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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-K
 
     
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011
or
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from          to          
 
Commission file number 1-14122
 
 
 
 
D.R. Horton, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  75-2386963
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
301 Commerce Street, Suite 500
Fort Worth, Texas
(Address of principal executive offices)
  76102
(Zip Code)
 
(817) 390-8200
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
  The New York Stock Exchange
2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014
  The 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 þ     No o
 
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 o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 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 such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No o
 
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.  þ
 
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.
 
Large accelerated filer  þ Accelerated filer  o Non-accelerated filer  o Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a 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 o     No þ
 
As of March 31, 2011, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $3,389,825,000 based on the closing price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
As of November 10, 2011, there were 323,250,170 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, issued and 316,050,099 shares outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III.
 


 

 
D.R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
2011 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
             
        Page
 
  Business     1  
  Risk Factors     10  
  Unresolved Staff Comments     19  
  Properties     19  
  Legal Proceedings     19  
  Reserved     19  
 
PART II
  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     20  
  Selected Financial Data     22  
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     23  
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     60  
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     62  
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     104  
  Controls and Procedures     104  
  Other Information     104  
 
PART III
  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     105  
  Executive Compensation     105  
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     105  
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     105  
  Principal Accountant Fees and Services     105  
 
PART IV
  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     106  
    113  
 EX-12.1
 EX-21.1
 EX-23.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT


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PART I
 
ITEM 1.   BUSINESS
 
D.R. Horton, Inc. is one of the largest homebuilding companies in the United States. We construct and sell homes through our operating divisions in 25 states and 73 metropolitan markets of the United States, primarily under the name of D.R. Horton, America’s Builder. Our common stock is included in the S&P 500 Index and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “DHI.” Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “D.R. Horton,” the “Company,” “we” and “our” used herein refer to D.R. Horton, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its predecessors and subsidiaries.
 
Donald R. Horton began our homebuilding business in 1978. In 1991, we were incorporated in Delaware to acquire the assets and businesses of our predecessor companies, which were residential home construction and development companies owned or controlled by Mr. Horton. In 1992, we completed our initial public offering of our common stock. Our company’s growth over the years was achieved by investing available capital into our existing homebuilding markets and into start-up operations in new markets. Additionally, we acquired other homebuilding companies, which strengthened our position in existing markets and expanded our geographic presence and product offerings in other markets. Our homes generally range in size from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet and in price from $90,000 to $600,000. The current downturn in our industry has resulted in a substantial decrease in the size of our operations during the last five fiscal years as we have adapted to the significantly weakened new homes market. For the year ended September 30, 2011, we closed 16,695 homes with an average closing sales price of approximately $212,200.
 
Through our financial services operations, we provide mortgage financing and title agency services to homebuyers in many of our homebuilding markets. DHI Mortgage, our wholly-owned subsidiary, provides mortgage financing services principally to the purchasers of homes we build. We generally do not retain or service the mortgages we originate but, rather, seek to sell the mortgages and related servicing rights to third-party purchasers. DHI Mortgage originates loans in accordance with purchaser guidelines and historically has sold substantially all of its mortgage production within 30 days of origination. Our subsidiary title companies serve as title insurance agents by providing title insurance policies, examination and closing services, primarily to the purchasers of our homes.
 
Our financial reporting segments consist of six homebuilding segments and a financial services segment. Our homebuilding operations are the most substantial part of our business, comprising approximately 98% of consolidated revenues, which totaled $3.6 billion in fiscal 2011. Our homebuilding operations generate most of their revenues from the sale of completed homes, with a lesser amount from the sale of land and lots. In addition to building traditional single-family detached homes, we also build attached homes, such as town homes, duplexes, triplexes and condominiums (including some mid-rise buildings), which share common walls and roofs. The sale of detached homes generated approximately 88%, 86%, and 81% of home sales revenues in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our financial services segment generates its revenues from originating and selling mortgages and collecting fees for title insurance agency and closing services.
 
Available Information
 
We make available, as soon as reasonably practicable, on our Internet website all of our reports required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports can be found on the “Investors” page of our website under “SEC Filings” and include our annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q (including related filings in XBRL format), current reports on Form 8-K, beneficial ownership reports on Forms 3, 4, and 5, proxy statements and amendments to such reports. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and the public may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Further information on the operation of the public reference room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition to our SEC filings, our corporate governance documents, including our Code of Ethical Conduct for the CEO, CFO and Senior Financial Officers, are available on the “Investors” page of our


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website under “Corporate Governance.” Our stockholders may also obtain these documents in paper format free of charge upon request made to our Investor Relations department.
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 301 Commerce Street, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Our telephone number is (817) 390-8200, and our Internet website address is www.drhorton.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K unless expressly noted.
 
Operating Strategy and Structure
 
For a substantial part of our company’s existence, we maintained significant year-over-year growth and profitability. We achieved this growth through an operating strategy focused on capturing greater market share, while also maintaining a strong balance sheet. To execute our strategy, we invested available capital in our existing homebuilding markets and opportunistically entered new markets. We also actively evaluated homebuilding acquisition opportunities as they arose, some of which resulted in acquisitions and contributed to our growth.
 
For the past five years, conditions in the homebuilding industry have been challenging. During this time, we have reduced our SG&A cost structure, rebid the costs in our homes, redesigned our product to be more efficient to build, reduced our homes under construction to more closely match current demand and enforced very conservative land and lot inventory investment guidelines. We have generated significant cash from operations by reducing our land inventory, our homes under construction and our mortgage loans held for sale, and from income tax refunds. We used this cash to reduce our outstanding notes payable and to increase our cash balances. As a result of all of these actions, we have a strong liquidity position and have improved our balance sheet leverage, both on a gross and net basis, from the beginning of the housing downturn. We will continue to conservatively manage our business, and our liquidity and balance sheet strength provide us with flexibility in determining the appropriate operating strategy for each of our communities and markets to strike the best balance between cash flow generation and potential profit.
 
Geographic Diversity
 
From inception to 1987, our homebuilding activities were conducted in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We then diversified geographically by entering additional markets, both through start-up operations and acquisitions. We now operate in 25 states and 73 markets. This provides us with geographic diversification in our homebuilding inventory investments and our sources of revenues and earnings. We believe our diversification strategy helps to mitigate the effects of local and regional economic cycles and enhances our long-term potential.
 
Economies of Scale
 
We are the largest homebuilding company in the United States in terms of number of homes closed in fiscal 2011. By the same measure, we are also one of the five largest builders in many of our markets in fiscal 2011. We believe that our national, regional and local scale of operations has provided us with benefits that may not be available in the same degree to some other smaller homebuilders, such as:
 
  •  Negotiation of volume discounts and rebates from national, regional and local materials suppliers and lower labor rates from certain subcontractors;
 
  •  Enhanced leverage of our general and administrative activities, which allows us greater flexibility to compete for greater market share in each of our markets; and
 
  •  Greater access to and lower cost of capital, due to our strong balance sheet and our lending and capital markets relationships.


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Decentralized Operations
 
We decentralize our homebuilding activities to give operating flexibility to our local division presidents on certain key operating decisions. At September 30, 2011, we had 29 separate homebuilding operating divisions, many of which operate in more than one market area. Generally, each operating division consists of a division president; land entitlement, acquisition and development personnel; a sales manager and sales personnel; a construction manager and construction superintendents; customer service personnel; a controller; a purchasing manager and office staff. We believe that division presidents and their management teams, who are familiar with local conditions, generally have better information on which to base decisions regarding their operations. Our division presidents receive performance bonuses based upon achieving targeted financial and operational measures related to their operating divisions.
 
Operating Division Responsibilities
 
Each operating division is responsible for:
 
  •  Site selection, which involves
 
— A feasibility study;
 
— Soil and environmental reviews;
 
— Review of existing zoning and other governmental requirements; and
 
— Review of the need for and extent of offsite work required to meet local building codes;
 
  •  Negotiating lot option or similar contracts;
 
  •  Obtaining all necessary land development and home construction approvals;
 
  •  Selecting land development subcontractors and ensuring their work meets our contracted scopes;
 
  •  Selecting building plans and architectural schemes;
 
  •  Selecting construction subcontractors and ensuring their work meets our contracted scopes;
 
  •  Planning and managing homebuilding schedules;
 
  •  Developing and implementing local marketing plans; and
 
  •  Coordinating post-closing customer service and warranty repairs.
 
Centralized Controls
 
We centralize the key risk elements of our homebuilding business through our regional and corporate offices. We have four separate homebuilding regional offices. Generally, each regional office consists of a region president, legal counsel, a chief financial officer, a purchasing manager and limited office support staff. Each of our region presidents and their management teams are responsible for oversight of the operations of certain homebuilding operating divisions, including:
 
  •  Review and approval of division business plans and budgets;
 
  •  Review of all land and lot acquisition contracts;
 
  •  Oversight of land and home inventory levels; and
 
  •  Review of major personnel decisions and division president compensation plans.
 
Our corporate executives and corporate office departments are responsible for establishing our operational policies and internal control standards and for monitoring compliance with established policies and controls


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throughout our operations. The corporate office also has primary responsibility for direct management of certain key risk elements and initiatives through the following centralized functions:
 
  •  Financing;
 
  •  Cash management;
 
  •  Risk and litigation management;
 
  •  Allocation of capital;
 
  •  Issuance and monitoring of inventory investment guidelines to our operating divisions;
 
  •  Environmental assessments of land and lot acquisitions;
 
  •  Approval and funding of land and lot acquisitions;
 
  •  Accounting and management reporting;
 
  •  Internal audit;
 
  •  Information technology systems;
 
  •  Administration of payroll and employee benefits;
 
  •  Negotiation of national purchasing contracts;
 
  •  Monitoring and analysis of margins, expenses and profitability; and
 
  •  Administration of customer satisfaction surveys and reporting of results.
 
Cost Management
 
We control overhead costs by centralizing certain administrative and accounting functions and by closely monitoring the number of administrative personnel and management positions in our operating divisions, as well as in our regional and corporate offices. We also seek to efficiently manage our advertising costs by directing many of our promotional activities toward local real estate brokers.
 
We control construction costs by striving to design our homes efficiently and by obtaining competitive bids for construction materials and labor. We also seek to negotiate favorable pricing from our primary subcontractors and suppliers based on the volume of services and products we purchase from them on a local, regional and national basis. We monitor our construction costs on each house as well as our inventory levels, margins, expenses and profitability through our management information systems.
 
Acquisitions
 
We are committed to maintaining our strong balance sheet and liquidity position; however, we will continue to evaluate opportunities for strategic acquisitions or expansions of our operations. We believe that the current housing industry downturn may provide us selected opportunities to enhance our operations through the acquisition of existing homebuilding companies or distressed real estate properties at attractive valuations. In certain instances, such acquisitions can provide us benefits not found in start-up operations, such as: established land positions and inventories; and existing relationships with municipalities, land owners, developers, subcontractors and suppliers. We seek to limit the risks associated with acquiring other companies and distressed real estate properties by conducting extensive operational, financial and legal due diligence on each acquisition and by performing financial analysis to determine that each acquisition will have a positive impact on our earnings within an acceptable period of time.


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Markets
 
We conduct our homebuilding operations in the geographic regions, states and markets listed below, and we conduct our mortgage and title operations in many of these markets. Our homebuilding operating divisions are aggregated into six reporting segments, also referred to as reporting regions, which comprise the markets below. Our financial statements contain additional information regarding segment performance.
 
     
State              Reporting Region/Market
 
    East Region
Delaware   Central Delaware
Georgia   Savannah
Maryland   Baltimore
    Suburban Washington, D.C.
New Jersey   North New Jersey
    South New Jersey
North Carolina   Charlotte
    Fayetteville
    Greensboro/Winston-Salem
    Jacksonville
    Raleigh/Durham
    Wilmington
Pennsylvania   Lancaster
    Philadelphia
South Carolina   Charleston
    Columbia
    Greenville
    Hilton Head
    Myrtle Beach
Virginia   Northern Virginia
     
    Midwest Region
Colorado   Colorado Springs
    Denver
    Fort Collins
Illinois   Chicago
Minnesota   Minneapolis/St. Paul
     
    Southeast Region
Alabama   Birmingham
    Mobile
    Montgomery
    Tuscaloosa
Florida   Daytona Beach
    Fort Myers/Naples
    Jacksonville
    Melbourne/Vero Beach
    Miami/West Palm Beach
    Orlando
    Pensacola/Panama City
    Tampa/Sarasota
Georgia   Atlanta
    Middle Georgia
     
State              Reporting Region/Market
 
    South Central Region
Louisiana   Baton Rouge
    Lafayette
New Mexico   Las Cruces
Oklahoma   Oklahoma City
Texas   Austin
    Dallas
    El Paso
    Fort Worth
    Houston
    Killeen/Temple/Waco
    Rio Grande Valley
    San Antonio
     
    Southwest Region
Arizona   Phoenix
    Tucson
New Mexico   Albuquerque
     
    West Region
California   Bay Area
    Central Valley
    Imperial Valley
    Los Angeles County
    Riverside County
    Sacramento
    San Bernardino County
    San Diego County
    Ventura County
Hawaii   Hawaii
    Maui
    Oahu
Idaho   Boise
Nevada   Las Vegas
    Reno
Oregon   Portland
Utah   Salt Lake City
Washington   Seattle/Tacoma
    Vancouver



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When evaluating new or existing homebuilding markets for purposes of capital allocation, we consider local, market-specific factors, including among others:
 
  •  Economic conditions;
 
  •  Employment levels and job growth;
 
  •  Income level of potential homebuyers;
 
  •  Local housing affordability and typical mortgage products utilized;
 
  •  Market for homes at our targeted price points;
 
  •  Availability of land and lots on acceptable terms;
 
  •  Land entitlement and development processes;
 
  •  New and secondary home sales activity;
 
  •  Competition; and
 
  •  Prevailing housing products, features, cost and pricing.
 
Land Policies
 
We acquire land after we have completed due diligence and generally after we have obtained the rights (known as entitlements) to begin development or construction work resulting in an acceptable number of residential lots. Before we acquire lots or tracts of land, we will, among other things, complete a feasibility study, which includes soil tests, independent environmental studies and other engineering work, and evaluate the status of necessary zoning and other governmental entitlements required to develop and use the property for home construction. Although we purchase and develop land primarily to support our homebuilding activities, we also sell land and lots to other developers and homebuilders where we have excess land and lot positions.
 
We also enter into land/lot option contracts, in which we obtain the right, but generally not the obligation, to buy land or lots at predetermined prices on a defined schedule commensurate with anticipated home closings or planned development. Our option contracts generally are non-recourse, which limits our financial exposure to our earnest money deposited with land and lot sellers and any pre-acquisition due diligence costs incurred by us. This enables us to control land and lot positions with limited capital investment, which substantially reduces the risks associated with land ownership and development.
 
Almost all of our land and lot positions are acquired directly by us. We have avoided entering into joint venture arrangements due to their increased costs and complexity, as well as the loss of operational control inherent in such arrangements. We are a party to a very small number of joint ventures that were acquired through acquisitions of other homebuilders. All of these joint ventures are consolidated in our financial statements.
 
We attempt to mitigate our exposure to real estate inventory risks by:
 
  •  Managing our supply of land/lots controlled (owned and optioned) in each market based on anticipated future home closing levels;
 
  •  Monitoring local market and demographic trends, housing preferences and related economic developments, such as new job opportunities, local growth initiatives and personal income trends;
 
  •  Utilizing land/lot option contracts, where possible;
 
  •  Seeking to acquire developed lots which are substantially ready for home construction;
 
  •  Limiting the size of acquired land parcels to smaller tracts, where possible;


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  •  Generally commencing construction of custom features or optional upgrades on homes under contract only after the buyer’s receipt of mortgage approval and receipt of satisfactory deposits from the buyer; and
 
  •  Monitoring and managing the number of speculative homes (homes under construction without an executed sales contract) built in each subdivision.
 
Construction
 
Our home designs are selected or prepared in each of our markets to appeal to local tastes and preferences of homebuyers in each community. We also offer optional interior and exterior features to allow homebuyers to enhance the basic home design and to allow us to generate additional revenues from each home sold. We continually adjust our product offerings to address our customers’ expectations for affordability, home size and features.
 
Substantially all of our construction work is performed by subcontractors. Subcontractors typically are selected after a competitive bidding process and retained for a specific subdivision pursuant to a contract that obligates the subcontractor to complete construction at an agreed-upon price. Agreements with the subcontractors and suppliers we use generally are negotiated for each subdivision. We compete with other homebuilders for qualified subcontractors, raw materials and lots in the markets where we operate. We employ construction superintendents to monitor homes under construction, participate in major design and building decisions, coordinate the activities of subcontractors and suppliers, review the work of subcontractors for quality and cost controls and monitor compliance with zoning and building codes. In addition, our construction superintendents play a significant role in working with our homebuyers by assisting with option selection and home modification decisions, educating buyers on the construction process and instructing buyers on post-closing home maintenance.
 
Construction time for our homes depends on the weather, availability of labor, materials and supplies, size of the home, and other factors. We typically complete the construction of a home within three to six months.
 
We typically do not maintain significant inventories of construction materials, except for work in progress materials for homes under construction. Generally, the construction materials used in our operations are readily available from numerous sources. We have contracts exceeding one year with certain suppliers of our building materials that are cancelable at our option with a 30 day notice. In recent years, we have not experienced delays in construction due to shortages of materials or labor that have materially affected our consolidated operating results.
 
Marketing and Sales
 
We market and sell our homes through commissioned employees and independent real estate brokers. We typically conduct home sales from sales offices located in furnished model homes in each subdivision, and we typically do not offer our model homes for sale until the completion of a subdivision. Our sales personnel assist prospective homebuyers by providing them with floor plans, price information, tours of model homes and assisting them with the selection of options and other custom features. We train and inform our sales personnel as to the availability of financing, construction schedules, and marketing and advertising plans. As our customers are typically first-time or move-up homebuyers, we attempt to adjust our product mix and pricing within our homebuilding markets to keep our homes affordable. As market conditions warrant, we may provide potential homebuyers with one or more of a variety of incentives, including discounts and free upgrades, to be competitive in a particular market.
 
We market our homes and communities to prospective homebuyers and real estate brokers in our local markets through electronic media, including email, social networking sites and our company Internet website, as well as brochures, flyers, newsletters and promotional events. We also use billboards, radio, television and newspaper advertising as necessary in each local market. To minimize advertising costs, we attempt to operate in subdivisions in conspicuous locations that permit us to take advantage of local traffic patterns. We believe


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that model homes play a substantial role in our marketing efforts and therefore expend significant effort to create an attractive atmosphere in our model homes.
 
We also build a limited number of speculative homes in most of our subdivisions. These homes enhance our marketing and sales efforts to prospective homebuyers who are relocating to these markets, as well as to independent brokers, who often represent homebuyers requiring a completed home within a short time frame. We determine our speculative homes strategy in each market based on local market factors, such as new job growth, the number of job relocations, housing demand and supply, seasonality, current sales contract cancellation trends and our past experience in the market. We expect to maintain a level of speculative home inventory in our markets based on our current and planned sales pace, and we monitor and adjust speculative home inventory on an ongoing basis as conditions warrant. Speculative homes help to provide us with opportunities to sell additional homes at a profit and generate positive returns and cash flows on our inventory of owned lots.
 
Our sales contracts require an earnest money deposit which varies in amount among our markets and subdivisions. Additionally, customers are generally required to pay additional deposits when they select options or upgrade features for their homes. Most of our sales contracts stipulate that when customers cancel their contracts with us, we have the right to retain their earnest money and option deposits; however, our operating divisions occasionally choose to refund the deposit. Our sales contracts also include a financing contingency which permits customers to cancel and receive a refund of their deposit if they cannot obtain mortgage financing at prevailing or specified interest rates within a specified period. Our contracts may include other contingencies, such as the sale of an existing home. As a percentage of gross sales orders, cancellations of sales contracts in fiscal 2011 were 27%, compared to 26% in fiscal 2010. The length of time between the signing of a sales contract for a home and delivery of the home to the buyer (closing) is generally from two to six months.
 
Customer Service and Quality Control
 
Our operating divisions are responsible for pre-closing quality control inspections and responding to customers’ post-closing needs. We believe that a prompt and courteous response to homebuyers’ needs during and after construction reduces post-closing repair costs, enhances our reputation for quality and service and ultimately leads to significant repeat and referral business from the real estate community and homebuyers. We typically provide our homebuyers with a ten-year limited warranty for major defects in structural elements such as framing components and foundation systems, a two-year limited warranty on major mechanical systems, and a one-year limited warranty on other construction components. The subcontractors who perform the actual construction also provide us with warranties on workmanship and are generally prepared to respond to us and the homeowner promptly upon request. In addition, some of our suppliers provide manufacturer’s warranties on specified products installed in the home.
 
Sales Order Backlog
 
At September 30, 2011, the value of our backlog of sales orders was $1,036.2 million (4,854 homes), an increase of 22% from $850.8 million (4,128 homes) at September 30, 2010. The average sales price of homes in backlog was $213,500 at September 30, 2011, up 4% from the $206,100 average at September 30, 2010. Sales order backlog represents homes under contract but not yet closed at the end of the period. Many of the contracts in our sales order backlog are subject to contingencies, including mortgage loan approval and buyers selling their existing homes, which can result in cancellations. A portion of the contracts in backlog will not result in closings due to cancellations. Substantially all of the homes in our sales backlog at September 30, 2011 are scheduled to close in fiscal year 2012. Further discussion of our backlog is provided in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K.


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Customer Mortgage Financing
 
We provide mortgage financing services principally to purchasers of our homes in the majority of our homebuilding markets through our wholly-owned subsidiary, DHI Mortgage. DHI Mortgage coordinates and expedites the sales transaction by ensuring that mortgage commitments are received and that closings take place in a timely and efficient manner. DHI Mortgage originates mortgage loans for a substantial portion of our homebuyers. During the year ended September 30, 2011, approximately 85% of DHI Mortgage’s loan volume related to homes closed by our homebuilding operations, and DHI Mortgage provided mortgage financing services for approximately 61% of our total homes closed.
 
To limit the risks associated with our mortgage operations, DHI Mortgage originates loan products that we believe can be sold to third-party purchasers. DHI Mortgage generally sells the loans and their servicing rights to third-party purchasers shortly after origination with limited recourse provisions. In markets where we currently do not provide mortgage financing, we work with a variety of mortgage lenders that make available to homebuyers a range of mortgage financing programs.
 
Title Services
 
Through our subsidiary title companies, we serve as a title insurance agent in selected markets by providing title insurance policies, examination and closing services primarily to the purchasers of homes we build and sell. We currently assume little or no underwriting risk associated with these title policies.
 
Employees
 
At September 30, 2011, we employed 3,010 persons, of whom 804 were sales and marketing personnel, 959 were executive, administrative and clerical personnel, 619 were involved in construction and 628 worked in mortgage and title operations. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.
 
Competition
 
The homebuilding industry is highly competitive. We compete with numerous other national, regional and local homebuilders for homebuyers, desirable properties, raw materials, skilled labor, employees, management talent and financing. We also compete with resales of existing homes and with the rental housing market. Our homes compete on the basis of quality, price, design, mortgage financing terms and location. Our competition remains intense with other homebuilders, especially as to pricing and incentives. Additionally, the large number of foreclosed homes being offered for sale creates competition for homebuyers and negatively affects pricing. Our financial services business competes with other mortgage lenders, including national, regional and local mortgage bankers and other financial institutions, many of which have greater access to capital, different lending criteria and potentially broader product offerings.
 
Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters
 
The homebuilding industry is subject to extensive and complex regulations. We and the subcontractors we use must comply with various federal, state and local laws and regulations, including zoning, density and development requirements, building, environmental, advertising, labor and real estate sales rules and regulations. These regulations and requirements affect the development process, as well as building materials to be used, building designs and minimum elevation of properties. Our homes are inspected by local authorities where required, and homes eligible for insurance or guarantees provided by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Veterans Administration (VA) are subject to inspection by them. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities. In addition, our new housing developments may be subject to various assessments for schools, parks, streets and other public improvements.
 
Our homebuilding operations are also subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning protection of health, safety and the environment. The particular environmental laws for each site vary greatly according to location, environmental condition and the present and former uses of the site and adjoining properties.


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Our mortgage company and title insurance agencies must comply with various federal and state laws and regulations. These include eligibility and other requirements for participation in the programs offered by the FHA, VA, Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). These also include required compliance with consumer lending and other laws and regulations such as disclosure requirements, prohibitions against discrimination and real estate settlement procedures. These laws and regulations subject our operations to examination by the applicable agencies.
 
Seasonality
 
We have typically experienced seasonal variations in our quarterly operating results and capital requirements. Prior to the current downturn in the homebuilding industry which began to affect our seasonal patterns in fiscal 2007, we generally had more homes under construction, closed more homes and had greater revenues and operating income in the third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year. This seasonal activity increased our working capital requirements for our homebuilding operations during the third and fourth fiscal quarters and increased our funding requirements for the mortgages we originated in our financial services segment at the end of these quarters. As a result of seasonal activity, our quarterly results of operations and financial position at the end of a particular fiscal quarter are not necessarily representative of the balance of our fiscal year.
 
Although the weakness in homebuilding market conditions mitigated our historical seasonal variations in recent years, our home closings and income before income taxes were higher in the second half of fiscal 2011 than in the first half of the year. However, given the current uncertain outlook for market conditions we can make no assurances as to whether this pattern will continue beyond the current fiscal year.
 
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS
 
Discussion of our business and operations included in this annual report on Form 10-K should be read together with the risk factors set forth below. They describe various risks and uncertainties we are or may become subject to, many of which are difficult to predict or beyond our control. These risks and uncertainties, together with other factors described elsewhere in this report, have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies or prospects in a material and adverse manner.
 
The homebuilding industry is undergoing a significant downturn, and its duration and ultimate severity are uncertain. Continued weakness or further deterioration in industry conditions or in the broader economic conditions could have additional adverse effects on our business and financial results.
 
The downturn in the homebuilding industry is in its fifth year, and it has become one of the most severe housing downturns in U.S. history. The significant declines in the demand for new homes, oversupply of homes on the market and reductions in the availability of financing for homebuyers that have marked the downturn are continuing. During the downturn, we have experienced material reductions in our home sales and homebuilding revenues, and we have incurred material asset impairments and write-offs.
 
Our ability to respond to the downturn has been limited by adverse industry and economic conditions. The significant number of home mortgage foreclosures has increased supply and driven down prices, making the purchase of a foreclosed home an alternative to purchasing a new home as well as negatively affecting appraisal comparisons for mortgage financing. Homebuilders have responded to declining sales and increased cancellation rates with significant concessions. With the decline in the values of homes and the inability of some homeowners to make their mortgage payments, the credit markets have been significantly disrupted, putting strains on many households and businesses. In the face of these conditions, the overall economy has remained very weak, with high unemployment levels and substantially reduced consumer spending and confidence. As a result, demand for new homes remains at historically low levels.
 
These challenging conditions are complex and interrelated. We cannot predict their duration or ultimate severity. Nor can we provide assurance that our responses to the homebuilding downturn or the government’s attempts to address the troubles in the overall economy will be successful.


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Constriction of the credit markets could limit our ability to access capital and increase our costs of capital.
 
During the downturn in the homebuilding industry, we generated substantial operating cash flow, and we have relied principally on our cash on hand to meet our working capital needs and repay outstanding indebtedness. The downturn and the constriction of the credit markets have reduced some of the other sources of liquidity available to us. There likely will be periods when financial market upheaval will limit our ability to access the public debt markets or obtain bank financing, or doing so will increase our cost of capital.
 
Our mortgage subsidiary, DHI Mortgage, uses a mortgage repurchase facility to finance many of the loans it originates. The facility must be renewed annually, and the current facility expires in March 2012. A continuation of current market conditions could make the renewal more difficult or could result in an increase in the cost of the facility or a decrease in its committed availability. Such conditions may also make it more difficult or costly to sell the mortgages that we originate.
 
We believe we can meet our capital requirements in the next 12 months with our existing cash resources. However, we can provide no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so, particularly if current industry or economic conditions continue or deteriorate further. The future effects on our business, liquidity and financial results of these conditions could be material and adverse, both in ways described above and in other ways that we do not currently foresee.
 
We use letters of credit and surety bonds to secure our performance under various construction and land development agreements, escrow agreements, financial guarantees and other arrangements. Should our future performance or economic conditions make these more difficult to obtain or more costly, our business or financial results could be adversely affected.
 
The reduction in availability of mortgage financing has adversely affected our business, and the duration and ultimate severity of the effects are uncertain.
 
Over the last five fiscal years, the mortgage lending industry has experienced significant change and contraction. Credit requirements have tightened and investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities has been limited to securities backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. This has made it more difficult for many buyers to finance the purchase of our homes, thus reducing the pool of qualified homebuyers. These reductions in demand have adversely affected our business and financial results, and the duration and severity of these effects remain uncertain.
 
We believe that the liquidity provided by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae to the mortgage industry has been very important to the housing market. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have required substantial injections of capital from the federal government and may require additional government support in the future. In addition, increased lending volume and losses insured by the FHA have resulted in a reduction of its insurance fund. Any reduction in the availability of the financing provided by these institutions could adversely affect interest rates, mortgage availability and sales of new homes and mortgage loans.
 
The FHA insures mortgage loans that generally have lower credit requirements and as a result, continue to be a particularly important source for financing the sale of our homes. In the last three years, more restrictive guidelines have been placed on FHA insured loans, affecting minimum down payment and availability for condominium financing. In the near future, further restrictions are expected on FHA insured loans, including but not limited to additional limitations on seller-paid closing costs and concessions. This or any other restriction may negatively affect the availability or affordability of FHA financing, which could adversely affect our ability to sell homes.
 
While the use of down payment assistance programs by our homebuyers has decreased significantly, some of our customers still utilize 100% financing through programs offered by the VA and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). There can be no assurance that these programs or other programs will continue to be available or will be as attractive to our customers as the programs currently offered, which could negatively affect our sales.


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The mortgage loans originated by our financial services operation are sold to third-party purchasers. An entity which has historically purchased a substantial volume of mortgage loans from us has recently announced that they are exiting this line of business. If we are unable to sell to additional viable purchasers in the marketplace, our ability to originate and sell mortgage loans at competitive prices could be limited which would negatively affect our profitability.
 
Even if potential customers do not need financing, changes in the availability of mortgage products may make it more difficult for them to sell their current homes to potential buyers who need financing.
 
Mortgage rates are currently at historically low levels. If interest rates increase, the costs of owning a home will be affected and could result in further reductions in the demand for our homes.
 
Our strategies in responding to the adverse conditions in the homebuilding industry have had limited success, and the continued implementation of these and other strategies may not be successful.
 
We have been successful in increasing our liquidity by generating positive operating cash flow and reducing our leverage during the downturn. However, during this time, notwithstanding our sales strategies, we continued to experience a low level of sales demand and an elevated rate of sales contract cancellations. We believe this is largely due to reduced homebuyer confidence, due principally to the weak economy and the continuing high level of unemployment. A more restrictive mortgage lending environment and the inability of some buyers to sell their existing homes have also impacted our sales orders. Many of these factors, which affect new sales and cancellation rates, are beyond our control. It is uncertain how long the low sales level and elevated level of cancellations will continue. If these conditions continue for a protracted period, it is not clear whether our strategies will succeed in maintaining or increasing our sales volume or our current margins.
 
Our business and financial results could be adversely affected by significant inflation or deflation.
 
Inflation can adversely affect us by increasing costs of land, materials and labor. In the event of a return of significant inflation, we may seek to increase the sales prices of homes in order to maintain satisfactory margins. However, a continuation of the oversupply of homes relative to demand may make this difficult. In addition, significant inflation is often accompanied by higher interest rates, which have a negative impact on housing demand. In such an environment, we may not be able to raise home prices sufficiently to keep up with the rate of inflation and our margins could decrease. Moreover, with inflation, the costs of capital increase and the purchasing power of our cash resources can decline. Current or future efforts by the government to stimulate the economy may increase the risk of significant inflation and its adverse impact on our business or financial results.
 
Alternatively, a significant period of deflation could cause a decrease in overall spending and borrowing levels. This could lead to a further deterioration in economic conditions, including an increase in the rate of unemployment. Deflation could also cause the value of our inventories to decline or reduce the value of existing homes below the related mortgage loan balance, which could potentially increase the supply of existing homes and have a negative impact on our results of operations.
 
The homebuilding industry is cyclical and affected by changes in general economic, real estate or other business conditions that could adversely affect our business or financial results.
 
The homebuilding industry is cyclical and is significantly affected by changes in industry conditions, as well as changes in general and local economic conditions, such as:
 
  •  employment levels;
 
  •  availability of financing for homebuyers;
 
  •  interest rates;
 
  •  consumer confidence;
 
  •  levels of new and existing homes for sale;


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  •  demographic trends; and
 
  •  housing demand.
 
These may occur on a national scale, like the current downturn, or may affect some of our regions or markets more than others. When adverse conditions affect any of our larger markets, they could have a proportionately greater impact on us than on some other homebuilding companies. Our operations in previously strong markets, particularly California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona, have more adversely affected our financial results than our other markets in the current downturn.
 
An oversupply of alternatives to new homes, including foreclosed homes, homes held for sale by investors and speculators, other existing homes and rental properties, can also reduce our ability to sell new homes, depress new home prices and reduce our margins on the sales of new homes. High levels of foreclosures not only contribute to additional inventory available for sale, but also reduce appraisal valuations for new homes and the amount that can be financed, potentially resulting in lower sales prices.
 
Weather conditions and natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, volcanic activity, droughts, and floods, can harm our homebuilding business. These can delay home closings, adversely affect the cost or availability of materials or labor, or damage homes under construction. The climates and geology of many of the states in which we operate, including California, Florida and Texas, where we have some of our larger operations, present increased risks of adverse weather or natural disasters.
 
Continued military deployments to foreign regions, terrorist attacks, other acts of violence or threats to national security and any corresponding response by the United States or others, or related domestic or international instability may adversely affect general economic conditions or cause a slowdown of the economy.
 
As a result of the foregoing matters, potential customers may be less willing or able to buy our homes. Because of weak industry and economic conditions, we have generally not been able to increase the sale prices of our homes in recent years. In the future, our pricing strategies may also be limited by market conditions. We may be unable to further change the mix of our home offerings, reduce the costs of the homes we build or offer more affordable homes to maintain our margins or satisfactorily address changing market conditions in other ways. In addition, cancellations of home sales contracts in backlog may increase as homebuyers choose to not honor their contracts due to any of the factors discussed above.
 
Our financial services business is closely related to our homebuilding business, as it originates mortgage loans principally to purchasers of the homes we build. A decrease in the demand for our homes because of the foregoing matters may also adversely affect the financial results of this segment of our business. An increase in the default rate on the mortgages we originate may adversely affect our ability to sell the mortgages or the pricing we receive upon the sale of mortgages or may increase our repurchase or other obligations for previous originations. We establish reserves related to mortgages we have sold; however, actual future obligations related to these mortgages could differ significantly from our currently estimated amounts.
 
The risks associated with our land and lot inventory could adversely affect our business or financial results.
 
Inventory risks are substantial for our homebuilding business. The risks inherent in controlling or purchasing and developing land increase as consumer demand for housing decreases. Thus, we may have acquired options on or bought and developed land or lots at a cost we will not be able to recover fully, or on which we cannot build and sell homes profitably. As a result, our deposits for building lots controlled under option or similar contracts may be put at risk. The value of our owned undeveloped land, building lots and housing inventories can also fluctuate significantly as a result of changing market conditions. In addition, inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in reduced margins or losses in a poorly performing community or market. During the current economic downturn, we have sold homes and land for lower margins or at a loss and we have recorded significant inventory impairment charges.
 
Our levels of owned and controlled land and building lots are based on management’s expectations for future volume growth. In light of the much weaker market conditions encountered since fiscal 2006, we have


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significantly slowed our purchases of undeveloped land and our development spending on land we own. We made substantial land and lot sales in fiscal 2008. Throughout the downturn, we also terminated numerous land option contracts and wrote off earnest money deposits and pre-acquisition costs related to these option contracts. Because future market conditions are uncertain, we cannot provide assurance that these measures will be successful in managing our future inventory risks.
 
Supply shortages and other risks related to demand for building materials and skilled labor could increase our costs and delay deliveries.
 
The homebuilding industry has from time to time experienced significant difficulties that can affect the cost or timing of construction, including:
 
  •  difficulty in acquiring land suitable for residential building at affordable prices in locations where our potential customers want to live;
 
  •  shortages of qualified trades people;
 
  •  reliance on local subcontractors, manufacturers and distributors who may be inadequately capitalized;
 
  •  shortages of materials; and
 
  •  volatile increases in the cost of materials, particularly increases in the price of lumber, drywall and cement, which are significant components of home construction costs.
 
These factors may cause us to take longer or incur more costs to build our homes and adversely affect our revenues and margins.
 
Increases in the costs of owning a home could prevent potential customers from buying our homes and adversely affect our business or financial results.
 
Significant expenses of owning a home, including mortgage interest and real estate taxes, generally are deductible expenses for an individual’s federal, and in some cases state, income taxes, subject to various limitations under current tax law and policy. If the federal government or a state government changes its income tax laws, as has been discussed from time to time, to eliminate or substantially modify these income tax deductions, the after-tax cost of owning a new home would increase for many of our potential customers. The loss or reduction of homeowner tax deductions, if such tax law changes were enacted without offsetting provisions, would adversely impact demand for and sales prices of new homes.
 
In addition, increases in property tax rates by local governmental authorities, as experienced in response to reduced federal and state funding, can adversely affect the ability of potential customers to obtain financing or their desire to purchase new homes.
 
Governmental regulations could increase the cost and limit the availability of our development and homebuilding projects and adversely affect our business or financial results.
 
We are subject to extensive and complex regulations that affect land development and home construction, including zoning, density restrictions, building design and building standards. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities as to the conditions we must meet prior to development or construction being approved, if approved at all. We are subject to determinations by these authorities as to the adequacy of water or sewage facilities, roads or other local services. New housing developments may also be subject to various assessments for schools, parks, streets and other public improvements. In addition, in many markets government authorities have implemented no growth or growth control initiatives. Any of these can limit, delay or increase the costs of development or home construction.
 
We are also subject to a variety of local, state and federal laws and regulations concerning protection of health, safety and the environment. The impact of environmental laws varies depending upon the prior uses of the building site or adjoining properties and may be greater in areas with less supply where undeveloped land or desirable alternatives are less available. These matters may result in delays, may cause us to incur


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substantial compliance, remediation, mitigation and other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity in environmentally sensitive regions or areas.
 
Governmental regulation of our financial services operations could adversely affect our business or financial results.
 
Our financial services operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations. These include eligibility requirements for participation in federal loan programs, compliance with consumer lending and similar requirements such as disclosure requirements, prohibitions against discrimination and real estate settlement procedures. They may also subject our operations to examination by the applicable agencies. These factors may limit our ability to provide mortgage financing or title services to potential purchasers of our homes.
 
In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R.4173) was signed into law. This legislation provides for a number of new requirements relating to residential mortgage lending practices, many of which are to be developed further by implementing rules. These include, among others, minimum standards for mortgages and lender practices in making mortgages, limitations on certain fees and incentive arrangements, retention of credit risk and remedies for borrowers in foreclosure proceedings. The effect of such provisions on our financial services business will depend on the rules that are ultimately enacted. Key decisions that have yet to be made concern the characteristics of mortgages that would be exempt from risk retention, how risk retention requirements will be implemented and how derivative trading will be impacted. These factors could restrict the availability of and increase the cost of mortgage credit in addition to increasing the general and administrative costs within our financial services operations.
 
The turmoil caused by the increasing number of defaults and resulting foreclosures has encouraged consumer lawsuits and the investigation of financial services industry practices by governmental authorities. These investigations could include the examination of consumer lending practices, sales of mortgages to financial institutions and other investors, and current foreclosure processes or other practices in the financial services segments of homebuilding companies. We are unable to assess whether these governmental inquiries will result in changes in regulations, homebuilding industry practices or adversely affect the costs and potential profitability of homebuilding companies.
 
Homebuilding is subject to home warranty and construction defect claims in the ordinary course of business that can be significant.
 
As a homebuilder, we are subject to home warranty and construction defect claims arising in the ordinary course of business. As a consequence, we maintain product liability insurance, and we obtain indemnities and certificates of insurance from subcontractors covering claims related to their workmanship and materials. We establish warranty and other reserves for the homes we sell based on historical experience in our markets and our judgment of the qualitative risks associated with the types of homes built. Because of the uncertainties inherent to these matters, we cannot provide assurance that our insurance coverage, our subcontractor arrangements and our reserves will be adequate to address all of our warranty and construction defect claims in the future. Contractual indemnities can be difficult to enforce, we may be responsible for applicable self-insured retentions and some types of claims may not be covered by insurance or may exceed applicable coverage limits. Additionally, the coverage offered by and the availability of product liability insurance for construction defects is currently limited and costly. We have responded to increases in insurance costs and coverage limitations in recent years by increasing our self-insured retentions and claim reserves. There can be no assurance that coverage will not be further restricted or become more costly.
 
Our debt obligations could adversely affect our financial condition.
 
As of September 30, 2011, our consolidated debt was $1,704.6 million. As of September 30, 2011, other than the expiration of the mortgage repurchase facility in March 2012, there are no scheduled maturities of principal on our outstanding public debt during the next 12 months. The indentures governing our senior and convertible senior notes do not restrict the incurrence of future unsecured debt, and they permit significant


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amounts of secured debt. We do not currently have a revolving credit facility for our homebuilding operations. If we choose to enter into a new line of credit agreement, it may limit the amount of debt we could incur.
 
Possible Consequences.  The amount and the maturities of our debt could have important consequences. For example, they could:
 
  •  require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payment of our debt and reduce our ability to use our cash flow for other operating or investing purposes;
 
  •  limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, the changes in our business;
 
  •  limit our ability to obtain future financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other requirements;
 
  •  place us at a competitive disadvantage because we have more debt than some of our competitors; and
 
  •  make us more vulnerable to downturns in our business or general economic conditions.
 
In addition, the magnitude of our debt and the restrictions imposed by the instruments governing these obligations expose us to additional risks, including:
 
Dependence on Future Performance.  Our ability to meet our debt service and other obligations will depend, in part, upon our future financial performance. Our future results are subject to the risks and uncertainties described in this report. These have been compounded by the current industry and economic conditions. Our revenues and earnings vary with the level of general economic activity in the markets we serve. Our businesses are also affected by financial, political, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The factors that affect our ability to generate cash can also affect our ability to raise additional funds for these purposes through the sale of debt or equity, the refinancing of debt, or the sale of assets.
 
Mortgage Repurchase Facility and Other Restrictions.  The mortgage repurchase facility for our mortgage subsidiary requires the maintenance of a minimum level of tangible net worth, a maximum allowable ratio of debt to tangible net worth and a minimum level of liquidity by our mortgage subsidiary. A failure to comply with these requirements could allow the lending bank to terminate the availability of funds to the financial services subsidiaries or cause their debt to become due and payable prior to maturity. Any difficulty experienced in complying with these covenants could make the renewal of the facility more difficult or costly.
 
In addition, although our financial services business is conducted through subsidiaries that are not restricted by our indentures, the ability of our financial services subsidiaries to provide funds to our homebuilding operations is subject to restrictions in their mortgage repurchase facility. These funds would not be available to us upon the occurrence and during the continuance of defaults under this facility. Moreover, our right to receive assets from these subsidiaries upon their liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of the creditors of these subsidiaries. Any claims we may have to funds from this segment would be subordinate to subsidiary indebtedness to the extent of any security for such indebtedness and to any indebtedness otherwise recognized as senior to our claims.
 
The indentures governing our senior notes impose restrictions on the creation of secured debt and liens.
 
Changes in Debt Ratings.  Our senior unsecured debt is currently rated at below investment grade. Any lowering of our debt ratings could make entering into a new line of credit agreement or accessing the public capital markets more difficult and/or more expensive.
 
Change of Control Purchase Options.  If a change of control occurs as defined in the indentures governing $455.5 million principal amount of our senior notes as of September 30, 2011, we would be required to offer to purchase these notes at 101% of their principal amount, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, if any. If a fundamental change, including a change of control, occurs as defined in the indenture governing our convertible senior notes, which constituted $500 million principal amount as of September 30, 2011, we would be required to offer to purchase these notes at par, together with all accrued


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and unpaid interest, if any. If purchase offers were required under the indentures for these notes, we can give no assurance that we would have sufficient funds to pay the amounts that we would be required to purchase.
 
Potential Future Restrictions.  We do not currently have a revolving line of credit in place. However, if we decide to enter into a revolving credit agreement in the future, it is likely that we would become subject to further restrictions on our operations and activities.
 
Homebuilding and financial services are very competitive industries, and competitive conditions could adversely affect our business or financial results.
 
The homebuilding industry is highly competitive. Homebuilders compete not only for homebuyers, but also for desirable properties, financing, raw materials and skilled labor. We compete with other local, regional and national homebuilders, often within larger subdivisions designed, planned and developed by such homebuilders. We also compete with existing home sales, foreclosures and rental properties. The competitive conditions in the homebuilding industry can negatively impact our sales volumes, selling prices and incentive levels, reduce our profit margins, and cause impairments in the value of our inventory or other assets. Competition can also hurt our ability to acquire suitable land, raw materials and skilled labor at acceptable prices or terms, or cause delays in the construction of our homes.
 
Our financial services business competes with other mortgage lenders, including national, regional and local mortgage banks and other financial institutions. Mortgage lenders with greater access to capital or different lending criteria may be able to offer more attractive financing to potential customers.
 
Our homebuilding and financial services businesses compete with other companies, both from within and outside of these industries, to attract and retain highly skilled and experienced employees, managers and executives. Competition for the services of these individuals will likely increase substantially as business conditions begin to stabilize or improve in the homebuilding and financial services industries or in the general economy. If we are unable to attract and retain key employees, managers or executives, our business could be adversely impacted.
 
We cannot make any assurances that any future growth strategies will be successful or not expose us to additional risks.
 
Although we have focused on internal growth in recent years, we may in the future make strategic acquisitions of homebuilding companies or their assets. Successful strategic acquisitions require the integration of operations and management. Although we believe that we have been successful in the past, we can give no assurance that we would be able to successfully identify, acquire and integrate strategic acquisitions in the future. Acquisitions can result in the dilution of existing stockholders if we issue our common stock as consideration, or reduce our liquidity or increase our debt if we fund them with cash. The impact on liquidity may be increased because we do not currently have a revolving credit facility. In addition, acquisitions can expose us to valuation risks, including the risk of writing off goodwill or impairing inventory and other assets related to such acquisitions. The risk of goodwill and other asset impairments increases during a cyclical housing downturn when our profitability may decline, as evidenced by the goodwill and other asset impairment charges we recognized in recent years. In addition, we may not be able to successfully implement our operating or internal growth strategies within our existing markets. In the uncertain current market conditions, asset acquisitions involve a risk that the markets involved may subsequently deteriorate. Conversely, if we delay an acquisition until we believe the market uncertainties are resolved, the potential competitive advantages of the acquisition may be limited.
 
We may not realize our deferred income tax asset.
 
As of September 30, 2011, we have a net deferred income tax asset of $848.5 million, against which we have provided a valuation allowance of $848.5 million. The realization of all or a portion of our deferred income tax asset is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the statutory carryforward periods and in the jurisdictions in which the related temporary differences become deductible.


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The accounting for deferred income taxes is based upon estimates of future results. Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position. Changes in tax laws also affect actual tax results and the valuation of deferred income tax assets over time.
 
The utilization of our tax losses could be substantially limited if we experienced an ownership change as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.
 
We have experienced continuing tax net operating losses through fiscal 2011 and have potential unrealized built-in losses. These tax net operating losses have the potential to reduce future income tax obligations if we realize taxable income in the future. However, Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an ownership change to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards and certain built-in losses recognized in years after the ownership change. Under the rules, such an ownership change is generally any change in ownership of more than 50% of its stock within a rolling three-year period, as calculated in accordance with the rules. The rules generally operate by focusing on changes in ownership among stockholders considered by the rules as owning directly or indirectly 5% or more of the stock of the company and any change in ownership arising from new issuances of stock by the company.
 
If we undergo an ownership change for purposes of Section 382 as a result of future transactions involving our common stock, both the amount of and our ability to use any of our net operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards or net unrealized built-in losses at the time of ownership change would be subject to the limitations of Section 382. In addition, these limitations may affect the expiration date of a portion of our built-in losses, any net operating loss carryforwards or tax credit carryforwards, and we may not be able to use them before they expire. This could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flow.
 
We do not believe we have experienced such an ownership change as of September 30, 2011; however, the amount by which our ownership may change in the future is affected by purchases and sales of stock by 5% stockholders; the potential conversion of our outstanding convertible senior notes and our decision as to whether to settle any such conversions completely or partially in stock; and new issuances of stock by us.


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ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
None.
 
ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES
 
In addition to our inventories of land, lots and homes, we own several office buildings totaling approximately 260,000 square feet, and we lease approximately 720,000 square feet of office space under leases expiring through October 2015. These properties are located in our various operating markets to house our homebuilding and financial services operating divisions and our regional and corporate offices.
 
ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
We are involved in lawsuits and other contingencies in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of such contingencies cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the liabilities arising from these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, to the extent the liability arising from the ultimate resolution of any matter exceeds our estimates reflected in the recorded reserves relating to such matter, we could incur additional charges that could be significant.
 
In October 2010, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (“Control Board”), Los Angeles Region, notified a subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) of the Company of its intention to assess a penalty against the Subsidiary regarding a previously issued notice of violation (“NOV”). The NOV related to a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit (the “Permit”) obtained on the Subsidiary’s behalf in 2003 to develop a project in California. Without admitting any wrongdoing, the Subsidiary has settled this matter and paid an assessed penalty of approximately $172,500.
 
In August 2011, the Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) of the U.S. Department of Labor notified the Company that it was initiating an investigation to determine the Company’s compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and, to the extent applicable, other laws enforced by WHD. The Company believes that its business practices are in compliance with the FLSA and other applicable laws enforced by WHD. At this time, the Company cannot predict the outcome of this investigation, nor can it reasonably estimate the potential costs that may be associated with its eventual resolution. Consequently, the Company has not recorded any associated liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet.
 
ITEM 4.   RESERVED


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PART II
 
ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “DHI.” The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low sales prices for our common stock, as reported by the NYSE, and the quarterly cash dividends declared per common share.
 
                                                 
    Year Ended September 30, 2011   Year Ended September 30, 2010
            Declared
          Declared
    High   Low   Dividends   High   Low   Dividends
 
1st Quarter
  $ 12.30     $ 9.77     $ 0.0375     $ 13.00     $ 9.69     $ 0.0375  
2nd Quarter
    13.50       11.19       0.0375       13.53       10.87       0.0375  
3rd Quarter
    12.68       10.62       0.0375       15.44       9.82       0.0375  
4th Quarter
    12.55       8.82       0.0375       11.38       9.41       0.0375  
 
As of November 10, 2011, the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE was $11.66, and there were approximately 517 holders of record.
 
The declaration of future cash dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, future earnings, cash flows, capital requirements, our financial condition and general business conditions.
 
The information required by this item with respect to equity compensation plans is set forth under Item 12 of this annual report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
During fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, we did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
In July 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million of our common stock effective through July 31, 2011. During June 2011, we repurchased 3,544,838 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $38.6 million, resulting in a remaining authorization of $61.4 million. On August 1, 2011, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million of our common stock effective through July 31, 2012. All of the $100 million authorization was remaining at September 30, 2011.


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Stock Performance Graph
 
The following graph illustrates the cumulative total stockholder return on D.R. Horton common stock for the last five fiscal years through September 30, 2011, compared to the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Homebuilding Index. The comparison assumes a hypothetical investment in D.R. Horton common stock and in each of the foregoing indices of $100 at September 30, 2006, and assumes that all dividends were reinvested. Shareholder returns over the indicated period are based on historical data and should not be considered indicative of future shareholder returns. The graph and related disclosure in no way reflect our forecast of future financial performance.
 
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return
Among D.R. Horton, Inc., S&P 500 Index and S&P 500 Homebuilding Index
 
(GRAPH)
 
                                                 
    Year Ended September 30,
    2006   2007   2008   2009   2010   2011
D.R. Horton, Inc. 
  $ 100.00     $ 54.99     $ 57.89     $ 51.58     $ 50.93     $ 41.97  
                                                 
S&P 500 Index
  $ 100.00     $ 116.44     $ 90.85     $ 84.58     $ 93.17     $ 94.24  
                                                 
S&P 500 Homebuilding Index
  $ 100.00     $ 50.82     $ 43.01     $ 36.02     $ 33.42     $ 23.82  
                                                 
 
This performance graph shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into our SEC filings and should not constitute soliciting material or otherwise be considered filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


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ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following selected consolidated financial data are derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements. The data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and all other financial data contained in this annual report on Form 10-K. These historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future.
 
                                         
    Year Ended September 30,
    2011   2010   2009   2008   2007
        (In millions, except per share data)    
 
Operating Data:
                                       
Revenues:
                                       
Homebuilding
  $ 3,549.6     $ 4,309.7     $ 3,603.9     $ 6,518.6     $ 11,088.8  
Financial Services
    87.2       90.5       53.7       127.5       207.7  
Gross profit (loss) — Homebuilding
    526.3       682.1       65.2       (1,763.2 )     603.7  
Income (loss) before income taxes:
                                       
Homebuilding
    (7.0 )     78.1       (541.3 )     (2,666.9 )     (1,020.0 )
Financial Services
    19.1       21.4       (15.5 )     35.1       68.8  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (59.7 )     (145.6 )     (7.0 )     1.8       (238.7 )
Net income (loss)
    71.8       245.1       (549.8 )     (2,633.6 )     (712.5 )
Net income (loss) per share:
                                       
Basic
    0.23       0.77       (1.73 )     (8.34 )     (2.27 )
Diluted
    0.23       0.77       (1.73 )     (8.34 )     (2.27 )
Cash dividends declared per common share
    0.15       0.15       0.15       0.45       0.60  
 
                                         
    September 30,
    2011   2010   2009   2008   2007
    (In millions)
 
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Inventories
  $ 3,449.7     $ 3,449.0     $ 3,666.7     $ 4,683.2     $ 9,343.5  
Total assets
    5,358.4       5,938.6       6,756.8       7,950.6       11,556.3  
Notes payable (1)
    1,704.6       2,171.8       3,145.3       3,748.4       4,376.8  
Total equity
    2,623.5       2,622.9       2,400.6       2,864.8       5,655.3  
 
 
(1) Includes both homebuilding notes payable and the amount outstanding on our mortgage repurchase facility.


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ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Results of Operations — Fiscal Year 2011 Overview
 
In fiscal 2011, conditions within the homebuilding industry remained challenging. Although the overall level of new home demand declined from the prior year as a result of the expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit in April 2010, we saw some improvement in our net sales orders during the last half of fiscal 2011 compared to the last half of fiscal 2010. The number and value of our net sales orders were 2% and 8% higher, respectively, during the last six months of fiscal 2011 than in the comparable period of fiscal 2010, and were 7% and 13% higher, respectively, in the last three months of fiscal 2011 than in the comparable period of fiscal 2010. In addition, during fiscal 2011 we experienced a more traditional demand pattern in our net sales orders, which sequentially increased from the first quarter to the second quarter, remained at a consistent level in the third quarter, then slowed in our fourth quarter. These results suggest that overall demand for new homes may be stabilizing, but we expect that demand is likely to remain at low levels for some time.
 
Our level of home closings in fiscal 2011 was essentially the same level that we achieved in fiscal 2009. However, our pre-tax income increased from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2011 by $569 million. While $397 million of the increase was due to reductions in inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs and mortgage recourse and reinsurance expenses recognized in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2009, the remaining increase of $172 million reflects the results of our strategies to open new communities, improve gross margins, adjust our SG&A costs to current revenue levels and reduce our outstanding debt levels and related interest expense.
 
Despite the continued low level of demand for new homes and the weak homebuilding industry conditions, our strong balance sheet and liquidity position is allowing us to invest in market opportunities as they arise. We believe we are well-positioned for an eventual housing recovery. We will continue to adjust our business strategies as necessary based on housing demand in each of our markets. Our future results could be negatively impacted by prolonged weakness in the economy, continued high levels of unemployment, a significant increase in mortgage interest rates or further tightening of mortgage lending standards.
 
We have evaluated our homebuilding and financial services assets for recoverability. Our assets whose recoverability is most impacted by market conditions include inventory, earnest money deposits and pre-acquisition costs related to land and lot option contracts, tax assets and owned mortgage loans. These assets collectively represented approximately 90% of our total assets, excluding cash and marketable securities, at September 30, 2011. Our evaluations incorporated our expectation of continued challenges in the homebuilding industry. Based on our evaluations, during fiscal 2011, we recorded inventory impairment charges of $37.3 million, wrote-off earnest money deposits and pre-acquisition costs related to land and lot option contracts we no longer plan to pursue of $8.1 million (net of recoveries), incurred charges of $11.6 million associated with mortgage loans held in portfolio and the limited recourse provisions on previously sold mortgage loans and incurred charges of $1.8 million related to mortgage reinsurance activities.


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Strategy
 
It is difficult in the near term to predict if current homebuilding industry conditions will improve or if they will deteriorate. During the industry downturn, we generated significant cash flow from operations which we primarily used to increase our cash balances and reduce our outstanding debt. Our liquidity and reduced leverage provide us flexibility in determining the appropriate operating strategy for each of our communities and markets to strike the best balance between cash flow generation and potential profit. Our operating strategy continues to include the following initiatives:
 
  •  Maintaining a strong cash balance and overall liquidity position.
 
  •  Managing the sales prices and level of sales incentives on our homes to optimize the balance of sales volumes, profits, returns on inventory investments and cash flows.
 
  •  Entering into lot option contracts to purchase finished lots to potentially increase sales volumes and profitability.
 
  •  Renegotiating existing lot option contracts to reduce lot costs and to better match the scheduled lot purchases with new home demand in each community.
 
  •  Limiting land acquisition and development spending, especially in communities that require substantial investments of time or capital resources.
 
  •  Managing our inventory of homes under construction by selectively starting construction on unsold homes to capture new home demand, while monitoring the number and aging of unsold homes and aggressively marketing unsold, completed homes in inventory.
 
  •  Decreasing the cost of goods purchased from both vendors and subcontractors.
 
  •  Modifying product offerings and pricing to meet consumer demand in each of our markets.
 
  •  Controlling our SG&A infrastructure to match production levels.
 
Although we cannot provide any assurances that these initiatives will be successful, if market conditions do not deteriorate, we expect that our operating strategy will allow us to continue to achieve profitability while maintaining a strong balance sheet and liquidity position in fiscal 2012.


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Key Results
 
Key financial results as of and for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, as compared to fiscal 2010, were as follows:
 
Homebuilding Operations:
 
  •  Homebuilding revenues decreased 18% to $3.5 billion.
 
  •  Homes closed decreased 20% to 16,695 homes, while the average selling price of those homes increased 3% to $212,200.
 
  •  Net sales orders decreased 10% to 17,421 homes.
 
  •  Sales order backlog increased 22% to $1.0 billion.
 
  •  Home sales gross margins decreased 120 basis points to 16.1%.
 
  •  Inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs were $45.4 million, compared to $64.7 million.
 
  •  Homebuilding SG&A expense decreased 8% to $480.0 million, but increased as a percentage of homebuilding revenues by 140 basis points to 13.5%.
 
  •  Interest expensed directly and amortized to cost of sales decreased 32% to $141.3 million.
 
  •  Homebuilding pre-tax loss was $7.0 million, compared to pre-tax income of $78.1 million.
 
  •  Homes in inventory were 10,500, compared to 9,500.
 
  •  Owned and optioned lots totaled 112,700, compared to 119,400.
 
  •  Homebuilding debt was $1.6 billion, decreasing from $2.1 billion.
 
  •  Net homebuilding debt to total capital was 18.0%, up 190 basis points and gross homebuilding debt to total capital was 37.7%, an improvement of 660 basis points.
 
  •  Homebuilding cash and marketable securities totaled $1.0 billion, compared to $1.6 billion.
 
Financial Services Operations:
 
  •  Total financial services revenues, net of recourse and reinsurance expenses, decreased 4% to $87.2 million from $90.5 million.
 
  •  Financial services pre-tax income was $19.1 million, compared to $21.4 million.
 
Consolidated Results:
 
  •  Consolidated pre-tax income was $12.1 million, compared to $99.5 million.
 
  •  Net income was $71.8 million, compared to $245.1 million.
 
  •  Diluted earnings per share was $0.23, compared to $0.77.
 
  •  Total equity was $2.6 billion, essentially unchanged from the balance at September 30, 2010.
 
  •  Net cash provided by operations was $14.9 million, compared to $709.4 million.


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Results of Operations — Homebuilding
 
Our operating segments are our 29 homebuilding operating divisions, which we aggregate into six reporting segments. These reporting segments, which we also refer to as reporting regions, have homebuilding operations located in the following states:
 
     
East:
  Delaware, Georgia (Savannah only), Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia
     
Midwest:
  Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota
     
Southeast:
  Alabama, Florida and Georgia
     
South Central:
  Louisiana, New Mexico (Las Cruces only), Oklahoma and Texas
     
Southwest:
  Arizona and New Mexico
     
West:
  California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010
 
The following tables and related discussion set forth key operating and financial data for our homebuilding operations by reporting segment as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
                                                                               
    Net Sales Orders (1)
   
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,    
    Net Homes Sold       Value (In millions)       Average Selling Price    
                %
                  %
                  %
   
    2011     2010     Change       2011     2010     Change       2011     2010     Change    
 
East
    2,066       2,027       2   %   $ 482.6     $ 469.0       3   %   $ 233,600     $ 231,400       1   %
Midwest
    1,005       1,045       (4 ) %     272.0       296.0       (8 ) %     270,600       283,300       (4 ) %
Southeast
    4,019       3,892       3   %     776.1       728.7       7   %     193,100       187,200       3   %
South Central
    6,169       7,375       (16 ) %     1,092.2       1,273.4       (14 ) %     177,000       172,700       2   %
Southwest
    1,284       1,785       (28 ) %     239.6       315.3       (24 ) %     186,600       176,600       6   %
West
    2,878       3,251       (11 ) %     865.1       928.6       (7 ) %     300,600       285,600       5   %
                                                                         
      17,421       19,375       (10 ) %   $ 3,727.6     $ 4,011.0       (7 ) %   $ 214,000     $ 207,000       3   %
                                                                         
 
                                                 
    Sales Order Cancellations
 
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,  
    Cancelled
             
    Sales Orders     Value (In millions)     Cancellation Rate (2)  
    2011     2010     2011     2010     2011     2010  
 
East
    689       581     $ 146.7     $ 127.2       25 %     22 %
Midwest
    177       250       45.9       68.7       15 %     19 %
Southeast
    1,531       1,409       275.1       250.0       28 %     27 %
South Central
    2,763       3,076       470.3       514.1       31 %     29 %
Southwest
    639       677       109.9       115.1       33 %     27 %
West
    769       789       233.5       227.3       21 %     20 %
                                                 
      6,568       6,782     $ 1,281.4     $ 1,302.4       27 %     26 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Net sales orders represent the number and dollar value of new sales contracts executed with customers (gross sales orders), net of cancelled sales orders.
 
(2) Cancellation rate represents the number of cancelled sales orders divided by gross sales orders.


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Net Sales Orders
 
The value of net sales orders decreased 7%, to $3,727.6 million (17,421 homes) in 2011 from $4,011.0 million (19,375 homes) in 2010. The number of net sales orders decreased 10% in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. Sales order volume during the first part of fiscal 2010 benefitted from the federal homebuyer tax credit. During the last half of fiscal 2011, the number and value of our net sales orders were 2% and 8% higher, respectively, than in the last half of fiscal 2010.
 
In comparing fiscal 2011 to fiscal 2010, the value and volume of net sales orders decreased in most of our market regions, with much of the volume decrease resulting from the expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit. The volume decline in our Southwest region also reflected weaker market conditions in all of its markets, combined with a reduction in the number of active communities in the current year. Our East and Southeast regions experienced slight increases in net sales orders as a result of operating more communities in the current fiscal year. Fluctuations in the value of net sales orders were primarily due to the change in the number of homes sold in each respective region and, to a lesser extent, to small fluctuations in the average selling price of those homes. Our future sales volumes will depend on the strength of the overall economy, employment levels and our ability to successfully implement our operating strategies in each of our markets.
 
The average price of our net sales orders in 2011 was $214,000, an increase of 3% from the $207,000 average in 2010. The largest percentage increases were in our Southwest and West regions and were primarily due to opening new communities and adjusting our product mix, with higher priced communities representing more of our sales. We continue to adjust our product mix, geographic mix and pricing within our homebuilding markets to respond to market conditions.
 
Our annual sales order cancellation rate (cancelled sales orders divided by gross sales orders for the period) was 27% in fiscal 2011, compared to 26% in fiscal 2010. This cancellation rate continues to be above historical levels and is reflective of low consumer confidence and tight mortgage lending standards. The return of our cancellation rate to historical levels depends largely on the strength of the overall economy and our ability to successfully implement our operating strategies in each of our markets.
 
 
                                                                               
    Sales Order Backlog
   
    As of September 30,    
    Homes in Backlog       Value (In millions)       Average Selling Price    
                %
                  %
                  %
   
    2011     2010     Change       2011     2010     Change       2011     2010     Change    
 
East
      606           472            28   %   $  147.6     $  103.4            43   %   $ 243,600     $ 219,100            11   %
Midwest
    288       247       17   %     80.6       70.1       15   %     279,900       283,800       (1 ) %
Southeast
    1,285       812       58   %     246.9       162.5       52   %     192,100       200,100       (4 ) %
South Central
    1,710       1,691       1   %     309.5       297.3       4   %     181,000       175,800       3   %
Southwest
    426       405       5   %     76.6       71.9       7   %     179,800       177,500       1   %
West
    539       501       8   %     175.0       145.6       20   %     324,700       290,600       12   %
                                                                         
      4,854       4,128       18   %   $ 1,036.2     $ 850.8       22   %   $ 213,500     $ 206,100       4   %
                                                                         


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Sales Order Backlog
 
Sales order backlog represents homes under contract but not yet closed at the end of the period. Many of the contracts in our sales order backlog are subject to contingencies, including mortgage loan approval and buyers selling their existing homes, which can result in cancellations. A portion of the contracts in backlog will not result in closings due to cancellations, which have been substantial during the recent housing downturn.
 
Our homes in backlog increased 18% at September 30, 2011 from the prior year, with significant increases in our East, Midwest and Southeast regions. The number of homes in backlog in these regions benefited from more active communities and improved third and fourth quarter sales as compared with the same periods of the prior year.
 
                                                                               
    Homes Closed and Home Sales Revenue
   
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,    
    Homes Closed       Value (In millions)       Average Selling Price    
                %
                  %
                  %
   
    2011     2010     Change       2011     2010     Change       2011     2010     Change    
 
East
    1,932       2,114            (9 ) %   $ 438.4     $ 492.2            (11 ) %   $ 226,900     $ 232,800            (3 ) %
Midwest
    964       1,187       (19 ) %     261.5       330.9       (21 ) %     271,300       278,800       (3 ) %
Southeast
    3,546       4,049       (12 ) %     691.8       745.2       (7 ) %     195,100       184,000       6   %
South Central
    6,150       8,046       (24 ) %     1,080.0       1,378.8       (22 ) %     175,600       171,400       2   %
Southwest
    1,263       1,872       (33 ) %     234.8       329.7       (29 ) %     185,900       176,100       6   %
West
    2,840       3,607       (21 ) %     835.8       1,025.5       (18 ) %     294,300       284,300       4   %
                                                                         
      16,695       20,875       (20 ) %   $ 3,542.3     $ 4,302.3       (18 ) %   $ 212,200     $ 206,100       3   %
                                                                         
 
Home Sales Revenue
 
Revenues from home sales decreased 18%, to $3,542.3 million (16,695 homes closed) in 2011 from $4,302.3 million (20,875 homes closed) in 2010. The average selling price of homes closed during 2011 was $212,200, up 3% from the $206,100 average in 2010 which reflects a change in product mix rather than broad price appreciation. During fiscal 2011, home sales revenues decreased in all of our market regions, resulting from decreases in the number of homes closed.
 
The number of homes closed in fiscal 2011 decreased 20% due to decreases in all of our market regions. The federal homebuyer tax credit helped stimulate demand for new homes during the prior year and following its expiration we experienced a significant decline in demand for our homes as reflected in our current year results. As conditions change in the housing markets in which we operate, our ongoing level of net sales orders will determine the number of home closings and amount of revenue we will generate.


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Homebuilding Operating Margin Analysis
 
                     
    Percentages of
   
    Related Revenues    
    Fiscal Year Ended
   
    September 30,    
    2011       2010    
 
Gross profit — Home sales
    16.1   %     17.3   %
Gross profit — Land/lot sales
    5.5   %     37.8   %
Effect of inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs on
total homebuilding gross profit
    (1.3 ) %     (1.5 ) %
Gross profit — Total homebuilding
    14.8   %     15.8   %
Selling, general and administrative expense
    13.5   %     12.1   %
Interest expense
    1.4   %     2.0   %
Loss on early retirement of debt, net
    0.3   %     0.1   %
Other (income)
    (0.2 ) %     (0.2 ) %
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (0.2 ) %     1.8   %
 
Home Sales Gross Profit
 
Gross profit from home sales decreased by 23%, to $571.3 million in 2011, from $744.0 million in 2010, and, as a percentage of home sales revenues, decreased 120 basis points, to 16.1%. The reduction in gross profit from home sales was primarily due to the increased levels of incentives and discounts needed to sell homes in the current year, which narrowed the range between our selling prices and costs of our homes in most of our markets. The prior year benefitted from the federal homebuyer tax credit, which created demand for our homes without the need for us to provide as many incentives and discounts.
 
To the extent we utilize sales incentives and price adjustments to increase the level of home closings, gross profit percentages will continue to be impacted.
 
Land Sales Revenue
 
Land sales revenues decreased slightly to $7.3 million in 2011, from $7.4 million in 2010. Fluctuations in revenues from land sales are a function of how we manage our inventory levels in various markets. We generally purchase land and lots with the intent to build and sell homes on them; however, we occasionally purchase land that includes commercially zoned parcels which we typically sell to commercial developers, and we also sell residential lots or land parcels to manage our land and lot supply. Land and lot sales occur at unpredictable intervals and varying degrees of profitability. Therefore, the revenues and gross profit from land sales fluctuate from period to period. As of September 30, 2011, we had $26.3 million of land held for sale that we expect to sell in the next twelve months.
 
Inventory Impairments and Land Option Cost Write-offs
 
During fiscal 2011, when we performed our quarterly inventory impairment analyses by reviewing the performance and outlook for all of our communities, the assumptions utilized reflected our expectation of continued challenging conditions and uncertainties in the homebuilding industry and in our markets. As we continue to evaluate the strength of the economy (measured largely in terms of job growth), the level of underlying demand for new homes and our operating performance, the level of impairments in future quarters will fluctuate and may increase. As of September 30, 2011, we evaluated communities with a combined carrying value of $391.5 million for impairment. The analysis of the majority of these communities assumed that sales prices in future periods will be equal to or lower than current sales order prices in each community, or in comparable communities, in order to generate an acceptable absorption rate. For a minority of communities that we do not intend to develop or operate in current market conditions, some increases over current sales prices were assumed. While it is difficult to determine a timeframe for a given community in the current market conditions, we estimated the remaining lives of these communities to range from six months to in excess of ten years. In performing this analysis, we utilized a range of discount rates for communities of


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12% to 18%. Through this evaluation process, we determined that communities with a carrying value of $37.1 million as of September 30, 2011, were impaired. As a result, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, we recorded impairment charges of $10.2 million to reduce the carrying value of the impaired communities to their estimated fair value, as compared to $29.1 million of impairment charges in the same period of 2010. The fourth quarter charges combined with impairment charges recorded earlier in the year resulted in total inventory impairment charges of $37.3 million and $62.3 million during fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
We generally perform our impairment analysis based on total inventory at the community level. When an impairment charge for a community is determined, the charge is then allocated to each lot in the community in the same manner as land and development costs are allocated to each lot. The inventory within each community is categorized as construction in progress and finished homes, residential land and lots developed and under development, and land held for development, based on the stage of production or plans for future development. During fiscal 2011, approximately 78% of the impairment charges were recorded to residential land and lots and land held for development, and approximately 22% of the charges were recorded to construction in progress and finished homes inventory, compared to 93% and 7%, respectively, in fiscal 2010.
 
Of the remaining $354.4 million carrying value of communities which were determined not to be impaired at September 30, 2011, the largest concentrations were in California (23%), Illinois (16%), Arizona (11%), Florida (10%) and Texas (9%). It is possible that our estimate of undiscounted cash flows from these communities may change and could result in a future need to record impairment charges to adjust the carrying value of these assets to their estimated fair value. There are several factors which could lead to changes in the estimates of undiscounted future cash flows for a given community. The most significant of these include pricing and incentive levels actually realized by the community, the rate at which the homes are sold and the costs incurred to develop the lots and construct the homes. The pricing and incentive levels are often inter-related with sales pace within a community, such that a price reduction can typically be expected to increase the sales pace. Further, both of these factors are heavily influenced by the competitive pressures facing a given community from both new homes and existing homes, some of which may result from foreclosures. If conditions in the broader economy, homebuilding industry or specific markets in which we operate worsen, and as we re-evaluate specific community pricing and incentives, construction and development plans, and our overall land sale strategies, we may be required to evaluate additional communities or re-evaluate previously impaired communities for potential impairment. These evaluations may result in additional impairment charges.
 
Based on our quarterly reviews of land and lot option contracts, we have written off earnest money deposits and pre-acquisition costs related to contracts for land or lots which are not expected to be acquired. During fiscal 2011 and 2010, we wrote off $8.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, of earnest money deposits and pre-acquisition costs related to land option contracts. At September 30, 2011, outstanding earnest money deposits associated with our portfolio of land and lot option purchase contracts totaled $14.6 million and pre-acquisition costs related to these contracts totaled $9.6 million.
 
The inventory impairment charges and write-offs of earnest money deposits and pre-acquisition costs reduced total homebuilding gross profit as a percentage of homebuilding revenues by approximately 130 basis points in fiscal 2011, compared to 150 basis points in fiscal 2010.


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Inventory Impairments and Land Option Cost Write-offs
 
                                                 
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
    2011   2010
                    Land Option
   
        Land Option
          Cost
   
    Inventory
  Cost
      Inventory
  Write-Offs
   
    Impairments   Write-Offs   Total   Impairments   (Recoveries)   Total
            (In millions)        
 
East
  $     3.5     $      1.1     $      4.6     $      9.0     $     (0.4 )   $     8.6  
Midwest
    0.1       0.8       0.9       21.9       0.1       22.0  
Southeast
    15.8       1.6       17.4       17.0       0.5       17.5  
South Central
    0.2       0.5       0.7       13.3       0.7       14.0  
Southwest
    4.4       0.3       4.7       0.6             0.6  
West
    13.3       3.8       17.1       0.5       1.5       2.0  
                                                 
    $ 37.3     $ 8.1     $ 45.4     $ 62.3     $ 2.4     $ 64.7  
                                                 
 
Carrying Values of Communities Evaluated for Impairment
 
                                                 
    At September 30, 2011
                Analysis of Communities with Impairment Charges
                Recorded at September 30, 2011
        Communities Evaluated
      Inventory
   
    Total
  for Impairment       Carrying Value
   
    Number of
  Number of
  Carrying
  Number of
  Prior to
   
    Communities (1)   Communities (1)   Value   Communities (1)   Impairment   Fair Value
            (Values in millions)        
 
East
         214            13     $   65.1             3     $   6.7     $     5.3  
Midwest
    62       7       70.6                    
Southeast
    344       18       59.7       4       17.1       11.1  
South Central
    309       9       30.6                    
Southwest
    71       13       48.3       4       8.5       6.3  
West
    181       19       117.2       2       4.8       4.2  
                                                 
      1,181       79     $ 391.5       13     $ 37.1     $ 26.9  
                                                 
 
Carrying Values of Communities Evaluated for Impairment
 
                                                 
    At September 30, 2010
                Analysis of Communities with Impairment Charges
                Recorded at September 30, 2010
        Communities Evaluated
      Inventory
   
    Total
  for Impairment       Carrying Value
   
    Number of
  Number of
  Carrying
  Number of
  Prior to
   
    Communities(1)   Communities(1)   Value   Communities (1)   Impairment   Fair Value
            (Values in millions)        
 
East
         181             7     $   69.9             1     $     4.4     $     2.8  
Midwest
    60       13       94.1       3       11.3       6.4  
Southeast
    308       12       42.7       2       11.8       2.8  
South Central
    324       19       64.1       6       31.0       18.0  
Southwest
    89       8       36.5       1       1.2       0.9  
West
    181       13       102.5       1       3.4       3.1  
                                                 
      1,143       72     $ 409.8       14     $ 63.1     $ 34.0  
                                                 
 
 
(1) A community may consist of land held for development, residential land and lots developed and under development, and construction in progress and finished homes. A particular community often includes inventory in more than one category. Further, a community may contain multiple parcels with varying product types (e.g. entry level and move-up single family detached, as well as attached product types). Some communities have no homes under construction, finished homes, or current home sales efforts or activity.


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Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expense
 
SG&A expense from homebuilding activities decreased 8% to $480.0 million in 2011 from $523.2 million in 2010. As a percentage of homebuilding revenues, SG&A expense increased 140 basis points, to 13.5% in 2011 from 12.1% in 2010. The largest component of our homebuilding SG&A expense is employee compensation and related costs, which represented 60% and 58% of SG&A costs in 2011 and 2010, respectively. These costs decreased by 6%, to $286.5 million in 2011 from $304.0 million in 2010, primarily due to a decline in the level of incentive compensation and to a lesser extent, to a decline in the number of employees. Our homebuilding operations employed approximately 2,380 and 2,500 employees at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. A reduction in advertising costs also contributed to the decline in SG&A expenses.
 
We continually attempt to adjust our SG&A infrastructure to support our expected closings volume; however, we cannot make assurances that our actions will permit us to maintain or improve upon the current SG&A expense as a percentage of revenues. It has become more difficult to reduce SG&A expense as the size of our operations has decreased. If revenues decrease and we are unable to sufficiently adjust our SG&A, future SG&A expense as a percentage of revenues will increase.
 
Interest Incurred
 
Homebuilding interest costs are incurred on our homebuilding debt outstanding during the period. Comparing fiscal 2011 with fiscal 2010, interest incurred related to homebuilding debt decreased 25% to $130.2 million, primarily due to a 26% decrease in our average homebuilding debt.
 
We capitalize homebuilding interest to inventory during active development and construction. Due to the decrease in the size of our operations, our inventory under active development and construction has been lower than our debt level; therefore, a portion of our interest incurred is expensed. We expensed $50.5 million of homebuilding interest during fiscal 2011, compared to $86.3 million of interest during fiscal 2010. The reduction in interest expensed in the current year is a result of a decline in interest incurred during the year. Interest amortized to cost of sales, excluding interest written off with inventory impairment charges, declined to 3.0% of total home and land/lot cost of sales in fiscal 2011 from 3.4% in 2010 as a result of more home closings on acquired finished lots and decreases in construction times.
 
Loss on Early Retirement of Debt
 
During fiscal 2011, in addition to repaying maturing senior notes, we retired $319.2 million principal amount of our senior notes prior to their maturity, compared to $822.2 million in fiscal 2010. As a result of the early retirement of these notes, we recognized net losses of $10.8 million and $4.9 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively, which represent the difference between the principal amount of the notes and the aggregate purchase price plus any unamortized discounts and fees. The net loss in fiscal 2011 includes a loss of $6.3 million for the call premium and write-off of unamortized fees related to the early redemption of the 5.375% senior notes due 2012. The net loss in fiscal 2010 includes a loss of $2.0 million for the call premium and write-off of unamortized fees related to the early redemption of the 5.875% senior notes due 2013.
 
Other Income
 
Other income, net of other expenses, associated with homebuilding activities was $8.0 million in 2011, compared to $10.4 million in 2010. The largest component of other income in both years was interest income.
 
Goodwill
 
In performing our annual goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, we determined that our goodwill balance of $15.9 million, all of which relates to our South Central reporting segment, was not impaired.


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Homebuilding Results by Reporting Region
 
                                                     
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,    
    2011       2010    
          Homebuilding
                  Homebuilding
         
          Income (Loss)
    % of
            Income (Loss)
    % of
   
    Homebuilding
    Before
    Region
      Homebuilding
    Before
    Region
   
    Revenues     Income Taxes (1)     Revenues       Revenues     Income Taxes (1)     Revenues    
                (In millions)                
 
East
  $ 438.5     $ (13.5 )     (3.1 ) %   $ 492.3     $ (6.3 )     (1.3 ) %
Midwest
    261.5       (13.7 )     (5.2 ) %     331.0       (31.3 )     (9.5 ) %
Southeast
    696.8       (19.9 )     (2.9 ) %     747.6       (7.5 )     (1.0 ) %
South Central
    1,081.0       52.4       4.8   %     1,383.5       83.4       6.0   %
Southwest
    234.8       (3.8 )     (1.6 ) %     329.7       12.0       3.6   %
West
    837.0       (8.5 )     (1.0 ) %     1,025.6       27.8       2.7   %
                                                 
    $ 3,549.6     $ (7.0 )     (0.2 ) %   $ 4,309.7     $ 78.1       1.8   %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Expenses maintained at the corporate level consist primarily of interest and property taxes, which are capitalized and amortized to cost of sales or expensed directly, and the expenses related to operating our corporate office. The amortization of capitalized interest and property taxes is allocated to each segment based on the segment’s revenue, while interest expense and those expenses associated with the corporate office are allocated to each segment based on the segment’s inventory balances.
 
East Region — Homebuilding revenues decreased 11% in 2011 compared to 2010, primarily due to decreases in the number of homes closed in the majority of the region’s markets. The largest decrease in closings volume occurred in our New Jersey and Charlotte markets. The region reported a loss before income taxes of $13.5 million in 2011, compared to a loss of $6.3 million in 2010, primarily as a result of declines in revenue and gross profit. Inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs were $4.6 million and $8.6 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. Gross profit from home sales as a percentage of home sales revenue (home sales gross profit percentage) decreased 200 basis points in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 due to the increased use of incentives to sell homes and weakening market conditions during the current year. Although total SG&A expenses in fiscal 2011 decreased from the prior year, they increased as a percentage of homebuilding revenues by 120 basis points in 2011.
 
Midwest Region — Homebuilding revenues decreased 21% in 2011 compared to 2010, primarily due to decreases in the number of homes closed in all of the region’s markets. The region reported a loss before income taxes of $13.7 million in 2011, compared to a loss of $31.3 million in 2010. The improvement in the current year was primarily a result of fewer inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs, which were $0.9 million in fiscal 2011, compared to $22.0 million in fiscal 2010. However, weak conditions persisted in the Chicago market which again contributed substantially to the region’s loss. Home sales gross profit percentage decreased 190 basis points in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 due to weakening market conditions compared to the prior year. Although total SG&A expenses in fiscal 2011 decreased from the prior year, they increased as a percentage of homebuilding revenues by 110 basis points in 2011.
 
Southeast Region — Homebuilding revenues decreased 7% in 2011 compared to 2010, due to a decrease in the number of homes closed, partially offset by an increase in the average selling price of those homes. The region reported a loss before income taxes of $19.9 million in fiscal 2011 compared to a loss of $7.5 million in fiscal 2010, primarily as a result of declines in revenue and gross profit. These results generally reflected softening across most markets from the expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit, as well as more challenging conditions in the Orlando market. Inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs were $17.4 million and $17.5 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. Home sales gross profit percentage decreased 110 basis points in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 due to increased warranty costs in our Orlando and Pensacola markets. As a percentage of homebuilding revenues, total SG&A expenses increased 110 basis points in fiscal 2011.


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Table of Contents

South Central Region — Homebuilding revenues decreased 22% in 2011 compared to 2010, primarily due to decreases in the number of homes closed in all of the region’s markets, partially offset by an increase in the average selling prices of those homes. While we continued to be profitable in all markets in the region, overall the region reported a decline in income before income taxes to $52.4 million in fiscal 2011, from $83.4 million in fiscal 2010. The reduced income was the result of closing fewer homes with the expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit, leading to declines in revenue and gross profit. Inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs were $0.7 million and $14.0 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. Home sales gross profit percentage decreased 100 basis points in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 due to lower margins in the majority of the region’s markets, caused by an increase in construction and lot costs as a percentage of revenues. Although total SG&A expenses in fiscal 2011 decreased from the prior year, they increased as a percentage of homebuilding revenues by 150 basis points in 2011. Our central Texas, Dallas and Houston markets continue to be the most profitable in the region.
 
Southwest Region — Homebuilding revenues decreased 29% in 2011 compared to 2010, due to decreases in the number of homes closed in all of the region’s markets, partially offset by an increase in the average selling price of those homes. The region reported a loss before income taxes of $3.8 million fiscal 2011, compared to income before income taxes of $12.0 million in fiscal 2010, primarily as a result of declines in revenue and gross profit in all of its markets, with Phoenix experiencing the worst conditions. Home sales gross profit percentage decreased 200 basis points in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010, primarily as a result of the increased use of incentives to sell homes and weakening market conditions in all of the region’s markets. Also contributing to the decrease in gross profit percentage in the current year, inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs increased to $4.7 million, from $0.6 million in the prior year. Although total SG&A expenses in fiscal 2011 decreased from the prior year, they increased as a percentage of homebuilding revenues by 170 basis points in 2011.
 
West Region — Homebuilding revenues decreased 18% in 2011 compared to 2010, due to decreases in the number of homes closed in all of the region’s markets, partially offset by an increase in the average selling price of those homes. The Seattle market continued to generate the highest profits, while the inland, central California markets again did not achieve profitability. The region reported a loss before income taxes of $8.5 million in fiscal 2011, compared to income before income taxes of $27.8 million in fiscal 2010, primarily as a result of a decline in revenue and increased impairment charges. Inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs were $17.1 million in fiscal 2011, compared to $2.0 million in fiscal 2010. Home sales gross profit percentage decreased 40 basis points in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. Although total SG&A expenses in fiscal 2011 decreased from the prior year, they increased as a percentage of homebuilding revenues by 150 basis points in 2011.


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Land and Lot Position and Homes in Inventory
 
The following is a summary of our land and lot position and homes in inventory at September 30, 2011 and 2010:
 
                                                                 
    As of September 30,  
    2011     2010  
          Lots
                      Lots
             
          Controlled
                      Controlled
             
          Under Lot
    Total
                Under Lot
    Total
       
          Option and
    Land/Lots
    Homes
          Option and
    Land/Lots
    Homes
 
    Land/Lots
    Similar
    Owned and
    in
    Land/Lots
    Similar
    Owned and
    in
 
    Owned     Contracts (1)     Controlled     Inventory     Owned     Contracts (1)     Controlled     Inventory  
 
East
    9,900       4,700       14,600       1,300       10,600       4,900       15,500       1,300  
Midwest
    5,300       500       5,800       600       6,000       600       6,600       700  
Southeast
    22,500       9,200       31,700       2,600       24,000       11,300       35,300       1,900  
South Central
    21,700       9,700       31,400       3,500       21,300       9,300       30,600       3,100  
Southwest
    5,300       1,100       6,400       900       5,700       1,300       7,000       900  
West
    21,100       1,700       22,800       1,600       22,100       2,300       24,400       1,600  
                                                                 
      85,800       26,900       112,700       10,500       89,700       29,700       119,400       9,500  
                                                                 
      76%       24%       100%               75%       25%       100%          
                                                                 
 
 
(1) Excludes approximately 8,000 and 7,300 lots at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, representing lots controlled under lot option contracts for which we do not expect to exercise our option to purchase the land or lots, but the underlying contract has yet to be terminated. We have reserved the deposits related to these contracts.
 
At September 30, 2011, we owned or controlled approximately 112,700 lots, compared to approximately 119,400 lots at September 30, 2010. Of the 112,700 total lots, we controlled approximately 26,900 lots (24%), with a total remaining purchase price of approximately $918.7 million, through land and lot option purchase contracts with a total of $14.6 million in earnest money deposits. At September 30, 2011, approximately 22,500 of our owned lots were finished.
 
We had a total of approximately 10,500 homes in inventory, including approximately 1,100 model homes at September 30, 2011, compared to approximately 9,500 homes in inventory, including approximately 1,200 model homes at September 30, 2010. Of our total homes in inventory, approximately 5,600 and 5,200 were unsold at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At September 30, 2011, approximately 2,800 of our unsold homes were completed, of which approximately 600 homes had been completed for more than six months. At September 30, 2010, approximately 3,200 of our unsold homes were completed, of which approximately 800 homes had been completed for more than six months.
 
Our current strategy is to take advantage of market opportunities by entering into new lot option contracts to purchase finished lots in selected communities to potentially increase sales volumes and profitability. We will attempt to renegotiate existing lot option contracts as necessary to reduce our lot costs and better match the scheduled lot purchases with new home demand in each community. We also manage our inventory of homes under construction by selectively starting construction on unsold homes to capture new home demand, while monitoring the number and aging of unsold homes and aggressively marketing our unsold, completed homes in inventory.


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Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
The following tables and related discussion set forth key operating and financial data for our homebuilding operations by reporting segment as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
                                                                               
    Net Sales Orders (1)
   
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,    
    Net Homes Sold       Value (In millions)       Average Selling Price    
                %
                  %
                  %
   
    2010     2009     Change       2010     2009     Change       2010     2009     Change    
 
East
    2,027       1,519            33   %   $ 469.0     $ 353.7            33   %   $ 231,400     $ 232,900            (1 ) %
Midwest
    1,045       1,198       (13 ) %     296.0       323.5       (9 ) %     283,300       270,000       5   %
Southeast
    3,892       3,107       25   %     728.7       560.8       30   %     187,200       180,500       4   %
South Central
    7,375       6,172       19   %     1,273.4       1,060.6       20   %     172,700       171,800       1   %
Southwest
    1,785       1,751       2   %     315.3       300.2       5   %     176,600       171,400       3   %
West
    3,251       3,287       (1 ) %     928.6       899.6       3   %     285,600       273,700       4   %
                                                                         
      19,375       17,034       14   %   $ 4,011.0     $ 3,498.4       15   %   $ 207,000     $ 205,400       1   %
                                                                         
 
                                                 
    Sales Order Cancellations
 
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,  
    Cancelled Sales Orders     Value (In millions)     Cancellation Rate (2)  
    2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
East
      581         478     $ 127.2     $ 113.0            22 %          24 %
Midwest
    250       240       68.7       64.8       19 %     17 %
Southeast
    1,409       1,321       250.0       244.5       27 %     30 %
South Central
    3,076       3,029       514.1       509.0       29 %     33 %
Southwest
    677       913       115.1       167.2       27 %     34 %
West
    789       1,207       227.3       357.3       20 %     27 %
                                                 
      6,782       7,188     $ 1,302.4     $ 1,455.8       26 %     30 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Net sales orders represent the number and dollar value of new sales contracts executed with customers (gross sales orders), net of cancelled sales orders.
 
(2) Cancellation rate represents the number of cancelled sales orders divided by gross sales orders.
 
Net Sales Orders
 
The value of net sales orders increased 15%, to $4,011.0 million (19,375 homes) in 2010 from $3,498.4 million (17,034 homes) in 2009. The number of net sales orders increased 14% in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. These results were impacted by increased levels of affordability resulting from lower home sales prices, declines in the number of new homes available for sale, a low mortgage interest rate environment, and the federal government’s monetary and fiscal policies and programs, including the federal homebuyer tax credit, which accelerated sales demand during the first half of the year. Although these results reflected improvement over the prior year, the significant decline in demand subsequent to the expiration of the federal tax credit indicated that market conditions remained weak.
 
In comparing fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2009, the value of net sales orders increased in most of our market regions, with the largest percentage increases occurring in our East, Southeast and South Central regions resulting from new communities in the Carolinas, Florida and Texas, as well as lower cancellation rates achieved in these regions. Conversely, our Midwest region experienced a 13% decline in net sales orders, due to weak demand in our Chicago market. Fluctuations in the value of net sales orders were primarily due to the change in the number of homes sold in each respective region, and to a much lesser extent, small fluctuations


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in the average selling price of those homes. The average price of our net sales orders in 2010 was $207,000, an increase of 1% from the $205,400 average in 2009.
 
Our annual sales order cancellation rate was 26% in fiscal 2010, compared to 30% in fiscal 2009. While an improvement from the prior year, this elevated cancellation rate was still above historical levels, reflecting the challenges in most of our homebuilding markets.
 
                                                                               
    Sales Order Backlog
   
    As of September 30,    
    Homes in Backlog       Value (In millions)       Average Selling Price    
                %
                  %
                  %
   
    2010     2009     Change       2010     2009     Change       2010     2009     Change    
 
East
    472       559            (16 ) %   $ 103.4     $ 126.6            (18 ) %   $ 219,100     $ 226,500            (3 ) %
Midwest
    247       389       (37 ) %     70.1       105.0       (33 ) %     283,800       269,900       5   %
Southeast
    812       969       (16 ) %     162.5       179.0       (9 ) %     200,100       184,700       8   %
South Central
    1,691       2,362       (28 ) %     297.3       402.6       (26 ) %     175,800       170,400       3   %
Southwest
    405       492       (18 ) %     71.9       86.3       (17 ) %     177,500       175,400       1   %
West
    501       857       (42 ) %     145.6       242.5       (40 ) %     290,600       283,000       3   %
                                                                         
      4,128       5,628       (27 ) %   $ 850.8     $ 1,142.0       (25 ) %   $ 206,100     $ 202,900       2   %
                                                                         
 
Sales Order Backlog
 
Our homes in backlog at September 30, 2010 declined 27% from the prior year as a result of closing homes at a greater rate than our sales pace during the latter half of the year and the effects of the federal homebuyer tax credit that was in effect at September 30, 2009.
 
                                                                               
    Homes Closed and Home Sales Revenue
   
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,    
    Homes Closed       Value (In millions)       Average Selling Price    
                %
                  %
                  %
   
    2010     2009     Change       2010     2009     Change       2010     2009     Change    
 
East
    2,114       1,447            46   %   $ 492.2     $ 345.3            43   %   $ 232,800     $ 238,600            (2 ) %
Midwest
    1,187       1,137       4   %     330.9       310.0       7   %     278,800       272,600       2   %
Southeast
    4,049       2,921       39   %     745.2       547.5       36   %     184,000       187,400       (2 ) %
South Central
    8,046       5,835       38   %     1,378.8       1,022.1       35   %     171,400       175,200       (2 ) %
Southwest
    1,872       2,045       (8 ) %     329.7       379.8       (13 ) %     176,100       185,700       (5 ) %
West
    3,607       3,318       9   %     1,025.5       958.9       7   %     284,300       289,000       (2 ) %
                                                                         
      20,875       16,703       25   %   $ 4,302.3     $ 3,563.6       21   %   $ 206,100     $ 213,400       (3 ) %
                                                                         
 
Home Sales Revenue
 
Revenues from home sales increased 21%, to $4,302.3 million (20,875 homes closed) in 2010 from $3,563.6 million (16,703 homes closed) in 2009. The average selling price of homes closed during 2010 was $206,100, down 3% from the $213,400 average in 2009. During fiscal 2010, home sales revenues increased in most of our market regions, with significant increases in our East, Southeast and South Central markets. These increases resulted from increases in the number of homes closed.
 
The number of homes closed in 2010 increased 25% due to increases in five of our six market regions. The increase in home closings reflects the impact of the first-time homebuyer’s federal tax credit, which initially required buyers to close on their home purchase transaction by June 30, 2010. We believe this helped stimulate demand for homes that could close during the first nine months of fiscal 2010. We also believe that our operating strategy of selectively starting construction on unsold homes, which made additional housing inventory available to close by June 30, 2010, led to increased home closings volume by better capturing this


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demand. The Southwest region had an 8% decrease in homes closed due to both weak demand in the Phoenix market and our prior year efforts to reduce completed home inventories in that market.
 
                     
Homebuilding Operating Margin Analysis
   
    Percentages of
   
    Related Revenues    
    Fiscal Year Ended
   
    September 30,    
    2010       2009    
 
Gross profit — Home sales
    17.3   %     13.1   %
Gross profit — Land/lot sales
    37.8   %     13.4   %
Effect of inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs on total homebuilding gross profit
    (1.5 ) %     (11.3 ) %
Gross profit — Total homebuilding
    15.8   %     1.8   %
Selling, general and administrative expense
    12.1   %     14.5   %
Interest expense
    2.0   %     2.8   %
Loss (gain) on early retirement of debt, net
    0.1   %     (0.1 ) %
Other (income)
    (0.2 ) %     (0.4 ) %
Income (loss) before income taxes
    1.8   %     (15.0 ) %
 
Home Sales Gross Profit
 
Gross profit from home sales increased by 59%, to $744.0 million in 2010, from $467.5 million in 2009, and, as a percentage of home sales revenues, increased 420 basis points, to 17.3%. Approximately 350 basis points of the increase in the home sales gross profit percentage was a result of the average cost of our homes declining by more than our average selling prices, caused largely by a reduction in our construction costs on homes closed during fiscal 2010. The reduction in construction costs primarily resulted from changes in product design, as well as cost reductions obtained from our suppliers and sub-contractors in prior periods. In addition, the increase in home sales gross profit was partially due to our efforts beginning in fiscal 2009 to acquire lot positions in new communities and construct and close houses from these new projects. Homes closed on these acquired finished lots yielded higher gross profits than those on land and lots acquired in prior years. Approximately 70 basis points of the increase was due to a decrease in the amortization of capitalized interest and property taxes as a percentage of homes sales revenues, resulting from reductions in our interest and property taxes incurred over the year, as well as more closings occurring on acquired finished lots, rather than internally developed lots.
 
Land Sales Revenue
 
Land sales revenues decreased 82% to $7.4 million in 2010, from $40.3 million in 2009. Of the $40.3 million of revenues in fiscal 2009, $26.9 million related to land sale transactions in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 for which recognition of the revenue had been deferred due to the terms of the sale.
 
Inventory Impairments and Land Option Cost Write-offs
 
During fiscal 2010, when we performed our quarterly inventory impairment analyses by reviewing the performance and outlook for all of our communities, the assumptions utilized reflected our expectation of continued challenging conditions and uncertainties in the homebuilding industry and in our markets. As of September 30, 2010, we evaluated communities with a combined carrying value of $409.8 million for impairment. In performing this analysis, we utilized a range of discount rates for communities of 14% to 20%. Through this evaluation process, we determined that communities with a carrying value of $63.1 million as of September 30, 2010, were impaired. As a result, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, we recorded impairment charges of $29.1 million to reduce the carrying value of the impaired communities to their estimated fair value, as compared to $174.9 million in the same period of the prior year. The fourth quarter charges combined with impairment charges recorded earlier in the year resulted in total inventory impairment


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charges of $62.3 million and $377.8 million during fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively. During fiscal 2010, approximately 93% of the impairment charges were recorded to residential land and lots and land held for development, and approximately 7% of the charges were recorded to construction in progress and finished homes inventory, compared to 85% and 15%, respectively, in fiscal 2009.
 
During fiscal 2010 and 2009, we wrote off $2.4 million and $29.9 million, respectively, of earnest money deposits and pre-acquisition costs related to land option contracts. The inventory impairment charges and write-offs of earnest money deposits and pre-acquisition costs reduced total homebuilding gross profit as a percentage of homebuilding revenues by approximately 150 basis points in fiscal 2010, compared to 1,130 basis points in fiscal 2009.
 
Inventory Impairments and Land Option Cost Write-offs
 
                                                 
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,  
    2010     2009  
          Land Option
                         
          Cost
                Land Option
       
    Inventory
    Write-Offs
          Inventory
    Cost
       
    Impairments     (Recoveries)     Total     Impairments     Write-Offs     Total  
                (In millions)              
 
East
  $     9.0     $     (0.4 )   $     8.6     $     54.3     $     10.6     $     64.9  
Midwest
    21.9       0.1       22.0       46.3       8.4       54.7  
Southeast
    17.0       0.5       17.5       36.7       1.3       38.0  
South Central
    13.3       0.7       14.0       17.0       3.0       20.0  
Southwest
    0.6             0.6       36.5       2.9       39.4  
West
    0.5       1.5       2.0       187.0       3.7       190.7  
                                                 
    $ 62.3     $ 2.4     $ 64.7     $ 377.8     $ 29.9     $ 407.7  
                                                 
 
Carrying Values of Communities Evaluated for Impairment
 
                                                 
    At September 30, 2010  
                      Analysis of Communities with Impairment Charges
 
                      Recorded at September 30, 2010  
          Communities Evaluated
          Inventory
       
    Total
    for Impairment           Carrying Value
       
    Number of
    Number of
    Carrying
    Number of
    Prior to
       
    Communities (1)     Communities (1)     Value     Communities (1)     Impairment     Fair Value  
                (Values in millions)              
 
East
        181             7     $   69.9             1     $   4.4     $     2.8  
Midwest
    60       13       94.1       3       11.3       6.4  
Southeast
    308       12       42.7       2       11.8       2.8  
South Central
    324       19       64.1       6       31.0       18.0  
Southwest
    89       8       36.5       1       1.2       0.9  
West
    181       13       102.5       1       3.4       3.1  
                                                 
      1,143       72     $ 409.8       14     $ 63.1     $ 34.0  
                                                 


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Carrying Values of Communities Evaluated for Impairment
 
                                                 
    At September 30, 2009  
                      Analysis of Communities with Impairment Charges
 
                      Recorded at September 30, 2009  
          Communities Evaluated
          Inventory
       
    Total
    for Impairment           Carrying Value
       
    Number of
    Number of
    Carrying
    Number of
    Prior to
       
    Communities (1)     Communities (1)     Value     Communities (1)     Impairment     Fair Value  
                (Values in millions)              
 
East
         129            17     $   157.8             4     $   85.1     $   45.9  
Midwest
    50       19       143.0       7       47.8       32.8  
Southeast
    205       27       97.5       15       40.9       29.8  
South Central
    288       34       110.8       4       17.7       14.2  
Southwest
    75       18       99.7       8       53.0       36.2  
West
    152       46       354.3       20       176.8       87.5  
                                                 
      899       161     $ 963.1       58     $ 421.3     $ 246.4  
                                                 
 
 
(1) A community may consist of land held for development, residential land and lots developed and under development, and construction in progress and finished homes. A particular community often includes inventory in more than one category. Further, a community may contain multiple parcels with varying product types (e.g. entry level and move-up single family detached, as well as attached product types). Some communities have no homes under construction, finished homes, or current home sales efforts or activity.
 
Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expense
 
SG&A expense from homebuilding activities increased slightly to $523.2 million in 2010 from $523.0 million in 2009. As a percentage of homebuilding revenues, SG&A expense decreased 240 basis points, to 12.1% in 2010 from 14.5% in 2009. The largest component of our homebuilding SG&A expense is employee compensation and related costs, which represented 58% and 55% of SG&A costs in 2010 and 2009, respectively. These costs increased by 6%, to $304.0 million in 2010 from $287.2 million in 2009. Our homebuilding operations employed approximately 2,500 and 2,300 employees at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Interest Incurred
 
Comparing fiscal 2010 with fiscal 2009, interest incurred related to homebuilding debt decreased 16% to $173.2 million, primarily due to a 19% decrease in our average homebuilding debt. We expensed $86.3 million of homebuilding interest during fiscal 2010, compared to $100.2 million of interest during fiscal 2009. Interest amortized to cost of sales, excluding interest written off with inventory impairment charges, was 3.4% of total home and land/lot cost of sales in 2010, compared to 3.9% in 2009.
 
Loss/Gain on Early Retirement of Debt
 
We retired $822.2 million principal amount of our senior and senior subordinated notes prior to their maturity during fiscal 2010, compared to $380.3 million in fiscal 2009. Related to the early retirement of these notes, we recognized a net loss of $4.9 million in fiscal 2010 and a net gain of $11.5 million in fiscal 2009. The loss in fiscal 2010 includes a loss of $2.0 million for the call premium and write-off of unamortized fees related to the early redemption of our 5.875% senior notes due 2013. The gain in fiscal 2009 was partially offset by a $7.6 million loss related to the early termination of our revolving credit facility in May 2009.
 
Other Income
 
Other income, net of other expenses, associated with homebuilding activities was $10.4 million in 2010, compared to $12.8 million in 2009. The largest component of other income in both years was interest income.


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Goodwill
 
In performing our annual goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, we determined that our goodwill balance of $15.9 million, all of which relates to our South Central reporting segment, was not impaired.
 
Homebuilding Results by Reporting Region
 
                                                     
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,    
    2010       2009    
          Homebuilding
                  Homebuilding
         
          Income (Loss)
    % of
            Income (Loss)
    % of
   
    Homebuilding
    Before
    Region
      Homebuilding
    Before
    Region
   
    Revenues     Income Taxes (1)     Revenues       Revenues     Income Taxes (1)     Revenues    
                (In millions)                
 
East
  $ 492.3     $ (6.3 )     (1.3 ) %   $ 347.1     $ (95.9 )     (27.6 ) %
Midwest
    331.0       (31.3 )     (9.5 ) %     314.5       (104.9 )     (33.4 ) %
Southeast
    747.6       (7.5 )     (1.0 ) %     570.8       (73.2 )     (12.8 ) %
South Central
    1,383.5       83.4       6.0   %     1,024.6       4.9       0.5   %
Southwest
    329.7       12.0       3.6   %     382.4       (45.8 )     (12.0 ) %
West
    1,025.6       27.8       2.7   %     964.5       (226.4 )     (23.5 ) %
                                                 
    $ 4,309.7     $ 78.1       1.8   %   $ 3,603.9     $ (541.3 )     (15.0 ) %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Expenses maintained at the corporate level consist primarily of interest and property taxes, which are capitalized and amortized to cost of sales or expensed directly, and the expenses related to operating our corporate office. The amortization of capitalized interest and property taxes is allocated to each segment based on the segment’s revenue, while interest expense and those expenses associated with the corporate office are allocated to each segment based on the segment’s inventory balances.
 
East Region — Homebuilding revenues increased 42% in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to an increase in the number of homes closed, with the largest increases occurring in our New Jersey and Carolina markets. The region reported a loss before income taxes of $6.3 million in 2010, compared to a loss of $95.9 million in 2009. The results were due in part to inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs totaling $8.6 million and $64.9 million in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively. The region’s gross profit from home sales as a percentage of home sales revenue (home sales gross profit percentage) increased 390 basis points in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. The increase was a result of a reduction in the construction costs of our homes closed during fiscal 2010. Also, a reduction in the region’s SG&A expenses as a percentage of homebuilding revenues contributed 420 basis points to the region’s improvement in loss before income taxes as a percentage of homebuilding revenues, as the region’s additional closing volume helped leverage these SG&A expenses.
 
Midwest Region — Homebuilding revenues increased 5% in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to increases in the number of homes closed in all of the region’s markets. The region reported a loss before income taxes of $31.3 million in 2010, compared to a loss of $104.9 million in 2009. The results were due in part to inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs totaling $22.0 million and $54.7 million in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively. Substantially all of our fiscal 2010 impairments for this region related to projects in our Chicago market. The region’s home sales gross profit percentage increased 920 basis points in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. The increase was a result of higher margins primarily in our Chicago and Denver markets. The Denver market also benefitted from lower warranty costs on previously closed homes. In fiscal 2010, a reduction in the region’s SG&A expenses as a percentage of homebuilding revenues contributed 280 basis points to the region’s improvement in loss before income taxes as a percentage of homebuilding revenues.
 
Southeast Region — Homebuilding revenues increased 31% in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to an increase in the number of homes closed, with the largest increases occurring in our central Florida and Atlanta markets. The region reported a loss before income taxes of $7.5 million in fiscal 2010 compared to a


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loss of $73.2 million in fiscal 2009. The results were due in part to inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs totaling $17.5 million and $38.0 million in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively. The region’s home sales gross profit percentage increased 460 basis points in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. The increase was a result of higher margins on homes closed in the majority of the region’s markets, led by our south and central Florida markets. The increase in homes sales gross profit percentage was a result of construction costs declining at a faster rate than the decline in average selling price on homes closed during fiscal 2010. Also contributing to the increase in home sales gross profit are our efforts since the beginning of fiscal 2009 to acquire lot positions in new communities and construct and close houses from these new projects. Homes closed on these acquired finished lots were generally yielding higher gross profits than those on land and lots acquired in prior years. In fiscal 2010, a reduction in the region’s SG&A expenses as a percentage of homebuilding revenues contributed 250 basis points to the region’s improvement in income before income taxes as a percentage of homebuilding revenues as the region’s additional closing volume helped leverage these SG&A expenses.
 
South Central Region — Homebuilding revenues increased 35% in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to an increase in the number of homes closed, with the largest increases occurring in our Central Texas, Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth markets. The region reported income before income taxes of $83.4 million in fiscal 2010, compared to income of $4.9 million in fiscal 2009. The improvement was due in large part to the increase in revenue, combined with the region’s home sales gross profit percentage increasing 290 basis points in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009 due to higher margins on homes closed in the majority of the region’s markets. These higher margins were primarily attributable to reductions in construction costs of our homes. Additionally, a decrease in inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs, which were $14.0 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $20.0 million in fiscal 2009, contributed to the region’s increase in income before income taxes.
 
Southwest Region — Homebuilding revenues decreased 14% in 2010 compared to 2009, due to a decrease in the number of homes closed and in the average selling price of those homes. The decreases in revenues and homes closed were due to continuing weakness in the Phoenix market. The region reported income before income taxes of $12.0 million in 2010, compared to a loss before income taxes of $45.8 million in 2009. The loss in 2009 was due in large part to inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs totaling $39.4 million. The region’s home sales gross profit percentage increased 330 basis points in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. The increase was a result of the average cost of the region’s homes declining by more than the average selling prices, driven in large part by reductions in home construction costs. In addition, the increase in home sales gross profit is partially due to our recent efforts to acquire lot positions in new communities and construct and close houses from these projects. In fiscal 2010, a reduction in the region’s SG&A expenses, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of homebuilding revenues, also contributed to the improvement in income before income taxes.
 
West Region — Homebuilding revenues increased 6% in 2010 compared to 2009, due to an increase in the number of homes closed, which was partially offset by a decrease in the average selling price of those homes. The largest increases in homes closed occurred in our Seattle and Southern California markets. The region reported income before income taxes of $27.8 million in 2010, compared to a loss before income taxes of $226.4 million in 2009. The loss in 2009 was due in large part to inventory impairment charges and earnest money and pre-acquisition cost write-offs totaling $190.7 million, compared to $2.0 million in 2010. The region’s home sales gross profit percentage increased 400 basis points in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. The increase was a result of higher margins on homes closed in the majority of the region’s markets, driven in large part by reductions in home construction costs. In fiscal 2010, a reduction in the region’s SG&A expenses as a percentage of homebuilding revenues contributed 260 basis points to the region’s improvement in income before income taxes as a percentage of homebuilding revenues, as a result of absolute reductions in SG&A expenses, as well as the additional revenue providing more leverage against these costs.


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Results of Operations — Financial Services
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010
 
The following tables set forth key operating and financial data for our financial services operations, comprising DHI Mortgage and our subsidiary title companies, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:
 
                         
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
    2011   2010   % Change
 
Number of first-lien loans originated or brokered by
DHI Mortgage for D.R. Horton homebuyers
    10,262       12,679       (19 )%
Number of homes closed by D.R. Horton
    16,695       20,875       (20 )%
DHI Mortgage capture rate
    61%       61%          
Number of total loans originated or brokered by
DHI Mortgage for D.R. Horton homebuyers
    10,343       12,754       (19 )%
Total number of loans originated or brokered by DHI Mortgage
    12,118       14,146       (14 )%
Captive business percentage
    85%       90%          
Loans sold by DHI Mortgage to third parties
    11,888       14,001       (15 )%
 
                         
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
    2011   2010   % Change
        (In millions)    
 
Loan origination fees
  $ 18.3     $ 17.7       3 %
Sale of servicing rights and gains from sale of mortgages
    53.2       59.6       (11 )%
Recourse expense
    (11.6 )     (13.7 )     (15 )%
                         
Sale of servicing rights and gains from sale of mortgages, net
    41.6       45.9       (9 )%
Other revenues
    9.2       6.8       35 %
Reinsurance expense
    (1.8 )     (1.9 )     (5 )%
                         
Other revenues, net
    7.4       4.9       51 %
                         
Total mortgage operations revenues
    67.3       68.5       (2 )%
Title policy premiums, net
    19.9       22.0       (10 )%
                         
Total revenues
    87.2       90.5       (4 )%
General and administrative expense
    76.3       77.2       (1 )%
Interest expense
    1.4       1.9       (26 )%
Interest and other (income)
    (9.6 )     (10.0 )     (4 )%
                         
Income before income taxes
  $ 19.1     $ 21.4       (11 )%
                         
 
Financial Services Operating Margin Analysis
 
                     
    Percentages of
    Financial Services Revenues (1)
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
    2011   2010
 
Recourse and reinsurance expense
    13.3   %     14.7   %
General and administrative expense
    75.8   %     72.8   %
Interest expense
    1.4   %     1.8   %
Interest and other (income)
    (9.5 ) %     (9.4 ) %
Income before income taxes
    19.0   %     20.2   %
 
 
(1) Excludes the effects of recourse and reinsurance charges on financial services revenues


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Mortgage Loan Activity
 
The volume of loans originated and brokered by our mortgage operations is directly related to the number of homes closed by our homebuilding operations. Total first-lien loans originated or brokered by DHI Mortgage for our homebuyers decreased by 19% in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010, corresponding to the 20% decrease in the number of homes closed. Our mortgage capture rate (the percentage of total home closings by our homebuilding operations for which DHI Mortgage handled the homebuyers’ financing) was 61% in both years.
 
Home closings from our homebuilding operations constituted 85% of DHI Mortgage loan originations in 2011, compared to 90% in 2010, reflecting DHI Mortgage’s continued focus on supporting the captive business provided by our homebuilding operations. The relatively lower captive percentage in the current year reflects a higher level of refinancing and new mortgage loan originations from non-homebuilding sources than in the prior year.
 
The number of loans sold to third-party purchasers decreased by 15% in 2011 compared to 2010, consistent with the decrease in the number of loans originated of 14% between the years. Virtually all of the mortgage loans originated during fiscal 2011 and mortgage loans held for sale on September 30, 2011 were eligible for sale to the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) or Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Approximately 89% of the mortgage loans sold by DHI Mortgage during fiscal 2011 were sold to two major financial institutions pursuant to their loan purchase agreements. Late in fiscal 2011, one of these financial institutions announced their intention to exit their correspondent lending business and will no longer purchase loans from us beyond December 2011. We have been negotiating with other institutions to establish new loan purchase agreements. With the combination of selling to potential new purchasers and increasing sales volumes to our existing purchasers, we expect to be able to continue to originate and sell mortgage loans at our current volumes. If we are unable to sell our mortgages to these or other purchasers, our ability to originate and sell mortgage loans could be significantly reduced and the profitability of our financial services operations would be negatively impacted.
 
Financial Services Revenues and Expenses
 
Revenues from the financial services segment decreased 4% overall, to $87.2 million in 2011 from $90.5 million in 2010. Revenues from the sale of servicing rights and gains from sale of mortgages decreased 11% as a result of a 15% decrease in the volume of loans sold. Loan origination fees increased 3%, despite a 14% decrease in loans originated, due to small changes in pricing structure implemented during the current year.
 
Charges related to recourse obligations decreased 15%, to $11.6 million in fiscal 2011 from $13.7 million in fiscal 2010. The calculation of our required repurchase loss reserve is based upon an analysis of repurchase requests received, our actual repurchases and losses through the disposition of such loans or requests, discussions with our mortgage purchasers and analysis of the mortgages we originated. While we believe that we have adequately reserved for losses on known and projected repurchase requests, if either actual repurchases or the losses incurred resolving those repurchases exceed our expectations, additional recourse expense may be incurred. Additionally, a subsidiary of ours reinsured a portion of the private mortgage insurance written on loans originated by DHI Mortgage in prior years. Charges to increase reserves for expected losses on the reinsured loans were $1.8 million and $1.9 million during fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Financial services general and administrative (G&A) expense was $76.3 million in 2011, decreasing slightly from $77.2 million in 2010. As a percentage of financial services revenues (excluding the effects of recourse and reinsurance expense), G&A expense increased to 75.8% in 2011, from 72.8% in 2010. The increase was due to the reduction in revenues resulting from the decrease in mortgage loan volume compared to the prior year. Fluctuations in financial services G&A expense as a percentage of revenues can be expected to occur as some expenses are not directly related to mortgage loan volume or to changes in the amount of revenue earned.


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Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
The following tables set forth key operating and financial data for our financial services operations, comprising DHI Mortgage and our subsidiary title companies, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:
 
                         
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,  
    2010     2009     % Change  
 
Number of first-lien loans originated or brokered by
DHI Mortgage for D.R. Horton homebuyers
    12,679       11,147       14 %
Number of homes closed by D.R. Horton
    20,875       16,703       25 %
DHI Mortgage capture rate
    61%       67%          
Number of total loans originated or brokered by
DHI Mortgage for D.R. Horton homebuyers
    12,754       11,245       13 %
Total number of loans originated or brokered by DHI Mortgage
    14,146       13,481       5 %
Captive business percentage
    90%       83%          
Loans sold by DHI Mortgage to third parties
    14,001       13,991       %
 
                           
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,    
    2010     2009     % Change    
          (In millions)          
 
Loan origination fees
  $ 17.7     $ 18.6       (5 ) %
Sale of servicing rights and gains from sale of mortgages
    59.6       56.8       5   %
Recourse expense
    (13.7 )     (33.2 )     (59 ) %
                         
Sale of servicing rights and gains from sale of mortgages, net
    45.9       23.6       94   %
Other revenues
    6.8       8.3       (18 ) %
Reinsurance expense
    (1.9 )     (14.9 )     (87 ) %
                         
Other revenues, net
    4.9       (6.6 )     174   %
                         
Total mortgage operations revenues
    68.5       35.6       92   %
Title policy premiums, net
    22.0       18.1       22   %
                         
Total revenues
    90.5       53.7       69   %
General and administrative expense
    77.2       78.1       (1 ) %
Interest expense
    1.9       1.5       27   %
Interest and other (income)
    (10.0 )     (10.4 )     (4 ) %
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ 21.4     $ (15.5 )     238   %
                         
 
Financial Services Operating Margin Analysis
 
                     
    Percentages of
    Financial Services Revenues (1)
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
    2010   2009
 
Recourse and reinsurance expense
    14.7   %     47.2   %
General and administrative expense
    72.8   %     76.7   %
Interest expense
    1.8   %     1.5   %
Interest and other (income)
    (9.4 ) %     (10.2 ) %
Income (loss) before income taxes
    20.2   %     (15.2 ) %
 
 
(1) Excludes the effects of recourse and reinsurance charges on financial services revenues


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Mortgage Loan Activity
 
Total first-lien loans originated or brokered by DHI Mortgage for our homebuyers increased by 14% in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009, corresponding to the 25% increase in the number of homes closed. The percentage increase in loans originated was lower than the percentage increase in the number of homes closed by our homebuilding operations due to a decrease in our mortgage capture rate to 61% in 2010, from 67% in 2009.
 
Home closings from our homebuilding operations constituted 90% of DHI Mortgage loan originations in 2010, compared to 83% in 2009, reflecting DHI Mortgage’s continued focus on supporting the captive business provided by our homebuilding operations. The relatively higher captive percentage in 2010 reflects a lower level of refinancing activity than in 2009.
 
The number of loans sold to third-party purchasers was virtually the same in 2010 as compared to 2009, while the number of loans originated increased by 5%. Virtually all of the mortgage loans originated during fiscal 2010 and mortgage loans held for sale on September 30, 2010 were Agency-eligible. Approximately 86% of the mortgage loans sold by DHI Mortgage during fiscal 2010 were sold to two major financial institutions pursuant to their loan purchase agreements.
 
Financial Services Revenues and Expenses
 
Revenues from the financial services segment increased 69%, to $90.5 million in 2010 from $53.7 million in 2009. Loan origination fees decreased 5%, to $17.7 million in 2010 from $18.6 million in 2009, while the number of loans originated increased 5% during the same period. Loan origination fees recorded in fiscal 2009 benefitted from the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) authoritative guidance for fair value measurements of certain financial instruments, which resulted in the recognition of $2.4 million of loan origination fees and $5.0 million of general and administrative (G&A) costs related to prior period loan originations. Revenues from the sale of servicing rights and gains from sale of mortgages increased 5%, to $59.6 million in 2010, from $56.8 million in 2009. Charges related to recourse obligations were $13.7 million in fiscal 2010, compared to $33.2 million in fiscal 2009. Also, a subsidiary of ours reinsured a portion of private mortgage insurance written on loans originated by DHI Mortgage in prior years. Charges to increase reserves for expected losses on the reinsured loans were $1.9 million and $14.9 million during fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Financial services G&A expense decreased 1%, to $77.2 million in 2010 from $78.1 million in 2009, but increased 6% when excluding $5.0 million of compensation costs recognized in fiscal 2009 upon the adoption of the FASB’s authoritative guidance for fair value measurements as discussed above. The largest component of our financial services G&A expense is employee compensation and related costs, which represented 78% and 75% of G&A costs in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Excluding the $5.0 million adjustment discussed above, these costs increased 14%, to $60.5 million in 2010 from $53.3 million in 2009. The increase in the current year relates to an increase in the number of financial services employees to approximately 700 at September 30, 2010, from 600 at September 30, 2009 to support our increased volume and more stringent mortgage purchaser underwriting guidelines.
 
As a percentage of financial services revenues, excluding the effects of recourse and reinsurance expense, G&A expense decreased to 72.8% in 2010, from 76.7% in 2009. The decrease was primarily due to the adoption in 2009 of the FASB’s authoritative guidance for fair value measurements of certain financial instruments as discussed above, partially offset by additional costs incurred to support more stringent mortgage purchaser underwriting guidelines.


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Results of Operations — Consolidated
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010
 
Income before Income Taxes
 
Income before income taxes for fiscal 2011 was $12.1 million, compared to $99.5 million for fiscal 2010. The difference in our operating results for 2011 compared to a year ago is primarily due to a lower volume of homes closed which resulted in lower revenues.
 
Income Taxes
 
In fiscal 2011, our income tax benefit was $59.7 million, compared to a benefit of $145.6 million in 2010. The income tax benefit in fiscal 2011 was due to the reduction of our accrual for unrecognized tax benefits and corresponding interest by $61.4 million, partially offset by an accrual for state income taxes of $1.7 million. In fiscal 2010, a tax law change regarding net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks resulted in an income tax benefit of $208.3 million, which was partially offset by an increase in unrecognized tax benefits and state income tax expense. We do not have meaningful effective tax rates in these years because our net deferred tax assets are offset fully by a valuation allowance.
 
We had income taxes receivable of $12.4 million and $16.0 million at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The income taxes receivable at September 30, 2011 relates to federal tax refunds we expect to receive.
 
At September 30, 2011, we had federal NOL carryforwards of $436.2 million that expire in fiscal 2030 and 2031. Also at September 30, 2011, we had tax benefits for state NOL carryforwards of $88.7 million that expire (beginning at various times depending on the tax jurisdiction) from fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2031. At September 30, 2011, we had federal tax credit carryforwards of $3.2 million that expire in fiscal years 2029 through 2031.
 
At September 30, 2011 and 2010, we had net deferred tax assets of $848.5 million and $902.6 million, respectively, offset by valuation allowances of $848.5 million and $902.6 million, respectively. The realization of our deferred tax assets ultimately depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income in future periods. We continue to analyze the positive and negative evidence in determining the need for a valuation allowance with respect to our deferred tax assets on a jurisdictional basis. A significant part of the negative evidence we consider comes from our continued three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position, which was $445 million at the end of fiscal 2011. Currently, this loss is largely the result of pre-tax losses incurred in fiscal 2009. The valuation allowance could be reduced in future periods when we are no longer in a three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position and if there is sufficient evidence to support a conclusion that it is not needed for some portion or all of our deferred tax assets. Realization of a significant portion of our deferred tax assets for state NOL carryforwards is more unlikely than the remaining deferred tax assets due to the need to generate a substantially higher level of taxable income prior to the expirations of the various state carryforward periods which expire sooner than our federal NOL carryforwards. The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon estimates of future results. Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future results could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.
 
Unrecognized tax benefits are the differences between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefits recognized for accounting purposes. At September 30, 2011 and 2010, all tax positions, if recognized, would affect our annual effective tax rate. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $16.3 million and $65.0 million as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulted from us receiving a favorable result from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on a ruling request concerning the capitalization of inventory costs and a reduction in our accrual for state income tax issues.


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We classify interest expense and penalties on income taxes as income tax expense. During fiscal 2011 and 2010, we recognized interest expense (benefit) related to unrecognized tax benefits of ($12.7) million and $11.6 million, respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations. At September 30, 2011 and 2010, our total accrued interest expense relating to unrecognized tax benefits was $5.1 million and $17.8 million, respectively, and there were no accrued penalties. As a result of our full valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets, all accrued interest expense would affect our annual effective tax rate if the associated tax positions were recognized.
 
A reduction of $2.5 million in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest with respect to state issues is reasonably possible within the next 12 months and would result in an income tax benefit in our consolidated statement of operations.
 
We are subject to federal income tax and to income tax in multiple states. The statute of limitations for our major tax jurisdictions remains open for examination for fiscal years 2004 through 2011. We are currently being audited by the IRS for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, and by various states. Our federal NOL refunds from fiscal 2008 and 2009 are subject to Congressional Joint Committee review.
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
 
Income before income taxes for fiscal 2010 was $99.5 million, compared to a loss before income taxes of $556.8 million for fiscal 2009. The difference in our operating results for 2010 compared to 2009 is primarily due to increased revenue from the higher volume of homes closed, a higher gross profit from home sales revenues and lower inventory impairment charges.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income tax benefit in fiscal 2010 was $145.6 million, compared to a benefit of $7.0 million in 2009. A tax law change enacted during fiscal 2010 allowed us to carry back our fiscal 2009 NOL five years. This resulted in a benefit from income taxes of $208.3 million during fiscal 2010, which was partially offset by an increase in unrecognized tax benefits and state income tax expense. We do not have meaningful effective tax rates in these years because of the valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets.
 
We had income taxes receivable of $16.0 million and $293.1 million at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to federal and state NOL carrybacks and amended returns. At September 30, 2010 and 2009, we had net deferred income tax assets of $902.6 million and $1,073.9 million, respectively, offset by valuation allowances of $902.6 million and $1,073.9 million, respectively.
 
Overview of Capital Resources and Liquidity
 
We have historically funded our homebuilding and financial services operations with cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under bank credit facilities and the issuance of new debt securities. During the past few years, we have generated cash flows through reductions in assets, as well as through profitable operations. Our cash generation has also benefitted from income tax refunds. The generation of cash flow has allowed us to increase our liquidity and strengthen our balance sheet, providing us with the operational flexibility to invest in market opportunities as they arise and adjust to future homebuilding market conditions and our expectations for these conditions. We intend to maintain adequate liquidity and balance sheet strength, and we will continue to evaluate opportunities to access the capital markets as they become available.
 
At September 30, 2011, our ratio of net homebuilding debt to total capital was 18.0%, an increase of 190 basis points from 16.1% at September 30, 2010. Net homebuilding debt to total capital consists of homebuilding notes payable net of cash and marketable securities divided by total capital net of cash and marketable securities (homebuilding notes payable net of cash and marketable securities plus total equity). The increase in our ratio of net homebuilding debt to total capital at September 30, 2011 as compared to the ratio a year earlier was due to a decrease in cash, the effect of which was largely offset by a reduction in our debt balance. While the challenging conditions persist in the homebuilding industry, we intend to maintain a ratio


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of net homebuilding debt to total capital below our historic target operating range of 45%. However, future period-end net homebuilding debt to total capital ratios may be higher than the 18.0% ratio achieved at September 30, 2011.
 
We believe that the ratio of net homebuilding debt to total capital is useful in understanding the leverage employed in our homebuilding operations and comparing us with other homebuilders. We exclude the debt of our financial services business because it is separately capitalized and its obligation under its repurchase agreement is substantially collateralized and not guaranteed by our parent company or any of our homebuilding entities. Because of its capital function, we include our homebuilding cash and marketable securities as a reduction of our homebuilding debt and total capital. For comparison to our ratios of net homebuilding debt to capital above, at September 30, 2011 and 2010, our ratios of homebuilding debt to total capital, without netting cash and marketable securities balances, were 37.7% and 44.3%, respectively.
 
We believe that we will be able to fund our near-term working capital needs and debt obligations from existing cash resources and our mortgage repurchase facility. For our longer-term capital requirements, we will evaluate the need to issue new debt or equity securities through the public capital markets or obtain additional bank financing as market conditions may permit.
 
Homebuilding Capital Resources
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents — At September 30, 2011, we had available homebuilding cash and cash equivalents of $715.5 million.
 
Marketable Securities — At September 30, 2011, we had marketable securities of $297.6 million. Our marketable securities consist of U.S. Treasury securities, government agency securities, corporate debt securities and certificates of deposit.
 
Secured Letter of Credit Agreements — We have secured letter of credit agreements which require us to deposit cash, in an amount approximating the balance of letters of credit outstanding, as collateral with the issuing banks. At September 30, 2011 and 2010, the amount of cash restricted for this purpose totaled $47.5 million and $52.6 million, respectively, and is included in homebuilding restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets.
 
Public Unsecured Debt — The indentures governing our senior notes impose restrictions on the creation of secured debt and liens. At September 30, 2011, we were in compliance with all of the limitations and restrictions that form a part of the public debt obligations.
 
Shelf Registration Statement — We have an automatically effective universal shelf registration statement filed with the SEC in September 2009, registering debt and equity securities which we may issue from time to time in amounts to be determined.
 
Financial Services Capital Resources
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents — At September 30, 2011, the amount of financial services cash and cash equivalents was $17.1 million.
 
Mortgage Repurchase Facility — Our mortgage subsidiary, DHI Mortgage, has a mortgage repurchase facility that is accounted for as a secured financing. The mortgage repurchase facility provides financing and liquidity to DHI Mortgage by facilitating purchase transactions in which DHI Mortgage transfers eligible loans to the counterparties against the transfer of funds by the counterparties, thereby becoming purchased loans. DHI Mortgage then has the right and obligation to repurchase the purchased loans upon their sale to third-party purchasers in the secondary market or within specified time frames from 45 to 120 days in accordance with the terms of the mortgage repurchase facility. The total capacity of the facility was $150 million for the period from June 29, 2011 through October 20, 2011, after which time it was reduced to $100 million. The maturity date of the facility is March 4, 2012.
 
As of September 30, 2011, $251.5 million of mortgage loans held for sale were pledged under the mortgage repurchase facility. These mortgage loans had a collateral value of $236.3 million. DHI Mortgage


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has the option to fund a portion of its repurchase obligations in advance. As a result of advance paydowns totaling $119.8 million, DHI Mortgage had an obligation of $116.5 million outstanding under the mortgage repurchase facility at September 30, 2011 at a 3.8% annual interest rate.
 
The mortgage repurchase facility is not guaranteed by either D.R. Horton, Inc. or any of the subsidiaries that guarantee our homebuilding debt. The facility contains financial covenants as to the mortgage subsidiary’s minimum required tangible net worth, its maximum allowable ratio of debt to tangible net worth and its minimum required liquidity. These covenants are measured and reported monthly. At September 30, 2011, DHI Mortgage was in compliance with all of the conditions and covenants of the mortgage repurchase facility.
 
In the past, our mortgage subsidiary has been able to renew or extend its mortgage credit facility on satisfactory terms prior to its maturity, and obtain temporary additional commitments through amendments to the credit agreement during periods of higher than normal volumes of mortgages held for sale. The liquidity of our financial services business depends upon its continued ability to renew and extend the mortgage repurchase facility or to obtain other additional financing in sufficient capacities.
 
Operating Cash Flow Activities
 
During fiscal 2011, net cash provided by our operating activities was $14.9 million, compared to $709.4 million during fiscal 2010. During the prior year, a significant portion of the net cash provided by our operating activities was due to federal income tax refunds and the profit we generated during the year. The net cash provided by our operating activities during the past few years has resulted in substantial liquidity. This liquidity gives us the flexibility to determine the appropriate operating strategy for each of our communities and to take advantage of opportunities in the market. We have limited our purchases of undeveloped land and our development spending on land we own to generally smaller projects or phases which yield finished lot quantities in line with expected near-term home production. Additionally, we are purchasing or contracting to purchase finished lots in many markets to potentially increase sales and home closing volumes and return to sustainable profitability. Depending upon future homebuilding market conditions and our expectations for these conditions, we may use a portion of our cash balances to increase our inventories.
 
Investing Cash Flow Activities
 
During fiscal 2011, net cash used in our investing activities was $19.3 million, compared to $318.0 million in 2010. During the current year, $300.1 million was used to purchase marketable securities, and proceeds from the sale or maturity of securities during the year totaled $292.5 million. In the prior year, $328.0 million was used to purchase marketable securities, and proceeds from the sale of securities totaled $27.7 million. Additionally, in fiscal 2011 and 2010 we used $16.3 million and $19.2 million, respectively, to invest in purchases of property and equipment, primarily model home furniture and office equipment. These purchases are generally not significant relative to our total assets or cash flows. Also affecting our investing cash flows are changes in restricted cash, which decreased $4.6 million and $1.5 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. Changes in restricted cash are primarily due to fluctuations in the balance of our outstanding letters of credit.
 
Financing Cash Flow Activities
 
During the last three years, most of our short-term financing needs have been funded with cash generated from operations and borrowings available under our financial services credit facility. Long-term financing needs of our homebuilding operations have historically been funded with the issuance of senior unsecured debt securities through the public capital markets. During fiscal 2011, we repaid, through maturities, redemptions and repurchases, a total of $495.4 million principal amount of various issues of senior notes for an aggregate purchase price of $505.3 million, plus accrued interest. During fiscal 2010, we repaid, through maturities, redemptions and repurchases, a total of $1,016.3 million principal amount of various issues of senior notes for an aggregate purchase price of $1,018.2 million, plus accrued interest. During fiscal 2011, we also used cash for the repurchase of our common stock as discussed below.


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Consistent with dividends paid in fiscal 2009 and 2010, our Board of Directors approved four quarterly cash dividends of $0.0375 per common share during fiscal 2011. The last of these was paid on August 24, 2011 to stockholders of record on August 12, 2011. On November 10, 2011, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.0375 per common share, payable on December 13, 2011, to stockholders of record on December 2, 2011. The declaration of future cash dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, future earnings, cash flows, capital requirements, our financial condition and general business conditions.
 
Changes in Capital Structure
 
On August 1, 2011, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of debt securities and $100 million of our common stock effective through July 31, 2012. At September 30, 2011, $422.9 million of the debt authorization was remaining and all of the common stock authorization was remaining.
 
In October 2011, through unsolicited transactions, we repurchased $10.8 million principal amount of our 6.5% senior notes due 2016, which further reduced the debt repurchase authorization.
 
During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, we repurchased 3,544,838 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $38.6 million.
 
In recent years, our primary non-operating use of available capital has been to repay debt, and in fiscal 2011 we also made limited stock repurchases at prices we believe to be attractive. We continue to evaluate our alternatives for future non-operating sources and uses of our available capital, including debt repayments, dividend payments or common stock repurchases, while considering the overall level of our cash balances within the constraints of our balance sheet leverage targets and our liquidity targets.
 
Contractual Cash Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
Our primary contractual cash obligations for our homebuilding and financial services segments are payments under our debt agreements and lease payments under operating leases. Purchase obligations of our homebuilding segment represent specific performance requirements under lot option purchase agreements that may require us to purchase land contingent upon the land seller meeting certain obligations. We expect to fund our contractual obligations in the ordinary course of business through a combination of our existing cash resources, cash flows generated from operations, renewed or amended mortgage repurchase facilities and, if needed or believed advantageous, the issuance of new debt or equity securities through the public capital markets as market conditions may permit.


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Our future cash requirements for contractual obligations as of September 30, 2011 are presented below:
 
                                         
    Payments Due by Period  
          Less Than
                More Than
 
    Total     1 Year     1 - 3 Years     3 - 5 Years     5 Years  
    (In millions)  
 
Homebuilding:
                                       
Notes Payable — Principal (1)
  $ 1,672.7     $ 5.8     $ 955.5     $ 711.4     $  
Notes Payable — Interest (1)
    271.0       81.7       135.4       53.9        
Operating Leases
    28.6       12.4       13.8       2.4        
Purchase Obligations
    8.2       7.1       1.1              
                                         
Totals
  $ 1,980.5     $ 107.0     $ 1,105.8     $ 767.7     $  
                                         
Financial Services:
                                       
Notes Payable — Principal (2)
  $ 116.5     $ 116.5     $     $     $  
Notes Payable — Interest (2)
    4.4       4.4                    
Operating Leases
    1.4       0.9       0.4       0.1        
                                         
Totals
  $ 122.3     $ 121.8     $ 0.4     $ 0.1     $  
                                         
 
 
(1) Homebuilding notes payable represent principal and interest payments due on our senior, convertible senior and secured notes.
 
(2) Financial services notes payable represent principal and interest payments due on our mortgage subsidiary’s repurchase facility. The interest obligation associated with this variable rate facility is based on its annual effective rate of 3.8% and principal balance outstanding at September 30, 2011.
 
At September 30, 2011, our homebuilding operations had outstanding letters of credit of $46.9 million, all of which were cash collateralized, and surety bonds of $689.2 million, issued by third parties, to secure performance under various contracts. We expect that our performance obligations secured by these letters of credit and bonds will generally be completed in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable contractual terms. When we complete our performance obligations, the related letters of credit and bonds are generally released shortly thereafter, leaving us with no continuing obligations. We have no material third-party guarantees.
 
Our mortgage subsidiary enters into various commitments related to the lending activities of our mortgage operations. Further discussion of these commitments is provided in Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” under Part II of this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
We enter into land and lot option purchase contracts to acquire land or lots for the construction of homes. Lot option contracts enable us to control significant lot positions with limited capital investment and substantially reduce the risks associated with land ownership and development. Within the land and lot option purchase contracts at September 30, 2011, there were a limited number of contracts, representing $8.2 million of remaining purchase price, subject to specific performance clauses which may require us to purchase the land or lots upon the land sellers meeting their obligations. Further discussion of our land option contracts is provided in the “Land and Lot Position and Homes in Inventory” section included herein.
 
Seasonality
 
We have typically experienced seasonal variations in our quarterly operating results and capital requirements. Prior to the current downturn in the homebuilding industry, we generally had more homes under construction, closed more homes and had greater revenues and operating income in the third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year. This seasonal activity increased our working capital requirements for our homebuilding operations during the third and fourth fiscal quarters and increased our funding requirements for the mortgages we originated in our financial services segment at the end of these quarters. As a result of seasonal activity, our quarterly results of operations and financial position at the end of a particular fiscal quarter are not necessarily representative of the balance of our fiscal year.


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Although the weakness in homebuilding market conditions mitigated our historical seasonal variations in recent years, our home closings and income before income taxes were higher in the second half of fiscal 2011 than in the first half of the year. However, given the current uncertain outlook for market conditions we can make no assurances as to whether this pattern will continue beyond the current fiscal year.
 
Inflation
 
We may be adversely affected during periods of high inflation, primarily because of higher land, financing, labor and material construction costs. In addition, higher mortgage interest rates significantly affect the affordability of permanent mortgage financing to prospective homebuyers. We attempt to pass through to our customers any increases in our costs through increased sales prices. However, during periods of soft housing market conditions, we may not be able to offset our cost increases with higher selling prices.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
Some of the statements contained in this report, as well as in other materials we have filed or will file with the SEC, statements made by us in periodic press releases and oral statements we make to analysts, stockholders and the press in the course of presentations about us, may be construed as “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. These forward-looking statements typically include the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “consider,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “predict,” “projection,” “seek,” “strategy,” “target,” “will” or other words of similar meaning. Any or all of the forward-looking statements included in this report and in any other of our reports or public statements may not approximate actual experience, and the expectations derived from them may not be realized, due to risks, uncertainties and other factors. As a result, actual results may differ materially from the expectations or results we discuss in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to:
 
  •  the continuing downturn in the homebuilding industry, including further deterioration in industry or broader economic conditions;
 
  •  the continuing constriction of the credit markets, which could limit our ability to access capital and increase our costs of capital;
 
  •  the reduction in availability of mortgage financing, increases in mortgage interest rates and the effects of government programs;
 
  •  the limited success of our strategies in responding to adverse conditions in the industry;
 
  •  the impact of an inflationary or deflationary environment;
 
  •  changes in general economic, real estate and other business conditions;
 
  •  the risks associated with our inventory ownership position in changing market conditions;
 
  •  supply risks for land, materials and labor;
 
  •  changes in the costs of owning a home;
 
  •  the effects of governmental regulations and environmental matters on our homebuilding operations;
 
  •  the effects of governmental regulation on our financial services operations;
 
  •  the uncertainties inherent in home warranty and construction defect claims matters;
 
  •  our substantial debt and our ability to comply with related debt covenants, restrictions and limitations;
 
  •  competitive conditions within our industry;
 
  •  our ability to effect any future growth strategies successfully;
 
  •  our ability to realize our deferred income tax asset; and
 
  •  our ability to utilize our tax losses, which could be substantially limited if we experienced an ownership change as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.


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We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, any further disclosures made on related subjects in subsequent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K should be consulted. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance and risk factors that have the potential to affect us is contained in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” under Part I of this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
General — A comprehensive enumeration of the significant accounting policies of D.R. Horton, Inc. and subsidiaries is presented in Note A to the accompanying financial statements as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Each of our accounting policies has been chosen based upon current authoritative literature that collectively comprises U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). In instances where alternative methods of accounting are permissible under GAAP, we have chosen the method that most appropriately reflects the nature of our business, the results of our operations and our financial condition, and have consistently applied those methods over each of the periods presented in the financial statements. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has reviewed and approved the accounting policies selected.
 
Revenue Recognition — We generally recognize homebuilding revenue and related profit at the time of the closing of a sale, when title to and possession of the property are transferred to the buyer. In situations where the buyer’s financing is originated by DHI Mortgage, our wholly-owned mortgage subsidiary, and the buyer has not made an adequate initial or continuing investment, the profit is deferred until the sale of the related mortgage loan to a third-party purchaser has been completed. Any profit on land sales is deferred until the full accrual method criteria are met. We include proceeds from home closings held for our benefit at title companies in homebuilding cash. When we execute sales contracts with our homebuyers, or when we require advance payment from homebuyers for custom changes, upgrades or options related to their homes, we record the cash deposits received as liabilities until the homes are closed or the contracts are canceled. We either retain or refund to the homebuyer deposits on canceled sales contracts, depending upon the applicable provisions of the contract or other circumstances.
 
We recognize financial services revenues associated with our title operations as closing services are rendered and title insurance policies are issued, both of which generally occur simultaneously as each home is closed. We transfer substantially all underwriting risk associated with title insurance policies to third-party insurers. We typically elect the fair value option for our mortgage loan originations. Mortgage loans held for sale are initially recorded at fair value based on either sale commitments or current market quotes and are adjusted for subsequent changes in fair value until the loan is sold. Net origination costs and fees associated with mortgage loans are recognized at the time of origination. The expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of a loan are included in the measurement of all written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings at the time of commitment. We generally do not retain or service originated mortgages; rather, we seek to sell the mortgages and related servicing rights to third-party purchasers. Interest income is earned from the date a mortgage loan is originated until the loan is sold.
 
Some mortgage loans are sold with limited recourse provisions. Based on historical experience, discussions with our mortgage purchasers, analysis of the mortgages we originated and current housing and credit market conditions, we estimate and record a loss reserve for mortgage loans held in portfolio and mortgage loans held for sale, as well as known and projected mortgage loan repurchase requests. A 20% or 40% increase in the amount of expected mortgage loan repurchases and expected losses on mortgage loan repurchases would result in an increase of approximately $3.8 million or $8.2 million, respectively, in our reserve for expected mortgage loan repurchases.
 
Marketable Securities — We invest a portion of our cash on hand by purchasing marketable securities with maturities in excess of three months. We consider our investment portfolio to be available-for-sale. Accordingly, these investments are recorded at fair value. At the end of a reporting period, unrealized gains and losses on these investments, net of tax, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on


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the consolidated balance sheet. Gains and losses realized upon the sale of marketable securities are determined by specific identification and are included in homebuilding other income.
 
Inventories and Cost of Sales — Inventory includes the costs of direct land acquisition, land development and home construction, capitalized interest, real estate taxes and direct overhead costs incurred during development and home construction. Costs that we incur after development projects or homes are substantially complete, such as utilities, maintenance, and cleaning, are charged to SG&A expense as incurred. All indirect overhead costs, such as compensation of sales personnel, division and region management, and the costs of advertising and builder’s risk insurance are charged to SG&A expense as incurred.
 
Land and development costs are typically allocated to individual residential lots on a pro-rata basis, and the costs of residential lots are transferred to construction in progress when home construction begins. We use the specific identification method for the purpose of accumulating home construction costs. Cost of sales for homes closed includes the specific construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, land development and related costs (both incurred and estimated to be incurred) based upon the total number of homes expected to be closed in each community. Any changes to the estimated total development costs subsequent to the initial home closings in a community are allocated on a pro-rata basis to the homes in the community benefiting from the relevant development activity, which generally relates to the remaining homes in the community.
 
When a home is closed, we generally have not paid all incurred costs necessary to complete the home. We record as a liability and as a charge to cost of sales the amount we determine will ultimately be paid related to completed homes that have been closed. We compare our home construction budgets to actual recorded costs to determine the additional costs remaining to be paid on each closed home. We monitor the accrual by comparing actual costs incurred on closed homes in subsequent months to the amount previously accrued. Although actual costs to be paid in the future on previously closed homes could differ from our current accruals, differences in amounts historically have not been significant.
 
Each quarter, we review our inventory to determine whether recorded costs and any estimated costs required to complete each home or community are recoverable. If the review indicates that an impairment loss is required, an estimate of the loss is made and recorded to cost of sales in that quarter.
 
Land inventory and related communities under development are reviewed for potential write-downs when impairment indicators are present. We generally review our inventory at the community level and the inventory within each community is categorized as land held for development, residential land and lots developed and under development, and/or construction in progress and finished homes, based on the stage of production or plans for future development. A particular community often includes inventory in more than one category. In certain situations, inventory may be analyzed separately for impairment purposes based on its product type (e.g. single family homes evaluated separately from condominium parcels). In reviewing each of our communities, we determine if impairment indicators exist on inventory held and used by analyzing a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the following:
 
  •  gross margins on homes closed in recent months;
 
  •  projected gross margins on homes sold but not closed;
 
  •  projected gross margins based on community budgets;
 
  •  trends in gross margins, average selling prices or cost of sales;
 
  •  sales absorption rates; and
 
  •  performance of other communities in nearby locations.
 
If indicators of impairment are present for a community, we perform an analysis to determine if the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts, and if so, impairment charges are required to be recorded if the fair value of such assets is less than their carrying amounts. These estimates of cash flows are significantly impacted by community specific factors including


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estimates of the amounts and timing of future revenues and estimates of the amount of land development, materials and labor costs which, in turn, may be impacted by the following local market conditions:
 
  •  supply and availability of new and existing homes;
 
  •  location and desirability of our communities;
 
  •  variety of product types offered in the area;
 
  •  pricing and use of incentives by us and our competitors;
 
  •  alternative uses for our land or communities such as the sale of land, finished lots or home sites to third parties;
 
  •  amount of land and lots we own or control in a particular market or sub-market; and
 
  •  local economic and demographic trends.
 
For those assets deemed to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Our determination of fair value is primarily based on discounting the estimated cash flows at a rate commensurate with the inherent risks associated with the assets and related estimated cash flow streams. When an impairment charge for a community is determined, the charge is then allocated to each lot in the community in the same manner as land and development costs are allocated to each lot. The inventory within each community is categorized as construction in progress and finished homes, residential land and lots developed and under development, and land held for development, based on the stage of production or plans for future development.
 
We typically do not purchase land for resale. However, when we own land or communities under development that no longer fit into our development and construction plans and we determine that the best use of the asset is the sale of the asset, the project is accounted for as land held for sale, assuming the land held for sale criteria are met. We record land held for sale at the lesser of its carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. In performing the impairment evaluation for land held for sale, we consider several factors including, but not limited to, prices for land in recent comparable sales transactions, market analysis studies, which include the estimated price a willing buyer would pay for the land and recent legitimate offers received. If the estimated fair value less costs to sell an asset is less than the current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value less costs to sell.
 
Impairment charges are also recorded on finished homes in substantially completed communities when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying values are greater than the fair values less estimated costs to sell these homes.
 
The key assumptions relating to asset valuations are impacted by local market economic conditions and the actions of competitors, and are inherently uncertain. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, actual results could differ from such estimates. Our quarterly assessments reflect management’s estimates and we continue to monitor the fair value of held-for-sale assets through the disposition date.
 
Land and Lot Option Purchase Contracts — We enter into land and lot option purchase contracts to acquire land or lots for the construction of homes. Under these contracts, we will fund a stated deposit in consideration for the right, but not the obligation, to purchase land or lots at a future point in time with predetermined terms. Under the terms of the option purchase contracts, many of our option deposits are not refundable at our discretion.
 
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs we incur related to land and lot option purchase contracts are capitalized if all of the following conditions have been met: (1) the costs are directly identifiable with the specific property; (2) the costs would be capitalized if the property were already acquired; and (3) acquisition of the property is probable, meaning we are actively seeking and have the ability to acquire the property, and there is no indication that the property is not available for sale. We consider the following when determining if the acquisition of the property is probable: (1) changes in market conditions subsequent to contracting for the purchase of the land; (2) current contract terms, including per lot price and required purchase dates; and


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(3) our current land position in the given market or sub-market. Option deposits and capitalized pre-acquisition costs are expensed to cost of sales when we believe it is probable that we will no longer acquire the property under option and will not be able to recover these costs through other means.
 
Certain of our option purchase contracts result in the creation of a variable interest in the entity holding the land parcel under option. We determine if we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity based on our ability to control both (1) the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity. Based on this evaluation, if we are the primary beneficiary of an entity with which we have entered into a land or lot option purchase contract, the variable interest entity is consolidated. Creditors, if any, of these variable interest entities have no recourse against us.
 
Fair Value Measurements — The FASB’s authoritative guidance for fair value measurements establishes a three-level hierarchy based upon the inputs to the valuation model of an asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy and its application to our assets and liabilities, is as follows:
 
  •  Level 1 — Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
 
  •  Level 2 — Valuation is determined from quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or by model-based techniques in which all significant inputs are observable in the market.
 
  •  Level 3 — Valuation is derived from model-based techniques in which at least one significant input is unobservable and based on our own estimates about the assumptions that market participants would use to value the asset or liability.
 
When available, we use quoted market prices in active markets to determine fair value. We consider the principal market and nonperformance risk associated with our counterparties when determining the fair value measurements, if applicable. Fair value measurements are used for our marketable securities, mortgage loans held for sale, interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs) and other derivative instruments on a recurring basis, and are used for inventories, other mortgage loans and real estate owned on a nonrecurring basis, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
 
Goodwill — In September 2011, we early adopted the FASB’s authoritative guidance which allows an entity to assess qualitatively whether it is necessary to perform step one of the two-step annual goodwill impairment test. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. We performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill at September 30, 2011, and determined that the two-step process was not necessary.
 
Warranty Claims — We typically provide our homebuyers with a ten-year limited warranty for major defects in structural elements such as framing components and foundation systems, a two-year limited warranty on major mechanical systems, and a one-year limited warranty on other construction components. Since we subcontract our construction work to subcontractors who typically provide an indemnity and a certificate of insurance prior to receiving payments for their work, claims relating to workmanship and materials are generally the primary responsibility of the subcontractors. Warranty liabilities are established by charging cost of sales for each home delivered. The amounts charged are based on management’s estimate of expected warranty-related costs under all unexpired warranty obligation periods. Our warranty liability is based upon historical warranty cost experience in each market in which we operate, and is adjusted as appropriate to reflect qualitative risks associated with the types of homes we build and the geographic areas in which we build them. Actual future warranty costs could differ from our currently estimated amounts. A 10% change in the historical warranty rates used to estimate our warranty accrual would not result in a material change in our accrual.
 
Insurance and Legal Claims — We record expenses and liabilities related to the costs for exposures related to construction defects and claims and lawsuits incurred in the ordinary course of business, including employment matters, personal injury claims, land development issues and contract disputes. Also, we record


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expenses and liabilities for any estimated costs of potential construction defect claims and lawsuits (including expected legal costs), based on an analysis of our historical claims, which includes an estimate of construction defect claims incurred but not yet reported. Related to the exposures for actual construction defect claims and estimates of construction defect claims incurred but not yet reported and other legal claims and lawsuits incurred in the ordinary course of business, we estimate and record insurance receivables for these matters under applicable insurance policies when recovery is probable. Additionally, we may have the ability to recover a portion of our legal expenses from our subcontractors when we have been named as an additional insured on their insurance policies. The expenses, liabilities and receivables related to these claims are subject to a high degree of variability due to uncertainties such as trends in construction defect claims relative to our markets, the types of products we build, claim settlement patterns, insurance industry practices and legal interpretations, among others. A 10% increase in the claim rate and the average cost per claim used to estimate the self-insured accruals would result in an increase of approximately $121.9 million in our accrual and a $81.8 million increase in our receivable resulting in additional expense of $40.1 million, while a 10% decrease in the claim rate and the average cost per claim would result in a decrease of approximately $94.4 million in our accrual and a $61.1 million decrease in our receivable resulting in a reduction in our expense of $33.3 million.
 
Income Taxes — We calculate our income tax expense (benefit) using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases, and of tax loss and credit carryforwards. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods and in the jurisdictions in which those temporary differences become deductible. In determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns, judgment is required. The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon an estimate of future results. Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position. Changes in existing tax laws also affect actual tax results and the valuation of deferred tax assets over time.
 
Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized in the financial statements as a component of income tax expense. Significant judgment is required to evaluate uncertain tax positions. We evaluate our uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. Our evaluations are based upon a number of factors, including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of audits and effective settlement of audit issues. Changes in the recognition or measurement of uncertain tax positions could result in material increases or decreases in our income tax expense in the period in which we make the change.
 
Stock-based Compensation — From time to time, the compensation committee of our board of directors authorizes the issuance of options to purchase our common stock to employees and directors. The committee approves grants out of amounts remaining available for grant from amounts formally authorized by our common stockholders. Options are granted at exercise prices which equal the market value of our common stock at the date of the grant. Generally, the options vest over periods of 3 to 9.75 years and expire 10 years after the dates on which they were granted.
 
We measure and recognize compensation expense at an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments granted under compensation arrangements for all awards granted or modified after October 1, 2005, using the modified prospective method. Compensation expense for any unvested stock option awards outstanding as of October 1, 2005 is recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period. We calculate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment in developing assumptions, which involve a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, the expected dividend yield and expected stock option exercise behavior. In addition, we also use judgment in estimating the number of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited.


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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements,” which requires additional disclosures about transfers between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance was effective for us in fiscal 2010, except for the Level 3 activity disclosures, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance, which is related to disclosure only, did not and will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, “A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring,” which clarifies when a loan modification or restructuring is considered a troubled debt restructuring. In determining whether a loan modification represents a troubled debt restructuring, a creditor must separately conclude that the restructuring constitutes a concession and that the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. The guidance was effective for us on July 1, 2011 and is to be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03, “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.” This guidance amends the sale accounting requirement concerning a transferor’s ability to repurchase transferred financial assets even in the event of default by the transferee, which typically is facilitated in a repurchase agreement by the presence of a collateral maintenance provision. This guidance is effective prospectively for new transfers and existing transactions that are modified in the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs,” which provides a consistent definition of fair value and ensures that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The guidance changes certain fair value measurement principles and expands the disclosure requirements particularly for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for us beginning January 1, 2012 and is to be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance, which relates primarily to disclosure, is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” which requires that an entity report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but continuous statements. As permitted, we elected to early adopt this guidance and did so in the current quarter. The adoption of this guidance, which relates to presentation only, did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other,” which gives an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the current two-step goodwill impairment test. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is required. As permitted, we elected to early adopt this guidance in the current quarter. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


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ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
We are subject to interest rate risk on our long-term debt. We monitor our exposure to changes in interest rates and utilize both fixed and variable rate debt. For fixed rate debt, changes in interest rates generally affect the value of the debt instrument, but not our earnings or cash flows. Conversely, for variable rate debt, changes in interest rates generally do not impact the fair value of the debt instrument, but may affect our future earnings and cash flows. Except in very limited circumstances, we do not have an obligation to prepay fixed-rate debt prior to maturity and, as a result, interest rate risk and changes in fair value would not have a significant impact on our cash flows related to our fixed-rate debt until such time as we are required to refinance, repurchase or repay such debt.
 
We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with our mortgage loan origination services. We manage interest rate risk through the use of forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (MBS), Eurodollar Futures Contracts (EDFC) and put options on MBS and EDFC. Use of the term “hedging instruments” in the following discussion refers to these securities collectively, or in any combination. We do not enter into or hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
 
Interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs) are extended to borrowers who have applied for loan funding and who meet defined credit and underwriting criteria. Typically, the IRLCs have a duration of less than six months. Some IRLCs are committed immediately to a specific purchaser through the use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments, while other IRLCs are funded prior to being committed to third-party purchasers. The hedging instruments related to IRLCs are classified and accounted for as derivative instruments in an economic hedge, with gains and losses recognized in current earnings. Hedging instruments related to funded, uncommitted loans are accounted for at fair value, with changes recognized in current earnings, along with changes in the fair value of the funded, uncommitted loans. The fair value change related to the hedging instruments generally offsets the fair value change in the uncommitted loans and the fair value change, which for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was not significant, is recognized in current earnings. At September 30, 2011, hedging instruments used to mitigate interest rate risk related to uncommitted mortgage loans held for sale and uncommitted IRLCs totaled $257.0 million. Uncommitted IRLCs totaled approximately $196.1 million, and uncommitted mortgage loans held for sale totaled approximately $80.9 million at September 30, 2011.
 
The following table sets forth principal cash flows by scheduled maturity, weighted average interest rates and estimated fair value of our debt obligations as of September 30, 2011. The interest rate for our variable rate debt represents the interest rate on our mortgage repurchase facility. Because the mortgage repurchase facility is effectively secured by certain mortgage loans held for sale which are typically sold within 60 days, its outstanding balance is included as a variable rate maturity in the most current period presented.
 
                                                                 
                                              Fair
 
                                              Value at
 
    Fiscal Year Ending September 30,                 September 30,
 
    2012     2013     2014     2015     2016     Thereafter     Total     2011  
                      (In millions)                    
 
Debt:
                                                               
Fixed rate
  $ 5.8     $ 171.7     $ 783.8     $ 157.7     $ 553.7     $     $ 1,672.7     $ 1,673.9  
Average interest rate
    7.6%       7.0%       8.2%       5.4%       6.4%             7.2%          
Variable rate
  $ 116.5     $     $     $     $     $     $ 116.5     $ 116.5  
Average interest rate
    3.8%                                     3.8%          


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of D.R. Horton, Inc.
 
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), total equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of D.R. Horton, Inc. and its subsidiaries at September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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 its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Fort Worth, Texas
November 17, 2011


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ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
D.R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    September 30,  
    2011     2010  
    (In millions)  
 
ASSETS
Homebuilding:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 715.5     $ 1,282.6  
Marketable securities, available-for-sale
    297.6       297.7  
Restricted cash
    49.1       53.7  
Inventories:
               
Construction in progress and finished homes
    1,369.2       1,286.0  
Residential land and lots — developed and under development
    1,370.7       1,406.1  
Land held for development
    709.8       749.3  
Land inventory not owned
          7.6  
                 
      3,449.7       3,449.0  
Income taxes receivable
    12.4       16.0  
Deferred income taxes, net of valuation allowance of $848.5 million
and $902.6 million at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively
           
Property and equipment, net
    57.6       60.5  
Other assets
    398.4       434.8  
Goodwill
    15.9       15.9  
                 
      4,996.2       5,610.2  
                 
Financial Services:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    17.1       26.7  
Mortgage loans held for sale
    294.1       253.8  
Other assets
    51.0       47.9  
                 
      362.2       328.4  
                 
Total assets
  $ 5,358.4     $ 5,938.6  
                 
 
LIABILITIES
Homebuilding:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 154.0     $ 135.1  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    829.8       957.2  
Notes payable
    1,588.1       2,085.3  
                 
      2,571.9       3,177.6  
                 
Financial Services:
               
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    46.5       51.6  
Mortgage repurchase facility
    116.5       86.5  
                 
      163.0       138.1  
                 
Total liabilities
    2,734.9       3,315.7  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note K)
               
 
EQUITY
Preferred stock, $.10 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
           
Common stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 323,243,170 shares issued
and 316,043,099 shares outstanding at September 30, 2011 and 322,478,467 shares issued
and 318,823,234 shares outstanding at September 30, 2010
    3.2       3.2  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,917.0       1,894.8  
Retained earnings
    834.6       810.6  
Treasury stock, 7,200,071 shares and 3,655,233 shares at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, at cost
    (134.3 )     (95.7 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    0.1       0.3  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    2,620.6       2,613.2  
Noncontrolling interests
    2.9       9.7  
                 
Total equity
    2,623.5       2,622.9  
                 
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 5,358.4     $ 5,938.6  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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D.R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
                         
    Year Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In millions, except per share data)  
 
Homebuilding:
                       
Revenues:
                       
Home sales
  $ 3,542.3     $ 4,302.3     $ 3,563.6  
Land/lot sales
    7.3       7.4       40.3  
                         
      3,549.6       4,309.7       3,603.9  
Cost of sales:
                       
Home sales
    2,971.0       3,558.3       3,096.1  
Land/lot sales
    6.9       4.6       34.9  
Inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs
    45.4       64.7       407.7  
                         
      3,023.3       3,627.6       3,538.7  
Gross profit:
                       
Home sales
    571.3       744.0       467.5  
Land/lot sales
    0.4       2.8       5.4  
Inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs
    (45.4 )     (64.7 )     (407.7 )
                         
      526.3       682.1       65.2  
Selling, general and administrative expense
    480.0       523.2       523.0  
Interest expense
    50.5       86.3       100.2  
Loss (gain) on early retirement of debt, net
    10.8       4.9       (3.9 )
Other (income)
    (8.0 )     (10.4 )     (12.8 )
                         
      (7.0 )     78.1       (541.3 )
                         
Financial Services:
                       
Revenues, net of recourse and reinsurance expense
    87.2       90.5       53.7  
General and administrative expense
    76.3       77.2       78.1  
Interest expense
    1.4       1.9       1.5  
Interest and other (income)
    (9.6 )     (10.0 )     (10.4 )
                         
      19.1       21.4       (15.5 )
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
    12.1       99.5       (556.8 )
Income tax benefit
    (59.7 )     (145.6 )     (7.0 )
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 71.8     $ 245.1     $ (549.8 )
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:
                       
Unrealized (loss) gain related to available-for-sale securities
    (0.2 )     0.3        
                         
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 71.6     $ 245.4     $ (549.8 )
                         
Basic net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.23     $ 0.77     $ (1.73 )
                         
Net income (loss) per common share assuming dilution
  $ 0.23     $ 0.77     $ (1.73 )
                         
Cash dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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D.R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF TOTAL EQUITY
 
                                                         
                    Accumulated
       
        Additional
          Other
       
    Common
  Paid-in
  Retained
  Treasury
  Comprehensive
  Non-controlling
  Total
    Stock   Capital   Earnings   Stock   Income   Interests   Equity
    (In millions, except common stock share data)