e10vq
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number: 1-12378
NVR, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Virginia   54-1394360
     
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
11700 Plaza America Drive, Suite 500
Reston, Virginia 20190
(703) 956-4000
 
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
(Not Applicable)
 
(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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer þ    Accelerated filer o    Non-accelerated filer   o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
As of October 27, 2008 there were 5,453,515 total shares of common stock outstanding.
 
 

 


 

NVR, Inc.
Form 10-Q
INDEX
             
        Page
  FINANCIAL INFORMATION        
 
           
  NVR, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements        
 
           
 
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2008 (unaudited) and December 31, 2007     3  
 
           
 
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007 and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007     5  
 
           
 
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007     6  
 
           
 
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements     7  
 
           
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     21  
 
           
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     37  
 
           
  Controls and Procedures     38  
 
           
  OTHER INFORMATION        
 
           
  Legal Proceedings     38  
 
           
  Risk Factors     38  
 
           
  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds     43  
 
           
  Exhibits     43  
 
           
    44  
 
           
    45  

2


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NVR, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
                 
    September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    (unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
 
               
Homebuilding:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 963,313     $ 660,709  
Receivables
    10,444       10,855  
Inventory:
               
Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers
    536,895       573,895  
Unsold lots and housing units
    67,570       105,838  
Manufacturing materials and other
    6,555       9,121  
 
           
 
    611,020       688,854  
 
               
Assets not owned, consolidated per FIN 46R
    127,074       180,206  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    26,834       32,911  
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net
    41,580       41,580  
Goodwill and indefinite life intangibles, net
    11,686       11,686  
Definite life intangibles, net
    21       96  
Contract land deposits, net
    130,575       188,528  
Other assets
    253,785       252,461  
 
           
 
    2,176,332       2,067,886  
 
           
 
               
Mortgage Banking:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    1,728       3,500  
Mortgage loans held for sale, net
    113,839       107,338  
Property and equipment, net
    903       881  
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net
    7,347       7,347  
Other assets
    8,003       7,464  
 
           
 
    131,820       126,530  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 2,308,152     $ 2,194,416  
 
           
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
(Continued)

3


 

NVR, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
                 
    September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    (unaudited)          
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Homebuilding:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 181,403     $ 219,048  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    235,564       251,475  
Liabilities related to assets not owned, consolidated per FIN 46R
    118,323       164,369  
Customer deposits
    93,117       125,315  
Other term debt
    2,630       2,820  
Senior notes
    200,000       200,000  
 
           
 
    831,037       963,027  
 
           
 
               
Mortgage Banking:
               
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    13,858       18,551  
Notes payable and repurchase agreement
    90,782       83,463  
 
           
 
    104,640       102,014  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    935,677       1,065,041  
 
           
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
               
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,561,187 and 20,592,640 shares issued as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively
    206       206  
Additional paid-in-capital
    706,560       663,631  
Deferred compensation trust — 515,950 and 516,085 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively
    (75,495 )     (75,636 )
Deferred compensation liability
    75,495       75,636  
Retained earnings
    3,661,344       3,529,995  
Less treasury stock at cost — 15,108,940 and 15,455,086 shares at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively
    (2,995,635 )     (3,064,457 )
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,372,475       1,129,375  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 2,308,152     $ 2,194,416  
 
           
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


 

NVR, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Homebuilding:
                               
Revenues
  $ 928,265     $ 1,270,471     $ 2,739,167     $ 3,642,721  
Other income
    4,256       4,209       14,356       16,425  
Cost of sales
    (805,931 )     (1,087,399 )     (2,305,231 )     (3,002,746 )
Selling, general and administrative
    (66,796 )     (54,906 )     (240,833 )     (253,510 )
 
                       
Operating income
    59,794       132,375       207,459       402,890  
Interest expense
    (3,259 )     (3,375 )     (9,730 )     (9,995 )
 
                       
Homebuilding income
    56,535       129,000       197,729       392,895  
 
                       
 
                               
Mortgage Banking:
                               
Mortgage banking fees
    10,946       21,617       43,698       59,224  
Interest income
    929       1,078       2,608       3,415  
Other income
    188       320       531       780  
General and administrative
    (7,761 )     (6,001 )     (23,823 )     (24,278 )
Interest expense
    (230 )     (200 )     (544 )     (513 )
 
                       
Mortgage banking income
    4,072       16,814       22,470       38,628  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before taxes
    60,607       145,814       220,199       431,523  
 
Income tax expense
    (24,056 )     (54,701 )     (88,850 )     (164,842 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income
  $ 36,551     $ 91,113     $ 131,349     $ 266,681  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic earnings per share
  $ 6.72     $ 17.25     $ 24.60     $ 48.35  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 6.12     $ 15.26     $ 22.21     $ 42.25  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic average shares outstanding
    5,438       5,283       5,340       5,516  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted average shares outstanding
    5,968       5,969       5,915       6,312  
 
                       
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


 

NVR, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 131,349     $ 266,681  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    10,712       12,896  
Stock option compensation expense
    29,716       5,575  
Excess income tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    (37,927 )     (68,322 )
Contract land deposit impairments
    55,248       163,776  
Deferred tax benefit
    (1,584 )     (29,733 )
Mortgage loans closed
    (1,496,365 )     (1,691,663 )
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans
    1,516,144       1,769,746  
Principal payments on mortgage loans held for sale
    3,591       6,472  
Gain on sale of loans
    (28,352 )     (43,874 )
Loss (gain) on sale of fixed assets
    168       (397 )
Net change in assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease (increase) in inventories
    77,834       (245,781 )
Decrease (increase) in receivables
    699       (3,654 )
Decrease in contract land deposits
    5,423       8,227  
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable, customer deposits and accrued expenses
    (54,013 )     45,839  
Other, net
    2,917       (14,921 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    215,560       180,867  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (5,080 )     (6,988 )
Other, net
    1,188       1,542  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (3,892 )     (5,446 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net borrowings (repayments) under notes payable, repurchase agreement and other term debt
    7,129       (42,097 )
Purchase of treasury stock
          (507,472 )
Excess income tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    37,927       68,322  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    44,108       66,898  
 
           
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    89,164       (414,349 )
 
           
 
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    300,832       (238,928 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
    664,209       556,119  
 
           
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 965,041     $ 317,191  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Interest paid during the period
  $ 6,937     $ 7,186  
 
           
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
  $ 56,029     $ 111,571  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:
               
Net assets not owned, consolidated per FIN 46R
  $ (7,086 )   $ (7,319 )
 
           
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
1. Basis of Presentation
     The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NVR, Inc. (“NVR” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries and certain other entities in which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary (see note 2 to the accompanying financial statements). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Because the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP, they should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals except as otherwise noted herein) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008.
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
     For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, comprehensive income equaled net income; therefore, a separate statement of comprehensive income is not included in the accompanying financial statements.
2. Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
     Revised Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46R”), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, requires the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity to consolidate that entity on its financial statements. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is the party that absorbs a majority of the variable interest entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual, or other financial interests in the entity. Expected losses are the expected negative variability in the fair value of an entity’s net assets, exclusive of its variable interests, and expected residual returns are the expected positive variability in the fair value of an entity’s net assets, exclusive of its variable interests. As discussed below, NVR evaluates the provisions of FIN 46R as it relates to NVR’s finished lot acquisition strategy.
     NVR does not engage in the land development business. Instead, the Company typically acquires finished building lots at market prices from various development entities under fixed price purchase agreements. The purchase agreements require deposits that may be forfeited if NVR fails to perform under the agreement. The deposits required under the purchase agreements are in the form of cash or letters of credit in varying amounts, and typically range up to 10% of the aggregate purchase price of the finished lots. As of September 30, 2008, the Company controlled approximately 58,300 lots with deposits in cash and letters of credit totaling approximately $280,000 and $6,600, respectively.
     NVR believes this lot acquisition strategy reduces the financial requirements and risks associated with direct land ownership and land development. NVR may, at its option, choose for any reason and at any time not to perform under these purchase agreements by delivering notice of its intent not to acquire the finished lots under contract.

7


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
NVR’s sole legal obligation and economic loss for failure to perform under these purchase agreements is limited to the amount of the deposit pursuant to the liquidated damage provisions contained within the purchase agreements. In other words, if NVR does not perform under a purchase agreement, NVR loses only its deposit. NVR does not have any financial or specific performance guarantees, or completion obligations, under these purchase agreements. None of the creditors of any of the development entities with which NVR enters fixed price purchase agreements have recourse to the general credit of NVR. Except as described below, NVR also does not share in an allocation of either the profit earned or loss incurred by any of these entities.
     On a very limited basis, NVR also obtains finished lots using joint venture limited liability corporations (“LLC’s”). All LLC’s are structured such that NVR is a non-controlling member and is at risk only for the amount invested by the Company. NVR is not a borrower, guarantor or obligor of any of the LLCs’ debt. NVR enters into a standard fixed price purchase agreement to purchase lots from the LLC’s.
     At September 30, 2008, NVR had an aggregate investment in nine separate LLC’s totaling approximately $9,300, which controlled approximately 380 lots. NVR recognizes its share of the earnings of the LLC’s as an adjustment of the cost basis of the lots at the time that the lot and related home is settled with an external customer. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, NVR adjusted cost of sales by approximately $330 and $530, respectively, which represented NVR’s share of the earnings of the LLC’s. As of September 30, 2008, NVR’s investment in the LLC’s had been partially offset by a contract land deposit valuation reserve of approximately $7,212.
     Forward contracts, such as the fixed price purchase agreements utilized by NVR to acquire finished lot inventory, are deemed to be “variable interests” under FIN 46R. Therefore, the development entities with which NVR enters fixed price purchase agreements, including the LLC’s, are examined under FIN 46R for possible consolidation by NVR. NVR has developed a methodology to determine whether it, or conversely, the owner(s) of the applicable development entity is the primary beneficiary of a development entity. The methodology used to evaluate NVR’s primary beneficiary status requires substantial management judgment and estimation. These judgments and estimates involve assigning probabilities to various estimated cash flow possibilities relative to the development entity’s expected profits and losses and the cash flows associated with changes in the fair value of finished lots under contract. Although management believes that its accounting policy is designed to properly assess NVR’s primary beneficiary status relative to its involvement with the development entities from which NVR acquires finished lots, changes to the probabilities and the cash flow possibilities used in NVR’s evaluation could produce widely different conclusions regarding whether NVR is or is not a development entity’s primary beneficiary.
     The Company has evaluated all of its fixed price purchase agreements and LLC arrangements and has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of twenty-eight of those development entities with which the agreements and arrangements are held. As a result, at September 30, 2008, NVR has consolidated these development entities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. Where NVR deemed itself to be the primary beneficiary of a development entity created after December 31, 2003 and the development entity refused to provide financial statements, NVR utilized estimation techniques to perform the consolidation. The effect of the consolidation under FIN 46R at September 30, 2008 was the inclusion on the balance sheet of $127,074 as Assets not owned, consolidated per FIN 46R, with a corresponding inclusion of $118,323 as Liabilities related to assets not owned, consolidated per FIN 46R, after elimination of intercompany items. Inclusive in these totals were assets of approximately $52,000 and liabilities of approximately $48,000 estimated for fourteen development entities created after December 31, 2003 that would not provide financial statements.

8


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
Following is the consolidating schedule at September 30, 2008:
                                 
    NVR, Inc.                      
    and     FIN 46R             Consolidated  
    Subsidiaries     Entities     Eliminations     Total  
ASSETS
                               
Homebuilding:
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 963,313     $     $     $ 963,313  
Receivables
    10,444                   10,444  
Homebuilding inventory
    611,020                   611,020  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    26,834                   26,834  
Reorganization value in excess of amount allocable to identifiable assets, net
    41,580                   41,580  
Goodwill and intangibles, net
    11,707                   11,707  
Contract land deposits, net
    134,254             (3,679 )     130,575  
Other assets
    258,857             (5,072 )     253,785  
 
                       
 
    2,058,009             (8,751 )     2,049,258  
 
                       
 
                               
Mortgage banking assets:
    131,820                   131,820  
 
                       
 
                               
FIN 46R Entities:
                               
Land under development
          126,290             126,290  
Other assets
          784             784  
 
                       
 
          127,074             127,074  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 2,189,829     $ 127,074     $ (8,751 )   $ 2,308,152  
 
                       
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                               
Homebuilding:
                               
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 416,967     $     $     $ 416,967  
Customer deposits
    93,117                   93,117  
Other term debt
    2,630                   2,630  
Senior notes
    200,000                   200,000  
 
                       
 
    712,714                   712,714  
 
                       
 
                               
Mortgage banking liabilities:
    104,640                   104,640  
 
                       
 
FIN 46R Entities:
                               
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
          15,284             15,284  
Debt
          43,885             43,885  
Contract land deposits
          14,142       (14,142 )      
Advances from NVR, Inc.
          4,501       (4,501 )      
Minority interest
                59,154       59,154  
 
                       
 
          77,812       40,511       118,323  
 
                       
 
Shareholders’ equity
    1,372,475       49,262       (49,262 )     1,372,475  
 
                       
 
                               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 2,189,829     $ 127,074     $ (8,751 )   $ 2,308,152  
 
                       

9


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
     Under FIN 46R, an enterprise with an interest in a variable interest entity or potential variable interest entity created before December 31, 2003, is not required to apply FIN 46R to that entity if the enterprise, after making an “exhaustive effort”, is unable to obtain the information necessary to perform the accounting required to consolidate the variable interest entity for which it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. At September 30, 2008, NVR has been unable to obtain the information necessary to perform the accounting required to consolidate five separate development entities created before December 31, 2003 for which NVR determined it is the primary beneficiary. NVR has made, or has committed to make, aggregate deposits, totaling approximately $7,800 to these five separate development entities, with a total aggregate purchase price for the finished lots of approximately $64,700. The aggregate deposit made or committed to being made is NVR’s maximum exposure to loss. As noted above, because NVR does not have any contractual or ownership interests in the development entities with which it contracts to buy finished lots (other than the limited use of the LLC’s as discussed above), NVR does not have the ability to compel these development entities to provide financial or other data. Because NVR has no ownership rights in any of these five development entities, the consolidation of such entities has no impact on NVR’s net income or earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008. Aggregate activity with respect to the five development entities is included in the following table:
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
Finished lots purchased — dollars
  $ 5,483     $ 1,539     $ 10,039     $ 7,535  
Finished lots purchased — units
    19       3       30       35  
 
3. Contract Land Deposits
 
     During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008, the Company incurred pre-tax impairment charges on contract land deposits of approximately $42,800, and $55,200, respectively. During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007, the Company incurred pre-tax impairment charges on contract land deposits of approximately $96,500 and $163,800, respectively. These charges are related to the continued deterioration of market conditions in the homebuilding industry. These impairment charges were recorded in cost of sales in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. The contract land deposit asset is shown net of a $145,294 and $133,664 impairment valuation allowance at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
 
4. Earnings per Share 
 
     The following weighted average shares and share equivalents are used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:  
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
    5,438,000       5,283,000       5,340,000       5,516,000  
Shares issuable upon exercise of dilutive options
    530,000       686,000       575,000       796,000  
 
                               
Diluted average number of shares outstanding
    5,968,000       5,969,000       5,915,000       6,312,000  
 
                               

10


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
     The assumed proceeds used in the treasury stock method for calculating the dilutive impact of employee stock options includes the amount the employee must pay upon exercise, the amount of compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the option. The assumed amount credited to additional paid-in capital equals the tax benefit from assumed exercise after consideration of the intrinsic value upon assumed exercise less the actual stock-based compensation expense to be recognized in the income statement from 2006 and future periods.
     Options to purchase 319,617 shares of common stock during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, and options to purchase 55,738 and 49,176 shares of common stock during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. In addition, 377,386 and 410,557 performance-based options were outstanding as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and accordingly, have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the performance target had not been achieved, pursuant to the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, Earnings Per Share. NVR does not expect the performance target will be achieved and accordingly does not expect these options to vest. See note 5 for further discussion of the performance-based options.
5. Stock Option Compensation Expense
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company issued non-qualified stock options to purchase 267,246 shares of its common stock (“Management Options”) under the 2000 Broadly-Based Stock Option Plan. The exercise price of each Management Option granted was equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day immediately preceding the date of grant. Each Management Option was granted for a term of ten (10) years from the date of grant. These Management Options will vest fully on December 31, 2010, subject to the grantee’s continued employment. The Company also issued non-qualified stock options to purchase 12,765 shares of its common stock (“Director Options”) under the 1998 Directors’ Long Term Stock Option Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The exercise price of each Director Option granted was equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day immediately preceding the date of grant. Each Director Option was granted for a term of ten (10) years from the date of grant. These Director Options will vest in three equal annual installments beginning December 31, 2010, subject to the director’s continued Board service.
     To estimate the grant-date fair value of its stock options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model estimates the per share fair value of an option on its date of grant based on the following factors: the option’s exercise price; the price of the underlying stock on the date of grant; the estimated dividend yield; a “risk-free” interest rate; the estimated option term; and the expected volatility. For the “risk-free” interest rate, the Company uses a U.S. Treasury Strip due in a number of years equal to the option’s expected term. NVR has concluded that its historical exercise experience is the best estimate of future exercise patterns to determine an option’s expected term. To estimate expected volatility, NVR analyzed the historic volatility of its common stock over a period equal to the option’s expected term. The fair values of the Director Options and Management Options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the following assumptions:
                 
    Management   Director
    Options   Options
Estimated option life
  3.88 years   4.87 years
Risk free interest rate (range)
    2.54% - 3.23%       2.83% - 3.71%  
Expected volatility (range)
    31.60% - 39.28%       30.84% - 36.73%  
Expected dividend rate
    0.00%       0.00%  
Grant-date fair value per share of options granted
    $156.24       $174.07  

11


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
     Compensation cost for options which vest solely based on continued employment over a long-term vesting schedule (“service-only” option) is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (from the date of grant through the period of the last separately vesting portion of the grant). As required by SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, compensation cost is recognized within the income statement in the same expense line as the cash compensation paid to the respective employees. SFAS No. 123R also requires the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation and requires that the compensation costs of stock-based awards be recognized net of estimated forfeitures.
     As of September 30, 2008, the total unrecognized compensation cost for outstanding unvested “service-only” stock option awards equals approximately $80,400, net of estimated forfeitures, and the weighted-average period over which the unrecognized compensation will be recorded is equal to approximately 1.70 years.
     The following table provides additional information relative to NVR’s stock option plans for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008:
                 
            Weighted Average
    Options   Exercise Price
Stock Options
               
Outstanding at beginning of period
    2,050,453     $ 325.13  
Granted
    280,011     $ 517.41  
Exercised
    (346,146 )   $ 182.02  
Forfeited or expired
    (79,174 )   $ 439.80  
 
               
Outstanding at end of period
    1,905,144     $ 374.62  
 
               
Exercisable at end of period
    389,750     $ 197.25  
 
               
     As noted above, SFAS No. 123R requires the Company to recognize compensation expense related to stock based compensation plans net of estimated forfeitures. In addition, the Company is required to adjust stock based compensation expense if the Company’s actual forfeiture experience differs from estimates made. During the first quarter of 2008, the Company adjusted its expected forfeiture rate and consequently recorded an adjustment reversing approximately $4,800 of stock-based compensation expense as a result.
     The Company determined in the third quarter of 2007 that it was improbable that it would achieve the performance metric related to outstanding stock options to purchase 410,557 shares of the Company’s common stock. Based on the Company’s continued assessment that the performance metric (aggregate diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2005 through 2008 in excess of $339.00 per fully diluted share) will not be met, the Company expects that none of the contingently issuable options will vest. As a result, the Company currently is not recognizing any stock-based compensation expense related to these options and the Company believes it is improbable that any such expense will be recognized in the future.
     The Company recognized pre-tax stock based compensation expense of approximately $11,300 and $(22,900) during the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and approximately $29,700 and $5,600 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in stock based compensation expense recorded period over period is due to the reversal of approximately $31,500 in pre-tax expense in the third quarter of 2007 when, as mentioned above, the Company determined that it was improbable that it would achieve the performance related to the performance-based stock options outstanding.

12


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
6. Excess Reorganization Value, Goodwill and Other Intangibles
     SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, requires goodwill and reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets (“excess reorganization value”) to be tested for impairment on an annual basis subsequent to the year of adoption, or sooner if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company completed the annual assessment of impairment during the first quarter of 2008, and as of September 30, 2008, management believes that there was no impairment of either goodwill or excess reorganization value.
7. Uncertainty in Income Taxes
     As of January 1, 2008, the Company has approximately $36,383 (on a net basis) of unrecognized tax benefits, which would decrease income tax expense if recognized. The Company recognizes interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of January 1, 2008, the Company had a total of $16,969 of accrued interest for unrecognized tax benefits on its condensed consolidated balance sheet, which would decrease income tax expense if recognized. Based on its historical experience in dealing with various taxing authorities, the Company has found that it is the administrative practice of these authorities to not seek penalties from the Company for the tax positions it has taken on its returns, related to its unrecognized tax benefits. Therefore, the Company does not accrue penalties for the positions in which it has an unrecognized tax benefit. However, if such penalties were to be accrued, they would be recorded as a component of income tax expense. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2004.
8. Shareholders’ Equity
     A summary of changes in shareholders’ equity is presented below:
                                                         
            Additional                   Deferred   Deferred    
    Common   Paid-In   Retained   Treasury   Comp.   Comp.    
    Stock   Capital   Earnings   Stock   Trust   Liability   Total
Balance, December 31, 2007
  $ 206     $ 663,631     $ 3,529,995     $ (3,064,457 )   $ (75,636 )   $ 75,636     $ 1,129,375  
 
                                                       
Net income
                131,349                         131,349  
Deferred compensation activity
                            141       (141 )      
Stock-based compensation
          29,716                               29,716  
Stock option activity
          44,108                               44,108  
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation activity
          37,927                               37,927  
Treasury shares issued upon option exercise
          (68,822 )           68,822                    
     
Balance, September 30, 2008
  $ 206     $ 706,560     $ 3,661,344     $ (2,995,635 )   $ (75,495 )   $ 75,495     $ 1,372,475  
     
     The Company settles option exercises by issuing shares of treasury stock to option holders. Shares are relieved from the treasury account based on the weighted average cost basis of treasury shares acquired. Approximately 346,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

13


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
9. Product Warranties
     The Company establishes warranty and product liability reserves to provide for estimated future expenses as a result of construction and product defects, product recalls and litigation incidental to NVR’s homebuilding business. Liability estimates are determined based on management’s judgment, considering such factors as historical experience, the likely current cost of corrective action, manufacturers’ and subcontractors’ participation in sharing the cost of corrective action, consultations with third party experts such as engineers, and discussions with our general counsel and outside counsel retained to handle specific product liability cases. The following table reflects the changes in the Company’s warranty reserve during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Warranty reserve, beginning of period
  $ 69,750     $ 66,774     $ 70,284     $ 70,175  
Provision
    9,827       10,328       26,816       28,868  
Payments
    (11,048 )     (12,217 )     (28,571 )     (34,158 )
 
                       
Warranty reserve, end of period
  $ 68,529     $ 64,885     $ 68,529     $ 64,885  
 
                       
10. Segment Disclosures
     Consistent with the principles and objectives of SFAS No. 131, Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, the following disclosure includes four homebuilding reportable segments that aggregate geographically the Company’s homebuilding operating segments, and the mortgage banking operations presented as a single reportable segment. The homebuilding reportable segments are comprised of operating divisions in the following geographic areas:
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic — Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware
Homebuilding North East — New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania
Homebuilding Mid East — Kentucky, New York, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania
Homebuilding South East — North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee
     Homebuilding profit before tax includes all revenues and income generated from the sale of homes, less the cost of homes sold, selling, general and administrative expenses, and a corporate capital allocation charge. The corporate capital allocation charge, which eliminates in consolidation, is based on the segment’s average net assets employed, and is charged using a consistent methodology in the years presented. The corporate capital allocation charged to the operating segment allows the Chief Operating Decision Maker to determine whether the operating segment’s results are providing the desired rate of return after covering the Company’s cost of capital. The Company records charges on contract land deposits when it is determined that it is probable that recovery of the deposit is impaired. For segment reporting purposes, impairments on contract land deposits are generally charged to the operating segment upon the determination to terminate a finished lot purchase agreement with the developer, or to restructure a lot purchase agreement resulting in the forfeiture of the deposit. Mortgage banking profit before tax consists of revenues generated from mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services, less the costs of such services and general and administrative costs. Mortgage banking operations are not charged a capital allocation charge.
     In addition to the corporate capital allocation and contract land deposit impairments discussed above, the other reconciling items between segment profit and consolidated profit before tax include unallocated corporate overhead (including all management incentive compensation), stock option compensation expense, consolidation adjustments and external corporate interest expense. NVR’s overhead functions, such as accounting, treasury, human resources, land acquisition, etc., are centrally performed and the costs are not allocated to the Company’s operating segments.

14


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
Consolidation adjustments consist of such items necessary to convert the reportable segments’ results, which are predominantly maintained on a cash basis, to a full accrual basis for external financial statement presentation purposes, and are not allocated to the Company’s operating segments. Likewise, stock option compensation expense is not charged to the operating segments. External corporate interest expense is primarily comprised of interest charges on the Company’s outstanding Senior Notes and working capital line borrowings, and are not charged to the operating segments because the charges are included in the corporate capital allocation discussed above.
     Following are tables presenting revenues, segment profit and segment assets for each reportable segment, with reconciliations to the amounts reported for the consolidated Company, where applicable:
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Revenues:
                               
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic
  $ 531,451     $ 761,591     $ 1,617,708     $ 2,240,252  
Homebuilding North East
    80,695       118,242       265,474       321,570  
Homebuilding Mid East
    182,324       237,078       487,253       616,695  
Homebuilding South East
    133,795       153,560       368,732       464,204  
Mortgage Banking
    10,946       21,617       43,698       59,224  
 
                       
Consolidated revenues
  $ 939,211     $ 1,292,088     $ 2,782,865     $ 3,701,945  
 
                       
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Profit:
                               
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic
  $ 46,753     $ 75,477     $ 135,993     $ 294,137  
Homebuilding North East
    5,540       4,934       18,250       12,942  
Homebuilding Mid East
    18,314       19,648       39,000       55,522  
Homebuilding South East
    10,912       21,975       28,262       70,139  
Mortgage Banking
    4,774       15,179       24,291       38,763  
 
                       
Segment profit
    86,293       137,213       245,796       471,503  
 
                       
Contract land deposit impairments (1)
    (40,014 )     (51,468 )     (24,575 )     (99,073 )
Stock option expense (2)
    (11,284 )     22,934       (29,716 )     (5,575 )
Corporate capital allocation (3)
    27,395       40,809       83,599       115,038  
Unallocated corporate overhead
    (7,925 )     (11,381 )     (59,384 )     (57,652 )
Consolidation adjustments and other
    9,260       10,945       13,827       16,782  
Corporate interest expense
    (3,118 )     (3,238 )     (9,348 )     (9,500 )
 
                       
Reconciling items sub-total
    (25,686 )     8,601       (25,597 )     (39,980 )
 
                       
Consolidated income before tax
  $ 60,607     $ 145,814     $ 220,199     $ 431,523  
 
                       
 
(1)   This item represents contract land deposit reserves which have not yet been charged to the operating segments.
 
(2)   Stock option expense in the three and nine-month periods in 2007 includes the reversal of approximately $31,500 related to contingently issuable shares. During the first quarter of 2008 the Company adjusted the estimated forfeiture rate used in the calculation of stock option expense. This resulted in a reversal of approximately $4,800 of stock option expense in the first quarter of 2008. See note 5 for further discussion.
 
(3)   This item represents the elimination of the corporate capital allocation charge included in the respective homebuilding reportable segments. The decreases in the corporate capital allocation charge are due to the lower segment asset balances during the respective periods due to the decreases in operating activity period over period. The corporate capital allocation charge is based on the segment’s monthly average asset balance, and is as follows for the periods presented:

15


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic
  $ 18,334     $ 28,635     $ 56,044     $ 80,137  
Homebuilding North East
    2,346       3,745       7,795       11,348  
Homebuilding Mid East
    3,339       4,752       9,897       13,262  
Homebuilding South East
    3,376       3,677       9,863       10,291  
 
                       
Total
  $ 27,395     $ 40,809     $ 83,599     $ 115,038  
 
                       
                 
    September 30,  
    2008     2007  
Assets:
               
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic
  $ 602,473     $ 968,858  
Homebuilding North East
    79,328       120,310  
Homebuilding Mid East
    117,467       165,897  
Homebuilding South East
    100,727       151,093  
Mortgage Banking
    124,473       145,655  
 
           
Segment assets
    1,024,468       1,551,813  
 
           
Assets not owned, consolidated per FIN 46R
    127,074       203,782  
Cash
    963,313       314,364  
Deferred taxes
    214,456       199,765  
Intangible assets
    60,634       60,743  
Land reserve
    (145,294 )     (153,735 )
Consolidation adjustments and other
    63,501       69,942  
 
           
Reconciling items sub-total
    1,283,684       694,861  
 
           
Consolidated assets
  $ 2,308,152     $ 2,246,674  
 
           
11. Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
     In the normal course of business, NVR’s mortgage banking segment enters into contractual commitments to extend credit to buyers of single-family homes with fixed expiration dates. The commitments become effective when the borrowers “lock-in” a specified interest rate within time frames established by NVR. All mortgagors are evaluated for credit worthiness prior to the extension of the commitment. Market risk arises if interest rates move adversely between the time of the “lock-in” of rates by the borrower and the sale date of the loan to a broker/dealer. To mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing rate lock commitments to borrowers, the Company enters into optional or mandatory delivery forward sale contracts to sell whole loans and mortgage-backed securities to broker/dealers. The forward sale contracts lock in an interest rate and price for the sale of loans similar to the specific rate lock commitments. NVR does not engage in speculative or trading derivative activities. Both the rate lock commitments to borrowers and the forward sale contracts to broker/dealers are undesignated derivatives pursuant to the requirements of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and, accordingly, are marked to fair value through earnings. Fair value is determined pursuant to SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, and Staff Accounting Bulletin 109, Written Loan Commitments Recorded at Fair Value Through Earnings, both of which the Company adopted on a prospective basis as of the beginning of 2008. Fair value measurements are included in earnings as a component of mortgage banking fees in the accompanying statements of income.

16


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
     SFAS No. 157 assigns a fair value hierarchy to the inputs used to measure fair value under the rule. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. The fair value of the Company’s rate lock commitments to borrowers and the related input levels includes, as applicable:
  i)   the assumed gain/loss of the expected resultant loan sale (level 2);
 
  ii)   the effects of interest rate movements between the date of the rate lock and the balance sheet date (level 2); and
 
  iii)   the value of the servicing rights associated with the loan (level 2).
     The assumed gain/loss considers the amount that the Company has discounted the price to the borrower from par for competitive reasons and the excess servicing to be received or buydown fees to be paid upon securitization of the loan. The excess servicing and buydown fees are calculated pursuant to contractual terms with investors. To calculate the effects of interest rate movements, the Company utilizes applicable published mortgage-backed security prices, and multiplies the price movement between the rate lock date and the balance sheet date by the notional loan commitment amount. The Company sells all of its loans on a servicing released basis, and receives a servicing release premium upon sale. Thus, the value of the servicing rights included in the fair value measurement is based upon contractual terms with investors, and range from approximately 53 basis points to 283 basis points of the loan amount, depending on the loan type. The Company assumes an approximate 18% fallout rate when measuring the fair value of rate lock commitments. Fallout is defined as locked loan commitments for which the Company does not close a mortgage loan and is based on historical experience.
     The fair value of the Company’s forward sales contracts to broker/dealers solely considers the market price movement of the same type of security between the trade date and the balance sheet date (level 2). The market price changes are multiplied by the notional amount of the forward sales contracts to measure the fair value.
     Mortgage loans held for sale are closed at cost, which includes all fair value measurement in accordance with SFAS No. 133, and thereafter are carried at the lower of cost or fair value until sale.
     The effect of fair value measurements on earnings in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 is as follows:
                                                 
            Assumed     Interest                    
    Notional or     Gain (Loss)     Rate     Servicing     Security     Total Fair  
    Principal     From Loan     Movement     Rights     Price     Value  
    Amount     Sale     Effect     Value     Change     Adjustment  
Rate lock commitments
  $ 204,264     $ (736 )   $ 353     $ 3,378     $     $ 2,995  
Forward sales contracts
    373,267                         (527 )     (527 )
Mortgages held for sale
    111,241       (664 )     (9 )     2,095             1,422  
 
                                     
 
                                               
Total
          $ (1,400 )   $ 344     $ 5,473     $ (527 )   $ 3,890  
 
                                     
     The resulting unrealized $3,890 gain in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 from the fair value measurement was primarily attributable to the inclusion of the value of the servicing rights in the measurement as required by SAB No. 109. The increase in unrealized income from the adoption of SAB No. 109 and SFAS No. 157 was further increased due to the principal volume of the Company’s locked and closed loan pipeline increasing by 20% from September 30, 2007 to September 30, 2008 as a result of a 180 day extended lock program offered to homebuyers that was instituted during 2008.

17


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
The fair value measurement will be impacted in the future by the change in volume and product mix of the Company’s locked loan commitments.
     Prior to the adoption of SAB No. 109 and SFAS No. 157, the fair value measurement for locked loan commitments and closed loans held for sale only considered the effects of interest rate movements between the date of the rate lock and either the loan closing date or the balance sheet date. The Company recognized a net SFAS No. 133 unrealized loss of $395 (pre-tax) in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007.
12. Debt
     On August 5, 2008, NVR Mortgage Finance, Inc. (“NVRM”), a wholly owned subsidiary of NVR, Inc., entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and representative of itself as a Buyer, and the other Buyers (the “Repurchase Agreement”). The purpose of the Repurchase Agreement is to finance the origination of mortgage loans by NVRM. The Repurchase Agreement provides for loan purchases up to $110 million, subject to certain sublimits. In addition, the Repurchase Agreement provides for an accordion feature under which NVRM may request that the aggregate commitments under the Repurchase Agreement be increased to an amount up to $150 million. The Repurchase Agreement expires on August 4, 2009. The Repurchase Agreement replaced NVRM’s warehouse credit facility which was set to expire on August 21, 2008.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
     On July 18, 2007, former and current employees filed lawsuits against the Company in the Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and Hamilton County, Ohio, in Superior Court in Durham County, North Carolina, and in the Circuit Court in Montgomery County, Maryland, and on July 19, 2007 in the Superior Court in New Jersey, alleging that the Company incorrectly classified its sales and marketing representatives as being exempt from overtime wages. These lawsuits are similar in nature to another lawsuit filed on October 29, 2004 by another former employee in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. The complaints seek injunctive relief, an award of unpaid wages, including fringe benefits, liquidated damages equal to the overtime wages allegedly due and not paid, attorney and other fees and interest, and where available, multiple damages. The suits were filed as purported class actions. However, none of the groups of employees that the lawsuits purport to represent have been certified as a class. The lawsuits filed in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey have been stayed pending further developments in the New York action.
     The Company believes that its compensation practices in regard to sales and marketing representatives are entirely lawful and in compliance with two letter rulings from the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued in January 2007. The two courts to most recently consider similar claims against other homebuilders have acknowledged the DOL’s position that sales and marketing representatives were properly classified as exempt from overtime wages and the only court to have directly addressed the exempt status of such employees concluded that the DOL’s position was valid. Accordingly, the Company has vigorously defended and intends to continue to vigorously defend these lawsuits. Because the Company is unable to determine the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome of this case, or the amount of damages, if any, the Company has not recorded any associated liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.
     The Company is involved in various other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that the disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

18


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
14. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
     On November 29, 2006, the FASB ratified Emerging Issue Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-8, Applicability of the Assessment of a Buyer’s Continuing Investment Under FASB Statement No. 66, Accounting for Sales of Real Estate, for Sales of Condominiums. EITF No. 06-8 states that the adequacy of the buyer’s continuing investment under SFAS No. 66 should be assessed in determining whether to recognize profit under the percentage-of-completion method on the sale of individual units in a condominium project. This consensus could require that additional deposits be collected by developers of condominium projects that want to recognize profit during the construction period under the percentage-of-completion method. EITF No. 06-8 became effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2008. The adoption of EITF No. 06-8 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
     In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. The statement permits entities to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. The Company did not elect to measure any financial assets or liabilities at fair value as available under the fair value option of SFAS No. 159.
     In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51. SFAS No. 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Specifically, this statement requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement. SFAS No. 160 clarifies that changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are equity transactions if the parent retains its controlling financial interest. In addition, this statement requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. Such gain or loss will be measured using the fair value of the noncontrolling equity investment on the deconsolidation date. SFAS No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its non controlling interests. SFAS No. 160 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 160.
     In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) expands on the guidance of SFAS No. 141, extending its applicability to all transactions and other events in which an entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. It broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) expands on required disclosures to improve the statement users’ abilities to evaluate the nature and financial effects of business combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for any acquisitions made on or after January 1, 2009.
     In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2 (“FSP No. 157-2”), Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of FSP No. 157-2 to have a material impact on its financial statements.

19


 

NVR, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
     In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS No. 161 enhances the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, regarding an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No. 161 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company will conform its disclosures to the requirements of SFAS No. 161 upon adoption.

20


 

Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(dollars in thousands)
Forward-Looking Statements
     Some of the statements in this Form 10-Q, as well as statements made by us in periodic press releases or other public communications, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Certain, but not necessarily all, of such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. All statements other than of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this document include those regarding market trends, NVR’s financial position, business strategy, the outcome of pending litigation, projected plans and objectives of management for future operations. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results or performance of NVR to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to the following: general economic and business conditions (on both a national and regional level); interest rate changes; access to suitable financing by NVR and NVR’s customers; competition; the availability and cost of land and other raw materials used by NVR in its homebuilding operations; shortages of labor; weather related slow-downs; building moratoriums; governmental regulation; the ability of NVR to integrate any acquired business; fluctuation and volatility of stock and other financial markets; mortgage financing availability; and other factors over which NVR has little or no control. NVR undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. For additional information regarding risk factors, see Part II, Item 1(a) of this Form 10-Q.
     Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “NVR”, “we”, “us” or “our” include NVR and its subsidiaries.
Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
Overview
     Our primary business is the construction and sale of single-family detached homes, townhomes and condominium buildings. To more fully serve our homebuilding customers, we also operate a mortgage banking and title services business. Our homebuilding reportable segments consist of the following markets:
     
     Mid Atlantic:
  Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Delaware
     North East:
  New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania
     Mid East:
  Kentucky, New York, Ohio and western Pennsylvania
     South East:
  North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
     We believe that we operate our business with a conservative operating strategy. We do not engage in land development and primarily construct homes on a pre-sold basis. This strategy allows us to maximize inventory turnover, which we believe enables us to minimize market risk and to operate with less capital, thereby enhancing rates of return on equity and total capital. In addition, we focus on obtaining and maintaining a leading market position in each market we serve. This strategy allows us to gain valuable efficiencies and competitive advantages in our markets which management believes contributes to minimizing the adverse effects of regional economic cycles and provides growth opportunities within these markets.
     Because we are not active in the land development business, our continued success is contingent upon, among other things, our ability to control an adequate supply of finished lots at current market prices on which to build, and on our developers’ ability to timely deliver finished lots to meet the sales demands of our customers.

21


 

We acquire finished lots from various development entities under fixed price lot purchase agreements (“purchase agreements”). These purchase agreements require deposits in the form of cash or letters of credit that may be forfeited if we fail to perform under the purchase agreement. However, we believe this lot acquisition strategy reduces the financial requirements and risks associated with direct land ownership and development. As of September 30, 2008, we controlled approximately 58,300 lots with deposits in cash and letters of credit totaling approximately $280,000 and $6,600, respectively. Included in the number of controlled lots are approximately 22,800 lots for which we have recorded a contract land deposit impairment reserve of $145,300 as of September 30, 2008. See note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information regarding contract land deposits.
Current Overview of the Business Environment
     The current home sales environment remains challenging, still characterized by relatively higher levels of existing and new homes available for sale, driven by slowed demand and record foreclosure rates. In addition, homebuyer confidence continues to be negatively impacted by concerns regarding an economic recession, job stability and declining home prices in many of our markets. The home sales environment also continues to be adversely impacted by a more restrictive mortgage lending environment. The mortgage market changed significantly during 2007 and continues to change in 2008, due to the unprecedented turmoil in the credit markets. These changes within the mortgage markets continue to make it difficult for our customers to obtain mortgage financing. In response to these challenging market conditions, which continue to negatively impact new orders and selling prices in each of our market segments, we continue to offer incentives to homebuyers and to reduce prices in many of our markets. Overall, new orders decreased 25% in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 and selling prices decreased 8% in these same respective periods. Our cancellation rate for the third quarter of 2008 declined to 24% from 27% during the same period in 2007, but increased from 19% in the second quarter of 2008.
     Reflecting the challenging market conditions discussed above, for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, consolidated revenues decreased approximately 27% from the same period in 2007. Additionally, net income and diluted earnings per share in the current quarter decreased 60%, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2007. Gross profit margins within our homebuilding business declined to 13.2% in the third quarter of 2008 compared to 14.4% in the third quarter of 2007. Gross profit margins were negatively impacted by contract land deposit impairment charges of approximately $42,800, or 461 basis points, in the third quarter of 2008, and approximately $96,500, or 760 basis points, in the same period in 2007. Gross profit margins excluding these impairments were 17.8% in the third quarter of 2008 compared to 22.0% for the same period in 2007. This decline in gross profit margins excluding contract land deposit impairment charges was due to continued pricing pressure in many of our markets.
     Based on the current uncertainty in both the homebuilding and mortgage markets, we expect to see continued pressure on new orders and selling prices, and in turn, continued pressure on gross profit margins in future periods. To offset these declining selling prices and customer affordability issues, we continue to work with our vendors to reduce material and labor costs incurred in the construction process. In addition, we continue to focus on reducing lot costs by working with our developers in many of our communities to reduce lot prices to current market values and/or to defer scheduled lot purchases to coincide with our slower than expected sales pace. In communities where we are unsuccessful in negotiating necessary adjustments to the contracts to meet current market conditions, we may exit the community and forfeit our deposit. As mentioned above, we recorded a contract land deposit impairment charge of approximately $42,800 during the third quarter of 2008, compared to approximately $96,500 in the third quarter of 2007. Additionally, in response to continuing pricing pressures and customer affordability issues, we are also providing homes at lower sales price points by reducing the square footage of the products offered and by providing fewer upgraded features as standard options. This provides homebuyers with greater affordability and the option to upgrade only those features important to each particular buyer. We also continue to assess and adjust our staffing levels and organizational structure as market conditions warrant.

22


 

Homebuilding Operations
     The following table summarizes the results of operations and other data for the consolidated homebuilding operations:
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
Revenues
  $ 928,265     $ 1,270,471     $ 2,739,167     $ 3,642,721  
Cost of Sales
  $ 805,931     $ 1,087,399     $ 2,305,231     $ 3,002,746  
Gross profit margin percentage
    13.2 %     14.4 %     15.8 %     17.6 %
Selling, general and administrative
  $ 66,796     $ 54,906     $ 240,833     $ 253,510  
Settlements (units)
    2,750       3,476       7,965       9,639  
Average settlement price
  $ 337.1     $ 365.1     $ 343.5     $ 377.5  
New orders (units)
    2,002       2,660       7,403       10,322  
Average new order price
  $ 302.9     $ 330.1     $ 314.1     $ 358.4  
Backlog (units)
                    4,583       7,071  
Average backlog price
                  $ 327.3     $ 381.2  
Consolidated Homebuilding — Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     Homebuilding revenues decreased 27% for the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 as a result of a 21% decrease in the number of units settled and a 8% decrease in the average settlement price quarter over quarter. The decrease in the number of units settled is primarily attributable to our beginning backlog units being approximately 32% lower at the start of the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, offset partially by a higher backlog turnover rate period over period. Average settlement prices were primarily impacted by a 13% lower average price of homes in backlog entering the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
     Gross profit margins in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 declined compared to the third quarter of 2007 despite lower contract land deposit impairment charges of approximately $42,800, or 461 basis points, in the third quarter of 2008 compared to approximately $96,500, or 760 basis points, in the third quarter of 2007. The decline in gross profit margins was primarily driven by continued pressure on selling prices. We expect continued gross profit margin pressure over at least the next several quarters due to the current market conditions discussed above.
     The number of new orders and the average selling price for new orders for the third quarter of 2008 decreased by 25% and 8%, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2007. New orders were negatively impacted by market conditions which remain challenging, as discussed in the Overview above. New orders were also negatively impacted by a 16% reduction in our average number of active communities in the third quarter of 2008 to 426 from 506 in the same period of 2007. The decrease in the average number of active communities is a result of the termination of certain lot purchase agreements and a reduced pace of entering into lot purchase agreements for new communities.
     Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the third quarter increased by approximately $11,900, and as a percentage of revenue increased to 7.2% from 4.3% in the third quarter of 2007. The increase in SG&A expenses is attributable to the reversal of $28,450 in stock-based compensation costs in the third quarter of 2007. This reversal in the prior year third quarter resulted from us determining in that period that it was improbable that the performance metric to which certain of our outstanding stock options are subject would be achieved (see note 5 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of stock option compensation expense). As a result, stock-based compensation in the third quarter of 2008 was approximately $31,000 higher than during the same period in 2007. This increase was partially offset by an approximate $10,800 decrease in personnel costs due to lower staffing levels and an approximate $7,600 decrease in selling and marketing costs period over period due to the previously mentioned 16% decrease in the average number of active communities.

23


 

Consolidated Homebuilding — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     Homebuilding revenues decreased 25% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 due to a 17% decrease in the number of units settled and a 9% decrease in the average settlement price. The decrease in the number of units settled is primarily attributable to our beginning backlog units being approximately 19% lower entering 2008 compared to the backlog unit balance entering 2007. Average settlement prices were impacted primarily by a 10% lower average price of homes in the beginning backlog entering 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
     Gross profit margins in the first nine months of 2008 declined compared to the first nine months of 2007 despite lower contract land deposit impairment charges of approximately $55,200, or 202 basis points, in the 2008 period compared to approximately $163,800, or 450 basis points, in the same period in 2007. The decline in gross profit margins was primarily driven by continued pressure on selling prices as a result of the aforementioned challenging market conditions.
     New orders for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 decreased by 28% compared to the same period in 2007 and the average sales price of new orders decreased 12% over the same respective periods. New order units and prices have been negatively impacted by the aforementioned challenging market conditions. In addition, new order units have been negatively impacted by a 15% reduction in the average number of active communities period over period to 437 in 2008 from 517 in 2007. We expect to continue to experience downward pressure on sales and selling prices over at least the next several quarters in all of our market segments as the market remains challenging.
     SG&A expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 decreased approximately $12,700 compared to the same period in 2007, and as a percentage of revenue increased to 8.8% in 2008 compared to 7.0% for the 2007 period. The decrease in SG&A expenses is primarily attributable to a $20,000 decrease in selling and marketing costs in 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 due to previously mentioned 15% decrease in the average number of active communities year over year. In addition, personnel costs were down approximately $11,200 as a result of lower staffing levels period over period. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of approximately $22,000 in stock based compensation expense in 2008 compared to 2007. This increase is attributable to the previously mentioned reversal of $28,450 in stock-based compensation costs in the third quarter of 2007. See note 5 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of stock option compensation expense.
     Backlog units and dollars were 4,583 and $1,499,830, respectively, as of September 30, 2008 compared to 7,071 and $2,695,591 as of September 30, 2007. The decrease in backlog units is primarily attributable to our beginning backlog units being approximately 19% lower entering 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. In addition, backlog units have been negatively impacted by the aforementioned decline in new orders in 2008 compared to 2007. Backlog dollars were negatively impacted by the decrease in backlog units coupled with a 14% decrease in the average price of homes in ending backlog, resulting primarily from a 11% decrease in the average selling price for new orders over the six-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

24


 

Reportable Segments
     Homebuilding profit before tax includes all revenues and income generated from the sale of homes, less the cost of homes sold, selling, general and administrative expenses, and a corporate capital allocation charge determined at the corporate headquarters. The corporate capital allocation charge eliminates in consolidation, is based on the segment’s average net assets employed, and is charged using a consistent methodology in the periods presented. The corporate capital allocation charged to the operating segment allows the Chief Operating Decision Maker to determine whether the operating segment’s results are providing the desired rate of return after covering our cost of capital. We record charges on contract land deposits when we determine that it is probable that recovery of the deposit is impaired. For segment reporting purposes, impairments on contract land deposits are generally charged to the operating segment upon the determination to terminate a finished lot purchase agreement with the developer, or to restructure a lot purchase agreement resulting in the forfeiture of the deposit. The following table summarizes certain homebuilding operating activity by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

25


 

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
Mid Atlantic:
                               
Revenues
  $ 531,450     $ 761,591     $ 1,617,708     $ 2,240,252  
Settlements (units)
    1,266       1,656       3,851       4,728  
Average settlement price
  $ 419.7     $ 459.7     $ 420.0     $ 473.6  
New orders (units)
    965       1,061       3,598       4,785  
Average new order price
  $ 364.2     $ 408.1     $ 376.2     $ 448.9  
Backlog (units)
                    2,473       3,722  
Average backlog price
                  $ 386.4     $ 467.5  
Gross profit margin
  $ 90,973     $ 139,904     $ 274,226     $ 481,474  
Gross profit margin percentage
    17.1 %     18.4 %     17.0 %     21.5 %
Segment profit
  $ 46,754     $ 75,477     $ 135,991     $ 294,137  
North East:
                               
Revenues
  $ 80,696     $ 118,242     $ 265,474     $ 321,570  
Settlements (units)
    264       345       813       918  
Average settlement price
  $ 305.7     $ 342.7     $ 326.5     $ 350.2  
New orders (units)
    205       260       725       1,022  
Average new order price
  $ 301.6     $ 330.9     $ 302.7     $ 339.4  
Backlog (units)
                    417       644  
Average backlog price
                  $ 299.8     $ 341.2  
Gross profit margin
  $ 13,171     $ 15,947     $ 42,129     $ 46,993  
Gross profit margin percentage
    16.3 %     13.5 %     15.9 %     14.6 %
Segment profit
  $ 5,540     $ 4,934     $ 18,251     $ 12,942  
Mid East:
                               
Revenues
  $ 182,323     $ 237,078     $ 487,253     $ 616,695  
Settlements (units)
    756       936       2,012       2,347  
Average settlement price
  $ 239.6     $ 252.1     $ 240.8     $ 261.3  
New orders (units)
    577       667       2,020       2,620  
Average new order price
  $ 223.5     $ 240.5     $ 232.1     $ 248.6  
Backlog (units)
                    1,121       1,547  
Average backlog price
                  $ 229.8     $ 247.5  
Gross profit margin
  $ 33,712     $ 39,296     $ 85,239     $ 111,467  
Gross profit margin percentage
    18.5 %     16.6 %     17.5 %     18.1 %
Segment profit
  $ 18,313     $ 19,648     $ 39,000     $ 55,522  
South East:
                               
Revenues
  $ 133,796     $ 153,560     $ 368,732     $ 464,204  
Settlements (units)
    464       539       1,289       1,646  
Average settlement price
  $ 288.4     $ 284.9     $ 286.1     $ 282.0  
New orders (units)
    255       672       1,060       1,895  
Average new order price
  $ 251.9     $ 295.7     $ 267.1     $ 291.8  
Backlog (units)
                    572       1,158  
Average backlog price
                  $ 282.7     $ 304.7  
Gross profit margin
  $ 22,691     $ 36,173     $ 65,138     $ 109,396  
Gross profit margin percentage
    17.0 %     23.6 %     17.7 %     23.6 %
Segment profit
  $ 10,912     $ 21,975     $ 28,263     $ 70,139  

26


 

Mid Atlantic
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     The Mid Atlantic segment had an approximate $28,700 reduction in segment profit in the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Revenues decreased approximately $230,100, or 30%, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 from the same period in the prior year due primarily to a 24% decrease in the number of units settled and a 9% decrease in the average settlement price. The decrease in units settled is attributable to a 36% lower backlog unit balance entering the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, offset partially by a higher backlog turnover rate period over period. The Mid Atlantic segment’s gross profit margin percentage for the third quarter of 2008 decreased to 17.1% from 18.4% in the same period in 2007 despite lower land impairment charges of approximately $10,700, or 203 basis points, in the third quarter of 2008 compared to approximately $34,500, or 453 basis points, for same comparative period of 2007. Gross profit margins were negatively impacted by the increased pressure on selling prices resulting in the aforementioned lower average settlement price in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the third quarter of 2007.
     Segment new orders for the third quarter of 2008 decreased 9% from the same period in 2007. The segment’s average new order sales price decreased 11% in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007. New orders and the average selling price for new orders have been negatively impacted by market conditions which remain challenging, as discussed in the Overview above. In addition, new orders were down in the third quarter of 2008 from the same period in 2007 as a result of a 14% decrease in the average number of active communities in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     The Mid Atlantic segment had an approximate $158,100 decrease in segment profit in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Revenues decreased approximately $622,500, or 28%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the prior year period on a 19% decrease in the number of units settled and a 11% decrease in the average settlement price. The decrease in units settled is attributable to a 26% lower backlog unit balance at the beginning of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 and to a decline in new orders year over year. The decrease in the average settlement price is primarily attributable to an 11% lower average price of homes in the beginning backlog period over period. The segment’s gross profit margin percentage fell to 17.0% in 2008 from 21.5% in 2007. Gross profit margins were adversely affected by the downward pressure on selling prices which resulted in the aforementioned 11% decrease in the average settlement price. Gross profit margins were also negatively impacted in each respective period by contract land deposit impairment charges of approximately $29,100, or 180 basis points, in 2008 compared to approximately $49,200, or 220 basis points, in 2007.
     Segment new orders for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 decreased 25% from the same period in 2007 and the segment’s average new order sales price decreased 16% period over period. New orders and the average selling price for new orders have been negatively impacted by market conditions which remain challenging, as discussed in the Overview above. Backlog units and dollars decreased approximately 34% and 45%, respectively, year over year. The decrease in backlog units is attributable to the beginning backlog units being approximately 26% lower entering 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. In addition, backlog units have been negatively impacted by the aforementioned decline in new orders in 2008 compared to 2007. Backlog dollars were negatively impacted by the decrease in backlog units and a 17% decrease in the average price of homes in ending backlog, due primarily to a 15% decrease in the average selling price for new orders over the six-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

27


 

North East
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     The North East segment had an approximate $600 increase in segment profit in the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, despite a decrease in revenues of approximately $37,500, or 32%. Revenues declined as a result of a 24% decrease in the number of units settled and an 11% decrease in the average settlement price. The decrease in units settled is attributable to a 35% lower backlog unit balance entering the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, offset partially by a higher backlog turnover rate quarter over quarter. Average settlement prices were primarily impacted by a 12% lower average price of homes in backlog entering the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Gross profit margins increased to 16.3% in 2008 from 13.5% in 2007 primarily as a result of lower contract land deposit impairment charges of approximately $70, or 8 basis points, in the third quarter of 2008 compared to approximately $4,200, or 358 basis points, in 2007.
     Segment new orders and the average new order sales price for the third quarter of 2008 decreased 21% and 9%, respectively, from the same period in 2007, as a result of the aforementioned challenging market conditions and continued pricing pressures in each market within this segment. In addition, new orders were negatively impacted by a 30% reduction in the average number of active communities within the North East segment in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     The North East segment had an approximate $5,300 increase in segment profit in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, despite a decrease in revenues of approximately $56,100, or 17%, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 from the prior year period. Revenues declined due to an 11% decrease in the number of units settled and a 7% decrease in the average settlement price period over period. The decrease in the number of units settled and the average settlement price is primarily attributable to a 7% lower beginning backlog balance and 6% lower average price of homes in beginning backlog period over period. In addition, the number of units settled has been negatively impacted by a decline in new orders year over year. Gross profit margins increased to 15.9% in the first nine months of 2008 from 14.6% in the same period 2007 partially as a result of lower contract land deposit impairment charges of approximately $3,400, or 128 basis points, in 2008 compared to approximately $5,600, or 175 basis points, in 2007. The increase in segment profit is primarily attributable to the decrease in contract land deposit impairment charges, cost control measures and reduced sales and marketing costs due to a 23% reduction in the average number of active communities during 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
     Segment new orders and the average new order sales price for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008, decreased 29% and 11%, respectively, from the same period in 2007 as a result of market conditions which remain challenging, as discussed in the Overview above. In addition, new orders were negatively impacted by the aforementioned decrease in the average number of active communities within the North East segment. Backlog units and dollars decreased approximately 35% and 43%, respectively, year over year. The decrease in backlog units is attributable to the aforementioned decline in new orders in 2008 compared to 2007, in addition to a 7% lower beginning backlog unit balance entering 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Backlog dollars decreased 43% year over year due to the decrease in backlog units and to a 12% decrease in the average selling price for new orders for the six-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
Mid East
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     The Mid East segment had an approximate $1,300 decrease in segment profit quarter over quarter. Revenues decreased approximately $54,800, or 23%, due to a 19% decrease in the number of units settled and a 5% decrease in the average settlement price.

28


 

The decrease in units settled is attributable to a 28% lower backlog unit balance entering the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, offset partially by a higher backlog turnover rate period over period. The decrease in the average settlement price is primarily attributable to a 6% lower average price of homes in beginning backlog quarter over quarter. Gross profit margins increased to 18.5% in 2008 from 16.6% in 2007 primarily as a result of lower contract land deposit impairment charges of approximately $300, or 16 basis points, in the third quarter of 2008 compared to approximately $6,300, or 264 basis points, in 2007.
     Segment new orders and the average new order sales price during the third quarter of 2008 decreased 14% and 7%, respectively, from the same period in 2007. The decrease in new orders was attributable to market conditions which remain challenging, as discussed in the Overview above. In addition, new orders were negatively impacted by a 12% decrease in the average number of active communities in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     The Mid East segment had an approximate $16,500 decrease in segment profit in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Revenues decreased approximately $129,400, or 21%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the same period in 2007 due to a 14% decrease in the number of units settled and an 8% decrease in the average settlement price period over period. The decrease in the number of units settled and the average settlement price is primarily attributable to a 13% lower beginning backlog balance and 9% lower average price of homes in beginning backlog period over period. In addition, the number of units settled has been negatively impacted by a decline in new orders year over year. Gross profit margins decreased to 17.5% in the first nine months of 2008 from 18.1% in the same period in 2007, despite a decrease in contract land deposit impairment charges to $2,400, or 50 basis points, in 2008 from $9,700, or 158 basis points, in 2007. The decline in gross profit margins was primarily driven by continued pressure on selling prices as a result of the aforementioned challenging market conditions which resulted in an 8% decrease in the average settlement price year over year.
     Segment new orders and the average new order sales price for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008, decreased 23% and 7%, respectively, from the same period in 2007. New orders were negatively impacted by market conditions which remain challenging, as discussed in the Overview above. In addition, new orders were negatively impacted by a 19% decrease in the average number of active communities within the Mid East segment and by an increase in the cancellation rate in the segment to 16% in 2008 from 14% in 2007. Backlog units and dollars decreased approximately 28% and 33%, respectively, year over year. The decrease in backlog units is attributable to the beginning backlog units being approximately 13% lower entering 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. In addition, backlog units have been negatively impacted by the aforementioned decline in new orders in 2008 compared to 2007. The decrease in backlog dollars is attributable to the decrease in backlog units and to a 6% decrease in the average selling price for new orders for the six-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
South East
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     The South East segment had an approximate $11,100 decrease in segment profit quarter over quarter. Revenues decreased approximately $19,800, or 13%, due to a 14% decrease in the number of homes settled. The decrease in units settled is attributable to a 24% lower unit backlog entering the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, offset partially by a higher backlog turnover rate quarter over quarter. Gross profit margins decreased to 17.0% in the third quarter of 2008 from 23.6% in the same period in 2007. Gross profit margins were negatively impacted by the use of increased sales incentives and by higher average lot and operating costs per settled unit.

29


 

Segment new orders and the average new order sales price for the third quarter of 2008 decreased 62% and 15%, respectively, from the same period in 2007. The decrease in new orders is attributable to lower sales absorption on 11% lower average number of active communities quarter over quarter. In addition, sales were negatively impacted by an increase in the cancellation rate to 32% in the third quarter of 2008 from 19% in the same period of 2007. We expect further selling and pricing pressures in the markets we serve in the South East segment as market conditions have become increasingly more challenging and demand is falling.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     The South East segment had an approximate $41,900 decrease in segment profit in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Revenues decreased approximately $95,500, or 21%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the prior year period due primarily to a 22% decrease in the number of units settled period over period. The decrease in units settled is attributable to a 12% lower beginning backlog unit balance entering 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, and to a decline in new orders year over year. Gross profit margins decreased to 17.7% in the first nine months of 2008 from 23.6% in the same period of 2007 as a result of the use of increased sales incentives and higher average lot and operating costs per settled unit. In addition, gross profit margins were negatively impacted by higher contract land deposit write-offs of approximately $4,700, or 127 basis points, in 2008 compared to approximately $130, or 3 basis points, in 2007.
     Segment new orders and the average new order sales price decreased 44% and 9%, respectively, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Market conditions within the South East segment have continued to deteriorate throughout 2008. These worsening market conditions have resulted in lower sales absorption rates within our active communities and higher cancellation rates year over year. Cancellation rates in the overall segment increased to 28% in 2008 from 17% in 2007. The 44% decrease in new orders for the first nine months of 2008, coupled with a 12% lower beginning backlog balance entering 2008 compared to 2007, resulted in a 51% decrease in backlog units at September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007. The decrease in backlog units has resulted in a 54% decline in backlog dollars year over year.
Homebuilding Segment Reconciliations to Consolidated Homebuilding Operations
     In addition to the corporate capital allocation and contract land deposit impairments discussed above, the other reconciling items between homebuilding segment profit and homebuilding consolidated profit before tax include unallocated corporate overhead, consolidation adjustments, stock option compensation expense and external corporate interest. NVR’s overhead functions, such as accounting, treasury, human resources, land acquisition, etc., are centrally performed and the costs are not allocated to the Company’s operating segments. Consolidation adjustments consist of such items to convert the reportable segments’ results, which are predominantly maintained on a cash basis, to a full accrual basis for external financial statement presentation purposes, and are not allocated to the Company’s operating segments. Likewise, stock option compensation expenses are not charged to the operating segments. External corporate interest expense is primarily comprised of interest charges on the Company’s outstanding Senior Notes and working capital line borrowings, and are not charged to the operating segments because the charges are included in the corporate capital allocation discussed above.

30


 

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Homebuilding Consolidated Gross Profit:
                               
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic
  $ 90,973     $ 139,904     $ 274,226     $ 481,474  
Homebuilding North East
    13,171       15,947       42,129       46,993  
Homebuilding Mid East
    33,712       39,296       85,239       111,467  
Homebuilding South East
    22,691       36,173       65,138       109,396  
Consolidation adjustments and other (1)
    (38,213 )     (48,248 )     (32,796 )     (109,355 )
 
                       
Segment gross profit
  $ 122,334     $ 183,072     $ 433,936     $ 639,975  
 
                       
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Homebuilding Consolidated Profit Before Tax:
                               
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic
  $ 46,753     $ 75,477     $ 135,993     $ 294,137  
Homebuilding North East
    5,540       4,934       18,250       12,942  
Homebuilding Mid East
    18,314       19,648       39,000       55,522  
Homebuilding South East
    10,912       21,975       28,262       70,139  
Reconciling items:
                               
Contract land deposit impairments (1)
    (40,014 )     (51,468 )     (24,575 )     (99,073 )
Stock option expense (2)
    (10,582 )     21,299       (27,895 )     (5,440 )
Corporate capital allocation (3)
    27,395       40,809       83,599       115,038  
Unallocated corporate overhead
    (7,925 )     (11,381 )     (59,384 )     (57,652 )
Consolidation adjustments and other
    9,260       10,945       13,827       16,782  
Corporate interest expense
    (3,118 )     (3,238 )     (9,348 )     (9,500 )
 
                       
Reconciling items sub-total
    (24,984 )     6,966       (23,776 )     (39,845 )
 
                       
Homebuilding consolidated profit before taxes
  $ 56,535     $ 129,000     $ 197,729     $ 392,895  
 
                       
 
(1)   This line item includes contract land deposit reserves which have not yet been charged to the operating segments.
 
(2)   Stock option expense in the three and nine-month periods in 2007 includes the reversal of approximately $29,350 related to contingently issuable shares. In the third quarter of 2007, we determined that it was improbable that we would achieve the performance metric related the outstanding contingently issuable stock options, and as a result, we reversed all stock option compensation expense recorded prior to the third quarter of 2007 related to contingently issued shares. Based on our continued assessment that the performance metric (aggregate diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2005 through 2008 in excess of $339.00 per fully diluted share) will not be met, we expect that none of the contingently issuable options will vest. As a result, we currently are not recognizing any stock-based compensation expense related to these options and we believe it is improbable that any such expense will be recognized in the future. In addition, during the first quarter of 2008 we adjusted the estimated forfeiture rate used in the calculation of stock option expense. This resulted in a reversal of approximately $4,500 of stock option expense in the first quarter of 2008. See note 5 for further discussion.
 
(3)   This item represents the elimination of the corporate capital allocation charge included in the respective homebuilding reportable segments. The decreases in the corporate capital allocation charge are due to the lower segment asset balances during the respective periods due to the decreases in operating activity period over period. The corporate capital allocation charge is based on the segment’s monthly average asset balance, and is as follows for the periods presented:

31


 

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Homebuilding Mid Atlantic
  $ 18,334     $ 28,635     $ 56,044     $ 80,137  
Homebuilding North East
    2,346       3,745       7,795       11,348  
Homebuilding Mid East
    3,339       4,752       9,897       13,262  
Homebuilding South East
    3,376       3,677       9,863       10,291  
 
                       
Total
  $ 27,395     $ 40,809     $ 83,599     $ 115,038  
 
                       
Mortgage Banking Segment
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
     We conduct our mortgage banking activity through NVR Mortgage Finance, Inc. (“NVRM”), a wholly owned subsidiary. NVRM focuses exclusively on serving the homebuilding segment’s customer base.
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Loan closing volume:
                               
Total principal
  $ 610,313     $ 793,749     $ 1,727,718     $ 2,358,218  
 
                       
 
                               
Loan data:
                               
Adjustable rate mortgages
    8 %     15 %     5 %     21 %
 
                       
Fixed-rate mortgages
    92 %     85 %     95 %     79 %
 
                       
Capture Rate
    86 %     84 %     84 %     85 %
 
                       
 
                               
Operating profit:
                               
Segment profit
  $ 4,774     $ 15,179     $ 24,291     $ 38,763  
Stock option expense
    (702 )     1,635       (1,821 )     (135 )
 
                       
Mortgage banking income before tax
  $ 4,072     $ 16,814     $ 22,470     $ 38,628  
 
                       
 
                               
Mortgage banking fees:
                               
Net gain on sale of loans
  $ 7,067     $ 16,472     $ 32,242     $ 43,874  
Title services
    3,781       5,046       10,997       14,959  
Servicing
    98       99       459       391  
 
                       
 
  $ 10,946     $ 21,617     $ 43,698     $ 59,224  
 
                       
     Loan closing volume for the three months ended September 30, 2008 decreased 23% from the same period in 2007. The 2008 decrease is primarily attributable to a 17% decrease in the number of units closed and an 8% decrease in the average loan amount. Loan closing volume for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 decreased 27% from the same period in 2007. This decrease is primarily attributable to an 18% decrease in the number of units closed and an 11% decrease in the average loan amount. The unit decreases for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 primarily reflect the aforementioned decreases in the number of homes that our homebuilding segments settled compared to the same periods in 2007. The unit volume decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was slightly offset by the increase in the number of loans closed by NVRM for our homebuyers who obtain a mortgage to purchase the home (“Capture Rate”). The decrease in the average loan amount for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 reflects the aforementioned decrease in the homebuilding segments’ average settlement prices.

32


 

     Segment profit for the three months ended September 30, 2008 decreased approximately $10,400 from the same period for 2007. The decrease is primarily due to a net decrease in mortgage banking fees attributable to the aforementioned decrease in closed loan volume, a reduction in fees charged to borrowers to assist our selling efforts, and an approximate $4,100 decrease in unrealized income from the fair value measurements of our locked loan commitments, forward mortgage-backed securities sales, and closed loans held for sale, which is included in mortgage banking fees (see details below). The decrease in mortgage banking fees was partially offset by a 31 basis point increase in fees received for servicing released premiums as a result of the product mix shift towards fixed rate mortgages, partly driven by an increase in FHA fixed rate loan closings, which generally carry a higher servicing release premium than other non-FHA loan products, and an increase in secondary marketing fees.
     Segment profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 decreased approximately $14,500 from the same period for 2007. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in mortgage banking fees caused by the decrease in closing volume and a reduction in fees charged to borrowers to assist our selling efforts. The decrease in mortgage banking fees was partially offset by a 32 basis point increase in fees received for servicing released premiums as a result of the product mix shift towards fixed rate and FHA mortgages, as noted above, and an approximate $3,900 increase in unrealized income from the fair value measurements of our locked loan commitments, forward mortgage-backed securities sales, and closed loans held for sale, which is included in mortgage banking fees (see details below). Segment profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was favorably impacted by an approximate $2,100 decrease in general and administrative expenses. This decrease was partially attributable to an approximate $2,400 decrease in salary and other personnel costs due to a 19% reduction in staffing from the same period for 2007 and an approximate $900 decrease in loan loss charges for the same period in 2007.
     The aforementioned fair value measurement unrealized loss of $4,100 for the three month period ended September 30, 2008 and the $3,900 year to date unrealized gain from the fair value measurement was the result of the implementation of Staff Accounting Bulleting 109, Written Loan commitments recorded at Fair Value through Earnings (SAB No. 109) and FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurement, both of which the Company adopted on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2008. As a result of the adoption of SAB No. 109 and SFAS No. 157, the fair value measurement for locked loan commitments and closed loans held for sale now includes the assumed gain/loss on the expected resultant loan sale and the value of the servicing rights associated with the loan. This is in addition to the prior fair value measurement, which only considered the effects of interest rate movements between the date of the rate lock and either the loan closing date or the balance sheet date. In compliance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, we recognized a net unrealized loss of $284 (pre-tax) during the three months ended September 30, 2007 and a net SFAS No. 133 unrealized loss of $395 (pre-tax) during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Each of the aforementioned fair value calculations are classified as Level 2 observable inputs as defined in SFAS No. 157. The resulting $3,900 unrealized gain for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008 from the fair value measurement is primarily attributable to the inclusion of the value of the servicing rights in the fair value measurement as required by SAB No. 109. The increase in unrealized income from the adoption of SAB No. 109 and SFAS No. 157 was further increased due to the principal volume of our locked and closed loan pipeline increasing by 20% at September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007 as a result of a 180 day extended lock program offered to homebuyers that was instituted during the first quarter of 2008. The $4,100 unrealized loss for the three month period ending September 30, 2008 was the result of the principal volume of our locked and closed loan pipeline decreasing by approximately 39% from June 30, 2008. The pipeline decrease was the result of the phase out of the 180 day extended lock program for new sales contracts during the third quarter and the majority of the existing locked loans under the 180 day extended lock program being closed and sold during the three month period ending September 30, 2008. The aforementioned fair value measurement will be impacted in the future by changes in volume and product mix of our locked loan commitments.
     For the three and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2008, stock option expense increased by approximately $2,300 and $1,700, respectively. As noted above, this was due to a third quarter 2007 reversal of approximately $2,150 of pre-tax stock based compensation costs. This adjustment was due to the determination that it was improbable that we would achieve the performance metric related to certain outstanding stock options. There have been no additional adjustments for the three and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2008.

33


 

     NVRM is dependent on our homebuilding segments’ customers for business. As sales and selling prices of the homebuilding segment decline, NVRM’s operations will also be adversely affected. As mentioned above, NVRM is reducing the fees charged to its borrowers to assist our selling efforts and is likely to continue doing so in the foreseeable future, which will adversely impact the mortgage segment’s future results. In addition, the mortgage segment’s operating results may be adversely affected in future periods due to the continued tightening and volatility of the credit markets.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
     We fund our operations with cash flows provided by our operating activities, short-term credit facilities and the public debt and equity markets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, our operating activities provided cash of $215,560. Operating cash was primarily provided by our homebuilding operations and a reduction in our homebuilding inventory of $77,834. Operating cashflows for the year were reduced by the decrease in our customer deposits of $32,198. The presentation of operating cash flows was also reduced by $37,927, which is the amount of the excess tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options during the period and credited directly to additional paid in capital.
     Net cash used in investing activities was $3,892 for the period ended September 30, 2008, primarily for property and equipment purchases throughout the period.
     Net cash provided by financing activities was $89,164 for the period ended September 30, 2008. Cash was provided by the receipt of $44,108 in proceeds from employee stock option exercises and by the realization of $37,927 in excess income tax benefits from the exercise of stock options, which pursuant to SFAS 123R, must be reported as a financing cash inflow. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we increased net borrowings under the mortgage warehouse facility, as replaced by the master repurchase agreement, by $7,129.
     In addition to our homebuilding operating activities, we also utilize a short-term unsecured working capital revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) to provide for working capital cash requirements. The Facility provides for borrowings up to $600,000, subject to certain borrowing base limitations. The Facility expires in December 2010 and outstanding amounts bear interest at either: (i) the prime rate, or (ii) the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus applicable margin as defined within the Facility. Up to $150,000 of the Facility is currently available for issuance in the form of letters of credit, of which $14,689 was outstanding at September 30, 2008. There were no direct borrowings outstanding under the Facility as of September 30, 2008. At September 30, 2008, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Facility and there were no borrowing base limitations reducing the amount available to us for borrowings.
     Our mortgage banking segment provides for its mortgage origination and other operating activities using cash generated from operations as well as a revolving mortgage repurchase facility. On August 5, 2008, NVRM entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and representative of itself as a Buyer, and the other Buyers (the “Repurchase Agreement”). The Repurchase Agreement replaced NVRM’s warehouse credit facility which was set to expire on August 21, 2008. The Repurchase Agreement provides for loan purchases up to $110 million, subject to certain sublimits. In addition, the Repurchase Agreement provides for an accordion feature under which NVRM may request that the aggregate commitments under the Repurchase Agreement be increased to an amount up to $150 million. The Repurchase Agreement is used to fund NVRM’s mortgage origination activities, under which $90,782 was outstanding at September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, there were no borrowing base limitations. The Repurchase Agreement expires on August 4, 2009. Advances under the Repurchase Agreement carry a Pricing Rate based on the Libor Rate plus the Libor Margin, as defined in the Repurchase Agreement, or at NVRM’s option, the Balance Funded Rate, as defined in the Repurchase Agreement. The Pricing Rate on outstanding balances at September 30, 2008 was 5.5%. The Repurchase Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants. The negative covenants include among others, certain limitations on transactions involving acquisitions, mergers, the incurrence of debt, sale of assets and creation of liens upon any of its Mortgage Notes.

34


 

Additional covenants include (i) a tangible net worth requirement, (ii) a minimum tangible net worth ratio, (iii) a minimum net income requirement, and (iv) a minimum liquidity requirement, all of which we were compliant with at September 30, 2008.
     On September 8, 2008, NVR filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to register for future offer and sale, an unlimited amount of debt securities, common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares representing preferred shares and warrants. This discussion of NVR’s shelf registration capacity does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.
     In addition to funding growth in our homebuilding and mortgage operations, we historically have used a substantial portion of our excess liquidity to repurchase outstanding shares of our common stock in the open market and in privately negotiated transactions. This ongoing repurchase activity is conducted pursuant to publicly announced Board authorizations, and is typically executed in accordance with the safe harbor provisions of Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the Board resolutions authorizing us to repurchase shares of our common stock specifically prohibit us from purchasing shares from our officers, directors, Profit Sharing/401K Plan Trust or Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust. We believe the repurchase program assists us in accomplishing our primary objective, increasing shareholder value. To date we have not repurchased any shares of our common stock during 2008. We expect to continue to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time subject to market conditions and available excess liquidity.
     We believe that internally generated cash and borrowings available under credit facilities will be sufficient to satisfy near and long term cash requirements for working capital in both our homebuilding and mortgage banking operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
     General
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We continually evaluate the estimates we use to prepare the consolidated financial statements, and update those estimates as necessary. In general, our estimates are based on historical experience, on information from third party professionals, and other various assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the facts and circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates made by management.
     Variable Interest Entities
     Revised Financial Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46R”), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, requires the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity to consolidate that entity in its financial statements. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is the party that absorbs a majority of the variable interest entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual, or other financial interests in the entity. Expected losses are the expected negative variability in the fair value of an entity’s net assets exclusive of its variable interests, and expected residual returns are the expected positive variability in the fair value of an entity’s net assets, exclusive of its variable interests.
     Forward contracts, such as the fixed price purchase agreements utilized by us to acquire finished lot inventory, are deemed to be variable interests under FIN 46R. Therefore, the development entities with which we enter fixed price purchase agreements are examined under FIN 46R for possible consolidation by us, including certain joint venture limited liability corporations (“LLC’s”) utilized by us to acquire finished lots on a limited basis. We have developed a methodology to determine whether we, or, conversely, the owner(s) of the applicable development entity, are the primary beneficiary of a development entity.

35


 

The methodology used to evaluate our primary beneficiary status requires substantial management judgment and estimates. These judgments and estimates involve assigning probabilities to various estimated cash flow possibilities relative to the development entity’s expected profits and losses and the cash flows associated with changes in the fair value of finished lots under contract. Although we believe that our accounting policy is designed to properly assess our primary beneficiary status relative to our involvement with the development entities from which we acquire finished lots, changes to the probabilities and the cash flow possibilities used in our evaluation could produce widely different conclusions regarding whether we are or are not a development entity’s primary beneficiary, possibly resulting in additional, or fewer, development entities being consolidated on our financial statements. See note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
     Homebuilding Inventory
     The carrying value of inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost of lots and completed and uncompleted housing units represent the accumulated actual cost of the units. Field construction supervisors’ salaries and related direct overhead expenses are included in inventory costs. Interest costs are not capitalized into inventory. Upon settlement, the cost of the unit is expensed on a specific identification basis. Cost of manufacturing materials is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Recoverability and impairment, if any, is evaluated primarily by analyzing sales of comparable assets. We believe that our accounting policy is designed to properly assess the carrying value of homebuilding inventory.
     Contract Land Deposits
     We purchase finished lots under fixed price purchase agreements that require deposits that may be forfeited if we fail to perform under the contract. The deposits are in the form of cash or letters of credit in varying amounts and represent a percentage of the aggregate purchase price of the finished lots. We maintain an allowance for losses on contract land deposits that we believe is sufficient to provide for losses in the existing contract land deposit portfolio. The allowance reflects our judgment of the present loss exposure at the end of the reporting period, considering market and economic conditions, sales absorption and profitability within specific communities and terms of the various contracts. Although we consider the allowance for losses on contract land deposits reflected on the September 30, 2008 balance sheet to be adequate (see note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements), there can be no assurance that this allowance will prove to be adequate over time to cover losses due to unanticipated adverse changes in the economy or other events adversely affecting specific markets or the homebuilding industry.
     Intangible Assets
     Reorganization value in excess of identifiable assets (“excess reorganization value”), goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets are not subject to amortization upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Rather, excess reorganization value, goodwill and other intangible assets are subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test. We continually evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate that the remaining value of excess reorganization value, goodwill and other intangible assets may not be recoverable. We completed the annual assessment of impairment during the first quarter of 2008, and as of September 30, 2008, we believe that excess reorganization value, goodwill and other intangible assets were not impaired. This conclusion is based on management’s judgment, considering such factors as our history of operating success, our well-recognized brand names, the significant positions held in the markets in which we operate and our expected future cash flows. However, changes in strategy or adverse changes in market conditions could impact this judgment and require an impairment loss to be recognized for the amount that the carrying value of excess reorganization value, goodwill and/or other intangible assets exceeds their fair value.

36


 

     Warranty/Product Liability Accruals
     Warranty and product liability accruals are established to provide for estimated future costs as a result of construction and product defects, product recalls and litigation incidental to our business. Liability estimates are determined based on our judgment considering such factors as historical experience, the likely current cost of corrective action, manufacturers’ and subcontractors’ participation in sharing the cost of corrective action, consultations with third party experts such as engineers, and evaluations by our General Counsel and outside counsel retained to handle specific product liability cases. Although we consider the warranty and product liability accrual reflected on the September 30, 2008 balance sheet (see note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements) to be adequate, there can be no assurance that this accrual will prove to be adequate over time to cover losses due to increased costs for material and labor, the inability or refusal of manufacturers or subcontractors to financially participate in corrective action, unanticipated adverse legal settlements, or other unanticipated changes to the assumptions used to estimate the warranty and product liability accrual.
     Stock Option Expense
     SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, requires us to recognize within our income statement compensation costs related to our stock based compensation plans. The costs recognized are based on the grant date fair value. Compensation cost for “service-only” option grants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (from the date of grant through the period of the last separately vesting portion of the grant). Compensation cost for “performance condition” option grants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in substance, multiple awards (graded vesting attribution method), and if the performance condition is expected to be met.
     We calculate the fair value of our non-publicly traded, employee stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. While the Black-Scholes model is a widely accepted method to calculate the fair value of options, its results are dependent on input variables, two of which, expected term and expected volatility, are significantly dependent on management’s judgment. We have concluded that our historical exercise experience is the best estimate of future exercise patterns to determine an option’s expected term. To estimate expected volatility, we analyze the historical volatility of our common stock. Changes in management’s judgment of the expected term and the expected volatility could have a material effect on the grant-date fair value calculated and expensed within the income statement. In addition, we are required to estimate future option forfeitures when considering the amount of stock-based compensation costs to record. We have concluded that our historical forfeiture rate is the best measure to estimate future forfeitures of granted stock options. However, there can be no assurance that our future forfeiture rate will not be materially higher or lower than our historical forfeiture rate, which would affect the aggregate cumulative compensation expense recognized.
     Although we believe that the compensation costs recognized during the period ended September 30, 2008 are representative of the cumulative ratable amortization of the grant-date fair value of unvested options outstanding and expected to be exercised, changes to the estimated input values such as expected term and expected volatility, changes to our forfeiture rate experience and changes to the determination of whether performance condition grants will vest, could produce widely different fair values. See note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
     There have been no material changes in our market risks during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. For additional information regarding market risk, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

37


 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
     As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting in the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
     On July 18, 2007, former and current employees filed lawsuits against us in the Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and Hamilton County, Ohio, in Superior Court in Durham County, North Carolina, and in the Circuit Court in Montgomery County, Maryland, and on July 19, 2007 in the Superior Court in New Jersey, alleging that we incorrectly classified our sales and marketing representatives as being exempt from overtime wages. These lawsuits are similar in nature to another lawsuit filed on October 29, 2004 by another former employee in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. The complaints seek injunctive relief, an award of unpaid wages, including fringe benefits, liquidated damages equal to the overtime wages allegedly due and not paid, attorney and other fees and interest, and where available, multiple damages. The suits were filed as purported class actions. However, none of the groups of employees that the lawsuits purport to represent have been certified as a class. The lawsuits filed in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey have been stayed pending further developments in the New York action.
     We believe that our compensation practices in regard to sales and marketing representatives are entirely lawful and in compliance with two letter rulings from the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued in January 2007. The two courts to most recently consider similar claims against other homebuilders have acknowledged the DOL’s position that sales and marketing representatives were properly classified as exempt from overtime wages and the only court to have directly addressed the exempt status of such employees concluded that the DOL’s position was valid. Accordingly, we have vigorously defended and intend to continue to vigorously defend these lawsuits. Because we are unable to determine the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome of this case, or the amount of damages, if any, we have not recorded any associated liabilities in the accompanying condensed, consolidated balance sheet.
     We are involved in various claims and litigation arising principally in the ordinary course of business. At this time, we are not involved in any legal proceedings that we believe are likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
     Our business is affected by the risks generally incident to the residential construction business, including, but not limited to:
    actual and expected direction of interest rates, which affect our costs, the availability of construction financing, and long-term financing for potential purchasers of homes;
 
    the availability of adequate land in desirable locations on favorable terms;
 
    unexpected changes in customer preferences; and
 
    changes in the national economy and in the local economies of the markets in which we have operations.

38


 

All of these risks are discussed in detail below.
The homebuilding industry is experiencing a significant downturn. The continuation of this downturn could adversely affect our business and our results of operations.
     The homebuilding industry has continued to experience a significant downturn as a result of declining consumer confidence driven by economic recession fears, affordability issues and uncertainty as to the stability of home prices. As a result, we have experienced reduced demand for new homes. These market factors have also resulted in pricing pressures and in turn lower gross profit margins in most of our markets. A continued downturn in the homebuilding industry could result in a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
If the market value of our inventory or controlled lot position declines, our profit could decrease and we may incur losses.
     Inventory risk can be substantial for homebuilders. The market value of building lots and housing inventories can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing market conditions. In addition, inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses in a poorly performing project or market. We must, in the ordinary course of our business, continuously seek and make acquisitions of lots for expansion into new markets as well as for replacement and expansion within our current markets, which is accomplished by us entering fixed price purchase agreements and paying forfeitable deposits under the purchase agreement to developers for the contractual right to acquire the lots. In the event of significant changes in economic or market conditions, we may cease further building activities in communities or restructure existing purchase agreements, resulting in forfeiture of some or all of any remaining land contract deposit paid to the developer. We may also dispose of certain subdivision inventories on a bulk or other basis. Either action may result in a loss which could have a material adverse effect on our profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
Because almost all of our customers require mortgage financing, the availability of suitable mortgage financing could impair the affordability of our homes, lower demand for our products, and limit our ability to fully deliver our backlog.
     Our business and earnings depend on the ability of our potential customers to obtain mortgages for the purchase of our homes. In addition, many of our potential customers must sell their existing homes in order to buy a home from us. The tightening of credit standards and the availability of suitable mortgage financing could prevent customers from buying our homes and could prevent buyers of our customers’ homes from obtaining mortgages they need to complete that purchase, both of which could result in our potential customers’ inability to buy a home from us. If our potential customers or the buyers of our customers’ current homes are not able to obtain suitable financing, the result could have a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
If our ability to sell mortgages to investors is impaired, we may be required to fund these commitments ourselves, or may not be able to originate loans at all.
     Our mortgage segment sells all of the loans it originates into the secondary market usually within 30 days from the date of closing, and has up to approximately $110 million available in an annually renewable warehouse repurchase facility to fund mortgage closings. In the event that disruptions to the secondary markets similar to those which occurred during 2007 and 2008 continue to tighten or eliminate the available liquidity within the secondary markets for mortgage loans, or the underwriting requirements by our secondary market investors continue to become more stringent, our ability to sell future mortgages could decline and we could be required, among other things, to fund our commitments to our buyers with our own financial resources, which is limited, or require our home buyers to find another source of financing.

39


 

In addition, government-sponsored enterprises, principally FNMA and FHLMC, play a significant role in buying home mortgages and creating investment securities that they either sell to investors or hold in their portfolios. These organizations provide liquidity to the secondary mortgage market. The effects of the government takeover of FNMA and FHLMC are not yet certain and may restrict or curtail their activities and further disrupt the secondary markets. The result of such secondary market disruption could have a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
Interest rate movements, inflation and other economic factors can negatively impact our business.
     High rates of inflation generally affect the homebuilding industry adversely because of their adverse impact on interest rates. High interest rates not only increase the cost of borrowed funds to homebuilders but also have a significant effect on housing demand and on the affordability of permanent mortgage financing to prospective purchasers. We are also subject to potential volatility in the price of commodities that impact costs of materials used in our homebuilding business. Increases in prevailing interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
     Our financial results also are affected by the risks generally incident to our mortgage banking business, including interest rate levels, the impact of government regulation on mortgage loan originations and servicing and the need to issue forward commitments to fund and sell mortgage loans. Our homebuilding customers account for almost all of our mortgage banking business. The volume of our continuing homebuilding operations therefore affects our mortgage banking business.
     Our mortgage banking business also is affected by interest rate fluctuations. We also may experience marketing losses resulting from daily increases in interest rates to the extent we are unable to match interest rates and amounts on loans we have committed to originate with forward commitments from third parties to purchase such loans. Increases in interest rates may have a material adverse effect on our mortgage banking revenue, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
     Our operations may also be adversely affected by other economic factors within our markets such as negative changes in employment levels, job growth, and consumer confidence and availability of mortgage financing, one or all of which could result in reduced demand or price depression from current levels. Such negative trends could have a material adverse effect on homebuilding operations.
     These factors and thus, the homebuilding business, have at times in the past been cyclical in nature. Any downturn in the national economy or the local economies of the markets in which we operate could have a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, stock performance and ability to service our debt obligations. In particular, approximately 34% of our home settlements during 2008 occurred in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD metropolitan areas, which accounted for 45% of our homebuilding revenues in 2008. Thus, we are dependent to a significant extent on the economy and demand for housing in those areas.
Our inability to secure and control an adequate inventory of lots could adversely impact our operations.
     The results of our homebuilding operations are dependent upon our continuing ability to control an adequate number of homebuilding lots in desirable locations. There can be no assurance that an adequate supply of building lots will continue to be available to us on terms similar to those available in the past, or that we will not be required to devote a greater amount of capital to controlling building lots than we have historically. An insufficient supply of building lots in one or more of our markets, an inability of our developers to deliver finished lots in a timely fashion, or our inability to purchase or finance building lots on reasonable terms could have a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.

40


 

Volatility in the credit and capital markets may impact our ability to access necessary financing.
     Our homebuilding operations are dependent in part on the availability and cost of working capital financing, and may be adversely affected by a shortage or an increase in the cost of such financing. If we require working capital greater than that provided by our operations and our credit facility, we may be required to seek to increase the amount available under the facility or to obtain alternative financing. No assurance can be given that additional or replacement financing will be available on terms that are favorable or acceptable. Moreover, issues involving liquidity and capital adequacy affecting our lenders could in turn affect our ability to fully access our available credit. In addition, the credit and capital markets are experiencing significant volatility that is difficult to predict. If we are required to seek alternative financing to fund our working capital requirements, continued volatility in these markets may restrict our flexibility to access financing. If we are at any time unsuccessful in obtaining sufficient capital to fund our planned homebuilding expenditures, we may experience a substantial delay in the completion of any homes then under construction. Any delay could result in cost increases and could have a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
     Our mortgage banking operations are dependent on the availability, cost and other terms of mortgage financing facilities, and may be adversely affected by any shortage or increased cost of such financing. No assurance can be given that any additional or replacement financing will be available on terms that are favorable or acceptable. Our mortgage banking operations are also dependent upon the securitization market for mortgage-backed securities, and could be materially adversely affected by any fluctuation or downturn in such market.
Our current indebtedness may impact our future operations.
     Our existing indebtedness contains financial and other restrictive covenants and any future indebtedness may also contain covenants. These covenants include limitations on our ability, and the ability of our subsidiaries, to incur additional indebtedness, pay cash dividends and make distributions, make loans and investments, enter into transactions with affiliates, effect certain asset sales, incur certain liens, merge or consolidate with any other person, or transfer all or substantially all of our properties and assets. Substantial losses by us or other action or inaction by us or our subsidiaries could result in the violation of one or more of these covenants which could result in decreased liquidity or a default on our indebtedness, thereby having a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
Government regulations and environmental matters could negatively affect our operations.
     We are subject to various local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning zoning, building design, construction and similar matters, including local regulations that impose restrictive zoning and density requirements in order to limit the number of homes that can eventually be built within the boundaries of a particular area. We have from time to time been subject to, and may also be subject in the future to, periodic delays in our homebuilding projects due to building moratoriums in the areas in which we operate. Changes in regulations that restrict homebuilding activities in one or more of our principal markets could have a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
     We are also subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning the protection of health and the environment. We are subject to a variety of environmental conditions that can affect our business and our homebuilding projects. The particular environmental laws that apply to any given homebuilding site vary greatly according to the location and environmental condition of the site and the present and former uses of the site and adjoining properties. Environmental laws and conditions may result in delays, cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs, or prohibit or severely restrict homebuilding activity in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas, thereby adversely affecting our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.

41


 

     We are an approved seller/servicer of FNMA, GNMA, FHLMC, FHA and VA mortgage loans, and are subject to all of those agencies’ rules and regulations. Any significant impairment of our eligibility to sell/service these loans could have a material adverse impact on our mortgage operations. In addition, we are subject to regulation at the state and federal level with respect to specific origination, selling and servicing practices. Adverse changes in governmental regulation may have a negative impact on our mortgage loan origination business.
We face competition in our housing and mortgage banking operations.
     The homebuilding industry is highly competitive. We compete with numerous homebuilders of varying size, ranging from local to national in scope, some of whom have greater financial resources than we do. We face competition:
    for suitable and desirable lots at acceptable prices;
 
    from selling incentives offered by competing builders within and across developments; and
 
    from the existing home resale market.
     Our homebuilding operations compete primarily on the basis of price, location, design, quality, service and reputation.
     The mortgage banking industry is also competitive. Our main competition comes from national, regional and local mortgage bankers, thrifts, banks and mortgage brokers in each of these markets. Our mortgage banking operations compete primarily on the basis of customer service, variety of products offered, interest rates offered, prices of ancillary services and relative financing availability and costs.
     There can be no assurance that we will continue to compete successfully in our homebuilding or mortgage banking operations. An inability to effectively compete may have an adverse impact on our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
A shortage of building materials or labor, or increases in materials or labor costs may adversely impact our operations.
     The homebuilding business has from time to time experienced building material and labor shortages, including shortages in insulation, drywall, certain carpentry work and concrete, as well as fluctuating lumber prices and supply. In addition, high employment levels and strong construction market conditions could restrict the labor force available to our subcontractors and us in one or more of our markets. Significant increases in costs resulting from these shortages, or delays in construction of homes, could have a material adverse effect upon our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
Product liability litigation and warranty claims may adversely impact our operations.
     Construction defect and home warranty claims are common and can represent a substantial risk for the homebuilding industry. The cost of insuring against construction defect and product liability claims, as well as the claims themselves, can be high. In addition, insurance companies limit coverage offered to protect against these claims. Further restrictions on coverage available, or significant increases in premium costs or claims, could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

42


 

We are subject to litigation proceedings that could harm our business if an unfavorable ruling were to occur.
     From time to time, we may become involved in litigation and other legal proceedings relating to claims arising from our operations in the normal course of business. In addition, as described in Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings” of this 10-Q, we are currently subject to certain legal proceedings. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings may occur. We cannot assure you that these or other litigation or legal proceedings will not materially affect our ability to conduct our business in the manner that we expect or otherwise adversely affect us should an unfavorable ruling occur.
Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws may negatively affect our operating results.
     The effects of possible changes in the tax laws or changes in their interpretation could have a material negative impact on our operating results.
Weather-related and other events beyond our control may adversely impact our operations.
     Extreme weather or other events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, forest fires, floods, terrorist attacks or war, may affect our markets, our operations and our profitability. These events may impact our physical facilities or those of our suppliers or subcontractors, causing us material increases in costs, or delays in construction of homes, which could have a material adverse effect upon our sales, profitability, stock performance, ability to service our debt obligations and future cash flows.
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
     We had one repurchase authorization outstanding during the quarter ended September 30, 2008. On July 31, 2007 (“July Authorization”), we publicly announced the board of directors’ approval for us to repurchase up to an aggregate of $300 million of our common stock in one or more open market and/or privately negotiated transactions. The July Authorization does not have an expiration date. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the third quarter of 2008. We have $226.3 million available under the July Authorization as of September 30, 2008.
Item 6. Exhibits
  (a)   Exhibits:
 
  10.1   Master Repurchase Agreement dated August 5, 2008 among U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and a Buyer, the other Buyers party hereto and NVR Mortgage Finance, Inc., as Seller. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NVR’s Form 8-K filed August 8, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
  31.1   Certification of NVR’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  31.2   Certification of NVR’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  32   Certification of NVR’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

43


 

SIGNATURE
     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.
         
November 3, 2008        NVR, Inc.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Dennis M. Seremet    
  Dennis M. Seremet   
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
     and Treasurer 
 

44


 

         
Exhibit Index
             
Exhibit          
Number   Description   Page  
 
           
10.1
  Master Repurchase Agreement dated August 5, 2008 among U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent and a Buyer, the other Buyers party hereto and NVR Mortgage Finance, Inc., as Seller. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NVR’s Form 8-K filed August 8, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.        
 
           
31.1
  Certification of NVR’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.     46  
 
           
31.2
  Certification of NVR’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.     47  
 
           
32
  Certification of NVR’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.     48  

45