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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Basis of Accounting [Text Block] | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Business. M/I Homes, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “we”) is engaged primarily in the construction and sale of single-family residential property in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; Tampa and Orlando, Florida; Austin, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; and the Virginia and Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. The Company designs, sells and builds single-family homes on finished lots, which it develops or purchases ready for home construction. The Company also purchases undeveloped land to develop into finished lots for future construction of single-family homes and, on a limited basis, for sale to others. Our homebuilding operations operate across three geographic regions in the United States. Within these regions, our operations have similar economic characteristics; therefore, they have been aggregated into three reportable homebuilding segments: Midwest homebuilding, Southern homebuilding and Mid-Atlantic homebuilding. The Company conducts mortgage financing activities through its 100%-owned subsidiary, M/I Financial Corp. (“M/I Financial”), which originates mortgage loans primarily for purchasers of the Company’s homes. The loans and the servicing rights are generally sold to outside mortgage lenders. The Company and M/I Financial also operate 100%- and majority-owned subsidiaries that provide title services to purchasers of the Company’s homes. Our mortgage banking and title service activities have similar economic characteristics; therefore, they have been aggregated into one reportable segment, the financial services segment. Basis of Presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of M/I Homes, Inc. and those of our consolidated subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, and of variable interest entities in which we are deemed the primary beneficiary (collectively, “us”, “we”, “our” and the “Company”). Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents. Liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Amounts in transit from title companies for homes delivered of approximately $6.7 million and $8.8 million are included in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. M/I Financial held $19.1 million and $16.3 million of the Company's cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2012 and 2011. Restricted Cash. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, restricted cash consists primarily of amounts held in restricted accounts as collateral for our letter of credit arrangements of $8.7 million and $41.3 million respectively. The aggregate capacity of these secured letters of credit is approximately $18.0 million. In addition, at December 31, 2011, restricted cash included $25.0 million held in restricted accounts pledged to our lenders under our $140 million secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Company was released from this collateral requirement in the first quarter of 2012. Our restricted cash accounts are invested in money market accounts. Mortgage Loans Held for Sale. Mortgage loans held for sale consists primarily of single-family residential loans collateralized by the underlying property. Generally, all of the mortgage loans and related servicing rights are sold to third-party investors shortly after origination. Refer to the Revenue Recognition policy described below for additional discussion. Inventory. Inventory is recorded at cost, unless events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the land is impaired, at which point the inventory is written down to fair value as required by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment. Inventory includes the costs of land acquisition, land development and home construction, capitalized interest, real estate taxes, direct overhead costs incurred during development and home construction, and common costs that benefit the entire community, less impairments, if any. Land acquisition, land development and common costs (both incurred and estimated to be incurred) are typically allocated to individual lots based on total number of lots expected to be closed in each community or phase or based on relative sales value of each lot. Any changes to the estimated total development costs of a community or phase are allocated proportionately to homes remaining in the community or phase and homes previously closed. The cost of individual lots is transferred to homes under construction when home construction begins. Home construction costs are accumulated on a specific identification basis. Costs of home closings include the specific construction cost of the home and the allocated lot costs. Such costs are charged to cost of sales simultaneously with revenue recognition, as discussed above. When a home is closed, we typically have not yet paid all incurred costs necessary to complete the home. As homes close, we compare the home construction budget to actual recorded costs to date to estimate the additional costs to be incurred from our subcontractors related to the home. We record a liability and a corresponding charge to cost of sales for the amount we estimate will ultimately be paid related to that home. We monitor the accuracy of such estimates by comparing actual costs incurred in subsequent months to the estimate, although actual costs to complete a home in the future could differ from our estimates. The Company assesses inventory for recoverability on a quarterly basis if events or changes in local or national economic conditions indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In conducting our quarterly review for indicators of impairment on a community level, we evaluate, among other things, margins on sales contracts in backlog, the margins on homes that have been delivered, expected changes in margins with regard to future home sales over the life of the community, expected changes in margins with regard to future land sales, the value of the land itself as well as any results from third party appraisals. We pay particular attention to communities in which inventory is moving at a slower than anticipated absorption pace, and communities whose average sales price and/or margins are trending downward and are anticipated to continue to trend downward. We also evaluate communities where management intends to lower the sales price or offer incentives in order to improve absorptions even if the community's historical results do not indicate a potential for impairment. From the review of all of these factors, we identify communities whose carrying values may exceed their estimated undiscounted future cash flows and run a test for recoverability. For those communities whose carrying values exceed the estimated undiscounted future cash flows and which are deemed to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the communities exceeds the estimated fair value. Due to the fact that the Company's cash flow models and estimates of fair values are based upon management estimates and assumptions, unexpected changes in market conditions and/or changes in management's intentions with respect to the inventory may lead the Company to incur additional impairment charges in the future. Our determination of fair value is based on projections and estimates, which are Level 3 measurement inputs. Our analysis is completed at a phase level within each community; therefore, changes in local conditions may affect one or several of our communities. For all of the categories listed below, the key assumptions relating to the valuations are dependent on project-specific local market and/or community conditions and are inherently uncertain. Because each inventory asset is unique, there are numerous inputs and assumptions used in our valuation techniques. Market factors that may impact these assumptions include:
• | historical project results such as average sales price and sales pace, if closings have occurred in the project;
• | competitors' market and/or community presence and their competitive actions;
• | project specific attributes such as location desirability and uniqueness of product offering;
• | potential for alternative product offerings to respond to local market conditions; and
• | current economic and demographic conditions and related trends and forecasts.
These and other market factors that may impact project assumptions are considered by personnel in our homebuilding divisions as they prepare or update the forecasts for each community. Quantitative and qualitative factors other than home sales prices could significantly impact the potential for future impairments. The sales objectives can differ between communities, even within a given sub-market. For example, facts and circumstances in a given community may lead us to price our homes with the objective of yielding a higher sales absorption pace, while facts and circumstances in another community may lead us to price our homes to minimize deterioration in our gross margins, although it may result in a slower sales absorption pace. Furthermore, the key assumptions included in our estimated future undiscounted cash flows may be interrelated. For example, a decrease in estimated base sales price or an increase in home sales incentives may result in a corresponding increase in sales absorption pace or a reduction in base house costs. Changes in our key assumptions, including estimated average selling price, construction and development costs, absorption pace, selling strategies, or discount rates, could materially impact future cash flow and fair value estimates. As of December 31, 2012, our projections generally assume a gradual improvement in market conditions over time. If communities are not recoverable based on estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets. The fair value of a community is estimated by discounting management's cash flow projections using an appropriate risk-adjusted interest rate. As of December 31, 2012, we utilized discount rates ranging from 13% to 16% in our valuations. The discount rate used in determining each asset's estimated fair value reflects the inherent risks associated with the related estimated cash flow stream, as well as current risk-free rates available in the market and estimated market risk premiums. For example, construction in progress inventory, which is closer to completion, will generally require a lower discount rate than land under development in communities consisting of multiple phases spanning several years of development. Operating Communities. If an indicator for impairment exists for existing operating communities, the recoverability of assets is evaluated by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to estimated future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales. These estimated cash flows are developed based primarily on management's assumptions relating to the specific community. The significant assumptions used to evaluate the recoverability of assets include: the timing of development and/or marketing phases; projected sales price and sales pace of each existing or planned community; the estimated land development, home construction, and selling costs of the community; overall market supply and demand; the local market; and competitive conditions. Management reviews these assumptions on a quarterly basis. While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change. We believe the most critical assumptions in the Company's cash flow models are projected absorption pace for home sales, sales prices, and costs to build and deliver homes on a community by community basis. In order to estimate the assumed absorption pace for home sales included in the Company's cash flow models, the Company analyzes the historical absorption pace in the community as well as other communities in the geographic area. In addition, the Company considers internal and external market studies and trends, which may include, but are not limited to, statistics on population demographics, unemployment rates, foreclosure sales, and availability of competing products in the geographic area where a community is located. When analyzing the Company's historical absorption pace for home sales and corresponding internal and external market studies, the Company places greater emphasis on more current metrics and trends such as the absorption pace realized in its most recent quarters and management's most current assessment of sales pace. In order to estimate the sales prices included in its cash flow models, the Company considers the historical sales prices realized on homes it delivered in the community and other communities in the geographic area, as well as the sales prices included in its current backlog for such communities. In addition, the Company considers internal and external market studies and trends, which may include, but are not limited to, statistics on sales prices in neighboring communities, which include the impact of short sales, if any, and sales prices on similar products in non-neighboring communities in the geographic area where the community is located. When analyzing its historical sales prices and corresponding market studies, the Company places greater emphasis on more current metrics and trends such as the sales prices realized in its most recent quarters and the sales prices in current backlog. Based upon this analysis, the Company sets a sales price for each house type in the community which it believes will achieve an acceptable gross margin and sales pace in the community. This price becomes the price published to the sales force for use in its sales efforts. The Company then considers the average of these published sales prices when estimating the future sales prices in its cash flow models, assuming no increase in weighted average sales price in 2013 and a 2% increase in 2014 and beyond. In order to arrive at the Company's assumed costs to build and deliver homes, the Company generally assumes a cost structure reflecting contracts currently in place with its vendors and subcontractors, adjusted for any anticipated cost reduction initiatives or increases in cost structure. With respect to overhead included in the cash flow models, the Company uses forecasted rates included in the Company's annual budget adjusted for actual experience that is materially different than budgeted rates. The Company anticipates no increase in assumed weighted average costs in 2013 and a 2% increase in 2014 and beyond. Future communities. If an indicator of impairment exists for raw land, land under development, or lots that management anticipates will be utilized for future homebuilding activities, the recoverability of assets is evaluated by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets based on home sales, consistent with the evaluations performed for operating communities discussed above. For raw land, land under development, or lots that management intends to market for sale to a third party, but that do not meet all of the criteria to be classified as land held for sale as discussed below, the estimated fair value of the assets is determined based on either the estimated net sales proceeds expected to be realized on the sale of the assets or the estimated fair value determined using cash flow valuation techniques. If the Company has not yet determined whether raw land, land under development, or lots will be utilized for future homebuilding activities or marketed for sale to a third party, the Company assesses the recoverability of the inventory using a probability-weighted approach. Land held for sale. Land held for sale includes land that meets all of the following six criteria: (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset; (2) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated; (4) the sale of the asset is probable, and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year; (5) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. The Company records land held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or estimated fair value less costs to sell. In performing the impairment evaluation for land held for sale, management considers, among other things, prices for land in recent comparable sales transactions, market analysis and recent bona fide offers received from outside third parties, as well as actual contracts. If the estimated fair value less the costs to sell an asset is less than the asset's current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value less costs to sell. Our quarterly assessments reflect management's best estimates. Due to the inherent uncertainties in management's estimates and uncertainties related to our operations and our industry as a whole, we are unable to determine at this time if and to what extent continuing future impairments will occur. Additionally, due to the volume of possible outcomes that can be generated from changes in the various model inputs for each community, we do not believe it is possible to create a sensitivity analysis that can provide meaningful information for the users of our financial statements. Further details relating to our assessment of inventory for recoverability are included in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Capitalized Interest. The Company capitalizes interest during land development and home construction. Capitalized interest is charged to cost of sales as the related inventory is delivered to a third party. The summary of capitalized interest for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2010
Capitalized interest, beginning of period | $ | 18,869 |  |  | $ | 20,075 |  |  | $ | 23,670 |
Interest capitalized to inventory | 9,975 |  |  | 9,743 |  |  | 9,744 |
Capitalized interest charged to cost of sales | (13,468 | ) |  | (10,949 | ) |  | (13,339 | )
Capitalized interest, end of year | $ | 15,376 |  |  | $ | 18,869 |  |  | $ | 20,075 |
Interest incurred | $ | 26,046 |  |  | $ | 24,748 |  |  | $ | 19,159 |
Variable Interest Entities. In order to minimize our investment and risk of land exposure in a single location, we have periodically partnered with other land developers or homebuilders to share in the land investment and development of a property through joint ownership and development agreements, joint ventures, and other similar arrangements. For such joint venture arrangements where a special purpose entity is established to own the property, we enter into limited liability company arrangements (“LLCs”) with the other partners to develop the land. The Company's ownership in these entities as of December 31, 2012 ranged from 33% to 50%. These entities typically engage in land development activities for the purpose of distributing or selling developed lots to the Company and its partners in the entity. With respect to our investments in these entities, we are required, under ASC 810-10, Consolidation (“ASC 810-10”) to evaluate whether or not such entities should be consolidated into our financial statements. We initially perform these evaluations when each new entity is created and upon any events that require reconsideration of the entity. In order to determine if we should consolidate an LLC, we determine if the LLC is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) and if we are the primary beneficiary of the entity. Factors considered are whether we have the ability to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the ability to determine the budget and scope of land development work, if any; the ability to control financing decisions for the VIE; the ability to acquire additional land into the VIE or dispose of land in the VIE not under contract with M/I Homes; and the ability to change or amend the existing option contract with the VIE. If it is determined we are not able to control such activities, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE. As of December 31, 2012, we have determined that one of the LLCs in which we have an interest meets the requirements of a VIE due to a lack of equity at risk in the entity. All of our other entities had sufficient equity at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from the equity investors. However, we have determined that we do not have substantive control over any of these entities, including our VIE. As a result, none of these entities are required to be consolidated into our financial statements and the entities are instead recorded in Investment in Unconsolidated Limited Liability Companies on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We enter into option or purchase agreements to acquire land or lots, for which we generally pay non-refundable deposits. We also analyze these agreements under ASC 810-10 to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, if applicable, using an analysis similar to that described above. If we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we will consolidate the VIE in our consolidated financial statements. In cases where we are the primary beneficiary, even though we do not have title to such land, we are required to consolidate these purchase/option agreements and reflect such assets and liabilities as “Consolidated Inventory not Owned” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Investment in Unconsolidated Limited Liability Companies. We use the equity method of accounting for investments in unconsolidated entities over which we exercise significant influence but do not have a controlling interest. Under the equity method, our share of the unconsolidated entities' earnings or loss, if any, is included in our statement of operations. We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment at least quarterly as described below. If the fair value of the investment is less than the investment's carrying value and the Company has determined that the decline in value is other than temporary, the Company would write down the value of the investment to fair value. The determination of whether an investment's fair value is less than the carrying value requires management to make certain assumptions regarding the amount and timing of future contributions to the Unconsolidated LLC, the timing of distribution of lots to the Company from the Unconsolidated LLC, the projected fair value of the lots at the time of distribution to the Company, and the estimated proceeds from, and timing of, the sale of land or lots to third parties. In determining the fair value of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs, the Company evaluates the projected cash flows associated with each Unconsolidated LLC. As of December 31, 2012, the Company used a discount rate of 16% in determining the fair value of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs. In addition to the assumptions management must make to determine if the investment's fair value is less than the carrying value, management must also use judgment in determining whether the impairment is other than temporary. The factors management considers are: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost; (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the company; and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the Unconsolidated LLC for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. We believe that the Company's maximum exposure related to its investment in these entities as of December 31, 2012 is the amount invested of $11.7 million (in addition to a $2.5 million note due to the Company from one of the Unconsolidated LLCs), though we expect to invest further amounts in these LLCs as development of the properties progresses. Further details relating to our Unconsolidated LLCs are included in Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Because of the high degree of judgment involved in developing these assumptions, it is possible that the Company may determine the investment is not impaired in the current period; however, due to the passage of time, change in market conditions, and/or changes in management's intentions with respect to the inventory, a change in assumptions could result and impairment could occur. Consolidated Inventory Not Owned and Related Obligation. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, “Consolidated Inventory Not Owned” included $19.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively, under options contracts that were deemed to be VIEs and where we were considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Of this balance, $2.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively, related to specific performance obligations. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the corresponding liability of $19.1 million and $2.9 million, respectively, has been classified as Obligation for Consolidated Inventory Not Owned on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Property and Equipment-net. The Company records property and equipment at cost and subsequently depreciates the assets using both straight-line and accelerated methods. Following are the major classes of depreciable assets and their estimated useful lives:
| Year Ended December 31,
| 2012 |  | 2011
Land, building and improvements | $ | 11,823 |  |  | $ | 11,823 |
Office furnishings, leasehold improvements, computer equipment and computer software | 22,419 |  |  | 26,637 |
Transportation and construction equipment | 169 |  |  | 268 |
Property and equipment | 34,411 |  |  | 38,728 |
Accumulated depreciation | (23,972 | ) |  | (24,370 | )
Property and equipment, net | $ | 10,439 |  |  | $ | 14,358 |
| Estimated Useful Lives
Building and improvements | 35 years
Office furnishings, leasehold improvements, computer equipment and computer software | 3-7 years
Transportation and construction equipment | 5-7 years
Depreciation expense was $4.8 million, $3.5 million and $4.0 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Notes Receivable. In certain instances, we may accept consideration for land sales or other transactions in the form of a note receivable. The counterparties for these transactions are generally land developers, other real estate investors or, in some cases, affiliated unconsolidated LLCs. We consider the creditworthiness of the counterparty when evaluating the relative risk and return involved in pursuing the applicable transaction. Due to the unique facts and circumstances surrounding each receivable, we assess the need for an allowance on an individual basis. Factors considered as part of this assessment include the counterparty's payment history, the value of any underlying collateral, communications with the counterparty, knowledge of the counterparty's financial condition and plans, and the current and expected economic environment. Such receivables are reported net of allowance for credit losses within other assets. Such receivables are generally reported in Other Assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, Other Assets included notes receivable totaling $8.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, with interest rates ranging from 0% to 12% and maturities from 2013 to 2030. With respect to the balance at December 31, 2012, $2.5 million was from an affiliated Unconsolidated LLCs. Deferred Costs. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, unamortized debt issue costs of $9.1 million and $5.4 million, respectively, are included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The costs are primarily amortized to interest expense using the straight line method which approximates the effective interest method. Other Assets. In addition to notes receivable and deferred costs described above, other assets include assets related to mortgage servicing rights, deposits, pre-acquisition costs for land and prepaid expenses for our insurance programs and other business related items. Warranty Reserves. We use subcontractors for nearly all aspects of home construction. Although our subcontractors are generally required to repair and replace any product or labor defects, we are, during applicable warranty periods, ultimately responsible to the homeowner for making such repairs. As such, we record warranty reserves to cover our exposure to the costs for materials and labor not expected to be covered by our subcontractors to the extent they relate to warranty-type claims. Warranty reserves are established by charging cost of sales and crediting a warranty reserve for each home closed. The amounts charged are estimated by management to be adequate to cover expected warranty-related costs described above under the Company's warranty programs. Reserves are recorded for warranties under the following warranty programs:
• | Home Builder’s Limited Warranty (“HBLW”); and
• | 30-year transferable structural warranty
The warranty reserves for the HBLW are established as a percentage of average sales price and adjusted based on historical payment patterns determined, generally, by geographic area and recent trends. Factors that are given consideration in determining the HBLW reserves include: (1) the historical range of amounts paid per average sales price on a home; (2) type and mix of amenity packages added to the home; (3) any warranty expenditures not considered to be normal and recurring; (4) timing of payments; (5) improvements in quality of construction expected to impact future warranty expenditures; and (6) conditions that may affect certain projects and require a different percentage of average sales price for those specific projects. Changes in estimates for warranties occur due to changes in the historical payment experience and differences between the actual payment pattern experienced during the period and the historical payment pattern used in our evaluation of the warranty reserve balance at the end of each quarter. Actual future warranty costs could differ from our current estimated amount. Our warranty reserves for our transferable structural warranty programs are established on a per-unit basis. While the structural warranty reserve is recorded as each house closes, the sufficiency of the structural warranty per unit charge and total reserve is re-evaluated on an annual basis, with the assistance of an actuary, using our own historical data and trends, industry-wide historical data and trends, and other project specific factors. The reserves are also evaluated quarterly and adjusted if we encounter activity that is inconsistent with the historical experience used in the annual analysis. These reserves are subject to variability due to uncertainties regarding structural defect claims for products we build, the markets in which we build, claim settlement history, insurance and legal interpretations, among other factors. While we believe that our warranty reserves are sufficient to cover our projected costs, there can be no assurances that historical data and trends will accurately predict our actual warranty costs. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, warranty reserves of $10.4 million and $9.0 million, respectively, are included in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Self-insurance reserves. Self-insurance reserves are made for estimated liabilities associated with employee health care, workers' compensation, and general liability insurance. For 2012, our self-insurance limit for employee health care was $250,000 per claim per year, with stop loss insurance covering amounts in excess of $250,000. Our workers’ compensation claims are insured by a third party and carry a deductible of $250,000 per claim, except for claims made in the state of Ohio where the Company is self-insured. Our self-insurance limit for Ohio workers’ compensation is $500,000 per claim, with stop loss insurance covering all amounts in excess of this limit. The reserves related to employee health care and workers' compensation are based on historical experience and open case reserves. Our general liability claims are insured by a third party; the Company generally has a $7.5 million completed operations/construction defect deductible per occurrence by division and a $15.0 million deductible in the aggregate, with a $250,000 deductible for all other types of claims. The Company records a general liability reserve for claims falling below the Company's deductible. The general liability reserve estimate is based on an actuarial evaluation of our past history of claims, other industry specific factors and specific event analysis. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, self-insurance reserves of $1.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, are included in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recorded expenses totaling $4.0 million, $3.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, for all self-insured and general liability claims during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2010, this included $0.6 million of charges related to defective imported drywall, as well as the $2.4 million settlement received in the third quarter of 2010 related to defective imported drywall. Guarantees and Indemnities. Guarantee and indemnity liabilities are established by charging the applicable income statement or balance sheet line, depending on the nature of the guarantee or indemnity, and crediting a liability. M/I Financial provides a limited-life guarantee on loans sold to certain third parties and estimates its actual liability related to the guarantee and any indemnities subsequently provided to the purchaser of the loans in lieu of loan repurchase based on historical loss experience. Actual future costs associated with loans guaranteed or indemnified could differ materially from our current estimated amounts. The Company has also provided certain other guarantees and indemnifications in connection with the purchase and development of land, including environmental indemnifications, and guarantees of the completion of land development. The Company estimates these liabilities based on the estimated cost of insurance coverage or estimated cost of acquiring a bond in the amount of the exposure. Actual future costs associated with these guarantees and indemnifications could differ materially from our current estimated amounts. At both December 31, 2012 and 2011, guarantees and indemnifications of $3.4 million are included in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other Liabilities. In addition to warranty, self-insurance reserves, and reserves for guarantees and indemnities, other liabilities includes taxes payable, accrued compensation, and various other land related and miscellaneous accrued expenses. Derivative Financial Instruments. To meet financing needs of our home-buying customers, M/I Financial is party to interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”), which are extended to customers who have applied for a mortgage loan and meet certain defined credit and underwriting criteria. These IRLCs are considered derivative financial instruments. M/I Financial manages interest rate risk related to its IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale through the use of forward sales of mortgage-backed securities (“FMBSs”), the use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments, and the occasional purchase of options on FMBSs in accordance with Company policy. These FMBSs, options on FMBSs, and IRLCs covered by FMBSs are considered non-designated derivatives. These amounts are either recorded in Other Assets or Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (depending on the respective balance for that year ended December 31). Please see Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. In determining the fair value of IRLCs, M/I Financial considers the value of the resulting loan if sold in the secondary market. The fair value includes the price that the loan is expected to be sold for along with the value of servicing release premiums. Subsequent to inception, M/I Financial estimates an updated fair value, which is compared to the initial fair value. In addition, M/I Financial uses fallout estimates, which fluctuate based on the rate of the IRLC in relation to current rates. Gains or losses are recorded in financial services revenue. Certain IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale are committed to third party investors through the use of best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments. The IRLCs and related best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments, which generally are highly effective from an economic standpoint, are considered non-designated derivatives and are accounted for at fair value, with gains or losses recorded in financial services revenue. Under the terms of these best-efforts whole loan delivery commitments covering mortgage loans held for sale, the specific committed mortgage loans held for sale are identified and matched to specific delivery commitments on a loan-by-loan basis. The delivery commitments and loans held for sale are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in financial services revenue. Segment Information. Our reportable business segments consist of Midwest homebuilding, Southern homebuilding, Mid-Atlantic homebuilding, and financial services. Our homebuilding operations derive a majority of their revenue from constructing single-family homes in eleven markets in the United States. Our operations in the eleven markets each individually represent an operating segment. Due to similar economic characteristics within the homebuilding operations, the Company has aggregated the operating segments into three regions that represent the reportable homebuilding segments. The financial services segment generates revenue by originating and selling mortgages, and by collecting fees for title and insurance services. Revenue Recognition. Revenue from the sale of a home is recognized when the closing has occurred, title has passed, the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the buyer, and an adequate initial and continuing investment by the homebuyer is received, or when the loan has been sold to a third-party investor. Revenue for homes that close to the buyer having a deposit of 5% or greater, home closings financed by third parties, and all home closings insured under Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), U.S. Veterans Administration (“VA”) and other government-insured programs are recorded in the financial statements on the date of closing. Revenue related to all other home closings initially funded by our 100%-owned subsidiary, M/I Financial Corp. (“M/I Financial”), is recorded on the date that M/I Financial sells the loan to a third-party investor, because the receivable from the third-party investor is not subject to future subordination, and the Company has transferred to this investor the usual risks and rewards of ownership that is in substance a sale and does not have a substantial continuing involvement with the home. All associated homebuilding costs are charged to cost of sales in the period when the revenues from home closings are recognized. Homebuilding costs include: land and land development costs; home construction costs (including an estimate of the costs to complete construction); previously capitalized interest; real estate taxes; indirect costs; and estimated warranty costs. All other costs are expensed as incurred. Sales incentives, including pricing discounts and financing costs paid by the Company, are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. Sales incentives in the form of options or upgrades are recorded in homebuilding costs. We recognize the majority of the revenue associated with our mortgage loan operations when the mortgage loans and/or related servicing rights are sold to third party investors. The revenue recognized is reduced by the fair value of the related guarantee provided to the investor. The fair value of the guarantee is recognized in revenue when the Company is released from its obligation under the guarantee. Generally, all of the financial services mortgage loans and related servicing rights are sold to third party investors within two to three weeks of origination. M/I Financial began retaining a small portion of mortgage loan servicing rights during 2012. As of December 31, 2012, we retained mortgage servicing rights of 369 loans for a total value of $0.8 million. We recognize financial services revenue associated with our title operations as homes are closed, closing services are rendered, and title policies are issued, all of which generally occur simultaneously as each home is closed. All of the underwriting risk associated with title insurance policies is transferred to third-party insurers. Advertising and Research and Development. The Company expenses advertising, and research and development costs as incurred. The Company expensed $5.4 million, $4.9 million and $6.1 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for advertising expenses. The Company expensed $2.4 million, $2.5 million and $2.4 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for research and development expenses. Income Taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized based on future tax consequences of both temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when the changes are enacted. We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, whether we are in a cumulative loss position, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. We evaluate our cumulative loss position over a four-year period, based on the current and prior three years. If we determine that we will not be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future, we make an adjustment to the valuation allowance, which increases the provision for income taxes. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheets for 2011 and 2010. We did not incur interest any penalties in 2012 as our provision for unrecognized tax benefits was reversed in the first quarter of 2012 as either the statute of limitations lapsed or audits were completed and the reserve was no longer necessary. Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. For purposes of determining diluted earnings per share, basic earnings per share is further adjusted to include the effect of potential dilutive common shares outstanding, including deferred compensation awards and outstanding options to purchase common shares using the treasury stock method as well as our 3.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes”) using the if-converted method. Please see Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our earnings per share calculation. Profit Sharing. The Company has a deferred profit-sharing plan that covers substantially all Company employees and permits participants to make contributions to the plan on a pre-tax basis in accordance with the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Company contributions to the plan are made at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and resulted in a $0.6 million expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Deferred Compensation Plans. Effective November 1, 1998, the Company adopted the Executives’ Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Executive Plan”), a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The purpose of the Executive Plan is to provide an opportunity for certain eligible employees of the Company to defer a portion of their compensation and to invest in the Company’s common shares. In 1997, the Company adopted the Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Director Plan”) to provide its directors with an opportunity to defer their director compensation and to invest in the Company’s common shares. Stock-Based Compensation. We record stock-based compensation by recognizing compensation expense at an amount equal to the fair value of share-based awards granted under compensation arrangements. We calculate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment in developing assumptions, which involve a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and the expected term of the awards. In addition, we also use judgment in estimating the number of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. Reclassifications. Certain amounts in the 2010 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 and 2012 presentation. Certain amounts in our 2011 Summarized Unaudited Condensed Combined Balance Sheet for our Unconsolidated LLCs in Note 7 of our Consolidated Financial Statements were adjusted to conform to our 2012 presentation. The Company believes these reclassifications are immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Land Option Agreements. In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into land option agreements in order to secure land for the construction of homes in the future. Pursuant to these land option agreements, the Company will provide a deposit to the seller as consideration for the right to purchase land at different times in the future, usually at predetermined prices. Because the entities holding the land under the option agreement may meet the criteria for VIEs, the Company evaluates all land option agreements to determine if it is necessary to consolidate any of these entities. Other than as described above in “Consolidated Inventory Not Owned,” the Company currently believes that its maximum exposure as of December 31, 2012 related to our land option agreements is equal to the amount of the Company's outstanding deposits and prepaid acquisition costs, which totaled $14.9 million, including cash deposits of $8.7 million, prepaid acquisition costs of $2.1 million and letters of credit of $4.1 million. Letters of Credit and Completion Bonds. The Company provides standby letters of credit and completion bonds for development work in progress, deposits on land and lot purchase agreements and miscellaneous deposits. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding $61.8 million of completion bonds and standby letters of credit, some of which were issued to various local governmental entities, that expire at various times through February 2018. Included in this total are: (1) $32.6 million of performance and maintenance bonds and $16.2 million of performance letters of credit that serve as completion bonds for land development work in progress; (2) $9.5 million of financial letters of credit; and (3) $3.5 million of financial bonds. The development agreements under which we are required to provide completion bonds or letters of credit are generally not subject to a required completion date and only require that the improvements are in place in phases as houses are built and sold. In locations where development has progressed, the amount of development work remaining to be completed is typically less than the remaining amount of bonds or letters of credit due to timing delays in obtaining release of the bonds or letters of credit. Impact of New Accounting Standards. In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04: Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 provides clarity to the fair value definition in order to achieve greater consistency in fair value measurements and disclosures between United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). ASU 2011-04 requires additional disclosures regarding transfers of assets between Level 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and expands the fair value disclosure requirements particularly for Level 3 measurements. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2012 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11: Balance Sheet (Topic 210) - Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2011-11”). The amendments in ASU 2011-11 will enhance disclosures required by U.S. GAAP by requiring additional information about financial and derivative instruments that are either (1) offset in accordance with Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45 or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in accordance with Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45. We are required to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and for interim periods within those annual periods. We are required to provide the required disclosures retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2013, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

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