Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
Nov. 30, 2024 |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and include our accounts and those of the consolidated subsidiaries in which we have a controlling financial interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in which we have less than a controlling financial interest are accounted for using the equity method. |
Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider all highly liquid short-term investments purchased with an original maturity of |
Receivables | Receivables. We record receivables net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. This allowance for potential losses is established or maintained for expected uncollectible receivables. The allowance is estimated based on our evaluation of the receivables, taking into account historical collection experience, general economic conditions, specific credit risk of the counterparties and other relevant information. |
Property and Equipment and Depreciation | Property and Eq uipment and Depreciation. Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows: computer software and equipment – two to 15 years ; model furnishings and sales office improvements – two to three years ; office furniture and equipment – three to 10 years ; and |
Investments in Equity Securities | Investments in Equity Securities. We have elected to measure our investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values at cost less impairment, if any, including adjustments for observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. These investments, which totaled $15.2 million at November 30, 2024 and zero as of November 30, 2023 , are included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. |
Homebuilding Operations and Financial Services Operations | Homebuilding Operations. We recognize homebuilding revenue by applying the following steps in determining the timing and amount of revenue to recognize: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, if applicable; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation. Our home sale transactions are made pursuant to contracts under which we typically have a single performance obligation to deliver a completed home to the homebuyer when closing conditions are met. Revenues from home sales are recognized when we have satisfied the performance obligation within the sales contract, which is generally when title to and possession of the home and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the homebuyer on the closing date. Under our home sales contracts, we typically receive an initial cash deposit from the homebuyer at the time the sales contract is executed and receive the remaining consideration to which we are entitled, through a third-party escrow agent, at closing. Customer deposits related to sold but undelivered homes are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. Concurrent with the recognition of revenues in our consolidated statements of operations, sales incentives in the form of price concessions on the selling price of a home or mortgage-related concessions are recorded as a reduction of revenues. When we provide sales incentives in the form of free products or services to homebuyers, the costs of the free products or services are reflected as construction and land costs because such incentives are identified in our home sales contracts with homebuyers as an intrinsic part of our single performance obligation to deliver and transfer title to their home for the transaction price stated in the contracts. Sales incentives that we may provide in the form of closing cost allowances are immaterial to the related revenues. Cash proceeds from home sale closings held by third-party escrow agents for our benefit, typically for less than five days, are considered deposits in-transit and classified as cash. We may periodically elect to sell parcels of land to third parties if such assets no longer fit into our strategic operating plans or are zoned for non-residential development. Land sale transactions are made pursuant to contracts under which we typically have a performance obligation(s) to deliver specified land parcels to the buyer when closing conditions are met. We evaluate each land sales contract to determine our performance obligation(s) under the contract, including whether we have a distinct promise to perform post-closing land development work that is material within the context of the contract, and use objective criteria to determine our completion of the applicable performance obligation(s), whether at a point in time or over time. Revenues from land sales are recognized when we have satisfied the performance obligation(s) within the sales contract, which is generally when title to and possession of the land and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the land buyer on the closing date. Under our land sales contracts, we typically receive an initial cash deposit from the buyer at the time the contract is executed and receive the remaining consideration to which we are entitled, through a third-party escrow agent, at closing. In the limited circumstances where we provide financing to the land buyer, we determine that collectability of the receivable is reasonably assured before we recognize revenue. In instances where we have a distinct and material performance obligation(s) within the context of a land sales contract to perform land development work after the closing date, a portion of the transaction price under the contract is allocated to such performance obligation(s) and is recognized as revenue over time based upon our estimated progress toward the satisfaction of the performance obligation(s). We generally measure our progress based on our costs incurred relative to the total costs expected to satisfy the performance obligation(s). While the payment terms for such a performance obligation(s) vary, we generally receive the final payment when we have completed our land development work to the specifications detailed in the applicable land sales contract and it has been accepted by the land buyer. Homebuilding revenues include forfeited deposits, which occur when home sales or land sales contracts, if any, that involve a nonrefundable deposit are cancelled. Revenues from forfeited deposits are immaterial. Within our homebuilding operations, substantially all of our contracts with customers and the related performance obligations have an original expected duration of one year or less. Construction and land costs are comprised of direct and allocated costs, including estimated future costs for the limited warranty we provide on our homes, and certain amenities within a community. Land acquisition, land development and other common costs are generally allocated on a relative fair value basis to the homes or lots within the applicable community or land parcel. Land acquisition and land development costs include related interest and real estate taxes. Financial Servi ces Operations. Our financial services reporting segment, which includes the operations of KB HOME Mortgage Company, generates revenues primarily from insurance commissions and title services. Revenues from title services are recognized when policies are issued, which generally occurs at the time each applicable home sale is closed. We receive commissions from various third-party insurance carriers for arranging for the carriers to provide homeowner and other insurance policies for our homebuyers that elect to obtain such coverage. In addition, each time a homebuyer renews their insurance policy with the insurance carrier, we receive a renewal commission. Revenues from insurance commissions are recognized when the insurance carrier issues an initial insurance policy to our homebuyer, which generally occurs at the time each applicable home sale is closed. As our performance obligations for policy renewal commissions are satisfied upon issuance of the initial insurance policy, insurance commissions for renewals are considered variable consideration. Accordingly, we estimate the probable future renewal commissions when an initial policy is issued and record a corresponding contract asset and insurance commission revenues. We estimate the amount of variable consideration based on historical renewal trends and constrain the estimate such that it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative recognized revenue will not occur. We also consider the likelihood and magnitude of a potential future reversal of revenue and update our assessment at the end of each reporting period. The contract assets for estimated future renewal commissions are included in other assets within our financial services reporting segment. |
Disaggregation of Revenues | Disaggregation of Revenues. Our homebuilding operations accounted for 99.6% , 99.5% and 99.7% of our total revenues for the years ended November 30, 2024 , 2023 and 2022 , respectively, with most of those revenues generated from home sales contracts with customers. Due to the nature of our revenue-generating activities, we believe the disaggregation of revenues as reported in our consolidated statements of operations, and as disclosed by homebuilding reporting segment in Note 2 – Segment Information and for our financial services reporting segment in Note 3 – Financial Services , fairly depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows are affected by economic factors. |
Inventories | Inventories . H ousing and land inventories are stated at cost, unless the carrying value is determined not to be recoverable, in which case the affected inventories are written down to fair value or fair value less associated costs to sell. Real estate assets, such as our housing and land inventories, are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying value of an asset to the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. These impairment evaluations are significantly impacted by estimates for the amounts and timing of future revenues, costs and expenses, and other factors. If the carrying value of a real estate asset is determined not to be recoverable, the impairment charge to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the affected asset exceeds its estimated fair value. For land held for sale, if the fair value less associated costs to sell exceeds the asset’s carrying value, no impairment charge is recognized. |
Capitalized Interest | Capitalized Interest. Interest is capitalized to inventories while the related communities or land parcels are being actively developed and until homes are completed or the land is available for immediate sale. Capitalized interest is amortized to construction and land costs as the related inventories are delivered to homebuyers or land buyers (as applicable). In the case of land held for future development and land held for sale, applicable interest is expensed as incurred. |
Fair Value Measurements | F air Value Measurements. Fair value measurements are used for inventories on a nonrecurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that their carrying value is not recoverable. For these real estate assets, fair value is determined based on the estimated future net cash flows discounted for inherent risk associated with each such asset, or other valuation techniques. Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, corporate-owned life insurance, outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility , if any, and the Term Loan , senior notes, and mortgages and land contracts due to land sellers and other loans. Fair value measurements of financial instruments are determined by various market data and other valuation techniques as appropriate. When available, we use quoted market prices in active markets to determine fair value. Fair value measurements of assets and liabilities are categorized based on the following hierarchy: Level 1 Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 Fair value determined using significant observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, by correlation or other means. Level 3 Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs, such as pricing models, discounted cash flows, or similar techniques. Fair value measurements are used for inventories on a nonrecurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that their |
Warranty Costs | Warranty Costs. We provide a limited warranty on all of our homes. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under each limited warranty and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the revenue associated with the sale of each home is recognized. Our primary assumption in estimating the amounts we accrue for warranty costs is that historical claims experience is a strong indicator of future claims experience. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of homes delivered, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. We periodically assess the adequacy of our accrued warranty liability and adjust the amount as necessary based on our assessment. Our warranty liability is presented on a gross basis for all years without consideration of recoveries and amounts we have paid on behalf of and expect to recover from other parties, if any. Estimates of recoveries and amounts we have paid on behalf of and expect to recover from other parties, if any, are recorded as receivables when such recoveries are considered probable. |
Self-Insurance | Self- Insurance. We self-insure a portion of our overall risk through the use of a captive insurance subsidiary. We record liabilities based on the estimated costs required to cover reported claims, claims incurred but not yet reported, and claim adjustment expenses. These estimated costs are based on an actuarial analysis of our historical claims and expense data, as well as industry data. Our self-insurance liability is presented on a gross basis for all years without consideration of insurance recoveries and amounts we have paid on behalf of and expect to recover from other parties, if any . Estimates of insurance recoveries and amounts we have paid on behalf of and expect to recover from other parties, if any, are recorded as receivables when such recoveries are considered probable. Self-Insurance. W e maintain, and require the majority of our independent contractors to maintain, general liability insurance (including construction defect and bodily injury coverage) and workers’ compensation insurance. These insurance policies protect us against a portion of our risk of loss from claims related to our homebuilding activities, subject to certain self- insured retentions, deductibles and other coverage limits . We also maintain certain other insurance policies. Costs associated with our self-insurance programs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. In Arizona, California, Colorado and Nevada, our contractors’ general liability insurance primarily takes the form of a wrap-up policy under a program where eligible independent contractors are enrolled as insureds on each community. Enrolled contractors generally contribute toward the cost of the insurance and agree to pay a contractual amount in the future if there is a claim related to their work. To the extent provided under the wrap-up program, we absorb the enrolled contractors’ general liability associated with the work performed on our homes within the applicable community as part of our overall general liability insurance and our self- insurance. We self-insure a portion of our overall risk through the use of a captive insurance subsidiary, which provides coverage for our exposure to construction defect, bodily injury and property damage claims and related litigation or regulatory actions, up to certain limits. Our self-insurance liability generally covers the costs of settlements and/or repairs, if any, as well as our costs to defend and resolve the following types of claims: • Construction defect : Construction defect claims, which represent the largest component of our self-insurance liability, typically originate through a legal or regulatory process rather than directly by a homeowner and involve the alleged occurrence of a condition affecting two or more homes within the same community, or they involve a common area or homeowners’ association property within a community. These claims typically involve higher costs to resolve than individual homeowner warranty claims, and the rate of claims is highly variable. • Bodily injury : Bodily injury claims typically involve individuals (other than our employees) who claim they were injured while on our property or as a result of our operations. • Property damage : Property damage claims generally involve claims by third parties for alleged damage to real or personal property as a result of our operations. Such claims may occasionally include those made against us by owners of property located near our communities. Our self-insurance liability at each reporting date represents the estimated costs of reported claims, claims incurred but not yet reported, and claim adjustment expenses. The amount of our self-insurance liability is based on an analysis performed by a third-party actuary that uses our historical claim and expense data, as well as industry data to estimate these overall costs. Key assumptions used in developing these estimates include claim frequencies, severities and resolution patterns, which can occur over an extended period of time. These estimates are subject to variability due to the length of time between the delivery of a home to a homebuyer and when a construction defect claim is made, and the ultimate resolution of such claim; uncertainties regarding such claims relative to our markets and the types of product we build; and legal or regulatory actions and/or interpretations, among other factors. Due to the degree of judgment involved and the potential for variability in these underlying assumptions, our actual future costs could differ from those estimated. In addition, changes in the frequency and severity of reported claims and the estimates to resolve claims can impact the trends and assumptions used in the actuarial analysis, which could be material to our consolidated financial statements. Though state regulations vary, construction defect claims are reported and resolved over a long period of time, which can extend for 10 years or more. As a result, the majority of the estimated self-insurance liability based on the actuarial analysis relates to claims incurred but not yet reported. Therefore, adjustments related to individual existing claims generally do not significantly impact the overall estimated liability. Adjustments to our liabilities related to homes delivered in prior years are recorded in the period in which a change in our estimate occurs. Our self-insurance liability is presented on a gross basis for all years without consideration of insurance recoveries and amounts we have paid on behalf of and expect to recover from other parties, if any . Estimated probable insurance and other recoveries of $22.6 million and $31.1 million are included in receivables in our consolidated balance sheets at November 30, 2024 and 2023 , respectively. These self-insurance recoveries are principally based on actuarially determined amounts and depend on various factors, including, among other things, the above-described claim cost estimates, our insurance policy coverage limits for the applicable policy year(s), historical third-party recovery rates, insurance industry practices, the regulatory environment and legal precedent, and are subject to a high degree of variability from year to year. Because of the inherent uncertainty and variability in these assumptions, our actual insurance recoveries could differ significantly from amounts currently estimated. |
Community Sales Office and Other Marketing- and Model Home-Related Costs | Community Sales Office and Other Marketing- and Model Home-Related Costs. Community sales office and other marketing- and model home-related costs are either recorded as inventories, capitalized as property and equipment, or expensed to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred. Costs related to the construction of a model home, inclusive of design choices and options that will be sold as part of the home, are recorded as inventories and recognized as construction and land costs when the model home is delivered to a homebuyer. Costs to furnish and ready a model home or on-site community sales facility that will not be sold as part of the model home, such as costs for model furnishings, community sales office and model complex grounds, sales office construction and sales office furniture and equipment, are capitalized as property and equipment under “model furnishings and sales office improvements.” Model furnishings and sales office improvements are depreciated to selling, general and administrative expenses over their estimated useful lives. Other costs related to the marketing of a community, removing the on-site community sales facility and readying a completed (model) home for sale are expensed to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred. |
Advertising Costs | Advertising Costs. |
Legal Fees | Legal Fees. Legal fees associated with litigation and similar proceedings that are not expected to provide a benefit in future periods are generally expensed as incurred. Legal fees associated with land acquisition and development and other activities that are expected to provide a benefit in future periods are capitalized to inventories in our consolidated balance sheets |
Stock-Based Compensation | Stock-Based Compensation. We measure and recognize compensation expense associated with our grant of equity-based awards at an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments granted under compensation arrangements over the vesting period. We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with assumptions based primarily on historical data. We estimate the fair value of other equity-based awards using the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. For PSU s, we recognize compensation expense ratably over the vesting period when it is probable that stated performance targets will be achieved and record cumulative adjustments in the period in which estimates change. We account for forfeitures of equity-based awards as they occur. |
Income Taxes | Income Taxes. The provision for, or benefit from, income taxes is calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are evaluated on a quarterly basis to determine if adjustments to the valuation allowance are required. This evaluation is based on the consideration of all available positive and negative evidence using a “more likely than not” standard with respect to whether deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of our deferred tax assets depends primarily on our ability to generate future taxable income during the periods in which the related deferred tax assets become deductible. The value of deferred tax assets in our consolidated balance sheets depends on applicable income tax rates. |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The accumulated balances of other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets as of November 30, 2024 and 2023 were comprised solely of adjustments recorded directly to accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our benefit plan obligations. Such adjustments are made annually as of November 30, when our benefit plan obligations are remeasured. |
Earnings Per Share | Earnings Per Share. We compute earnings per share using the two-class method, which is an allocation of earnings between the holders of common stock and a company’s participating security holders. Our outstanding nonvested shares of restricted stock contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and, therefore, are considered participating securities for purposes of computing earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. We had no other participating securities at November 30, 2024 , 2023 or 2022 . |
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted | Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”), which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Upon transition, the segment expense categories and amounts disclosed in the prior periods should be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”), which modifies the rules on income tax disclosures to require entities to disclose (1) specific categories in the rate reconciliation, (2) the income or loss from continuing operations before income tax expense or benefit (separated between domestic and foreign) and (3) income tax expense or benefit from continuing operations (separated by federal, state and foreign). ASU 2023-09 also requires entities to disclose their income tax payments to international, federal, state and local jurisdictions, among other changes. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. ASU 2023-09 should be applied on a prospective basis, but retrospective application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In November 2024 , the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2024-03, “Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” (“ASU 2024-03”), which requires disclosure of certain costs and expenses on an interim and annual basis in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date or (2) retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. |
Reclassifications | Reclassifications. Certain amounts in our consolidated financial statements of prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. |
Segment Reporting | An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and for which segment results are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. We have identified each of our homebuilding divisions as an operating segment. Our homebuilding operating segments have been aggregated into four homebuilding reporting segments based primarily on similarities in economic and geographic characteristics, product types, regulatory environments, methods used to sell and construct homes and land acquisition characteristics. We also have one financial services reporting segment. Management evaluates segment performance primarily based on segment pretax results. As of November 30, 2024 , our homebuilding reporting segments conducted ongoing operations in the following states: West Coast: California, Idaho and Washington Southwest: Arizona and Nevada Central: Colorado and Texas Southeast: Florida and North Carolina Our homebuilding reporting segments are engaged in the acquisition and development of land primarily for residential purposes and offer a wide variety of homes that are designed to appeal to first-time, first move-up and active adult homebuyers. Our homebuilding operations generate most of their revenues from the delivery of completed homes to homebuyers. They also earn revenues from the sale of land. Our financial services reporting segment earns revenues primarily from insurance commissions and from the provision of title services. We offer mortgage banking services, including mortgage loan originations, to our homebuyers indirectly through KBHS , our unconsolidated joint venture with GR Alliance , a subsidiary of Guaranteed Rate, Inc. We and GR Alliance each have a 50.0% ownership interest, with GR Alliance providing management oversight of KBHS ’ operations. The financial services reporting segment is separately reported in our consolidated financial statements. Corporate and other is a non-operating segment that develops and oversees the implementation of company-wide strategic initiatives and provides support to our reporting segments by centralizing certain administrative functions. Corporate management is responsible for, among other things, evaluating and selecting the geographic markets in which we operate, consistent with our overall business strategy; allocating capital resources to markets for land acquisition and development activities; making major personnel decisions related to employee compensation and benefits; and monitoring the financial and operational performance of our divisions. Corporate and other includes general and administrative expenses related to operating our corporate headquarters. A portion of the expenses incurred by Corporate and other is allocated to our homebuilding reporting segments. Our reporting segments follow the same accounting policies used for our consolidated financial statements as described in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies . The results of each reporting segment are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the segment been an independent, stand-alone entity during the periods presented, nor are they indicative of the results to be expected in future perio d s. |
Inventory Impairment | E ach community or land parcel in our owned inventory is assessed to determine if indicators of potential impairment exist. Impairment indicators are assessed separately for each community or land parcel on a quarterly basis and include, but are not limited to, the following: significant decreases in net orders, average selling prices, volume of homes delivered, gross profit margins on homes delivered or projected gross profit margins on homes in backlog or future deliveries; significant increases in budgeted land development and home construction costs or cancellation rates; or projected losses on expected future land sales. If indicators of potential impairment exist for a community or land parcel, the identified asset is evaluated for recoverability. |
Land under Option Arrangements | Our inventory controlled under land option contracts and other similar contracts is assessed to determine whether it continues to meet our investment return standards. Assessments are made separately for each optioned land parcel on a quarterly basis and are affected by the following factors relative to the market in which the asset is located, among others: current and/or anticipated net orders, average selling prices and volume of homes delivered; estimated land development and home construction costs; and projected profitability on expected future housing or land sales. When a decision is made not to exercise certain land option contracts and other similar contracts due to market conditions and/or changes in our marketing strategy, we write off the related inventory costs, including non-refundable deposits and unrecoverable pre-acquisition costs. |
Consolidation (ASC 810) | We participate in joint ventures from time to time that conduct land acquisition, land development and/or other homebuilding activities in various markets where our homebuilding operations are located. Our investments in these joint ventures may create a variable interest in a variable interest entity (“ VIE ”), depending on the contractual terms of the arrangement. We analyze our joint ventures under the variable interest model to determine whether they are VIE s and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary. Based on our analyses, we determined that one of our joint ventures at November 30, 2024 and 2023 was a VIE , but we were not the primary beneficiary of the VIE . Therefore, all of our joint ventures at November 30, 2024 and 2023 were unconsolidated and accounted for under the equity method because we did not have a controlling financial interest. Land Option Contracts and Other Similar Contracts. In the ordinary course of our business, we enter into land option contracts and other similar contracts with third parties and unconsolidated entities to acquire rights to land for the construction of homes. The use of these contracts generally allows us to reduce the market risks associated with direct land ownership and development, and reduce our capital and financial commitments, including interest and other carrying costs. Under these contracts, which generally do not contain provisions requiring our specific performance, we typically make a specified option payment or earnest money deposit in consideration for the right to purchase land in the future, usually at a predetermined price. We analyze each of our land option contracts and other similar contracts under the variable interest model to determine whether the land seller is a VIE and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary. Although we do not have legal title to the underlying land, we are required to consolidate a VIE if we are the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary, we consider, among other things, whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE ’s economic performance. Such activities would include, among other things, determining or limiting the scope or purpose of the VIE , selling or transferring property owned or controlled by the VIE , or arranging financing for the VIE . As a result of our analyses, we determined that as of November 30, 2024 and 2023 , we were not the primary beneficiary of any VIE |
Debt (ASC 470) | For land option contracts and other similar contracts where the land seller entity is not required to be consolidated under the variable interest model, we consider whether such contracts should be accounted for as financing arrangements. Land option contracts and other similar contracts that may be considered financing arrangements include those we enter into with third-party land financiers or developers in conjunction with such third parties acquiring a specific land parcel(s) on our behalf, at our direction, and those with other landowners where we or our designee make improvements to the optioned land parcel(s) during the applicable option period. For these land option contracts and other similar contracts, we record the remaining purchase price of the associated land parcel(s) in inventories in our consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding financing obligation if we determine that we are effectively compelled to exercise the option to purchase the land parcel(s). In making this determination with respect to a land option contract, we consider the non-refundable deposit(s) we have made and any non- reimbursable expenditures we have incurred for land improvement activities or other items up to the assessment date; additional costs associated with abandoning the contract; and our commitments, if any, to incur non-reimbursable costs associated with the |
Leases | We lease certain property and equipment for use in our operations. We recognize lease expense for these leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term and combine lease and non-lease components for all leases. Lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recorded in our consolidated balance sheets for leases with an expected term at the commencement date of more than 12 months. Some of our leases include one or more renewal options, the exercise of which is generally at our discretion. Such options are excluded from the expected term of the lease unless we determine it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Lease liabilities are equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments while the amount of lease right-of-use assets is based on the lease liabilities, subject to adjustment, such as for lease incentives. Our leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit interest rate; therefore, we estimate our incremental borrowing rate to calculate the present value of remaining lease payments. In determining our incremental borrowing rate, we considered the lease term, market interest rates, current interest rates on our senior notes and the effects of collateralization. Our lease population at November 30, 2024 was comprised of operating leases where we are the lessee, primarily real estate leases for our corporate offices, division offices and design studios, as well as certain equipment leases. Our lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Lease expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and includes costs for leases with terms of more than 12 months as well as short-term leases with terms of 12 months or less. |
Guarantees (ASC 460) | Guarantees. In the normal course of our business, we issue certain representations, warranties and guarantees related to our home sales and land sales. Based on historical experience, we do not believe any potential liability with respect to these representations, warranties or guarantees would be material to our consolidated financial statements. |