BZH-9.30.13 10K Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_____________________________________________________________ 
FORM 10-K
_____________________________________________________________ 
 
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013
or
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 001-12822
_____________________________________________________________ 
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 _____________________________________________________________ 
DELAWARE
 
58-2086934
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. employer
Identification no.)
1000 Abernathy Road, Suite 260,
Atlanta, Georgia
 
30328
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(770) 829-3700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 _____________________________________________________________


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 
 
 
 
Title of Securities
 
Exchanges on Which Registered
Common Stock, $.001 par value per share
 
New York Stock Exchange
Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
 
New York Stock Exchange
7.50% Tangible Equity Units
 
New York Stock Exchange
 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES  ¨ NO  x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
YES  ¨ NO  x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  x    NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   x 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One):
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (25,092,502 shares) as of March 31, 2013, based on the closing sale price per share as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on such date, was $397,465,232.

Class
 
Outstanding at November 6, 2013
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
 
25,245,034

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE


 
Part of 10-K
where incorporated
Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
III





BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
FORM 10-K
INDEX
 
Introduction
 
 
 
 
 




References to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Beazer”, “Beazer Homes” and the “Company” in this annual report on Form 10-K refer to Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this annual report will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of statements that include words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “goal,” “target” or other similar words or phrases. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this annual report.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, among other things, the matters discussed in this annual report in the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Additional information about factors that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in Part I, Item 1A— Risk Factors. These factors are not intended to be an all-encompassing list of risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of our business, but instead are the risks that we currently perceive as potentially being material. Such factors may include:

the availability and cost of land and the risks associated with the future value of our inventory such as additional asset impairment charges or writedowns;
economic changes nationally or in local markets, including changes in consumer confidence, declines in employment levels, inflation and increases in the quantity and decreases in the price of new homes and resale homes in the market;
the cyclical nature of the homebuilding industry and a potential deterioration in homebuilding industry conditions;
estimates related to homes to be delivered in the future (backlog) are imprecise as they are subject to various cancellation risks which cannot be fully controlled;
shortages of or increased prices for labor, land or raw materials used in housing production;
our cost of and ability to access capital and otherwise meet our ongoing liquidity needs including the impact of any downgrades of our credit ratings or reductions in our tangible net worth or liquidity levels;
our ability to comply with covenants in our debt agreements or satisfy such obligations through repayment or refinancing;
a substantial increase in mortgage interest rates, increased disruption in the availability of mortgage financing, a change in tax laws regarding the deductibility of mortgage interest, or an increased number of foreclosures;
increased competition or delays in reacting to changing consumer preference in home design;
factors affecting margins such as decreased land values underlying land option agreements, increased land development costs on communities under development or delays or difficulties in implementing initiatives to reduce production and overhead cost structure;
estimates related to the potential recoverability of our deferred tax assets;
potential delays or increased costs in obtaining necessary permits as a result of changes to, or complying with, laws, regulations, or governmental policies and possible penalties for failure to comply with such laws, regulations and governmental policies;
the results of litigation or government proceedings and fulfillment of the obligations in the Deferred Prosecution Agreement and consent orders with governmental authorities and other settlement agreements;
the impact of construction defect and home warranty claims;
the cost and availability of insurance and surety bonds;
the performance of our unconsolidated entities and our unconsolidated entity partners;
delays in land development or home construction resulting from adverse weather conditions;
the impact of information technology failures or data security breaches;
effects of changes in accounting policies, standards, guidelines or principles; or
terrorist acts, acts of war and other factors over which the Company has little or no control.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors.

1


PART I
 
Item 1. Business
 
We are a geographically diversified homebuilder with active operations in 16 states within three geographic regions in the United States: West, East, and Southeast. Our homes are designed to appeal to homeowners at various price points across various demographic segments and are generally offered for sale in advance of their construction. Our objective is to provide our customers with homes that incorporate exceptional value and quality while seeking to maximize our return on invested capital over the course of a housing cycle.
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 1000 Abernathy Road, Suite 260, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, telephone (770) 829-3700. We also provide information about our active communities through our Internet website located at www.beazer.com. Information on our website is not a part of and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in this report.
 
Industry Overview and Current Market Conditions
 
The sale of new homes has been and will likely remain a large industry in the United States for four primary reasons: historical growth in both population and households, demographic patterns that indicate an increased likelihood of home ownership as age and income increase, job creation within geographic markets that necessitate new home construction and consumer demand for home features that can be more easily provided in a new home than an existing home.
 
In any year, the demand for new homes is closely tied to job growth, the availability and cost of mortgage financing, the supply of new and existing homes for sale and, importantly, consumer confidence. Consumer confidence is perhaps the most important of these demand variables and is the hardest one to predict accurately because it is a function of, among other things, consumers' views of their employment and income prospects, recent and likely future home price trends, localized new and existing home inventory, the level of current and near-term interest and mortgage rates, the availability of consumer credit, valuations in stock and bond markets, and other geopolitical factors. In general, high levels of employment, significant affordability and low new home and resale home inventories contribute to a strong and growing homebuilding market environment.
 
The supply of new homes within specific geographic markets consists of both new homes built pursuant to pre-sale arrangements and speculative homes (frequently referred to as “spec homes”) built by homebuilders prior to their sale. The ratio of pre-sold to spec homes differs both by geographic market and over time within individual markets based on a wide variety of factors, including the availability of land and lots, access to construction financing, the availability and cost of construction labor and materials, the inventory of existing homes for sale and job growth characteristics.
 
Over the past few years, we have undertaken numerous actions to allow the Company to generate or conserve liquidity while maintaining a substantial homebuilding presence in large markets. During fiscal 2013, we made significant strides in the execution of our path-to-profitability plan, generating net income in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Our path-to-profitability plan consists of the following four key components:

Increase sales (new orders) per community;
Gradually expand our active communities;
Leverage our fixed costs; and
Improve homebuilding gross margins and gross profit dollars per transaction.

We believe that long-term fundamentals for new home construction remain intact and are encouraged by evidence of strengthening conditions in the housing market. After several years of exceptionally weak demand for new homes, the U.S. housing industry began to show some signs of improvement during fiscal 2012 followed by more solid and accelerated improvement during fiscal 2013. Single family starts and average sales prices were up in most markets across the country during fiscal 2013.
 
Long-Term Business Strategy
 
We have developed a long-term business strategy which focuses on the following elements in order to provide a wide range of homebuyers with quality homes while maximizing returns on our invested capital over the course of a housing cycle:
 
Geographic Diversification in Growth Markets.  We compete in a large number of geographically diverse markets in an attempt to reduce our exposure to any particular regional economy. Within these markets, we build homes in a variety of new home communities. We continually review our selection of markets based on both aggregate demographic information and our own operating results. We use the results of these reviews to re-allocate our investments to those markets where we believe we can maximize our profitability and return on capital over the next several years.

2



Diversity of Product Offerings.  Our product strategy further entails addressing the needs of an increasingly diverse profile of home buyers. Within each of our markets we determine the profile of buyers we hope to address and design neighborhoods and homes with the specific needs of those buyers in mind. Depending on the market, we attempt to address one or more of the following categories of home buyers: entry-level, move-up or retirement-oriented. Within these buyer groups, we have developed detailed targeted buyer profiles based on demographic and psychographic data including information about their marital and family status, employment, age, affluence, special interests, media consumption and distance moved. Recognizing that our customers want to choose certain components of their new home, we offer a limited number of structural options on most homes, as well as the use of design studios in most of our markets. These design studios allow the customer to select certain non-structural options for their homes such as cabinetry, flooring, fixtures, appliances and wall coverings.
 
Differentiated Process.  Our strategy has three specific tenets: energy efficiency, personalization and lender choice. We engineer our homes for energy-efficiency, cost savings and comfort. Using the ENERGYSTAR TM standards as our minimum performance criteria, our homes reduce the impact on the environment while decreasing our homebuyers' annual operating costs. In response to consumers' desire to reflect their personal preferences and lifestyle in their homes, we continue to evolve our floor plans based on market opportunity and demand. We create base plans that meet most homebuyers' needs but also give the homebuyer the flexibility to change how the home lives through choices in structural and design options. To address the homebuyers' perceived challenge of securing a mortgage, we facilitate the process by making available a small number of preferred lenders who offer a comprehensive set of mortgage products, competitive rates and outstanding customer service.
  
Consistent Use of National Brand.  Our homebuilding and marketing activities are conducted under the name of Beazer Homes in each of our markets. We believe that the Beazer Homes® trademark has significant value and is an important factor in the marketing of our homebuilding activities and business. We utilize a single brand name across our markets in order to better leverage our national and local marketing activities. Using a single brand has allowed us to execute successful national marketing campaigns and online marketing practices.
 
Operational Scale Efficiencies.  Beyond marketing advantages, we attempt to create both national and local scale efficiencies as a result of the scope of our operations. On a national basis we are able to achieve volume purchasing advantages in certain product categories, share best practices in construction, marketing, planning and design among our markets, respond to telephonic and online customer inquiries and leverage our fixed costs in ways that improve profitability. On a local level, while we are not generally the largest builder within our markets, we do attempt to be a major participant within our selected submarkets and targeted buyer profiles. There are further design, construction and cost advantages associated with having strong market positions within particular markets.
 
Balanced Land Policies.  We seek to maximize our return on capital by carefully managing our investment in land. We may acquire lots from various development and land banking entities pursuant to purchase and option agreements. To reduce the risks associated with investments in land, we sometimes use options to control land. We generally do not speculate in land which does not have the benefit of entitlements providing basic development rights to the owner.
 

3


Reportable Business Segments
 
In our homebuilding operations, we design, sell and build single-family and multi-family homes in the following geographic regions which are presented as reportable segments.
 
 
 
 
Segment/State
 
Market(s)/Year Entered
 
 
 
Homebuilding - West:
 
 
Arizona
 
Phoenix (1993)
California
 
Los Angeles County (1993), Orange County (1993), Riverside and San Bernardino Counties (1993), San Diego County (1992), Ventura County (1993), Sacramento (1993), Kern County (2005)
Nevada
 
Las Vegas (1993)
Texas
 
Dallas/Ft. Worth (1995), Houston (1995)
Homebuilding - East:
 
 
Indiana
 
Indianapolis (2002)
Maryland/Delaware
 
Baltimore (1998), Metro-Washington, D.C. (1998), Delaware (2003)
New Jersey/Pennsylvania/New York
 
Central and Southern New Jersey (1998), Bucks County, PA (1998), Orange County, NY (2011)
Tennessee
 
Nashville (1987)
Virginia
 
Fairfax County (1998), Loudoun County (1998), Prince William County (1998)
Homebuilding - Southeast:
 
 
Florida
 
Tampa/St. Petersburg (1996), Orlando (1997)
Georgia
 
Atlanta (1985), Savannah (2005)
North Carolina
 
Raleigh/Durham (1992)
South Carolina
 
Charleston (1987), Myrtle Beach (2002)
 
The results of operations of all of the homebuilding markets we have exited are reported as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, through May 2,
2012, we operated our Pre-Owned Homes business in Arizona and Nevada. Effective May 3, 2012, we contributed our Pre-Owned Homes business for an investment in an unconsolidated entity (see Note 3 for additional information).
 
Seasonal and Quarterly Variability
 
Our homebuilding operating cycle generally reflects higher levels of new home order activity in the second and third fiscal quarters and increased closings in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. However, during periods of an economic downturn in the industry such as we have experienced in recent years, decreased revenues and closings as compared to prior periods including prior quarters, will typically reduce seasonal patterns.
 
Markets and Product Description
 
We evaluate a number of factors in determining which geographic markets to enter as well as which consumer segments to target with our homebuilding activities. We attempt to anticipate changes in economic and real estate conditions by evaluating such statistical information as the historical and projected growth of the population; the number of new jobs created or projected to be created; the number of housing starts in previous periods; building lot availability and price; housing inventory; level of competition; and home sale absorption rates.
 
We generally seek to differentiate ourselves from our competition in a particular market with respect to customer service, product type, incorporating energy efficient features, and design and construction quality. We maintain the flexibility to alter our product mix within a given market, depending on market conditions. In determining our product mix, we consider demographic trends, demand for a particular type of product, consumer preferences, margins, timing and the economic strength of the market. Although some of our homes are priced at the upper end of the market, and we offer a selection of amenities and home customization options, we generally do not build “custom homes.” We attempt to maximize efficiency by using standardized design plans whenever possible. In all of our home offerings, we attempt to maximize customer satisfaction by incorporating quality and energy-efficient materials, distinctive design features, convenient locations and competitive prices.

4


 
The following table summarizes certain operating information of our reportable homebuilding segments and our discontinued homebuilding operations as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Please see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” in Item 7 below for additional information.

 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
($ in thousands)
Number of Homes Closed
 
Average Closing Price
 
Number of Homes Closed
 
Average Closing Price
 
Number of Homes Closed
 
Average Closing Price
West
2,277

 
$
238.7

 
1,883

 
$
205.3

 
1,115

 
$
195.9

East
1,629

 
296.2

 
1,506

 
266.8

 
1,316

 
258.1

Southeast
1,150

 
220.2

 
1,039

 
199.9

 
818

 
189.0

Continuing Operations
5,056

 
$
253.0

 
4,428

 
$
224.9

 
3,249

 
$
219.4

Discontinued Operations

 
$

 
19

 
$
219.6

 
101

 
$
196.2


 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
Units in Backlog
 
Dollar Value in Backlog
 
Units in Backlog
 
Dollar Value in Backlog
 
Units in Backlog
 
Dollar Value in Backlog
West
738

 
$
200,532

 
839

 
$
184,754

 
570

 
$
113,931

East
661

 
210,066

 
747

 
223,050

 
638

 
169,851

Southeast
494

 
117,544

 
337

 
71,276

 
242

 
50,724

Continuing Operations
1,893

 
$
528,142

 
1,923

 
$
479,080

 
1,450

 
$
334,506

Discontinued Operations

 
$

 

 
$

 
17

 
$
3,800


Corporate Operations

We perform all or most of the following functions at our corporate office:

evaluate and select geographic markets;
allocate capital resources to particular markets for land acquisitions;
maintain and develop relationships with lenders and capital markets to create access to financial resources;
maintain and develop relationships with national product vendors;
operate and manage information systems and technology support operations; and
monitor the operations of our subsidiaries and divisions.
We allocate capital resources necessary for new investments in a manner consistent with our overall business strategy. We will vary the capital allocation based on market conditions, results of operations and other factors. Capital commitments are determined through consultation among selected executive and operational personnel, who play an important role in ensuring that new investments are consistent with our strategy. Centralized financial controls are also maintained through the standardization of accounting and financial policies and procedures.

Field Operations
 
The development and construction of each new home community is managed by our operating divisions, each of which is generally led by a market leader who, in most instances, reports directly to our Chief Executive Officer. At the development stage, a manager (who may be assigned to several communities and reports to the market leader of the division) supervises development of buildable lots. Together with our operating divisions, our field teams are equipped with the skills to complete the functions of identification of land acquisition opportunities, land entitlement, land development, home construction, marketing, sales, warranty service and certain purchasing and planning/design functions. The accounting and accounts payable functions of our field operations are concentrated in one or more of our three regional accounting centers.
 

5


Land Acquisition and Development
 
Generally, the land we acquire is purchased only after necessary entitlements have been obtained so that we have the right to begin development or construction as market conditions dictate.
In a very small number of situations, we will purchase property without all necessary entitlements where we perceive an opportunity to build on such property in a manner consistent with our strategy. The term “entitlements” refers to subdivision approvals, development agreements, tentative maps or recorded plats, depending on the jurisdiction within which the land is located. Entitlements generally give a developer the right to obtain building permits upon compliance with conditions that are usually within the developer's control. Although entitlements are ordinarily obtained prior to the purchase of land, we are still required to obtain a variety of other governmental approvals and permits during the development process.
 
We select our land for development based upon a variety of factors, including:

internal and external demographic and marketing studies;
suitability for development during the time period of one to five years from the beginning of the development process to the last closing;
financial review as to the feasibility of the proposed project, including profit margins and returns on capital employed;
the ability to secure governmental approvals and entitlements;
environmental and legal due diligence;
competition in the area;
proximity to local traffic corridors and amenities; and
management's judgment of the real estate market and economic trends and our experience in a particular market.

We generally purchase land or obtain an option to purchase land, which, in either case, requires certain site improvements prior to construction. Where required, we then undertake or, in the case of land under option, the grantor of the option then undertakes, the development activities (through contractual arrangements with local developers), which include site planning and engineering, as well as constructing road, sewer, water, utilities, drainage and recreational facilities and other amenities. When available in certain markets, we also buy finished lots that are ready for construction. During fiscal 2013, we aggressively pursued land acquisition opportunities in an effort to increase our number of active communities, spending approximately $475 million for land acquisition and development.
 
We strive to develop a design and marketing concept for each of our communities, which includes determination of size, style and price range of the homes, layout of streets, layout of individual lots and overall community design. The product line offered in a particular new home community depends upon many factors, including the housing generally available in the area, the needs of a particular market and our cost of lots in the new home community. We are, however, often able to use standardized home design plans.
 
Option Contracts.  We acquire certain lots by means of option contracts from various sellers including land banking entities. Option contracts generally require the payment of a cash deposit or issuance of a letter of credit for the right to acquire lots during a specified period of time at a fixed or variable price.
 
Under option contracts, purchase of the properties is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by us and the sellers. Our liability under option contracts is generally limited to forfeiture of the non-refundable deposits, letters of credit and other non-refundable amounts incurred, which aggregated approximately $37.3 million at September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2013, future amounts under option contracts aggregated approximately $288.6 million, net of cash deposits.









6


The following table sets forth, by reportable segment, land controlled by us as of September 30, 2013:
 
Lots Owned
 
 
 
 
 
Homes Under Construction (1)
 
Finished Lots
 
Lots for Current Development
 
Lots for Future Development
 
Land Held for Sale
 
Total Lots Owned
 
Total Lots Under Contract
 
Total Lots Controlled
West
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arizona
139

 
332

 
790

 
46

 
1

 
1,308

 

 
1,308

California
90

 
51

 
866

 
3,567

 
44

 
4,618

 
72

 
4,690

Nevada
110

 
594

 
305

 
800

 

 
1,809

 
223

 
2,032

Texas
467

 
329

 
2,310

 

 
350

 
3,456

 
1,742

 
5,198

Total West
806

 
1,306

 
4,271

 
4,413

 
395

 
11,191

 
2,037

 
13,228

East
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 

Indiana
208

 
529

 
926

 

 
250

 
1,913

 
116

 
2,029

Maryland
166

 
299

 
1,300

 
462

 
6

 
2,233

 
1,192

 
3,425

New Jersey
68

 
169

 
413

 
81

 

 
731

 
94

 
825

Tennessee
43

 
54

 
848

 

 
102

 
1,047

 
91

 
1,138

Virginia
90

 
81

 
27

 

 

 
198

 
381

 
579

Total East
575

 
1,132

 
3,514

 
543

 
358

 
6,122

 
1,874

 
7,996

Southeast
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Georgia
31

 
55

 
129

 
88

 

 
303

 
118

 
421

Florida
216

 
235

 
1,226

 
266

 
168

 
2,111

 
678

 
2,789

North Carolina
37

 
101

 
187

 
21

 

 
346

 
396

 
742

South Carolina
161

 
368

 
1,257

 
76

 
115

 
1,977

 
678

 
2,655

Total Southeast
445

 
759

 
2,799

 
451

 
283

 
4,737

 
1,870

 
6,607

Discontinued Operations

 

 

 

 
173

 
173

 

 
173

Total
1,826

 
3,197

 
10,584

 
5,407

 
1,209

 
22,223

 
5,781

 
28,004


(1) The category "Homes Under Construction" represents lots upon which construction of a home has commenced, including model homes.

The following table sets forth, by reportable segment, land held for development, land held for future development and land held for sale as of September 30, 2013:
(In thousands)
Land Held for Development
 
Land Held for Future Development
 
Land Held for Sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
West
$
228,330

 
$
292,875

 
$
16,572

East
225,279

 
25,491

 
3,833

Southeast
124,844

 
23,620

 
8,208

Discontinued Operations

 

 
2,718

Total
$
578,453

 
$
341,986

 
$
31,331


Unconsolidated Entities  

We participate in a number of land development joint ventures and other investments in which we have less than a controlling interest. We enter into these investments in order to acquire attractive land positions, to manage our risk profile and to leverage our capital base. Excluding our investment in a pre-owned rental homes real estate investment trust (REIT), the remainder of our investments in our unconsolidated entities are typically entered into with developers, other homebuilders and financial partners to

7


develop finished lots for sale to the unconsolidated entity’s members and other third parties. We account for our interest in our unconsolidated entities under the equity method. Our consolidated balance sheets include investments in unconsolidated entities totaling $45.0 million and $42.1 million at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
Our unconsolidated entities periodically obtain secured acquisition and development financing. At September 30, 2013, our unconsolidated entities had borrowings outstanding totaling $85.9 million. In the past, we and our partners have provided varying levels of guarantees of debt or other obligations for our unconsolidated land development joint ventures. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
 
Construction
 
We typically act as the general contractor for the construction of our new home communities. Our project development operations are controlled by our operating divisions, whose employees supervise the construction of each new home community, coordinate the activities of subcontractors and suppliers, subject their work to quality and cost controls and assure compliance with zoning and building codes. We specify that quality, durable materials be used in the construction of our homes. Our subcontractors follow design plans prepared by architects and engineers who are retained or directly employed by us and whose designs are geared to the local market. Our home plans are created in a collaborative effort with industry leading architectural firms, allowing us to stay current in our home designs with changing trends, as well as to expand our focus on value engineering without losing design value to our customers.
 
Subcontractors typically are retained on a project-by-project basis to complete construction at a fixed price. Agreements with our subcontractors and materials suppliers are generally entered into after competitive bidding. In connection with this competitive bid process, we obtain information from prospective subcontractors and vendors with respect to their financial condition and ability to perform their agreements with us. We do not maintain significant inventories of construction materials, except for materials being utilized for homes under construction. We have numerous suppliers of raw materials and services used in our business, and such materials and services have been, and continue to be, available. Material prices may fluctuate, however, due to various factors, including demand or supply shortages, which may be beyond the control of our vendors. Whenever possible, we enter into regional and national supply contracts with certain of our vendors. We believe that our relationships with our suppliers and subcontractors are good.
 
Construction time for our homes depends on the availability of labor, materials and supplies, product type and location. Homes are designed to promote efficient use of space and materials, and to minimize construction costs and time. In all of our markets, construction of a home is typically completed within three to six months following commencement of construction. At September 30, 2013, excluding models, we had 1,643 homes at various stages of completion of which 1,273 were under contract and included in backlog at such date and 370 homes (113 were substantially completed and 257 under construction) were not under a sales contract, either because the construction of the home was begun without a sales contract or because the original sales contract had been canceled.
 
Warranty Program
 
For certain homes sold through March 31, 2004 (and in certain markets through July 31, 2004), we self-insured our warranty obligations through our wholly-owned risk retention group. We continue to maintain reserves to cover potential claims on homes covered under this warranty program. Beginning with homes sold on or after April 1, 2004 (August 1, 2004 in certain markets), our warranties are issued, administered and insured, subject to applicable self-insured retentions, by independent third parties. We currently provide a limited warranty (ranging from one to two years) covering workmanship and materials per our defined performance quality standards. In addition, we provide a limited warranty (generally ranging from a minimum of five years up to the period covered by the applicable statute of repose) covering only certain defined construction defects. We also provide a defined structural warranty with single-family homes and townhomes in certain states.
 
Since we subcontract our homebuilding work to subcontractors whose contracts generally include an indemnity obligation and a requirement that certain minimum insurance requirements be met, including providing us with a certificate of insurance prior to receiving payments for their work, many claims relating to workmanship and materials are the primary responsibility of our subcontractors.
 
In addition, we maintain third-party insurance, subject to applicable self-insured retentions, for most construction defects that we encounter in the normal course of business. We believe that our warranty and litigation accruals and third-party insurance are adequate to cover the ultimate resolution of our potential liabilities associated with known and anticipated warranty and construction defect related claims and litigation. Please see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” and Note 9, “Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. There can be no assurance, however, that the terms and limitations of the limited warranty will be effective against claims made by the homebuyers, that we will be able to renew our insurance coverage or renew it at reasonable rates, that we will not be liable for damages, the cost

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of repairs, and/or the expense of litigation surrounding possible construction defects, soil subsidence or building related claims or that claims will not arise out of events or circumstances not covered by insurance and/or not subject to effective indemnification agreements with our subcontractors.
 
Marketing and Sales
 
We make extensive use of online and traditional advertising vehicles and other promotional activities, including our Internet website (www.beazer.com), our mobile site (m.beazer.com), real estate listing sites, search engine marketing, mass-media advertisements, brochures, direct marketing, directional billboards and the placement of strategically located signboards in the immediate areas of our developments. In connection with these marketing vehicles, we have registered or applied for registration of trademarks and Internet domain names, including Beazer Homes® for use in our business.
 
We normally build, decorate, furnish and landscape model homes for each community and maintain on-site sales offices. At September 30, 2013, we maintained and owned 183 model homes. We believe that model homes play a particularly important role in our marketing efforts.
 
We generally sell our homes through commissioned new home sales counselors (who typically work from the sales offices located in the model homes used in the subdivision) as well as through independent brokers. Our personnel are available to assist prospective homebuyers by providing them with floor plans, price information, tours of model homes, and a detailed explanation of the energy-efficient features and associated savings opportunities. The selection of interior features is a principal component of our marketing and sales efforts. Sales personnel are trained by us and participate in a structured training program to be updated on sales techniques, product enhancements, competitive products in the area, the availability of financing, construction schedules, marketing and advertising plans and Company policies including compliance, which management believes results in a sales force with extensive knowledge of our operating policies and housing products. Our policy also provides that sales personnel be licensed real estate agents where required by law. Depending on market conditions, we also at times begin construction on a number of homes for which no signed sales contract exists. The use of an inventory of such homes satisfies the requirements of relocated personnel, first time buyers and of independent brokers, who often represent customers who require a completed home within 60 days. We sometimes use various sales incentives in order to attract homebuyers. The use of incentives depends largely on local economic and competitive market conditions.
 
Customer Financing
 
We do not provide mortgage origination services. Unlike many of our peers, we have no interest in any lender and are able to promote real competition among lenders on behalf of our customers. Approximately 90% of our fiscal 2013 customers elected to finance their home purchases. See Item 3 - Legal Proceedings for discussion of the investigations and litigation related to our prior mortgage origination business (Beazer Mortgage).
 
Competition
 
The development and sale of residential properties is highly competitive and fragmented. We compete for residential sales on the basis of a number of interrelated factors, including location, reputation, amenities, design, quality and price, with numerous large and small homebuilders, including some homebuilders with nationwide operations and greater financial resources and/or lower costs than us. We also compete for residential sales with individual resales of existing homes and available rental housing.
 
We utilize our experience within our geographic markets and breadth of product line to vary our regional product offerings to reflect changing market conditions. We strive to respond to market conditions and to capitalize on the opportunities for advantageous land acquisitions in desirable locations. To further strengthen our competitive position, we rely on quality design, construction and service to provide customers with a higher measure of home.
 
Government Regulation and Environmental Matters
 
Generally, our land is purchased with entitlements, giving us the right to obtain building permits upon compliance with specified conditions, which generally are within our control. The length of time necessary to obtain such permits and approvals affects the carrying costs of unimproved property acquired for the purpose of development and construction. In addition, the continued effectiveness of permits already granted is subject to factors such as changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretation and application. Many governmental authorities have imposed impact fees as a means of defraying the cost of providing certain governmental services to developing areas. To date, the governmental approval processes discussed above have not had a material adverse effect on our development activities, and indeed all homebuilders in a given market face the same fees and restrictions. There can be no assurance, however, that these and other restrictions will not adversely affect us in the future.
 

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We may also be subject to periodic delays or may be precluded entirely from developing communities due to building moratoriums, “slow-growth” or “no-growth” initiatives or building permit allocation ordinances which could be implemented in the future in the states and markets in which we operate. Substantially all of our land is entitled and, therefore, the moratoriums generally would only adversely affect us if they arose from health, safety and welfare issues such as insufficient water or sewage facilities. Local and state governments also have broad discretion regarding the imposition of development fees for communities in their jurisdictions. These fees are normally established, however, when we receive recorded final maps and building permits. We are also subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning the protection of health and the environment. These laws may result in delays, cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs, and prohibit or severely restrict development in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas.
 
In order to provide homes to homebuyers qualifying for FHA-insured or VA-guaranteed mortgages, we must construct homes in compliance with FHA and VA regulations. These laws and regulations include provisions regarding operating procedures, investments, lending and privacy disclosures, forms of policies and premiums.

In some states, we are required to be registered as a licensed contractor and comply with applicable rules and regulations. Also, in various states, our new home counselors are required to be licensed real estate agents and to comply with the laws and regulations applicable to real estate agents.
 
Failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations could result in loss of licensing and a restriction of our business activities in the applicable jurisdiction.
 
Bonds and Other Obligations
 
In connection with the development of our communities, we are frequently required to provide letters of credit and performance, maintenance and other bonds in support of our related obligations with respect to such developments. The amount of such obligations outstanding at any time varies in accordance with our pending development activities. In the event any such bonds or letters of credit are drawn upon, we would be obligated to reimburse the issuer of such bonds or letters of credit. At September 30, 2013, we had approximately $25.2 million and $160.3 million of outstanding letters of credit and performance bonds, respectively, primarily related to our obligations to local governments to construct roads and other improvements in various developments. We have no outstanding letters of credit relating to our land option contracts as of September 30, 2013.
 
Employees and Subcontractors
 
At September 30, 2013, we employed 878 persons, of whom 300 were sales and marketing personnel and 207 were involved in construction. Although none of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, at times certain of the subcontractors engaged by us are represented by labor unions or are subject to collective bargaining arrangements. We believe that our relations with our employees and subcontractors are good.
 
Available Information
 
Our Internet website address is www.beazer.com and our mobile site is m.beazer.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file with or furnish them to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are available in print to any stockholder who requests a printed copy. The public may also read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Additionally, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
 
In addition, many of our corporate governance documents are available on our website at www.beazer.com. Specifically, our Audit, Finance, Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charters, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available. Each of these documents is available in print to any stockholder who requests it.
 
The content on our website and mobile site is available for information purposes only and is not a part of and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in this report.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our long-term success depends on our ability to acquire finished lots and undeveloped land suitable for residential homebuilding at reasonable prices, in accordance with our land investment criteria.

The homebuilding industry is highly competitive for suitable land and the risk inherent in purchasing and developing land increases as consumer demand for housing increases. The availability of finished and partially finished developed lots and undeveloped land for purchase that meet our investment criteria depends on a number of factors outside our control, including land availability in general, competition with other homebuilders and land buyers, inflation in land prices, zoning, allowable housing density, the ability to obtain building permits and other regulatory requirements. Should suitable lots or land become less available, the number of homes we may be able to build and sell could be reduced, and the cost of land could be increased, perhaps substantially, which could adversely impact our results of operations.

As competition for suitable land increases, the cost of acquiring both finished and undeveloped lots and the cost of developing owned land could rise and the availability of suitable land at acceptable prices may decline, which could adversely impact our financial results. The availability of suitable land assets could also affect the success of our land acquisition strategy, which may impact our ability to increase the number of actively selling communities, to grow our revenues and margins, and to achieve or maintain profitability.

The market value of our land and/or homes may decline, leading to impairments and reduced profitability.

We regularly acquire land for replacement and expansion of land inventory within our existing and new markets. The market value of land, building lots and housing inventories can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing market conditions and the measures we employ to manage inventory risk may not be adequate to insulate our operations from a severe drop in inventory values. When market conditions are such that land values are not appreciating, previously entered into option agreements may become less desirable, at which time we may elect to forgo deposits and preacquisition costs and terminate the agreements. In a situation of adverse market conditions, we may incur impairment charges or have to sell land at a loss which would adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and stockholders' equity and our ability to comply with certain covenants in our debt instruments linked to tangible net worth.
 
Our home sales and operating revenues could decline due to macro-economic and other factors outside of our control, such as changes in consumer confidence, declines in employment levels and increases in the quantity and decreases in the price of new homes and resale homes in the market.
 
Changes in national and regional economic conditions, as well as local economic conditions where we conduct our operations and where prospective purchasers of our homes live, may result in more caution on the part of homebuyers and, consequently, fewer home purchases. These economic uncertainties involve, among other things, conditions of supply and demand in local markets and changes in consumer confidence and income, employment levels, and government regulations. These risks and uncertainties could periodically have an adverse effect on consumer demand for and the pricing of our homes, which could cause our operating revenues to decline. Additional reductions in our revenues could, in turn, further negatively affect the market price of our securities.

The homebuilding industry is cyclical. A severe downturn in the industry, as recently experienced, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and stockholders' equity.
 
During periods of downturn in the industry, housing markets across the United States may experience an oversupply of both new and resale home inventory, an increase in foreclosures, reduced levels of consumer demand for new homes, increased cancellation rates, aggressive price competition among homebuilders and increased incentives for home sales. In the event of a downturn, we may temporarily experience a material reduction in revenues and margins. Continued weakness in the homebuilding market could adversely affect our business, results of operations and stockholders' equity as compared to prior periods and could result in additional inventory impairments in the future.

An increase in cancellation rates may negatively impact our business.

Our backlog reflects the number and value of homes for which we have entered into a sales contract with a customer but have not yet delivered the home. Although these sales contracts typically require a cash deposit and do not make the sale contingent on the sale of the customer's existing home, in some cases a customer may cancel the contract and receive a complete or partial refund of the deposit as a result of local laws or as a matter of our business practices. If industry or economic conditions deteriorate or if mortgage financing becomes less accessible, more homebuyers may have an incentive to cancel their contracts with us, even where they might be entitled to no refund or only a partial refund, rather than complete the purchase. Significant cancellations have had,

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and could have, a material adverse effect on our business as a result of lost sales revenue and the accumulation of unsold housing inventory. It is important to note that both backlog and cancellation metrics are operational, rather than accounting data, and should be used only as a general gauge to evaluate performance. There is an inherent imprecision in these metrics based on an evaluation of qualitative factors during the transaction cycle.
 
We are dependent on the continued availability and satisfactory performance of our subcontractors, which, if unavailable, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
We conduct our land development and construction operations only as a general contractor. Virtually all land development and construction work is performed by unaffiliated third-party subcontractors. As a consequence, we depend on the continued availability of and satisfactory performance by these subcontractors for the development of our land and construction of our homes. There may not be sufficient availability of and satisfactory performance by these unaffiliated third-party subcontractors in the markets in which we operate. In addition, inadequate subcontractor resources could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are dependent on the services of certain key employees, and the loss of their services could hurt our business.
 
Our future success depends upon our ability to attract, train, assimilate and retain skilled personnel. If we are unable to retain our key employees or attract, train, assimilate or retain other skilled personnel in the future, it could hinder our business strategy and impose additional costs of identifying and training new individuals. Competition for qualified personnel in all of our operating markets is intense.
 
Our access to capital and our ability to obtain additional financing could be affected by any downgrade of our credit ratings.
 
The Company's corporate credit rating and ratings on the Company's senior secured and unsecured notes and our current credit condition affect, among other things, our ability to access new capital, especially debt. Negative changes in these ratings may result in more stringent covenants and higher interest rates under the terms of any new debt. If our credit ratings are lowered or rating agencies issue adverse commentaries in the future, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. In particular, a weakening of our financial condition, including a significant increase in our leverage or decrease in our profitability or cash flows, could adversely affect our ability to obtain necessary funds, result in a credit rating downgrade or change in outlook, or otherwise increase our cost of borrowing.
 
Our Senior Notes, revolving credit and letter of credit facilities, and certain other debt impose significant restrictions and obligations on us. Restrictions on our ability to borrow could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition, limit our growth and make it more difficult for us to satisfy our debt obligations.
 
Certain of our secured and unsecured indebtedness and revolving credit and letter of credit facilities impose certain restrictions and obligations on us. Under certain of these instruments, we must comply with defined covenants which limit the Company's ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, engage in certain asset sales, make certain types of restricted payments, engage in transactions with affiliates and create liens on assets of the Company. Failure to comply with certain of these covenants could result in an event of default under the applicable instrument. Any such event of default could negatively impact other covenants or lead to cross defaults under certain of our other debt. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any waivers or amendments that may become necessary in the event of a future default situation without significant additional cost or at all.
 
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to us and the holders of our securities, including, among other things:

causing us to be unable to satisfy our obligations under our debt agreements;
making us more vulnerable to adverse general economic and industry conditions;
making it difficult to fund future working capital, land purchases, acquisitions, share repurchases, general corporate purposes or other purposes; and
causing us to be limited in our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business.

 
In addition, subject to restrictions in our existing debt instruments, we may incur additional indebtedness. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify. Our growth plans and our ability to make payments of principal or interest on, or to refinance, our indebtedness, will depend on our future operating performance and our ability to enter into additional debt and/or equity financings. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows in the future to service our debt, we

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may be required to refinance all or a portion of our existing debt, to sell assets or to obtain additional financing. We may not be able to do any of the foregoing on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
 
A substantial increase in mortgage interest rates, the unavailability of mortgage financing or a change in tax laws regarding the deductibility of mortgage interest may reduce consumer demand for our homes.
 
Substantially all purchasers of our homes finance their acquisition with mortgage financing. Housing demand is adversely affected by reduced availability of mortgage financing and factors that increase the upfront or monthly cost of financing a home such as increases in interest rates, insurance premiums, or limitations on mortgage interest deductibility. The recent decrease in the willingness and ability of lenders to make home mortgage loans, the tightening of lending standards and the limitation of financing product options, have made it more difficult for homebuyers to obtain acceptable financing. Any substantial increase in mortgage interest rates or unavailability of mortgage financing may adversely affect the ability of prospective first-time and move-up homebuyers to obtain financing for our homes, as well as adversely affect the ability of prospective move-up homebuyers to sell their current homes. A disruption in the credit markets and/or the curtailed availability of mortgage financing may adversely affect, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as it has in the past few years.
 
If we are unsuccessful in competing against our homebuilding competitors, our market share could decline or our growth could be impaired and, as a result, our financial results could suffer.
 
Competition in the homebuilding industry is intense, and there are relatively low barriers to entry into our business. Increased competition could hurt our business, as it could prevent us from acquiring attractive parcels of land on which to build homes or make such acquisitions more expensive, hinder our market share expansion, and lead to pricing pressures on our homes that may adversely impact our margins and revenues. If we are unable to successfully compete, our financial results could suffer and the value of, or our ability to service, our debt could be adversely affected. Our competitors may independently develop land and construct housing units that are superior or substantially similar to our products. Furthermore, some of our competitors have substantially greater financial resources and lower costs of funds than we do. Many of these competitors also have longstanding relationships with subcontractors and suppliers in the markets in which we operate. We currently build in several of the top markets in the nation and, therefore, we expect to continue to face additional competition from new entrants into our markets.

We conduct certain of our operations through land development joint ventures with independent third parties in which we do not have a controlling interest and we can be adversely impacted by joint venture partners' failure to fulfill their obligations.
 
We participate in land development joint ventures (JVs) in which we have less than a controlling interest. We have entered into JVs in order to acquire attractive land positions, to manage our risk profile and to leverage our capital base. Our JVs are typically entered into with developers, other homebuilders and financial partners to develop finished lots for sale to the joint venture's members and other third parties. As a result of the deterioration of the housing market, we have written down our investment in certain of our JVs reflecting impairments of inventory held within those JVs. If these adverse market conditions continue or worsen, we may have to take further writedowns of our investments in our JVs.
 
Our joint venture investments are generally very illiquid both because we lack a controlling interest in the JVs and because most of our JVs are structured to require super-majority or unanimous approval of the members to sell a substantial portion of the JV's assets or for a member to receive a return of its invested capital. Our lack of a controlling interest also results in the risk that the JV will take actions that we disagree with, or fail to take actions that we desire, including actions regarding the sale of the underlying property.
 
Our JVs typically obtain secured acquisition, development and construction financing. Generally, we and our joint venture partners have provided varying levels of guarantees of debt or other obligations of our unconsolidated JVs. These guarantees include construction completion guarantees, repayment guarantees and environmental indemnities. We accrue for guarantees we determine are probable and reasonably estimable, but we do not record a liability for the contingent aspects of any guarantees that we determine are reasonably possible but not probable. As of September 30, 2013, we had no outstanding repayment guarantees.

We could experience a reduction in home sales and revenues or reduced cash flows due to our inability to acquire land for our housing developments if we are unable to obtain reasonably priced financing to support our homebuilding activities.
 
The homebuilding industry is capital intensive, and homebuilding requires significant up-front expenditures to acquire land and to begin development. Accordingly, we incur substantial indebtedness to finance our homebuilding activities. If internally generated funds are not sufficient, we would seek additional capital in the form of equity or debt financing from a variety of potential sources, including additional bank financing and/or securities offerings. The amount and types of indebtedness which we may incur are limited by the terms of our existing debt. In addition, the availability of borrowed funds, especially for land acquisition and construction financing, may be greatly reduced nationally, and the lending community may require increased amounts of equity to

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be invested in a project by borrowers in connection with both new loans and the extension of existing loans. The credit and capital markets have recently experienced significant volatility. If we are required to seek additional financing to fund our operations, continued volatility in these markets may restrict our flexibility to access such financing. If we are not successful in obtaining sufficient capital to fund our planned capital and other expenditures, we may be unable to acquire land for our housing developments. Additionally, if we cannot obtain additional financing to fund the purchase of land under our option contracts, we may incur contractual penalties and fees.

Our stock price is volatile and could decline.
 
The securities markets in general and our common stock in particular have experienced significant price and volume volatility over the past few years. The market price and volume of our common stock may continue to experience significant fluctuations due not only to general stock market conditions but also to a change in sentiment in the market regarding our industry, operations or business prospects. In addition to the other risk factors discussed in this section, the price and volume volatility of our common stock may be affected by:
operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;
factors influencing home purchases, such as availability of home mortgage loans and interest rates, credit criteria applicable to prospective borrowers, ability to sell existing residences, and homebuyer sentiment in general;
the operating and securities price performance of companies that investors consider comparable to us;
announcements of strategic developments, acquisitions and other material events by us or our competitors; and
changes in global financial markets and global economies and general market conditions, such as interest rates, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets.
  
Our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or otherwise use our common stock as consideration is impacted by the price of our common stock. A low stock price may adversely impact our ability to reduce our financial leverage, as measured by the ratio of total debt to total capital. As of September 30, 2013, our total debt to total capital was 86.3% and our net debt to net capital was 80.4%. Continued high levels of leverage or significant increases may adversely affect our credit ratings and make it more difficult for us to access additional capital. These factors may limit our ability to implement our operating and growth plans.
 
The tax benefits of our pre-ownership change net operating loss carryforwards and any future recognized built-in losses in our assets will be substantially limited since we experienced an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and our deferred income tax asset may not be fully realizable.
 
We believe we have significant “built-in losses” in our assets (i.e. an excess tax basis over current fair market value) that may result in tax losses as such assets are sold. Net operating losses generally may be carried forward for a 20-year period to offset future earnings and reduce our federal income tax liability. Built-in losses, if and when recognized, generally will result in tax losses that may then be deducted or carried forward. However, because we experienced an “ownership change” under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code as of January 12, 2010, our ability to realize these tax benefits may be significantly limited.
 
Section 382 contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an “ownership change,” which is generally defined as any change in ownership of more than 50% of its common stock over a three-year period, to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards and certain built-in losses or deductions, as of the ownership change date, that are recognized during the five-year period after the ownership change. These rules generally operate by focusing on changes in the ownership among shareholders owning, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the company's common stock (including changes involving a shareholder becoming a 5% shareholder) or any change in ownership arising from a new issuance of stock or share repurchases by the company.
 
As a result of our previous “ownership change” for purposes of Section 382, our ability to use certain of our pre-ownership change net operating loss carryforwards and recognize certain built-in losses or deductions is limited by Section 382. Based on the resulting limitation, a significant portion of our pre-ownership change net operating loss carryforwards and any future recognized built-in losses or deductions could expire before we would be able to use them. The realization of all or a portion of our deferred income tax asset (including net operating loss carryforwards) is dependent upon the generation of future income during the statutory carryforward periods. Our inability to utilize our limited pre-ownership change net operating loss carryforwards and any future recognized built-in losses or deductions or the occurrence of a future ownership change and resulting additional limitations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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We are subject to extensive government regulation which could cause us to incur significant liabilities or restrict our business activities.
 
Regulatory requirements could cause us to incur significant liabilities and operating expenses and could restrict our business activities. We are subject to local, state and federal statutes and rules regulating, among other things, certain developmental matters, building and site design, and matters concerning the protection of health and the environment. Our operating expenses may be increased by governmental regulations such as building permit allocation ordinances and impact and other fees and taxes, which may be imposed to defray the cost of providing certain governmental services and improvements. Other governmental regulations, such as building moratoriums and “no growth” or “slow growth” initiatives, which may be adopted in communities which have developed rapidly, may cause delays in new home communities or otherwise restrict our business activities resulting in reductions in our revenues. Any delay or refusal from government agencies to grant us necessary licenses, permits and approvals could have an adverse effect on our operations.

We are the subject of pending civil litigation which could require us to pay substantial damages or could otherwise have a material adverse effect on us. The failure to fulfill our obligations under the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (the DPA) with the United States Attorney (or related agreements) and the consent order with the SEC could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
 
On July 1, 2009, we entered into the DPA with the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina and a separate but related agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice (the HUD Agreement). We have paid $5 million to HUD pursuant to the HUD Agreement. Under the DPA, we are obligated to make payments to a restitution fund in an amount not to exceed $50 million. As of September 30, 2013, we have been credited with making $11.6 million of such payments. Future payments to the restitution fund will be equal to 4% of “adjusted EBITDA” as defined in the DPA for the first to occur of (x) a period of 60 months and (y) the total of all payments to the restitution fund equaling $50 million (not including $5 million paid to HUD as discussed above). In the event such payments do not equal at least $50 million at the end of 60 months then, under the HUD Agreement, the obligations to make restitution payments will continue until the first to occur of (a) 24 months or (b) the date that $48 million has been paid into the restitution fund. Our obligation to make such payments could limit our ability to invest in our business or make payments of principal or interest on our outstanding debt. In addition, in the event we fail to comply with our obligations under the DPA or the HUD Agreement various federal authorities could bring criminal or civil charges against us which could be material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
 
We and certain of our current and former employees, officers and directors have been named as defendants in securities lawsuits and class action lawsuits. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries have been named in class action and multi-party lawsuits regarding claims made by homebuyers. While a number of these suits have been dismissed and/or settled, we cannot be assured that new claims by different plaintiffs will not be brought in the future. We cannot predict or determine the timing or final outcome of the current lawsuits or the effect that any adverse determinations in the lawsuits may have on us. An unfavorable determination in any of the lawsuits could result in the payment by us of substantial monetary damages which may not be covered by insurance. Further, the legal costs associated with the lawsuits and the amount of time required to be spent by management and the Board of Directors on these matters, even if we are ultimately successful, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition to expenses incurred to defend the Company in these matters, under Delaware law and our bylaws, we may have an obligation to indemnify our current and former officers and directors in relation to these matters. We have obligations to advance legal fees and expenses to certain directors and officers, and we have advanced, and may continue to advance, legal fees and expenses to certain other current and former employees.
 
In connection with the settlement agreement with the SEC entered into on September 24, 2008, we consented, without admitting or denying any wrongdoing, to a cease and desist order requiring future compliance with certain provisions of the federal securities laws and regulations. If we are found to be in violation of the order in the future, we may be subject to penalties and other adverse consequences as a result of the prior actions which could be material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
 
Our insurance carriers may seek to rescind or deny coverage with respect to certain of the pending lawsuits, or we may not have sufficient coverage under such policies. If the insurance companies are successful in rescinding or denying coverage or if we do not have sufficient coverage under our policies, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
 

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We may incur additional operating expenses due to compliance programs or fines, penalties and remediation costs pertaining to environmental regulations within our markets.
 
We are subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning the protection of health and the environment. The particular environmental laws which apply to any given community vary greatly according to the community site, the site's environmental conditions and the present and former use of the site. Environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to implement time consuming and expensive compliance programs and may prohibit or severely restrict development in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas. From time to time, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and similar federal or state agencies review homebuilders' compliance with environmental laws and may levy fines and penalties for failure to strictly comply with applicable environmental laws or impose additional requirements for future compliance as a result of past failures. Any such actions taken with respect to us may increase our costs. Further, we expect that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on homebuilders in the future. Environmental regulations can also have an adverse impact on the availability and price of certain raw materials such as lumber. Our communities in California are especially susceptible to restrictive government regulations and environmental laws.
 
We may be subject to significant potential liabilities as a result of construction defect, product liability and warranty claims made against us.
 
As a homebuilder, we have been, and continue to be, subject to construction defect, product liability and home warranty claims, including moisture intrusion and related claims, arising in the ordinary course of business. These claims are common to the homebuilding industry and can be costly.
 
With respect to certain general liability exposures, including construction defect claims, product liability claims and related claims, interpretation of underlying current and future trends, assessment of claims and the related liability and reserve estimation process is highly judgmental due to the complex nature of these exposures, with each exposure exhibiting unique circumstances. Furthermore, once claims are asserted for construction defects, it can be difficult to determine the extent to which the assertion of these claims will expand geographically. Although we have obtained insurance for construction defect claims subject to applicable self-insurance retentions, such policies may not be available or adequate to cover liability for damages, the cost of repairs, and/or the expense of litigation surrounding current claims, and future claims may arise out of events or circumstances not covered by insurance and not subject to effective indemnification agreements with our subcontractors.
 
Our operating expenses could increase if we are required to pay higher insurance premiums or litigation costs for various claims, which could cause our net income to decline.
 
The costs of insuring against construction defect, product liability and director and officer claims are substantial. Increasingly in recent years, lawsuits (including class action lawsuits) have been filed against builders, asserting claims of personal injury and property damage. Our insurance may not cover all of the claims, including personal injury claims, or such coverage may become prohibitively expensive. If we are not able to obtain adequate insurance against these claims, we may experience losses that could reduce our net income and restrict our cash flow available to service debt.
 
Historically, builders have recovered from subcontractors and their insurance carriers a significant portion of the construction defect liabilities and costs of defense that the builders have incurred. Insurance coverage available to subcontractors for construction defects is becoming increasingly expensive, and the scope of coverage is restricted. If we cannot effectively recover from our subcontractors or their carriers, we may suffer greater losses which could decrease our net income.
 
A builder's ability to recover against any available insurance policy depends upon the continued solvency and financial strength of the insurance carrier that issued the policy. Many of the states in which we build homes have lengthy statutes of limitations applicable to claims for construction defects. To the extent that any carrier providing insurance coverage to us or our subcontractors becomes insolvent or experiences financial difficulty in the future, we may be unable to recover on those policies, and our net income may decline.
 
We experience fluctuations and variability in our operating results on a quarterly basis and, as a result, our historical performance may not be a meaningful indicator of future results.
 
We historically have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, variability in home sales and net earnings on a quarterly basis. As a result of such variability, our historical performance may not be a meaningful indicator of future results. Our quarterly results of operations may continue to fluctuate in the future as a result of a variety of both national and local factors, including, among others:

the timing of home closings and land sales;

16


our ability to continue to acquire additional land or secure option contracts to acquire land on acceptable terms;
conditions of the real estate market in areas where we operate and of the general economy;
raw material and labor shortages;
seasonal home buying patterns; and
other changes in operating expenses, including the cost of labor and raw materials, personnel and general economic conditions.
 
Information technology failures or data security breaches could harm our business.
 
We use information technology and other computer resources to perform important operational and marketing activities and to maintain our business records. Certain of these resources are provided to us and/or maintained by third-party service providers pursuant to agreements that specify certain security and service level standards. Our computer systems, including our back-up systems and those of our third-party providers, are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunication failures, computer viruses, security breaches, natural disasters, usage errors by our employees or contractors, etc. A significant and extended disruption of or breach of security related to our computer systems and back-up systems may damage our reputation and cause us to lose customers, sales and revenue, result in the unintended misappropriation of proprietary, personal and confidential information, and require us to incur significant expense to remediate or otherwise resolve these issues.

The occurrence of natural disasters could increase our operating expenses and reduce our revenues and cash flows.
 
The climates and geology of many of the states in which we operate, including California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and certain mid-Atlantic states present increased risks of natural disasters. To the extent that hurricanes, severe storms, earthquakes, droughts, floods, wildfires or other natural disasters or similar events occur, our homes under construction or our building lots in such states could be damaged or destroyed, which may result in losses exceeding our insurance coverage. Any of these events could increase our operating expenses, impair our cash flows and reduce our revenues, which could, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our securities.
 
Future terrorist attacks against the United States or increased domestic or international instability could have an adverse effect on our operations.
 
Adverse developments in the war on terrorism, future terrorist attacks against the United States, or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities between the United States and any foreign power, may cause disruption to the economy, our Company, our employees and our customers, which could adversely affect our revenues, operating expenses, and financial condition.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties

As of September 30, 2013, we lease approximately 57,000 square feet of office space in Atlanta, Georgia to house our corporate headquarters. We also lease an aggregate of approximately 277,000 square feet of office space for our subsidiaries' operations at various locations. We have subleased approximately 94,000 square feet of our leased office space to unrelated third-parties. We own approximately 49,000 square feet of office space in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Litigation
On June 3, 2009, Beazer Homes Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was named as a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Lee County, State of Florida, filed by Bryson and Kimberly Royal, the owners of one of our homes in our Magnolia Lakes community in Ft. Myers, Florida. The complaint names the Company and certain distributors and suppliers of drywall and was on behalf of the named plaintiffs and other similarly situated owners of homes in Magnolia Lakes or alternatively in the State of Florida. The plaintiffs allege that the Company built their homes with defective drywall, manufactured in China, that contains sulfur compounds that allegedly corrode certain metals and that are allegedly capable of harming the health of individuals. Plaintiffs allege physical and economic damages and seek legal and equitable relief, medical monitoring and attorney's fees. This case has been transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana pursuant to an order from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In addition, the Company has been named in other multi-plaintiff complaints filed in the multidistrict litigation and individual state court actions. We believe that the claims asserted in these actions are governed by home warranties or are without merit. The Company has offered to repair all of these homes pursuant to a repair protocol that has been adopted by

17


the multidistrict litigation court, including those homes involved in litigation. To date, the owners of all but two of the affected homes have accepted the Company's offer to repair. Furthermore, the Company has agreed to participate in a global class settlement with the plaintiff class counsel and numerous other defendants in the multidistrict litigation, which was approved by the Court on February 13, 2013. The class action settlement required Beazer to make a settlement payment that was not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations, and resolves all claims, including future claims, against Beazer related to Chinese drywall. The only exception would have been any claims by persons or entities that opted out of the settlement, but there were no opt outs by the Court’s deadline. The Company also continues to pursue recovery against responsible subcontractors, drywall suppliers and drywall manufacturers for its repair costs.
As disclosed in prior SEC filings, we operated Beazer Mortgage Corporation (BMC) from 1998 through February 2008 to offer mortgage financing to buyers of our homes. BMC entered into various agreements with mortgage investors, pursuant to which BMC originated certain mortgage loans and ultimately sold these loans to investors. In general, underwriting decisions were not made by BMC but by the investors themselves or third-party service providers. From time to time we have received claims from institutions which have acquired certain of these mortgages demanding damages or indemnity arising from BMC's activities or that we repurchase such mortgages. We have been able to resolve these claims for amounts that are not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operation. We currently have an insignificant number of such claims outstanding for which we believe we have no liability. However, we cannot rule out the potential for additional mortgage loan repurchase or indemnity claims in the future from other investors, although, at this time, we do not believe that the exposure related to any such claims would be material to our consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
We cannot predict or determine the timing or final outcome of the lawsuits or the effect that any adverse findings or determinations in the pending lawsuits may have on us. In addition, an estimate of possible loss or range of loss, if any, cannot presently be made with respect to certain of the above pending matters. An unfavorable determination in any of the pending lawsuits could result in the payment by us of substantial monetary damages which may not be fully covered by insurance. Further, the legal costs associated with the lawsuits and the amount of time required to be spent by management and the Board of Directors on these matters, even if we are ultimately successful, could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Other Matters
As disclosed in our 2009 Form 10-K, on July 1, 2009, the Company announced that it had resolved the criminal and civil investigations by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina (the U.S. Attorney) and other state and federal agencies concerning matters that were the subject of the independent investigation, initiated in April 2007 by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the Investigation) and concluded in May 2008. Under the terms of a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA), the Company’s liability for each of the fiscal years after 2010 through a portion of fiscal 2014 (unless extended as previously described in our 2009 Form 10-K) will be equal to 4% of the Company’s adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the DPA). The total amount of such obligations will be dependent on several factors; however, the maximum liability under the DPA and other settlement agreements discussed above will not exceed $55.0 million, of which $16.6 million has been paid as of September 30, 2013. Positive adjusted EBITDA in future years will require us to incur additional expense in the future.
In 2006, we received two Administrative Orders issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Orders allege certain violations of wetlands disturbance permits and assess proposed fines of $630,000 and $678,000, respectively. We have met with the Department to discuss their concerns on the two affected communities and have requested hearings on both matters. Although we believe that we have significant defenses to the alleged violations, we have reached a settlement with the Department, through an Administrative Consent Order, for an amount that is not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
We and certain of our subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various claims, complaints and other legal actions, most relating to construction defects, moisture intrusion and product liability. Certain of the liabilities resulting from these actions are covered in whole or part by insurance. In our opinion, based on our current assessment, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

18


PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

The Company lists its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “BZH.” On November 6, 2013, the last reported sales price of the Company's common stock on the NYSE was $18.05 and we had approximately 225 stockholders of record and 25,245,034 shares of common stock outstanding. The following table sets forth, for the quarters indicated, the range of high and low trading for the Company's common stock during fiscal 2013 and 2012, adjusted, as applicable, for the Company's October 2012 1-for-5 reverse stock split.
 
 
1st Qtr
 
2nd Qtr
 
3rd Qtr
 
4th Qtr
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
$
19.35

 
$
19.48

 
$
23.29

 
$
19.92

Low
 
$
12.89

 
$
14.92

 
$
13.91

 
$
15.54

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
$
12.95

 
$
19.90

 
$
16.65

 
$
18.90

Low
 
$
6.75

 
$
12.30

 
$
11.30

 
$
10.90


Dividends
 
The indentures under which our senior notes were issued contain certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on payment of dividends. At September 30, 2013, under the most restrictive covenants of each indenture, none of our retained earnings was available for cash dividends or share repurchases. The Board of Directors will periodically reconsider the declaration of dividends, assuming payment of dividends is not limited under the aforementioned indentures. The reinstatement of quarterly dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the form in which the dividends are paid (cash or stock) will depend upon the results of operations, the financial condition of the Company and other factors which the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
 
The following table provides information as of September 30, 2013 with respect to our shares of common stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plans, all of which have been approved by our stockholders:
Plan Category
 
Number of Common Shares to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding
 
Number of Common Shares Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
 
560,784
 
$33.01
 
328,658

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
None.


19


Performance Graph
 
The following graph illustrates the cumulative total stockholder return on Beazer Homes' common stock for the last five fiscal years through September 30, 2013, compared to the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Homebuilding Index (for comparison to our prior year 10-K). The comparison assumes an investment in Beazer Homes' common stock and in each of the foregoing indices of $100 at September 30, 2008, and assumes that all dividends were reinvested. Stockholder returns over the indicated period are based on historical data and should not be considered indicative of future stockholder returns.




 
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
 
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
u
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
93.47

69.06

25.25

59.37

60.20

g
S&P 500 Index
93.09

102.57

103.74

135.07

161.20

p
S&P 500 Homebuilding Index
83.80

77.75

55.27

152.85

154.78





20


Item 6. Selected Financial Data
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
($ in millions, except per share amounts and unit data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Operations Data: (i)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$
1,288

 
$
1,006

 
$
742

 
$
991

 
$
962

Gross profit
214

 
105

 
48

 
84

 
16

Gross margin (i), (ii)
16.6
%
 
10.4
%
 
6.5
%
 
8.4
%
 
1.7
%
Operating income (loss)
$
27

 
$
(62
)
 
$
(132
)
 
$
(113
)
 
$
(239
)
Loss from continuing operations
(32
)
 
(136
)
 
(200
)
 
(30
)
 
(173
)
Loss per share from continuing operations - basic and diluted
(1.30
)
 
(7.34
)
 
(13.53
)
 
(2.47
)
 
(4.48
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Data (end of year) (iv):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
553

 
$
741

 
$
647

 
$
576

 
$
557

Inventory
1,314

 
1,112

 
1,204

 
1,204

 
1,318

Total assets
1,987

 
1,982

 
1,977

 
1,903

 
2,029

Total debt
1,512

 
1,498

 
1,489

 
1,212

 
1,509

Stockholders' equity
241

 
262

 
198

 
397

 
197

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Financial Data (iv):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash (used in) provided by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
(175
)
 
$
(21
)
 
$
(179
)
 
$
70

 
$
94

Investing activities
190

 
5

 
(260
)
 
(6
)
 
(80
)
Financing activities
1

 
134

 
273

 
(34
)
 
(91
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statistics (iv):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total debt as a percentage of total debt and stockholders' equity
86.3
%
 
85.1
%
 
88.2
%
 
75.3
%
 
88.5
%
Net debt as a percentage of net debt and stockholders' equity (iii)
80.4
%
 
74.9
%
 
81.5
%
 
62.9
%
 
83.6
%
Adjusted EBITDA from total operations (v)
$
86.3

 
$
21.8

 
$
(24.9
)
 
$
16.3

 
$
(40.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Statistics from continuing operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New orders, net
5,026

 
4,901

 
3,927

 
4,045

 
4,016

Closings
5,056

 
4,428

 
3,249

 
4,421

 
4,152

Units in backlog
1,893

 
1,923

 
1,450

 
772

 
1,148

Average selling price (in thousands)
$
253.0

 
$
224.9

 
$
219.4

 
$
222.1

 
$
230.9


(i) Statement of operations data is from continuing operations. Gross profit includes inventory impairments and lot options abandonments of $2.6 million, $12.2 million, $32.5 million, $49.6 million and $93.6 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Operating income (loss) also includes a goodwill impairment of $16.1 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. The aforementioned charges were primarily related to the deterioration of the homebuilding environment over the applicable years. Loss from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009 also includes a (loss) gain on extinguishment of debt of $(4.6) million, $(45.1) million, $(2.9) million, $43.9 million, and $144.5 million respectively.
(ii) Gross margin = Gross profit divided by total revenue.
(iii) Net Debt = Debt less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash related to the cash secured loan
(iv) Discontinued operations were not segregated in the consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of cash flows.
(v) Adjusted EBIT (earnings before interest, debt extinguishment charges and taxes) equals net loss before (a) previously capitalized interest amortized to home construction and land sales expenses, capitalized interest impaired and interest expense not qualified for capitalization, (b) debt extinguishment charges and (c) income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes,

21


depreciation, amortization, debt extinguishment charges and impairments) is calculated by adding non-cash charges, including depreciation, amortization, inventory impairment and abandonment charges, goodwill impairments and joint venture impairment charges for the period to Adjusted EBIT. Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA are not Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial measures. Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered alternatives to net income determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance. Because some analysts and companies may not calculate Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner as Beazer Homes, the Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA information presented above may not be comparable to similar presentations by others.

The magnitude and volatility of non-cash inventory impairment and abandonment charges, goodwill impairments, joint venture impairment charges and debt extinguishment charges for the Company, and for other home builders, have been significant in recent periods and, as such, have made financial analysis of our industry more difficult. Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA, and other similar presentations by analysts and other companies, is frequently used to assist investors in understanding and comparing the operating characteristics of home building activities by eliminating many of the differences in companies' respective capitalization, tax position and level of impairments. Management believes these non-GAAP measures are an indication of the Company's baseline performance in that the measures provide a consistent means of comparing performance between periods and competitors. The Company also believes that Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA aid investors' overall understanding of the Company's results by providing transparency for items such as inventory impairment and abandonment charges, interest amortized to home construction and land sales expenses, joint venture impairment and debt extinguishment charges. Management uses these non-GAAP measures to assist in the evaluation of the performance of our business segments, including compensation awards, and to make operating decisions. The Company has reconciled Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP measure as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(33,868
)
 
$
(145,326
)
 
$
(204,859
)
 
$
(34,049
)
 
$
(189,383
)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
(3,684
)
 
(40,747
)
 
3,429

 
(133,188
)
 
(9,076
)
Interest amortized to home construction and land sales expenses and capitalized interest impaired
41,246

 
61,227

 
48,289

 
54,556

 
58,090

Interest expense not qualified for capitalization
59,458

 
71,474

 
73,440

 
74,214

 
83,030

Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment
4,636

 
45,097

 
2,909

 
(43,901
)
 
(148,077
)
Adjusted EBIT
67,788

 
(8,275
)
 
(76,792
)
 
(82,368
)
 
(205,416
)
Depreciation and amortization and stock compensation amortization
15,642

 
17,573

 
17,878

 
24,774

 
30,723

Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments
2,650

 
12,514

 
33,458

 
49,526

 
103,751

Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

 
16,143

Joint venture impairment and abandonment charges
181

 
36

 
594

 
24,328

 
14,793

Adjusted EBITDA
$
86,261

 
$
21,848

 
$
(24,862
)
 
$
16,260

 
$
(40,006
)


Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Executive Overview and Outlook

Executive Overview and Outlook: Our primary objective for fiscal 2013 was to improve our operational performance to drive our return to profitability. Throughout fiscal 2013, we made progress toward this goal, culminating in recognizing net income of $11.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and positioning us for profitability in fiscal 2014.

There are four strategies that comprise our multi-year path-to-profitability plan: (1) drive sales per community per month, (2) generate higher gross margins, (3) leverage our fixed costs, including both overheads and interest expense and (4) gradually expand our community count.  During fiscal 2013, we showed significant progress on three of these four components and laid the foundation for improvement on the fourth. 

Improving our gross margins while still achieving greater sales per community per month was our top priority for fiscal 2013.  We improved our homebuilding gross margins (excluding interest, impairments and abandonments) by 230 basis points to 20.0% for

22


the year and increased our absorption rate to 2.9 sales per community per month versus 2.3 for fiscal 2012, both on a trailing 4 quarter basis.

During fiscal 2013, we also achieved improved overhead leverage. Our General & Administrative expenses declined from 10.9% of total revenue in fiscal 2012 to 9.4% in fiscal 2013.

Finally, in an effort to grow our future community count, we undertook an aggressive land purchase campaign during fiscal 2013, spending $475.2 million on land and land development for the year, compared with only $185.5 million in the prior year. A significant majority of the land that we purchased during fiscal 2013 requires development and will become active in either fiscal 2014 or fiscal 2015.  Also helping our future community count metrics will be the $24.5 million of land, located in Arizona and California, that we moved from Land Held For Future Development to active development during fiscal 2013. 

We expect to continue our focus on our four path-to-profitability strategies during fiscal 2014, and based on our current expectations of the housing market and general economic conditions, we believe that fiscal 2014 will be the Company’s first full year of profitability since fiscal 2006. 

Critical Accounting Policies: Some of our critical accounting policies require the use of judgment in their application or require estimates of inherently uncertain matters. Although our accounting policies are in compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), a change in the facts and circumstances of the underlying transactions could significantly change the application of the accounting policies and the resulting financial statement impact. Listed below are those policies that we believe are critical and require the use of complex judgment in their application.
Inventory Valuation - Held for Development
 
Our homebuilding inventories that are accounted for as held for development include land and home construction assets grouped together as communities. Homebuilding inventories held for development are stated at cost (including direct construction costs, capitalized indirect costs, capitalized interest and real estate taxes) unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. We assess these assets no less than quarterly for recoverability. Generally, upon the commencement of land development activities, it may take three to five years (depending on, among other things, the size of the community and its sales pace) to fully develop, sell, construct and close all the homes in a typical community. However, the impact of the recent downturn in our business has significantly lengthened the estimated life of many communities. Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the expected undiscounted cash flows generated are expected to be less than its carrying amount, an impairment charge is recorded to write down the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated fair value based on discounted cash flows.
 
When conducting our community level review for the recoverability of our homebuilding inventories held for development, we establish a quarterly “watch list” of communities with more than 10 homes remaining that carry profit margins in backlog or in our forecast that are below a minimum threshold of profitability. In our experience, this threshold represents a level of profitability that may be an indicator of conditions which would require an asset impairment but does not guarantee that such impairment will definitively be appropriate. As such, assets on the quarterly watch list are subject to substantial additional financial and operational analyses and review that consider the competitive environment and other factors contributing to profit margins below our watch list threshold. For communities where the current competitive and market dynamics indicate that these factors may be other than temporary, which may call into question the recoverability of our investment, a formal impairment analysis is performed. The formal impairment analysis consists of both qualitative competitive market analyses and a quantitative analysis reflecting market and asset specific information.
 
Our qualitative competitive market analyses include site visits to competitor new home communities and written community level competitive assessments. A competitive assessment consists of a comparison of our specific community with its competitor communities, considering square footage of homes offered, amenities offered within the homes and the communities, location, transportation availability and school districts, among many factors. In addition, we review the pace of monthly home sales of our competitor communities in relation to our specific community. We also review other factors such as the target buyer and the macro-economic characteristics that impact the performance of our assets, such as unemployment and the availability of mortgage financing, among other things. Based on this qualitative competitive market analysis, adjustments to our sales prices may be required in order to make our communities competitive. We incorporate these adjusted prices in our quantitative analysis for the specific community.
 
The quantitative analysis compares the projected future undiscounted cash flows for each such community with its current carrying value. This undiscounted cash flow analysis requires important assumptions regarding the location and mix of house plans to be

23


sold, current and future home sale prices and incentives for each plan, current and future construction costs for each plan, and the pace of monthly sales to occur today and into the future.
 
There is uncertainty associated with preparing the undiscounted cash flow analysis because future market conditions will almost certainly be different, either better or worse, than current conditions. The single most important “input” to the cash flow analysis is current and future home sales prices for a specific community. The risk of over or under-stating any of the important cash flow variables, including home prices, is greater with longer-lived communities and within markets that have historically experienced greater home price volatility. In an effort to address these risks, we consider some home price and construction cost appreciation in future years for certain communities that are expected to be selling for more than three years and/or if the market has typically exhibited high levels of price volatility. Absent these assumptions on cost and sales price appreciations, we believe the long-term cash flow analysis would be unrealistic and would serve to artificially improve future profitability. Finally, we also ensure that the monthly sales absorptions, including historical seasonal differences of our communities and those of our competitors, used in our undiscounted cash flow analyses are realistic, consider our development schedules and relate to those achieved by our competitors for the specific communities.
 
If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows from our quantitative analysis are in excess of the carrying value, the asset is considered to be recoverable and is not impaired. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying or book value, we perform a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of the community. The fair value of the community is estimated using the present value of the estimated future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risk associated with the underlying community assets. The discount rate used may be different for each community. The factors considered when determining an appropriate discount rate for a community include, among others: (1) community specific factors such as the number of lots in the community, the status of land development in the community, the competitive factors influencing the sales performance of the community and (2) overall market factors such as employment levels, consumer confidence and the existing supply of new and used homes for sale. If the determined fair value is less than the carrying value of the specific asset, the asset is considered not recoverable and is written down to its fair value plus the asset's share of capitalized unallocated interest and other costs. The carrying value of assets in communities that were previously impaired and continue to be classified as held for development is not increased for future estimates of increases in fair value in future reporting periods.
 
Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, particularly with respect to projected home sales prices and absorption rates, the timing and amount of the estimated future cash flows and discount rates, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates used in our impairment analyses. Our assumptions about future home sales prices and absorption rates require significant judgment because the residential homebuilding industry is cyclical and is highly sensitive to changes in economic conditions. Because the projected cash flows used to evaluate the fair value of inventory are significantly impacted by changes in market conditions including decreased sales prices, a change in sales prices or changes in absorption estimates based on current market conditions and management's assumptions relative to future results could lead to additional impairments in certain communities during any given period. Market deterioration that exceeds our estimates may lead us to incur additional impairment charges on previously impaired homebuilding assets in addition to homebuilding assets not currently impaired but for which indicators of impairment may arise if market conditions deteriorate.
 
Asset Valuation - Land Held for Future Development
 
For those communities for which construction and development activities are expected to occur in the future or have been idled (land held for future development), all applicable interest and real estate taxes are expensed as incurred and the inventory is stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The future enactment of a development plan or the occurrence of events and circumstances may indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We evaluate the potential development plans of each community in land held for future development if changes in facts and circumstances occur which would give rise to a more detailed analysis for a change in the status of a community to active status or held for development.
 
Asset Valuation - Land Held for Sale
 
We record assets held for sale at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. The following criteria are used to determine if land is held for sale:

management has the authority and commits to a plan to sell the land;
the land is available for immediate sale in its present condition;
there is an active program to locate a buyer and the plan to sell the property has been initiated;
the sale of the land is probable within one year;

24


the property is being actively marketed at a reasonable sale price relative to its current fair value; and
it is unlikely that the plan to sell will be withdrawn or that significant changes to the plan will be made.
 
 
Additionally, in certain circumstances, management will re-evaluate the best use of an asset that is currently being accounted for as held for development. In such instances, management will review, among other things, the current and projected competitive circumstances of the community, including the level of supply of new and used inventory, the level of sales absorptions by us and our competition, the level of sales incentives required and the number of owned lots remaining in the community. If, based on this review and the foregoing criteria have been met at the end of the applicable reporting period, we believe that the best use of the asset is the sale of all or a portion of the asset in its current condition, then all or portions of the community are accounted for as held for sale.
 
In determining the fair value of the assets less cost to sell, we consider factors including current sales prices for comparable assets in the area, recent market analysis studies, appraisals, any recent legitimate offers, and listing prices of similar properties. If the estimated fair value less cost to sell of an asset is less than its current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value less cost to sell.
 
Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates used in our historical analyses. Our assumptions about land sales prices require significant judgment because the current market is highly sensitive to changes in economic conditions. We calculated the estimated fair values of land held for sale based on current market conditions and assumptions made by management, which may differ materially from actual results and may result in additional impairments if market conditions deteriorate.
 
Homebuilding Revenues and Costs
 
Revenue from the sale of a home is generally recognized when the closing has occurred and the risk of ownership is transferred to the buyer. All associated homebuilding costs are charged to cost of sales in the period when the revenues from home closings are recognized. Homebuilding costs include land and land development costs (based upon an allocation of such costs, including costs to complete the development, or specific lot costs), home construction costs (including an estimate of costs, if any, to complete home construction), previously capitalized indirect costs (principally for construction supervision), capitalized interest and estimated warranty costs. Sales commissions are recognized as expense when the closing has occurred. All other costs are expensed as incurred.
 
Warranty Reserves
 
We currently provide a limited warranty (ranging from one to two years) covering workmanship and materials per our defined performance quality standards. In addition, we provide a limited warranty (generally ranging from a minimum of five years up to the period covered by the applicable statute of repose) covering only certain defined construction defects. We also provide a defined structural warranty with single-family homes and townhomes in certain states.
 
Since we subcontract our homebuilding work to subcontractors whose contracts generally include an indemnity obligation and a requirement that certain minimum insurance requirements be met, including providing us with a certificate of insurance prior to receiving payments for their work, claims relating to workmanship and materials are generally the primary responsibility of our subcontractors.
 
Warranty reserves are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. We record reserves covering our anticipated warranty expense for each home closed. Management reviews the adequacy of warranty reserves each reporting period, based on historical experience and management's estimate of the costs to remediate the claims, and adjusts these provisions accordingly. Our review includes a quarterly analysis of the historical data and trends in warranty expense by operating segment. An analysis by operating segment allows us to consider market specific factors such as our warranty experience, the number of home closings, the prices of homes, product mix and other data in estimating our warranty reserves. In addition, our analysis also contemplates the existence of any non-recurring or community-specific warranty related matters that might not be contemplated in our historical data and trends. As a result of our analyses, we adjust our estimated warranty liabilities. Based on historical results, we believe that our existing estimation process is accurate and do not anticipate the process to materially change in the future. Our estimation process for such accruals is discussed in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. While we believe that our current warranty reserves are adequate, there can be no assurances that historical data and trends will accurately predict our actual warranty costs or that future developments might not lead to a significant change in the reserve.
 

25


Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
 
Excluding our investment in a pre-owned rental homes REIT, the remainder of our investments in unconsolidated entities are typically entered into with developers, other homebuilders and financial partners to develop finished lots for sale to the unconsolidated entity’s members and other third parties. We account for our interest in our unconsolidated entities under the equity method. We recognize our share of profits and losses from the sale of lots to other buyers. Our share of profits from lots purchased by Beazer Homes from the unconsolidated entities are deferred and treated as a reduction of the cost of the land purchased from the joint venture. Such profits are subsequently recognized at the time the home closes and title passes to the homebuyer.

We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment during each reporting period. A series of operating losses of an investee or other factors may indicate that a decrease in the value of our investment in the unconsolidated entity has occurred which is other-than-temporary. The amount of impairment recognized is the excess of the investment's carrying value over its estimated fair value.
 
Our assumption of the joint venture's estimated fair value is dependent on market conditions. Inventory in the joint venture is also reviewed for potential impairment by the unconsolidated entities. If a valuation adjustment is recorded by an unconsolidated entity, our proportionate share of it is reflected in our equity in income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures with a corresponding decrease to our investment in unconsolidated entities. The operating results of the unconsolidated joint ventures are dependent on the status of the homebuilding industry, which has historically been cyclical and sensitive to changes in economic conditions such as interest rates, credit availability, unemployment levels and consumer sentiment. Changes in these economic conditions could materially affect the projected operational results of the unconsolidated entities. Because of these changes in economic conditions, actual results could differ materially from management's assumptions and may require material valuation adjustments to our investments in unconsolidated entities to be recorded in the future.
 
Income Taxes - Valuation Allowance
 
Judgment is required in estimating valuation allowances for deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if an assessment of their components indicates that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of these assets will not be realized. The realization of a deferred tax asset ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income in either the carryback or carryforward periods under tax law. We periodically assess the need for valuation allowances for deferred tax assets based on more-likely-than-not realization threshold criteria. In our assessment, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards not expiring unused, the Section 382 limitation on our ability to carryforward pre-ownership change net operating losses and recognized built-in losses or deductions, and tax planning alternatives.
 
Our assessment of the need for the valuation of deferred tax assets includes assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We base our estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities on current tax laws and rates and, in certain cases, business plans and other expectations about future outcomes. Changes in existing tax laws or rates could affect actual tax results and future business results may affect the amount of deferred tax liabilities or the valuation of deferred tax assets over time. Our accounting for deferred tax consequences represents our best estimate of future events. Although it is possible there will be changes that are not anticipated in our current estimates, we believe it is unlikely such changes would have a material period-to-period impact on our financial position or results of operations.
 
During fiscal 2008, we determined that it was not more likely than not that substantially all of our deferred tax assets would be realized and, therefore, we established a valuation allowance for substantially all of our deferred tax assets. As of September 30, 2013, we continued our evaluation of whether the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets was still required. We considered positive evidence including evidence of recovery in the housing markets where we operate, the prospects of continued profitability and growth, a strong order backlog and sufficient balance sheet liquidity to sustain and grow operations. Although the Company’s performance and current positioning is bringing it closer to a conclusion that a valuation allowance is no longer needed, further evidence of sustained profitability is needed to reverse our valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. Therefore, based upon all available positive and negative evidence, we concluded a valuation allowance is still needed for substantially all of our gross deferred tax assets at September 30, 2013. Management reassesses the realizability of the deferred tax assets each reporting period. In future periods, we expect to reduce all or a portion of our valuation allowance, generating a non-cash tax benefit, if sufficient positive evidence is present indicating that it is more likely than not that a portion or all of our deferred tax assets will be realized.

 

26


We experienced an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code as of January 12, 2010. Section 382 contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an “ownership change” to utilize its net operating loss carryforward and certain built-in losses or deductions recognized during the five-year period after the ownership change. Therefore, our ability to utilize our pre-ownership change net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards and certain recognized built-in losses or deductions is limited by Section 382.
 
There can be no assurance that another ownership change, as defined in the tax law, will not occur. If another “ownership change” occurs, a new annual limitation on the utilization of net operating losses would be determined as of that date.

Seasonal and Quarterly Variability: Our homebuilding operating cycle generally reflects escalating new order activity in the second and third fiscal quarters and increased closings in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. However, periods of economic downturn in the homebuilding industry will typically alter seasonal patterns. The following chart presents certain quarterly operating data for our continuing operations for our last twelve fiscal quarters:
New Orders (Net of Cancellations)
 
 
1st Qtr
 
2nd Qtr
 
3rd Qtr
 
4th Qtr
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
932

 
1,521

 
1,381

 
1,192

 
5,026

2012
 
724

 
1,512

 
1,555

 
1,110

 
4,901

2011
 
534

 
1,172

 
1,215

 
1,006

 
3,927

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Closings
 
 
1st Qtr
 
2nd Qtr
 
3rd Qtr
 
4th Qtr
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
1,038

 
1,127

 
1,234

 
1,657

 
5,056

2012
 
867

 
844

 
1,109

 
1,608

 
4,428

2011
 
519

 
563

 
791

 
1,376

 
3,249



27


RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding
$
1,279,212

 
$
996,059

 
$
712,722

Land sales and other
8,365

 
9,618

 
29,683

Total
$
1,287,577

 
$
1,005,677

 
$
742,405

Gross profit:
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding
$
212,054

 
$
103,105

 
$
43,996

Land sales and other
2,076

 
1,983

 
4,099

Total
$
214,130

 
$
105,088

 
$
48,095

Gross margin:
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding
16.6
%
 
10.4
 %
 
6.2
 %
Land sales and other
24.8
%
 
20.6
 %
 
13.8
 %
Total
16.6
%
 
10.4
 %
 
6.5
 %
Commissions
$
52,922

 
$
43,585

 
$
32,711

General and administrative (G&A) expenses:
$
121,163

 
$
110,051

 
$
137,376

G&A as a percentage of total revenue
9.4
%
 
10.9
 %
 
18.5
 %
Depreciation and amortization
$
12,784

 
$
13,510

 
$
10,253

Operating income (loss)
$
27,261

 
$
(62,058
)
 
$
(132,245
)
Operating income (loss) as a percentage of total revenue
2.1
%
 
(6.2
)%
 
(17.8
)%
Effective Tax Rate
9.8
%
 
22.9
 %
 
(1.7
)%
Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated entities
$
(113
)
 
$
304

 
$
560

Loss on extinguishment of debt
$
(4,636
)
 
$
(45,097
)
 
$
(2,909
)

Homebuilding Operations Data
 
New Orders, net
 
Cancellation Rates
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
13 v 12
 
12 v 11
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
West
2,176

 
2,152

 
1,416

 
1.1
 %
 
52.0
%
 
22.9
%
 
26.5
%
 
30.5
%
East
1,543

 
1,615

 
1,588

 
(4.5
)%
 
1.7
%
 
24.3
%
 
32.1
%
 
29.0
%
Southeast
1,307

 
1,134

 
923

 
15.3
 %
 
22.9
%
 
16.7
%
 
20.5
%
 
16.5
%
Total
5,026

 
4,901

 
3,927

 
2.6
 %
 
24.8
%
 
21.8
%
 
27.2
%
 
27.0
%

Our sales per active community per month increased 26% to 2.9 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 from 2.3 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, generating an increase in net new orders as compared to the prior fiscal year. This was despite a 15% decrease in our active community count as of September 30, 2013 compared to the prior year. We anticipate that our active community count will increase in fiscal 2014 as recently purchased land and communities under development become active.

28


 
As of September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
13 v 12
 
12 v 11
Backlog Units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
West
 
738

 
839

 
570

 
(12.0
)%
 
47.2
%
East
 
661

 
747

 
638

 
(11.5
)%
 
17.1
%
Southeast
 
494

 
337

 
242

 
46.6
 %
 
39.3
%
Total
 
1,893

 
1,923

 
1,450

 
(1.6
)%
 
32.6
%
Aggregate dollar value of homes in backlog ($ in millions)
 
$
528.1

 
$
479.1

 
$
334.5

 
10.2
 %
 
43.2
%
ASP in backlog (in thousands)
 
$
279.0

 
$
249.1

 
$
230.7

 
12.0
 %
 
8.0
%
Backlog above reflects the number of homes for which the Company has entered into a sales contract with a customer but has not yet delivered the home.
Our backlog may be impacted in the short-term due to our reduced number of active communities or by increased cycle times due to labor and/or supply shortages. During the housing downturn, many skilled workers left construction for other industries, and in certain of our markets, the smaller workforce and higher demand for trade labor has created shortages of certain skilled workers, driving up costs and/or extending land development and home construction schedules. Our ending backlog as of September 30, 2013 was impacted by our decrease in active communities. We expect new orders and backlog to increase over time as our active communities increase.

Homebuilding Revenues, Average Selling Price (ASP) and Closings
 
Homebuilding Revenues
 
Average Selling Price
($ in thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
13 v 12
 
12 v 11
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
13 v 12
 
12 v 11
West
$
543,524

 
$
386,544

 
$
218,433

 
40.6
%
 
77.0
%
 
$
238.7

 
$
205.3

 
$
195.9

 
16.3
%
 
4.8
%
East
482,468

 
401,814

 
339,666

 
20.1
%
 
18.3
%
 
296.2

 
266.8

 
258.1

 
11.0
%
 
3.4
%
Southeast
253,220

 
207,701

 
154,623

 
21.9
%
 
34.3
%
 
220.2

 
199.9

 
189.0

 
10.2
%
 
5.8
%
Total
$
1,279,212

 
$
996,059

 
$
712,722

 
28.4
%
 
39.8
%
 
$
253.0

 
$
224.9

 
$
219.4

 
12.5
%
 
2.5
%

 
Closings
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
13 v 12
 
12 v 11
West
2,277

 
1,883

 
1,115

 
20.9
%
 
68.9
%
East
1,629

 
1,506

 
1,316

 
8.2
%
 
14.4
%
Southeast
1,150

 
1,039

 
818

 
10.7
%
 
27.0
%
Total
5,056

 
4,428

 
3,249

 
14.2
%
 
36.3
%

Improved operational strategies and market conditions in our markets enhanced our ability to generate additional traffic, sales and higher ASP. We have been able to increase prices in response to market conditions in the majority of our markets in our West segment and select markets or communities in our East and Southeast segments. The increase in ASP for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 was also partially impacted by a change in mix in closings between products and among communities as compared to the prior years.


29


Homebuilding Gross Profit
The following table sets forth our homebuilding gross profit and gross margin by reportable segment and total homebuilding gross profit and gross margin, and such amounts excluding inventory impairments and abandonments and interest amortized to cost of sales for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Homebuilding gross profit is defined as homebuilding revenues less home cost of sales (which includes land and land development costs, home construction costs, capitalized interest, indirect costs of construction, estimated warranty costs, closing costs and inventory impairment and lot option abandonment charges).
($ in thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
 
HB Gross
Profit (Loss)
 
HB Gross
Margin
 
Impairments &
Abandonments
(I&A)
 
HB Gross
Profit w/o
I&A
 
HB Gross
Margin w/o
I&A
 
Interest
Amortized to
COS
 
HB Gross Profit
w/o I&A and
Interest
 
HB Gross Margin
w/o I&A and
Interest
West
$
114,813

 
21.1
%
 
$
378

 
$
115,191

 
21.2
%
 
$

 
$
115,191

 
21.2
%
East
87,081

 
18.0
%
 
156

 
87,237

 
18.1
%
 

 
87,237

 
18.1
%
Southeast
48,260

 
19.1
%
 
2,099

 
50,359

 
19.9
%
 

 
50,359

 
19.9
%
Corporate & unallocated
(38,100
)
 
 
 

 
(38,100
)
 
 
 
41,246

 
3,146

 
 
Total homebuilding
$
212,054

 
16.6
%
 
$
2,633

 
$
214,687

 
16.8
%
 
$
41,246

 
$
255,933

 
20.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012
 
HB Gross
Profit (Loss)
 
HB Gross
Margin
 
Impairments &
Abandonments
(I&A)
 
HB Gross
Profit w/o
I&A
 
HB Gross
Margin w/o
I&A
 
Interest
Amortized to
COS
 
HB Gross Profit
w/o I&A and
Interest
 
HB Gross Margin
w/o I&A and
Interest
West
$
60,829

 
15.7
%
 
$
4,203

 
$
65,032

 
16.8
%
 
$

 
$
65,032

 
16.8
%
East
52,870

 
13.2
%
 
5,736

 
58,606

 
14.6
%
 

 
58,606

 
14.6
%
Southeast
38,294

 
18.4
%
 
1,796

 
40,090

 
19.3
%
 

 
40,090

 
19.3
%
Corporate & unallocated
(48,888
)
 
 
 
475

 
(48,413
)
 
 
 
60,952

 
12,539

 
 
Total homebuilding
$
103,105

 
10.4
%
 
$
12,210

 
$
115,315

 
11.6
%
 
$
60,952

 
$
176,267

 
17.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2011
 
HB Gross
Profit (Loss)
 
HB Gross
Margin
 
Impairments &
Abandonments
(I&A)
 
HB Gross
Profit w/o
I&A
 
HB Gross
Margin w/o
I&A
 
Interest
Amortized to
COS
 
HB Gross Profit
w/o I&A and
Interest
 
HB Gross Margin
w/o I&A and
Interest
West
$
13,667

 
6.3
%
 
$
20,504

 
$
34,171

 
15.6
%
 
$

 
$
34,171

 
15.6
%
East
50,630

 
14.9
%
 
3,852

 
54,482

 
16.0
%
 

 
54,482

 
16.0
%
Southeast
21,065

 
13.6
%
 
5,741

 
26,806

 
17.3
%
 

 
26,806

 
17.3
%
Corporate & unallocated
(41,366
)
 
 
 
2,362

 
(39,004
)
 
 
 
46,382

 
7,378

 
 
Total homebuilding
$
43,996

 
6.2
%
 
$
32,459

 
$
76,455

 
10.7
%
 
$
46,382

 
$
122,837

 
17.2
%
Our overall homebuilding gross profit increased to $212.1 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 from $103.1 million in the prior year. The increase was due primarily to the $283.2 million increase in homebuilding revenues including a 12.5% increase in ASP, a $9.6 million decrease in impairments and abandonments and a $19.7 million decrease in interest amortized to cost of sales, partially offset by increases in material and labor costs. This increase for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 was offset partially by an $11 million insurance recovery recognized in the prior year related to previously recorded water intrusion related expenditures.
For the fiscal year ended September 20, 2012, our overall homebuilding gross profit increased by $59.1 million compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase was mainly related to a $283.3 million increase in homebuilding revenues including a slight increase in ASP and a $20.2 million decrease in impairments and abandonments, offset by an increase in interest amortized to cost of sales.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Total homebuilding gross profit and gross margin excluding inventory impairments and abandonments and interest amortized to cost of sales are not GAAP financial measures. These measures should not be considered alternatives to homebuilding gross profit determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance. The magnitude and volatility of non-cash inventory impairment and abandonment charges for the Company, and for other home builders, have been significant in recent periods and, as such, have made financial analysis of our industry more difficult. Homebuilding metrics excluding these charges, and other similar presentations by analysts and other companies, is frequently used to assist investors in understanding and comparing the

30


operating characteristics of home building activities by eliminating many of the differences in companies' respective level of impairments and levels of debt. Management believes these non-GAAP measures enable holders of our securities to better understand the cash implications of our operating performance and our ability to service our debt obligations as they currently exist and as additional indebtedness is incurred in the future. These measures are also useful internally, helping management compare operating results and as a measure of the level of cash which may be available for discretionary spending.
In a given quarter, our reported gross margins arise from both communities previously impaired and communities not previously impaired. In addition as indicated above, certain gross margin amounts arise from recoveries of prior period costs, including warranty items that are not directly tied to communities generating revenue in the period. Home closings from communities previously impaired would, in most instances, generate very low or negative gross margins prior to the impact of the previously recognized impairment. Gross margins at each home closing are higher for a particular community after an impairment because the carrying value of the underlying land was previously reduced to the present value of future cash flows as a result of the impairment, leading to lower cost of sales at the home closing. This improvement in gross margin resulting from one or more prior impairments is frequently referred to in the aggregate as the “impairment turn” or “flow-back” of impairments within the reporting period. The amount of this impairment turn may exceed the gross margin for an individual impaired asset if the gross margin for that asset prior to the impairment would have been negative. The extent to which this impairment turn is greater than the reported gross margin for the individual asset is related to the specific historical cost basis of that individual asset.
The asset valuations which result from our impairment calculations are based on discounted cash flow analyses and are not derived by simply applying prospective gross margins to individual communities. As such, impaired communities may have gross margins that are somewhat higher or lower than the gross margin for unimpaired communities. The mix of home closings in any particular quarter varies to such an extent that comparisons between previously impaired and never impaired communities would not be a reliable way to ascertain profitability trends or to assess the accuracy of previous valuation estimates. In addition, since any amount of impairment turn is tied to individual lots in specific communities it will vary considerably from period to period. As a result of these factors, we review the impairment turn impact on gross margins on a trailing 12-month basis rather than a quarterly basis as a way of considering whether our impairment calculations are resulting in gross margins for impaired communities that are comparable to our unimpaired communities. For fiscal 2013, the homebuilding gross margin from our continuing operations was 16.6% and excluding interest and inventory impairments, it was 20.0%. For the same period, homebuilding gross margins were as follows in those communities that have previously been impaired:
Homebuilding Gross Margin from previously impaired communities:
 
Pre-impairment turn gross margin
(3.0
)%
Impact of interest amortized to COS related to these communities
3.5
 %
Pre-impairment turn gross margin, excluding interest amortization
0.5
 %
Impact of impairment turns
19.3
 %
Gross margin (post impairment turns), excluding interest
19.8
 %
These previously impaired communities represented 25% of our closings in fiscal 2013. As these communities continue to close out, we expect the impact on our overall homebuilding gross margin to be further reduced.

The estimated fair value of our impaired inventory at each period end, the number of lots and number of communities impaired in each period are set forth in the table below as follows:
($ in thousands)
Estimated Fair Value of Impaired
Inventory at Period End
 
Lots Impaired
 
Communities Impaired
Quarter Ended
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2013
 
2012
2011
September 30
$

 
$

 
$
16,809

 

 

 
277

 

 

9

June 30
$

 
$
11,187

 
$
11,672

 

 
170

 
370

 

 
3

6

March 31
$

 
$
3,292

 
$
29,244

 

 
25

 
730

 

 
1

7

December 31
$

 
$
6,377

 
$

 

 
51

 

 

 
1



Land Sales and Other Revenues and Gross Profit
Land sales relate to land and lots sold that did not fit within our homebuilding programs and strategic plans in these markets. Other revenues include net fees we received for general contractor services we performed on behalf of a third party and broker fees and, in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, rental revenues earned by our former Pre-Owned operations. N/M in the table below indicates the percentage "not meaningful."

31


($ in thousands)
Land Sales & Other Revenues

 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
13 v 12
 
12 v 11
West
$
4,112

 
$
5,104

 
$
14,700

 
(19.4
)%
 
(65.3
)%
East
1,217

 
652

 
4,160

 
86.7
 %
 
(84.3
)%
Southeast
3,036

 
2,748

 
10,484

 
10.5
 %
 
(73.8
)%
Pre-Owned

 
1,114

 
339

 
n/m

 
228.6
 %
Total
$
8,365

 
$
9,618

 
$
29,683

 
(13.0
)%
 
(67.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Land Sales and Other Gross Profit (Loss)

 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
13 v 12
 
12 v 11
West
$
416

 
$
(574
)
 
$
2,984

 
172.5
 %
 
(119.2
)%
East
231

 
83

 
1,241

 
178.3
 %
 
(93.3
)%
Southeast
1,429

 
1,860

 
(343
)
 
(23.2
)%
 
642.3
 %
Pre-Owned

 
614

 
217

 
n/m

 
182.9
 %
Total
$
2,076

 
$
1,983

 
$
4,099

 
4.7
 %
 
(51.6
)%

Our land sales and other gross profit in our Southeast segment includes fees received for general contractor services we performed on behalf of a third party. The decrease in land sales and other revenues from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013 related primarily to the decrease in Pre-Owned revenues. We contributed our Pre-Owned Homes business for an investment in an unconsolidated entity on May 3, 2012. The decrease in land sales and other revenue and gross profit in fiscal 2012 from fiscal 2011 related primarily to the decrease in our land held for sale. During fiscal 2011, we successfully sold a number of land positions that did not meet our strategic objectives.

Operating Income
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
13 v 12
 
12 v 11
West
$
59,084

 
$
15,147

 
$
(28,406
)
 
$
43,937

 
$
43,553

East
40,670

 
9,152

 
11,611

 
31,518

 
(2,459
)
Southeast
23,030

 
14,815

 
(2,740
)
 
8,215

 
17,555

Pre-Owned

 
(229
)
 
(724
)
 
229

 
495

Corporate and unallocated
(95,523
)
 
(100,943
)
 
(111,986
)
 
5,420

 
11,043

Operating Income (Loss)
$
27,261

 
$
(62,058
)
 
$
(132,245
)
 
$
89,319

 
$
70,187

Our operating income improved by $89.3 million to $27.3 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, compared to an operating loss of $62.1 million in fiscal 2012. As a percentage of revenue, our operating income (loss) was 2.1% for fiscal 2013 compared to -6.2% for fiscal 2012. The year-over-year increase primarily reflects the impact of increased revenues and gross profit, operational efficiencies and market improvements.
Operating income improved by $70.2 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year. As a percentage of revenue, our operating loss was -6.2% for fiscal 2012 compared to -17.8% for fiscal 2011. This improvement is due primarily to a 39.8% increase in homebuilding revenues, increased gross profit including a $20.2 million decrease in impairments and abandonments and an $11.0 warranty recovery in fiscal 2012 offset by a $2.4 million warranty recovery received in 2011.
Income taxes
Our income tax assets and liabilities and related effective tax rate are affected by various factors, the most significant of which is the valuation allowance recorded against substantially all of our deferred tax assets. Due to the effect of our valuation allowance adjustments beginning in fiscal 2008, a comparison of our annual effective tax rates must consider the changes in our valuation allowance.
Our overall effective tax rates from continuing operations were 9.8%, 22.9% and -1.7% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The tax benefit recognized during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 and the related effective tax rate related primarily to our release of estimated liabilities for previously uncertain tax positions and utilization of certain carryback opportunities. The tax benefit recognized during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, and the related effective tax rate primarily

32


reflected our release of the estimated liability for previously uncertain tax positions. Beginning on October 1, 2011, the Company entered into a "90-day window" during which the IRS allows taxpayers under continuous examination to elect different tax treatment for issues not under examination. We filed appropriate forms with the IRS in October 2011 to adopt a different tax method associated with the timing of various deductions and capitalized costs. Our adoption of a different tax treatment also removed the ability for the IRS to make adjustments to these positions in prior years (known as “audit protection”). Therefore, the change in tax treatment of these deductions provided certainty that allowed us to release uncertain tax positions and the associated unrecognized tax benefits in the quarter ended December 31, 2011. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 was primarily attributable to the impact of our valuation allowance and limited ability to carry back any federal income taxes.
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 2012
West Segment: Homebuilding revenues increased 40.6% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 compared to the prior year, primarily due to a 20.9% increase in closings and a 16.3% increase in ASP. These improvements were driven by higher demand which facilitated price appreciation in a majority of our submarkets as well as increased absorptions. As compared to the prior year, our homebuilding gross profit increased $54.0 million (including a $3.8 million decrease in impairments and abandonments). Homebuilding gross margins without the impairments and abandonments increased from 16.8% to 21.2% due to our increased revenues and our ability to absorb increases in direct construction costs per home related to increases in material and labor costs. The $43.9 million increase in operating income resulted from the aforementioned increase in homebuilding gross profit offset partially by a $6.7 million increase in commissions related to the increase in homebuilding revenues.
East Segment: Homebuilding revenues increased 20.1% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 compared to the prior year, driven by an 8.2% increase in closings and an 11.0% increase in ASP. These improvements also contributed to a $34.2 million increase in our homebuilding gross profit (including a $5.6 million decrease in impairments and abandonments). As a result, homebuilding gross margins increased from 13.2% to 18.0%, and excluding impairments and abandonments, increased from 14.6% to 18.1%. The increase in operating income in the East Segment was driven primarily by our increased revenues and related gross profit. These increases were offset partially by increases in commissions, sales and marketing and model refurbishment costs to drive absorptions in some of our underperforming communities.
Southeast Segment: Homebuilding revenues increased 21.9% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013. This increase was driven primarily by double-digit increases in closings and ASP in our Florida markets as a result of improved market conditions and the opening of new communities in our Orlando market. The increase in revenues drove a $10.0 million increase in homebuilding gross profit and an $8.2 million increase in operating income. Our fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 land sales and other revenue and gross profit in our Southeast Segment include net fees received for general contractor services we performed on behalf of a third party.
Corporate and Unallocated: Corporate and unallocated includes amortization of capitalized interest and numerous shared services functions that benefit all segments, including information technology, national sourcing and purchasing, treasury, corporate finance, legal, branding and other national marketing costs. The costs of these shared services are not allocated to the operating segments. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, our corporate and unallocated expense decreased $5.4 million compared to the prior year which included an $11 million insurance recovery related to previously recorded water intrusion warranty related expenditures. Excluding this prior year recovery, corporate and unallocated expense decreased $16.4 million primarily due to a $19.7 million decrease in interest amortized to cost of sales related to lower interest incurred and a change in the mix of homes closed.
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 2011
West Segment: Homebuilding revenues increased 77.0% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year, driven by a 68.9% increase in closings and a slight increase in ASP. Compared to 2011, our homebuilding gross profit increased $47.2 million (including a $16.3 million decrease in impairments and abandonments). Homebuilding gross margins without impairments and abandonments increased from 15.6% to 16.8% primarily due to decreased incentives, price appreciation in certain submarkets and increased absorptions which enabled us to better leverage certain fixed costs. Operating income increased by $43.6 million due to the increase in homebuilding gross profit and reduced general and administrative expenses offset partially by increased commissions related to our increased revenues and a decrease in gross profit from land sales.
East Segment: Homebuilding revenues increased 18.3% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year, driven by a 14.4% increase in closings. This increase in revenues, offset partially by a $1.9 million increase in impairments and abandonments, drove a $2.2 million increase in homebuilding gross profit. Homebuilding gross margins without impairments and abandonments decreased from 16.0% to 14.6% driven by changes in product and community mix and, to a lesser extent, to pricing/feature changes made in certain of our markets to drive absorptions, respond to competitor actions and address consumer demand. The $2.5 million decrease in operating income was attributable to increased commissions and sales and marketing costs which contributed to our increased closings.

33


Southeast Segment: Homebuilding revenues increased 34.3% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 due primarily to a 27.0% increase in closings and a 5.8% increase in ASP. This increase in revenues, along with a $3.9 million decrease in impairments and abandonments, led to a $17.2 million increase in homebuilding gross profit and a $17.6 million increase in operating income. Similar the West, these improvements were due to decreased incentives, price appreciation, and increased absorptions allowing us to better leverage certain fixed costs. Our fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 land sales and other revenue and gross profit in our Southeast Segment include net fees received for general contractor services we performed on behalf of a third party.
Corporate and Unallocated: For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, our corporate and unallocated expense decreased $11.0 million compared to the fiscal year 2011, mainly due to the $11 million insurance recovery related to previously recorded water intrusion warranty related expenditures recorded in 2012. Excluding this recovery, our corporate and unallocated gross profit without impairments and abandonments decreased $20.4 million primarily due to a $14.6 million increase in interest amortized to cost of sales.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. We are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates. From time to time, we enter into derivative agreements to manage interest costs and hedge against risks associated with fluctuating interest rates. As of September 30, 2013, we were not a party to any such derivative agreements. We do not enter into or hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources. Our sources of liquidity include, but are not limited to, cash from operations, proceeds from Senior Notes and other bank borrowings, the issuance of equity and equity-linked securities and other external sources of funds. Our short-term and long-term liquidity depend primarily upon our level of net income, working capital management (cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other liabilities) and available credit facilities.
As of September 30, 2013, our liquidity position consisted of $504.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, $150 million of capacity under our Secured Revolving Credit Facility, plus $49.0 million of restricted cash, of which $22.4 million related to our cash secured term loan. We expect to maintain a significant liquidity position during fiscal 2014, subject to changes in market conditions that would alter our expectations for land and land development expenditures or capital market transactions which could increase or decrease our cash balance on a quarterly basis.
We spent $475.2 million on land and land development spending during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 as we focused on replacing close out communities and positioning the Company to increase our active community count. This spending on land and land development had a significant impact on our net cash used in operating activities, resulting in net cash used in operating activities of $174.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, our net cash used in operating activities was $20.8 million, and $178.9 million, respectively. Our net cash used in operating activities in fiscal 2012 was primarily due to the payment of trade accounts payable, interest obligations and other liabilities. Our net cash used in operating activities in fiscal 2011 was impacted by an increase in inventory (excluding inventory impairments and abandonment charges and decreases in consolidated inventory not owned) of $54.4 million.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $190.2 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 which was due primarily to the release of $205.0 million of restricted cash collateral related to our cash secured term loan offset partially by capital expenditures primarily used for new model homes. Net cash provided by investing activities was $4.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 which was due primarily to release of $20.0 million of restricted cash collateral related to our cash secured term loan offset partially by capital expenditures. Net cash used in investing activities was $260.3 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 which was primarily related which was primarily related to the $247.4 million funding of collateral (restricted cash) for the Company’s cash secured term loan.
In addition to our continued focus on generation and preservation of cash, we are also focused on increasing our stockholders’ equity and reducing our leverage. In February 2013 we completed a $200 million senior debt offering, net proceeds of which were used to repay our 2015 Senior Notes and repurchase a portion of our 2019 Senior Notes. Further, in September 2013, we completed another $200 million senior debt offering, the proceeds of which will be used to fund additional land acquisitions and development and for general corporate purposes. During fiscal 2013 we also repaid $205 million of our cash secured term loan. The aforementioned 2013 transactions contributed to $1.2 million of cash provided by financing activities for the year ended September 30, 2013. In fiscal 2012, we exchanged our Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes and Tangible Equity Units for common stock at a premium. We also completed underwritten public offerings of 4.4 million shares of Beazer common stock and 4.6 million 7.5% tangible equity units (TEUs) for net proceeds of $171.4 million which, net of debt and other financing payments, resulted in net cash provided by financing activities of $133.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. In addition, in fiscal 2012, we completed a $300 million senior secured debt offering, net proceeds of which were used to redeem our outstanding 2017 Senior Secured Notes and repurchase a portion of our 2019 Senior Notes. Net cash provided by financing activities was $272.5 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 primarily related to borrowings under our cash secured term loan and our completion

34


of a $250 million senior unsecured debt offering, $210.0 million net proceeds of which was used to redeem our outstanding 2013 Senior Notes and a portion of our 2015 and 2016 Senior Notes.
In September 2013, Fitch reaffirmed the Company's long-term debt rating of B-. In January 2013, Moody's increased the Company's long-term debt rating to Caa1. In December 2012, S&P reaffirmed the Company's long-term debt rating of B-. These ratings and our current credit condition affect, among other things, our ability to access new capital. Negative changes to these ratings may result in more stringent covenants and higher interest rates under the terms of any new debt. Our credit ratings could be lowered or rating agencies could issue adverse commentaries in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. In particular, a weakening of our financial condition, including any further increase in our leverage or decrease in our profitability or cash flows, could adversely affect our ability to obtain necessary funds, could result in a credit rating downgrade or change in outlook, or could otherwise increase our cost of borrowing.
We generally fulfill our short-term cash requirements with cash generated from our operations and available borrowings. While we believe we possess sufficient liquidity to participate in a housing recovery, we are mindful of potential short-term, or seasonal, requirements for enhanced liquidity that may arise, especially as we increase our land and land development spending to grow our business. To facilitate this objective, we expanded our Secured Revolving Credit Facility from $22 million to $150 million during the year ended September 30, 2012.
We have also entered into a number of stand-alone, cash secured letter of credit agreements with banks. These combined facilities will provide for letter of credit needs collateralized by either cash or assets of the Company. We currently have $25.2 million outstanding letters of credit under these facilities, secured with cash collateral which is maintained in restricted accounts totaling $25.5 million. There were no amounts outstanding under our Secured Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2013. We believe that our $553.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at September 30, 2013, cash generated from our operations and the availability of new debt and equity financing, if any, will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs during fiscal 2014.
In the future, we may from time to time seek to continue to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash repurchases or in exchange for other debt securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. In an effort to accelerate our path to profitability, we may seek to expand our business through acquisition, which may be funded through cash, additional debt or equity. In addition, any material variance from our projected operating results, could require us to obtain additional equity or debt financing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete any of these transactions in the future on favorable terms or at all.
Stock Repurchases and Dividends Paid — The Company did not repurchase any shares in the open market during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, or 2011. Any future stock repurchases, as allowed by our debt covenants, must be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or its Finance Committee.
The indentures under which our Senior Notes were issued contain certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on the payment of dividends. At September 30, 2013, under the most restrictive covenants of each indenture, none of our retained earnings was available for cash dividends. Hence, there were no dividends paid during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, or 2011.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Commitments. At September 30, 2013, we controlled 28,004 lots (a 5.3-year supply based on our trailing twelve months of closings). We owned 79.4%, or 22,223 lots, and 5,781 lots, 20.6%, were under option contracts which generally require the payment of cash for the right to acquire lots during a specified period of time at a certain price. We historically have attempted to control a portion of our land supply through options. As a result of the flexibility that these options provide us, upon a change in market conditions we may renegotiate the terms of the options prior to exercise or terminate the agreement. Under option contracts, purchase of the properties is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by us and the sellers and our liability is generally limited to forfeiture of the non-refundable deposits and other non-refundable amounts incurred, which aggregated approximately $37.3 million at September 30, 2013. The total remaining purchase price, net of cash deposits, committed under all options was $288.6 million as of September 30, 2013. When market conditions improve, we may expand our use of option agreements to supplement our owned inventory supply.
We expect to exercise, subject to market conditions and seller satisfaction of contract terms, most of our option contracts. Various factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as market conditions, weather conditions and the timing of the completion of development activities, will have a significant impact on the timing of option exercises or whether lot options will be exercised.
We have historically funded the exercise of lot options through a combination of operating cash flows. We expect these sources to continue to be adequate to fund anticipated future option exercises. Therefore, we do not anticipate that the exercise of our lot options will have a material adverse effect on our liquidity.
We participate in land development joint ventures and have investments in other entities in which we have less than a controlling interest. We enter into investments with unconsolidated entities in order to acquire attractive land positions, to manage our risk

35


profile and to leverage our capital base. Excluding our investment in a pre-owned rental homes REIT, the remainder of our investments in our unconsolidated entities are typically entered into with developers, other homebuilders and financial partners to develop finished lots for sale to the unconsolidated entity’s members and other third parties. We account for our interest in our unconsolidated entities under the equity method. Our consolidated balance sheets include investments in unconsolidated entities totaling $45.0 million and $42.1 million at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
Our unconsolidated entities periodically obtain secured acquisition and development financing. At September 30, 2013, our unconsolidated entities had borrowings outstanding totaling $85.9 million. In the past, we and our partners have provided varying levels of guarantees of debt or other obligations of our unconsolidated land development joint ventures. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
The following table summarizes our aggregate contractual commitments at September 30, 2013:
 
 
Payments Due by Period
(In thousands)
 
Total
 
Less than 1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More than 5 Years
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Notes, Senior Secured Notes & other notes payable
 
$
1,564,447

 
$
8,154

 
$
188,672

 
$
624,034

 
$
743,587

Interest commitments under Senior Notes, Senior Secured Notes & other notes payable (1)
 
820,508

 
121,323

 
237,275

 
195,845

 
266,065

Obligations related to lots under option
 
288,638

 
184,417

 
89,190

 
12,539

 
2,492

Operating leases
 
9,430

 
3,212

 
4,911

 
1,307

 

Uncertain tax positions (2)
 

 

 

 

 

Total
 
$
2,683,023

 
$
317,106

 
$
520,048

 
$
833,725

 
$
1,012,144


(1) Interest on variable rate obligations is based on rates effective as of September 30, 2013.
(2) Due to the uncertainty of the timing of settlement with taxing authorities, the Company is unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlement of unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions. See Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company's unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2013.

We had outstanding performance bonds of approximately $160.3 million at September 30, 2013 related principally to our obligations to local governments to construct roads and other improvements in various developments.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a comprehensive list of recently adopted accounting pronouncements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to a number of market risks in the ordinary course of business. Our primary market risk exposure relates to fluctuations in interest rates. We do not believe that our exposure in this area is material to our cash flows or earnings. As of September 30, 2013, we had variable rate debt outstanding totaling approximately $22.4 million. A one percent change in the interest rate would not be material to our financial statements. The estimated fair value of our fixed rate debt at September 30, 2013 was $1.54 billion, compared to a carrying value of $1.49 billion. In addition, the effect of a hypothetical one-percentage point decrease in our estimated discount rates would increase the estimated fair value of the fixed rate debt instruments from $1.54 billion to $1.61 billion at September 30, 2013.


36


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
 
$
1,287,577

 
$
1,005,677

 
$
742,405

Home construction and land sales expenses
 
1,070,814

 
888,379

 
661,851

Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments
 
2,633

 
12,210

 
32,459

Gross profit
 
214,130

 
105,088

 
48,095

Commissions
 
52,922

 
43,585

 
32,711

General and administrative expenses
 
121,163

 
110,051

 
137,376

Depreciation and amortization
 
12,784

 
13,510

 
10,253

Operating income (loss)
 
27,261

 
(62,058
)
 
(132,245
)
Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated entities
 
(113
)
 
304

 
560

Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
(4,636
)
 
(45,097
)
 
(2,909
)
Other expense, net
 
(58,165
)
 
(69,119
)
 
(62,224
)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
 
(35,653
)
 
(175,970
)
 
(196,818
)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
 
(3,489
)
 
(40,347
)
 
3,366

Loss from continuing operations
 
(32,164
)
 
(135,623
)
 
(200,184
)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
(1,704
)
 
(9,703
)
 
(4,675
)
Net loss
 
$
(33,868
)
 
$
(145,326
)
 
$
(204,859
)
Weighted average number of shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted
 
24,651

 
18,474

 
14,797

Basic and diluted loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing Operations
 
$
(1.30
)
 
$
(7.34
)
 
$
(13.53
)
Discontinued operations
 
$
(0.07
)
 
$
(0.53
)
 
$
(0.31
)
Total
 
$
(1.37
)
 
$
(7.87
)
 
$
(13.84
)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


37


BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2012
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
504,459

 
$
487,795

Restricted cash
48,978

 
253,260

Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $1,651 and $2,235, respectively)
22,342

 
24,599

Income tax receivable
2,813

 
6,372

Inventory
 
 
 
Owned inventory
1,304,694

 
1,099,132

Land not owned under option agreements
9,124


12,420

Total inventory
1,313,818

 
1,111,552

Investments in unconsolidated entities
44,997

 
42,078

Deferred tax assets, net
5,253

 
6,848

Property, plant and equipment, net
17,000

 
18,974

Other assets
27,129

 
30,740

Total assets
$
1,986,789

 
$
1,982,218

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$
83,800

 
$
69,268

Other liabilities
145,623

 
147,718

Obligations related to land not owned under option agreements
4,633

 
4,787

Total debt (net of discounts of $5,160 and $3,082, respectively)
1,512,183

 
1,498,198

Total liabilities
1,746,239

 
1,719,971

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock (par value $.01 per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued)

 

Common stock (par value $0.001 per share, 63,000,000 shares authorized, 25,245,945 and 24,601,830 issued and outstanding, respectively)
25

 
25

Paid-in capital
846,165

 
833,994

Accumulated deficit
(605,640
)
 
(571,772
)
Total stockholders’ equity
240,550

 
262,247

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,986,789

 
$
1,982,218


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


38


BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)

 
Common Stock
 
Paid in
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2010
15,134

 
$
15

 
$
618,673

 
$
(221,587
)
 
$
397,101

Net loss

 

 

 
(204,859
)
 
(204,859
)
Amortization of nonvested stock option awards

 

 
3,813

 

 
3,813

Amortization of stock option awards

 

 
3,357

 

 
3,357

Tax deficiency from stock transactions

 

 
(523
)
 

 
(523
)
Shares issued under employee stock plans, net
16

 

 
101

 

 
101

Return and retirement of unvested & vested restricted stock
(22
)
 

 
(440
)
 

 
(440
)
Common stock redeemed
(10
)
 

 
(170
)
 

 
(170
)
Balance at September 30, 2011
15,118

 
$
15

 
$
624,811

 
$
(426,446
)
 
$
198,380

Net loss

 

 

 
(145,326
)
 
(145,326
)
Tender Offer of Mandatory Convertible & TEU (debt to stock conversion)
4,969

 
5

 
56,670

 

 
56,675

Amortization of nonvested stock option awards

 

 
2,569

 

 
2,569

Amortization of stock option awards

 

 
1,459

 

 
1,459

Tax deficiency from stock transactions

 

 
(85
)
 

 
(85
)
Shares issued under employee stock plans, net
124

 

 

 

 

Issuance of prepaid stock purchase contracts

 

 
88,361

 

 
88,361

Common stock issued
4,400

 
5

 
60,335

 

 
60,340

Common stock redeemed
(9
)
 

 
(126
)
 

 
(126
)
Balance at September 30, 2012
24,602

 
$
25

 
$
833,994

 
$
(571,772
)
 
$
262,247

Net loss

 

 

 
(33,868
)
 
(33,868
)
Conversion of Mandatory Convertible Notes (debt to stock conversion)
566

 

 
9,402

 

 
9,402

Amortization of nonvested stock option awards

 

 
1,986

 

 
1,986

Amortization of stock option awards

 

 
872

 

 
872

Exercises of stock options
1

 

 
7

 

 
7

Shares issued under employee stock plans, net
83

 

 
68

 

 
68

Tax deficiency from stock transactions

 

 
(36
)
 

 
(36
)
Common stock issued

 

 
(7
)
 

 
(7
)
Common stock redeemed
(6
)
 

 
(121
)
 

 
(121
)
Balance at September 30, 2013
25,246

 
$
25

 
$
846,165

 
$
(605,640
)
 
$
240,550


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


39


BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(33,868
)
 
$
(145,326
)
 
$
(204,859
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
12,784

 
13,545

 
10,708

Stock-based compensation expense
2,858

 
4,028

 
7,170

Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments
2,650

 
12,789

 
35,365

Impairment of future land purchase right

 

 
5,569

Deferred and other income tax (benefit) provision
(421
)
 
(38,782
)
 
5,019

Changes in allowance for doubtful accounts
(584
)
 
(1,637
)
 
305

Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated entities
114

 
(267
)
 
(42
)
Cash distributions of income from unconsolidated entities
336

 

 
450

Loss on extinguishment of debt
4,636

 
45,097

 
2,343

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in accounts receivable
2,841

 
9,751

 
4,039

Decrease (increase) in income tax receivable
3,559

 
(1,549
)
 
2,861

(Increase) decrease in inventory
(186,349
)
 
92,790

 
(54,395
)
Decrease in other assets
1,906

 
6,907

 
5,291

Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable
14,532

 
(3,427
)
 
19,277

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
413

 
(14,703
)
 
(17,961
)
Other changes
(49
)
 
(61
)
 
(76
)
Net cash used in operating activities
(174,642
)
 
(20,845
)
 
(178,936
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(10,761
)
 
(17,363
)
 
(20,514
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities
(3,879
)
 
(2,407
)
 
(1,924
)
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities
510

 
610

 

Increases in restricted cash
(4,790
)
 
(3,260
)
 
(250,839
)
Decreases in restricted cash
209,072

 
27,058

 
12,981

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
190,152

 
4,638

 
(260,296
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Repayment of debt
(184,723
)
 
(290,387
)
 
(215,376
)
Proceeds from issuance of new debt
397,082

 
300,000

 
246,387

Repayment of cash secured loans
(205,000
)
 
(20,000
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of cash secured loans

 

 
247,368

Debt issuance costs
(5,548
)
 
(10,845
)
 
(5,172
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net

 
60,340

 

Proceeds from issuance of TEU prepaid stock purchase contracts, net

 
88,361

 

Proceeds from issuance of TEU amortizing notes

 
23,500

 

Settlement of unconsolidated entity debt obligation
(500
)
 
(15,862
)
 

Payments for other financing activities
(157
)
 
(1,508
)
 
(693
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,154

 
133,599

 
272,514

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
16,664

 
117,392

 
(166,718
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
487,795

 
370,403

 
537,121

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
504,459

 
$
487,795

 
$
370,403

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

40


BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization.  Beazer Homes USA, Inc. is one of the ten largest homebuilders in the United States, based on number of homes closed. We are a geographically diversified homebuilder with active operations in 16 states: Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Results from our title services business and exit markets are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented (see Note 16 for further discussion of our Discontinued Operations). We evaluated events that occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements were issued or are available to be issued for accounting treatment and disclosure.
 
Presentation.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and our subsidiaries. Intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain items in prior period financial statements have been revised to conform to the current presentation. Our net loss is equivalent to our comprehensive loss so we have not presented a separate statement of comprehensive loss.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash We consider investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2013, the majority of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in high-quality money market mutual funds, highly marketable securities, or on deposit with major banks, which were valued at par with no withdrawal restrictions. The underlying investments of these funds were U.S. Government and U.S. Government Agency obligations or high quality marketable securities. Restricted cash includes cash restricted by state law or a contractual requirement including cash collateral for our cash secured term loan and outstanding letters of credit.
 
Accounts Receivable.  Accounts receivable include escrow deposits to be received from title companies associated with closed homes, receivables from municipalities related to the development of utilities or other infrastructure and other miscellaneous receivables. Generally, we receive cash from title companies within a few days of the home being closed. We regularly review our receivable balances for collectiblity and record an allowance against the receivable when collectiblity is deemed to be uncertain.
 
Inventory.  Owned inventory consists solely of residential real estate developments. Interest, real estate taxes and development costs are capitalized in inventory during the development and construction period. Construction and land costs are comprised of direct and allocated costs, including estimated future costs for warranties and amenities. Land, land improvements and other common costs are typically allocated to individual residential lots on a pro-rata basis, and the costs of residential lots are transferred to homes under construction when home construction begins. Consolidated inventory not owned represents the fair value of land under option agreements of a variable interest entity (VIE) where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. VIEs are entities in which 1) equity investors do not have a controlling financial interest and/or 2) the entity is unable to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. In addition, when our deposits and pre-acquisition development costs exceed certain thresholds, we record the remaining purchase price of the lots as consolidated inventory not owned and obligations related to consolidated inventory not owned in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Inventory Valuation - Held for Development.  Our homebuilding inventories that are accounted for as held for development include land and home construction assets grouped together as communities. Homebuilding inventories held for development are stated at cost (including direct construction costs, capitalized indirect costs, capitalized interest and real estate taxes) unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. We assess these assets no less than quarterly for recoverability. Generally, upon the commencement of land development activities, it may take three to five years (depending on, among other things, the size of the community and its sales pace) to fully develop, sell, construct and close all the homes in a typical community. A significant downturn in our business, as experienced in the recent past, may negatively impact the estimated life of communities. Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the expected undiscounted cash flows generated are expected to be less than its carrying amount, an impairment charge should be recorded to write down the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated fair value based on discounted cash flows.

When conducting our community level review for the recoverability of our homebuilding inventories held for development, we establish a quarterly “watch list” of communities with more than 10 homes remaining that carry profit margins in backlog or in our forecast that are below a minimum threshold of profitability. In our experience, this threshold represents a level of profitability that may be an indicator of conditions which would require an asset impairment but does not guarantee that such impairment will definitively be appropriate. As such, assets on the quarterly watch list are subject to substantial additional financial and operational analyses and review that consider the competitive environment and other factors contributing to profit margins below our watch list threshold. For communities where the current competitive and market dynamics indicate that these factors may be other than

41


temporary, which may call into question the recoverability of our investment, a formal impairment analysis is performed. The formal impairment analysis consists of both qualitative competitive market analyses and a quantitative analysis reflecting market and asset specific information.
Our qualitative competitive market analyses include site visits to competitor new home communities and written community level competitive assessments. A competitive assessment consists of a comparison of our specific community with its competitor communities, considering square footage of homes offered, amenities offered within the homes and the communities, location, transportation availability and school districts, among many factors. In addition, we review the pace of monthly home sales of our competitor communities in relation to our specific community. We also review other factors such as the target buyer and the macro-economic characteristics that impact the performance of our assets, such as unemployment and the availability of mortgage financing, among other things. Based on this qualitative competitive market analysis, adjustments to our sales prices may be required in order to make our communities competitive. We incorporate these adjusted prices in our quantitative analysis for the specific community.
The quantitative analysis compares the projected future undiscounted cash flows for each such community with its current carrying value. This undiscounted cash flow analysis requires important assumptions regarding the location and mix of house plans to be sold, current and future home sale prices and incentives for each plan, current and future construction costs for each plan, and the pace of monthly sales to occur today and into the future.
 t
There is uncertainty associated with preparing the undiscounted cash flow analysis because future market conditions will almost certainly be different, either better or worse, than current conditions. The single most important “input” to the cash flow analysis is current and future home sales prices for a specific community. The risk of over or under-stating any of the important cash flow variables, including home prices, is greater with longer-lived communities and within markets that have historically experienced greater home price volatility. In an effort to address these risks, we consider some home price and construction cost appreciation in future years for certain communities that are expected to be selling for more than three years and/or if the market has typically exhibited high levels of price volatility. Absent these assumptions on cost and sales price appreciation, we believe the long-term cash flow analysis would be unrealistic and would serve to artificially improve future profitability. Finally, we also ensure that the monthly sales absorptions, including historical seasonal differences of our communities and those of our competitors, used in our undiscounted cash flow analyses are realistic, consider our development schedules and relate to those achieved by our competitors for the specific communities.
 
If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows from our quantitative analysis are in excess of the carrying value, the asset is considered to be recoverable and is not impaired. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying or book value, we perform a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of the community. The fair value of the community is estimated using the present value of the estimated future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risk associated with the underlying community assets. The discount rate used may be different for each community. The factors considered when determining an appropriate discount rate for a community include, among others: (1) community specific factors such as the number of lots in the community, the status of land development in the community, the competitive factors influencing the sales performance of the community and (2) overall market factors such as employment levels, consumer confidence and the existing supply of new and used homes for sale. If the determined fair value is less than the carrying value of the specific asset, the asset is considered not recoverable and is written down to its fair value plus the asset's share of capitalized unallocated interest and other costs. The carrying value of assets in communities that were previously impaired and continue to be classified as held for development is not increased for future estimates of increases in fair value in future reporting periods. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, particularly with respect to projected home sales prices and absorption rates, the timing and amount of the estimated future cash flows and discount rates, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates used in our impairment analyses.

Asset Valuation - Land Held for Future Development.  For those communities for which construction and development activities are expected to occur in the future or have been idled (land held for future development), all applicable interest and real estate taxes are expensed as incurred and the inventory is stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The future enactment of a development plan or the occurrence of events and circumstances may indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We evaluate the potential development plans of each community in land held for future development if changes in facts and circumstances occur which would give rise to a more detailed analysis for a change in the status of a community to active status or held for development.
 
Asset Valuation - Land Held for Sale.  We record assets held for sale at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. The following criteria are used to determine if land is held for sale:
management has the authority and commits to a plan to sell the land;
the land is available for immediate sale in its present conditions;

42


there is an active program to locate a buyer and the plan to sell the property has been initiated;
the sale of the land is probable within one year;
the property is being actively marketed at a reasonable sale price relative to its current fair value; and
it is unlikely that the plan to sell will be withdrawn or that significant changes to the plan will be made.

Additionally, in certain circumstances, management will re-evaluate the best use of an asset that is currently being accounted for as held for development. In such instances, management will review, among other things, the current and projected competitive circumstances of the community, including the level of supply of new and used inventory, the level of sales absorptions by us and our competition, the level of sales incentives required and the number of owned lots remaining in the community. If, based on this review and the foregoing criteria have been met at the end of the applicable reporting period, we believe that the best use of the asset is the sale of all or a portion of the asset in its current condition, then all or portions of the community are accounted for as held for sale.
 
In determining the fair value of the assets less cost to sell, we consider factors including current sales prices for comparable assets in the area, recent market analysis studies, appraisals, any recent legitimate offers, and listing prices of similar properties. If the estimated fair value less cost to sell of an asset is less than its current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value less cost to sell. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates used in our historical analyses.
 
Land Not Owned Under Option Agreements.  In addition to purchasing land directly, we utilize lot option agreements which generally enable us to defer acquiring portions of properties owned by third parties and unconsolidated entities until we have determined whether to exercise our lot option. A majority of our lot option contracts require a non-refundable cash deposit or irrevocable letter of credit based on a percentage of the purchase price of the land for the right to acquire lots during a specified period of time at a certain price. Under lot option contracts, purchase of the properties is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by us and the sellers. Under lot option contracts our liability is generally limited to forfeiture of the non-refundable deposits, letters of credit and other non-refundable amounts incurred.
 
In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), if the entity holding the land under option is a VIE, the Company's deposit represents a variable interest in that entity. To determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we are first required to evaluate whether we have the ability to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the ability to determine the budget and scope of land development work, if any; the ability to control financing decisions for the VIE; the ability to acquire additional land into the VIE or dispose of land in the VIE not under contract with Beazer; and the ability to change or amend the existing option contract with the VIE. If we are not determined to control such activities, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE and thus do not consolidate the VIE. If we do have the ability to control such activities, we will continue our analysis by determining if we are expected to absorb a potentially significant amount of the VIE's losses or, if no party absorbs the majority of such losses, if we will benefit from potentially a significant amount of the VIE's expected gains.
 
If we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we will consolidate the VIE and reflect such assets and liabilities as land not owned under option agreements in our balance sheets, though creditors of the VIE have no recourse against the Company. For VIEs we are required to consolidate, we record the remaining contractual purchase price under the applicable lot option agreement to land not owned under option agreements with an offsetting increase to obligations related to land not owned under option agreements. During the recent housing industry downturn, the Company canceled a significant number of lot option agreements, which resulted in significant write-offs of the related deposits and pre-acquisition costs but did not expose the Company to the overall risks or losses of the applicable VIEs.
 
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities.  We participate in a number of land development joint ventures and have investments in other unconsolidated entities in which we have less than a controlling interest. We enter into investments in unconsolidated entities in order to acquire attractive land positions, to manage our risk profile and to leverage our capital base. Excluding our investment in a pre-owned rental homes real estate investment trust (REIT), our investments in our unconsolidated entities are typically entered into with developers, other homebuilders and financial partners to develop finished lots for sale to the unconsolidated entity’s members and other third parties. We account for our interest in our unconsolidated entities under the equity method. We recognize our share of equity in income (loss) and profits (losses) from the sale of lots to other buyers. Our share of profits from lots we purchase from the unconsolidated entities is deferred and treated as a reduction of the cost of the land purchased from the unconsolidated entity. Such profits are subsequently recognized at the time the home closes and title passes to the homebuyer. We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment during each reporting period. A series of operating losses of an investee or other factors may indicate that a decrease in the value of our investment in the unconsolidated entity has occurred which is other-than-temporary. The amount of impairment recognized is the excess of the investment's carrying

43


value over its estimated fair value. Our unconsolidated entities typically obtain secured acquisition and development financing. See Note 3, Investments in Unconsolidated Entities.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment.  Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis at rates based on estimated useful lives as follows:
 
Buildings
 
25 - 30 years
Building improvements
 
Lesser of estimated useful life of the improvements or remaining useful life of the building
Information systems
 
Lesser of estimated useful life of the asset or 5 years
Furniture, fixtures, and computer and office equipment
 
3 - 7 years
Model and sales office improvements
 
Lesser of estimated useful life of the asset or estimated useful life of the community
Leasehold improvements
 
Lesser of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset
 
Other Assets.  Other assets principally include prepaid expenses, debt issuance costs and deferred compensation plan assets.

Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes is comprised of taxes that are currently payable and deferred taxes that relate to temporary differences between financial reporting carrying values and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from deductible or taxable amounts in future years when such assets and liabilities are recovered or settled and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. We include any estimated interest and penalties on tax related matters in income taxes payable. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition of measurement are recorded in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Other Liabilities. Other liabilities include the following:
(In thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
Income tax liabilities
$
20,170

 
$
22,225

Accrued warranty expenses
11,663

 
15,477

Accrued interest
33,372

 
28,673

Accrued and deferred compensation
25,579

 
24,612

Customer deposits
11,408

 
8,830

Other
43,431

 
47,901

Total
$
145,623

 
$
147,718


Income Recognition and Classification of Costs.  Revenue and related profit are generally recognized at the time of the closing of a sale, when title to and possession of the property are transferred to the buyer.
 
Sales discounts and incentives include items such as cash discounts, discounts on options included in the home, option upgrades (such as upgrades for cabinetry, countertops and flooring), and seller-paid financing or closing costs. In addition, from time to time, we may also provide homebuyers with retail gift certificates and/or other nominal retail merchandise. All sales incentives other than cash discounts are recognized as a cost of selling the home and are included in home construction and land sales expenses. Cash discounts are accounted for as a reduction in the sales price of the home.
 
Estimated future warranty costs are charged to cost of sales in the period when the revenues from home closings are recognized. Such estimated warranty costs generally range from 0.1% to 1.6% of total revenue. Additional warranty costs are charged to cost of sales as necessary based on management's estimate of the costs to remediate existing claims. See Note 9 for a more detailed discussion of warranty costs and related reserves.
 
Advertising costs related to our continuing operations of $14.2 million, $13.5 million and $11.4 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses.


44


Earnings Per Share. The computation of basic EPS is determined by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS additionally gives effect (when dilutive) to stock options, other stock based awards and other potentially dilutive securities including the common shares issuable upon conversion of our Tangible Equity Unit prepaid stock purchase contracts. In computing diluted loss per share for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011, all common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share as a result of their anti-dilutive effect. These common stock equivalents for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 included options/stock-settled appreciation rights (SSARs) to purchase 0.6 million shares of common stock and 7.9 million shares issuable upon the conversion of our TEU prepaid stock purchase contracts (based on the maximum potential shares upon conversion). See Notes 7, 12 and 13 for further discussion of these common stock equivalents.

Fair Value Measurements.  Certain of our assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recovered. We review our long-lived assets, including inventory for recoverability when factors that indicate an impairment may exist, but no less than quarterly. Fair value is based on estimated cash flows discounted for market risks associated with the long-lived assets. The fair value of certain of our financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts due to the short maturity of these assets and liabilities or the variable interest rates on such obligations. The fair value of our publicly held debt is generally estimated based on quoted bid prices for these instruments. Certain of our other financial instruments are estimated by discounting scheduled cash flows through maturity or using market rates currently being offered on loans with similar terms and credit quality. See Notes 4 and 10 for additional discussion of our fair value measurements.

 
Stock-Based Compensation.  We use the Black-Scholes model to value SSARs and stock option grants. We estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation. In addition, we reflect the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost as a financing cash inflow and an operating cash outflow. Nonvested stock granted to employees is valued based on the market price of the common stock on the date of the grant. Performance based, nonvested stock granted to employees is valued using the Monte Carlo valuation method. Cash-settled, stock-based awards if, and when, granted to employees are initially valued based on the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant and are adjusted to fair value until vested. Stock options issued to non-employees are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Nonvested stock granted to non-employees is initially valued based on the market price of the common stock on the date of the grant and is adjusted to fair value until vested. Compensation cost arising from nonvested stock granted to employees, from cash-settled, stock-based employee awards and from non-employee stock awards is recognized as expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period. Although the Company may, from time to time grant cash-settled awards to employees, for the fiscal years ended and as of September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011, there were no such awards either granted or outstanding.

  
Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In April 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-04, Liabilities (ASU 2013-04), which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. ASU 2013-04 is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2014 and subsequent interim periods. The adoption of ASU 2013-04 is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, (ASU 2013-11). ASU 2013-11 which states that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward with certain defined exceptions. ASU 2013-11 is intended to end inconsistent practices regarding the presentation of a unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss (NOL), a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward is available to reduce the taxable income or tax payable that would result from the disallowance of a tax position. ASU 2013-11 will be effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning October 1, 2014 and subsequent interim periods. Early and retrospective adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.


45


(2) Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in obligations related to land not owned under option agreements
$
(154
)
 
$
(602
)
 
$
(25,277
)
(Decrease) increase in future land purchase rights

 
(11,651
)
 
11,651

Contribution of future land purchase rights to unconsolidated entities

 
11,651

 

Increase in repayment guarantee obligation

 

 
15,670

Decrease in debt related to conversion of Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes and Tangible Equity Units for common stock
(9,402
)
 
(55,308
)
 

Contribution of Pre-owned net assets for investment in unconsolidated entity

 
(19,670
)
 

Non-cash land acquisitions
11,000

 
7,813

 
770

Issuance of stock under deferred bonus stock plans
68

 

 
101

Supplemental disclosure of cash activity:

 

 
 
Interest payments
102,716

 
126,313

 
116,049

Income tax payments
403

 
831

 
405

Tax refunds received
6,730

 
2,568

 
5,823


(3) Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
As of September 30, 2013, we participated in certain land development joint ventures and other unconsolidated entities in which Beazer Homes had less than a controlling interest. The following table presents our investment in our unconsolidated entities, the total equity and outstanding borrowings of these unconsolidated entities, and our guarantees of these borrowings, as of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
(In thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
Beazer’s investment in unconsolidated entities
$
44,997

 
$
42,078

Total equity of unconsolidated entities
385,040

 
383,482

Total outstanding borrowings of unconsolidated entities
85,938

 
64,912

Beazer’s estimate of its maximum exposure to our repayment guarantees

 
696


For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011, our income from unconsolidated entity activities, the impairments of our investments in certain of our unconsolidated entities, and the overall equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated entities is as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Continuing operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Income from unconsolidated entity activity
$
68

 
$
304

 
$
652

Impairment of unconsolidated entity investment
(181
)
 

 
(92
)
Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated entities - continuing operations
$
(113
)
 
$
304

 
$
560


South Edge/Inspirada
The Company holds a minority (less than 10%) interest in Inspirada Builders LLC which was formed in connection with the bankruptcy and subsequent plan of reorganization of the South Edge joint venture. During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, we paid $15.9 million in connection with this plan of reorganization.
Our right to acquire land in Las Vegas, Nevada from Inspirada is a component of our investment. As such, we have recorded an investment in Inspirada, which includes the $11.7 million we previously estimated for our future right to purchase land and our cash contributions to the joint venture, primarily for organization costs. In addition to our initial payment, we, as a member of the Inspirada joint venture, will have obligations for a portion of future infrastructure and other development costs. At this time, these costs cannot be quantified due to, among other things, uncertainty over the future development configuration of the project and

46


the related costs, market conditions, uncertainty over the remaining infrastructure costs and potential recoveries from previously filed bankruptcies of certain other South Edge members. In addition, there are uncertainties with respect to the location and density of the land we will receive as a result of our investment in Inspirada, the products we will build on such land and the estimated selling prices of such homes. Because there are uncertainties with respect to development costs, in future periods, we may be required to record adjustments to the carrying value of this Inspirada investment as better information becomes available.
Pre-Owned Rental Homes
Effective May 3, 2012, we contributed $0.3 million in cash and our Pre-Owned Homes business at cost, including 190 homes in Arizona and Nevada, of which 187 were leased, for a 23.5% equity method investment in an unconsolidated real estate investment trust (the REIT). The Company also received grants of restricted units in the REIT, of which a portion vested during the year ended September 30, 2012. As of September 30, 2013, we held a 15.0% investment in the REIT.

Subsequent to the initial REIT offering, we entered into a transition services agreement with the REIT under which we agreed to provide interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and various back office and administrative support on an as needed basis. During our fiscal 2013, the REIT hired a CFO. In the future, we may continue to provide services including treasury operations, cash management, accounting and financial reporting support, legal services, human resources support, environmental and safety services, and tax support on an as needed basis. Fees received related to the transition services agreement billed at our cost and recognized as other income were not material to our consolidated financial results.

Guarantees
Our land development joint ventures typically obtain secured acquisition, development and construction financing. Historically, Beazer and our land development joint ventures partners have provided varying levels of guarantees of debt and other obligations for these unconsolidated entities. As of September 30, 2013, we had no outstanding guarantees of debt or other obligations related to our unconsolidated entities.

As of September 30, 2012, we had recorded $0.7 million in Other Liabilities related to one repayment guarantee. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, we entered into a guarantee release agreement and paid $0.5 million to settle our liability and recognized the remaining $0.2 million as other income.
We and our joint venture partners generally provide unsecured environmental indemnities to land development joint venture project lenders. In each case, we have performed due diligence on potential environmental risks. These indemnities obligate us to reimburse the project lenders for claims related to environmental matters for which they are held responsible. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we were not required to make any payments related to environmental indemnities.
In assessing the need to record a liability for the contingent aspect of these guarantees, we consider our historical experience in being required to perform under the guarantees, the fair value of the collateral underlying these guarantees and the financial condition of the applicable unconsolidated entities. In addition, we monitor the fair value of the collateral of these unconsolidated entities to ensure that the related borrowings do not exceed the specified percentage of the value of the property securing the borrowings. We have not recorded a liability for the contingent aspects of any guarantees that we determined were reasonable possible but not probable.

(4) Inventory
(In thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
Homes under construction
$
262,476

 
$
251,828

Development projects in progress
578,453

 
391,019

Land held for future development
341,986

 
367,102

Land held for sale
31,331

 
10,149

Capitalized interest
52,562

 
38,190

Model homes
37,886

 
40,844

Total owned inventory
$
1,304,694

 
$
1,099,132


Homes under construction includes homes substantially finished and ready for delivery and homes in various stages of construction. We had 113 ($30.7 million) and 174 ($39.7 million) substantially completed homes that were not subject to a sales contract (spec homes) at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Development projects in progress consist principally of land and land improvement costs. Certain of the fully developed lots in this category are reserved by a deposit or sales contract. Land held for future development consists of communities for which construction and development activities are expected to occur in the future

47


or have been idled and are stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. All applicable interest and real estate taxes on land held for future development are expensed as incurred. The decrease in land held for future development relates to our activation of certain projects during fiscal 2013. Land held for sale in Unallocated and Other as of September 30, 2013 included land held for sale in the markets we have decided to exit including Jacksonville, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina. Total owned inventory, by reportable segment, is set forth in the table below. Inventory located in California, the state with our largest concentration of inventory, was $388.1 million and $350.9 million at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(In thousands)
Projects in
Progress
 
Held for Future
Development
 
Land Held
for Sale
 
Total Owned
Inventory
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
West Segment
$
339,319

 
$
292,875

 
$
16,572

 
$
648,766

East Segment
331,894

 
25,491

 
3,833

 
361,218

Southeast Segment
178,624

 
23,620

 
8,208

 
210,452

Unallocated & Other
81,540

 

 
2,718

 
84,258

Total
$
931,377

 
$
341,986

 
$
31,331

 
$
1,304,694

September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
West Segment
$
261,239

 
$
318,351

 
$
2,553

 
$
582,143

East Segment
279,954

 
25,130

 
3,204

 
308,288

Southeast Segment
118,853

 
23,621

 
1,675

 
144,149

Unallocated & Other
61,835

 

 
2,717

 
64,552

Total
$
721,881

 
$
367,102

 
$
10,149

 
$
1,099,132


Inventory Impairments. When conducting our community level review for the recoverability of our homebuilding inventories held for development, we establish a quarterly “watch list” of communities with more than 10 homes remaining that carry profit margins in backlog and in our forecast that are below a minimum threshold of profitability. Assets on the quarterly watch list are subject to substantial additional financial and operational analyses and review that consider the competitive environment and other factors contributing to profit margins below our watch list threshold. For communities where the current competitive and market dynamics indicate that these factors may be other than temporary, which may call into question the recoverability of our investment, a formal impairment analysis is performed. The formal impairment analysis consists of both qualitative competitive market analyses and a quantitative analysis reflecting market and asset specific information.
In our undiscounted cash flow impairment analyses for the year ended September 30, 2013, we have assumed limited market improvements in some communities beginning in fiscal 2014 and continuing improvement in these communities in subsequent years. For any communities scheduled to close out in fiscal 2014, we did not assume any market improvements. The discount rate in our discounted cash flow analyses may be different for each community and ranged from 11.2% to 17.0% for the communities analyzed in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 and 12.6% to 18.2% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011. The following tables represent the results, by reportable segment of our community level review of the recoverability of our inventory assets held for development as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. We have elected to aggregate our disclosure at the reportable segment level because we believe this level of disclosure is most meaningful to the readers of our financial statements. The aggregate undiscounted cash flow fair value as a percentage of book value for the communities represented below is consistent with our expectations given our “watch list” methodology.

48


($ in thousands)
 
 
Undiscounted Cash Flow Analyses Prepared
Segment
# of
Communities
on Watch List
 
# of
Communities
 
Pre-analysis
Book Value
(BV)
 
Aggregate Undiscounted Cash Flow as a % of BV
Year Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
West
1

 
1

 
$
11,080

 
117.6
%
East
3

 
3

 
9,588

 
107.0
%
Southeast
1

 
1

 
5,257

 
128.6
%
Unallocated

 

 
1,755

 
100.0
%
Total
5

 
5

 
$
27,680

 
114.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
West
14

 
8

 
$
28,467

 
94.7
%
East
12

 
8

 
30,052

 
91.8
%
Southeast
5

 
3

 
9,247

 
116.5
%
Unallocated

 

 
5,193

 
100.0
%
Total
31

 
19

 
$
72,959

 
96.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
West
18

 
15

 
$
58,848

 
88.4
%
East
7

 
5

 
16,436

 
94.6
%
Southeast
4

 
3

 
11,017

 
60.3
%
Unallocated
1

 

 
9,707

 
100.0
%
Total
30

 
23

 
$
96,008

 
87.7
%

There were no impairments recorded during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 related to our impairment analyses. The table below summarizes the results of our discounted cash flow analysis for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. The impairment charges below include impairments taken as a result of these discounted cash flow analyses and also impairment charges recorded for individual homes sold and in backlog with net contribution margins below a minimum threshold of profitability in communities that were not otherwise impaired through our discounted cash flow analyses. The estimated fair value of the impaired inventory is determined immediately after a community’s impairment.
($ in thousands)
Results of Discounted Cash Flow Analyses Prepared
Segment
# of
Communities
Impaired
 
# of Lots
Impaired
 
Impairment
Charge
 
Estimated Fair
Value of
Impaired
Inventory at
Period End
Year Ended September 30, 2012
West
2

 
116

 
$
3,902

 
$
11,058

East
2

 
93

 
4,316

 
7,342

Southeast
1

 
37

 
796

 
2,457

Unallocated

 

 
473

 

Continuing Operations
5

 
246

 
9,487

 
20,857

Discontinued Operations

 

 
60

 

Total
5

 
246

 
$
9,547

 
$
20,857

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
West
12

 
859

 
$
20,150

 
$
33,066

East
4

 
86

 
1,611

 
10,671

Southeast
3

 
278

 
5,182

 
6,022

Unallocated

 

 
2,362

 

Continuing Operations
19

 
1,223

 
29,305

 
49,759

Discontinued Operations

 

 
276

 

Total
19

 
1,223

 
$
29,581

 
$
49,759


49


Our assumptions about future home sales prices and absorption rates require significant judgment because the residential homebuilding industry is cyclical and is highly sensitive to changes in economic conditions. During these periods, for certain communities we determined that it was prudent to reduce sales prices or further increase sales incentives in response to factors, including competitive market conditions in those specific submarkets for the product and locations of these communities. Because the projected cash flows used to evaluate the fair value of inventory are significantly impacted by changes in market conditions including decreased sales prices, the change in sales prices and changes in absorption estimates based on current market conditions and management’s assumptions relative to future results led to impairments in five communities during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, discrete changes in our revenue and absorption estimates for certain communities due to pricing reductions in response to competitor actions and local market conditions led to impairments in 19 communities. Market deterioration that exceeds our estimates may lead us to incur additional impairment charges on previously impaired homebuilding assets in addition to homebuilding assets not currently impaired but for which indicators of impairment may arise if markets deteriorate.
The impairments on land held for sale below represent further write downs of these properties to net realizable value, less estimated costs to sell and are based on current market conditions and our review of recent comparable transactions at the applicable period end. The fiscal 2013 land held for sale impairment in the Southeast Segment related to our decision to reposition one community in South Carolina to address consumer demand, including the decision to sell a portion of the lots in this community. The negative impairments indicated below are due to adjustments to accruals for estimated selling costs related to either our strategic decision to develop a previously held-for-sale land position or revised estimates based on pending sales transactions. Our assumptions about land sales prices require significant judgment because the current market is highly sensitive to changes in economic conditions. We calculated the estimated fair values of land held for sale based on current market conditions and assumptions made by management, which may differ materially from actual results and may result in additional impairments if market conditions deteriorate.
Also, we have determined the proper course of action with respect to a number of communities within each homebuilding segment was to not exercise certain options and to write-off the deposits securing the option takedowns and pre-acquisition costs, as applicable. In determining whether to abandon a lot option contract, we evaluate the lot option primarily based upon the expected cash flows from the property that is the subject of the option. If we intend to abandon or walk-away from a lot option contract, we record a charge to earnings in the period such decision is made for the deposit amount and any related capitalized costs associated with the lot option contract. Abandonment charges relate to our decision to abandon or not exercise certain option contracts that are not projected to produce adequate results or no longer fit in our long-term strategic plan.

50


The following table sets forth, by reportable homebuilding segment, the inventory impairments taken as a result of these discounted cash flow analyses and also impairment charges recorded for individual homes sold and in backlog with net contribution margins below a minimum threshold of profitability, held for sale impariments and lot option abandonment charges recorded for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)
 
 
 
 
 
West
$
46

 
$
3,902

 
$
20,150

East
13

 
4,316

 
1,611

Southeast

 
796

 
5,182

Unallocated

 
473

 
2,362

Subtotal
$
59

 
$
9,487

 
$
29,305

Land Held for Sale
 
 
 
 
 
West
$
228

 
$

 
$
(51
)
East
123

 
100

 
193

Southeast
1,778

 
208

 
169

Subtotal
$
2,129

 
$
308

 
$
311

Lot Option Abandonments
 
 
 
 
 
West
$
104

 
$
301

 
$
405

East
20

 
1,320

 
2,048

Southeast
321

 
792

 
390

Unallocated

 
2

 

Subtotal
$
445

 
$
2,415

 
$
2,843

Continuing Operations
$
2,633

 
$
12,210

 
$
32,459

Discontinued Operations
 
 
 
 
 
Held for Development
$

 
$
60

 
$
276

Land Held for Sale
17

 
503

 
78

Lot Option Abandonments

 
16

 
2,552

Subtotal
$
17

 
$
579

 
$
2,906

Total Company
$
2,650

 
$
12,789

 
$
35,365


Lot Option Agreements and Variable Interest Entities (VIE). As previously discussed, we also have access to land inventory through lot option contracts, which generally enable us to defer acquiring portions of properties owned by third parties and unconsolidated entities until we have determined whether to exercise our lot option. A majority of our lot option contracts require a non-refundable cash deposit or irrevocable letter of credit based on a percentage of the purchase price of the land for the right to acquire lots during a specified period of time at a certain price. Under lot option contracts, purchase of the properties is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by us and the sellers. Our liability under option contracts is generally limited to forfeiture of the non-refundable deposits, letters of credit and other non-refundable amounts incurred, which aggregated approximately $37.3 million at September 30, 2013. The total remaining purchase price, net of cash deposits, committed under all options was $288.6 million as of September 30, 2013. We expect to exercise, subject to market conditions and seller satisfaction of contract terms, most of our remaining option contracts. Various factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as market conditions, weather conditions and the timing of the completion of development activities, will have a significant impact on the timing of option exercises or whether lot options will be exercised.
For the VIEs in which we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we have consolidated the VIE and reflected such assets and liabilities as land not owned under option agreements in our balance sheets. For VIEs we were required to consolidate, we recorded the remaining contractual purchase price under the applicable lot option agreement to land not owned under option agreements with an offsetting increase to obligations related to land not owned under option agreements. Also, to reflect the purchase price of this inventory consolidated, we present the related option deposits as land not owned under option agreement in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Consolidation of these VIEs has no impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.

51


The following provides a summary of our interests in lot option agreements as of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
(In thousands)
Deposits &
Non-refundable
Preacquisition
Costs Incurred
 
Remaining
Obligation
 
Land Not Owned -
Under Option
Agreements
As of September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated VIEs
$
4,491

 
$
4,633

 
$
9,124

Other consolidated lot option agreements (a)

 

 

Unconsolidated lot option agreements
32,822

 
284,005

 

Total lot option agreements
$
37,313

 
$
288,638

 
$
9,124

As of September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated VIEs
$
7,203

 
$
3,346

 
$
10,549

Other consolidated lot option agreements (a)
430

 
1,441

 
1,871

Unconsolidated lot option agreements
17,290

 
193,711

 

Total lot option agreements
$
24,923

 
$
198,498

 
$
12,420


(a)
Represents lot option agreements with non-VIE entities that we have deemed to be “financing arrangements” pursuant to ASC 470-40, Product Financing Arrangements.

(5) Interest
Our ability to capitalize all interest incurred during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011 has been limited by our inventory eligible for capitalization. The following table sets forth certain information regarding interest:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Capitalized interest in inventory, beginning of period
$
38,190

 
$
45,973

 
$
36,884

Interest incurred
115,076

 
124,918

 
130,818

Capitalized interest impaired

 
(275
)
 
(1,907
)
Interest expense not qualified for capitalization and included as other expense
(59,458
)
 
(71,474
)
 
(73,440
)
Capitalized interest amortized to house construction and land sales expenses
(41,246
)
 
(60,952
)
 
(46,382
)
Capitalized interest in inventory, end of period
$
52,562

 
$
38,190

 
$
45,973


(6) Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
Buildings and improvements
$
2,329

 
$
2,329

Model and sales office improvements
23,046

 
31,188

Leasehold improvements
4,212

 
4,456

Information systems
16,532

 
20,671

Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
16,215

 
15,528

Property, plant and equipment, gross
62,334

 
74,172

Less: Accumulated Depreciation
(45,334
)
 
(55,198
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
17,000

 
$
18,974




52


(7) Borrowings
At September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 we had the following debt:
(In thousands)
Maturity Date
 
2013
 
2012
6 7/8% Senior Notes
July 2015
 
$

 
$
172,454

8 1/8% Senior Notes
June 2016
 
172,879

 
172,879

6 5/8% Senior Secured Notes
April 2018
 
300,000

 
300,000

9 1/8% Senior Notes
June 2018
 
298,000

 
300,000

9 1/8% Senior Notes
May 2019
 
235,000

 
235,000

7 1/2% Senior Notes
September 2021
 
200,000

 

7 1/4% Senior Notes
February 2023
 
200,000

 

TEU Senior Amortizing Notes
August 2013
 

 
316

TEU Senior Amortizing Notes
August 2015
 
16,141

 
23,500

Unamortized debt discounts
 
 
(5,160
)
 
(3,082
)
Total Senior Notes, net
 
 
1,416,860

 
1,201,067

Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes
January 2013
 

 
9,402

Junior Subordinated Notes
July 2036
 
53,670

 
51,603

Cash Secured Loans
November 2017
 
22,368

 
227,368

Other Secured Notes Payable
Various Dates
 
19,285

 
8,758

Total debt, net
 
 
$
1,512,183

 
$
1,498,198


As of September 30, 2013, future maturities of our borrowings are as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
$
8,154

2015
 
 
 
 
12,126

2016
 
 
 
 
176,546

2017
 
 
 
 
3,666

2018
 
 
 
 
620,368

Thereafter
 
 
 
 
743,587

Total
 
 
 
 
$
1,564,447


Secured Revolving Credit Facility — In September 2012, we amended and expanded our Secured Revolving Credit Facility from $22 million to $150 million. The amended three-year amended Secured Revolving Credit Facility provides for future working capital and letter of credit needs collateralized by substantially all of the Company's personal property (excluding cash and cash equivalents) and real property. This facility is subject to various financial, collateral-based and negative covenants with which we are required to comply. As of September 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all such covenants and had $150 million of available borrowings under the Secured Revolving Credit Facility. We have elected to cash collateralize all letters of credit; however, as of September 30, 2013, we have pledged approximately $1.0 billion of inventory assets to our Secured Revolving Credit Facility to collateralize potential future borrowings or letters of credit. The Secured Revolving Credit Facility contains certain covenants, including negative covenants and financial maintenance covenants, with which we are required to comply. Subject to our option to cash collateralize our obligations under the Secured Revolving Credit Facility upon certain conditions, our obligations under the Secured Revolving Credit Facility are secured by liens on substantially all of our personal property and a significant portion of our owned real properties. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Secured Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2013 or September 30, 2012.
We have entered into stand-alone, cash-secured letter of credit agreements with banks to maintain our pre-existing letters of credit and to provide for the issuance of new letters of credit. The letter of credit arrangements combined with our Secured Revolving Credit Facility provide a total letter of credit capacity of approximately $194.8 million. As of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, we have letters of credit outstanding of $25.2 million and $24.7 million, respectively, which are secured by cash collateral in restricted accounts. The Company may enter into additional arrangements to provide additional letter of credit capacity.

53


Senior Notes — The majority of our Senior Notes are unsecured or secured obligations ranking pari passu with all other existing and future senior indebtedness. Substantially all of our significant subsidiaries are full and unconditional guarantors of the Senior Notes and are jointly and severally liable for obligations under the Senior Notes and the Secured Revolving Credit Facility. Each guarantor subsidiary is a 100% owned subsidiary of Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

The Company's Senior Notes are subject to indentures containing certain restrictive covenants which, among other things, restrict our ability to pay dividends, repurchase our common stock, incur additional indebtedness and to make certain investments. Specifically, all of our Senior Notes contain covenants that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness unless it is refinancing indebtedness or non-recourse indebtedness. The incurrence of refinancing indebtedness and non recourse indebtedness, as defined in the applicable indentures, are exempted from the covenant test. As of September 30, 2013, we were not able to incur additional indebtedness, except refinancing or non-recourse indebtedness. Compliance with our Senior Note covenants does not significantly impact our operations. We were in compliance with the covenants contained in all of our Senior Notes as of September 30, 2013.
Our Senior Notes due 2016 (the 2016 Notes) contain the most restrictive covenants, including the consolidated tangible net worth covenant, which states that should consolidated tangible net worth fall below $85 million for two consecutive quarters, the Company is required to make an offer to purchase 10% of the 2016 Notes at par. If triggered and fully subscribed, this could result in our having to purchase $27.5 million of the 2016 Notes, which may be reduced by certain 2016 Note repurchases (potentially at less
than par) made in the open market after the triggering date. As of September 30, 2013, our consolidated tangible net worth was $213.7 million, well in excess of the minimum covenant requirement.

In September 2013, we issued and sold $200 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes due 2021 (the 2021 Notes) at a price of 98.541% (before underwriting and other issuance costs) through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. Interest on the 2021 Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears, beginning on March 15, 2014. The 2021 Notes will mature on September 15, 2021.

The 2021 Notes were issued under an Indenture (2021 Indenture), issued September 30, 2013 that contains covenants which, subject to certain exceptions, limit the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, and make certain types of restricted payments. The 2021 Indenture contains customary events of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, payments on the 2021 Notes may be accelerated and become immediately due and payable. Upon a change of control (as defined in the 2021 Indenture), the 2021 Indenture requires us to make an offer to repurchase the 2021 Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

We may redeem the 2021 Notes at any time prior to September 15, 2016, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a customary make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. In addition, at any time on or prior to September 15, 2016, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.500% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption; provided, that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes originally issued under the Indenture remain outstanding after such redemption. On or after September 15, 2016, we may redeem some or all of the 2021 Notes at redemption prices set forth in the Indenture. These percentages range from 100.000% to 105.625%.

In February 2013, we issued and sold $200 million aggregate principal amount of 7.250% Senior Notes due 2023 (the 2023 Notes)
at par (before underwriting and other issuance costs) through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. Interest on the
2023 Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears, beginning August 1, 2013. The 2023 Notes will mature on February 1, 2023.

The 2023 Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as February 1, 2013 (the Indenture) that contains covenants which, subject
to certain exceptions, limit the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, among other
things, incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, and make certain types of restricted payments. The Indenture
contains customary events of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, payments on the 2023 Notes may be accelerated
and become immediately due and payable. Upon a change of control (as defined in the Indenture), the Indenture requires us to make an offer to repurchase the 2023 Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

We may redeem the 2023 Notes at any time prior to February 1, 2018, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a customary make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. In addition, at any time on or prior to February 1, 2016, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of 2023 Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.250% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption; provided, that at least 65% of the aggregate principal

54


amount of the 2023 Notes originally issued under the Indenture remain outstanding after such redemption. On or after February 1, 2018, we may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at redemption prices set forth in the Indenture. These percentages range from 100.000% to 103.625%. In August 2013, we exchanged 100% of the 2023 Notes for notes that are freely transferable and registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

The 2021 and 2023 Notes rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured obligations, senior to all of the Company's existing and future subordinated indebtedness and effectively subordinated to the Company's existing and future secured indebtedness, including indebtedness under our revolving credit facility and our 6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2018, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The 2021 and 2023 Notes and related guarantees are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of all of the Company's subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2021 or 2023 Notes. The 2021 and 2023 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed jointly and severally on a senior basis by the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries party to the Indenture.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, we used a portion of the net cash proceeds from the 2023 Notes offering to redeem all of our outstanding 6.875% Senior Notes due 2015 (the 2015 Notes). The 2015 Notes were redeemed at 101.146% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. During fiscal 2013, we also repurchased $2 million of our outstanding 9.125% Senior Notes due 2018 in open market transactions. These transactions resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of $3.6 million, net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs. All Senior Notes redeemed/repurchased by the Company were canceled.
In July 2012, we issued and sold $300 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (Senior Secured Notes) through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. The Senior Secured Notes were issued at par (before underwriting and other issuance costs). Interest on the Senior Secured Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears, beginning October 15, 2012. The Senior Secured Notes will mature on April 15, 2018. The Senior Secured Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as of July 18, 2012 (the "2012 Indenture”) that contains covenants which, subject to certain exceptions, limit the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, engage in certain asset sales, make certain types of restricted payments and create liens on assets of the Company or the guarantors. The 2012 Indenture contains customary events of default.
Upon a change of control (as defined in the Indenture), the Indenture requires the Company to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Secured Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If we sell certain assets and do not reinvest the net proceeds in compliance with the Indenture, then we must use the net proceeds to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We may redeem the Senior Notes at any time prior to July 15, 2015, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a customary make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. In addition, at any time on or prior to July 15, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 106.625% of the principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption; provided, that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes originally issued under the Indenture remain outstanding after such redemption. Thereafter, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Secured Notes at redemption prices set forth in the Indenture. These percentages range from 100.000% to 103.313%.
Concurrently with the Senior Secured Notes offering, we called for redemption of all $250 million outstanding of our 12% senior secured notes due 2017. Cash used for this redemption, including payment of accrued interest and the contractual call premium was approximately $280 million. We recorded a $42.4 million pre-tax loss on debt extinguishment (including write-off of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs) related to the redemption of the 12% senior secured notes due 2017 in fiscal 2012.
In November 2010, we issued $250 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% Senior Notes due May 15, 2019 in a private placement. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears, commencing on May 15, 2011. These notes are unsecured and rank equally with our unsecured indebtedness. We may, at our option, redeem the 9 1/8% Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time at specified redemption prices which include a “make whole” provision through May 15, 2014. During fiscal year 2011, we exchanged substantially all of the $250 million 9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2019 for notes that were publicly traded and registered under the Securities Act of 1933.
During fiscal 2012, we redeemed or repurchased in open market transactions $15.0 million of our 9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2019 for an aggregate purchase price of $14.6 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest. These transactions resulted in a gain on debt extinguishment of $30,000, net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs. During fiscal 2011, we redeemed or repurchased in open market transactions, $209.5 million principal amount of our Senior Notes ($164.5 million of 6 1/2% Senior Notes due 2013, $37.0 million of 6 7/8% Senior Notes due 2015 and $8.0 million of 8 1/8% Senior Notes due 2016). The aggregate purchase price was $210.0 million in 2011, plus accrued and unpaid interest as of the purchase date. The redemption/repurchase of the notes

55


resulted in a $2.9 million pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt, net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs related to these notes. All Senior Notes redeemed/repurchased by the Company were canceled.
Senior Notes: Tangible Equity Units — In July 2012, we issued 4.6 million 7.5% TEUs (the 2012 TEUs), which were comprised of prepaid stock purchase contracts (PSPs) and senior amortizing notes. As the two components of the TEUs are legally separate and detachable, we have accounted for the two components as separate items for financial reporting purposes and valued them based on their relative fair value at the date of issuance. The amortizing notes are unsecured senior obligations and rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness. Outstanding notes pay quarterly installments of principal and interest through maturity. The PSPs were originally accounted for as equity (additional paid in capital) at the initial fair value of these contracts based on the relative fair value method. The PSPs related to these 2012 TEUs are scheduled to be settled in Beazer Homes' common stock on July 15, 2015. If on that date, our common stock price is (1) at or below $14.50 per share, the PSPs will convert to 1.72414 shares per unit, (2) at or above $17.75 per share, the PSPs will convert to 1.40746 shares per unit or (3) between $14.50 and $17.75 per share, the PSPs will convert to a number of shares of our common stock equal to $25.00 divided by the applicable market value of our common stock. See Note 12 for additional information related to the PSPs
During May 2010, we issued 3.0 million 7.25% TEUs (the 2010 TEUs). In March 2012, we exchanged 2.8 million shares of our common stock for 2.8 million 2010 TEUs (comprised of prepaid stock purchase contracts and $7.2 million of senior amortizing notes). Since our offer to convert the 2010 TEUs included a premium share component and was not pursuant to the instrument's original conversion terms, we accounted for the exchange as an induced conversion of the 2010 TEUs. We compared the fair value of the common stock issued to the fair value of the 2010 TEU instruments at the date of acceptance in order to determine the premium of the consideration. This premium was then allocated between the debt and equity components of the 2010 TEUs based on each components relative fair value. The difference between the implied fair value of the amortizing notes (including the premium allocation) and the carrying value of the amortizing notes was recognized as a loss on extinguishment of debt and totaled approximately $0.7 million. The remaining related prepaid stock purchase contracts issued May 2010 settled in Beazer Homes’ common stock on August 15, 2013 in accordance with the 2010 TEU provisions..
Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes — On January 12, 2010, we issued $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 7 1/2% Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes).
During fiscal 2012, we exchanged 2.2 million shares of our common stock for $48.1 million of our Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes. Since our offer to convert these notes included a premium share component, we accounted for the exchange as an induced conversion of these notes. We recognized a $2.0 million inducement expense equal to the fair value of the premium shares issued based on our common stock price as of the date of acceptance. This expense is included in loss on extinguishment of debt for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.
On January 15, 2013, the remaining $9.4 million of outstanding Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes converted into 0.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock in accordance with the notes' conversion provisions.
Junior Subordinated Notes — $103.1 million of unsecured junior subordinated notes mature on July 30, 2036, are redeemable at par and pay a fixed rate of 7.987% for the first ten years ending July 30, 2016. Thereafter, the securities have a floating interest as defined in the junior subordinated notes agreement. The obligations relating to these notes and the related securities are subordinated to the Secured Revolving Credit Facility and the Senior Notes. In January 2010, we modified the terms of $75 million of these notes and recorded these notes at their estimated fair value. As of September 30, 2013, the unamortized accretion was $47.1 million and will be amortized over the remaining life of the notes.
Cash Secured Loans — We have entered into two separate loan facilities, totaling $22.4 million as of September 30, 2013. Borrowing under the cash secured loan facilities will replenish cash used to repay or repurchase the Company’s debt and would be considered “refinancing indebtedness” under certain of the Company’s existing indentures and debt covenants. However, because the loans are fully collateralized by cash equal to the loan amount, the loans do not provide liquidity to the Company.
The loans mature in November 2017, however, the lenders of these facilities may put the outstanding loan balances to the Company at the two or four year anniversaries of the loan. Borrowings under the facilities are fully secured by cash held by the lender or its affiliates. This secured cash is reflected as restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013. We borrowed $32.6 million at inception of the loans. As previously indicated and in order to protect financing capacity available under our covenant refinancing basket related to previous or future debt repayments, we borrowed an additional $214.8 million under the cash secured loan facilities in May 2011. The cash secured loan has an interest rate equivalent to LIBOR plus 0.4% per annum which is paid every three months following the effective date of each borrowing.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, we repaid $20 million of the cash secured term loans. Further, during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, we repaid $205 million of the outstanding cash secured term loans and recognized a $1 million loss on debt extinguishment, primarily related to the unamortized discounts and debt issuances costs related to these loans.

56


Other Secured Notes Payable — We periodically acquire land through the issuance of notes payable. As of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, we had outstanding notes payable of $19.3 million and $8.8 million respectively, primarily related to land acquisitions. These notes payable have varying expiration dates between 2012 and 2019 and have a weighted average fixed rate of 4.00% at September 30, 2013. These notes are secured by the real estate to which they relate.
The agreements governing these secured notes payable contain various affirmative and negative covenants. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any future waivers or amendments that may become necessary without significant additional cost or at all. In each instance, however, a covenant default can be cured by repayment of the indebtedness.

(8) Income Taxes

The (benefit from) provision for income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Current federal
$
(4,409
)
 
$
(34,242
)
 
$
(1,963
)
Current state
(394
)
 
(143
)
 
319

Deferred federal
1,476

 
(5,964
)
 
3,728

Deferred state
(162
)
 
2

 
1,282

Total
$
(3,489
)
 
$
(40,347
)
 
$
3,366


The (benefit from) provision for income taxes from continuing operations differs from the amount computed by applying the federal income tax statutory rate as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Income tax computed at statutory rate
$
(12,479
)
 
$
(61,590
)
 
$
(68,886
)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
(684
)
 
(6,055
)
 
(4,613
)
Valuation allowance
11,729

 
59,601

 
74,047

(Decrease) increase in unrecognized tax benefits
(1,909
)
 
(32,441
)
 
1,511

Other, net
(146
)
 
138

 
1,307

Total
$
(3,489
)
 
$
(40,347
)
 
$
3,366

The principal difference between our effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate relates to our valuation allowance and the recognition of prior year unrecognized tax benefits.


57


Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of significant temporary differences that give rise to the net deferred tax assets are as follows:
(In thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Warranty and other reserves
$
11,559

 
$
12,408

Incentive compensation
17,368

 
16,285

Property, equipment and other assets
2,455

 
2,647

Federal and state tax carryforwards
383,508

 
365,283

Inventory adjustments
114,416

 
133,843

Uncertain tax positions
14,415

 
16,331

Other
3,052

 
4,285

Total deferred tax assets
546,773

 
551,082

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Deferred revenues
(54,257
)
 
(56,017
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(54,257
)
 
(56,017
)
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
492,516

 
495,065

Valuation allowance
(487,263
)
 
(488,217
)
Net deferred tax assets
$
5,253

 
$
6,848


At September 30, 2013, our gross deferred tax assets above included $292.6 million for federal net operating loss carryforwards, $80.4 million for state net operating loss carryforwards and $9.8 million for an alternative minimum tax credit. The net operating loss carryforwards expire at various dates through 2033. The alternative minimum tax credit has an unlimited carryforward period.

A reduction of the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance is required if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically based on the more-likely-than-not realization threshold criterion. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, the Company's experience with loss carryforwards not expiring unused and tax planning alternatives.

Based upon an evaluation of all available evidence, we established a valuation allowance for substantially all of our deferred tax assets during fiscal 2008. As of September 30, 2013, we continued our evaluation of whether the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets was still required. We considered positive evidence including evidence of recovery in the housing markets where we operate, the prospects of continued profitability and growth, a strong backlog and sufficient balance sheet liquidity to sustain and grow operations. Although the Company’s performance and current positioning is bringing it closer to a conclusion that a valuation allowance is no longer needed, further evidence of sustained profitability is needed to reverse our valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. Therefore, based upon all available positive and negative evidence, we concluded a valuation allowance is still needed for substantially all of our gross deferred tax assets at September 30, 2013. Therefore, at September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company's deferred tax asset valuation allowance was $487.3 million and $488.2 million, respectively. In future periods, we expect to reduce all or a portion of our valuation allowance, generating a non-cash tax benefit, if sufficient positive evidence is present indicating that more likely than not a portion or all of our deferred tax assets will be realized. Changes in existing tax laws could also affect actual tax results and the valuation of deferred tax assets over time.

Further, we experienced an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 382) as of January 12, 2010. Section 382 contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an “ownership change” to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) and certain built-in losses or deductions recognized during the five-year period after the ownership change to offset future taxable income. Therefore, our ability to utilize our pre-ownership change net operating loss carryforwards and recognize certain built-in losses or deductions is limited by Section 382 to an estimated maximum amount of approximately $11.4 million ($4 million tax-effected) annually. Certain deferred tax assets are not subject to any limitation imposed by Section 382.


58


Due to the Section 382 limitation and the maximum carryforward period of our NOLs, we are unable to fully recognize certain deferred tax assets. Accordingly, during fiscal 2013 and 2012, we reduced our gross deferred tax assets and corresponding valuation allowance by $15.2 million and $15.6 million, respectively. As future economic conditions unfold, we will be able to confirm that certain deferred tax assets will not provide any future tax benefit. At such time, we will accordingly remove any deferred tax asset and corresponding valuation allowance.

Accordingly, a portion of our $546.8 million of total gross deferred tax assets related to accrued losses on our inventory may be unavailable due to the limitation imposed by Section 382. As of September 30, 2013, we estimate that between $48.9 million and $88.4 million may be unavailable due to our Section 382 limitation. As a result, upon the resumption of sustained profitability and reversal of our valuation allowance, between $404.1 million and $443.6 million of our net deferred tax assets may be available to us for the reduction of future cash taxes. The actual realization of our deferred tax assets is difficult to predict and will be dependent on future events.

We expect to continue to add to our gross deferred tax assets for anticipated NOLs that will not be limited by Section 382.

Considering the limitation imposed by Section 382, the table below depicts the classifications of our deferred tax assets:
 
September 30, 2013
(In thousands)
 
Deferred tax assets:
 
Subject to annual limitation
$
94,258

Generally not subject to annual limitation
364,137

Certain components likely to be subject to annual limitation
88,378

Total deferred tax assets
546,773

Deferred tax liabilities
(54,257
)
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
492,516

Valuation allowance
(487,263
)
Net deferred tax assets
$
5,253


A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning and end of fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Balance at beginning of year
$
19,630

 
$
46,648

 
$
47,271

(Reductions in) additions for tax positions related to current year
(1,620
)
 
903

 
(1,624
)
Additions for tax positions related to prior years

 

 
1,563

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

 
(27,181
)
 
(252
)
Settlements with taxing authorities

 

 
(310
)
Lapse of statute of limitations
(546
)
 
(740
)
 

Balance at end of year
$
17,464

 
$
19,630

 
$
46,648


Due to our valuation allowance, if the Company were to recognize the $17.5 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, substantially all would affect our effective tax rate. Additionally, we had $2.6 million and $2.5 million of accrued interest and penalties at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our income tax benefit includes tax related interest.
 
In the normal course of business, we are subject to audits by federal and state tax authorities regarding various tax liabilities. Our federal income tax returns for fiscal year 2007 through 2010 are under IRS appeal. Our federal income tax returns for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 and certain state income tax returns for various fiscal years are under routine examination. The statute of limitations for our major tax jurisdictions remains open for examination for fiscal years 2007 and subsequent years. The final outcome of these appeals and examinations are not yet determinable and therefore the change in our unrecognized tax benefits that could occur within the next 12 months cannot be estimated at this time.


59


(9) Contingencies
Beazer Homes and certain of its subsidiaries have been and continue to be named as defendants in various construction defect claims, complaints and other legal actions. The Company is subject to the possibility of loss contingencies arising in its business. In determining loss contingencies, we consider the likelihood of loss as well as the ability to reasonably estimate the amount of such loss or liability. An estimated loss is recorded when it is considered probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.
Warranty Reserves. We currently provide a limited warranty (ranging from one to two years) covering workmanship and materials per our defined performance quality standards. In addition, we provide a limited warranty (generally ranging from a minimum of five years up to the period covered by the applicable statute of repose) covering only certain defined construction defects. We also provide a defined structural element warranty with single-family homes and townhomes in certain states.
We subcontract our homebuilding work to subcontractors whose contracts generally include an indemnity obligation and a requirement that certain minimum insurance requirements be met, including providing us with a certificate of insurance prior to receiving payments for their work. Therefore, many claims relating to workmanship and materials are the primary responsibility of the subcontractors.
Warranty reserves are included in other liabilities and the provision for warranty accruals is included in home construction and land sales expenses in the consolidated financial statements. We record reserves covering anticipated warranty expense for each home closed. Management reviews the adequacy of warranty reserves each reporting period based on historical experience and management’s estimate of the costs to remediate the claims and adjusts these provisions accordingly. Our review includes a quarterly analysis of the historical data and trends in warranty expense by operating segment. An analysis by operating segment allows us to consider market specific factors such as our warranty experience, the number of home closings, the prices of homes, product mix and other data in estimating our warranty reserves. In addition, our analysis also contemplates the existence of any non-recurring or community-specific warranty related matters that might not be contemplated in our historical data and trends.
As a result of our quarterly analyses, we adjust our estimated warranty liabilities if required. While we believe our warranty reserves are adequate as of September 30, 2013, historical data and trends may not accurately predict actual warranty costs or future developments could lead to a significant change in the reserve. Our warranty reserves are as follows (in thousands):
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Balance at beginning of period
$
15,477

 
$
17,916

 
$
25,821

Accruals for warranties issued
5,897

 
6,540

 
5,665

Changes in liability related to warranties existing in prior periods
(2,856
)
 
(2,677
)
 
(2,790
)
Payments made
(6,855
)
 
(6,302
)
 
(10,780
)
Balance at end of period
$
11,663

 
$
15,477

 
$
17,916


Litigation
On June 3, 2009, Beazer Homes Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was named as a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Lee County, State of Florida, filed by Bryson and Kimberly Royal, the owners of one of our homes in our Magnolia Lakes community in Ft. Myers, Florida. The complaint names the Company and certain distributors and suppliers of drywall and was on behalf of the named plaintiffs and other similarly situated owners of homes in Magnolia Lakes or alternatively in the State of Florida. The plaintiffs allege that the Company built their homes with defective drywall, manufactured in China, that contains sulfur compounds that allegedly corrode certain metals and that are allegedly capable of harming the health of individuals. Plaintiffs allege physical and economic damages and seek legal and equitable relief, medical monitoring and attorney's fees. This case has been transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana pursuant to an order from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In addition, the Company has been named in other multi-plaintiff complaints filed in the multidistrict litigation and individual state court actions. We believe that the claims asserted in these actions are governed by home warranties or are without merit. The Company has offered to repair all of these homes pursuant to a repair protocol that has been adopted by the multidistrict litigation court, including those homes involved in litigation. To date, the owners of all but two of the affected homes have accepted the Company's offer to repair. Furthermore, the Company has agreed to participate in a global class settlement with the plaintiff class counsel and numerous other defendants in the multidistrict litigation, which was approved by the Court on February 13, 2013. The class action settlement required Beazer to make a settlement payment that was not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations, and resolves all claims, including future claims, against Beazer related to Chinese drywall. The only exception would have been any claims by persons or entities that opted out of the settlement, but there were no opt outs by the Court’s deadline. The Company also continues to pursue recovery against responsible subcontractors, drywall suppliers and drywall manufacturers for its repair costs.

60


As disclosed in prior SEC filings, we operated Beazer Mortgage Corporation (BMC) from 1998 through February 2008 to offer mortgage financing to buyers of our homes. BMC entered into various agreements with mortgage investors, pursuant to which BMC originated certain mortgage loans and ultimately sold these loans to investors. In general, underwriting decisions were not made by BMC but by the investors themselves or third-party service providers. From time to time we have received claims from institutions which have acquired certain of these mortgages demanding damages or indemnity arising from BMC's activities or that we repurchase such mortgages. We have been able to resolve these claims for amounts that are not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operation. We currently have an insignificant number of such claims outstanding for which we believe we have no liability. However, we cannot rule out the potential for additional mortgage loan repurchase or indemnity claims in the future from other investors, although, at this time, we do not believe that the exposure related to any such claims would be material to our consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations. As of September 30, 2013, no liability has been recorded for any such additional claims as such exposure is not both probable and reasonably estimable.
We cannot predict or determine the timing or final outcome of the lawsuits or the effect that any adverse findings or determinations in the pending lawsuits may have on us. In addition, an estimate of possible loss or range of loss, if any, cannot presently be made with respect to certain of the above pending matters. An unfavorable determination in any of the pending lawsuits could result in the payment by us of substantial monetary damages which may not be fully covered by insurance. Further, the legal costs associated with the lawsuits and the amount of time required to be spent by management and the Board of Directors on these matters, even if we are ultimately successful, could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Other Matters
As disclosed in our 2009 Form 10-K, on July 1, 2009, the Company announced that it had resolved the criminal and civil investigations by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina (the U.S. Attorney) and other state and federal agencies concerning matters that were the subject of the independent investigation, initiated in April 2007 by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the Investigation) and concluded in May 2008. Under the terms of a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA), the Company’s liability for each of the fiscal years after 2010 through a portion of fiscal 2014 (unless extended as previously described in our 2009 Form 10-K) will be equal to 4% of the Company’s adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the DPA). The total amount of such obligations will be dependent on several factors; however, the maximum liability under the DPA and other settlement agreements discussed above will not exceed $55.0 million, of which $16.6 million has been paid as of September 30, 2013 and an additional $3.6 million has been recorded as a liability at September 30, 2013. Positive adjusted EBITDA in future years will require us to incur additional expense in the future. In 2006, we received two Administrative Orders issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Orders allege certain violations of wetlands disturbance permits and assess proposed fines of $630,000 and $678,000, respectively. We have met with the Department to discuss their concerns on the two affected communities and have requested hearings on both matters. Although we believe that we have significant defenses to the alleged violations, we have reached a settlement with the Department, through an Administrative Consent Order, for an amount that is not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
We and certain of our subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various claims, complaints and other legal actions, most relating to construction defects, moisture intrusion and product liability. Certain of the liabilities resulting from these actions are covered in whole or part by insurance. In our opinion, based on our current assessment, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We have accrued $19.9 million and $19.4 million in other liabilities related to litigation and other matters, excluding warranty, as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We had outstanding letters of credit and performance bonds of approximately $25.2 million and $160.3 million, respectively, at September 30, 2013 related principally to our obligations to local governments to construct roads and other improvements in various developments. We have no outstanding letters of credit relating to our land option contracts as of September 30, 2013.

(10) Fair Value Measurements
As of September 30, 2013, we had no assets or liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets that were required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Certain of our assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recovered. We use a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly through corroboration with market data; Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect our own estimates about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

As previously disclosed, we review our long-lived assets, including inventory for recoverability when factors that indicate an impairment may exist, but no less than quarterly. Fair value is based on estimated cash flows discounted for market risks associated

61


with the long-lived assets. The fair values of our investments in unconsolidated entities are determined primarily using a discounted cash flow model to value the underlying net assets of the respective entities. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, including discontinued operations, we recorded impairments for development projects in process of $59,000, land held for sale impairments of $2.1 million, and impairments of unconsolidated entity investments of $181,000. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, including discontinued operations, we recorded impairments for development projects in process of $9.5 million, land held for sale impairments of $0.8 million, and impairments of unconsolidated entity investments of $36,000. See Notes 1, 3 and 4 for additional information related to the fair value accounting for the assets listed below. Determining which hierarchical level an asset or liability falls within requires significant judgment. We evaluate our hierarchy disclosures each quarter.
The following table presents our assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for each hierarchy level and represents only those assets whose carrying values were adjusted to fair value during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
(In thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Year Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Development projects in progress

 

 

 

Land held for sale

 

 
4,072

 
4,072

Year Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Development projects in progress

 

 
20,857

 
20,857

Land held for sale

 

 
1,973

 
1,973

The fair value of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, other liabilities, cash secured loans and other secured notes payable approximate their carrying amounts due to the short maturity of these assets and liabilities.
Obligations related to land not owned under option agreements approximate fair value. The carrying values and estimated fair values of other financial assets and liabilities were as follows:
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
As of September 30, 2012
(In thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
Senior Notes
$
1,416,860

 
$
1,469,904

 
$
1,201,067

 
$
1,228,745

Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes

 

 
9,402

 
7,465

Junior Subordinated Notes
53,670

 
53,670

 
51,603

 
51,603

 
$
1,470,530

 
$
1,523,574

 
$
1,262,072

 
$
1,287,813


The estimated fair values shown above for our publicly held Senior Notes and Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes have been determined using quoted market rates (Level 2). Since there is no trading market for our junior subordinated notes, the fair value of these notes is estimated by discounting scheduled cash flows through maturity (Level 3). The discount rate is estimated using market rates currently being offered on loans with similar terms and credit quality. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop these estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange.

(11) Leases
We are obligated under various noncancelable operating leases for office facilities, model homes and equipment. Rental expense under these agreements, which is included in general and administrative expenses, amounted to approximately $4.9 million, $5.9 million and $11.0 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. This rental expense excludes expense related to our discontinued operations. As of September 30, 2013, future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating lease agreements are as follows:

62


Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
 
2014
$
3,212

2015
2,843

2016
2,068

2017
1,074

2018
233

Thereafter

Total
$
9,430


(12) Stockholders' Equity

On October 11, 2012, the Company executed a one-for-five reverse stock split. All historical share and per share information reflects this transaction. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the Company's stockholders approved management's recommendation to reduce authorized shares from 100 million to 63 million.

Preferred Stock.  We currently have no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Common Stock Transactions. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, we exchanged 2.8 million shares of our common stock for 2.8 million of our 2010 TEUs (94% of the original issuance). The remaining 2010 TEUs were exchanged for 156,975 shares of common stock in August 2013. In March 2012, we also exchanged 2.2 million shares of our common stock for $48.1 million of our Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes. The remaining $9.4 million of Mandatory Convertible Subordinated Notes were converted to 408,790 shares of common stock in January 2013.

On July 16, 2012, we concurrently closed on our underwritten public offerings of 4.4 million shares of Beazer common stock and 4.6 million 7.5% tangible equity units (TEUs) and received net proceeds of $171.4 million from these two offerings, after underwriting discounts, commissions and transaction expenses. Each TEU is comprised of a prepaid stock purchase contract and a senior amortizing note due July 15, 2015 (see Note 7 for discussion of the amortizing notes) which are legally separable and detachable. The prepaid stock purchase contracts will convert to Beazer Homes stock on July 15, 2015 based on the applicable settlement factor, as defined in the offering agreement, which will be between 1.40746 shares per unit and 1.72414 shares per unit. We have accounted for the prepaid stock purchase contracts as equity and recorded $88.4 million, the initial fair value of these contracts, based on the relative fair value method net of underwriting fees and other transaction costs, as additional paid in capital.

Common Stock Repurchases.  During fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, we did not repurchase any shares in the open market. Any future stock repurchases as allowed by our debt covenants must be approved by the Company's Board of Directors or its Finance Committee.
 
During fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, 6,147, 9,156 and 10,440 shares, respectively, were surrendered to us by employees in payment of minimum tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units under our stock incentive plans. We valued the stock at the market price on the date of surrender, for an aggregate value of approximately $121,000 in fiscal 2013, $126,000 in fiscal 2012 and $170,000 in fiscal 2011.
 
Dividends.  The indentures under which our senior notes were issued contain certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on payment of dividends. At September 30, 2013, under the most restrictive covenants of each indenture, none of our retained earnings was available for cash dividends. Hence, there were no dividends paid in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Section 382 Rights Agreement. In February 2011, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation creating a protective amendment (the "Protective Amendment") designed to preserve the value of certain tax assets associated with net operating loss carryforwards under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and approved a Section 382 Rights Agreement adopted by our Board of Directors. These instruments were intended to act as deterrents to any person or group, together with its affiliates and associates, being or becoming the beneficial owner of 4.95% or more of the Company’s common stock and were scheduled to expire on November 12, 2013. In February 2013, the Company’s stockholders approved an extension of the Protective Amendment through November 12, 2016 and approved a new Section 382 Rights Agreement adopted by our Board of Directors which will become effective upon the expiration of the prior agreement.


63


(13) Retirement Plan and Incentive Awards

401(k) Retirement Plan.  We sponsor a 401(k) plan (the Plan). Substantially all employees are eligible for participation in the Plan after completing one calendar month of service with us. Participants may defer and contribute to the Plan from 1% to 80% of their salary with certain limitations on highly compensated individuals. We match 50% of the first 6% of the participant's contributions. The participant's contributions vest 100% immediately, while our contributions vest over five years. Our total contributions for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were approximately $1.1 million, $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. During fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, participants forfeited $0.5 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of unvested matching contributions.

Deferred Compensation Plan.  During fiscal 2002, we adopted the Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the DCP Plan). The DCP Plan is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for a select group of executives and highly compensated employees. The DCP Plan allows the executives to defer current compensation on a pre-tax basis to a future year, up until termination of employment. The objectives of the DCP Plan are to assist executives with financial planning and capital accumulation and to provide the Company with a method of attracting, rewarding, and retaining executives. Participation in the DCP Plan is voluntary. Beazer Homes may voluntarily make a contribution to the participants' DCP accounts. Deferred compensation assets of $0.7 million and $1.1 million and deferred compensation liabilities of $2.3 million and $2.4 million as of September 30, 2013, and 2012, respectively, are included in other assets and other liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The decrease in the deferred compensation assets and liabilities between fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 relates to employee elections to withdraw funds from the plan, forfeitures of matching contributions related to terminated employees and market losses on investments held within the plan. For the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Beazer Homes contributed approximately $215,000, $205,000 and $197,000, respectively, to the DCP Plan.

Stock Incentive Plans.  During fiscal 2010, we adopted the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2010 Plan) because our 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the 1999 Plan) had expired. At September 30, 2013, we had reserved approximately 0.9 million shares of common stock for issuance under our various stock incentive plans, of which approximately 0.3 million shares are available for future grants.

Stock Option and SSAR Awards.  We have issued various stock option and SSAR awards to officers and key employees under both the 2010 Plan and the 1999 Plan. Stock options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, vest three years after the date of grant and may be exercised thereafter until their expiration, subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment as provided in the applicable plan. Under certain conditions of retirement, eligible participants may receive a partial vesting of stock options. Stock options granted prior to fiscal 2004, generally expire on the tenth anniversary from the date such options were granted. Beginning in fiscal 2004, newly granted stock options expire on the seventh or eighth anniversary from the date such options were granted. SSARs generally vest three years after the date of grant, have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant and are subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment as provided in the applicable plan. Under certain conditions of retirement, eligible participants may receive a partial vesting of SSARs. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, non-cash stock-based compensation expense for stock options and SSARs, included in G&A expenses, was $0.9 million, $1.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

The fair value of each grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. We used the following weighted-average assumptions for options granted::
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Expected life of options
5.0 years

 
5.0 years

 
4.8 years

Expected volatility
46.15
%
 
44.77
%
 
51.70
%
Expected discrete dividends

 

 

Weighted average risk-free interest rate
0.63
%
 
0.90
%
 
1.22
%
Weighted average fair value
$
5.48

 
$
4.30

 
$
10.50


We considered historic returns of our stock and the implied volatility of our publicly-traded options in determining expected volatility. We assumed no dividends would be paid since our Board of Directors has suspended payment of dividends indefinitely and payment of dividends is restricted under our Senior Note covenants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the term structure of interest rates at the time of the option grant and we have relied upon a combination of the observed exercise behavior of our prior grants with similar characteristics, the vesting schedule of the current grants, and an index of peer companies with similar grant characteristics to determine the expected life of the options.

64


The intrinsic value of a stock option/SSAR is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option/SSAR. At September 30, 2013, our SSARs/stock options outstanding had an intrinsic value of $1.5 million. The intrinsic value of SSARs/stock options vested and expected to vest in the future was $1.5 million. The SSARs/stock options vested and expected to vest in the future had a weighted average expected life of 2.6 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable SSARs/stock options as of September 30, 2013 was approximately $0.3 million.

The following table summarizes stock options and SSARs outstanding as of September 30 and activity during the fiscal years ended September 30:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Outstanding at beginning of period
429,973

 
$
40.80

 
375,248

 
$
48.85

 
515,671

 
$
113.45

Granted
160,651

 
13.56

 
109,507

 
10.80

 
150,853

 
23.45

Exercised
(681
)
 
10.80

 

 

 

 

Expired
(22,914
)
 
47.65

 
(10,948
)
 
82.51

 
(148,393
)
 
270.10

Forfeited
(6,245
)
 
17.93

 
(43,834
)
 
24.13

 
(142,883
)
 
25.45

Outstanding at end of period
560,784

 
$
33.01

 
429,973

 
$
40.80

 
375,248

 
$
48.85

Exercisable at end of period
310,120

 
$
48.73

 
247,588

 
$
58.61

 
163,076

 
$
64.65

Vested or expected to vest in the future
558,519

 
$
33.09

 
428,597

 
$
40.88

 
367,693

 
$
49.30


The following table summarizes information about stock options and SSARs outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2013:
 
 
Stock Options/SSARs Outstanding
 
Stock Options/SSARs Exercisable
Range of Exercise Price
 
Number Outstanding
 
Weighted Average Contractual Remaining Life (Years)
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Number Exercisable
 
Weighted Average Contractual Remaining Life (Years)
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$1 - $20
 
357,297

 
5.74

 
$
14.26

 
127,739

 
3.82

 
$
17.18

$21 - $75
 
148,271

 
3.85

 
26.47

 
127,165

 
3.77

 
26.95

$76 - $150
 

 

 

 

 

 

$151 - $220
 
55,216

 
0.57

 
171.87

 
55,216

 
0.57

 
171.87

$1 - $220
 
560,784

 
4.73

 
$
33.01

 
310,120

 
3.22

 
$
48.73


Nonvested Stock Awards: Compensation cost arising from nonvested stock awards granted to employees is recognized as an expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period. As of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, there was $1.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards included in paid-in capital. The cost remaining at September 30, 2013 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years.

Compensation expense for the nonvested restricted stock awards totaled $2.0 million, $2.6 million and $3.8 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, we issued 31,532 shares of performance-based restricted stock (Performance Shares) to our executive officers and certain corporate employees. Each Performance Share represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock if vesting is satisfied at the end of the three-year performance period. The number of shares that will vest at the end of the three-year performance period will depend upon the level to which the following two performance criteria are achieved 1) Beazer’s total shareholder return (TSR) relative to a group of peer companies and 2) the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the three-year performance period of Beazer common stock. The target number of Performance Shares that vest may be increased by up to 50% based on the level of achievement of the above criteria as defined in the award agreement. Payment for Performance Shares in excess of the target number (31,532) will be settled in cash. Any portion of the Performance Shares that do not vest at the end of the period will be forfeited. The grants of the performance-based,

65


nonvested stock were valued using the Monte Carlo valuation method and had an estimated fair value of $5.02 per share, a portion of which is attributable to the potential cash-settled liability aspect of the grant which is included in Other Liabilities.
A Monte Carlo simulation model requires the following inputs: 1) expected dividend yield on the underlying stock, 2) expected price volatility of the underlying stock, 3) risk-free interest rate for the period corresponding with the expected term of the award and 4) fair value of the underlying stock. For the Company and each member of the peer group, the following inputs were used, as applicable, in the Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the fair value as of the grant date for the Performance Shares: 0% dividend yield for the Company, expected price volatility ranging from 35.6% to 60.4% and a risk-free interest rate of 0.34%. The methodology used to determine these assumptions is similar to that for the Black-Scholes Model used for stock option grants discussed above; however the expected term is determined by the model in the Monte Carlo simulation.
Activity relating to nonvested stock awards, including the Performance Shares for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
 
Year Ended September 30, 2013
 
Year Ended September 30, 2012
 
Year Ended September 30, 2011
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
Beginning of period
323,335

 
$
19.61

 
288,079

 
$
33.85

 
367,997

 
$
72.05

Granted
99,413

 
10.95

 
179,913

 
7.19

 
150,853

 
23.45

Vested
(126,124
)
 
27.59

 
(88,497
)
 
34.20

 
(82,740
)
 
104.70

Returned (a)

 

 

 

 
(10,502
)
 
342.80

Forfeited
(16,208
)
 
30.57

 
(56,160
)
 
29.97

 
(137,529
)
 
58.50

End of period
280,416

 
$
12.32

 
323,335

 
$
19.61

 
288,079

 
$
33.85


(a) Our former Chief Executive Offer returned 10,502 shares of unvested restricted stock in accordance with his consent agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(14) Segment Information
We have three homebuilding segments operating in 16 states. Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, through May 2, 2012, we operated our Pre-Owned Homes business in Arizona and Nevada. The results below include operating results of our Pre-Owned segment through May 2, 2012. Effective May 3, 2012, we contributed our Pre-Owned Homes business for an investment in an unconsolidated entity (see Note 3 for additional information). Revenues in our homebuilding segments are derived from the sale of homes which we construct and from land and lot sales. Revenues from our Pre-Owned segment were derived from the rental of previously owned homes purchased and improved by the Company. Our reportable segments have been determined on a basis that is used internally by management for evaluating segment performance and resource allocations. The reportable homebuilding segments and all other homebuilding operations, not required to be reported separately, include operations conducting business in the following states:
West: Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas
East: Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee (Nashville) and Virginia
Southeast: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina (Raleigh) and South Carolina
Management’s evaluation of segment performance is based on segment operating income. Operating income for our homebuilding segments is defined as homebuilding, land sale and other revenues less home construction, land development and land sales expense, commission expense, depreciation and amortization and certain general and administrative expenses which are incurred by or allocated to our homebuilding segments. Operating income for our Pre-Owned segment was defined as rental revenues less home repairs and operating expenses, home sales expense, depreciation and amortization and certain general and administrative expenses which are incurred by or allocated to the segment. The accounting policies of our segments are those described in Note 1 above.

66


 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
West
$
547,636

 
$
391,648

 
$
233,133

East
483,685

 
402,466

 
343,826

Southeast
256,256

 
210,449

 
165,107

Pre-Owned

 
1,114

 
339

Continuing Operations
$
1,287,577

 
$
1,005,677

 
$
742,405


 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
West
$
59,084

 
$
15,147

 
$
(28,406
)
East
40,670

 
9,152

 
11,611

Southeast
23,030

 
14,815

 
(2,740
)
Pre-Owned

 
(229
)
 
(724
)
Segment total
122,784

 
38,885

 
(20,259
)
Corporate and unallocated (a)
(95,523
)
 
(100,943
)
 
(111,986
)
Total operating income (loss)
$
27,261

 
$
(62,058
)
 
$
(132,245
)

 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
West
$
5,305

 
$
4,980

 
$
3,651

East
3,479

 
3,536

 
2,621

Southeast
1,683

 
1,710

 
885

Pre-Owned

 
330

 
69

Segment total
10,467

 
10,556

 
7,226

Corporate and unallocated (a)
2,317

 
2,954

 
3,027

Continuing Operations
$
12,784

 
$
13,510

 
$
10,253


 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Capital Expenditures
 
 
 
 
 
West
$
4,835

 
$
3,031

 
$
4,041

East
1,915

 
3,532

 
2,051

Southeast
1,311

 
1,814

 
1,631

Pre-Owned (b)

 
7,933

 
11,415

Corporate and unallocated
2,700

 
1,053

 
1,376

Consolidated total
$
10,761

 
$
17,363

 
$
20,514



67


(In thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
Assets
 
 
 
West
$
680,346

 
$
618,805

East
369,937

 
320,404

Southeast
228,814

 
160,868

Corporate and unallocated (c)
707,692

 
882,141

Consolidated total
$
1,986,789

 
$
1,982,218


(a)
Corporate and unallocated includes amortization of capitalized interest and numerous shared services functions that benefit all segments, the costs of which are not allocated to the operating segments reported above including information technology, national sourcing and purchasing, treasury, corporate finance, legal, branding and other national marketing costs. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, corporate and unallocated also includes an $11 million recovery related to old water intrusion warranty and related legal expenditures.
(b)
Capital expenditures represent the purchase of previously owned homes through May 2, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively.
(c)
Primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents, consolidated inventory not owned, deferred taxes, capitalized interest and other items that are not allocated to the segments.
(15) Supplemental Guarantor Information
As discussed in Note 7, our obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest under certain debt are guaranteed on a joint and several basis by substantially all of our subsidiaries. Certain of our immaterial subsidiaries do not guarantee our Senior Notes or our Secured Revolving Credit Facility. The guarantees are full and unconditional and the guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned by Beazer Homes USA, Inc. We have revised the prior period presentation for intercompany amounts included in the financial statements below to be consistent with the current year presentation.


68


Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
September 30, 2013
(In thousands)
 
 
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
499,341

 
$
6,324

 
$
1,637

 
$
(2,843
)
 
$
504,459

Restricted cash
47,873

 
1,105

 

 

 
48,978

Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $1,651)

 
22,339

 
3

 

 
22,342

Income tax receivable
2,813

 

 

 

 
2,813

Owned inventory

 
1,304,694

 

 

 
1,304,694

Consolidated inventory not owned

 
9,124

 

 

 
9,124

Investments in unconsolidated entities
773

 
44,224

 

 

 
44,997

Deferred tax assets, net
5,253

 

 

 

 
5,253

Property, plant and equipment, net

 
17,000

 

 

 
17,000

Investments in subsidiaries
123,600

 

 

 
(123,600
)
 

Intercompany
1,088,949

 

 
2,747

 
(1,091,696
)
 

Other assets
19,602

 
7,147

 
380

 

 
27,129

Total assets
$
1,788,204

 
$
1,411,957

 
$
4,767

 
$
(1,218,139
)
 
$
1,986,789

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$

 
$
83,800

 
$

 
$

 
$
83,800

Other liabilities
52,009

 
92,384

 
1,230

 

 
145,623

Intercompany
2,747

 
1,091,792

 

 
$
(1,094,539
)
 

Obligations related to land not owned under option agreements

 
4,633

 

 

 
4,633

Total debt (net of discounts of $5,160)
1,492,898

 
19,285

 

 

 
1,512,183

Total liabilities
1,547,654

 
1,291,894

 
1,230

 
$
(1,094,539
)
 
1,746,239

Stockholders’ equity
240,550

 
120,063

 
3,537

 
(123,600
)
 
240,550

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,788,204

 
$
1,411,957

 
$
4,767

 
$
(1,218,139
)
 
$
1,986,789



69


Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
September 30, 2012
(In thousands)

 
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
481,394

 
$
8,215

 
$
646

 
$
(2,460
)
 
$
487,795

Restricted cash
252,900

 
360

 

 

 
253,260

Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $2,235)

 
24,594

 
5

 

 
24,599

Income tax receivable
6,372

 

 

 

 
6,372

Owned inventory

 
1,099,132

 

 

 
1,099,132

Consolidated inventory not owned

 
12,420

 

 

 
12,420

Investments in unconsolidated entities
773

 
41,305

 

 

 
42,078

Deferred tax assets, net
6,848

 

 

 

 
6,848

Property, plant and equipment, net

 
18,974

 

 

 
18,974

Investments in subsidiaries
63,120

 

 

 
(63,120
)
 

Intercompany
969,425

 

 
3,001

 
(972,426
)
 

Other assets
21,307

 
7,783

 
1,650

 

 
30,740

Total assets
$
1,802,139

 
$
1,212,783

 
$
5,302

 
$
(1,038,006
)
 
$
1,982,218

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$

 
$
69,268

 
$

 
$

 
$
69,268

Other liabilities
49,354

 
96,389

 
1,975

 

 
147,718

Intercompany
1,098

 
973,788

 

 
(974,886
)
 

Obligations related to land not owned under option agreements

 
4,787

 

 

 
4,787

Total debt (net of discounts of $3,082)
1,489,440

 
8,758

 

 

 
1,498,198

Total liabilities
1,539,892

 
1,152,990

 
1,975

 
(974,886
)
 
1,719,971

Stockholders’ equity
262,247

 
59,793

 
3,327

 
(63,120
)
 
262,247

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,802,139

 
$
1,212,783

 
$
5,302

 
$
(1,038,006
)
 
$
1,982,218



70


Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Consolidating Statement of Operations Information
(In thousands)

 
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$

 
$
1,287,577

 
$
736

 
$
(736
)
 
$
1,287,577

Home construction and land sales expenses
41,246

 
1,030,304

 

 
(736
)
 
1,070,814

Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments

 
2,633

 

 

 
2,633

Gross (loss) profit
(41,246
)
 
254,640

 
736

 

 
214,130

Commissions

 
52,922

 

 

 
52,922

General and administrative expenses

 
121,035

 
128

 

 
121,163

Depreciation and amortization

 
12,784

 

 

 
12,784

Operating (loss) income
(41,246
)
 
67,899

 
608

 

 
27,261

Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities

 
(113
)
 

 

 
(113
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
(4,636
)
 

 

 

 
(4,636
)
Other (expense) income, net
(59,458
)
 
1,278

 
15

 

 
(58,165
)
(Loss) income before income taxes
(105,340
)
 
69,064

 
623

 

 
(35,653
)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
(10,765
)
 
7,058

 
218

 

 
(3,489
)
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
62,411

 

 

 
(62,411
)
 

(Loss) income from continuing operations
(32,164
)
 
62,006

 
405

 
(62,411
)
 
(32,164
)
Loss from discontinued operations

 
(1,736
)
 
32

 

 
(1,704
)
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
(1,704
)
 

 

 
1,704

 

Net (loss) income
$
(33,868
)
 
$
60,270

 
$
437

 
$
(60,707
)
 
$
(33,868
)
 
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$

 
$
1,005,677

 
$
941

 
$
(941
)
 
$
1,005,677

Home construction and land sales expenses
60,952

 
828,368

 

 
(941
)
 
888,379

Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments
275

 
11,935

 

 

 
12,210

Gross (loss) profit
(61,227
)
 
165,374

 
941

 

 
105,088

Commissions

 
43,585

 

 

 
43,585

General and administrative expenses

 
109,937

 
114

 

 
110,051

Depreciation and amortization

 
13,510

 

 

 
13,510

Operating (loss) income
(61,227
)
 
(1,658
)
 
827

 

 
(62,058
)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities

 
304

 

 

 
304

Loss on extinguishment of debt
(45,097
)
 

 

 

 
(45,097
)
Other (expense) income, net
(71,474
)
 
2,328

 
27

 

 
(69,119
)
(Loss) income before income taxes
(177,798
)
 
974

 
854

 

 
(175,970
)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
(68,026
)
 
27,380

 
299

 

 
(40,347
)
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
(25,851
)
 

 

 
25,851

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations
(135,623
)
 
(26,406
)
 
555

 
25,851

 
(135,623
)
Loss from discontinued operations

 
(9,695
)
 
(8
)
 

 
(9,703
)
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
(9,703
)
 

 

 
9,703

 

Net (loss) income
$
(145,326
)
 
$
(36,101
)
 
$
547

 
$
35,554

 
$
(145,326
)





71


Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
 Consolidating Statement of Operations Information
(In thousands)

 
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$

 
$
742,405

 
$
1,102

 
$
(1,102
)
 
$
742,405

Home construction and land sales expenses
46,382

 
616,571

 

 
(1,102
)
 
661,851

Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments
1,907

 
30,552

 

 

 
32,459

Gross (loss) profit
(48,289
)
 
95,282

 
1,102

 

 
48,095

Commissions

 
32,711

 

 

 
32,711

General and administrative expenses

 
137,261

 
115

 

 
137,376

Depreciation and amortization

 
10,253

 

 

 
10,253

Operating (loss) income
(48,289
)
 
(84,943
)
 
987

 

 
(132,245
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities

 
560

 

 

 
560

Loss on extinguishment of debt
(2,909
)
 

 

 

 
(2,909
)
Other (expense) income, net
(73,440
)
 
11,145

 
71

 

 
(62,224
)
(Loss) income before income taxes
(124,638
)
 
(73,238
)
 
1,058

 

 
(196,818
)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
(46,540
)
 
49,536

 
370

 

 
3,366

Equity in loss of subsidiaries
(122,086
)
 

 

 
122,086

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations
(200,184
)
 
(122,774
)
 
688

 
122,086

 
(200,184
)
Loss from discontinued operations

 
(4,672
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(4,675
)
Equity in loss of subsidiaries
(4,675
)
 

 

 
4,675

 

Net (loss) income
$
(204,859
)
 
$
(127,446
)
 
$
685

 
$
126,761

 
$
(204,859
)


72


Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Consolidating Statements of Cash Flow Information
(In thousands)
 
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$
(89,306
)
 
$
(86,300
)
 
$
964

 
$

 
$
(174,642
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures

 
(10,761
)
 

 

 
(10,761
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities

 
(3,879
)
 

 

 
(3,879
)
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities

 
510

 

 

 
510

Increases in restricted cash
(3,460
)
 
(1,330
)
 

 

 
(4,790
)
Decreases in restricted cash
208,487

 
585

 

 

 
209,072

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
205,027

 
(14,875
)
 

 

 
190,152

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayment of debt
(184,250
)
 
(473
)
 

 

 
(184,723
)
Proceeds from issuance of new debt
397,082

 

 

 

 
397,082

Repayment of cash secured loans
(205,000
)
 

 

 

 
(205,000
)
Debt issuance costs
(5,548
)
 

 

 

 
(5,548
)
Settlement of unconsolidated entity debt obligations

 
(500
)
 

 

 
(500
)
Payments for other financing activities
(157
)
 

 

 

 
(157
)
Advances to/from subsidiaries
(99,901
)
 
100,257

 
27

 
(383
)
 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(97,774
)
 
99,284

 
27

 
(383
)
 
1,154

Increased (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
17,947

 
(1,891
)
 
991

 
(383
)
 
16,664

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
481,394

 
8,215

 
646

 
(2,460
)
 
487,795

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
499,341

 
$
6,324

 
$
1,637

 
$
(2,843
)
 
$
504,459



73


Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Consolidating Statements of Cash Flow Information
(In thousands)
 
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$
(110,429
)
 
$
88,806

 
$
778

 
$

 
$
(20,845
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures

 
(17,363
)
 

 

 
(17,363
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities

 
(2,407
)
 

 

 
(2,407
)
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities

 
610

 

 

 
610

Increases in restricted cash
(2,100
)
 
(1,160
)
 

 

 
(3,260
)
Decreases in restricted cash
25,919

 
1,139

 

 

 
27,058

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
23,819

 
(19,181
)
 

 

 
4,638

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayment of debt
(289,063
)
 
(1,324
)
 

 

 
(290,387
)
Proceeds from issuance of new debt
300,000

 

 

 

 
300,000

Repayment of cash secured loans
(20,000
)
 

 

 

 
(20,000
)
Debt issuance costs
(10,845
)
 

 

 

 
(10,845
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
60,340

 

 

 

 
60,340

Proceeds from issuance of TEU prepaid stock purchase contracts, net
88,361

 

 

 

 
88,361

Proceeds from issuance of TEU amortizing notes
23,500

 

 

 

 
23,500

Settlement of unconsolidated entity debt obligations
(15,862
)
 

 

 

 
(15,862
)
Payments for other financing activities
(1,508
)
 

 

 

 
(1,508
)
Dividends paid
2,300

 

 
(2,300
)
 

 

Advances to/from subsidiaries
70,058

 
(70,574
)
 
1,750

 
(1,234
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
207,281

 
(71,898
)
 
(550
)
 
(1,234
)
 
133,599

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
120,671

 
(2,273
)
 
228

 
(1,234
)
 
117,392

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
360,723

 
10,488

 
418

 
(1,226
)
 
370,403

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
481,394

 
$
8,215

 
$
646

 
$
(2,460
)
 
$
487,795

 
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Beazer Homes
USA, Inc.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$
(53,850
)
 
$
(126,090
)
 
$
1,004

 
$

 
$
(178,936
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures

 
(20,514
)
 

 

 
(20,514
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities

 
(1,924
)
 

 

 
(1,924
)
Increases in restricted cash
(249,728
)
 
(1,111
)
 

 

 
(250,839
)
Decreases in restricted cash
11,832

 
1,149

 

 

 
12,981

Net cash used in investing activities
(237,896
)
 
(22,400
)
 

 

 
(260,296
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayment of debt
(214,005
)
 
(1,371
)
 

 

 
(215,376
)
Proceeds from issuance of new debt
246,387

 

 

 

 
246,387

Proceeds from issuance of cash secured loans
247,368

 

 

 

 
247,368

Debt issuance costs
(5,172
)
 

 

 

 
(5,172
)
Payments for other financing activities
(693
)
 

 

 

 
(693
)
Dividends paid
850

 

 
(850
)
 

 

Advances to/from subsidiaries
(153,113
)
 
152,006

 
64

 
1,043

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
121,622

 
150,635

 
(786
)
 
1,043

 
272,514

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(170,124
)
 
2,145

 
218

 
1,043

 
(166,718
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
530,847

 
8,343

 
200

 
(2,269
)
 
537,121

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
360,723

 
$
10,488

 
$
418

 
$
(1,226
)
 
$
370,403


74


(16) Discontinued Operations
We continually review each of our markets in order to refine our overall investment strategy and to optimize capital and resource allocations in an effort to enhance our financial position and to increase stockholder value. This review entails an evaluation of both external market factors and our position in each market and over time has resulted in the decision to discontinue certain of our homebuilding operations.
We have separately classified the results of operations of our discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. There were no material assets or liabilities related to our discontinued operations as of September 30, 2013 or September 30, 2012. Discontinued operations were not segregated in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Therefore, amounts for certain captions in the consolidated statements of cash flows will not agree with the respective data in the consolidated statements of operations. The results of our discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

 
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Total revenue
 
$
288

 
$
6,029

 
$
42,806

Home construction and land sales expenses
 
(319
)
 
6,057

 
38,157

Inventory impairments and lot option abandonments
 
17

 
579

 
2,906

Gross profit (loss)
 
590

 
(607
)
 
1,743

Commissions
 

 
217

 
1,167

General and administrative expenses (a)
 
2,566

 
9,206

 
4,270

Depreciation and amortization
 

 
35

 
455

Operating loss
 
(1,976
)
 
(10,065
)
 
(4,149
)
Other income (loss), net
 
77

 
(38
)
 
(463
)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes
 
(1,899
)
 
(10,103
)
 
(4,612
)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
 
(195
)
 
(400
)
 
63

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
$
(1,704
)
 
$
(9,703
)
 
$
(4,675
)

(a)
General and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 primarily includes expense for the wind-down of our NW Florida operations, legal fees and potential liability related to outstanding litigation and other matters in Denver, Colorado and legal fees and other expenses related to BMC's settlement agreements related to our prior mortgage operations.

75


(17) Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Summarized quarterly financial information:
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Quarter Ended
Fiscal 2013
 
December 31
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
Total revenue
 
$
246,902

 
$
287,902

 
$
314,439

 
$
438,334

Gross profit (a)
 
36,084

 
43,885

 
54,115

 
80,046

Operating (loss) income
 
(3,601
)
 
311

 
8,472

 
22,079

Net (loss) income from continuing operations (b)
 
(18,939
)
 
(19,111
)
 
(5,442
)
 
11,328

Basic EPS from continuing operations
 
$
(0.78
)
 
$
(0.78
)
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
0.46

Diluted EPS from continuing operations
 
$
(0.78
)
 
$
(0.78
)
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
0.36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
 
$
188,548

 
$
191,643

 
$
254,555

 
$
370,931

Gross profit (a)
 
22,269

 
20,190

 
21,231

 
41,398

Operating loss
 
(16,699
)
 
(17,694
)
 
(21,155
)
 
(6,510
)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (b)
 
698

 
(37,866
)
 
(38,056
)
 
(60,399
)
Basic EPS from continuing operations
 
$
0.05

 
$
(2.41
)
 
$
(1.92
)
 
$
(2.57
)
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
 
$
0.04

 
$
(2.41
)
 
$
(1.92
)
 
$
(2.57
)

(a)
Gross profit in fiscal 2013 and 2012 includes inventory impairment and option contract abandonments as follows:

(In thousands)
 
Fiscal 2013
 
Fiscal 2012
1st Quarter
 
$
204

 
$
3,503

2nd Quarter
 
2,025

 
1,170

3rd Quarter
 

 
5,819

4th Quarter
 
404

 
1,718

 
 
$
2,633

 
$
12,210


(b)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations in fiscal 2013 and 2012 includes loss on extinguishment of debt (as follows).
(In thousands)
 
Fiscal 2013
 
Fiscal 2012
1st Quarter
 
$

 
$

2nd Quarter
 
(3,638
)
 
(2,747
)
3rd Quarter
 

 

4th Quarter
 
(998
)
 
(42,350
)
 
 
$
(4,636
)
 
$
(45,097
)


76



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and subsidiaries at September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 7, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
November 7, 2013

77




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2013 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2013 and our report dated November 7, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
 
   

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
November 7, 2013


78


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2013, at a reasonable assurance level.
Attached as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K are certifications of our CEO and CFO, which are required by Rule 13a-14 of the Act. This Disclosure Controls and Procedures section includes information concerning management’s evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures referred to in those certifications and, as such, should be read in conjunction with the certifications of the CEO and CFO.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.'s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company's principal executive and principal financial officer and effected by Beazer Homes USA, Inc.'s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
 
Management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013, utilizing the criteria described in the “Internal Control - Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The objective of this assessment was to determine whether the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2013. Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2013. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in “Part II - Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations over Internal Controls
 
Our system of controls is designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance regarding the reliability and integrity of accounting and financial reporting. Management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system will be met. These inherent limitations include the following:


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Judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and control and process breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes.
Controls can be circumvented by individuals, acting alone or in collusion with each other, or by management override.
The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with associated policies or procedures.
The design of a control system must reflect the fact that resources are constrained, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.
 
 
Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Except as set forth below, the information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed on or before January 28, 2014.

Executive Officer Business Experience
 
ALLAN P. MERRILL.  Mr. Merrill, 47, joined us in May 2007 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and currently serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Merrill was previously with Move, Inc. where he served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy beginning in October 2001. From April 2000 to October 2001, Mr. Merrill was president of Homebuilder.com, a division of Move, Inc. Mr. Merrill joined Move, Inc. following a 13-year tenure with the investment banking firm UBS (and its predecessor Dillon, Read & Co.), where he was a managing director and served most recently as co-head of the Global Resources Group, overseeing the construction and building materials, chemicals, forest products, mining and energy industry groups. Mr. Merrill is a member of the Policy Advisory Board of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University and the Homebuilding Community Foundation. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
 
KENNETH F. KHOURY.  Mr. Khoury, 62, joined us in January 2009 as Executive Vice President and General Counsel and currently serves as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Administration Officer. Mr. Khoury was previously Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Delta Air Lines from September 2006 to November 2008. Practicing law for over 30 years, Mr. Khoury's career has included both private practice and extensive in-house counsel experience. Prior to Delta Air Lines, Mr. Khoury was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Weyerhaeuser Corporation and spent 15 years with Georgia-Pacific Corporation, where he served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. He also spent five years at law firm White & Case in New York. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers College and a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law.
 
ROBERT L. SALOMON.  Mr. Salomon, 53, joined us in February 2008 as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer and Controller and currently serves as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Salomon was previously with the homebuilding company Ashton Woods Homes where he served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 1998. Previously, he served with homebuilder MDC Holdings, Inc. in financial management roles of increasing responsibility over a 6 year period. A Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Salomon has 29 years of financial management experience, 21 of which have been in the homebuilding industry. Mr. Salomon is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
 

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Code of Ethics
 
Beazer Homes has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for its senior financial officers, which applies to its principal financial officer and controller, other senior financial officers and Chief Executive Officer. The full text of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on the Company's website, www.beazer.com. If at any time there is an amendment or waiver of any provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is required to be disclosed, information regarding such amendment or waiver will be published on our website.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed on or before January 28, 2014.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is set forth above in Item 5 - Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. All of the other information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed on or before January 28, 2014.


Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed on or before January 28, 2014.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed on or before January 28, 2014.



Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(a)    1.     Financial Statements

 
Page Herein

2.     Financial Statement Schedules

None required.

    

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3.
Exhibits

All exhibits were filed under File No. 001-12822.
 
 
 
 
Exhibit Number
 
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
 
 
3.1

 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008
3.2

 
Certificate of Amendment, dated April 13, 2010, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010
3.3

 
Certificate of Amendment, dated February 3, 2011, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on February 8, 2011
3.4

 
Certificate of Amendment, dated October 11, 2012, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on October 12, 2012
3.5

 
Certificate of Amendment, dated February 2, 2013, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on February 5, 2013
3.6

 
Certificate of Amendment, dated November 6, 2013, to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2013
3.7

 
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010
4.1

 
Specimen Physical Common Stock Certificate of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on October 12, 2012
4.2

 
Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 9, 2006, to the Trust Indenture dated as of April 17, 2002 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2006
4.3

 
Form of Senior Note due 2016 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2006
4.4

 
Form of Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated June 6, 2006, by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein and UBS Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp. and Greenwich Capital Markets - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2006
4.5

 
Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated October 26, 2007, amending and supplementing the Indenture, dated April 17, 2002, among Beazer Homes USA, Inc., US Bank National Association, as trustee, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on October 30, 2007
4.6

 
Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture between the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, dated June 15, 2006 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2006
4.7

 
Form of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Chase Bank USA, National Association and certain individuals named therein as Administrative Trustees, dated June 15, 2006 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2006
4.8

 
Indenture, dated January 12, 2010, between the Company and the U.S. Bank National Association - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on January 12, 2010
4.9

 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 12, 2010, between the Company and the U.S. Bank National Association - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on January 12, 2010
4.10

 
Form of 71/2% Mandatory Convertible Notes due 2013 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on January 12, 2010
4.11

 
Form of Senior Note due 2018 and Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 20, 2010, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2010

82


4.12

 
Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated November 12, 2010, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (includes the form of Note) - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2010
4.13

 
Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated July 22, 2011, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, amending and supplementing the Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 20, 2010, and the Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated November 12, 2010 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011
4.14

 
Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2010, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2010
4.15

 
First Amendment to Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated December 6, 2010, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2010
4.16

 
Purchase Contract Agreement dated July 16, 2012 between Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 16, 2012
4.17

 
Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture dated July 16, 2012 between Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 16, 2012
4.18

 
Indenture for 6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2018, dated July 18, 2012 by and among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Collateral Agent - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2012
4.19

 
Indenture for 7.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2023, dated February 1, 2013, by and among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on February 5, 2013
4.20

 
Form of 7.250% Senior Secured Note due 2023 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on February 5, 2013
4.21

 
Indenture for 7.500% Senior Notes due 2021, dated September 30, 2013, by and among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2013
4.22

 
Form of 7.500% Senior Note due 2021 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2013.
4.23

 
Registration Rights Agreement for 7.500% Senior Notes due 2021, dated September 30, 2013, by and among the Company, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2013
4.24

 
Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2013, and effective as of November 12, 2013, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2013

10.1*

 
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003
10.2*

 
Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008
10.3*

 
Second Amended and Restated Corporate Management Stock Purchase Program - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007
10.4*

 
Director Stock Purchase Program - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004
10.5*

 
Form of Stock Option and Restricted Stock Award Agreement - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004
10.6*

 
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004
10.7*

 
Form of Performance Shares Award Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2006 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006
10.8*

 
Form of Award Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2006 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006
10.9*

 
Form of Indemnification Agreement - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2008

83


10.10*

 
2008 Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, adopted effective January 1, 2008 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007
10.11*

 
Discretionary Employee Bonus Plan - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.28 of the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007
10.12*

 
2010 Equity Incentive Plan - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010
10.13*

 
Form of 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Employee Award Agreement for Option and Restricted Stock Awards - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010
10.14*

 
Form of 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Director Award Agreement for Option and Restricted Stock Awards - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010
10.15*

 
Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Allan Merrill dated as of June 13, 2011 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 8-K/A filed on August 29, 2011
10.16*

 
Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Robert L. Salomon dated as of June 13, 2011 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2011
10.17*

 
Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Kenneth F. Khoury dated as of June 13, 2011 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2011
10.18*

 
Separation Agreement by and between Ian J. McCarthy and the Company dated as of June 12, 2011 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 14, 2011
10.19*

 
Release by Ian J. McCarthy to and in favor of the Company dated as of June 12, 2011 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 14, 2011
10.20*

 
Form of Employee Award Agreement for Option and Restricted Stock (Named Executive Officers) dated as of November 16, 2011 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's 8-K filed on November 22, 2011
10.21*

 
Form of Performance Cash Award Agreement (Named Executive Officers) - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2012
10.22

 
Junior Subordinated Indenture between Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, dated as of January 15, 2010 - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 8-K dated January 21, 2010
10.23

 
Delayed-Draw Term Loan Facility, dated November 16, 2010, among Beazer Homes USA, Inc., Citibank, N.A. and Citigroup Global markets Inc. - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2010
10.24

 
Delayed-Draw Term Loan Facility, dated November 16, 2010, among Beazer Homes USA, Inc., Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2010
10.25

 
First Amendment to the Delayed-Draw Term Loan Facility, dated as of November 16, 2010, by and between Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's 8-K filed on August 9, 2012
10.26

 
First Amendment to the Delayed-Draw Term Loan Facility, dated as of November 16, 2010, by and between Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's 8-K filed on August 9, 2012
10.27

 
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2012, between Beazer Homes USA, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party thereto, the issuers party thereto, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as agent - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's 8-K filed on September 26, 2012
21

 
Subsidiaries of the Company
23

 
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
31.1

 
Certification pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14 promulgated under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2

 
Certification pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14 promulgated under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1

 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

84


32.2

 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101

 
The following financial statements from Beazer Homes USA, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2013, filed on November 7, 2013, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language); (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

* Represents a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement


(c) Exhibits

Reference is made to Item 15(a)3 above. The following is a list of exhibits, included in item 15(a)3 above, that are filed concurrently with this report.

21

 
Subsidiaries of the Company
23

 
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
31.1

 
Certification pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14 promulgated under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2

 
Certification pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14 promulgated under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1

 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2

 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101

 
The following financial statements from Beazer Homes USA, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2013, filed on November 7, 2013, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language); (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(d) Financial Statement Schedules

Reference is made to Item 15(a)2 above.

85


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date:
November 7, 2013
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/    Allan P. Merrill
 
 
 
Name:
Allan P. Merrill
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
 
/s/    Brian C. Beazer 
 
 
 
Name:
Brian C. Beazer
 
 
 
 
Director and Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
 
/s/    Allan P. Merrill
 
 
 
Name:
Allan P. Merrill
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
 
/s/    Elizabeth S. Acton
 
 
 
Name:
Elizabeth S. Acton
 
 
 
 
Director
Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
 
/s/    Laurent Alpert
 
 
 
Name:
Laurent Alpert
 
 
 
 
Director
Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
 
/s/    Peter G. Leemputte
 
 
 
Name:
Peter G. Leemputte
 
 
 
 
Director
Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
 
/s/    Norma Provencio
 
 
 
Name:
Norma Provencio
 
 
 
 
Director
Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
 
/s/    Larry T. Solari
 
 
 
Name:
Larry T. Solari
 
 
 
 
Director
Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
 
/s/    Stephen P. Zelnak
 
 
 
Name:
Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr.
 
 
 
 
Director
Date:
November 7, 2013
By:
 
/s/    Robert L. Salomon
 
 
 
Name:
Robert L. Salomon
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

86