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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Contingencies
In the ordinary course of doing business, we are subject to claims or proceedings from time to time relating to the purchase, development, and sale of real estate and homes and other aspects of our homebuilding operations. Management believes that these claims include usual obligations incurred by real estate developers and residential home builders in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, these matters will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We have provided unsecured environmental indemnities to certain lenders and other counterparties. In each case, we have performed due diligence on the potential environmental risks including obtaining an independent environmental review from outside environmental consultants. These indemnities obligate us 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, we may have recourse against other previous owners. In the ordinary course of doing business, we are subject to regulatory proceedings from time to time related to environmental and other matters. In the opinion of management, these matters will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Land Deposits
We have land purchase contracts, generally through cash deposits, for the right to purchase land or lots at a future point in time with predetermined terms. We do not have title to the property and obligations with respect to the land purchase contracts which are generally limited to the forfeiture of the related nonrefundable cash deposits. The following is a summary of our land purchase deposits included in pre-acquisition costs and deposits (in thousands, except for lot count):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Land deposits and option payments
 
$
17,761

 
$
9,954

Commitments under the land purchase contracts if the purchases are consummated
 
$
460,714

 
$
234,198

Lots under land purchase contracts
 
18,758

 
8,462


As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, approximately $8.4 million and $2.9 million of the land deposits are related to purchase contracts to deliver finished lots that are refundable under certain circumstances and secured by mortgages, letters of credit, or guaranteed by the seller or its affiliates.
Leasing Arrangements
We lease office facilities and certain equipment under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. Rent escalation provisions are accounted for using the straight-line method. Rent expense includes common area maintenance costs. Rent expense totaled $1.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating lease agreements are as follows at December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
2018
 
$
778

2019
 
596

2020
 
555

2021
 
567

2022
 
577

Thereafter
 
3,428

Total
 
$
6,501


Bonding and Letters of Credit
We have outstanding letters of credit and performance and surety bonds totaling $49.7 million (including $6.7 million under our revolving credit facility) and $29.8 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to our obligations for site improvements at various projects. Management does not believe that draws upon the letters of credit, surety bonds, or financial guarantees if any, will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.