Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments

Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments are held for purposes other than trading. The fair values of these financial instruments are based on quoted market prices, where available, or are estimated using other valuation techniques. Estimated fair values are significantly affected by the assumptions used. As required by ASC No. 820 (“ASC 820”), “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” fair value measurements of financial instruments are categorized as Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3, based on the types of inputs used in estimating fair values.

Level 1 fair values are those determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 fair values are those determined using directly or indirectly observable inputs in the marketplace that are other than Level 1 inputs. Level 3 fair values are those determined using unobservable inputs, including the use of internal assumptions, estimates or models. Valuations, therefore, are sensitive to the assumptions used for these items. Fair values represent the Company’s best estimates as of the balance sheet date and are based on existing conditions and available information at the issuance date of these financial statements. Subsequent changes in conditions or available information may change assumptions and estimates.

The carrying values of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and secured notes payable are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and approximate their fair values due to their short-term natures and liquidity. The aggregate carrying values of the senior notes and convertible senior notes, net of discount, were $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The aggregate fair values of the senior notes and convertible senior notes were $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair values of the Company’s senior notes have been determined using quoted market prices (Level 1).

The following table displays the values and methods used for measuring the fair values of financial instruments on a recurring basis:



				FAIR VALUE
(in thousands)	HIERARCHY	JUNE 30, 2015		DECEMBER 31, 2014
Marketable securities, available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	Level 1	$	450	$	350
Municipal debt securities	Level 2	9,815		9,984
Time deposits	Level 2	7,526		7,511
Mortgage loans held-for-sale	Level 2	129,790		153,366
Mortgage interest rate lock commitments	Level 2	8,034		4,229
Forward-delivery contracts	Level 2	1,927		(2,141		)

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $17.8 million of marketable securities that were available-for-sale and comprised of U.S. Treasury securities, municipal debt securities and time deposits. The Company’s marketable securities, available-for-sale that were identified as Level 2 were valued based on quoted market prices of similar instruments. (See Note 8, “Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale.”)

Other Financial Instruments

Mortgage loans held-for-sale and forward-delivery contracts are based on quoted market prices of similar instruments (Level 2). Interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) are valued at their aggregate market price premium or deficit, plus a servicing premium, multiplied by the projected close ratio (Level 2). The market price premium or deficit is based on quoted market prices of similar instruments; the servicing premium is based on contractual investor guidelines for each product; and the projected close ratio is determined utilizing an external modeling system, widely used within the industry, to estimate customer behavior at an individual loan level.

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. Fair value measurements of mortgage loans held-for-sale improve the consistency of loan valuation between the date of borrower lock and the date of close. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, contractual principal amounts of mortgage loans held-for-sale totaled $126.9 million and $147.9 million, respectively. The excess of the aggregate fair value over the aggregate unpaid principal balance for mortgage loans held-for-sale measured at fair value totaled $2.9 million and $5.4 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and were included in “Financial services” revenues within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. At June 30, 2015, the Company held one repurchased loan with payments 90 days or more past due that had an aggregate carrying value of $218,000 and an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $339,000. At December 31, 2014, the Company held one repurchased loan with payments 90 days or more past due that had an aggregate carrying value of $219,000 and an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $340,000.

In accordance with ASC 825, the Company elected the fair value option for its IRLCs and its forward delivery contracts. The fair values of IRLCs were included in “Other” assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the fair values of forward-delivery contracts were included in “Other” assets and “Accrued and other liabilities” within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Gains realized on the IRLC pipeline, including activity and changes in fair value, totaled $1.3 million and $3.8 million for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015, respectively, and $2.3 million and $3.2 million for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014, respectively. Gains on forward-delivery contracts used to hedge IRLCs totaled $2.7 million and $1.4 million for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to losses on forward-delivery contracts that totaled $4.2 million and $7.2 million for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014, respectively. Gains on loan sales totaled $5.7 million and $11.2 million for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015, respectively, and $7.4 million and $12.8 million for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014, respectively. Net gains and losses related to IRLCs, forward-delivery contracts and loan sales were included in “Financial services” revenues within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

While recorded fair values represent management’s best estimate based on data currently available, future changes in interest rates or in market prices for mortgage loans, IRLCs and forward-delivery contracts, among other factors, could materially impact these fair values.

(See Note 9, “Housing Inventories” for the fair value measurements of the Company’s nonfinancial instruments.)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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