UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 001-12822

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE		58-2086934
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification no.)

1000 Abernathy Road, Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia		30328
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YES o           NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One):

Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company þ

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

Class		Outstanding at January 31, 2010
Common Stock, $0.001 par value		62,244,273 shares

 

 

References to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Beazer”, “Beazer Homes” and the “Company” in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q refer to Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this quarterly report will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of statements that include words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “goal,” “target” or other similar words or phrases. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this quarterly report.

These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, among other things, the matters discussed in this quarterly report in the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Additional information about factors that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in Part I, Item 1A— Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Such factors may include:

•

the final outcome of various putative class action lawsuits, multi-party suits and similar proceedings as well as the results of any other litigation or government proceedings and fulfillment of the obligations in the Deferred Prosecution Agreement and other settlement agreements and consent orders with governmental authorities;

•

additional asset impairment charges or writedowns;

•

economic changes nationally or in local markets, including changes in consumer confidence, volatility of mortgage interest rates and inflation;

•

continued or increased downturn in the homebuilding industry;

•

estimates related to homes to be delivered in the future (backlog) are imprecise as they are subject to various cancellation risks which cannot be fully controlled;

•

continued or increased disruption in the availability of mortgage financing;

•

our cost of and ability to access capital and otherwise meet our ongoing liquidity needs including the impact of any further downgrades of our credit ratings or reductions in our tangible net worth or liquidity levels;

•

potential inability to comply with covenants in our debt agreements, or satisfy such obligations through repayment or refinancing

•

increased competition or delays in reacting to changing consumer preference in home design;

•

shortages of or increased prices for labor, land or raw materials used in housing production;

•

factors affecting margins such as decreased land values underlying land option agreements, increased land development costs on communities under development or delays or difficulties in implementing initiatives to reduce production and overhead cost structure;

•

the performance of our joint ventures and our joint venture partners;

•

the impact of construction defect and home warranty claims including those related to possible installation of drywall imported from China;

•

the cost and availability of insurance and surety bonds;

•

delays in land development or home construction resulting from adverse weather conditions;

•

potential delays or increased costs in obtaining necessary permits as a result of changes to, or complying with, laws, regulations, or governmental policies and possible penalties for failure to comply with such laws, regulations and governmental policies;

•

effects of changes in accounting policies, standards, guidelines or principles; or

•

terrorist acts, acts of war and other factors over which the Company has little or no control.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors.

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
FORM 10-Q

INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION			4
Item 1. Financial Statements			4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009			4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Three Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008			5
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Three Months Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008			6
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			33
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			44
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			44
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION			45
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			45
Item 5. Other Information			47
Item 6. Exhibits			47
SIGNATURES			47
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1
EX-32.2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

		December 31,				September 30,
		2009				2009
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	432,725			$	507,339
Restricted cash			47,736				49,461
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $5,091 and $7,545, respectively)			29,534				28,405
Income tax receivable			108,886				9,922
Inventory
Owned inventory			1,229,163				1,265,441
Consolidated inventory not owned			62,079				53,015
Total inventory			1,291,242				1,318,456
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures			31,968				30,124
Deferred tax assets, net			7,645				7,520
Property, plant and equipment, net			23,933				25,939
Other assets			50,649				52,244
Total assets		$	2,024,318			$	2,029,410
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Trade accounts payable		$	44,595			$	70,285
Other liabilities			196,894				227,315
Obligations related to consolidated inventory not owned			34,535				26,356
Senior Notes (net of discounts of $26,362 and $27,257, respectively)			1,363,797				1,362,902
Junior subordinated notes			103,093				103,093
Other secured notes payable			11,998				12,543
Model home financing obligations			22,077				30,361
Total liabilities			1,776,989				1,832,855
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock (par value $.01 per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued)			—				—
Common stock (par value $0.001 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 43,206,610 and 43,150,472 issued and 39,819,273 and 39,793,316 outstanding, respectively)			43				43
Paid-in capital			570,928				568,019
Accumulated deficit			(139,539	)			(187,538	)
Treasury stock, at cost (3,387,337 and 3,357,156 shares, respectively)			(184,103	)			(183,969	)
Total stockholders’ equity			247,329				196,555
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	2,024,318			$	2,029,410

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2009				2008
Total revenue		$	218,784			$	218,169
Home construction and land sales expenses			190,636				193,518
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments			8,827				12,390
Gross profit			19,321				12,261
Selling, general and administrative expenses			45,809				53,940
Depreciation and amortization			3,424				3,638
Goodwill impairment			—				16,143
Operating loss			(29,912	)			(61,460	)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures			(43	)			(1,407	)
Other expense, net			(19,531	)			(18,185	)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes			(49,486	)			(81,052	)
Benefit from income taxes			(94,021	)			(1,893	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations			44,535				(79,159	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			3,464				(1,116	)
Net income (loss)		$	47,999			$	(80,275	)
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic			38,827				38,593
Diluted			41,939				38,593
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations		$	1.15			$	(2.05	)
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations		$	0.09			$	(0.03	)
Basic earnings (loss) per share		$	1.24			$	(2.08	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations		$	1.09			$	(2.05	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations		$	0.08			$	(0.03	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	1.17			$	(2.08	)

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2009				2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)		$	47,999			$	(80,275	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			3,424				3,783
Stock-based compensation expense			2,733				3,015
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments			8,877				12,709
Goodwill impairment			—				16,143
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision			(125	)			144
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation			1,982				476
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures			2,774				1,413
Cash distributions of income from unconsolidated joint ventures			—				459
Provision for doubtful accounts			(2,454	)			(2,099	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in accounts receivable			1,325				17,276
(Increase) decrease in income tax receivable			(98,964	)			348
Decrease in inventory			26,848				31,573
Decrease in other assets			1,918				7,688
Decrease in trade accounts payable			(25,690	)			(36,187	)
Decrease in other liabilities			(30,755	)			(88,340	)
Other changes			823				(34	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(59,285	)			(111,908	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(1,346	)			(1,663	)
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures			(4,515	)			(1,938	)
Changes in restricted cash			1,725				(18,690	)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures			75				—
Net cash used in investing activities			(4,061	)			(22,291	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of other secured notes payable			(545	)			(192	)
Repayment of model home financing obligations			(8,284	)			(11,994	)
Debt issuance costs			(323	)			(604	)
Common stock redeemed			(134	)			(13	)
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation			(1,982	)			(476	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(11,268	)			(13,279	)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(74,614	)			(147,478	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			507,339				584,334
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	432,725			$	436,856

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (“Beazer Homes” or “the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Such financial statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying financial statements. For further information and a discussion of our significant accounting policies other than as discussed below, refer to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing in the Beazer Homes’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 (the “2009 Annual Report”). Results from our mortgage origination business and our exit markets are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented (see Note 13 for further discussion of our Discontinued Operations). We evaluated events that occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements were issued or are available to be issued for accounting treatment and disclosure in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, Subsequent Events (ASC 855).

Inventory Valuation — Held for Development. Our homebuilding inventories that are accounted for as held for development include land and home construction assets grouped together as communities. Homebuilding inventories held for development are stated at cost (including direct construction costs, capitalized indirect costs, capitalized interest and real estate taxes) unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. We assess these assets no less than quarterly for recoverability in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (ASC 360). For those communities for which construction and development activities are expected to occur in the future or have been idled (land held for future development), all applicable interest and real estate taxes are expensed as incurred and the inventory is stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The future enactment of a development plan or the occurrence of events and circumstances may indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Generally, upon the commencement of land development activities, it may take three to five years (depending on, among other things, the size of the community and its sales pace) to fully develop, sell, construct and close all the homes in a typical community. However, the impact of the recent downturn in our business has significantly lengthened the estimated life of many communities. Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the expected undiscounted cash flows generated are expected to be less than its carrying amount, an impairment charge is recorded to write down the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated fair value based on discounted cash flows.

We conduct a review of the recoverability of our homebuilding inventories held for development at the community level as factors indicate that an impairment may exist. Events and circumstances that might indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, (1) adverse trends in new orders, (2) higher than anticipated cancellations, (3) declining margins which might result from the need to offer incentives to new homebuyers to drive sales or price reductions or other actions taken by our competitors, (4) economic factors specific to the markets in which we operate, including fluctuations in employment levels, population growth, or levels of new and resale homes for sale in the marketplace and (5) a decline in the availability of credit across all industries.

As a result, we evaluate, among other things, the following information for each community:

•

Actual “Net Contribution Margin” (defined as homebuilding revenues less homebuilding costs and direct selling expenses) for homes closed in the current fiscal quarter, fiscal year to date and prior two fiscal quarters. Homebuilding costs include land and land development costs (based upon an allocation of such costs, including costs to complete the development, or specific lot costs), home construction costs (including an estimate of costs, if any, to complete home construction), previously capitalized indirect costs (principally for construction supervision), capitalized interest and estimated warranty costs. Direct selling expenses included commission, closing costs, and amortization related to model home furnishings and improvements;

•

Projected Net Contribution Margin for homes in backlog;

•

Actual and trending new orders and cancellation rates;

•

Actual and trending base home sales prices and sales incentives for home sales that occurred in the prior two fiscal quarters that remain in backlog at the end of the fiscal quarter and expected future homes sales prices and sales incentives and absorption over the expected remaining life of the community;

•

A comparison of our community to our competition to include, among other things, an analysis of various product offerings including the size and style of the homes currently offered for sale, community amenity levels, availability of lots in our community and our competition’s, desirability and uniqueness of our community and other market factors; and

•

Other events that may indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

In determining the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets of a community that we have evaluated as requiring a test for impairment, significant quantitative and qualitative assumptions are made relative to the future home sales prices, sales incentives, direct and indirect costs of home construction and land development and the pace of new home orders. In addition, these assumptions are dependent upon the specific market conditions and competitive factors for each specific community and may differ greatly between communities within the same market and communities in different markets. Our estimates are made using information available at the date of the recoverability test, however, as facts and circumstances may change in future reporting periods, our estimates of recoverability are subject to change.

For assets in communities for which the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value, the carrying value of that community is written down to its then estimated fair value based on discounted cash flows. The carrying value of assets in communities that were previously impaired and continue to be classified as held for development is not written up for future estimates of increases in fair value in future reporting periods. Market deterioration that exceeds our estimates may lead us to incur additional impairment charges on previously impaired homebuilding assets in addition to homebuilding assets not currently impaired but for which indicators of impairment may arise if the market continues to deteriorate.

The fair value of the homebuilding inventory held for development is estimated using the present value of the estimated future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risk associated with the underlying community assets. The discount rate used may be different for each community. The factors considered when determining an appropriate discount rate for a community include, among others: (1) community specific factors such as the number of lots in the community, the status of land development in the community, the competitive factors influencing the sales performance of the community and (2) overall market factors such as employment levels, consumer confidence and the existing supply of new and used homes for sale. The assumptions used in our discounted cash flow models are specific to each community tested for impairment. Historically we did not include market improvements except in limited circumstances in the latter years of long-lived communities. Beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, we assumed limited market improvements in some communities beginning in fiscal 2011 and continuing improvement in these communities in subsequent years. We assumed the remaining communities would have market improvements beginning in fiscal 2012.

For the three months ended December 31, 2009, we used discount rates of 17% to 20%, in our estimated discounted cash flow impairment calculations. During the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we recorded impairments of our inventory by our continuing operations of $7.8 million and $12.0 million, respectively for land under development and homes under construction.

Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, particularly with respect to projected home sales prices and absorption rates, the timing and amount of the estimated future cash flows and discount rates, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates used in our historical analyses. Our assumptions about future home sales prices and absorption rates require significant judgment because the residential homebuilding industry is cyclical and is highly sensitive to changes in economic conditions. We calculated the estimated fair values of inventory held for development that were evaluated for impairment based on current market conditions and assumptions made by management relative to future results. Because our projected cash flows are significantly impacted by changes in market conditions, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ materially from our estimates and result in additional impairments.

Asset Valuation — Land Held for Sale. We record assets held for sale at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. The following criteria are used to determine if land is held for sale:

•

management has the authority and commits to a plan to sell the land;

•

the land is available for immediate sale in its present condition;

•

there is an active program to locate a buyer and the plan to sell the property has been initiated;

•

the sale of the land is probable within one year;

•

the property is being actively marketed at a reasonable sale price relative to its current fair value; and

•

it is unlikely that the plan to sell will be withdrawn or that significant changes to the plan will be made.

Additionally, in certain circumstances, management will re-evaluate the best use of an asset that is currently being accounted for as held for development. In such instances, management will review, among other things, the current and projected competitive circumstances of the community, including the level of supply of new and used inventory, the level of sales absorptions by us and our competition, the level of sales incentives required and the number of owned lots remaining in the community. If, based on this review and the foregoing criteria have been met at the end of the applicable reporting period, we believe that the best use of the asset is the sale of all or a portion of the asset in its current condition, then all or portions of the community are accounted for as held for sale.

In determining the fair value of the assets less cost to sell, we considered factors including current sales prices for comparable assets in the area, recent market analysis studies, appraisals, any recent legitimate offers, and listing prices of similar properties. If the estimated fair value less cost to sell of an asset is less than its current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value less cost to sell. During the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we recorded inventory impairments on land held for sale by our continuing operations of approximately $1.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates used in our historical analyses. Our assumptions about land sales prices require significant judgment because the current market is highly sensitive to changes in economic conditions. We calculated the estimated fair values of land held for sale based on current market conditions and assumptions made by management, which may differ materially from actual results and may result in additional impairments if market conditions continue to deteriorate.

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. Historically we tested goodwill for impairment annually as of April 30 or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances indicated that the asset might be impaired. During the quarter ended December 31, 2008 we impaired our remaining goodwill of $16.1 million and the Company had no goodwill remaining at December 31, 2009 or September 30, 2009.

Stock-Based Compensation. Compensation cost arising from nonvested stock awards granted to employees and from non-employee stock awards is recognized as an expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period. Unearned compensation is included in paid-in capital in accordance with SFAS 123R, Share Based Payments (ASC 718). As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009, there was $8.3 million and $9.6 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards. The cost remaining at December 31, 2009 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years. For the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, our total stock-based compensation expense, included in selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”), was approximately $2.7 million ($1.9 net of tax) and $3.0 million ($2.1 million net of tax), respectively. Activity relating to nonvested stock awards for the three months ended December 31, 2009 is as follows:

		Three Months Ended
		December 31, 2009
						Weighted Average
						Grant Date Fair
		Shares				Value
Beginning of period			1,126,880			$	27.66
Granted			—				—
Vested			(153,098	)			40.39
Forfeited			(16,121	)			4.81
End of period			957,661			$	26.01

In addition, during the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, employees surrendered 27,310 and 7,169 shares to us in payment of minimum tax obligations upon the vesting of stock awards under our stock incentive plans. We valued the stock at the market price on the date of surrender, for an aggregate value of approximately $134,000 and $13,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The fair value of each option/stock-based stock appreciation right (“SSAR”) grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. There were no options or SSAR grants in the three months ended December 31, 2009. The following table summarizes stock options and SSARs outstanding as of December 31, 2009, as well as activity during the three months then ended:

		Three Months Ended
		December 31, 2009
						Weighted-
						Average
		Shares				Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period			2,108,914			$	33.07
Expired			(24,738	)			32.78
Cancelled			(465,933	)			33.04
Forfeited			(16,511	)			23.23
Outstanding at end of period			1,601,732			$	33.19
Exercisable at end of period			290,073			$	52.00
Vested or expected to vest in the future			1,251,481			$	29.72

During the quarter ended December 31, 2009, certain executive officers and directors elected to relinquish 465,933 vested and outstanding options that had exercise prices above $20 per share in order to provide additional shares for use in a public offering of common shares that was completed in January 2010 (see Note 14 for further discussion). At December 31, 2009, the weighted-average remaining contractual life for all options/SSARs outstanding, currently exercisable, and vested or expected to vest in the future was 4.70 years, 2.84 years and 4.83 years, respectively.

At December 31, 2009, the aggregate intrinsic value of SSARs/options outstanding, vested and expected to vest in the future and SSARs/options exercisable based on the Company’s stock price of $4.84 as of December 31, 2009 were $0.6 million, $0.5 million, and $0. The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. There were no option/SSAR exercises during the three months ended December 31, 2009.

Other Liabilities. Other liabilities include the following:

		December 31,				September 30,
(in thousands)		2009				2009
Income tax liabilities		$	51,300			$	50,850
Accrued warranty expenses			28,360				30,100
Accrued interest			26,207				32,533
Accrued and deferred compensation			22,111				29,379
Customer deposits			4,910				5,507
Other			64,006				78,946
Total		$	196,894			$	227,315

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements (ASC 820). SFAS 157 (ASC 820) provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS 157 (ASC 820) includes provisions that require expanded disclosure of the effect on earnings for items measured using unobservable data. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (ASC 820), delaying the effective date of certain non-financial assets and liabilities to fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The company adopted SFAS 157 (ASC 820) on October 1, 2009 as discussed in Note 10.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (ASC 825). SFAS 159 (ASC 825) permits companies to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value. We have not elected the fair value option applicable under SFAS 159 (ASC 825).

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (ASC 815). SFAS 141R (ASC 815) amends and clarifies the accounting guidance for the acquirer’s recognition and measurement of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests of an acquiree in a business combination. SFAS 141R (ASC 815) is effective for any acquisitions completed by the Company after September 30, 2009.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an Amendment of ARB 51 (ASC 810). SFAS 160 (ASC 810) requires that a noncontrolling interest (formerly a minority interest) in a subsidiary be classified as equity and the amount of consolidated net income specifically attributable to the noncontrolling interest be included in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of SFAS 160 (ASC 810) did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations as of December 31, 2009.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF Issue No 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities (ASC 260). FSP 03-6-1 (ASC 260) clarifies that non-vested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are to be included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method described in SFAS 128, Earnings per Share (ASC 260) and requires that prior period EPS and share data be restated retrospectively for comparability. The Company grants restricted shares under a share-based compensation plan that qualify as participating securities. FSP 03-6-1 (ASC 260) was effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s diluted earnings per share for the quarters ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement) (ASC 470). FSP APB 14-1 (ASC 470) applies to convertible debt instruments that have a “net settlement feature” permitting settlement partially or fully in cash upon conversion. FSP APB 14-1 (ASC 470) was effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2009. Due to the fact that the Company’s convertible securities cannot be settled in cash upon conversion, the adoption of FSP APB 14-1 (ASC 470) did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (ASC 810), which revises the approach to determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) to be more qualitative in nature and requires companies to more frequently reassess whether they must consolidate a VIE. SFAS 167 (ASC 810) also requires enhanced disclosures to provide more information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. SFAS 167 (ASC 810) is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010. The Company is currently reviewing the impact of adopting SFAS 167 (ASC 810) on our consolidated financial statements.

(2) Supplemental Cash Flow Information

During the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we paid interest of $37.2 million and $48.0 million, respectively. In addition, we paid income taxes of $55,000 and $217,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. During the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we received tax refunds totaling $656,000 and $0, respectively. We also had the following non-cash activity (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2009				2008
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:
Increase (decrease) in consolidated inventory not owned		$	8,179			$	(22,475	)
Land acquired through issuance of notes payable			—				981
Issuance of stock under deferred bonus stock plans			2,158				1,040

(3) Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

As of December 31, 2009, we participated in land development joint ventures in which Beazer Homes had less than a controlling interest. The following table presents our investment in our unconsolidated joint ventures, the total equity and outstanding borrowings of these joint ventures, and our estimated maximum exposure related to our guarantees of these borrowings, as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009:

(in thousands)		December 31, 2009				September 30, 2009
Beazer’s investment in joint ventures		$	31,968			$	30,124
Total equity of joint ventures			311,356				328,875
Total outstanding borrowings of joint ventures			415,692				422,682
Beazer’s estimate of its maximum exposure to our loan-to-value maintenance guarantees			—				3,850
Beazer’s estimate of its maximum exposure to our repayment guarantees			15,789				15,789

The increase in our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures from September 30, 2009 to December 31, 2009 relates primarily to additional investments of $4.5 million offset by impairments totaling $2.7 million, substantially all of which related to our abandonment of an investment in a joint venture in one of our exit markets.

For the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the impairments of our investments in certain of our unconsolidated joint ventures, totaling $2.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively, were recorded in accordance with APB 18, Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock (ASC 323), of which $2.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009 is included in loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures related to our continuing operations totaled $0.04 million and $1.4 million for the three months December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The aggregate debt of the unconsolidated joint ventures was $415.7 million and $422.7 million at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009, respectively. At December 31, 2009, total borrowings outstanding include $327.9 million related to one joint venture in which we are a 2.58% partner. The $7.0 million reduction in total outstanding joint venture debt during the first quarter of Fiscal 2010 resulted primarily from debt payments of $9.3 million in accordance with loan agreements and/or negotiated settlements offset by loan draws of $2.3 million to fund the development activities of certain joint ventures. In December 2009, together with our joint venture partner, we reached agreement with a lender to the joint venture to pay down the joint venture’s outstanding debt by $7.4 million. In connection with this loan repayment, which was funded by capital contributions from both joint venture partners, the lender released the obligations under the related loan-to-value maintenance guarantee.

Three of our joint ventures are in default (or have received default notices) under their respective debt obligations. During fiscal 2008, the lender to the joint venture, in which we have a 2.58% investment, notified the joint venture partners that it believes the joint venture is in default of certain joint venture loan agreements as a result of certain of the Company’s joint venture partners not complying with all aspects of the joint ventures’ loan agreements. The joint venture partners are currently in discussions with the lender. In December 2008, the lender filed individual lawsuits against some of the joint venture partners and certain of those partners’ parent companies (including the Company), seeking to recover damages under completion guarantees, among other claims. We intend to vigorously defend against this legal action. The Company’s share of the outstanding debt is approximately $14.5 million at December 31, 2009. Under the terms of the agreement, our repayment guarantee is estimated at $15.1 million, which is triggered in the event of bankruptcy of the joint venture. Our equity interest at December 31, 2009 was $8.6 million in this joint venture. Given the inherent uncertainties in this litigation, as of December 31, 2009, no accrual has been recorded, as losses, if any, related to this matter are not both probable and reasonably estimable.

In addition, certain of our joint venture partners have curtailed their funding of their allocable joint venture obligations. Given the inherent uncertainties in these negotiations, as of December 31, 2009, no accrual has been recorded, as obligations to Beazer, if any, related to these matters were not both probable and reasonably estimable.

Our joint ventures typically obtain secured acquisition, development and construction financing. Generally Beazer and our joint venture partners provide varying levels of guarantees of debt and other obligations for our unconsolidated joint ventures. At December 31, 2009, these guarantees included, for certain joint ventures, construction completion guarantees, loan-to-value maintenance agreements, repayment guarantees and environmental indemnities.

In assessing the need to record a liability for the contingent aspect of these guarantees in accordance with FIN 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of

Others (ASC 400), we consider our historical experience in being required to perform under the guarantees, the fair value of the collateral underlying these guarantees and the financial condition of the applicable unconsolidated joint ventures. In addition, we monitor the fair value of the collateral of these unconsolidated joint ventures to ensure that the related borrowings do not exceed the specified percentage of the value of the property securing the borrowings. We have not recorded a liability for the contingent aspects of any guarantees that we determined were reasonably possible but not probable.

Construction Completion Guarantees

We and our joint venture partners may be obligated to the project lenders to complete land development improvements and the construction of planned homes if the joint venture does not perform the required development. Provided the joint venture and the partners are not in default under any loan provisions, the project lenders typically are obligated to fund these improvements through any financing commitments available under the applicable loans. A majority of these construction completion guarantees are joint and several with our partners. In those cases, we generally have a reimbursement arrangement with our partner which provides that neither party is responsible for more than its proportionate share of the guarantee. However, if our joint venture partner does not have adequate financial resources to meet its obligations under such reimbursement arrangement, we may be liable for more than our proportionate share, up to our maximum exposure, which is the full amount covered by the relevant joint and several guarantee. The guarantees cover a specific scope of work, which may range from an individual development phase to the completion of the entire project. No accrual has been recorded, as losses, if any, related to construction completion guarantees are not both probable and reasonably estimable.

Loan-to-Value Maintenance Agreements

We and our joint venture partners may provide credit enhancements to acquisition, development and construction borrowings in the form of loan-to-value maintenance agreements, which can limit the amount of additional funding provided by the lenders or require repayment of the borrowings to the extent such borrowings plus construction completion costs exceed a specified percentage of the value of the property securing the borrowings. The agreements generally require periodic reappraisals of the underlying property value. To the extent that the underlying property gets reappraised, the amount of the exposure under the loan-to value-maintenance (LTV) guarantee would be adjusted accordingly and any such change could be significant. In certain cases, we may be required to make a re-balancing payment following a reappraisal in order to reduce the applicable loan-to-value ratio to the required level.

Our estimate of the Company’s portion of LTV guarantees of the unconsolidated joint ventures was $3.9 million at September 30, 2009. In December 2009, the Company and its joint venture partner reached an agreement with the lender of a joint venture to release the LTV guarantee and extend the related loan maturity up to two years in exchange for a loan repayment of $7.4 million. The Company and its joint venture partner each invested an additional $3.9 million in the joint venture during the quarter ended December 31, 2009. The joint venture used these investments to repay $7.4 million of its outstanding debt.

Repayment Guarantees

We and our joint venture partners have repayment guarantees related to certain joint ventures’ borrowings. These repayment guarantees require the repayment of all or a portion of the debt of the unconsolidated joint venture only in the event the joint venture defaults on its obligations under the borrowing or in some cases only in the event the joint venture files for bankruptcy. Our estimate of Beazer’s maximum exposure to our repayment guarantees related to the outstanding debt of its unconsolidated joint ventures was $15.8 million at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009.

Environmental Indemnities

Additionally, we and our joint venture partners generally provide unsecured environmental indemnities to joint venture project lenders. In each case, we have performed due diligence on potential environmental risks. These indemnities obligate us to reimburse the project lenders for claims related to environmental matters for which they are held responsible. For the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we were not required to make any payments related to environmental indemnities. No accrual has been recorded, as losses, if any, related to environmental indemnities are not both probable and reasonably estimable

(4) Inventory

		December 31,				September 30,
(in thousands)		2009				2009
Homes under construction		$	217,719			$	219,724
Development projects in progress			472,576				487,457
Land held for future development			410,559				417,834
Land held for sale			37,856				42,470
Capitalized interest			38,970				38,338
Model homes			51,483				59,618
Total owned inventory		$	1,229,163			$	1,265,441

Homes under construction includes homes finished and ready for delivery and homes in various stages of construction. We had 291 ($45.8 million) and 270 ($46.3 million) completed homes that were not subject to a sales contract at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009, respectively. Development projects in progress consist principally of land and land improvement costs. Certain of the fully developed lots in this category are reserved by a deposit or sales contract. Land held for future development consists of communities for which construction and development activities are expected to occur in the future or have been idled and are stated at cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. All applicable interest and real estate taxes are expensed as incurred. During fiscal 2009 and 2008, the Company decided to reallocate capital employed through strategic sales of select properties and through the exiting of certain markets no longer viewed as strategic and has recorded such land as held for sale. Land held for sale as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009 principally included land held for sale in the markets we decided to exit including Colorado and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Total owned inventory, by reportable segment, is set forth in the table below (in thousands):

		December 31, 2009																September 30, 2009
		Projects in				Held for Future				Land Held				Total Owned				Projects in				Held for Future				Land Held				Total Owned
		Progress				Development				for Sale				Inventory				Progress				Development				for Sale				Inventory
West Segment		$	279,680			$	339,392			$	5,813			$	624,885			$	282,753			$	345,050			$	8,171			$	635,974
East Segment			326,608				47,480				1,375				375,463				340,859				49,097				2,927				392,883
Southeast Segment			113,890				23,687				423				138,000				121,621				23,687				423				145,731
Unallocated			56,796				—				—				56,796				56,992				—				—				56,992
Discontinued Operations			3,774				—				30,245				34,019				2,912				—				30,949				33,861
Total		$	780,748			$	410,559			$	37,856			$	1,229,163			$	805,137			$	417,834			$	42,470			$	1,265,441

Unallocated inventory above primarily includes capitalized interest and indirect construction costs that are not allocated to the segments.

The following tables set forth, by reportable segment, the inventory impairments and lot option abandonment charges recorded (in thousands):

		Quarter Ended December 31,
		2009				2008
Development projects and homes in process (Held for Development)
West		$	2,547			$	7,833
East			917				2,903
Southeast			3,419				97
Unallocated			880				1,110
Subtotal		$	7,763			$	11,943
Land Held for Sale
West		$	1,061			$	161
East			—				—
Southeast			—				15
Subtotal		$	1,061			$	176
Lot Option Abandonments
West		$	—			$	12
East			1				210
Southeast			2				49
Subtotal		$	3			$	271
Continuing Operations		$	8,827			$	12,390
Discontinued Operations
Held for Development		$	—			$	44
Land Held for Sale			50				81
Lot Option Abandonments			—				194
Subtotal		$	50			$	319
Total		$	8,877			$	12,709

The inventory held for development that was impaired during the three months ended December 31, 2009 represented 392 lots in 8 communities with an estimated fair value of $15.5 million compared to 339 lots in 6 communities with an estimated fair value of $23.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2008. During the current period, for certain communities we determined that it was prudent to reduce sales prices or further increase sales incentives in response to factors including competitive market conditions. Because the projected cash flows used to evaluate the fair value of inventory are significantly impacted by changes in market conditions including decreased sales prices, the change in sales prices and changes in absorption estimates led to additional impairments in certain communities during the current quarter. In future periods, we may again determine that it is prudent to reduce sales prices, further increase sales incentives or reduce absorption rates which may lead to additional impairments, which could be material. The impairments recorded on our held for development inventory for the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, primarily resulted from the competitive market conditions in those specific submarkets for the product and locations of these communities.

During the three months ended December 31, 2009, as a result of challenging market conditions and review of recent comparable transactions, certain of the Company’s land held for sale was further written down to net realizable value, less estimated costs to sell.

We also have access to land inventory through lot option contracts, which generally enable us to defer acquiring portions of properties owned by third parties and unconsolidated entities until we have determined whether to exercise our lot option. A majority of our lot option contracts require a non-refundable cash deposit or irrevocable letter of credit based on a percentage of the purchase price of the land for the right to acquire lots during a specified period of time at a certain price. Under lot option contracts purchase of the properties is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by us and the sellers. Under option contracts our liability is generally limited to forfeiture of the non-refundable deposits, letters of credit and other non-refundable amounts incurred, which aggregated approximately $40.4 million at December 31, 2009. This amount includes non-refundable letters of credit of approximately $4.4 million. The total remaining purchase price, net of cash deposits, committed under all options was $268.2 million as of December 31, 2009.

We have determined the proper course of action with respect to a number of communities within each homebuilding segment was to abandon the remaining lots under option and to write-off the deposits securing the option takedowns, as well as preacquisition costs. In determining whether to abandon a lot option contract, we evaluate the lot option primarily based upon the expected cash flows from the property that is the subject of the option. If we intend to abandon or walk-away from a lot option contract, we record a charge to earnings in the period such decision is made for the deposit amount and any related capitalized costs associated with the lot option contract.

We expect to exercise, subject to market conditions, most of our remaining option contracts. Various factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as market conditions, weather conditions and the timing of the completion of development activities, will have a significant impact on the timing of option exercises or whether land options will be exercised.

Certain of our option contracts are with sellers who are deemed to be VIEs under FASB Interpretation No. 46 (Revised), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (ASC 470). FIN 46R (ASC 470) defines a VIE as an entity with insufficient equity investment to finance its planned activities without additional financial support or an entity in which the equity investors lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest. An enterprise that absorbs a majority of the expected losses or receives a majority of the expected residual returns of a VIE is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and must consolidate the VIE.

We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of certain of these option contracts. Our risk is generally limited to the option deposits that we pay, and creditors of the sellers generally have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. Although we do not have legal title to the optioned land, for those option contracts for which we are the primary beneficiary, we are required to consolidate the land under option at fair value. We believe that the exercise prices of our option contracts approximate their fair value. Our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009 reflect consolidated inventory not owned of $62.1 million and $53.0 million, respectively. We consolidated $52.5 million and $42.8 million of lot option agreements as consolidated inventory not owned pursuant to FIN 46R (ASC 470) as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009, respectively. In addition, as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009, we recorded $9.5 million and $10.2 million, respectively, of land under the caption “consolidated inventory not owned” related to lot option agreements in accordance with SFAS 49, Product Financing Arrangements. Obligations related to consolidated inventory not owned totaled $34.5 million at December 31, 2009 and $26.4 million at September 30, 2009. The difference between the balances of consolidated inventory not owned and obligations related to consolidated inventory not owned represents cash deposits paid under the option agreements.

(5) Interest

Our ability to capitalize all interest incurred during the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 has been limited by the reduction in our inventory eligible for capitalization. The following table sets forth certain information regarding interest (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2009				2008
Capitalized interest in inventory, beginning of period		$	38,338			$	45,977
Interest incurred			33,180				33,921
Capitalized interest impaired			(632	)			(537	)
Interest expense not qualified for capitalization and included as other expense			(20,532	)			(21,237	)
Capitalized interest amortized to house construction and land sales expenses			(11,384	)			(12,693	)
Capitalized interest in inventory, end of period		$	38,970			$	45,431

(6) Earnings Per Share and Share Repurchases

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2009				2008
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	44,535			$	(79,159	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			3,464				(1,116	)
Net income (loss)		$	47,999			$	(80,275	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — basic			38,827				38,593
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations		$	1.15			$	(2.05	)
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations		$	0.09			$	(0.03	)
Basic earnings (loss) per share		$	1.24			$	(2.08	)
Diluted:
Interest on convertible debt -net of taxes		$	1,174			$	—
Income (loss) from continuing operations for diluted EPS		$	45,709			$	(79,159	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax for diluted EPS			3,464				(1,116	)
Income (loss) for diluted EPS		$	49,173			$	(80,275	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — basic			38,827				38,593
Effect of dilutive securities:
Shares issuable upon conversion of convertible debt			3,112				—
Options to aquire common stock			—				—
Contingent shares (performance based stock)			—				—
Nonvested restricted stock			—				—
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — diluted			41,939				38,593
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations		$	1.09			$	(2.05	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations		$	0.08			$	(0.03	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	1.17			$	(2.08	)

In computing diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2009 options/SSARs to purchase 2.1 million shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. In computing diluted loss per share for the three ended December 31, 2008, all common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share as a result of their anti-dilutive effect.

On November 18, 2005, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan of up to ten million shares of our common stock. During the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 we did not repurchase any shares. At December 31, 2009, there are approximately 5.4 million additional shares available for purchase pursuant to the plan; however, we have currently suspended our repurchase program and any resumption of such program will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and as allowed by our debt covenants and is unlikely in the foreseeable future.

(7) Borrowings

At December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009 we had the following long-term debt (in thousands):

						December 31,				September 30,
		Maturity Date				2009				2009
Secured Revolving Credit Facility		July 2011				$	—			$	—
8 5/8% Senior Notes*		May 2011					127,254				127,254
8 3/8% Senior Notes*		April 2012					303,599				303,599
6 1/2% Senior Notes*		November 2013					164,473				164,473
6 7/8% Senior Notes*		July 2015					209,454				209,454
8 1/8% Senior Notes*		June 2016					180,879				180,879
12% Senior Secured Notes*		September 2017					250,000				250,000
4 5/8% Convertible Senior Notes*		June 2024					154,500				154,500
Junior subordinated notes		July 2036					103,093				103,093
Other secured notes payable		Various Dates					11,998				12,543
Model home financing obligations		Various Dates					22,077				30,361
Unamortized debt discounts							(26,362	)			(27,257	)
Total						$	1,500,965			$	1,508,899

Secured Revolving Credit Facility —On August 5, 2009, we entered into an amendment to our Secured Revolving Credit Facility that reduced the size of the facility to $22 million. The Secured Revolving Credit Facility is provided by one lender. The Secured Revolving Credit Facility will continue to provide for future working capital and letter of credit needs collateralized by either cash or assets of the Company at our option, based on certain conditions and covenant compliance. As of December 31, 2009, we have elected to cash collateralize all letters of credit; however we have pledged approximately $1.0 billion of inventory assets to our revolving credit facility to collateralize potential future borrowings or letters of credit. The Secured Revolving Credit Facility contains certain covenants, including negative covenants and financial maintenance covenants, with which we are required to comply. Subject to our option to cash collateralize our obligations under the Secured Revolving Credit Facility upon certain conditions, our obligations under the Secured Revolving Credit Facility are secured by liens on substantially all of our personal property and a significant portion of our owned real properties. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Secured Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2009 or September 30, 2009.

We entered into three stand-alone, cash-secured letter of credit agreements with banks to maintain our pre-existing letters of credit that had been under our prior revolving credit facility of which one agreement provides for the issuance of new letters of credit. In November 2009 we closed an additional stand-alone, cash-secured letter of credit facility with a major bank to add additional letter of credit capacity. The letter of credit arrangements combined with our revolving credit facility provide a total letter of credit capacity of $106 million. As of December 31, 2009, we have secured letters of credit using cash collateral in restricted accounts totaling $47.2 million. The Company may enter into additional arrangements to provide additional letter of credit capacity.

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

The indentures under which the Senior Notes were issued contain certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on payment of dividends. At December 31, 2009, under the most restrictive covenants of each indenture, no portion of our retained earnings was available for cash dividends or for share repurchases. The indentures provide that, in the event of defined changes in control or if our consolidated tangible net worth falls below a specified level or in certain circumstances upon a sale of assets, we are required to offer to repurchase certain specified amounts of outstanding Senior Notes. Specifically, each indenture (other than the indenture governing the convertible Senior Notes) requires us to offer to purchase 10% of each series of Senior Notes at par if our consolidated tangible net worth (defined as stockholders’ equity less intangible assets as defined) is less than $85 million at the end of any two consecutive fiscal quarters. If triggered and fully subscribed, this could result in our having to purchase $137.5 million of notes, based on the original amounts of the applicable notes; however, this amount may be reduced by certain Senior Note repurchases (potentially at less than par) made after the triggering date.

In June 2004, we issued $180 million aggregate principal amount of 4 5/8% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Convertible Senior Notes”). In August 2004, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC covering resales of the Convertible Senior Notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the cumulative dividends declared to date caused a change in the conversion rate per $1,000 principal amount to an adjusted conversion rate of 20.1441 shares of common stock, representing a current conversion price of $49.64 per share. We may, at our option, redeem for cash the Convertible Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time on or after June 15, 2009 at specified redemption prices. Holders have the right to require us to purchase all or any portion of the Convertible Senior Notes for cash on June 15, 2011, June 15, 2014 and June 15, 2019. In each case, we will pay a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Senior Notes to be purchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and any additional amounts owed, if any to such purchase date.

On September 11, 2009, we issued and sold $250 million aggregate principal amount of our 12% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (Senior Secured Notes) through a private placement. The Senior Secured Notes were issued at a price of 89.5% of their face amount (before underwriting and other issuance costs). Interest on the Senior Secured Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears, commencing April 15, 2010. The Senior Secured Notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of September 11, 2009. The indenture contains covenants which, subject to certain exceptions, limit the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, engage in certain asset sales, make certain types of restricted payments, engage in transactions with affiliates and create liens on assets of the Company. Upon a change of control, as defined, the indenture requires us to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Secured Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If we sell certain assets and do not reinvest the net proceeds in compliance with the indenture, then we must use the net proceeds to offer to repurchase the Senior Secured Notes at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

After October 15, 2012, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Secured Notes at redemption prices set forth in the indenture. The Senior Secured Notes are secured on a second priority basis by, subject to exceptions specified in the related agreements, substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company as defined. On January 21, 2010, we offered to exchange all of the Senior Secured Notes for an equal amount of 12% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the 12% Senior Secured Notes”) which will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

As of December 31, 2009, we were in compliance with all covenants under our Senior Notes.

Junior Subordinated Notes — On June 15, 2006, we completed a private placement of $103.1 million of unsecured junior subordinated notes which mature on July 30, 2036 and are redeemable at par on or after July 30, 2011 and pay a fixed rate of 7.987% for the first ten years ending July 30, 2016. Thereafter, the securities have a floating interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 2.45% per annum, resetting quarterly. These notes were issued to Beazer Capital Trust I, which simultaneously issued, in a private transaction, trust preferred securities and common securities with an aggregate value of $103.1 million to fund its purchase of these notes. The transaction is treated as debt in accordance with GAAP. The obligations relating to these notes and the related securities are subordinated to the Secured Revolving Credit Facility and the Senior Notes.

On January 15, 2010, we completed an exchange of $75 million of our trust preferred securities issued by Beazer Capital Trust I for a new issue of $75 million of junior subordinated notes due July 30, 2036 issued by the Company (the “New Junior Notes”). The exchanged trust preferred securities and the related junior subordinated notes issued in 2006 have been cancelled effective January 15, 2010. The material terms of the New Junior Notes will be identical to the terms of the original trust securities except that when the New Junior Notes change from a fixed rate to a variable rate in August 2016, the variable rate will be subject to a floor of 4.25% and a cap of 9.25%. In addition, the Company will now have the option to redeem the New Junior Notes beginning on June 1, 2012 at 75% of par value and beginning on June 1, 2022, the redemption price of 75% of par value will increase by 1.785% per year.

The aforementioned exchange will be accounted for as an extinguishment of debt and, as such, the New Junior Notes will be recorded at their estimated fair value. Over the remaining life of the New Junior Notes, we will increase their carrying value until this carrying value equals the face value of the notes. Preliminary estimates indicate that this transaction will result in a gain on extinguishment within the range of $54 million to $61 million.

Other Secured Notes Payable — We periodically acquire land through the issuance of notes payable. As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009, we had outstanding notes payable of $12.0 million and $12.5 million, respectively, primarily related to land acquisitions. These notes payable expire at various times through 2011 and had fixed rates ranging from 8.0% to 9.0% at December 31, 2009. These notes are secured by the real estate to which they relate.

The agreements governing these secured notes payable contain various affirmative and negative covenants. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any future waivers or amendments that may become necessary without significant additional cost or at all. In each instance, however, a covenant default can be cured by repayment of the indebtedness.

Model Home Financing Obligations — Due to a continuing interest in certain model home sale-leaseback transactions, we have recorded $22.1 million and $30.4 million of debt as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009, respectively, related to these “financing” transactions in accordance with SFAS 98 (As amended), Accounting for Leases (ASC 840). These model home transactions incur interest at a variable rate of one-month LIBOR plus 450 basis points, 4.7% as of December 31, 2009, and expire at various times through 2015. The model homes financed in these transactions are recorded as inventory until such homes are sold to the ultimate homebuyer and the related financing obligation is repaid. At such time, we recognize revenue and related costs, and the inventory associated with the model homes and the model home financing obligations are reduced. The sale transaction above is reflected as cash provided by operating activities and the reduction in the model home financing obligation is presented as cash used in financing activities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

(8) Income Taxes

During fiscal 2008, the Company established a valuation allowance for substantially all its deferred tax assets. The Company still believes that a valuation allowance is needed for substantially all of its deferred tax assets. However, during the period ending December 31, 2009, The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 was enacted allowing us to carry back a portion of our fiscal 2009 federal tax losses. On December 17, 2009, we filed an application for a federal income tax refund of approximately $101 million. This carryback allowed us to claim a refund of taxes paid in prior years and to monetize a deferred tax asset that had previously had a valuation allowance recorded. We expect to receive the refund proceeds in cash during the quarter ending March 31, 2010.

As part of its tax refund filing, the Company elected to defer the gain recognition from the cancellation of indebtedness associated with the Company’s previously reported buy back of certain Senior Notes during fiscal 2009. This deferral was permitted under The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and represents $51 million of incremental tax benefit to the Company arising from $148 million of gains previously realized. The deferral of the associated gains generated a deferred tax liability of $51 million, which has been netted against our deferred tax assets. The Company will recognize these gains in five equal annual installments beginning in fiscal 2014.

We have not changed our assessment regarding the recoverability of the remaining deferred tax assets and consequently, during the three months ended December 31, 2009, we determined an additional valuation allowance of $18.6 million was warranted to reduce the value of the accumulating current year net operating loss. In addition, due to the change in tax legislation, which allowed us to carry back a portion of our fiscal 2009 tax losses, we recorded a reversal of our valuation allowance of $99 million during the quarter. As of December 31, 2009, our deferred tax valuation allowance was $372.6 million. In future periods, the allowance could be reduced based on sufficient evidence indicating that is a more likely than not that a portion or all of the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realized.

Our tax benefit from continuing operations of $94 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009, primarily resulted from the enacted tax legislation that allowed us to carry back a portion of our fiscal 2009 federal tax losses and claim a refund on prior year taxes paid. The principal difference between our effective rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate for the three months ended December 31, 2009 relates to the carryback of federal tax losses and our valuation allowance.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, there have been no material changes to the components of the Company’s total unrecognized tax benefits, including any amount which, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate.

(9) Contingencies

Beazer Homes and certain of its subsidiaries have been and continue to be named as defendants in various construction defect claims, complaints and other legal actions that include claims related to Chinese drywall. The Company is subject to the possibility of loss contingencies arising in its business and such contingencies are accounted for in accordance with SFAS 5, Accounting for Contingencies (ASC 7). In determining loss contingencies, we consider the likelihood of loss as well as the ability to reasonably estimate the amount of such loss or liability. An estimated loss is recorded when it is considered probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

Warranty Reserves. We currently provide a limited warranty (ranging from one to two years) covering workmanship and materials per our defined performance quality standards. In addition, we provide a limited warranty (generally ranging from a minimum of five years up to the period covered by the applicable statute of repose) covering only certain defined construction defects. We also provide a defined structural element warranty with single-family homes and townhomes in certain states.

Since we subcontract our homebuilding work to subcontractors who generally provide us with an indemnity and a certificate of insurance prior to receiving payments for their work, many claims relating to workmanship and materials are the primary responsibility of the subcontractors.

Warranty reserves are included in other liabilities and the provision for warranty accruals is included in home construction and land sales expenses in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. We record reserves covering anticipated warranty expense for each home closed. Management reviews the adequacy of warranty reserves each reporting period based on historical experience and management’s estimate of the costs to remediate the claims and adjusts these provisions accordingly. Our review includes a quarterly analysis of the historical data and trends in warranty expense by operating segment. An analysis by operating segment allows us to consider market specific factors such as our warranty experience, the number of home closings, the prices of homes, product mix and other data in estimating our warranty reserves. In addition, our analysis also contemplates the existence of any non-recurring or community-specific warranty related matters that might not be contemplated in our historical data and trends.

As of December 31, 2009, we have accrued $2.4 million in our warranty reserves for the repair of approximately 40 homes in southwest Florida where certain of our subcontractors installed defective Chinese drywall in homes that were delivered during our 2006 and 2007 fiscal years. We are inspecting additional homes in order to determine whether they also contain the defective Chinese drywall. The outcome of these inspections may require us to increase our warranty reserve in the future. However, the amount of additional liability, if any, is not reasonably estimable. In addition, the Company has been named as defendants in a number of legal actions related to Chinese drywall (see Other Matters below).

As a result of our analyses, we adjust our estimated warranty liabilities. While we believe that our warranty reserves are adequate as of December 31, 2009, historical data and trends may not accurately predict actual warranty costs, or future developments could lead to a significant change in the reserve. Our warranty reserves are as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2009			2008
Balance at beginning of period		$	30,100			$	40,822
Provisions			1,383				248
Payments			(3,123	)			(4,182	)
Balance at end of period		$	28,360			$	36,888

Litigation

Securities Litigation. Beazer Homes and certain of its current and former officers were named as defendants in a securities lawsuit filed on September 18, 2009 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The complaint was filed by a group of plaintiffs who opted out of the settlement of the putative class action securities litigation filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia that was dismissed on September 15, 2009, the details of which were previously disclosed by the Company. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b), 18, and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by issuing materially false and misleading statements regarding our business and prospects due to allegedly improper lending practices in our mortgage origination business. The plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of compensatory damages. The parties have settled the lawsuit. A portion of the settlement amount will be provided by certain insurers and the Company is in negotiations with certain of its other insurers to provide additional amounts towards the settlement; however, the Company has determined that it is probable that a liability exists related to this matter and has accordingly recorded an accrual consistent with our accrual policy for such matters. The amount of such accrual is not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations and is included in the total litigation accrual discussed below.

Derivative Shareholder Actions. Certain of Beazer Homes’ current and former officers and directors were named as defendants in two derivative shareholder suits filed on April 16, 2007 and August 29, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, which were subsequently consolidated. Beazer Homes is named as a nominal defendant. The amended consolidated complaint, purportedly on behalf of Beazer Homes, alleges that the defendants (i) violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder; (ii) breached their fiduciary duties and misappropriated information; (iii) abused their control; (iv) wasted corporate assets; and (v) were unjustly enriched, and seeks an unspecified amount of compensatory damages against the

individual defendants and in favor of Beazer Homes. The parties reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit. Under the terms of the settlement, the action will be dismissed with prejudice, and the Company and all other defendants will not admit any liability. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, the Company has acknowledged that the pendency of the derivative action was a factor in the Company’s adoption of various corporate governance reforms and remedial measures, all of which have previously been disclosed, and agreed that plaintiffs’ counsel would receive attorney’s fees not to exceed $950,000, which will be funded by insurance proceeds. The settlement remains subject to final court approval. Based on the terms of the settlement, as of December 31, 2009, no accrual has been recorded related to this action.

ERISA Class Actions. On April 30, 2007, a putative class action complaint was filed on behalf of a purported class consisting of present and former participants and beneficiaries of the Beazer Homes USA, Inc. 401(k) Plan. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The complaint alleges breach of fiduciary duties, including those set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), as a result of the investment of retirement monies held by the 401(k) Plan in common stock of Beazer Homes at a time when participants were allegedly not provided timely, accurate and complete information concerning Beazer Homes. Four additional lawsuits were filed subsequently making similar allegations and the court consolidated these five lawsuits. The consolidated amended complaint names as defendants Beazer Homes, our chief executive officer, certain current and former directors of the Company, including the members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, and certain employees of the Company who acted as members of the Company’s 401(k) Committee. On October 10, 2008, the Company and the other defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. Briefing of the motion was completed in January 2009. The Company intends to vigorously defend against these actions. Given the inherent uncertainties in this litigation, as of December 31, 2009, no accrual has been recorded, as losses, if any, related to this matter are not both probable and reasonably estimable.

Homeowners Class Action Lawsuits and Multi-Plaintiff Lawsuit. A putative class action was filed on April 8, 2008 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, Salisbury Division, against Beazer Homes, U.S.A., Inc., Beazer Homes Corp. and Beazer Mortgage Corporation. The Complaint alleges that Beazer violated the Real Estate Settlement Practices Act (RESPA) and North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1 by (1) improperly requiring homebuyers to use Beazer-owned mortgage and settlement services as part of a down payment assistance program, and (2) illegally increasing the cost of homes and settlement services sold by Beazer Homes Corp. The purported class consists of all residents of North Carolina who purchased a home from Beazer, using mortgage financing provided by and through Beazer that included seller-funded down payment assistance, between January 1, 2000 and October 11, 2007. The Complaint demands an unspecified amount of damages, equitable relief, treble damages, attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses. The defendants moved to dismiss the Complaint on June 4, 2008. On July 25, 2008, in lieu of a response to the motion to dismiss, plaintiff filed an amended complaint which the Company moved to dismiss. The magistrate judge recommended that the district court grant the defendants’ motion to dismiss the RESPA claim but deny the motion to dismiss the § 75-1.1 claim. While the plaintiffs did not object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation with respect to the RESPA claim, the defendants filed an objection to the magistrate judge’s recommendation with respect to the § 75-1.1 claim, which objection is now before the district court. The Company intends to vigorously defend against this action. Given the inherent uncertainties in this litigation, as of December 31, 2009, no accrual has been recorded, as losses, if any, related to this matter are not both probable and reasonably estimable.

Beazer Homes Corp. and Beazer Mortgage Corporation are also named defendants in a lawsuit filed on July 3, 2007, in the General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division, County of Mecklenburg, North Carolina. The complaint was filed on behalf of individual homeowners who purchased homes from Beazer in Mecklenburg County. The complaint alleges certain deceptive conduct by the defendants and brings various claims under North Carolina statutory and common law, including a claim for punitive damages. The case has been assigned to the docket of the North Carolina Business Court. The plaintiffs have filed four amended complaints, and the Company has filed a motion to dismiss each of the complaints filed by the plaintiffs. With the exception of all claims of one plaintiff and one claim as to all plaintiffs, which claims have now been dismissed, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss. The Company intends to vigorously defend against this action. Given the inherent uncertainties in this litigation, as of December 31, 2009, no accrual has been recorded, as losses, if any, related to this matter are not both probable and reasonably estimable.

Beazer Homes and several subsidiaries were named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit originally filed on March 12, 2008, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Placer. The purported class is defined as all persons who purchased a home from the defendants or their affiliates, with the assistance of a federally related mortgage loan, from March 25, 1999, to the present where Security Title Insurance Company received any money as a reinsurer of the transaction. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated RESPA and asserts claims under a number of state statutes alleging that defendants engaged in a uniform and systematic practice of giving and/or accepting fees and kickbacks to affiliated businesses including affiliated and/or recommended title insurance companies. The complaint also alleges a number of common law claims. Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages under RESPA, unspecified statutory, compensatory and punitive damages and injunctive and declaratory relief, as well as attorneys’

fees and costs. Defendants removed the action to federal court and plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint which substituted new named-plaintiffs. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint, which the federal court granted in part. The federal court dismissed the sole federal claim, declined to rule on the state law claims, and remanded the case to the Superior Court of Placer County. The Company filed a supplemental motion to dismiss/demurrer regarding the remaining state law claims in the Second Amended Complaint and the state court sustained defendants’ demurrer but granted the plaintiffs leave to amend their claims. Plaintiffs thereafter filed a Third Amended Complaint which defendants removed to federal court based on the presence of a federal question and pursuant to the Class Action Fairness Act and thereafter moved to dismiss or, in the alternative, for summary judgment. Plaintiffs have filed a motion to remand the case to the Superior Court of Placer County. The motion to dismiss is fully briefed and is awaiting decision by the Court. The Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against the action. Given the inherent uncertainties in this litigation, as of December 31, 2009, no accrual has been recorded, as losses, if any, related to this matter are not both probable and reasonably estimable.

We cannot predict or determine the timing or final outcome of the lawsuits or the effect that any adverse findings or adverse determinations in the pending lawsuits may have on us. In addition, an estimate of possible loss or range of loss, if any, cannot presently be made with respect to the above pending matters. An unfavorable determination resulting from any governmental investigation could result in the filing of criminal charges, payment of substantial criminal or civil restitution, the imposition of injunctions on our conduct or the imposition of other penalties or consequences, including but not limited to the Company having to adjust, curtail or terminate the conduct of certain of our business operations. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. An unfavorable determination in any of the pending lawsuits could result in the payment by us of substantial monetary damages which may not be fully covered by insurance. Further, the legal costs associated with the lawsuits and the amount of time required to be spent by management and the Board of Directors on these matters, even if we are ultimately successful, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Other Matters

As disclosed in our 2009 Form 10-K, on July 1, 2009, the Company announced that it has resolved the criminal and civil investigations by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina (the U.S. Attorney) and other state and federal agencies concerning matters that were the subject of the independent investigation, initiated in April 2007 by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the Investigation) and concluded in May 2008. Under the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement (DPA), the Company’s liability for fiscal 2010 will be equal to the greater of $1 million or 4% of the Company’s adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the DPA) and in each of the fiscal years after 2010 through a portion of fiscal 2014 (unless extended as described in Note 9) will also be equal to 4% of the Company’s adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the DPA). The total amount of such obligations will be dependent on several factors; however, the maximum liability under the DPA and other settlement agreements discussed above will not exceed $55.0 million of which $14 million was paid during fiscal 2009. As of December 31, 2009, we have accrued $2.0 million for fiscal 2010 obligations under the DPA and HUD agreements. While we believe that our accrual for this liability is adequate as of December 31, 2009, positive adjusted EBITDA results in future years will require us to increase our accrual and incur additional expense in the future.

In November 2003, Beazer Homes received a request for information from the EPA pursuant to Section 308 of the Clean Water Act seeking information concerning the nature and extent of storm water discharge practices relating to certain of our communities completed or under construction. The EPA has since requested information on additional communities and has conducted site inspections at a number of locations. In certain instances, the EPA or the equivalent state agency has issued Administrative Orders identifying alleged instances of noncompliance and requiring corrective action to address the alleged deficiencies in storm water management practices. As of December 31, 2009, no monetary penalties had been imposed in connection with such Administrative Orders. Consistent with its approach with other homebuilders, the EPA has contacted the Company about a possible resolution of these issues. Settlement negotiations are proceeding. The EPA has reserved the right to impose monetary penalties at a later date, the amount of which, if any, cannot currently be estimated. Beazer Homes has taken action to comply with the requirements of each of the Administrative Orders and is working to otherwise maintain compliance with the requirements of the Clean Water Act.

In 2006, we received two Administrative Orders issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Orders allege certain violations of wetlands disturbance permits. The two Orders assess proposed fines of $630,000 and $678,000, respectively. We have met with the Department to discuss their concerns on the two affected communities and have requested hearings on both matters. We believe that we have significant defenses to the alleged violations and intend to contest the agency’s findings and the proposed fines. We are currently pursuing settlement discussions with the Department.

On June 3, 2009, a purported class action complaint was filed by the owners of one of our homes in our Magnolia Lakes’ community in Ft. Myers, Florida. The complaint names the Company and certain distributors and suppliers of drywall and was filed in the Circuit Court for Lee County, Florida on behalf of the named plaintiffs and other similarly situated owners of homes in Magnolia Lakes or alternatively in the State of Florida. The plaintiffs allege that the Company built their homes with defective drywall, manufactured in China, that contains sulfur compounds that allegedly corrode certain metals and that are allegedly capable of harming the health of individuals. Plaintiffs allege physical and economic damages and seek legal and equitable relief, medical monitoring and attorney’s fees. This case has been transferred to the Eastern District of Louisiana pursuant to an order from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. The Company believes that the claims asserted in this complaint are governed by its home warranty or are without merit. Accordingly, the Company intends to vigorously defend against this litigation. Given the inherent uncertainties in this litigation, as of December 31, 2009, no accrual has been recorded, as losses, if any, related to this matter are not both probable and reasonably estimable.

We and certain of our subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various claims, complaints and other legal actions, most relating to construction defects, moisture intrusion and product liability. Certain of the liabilities resulting from these actions are covered in whole or part by insurance. In our opinion, based on our current assessment, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We have accrued $19.0 million and $19.7 million in other liabilities related to these matters as of December 31 and September 30, 2009, respectively.

The lender of one of our unconsolidated joint ventures has filed individual lawsuits against some of the joint venture partners and certain of those partners’ parent companies (including the Company), seeking to recover damages under completion guarantees, among other claims. We intend to vigorously defend against this legal action. We are a 2.58% partner in this joint venture (see Note 3 for additional information). In addition, one member of the joint venture has filed an arbitration proceeding against the remaining members related to the plaintiff-member’s allegations that the other members have failed to perform under the applicable membership agreements. In both matters, an estimate of possible loss or range of loss if any, cannot presently be made with respect to the above matter. Given the inherent uncertainties and complexities in this litigation, as of December 31, 2009, no accrual has been recorded, as losses, if any, related to this matter are not both probable and reasonably estimable.

We had outstanding letters of credit and performance bonds of approximately $39.2 million and $207.7 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009 related principally to our obligations to local governments to construct roads and other improvements in various developments in addition to the letters of credit of approximately $4.9 million relating to our land option contracts discussed in Note 4.

(10) Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements (ASC 820). SFAS 157 (ASC 820) provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS 157 (ASC 820) includes provisions that require expanded disclosure of the effect on earnings for items measured using unobservable data.

Certain of our assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recovered. SFAS 157 (ASC 820) establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly through corroboration with market data; Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect our own estimates about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The following table presents our assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for each hierarchy level and represents only those assets whose carrying values were adjusted to fair value during the three months ended December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
Development projects in progress		$	—			$	—			$	15,500			$	15,500
Land held for sale			—				—				2,039				2,039
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures			—				—				4,060				4,060

As previously disclosed, we review our long-lived assets, including inventory for recoverability when factors that indicate an impairment may exist, but no less than quarterly. Fair value is based on estimated cash flows discounted for market risks associated with the long-lived assets. During the three months ended December 31, 2009, we recorded total inventory impairments of $7.8 million and $1.1 million for development projects in progress and land held for sale, respectively. See Notes 1, 3 and 4 for additional information related to the fair value accounting for the assets listed above.

The fair values of our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are determined primarily using a discounted cash flow model to value the underlying net assets of the respective entities. During the three months ended December 31, 2009, we recorded the writedown of our investment in certain of our unconsolidated joint ventures of $2.7 million, substantially all of which is included in loss from discontinued operations, net of tax in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Determining which hierarchical level an asset or liability falls within requires significant judgment. We evaluate our hierarchy disclosures each quarter.

The fair value of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, other liabilities and other secured notes payable approximate their carrying amounts due to the short maturity of these assets and liabilities. Obligations related to consolidated inventory not owned are recorded at estimated fair value. The fair value of our model home financing obligations approximate their carrying amounts due to the variable interest rates associated with those obligations. The carrying values and estimated fair values of other financial assets and liabilities were as follows:

		As of December 31, 2009								As of September 30, 2009
		Carrying								Carrying
		Amount				Fair Value				Amount				Fair Value
Senior Notes		$	1,363,797			$	1,257,305			$	1,362,902			$	1,200,612
Junior subordinated notes			103,093				52,069				103,093				52,377
		$	1,466,890			$	1,309,374			$	1,465,995			$	1,252,989

The estimated fair values shown above for our publicly held Senior Notes have been determined using quoted market rates. The fair value of our publicly held junior subordinated notes is estimated by discounting scheduled cash flows through maturity. The discount rate is estimated using market rates currently being offered on loans with similar terms and credit quality. Judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop these estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange.

(11) Segment Information

As defined in SFAS 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (ASC 280), we have three homebuilding segments operating in 17 states and one financial services segment. Revenues in our homebuilding segments are derived from the sale of homes which we construct and from land and lot sales. Revenues in our financial services segment are derived primarily from title services provided predominantly to customers of our homebuilding operations. Our reportable segments, described below, have been determined on a basis that is used internally by management for evaluating segment performance and resource allocations. The reportable homebuilding segments include operations conducting business in the following states:

West: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas
East: Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina (Raleigh), Pennsylvania, Tennessee (Nashville) and Virginia
Southeast: Florida, Georgia and South Carolina

We have ceased all of our homebuilding operating activities in the markets previously included in our Other Homebuilding segment. As a result, the financial information related to these markets are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and are further discussed in Note 13.

Management’s evaluation of segment performance is based on segment operating income, which for our homebuilding segments is defined as homebuilding and land sale revenues less home construction, land development and land sales expense, depreciation and amortization and certain selling, general and administrative expenses which are incurred by or allocated to our homebuilding segments. Segment operating income for our Financial Services segment is defined as revenues less costs associated with our title operations and certain selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by or allocated to the Financial Services segment. The accounting policies of our segments are those described in Note 1. The following information is in thousands:

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2009				2008
Revenue
West		$	87,880			$	103,417
East			97,732				73,191
Southeast			32,792				41,073
Financial Services			380				488
Total		$	218,784			$	218,169

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2009				2008
Operating income (loss)
West		$	2,951			$	(6,246	)
East			5,291				(3,424	)
Southeast			(451	)			(1,945	)
Financial Services			190				(12	)
Segment total			7,981				(11,627	)
Corporate and unallocated (a)			(37,893	)			(49,833	)
Total operating loss			(29,912	)			(61,460	)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures			(43	)			(1,407	)
Other expense, net			(19,531	)			(18,185	)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes		$	(49,486	)		$	(81,052	)

		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2009				2008
Depreciation and amortization
West		$	1,262			$	1,515
East			1,065				763
Southeast			490				316
Financial Services			1				8
Segment total			2,818				2,602
Corporate and unallocated (a)			606				1,036
Consolidated total		$	3,424			$	3,638

		December 31,				September 30,
		2009				2009
Assets
West		$	651,783			$	664,857
East			402,740				428,673
Southeast			177,789				182,155
Financial Services			35,112				35,720
Corporate and unallocated (b)			721,444				680,047
Discontinued operations			35,450				37,958
Consolidated total		$	2,024,318			$	2,029,410

(12) Supplemental Guarantor Information

As discussed in Note 7, our obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest under certain debt are guaranteed on a joint and several basis by substantially all of our subsidiaries. Certain of our title, warranty and immaterial subsidiaries do not guarantee our Senior Notes or our Secured Revolving Credit Facility. The guarantees are full and unconditional and the guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned by Beazer Homes USA, Inc. We have determined that separate, full financial statements of the guarantors would not be material to investors and, accordingly, supplemental financial information for the guarantors is presented.

Unaudited Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
December 31, 2009
(in thousands)

																		Consolidated
		Beazer Homes				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Consolidating				Beazer Homes
		USA, Inc.				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Adjustments				USA, Inc.
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	436,479			$	351			$	567			$	(4,672	)		$	432,725
Restricted cash			47,185				551				—				—				47,736
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $5,091)			—				29,506				28				—				29,534
Income tax receivable			108,886				—				—				—				108,886
Owned inventory			—				1,229,163				—				—				1,229,163
Consolidated inventory not owned			—				62,079				—				—				62,079
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures			3,093				28,875				—				—				31,968
Deferred tax assets, net			7,645				—				—				—				7,645
Property, plant and equipment, net			—				23,933				—				—				23,933
Investments in subsidiaries			28,856				—				—				(28,856	)			—
Intercompany			1,154,497				(1,162,974	)			3,805				4,672				—
Other assets			25,619				19,752				5,278				—				50,649
Total assets		$	1,812,260			$	231,236			$	9,678			$	(28,856	)		$	2,024,318
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Trade accounts payable		$	—			$	44,595			$	—			$	—			$	44,595
Other liabilities			75,507				116,108				5,279				—				196,894
Intercompany			457				—				(457	)			—				—
Obligations related to consolidated inventory not owned			—				34,535				—				—				34,535
Senior Notes (net of discounts of $26,362)			1,363,797				—				—				—				1,363,797
Junior subordinated notes			103,093				—				—				—				103,093
Other secured notes payable			—				11,998				—				—				11,998
Model home financing obligations			22,077				—				—				—				22,077
Total liabilities			1,564,931				207,236				4,822				—				1,776,989
Stockholders’ equity			247,329				24,000				4,856				(28,856	)			247,329
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	1,812,260			$	231,236			$	9,678			$	(28,856	)		$	2,024,318

Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
September 30, 2009
(in thousands)

																		Consolidated
		Beazer Homes				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Consolidating				Beazer Homes
		USA, Inc.				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Adjustments				USA, Inc.
|		| | | |
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	495,692			$	11,482			$	2,915			$	(2,750	)		$	507,339
Restricted cash			48,326				1,135				—				—				49,461
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $7,545)			—				28,377				28				—				28,405
Income tax receivable			9,922				—				—				—				9,922
Owned inventory			—				1,265,441				—				—				1,265,441
Consolidated inventory not owned			—				53,015				—				—				53,015
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures			3,093				27,031				—				—				30,124
Deferred tax assets			7,520				—				—				—				7,520
Property, plant and equipment, net			—				25,939				—				—				25,939
Investments in subsidiaries			210,730				—				—				(210,730	)			—
Intercompany			977,956				(984,511	)			3,805				2,750				—
Other assets			26,750				22,419				3,075				—				52,244
Total assets		$	1,779,989			$	450,328			$	9,823			$	(210,730	)		$	2,029,410
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Trade accounts payable		$	—			$	70,285			$	—			$	—			$	70,285
Other liabilities			86,717				134,655				5,943				—				227,315
Intercompany			361				—				(361	)			—				—
Obligations related to consolidated inventory not owned			—				26,356				—				—				26,356
Senior Notes (net of discounts of $27,257)			1,362,902				—				—				—				1,362,902
Junior subordinated notes			103,093				—				—				—				103,093
Other secured notes payable			—				12,543				—				—				12,543
Model home financing obligations			30,361				—				—				—				30,361
Total liabilities			1,583,434				243,839				5,582				—				1,832,855
Stockholders’ equity			196,555				206,489				4,241				(210,730	)			196,555
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	1,779,989			$	450,328			$	9,823			$	(210,730	)		$	2,029,410

Unaudited Consolidating Statement of Operations Information
(in thousands)

																		Consolidated
		Beazer Homes				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Consolidating				Beazer Homes
		USA, Inc.				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Adjustments				USA, Inc.
Three Months Ended December 31, 2009
Total revenue		$	—			$	217,828			$	956			$	—			$	218,784
Home construction and land sales expenses			11,384				179,252				—				—				190,636
Inventory impairments and option contract abandonments			632				8,195				—				—				8,827
Gross (loss) profit			(12,016	)			30,381				956				—				19,321
Selling, general and administrative expenses			—				45,778				31				—				45,809
Depreciation and amortization							3,424				—								3,424
Operating (loss) income			(12,016	)			(18,821	)			925				—				(29,912	)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated joint ventures			—				(43	)			—				—				(43	)
Other (expense) income, net			(20,532	)			979				22				—				(19,531	)
(Loss) income before income taxes			(32,548	)			(17,885	)			947				—				(49,486	)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes			(12,287	)			(82,065	)			331				—				(94,021	)
Equity in income of subsidiaries			64,796				—				—				(64,796	)			—
Income from continuing operations			44,535				64,180				616				(64,796	)			44,535
Income from discontinued operations			—				3,464				—				—				3,464
Equity in income of subsidiaries			3,464				—				—				(3,464	)			—
Net income		$	47,999			$	67,644			$	616			$	(68,260	)		$	47,999