to common shareholders of WCI Communities, Inc., for the periods presented herein.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,         Nine Months Ended September 30,    
    2015     2014      2015     2014  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
    ($ in thousands)  

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders of WCI Communities, Inc.

   $ 10,183       $ 3,140         $ 25,655       $ 8,958    

Interest expense

    200         191          658         876    

Capitalized interest in cost of sales (1)

    3,061         1,386          7,425         3,653    

Income tax expense

    6,289         1,703          13,392         6,337    

Depreciation

    767         678          2,234         1,910    
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

    20,500         7,098          49,364         21,734    

Other income, net

    (398)        (107)         (593)        (535)   

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

    1,079         856          3,156         2,541    
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $       21,181       $       7,847         $       51,927       $       23,740    
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    14.1%        8.8%         13.0%        9.3%   
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (1) Represents capitalized interest expensed in cost of sales on home deliveries and land and home site sales.  
  (2) Represents the expense recorded in the Company’s unaudited consolidated statements of operations related to its stock-based compensation plans.  

Net Debt to Net Capitalization

We believe that net debt to net capitalization provides useful information to shareholders, investors and other interested parties regarding our financial position and cash and debt management. It is also a relevant financial measure for understanding the leverage employed in our operations and as an indicator of our ability to obtain future financing.

By deducting cash and cash equivalents from our outstanding debt, we provide a measure of our debt that considers our cash position. We believe that this approach provides useful information because the ratio of debt to capital does not consider our cash and cash equivalents and we believe that a debt ratio net of cash, such as net debt to net capitalization, provides supplemental information by which our financial position may be considered. Shareholders, investors and other interested parties may also find this information to be helpful when comparing our leverage to the leverage of other companies in our industry. Although other companies in the homebuilding industry report similar information, they may calculate this measure differently than we do and, therefore, it may not be comparable. We urge shareholders, investors and other interested parties to understand the methods used by other companies in the homebuilding industry to calculate leverage ratios such as net debt to net capitalization, including any adjustments to such amounts, before comparing our measures to those of such other companies.

 

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The table below presents the computations of our net debt to net capitalization and reconciles such amounts to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, debt to capital.

 

           September 30,      
2015
           December 31,      
2014
 
  

 

 

 
     ($ in thousands)  

 

Senior Notes due 2021

    $ 251,069        $ 251,179     

Total equity

     463,102          434,443     
  

 

 

 

Total capital

    $ 714,171        $ 685,622     
  

 

 

 

Debt to capital (1)

     35.2%         36.6%   
  

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes due 2021

    $ 251,069        $ 251,179     

Less: unamortized premium

     1,069          1,179     
  

 

 

 

Principal amount of Senior Notes due 2021

     250,000          250,000     

Less: cash and cash equivalents

     149,383          174,756     
  

 

 

 

Net debt

     100,617          75,244     

Total equity

     463,102          434,443     
  

 

 

 

Net capitalization

    $ 563,719        $ 509,687     
  

 

 

 

Net debt to net capitalization (2)

     17.8%         14.8%   
  

 

 

 

 

  (1) Debt to capital is computed by dividing the carrying value of our Senior Notes due 2021, as reported on our consolidated balance sheets, by total capital as calculated above. The Senior Notes due 2021 were our only outstanding debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  
  (2) Net debt to net capitalization is computed by dividing net debt by net capitalization.  

 

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Consolidated Results of Operations

WCI Communities, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

        Three Months Ended September 30,             Nine Months Ended September 30,      
    2015     2014     2015     2014  

 

Revenues

       

Homebuilding

   $ 120,509         $ 62,381         $ 303,121         $ 171,294     

Real estate services

    24,998          22,886          76,871          67,848     

Amenities

    4,681          4,393          18,608          17,257     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    150,188          89,660          398,600          256,399     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of Sales

       

Homebuilding

    88,049          45,937          221,273          124,354     

Real estate services

    24,048          22,455          72,923          66,041     

Amenities

    6,052          5,570          20,021          18,465     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost of sales

    118,149          73,962          314,217          208,860     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

    32,039          15,698          84,383          47,539     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    16,024          11,034          45,328          32,026     

Interest expense

    200          191          658          876     

Other income, net

    (398)         (107)         (593)         (535)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    15,826          11,118          45,393          32,367     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations before income taxes

    16,213          4,580          38,990          15,172     

Income tax expense

    6,289          1,703          13,392          6,337     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    9,924          2,877          25,598          8,835     

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    259          263          57          123     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders of WCI Communities, Inc.

   $           10,183         $             3,140         $           25,655         $             8,958     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Homebuilding

 

      Three Months Ended September 30,        Nine Months Ended September 30,   
     2015      2014      2015      2014  
     ($ in thousands)  

 

Homebuilding revenues

   $ 120,509        $ 62,381        $ 303,121        $ 171,294    

Homes delivered

     119,309          62,381          301,921          171,294    

Land and home sites

     1,200                  1,200            

Homebuilding gross margin

     32,460          16,444          81,848          46,940    

Homebuilding gross margin percentage

     26.9%         26.4%         27.0%         27.4%   

Homes delivered (units)

     258          146          639          406    

Average selling price per home delivered

   $ 462        $ 427        $ 472        $ 422    

New orders for homes (units) (1) (2)

     277          172          893          572    

Contract values of new orders (1) (2)

   $ 124,760        $ 84,001        $ 394,205        $ 278,750    

Average selling price per new order (1) (2)

     450          488          441          487    

Cancellation rate (3)

     5.8%         6.5%         7.0%         6.1%   

Backlog (units) (2) (4)

     646          459          646          459    

Backlog contract values (2) (4)

   $     300,496        $     252,308        $     300,496        $     252,308    

Average selling price in backlog (2) (4)

     465          550          465          550    

Active selling neighborhoods at period-end (2)

     44          30          44          30    

 

  (1) New orders represent orders for homes, including the amount (in units) and contract values, net of any cancellations, during the reporting period.  
  (2) During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we began converting reservations to contracts in a 75-unit luxury high-rise tower that we are constructing in Bonita Springs, Florida. As a result, our new orders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 included 12 homes (units) with an aggregate contract value of $19.6 million, or an average selling price per unit of $1,635,000. Such amounts are also included in backlog (units), backlog contract values and average selling price in backlog, respectively, at September 30, 2015.  
  (3) Represents the number of orders canceled during the period divided by the number of gross orders executed during such period (excludes cancellations and gross orders related to customer home site transfers).  
  (4) Backlog only includes orders for homes at the end of the reporting period that have a binding sales agreement signed by both the homebuyer and us where the home has yet to be delivered to the homebuyer.  

Total homebuilding revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $120.5 million, an increase of $58.1 million, or 93.1%, from $62.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Such increase was primarily due to (i) a 112-unit, or 76.7%, increase in homes delivered and (ii) an 8.2% increase in the average selling price per home delivered. The increase in home deliveries was reflective of the continued ramp up in our operations.

Total homebuilding revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $303.1 million, an increase of $131.8 million, or 76.9%, from $171.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Such increase was primarily due to (i) a 233-unit, or 57.4%, increase in homes delivered and (ii) an 11.8% increase in the average selling price per home delivered. The increase in home deliveries was reflective of the continued ramp up in our operations.

Homebuilding gross margin during the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $32.5 million, an increase of $16.1 million, from $16.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Homebuilding gross margin as a percent of revenues increased to 26.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 from 26.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Such increase was primarily due to shifting product mix, partially offset by an increase of 80 basis points in our home site cost of sales as a percent of homes delivered revenues. A higher percentage of homes delivered during the three months ended September 30, 2015 were built on land from recent acquisitions, which do not benefit from low book values related to fresh start accounting (as discussed below).

Homebuilding gross margin during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $81.8 million, an increase of $34.9 million, from $46.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Homebuilding gross margin as a percent of revenues decreased to 27.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from 27.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Such

 

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decrease was primarily due to an increase of 90 basis points in our home site cost of sales as a percent of homes delivered revenues, partially offset by favorable product mix. A higher percentage of homes delivered during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were built on land from recent acquisitions, which do not benefit from low book values related to fresh start accounting.

Our homebuilding cost of sales and, therefore, our homebuilding gross margins during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were favorably impacted by the low book value of our land, which was reset to fair value during September 2009 in accordance with fresh start accounting requirements upon our emergence from bankruptcy. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, approximately 62% and 67%, respectively, of our home deliveries were generated from communities that we owned in September 2009, compared to approximately 90% and 93% of our home deliveries during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The favorable impact of fresh start accounting contributed to a home site cost of sales as a percent of homes delivered revenues of 17.6% and 16.8% during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The corresponding percentages were 17.3% and 16.4% during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Fluctuations of the home site cost of sales percentage were primarily due to shifting product mix. Generally, we expect that homes delivered from communities we owned in September 2009 will have a gross margin percentage approximately 5% to 10% higher than homes delivered from our more recent land acquisitions.

As of September 30, 2015, approximately 29% of our total owned or controlled home sites, or approximately 4,100 home sites, benefited from being reset to fair value during September 2009. Due to the longer duration of our master-planned communities, we expect to continue to benefit from our favorable land book value for at least the next several years. However, based on the prices of land that we have purchased more recently, and as we acquire and develop land in the future at then-current market prices, we anticipate that the favorable impact of our low book value land on our homebuilding gross margin will lessen in the future.

We delivered 258 homes during the three months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 112 units, or 76.7%, from the 146 homes delivered during the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in deliveries during 2015 was primarily due to: (i) continued ramp-up of our homebuilding operations; (ii) a larger backlog at June 30, 2015 when compared to the backlog at June 30, 2014; and (iii) more of our neighborhoods delivering homes during 2015 as compared to 2014. The average selling price per home delivered during the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $462,000, an increase of $35,000, or 8.2%, from $427,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

We delivered 639 homes during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 233 units, or 57.4%, from the 406 homes delivered during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in deliveries during 2015 was primarily due to: (i) continued ramp-up of our homebuilding operations; (ii) a larger backlog at December 31, 2014 when compared to the backlog at December 31, 2013; and (iii) more of our neighborhoods delivering homes during 2015 as compared to 2014. The average selling price per home delivered during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $472,000, an increase of $50,000, or 11.8%, from $422,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we generated 277 new orders, an increase of 105 new orders, or 61.0%, from 172 new orders during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Such increase was primarily due to (i) continued momentum within our active selling neighborhoods and (ii) an increase in our active selling neighborhood count from 30 at September 30, 2014 to 44 at September 30, 2015. Contract values of new orders during the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $124.8 million, an increase of $40.8 million, or 48.6%, from $84.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to the 105-unit increase in new order activity. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the average selling price per unit of new orders declined to $450,000 from $488,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2014, or 7.8%, primarily due to shifting product mix resulting from the introduction of several new active adult communities during late 2014 and early 2015. Partially offsetting such 2015 decline in the average selling price per unit was the initial order activity at the luxury high-rise tower that we are constructing in Bonita Springs, Florida.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we generated 893 new orders, an increase of 321 new orders, or 56.1%, from 572 new orders during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Such increase was primarily due to (i) continued momentum within our active selling neighborhoods and (ii) an increase in our active selling neighborhood count from 30 at September 30, 2014 to 44 at September 30, 2015. Contract values of new orders during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $394.2 million, an increase of $115.4 million, or 41.4%, from $278.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to the 321-unit increase in new order activity. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the average selling price per unit of new orders declined to $441,000 from $487,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, or 9.4%, primarily due to shifting product mix resulting from the introduction of several new active adult communities during late 2014 and early 2015 along with the sell-out of one of our higher-priced second-home communities during 2014. Partially offsetting such 2015 decline in the average selling price per unit was the initial order activity at the luxury high-rise tower that we are constructing in Bonita Springs, Florida.

 

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Our backlog contract value as of September 30, 2015 was $300.5 million, an increase of $48.2 million, or 19.1%, from $252.3 million as of September 30, 2014. We had 646 units in backlog as of September 30, 2015, an increase of 187 units, or 40.7%, from 459 units as of September 30, 2014. The increase in the value of our backlog as of September 30, 2015 was net of a 15.5% decline in the average selling price of our backlog units from $550,000 to $465,000. The increase in backlog units was primarily due to continued improvement in the housing market, which was evidenced by our increase in new orders. The decrease in the average selling price of our backlog units was primarily due to shifting product mix that was consistent with the new orders we generated during 2015. Partially offsetting such 2015 decline in the average selling price per unit were the backlog units at the luxury high-rise tower that we are constructing in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Real Estate Services

 

      Three Months Ended September 30,        Nine Months Ended September 30,   
     2015      2014      2015      2014  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     ($ in thousands)  

 

Real estate services revenues

   $           24,998        $           22,886        $           76,871        $           67,848    

Real estate brokerage

     23,684          21,885          73,085          65,044    

Title services

     1,314          1,001          3,786          2,804    

Real estate services gross margin

     950          431          3,948          1,807    

Real estate services gross margin percentage

     3.8%         1.9%         5.1%         2.7%   

Real estate brokerage closed home sales transactions

     2,373          2,445          7,438          7,106    

Real estate brokerage average home sale selling price

   $ 324        $ 291        $ 320        $ 297    

Title services closing transactions

     726          619          2,181          1,812    

Real estate services revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $25.0 million, an increase of $2.1 million, or 9.2%, from $22.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Such improvement was primarily due to an increase of 8.2% in real estate brokerage revenues that resulted from an 11.3% increase in average home sale selling price, partially offset by a 2.9% decrease in closed home sales transactions. The increase in average home sale selling price was primarily due to a shift in the mix of our real estate brokerage business to higher-priced home sales and an overall increase in pricing evidenced in the broader housing market. The decrease in closed home sales transactions was primarily due to a shift in our business from higher volume lower-priced home sales transactions to lower volume higher-priced home sales transactions. Title services revenues increased 31.3% during the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to more: (i) buyers from our Homebuilding segment who elected to use our title company; (ii) third-party resale transactions; and (iii) mortgage refinancing activity. Our title services revenues also increased incrementally as a result of insurance premiums that were earned on comparatively more higher-priced home sales transactions during 2015.

Real estate services revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $76.9 million, an increase of $9.1 million, or 13.4%, from $67.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Such improvement was primarily due to an increase of 12.4% in real estate brokerage revenues that resulted from (i) a 7.7% increase in average home sale selling price and (ii) a 4.7% increase in closed home sales transactions. The increase in average home sale selling price was generally aligned with improved pricing evidenced in the broader housing market, as well as a shift in the mix of our real estate brokerage business to higher-priced home sales. The increase in closed home sales transactions was primarily due to an overall improvement in the broader housing market and the continued favorable effects from certain real estate brokerage offices that we acquired in late 2013 and early 2014, partially offset by a shift in our business from higher volume lower-priced home sales transactions to lower volume higher-priced home sales transactions. Title services revenues increased 35.0% during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to more: (i) buyers from our Homebuilding segment who elected to use our title company; (ii) captured transactions from our company-owned real estate brokerage and third-party resale transactions; and (iii) mortgage refinancing activity. Our title services revenues also increased incrementally as a result of insurance premiums that were earned on comparatively more higher-priced home sales transactions during 2015.

Real estate services gross margin during the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $0.9 million, an increase of $0.5 million, or 125.0%, from $0.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Such increase was primarily due to the margin associated with higher 2015 revenues, partially offset by increased costs to support our growing operations. The 2015 improvement in the real estate services gross margin percentage was primarily due to incremental revenues covering a greater portion of fixed operating costs. Real estate brokerage commissions and other variable costs as a percent of real estate brokerage revenues were 76.2% during the three months ended September 30, 2015, a decrease of 10 basis points, from 76.3% during the three months ended September 30, 2014. This nominal decrease was primarily due to lower average commission splits being paid to our agents during the three months ended September 30, 2015 as a result of the geographic markets where our revenues were generated and the differing commission splits in those markets.

 

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Real estate services gross margin during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $3.9 million, an increase of $2.1 million, or 116.7%, from $1.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Such increase was primarily due to (i) the margin associated with higher 2015 revenues and (ii) a 2015 reduction in certain costs associated with real estate brokerage offices that we acquired in late 2013 and early 2014. Partially offsetting these items were increased costs to support our growing operations. The 2015 improvement in the real estate services gross margin percentage was primarily due to incremental revenues covering a greater portion of fixed operating costs. Real estate brokerage commissions and other variable costs as a percent of real estate brokerage revenues were 75.6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 20 basis points, from 75.4% during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This increase was primarily due to higher average commission splits being paid to our agents during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, which was a result of our top performers generating a greater percentage of home sales transactions and certain other increases in commission splits that took effect during 2014. Differing commission splits in the various geographic markets that we serve moderated the increase in real estate brokerage commissions and other variable costs as a percent of real estate brokerage revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Amenities

 

      Three Months Ended September 30,          Nine Months Ended September 30,   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     2015      2014        2015      2014  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (in thousands)  

 

Revenues

    $           4,681       $           4,393           $           18,608       $           17,257     

Amenities gross margin

     (1,371      (1,177)           (1,413      (1,208)    

Our Amenities segment derives revenues from the sale of equity and nonequity memberships, the sale and lease of marina slips, membership dues, and golf and restaurant operations.

Amenities revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $4.7 million, an increase of $0.3 million, or 6.8%, from $4.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. We generated $2.8 million of membership dues during the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $2.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014, an increase of $0.2 million. Club operating revenues were $1.8 million during each of the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The increase in membership dues was primarily due to a 9% increase in our membership base when comparing September 30, 2015 to September 30, 2014. The membership base increase was driven by both new members from the sale of memberships and new members resulting from home deliveries in communities with bundled amenities for which we do not charge an initiation fee. The increase in the membership base generally accounts for more food and beverage, golf, tennis and fitness revenues being generated at our clubs; however, quarterly club operating revenues were flat year-over-year as operations during the period were adversely impacted by certain weather-related disruptions to golf operations and periodic closings of one of our golf courses for additional maintenance necessary to improve golf course conditions. Membership sales revenues were $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and such sales were nominal during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Amenities revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $18.6 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 7.5%, from $17.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We generated $8.4 million of membership dues during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $7.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, an increase of $0.7 million. Club operating revenues were $9.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $9.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, an increase of $0.4 million. The increases in membership dues and club operating revenues were primarily due to a 9% increase in our membership base when comparing September 30, 2015 to September 30, 2014, which accounted for more food and beverage, golf, tennis and fitness revenues being generated at our clubs. The membership base increase was driven by both new members from the sale of memberships and new members resulting from home deliveries in communities with bundled amenities for which we do not charge an initiation fee. Partially offsetting the favorable impact of the increase in the membership base on club operating revenues was certain weather-related disruptions to golf operations and periodic closings of one of our golf courses for additional maintenance necessary to improve golf course conditions. Membership sales revenues were $0.4 million and $0.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Amenities gross margin during the three months ended September 30, 2015 was ($1.4) million, representing a decline of $0.2 million when compared to ($1.2) million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Such decline primarily resulted from incremental maintenance costs at certain of our golf courses and lost revenues due to periodic closings at one of our golf courses related to repairs necessary to improve golf course conditions. Partially offsetting this decline was improved margin at certain of our clubs from incremental revenues.

Amenities gross margin during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was ($1.4) million, representing a decline of $0.2 million when compared to ($1.2) million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The 2015 results were favorably impacted by higher revenues, which generated incremental gross margin; however, such improvement was offset by incremental maintenance costs at certain of our golf courses and the effects from the periodic closing of one of our golf courses during 2015 for additional maintenance necessary to improve golf course conditions.

 

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Asset Impairments

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we did not record any impairments of our real estate inventories or other long-lived assets because (i) those assets classified as held and used had undiscounted cash flows in excess of their carrying values and (ii) those assets meeting the criteria as held for sale, if any, had fair values in excess of their carrying values. We continue to monitor the values of certain of our land and amenities assets to determine whether to hold them for future development or sell them at current market prices. If we choose to market any of our assets for sale, that action may potentially lead to the recording of an impairment charge for the affected asset.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $16.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $5.0 million, or 45.5%, from $11.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Sales and marketing expenses, which pertain to our homebuilding operations and are comprised of commissions paid to our licensed in-house sales personnel and independent third-party real estate brokers, direct marketing expenses and sales office expenses, increased $3.3 million, or 82.5%, to $7.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $4.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. This change was primarily due to increases in commissions directly related to our increase in home deliveries, along with greater direct marketing and sales office expenses as a result of our increased neighborhood count. As a percent of revenues from homes delivered, the related commission expense increased from 3.5% during the 2014 period to 3.8% during the 2015 period due to a greater portion of our 2015 revenues being subject to independent broker commissions. General and administrative expenses increased $1.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to (i) additional compensation expense and related employee benefits supporting our growing operations and (ii) increases in our incentive-based compensation expense and stock-based compensation expense. As a percent of homebuilding revenues, SG&A expenses declined to 13.3% during the three months ended September 30, 2015 from 17.7% during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

SG&A expenses were $45.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $13.3 million, or 41.6%, from $32.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Sales and marketing expenses increased $7.3 million, or 60.8%, to $19.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $12.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This change was primarily due to increases in commissions directly related to our increase in home deliveries, along with greater direct marketing and sales office expenses as a result of our increased neighborhood count. As a percent of revenues from homes delivered, the related commission expense increased from 3.6% during the 2014 period to 3.8% during the 2015 period due to a greater portion of our 2015 revenues being subject to independent broker commissions. General and administrative expenses increased $6.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to: (i) additional compensation expense and related employee benefits supporting our growing operations; (ii) increases in our incentive-based compensation expense and stock-based compensation expense; and (iii) incremental costs incurred in respect of a secondary offering of the common stock of WCI Communities, Inc. by certain selling stockholders pursuant to a registration rights agreement with no proceeds therefrom to the Company. As a percent of homebuilding revenues, SG&A expenses declined to 15.0% during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from 18.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Interest Expense

Interest expense is primarily interest incurred on our debt but not capitalized. Interest expense was $0.2 million during each of the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The corresponding amounts were $0.7 million and $0.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, a decrease of $0.2 million. Such decrease was primarily due to a greater portion of our interest incurred being capitalized as a result of increased construction and community development spending.

Other Income, net

Other income was $0.4 million and $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The corresponding amounts were $0.6 million and $0.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Other income during 2015 and 2014 included net recoveries and reductions in certain accruals and reserves related to various matters, interest income and other miscellaneous items. Other income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 also included $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of gains from sales of prepaid impact fee credits.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $6.3 million and $1.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The corresponding amounts were $13.4 million and $6.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. After excluding the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests, which is not tax-effected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, our effective income tax rates during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were

 

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38.2% and 34.3%, respectively. The effective income tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was favorably impacted by the Company’s accounting for certain final regulations published by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service on March 31, 2015. Among other things, those new regulations, which pertain to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), provide newly public companies with certain relief from the annual federal income tax deduction limitation for executive compensation. Our cumulative catch-up accounting for the new regulations resulted in a $1.8 million reduction in our income tax expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Our effective income tax rates during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were 35.2% and 41.4%, respectively. The effective rate for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was favorably impacted by the recognition of a $0.4 million state tax refund receivable pertaining to a prior period. The effective rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was higher than the customary blended federal and state income tax rate primarily due to certain stock-based compensation expense that was expected to be non-deductible under the then-existing regulations pertaining to Section 162(m) of the Code, partially offset by a $0.7 million net reduction in the Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowances and the aforementioned state tax refund receivable.

As of September 30, 2015, we had a deferred tax asset of $97.4 million, which was net of a valuation allowance of $70.7 million. As a result of prior changes in ownership under Section 382 (“Section 382”) of the Code, including an ownership change under Section 382 that occurred during July 2015, the net operating loss carryforwards underlying our deferred tax assets are subject to certain limitations. For further discussion of certain risks related to the Company’s income taxes, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Also, see Note 9 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussion of our income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

We rely on our ability to finance our operations by generating cash flows, accessing the debt and equity capital markets and independently obtaining surety bonds and letters of credit to finance our projects and provide financial guarantees. Our principal uses of capital are home construction, land acquisition and development and operating expenses. Our working capital needs depend on proceeds from home deliveries and land and home site sales, fees generated from our Real Estate Services businesses, sales of amenities memberships and related annual dues and club operations. We remain focused on generating positive margins in our Homebuilding operations and acquiring desirable land positions that will keep us positioned for future growth.

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 inventory and are 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 because the cash outflow associated with home and land construction was previously incurred.

We are actively acquiring and developing land in our markets to maintain and grow our supply of home sites. Therefore, we expect that cash outlays for land purchases and land development will exceed our cash generated by operating activities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we generated cash by delivering 639 homes, spent $5.2 million to purchase home sites, invested $57.5 million on land development and started construction of 877 homes. The opportunity to purchase substantially finished home sites in desirable locations is becoming increasingly limited and more competitive. As a result, we are spending, and plan to spend, more on land acquisitions and land development. Additionally, we significantly increased the land that we control through land purchase contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and we expect to purchase more undeveloped land and partially finished home sites. Additionally, we expect to incur substantial building and development costs through June 30, 2017 in connection with the construction of a 75-unit luxury high-rise tower in Bonita Springs, Florida. Although we have collected, and will continue to collect, deposits from homebuyers, the aggregate amount thereof will represent only a small portion of the total cost for the tower’s construction. With our strong balance sheet position and currently available revolving credit facilities, we believe that our access to capital is sufficient to cover our expected tower construction costs in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, we continue to evaluate certain other project-specific financing alternatives. We can provide no assurances that we will be able to successfully obtain any such financing on economic terms that are acceptable to us, if at all.

We exercise strict controls, including those related to cash outlays for land and real estate inventory acquisition and development, and we believe that we have a prudent strategy for company-wide cash management. We require multiple party account control and authorization for payments. We competitively bid each phase of the development and construction process and closely manage production schedules and vendor payments. Land acquisition decisions are reviewed and analyzed by our executive management team and are approved by the land committee of our board of directors or our full board of directors in accordance with

 

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our corporate governance guidelines based on the size of the investment. As of September 30, 2015, we had $149.4 million of cash and cash equivalents, a $25.4 million decrease from December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of our continued investment in real estate inventories, partially offset by the cash flow generated by the homes delivered during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The net increase in our real estate inventories of $79.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to land acquisitions, land development and home construction spending within our communities, partially offset by homebuilding cost of sales. We expect to generate cash from sales of our real estate inventories but we intend to redeploy the net cash generated from such sales to: (i) acquire and develop land that represents opportunities to generate desired future margins, including land that is already controlled by us under land purchase contracts; (ii) construct a 75-unit luxury high-rise tower in Bonita Springs, Florida; and (iii) cover other operating needs as they arise.

We intend to employ both debt and equity as part of our ongoing financing strategies, coupled with redeployment of cash flows from operating activities, to provide ourselves with the financial flexibility to access capital on the best terms available. In that regard, we expect to employ prudent levels of leverage to finance the acquisition and development of home sites and the construction of homes and a tower in Bonita Springs, Florida. Most recently, our primary sources of liquidity for operations have been cash flow from operations and debt and equity financing. Subject to the covenants contained in the agreements governing our existing indebtedness, we may, from time to time, repurchase or refinance all or a portion of our existing indebtedness and/or access the debt and equity capital markets. We have an effective shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that can be used to register offerings of debt and equity securities. If deemed appropriate, we will use such shelf registration statement to register offerings of debt and/or equity securities in the future.

We plan to maintain adequate liquidity and a strong balance sheet and we will continue to evaluate opportunities to access the debt and equity capital markets as they become available. We believe that we can meet our cash requirements for the twelve months ending September 30, 2016 with existing cash and cash equivalents and cash flow from operating activities (including sales of homes and land). However, to a large extent, our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors, as well as other factors that are beyond our control. We can provide no assurances that our business will generate cash flow from operating activities in an amount sufficient to enable us to fund our liquidity needs. Further, our capital requirements may vary materially from those currently planned if, for example, our revenues do not reach expected levels or we incur unforeseen capital expenditures and/or make investments to maintain our competitive position. Accordingly, as necessary, we may seek alternative financing, such as selling additional debt or equity securities or divesting assets or operations. We can provide no assurances that we will be able to consummate any such transactions on favorable terms, if at all. Any inability to generate sufficient cash flow, refinance our debt or incur additional debt on favorable terms could adversely affect our financial condition and could cause us to be unable to service our debt and may delay or prevent the expansion of our business or otherwise require us to forego market opportunities.

For further discussion of certain financing and other related risks facing our business and operations, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness—We may need additional financing to fund our operations or expand our business and if we are unable to obtain sufficient financing or such financing is obtained on adverse terms, we may not be able to operate or expand our business as planned, which could adversely affect our results of operations and future growth.” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2014 Form 10-K.

Revolving Credit Arrangements

During August 2013, we entered into a four-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility that allows us to borrow up to $75.0 million on a revolving basis, of which up to $50.0 million may be used for letters of credit. The commitment under such revolving credit facility is limited by a borrowing base calculation based on certain asset values as set forth in the underlying loan agreement. As of October 28, 2015, there were no amounts drawn on the revolving credit facility or any limitations on our borrowing capacity thereunder, leaving the full amount available to us on such date.

During February 2013, WCI Communities, Inc. and WCI Communities, LLC (collectively, the “WCI Parties”) entered into a five-year $10.0 million secured senior loan with Stonegate Bank (the “Stonegate Loan”). During its initial 36 months, the loan is structured as a revolving credit facility. During the subsequent 24 months, the loan converts to a term loan with principal and interest to be paid monthly. During the initial 36 months of the loan, the WCI Parties also have the ability to request standby letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $5.0 million at any given time. Each outstanding letter of credit will correspondingly reduce the availability under the revolving credit facility. As of October 28, 2015, there were no amounts drawn on the Stonegate Loan; however, $1.6 million of letters of credit have been issued thereunder on such date, limiting the borrowing capacity to $8.4 million. We are currently discussing a loan modification with representatives from the bank; however, there can be no assurances that such discussions will be successful or ultimately result in an amended loan agreement.

For a detailed description of our revolving credit arrangements, see Note 7 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds

We use letters of credit and surety bonds (performance and financial) to guarantee our performance under various land development and construction agreements, land purchase obligations, escrow agreements, financial guarantees and other arrangements. As of September 30, 2015, we had $1.6 million of outstanding letters of credit. Performance bonds do not have stated expiration dates; rather, we are released from the bonds as the contractual performance is completed. Our performance and financial bonds, which totaled $48.7 million as of September 30, 2015, are typically outstanding over a period of approximately one to five years or longer, depending on, among other things, the pace of development. Our estimated exposure on the outstanding performance and financial bonds as of September 30, 2015 was $27.8 million, primarily based on development remaining to be completed. If banks were to decline to issue letters of credit or surety companies were to decline to issue performance and financial bonds, our ability to operate could be significantly restricted and that circumstance could have an adverse effect on our business, liquidity and results of operations. Information about risk factors that have the potential to affect us is contained under the captions “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2014 Form 10-K and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Cash Flows

We intend to use our available liquidity, which includes our cash and cash equivalents and, if necessary, borrowings under our revolving credit arrangements, for general corporate purposes, including the acquisition and development of land and home construction. The table below summarizes our cash flows as reported in our unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

      Nine Months Ended September 30,   
     2015      2014  
  

 

 

 
     (in thousands)  

Sources (uses) of cash and cash equivalents:

     

Net cash used in operating activities

     $ (23,178    $ (111,961)    

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,100      (2,465)    

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (95      70,615     
  

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (25,373      (43,811)    

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     174,756         213,352     
  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

     $           149,383       $           169,541     
  

 

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, net cash used in operating activities was $23.2 million and $112.0 million, respectively. The $88.8 million decrease in net cash used in operating activities during 2015 was primarily due to a: (i) $62.0 million decrease in real estate inventories activity; (ii) $24.4 million improvement in net income during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 after giving effect to certain non-cash adjustments; and (iii) $2.4 million net favorable change in other assets and liabilities. The decrease in real estate inventories activity included (i) a year-over-year reduction in expenditures for land acquisitions ($72.8 million) and (ii) higher homebuilding cost of sales during 2015, which were partially offset by increased year-over-year expenditures for land development ($21.9 million) and home construction ($77.7 million).

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $2.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Additions to property and equipment were the Company’s only investing activity during both such periods.

Net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $0.1 million, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $70.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Net cash used in financing activities during 2015 primarily consisted of (i) amounts paid to acquire treasury stock to facilitate income tax withholding payments on behalf of certain officers and employees of the Company who had stock-based compensation awards that vested during 2015 and (ii) a distribution to noncontrolling interests in one of the Company’s joint ventures. Net cash provided by financing activities during 2014 consisted of proceeds of (i) $51.2 million from our issuance of Senior Notes due 2021 ($50.0 million in aggregate principal amount at an issue price of 102.5%) and (ii) $21.7 million that we received from the sale of certain community development district bonds held by the Company. Those cash receipts were partially offset by: (i) payments of $1.1 million for debt issuance costs; (ii) payments of $0.9 million on community development district obligations; (iii) payments of $0.2 million to acquire treasury stock to facilitate income tax withholding payments on behalf of certain officers and employees of the Company who had stock-based compensation awards that vested during 2014; and (iv) a distribution of $0.1 million to noncontrolling interests in one of the Company’s joint ventures.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

We selectively enter into business relationships in the form of partnerships and joint ventures with unrelated parties. These partnerships and joint ventures are used to acquire, develop, market and operate homebuilding, amenities and real estate projects. In connection with the operation of these partnerships and joint ventures, the partners may agree to make additional cash contributions to the partnerships pursuant to the partnership agreements. We believe that future contributions, if required, will not have a significant impact on our liquidity or financial condition. Should we fail to make required contributions, if any, we may lose some or all of our interest in such partnerships or joint ventures.

In the normal course of business, we may enter into contractual arrangements to acquire developed and/or undeveloped land parcels and home sites. We are subject to customary obligations associated with entering into contracts for the purchase of land and improved home sites. These purchase contracts typically require a cash deposit and the purchase of properties under these contracts is generally contingent on the satisfaction of certain requirements by the sellers, including obtaining applicable property and development entitlements. We also use option contracts with land sellers as a method of acquiring land in staged takedowns to help us manage the financial and market risks associated with land holdings and to reduce the use of funds from our available financing sources. Option contracts generally require a non-refundable deposit for the right to acquire home sites over a specified period of time at pre-determined prices. We generally have the right, at our sole discretion, to terminate our obligations under both purchase and option contracts by forfeiting our cash deposit with no further financial responsibility to the land seller. As of September 30, 2015, the remaining aggregate purchase price under land purchase contracts, net of deposits and other related payments, was approximately $115.8 million, which controlled approximately 6,400 planned home sites. As of such date, we had made non-refundable deposits aggregating $2.7 million for those contracts. There can be no assurances that we will acquire any of the land under contract on the terms or within the timing anticipated, or at all. For further discussion of certain risks related to the Company’s land acquisitions, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We may not be successful in our efforts to identify, complete or integrate acquisitions, which could adversely affect our results of operations and future growth.” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2014 Form 10-K.

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

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were no material changes to the contractual obligation and off-balance sheet information presented under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations” in Item 7 of Part II of the 2014 Form 10-K, other than (i) a net increase of $56.2 million in our land purchase contracts, net of deposits and other related payments, to $115.8 million and (ii) an extension of the lease for our corporate headquarters in Bonita Springs, Florida to February 28, 2019. The corresponding lease amendment was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2015 as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.

Inflation and Mortgage Interest Rates

We and the homebuilding industry may be adversely affected by inflation, primarily as it relates to increased costs to finance our land acquisitions, make land improvements, purchase raw materials and pay subcontractor labor. If we are unable to recover these increased costs through higher selling prices to homebuyers, our gross margins could be adversely impacted. Because the selling prices of our homes in backlog are fixed at the time a buyer enters into a contract to acquire a home, any inflation in raw material and labor costs that are greater than those anticipated may result in lower gross margins. Over the past three years, the impact of inflation has not been material to our results of operations.

Increases in home mortgage interest rates may also make it more difficult for our buyers to qualify for home mortgage loans, potentially decreasing our home sales.

Seasonality

We have historically experienced, and in the future expect to continue to experience, variability in our operating results on a quarterly basis in each of our three operating segments. Because many of our Florida homebuyers prefer to close on their new home purchases before the winter, the fourth quarter of each calendar year often produces a disproportionately large portion of our annual Homebuilding revenues, income and cash flows. Activity in our realty brokerage operations is greater during the spring and summer months primarily because (i) buyers with families generally move when their children are out of school and (ii) Florida’s seasonal residents tend to make resale home purchases prior to leaving for the summer. These factors typically result in a larger portion of Real Estate Services revenues, income and cash flows during the second and third quarters of each calendar year. In addition, many of our

 

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club members spend the winter months in Florida, thereby producing a disproportionately large portion of our annual Amenities revenues and cash flows during that time period. Accordingly, revenues and operating results for our three operating segments may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis and we must maintain sufficient liquidity to meet short-term operating requirements.

As a result of seasonal activity, our results of operations during any given quarter are not necessarily representative of the results that we expect for the full calendar year or subsequent quarterly reporting periods. We expect these seasonal patterns to continue, although they may be affected by economic conditions in the homebuilding and real estate industry and other interrelated factors.

In contrast to our typical seasonal results, weakness in U.S. homebuilding market conditions during recent years has mitigated our historical seasonal variations. Although we may experience our typical historical seasonal pattern in the future, we can make no assurances as to when or whether this pattern will recur. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate because of the seasonal nature of our business and other factors.” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2014 Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and 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 values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Management evaluates such estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and makes adjustments as deemed necessary. Actual results could significantly differ from those estimates if conditions are different in the future. Additionally, using different estimates or assumptions in our critical accounting policies and estimates could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below.

Our critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed from those reported under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7 of Part II of the 2014 Form 10-K.

Due to the complex analyses required under of each of Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), and Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”), which are discussed at Note 1 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we have not yet determined the impact thereof on our consolidated financial statements or the method of adoption that the Company will apply. As originally issued, public entities were required to adopt ASU 2014-09 during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim reporting periods during the year of adoption; however, on August 12, 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date (“ASU 2015-14”), which delayed the new revenue standard’s effective date by one year. Early adoption of ASU 2014-09 was not initially permitted by public entities; however, ASU 2015-14 provides for early adoption by such entities but not before the original effective date of the new revenue standard. Public entities are required to adopt ASU 2015-02 during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim reporting periods within those years. Early adoption of ASU 2015-02 is permitted. Moreover, the adoption of each of Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, and Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which are also discussed at Note 1 to the aforementioned unaudited consolidated financial statements, are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements or any related disclosures.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, prospects, growth strategies, the industry in which we operate and potential acquisitions. These forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as, “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “seek,” “predict,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “possible,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “forecast,” or “assume” or, in each case, the negative of such terms and other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include matters that are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results

 

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could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including, but not limited to, the following: a slowing or reversal of the recovery of the housing market, either on a national level or in Florida; changing local and economic conditions and the cyclical nature of the homebuilding industry; our geographic concentration in Florida; the seasonal nature of our business; our failure to maintain the current level of gross margin in our Homebuilding operating segment; the impact of competitive conditions in the homebuilding industry, the housing market and real estate brokerage industry; shortages of building materials or price fluctuations in the homebuilding industry; shortages in the availability of suitable land at reasonable prices; any decreases in the market value of our real estate inventories; our failure to develop communities successfully and in a timely manner; maintaining and/or increasing our profitability in the future; our re-entry into the tower business and the related risks associated with tower construction, market conditions and the fluctuation in our quarterly operating results; risks associated with our use of subcontractors; the costs of complying with laws and regulations, including environmental laws, that apply to us, and any failure to comply with such laws and regulations; the adoption of “slow growth” or “no growth” initiatives in areas where we operate; substantial increases in mortgage interest rates or the unavailability of mortgage financing; our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards in the future; our failure to successfully identify, complete or integrate acquisitions; risks associated with our participation in business partnerships and joint ventures; tax law and interest rate changes that could make home ownership more expensive or less attractive; natural or environmental disasters; uninsured losses or material losses in excess of our insurance limits; risks associated with acting as a title agent; risks associated with employing independent contractors in our real estate brokerage business; changes in laws and regulations governing the real estate brokerage business; claims against us with respect to deficiencies in operating funds and reserves, construction defects and other matters by condominium associations, homeowners associations or other third-parties; shortfalls in association revenues leading to increased levels of homeowner association deficit funding by us; our ability to obtain appropriate insurance coverage at reasonable costs; warranty, liability and other claims beyond our expectations; loss of our key employees and management personnel, and the failure to attract and retain suitable replacements; claims arising out of our bankruptcy proceedings; the effects of inflation; an increase in our home order cancellation rate; risks associated with our lack of liquidity in respect of our real estate investments; poor relations with residents of the communities we develop; litigation, defense costs and potentially significant judgments against us; a major health and safety incident at one of our construction sites or Homebuilding operations; information technology failures, data security breaches and other similar adverse events; shortages of, or cost increases in, utilities or natural resources; geopolitical risks and market disruption; risks related to our level of indebtedness, including debt service obligations and the effects of potential default under our debt agreements; our failure to obtain letters of credit and/or surety bonds; our inability to obtain additional financing, on favorable terms, to fund our operations or expand our business; any downgrade of our credit rating by a rating agency; restrictions on our ability to pursue certain opportunities due to the terms of our debt agreements; the influence of certain significant stockholders over our business; volatility in the price of our common stock; risks related to our status as an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, and increased resource requirements and costs associated with being a public company subsequent to the initial public offering of our common stock in July 2013; any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future in accordance with Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; provisions of the charters adopted by our board of directors or Delaware law that could delay, discourage or prevent a change of control; claims for indemnification by our directors and officers; the effects from a possible sale of a substantial portion of our outstanding shares of common stock into the market at any given time; future securities offerings that could cause fluctuations in the market price of our common stock or dilution to our stockholders; our intention not to pay dividends in the foreseeable future; and any unfavorable reports about the Company or our industry that are published by securities analysts.

Other important risk factors that could affect the ultimate outcome of the matters discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows in the future are discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2014 Form 10-K and elsewhere therein, as well as “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Shareholders, investors and other interested parties should be aware that the risk factors described herein may not describe every risk facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows in the future.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, any further disclosures made on related subjects in subsequent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K should be consulted. Shareholders, investors and other interested parties should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in the context of the risks and uncertainties mentioned above, as well as those in the 2014 Form 10-K and Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were no material changes to the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks that were presented in Item 7A of Part II of the 2014 Form 10-K.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of the Evaluation Date. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized 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. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide a reasonable level of assurance of reaching our desired disclosure control objectives.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q refer to WCI Communities, Inc. and its subsidiaries and the term “WCI” refers only to WCI Communities, Inc.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

As previously reported in Item 1 of Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2015, WCI and certain other defendants entered into a settlement agreement with the Lesina at Hammock Bay Condominium Association, Inc. on July 20, 2015 in respect of a lawsuit involving, among other things, warranty claims. The portion of the settlement payment that WCI was obligated to pay was immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are subject to various claims, complaints and other legal actions arising in the normal course of business. These matters are subject to many uncertainties and the outcomes of these matters are not within our control and may not be known for prolonged periods of time. Nevertheless, we believe that the outcome of any of these currently existing proceedings, even if resolved adversely to us, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors that we previously disclosed in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2015.

Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards is limited as a result of previous “ownership changes” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and may become further limited if we experience future ownership changes under Section 382 or if we do not generate enough taxable income in the future.

As of December 31, 2014, we had recorded a deferred tax asset of $110.8 million, which was net of a valuation allowance of $70.5 million. Additionally, at such date, we had (i) $303.9 million of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards for federal income tax purposes and (ii) $278.4 million of NOL carryforwards for Florida income and franchise tax purposes, a portion of which were subject to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

Under federal income tax law, we generally can use our NOL carryforwards (and certain related tax credits) to offset ordinary taxable income, thereby reducing our federal income tax liability, for up to 20 years from the year in which the losses were generated, after which time they will expire. State NOL carryforwards (and certain related tax credits) generally may be used to offset future state taxable income for a period of time ranging from 5 to 20 years from the year in which the losses were generated, depending on the state, after which time they will expire. Moreover, the rate at which we can utilize our federal NOL carryforwards is also limited (which could result in their expiration prior to being used) each time we experience an “ownership change,” as determined under

 

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Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 382”). A Section 382 ownership change generally occurs if one or more shareholders who are each deemed to own at least 5% of our stock change their ownership by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three-year period. If an ownership change occurs, Section 382 generally imposes an annual limit on the amount of post-ownership change federal taxable income that may be offset with pre-ownership change federal NOL carryforwards equal to the product of the total value of an entity’s outstanding equity immediately prior to the ownership change (reduced by certain items specified in Section 382) and the federal long-term tax-exempt rate in effect at the time of the ownership change. Most states, including Florida, have statutes or provisions in their tax codes that function similar to the federal rules under Section 382. Moreover, our ability to use our federal and state NOL carryforwards may be limited if we fail to generate enough taxable income in the future before they expire, which may be the result of changes in the markets in which we do business, our profitability and/or general economic conditions.

Prior to 2015, we experienced ownership changes affecting our current federal and state NOL carryforwards. Additionally, on July 13, 2015, WCI completed the registered public offering of its common stock (the “Offering”) by entities affiliated with Monarch Alternative Capital LP and Stonehill Capital Management LLC (collectively, the “Selling Stockholders”) wherein the Selling Stockholders sold 3,250,000 shares of WCI’s common stock. The Selling Stockholders also granted the participating underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 487,500 shares of WCI’s common stock. On July 24, 2015, the underwriters exercised their option and purchased all of the available shares thereunder. WCI did not sell any shares in the Offering or receive any portion of the proceeds therefrom, nor did it receive any proceeds when the underwriters exercised their option to purchase additional shares. As a result of the Offering, we underwent an ownership change and are now subject to certain new annual limitations under Section 382 and corresponding state law. While such limitations may impact the amount by which we can utilize our federal and state NOLs to offset taxable income in any particular year, we currently do not expect that they will impact our ability to ultimately utilize the NOLs over time.

Existing and future limitations under Section 382 and other similar state laws and our inability to generate enough taxable income in the future could result in a substantial portion of our federal and state NOL carryforwards expiring before they are used and, therefore, could reduce the value of our deferred tax assets. If our future results of operations are less than projected or if the timing and jurisdiction of our future taxable income varies from our estimates, an increase in the Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance may be required at that time, thereby resulting in an increase in the Company’s income tax provision for financial reporting purposes. Furthermore, our expectations for the use of our deferred tax assets are based on numerous assumptions and we can give no assurances that these assumptions will be accurate.

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

The table below summarizes the number of shares of our common stock that we repurchased from certain officers and employees of the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2015. Such shares were not repurchased pursuant to a publicly announced plan or program. Those shares were repurchased to facilitate income tax withholding payments pertaining to stock-based compensation awards that vested during the three months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Period

   Total Number of
    Shares Purchased    
     Average
 Price Paid 
Per Share
     Total Number of
    Shares Purchased as    
Part of a Publicly
Announced

Plan or Program
   Maximum Number of
 Shares That May Yet Be 
Purchased Under the
Plan or Program

 

July 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015

  

 

 

 

4,589  

 

  

  

 

  $

 

    22.17  

 

  

  

 

-

  

 

-

August 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015

     -           -             -    -

September 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015

     -           -             -    -
  

 

 

          
     4,589              
  

 

 

          

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

          Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit
    Number    

  

Exhibit Description

      Form            File No.             Exhibit             Filing     
Date
   Filed/
  Furnished  
Herewith
10.1    Sixth Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated July 23, 2015, by and between Walden Center LP and WCI Communities, LLC    10-Q    001-36023    10.1    7/29/15   
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer                *
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer                *
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer                **
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer                **
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document                *
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document                *
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document                *
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document                *
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document                *
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document                *

 

* Filed herewith.

 

** Furnished herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    WCI COMMUNITIES, INC.
    (Registrant)
Date: October 28, 2015     By:    

/s/ Keith E. Bass

      Keith E. Bass
      President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: October 28, 2015     By:  

/s/ Russell Devendorf

      Russell Devendorf
      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
         (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: October 28, 2015     By:  

/s/ John J. Ferry III

      John J. Ferry III
      Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
         (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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