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Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES USE OF ESTIMATES In presenting the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. REVENUE RECOGNITION See Note 3, "Revenue Recognition", for further discussion. CONSOLIDATION The Company consolidates any variable interest entity ("VIE") for which it is the primary beneficiary with a controlling financial interest. Also, the Company consolidates an entity not deemed a VIE if its ownership, direct or indirect, exceeds 50% of the outstanding voting shares of an entity and/or it has the ability to control the financial or operating policies through its voting rights, board representation or other similar rights. For entities where the Company does not have a controlling interest (financial or operating), the investments in such entities are accounted for using the equity method or at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, as appropriate. The Company applies the equity method of accounting when it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of an investee. The Company measures all other investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income or in the case that an equity investment does not have readily determinable fair values, at cost minus impairment (if any) plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The Company considers highly liquid investments with remaining maturities not exceeding three months at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. RESTRICTED CASH Restricted cash primarily relates to amounts specifically designated as collateral for the repayment of outstanding borrowings under the Company’s securitization facilities. Such amounts approximated $13 million and $7 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS The Company estimates the allowance necessary to provide for uncollectible accounts receivable. The estimate is based on historical experience, combined with a review of current developments and includes specific accounts for which payment has become unlikely. The process by which the Company calculates the allowance begins in the individual business units where specific problem accounts are identified and reserved primarily based upon the age profile of the receivables and specific payment issues. ADVERTISING EXPENSES Advertising costs are generally expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expenses, recorded within the marketing expense line item on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, were approximately $207 million, $211 million and $198 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS Debt issuance costs include costs incurred in connection with obtaining debt and extending existing debt. These financing costs are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount, with the exception of the debt issuance costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility and securitization obligations which are classified as a deferred financing asset within other assets. The debt issuance costs are amortized via the effective interest method and the amortization period is the life of the related debt. INCOME TAXES The Company’s provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated based upon the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. These differences are based upon estimated differences between the book and tax basis of the assets and liabilities for the Company. Certain tax assets and liabilities of the Company may be adjusted in connection with the finalization of income tax audits. The Company’s deferred tax assets are recorded net of a valuation allowance when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax balances will not be realized in future periods. Decreases to the valuation allowance are recorded as reductions to the Company’s provision for income taxes and increases to the valuation allowance result in additional provision for income taxes. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS The Company records derivatives and hedging activities on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts largely to manage its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its foreign currency denominated receivables and payables and interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to future interest rate volatility associated with its variable rate borrowings. The Company has not elected to utilize hedge accounting for these instruments; therefore, any change in fair value is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. However, the fluctuations in the value of these instruments generally offset the impact of changes in the value of the underlying risk that they are intended to economically hedge. See Note 16, "Risk Management and Fair Value of Financial Instruments", for further discussion. INVESTMENTS The Company owned 49.9% of PHH Home Loans, a mortgage origination venture formed in 2005 for the purpose of originating and selling mortgage loans primarily sourced through the Company’s real estate brokerage and relocation businesses, while PHH Corporation ("PHH") owned the remaining percentage. In February 2017, Realogy announced that it and Guaranteed Rate, Inc. (“Guaranteed Rate”) agreed to form a new mortgage origination joint venture, Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC ("Guaranteed Rate Affinity"). During the third and fourth quarters of 2017, Guaranteed Rate Affinity, acquired certain assets of the mortgage operations of PHH Home Loans, including its four regional centers and employees across the United States, but not its mortgage assets. Guaranteed Rate Affinity began doing business in August 2017 on a phased-in basis. Guaranteed Rate Affinity originates and markets its mortgage lending services to the Company's real estate brokerage and relocation subsidiaries as well as other real estate brokerage companies across the country. Guaranteed Rate owns a controlling 50.1% stake of Guaranteed Rate Affinity and the Company owns 49.9%. The Company has certain governance rights related to the joint venture, however it does not have control of the day-to-day operations of Guaranteed Rate Affinity. While the equity earnings or losses related to PHH Home Loans were included in the financial results of the Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services segment, the equity earnings or losses related to Guaranteed Rate Affinity are included in the financial results of the Title and Settlement Services segment. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had various equity method investments aggregating $51 million and $74 million, respectively, which are recorded within other current and non-current assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The $51 million investment balance at December 31, 2018 included $43 million for the Company's investment in Guaranteed Rate Affinity. The $74 million investment balance at December 31, 2017 included $48 million for the Company's investment in Guaranteed Rate Affinity and $19 million for the Company's remaining investment in PHH Home Loans. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company's interest in PHH Home Loans was sold to a subsidiary of PHH Corporation and the Company received net cash proceeds of $19 million reducing the investment balance in PHH Home Loans to zero. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded equity losses of $4 million at the Title and Settlement Services segment primarily related to losses from the operations of Guaranteed Rate Affinity. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded equity earnings of $18 million which consisted of $35 million of earnings from the sale of PHH Home Loans' assets to Guaranteed Rate Affinity, partially offset by $7 million of exit costs and losses of $6 million from the continuing operations of PHH Home Loans. In addition, there was a $4 million loss from equity method investments at the Title and Settlement Services segment primarily related to costs associated with the start up of operations of Guaranteed Rate Affinity, including $3 million of amortization of intangible assets recorded in purchase accounting. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded equity earnings of $12 million, which consisted of $8 million relating to its investment in PHH Home Loans. The Company received $3 million, $63 million and $11 million in cash dividends from equity method investments during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company invested $4 million and $55 million of cash into Guaranteed Rate Affinity during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment (including leasehold improvements) are initially recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation, recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements, also recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization, is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated benefit period of the related assets or the lease term, if shorter. Useful lives are 30 years for buildings, up to 20 years for leasehold improvements, and from 3 to 7 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. The Company capitalizes the costs of software developed for internal use which commences during the development phase of the project. The Company amortizes software developed or obtained for internal use on a straight-line basis, generally from 1 to 5 years, when such software is ready for use. The net carrying value of software developed or obtained for internal use was $93 million and $86 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of trademarks acquired in business combinations. Goodwill and indefinite-lived assets are not amortized, but are subject to impairment testing. The aggregate carrying values of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets were $3,712 million and $767 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018 and are subject to impairment testing annually as of October 1, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. This testing compares carrying values to fair values and, when appropriate, the carrying value is reduced to fair value. In testing goodwill, the fair value of our reporting units is estimated utilizing a discounted cash flow approach utilizing long-term cash flow forecasts and our annual operating plans adjusted for terminal value assumptions. We determine the fair value of our reporting units utilizing our best estimate of future revenues, operating expenses including commission expense, cash flows, market and general economic conditions as well as assumptions that we believe marketplace participants would utilize including discount rates, cost of capital, trademark royalty rates and long-term growth rates. The trademark royalty rate was determined by reviewing similar trademark agreements with third parties. Although we believe our assumptions are reasonable, actual results may vary significantly. These impairment tests involve the use of accounting estimates and assumptions, changes in which could materially impact our financial condition or operating performance if actual results differ from such estimates and assumptions. To address this uncertainty, we perform sensitivity analysis on key estimates and assumptions. Based upon the impairment analysis performed in the fourth quarter of 2018, 2017 and 2016, there was no impairment of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets for these years. Management evaluated the effect of lowering the estimated fair value for each of the reporting units by 10% and determined that no impairment of goodwill would have been recognized under this evaluation for 2018, 2017 or 2016. The Company evaluates the recoverability of its other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, if circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. This analysis is performed by comparing the respective carrying values of the assets to the current and expected future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, to be generated from such assets. If such analysis indicates that the carrying value of these assets is not recoverable, then the carrying value of such assets is reduced to fair value through a charge to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. There were no impairments relating to other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, during 2018, 2017 or 2016. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Significant non-cash transactions in 2018, 2017 and 2016 included $20 million, $18 million and $14 million, respectively, in capital lease additions, which resulted in non-cash additions to property and equipment, net and other non-current liabilities. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Company grants stock-based awards to certain senior management, employees and directors including non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units. The fair value of non-qualified stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model on the grant date and is recognized as expense over the service period based on the vesting requirements. The fair value of r estricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units without a market condition is measured based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the grant date and is recognized as expense over the service period of the award, or when requisite performance metrics or milestones are probable of being achieved. The fair value of awards with a market condition are estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation method and expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires considerable judgment, including estimating expected volatility and expected term, risk-free rate. RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASUs") No. 2014-09 (Topic 606) "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (the "new revenue standard"). The Company adopted the new revenue standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method in which the cumulative effect of applying the new revenue standard was recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. See Note 3, "Revenue Recognition", for further details. In February 2018, the FASB issued a new standard which permits companies to reclassify certain income tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Act, called "stranded tax effects", from accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") to retained earnings. According to the new guidance, the reclassification amount should include the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the gross deferred tax amounts and related valuation allowances, if any, at the date of enactment of the 2017 Tax Act related to items remaining in AOCI. The guidance is effective for all companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2018 which resulted in a debit to Accumulated other comprehensive loss and a credit to Accumulated deficit for $9 million. The Company’s accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI is to release those effects when our entire portfolio of the type of item is liquidated. In June 2018, the FASB issued a new standard related to non-employee share-based payment accounting. The new guidance eliminates specific accounting for non-employee share-based payments and aligns the treatment for awards issued to employees and non-employees reducing the complexity of measurement of non-employee awards and creating a single accounting model. The new standard is applied to all new awards granted after the date of adoption. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance during the second quarter of 2018. There was an immaterial impact upon adoption. In August 2018, the SEC issued a final rule that amends certain disclosure requirements as part of the SEC’s overall project to improve disclosure effectiveness and simplify compliance. The final rule eliminates redundant, duplicative and overlapping requirements which are substantially similar to current GAAP or other SEC disclosure requirements, as well as amends or removes outdated and superseded requirements. However, in some situations, the amendments expanded disclosure requirements, such as an analysis of changes in stockholders’ equity will now be required for the current and comparative quarter and year-to-date interim periods. The Company applied the amendments in the final rule to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS The Company considers the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. In February 2016, the FASB issued its new standard on leases which requires virtually all leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. Lessees will recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment, such as for lease incentives, prepayments and initial direct costs. For income statement purposes, leases will be classified as either operating or finance leases. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense, similar to current operating leases, while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern, similar to current capital leases. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. The new standard was effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, initially requiring a modified retrospective transition approach, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. In July 2018, the FASB issued an ASU that allows entities to elect an optional transition relief giving companies the option to apply the provisions of the new guidance at the effective date (e.g., January 1, 2019), as opposed to the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements under the modified retrospective transition approach (January 1, 2017), and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company will adopt the new standard during the first quarter of 2019 and will elect the optional transition relief. The new standard allows for an optional package of practical expedients during transition which permit companies to not reassess prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs under the new standard. The Company will elect this package of practical expedients; however, the Company will not elect the use of hindsight practical expedients and therefore current lease terms largely remained unchanged. The new standard also allows practical expedients for future accounting under the new standard. The Company will elect the short-term lease recognition exemption and will not recognize a lease obligation and right-of-use asset on its balance sheet for all leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company also will elect the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of its leases resulting in a larger lease liability recorded on the balance sheet. The Company evaluated the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements and believes that the most significant effects of adoption relate to the recognition of new right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for real estate operating leases. On adoption, the Company currently expects to recognize total lease liabilities ranging from $650 million to $670 million with corresponding right-of-use assets of $595 million to $615 million based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments partially offset by the reclassification of existing deferred rent liabilities. The Company has revised and implemented policies and internal controls, as well as a new lease management system to account for leases under the new guidance.

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