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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________
FORM 10-Q

SQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
OR
£TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission file number 1-36001

UCP, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
90-0978085
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
99 Almaden Blvd., Suite 400, San Jose, CA 95113
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

(408) 207-9499
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes S  No £
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes S  No £
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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
£
 
Accelerated filer
£
 
Non-accelerated filer
S
 
Smaller reporting company
£
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes £ No S
On November 6, 2014, the registrant had 7,922,216 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share outstanding and 100 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share outstanding.




UCP, Inc.

FORM 10-Q
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
Part I - Financial Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
 
 
 
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
 
 
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
Part II - Other Information
 
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
 
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
 
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

2


 
 
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
 
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
 
 
Item 5.
Other Information
 
 
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
 
 
Signatures
 

3





UCP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except shares and per share data)
 
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
30,347

 
$
87,503

Restricted cash
250

 

Real estate inventories
263,437

 
176,848

Fixed assets, net
1,504

 
1,028

Intangible assets, net
609

 

Goodwill
4,993

 

Receivables
1,179

 
785

Other assets
6,226

 
1,156

Total assets
$
308,545

 
$
267,320

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and equity:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
33,655

 
$
18,654

Debt
59,353

 
30,950

Total liabilities
93,008

 
49,604

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)


 


 
 
 
 
  Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

 

Class A common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 authorized, 7,922,216 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and 7,750,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013
79

 
78

Class B common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 authorized, 100 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

 

Additional paid-in capital
93,841

 
93,117

Accumulated deficit
(4,924
)
 
(1,941
)
Total UCP, Inc. stockholders’ equity
88,996

 
91,254

Noncontrolling interest
126,541

 
126,462

Total stockholders’ equity
215,537

 
217,716

Total liabilities and equity
$
308,545

 
$
267,320

 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


4


UCP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except shares and per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding
$
35,086

 
$
21,369

 
$
110,542

 
$
46,609

Land development
20,264

 
2,250

 
32,513

 
16,535

Other revenue
400

 

 
1,918

 

Total revenue
55,750

 
23,619

 
144,973

 
63,144

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales - homebuilding
29,845

 
16,558

 
91,721

 
36,500

Cost of sales - land development
16,079

 
1,433

 
25,466

 
11,149

Cost of sales - other revenue
352

 

 
1,681

 

Sales and marketing
3,486

 
1,516

 
9,807

 
4,747

General and administrative
6,737

 
4,503

 
19,917

 
13,310

Total costs and expenses
56,499

 
24,010

 
148,592

 
65,706

Loss from operations
(749
)
 
(391
)
 
(3,619
)
 
(2,562
)
Other income, net
17

 
55

 
103

 
318

Net Loss before income taxes
(732
)
 
(336
)
 
(3,516
)
 
(2,244
)
Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

Net Loss
$
(732
)
 
$
(336
)
 
$
(3,516
)
 
$
(2,244
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
$
(66
)
 
$
(321
)
 
$
(533
)
 
$
(2,229
)
Net loss attributable to stockholders of UCP, Inc.
(666
)
 
(15
)
 
(2,983
)
 
(15
)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss
$
(732
)
 
$
(336
)
 
$
(3,516
)
 
$
(2,244
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
$
(66
)
 
$
(321
)
 
$
(533
)
 
$
(2,229
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to stockholders of UCP, Inc.
$
(666
)
 
$
(15
)
 
$
(2,983
)
 
$
(15
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Basic and diluted
$
(0.08
)
 
$

 
$
(0.38
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Basic and diluted
7,900,553

 
7,750,000

 
7,852,763

 
7,750,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


5


UCP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

 
Members'
equity
Shares of common stock outstanding
Common stock
Additional
paid-in
capital
Accumulated
deficit
Noncontrolling
interest
Total
stockholders’
equity
 
 
Class A
Class B
Class A
Class B
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
$

7,750,000

100
$
78

$

$
93,117

$
(1,941
)
$
126,462

$
217,716

Class A - issuance of common stock
 
172,216

 
1

 
(819
)
 
(801
)
(1,619
)
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 
 
 
 
1,543

 
1,413

2,956

Net loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,983
)
(533
)
(3,516
)
Balance at September 30, 2014
$

7,922,216

100

$
79

$

$
93,841

$
(4,924
)
$
126,541

$
215,537

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
102,315

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Member contribution
37,512

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Repayments of member contributions
(25,443
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Net loss, pre IPO
(2,209
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Class A - Issuance of common stock,
net of issuance costs
 
7,750,000

 
$
78

 
$
105,376

 
 
$
105,454

Class B - Issuance of common stock,
net of issuance costs
 
 
100

 

 
 
 

Allocation of Class B issuance to
noncontrolling interest
(112,175
)
 
 
 
 
47,394

 
$
64,781

112,175

Changes in ownership of noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
(60,899
)
 
60,899


Stock-based compensation expense
 
 
 
 
 
935

 
 
935

Adjustment of noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
(540
)
 
540


Net loss, post IPO
 
 
 
 
 
 
(15
)
(20
)
(35
)
Balance at September 30, 2013
$

7,750,000

100

$
78

$

$
92,266

$
(15
)
$
126,200

$
218,529

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


UCP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(3,516
)
 
$
(2,244
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation
2,956

 
935

Abandonment of real estate inventories
173

 
12

Depreciation and amortization
498

 
189

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Real estate inventories
(72,789
)
 
(32,113
)
Receivables
(332
)
 
(126
)
Other assets
(4,435
)
 
(676
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
8,749

 
7,022

Net cash used in operating activities
(68,696
)
 
(27,001
)
Investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of fixed assets
(788
)
 
(525
)
   Citizens acquisition
(14,006
)
 

   Restricted cash
(250
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
(15,044
)
 
(525
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
Cash contributions from member

 
37,512

Repayments of member contributions

 
(25,443
)
Proceeds from debt
62,106

 
21,394

Repayment of debt
(33,703
)
 
(18,713
)
Proceeds from IPO (net of offering costs)

 
105,454

Debt issuance cost
(200
)
 

Repurchase of Class A common stock for settlement of employee withholding taxes
(1,619
)
 

Net cash provided by financing activities
26,584

 
120,204

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(57,156
)
 
92,678

Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period
87,503

 
10,324

Cash and cash equivalents – end of period
$
30,347

 
$
103,002


 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
  Debt incurred to acquire real estate inventories
$

 
$
13,153

      Accrued offering and debt issuance costs
$
450

 
$

Non-cash investing and financing activity
 
 
 
    Exercise of land purchase options acquired with acquisition of business
$
141

 
$

      Fair value of assets acquired from the acquisition of business
$
20,258

 
$

    Cash paid for the acquisition of business
$
(14,006
)
 
$

    Contingent consideration and liabilities assumed from the acquisition of business
$
6,252

 
$

    Issuance of Class A common stock for vested restricted stock units
$
3,999

 
$


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


7



UCP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 
1.    Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As used in this report, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, references to “the Company”, “we”, “our” and “UCP” refer (1) prior to the July 23, 2013 completion of the initial public offering of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share ( “Class A common stock”) of UCP, Inc. (the “IPO”) and related transactions, to UCP, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries and (2) after the IPO and related transactions, to UCP, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries including UCP, LLC. UCP, Inc. had nominal assets and no liabilities, and conducted no operations prior to the completion of the Company’s IPO. Presentation of the historical results of UCP, Inc. alone would not be meaningful and accordingly the historical financial information prior to the IPO represents those of UCP, LLC.
 
Business Description and Organizational Structure of the Company:

Company’s Business
The Company is a homebuilder and land developer with land acquisition and entitlement expertise in California, Washington State, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Company’s History

The Company’s operations began in 2004, and principally focused on acquiring land, entitling and developing it for residential construction, and selling residential lots to third-party homebuilders. In January 2008, the Company’s business was acquired by PICO Holdings, Inc. (“PICO”), a NASDAQ -listed, diversified holding company, which allowed the Company to accelerate the development of its business with a capital partner capable of funding its growth. In 2010, the Company formed Benchmark Communities, LLC, its wholly owned homebuilding subsidiary, to design, construct and sell high quality single-family homes. On April 10, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of the assets of Citizens Homes, Inc. (“Citizens”), used in the purchase of real estate and the construction and marketing of residential homes in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee (the “Citizens Acquisition”) in order to position the Company to expand its operations into markets located in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Company’s Reorganization and the IPO

Historically, we operated our business through UCP, LLC and its subsidiaries, which, prior to our IPO, were indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of PICO. In anticipation of our IPO, UCP, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Delaware on May 7, 2013, as a wholly- owned subsidiary of PICO. UCP, Inc. is a holding company, whose principal asset is its interest in UCP, LLC. As of September 30, 2014, UCP, Inc. held a 42.8% economic interest in UCP, LLC and PICO held the remaining 57.2% economic interest in UCP, LLC.
Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts have been eliminated upon consolidation.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 17, 2014. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring entries) necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s results for the interim periods presented. These consolidated and segment results are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s future performance.

The consolidated financial statements for the period prior to the completion of the Company’s IPO, which was completed on July 23, 2013, have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and have been derived from PICO’s consolidated financial statements and

8



accounting records. These stand-alone financial statements have been prepared using the historical results of operations and assets and liabilities attributed to the Company’s operations.
As an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, the Company has taken advantage of certain temporary exemptions from various reporting requirements, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements. These exemptions will apply until the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our IPO, although we may lose our status as an emerging growth company and the related exemptions earlier upon the occurrence of certain events.
       
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements:
 
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each reporting period. The significant estimates made in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements relate to the assessment of real estate impairments, valuation of assets and liabilities acquired, warranty reserves, income taxes and contingent liabilities. While management believes that the carrying value of such assets and liabilities are appropriate as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.
 
Related Party Transactions:

Prior to the IPO, we were a wholly owned subsidiary of PICO. In addition, as of September 30, 2014, PICO holds an economic and voting interest in our Company equal to approximately 57.2%. In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into the Exchange Agreement, Investor Rights Agreement, Tax Receivable Agreement and Transition Services Agreement with PICO. The Company also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with PICO, with respect to the shares of its Class A common stock that it may receive in exchanges made pursuant to the Exchange Agreement. Prior to completion of the IPO, the amendment and restatement of UCP, LLC's Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement was approved by PICO, the sole member of UCP, LLC.


Segment Reporting:

The Company determined that its operations are organized into two reportable segments: homebuilding and land development. In accordance with the aggregation criteria defined in the applicable accounting guidance, the Company considered similar economic and other characteristics, including product types, average selling prices, gross margins, production processes, suppliers, subcontractors, regulatory environments, land acquisition results and underlying supply and demand in determining its reportable segments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:

Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less.

Our cash items that are restricted as to withdrawal or usage include deposits of $250,000 and $0 as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively. The balance as of September 30, 2014 was related to funds deposited with financial institutions as collateral for credit card agreements.


Capitalization of Interest:

The Company capitalizes interest to real estate inventories during the period of development. Interest capitalized as a cost of real estate inventories is included in cost of sales-homebuilding or cost of sales-land development as related homes or real estate are sold. To the extent the Company’s debt exceeds the cost of the related asset under development, the Company expenses that portion of the interest incurred. Qualifying assets include projects that are actively selling or under development.
 



9



Real Estate Inventories and Cost of Sales:
 
The Company capitalizes pre-acquisition costs, the purchase price of real estate, development costs and other allocated costs, including interest, during development and home construction. Pre-acquisition costs, including non-refundable land deposits, are expensed to cost of sales when the Company determines continuation of the related project is not probable.

 
Land, development and other common costs are typically allocated to real estate inventories using the relative-sales-value method. Direct home construction costs are recorded using the specific identification method. Cost of sales-homebuilding includes the allocation of construction costs of each home and all applicable land acquisition, real estate development, capitalized interest, and related common costs based upon the relative-sales-value of the home. Changes to estimated total development costs subsequent to initial home closings in a community are generally allocated on a relative-sales-value method to remaining homes in the community. Cost of sales-land development includes land acquisition and development costs, capitalized interest, impairment charges, abandonment charges for projects that are no longer economically viable, and real estate taxes.

There were no abandonment charges during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 the Company recorded abandonment charges of $173,000 and $12,000, respectively. Abandonment charges are included in cost of sales in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the respective period. These charges were related to the Company electing not to proceed with one or more land acquisitions after due diligence. Real estate inventories are stated at cost, unless the carrying amount is determined not to be recoverable, in which case real estate inventories are written down to fair value.

All real estate inventories are classified as held until the Company commits to a plan to sell the real estate, the real estate can be sold in its present condition, is being actively marketed for sale, and it is probable that the real estate will be sold within the next twelve months. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had real estate inventories of $31.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively, classified as held for sale.


Impairment of Real Estate Inventories:

The Company evaluates for an impairment loss when conditions exist where the carrying amount of real estate may not be fully recoverable. Indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in local housing market values and selling prices of comparable homes, significant decreases in gross margins and sales absorption rates, costs in excess of budget, and actual or projected cash flow losses. If indicators of impairment are present, the Company prepares and analyzes undiscounted cash flows at the lowest level for which there is identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets.

When estimating undiscounted future cash flows of its real estate assets, the Company makes various assumptions, including: (i) expected sales prices and sales incentives to be offered, including the number of homes available on the market, pricing and incentives being offered by us or other builders in other communities, and future sales price adjustments based on market and economic trends; (ii) expected sales pace and cancellation rates based on local housing market conditions, competition and historical trends; (iii) costs incurred to date and expected to be incurred, including, but not limited to, land and land development costs, home construction costs, interest costs, indirect construction costs, and selling and marketing costs; (iv) alternative product offerings that may be offered that could have an impact on sales pace, sales price and/or building costs; and (v) alternative uses for the property. The Company did not have any real estate assets for which the estimated undiscounted future cash flows were not in excess of their carrying values.

If events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount is impaired, such impairment will be measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of such assets determined using the estimated future discounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, generated from the use and ultimate disposition of the respective real estate inventories. Such losses, if any, are reported within cost of sales. No such losses were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.






10





Purchase Accounting
When acquiring a business, we allocate the purchase price of real estate to the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values. In making estimates of fair values for this purpose, we use a number of sources, including independent appraisals and information obtained about each asset during our pre-acquisition due diligence.


Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
 

The purchase price of an acquired company is allocated between the net tangible assets and intangible assets of the acquired business with the residual purchase price recorded as goodwill. The determination of the value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed involves certain judgments and estimates. These judgments can include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future and the appropriate weighted average cost of capital.

 
Acquired intangible assets with determinable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives, ranging from six months to five years, or added to the value of the land when an option intangible is used to purchase the related land, or expensed in the period when the option is cancelled. Acquired intangible assets with contractual terms are generally amortized over their respective contractual lives. When certain events or changes in operating conditions occur, an impairment assessment is performed for the intangible assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated annually for impairment, or when indicators of a potential impairment are present. The annual evaluation for impairment of goodwill is based on valuation models that incorporate assumptions and internal projections of expected future cash flows and operating plans. As of September 30, 2014, acquired intangibles, including goodwill, relate to the Citizens Acquisition, which was completed on April 10, 2014. See Note 5 “Acquisitionfor further discussion of intangible assets.


Fixed Assets, Net:

Fixed assets are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Computer software and hardware are depreciated over three years, office furniture and fixtures are depreciated over seven years, vehicles are depreciated over five years and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their useful life or lease term and range from one to three years.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while significant improvements are capitalized.  Depreciation expense is included in general and administrative expenses, and gains or losses on the sale of fixed assets are included in other income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
         

Receivables:

Receivables include amounts due from buyers of homes sold on the last day of the month and from utility companies for reimbursement of costs. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had no allowance for doubtful accounts recorded.


Other Assets:

The detail of other assets is set forth below (in thousands):
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Customer deposits in escrow
$
429

 
$
350

Prepaid expenses
2,696

 
441

Other deposits
595

 
365

Other
2,506

 

 
$
6,226

 
$
1,156

 

11





Homebuilding, Land Development Sales and other revenues and Profit Recognition:
 
In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360 - Property, Plant, and Equipment, revenue from home sales and other real estate sales are recorded and any profit is recognized when the respective sales are closed. Sales are closed when all conditions of escrow are met, title passes to the buyer, appropriate consideration is received and collection of associated receivables, if any, is reasonably assured and the Company has no continuing involvement with the sold asset. The Company does not offer financing to buyers. Sales price incentives are accounted for as a reduction of revenues when the sale is recorded. If the earnings process is not complete, the sale and any related profits are deferred for recognition in future periods. Any profit recorded is based on the calculation of cost of sales at the closing date, which is dependent on an allocation of costs.

In addition to homebuilding and land development, with the completion of the Citizens Acquisition, the Company now provides construction management services pursuant to which it builds homes on behalf of property owners.. Revenue from providing these services is included in other revenues. The property owners fund all project costs incurred by the Company to build the homes. The Company primarily enters into “cost plus fee” contracts where it charges property owners for all direct and indirect costs plus a negotiated management fee. The management fee is typically a fixed fee, based on a percentage of the cost or home sales revenue of the project, depending on the terms of the agreement with the property owners. In accordance with ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, revenues from construction management services are recognized based upon a cost-to-cost approach in applying the percentage-of-completion method. Under this approach, revenue is earned in proportion to total costs incurred, divided by total costs expected to be incurred. The total estimated cost plus the management fee represents the total contract value. The Company recognizes revenue based on the actual costs incurred, plus the portion of the management fee it has earned to date. In the course of providing construction management services, the Company routinely subcontracts for services and incurs other direct costs on behalf of the property owners. These costs are included in the Company’s cost of revenue.



12




Stock-Based Compensation:

Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award adjusted for estimated forfeitures and is recognized as expense over the period in which the stock based compensation vests.


Warranty Reserves:
 
Estimated future direct warranty costs are accrued and charged to cost of sales-homebuilding in the period in which the related homebuilding revenue is recognized. Amounts accrued are based upon estimates of the amount the Company expects to pay for warranty work. The Company assesses the adequacy of its warranty reserves on a quarterly basis and adjusts the amounts recorded, if necessary. Warranty reserves are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

A summary of changes in warranty reserves are detailed in the table set forth below (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Warranty reserves, beginning of period
$
1,024

 
$
305

 
$
608

 
$
141

Warranty reserves accrued
275

 
155

 
766

 
325

Warranty expenditures/ back charges
11

 
(8
)
 
(64
)
 
(14
)
Warranty reserves, end of period
$
1,310

 
$
452

 
$
1,310

 
$
452



Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities:

The Company enters into purchase and option agreements for the purchase of real estate as part of the normal course of business. These purchase and option agreements enable the Company to acquire real estate at one or more future dates at pre-determined prices. The Company believes these acquisition structures reduce its financial risk associated with real estate acquisitions and holdings and allow the Company to better manage its cash position.

Based on the relevant accounting guidance, the Company concluded that when it enters into a purchase agreement to acquire real estate from an entity, a variable interest entity (“VIE”), may be created. The Company evaluates all option and purchase agreements for real estate to determine whether they are a VIE. The applicable accounting guidance requires that for each VIE, the Company assess whether it is the primary beneficiary and, if it is, consolidate the VIE in its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 810 - Consolidations, and reflect such assets and liabilities as “Real estate inventories not owned.”

In order to determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary, it must first assess whether it has the ability to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the ability to determine the budget and scope of land development work, if any; the ability to control financing decisions for the VIE; the ability to acquire additional land into the VIE or dispose of land in the VIE not under contract with us; and the ability to change or amend the existing option contract with the VIE. If the Company is not determined to control such activities, the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If the Company does have the ability to control such activities, the Company will continue its analysis by determining if it is also expected to absorb a potentially significant amount of the VIE’s losses or, if no party absorbs the majority of such losses, if the Company will benefit from a potentially significant amount of the VIE’s expected gains.

In substantially all cases, creditors of the entities with which the Company has option agreements have no recourse against the Company and the maximum exposure to loss on the applicable option or purchase agreements is limited to non-refundable option deposits and any capitalized pre-acquisition costs. Some of the Company’s option or purchase deposits may be refundable to the Company if certain contractual conditions are not performed by the party selling the lots. The Company did not consolidate any land under option irrespective of whether a VIE was or was not present at September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.




13



Price Participation Interests:
 
Certain land purchase contracts and other agreements include provisions for additional payments to the sellers. These additional payments are contingent on certain future outcomes, such as, selling homes above a certain preset price or achieving an internal rate of return above a certain preset level. These additional payments, if triggered, are accounted for as cost of sales when they become due, however, they are neither fully determinable, nor due, until the transfer of title to the buyer is complete. Accordingly, no liability is recorded until the sale is complete.

Income Taxes:
 
The Company’s provision for income tax expense includes federal and state income taxes currently payable and those deferred because of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities.  The liability method of accounting for income taxes also requires the Company to reflect the effect of a tax rate change on accumulated deferred income taxes in income in the period in which the change is enacted.

In assessing the realization of deferred income tax assets, the Company considered whether it is more likely than not that any deferred income tax assets will be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which temporary differences become deductible.  If it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized a valuation allowance is recorded. The Company considered many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of its deferred tax assets, including recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future transactions, the carryforward periods available to the Company for tax reporting purposes, historical use of tax attributes, and availability of tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about future events however, they are consistent with the plans and estimates the Company uses to manage the underlying businesses.  In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, the Company considered three years of cumulative operating income or loss.

As a result of the analysis of all available evidence as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets.  Consequently, the Company reported no income tax benefit for the three or nine month period ended September 30, 2014 or for the comparable periods in 2013. If the Company’s assumptions change and the Company believes it will be able to realize these attributes, the tax benefits relating to any reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets will be recognized as a reduction of income tax expense.  If the assumptions do not change, each period the Company could record an additional valuation allowance on any increases in the deferred tax assets.

The Company recognizes any uncertain income tax positions on income tax returns at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized unless it has a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company recognizes any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Noncontrolling Interest:

The Company reports the share of its results of operations that is attributable to other owners of its consolidated subsidiaries that are less than wholly-owned, as noncontrolling interest in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.  In the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, the income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest is reported separately, and the accumulated income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest, along with any changes in ownership of the subsidiary, is reported as a component of total equity.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the noncontrolling interest reported in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss includes PICO’s share of approximately 57.2% of the income (loss) related to UCP, LLC adjusted for $614,000 and $2.6 million respectively of general and administrative expenses that are attributable directly to UCP, Inc. activities and, accordingly, have been allocated to UCP, Inc. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the noncontrolling interest reported in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss was 100% prior to the completion of the IPO and 57.7% of the loss related to UCP, LLC subsequent to the completion of the IPO.- see Note 12 - “Noncontrolling Interest”.


14



       
Recently Issued Accounting Standards:

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”), which requires management to assess a company’s ability to continue as a going concern for each of its interim and annual reporting periods and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. Disclosures are required when conditions give rise to substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Substantial doubt is deemed to exist when it is probable that the company will be unable to meet its obligations within one year from the financial statement issuance date. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the Company beginning December 15, 2016, and, at that time the Company will adopt the new standard and perform a formalized going concern analysis for each reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
 
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.” The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning November 1, 2017 and, at that time the Company may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the method and impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.


2.    Loss per share

Basic loss per share of Class A common stock is computed by dividing net loss attributable to UCP, Inc. by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings or loss per share of Class A common stock is computed similarly to basic earnings or loss per share except the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of any Class A common stock equivalents using the treasury method, if dilutive. The Company’s restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and stock options (“Options”) are considered common stock equivalents for this purpose. The number of additional shares of Class A common stock related to these common stock equivalents is calculated using the treasury stock method. No incremental common stock equivalents were included in calculating diluted loss per share because such inclusion would be anti-dilutive given the net loss attributable to UCP, Inc.’s Class A common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

  
Basic and diluted net loss per share of Class A common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 has been computed as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
 

15



 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Numerator
 
 
 
 
    Net loss attributable to stockholders of UCP, Inc.
 
$
(666
)
 
$
(2,983
)
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator
 
 
 
 
     Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic and diluted
 
7,900,553

 
7,852,763

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss per share:
 
 
 
 
    Net loss per share of Class A common stock - basic and diluted
 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
(0.38
)


All losses prior to and up to the IPO were entirely allocable to noncontrolling interest. Consequently, only the loss allocable to UCP, Inc. is included in the net loss attributable to the holders of Class A common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Basic and diluted net loss per share of Class A common stock from IPO to September 30, 2013 have been computed as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

Numerator
IPO to September 30, 2013
Net loss attributable to stockholders of UCP, Inc.
$
(15
)
 
 
Denominator
 
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic and diluted
7,750,000

 
 
Net loss per share of Class A common stock - basic and diluted
$



3.    Real Estate Inventories
 
Real estate inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
  
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Deposits and pre-acquisition costs
$
4,541

 
$
4,517

Land held and land under development
165,588

 
117,808

Homes completed or under construction
83,207

 
46,639

Model homes
10,101

 
7,884

 
$
263,437

 
$
176,848

 
Homes completed or under construction and model homes include all costs associated with home construction, including land, development, indirect costs, permits and fees, and vertical construction. Land under development includes costs incurred during site development, such as land, development, indirect costs and permits. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had made $3.7 million of deposits pertaining to land purchase contracts for 1,327 lots with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $92.9 million.

Interest Capitalization

16



 
Interest is capitalized on real estate inventories during development. Interest capitalized is included in cost of sales as related sales are recognized. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 interest incurred was $701,000 and $791,000, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 interest incurred was $1.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Interest was fully capitalized in each respective period. Amounts of interest expense capitalized to home inventory and land inventory were as follows (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Interest expense capitalized as cost of home inventory
$
642

 
$
662

 
$
1,402

 
$
1,549

Interest expense capitalized as cost of land inventory
59

 
129

 
176

 
532

Total interest expense capitalized
701

 
791

 
1,578

 
2,081

Previously capitalized interest expense included in cost of sales - homebuilding
(550
)
 
(392
)
 
(2,023
)
 
(750
)
Previously capitalized interest expense included in cost of sales - land development

 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
(9
)
Net activity of capitalized interest
151

 
397

 
(448
)
 
1,322

Capitalized interest expense in beginning inventory
5,739

 
5,545

 
6,338

 
4,620

Capitalized interest expense in ending inventory
$
5,890

 
$
5,942

 
$
5,890

 
$
5,942



4.    Fixed Assets, Net
 
Fixed assets consisted of the following (in thousands): 
  
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Computer hardware and software
$
1,615

 
$
1,118

Office furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements
632

 
337

Vehicles
78

 
79

 
2,325

 
1,534

Accumulated depreciation
(821
)
 
(506
)
Fixed assets, net
$
1,504

 
$
1,028

 
Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $131,000 and $76,000, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $315,000 and $189,000, respectively. Depreciation expense was recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.


5.    Acquisition

On April 10, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of the assets and liabilities of Citizens Homes, Inc. (“Citizens”) used in the purchase of real estate and the construction and marketing of residential homes in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated March 25, 2014 between UCP, LLC and Citizens. Accordingly, the results of Citizens are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the revenues and net loss attributable to Citizens were $9.2 million and $204,000 and $19.4 million and $119,000, respectively. This net loss does not include any allocation of corporate costs. The Citizens Acquisition provides increased scale and presence in established markets with immediate revenue opportunities through an established backlog. Additional synergies are expected in the areas of purchasing leverage and integrating the best practices in operational effectiveness.

The Citizens Acquisition was accounted for as an acquisition of an ongoing business in accordance with ASC Topic 805 - Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), where the Company was treated as the acquirer and the acquired assets and assumed liabilities were recorded by the Company at their preliminary estimated fair values. The total purchase price of the assets acquired and assumed liabilities included; real estate inventory, architectural plans, deposits, trade name and land option intangibles, fixed assets, and

17



accounts payable. The acquisition date estimated fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $18.7 million, which consisted of the following (in thousands):

Cash
$
14,006

Contingent consideration
4,644

  Total
$
18,650


The contingent consideration arrangement requires the Company to pay up to a maximum of $6.0 million of additional consideration based upon the newly acquired Citizens’ business achievement of various pre-tax net income performance milestones (“performance milestones”) over a five year period commencing on April 1, 2014. Payout calculations are made based on calendar year performance except for the 6th payout calculation which will be calculated based on the achievement of performance milestones from January 1, 2019 through March 25, 2019. Payouts are to be made on an annual basis. The potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that the Company could be required to make under the contingent consideration arrangement is between $0 and $6 million. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration of $4.6 million was estimated based on applying the income approach and a weighted probability of achievement of the performance milestones. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was calculated by using a Monte Carlo simulation. The fair value of the contingent consideration was then estimated to be the arithmetic average of all simulation paths. The model was based on forecast adjusted net income over the contingent consideration period. The measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, which ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements, refers to as Level 3 inputs. Key assumptions include: (1) forecasted adjusted net income over the contingent consideration period, (2) risk-adjusted discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in the forecasted adjusted net income, (3) risk-free interest rates, (4) volatility of adjusted net income, and (5) the Company’s credit spread. The risk adjusted discount rate for adjusted net income was 15.7% plus the applicable risk-free rate resulting in a combined discount rate ranging from 15.8% to 17% over the contingent consideration period. The Company’s volatility rate of 28.2% and a credit spread of 3.11% were applied to forecast adjusted net income over the contingent consideration period.


18



The following table summarizes the calculation of the preliminary estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date (in thousands):

 
 
Assets acquired

Accounts receivable
$
62

Prepaids and other current assets
409

Real estate inventories
13,832

Deposits
26

Fixed assets
3

Architectural plans
170

Trademark/Trade name
180

Land options
583

Total assets acquired
$
15,265

Liabilities assumed
 
Customer deposits
$
(27
)
Deferred revenue
(111
)
Accounts payable
(1,470
)
Total liabilities assumed
(1,608
)
 
 
Total net identifiable assets acquired
13,657

Goodwill
4,993

Total estimated fair value
$
18,650


The acquired assets and assumed liabilities were recorded by the Company at their initial estimated fair values. The Company estimated fair values with the assistance of preliminary appraisals or valuations performed by independent third party specialists, discounted cash flow analysis, and other estimates made by management. To the extent the consideration transferred exceeded the fair value of net assets acquired; such excess was assigned to goodwill.
Accounts receivables, other assets, fixed assets and accounts payable, and accrued and other liabilities were generally stated at historical carrying values given the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 805.
The Company determined the fair value of real estate inventory on a lot-by-lot basis primarily using a combination of market comparable land transactions, where available, and discounted cash flow models. These estimated cash flows are significantly impacted by estimates related to expected average home selling prices and sales incentives, expected sales pace and cancellation rates, expected land development and construction timelines, and anticipated land development, construction, and overhead costs.
The following table outlines the key assumptions used to determine the fair value of real estate inventory.
Real Estate Inventories - Methodology and Significant Input Assumptions
 
 
Method
Home comparable sales and discounted cash flow models
Home comparable range of base price per square foot
$ 77- $118 per square foot
Average discount rate applied
15%
Range of builder profit margin
18%-24%
Builder profit margin applied
20%

The fair values for acquired intangible assets were estimated based on preliminary valuations performed by independent valuation specialists. The $170,000 of intangible architectural plan assets will generally be amortized over five years and the $180,000 of trademark and trade name intangibles will be amortized over a six month period. The $583,000 of land option intangibles will be

19



added to the value of the land when the option is used to purchase the related land. A land option intangible if cancelled will be expensed in the period in which such option is cancelled.
As of the acquisition date, goodwill largely consisted of the expected economic value attributable to the assembled workforce relating to the Citizens Acquisition as well as estimated economic value attributable to expected synergies resulting from the acquisition.
The Company has presented its preliminary estimates of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Citizens Acquisition as of September 30, 2014. The Company is in the process of finalizing its review and evaluation of the appraisal and related valuation assumptions supporting its fair value estimates for all of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Citizens Acquisition and, therefore, the estimates used herein are subject to change. This may result in adjustments to the values presented above for assets and liabilities and a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. As such, the Company has not completed the assignment of goodwill to reporting units or its determination of the amount of goodwill that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes at this time.
Acquisition related costs directly related to the Citizens Acquisition, totaled approximately $138,000 and $778,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, are included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss within general and administrative expenses. Such costs were expensed in the period incurred.
Three former employees of Citizens who are now employees of the Company have minority interests in land and general contracting operations that are either under option or contract with Citizens which were disclosed, and approved by the Company as part of the Citizens Acquisition.

Pro Forma Financial Information
The pro forma financial information in the table below summarizes the results of operations of the Company as though the Citizens Acquisition was completed as of January 1, 2013. The pro forma financial information for all periods presented includes additional amortization charges from acquired intangible assets (certain of which are preliminary). The pro forma results do not reflect any cost savings, operating synergies or revenue enhancements that the Company may achieve as a result of the acquisition, the costs to integrate the operations of the assets acquired in the Citizens Acquisition, or the expenditures necessary to achieve these cost savings, operating synergies and revenue enhancements. Certain other adjustments, including those related to conforming accounting policies and adjusting acquired real estate inventory to fair value, have not been reflected in the supplemental pro forma operating results due to the impracticability of estimating such impacts.
The pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition was completed as of January 1, 2013, or indicative of the results that will be attained in the future.

(In thousands, except shares and per share data)
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
Total revenues
$
55,750

 
$
32,479

 
$
155,575

 
$
87,595

Comprehensive loss
(585
)
 
(480
)
 
(3,051
)
 
(3,449
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to stockholders of UCP, Inc.
(603
)
 
(76
)
 
(2,750
)
 
(76
)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted
$
(0.08
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.35
)
 
$
(0.01
)

Pro forma earnings for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, were adjusted to exclude approximately $138,000 and $778,000 of acquisition-related costs incurred in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively.



20



Intangible Assets

Other purchased intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands): 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization(Use)
Net Carrying Value
 
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization (Use)
Net Carrying Value
Architectural plans
$
170

$
(17
)
$
153

 
$

$

$

Land option
583

(141
)
442

 



Trademarks and trade names
180

(166
)
14

 



 
$
933

$
(324
)
$
609

 
$

$

$

 

Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 related to the architectural plans and trademarks and trade names intangibles was $99,000 and $0, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $183,000 and $0, respectively. The weighted average amortization period related to the architectural plans and trademarks and trade name intangibles is approximately 2.7 years. Amortization expense is recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Additionally, $141,000 and $0 land options were used to purchase land and were capitalized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Future estimated amortization expense related to the architectural plans and trademarks and trade names intangibles over the next five years is as follows (in thousands):


 
December 31,

Remainder 2014
$
24

2015
34

2016
34

2017
34

2018
34

2019
8

Total
$
168




6.    Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): 
  
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Accrued expenses
$
19,983

 
$
14,162

Contingent consideration for acquisition
4,644

 

Accounts payable
6,584

 
2,118

Accrued payroll liabilities
1,134

 
1,766

Warranty reserves (Note 1)
1,310

 
608

 
$
33,655

 
$
18,654




7.    Debt
 
The Company enters into acquisition, construction and development loans to purchase and develop real estate inventories and for the construction of homes, which are secured by the underlying real estate. Certain of the loans are funded in full at the initial loan closing and others are revolving facilities under which the Company may borrow, repay and redraw up to a specified amount during

21



the term of the loan. Acquisition indebtedness matures at various dates, but is generally repaid when lots are released from the loans based upon a specific release price, as defined in each loan agreement, or the loans are refinanced at current prevailing rates. The construction and development debt is required to be repaid with proceeds from home closings based upon a specific release price, as defined in each loan agreement. Certain of the construction and development loans include provisions that require minimum loan-to-value ratios. During the term of the loan, the lender may require the Company to obtain a third-party written appraisal of the underlying real estate collateral. If the appraised fair value of the collateral securing the loan is below the specified minimum, the Company may be required to make principal payments in order to maintain the required loan-to-value ratios. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the lenders have not requested, and the Company has not obtained, any such appraisals. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $127.5 million and $56.4 million of aggregate loan commitments and approximately $67.3 million and $25.4 million of unused loan commitments respectively. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s outstanding debt was 4.3% and 4.7%, respectively. Interest rates charged under variable rate debt are based on a prime rate index plus 1.75%, the greater of a prime rate index plus 0.25% or 5.0%, LIBOR plus 3.0% to 4.0%, or the greater of 5.5% or LIBOR plus 3.75%.

Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
  
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Acquisition Debt:
 
 
 
Variable Interest Rate:
 
 
 
Interest rate of 3.94% to 4.19%, payments due through 2014
$
1,310

 
$
1,830

Interest rates of 3.94%, payments due through 2015
430

 
1,591

Fixed Interest Rate:
 
 
 
Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2014

 
425

Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2015
1,962

 
5,048

Interest rate of 6.5%, payments due through 2036

 
548

Interest rate of 10%, payments due through 2014

 
1,604

Interest rate of 10%, payments due through 2017
1,604

 

  Total acquisition debt
5,306

 
11,046

Construction and Development Debt:
 
 
 
Variable Interest Rate:
 
 
 
Interest rate of 3.94%, payments due through 2014
1,239

 
1,705

Interest rates of 3.94%, payments due through 2015
21,262

 
12,181

Interest rates of 3.94%, payments due through 2016
24,604

 

Interest rate of 5%, payments due through 2015
4,852

 
6,018

Interest rate of 3.19%, payments due through 2016
769

 

Interest rate of 5.5%, payments due through 2016
1,321

 

  Total construction and development debt
54,047

 
19,904

 
 
 
 
Total debt
$
59,353

 
$
30,950

 
       
At September 30, 2014, principal maturities of loans payable for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

2014
$
2,550

2015
28,506

2016
26,693

2017
1,604

2018 and thereafter

Total
$
59,353




22






8.    Fair Value Disclosures
 
The accounting guidance regarding fair value disclosures defines fair value as the price that would be received for selling an asset or the price paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in accordance with ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The classification of a financial asset or liability within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three levels that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets
Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are inactive; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets at measurement date
Level 3—Valuations derived from techniques where one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable in active markets at measurement date
 
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value:

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and receivable approximated their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt is based on cash flow models discounted at current market interest rates for similar instruments, which are based on Level 3 inputs. There were no transfers between fair value hierarchy levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The following presents the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments which are not carried at fair value (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated Fair
 Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated Fair
 Value
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt
$
59,353

 
$
61,873

 
$
30,950

 
$
32,044


Estimated Fair Value of Contingent Consideration:

The contingent consideration arrangement relating to Citizens Acquisition requires the Company to pay up to a maximum of $6 million of additional consideration based on achievement of performance milestones over a five year period. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration of $4.6 million was estimated based on applying the income approach and a weighted probability of achieving the performance milestones.

Non-Financial Fair Value Measurements:

Non-financial assets and liabilities include items such as real estate inventories and long lived assets that are measured at fair value when acquired and resulting from impairment, if deemed necessary. Other than the acquisition related fair-value measurements, there were no non-financial fair value measurements during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and for the year ended December 31, 2013, and no transfers between fair value hierarchy levels.





23



9.    Stock Based Compensation

The Company’s long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) was adopted in July 2013 and provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including options to purchase shares of Class A common stock, Class A stock appreciation rights, Class A restricted stock, Class A restricted stock units and performance awards. The LTIP automatically expires on the tenth anniversary of its effective date. The Company’s board of directors may terminate or amend the LTIP at any time, subject to any stockholder approval required by applicable law, rule or regulation.

The number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock authorized under the LTIP was 1,834,300 shares. To the extent that shares of the Company’s Class A common stock subject to an outstanding option, stock appreciation right, stock award or performance award granted under the LTIP are not issued or delivered by reason of the expiration, termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such award or the settlement of such award in cash, then such shares of the Company’s Class A common stock generally shall again be available under the LTIP, subject to certain exceptions. As of September 30, 2014, 1,288,663 shares were available for issuance under the LTIP.

On February 26, 2014, the Company granted an aggregate of 58,334 RSUs and 166,081 Options under the LTIP to certain of its executive employees. The RSUs and Options granted were subject to the following vesting schedule: a) 10% vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, b) 20% vest on second anniversary of the grant date, c) 30% vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, and d) 40% vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. In April 2014, 8,227 RSUs were issued to certain directors of the Company and will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. 148,778 RSUs and zero Options vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. No RSUs or Options were forfeited during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized approximately $805,000 and $3 million of stock based compensation expense respectively, which was included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive loss. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized $935,000 of stock based compensation expense, which was included in General and Administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive loss.


The following table summarizes the Options activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 
Options Outstanding
 
Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)(1)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013


Options granted
166,081

$
16.20

9.4
Options exercised


Options forfeited


Outstanding at September 30, 2014
166,081

$
16.20

9.4

(1) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the Option. The fair value of the Company’s Class A common stock as of September 30, 2014 was $11.95 per share.


24



The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of Options granted during the first quarter ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
Expected term
6.5 years

Expected volatility %
53.46
%
Risk free interest rate %
1.81
%
Dividend yield %
%
    
No Options were granted during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Options vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2014 were zero.

The following table summarizes the non-vested RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
 
Shares
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)
Non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2013
289,555

$
15.00

Granted
66,561

16.00

Vested
(148,778
)

Forfeited


Non-vested RSUs at September 30, 2014
207,338

$
15.32

    
       

Unrecognized compensation cost for RSUs and Options issued under the LTIP was $3.6 million (net of estimated forfeitures) as of September 30, 2014. Approximately $2.5 million of the unrecognized compensation costs are related to RSUs and $1.1 million are related to Options. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years for the RSUs and 3.4 years for the Options.



10.    Commitments and Contingencies
 
Lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against the Company in the normal course of business, including actions brought on behalf of various classes of claimants. The Company is also subject to local, state and federal laws and regulations related to land development activities, home construction standards, sales practices, employment practices and environmental protection. As a result, the Company is subject to periodic examinations or inquiries by agencies administering these laws and regulations.
 
The Company records a reserve for potential legal claims and regulatory matters when they are probable of occurring and a potential loss is reasonably estimable. The accrual for these matters is based on facts and circumstances specific to each matter and the Company revises these estimates when necessary.
 
In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting outcomes of legal claims and related contingencies, the Company generally cannot predict their ultimate resolution, related timing or any eventual loss. If the evaluations indicate loss contingencies that could be material are not probable, but are reasonably possible, disclosure of the nature with an estimate of possible range of losses or a statement that such loss is not reasonably estimable is made. The Company is not involved in any material litigation nor, to the Company's knowledge, is any material litigation threatened against it. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any accruals for asserted or unasserted matters.

The Company is evaluating the impact of recent regulatory action under the federal Endangered Species Act on a project that it is developing in Washington State. Recent regulatory action involving the listing of a certain species of gopher as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act may adversely affect this project, for example by imposing new restrictions and requirements on our activities there and possibly delaying, halting or limiting, our development activities. However, an estimate of the amount of impact cannot be made as there is not enough information to do so due to the lack of clarity regarding any restrictions that may be imposed on

25



our development activities or other remedial measures that we may be required to take. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded at September 30, 2014. The Company will continue to assess the impact of this regulatory action and will record any future liability as additional information becomes available.
 
The Company obtains surety bonds from third parties in the normal course of business to ensure completion of certain infrastructure improvements at its projects. The beneficiaries of the bonds are various municipalities. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding surety bonds totaling $36.1 million and $10.3 million, respectively. In the event that any such surety bond issued by a third party is called because the required improvements are not completed, the Company could be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the bond.

The Company leases some of its offices under non-cancellable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2020. Future minimum payments under all operating leases for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
2014
$
329

2015
1,118

2016
948

2017
927

2018
830

Thereafter
527

Total
$
4,679



 
11.    Segment Information
 
The Company’s operations are organized into two reportable segments: homebuilding and land development. The Company’s homebuilding operations construct and sell single-family homes, in California, Washington State, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The homebuilding reportable segment includes real estate with similar economic characteristics, including similar historical and expected future long-term gross margin percentages, similar product types, production processes and methods of distribution. The land development reportable segment develops and sells lots, primarily in California, and includes real estate with similar economic characteristics, including similar historical and expected future long-term gross margin percentages, similar product types, production processes and methods of distribution. The reportable segments follow the same accounting policies as the condensed consolidated financial statements described in Note 1. Operating results of each reportable segment are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been achieved had the reportable segment been an independent, stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
 
Financial information relating to reportable segments was as follows (in thousands): 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Assets
 
 
 
Homebuilding
$
210,206

 
$
108,594

Land development
53,231

 
68,254

Corporate and other assets
45,108

 
90,472

Total
$
308,545

 
$
267,320


Corporate and other assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents which are maintained centrally and used according to the cash flow requirements of each of the two segments.

26



 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
  
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding
$
35,086

 
$
21,369

 
$
110,542

 
$
46,609

Land development
20,264

 
2,250

 
32,513

 
16,535

Non segment
400

 

 
1,918

 

Total
55,750

 
23,619

 
144,973

 
63,144

Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding
5,241

 
4,811

 
18,821

 
10,109

Land development
4,185

 
817

 
7,047

 
5,386

Non segment
48

 

 
237

 

Total
9,474

 
5,628

 
26,105

 
15,495

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
3,486

 
1,516

 
9,807

 
4,747

General and administrative
6,737

 
4,503

 
19,917

 
13,310

Other income
17

 
55

 
103

 
318

Net loss before income taxes
$
(732
)
 
$
(336
)
 
$
(3,516
)
 
$
(2,244
)
    
 Non segment revenue and gross margin is related to construction management services provided by the Company and is not attributable to the operations of homebuilding and land development segments.

The Company evaluates the performance of the operating segments based upon gross margin. “Gross margin” is defined as operating revenues (homebuilding and land development) less cost of sales (cost of construction and acquisition, interest, abandonment, impairment and other cost of sales related expenses). Corporate sales, general and administrative expense and other non-recurring gains or losses are reflected within overall corporate expenses as this constitutes the Company’s primary business objective supporting both segments; corporate expenses are not particularly identifiable to any one segment. There is no intersegment activity.



12.    Noncontrolling interest

Prior to the completion of the IPO and related transactions on July 23, 2013, UCP, LLC was a wholly owned subsidiary of PICO. Subsequent to the IPO and related transaction, as of September 30, 2014, the Company holds approximately 42.8% economic interest in UCP, LLC and is its sole managing member. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, these transactions are accounted for at historical cost. As of September 30, 2014, the noncontrolling interest balance was $126.5 million as compared to $126.5 million as of December 31, 2013.
 
The carrying value and ending balance of the noncontrolling interest at September 30, 2014 was calculated as follows (in thousands):

Carrying value of noncontrolling interest at December 31, 2013
$
126,462

Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(533
)
Stock-based compensation related to noncontrolling interest
1,413

Stock issuance related to noncontrolling interest
(801
)
Ending balance of noncontrolling interest at September 30, 2014
$
126,541







27



13.    Subsequent events

On October 21, 2014, the Company completed the private offering of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Notes”). The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $72.5 million, after paying the initial purchaser’s discount and other estimated offering expenses. The net proceeds from the offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including to provide financing for the construction of homes, acquisition of entitled land, development of lots and working capital.

The Notes were offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction. Unless they are registered, the Notes may be offered and resold only in transactions that are exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as of October 21, 2014 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.

The Company will pay 8.5% interest per annum on the principal amount of the Notes, payable March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2014. Interest will accrue on the Notes from October 21, 2014, and the first interest payment date will be December 31, 2014. The Notes will mature on October 21, 2017, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased.
The Notes are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each of the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Notes and the guarantees will be the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ existing and future senior unsecured debt and senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ future subordinated debt. The Notes and the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to any of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ existing and future secured debt, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt.

The Company may redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, plus a “make-whole” premium. Upon the occurrence of a change of control, the Company must offer to repurchase the Notes for cash at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date. Under the Indenture, a “change of control” generally means (i) any person or group of related persons acquires more than 35% of the voting stock of the Company or (ii) the Company transfers all or substantially all of its consolidated assets to any person or group of related persons, in each case other than PICO Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates.

The Indenture provides for customary “events of default” which could cause, or permit, the acceleration of the Notes. Such events of default include (i) a default in any payment of principal or interest; (ii) failure to comply with certain covenants contained in the Indenture; (iii) defaults in failure to pay certain other indebtedness or the acceleration of certain other indebtedness prior to maturity; (iv) the failure to pay certain final judgments; and (vi) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency.

The Indenture limits the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, incur or guarantee additional unsecured and secured indebtedness (provided that the Company may incur indebtedness so long as the Company’s ratio of indebtedness to consolidated tangible assets (on a pro forma basis) would be equal to or less than 45% and provided that the aggregate amount of secured debt may not exceed the greater of $75 million or 30% of the Company’s consolidated tangible assets); pay dividends and make certain investments and other restricted payments; acquire unimproved real property in excess of $75 million per fiscal year or in excess of $150 million over the term of the Notes, except to the extent funded with subordinated obligations or the proceeds of equity issuances; create or incur certain liens; transfer or sell certain assets; and merge or consolidate with other companies or transfer or sell all or substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets. Additionally, the Indenture requires the Company to maintain at least $50 million of consolidated tangible assets not subject to liens securing indebtedness; maintain a minimum net worth of $175 million; maintain a minimum of $15 million of unrestricted cash and/or cash equivalents; and not permit decreases in the amount of consolidated tangible assets by more than $25 million in any fiscal year or more than $50 million at any time after the issuance of the Notes.




28



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations



SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We have made statements in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations below, and in other sections of this report that are forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report are forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical facts. These statements may include words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, may include projections of our future financial or operating performance, our anticipated growth strategies, anticipated trends in our business and other future events or circumstances. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events.

Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:


economic changes either nationally or in the markets in which we operate, including declines in employment, volatility of mortgage interest rates and inflation;
 
downturns in the homebuilding industry, either nationally or in the markets in which we operate;
 
continued volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets;
 
our business operations;
 
changes in our business and investment strategy;
 
availability of land to acquire and our ability to acquire such land on favorable terms or at all;
 
availability, terms and deployment of capital;

our ability to successfully integrate the Citizens Acquisition;
 
disruptions in the availability of mortgage financing or increases in the number of foreclosures in our markets;
 
shortages of or increased prices for labor, land or raw materials used in housing construction;
 
delays in land development or home construction or reduced consumer demand resulting from adverse weather and geological conditions or other events outside our control;
 
the cost and availability of insurance and surety bonds;
 
changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, governmental laws and regulations;
 
the timing of receipt of regulatory approvals and the opening of communities;
 
the degree and nature of our competition;
 
our leverage and debt service obligations;

our future operating expenses which may increase disproportionately to our revenue;


29



our ability to achieve operational efficiencies with future revenue growth;

our relationship, and actual and potential conflicts of interest, with PICO; and
 
availability of qualified personnel and our ability to retain our key personnel.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required by law. For a further discussion of these and other factors, see the “Risk Factors” disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur.



Overview

We are a homebuilder and land developer with land acquisition and entitlement expertise in California, Washington State, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. As of September 30, 2014, we owned or controlled (through executed purchase contracts) a total of approximately 4,022 residential lots in California, approximately 918 lots in the Puget Sound area of Washington State, 299 lots in North Carolina, 455 lots in South Carolina and 270 lots in Tennessee. As of September 30, 2014, our property portfolio consisted of 81 communities in 36 cities in California, Washington State, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Our operations are organized into two reportable segments: homebuilding and land development.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, in spite of interest rate volatility, the overall U.S. housing market continued to show signs of improvement, driven by factors such as decreasing home inventories, high home affordability and improving employment. We believe that during the prior year, the broader housing market was adversely affected by interest rate volatility and the partial federal government shutdown and the events leading up to it. Individual markets continue to experience varying results, as local home inventories, home affordability, and employment factors strongly influence each local market.
 
Numerous factors can affect the performance of an individual market; however, we believe that trends in employment, housing inventory, home affordability, interest rates and home prices have a particularly significant impact. We expect that these factors will affect our operating performance and community count. Trends in housing inventory, home affordability, employment, interest rates and home prices are the principal factors that impact our revenues and many of our costs and expenses. For example, when these trends are favorable, we expect our revenues from homebuilding and land development, as well as our related costs and expenses, to generally increase; conversely, when these trends are negative, we expect our revenue and costs and expenses to generally decline, although in each case the impact may not be immediate. When trends are favorable, we would expect to increase our community count by opening additional communities and expanding existing communities; conversely, when these trends are negative, we would expect to maintain our community count or decrease the pace at which we open additional communities and expand existing communities.
 
Our operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 reflect our continued emphasis on our homebuilding segment and the results of the Citizens Acquisition, which was completed on April 10, 2014, and expanded our operations into North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The number of average selling communities during the three months ended September 30, 2014 when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013, increased from eight to twenty-seven. This resulted in an increase of $13.7 million, or 64.2% in our homebuilding revenue to $35.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $21.4 million for the comparable prior year period. Our homebuilding backlog at September 30, 2014 of $38.9 million was $13.4 million higher than the $25.5 million of backlog at September 30, 2013. We delivered 111 homes during the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to 62 homes during the same period in 2013. Our average selling price for homes sold decreased to approximately $316,000 during the third quarter of 2014, as compared to approximately $345,000 during the third quarter of 2013. This decrease in average sales price was mainly caused by the change in regional mix of homes sold. Revenue from land development for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $18 million to $20.3 million, as compared to approximately $2.3 million for the comparable period in the prior year. Other revenue from the construction management services provided by the Company to the property owners was $400,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $0 for the comparable prior year period.


30



Our consolidated net loss was $732,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to a consolidated net loss of $336,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013.

Similar to our results for the three months ended September 30, 2014, our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily reflect our continued efforts to grow our homebuilding segment and secondarily the Citizens Acquisition, which was completed on April 10, 2014. The number of average selling communities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased from seven to twenty-two. This resulted in an increase of $63.9 million, or 137.2%, in our homebuilding revenue to $110.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $46.6 million for the comparable prior year period. We delivered 301 homes during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to 131 homes during the same period in 2013. Our average selling price for homes sold increased to approximately $367,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to approximately $356,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This increase in average sales price was mainly caused by the change in regional mix of homes sold. Revenue from land development for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $16 million to $32.5 million, as compared to $16.5 million for the comparable period in the prior year. Other revenue from the construction management services provided by the Company to property owners was $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $0 for the comparable prior year period.

Our consolidated net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was approximately $3.5 million, as compared to a consolidated net loss of approximately $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increased net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 when compared to the prior year period was caused by an increase in sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses of approximately $11.7 million and a decrease in other income of $215,000 which were partially offset by an increase in gross margin of $10.6 million. Gross margin during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased due to an increase in revenue of $81.8 million offset by an increase in cost of sales of $71.2 million.

Revenue and gross margin in our land development segment tend to be variable due to the fact that land development revenue is likely to be driven by periodic transactions that are motivated by numerous considerations including but not limited to the demand levels of other homebuilders and availability of land to meet such demand. On the other hand, revenue and gross margin in our homebuilding segment tend to be more predictable.

In addition to 113 lots acquired through the Citizens Acquisition which closed during the second quarter of 2014, we identified land investment opportunities that met our underwriting criteria and increased our net total of lots owned by 494 lots since the end of fiscal year 2013. During the third quarter of 2014, we focused our efforts on the integration of Citizens and continued to develop our business particularly in the Puget Sound area of Washington State and in our Los Angeles, Ventura, and Kern county locations in Southern California.

During the remainder of 2014, we expect to seek revenue growth from our homebuilding operations, buy and sell land, and seek operational efficiencies across all our regional operations. Our South East operations, which resulted from our Citizens Acquisition, have historically had a high community count relative to revenue, as compared to our other operations. We expect to reduce our community count in our South East operations, with a near term objective of increasing sales in a fewer number of communities. Over the next several quarters, we expect to bring the relationship of community count and revenue at our South East operations more in line with that of the rest of our operations, which may result in reduction of our total community count for our South East operations.

31



  
Results of Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013


Consolidated Financial Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
(in thousands)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 

  Homebuilding
$
35,086

 
$
21,369

 
$
13,717

  Land development
20,264

 
2,250

 
18,014

  Other revenue
400

 

 
400

Total revenue
55,750

 
23,619

 
32,131

Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 

  Homebuilding
29,845

 
16,558

 
13,287

  Land development
16,079

 
1,433

 
14,646

  Other cost of revenue
352

 

 
352

Gross margin
9,474

 
5,628

 
3,846

Expenses:
 
 
 
 

  Sales and marketing
3,486

 
1,516

 
1,970

  General and administrative
6,737

 
4,503

 
2,234

Total expenses
10,223

 
6,019

 
4,204

Loss from operations
(749
)
 
(391
)
 
(358
)
Other income, net
17

 
55

 
(38
)
Net loss
$
(732
)
 
$
(336
)
 
$
(396
)

Select Operating Metrics

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change

Net new home orders (1)
102

 
44
 
58

Cancellation rate (2)
15.0
%
 
21.4
%
 
(6.4
)%
Average selling communities during period (3)
27

 
8
 
19



 
September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Selling communities at end of period
28

 
7

 
21

Backlog (4) (in thousands)
$
38,870

 
$
25,492

 
$
13,378

Backlog (4) (units)
115

 
60

 
55

Average sales price of backlog (in thousands)
$
338

 
$
425

 
$
(87
)

(1) 
“Net new home orders” refers to new home sales contracts reduced by the number of sales contracts canceled during the relevant period.

(2) 
“Cancellation rate” refers to sales contracts canceled divided by sales contracts executed during the relevant period.


32



(3) 
“Average selling communities during the period” refers to the average number of open selling communities at the end of each month during the period.

(4) 
“Backlog” refers to homes under sales contracts that have not yet closed at the end of the relevant period. Sales contracts relating to homes in backlog may be canceled by the purchaser for a number of reasons, such as the prospective purchaser's inability to obtain suitable mortgage financing. Upon a cancellation, the escrow deposit is returned to the prospective purchaser (other than with respect to certain design-related deposits, which we retain). Accordingly, backlog may not be indicative of our future revenue.
 
The increase in net new home orders was primarily due to having an average of twenty-seven selling communities during the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to an average of eight communities during the comparable period in 2013. The Citizens Acquisition which was completed on April 10, 2014, accounted for fifteen of these communities and was the main reason for the increase in number of average selling communities as well as for the increase in home backlog to 115 units as of September 30, 2014 as compared to 60 units as of September 30, 2013.

We had twenty-eight selling communities at September 30, 2014, as compared to seven selling communities at the end of the comparable period in 2013. Our homebuilding backlog value increased by $13.4 million, or approximately 52%, to $38.9 million at September 30, 2014 as compared to $25.5 million at September 30, 2013. The net increase in backlog was largely attributable to the increase in number of selling communities, which was mainly the result of the Citizens Acquisition, completed on April 10, 2014. However, as of September 30, 2014, seven of the currently active selling communities which were acquired as part of the Citizens Acquisition were in run off and each had fewer than ten units to sell. Consequently, the average number of selling communities in the South East may decrease in the near term. Our cancellation rate for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was 15.0% as compared to 21.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease was due primarily to loan qualification difficulties of potential home buyers in the prior year period.

The number of homes we sell during any quarter depends upon numerous factors including but not limited to market conditions, demand and availability of inventory to meet such demand. The number of homes we have sold on a quarterly basis has fluctuated from quarter to quarter due mainly to the factors noted above. Accordingly, it should not be assumed that our historical sales or growth will be maintained in future periods.


33



Owned and Controlled Lots

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we owned or controlled, pursuant to purchase or option contracts, an aggregate of 5,964 and 5,380 lots, respectively, as set forth in the tables below:
 
As of September 30, 2014
 
Owned
 
Controlled(1)
 
Total
Central Valley Area-California
1,617

 
43

 
1,660

Monterey Bay Area-California
1,451

 

 
1,451

South San Francisco Bay Area-California
104

 
435

 
539

Southern California
268

 
104

 
372

Puget Sound Area-Washington
893

 
25

 
918

North Carolina
189

 
110

 
299

South Carolina
51

 
404

 
455

Tennessee
64

 
206

 
270

Total
4,637

 
1,327

 
5,964


 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Owned
 
Controlled(1)
 
Total
Central Valley Area-California
1,658

 
322

 
1,980

Monterey Bay Area-California
1,517

 
154

 
1,671

South San Francisco Bay Area-California
19

 
465

 
484

Southern California

 
251

 
251

Puget Sound Area-Washington
836

 
158

 
994

Total
4,030

 
1,350

 
5,380


(1) 
Controlled lots are those subject to a purchase or option contract.

Revenue
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
(in thousands except homes delivered and lots sold)
Homebuilding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
35,086

 
$
21,369

 
$
13,717

 
64.2
 %
Homes delivered (units)
111

 
62

 
49

 
79.0
 %
Average selling price
$
316

 
$
345

 
$
(29
)
 
(8.4
)%
Average cost of sales
$
269

 
$
267

 
$
2

 
0.7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
20,264

 
$
2,250

 
$
18,014

 
800.6
 %
Lots sold (units)
197

 
30

 
167

 
556.7
 %
Average selling price
$
103

 
$
75

 
$
28

 
37.3
 %
Average cost of sales
$
82

 
$
48

 
$
34

 
70.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
400

 
$

 
$
400

 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$
55,750

 
$
23,619

 
$
32,131

 
136.0
 %


34



Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $32.1 million, or 136.0%, to $55.8 million, as compared to $23.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The increase in revenue was primarily the result of increased home deliveries during the 2014 period attributable to several factors, including an increased number of selling communities, mainly due to the Citizens Acquisition, and a more favorable sales pace in some of those communities.

Homebuilding Revenue

Revenue from homebuilding for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $13.7 million, or 64.2%, to $35.1 million, as compared to $21.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in the number of homes delivered to 111 during the 2014 period, as compared to 62 during the 2013 period. The increase in number of homes delivered during the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013, was partially attributable to the Citizens Acquisition completed on April 10, 2014, which added 15 selling communities. The average selling price per home (“ASP”) during the third quarter of 2014 decreased as compared to the comparable prior year quarter. The ASP for our West Coast operations was approximately $374,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, up from $345,000 from the same period last year, due to the difference in regional mix of homes delivered. The ASP for our South East operations, which began with our April 10, 2014 Citizens Acquisition, was approximately $236,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014.
 
 

Land Development Revenue

Revenue from land development for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $20.3 million, as compared to $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. We sold 197 finished or entitled lots in California during the three months ended September 30, 2014, and 30 finished lots in Washington State during the comparable period in 2013. The increase in land development revenue was largely due to a greater number of lots sold during the third quarter of 2014 as well as higher ASP, as compared to the lots sold during the comparable 2013 period. The increase in ASP for the lots sold during the third quarter of 2014 was due to the sale of improved and unimproved parcels sold in the South San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley which yielded relatively high revenue per lot due to the higher value of land.

Other revenue

Other revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $400,000 and zero, respectively. Other revenue is related to construction management services provided to property owners primarily under “cost plus fee” contracts which commenced as a result of the Citizens Acquisition.
























35



Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross Margin
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
%
 
2013
 
%
 
 
(In thousands)
Consolidated Adjusted Gross Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
55,750

 
100.0
%
 
$
23,619

 
100.0
%
Cost of sales
 
46,276

 
83.0
%
 
17,991

 
76.2
%
Gross margin
 
9,474

 
17.0
%
 
5,628

 
23.8
%
Add: interest in cost of sales
 
550

 
1.0
%
 
394

 
1.7
%
Add: impairment and abandonment charges
 

 
%
 

 
%
Adjusted gross margin(1)
 
$
10,024

 
18.0
%
 
$
6,022

 
25.5
%
Consolidated gross margin percentage
 
17.0
%
 
 
 
23.8
%
 
 
Consolidated adjusted gross margin percentage(1)
 
18.0
%
 
 
 
25.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding Adjusted Gross Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding revenue
 
$
35,086

 
100.0
%
 
$
21,369

 
100.0
%
Cost of home sales
 
29,845

 
85.1
%
 
16,558

 
77.5
%
Homebuilding gross margin
 
5,241

 
14.9
%
 
4,811

 
22.5
%
Add: interest in cost of home sales
 
550

 
1.5
%
 
392

 
1.8
%
Add: impairment and abandonment charges
 

 
%
 

 
%
Adjusted homebuilding gross margin(1)
 
$
5,791

 
16.5
%
 
$
5,203

 
24.3
%
Homebuilding gross margin percentage
 
14.9
%
 
 
 
22.5
%
 
 
Adjusted homebuilding gross margin percentage(1)
 
16.5
%
 
 
 
24.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land Development Adjusted Gross Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land development revenue
 
$
20,264

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,250

 
100.0%
Cost of land development
 
16,079

 
79.3
%
 
1,433

 
63.7%
Land development gross margin
 
4,185

 
20.7
%
 
817

 
36.3%
Add: interest in cost of land development
 

 
%
 
2

 
0.1%
Add: impairment and abandonment charges
 

 
%
 

 
—%
Adjusted land development gross margin(1)
 
$
4,185

 
20.7
%
 
$
819

 
36.4%
Land development gross margin percentage
 
20.7
%
 
 
 
36.3
%
 
 
Adjusted land development gross margin percentage(1)
 
20.7
%
 
 
 
36.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Revenue Gross and Adjusted Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
400

 
100.0
%
 
$

 
%
Cost of revenue
 
352

 
88.0
%
 

 
%
Other revenue gross and adjusted margin
 
$
48

 
12.0
%
 
$

 
%
Other revenue gross and adjusted margin percentage
 
12.0
%
 
 
 
%
 
 
* Percentages may not add due to rounding.

(1) 
Consolidated adjusted gross margin percentage, homebuilding adjusted gross margin percentage and land development adjusted gross margin percentage are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures. Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross margin plus capitalized interest and impairment and abandonment charges. We use adjusted gross margin information as a supplemental measure when evaluating our operating performance.
We believe this information is meaningful, because it isolates the impact that leverage and non-cash impairment and abandonment charges have on gross margin. However, because adjusted gross margin information excludes interest expense and impairment and abandonment charges, all of which have real economic effects and could materially impact our results, the utility of adjusted gross margin information as a measure of our operating performance is limited. In addition, other companies may not calculate adjusted gross margin information in the same manner as we do. Accordingly, adjusted gross margin information should be considered only as a supplement to gross margin information as a measure of our performance. The table above provides a reconciliation of adjusted gross margin numbers to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

36




The decrease in our homebuilding gross margin percentage was primarily due to increased buyer incentives and interest costs during the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013. Lower average selling prices in the 2014 quarter in comparison with the prior year quarter also served to lower the gross margin percentage for the 2014 quarter.

The decrease in our land development gross margin percentage for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013 was due to the difference in mix of lots sold. The property sold in the comparable prior year quarter contained a parcel in the Washington State which had a higher gross margin relative to the parcels sold in the 2014 quarter.

The increase in our other revenue gross and adjusted margin percentages was the result of the commencement of construction management services, which began with our April 10, 2014 Citizens Acquisition.


Sales and Marketing, and General and Administrative Expenses

Our operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(In thousands)
 
As a percentage of  Total Revenue
Sales and marketing
$
3,486

 
$
1,516

 
6.3
%
 
6.4
%
General and administrative
6,737

 
4,503

 
12.1
%
 
19.1
%
Total sales and marketing and general and administrative
$
10,223

 
$
6,019

 
18.4
%
 
25.5
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

Sales and marketing expense (“S&M expense”) for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $2 million, or 130%, to $3.5 million as compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily attributable to a 79% increase in the number of homes delivered as well as a 238% increase in the average number of selling communities. These increases also led to higher sales and marketing headcount, which increased personnel and related costs. As a percentage of total revenue, sales and marketing expenses decreased slightly to 6.3% during the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to 6.4% for the comparable prior year period. The decrease was due to a higher revenue base in 2014 relative to the increase in sales and marketing costs.

General and administrative expense (“G&A expense”) for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $2.2 million to $6.7 million, as compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in G&A expense was largely the result of increased headcount, which increased personnel and related costs. Office headcount increased to 120 employees as of September 30, 2014, which included 35 office employees associated with our Citizens Acquisition, as compared to 65 employees as of September 30, 2013. The three month period ended September 30, 2014 also included approximately $138,000 of non-recurring transaction costs related to the Citizens Acquisition; no such expenses were incurred during the comparable period in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, G&A expense decreased to 12.1% during the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to 19.1% for the comparable prior year period. The decrease was due to a higher revenue base in 2014 relative to the increase in G&A expense.


Other Income, net
 
Other income, net for the three months ended September 30, 2014 decreased by $38,000 to $17,000, as compared to $55,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013.

 
Provision for Income Taxes

As a result of the analysis of all available evidence as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, we have recorded a full valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets.  Consequently, we reported no income tax benefit for the three month period ended

37



September 30, 2014 or for the post-IPO period during the three month period ended September 30, 2013. No provision for income taxes was contemplated for the pre-IPO period during the three months ended September 30, 2013 as UCP, LLC was an entity disregarded from PICO during this pre-IPO period. If our assumptions change and we believe we will be able to realize these deferred tax assets, the tax benefits relating to any reversal of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets will be recognized as a reduction of future income tax expense.  If the assumptions do not change, in each period we could record an additional valuation allowance on any increases in the deferred tax assets.


Net Income or Loss and Income or Loss per Share
 
As a result of the foregoing factors, our consolidated net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $732,000 as compared to a consolidated net loss of $336,000 for the comparable period last year. The net loss attributable to Class A stockholders of UCP, Inc. was approximately $666,000, or $.08 per share of Class A common stock, for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The net loss attributable to Class A stockholders of UCP, Inc. was approximately $15,000, or $0 per share of Class A common stock for the post-IPO period of the three months ended September 30, 2013. The entire net loss for periods prior to the IPO was allocated to non-controlling interest.


Results of Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Financial Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
 
(in thousands)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Homebuilding
 
$
110,542

 
$
46,609

 
$
63,933

  Land development
 
32,513

 
16,535

 
15,978

  Other revenue
 
1,918

 

 
1,918

Total revenue
 
144,973

 
63,144

 
81,829

Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Homebuilding
 
91,721

 
36,500

 
55,221

  Land development
 
25,466

 
11,149

 
14,317

  Other cost of revenue
 
1,681

 

 
1,681

Gross margin
 
26,105

 
15,495

 
10,610

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Sales and marketing
 
9,807

 
4,747

 
5,060

  General and administrative
 
19,917

 
13,310

 
6,607

Total expenses
 
29,724

 
18,057

 
11,667

Loss from operations
 
(3,619
)
 
(2,562
)
 
(1,057
)
Other income, net
 
103

 
318

 
(215
)
Net loss
 
$
(3,516
)
 
$
(2,244
)
 
$
(1,272
)


38



Select Operating Metrics

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Net new home orders (1)
 
319

 
165
 
154

Cancellation rate (2)
 
8.9
%
 
12.2
%
 
(3.3
)%
Average selling communities during period (3)
 
22

 
7
 
15





(1) 
“Net new home orders” refers to new home sales contracts reduced by the number of sales contracts canceled during the relevant period.

(2) 
“Cancellation rate” refers to sales contracts canceled divided by sales contracts executed during the relevant period.

(3) 
“Average selling communities during the period” refers to the average number of open selling communities at the end of each month during the period.


 
The increase in net new home orders was primarily due to having an average of twenty-two selling communities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to an average of seven selling communities during the comparable period in 2013. The Citizens Acquisition which was completed on April 10, 2014, accounted for fifteen of these communities. The increase in the number of new home orders due partly to the increase in number of selling communities from the Citizens Acquisition was primarily responsible for the increase in backlog (units) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the similar period during 2013.

Our cancellation rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 8.9% as compared to 12.2% for the comparable period in the prior year. The reduction was due in part to the influence of broader national factors, such as unease over the partial federal government shutdown and concerns over interest rate volatility, which adversely affected regional consumer confidence, especially in the prior year.

The number of homes we sell during any period depends upon numerous factors including but not limited to market conditions, demand, and availability of inventory to meet such demand. The number of homes we have sold on a quarterly basis has fluctuated from quarter to quarter. Accordingly, it should not be assumed that our historical sales or growth will be maintained in future periods.



39




Revenue
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
 
(In thousands except homes delivered and lots sold)
Homebuilding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
110,542

 
$
46,609

 
$
63,933

 
137.2
 %
Homes delivered (units)
 
301

 
131

 
170

 
129.8
 %
Average selling price
 
$
367

 
$
356

 
$
11

 
3.1
 %
Average cost of sales
 
$
305

 
$
279

 
$
26

 
9.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
32,513

 
$
16,535

 
$
15,978

 
96.6
 %
Lots sold (units)
 
348

 
138

 
210

 
152.2
 %
Average selling price
 
$
93


$
120

 
$
(27
)
 
(22.5
)%
Average cost of sales
 
$
73

 
$
81

 
$
(8
)
 
(9.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
1,918

 
$

 
$
1,918

 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
 
$
144,973

 
$
63,144

 
$
81,829

 
129.6
 %

Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $81.8 million, or 129.6%, to $145 million, as compared to $63.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase in revenue was primarily the result of increased home deliveries during the 2014 period attributable to several factors, including an increased number of selling communities, mainly due to the Citizens Acquisition and a favorable sales pace in some of our communities.


Homebuilding Revenue

Revenue from homebuilding for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $63.9 million, or 137.2%, to $110.5 million, as compared to $46.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in the number of homes delivered to 301 during the 2014 period, as compared to 131 during the 2013 period and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the average selling price of homes to approximately $367,000 during the 2014 period, as compared to approximately $356,000 during the 2013 period. Of this increase in homebuilding revenue, approximately $60.5 million was related to an increased number of units delivered and approximately $3.3 million was attributable to an increase in average selling price. The increase in average selling price during the 2014 period was primarily the result of increased home deliveries at communities located in areas with higher home prices coupled with an overall improving real estate market.
 

 
Land Development Revenue

Revenue from land development for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $16.0 million, or 96.6%, to $32.5 million, as compared to $16.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. We sold 348 lots during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 138 lots during the comparable period in 2013. Of the $16 million increase in land development revenue, approximately $25.2 million was attributable to an increase in the number of lots sold in the 2014 period which was partially offset by a decrease in pricing period over period of approximately $9.4 million.

Other revenue

Other revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1.9 million and zero, respectively. Other revenue is related to construction management services provided to property owners primarily under “cost plus fee” contracts. The construction management services commenced as a result of the Citizens Acquisition.

40





Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross Margin-
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
%
 
2013
 
%
 
 
(In thousands)
Consolidated Adjusted Gross Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
144,973

 
100.0
 %
 
$
63,144

 
100.0
%
Cost of sales
 
118,868

 
82.0
 %
 
47,649

 
75.5
%
Gross margin
 
26,105

 
18.0
 %
 
15,495

 
24.5
%
Add: interest in cost of sales
 
2,026

 
1.5
 %
 
759

 
1.2
%
Add: impairment and abandonment charges
 
173

 
0.1
 %
 
12

 
%
Adjusted gross margin(1)
 
$
28,304

 
19.5
 %
 
$
16,266

 
25.8
%
Consolidated gross margin percentage
 
18.0
%
 
 
 
24.5
%
 
 
Consolidated adjusted gross margin percentage(1)
 
19.5
%
 
 
 
25.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding Adjusted Gross Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding revenue
 
$
110,542

 
100.0
 %
 
$
46,609

 
100.0
%
Cost of home sales
 
91,721

 
83.0
 %
 
36,500

 
78.3
%
Homebuilding gross margin
 
18,821

 
17.0
 %
 
10,109

 
21.7
%
Add: interest in cost of home sales
 
2,023

 
1.8
 %
 
750

 
1.6
%
Add: impairment and abandonment charges
 

 
 %
 

 
%
Adjusted homebuilding gross margin(1)
 
$
20,844

 
18.9
 %
 
$
10,859

 
23.3
%
Homebuilding gross margin percentage
 
17.0
%
 
 
 
21.7
%
 
 
Adjusted homebuilding gross margin percentage(1)
 
18.9
%
 
 
 
23.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land Development Adjusted Gross Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land development revenue
 
$
32,513

 
100.0
 %
 
$
16,535

 
100
%
Cost of land development
 
25,466

 
78.3
 %
 
11,149

 
67.4
%
Land development gross margin
 
7,047

 
21.7
 %
 
5,386

 
32.6
%
Add: interest in cost of land development
 
3

 
(0.1
)%
 
9

 
0.1
%
Add: impairment and abandonment charges
 
173

 
0.5
 %
 
12

 
0.1
%
Adjusted land development gross margin(1)
 
$
7,223

 
22.2
 %
 
$
5,407

 
32.7
%
Land development gross margin percentage
 
21.7
%
 
 
 
32.6
%
 
 
Adjusted land development gross margin percentage(1)
 
22.2
%
 
 
 
32.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Revenue Gross and Adjusted Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
$
1,918

 
100.0
 %
 
$

 
%
Cost of revenue
 
1,681

 
87.6
 %
 

 
%
Other revenue gross and adjusted margin
 
$
237

 
12.4
 %
 
$

 
%
Other revenue gross and adjusted margin percentage
 
12.4
%
 
 
 
%
 
 
* Percentages may not add due to rounding.

(1) 
Consolidated adjusted gross margin percentage, homebuilding adjusted gross margin percentage and land development adjusted gross margin percentage are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures. Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross margin plus capitalized interest and impairment and abandonment charges. We use adjusted gross margin information as a supplemental measure when evaluating our operating performance.
We believe this information is meaningful, because it isolates the impact that leverage and non-cash impairment and abandonment charges have on gross margin. However, because adjusted gross margin information excludes interest expense and impairment and abandonment charges, all of which have real economic effects and could materially impact our results, the utility of adjusted gross margin information as a measure of our operating performance is limited. In addition, other companies may not calculate adjusted gross margin information in the same manner that we

41



do. Accordingly, adjusted gross margin information should be considered only as a supplement to gross margin information as a measure of our performance. The table above provides a reconciliation of adjusted gross margin numbers to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

The decrease in our homebuilding gross margin percentage was primarily due to increased cost of sales-homebuilding during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This was primarily attributable to a higher cost basis in the homes we sold during the 2014 period, an increase in buyer incentives and higher interest costs from increased borrowings.

The decrease in our land development gross margin percentage for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily attributable to a lower ASP for the lots we sold during the 2014 period and, to a lesser degree, a higher level of abandonment charges.

The increase in our other revenue gross and adjusted gross margin percentages was the result of the commencement of construction management services, which began with our April 10, 2014 Citizens Acquisition.



Sales and Marketing, and General and Administrative Expenses

Our operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(In thousands)
 
As a percentage of  Total Revenue
Sales and marketing
$
9,807

 
$
4,747

 
6.8
%
 
7.5
%
General and administrative
19,917

 
13,310

 
13.7
%
 
21.1
%
Total sales and marketing and general and administrative
$
29,724

 
$
18,057

 
20.5
%
 
28.6
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

S&M expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $5.1 million, or 106.6%, to $9.8 million, as compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily attributable to a 129.8% increase in the number of homes delivered as well as to a 214.3% increase in the average number of selling communities. These increases also led to higher sales and marketing headcount, which increased personnel and related costs. As a percentage of total revenue, sales and marketing expenses decreased to 6.8% during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to 7.5% for the comparable prior year period. The decrease was due to a higher revenue base in 2014 relative to the increase in sales and marketing costs.


G&A expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $6.6 million to $19.9 million, as compared to $13.3 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in G&A expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period of the prior year was largely the result of expenses associated with becoming a public company in July of 2013 and increased headcount, which increased personnel and related costs. Office headcount increased to 120 employees as of September 30, 2014, which included 35 office employees associated with our Citizens Acquisition, as compared to 65 employees as of September 30, 2013. Additionally, stock-based compensation expense of approximately $3 million was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $935,000 for the comparable period in the prior year. The nine months ended September 30, 2014 also included approximately $778,000 of non-recurring transaction costs related to the Citizens Acquisition; no such expenses were incurred during the comparable period in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, G&A expense decreased to 13.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to 21.1% for the comparable prior year period. The decrease was due to a higher revenue base in 2014 relative to the increase in G&A expense.

42



 

Other Income, net
 
Other income, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased by $215,000 to $103,000, as compared to $318,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This decrease was primarily due to recognition of $150,000 of income during the prior year period relating to the settlement of a surety bond claim against a third party.


Provision for Income Taxes

As a result of the analysis of all available evidence as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, we have recorded a full valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets.  Consequently, we reported no income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 or for the post-IPO period during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. No provision for income taxes was contemplated for the pre-IPO period during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as UCP, LLC was an entity disregarded from PICO during this pre-IPO period. If our assumptions change and we believe we will be able to realize these deferred tax assets, the tax benefits relating to any reversal of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets will be recognized as a reduction of future income tax expense.  If the assumptions do not change, in each period we could record an additional valuation allowance on any increases in the deferred tax assets.

Net Income or Loss and Income or Loss per Share
 
As a result of the foregoing factors, our consolidated net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was approximately $3.5 million as compared to a consolidated net loss of $2.2 million for the comparable period last year. The net loss attributable to Class A stockholders of UCP, Inc. was $3 million, or $0.38 per share of Class A common stock, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The net loss attributable to Class A stockholders of UCP, Inc. was $15,000, or $0 per share of Class A common stock, for the post-IPO period of the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The entire net loss for periods prior to the IPO was allocated to non controlling interest.



Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal uses of capital for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were funding our operating expenses, investing activities (principally acquiring and developing land, and building homes) and repaying liabilities. Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash on hand, cash provided by operations and cash provided by financing activities (such as mortgage financing and construction and development financing). As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately $30.3 million of cash and cash equivalents.
 
For the foreseeable future, we expect our principal uses of cash to be similar to what they have been in the past. We anticipate funding future capital requirements in a manner similar to our historical funding. For a description of our outstanding indebtedness as of September 30, 2014, see Note 7 “Debt” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. On October 21, 2014, we completed a private offering of $75 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2017. See Note 13 “Subsequent Events” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
We believe that we have access to sufficient capital resources to fund our business for at least the next twelve months. We generally have the ability to defer future investment activity, such as developing land or building additional homes for sale, until such time as we have adequate capital resources available to us.

 Our funding strategy contemplates the use of debt and equity financing and the reinvestment of cash from operations. We seek to manage our balance sheet in a manner that provides us with flexibility to access various types of financing, such as equity capital, secured debt and unsecured debt financing. We intend to finance future acquisitions and developments with the most advantageous source of capital available to us at the time of the transaction, which may include a combination of common and preferred equity, secured and unsecured corporate level debt, property-level debt and mortgage financing and other public, private or bank debt.


43



 
We believe that our leverage ratios provide useful information to the users of our financial statements regarding our financial position and cash and debt management. The ratio of debt-to-capital and the ratio of net debt-to-capital are calculated as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
At September 30, 2014 
 
At December 31, 2013 
Debt
$
59,353

 
$
30,950

Stockholders’ equity
215,537

 
217,716

Total capital
$
274,890

 
$
248,666

Ratio of debt-to-capital
21.6
%
 
12.4
%
Debt
$
59,353

 
$
30,950

Less: cash and cash equivalents
30,347

 
87,503

Debt net cash
29,006

 

Stockholders’ equity
215,537

 
217,716

Total capital
$
244,543

 
$
217,716

Ratio of net debt-to-capital(1)
11.9
%
 
%
 
(1) 
The ratio of net debt-to-capital is computed as the quotient obtained by dividing net debt (which is debt less cash and cash equivalents) by the sum of net debt plus stockholders’ and member's equity. The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure is the ratio of debt-to-capital. We believe the ratio of net debt-to-capital is a relevant financial measure for investors to understand the leverage employed in our operations and as an indicator of our ability to obtain financing. We reconcile this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure to the ratio of debt-to-capital in the table above.

Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014, Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

The following compares our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

Net cash used in operating activities was $41.7 million higher compared to 2013. The increased net use was primarily due to a $40.7 million increase in real estate inventory coupled with a relative net increase in other assets offset in part by a higher level of accrued liabilities and by a reduction in our net loss when adjusted for non-cash items of $2.5 million period over period. Cash used in or provided by operating activities is significantly impacted by, among other factors, the number of communities we have in various stages of development and will vary significantly over time.
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $14.5 million due mainly to the Citizens Acquisition during the second quarter of 2014.
Net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $93.6 million as a result of $105.5 million of proceeds received from the completion of our IPO in 2013, the elimination of net contributions from PICO received in 2013 of $12.1 million, the repurchase of Class A common stock in the amount of $1.6 million to settle employee withholding taxes stemming from the vesting of restricted stock units during the 2014 period and debt issuance cost of 200,000. The decrease in cash provided by financing activity from the 2013 period was partially offset by a net increase in borrowing of $25.7 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
 
In the ordinary course of business, we may enter into purchase or option contracts to procure lots for development and construction of homes or for sale to third-party homebuilders. We are subject to customary obligations associated with entering into contracts for the purchase of land. These contracts to purchase properties typically require a cash deposit and are generally contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by the sellers, including obtaining applicable property and development entitlements.
 
We may also utilize purchase or option contracts with land sellers as a method of acquiring land in staged takedowns to help us manage the financial and market risk associated with land holdings, and to reduce the use of funds from our corporate financing sources. Purchase or option contracts generally require a non-refundable deposit for the right to acquire lots over a specified period of time at pre-determined prices. We generally have the right to terminate our obligations under both purchase or option contracts by forfeiting our cash deposit with no further financial responsibility to the land seller.

As of September 30, 2014, we had outstanding $3.7 million of cash deposits pertaining to purchase contracts for 1,327 lots with an aggregate remaining purchase price of approximately $92.9 million.

44



 
Our use of contracts provides us with an option to purchase land which depends on the availability of land sellers willing to enter into option takedown arrangements, the availability of capital from financial intermediaries to finance the development of land, general housing market conditions and local market dynamics.

As of September 30, 2014, there were $59.4 million of outstanding principal balances on our various loan facilities. We had $67.3 million of availability under our secured revolving credit facilities subject to the borrowing base terms set forth in each of our secured revolving credit facilities. For additional information, see Note 7, “Debt” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Inflation
 
Our business can be adversely impacted by inflation, primarily from higher land, financing, labor, material and construction costs. In addition, inflation can lead to higher mortgage rates, which can significantly affect the affordability of mortgage financing to home buyers. While we attempt to pass on cost increases to customers through increased prices, when weak housing market conditions exist, we are often unable to offset cost increases with higher selling prices. Additionally, rising mortgage rates may result in a decrease in the number of homes we sell and a reduction in selling prices.
 

Seasonality
 
Historically, the homebuilding industry experiences seasonal fluctuations in quarterly operating results and capital requirements. We typically experience the highest new home order activity in spring and summer, although this activity is also highly dependent on the number of active selling communities, timing of new community openings and other market factors. Since it typically takes four to six months to construct a new home, we generally deliver more homes in the second half of the year as spring and summer home orders convert to home deliveries. Because of this seasonality, home starts, construction costs and related cash outflows have historically been highest in the second and third quarters, and the majority of cash receipts from home deliveries occur during the second half of the year. We expect this seasonal pattern to continue over the long-term, although it may be affected by volatility in the homebuilding industry.



Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1, “Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report regarding the impact of certain recent accounting pronouncements on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
    


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk


We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on our outstanding variable rate debt, which consists of our secured revolving credit facilities and our acquisition, construction and development loans. We did not hedge our exposure to changes in interest rates with swaps, forward or option contracts on interest rates or commodities, or other types of derivative financial instruments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. However, we may choose to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rates with these or other types of instruments in the future if, for example, we incur significant amounts of additional variable rate debt. We have not entered into and currently do not hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. 

Based on the current amount and terms of our variable rate debt, we do not believe that the future changes in interest rates will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


45



Under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)- 15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

We implemented a new ERP /accounting system during the quarter ended September 30, 2014. During the implementation, an appropriate level of employee training, testing of the system and monitoring of the financial results recorded in the system was conducted. This migration to a new system represents a material change in internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, our system of internal control over financial reporting has been updated.


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Other than the foregoing, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.




PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various litigation and legal claims in the normal course of our business operations. We are also subject to a variety of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to land development activities, home construction standards, sales practices, employment practices and protection of the environment. As a result, we are subject to periodic examination or inquiry by various governmental agencies that administer these laws and regulations.


We establish liabilities for legal claims and regulatory matters when such matters are both probable of occurring and any potential loss is reasonably estimable. We accrue for such matters based on the facts and circumstances specific to each matter and revise these estimates as the matters evolve. In such cases, there may exist an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts currently accrued. Predicting the ultimate resolution of the pending matters, the related timing, or the eventual loss associated with these matters is inherently difficult. While the outcome of such contingencies cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the resolution of such matters will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. However, to the extent the liability arising from the ultimate resolution of any matter exceeds the estimates reflected in the recorded reserves relating to such matter, we could incur additional charges that could be significant.

See Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.




Item 1A . Risk Factors
       
Please see below an update to risk factors affecting our business in addition to those presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K Part I, Item IA, for the year ended December 31, 2013. Except for the update below, there have been no material changes in our assessment of our risk factors from those set forth in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2013.

We are subject to environmental laws and regulations, which may increase our costs, result in liabilities, limit the areas in which we can build homes and delay completion of our projects.

46


We are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and other laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning the environment, hazardous materials, the discharge of pollutants and human health and safety. The particular environmental requirements which apply to any given site vary according to multiple factors, including the site’s location, its environmental conditions, the current and former uses of the site, the presence or absence of state- or federal-listed endangered or threatened plants or animals or sensitive habitats, and conditions at nearby properties. We may not identify all of these concerns during any pre-acquisition or pre-development review of project sites. Environmental requirements and conditions may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity in environmentally sensitive regions or in areas contaminated by others before we commence development. We are also subject to third-party challenges, such as by environmental groups or neighborhood associations, under environmental laws and regulations governing the permits and other approvals for our projects and operations. Sometimes regulators from different governmental agencies do not concur on development, remedial standards or property use restrictions for a project, and the resulting delays or additional costs can be material for a given project.
In addition, in cases where a state-listed or federally-listed endangered or threatened species is involved and related agency rule-making and litigation are ongoing, the outcome of such rule-making and litigation can be unpredictable and can result in unplanned or unforeseeable restrictions on, or the prohibition of, development and building activity in identified environmentally sensitive areas. For example, the state- and federally-listed California Tiger Salamander may be present at our East Garrison property. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”) granted permission to take the salamander as a matter of federal law in October 2005. California, however, did not list this salamander, as a state -threatened species until 2010. We are currently implementing ongoing management measures for the California Tiger Salamander pursuant to agreements with, and in accordance with an incidental take authorization from, the USFWS. Subsequent to the state listing, we filed a permit application with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife with respect to management of the California Tiger Salamander. There can be no assurance as to whether or when the California Department of Fish & Wildlife will issue the requested incidental take permit, or whether any permit terms will be unexpectedly restrictive or costly, conflict with any existing agreement with the USFWS, result in project delays or require changes to existing development or building plans.
We also own and are developing a project in Washington State known as the Preserve at Tumwater Place (the “Preserve”). We currently expect the Preserve to have approximately 544 lots, consisting of approximately 188 lots in Divisions 1 and 2, and 356 lots in Divisions 2, 3 and 4. The preliminary residential subdivision was approved by the City of Tumwater and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife based, in part, on an approved Habitat Protection Plan for the Mazama pocket gopher. Based on that plan, the Preserve contains a 25-acre, on-site habitat preservation area for the gopher. The Preserve has recorded a final subdivision for Division 1. We have obtained building permits from the City of Tumwater for some of the Division 1 lots and are currently building single family homes for sale therein.
Since these approvals, the USFWS adopted a final rule listing gopher as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act and designated certain areas of Washington State, including land in close proximity to the Preserve, as critical habitat for the gopher. The listing is broad and applies to areas near critical habitat area, including areas where the gopher may not be present. At this time, the USFWS has not provided guidance as to how USFWS intends to address ongoing development in light of the rule. However, USFWS has indicated that existing set-asides created under state and local authorities, such as the on-site habitat preservation area that we have previously established at the Preserve, may not provide sufficient mitigation for the take of the gopher as a matter of federal law. Accordingly, it is likely that we will be required to implement additional restrictions and requirements at the Preserve. Any such restrictions or requirements could cause us to incur increased expense at the Preserve or delay or limit our activities there.
We intend to continue to construct homes on Divisions 1 and 2 of the Preserve and are in the process of seeking infrastructure permits for Division 3 of the Preserve. We have been advised that the City of Tumwater intends to continue to issue building permits for the Preserve, however, it is possible that it may suspend issuing such permits in light of the recent USFWS action. Due to the foregoing, it is possible that our development activity at the Preserve could be delayed, halted or limited, and that we may incur additional expenses in connection with our activities at the Preserve. In addition, there is a risk of litigation by the federal government or private litigants due to our ongoing development activities at the Preserve in the absence of additional guidance or approval from the USFWS. We continue our efforts to seek further guidance from USFWS and the City of Tumwater in light of the listing decision, however we can provide no assurance as to the timing of receipt of any such guidance or its impact on our activities at the Preserve.
We may be unable to successfully integrate the assets we acquired in the Citizens Acquisition and realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition or do so within the anticipated timeframe.


47


The Citizens Acquisition involved the acquisition of assets used in the purchase of real estate and the construction and marketing of residential homes in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. In addition, in connection with the Citizens Acquisition, we increased our number of employees by approximately 50 people, working at locations in three additional states. Even though the business conducted with these assets is similar to the business we have historically conducted, we have been required to and expect to continue to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating these assets and these new employees with our business practices and operations. It is possible that the integration process could result in the distraction of our management, the disruption of our ongoing business or inconsistencies in our operations, services, standards, controls, procedures and policies, any of which could adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with customers, vendors and employees or to fully achieve the anticipated benefits of the Citizens Acquisition.

Our future results will suffer if we do not effectively manage our expanded operations.

We may continue to expand our operations through additional acquisitions and other strategic transactions, and modernize our information technology and management systems through new systems implementations, some of which may involve complex challenges. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to manage our expansion opportunities, integrate new operations into our existing business in an efficient and timely manner, successfully monitor our operations, costs and regulatory compliance and develop and maintain other necessary systems, processes and internal controls. We cannot assure you that our expansion or acquisition opportunities will be successful, or that we will realize their expected operating efficiencies, cost savings, revenue enhancements, synergies or other benefits.



Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On July 17, 2013, a registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-187735), relating to our IPO was declared effective by the SEC. Under this registration statement, we registered the offer and sale of 7,750,000 shares of Class A common stock, raising aggregate net proceeds of approximately $105.5 million. As of September 30, 2014, we have used approximately $75.2 million of the net proceeds from the IPO for general corporate purposes, such as the acquisition of land and for land development, home construction and other related purposes. We intend to use the remaining net proceeds from the IPO for similar purposes. Pending these uses, these proceeds are currently held in various demand deposit accounts.


48


Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.


Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.


Item 5.  Other Information
 
None.


Item 6.  Exhibits
Exhibit Number
 
Description
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of UCP, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (filed May 12, 2014))
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of UCP, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (filed May 12, 2014))
4.1
 
Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate of UCP, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form S-1/A (filed May 21, 2013))
4.2
 
Investor Rights Agreement between PICO Holdings, Inc. and UCP, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (filed May 21, 2013))
4.3
 
Indenture, dated October 21, 2014, among UCP, Inc., the guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (filed October 23, 2014))
31.1
 
Certification of Dustin L. Bogue, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
 
Certification of William J. La Herran, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
 
Certification of Dustin L. Bogue, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
 
Certification of William J. La Herran, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS†
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH†
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL†
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF†
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.LAB†
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

XBRL information is deemed not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under such sections.


49



SIGNATURES
 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
UCP, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 10, 2014
 
By:
/s/
William J. La Herran
 
 
William J. La Herran
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer and Authorized Signatory)

 

 

50