Joint Ventures Joint Ventures

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]

Joint Ventures

On a limited basis, we obtain finished lots using joint venture limited liability corporations (“JVs”). The JVs are typically structured such that we are a non-controlling member and are at risk only for the amount we have invested, or have committed to invest, in addition to any deposits placed under Lot Purchase Agreements with the joint venture. We are not a borrower, guarantor or obligor on any debt of the JVs, as applicable. We enter into Lot Purchase Agreements to purchase lots from these JVs, and as a result have a variable interest in these JVs.

At September 30, 2019, we had an aggregate investment totaling approximately $24,600 in six JVs that are expected to produce approximately 6,400 finished lots, of which approximately 3,050 lots were controlled by us and

the remaining approximately 3,350 lots were either under contract with unrelated parties or not currently under contract. In addition, we had additional funding commitments totaling approximately $4,700 in the aggregate to three of the JVs at September 30, 2019. We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of five of the JVs because we either share power with the other JV partner or the other JV partner has the controlling financial interest. The aggregate investment in unconsolidated JVs was approximately $24,600 and $29,400 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and is reported in the “Other assets” line item on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the remaining JV, we have concluded that we are the primary beneficiary because we have the controlling financial interest in the JV. As of December 31, 2018, all activities under the consolidated JV had been completed. As of September 30, 2019, we had no investment remaining in the JV and the JV had remaining balances of $293 in cash and $263 in accrued expenses, which are included in homebuilding "Other assets" and "Accrued expenses and other liabilities," respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

We recognize income from the JVs as a reduction to the lot cost of the lots purchased from the respective JVs when the homes are settled, based on the expected total profitability and the total number of lots expected to be produced by the respective JVs.

We classify distributions received from unconsolidated JVs using the cumulative earnings approach. As a result, distributions received up to the amount of cumulative earnings recognized by us are reported as distributions of earnings and those in excess of that amount are reported as a distribution of capital. These distributions are classified within the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as cash flows from operating activities and investing activities, respectively.