basedoc.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2009
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934
   
 
Commission File Number 1-12434
   
 
M/I HOMES, INC.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in it charter)

Ohio
 
31-1210837
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     

3 Easton Oval, Suite 500, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(614) 418-8000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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
X
 
No
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes
   
No
X

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes
   
No
X

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common shares, par value $.01 per share: 18,519,436 shares outstanding as of October 28, 2009
 

 

M/I HOMES, INC.
FORM 10-Q
       
TABLE OF CONTENTS
       
PART 1.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
 
Item 1.
M/I Homes, Inc. and Subsidiaries Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
 
   
Financial Statements
 
       
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2009
 
   
(Unaudited) and December 31, 2008
3
       
   
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
 
   
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
4
       
   
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
 
   
for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
5
       
   
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
6
       
   
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
7
       
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
 
   
Results of Operations
23
       
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
45
       
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
47
       
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
47
       
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
47
       
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
49
       
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
49
       
 
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
49
       
 
Item 5.
Other Information
49
       
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
49
       
Signatures
   
50
       
Exhibit Index
   
51
 
 

 
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
(Dollars in thousands, except par values)
(Unaudited)
     
         
ASSETS:
       
Cash
$ 25,000   $ 32,518  
Restricted cash
  77,794     6,658  
Mortgage loans held for sale
  37,087     37,772  
Inventory
  494,270     516,029  
Property and equipment - net
  19,701     27,732  
Investment in unconsolidated limited liability companies
  7,656     13,130  
Income tax receivable
  -     39,456  
Other assets
  16,424     19,993  
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 677,932   $ 693,288  
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
           
             
LIABILITIES:
           
Accounts payable
$ 50,464   $ 27,542  
Customer deposits
  5,651     3,506  
Other liabilities
  60,892     62,049  
Community development district obligations
  9,031     11,035  
Obligation for consolidated inventory not owned
  723     5,549  
Note payable bank - financial services operations
  26,622     35,078  
Note payable – other
  6,232     16,300  
Senior notes – net of discount of $640 and $832, respectively, at September 30, 2009
           
and December 31, 2008
  199,360     199,168  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
  358,975     360,227  
 
Commitments and contingencies
  -     -  
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
           
Preferred shares - $.01 par value; authorized 2,000,000 shares; issued 4,000 shares
  96,325     96,325  
Common shares - $.01 par value; authorized 38,000,000 shares; issued 22,101,723 and 17,626,123
    shares, respectively, at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
  221     176  
Additional paid-in capital
  136,708     82,146  
Retained earnings
  156,851     225,956  
Treasury shares – at cost – 3,582,287 and 3,602,141 shares, respectively, at September 30, 2009
           
and December 31, 2008
  (71,148 )   (71,542 )
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  318,957     333,061  
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$ 677,932   $ 693,288  
 
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

 
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
                 
Revenue
$ 152,738   $ 160,385   $ 365,033   $ 457,472  
Costs, expenses and other loss (income):
                       
   Land and housing
  131,416     141,499     320,929     395,300  
   Impairment of inventory and investment in unconsolidated LLCs
  14,962     43,166     32,484     104,145  
   General and administrative
  14,414     17,267     42,831     51,958  
   Selling
  11,601     14,726     30,339     41,539  
   Interest
  1,298     2,150     6,305     8,695  
   Other loss (income)
  -     -     941     (5,555 )
Total costs, expenses and other loss (income)
  173,691     218,808     433,829     596,082  
 
Loss before income taxes
  (20,953 )   (58,423 )   (68,796 )   (138,610 )
 
Provision for income taxes
  121     232     309     31,445  
 
Loss from continuing operations
  (21,074 )   (58,655 )   (69,105 )   (170,055 )
 
Discontinued operation, net of tax
  -     -     -     (33 )
 
Net loss
$ (21,074 ) $ (58,655 ) $ (69,105 ) $ (170,088 )
 
Preferred dividends
  -     -     -     4,875  
 
Net loss to common shareholders
$ (21,074 ) $ (58,655 ) $ (69,105 ) $ (174,963 )
 
Loss per common share:
                       
  Basic:
                       
    Continuing operations
$ (1.14 ) $ (4.18 ) $ (4.29 ) $ (12.48 )
    Discontinued operation
$ -   $ -   $ -   $ -  
    Basic loss
$ (1.14 ) $ (4.18 ) $ (4.29 ) $ (12.48 )
  Diluted:
                       
    Continuing operations
$ (1.14 ) $ (4.18 ) $ (4.29 ) $ (12.48 )
    Discontinued operation
$ -   $ -   $ -   $ -  
    Diluted loss
$ (1.14 ) $ (4.18 ) $ (4.29 ) $ (12.48 )
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                       
   Basic
  18,514     14,019     16,127     14,014  
   Diluted
  18,514     14,019     16,127     14,014  
 
Dividends per common share
$ -   $ -   $ -   $ 0.05  
 
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

 
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY


 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Preferred Shares
 
Common Shares
 
Additional
         
Total
 
 
Shares
     
Shares
     
Paid-in
 
Retained
 
Treasury
 
Shareholders’
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Outstanding
 
Amount
 
Outstanding
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Shares
 
Equity
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
4,000   $96,325   14,023,982   $176   $82,146   225,956   $(71,542 ) $333,061  
Net loss
      -            -                   -       -   -   (69,105 ) -   (69,105 )
Common stock issuance
      -            -    4,475,600     45   52,523   -   -   52,568  
Income tax benefit from stock options and
                               
   deferred compensation distributions
      -            -                 -       -   (103 ) -   -   (103 )
Stock options exercised
      -            -         9,200       -   (122 ) -   183   61  
Stock-based compensation expense
      -            -                  -       -   2,337   -   -   2,337  
Deferral of executive and director compensation
      -            -                  -       -   138   -   -   138  
Executive and director deferred compensation
                               
distributions
      -            -          10,654       -   (211 ) -   211   -  
Balance at September 30, 2009
4,000   $96,325   18,519,436   $221   $136,708   156,851   $(71,148 ) $318,957  


See   See notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
 
           2009
 
2008
 
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
       
Net loss
$ (69,105 ) $ (170,088 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
           
Inventory valuation adjustments and abandoned land transaction write-offs
  27,076     86,826  
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated limited liability companies
  6,896     18,887  
Mortgage loan originations
  (275,655 )   (279,966 )
Proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans
  275,748     304,332  
Fair value adjustment of mortgage loans held for sale
  592     (1,569 )
Net loss (gain) from property disposals
  942     (5,531 )
Bad debt expense
  1,223     -  
Depreciation
  3,887     4,262  
Amortization of intangibles, debt discount and debt issue costs
  1,901     1,169  
Stock-based compensation expense
  2,337     2,423  
Deferred income tax benefit
  (27,532 )   (11,748 )
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
  27,532     79,615  
Income tax receivable
  39,456     14,210  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements
  103     88  
Equity in undistributed (loss) income of limited liability companies
  (10 )   34  
Write-off of unamortized debt discount and financing costs
  554     1,059  
Change in assets and liabilities:
           
Cash held in escrow
  (4,278 )   11,133  
Inventories
  (12,891 )   103,534  
Other assets
  2,205     8,596  
Accounts payable
  22,922     (22,153 )
Customer deposits
  2,145     (3,099 )
Accrued compensation
  (3,682 )   (5,486 )
Other liabilities
  2,651     (10,355 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
  25,017     126,173  
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
           
Restricted cash
  (66,858 )   -  
Purchase of property and equipment
  (3,695 )   (2,661 )
Proceeds from the sale of property
  7,878     9,454  
Investment in unconsolidated limited liability companies
  (1,068 )   (3,825 )
Return of investment from unconsolidated limited liability companies
  61     416  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
  (63,682 )   3,384  
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
           
Repayments of bank borrowings - net
  (8,456 )   (119,708 )
Principal repayments of mortgage notes payable other and community
           
development district bond obligations
  (10,710 )   (379 )
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
  52,568     -  
Debt issue costs
  (2,122 )   (10 )
Payments on capital lease obligations
  (91 )   (674 )
Dividends paid
  -     (5,935 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  61     74  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements
  (103 )   (88 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  31,147     (126,720 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash
  (7,518 )   2,837  
Cash balance at beginning of period
  32,518     1,506  
Cash balance at end of period
$ 25,000   $ 4,343  
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
           
Cash paid during the year for:
           
Interest – net of amount capitalized
$ 662   $ 4,571  
Income taxes
$ 168   $ 476  
 
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS DURING THE YEAR:
           
Community development district infrastructure
$ (1,362 ) $ (848 )
Consolidated inventory not owned
$ (4,826 ) $ (340 )
Distribution of single-family lots from unconsolidated limited liability companies
$ 2   $ 4,559  
Non-monetary exchange of fixed assets
$ -   $ 13,000  
Deferral of executive and director compensation
$ 138   $ 113  
Executive and director deferred compensation distributions
$ 211   $ 254  
 
         See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
M/I HOMES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE  1.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (the “financial statements”) of M/I Homes, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) and notes thereto have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information.  The financial statements include the accounts of M/I Homes, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.  Results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments (all of which are normal and recurring in nature) necessary for a fair presentation of financial results for the interim periods presented.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (“2008 Form 10-K”).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during that period.  Actual results could differ from these estimates and have a significant impact on the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.  With regard to the Company, estimates and assumptions are inherent in calculations relating to valuation of inventory and investment in unconsolidated limited liability companies (“LLCs”), property and equipment depreciation, valuation of derivative financial instruments, accounts payable on inventory, accruals for costs to complete, accruals for warranty claims, accruals for self-insured general liability claims, litigation, accruals for health care and workers’ compensation, accruals for guaranteed or indemnified loans, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes and contingencies.  Items that could have a significant impact on these estimates and assumptions include the risks and uncertainties listed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of this report, in Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009, and in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our 2008 Form 10-K.

NOTE 2.  Cash and Restricted Cash

The table below is a summary of our cash balances at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 
September 30, 2009
 
December 31, 2008
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
   
 
Homebuilding
$   11,243   $13,905
Financial services
    13,757     18,613
Unrestricted cash
    25,000     32,518
Restricted cash
    77,794       6,658
Total cash
$102,794   $39,176

Restricted cash consists of homebuilding cash the Company had in excess of $25.0 million at September 30, 2009, that is to be designated as collateral in accordance with the Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility dated October 6, 2006 (the “Credit Facility”).  Restricted cash also includes cash held in escrow of $10.9 million and $6.7 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

NOTE 3.  Impact of Accounting Standards

In June 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which amends the evaluation criteria to identify the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and requires ongoing reassessment of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.  The new guidance significantly changes the consolidation rules for VIEs, including the consolidation of common structures, such as joint ventures, equity method investments and collaboration arrangements.  The guidance is applicable to all new and existing VIEs.  This new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after November 15, 2009.  The Company is currently in the process of determining the impact, if any, this accounting guidance will have on its financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (the “Codification”).  The Codification became the single official source of authoritative, nongovernmental U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  The Codification did not change GAAP, but reorganizes the literature.  The Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, and the Company adopted the Codification during the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 

 
NOTE 4.   Fair Value Measurements

There are three measurement input levels for determining fair value:  Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.  Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.  Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis

The Company measures both mortgage loans held for sale and interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) at fair value.  Electing fair value allows a better offset of the changes in fair values of the loans and the derivative instruments used to economically hedge them.

In the normal course of business, our financial services 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 established time frames.  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 an investor.  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.  The Company does not engage in speculative or trading derivative activities.  Both the rate lock commitments to borrowers and the forward sale contracts to broker/dealers or investors are undesignated derivatives, and accordingly, are marked to fair value through earnings.  Changes in fair value measurements are included in earnings in the accompanying statements of operations.

The fair value is based on published prices for mortgage-backed securities with similar characteristics and the buyup fees received or buydown fees to be paid upon securitization of the loan.  The buyup 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 depends on the loan type. The Company applies a fallout rate to IRLCs 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 management’s judgment and 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.  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.

Loan Commitments:  IRLCs are extended to certain home-buying customers who have applied for a mortgage loan and meet certain defined credit and underwriting criteria.  Typically, the IRLCs will have a duration of less than six months; however, in certain markets, the duration could extend to twelve months.

Some IRLCs are committed to a specific third-party investor through the use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments matching the exact terms of the IRLC loan.  The notional amount of the committed IRLCs and the best-efforts contracts was $1.4 million and $21.2 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  At September 30, 2009, the fair value of the committed IRLCs resulted in a liability of less than $0.1 million and the related best-efforts contracts resulted in a liability of $0.1 million.  At December 31, 2008, the fair value of the committed IRLCs resulted in a liability of $0.1 million and the related best-efforts contracts resulted in a liability of less than $0.1 million.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized income of $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, relating to marking these committed IRLCs and the related best-efforts contracts to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized income of $0.1 million and expense of $0.1 million, respectively, relating to marking these committed IRLCs and the related best-efforts contracts to market.

Uncommitted IRLCs are considered derivative instruments, and are fair value adjusted, with the resulting gain or loss recorded in current earnings.  At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the notional amount of the uncommitted IRLCs was $83.9 million and $25.4 million, respectively.  The fair value adjustment related to these uncommitted IRLCs,
 

 
which is based on quoted market prices, resulted in an asset of $1.1 million and an asset of $0.8 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized income of $1.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, relating to marking the uncommitted IRLCs to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized income of $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, relating to marking the uncommitted IRLCs to market.

Forward Sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities: Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (“FMBSs”) are used to protect uncommitted IRLC loans against the risk of changes in interest rates between the lock date and the funding date.  FMBSs related to uncommitted IRLCs are classified and accounted for as non-designated derivative instruments and are recorded at fair value, with gains and losses recorded in current earnings.  At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the notional amount under these FMBSs was $86.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively, and the related fair value adjustment, which is based on quoted market prices, resulted in a liability of $0.7 million and a liability of $0.2 million, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized expense of $1.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, relating to marking these FMBSs to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized expense of $0.3 million and income of $0.1 million, respectively, relating to marking these FMBSs to market.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale:  Mortgage loans held for sale consist primarily of single-family residential loans collateralized by the underlying property.  During the intervening period between when a loan is closed and when it is sold to an investor, the interest rate risk is covered through the use of a best-efforts contract or by FMBSs.

The notional amount of the best-efforts contracts and related mortgage loans held for sale was $1.8 million and $13.6 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  The fair value of the best-efforts contracts and related mortgage loans held for sale resulted in a net liability of $0.2 million and a net asset of $0.2 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized income of $0.2 million and expense of $0.4 million, respectively, relating to marking these best-efforts contracts and the related mortgage loans held for sale to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized income of less than $0.1 million and expense of less than $0.1 million, respectively, relating to marking these best-efforts contracts and the related mortgage loans held for sale to market.

The notional amounts of the FMBSs and the related mortgage loans held for sale were $35.0 million and $34.6 million, respectively, at September 30, 2009 and both were $23.0 million at December 31, 2008.  The FMBSs are classified and accounted for as non-designated derivative instruments, with gains and losses recorded in current earnings.  As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the related fair value adjustment for marking these FMBSs to market resulted in a liability of $0.6 million and a liability of $0.9 million, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized expense of $1.2 million and income of $0.3 million, respectively, relating to marking these FMBSs to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized expense of $1.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, relating to marking these FMBSs to market.

The table below shows the level and measurement of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at September 30, 2009:

Description of asset or liability
(In thousands)
Fair Value
Measurements
September 30, 2009
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Mortgage loans held for sale
$ 871   $ -   $ 871   $ -
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities
  (1,334 )   -     (1,334 )   -
Interest rate lock commitments
  1,020     -     1,020     -
Best-efforts contracts
  (276 )   -     (276 )   -
Total
$ 281   $ -   $ 281   $ -

The table below shows the level and measurement of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at December 31, 2008:

Description of asset or liability
(In thousands)
Fair Value
Measurements
December 31, 2008
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Mortgage loans held for sale
$ 1,464   $ -   $ 1,464   $ -
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities
  (1,104 )   -     (1,104 )   -
Interest rate lock commitments
  638     -     638     -
Best-efforts contracts
  73     -     73     -
Total
$ 1,071   $ -   $ 1,071   $ -
 

 
Assets Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company assesses inventory for recoverability on a quarterly basis by reviewing for impairment whenever events or changes in local or national economic conditions indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  During this review, we identify communities whose carrying values may exceed their undiscounted cash flows.  For those communities deemed to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the communities exceeds the fair value of the communities.

Our determination of fair value is based on projections and estimates, which are Level 3 measurement inputs.  Our analysis is completed at a phase level within each community; therefore, changes in local conditions may affect one or several of our communities.  For all of the categories discussed below, the key assumptions relating to the valuations are dependent on project-specific local market and/or community conditions and are inherently uncertain.  Because each inventory asset is unique, there are numerous inputs and assumptions used in our valuation techniques.  Local market-specific factors that may impact these projected assumptions include:

historical project results such as average sales price and sales pace, if closings have occurred in the project;
competitors’ local market and/or community presence and their competitive actions;
project specific attributes such as location desirability and uniqueness of product offering;
potential for alternative product offerings to respond to local market conditions;
current local market economic and demographic conditions and related trends and forecasts; and
community-specific strategies regarding speculative homes.

These and other local market-specific factors that may impact project assumptions discussed above are considered by personnel in our homebuilding divisions as they prepare or update the forecasted assumptions for each community. Quantitative and qualitative factors other than home sales prices could significantly impact our fair value measurements.  The sales objectives can differ between communities, even within a given sub-market.  For example, facts and circumstances in a given community may lead us to price our homes with the objective of yielding a higher sales absorption pace, while facts and circumstances in another community may lead us to price our homes to minimize deterioration in our gross margins, although it may result in a slower sales absorption pace.  Furthermore, the key assumptions included in our estimated future undiscounted cash flows may be interrelated.  For example, a decrease in estimated base sales price or an increase in home sales incentives may result in a corresponding increase in sales absorption pace.  Additionally, a decrease in the average sales price of homes to be sold and closed in future reporting periods for one community that has not been generating what management believes to be an adequate sales absorption pace may impact the estimated cash flow assumptions of a nearby community.  Changes in our key assumptions, including estimated construction and development costs, absorption pace, selling strategies, or discount rates, could materially impact future cash flow and fair value estimates.

Operating communities. For existing operating communities, the fair value of assets is measured on a quarterly basis using future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales.  These estimated cash flows are developed based primarily on management’s assumptions relating to the specific community.  The significant assumptions used to evaluate the fair value include:  the timing of development and/or marketing phases; projected sales price and sales pace of each existing or planned phase within a community; the estimated land development, home construction, and selling costs of the community; overall market supply and demand; the local market; and competitive conditions.  Management reviews these assumptions on a quarterly basis.  While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change.  These assumptions vary widely across different communities and geographies and are largely dependent on local market conditions.

Future communities.  For raw land or land under development that management anticipates will be utilized for future homebuilding activities, the fair value of assets is measured by using future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales, consistent with the evaluations performed for operating communities discussed above.

For raw land, land under development, or lots that management intends to market for sale to a third party, but that do not meet all of the criteria to be classified as land held for sale as discussed below, the fair value of the assets is determined based on either offers to purchase the land received from willing market participants, or using cash flow valuation techniques.

Land held for sale.  Land held for sale includes land that meets all of the following six criteria:  (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset; (2) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated; (4) the sale of the asset is
 
10 

 
probable, and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year; (5) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.  In measuring the estimated fair value of land held for sale, management considers, among other things, prices for land in recent comparable sales transactions, market analysis and recent bona fide offers received from outside third parties, as well as actual contracts.

Investment in unconsolidated limited liability companies. The Company evaluates its investment in LLCs for potential impairment on a quarterly basis.  If the fair value of the investment is less than the investment’s carrying value and the Company has determined that the decline in value is other than temporary, the Company would write down the value of the investment to fair value.  The determination of whether an investment’s fair value is less than the carrying value requires management to make certain assumptions regarding the amount and timing of future contributions to the LLC, the timing of distribution of lots to the Company from the LLC, the projected fair value of the lots at the time of distribution to the Company, and the estimated proceeds from, and timing of, the sale of land or lots to third parties.  In determining the fair value of investments in unconsolidated LLCs, the Company evaluates the projected cash flows associated with the LLC using a probability-weighted approach based on the likelihood of different outcomes.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company used a discount rate of 16% in determining the fair value of investments in unconsolidated LLCs.  In addition to the assumptions management must make to determine if the investment’s fair value is less than the carrying value, management must also use judgment in determining whether the impairment is other than temporary.  The factors management considers are: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost; (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the Company; and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the limited liability company for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.  In situations where the investments are 100% equity financed by the partners, and the joint venture simply distributes lots to its partners, the Company evaluates “other than temporary” by preparing an undiscounted cash flow model as described in inventory above for operating communities.  If such model results in positive value versus carrying value, and the fair value of the investment is less than the investment’s carrying value, the Company determines that the impairment is temporary; otherwise, the Company determines that the impairment is other than temporary and impairs the investment.  Because of the high degree of judgment involved in developing these assumptions, it is possible that the Company may determine the investment is not impaired in the current period but, due to passage of time or changes in market conditions leading to changes in assumptions, impairment could occur.

The table below shows the level and measurement of assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis for the three months ended September 30, 2009:

Description of asset or liability
(In thousands)
Fair Value
Measurements
September 30, 2009
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Losses (a)
Inventory (b)
$25,826 $       - $       - $25,826 $14,862
Investment in LLCs (c)
      543          -          -        543          88
Total fair value measurements
$26,369 $       - $       - $26,369 $14,950

(a)
Represents total losses recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

(b)
Inventory, with a carrying value of $40.7 million was written down to fair value of $25.8 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $14.9 million, which was included in land and housing costs in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for three months ended September 30, 2009.  There were additional impairment charges of less than $0.1 million related to homes closed during the three months ended September 30, 2009, and therefore are not included in the carrying value.

(c)
Investments in LLCs with an aggregate carrying value of $0.6 million were written down to their fair value of $0.5 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $0.1 million, which is included in land and housing costs in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
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The table below shows the level and measurement of assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

Description of asset or liability
(In thousands)
Fair Value
Measurements
September 30, 2009
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Losses (a)
Inventory (b)
$56,857 $       - $       - $56,857 $22,696
Investment in LLCs (c)
    2,646         -          -    2,646     6,896
Total fair value measurements
$59,503 $       - $       - $59,503 $29,592
 
(a)
Represents total losses recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 

(b)
Inventory, with a carrying value of $79.6 million was written down to fair value of $56.9 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $22.7 million, which was included in land and housing costs in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The additional $2.9 million taken in impairment charges related to homes closed during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and therefore are not included in the carrying value.
 
(c)
Investments in LLCs with an aggregate carrying value of $9.5 million were written down to their fair value of $2.6 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $6.9 million, which is included in land and housing costs in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

NOTE 5.  Risk Management and Derivatives

As described in Note 4 above, in the normal course of business, our financial services segment is exposed to interest rate risk, and the Company uses derivatives to help manage this risk.

To meet the financing needs of our home-buying customers, M/I Financial Corp., our wholly-owned subsidiary (“M/I Financial”), is party to IRLCs, which are extended to customers who have applied for a mortgage loan and meet certain defined credit and underwriting criteria.  These IRLCs are considered derivative financial instruments.  M/I Financial manages interest rate risk related to its IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale through the use of FMBSs, use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments and the occasional purchase of options on FMBSs in accordance with Company policy.  These FMBSs, options on FMBSs and IRLCs covered by FMBSs are considered non-designated derivatives.

Certain IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale are committed to third party investors through the use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments.  The IRLCs and related best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments, which generally are highly effective from an economic standpoint, are considered non-designated derivatives and are accounted for at fair value, with gains or losses recorded in financial services revenue.  Under the terms of these best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments covering mortgage loans held for sale, the specific committed mortgage loans held for sale are identified and matched to specific delivery commitments on a loan-by-loan basis.  The delivery commitments and loans held for sale are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in financial services revenue.

All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value.  The total notional amount of the Company’s derivatives as of September 30, 2009 was $209.5 million.  Refer to Note 4 above for further discussion surrounding our derivative instruments.

 
Asset Derivatives
At September 30, 2009
 
Liability Derivatives
At September 30, 2009
Description of Derivatives
Balance Sheet
Location
Fair Value
(in thousands)
 
Balance Sheet
Location
Fair Value
(in thousands)
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities
Other assets
  $       -  
Other liabilities
  $1,334
Interest rate lock commitments
Other assets
    1,020  
Other liabilities
           -
Best-efforts contracts
Other assets
          -  
Other liabilities
       276
Total fair value measurements
    $1,020       $1,610
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized on Derivatives
 
Description of Derivatives
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
(in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
(in thousands)
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized on Derivatives
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities
              $(2,341)   $(230)
Financial Services Revenue
Interest rate lock commitments
                 1,240    382
Financial Services Revenue
Best-efforts contracts
                     (99)     (349)
Financial Services Revenue
Total gain (loss) recognized on derivatives
              $ 1,200   $(197)  
 
 
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NOTE 6.  Inventory

A summary of the Company’s inventory as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is as follows:

 
September 30,
 
December 31,
(In thousands)
2009
 
2008
  Single-family lots, land and land development costs
$ 259,651   $ 333,651
  Land held for sale
  2,804     2,804
  Homes under construction
  206,361     150,949
  Model homes and furnishings - at cost (less accumulated depreciation:  September 30, 2009 - $2,962;
         
 December 31, 2008 - $2,130)
  14,980     12,928
  Community development district infrastructure
  9,013     10,376
  Land purchase deposits
  738     1,070
  Consolidated inventory not owned
  723     4,251
  Total inventory
$ 494,270   $ 516,029

Single-family lots, land and land development costs include raw land that the Company has purchased to develop into lots, costs incurred to develop the raw land into lots, and lots for which development has been completed but which have not yet been used to start construction of a home.

Land held for sale includes land that meets all of the following criteria:  (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset; (2) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated; (4) the sale of the asset is probable, and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year; (5) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.  The Company records land held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.

Homes under construction include homes that are finished and ready for delivery and homes in various stages of construction.  As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we had 388 homes (valued at $42.2 million) and 431 homes (valued at $69.6 million), respectively, included in homes under construction that were not subject to a sales contract.

Model homes and furnishings include homes that are under construction or have been completed and are being used as sales models.  The amount also includes the net book value of furnishings included in our model homes.  Depreciation on model home furnishings is recorded using an accelerated method over the estimated useful life of the assets, typically three years.

The Company assesses inventory for recoverability on a quarterly basis, by reviewing for impairment whenever events or changes in local or national economic conditions indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Refer to Note 7 below for additional details relating to our procedures for evaluating our inventories for impairment.

Land purchase deposits include both refundable and non-refundable amounts paid to third party sellers relating to the purchase of land.  On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the land option agreements relating to the land purchase deposits.  In the period during which the Company makes the decision not to proceed with the purchase of land under an agreement, the Company writes off any deposits and accumulated pre-acquisition costs relating to such agreement.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company wrote off $0.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in option deposits and pre-acquisition costs.  Refer to Note 7 below for additional details relating to write-offs of land option deposits and pre-acquisition costs.

NOTE 7.  Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs

The Company assesses inventory for recoverability on a quarterly basis, by reviewing for impairment whenever events or changes in local or national economic conditions indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Operating communities.  For existing operating communities which may have impairment indicators, the recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales.  These estimated cash flows are developed based primarily on management’s assumptions relating to the specific community.  The significant assumptions used to evaluate the recoverability of assets include:  the timing of development and/or marketing phases, projected sales price and sales pace of each existing or planned community; the estimated land development and home construction and selling costs of the community; overall market supply and demand; the local market; and competitive conditions.
 
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Future communities.  For raw land or land under development that management anticipates will be utilized for future homebuilding activities, the recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales, consistent with the evaluations performed for operating communities discussed above.

For raw land, land under development or lots that management intends to market for sale to a third party, but that do not meet all of the criteria to be classified as land held for sale as discussed above in Note 6, the recoverability of the assets is determined based on either the estimated net sales proceeds expected to be realized on the sale of the assets or the estimated fair value determined using cash flow valuation techniques.

If the Company has not yet determined whether raw land or land under development will be utilized for future homebuilding activities or marketed for sale to a third party, the Company assesses the recoverability of the inventory using a probability-weighted approach.

Land held for sale.  Land held for sale includes land that meets the six criteria discussed above in Note 6.  The Company records land held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.  Fair value is determined based on the expected third party sale proceeds.

Investments in unconsolidated limited liability companies.  The Company assesses investments in unconsolidated LLCs for impairment on a quarterly basis.  When evaluating the LLCs, if the fair value of the investment is less than the investment carrying value, and the Company determines the decline in value is other than temporary, the Company would write down the investment to fair value.  The Company’s LLCs engage in land acquisition and development activities for the purpose of selling or distributing (in the form of a capital distribution) developed lots to the Company and its partners in the entity, as further discussed in Note 9.

As of September 30, 2009, we utilized discount rates ranging from 13% to 16% in the above valuations.  The discount rate used in determining each asset’s fair value depends on the community’s projected life, development stage, and the inherent risks associated with the related estimated cash flow stream as well as current risk free rates available in the market and estimated market risk premiums.

A summary of the Company’s valuation adjustments and write-offs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
Impairment of operating communities:
             
  Midwest
$ 7,033   $ 15,942   $ 9,896   $ 26,858
  Florida
  2,821     1,682     6,693     6,273
  Mid-Atlantic
  22     10,249     4,001     16,762
Total impairment of operating communities (a)
$ 9,876   $ 27,873   $ 20,590   $ 49,893
Impairment of future communities:
                     
  Midwest
$ 1,524   $ -   $ 1,524   $ 1,524
  Florida
  3,474     -     3,474     4,380
  Mid-Atlantic
  -     -     -     -
Total impairment of future communities (a)
$ 4,998   $ -   $ 4,998   $ 5,904
Impairment of land held for sale:
                     
  Midwest
$ -   $ 4,241   $ -   $ 4,599
  Florida
  -     7,080     -     24,553
  Mid-Atlantic
  -     309     -     309
Total impairment of land held for sale (a)
$ -   $ 11,630   $ -   $ 29,461
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:
                     
  Midwest
$ 24   $ 1   $ 547   $ 26
  Florida
  6     4     20     137
  Mid-Atlantic
  42     351     921     1,405
Total option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs (b)
$ 72   $ 356   $ 1,488   $ 1,568
Impairment of investments in unconsolidated LLCs:
                     
  Midwest
$ -   $ 1,167   $ 72   $ 1,343
  Florida
  88     2,496     6,824     17,544
  Mid-Atlantic
  -     -     -     -
Total impairment of investments in unconsolidated LLCs (a)
$ 88   $ 3,663   $ 6,896   $ 18,887
 
  Total impairments and write-offs of option deposits and
                     
    pre-acquisition costs
$ 15,034   $ 43,522   $ 33,972   $ 105,713

(a)
Amounts are recorded within impairment of inventory and investment in unconsolidated LLCs in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(b)
Amounts are recorded within general and administrative expense in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
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NOTE  8.  Capitalized Interest

The Company capitalizes interest during land development and home construction.  Capitalized interest is charged to cost of sales as the related inventory is delivered to a third party.  A summary of capitalized interest is as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Capitalized interest, beginning of period
$ 25,387   $ 28,123   $ 25,838   $ 29,212  
Interest capitalized to inventory
  2,942     2,476     7,221     7,699  
Capitalized interest charged to cost of sales
  (3,363 )   (3,420 )   (8,093 )   (9,732 )
Capitalized interest, end of period
$ 24,966   $ 27,179   $ 24,966   $ 27,179  
 
Interest incurred
$ 4,240   $ 4,626   $ 13,526   $ 16,394  

NOTE 9.  Investment in Unconsolidated Limited Liability Companies

At September 30, 2009, the Company had interests ranging from 33% to 50% in LLCs that do not meet the criteria of variable interest entities because each of the entities had sufficient equity at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from the equity investors, and one of these LLCs has outside financing that is not guaranteed by the Company.  These LLCs engage in land acquisition and development activities for the purpose of selling or distributing (in the form of a capital distribution) developed lots to the Company and its partners in the entity.  In one of these LLCs, the Company and its partner in the entity have provided the lender with environmental indemnifications and a guarantee of the completion of land development, a loan maintenance and limited payment guaranty, and guarantees of minimum net worth levels of one of the Company’s subsidiaries as more fully described in Note 10 below.  The Company’s maximum exposure related to its investment in these entities as of September 30, 2009 is the amount invested of $7.7 million plus letters of credit and bonds totaling $0.5 million and the estimated possible future obligation of $10.6 million under the guarantees and indemnifications discussed in Note 10 below.  Included in the Company’s investment in LLCs at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of capitalized interest and other costs.  The Company does not have a controlling interest in these LLCs; therefore, they are recorded using the equity method of accounting.  The Company did not receive any distributions of developed lots at cost for the three months ended September 30, 2009, and less than $0.1 million of distributions of developed lots for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company received distributions of developed lots at cost of $0.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively.

The Company evaluates its investment in unconsolidated LLCs for potential impairment on a quarterly basis.  If the fair value of the investment is less than the investment carrying value, and the Company determines the decline in value was other than temporary, the Company would write down the investment to fair value.

NOTE  10.  Guarantees and Indemnifications

Warranty

The Company offers a limited warranty program (“Home Builder’s Limited Warranty”) in conjunction with its thirty-year transferable structural limited warranty, on homes closed in or after 2007.  The Home Builder’s Limited Warranty covers construction defects and certain damage resulting from construction defects for a statutory period based on geographic market and state law (currently ranging from five to ten years for the states in which the Company operates) and includes a mandatory arbitration clause.  Prior to this warranty program, the Company provided up to a two-year limited warranty on materials and workmanship and a twenty-year (for homes closed between 1989 and 1998) and a thirty-year (for homes closed during or after 1998) transferable limited warranty against major structural defects.

 
15 

 
Warranty expense is accrued as the home sale is recognized and is intended to cover estimated material and outside labor costs to be incurred during the warranty period.  The accrual amounts are based upon historical experience and geographic location.  A summary of warranty activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Warranty accrual, beginning of period
$ 7,532   $ 10,441   $ 9,518   $ 12,006  
Warranty expense on homes delivered during the period
  1,310     1,344     3,129     3,512  
Changes in estimates for pre-existing warranties
  234     471     (789 )   538  
Settlements made during the period
  (2,048 )   (2,371 )   (4,830 )   (6,171 )
Warranty accrual, end of period
$ 7,028   $ 9,885   $ 7,028   $ 9,885  

Guarantees and Indemnities

In the ordinary course of business, M/I Financial enters into agreements that guarantee certain purchasers of its mortgage loans that M/I Financial will repurchase a loan if certain conditions occur, primarily if the mortgagor does not meet those conditions of the loan within the first six months after the sale of the loan.  Loans totaling approximately $128.0 million and $64.4 million were covered under the above guarantees as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  A portion of the revenue paid to M/I Financial for providing the guarantees on the above loans was deferred at September 30, 2009, and will be recognized in income as M/I Financial is released from its obligation under the guarantees.  M/I Financial has not repurchased any loans under the above agreements in 2009 or 2008, but has provided indemnifications to third party investors in lieu of repurchasing certain loans.  The total of these indemnified loans was approximately $3.8 million and $2.8 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  The risk associated with the guarantees and indemnities above is offset by the value of the underlying assets.  The Company has accrued management’s best estimate of the probable loss on the above loans.

M/I Financial has also guaranteed the collectability of certain loans to third-party insurers of those loans for periods ranging from five to thirty years.  The maximum potential amount of future payments is equal to the outstanding loan value less the value of the underlying asset plus administrative costs incurred related to foreclosure on the loans, should this event occur.  The total of these costs are estimated to be $1.8 million and $1.5 million as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, and would be offset by the value of the underlying assets.  The Company has accrued management’s best estimate of the probable loss on the above loans.

The Company has also provided certain other guarantees and indemnifications.  The Company has provided an environmental indemnification to an unrelated third-party seller of land in connection with the Company’s purchase of that land.  In addition, the Company has provided an environmental indemnification, a loan maintenance and limited payment guaranty and a minimum net worth guarantee of one of the Company’s subsidiaries in connection with outside financing provided by a lender to one of our 50% owned LLCs.  Under the environmental indemnification, the Company and its partner in the applicable LLC are jointly and severally liable for any environmental claims relating to the property that are brought against the lender.  Under the loan maintenance and limited payment guaranty, the Company and the applicable LLC partner have jointly and severally agreed to the third-party lender to fund any shortfall in the event the ratio of the loan balance to the current fair market value of the property under development by the LLC is below a certain threshold.  As of September 30, 2009, the total maximum amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under the loan maintenance and limited payment guaranty was approximately $10.6 million.  Under the above guarantees and indemnifications, the LLC operating agreement provides recourse against our LLC partner for 50% of any actual liability associated with the environmental indemnification, land development completion guarantee and the loan maintenance and limited payment guaranty.
 
The Company has recorded a liability relating to the guarantees and indemnities described above totaling $1.4 million and $1.9 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, which is management’s best estimate of the fair value of the Company’s liability.

The Company has also provided a guarantee of the performance and payment obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiary, M/I Financial, up to an aggregate principle amount of $13.0 million.  The guarantee was provided to a government-sponsored enterprise to which M/I Financial delivers loans.

NOTE 11.  Commitments and Contingencies

At September 30, 2009, the Company had sales agreements outstanding, some of which have contingencies for financing approval, to deliver 1,060 homes, with an aggregate sales price of approximately $263.2 million.  Based on our current housing gross margin of 14.6%, less variable selling costs of 4.0% of revenue, less payments to date on homes in backlog of $140.7 million, we estimate payments totaling approximately $94.6 million to be made in 2009 relating to those homes.
 
16 

 
At September 30, 2009, the Company also had options and contingent purchase agreements to acquire land and developed lots with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $83.3 million.  Purchase of such properties is contingent upon satisfaction of certain requirements by the Company and the sellers.

At September 30, 2009, the Company had outstanding approximately $56.3 million of completion bonds and standby letters of credit, some of which were issued to various local governmental entities that expire at various times through December 2016.  Included in this total are: (1) $28.7 million of performance bonds and $15.2 million of performance letters of credit that serve as completion bonds for land development work in progress (including the Company’s $0.3 million share of our LLCs’ letters of credit and bonds); (2) $8.2 million of financial letters of credit, of which $1.6 million represent deposits on land and lot purchase agreements; and (3) $4.2 million of financial bonds.
 
During the first nine months of 2009, the Company identified approximately 80 homes that have been confirmed as having defective imported drywall installed by our subcontractors.  All of these homes are located in Florida.  The Company has accrued $9.7 million for their repair and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we have charged $1.7 million against that accrual. 
 
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various other claims, complaints and other legal actions incidental to the Company’s business.  Certain of the liabilities resulting from these actions are covered by insurance.  While management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or overall trends in results of operations, such matters are subject to inherent uncertainties.  The Company has recorded a liability to provide for the anticipated costs, including legal defense costs, associated with the resolution of these matters.  However, there exists the possibility that the costs to resolve these matters could differ from the recorded estimates and, therefore, have a material adverse impact on the Company’s net income for the periods in which the matters are resolved.

NOTE 12.  Universal Shelf Registration

On May 19, 2009, we raised $52.6 million by issuing 4,475,600 shares of our common stock in a public offering, pursuant to the $250 million universal shelf registration filed by the Company with the SEC in August 2008.

As of September 30, 2009, $194.1 million remains available for future offerings under the $250 million universal shelf registration.  Pursuant to the filing, the Company may, from time to time over an extended period, offer new debt, preferred stock and/or other equity securities.  The timing and amount of offerings, if any, will depend on market and general business conditions.

NOTE 13.  Shareholders’ Equity

The Company issued 4,475,600 shares of its common stock in a public offering on May 19, 2009.  The Company raised approximately $52.6 million from that issuance, which is intended to be used for general corporate purposes.

NOTE 14.  Notes Payable Banks

The Initial Period of our Credit Facility has been extended for the third and final time to October 20, 2009.  During the Initial Period, any cash in excess of $25 million is collateral.  After the Initial Period expired, $54.1 million of our restricted cash became unrestricted.

On September 23, 2009, M/I Financial entered into the First Amendment to their secured credit agreement (“MIF Credit Agreement”) to increase the maximum borrowing availability from $20.0 million to $30.0 million.

On July 27, 2009, the Company entered into four secured Letter of Credit Facilities (“LOC Facilities”) with a borrowing capacity of $35 million.  The LOC Facilities mature on September 30, 2010.
 
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NOTE 15.   Senior Notes

As of September 30, 2009, there were $200 million of senior notes outstanding.  The indenture governing our senior notes contains restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of the Company to pay dividends on common and preferred shares, or repurchase any shares.  If our “consolidated restricted payments basket,” as defined in the indenture governing our senior notes, is less than zero, we are restricted from making certain payments, including dividends, as well as from repurchasing any shares.  At September 30, 2009, our restricted payments basket was ($163.0) million.  As a result of this deficit, we are currently restricted from paying dividends on our common shares and our 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares (which are non-cumulative), and from repurchasing any shares under our common shares repurchase program that was authorized by our Board of Directors in November 2005.  These restrictions do not affect our compliance with any of the covenants contained in the Credit Facility and will not permit the lenders under the Credit Facility to accelerate the loans.  The Credit Facility discussed above in Note 14 prohibits the early repurchase of such senior notes.

NOTE 16.  Loss Per Share

Loss per share (“EPS”) is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.  The difference between basic and diluted shares outstanding is due to the effect of dilutive stock options and deferred compensation.  There are no adjustments to net loss necessary in the calculation of basic or diluted earnings per share.  The tables below present information regarding basic and diluted loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2009
 
2008
 
Loss
 
Shares
 
EPS
 
Loss
 
Shares
 
EPS
Basic loss from continuing operations
$(21,074)           $(58,655)        
Less: preferred stock dividends
            -                      -        
Loss to common shareholders from continuing operations
$(21,074)   18,514   $(1.14)   $(58,655)   14,019   $(4.18)
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                     
   Stock option awards
              -                   -    
   Deferred compensation awards
             -                   -    
Diluted loss to common shareholders from
                     
    continuing operations
$(21,074)   18,514   $(1.14)   $(58,655)   14,019   $(4.18)
 
Anti-dilutive stock equivalent awards not included in the
                     
  calculation of diluted loss per share
       1,771            1,420    

 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2009
 
2008
 
Loss
 
Shares
 
EPS
 
Loss
 
Shares
 
EPS
Basic loss from continuing operations
$(69,105)           $(170,055)        
Less: preferred stock dividends
           -                 4,875        
Loss to common shareholders from continuing operations
$(69,105)   16,127   $(4.29)   $(174,930)   14,014   $(12.48)
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                     
   Stock option awards
             -                      -    
   Deferred compensation awards
             -                     -    
Diluted loss to common shareholders from
                     
    continuing operations
$(69,105)   16,127   $(4.29)   $(174,930)   14,014   $(12.48)
 
Anti-dilutive stock equivalent awards not included in the
                     
  calculation of diluted loss per share
     1,710            1,398    

NOTE 17.  Income Taxes

Deferred federal and state income tax assets primarily represent the deferred tax benefits arising from temporary differences between book and tax income which will be recognized in future years as an offset against future taxable income.  These assets were largely generated as a result of inventory impairments that the Company incurred in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.  If, for some reason, the combination of future years’ income (or loss), combined with the reversal of the timing differences, results in a loss, such losses can be carried back to prior years or carried forward to future years to recover the deferred tax assets.

The Company evaluates its deferred tax assets, including net operating losses, to determine if a valuation allowance is required.  We are required to assess whether a valuation allowance should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard.  In making such judgments, significant weight is given to
 
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evidence that can be objectively verified.  A cumulative loss in recent years is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable, and also restricts the amount of reliance on projections of future taxable income to support the recovery of deferred tax assets.  The Company’s current and prior year losses present the most significant negative evidence as to whether the Company needs to reduce its deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance.  We are now in a four-year cumulative pre-tax loss position during the years 2005 through 2009.  We currently believe the cumulative weight of the negative evidence exceeds that of the positive evidence and, as a result, it is more likely than not that we will not be able to utilize all of our deferred tax assets.  Therefore, as of September 30, 2009, the Company has recorded a total valuation allowance of $136.4 million against its deferred tax assets.  In 2009, we do not expect to record any additional tax benefits as the carryback has been exhausted.  The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon an estimate of future results.  Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.

At September 30, 2009, the Company had a Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward of approximately $55.8 million.  This Federal carryforward benefit will begin to expire in 2028.  The Company also had state NOL benefits of $11.1 million.  These state carryforward benefits will begin to expire in 2022.  

NOTE 18.  Financial Instruments

Counterparty Credit Risk.  To reduce the risk associated with accounting losses that would be recognized if counterparties failed to perform as contracted, the Company limits the entities that management can enter into a commitment with to the primary dealers in the market.  This risk of accounting loss is the difference between the market rate at the time of non-performance by the counterparty and the rate the Company committed to. The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price).

 
September 30, 2009
 
December 31, 2008
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
(In thousands)
Amount
 
Value
 
Amount
 
Value
Assets:
             
   Cash, including cash in escrow
$ 102,794   $ 102,794   $ 39,176   $ 39,176
   Mortgage loans held for sale
  37,087     37,087     37,772     37,772
   Other assets
  11,404     11,273     14,282     13,813
   Notes receivable
  4,000     4,000     5,000     5,356
   Commitments to extend real estate loans
  1,020     1,020     638     638
   Best-efforts contracts for committed IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale
  -     -     73     73
Liabilities:
                     
   Notes payable - banks
  26,622     26,622     35,078     35,078
   Mortgage notes payable
  6,233     7,201     6,442     9,819
   Notes payable - other
  -     -     9,857     9,857
   Senior notes
  199,360     184,250     199,168     105,000
   Best-efforts contracts for committed IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale
  276     276     -     -
   Forward sale of mortgage-backed securities
  1,334     1,334     1,104     1,104
   Other liabilities
  56,340     56,340     54,183     54,183
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments:
                     
   Letters of credit
  -     817     -     727

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures of financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

Cash, Cash Held in Escrow and Other Liabilities.  The carrying amounts of these items approximate fair value.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, Forward Sale of Mortgage-Backed Securities, Commitments to Extend Real Estate Loans, Best-Efforts Contracts for Committed IRLCs and Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, Notes Payable - Other and Senior Notes.  The fair value of these financial instruments was determined based upon market quotes at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  The market quotes used were quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities along with inputs taken from observable market data by correlation.  The inputs were adjusted to account for the condition of the asset or liability.

Other Assets and Notes Receivable.  The estimated fair value was determined by calculating the present value of the amounts based on the estimated timing of receipts.

Notes Payable - Banks.  The interest rate currently available to the Company fluctuates with the Alternate Base Rate or Eurodollar Rate (for the Credit Facility) or LIBOR (for the MIF Credit Facility), and thus their carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
 
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Mortgage Notes Payable.  The estimated fair value was determined by calculating the present value of the future cash flows.

Letters of Credit.  Letters of credit and outstanding completion bonds of $56.3 million and $80.1 million represent potential commitments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  The letters of credit generally expire within one or two years.  The estimated fair value of letters of credit was determined using fees currently charged for similar agreements.

NOTE 19.  Business Segments

The Company’s segment information is presented on the basis that the chief operating decision makers use in evaluating segment performance.  The Company’s chief operating decision makers evaluate the Company’s performance in various ways, including: (1) the results of our nine individual homebuilding operating segments and the results of the financial services operation; (2) the results of our three homebuilding regions; and (3) our consolidated financial results.  We have determined our reportable segments as follows: Midwest homebuilding, Florida homebuilding, Mid-Atlantic homebuilding and financial services operations.  The homebuilding operating segments that are included within each reportable segment have similar operations and exhibit similar economic characteristics.  Our homebuilding operations include the acquisition and development of land, the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached homes, and the occasional sale of lots to third parties.  The homebuilding operating segments that comprise each of our reportable segments are as follows:
 
Midwest
Florida
Mid-Atlantic
Columbus, Ohio
Tampa, Florida
Washington, D.C.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Orlando, Florida
Charlotte, North Carolina
Indianapolis, Indiana
 
Raleigh, North Carolina
Chicago, Illinois
   

The financial services operations include the origination and sale of mortgage loans and title services primarily for purchasers of the Company’s homes.

 
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The chief operating decision makers utilize operating profits (losses), defined as profits (losses) before interest expense and income taxes, as a performance measure.  Selected financial information for our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is presented below:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Revenue:
               
Midwest homebuilding
$ 71,240   $ 64,564   $ 157,980   $ 171,042  
Florida homebuilding
  22,690     29,979     67,483     119,620  
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding
  54,749     63,270     129,328     148,526  
Other homebuilding - unallocated (a)
  -     -     -     7,131  
Financial services
  4,059     2,572     10,242     11,153  
Total revenue
$ 152,738   $ 160,385   $ 365,033   $ 457,472  
 
Operating (loss) income:
                       
Midwest homebuilding (b)
$ (5,932 ) $ (25,137 ) $ (15,282 ) $ (43,496 )
Florida homebuilding (b)
  (11,702 )   (12,599 )   (30,101 )   (55,208 )
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding (b)
  2,293     (12,047 )   (3,710 )   (22,280 )
Other homebuilding - unallocated (a)
  -     -     -     502  
Financial services
  2,135     732     4,971     5,325  
Less: Corporate selling, general and administrative expense (c)
  (6,449 )   (7,222 )   (17,428 )   (20,313 )
Total operating loss
$ (19,655 ) $ (56,273 ) $ (61,550 ) $ (135,470 )
 
Interest expense:
                       
Midwest homebuilding
$ 638   $ 1,181   $ 3,081   $ 3,900  
Florida homebuilding
  229     302     1,317     1,813  
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding
  303     553     1,673     2,624  
Financial services
  128     114     234     358  
Total interest expense
$ 1,298   $ 2,150   $ 6,305   $ 8,695  
 
Other (loss) income (d)
  -     -     (941 )   5,555  
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
$ (20,953 ) $ (58,423 ) $ (68,796 ) $ (138,610 )

(a)
Other homebuilding – unallocated consists of the net impact in the period due to timing of homes delivered with low down-payment loans (buyers put less than 5% down) funded by the Company’s financial services operations not yet sold to a third party.  In accordance with applicable accounting rules, recognition of such revenue must be deferred until the related loan is sold to a third party.  Refer to the Revenue Recognition policy described in our Application of Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further discussion.

(b)
For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the impact of charges relating to the impairment of inventory and investment in unconsolidated LLCs and the write-off of land deposits and pre-acquisition costs was $15.0 million and $43.5 million, respectively.  These charges reduced operating income by $8.6 million and $21.3 million in the Midwest region, $6.4 million and $11.3 million in the Florida region and less than $0.1 million and $10.9 million in the Mid-Atlantic region for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the impact of charges relating to the impairment of inventory and investment in unconsolidated LLCs and the write-off of land deposits and pre-acquisition costs was $34.0 million and $105.7 million, respectively.  These charges reduced operating income by $12.0 million and $34.3 million in the Midwest region, $17.0 million and $52.9 million in the Florida region and $5.0 million and $18.5 million in the Mid-Atlantic region for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

(c)
The three and nine months ended September, 2009 include the impact of severance charges of less than $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and the three and nine months ended September, 2008 include the impact of severance charges of $0.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

(d)
Other (loss) income is comprised of the loss on the sale of the plane during the first quarter of 2009, and the gain recognized on the exchange of the Company’s airplane during the first quarter of 2008.

 
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The following table shows total assets by segment as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 
At September 30, 2009
             
Corporate,
   
             
Financial Services
   
(In thousands)
Midwest
 
Florida
 
Mid-Atlantic
 
and Unallocated
 
Total
Deposits on real estate under option or contract
$ 713   $ -   $ 25   $ -   $ 738
Inventory
  246,598     83,735     163,199     -     493,532
Investment in unconsolidated entities
  6,524     1,132     -     -     7,656
Other assets
  5,151     10,304     7,983     152,568     176,006
Total assets
$ 258,986   $ 95,171   $ 171,207   $ 152,568   $ 677,932


 
At December 31, 2008
             
Corporate,
   
             
Financial Services
   
(In thousands)
Midwest
 
Florida
 
Mid-Atlantic
 
and Unallocated
 
Total
Deposits on real estate under option or contract
$ 96   $ 32   $ 942   $ -   $ 1,070
Inventory
  232,853     102,500     179,606     -     514,959
Investment in unconsolidated entities
  6,359     6,771     -     -     13,130
Other assets
  2,758     12,284     4,720     144,367     164,129
Total assets
$ 242,066   $ 121,587   $ 185,268   $ 144,367   $ 693,288

NOTE 20.  Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through October 30, 2009, which is the date these financial statements were issued, and no material subsequent events occurred between September 30, 2009 and October 30, 2009.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
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ITEM 2:  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
   RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW

M/I Homes, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”) is one of the nation’s leading builders of single-family homes, having delivered nearly 75,000 homes since we commenced homebuilding in 1976.  The Company’s homes are marketed and sold under the trade names M/I Homes and Showcase Homes.  The Company has homebuilding operations in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; Tampa and Orlando, Florida; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; and the Virginia and Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.  In 2008, the latest year for which information is available, we were the 21st largest U.S. single-family homebuilder (based on homes delivered) as ranked by Builder Magazine.

Included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are the following topics relevant to the Company’s performance and financial condition:

Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements
Our Application of Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
Our Results of Operations
Discussion of Our Liquidity and Capital Resources
Update of Our Contractual Obligations
Discussion of Our Utilization of Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Impact of Interest Rates and Inflation

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information included in this report or in other materials we have filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us) contains or may contain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our future financial performance and financial condition.  Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Any forward-looking statements that we make herein and in future reports and statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risk factors.  Please see “Item 1A Risk Factors” in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, in Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009, and our updates discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of this report.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date made.  Except as required by applicable law or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements or risk factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  However, any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K should be consulted.  This discussion is provided as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and all of our forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referenced in this section.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  On an ongoing basis, management evaluates such estimates and judgments and makes adjustments as deemed necessary.  Actual results could differ from these estimates using different estimates and assumptions, or if conditions are significantly different in the future.  Listed below are those estimates that we believe are critical and require the use of complex judgment in their application.

Revenue Recognition.  Revenue from the sale of a home is recognized when the closing has occurred, title has passed, and an adequate initial and continuing investment by the homebuyer is received or when the loan has been sold to a third-party investor.  Revenue for homes that close to the buyer having a deposit of 5% or greater, home closings financed by third
 
23 

 
parties, and all home closings insured under FHA or VA government-insured programs are recorded in the financial statements on the date of closing.

Revenue related to all other home closings initially funded by our wholly-owned subsidiary, M/I Financial Corp. (“M/I Financial”), is recorded on the date that M/I Financial sells the loan to a third-party investor, because the receivable from the third-party investor is not subject to future subordination, and the Company has transferred to this investor the usual risks and rewards of ownership that is in substance a sale and does not have a substantial continuing involvement with the home.

All associated homebuilding costs are charged to cost of sales in the period when the revenues from home closings are recognized.  Homebuilding costs include land and land development costs; home construction costs (including an estimate of the costs to complete construction); previously capitalized interest; real estate taxes; indirect costs; and estimated warranty costs.  All other costs are expensed as incurred.  Sales incentives, including pricing discounts and financing costs paid by the Company, are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Sales incentives in the form of options or upgrades are recorded in homebuilding costs.

We recognize the majority of the revenue associated with our mortgage loan operations when the mortgage loans and related servicing rights are sold to third party investors.  The revenue recognized is reduced by the fair value of the related guarantee provided to the investor.  The fair value of the guarantee is recognized in revenue when the Company is released from its obligation under the guarantee.  Generally, all of the financial services mortgage loans and related servicing rights are sold to third party investors within two weeks of origination.  We recognize financial services revenue associated with our title operations as homes are closed, closing services are rendered, and title policies are issued, all of which generally occur simultaneously as each home is closed.  All of the underwriting risk associated with title insurance policies is transferred to third-party insurers.

Inventories.  We use the specific identification method for the purpose of accumulating costs associated with land acquisition and development, and home construction.  Inventory is recorded at cost, unless events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the land may be impaired.  In addition to the costs of direct land acquisition, land development and related costs (both incurred and estimated to be incurred) and home construction costs, inventory includes capitalized interest, real estate taxes, and certain indirect costs incurred during land development and home construction.  Such costs are charged to cost of sales simultaneously with revenue recognition, as discussed above.  When a home is closed, we typically have not yet paid all incurred costs necessary to complete the home.  As homes close, we compare the home construction budget to actual recorded costs to date to estimate the additional costs to be incurred from our subcontractors related to the home.  We record a liability and a corresponding charge to cost of sales for the amount we estimate will ultimately be paid related to that home.  We monitor the accuracy of such estimate by comparing actual costs incurred in subsequent months to the estimate.  Although actual costs to complete in the future could differ from the estimate, our method has historically produced consistently accurate estimates of actual costs to complete closed homes.

Typically, our building cycle ranges from five to six years, commencing with the acquisition of the entitled land and continuing through the land development phase and concluding with the sale, construction and closing of the home.  Actual community lives will vary based on the size of the community and the associated absorption rates.  Master-planned communities encompassing several phases may have significantly longer lives.  Additionally, the current slow-down in the housing market has negatively impacted our sales pace, thereby also extending the lives of certain communities.

The Company assesses inventory for recoverability on a quarterly basis, by reviewing for impairment whenever events or changes in local or national economic conditions indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  In conducting our quarterly review for indicators of impairment on a community level, we evaluate, among other things, the margins on homes that have been delivered, margins on sales contracts in backlog, projected margins with regard to future home sales over the life of the community, projected margins with regard to future land sales, and the value of the land itself.  We pay particular attention to communities in which inventory is moving at a slower than anticipated absorption pace, and communities whose average sales price and/or margins are trending downward and are anticipated to continue to trend downward.  From this review, we identify communities whose carrying values may exceed their undiscounted cash flows.  For those communities deemed to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the communities exceeds the fair value of the communities.

Our determination of fair value is based on projections and estimates.  Changes in these expectations may lead to a change in the outcome of our impairment analysis.  Our analysis is completed on a quarterly basis at a community level; therefore, changes in local conditions may affect one or several of our communities.

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the company evaluated all active communities for impairment indicators.  A recoverability analysis was performed for 28 of those active communities and an impairment charge was recorded in 16 of those communities.  The carrying value of those 16 impaired communities was $59.1 million at September 30, 2009.
 
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For all of the categories listed below, the key assumptions relating to the valuations are dependent on project-specific local market and/or community conditions and are inherently uncertain.  Because each inventory asset is unique, there are numerous inputs and assumptions used in our valuation techniques.  Local market-specific factors that may impact these projected assumptions include:

historical project results such as average sales price and sales pace, if closings have occurred in the project;
competitors’ local market and/or community presence and their competitive actions;
project specific attributes such as location desirability and uniqueness of product offering;
potential for alternative product offerings to respond to local market conditions;
current local market economic and demographic conditions and related trends and forecasts; and
community-specific strategies regarding speculative homes.

Operating communities.  For existing operating communities, the recoverability of assets is measured on a quarterly basis by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales.  These estimated cash flows are developed based primarily on management’s assumptions relating to the specific community.  The significant assumptions used to evaluate the recoverability of assets include:  the timing of development and/or marketing phases; projected sales price and sales pace of each existing or planned community; the estimated land development, home construction and selling costs of the community; overall market supply and demand; the local market; and competitive conditions.  Management reviews these assumptions on a quarterly basis.  While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change.  These assumptions vary widely across different communities and geographies and are largely dependent on local market conditions.

Future communities.  For raw land or land under development that management anticipates will be utilized for future homebuilding activities, the recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales, consistent with the evaluations performed for operating communities discussed above.

For raw land, land under development or lots that management intends to market for sale to a third party, but that do not meet all of the criteria to be classified as land held for sale as discussed below, the recoverability of the assets is determined based on either the estimated net sales proceeds expected to be realized on the sale of the assets or the estimated fair value determined using cash flow valuation techniques.

If the Company has not yet determined whether raw land or land under development will be utilized for future homebuilding activities or marketed for sale to a third party, the Company assesses the recoverability of the inventory using a probability-weighted approach.

Land held for sale.  Land held for sale includes land that meets all of the following six criteria:  (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset; (2) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated; (4) the sale of the asset is probable, and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year; (5) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.  The Company records land held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.  In performing impairment evaluation for land held for sale, management considers, among other things, prices for land in recent comparable sales transactions, market analysis and recent bona fide offers received from outside third parties, as well as actual contracts.  If the estimated fair value less the costs to sell an asset is less than the current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value less costs to sell.

For all of the above categories, the key assumptions relating to the above valuations are dependent on project-specific local market and/or community conditions and are inherently uncertain.  Because each inventory asset is unique, there are numerous inputs and assumptions used in our valuation techniques.
 
These and other local market-specific factors that may impact project assumptions discussed above are considered by personnel in our homebuilding divisions as they prepare or update the forecasted assumptions for each community. Quantitative and qualitative factors other than home sales prices could significantly impact the potential for future impairments.  The sales objectives can differ between communities, even within a given sub-market.  For example, facts and circumstances in a given community may lead us to price our homes with the objective of yielding a higher sales absorption pace, while facts and circumstances in another community may lead us to price our homes to minimize deterioration in our gross margins, although it may result in a slower sales absorption pace.  Furthermore, the key
 
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assumptions included in our estimated future undiscounted cash flows may be interrelated.  For example, a decrease in estimated base sales price or an increase in home sales incentives may result in a corresponding increase in sales absorption pace.  Additionally, a decrease in the average sales price of homes to be sold and closed in future reporting periods for one community that has not been generating what management believes to be an adequate sales absorption pace may impact the estimated cash flow assumptions of a nearby community.  Changes in our key assumptions, including estimated construction and development costs, absorption pace, selling strategies, or discount rates, could materially impact future cash flow and fair value estimates.

As of September 30, 2009, our projections generally assume a gradual improvement in market conditions over time, along with a gradual increase in costs.  These assumed gradual increases generally begin in 2010, depending on the market and community.  If communities are not recoverable based on undiscounted cash flows, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.  The fair value of a community is determined by discounting management’s cash flow projections using an appropriate risk-adjusted interest rate.  As of September 30, 2009, we utilized discount rates ranging from 13% to 16% in the above valuations.  The discount rate used in determining each asset’s fair value depends on the community’s projected life, development stage, and the inherent risks associated with the related estimated cash flow stream as well as current risk free rates available in the market and estimated market risk premiums.  For example, construction in progress inventory, which is closer to completion, will generally require a lower discount rate than land under development in communities consisting of multiple phases spanning several years of development.  We believe our assumptions on discount rates are critical because the selection of a discount rate affects the estimated fair value of the homesites within a community. A higher discount rate reduces the estimated fair value of the homesites within the community, while a lower discount rate increases the estimated fair value of the homesites within a community.

Our quarterly assessments reflect management’s estimates.  Due to the uncertainties related to our operations and our industry as a whole as further discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, in Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009, and in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of Part II of this report, we are unable to determine at this time if and to what extent continuing changes in our local markets will result in future impairments.

Consolidated Inventory Not Owned.  We enter into land option agreements in the ordinary course of business in order to secure land for the construction of homes in the future.  Pursuant to these land option agreements, we typically provide a deposit to the seller as consideration for the right to purchase land at different times in the future, usually at pre-determined prices.  If the entity holding the land under option is a variable interest entity, the Company’s deposit (including letters of credit) represents a variable interest in the entity, and we must use our judgment to determine if we are the primary beneficiary of the entity.  Factors considered in determining whether we are the primary beneficiary include the amount of the deposit in relation to the fair value of the land, the expected timing of our purchase of the land, and assumptions about projected cash flows.  We consider our accounting policies with respect to determining whether we are the primary beneficiary to be critical accounting policies due to the judgment required.

We also periodically enter into lot option arrangements with third-parties to whom we have sold our raw land inventory.  We evaluate these to determine if we should record an asset and liability at the time we sell the land and enter into the lot option contract.

Investment in Unconsolidated Limited Liability Companies.  We invest in entities that acquire and develop land for distribution to us in connection with our homebuilding operations.  In our judgment, we have determined that these entities generally do not meet the criteria of variable interest entities because they have sufficient equity to finance their operations.  We must use our judgment to determine if we have substantive control or exercise significant influence over these entities.  If we were to determine that we have substantive control or exercise significant influence over an entity, we would be required to consolidate the entity.  Factors considered in determining whether we have substantive control or exercise significant influence over an entity include risk and reward sharing, experience and financial condition of the other partners, voting rights, involvement in day-to-day capital and operating decisions, and continuing involvement.  In the event an entity does not have sufficient equity to finance its operations, we would be required to use judgment to determine if we were the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity.  We consider our accounting policies with respect to determining whether we are the primary beneficiary or have substantive control or exercise significant influence over an entity to be critical accounting policies due to the judgment required.  Based on the application of our accounting policies, these entities are accounted for by the equity method of accounting.

The Company evaluates its investment in unconsolidated limited liability companies (“LLCs”) for potential impairment on a quarterly basis.  If the fair value of the investment is less than the investment’s carrying value and the Company has determined that the decline in value is other than temporary, the Company would write down the value of the investment to fair value.  The determination of whether an investment’s fair value is less than the carrying value requires management to
 
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make certain assumptions regarding the amount and timing of future contributions to the LLC, the timing of distribution of lots to the Company from the LLC, the projected fair value of the lots at the time of distribution to the Company, and the estimated proceeds from, and timing of, the sale of land or lots to third parties.  In determining the fair value of investments in unconsolidated LLCs, the Company evaluates the projected cash flows associated with the LLC.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company used a discount rate of 16% in determining the fair value of investments in unconsolidated LLCs.  In addition to the assumptions management must make to determine if the investment’s fair value is less than the carrying value, management must also use judgment in determining whether the impairment is other than temporary.  The factors management considers are: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost; (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the Company; and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the LLC for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.  In situations where the investments are 100% equity financed by the partners, and the joint venture simply distributes lots to its partners, the Company evaluates “other than temporary” by preparing an undiscounted cash flow model as described in inventory above for operating communities.  If such model results in positive value versus carrying value, and the fair value of the investment is less than the investment’s carrying value, the Company determines that the impairment is temporary; otherwise, the Company determines that the impairment is other than temporary and impairs the investment.  Because of the high degree of judgment involved in developing these assumptions, it is possible that the Company may determine the investment is not impaired in the current period but, due to passage of time or change in market conditions leading to changes in assumptions, impairment could occur.

Guarantees and Indemnities.  Guarantee and indemnity liabilities are established by charging the applicable income statement or balance sheet line, depending on the nature of the guarantee or indemnity, and crediting a liability.  M/I Financial provides a limited-life guarantee on loans sold to certain third parties and estimates its actual liability related to the guarantee and any indemnities subsequently provided to the purchaser of the loans in lieu of loan repurchase based on historical loss experience.  Actual future costs associated with loans guaranteed or indemnified could differ materially from our current estimated amounts.  The Company has also provided certain other guarantees and indemnifications in connection with the purchase and development of land, including environmental indemnifications, guarantees of the completion of land development, a loan maintenance and limited payment guaranty, and minimum net worth guarantees of certain subsidiaries.  The Company estimates these liabilities based on the estimated cost of insurance coverage or estimated cost of acquiring a bond in the amount of the exposure.  Actual future costs associated with these guarantees and indemnifications could differ materially from our current estimated amounts.

Warranty.  Warranty accruals are established by charging cost of sales and crediting a warranty accrual for each home closed.  The amounts charged are estimated by management to be adequate to cover expected warranty-related costs for materials and outside labor required under the Company’s warranty programs.  Accruals are recorded for warranties under the following warranty programs:

Home Builder’s Limited Warranty – warranty program which became effective for homes closed starting with the third quarter of 2007;
30-year transferable structural warranty – effective for homes closed after April 24, 1998;
two-year limited warranty program – effective prior to the implementation of the Home Builder’s Limited Warranty; and
20-year transferable structural warranty – effective for homes closed between September 1, 1989 and April 24, 1998.

The warranty accruals for the Home Builder’s Limited Warranty and two-year limited warranty program are established as a percentage of average sales price, and the structural warranty accruals are established on a per unit basis.  Our warranty accruals are based upon historical experience by geographic area and recent trends.  Factors that are given consideration in determining the accruals include: (1) the historical range of amounts paid per average sales price on a home; (2) type and mix of amenity packages added to the home; (3) any warranty expenditures included in the above not considered to be normal and recurring; (4) timing of payments; (5) improvements in quality of construction expected to impact future warranty expenditures; (6) actuarial estimates, which reflect both Company and industry data; and (7) conditions that may affect certain projects and require a different percentage of average sales price for those specific projects.

Changes in estimates for warranties occur due to changes in the historical payment experience and differences between the actual payment pattern experienced during the period and the historical payment pattern used in our evaluation of the warranty accrual balance at the end of each quarter.  Actual future warranty costs could differ from our current estimated amount.

Self-insurance.  Self-insurance accruals are made for estimated liabilities associated with employee health care, Ohio workers’ compensation and general liability insurance.  Our self-insurance limit for employee health care is $250,000 per claim per year for fiscal 2009, with stop loss insurance covering amounts in excess of $250,000 up to $2,000,000 per employee’s lifetime.  Our self-insurance limit for workers’ compensation is $450,000 per claim, with stop loss insurance
 
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covering all amounts in excess of this limit.  The accruals related to employee health care and workers’ compensation are based on historical experience and open cases.  Our general liability claims are insured by a third party; the Company generally has a $7.5 million deductible per occurrence and a $15.0 million deductible in the aggregate, with lower deductibles for certain types of claims.  The Company records a general liability accrual for claims falling below the Company’s deductible.  The general liability accrual estimate is based on an actuarial evaluation of our past history of claims and other industry specific factors.  The Company has recorded expenses totaling $12.5 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, for all self-insured and general liability claims during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.  Please see Note 11 to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information surrounding the year-to-date 2009 expenses.  Because of the high degree of judgment required in determining these estimated accrual amounts, actual future costs could differ from our current estimated amounts.

Stock-Based Compensation.  We account for stock-based compensation by measuring and recognizing compensation expense at an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments granted under compensation arrangements.  We calculate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment in developing assumptions, which involve a number of variables.  These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, the expected dividend yield, and the expected term of the option.  In addition, when we first issue share-based awards, we also use judgment in estimating the number of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited.

Derivative Financial Instruments.  To meet financing needs of our home-buying customers, M/I Financial is party to interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”), which are extended to customers who have applied for a mortgage loan and meet certain defined credit and underwriting criteria.  These IRLCs are considered derivative financial instruments.  M/I Financial manages interest rate risk related to its IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale through the use of forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (“FMBSs”), use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments and the occasional purchase of options on FMBSs in accordance with Company policy.  These FMBSs, options on FMBSs, and IRLCs covered by FMBSs are considered non-designated derivatives.  In determining the fair value of IRLCs, M/I Financial considers the value of the resulting loan if sold in the secondary market.  The fair value includes the price that the loan is expected to be sold for along with the value of servicing release premiums.  Subsequent to inception, M/I Financial estimates an updated fair value which is compared to the initial fair value.  In addition, M/I Financial uses fallout estimates which fluctuate based on the rate of the IRLC in relation to current rates.  Gains or losses are recorded in financial services revenue.  Certain IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale are committed to third party investors through the use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments.  The IRLCs and related best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments, which generally are highly effective from an economic standpoint, are considered non-designated derivatives and are accounted for at fair value, with gains or losses recorded in financial services revenue.  Under the terms of these best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments covering mortgage loans held for sale, the specific committed mortgage loans held for sale are identified and matched to specific delivery commitments on a loan-by-loan basis.  The delivery commitments and loans held for sale are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in financial services revenue.

Income Taxes—Valuation Allowance.  A valuation allowance is recorded against a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. The realization of a deferred tax asset ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income in either the carryback or carryforward periods under applicable tax law. The four sources of taxable income to be considered in determining whether a valuation allowance is required include:

future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences (i.e., offset gross deferred tax assets against gross deferred tax liabilities);
taxable income in prior carryback years;
tax planning strategies; and
future taxable income, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards.
 
Determining whether a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is necessary requires an analysis of both positive and negative evidence regarding realization of the deferred tax assets. Examples of positive evidence may include:

a strong earnings history exclusive of the loss that created the deductible temporary differences, coupled with evidence indicating that the loss is the result of an aberration rather than a continuing condition;
an excess of appreciated asset value over the tax basis of a company’s net assets in an amount sufficient to realize the deferred tax asset; and
existing backlog that will produce more than enough taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset based on existing sales prices and cost structures.
 
 
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Examples of negative evidence may include:

the existence of “cumulative losses” (defined as a pre-tax cumulative loss for the business cycle – in our case four years);
an expectation of being in a cumulative loss position in a future reporting period;
a carryback or carryforward period that is so brief that it would limit the realization of tax benefits;
a history of operating loss or tax credit carryforwards expiring unused; and
unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect future operations and profit levels on a continuing basis.

The Company evaluates its deferred tax assets, including net operating losses, to determine if a valuation allowance is required.  We evaluate this based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard.  In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.  A cumulative loss in recent years is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable, and also restricts the amount of reliance on projections of future taxable income to support the recovery of deferred tax assets.  The Company’s current and prior year losses present the most significant negative evidence as to whether the Company needs to reduce its deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance.  We are now in a four-year cumulative pre-tax loss position during the years 2005 through 2009.  We currently believe the cumulative weight of the negative evidence exceeds that of the positive evidence and, as a result, it is more likely than not that we will not be able to utilize all of our deferred tax assets.  Therefore, as of September 30, 2009, the Company had a total valuation allowance of $136.4 million recorded.  The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon an estimate of future results.  Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.

Future adjustments to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance will be determined based upon changes in the expected realization of our net deferred tax assets.  In 2009, we do not expect to record any additional tax benefits as the carryback has been exhausted.  Additionally, our determination with respect to recording a valuation allowance may be further impacted by, among other things:

additional inventory impairments;
additional pre-tax operating losses; or
the utilization of tax planning strategies that could accelerate the realization of certain deferred tax assets.

Additionally, due to the considerable estimates utilized in establishing a valuation allowance and the potential for changes in facts and circumstances in future reporting periods, it is reasonably possible that we will be required to either increase or decrease our valuation allowance in future reporting periods.

Income Taxes—Tax Positions.  The Company evaluates tax positions that have been taken or are expected to be taken in tax returns, and records the associated tax benefit or liability.  Tax positions are recognized when it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position would be sustained upon examination.  The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.  Interest and penalties for all uncertain tax positions are recorded within (benefit) provision for income taxes in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company’s segment information is presented on the basis that the chief operating decision makers use in evaluating segment performance.  The Company’s chief operating decision makers evaluate the Company’s performance in various ways, including: (1) the results of our nine individual homebuilding operating segments and the results of the financial services operation; (2) the results of our three homebuilding regions; and (3) the results of our consolidated financial results.  We have determined our reportable segments as follows: Midwest homebuilding, Florida homebuilding, Mid-Atlantic homebuilding and financial services operations.  The homebuilding operating segments that are included within each reportable segment have similar operations and exhibit similar economic characteristics.  Our homebuilding operations include the acquisition and development of land, the sale and construction of single-family attached and detached homes, and the occasional sale of lots and land to third parties.  The homebuilding operating segments that comprise each of our reportable segments are as follows:

Midwest
Florida
Mid-Atlantic
Columbus, Ohio
Tampa, Florida
Washington, D.C.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Orlando, Florida
Charlotte, North Carolina
Indianapolis, Indiana
 
Raleigh, North Carolina
Chicago, Illinois
   
 
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The financial services operations include the origination and sale of mortgage loans and title services primarily for purchasers of the Company’s homes.

Highlights and Trends for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Overview

During the third quarter of 2009, we experienced our fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year increases in new contracts and third quarter of year-over-year increases in backlog units since the housing market began its decline in late 2006.  For the quarter, our new contracts and backlog units both increased 36%, despite a 24% decline in active communities from a year ago.  We believe our new contract results underscore the importance of great locations, focused quality product, excellent customer service and effective marketing. We are cautiously optimistic about our results these past three quarters.  While we have experienced an uptick in demand in the first nine months of 2009 as a more confident homebuyer took advantage of increased affordability, historically low interest rates,  and the $8,000 federal tax credit,  signs remain that indicate we have a ways to go to a full recovery in the industry.  Today’s current economic environment continues to yield rising unemployment, increased foreclosures, and very tight credit standards. In addition, the federal tax credit is set to expire on December 1, 2009, the implications of which may be negative to the industry and the overall economy.

Amid these mixed conditions, we delivered 20% more homes while generating lower homebuilding revenues in 2009’s third quarter off an 18% decline in average sales price and lower land revenue compared to the same period a year ago. We improved our operating gross margin by 500 basis points to 16.8% and reduced our pre-tax operating loss to $1.2 million - down from 2008’s $14.5 million pre-tax operating loss. (Please see the table set forth below reconciling non-GAAP measures). We believe these loss and new contract improvements are the result of a combination of factors, including hard cost reduction and value-engineering initiatives, the re-positioning of our product offering to target first-time and value-focused homebuyers, our general expense reduction efforts and our focus on generating cash and maintaining a strong balance sheet. 

Key Financial Results

 
For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, total revenue decreased $7.6 million (5%) to $152.7 million when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2008.  This decrease is largely attributable to a decrease of $6.2 million in revenue from outside land sales, from $6.3 million in 2008 to $0.1 million in 2009, along with a decrease of $2.9 million in housing revenue.  Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of $1.5 million in revenue from financial services to $4.1 million, which was driven by a 28% increase in the number of loans originated, from 439 in the third quarter of 2008 to 564 in the third quarter of 2009.  The average sales price of homes delivered decreased 18%, from $273,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 to $224,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.  Homes delivered increased 20%, from 555 in the third quarter of 2008 to 665 in the same period of 2009.
     
 
Loss before taxes for the third quarter of 2009 decreased by $37.4 million (64%), from $58.4 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $21.0 million in the third quarter of 2009.  During the third quarter of 2009, the Company incurred charges totaling $15.0 million compared to $43.5 million incurred in the third quarter of 2008 related to the impairment of inventory, investment in unconsolidated LLCs and abandoned land transaction costs.  Excluding the impact of the above-mentioned charges, as well as $4.7 million of other non-operating charges (drywall warranty issues of $4.4 million and $0.3 million of other unusual charges, including severance and bad debt expense), the Company had a pre-tax loss of $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2009, which represents a $13.3 million improvement from 2008’s pre-tax loss of $14.5 million (exclusive of aforementioned impairments and $0.4 million of severance).  The improvement from 2008 was primarily driven by lower selling, general and administrative expenses.  The third quarter operating gross margin was 16.8% compared to 2008’s 11.8%.  (Please see the table set forth below reconciling non-GAAP measures.)  Selling expenses decreased by $3.1 million (21%) for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to (1) a $1.1 million decrease in variable selling expenses; (2) a $1.0 million decrease in model home expenses; and (3) a $0.8 million decrease in advertising expenses.  Additionally, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.9 million (17%) from the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to (1) a decrease of $1.2 million in professional fees; (2) a decrease of $0.9 million in land related expenses; and (3) a decrease of $0.8 million in miscellaneous expenses.
 
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For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, total revenue decreased $92.4 million (20%) compared to the first nine months of 2008.  This decrease is attributable to a decrease of $55.2 million in housing revenue, from $409.2 million in 2008 to $354.0 million in 2009, along with a $29.3 million decrease in revenue from outside land sales, from $30.0 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $0.7 million in the first nine months of 2009.  The $55.2 million decrease in housing revenue was primarily due to an 18% decrease in the average sales price, from $278,000 to $228,000.  Homes delivered increased 5% from 1,471 in the first nine months of 2008 to 1,551 in the same period of 2009.  Financial services revenue also decreased $0.9 million (8%), driven by a 14% decrease in the number of loans originated.
 
Loss before taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased $69.8 million, from $138.6 million in the 2008 nine-month period to $68.8 million for the first nine months of 2009.  The $69.8 million decrease is primarily comprised of lower impairment charges and lower selling, general and administrative costs, which are partially offset by the decrease in other income and increase in other loss, and the increase in bad debt expense.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred charges totaling $34.0 million compared to $105.7 million incurred in the same period of 2008 related to the impairment of inventory, investment in unconsolidated LLCs and abandoned land transaction costs.  Excluding the impact of the above-mentioned charges, as well as $12.7 million of other non-operating charges (drywall warranty issues of $9.7 million, $3.0 million of other unusual charges, including severance and bad debt expense, and loss on the sale of our airplane of $0.9 million), the Company had a pre-tax loss of $22.1 million in the first nine months of 2009, which is a $13.9 million improvement over the first nine months of 2008’s pre-tax loss of $36.0 million (exclusive of aforementioned impairments, a $5.6 million gain on the sale of the company airplane and $2.4 million of severance charges).  A decline in operating gross margin dollars was offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses as well as lower interest expense. Operating gross margin for the first nine months of 2009 was 14.7% compared to 2008’s 13.6%.  (Please see the table set forth below reconciling non-GAAP measures below).  General and administrative expenses decreased $9.1 million (18%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the that same period of 2008 primarily due to (1) a decrease of $4.1 million in payroll and incentive expenses; (2) a decrease of $2.3 million in professional fees; (3) a decrease of $2.2 million in land related expenses, including abandoned projects and deposit write-offs; (4) a decrease of $0.8 million in miscellaneous expenses; (5) a decrease of $0.5 million in computer-related expenses; and (6) a decrease of $0.4 million in expenses related to the airplane that was sold in the first quarter of 2009.  Partially offsetting these decreases was the bad debt expense of $1.2 million mentioned above.  Selling expenses decreased by $11.2 million (27%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to (1) a $4.7 million decrease in variable selling expenses; (2) a $2.7 million decrease in model home expenses; (3) a $2.3 million decrease in advertising expenses; (4) a $0.8 million decrease in sales office expenses; and (5) a $0.5 million decrease in payroll-related expenses.  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company incurred a $0.9 million loss on the sale of our company airplane while in 2008, the Company had a $5.6 million gain on the exchange of the company airplane, resulting in a $6.5 million negative effect on income from year to year.   
 
New contracts for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were 619 compared to 456 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, an increase of 36%.  New contracts increased in all of our regions.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, new contracts increased by 505 (33%), from 1,540 in the first nine months of 2008 to 2,045 for the same period in 2009.  We also experienced an overall reduction in our cancellation rate, from 32% in the third quarter of 2008 to 20% in the third quarter of 2009.  By region, our cancellation rates for the third quarter of 2009 versus the third quarter of 2008 were as follows: Midwest – 22% in 2009 and 35% in 2008; Florida – 16% in 2009 and 28% in 2008; and Mid-Atlantic – 17% in 2009 and 28% in 2008.  The overall cancellation rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were 18% and 26%, respectively.  Our homes in backlog increased 36%, from 781 units at September 30, 2008 to 1,060 units at September 30, 2009.
 
Our mortgage company’s capture rate increased from 84% for the third quarter of 2008 to 88% in the third quarter of 2009.  For the nine months of 2009, 89% of our homes delivered that were financed were through M/I Financial, compared to 83% in 2008’s first nine months.  Capture rate is influenced by financing availability and can fluctuate up or down from quarter to quarter.
 
We continue to deal with very weak and ever-changing market conditions that require us to constantly monitor the value of our inventories and investments in unconsolidated LLCs in those markets in which we operate, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded $15.0 million and $34.0 million, respectively, of charges relating to the impairment of inventory and investment in unconsolidated LLCs and write-off of abandoned land transaction costs.  We generally believe that we will see a gradual improvement in market conditions over the long term.  For the remainder of 2009, we will continue to update our evaluation of the value of our inventory and investments in unconsolidated LLCs for impairment, and could be required to record additional impairment charges, which would negatively impact earnings should market conditions deteriorate further or results differ from management’s original assumptions.
 
 
 
 
31 

 
 
  During the first nine months of 2009, we accrued $9.7 million for the repair of certain homes in Florida where certain of our subcontractors had purchased imported drywall that may be responsible for accelerated corrosion of certain metals in the home.
 
 ● We are required to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance, if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized.  As a result of our net loss during the three months ended September 30, 2009, we generated deferred tax assets of $8.2 million and recorded a non-cash valuation allowance against the entire amount of deferred tax assets generated.
 
The following table reconciles our gross margin and loss from continuing operations before income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 to operating gross margin and pre-tax loss from operations, excluding inventory impairment charges, imported drywall charges, other expense (income) and restructuring charges.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
                 
Gross margin
$ 6,360   $ (24,280 ) $ 11,620   $ (41,973 )
Add:
                       
     Impairments
  14,962     43,166     32,484     104,145  
     Warranty – Imported drywall
  4,400     -     9,650     -  
Operating gross margin
$ 25,722   $ 18,886   $ 53,754   $ 62,172  
                         
Loss from continuing operations
                       
before income taxes
$ (20,953 ) $ (58,423 ) $ (68,796 ) $ (138,610 )
Add:
                       
     Impairments and abandonments
  15,034     43,522     33,972     105,713  
     Warranty – imported drywall
  4,400     -     9,650     -  
     Other expense (income)
  -     -     941     (5,555 )
     Restructuring/bad debt expense
  295     434     2,110     2,429  
Pre-tax loss from operations
$ (1,224 ) $ (14,467 ) $ (22,123 ) $ (36,023 )

We believe that the measures described above, which exclude the effect of housing inventory impairment and other non-operating matters, are useful to investors as they provide a perspective on the underlying operating performance of the business by isolating the impact of charges related to such items.  In addition, we use them to evaluate our performance and believe it is a widely-accepted financial measure by users of our financial statements in analyzing our operating results and provides comparability to similar calculations by our peers in the homebuilding industry.  However, it should be noted that such measures are not GAAP financial measures.  Due to the significance of the GAAP components excluded, such measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to operating performance measures prescribed by GAAP.
 
 
32 

 
The following table shows, by segment, revenue, operating (loss) income, and interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, as well as the Company’s loss before taxes for such periods:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Revenue:
               
Midwest homebuilding
$ 71,240   $ 64,564   $ 157,980   $ 171,042  
Florida homebuilding
  22,690     29,979     67,483     119,620  
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding
  54,749     63,270     129,328     148,526  
Other homebuilding - unallocated (a)
  -     -     -     7,131  
Financial services
  4,059     2,572     10,242     11,153  
Total revenue
$ 152,738   $ 160,385   $ 365,033   $ 457,472  
 
Operating (loss) income:
                       
Midwest homebuilding (b)
$ (5,932 ) $ (25,137 ) $ (15,282 ) $ (43,496 )
Florida homebuilding (b)
  (11,702 )   (12,599 )   (30,101 )   (55,208 )
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding (b)
  2,293     (12,047 )   (3,710 )   (22,280 )
Other homebuilding - unallocated (a)
  -     -     -     502  
Financial services
  2,135     732     4,971     5,325  
Less: Corporate selling, general and administrative expense (c)
  (6,449 )   (7,222 )   (17,428 )   (20,313 )
Total operating loss
$ (19,655 ) $ (56,273 ) $ (61,550 ) $ (135,470 )
 
Interest expense:
                       
Midwest homebuilding
$ 638   $ 1,181   $ 3,081   $ 3,900  
Florida homebuilding
  229     302     1,317     1,813  
Mid-Atlantic homebuilding
  303     553     1,673     2,624  
Financial services
  128     114     234     358  
Total interest expense
$ 1,298   $ 2,150   $ 6,305   $ 8,695  
 
Other (loss) income (d)
  -     -     (941 )   5,555  
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
$ (20,953 ) $ (58,423 ) $ (68,796 ) $ (138,610 )

(a)
Other homebuilding – unallocated consists of the net impact in the period due to timing of homes delivered with low down-payment loans (buyers put less than 5% down) funded by the Company’s financial services operations not yet sold to a third party.  In accordance with applicable accounting rules, recognition of such revenue must be deferred until the related loan is sold to a third party.  Refer to the Revenue Recognition policy described in our Application of Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further discussion.

(b)
For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the impact of charges relating to the impairment of inventory and investment in unconsolidated LLCs and the write-off of land deposits and pre-acquisition costs was $15.0 million and $43.5 million, respectively.  These charges reduced operating income by $8.6 million and $21.3 million in the Midwest region, $6.4 million and $11.3 million in the Florida region and less than $0.1 million and $10.9 million in the Mid-Atlantic region for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the impact of charges relating to the impairment of inventory and investment in unconsolidated LLCs and the write-off of land deposits and pre-acquisition costs was $34.0 million and $105.7 million, respectively.  These charges reduced operating income by $12.0 million and $34.3 million in the Midwest region, $17.0 million and $52.9 million in the Florida region and $5.0 million and $18.5 million in the Mid-Atlantic region for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

(c)
The three and nine months ended September, 2009 include the impact of severance charges of less than $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and the three and nine months ended September, 2008 include the impact of severance charges of $0.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

(d)
Other (loss) income is comprised of the loss on the sale of the plane during the first quarter of 2009, and the gain recognized on the exchange of the Company’s airplane during the first quarter of 2008.

 
33 

 
The following table shows total assets by segment:

 
At September 30, 2009
             
Corporate,
   
             
Financial Services
   
(In thousands)
Midwest
 
Florida
 
Mid-Atlantic
 
and Unallocated
 
Total
Deposits on real estate under option or contract
$ 713   $ -   $ 25   $ -   $ 738
Inventory
  246,598     83,735     163,199     -     493,532
Investment in unconsolidated entities
  6,524     1,132     -     -     7,656
Other assets
  5,151     10,304     7,983     152,568     176,006
Total assets
$ 258,986   $ 95,171   $ 171,207   $ 152,568   $ 677,932


 
At December 31, 2008
             
Corporate,
   
             
Financial Services
   
(In thousands)
Midwest
 
Florida
 
Mid-Atlantic
 
and Unallocated
 
Total
Deposits on real estate under option or contract
$ 96   $ 32   $ 942   $ -   $ 1,070
Inventory
  232,853     102,500     179,606     -     514,959
Investment in unconsolidated entities
  6,359     6,771     -     -     13,130
Other assets
  2,758     12,284     4,720     144,367     164,129
Total assets
$ 242,066   $ 121,587   $ 185,268   $ 144,367   $ 693,288

Seasonality

Our homebuilding operations experience significant seasonality and quarter-to-quarter variability in homebuilding activity levels.  In general, homes delivered increase substantially in the second half of the year.  We believe that this seasonality reflects the tendency of homebuyers to shop for a new home in the spring with the goal of closing in the fall or winter, as well as the scheduling of construction to accommodate seasonal weather conditions.  Our financial services operations also experience seasonality because loan originations correspond with the delivery of homes in our homebuilding operations.


 
34 

 
Reportable Segments

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
     (Dollars in thousands, except as otherwise noted)
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
 
Midwest Region
               
Homes delivered
  367     257     783     673  
Average sales price per home delivered
$ 194   $ 244   $ 202   $ 250  
Revenue homes
$ 71,148   $ 62,677   $ 157,888   $ 168,355  
Revenue third party land sales
$ 92   $ 1,887   $ 92   $ 2,687  
Operating loss homes (a)
$ (6,024 ) $ (20,923 ) $ (15,374 ) $ (38,913 )
Operating income (loss) land (a)
$ 92   $ (4,214 ) $ 92   $ (4,583 )
New contracts, net
  322     238     1,076     726  
Backlog at end of period
  658     444     658     444  
Average sales price of homes in backlog
$ 218   $ 247   $ 218   $ 247  
Aggregate sales value of homes in backlog (in millions)
$ 144   $ 109   $ 144   $ 109  
Number of active communities
  62     80     62     80  
 
Florida Region
                       
Homes delivered
  107     105     302     355  
Average sales price per home delivered
$ 213   $ 244   $ 222   $ 260  
Revenue homes
$ 22,690   $ 25,544   $ 66,826   $ 92,341  
Revenue third party land sales
$ -   $ 4,435   $ 657   $ 27,279  
Operating loss homes (a)
$ (11,702 ) $ (5,519 ) $ (30,292 ) $ (31,323 )
Operating (loss) income land (a)
$ -   $ (7,080 ) $ 191   $ (23,885 )
New contracts, net
  124     87     348     374  
Backlog at end of period
  123     140     123     140  
Average sales price of homes in backlog
$ 224   $ 291   $ 224   $ 291  
Aggregate sales value of homes in backlog (in millions)
$ 27   $ 41   $ 27   $ 41  
Number of active communities
  21     26     21     26  
 
Mid-Atlantic Region
                       
Homes delivered
  191     193     466     443  
Average sales price per home delivered
$ 287   $ 328   $ 278   $ 336  
Revenue homes
$ 54,749   $ 63,270   $ 129,328   $ 148,526  
Revenue third party land sales
$ -   $ -   $ -   $ -  
Operating income (loss) homes (a)
$ 2,293   $ (11,837 ) $ (3,710 ) $ (22,070 )
Operating loss land (a)
$ -   $ (210 ) $ -   $ (210 )
New contracts, net
  173     131     621     440  
Backlog at end of period
  279     197     279     197  
Average sales price of homes in backlog
$ 330   $ 314   $ 330   $ 314  
Aggregate sales value of homes in backlog (in millions)
$ 92   $ 62   $ 92   $ 62  
Number of active communities
  22     32     22     32  
 
Total Homebuilding Regions
                       
Homes delivered
  665     555     1,551     1,471  
Average sales price per home delivered
$ 224   $ 273   $ 228   $ 278  
Revenue homes
$ 148,587   $ 151,491   $ 354,042   $ 409,222  
Revenue third party land sales
$ 92   $ 6,322   $ 749   $ 29,966  
Operating loss homes (a)
$ (15,433 ) $ (38,279 ) $ (49,376 ) $ (92,306 )
Operating income (loss) land (a)
$ 92   $ (11,504 ) $ 283   $ (28,678 )
New contracts, net
  619     456     2,045     1,540  
Backlog at end of period
  1,060     781     1,060     781  
Average sales price of homes in backlog
$ 248   $ 272   $ 248   $ 272  
Aggregate sales value of homes in backlog (in millions)
$ 263   $ 212   $ 263   $ 212  
Number of active communities
  105     138     105     138  
 
Financial Services
                       
Number of loans originated
  564     439     1,336     1,168  
Value of loans originated
$ 112,042   $ 107,995   $ 275,655   $ 279,966  
Revenue
$ 4,059   $ 2,572   $ 10,242   $ 11,153  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$ 1,924   $ 1,840   $ 5,271   $ 5,828  
Interest expense
$ 128   $ 114   $ 234   $ 358  
Income before income taxes
$ 2,007   $ 618   $ 4,737   $ 4,967  

(a) Amount includes impairment charges and write-off of land deposits and pre-acquisition costs for 2009 and 2008 as follows:
 
35 

 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
Midwest:
               
Homes
$ 8,581   $ 17,110   $ 12,039   $ 29,751  
Land
  -     4,241     -     4,599  
    8,581     21,351     12,039     34,350  
 
Florida:
                       
Homes
  6,389     4,182     17,011     28,624  
Land
  -     7,080     -     24,263  
    6,389     11,262     17,011     52,887  
 
Mid-Atlantic:
                       
Homes
  64     10,599     4,922     18,166  
Land
  -     310     -     310  
    64     10,909     4,922     18,476  
 
Total
                       
Homes
$ 15,034   $ 31,891   $ 33,972   $ 76,541  
Land
  -     11,631     -     29,172  
  $ 15,034   $ 43,522   $ 33,972   $ 105,713  

A home is included in “new contracts” when our standard sales contract is executed.  “Homes delivered” represents homes for which the closing of the sale has occurred.  “Backlog” represents homes for which the standard sales contract has been executed, but which are not included in homes delivered because closings for these homes have not yet occurred as of the end of the period specified.

Cancellation Rates

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
Midwest
22.2%
 
34.6%
 
21.1%
 
29.0%
Florida
16.2%
 
28.1%
 
14.9%
 
19.0%
Mid-Atlantic
17.2%
 
28.0%
 
15.2%
 
24.4%
 
Total
19.7%
 
31.6%
 
18.4%
 
25.5%

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Midwest Region.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, Midwest homebuilding revenue was $71.2 million, a 10% increase compared to the third quarter of 2008.  The increase was primarily due to the 43% increase in homes delivered, from 257 in the third quarter of 2008 to 367 in the third quarter of 2009, which was partially offset by the 20% decrease in the average sales price of homes delivered from $244,000 in the third quarter of 2008 to $194,000 in the third quarter of 2009.  Operating loss decreased by $19.2 million, from $25.1 million in 2008 to $5.9 million in 2009, primarily due to reduced impairment charges and lower selling, general and administrative costs.  Excluding impairment charges of $8.6 million and $21.4 million for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively, our operating gross margins were 14.3% and 9.1% for those same periods in our Midwest region.  The 5.2% increase was the result of our Company-wide initiative to reduce hard costs, along with value engineering in our Midwest markets.  Selling, general and administrative costs decreased $2.1 million, going from $9.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 to $7.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, due to a decrease in professional fees, land-related expenses, advertising expenses, and model home expenses.  For the three months ended September 30, 2009, our Midwest region new contracts increased from 238 to 322.  Quarter-end backlog increased 48% in units, from 444 at September 30, 2008 to 658 at September 30, 2009.  Quarter-end backlog sales value also increased, from $109.5 million at September 30, 2008 to $143.6 million at September 30, 2009, with an average sales price in backlog decreasing from $247,000 at September 30, 2008 to $218,000 at September 30, 2009.

Florida Region.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, Florida homebuilding revenue decreased by $7.3 million (24%) compared to the same period in 2008.  The decrease in revenue is primarily due to a decrease of $4.4 million in revenue from outside land sales in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 2008, along with a 13% decrease in the average sales price of homes delivered, from $244,000 in the third quarter of 2008 to $213,000 in the third quarter of 2009.  Operating loss decreased by $0.9 million, from $12.6 million in 2008 to $11.7 million in 2009 primarily due to reduced impairment charges and lower selling, general and administrative costs.  Excluding impairment charges of $6.4 million and $4.4 million for drywall repairs for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and $11.3 million of impairment charges for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, our operating gross margins were 13.0% and 13.2% for those same periods in our Florida region.  Selling, general and administrative costs decreased $1.4 million, from $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to a decrease in land-related expenses, advertising expenses,
 
36

 
expenses related to our sales offices, and model home expenses.  For the third quarter of 2009, our Florida region new contracts increased from 87 in 2008 to 124 in 2009.  Management anticipates continued challenging conditions in our Florida markets to continue in 2009 based on the decrease in backlog units from 140 at September 30, 2008 to 123 at September 30, 2009, along with the decrease in the average sales price of homes in backlog from $291,000 in 2008 to $224,000 in 2009.  In an effort to combat these decreases, we plan on introducing our eco series in our Florida region in the first quarter of 2010.  Our eco series features lower base prices and are 100% Energy Star qualified, allowing homebuyers to save up to 30% in annual energy costs.  The eco series is already offered in our Midwest region and homebuyers have been extremely receptive to this new line of homes.  In the third quarter of 2009, we accrued an additional $4.4 million of expenses for the repair of imported drywall that may be responsible for accelerated corrosion of certain metals in the home.

Mid-Atlantic Region.  In our Mid-Atlantic region, homebuilding revenue decreased $8.5 million (13%) for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, from $63.2 million in 2008 to $54.7 million in 2009.  This decrease is primarily due to the decrease in homes delivered from 193 in the third quarter of 2008 to 191 in the third quarter of 2009, along with a 13% decrease in the average sales price of homes delivered, from $328,000 in the third quarter of 2008 to $287,000 in the third quarter of 2009.  New contracts increased 32%, from 131 in the third quarter of 2008 to 173 in the third quarter of 2009.  Operating income increased by $14.3 million, from a loss of $12.0 million in 2008 to income of $2.3 million in 2009 primarily due to reduced impairment charges and lower selling, general and administrative costs.  Excluding impairment charges of less than $0.1 million and $10.6 million for the third quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively, our operating gross margins were 15.6% and 10.2% for those same periods in our Mid-Atlantic region.  The increase was primarily due to the results of our Company-wide initiative to reduce hard costs, along with value engineering in our Mid-Atlantic markets as well as simplifying our base house plans, which encourages homebuyers to add more options, which in turn have higher profit margins.  Excluding deposit write-offs and pre-acquisition costs of less than $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2009 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2008, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.4 million due to a decrease in advertising expenses, model home expenses, and expenses related to our sales offices.  Quarter-end backlog increased 42% in units, from 197 in the third quarter of 2008 to 279 in the third quarter of 2009, and 48% in total sales value, from $62.0 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $92.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, with an average sales price in backlog of $330,000 at September 30, 2009 compared to $314,000 at September 30, 2008.

Financial Services.  For the three months ended September 30, 2009, revenue from our mortgage and title operations increased $1.5 million, driven by an increase of 28% in loans originated.  Operating income for our financial services segment increased $1.4 million, from $0.7 million in 2008 to $2.1 million in 2009, primarily due to the increase in loan originations described above.

At September 30, 2009, M/I Financial had mortgage operations in all of our markets.  Approximately 88% of our homes delivered during the third quarter of 2009 that were financed were through M/I Financial, compared to 84% in 2008.  Capture rate is influenced by financing availability and can fluctuate up or down from quarter to quarter.

Corporate Selling, General and Administrative Expense.  Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.8 million (11%), from $7.2 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $6.4 million in the third quarter of 2009 due to a decrease of $0.8 million in payroll related expenses, which includes a decrease of $0.4 million of severance expenses.  Corporate general and administrative expenses also include a charge of $0.6 million for a litigation settlement, which was offset by an overall reduction of professional fees.

Interest.  Interest expense for the Company decreased $0.9 million from $2.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 to $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.  This decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the weighted average borrowings from $241.5 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $208.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, along with an increase in interest capitalized due primarily to an increase in land development activities in the third quarter.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in our weighted average borrowing rate, from 7.69% for the three months ended September 30, 2008 to 8.49% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Midwest Region.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Midwest homebuilding revenue was $158.0 million, an 8% decrease compared to the first nine months of 2008.  The decrease was primarily due to the 19% decrease in the average sales price of homes delivered, from $250,000 in the first nine months of 2008 to $202,000 in the first nine months of 2009.  Operating loss decreased by $28.2 million (65%), from $43.5 million in 2008 to $15.3 million in 2009, primarily due to lower selling, general and administrative costs.  Excluding impairment charges of $11.5 million and $34.3 million for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively, our operating gross margins were 11.0% and 10.2% for those same periods in our Midwest region.  The slight increase was the result of our Company-wide initiative to reduce hard costs, along with value engineering in our Midwest markets.  Excluding deposit write-offs and pre-acquisition costs of $0.5
 
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million in the first nine months of 2009 and less than $0.1 million in the first nine months of 2008, selling, general and administrative costs decreased $6.1 million, from $26.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $20.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due to a decrease in payroll related expenses, professional fees, advertising expenses, and model home expenses.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, our Midwest region new contracts increased 48%, from 726 in the first nine months of 2008 to 1,076 in the first nine months of 2009.  At September 30, 2009, we had 658 homes in backlog, an increase of 48% over the 444 homes we had in backlog at September 30, 2008, and the sales value of those homes in backlog also increased, from $109.5 million at September 30, 2008 to $143.6 million at September 30, 2009.

Florida Region.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Florida homebuilding revenue decreased $52.1 million (44%), from $119.6 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $67.5 million in the first nine months of 2009.  The decrease in revenue is primarily due to a $26.6 million decrease in revenue from outside land sales, from $27.3 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $0.7 million in the first nine months of 2009, along with a 15% decrease in the number of homes delivered, from 355 in the first nine months of 2008 to 302 in the first nine months of 2009, and a decrease in the average sales price of homes delivered from $260,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $222,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Operating loss decreased $25.1 million (45%), from $55.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $30.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Excluding impairment charges of $17.0 million and $9.7 million for drywall repairs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and $52.8 million of impairment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, our operating gross margins were 12.7% and 12.5% for those same periods in our Florida region.  Selling, general and administrative costs decreased $5.3 million, from $17.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $12.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due to a decrease in payroll related expenses, land related expenses, professional fees, advertising expenses, model home expenses, and expenses related to our sales offices.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, new contracts decreased 7%, from 374 in 2008 to 348 in 2009.  There were 123 homes in backlog at September 30, 2009, a decrease of 12% compared to 140 homes in backlog at September 30, 2008.  During the first nine months of 2009, we accrued $9.7 million for the repair of certain homes in Florida where certain of our subcontractors had purchased imported drywall that may be responsible for accelerated corrosion of certain metals in the home.  During the first nine months of 2009, we also recorded bad debt expense of $1.2 million on a note receivable related to a piece of land we sold in Florida in 2006.
 
Mid-Atlantic Region.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mid-Atlantic homebuilding revenue decreased $19.2 million (13%) from $148.5 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $129.3 million in the first nine months of 2009.  Driving this decrease was a 17% decrease in the average selling price of homes delivered, from $336,000 in 2008 to $278,000 in 2009, which was partially offset by an increase of 5% in homes delivered, from 443 in 2008 to 466 in 2009.  Operating loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $3.7 million, a decrease of 83% from $22.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Excluding impairment charges of $4.0 million and $17.1 million for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively, our operating gross margins were 13.6% and 11.9% for those same periods in our Mid-Atlantic region.  The 1.7% increase is due to the results of our Company-wide initiative to reduce hard costs, along with value engineering in our Mid-Atlantic markets.  Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $5.1 million when excluding deposit write-offs and pre-acquisition costs of $0.9 million and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, primarily due to a decrease in payroll related expenses, advertising expenses, expenses related to our sales offices, and model home expenses.  New contracts in the Mid-Atlantic region increased 41% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, from 440 in 2008 to 621 in 2009.  There were 279 homes in backlog at September 30, 2009, compared to 197 at September 30, 2008, and the value of the homes in backlog also increased, from $62.0 million in 2008 to $92.0 million in 2009.

Financial Services.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, revenue from our mortgage and title operations decreased $0.9 million (8%), from $11.1 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $10.2 million in the first nine months of 2009.  This decrease was primarily due to a $4.3 million decrease in the total value of loans originated, which was partially offset by a 14% increase in loan originations, from 1,168 in the first nine months of 2008 to 1,336 in the first nine months of 2009.  Operating income for our financial services segment decreased $0.3 million, from $5.3 million in 2008 to $5.0 million in 2009, due to a reduction in general and administrative expenses.

At September 30, 2009, M/I Financial had mortgage operations in all of our markets.  Approximately 89% of our homes delivered during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 that were financed were through M/I Financial, compared to 83% in 2008.  Capture rate is influenced by financing availability and can fluctuate up or down from quarter to quarter.

Corporate Selling, General and Administrative Expense.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.9 million from $20.3 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $17.4 million in the first nine months of 2009.  This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease of $3.0 million in payroll related expenses, which included a reduction of $1.6 million in severance expenses.
 
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Interest.  Interest expense for the Company decreased $2.4 million (28%) from $8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  This decrease was primarily due to the decrease in our weighted average borrowings from $272.7 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $214.5 million in the first nine months of 2009, which was partially offset by a decrease in interest capitalized due primarily to a reduction in land development activities, and an increase in our weighted average borrowing rate from 8.05% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to 8.61% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Operating Cash Flow Activities

Funding for our business has been provided principally by cash flow from operating activities, bank borrowings, and the public debt and equity markets.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we generated $25.0 million of cash from our operating activities, compared to $126.2 million of cash from our operating activities during the first nine months of 2008.  The $25.0 million net cash generated during the first nine months of 2009 was primarily a result of a federal tax refund totaling $39.5 million, and a net increase in accounts payable of $22.9 million.  Partially offsetting these increases was a net decrease due to other operating activities, including $4.3 million in cash held in escrow, and $3.7 million in accrued compensation.

The $101.2 million decrease in cash generated from operating activities from the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008 is primarily due to the $116.4 million decrease in cash generated by the conversion of inventory into cash as a result of home closings, as well as third-party land sales.  We had $0.7 million in third-party land sales in the first nine months of 2009 compared to $30.0 million in the first nine months of 2008.  Beginning in the second half of 2006, we began reducing our land purchases, and in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we purchased $22.2 million of land and lots.  We have entered into land option agreements, taking into consideration current and projected market conditions, in order to secure land for the construction of homes in the future.  Pursuant to these land option agreements, we have provided deposits to land sellers totaling $1.6 million as of September 30, 2009 as consideration for the right to purchase land and lots in the future, including the right to purchase $83.3 million of land and lots during the years 2009 through 2015.  While we will continue to purchase select land positions where it makes strategic and economic sense to do so (we have recently begun to see more opportunities to purchase land at prices that make economic sense in light of the current sales prices and sales paces), we currently plan to purchase an additional $28.4 million of land in the fourth quarter of 2009.  At September 30, 2009, we owned or controlled through options 9,250 home sites, as compared to 9,723 at December 31, 2008.

Investing Cash Flow Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we used $63.7 million of cash, primarily due to the addition of restricted cash, which had a balance at September 30, 2009 of $66.9 million.  Within restricted cash are the proceeds from the public offering of 4,475,600 shares of the Company’s common stock that raised $52.6 million, as discussed in Financing Activities below.

Restricted cash consists of homebuilding cash the Company had in excess of $25.0 million at September 30, 2009, that is to be designated as collateral in accordance with the Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility dated October 6, 2006 (the “Credit Facility”).  Of the $66.9 million in restricted cash, $10.4 million relates to collateral for our outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Facility and $2.4 million is restricted cash required to cover various other matters.  We are currently in the process of securing assets which will reduce the restriction on our cash balance beginning in October 2009.  Our new Letters of Credit Facilities, described below, however, require that each letter of credit covered by these facilities be collateralized by cash.

Along with the increase in restricted cash, there was also an increase of $3.7 million in property and equipment purchases.  Partially offsetting these increases were the proceeds of $7.9 million from the sale of our airplane.

Financing Cash Flow Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we generated $31.1 million of cash from financing activities.  On May 19, 2009, we issued 4,475,600 shares of common stock in a public offering, netting $52.6 million. Offsetting the proceeds from this issuance were the repayments of $8.5 million on our MIF Credit Facility and $9.8 million on a mortgage note for the Company airplane which was sold in the first quarter of 2009.

Our homebuilding and financial services operations financing needs depend on anticipated sales volume in the current year as well as future years, inventory levels and related turnover, forecasted land and lot purchases, and other Company plans.
 
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We fund these operations with cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under our bank credit facilities, and, from time to time, issuances of new debt and/or equity securities, as management deems necessary.

We have incurred substantial indebtedness, and may incur substantial indebtedness in the future, to fund our homebuilding activities.  We routinely monitor current operational requirements, financial market conditions, and credit relationships.  We believe that our operations and borrowing resources will provide for our current and long-term liquidity requirements.  However, we continue to evaluate the impact of market conditions on our liquidity and may determine that modifications are necessary if market conditions continue to deteriorate and extend beyond our expectations.  We believe that we will be able to continue to fund our current operations and meet our contractual obligations through a combination of existing cash resources and our existing sources of credit.  Due to the deterioration of the credit markets and the uncertainties that exist in the economy and for homebuilders in general, we cannot be certain that we will be able to replace existing financing or find sources of additional financing in the future.  Please refer to Item 1A. of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 for further discussion of risk factors that could impact our source of funds.

Included in the table below is a summary of our available sources of cash as of September 30, 2009:
 
(In thousands)
Expiration
Date
 
Outstanding
Balance
 
Available
Amount
Notes payable banks – homebuilding
10/6/2010
  $            -   $    50,289
Note payable bank – financial services
5/15/2010
  $   26,622   $            -
Senior notes
4/1/2012
  $ 200,000   $           -
Universal shelf registration (a)
           -   $           -   $ 194,055

(a)
This shelf registration should allow us to expediently access capital markets in the future.  The timing and amount of offerings, if any, will depend on market and general business conditions.

Notes Payable Banks - Homebuilding.  In January 2009, we amended the Credit Facility to:  (1) reduce the Aggregate Commitment (as defined therein) from $250 million to $150 million, which is then reduced to $125 million, $100 million and $60 million if the Company’s consolidated tangible net worth falls below $250 million, $200 million and $150 million, respectively; (2) require secured borrowings based on a Secured Borrowing Base calculated as 100% of Secured  Borrowing Base Cash plus 40% of the aggregated Appraised Value of the Qualified Real Property, as defined therein; and (3) provide for $65 million of availability during the Initial Period (to October 20, 2009);  however, during the Initial Period, requires that any cash in excess of $25 million be designated as collateral.

Our Credit Facility has key financial and other covenants, including:

requiring us to maintain tangible net worth (“Minimum Net Worth”) of at least (1) $100 million plus (2) 50% of consolidated earnings (without deduction for losses and excluding the effect of any decreases in any deferred tax valuation allowance) earned for each completed fiscal quarter ending after December 31, 2008 to the date of determination, excluding any quarter in which the consolidated earnings are less than zero plus (3) the amount of any reduction or reversal in deferred tax valuation allowance for each completed fiscal quarter ending after December 31, 2008;
Maintaining a leverage ratio not in excess of 2.00 to 1.00;
requiring adjusted cash flow from operations ratio to be greater than 1.50x, or requiring us to maintain unrestricted cash of more than $25 million (the “Adjusted Cash Flow Ratio”);
prohibiting secured indebtedness from exceeding $25 million;
prohibiting the net book value of our land and lots where construction of a home has not commenced, less the lesser of 25% of tangible net worth or prior six month sales times average book value of a finished lot, from exceeding 125% of tangible net worth plus 50% of the aggregate outstanding subordinated debt (the “Total Land Restriction”);
limiting the number of unsold housing units and model units that we may have in our inventory at the end of any fiscal quarter from exceeding the greater of 40% of the number of home closings within the twelve months ending on such date or 80% of the number of unit closings within the six months ending on such date (the “Spec and Model Home Restriction”);
limiting extension of credit on the sale of land to 10% of tangible net worth; and
limiting investment in joint ventures to 25% of tangible net worth.
 
 
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The following table summarizes these covenant thresholds pursuant to the Credit Facility, and our compliance with such covenants:

Financial Covenant
   
Covenant Requirement
 
Actual
     
(dollars in millions, except ratios and spec homes)
Minimum Net Worth (1)
=
  $ 100.0   $ 316.0
Leverage Ratio (2)
 
2.00 to 1.00
 
0.78 to 1.00
Adjusted Cash Flow Ratio (3)
 
1.50 to 1.00
 
4.16 to 1.00
Permitted Debt Based on Borrowing Base
  $ 50.3   $ 0.0
Total Land Restriction
  $ 394.9   $ 189.7
Spec and Model Homes Restriction
    926     453

(1)
Minimum Net Worth (called “Actual Consolidated Tangible Net Worth” in the Credit Agreement) was calculated based on the stated amount of our consolidated equity less intangible assets of $3.0 million as of September 30, 2009.
(2)
Repayment guarantees are included in the definition of Indebtedness for purposes of calculating the Leverage Ratio.
(3)
If the adjusted cash flow ratio is below 1.50X, then the Company shall maintain unrestricted cash in an amount not less than $25 million.

At September 30, 2009, the Company’s homebuilding operations did not have any outstanding borrowings, and had outstanding letters of credit totaling $14.7 million under the Credit Facility.  The Credit Facility provides for a maximum borrowing amount of $150 million.  Under the terms of the Credit Facility, the $150 million capacity includes a maximum amount of $100 million in outstanding letters of credit.  Borrowing availability is determined based on the lesser of: (1) Credit Facility loan capacity less Credit Facility borrowings (including cash borrowings and letters of credit) or (2) the calculated maximum secured borrowing base cash plus Qualified Real Property, less the actual borrowing.

As of September 30, 2009, borrowing availability under the amended Credit Facility was $50.3 million in accordance with the borrowing base calculation.  Borrowings under the Credit Facility are at the Alternate Base Rate plus a margin ranging from 350 to 425 basis points, or at the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin ranging from 450 to 525 basis points.  The Alternate Base Rate is defined as the higher of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points or the one month Eurodollar Rate plus 100 basis points.  The Company had $66.9 million of cash that was designated as collateral and classified as restricted cash in accordance with the covenants of the Credit Facility, as described in Investing Cash Flow Activities above.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants of the Credit Facility.  We are currently in the process of securing assets which will reduce the restriction on our cash balance.  However, as mentioned below, we took out four new Letters of Credit Facilities (“LOC Facilities”) and the collateral requirements of those are covered solely with cash.

On July 27, 2009, the Company entered into four secured Letter of Credit Facilities (“LOC Facilities”) with a borrowing capacity of $35 million.  The LOC Facilities mature on September 30, 2010 and do not contain any covenants.  There are, however, cross defaults to the Credit Facility discussed above, as well as collateral requirements which the Company will cover solely with cash.  As of September 30, 2009, we had $8.5 million letters of credit outstanding on the LOC Facilities, collateralized by $10.4 million of restricted cash.

We continue to operate in a challenging economic environment, and our ability to comply with our debt covenants may be affected by economic or business conditions beyond our control.  However, we believe that cash flow from operating activities, together with available borrowing options and other sources of liquidity, will be sufficient to fund currently anticipated working capital, planned capital spending and debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months. 

Note Payable Bank – Financial Services.  On September 23, 2009, M/I Financial entered into the First Amendment to their secured credit agreement (“MIF Credit Agreement”) to increase the maximum borrowing availability from $20.0 million to $30.0 million.

The MIF Credit Agreement, which expires on May 15, 2010, is secured by certain mortgage loans.  The MIF Credit Agreement also provides for limits with respect to certain loan types that can secure the borrowings under the agreement.  M/I Financial shall not permit its tangible net worth to be less than the sum of (1) $13.0 million, as of the end of any calendar month during the period beginning May 15, 2009 and ending November 30, 2009, and (2) $13.0 million plus (a) twenty-five percent (25%) of the greater of (i) net income of M/I Financial and its subsidiaries or (ii) zero, calculated separately for each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.  M/I Financial shall not permit its adjusted tangible net worth (the tangible net worth less the outstanding amount of intercompany loans) to be less than the sum of (1) $11.0 million, as of the end of any calendar month during the period beginning May 15, 2009 and ending November 30, 2009, and (2) $11.0 million plus (a) twenty-five percent (25%) of the greater of (i) net income of M/I Financial and its subsidiaries or (ii) zero, calculated separately for each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2009.  M/I Financial shall not permit the ratio of earnings before interest and taxes to interest expense to be less than 1.25 to 1.00.  M/I Financial pays interest on each advance under the MIF Credit Agreement at a per annum rate of the greater of the floating LIBOR rate or 5.25%.
 
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At September 30, 2009, we had $26.6 million outstanding under the MIF Credit Agreement.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company and M/I Financial were in compliance with all restrictive covenants of the MIF Credit Agreement.

Senior Notes.  At September 30, 2009, we had $200.0 million of 6.875% senior notes outstanding.  The notes are due April 2012.  The Credit Facility prohibits the early repurchase of the senior notes.

The indenture governing our senior notes contains restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of the Company to pay dividends on common and preferred shares, as well as the ability to repurchase any shares.  If our “consolidated restricted payments basket,” as defined in the indenture governing our senior notes, is less than zero, we are restricted from making certain payments, including dividends, as well as repurchasing any shares.  At September 30, 2009, our restricted payments basket was ($163.0) million.  As a result of this deficit, we are currently restricted from paying dividends on our common shares and our 9.75% Series A Preferred Shares, as well as repurchasing any shares under our common share repurchase program that was approved by our Board of Directors in November 2005.

Weighted Average Borrowings.  For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, our weighted average borrowings outstanding were $208.0 million and $241.5 million, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 8.49% and 7.69%, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, our weighted average borrowings outstanding were $214.5 million and $272.7 million, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 8.61% and 8.05%, respectively.  The decrease in borrowings was primarily the result of the Company using cash generated from operations to pay down outstanding debt.

Preferred Shares.  On March 15, 2007, we issued 4,000,000 depositary shares, each representing 1/1000th of a 9.75% Series A Preferred Share (the “Preferred Shares”), or 4,000 Preferred Shares in the aggregate, for net proceeds of $96.3 million.  Dividends on the Preferred Shares are non-cumulative and are paid at an annual rate of 9.75%.  Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears, if declared by us, on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15.  If there is a change of control of the Company and if the Company’s corporate credit rating is withdrawn or downgraded to a certain level (together constituting a “change of control event”), the dividends on the Preferred Shares will increase to 10.75% per year.  We may not redeem the Preferred Shares prior to March 15, 2012, except following the occurrence of a change of control event.  On or after March 15, 2012, we have the option to redeem the Preferred Shares in whole or in part at any time or from time to time, payable in cash of $25 per depositary share.  The Preferred Shares have no stated maturity, are not subject to any sinking fund provisions, are not convertible into any other securities, and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless redeemed by us.  Holders of the Preferred Shares have no voting rights, except as otherwise required by applicable Ohio law; however, in the event we do not pay dividends for an aggregate of six quarters (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Preferred Shares will be entitled to nominate two members to serve on our Board of Directors.  The Preferred Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “MHO-PA.”

We did not pay any dividends on the Preferred Shares in the first nine months of 2009.  Pursuant to certain restrictive covenants in the indenture governing our senior notes, we are currently restricted from making any further dividend payments on our common shares or the Preferred Shares.  We will continue to be restricted until such time that the consolidated restricted payments basket (as defined in the indenture) has been restored or our senior notes are repaid, and our Board of Directors authorizes us to resume dividend payments.  See Note 15 to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information concerning those restrictive covenants.

Universal Shelf Registration.  On August 4, 2008, the Company filed a $250 million universal shelf registration statement with the SEC.  Pursuant to the filing, the Company may, from time to time over an extended period, offer new debt and/or equity securities.  The timing and amount of offerings, if any, will depend on market and general business conditions.

On May 19, 2009, we raised $52.6 million by issuing 4,475,600 shares of our common stock in a public offering, pursuant to the $250 million universal shelf filed in August 2008, as further discussed above under “Financing Cash Flow Activities.”  As of September 30, 2009, $194.1 million remains available for future offerings.  Pursuant to the filing, the Company may, from time to time over an extended period, offer new debt, preferred stock and/or other equity securities.  The timing and amount of offerings, if any, will depend on market and general business conditions.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company sold its airplane and used the proceeds from that sale to pay off the note payable associated with the airplane, which had a balance at December 31, 2008 of $9.9 million.

There have been no other material changes to our contractual obligations from those appearing in the Contractual Obligations section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Our primary use of off-balance sheet arrangements is for the purpose of securing the most desirable lots on which to build homes for our homebuyers in a manner that we believe reduces the overall risk to the Company.  Our off-balance sheet arrangements relating to our homebuilding operations include unconsolidated LLCs, land option agreements, guarantees and indemnifications associated with acquiring and developing land and the issuance of letters of credit and completion bonds.  Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, our financial services operation issues guarantees and indemnities relating to the sale of loans to third parties.

Unconsolidated Limited Liability Companies.  In the ordinary course of business, the Company periodically enters into arrangements with third parties to acquire land and develop lots.  These arrangements include the creation by the Company of LLCs, with the Company’s interest in these entities ranging from 33% to 50%.  These entities engage in land development activities for the purpose of distributing (in the form of a capital distribution) or selling developed lots to the Company and its partners in the entity.  These entities generally do not meet the criteria of variable interest entities (“VIEs”), because the equity at risk is sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from the equity investors; however, we must evaluate each entity to determine whether it is or is not a VIE.  If an entity was determined to be a VIE, we would then evaluate whether or not we are the primary beneficiary.  These evaluations are initially performed when each new entity is created and upon any events that require reconsideration of the entity.

We have determined that none of the LLCs in which we have an interest are VIEs, and we also have determined that we do not have substantive control over any of these entities; therefore, our homebuilding LLCs are recorded using the equity method of accounting.  The Company believes its maximum exposure related to any of these entities as of September 30, 2009 to be the amount invested of $7.7 million, plus letters of credit and bonds totaling $0.5 million that serve as completion bonds for the development work in progress, and our possible future obligations under guarantees and indemnifications provided in connection with these entities, as further discussed in Note 9 and Note 10 of our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Land Option Agreements.  In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into land option agreements in order to secure land for the construction of homes in the future.  Pursuant to these land option agreements, the Company will provide a deposit to the seller as consideration for the right to purchase land at different times in the future, usually at predetermined prices.  Because the entities holding the land under the option agreement often meet the criteria for VIEs, the Company evaluates all land option agreements to determine if it is necessary to consolidate any of these entities.  The Company currently believes that its maximum exposure as of September 30, 2009 related to these agreements is equal to the amount of the Company’s outstanding deposits, which totaled $1.6 million, including prepaid acquisition costs of $0.4 million, and letters of credit of $0.5 million.

Letters of Credit and Completion Bonds.  The Company provides standby letters of credit and completion bonds for development work in progress, deposits on land and lot purchase agreements and miscellaneous deposits.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company has outstanding $56.3 million of completion bonds and standby letters of credit, some of which were issued to various local governmental entities, that expire at various times through December 2016.  Included in this total are: (1) $28.7 million of performance bonds and $15.2 million of performance letters of credit that serve as completion bonds for land development work in progress (including the Company’s $0.3 million share of our LLCs’ letters of credit and bonds); (2) $8.2 million of financial letters of credit; and (3) $4.2 million of financial bonds.

Guarantees and Indemnities.  In the ordinary course of business, M/I Financial enters into agreements that guarantee purchasers of its mortgage loans that M/I Financial will repurchase a loan if certain conditions occur.  M/I Financial has also provided indemnifications to certain third party investors and insurers in lieu of repurchasing certain loans.  The risks associated with these guarantees and indemnities are offset by the value of the underlying assets, and the Company accrues its best estimate of the probable loss on these loans.  Additionally, the Company has provided certain other guarantees and indemnities in connection with the acquisition and development of land by our homebuilding operations.  Refer to Note 10 of our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details relating to our guarantees and indemnities.

INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION

Our business is significantly affected by general economic conditions of the United States of America and, particularly, by the impact of interest rates and inflation.  Higher interest rates may decrease our potential market by making it more difficult for homebuyers to qualify for mortgages or to obtain mortgages at interest rates that are acceptable to them.  The impact of increased rates can be offset, in part, by offering variable rate loans with lower interest rates.  In conjunction with our mortgage
 
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financing services, hedging methods are used to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations between the commitment date of the loan and the time the loan closes.

During the past year, we have experienced some detrimental effect from inflation, particularly the inflation in the cost of land that occurred over the past several years.   As a result of declines in market conditions in most of our markets, in certain communities we have been unable to recover the cost of these higher land prices, resulting in lower gross margins and significant charges being recorded in our operating results due to the impairment of inventory and investments in unconsolidated LLCs, and other write-offs relating to deposits and pre-acquisition costs of abandoned land transactions.  In recent years, we have not experienced a detrimental effect from inflation in relation to our home construction costs, and we have been successful in reducing certain of these costs with our subcontractors.  However, unanticipated construction costs or a change in market conditions may occur during the period between the date sales contracts are entered into with customers and the delivery date of the related homes, resulting in lower gross profit margins.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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ITEM 3:   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our primary market risk results from fluctuations in interest rates.  We are exposed to interest rate risk through borrowings under our revolving credit facilities, consisting of the Credit Facility and the MIF Credit Facility, which permit borrowings of up to $180 million as of September 30, 2009, subject to availability constraints.  Additionally, M/I Financial is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its mortgage loan origination services.

Loan Commitments: Interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) are extended to certain home-buying customers who have applied for a mortgage loan and meet certain defined credit and underwriting criteria.  Typically, the IRLCs will have a duration of less than six months; however, in certain markets, the duration could extend to twelve months.

Some IRLCs are committed to a specific third-party investor through the use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments matching the exact terms of the IRLC loan.  The notional amount of the committed IRLCs and the best-efforts contracts was $1.4 million and $21.2 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  At September 30, 2009, the fair value of the committed IRLCs resulted in a liability of less than $0.1 million and the related best-efforts contracts resulted in a liability of $0.1 million.  At December 31, 2008, the fair value of the committed IRLCs resulted in a liability of $0.1 million and the related best-efforts contracts resulted in a liability of less than $0.1 million.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized income of $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, relating to marking these committed IRLCs and the related best-efforts contracts to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized income of $0.1 million and expense of $0.1 million, respectively, relating to marking these committed IRLCs and the related best-efforts contracts to market.

Uncommitted IRLCs are considered derivative instruments, and are fair value adjusted, with the resulting gain or loss recorded in current earnings.  At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the notional amount of the uncommitted IRLCs was $83.9 million and $25.4 million, respectively.  The fair value adjustment related to these uncommitted IRLCs, which is based on quoted market prices, resulted in an asset of $1.1 million and an asset of $0.8 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized income of $1.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, relating to marking the uncommitted IRLCs to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized income of $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, relating to marking the uncommitted IRLCs to market.

Forward Sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities: Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (“FMBSs”) are used to protect uncommitted IRLC loans against the risk of changes in interest rates between the lock date and the funding date.  FMBSs related to uncommitted IRLCs are classified and accounted for as non-designated derivative instruments and are recorded at fair value, with gains and losses recorded in current earnings.  At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the notional amount under these FMBSs was $86.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively, and the related fair value adjustment, which is based on quoted market prices, resulted in a liability of $0.7 million and a liability of $0.2 million, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized expense of $1.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, relating to marking these FMBSs to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized expense of $0.3 million and income of $0.1 million, respectively, relating to marking these FMBSs to market.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale:  Mortgage loans held for sale consist primarily of single-family residential loans collateralized by the underlying property.  During the intervening period between when a loan is closed and when it is sold to an investor, the interest rate risk is covered through the use of a best-efforts contract or by FMBSs.

The notional amount of the best-efforts contracts and related mortgage loans held for sale was $1.8 million and $13.6 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  The fair value of the best-efforts contracts and related mortgage loans held for sale resulted in a net liability of $0.2 million and a net asset of $0.2 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized income of $0.2 million and expense of $0.4 million, respectively, relating to marking these best-efforts contracts and the related mortgage loans held for sale to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized income of less than $0.1 million and expense of less than $0.1 million, respectively, relating to marking these best-efforts contracts and the related mortgage loans held for sale to market.

The notional amounts of the FMBSs and the related mortgage loans held for sale were $35.0 million and $34.6 million, respectively, at September 30, 2009, and both were $23.0 million at December 31, 2008.  The FMBSs are classified and accounted for as non-designated derivative instruments, with gains and losses recorded in current earnings.  As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the related fair value adjustment for marking these FMBSs to market resulted in a liability of $0.6 million and a liability of $0.9 million, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized expense of $1.2 million and income of $0.3 million, respectively, relating to marking these
 
45 

 
FMBSs to market.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized expense of $1.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, relating to marking these FMBSs to market.

The following table provides the expected future cash flows and current fair values of borrowings under our credit facilities and mortgage loan origination services that are subject to market risk as interest rates fluctuate, as of September 30, 2009:

  Weighted                                   
  Average                                  Fair 
  Interest      Expected Cash Flow by Period        Value
 (Dollars in thousands) Rate      2009    2010    2011    2012    2013    Thereafter    Total    9/30/09
  Fixed rate
5.00 % $ 37,999 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 37,999 $ 37,087
  Variable rate
N/A     -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -
                                     
LIABILITIES:
                                   
Long-term debt – fixed rate
6.91 % $ 73 $ 307 $ 332 $ 200,360 $ 391 $ 4,770 $ 206,233 $ 191,451
Long-term debt – variable rate
5.25 %   -   26,622   -   -   -   -   26,622   26,622
 
 
 

 

 
46 

 
ITEM 4:  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was performed by the Company's management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer and the principal financial officer.  Based on that evaluation, the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the third quarter of 2009, certain changes in responsibility for performing internal control procedures occurred.  Management has evaluated these changes in our internal control over financial reporting, and believes that we have taken the necessary steps to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting during the period of change.

It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based, in part, upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.  In addition, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

Part II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

On March 14, 2008, a former employee filed a complaint in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, on behalf of himself and those similarly situated, against M/I Homes, Inc., alleging that he and other construction superintendents were misclassified as exempt and not paid overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act and seeking equitable relief, damages and attorneys' fees.  Six other individuals have filed consent forms in order to join the action.  The Company filed an answer on or about August 21, 2008 and intends to vigorously defend against the claims.  
 
On March 5, 2009, a resident of Florida and an owner of one of our homes filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, on behalf of himself and other similarly situated owners and residents of homes in the United States or alternatively in Florida, against M/I Homes, Inc., and certain other identified and unidentified manufacturers, builders, and suppliers of drywall.  The plaintiff alleges that M/I Homes built his home with defective drywall, manufactured by certain of the defendants, that contains sulfur or other organic compounds capable of harming the health of individuals and damaging metals.  The plaintiff alleges physical and economic damages and seeks legal and equitable relief, medical monitoring and attorney’s fees.  The Company filed a responsive pleading on or about April 30, 2009 and intends to vigorously defend against the claims.  Please refer to Note 11 of the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on this matter.

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in other claims, complaints and legal actions which are routine and incidental to our business.  Certain of the liabilities resulting from these other matters are covered by insurance.   While management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these other matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position,  results of operations and cash flows, such matters are subject to inherent uncertainties.  The Company has recorded a liability to provide for the anticipated costs, including legal defense costs, associated with the resolution of these other matters.  However, there exists the possibility that the costs to resolve these other matters could differ from the recorded estimates and, therefore, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net income for the periods in which the matters are resolved.

Item  1A.  Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and in Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009, except for the updates set forth below.  Other factors beyond those referred to above and listed below, including factors known to us which we have not currently determined to be material, could also adversely affect us.
 
47 

 
Homebuilding is subject to warranty and liability claims in the ordinary course of business which may lead to additional reserves or expenses.

As a homebuilder, we are subject to home warranty and construction defect claims arising in the ordinary course of business.  We record warranty and other reserves for homes we sell based on historical experience in our markets and our judgment of the qualitative risks associated with the types of homes built.  We have, and require the majority of our subcontractors to have, general liability, workers’ compensation, and other business insurance.  These insurance policies protect us against a portion of our risk of loss from claims, subject to certain self-insured retentions, deductibles, and other coverage limits.  We reserve for the costs to cover our self-insured retentions and deductible amounts under these policies and for any costs of claims and lawsuits based on an analysis of our historical claims, which includes an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.  Because of the uncertainties inherent to these matters, we cannot provide assurance that our insurance coverage, our subcontractors’ arrangements, and our reserves will be adequate to address all of our warranty and construction defect claims in the future.  For example, contractual indemnities can be difficult to enforce, we may be responsible for applicable self-insured retentions, and some types of claims may not be covered by insurance or may exceed applicable coverage limits.  Additionally, the coverage offered and the availability of general liability insurance for construction defects are currently limited and costly.  As a result, an increasing number of our subcontractors are unable to obtain insurance, and we have in some cases waived our customary insurance requirements.  We have responded to the increases in insurance costs and coverage limitations by increasing our self-insured retentions.  There can be no assurance that coverage will not be further restricted and may become even more costly or may not be available at rates that are acceptable to us.
 
There has been a lot of publicity about homes constructed with defective imported drywall during the past nine months.  During the first nine months of 2009, the Company has accrued $9.7 million for the repair of these homes and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and we have charged $1.7 million against that accrual.   Since the discovery of defective drywall, we have implemented procedures in every division to investigate homes for signs of the presence of this drywall and those investigations are continuing.  Based on those investigations, the Company does not believe that defective drywall was used in any division outside of Florida.  Notwithstanding, we are unable to estimate our total exposure at this time because, among other reasons, we have not completed our investigation of homes, tracing the defective drywall through the supply chain has proven difficult, and the manufacturers of the drywall have not cooperated in our investigations.  If the Company identifies more homes than the homes identified thus far as having defective imported drywall, the Company may increase the accrual for costs of repair attributable to defective imported drywall.  The Company is seeking reimbursement of costs to repair homes affected by this drywall from its subcontractors, their insurers, the manufacturers and others.  However, we have not currently reflected any reimbursement in our costs as such reimbursements are not probable or estimable at this time.
 
Our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected if pending or future legal claims against us are not resolved in our favor.

On March 14, 2008, a former employee filed a complaint against us in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, on behalf of himself and other similarly situated construction superintendents.  The plaintiff alleges that he and other construction superintendents were misclassified as exempt and not paid overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act and seeks equitable relief, damages and attorneys’ fees.  Six other individuals have filed consent forms to join the action.  We filed an answer on or about August 21, 2008 and intend to vigorously defend against the claims. 

On March 5, 2009, a resident of Florida and an owner of one of our homes filed a complaint against us and certain other identified and unidentified manufacturers, builders and suppliers of drywall in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, on behalf of himself and other similarly situated owners and residents of homes in the United States or alternatively in Florida.  The plaintiff alleges that we built his home with defective drywall manufactured by certain of the defendants that contains sulfur or other organic compounds capable of harming the health of individuals and damaging metals.  The plaintiff alleges physical and economic damages and seeks legal and equitable relief, medical monitoring and attorneys’ fees.  We filed a responsive pleading on or about April 30, 2009 and intend to vigorously defend against the claims.

Due to the inherent uncertainties of these matters, there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of these class actions will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.  

We are also named as defendants in other legal proceedings which are routine and incidental to our business.  Although management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these other matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, such matters are subject to inherent uncertainties.  As a result, while we have recorded a liability to provide for the anticipated costs, including legal defense costs, associated with the resolution of these other matters, there can be no assurance that the costs to resolve them will not differ from the recorded estimates and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows for the periods in which the matters are resolved.  Similarly, if additional claims are filed against
48

us in the future, the negative outcome of one or more of such matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
Item  2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities – None.

(b) Use of Proceeds – Not Applicable.

(c) Purchases of Equity Securities

On November 8, 2005, the Company obtained authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase up to $25 million worth of its outstanding common shares.  The repurchase program expires on November 8, 2010, and was publicly announced on November 10, 2005.  The purchases may occur in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions as market conditions warrant.  During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, the Company did not repurchase any shares.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company had approximately $6.7 million available to repurchase outstanding common shares from the Board-approved repurchase program.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Period
Total
number of
shares
purchased
 
Average
price
paid
per share
 
Total
number of
shares
purchased
as part of
publicly
announced
program
 
Approximate
dollar value of
shares that may
yet be purchased under the
 program (1)
July 1 to July 31, 2009
-   $       -   -   $6,715,000
August 1 to August 31, 2009
-            -   -     6,715,000
September 1 to September 30, 2009
-            -   -     6,715,000
Total
-   $       -   -   $6,715,000

(1)
On November 10, 2005, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $25 million worth of its outstanding common shares.  This repurchase program expires on November 8, 2010.
 
Item  3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities  - None.
 
Item  4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  - None.

Item  5.  Other Information  - None.

Item  6.  Exhibits

The exhibits required to be filed herewith are set forth below.

Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
     
10.1
 
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement by and among M/I Financial Corp., as borrower, the lenders party thereto and The Huntington National Bank, as administrative agent, dated September 23, 2009.  (Filed herewith).
 
10.2
 
M/I Homes, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan Stock Units Award Agreement for Directors, dated August 18, 2009.  (Filed herewith).
 
31.1
 
Certification by Robert H. Schottenstein, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  (Filed herewith.)
 
31.2
 
Certification by Phillip G. Creek, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  (Filed herewith.)
 
32.1
 
Certification by Robert H. Schottenstein, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  (Filed herewith.)
 
32.2
 
Certification by Phillip G. Creek, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  (Filed herewith.)
 
 
 
 
49

 
 
SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


       
M/I Homes, Inc.
       
(Registrant)
             
             
Date:
 
October 30, 2009
 
By:
/s/ Robert H. Schottenstein
         
Robert H. Schottenstein
 
         
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
         
President
 
         
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
             
             
             
             
Date:
 
October 30, 2009
 
By:
/s/ Ann Marie W. Hunker
         
Ann Marie W. Hunker
 
         
Vice President and Corporate Controller
 
         
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
             
             


 
50

 


EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
     
10.1
 
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement by and among M/I Financial Corp., as borrower, the lenders party thereto and The Huntington National Bank, as administrative agent, dated September 23, 2009.  (Filed herewith).
     
10.2
 
M/I Homes, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan Stock Units Award Agreement for Directors, dated August 18, 2009.  (Filed herewith).
     
31.1
 
Certification by Robert H. Schottenstein, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  (Filed herewith.)
     
31.2
 
Certification by Phillip G. Creek, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  (Filed herewith.)
     
32.1
 
Certification by Robert H. Schottenstein, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  (Filed herewith.)
     
32.2
 
Certification by Phillip G. Creek, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  (Filed herewith.)


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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