Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

May 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

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

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

We consider all highly liquid short-term investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents totaled $465.2 million at May 31, 2018 and $481.1 million at November 30, 2017. At May 31, 2018 and November 30, 2017, the majority of our cash and cash equivalents was invested in interest-bearing bank deposit accounts.

Presentation of Comprehensive Income

Our comprehensive income was $57.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2018 and $31.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2017. Our comprehensive loss for the six months ended May 31, 2018 was $13.9 million. For the six months ended May 31, 2017, our comprehensive income was $46.0 million. Our comprehensive income (loss) for each of the three-month and six-month periods ended May 31, 2018 and 2017 was equal to our net income (loss) for the respective periods.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue guidance in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” most industry-specific revenue and cost guidance throughout the industry topics of the accounting standards codification, and some cost guidance related to construction-type and production-type contracts. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a principles-based, five-step model to be applied to contracts with customers in determining the timing and amount of revenue to recognize: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, if applicable; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments (collectively, “ASC 606”) are effective for us beginning December 1, 2018. We intend to adopt ASC 606 under the modified retrospective method applied to contracts that are not complete as of the date of adoption. As a result, we expect to record a cumulative adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of December 1, 2018. We do not expect the adoption of ASC 606 to have a material impact on our recognition of homebuilding revenues in our consolidated financial statements. The primary impacts to our consolidated financial statements are expected to be the following:

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Within our homebuilding operations, ASC 606 will impact the classification and timing of recognition in our consolidated financial statements of certain community sales office, model and other marketing-related costs, which we currently capitalize to inventories and amortize through construction and land costs with each home delivered in a community. Under ASC 606, these costs will be capitalized to property and equipment and depreciated to selling, general and administrative expenses, or will be expensed when incurred. Upon adopting ASC 606, we will reclassify certain of these community sales office, model and other marketing-related costs from inventories to property and equipment in our consolidated financial statements. The change in the classification and timing of these costs will also result in lower construction and land costs, and higher selling, general and administrative expenses, as compared to amounts reported under the existing guidance. In addition, under ASC 606, forfeited customer deposits, which are currently reflected as other income, will be included in revenues.

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Within our financial services operations, ASC 606 will impact the timing of recognition of insurance commissions for insurance policy renewals. We currently recognize insurance commissions for renewals as revenue only when policies are renewed. Under ASC 606, insurance commissions for estimated future renewals will be recognized as revenue when the customer executes an initial insurance policy with the insurance carrier. Upon adopting ASC 606, we will record a contract asset for the revenues that would have been recognized in previous periods for existing policies as of December 1, 2018.

We are in the process of quantifying the above-mentioned items. While individual financial statement line items may be affected, we currently believe the adoption of ASC 606 will not have a material impact on our consolidated net income. We are also continuing to evaluate the impact that adopting this guidance may have on other aspects of our business.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 will require lessees to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. Under this guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current GAAP. In addition, disclosures of leasing activities are to be expanded to include qualitative along with specific quantitative information. ASU 2016-02 is effective for us beginning December 1, 2019 (with early adoption permitted), and mandates a modified retrospective transition method. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-02, “Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”), which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), and requires certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. ASU 2018-02 is effective for us beginning December 1, 2019 (with early adoption permitted), and shall be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the corporate income tax rate in the TCJA is recognized. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2018-07”), which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include all share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. ASU 2018-07 specifies that Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which the grantor acquires goods and services to be used or consumed in its own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. ASU 2018-07 also clarifies that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under ASC 606. ASU 2018-07 is effective for us beginning December 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, but no earlier than our adoption of ASC 606. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements

Accounting Standards Codification Topic No.280, Segment Reporting

We have identified five operating reporting segments, comprised of four homebuilding reporting segments and one financial services reporting segment. As of May 31, 2018, our homebuilding reporting segments conducted ongoing operations in the following states:

West Coast: California

Southwest: Arizona and Nevada

Central: Colorado and Texas

Southeast: Florida and North Carolina

Our homebuilding reporting segments are engaged in the acquisition and development of land primarily for residential purposes and offer a wide variety of homes that are designed to appeal to first-time, first move-up and active adult homebuyers. Our homebuilding operations generate most of their revenues from the delivery of completed homes to homebuyers. They also earn revenues from the sale of land.

Our homebuilding reporting segments were identified based primarily on similarities in economic and geographic characteristics, product types, regulatory environments, methods used to sell and construct homes and land acquisition characteristics. Management evaluates segment performance primarily based on segment pretax results.

Our financial services reporting segment offers property and casualty insurance and, in certain instances, earthquake, flood and personal property insurance to our homebuyers in the same markets as our homebuilding reporting segments, and provides title services in the majority of our markets located within our Central and Southeast homebuilding reporting segments. This segment earns revenues primarily from insurance commissions and from the provision of title services.

In 2016, a subsidiary of ours and a subsidiary of Stearns Lending, LLC (“Stearns”) formed KBHS Home Loans, LLC (“KBHS”), an unconsolidated mortgage banking joint venture to offer mortgage banking services, including mortgage loan originations, to our homebuyers. We and Stearns each have a 50.0% ownership interest in KBHS, with Stearns providing management oversight of KBHS’ operations. KBHS was operational in all of our served markets as of June 2017. The financial services reporting segment is separately reported in our consolidated financial statements.

Corporate and other is a non-operating segment that develops and oversees the implementation of company-wide strategic initiatives and provides support to our reporting segments by centralizing certain administrative functions. Corporate management is responsible for, among other things, evaluating and selecting the geographic markets in which we operate, consistent with our overall business strategy; allocating capital resources to markets for land acquisition and development activities; making major personnel decisions related to employee compensation and benefits; and monitoring the financial and operational performance of our divisions. Corporate and other includes general and administrative expenses related to operating our corporate headquarters. A portion of the expenses incurred by Corporate and other is allocated to our homebuilding reporting segments.

Our reporting segments follow the same accounting policies used for our consolidated financial statements. The results of each reporting segment are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the segment been an independent, stand-alone entity during the periods presented, nor are they indicative of the results to be expected in future periods.

Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 260, Earnings Per Share

We compute earnings (loss) per share using the two-class method, which is an allocation of earnings (losses) between the holders of common stock and a company’s participating security holders. Our outstanding nonvested shares of restricted stock contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and, therefore, are considered participating securities for purposes of computing earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. We had no other participating securities at May 31, 2018 or 2017.

Property, Plant and Equipment (ASC 360)

Each community or land parcel in our owned inventory is assessed on a quarterly basis to determine if indicators of potential impairment exist. We record an inventory impairment charge on a community or land parcel that is active or held for future development when indicators of potential impairment exist and the carrying value of the real estate asset is greater than the undiscounted future net cash flows the asset is expected to generate. These real estate assets are written down to fair value, which is primarily determined based on the estimated future net cash flows discounted for inherent risk associated with each such asset, or other valuation techniques. We record an inventory impairment charge on land held for sale when the carrying value of a land parcel is greater than its fair value. These real estate assets are written down to fair value, less associated costs to sell. The estimated fair values of such assets are generally based on bona fide letters of intent from outside parties, executed sales contracts, broker quotes or similar information.

Accounting Standards Codification Topic No.810, Consolidation (ASC 810)

We participate in joint ventures from time to time that conduct land acquisition, land development and/or other homebuilding activities in various markets where our homebuilding operations are located. Our investments in these joint ventures may create a variable interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), depending on the contractual terms of the arrangement. We analyze our joint ventures under the variable interest model to determine whether they are VIEs and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary. Based on our analyses, we determined that one of our joint ventures at May 31, 2018 and November 30, 2017 was a VIE, but we were not the primary beneficiary of the VIE. All of our joint ventures at May 31, 2018 and November 30, 2017 were unconsolidated and accounted for under the equity method because we did not have a controlling financial interest.

Land Option Contracts and Other Similar Contracts. In the ordinary course of our business, we enter into land option contracts and other similar contracts with third parties and unconsolidated entities to acquire rights to land for the construction of homes. Under these contracts, we typically make a specified option payment or earnest money deposit in consideration for the right to purchase land in the future, usually at a predetermined price. We analyze each of our land option contracts and other similar contracts under the variable interest model to determine whether the land seller is a VIE and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary. Although we do not have legal title to the underlying land, we are required to consolidate a VIE if we are the primary beneficiary. As a result of our analyses, we determined that as of May 31, 2018 and November 30, 2017, we were not the primary beneficiary of any VIEs from which we have acquired rights to land under land option contracts and other similar contracts.

Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 470, Debt (ASC 470)

For land option contracts and other similar contracts where the land seller entity is not required to be consolidated under the variable interest model, we consider whether such contracts should be accounted for as financing arrangements. Land option contracts and other similar contracts that may be considered financing arrangements include those we enter into with third-party land financiers or developers in conjunction with such third parties acquiring a specific land parcel(s) on our behalf, at our direction, and those with other landowners where we or our designee make improvements to the optioned land parcel(s) during the applicable option period. For these land option contracts and other similar contracts, we record the remaining purchase price of the associated land parcel(s) in inventories in our consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding financing obligation if we determine that we are effectively compelled to exercise the option to purchase the land parcel(s). In making this determination with respect to a land option contract or other similar contract, we consider the non-refundable deposit(s) we have made and any non-reimbursable expenditures we have incurred for land improvement activities or other items up to the assessment date; additional costs associated with abandoning the contract; and our commitments, if any, to incur non-reimbursable costs associated with the contract. As a result of our evaluations of land option contracts and other similar contracts for financing arrangements, we recorded inventories in our consolidated balance sheets, with a corresponding increase to accrued expenses and other liabilities, of $23.2 million at May 31, 2018 and $5.7 million at November 30, 2017.

Income Taxes (ASC 740)

We evaluate our deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if adjustments to our valuation allowance are required based on the consideration of all available positive and negative evidence using a “more likely than not” standard with respect to whether deferred tax assets will be realized. Our evaluation considers, among other factors, our historical operating results, our expectation of future profitability, the duration of the applicable statutory carryforward periods, and conditions in the housing market and the broader economy. The ultimate realization of our deferred tax assets depends primarily on our ability to generate future taxable income during the periods in which the related deferred tax assets become deductible. The value of our deferred tax assets depends on applicable income tax rates

Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

Fair value measurements of assets and liabilities are categorized based on the following hierarchy:



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

Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 460, Guarantees

Guarantees. In the normal course of our business, we issue certain representations, warranties and guarantees related to our home sales and land sales. Based on historical experience, we do not believe any potential liability with respect to these representations, warranties or guarantees would be material to our consolidated financial statements.

Self-Insurance

Self-Insurance. We maintain, and require the majority of our independent subcontractors to maintain, general liability insurance (including construction defect and bodily injury coverage) and workers’ compensation insurance. These insurance policies protect us against a portion of our risk of loss from claims related to our homebuilding activities, subject to certain self-insured retentions, deductibles and other coverage limits. We also maintain certain other insurance policies. In Arizona, California, Colorado and Nevada, our subcontractors’ general liability insurance primarily takes the form of a wrap-up policy under a program where eligible independent subcontractors are enrolled as insureds on each community. Enrolled subcontractors contribute toward the cost of the insurance and agree to pay a contractual amount in the future if there is a claim related to their work. To the extent provided under the wrap-up program, we absorb the enrolled subcontractors’ general liability associated with the work performed on our homes within the applicable community as part of our overall general liability insurance and our self-insurance.

We self-insure a portion of our overall risk through the use of a captive insurance subsidiary, which provides coverage for our exposure to construction defect, bodily injury and property damage claims and related litigation or regulatory actions, up to certain limits. Our self-insurance liability generally covers our costs of settlements and/or repairs, if any, as well as our costs to defend and resolve the following types of claims:

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Construction defect: Construction defect claims, which represent the largest component of our self-insurance liability, typically originate through a legal or regulatory process rather than directly by a homeowner and involve the alleged occurrence of a condition affecting two or more homes within the same community, or they involve a common area or homeowners’ association property within a community. These claims typically involve higher costs to resolve than individual homeowner warranty claims, and the rate of claims is highly variable.


•	Bodily injury: Bodily injury claims typically involve individuals (other than our employees) who claim they were injured while on our property or as a result of our operations.


•	Property damage: Property damage claims generally involve claims by third parties for alleged damage to real or personal property as a result of our operations. Such claims may occasionally include those made against us by owners of property located near our communities.

Our self-insurance liability at each reporting date represents the estimated costs of reported claims, claims incurred but not yet reported, and claim adjustment expenses. The amount of our self-insurance liability is based on an analysis performed by a third-party actuary that uses our historical claim and expense data, as well as industry data to estimate these overall costs. Key assumptions used in developing these estimates include claim frequencies, severities and resolution patterns, which can occur over an extended period of time. These estimates are subject to variability due to the length of time between the delivery of a home to a homebuyer and when a construction defect claim is made, and the ultimate resolution of such claim; uncertainties regarding such claims relative to our markets and the types of product we build; and legal or regulatory actions and/or interpretations, among other factors. Due to the degree of judgment involved and the potential for variability in these underlying assumptions, our actual future costs could differ from those estimated. In addition, changes in the frequency and severity of reported claims and the estimates to resolve claims can impact the trends and assumptions used in the actuarial analysis, which could be material to our consolidated financial statements. Though state regulations vary, construction defect claims are reported and resolved over a long period of time, which can extend for 10 years or more. As a result, the majority of the estimated self-insurance liability based on the actuarial analysis relates to claims incurred but not yet reported. Therefore, adjustments related to individual existing claims generally do not significantly impact the overall estimated liability. Adjustments to our liabilities related to homes delivered in prior years are recorded in the period in which a change in our estimate occurs.

Our self-insurance liability is presented on a gross basis without consideration of insurance recoveries and amounts we have paid on behalf of and expect to recover from other parties, if any. Estimated probable insurance and other recoveries of $64.2 million and $71.3 million are included in receivables in our consolidated balance sheets at May 31, 2018 and November 30, 2017, respectively. These self-insurance recoveries are principally based on actuarially determined amounts and depend on various factors, including, among other things, the above-described claim cost estimates, our insurance policy coverage limits for the applicable policy year(s), historical third-party recovery rates, insurance industry practices, the regulatory environment, and legal precedent, and are subject to a high degree of variability from period to period. Because of the inherent uncertainty and variability in these assumptions, our actual insurance recoveries could differ significantly from amounts currently estimated.

Warranty

Warranty. We provide a limited warranty on all of our homes. The specific terms and conditions of our limited warranty program vary depending upon the markets in which we do business. We generally provide a structural warranty of 10 years, a warranty on electrical, heating, cooling, plumbing and certain other building systems each varying from two to five years based on geographic market and state law, and a warranty of one year for other components of the home. Our limited warranty program is ordinarily how we respond to and account for homeowners’ requests to local division offices seeking repairs of certain conditions or defects, including claims where we could have liability under applicable state statutes or tort law for a defective condition in or damages to a home. Our warranty liability covers our costs of repairs associated with homeowner claims made under our limited warranty program. These claims are generally made directly by a homeowner and involve their individual home.

We estimate the costs that may be incurred under each limited warranty and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the revenue associated with the sale of each home is recognized. Our primary assumption in estimating the amounts we accrue for warranty costs is that historical claims experience is a strong indicator of future claims experience. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of homes delivered, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. We periodically assess the adequacy of our accrued warranty liability, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, and adjust the amount as necessary based on our assessment. Our assessment includes the review of our actual warranty costs incurred to identify trends and changes in our warranty claims experience, and considers our home construction quality and customer service initiatives and outside events. While we believe the warranty liability currently reflected in our consolidated balance sheets to be adequate, unanticipated changes or developments in the legal environment, local weather, land or environmental conditions, quality of materials or methods used in the construction of homes or customer service practices and/or our warranty claims experience could have a significant impact on our actual warranty costs in future periods and such amounts could differ significantly from our current estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation (ASC 718)

We estimate the grant-date fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncement. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”), which simplified several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, treatment of forfeitures, and statutory withholding requirements. We adopted this guidance effective December 1, 2017. ASU 2016-09 requires excess tax benefits and deficiencies from stock-based compensation awards to be recognized prospectively in our consolidated statements of operations as a component of income tax expense, whereas these items were previously recorded in paid-in capital in our consolidated balance sheets. This guidance also requires excess tax benefits to be classified within operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. We previously recognized excess tax benefits as a cash inflow from financing activities and a corresponding cash outflow from operating activities. In connection with the adoption of this guidance, we elected to continue to estimate forfeitures in calculating our stock-based compensation expense, rather than account for forfeitures as they occur. The impact of recognizing excess tax benefits and deficiencies in our consolidated statements of operations resulted in reductions in our income tax expense of $.2 million and $2.4 million for the three-month and six-month periods ended May 31, 2018, respectively. The remaining aspects of adopting this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.