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Revenue Recognition
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue Recognition REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue Recognition Accounting Pronouncement Adoption

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606 applying the modified retrospective method. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the FASB Accounting Standard Codification Topic 605 (“Topic 605”) in effect for the prior periods and are, therefore, not comparative.
The following practical expedients and optional disclosure exemptions available under Topic 606 have been applied:
1.
The Company applied the practical expedient in paragraph 606-10-65-1(h) of Topic 606, and did not restate contracts that were completed as of the date of initial application i.e. January 1, 2018.
2.
The Company applied the practical expedient in paragraph 606-10-65-1(f)(4) of Topic 606, and did not separately evaluate the effects of contract modifications. Instead, the Company reflected the aggregate effect of all the modifications that occurred before the initial application date, i.e. January 1, 2018.
3.
The Company applied the optional exemption in paragraph 606-10-50-14 of Topic 606, and has not disclosed the amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for the Real Estate property management business because the contracts to provide property management services are typically annual contracts and provide cancellation rights to customers.
4.
The Company applied the optional exemption in paragraph 606-10-50-14A of Topic 606, and has not disclosed the amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for the Real Estate development marketing business because the transaction prices in these contracts are comprised entirely of variable consideration based on the ultimate selling price of each unit in the subject property. The total contract transaction price is allocated to each unit in the subject property and recognized when the performance obligation, i.e. the sale of each unit, is satisfied. Accordingly, the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for the development marketing business represents variable consideration allocated entirely to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations.
The details of the significant changes and quantitative impact of the changes resulting in the adoption of Topic 606 are set out below.
Tobacco: The adoption of the new revenue standard had no impact on the timing of Tobacco revenue recognition. However, certain amounts previously classified as revenue, cost of sales and operating, selling, administrative and general expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of operations are classified differently beginning January 1, 2018. Certain amounts previously classified as other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017 were also reclassified.
Upon adoption of the new revenue standard, the Company elected to account for shipping and handling expenses that occur after the customer has obtained control of cigarettes as a fulfillment activity in cost of sales. Prior to the adoption of Topic 606, these costs were recorded as operating, selling, administrative and general expenses. In addition, the Company determined that payments to customers attributed to the sharing of sales data that were previously presented as operating, selling, administrative and general expenses do not constitute a distinct service under the new standard and are now presented as a reduction in Tobacco revenue.
Prior to the adoption of Topic 606, the Company’s allowance for expected sales returns, net of expected federal excise tax recoveries was presented in other current liabilities. Changes in the allowance for expected sales returns were reflected as a change in Tobacco revenue. Upon adoption of Topic 606, the Company records an allowance for goods estimated to be returned in other current liabilities and an associated receivable for anticipated federal excise tax refunds in other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the liability for sales returns continue to be reflected in Tobacco revenue, while changes in the receivable associated with expected federal excise tax refunds on returns are reflected in Tobacco cost of sales.
Real Estate. Certain services and advanced payments in the Company’s Real Estate development marketing business do not meet the requirements for revenue recognition as a separate performance obligation. Accordingly, these revenues, previously recognized, have been deferred under the new standard until the performance obligation is met. In addition, certain direct fulfillment costs in its Real Estate development marketing business that were previously expensed upon payment, have now been deferred under the new standard until the performance obligation is met. Certain expense reimbursements, previously recorded as a reduction of operating expense, are now presented as revenue under Topic 606 as the Company is the principal in the related transaction.
Some real estate brokerage commercial leasing contracts specify extended payment terms for commission payments. Under Topic 606, revenue is recognized at the time the performance obligation is satisfied, including any amounts of future payments for extended payment terms. Accordingly, these future payments, previously recognized as revenue upon receipt, have been accrued under the new standard when the performance obligation is satisfied.

Impacts on Financial Statements on January 1, 2018:
The following tables summarize the impacts of Topic 606 adoption on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As Previously Reported
 
Adjustments
 
As Revised
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Tobacco
 
Real Estate
 
January 1, 2018
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable - trade, net
 
$
29,481

 
$

 
$
4,514

(2) 
$
33,995

Other current assets
 
21,121

 
2,525

(1) 
5,124

(3) 
28,770

Total current assets
 
613,709

 
2,525

 
9,638

 
625,872

Other assets
 
36,786

 

 
9,512

(3) 
46,298

Total assets
 
$
1,328,278

 
$
2,525

 
$
19,150

 
$
1,349,953

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other current liabilities
 
$
157,123

 
$
2,525

(1) 
$
7,806

(2)(4) 
$
167,454

Total current liabilities
 
204,639

 
2,525

 
7,806

 
214,970

Deferred income taxes, net
 
58,801

 

 
(3,224
)
(5) 
55,577

Other liabilities
 
22,380

 

 
27,983

(4) 
50,363

Total liabilities
 
1,660,038

 
2,525

 
32,565

 
1,695,128

Accumulated deficit
 
(414,785
)
 

 
(8,521
)
 
(423,306
)
Total Vector Group Ltd. stockholders' deficiency
 
(413,919
)
 

 
(8,521
)
(6) 
(422,440
)
Non-controlling interest
 
82,159

 

 
(4,894
)
(6) 
77,265

Total stockholders' deficiency
 
(331,760
)
 

 
(13,415
)
(7) 
(345,175
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency
 
$
1,328,278

 
$
2,525

 
$
19,150

 
$
1,349,953

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) 
Adjustments to other current assets and other current liabilities for $2,525 relates to the presentation as a receivable the component of the allowance for sales returns representing the federal excise tax refunds expected for future returned product as a receivable in other current assets, which was previously presented as a reduction to the allowance for sales returns liability in other current liabilities.
(2) 
Adjustments of $4,514 to accounts receivable and $3,139 to other current liabilities relate to commission receivables and commissions payable from the Real Estate commercial leasing contracts for which the performance obligation has been satisfied, have extended payment terms and are expected to be received and paid in the next twelve-months.
(3) 
Adjustments of $5,124 to other current assets and $9,512 to other assets, initially reported as $623 to other current assets and $3,740 to other assets was revised during the year, represents the current and noncurrent portions, respectively, of deferred contract costs relating to direct fulfillment costs incurred in advance of the satisfaction of performance obligations for Development Marketing arrangements.
(4) 
Adjustments of $4,667 to other current liabilities and $27,983 to other liabilities relate to the current and long term portions, respectively, of contract liabilities representing payments received from customers in advance of the performance obligations being satisfied under contracts for Real Estate development marketing.
(5) 
Adjustment reflects the tax effect of the adoption of Topic 606 which was estimated to result in a decrease in net deferred income tax liability of $3,224, based on a recalculation of the income tax provision using the Company’s deferred rate of approximately 27.26%. The adjustment initially reported as $5,217 was revised during the year,
(6) 
The allocation of the net impact of the adoption of Topic 606 between accumulated deficit and non-controlling interest is based on relative ownership interest of 70.59% and 29.41%, respectively.
(7) 
Adjustment of $13,415 to increase opening stockholders’ deficiency, initially reported as $21,695 was revised during the year, represents the cumulative impact of adopting Topic 606 which resulted in an increase to opening stockholders’ deficiency, allocated to increases in accumulated deficit and decreases in non-controlling interest as of January 1, 2018.


Impacts on Financial Statements at December 31, 2018:
The following table compares the reported condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, to the pro-forma amounts had the previous guidance been in effect:
 
As Reported
 
Pro forma as if the previous accounting guidance were in effect
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable - trade, net
$
34,246

 
$
32,196

 
$
2,050

(1) 
Other current assets
26,351

 
17,085

 
9,266

(2)(3) 
Total current assets
872,221

 
860,905

 
11,316

 
Other assets
60,177

 
47,068

 
13,109

(3) 
Total assets
$
1,549,504

 
$
1,525,079

 
$
24,425

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income taxes payable, net
$
5,252

 
$
5,375

 
$
(123
)
(6) 
Other current liabilities
179,153

 
168,905

 
10,248

(1)(2)(4) 
Total current liabilities
484,920

 
474,795

 
10,125

 
Deferred income taxes, net
37,411

 
40,563

 
(3,152
)
(5) 
Other liabilities
63,588

 
33,143

 
30,445

(4) 
Total liabilities
2,096,870

 
2,059,452

 
37,418

 
Stockholders' deficiency:
 
 
 
 

 
Accumulated deficit
(542,169
)
 
(533,961
)
 
(8,208
)
(6) 
Total Vector Group Ltd. stockholders' deficiency
(548,059
)
 
(539,851
)
 
(8,208
)
 
Non-controlling interest
693

 
5,478

 
(4,785
)
(6) 
Total stockholders' deficiency
(547,366
)
 
(534,373
)
 
(12,993
)
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency
$
1,549,504

 
$
1,525,079

 
$
24,425

 

(1) 
Adjustments of $2,050 to accounts receivable and $1,082 to other current liabilities relate to commission receivables and commissions payable from the Real Estate commercial leasing contracts for which the performance obligation has been satisfied, have extended payment terms and are expected to be received and paid in the next twelve-months.
(2) 
Adjustments to other current assets and other current liabilities for $2,095 relate to the presentation of the component of the allowance for sales returns representing the federal excise tax refunds expected for future returned product as a receivable in other current assets, which was previously presented as a reduction to the allowance for sales returns liability in other current liabilities.
(3) 
Adjustments of $7,171 to other current assets and $13,109 to other assets represents the current and noncurrent portions, respectively, of deferred contract costs relating to direct fulfillment costs incurred in advance of the satisfaction of performance obligations for Development Marketing arrangements.
(4) 
Adjustments of $7,071 to other current liabilities and $30,445 to other liabilities relate to the current and long term portions, respectively, of contract liabilities representing payments received from customers in advance of the performance obligations being satisfied under contracts for Real Estate development marketing.
(5) 
Adjustments reflect the tax effect of the adoption of Topic 606 based on a recalculation of the income tax provision using the estimated annual effective tax rate of approximately 35.49% and the Company’s deferred rate approximately 27.26%.
(6) 
The allocation of the net impact of the adoption of Topic 606 between accumulated deficit and non-controlling interest is based on relative ownership interest of 70.59% and 29.41%, respectively.







The following table compares the reported condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, to the pro-forma amounts had the previous guidance been in effect:
 
As Reported
 
Pro forma as if the previous accounting guidance were in effect
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Tobacco
$
1,111,094

 
$
1,112,733

 
$
(1,639
)
 
   Real estate
759,168

 
765,549

 
(6,381
)
 
       Total revenues
1,870,262

 
1,878,282

 
(8,020
)
(1) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Tobacco
787,251

 
781,163

 
6,088

 
      Real estate
505,233

 
512,744

 
(7,511
)
 
       Total cost of sales
1,292,484

 
1,293,907

 
(1,423
)
(2) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
355,513

 
362,481

 
(6,968
)
(3) 
Operating income
224,049

 
223,678

 
371

 
Income before provision for income taxes
79,559

 
79,188

 
371

 
Income tax expense
21,552

 
21,501

 
51

(4) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
58,007

 
57,687

 
320

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributed to non-controlling interest
98

 
207

 
(109
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
58,105

 
$
57,894

 
$
211

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per basic common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common share attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
0.37

 
$
0.36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per diluted common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common share attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
0.37

 
$
0.36

 
 
 
(1) 
The impact to revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 was a decrease of $8,020 primarily due to $4,677 of commission revenue payments received in the current period for the Real Estate Commercial Leasing business relating to performance obligations satisfied and accrued for in prior periods under Topic 606, and $20,385 in advance commission and reimbursable services payments received in the current period for the Real Estate Development Marketing business that are deferred since they do not constitute satisfied performance obligations under Topic 606. These decreases were offset by $18,683 in revenue recognized for performance obligations satisfied in the current period. Commission payments for these businesses would have been previously recognized as revenue upon receipt. Additionally, certain incentive payments to customers of the Tobacco business, approximating $2,069 for the period, that were previously classified as operating, selling, administrative and general expenses are now classified as a reduction in revenue under Topic 606. Also, the change in federal excise tax receivable component of the sales returns reserve, approximating $430 for the period, that was previously presented as a net impact to cost of sales of the Tobacco business is now presented on a gross basis as an adjustment to revenue.
(2) 
The impact to cost of sales was a decrease of $1,423 primarily related to the reclassification of $5,658 of Tobacco shipping and handling costs from operating, selling, administrative and general expenses to costs of sales as a result of adopting Topic 606, offset by a $7,511 decrease from the Real Estate business related primarily to commission expense payments made in the current period that relate to performance obligations satisfied and accrued for in prior periods or deferred until the performance obligation is satisfied.
(3) 
The impact to operating, selling, administrative and general expenses was a decrease of $6,968 primarily due to:
The reclassification of $5,658 Tobacco shipping and handling costs to cost of sales,
The reclassification of $2,069 incentive payments to customers to revenue for the Tobacco business,
The deferral of $18,322 of direct costs in the Real Estate Development Marketing business related to performance obligations not satisfied as discussed above, offset by the amortization of previously deferred contract costs of $12,678.
The reclassification of $949 of reimbursable service payments to revenue related to the Real Estate Development Marketing business.
(4) 
The net impact of the adoption of Topic 606 was estimated to result in an increase in income taxes of $51 based on a recalculation of the income tax provision using the estimated annual effective tax rate of approximately 35.49% and the Company’s deferred tax rate of approximately 27.26%.
The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact to the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Revenue Recognition Policies
Revenue is measured based on a consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes any sales incentives. Revenue is recognized when (a) an enforceable contract with a customer exists, that has commercial substance, and collection of substantially all consideration for services is probable; and (b) the performance obligations to the customer are satisfied either over time or at a point in time.
Tobacco sales:  Prior to the adoption of Topic 606, revenues from cigarette sales, which included federal excise taxes billed to customers, were recognized upon the shipment of finished goods when title and risk of loss had passed to the customer, there was persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sale price was fixed or determinable and collectability was reasonably assured. The Company provided an allowance for expected sales returns, net of any related cost recoveries (e.g. federal excise taxes). Certain sales incentives, including promotional price discounts, were presented as reductions of net sales. Shipping and handling fees related to sales transactions were recorded as operating, selling, administrative and general expenses.
After the adoption of Topic 606, revenue from cigarette sales, which include federal excise taxes billed to customers, are recognized upon shipment of cigarettes when control has passed to the customer. Average collection terms for Tobacco sales range between three and twelve days from the time that the cigarettes are shipped to the customer. The Company records an allowance for goods estimated to be returned in other current liabilities and the associated receivable for anticipated federal excise tax refunds in other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The allowance for returned goods is based principally on sales volumes and historical return rates. The estimated costs of sales incentives, including customer incentives and trade promotion activities, are based principally on historical experience and are accounted for as reductions in Tobacco revenue. Expected payments for sales incentives are included in other current liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company accounts for shipping and handling costs as fulfillment costs as part of cost of sales.
Real estate sales: Prior to the adoption of Topic 606, revenue was recognized only when persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed, the price was fixed or determinable, the transaction had been completed and collectability of the resulting receivable was reasonably assured. Real estate commissions earned by the Company’s real estate brokerage businesses were recorded as revenue upon the closing of a real estate sale or leasing transaction, as evidenced when the escrow or similar account was closed, the transaction documents have been recorded and funds were distributed to all appropriate parties. Agents’ commissions expense was recognized as cost of sales concurrently with related revenues. Property management fees were recorded as revenue when the related services were performed and the earnings process was complete. Title insurance commission fee revenue is earned when the sale of the title insurance policy is completed, which corresponds to the point in time when the underlying real estate sale transaction closes and the payment is received.
After the adoption of Topic 606, real estate commissions earned by the Company’s real estate brokerage businesses are recognized as revenue at the point in time that the real estate sale is completed or lease agreement is executed, which is the point in time that the performance obligation is satisfied. Any commission and other payments received in advance are deferred until the satisfaction of the performance obligation. Corresponding agent commission expenses, including any advance commission or other direct expense payments, are deferred and recognized as cost of sales concurrently with related revenues. The accounting for these commissions and other brokerage income under Topic 606 are largely consistent with the previous accounting for these transactions under Topic 605, except for customer arrangements in the development marketing business and extended payments terms that exist in some commercial leasing contracts.
The Company’s Real Estate revenue contracts with customers do not have multiple material performance obligations to customers under Topic 606, except for contracts in the Company’s development marketing business. Contracts in the development marketing business provide the Company with the exclusive right to sell units in a subject property for a commission fee per unit sold calculated as a percentage of the sales price of each unit. Accordingly, a performance obligation exists for each unit in the development marketing property under contract, and a portion of the total contract transaction price is allocated to and recognized at the time each unit is sold.
Under development marketing service arrangements, dedicated staff are required for a subject property and these costs are typically reimbursed from the customer through advance payments that sometimes are recoupable from future commission earnings.
Advance payments received and associated direct costs paid are deferred, allocated to each unit in the subject property, and recognized consistent with the pattern of value transferred to the customer, which is at the time of the completed sale of each unit. Under Topic 605 any advance payments received that were non-refundable were recognized as revenue when received. Similarly, under Topic 605 any non-refundable advance payments made of commission expenses and other direct costs were expensed when paid.
Development marketing service arrangements also include direct fulfillment costs incurred in advance of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company capitalizes costs incurred in fulfilling a contract with a customer if the fulfillment costs 1) relate directly to an existing contract or anticipated contract, 2) generate or enhance resources that will be used to satisfy performance obligations in the future, and 3) are expected to be recovered. These costs are amortized over the estimated customer relationship period which is the contract term. The Company uses an amortization method that is consistent with the pattern of transfer of goods or services to its customers by allocating these costs to each unit the subject property and expensing these costs as each unit is sold. Under Topic 605, these direct costs were expensed as incurred.
Revenue is recognized at the time the performance obligation is met for commercial leasing contracts, which is when the lease agreement is executed, as there are no further performance obligations, including any amounts of future payments under extended payment terms. Under Topic 605, these future payments were recognized as revenue upon receipt because collectibility might not have been reasonably assured at the time the performance obligation was met.
Property management revenue arrangements consist of providing operational and administrative services to manage a subject property. Fees for these services are typically billed and collected monthly. Property management service fees are recognized as revenue over time using the output method as the performance obligations under the customer arrangement are satisfied each month, which are largely consistent with the accounting practices under Topic 605.

Disaggregation of Revenue
In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by major product line for the Tobacco segment:
 
 
Year Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Tobacco Segment Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Core Discount Brands - Pyramid, EAGLE 20’s, Grand Prix, Liggett Select, and Eve
 
$
1,005,071

 
$
969,796

 
$
892,507

Other Brands
 
106,023

 
111,154

 
119,113

Total tobacco revenues
 
$
1,111,094

 
$
1,080,950

 
$
1,011,620


In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by major services line and primary geographical market for the Real Estate segment:

 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
Total
 
New York City
 
Northeast
 
Southeast
 
West
Real Estate Segment Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commission and other brokerage income
$
651,171

 
$
285,325

 
$
166,100

 
$
99,720

 
$
100,026

Development marketing
64,287

 
48,072

 
252

 
15,068

 
895

Property management income
33,350

 
32,635

 
715

 

 

Title fees
5,281

 

 
5,281

 

 

Total Douglas Elliman revenue
754,089

 
366,032

 
172,348

 
114,788

 
100,921

Other real estate revenues
5,079

 

 

 

 
5,079

  Total real estate revenues
$
759,168

 
$
366,032

 
$
172,348

 
$
114,788

 
$
106,000




 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Total
 
New York City
 
Northeast
 
Southeast
 
West
Real Estate Segment Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commission and other brokerage income
$
633,093

 
$
332,319

 
$
168,834

 
$
79,547

 
$
52,393

Development marketing
52,061

 
37,761

 
402

 
11,211

 
2,687

Property management income
31,924

 
31,224

 
700

 

 

Title fees
5,265

 

 
5,265

 

 

Total Douglas Elliman revenue
722,343

 
401,304

 
175,201

 
90,758

 
55,080

Other real estate revenues
5,021

 

 

 

 
5,021

  Total real estate revenues
$
727,364

 
$
401,304

 
$
175,201

 
$
90,758

 
$
60,101



 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Total
 
New York City
 
Northeast
 
Southeast
 
West
Real Estate Segment Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commission and other brokerage income
$
553,158

 
$
317,397

 
$
158,017

 
$
58,875

 
$
18,869

Development marketing
87,893

 
76,278

 
521

 
10,535

 
559

Property management income
29,883

 
29,241

 
642

 

 

Title fees
4,324

 

 
4,324

 

 

Total Douglas Elliman revenue
675,258

 
422,916

 
163,504

 
69,410

 
19,428

Other real estate revenues
4,847

 

 

 

 
4,847

  Total real estate revenues
$
680,105

 
$
422,916

 
$
163,504

 
$
69,410

 
$
24,275





The majority of the Company’s consolidated revenues are recognized at a point in time. A small portion of revenues from contracts with customers are earned by providing services, such as property management, and these performance obligations are satisfied over time.

 
Contract Balances
The following table provides information about receivables, contracts assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers:

 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
At Adoption
 
 
 
 
Receivables, which are included in accounts receivable - trade, net
$
2,050

 
$
4,514

Contract costs, net, which are included in other current assets
9,264

 
7,217

Payables, which are included in other current liabilities
1,082

 
3,139

Contract liabilities, which are included in other current liabilities
7,071

 
4,667

Contract costs, net, which are included in other assets
15,794

 
12,197

Contract liabilities, which are included in other liabilities
30,445

 
27,983

 
 
 
 


Receivables and payables relate to commission receivables and commissions payable from the Real Estate commercial leasing contracts for which the performance obligation has been satisfied, have extended payment terms for commission payments and are expected to be received and paid in the next twelve months. Receivables decreased $2,464 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to cash collections of $4,677, offset by additional revenue accrued as performance obligations are satisfied. Correspondingly, payables decreased $2,057 primarily due to cash payments of $2,837, offset by additional expense accruals as performance obligations are satisfied.

Contract costs relate to direct fulfillment costs incurred in advance of the satisfaction of the performance obligation for Development Marketing arrangements. The Company capitalizes costs incurred in fulfilling a contract with a customer if the fulfillment costs 1) relate directly to an existing contract or anticipated contract, 2) generate or enhance resources that will be used to satisfy performance obligations in the future, and 3) are expected to be recovered. These costs are amortized over the estimated customer relationship period consistent with the pattern of transfer of goods or services to its customers.
Contract liabilities relate to payments received in advance of the performance obligations being satisfied under the contract for the Real Estate development marketing and are recognized as revenue at the points in time when the Company performs under the contract. Performance obligations related to the Real Estate development marketing contracts are considered satisfied when each unit is closed. Development marketing projects tend to span 4 to 6 years from the time the Company enters into the contract with the developer to the time that all of the sales of the units in a subject property are closed. The timing for sales closings are dependent upon several external factors outside the Company’s control, including but not limited to, economic factors, seller and buyer actions, construction timing and other real estate market factors. Accordingly, all contract liabilities and contract costs associated with development marketing are considered long-term until closing dates for unit sales are scheduled. As of December 31, 2018, the Company estimates approximately $7,071 of contract liabilities will be recognized as revenue within the next twelve months.
Contract liabilities increased by $4,866 during the year ended December 31, 2018 due to $20,385 of advance payments received from customer prior to the satisfaction of performance obligations for Real Estate development marketing contracts, offset by revenue recognized for units sold during the year. Revenue recognized during the current reporting period that was included in the contract liabilities balance at January 1, 2018 was $12,135.
Topic 606 requires an entity to disclose the revenue recognized in the reporting period from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods (for example, due to changes in transaction price). For the year ended December 31, 2018, there was no revenue recognized relating to performance obligations satisfied or partially satisfied in prior periods.