Joint Ventures

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Joint Ventures

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 at risk only for the amount we have invested, or 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 a standard Lot Purchase Agreement to purchase lots from these JVs, and as a result have a variable interest in these JVs.

At December 31, 2019, we had an aggregate investment totaling approximately $26,700 in five JVs that are expected to produce approximately 6,300 finished lots, of which approximately 2,950 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 in the aggregate totaling $4,300 to two of the JVs at December 31, 2019. We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of four of the JVs because we and the other JV partner either share power or the other JV partner has the controlling financial interest. The aggregate investment in unconsolidated JVs was approximately $26,700 and $29,400 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is reported in the “Other assets” line item on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. For the remaining JV, we 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 December 31, 2019, we had no remaining investment in the JV and the JV had remaining balances of $281 in cash and $251 in accrued expenses, which are included in homebuilding "Other assets" and "Accrued expenses and other liabilities," respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. 

At December 31, 2018, we had an aggregate investment totaling approximately $29,400 in six JVs that were expected to produce approximately 6,800 finished lots, of which approximately 3,450 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, at December 31, 2018, we had additional funding commitments in the aggregate totaling $5,000 to three of the JVs. During 2018, we recognized an impairment of approximately $7,400, including approximately $760 of capitalized interest, related to one of the JVs. The charge was recorded to homebuilding "Cost of sales" on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

With our adoption of ASU 2016-15 effective January 1, 2018, we made the election to 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 consolidated statements of cash flows as cash flows from operating activities and investing activities, respectively.