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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Ryland Group, Inc. and its 100 percent-owned subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interest represents the selling entities' ownership interests in land and lot option purchase contracts. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Information is presented on a continuing operations basis unless otherwise noted. The results from continuing and discontinued operations are presented separately in the consolidated financial statements, and certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation. (See Note M, "Discontinued Operations.")
Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

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

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $159.4 million and $226.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company considers all highly liquid short-term investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less and cash held in escrow accounts to be cash equivalents.
Restricted cash

Restricted Cash

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had restricted cash of $56.8 million and $74.8 million, respectively. The Company has various secured letter of credit agreements that require it to maintain cash deposits as collateral for outstanding letters of credit. Cash restricted under these agreements totaled $56.7 million and $74.7 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition, RMC had restricted cash for funds held in trust for third parties of $141,000 and $100,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale

The Company considers its investment portfolio to be available-for-sale. Accordingly, these investments are recorded at their fair values, with unrealized gains or losses generally recorded in other comprehensive income. (See Note E, "Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale.")
Homebuilding Revenues

Homebuilding Revenues

In accordance with ASC 976, homebuilding revenues are recognized when home and lot sales are closed; title and possession are transferred to the buyer; and there is no significant continuing involvement from the homebuilder. Sales incentives offset revenues and are expensed when homes are closed.
Housing Inventories

Housing Inventories

Housing inventories consist principally of homes under construction; land under development and improved lots; and inventory held-for-sale. Inventory includes land and development costs; direct construction costs; capitalized indirect construction costs; capitalized interest; and real estate taxes. The costs of acquiring and developing land and constructing certain related amenities are allocated to the parcels to which these costs relate. Interest and taxes are capitalized during active development and construction stages. Inventories to be held and used are stated at cost unless a community is determined to be impaired, in which case the impaired inventories are written down to their fair values. Inventories held-for-sale are stated at the lower of their costs or fair values, less cost to sell.

As required by ASC 360, inventory is reviewed for potential write-downs on an ongoing basis. ASC 360 requires that, in the event that impairment indicators are present and undiscounted cash flows signify that the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable, impairment charges must be recorded if the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. The Company reviews all communities on a quarterly basis for changes in events or circumstances indicating signs of impairment. Examples of events or changes in circumstances include, but are not limited to: price declines resulting from sustained competitive pressures; a change in the manner in which the asset is being used; a change in assessments by a regulator or municipality; cost increases; the expectation that, more likely than not, an asset will be sold or disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life; or the impact of local economic or macroeconomic conditions, such as employment or housing supply, on the market for a given product. Signs of impairment may include, but are not limited to: very low or negative profit margins; the absence of sales activity in an open community; and/or significant price differences for comparable parcels of land held-for-sale.

If it is determined that indicators of impairment exist in a community, undiscounted cash flows are prepared and analyzed at a community level based on expected pricing; sales rates; construction costs; local municipality fees; and warranty, closing, carrying, selling, overhead and other related costs; or on similar assets to determine if the realizable values of the assets held are less than their respective carrying amounts. In order to determine assumed sales prices included in cash flow models, the Company analyzes historical sales prices on homes delivered in the community and in other communities located within the geographic area, as well as sales prices included in its current backlog for such communities. In addition, it analyzes market studies and trends, which generally include statistics on sales prices in neighboring communities and sales prices of similar products in non-neighboring communities in the same geographic area. In order to estimate costs to build and deliver homes, the Company generally assumes cost structures reflecting contracts currently in place with vendors, adjusted for any anticipated cost-reduction initiatives or increases. The Company's analysis of each community generally assumes current pricing equal to current sales orders for a particular or comparable community. For a minority of communities that the Company does not intend to operate for an extended period of time or where the operating life extends beyond several years, slight increases over current sales prices are assumed in later years. Once a community is considered to be impaired, the Company's determinations of fair value and new cost basis are primarily based on discounting estimated cash flows at rates commensurate with inherent risks that are associated with the continuing assets. Discount rates used generally vary from 19.0 percent to 30.0 percent, depending on market risk, the size or life of a community and development risk. Due to the fact that estimates and assumptions included in cash flow models are based on historical results and projected trends, unexpected changes in market conditions that may lead to additional impairment charges in the future cannot be anticipated.

Valuation adjustments are recorded against homes completed or under construction, land under development or improved lots when analyses indicate that the carrying values are greater than the fair values. Write-downs of impaired inventories to their fair values are recorded as adjustments to the cost basis of the respective inventory. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, valuation reserves related to impaired inventories amounted to $277.2 million and $336.9 million, respectively. The net carrying values of the related inventories amounted to $195.8 million and $220.2 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The costs of acquiring and developing land and constructing certain related amenities are allocated to the parcels to which these costs relate. (See "Homebuilding Overview" within Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.)

Interest and taxes are capitalized during active development and construction stages. Capitalized interest is amortized as the related inventory is delivered to homebuyers. The following table is a summary of activity related to capitalized interest:

(in thousands)

     2011     2010     2009  
   

Capitalized interest at January 1

   $ 75,094   $ 84,664   $ 100,210  

Interest capitalized

     38,032     31,221     35,931  

Interest amortized to cost of sales

     (32,068 )   (40,791 )   (51,477 )
       

Capitalized interest at December 31

   $ 81,058   $ 75,094   $ 84,664  
   

The following table summarizes each reporting segment's total number of lots owned and lots controlled under option agreements:

 

   DECEMBER 31, 2011    DECEMBER 31, 2010   

 

     LOTS
OWNED		     LOTS
OPTIONED		    
TOTAL		     LOTS
OWNED		     LOTS
OPTIONED		    
TOTAL		  
   

North

     4,981     3,405     8,386     4,997     3,782     8,779  

Southeast

     4,933     1,894     6,827     5,376     749     6,125  

Texas

     2,486     1,081     3,567     2,787     1,068     3,855  

West

     1,937     862     2,799     1,982     568     2,550  
           

Total

     14,337     7,242     21,579     15,142     6,167     21,309  
   

Additionally, at December 31, 2011, the Company controlled an aggregate of 1,386 lots associated with discontinued operations, of which 1,330 lots were owned and 56 lots were under option. At December 31, 2010, the Company controlled an aggregate of 1,906 lots associated with discontinued operations, of which 1,414 lots were owned and 492 lots were under option.
Variable Interest Entities ("VIE")

Variable Interest Entities ("VIE")

As required by ASC 810, a VIE is to be consolidated by a company if that company has the power to direct the VIE's activities and the obligation to absorb its losses or the right to receive its benefits, which are potentially significant to the VIE. ASC 810 also requires disclosures about VIEs that the company is not obligated to consolidate, but in which it has a significant, though not primary, variable interest.

The Company enters into joint ventures, from time to time, for the purpose of acquisition and co-development of land parcels and lots. Its investment in these joint ventures may create a variable interest in a VIE, depending on the contractual terms of the arrangement. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into lot option purchase contracts in order to procure land for the construction of homes. Under such lot option purchase contracts, the Company funds stated deposits in consideration for the right to purchase lots at a future point in time, usually at predetermined prices. The Company's liability is generally limited to forfeiture of nonrefundable deposits, letters of credit and other nonrefundable amounts incurred. In accordance with the requirements of ASC 810, certain of the Company's lot option purchase contracts may result in the creation of a variable interest in a VIE.

In compliance with the provisions of ASC 810, the Company consolidated $51.4 million and $88.3 million of inventory not owned related to its land and lot option purchase contracts at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Although the Company may not have had legal title to the optioned land, under ASC 810, it had the primary variable interest and was required to consolidate the particular VIE's assets under option at fair value. To reflect the fair value of the inventory consolidated under ASC 810, the Company included $17.2 million and $26.5 million of its related cash deposits for lot option purchase contracts at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, in "Consolidated inventory not owned" within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Noncontrolling interest totaled $34.2 million and $61.8 million with respect to the consolidation of these contracts at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, representing the selling entities' ownership interests in these VIEs. Additionally, the Company had cash deposits and/or letters of credit totaling $22.3 million and $11.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, that were associated with lot option purchase contracts having aggregate purchase prices of $208.5 million and $130.7 million, respectively. As the Company did not have the primary variable interest in these contracts, it was not required to consolidate them.
Investments in Joint Ventures

Investments in Joint Ventures

The Company enters into joint ventures, from time to time, for the purpose of acquisition and co-development of land parcels and lots. It participates in a number of joint ventures in which it has less than a controlling interest. As of December 31, 2011, the Company participated in five active homebuilding joint ventures in the Austin, Chicago, Denver and Washington, D.C., markets. The Company recognizes its share of the respective joint ventures' earnings or losses from the sale of lots to other homebuilders. It does not, however, recognize earnings from lots that it purchases from the joint ventures. Instead, the Company reduces its cost basis in each lot by its share of the earnings from the lot.

The following table summarizes each reporting segment's total estimated share of lots owned and controlled by the Company under its joint ventures:

 

   DECEMBER 31, 2011    DECEMBER 31, 2010   

 

     LOTS
OWNED		     LOTS
OPTIONED		    
TOTAL		     LOTS
OWNED		     LOTS
OPTIONED		    
TOTAL		  
   

North

     150     –     150     150     –     150  

Southeast

     –     –     –     –     –     –  

Texas1

     20     –     20     54     –     54  

West

     172     –     172     166     1,209     1,375  
           

Total

     342     –     342     370     1,209     1,579  
   
1
Additionally, at December 31, 2010, the Company controlled 14 lots in Dallas, all of which were owned under a joint venture now deemed to be part of its discontinued operations. This joint venture did not control any lots at December 31, 2011.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company's investments in its unconsolidated joint ventures totaled $10.0 million and $13.3 million, respectively, and were classified in "Other" assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company's equity in losses from its unconsolidated joint ventures totaled $976,000 and $3.7 million, respectively, compared to equity in earnings of $308,000 for the same period in 2009. During 2011, the Company recorded a $1.9 million impairment related to a commercial parcel in a joint venture in Chicago. During 2010, the Company recorded $4.1 million of impairments against its investments in two joint ventures in Denver.
Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment totaled $19.9 million and $18.8 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided for, principally, by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Property, plant and equipment included model home furnishings of $18.9 million and $18.0 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Model home furnishings are amortized over the life of the community as homes are closed. The amortization expense was included in "Selling, general and administrative" expense within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Service Liabilities

Service Liabilities

Service, warranty and completion costs are estimated and accrued at the time a home closes and are updated as experience requires.
Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. Advertising costs totaled $5.2 million, $4.4 million and $5.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and were included in "Selling, general and administrative" expense within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Loan Origination Fees, Costs, Mortgage Discount Points and Loan Sales

Loan Origination Fees, Costs, Mortgage Discount Points and Loan Sales

Mortgage loans are recorded at fair value at the time of origination in accordance with ASC No. 825 ("ASC 825"), "Financial Instruments," and are classified as held-for-sale. Sales of mortgages and the related servicing rights are accounted for in accordance with ASC No. 860 ("ASC 860"), "Transfers and Servicing." Generally, in order for a transfer of financial assets to be recognized as a sale, ASC 860 requires that control of the loans has been passed to the purchaser and that consideration other than beneficial interests has been received in return.
Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

In the normal course of business and pursuant to its risk-management policy, the Company enters, as an end user, into derivative instruments, including forward-delivery contracts for loans; options on forward-delivery contracts; and options on futures contracts, to minimize the impact of movement in market interest rates on IRLCs. Major factors influencing the use of various hedging contracts include general market conditions, interest rates, types of mortgages originated and the percentage of IRLCs expected to fund. The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to certain hedging contracts. Credit risk is limited to those instances where the Company is in a net unrealized gain position. It manages this credit risk by entering into agreements with counterparties meeting its credit standards and by monitoring position limits. The Company elected not to use hedge accounting treatment with respect to its economic hedging activities. Accordingly, all derivative instruments used as economic hedges were included at fair value in "Other" assets or "Accrued and other liabilities" within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes in value recorded in current earnings. The Company's mortgage pipeline includes IRLCs, which represent commitments that have been extended by the Company to those borrowers who have applied for loan funding and have met certain defined credit and underwriting criteria.
Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss consists of net losses and the increase or decrease in unrealized gains or losses on the Company's available-for-sale securities, as well as the decrease in unrealized gains associated with treasury locks, net of applicable taxes. Comprehensive loss totaled $52.5 million, $86.4 million and $162.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. Certain items of income and expense are included in one period for financial reporting purposes and in another for income tax purposes. Deferred income taxes are provided in recognition of these differences. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on enacted tax rates and are subsequently adjusted for changes in these rates. A valuation allowance against the Company's deferred tax assets may be established if it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A change in deferred tax assets or liabilities results in a charge or credit to deferred tax expense. (See "Critical Accounting Policies" within Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Note H, "Income Taxes.")
Per Share Data

Per Share Data

Basic net earnings per common share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Additionally, diluted net earnings per common share gives effect to dilutive common stock equivalent shares. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the effects of outstanding restricted stock units and stock options were not included in diluted earnings per share calculations as they would have been antidilutive due to the Company's net loss in each of those years.
Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

In accordance with the terms of its shareholder-approved equity incentive plan, the Company issues various types of stock awards that include, but are not limited to, grants of stock options and restricted stock units to its employees. The Company records expense associated with its grant of stock awards in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, which requires that stock-based payments to employees be recognized, based on their estimated fair values, in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as compensation expense over the vesting period of the awards.

Additionally, the Company grants stock awards to the non-employee members of its Board of Directors pursuant to its shareholder-approved director stock plan. Stock-based compensation is recognized over the service period for such awards.