10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K FOR WILLIAM LYON HOMES Form 10-K for William Lyon Homes
Table of Contents

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 

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 0-18001

 

WILLIAM LYON HOMES

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware    33-0864902
(State or other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)    Identification Number)

 

 

4490 Von Karman Avenue    92660
Newport Beach, California    (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)     

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (949) 833-3600

 

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

 

Title of Each Class


  

Name of Each Exchange

on Which Registered


Common Stock, par value $.01 per share    New York Stock Exchange

 

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

 

None

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).  YES  x  NO  ¨.

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2004 was $406,335,794. (This calculation assumes that all officers and directors of the Company are affiliates.)

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 18, 2005 was 8,616,236.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Holders of Common Stock to be held on May 9, 2005 are incorporated herein by reference into Part III.

 



Table of Contents

WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

INDEX

 

          Page No.

     PART I     

Item 1.

   Business    1

Item 2.

   Properties    13

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings    13

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    13
     PART II     

Item 5.

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    14

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data    16

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    18

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    41

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    41

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    41

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures    41

Item 9B.

   Other Information    43
     PART III     

Item 10.

   Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant    44

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation    44

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    44

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions    44

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services    44
     PART IV     

Item 15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    45
     Index to Financial Statements    51

 

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Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1.    Business

 

General

 

William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries (the “Company”) are primarily engaged in the design, construction and sale of single family detached and attached homes in California, Arizona and Nevada. Since the founding of the Company’s predecessor in 1956, the Company and its joint ventures have sold over 62,000 homes. The Company conducts its homebuilding operations through five geographic divisions (Southern California, San Diego, Northern California, Arizona and Nevada) including wholly-owned projects and projects being developed in consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures. For 2004, approximately 67% of the home closings of the Company and its joint ventures were derived from its California operations. For the year ended December 31, 2004, on a consolidated basis the Company had revenues from homes sales of $1.786 billion and delivered 3,471 homes, which includes $539.3 million of revenue and 1,024 delivered homes from consolidated joint ventures (see Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”).

 

The Company designs, constructs and sells a wide range of homes designed to meet the specific needs of each of its markets, although it primarily emphasizes sales to the entry-level and move-up home buyer markets. At December 31, 2004, the Company marketed its homes through 37 sales locations in both its wholly-owned projects and projects being developed in consolidated joint ventures. In 2004, the average sales price for consolidated homes delivered was $514,400. Base sales prices for actively selling projects in 2004 ranged from $119,000 to $2,070,000.

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company and its consolidated joint ventures owned approximately 8,858 lots and had options to purchase an additional 9,754 lots, substantially all of which are entitled. As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “entitled” land has a development agreement and/or vesting tentative map, or a final recorded plat or map from the appropriate county or city government. Development agreements and vesting tentative maps generally provide for the right to develop the land in accordance with the provisions of the development agreement or vesting tentative map unless an issue arises concerning health, safety or general welfare. The Company’s sources of developed lots for its homebuilding operations are (1) development of master-planned communities, primarily through both consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures at the current time, and (2) purchase of smaller projects with shorter life cycles (merchant homebuilding). The Company estimates that its current inventory of lots owned and controlled is adequate to supply its homebuilding operations at current operating levels for approximately 6 years.

 

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are general partners or members in joint ventures involved in the development and sale of residential projects. As described more fully in “Recently Issued Accounting Standards”, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as amended (“Interpretation No. 46”), certain joint ventures have been determined to be variable interest entities in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of these joint ventures have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004. The financial statements of joint ventures in which the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary are not consolidated with the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method because the Company has a 50% or less voting or economic interest (and thus such joint ventures are not controlled by the Company). Income allocations and cash distributions to the Company from the unconsolidated joint ventures are based on predetermined formulas between the Company and its joint venture partners as specified in the applicable partnership or operating agreements. The Company generally receives, after partners’ priority returns and returns of partners’ capital, approximately 50% of the profits and cash flows from joint ventures. See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for condensed combined financial information for the joint ventures whose financial statements have been consolidated with the Company’s

 

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financial statements. See Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for condensed combined financial information for the unconsolidated joint ventures. Based upon current estimates, substantially all future development and construction costs incurred by the joint ventures will be funded by the venture partners or from the proceeds of construction financing obtained by the joint ventures.

 

The Company will continue to utilize its current inventory of lots and future land acquisitions to conduct its operating strategy which consists of: (i) focusing on high growth core markets; (ii) maintaining conservative financial position and improving its credit profile; (iii) acquiring strong land positions through disciplined acquisition strategies; (iv) maintaining a low cost structure; and (v) leveraging an experienced management with significant equity ownership.

 

The Company had total consolidated revenues from operations of $1.786 billion, $897.8 million and $613.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Homes closed by the Company, including its joint ventures, were 3,471, 2,804 and 2,522 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Including its joint ventures, the Company’s dollar amount of backlog of homes sold but not closed as of December 31, 2004, was $623.6 million, a 5% increase over the $595.2 million as of December 31, 2003. The cancellation rate of buyers who contracted to buy a home but did not close escrow was approximately 17% during 2004 and 18% during 2003.

 

The Company’s operations are dependent to a significant extent on debt financing and on joint venture financing. The Company’s principal credit sources are its 10 3/4% Senior Notes, 7 1/2% Senior Notes, 7 5/8% Senior Notes, secured revolving credit facilities, seller-provided financing, and land banking transactions. At December 31, 2004, the outstanding principal amount of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes was $246.6 million, the outstanding principal amount of the 7 1/2% Senior Notes was $150.0 million and the outstanding principal amount of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes was $150.0 million. The secured revolving credit facilities are revolving lines of credit with a maximum commitment of $395.0 million at December 31, 2004. However, the credit facilities have limitations on the amounts that can be borrowed at any time based on assets which are included in the credit facilities and the specified borrowings permitted under borrowing base calculations. The secured revolving credit facilities are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. At December 31, 2004, the outstanding principal amount under the secured revolving credit facilities was $7.7 million. The Company’s mortgage subsidiary has a $20.0 million revolving credit facility and a $10.0 million revolving credit facility to fund its mortgage operations, of which an aggregate $9.3 million was outstanding at December 31, 2004.

 

The ability of the Company to meet its obligations on its indebtedness will depend to a large degree on its future performance which in turn will be subject, in part, to factors beyond its control, such as prevailing economic conditions, mortgage and other interest rates, weather, the occurrence of events such as landslides, soil subsidence and earthquakes that are uninsurable, not economically insurable or not subject to effective indemnification agreements, availability of labor and homebuilding materials, changes in governmental laws and regulations, and the availability and cost of land for future development.

 

The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 4490 Von Karman Avenue, Newport Beach, California 92660 and its telephone number is (949) 833-3600. The Company was incorporated in the State of Delaware on July 15, 1999.

 

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Table of Contents

The Company’s Markets

 

The Company is currently operating through five geographic divisions: Southern California, San Diego, Northern California, Arizona, and Nevada. Each of the divisions has responsibility for the management of the Company’s homebuilding and development operations within the geographic boundaries of the division.

 

The following table sets forth sales from real estate operations attributable to each of the Company’s homebuilding divisions during the preceding three fiscal years:

 

    Year Ended December 31,

    2004

  2003

  2002

   

(in thousands)

Consolidated

                 

Southern California(1)

  $ 485,654   $ 304,190   $ 232,868

San Diego(2)

    292,927     170,264     115,843

Northern California(3)

    669,529     181,062     84,679

Arizona(4)

    132,823     67,402     65,571

Nevada(5)

    240,914     165,395     103,449
   

 

 

    $ 1,821,847   $ 888,313   $ 602,410
   

 

 

Unconsolidated joint ventures

                 

Southern California(1)

  $   $ 103,020   $ 167,518

San Diego(2)

        118,753     90,843

Northern California(3)

        103,776     121,415
   

 

 

    $   $ 325,549   $ 379,776
   

 

 


(1)   The Southern California Division consists of operations in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

 

(2)   The San Diego Division consists of operations in San Diego County and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

 

(3)   The Northern California Division consists of operations in Contra Costa, El Dorado, Santa Clara, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Placer and Stanislaus Counties.

 

(4)   The Arizona Division consists of operations in the Phoenix area.

 

(5)   The Nevada Division consists of operations in the Las Vegas area.

 

For financial information concerning segments, see the “Consolidated Financial Statements” and Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

LAND ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company and its joint ventures controlled 18,612 lots. Of these lots, 8,858 were owned and entitled.

 

The Company estimates that its current inventory of lots owned and controlled is adequate to supply its homebuilding operations at current operating levels for approximately six years.

 

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The Company uses a land acquisition team, which includes members of its senior management, to manage the risks associated with land ownership and development. It is the Company’s policy that land can be purchased or sold only with the prior approval of senior management and the board of directors. The Company’s land acquisition strategy has been to undertake projects with shorter life-cycles in order to reduce development and market risk while maintaining an inventory of owned lots sufficient for construction of homes over a two-year period. The Company’s strategy consists of the following elements:

 

    Completing due diligence prior to committing to acquire land;

 

    Reviewing the status of entitlements and other governmental processing to mitigate zoning and other development risk;

 

    Focusing on land as a component of a home’s cost structure, rather than on the land’s speculative value;

 

    Limiting land acquisition size to reduce investment levels in any one project where possible;

 

    Utilizing option, joint venture and other non-capital intensive structures to control land where feasible;

 

    Funding land acquisitions whenever possible with non-recourse seller financing;

 

    Employing centralized control of approval over all land transactions;

 

    Expanding homebuilding operations in the Southwest, particularly in the Company’s long established markets of California and Arizona and in Nevada, where it entered the market in 1995; and

 

    Diversifying with respect to geography, markets and product types.

 

Prior to committing to the acquisition of land, the Company conducts feasibility studies covering pertinent aspects of the proposed commitment. These studies may include a variety of elements from technical aspects such as title, zoning, soil and seismic characteristics, to marketing studies that review population and employment trends, schools, transportation access, buyer profiles, sales forecasts, projected profitability, cash requirements, and assessment of political risk and other factors. Prior to acquiring land, the Company considers assumptions concerning the needs of the targeted customer and determines whether the underlying land price enables the Company to meet those needs at an affordable price. Before purchasing land the Company attempts to project the commencement of construction and sales over a reasonable time period. The Company utilizes outside architects and consultants, under close supervision, to help review acquisitions and design products.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company and two unaffiliated parties formed a series of limited liability companies for the purpose of acquiring three parcels of land totaling 236 acres in Irvine and Tustin, California (formerly part of the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station) and developing the land into 1,910 residential homesites. This unique acquisition is positioned to deliver homes in multiple product segments in what the Company believes is one of the highest demand and supply constrained markets in the country. Upon completion of the development, the Company has the obligation under certain specific conditions to purchase approximately one-half of the homesites. It is anticipated that homebuilding activities and first deliveries will begin in 2006. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Financial Condition and Liquidity” and Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for more information relating to this transaction and related financing.

 

HOMEBUILDING AND MARKET STRATEGY

 

The Company currently has a wide variety of product lines which enables it to meet the specific needs of each of its markets. Although the Company primarily emphasizes sales to the entry-level and move-up home markets, it believes that this diversified product strategy enables it to best serve a wide range of buyers and adapt quickly to a variety of market conditions. In order to reduce exposure to local market conditions, the Company’s

 

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sales locations are geographically dispersed. At December 31, 2004, the Company and its joint ventures had 37 sales locations.

 

Because the decision as to which product to develop is based on the Company’s assessment of market conditions and the restrictions imposed by government regulations, homestyles and sizes vary from project to project. The Company’s attached housing ranges in size from 1,099 to 3,028 square feet, and the detached housing ranges from 1,309 to 5,859 square feet.

 

Due to the Company’s product and geographic diversification strategy, the prices of the Company’s homes also vary substantially. Base sales prices for the Company’s attached housing range from approximately $297,000 to $940,000 and base sales prices for detached housing range from approximately $119,000 to $2,070,000. On a consolidated basis, the average sales price of homes closed for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $514,400.

 

The Company generally standardizes and limits the number of home designs within any given product line. This standardization permits on-site mass production techniques and bulk purchasing of materials and components, thus enabling the Company to better control and sometimes reduce construction costs.

 

The Company contracts with a number of architects and other consultants who are involved in the design process of the Company’s homes. Designs are constrained by zoning requirements, building codes, energy efficiency laws and local architectural guidelines, among other factors. Engineering, landscaping, master-planning and environmental impact analysis work are subcontracted to independent firms which are familiar with local requirements.

 

Substantially all construction work is done by subcontractors with the Company acting as the general contractor. The Company manages subcontractor activities with on-site supervisory employees and management control systems. The Company does not have long-term contractual commitments with its subcontractors or suppliers. However, the Company generally has been able to obtain sufficient materials and subcontractors during times of material shortages. The Company believes its relationships with its suppliers and subcontractors are good.

 

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Description of Projects and Communities Under Development

 

The Company’s homebuilding projects usually take two to five years to develop. The following table presents project information relating to each of the Company’s homebuilding divisions as of December 31, 2004 and only includes projects with lots owned as of December 31, 2004 or homes closed for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Project (County) Product


 

Year of

First

Delivery


 

Estimated

Number of

Homes at

Completion(1)


 

Units

Closed

as of

December 31,

2004


 

Backlog

at

December 31,

2004(2)(3)


 

Lots Owned

as of

December 31,

2004(4)


 

Homes Closed

for the

Year Ended

December 31,

2004


 

Sales Price

Range(5)


SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Wholly-Owned:

                           

Orange County

                           

Mirador at Talega, San Clemente

  2004   76   20   15   56   20   $1,100,000 — 1,245,000

Davenport, Ladera Ranch

  2003   163   163   0   0   51   $ 380,000 — 432,000

Walden Park, Ladera Ranch

  2004   109   83   6   26   83   $650,000 — 680,000

Laurel at Quail Hill, Irvine

  2003   83   83   0   0   6   $560,000 — 610,000

Linden at Quail Hill, Irvine

  2003   100   100   0   0   6   $580,000 — 685,000

Ambridge at Quail Hill, Irvine

  2004   128   61   10   67   61   $500,000 — 570,000

Lombard Court, Irvine

  2005   150   0   22   34   0   $376,000 — 507,000

Garland Park, Irvine

  2005   166   0   22   41   0   $499,000 — 621,000

Altamura @ Nellie Gail Ranch, Laguna Hills

  2003   52   48   4   4   38   $1,975,000 — 2,000,000

Seacove at the Waterfront, Huntington Beach

  2004   106   25   14   81   25   $760,000 — 940,000

Rancho Madrina, San Juan Capistrano

  2005   80   0   0   80   0   $1,020,000 — 1,190,000

Honeyman II, San Juan Capistrano

  2005   40   0   0   40   0   $1,260,000 — 1,350,000

Madeira, Ladera Ranch

  2006   41   0   0   41   0   $1,020,000 — 1,170,000

Los Angeles County

                           

Rassmussen, Moorpark

  2006   265   0   0   265   0   $710,000 — 865,000

Riverside County

                           

Homestead, North Corona

  2005   200   0   0   200   0   $415,000 — 490,000

Bounty II, North Corona

  2005   39   0   12   39   0   $450,000 — 495,000

San Bernardino County

                           

The Peaks at Citrus Heights, Fontana

  2005   150   0   0   72   0   $510,000 — 560,000
       
 
 
 
 
   

Total Wholly-Owned

      1,948   583   105   1,046   290    
       
 
 
 
 
   

Joint Ventures:

                           

Orange County

                           

Amarante, Ladera Ranch

  2005   53   0   24   53   0   $875,000 — 1,050,000

Bellataire, Ladera Ranch

  2005   52   0   18   52   0   $1,120,000 — 1,175,000

Los Angeles County

                           

Oakmont @ Westridge, Valencia

  2003   87   85   2   2   69   $1,030,000 — 1,140,000

Creekside, Valencia

  2004   141   113   4   28   113   $383,000 — 475,000

Riverside County

                           

Discovery, North Corona

  2004   172   119   11   53   119   $405,000 — 451,000

Bounty, North Corona

  2003   167   148   8   19   123   $450,000 — 495,000

San Bernardino County

                           

Echo Glen, Chino

  2003   89   89   0   0   68   $510,000 — 570,000
       
 
 
 
 
   

Total Joint Ventures

      761   554   67   207   492    
       
 
 
 
 
   

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION TOTAL

      2,709   1,137   172   1,253   782    
       
 
 
 
 
   

 

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Table of Contents

Project (County) Product


 

Year of

First

Delivery


 

Estimated

Number of

Homes at

Completion(1)


 

Units

Closed

as of

December 31,

2004


 

Backlog

at

December 31,

2004(2)(3)


 

Lots Owned

as of

December 31,

2004(4)


 

Homes Closed

for the

Year Ended

December 31,

2004


 

Sales Price

Range(5)


NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Wholly-Owned:

                           

San Joaquin County

                           

Ironwood II, Lathrop

  2003   88   85   0   3   21   $276,000 — 317,000

Ironwood III, Lathrop

  2005   109   0   27   109   0   $389,000 — 431,000

Lyon Estates at Stonebridge, Lathrop

  2004   72   72   0   0   72   $382,000 — 422,000

Seasons, Stockton

  2005   145   0   28   145   0   $410,000 — 465,000

Contra Costa County

                           

Seagate at Bayside, Hercules

  2005   96   0   0   96   0   $438,000 — 473,000

Wavecrest at Bayside, Hercules

  2005   76   0   0   76   0   $503,000 — 548,000

The Bluffs, Hercules

  2003   80   80   0   0   37   $622,000 — 674,000

The Shores, Hercules

  2003   110   110   0   0   55   $575,000 — 653,000

Rivergate Laurels, Antioch

  2005   72   0   20   72   0   $475,000 — 510,000

Rivergate II, Antioch

  2006   95   0   0   95   0   $475,000 — 560,000

Placer County

                           

Whitney Ranch 12, Rocklin

  2006   92   0   0   92   0   $544,000 — 576,000

Sacramento County

                           

Verona at Anatolia, Rancho Cordova

  2005   79   0   0   79   0   $400,000 — 440,000

Santa Clara County

                           

Baton Rouge, San Jose

  2005   91   0   0   91   0   $501,000 — 531,000

The Ranch at Silver Creek, San Jose:

                           

Provance

  2003   95   67   17   28   52   $1,400,000 — 1,560,000

Portofino

  2003   42   40   0   2   32   $1,245,000 — 1,395,000

Mariposa

  2003   78   78   0   0   60   $650,000 — 760,000

Siena

  2003   61   61   0   0   44   $725,000 — 840,000

Casa Bella

  2003   56   56   0   0   53   $590,000 — 720,000

Esperanza

  2004   74   24   47   50   24   $890,000 — 1,100,000

Montesa

  2004   54   25   26   29   25   $955,000 — 1,090,000

Hacienda

  2004   34   9   8   25   9   $1,785,000 — 2,070,000

Tesoro

  2004   44   22   22   22   22   $805,000 — 865,000
       
 
 
 
 
   
        538   382   120   156   321    
       
 
 
 
 
   

Stanislaus County

                           

Sonterra at Walker Ranch, Patterson

  2003   119   75   37   44   57   $430,000 — 483,000
       
 
 
 
 
   

Total Wholly-Owned.

      1,862   804   232   1,058   563    
       
 
 
 
 
   

Joint Ventures:

                           

Contra Costa County

                           

Olde Ivy, Brentwood

  2003   77   77   0   0   57   $411,000 — 468,000

Heartland, Brentwood

  2003   76   73   1   3   53   $444,000 — 471,000

Gables, Brentwood

  2003   99   80   14   19   60   $440,000 — 499,000

Overlook, Hercules

  2003   133   106   27   27   80   $664,000 — 706,000

El Dorado County

                           

Lyon Casina, El Dorado Hills

  2001   123   123   0   0   23   $365,000 — 405,000

Lyon Prima, El Dorado Hills

  2001   137   135   0   2   49   $445,000 — 511,000

Placer County

                           

Pinehurst at Morgan Creek

  2003   117   60   34   57   48   $594,000 — 686,000

Cypress at Morgan Creek

  2003   73   56   17   17   44   $521,000 — 581,000

Whitney Ranch 5, Rocklin

  2006   96   0   0   96   0   $420,000 — 430,000

Sacramento County

                           

Big Horn, Elk Grove

  2005   255   0   0   255   0   $195,000 — 269,000
       
 
 
 
 
   

Total Joint Ventures

      1,186   710   93   476   414    
       
 
 
 
 
   

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION TOTAL

      3,048   1,514   325   1,534   977    
       
 
 
 
 
   

 

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Project (County) Product


 

Year of

First

Delivery


 

Estimated

Number of

Homes at

Completion(1)


 

Units

Closed

as of

December 31,

2004


 

Backlog

at

December 31,

2004(2)(3)


 

Lots Owned

as of

December 31,

2004(4)


 

Homes Closed

for the

Year Ended

December 31,

2004


 

Sales Price

Range(5)


SAN DIEGO

Wholly-Owned:

                           

Riverside County

                           

Bridle Creek, Corona

  2003   274   84   19   101   66   $603,000 — 680,000

Willow Glen, Temecula

  2003   74   74   0   0   15   $342,000 — 383,000

Tessera, Beaumont

  2003   168   168   0   0   102   $302,000 — 342,000

Sedona, Murietta

  2003   144   136   0   8   94   $472,000 — 559,000

Sequoia at Wolf Creek, Temecula

  2005   125   0   0   125   0   $394,000 — 423,000

Savannah at Harveston Ranch,

Temecula

  2005   162   0   0   162   0   $300,000 — 380,000

San Bernardino County

                           

Braeburn at Chapman Heights,

Yucaipa

  2005   113   0   0   14   0   $520,000 — 560,000

Crofton at Chapman Heights,

Yucaipa

  2005   140   0   0   27   0   $399,000 — 428,000

Westland at Chapman Heights,

Yucaipa

  2005   79   0   0   23   0   $460,000 — 487,000

San Diego County

                           

Vineyards, Escondido

  2002   72   72   0   0   45   $559,000 — 576,000

Meadows, Escondido

  2004   45   45   0   0   45   $622,000 — 700,000

Promenade North, San Diego

  2006   137   0   0   137   0   $421,000 — 494,000

Sonora Ridge, Chula Vista

  2003   172   171   1   1   92   $453,000 — 493,000
       
 
 
 
 
   

Total Wholly-Owned

      1,705   750   20   598   459    
       
 
 
 
 
   

Joint Ventures:

                           

Riverside County

                           

Cabrillo at Montecito Ranch, Corona

  2004   83   82   1   1   82   $597,000 — 629,000

San Diego County

                           

Ravenna, San Diego

  2005   199   0   15   199   0   $450,000 — 480,000

Amante, San Diego

  2005   127   0   16   127   0   $550,000 — 620,000

Boardwalk, San Diego

  2004   90   36   18   54   36   $522,000 — 605,000

Treviso, San Diego

  2005   186   0   0   186   0   $385,000 — 497,000

Belleza at San Miguel Village, Chula Vista

  2005   195   0   35   195   0   $348,000 — 401,000
       
 
 
 
 
   

Total Joint Ventures

      880   118   85   762   118    
       
 
 
 
 
   

SAN DIEGO REGION TOTAL

      2,585   868   105   1,360   577    
       
 
 
 
 
   

ARIZONA

Wholly-Owned:

                           

Maricopa County

                           

Mesquite Grove, Chandler

                           

Parada

  2001   112   112   0   0   8   $195,000 — 239,000

Estates

  2001   93   91   2   2   27   $301,000 — 338,000

Dove Wing at Power Ranch, Gilbert

  2001   103   103   0   0   3   $177,000 — 235,000

Morgan Creek at Country Place, Tolleson

  2001   115   115   0   0   3   $119,000 — 143,000

Gateway Crossing, Gilbert

                           

Oakcrest

  2003   236   174   54   62   132   $162,000 — 207,000

Woodridge

  2003   165   92   68   73   90   $192,000 — 239,000

Sonoran Foothills, Phoenix

                           

Desert Crown

  2004   124   2   63   117   2   $396,000 — 523,000

Desert Sierra

  2004   212   9   54   107   9   $207,000 — 260,000

 

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Table of Contents

Project (County) Product


 

Year of

First

Delivery


 

Estimated

Number of

Homes at

Completion(1)


 

Units

Closed

as of

December 31,

2004


 

Backlog

at

December 31,

2004(2)(3)


 

Lots Owned

as of

December 31,

2004(4)


 

Homes Closed

for the

Year Ended

December 31,

2004


 

Sales Price

Range(5)


Copper Canyon Ranch, Surprise

                           

Rancho Vistas

  2004   212   112   80   100   112   $490,000 — 578,000

Sunset Point

  2004   282   9   79   273   9   $195,000 — 284,000

El Sendero Hills

  2004   188   7   82   181   7   $292,000 — 362,000

Talavera, Phoenix

  2006   134   0   0   134   0   $182,000 — 240,000

Coldwater Ranch, Maricopa County

  2006   590   0   0   590   0   $159,000 — 217,000

Lyon’s Gate, Gilbert

  2006   1,879   0   0   1,879   0   $159,000 — 330,000
       
 
 
 
 
   

ARIZONA REGION TOTAL

      4,445   826   482   3,518   402    
       
 
 
 
 
   

NEVADA

Wholly-Owned:

                           

Clark County

                           

Summerlin, Las Vegas

                           

Topaz Ridge

  2002   89   89   0   0   9   $577,000 — 630,000

Vista Verde

  2003   122   99   5   23   84   $410,000 — 473,000

Miraleste

  2003   122   104   18   18   97   $551,000 — 595,000

Granada

  2004   144   50   4   94   50   $430,000 — 495,000

The Lyon Collection

  2005   60   0   2   60   0   $620,000 — 655,000

Annendale, North Las Vegas

  2001   194   194   0   0   1   $181,000 — 204,000

Iron Mountain, Las Vegas

  2003   70   70   0   0   26   $363,000 — 416,000

Centennial Ranch, North Las Vegas

                           

The Classics

  2003   227   178   12   49   126   $288,000 — 313,000

The Springs

  2003   209   147   8   62   120   $256,000 — 305,000

The Estates

  2003   176   123   26   53   99   $318,000 — 352,000

The Cottages

  2004   360   121   7   239   121   $227,000 — 257,000

Carson Ranch, Las Vegas

                           

West

  2005   130   0   0   130   0   $385,000 — 420,000

East

  2006   161   0   0   161   0   $385,000 — 487,000

West Park, Las Vegas

                           

Villas

  2005   191   0   0   191   0   $285,000 — 365,000

Courtyards

  2005   113   0   0   113   0   $325,000 — 430,000
       
 
 
 
 
   

NEVADA REGION TOTAL

      2,368   1,175   82   1,193   733    
       
 
 
 
 
   

GRAND TOTALS:

                           

Wholly-Owned

      12,328   4,138   921   7,413   2,447    

Joint Ventures

      2,827   1,382   245   1,445   1,024    
       
 
 
 
 
   
        15,155   5,520   1,166   8,858   3,471    
       
 
 
 
 
   

(1)   The estimated number of homes to be built at completion is subject to change, and there can be no assurance that the Company will build these homes.
(2)   Backlog consists of homes sold under sales contracts that have not yet closed, and there can be no assurance that closings of sold homes will occur.
(3)   Of the total homes subject to pending sales contracts as of December 31, 2004, 1,031 represent homes completed or under construction and 135 represent homes not yet under construction.
(4)   Lots owned as of December 31, 2004 include lots in backlog at December 31, 2004.
(5)   Sales price range reflects base price only and excludes any lot premium, buyer incentive and buyer selected options, which vary from project to project.

 

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Table of Contents

Sales and Marketing

 

The management team responsible for a specific project develops marketing objectives, formulates pricing and sales strategies and develops advertising and public relations programs for approval of senior management. The Company makes extensive use of advertising and other promotional activities, including newspaper advertisements, brochures, television and radio commercials, direct mail and the placement of strategically located sign boards in the immediate areas of its developments. In addition, the Company markets all of its products through its website at www.lyonhomes.com. In general, the Company’s advertising emphasizes the Company’s strengths with respect to the quality and value of its products.

 

The Company normally builds, decorates, furnishes and landscapes three to five model homes for each product line and maintains on-site sales offices, which typically are open seven days a week. Management believes that model homes play a particularly important role in the Company’s marketing efforts. Consequently, the Company expends a significant amount of effort in creating an attractive atmosphere at its model homes. Interior decorations vary among the Company’s models and are carefully selected based upon the lifestyles of targeted buyers. Structural changes in design from the model homes are not generally permitted, but home buyers may select various other optional construction and design amenities.

 

The Company employs in-house commissioned sales personnel or contracts with a third-party firm to sell its homes. In some cases, outside brokers are also involved in the selling of the Company’s homes. The Company typically engages its sales personnel on a long-term, rather than a project-by-project basis, which it believes results in a more motivated sales force with an extensive knowledge of the Company’s operating policies and products. Sales personnel are trained by the Company and attend weekly meetings to be updated on the availability of financing, construction schedules and marketing and advertising plans.

 

The Company strives to provide a high level of customer service during the sales process and after a home is sold. The participation of the sales representatives, on-site construction supervisors and the post-closing customer service personnel, working in a team effort, is intended to foster the Company’s reputation for quality and service, and ultimately lead to enhanced customer retention and referrals.

 

The Company’s homes are typically sold before or during construction through sales contracts which are usually accompanied by a small cash deposit. Such sales contracts are usually subject to certain contingencies such as the buyer’s ability to qualify for financing. The cancellation rate of buyers who contracted to buy a home but did not close escrow at the Company and its joint ventures’ projects was approximately 17% during 2004. Cancellation rates are subject to a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control such as adverse economic conditions and increases in mortgage interest rates. The Company and its joint ventures’ inventory of completed and unsold homes was 49 homes as of December 31, 2004.

 

Warranty

 

The Company provides its homebuyers with a one-year limited warranty covering workmanship and materials. The Company also provides its homebuyers with a limited warranty that covers “construction defects,” as defined in the limited warranty agreement provided to each home buyer, for the length of its legal liability for such defects (which may be up to ten years in some circumstances), as determined by the law of the state in which the Company builds. The limited warranty covering construction defects is transferable to subsequent buyers not under direct contract with the Company and requires that homebuyers agree to the definitions and procedures set forth in the warranty, including the submission of unresolved construction-related disputes to binding arbitration. The Company began providing this limited warranty at the end of 2001.

 

In connection with the limited warranty covering construction defects, the Company obtained an insurance policy which expires on December 31, 2006, unless renewed. The Company has been informed by the insurance carrier that this insurance policy will respond to construction defect claims on homes that close during each

 

10


Table of Contents

policy period for the duration of the Company’s legal liability and that the policy will respond to potential losses relating to construction, including soil subsidence. The insurance policy provides a single policy of insurance to the Company and the subcontractors enrolled in its insurance program. As a result, the Company is no longer required to obtain proof of insurance from these subcontractors nor be named as an additional insured under their individual insurance policies. The Company still requires that subcontractors not enrolled in the insurance program provide proof of insurance and name the Company as an additional insured under their insurance policy. Furthermore, the Company generally requires that its subcontractors provide the Company with an indemnity prior to receiving payment for their work.

 

There can be no assurance, however, that the terms and limitations of the limited warranty will be enforceable against the homebuyers, that the Company will be able to renew its insurance coverage or renew it at reasonable rates, that the Company will not be liable for damages, the cost of repairs, and/or the expense of litigation surrounding possible construction defects, soil subsidence or building-related claims or that claims will not arise out of uninsurable events not covered by insurance and not subject to effective indemnification agreements with the Company’s subcontractors.

 

Sale of Lots and Land

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company continually evaluates land sales and has sold, and expects that it will continue to sell, land as market and business conditions warrant. The Company may also sell both multiple lots to other builders (bulk sales) and improved individual lots for the construction of custom homes where the presence of such homes adds to the quality of the community. In addition, the Company may acquire sites with commercial, industrial and multi-family parcels which will generally be sold to third-party developers.

 

Customer Financing — Duxford Financial, Inc.

 

The Company seeks to assist its home buyers in obtaining financing by arranging with mortgage lenders to offer qualified buyers a variety of financing options. Substantially all home buyers utilize long-term mortgage financing to purchase a home and mortgage lenders will usually make loans only to qualified borrowers.

 

Duxford Financial, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, began operations effective December 1, 1994 and is in operation to service the Company’s operating regions. The mortgage company operates as a mortgage broker/loan correspondent and originates conventional, FHA and VA loans.

 

Information Systems and Controls

 

The Company assigns a high priority to the development and maintenance of its budget and cost control systems and procedures. The Company’s divisional offices are connected to corporate headquarters through a fully integrated accounting, financial and operational management information system. Through this system, management regularly evaluates the status of its projects in relation to budgets to determine the cause of any variances and, where appropriate, adjusts the Company’s operations to capitalize on favorable variances or to limit adverse financial impacts.

 

Regulation

 

The Company and its competitors are subject to various local, state and Federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning zoning, building design, construction and similar matters, including local regulation which imposes restrictive zoning and density requirements in order to limit the number of homes that can ultimately be built within the boundaries of a particular project. The Company and its competitors may also be subject to periodic delays or may be precluded entirely from developing in certain communities due to building moratoriums or “slow-growth” or “no-growth” initiatives that could be implemented in the future in the states in which it operates. Because the Company usually purchases land with entitlements, the Company believes that the

 

11


Table of Contents

moratoriums would adversely affect the Company only if they arose from unforeseen health, safety and welfare issues such as insufficient water or sewage facilities. Local and state governments also have broad discretion regarding the imposition of development fees for projects in their jurisdiction. However, these are normally locked-in when the Company receives entitlements.

 

The Company and its competitors are also subject to a variety of local, state and Federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning protection of health and the environment. The particular environmental laws which apply to any given community vary greatly according to the community site, the site’s environmental conditions and the present and former uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause the Company and its competitors to incur substantial compliance and other costs, and may prohibit or severely restrict development in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas. The Company’s projects in California are especially susceptible to restrictive government regulations and environmental laws. However, environmental laws have not, to date, had a material adverse impact on the Company’s operations.

 

Duxford Financial, Inc. is subject to state licensing laws as a mortgage broker as well as Federal and state laws concerning real estate loans. Duxford Escrow, Inc. is licensed and subject to regulation under the California Escrow Law. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, William Lyon Homes, Inc., is licensed as a general building contractor in California, Arizona and Nevada. In addition, William Lyon Homes, Inc. holds a corporate real estate license under the California Real Estate Law.

 

Duxford Title Reinsurance Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) was formed in November 2000 to operate as a title reinsurance company licensed under the laws of the state of Vermont. Duxford Title Reinsurance Company provides title reinsurance to unrelated title insurers directly issuing title policies on homes sold by the Company in California, Nevada and Arizona. In February 2005, Duxford Title Reinsurance Company was notified by its title insurers that as a result of current investigations by several state insurance regulators into the large number of captive reinsurance arrangements existing in the title insurance industry, the title insurers were suspending and/or terminating their current captive reinsurance agreements with Duxford Title Reinsurance Company pending final determination from the appropriate regulatory bodies as to their permissibility or necessary modification to assure compliance with applicable law. The Company does not believe that the resolution of this matter will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Competition

 

The homebuilding industry is highly competitive, particularly in the low and medium-price range where the Company currently concentrates its activities. Although the Company is one of California’s largest homebuilders, the Company does not believe it has a significant market position in any geographic area which it serves due to the fragmented nature of the market. A number of the Company’s competitors have larger staffs, larger marketing organizations, and substantially greater financial resources than those of the Company. However, the Company believes that it competes effectively in its existing markets as a result of its product and geographic diversity, substantial development expertise, and its reputation as a low-cost producer of quality homes. Further, the Company sometimes gains a competitive advantage in locations where changing regulations make it difficult for competitors to obtain entitlements and/or government approvals which the Company has already obtained.

 

Corporate Organization and Personnel

 

Each of the Company’s operating divisions has responsibility for the Company’s homebuilding and development operations within the geographical boundaries of that division.

 

The Company’s executive officers and division presidents average more than 25 years of experience in the homebuilding and development industries within California and the Southwest. The Company combines

 

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Table of Contents

decentralized management in those aspects of its business where detailed knowledge of local market conditions is important (such as governmental processing, construction, land development and sales and marketing), with centralized management in those functions where the Company believes central control is required (such as approval of land acquisitions, financial, treasury, human resources and legal matters).

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company employed 805 full-time and 105 part-time employees, including corporate staff, supervisory personnel of construction projects, maintenance crews to service completed projects, as well as persons engaged in administrative, finance and accounting, mortgage, engineering, land acquisition, golf course operations, sales and marketing activities.

 

The Company believes that its relations with its employees have been good. Some employees of the subcontractors which the Company utilizes are unionized, but virtually none of the Company’s employees are union members. Although there have been temporary work stoppages in the building trades in the Company’s areas of operation, to date none has had any material impact upon the Company’s overall operations.

 

Available Information

 

The Company’s Internet address is http://www.lyonhomes.com. The Company makes available free of charge on or through its Internet website its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such material was electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 2.    Properties

 

Headquarters

 

The Company’s corporate headquarters are located at 4490 Von Karman Avenue, Newport Beach, California, which it leases from a trust of which William H. Lyon, a director of the Company, is the sole beneficiary. The Company leases or owns properties for its division offices and Duxford Financial, Inc., but none of these properties is material to the operation of the Company’s business. For information about properties owned by the Company for use in its homebuilding activities, see Item 1.

 

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is involved in various legal proceedings, most of which relate to routine litigation and some of which are covered by insurance. In the opinion of the Company’s management, none of the uninsured claims involves claims which are material and unreserved or will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.

 

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

 

No matters were submitted to the Company’s stockholders during the fourth quarter of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

PART II

 

Item  5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock of the Company as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (stock ticker symbol: WLS) for the periods indicated.

 

     High

   Low

2003

             

First Quarter

   $ 25.70    $ 21.20

Second Quarter

     34.50      25.17

Third Quarter

     50.59      31.16

Fourth Quarter

     68.45      50.05

2004

             

First Quarter

     93.75      57.08

Second Quarter

     93.75      78.60

Third Quarter

     92.80      74.00

Fourth Quarter

     89.66      61.80

 

As of February 18, 2005, the closing price for the Company’s Common Stock as reported on the NYSE was $84.33.

 

As of February 18, 2005, there were approximately 1,529 beneficial owners of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or an “affiliated purchaser” (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of shares of the Company’s Common Stock during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

Period


  

(a) Total
Number of
Shares

(or Units)
Purchased


    (b) Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)


   (c) Total
Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs


  

(d) Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value)

of Shares (or Units)
that May Yet
Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs


 

October 1, 2004 – October 31, 2004

   0       0    0    899,312  

November 1, 2004 – November 30, 2004

   1,275,000 (1)   $ 63.53    1,275,000    506,600 (2)

December 1, 2004 – December 31, 2004

   0       0    0    506,600  

(1)   The Company repurchased 1,275,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to an open market transaction under Rule 10b-18 of the Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(2)   On November 12, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the size of the Company’s previously announced stock repurchase program to 3,000,000 shares of its Common Stock (including any shares previously repurchased by the Company under the program). Under the program, as originally adopted in September 2001, the Company could repurchase 20% of its then outstanding shares of Common Stock or 2,117,712 shares. No shares were repurchased under this program during the period ended December 31, 2001. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company repurchased and retired 1,018,400 shares of its outstanding Common Stock for $19,570,000. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company repurchased and retired 200,000 shares of its outstanding Common Stock for $7,180,000. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company repurchased 1,275,000 shares of its Common Stock for $81,001,000, which shares were held in treasury at December 31, 2004. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors, this program will expire when the Company has repurchased all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder.

 

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Table of Contents

The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock during the last three fiscal years and expects that for the foreseeable future it will follow a policy of retaining earnings in order to help finance its business. Payment of dividends is within the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon the earnings, capital requirements, general economic conditions and operating and financial condition of the Company, among other factors. However, the effect of the Company’s principal financing agreements currently prohibits the payment of dividends by the Company. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Financial Condition and Liquidity” and Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2004 with respect to compensation plans under which the Company’s Common Stock is authorized for issuance.

 

Plan Category


  

Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and rights

(a)


  

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

(b)


  

Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))

(c)


Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   85,831    $ 8.6875    396,666

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   N/A      N/A    N/A
    
  

  

Total

   85,831    $ 8.6875    396,666
    
  

  

 

No compensation plan under which the Company’s Common Stock is authorized for issuance was adopted without the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

 

15


Table of Contents

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data

 

The following table sets forth certain of the Company’s historical financial data. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 have been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere herein. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 have been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements for such years, which are not included herein. The selected historical consolidated financial data set forth below are not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations and should be read in conjunction with the discussion under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere herein.

 

    As of and for the Year Ended December 31,

 
    2004

    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

 
    (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  
    (note 4)  

Statement of Income Data:

                                       

Operating revenue

                                       

Home sales

  $ 1,785,589     $ 866,657     $ 593,762     $ 452,002     $ 403,850  

Lots, land and other sales

    36,258       21,656       8,648       7,054       3,016  

Management fees

          9,490       10,892       9,127       10,456  
   


 


 


 


 


      1,821,847       897,803       613,302       468,183       417,322  
   


 


 


 


 


Operating costs

                                       

Cost of sales—homes

    (1,327,057 )     (714,385 )     (504,330 )     (382,608 )     (335,891 )

Cost of sales—lots, land and other

    (23,173 )     (13,269 )     (9,404 )     (5,158 )     (3,378 )

Sales and marketing

    (58,792 )     (31,252 )     (22,862 )     (18,149 )     (16,515 )

General and administrative

    (80,784 )     (50,315 )     (39,366 )     (37,171 )     (35,348 )

Other

    (2,105 )     (1,834 )     (2,284 )            

Amortization of goodwill(1)

                      (1,242 )     (1,244 )
   


 


 


 


 


      (1,491,911 )     (811,055 )     (578,246 )     (444,328 )     (392,376 )
   


 


 


 


 


Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated joint ventures

    (699 )     31,236       27,748       22,384       24,416  
   


 


 


 


 


Minority equity in income of consolidated entities

    (49,661 )     (429 )                  
   


 


 


 


 


Operating income

    279,576       117,555       62,804       46,239       49,362  

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

                      (227 )     (5,557 )

Other income, net(2)

    5,572       6,397       4,977       7,513       7,940  
   


 


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

    285,148       123,952       67,781       53,525       51,745  

Provision for income taxes

    (113,499 )     (51,815 )     (18,270 )     (5,847 )     (12,477 )
   


 


 


 


 


Net income

  $ 171,649     $ 72,137     $ 49,511     $ 47,678     $ 39,268  
   


 


 


 


 


Earnings per common share

                                       

Basic

  $ 17.69     $ 7.37     $ 4.85     $ 4.50     $ 3.74  
   


 


 


 


 


Diluted

  $ 17.55     $ 7.27     $ 4.73     $ 4.44     $ 3.74  
   


 


 


 


 


Balance Sheet Data:

                                       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 96,074     $ 24,137     $ 16,694     $ 19,751     $ 14,711  

Real estate inventories

    1,059,173       698,047       491,952       307,335       233,700  

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

    17,911       45,613       65,404       66,753       49,966  

Total assets

    1,274,562       839,715       617,581       433,709       330,280  

Total debt

    595,219       326,737       266,065       221,470       166,910  

Minority interest

    142,096       142,496       80,647       784        

Stockholders’ equity

    347,109       252,040       181,676       150,617       102,512  

Operating Data (including unconsolidated joint ventures) (unaudited):

                                       

Number of net new home orders

    3,371       3,443       2,607       2,541       2,603  

Number of homes closed

    3,471       2,804       2,522       2,566       2,666  

Average sales price of homes closed

  $ 514     $ 422     $ 379     $ 299     $ 289  

Backlog at end of period, number of homes(3)

    1,166       1,266       627       542       567  

Backlog at end of period, aggregate sales value(3)

  $ 623,578     $ 595,180     $ 259,123     $ 176,531     $ 171,650  

 

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Table of Contents

(1)   The amount paid for business acquisitions over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is reflected as goodwill and, until January 1, 2002, was being amortized on a straight-line basis over seven years. Accumulated amortization was $2,793,000 as of December 31, 2001. In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“Statement No. 142”), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. Under the new rule, goodwill is no longer amortized but is subject to impairment tests in accordance with Statement No. 142. The Company performed its required annual impairment test of goodwill as of December 31, 2004 and determined that there have been no indicators of impairment. If Statement No. 142 had been adopted effective January 1, 2000, the pro forma impact of the non-amortization of goodwill on the results for the subsequent periods would have been as follows (in thousands except per share data):

 

    Year Ended December 31,

    2004

  2003

  2002

  2001

  2000

    (dollars in thousands)

Net income, as reported

  $ 171,649   $ 72,137   $ 49,511   $ 47,678   $ 39,268

Amortization of goodwill, net of tax

                1,106     943
   

 

 

 

 

Net income, as adjusted

  $ 171,649   $ 72,137   $ 49,511   $ 48,784   $ 40,211
   

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share, as adjusted:

                             

Basic

  $ 17.69   $ 7.37   $ 4.85   $ 4.61   $ 3.83
   

 

 

 

 

Diluted

  $ 17.55   $ 7.27   $ 4.73   $ 4.54   $ 3.83
   

 

 

 

 

 

(2)   In April 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 145, Recission of SFAS Nos. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13 and Technical Corrections (“Statement No. 145”). Statement No. 145 prevents gains or losses on extinguishment of debt not meeting the criteria of APB 30 to be treated as extraordinary. Statement No. 145 is effective for fiscal years beginning after March 15, 2002. Upon adoption of Statement No. 145, the Company’s previously reported extraordinary items related to gain from retirement of debt were reclassified to other income and not reported as extraordinary items.

 

(3)   Backlog consists of homes sold under pending sales contracts that have not yet closed, some of which are subject to contingencies, including mortgage loan approval and the sale of existing homes by customers. There can be no assurance that homes sold under pending sales contracts will close. Of the total homes sold subject to pending sales contracts as of December 31, 2004, 1,031 represent homes completed or under construction and 135 represent homes not yet under construction. Backlog as of all dates is unaudited.

 

(4)   In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as amended (“Interpretation No. 46”), which addresses the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Under Interpretation No. 46, arrangements that are not controlled through voting or similar rights are accounted for as VIEs. An enterprise is required to consolidate a VIE if it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Interpretation No. 46 applied immediately to arrangements created after January 31, 2003 and, with respect to arrangements created before February 1, 2003, the interpretation was applied to the Company as of January 1, 2004. The adoption of Interpretation No. 46 has not affected the Company’s consolidated net income. Prior period information has not been restated to conform to the presentation in the current period.

 

       Under Interpretation No. 46, a VIE is created when (i) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or (ii) equity holders either (a) lack direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity through voting or similar rights, (b) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity or (c) do not have the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity if they occur. If an entity is deemed to be a VIE, pursuant to Interpretation No. 46, an enterprise that absorbs a majority of the expected losses or residual returns of the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE.

 

       Based on the provisions of Interpretation No. 46, the Company has concluded that under certain circumstances when the Company (i) enters into option agreements for the purchase of land or lots from an entity and pay a non-refundable deposit, (ii) enters into land banking arrangements or (iii) enters into arrangements with a financial partner for the formation of joint ventures which engage in homebuilding and land development activities, a VIE may be created under condition (ii) (b) or (c) of the previous paragraph. The Company may be deemed to have provided subordinated financial support, which refers to variable interests that will absorb some or all of an entity’s expected losses if they occur. For each VIE created, the Company will compute expected losses and residual returns based on the probability of future cash flows as outlined in Interpretation No. 46. If the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the assets, liabilities and operations of the VIE will be consolidated with the Company’s financial statements.

 

       Based on the Company’s analysis of arrangements created after January 31, 2003, no VIEs had been created for the period from February 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004 with respect to option agreements as identified under clause (i) of the previous paragraph. At December 31, 2003, six joint ventures and one land banking arrangement created after January 31, 2003 have been determined to be VIEs under Interpretation No. 46 in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of these six joint ventures and one land banking arrangement have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2003 and for the period then ended. Effective January 1, 2004, certain additional joint ventures and land banking arrangements created prior to February 1, 2003 have been determined to be VIEs under Interpretation No. 46 in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of all of these joint ventures and land banking arrangements have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of January 1, 2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

17


Table of Contents

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion of results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As used herein, “on a combined basis” means the total of operations in wholly-owned projects, in consolidated joint venture projects and, for periods ending on or prior to December 31, 2003, unconsolidated joint venture projects.

 

The Company is primarily engaged in the design, construction and sale of single family detached and attached homes in California, Arizona and Nevada. Since the founding of its predecessor in 1956, on a combined basis the Company has sold over 62,000 homes. The Company conducts its homebuilding operations through five geographic divisions: Southern California, San Diego, Northern California, Arizona and Nevada. The Company believes that it is well positioned for future growth in all of its markets. For the year ended December 31, 2004, on a consolidated basis the Company had revenues from homes sales of $1.786 billion and delivered 3,471 homes, which includes $539.3 million of revenue and 1,024 delivered homes from consolidated joint ventures. The Company presents information related to its unconsolidated joint ventures as such information represents an important aspect of the Company’s business as well as a substantial portion of its operating income.

 

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are general partners or members in joint ventures involved in the development and sale of residential projects. As described more fully in “Recently Issued Accounting Standards”, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as amended (“Interpretation No. 46”) certain joint ventures have been determined to be variable interest entities in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of these joint ventures have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004. Because the Company already recognizes its proportionate share of joint venture earnings and losses under the equity method of accounting, the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 did not affect the Company’s consolidated net income. The financial statements of joint ventures in which the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary are not consolidated with the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method because the Company has a 50% or less voting or economic interest (and thus such joint ventures are not controlled by the Company). Income allocations and cash distributions to the Company from the unconsolidated joint ventures are based on predetermined formulas between the Company and its joint venture partners as specified in the applicable partnership or operating agreements. The Company generally receives, after partners’ priority returns and returns of partners’ capital, approximately 50% of the profits and cash flows from joint ventures. See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for condensed combined financial information for the joint ventures whose financial statements have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements. See Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for condensed combined financial information for the unconsolidated joint ventures. Based upon current estimates, substantially all future development and construction costs incurred by the joint ventures will be funded by the venture partners or from the proceeds of construction financing obtained by the joint ventures.

 

18


Table of Contents

Results of Operations

 

Selected financial and operating information for the Company including its consolidated projects and unconsolidated joint ventures as of and for the periods presented is as follows:

 

     As of and for the year ended
December 31, 2004


 
     Wholly-
Owned


    Joint Ventures

    Consolidated
Total


 

Selected Financial Information (dollars in thousands)

                        

Homes closed

     2,447       1,024       3,471  
    


 


 


Home sales revenue

   $ 1,246,277     $ 539,312     $ 1,785,589  

Cost of sales

     (941,225 )     (385,832 )     (1,327,057 )
    


 


 


Gross margin

   $ 305,052     $ 153,480     $ 458,532  
    


 


 


Gross margin percentage

     24.5 %     28.5 %     25.7 %
    


 


 


Number of homes closed

                        

California

     1,312       1,024       2,336  

Arizona

     402             402  

Nevada

     733             733  
    


 


 


Total

     2,447       1,024       3,471  
    


 


 


Average sales price

                        

California

   $ 692,200     $ 526,700     $ 619,600  

Arizona

     241,800             241,800  

Nevada

     328,700             328,700  
    


 


 


Total

   $ 509,300     $ 526,700     $ 514,400  
    


 


 


Number of net new home orders

                        

California

     1,157       955       2,112  

Arizona

     677             677  

Nevada

     582             582  
    


 


 


Total

     2,416       955       3,371  
    


 


 


Average number of sales locations during period

                        

California

     17       11       28  

Arizona

     6             6  

Nevada

     7             7  
    


 


 


Total

     30       11       41  
    


 


 


 

19


Table of Contents
     As of and for the year ended
December 31, 2004


     Wholly-
Owned


   Joint Ventures

   Consolidated
Total


Backlog of homes sold but not closed at end of period

                    

California

     357      245      602

Arizona

     482           482

Nevada

     82           82
    

  

  

Total

     921      245      1,166
    

  

  

Dollar amount of backlog of homes sold but not closed at end of
period (dollars in thousands)

                    

California

   $ 292,298    $ 160,280    $ 452,578

Arizona

     136,815           136,815

Nevada

     34,185           34,185
    

  

  

Total

   $ 463,298    $ 160,280    $ 623,578
    

  

  

Lots controlled at end of year

                    

Owned lots

                    

California

     2,702      1,445      4,147

Arizona

     3,518           3,518

Nevada

     1,193           1,193
    

  

  

Total

     7,413      1,445      8,858
    

  

  

Optioned lots(1)

                    

California

                   4,532

Arizona

                   3,960

Nevada

                   1,262
                  

Total

                   9,754
                  

Total lots controlled

                    

California

                   8,679

Arizona

                   7,478

Nevada

                   2,455
                  

Total

                   18,612
                  

 

20


Table of Contents
     As of and for the year ended
December 31, 2003


     Consolidated

    Unconsolidated
Joint Ventures


    Combined
Total


Selected Financial Information (dollars in thousands)

                      

Homes closed

     2,149       655        
    


 


     

Home sales revenue

   $ 866,657     $ 317,109        

Cost of sales

     (714,385 )     (248,252 )      
    


 


     

Gross margin

   $ 152,272     $ 68,857        
    


 


     

Gross margin percentage

     17.6 %     21.7 %      
    


 


     

Number of homes closed

                      

California

     1,271       655       1,926

Arizona

     319             319

Nevada

     559             559
    


 


 

Total

     2,149       655       2,804
    


 


 

Average sales price

                      

California

   $ 498,700     $ 484,100     $ 493,800

Arizona

     211,300             211,300

Nevada

     295,900             295,900
    


 


 

Total

   $ 403,300     $ 484,100     $ 422,200
    


 


 

Number of net new home orders

                      

California

     1,660       697       2,357

Arizona

     389             389

Nevada

     697             697
    


 


 

Total

     2,746       697       3,443
    


 


 

Average number of sales locations during period

                      

California

     19       9       28

Arizona

     6             6

Nevada

     6             6
    


 


 

Total

     31       9       40
    


 


 

 

21


Table of Contents
     As of and for the year ended
December 31, 2003


     Consolidated

   Unconsolidated
Joint Ventures


   Combined
Total


Backlog of homes sold but not closed at end of period

                    

California

     589      237      826

Arizona

     207           207

Nevada

     233           233
    

  

  

Total

     1,029      237      1,266
    

  

  

Dollar amount of backlog of homes sold but not closed at end of
period (dollars in thousands)

                    

California

   $ 355,128    $ 119,509    $ 474,637

Arizona

     47,228           47,228

Nevada

     73,315           73,315
    

  

  

Total

   $ 475,671    $ 119,509    $ 595,180
    

  

  

Lots controlled at end of year

                    

Owned lots

                    

California

     2,248      1,142      3,390

Arizona

     1,486           1,486

Nevada

     1,298           1,298
    

  

  

Total

     5,032      1,142      6,174
    

  

  

Optioned lots(1)

                    

California

                   4,835

Arizona

                   4,253

Nevada

                   2,910
                  

Total

                   11,998
                  

Total lots controlled

                    

California

                   8,225

Arizona

                   5,739

Nevada

                   4,208
                  

Total

                   18,172
                  

 

22


Table of Contents
     As of and for the year ended
December 31, 2002


     Consolidated

    Unconsolidated
Joint Ventures


    Combined
Total


Selected Financial Information (dollars in thousands)

                      

Homes closed

     1,740       782        
    


 


     

Home sales revenue

   $ 593,762     $ 362,697        

Cost of sales

     (504,330 )     (298,838 )      
    


 


     

Gross margin

   $ 89,432     $ 63,859        
    


 


     

Gross margin percentage

     15.1 %     17.6 %      
    


 


     

Number of homes closed

                      

California

     1,116       782       1,898

Arizona

     270             270

Nevada

     354             354
    


 


 

Total

     1,740       782       2,522
    


 


 

Average sales price

                      

California

   $ 387,900     $ 463,800     $ 419,200

Arizona

     212,800             212,800

Nevada

     292,200             292,200
    


 


 

Total

   $ 341,200     $ 463,800     $ 379,200
    


 


 

Number of net new home orders

                      

California

     1,117       880       1,997

Arizona

     289             289

Nevada

     321             321
    


 


 

Total

     1,727       880       2,607
    


 


 

Average number of sales locations during period

                      

California

     15       10       25

Arizona

     6             6

Nevada

     4             4
    


 


 

Total

     25       10       35
    


 


 

 

23


Table of Contents
     As of and for the year ended
December 31, 2002


     Consolidated

   Unconsolidated
Joint Ventures


   Combined
Total


Backlog of homes sold but not closed at end of period

                    

California

     200      195      395

Arizona

     137           137

Nevada

     95           95
    

  

  

Total

     432      195      627
    

  

  

Dollar amount of backlog of homes sold but not closed at end of
period (dollars in thousands)

                    

California

   $ 99,078    $ 96,160    $ 195,238

Arizona

     30,206           30,206

Nevada

     33,679           33,679
    

  

  

Total

   $ 162,963    $ 96,160    $ 259,123
    

  

  

Lots controlled at end of year

                    

Owned lots

                    

California

     2,174      1,439      3,613

Arizona

     963           963

Nevada

     1,534           1,534
    

  

  

Total

     4,671      1,439      6,110
    

  

  

Optioned lots(1)

                    

California

                   2,953

Arizona

                   4,462

Nevada

                   198
                  

Total

                   7,613
                  

Total lots controlled

                    

California

                   6,566

Arizona

                   5,425

Nevada

                   1,732
                  

Total

                   13,723
                  

 


(1)   Optioned lots may be purchased by the Company as consolidated projects or may be purchased by newly formed unconsolidated joint ventures.

 

On a combined basis, the number of net new home orders for the year ended December 31, 2004 decreased 2.1% to 3,371 homes from 3,443 homes for the year ended December 31, 2003. The number of homes closed on a combined basis for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased 23.8% to 3,471 homes from 2,804 homes for the year ended December 31, 2003. On a combined basis, the backlog of homes sold but not closed as of December 31, 2004 was 1,166 homes, down 7.9% from 1,266 homes as of December 31, 2003.

 

Homes in backlog are generally closed within three to six months. The dollar amount of backlog of homes sold but not closed on a combined basis as of December 31, 2004 was $623.6 million, up 4.8% from $595.2 million as of December 31, 2003. The cancellation rate of buyers who contracted to buy a home but did not close escrow at the Company’s projects was approximately 17% during 2004 and 18% during 2003. The inventory of completed and unsold homes was 49 homes as of December 31, 2004.

 

The Company experienced a 2.5% increase in the average number of sales locations to 41 for the year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to 40 for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the Company’s number of new home orders per average sales location decreased from 86.1 for the year ended December 31, 2003 to 82.2 for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

In general, housing demand is adversely affected by increases in interest rates and housing prices. Interest rates, the length of time that assets remain in inventory, and the proportion of inventory that is financed affect the

 

24


Table of Contents

Company’s interest cost. If the Company is unable to raise sales prices sufficiently to compensate for higher costs or if mortgage interest rates increase significantly, affecting prospective buyers’ ability to adequately finance home purchases, the Company’s sales, gross margins and operating results may be adversely impacted.

 

Comparisons of Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

Consolidated operating revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $1.822 billion, an increase of $924.2 million, or 103%, from consolidated operating revenue of $897.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. Revenue from sales of wholly-owned homes increased $379.6 million, or 43.8%, to $1.246 billion in the 2004 period from $866.7 million in the 2003 period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the average sales price of wholly-owned homes closed to $509,300 in the 2004 period from $402,900 in the 2003 period and an increase in the number of wholly-owned homes closed to 2,447 in 2004 from 2,128 in 2003. In addition, consolidated operating revenue during the year ended December 31, 2004 includes revenue from sales of homes of $539.3 million from consolidated joint ventures as compared to $9.2 million included in consolidated operating revenue in the same period in 2003, due to the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 as described above. Revenue from sales of lots, land and other increased to $36.3 million in the 2004 period compared to $21.7 million in the 2003 period due to bulk sales of land in certain of the Company’s developments. Management fee income increased by $6.7 million to $16.2 million in the 2004 period from $9.5 million in the 2003 period, primarily due to the increase in the number of joint venture units closed to 1,024 in the 2004 period from 676 in the 2003 period; however, upon consolidation of the joint ventures in connection with Interpretation No. 46 described above, management fee income is eliminated with the related cost of sales. The increase in the average sales price of units closed in wholly-owned projects was due primarily to (i) price appreciation in certain projects and (ii) a change in product mix.

 

Total operating income increased to $279.6 million in the 2004 period from $117.6 million in the 2003 period. The excess of revenue from sales of homes over the related cost of sales (gross margin) increased by $306.2 million to $458.5 million in the 2004 period from $152.3 million in the 2003 period primarily due to (i) an increase in the average sales price of wholly-owned homes closed to $509,300 in the 2004 period from $402,900 in the 2003 period, (ii) an increase in the number of wholly-owned homes closed to 2,447 in 2004 from 2,128 in 2003, (iii) an increase in the wholly-owned gross margin percentages to 24.5% in the 2004 period from 17.6% in the 2003 period and (iv) gross margin of $153.5 million from consolidated joint ventures in 2004 as compared to $1.3 million included in 2003, due to the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 as described above. The increase in period-over-period gross margin percentage reflects the impact of increased sales prices due to strong demand for housing in many of the Company’s markets. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $27.5 million to $58.8 million in the 2004 period from $31.3 million in the 2003 period primarily due to increases in direct selling expenses related to the increased sales volume and the consolidation of certain joint ventures due to the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 as described above.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $30.5 million to $80.8 million in 2004 from $50.3 million in 2003, primarily as a result of an increase in bonus expense due to higher levels of pre-tax, pre-bonus income in 2004 as compared to 2003. Bonus expense was $54.1 million in 2004, or approximately 16% of pre-tax, pre-bonus income as compared to $27.2 million in 2003, or approximately 18% of pre-tax, pre-bonus income. Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of combined home sales revenue was 7.8% in 2004 as compared to 7.7% in 2003. Other operating costs consist of initial start-up and operating losses realized by golf course operations at certain of the Company’s projects which increased to $2.1 million in the 2004 period from $1.8 million in the 2003 period. Equity in (loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased to $(0.7) million in the 2004 period from $31.2 million in the comparable period for 2003, primarily as a result of the consolidation of certain joint ventures in 2004 due to the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 as described above. Minority equity in income of consolidated entities increased to $49.7 million in the 2004 period from $0.4 million in the 2003 period due to the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 as described above.

 

Total interest incurred increased to $59.0 million in the 2004 period from $47.2 million in the 2003 period as a result of an increase in the average principal balance of debt outstanding in the 2004 period compared to the

 

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2003 period, including the issuance of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes and 7 1/2% Senior Notes (see below) and the debt associated with the consolidation of certain entities due to the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 as described above. All interest incurred was capitalized in the 2004 and 2003 periods.

 

Other income, net decreased to $5.6 million in 2004 from $6.4 million in 2003 primarily as a result of decreases in mortgage company operations and other miscellaneous income.

 

Minority interest in income of consolidated entities of $49.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2004 is related to the consolidation of the outside partners’ equity in income of entities consolidated as defined in Interpretation No. 46. See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”.

 

The estimated overall effective tax rate for the year ending December 31, 2004 is 39.8%. During the year ended December 31, 2004, income tax benefits of $3.5 million related to stock option exercises were excluded from the results of operations and credited to additional paid-in capital. At December 31, 2004, the Company has unused recognized built-in losses in the amount of $22.6 million which are available to offset future taxable income and expire between 2009 and 2011. The utilization of these losses is limited to offset $3.2 million of taxable income per year; however, any unused losses in any year may be carried forward for utilization in future years through 2011. The Company’s ability to utilize the foregoing tax benefits will depend upon the amount of its future taxable income and may be further limited under certain circumstances.

 

Neither the amount of the unused recognized built-in loss carryforwards nor the amount of limitation on such carryforwards claimed by the Company has been audited or otherwise validated by the Internal Revenue Service, and it could challenge either amount that the Company has calculated. It is possible that legislation or regulations will be adopted that would limit the Company’s ability to use the tax benefits associated with the current tax loss carryforwards.

 

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income increased to $171.6 million in the 2004 period from $72.1 million in the 2003 period.

 

Comparisons of Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

Operating revenue for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $897.8 million, an increase of $284.5 million, or 46.4%, from operating revenue of $613.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Revenue from sales of homes increased $272.9 million, or 46.0%, to $866.7 million in 2003 from $593.8 million in 2002. This increase was due primarily to an increase in the average sales prices of wholly-owned homes to $402,900 in 2003 from $341,200 in 2002 and an increase in the number of wholly-owned homes closed to 2,128 in 2003 from 1,740 in 2002. Revenues from sales of lots, land and other increased to $21.7 million in 2003 from $8.6 million in 2002, due to the bulk sale of land in one of the Company’s developments. Management fee income decreased by $1.4 million to $9.5 million in 2003 from $10.9 million in 2002 as a result of a decrease in the number of homes closed in joint ventures to 676 in 2003 from 782 in 2002. Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures amounting to $31.2 million was recognized in 2003, compared to $27.7 million in 2002 as a result of the increase in gross margin percentage of the unconsolidated joint ventures to 21.7% in 2003 from 17.6% in 2002.

 

Total operating income increased to $117.6 million in 2003 from $62.8 million in 2002. The excess of revenue from sales of homes over the related cost of sales (gross margin) increased by $62.9 million to $152.3 million in 2003 from $89.4 million in 2002. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the average sales prices to $402,900 in 2003 from $341,200 in 2002, or 18.1%, and an increase in the number of wholly-owned homes closed to 2,128 in 2003 from 1,740 in 2002, or 22.3%. Gross margin percentages increased by 2.5% to 17.6% in 2003 from 15.1% in 2002. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $8.4 million (36.7%) to $31.3 million in 2003 from $22.9 million in 2002 primarily due to increased sales locations, increased marketing fees paid to developers of master-planned communities and sales commissions as a result of increased revenue from sales of homes. General and administrative expenses increased by $10.9 million to $50.3 million in 2003

 

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from $39.4 million in 2002, primarily as a result of increased salaries and related benefits due to an increase in the number of employees and additional employee bonuses based on improved operating results of the Company. Other operating costs consist of initial start-up losses realized by a golf course operation at one of the Company’s projects which decreased to $1.8 million in 2003 from $2.3 million in 2002.

 

Total interest incurred during 2003 increased $20.4 million to $47.2 million from $26.8 million in 2002 as a result of an increase in the average amount of outstanding debt including the issuance of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes, offset by decreases in interest rates. There was no net interest expense recognized in 2003 or 2002 as a result of the increasing amount of real estate inventories available for capitalization of interest.

 

Other income, net increased to $6.4 million in 2003 from $5.0 million in 2002 primarily as a result of increases in mortgage company operations and other miscellaneous income.

 

Minority interest in income of consolidated entities of $0.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2003 is related to the consolidation of the outside partners’ equity in income of an entity consolidated as defined in Interpretation No. 46. See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”.

 

The estimated overall effective tax rate for the year ending December 31, 2003 is 41.8%. During the year ended December 31, 2003, income tax benefits of $3.1 million related to stock option exercises were excluded from the results of operations and credited to additional paid-in capital. The elimination during 2002 of the remaining valuation allowances for deferred tax assets reduced the Company’s estimated overall effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2002 from 39.3% to 27.0%. At December 31, 2003, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for Federal tax purposes of approximately $2.0 million, which expire in 2009. In addition, unused recognized built-in losses in the amount of $23.9 million are available to offset future taxable income and expire between 2009 and 2011. The utilization of these losses is limited to offset $3.2 million of taxable income per year; however, any unused losses in any year may be carried forward for utilization in future years through 2011. The Company’s ability to utilize the foregoing tax benefits will depend upon the amount of its future taxable income and may be further limited under certain circumstances.

 

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income increased to $72.1 million in the 2003 period from $49.5 million in the 2002 period.

 

Financial Condition and Liquidity

 

The Company provides for its ongoing cash requirements principally from internally generated funds from the sales of real estate, outside borrowings and by forming new joint ventures with venture partners that provide a substantial portion of the capital required for certain projects. The Company currently has outstanding 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2012, 10 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013 and 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014 and maintains secured revolving credit facilities (“Revolving Credit Facilities”). The Company has financed, and may in the future finance, certain projects and land acquisitions with construction loans secured by real estate inventories, seller-provided financing and land banking transactions.

 

The ability of the Company to meet its obligations on its indebtedness will depend to a large degree on its future performance which in turn will be subject, in part, to factors beyond its control, such as prevailing economic conditions either nationally or in regions in which the Company operates, the outbreak of war or other hostilities involving the United States, mortgage and other interest rates, changes in prices of homebuilding materials, weather, the occurrence of events such as landslides, soil subsidence and earthquakes that are uninsurable, not economically insurable or not subject to effective indemnification agreements, availability of labor and homebuilding materials, changes in governmental laws and regulations, the timing of receipt of regulatory approvals and the opening of projects, and the availability and cost of land for future development.

 

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7 5/8% Senior Notes

 

On November 22, 2004, the Company’s 100% owned subsidiary, William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, (“California Lyon”) closed its offering of $150.0 million principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2012 (the “7 5/8% Senior Notes”). The notes were sold pursuant to Rule 144A. The notes were issued at par, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $148.5 million. California Lyon agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to an offer to exchange the notes for publicly tradeable notes having substantially identical terms. On January 12, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared the registration statement effective and California Lyon commenced an offer to exchange any and all of its outstanding $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2012, which are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, for a like amount of its new 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2012, which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the prospectus dated January 12, 2005. The exchange offer was completed for $146.5 million principal amount of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes on February 18, 2005. The remaining $3.5 million principal amount of the old notes remains outstanding. The terms of the new notes are identical in all material respects to those of the old notes, except for certain transfer restrictions, registration rights and liquidated damages provisions relating to the old notes.

 

The 7 5/8% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of California Lyon and are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation (“Delaware Lyon”), which is the parent company of California Lyon, and all of Delaware Lyon’s existing and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. The notes and the guarantees rank senior to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ debt that is expressly subordinated to the notes and the guarantees, but are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ senior secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Interest on the 7 5/8% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on December 15 and June 15 of each year.

 

Except as set forth in the Indenture governing the 7 5/8% Senior Notes (“7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture”), the 7 5/8% Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to December 15, 2008. Thereafter, the 7 5/8% Senior Notes will be redeemable at the option of California Lyon, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium declining ratably to par, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, on or before December 15, 2007, California Lyon may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of qualified equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.625% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

Upon a change of control as described in the 7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture, California Lyon may be required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

If the Company’s consolidated tangible net worth falls below $75.0 million for any two consecutive fiscal quarters, California Lyon may be required to make an offer to purchase up to 10% of the notes originally issued at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

California Lyon is 100% owned by Delaware Lyon. Each subsidiary guarantor is 100% owned by California Lyon or Delaware Lyon. All guarantees are full and unconditional and all guarantees are joint and several. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of Delaware Lyon or any guarantor to obtain funds from subsidiaries by dividend or loan.

 

The 7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of Delaware Lyon and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase its stock; (iii) make investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) incur liens; (vi) enter into agreements restricting the ability of Delaware Lyon’s restricted subsidiaries (other than California Lyon) to pay

 

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dividends; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of Delaware Lyon’s and California Lyon’s assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications as described in the 7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay $68.0 million of the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facilities (including amounts drawn and provided to the Company to fund a Common Stock repurchase), fees and commissions related to the offering and for other general corporate purposes.

 

As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding 7 5/8% Senior Notes with a face value of $150.0 million had a fair value of approximately $146.4 million, based on quotes from industry sources.

 

10 3/4% Senior Notes

 

California Lyon filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the sale of $250.0 million of 10 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “10 3/4% Senior Notes”) which became effective on March 12, 2003. The offering closed on March 17, 2003 and was fully subscribed and issued. The notes were issued at a price of 98.493% to the public, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $246.2 million. The purchase price reflected a discount to yield 11% under the effective interest method and the notes have been reflected net of the unamortized discount in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

The 10 3/4% Senior Notes due April 1, 2013 are senior unsecured obligations of California Lyon and are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Delaware Lyon and the parent company of California Lyon, and all of Delaware Lyon’s existing and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. The notes and the guarantees rank senior to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ debt that is expressly subordinated to the notes and the guarantees, but are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ senior secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Interest on the 10 3/4% Senior Notes is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year.

 

Except as set forth in the Indenture governing the 10 3/4% Senior Notes (“10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture”), the 10 3/4% Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to April 1, 2008. Thereafter, the 10 3/4% Senior Notes will be redeemable at the option of California Lyon, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium declining ratably to par, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, on or before April 1, 2006, California Lyon may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of qualified equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 110.75% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

Upon a change of control as described in the 10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture, California Lyon may be required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

If the Company’s consolidated tangible net worth falls below $75.0 million for any two consecutive fiscal quarters, California Lyon will be required to make an offer to purchase up to 10% of the notes originally issued at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

The 10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of Delaware Lyon and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase its stock; (iii) make investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) incur liens; (vi) enter into agreements restricting the ability of Delaware Lyon’s restricted subsidiaries (other than California Lyon) to pay dividends; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all

 

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of Delaware Lyon’s and California Lyon’s assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications as described in the 10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the terms of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The net proceeds of the offering were used as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Repayment of revolving credit facilities

   $ 104,354

Repayment of 12 1/2% Senior Notes

     70,279

Repayment of construction notes payable

     28,000

Repayment of purchase money notes payable—land acquisitions

     26,000

Repayment of unsecured line of credit

     9,500

Underwriting discount

     6,875

Offering costs

     1,225
    

     $ 246,233
    

 

As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding 10 3/4% Senior Notes with a face value of $246.6 million had a fair value of approximately $280.9 million, based on quotes from industry sources.

 

7 1/2% Senior Notes

 

On February 6, 2004, California Lyon closed its offering of $150.0 million principal amount of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “7 1/2% Senior Notes”). The notes were sold pursuant to Rule 144A and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S. The notes were issued at par, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $147.6 million. California Lyon agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to an offer to exchange the notes for publicly tradeable notes having substantially identical terms. On July 16, 2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared the registration statement effective and California Lyon commenced an offer to exchange any and all of its outstanding $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014, which are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, for a like amount of its new 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014, which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the prospectus dated July 16, 2004. The exchange offer was completed for the full principal amount of the 7 1/2% Senior Notes on August 17, 2004. The terms of the new notes are identical in all material respects to those of the old notes, except for certain transfer restrictions, registration rights and liquidated damages provisions relating to the old notes. The new notes have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

The 7 1/2% Senior Notes due February 15, 2014 are senior unsecured obligations of California Lyon and are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Delaware Lyon and all of Delaware Lyon’s existing and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. The notes and the guarantees rank senior to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ debt that is expressly subordinated to the notes and the guarantees, but are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ senior secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Interest on the 7 1/2% Senior Notes is payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year.

 

Except as set forth in the Indenture governing the 7 1/2% Senior Notes (“7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture”), the 7 1/2% Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to February 15, 2009. Thereafter, the 7 1/2% Senior Notes will be redeemable at the option of California Lyon, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium declining ratably to par, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, on or before February 15, 2007, California Lyon may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of qualified equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.50% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

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Upon a change of control as described in the 7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture, California Lyon may be required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

If the Company’s consolidated tangible net worth falls below $75.0 million for any two consecutive fiscal quarters, California Lyon will be required to make an offer to purchase up to 10% of the notes originally issued at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

California Lyon is 100% owned by Delaware Lyon. Each subsidiary guarantor is 100% owned by California Lyon or Delaware Lyon. All guarantees are full and unconditional and all guarantees are joint and several. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of Delaware Lyon or any guarantor to obtain funds from subsidiaries by dividend or loan.

 

The 7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of Delaware Lyon and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase its stock; (iii) make investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) incur liens; (vi) enter into agreements restricting the ability of Delaware Lyon’s restricted subsidiaries (other than California Lyon) to pay dividends; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of Delaware Lyon’s and California Lyon’s assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications as described in the 7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the terms of the 7 1/2% Senior Notes and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay $70.0 million of the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facilities and $21.5 million of a construction note payable described below, together with $0.3 million of accrued interest. The remaining proceeds were used for fees and commissions related to the offering and other general corporate purposes.

 

As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding 7 1/2% Senior Notes with a face value of $150.0 million had a fair value of $144.0 million, based on quotes from industry sources.

 

Revolving Credit Facilities

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company has four revolving credit facilities which have an aggregate maximum loan commitment of $395.0 million and mature at various dates through 2008. A $125.0 million revolving line of credit “expires” in October 2005. After that date the Company may borrow amounts, subject to applicable borrowing base and concentration limitations, under this facility solely to complete the construction of residences begun prior to such date in approved projects funded by disbursements under this facility. The final maturity date is the earlier of the date upon which the last residence, the construction of which was financed with proceeds of this loan, is sold or the date upon which such last residence is excluded from the borrowing base by the passage of time under this facility. However, as in the past the Company expects the maturity to be extended by the lender at each maturity date for an additional year. The maximum commitment amount under this facility is $125.0 million. A $150.0 million revolving line of credit finally matures in September 2008, although after September 2006, advances under this facility may only be made to complete previously approved projects approved on or before such date. The maximum commitment of $150.0 million under this facility is reduced by the aggregate amount of loan commitments under separate project loans issued by the lender or its affiliates to the Company or its affiliates with respect to projects that are not cross-collateralized with the collateral under this credit facility. A $50.0 million revolving line of credit initially “matures” in September 2006. After that date: a) the maximum commitment under this facility reduces at a rate of $12.5 million per quarter beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 2006, with a final maturity date of September 2007, and b) advances may only be used to complete previously approved projects subject to the borrowing base as of the initial maturity date. A $70.0 million revolving line of credit became effective in June 2004, which matures in June 2007.

 

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Availability under each credit facility is subject not only to the maximum amount committed under the respective facility, but also to both various borrowing base and concentration limitations. The borrowing base limits lender advances to certain agreed percentages of asset value. The allowed percentage generally increases as the asset progresses from land under development to residence subject to contract of sale. Advances for each type of collateral become due in whole or in part, subject to possible re-borrowing, and/or the collateral becomes excluded from the borrowing base, after a specified period or earlier upon sale. Concentration limitations further restrict availability under the credit facilities. The effect of these borrowing base and concentration limitations essentially is to mandate minimum levels of the Company’s investment in a project, with higher percentages of investment required at earlier phases of a project, and with greater absolute dollar amounts of investment required as a project progresses. Each revolving credit facility is secured by deeds of trust on the real property and improvements thereon owned by the Company in the subdivision project(s) approved by the respective lender, as well as pledges of all net sale proceeds, related contracts and other ancillary property. Also, each credit facility includes financial covenants, which may limit the amount that may be borrowed thereunder. Outstanding advances bear interest at various rates, which approximate the prime rate. As of December 31, 2004, $7.7 million was outstanding under these credit facilities, with a weighted-average interest rate of 5.339%, and the undrawn availability was $236.2 million as limited by the borrowing base formulas. Delaware Lyon has guaranteed on an unsecured basis California Lyon’s obligations under certain of the revolving credit facilities and has provided an unsecured environmental indemnity in favor of the lender under the $125.0 million bank line of credit.

 

Under the revolving credit facilities, we are required to comply with a number of covenants, the most restrictive of which require Delaware Lyon to maintain:

 

  Ø   A tangible net worth, as defined, of $120.0 million, adjusted upwards quarterly by 50% of Delaware Lyon’s quarterly net income after March 31, 2002,

 

  Ø   A ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth, each as defined, of less than 3.25 to 1; and

 

  Ø   Minimum liquidity, as defined, of at least $10.0 million.

 

As of and for the year ending December 31, 2004, the Company is in compliance with these covenants.

 

Construction Notes Payable

 

At December 31, 2004, the Company had construction notes payable on certain consolidated entities amounting to $31.6 million. The construction notes have various maturity dates and bear interest at rates ranging from prime plus 0.25% to prime plus 0.75% at December 31, 2004. Interest is calculated on the average daily balance and is paid following the end of each month.

 

Revolving Mortgage Warehouse Credit Facilities

 

The Company, through its mortgage subsidiary and one of its unconsolidated joint ventures, has entered into two revolving mortgage warehouse credit facilities with banks to fund its mortgage origination operations. The original credit facility, which matures in May 2005, provides for revolving loans of up to $30.0 million outstanding, $20.0 million of which is committed (lender obligated to lend if stated conditions are satisfied) and $10.0 million is not committed (lender advances are optional even if stated conditions are otherwise satisfied). However, as in the past the Company expects the maturity to be extended by the lender at each maturity date for an additional year. In August 2003, the Company’s mortgage subsidiary and one of its unconsolidated joint ventures entered into an additional $10.0 million credit facility which matures in August 2006. Mortgage loans are generally held for a short period of time and are typically sold to investors within 7 to 15 days following funding. The facilities are secured by substantially all of the assets of each of the borrowers, including the mortgage loans held for sale, all rights of each of the borrowers with respect to contractual obligations of third party investors to purchase such mortgage loans, and all proceeds of sale of such mortgage loans. The facilities, which have LIBOR based pricing, also contain certain financial covenants requiring the borrowers to maintain

 

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minimum tangible net worth, leverage, profitability and liquidity. These facilities are non-recourse and are not guaranteed by the Company. At December 31, 2004 the outstanding balance under these facilities was $9.3 million.

 

Land Banking Arrangements

 

The Company enters into purchase agreements with various land sellers. In some instances, and as a method of acquiring land in staged takedowns, thereby minimizing the use of funds from the Company’s revolving credit facilities and other corporate financing sources and limiting the Company’s risk, the Company transfers the Company’s right in such purchase agreements to entities owned by third parties (“land banking arrangements”). These entities use equity contributions and/or incur debt to finance the acquisition and development of the lots. The entities grant the Company an option to acquire lots in staged takedowns. In consideration for this option, the Company makes a non-refundable deposit equal to 20% or less of the total purchase price. Additionally, the Company may be subject to other penalties if lots are not acquired. The Company is under no obligation to purchase the balance of the lots, but would forfeit remaining deposits and be subject to penalties if the lots were not purchased. The Company does not have legal title to these entities or their assets and has not guaranteed their liabilities. These land banking arrangements help the Company manage the financial and market risk associated with land holdings. The use of these land banking arrangements is dependent on, among other things, the availability of capital to the option provider, general housing market conditions and geographic preferences. As described in Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”, Interpretation No. 46, requires the consolidation of the assets, liabilities and operations of one of the Company’s land banking arrangements including, as of December 31, 2004, real estate inventories of $9.3 million. The Company participates in two land banking arrangements, which are not VIE’s in accordance with FIN 46, and are not consolidated as of December 31, 2004. The deposits and penalties related to the two land banking projects have been recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Summary information with respect to the Company’s consolidated and unconsolidated land banking arrangements is as follows as of December 31, 2004 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Consolidated

   Unconsolidated

Total number of land banking projects

     1      2
    

  

Total number of lots

     172      866
    

  

Total purchase price

   $ 60,849    $ 83,164
    

  

Balance of lots still under option and not purchased:

             

Number of lots

     50      567
    

  

Purchase price

   $ 19,074    $ 63,462
    

  

Forfeited deposits and penalties if lots are not purchased

   $ 9,755    $ 13,404
    

  

 

Joint Venture Financing

 

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are general partners or members in joint ventures involved in the development and sale of residential projects. As described more fully in “Recently Issued Accounting Standards”, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as amended (“Interpretation No. 46”) certain joint ventures have been determined to be variable interest entities in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of these joint ventures have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004. Because the Company already recognizes its proportionate share of joint venture earnings and losses under the equity method of accounting, the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 did not affect the Company’s consolidated net income. The financial statements of joint ventures in which the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary are not consolidated with the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are accounted for using the equity

 

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method because the Company has a 50% or less voting or economic interest (and thus such joint ventures are not controlled by the Company). Income allocations and cash distributions to the Company from the unconsolidated joint ventures are based on predetermined formulas between the Company and its joint venture partners as specified in the applicable partnership or operating agreements. The Company generally receives, after partners’ priority returns and returns of partners’ capital, approximately 50% of the profits and cash flows from joint ventures. See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for condensed combined financial information for the joint ventures whose financial statements have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements. See Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for condensed combined financial information for the unconsolidated joint ventures. Based upon current estimates, substantially all future development and construction costs incurred by the joint ventures will be funded by the venture partners or from the proceeds of construction financing obtained by the joint ventures.

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company’s investment in and advances to the unconsolidated joint ventures was $17.9 million and the venture partners’ investment in such joint ventures was $17.4 million. As of December 31, 2004, these joint ventures had obtained financing from construction lenders which amounted to $28.6 million of outstanding indebtedness.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2002, one of the Company’s joint ventures (“Existing Venture”) was restructured such that the Company was required to purchase the 538 lots owned by the Existing Venture on a specified takedown basis through October 15, 2003 at a purchase price equal to the future cost of such lots including a 20% preferred return on invested capital to the outside partner of the Existing Venture. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the first 242 lots were purchased from the Existing Venture for $64.5 million, which included a $12.5 million preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture. The 242 lots were purchased by a newly formed joint venture (“New Venture”) between the Company and an outside partner. The Company was required to and did purchase the 242 lots owned by the New Venture on a specified takedown basis through May 15, 2004 at a purchase price equal to $74.2 million plus a 13 1/2% preferred return on invested capital to the outside partner of the New Venture. Because the Company was required to purchase the lots owned by both the Existing Venture and the New Venture, and the Company controlled both ventures, the financial statements of both ventures have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements. During the year ended December 31, 2002, an additional 44 lots were purchased from the Existing Venture for $19.8 million, which included a $4.0 million preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture, respectively. The 44 lots were purchased through a land banking arrangement. During the year ended December 31, 2003, an additional 219 lots were purchased from the Existing Venture for $74.9 million, which included a $21.7 million preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture. These purchases included (i) 172 lots which were purchased from the Existing Venture under a land banking arrangement for $56.6 million, which included a $16.4 million preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture and (2) 47 lots which were purchased by the New Venture from the Existing Venture for $18.3 million, which included a $5.3 million preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company purchased 15 lots from the New Venture for $5.1 million, all of which was paid to the outside partner as a return of capital. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company purchased 175 lots from the New Venture for $54.5 million, all of which was paid to the outside partner as a return of capital. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company purchased 99 lots from the New Venture for $34.3 million. The intercompany sales and related profits have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2003, California Lyon and two unaffiliated parties formed a series of limited liability companies (“Development LLCs”) for the purpose of acquiring three parcels of land totaling 236 acres in Irvine and Tustin, California (formerly part of the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station) and developing the land into 1,910 residential homesites. The development process is anticipated to be completed by late 2005 at which time California Lyon will be required under certain specific conditions to purchase approximately one half in value of the lots. California Lyon has a 12 1/2% indirect, minority interest in the Development LLCs, which are the borrowers under two secured lines of credit. Advances under the lines of credit are to be used to pay acquisition and development costs and expenses. The lines of credit are secured by deeds of trust on the real

 

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property and improvements thereon owned by the applicable Development LLC, as well as pledges of all net sale proceeds, related contracts and other ancillary property. The maximum commitment amounts under the lines of credit are limited by specified agreed loan-to-value ratios. The maximum commitment amount under the line of credit that closed in January 2003 (“First Line of Credit”) is $35.0 million. Subject to specified terms and conditions, California Lyon and the other direct and indirect members of the Development LLC that is the borrower under the First Line of Credit, including certain affiliates of such other members, each (i) have guaranteed to the bank the repayment of the Development LLC’s indebtedness under the First Line of Credit, completion of certain infrastructure improvements to the land, payment of necessary loan remargining obligations, and the Development LLC’s performance under its environmental indemnity and covenants, and (ii) have agreed to take all actions and pay all amounts to assure that the Development LLC is in compliance with financial covenants. The First Line of Credit matures in July 2005. The maximum commitment amount under the line of credit that closed in March 2003 (“Second Line of Credit”) is $105.0 million. The Second Line of Credit matures in September 2005. Although the guarantee obligations of the other direct and indirect members of the Development LLC that is the borrower under the Second Line of Credit, and certain of their affiliates, are similar in nature to those under the First Line of Credit, California Lyon does not have any such guarantee obligations to the banks under the Second Line of Credit. However, California Lyon has posted letters of credit equal to approximately $24.6 million to secure its obligations as well as the Development LLCs’ obligations to the bank under both lines of credit. Further, California Lyon and the other direct and indirect members of the Development LLCs, including certain affiliates of such other members, have entered into reimbursement and indemnity agreements to allocate any liability arising from each line of credit, including the related guarantees and letters of credit. Delaware Lyon has entered into joinder agreements to be jointly and severally liable for California Lyon’s obligations under the reimbursement and indemnity agreements. While the reimbursement and indemnity agreements provide that liability is generally allocated in accordance with the members’ percentage interests in the Development LLCs’ distributions, Delaware Lyon and California Lyon may be liable for the full amount of the obligations guaranteed to the banks under either or both of the lines of credit in certain specified circumstances, such as those involving the default, willful misconduct or gross negligence of California Lyon. As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding indebtedness under the First Line of Credit was $35.0 million and the outstanding indebtedness under the Second Line of Credit was $105.0 million.

 

The Company is a member in an unconsolidated joint venture limited liability company formed for the purpose of acquiring and developing land in Nevada. At December 31, 2004, the unconsolidated joint venture had outstanding land acquisition and development debt of $28.6 million, of which the Company guaranteed $14.3 million.

 

Assessment District Bonds

 

In some jurisdictions in which the Company develops and constructs property, assessment district bonds are issued by municipalities to finance major infrastructure improvements and fees. Such financing has been an important part of financing master-planned communities due to the long-term nature of the financing, favorable interest rates when compared to the Company’s other sources of funds and the fact that the bonds are sold, administered and collected by the relevant government entity. As a landowner benefited by the improvements, the Company is responsible for the assessments on its land. When the Company’s homes or other properties are sold, the assessments are either prepaid or the buyers assume the responsibility for the related assessments. See Note 10 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

Cash Flows — Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities changed from a use of $160.0 million in 2003 to a source of $87.3 million in 2004. The change was primarily a result of an increase in operating income as a result of increased deliveries and operating revenues. Expenditures on real estate were relatively unchanged at $195.3 million in 2004 compared to $206.0 million in 2003. The successful issuance of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes in 2003 and the 7 1/2% Senior Notes and 7 5/8% Senior Notes in 2004, offset by the repayment of the 12 1/2% Senior Notes (as described in financing activities below), provided the Company with increased financial resources. The risks inherent in purchasing and developing land increase as consumer demand for housing

 

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decreases. Thus, the Company may have bought and developed land on which it cannot profitably build and sell homes. The market value of land, building lots and housing inventories can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing market conditions. In addition, inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses in a poorly performing project or market. In the event of significant changes in economic or market conditions, the Company may have to sell homes at significantly lower margins or at a loss.

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities decreased to a use of $17.1 million in 2004 from a source of $50.5 million in 2003. The change was primarily a result of (i) a decrease in cash distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures to $10.1 million in 2004 from $59.5 million in 2003, and (ii) an increase in cash paid for property and equipment to $17.8 million in 2004 from $0.6 in 2003 due to the purchase of an aircraft.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities decreased to $1.7 million in 2004 from $117.0 million in 2003, primarily as a result of (i) the net proceeds of $148.5 million and $147.6 million from the issuance of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes and 7 1/2% Senior Notes, respectively, in 2004 compared to the net proceeds of $246.2 million from the issuance of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes and repayment of $70.3 million of the 12 1/2% Senor Notes in 2003, (ii) net minority interest distributions of $86.8 in 2004 compared to net minority interest contributions of $61.4 million in 2003 and (iii) the repurchase of shares of common stock of $81.0 million in 2004 compared to $7.2 million in 2003.

 

Cash Flows — Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities changed from a source of $12.0 million in 2002 to a use of $160.0 million in 2003. The change was primarily a result of increased expenditures in real estate inventories in 2003, offset by an increase in operating income as a result of increased operating revenues. The successful issuance of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes in 2003, offset by the repayment of the 12 1/2% Senior Notes, (as described in financing activities below) provided the Company with increased financial resources. The increase in real estate inventories resulted from (i) the Company’s improved financial condition and its ability to finance more of its operations during 2003 as wholly-owned projects rather than being financed as unconsolidated joint venture projects and (ii) the consolidation of variable interest entities in 2003 as described above.

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities changed from a source of $15.3 million in 2002 to a source of $50.5 million in 2003 primarily as a result of an increase in net distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures in 2003.

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities changed from a use of $30.3 million in 2002 to a source of $117.0 million in 2003 primarily as a result of the issuance of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes in 2003, offset by the repayment of the 12 1/2% Senior Notes.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company enters into certain off-balance sheet arrangements including joint venture financing, option agreements, land banking arrangements and variable interests in consolidated and unconsolidated entities. These arrangements are more fully described above and in Notes 2, 5 and 10 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

The Company’s contractual obligations consisted of the following at December 31, 2004 (in thousands):

 

     Payments due by period

Contractual obligations


   Total

   Less than
1 year


   1-3 years

   3-5 years

   More than
5 years


Revolving credit facilities

   $ 18,678    $ 5,048    $ 10,599    $ 3,031    $

Construction notes payable

     32,835      27,130      5,705          

7 5/8% Senior Notes

     241,500      11,438      22,875      22,875      184,312

10 3/4% Senior Notes

     471,719      26,875      53,750      53,750      337,344

7 1/2% Senior Notes

     252,656      11,250      22,500      22,500      196,406

Operating leases

     10,584      2,934      6,112      1,538     

Purchase obligations:

                                  

Land purchases and option commitments

     754,563      446,929      307,634          

Project commitments

     311,934      287,995      17,954      5,985     
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 2,094,469    $ 819,599    $ 447,129    $ 109,679    $ 718,062
    

  

  

  

  

 

Inflation

 

The Company’s revenues and profitability may be affected by increased inflation rates and other general economic conditions. In periods of high inflation, demand for the Company’s homes may be reduced by increases in mortgage interest rates. Further, the Company’s profits will be affected by its ability to recover through higher sales prices increases in the costs of land, construction, labor and administrative expenses. The Company’s ability to raise prices at such times will depend upon demand and other competitive factors.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and costs and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those which impact its most critical accounting policies. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes that the following accounting policies are among the most important to a portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require among the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments:

 

Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales

 

Real estate inventories are carried at cost net of impairment losses, if any. Real estate inventories consist primarily of deposits, raw land, lots under development, homes under construction and completed homes of real estate projects. All direct and indirect land costs, offsite and onsite improvements and applicable interest and other carrying charges are capitalized to real estate projects during periods when the project is under development. Land, offsite costs and all other common costs are allocated to land parcels benefited based upon relative fair values before construction. Onsite construction costs and related carrying charges (principally interest and property taxes) are allocated to the individual homes within a phase based upon the relative sales value of the homes. The estimation process involved in determining relative fair values and sales values is inherently uncertain because it involves estimates of current market values for land parcels before construction as well as future sales values of individual homes within a phase. The Company’s estimate of future sales values is supported by the Company’s budgeting process. The estimate of future sales values is inherently uncertain because it requires

 

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estimates of current market conditions as well as future market events and conditions. Additionally, in determining the allocation of costs to a particular land parcel or individual home, the Company relies on project budgets that are based on a variety of assumptions, including assumptions about construction schedules and future costs to be incurred. It is possible that actual results could differ from budgeted amounts for various reasons, including construction delays, increases in costs which have not yet been committed, or unforeseen issues encountered during construction that fall outside the scope of contracts obtained. While the actual results for a particular construction project are accurately reported over time, a variance between the budget and actual costs could result in the understatement or overstatement of costs and a related impact on gross margins in a specific reporting period. To reduce the potential for such distortion, the Company has set forth procedures which have been applied by the Company on a consistent basis, including assessing and revising project budgets on a monthly basis, obtaining commitments from subcontractors and vendors for future costs to be incurred, reviewing the adequacy of warranty accruals and historical warranty claims experience, and utilizing the most recent information available to estimate costs. The variances between budget and actual amounts identified by the Company have historically not had a material impact on its consolidated results of operations. Management believes that the Company’s policies provide for reasonably dependable estimates to be used in the calculation and reporting of costs. The Company relieves its accumulated real estate inventories through cost of sales for the cost of homes sold, as described more fully below in the section entitled “Sales and Profit Recognition.”

 

Impairment of Real Estate Inventories

 

The Company accounts for its real estate inventories under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“Statement No. 144”). Statement No. 144 requires impairment losses to be recorded on assets to be held and used by the Company when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of the assets. The estimation process used in determining the undiscounted cash flows of the assets is inherently uncertain because it involves estimates of future revenues and costs. As described more fully above in the section entitled “Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales”, estimates of revenues and costs are supported by the Company’s budgeting process. When an impairment loss is required for assets to be held and used by the Company, the related assets are adjusted to their estimated fair value.

 

Fair value represents the amount at which an asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than a forced or liquidation sale. The estimation process involved in determining if assets have been impaired and in the determination of fair value is inherently uncertain because it requires estimates of current market yields as well as future events and conditions. Such future events and conditions include economic and market conditions, as well as the availability of suitable financing to fund development and construction activities. The realization of the Company’s real estate inventories is dependent upon future uncertain events and conditions and, accordingly, the actual timing and amounts realized by the Company may be materially different from their estimated fair values.

 

Sales and Profit Recognition

 

A sale is recorded and profit recognized when a sale is consummated, the buyer’s initial and continuing investments are adequate, any receivables are not subject to future subordination, and the usual risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 66, Accounting for Sales of Real Estate. When it is determined that the earnings process is not complete, profit is deferred for recognition in future periods. The profit recorded by the Company is based on the calculation of cost of sales which is dependent on the Company’s allocation of costs which is described in more detail above in the section entitled “Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales”.

 

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Variable Interest Entities

 

Certain land purchase contracts and lot option contracts are accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as amended (“Interpretation No. 46”). In addition, all joint ventures are reviewed and analyzed under Interpretation No. 46 to determine whether or not these arrangements are accounted for under the principles of Interpretation No. 46 or other accounting rules. Under Interpretation No. 46, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) is created when (i) the equity investment at risk in the entity is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or (ii) the entity’s equity holders as a group either (a) lack direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity through voting or similar rights, (b) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity if they occur or (c) do not have the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity if they occur. If an entity is deemed to be a VIE pursuant to Interpretation No. 46, the enterprise that absorbs a majority of the expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, is considered the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE. Expected losses and residual returns for VIEs are calculated based on the probability of estimated future cash flows as defined in Interpretation No. 46. Based on the provisions of Interpretation No. 46, whenever the Company enters into a land purchase contract or an option contract for land or lots with an entity and makes a non-refundable deposit, or enters into a joint venture, a VIE may be created and the arrangement is evaluated under Interpretation No. 46. In order to (i) evaluate whether the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support from other parties, (ii) calculate expected losses, expected residual returns and the probability of estimated future cash flows, and (iii) determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company must exercise significant judgment regarding the interpretation of the terms of the underlying agreements in light of Interpretation No. 46 and make assumptions regarding future events that may or may not occur. The terms of these agreements are subject to various interpretations and the assumptions used by the Company are inherently uncertain. The use by the Company of different interpretations and/or assumptions could affect the Company’s evaluation as to whether or not land purchase contracts, lot option contracts or joint ventures are VIEs and whether or not the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.

 

The Company’s critical accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

Related Party Transactions

 

See Item 13 and Note 9 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for a description of the Company’s transactions with related parties.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as amended (“Interpretation No. 46”), which addresses the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Under Interpretation No. 46, arrangements that are not controlled through voting or similar rights are accounted for as VIEs. An enterprise is required to consolidate a VIE if it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Interpretation No. 46 applies immediately to arrangements created after January 31, 2003 and, with respect to arrangements created before February 1, 2003, the interpretation was applied to the Company as of January 1, 2004.

 

Under Interpretation No. 46, a VIE is created when (i) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or (ii) equity holders either (a) lack direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity through voting or similar rights, (b) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity or (c) do not have the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity if they occur. If an entity is deemed to be a VIE, pursuant to Interpretation No. 46, an enterprise that absorbs a majority of the expected losses or residual returns of the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE.

 

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Based on the provisions of Interpretation No. 46, the Company has concluded that under certain circumstances when the Company (i) enters into option agreements for the purchase of land or lots from an entity and pays a non-refundable deposit, (ii) enters into land banking arrangements or (iii) enters into arrangements with a financial partner for the formation of joint ventures which engage in homebuilding and land development activities, a VIE may be created under condition (ii) (b) or (c) of the previous paragraph. The Company may be deemed to have provided subordinated financial support, which refers to variable interests that will absorb some or all of an entity’s expected losses if they occur. For each VIE created, the Company will compute expected losses and residual returns based on the probability of future cash flows as outlined in Interpretation No. 46. If the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the assets, liabilities and operations of the VIE will be consolidated with the Company’s financial statements.

 

Based on the Company’s analysis of arrangements created after January 31, 2003, no VIEs had been created for the period from February 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003 with respect to option agreements as identified under clause (i) of the previous paragraph. At December 31, 2003, certain joint ventures and one land banking arrangement created after January 31, 2003 had been determined to be VIEs under Interpretation No. 46. in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of these joint ventures and land banking arrangement were consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2003 and for the period then ended. Effective January 1, 2004, certain additional joint ventures and land banking arrangements created prior to February 1, 2003 have been determined to be VIEs under Interpretation No. 46 in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of all these joint ventures and land banking arrangements have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of January 1, 2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as some statements by the Company in periodic press releases and some oral statements by Company officials to securities analysts and stockholders during presentations about the Company are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Statements which are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or which include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, “hopes”, and similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future Company actions, which may be provided by management are also forward-looking statements as defined in the Act. Forward-looking statements are based upon expectations and projections about future events and are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties about, among other things, the Company, economic and market factors and the homebuilding industry.

 

Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The principal factors that could cause the Company’s actual performance and future events and actions to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions either nationally or in regions in which the Company operates, terrorism or other hostilities involving the United States, whether an ownership change occurred which could, under certain circumstances, have resulted in the limitation of the Company’s ability to offset prior years’ taxable income with net operating losses, changes in home mortgage interest rates, changes in generally accepted accounting principles or interpretations of those principles, changes in prices of homebuilding materials, labor shortages, adverse weather conditions, the occurrence of events such as landslides, soil subsidence and earthquakes that are uninsurable, not economically insurable or not subject to effective indemnification agreements, changes in governmental laws and regulations, whether the Company is able to refinance the outstanding balances of its debt obligation at their maturity, the timing of receipt of regulatory approvals and the opening of projects and the availability and cost of land for future growth. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the Company include, but are not limited to, those factors or conditions described under “Management’s Discussion and

 

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Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The Company’s past performance or past or present economic conditions in the Company’s housing markets are not indicative of future performance or conditions. Investors are urged not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or changes to projections over time unless required by federal securities law.

 

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates to the Company’s floating rate debt with a total outstanding balance at December 31, 2004 of $48.6 million where the interest rate is variable based upon certain bank reference or prime rates. If interest rates were to increase by 10%, the estimated impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements would be no reduction to income before provision for taxes based on amounts outstanding and rates in effect at December 31, 2004, but would increase capitalized interest by approximately $0.9 million which would be amortized to cost of sales as home closings occur.

 

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

The consolidated financial statements of William Lyon Homes and the reports of the independent registered public accounting firm, listed under Item 15, are submitted as a separate section of this report beginning on page 51 and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.    An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Although the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, there can be no assurance that such disclosure controls and procedures will always achieve their stated goals under all circumstances.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.    There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that occurred during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.    The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f), and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Based on the Company’s evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, the Company’s management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2004.

 

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The assessment by the Company’s management of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

 

Attestation Report of Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

William Lyon Homes

 

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that William Lyon Homes maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The management of William Lyon Homes is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, management’s assessment that William Lyon Homes maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, William Lyon Homes maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on the COSO criteria.

 

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We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of William Lyon Homes as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 of William Lyon Homes and our report dated March 10, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

 

Irvine, California

March 10, 2005

 

Item 9B.    Other Information

 

None.

 

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PART III

 

Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Holders of Common Stock to be held on May 9, 2005.

 

Item 11.    Executive Compensation

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Holders of Common Stock to be held on May 9, 2005.

 

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Holders of Common Stock to be held on May 9, 2005.

 

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Holders of Common Stock to be held on May 9, 2005.

 

Item 14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Holders of Common Stock to be held on May 9, 2005.

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)(1)  Financial Statements

 

The following financial statements of the Company are included in a separate section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K commencing on the page numbers specified below:

 

     Page

William Lyon Homes

    

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   52

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   53

Consolidated Statements of Income

   54

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

   55

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   56

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   57

 

(2)  Financial Statement Schedules:

 

Schedules are omitted as the required information is not present, is not present in sufficient amounts, or is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

 

(3)  Listing of Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


  2.1(1)   

Certificate of Ownership and Merger.

  3.1(2)    Certificate of Incorporation of William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation.
  3.2(2)    Bylaws of William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation.
  4.1(2)   

Specimen certificate of Common Stock.

  4.2(23)    Indenture dated as of March 17, 2003 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (including form of notes and guarantees).
  4.3(15)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 13, 2004 between Lyon East Garrison Company I, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of March 17, 2003 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
  4.4(24)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 2005 between The Ranch Golf Club, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of March 17, 2003 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
  4.5(3)    Indenture dated as of February 6, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (including form of notes and guarantees).
  4.6(15)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 13, 2004 between Lyon East Garrison Company I, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of February 6, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
  4.7(24)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 2005 between The Ranch Golf Club, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of February 6, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).

 

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Exhibit
Number


  

Description


  4.8(14)    Indenture dated as of November 22, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (including form of notes and guarantees).
  4.9(15)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 13, 2004 between Lyon East Garrison Company I, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of November 22, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
  4.10(24)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 2005 between The Ranch Golf Club, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of November 22, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
10.1(11)    Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of September 17, 2004 between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, and RFC Construction Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation.
10.2(4)    Master Loan Agreement dated as of August 31, 2000 by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation (“Borrower”) and Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B., a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (“Lender”).
10.3(6)    Agreement for First Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments, dated as of June 8, 2001, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.4(5)      Agreement for Second Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments, dated as of July 23, 2001, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.5(5)      Agreement for Third Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments, dated as of December 19, 2001, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.6(5)    Agreement for Fourth Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments, dated as of May 29, 2002, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.7(7)    Agreement for Fifth Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Agreements, dated as of June 6, 2003, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.8(3)    Agreement for Sixth Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Agreements, dated as of November 14, 2003, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.9(12)    Agreement for Seventh Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments dated as of October 6, 2004 by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as
     borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as lender.
10.10(4)    Revolving Line of Credit Loan Agreement (Borrowing Base Loan) by and between California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, and William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, dated as of September 21, 2000.

 

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Exhibit
Number


  

Description


10.11(17)    Agreement to Modify Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and Deed of Trust, dated as of September 18, 2002, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, as lender.
10.12(5)    Second Agreement to Modify Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and Deed of Trust, dated as of December 13, 2002, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, as lender.
10.13(3)    Third Agreement to Modify Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and Deed of Trust, dated as of January 26, 2004, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, as lender.
10.14(11)    Amended and Restated Revolving Line of Credit Loan Agreement dated September 16, 2004 by and between California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, and William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation.
10.15(7)    Mortgage Warehouse Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 1, 2003 between Duxford Financial, Inc., and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and First Tennessee Bank as Lender.
10.16(10)    Mortgage Warehouse Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 1, 2004 between Duxford Financial, Inc., and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and First Tennessee Bank as Lender.
10.17(8)    Credit Agreement dated August 29, 2003 between Duxford Financial, Inc. and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and Guaranty Bank as Lender.
10.18(3)      Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement dated as of January 27, 2004 between Duxford Financial, Inc. and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and Guaranty Bank as Lender.
10.19(15)    First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 27, 2004 between Duxford Financial, Inc. and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and Guaranty Bank as Lender.
10.20(13)    Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 2004 between Duxford Financial, Inc. and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and Guaranty Bank as Lender.
10.21(9)    Revolving Line of Credit Loan Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2003, by and among Moffett Meadows Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as borrower, and California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, and the other financial institutions named therein, as lenders.
10.22(9)    Joinder Agreement to Reimbursement and Indemnity Agreement, entered into as of March 25, 2003, by William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation.
10.23(10)    Borrowing Base Revolving Line of Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2004, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, and Bank One, NA, a national banking association.
10.24(15)    Modification Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2004, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (successor by merger to Bank One, NA, a national banking association).
10.25(18)    Form of Indemnity Agreement, between William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation, and the directors and officers of William Lyon Homes.
10.26(18)    Property Management Agreement between Corporate Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation (Owner) and William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation (Manager) dated and effective November 5, 1999.
10.27(18)    Warranty Service Agreement between Corporate Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation and William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation dated and effective November 5, 1999.
10.28(4)    Option Agreement and Escrow Instructions between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation and Lathrop Investment, L.P., a California limited partnership, dated as of October 24, 2000.
10.29(19)    William Lyon Homes 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.30(20)    Form of Stock Option Agreements.
10.31(20)    William Lyon Homes, Inc. 2000 Cash Bonus Plan.

 

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Exhibit
Number


  

Description


10.32(20)    Standard Industrial/Commercial Single-Tenant Lease – Net between William Lyon Homes, Inc. and a trust of which William H. Lyon is the sole beneficiary.
10.33(21)    William Lyon Homes Executive Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of February 11, 2002.
10.34(22)    William Lyon Homes Outside Directors Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of February 11, 2002.
10.35(5)    The Presley Companies Non-Qualified Retirement Plan for Outside Directors.
10.36(16)    William Lyon Homes 2004 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
10.37(16)    William Lyon Homes 2004 Outside Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.
10.38(3)    Underwriting Agreement dated as of March 12, 2003 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and UBS Warburg, LLC and Salomon Smith Barney Inc., as Underwriters.
10.39(3)    Purchase Agreement dated as of January 28, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and UBS Securities LLC, as Initial Purchaser.
10.40(3)    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 6, 2004 by and among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and UBS Securities LLC, as Initial Purchaser.
10.41(13)    Purchase Agreement dated as of November 15, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and UBS Securities LLC, as Initial Purchaser.
10.42(14)    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 22, 2004 by and among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and UBS Securities LLC, as Initial Purchaser.
12.1    Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
21.1    List of Subsidiaries of William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation.
23.1      Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(1)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K of William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) filed January 5, 2000 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(2)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, and amendments thereto (SEC Registration No. 333-88569), and incorporated herein by this reference.
(3)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2000 and incorporated herein by this reference
(5)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(6)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2001 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(7)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(8)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(9)   Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114691) filed July 15, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.

 

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(10)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(11)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 22, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(12)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 18, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(13)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 19, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(14)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 23, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(15)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC Registration No. 333-121346) filed December 16, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(16)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(17)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(18)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(19)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC Registration No. 333-50232), and incorporated herein by this reference.
(20)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(21)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC Registration No. 333-82448), and incorporated herein by this reference.
(22)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(23)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(24)   Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC Registration No. 333-121346) filed January 10, 2005 and incorporated herein by this reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

       

WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

March 11, 2005       By:  

/s/    MICHAEL D. GRUBBS        


            Michael D. Grubbs
            Senior Vice President,
            Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name


  

Title


 

Date


/s/    WILLIAM LYON        


William Lyon

  

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  March 8, 2005

/s/    WADE H. CABLE        


Wade H. Cable

  

Director, President and Chief Operating Officer

  March 8, 2005

/s/    JAMES E. DALTON        


James E. Dalton

  

Director

  March 9, 2005

/s/    RICHARD E. FRANKEL        


Richard E. Frankel

  

Director

  March 10, 2005

/s/    WILLIAM H. LYON        


William H. Lyon

  

Director

  March 8, 2005

/s/    WILLIAM H. MCFARLAND        


William H. McFarland

  

Director

  March 9, 2005

/s/    ALEX MERUELO        


Alex Meruelo

  

Director

  March 10, 2005

/s/    MICHAEL L. MEYER        


Michael L. Meyer

  

Director

  March 11, 2005

/s/    RANDOLPH W. WESTERFIELD        


Randolph W. Westerfield

  

Director

  March 10, 2005

/s/    Michael D. Grubbs        


Michael D. Grubbs

  

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

  March 8, 2005

/s/    W. DOUGLASS HARRIS        


W. Douglass Harris

  

Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

  March 8, 2005

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

William Lyon Homes

    

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   52

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   53

Consolidated Statements of Income

   54

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

   55

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   56

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   57

 

REQUIRED SCHEDULES

 

Schedules are omitted as the required information is not present, is not present in sufficient amounts, or is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

William Lyon Homes

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of William Lyon Homes as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of William Lyon Homes at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as amended (“Interpretation No. 46”) effective January 31, 2003. During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, the adoption of Interpretation No. 46 resulted in the Company consolidating the assets, liabilities and operations of variable interest entities in which the Company was determined to be the primary beneficiary.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of William Lyon Homes’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 10, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/S/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

 

Irvine, California

March 10, 2005

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands except number of shares and par value per share)

 

     December 31,

     2004

   2003

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 96,074    $ 24,137

Receivables — Note 3

     39,302      46,211

Real estate inventories — Notes 2 and 4

     1,059,173      698,047

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures — Note 5

     17,911      45,613

Property and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of 7,844 and $6,517 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively

     18,066      1,625

Deferred loan costs

     13,982      9,041

Goodwill — Note 1

     5,896      5,896

Other assets

     24,158      19,036
    

  

     $ 1,274,562    $ 849,606
    

  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accounts payable

   $ 39,364    $ 35,697

Accrued expenses

     150,774      92,636

Notes payable — Note 6

     48,571      80,331

7 5/8% Senior Notes due December 15, 2012 — Note 6

     150,000     

10 3/4% Senior Notes due April 1, 2013 — Note 6

     246,648      246,406

7 1/2% Senior Notes due February 15, 2014 — Note 6

     150,000     
    

  

       785,357      455,070
    

  

Minority interest in consolidated entities — Note 2   

     142,096      142,496
    

  

Commitments and contingencies — Note 10

             

Stockholders’ equity — Note 7

             

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 8,616,236 and 9,787,440 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively; 1,275,000 shares issued and held in treasury at December 31, 2004

     86      98

Additional paid-in capital

     30,250      106,818

Retained earnings

     316,773      145,124
    

  

       347,109      252,040
    

  

     $ 1,274,562    $ 849,606
    

  

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands except per common share amounts)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Operating revenue

                        

Home sales

   $ 1,785,589     $ 866,657     $ 593,762  

Lots, land and other sales

     36,258       21,656       8,648  

Management fees — Note 1

           9,490       10,892  
    


 


 


       1,821,847       897,803       613,302  
    


 


 


Operating costs

                        

Cost of sales — homes

     (1,327,057 )     (714,385 )     (504,330 )

Cost of sales — lots, land and other

     (23,173 )     (13,269 )     (9,404 )

Sales and marketing

     (58,792 )     (31,252 )     (22,862 )

General and administrative

     (80,784 )     (50,315 )     (39,366 )

Other

     (2,105 )     (1,834 )     (2,284 )
    


 


 


       (1,491,911 )     (811,055 )     (578,246 )
    


 


 


Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated joint ventures — Note 5

     (699 )     31,236       27,748  
    


 


 


Minority equity in income of consolidated entities — Note 2

     (49,661 )     (429 )      
    


 


 


Operating income

     279,576       117,555       62,804  

Other income, net

     5,572       6,397       4,977  
    


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

     285,148       123,952       67,781  

Provision for income taxes — Note 8

     (113,499 )     (51,815 )     (18,270 )
    


 


 


Net income

   $ 171,649     $ 72,137     $ 49,511  
    


 


 


Earnings per common share — Note 1

                        

Basic

   $ 17.69     $ 7.37     $ 4.85  
    


 


 


Diluted

   $ 17.55     $ 7.27     $ 4.73  
    


 


 


 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

 

     Common Stock

   

Additional

Paid-In
Capital


   

Retained

Earnings


      
     Shares

    Amount

         Total

 

Balance — December 31, 2001

   10,619     $ 106     $ 127,035     $ 23,476    $ 150,617  

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options — Note 7

   128       1       1,117            1,118  

Purchase and retirement of common stock — Note 7

   (1,018 )     (10 )     (19,560 )          (19,570 )

Net income for the year

                     49,511      49,511  
    

 


 


 

  


Balance — December 31, 2002

   9,729       97       108,592       72,987      181,676  

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options and related income tax benefit — Notes 7 and 8

   258       3       5,404            5,407  

Purchase and retirement of common stock — Note 7

   (200 )     (2 )     (7,178 )          (7,180 )

Net income for the year

                     72,137      72,137  
    

 


 


 

  


Balance — December 31, 2003

   9,787       98       106,818       145,124      252,040  

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options — Note 7

   104       1       4,420            4,421  

Purchase of common stock — Note 7

   (1,275 )     (13 )     (80,988 )          (81,001 )

Net income for the year

                     171,649      171,649  
    

 


 


 

  


Balance — December 31, 2004

   8,616     $ 86     $ 30,250     $ 316,773    $ 347,109  
    

 


 


 

  


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Operating activities

                        

Net income

   $ 171,649     $ 72,137     $ 49,511  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                        

Depreciation and amortization

     1,327       1,082       1,355  

Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated joint ventures

     699       (31,236 )     (27,748 )

Minority equity in income of consolidated entities

     49,661       429        

Provision for income taxes

     113,499       51,815       18,270  

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                        

Receivables

     9,168       (17,477 )     (7,975 )

Real estate inventories

     (195,340 )     (205,922 )     (23,126 )

Deferred loan costs

     (1,004 )     (7,700 )     1,490  

Other assets

     (5,122 )     (3,716 )     (2,681 )

Accounts payable

     (2,612 )     816       8,467  

Accrued expenses

     (54,632 )     (20,269 )     (5,580 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     87,293       (160,041 )     11,983  
    


 


 


Investing activities

                        

Investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

     (9,427 )     (8,493 )     (26,475 )

Distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures

           37,501       24,621  

Distributions of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures

     10,126       22,019       18,453  

Purchases of property and equipment

     (17,768 )     (576 )     (1,315 )
    


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (17,069 )     50,451       15,284  
    


 


 


Financing activities

                        

Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable

     1,768,933       1,105,464       913,599  

Principal payments on notes payable

     (1,896,365 )     (1,220,919 )     (920,029 )

Issuance of 7 5/8% Senior Notes

     148,500              

Issuance of 10 3/4% Senior Notes

           246,233        

Repayment of 12 1/2% Senior Notes

           (70,279 )      

Issuance of 7 1/2% Senior Notes

     147,563              

Minority interest (distributions) contributions, net

     (86,849 )     61,420       (5,442 )

Common stock issued for exercised options

     932       2,294       1,118  

Common stock purchased

     (81,001 )     (7,180 )     (19,570 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     1,713       117,033       (30,324 )
    


 


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     71,937       7,443       (3,057 )

Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of year

     24,137       16,694       19,751  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents — end of year

   $ 96,074     $ 24,137     $ 16,694  
    


 


 


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow and non-cash activities

                        

Issuance of notes payable for land acquisitions

   $     $ 21,534     $ 51,025  
    


 


 


Issuance of note payable to secure land option agreement

   $ 5,420     $     $  
    


 


 


Investment in joint venture in connection with contribution of land to joint venture

   $     $     $ 2,000  
    


 


 


Income tax benefit credited to additional paid-in capital in connection with stock option exercises

   $ 3,489     $ 3,113     $  
    


 


 


Consolidation of real estate inventories of previously unconsolidated joint ventures

   $ 160,124     $     $  
    


 


 


Consolidation of notes payable of previously unconsolidated joint ventures

   $ 90,252     $     $  
    


 


 


Consolidation of other net assets of previously unconsolidated joint ventures

   $ 43,568     $     $  
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Operations

 

William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries (the “Company”) are primarily engaged in designing, constructing and selling single family detached and attached homes in California, Arizona and Nevada.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and joint ventures, and certain joint ventures and other entities which have been determined to be variable interest entities in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary (see Note 2). Investments in joint ventures which have not been determined to be variable interest entities in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method because the Company has a 50% or less voting or economic interest (and thus such joint ventures are not controlled by the Company). The accounting policies of the joint ventures are substantially the same as those of the Company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Segment Information

 

The Company designs, constructs and sells a wide range of homes designed to meet the specific needs of each of its markets. For internal reporting purposes, the Company is organized into five geographic home building regions and its mortgage origination operation. Because each of the Company’s geographic home building regions has similar economic characteristics, housing products and class of prospective buyers, the geographic home building regions have been aggregated into a single home building segment.

 

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources primarily based on the operating income of individual home building projects. Operating income is defined by the Company as operating revenue less operating costs plus equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated joint ventures less minority equity in income of consolidated entities. Accordingly, operating income excludes certain expenses included in the determination of net income. Operating income from home building operations totaled $279.6 million, $117.6 million and $62.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Substantially all revenues are from external customers. There were no customers that contributed 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 or 2002.

 

Real Estate Inventories and Related Indebtedness

 

Real estate inventories are carried at cost net of impairment losses, if any. Real estate inventories consist primarily of deposits, raw land, lots under development, homes under construction and completed homes of real estate projects. All direct and indirect land costs, offsite and onsite improvements and applicable interest and other carrying charges are capitalized to real estate projects during periods when the project is under development. Land, offsite costs and all other common costs are allocated to land parcels benefited based upon relative fair values before construction. Onsite construction costs and related carrying charges (principally interest and property taxes) are allocated to the individual homes within a phase based upon the relative sales value of the homes. The Company relieves its accumulated real estate inventories through cost of sales for the cost of homes sold. Selling expenses and other marketing costs are expensed in the period incurred. A provision for warranty costs relating to the Company’s limited warranty plans is included in cost of sales at the time the sale of a home is recorded. The Company generally reserves one percent of the sales price of its homes against the possibility of future charges relating to its one-year limited warranty and similar potential claims. Factors that

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of homes under warranty, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the amounts as necessary. Changes in the Company’s warranty liability during the year ended December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 
                    

Warranty liability, beginning of year

   $ 7,267     $ 4,287     $ 2,598  

Warranty liability from consolidated entities as of
January 1, 2004 — Note 2

     1,664                  

Warranty provision during year

     17,955       9,279       5,167  

Warranty settlements during year

     (12,578 )     (6,299 )     (3,478 )
    


 


 


Warranty liability, end of year

   $ 14,308     $ 7,267     $ 4,287  
    


 


 


 

Interest incurred under the Revolving Credit Facilities, the 10 3/4% Senior Notes, the 7 1/2% Senior Notes, the 7 5/8% Senior Notes and other notes payable, as more fully discussed in Note 6, is capitalized to qualifying real estate projects under development. Any additional interest charges related to real estate projects not under development are expensed in the period incurred.

 

The Company accounts for its real estate inventories under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“Statement No. 144”). Statement No. 144 requires impairment losses to be recorded on assets to be held and used by the Company when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of the assets. When an impairment loss is required for assets to be held and used by the Company, the related assets are adjusted to their estimated fair value.

 

Fair value represents the amount at which an asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than a forced or liquidation sale. The estimation process involved in determining if assets have been impaired and in the determination of fair value is inherently uncertain because it requires estimates of current market yields as well as future events and conditions. Such future events and conditions include economic and market conditions, as well as the availability of suitable financing to fund development and construction activities. The realization of the Company’s real estate projects is dependent upon future uncertain events and conditions and, accordingly, the actual timing and amounts realized by the Company may be materially different from those estimated.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives ranging from three to fifteen years. Leasehold improvements are stated at cost and are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of either their estimated useful lives or term of the lease. As more fully discussed in Note 9, the Company acquired an aircraft which was placed in service effective as of September 1, 2004. The cost of the aircraft is being depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of fifteen years.

 

Deferred Loan Costs

 

Deferred loan costs are amortized over the term of the applicable loans using a method which approximates the level yield interest method.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Goodwill

 

The amount paid for business acquisitions over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is reflected as goodwill and, until January 1, 2002 was being amortized on a straight-line basis over seven years. Accumulated amortization was $2,793,000 as of December 31, 2001. In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“Statement No. 142”), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. Under this rule, goodwill is no longer amortized but is subject to impairment tests in accordance with Statement No. 142. The Company performed its first required annual impairment test of goodwill as of January 1, 2002 and determined that goodwill was not impaired. As of December 31, 2004, there have been no indicators of impairment related to the Company’s goodwill.

 

Sales and Profit Recognition

 

A sale is recorded and profit recognized when a sale is consummated, the buyer’s initial and continuing investments are adequate, any receivables are not subject to future subordination, and the usual risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 66, Accounting for Sales of Real Estate (“Statement No. 66”). When it is determined that the earnings process is not complete, profit is deferred for recognition in future periods. The Company accounts for sale-leaseback transactions in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 98, Accounting for Leases (“Statement No. 98”).

 

During the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company completed the sale and related leaseback of 56 model homes for a sales price of $16,216,000, of which $13,938,000 was paid in cash and $2,278,000 of which was paid in the form of a partial recourse note receivable. The sale was accounted for on the cost recovery method in accordance with Statement No. 66 and Statement No. 98, and as such deferred profits of $2,385,000 were recorded resulting in gross profits from the sale of $531,000. As of December 31, 2003, the partial recourse note receivable of $460,000 and related deferred profits of $460,000 were reflected in receivables and accrued expenses, respectively. During 2004, the remaining $460,000 receivable was collected and the remaining deferred profit of $460,000 was earned and recognized as income.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Effective as of January 1, 1994, the Company completed a capital restructuring and quasi-reorganization. The quasi-reorganization resulted in the adjustment of assets and liabilities to estimated fair values and the elimination of an accumulated deficit effective January 1, 1994. Income tax benefits resulting from the utilization of net operating loss and other carryforwards existing at January 1, 1994 and temporary differences existing prior to or resulting from the quasi-reorganization are excluded from the results of operations and credited to paid-in capital.

 

Financial Instruments

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash investments, receivables, and deposits. The Company typically places its cash investments in investment grade short-term instruments. Deposits, included in other assets, are due from municipalities or utility companies and are generally collected from such entities through fees assessed to other developers.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

For those instruments, as defined under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for which it is practical to estimate fair value, management has determined that the carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments approximate their fair value at December 31, 2004, except for the 10 3/4% Senior Notes, 7 1/2% Senior Notes and 7 5/8% Senior Notes as described in Note 6.

 

The Company is an issuer of, or subject to, financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business which exposes it to credit risks. These financial instruments include letters of credit and obligations in connection with assessment district bonds. These off-balance sheet financial instruments are described in more detail in Note 10.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered cash equivalents.

 

Management Fees

 

Management fees represent fees earned from unconsolidated joint ventures in accordance with joint venture and/or operating agreements. Effective January 1, 2004, upon consolidation of certain joint ventures in connection with interpretation No. 46 (See Note 2), management fees are eliminated with the related cost of sales.

 

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

 

Earnings per share amounts for all periods presented conform to Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share. Basic and diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2004 are based on 9,701,386 and 9,777,810 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively. Basic and diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2003 are based on 9,782,928 and 9,928,733 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively. Basic and diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2002 are based on 10,203,497 and 10,474,868 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

At December 31, 2004, the Company had stock plans, which are described more fully in Note 7. The Company accounts for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB No. 25”) and related interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per common share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“Statement No. 123”) to stock-based employee plans (in thousands, except per common share amounts):

 

       Year Ended December 31

 
       2004

     2003

     2002

 

Net income, as reported

     $ 171,649      $ 72,137      $ 49,511  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

       (22 )      (380 )      (937 )
      


  


  


Net income, as adjusted

     $ 171,627      $ 71,757      $ 48,574  
      


  


  


Earnings per common share:

                            

Basic — as reported

     $ 17.69      $ 7.37      $ 4.85  
      


  


  


Basic — as adjusted

     $ 17.69      $ 7.33      $ 4.76  
      


  


  


Diluted — as reported

     $ 17.55      $ 7.27      $ 4.73  
      


  


  


Diluted — as adjusted

     $ 17.55      $ 7.23      $ 4.64  
      


  


  


 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and revenues and expenses for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as amended (“Interpretation No. 46”) which addresses the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Interpretation No. 46 applied immediately to arrangements created after January 31, 2003 and, with respect to arrangements created before February 1, 2003, the interpretation was applied to the Company as of January 1, 2004. As of December 31, 2004, the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary in certain joint ventures and one land banking arrangement, which have been determined to be variable interest entities. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of these joint ventures and one land banking arrangement have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2004 and for the period then ended. The consolidation of the assets, liabilities and operations of any joint venture, option agreements or land banking arrangements has a corresponding effect on various of the Company’s financial ratios and other financial and operational indicators. See Note 2 for information regarding variable interest entities. See Notes 5 and 10 for additional information regarding joint venture and land banking arrangements.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain balances have been reclassified in order to conform to current year presentation.

 

Note 2 — Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as amended (“Interpretation No. 46”) which addresses the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Under Interpretation No. 46, arrangements that are not controlled through voting or similar rights are accounted for as VIEs. An enterprise is required to consolidate a VIE if it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Interpretation No. 46 applies immediately to arrangements created after January 31, 2003 and, with respect to arrangements created before February 1, 2003, the interpretation was applied to the Company as of January 1, 2004. The adoption of Interpretation No. 46 has not affected the Company’s consolidated net income. Prior period information has not been restated to conform to the presentation in the current period.

 

Under Interpretation No. 46, a VIE is created when (i) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or (ii) equity holders either (a) lack direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity through voting or similar rights, (b) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity or (c) do not have the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity if they occur. If an entity is deemed to be a VIE, pursuant to Interpretation No. 46, an enterprise that absorbs a majority of the expected losses or residual returns of the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE.

 

Based on the provisions of Interpretation No. 46, the Company has concluded that under certain circumstances when the Company (i) enters into option agreements for the purchase of land or lots from an entity and pays a non-refundable deposit, (ii) enters into land banking arrangements (see Note 10) or (iii) enters into arrangements with a financial partner for the formation of joint ventures which engage in homebuilding and land development activities, a VIE may be created under condition (ii) (b) or (c) of the previous paragraph. The Company may be deemed to have provided subordinated financial support, which refers to variable interests that will absorb some or all of an entity’s expected losses if they occur. For each VIE created, the Company has computed expected losses and residual returns based on the probability of future cash flows as outlined in Interpretation No. 46. If the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the assets, liabilities and operations of the VIE are consolidated with the Company’s financial statements.

 

Based on the Company’s analysis of arrangements created after January 31, 2003, no VIEs have been created for the period from February 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003 with respect to option agreements as identified under clause (i) of the previous paragraph. At December 31, 2003, certain joint ventures and one land banking arrangement created after January 31, 2003 have been determined to be VIEs under Interpretation No. 46 in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of these joint ventures and one land banking arrangement have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2003 and for the period then ended. Effective January 1, 2004, certain additional joint ventures and land banking arrangements created prior to February 1, 2003 have been determined to be VIEs under Interpretation No. 46 in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities and operations of all of these joint ventures and land banking arrangements have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of January 1, 2004 and for the period ended December 31, 2004. Supplemental consolidating financial information of the Company, specifically including information for the joint ventures and land banking arrangements consolidated under Interpretation No. 46 and for two joint ventures which were previously consolidated (see Note 5), is presented below to allow investors to determine the nature of assets held and the operations of the consolidated entities. Investments in consolidated

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

entities in the separate financial statements of wholly-owned entities are presented below using the equity method of accounting. Consolidated real estate inventories include land deposits under option agreements or land banking arrangements (excluding the consolidated land banking arrangement as previously described in this paragraph) (see Note 10) of $38,023,000 and $37,293,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. As of December 31, 2004, the Company’s remaining total contractual obligations for land purchases and option commitments was approximately $754,563,000.

 

The joint ventures which have been determined to be VIEs are each engaged in homebuilding and land development activities. Certain of these joint ventures have not obtained construction financing from outside lenders, but are financing their activities through equity contributions from each of the joint venture partners. Creditors of these VIE’s have no recourse against the general credit of the Company. Income allocations and cash distributions to the Company are based on predetermined formulas between the Company and the joint venture partners as specified in the applicable partnership or operating agreements. The Company generally receives, after partners’ priority returns and return of partners’ capital, approximately 50% of the profits and cash flows from the joint ventures.

 

The land banking arrangement which has been determined to be a VIE and in which the Company was determined to be the primary beneficiary, was entered into effective on September 29, 2003. Under this arrangement, the Company transferred to an entity owned by a third party the Company’s right to purchase certain real estate assets (lots) from a joint venture whose financial statements have previously been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements (see Note 5). Concurrently, the Company entered into an option agreement with the entity owned by a third party whereby the Company agreed to acquire lots in staged takedowns through August 15, 2005. The Company made a non-refundable deposit of $14,418,000 and the entity owned by a third party made an equity contribution of $42,214,000 to purchase the lots from the joint venture for a total price of $56,632,000 (which included a $16,441,000 preferred return to the outside partner of the joint venture). The Company is under no obligation to purchase the lots, but would forfeit remaining deposits if the lots were not purchased. The Company does not have legal title to the entity owned by a third party and has not guaranteed its liabilities. The total purchase price under the option agreement is $60,848,550 plus a 10 1/4% preferred return on invested capital to the outside third party. The property consists of 128 single-family lots and 22 high-density lots on which the Company expects to construct 128 single-family homes on the single-family lots and 44 duplex condominium units on the high-density lots. The homes are expected to be constructed and sold in phases over a two-to-three year period with approximate base sales prices ranging from $805,000 to $1,090,000. As of December 31, 2004, 122 lots have been taken down and 71 homes have closed. The intercompany sales and related profits have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET BY FORM OF OWNERSHIP

(in thousands)

 

     December 31, 2004

          Consolidated Entities

          
     Wholly-
Owned


  

Variable Interest
Entities Under

Interpretation

No. 46


  

Joint
Ventures
Previously

Consolidated


  

Elimination

Entries


   

Consolidated

Total


ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 64,399    $ 31,569    $ 106    $     $ 96,074

Receivables

     34,147      5,155                 39,302

Real estate inventories

     824,243      234,930                 1,059,173

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

     17,911                      17,911

Investments in consolidated entities

     77,397                (77,397 )    

Other assets

     62,102                      62,102

Intercompany receivables

               4,426      (4,426 )    
    

  

  

  


 

     $ 1,080,199    $ 271,654    $ 4,532    $ (81,823 )   $ 1,274,562
    

  

  

  


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 166,698    $ 18,913    $ 4,527    $     $ 190,138

Notes payable

     16,957      31,614                 48,571

7 5/8% Senior Notes due December 15, 2012

     150,000                      150,000

10 3/4% Senior Notes due April 1, 2013

     246,648                      246,648

7 1/2% Senior Notes due February 15, 2014

     150,000                      150,000

Intercompany payables

     2,787      1,639           (4,426 )    
    

  

  

  


 

Total liabilities

     733,090      52,166      4,527      (4,426 )     785,357

Minority interest in consolidated entities

                    142,096       142,096

Owners’ capital

                                   

William Lyon Homes

          77,392      5      (77,397 )    

Others

          142,096           (142,096 )    

Stockholders’ equity

     347,109                      347,109
    

  

  

  


 

     $ 1,080,199    $ 271,654    $ 4,532    $ (81,823 )   $ 1,274,562
    

  

  

  


 

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET BY FORM OF OWNERSHIP

(in thousands)

 

     December 31, 2003

          Consolidated Entities

          
     Wholly-
Owned


  

Variable Interest
Entities Under

Interpretation

No. 46


  

Joint
Ventures
Previously

Consolidated


  

Elimination

Entries


   

Consolidated

Total


ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 18,893    $ 4,775    $ 469    $     $ 24,137

Receivables

     43,719      2,492                 46,211

Real estate inventories

     515,984      153,968      28,095            698,047

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

     45,613                      45,613

Investments in consolidated entities

     40,694                (40,694 )    

Other assets

     35,598                      35,598

Intercompany receivables

     3,420                (3,420 )    
    

  

  

  


 

     $ 703,921    $ 161,235    $ 28,564    $ (44,114 )   $ 849,606
    

  

  

  


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 125,144    $ 3,010    $ 179    $     $ 128,333

Notes payable

     80,331                      80,331

10 3/4% Senior Notes due April 1, 2013

     246,406                      246,406

Intercompany payables

          2,894      526      (3,420 )    
    

  

  

  


 

Total liabilities

     451,881      5,904      705      (3,420 )     455,070

Minority interest in consolidated entities

                    142,496       142,496

Owners’ capital

                                   

William Lyon Homes

          35,467      5,227      (40,694 )    

Others

          119,864      22,632      (142,496 )    

Stockholders’ equity

     252,040                      252,040
    

  

  

  


 

     $ 703,921    $ 161,235    $ 28,564    $ (44,114 )   $ 849,606
    

  

  

  


 

 

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME BY FORM OF OWNERSHIP

(in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2004

 
           Consolidated Entities

             
     Wholly-
Owned


   

Variable Interest
Entities Under

Interpretation

No. 46


   

Joint
Ventures
Previously

Consolidated


   

Elimination

Entries


   

Consolidated

Total


 

Operating revenue

                                        

Sales

   $ 1,282,535     $ 539,312     $ 33,655     $ (33,655 )   $ 1,821,847  

Management fees

     16,188                   (16,188 )      
    


 


 


 


 


       1,298,723       539,312       33,655       (49,843 )     1,821,847  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating costs

                                        

Cost of sales

     (964,398 )     (402,020 )     (33,655 )     49,843       (1,350,230 )

Sales and marketing

     (41,381 )     (17,411 )                 (58,792 )

General and administrative

     (80,784 )                       (80,784 )

Other

     (2,105 )                       (2,105 )
    


 


 


 


 


       (1,088,668 )     (419,431 )     (33,655 )     49,843       (1,491,911 )
    


 


 


 


 


Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures

     (699 )                       (699 )
    


 


 


 


 


Equity in income of consolidated entities

     70,394                   (70,394 )      
    


 


 


 


 


Minority equity in income of consolidated entities

                       (49,661 )     (49,661 )
    


 


 


 


 


Operating income

     279,750       119,881             (120,055 )     279,576  

Other income, net

     5,398       174                   5,572  
    


 


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

     285,148       120,055             (120,055 )     285,148  

Provision for income taxes

     (113,499 )                       (113,499 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 171,649     $ 120,055     $     $ (120,055 )   $ 171,649  
    


 


 


 


 


 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME BY FORM OF OWNERSHIP

(in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2003

 
           Consolidated Entities

             
     Wholly-
Owned


   

Variable Interest
Entities Under

Interpretation

No. 46


   

Joint
Ventures
Previously

Consolidated


   

Elimination

Entries


   

Consolidated

Total


 

Operating revenue

                                        

Sales

   $ 879,114     $ 9,199     $ 129,439     ($ 129,439 )   $ 888,313  

Management fees

     9,490                         9,490  
    


 


 


 


 


       888,604       9,199       129,439       (129,439 )     897,803  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating costs

                                        

Cost of sales

     (719,750 )     (7,904 )     (107,696 )     107,696       (727,654 )

Sales and marketing

     (29,910 )     (979 )     (363 )           (31,252 )

General and administrative

     (50,315 )                       (50,315 )

Other

     (1,834 )                       (1,834 )
    


 


 


 


 


       (801,809 )     (8,883 )     (108,059 )     107,696       (811,055 )
    


 


 


 


 


Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures

     31,236                         31,236  
    


 


 


 


 


Equity in loss of consolidated entities

     (449 )                 449        
    


 


 


 


 


Minority equity in income of consolidated entities

           (429 )     (21,743 )     21,743       (429 )
    


 


 


 


 


Operating income

     117,582       (113 )     (363 )     449       117,555  

Other income, net

     6,370       6       21             6,397  
    


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

     123,952       (107 )     (342 )     449       123,952  

Provision for income taxes

     (51,815 )                       (51,815 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 72,137     $ (107 )   $ (342 )   $ 449     $ 72,137  
    


 


 


 


 


 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Note 3 — Receivables

 

Receivables consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,

     2004

   2003

Notes receivable:

             

First trust deed mortgage notes receivable, pledged as collateral for revolving mortgage warehouse credit facility

   $ 9,305    $ 20,498

Notes receivable from land sale

     5,343     

Notes receivable from sale and related leaseback of 56 model homes which is accounted for on the cost recovery method (Note 1)

          471
    

  

       14,648      20,969

Receivables from affiliates for management fees, cost reimbursements and other

          115

Other receivables — primarily escrow proceeds

     24,654      25,127
    

  

     $ 39,302    $ 46,211
    

  

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Note 4 — Real Estate Inventories

 

Real estate inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2004

Division


   Deposits

   Land

   Construction
in Progress


   Completed
Inventory,
Including Models
and Completed
Lots Held for Sale


   Total

Southern California

   $ 4,411    $ 158,393    $ 135,115    $ 36,178    $ 334,097

San Diego

     22,604      119,361      76,900      7,280      226,145

Northern California

     1,656      107,566      143,687      17,375      270,284

Arizona

     9,352      64,156      35,770      5,675      114,953

Nevada

          66,049      37,053      10,592      113,694
    

  

  

  

  

     $ 38,023    $ 515,525    $ 428,525    $ 77,100    $ 1,059,173
    

  

  

  

  

     December 31, 2003

Division


   Deposits

   Land

   Construction
in Progress


   Completed
Inventory,
Including Models
and Completed
Lots Held for Sale


   Total

Southern California

   $ 13,033    $ 54,532    $ 119,518    $ 5,230    $ 192,313

San Diego

     10,338      33,476      90,327      7,718      141,859

Northern California

     7,086      16,882      191,248      16,824      232,040

Arizona

     6,386      28,298      24,930      1,894      61,508

Nevada

     450      28,879      40,828      170      70,327
    

  

  

  

  

     $ 37,293    $ 162,067    $ 466,851    $ 31,836    $ 698,047
    

  

  

  

  

 

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Note 5 — Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

 

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are general partners or members in joint ventures involved in the development and sale of residential projects. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company, all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and certain joint ventures which have been determined to be variable interest entities in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary (see Note 2). The financial statements of joint ventures which have not been determined to be variable interest entities in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary are not consolidated with the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method because the Company has a 50% or less voting or economic interest (and thus such joint ventures are not controlled by the Company). Condensed combined financial information of these unconsolidated joint ventures as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 are summarized as follows:

 

CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     December 31,

     2004

   2003

ASSETS              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,132    $ 4,973

Receivables

     948      2,339

Real estate inventories

     38,193      187,048

Investment in unconsolidated joint venture

     25,799      22,804

Property and equipment

     165     
    

  

     $ 66,237    $ 217,164
    

  

LIABILITIES AND OWNERS’ CAPITAL              

Accounts payable

   $ 2,313    $ 6,408

Accrued expenses

          2,645

Amounts payable to William Lyon Homes

          115

Notes payable

     28,580      111,273

Advances from William Lyon Homes

     413      2,668
    

  

       31,306      123,109
    

  

Owners’ Capital

             

William Lyon Homes

     17,498      42,945

Others

     17,433      51,110
    

  

       34,931      94,055
    

  

     $ 66,237    $ 217,164
    

  

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Operating revenue

                        

Home sales

   $     $ 317,109     $ 362,697  

Land sale

           8,440       17,079  
    


 


 


             325,549       379,776  

Operating costs

                        

Cost of sales — homes

           (248,252 )     (298,838 )

Cost of sales — land

           (8,132 )     (13,542 )

Sales and marketing

           (9,431 )     (10,814 )

General, administrative & other

     (1,399 )            
    


 


 


Operating (loss) income

     (1,399 )     59,734       56,582  

Other (loss) income, net

           (1,327 )     83  
    


 


 


Net (loss) income

   $ (1,399 )   $ 58,407     $ 56,665  
    


 


 


Allocation to owners

                        

William Lyon Homes

   $ (699 )   $ 31,236     $ 27,748  

Others

     (700 )     27,171       28,917  
    


 


 


     $ (1,399 )   $ 58,407     $ 56,665  
    


 


 


 

Income allocations and cash distributions to the Company are based on predetermined formulas between the Company and the joint venture partners as specified in the applicable partnership or operating agreements. The Company generally receives, after partners’ priority returns and return of partners’ capital, approximately 50% of the profits and cash flows from joint ventures.

 

Certain joint ventures have obtained financing from construction lenders which amounted to $28,580,000 at December 31, 2004. As common practice required by commercial lenders, all of the joint ventures that have obtained financing are obligated to repay loans to a level such that they do not exceed certain required loan-to-value or loan-to-cost ratios. Each lender has the right to test the ratios by appraising the property securing the loan at the time. Either a decrease in the value of the property securing the loan or an increase in the construction costs could trigger this pay down obligation. The term of the obligation corresponds with the term of the loan and is limited to the outstanding loan balance.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2003, one of the joint ventures in which the Company is a general partner completed a land sale to the Company for $8,440,000 resulting in no gain or loss to the joint venture. During the year ended December 31, 2002, one of the joint ventures in which the Company is a general partner completed a land sale to the Company for $17,079,000 resulting in a profit of approximately $3,537,000, all of which was allocated to the Company’s outside partner as preferred return in accordance with the joint venture agreement.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2002, one of the Company’s joint ventures (“Existing Venture”) was restructured such that the Company was required to purchase the 538 lots owned by the Existing Venture on a specified takedown basis through October 15, 2003 at a purchase price equal to the future cost of such lots including a 20% preferred return on invested capital to the outside partner of the Existing Venture. During the

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

year ended December 31, 2002, the first 242 lots were purchased from the Existing Venture for $64,468,000, which includes a $12,493,000 preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture. The 242 lots were purchased by a newly formed joint venture (“New Venture”) between the Company and an outside partner. The Company was required to and did purchase the 242 lots owned by the New Venture on a specified takedown basis through May 15, 2004 at a purchase price equal to $74,210,000 plus a 13 1/2% preferred return on invested capital to the outside partner of the New Venture. Because the Company is required to purchase the lots owned by both the Existing Venture and the New Venture, and the Company now controls both ventures, the financial statements of both ventures have been consolidated with the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2003, including real estate inventories of $28,095,000 and minority interest in consolidated joint ventures of $22,632,000. During the year ended December 31, 2002, an additional 44 lots were purchased from the Existing Venture for $19,765,000, which included a $3,953,000 preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture. The 44 lots were purchased through a land banking arrangement (see Note 10 for additional information regarding the Company’s land banking arrangements). During the year ended December 31, 2003, an additional 219 lots were purchased from the Existing Venture for $74,896,000, which included a $21,743,000 preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture. These purchases included (1) 172 lots which were purchased from the Existing Venture under a land banking arrangement (see Note 2) for $56,632,000, which included a $16,441,000 preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture and (2) 47 lots which were purchased by the New Venture from the Existing Venture for $18,264,000, which included a $5,302,000 preferred return to the outside partner of the Existing Venture. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company purchased 15 lots from the New Venture for $5,135,000, all of which was paid to the outside partner as a return of capital. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company purchased 175 lots from the New Venture for $54,543,000, all of which was paid to the outside partner as a return of capital. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company purchased 99 lots from the New Venture for $34,281,000. The intercompany sales and related profits have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary William Lyon Homes Inc., a California corporation, (“California Lyon”), and two unaffiliated parties formed a series of limited liability companies (“Development LLCs”) for the purpose of acquiring three parcels of land totaling 236 acres in Irvine and Tustin, California (formerly part of the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station) and developing the land into 1,910 residential homesites. The development process is anticipated to be completed by late 2005 at which time California Lyon will be required under certain specific conditions to purchase approximately one half in value of the lots. California Lyon has a 12 1/2% indirect, minority interest in the Development LLCs, which are the borrowers under two secured lines of credit. Advances under the lines of credit are to be used to pay acquisition and development costs and expenses. The lines of credit are secured by deeds of trust on the real property and improvements thereon owned by the applicable Development LLC, as well as pledges of all net sale proceeds, related contracts and other ancillary property. The maximum commitment amounts under the lines of credit are limited by specified agreed loan-to-value ratios. The maximum commitment amount under the line of credit that closed in January 2003 (“First Line of Credit”) is $35,000,000. Subject to specified terms and conditions, California Lyon and the other direct and indirect members of the Development LLC that is the borrower under the First Line of Credit, including certain affiliates of such other members, each (i) have guaranteed to the bank the repayment of the Development LLC’s indebtedness under the First Line of Credit, completion of certain infrastructure improvements to the land, payment of necessary loan remargining obligations, and the Development LLC’s performance under its environmental indemnity and covenants, and (ii) have agreed to take all actions and pay all amounts to assure that the Development LLC is in compliance with financial covenants. The First Line of Credit matures in July 2005. The maximum commitment amount under the line of credit that closed in March 2003 (“Second Line of Credit”) is $105,000,000. The Second Line of Credit matures in September 2005. Although the guarantee obligations of the other direct and indirect members of the Development LLC that is the borrower under the Second Line of Credit, and certain of their affiliates, are similar

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

in nature to those under the First Line of Credit, California Lyon does not have any such guarantee obligations to the banks under the Second Line of Credit. However, California Lyon has posted letters of credit equal to approximately $24,600,000 to secure its obligations as well as the Development LLCs’ obligations to the banks under both lines of credit. Further, California Lyon and the other direct and indirect members of the Development LLCs, including certain affiliates of such other members, have entered into reimbursement and indemnity agreements to allocate any liability arising from each line of credit, including the related guarantees and letters of credit. California Lyon’s parent company, William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation (“Delaware Lyon”) has entered into joinder agreements to be jointly and severally liable for California Lyon’s obligations under the reimbursement and indemnity agreements. While the reimbursement and indemnity agreements provide that liability is generally allocated in accordance with the members’ percentage interests in the Development LLCs’ distributions, Delaware Lyon and California Lyon may be liable for the full amount of the obligations guaranteed to the banks under either or both of the lines of credit in certain specified circumstances, such as those involving the default, willful misconduct or gross negligence of California Lyon. As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding indebtedness under the First Line of Credit was $35,000,000 and the outstanding indebtedness under the Second Line of Credit was $105,000,000.

 

The Company is a member in an unconsolidated joint venture limited liability company formed for the purpose of acquiring and developing land in Nevada. At December 31, 2004, the unconsolidated joint venture had outstanding land acquisition and development debt of $28,580,000, of which the Company guaranteed $14,300,000.

 

Note 6 — Notes Payable and Senior Notes

 

Notes payable and Senior Notes consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,

     2004

   2003

Notes payable:

             

Revolving credit facilities

   $ 7,652    $ 49,175

Construction notes payable

     31,614      21,534

Collateralized mortgage obligations under revolving mortgage warehouse credit facilities, secured by first trust deed mortgage notes receivable

     9,305      9,622
    

  

       48,571      80,331

Senior Notes:

             

7 5/8% Senior Notes due December 15, 2012

     150,000     

10 3/4% Senior Notes due April 1, 2013

     246,648      246,406

7 1/2% Senior Notes due February 15, 2014

     150,000     
    

  

       546,648      246,406
    

  

     $ 595,219    $ 326,737
    

  

 

During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company incurred and capitalized interest relating to the above debt of $59,024,000, $47,188,000 and $26,783,000, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Maturities of the notes payable, 7 5/8% Senior Notes due December 15, 2012 10 3/4% Senior Notes due April 1, 2013 and the 7 1/2% Senior Notes due February 15, 2014 are as follows as of December 31, 2004:

 

Year Ended December 31,


   (in thousands)

2005

   $ 40,955

2006

     30

2007

     4,674

2008

     2,912

2009

    

Thereafter

     546,648
    

     $ 595,219
    

 

7 5/8% Senior Notes

 

On November 22, 2004, the Company’s 100% owned subsidiary, William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, (“California Lyon”) closed its offering of $150,000,000 principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2012 (the “7 5/8% Senior Notes”). The notes were sold pursuant to Rule 144A. The notes were issued at par, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $148,500,000. California Lyon agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to an offer to exchange the notes for publicly tradeable notes having substantially identical terms. On January 12, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared the registration statement effective and California Lyon commenced an offer to exchange any and all of its outstanding $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2012, which are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, for a like amount of its new 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2012, which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the prospectus dated January 12, 2005. The exchange offer was completed for $146,500,000 principal amount of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes on February 18, 2005. The remaining $3,500,000 principal amount of the old notes remains outstanding. The terms of the new notes are identical in all material respects to those of the old notes, except for certain transfer restrictions, registration rights and liquidated damages provisions relating to the old notes.

 

The 7 5/8% Senior Notes due December 15, 2012 are senior unsecured obligations of California Lyon and are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation (“Delaware Lyon”), which is the parent company of California Lyon, and all of Delaware Lyon’s existing and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. The notes and the guarantees rank senior to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ debt that is expressly subordinated to the notes and the guarantees, but are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ senior secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Interest on the 7 5/8% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on December 15 and June 15 of each year.

 

Except as set forth in the Indenture governing the 7 5/8% Senior Notes (“7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture”), the 7 5/8% Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to December 15, 2008. Thereafter, the 7 5/8% Senior Notes will be redeemable at the option of California Lyon, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium declining ratably to par, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, on or before December 15, 2007, California Lyon may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of qualified equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.625% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Upon a change of control as described in the 7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture, California Lyon may be required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

If the Company’s consolidated tangible net worth falls below $75,000,000 for any two consecutive fiscal quarters, California Lyon may be required to make an offer to purchase up to 10% of the notes originally issued at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

California Lyon is 100% owned by Delaware Lyon. Each subsidiary guarantor is 100% owned by California Lyon or Delaware Lyon. All guarantees are full and unconditional and all guarantees are joint and several. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of Delaware Lyon or any guarantor to obtain funds from subsidiaries by dividend or loan.

 

The 7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of Delaware Lyon and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase its stock; (iii) make investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) incur liens; (vi) enter into agreements restricting the ability of Delaware Lyon’s restricted subsidiaries (other than California Lyon) to pay dividends; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of Delaware Lyon’s and California Lyon’s assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications as described in the 7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 7 5/8% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay $68,000,000 of the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facilities (including amounts drawn and provided to the Company to fund a common stock repurchase), fees and commissions related to the offering and for other general corporate purposes.

 

As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding 7 5/8% Senior Notes with a face value of $150,000,000 had a fair value of approximately $146,438,000 based on quotes from industry sources.

 

10 3/4% Senior Notes

 

California Lyon filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the sale of $250,000,000 of Senior Notes due 2013 (the “10 3/4% Senior Notes”) which became effective on March 12, 2003. The offering closed on March 17, 2003 and was fully subscribed and issued. The notes were issued at a price of 98.493% to the public, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $246,233,000. The purchase price reflected a discount to yield 11% under the effective interest method and the notes have been reflected net of the unamortized discount in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

The 10 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013 are senior unsecured obligations of California Lyon and are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Delaware Lyon, which is the parent company of California Lyon, and all of Delaware Lyon’s existing and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. The notes and the guarantees rank senior to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ debt that is expressly subordinated to the notes and the guarantees, but are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ senior secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Interest on the 10 3/4% Senior Notes is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2003.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Except as set forth in the Indenture governing the 10 3/4% Senior Notes (“10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture”), the 10 3/4% Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to April 1, 2008. Thereafter, the 10 3/4% Senior Notes will be redeemable at the option of California Lyon, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium declining ratably to par, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, on or before April 1, 2006, California Lyon may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of qualified equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 110.75% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

Upon a change of control as described in the 10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture, California Lyon may be required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

If the Company’s consolidated tangible net worth falls below $75,000,000 for any two consecutive fiscal quarters, California Lyon will be required to make an offer to purchase up to 10% of the notes originally issued at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

California Lyon is 100% owned by Delaware Lyon. Each subsidiary guarantor is 100% owned by California Lyon or Delaware Lyon. All guarantees are full and unconditional and all guarantees are joint and several. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of Delaware Lyon or any guarantor to obtain funds from subsidiaries by dividend or loan.

 

The 10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of Delaware Lyon and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase its stock; (iii) make investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) incur liens; (vi) enter into agreements restricting the ability of Delaware Lyon’s restricted subsidiaries (other than California Lyon) to pay dividends; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of Delaware Lyon’s or California Lyon’s assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications as described in the 10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the terms of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 10 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The net proceeds of the offering were used as follows (in thousands):

 

Repayment of revolving credit facilities

   $ 104,354

Repayment of 12 1/2% Senior Notes

     70,279

Repayment of construction notes payable

     28,000

Repayment of purchase money notes payable — land acquisitions

     26,000

Repayment of unsecured line of credit

     9,500

Underwriting discount

     6,875

Offering costs

     1,225
    

     $ 246,233
    

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding 10 3/4% Senior Notes with a face value of $246,648,000 had a fair value of approximately $280,938,000, based on quotes from industry sources.

 

7 1/2% Senior Notes

 

On February 6, 2004, California Lyon closed its offering of $150,000,000 principal amount of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “7 1/2% Senior Notes”). The notes were sold pursuant to Rule 144A and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S. The notes were issued at par, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $147,600,000. California Lyon agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to an offer to exchange the notes for publicly tradeable notes having substantially identical terms. On July 16, 2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared the registration statement effective and California Lyon commenced an offer to exchange any and all of its outstanding $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014, which are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, for a like amount of its new 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014, which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the prospectus dated July 16, 2004. The exchange offer was completed for the full principal amount of the 7 1/2% Senior Notes on August 17, 2004. The terms of the new notes are identical in all material respects to those of the old notes, except for certain transfer restrictions, registration rights and liquidated damages provisions relating to the old notes. The new notes have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

The 7 1/2% Senior Notes due February 15, 2004 are senior unsecured obligations of California Lyon and are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Delaware Lyon and all of Delaware Lyon’s existing and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. The notes and the guarantees rank senior to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ debt that is expressly subordinated to the notes and the guarantees, but are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ senior secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Interest on the 7 1/2% Senior Notes is payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year.

 

Except as set forth in the Indenture governing the 7 1/2% Senior Notes (“7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture”), the 7 1/2% Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to February 15, 2009. Thereafter, the 7 1/2% Senior Notes will be redeemable at the option of California Lyon, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium declining ratably to par, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, on or before February 15, 2007, California Lyon may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of qualified equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.50% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

Upon a change of control as described in the 7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture, California Lyon may be required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

If the Company’s consolidated tangible net worth falls below $75,000,000 for any two consecutive fiscal quarters, California Lyon will be required to make an offer to purchase up to 10% of the notes originally issued at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

California Lyon is 100% owned by Delaware Lyon. Each subsidiary guarantor is 100% owned by California Lyon or Delaware Lyon. All guarantees are full and unconditional and all guarantees are joint and several. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of Delaware Lyon or any guarantor to obtain funds from subsidiaries by dividend or loan.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

The 7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of Delaware Lyon and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase its stock; (iii) make investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) incur liens; (vi) enter into agreements restricting the ability of Delaware Lyon’s restricted subsidiaries (other than California Lyon) to pay dividends; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of Delaware Lyon’s and California Lyon’s assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications as described in the 7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The foregoing summary is not a complete description of the 7 1/2% Senior Notes and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 7 1/2% Senior Notes Indenture.

 

The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay $70,000,000 of the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facilities and $21,500,000 of a construction note payable, together with $300,000 of accrued interest. The remaining proceeds will be used to pay fees and commissions related to the offering and for other general corporate purposes.

 

As of December 31, 2004, the outstanding 7 1/2% Senior Notes with a face value of $150,000,000 had a fair value of approximately $144,000,000 based on quotes from industry sources.

 

Supplemental consolidating financial information of the Company, specifically including information for California Lyon, the issuer of the 10 3/4% Senior Notes, the 7 1/2% Senior Notes and the 7 5/8% Senior Notes, and Delaware Lyon and the guarantor subsidiaries is presented below. Investments in subsidiaries are presented using the equity method of accounting. Separate financial statements of California Lyon and the guarantor subsidiaries are not provided, as the consolidating financial information contained herein provides a more meaningful disclosure to allow investors to determine the nature of assets held and the operations of the combined groups.

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(unaudited)

 

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

 

December 31, 2004

(in thousands)

 

     Unconsolidated

          
     Delaware
Lyon


   California
Lyon


   Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminating
Entries


    Consolidated
Company


                                

ASSETS

                                          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $    $ 57,420    $ 6,170    $ 32,484    $     $ 96,074

Receivables

          22,458      11,361      5,483            39,302

Real estate inventories

          834,469      1,767      222,937            1,059,173

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

          17,911                      17,911

Property and equipment, net

          1,093      16,973                 18,066

Deferred loan costs

          13,982                      13,982

Goodwill

          5,896                      5,896

Other assets

          22,656      1,502                 24,158

Investments in subsidiaries

     347,109      77,303      11,390           (435,802 )    

Intercompany receivables

          1,867      89,870           (91,737 )    
    

  

  

  

  


 

     $ 347,109    $ 1,055,055    $ 139,033    $ 260,904    $ (527,539 )   $ 1,274,562
    

  

  

  

  


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                            

Accounts payable

   $    $ 29,146    $ 380    $ 9,838    $     $ 39,364

Accrued expenses

          137,199      3,971      9,604            150,774

Notes payable

          13,072      9,305      26,194            48,571

7 5/8% Senior Notes

          150,000                      150,000

10 3/4% Senior Notes

          246,648                      246,648

7 1/2% Senior Notes

          150,000                      150,000

Intercompany payables

          88,538      1,867      1,332      (91,737 )    
    

  

  

  

  


 

Total liabilities

            814,603      15,523      46,968      (91,737 )     785,357

Minority interest in consolidated entities

                         142,096       142,096

Stockholders’ equity

     347,109      240,452      123,510      213,936      (577,898 )     347,109
    

  

  

  

  


 

     $ 347,109    $ 1,055,055    $ 139,033    $ 260,904    $ (527,539 )   $ 1,274,562
    

  

  

  

  


 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

 

December 31, 2003

(in thousands)

 

     Unconsolidated

          
     Delaware
Lyon


   California
Lyon


   Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminating
Entries


    Consolidated
Company


                                

ASSETS

                                          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $    $ 13,684    $ 4,207    $ 6,246    $     $ 24,137

Receivables

          22,215      21,213      2,783            46,211

Real estate inventories

          538,910      1,094      158,043            698,047

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

          45,613                      45,613

Property and equipment, net

          800      825                 1,625

Deferred loan costs

          9,041                      9,041

Goodwill

          5,896                      5,896

Other assets

          17,866      1,170                 19,036

Investments in subsidiaries

     252,040      38,554                (290,594 )    

Intercompany receivables

          1,190      69,830           (71,020 )    
    

  

  

  

  


 

     $ 252,040    $ 693,769    $ 98,339    $ 167,072    $ (361,614 )   $ 849,606
    

  

  

  

  


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                            

Accounts payable

   $    $ 30,635    $ 421    $ 4,641    $     $ 35,697

Accrued expenses

          87,779      3,909      948            92,636

Notes payable

          49,176      9,621      21,534            80,331

10 3/4% Senior Notes

          246,406                      246,406

Intercompany payables

          69,830      1,190           (71,020 )    
    

  

  

  

  


 

Total liabilities

          483,826      15,141      27,123      (71,020 )     455,070

Minority interest in consolidated entities

                         142,496       142,496

Stockholders’ equity

     252,040      209,943      83,198      139,949      (433,090 )     252,040
    

  

  

  

  


 

     $ 252,040    $ 693,769    $ 98,339    $ 167,072    $ (361,614 )   $ 849,606
    

  

  

  

  


 

 

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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004

(in thousands)

 

     Unconsolidated

             
    

Delaware

Lyon


  

California

Lyon


   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminating
Entries


    Consolidated
Company


 

Operating revenue

                                               

Sales

   $    $ 1,219,155     $ 97,035     $ 539,312     $ (33,655 )   $ 1,821,847  

Management fees

          16,188                   (16,188 )      
    

  


 


 


 


 


            1,235,343       97,035       539,312       (49,843 )     1,821,847  
    

  


 


 


 


 


Operating costs

                                               

Cost of sales

          (933,472 )     (64,581 )     (402,020 )     49,843       (1,350,230 )

Sales and marketing

          (36,850 )     (4,531 )     (17,411 )           (58,792 )

General and administrative

          (80,570 )     (214 )                 (80,784 )

Other

                (2,105 )                 (2,105 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


            (1,050,892 )     (71,431 )     (419,431 )     49,843       (1,491,911 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures

          (352 )     (347 )                 (699 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


Income from subsidiaries

     171,649      90,478       6,048             (268,175 )      
    

  


 


 


 


 


Minority equity in income of consolidated joint ventures

                            (49,661 )     (49,661 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


Operating income

     171,649      274,577       31,305       119,881       (317,836 )     279,576  

Other income, net

          270       3,497       1,805             5,572  
    

  


 


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

     171,649      274,847       34,802       121,686       (317,836 )     285,148  

Provision for income taxes

          (112,919 )           (580 )           (113,499 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 171,649    $ 161,928     $ 34,802     $ 121,106     $ (317,836 )   $ 171,649  
    

  


 


 


 


 


 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003

(in thousands)

 

     Unconsolidated

             
    

Delaware

Lyon


  

California

Lyon


   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminating
Entries


    Consolidated
Company


 

Operating revenue

                                               

Sales

   $    $ 811,342     $ 67,772     $ 138,638     $ (129,439 )   $ 888,313  

Management fees

          9,490                         9,490  
    

  


 


 


 


 


            820,832       67,772       138,638       (129,439 )     897,803  
    

  


 


 


 


 


Operating costs

                                               

Cost of sales

          (659,473 )     (60,277 )     (115,600 )     107,696       (727,654 )

Sales and marketing

          (26,856 )     (3,052 )     (1,344 )           (31,252 )

General and administrative

          (50,105 )     (210 )                 (50,315 )

Other

                (1,834 )                 (1,834 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


            (736,434 )     (65,373 )     (116,944 )     107,696       (811,055 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures

          31,236                         31,236  
    

  


 


 


 


 


Income from subsidiaries

     72,137      2,604                   (74,741 )      
    

  


 


 


 


 


Minority equity in income of consolidated joint ventures

                      (22,172 )     21,743       (429 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


Operating income

     72,137      118,238       2,399       (478 )     (74,741 )     117,555  

Other income, net

          1,041       4,358       998             6,397  
    

  


 


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

     72,137      119,279       6,757       520       (74,741 )     123,952  

Provision for income taxes

          (51,475 )           (340 )           (51,815 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 72,137    $ 67,804     $ 6,757     $ 180     $ (74,741 )   $ 72,137  
    

  


 


 


 


 


 

82


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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

 

Year Ended December 31, 2002

(in thousands)

 

     Unconsolidated

             
     Delaware
Lyon


   California
Lyon


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminating
Entries


    Consolidated
Company


 

Operating revenue

                                               

Sales

   $    $ 427,492     $ 85,550     $ 98,146     $ (8,778 )   $ 602,410  

Management fees

          10,892                         10,892  
    

  


 


 


 


 


            438,384       85,550       98,146       (8,778 )     613,302  
    

  


 


 


 


 


Operating costs

                                               

Cost of sales

          (367,757 )     (73,057 )     (81,636 )     8,716       (513,734 )

Sales and marketing

          (19,337 )     (3,395 )     (130 )           (22,862 )

General and administrative

          (39,015 )     (319 )     (32 )           (39,366 )

Other

                (2,284 )                 (2,284 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


            (426,109 )     (79,055 )     (81,798 )     8,716       (578,246 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures

          27,748                         27,748  
    

  


 


 


 


 


Income from subsidiaries

     49,511      7,043                   (56,554 )      
    

  


 


 


 


 


Minority equity in income of consolidated joint ventures

                      (16,447 )     16,447        
    

  


 


 


 


 


Operating income

     49,511      47,066       6,495       (99 )     (40,169 )     62,804  

Other income, net

          (196 )     4,453       720             4,977  
    

  


 


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

     49,511      46,870       10,948       621       (40,169 )     67,781  

Provision for income taxes

          (18,020 )           (250 )           (18,270 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 49,511    $ 28,850     $ 10,948     $ 371     $ (40,169 )   $ 49,511  
    

  


 


 


 


 


 

 

83


Table of Contents

WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004

(in thousands)

 

    Unconsolidated

             
    Delaware
Lyon


    California
Lyon


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
    Subsidiaries    


    Eliminating
Entries


    Consolidated
Company


 
                                     

Operating activities:

                                               

Net income

  $ 171,649     $ 161,928     $ 34,802     $ 121,106     $ (317,836 )   $ 171,649  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

                                               

Depreciation and amortization

          444       883                   1,327  

Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures

          352       347                   699  

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    (171,649 )     (90,478 )     (6,048 )           268,175        

Minority equity in income of consolidated entities

                            49,661       49,661  

Provision for income taxes

          112,919             580             113,499  

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                                               

Receivables

          (243 )     9,852       (441 )           9,168  

Intercompany receivables/payables

                (20,040 )     1,332       18,708        

Real estate inventories

          (289,897 )     (673 )     95,230             (195,340 )

Deferred loan costs

          (1,004 )                       (1,004 )

Other assets

          (4,790 )     (332 )                 (5,122 )

Accounts payable

          (1,489 )     (41 )     (1,082 )           (2,612 )

Accrued expenses

          (60,010 )     62       5,316             (54,632 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

          (172,268 )     18,812       222,041       18,708       87,293  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Investing activities:

                                               

Net change in investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

          1,046       (347 )                 699  

Purchases of property and equipment

          (737 )     (17,031 )                 (17,768 )

Investment in subsidiaries

          51,729       (5,342 )           (46,387 )      

Advances from (to) affiliates

    80,069       (32,304 )           (26,304 )     (21,461 )      
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    80,069       19,734       (22,720 )     (26,304 )     (67,848 )     (17,069 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


Financing activities:

                                               

Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable

          1,339,500       429,433                   1,768,933  

Principal payments on notes payable

          (1,381,024 )     (429,749 )     (85,592 )           (1,896,365 )

Issuance of 7 5/8% Senior Notes

          148,500                         148,500  

Issuance of 7 1/2% Senior Notes

          147,563                         147,563  

Minority interest (distributions) contributions, net

          (58,269 )           (28,580 )           (86,849 )

Common stock issued for exercised options

    932                               932  

Common stock purchased

    (81,001 )                             (81,001 )

Advances from (to) affiliates

                6,187       (55,327 )     49,140        
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (80,069 )     196,270       5,871       (169,499 )     49,140       1,713  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

          43,736       1,963       26,238             71,937  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

          13,684       4,207       6,246             24,137  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  $     $ 57,420     $ 6,170     $ 32,484     $     $ 96,074  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 

84


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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003

(in thousands)

 

    Unconsolidated

             
    Delaware
Lyon


    California
Lyon


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
    Subsidiaries    


    Eliminating
Entries


    Consolidated
Company


 
                                     

Operating activities:

                                               

Net income

  $ 72,137     $ 67,804     $ 6,757     $ 180     $ (74,741 )   $ 72,137  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

                                               

Depreciation and amortization

          668       414                   1,082  

Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures

          (31,236 )                       (31,236 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    (72,137 )     (2,604 )                 74,741       —    

Minority equity in income of consolidated joint ventures

                      22,172       (21,743 )     429  

Provision for income taxes

          51,475             340             51,815  

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                                               

Receivables

          (13,558 )     (1,272 )     (2,647 )           (17,477 )

Intercompany receivables/payables

    (586 )     586       7,457             (7,457 )     —    

Real estate inventories

          (171,261 )           (34,661 )           (205,922 )

Deferred loan costs

    586       (8,286 )                       (7,700 )

Other assets

          (2,672 )     (1,044 )                 (3,716 )

Accounts payable

          2,272       (1,153 )     (303 )           816  

Accrued expenses

          (19,603 )     (1,098 )     432             (20,269 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

          (126,415 )     10,061       (14,487 )     (29,200 )     (160,041 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


Investing activities:

                                               

Net change in investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

          50,163       864                   51,027  

Purchases of property and equipment

          (291 )     (285 )                 (576 )

Investment in subsidiaries

          47,883                   (47,883 )     —    

Advances from (to) affiliates

    75,165       (149,148 )                 73,983       —    
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    75,165       (51,393 )     579             26,100       50,451  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Financing activities:

                                               

Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable

          726,146       379,318                   1,105,464  

Principal payments on notes payable

          (833,083 )     (387,836 )                 (1,220,919 )

Repayment of 12 1/2% Senior Notes

    (70,279 )                             (70,279 )

Issuance of 10 3/4% Senior Notes

          246,233                         246,233  

Common stock issued for exercised options

    2,294                               2,294  

Common stock purchased

    (7,180 )                             (7,180 )

Minority interest distributions, net

          40,672             20,748             61,420  

Advances from affiliates

                14       (3,114 )     3,100       —    
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (75,165 )     179,968       (8,504 )     17,634       3,100       117,033  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

          2,160       2,136       3,147             7,443  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

          11,524       2,071       3,099             16,694  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  $     $ 13,684     $ 4,207     $ 6,246     $     $ 24,137  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 

85


Table of Contents

WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

Year Ended December 31, 2002

(in thousands)

 

     Unconsolidated

             
     Delaware
Lyon


   

California

Lyon


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
    Subsidiaries    


    Eliminating
Entries


    Consolidated
Company


 
                                      

Operating activities:

                                                

Net income

   $ 49,511     $ 28,850     $ 10,948     $ 371     $ (40,169 )   $ 49,511  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                                                

Depreciation and amortization

           983       372                   1,355  

Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures

           (27,748 )                       (27,748 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     (49,511 )     (7,043 )                 56,554        

Provision for income taxes

           18,020             250             18,270  

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                                                

Receivables

           (293 )     (7,729 )     47             (7,975 )

Intercompany receivables/payables

     (1,407 )     1,407       (27,920 )     85,305       (57,385 )      

Real estate inventories

           63,826       7,553       (94,505 )           (23,126 )

Deferred loan costs

     1,407       83                         1,490  

Other assets

           (2,617 )     (64 )                 (2,681 )

Accounts payable

           3,037       494       4,936             8,467  

Accrued expenses

           (8,621 )     3,402       (361 )           (5,580 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

           69,884       (12,944 )     (3,957 )     (41,000 )     11,983  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Investing activities:

                                                

Net change in investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

           17,000       (401 )                 16,599  

Purchases of property and equipment

           (248 )     (1,067 )                 (1,315 )

Investment in subsidiaries

           (26,442 )                 26,442        

Advances from (to) affiliates

     18,452       (59,519 )                 41,067        
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     18,452       (69,209 )     (1,468 )           67,509       15,284  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Financing activities:

                                                

Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable

           580,585       333,014                   913,599  

Principal payments on notes payable

           (585,268 )     (333,723 )     (1,038 )           (920,029 )

Common stock issued for exercised options

     1,118                               1,118  

Common stock purchased

     (19,570 )                             (19,570 )

Minority interest distributions, net

                       (5,442 )           (5,442 )

Advances from affiliates

                 13,333       13,176       (26,509 )      
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (18,452 )     (4,683 )     12,624       6,696       (26,509 )     (30,324 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

           (4,008 )     (1,788 )     2,739             (3,057 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

           15,532       3,859       360             19,751  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $     $ 11,524     $ 2,071     $ 3,099     $     $ 16,694  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

86


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WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Revolving Credit Facilities

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company has four revolving credit facilities which have an aggregate maximum loan commitment of $395,000,000 and mature at various dates through 2008. A $125,000,000 revolving line of credit “expires” in October 2005. After that date, the Company may borrow amounts, subject to applicable borrowing base and concentration limitations, under this facility solely to complete the construction of residences begun prior to such date in approved projects funded by disbursements under this facility. The final maturity date is the earlier of the date upon which the last residence, the construction of which was financed with proceeds of this loan, is sold or the date upon which such last residence is excluded from the borrowing base by the passage of time under this facility. However, as in the past, the Company expects the maturity to be extended by the lender at each maturity date for an additional year. A $150,000,000 revolving line of credit finally matures in September 2008, although after September 2006, advances under this facility may only be made to complete projects approved on or before such date. The maximum commitment of $150,000,000 under this facility is reduced by the aggregate amount of loan commitments under separate project loans issued by the lender or its affiliates to the Company or its affiliates with respect to projects that are not cross-collateralized with the collateral under this credit facility. A $50,000,000 bank revolving line of credit initially “matures” in September 2006. After that date: a) the maximum commitment under this facility reduces at a rate of $12,500,000 per quarter beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 2006, with a final maturity date of September 2007, and b) advances may only be used to complete previously approved projects subject to the borrowing base as of the initial maturity date. A $70,000,000 revolving line of credit became effective in June 2004, which matures in June 2007.

 

Availability under each credit facility is subject not only to the maximum amount committed under the respective facility, but also to both various borrowing base and concentration limitations. The borrowing base limits lender advances to certain agreed percentages of asset value. The allowed percentage generally increases as the asset progresses from land under development to residence subject to contract of sale. Advances for each type of collateral become due in whole or in part, subject to possible re-borrowing, and/or the collateral becomes excluded from the borrowing base, after a specified period or earlier upon sale. Concentration limitations further restrict availability under the credit facilities. The effect of these borrowing base and concentration limitations essentially is to mandate minimum levels of the Company’s investment in a project, with higher percentages of investment required at earlier phases of a project, and with greater absolute dollar amounts of investment required as a project progresses. Each revolving credit facility is secured by deeds of trust on the real property and improvements thereon owned by the Company in the subdivision project(s) approved by the respective lender, as well as pledges of all net sale proceeds, related contracts and other ancillary property. Also, each credit facility includes financial covenants, which may limit the amount that may be borrowed thereunder. Outstanding advances bear interest at various rates, which approximate the prime rate. As of December 31, 2004, $7,700,000 was outstanding under these credit facilities, with a weighted-average interest rate of 5.339%, and the undrawn availability was $236,200,000 as limited by the Company’s borrowing base calculation. The Company has provided an unsecured environmental indemnity in favor of the lender under the $125,000,000 bank line of credit (see Note 10).

 

Under the revolving credit facilities, we are required to comply with a number of covenants, the most restrictive of which require Delaware Lyon to maintain:

 

    A tangible net worth, as defined, of $120,000,000, adjusted upwards quarterly by 50% of Delaware Lyon’s quarterly net income after March 31, 2002,

 

    A ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth, each as defined, of less than 3.25 to 1; and

 

    Minimum liquidity, as defined, of at least $10,000,000.

 

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Table of Contents

WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

As of and for the period ending December 31, 2004, the Company is in compliance with these covenants.

 

These facilities include a number of other covenants with respect to such matters as the posting of cash or letters of credit in certain circumstances, the application or deposit of excess net sales proceeds, maintenance of specified ratios, limitations on investments in joint ventures, maintenance of fixed charge coverages, stock ownership changes, and lot ownership.

 

As a common practice required by commercial lenders, the Company is obligated to repay loans to a level such that they do not exceed certain required loan-to-value or loan-to-cost ratios. Each lender has the right to test the ratios by appraising the property securing the loan at any time. Either a decrease in the value of the property securing the loan or an increase in the construction costs could trigger this pay down obligation. The term of the obligation corresponds with the term of the loan and is limited to the outstanding loan balance. The entire revolving credit facilities balance is subject to these obligations as of December 31, 2004.

 

Construction Notes Payable

 

At December 31, 2004, the Company had construction notes payable on certain consolidated entities amounting to $31,614,000. The construction notes have various maturity dates and bear interest at rates ranging from prime plus 0.25% to prime plus 0.75% at December 31, 2004. Interest is calculated on the average daily balance and is paid following the end of each month.

 

Revolving Mortgage Warehouse Credit Facilities

 

The Company, through its mortgage subsidiary and one of its unconsolidated joint ventures, has entered into two revolving mortgage warehouse credit facilities with banks to fund its mortgage origination operations. The original credit facility, which matures in May 2005, provides for revolving loans of up to $30,000,000 outstanding, $20,000,000 of which is committed (lender obligated to lend if stated conditions are satisfied) and $10,000,000 of which is not committed (lender advances are optional even if stated conditions are otherwise satisfied). However, as in the past the Company expects the maturity to be extended by the lender at each maturity date for an additional year. On August 29, 2003, the Company’s mortgage subsidiary and one of its unconsolidated joint ventures entered into an additional $10,000,000 credit facility which matures in August 2006. Mortgage loans are generally held for a short period of time and are typically sold to investors within 7 to 15 days following funding. The facilities are secured by substantially all of the assets of each of the borrowers, including the mortgage loans held for sale, all rights of each of the borrowers with respect to contractual obligations of third party investors to purchase such mortgage loans, and all proceeds of sale of such mortgage loans. The facilities, which have LIBOR based pricing, also contain certain financial covenants requiring the borrowers to maintain minimum tangible net worth, leverage, profitability and liquidity. These facilities are non-recourse and are not guaranteed by the Company. At December 31, 2004 the outstanding balance under these facilities was $9,305,000.

 

Prime Interest Rates

 

The prime interest rates at December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were 5.25%, 4.00% and 4.25%, respectively. The weighted-average prime interest rates for each of the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were 4.34%, 4.12% and 4.67%, respectively.

 

88


Table of Contents

WILLIAM LYON HOMES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Note 7 — Stockholders’ Equity

 

Stock Repurchases

 

On November 12, 2004 the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the size of the Company’s previously announced stock repurchase program to 3,000,000 shares of its common stock (including any shares previously repurchased by the Company under the program). Under the program, as originally adopted in September 2001, the Company could repurchase 20% of its then outstanding shares of common stock or approximately 2,000,000 shares. Under the plan, the stock will be purchased in the open market or privately negotiated transactions from time to time in compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-18, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The timing and amounts of any purchases will be as determined by the Company’s management from time to time or may be suspended at any time or from time to time without prior notice, depending on market conditions and other factors they deem relevant. The repurchased shares may be held as treasury stock and used for general corporate purchases or cancelled. No shares were repurchased under this program during the period ended December 31, 2001. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company repurchased and retired 1,018,400 shares of its outstanding common shares for $19,570,000, for the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company repurchased and retired 200,000 shares of its outstanding common shares for $7,180,000 and for the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company repurchased 1,275,000 shares of its outstanding common shares for $81,001,000, which shares were held in treasury at December 31, 2004.

 

Stock Option Plans

 

Effective on May 9, 2000, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the William Lyon Homes 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and authorized an initial 1,000,000 shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance under the Plan. Under the Plan, options may be granted from time to time to key employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company. The Plan is administered by the Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”). The Committee is generally empowered to interpret the Plan, prescribe rules and regulations relating thereto, determine the terms of the option agreements, amend them with the consent of the optionee, determine the employees to whom options are to be granted, and determine the number of shares subject to each option and the exercise price thereof. The per share exercise price for options will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted. The options will be exercisable for a term determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten years from the date of grant, and vest as follows: one year from date of grant—33 1/3%; two years from date of grant—33 1/3%; and three years from date of grant—33 1/3%.

 

Effective on May 9, 2000, the Company issued options under the William Lyon Homes 2000 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase a total of 627,500 shares of common stock at $8.6875 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company issued additional options under the William Lyon Homes 2000 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase 12,500 shares of common stock at $9.10 per share and 20,000 shares of common stock at a price of $13.00 per share. During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, certain officers and directors exercised options to purchase 92,964, 240,359 and 102,504 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock at a price of $8.6875 per share in accordance with the William Lyon Homes 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, certain officers exercised options to purchase 6,666, 10,000 and 3,334 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock at a price of $13.00 per share in accordance with the William Lyon Homes 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. During the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 an officer exercised options to purchase 4,166 and 8,334 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $9.10. As of December 31, 2004, 56,666 options have been forfeited and 85,831 options priced at $8.6875 remain unexercised. All unexercised options expire on May 9, 2010.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2002, certain officers exercised options to purchase 13,912 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $5.00 per share in accordance with the Company’s 1991 Stock Option Plan, as amended. During the year ended December 31, 2002, certain officers exercised options to purchase 7,998 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $14.375 per share in accordance with the Company’s 1991 Stock Option Plan, as amended. As of December 31, 2002, there were no outstanding options to purchase common stock under the Company’s 1991 Stock Option Plan.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Statement No. 123, issued in October 1995, the Company has elected to continue applying the methodology prescribed by APB No. 25 and related interpretations to account for outstanding stock options. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized in the financial statements related to stock options awarded to officers, directors and employees under the Plan. As required by Statement No. 123, for disclosure purposes only, the Company has measured the amount of compensation cost which would have been recognized related to stock options had the fair value of the options at the date of grant been used for accounting purposes which is summarized in Note 1.

 

Incentive Compensation Plan

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a Cash Bonus Plan for all of the Company’s full-time, salaried employees, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Division Presidents, Executives, Managers, Field Construction Staff, and certain other employees. Under the terms of this plan, the CEO, the COO, and the CFO are eligible to receive bonuses based upon specified percentages of the Company’s pre-tax, pre-bonus income. Division Presidents are eligible to receive bonuses based upon specified percentages of their respective division pre-tax, pre-bonus income. All other participants are eligible to receive bonuses based upon specified percentages of a bonus pool consisting of a specified percentage of pre-tax, pre-bonus income. Awards are recorded in the period earned, but are paid out over two years, with 75% paid out following the determination of bonus awards, and 25% paid out one year later. The deferred amount will be forfeited in the event of termination for any reason except retirement, death or disability.

 

Executive Deferred Compensation Plans

 

The Company has implemented deferred compensation plans which allow certain officers and employees to defer a portion of total income (base salary and bonuses). The deferral amount can be up to 20% of total income with a minimum of $10,000 annually. The Company must accrue the deferred compensation liability but cannot deduct such amounts for income tax purposes until actually paid to the employee.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Note 8 — Income Taxes

 

The following summarizes the provision for income taxes (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Current

                        

Federal

   $ (99,580 )   $ (45,123 )   $ (23,525 )

State

     (22,391 )     (10,286 )     (6,038 )
    


 


 


       (121,971 )     (55,409 )     (29,563 )
    


 


 


Deferred

                        

Federal

     7,589       2,985       9,656  

State

     883       609       1,637  
    


 


 


       8,472       3,594       11,293  
    


 


 


     $ (113,499 )   $ (51,815 )   $ (18,270 )
    


 


 


 

Income taxes differ from the amounts computed by applying the applicable Federal statutory rates due to the following (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Provision for Federal income taxes at the statutory rate

   $ (99,801 )   $ (43,420 )   $ (23,723 )

Provision for state income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefits

     (14,011 )     (6,044 )     (2,860 )

Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset

                 8,348  

Other

     313       (2,351 )     (35 )
    


 


 


     $ (113,499 )   $ (51,815 )   $ (18,270 )
    


 


 


 

Temporary differences giving rise to deferred income taxes consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Deferred tax assets

                

Reserves deducted for financial reporting purposes not allowable for tax purposes

   $ 5,386     $ 4,754  

Compensation deductible for tax purposes when paid

     8,675       4,702  

Interest expensed for financial reporting purposes and capitalized for tax purposes

           14  

Net operating loss and alternative minimum tax credit carryovers

           698  

State income tax provisions deductible when paid for Federal tax purposes

     6,608       2,550  

Effect of book/tax differences for joint ventures

     2,083       394  
    


 


       22,752       13,112  

Deferred tax liabilities

                

Effect of book/tax differences for joint ventures

     (4,389 )     (3,221 )
    


 


     $ 18,363     $ 9,891  
    


 


 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, income tax benefits of $3,489,000 and $3,113,000, respectively, related to stock option exercises were excluded from the results of operations and credited to additional paid-in capital.

 

The elimination during 2002 of the remaining valuation allowances for deferred tax assets reduced the Company’s estimated overall effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2002 from 39.3% to 27.0%. The estimated overall effective tax rate for the years ending December 31, 2004 and 2003 are 39.8% and 41.8%, respectively. At December 31, 2004 the Company has unused recognized built-in losses in the amount of $22,649,000 which are available to offset future income and expire between 2009 and 2011. The utilization of these losses is limited to offset $3,235,000 of taxable income per year; however, any unused losses in any year may be carried forward for utilization in future years through 2011. The Company’s ability to utilize the foregoing tax benefits will depend upon the amount of its future taxable income and may be further limited under certain circumstances.

 

Note 9 — Related Party Transactions

 

A portion of the net proceeds of the Company’s offering of 10 3/4% Senior Notes (see Note 6) was used to repay all of the Company’s 12 1/2% Senior Notes, including $30,000,000 in principal amount held by General William Lyon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and the trust of which his son, William H. Lyon, is the sole beneficiary, $2,323,000 held by Wade H. Cable, President and Chief Operating Officer, and $1,000,000 held by William H. McFarland, a director. See Note 6 for description of the transactions between the Company and certain of the Company’s Board of Directors with respect to the 12 1/2% Senior Notes.

 

On October 26, 2000, the Company’s Board of Directors (with Messrs. William Lyon and William H. Lyon abstaining) approved the purchase of 579 lots for a total purchase price of $12,581,000 from an entity controlled by William Lyon and William H. Lyon. The terms of the purchase agreement provide for an initial option payment of $1,000,000 and a rolling option takedown of the lots. In addition, one-half of the net profits in excess of six percent from the development are to be paid to the seller. Phase takedowns of approximately 20 lots each are anticipated to occur at two to three month intervals for each of several product types through September 2004. As of December 31, 2004, all lots were purchased under this agreement. During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company purchased 92, 72 and 183 lots, respectively, under this agreement for a total purchase price of $1,984,000, $2,507,000 and $4,150,000, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company paid $1,689,000, $0 and $1,614,000, respectively for one-half of the net profits in excess of six percent from the development. This land acquisition qualified as an affiliate transaction under the Company’s 12 1/2% Senior Notes due July 1, 2003 Indenture dated as of June 29, 1994, as amended (the “Old Indenture”). Pursuant to the terms of the Old Indenture, the Company determined that the land acquisition is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company with an unrelated person. The Company delivered to the Trustee under the Old Indenture a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the land acquisition is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company with an unrelated person and the land acquisition was approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company. Further, the Company delivered to the Trustee under the Old Indenture a determination of value by a real estate appraisal firm which is of regional standing in the region in which the subject property is located and is MAI certified.

 

On July 9, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors (with Messrs. William Lyon and William H. Lyon abstaining) approved the purchase of 144 lots, through a land banking arrangement, for a total purchase price of $16,660,000 from an entity that purchased the lots from William Lyon. The terms of the purchase agreement

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

provide for an initial deposit of $3,300,000 (paid on July 23, 2002) and monthly option payments of 11.5% on the seller’s outstanding investment. Such option payments entitle the Company to phase takedowns of approximately 14 lots each, which were anticipated to occur at one to two month intervals through March 2004. As of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, 43, 85 and 16 lots have been purchased under this agreement for a purchase price of $4,975,000, $9,834,000 and $1,851,000, respectively. Had the Company purchased the property directly, the acquisition would have qualified as an affiliate transaction under the Old Indenture. Even though the Company’s agreement is not with William Lyon, the Company chose to treat it as an affiliate transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the Old Indenture, the Company determined that the land acquisition is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company with an unrelated person. The Company delivered to the Trustee under the Old Indenture a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the land acquisition is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company with an unrelated person and the land acquisition was approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company. Further, the Company has delivered to the Trustee under the Old Indenture a determination of value by a real estate appraisal firm which is of regional standing in the region in which the subject property is located and is MAI certified.

 

The Company purchased land for a total purchase price of $33,655,000, $8,440,000 and $17,079,000 during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, from certain of its joint ventures.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company incurred reimbursable on-site labor costs of $183,000, $277,000 and $178,000, respectively, for providing customer service to real estate projects developed by entities controlled by William Lyon and William H. Lyon, of which $26,000 and $25,000 was due to the Company at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In addition, the Company earned fees of $110,000, $109,000 and $99,000, respectively, for tax and accounting services performed for entities controlled by William Lyon and William H. Lyon during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company incurred charges of $755,000, $753,000 and $729,000, respectively, related to rent on its corporate office, from a trust of which William H. Lyon is the sole beneficiary.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company incurred charges of $172,000, $250,000 and $177,000, respectively, related to the charter and use of aircraft owned by an affiliate of William Lyon.

 

Effective September 1, 2004, the Company entered into an aircraft consulting and management agreement with an affiliate (the “Affiliate”) of William Lyon to operate and manage the Company’s aircraft which was placed in service effective as of September 1, 2004. The terms of the agreement provide that the Affiliate shall consult and render its advice and management services to the Company with respect to all functions necessary to the operation, maintenance and administration of the aircraft. The Company’s business plan for the aircraft includes (i) use by Company executives for traveling on Company business to the Company’s divisional offices and other destinations, (ii) charter service to outside third parties and (iii) charter service to William Lyon personally. Charter services for outside third parties and William Lyon personally are contracted for at market rates. As compensation to the Affiliate for its management and consulting services under the agreement, the Company pays the Affiliate a fee equal to (i) the amount equal to 107% of compensation paid by the Affiliate for the pilots supplied pursuant to the agreement, (ii) $50 per operating hour for the aircraft and (iii) $9,000 per month for hangar rent. In addition, all maintenance work, inspections and repairs performed by the Affiliate on

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

the aircraft are charged to the Company at the Affiliate’s published rates for maintenance, inspection and repairs in effect at the time such work is completed.

 

Pursuant to the agreement above, the Company had earned revenue of $187,000 for charter services provided to William Lyon personally, as of December 31, 2004.

 

On May 28, 2004 and June 18, 2004, William Lyon and his wife, Willa Dean Lyon, purchased two of the Company’s homes for a total purchase price of approximately $877,000. The purchase prices were based on the prices offered to third parties and no discounts were given. The homes were purchased for use as residences by certain family members.

 

On October 28, 2004, one of the Company’s directors, Michael L. Meyer, purchased one of the Company’s homes for a total purchase price of approximately $835,000. The purchase price was based on the prices offered to third parties and no discounts were given.

 

The Company and one of the Company’s directors, Alex Meruelo, are parties to an agreement pursuant to which Mr. Meruelo is eligible to receive a finder’s fee based upon the cash distributions received by a subsidiary of the Company from a joint venture development project relating to a portion of the Fort Ord military base in Monterey County, California. The joint venture development project resulted from Mr. Meruelo’s introduction of the Company to Woodman Development Company, LLC (“Woodman”) and the subsequent formation of East Garrison Partners I, LLC (“EGP”) as a joint venture between Woodman and Lyon East Garrison Company I, LLC (“EGC”). The finder’s fee will equal 5% of all net cash distributions distributed by EGP to EGC with respect to EGC’s existing 50% interest in EGP that are in excess of distributions with respect to certain deficit advances, deficit preferred returns, returns of capital and preferred returns on unreturned capital. The calculation of the finder’s fee will be based on net cash distributions received from EGP on land sales and will not be determined on the basis of any revenues, profits or distributions received from any affiliate of EGC for the construction and sale or leasing of residential or commercial buildings on such lots. Mr. Meruelo is not obligated to perform any services for EGC other than the introduction to Woodman.

 

The Company offers home mortgage loans to its employees and directors through its mortgage company subsidiary, Duxford Financial, Inc. These loans are made in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. These loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features and are sold to investors typically within 7 to 15 days.

 

Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company’s commitments and contingent liabilities include the usual obligations incurred by real estate developers in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, these matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits related to its normal business activities. In the opinion of management, disposition of the various lawsuits will have no material effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

Land Banking Arrangements

 

The Company enters into purchase agreements with various land sellers. In some instances, and as a method of acquiring land in staged takedowns, thereby minimizing the use of funds from the Company’s revolving credit

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

facilities and other corporate financing sources and limiting the Company’s risk, the Company transfers the Company’s right in such purchase agreements to entities owned by third parties (“land banking arrangements”). These entities use equity contributions and/or incur debt to finance the acquisition and development of the lots. The entities grant the Company an option to acquire lots in staged takedowns. In consideration for this option, the Company makes a non-refundable deposit equal to 20% or less of the total purchase price. Additionally, the Company may be subject to other penalties if lots are not acquired. The Company is under no obligation to purchase the balance of the lots, but would forfeit remaining deposits and be subject to penalties if the lots were not purchased. The Company does not have legal title to these entities or their assets and has not guaranteed their liabilities. These land banking arrangements help the Company manage the financial and market risk associated with land holdings. The Company participates in two land banking arrangements, which are not VIE’s in accordance with FIN 46, and are not consolidated as of December 31, 2004. The deposits and penalties related to the two land banking projects have been recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The financial statements of these two entities are not consolidated with the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Summary information with respect to the Company’s consolidated and unconsolidated land banking arrangements is as follows as of December 31, 2004 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Consolidated

   Unconsolidated

Total number of land banking projects

     1      2
    

  

Total number of lots

     172      866
    

  

Total purchase price

   $ 60,849    $ 83,164
    

  

Balance of lots still under option and not purchased:

             

Number of lots

     50      567
    

  

Purchase price

   $ 19,074    $ 63,462
    

  

Forfeited deposits and penalties if lots are not purchased

   $ 9,755    $ 13,404
    

  

 

In some jurisdictions in which the Company develops and constructs property, assessment district bonds are issued by municipalities to finance major infrastructure improvements. As a land owner benefited by these improvements, the Company is responsible for the assessments on its land. When properties are sold, the assessments are either prepaid or the buyers assume the responsibility for the related assessments. Assessment district bonds issued after May 21, 1992 are accounted for under the provisions of 91-10, “Accounting for Special Assessment and Tax Increment Financing Entities” issued by the Emerging Issues Task Force of the Financial Accounting Standards Board on May 21, 1992, and recorded as liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, if the amounts are fixed and determinable.

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company had $28,100,000 of outstanding irrevocable standby letters of credit to guarantee the Company’s financial obligations under certain land banking arrangements and other contractual arrangements in the normal course of business. The beneficiary may draw upon these letters of credit in the event of a contractual default by the Company relating to each respective obligation. These letters of credit have a stated term of 12 months and have varying maturities throughout 2005, at which time the Company may be required to renew to coincide with the term of the respective arrangement.

 

The Company also had outstanding performance and surety bonds of $251,400,000 at December 31, 2004 related principally to its obligations for site improvements at various projects. The Company does not believe that draws upon these bonds, if any, will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

The Company has provided unsecured environmental indemnities to certain lenders, joint venture partners and land sellers. In each case, the Company has performed due diligence on the potential environmental risks including obtaining an independent environmental review from outside environmental consultants. These indemnities obligate the Company to reimburse the guaranteed parties for damages related to environmental matters. There is no term or damage limitation on these indemnities; however, if an environmental matter arises, the Company could have recourse against other previous owners.

 

See Notes 5 and 6 for additional information relating to the Company’s guarantee arrangements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Note 11 — Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information

 

Summarized unaudited quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 is as follows (in thousands except per common share amounts):

 

    Three Months Ended

 
    March 31,
2004


    June 30,
2004


    September 30,
2004


    December 31,
2004


 

Sales

  $ 254,548     $ 384,483     $ 474,950     $ 707,866  

Other income, costs and expenses, net

    (228,797 )     (332,460 )     (400,740 )     (574,702 )
   


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

    25,751       52,023       74,210       133,164  

Provision for income taxes

    (10,342 )     (20,875 )     (29,273 )     (53,009 )
   


 


 


 


Net income

  $ 15,409     $ 31,148     $ 44,937     $ 80,155  
   


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share

  $ 1.57     $ 3.16     $ 4.54     $ 8.65  
   


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 1.55     $ 3.14     $ 4.51     $ 8.58  
   


 


 


 


    Three Months Ended

 
    March 31,
2003


    June 30,
2003


    September 30,
2003


    December 31,
2003


 

Sales

  $ 70,423     $ 156,681     $ 212,598     $ 448,611  

Other income, costs and expenses, net

    (62,162 )     (133,345 )     (188,197 )     (380,657 )
   


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

    8,261       23,336       24,401       67,954  

Provision for income taxes

    (3,379 )     (9,544 )     (9,534 )     (29,358 )
   


 


 


 


Net income

  $ 4,882     $ 13,792     $ 14,867     $ 38,596  
   


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.50     $ 1.40     $ 1.52     $ 3.95  
   


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.49     $ 1.38     $ 1.49     $ 3.89  
   


 


 


 


    Three Months Ended

 
    March 31,
2002


    June 30,
2002


    September 30,
2002


    December 31,
2002


 

Sales

  $ 90,149     $ 127,417     $ 182,998     $ 201,846  

Other income, costs and expenses, net

    (86,359 )     (117,559 )     (164,036 )     (166,675 )
   


 


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes

    3,790       9,858       18,962       35,171  

Provision for income taxes

    (677 )     (2,826 )     (5,212 )     (9,555 )
   


 


 


 


Net income

  $ 3,113     $ 7,032     $ 13,750     $ 25,616  
   


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.30     $ 0.68     $ 1.34     $ 2.63  
   


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.29     $ 0.66     $ 1.30     $ 2.56  
   


 


 


 


 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


  2.1(1)   

Certificate of Ownership and Merger.

  3.1(2)    Certificate of Incorporation of William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation.
  3.2(2)    Bylaws of William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation.
  4.1(2)   

Specimen certificate of Common Stock.

  4.2(23)    Indenture dated as of March 17, 2003 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (including form of notes and guarantees).
  4.3(15)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 13, 2004 between Lyon East Garrison Company I, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of March 17, 2003 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
  4.4(24)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 2005 between The Ranch Golf Club, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of March 17, 2003 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
  4.5(3)    Indenture dated as of February 6, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (including form of notes and guarantees).
  4.6(15)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 13, 2004 between Lyon East Garrison Company I, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of February 6, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
  4.7(24)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 2005 between The Ranch Golf Club, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of February 6, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
  4.8(14)    Indenture dated as of November 22, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (including form of notes and guarantees).
  4.9(15)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 13, 2004 between Lyon East Garrison Company I, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of November 22, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
  4.10(24)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 2005 between The Ranch Golf Club, LLC, a California limited liability company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (supplementing the Indenture dated as of November 22, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee).
10.1(11)    Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of September 17, 2004 between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, and RFC Construction Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation.
10.2(4)    Master Loan Agreement dated as of August 31, 2000 by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation (“Borrower”) and Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B., a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (“Lender”).
10.3(6)    Agreement for First Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments, dated as of June 8, 2001, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.


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10.4(5)      Agreement for Second Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments, dated as of July 23, 2001, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.5(5)      Agreement for Third Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments, dated as of December 19, 2001, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.6(5)    Agreement for Fourth Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments, dated as of May 29, 2002, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.7(7)    Agreement for Fifth Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Agreements, dated as of June 6, 2003, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.8(3)    Agreement for Sixth Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Agreements, dated as of November 14, 2003, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States (formerly known as “Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.”), as lender.
10.9(12)    Agreement for Seventh Modification of Deeds of Trust and Other Loan Instruments dated as of October 6, 2004 by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as
     borrower, and Guaranty Bank, a federal savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as lender.
10.10(4)    Revolving Line of Credit Loan Agreement (Borrowing Base Loan) by and between California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, and William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, dated as of September 21, 2000.
10.11(17)    Agreement to Modify Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and Deed of Trust, dated as of September 18, 2002, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, as lender.
10.12(5)    Second Agreement to Modify Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and Deed of Trust, dated as of December 13, 2002, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, as lender.
10.13(3)    Third Agreement to Modify Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and Deed of Trust, dated as of January 26, 2004, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, as borrower, and California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, as lender.
10.14(11)    Amended and Restated Revolving Line of Credit Loan Agreement dated September 16, 2004 by and between California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, and William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation.
10.15(7)    Mortgage Warehouse Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 1, 2003 between Duxford Financial, Inc., and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and First Tennessee Bank as Lender.
10.16(10)    Mortgage Warehouse Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 1, 2004 between Duxford Financial, Inc., and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and First Tennessee Bank as Lender.
10.17(8)    Credit Agreement dated August 29, 2003 between Duxford Financial, Inc. and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and Guaranty Bank as Lender.
10.18(3)      Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement dated as of January 27, 2004 between Duxford Financial, Inc. and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and Guaranty Bank as Lender.
10.19(15)    First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 27, 2004 between Duxford Financial, Inc. and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and Guaranty Bank as Lender.
10.20(13)    Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 2004 between Duxford Financial, Inc. and Bayport Mortgage, L.P. as Borrower and Guaranty Bank as Lender.


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10.21(9)    Revolving Line of Credit Loan Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2003, by and among Moffett Meadows Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as borrower, and California Bank & Trust, a California banking corporation, and the other financial institutions named therein, as lenders.
10.22(9)    Joinder Agreement to Reimbursement and Indemnity Agreement, entered into as of March 25, 2003, by William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation.
10.23(10)    Borrowing Base Revolving Line of Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2004, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, and Bank One, NA, a national banking association.
10.24(15)    Modification Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2004, by and between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (successor by merger to Bank One, NA, a national banking association).
10.25(18)    Form of Indemnity Agreement, between William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation, and the directors and officers of William Lyon Homes.
10.26(18)    Property Management Agreement between Corporate Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation (Owner) and William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation (Manager) dated and effective November 5, 1999.
10.27(18)    Warranty Service Agreement between Corporate Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation and William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation dated and effective November 5, 1999.
10.28(4)    Option Agreement and Escrow Instructions between William Lyon Homes, Inc., a California corporation and Lathrop Investment, L.P., a California limited partnership, dated as of October 24, 2000.
10.29(19)    William Lyon Homes 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.30(20)    Form of Stock Option Agreements.
10.31(20)    William Lyon Homes, Inc. 2000 Cash Bonus Plan.
10.32(20)    Standard Industrial/Commercial Single-Tenant Lease – Net between William Lyon Homes, Inc. and a trust of which William H. Lyon is the sole beneficiary.
10.33(21)    William Lyon Homes Executive Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of February 11, 2002.
10.34(22)    William Lyon Homes Outside Directors Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of February 11, 2002.
10.35(5)    The Presley Companies Non-Qualified Retirement Plan for Outside Directors.
10.36(16)    William Lyon Homes 2004 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
10.37(16)    William Lyon Homes 2004 Outside Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.
10.38(3)    Underwriting Agreement dated as of March 12, 2003 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and UBS Warburg, LLC and Salomon Smith Barney Inc., as Underwriters.
10.39(3)    Purchase Agreement dated as of January 28, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and UBS Securities LLC, as Initial Purchaser.
10.40(3)    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 6, 2004 by and among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and UBS Securities LLC, as Initial Purchaser.
10.41(13)    Purchase Agreement dated as of November 15, 2004 among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and UBS Securities LLC, as Initial Purchaser.
10.42(14)    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 22, 2004 by and among William Lyon Homes, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and UBS Securities LLC, as Initial Purchaser.
12.1    Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
21.1    List of Subsidiaries of William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation.
23.1      Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


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32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(1)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K of William Lyon Homes, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) filed January 5, 2000 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(2)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, and amendments thereto (SEC Registration No. 333-88569), and incorporated herein by this reference.
(3)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2000 and incorporated herein by this reference
(5)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(6)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2001 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(7)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(8)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(9)   Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114691) filed July 15, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(10)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(11)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 22, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(12)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 18, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(13)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 19, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(14)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 23, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(15)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC Registration No. 333-121346) filed December 16, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(16)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(17)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(18)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(19)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC Registration No. 333-50232), and incorporated herein by this reference.
(20)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(21)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC Registration No. 333-82448), and incorporated herein by this reference.
(22)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(23)   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by this reference.
(24)   Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC Registration No. 333-121346) filed January 10, 2005 and incorporated herein by this reference.