e424b2

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of Each Class of Securities	Maximum Aggregate		Amount of
To Be Registered	Offering Price		Registration Fee
8.4% Senior Notes due 2017	$	230,000,000	$	12,834	(1)


(1)		A registration fee of $58,850 has already been paid by the registrant with respect to $500,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of securities that were previously registered pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-124000 filed by The Ryland Group, Inc. on April 11, 2005, and were not sold thereunder. Pursuant to Rule 457(p), the registrant is offsetting such amount that has already been paid against the $12,834 registration fee relating to the securities offered by this prospectus supplement.

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration Statement No. 333-157170

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated February 6, 2009)

$230,000,000

8.4% Senior Notes due 2017

We will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, starting on November 15, 2009. The notes will mature on May 15, 2017. We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time and from time to time prior to maturity at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement. See “Description of Notes — Redemption.”

Upon a change of control triggering event, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all outstanding notes at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date.

The notes will be our direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, ranking equally with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by substantially all of our direct and indirect wholly owned homebuilding subsidiaries. If we cannot make payments on the notes when they are due, the guarantor subsidiaries must make them instead.

Before buying any notes, you should read the discussion of risks beginning on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement and the “Risk Factors” section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.


	Per Note			Total
Public offering price		98.006	%	$	225,413,800
Underwriting discount		1.375	%	$	3,162,500
Proceeds, before expenses, to The Ryland Group, Inc.		96.631	%	$	222,251,300

The initial public offering price set forth above does not include accrued interest, if any. Interest on the notes will accrue from May 5, 2009 and must be paid by the purchaser if the notes are delivered after May 5, 2009.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about May 5, 2009.

Sole Book-Running Manager

Citi

Co-Managers


Barclays Capital		Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.		SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

The date of this prospectus supplement is April 30, 2009.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


	Page

Prospectus Supplement
Prospectus Supplement Summary		S-1
Risk Factors		S-3
Use of Proceeds		S-5
Description of Notes		S-6
Underwriting		S-16
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference		S-17
Legal Matters		S-17
Experts		S-17

Prospectus
Summary		1
How to Obtain More Information		3
Use of Proceeds		4
General Description of Securities		5
Plan of Distribution		19
Legal Matters		20
Experts		20

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. Neither we nor the underwriters are making any offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume the information provided by this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus supplement, the date on the front of the accompanying prospectus or the date of the applicable incorporated document, as the case may be.

When this prospectus supplement uses the words “Ryland,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” they refer to The Ryland Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

The following is a brief summary of the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read carefully the entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus including the “Risk Factors” sections and our financial statements and the notes to those statements incorporated by reference herein, before you decide to invest in the notes.

THE RYLAND GROUP, INC.

We are one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and mortgage-finance companies. We have building operations in 15 states and 19 homebuilding divisions across the United States. We have built more than 285,000 homes. Our mortgage company has provided mortgage-financing and related services for more than 235,000 homebuyers. Our operations span the significant aspects of the home-buying process — from design, construction and sale of single-family and multi-family homes to mortgage origination, title insurance, escrow and insurance services.

We are a Maryland corporation. Our headquarters are located at 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 400, Calabasas, California 91302. Our telephone number is (818) 223-7500. Our Web site is www.ryland.com. Information contained on our Web site is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

REAL ESTATE AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

We are significantly affected by fluctuations in economic activity, interest rates and levels of consumer confidence. The effects of these fluctuations differ among the various geographic markets in which we operate. Higher interest rates and the availability of homeowner financing may affect the ability of buyers to qualify for mortgage financing and decrease demand for new homes. As a result, rising interest rates generally will decrease our home sales and mortgage originations. In addition, a continued decline in the availability of mortgage products, due to the continued tightening of credit standards, negatively impacted our ability to attract homebuyers during 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. Our business is also affected by local economic conditions, such as employment rates, consumer confidence and housing demand, in the geographic markets in which we operate, all of which have experienced a significant decline in housing demand.

Inventory risk can be substantial for homebuilders. The market value of land, lots and housing inventories fluctuates as a result of changing market and economic conditions. We must continuously locate and acquire land not only for expansion into new markets, but also for replacement and expansion of land inventory within current markets. We employ various measures designed to control inventory risk, including a corporate land approval process and a continuous review by senior management. We cannot, however, assure that these measures will avoid or eliminate this risk, and we have experienced substantial losses from inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs in recent periods.

S-1

OFFERING SUMMARY


Issuer		The Ryland Group, Inc.

The Notes		$230,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.4% senior notes due 2017.

Maturity		May 15, 2017.

Payment of Interest		Interest on the notes, at the rate of 8.4% per year, will accrue from May 5, 2009 and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, starting on November 15, 2009.

Redemption		The notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes being redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury rate plus 50 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to the redemption date.

Ranking		The notes will be our direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, ranking equally with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding.

Guarantees		Payment of principal of and interest on the notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, by substantially all of our direct and indirect wholly owned homebuilding subsidiaries. The guarantees will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such subsidiaries.

Covenants		We have agreed to certain restrictions on secured debt, sale and leaseback transactions, mergers, consolidations and transfers of substantially all of our assets. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. See “Description of Notes — Certain Covenants.”

Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event		Upon a change of control triggering event, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all outstanding notes at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. See “Description of Notes — Certain Covenants — Change of Control Offer.”

Use of Proceeds		We estimate that we will receive approximately $222.3 million in net proceeds from this offering, before our expenses. We plan to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes for general corporate purposes.

Principal Executive Offices		Our headquarters are located at 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 400, Calabasas, California 91302. Our telephone number is (818) 223-7500.

S-2

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below before purchasing the notes. While our most significant risks and uncertainties are described below, these are not the only risks that we face. If any of the following actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed. You should carefully consider each of the risks and uncertainties below and all of the information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents we refer you to in the sections of the accompanying prospectus titled “How to Obtain More Information.”

Risks Related to the Notes

Because of our level of indebtedness, the value of the notes may decline.

At December 31, 2008, we had total consolidated homebuilding debt of approximately $768.3 million and a ratio of total consolidated homebuilding debt to stockholders’ equity of approximately 1.06 to 1.0. Of this amount, $746.0 million was senior indebtedness. At December 31, 2008, our financial services subsidiaries had outstanding debt of $22.1 million and our limited-purpose subsidiaries had no outstanding non-recourse debt.

Our ability to meet our debt service obligations will depend on our future performance, which, in turn, will be subject to general economic conditions and to financial, competitive, business and other factors. Many of these factors are beyond our control. Our level of indebtedness could restrict our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our debt, we may be required to seek refinancing for all or a portion of that debt or to obtain additional financing. We cannot assure you that refinancing would be possible or that we could obtain any additional financing on terms that are favorable or acceptable.

Our unsecured revolving credit facility and other senior debt instruments contain financial covenants that may restrict our operations. Significant losses in our homebuilding segment could result in the violation of one or more of these covenants. Our revolving credit facility is guaranteed by substantially all of our direct and indirect wholly owned homebuilding subsidiaries.

A significant portion of our homebuilding operations and all of our financial services business are conducted through subsidiaries. Accordingly, we derive a significant portion of our operating income and cash flows from our homebuilding and financial services subsidiaries, and rely on these subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to satisfy our debt obligations. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or otherwise make payments to us will be subject to, among other things, applicable state laws. We cannot assure you that we will be able to realize from these subsidiaries any funds required to meet our debt obligations.

Any indebtedness of our financial services segment or non-recourse indebtedness of our limited-purpose subsidiaries would be structurally senior to the notes.

Our financial services segment and a significant portion of our homebuilding operations are conducted through subsidiaries. Our right to receive assets of these subsidiaries upon the liquidation or recapitalization of any subsidiaries will be subject to the claims of the subsidiaries’ creditors, except to the extent that we are recognized as a creditor of the subsidiary. If we are recognized as a creditor, our claims would still be subject to any security interests in the assets of the subsidiary and any indebtedness of the subsidiary senior to its indebtedness to us. At December 31, 2008, we had outstanding financial services subsidiary debt of $22.1 million and no non-recourse limited-purpose subsidiary debt. Any debt incurred by our financial services segment or limited purpose subsidiaries would be structurally senior to the notes.

S-3

Because there is no established trading market for the notes, you may not be able to resell your notes.

The notes will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but will constitute a new issue of securities with no established trading market, and we cannot assure you as to:


	•	the liquidity of any trading market that may develop;

	•	the ability of holders to sell their notes;

	•	the price at which the holders would be able to sell their notes.

We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control triggering event.

Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event (as defined in “Description of the Notes”), each holder of notes will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of repurchase. If we experience a change of control triggering event, we cannot assure you that we would have sufficient financial resources available to satisfy our obligations to repurchase the notes. Our failure to repurchase the notes as required under the indenture governing the notes would result in a default under the indenture, which could result in defaults under our other debt agreements and have material adverse consequences for us and the holders of the notes. See “Description of Notes — Certain Covenants — Change of Control Offer.”

The terms of the indenture and the notes provide only limited protection against significant corporate events that could affect adversely your investment in the notes.

While the indenture and the notes contain terms intended to provide protection to holders upon the occurrence of certain events involving significant corporate transactions and our creditworthiness, these terms are limited and may not be sufficient to protect your investment in the notes. As described under “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants — Change of Control Offer,” upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event, holders are entitled to require us to repurchase their notes at 101% of their principal amount. However, the definition of the term “change of control triggering event” is limited and does not cover a variety of transactions (such as acquisitions by us or recapitalizations) that negatively could affect the value of your notes. If we were to enter into a significant corporate transaction that negatively affects the value of the notes, but would not constitute a change of control triggering event, you would not have any rights to require us to repurchase the notes prior to their maturity, which also would adversely affect your investment.

If a trading market were to develop, the notes might trade at higher or lower prices than their principal amount or purchase price, depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the market for similar notes and our financial performance.

We understand that the underwriters presently intend to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so, and any market-making activity with respect to the notes may be discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, any market-making activity will be subject to the limits imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and may be limited during the offering of the notes. We cannot assure you that an active trading market will exist for the notes or that any trading market that does develop will be liquid.

S-4

DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

The following description of the terms of the notes we are offering supplements, and to the extent it is inconsistent, replaces the descriptions of the general terms and provisions of our notes under the heading “General Description of Securities — Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. Certain terms used in the following description are defined either in this prospectus supplement under the caption “— Certain Definitions” or in the accompanying prospectus.

General

The notes will be general unsecured, senior debt of Ryland, will be issued in fully registered form in denominations that are integral multiples of $1,000, and will constitute a single series of debt securities for the purposes of the indenture. The notes are initially being offered in the aggregate principal amount of $230.0 million. We may, without the consent of the holders, increase this principal amount in the future, on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP numbers as the notes offered hereby. The notes offered by this prospectus supplement and additional notes, if any, will be treated as a single series of senior debt securities under the indenture and referred to collectively as the “notes.” “Additional notes,” if any, are notes issued under the indenture after the date of issuance.

We are issuing the notes under an indenture dated as of June 28, 1996, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee to Chemical Bank, as trustee, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture, an officers’ certificate or resolutions containing the terms of the notes adopted by our board of directors or an authorized committee of our board of directors. When we describe the indenture, we include the terms contained in the supplemental indenture, officers’ certificate or resolutions in our description. The notes are subject to all of these terms and you should read the indenture and any supplemental indenture for a full description of them.

The following description of the notes and the indenture are summaries and do not purport to be complete. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by express reference to the indenture. A copy of the indenture is on file with the SEC.

Interest

The notes will bear interest from May 5, 2009 at the rate shown on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, which dates we refer to as the “interest payment dates.” The first interest payment date will be November 15, 2009. Payments will be made to holders of record of the notes at the close of business on the May 1 and November 1 (whether or not a business day) immediately preceding each interest payment date. The notes will mature on May 15, 2017. Interest will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. There is no sinking fund applicable to the notes.

Guarantees

Payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior basis by the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each guarantee will be an unsecured and unsubordinated obligation of the Subsidiary Guarantor issuing such guarantee, ranking equal in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Subsidiary Guarantor will agree to pay, in addition to the amount stated above, any and all costs and expenses (including counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the trustee or the holders in enforcing any rights under the subsidiary guarantees. The subsidiary guarantees will be effectively subordinated to any secured Indebtedness of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor. The supplemental indenture provides that, in the event any guarantee would constitute or result in a violation of any applicable fraudulent conveyance or similar law of any relevant jurisdiction, the liability of the Subsidiary Guarantor under such guarantee shall be reduced to the maximum amount, after giving effect to all other contingent and other liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor, permissible under the applicable fraudulent conveyance or similar law.

S-6

As of December 31, 2008, the Subsidiary Guarantors had an aggregate of $746.0 million of Senior Indebtedness, none of which was secured. After giving effect to this offering, the Subsidiary Guarantors would have had $976.0 million of Senior Indebtedness. Although the indenture will limit the amount of secured Indebtedness that Restricted Subsidiaries may incur, such secured Indebtedness may be substantial.

In the event a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of its capital stock or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets (other than by lease)), and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving corporation in such transaction, to a Person which is not Ryland or a Restricted Subsidiary of Ryland, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under its guarantee if:


	•	the sale or other disposition is in compliance with the indenture; and

	•	all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under any agreements relating to any other Indebtedness of Ryland or its Restricted Subsidiaries terminate upon consummation of such transaction.

In addition, a Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under the indenture if such Subsidiary ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary (in compliance with the applicable provisions of the indenture).

Redemption

We may, at our option, redeem the notes in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on at least 30 but not more than 60 days’ prior notice, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:


	•	100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, and

	•	the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments on the notes being redeemed, discounted to the date of redemption, on a semiannual basis, at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points (0.50%).

We will also pay accrued interest on the notes being redeemed to the date of redemption. In determining the redemption price and accrued interest, interest will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the notes to be redeemed is deposited with the trustee on or before the redemption date, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption and such notes will cease to be outstanding.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Reference Treasury Dealer as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the notes.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations are provided to the Trustee, the average of all such quotations.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and its successors; provided, however, that, if any of the foregoing ceases to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to the Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the trustee by the Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to any note, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal (or of the portion) thereof to be redeemed and interest thereon that would be due after the related

S-7

redemption date but for such redemption; provided, however, that, if such redemption date is not an interest payment date with respect to such note, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

Global Securities

The notes will be represented by one or more global registered securities, registered in the name of a nominee of The Depositary Trust Company, or DTC, as depositary. The provisions set forth under “General Description of Securities — Description of Debt Securities — Global Securities” in the accompanying prospectus will be applicable to the notes. Accordingly, ownership of interests in the global securities will be shown on, and transfers of notes will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee and on the records of participants in DTC. Except as otherwise described under “General Description of Securities — Description of Debt Securities — Global Securities” in the accompanying prospectus, owners of beneficial interests in the global securities will not be entitled to receive notes in definitive form and will not be considered the holders of notes.

DTC has advised us and the underwriters in this offering that it is:


	•	a limited-purpose trust company organized under New York Banking Law;

	•	a “banking corporation” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

	•	a member of the Federal Reserve System;

	•	a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

	•	a “clearing agency” registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

DTC holds securities that persons having accounts with DTC deposit with it. DTC also facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom own DTC. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Under the terms of the indenture, we and the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the notes are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of and interest on the notes and for all other purposes whatsoever. Therefore, neither we, the trustee nor any paying agent has any direct responsibility or liability for the payment of principal of, or interest on, the notes to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities. DTC has advised us and the trustee that its current practice is, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest, to credit the accounts of the participants with payment in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interests in the global securities as shown in DTC’s records. Payments by participants and indirect participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of the participants or indirect participants.

Certain Covenants

In connection with the notes, we have not agreed to any financial covenants or any restrictions on the payment of dividends or the issuance or repurchase of our securities. We have agreed to no covenants or other provisions to protect holders of the notes in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, other than with respect to certain change in control transactions. See “— Change of Control Offer”

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Restrictions on Secured Debt

The indenture provides that we will not, and will not cause or permit a Restricted Subsidiary (as defined below) to, create, incur, assume or guarantee any Secured Debt (as defined below) unless the notes will be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Secured Debt, with certain exceptions. This restriction does not prohibit the creation, incurrence, assumption or guarantee of Secured Debt which is secured by:

(1) Security Interests (as defined below) on model homes, homes held for sale, homes that are under contract for sale, contracts for the sale of homes, land (improved or unimproved), manufacturing plants, warehouses or office buildings and fixtures and equipment located thereat, or thereon;

(2) Security Interests on property at the time of its acquisition by us or a Restricted Subsidiary, which Security Interests secure obligations assumed by us or a Restricted Subsidiary, or on the property of a corporation or other entity at the time it is merged into or consolidated with us or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Secured Debt created in contemplation of the acquisition of such property or the consummation of such a merger or where the Security Interest attaches to or affects our property or the property of a Restricted Subsidiary prior to such transaction);

(3) Security Interests arising from conditional sales agreements or title retention agreements with respect to property acquired by us or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(4) Security Interests securing Indebtedness (as defined below) of a Restricted Subsidiary owed to us or to another Restricted Subsidiary that is wholly owned (directly or indirectly) by us.

Additionally, such permitted Secured Debt includes any amendment, restatement, supplement, renewal, replacement, extension or refunding in whole or in part, of Secured Debt permitted at the time of the original incurrence thereof.

In addition, we and our Restricted Subsidiaries may create, incur, assume or guarantee Secured Debt, without equally or ratably securing the notes, if immediately thereafter the sum of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all Secured Debt outstanding (excluding Secured Debt permitted under clauses (1) through (4) above and any Secured Debt in relation to which the notes have been equally and ratably secured) and (2) all Attributable Debt (as defined below) in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions (as defined below) (excluding Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) under “— Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions”) as of the date of determination would not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined below).

The provisions described above with respect to limitations on Secured Debt are not applicable to Non-Recourse Land Financing (as defined below) by virtue of the definition of Secured Debt, and will not restrict or limit our or our Restricted Subsidiaries’ ability to create, incur, assume or guarantee any unsecured Indebtedness, or of any subsidiary which is not a Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or guarantee any secured or unsecured Indebtedness.

Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

The indenture provides that we will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, unless:

(1) notice is promptly given to the trustee of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction;

(2) fair value is received by us or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary for the property sold (as determined in good faith pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of Ryland delivered to the trustee); and

(3) we or a Restricted Subsidiary, within 365 days after the completion of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, apply or applies an amount equal to the net proceeds therefrom either:


	•	to the redemption, repayment or retirement of debt securities of any series under the indenture (including the cancellation by the trustee of any debt securities of any series delivered by Ryland to the trustee) or Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) of Ryland, or

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	•	to the purchase by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of property substantially similar to the property sold or transferred.

In addition, we and our Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if immediately thereafter the sum of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all Secured Debt outstanding (excluding Secured Debt permitted under clauses (1) through (4) described in “— Restrictions on Secured Debt,” above or Secured Debt in relation to which the notes have been equally and ratably secured) and (2) all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions (excluding Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above) as of the date of determination would not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Change of Control Offer

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless we have exercised our option to redeem the notes by notifying the noteholders to that effect as described above, we will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each holder of notes to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or integral multiples of that amount) of that holder’s notes on the terms set forth in the notes. In a Change of Control Offer, we will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased to the date of repurchase (a “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or, at our option, prior to any Change of Control, but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, a notice will be mailed to holders of the notes, describing the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the notes on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date that notice is mailed, other than as may be required by law (a “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice will, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the applicable Change of Control Payment Date.

On each Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:


	•	accept for payment all notes or portions of notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

	•	deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and

	•	deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of notes being repurchased and that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture to the Change of Control Offer and to the repurchase by us of notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer have been complied with.

We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and the third party repurchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

To the extent that we are required to offer to repurchase the notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, we may not have sufficient funds to repurchase the notes in cash at such time. In addition, our ability to repurchase the notes for cash may be limited by law or the terms of other agreements relating to our indebtedness outstanding at the time. The failure to make such repurchase would result in a default under the notes.

We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes, we will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes by virtue of any such conflict.

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For purposes of the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes, the following terms will be applicable:

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, other than our company or one of our subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any person becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of our outstanding Voting Stock or other Voting Stock into which our Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; (3) we consolidate with, or merge with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, us, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of our outstanding Voting Stock or the Voting Stock of such other person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of our Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving person or any direct or indirect parent company of the surviving person immediately after giving effect to such transaction; (4) the first day on which a majority of the members of our board of directors are not Continuing Directors; or (5) the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction (or series of related transactions) will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control under clause (2) above if we become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (a) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of our Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (b) the shares of our Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted into or exchanged for a majority of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately after giving effect to such transaction.

The term “person,” as used in this definition, has the meaning given thereto in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

The definition of “change of control” includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another person or group may be uncertain.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of our Board of Directors who (1) was a member of our Board of Directors on the date the notes were initially issued or (2) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to our Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of our Board of Directors at the time of the nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval of our proxy statement in which that member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to the nomination).

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by us.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if either of Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the applicable notes or fails to make a rating of the applicable notes publicly available for reasons beyond our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our Board of Directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or all of them, as the case may be.

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“Rating Event” means the rating on the notes is lowered by each of the Rating Agencies and the notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies, in any case on any day during the period (which period will be extended so long as the rating of the notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies) commencing 60 days prior to the earlier of (1) the first public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or (2) the first public notice of our intention to effect a Change of Control and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date, the capital stock of that person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of that person.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We will not consolidate or merge into or sell, assign, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets to another person unless:

(1) the person is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof;

(2) the person assumes by supplemental indenture all the obligations of Ryland relating to the notes; and

(3) immediately after the transaction no event of default with respect to the notes exists.

Upon any such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment or transfer, the successor corporation will be substituted for us under the indenture. The successor corporation may then exercise every power and right of ours under the indenture, and we will be released from all of our liabilities and obligations in respect of the notes and the indenture. If we lease all or substantially all of our assets, the lessee corporation will be the successor to us and may exercise every power and right of ours under the indenture, but we will not be released from our obligations to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the notes.

Events of Default

The following will be events of default with respect to the notes:


	•	default for a period of 30 days in payment of any interest on any note when due;

	•	default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on, any note when due;

	•	default in performance of any other covenant in the indenture with respect to the notes or in the notes which continues for 60 days after written notice to us by the trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes;

	•	the occurrence of any event that results in the acceleration of any of our or our Restricted Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness, other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness, that has an outstanding principal amount of $10 million or more in the aggregate;

	•	default in the payment of any principal or interest in respect of any of our or our Restricted Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness, other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness, that has an outstanding principal amount of $20 million or more and the continuation of that default for ten business days from the date the principal or interest payment became due and payable, after giving effect to any applicable grace period provided for in the documents governing the Indebtedness; and

	•	certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

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Defeasance and Discharge

Upon satisfaction of the requirements described below, we may terminate all of our obligations under the notes and the indenture, known as legal defeasance, other than our obligation:


	•	to maintain a registrar and paying agents and hold moneys for payment in trust;

	•	to register the transfer or exchange of the notes; and

	•	to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes.

In addition, we may terminate our obligations to comply with restrictive covenants, known as covenant defeasance, relating to restrictions on our ability to incur Secured Debt, enter into Sale and Leaseback Transactions, or merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of our assets, the operation of the cross default and cross acceleration provisions of the notes. This termination is known as covenant defeasance.

We may exercise our legal defeasance option even if we have previously exercised our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise either defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of the occurrence of events of default.

To exercise either defeasance option, we must irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee money and/or obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the United States that will provide money in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the outstanding notes. We may only establish this trust if, among other things:


	•	no event of default, or event that with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an event of default, shall have occurred or be continuing;

	•	we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the deposit shall not cause the trust so created to be subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

	•	in the case of legal defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or there has been a change in law, which in the opinion of our counsel, provides that the holders of the notes will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

	•	in the case of covenant defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the notes will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; and

	•	we satisfy other customary conditions precedent described in the indenture.

Certain Definitions

“Attributable Debt” means, in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the present value (discounted at the weighted average effective interest cost per annum of the outstanding debt securities of all series, compounded semiannually) of the obligation of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such transaction, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended or, if earlier, until the earliest date on which the lessee may terminate such lease upon payment of a penalty (in which case the obligation of the lessee for rental payments shall include such penalty), after excluding all amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water and utility rates and similar charges.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally

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accepted accounting principles, and the amount of such obligations will be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total amount of assets which would be included on a combined balance sheet of the Restricted Subsidiaries (not including Ryland) together with the total amount of assets that would be included on Ryland’s balance sheet, not including its subsidiaries, under generally accepted accounting principles (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom:

(1) all short-term liabilities, except for liabilities payable by their terms more than one year from the date of determination (or renewable or extendible at the option of the obligor for a period ending more than one year after such date) and liabilities in respect of retiree benefits other than pensions for which the Restricted Subsidiaries are required to accrue pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106;

(2) investments in subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(3) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount, unamortized expense incurred in the issuance of debt and other tangible assets.

“Financial Services Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary engaged in mortgage banking (including mortgage origination, loan servicing, mortgage brokerage and title and escrow businesses), master servicing and related activities, including, without limitation, a Subsidiary which facilitates the financing of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities and the securitization of mortgage-backed bonds and other related activities.

“Indebtedness” means (1) any liability of any person (A) for borrowed money, or (B) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument (including a purchase money obligation) given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind (other than a trade payable or a current liability arising in the ordinary course of business), or (C) for the payment of money relating to a Capitalized Lease Obligation or (D) for all Redeemable Capital Stock valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (2) any liability of others described in the preceding clause (1) that such person has guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal liability; (3) all Indebtedness referred to in (but not excluded from) clauses (1) and (2) above of other persons and all dividends of other persons, the payment of which is secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Security Interest upon or in property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such person, even though such person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness; and (4) any amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or refunding or any liability of the types referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above.

“Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means our or any of our Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness or other obligations secured by a lien on property to the extent that the liability for the Indebtedness or other obligations is limited to the security of the property without liability for any deficiency, including liability by reason of any agreement between us or any Subsidiary to provide additional capital or maintain the financial condition of or otherwise support the credit of the Subsidiary incurring the Indebtedness.

“Non-Recourse Land Financing” means any Indebtedness of Ryland or any Restricted Subsidiary for which the holder of such Indebtedness has no recourse, directly or indirectly, to Ryland or such Restricted Subsidiary for the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Indebtedness, and for which Ryland or such Restricted Subsidiary is not, directly or indirectly, obligated or otherwise liable for the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Indebtedness, except pursuant to mortgages, deeds of trust or other Security Interests or other recourse obligations or liabilities in respect of specific land or other real property interests of ours or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that recourse obligations or liabilities of ours or such Restricted Subsidiary solely for indemnities, covenants or breach of any warranty, representation or covenant in respect of any Indebtedness will not prevent Indebtedness from being classified as a Non-Recourse Land Financing.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision hereof or any other entity.

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“Redeemable Capital Stock” means any capital stock of Ryland or any Subsidiary that, either by its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable or otherwise, (1) is or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would be required to be redeemed on or prior to the final stated maturity of the securities or (2) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to such final stated maturity or (3) is convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at any time prior to such final stated maturity.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Ryland which is not a Financial Services Subsidiary.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means a sale or transfer made by us or a Restricted Subsidiary (except a sale or transfer made to Ryland or another Restricted Subsidiary) of any property which is either (1) a manufacturing facility, office building or warehouse whose book value equals or exceeds 1% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of determination or (2) another property (not including a model home) which exceeds 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of determination, if such sale or transfer is made with the agreement, commitment or intention of leasing such property to Ryland or a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Secured Debt” means any Indebtedness which is secured by (1) a Security Interest in any of our property or the property of any Restricted Subsidiary or (2) a Security Interest in shares of stock owned directly or indirectly by us or a Restricted Subsidiary in a corporation or in equity interests owned by us or a Restricted Subsidiary in a partnership or other entity not organized as a corporation or in our rights or the rights of a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness of a corporation, partnership or other entity in which we or a Restricted Subsidiary has an equity interest; provided that “Secured Debt” shall not include Non-Recourse Land Financing that consists exclusively of “land under development,” “land held for future development” or “improved lots and parcels,” as such categories of assets are determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The securing in the foregoing manner of any such Indebtedness which immediately prior thereto was not Secured Debt shall be deemed to be the creation of Secured Debt at the time security is given.

“Security Interest” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or other security interest which secures the payment or performance of an obligation.

“Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on (including interest accruing after the occurrence of an Event of Default or after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding pursuant to any bankruptcy law whether or not such interest is an allowable claim in any such proceeding) and other amounts due on or in connection with any of our Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date hereof or hereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless, in the case of any particular Indebtedness, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the debt securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior Indebtedness” shall not include (1) our Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to any of our Senior Indebtedness, (2) our Indebtedness that by operation of law is subordinate to any of our general unsecured obligations, (3) our Indebtedness to any Subsidiary, (4) Indebtedness incurred in violation of the restrictions described under “Restrictions on Secured Debt” and “Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions,” (5) to the extent it might constitute Indebtedness, any liability for federal, state or local taxes or other taxes, owed or owing by us, and (6) to the extent it might constitute Indebtedness, trade account payables owed or owing by us.

“Subsidiary” means any corporation of which at the time of determination by us, directly and/or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, owns more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock.

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each of our direct and indirect wholly owned homebuilding Subsidiaries in existence on the date of the indenture and any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired by Ryland after the date of the supplemental indenture, subject to the terms of the supplemental indenture.

“Voting Stock” means any class or classes of capital stock pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of any person (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, stock of any other class or classes shall have, or might have, voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

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UNDERWRITING

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is acting as sole book-running manager of the offering of the notes and as representative of the underwriters named below. Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated the date hereof, the underwriters named below have agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, the principal amount of notes listed opposite their respective names.


	Principal
	Amount of
Underwriters	Notes

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.	$	184,000,000
Barclays Capital Inc.		23,000,000
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.		11,500,000
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.		11,500,000

Total	$	230,000,000

Under the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters must buy all of the notes if they buy any of them. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters pursuant thereto are subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will sell the notes to the public when and if the underwriters buy the notes from us.

We have been advised by the representatives of the underwriters that the underwriters propose to offer the notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of 0.75% of the principal amount of notes. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may re-allow, a concession not in excess of 0.25% of the principal amount of the notes to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the representatives of the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms.

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. The underwriters may make a market in the notes after completion of the offering, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes or that an active public market for the notes will develop. If an active public trading market for the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

In order to facilitate the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in the notes for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the notes, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the notes in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may reclaim selling concessions allowed to a particular dealer for distributing the notes in the offering if the dealer repurchases previously distributed notes in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the notes above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time without notice. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or elsewhere.

We estimate that the expenses we will incur in connection with the sale of the notes, other than underwriting discounts, will be $200,000. This estimate includes printing costs, rating agency fees, trustees’ fees and accounting and legal fees, among other expenses.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.

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In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the underwriters and certain of their affiliates have in the past and may in the future engage in investment and commercial banking or other transactions of a financial nature with us or our affiliates, including the provision of certain advisory services and the making of loans to us and our affiliates, for which they have received, and will in the future receive, customary compensation. Each of the underwriters or one of their affiliates is a lender under credit facilities maintained by Ryland and/or its subsidiaries.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering is completed:


	•	Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

	•	Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 15, 2009, January 27, 2009, February 26, 2009 and April 29, 2009.

We will provide copies of these documents free of charge, to any person who receives this prospectus. To request a copy, you should contact our corporate secretary at our headquarters which are located at 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 400, Calabasas, California 91302, telephone number (818) 223-7500. Our filings with the SEC are available without charge on our Web site as soon as reasonably practicable after filing. We use our Web site as a channel for distributing information to the securities marketplace. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

LEGAL MATTERS

DLA Piper LLP (US), Baltimore, Maryland, will provide us with an opinion as to legal matters in connection with the notes we are offering. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon certain legal matters for the underwriters.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Ryland Group, Inc. incorporated by reference in The Ryland Group, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of The Ryland Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, incorporated by reference therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights information from this prospectus. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in the securities we are offering. You should read this entire prospectus and any supplement carefully. You should also read the documents listed below in “How to Obtain More Information” for information about us and our financial statements.

Ryland

We are one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and mortgage-finance companies. We have building operations in 15 states and 19 homebuilding divisions across the U.S. We have built more than 280,000 homes. Our mortgage company has provided mortgage-financing and related services for more than 235,000 homebuyers. Our operations span the significant aspects of the home-buying process — from design, construction and sale of single-family and multi-family homes to mortgage origination, title insurance, escrow and insurance services.

Securities We May Offer

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings:


	•	our debt securities, which may be guaranteed by certain of our homebuilding subsidiaries;

	•	shares of our common stock;

	•	shares of our preferred stock;

	•	shares of our preferred stock represented by depositary shares;

	•	stock purchase units or stock purchase contracts; or

	•	warrants to purchase our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities we offer. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept and to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities. The prospectus supplement, which we will provide to you each time we offer securities, will provide the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Debt Securities

We may offer unsecured general obligations of our company, which may be senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities or convertible debt securities. The senior debt securities will have the same rank as all our other unsecured, unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be entitled to payment only if all payments due under our senior indebtedness, including any outstanding senior debt securities, have been made. Some or all of the co-registrants under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, which are substantially all of our wholly-owned homebuilding subsidiaries, may guarantee the payment of debt securities issued under this prospectus. We will provide the specific terms of any guarantee in a prospectus supplement.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and the trustee or trustees we name in the prospectus supplement. We have summarized certain general features of the debt securities from the indentures, which are or will be exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We encourage you to read the indentures and our recent periodic and current reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We provide directions on how to obtain copies of these reports under “How to Obtain More Information.”

Common Stock

We may issue our common stock, $1.00 par value per share. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends declared by our board of directors, subject to the rights of preferred stockholders.

Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares

We may issue our preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share, in one or more series. Our board of directors will determine the dividend, voting, conversion and other rights of the series being offered and the terms and conditions of its offering and sale. We may also issue fractional shares of preferred stock that will be represented by depositary shares and depositary receipts.

Stock Purchase Units and Stock Purchase Contracts

We may issue stock purchase units and stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at a future date or dates. We may determine the price of shares of common stock or preferred stock at the time we issue the stock purchase contracts or the price may be determined by referring to a specific formula described in the stock purchase contracts. We may issue the stock purchase contracts separately or as a part of stock purchase units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, which secure the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock or preferred stock under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa. These payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in a specified manner.

Warrants

We may issue warrants to purchase our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the details of the warrants.

HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Exchange Act file number for our SEC filings is 1-8029. You may read any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC toll free at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information about its public reference room. We file information electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available from the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically.

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 and related exhibits with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. We have omitted parts of the registration statement, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. You may inspect the registration statement, including exhibits, at the SEC’s public reference facilities or Internet site. Our statements in this prospectus about the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete. You should refer to the copy of each contract or other document we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement for complete information.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering is completed:


	•	Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

	•	Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008.

	•	Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 29, 2008, February 15, 2008, April 30, 2008, July 2, 2008, October 1, 2008, December 23, 2008, January 15, 2009 and January 27, 2009.

	•	The description of our common stock and the preferred share purchase rights attached to each share of common stock contained or incorporated in the registration statements filed by Ryland under the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We furnish our stockholders with annual reports that contain audited financial statements.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

We may offer debt securities, shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, depositary shares, stock purchase units, stock purchase contracts or warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, or any combination of the foregoing, either individually or as units consisting of one or more securities. If securities are offered as units, we will describe the terms of the units in a prospectus supplement.

Description of Debt Securities

We may offer any combination of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Debt securities are unsecured general obligations. Senior debt securities rank above all subordinated indebtedness and equal to all other indebtedness outstanding on the date of the prospectus supplement. Subordinated debt securities rank below all other indebtedness outstanding at or after the time issued in right of payment, unless the other indebtedness provides that it is not senior to the subordinated debt.

We may issue the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities under separate indentures between us, as issuer, and the trustee or trustees identified in the prospectus supplement. Any senior debt securities may be issued under an indenture dated as of June 28, 1996 between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee. Any subordinated debt securities may be issued under an indenture dated as of June 12, 2001 between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to SunTrust Bank, as trustee. A copy of each type of indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any debt securities we may offer.

The following summaries of the debt securities and the indentures are not complete. We urge you to read the indentures and the description of the debt securities included in the prospectus supplement.

General

We may issue an unlimited principal amount of debt securities in separate series. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series. The debt securities will have terms that are consistent with the indentures. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, senior debt securities will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equal with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Subordinated debt securities will be paid only if all payments due under our senior indebtedness, including any outstanding senior debt securities, have been made.

The indentures might not limit the amount of other debt that we may incur and might not contain financial or similar restrictive covenants. The indentures might not contain any provision to protect holders of debt securities against a sudden or dramatic decline in our ability to pay our debt.

The prospectus supplement will describe the debt securities and the price or prices at which we will offer the debt securities. The description will include:


	•	the title of the debt securities;

	•	any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities or the series of which they are a part;

	•	the person to whom any interest on a debt security of the series will be paid;

	•	the date or dates on which we must pay the principal;

	•	the rate or rates at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, and the dates on which we must pay interest;

	•	the place or places where we must pay the principal and any premium or interest on the debt securities;

	•	the terms and conditions on which we may redeem any debt security, if at all;

	•	any obligation to redeem or purchase any debt securities, and the terms and conditions on which we must do so;


	•	the denominations in which we may issue the debt securities;

	•	the manner in which we will determine the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities;

	•	the currency in which we will pay the principal of and any premium or interest on the debt securities;

	•	the principal amount of the debt securities that we will pay upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity;

	•	the amount that will be deemed to be the principal amount for any purpose, including the principal amount that will be due and payable upon any maturity or that will be deemed to be outstanding as of any date;

	•	if applicable, that the debt securities are defeasible;

	•	if applicable, the terms of any right to convert debt securities into, or exchange debt securities for, shares of common stock or other securities or property;

	•	whether we will issue the debt securities in the form of one or more global securities and, if so, the respective depositaries for the global securities and the terms of the global securities;

	•	the subordination provisions that will apply to any subordinated debt securities;

	•	any addition to or change in the events of default applicable to the debt securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal amount of any of the debt securities due and payable; and

	•	any addition to or change in the covenants in the indentures.

We may sell the debt securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. We will describe U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any, applicable to debt securities sold at an original issue discount in the prospectus supplement. An “original issue discount security” is any debt security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount to be due and payable upon the declaration of acceleration of the maturity under the terms of the applicable indenture. The prospectus supplement relating to any original issue discount securities will describe the particular provisions relating to acceleration of the maturity upon the occurrence of an event of default. In addition, we will describe U.S. federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any debt securities that are denominated in a currency or unit other than U.S. dollars in the prospectus supplement.

Guarantees

Each prospectus supplement will describe, as to the debt securities to which it relates, any guarantees by our direct and indirect homebuilding subsidiaries which may guarantee the debt securities, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees. Any such guarantees will be made only by certain of our wholly-owned homebuilding subsidiaries, will be made on a joint and several basis and will be full and unconditional.

Conversion and Exchange Rights

The prospectus supplement will describe, if applicable, the terms on which you may convert debt securities into or exchange them for common stock or other securities or property. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory or may be at your option. The prospectus supplement will describe how the number of shares of common stock or other securities or property to be received upon conversion or exchange would be calculated.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the following provisions will apply to the subordinated debt securities. The indebtedness underlying the subordinated debt securities will be payable only if all payments due under our senior indebtedness, including any outstanding senior debt securities, have been made. If we distribute our assets to creditors upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceedings, we must first pay all amounts due or to become due on all senior indebtedness before we pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, the subordinated debt securities. In the event the subordinated debt securities are accelerated because of an event of default, we may not make any payment on the subordinated debt securities until we have paid all senior indebtedness or the acceleration is rescinded. If the

payment of subordinated debt securities accelerates because of an event of default, we must promptly notify holders of senior indebtedness of the acceleration.

We may not make any payment on the subordinated debt securities if a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, interest or other obligations, including a default under any repurchase or redemption obligation, in respect of designated senior indebtedness occurs and continues beyond any applicable grace period. We may not make any payment on the subordinated debt securities if any other default occurs and continues with respect to designated senior indebtedness that permits holders of the designated senior indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and the trustee receives a notice of such default from us, a holder of such designated senior indebtedness or other person permitted to give such notice. We may not resume payments on the subordinated debt securities until the defaults are cured or certain periods pass.

If we experience a bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors.

The term “designated senior indebtedness” means our obligations under any particular senior indebtedness in which the debt instrument expressly provides that the senior indebtedness will be designated senior indebtedness with respect to the subordinated debt securities. The indenture for subordinated debt securities may not limit our ability to incur additional senior indebtedness.

Our financing agreements contain certain restrictions on our ability to incur additional senior and subordinated indebtedness.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue debt securities only in fully registered form, without coupons, and, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

The holder of a debt security may elect, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities, to exchange them for other debt securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Holders of debt securities may present them for exchange as provided above or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer duly executed, at the office of the transfer agent we designate for that purpose. We will not impose a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require a payment sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the transfer or exchange. We will name the transfer agent in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, but we must maintain a transfer agent in each place in which we will pay on debt securities.

If we redeem the debt securities, we will not be required to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security during a specified period prior to mailing a notice of redemption. We are not required to register the transfer of or exchange any debt security selected for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of the debt security being redeemed.

Global Securities

The debt securities may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities that will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the debt securities. Each global security will be registered in the name of a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement. We will deposit the global security with the depositary or a custodian, and the global security will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer.

No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and no transfer of a global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee of the depositary unless:


	•	the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary; or


	•	an event of default occurs and continues with respect to the debt securities.

The depositary will determine how all securities issued in exchange for a global security will be registered.

As long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered holder of a global security, we will consider the depositary or the nominee to be the sole owner and holder of the global security and the underlying debt securities. Except as stated above, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have the global security or any debt security registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of certificated debt securities and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of the global security or underlying debt securities. We will make all payments of principal, premium and interest on a global security to the depositary or its nominee. The laws of some jurisdictions require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may prevent you from transferring your beneficial interests in a global security.

Only institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee and persons that hold beneficial interests through the depositary or its nominee may own beneficial interests in a global security. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or any such participant.

The policies and procedures of the depositary may govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a global security. We and the trustee assume no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a global security.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, we will pay principal and any premium or interest on a debt security to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest.

Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, we will pay principal and any premium or interest on the debt securities at the office of our designated paying agent, except we may pay interest by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment. Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the corporate trust office of the trustee will be the paying agent for the debt securities.

Any other paying agents we designate for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, but we must maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities.

The paying agent will return to us all money we pay to it for the payment of the principal, premium or interest on any debt security that remains unclaimed for a specified period. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for payment.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Under the terms of the indentures, we may not consolidate or enter into a share exchange with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any person, unless:


	•	the successor is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States, or any state, and assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the indentures;

	•	immediately after the transaction, no event of default occurs and continues; and

	•	we meet the other conditions described in the indentures.

Events of Default

Each of the following will constitute an event of default under each indenture:


	•	failure to pay the principal of or any premium on any debt security when due;

	•	failure to pay any interest on any debt security when due, continued for a specified number of days;

	•	failure to deposit any sinking fund payment when due;

	•	failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture that continues for a specified number of days after written notice has been given by the trustee or the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series;

	•	certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

	•	any other event of default specified in the prospectus supplement.

If an event of default, other than an event of default as a result of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, occurs and continues, either the trustee or the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be immediately due and payable. If an event of default occurs as a result of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series will automatically become immediately due and payable. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived.

Except for certain duties in case of an event of default, the trustee will not be obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. If they provide this indemnification, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of a debt security of any series may institute any proceeding with respect to the indentures, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy, unless:


	•	the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

	•	the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series have made a written request, and the holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute the proceeding; and

	•	the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding, and has not received a direction inconsistent with the request within a specified number of days.

Each indenture will include a covenant requiring our officers to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to whether, to their knowledge, we are in default under the indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may amend the indentures with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of each series affected by the amendment. However, to the extent discussed in the prospectus supplement, without the consent of each holder, we may not make any amendment that would:


	•	change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal or interest on, any debt security;

	•	reduce the principal, premium or interest on any debt security;

	•	reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security or any other debt security payable upon acceleration of the maturity;


	•	change the place or currency of payment of principal, premium or interest on any debt security;

	•	impair the right to enforce any payment on any debt security;

	•	in the case of subordinated debt securities, modify the subordination provisions in a manner materially adverse to their holders;

	•	in the case of debt securities that are convertible or exchangeable into other securities, adversely affect the right of holders to convert or exchange any of the debt securities;

	•	reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding securities of any series for which the holders’ consent is required;

	•	reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indentures or for waiver of certain defaults; or

	•	modify provisions with respect to modification and waiver.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, our compliance with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the indenture with respect to debt securities of that series, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be amended without each holder’s consent.

Except in certain limited circumstances, we may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the indentures. In certain limited circumstances, the trustee may set a record date for action by holders. To be effective, the action must be taken by holders of the requisite principal amount of such debt securities within a specified period following the record date.

Defeasance

We may apply the provisions in the indentures relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants, to the debt securities of any series. The indentures provide that, upon satisfaction of the requirements described below, we may terminate all of our obligations under the debt securities of any series and the applicable indenture, known as legal defeasance, other than our obligation:


	•	to maintain a registrar and paying agents and hold moneys for payment in trust;

	•	to register the transfer or exchange of the notes; and

	•	to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes.

In addition, we may terminate our obligation to comply with any restrictive covenants under the debt securities of any series or the applicable indenture, known as covenant defeasance.

To exercise either defeasance option as to debt securities of any series, we must irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee money and/or obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the United States that will provide money in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the debt securities. We may only establish this trust if:


	•	no event of default has occurred and continues to occur;

	•	in the case of legal defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling or there has been a change in law, which


		in the opinion of our counsel, provides that holders of the debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;


	•	in the case of covenant defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; and

	•	we satisfy other customary conditions precedent described in the applicable indenture.

Notices

We will mail notices to holders of debt securities at the addresses that appear in the security register.

Title

We may treat the person in whose name a debt security is registered as the absolute owner, whether or not such debt security may be overdue, for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York.

Description of Common Stock

General

Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation (our “charter”), we may issue up to 199,990,000 shares of our common stock. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Subject to preferences that may apply to our preferred stock, the holders of common stock receive ratably any dividends that may be declared by the board of directors. If we are liquidated, dissolved or wound up, we must first pay all amounts we owe our creditors and then pay the full amounts required to be paid to holders of any shares of our preferred stock then outstanding before we may make any payments to holders of shares of our common stock. All holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in any assets available for distribution to them, after all of our creditors have been satisfied and we have paid the liquidation preferences of any of our preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights or rights to convert their common stock into any other securities. Our common stock is neither redeemable nor subject to call. No sinking fund provisions apply to the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

As permitted by Maryland law, our charter obligates us to indemnify our present and former directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities, unless it is established that:


	•	the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to such proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

	•	the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or


	•	in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

As permitted by Maryland law, our charter limits the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages, except to the extent that:


	•	the person actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or

	•	a judgment or other final adjudication is entered in a proceeding based on a finding that the person’s action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding.

As a result of these provisions, we and our stockholders may be unable to obtain monetary damages from a director for breach of his of her duty of care.

Possible Anti-Takeover Effects

Special Meetings. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may only be called by a majority of our board, the chairman of our board, our president or holders of a majority of our outstanding voting stock. These provisions may make it more difficult for stockholders to take an action that our board opposes.

Advance Notice Provisions. Our bylaws establish an advance written notice procedure for stockholders seeking:


	•	to nominate candidates for election as directors at any annual meeting of stockholders; and

	•	to bring business before an annual meeting of our stockholders.

Our bylaws provide that only persons who are nominated by our board or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to our secretary before the meeting to elect directors will be eligible for election as our directors. Our bylaws also provide that any matter to be presented at any meeting of stockholders must be presented either by our board or by a stockholder in compliance with the procedures in our bylaws. A stockholder must give timely written notice to our secretary of its intention to present a matter before an annual meeting of stockholders. Our board then will consider whether the matter is one that is appropriate for consideration by our stockholders under Maryland corporate law and the SEC’s rules.

To be timely, we must receive any stockholder notice at least 75 days before the meeting. A stockholder’s notice must also contain the information specified in the bylaws. These provisions may prevent or deter some stockholders from bringing matters before a stockholders’ meeting or from making nominations for directors at an annual meeting.

Business Combinations. Maryland law prohibits specified “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an “interested stockholder.” These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. Interested stockholders are either:


	•	anyone who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or

	•	an affiliate or associate of the corporation who was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question.

Business combinations with an interested stockholder or any affiliate of the interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder. Thereafter, any business combinations with the interested stockholder must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the vote of:


	•	at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of the corporation’s voting shares; and

	•	at least 662/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of the corporation’s voting shares other than voting shares held by the interested stockholder or an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

However, these special voting requirements do not apply if the corporation’s stockholders receive a minimum price for their shares, as specified in the statute, and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

This business combination statute does not apply to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the corporation’s board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. The statute also does not apply to stockholders that acquired 10% or more of the corporation’s voting shares in a transaction approved by the corporation’s board of directors. A Maryland corporation may adopt an amendment to its charter electing not to be subject to these special voting requirements. Any amendment would have to be approved by at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of outstanding shares of voting stock and 662/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock who are not interested stockholders. We have elected to be generally subject to this statute.

Control Share Acquisitions. Maryland law provides that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights unless approved by a vote of 662/3% of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares owned by the acquiror or by the corporation’s officers or directors who are employees of the corporation. Control shares are shares of voting stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock previously acquired, would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:


	•	10% or more but less than 331/3%;

	•	331/3% or more but less than a majority; or

	•	a majority of all voting power.

Control shares do not include shares of stock an acquiring person is entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition generally means the acquisition of, ownership of or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, control shares.

A person who has made or proposes to make a “control share acquisition,” under specified conditions, including an undertaking to pay expenses, may require the board of directors to call a special stockholders’ meeting to consider the voting rights of the shares. The meeting must be held within 50 days of the demand. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders’ meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as permitted by the statute, the corporation generally may redeem any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. This redemption of shares must be for fair value, determined without regard to voting rights as of the date of the last control share acquisition or of any stockholders’ meeting at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for “control shares” are approved at a stockholders’ meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the stock determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid in the control share acquisition. The limitations and restrictions otherwise applicable to the exercise of dissenters’ rights do not apply in the context of a “control share acquisition.”

The control share acquisition statute does not apply to stock acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction, or to acquisitions previously approved or exempted by a provision in the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

Rights Agreement

Our board of directors has adopted a stockholder rights plan to protect certain tax benefits. As a result, we issued one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock. One preferred share purchase right will be issued for each additional share of common stock that we issue. The rights will not be exercisable until the earlier of (i) 10 business days after a public announcement by us that a person or group has acquired 4.9% or more of our outstanding common stock; and (ii) 10 business days after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer by a person or group for 4.9% or more of our common stock. If the rights become

exercisable, each right would initially represent the right to purchase from us one ten-thousandth of a share of junior participating preferred stock for a purchase price of $90.00.

After the rights become exercisable, each holder of a right, other than rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person, as defined in the rights plan (which will thereupon become void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a right and payment of the purchase price, that number of shares of common stock having a market value of two times the purchase price.

The rights and the rights plan will expire on the earliest of (i) December 18, 2018; (ii) the time at which the rights are redeemed pursuant to the rights agreement; (iii) the time at which the rights are exchanged pursuant to the rights agreement; (iv) the repeal of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor statute if our board of directors determines that the rights agreement is no longer necessary for the preservation of the tax benefits; (v) the beginning of a taxable year of which the board of directors determines that no tax benefits may be carried forward; and (vi) December 18, 2009 if stockholder approval of the rights plan has not been obtained. At any time prior to the time a person or group has acquired 4.9% or more of our outstanding common stock, the board of directors may redeem the rights at a price of $0.001 per right.

Description of Preferred Stock

Our board is authorized to classify or reclassify any unissued portion of our authorized shares of common stock to provide for the issuance of shares of other classes or series, including preferred stock in one or more series. We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, with the exact terms of each class or series established by our board. Without seeking stockholder approval, our board may issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock. We have issued rights that are in some cases exercisable for shares of junior participating preferred stock and in connection therewith, our board is authorized, without stockholder approval, to issue up to 10,000 shares of preferred stock, of which no shares are currently issued and outstanding. See “— Rights Plan.”

The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed by the articles supplementary relating to each series. A prospectus supplement relating to each series will specify the terms of the preferred stock, including:


	•	the maximum number of shares in the series and the distinctive designation;

	•	the terms on which dividends, if any, will be paid;

	•	the terms on which the shares may be redeemed, if at all;

	•	the liquidation preference, if any;

	•	the terms of any retirement or sinking fund for the purchase or redemption of the shares of the series;

	•	the terms and conditions, if any, on which the shares of the series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of capital stock;

	•	the voting rights, if any, on the shares of the series; and

	•	any or all other preferences and relative, participating, operational or other special rights or qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares.

The issuance of preferred stock may delay, deter or prevent a change in control.

We will describe the specific terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. The description of preferred stock above and the description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement are not complete. You should refer to the applicable articles supplementary for complete information. The prospectus supplement will contain a description of U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the preferred stock.

Description of Depositary Shares

The description below and in the prospectus supplement is not complete. You should read the forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipts filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of each series of the preferred stock described below.

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, rather than shares of preferred stock. If we exercise that option, we will provide for a depositary to issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of preferred stock.

The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company depositary that has its principal office in the U.S. The prospectus supplement will include the name and address of the depositary. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock, to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights. Depositary receipts will be issued for depositary shares.

The depositary may issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to, and entitling the holders to all the rights pertaining to, the definitive depositary receipts. Definitive depositary receipts will then be prepared thereafter and temporary depositary receipts may be exchanged for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.

Upon surrender of depositary receipts and payment of the charges provided in the deposit agreement, the depositary will deliver the whole shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions on the preferred stock, rounded to the nearest cent, to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of such depositary shares owned by them on the relevant record date. Fractions of one cent not so distributed will be added to the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.

In the event of a non-cash distribution, the depositary will, if feasible, distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to them. If the distribution is not feasible, the depositary may sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to such holders.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If we redeem the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, the depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds of the redemption of the preferred stock held by the depositary. The depositary will mail notice of redemption not less than 30 or more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the record holders of the depositary shares. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the preferred stock. Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem the corresponding depositary shares as of the same redemption date. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary will select by lot or pro rata which depositary shares will be redeemed.

After the redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding. All rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the money or other property to which the holders are entitled upon redemption and surrender of the depositary receipts for their depositary shares.

Voting the Preferred Stock

The depositary will mail to the holders of depositary shares the information contained in any notice of meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date for the preferred stock may instruct the depositary to exercise its voting rights with respect to the depositary shares. The depositary will attempt to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying such depositary

shares in accordance with these instructions. We will agree to take any action required to enable the depositary to vote the depositary shares. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of preferred stock to the extent it does not receive instructions from the holders of depositary shares relating to that preferred stock.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

We and the depositary may amend the form of depositary receipt and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time. However, neither of us can make any amendment that would materially and adversely alter the rights of the existing holders of depositary shares without approval by the record holders of at least a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. We or the depositary may terminate a deposit agreement only if:


	•	all outstanding depositary shares relating thereto have been redeemed; or

	•	there has been a final distribution to the holders of preferred stock and to the holders of the related depositary shares in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges listed in the deposit agreement as holders’ charges.

Miscellaneous

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.

Neither the depositary nor Ryland will be liable if the law or any circumstance beyond its control prevents it from performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. Ryland and the depositary will be required only to perform their duties in good faith. They will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding regarding any depositary shares or preferred stock unless the holders of those securities provide them with satisfactory indemnity. They may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary shares or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us, and we may at any time remove the depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect when a successor depositary is established.

Description of Stock Purchase Units
and Stock Purchase Contracts

The following summarizes the general terms of stock purchase units and stock purchase contracts we may issue. The particular terms of any stock purchase units or stock purchase contracts we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement. This description is subject to the stock purchase contracts, and any collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, relating to the stock purchase or stock purchase contracts.

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at a future date or dates. We may fix the consideration per share of common stock or preferred stock at the time we issue the stock purchase contracts, or the consideration may be determined by referring to a specific formula stated in the stock purchase contracts. We may issue the stock purchase contracts separately or as a part of stock purchase units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities, warrants or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, which secure the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock or preferred stock under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic

payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa. These payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in a specified manner.

Description of Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

The following summarizes the terms of the debt warrants we may offer. The debt warrants will be subject to the detailed provisions of a debt warrant agreement that we will enter into with a debt warrant agent we select at the time of issue.

General

We may issue debt warrants evidenced by debt warrant certificates independently or together with any securities offered by any prospectus supplement. If we offer debt warrants, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants, including:


	•	the offering price, if any;

	•	the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and the terms of the indenture under which the debt securities will be issued;

	•	if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities with which the debt warrants are issued and the number of debt warrants issued with each debt security;

	•	if applicable, the date on and after which the debt warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

	•	the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one debt warrant and the price at which the principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;

	•	the dates on which the right to exercise the debt warrants begins and expires;

	•	U.S. federal income tax consequences;

	•	whether the warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form;

	•	the currencies in which the offering price and exercise price are payable; and

	•	if applicable, any antidilution provisions.

You may exchange debt warrant certificates for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and may present debt warrant certificates for registration of transfer at the corporate trust office of the debt warrant agent, which will be listed in the prospectus supplement. Warrantholders do not have any of the rights of holders of debt securities, except to the extent that the consent of warrantholders may be required for certain modifications of the terms of an indenture or form of the debt security, as the case may be, and the series of debt securities issuable upon exercise of the debt warrants. In addition, warrantholders are not entitled to payments of principal of and interest, if any, on the debt securities.

Exercise of Debt Warrants

You may exercise debt warrants by surrendering the debt warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the debt warrant agent, with payment in full of the exercise price. Upon the exercise of debt warrants, the debt warrant agent will, as soon as practicable, deliver the debt securities in authorized denominations in accordance with your instructions and at your sole cost and risk. If less than all the debt warrants evidenced by the debt warrant certificate are exercised, the agent will issue a new debt warrant certificate for the remaining amount of debt warrants.

Description of Warrants to Purchase
Common Stock and Preferred Stock

The following summarizes the terms of common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants we may issue. This description is subject to the detailed provisions of a stock warrant agreement that we will enter into between us and a stock warrant agent we select at the time of issue.

General

We may issue stock warrants evidenced by stock warrant certificates under a stock warrant agreement independently or together with any securities we offer by any prospectus supplement. If we offer stock warrants, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock warrants, including:


	•	the offering price, if any;

	•	if applicable, the designation and terms of the preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the preferred stock warrants;

	•	the number of shares of common or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of one stock warrant and the initial price at which the shares may be purchased upon exercise;

	•	the dates on which the right to exercise the stock warrants begins and expires;

	•	U.S. federal income tax consequences;

	•	call provisions, if any;

	•	the currencies in which the offering price and exercise price are payable; and

	•	if applicable, the antidilution provisions of the stock warrants.

The shares of common stock or preferred stock we issue upon exercise of the stock warrants will, when issued in accordance with the stock warrant agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Exercise of Stock Warrants

You may exercise stock warrants by surrendering to the stock warrant agent the stock warrant certificate, which indicates your election to exercise all or a portion of the stock warrants evidenced by the certificate. Surrendered stock warrant certificates must be accompanied by payment of the exercise price in the form of cash or a check. The stock warrant agent will deliver certificates evidencing duly exercised stock warrants to the transfer agent. Upon receipt of the certificates, the transfer agent will deliver a certificate representing the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchased. If you exercise fewer than all the stock warrants evidenced by any certificate, the stock warrant agent will deliver a new stock warrant certificate representing the unexercised stock warrants.

No Rights as Stockholders

Holders of stock warrants are not entitled to vote, to consent, to receive dividends or to receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as stockholders of Ryland.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including:


	•	the name or names of any underwriters, if any;

	•	the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

	•	any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

	•	any initial public offering price;

	•	any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

	•	any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell them from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered by the prospectus supplement. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time.

We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

Securities may also be sold in one or more of the following transactions: (a) block transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of the securities as agent but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; (c) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers; (d) sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, for securities; and (e) sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers. Broker-dealers may also receive compensation from purchasers of the securities which is not expected to exceed that customary in the types of transactions involved.

We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to such liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

All securities we offer other than common stock will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection

with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

LEGAL MATTERS

DLA Piper LLP (US), Baltimore, Maryland will provide us with an opinion as to legal matters in connection with the securities we are offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Ryland Group, Inc. appearing in The Ryland Group, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2007 (including schedules appearing therein), and the effectiveness of The Ryland Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.


	•	working capital;

	•	capital expenditures;

	•	acquisitions;

	•	stock repurchases; and

	•	the repayment of outstanding indebtedness.