Edgar Filing: MDC HOLDINGS INC

FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

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

Commission File No. 1-8951

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		84-0622967
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

4350 South Monaco Street, Suite 500
Denver, Colorado

80237

(Zip code)

(Address of principal executive offices)

(303) 773-1100

(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 ¨

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


Large Accelerated Filer x		Accelerated Filer ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		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

As of September 30, 2009, 46,972,000 shares of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. common stock were outstanding.

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

INDEX


			Page No.
Part I.	Financial Information:

	Item 1.	Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements:

		Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008	1

		Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008	2

		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008	3

		Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	4

	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	32

	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	72

	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	72

Part II.	Other Information:

	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	73

	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	73

	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	74

	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	74

	Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	75

	Item 5.	Other Information	75

	Item 6.	Exhibits	76

	Signature		77

(i)

ITEM 1.

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)


	September 30, 2009			December 31, 2008
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,448,875		$	1,304,728
Marketable securities		151,260			54,864
Unsettled trades, net		2,133			57,687
Restricted cash		933			670
Receivables
Home sales receivables		14,283			17,104
Income taxes receivable		3,119			170,753
Other receivables		9,981			16,697
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		42,704			68,604
Inventories, net
Housing completed or under construction		325,257			415,500
Land and land under development		177,888			221,822
Property and equipment, net		37,721			38,343
Deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance		-			-
Related party assets		28,839			28,627
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net		77,524			79,539

Total Assets	$	2,320,517		$	2,474,938

Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	45,910		$	28,793
Accrued liabilities		309,457			332,825
Mortgage repurchase facility		13,010			34,873
Senior notes, net		997,872			997,527

Total Liabilities		1,366,249			1,394,018

Commitments and Contingencies		-			-


Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding		-			-
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 47,025,000 and 46,972,000 issued and outstanding, respectively, at September 30, 2009 and 46,715,000 and 46,666,000 issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2008		470			467
Additional paid-in-capital		799,215			788,207
Retained earnings		155,242			292,905
Treasury stock, at cost; 53,000 and 49,000 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively		(659	)		(659	)

Total Stockholders’ Equity		954,268			1,080,920

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	2,320,517		$	2,474,938

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Revenue
Home sales revenue	$	186,816		$	336,744		$	539,352		$	1,074,629
Land sales revenue		9,414			15,850			13,986			56,699
Other revenue		6,996			10,107			21,086			30,573

Total Revenue		203,226			362,701			574,424			1,161,901

Costs and Expenses

Home cost of sales		151,596			285,367			445,039			937,947
Land cost of sales		9,433			14,775			12,274			49,559
Asset impairments, net		1,197			95,388			17,009			238,498
Marketing expenses		9,631			18,797			26,393			58,350
Commission expenses		6,808			12,297			20,119			40,389
General and administrative expenses		45,800			50,010			121,981			145,120
Other operating expenses		3,594			1,586			4,151			5,156
Related party expenses		5			3			14			13

Total Operating Costs and Expenses		228,064			478,223			646,980			1,475,032

Loss from Operations		(24,838	)		(115,522	)		(72,556	)		(313,131	)

Other income (expense)
Interest income		2,724			9,315			9,763			28,338
Interest expense		(9,760	)		(10,775	)		(29,338	)		(10,985	)
Other income		56			8			177			38

Loss before income taxes		(31,818	)		(116,974	)		(91,954	)		(295,740	)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes, net		(230	)		(997	)		(10,529	)		4,223

NET LOSS	$	(32,048	)	$	(117,971	)	$	(102,483	)	$	(291,517	)

LOSS PER SHARE
Basic	$	(0.69	)	$	(2.55	)	$	(2.20	)	$	(6.32	)

Diluted	$	(0.69	)	$	(2.55	)	$	(2.20	)	$	(6.32	)

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		46,597			46,219			46,515			46,094

Diluted		46,597			46,219			46,515			46,094

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE	$	0.25		$	0.25		$	0.75		$	0.75

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009			2008
Operating Activities
Net loss	$	(102,483	)	$	(291,517	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities
Asset impairments, net		17,009			238,498
Deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance		-			147,060
Amortization of deferred marketing costs		5,973			19,929
Write-offs of land option deposits and pre-acquisition costs		1,458			5,253
Depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets		4,155			6,931
Stock-based compensation expense		11,044			9,717
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		-			(1,832	)
Gain on sale of assets, net		(1,512	)		(7,178	)
Other non-cash expenses		7,093			1,934
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash		(263	)		919
Home sales and other receivables		6,841			6,901
Income taxes receivable/payable		163,979			(60,793	)
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		25,900			39,219
Housing completed or under construction		85,342			290,757
Land and land under development		34,353			147,008
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net		(10,439	)		(43,118	)
Accounts payable		17,117			(29,628	)
Accrued liabilities		(21,061	)		(51,711	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		244,506			428,349

Investing Activities
Purchase of marketable securities		(175,356	)		(94,767	)
Maturity of marketable securities		78,960			-
Unsettled trade		-			(115,135	)
Proceeds from redemption requests on unsettled trades		55,554			-
Purchase of property and equipment		(6,096	)		(413	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(46,938	)		(210,315	)

Financing Activities
Lines of credit - advances		-			125,273
Lines of credit - payments		-			(164,886	)
Payment on mortgage repurchase facility		(63,164	)		-
Advances on mortgage repurchase facility		41,301			-
Dividend payments		(35,180	)		(34,735	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		3,622			10,587
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		-			1,832

Net cash used in financing activities		(53,421	)		(61,929	)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		144,147			156,105
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		1,304,728			1,004,763

End of period	$	1,448,875		$	1,160,868

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

1.	Basis of Presentation

The Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (“MDC” or the “Company,” which refers to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries) have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through October 30, 2009, the date the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements were filed with the SEC. These statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of MDC at September 30, 2009 and for all periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with MDC’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in MDC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the SEC on February 10, 2009.

The Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Refer to the economic conditions described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and “Risk Factors Relating to our Business” in Item 1A of the Company’s December 31, 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

During the 2009 first quarter, the Company reclassified certain costs, primarily write-offs of pre-acquisition costs and deposits on lot option contracts that we elected not to exercise, from general and administrative expenses to other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified $1.6 million and $5.2 million of write-offs of pre-acquisition costs and deposits during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, in order to conform to the current year’s presentation.

During the 2009 first quarter, the Company changed the composition of its reportable segments by reclassifying the Delaware Valley market from the Other Homebuilding segment to the East segment. This resulted primarily from a change in the internal reporting structure of the Company. As a result, the Company has restated all prior period financial and operating measures of the Delaware Valley market to the East segment in order to conform to the current year’s presentation. Certain other prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

2.	Unsettled Trades

On September 16, 2008, the Company delivered a timely redemption request to The Reserve Funds to redeem its investment in The Reserve’s Primary money market fund. The Reserve announced on September 16, 2008 that all Primary Fund redemption requests received before 3:00 p.m. that day would be redeemed at $1.00 per share. Despite representations by The Reserve that the redemptions would be paid the same day as the redemption request, the amounts due to the Company were not distributed to the Company upon request of redemption. Accordingly, at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company has presented the amounts due from The Reserve as unsettled trades on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and has presented the settlement of its redemption request as a source of cash from investing activities in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. At

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2009, the Company had $2.1 million of unsettled trades, net with The Reserve Primary Fund. While the Company believes that it made a timely redemption request to settle its investment in The Reserve Primary Fund on September 16, 2008, there are no assurances that the Company will ultimately receive the entire $2.1 million and, as such, the Company had a valuation allowance of $374,000 against the unsettled trade associated with its redemption request of The Reserve Primary Fund as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

3.	Asset Impairment

The Company’s held-for-development and held-for-sale inventories are included as a component of housing completed or under construction and land and land under development in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s held-for-sale inventories include inventory associated with subdivisions for which the Company intends to sell the assets in their current condition. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company’s inventories on the Consolidated Balance Sheets included $10.0 million and $12.1 million, respectively, of held-for-sale inventory.

The Company evaluates its held-for-development and held-for-sale inventory for impairment at each quarter-end. The following table sets forth, by reportable segment, the asset impairments recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands).


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009		2008		2009			2008
Land and Land Under Development (Held-for-Development)
West	$	172	$	33,539	$	9,963		$	72,303
Mountain		-		20,467		254			47,154
East		-		8,667		1,600			15,365
Other Homebuilding		359		41		376			1,906

Subtotal		531		62,714		12,193			136,728

Housing Completed or Under Construction (Held-for-Development)
West		111		10,115		3,387			43,288
Mountain		191		4,728		191			11,945
East		-		3,939		875			7,032
Other Homebuilding		270		1,844		537			3,941

Subtotal		572		20,626		4,990			66,206

Land and Land Under Development (Held-for-Sale)
West		-		5,604		(557	)		20,330
Mountain		-		-		-			150
East		-		520		-			1,270
Other Homebuilding		-		1,356		-			5,024

Subtotal		-		7,480		(557	)		26,774

Other Assets		94		4,568		383			8,790

Consolidated Asset Impairments	$	1,197	$	95,388	$	17,009		$	238,498

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

The $1.1 million impairment of the Company’s held-for-development inventories during the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily related to three communities, one in each of our West, Mountain and Other Homebuilding segments. The impairments resulted primarily from declines in the average selling price of homes in each of these communities. The decline in average selling price resulted from an effort to generate new home sales. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded consolidated asset impairments of $17.0 million, primarily in its West segment. These impairments, of which $14.6 million were recorded during the 2009 first quarter, were concentrated in the Nevada market of the West segment and resulted from a significant decrease in the average selling prices of closed homes during the 2009 first quarter, compared with the 2008 fourth quarter, in response to increased levels of competition in this market and continued high levels of home foreclosures. The impairments in the Mountain, East and Other Homebuilding segments primarily resulted from lower forecasted average selling prices for communities that are in the close-out phase.

The impairments of the Company’s held-for-development inventories incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily resulted from decreases in home sales prices and/or increases in home sales incentives offered as a result of: (1) lower home sales prices that were offered by the Company’s competitors; (2) efforts to maintain homes in Backlog (defined as homes under contract but not yet delivered) until they close; (3) high levels of foreclosures; (4) affordability issues for new homes as homebuyers were experiencing difficulty in qualifying for mortgage loans; and (5) efforts to stimulate new home orders in order to sell and close the remaining homes in subdivisions that are in the close-out phase.

The impairments of held-for-development inventories in the West and Mountain segments during the 2008 periods were significantly higher than impairments recorded in the Company’s other homebuilding segments, primarily resulting from: (1) competition within the sub-markets of these segments appeared to be more pronounced than in the other homebuilding segments and, as a result, the Company generally experienced more significant reductions in its average selling prices of homes within these segments; and (2) the total homebuilding inventories for the West and Mountain segments comprised 36% and 37%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated homebuilding inventories at September 30, 2008. The Company also believes that buyers of the Company’s homes in the West segment were largely comprised of entry level homebuyers, compared with a wider range of homebuyers in the other homebuilding segments and, as such, their ability to obtain suitable mortgage loan financing was impacted more adversely by the decreased availability of mortgage loan products, which contributed to the relatively higher impairments in this segment. Also contributing to the impairments in the Mountain segment was a more pronounced decline in demand for new homes during 2008, particularly in the Company’s Utah market, where the demand for new homes has decreased from its peak during 2006.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded impairments of $7.5 million and $26.8 million, respectively, on its held-for-sale inventory, primarily in the West segment. The 2008 third quarter impairments, which related to approximately 450 lots in 8 subdivisions, primarily resulted from significant decreases in the fair market values of new homes being sold, as this caused corresponding declines in the fair market values of land available for sale. Also contributing to these impairments were decisions that the best use of these assets was to sell them in their current condition at fair values that were significantly below their current carrying value.

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

4.	Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“SFAS 167”). SFAS 167, which is incorporated in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “Consolidation,” requires a qualitative approach to identifying a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. SFAS 167 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010. The Company is currently reviewing the effect of SFAS 167 on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 168”). SFAS 168, which is incorporated in ASC Topic 105, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” identifies the ASC as the authoritative source of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. We adopted SFAS No. 168 in 2009 third quarter.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140” (“SFAS 166”). SFAS 166, removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and removes the exception from applying FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” to qualifying special-purpose entities. SFAS 166 determines whether a transferor and all of the entities included in the transferor’s financial statements being presented have surrendered control over transferred financial assets. That determination must consider the transferor’s continuing involvement in the transferred financial asset, including all arrangements or agreements made contemporaneously with, or in contemplation of, the transfer, even if they were not entered into at the time of the transfer. SFAS 166 modifies the financial-components approach and limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire original financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset.

SFAS 166 defines the term participating interest to establish specific conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale. If the transfer does not meet those conditions, a transferor should account for the transfer as a sale only if it transfers an entire financial asset or a group of entire financial assets and surrenders control over the entire transferred asset(s). If a transfer of financial assets does not meet the requirements for sale accounting, the securitized mortgage loans should continue to be classified as loans in the transferor’s statement of financial position. SFAS 166 requires that a transferor recognize and initially measure at fair value all assets obtained (including a transferor’s beneficial interest) and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer of financial assets accounted for as a sale.

SFAS 166 shall be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. The

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

recognition and measurement provisions of SFAS 166 shall be applied to transfers that occur on or after the effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS 166 may have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

5.	Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), which defines fair value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements. ASC 820 does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather eliminates inconsistencies in guidance found in certain preceding accounting pronouncements. The Company adopted ASC 820 for financial and non-financial instruments during the 2008 and 2009 first quarters, respectively. Although the adoption of ASC 820 did not materially impact its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow, the Company now is required to provide additional disclosures as part of its financial statements as set forth below.

ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. For cash and cash equivalents, the fair value approximates carrying value.

Marketable securities. The Company classifies its marketable securities as held-to-maturity as it has both the ability and intent to hold these investments until their maturity date. Accordingly, the Company’s marketable securities are reported at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2009, the Company’s marketable securities consisted primarily of: (1) debt securities, which may include, among others, United States government and government agency debt, corporate debt and bankers’ acceptances; and (2) deposit securities which may include, among others, certificates of deposit and time deposits. The following table shows the Company’s carrying value of its marketable securities at September 30, 2009, by both security type and maturity date as well as the estimated fair value for each security type (in thousands). The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities are based upon Level 1 fair value inputs.


	September 30, 2009
	Recorded Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Debt securities - maturity less than 1 year	$	43,228	$	44,745
Debt securities - maturity 1 to 5 years		18,056		17,516
Deposit securities - maturity less than 1 year		54,945		54,872
Deposit securities - maturity 1 to 3 years		35,031		34,746

Total marketable securities	$	151,260	$	151,879

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, Net. As of September 30, 2009, the primary components of the Company’s mortgage loans held-for-sale that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are: (1) mortgage loans held-for-sale under commitments to sell; and (2) mortgage loans held-for-sale not under commitments to sell. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had $21.3 million and $47.0 million, respectively, in mortgage loans held-for-sale under commitments to sell for which fair value was based upon a Level 2 input being the quoted market prices for those mortgage loans. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had $21.0 million and $21.6 million, respectively, of mortgage loans held-for-sale that were not under commitments to sell and, as such, their fair value was based upon Level 2 fair value inputs, primarily estimated market price received from an outside party.

Inventories. The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are those assets for which the Company has recorded impairments during the current period and primarily relate to the Company’s housing completed or under construction and land and land under development. The following table sets forth the current carrying value (in thousands) of the Company’s inventory that was impaired at September 30, 2009. Accordingly, these carrying values represent the fair value of such inventory at September 30, 2009 and were based upon Level 3 fair value inputs.


	Land and Land Under Development (Held-for- Development)		Housing Completed or Under Construction (Held-for- Development)		Total Fair Value of Impaired Inventory
West	$	220	$	1,598	$	1,818
Mountain		-		1,320		1,320
East		-		-		-
Other Homebuilding		259		775		1,034

Consolidated	$	479	$	3,693	$	4,172

Lines of Credit. The Company’s lines of credit are at floating rates or at fixed rates that approximate current market rates and have relatively short-term maturities. The fair value approximates carrying value.

Senior Notes. The estimated fair values of the senior notes in the following table are considered to be Level 2 fair value inputs pursuant to ASC 820 and are an estimated fair value of the bonds when compared with bonds in the homebuilding sector (in thousands).


	September 30, 2009
	Recorded Amount		Estimated Fair Value
7% Senior Notes due 2012	$	149,413	$	160,281
5¹/2% Senior Notes due 2013		349,617		357,581
5³/8% Medium Term Senior Notes due 2014		249,063		239,963
5³/8% Medium Term Senior Notes due 2015		249,779		237,959

Total	$	997,872	$	995,784

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

6.	Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company utilizes certain derivative instruments in the normal course of business, which primarily include commitments to originate mortgage loans (interest rate lock commitments or locked pipeline) and forward sales of mortgage-backed securities commitments, both of which typically are short-term in nature. Forward sales securities commitments and private investor sales commitments are utilized to hedge changes in fair value of mortgage loan inventory and commitments to originate mortgage loans. At September 30, 2009, the Company had $179.8 million in interest rate lock commitments and $124.5 million in forward sales of mortgage-backed securities.

The Company records its mortgage loans held-for-sale at fair value to achieve matching of the changes in the fair value of its derivative instruments with the changes in fair values of the loans it is hedging, without having to designate its derivatives as hedging instruments. For forward sales commitments, as well as commitments to originate mortgage loans that are still outstanding at the end of a reporting period, the Company records the fair value of the derivatives in other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations with an offset to either prepaid and other assets or accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, depending on the nature of the change. The changes in fair value of the Company’s derivatives were not material during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

7.	Balance Sheet Components

The following table sets forth information relating to accrued liabilities (in thousands).


	September 30, 2009		December 31, 2008
Accrued liabilities
FIN 48 income tax liability	$	64,680	$	63,404
Warranty reserves		61,340		89,318
Insurance reserves		56,694		59,171
Accrued compensation and related expenses		21,178		22,245
Accrued interest payable		19,391		12,822
Land development and home construction accruals		17,681		22,941
Accrued executive deferred compensation		17,091		15,254
Legal reserves		9,975		7,575
Loan loss reserves		9,348		1,142
Customer and escrow deposits		7,322		4,820
Other accrued liabilities		24,757		34,133

Total accrued liabilities	$	309,457	$	332,825

8.	Loss Per Share

For purposes of calculating loss per share (“EPS”), a company that has multiple classes of securities (for example, unvested restricted stock that has nonforfeitable dividend rights and

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

outstanding shares of common stock) is required to utilize the two-class method for calculating earnings per share. The two-class method is an allocation of earnings between the multiple classes of securities that effectively treats each class of security as having rights to earnings that would otherwise have been available to common shareholders. Under the two-class method, earnings for the reporting period are allocated between common shareholders and other security holders, based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Currently, the Company has two classes of securities, which consist of shareholders of common stock and shareholders of unvested restricted stock. However, since the Company incurred a net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company has excluded unvested restricted stock from its calculation of basic earnings per share because inclusion of this class of stock would be anti-dilutive and would decrease basic loss per share. Similarly, since the Company incurred a net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company has not presented distributed and undistributed losses per share in accordance with the two-class method since that information would not be meaningful.

Diluted EPS includes the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents and is computed using the weighted-average number of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during the reporting period. Common stock equivalents include stock options. Diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 excluded common stock equivalents because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive, or would decrease the reported loss per share. Using the treasury stock method, the weighted-average common stock equivalents excluded from diluted EPS were 0.4 million shares during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and 0.5 million and 0.6 million shares during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.

The basic and diluted loss per share calculation is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts).


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share
Net loss	$	(32,048	)	$	(117,971	)	$	(102,483	)	$	(291,517	)

Weighted-average shares outstanding		46,597			46,219			46,515			46,094

Per share amounts	$	(0.69	)	$	(2.55	)	$	(2.20	)	$	(6.32	)

9.	Interest Activity

The Company capitalizes interest on its senior notes and Homebuilding Line (as defined below) associated with its “qualifying assets.” The Company has determined that inventory is a qualifying asset during the period of active development and through the completion of construction of a home. When construction of a home is complete, such home is no longer considered to be a qualifying asset and interest is no longer capitalized on that home. The Company’s qualifying assets have decreased significantly during 2008 and 2009 as a result of the significant decrease in inventory levels. As a result, the Company expensed $9.7 million and $29.1 million of interest that was incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 that could not be capitalized. The Company

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

expensed $10.7 million of interest incurred during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 that could not be capitalized. Interest incurred on the senior notes or Homebuilding Line that is not capitalized and interest expense on the Mortgage Repurchase Facility (as defined below) are included in other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest activity is shown below (in thousands).


	Three Months Ended September, 30						Nine Months Ended September, 30
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Total Interest Incurred
Corporate and homebuilding segments	$	14,482		$	14,475		$	43,430		$	43,392
Financial Services and Other		88			49			262			259

Total interest incurred	$	14,570		$	14,524		$	43,692		$	43,651

Total Interest Capitalized
Interest capitalized, beginning of period	$	32,089		$	49,674		$	39,239		$	53,487
Interest capitalized, net of interest expense		4,810			3,749			14,354			32,666
Previously capitalized interest included in home cost of sales		(7,142	)		(9,689	)		(23,836	)		(42,419	)

Interest capitalized, end of period	$	29,757		$	43,734		$	29,757		$	43,734

10.

Warranty Reserves

Warranty reserves presented in the table below relate to general and structural reserves, as well as reserves for known, unusual warranty-related expenditures. Warranty payments for an individual house may exceed the related reserve. Payments in excess of the reserve are evaluated in the aggregate to determine if an adjustment to the warranty reserve should be recorded, which could result in a corresponding adjustment to home cost of sales. During 2008 and continuing into the first nine months of 2009, the Company experienced significant downward trends in the amount of warranty payments incurred on its previously closed homes. Because the Company’s warranty reserve balance at each period end is generally determined based upon historical warranty payment patterns, the foregoing downward trend in warranty payments have significantly impacted the Company’s warranty reserves during 2009. As a result of the significant decline in warranty payments incurred on previously closed homes, the Company recorded adjustments of $3.7 million and $18.3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, to reduce its warranty reserves for previously closed homes. Additionally, during the 2009 third quarter, the Company reached a settlement of a construction defect claim in the Nevada market of the West segment. As a result of this settlement, the costs of which have been paid by insurance providers, the Company released $7.1 million of warranty reserves that were established during previous reporting periods for these construction defect claims. The foregoing warranty reserve adjustments were recorded as a reduction to home cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the 2008 third quarter, the Company recorded decreases totaling $3.2 million to its warranty reserve, which reduced the Company’s home cost of sales, primarily resulting from

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

significant declines in the amount of warranty payments made during 2008. During the first nine months of 2008, the Company recorded adjustments to decrease its warranty reserve totaling $15.1 million. This decrease primarily resulted from adjustments totaling $11.6 million to reduce its warranty reserve resulting from the significant declines in the amount of warranty payments made during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Also, during the first nine months of 2008, the Company recorded an additional $3.5 million decrease to its warranty reserve for non-warranty related items that had been recorded to the warranty reserve during previous reporting periods. As such, this adjustment did not impact the Company’s home cost of sales, but resulted in a reduction to the Company’s homebuilding general and administrative expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

The following table summarizes the warranty reserve activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands).


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Warranty reserve balance at beginning of period	$	73,552		$	96,431		$	89,318		$	109,118
Warranty expense provisions		1,576			3,208			4,922			9,977
Warranty cash payments		(2,974	)		(3,096	)		(7,539	)		(10,641	)
Warranty reserve adjustments		(10,814	)		(3,163	)		(25,361	)		(15,074	)

Warranty reserve balance at end of period	$	61,340		$	93,380		$	61,340		$	93,380

11.

Insurance Reserves

The Company records expenses and liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses for claims associated with: (1) insurance policies and re-insurance agreements issued by StarAmerican Insurance Ltd. (“StarAmerican”) and Allegiant Insurance Company, Inc., A Risk Retention Group (“Allegiant”); (2) self-insurance, including workers compensation; and (3) deductible amounts under the Company’s insurance policies. The establishment of the provisions for outstanding losses and loss adjustment expenses is based on actuarial studies that include known facts and interpretations of circumstances, including: (1) the Company’s experience with similar cases and historical trends involving claim payment patterns; (2) pending levels of unpaid claims; (3) product mix or concentration; (4) claim severity; (5) frequency patterns such as those caused by natural disasters, fires, or accidents, depending on the business conducted; and (6) changing regulatory and legal environments.

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

The following table summarizes the insurance reserve activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands).


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Insurance reserve balance at beginning of period	$	59,395		$	59,649		$	59,171		$	57,475
Insurance expense provisions		776			1,406			2,603			4,521
Insurance cash payments		(2,534	)		(2,444	)		(3,130	)		(4,080	)
Insurance reserve adjustments		(943	)		(318	)		(1,950	)		377

Insurance reserve balance at end of period	$	56,694		$	58,293		$	56,694		$	58,293

12.

Information on Business Segments

The Company’s operating segments are defined as a component of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available and is reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making group, to evaluate performance and make operating decisions. The Company has identified its chief operating decision-makers (“CODMs”) as three key executives—the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

The Company has identified each homebuilding subdivision as an operating segment as each homebuilding subdivision engages in business activities from which it earns revenue primarily from the sale of single-family detached homes, generally to first-time and first-time move-up homebuyers. Subdivisions in the reportable segments noted below have been aggregated because they are similar in the following regards: (1) economic characteristics; (2) housing products; (3) class of homebuyer; (4) regulatory environments; and (5) methods used to construct and sell homes. The Company’s homebuilding reportable segments are as follows:

(1)

West (Arizona, California and Nevada)

(2)

Mountain (Colorado and Utah)

(3)

East (Delaware Valley, Maryland and Virginia)

(4)

Other Homebuilding (Florida and Illinois)

During the 2009 first quarter, the Company changed the composition of its reportable segments by reclassifying the Delaware Valley market from the Other Homebuilding segment to the East segment. This reclassification resulted primarily from a change in the internal reporting structure of the Company. The Company has restated all prior period financial and operating measures of the Delaware Valley market to the East segment as a result of this reclassification in order to conform to the current year’s presentation.

The Company’s Financial Services and Other reportable segment consists of the operations of the following operating segments: (1) HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation (“HomeAmerican”); (2) Allegiant; (3) StarAmerican; (4) American Home Insurance Agency, Inc.; and (5) American Home Title and Escrow Company. These operating segments have been aggregated into one reportable segment because they do not individually exceed 10 percent of: (1) consolidated revenue; (2) the greater of (A) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or (B) the positive value of

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

the combined reported loss of all operating segments that reported losses; or (3) consolidated assets. The Company’s Corporate reportable segment incurs general and administrative expenses that are not identifiable specifically to another operating segment, earns interest income on its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, and incurs interest expense on its senior notes.

The following table summarizes revenue for each of the Company’s six reportable segments (in thousands). Inter-company adjustments noted in the revenue table below relate to Mortgage Loan Origination fees paid by the Company’s homebuilding subsidiaries to HomeAmerican on behalf of homebuyers.


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Revenue
Homebuilding
West	$	94,079		$	194,750		$	250,519		$	639,066
Mountain		61,945			72,565			163,720			230,452
East		33,033			61,950			113,004			192,796
Other Homebuilding		10,909			28,829			37,709			84,918

Total Homebuilding		199,966			358,094			564,952			1,147,232
Financial Services and Other		6,578			8,497			19,147			25,341
Corporate		-			173			50			550
Intercompany adjustments		(3,318	)		(4,063	)		(9,725	)		(11,222	)

Consolidated	$	203,226		$	362,701		$	574,424		$	1,161,901

The following table summarizes (loss) income before income taxes for each of the Company’s six reportable segments (in thousands). Inter-company supervisory fees (“Supervisory Fees”), which are included in (loss) income before income taxes for each reportable segment in the table below, are charged by the Company’s Corporate segment to the homebuilding segments and the Financial Services and Other segment. Supervisory Fees represent costs incurred by the Company’s Corporate segment associated with certain resources that support the Company’s other reportable segments. Transfers, if any, between operating segments are recorded at cost.


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes
Homebuilding
West	$	6,037		$	(47,741	)	$	5,809		$	(142,723	)
Mountain		(1,681	)		(30,085	)		(8,800	)		(80,720	)
East		(1,707	)		(17,444	)		(8,704	)		(32,523	)
Other Homebuilding		(2,724	)		(3,798	)		(4,232	)		(14,850	)

Total Homebuilding		(75	)		(99,068	)		(15,927	)		(270,816	)
Financial Services and Other		(4,344	)		3,414			(108	)		8,119
Corporate		(27,399	)		(21,320	)		(75,919	)		(33,043	)

Consolidated	$	(31,818	)	$	(116,974	)	$	(91,954	)	$	(295,740	)

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

The following table summarizes total assets for each of the Company’s six reportable segments (in thousands). Inter-company adjustments noted in the table below relate to loans from the Company’s Financial Services and Other segment to its Corporate segment. The assets in the Company’s Corporate segment primarily include cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.


	September 30, 2009			December 31, 2008
Homebuilding
West	$	204,146		$	255,652
Mountain		245,639			288,221
East		115,466			151,367
Other Homebuilding		24,569			38,179

Total Homebuilding		589,820			733,419
Financial Services and Other		116,629			139,569
Corporate		1,660,025			1,647,907
Intercompany adjustments		(45,957	)		(45,957	)

Consolidated	$	2,320,517		$	2,474,938

The following table summarizes depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets and amortization of deferred marketing costs for each of the Company’s six reportable segments (in thousands).


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009		2008		2009		2008
Homebuilding
West	$	1,388	$	5,800	$	3,905	$	17,476
Mountain		678		712		1,880		2,395
East		373		1,030		1,319		2,539
Other Homebuilding		79		322		259		1,184

Total Homebuilding		2,518		7,864		7,363		23,594
Financial Services and Other		169		189		555		573
Corporate		717		849		2,210		2,693

Consolidated	$	3,404	$	8,902	$	10,128	$	26,860

13.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is often required to obtain bonds and letters of credit in support of its obligations for land development and subdivision improvements, homeowner association dues and start-up expenses, warranty work, contractor license fees and earnest money deposits. At September 30, 2009, the Company had issued and outstanding performance bonds and letters of credit totaling $122.4 million and $27.7 million, respectively, including $4.4 million in letters of credit issued by HomeAmerican. In the event any such bonds or letters of credit issued by third parties are called, MDC could be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the bond or letter of credit.

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M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

In the normal course of business, the Company establishes reserves for potential losses associated with HomeAmerican’s loan sale agreements pursuant to which mortgage loans are sold to third-parties. These reserves are created to address repurchase and indemnity claims by third-party purchasers of the mortgage loans, which claims arise primarily out of allegations of homebuyer fraud at the time of origination of the loan. These reserves are based upon, among other matters: (1) pending claims received from third-party purchasers associated with previously sold mortgage loans; (2) a current assessment of the potential exposure associated with future claims of homebuyer fraud in mortgage loans originated in prior periods loans; and (3) historical loss experience. As noted in reports in the mortgage loan industry during the 2009 third quarter, mortgage performance continued to deteriorate as evidenced by significant year-over-year increases in delinquency rates. Additionally, foreclosures and foreclosures in process have increased substantially. Similarly, HomeAmerican has experienced an increase in the number and magnitude of claims to repurchase previously sold mortgage loans. Accordingly, the Company increased its estimated mortgage loan loss reserve by $7.3 million during the 2009 third quarter. The Company’s mortgage loan reserves are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the associated expenses are included as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

14.

Lines of Credit and Total Debt Obligations

Homebuilding. The Company’s homebuilding line of credit (“Homebuilding Line”) is an unsecured revolving line of credit with a group of lenders for support of our homebuilding segments which has a maturity date of March 21, 2011. Effective September 16, 2009, the aggregate commitment under the Homebuilding Line was reduced from $800 million to $100 million (the “Commitment”) and the aggregate sublimit for letters of credit was reduced from $300 million to $100 million. The Commitment and sublimit for letters of credit were reduced as the Company believes that it does not need the full borrowing capacity of the Homebuilding Line to meet its liquidity needs and that it will be able to fund its homebuilding operations through its existing cash and investment resources.

Interest rates for borrowings on the Homebuilding Line, if any, are determined by reference to an applicable London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or to an alternate base rate, each with a margin that is determined based on changes in our credit rating and leverage ratio. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, there were no borrowings under the Homebuilding Line and there were $22.6 million and $26.6 million, respectively, in letters of credit outstanding as of such dates. The outstanding letters of credit reduce the amount that is available to be borrowed under the Commitment. However, the outstanding letters of credit do not impact the calculation of the Company’s borrowing capacity under the permitted leverage ratio. Additionally, while the Company’s borrowing capacity may be reduced under the permitted leverage ratio, this reduction does not impact its ability to issue letters of credit up to the limits specified in the Homebuilding Line.

Mortgage Lending. As of September 30, 2009 HomeAmerican had a Master Repurchase Agreement (the “Mortgage Repurchase Facility”) with U.S. Bank National Association (“USBNA”) and the other banks that were parties to the Mortgage Repurchase Facility (the “Buyers”). The Mortgage Repurchase Facility provided liquidity to HomeAmerican by providing for the sale of eligible mortgage loans to USBNA (as agent for the Buyers) with an agreement by HomeAmerican to

- 17 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

repurchase the mortgage loans at a future date. Until such mortgage loans are transferred back to HomeAmerican, the documents relating to such loans are held by USBNA, as agent for the Buyers and as custodian, pursuant to the Custody Agreement (“Custody Agreement”), dated as of November 12, 2008, by and between HomeAmerican and USBNA. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility had a maximum aggregate commitment of $100 million, now reduced to $70 million, and includes an accordion feature that permits the maximum aggregate commitment to be increased to $150 million, subject to the availability of additional commitments. The Mortgage Repurchase Facility was set to expire on November 11, 2009 but now has been extended, with an expiration date of October 28, 2010. Advances under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility carry a Pricing Rate based on the LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Margin or, at HomeAmerican’s option, a Balance Funded Rate (the foregoing terms are defined in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility). At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had $13.0 million and $34.9 million, respectively, of mortgage loans that it was obligated to repurchase under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility.

The Mortgage Repurchase Facility is accounted for as a debt financing arrangement. Accordingly, at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, amounts advanced under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility, which were used to finance mortgage loan originations, have been reported under the mortgage repurchase facility in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Mortgage Repurchase Facility replaced HomeAmerican’s Fourth Amended and Restated Warehousing Credit Agreement, dated as of September 5, 2006, as amended on November 2, 2007 and May 23, 2008, with USBNA and the other banks that were parties to that facility.

General. The agreements for the Company’s Homebuilding Line and HomeAmerican’s Mortgage Repurchase Facility and the indentures for our senior notes require compliance with certain representations, warranties and covenants. The Company believes that it is in compliance with the requirements of its Homebuilding Line, and it is not aware of any violations of its Homebuilding Line covenants. As further discussed below, HomeAmerican was not in compliance with one of the covenants on its Mortgage Repurchase Facility as of September 30, 2009; however, as subsequently modified (retroactively effective to September 30, 2009) HomeAmerican is in compliance with the covenant.

The Homebuilding Line agreement covenants also include a consolidated tangible net worth test. Under this test, the Company’s Consolidated Tangible Net Worth (as defined) must not be less than: (1) $850 million; plus (2) 50% of consolidated net income, as defined, earned by the Company and the Guarantors (as defined) after September 30, 2008; plus (3) 50% of the net proceeds or other consideration received by the Company for the issuance of capital stock after September 30, 2008; minus (4) the lesser of (A) the aggregate amount paid by the Company after September 30, 2008 to repurchase its common stock and (B) $300 million. Failure to satisfy this covenant test would not result in a default, but would result in a scheduled reduction in the amount of the Commitment.

In addition to the foregoing covenants, the Homebuilding Line agreement specifies that Consolidated Tangible Net Worth must not be less than the sum of: (1) $650 million; (2) 50% of the quarterly consolidated net income of Borrower and the Guarantors earned after September 30, 2008; and (3) 50% of the net proceeds or other consideration received for the issuance of capital stock after September 30, 2008. Failure to satisfy this covenant could result in a termination of the facility.

- 18 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

The Homebuilding line also contains a cash flow/liquidity test. Under this test, if the Company fails to maintain for any fiscal quarter ending on and after December 31, 2008 an Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined) equal to or greater than 1.5 to 1.0 for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, then as of the end of such fiscal quarter and as of the end of all fiscal quarters thereafter until the Interest Coverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 1.5 to 1.0, the Company would have to maintain either (1) a ratio of (A) Adjusted Cash Flow From Operations (as defined) to (B) Consolidated Interest Incurred (as defined) of greater than or equal to 1.5 to 1.0 or (2) a sum of (A) Borrowing Base Availability (as defined) plus (B) Unrestricted Cash (as defined which includes, among other things, cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and unsettled trades), to the extent such Unrestricted Cash is not included in calculating Borrowing Base Availability, less (C) principal payments due on Consolidated Indebtedness (as defined) within the next succeeding four fiscal quarters, equal to or greater than $500 million. The Company’s compliance with the cash flow/liquidity test would be measured on a quarterly basis and failure to satisfy this test would not result in a default but would result in a scheduled reduction in the amount of the facility.

Additionally, pursuant to the Homebuilding Line, should there be a defaulting lender, the Company is required to: (i) prepay swing line loans or cash collateralize the defaulting lender’s share of the swing line loans and (ii) cash collateralize the defaulting lender’s share of the outstanding facility letters of credit.

The Mortgage Repurchase Facility contains various representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants customary for agreements of this type. The negative covenants include, among others, (i) an Adjusted Tangible Net Worth (as defined) requirement, (ii) a minimum Adjusted Tangible Net Worth Ratio, (iii) an Adjusted Net Income requirement, and (iv) a minimum Liquidity (as defined) requirement (the foregoing terms are defined in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility). Adjusted Tangible Net Worth means the sum of (a) all assets of HomeAmerican less (b) the sum of (i) all Debt and all Contingent Indebtedness of HomeAmerican, (ii) all assets of HomeAmerican that would be classified as intangible assets under generally accepted accounting principles, and (iii) receivables from Affiliates. HomeAmerican’s Adjusted Tangible Net Worth Ratio is the ratio of HomeAmerican’s total liabilities (excluding permitted letters of credit) to the Adjusted Tangible Net Worth. HomeAmerican’s Adjusted Net Income is a rolling twelve consecutive months of net income for HomeAmerican. HomeAmerican’s Liquidity is defined as its unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents plus the amount by which the aggregate Purchase Price of all Purchased Mortgage Loans at such time exceeds the aggregate Purchase Price outstanding for all Open Transactions at such time (the foregoing terms are defined in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility).

Failure to meet the foregoing negative covenants would constitute an event of default. In the event of default, USBNA may, at its option, declare the Repurchase Date for any or all Transactions to be deemed immediately to occur. Upon such event of default, and if USBNA exercises its right to terminate any Transactions, then (a) HomeAmerican’s obligation to repurchase all Purchased Loans in such Transactions will become immediately due and payable; (b) the Repurchase Price shall be increased by the aggregate amount obtained by daily multiplication of (i) the greater of the Pricing Rate for such Transactions and the Default Pricing Rate by (ii) the Purchase Price for the Transactions as of the Repurchase Date, (c) all Income paid after the event of default will be retained by USBNA and applied to the aggregate unpaid Repurchase Price owed by HomeAmerican and (d) HomeAmerican shall deliver any documents relating to Purchased Loans subject to such

- 19 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Transactions to USBNA. Upon the occurrence of default, USBNA may (a) sell any or all Purchased Loans subject to such Transactions on a servicing released or servicing retained basis and apply the proceeds to the unpaid amounts owed by HomeAmerican, (b) give HomeAmerican credit for such Purchased Loans in an amount equal to the Market Value and apply such credit to the unpaid amounts owed by HomeAmerican, (c) replace HomeAmerican as Servicer, (d) exercise its right under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility with respect to the Income Account and Escrow Account, and (e) with notice to HomeAmerican, declare the Termination Date to have occurred. The foregoing terms are defined in the Mortgage Repurchase Facility.

During the 2009 third quarter, HomeAmerican increased its mortgage loan loss reserves and, as a result, it did not meet the Adjusted Net Income covenant as of September 30, 2009. On October 29, 2009, HomeAmerican amended its Mortgage Repurchase Facility and decreased the maximum aggregate commitment from $100 million to $70 million. Additionally, HomeAmerican revised certain covenants under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility, effective retroactively to September 30, 2009, as follows: (1) revised the Adjusted Net Income covenant to exclude $6.0 million of expense associated with certain mortgage loan loss charges; (2) increased the Adjusted Tangible Net Worth covenant from $15.0 million to $18.0 million; (3) decreased the Adjusted Tangible Net Worth Ratio from 12.5 : 1.0 to 8.0 : 1.0; and (4) increased the minimum Liquidity requirement from $5.0 million to $8.0 million. Under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility as amended on October 29, 2009 HomeAmerican’s Adjusted Net Income as of September 30, 2009 was $5.7 million. Accordingly, with the amendment of the Mortgage Repurchase Facility on October 29, 2009, the Company is in compliance with the covenants under the Mortgage Repurchase Facility agreement.

The Company’s senior notes are not secured and, while the senior notes indentures contain some restrictions on secured debt and other transactions, they do not contain financial covenants. The Company’s senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by most of its homebuilding segment subsidiaries. The Company’s debt obligations at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows (in thousands):


	September 30, 2009		December 31, 2008
7% Senior Notes due 2012	$	149,413	$	149,282
5¹/2% Senior Notes due 2013		349,617		349,543
5³/8% Medium-Term Senior Notes due 2014		249,063		248,947
5³/8% Medium-Term Senior Notes due 2015		249,779		249,755

Total Senior Notes, net	$	997,872	$	997,527

Homebuilding line of credit		-		-

Total Corporate and Homebuilding Debt		997,872		997,527
Mortgage repurchase facility		13,010		34,873

Total Debt	$	1,010,882	$	1,032,400

- 20 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

15.

Income Taxes

The Company is required, at the end of each interim period, to estimate its annual effective tax rate for the fiscal year and use that rate to provide for income taxes for the current year-to-date reporting period. The Company’s overall effective income tax rates were -0.7% and -11.5% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and -0.9% and 1.4% during the three and nine months September 30, 2008, respectively. The change in the effective tax rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared with the same period during 2008, resulted primarily from the recording of a $9.7 million income tax expense related to an IRS examination of the Company’s 2008 net operating loss carryback to 2006 and the inability to carry back any net operating losses at September 30, 2009. The $9.7 million income tax expense resulted from a 2006 alternative minimum tax liability associated with the Company’s 2008 net operating loss carryback, which should have been recorded during 2008.

The Company is required to recognize the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not (defined as a likelihood of more than 50%), based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. Any difference between the income tax return position and the benefit recognized in the financial statements results in a liability for unrecognized tax benefits. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, there have been no material changes in the Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The increase in the Company’s total deferred tax asset at September 30, 2009 (per the table below) resulted primarily from an increase in the Company’s federal net operating loss carry forward offset by a decrease in the Company’s asset impairment charges.

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 all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company had a valuation allowance of $339.1 million and $294.3 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, resulting in a net deferred tax asset of zero. The Company’s future realization of its deferred tax assets ultimately depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income in the carryback or carryforward periods under the tax laws (currently 2 and 20 years, respectively). The Company will continue analyzing, in subsequent reporting periods, the positive and negative evidence in determining the expected realization of its deferred tax assets.

- 21 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

The tax effects of significant temporary differences that give rise to the net deferred tax asset are as follows (in thousands).


	September 30, 2009			December 31, 2008
Deferred tax assets
Asset impairment charges	$	147,824		$	197,670
Federal net operating loss carryforward		86,313			5,638
Warranty, litigation and other reserves		37,719			45,619
State net operating loss carryforward		29,415			22,426
Stock-based compensation expense		16,760			13,758
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward		9,679			-
Accrued liabilities		9,075			9,661
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for tax purposes		8,765			5,951
Property, equipment and other assets, net		3,435			3,826
Charitable contribution carryforward		542			542
Deferred revenue		344			792

Total deferred tax assets		349,871			305,883
Valuation allowance		(339,073	)		(294,269	)

Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		10,798			11,614

Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred revenue		5,377			6,024
Inventory, additional costs capitalized for financial statement purposes		697			722
Accrued liabilities		564			709
Other, net		4,160			4,159

Total deferred tax liabilities		10,798			11,614

Net deferred tax asset	$	-		$	-

16.

Supplemental Guarantor Information

The Company’s senior notes and Homebuilding Line are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by the following subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”), which are 100%-owned subsidiaries of the Company.

•

M.D.C. Land Corporation

•

RAH of Florida, Inc.

•

Richmond American Construction, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of Arizona, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of Delaware, Inc.

- 22 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

•

Richmond American Homes of Florida, LP

•

Richmond American Homes of Illinois, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of Maryland, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of Nevada, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of New Jersey, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of Pennsylvania, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of Utah, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of Virginia, Inc.

•

Richmond American Homes of West Virginia, Inc.

Subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Company’s senior notes and Homebuilding Line (collectively, the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”) primarily include:

•

American Home Insurance

•

American Home Title

•

HomeAmerican

•

StarAmerican

•

Allegiant

The Company has determined that separate, full financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries would not be material to investors and, accordingly, supplemental financial information for the Guarantor Subsidiaries is presented.

- 23 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet

September 30, 2009

(In thousands)


	MDC			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminating Entries			Consolidated MDC
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,423,477		$	3,456	$	21,942		$	-		$	1,448,875
Marketable securities		151,260			-		-			-			151,260
Unsettled trades, net		2,133			-		-			-			2,133
Restricted cash		-			933		-			-			933
Receivables		6,831			18,421		48,088			(45,957	)		27,383
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-			-		42,704			-			42,704
Inventories, net
Housing completed or under construction		-			325,257		-			-			325,257
Land and land under development		-			177,888		-			-			177,888
Investment in subsidiaries		79,208			-		-			(79,208	)		-
Other assets, net		77,038			61,964		5,082			-			144,084

Total Assets	$	1,739,947		$	587,919	$	117,816		$	(125,165	)	$	2,320,517

LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	47,929		$	43,354	$	584		$	(45,957	)	$	45,910
Accrued liabilities		140,566			99,472		69,419			-			309,457
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		(400,688	)		412,363		(11,675	)		-			-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-			-		13,010			-			13,010
Senior notes, net		997,872			-		-			-			997,872

Total Liabilities		785,679			555,189		71,338			(45,957	)		1,366,249

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		954,268			32,730		46,478			(79,208	)		954,268

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	1,739,947		$	587,919	$	117,816		$	(125,165	)	$	2,320,517

- 24 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Supplemental Condensed Combining Balance Sheet

December 31, 2008

(In thousands)


	MDC			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminating Entries			Consolidated MDC
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,279,684		$	3,536	$	21,508		$	-		$	1,304,728
Marketable securities		54,864			-		-			-			54,864
Unsettled trades, net		57,687			-		-			-			57,687
Restricted cash		-			670		-			-			670
Receivables		176,522			30,100		43,889			(45,957	)		204,554
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, net		-			-		68,604			-			68,604
Inventories, net
Housing completed or under construction		-			415,500		-			-			415,500
Land and land under development		-			221,822		-			-			221,822
Investment in subsidiaries		77,617			-		-			(77,617	)		-
Other assets, net		79,832			63,213		3,464			-			146,509

Total Assets	$	1,726,206		$	734,841	$	137,465		$	(123,574	)	$	2,474,938

LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	46,794		$	27,397	$	559		$	(45,957	)	$	28,793
Accrued liabilities		135,417			136,759		60,649			-			332,825
Advances and notes payable to parent and subsidiaries		(534,452	)		540,509		(6,057	)		-			-
Mortgage repurchase facility		-			-		34,873			-			34,873
Senior notes, net		997,527			-		-			-			997,527

Total Liabilities		645,286			704,665		90,024			(45,957	)		1,394,018

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		1,080,920			30,176		47,441			(77,617	)		1,080,920

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	1,726,206		$	734,841	$	137,465		$	(123,574	)	$	2,474,938

- 25 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

(In thousands)


	MDC			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminating Entries			Consolidated MDC
REVENUE
Home sales revenue	$	-		$	190,134		$	-		$	(3,318	)	$	186,816
Land sales and other revenue		-			9,826			6,584			-			16,410
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries		3,445			-			-			(3,445	)		-

Total Revenue		3,445			199,960			6,584			(6,763	)		203,226

COSTS AND EXPENSES
Home cost of sales		-			154,915			(1	)		(3,318	)		151,596
Asset impairments, net		-			1,197			-			-			1,197
Marketing and commission expenses		-			16,439			-			-			16,439
General and administrative and other expenses		19,736			27,803			11,293			-			58,832

Total Operating Costs and Expenses		19,736			200,354			11,292			(3,318	)		228,064

(Loss) income from Operations		(16,291	)		(394	)		(4,708	)		(3,445	)		(24,838	)
Other income (expense)		(7,480	)		117			383			-			(6,980	)

(Loss) income before income taxes		(23,771	)		(277	)		(4,325	)		(3,445	)		(31,818	)
Provision for income taxes		(8,277	)		6,440			1,607			-			(230	)

NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(32,048	)	$	6,163		$	(2,718	)	$	(3,445	)	$	(32,048	)

- 26 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

(In thousands)


	MDC			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminating Entries			Consolidated MDC
REVENUE
Home sales revenue	$	-		$	340,807		$	-		$	(4,063	)	$	336,744
Land sales and other revenue		171			17,290			8,496			-			25,957
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries		(98,218	)		-			-			98,218			-

Total Revenue		(98,047	)		358,097			8,496			94,155			362,701

COSTS AND EXPENSES
Home cost of sales		-			289,455			(25	)		(4,063	)		285,367
Asset impairments		1,383			94,005			-			-			95,388
Marketing and commission expenses		-			31,094			-			-			31,094
General and administrative and other expenses		17,227			43,087			6,060			-			66,374

Total Operating Costs and Expenses		18,610			457,641			6,035			(4,063	)		478,223

(Loss) income from Operations		(116,657	)		(99,544	)		2,461			98,218			(115,522	)
Other income (expense)		(2,880	)		378			1,050			-			(1,452	)

(Loss) income before income taxes		(119,537	)		(99,166	)		3,511			98,218			(116,974	)
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		1,566			(1,191	)		(1,372	)		-			(997	)

NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(117,971	)	$	(100,357	)	$	2,139		$	98,218		$	(117,971	)

- 27 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(In thousands)


	MDC			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminating Entries			Consolidated MDC
REVENUE
Home sales revenue	$	-		$	549,077		$	-		$	(9,725	)	$	539,352
Land sales and other revenue		50			15,869			19,153			-			35,072
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries		(18,659	)		-			-			18,659			-

Total Revenue		(18,609	)		564,946			19,153			8,934			574,424

COSTS AND EXPENSES
Home cost of sales		-			454,771			(7	)		(9,725	)		445,039
Asset impairments, net		-			17,009			-			-			17,009
Marketing and commission expenses		-			46,512			-			-			46,512
General and administrative and other expenses		54,558			63,293			20,569			-			138,420

Total Operating Costs and Expenses		54,558			581,585			20,562			(9,725	)		646,980

(Loss) income from Operations		(73,167	)		(16,639	)		(1,409	)		18,659			(72,556	)
Other income (expense)		(20,845	)		97			1,350			-			(19,398	)

(Loss) income before income taxes		(94,012	)		(16,542	)		(59	)		18,659			(91,954	)
Provision for income taxes		(8,471	)		(1,903	)		(155	)		-			(10,529	)

NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(102,483	)	$	(18,445	)	$	(214	)	$	18,659		$	(102,483	)

- 28 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(In thousands)


	MDC			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminating Entries			Consolidated MDC
REVENUE
Home sales revenue	$	-		$	1,085,851		$	-		$	(11,222	)	$	1,074,629
Land sales and other revenue		548			61,383			25,341			-			87,272
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries		(262,029	)		-			-			262,029			-

Total Revenue		(261,481	)		1,147,234			25,341			250,807			1,161,901

COSTS AND EXPENSES
Home cost of sales		-			949,305			(136	)		(11,222	)		937,947
Asset impairments		1,383			237,115			-			-			238,498
Marketing and commission expenses		-			98,739			-			-			98,739
General and administrative and other expenses		45,874			133,958			20,016			-			199,848

Total Operating Costs and Expenses		47,257			1,419,117			19,880			(11,222	)		1,475,032

(Loss) income from Operations		(308,738	)		(271,883	)		5,461			262,029			(313,131	)
Other income (expense)		13,667			746			2,978			-			17,391

(Loss) income before income taxes		(295,071	)		(271,137	)		8,439			262,029			(295,740	)
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		3,554			3,796			(3,127	)		-			4,223

NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(291,517	)	$	(267,341	)	$	5,312		$	262,029		$	(291,517	)

- 29 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(In thousands)


	MDC			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminating Entries			Consolidated MDC
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	90,070		$	107,113		$	28,714		$	18,609		$	244,506

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(46,892	)		(46	)		-			-			(46,938	)

Financing activities
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		132,173			(107,147	)		(6,417	)		(18,609	)		-
Mortgage repurchase facility, net		-			-			(21,863	)		-			(21,863	)
Dividend payments		(35,180	)		-			-			-			(35,180	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		3,622			-			-			-			3,622
Excess tax benefit from stock- based compensation		-			-			-			-			-

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		100,615			(107,147	)		(28,280	)		(18,609	)		(53,421	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		143,793			(80	)		434			-			144,147
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		1,279,684			3,536			21,508			-			1,304,728

End of period	$	1,423,477		$	3,456		$	21,942		$	-		$	1,448,875

- 30 -

M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Supplemental Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(In thousands)


	MDC			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminating Entries			Consolidated MDC
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(342,656	)	$	460,689		$	48,287		$	262,029		$	428,349

Net cash used in investing activities		(210,014	)		(301	)		-			-			(210,315	)

Financing activities
Payments from (advances to) subsidiaries		733,229			(461,219	)		(9,981	)		(262,029	)		-
Lines of credits
Advances		-			-			125,273			-			125,273
Principal payments		-			-			(164,886	)		-			(164,886	)
Dividend payments		(34,735	)		-			-			-			(34,735	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		10,587			-			-			-			10,587
Excess tax benefit from stock- based compensation		1,832			-			-			-			1,832

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		710,913			(461,219	)		(49,594	)		(262,029	)		(61,929	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		158,243			(831	)		(1,307	)		-			156,105
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		980,775			3,105			20,883			-			1,004,763

End of period	$	1,139,018		$	2,274		$	19,576		$	-		$	1,160,868

- 31 -

ITEM 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This item contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in “Item 1A: Risk Factors Relating to our Business” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

INTRODUCTION

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is a Delaware corporation. We refer to M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. as the “Company,” “MDC,” “we” or “our” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and these designations include our subsidiaries unless we state otherwise. We have two primary operations, homebuilding and financial services. Our homebuilding operations consist of wholly-owned subsidiary companies that generally purchase finished lots or lots requiring minimal land development for the construction and sale of single family detached homes to first-time and first-time move-up homebuyers under the name “Richmond American Homes.” Our homebuilding operations are comprised of many homebuilding subdivisions that we consider to be our operating segments. Homebuilding subdivisions in a given market are aggregated into reportable segments as follows: (1) West (Arizona, California and Nevada); (2) Mountain (Colorado and Utah); (3) East (Maryland, Virginia, which includes Virginia and West Virginia, and Delaware Valley, which includes Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey); and (4) Other Homebuilding (Florida and Illinois, although we began our exit of the Illinois market during the 2008 third quarter).

Our Financial Services and Other segment consists of HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation (“HomeAmerican”), which originates mortgage loans primarily for our homebuyers, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. (“American Home Insurance”), which offers third-party insurance products to our homebuyers, and American Home Title and Escrow Company (“American Home Title”), which provides title agency services to the Company and our homebuyers in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Virginia and West Virginia. This segment also includes Allegiant Insurance Company, Inc., A Risk Retention Group (“Allegiant”), which provides to its customers, primarily many of our homebuilding subsidiaries and certain subcontractors of these homebuilding subsidiaries, general liability coverage for construction work performed associated with closed homes, and StarAmerican Insurance Ltd. (“StarAmerican”), a Hawaii corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of MDC. StarAmerican has agreed to re-insure: (1) all claims pursuant to two policies issued to the Company by a third-party; and (2) pursuant to agreements beginning in June 2004, all Allegiant claims in excess of $50,000 per occurrence, up to $3.0 million per occurrence, subject to various aggregate limits, not to exceed $18.0 million per year through June 30, 2009. Effective July 1, 2009, the aggregate limits are $50,000 per occurrence, subject to various aggregate limits, not to exceed $6.0 million per year.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

During the 2009 third quarter, our homebuilding operations experienced improved net orders for homes in each homebuilding segment and increased number of homes in Backlog (as defined below), compared to the 2008 third quarter. Contributing to the increase in net sales in the 2009 third quarter was a sales program, which focused on offering low mortgage interest rates and the impending expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit. This represents the second consecutive quarter in which

- 32 -

our net orders for homes have improved compared to the same quarter during 2008. Despite these results, the homebuilding and mortgage lending industries continued to be extremely challenging during the first nine months of 2009. The continued recession in the United States economy, high unemployment levels, and continued high levels of distressed foreclosures and resale home inventories, together with strong competition for new home sales, all impacted our financial and operating results during the 2009 third quarter and first nine months. Additionally, despite the increased affordability of new housing products, low interest rates and the availability of various federal and local tax credits or incentives, economic conditions continued to create uncertainty in the timing, strength and sustainability of any recovery in the new home sales market. As a result of these conditions, we continued to experience downward pressure on the average selling prices of our closed homes and homes in Backlog from September 30, 2008 and continued declines in home closing levels for each of our homebuilding segments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. We continue to believe that stability in the credit and capital markets and an eventual renewal of confidence in the United States and global economy will play a major role in any turnaround in the homebuilding and mortgage lending industries. While the United States government has responded by taking steps in an attempt to stabilize the banking system and financial markets, the future impact of these measures and other legislation or proposed legislation on the financial markets, and the timing of a turnaround in the homebuilding industry, remains unclear. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

The economic conditions outlined above continued to have a significant negative impact on our results of operations during the 2009 third quarter. As a consequence, we continued to incur losses from operations during the 2009 third quarter and first nine months, albeit at lower levels than during the 2008 periods. We incurred losses from operations of $24.8 million and $115.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Impacting the financial results during the 2009 and 2008 third quarters were asset impairments of $1.2 million and $95.4 million, respectively, and adjustments to reduce our warranty reserves of $10.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively. We incurred losses from operations of $72.6 million and $313.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Impacting these financial results were asset impairments of $17.0 million and $238.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and adjustments to reduce our warranty reserves by $25.4 million and $15.1 million, respectively.

Recognizing the challenges presented by the sustained downturn in the homebuilding and mortgage lending businesses, during the first nine months of 2009, our management focused on the following:

•

Strengthening our sales and marketing organization with training, new hires and special sales promotions, in an effort to improve sales velocity;

•

Continuing to evaluate potential opportunities to purchase land either through lot option contracts, bulk purchases or other viable means;

•

Managing our inventory levels by selling finished spec and model homes and deploying capital to build limited supplies of new, more affordable inventory with the requirement that the construction of these homes stops at drywall;

•

Focusing on re-designing our home floor plans in an effort to produce housing that is smaller and more affordable to the customer and more cost-effective for the Company to build;

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•

Continuing to execute on our Company-wide multi-year initiative focused on streamlining our processes and business practices for increased efficiency and to seek standardized business practices nationwide; and

•

Closely monitoring our general and administrative expenses and sales and marketing expenses, which resulted in continued declines in our general and administrative expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting policies generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. 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. Management evaluates such estimates and judgments on an on-going basis and makes adjustments as deemed necessary. Actual results could differ from these estimates if conditions are significantly different in the future. Additionally, using different estimates or assumptions in our critical accounting estimates and policies could have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below.

The accounting policies and estimates, which we believe are critical and require the use of complex judgment in their application, are those related to: (1) homebuilding inventory valuation (held-for-development); (2) homebuilding inventory valuation (held-for-sale); (3) income taxes—valuation allowance; (4) income taxes—FIN 48; (5) revenue recognition; (6) segment reporting; (7) stock-based compensation; (8) home cost of sales; (9) warranty costs; (10) insurance reserves; (11) land option contracts; and (12) litigation reserves. Our critical accounting estimates and policies have not changed from those reported in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, except for our segment reporting policy as provided below and the inclusion of our litigation reserves policy. Additionally, while our revenue recognition policy has not changed from what was reported in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, we have included additional disclosure as set forth below.

Litigation Reserves. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various cases arising in the normal course of business. These cases relate primarily to construction defects, product liability and personal injury claims. We have reserved for estimated exposure with respect to these cases based upon currently available information on each case. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process, actual results may differ from those estimates. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we had legal reserves of $10.0 million and $7.6 million, respectively. We continue to evaluate litigation reserves and, based on historical results, believe that our existing estimation process is accurate and do not anticipate the process to change materially in the future. However, significant changes in facts and circumstances of our pending legal cases could have a material impact on our results of operations.

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Segment Reporting. The application of segment reporting requires significant judgment in determining our operating segments. Operating segments are defined as a component of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available and is reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making group, to evaluate performance and make operating decisions. We have identified our chief operating decision-makers as three key executives—the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

We have identified each homebuilding subdivision as an operating segment as each homebuilding subdivision engages in business activities from which it earns revenue, primarily from the sale of single-family detached homes, generally to first-time and first-time move-up homebuyers. Subdivisions in the reportable segments noted below have been aggregated because they are similar in the following regards: (1) economic characteristics; (2) housing products; (3) class of homebuyer; (4) regulatory environments; and (5) methods used to manage the construction and sale of homes. In making the determination of whether or not our markets demonstrate similar economic characteristics, we review, among other things, actual and trending Home Gross Margins (as defined below) for homes closed within each market and forecasted Home Gross Margins. Accordingly, we may be required to reclassify our reportable segments if markets that currently are being aggregated do not continue to demonstrate similar economic characteristics.

Our homebuilding reportable segments are as follows:

(1)

West (Arizona, California and Nevada)

(2)

Mountain (Colorado and Utah)

(3)

East (Delaware Valley, Maryland and Virginia)

(4)

Other Homebuilding (Florida and Illinois)

During the 2009 first quarter, we changed the composition of our reportable segments by reclassifying the Delaware Valley market from the Other Homebuilding segment to the East segment. This resulted primarily from a change in the internal reporting structure of the Company. As a result, we have restated all prior period financial and operating measures of the Delaware Valley market to the East segment in order to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Revenue Recognition. In the process of selling homes, we negotiate the terms of a home sales contract with a prospective homebuyer, including base sales price, any options and upgrades (such as upgraded appliance, cabinetry, flooring, etc.), and any home sales incentive. Our home sales incentives generally come in the form of: (1) discounts on the sales price of the home (“Sales Price Incentives”); (2) homebuyer closing cost assistance paid by Richmond American Homes to a third-party (“Closing Cost Incentives”); and (3) mortgage loan origination fees paid by Richmond American Homes to HomeAmerican (“Mortgage Loan Origination Fees”). The combination of home sales incentives offered to prospective homebuyers may vary from subdivision-to-subdivision and from home-to-home, and may be revised during the home closing process based upon homebuyer preferences or upon changes in market conditions, such as changes in our competitors’ pricing. Revenue from a home closing includes the base sales price and any purchased options and upgrades and is reduced for any Sales Price Incentives or Mortgage Loan Origination Fees.

We recognize revenue from home closings and land sales when: (1) the closing has occurred; (2) title has passed to the buyer; (3) possession and other attributes of ownership have been transferred to the buyer; (4) we are not obligated to perform significant additional activities after closing and delivery; and (5) the buyer demonstrates a commitment to pay for the property through an adequate

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initial and continuing investment (i.e. down payments generally ranging from 5% to 20% except for FHA or VA government insured programs). The buyer’s initial investment shall include: (1) cash paid as a down payment; (2) the buyer’s notes supported by irrevocable letters of credit; (3) payments made by the buyer to third-parties to reduce existing indebtedness on the property; and (4) other amounts paid by the buyer that are part of the sales value of the property.

We utilize the installment method of accounting for home closings if all of the following criteria are present: (1) HomeAmerican originates the mortgage loan; (2) HomeAmerican has not sold the mortgage loan, or loans, as of the end of the pertinent reporting period; and (3) the homebuyer’s down payment does not meet the initial or continuing investment requirement. Accordingly, the corresponding Operating Profit is deferred by recording a reduction to home sales revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the deferral is subsequently recognized at the time HomeAmerican sells the homebuyer’s mortgage loan, or loans, to a third-party purchaser. In the event the Operating Profit is a loss, we recognize such loss at the time the home is closed.

Our mortgage loans generally are sold to third-party purchasers with anti-fraud, warranty and limited early payment default provisions. Accordingly, a sale of a homebuyer mortgage loan has occurred when the following criteria have been met: (1) the payment from the third-party purchaser is not subject to future subordination; (2) we have transferred all the usual risks and rewards of ownership that is in substance a sale; and (3) we do not have a substantial continuing involvement with the mortgage loan. Factors that we consider in assessing whether a sale of a mortgage loan has occurred include, among other things: (1) the recourse, if any, to HomeAmerican for credit and interest rate risk; (2) the right or obligation, if any, of HomeAmerican to repurchase the loan; and (3) the control HomeAmerican retains, or is perceived to retain, over the administration of the loan post-closing.

Revenue from the sale of mortgage loan servicing is recognized upon the exchange of consideration for the mortgage loans and related servicing rights between the Company and the third-party. Prior to January 1, 2008, we deferred the application and origination fees, net of costs, and recognized them as revenue, along with the associated gains or losses on the sale of the mortgage loans and related servicing rights, when the mortgage loans were sold to third-party purchasers. The revenue recognized was reduced by the estimated fair value of any related guarantee provisions provided to the third-party purchaser, which was determined by the amount at which the liability could be bought in a current transaction between willing parties. The fair value of the guarantee provisions was recognized in revenue when the Company was released from its obligation under the terms of the loan sale agreements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued ASC Topic 825 “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”) which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Once a company chooses to report an item at fair value, changes in fair value would be reported in earnings at each reporting date. On January 1, 2008, we elected to measure mortgage loans held-for-sale originated on or after January 1, 2008 at fair value. Using fair value allows an offset of the changes in fair values of the loans and the derivative instruments used to economically hedge them without the burden of complying with the requirements for hedge accounting. We adopted ASC 825 during the 2008 first quarter, and it did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows upon adoption.

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KEY HOMEBUILDING MEASURES

The table below sets forth information relating to orders for homes.


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Change				Nine Months Ended September 30,				Change
	2009		2008		Amount			%	2009		2008		Amount			%
Orders For Homes, net (units)
Arizona		227		216		11		5%		599		792		(193	)	-24%
California		75		87		(12	)	-14%		262		394		(132	)	-34%
Nevada		214		111		103		93%		462		487		(25	)	-5%

West		516		414		102		25%		1,323		1,673		(350	)	-21%

Colorado		197		105		92		88%		537		385		152		39%
Utah		102		17		85		500%		229		105		124		118%

Mountain		299		122		177		145%		766		490		276		56%

Delaware Valley		13		20		(7	)	-35%		46		56		(10	)	-18%
Maryland		53		25		28		112%		144		112		32		29%
Virginia		61		40		21		53%		178		152		26		17%

East		127		85		42		49%		368		320		48		15%

Florida		71		33		38		115%		193		215		(22	)	-10%
Illinois		3		13		(10	)	-77%		19		26		(7	)	-27%

Other Homebuilding		74		46		28		61%		212		241		(29	)	-12%

Total		1,016		667		349		52%		2,669		2,724		(55	)	-2%

Estimated Value of Orders for Homes, net (dollars in thousands)	$	272,000	$	182,000	$	90,000		49%	$	752,000	$	785,000	$	(33,000	)	-4%
Estimated Average Selling Price of Order for Homes, net (dollars in thousands)	$	267.7	$	272.9	$	(5.2	)	-2%	$	281.8	$	288.2	$	(6.4	)	-2%

Orders for Homes, net. Net orders for homes increased during the three months ended September 30, 2009 for each of our homebuilding segments and for most of our markets. The improvement was due in part to continued declines in our Cancellation Rate (as defined below) during the 2009 third quarter, compared with same period in 2008, and a Company initiated sales program which focused on offering low mortgage interest rates and the impending expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit. These factors also contributed to the improvement in the net orders for homes during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 in our Mountain and East segments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we experienced decreases in the net orders for homes in each market of our West segment, primarily due to a 41% decrease in active subdivisions in this segment.

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Homes Closed. The following table sets forth homes closed for each market within our homebuilding segments (in units).


	Three Months Ended September 30,		Change			Nine Months Ended September 30,		Change
	2009	2008	Amount		%	2009	2008	Amount		%
Arizona	152	307	(155	)	-50%	505	1,038	(533	)	-51%
California	80	155	(75	)	-48%	191	472	(281	)	-60%
Nevada	106	210	(104	)	-50%	294	639	(345	)	-54%

West	338	672	(334	)	-50%	990	2,149	(1,159	)	-54%

Colorado	159	155	4		3%	363	443	(80	)	-18%
Utah	40	54	(14	)	-26%	136	214	(78	)	-36%

Mountain	199	209	(10	)	-5%	499	657	(158	)	-24%

Delaware Valley	12	24	(12	)	-50%	42	75	(33	)	-44%
Maryland	25	55	(30	)	-55%	90	150	(60	)	-40%
Virginia	34	60	(26	)	-43%	120	199	(79	)	-40%

East	71	139	(68	)	-49%	252	424	(172	)	-41%

Florida	48	70	(22	)	-31%	141	254	(113	)	-44%
Illinois	3	26	(23	)	-88%	22	60	(38	)	-63%

Other Homebuilding	51	96	(45	)	-47%	163	314	(151	)	-48%

Total	659	1,116	(457	)	-41%	1,904	3,544	(1,640	)	-46%

Our home closings decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 for most markets within our homebuilding segments, most notably within the West segment where our homebuilding activity has been concentrated. Factors contributing to the lower home closing levels during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 included, among other things: (1) high levels of competition for new home orders driven by builders that significantly cut new home sales prices; (2) difficulty confronted by homebuyers in qualifying for mortgage loans or providing sufficient down payments for mortgage loans for which they qualified; (3) high levels of home foreclosures, which contributed to an excess supply of homes available to be purchased; and (4) prospective homebuyers experiencing difficulty in selling their existing homes in this competitive environment.

Home Gross Margins. We define “Home Gross Margins” to mean home sales revenue less home cost of sales as a percent of home sales revenue. The following table sets forth our Home Gross Margins by reportable segment.


	Three Months Ended September 30,		Increase (Decrease)
	2009	2008	Increase (Decrease)
Homebuilding
West	26.9%	17.8%	9.1%
Mountain	11.5%	11.1%	0.4%
East	14.1%	12.5%	1.6%
Other Homebuilding	6.5%	13.1%	-6.6%

Consolidated	18.9%	15.3%	3.6%

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	Nine Months Ended September 30,		Increase (Decrease)
	2009	2008	Increase (Decrease)
Homebuilding
West	25.1%	14.6%	10.5%
Mountain	9.3%	7.7%	1.6%
East	14.2%	12.6%	1.6%
Other Homebuilding	9.8%	11.8%	-2.0%

Consolidated	17.5%	12.7%	4.8%

Home Gross Margins can be impacted positively or negatively in a reporting period by adjustments in our warranty reserves. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we experienced warranty adjustments in most of our homebuilding segments. These adjustments resulted primarily from a significant downward trend in the amount of warranty payments incurred on our previously closed homes. Because our warranty reserve balance at each period end is generally determined based upon historical warranty payment patterns, the foregoing downward trend in warranty payments impacted the Company’s warranty reserves during 2009 and 2008. Additionally, the warranty adjustments during the 2009 periods were impacted as we reached a settlement of a construction defect claim in the Nevada market of the West segment. As a result of this settlement, the costs of which have been paid by insurance providers, the Company released $7.1 million of warranty reserves that were established during previous reporting periods specific for these construction defect claims.

The following table sets forth the warranty adjustments we recorded to home cost of sales during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 by reportable segment (in thousands).


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Change
	2009			2008			Amount			%
(Decrease) Increase to Home Cost of Sales
West	$	(9,163	)	$	(4,042	)	$	(5,121	)	127%
Mountain		(1,077	)		942			(2,019	)	-214%
East		(549	)		(63	)		(486	)	771%
Other Homebuilding		(25	)		-			(25	)	N/A

Total	$	(10,814	)	$	(3,163	)	$	(7,651	)	242%


	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Change
	2009			2008			Amount			%
West	$	(21,586	)	$	(13,795	)	$	(7,791	)	56%
Mountain		(523	)		2,231			(2,754	)	-123%
East		(2,539	)		(63	)		(2,476	)	N/A
Other Homebuilding		(713	)		-			(713	)	N/A

Total Homebuilding	$	(25,361	)	$	(11,627	)	$	(13,734	)	118%

Also contributing to the increase in the Home Gross Margins during the 2009 third quarter was a reduction of approximately $10,000 in lot cost per closed home, primarily attributable to significant

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inventory impairments recorded during the 2008 fourth and the 2009 first quarter, which lowered the lot cost basis on the homes we closed during the 2009 third quarter. These positive adjustments were offset partially by the impact of decreases in the net selling prices of our homes during the three months ended September 30, 2009 in each market of our West segment. Home Gross Margins in our Mountain segment were impacted positively during the three months ended September 30, 2009 as we experienced a reduction of approximately $14,000 in the lot cost per closed home attributable to significant inventory impairments recorded during the 2008 fourth quarter. These impairments lowered the lot cost basis on the homes we closed during the 2009 third quarter. Also contributing to the increase in Home Gross Margins was a decrease of $14,000 in the home construction costs per closed home. These improvements were offset partially by declines in the average selling prices of closed homes.

Home Gross Margins in our East segment improved slightly during the 2009 third quarter primarily due to the warranty adjustment noted above. For our Other Homebuilding segment, Home Gross Margins during the three months ended September 30, 2009 decreased primarily due to an $11,000 increase in the lot cost per closed home and a $57,000 decrease in the average selling price of closed homes in this segment. These items more than offset a $46,000 decrease in the home cost of construction per closed home.

In our West segment, Home Gross Margins during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were impacted positively by a reduction of $29,000 in lot cost per closed home, primarily attributable to significant inventory impairments recorded during 2008 and a decrease of $9,000 per closed home in home cost of construction. These items partially were offset by the impact of decreases of $39,800, $25,400 and $12,100 in the average selling prices of closed homes for Nevada, Arizona and California, respectively. Home Gross Margins in our Mountain segment increased slightly during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as we experienced a reduction of $20,000 in the lot cost per closed home attributable to significant inventory impairments recorded during 2008. These improvements were offset partially by a $41,200 decline in the average selling prices of closed homes in the Utah market of this segment.

Home Gross Margins in our East segment were impacted positively during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This improvement primarily resulted from the following: (1) a reduction of $25,000 in the lot cost per closed home attributable to significant inventory impairments recorded during 2008; and (2) increases in the average selling prices of closed homes of $31,100 and $8,700 in our Virginia and Delaware Valley markets. These items partially were offset by an increase of $23,000 in home cost of construction per closed home and a $53,900 decrease in the average selling price of closed homes in our Maryland market of this segment. For our Other Homebuilding segment, Home Gross Margins decreased primarily due to a $22,500 decline in the average selling price of closed homes for the Florida market of this segment.

Future Home Gross Margins may be impacted negatively by, among other things: (1) a weaker economic environment, including an increase in the severity and duration of the recession in the United States, as well as homebuyers’ reluctance to purchase new homes based on concerns about job security; (2) continued and/or increases in home foreclosure levels; (3) on-going tightening of mortgage loan origination requirements; (4) increased competition and increases in the level of home order cancellations, which could affect our ability to maintain existing home prices and/or home sales incentive levels; (5) deterioration in the demand for new homes in our markets; (6) fluctuating energy costs, including oil and gasoline; (7) increases in the costs of subcontracted labor, finished lots,

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building materials, and other resources, to the extent that market conditions prevent the recovery of increased costs through higher selling prices; (8) increases in interest expense included in home cost of sales; (9) increases in the costs of finished lots; (10) increases in warranty expenses or litigation expenses associated with construction defect claims; and (11) other general risk factors. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below.

Backlog. The following table below sets forth information relating to Backlog for each market within our homebuilding segments (dollars in thousands).


	September 30, 2009		December 31, 2008		September 30, 2008
Backlog (units)
Arizona		252		158		346
California		120		49		125
Nevada		221		53		155

West		593		260		626

Colorado		246		72		155
Utah		135		42		69

Mountain		381		114		224

Delaware Valley		31		27		38
Maryland		112		58		88
Virginia		94		36		53

East		237		121		179

Florida		87		35		86
Illinois		-		3		12

Other Homebuilding		87		38		98

Total		1,298		533		1,127

Backlog Estimated Sales Value	$	383,000	$	173,000	$	364,000

Estimated Average Selling Price of Homes in Backlog	$	295.1	$	324.6	$	323.0

We define “Backlog” as homes under contract but not yet delivered. Backlog in our Mountain, East and Other Homebuilding segments increased from September 30, 2008, primarily resulting from increased levels of net order for homes during the 2009 third quarter, compared with the same period during 2008. Additionally, while Backlog at September 30, 2009 was lower for our West segment, we did see improvements in the Nevada market of this segment. Contributing to the overall improvement in our September Backlog were significant efforts to increase traffic in our active subdivisions and generate sales through various advertising and sales promotions. This included a Company initiated sales program during the 2009 third quarter which focused on offering low mortgage interest rates and the impending expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit.

The estimated Backlog sales value also increased from $364 million at September 30, 2008 to $383 million at September 30, 2009, due to the 15% increase in the number of homes in Backlog, partially offset by a 9% decrease in the estimated average selling price of homes in Backlog.

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Cancellation Rate. We define our home order “Cancellation Rate” as the approximate number of cancelled home order contracts during a reporting period as a percentage of total home order contracts received during such reporting period. The following tables set forth our Cancellation Rate by segment.


	Three Months Ended September 30,		Increase (Decrease)
	2009	2008	Increase (Decrease)
Homebuilding
West	21%	40%	-19%
Mountain	24%	53%	-29%
East	27%	49%	-22%
Other Homebuilding	27%	58%	-31%

Consolidated	23%	46%	-23%


	Nine Months Ended September 30,		Increase (Decrease)
	2009	2008	Increase (Decrease)
Homebuilding
West	19%	40%	-21%
Mountain	24%	49%	-25%
East	27%	46%	-19%
Other Homebuilding	24%	47%	-23%

Consolidated	22%	43%	-21%

The Cancellation Rates in each of our segments significantly decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. We believe the Cancellation Rates were lower due to a significant decline in the number of cancelled home orders from homebuyers who had difficulty in qualifying for mortgage loan financing, who were not able to sell their existing home or who had uncertainty in making a purchase of a new home. The Cancellation Rates also decreased, due, in part, to a decline in the volatility in the mortgage lending market during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, relative to the volatility experienced during the same periods in 2008.

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Active Subdivisions. The following table displays the number of our active subdivisions for each market within our homebuilding segments. We define an active subdivision as a subdivision that has more than five homes available to be sold and closed and has sold at least five homes.


	September 30, 2009	December 31, 2008	September 30, 2008
Arizona	30	44	52
California	5	18	17
Nevada	20	24	25

West	55	86	94

Colorado	41	49	49
Utah	17	22	24

Mountain	58	71	73

Delaware Valley	1	3	2
Maryland	8	11	12
Virginia	7	12	16

East	16	26	30

Florida	8	7	12
Illinois	-	1	2

Other Homebuilding	8	8	14

Total	137	191	211

Our active subdivisions have decreased for each of our homebuilding segments from September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008 as the Company closed out certain subdivisions through the sale and closing of homes. Additionally, few subdivisions have been opened as we have limited our asset acquisitions during this homebuilding downcycle. However, during the 2009 third quarter, we did have an increase in the number of active subdivisions from June 30, 2009 in the Arizona and Nevada markets of the West segment.

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Average Selling Prices Per Home Closed. The average selling price for our closed homes includes the base sales price, any purchased options and upgrades, reduced by any Sales Price Incentives (defined as discounts on the sales price of a home) or Mortgage Loan Origination Fees (defined as mortgage loan origination fees paid by Richmond American Homes to HomeAmerican). The following tables set forth our average selling prices per home closed, by market (dollars in thousands).


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Change
	2009		2008		Amount			%
Arizona	$	193.6	$	206.2	$	(12.6	)	-6%
California		417.0		435.5		(18.5	)	-4%
Colorado		317.3		346.4		(29.1	)	-8%
Delaware Valley		429.5		395.5		34.0		9%
Florida		208.2		240.1		(31.9	)	-13%
Illinois		294.0		351.7		(57.7	)	-16%
Maryland		405.7		442.0		(36.3	)	-8%
Nevada		204.6		243.3		(38.7	)	-16%
Utah		283.1		331.4		(48.3	)	-15%
Virginia		521.1		458.5		62.6		14%
Average	$	283.5	$	301.7	$	(18.2	)	-6%


	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Change
	2009		2008		Amount			%
Arizona	$	194.8	$	220.2	$	(25.4	)	-12%
California		410.3		422.4		(12.1	)	-3%
Colorado		333.7		348.6		(14.9	)	-4%
Delaware Valley		418.0		409.3		8.7		2%
Florida		217.9		240.4		(22.5	)	-9%
Illinois		313.0		347.8		(34.8	)	-10%
Maryland		405.4		459.3		(53.9	)	-12%
Nevada		206.4		246.2		(39.8	)	-16%
Utah		295.2		336.4		(41.2	)	-12%
Virginia		490.6		459.5		31.1		7%
Average	$	283.3	$	303.2	$	(19.9	)	-7%

The average selling price of homes closed during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased in most of our markets. These declines resulted in part from increased levels of incentives, reduced sales prices in response to lower demand for new homes, increased levels of competition in these markets and change in product mix as we closed smaller homes in certain markets, particularly California, Florida and Colorado. We experienced an increase in the average selling price of closed homes in our Virginia and Delaware Valley markets during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. These increases primarily related to changes in the size and style of our single-family detached homes that were closed during this period.

- 44 -

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion compares results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Home Sales Revenue. Home sales revenue from a home closing includes the base sales price and any purchased options and upgrades and is reduced for any Sales Price Incentives or Mortgage Loan Origination Fees. The table below summarizes home sales revenue by reportable segment (dollars in thousands).


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Change
	2009			2008			Amount			%
West	$	84,474		$	181,921		$	(97,447	)	-54%
Mountain		61,772			71,589			(9,817	)	-14%
East		33,015			61,347			(28,332	)	-46%
Other Homebuilding		10,873			25,950			(15,077	)	-58%

Total Homebuilding		190,134			340,807			(150,673	)	-44%
Intercompany adjustments		(3,318	)		(4,063	)		745		18%

Consolidated	$	186,816		$	336,744		$	(149,928	)	-45%


	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Change
	2009			2008			Amount			%
West	$	237,406		$	585,983		$	(348,577	)	-59%
Mountain		161,267			226,759			(65,492	)	-29%